RTHK: Romney, Warren hit out at Trump Republican Senator Mitt Romney said on Friday that he was "sickened" and "appalled" by what Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report revealed about US President Donald Trump and his aides, while most Republicans declined to comment on the explosive report. Meanwhile Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren became the first presidential candidate to call for the US House of Representatives to begin impeachment proceedings against Trump. "The Mueller report lays out facts showing that a hostile foreign government attacked our 2016 election to help Donald Trump and Donald Trump welcomed that help," Warren tweeted. "Once elected, Donald Trump obstructed the investigation into that attack." Former presidential candidate Romney issued a statement in which he said: "I am sickened at the extent and pervasiveness of dishonesty and misdirection by individuals in the highest office of the land, including the president." "I am also appalled that, among other things, fellow citizens working in a campaign for president welcomed help from Russia including information that had been illegally obtained, that none of them acted to inform American law enforcement and that the campaign chairman was actively promoting Russian interests in Ukraine." Released on Thursday after a nearly two-year investigation, Mueller's report detailed a huge amount of cooperative but not criminal contacts between Trump's 2016 election campaign and Russia that assisted the Republican against his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Other Republicans have been mute. Senator Marco Rubio tweeted Friday that Americans should be alarmed at Russian interference and "relieved" that Trump didn't collaborate. Romney, who in 2016 vied with Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, was alone among Republicans in criticising the White House for its behaviour. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. From 2D to 1D: Atomically quasi '1D' wires using a carbon nanotube template Tokyo, Japan - Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have used carbon nanotube templates to produce nanowires of transition metal monochalcogenide (TMM), which are only 3 atoms wide in diameter. These are 50 times longer than previous attempts and can be studied in isolation, preserving the properties of atomically quasi "1D" objects. The team saw that single wires twist when perturbed, suggesting that isolated nanowires have unique mechanical properties which might be applied to switching in nanoelectronics. Two-dimensional materials have gone from theoretical curiosity to real-life application in the span of less than two decades; the most well-known example of these, graphene, consists of well-ordered sheets of carbon atoms. Though we are far from leveraging the full potential of graphene, its remarkable electrical and thermal conductivity, optical properties and mechanical resilience have already led to a wide range of industrial applications. Examples include energy storage solutions, biosensing, and even substrates for artificial tissue. Yet, despite the successful transition from 3D to 2D, the barrier separating 2D and 1D has been significantly more challenging to overcome. A class of materials known as transition metal monochalcogenides (TMMs, transition metal + group 16 element) have received particular interest as a potential nanowire in precision nanoelectronics. Theoretical studies have existed for over 30 years, and preliminary experimental studies have also succeeded in making small quantities of nanowire, but these were usually bundled, too short, mixed with bulk material or simply low yield, particularly when precision techniques were involved e.g. lithography. The bundling was particularly problematic; forces known as van der Waals forces would force the wires to aggregate, effectively masking all the unique properties of 1D wires that one might want to access and apply. Now, a team led by Assistant Professor Yusuke Nakanishi from Tokyo Metropolitan University has succeeded in producing bulk quantities of well-isolated single nanowires of TMM. They used tiny, open-ended rolls of single-layered carbon, or carbon nanotubes (CNTs), to template the assembly and reaction of molybdenum and tellurium into wires from a vapor. They succeeded in producing single isolated wires of TMM, which were only 3-atoms thick and fifty times longer than those made using existing methods. These nanometer-sized CNT "test tubes" were also shown to be not chemically bound to the wires, effectively preserving the properties expected from isolated TMM wires. Importantly, they effectively "protected" the wires from each other, allowing for unprecedented access to how these 1D objects behave in isolation. While imaging these objects using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the team found that these wires exhibited a unique twisting effect when exposed to an electron beam. Such behavior has never been seen before and is expected to be unique to isolated wires. The transition from a straight to twisted structure may offer a novel switching mechanism when the material is incorporated into microscopic circuits. The team hope the ability to make well-isolated 1D nanowires might significantly expand our understanding of the properties and mechanisms behind the function of 1D materials. ### This work was partly supported by a KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (18K14088) This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. In her first exhibition in Egypt, Russian artist Marina Stupnikova confirmed her happiness at visiting Egypt for the first time and to hold a visual art exhibition at the Russian Cultural Centre. Entitled World Perception, the exhibition was opened this week by Hamdy Abul-Maati, the president of the Plastic Artists Syndicate, the director of the Russian Cultural Centre in Cairo Aleksey Tevanyan, the director of the Cultural Programme at the Russian Centre in Cairo Sherif Gad, and visual artist Ibrahim Ghazala. RCC I am happy to say that my upcoming exhibition will be on the historical cities in Egypt, especially that I will visit Cairo and Alexandria, which are ancient and historical cities that include many cultures and civilisations whether Pharaonic, Coptic or Islamic. It is a great opportunity for any foreign artist to visit Egypt, she said. She also said that she has in mind another theme for a new exhibition in the near future in which the hero will be the Egyptian man with all his culture, simplicity, good spirit, warm feelings and hospitality. And now I enjoy touring archaeological and historical areas in Cairo and will move to Alexandria in the coming days, she added. Tevanyan said that the organisation of an exhibition of Russian plastic art comes within the framework of the keenness to develop comprehensive relations between Egypt and Russia in all fields preparing to celebrate 2020 the Egypt-Russia cultural year based on the decisions of presidents Vladimir Putin and Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, as they decided that 2020 is the year of Egyptian and Russian culture. Artist Ibrahim Ghazala, commissaire of the Luxor International Painting Symposium, stressed the importance of the role played by the Russian Cultural Centre in introducing Russian artists and their creations to the Egyptian artistic scene, and also working on the participation of Egyptian visual artists in international artistic shows in Russia, to introduce Egyptian art to art lovers in Russia. Search Keywords: Short link: YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan violated cease fire regime 250 times firing over 2300 bullets from different caliber weapons at Armenian border guards on Artsakh-Azerbaijan contact line during the period of April 14-20. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Defense Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh, Defense Army front line units keep full control of the situation and continue to confidently carry out their military duty. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Congressman Adam Schiff, along with several Armenian organizations, gathered for the Burbank City Councils commemoration the Armenian Genocide on Tuesday, April 16, ARMENPRESS reports, citing ASBAREZ. Organizations in attendance included the Armenian National Committee of America-Burbank, the Armenian Youth Federation Burbank Varak and Gaidzag chapters, Homenetmen Sipan chapter, and Armenian Relief Society Araz chapter. Led by Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy and City Council members, the commemoration began at 6:00 p.m. with the City Council presenting its proclamation memorializing the Armenian Genocide. Representatives present included: CA State Senator Anthony J. Portantino, CA Assembly Member Laura Friedman, and LA County Supervisor Katherine Barger joined the solemn occasion. A short remembrance program followed, joined by Congressman Adam Schiff and ANCA Burbank leaders. It is a moral imperative to speak truth to power because genocide tragically is not a thing of the past, but very much a thing of the present, stated Congressman Schiff. We join tonight with our brothers and sisters, our mothers and fathers in the Armenian community to say we recognize the Armenian Genocide and we are devoted to making sure that this never happens again. The Armenian Genocide is still all too relevant today. Unlike other major 20th century genocides, it has still not been acknowledged by the perpetrators, no reparations made, no reconciliation reached, stated ANCA Burbank chair Silva Kechichian. She continued Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide not only serves to honor the victims and educate the public at large, but it also takes an important stand against historical revisionism, which only leads to a repetition of these unjust chapters of history. Later that evening, a candlelight vigil took place in front of Burbank City Hall, located at 275 E. Olive Ave. The event opened with a performance organized by the AYF Junior Gaidzag chapter and continued with remarks delivered by community leaders, including Burbank Unified School District Superintendent Matt Hill and AYF member Tony Ordoukhanian. Armenia is one nation, one land, and one people. Our history can never be denied. The reparations, restitution, and recognition will be known in every man and womans knowledge, said AYF member Tony Ordoukhanian in his passionate speech addressed to community members. If you are walking behind me the tracks look as if a turtle has been scraping through the sand, Mr Dorney said. BRISBANE - On a recent family trip to Caloundra, acclaimed foreign correspondent Sean Dorney shuffled down the beach to the surf, assisted by his wife and daughter, unable to raise his legs more than a few centimetres above the sand. A tribute dinner for Sean Dorney will be held at Brisbanes Western Districts Rugby Football Club on Saturday 24 February with funds going to motor neurone disease research. You can book with Srahearn@hotmail.com or go to https://www.trybooking.com/345668 Sean Dorney with the ABCs Zane Bojack. Sean was guest commentator for last years Queensland rugby league grand final when the PNG Hunters defeated Sunshine Coast 12-10 He reported on Papua New Guinea and the Pacific as an ABC correspondent for four decades, was awarded an MBE, and even captained the PNG Rugby League national team, the Kumuls. Now he is living with motor neurone disease, which is severely limiting the movement of his limbs. Its exceptionally frustrating, he said. The good thing is there is no real pain involved. Its just weakness of muscle. The neurologist has me doing regular checks on my lungs to see that it is not progressing to the upper part of the body. At the moment it is just the arms and legs. Walking up stairs is a haul because I have to grab onto the railing and pull myself up. At home there are fifteen steps to my office upstairs and the physio advice is the more you can keep doing that the better. The exercise doing that is good. Mr Dorneys diagnosis was confirmed about seven months ago, after a period of feeling weak and finding his physical abilities deteriorating. Hes optimistic, despite a specialist predicting he has three years to live. My own neurologist thinks we dont need to start the stopwatch going yet, he said. Generally the prognosis for anyone with motor neurone disease is three years. Some last ten, others a year and a half. Actually it was a bit of a relief to know what it was, and I had a determination not to let it cloud my mind and get depressed. To my mind, to get depressed would only hasten any deterioration. Fortunately, from my father I have inherited eternal optimism. Having a positive outlook is exceptionally important, and just accepting this is what it is. Theres no point going into a blue funk about it. Mr Dorney makes regular trips to Brisbanes Wesley Hospital for occupational therapy and infusions of Privigen, a drug aimed at boosting antibodies and reducing the rate of deterioration of the nervous system. Despite restricted movement, theres no slowing down his passion for PNG and the Pacific, foreign affairs, and journalism. Family is also of prime importance his wife Pauline, a Manus Islander who was the first female broadcaster on Radio Manus, and his two grown children Jervina and Xavier, and three grandchildren. Four years ago, Mr Dorney retired from the ABC and Radio Australia after decades as a respected correspondent during which he wrote a history of PNG, won a Walkley Award for his reporting and became recognised as an expert on PNG affairs. He now works for the Lowy Institute as a non-resident fellow on its Melanesia program helping to promote greater understanding, networking and guiding young Pacific leaders. Sean reporting in PNG, 1989 Its a really good project in terms of letting young Australians and Papua New Guineans realise how many interesting and bright people there are just across the Torres Strait, he said. Last year, Mr Dorney returned to PNG at the invitation of the Commonwealth Secretariat to be an observer at the countrys general election. I just leapt at it. We spent three weeks before, during and after the voting, he said. I let them know about the motor neurone diagnosis. I just needed a bit of help. On one day of voting in Lae, we went to nineteen polling stations so I had to get in and out of a four-wheel-drive vehicle nineteen times. It took a bit of adjusting to do it. But Im not confined. I walk with a cane but I do get around. Mr Dorney laments Australian politicians lack of concern for the importance of Pacific affairs, and an ABC decision to close down Radio Australias shortwave service, which has served as a lifeline among island nations. I just think weve dropped the ball when it comes to our responsibility in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, he said. And I think the Australian media has lost the plot when it comes to where Australia is in the world. This is a part of the world where we should have a major influence. But knowledge of Papua New Guinea and the Pacific is pretty pathetic. As for the ABC, Im just astounded that we (he still calls the ABC we) have decided that because no one in Sydney listens to Radio Australia (on shortwave) no one anywhere else must listen to it. In Paulines village (on Tulu Island), her brother used to listen to Radio Australia on shortwave, but for some reason the people in the ABC seem to think everyone listens to FM radio now. Mr Dorney said shortwave radio remained hugely important, despite an ABC decision that it was a technology of the past and we dont need it any more. He was brought up in a strong Catholic household in Townsville, the fourth of six surviving children. His father was a highly respected surgeon, and one of the most decorated Australian doctors during World War II. His mother attended Mass every weekday morning as well as Sunday. We went to novena each Saturday night as well as Sunday Mass, he said. Mr Dorney also believes that Sister Rose, a Sacred Heart nun who taught him in primary school in Townsville, also taught his wife Pauline some years later in high school on Manus Island. Each of the Dorney boys attended Brisbanes St Josephs Nudgee College, and in his own self-deprecating style Mr Dorney admits he lagged well behind older brother Kiernan and younger brother Stuart. Kiernan, my elder brother, was good at sport and quite academic. But my younger brother Stuart was the academic star of our family, he said. Stuart came top boy in the whole of Queensland for the senior public examination. The results came out exactly the same day as I failed every subject in first year economics at uni. It took the pressure right off me because my parents were so delighted at how Stuart had done his results saved my bacon. Despite his academic shortcomings, Mr Dorney excelled at rugby league, playing at halfback for James Cook University and later Brisbane Wests (rugby union), while his efforts as editor on the university newspaper earned him an ABC cadetship and set me off on wings that eventually took me quite a distance. In 1974 he was seconded to work for PNGs fledgling NBC radio network and, during that time played rugby league for the Paga Panthers in the Port Moresby competition. A year later he was selected for PNGs national team, the Kumuls, and went on to captain the side. That was an absolute honour, he said. Rugby league is a national obsession in PNG and, with eight million people and 800 languages, it also has a unique power to bring cultures together and bridge social gaps. It certainly helped me as a journalist, Mr Dorney said. The fact that Id been captain of the national rugby league team it proved a huge source of recognition in PNG. Although I was deported in 1984 (because the ABC screened an interview with an Irian Jayan rebel leader), in 1990 when I was back in PNG, the man whod been foreign minister when he deported me was now prime minister, Rabbie Namaliu, and he gave me an MBE not only for my work as a journalist, but also my contribution to Papua New Guinean sport. Mr Dorney chuckles at his many moments of notoriety including a remark by one Australian foreign minister during a Pacific visit that Mr Dorney was far more recognisable than he was to other leaders and VIPs. There were plenty of journalistic highlights during his time as an ABC foreign correspondent. In 1998, he reported the Aitape tsunami, which claimed 2500 lives, and earned a prestigious Walkley Award. In terms of spectacle, nothing can compare with flying over two exploding volcanic vents in the Rabaul volcanic eruption (in 1994). That was just really something, he said. I just found Papua New Guinea endlessly fascinating. And the moment you think you know whats going to happen, youre wrong. Mr Dorney could draw strength from that statement as he faces his latest life struggle motor neurone disease with his wife and family by his side. Paulines been an absolute treasure. Nothing but incredible support. And shes facing this with extreme stoicism, he said. "I've loved working at Toowoomba hospital for the past two years, and in one sense the work doesn't change, but the way children present in PNG is often far sicker than what we see in Australia," Dr Lean said. Dave Lean will be one of two paediatricians at the hospital that covers a population of 400,000. Home will be on the compound of a 160-bed hospital in Kudjip, an hour's drive east of Mt Hagen. "Our youngest is 15 months old, and we're going for at least two years. So yes, we're taking our children!" Dr Lean said. "A lot of people say, 'Are you taking your children with you?', but I think in their minds they're actually asking, 'Are you crazy?'" Dr Lean said. TOOWOOMBA, QLD - Dave and Mary Lean have made a very different kind of tree change taking their five young children with them from Toowoomba in southern Queensland to the highlands of Papua New Guinea. The Lean family at their new home in Kudjip in the Western Highlands Working in developing countries has been a goal for the couple for years. "Even before we knew each other, in our teens, we separately felt this was something each of us wanted to do," Dr Lean said. Two decades and five children later, plus "vaccinations to the hilt!", the family is now making the move. "In one sense it's a wow moment, because it has been such a long time coming," Dr Lean said. "It is a boyhood dream, but we are going in eyes wide open." The area served by Kudjip Nazarene Mission includes spectacular country like this where 400,000 people live Before they decided on PNG, the couple spent six months working in Zambia in 2012. "That's when I discovered a love for paediatrics," Dr Lean said. The time in Africa was formative for the couple in understanding life and work in developing countries. "But after spending a short time in PNG last year, I was gobsmacked at how significant the need was so close to home," Dr Lean said. "These people are our neighbours. "A significant percentage of the paediatric problems are related to premature birth or problems at delivery." The family spent a month at the hospital last year, before committing to an extended stay until at least 2021. "On my last night shift I was asked to help with the delivery of a baby, and when the midwives were trying to deliver the placenta they found a foot sticking out, and realised there was another baby," Dr Lean recalled. "No-one had realised she was having twins. The baby was coming out breech, she had to have an emergency caesarean, there was no baby heart rate we could hear, but thankfully after a period of resuscitation and CPR the little baby was able to survive. "She was only 1,750g when she was born, and about a month after we left the hospital we got a call to say she was ready to go home. "And that was such a great feeling that my own humble efforts did a bit of good in that little girl's life." Dave Lean developed a passion for paediatrics while working in Zambia Both committed Christians, the Leans see their move to the Highlands as a natural extension of their faith. "I feel the Bible teaches that it's very important to meet people's physical needs. Jesus did that," he said. "Christians are called to care about those in need, so I guess it just sort of comes naturally to us." The family arrived in their new home in time for Easter, the most sacred season for Christians. "The thing that is most important to us is being thankful for, and remembering, what God has done for us. And Easter is the ultimate example of that," Dr Lean said. "For us, the people of PNG are our neighbours who have a significant need in the area of health, and there's an opportunity for us to help meet some of those needs. "So there's a real joy for us to go and do that." Woman votes in Moitu-Koita local-level government election STAFF WRITER | International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) ARLINGTON, USA - From 22 June to 6 July, citizens of Papua New Guinea will go to the polls for local-level government (LLG) elections. Voters in each ward will cast their ballots to elect LLG assembly councillors. The LLG elections are important as they are conducted at ward level where the majority of PNGs rural population is located and many basic services are lacking. Electing leaders into the LLG assembly provides the avenue and means for representing voter interests and needs. Additionally, the 2019 LLG elections mark a test for PNGs election officials as these are the first LLG elections since delivery was decentralised to the provincial level. The International Foundation for Electoral Systems has developed a 10-page document on frequently asked questions on local-level government elections in Papua New Guinea, which you can download here. Image: Getty Return flights on a full-service airline from Sydney to Los Angeles have been spotted for $683. Virgin Australia has $713 tickets available on certain date combinations between May to September, according to Scotts Cheap Flights. These are the cheapest nonstop fares weve seen to LA, ever, Scotts Cheap Flights wrote in a bulletin to its subscribers. Dates include summer (their summer, our winter). But Finder later reported seeing $683 tickets with a combination of Virgin and partner Delta. While Australians can usually save some money flying to the US via a stopover in Auckland, Suva or Honolulu, direct flights cost $1,300 return in normal circumstances. Image: Scotts Cheap Flights Yahoo Finance confirmed the existence of the $713 tickets, but they are fast disappearing as only a limited number are available for each flight. All the seats at the $713 price were available through third party online agent BYOjet, Yahoo Finance observed, rather than directly from the airline. Virgin Australia is a full-service airline so meals and checked luggage are all included, as is lounge access if youre on certain levels in its frequent flyer program. Make your money work with Yahoo Finances daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, news and tech news. This year, more than 500 students from 23 schools in Cairo and Alexandria took part in the Taqaddam programme, delivered jointly by the British Council and HSBC Bank Egypt, to help equip them with key skills and enhance their employability. The programme is designed to teach practical life skills to young people aged 15 and 16 and to equip them with a wide set of enduring personal and professional strengths and skills that will enable them to lead successful and fulfilling lives. In January, the Egyptian students attended the first workshop phase. They participated in surveys and assessments to build an accurate picture of their character strengths, how they perceive intelligence and personal qualities, and the extent to which they feel they can positively impact their own lives, their school and their community. After completing these surveys each student received a Personal Development Plan, outlining their journey for the following seven weeks. The young people taking part logged on to a tailor-made online resource that helped them to identify their personal strengths and abilities and areas where they need further development. Students built up their personal portfolios and earning badges as they progressed week by week. The journey concluded with the Make it Happen! event where students showcased their learning from Taqaddam through devising an innovative idea to tackle a key global and social challenge that they identified within their communities. Qawyma Six of October Language school won first place in the Cairo category and El Nasr Girls' College won first place in the Alexandria category a final competition held on 13 and 18 April in the two cities. Winners of the competition were offered internships at the British Council in Egypt. Salma Tawfik, Taqaddam ambassador, currently a student at the Faculty of Mass Communications, Cairo University, said, "The best thing that can be provided to normal human beings is that you dont make them feel normal. Instead, make them feel extraordinary like superheroes who are able to step out of their comfort zone. That is what exactly Taqaddam has introduced to me when I first joined two years ago, a journey which has irrevocably and profoundly affected the way I see myself." At the end of one of the April events, British Council Egypt Director Elizabeth White said, "We are very proud to be working together with HSBC for the fourth year now, creating opportunities for this new generation of young Egyptians to acquire the skills they need for the future they aspire to. Through the Taqaddam training, hundreds of students in Egypt have the chance to think about what inspires them in their communities, to walk outside their comfort zones and experience new things, and to develop the confidence they need and deserve to have. Its a joy to see them exploring their futures, and beginning to unleash their potential. I wish them so well." Sabrin Rahman, regional head of sustainability (MENA) at HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, commented, "We are truly delighted to support Taqaddams youth development programme in Egypt. The Taqaddam programme has been adopted in different schools across seven countries in the region. The focus of the course is to equip young men and women with soft skills such as confidence, assertiveness, decision-making, and the ability to stay safe and healthy. These are essential in assisting young people to succeed today by giving them the skills for learning, life and work." The Taqaddam programme is taking place across seven countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Search Keywords: Short link: The legacy of a Canadian woman who died from cancer continues to live on through the words of her self-penned obituary, which is being read by people around the world. 35 years may not seem long, but damn it was good! Bailey Matheson started the sentimental missive where she thanked friends and family for their support through her last few years. In January 2017, Ms Matheson was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that affects smooth muscle tissue, and later found out it was terminal. But when she was told that she only had two years left to live, the woman decided to make the most of that time, which meant forgoing any treatment. The legacy of a Canadian woman who died from cancer continues to live on through the words of her self-penned obituary To my parents, thank you for supporting me and my decisions throughout my life, the only child wrote. My parents gave me the greatest gift of supporting my decisions with not going through chemo and just letting me live the rest of my life the way I believed it should be. I know how hard that must have been watching me stop treatment and letting nature take its course. It was not only her parents that were by her side. She gave heartfelt thanks to her friends, who she often refers to as her chosen family, as well as her boyfriend, Brent Andrews, who she had met on a dating app just three months prior to her devastating diagnosis. You had no idea what you were getting yourself into when you swiped right that day, Ms Matheson joked. Its her body and her life But Ms Mathesons best friend Julie Carrigan told Yahoo Lifestyle the people in the 35-year-old womans life never felt their friends diagnosis was a burden. Instead they all felt lucky to have been a part of her journey. Her deciding not to go through with treatment was completely her decision, because its her body and her life, Ms Carrigan said. She wasnt giving up by not doing treatments, she was creating a better quality of life for herself. Her happiness was the most important thing. Story continues According to Ms Carrigan, Ms Mathesons happiness had long come from travelling, which is what she set out to do in the time that she had left. With her loved ones by her side, Ms Matheson went to 13 countries including Portugal, Spain, Greece, Croatia and Ireland. She even did a group girls trip to Chicago with 13 of her closest friends. We all got heart tattoos while we were there, that Bailey drew, so we would always have her heart with us wherever we go, Ms Carrigan said. In January 2017, Ms Matheson (pictured here with her parents, Wendy Foxwell and Sandy Matheson) was diagnosed with rare cancer leiomyosarcoma and later found out it was terminal. For Ms Matheson, these experiences seemed to make her feel at ease when the rest of her life was no longer in her control. I never thought I could love my friends more than I did but going through this and having your unconditional love and support you have made something that is normally so hard, more bearable and peaceful, she wrote. Just a few days after Ms Mathesons passing on April 5, Mr Andrews posted a sweet tribute to his girlfriend of nearly three years on his Facebook page with a photo from one of their special trips. And although he wrote Ms Matheson would be cringing at all of the attention, he and Ms Carrigan agreed the viral recognition had been amazing and humbling. She was one of the most caring, genuine, selfless people I had the honour of knowing, Ms Carrigan said. I think I can speak for all that love her when I say we arent surprised that she would touch so many across the world with her words that are straight from her heart. As for how Ms Carrigan and friends will continue to honour Mathesons legacy, her friend said she would be taking Ms Mathesons advice when she wrote: Dont take the small stuff so seriously and live a little. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoos daily newsletter. Sign up here. A couple have faced court accused of lacing biscuits offered up to striking workers with laxatives because they were sick of the noise being made near their home. Ohio residents Bo Cosens, 29, and Rachel Sharrock, 25, allegedly contaminated a number of biscuits and tried to feed them to the picket line. The protesters were bus drivers, cooks and other staff from a nearby school. None of them ate the baked goods but the couple were charged with contaminating them. Bo Cosens, 29, and Rachel Sharrock, 25, allegedly baked biscuits baked with laxatives and gave them to nearby protesters. Source: WKYC Channel 3 It is alleged the pair were in a Facebook video which showed them putting laxatives into biscuit batter while complaining about honking from passing cars in support of the striking workers. The pair faced court on Tuesday and have both been released on bail. Both have been given electronic tracking devices and are prohibited from using social media, news site Times-Reporter reported. If convicted they each face a maximum of 11 years jail. None of the protestors ate the biscuits (pictured). Source: WKYC Channel 3 Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoos daily newsletter. Sign up here. The gunmen who killed 14 members of Pakistan's security forces in the country's southwest earlier this week came from Iran to carry out the attack, officials said Saturday. Some 20 people wearing uniforms from the paramilitary Frontier Corps stopped buses in Balochistan province, which were travelling along the coast to megacity Karachi, before gunning down the security officials. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan had evidence the "terrorist outifts" that carried out the attack have "training and logistic camps inside Iranian areas bordering Pakistan". Those killed included ten serving with the navy, 3 with the air force and one with the coastguard. "We have shared this actionable evidence with Iran after due authentication and identified location of the camps," Qureshi said. Pakistan have created a new Frontier Corps to more effectively control its 950-kilometre long border with Iran, he said. The construction of a fence along its length has begun, he added. Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, is Pakistan's poorest province and the largest by landmass, with Islamist as well as ethnic Baloch separatists active there. A fence along the Pakistan-Iran border is being built officials say. One is already in place on the Pakistan-Afghan border Map of Pakistan showing the route between Ormara and Karachi where gunmen killed 14 people after forcing them off buses Two teenagers and a young man have been charged with the murder of a Brisbane doctor, who was gunned down outside his home on Monday night. Respected doctor Luping Zeng was shot in the chest while in the garage of his Brisbane home while his wife and children were inside. A 17-year-old Slacks Creek boy was arrested on Thursday afternoon in South Brisbane. A 19-year-old man was arrested in the same suburb at 11am on Friday and a 20-year-old was arrested in neighbouring Woodridge minutes later. The three are now each charged with murder along with robbery and firearms offences. Dr Zeng was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition where he was pronounced dead, leaving his family in shock. The local Chinese community have been rallying around Dr Zengs grieving wife and two adult children, who moved to Australia in 2000 and all work in the medical field. Dr Luping Zeng, was shot in the chest on Monday night while packing his car at his familys MacGregor home. Source: Facebook The 56-year-old was highly regarded in the Chinese community, he gained popularity specialising in complicated skin cancer surgery at the Waterford 7 Day Medical Centre and Skin Cancer Clinic. Dr Zeng was described by colleagues calm and gentle. His wife is also a doctor and their two children are following in their parents footsteps by studying to become doctors. The suspected killer has been charged with murder and other offences. Source: Queensland detectives believe those charged and the doctor were unknown to each other but have assured shaken locals that they are safe. Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming says the youngest boy didnt know Dr Zeng and robbery appeared to be the motive. It was likely this is a crime of opportunity that has escalated and resulted in the death of Dr Zeng, he told reporters on Friday. In an earlier statement, Superintendent Fleming said: The safety of all Queenslanders is important to the Queensland Police Service we want to reassure the community that the QPS will continue to work with the community to ensure everyones safety. Story continues The arrest of the three suspects comes after police released photos on Thursday of a stolen silver 2013 Hyundai Elantra hatchback linked to the killing. The 17-year-old was remanded in custody while the two older males were ordered to appear at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoos daily newsletter. Sign up here. US authorities have arrested a former marine in connection with a mysterious February raid on North Korea?s embassy in Spain during which masked assailants roughed-up staff and stole computers, the Washington Post reported Saturday. Citing two sources familiar with the case, the Post said federal authorities arrested Christopher Ahn, a former US Marine and member of a group dedicated to the overthrow of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. A dissident organisation known as the Cheollima Civil Defense (CCD) said it had orchestrated the February 22 embassy raid to highlight illicit activities rampant in North Korea's foreign missions. It came just days before a high-stakes nuclear summit in Vietnam between Kim and US President Donald Trump that ultimately failed to reach an accord. The Post said federal agents had also searched the apartment of Adrian Hong Chang, a Mexican national who Spanish authorities said last month had led the embassy raid. An FBI spokesman referred questions on the case to the Justice Department, who declined to comment. The CCD, a dissident group believed to include high-profile North Korean defectors, said after the raid it had "shared certain information of enormous potential value with the FBI in the United States". North Korea described the incident as a "grave terrorist attack" and urged an investigation into the perpetrators. The Post quoted Hong?s lawyer, Lee Wolosky, as saying his client was "dismayed that the US Department of Justice has decided to execute warrants against US persons that derive from criminal complaints filed by the North Korean regime". The CCD -- which offers to assist people attempting to defect from North Korea -- emerged in 2017 when it posted an online video of the son of the North Korean leader's assassinated brother, saying it had guaranteed his safety. North Korea's embassy in Madrid, which was raided by a shadowy dissident group in February The National Parks Service has recently proposed some changes to the laws that guide and regulate the listing of properties to the National Register of Historic Places. These changes threaten to undermine the spirit under which the register was first established by law, to give unfair and undemocratic advantage to the wealthy, and to give the power of saving a significant property to the federal government rather than the state and local authorities. These changes affect both architectural and archaeological resources. The National Historic Preservation Act was passed in 1966 in response to the loss of so many historic and culturally significant properties as a result of the urban renewal and highway-building campaigns of the 1950s and early '60s. Aside from creating a system to honor these properties, it also created a protocol that protected them against bad development. Ingrained in this important legislation is the power of the State Historic Preservation Office to have a voice on behalf of the people when it comes to listing a property on the national register. It also gives the keeper of the register the ability to respond directly to citizens' nominations of properties to the register by issuing a determination of eligibility for a property in question, which creates an immediate level of protection. In other words, it creates a direct line of communication between you and the authorities that can help save an important landmark. The proposed changes seek to eliminate the voice of the SHPOs when it comes to federal properties, or land under control of a federal agency. Under the proposed change, the federal agency that owns the land or property is the only entity that can nominate it for inclusion on the register, and therefore protect it. Federal agencies are routinely met in court by states and private individuals in order to protect an historic property from destruction. This would remove the state and the individual citizens standing to speak up for such places. This includes everything from a local historic post office to tracts of ancient and sacred Native American land. This is a clear and transparent attempt to open up protected (or protectable) land for development. Another change to the rules would be a shift in the one-person, one-vote concept upon which the nation was founded. Currently, if a potential historic district is under review for listing on the national register, a majority of the property owners can object and end the process. Under the proposed change, if the owner of the majority of the property or land within the district objects, it ends the process. This is an important distinction, as it gives veto power to the largest property owner within a proposed district. In theory, if there were five land owners in a proposed historic district and four of them were in favor but the largest one said no, then the nomination would be sunk. This is wholly undemocratic. Although this measure is also clear to many to be a tool for the government to deny citizens the right to protect federal property, it also clearly favors the wealthy. There are other, subtler protocol changes that are all geared toward the same end: to reduce state and local power in favor of the federal government and to open up protected land to development and destruction. For example, the government would no longer have to consult with federally recognized American Indian tribes with regard to development on their ancestral land. This is another move from politicians who claim to champion small government and limited federal intervention, but when in power, routinely seek to diminish the state and local voice. The hypocrisy is blatant and shameless, but there is something we can do. When there is a proposed rule change such as this, the public may provide comments to the federal agencies and make their voice heard. It is appropriate that we do so in this matter, given that our voice will be silenced once the change has been made! Citizens have until April 30 to submit comments by following the instructions found at regulations.gov/document?D=NPS-2019-0001-0001. You can also reach out to your local congressperson and let them know that you are opposed to this change: https://katko.house.gov/contact/email. Andrew Roblee, of Auburn, is an historic preservation planner and serves on the board of the Preservation Association of Central New York. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 4 WASHINGTON (AP) Former Vice President Joe Biden is expected to join the crowded 2020 Democratic presidential race next week. The decision answers one of the most significant outstanding questions of the early presidential primary season, which has already seen announcements from 18 high-profile Democrats. Biden, 76, would be the oldest and most experienced politician in the race. His plans were confirmed by three people with knowledge, who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The announcement is expected as early as Wednesday and would cap months of deliberation over his political future. The specific launch date and location is unclear. Biden is likely to quickly make visits to early-voting states. One person said Biden's advisers are also considering an early event in Charlottesville, Virginia, the site of a deadly clash between white supremacists and counterprotesters in 2017. The location would be intended to draw a contrast between Biden and President Donald Trump, who initially said there were some "very fine people on both sides" of the violent confrontation. Biden has been particularly outspoken against the rise of white supremacy in the Trump era. One of the most recognizable names in U.S. politics, Biden served as Barack Obama's two-term vice president after nearly four decades as a Delaware senator. His high-profile, working-class background and connection to the Obama years would help him enter the race as a front-runner, although he faces questions about his age and whether his more moderate record fits with a party that has become more liberal. With a record in elected office that stretches half a century, Biden faces multiple challenges. Last month he struggled to respond to claims he touched 2014 Nevada lieutenant governor nominee Lucy Flores' shoulders and kissed the back of her head before a campaign event. A few other women have made similar claims, though none has alleged sexual misconduct. The incident is just a taste of the harsh vetting from both parties expected for Biden, who has run for president twice before but never from such a strong political starting point. His first White House bid in 1988 ended after a plagiarism scandal. And in recent weeks, he was repeatedly forced to explain his 1991 decision, as Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, to allow Anita Hill to face questions about her allegations of sexual harassment against Clarence Thomas, then a nominee for the Supreme Court. Biden has since apologized for his role in the hearing. But in the #MeToo era, it's another example of why critics believe he may struggle to catch on with the Democratic primary voters of 2020. On paper at least, however, he may be well positioned to take on Trump in a general election. The Republican president's allies have privately warned that Biden might be the biggest threat to Trump's re-election given Biden's potential appeal among the white-working class in the Midwest, the same region that allowed Trump to win the presidency. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The financial cost to New York for finally passing a law that says people brought here illegally as young children can access financial aid for state colleges is estimated at $27 million annually. It's a price Democrats were glad to commit to pay once they took over the State Senate this year, and rightfully so. New York will be better off for it. But now the political price of the Sen. Jose Peralta Dream Act is clear. Any time Democrats hesitate to approve a plan Republicans support, the GOP will howl that New York is paying millions to send immigrants here illegally to college but they won't fund (fill in the blank). Republicans test-drove this strategy last week when some Assembly Democrats tabled a bill to fund college for spouses and dependents of military members killed or severely disabled on duty outside of a war zone. Children and spouses of military members killed or severely disabled in war zones already were covered in the $2.7 million Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute program (MERIT) included in the recently approved state budget, which is how such spending is funded when the program, and not the political optics, are the priority. The tabling of the GOP bill by Democrats, who said it was outside of the budget and didn't contain data on how much it would cost, was technically correct but politically foolish. After Republican legislators exploded with indignation, a plan from Senate Democrats to expand the program next year so it could be budgeted properly didn't help, and the issue caught fire. It became an inferno when President Donald Trump tweeted, "In New York State, Democrats blocked a Bill expanding College Tuition for Gold Star families after approving aid for illegal immigrants. No wonder so many people are leaving N.Y. Very Sad!" A spokesman for Senate Republicans pointed out that when they controlled the chamber last year, the same bill passed 62-0. But that vote included every Democratic senator and took place six weeks after the budget agreement that could have funded it was signed. Asked why Senate Republicans never included this measure clearly a bipartisan slam dunk when handled properly in their budget proposals or demanded it in end-of-session negotiations when they controlled the chamber, that spokesman had no answer. Allowing dependents of New York military members killed or severely disabled in the line of duty outside of combat zones access to college funding is worthy, and it's going to happen. The controversy ended Wednesday when Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo issued an executive order to expand the MERIT program to include this group. But no one has been able to say how many such dependents there are or project how much funding is needed. For his announcement, Cuomo appeared with Mecca Nelson of Brooklyn, whose husband died in combat in Iraq and whose family was already covered by the existing program. The Gold Star imbroglio is an apt lesson on today's political climate. The cynical play by the state's Republicans got them both the reaction they wanted and the policy they claimed to seek. The state's Democrats found themselves outmaneuvered and smeared for standing in the way of a meritorious policy they didn't actually oppose. Newsday, Long Island A state senator from Queens is leading an effort to bring the rights of farmworkers on par with other workers in the state. Sen. Jessica Ramos has introduced the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act, which would grant collective bargaining rights, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits and overtime pay to farmworkers. "In New York, there is a Jim Crow-era law still on our books that denies human beings mostly black and Latino, tax-paying New Yorkers parity with nearly every other worker in this state," Ramos, who heads the Senate Labor Committee, said in a statement. On the face of it, we agree. Why shouldn't the people who produce our food get the same benefits as other workers? But the reality of the situation is much deeper. The impact these changes would have on small family farms could be devastating, if enacted on their own. "It is imperative urban lawmakers understand rural issues and the reality that exists on farms for farmworkers before they vote on the legislation," the Farm Bureau said in a statement. The farm lobby opposes the proposed mandates, noting harvesting crops is time-sensitive work conducted amid unpredictable weather conditions. Some farmers have said they would have to consider cutting jobs or closing their operations should the mandates be imposed on them. That is why it is important that all sides be heard. Three hearings are scheduled on the bill in Morrisville in Madison County, Loch Sheldrake in Sullivan County and in Smithtown on Long Island. We agree with several Republican lawmakers who say more hearings are needed especially in northern and western areas of the state. Chenango County Farm Bureau President Bradd Vickers said he recently traveled to Albany with Duane Martin, his counterpart at the Delaware County Farm Bureau, to lobby against the legislation. "It's not about what works down in the city," he said. "It's about what works for farmers and the ones doing the work." If the state enacts this legislation, something has to be done to help the small farms. And the people who can offer these suggestions are the farmers themselves. They know what works and what doesn't. Perhaps subsidies and tax credits can be altered to help farmers absorb the costs. Or the additional costs can be passed along to the consumers. "There's a disconnect between producers and consumers," Vickers said. "The consumer, in general, has no idea what it takes to produce their food." Which is a shame. If people truly understood and appreciated what it takes to produce the food we eat, the farm owners and farmworkers could all get the pay and benefits they deserve. The Daily Star, Oneonta Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 CYBERSPACEThe new age verification system, blocking porn sites in the United Kingdom for users unable or unwilling to upload personal documents proving they are 18 years old, will now take effect on July 15, as AVN.com reported. But with less than three months to go, the British Board of Film Classification, which is charged with implementing the porn ban, now says it will be largely ineffective in preventing teens from accessing online porn. Determined teenagers will find ways to access pornography, a spokesperson for the BBFC told The Telegraph newspaper. But the new system will, nonetheless, mean that young kids will no longer stumble across porn sites when they go online. Teens, or anyone, will still be able to access porn freely via social media sites that allow posting of explicit adult content, such as Twitter, Reddit, and the image-sharing site Imgur, as The Independent newspaper reported. The upcoming law, which will take effect in July after nearly two years of delays, does not apply in a case where it is reasonable for the age-verification regulator to assume that pornographic material makes up less than one-third of the content of the material made available on or via the internet site, the text of the legislation says. That means massive social media platforms can post all the porn they want, as long as two thirds of their content is something else, without being required to set up an age verification gateway. Many of the top social media sites, including Facebook and its subsidiary, Instagram, already ban porn and even non-porn nudity in most cases. Tumblr, the blogging platform that had been perhaps the most porn-friendly of all the major social media sites, expelled porn from its platform starting last December. The BBFC has also acknowledged that its enforcement of the new age-verification law will focus mainly on the most popular porn sites, if those sites refuse to put age verification in place or find ways for their users to skirt the new law. With an estimated five million porn sites online, the task of blocking them all just isnt feasible, according to The Telegraph. Teens will also be able to download pirated porn clips from torrent sites, which wont bother complying with the law, because they are semi-criminal operations that flout the law because they dont give a hoot, online rights advocate Jim Killock told the paper. Photo via Wikimedia Commons No stranger to WankzVR, adult performer Jennifer White was featured as the Dark Queen in the company's notorious Semen Demons release. Now her talents and on-screen presence are put to the test in a new release from Wankz's MILFVR.com site titled "Diving In." The newly added VR narrative was the perfect opportunity for White to expand upon her MILF sex experience and reach a wider audience over the medium of virtual reality. In "Diving In," the viewer discovers Jennifer White getting all wet in the backyard, but shes not taking a swim. Jennifer invites the viewer inside for a memorable one-on-one experience and the 62-minute scene continues as a traditional POV or first-person sex experience. "Compared to WankzVR, our MILF VR brand is focused more on the feeling you get with a confident and aggressive woman," said a spokesperson for the brand. "Jennifer embodies all the hotwife qualities we were going for with this narrative." Following the April 18 release, members shared their approval (currently 86 percent) on the sites discussion forum and over social media. MILF VR 180 productions are optimized for Oculus, Vive, PSVR, Gear VR, Daydream, Cardboard and for Windows Mixed Reality. Pick from downloadable or streaming playback options. Read more about Jennifer White's appearance at MILF VR and enjoy SFW behind the scenes images here. For a few years now, Russell Westbrook has refused to answer questions from Oklahoman writer Berry Tramel. Last night, after the Thunder beat Portland in Oklahoma City to pull the series back to 2-1, Westbrook once again broke out his little comedy routine in response to a routine Tramel inquiry. Heres video of last nights exchange, followed by a look back at the fairly one-sided feud through the years: Russell Westbrook & OKC reporter Berry Tramel 2015: I just don't like you 2017: Hold up Steven 2019: Next question pic.twitter.com/RNCpinyLZ9 Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 20, 2019 Its certainly a weird strategy, one thats been going on so long theres a Grantland piece about it, in which Bryan Curtis attempted to figure out what the Thunder hoped to gain by taking such an antagonistic posture with the press. (Or, at the very least, enabling their players to do so.) Heres the whole presser, too, which features Westbrook and George answering questions (curtly, at times) for a few minutes before Tramel gets his chance: That would make it seem as though Westbrook absolutely hates Tramel for some reason, but according to Tramel thats not the case. He actually wrote about the ongoing routine recently. A relevant excerpt: The idea that Westbrook has some personal issue with me is misguided. Thats not true. Westbrooks issue is with media in general. I dont know from where his original distrust came, but I know hes allowed it to fester over the years, with no guidance from Thunder officials. Its too late far too late to do anything about it now. But Westbrook has been disrespectful to the Oklahoma City media going back almost a decade. And the OKC media has not been disrespectful back. Westbrook has been treated well by the people who cover the Thunder, both in personal deportment and in the content they produce. Westbrook, clearly, is trying to make a point whenever he does this. His eyes darting around the room as if looking for someone, anyone else to ask a question is proof of that. (Also, Paul George jumping in to play along like the kid in class who also wants attention but doesnt know how to get it on his own would be a revealing Paul George moment, if we didnt already know that about him.) Its just not a great look. Does it really harm anyone? Not really. It makes Tramels job maybe somewhat more difficult, and as Curtis showed back in 2015, the overall franchise posturing probably makes it tougher on the OKC media in general to do their jobs. Thats not the end of the world. No one is doing anything illegal or immoral. Its just odd, and given the stubbornness of the star player involved, its not likely to end any time soon. North Carolina for many years has been a battleground over government-backed broadband services. The issue seemed to be settled in 2011, when the Republican-controlled General Assembly passed the Level Playing Field Law , which severely restricted local governments' ability to get into the broadband business.Fair enough, some legislators say - but what about local governments simply paving the way for private providers to bring broadband service to rural areas?said Rep. Josh Dobson, R-Avery, who is the sponsor of House Bill 431 , which would authorize counties and cities to build and lease facilities and equipment to help provide adequate broadband services to rural areas.H.B. 431 - titled the FIBER NC Act - would grant counties and cities the authority to use property taxes to construct such facilities and equipment. The bill requires local governments to conduct a feasibility study, adopt a resolution supporting the action, and post a public notice 10 days before any meeting which would debate and discuss the resolution.Opposition to local government broadband businesses typically has been a Republican issue, who've used million-dollar losses by muni-broadband providers in Salisbury and Mooresville as examples.But Dobson doesn't see it that way.Dobson toldMeanwhile in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Brown of Onslow County is sponsoring Senate Bill 310 . It allows rural electric cooperatives to get into the broadband business using their existing infrastructure.Brown agrees his bill should not be an ideological issue.Brown toldIt certainly doesn't hurt that the federal government, under the leadership of the Trump administration, has provided incentives for states to allow electric co-ops to get into the broadband business.In December U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the Department of Agriculture would offer up to $600 million in loans and grants to help build broadband infrastructure in rural areas of the country.In the press release announcing the program, Perdue described the USDA's ReConnect Program as an initiative asWith all this federal money available, states are rushing to get in line. At the front of the line is Mississippi, which passed a law in January allowing its electric co-ops to provide broadband for its consumers.Now North Carolina wants in on the action. Still, there will be no mad rush, Brown says.he toldStill, critics say they don't have to look far to see the adverse effects of government's involvement in broadband: Salisbury has lost about $3 million a year on it Fibrant Network; and Mooresville has annual deficits of $6 million on its MI-Connection network.In fact, last May Salisbury voters approved a resolution to lease the Fibrant Network to a private company.The free-market Mercatus Center at George Mason University issued a policy brief in 2017 discussing North Carolina's concerns with broadband access. In it, policy analyst Brent Skorup recommended some moves consistent with the current proposals, such as using existing broadband rights-of-way to expand capacity.Skorup also suggested giving rural residents "broadband vouchers" so they could buy service from private providers. Cash payments offer flexibility. They wouldn't lock counties or the state into building infrastructure that becomes obsolete as technology advances.Berin Szoka, president of Tech Freedom, a tech policy think tank, suggests H.B. 431's required feasibility study shouldBut Szoka added,Szoka cautioned, though,It's worth a reminder that the dynamic has changed in the General Assembly in the past few years. Democrats made gains in the 2018 midterms, and Gov. Roy Cooper specifically mentioned expanding broadband to rural areas in this year's State of the State Address.Cooper said.With this in mind, Brown thinks his bill can become a reality.he said. Have Sheriff Offices in North Carolina, possibly even Beaufort County's Sheriff Office, become too political in the discharging of their sworn constitutional duties? No, the sheriff is a constitutional officer. Yes, the Sheriff Office, on strong occasion, often reverts back to political patronage in the dispensation of their sworn constitutional duties. Contact: Attila Nemecz Attila Nemecz Attila.Nemecz@beaufortccc.edu The Beaufort County Community College Foundation is proud to announce the following scholarship recipients for the spring 2019 semester. The BCCC Foundation has awarded over $150,000 in scholarships during the 2018-2019 academic year. Scholarship applications for the fall semester are due on June 27. Registration is open for summer and fall classes., 17, of Washington, received the Ellen Everett & Raymond Gene Schwartz Scholarship. Corprew plans to become a nurse. She is the daughter of Kelly Keys of Washington. Corprew is part of the emergency medical technician program. She is dual-enrolled in the Beaufort County Ed Tech Center.This scholarship is awarded to BCCC Continuing Education students who successfully complete an industry recognized credentialed course. Scholarships are also available to achieve high school equivalency certificate. Qualified students must show academic promise and demonstrated financial need., 39, received the BCCC Foundation Board of Directors Scholarship. Grimes is a Washington resident who is part of the nurse aide program. Grimes attended Washington High School and holds an Associate in Applied Science in Human Services Technology and an Associate in General Education. She is the daughter of Glenda Moore. She currently works at the Child Development Center as a cook and plans to become a traveling nurse.Established in 2015, this scholarship is awarded to Continuing Education students seeking an industry-recognized credential. Students must demonstrate financial need and meet qualifying guidelines., 21, received the Dorothy & Allen Taylor Scholarship. Keel is working toward an Associate Degree in Nursing. She is the daughter of Greg Keel of Jamesville and Betty Jo Burch of Havana, Fl, and she is expecting her first child. The Jamesville resident attended Riverside High School and plans to work at Vidant Beaufort Hospital.Sam Taylor established this scholarship in memory of his parents, Dorothy and Allen Taylor. Scholarships are given to second year nursing RN students who are Beaufort County natives who intent to stay and work in Beaufort County and plan to continue their education at an accredit university towards a BS degree. Students must demonstrate financial need., 17, received the James Franklin & Hannah Bagwell Scholarship. Leggett is part of the nursing program. She is the daughter of Penny and Ernie Coltrain of Jamesville and she attended Bear Grass Charter School. The Jamesville resident plans to continue her nursing education and currently works at Moore Aquatic and Fitness Center as a lifeguard.Established in 1997, this endowment funds annual scholarships in memory of William Riley and Rosa Watson Roberson and William "Bill" Roberson Bagwell. The recipients of these awards must be high school or GED graduates enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program, must demonstrate financial need and must show academic promise., 24, received the Darragh Foundation Scholarship. The Chocowinity resident is part of the nurse aide program. Daughter of Shannon Owens of Chocowinity and Stephen Mears of Edenton, she currently works at Burger King as a cashier. Mears attended Perquimans County High School, and she holds a Phlebotomy Certification. She plans to work in the medical field.Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation's mission is "Helping to Improve the Lives of Others." Scholarships from the foundation are awarded to Continuing Education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need., 42, is a nurse aide student and the daughter of Ruth Peterson of Robersonville. The Robersonville resident attended Roanoke High School. She plans to become a certified nurse aide.Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation's mission is "Helping to Improve the Lives of Others." Scholarships from the foundation are awarded to Continuing Education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need., 24, received the Darragh Foundation Scholarship. Squires is a phlebotomy student and a resident of Washington. He is the son of Sandra Brown and attended Washington High School. Father of one, Squires currently works as a sales associate at Sheetz.Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation's mission is "Helping to Improve the Lives of Others." Scholarships from the foundation are awarded to Continuing Education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need., 23, received the BCCC Foundation Board of Directors Scholarship. Swales is a Washington resident who is part of the pharmacy technician program. Swales attended Washington High School and plans to attend pharmacy school. The daughter of Ursula and George Swales of Washington, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina-Pembroke.Established in 2015, this scholarship is awarded to Continuing Education students seeking an industry-recognized credential. Students must demonstrate financial need and meet qualifying guidelines.For more information, contact Jen Seay at jennifer.seay@beaufortccc.edu or 252-940-6218. 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). In the midst of celebrating LGBTQ Pride the U.S. Supreme Court rained on our virtual parade by ruling in favor of the Catholic Social Serv... Scandal! actors, Hungani Ndlovu and Stephanie Sandows had the time of their life in Mauritius and have the pics to prove it. PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed! The Mzansi actors, Hungani Ndlovu and Stephanie Sandows, emulate what love is all about. They are the cutest couple around. The young love-birds went on a baecation to tropical Mauritius recently and were kind enough to share some snaps of their holiday with their fans on social media. In one of the posts, Hungani said it was the best vacation ever and he wasn't wrong as the pics are proof enough. Take a look at his first pic below. PAY ATTENTION: Do you want to know what's trending on Briefly.co.za? Join our WhatsApp group today. The second pic shows Hungani chilling out with a good book along the beach. He was obviously in the shade but still enjoying the blue skies and ocean breeze. The third pic shows their cuteness once again and just how much Stephanie adores her bae. Finally, in his last pic, Hungani is seen showing off his hot bod in the pool. READ ALSO: Kelly Khumalo doesn't want people telling her and Chad what to do A month ago, Briefly.co.za reported that Hungani Ndlovu and Stephanie Sandows are by far one of Mzansis cutest couples. Not only do they look good together, they work well as a couple and are often setting #couplegoals. The snaps they share on social media are some of the cutest out there. When browsing through the photos that actors Hungani Ndlovu and Stephanie Sandows share on social media, it's clear they have a lot of fun together. They have been in a relationship for four years and they have grown a lot as a couple. They are also ridiculously cute together. Just check out the adorable snaps these two share on Instagram; they are the quirkiest, goofiest and one of the most loving South African couples. The are also very enough to work on the same soapie - Scandal!. How cool is that? READ ALSO: The Hottest Actresses On The Epic TV Game Of Thrones Series Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news! Source: Briefly.co.za News / National by Staff reporter Vice President Kembo Mohadi has gone to court seeking a protection order against his ex-wife Tambudzani Muleya, accusing her of harassment and making threats of physical harm.Mohadi, in court papers, sets out a different narrative from that reported in newspapers over a raid on his former matrimonial home in Beitbridge on March 30.The couple were granted a divorce earlier in March after a two-year court battle.The vice president was accused of using an axe to break down doors and threatening to kill his wife, while also seizing property, including vehicles, which his wife said she won as part of the divorce settlement.But in a court filing at the Harare Civil Courts, Mohadi accuses his ex-wife of being the aggressor, also claiming she has been interfering with his farming activities."On March 30, 2019, I had to go to my former matrimonial home in the company of the police so that everything would be done peacefully and within the ambit of the law. The respondent (Muleya) had to be restrained by the police from attacking me. I proceeded to collect my property and left and since then I have never been there and will never be there," Mohadi said in his plea for protection, the second such order he has sought against her over the last year." on April 1, 2019, the respondent went to my farm Lot 1 of 10 Farm, Jompembe Beitbridge Umzinganwe Estate which is a property which was awarded to me. She started giving my workers orders different from what I had given them. Meanwhile, she is dictating how business should be conducted at the farm."Mohadi also accused Muleya of visiting his workplace in Harare, and later his residence where he now stays with his new wife, Juliet Mutavhatsindi, "to cause commotion and chaos". She was restrained by security agents manning the two places, he said.In her opposing affidavit, Muleya challenged the authenticity of Mohadi's affidavit before the court saying the signature appended on the document does not resemble that of her former husband."It is a manifest forgery and the document before this honourable court is a forged document. I dispute its authenticity," Muleya said.The matter is set to be heard on April 23, 2019. News / National by Staff reporter GOVERNMENT and the Matabeleland Collective, a group of civil society organisations, have agreed on strict timeframes for the implementation of the Gukurahundi healing and reconciliation implementation matrix, with the exhumations and reburials of victims of the massacres set to commence with immediate effect.This comes as President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government is anxious to bring to finality the emotive issue where 20 000 civilians were killed in the southern-western parts of the country in the 1980s.Government also pledged to immediately provide birth certificates to dependants of Gukurahundi victims who have lived without proper identification since the North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade was unleashed on Matabeleland and parts of the Midlands under the watch of former president Robert Mugabe, with Mnangagwa, who was the then state security minister, as the enforcer.A communique seen by the Zimbabwe Independent says the Home Affairs ministry is mandated to issue death certificates to dependants of victims and allow the exhumation of victims upon application by interested parties.Reburial of the victims will also be done as government moves to appease the affected communities.The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), whose lifespan is to be extended beyond its current mandate, has already begun a mapping exercise to ascertain the affected areas and special needs peculiar to several parts of Matabeleland. However, the commission is not adequately resourced to carry out the mammoth task.Gukurahundi, an emotive issue that government has dodged for years, will finally be a subject of discussion at various for a, according to the communique, with government also guaranteeing protection mechanisms for discussants. The state apparatus has over the years been used to squash discussions, mainly in Bulawayo, while protest artists such as the late Joe Maseko were arrested.In a move expected to stimulate debate surrounding the Gukurahundi atrocities, the NPRC has already begun community consultations with victims of the atrocities as part of government's plan to bring closure to the highly-emotive issue.The Ministry of Health and Child Care has also been mandated to avail special medical attention to communities with special needs with immediate effect. The Gukurahundi genocide left thousands maimed, some nursing broken limbs and permanent injuries, while Mugabe regime ignored the sensitive issue.Matabeleland Collective and government also agreed for the expeditious implementation of the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project, an ambitious plan hatched over a century ago that seeks to end the perennial water shortages bedevilling Zimbabwe's second city, Bulawayo, by drawing water from the mighty Zambezi River.The ministries of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement and Finance are expected to give cabinet a monthly report on progress.Bulawayo has faced perennial water shortages as government has continued to dither over the implementation of the project. The Chinese, who had pledged a US$1,2 billion for the project during the Government of National Unity (GNU), abandoned the project midway, citing country risk.Government also pledged to expeditiously implement the devolution of power to local authorities, an emotive issue during the 2013 constitution-making process where Bulawayo and other "marginalised" areas called for removal of red tape in the crafting of local budgets. Activists have also argued against centralisation of decision-making in the Harare metropolitan.In his 2019 national budget, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube allocated $310 million to facilitate the devolution of power to provincial councils following an outcry from marginalised communities and in line with the constitution.Under the implementation matrix, the harmonisation of laws to ease the implementation of devolution will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, Public works and National Housing and Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.Harmonisation of laws should be done within the next six months.Increased participation of women in parliament and government was also agreed during the meeting, a process that will be undertaken by the Justice ministry."Undertake intensive awareness campaigns for the increased inclusivity of women in parliament, cabinet and other governance structures," the implementation matrix reads.Government also guaranteed a NGOstate engagement platform for sustained dialogue between state and non-state actors. The process will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.The implementation matrix also entails investigation and reporting on the causes of alleged police inaction and perceived insubordination during the January 14-16 riots which culminated in a massive crackdown by the country's security services.The ministries of Home Affairs and Justice have been given three months to report back and ensure immediate implementation.Government also resolved to institute immediate investigations into reports of corruption in rural district councils in the Matabeleland districts and elsewhere in the country.A special anti-corruption unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has already begun investigations, according to the communique. News / National by Kingstone Jambawo Zanu-PF was celebrating national independence day which is a result from the protracted and arduous struggle of the people of ZimbabweBut what does this really mean to ordinary Zimbabweans of this generation?Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO) members decided not to take part in the country's 39th Independence Day celebrations by demonstrating outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London highlighting the oppression, corruption, and economic chaos that the country is in."The battle for self-government, and sovereignty may have ended 39 years ago but that of our freedom continues. We are now fighting a different form of oppression one that demands more of our time, commitment and heart. Some have lost their lives for true independence, whilst some have disappeared" said one of the organisers, Rashiwe BayisayiThe rise of social movements show how Zimbabweans have entered a new stage of demanding complete elimination of any form of oppression."The reality is that Zimbabwe has a long way to go in terms of people's rights - how can you be free when you can get shot by those who are supposed to protect you " said Philip MahlahlaZHRO's Chipochedenga Pairirenyatwa and Peter Sidhindi of MazimbabweYesWeCan addressed the protesters who travelled from all parts of UKThe realisation of full independence, both political and economic, has become the ardent aspiration of the people of Zimbabwe . News / National by Mandla Ndlovu Alpha Media Holdings Boss and member of the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) Trevor Ncube has come under fire for his fellow PAC members after they accused him of failing to use his vast media empire to defend President Emmerson Mnangagwa.In a revelation by exiled former cabinet minister Professor Jonathan Moyo Ncube is also accused of failing to come up with a proper propaganda strategy for Mnangagwa."As Rome burns the Curia Regis (Presidential Advisory Council) had a rowdy meeting last week Thursday," Moyo said. "The PAC's propaganda Chief and the regime's PR manager came under heavy fire for failing to reign in his media empire and to come up with a viable propaganda template."However one of the PAC members Shingi Munyeza refuted that the meeting took place and that Ncube was discussed."This is so false and blatant lies. None of what you say here ever happened. Firstly, we never met on Thursday, secondly we have neve discussed anything about Trevor Ncube's business in relation to PAC or anything at all. FACTS ONLY." Munyeza responded.The Presidential Advisory Council was instituted by President Mnangagwa to assist him in making decisions that will develop the country and locate Zimbabwe in the family of nations.In the recent past the PAC came under fire from the staff in Mnangagwa's government after it was accused of failing to come up with one grand idea that can attract foreign direct investments. News / National by Staff reporter A HARARE man has approached the High Court seeking an order for the police to release his Isuzu Double Cab that was held as exhibit when he was charged with fraud in 2016.Andrew Machiha was later freed by the Harare magistrates' court after further remand was refused and the State was advised to proceed by summons.Machiha has listed the officer commanding Commercial Crime Division Zimbabwe Republic Police, Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and the Public Prosecutor Harare magistrates' court as respondents in the application.He wants the police ordered to release his car within five working days if the application succeeds and said its condition was deteriorating under the custody of law enforcement agents."Around 2016 I was arrested and charged with fraud. Following the arrest my car was seized by Commercial Crimes Division and held at Southerton Police as an exhibit,"Machiha said."I attended court a couple of times and on March 3, 2017 further remand was refused and the State was advised to proceed by way of summons. However, to date, the Prosecution has not served me with summons or shown an indication to proceed with that case."My vehicle continues to gather dust and deteriorate at Southerton Police Station two years after the last day I attended court. I caused my lawyers to write a letter of demand for release of the car to the officer commanding Commercial Crimes Division but there has been no response."I verily believe that there is no reason legal or otherwise for police to continue detaining my vehicle while at the same time ignoring my demand for release." Opinion / Columnist Those who have been consistent from 1999, are likely to be beneficiaries of this congress, and secondly off course the Chamisa factor. The Chamisa factor plays a pivotal role on the basis of selection. My problem is bootlickers and opportunists gambling with the people's movement using money to wrestle power from credible people. Be warned Advocate Chamisa, these people will topple you in future. I will be honest with my opinion, I won't go against my conscience. What President Advocate Chamisa needs is a CREDIBLE TEAM and honest people with integrity around him.The good news is that, the elective congress is still in progress, the delegates' needs to know what kind of people are they voting for. Some made nominations out of intimidation, frustration or retaliation, but look you need an honest opinion so that you can deliver the best ahead of 2023 agenda. The 2014 unfinished business has resurfaced and this will give birth to a healthy democratic movement. It's time to move on. What is key is for a united movement to forge an alliance or a political pact with all factions for a bigger task.Elective congresses have their own political and internal dynamics which has nothing to do with public gallery. What you need to understand is that the team that suffered a major setback in 2014 congress is now in charge and they have gained a political upper hand perhaps because of the incumbency. Those who fought in Chamisa's corner during the 2018 debacle to wrestle power from the likes of Khupe and Mwonzora are looking forward to be rewarded. The likes of Hwende, Timveous, Komichi, and Mutseyami are likely to benefit from this congress. It is high unlikely to see people from the opposite camp going through.Basically this is a tug of war between Mwonzora and Chamisa faction. Those who were believed to be fighting in Mwonzora's corner have been trounced in this game. What we are witnessing is a 2014 shadow following the party, and I think Chamisa needs to deal with this once and for all. Chamisa you need a credible team ahead of future assignments.To be quite honest I only salute two provinces, Harare, Masvingo and partly Bulawayo for fair nominations, the rest it was out of pressure and emotions. Personally I feel the organizing team would have done the best, but this was done out of political interest. To be frank, some of the characters nominated cannot match international standards to defeat Zanu-PF. You need people who can deliver the best, people who can provide a benchmark for LEGITIMACY. Let me outline a credible team which can deliver the best.President : Advocate Nelson ChamisaHe is a fair guy, who has done his best to deliver better results in 2018. Looking at history, there is no doubt he can deliver. What he only needs credible people around him, he must weed criminals around him who want to pretend to be smart politically. Particularly those who are singing the CHAMISA CHETE CHETE, they must live up to reality. He has achieved a lot, he holds several degrees, and he is a good lawyer with a balanced judgment. He was once an ICT Minister who performed well during the inclusive arrangement. For Presidency he is fine and he only needs to correct few anomalies to deliver the best.Vice President: Morgan KomichiKomichi is good but he must not be allowed near election matters. He must stick to other core business and other assignments. I suggest he can be assigned to building and strengthening structures. He messed big time on elections and I think it's not a good idea. To me he is loyalist not to Chamisa but the movement. He can't betray the struggle, he is consistent and gives a fair judgment. He deserves Vice Presidency on this coming congress. Komichi holds a Masters, and he has vast experience in labour issues, which will help him to build the party.Vice President: Welshman NcubeWelshman carries a tribal tag which is key for balance and maturity. He carries maturity on him, he preserves the integrity of the party around the Presidency. He is academic sound, he is not easily carried away with minors, he is also crucial by bringing stability on board. He is credible and he has sound reputation on him. To be frank, Welshman is credible and he is level headed. Let the party bury the past and work together with Welshman. The tribal tag is key, the Bulawayo based barrister commands respect across political divide. He is also a professor in Law. The party needs strong advisors who brings much input to the party.Vice President: Lynette Karenyi (Amai Kore)Lynette Karenyi is stable, mature and level headed. She campaigned vigorously for Nelson Chamisa during the 2018 harmonized elections which makes her a key figure in future assignments. It will be very difficult to dismiss Karenyi for now, she carries more weight in the party. Karenyi brings stability on the movement, it would be ideal for Chamisa to fully support her candidature. Karenyi is from Manicaland and this will balance the Manicaland politics, despite suffering major setbacks from the likes of Mutseyami who does not bring much value to the party, she has survived in the cockpit. She is a moderator, a unifier, mature, honest and level headed. Amongst all the MDC women, to be frank she is the most CREDIBLE character for Vice Presidency. For now it's good to maintain balance, Chamisa must not allow bootlickers to mislead him by kicking out the likes of Karenyi. What we have witnessed is opportunists and bootlickers hanging around Nelson Chamisa to mislead the Presidency by sabotaging key people for 2023 agenda.Secretary General: Daniel MolokeleDaniel Molokele is a lawyer by profession who holds reputable and credible credentials who can help the party to pass the benchmark of LEGITIMACY AND CREDIBILITY. Remember you need donors and development partners and the likes of Molokele can deliver the best. Molokele who holds a LLB in Law, Masters in Law had performed tremendously well in the area of law. He has vast business interests ranging from agronomy, retail trade and several law firms. He is a member of the national executive committee, he is also a Member of Parliament. He is also a member of the credible Pan African parliament. Molokele has been a speaker on international platforms, he is level headed, and he is tolerant and not biased. His moral standing in the MDC family is acceptable. To me it's fair if he is given a chance, he also carries a tribal tag on him which brings Matabeleland vote to closure. He is a crowd puller. He led ZINASU as the Vice President and he also led Southern Africa Regional Programme (SARP), he also holds Masters in Business Administration from The African Leadership University which is based in Kigali in Rwanda.Deputy SG: Concilia ChinanzvawanaShe is level headed, well balanced and mature. Her educational background sound more credible. She is ideal for DSG, looking at Mash West in the standing committee, she is the best person to represent the province. He brings wealth experience in politics, and on gender and ethnic balance she can do a better job. He chairs several committees in the house of assembly. She is also a member of parliament.National Chairperson: Tabitha KhumaloShe has been a pillar in the Democratic Movement from Tsvangirai's days and labour union. She brought of stability in Matabeleland, on political and tribal grounds. She fought hard for Nelson Chamisa during the Khupe days when his ascension to power was under threat, she fought in his corner. She only needs to be fair and well balanced and represent everyone, do away with factional politics.Vice Chairman Office: I recommend two people and delegates will choose anyone amongst these two. They are all good.Vice Chairman (1) : Happymore ChidziwaChidziwa is good, stable and hardworking person. He is consistent, level headed and steady and he can deliver the best. He has been consistent in politics. What matters most on this elective congress, people are going to choose those who have been consistent during Tsvangirai's days. He is now a member of parliament and he has an advantage of strong support base from the young wing. He is competing against Sikhala who may have hurdles because of the support from youths and women. Chidziwa is neutral and level headed.Vice Chairman (2): Job SikhalaSikhala is a key figure in national politics. He also holds a Law degree from University of Zimbabwe. He has been an activist from Tsvangirai days and he fought May political battles. He is brave. His major challenge is consistency, when he led a breakaway, and later on bounced back. He is mature and level headed. His major problem is going to be support from main wings such women assembly and youth wings. Looking at all ankles he may face a stiff challenge from Chidziwa.Treasurer General: David ColtartYou need someone with international appeal and credible. Someone of good reputation and sound advice. What is it that he is going to bring on board? Coltart is not a yes man, he is not a push over, and he is a straight guy who holds powerful credentials in business and legal fraternity. He is level headed and sound good for the post.Deputy Treasurer General: Dr Tapiwa MashakadaHe is sound in Economics, and he has the right qualifications, his major challenge is that he is too soft, too academics on politics and he needs to increase his visibility in politics. He is not actively involved in party politics which makes it difficult for him to be marketable for bigger assignments. Generally he is good and level headed for the post of the deputy Treasurer General.International Relations: Tendai BitiHe is an eloquent guy, he is a well-known barrister and human rights defender, and he has vast experience in politics and economics. I think generally the guy can do well in advisory work to the President. He can occupy the post of international Relations secretary which I have no doubt that he can deliver the best.Legal Advisor and Constitutional Secretary: Douglas MwonzoraHe can be good on checking the party by providing checks and balance on the party constitution and advising the President on legal matters. This office can be full time and he can deliver the best. This will close factional gap in the party and this will close bridges between his faction and the rivalry camp.Chamisa needs to appoint the following:1. Political advisor2. Chief advisor3. Policy advisor4. Economic advisor5. First Vice President ( Politics Morgan Komichi)6. Second Vice President ( Administration Welshman Ncube)7. Third Vice President ( Organizing & Elections Lynette Karenyi Kore)Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo holds a B.A from Solusi University, M.A University of Lusaka, Zambia and Doctor of Philosophy (Candidate), from Women's University of Africa, Zimbabwe and he holds a post-grad Qualification in Project Management from University of Zimbabwe (UZ), and Certificate in Business Leadership and he can be contacted at tinamuzala@gmail.com Opinion / Columnist Since Mr Nelson Chamisa's ascendency to the helm, that is, to the Presidency of the MDC-Alliance the MDC has assumed semblance of respectability. It is exuding some aura of respectability and attractiveness. I have seen great minds starting to entertain the idea and possibility of supporting the MDC because of Nelson.In this treatise I will take the opportunity to ask questions and proffer the pros and cons as suggested by different schools of thought. I will deliberately assess and analyse the arguments from the premise and perspective of Ndebeleness and then calibrate what Ndebele responses and reactions to his leadership and party should be.The attractiveness of Nelson ChamisaNelson is viewed as someone which the Ndebele people can trust, someone who will be prepared to listen to their innermost aspirations of self-determination. He is seen as modern, mature, intellectually astute to an extent of realising that the only way out for Zimbabwe is to either let go of Mthwakazi or genuinely integrate Ndebeles on equal basis. He is seen as not so entrenched in the security dynamics of the country and therefore deposable when compared to Mugabe and Mnangagwa.Nelson is described as an innovative leader who will be prepared to give Mthwakazi a referundum to decide whether they want to remain part of Zimbabwe or chat a new trajectory of self rule or of joining South Africa. These are all glowing and scintillating discriptions of Mr Nelson Chamisa, however, very little of these leadership traits have actually been witnessed in reality.Is Nelson Chamisa different from Mr Tsvangirai? Is Nelson Chamisa different from Mugabe and Mnangagwa when it comes to Ndebeles? Let us assume that he is different, once we do that we then need to go further and answer this simple question, What informs his politics?'.In Zimbabwe many Shona speakers define their politics in Ndebele-Shona dichotomy. Has Chamisa managed to transcend this pervasive dichotomy which has benefited the Shona speakers since 1980? For a start let us interrogate his elavation to his current position. When Tsvangirai, who had a long and proven record of discriminating against Ndebeles, saw his end nearing, he decided to appoint two additional Shona vice presidents to his party. The substantial president was a Ndebele, constitutionally and legally entitled to take over the leadership of the party in the event Tsvangirai died. The strategy was very simple to shock and awe Thokozani Khuphe out of the leadership contest so that a Shona could take over. Mr Nelson Chamisa knew this strategy, whether Tsvangirai communicated it to him or not, the truth is he knew what Tsvangirai was doing, but he decided to go along with it with its consequences and ramifications. Nelson was prepared to use the much discredited notion of a majority to ascend to the leadership of the party. This clearly shows that he is not enlightened enough to be able to engage the bigger Mthwakazi issues should he become the president of the country. The sense of entitlement due to belonging to a majority tribe has much allure to him. He still falls within the old Shona school of thought which says the majority shall rule', to him and many Shona speakers this means that the tribe with bigger numbers should rule, this is a tribalistic way of thinking regarding nation-building issues, even Dr Joshua Nkomo during the liberation struggle understood this to mean bigger numbers supporting a certain idea regardless of race or tribe. The humiliation of Thokozani Khuphe should never be understated for this has been happening in Zimbabwe for too long in pushing the Shona agenda against Ndebeles. Do not tell me Nelson is not aware of this for if you do then he does not deserve to be a leader.In his long association with the MDC, Nelson has shown in more ways than one that he is against the Mthwakazi interests, do you still remember the 2005 MDC split, which side did he go with when actually knowing that Tsvangirai was wrong?Nelson has benefited from the lopsided system which has disadvantaged the Ndebele people since 1980, he has never protested that the Ndebele people are being mistreated in Zimbabwe.Would Mr Nelson Chamisa then grant Ndebele people a referendum when he becomes the president of the country? This is a question which needs him to answer publicly now not after assuming power. Nelson has been part of the cabal which has sought to Shonalise Bulawayo and drive away the locals. Therefore I believe that it is disingenuous for anybody to suggest that people from Matabelelalnd should support Nelson Chamisa. This will take the struggle for Mthwakazi 10 years back. The people of Mthwakazi are slowly finding their confidence, just imagine if they were to support Chamisa, what will happen to their self-confidence. Mthwakazi people should seek each other right now, forget about the so called national politics. Regroup and refocus. Opinion / Columnist "Our freedom, independence and the proud heritage left for us by our departed heroes and heroines who paid the supreme sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today. We have within our blood, the traits of bravery, valour and resilience passed on to us by generation upon generation of our departed," said Mnangagwa in his Independence Day address."As we reflect on the path we have walked and the road ahead, we must draw lessons from the actions of our freedom fighters and the principles that guided them. Over the years, through sweat, struggle and tribulations we have survived and never surrendered or lost our hope."Today as we celebrate the birth of our nation, let us honour the values that underpin it. These values must drive us forward. We can no longer afford to be concerned with mere survival. Let us instead seek to blossom, thrive and prosper as a nation, as a people, towards a brighter future in the Zimbabwe we all want."We are being told Zimbabwe is free and this is the Zimbabwe we wanted. How long are we going to tolerate these insults? The true heroes and heroines of this nation are turning in the graves to see what has become of this nation.Zimbabwe has become a highly polarised nation of the have everything and have absolutely nothing! The few Zanu-PF ruling elite and their cronies and families and friends live in palatial mansion, have farms and other business empires, go outside the country for their education and health needs and, most important of all they enjoy absolute power.In all the 39 years since Zimbabwe gained her independence the country is yet to hold free, fair and credible elections. "One man, one vote!" was the clarion call before independence but was trash soon after and forgotten.How can last year's elections ever be judged free, fair and credible when 3 million, compared to the 5 million we are told voted, Zimbabweans in the diaspora were denied the vote? The regime failed even to release something as basic for elections as a verified voters' roll.The have absolutely nothing are the 90% who are unemployed, the 3/4 of the population now living on US$30 per month or less, the povo forced to make do with the local heath care services that has all but completely collapsed. Their suffering and misery is heart breaking and many are now dying of hunger, lack of medicine and other poverty related illnesses.On the political front, the overwhelming majority who have been denied their freedoms and rights including their rights to a meaningful say in the governance of the country and the right to life itself!When the people have protested again the rigged elections, the corruption, the worsening economic hardships, etc. they have been subjected to savage brutality to cow them into silent submission."The introduction of a market-based exchange rate system is expected to stabilise the economy, in the long run. However, Government is alarmed by the recent wanton and indiscriminate increases of prices which has brought about untold suffering to the people. This conduct by stakeholders in business, industry and commerce is inhumane, unethical, unpatriotic and goes against the grain of economic dialogue which the 2nd Republic has espoused," Mnangagwa argues.What 2nd Republic are you wittering about? Mr Mnangagwa, we all know that Zanu-PF blatantly rigged last year's elections and used brute force to ram the results down the nation's throat.You have admitted that you have failed to end the scourge of corruption because it is "deep rooted", you said. You claim that Zimbabwe under your leadership is different from the pariah state of Robert Mugabe, the truth is nothing has change. The 1st Republic and the 2nd Republic is just the flip side of the same coin!As long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state ruled by corrupt and vote rigging thugs there will be no hope of any meaningful economic recovery. None!After 39 years of the nation sinking deeper and deeper into this economic and political hell-on-earth the least we must do is acknowledge that we are lost. The Zimbabwe in which the overwhelming majority have been denied their freedoms, human rights and humanity is not what the nation wanted. Zanu-PF has dragged us into this hell-hole but worse still the regime is keeping us here but rigging elections and imposing itself on the nation. We must demand that Zanu-PF steps down because the party has no mandate to govern since it rigged the elections.The ultimate expression of our national freedom and independence is that everyone must have a meaningful say in the governance of the country including the right to life. And when these basic freedoms and rights are denied, as has clearly happened in Zimbabwe, then they must be demanded.After 39 years of letting Zanu-PF ride roughshod over our freedoms, rights and dreams; we must now demand free, fair and credible elections and mean it. What better way of prove our resolve and determination in our demand than punishing those who rig elections instead of the usual response of appeasing and rewarding the treasonous thugs!Enough is enough! Opinion / Columnist In the Gukurahundi so called hearings what is most baffling is lack of seriousness in the Judge Selo Nare's peace and reconciliation initiative. It doesn't look like he is going to conduct some truth-telling sessions where probably testimonies of people like Robert Mugabe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Perence Shiri and many others that are said to have been involved, would be heard.These are the people that know it all - why the killings were conducted, who ordered them, who executed them and what they were meant to achieve. If we don't hear why those innocent old men and women who did not know anything about politics, most of whom did not even participate in the liberation war besides being collaborators and who could not even fire a gun, were killed so mercilessly, we will never find peace and closure. May be Judge Selo Nare does not understand the huge responsibility of achieving peace in this magnanimous job.It is not about accepting an appointment to be chairman of some commission and getting huge perks, no. It's about helping the nation find a path to peace and democracy and learn to stay in the most humane lane ever. It is about personal responsibility accounting. Judge Selo Nare says his team will split into two groups to cover the two affected regions conducting hearings.What kind of hearings shall these be? Is it asking us how we feel about our horrific loses and how we want the reparations to be conducted? That is fine we can tell him that but that does not bring peace and closure and he knows that, but why do it that way then. His Honour must know that we need to know why a government can round up it's subjects and murder them in that manner without any reason. The hearings must start in Harare.Chiefs should have been asked to hold meetings with their subjects in the affected areas already because people need to air their views without fear. However one of the most important things is testimonies by the perpetrators. We want to hear those and remember it is not about embarrassing certain people, no. It's about identifying causes of such horrors and then putting mechanisms to avoid repeats. Knowing dictators, they always think about themselves and not anything good for the nation.Cowards, they hide behind their fingers, dodging reality.Zanu pf never seizes to amaze me. You see the Dumbutshena and Chihambakwe commissions of inquiry reports have gone missing. Surely who is expected to believe that. That simply displays the evil that is in zanu pf leadership.The reports were obviously implicating the top leadership of Zanu-PF because there were no arrests after the reports were made public and they have just walked out of their keeper's sight.Weren't they in a safe place? This goes to show how play-acting the Selo Nare commission is. I mean what was in the Dumbutshena and Chihambakwe commissions reports that we are not supposed to know about? There is something in human blood that makes it not cheap blood, one that is easy to spill, yes there is. God knows what.Clemen Moyo (Mr)+263 712 708 284/7778 662 090clemenmoyo@gmail.com - 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." Everything You Need to Know About Trappist Beer What Is Trappist Beer and Why Should You Be Drinking It? The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service. Its widely known that Belgium has a reputation for crafting exceptional beer and for good reason. From their natural lambic ale to their house brews, its almost impossible to find a bad brew in Belgium. With that in mind, did you know that Belgium is home to one of the most intriguing types of breweries in Europe? While Trappist beer originated in the Cistercian monastery of La Trappe, France, it has found a very happy home in neighboring Belgium. RELATED: Why Is There No Spring Seasonal Beer? But what is Trappist beer? Put simply, Trappist breweries are beer facilities run under the supervision of monks at a monastery or Benedictine abbey. The carefully crafted, natural-leaning ale is then sold to the public and the proceeds go entirely to charity. Sounds pretty niche, right? Surprisingly, many of Belgiums most popular exports happen to be Trappist brews. The charitable factor flies largely under the radar, and thats exactly what the monastery aims for. According to Karen Labonte, the Social Media Coordinator at Spencer Brewery in Massachuchets (the only Trappist brewery outside of Europe), Trappist brewing productions help monks live a sustainable life within the monastery while also providing charitable assistance to the community. We also try not to be extreme. Labonte says. We want our beers to be balanced. We are not like many breweries trying to make the hoppiest, sourest, fruitiest, or booziest beer. There is nothing wrong with that, but that is not the style of a monk. Where Do They Brew Trappist Beer? There are only fourteen Trappist monasteries across the globe six are, of course, located in Belgium, and the rest are spread out in the Netherlands, Austria, France, Spain, and the United States. Unfortunately for beer lovers, you cant just visit a Trappist brewery like you would a craft brewery or big producer but theres a good reason for that. The brewery is normally closed to the public which makes many Americans crazy since beer tourism is big these days, Labonte admits. The reason behind this is that the brewery is far up on the monastery grounds and the constant stream of visitors would disturb the quiet lives of the monks. There are handfuls of unofficial breweries as well, but to be an official Trappist brewery, the monastery must be recognized by the International Trappist Association. Look for the Authentic Trappist Product label to ensure youre drinking the real deal. Trappist beers have an extra step before they go to market and can carry the Trappist logo. Before any of our beers can carry the official Trappist logo, they have to be approved by the International Trappist Association. Labonte says, The monks do not want that label on anything that they do not consider of high quality. If nothing else, the logo on the product means that it's not just our opinion that the beer is good. RELATED: Healthy Beer Drinking Where Do You Start? So you want to dabble in Trappist ale? We dont blame you. The unique ale is not only delicious, it also supports communities and causes without being flashy about it. Here are some of our favorite Trappist beers ranging from just outside of Boston all the way to Brussels. Spencer Trappist Ale Brewed right here in the US, Spencer is the only officially certified American Trappist brewery. What makes Spencer unique is its ingredients: there are only four. A magical blend of water, hops, barley, and yeast, Spencer Trappist Ale offers a full-bodied beer with subtly fruity notes and a satisfyingly dry finish. Keep in mind that their beers are unfiltered and unpasteurized, so they taste much more natural and earthy than your typical mass market brew. From $5.04 at Drizly.com Westmalle Trappist Dubbel Boasting a striking red coloring, subtle notes of banana and malt, and a long, dry finish, this traditional Belgian ale is a great option for amber beer lovers. Note that the Trappist term dubbel suggests this particular beer is stronger than your average tap drink, but not as strong as tripel or quadrupel. From $5.99 at Drizly.com La Trappe Quadrupel Trappist Ale Crafted in the Netherlands, this extra strong Trappist ale offers a striking amber color and intensely rich flavoring. Keep in mind that the ABV is pushing 10%, which is just a few percentage points lower than wine. From $5.49 at Drizly.com Chimay Doree One of the most popular Trappist beers, you may have tried Chimay in the past and not even realized it. The Chimay Doree is significantly lower in alcohol than a quadrupel or dubbel, clocking in around the same ABV as a typical American beer (4%). That said, its still highly fermented and naturally produced. Its brewed with dried orange peel and coriander, which translates into a very pleasant, spicy flavor with a satisfying dry finish. Its said to have been enjoyed by the Trappist monks at Scourmont Abbey with their evening meals. From $5.04 at Drizly.com So the next time youre in the mood for a delicious, natural-tasting beer, pick up a few Trappist ales. Youll be surprised by how refreshing these natural, monastery-made beers can taste. You Might Also Dig: AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service. To find out more, please read our complete terms of use. Gold bullion on a chart If youre looking to recession-proof your portfolio, only a few options can really make it solid. One of those options? Gold. Over the next two years, analysts are predicting that while gold may not grow all that much, it likely wont sink either. In fact, even if the entire continent of North America hits a hard recession, that doesnt mean the entire world will stop buying gold. China, for example, is a huge purchaser of the product and this is likely to continue. So where should you be putting your dollars ahead of a possible recession? If its my money, Id choose Barrick Gold Corporation (TSX:ABX)(NYSE:GOLD), Goldcorp Inc. (TSX:G)(NYSE:GG) and Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX:LUN). Barrick There was recently some pretty awesome news for this gold company. Deutsche Banks analyst Chris Terry recently pushed the company out of the hold zone and into a buy. And honestly, there are a lot of great reasons for it. Terry attributes the change to the cost-cutting, money-saving, and divesting of assets initiatives the company has taken recently. This all points to a financially stable and responsible company, with an opportunity for investors to take part in a great opportunity. In 2018, the big news was that Barrick had acquired Randgold and its large portfolio of mines. Just over 10 of the mines produce more than 200,000 ounces, or more of gold per year, which is as much as most mid-tier mines make during their entire operation. Even more recent was Barricks joint venture with Newmont mining for the miners Nevada assets. This will also add a lot of value without disrupting Barricks balance sheet. In the next 12 months, analysts expect shares to rise from where they are now at about $18.20 at the time of writing to potentially $30 per share! Thats an increase of almost 65%! Goldcorp Speaking of Newmont, another investment investors should be looking forward to is Goldcorp ahead of the companys finalizing of its $13.38-billion merger with Newmont mining. Analysts believe that investors are still getting a great price for the company ahead of the merger, with prices well below fair value. Story continues But just because the company is merging doesnt mean that all plans are out the window. The company has continued to see production costs drop as recently opened mines and new projects are completed, and its well on the way to achieving its 20/20/20 plan of 20% higher production, 20% lower costs, 20% more reserves. Like Barrick, this stock also has the potential to double in the next 12 months from about $15.42 per share to $35 per share after this merger is complete. Lundin Investors have high hopes for Lundin in 2019. The company purchased its Fruta del Norte gold project in Ecuador back in 2014, and this year it should finally enter production. Why is that exciting? Well, it could be one of the largest gold mines in the entire world! This could turn Lundin into a cash flow powerhouse, with this mine alone pumping out $535 million in annual sales alone. The miner also signed a $1 billion deal to buy the Chapada copper-and-gold mine from Yamana Gold Inc. in Brazil. Once investors start seeing proof of this worth, it might be harder to buy at such a deep discount. The company currently trades at $7.38 per share at writing, but that could jump to $9 by the end of this year and even further if you buy and hold this stock. More reading Fool contributor Amy Legate-Wolfe has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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 Close your eyes and it almost feels like you're sitting in a pew on a Sunday morning. But there's no pulpit or preacher in this west-end Halifax apartment, just a small group of friends harmonizing to worship songs. The people who gathered on a recent Monday night are members of the Halifax chapter of Generous Space Ministries, a refuge for LGBTQ Christians, "recovering Christians" and allies who've felt rejected by mainstream churches. For the past three years, the group has met twice a month to sing songs some with revamped lyrics that are more inclusive share readings and talk about growing up in the Christian world. Some members still attend traditional churches. But many don't feel welcome there. "A lot of us feel like orphans from a community of faith," said Marie Raynard, the group's co-facilitator. "I feel like it's very important that people who feel forgotten know they're not, know that they have someone who sees them." Emma Smith/CBC Raynard grew up going to a conservative Brethren church where homosexuality was regularly denounced from the pulpit. There were less overt rebukes, too. "There was how everybody lived together, and what I saw modelled for me was just one way of living, and that it was the only way, really," said Raynard, who identifies as both queer and Christian. The group allows her to feel close to the parts of her faith that still bring her joy. "I spent a good deal of time assuming that God hated me and, therefore, I hated myself and realized that was unhelpful and probably not correct either," she said. Keanan Byggdin said the years he felt trapped between two identities left their mark. Emma Smith/CBC "There's a lot of shame," he said. "There's a lot of sadness. Depression is something that I have struggled a lot with." He remembers years ago learning from a friend that someone from the congregation had come out as gay, but vowed to remain celibate. Story continues "I remember arguing with her intensely about how it wasn't OK for him to have even said that he was gay and here I am, this little queer kid, just basically parroting back the views that I had heard," said Byggdin. For Marissa Wiebe, Generous Space has become a support system of sorts for her to work through her anger at mainstream churches. She grew up in a Mennonite area of Manitoba, and attended a mix of Baptist, Protestant and Evangelical churches. These days, she calls herself "a recovering Christian." "Most people have come from a similar western Christian tradition, so it's nice to relate to people and have conversations about, you know, as children what were you exposed to in the Christian world and it's nice to know that I'm not alone in that," she said. Emma Smith/CBC Generous Space Ministries was founded in 1985 as a very different organization. Back then, it was actively anti-gay. Over time, the organization shed its old name and ties, and began trying to create a space safe for LGBTQ believers and their families. Now, that's its entire purpose. The Generous Space website says it's a place for people "craving spaces where they could unapologetically be both Christian and LGBTQ+." There are chapters across the country, including a growing number in Atlantic Canada. Churches confront their pasts Confronting a history of intolerance is something that many mainstream churches have had to do. While today more and more Halifax congregations call themselves affirming, and march in the Pride parade, distrust still exists, said Hubert Den Daak, minister at St. John's United Church. "I would first apologize to them because real hurt has been done for the wrong reasons," he said. In 2007, St. John's became one of the first affirming congregations in the city, and Den Draak said nearly 40 per cent of the congregation now identifies as LGBTQ. Emma Smith/CBC Betsy Hogan, minister at St. Matthew's United Church on Barrington Street, said a church has to do more than say it's accepting of everyone. "To be affirming is to be intentional, to be explicit, to be public about recognizing the full humanity and the full inclusion of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirited, inquiring," she said. But she knows building back trust with LGBTQ believers who've been burned by Christianity is not easy. "Real healing does take time, and shifting what is after all thousands of years of destructive theology does take time," Hogan said. Family and tradition are so much a part of faith that identifying as both queer and Christian can sometimes feel like walking a tight rope, said Raynard. Shifting ... thousands of years of destructive theology does take time. - Betsy Hogan, Minister at St. Matthew's United Church "Some people probably in the queer community would say, 'Oh, you can't be Christian if you're queer. Or why would you do that to yourself?'" she said. But Raynard tried leaving Christianity behind for good, and couldn't. "I think parts of my Christian background that remain with me are still harmful to me, but there's also this idea of loving God and loving your neighbour at least as much as you do yourself, and I don't think I've found anything truer than that," she said. MORE TOP STORIES: A snowfall warning for mountainous areas along Alberta's western border near Banff and Jasper has been lifted, Environment Canada said. Banff and Jasper were previously expected to get 10 centimetres of snow Friday. A later forecast, issued by Environment Canada around 4 p.m. Friday said the area near Banff is expected to receive rain or snow, which will end late evening. The area may also see snowfall of about 2 cm over sections of the Icefields Parkway and Highway 93. Jasper faces a 60 per cent chance of showers Friday. "Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult," said the public weather agency in an advisory. "Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight." Wind warnings were in effect throughout the southwest corner of Alberta, with gusts expected to increase to 100 km/h Friday morning. Just before 3 p.m. Friday those warnings had ended. Weather hampering search efforts Weather conditions have hampered efforts to recover the bodies of three climbers from Howse Peak in Banff National Park. As of Friday, the ground search remained on hold. The three world-renowned climbers set out on Tuesday to make the ascent. Rescue officials were contacted Wednesday when the men didn't report in. Parks Canada visitor safety specialist Stephen Holeczi said rescuers have been able to fly over the site. It's unclear when conditions will improve enough for the recovery operation to resume on the ground, Holeczi said in an interview Friday. "We searched the area for quite a long time," he said. "We did see signs of multiple avalanches and debris containing climbing equipment along with strong evidence that the climbing party was deceased and involved in the avalanche." The men have been identified as Jess Roskelley from the United States and Austrian climbers David Lama and Hansjorg Auer. Story continues Officials believe it was a Size 3 avalanche, which would have been powerful enough to knock down trees or destroy a small wood-framed building. Parks Canada officials it doesn't know when conditions will improve enough for the recovery operation. The Mueller report, which the Justice Department released to the public on Thursday morning, is the jaw-dropping account of a corrupt president who tried his hardest to both do collusion-adjacent crimes and to hide evidence of those efforts from law enforcement officials. Although the special counsel's office elected not to indict Donald Trumpsince their ability to do so is, at best, a legal gray areatheir report sets out a clear road map for Congress, if it so chooses, to fulfill its constitutionally enshrined obligation to impeach him for high crimes and misdemeanors. The ink on the report's redactions had scarcely dried, though, when the first round of high-profile House Democrats began nervously pooh-poohing the very idea of bringing Trump to justice in such a manner. "Based on what we have seen to date, going forward on impeachment is not worthwhile at this point. Very frankly, there is an election in 18 months, and the American people will make a judgment," opined House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, the number-two Democrat in Congress. (He walked this back later, asserting in a tepid statement that "all options ought to remain on the table" to ensure that "Congress and the American people have all the info they need to know the truth.") "Barring a bipartisan consensus," added former federal prosecutor and current House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff, impeachment would be an exercise in futility. "You dont bring a case if you dont think youre going to be successful just to try the case." Speaker Nancy Pelosi said nothing new about the subject on Thursday. Last month, however, she told Reuters that "unless theres something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I dont think we should go down that path, because it divides the country." She added: "He's just not worth it." Some Democrats offered less ambiguous visions of what they think the House should do next; freshman representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar, among others, promptly announced they would sign on to an impeachment resolution. The party's leadership, however, remains notably reluctant to breathe the i-word in public. Story continues A brief civics recap: Impeachment is analogous to charging a president with crimes, and impeaching a president requires a simple majority vote of the House. If that vote is successful, the chief justice of the Supreme Court presides over a trial in the Senate; if two-thirds of senators vote to convict the president of said charges, the president is removed from office. The point at which Hoyer and Schiff are getting is that even if House Democrats were able to impeach Donald Trumpnot a given, since that vote could be a tough one for nervous purple-district Democrats to takeRepublicans still control the Senate. None of those 53 Trump dead-enders would dream of even criticizing the president, let alone casting a ballot to boot him from the White House. If you already know Mitch McConnell holds the ultimate trump card (sorry), their reasoning goes, why allow him the opportunity to play it and humiliate you on the national stage? As majority leader, one of Hoyer's principal concerns is the preservation of that majority. And there is evidence that voters care less about the intricacies of Trump's purported legal jeopardy than they do, say, his fixation with repealing the Affordable Care Act, or his gracious extension of tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires who don't need them. On the campaign trail, Democratic presidential hopefuls report receiving precious few questions about Russia, Mueller, and impeachment. And health care was the most important issue in the 2018 midterm elections, which Democrats won in convincing fashion. Given the party's recent track record of (modest) success and the de facto impossibility of convicting Trump between now and next November, the impulse to remain cautious, keep doing what works, and not risk the election on a doomed impeachment bet is understandable. That said: Taking impeachment off the table altogether is a self-defeating and myopic approach. A team of veteran prosecutors just spent two years assembling a mountain of evidence that the president is a serial liar who will do (and has done) just about anything to evade criminal culpability. The most important reason the Department of Justice elected not to prosecute him for any of his misbehaviors, according to their report, is a longstanding policy that ties their hands by prohibiting the criminal prosecution of a sitting president. But the special counsel's office made clear: "Congress has the authority to prohibit a President's corrupt use of his authority in order to protect the integrity of the administration of justice." If its conclusions are not an impeachment recommendation to lawmakers, they are, at the very least, a strongly worded referral. There is only one entity with the power to indict Donald Trump, and several of its most prominent members are already out here meekly declaring that it is just too challenging a task to undertake at this time. This is a dereliction of duty masked as skittish risk-aversion. Public opinion is not static, and good politicians persuade voters to change their minds, oftentimes in a hurry. (Thanks to savvy messaging, for example, Medicare for All went from fringe idea to a table-stakes primary issue in just a few years.) Winning an election in the future and protecting the integrity of American democracy now are not mutually exclusive propositions. And although the former is a career aspiration for members of Congress, the latter is literally part of their jobssomething they swore to do when they took their oaths of office. Democratic candidates in 2018 spoke mostly about health care and the economy, yes, but many of them also pitched voters on the desperate need for a check on the Trump administration's rampant malfeasance. The Mueller report is the most significant test yet of their commitment to that lofty pledge. If Democrats balk now, the constituents who voted for them are bound to be a bit less enthusiastic about offering support when re-election season rolls around. Their Republican opponents, meanwhile, will be emboldened to continue trampling democratic norms over the next 18 months, confident that they will face no consequences for doing so. Uncritically foreclosing the possibility of impeachment sets a dangerous precedent. Call it the Hoyer-Schiff Standard: Unless one party controls both a majority of the House and a supermajority of the Senate, a president of the opposite party will never, never have to answer for their misconduct in office. This would render the institution of impeachmentwhich, again, is the only constitutionally approved method of holding a sitting president accountablefunctionally toothless. If Democrats are worried that Trump will treat a hypothetical acquittal in the Senate as a triumphant victory over Deep State saboteurs, just imagine how he would treat the House's decision to respond to the long-awaited Mueller report with a collective shrug. Even if impeachment does not end with the Senate declaring Trump to be a criminal, Democrats can still use the process to put him on trial, making a high-profile case to Americans that he is undeserving of four more years in office. But already, the president is insisting publicly that the report exonerates him. Unless Democrats decide to grow a backbone sometime soon, for all intents and purposes, he'll be right. By Yousef Saba and Mahmoud Mourad CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptians voted on Saturday in a three-day referendum on constitutional changes that could allow President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to stay in office until 2030 and boost the role of the powerful military. Sisi's supporters say the changes are necessary to give him more time to complete major development projects and economic reforms. Critics say they concentrate more power in Sisi's hands and return Egypt to an authoritarian model. While the changes are expected to pass, observers say the turnout will be a test of Sisi's popularity, which has been dented by austerity measures since 2016. He was re-elected last year with 97 percent of the votes, on 41 percent turnout. Polls closed at 1900 GMT and at the time, the national election commission had not yet given official figures for the turnout on the first day. The country's small but vocal opposition called on supporters to vote against the changes instead of boycotting the polls like they did in the presidential election. Former presidential candidates Hamdeen Sabahy and Khaled Ali both posted photos of themselves with ballot papers marked No. People carrying flags and wearing T-shirts saying "do the right thing" - the slogan plastered on thousands of posters across the capital ahead of the referendum - meanwhile campaigned for a Yes vote. A double-decker bus blasting patriotic music circled around polling stations close to Cairo's Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the 2011 uprising that ended former President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. "I believe that everything the president has done was for the good of the country, and I believe that we want the march to continue," Mona Quarashi, head of a local development NGO, said before she voted in downtown Cairo. But a hairdresser in a Cairo suburb said he did not vote. "I cannot participate in a farce like this," said Zaki Mohamed, 45. "Does it makes sense to have a referendum on articles in the constitution without studying these articles and for whose interest? We have gone many years back, back to the authority of the individual." If approved, the amendments would extend Sisi's current term to six years from four and allow him to run again for a third six-year term in 2024. They would also grant the president control over appointing head judges and the public prosecutor from a pool of candidates. They would task the military with protecting "the constitution and democracy and the fundamental makeup of the country and its civil nature". "POWER GRAB" Opponents say the changes are being rushed through without proper public scrutiny. Officials say Egyptians from all walks of life were given a chance to debate the amendments, and that all views were factored into the final proposals. "This is the final deathblow after all the ambitions we had after the 2011 revolution," said Khaled Dawoud, a member of the opposition Civil Democratic Movement. Sisi came to power after spearheading, as defense minister, the removal of the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Mursi as president in 2013. He was elected as president a year later and won the second four-year term last year. Under Sisi, Egypt has witnessed a crackdown on dissent that rights groups say is unprecedented in its recent history. Media and social media are tightly controlled. Lina Khatib, head of Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa Programme, said the amendments "pave the way for a power grab" by Sisi. "This has grave implications for prospects of democracy in Egypt in the medium term and makes it difficult for alternative political voices to contest power in the long term," she said. Egypt's 596-member parliament, dominated by Sisi's supporters, approved the amendments on Tuesday, voting by 531 to 22 in favor. Some 61 million of Egypt's nearly 100 million population are eligible to vote. Polls open at 0700 GMT on Sunday for the second say of voting. The result is expected within five days of the final day of voting. (Additional reporting by Ahmed Tolba, Ali Abdelaty and Sameh El-Khatib; Writing by Nadine Awadalla and Sami Aboudi; Editing by Alison Williams, William Maclean) Residents living in parts of eastern Ontario and western Quebec stocked up on sandbags and continued with last-minute flooding preparations as rain continued to fall throughout the region on Friday. The Outaouais municipalities of Pontiac, Val-des-Monts and Saint-Andre-Avellin have declared states of emergency due to rising waters. Pontiac Mayor Joanne Labadie spoke Friday about plans for the municipality. "We're asking people if they can evacuate voluntarily to do so. We have firefighters and volunteers who are going door-to-door advising people that they may be evacuated at a short notice," she said. Claudine Richard/Radio-Canada Heavy rains are in the forecast until Sunday, and coupled with the melting snowpack, there are concerns the Ottawa River could rise to levels not seen since the devastating floods of 2017. Those concerns have spurred homeowners to descend upon the many sandbag stations set up in both Ottawa and Gatineau. Mayor Jim Watson tweeted out that over 200 people filled 5,000 sandbags in four hours, but also asked for volunteers to assist in the future. Gatineau is asking for volunteers to assist with filling sandbags at Arena Beaudry from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Officials there say 93,000 sandbags have been handed out since Wednesday. Flood warnings issued The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority has issued a flood warning for areas under its jurisdiction that will last until Sunday. The South Nation Conservation has done the same, warning in a statement that "It is difficult to accurately predict how quickly water levels will rise and when river conditions may peak." Canadian Forces to assist Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted out that he had spoken with the premiers of Quebec and New Brunswick along with Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Ralph Goodale and the head of the Canadian Forces about the flooding. Minister of National Defense Harjit Sajjan also tweeted that Canadian Forces would be deployed in Quebec and New Brunswick. Story continues Road closures The threat of flooding has also led to a number of road closures. In the east Ottawa community of Cumberland, police have closed Highway 174 in both directions between Cameron Street and Old Montreal Road until 7 p.m. Friday so that volunteers and workers can prepare. The highway is expected to be closed from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. from Saturday until Monday, as well. The OPP have closed Round Lake Road in Pembroke between Doran Road and Simpson Pit Road. In the Outaouais, police have also closed Eardley Road between Luskville and Sainte-Cecile-de-Masham. Gatineau better prepared, mayor says Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin told Radio-Canada the city won't force people to evacuate unless absolutely necessary. He also said he expected people have learned from the 2017 floods and have begun taking precautions, including filling sand bags. One area that's expected to be hit fast and hard by flooding is Fer-a-Cheval Avenue in Masson-Angers, which is bordered by water on both sides, Pedneaud-Jobin said. He said residents are ready and are remaining calm, but understand they'll likely be the first affected. Just before barbecue season ignites, Heinz ketchup has launched a new TV ad to woo Canadians. The commercial climaxes with the brand smothering a lonely plate of fries to the tune of What About Love by Heart. But the ad may not be enough to win back the hearts of Canadians who left Heinz a few years ago, angered by its decision to move its ketchup manufacturing operations from Leamington, Ont., to the U.S. Many defectors turned to a relative newcomer to the ketchup scene, French's, which promised to use only Canadian-grown tomatoes. French's customers have remained loyal, allowing the brand to take a bite out of Heinz's stranglehold on the Canadian ketchup market a notable feat, considering Heinz has been selling ketchup in Canada for more than a century. "Condiments are intrinsically linked to attitudes and habits," said Sylvain Charlebois, a professor at Halifax's Dalhousie University who specializes in food distribution and policy. "What French's has accomplished in recent years is unheard of." French's sustained success is likely due to a combination of ingredients, including a spate of free publicity, as well as a Canadian-made ketchup that offers a taste and price consumers find palatable. "The Canadian stuff only gets you so far," said food industry analyst Kevin Grier. "Their product must be good enough to stick around." French's ketchup owned by U.S. food company McCormick launched in Canada in late 2015. According to market research company Euromonitor, the brand quickly gained ground, and snagged 5.1 per cent of Canadian retail ketchup sales by 2018. It ranks as Heinz's biggest competitor. Heinz ketchup owned by U.S. food company Kraft Heinz still held 77.5 per cent of the market share in 2018. But that's a 6.2 per cent drop from 2015. Presumably, French's growth has come at Heinz's expense. How did French's do it? A year before it merged with Kraft in 2015, Heinz planted the seed for potential troubles when it sold its Leamington processing plant and moved its Canadian ketchup operations to the U.S. Story continues Kraft Heinz told CBC News that the company never actually left Leamington, as the plant's new owner still processes many products for Heinz other than ketchup. Kraft Heinz said the value of those products, such as tomato juice, is currently worth four times the Canadian retail ketchup market. "Kraft Heinz continues to be a proud Canadian employer," spokesperson Montana Brisbin said in an email. But that wasn't the perception of many Canadians when Heinz pulled its ketchup production, leaving some Leamington tomato farmers without a customer. "They hurt a lot of people there," said John Skoczen of Leamington, who worked as a labourer at the Heinz plant. "Farmers] were up in the air, they didn't know what they were doing." Joanne Duguay In December of 2015, French's came to the rescue, pledging to make ketchup with Leamington tomatoes.The move led to prolonged free publicity for the brand the kind that money can't buy. First, a Facebook post praising French's, and detailing how Heinz ketchup had left Leamington, went viral, with more than a quarter of a million shares. "[That] was the catalyst," said Joanne Duguay, of Bathurst, N.B. At that time, she decided to abandon Heinz for French's. "It was shabby what they did to Canadian farmers. You just can't do that and think that people are going to turn around and just say, 'OK, not a problem.'" Geoff Robins/The Canadian Press Then, grocery giant Loblaws stopped selling French's ketchup in March 2016 due to "low" demand. The move sparked outrage from fans on social media, so the grocer quickly backtracked and the event made headlines. As a result, French's became a household name. "Loblaws did them the biggest favour, because it just caught on with Canadians," said Beth Mouratidis, of Barrie, Ont., who learned about French's commitment to Leamington at that time. "French's came along like a knight on a white horse and saved the day, and I wanted to support that." The brand got even more free publicity in 2017 when it started bottling its ketchup in Canada to make it a 100 per cent Canadian-made product. CBC To top it all off, when the federal government imposed retaliatory tariffs last year on some U.S. imports including ketchup French's got a shout-out from the prime minister. "We have ketchup made in Canada called French's ketchup that's just great," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last September, when discussing the tariffs at a Council on Foreign Relations event in New York. "Obviously, when you have your brand mentioned by the prime minister, it's certainly publicity you can't buy," said Charlebois. Taste and price matter, too While French's has had ample opportunity to win over Canadians, the love-affair likely wouldn't have lasted unless customers agreed with the taste and price. "The combination of the quality and price is probably allowing it to hold its own," said food industry analyst, Grier. CBC News checked major grocers' regular prices online for both brands and found they were comparable. And French's parent company, McCormick, insists its ketchup's taste is key. "Our continued success and increase in sales over the past three years is driven by its great taste and pride in being prepared and bottled in Canada," said Cheryl Radisa, vice-president of marketing for McCormick Canada, in an email. Fans like Duguay and Mouratidis said the ketchup tastes pretty much like Heinz and they're happy with that. Jacqueline Hansen/CBC And the battle is far from over. Kraft Heinz said it's about to step up its ketchup advertising campaigns. And next month, it launches a new product in Canada: Mayochup a blend of Heinz ketchup and mayonnaise. Kraft Heinz also suggests its future up north looks bright: It said its Canadian ketchup sales have grown over the past six months and are now higher than they were a year ago. "Canadians continue to be incredibly passionate about Heinz ketchup," said spokesperson, Brisbin. BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq hosted senior parliamentary officials from arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran on Saturday as Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi sought to bolster his country's nascent role as a mediator in the region. Delegations including the heads of parliament from Turkey, Kuwait, Syria and Jordan also attended the one-day conference in the Iraqi capital to discuss regional security, diplomacy and economic issues. Abdul Mahdi recently returned from visits to Iran and Saudi Arabia, both oil-super-powers that have long been vying for dominance in the Middle East. It is unusual for Saudi and Iranian officials to attend the same events. The Iraqi premier has said Iraq will maintain strong ties with Iran, but also with Washington and regional neighbors, many of which, like Saudi Arabia, consider Tehran a foe. That message was echoed on Saturday by parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halboosi, who chaired the gathering in Baghdad. "What binds us to our neighbors is our common geographical destiny and common interests," he said in a statement. The visiting officials pledged support for reconstruction and development efforts in Iraq and for the country's continued stability following its victory over Islamic State, after three years of war, the statement said. Abdul Mahdi met King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit to Riyadh, his first official trip to the kingdom since taking office six months ago. Iraq and Saudi Arabia have been at loggerheads since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, but they have recently undertaken a diplomatic push to improve ties. Abdul Mahdi's visit to Riyadh came 10 days after he visited Iran. During his trip to Tehran, he met President Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Many of Iraq's leaders, from its Shi'ite majority, have close ties with Iran, the main Shi'ite power in the Middle East. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed and Raya Jalabi; Writing by Raya Jalabi; Editing by Helen Popper) Ottawa has committed to help Quebec face impending floods after the province asked for the support of the Canadian Armed Forces. "We are seeking the assistance of Canadian Armed Forces to support emergency response efforts in all affected regions," Quebec Public Security Minister Genevieve Guilbault said at 2 p.m. Friday. Rainfall in some parts of southern Quebec could total 80 millimetres by Saturday, and experts say the ground is still too frozen to absorb it all this is in addition to rising water levels from mild temperatures melting snow quickly. In some areas, flooding is expected to surpass levels seen in 2017. Federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale agreed to help Quebec, but the details of how Ottawa will do so are still being worked out with the province. Guilbault said stores will be allowed to open on Sunday to provide services and supplies to people affected by the floods Quebec law normally prohibits most businesses from opening on Easter Sunday. Matt D'Amours/CBC Environment Canada meteorologist Mircea Oltean told CBC the Montreal-area should expect about 40 millimetres of rain by Saturday afternoon. Spring rain warnings are issued when predicted amounts surpass the 25-millimetre mark in a 24-hour period. The area along the St. Lawrence River will be impacted the most, he said. Thomas Blanchet, a spokesman for the province's public safety department, said Quebec officials want residents to be ready for flooding that could come quickly, and to follow the instructions of local officials. Urgence Quebec is reminding residents to cut power if water is threatening personal property. If water has already begun seeping in, the agency recommends calling Hydro-Quebec for help. Montreal area on alert Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante said she appreciates that the army will assist Quebec where necessary, but Montreal should be fine. "It's under control," she said. "We are so much more well prepared than we were in 2017." Story continues She said that a lot of work has been in done in anticipation of flooding and that each borough has a plan in place to handle the next 48 hours. Montreal's West Island borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro issued a warning Thursday night, reminding residents that the borough is responsible for protecting public infrastructure, but property owners must take care of their own homes and buildings. "Considering the alert level and the intervention levels reached, the borough is asking all citizens residing in flood-risk areas to take action to protect their property and belongings," the borough wrote on its Facebook page. Coun. Rosannie Filato, Montreal's executive committee member in charge of public security, said "concrete actions are being taken." Those actions include distributing sandbags and installing temporary dikes. Marc-Antoine Lavoie/Radio-Canada The Montreal agglomeration has launched its emergency response plan in numerous West Island boroughs and municipalities, including: Ahuntsic-Cartierville. Pierrefonds-Roxboro. Ile-BizardSainte-Genevieve. Riviere-des-PrairiesPointe-aux-Trembles. Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. Senneville. Pointe-Claire. Montreal North. Olivier Hardy/Radio-Canada Fight or flight: Quebecers battle flooding Warnings similar to the Montreal region span from the Eastern Townships to the Outaouais. The City of Gatineau is one of several municipalities making sandbags available at various pickup points. In Rigaud and the municipality of Pointe-Fortune, flood levels are expected to surpass those of 2017. The situation is expected to worsen rapidly over the weekend. Residents had already been told to leave. In many areas, residents and municipal workers have been preparing throughout the week for the expected floods, stacking sandbags, taping up plastic sheets and stocking up on supplies. Ivanoh Demers/Radio-Canada In Laval, which is bordered by the Mille Iles River and the Riviere des Prairies, Mayor Marc Demers declared a state of emergency Thursday, due to impending floods. "It's more of a preventative measure to make sure we have more flexibility in our operations," said city spokesperson Louis-Philippe Dorais. Quebec City region under watch In Quebec City, between 15 and 25 millimetres of rain has fallen since Thursday, with up to 80 millimetres expected through Saturday. Officials are monitoring local waterways and expecting some overflow a storm surge warning was issued for the region Friday. Quebec City maintenance workers have been clearing street drains and citizens living near water are being told to keep an eye on the situation. Northwest of Quebec City, in Saint-Raymond, the town has set up a shelter in a high school in case people need to evacuate their homes. Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press "We're expecting a more critical period starting this evening," said Genevieve Faucher, Saint-Raymond spokesperson. "Two seniors residences located near the river have been evacuated. These people are now with their families." The forecast is similar for the Beauce region, south of Quebec City, where there has already been substantial flooding. By Friday morning, water levels have dropped there, but authorities are keeping a close eye on the situation as ice jams and rains could lead to more flooding. By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. authorities have arrested a former U.S. Marine who is a member of a group that allegedly raided the North Korean embassy in Madrid in February and stole electronics, two sources familiar with the arrest said on Friday. Christopher Ahn was arrested on Thursday and appeared on Friday in federal court in Los Angeles, according to a law enforcement official and a source close to the group. In a related development, armed U.S. federal agents on Thursday raided the apartment of Adrian Hong, leader of Cheolima Civil Defense, a group seeking the overthrow of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that is blamed for the Feb. 22 embassy raid, a person close to the group said without providing more details. Hong was not present at his residence when the raid occurred, the source said. The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment. A group of at least 10 people stormed into the embassy, restrained and physically beat some personnel and held them hostage for hours before fleeing, according to a Spanish court. Spanish investigators have said the intruders removed computers and hard drives from the embassy before fleeing to the United States, where they handed over the material to the FBI. A Spanish judicial source said this week the material had been returned by Spanish authorities to Pyongyang's mission after being returned two weeks previously by the FBI to the Spanish court investigating the raid. The anti-Kim group, which also calls itself Free Joseon, said the raid was not an attack and that it had been invited into the embassy. The incident came at a sensitive time, just days ahead of a second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un at which the U.S. leader failed to make progress in efforts to persuade North Korea to give up a nuclear weapons program. North Korea's foreign ministry denounced the incident a "grave terrorist attack" and cited rumors that the FBI was partially behind the raid. The U.S. State Department has said Washington had nothing to do with it. Three of the intruders took an embassy official into the basement during the raid and tried to encourage him to defect from North Korea, according to a detailed document made public on March 26 by the Spanish court. While the document said several members of the group, including Hong - a Mexican passport holder with U.S. residency - fled to the United States, their whereabouts are unclear. The Spanish court is seeking their extradition. A U.S. Justice Department spokeswoman declined to comment on the case. However, she noted that extradition treaties "generally provide that an individual who has been extradited to another country to face criminal charges cannot thereafter be extradited to a third country without the consent of the original country. (Reporting by Mark Hosenball. Writing by Ginger Gibson and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Diane Craft) Elemaster Opens Manufacturing Facility in GA Published: 19 April 2019 by Chelsey Drysdale by Chelsey Drysdale DULUTH, GA Elemaster US invested $3 million on an electronic equipment design and manufacturing facility here. The facility will assemble PCBs and turnkey products for rail, transit, medical and industrial industries. The site houses 40 staff, with the company planning to hire 20 more this year. The new Duluth location consolidates our global footprint and supports Elemasters growth and strategic expansion efforts across the US, said Gualtiero Magni, corporate project manager, Elemaster Group. Italy-based Elemaster has been assembling boards in the US since 2012, when it opened a plant in Batesburg, SC. It employs 200 of its 1,000+ workforce in the US. It also plans to expand its operations in Romania to a 161,459 sq. ft. site later this year. The family-owned company had sales of 220 million euros in 2018 and expects sales of 235 million euros this year. EASTER CELEBRATION: Reprise program - HELP Patrice Hall and Easter celebration songs, Saturday, April 20, 2019. ( www.ckcufm.com ), 3:00-5:30 pm EST on Reggae in the Fields, Canada's longest running Reggae radio program (since 1976). The recorded on-demand is available here by 6:00 pm EST (same day)..... https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/132/42627.html YOUR HELP for Patrice Hall counts. See introductory text below Four Ways to Donate: 1) By e-transfer to patricehall@hotmail.com 2) Donate by making an in person deposit to the following bank account set up exclusively for fundraising: CIBC Bank Institution: 010 Transit: 01106 Account: 7684339 3) Donate to Patrice's GoFundMe campaign here: https://www.gofundme.com/fundraiser-for-rare-disease-surgery (NOTE: a percentage of the donation goes to processing fees.) .30 cents per donation and 2.9% of overall funds raised. 4) Human Concern International (HCI) HCI will match your donation up to $5,000. You can donate here:https://www.humanconcern.org/patrice/ These donations are eligible for a tax receipts.Please double check that you are donating to the page specially set up for Patrices and not the organization main page. Some call her sister, others call her friend, to many shes a counsellor but I know Patrice Hall as being a fighter! For anyone else who has been blessed to have this selfless lady in their life, theyd know that shes always one of the first people to lend a helping hand; yet, never asks for help or anything in return. Shes caring and strong and in the last year and a half has silently had her share of health and emotional difficulties. From having a lumpectomy to undergoing radiation, losing some of her hair, having brain surgery for an aneurysm, a complicated pregnancy and spending more than a month in CHEO (Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario) with her newborn son; this lady has sure been through a lot! With Patrice, nothing has been easy. Her health issues have always been complex, and yet again shes faced with another rare condition, this time not covered by OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plane) or private insurance. Patrice was born with Hereditary Spherocytosis (HS) ( a rare blood disorder that attacks red blood cells and bone marrow) as well as Ectodermal Dysplasia/ Anodontia ( a rare genetic disorder than can affect your skin, hair, teeth and/or bones). Some of you might have remembered Patrice undergoing several surgeries to correct how these illnesses affected her teeth and bones during a childhood and adolescent years. Although partially successful, over the years and with other medical challenges and treatments; her bones have become weakened and she requires a bone graph (osseointegration) in her face to support her upper mandible, teeth and cheek bone leading up to her right eye socket. Without this surgery, her bones will continue to degenerate and the damage will continue to spread eventually causing her facial structure to collapse, teeth to be lost and other parts of her face like eyes and nasal cavities vulnerable to deformity and injury. TUESDAY, April 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Here's bad news for some women in the military: An increased risk of minor birth defects was found among U.S. female veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf War. Researchers examined data on minor and major birth defects among 788 children born to 522 Gulf War-era female and male veterans who were and were not deployed during the war. Women accounted for almost 30 percent of the veterans in the study. Rates of major birth defects were similar for children of deployed and non-deployed veterans. And there was no difference in major birth defects among children whose mothers were or weren't deployed. But the study found that minor birth defects, such as drooping eyelid, were almost five times more common among children of deployed women than non-deployed women, 22 percent versus 5 percent. The main reasons for the difference were higher rates of minor eye and musculoskeletal abnormalities among children born to deployed women, said Dr. Melvin Blanchard, of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and colleagues. Drooping eyelid (congenital ptosis) was the most common birth defect. Rates were 13 percent among children of deployed women, compared with 2 percent of among children of non-deployed women. Exposure to mustard gas and nerve gas were significant predictors of minor birth defects, according to the study. Concerns have been raised since the mid-1990s that children of Gulf War veterans might have an increased risk of birth defects due to exposure to toxic substances during their deployment. This study looked at birth defects diagnosed by physical examination, rather than reported by parents. The findings were published in the April issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. "Our data emphasize the need to perform a meticulous physical examination looking for birth defects, especially eye and musculoskeletal anomalies, in children born to war veterans who are referred for evaluation of different medical problems," the researchers concluded in a journal news release. More information The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on birth defects. A 23-year-old man authorities say impersonated a long-missing child pleaded not guilty today to lying to federal agents.Brian Michael Rini, of Medina, Ohio, was arraigned after his indictment this week on those charges and charges of aggravated identity theft.He was initially arrested on a single false statement count after DNA testing proved he wasn't Timmothy Pitzen, an Aurora, Illinois, boy who disappeared in 2011 at age six.Rini had been found April 3 wandering the streets of Newport, Kentucky, where police say he claimed to be the Pitzen boy at age 14 and told them he escaped captors who sexually abused him.A federal magistrate earlier this month cited Rini's lack of a permanent address, past mental health issues and 'a lengthy criminal history' that goes back to age 13 as she ordered him held without bond.He was released from a state prison in March after serving more than a year on burglary and vandalism charges. Prison records show he was accused of making up stories during his time there.Rini's story had briefly raised hope among Timmothy's relatives that the youngster's disappearance had finally been solved.When confronted with the DNA results, Rini said he had watched a story about Timmothy on ABC's '20/20' and wanted to get away from his own family, the FBI said.He twice earlier portrayed himself in Ohio as a juvenile victim of sex trafficking, authorities said.In 2017, Rini was treated at an Ohio center for people with mental health or substance abuse problems, according to court papers.Timmothy, of Aurora, Illinois, vanished after his mother pulled him out of kindergarten, took him on a two-day road trip to the zoo and a water park, and then killed herself at a hotel.She left a note saying that her son was safe with people who would love and care for him, adding: 'You will never find him'. Iran Human Rights (IHR); April 19, 2019: Three prisoners were executed for murder at Iranian western city of Ilams Central Prison yesterday. According to Rokna, on the morning of Thursday, April 18, three prisoners were executed at Ilam prison. All were sentenced to death on murder charges. More details have not been revealed by Iranian authorities or media so far. Prisoner hanged at Zanjan prison According to IHR sources, Hedayat Mehrabi, 37, was hanged for murder on the morning of April 19. A well-informed source told IHR, Hedayat was arrested around five years ago in the city of Kermanshah for murder a person. He was sentenced to death and the verdict was upheld by the Supreme Court around two years ago. The aforementioned execution has not been reported by Iranian media so far. According to the Iran Human Rights statistic department, the majority of executions in 2017 and 2018 in Iran was on murder charges. At least 188 prisoners were executed for murder charges in 2018. Only 33% of executions were announced by Iranian authorities in 2018. There is a lack of a classification of murder by degree in Iran which results in issuing a death sentence for any kind of murder regardless of intensity and intent. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde A man who was sentenced to death for drug charges, hanged on Monday morning at Dastgerd Prison in the Iranian city of Isfahan. According to IHR sources, prisoner Abdollah Ghanbarzehi, 29, was executed on April 15, 2019. He was from the Iranian southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. A well-informed source told IHR, Ablollah was arrested with 9 kilograms of drugs in the city of Isfahan. Baluchi Activists Campaign published Abdollahs photos (See below) and mentioned that he was arrested on September 28, 2017. The new amendment to Iranian Anti-drug law which was enforced on November 14, 2017, includes a mechanism to limit the use of the death penalty and reduce the sentences of those sentenced to death or life imprisonment. The law was retroactive and could potentially save many prisoners lives after their case-review process. The amendment specifies that the death penalty should be limited to those who have been carrying or have used weapons while trafficking, sponsoring or organizing narco gangs and inducting children under the age of 18 or people with intellectual disabilities into such gangs. Those with a prior prison term of more than 15 years would also be excluded from the commutations under the amendment. Following the enforcement of Iranian Anti-drug law in November 2017, the number of drug-related executions is significantly decreased compared to the past years. IHRs Annual Report on the Death Penalty in Iran shows that the number of people executed in 2018 for drug charges, is significantly reduced. 24 people were executed on drug charges in 2018. The number for 2017 was 230. However, there is a risk that a new wave of drug-related executions starts after completing the case review process. 4 hanged in the cities of Gorgan, Isfahan and Shiraz Iranian regime has executed at least 4 prisoners since April, in the prisons of Gorgan, Adelabad and Dastgerd. On Monday, April 15, 2019, a prisoner identified as Abdal Zahedani (Ghanbarzehi) was executed on drug related charges in Dastgerd Prison of Isfahan, central Iran. Also on Thursday, April 11, 2019, the Iranian regime executed 2 prisoners in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, south-central Iran. The victims, Taha Shirdokht and Kazem Minayi were found guilty of drug charges and murder. They were transfered to solitary confinement along with 4 other death row prisoners on April 7. Just days prior to that, on April 7, 2019, a prisoner identified as 36-year-old Davoud Mohebzadeh was hanged in the central prison of Gorgan, northern Iran. He had been transfered to solitary confinement on April 6. No information is available on the fate of 4 other prisoners. Iran has remained among the worlds top 5 executioners despite an overall drop in the number of death sentences, according to a new report by Amnesty International. The Iranian regime has a dismal report card of at least 286 executions in 2018, including the execution of 10 political prisoners, four women and seven individuals who were sentenced to death for crimes they allegedly committed as children. The real numbers were likely to be much higher as use of capital punishment in Iran is often shrouded in secrecy. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde Iran Human Rights, Staff, April 17, 2019 Last-minute appeal seeks new trial as King maintains his innocence Only 2 of 2019's 5 (so far) scheduled executions have taken place; the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted Mark Robertson a stay on April 8 3 days before his execution date "pending further order." Robertson's last appeal alleges his trial counsel purposely excluded black jurors for fear they wouldn't be sympathetic to the white defendant. And John King, sentenced to die for the infamous murder of James Byrd Jr.* in 1998, now hopes to be the next inmate spared if only temporarily by the courts. Byrd's modern-day lynching led to Texas' James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act , signed into law in 2001 by Gov. Rick Perry, which controversially (at the time) included not only race but "sexual preference" in its protected classes. King's friend Lawrence Brewer was executed in 2011; the 3rd man convicted of Byrd's murder, Shawn Berry, will reportedly be eligible for parole in 2038. With his execution set for Wednesday, April 24, King's counsel filed appeals on April 10 at the CCA and at state district court in Jasper, where the crime took place, which reaffirm his longstanding claim that he got out of Berry's truck before Byrd was notoriously dragged behind it to his death. King says he told his original counsel he wanted to present this claim at trial and attempted to replace them when they refused and eventually conceded his guilt; his appeal cites the U.S. Supreme Court's 2018 ruling (in McCoy v. Louisiana) that defendants have a Sixth Amendment right to insist counsel maintain innocence at trial, as well as a similar ruling by the CCA, and asks for a completely new trial. On March 20, King also filed a petition for clemency with the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, which also insists he was not present for Byrd's murder and cites Brewer's reported statement that he had been pressured to frame King rather than Berry because of King's criminal record and affiliation with white-supremacist prison gangs. (Brewer did not testify at King's trial.) If no stay is granted, King will be the 3rd Texas execution this year, and the 561st inmate killed since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. *James Byrd Jr. (May 2, 1949 June 7, 1998) was a black man who was murdered by three white supremacists in Jasper, Texas, on June 7, 1998. Shawn Allen Berry, Lawrence Russell Brewer, and John William King dragged Byrd for three miles behind a pick-up truck along an asphalt road. Byrd, who remained conscious throughout most of his ordeal, was killed about halfway through the dragging when his body hit the edge of a culvert, severing his right arm and head. The murderers drove on for another mile and a half (2.4 km) before dumping his torso in front of a black cemetery in Jasper. Byrd's lynching-by-dragging gave impetus to passage of a Texas hate-crimes law. It later led to the federal Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, commonly known as the Matthew Shepard Act, which passed on October 22, 2009, and which President Barack Obama signed into law on October 28, 2009. (Source: Wikipedia | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde A striking piece of Houston history sold earlier this week on eBay, a reminder of how criminal justice was once meted out in Harris County. The medal, about the size of a quarter, depicts a hooded, suit-wearing figure hanging from the gallows. Inscribed on the front is the name Henry McGee, his ethnicity is described as "colored" and the date of his execution is provided: Aug. 12, 1892. Also inscribed is the name of McGee's victim, Houston police officer James Fenn. We then learn the time it took for McGee to die on the gallows, 2 minutes, 30 seconds. The back of the medal reads, "Presented to R.E. Sutton by J. Warfel." A city directory from that period lists a Robert E. Sutton as deputy sheriff and assistant jailer. There are 2 Warfels listed in the directory, one of whom was a watchmaker. The medal, which came from a Houston-area estate sale, baffled some Texas historians. "I never came across anything like that," said Mitchel P. Roth, professor of criminal justice and criminology at Sam Houston State University and co-author of "Houston Blue: The Story of the Houston Police Department." At the time of McGee's execution, the Houston Daily Post looked back on the case and noted "there was strong talk of lynching" after he was jailed. 4 men are known to have been lynched in the county in the 1800s and early 20th century. No doubt that when McGee was arrested, the mob-fueled slaying of John Walton, suspected in a burglary and attempted rape the previous year, was on many Houstonians' minds. A brother-in-law of the burglarized homeowner, also a Houston cop, took part in the lynching. McGee's arrest came at time when the South was experiencing a rising number of lynchings that continued for decades. Patricia Bernstein, author of "The First Waco Horror: the Lynching of Jesse Washington and the Rise of the NAACP" said it was amazing that McGee was not lynched and that he was tried twice for Fenn's death. "It was almost like there were 2 separate systems of justice, for blacks and whites," she said, noting that wealthy, well-placed whites tended to fare better in the criminal justice system than poor whites. The system, though, was always going to be worse for African Americans, she said. Cary Wintz, distinguished professor of history at Texas Southern University saw the medal as a personal item, given its rarity. "To me, the issue is how many did he make?" he said, speculating that there could have been some personal connection between Sutton and Fenn that led Warfel to create it. He and other historians also wondered what was it about the case that prompted this. "This one is just off the wall," Wintz said. Bernstein found the medal appalling, even if it depicts a lawful execution. "It's a medal that celebrates the murder of somebody," she said. Roth said badges, and even ball-and-chains, will appear in police and criminal justice collections, but he had never seen anything like this object. Here's what is known about the crime: On March 14, 1891, Fenn was at a gathering spot known as the Broom Factory where alcohol and music mixed in the Second Ward. Fenn was sent there by the chief of police to maintain order, according to a decision by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. This was not his first time there as he was considered popular in the African-American community. McGee, who once worked as a waiter at the Capitol and Grand Central hotels, apparently held a grudge against Fenn over an earlier arrest for shooting a pistol and threatened to kill the officer if he "was ever sent to the poor farm in consequence of an arrest." "Very soon afterwards a pistol was fired, and Fenn and another officer, Frank Michael, went in the direction of the pistol shot, where a man stood flourishing a pistol in his right hand," according to the appeals court. "As they got close to him, he deliberately lowered the pistol in front of him, and holding it (in) both hands, fired upon Fenn and killed him." McGee fled but was captured a few days later at a home occupied by 2 women in the First Ward. McGee soon went on trial and was convicted and sentenced to death. That conviction was reversed on appeal and sent back to the trial court because of the admission of improper testimony. The following year, McGee was tried and sentenced to death again. At 7 a.m. on Aug. 12, 1892, a crowd of Houstonians gathered outside the Harris County Jail for McGee's execution. "Men, women and children of all conditions congregated about the jail and gazed with renewed interest at the iron-girded pile of brick and mortar which barred their morbid curiosity by shutting out sight of the condemned man," the Houston Daily Post noted. "As time worn on the [motley] crew increased, until the sidewalks could no longer hold them." About four hours later, inside the jail, McGee made his way to the gallows assisted by the Rev. Jack Yates and the Rev. Henry Watts. He asserted his innocence and instead put blame on an unidentified person for killing Fenn. McGee also talked openly of his religious conversion and offered goodbyes to Sheriff George W. Ellis and his jailers, including Sutton. After his execution, relatives took McGee's body to Lynchburg for burial. Fenn is buried in Glenwood Cemetery. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde New book traces expeditions to test Einstein's theory of relativity No Shadow of a Doubt, a new book by Daniel Kennefick, associate professor of physics at the University of Arkansas, tells the story of two research teams, organized by Arthur Stanley Eddington and Sir Frank Watson Dyson, who tested Einstein's theory of relativity. These expeditions traveled to Brazil and Africa to collect images of stars during the 1919 eclipse, and their results confirmed and brought mainstream attention to the theory. "Einstein was a well-known scientist before, but this made him a celebrity," said Kennefick. Einstein's theory of relativity proposed a new way of looking at gravity. The prevailing theory at the time, Newton's law of universal gravitation, described gravity as a force between massive objects. According to physicists in 1900, starlight, which they thought had no mass, would not be affected by gravity. Einstein contradicted this expectation twice. First he showed, through his famous equation E=mc2, that light has mass, since it clearly has energy, and therefore should be affected by gravity. Then he theorized that gravity actually causes a curving of spacetime. According to his theory, light would follow this curve, so it would be affected by gravity, whether or not it had mass. If Einstein were to be correct, starlight traveling past the sun would follow a curved path as it traveled to Earth. So if someone on Earth viewed a star during the night, when they were facing away from the sun, the star would appear to be in one place. But, according to Einstein's theory, if someone were to look at the same star during the daytime, when the sun is between the Earth and the star, the star should appear to be in a slightly different position than it was when viewed at night. In order to gather data to test this theory, scientists would need to photograph the stars while the sun was present, a situation that was only possible during a total eclipse. The 1919 eclipse presented an opportunity to make the necessary observations, but scientists had to travel to locations where the eclipse was total, which included Sobral, Brazil, and Principe, an island off the coast of Africa. The two expeditions overcame many challenges, transporting large and delicate instruments on the long trips and facing the risk that a passing cloud would ruin the whole experiment. Kennefick explained that he wanted to bring light to the story of these researchers, who have been overshadowed by Einstein's fame. "The passage of time has caused us to lose sight of their cruicial roles," he said in the prologue of the book. "This book aims to correct this oversight, which could cripple serious attempts to understand how the science of the eclipse was accomplished." ### The book will be published by Princeton University Press on April 30. CONTACTS: Daniel Kennefick, associate professor of physics J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences 479-575-6784, danielk@uark.edu Camilla Shumaker, director of science and research communications University Relations 479-575-7422, camillas@uark.edu This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. To find trees in the desert, we often have to go up in the mountains. I grew up in the Midwest, so every once in awhile I get a yearning to ... 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 -by Reese Erlich @ReeseErlich British police dragged Wikileaks founder Julian Assange out of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London on April 11, witnessed by a scrum of international media. Authorities in the United Kingdom and US then tried to drag Assanges reputation through the mud. The official story was that Assange wore out his welcome at the embassy. News stories reported that he skateboarded through the offices, dirtied his bathroom, and let his cat poop in the halls. The man who had exposed government wrongdoing around the world had become the Hacker Who Came to Dinner. Whatever the truth to those accusations, in reality, Assange was the victim of regime change. In 2017, Ecuadorians elected Lenin Moreno president and, in a sharp departure from previous government policy, the new president sought closer relations with the US. Moreno decided to expel Assange as part of the bargain. The U.S. cares nothing about cat poop in the embassy hallways. But it does want to send a warning to the media, according to John Kiriakou , a former CIA case officer and whistleblower. He says in an interview that Presidents Donald Trump, like Barack Obama before him, has a Nixonian obsession with national security leaks. But the real goal is to send a message to all journalists that theres a lot less freedom of press than you might think. How it all began In 2010, Wikileaks published a huge cache of secret State Department documents that revealed the true nature of US foreign policy. The documents showed U.S. diplomats focused on promoting corporate interests, brokering military deals, and controlling spheres of influence. Soon afterward, Sweden asked Britain to extradite Assange in connection with a rape accusation . Assange said he was willing to travel to Sweden to defend himself, but feared this was a cover for shipping him off to the U.S. Assange was out on bail awaiting extradition to Sweden when he sought political asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy in 2012. During the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Wikileaks published hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee revealing that high level Hilary Clinton supporters used party machinery to undermine Bernie Sanderss campaign. The FBI claimed the hacks were carried out by Russian government operatives, who then passed them along to Wikileaks. Assange denied that the Russians were the source of these or other leaks. But by this point, Assange had pissed off pretty much everybody with power in Washington, D.C. Mainstream Democrats accused him of working with the Russians to elect Trump. During the campaign Trump said I love Wikileaks because of the embarrassing Clinton emails. But once in power, Trumps Department of Justice secretly prepared an indictment against Assange. The Legal Case The indictment accused Assange of conspiring with Army whistleblower Chelsea Manning to illegally access documents on a government computer. The single felony count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The indictment was drawn narrowly to facilitate a speedy extradition. The British courts did indeed act rapidly when a judge immediately convicted Assange of jumping bail. Francis Boyle, a law professor at the University of Illinois-Champaign-Urbana, says the judge showed animus by not allowing Assanges defense sufficient time. Assange could have presented a necessity defense, Boyle says in an interview. Assange could have argued that extradition posed a dire threat to his physical and mental wellbeing if he were extradited to the US and that this consideration would outweigh the charge of skipping bail. Given the British courts animus against Assange, however, Boyle expects the extradition to proceed rapidly through the U.K. appeals process. Its a conveyor belt straight to the US, he says. Assange can appeal his extradition to the European Court of Human Rights. The full appeals process might normally take two to three years. But the looming possibility of Britain withdrawing from the European Union complicates the process, according to Howard Stoffer, an associate professor of national security at University of New Haven. If Britain pulls out of the E.U., its not legally bound by a European court decision, Stoffer says in an interview. Assange may ask for an expedited decision. And, to make matters even more complicated, if Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn becomes prime minister after a future general election, he would likely halt the extradition altogether. Corbyn has expressed support for Wikileaks exposure of US wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. New York Times reported that, under terms of the US-U.K. Extradition Treaty, the US cant add additional charges, possibly including espionage, after Assange is extradited. But Boyle says the US can get around that by Thereported that, under terms of the US-U.K. Extradition Treaty, the US cant add additional charges, possibly including espionage, after Assange is extradited. But Boyle says the US can get around that by asking permission from British authorities, a likely outcome if conservatives remain in power in London. This is very dangerous, he says. Stoffer argues that Assange will get a fair trial in the US so long as the judge keeps control of the case. He thinks the judge should impose a gag order to prevent Assange from speaking to the press. If it becomes a circus, all bets are off, Stoffer says. He can claim he was not given a fair trial. The defendant shouldnt speak to the press or it becomes a political trial. But Assange supporters see any trial for him as inherently political. In national security cases the government has a built-in advantage. The judge has wide discretion to seal evidence, not allow the defense to see government documents, and even to meet in private with prosecutors without defense council present, as described by whistleblower Kiriakou in his case Im sure hes going to get a kangaroo court, says law professor Boyle. I dont see the government allowing Assange to put on a vigorous defense. Assange is controversial Julian Assange has long been a controversial character. Former close associates say hes difficult and petty. The rape allegations are serious, although were never resolved because Sweden dropped the investigation. Assange is arrogant and hard to get along with, admits Kiriakou. But thats irrelevant to the case. Without Assange, we wouldnt know about war crimes by US troops in Iraq or NSA spying on American citizens. So, will Assange get a fair trial? In recent years the US government has prosecuted record numbers of whistleblowers and threatened journalists. Britain and the US always claim to respect the rule of law. This case will give them a chance prove it. But dont hold your breath. The most recent poll of South Carolina primary voters-- actually a registered voters poll by Emerson -- was about a month and a half ago. South Carolina is different from the states we usually look at. There Trump's approval rating is relatively high-- 50% and just 44% disapproving. And in head to head match-ups, he would beat any Democratic nominee. Trump would beat Biden 52-48%. He'd beat Bernie, Cory Booker or Elizabeth Warren 54-46%, and the other front-runners would lose to him 56-44%. When only Democrats are polled-- for the primary-- Biden was the clear winner with 37%. Bernie was second with 21% and, surprisingly, Kamala Harris and Cory Booker, each of whom is counting on South Carolina for a big boost came in 3rd and 4th, respectively with 9% and 6%. The McKinsey Pete boomlet hadn't broken yet and he was still at 0%. Why would Democrats care what happens in the South Carolina primary, since the state is a general election lock for Trump? The DNC picked South Carolina as an early state to help winnow the field. It's supposed to show where African-Americans stand-- or at least African-mericans in the Deep South-- and it does... but it also shows where conservative Democrats stand. In fact, all four early states-- Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada-- are relatively conservative compared to the big urban states where all the electoral votes are. Conventional wisdom says that these are the kinds of voters who will back establishment, status quo candidates the DNC prefers. This year that candidate will be Joe Biden or, if he falters again in his 7th run for president , McKinsey Pete. ("Biden and his team have eagerly been taking in nearly every public poll that has him in first place, convinced those numbers will only grow, despite many Democratic operatives, on opposing campaigns and beyond, who believe hell start leeching support almost as soon as he declares. Bidens doubters are convinced that he seems better as a theoretical alternative than as someone people would actually support, especially when they start looking at his record closely. Already the scrutiny has started, with attention to his opposition to school busing in the 1970s, as well as his chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee during Anita Hills testimony in the Clarence Thomas hearings in 1991, which many women have never forgiven him for, and which hes stumbled over in trying to explain since. 'I wish I could have done something,' is how he put it in late March, infuriating people who pointed out that he was in charge of the process.") Even many of the African-American voters in South Carolina tend to be on the conservative side. Biden's 37% among all Dems goes to 43% among African-Americans only. Bernie's 21% among all Dems, sunk to 15% among African-Americans only. And among African-American voters, neither Harris nor Booker finds any significant increase in support. Black voters in the state are either unaware that Biden has a long, ugly pre-Obama history of racism or they've forgiven him. Most voters are judging him completely as an Obama stand-in. Tragic! On Thursday Bernie addressed the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus after his campaign announced endorsements from seven more African-American members of the legislature (bringing his total to nine-- the biggest number of black lawmakers to back a 2020 hopeful to date in this state. The two were backed him in 2016 and announced their endorsements again are state Reps Justin Bamberg (Bamberg) and Terry Alexander (Florence). The seven new endorsers are also state Reps: Wendell Gilliard (Charleston), Cezar McKnight (Clarendon & Williamsburg counties ), Krystle Simmons (Berkeley), Ivory Thigpen (Richland) and Shedron Williams (Beaufort, Hampton & Jasper counties). He was also endorsed by South Carolina AFL-CIO President Emeritus Donna DeWitt. Krystle Simmons, the first black woman to represent the low country region in the state House, said that Bernie "is a champion for women's rights and has been rocking with middle class and minority communities since before he was popular. What he did back then matters just as much as it does now." Alexander was as effusive: "I believe in his positions that will move this country forward. His openness to change, his progressive stance on issues that impact so many people; this is why I was one of the first legislators in South Carolina to endorse him in 2016 and am doing so this year so that we can finish what he started many years ago." Thursday Bernie was in Spartanburg, speaking at the event the Legislative Black Caucus set up for him at Mount Moriah Baptist Church. Yesterday he had two events in Greenville, a poverty roundtable at the West End Community Development Center in the afternoon and a major rally at the Peace Center amphitheater in the evening. In Spartanburg, his topics were criminal recidivism rates, racial profiling in law enforcement, generational poverty, teacher salaries and early childhood development. "A nation and a community, which provides quality education for its children that makes certain there are good jobs available to those young people when they leave school is a nation and a community which will have a lower rate of crime where residents will be safer, where human lives are not destroyed because people are rotting away their lives in prisons," he said. "At the same time is a nation and community which will save enormous sums of money by avoiding mass incarceration." The crowd interrupted many times, chanting "Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!" Greenville News, Bernie also wrote an OpEd for the Here's what has to change in South Carolina and the nation . "This week," he wrote, "I am visiting South Carolina to learn more about the challenges facing Upstate residents, especially in public education, criminal justice and rural issues. I want to find out about how we can work together to address some of the states most serious problems, and reach people in communities that have been left behind." First year university students are being expelled or dropping out on their own as investigations reveal altered entrance exam scores. New reports from the ministries of Public Security, and Education and Training say 108 students from two provinces, 64 from Hoa Binh and 44 from Son La, had their exam result altered. Some of them were currently enrolled in some of Vietnams most prestigious universities, including the National Economics University (NEU), the Foreign Trade University (FTU) and the Hanoi Medical University (HMU). At least 53 out of the 108 students have had to leave their universities after their actual exam scores were found failing the minimum requirements of their respective schools. The number is not final. Universities and colleges are trying to find out if there are more students whose actual scores are lower than the schools requirements. However, students with altered scores whose actual scores still met the schools requirements are being allowed to stay. Last year, authorities had found that scores of at least 114 students from the northern province of Ha Giang had been altered. The scores were changed back to their original values before the 2018 school year began. The reason why the number of students with altered scores in Hoa Binh and Son La was only recently confirmed was because of the more complex manner in which the scores were changed in these two provinces, authorities said. During last years entrance exams, data were recorded in two separate CDs, with one containing the students answers and the other containing the scores of the students. In Ha Giangs case, only the CDs containing the students scores were tampered with. In the other two provinces, data in both types of CDs were tampered with. The latest investigation results have triggered outrage yet again among the public, with some calling for authorities to publicize the identities of the students and their parents to make an example of them. Many have said that some of the parents were high-level officials from different ministry departments and peoples committees. "I demand we have an appropriate method to punish parents who had paid money to alter the scores of their children," National Assembly delegate Truong Trong Nghia said earlier this week. Delegate Nguyen Thi Mai Hoa agreed that the identities of the parents can be publicized, but not the students. "To tamper with exam scores under any method is a sign of corruption and bribery... If there are violations, perpetrators must be investigated thoroughly, no matter who, how rich or powerful they are," she said. At least 16 officials so far have been investigated, arrested or jailed for their involvement in the exam scandal. A string of students told VnExpress that the altering of exam scores might have deprived them of the opportunity to enter the more prestigious universities. Part of the 1.1 tons of meth seized by Ho Chi Minh City police on Friday. Photo courtesy of the city's police. HCMC police are probing two Taiwanese men connected to the recent seizure of 1.1 tons of meth, cementing concerns of the city as a drug transit hub. Yeh Ching Wei, 33, Chiang Wei, 31 and one Vietnamese man, Bui Nguyen Huy Vu, 38 are being probed after traffic police detected two trucks and a car parked in wrong places on cameras on Friday. Suspicious that something illegal was afoot, police decided to check them. As the police arrived, one of the trucks and the car sped away on Vo Van Kiet Boulevard in District 1. The police gave chase and stopped them. They found that the truck, registered in Dong Nai Province, was carrying many carton boxes with cabinet loudspeakers that weighed much heavier than usual. The owners of the cartons, the two Taiwanese men, failed to show proper papers and were arrested. As they investigated the case further, police searched several suspected locations which they did not reveal specifically, and found more carton boxes of the same type with more loudspeakers the next day. Inside the loudspeakers, including those seized on the previous day, police discovered more than 600 kilos of methamphetamine contained in tea bags. As they kept tracking down the ring, police found out that a city-based transport firm, named Ngoc Van, was hired by a company in Thailand to transfer 60 loudspeakers to a hotel in Dong Nai. Ngoc Van company was also ordered to send another package with five loudspeakers to the house of Bui Nguyen Huy Vu in HCMCs Phu Nhuan District. As they searched the warehouse of Ngoc Van, police found 38 loudspeakers containing nearly 500 kilos of meth. In all, around 1.1 tons of meth were seized, making it the largest drug haul ever in HCMC and one of the largest in the country in recent years. Investigators now suspect that the meth might have come from the same source as the meth found in 23 bags dumped on the side of a road in the central Nghe An Province on April 17. Earlier reports said the Nghe An seizure found a ton of meth but later count by the police said the amount was 700 kilograms. This latest drug seizure has added evidence to speculation that HCMC has become a drug transit hub. Vietnams biggest city made three massive drug seizures in the last two weeks of March. In all cases the drugs originated from the Golden Triangle, and in two of them, the drugs were on the way to Taiwan and the Philippines. On March 20, police seized 300 kilos of meth that were on the way to Taiwan. Police said the ring, led by a Chinese man, operated nationwide and was linked to two seizures of around 300 kilos each in central Vietnam last October and February. They also discovered that the gang transported meth to the Philippines. On March 22, Vietnamese customs and the Philippine police seized 270 kilos of meth the gang had transported to the Philippines by sea. Five days later, police arrested two Taiwanese men and a Vietnamese driver who were transporting more than 300 kilos of heroin on the citys outskirts. Top police officers have since warned that HCMC has become a transit point for drug trafficking, due to its logistics infrastructure. The repeated haul of huge amounts of drugs is happening despite Vietnam having some of the worlds toughest drug laws. Those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or cocaine or more than 2.5 kg of methamphetamine could face the death penalty. The production or sale of 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal narcotics is also punishable by death. Stargazers in Vietnam will have the chance to see meteor shower Lyrids on April 22 and 23, astronomers say. On the late night of April 22 and the first few hours of April 23, the annual Lyrids meteor shower is expected to thrill enthusiasts in Vietnam with its light show across the skies. According to astronomers, observers will be able to see 20 to 30 meteors per hour at its peak. "Many areas in the North and Central regions can view the meteor shower. It can be seen with the naked eye, no telescope or other equipment is needed. All you need is to select a location with a wide view," Vu The Hoang, chairman of Hanoi Amateur Astronomy Society, told Thanh Nien newspaper. Hoang also advised that the most ideal locations to observe Lyrids are mountainous areas and the countryside where the air is clear. The April Lyrids are a meteor shower lasting from April 16 to April 25 each year. The source of the meteor shower is particles of dust shed by the long-period Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. The shower usually peaks around April 22 and the morning of April 23. Nights without a moon in the sky will be ideal for seeing the meteors. Astronomy enthusiasts will get to see another meteor shower in May, when the Eta Aquariids will appear. This one can reach 60 meteors per hour at peak. Nine U.S. senators joined Vietnam officials Saturday to start a dioxin cleanup project at Bien Hoa airport, the most contaminated spot in the country. A Vietnamese soldier runs past a "Danger" site at Bien Hoa Airport in Dong Nai Province. Photo by Reuters An estimated 515,000 cubic meters of soil over 52.24 hectares at the airport in Dong Nai Province, an hours drive from downtown Ho Chi Minh City, is contaminated with the deadly chemical. The cleanup is expected to take at least 10 years and cost $390 million. The new project aims to clean up 150,000 cubic meters of soil by 2025, using $183 million donated by the U.S. government and VND110 billion ($4.7 million) in counterpart funds from Vietnam. It begins months after Vietnam and the U.S. announced the successful cleanup of Da Nang Airport, where 140,000 cubic meters of soil over a 32.8 hectare area was isolated and treated with thermal desorption technology. Nguyen Chi Vinh, Vietnam's Deputy Minister of National Defense, said the larger Bien Hoa project "will encounter many technological, environmental and funding challenges, so persistent and scientific cooperation will be needed." Senior U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, who led the delegation of senators from both major U.S. parties, said the new project was "more ambitious" than Da Nang, given its size and scale. Bien Hoa, now serving only military training purposes, was the largest U.S. military base in Vietnam during the war and at one time, was judged the busiest airport in the world. Vietnamese studies have concluded that the airport has the highest levels of dioxin contamination in the world, at 1.18 million parts per trillion (ppt). Dioxin concentration at the air base ranges from 1,000ppt upwards, while 100ppt is considered high. "The ground beneath and around us is the largest remaining hotspot of contamination in Vietnam. This will be a far larger project than Da Nang, and one of the largest environmental remediation projects in the world," Leahy said at the project inauguration ceremony. He said the Bien Hoa project was the culmination of 30 years of humanitarian cooperation between two former enemies, starting with Vietnam helping the U.S. find remains of American soldiers gone missing during the war. Vietnam and the U.S. have both been trying to overcome the legacies of the war, and for Vietnam, the consequence repeated most often is Agent Orange, he said. With the Da Nang and Bien Hoa projects, he said, "We are cleaning the contaminated soil and sediment to prevent future harm. And we are helping those who are suffering from what happened to them or to their parents or grandparents." Both U.S. and Vietnamese representatives at the ceremony expressed confidence in the outcome of the new project, given that that Da Nang project "worked out every well." Leahy, who had also joined Vinh to kickstart the Da Nang cleanup in 2012, said that "Bien Hoa has other challenges ... but Vietnamese and U.S. scientists can overcome whatever difficulties ahead." Daniel Kritenbrink, U.S. ambassador to Hanoi, said the project "marks the beginning of an historic United States-Vietnam effort to erase a lingering ghost from our past." U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (L) and Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh launch the dioxin cleanup project in Bien Hoa Airport, April 20, 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Phuoc Tuan Also on Saturday, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Office of the Standing Board for the National Committee on the Settlement of Post-War Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences, signed a memorandum of intent to support persons with disabilities in seven Vietnamese provinces - Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh in central Vietnam, and Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, and Tay Ninh in the south. The memorandum covers a five-year commitment to support programs for people with disabilities in provinces that were heavily affected with Agent Orange, Leahy said. The schedule for delivering actual assistance and the financial scale of the project have not been revealed. But over the next five years, the agencies are expected to work with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and Vietnamese authorities and organizations to provide direct care, build the capacity of the rehabilitation sector, and develop community level social services. Between 1961 and 1971, the U.S. Army sprayed some 80 million liters of Agent Orange over 78,000 square kilometers (30,000 square miles) of southern Vietnam. Dioxin, a highly toxic chemical contained in the defoliant, stays in the soil and at the bottom of lakes and rivers for generations. It can enter the food chain through meat, fish and other animals, and has been found at alarmingly high levels in human breast milk. Between 2.1 to 4.8 million Vietnamese were directly exposed to Agent Orange and other chemicals before the war ended in April 1975. These chemicals have been linked to cancers, birth defects and other chronic diseases. The candidate for the presidency of Ukraine, showman Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that businessman Ihor Kolomoisky would face jail if he appears among those who broke the law and must be punished accordingly. "Regarding Mr. Kolomoisky, I'll immediately tell you: all the people who violate the law, including Svynarchuk, Hladkovsky, and if Kolomoisky is among them later, all will be imprisoned. They will be imprisoned not in two weeks, this is not a promise, this is a serious topic, this is the matter of the Ukrainian court. And they will be sent to prison when they break the law," he said during the debate at the NSC Olympiysky in Kyiv on April 19. At the same time, Zelensky noted in Russian that "he is keeping his fingers crossed that there would be no Poroshenko's entourage in politics in future." A commercial court in Khmelnytsky region has supported Russia in a dispute between Krasylivbased Krasylivsky aggregate plant, part of the state defense concern Ukroboronprom, and Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG, the concern's press service said. "On April 18 the Ukrainian court fully satisfied the legal claims filed by the Russian company and ordered the Ukrainian enterprise to pay over UAH 5 million to MiG, one of the core enterprises of the Russian defense industry," the statement said. The decision fully contradicts to the Ukrainian presidential decree enacting the National Defense and Security Council resolution of March 19, 2019, entitled "On the application, cancellation and modification of the personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions)," which placed MiG on the list of sanctioned companies, the concern said. Ukraine's anti-Russian sanctions, extended by President Petro Poroshenko, were aligned with similar measures imposed by the European Union and the United States. Ukroboronprom is planning to appeal against the ruling. MiG is part of the United Aircraft Corporation fully owned by the Russian state. MiG "is one of Russia's main defense enterprises which operates a full cycle involving the creation, repair and upgrade of fighter aircraft, supplies the army with MiG-29 fighter aircraft and their upgraded versions, Ukroboronprom said. Poroshenko spent on his campaign almost twice as much as Zelensky between April 7 and 13 reports Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) has approved an analysis of interim financial statements concerning the receipt and use of funds by the presidential candidates. "The national agency made the relevant decision during its extraordinary session on April 18," the NACP press service stated on Friday. The reporting period is from April 7 to 13, 2019. Over this period, Petro Poroshenko's campaign formed a fund of UAH 99.9 million (UAH 26.8 per U.S. dollar) from its own sources, according to the analysis of the report. "Almost UAH 97 million was spent on financing campaign events and campaign-related material. The campaign money was used for purposes set out by the law," the statement said. Volodymyr Zelensky's campaign was funded entirely by his political party (UAH 44.6 million). "[A total of] UAH 50.43 million was used to finance campaign events and campaign-related material (the money was received from an interest-bearing account to a current one, the balance of the current account at the start of the reporting period, and the sum returned by a contractor under an agreement concluded in the previous reporting period). The campaign funds were used for purposes envisaged by the law," the NACP press service said. The financial reports were checked according their compliance with the rules for filling them out and were verified against banks' information on restrictions to donations; in particular, whether the person making a donation had any tax arrears. The results of analysis of the interim financial statements revealed no inconsistencies with information obtained from the banks. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko held a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, during which discussed the threats of renationalization of PrivatBank, the press service of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine has reported. "Pompeo assured of the support for Ukraine on the path of reforms and counteracting the ongoing Russian aggression. The parties discussed the threats of renationalization of PrivatBank and the necessity of preserving macrofinancial stability of Ukraine," the press service said. According to the report, the U.S. Secretary of State assured that Washington would remain side by side with Ukraine in restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity. "The President of Ukraine expressed gratitude for Washington's strong support and called for more active efforts, in particular regarding the release of Ukrainian hostages and seamen illegally kept in Russian prisons," the press service said. Since start of war we return over 3,270 captives, hostages, but since Dec 2017 Russia stops releasing, exchanging them Poroshenko Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that since the start of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against the Ukrainian state over 3,270 Ukrainian hostages, prisoners of war and political prisoners have been released. "Since the beginning of the war, since 2014, we have returned home more than 3,270 of our prisoners of war, hostages and political prisoners," he said on Friday. At the same time, Poroshenko said that the key to the release of the remaining Ukrainian hostages, as well as the keys to peace in the Ukrainian lands in general, are "not in Kyiv, not in Brussels and not in Washington, but in Moscow." The head of state also said that since December 2017, the Russian authorities have stopped releasing and exchanging captured Ukrainian prisoners of war, hostages and political prisoners. Incumbent President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has said that the cases related to the killings of Maidan activists during Revolution of Dignity will be transferred to the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) in November. "I want to emphasize that since November, the Prosecutor General's Office is completely deprived of the right to conduct an investigation. Imagine that in five months the cases (related to the killings of Maidan activists] will be transferred to the SBI anyway And I strongly recommend completing the investigation and bringing it to court, and the first branch of the judiciary that has been formed and reformed will have to pass unbiased verdicts," Poroshenko said on Friday. The head of state said that he did not influence the investigation. In the Donbass, from the beginning of Saturday, as of 12:00, the militants mounted fire on the positions of the Ukrainian military four times, no casualties are reported, according to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. "From the beginning of this day, as of 12.00, in the area of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO), the enemy mounted four attacks. All shelling was recorded in the Donetsk sector," Ukrainian Defense Ministry Spokesman Oleksandr Motuzianyk said. Thus, at 5:30 in the morning, illegal armed groups opened fire from hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers and small arms towards the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Avdiyivka. At 6:05 in the morning, they released 20 mortar ammunition of 120 mm caliber towards of the positions of the Ukrainian troops near Pavlopil. This mortar attack was accompanied by shots from heavy grenade launchers. Then, at 8:00 a.m., the militants violated the ceasefire regime near the village of Pisky. "The enemy machine-gun fire lasted for about 15 minutes," Motuzianyk said. At 9:30 a.m., illegal armed groups used mortars of prohibited caliber. Thus, in the area of Opytne, the militants fired 10 mines of the 82 mm caliber. "The shelling lasted for about half an hour, and was recorded from the side of the occupied village of Vesele," the Defense Ministry's spokesman said. "Our defenders were forced to use weapons again in response to the hostile provocations mentioned. At the same time, the fire did not open using prohibited weapons. As of the moment the situation is stable, no casualties are reported in the ranks of the Ukrainian troops," he said. JFO units are on guard. Second round of presidential election in Ukraine to take place on Sunday The second round of the presidential elections is to take place in Ukraine on Sunday, April 21. Creative director of Studio Kvartal 95 Volodymyr Zelensky, who was nominated by the Servant of the People Party, and incumbent President Petro Poroshenko will compete in the runoff. During the first round on March 31, some 30.24% of voters (5,714,034 people) voted for Zelensky, while Poroshenko was backed by 15.95% (3,014,609 people). A total of 18,893,864 citizens of Ukraine took part in the voting and the turnout was 63.52%. Some 1.18% of the ballots were declared invalid. Preparations for the election and the March 31 vote itself were generally recognized by both foreign and Ukrainian observers as those that meet international democratic standards. The two candidates spent three weeks before the April 21 runoff second round in virtual discussion of the need for holding a pre-election debate. Poroshenko immediately after the announcement of the March 31 vote results announced the need to hold the debate, Zelensky in response suggested it should be held at NSC Olympiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv with the presence of citizens of Ukraine and a large number of media. He insisted that prior to the event, the two candidates should undergo blood tests to prove that no one of the presidential candidates suffers from alcohol or drug addiction. Poroshenko accepted the idea. After that, both candidates passed blood tests in different clinics, which was accompanied by attempts to reveal any irregularities or failures on the part of each of the camps. Zelensky insisted that the debate be held on April 19 before an election silence. Poroshenko invited his rival to hold the debate earlier. To this end, on April 14, he organized a debate at NSC Olympiyskiy, but Zelensky did not turn up. As a result, the parties reached an agreement, and the debate took place at Olympiyskiy Stadium on Friday, April 19. The event passed without incidents. Supporters of both candidates cried in support of their favorite and booed his opponent. The debate itself was limited to the mutual criticism by Zelensky and Poroshenko of each other, which each candidate voiced in his usual manner. According to the latest poll of the Rating group for April 12-16, some 73% of those who plan to go to the polling stations are ready to support Zelensky in the second round, 27% said they would vote for Poroshenko. A survey conducted by Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) shows that 72.2% of Ukrainians are ready to vote for Zelensky, while 25.4% support Poroshenko. To hold the April 21 vote, 199 constituencies have been created all over Ukraine, there is also another foreign constituency, which comprises 29,982 polling stations. The estimated number of voters included in the lists in these constituencies is 30,311,492. Among them, there are 449,175 voters who can vote abroad. There could have been 223 constituencies, but Russia-occupied territories Crimea and certain districts in Donetsk and Luhansk regions were not included. Some 101 polling stations have been created in the foreign constituency. They are hosed by the embassies and consulates of Ukraine abroad. Most of them are in Germany (five), the United States, Poland, Italy (four in each country), three are in Canada, Spain, and Turkey each. Ukrainian citizens will not be able to vote in Russian territory, as the Central Election Commission (CEC) late in 2018 closed all five Russia-based polling stations, which were opened in 2012 on a permanent basis. These stations were relocated to the embassies of Ukraine in Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Finland. In addition, as was proposed by Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, the CEC created 80 special polling stations on the territory of military units: 65 in Donetsk region, 14 in Luhansk region and one in Lviv region. Before March 15, voters were able to change the permanent place of voting without changing the voting address. Some 325,604 Ukrainians took advantage of this right. For the April 21 vote, the CEC registered 2,485 official observers from international organizations and 215 from foreign countries. Yet, there are no observers from the Russian Federation among them as the CEC denied their registration. The number of observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the largest 997 people, another 384 were sent by the European Network of Elections Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO), 249 by the Ukrainian World Congress, 203 by NGO CANADEM, 124 by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, 101 by the National Democratic Institute. The United States sent 65 observers, 45 observers came from Poland, 17 from France, 16 from Slovakia, and 13 from Germany. Some 82,265 observers from public organizations will be present at the runoff. Most of the observers are from the Ukrainian Center for Democratic Society (27,610 people), the Ze!Team (11,128), Ukrainian NGO Solidarity Youth (7,276), NGO Advanced Legal Initiatives, or PPI (6,699), the Opora Civic Network (4,943). Also, 33,851 official observers from candidate Petro Poroshenko and 3,226 from candidate Volodymyr Zelensky will also monitor the elections. Some 1,149 journalists from 192 media received accreditation from the CEC of Ukraine. Some 300,000 flood-hit Iranians are to be housed in flood shelters in Iran's Khuzestan Province following the declaration of a state of emergency in the three cities of Abadan, Khorramshahr and Shadegan, local officials have announced on Saturday April 20. The Iranian Red Crescent Society says its 2800 relief workers have offered relief aid to some 600,000 individuals and airlifted at least 8,340 to safer areas during the past month. In the meantime, at least 77 have lost their lives in the floods that have engulfed several Iranian provinces. President Hassan Rouhani has been visiting the worst-hit areas in Pol Dokhtar and Khorramabad in Iran's Lorestan province on Saturday. During the visit, Rouhani called for building more dams in Iran as a flood prevention measure that would also help solving the problem of water shortage. Meanwhile, as more heavy rainfall has started, the local governor of Khorramshahr has said that the city is being threatened by a new wave of floods as high tides may also bring the water from the adjacent rivers into the city. Possible floods in the city of Abadan, where Iran's largest oil refinery is located, has caused concerns among the local people and the government. According to the official news agency IRNA, the state of emergency will remain in place in Abadan and the other two cities at least until Tuesday evening as sea water might return to rivers Dez and Karoun and other local streams as a result of high tides. The overflowing of the two rivers have affected at least 400,000 Iranians in the area. Khorramshahr and at least 13 villages located West of the river are the ones feared to be submerged during the next few days. The local governor of Abadan says this is the worst-case scenario for Abadan, which has remained relatively safe from floodwaters coming from upstream. The city's schools wereclosed on Saturday. While according to Interior Minister Abdolreza RahmaniFazli, floods have affected 25 provinces and 4,400 villages in Iran, a special committee has been set up to bring about re-forestation in parts of the country where deforestation has been one of the causes of recent floods. Another committee has been set up to supervise engineering activities around Iranian rivers to minimize flooding risk in the future, Fars news agency reported on Saturday. Officials say floods have caused more than 130 trillion rials, or $2.5 billion in damages to Iran's agriculture sector alone. This is multiple times higher than what was reported two weeks ago. In one of the latest developments, the Iranian meteorological Organization has forecast another four days of heavy rainfall in Western, Northwestern, Northern and Northeasternprovinces of Iran. Snowfall has also started in parts of Azarbaijan and Ardabil provinces as well as in Gilan and Khorasan provinces, while between 30 to 60mm rainfall is also expected in these regions. Iran has discovered the identity of 290 CIA agents both in Iran and in other countries, and dismantled dozens of terror cells, boasted Irans Intelligence minister on Friday, April 19. Mahmoud Alavi also claimed that Iranian intelligence agents have discovered and arrested "tens of spies" serving at "sensitive centers" of the country, over the last Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2018 March 20, 2019). Speaking at the Friday Prayers in Tehran, the mid-ranking cleric maintained that "hundreds of attempts" by "foreign intelligence services to recruit local people for spying were exposed and neutralized", adding, "The foreign services seeking to recruit Iranians have been disoriented by our discoveries." However, the minister stopped short of presenting any details about his agents "achievements." Iranian security and intelligence officials often claim the arrest of terrorists and spies but almost never show any evidence, name any suspect, provide follow-up news or hold a trial. Nevertheless, Alavi could have been referring to widely circulated but "unconfirmed" news concerning an Iranian foreign ministry employee having been arrested for spying, and the execution of two members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' (IRGC) intelligence organization charged with spying for Israel. Earlier in November 2018, the Islamic Republic authorities had confirmed that an Iranian, Ali Ashtari, had been charged with spying for Israel and later executed. Furthermore, in his Friday speech, Mahmoud Alavi boasted that, during the last year, the Ministry of Intelligence has identified "290 CIA agents" in "different countries, including Iran." Following our achievement, Alavi claimed, "the CIA's connection with its spies was so distorted" that it was deeply confused, and forced to establish a "failure committee" in the U.S.A. Based on the minimal details presented by Alavi, including his reference to "Yahoo News" and "identification of 290 spies", one may presume that he had been talking about a Yahoo News report published last year and partly reflected in Iranian local news outlets. In early November 2018, Yahoo News reported, "Dozens of American spies were killed in Iran and China after a flawed communications service that allowed foreign foes to see what the agents were up to using Google, official sources have claimed." Between 2009 and 2013 the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency suffered a catastrophic secret communications failure in a website used by officers and their field agents around the world to speak to each other, Yahoo News reported, adding that it heard from 11 former intelligence and government officials about the previously unreported disaster. Were still dealing with the fallout, one former national security official was cited in the report. Dozens of people around the world were killed because of this. However, while Alavi has mentioned 290 CIA spies being identified, citing Iranian authorities, Yahoo News had referred to only 30 American spies being exposed. Alavi also maintained that the information was offered to friendly countries which led to the arrest of CIA agents. Moreover, the Iranian minister proudly declared that the U.K.'s MI6 was penetrated by the Islamic Republic agents who also succeeded in recruiting several members of the Israeli cabinet, as well as neutralizing the moves of a company that used to inject faulty parts in one of the sensitive facilities in Iran. Alavi went further by maintaining that his ministry has recently changed its policy from defensive to an offensive one. Alavi, who was speaking on the "National Day of Intelligence Ministry Staff," announced, "Over the past year, the intelligence forces managed to identify and dismantle 144 Takfiri terrorist teams, 116 cells linked to the terrorist Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO or MEK), 44 anti-revolutionary groups." (AFP)Iraq will host senior officials from neighbouring countries including regional arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran on Saturday, as it carves out a role as a mediator in the deeply divided region. The one-day summit will bring together parliament heads from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, and Kuwait, a parliamentary spokesman told AFP. Iran, one of Iraq's closest allies but a fierce foe of Saudi Arabia, will be represented by a "senior official," the spokesman said. The conference will be hosted by Iraq's youngest-ever speaker of parliament Mohammed al-Halbusi, 38, who said Friday Iraq was "honoured by the presence of its neighbours in Baghdad." Hours earlier, he had welcomed Syria's parliament chief Hammudeh Sabbagh, who landed in the Iraqi capital on Thursday night with a large delegation. Iraq has long been at the centre of a struggle for influence between regional and international powers, notably neighbouring Iran and the United States. But more recently, Baghdad has sought to fashion itself as a mediator among rivals in the Middle East and beyond. Iraqi premier Adel Abdel Mahdi recently returned from visits to both Riyadh and Tehran, who are at odds across the region and whose officials rarely attend the same events. Turkey and Iran have also backed opposing sides in Syria's war, which since 2011 has isolated Damascus diplomatically. As part of its new regional role, Baghdad has sought to bring Syria back into the Arab League. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Europe has practically pulled out of the nuclear agreement with Iran, and he expects only "backstabbing and treason" from Western European countries. Criticizing Western countries in his annual speech in Mashad, north-eastern Iran, on the first day of the Iranian New Year March 21, Khamenei said, "The Europeans have practically left the JCPOA, because they have not met their commitments." Three European states, Germany, France and the UK have set up INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges) following the U.S. withdrawal from the deal with Iran in 2018, to help Iran with limited trade despite U.S. sanctions. Iran has also set up its own parallel mechanism, the Special Trade and Finance Institute (STFI) earlier this week. The two trade vehicles are planned to work in tandem, avoiding the use of U.S. dollar and traditional banking transactions. However, Khamenei called INSTEX a "meaningless" measure and "a bitter joke," adding that "Europeans should have stood up to the U.S. after it left the JCPOA and should have lifted all sanctions against Iran." Khamenei characterized Western politicians as "savages in the real sense of the word." Iran has been negotiating for months with Europe over the trade mechanism to circumvent U.S. sanctions, but major European powers are careful as they thread a thin line between Washington and their desire to be the savior of the nuclear deal with Iran. Tehran was perhaps hoping it could extract more concessions in terms of having wide-ranging trade, but at this point, Europe does not appear ready to allow unlimited exchanges. Iran wants to export its oil to the continent and buy technology, but for Europe it is a step too far. Irans top leader expressed more pessimism saying he did not expect any positive measures from the West. "We can expect conspiracies, treason and backstabbing from Westerners, but we cannot expect them to be honest and helpful," Khamenei said. Nevertheless, he said he is not against maintaining ties with European countries, "but we should not trust and follow them." But no matter how bad Europe might be, Khamenei said he "did not know any state in the world as bad as the Saudi government." Khamenei called the Saudi government "corrupt, despotic; an oppressor and a dictatorship," and he criticized the West for trying to help Saudi Arabia to build its nuclear power industry and develop its missiles, adding that this should not be a problem for Saudi Arabia, because "Saudis are dependent on the West and the West owns their country." However, Khamenei said that he is not bothered by building a nuclear plant in Saudi Arabia, as it would fall into the hands of militant Muslims or in his words "Islamic Mujahedin." During recent years, Khamenei's has used his first speech of the year to explain his policies. Usually he also coins a slogan for the new year. This time he promulgated "the year of opportunities, possibilities and openness." This comes at a time when the country's most serious economic and foreign policy crises have left Iran isolated and Khamenei's dogmatism have left little room for flexibility. Still, he voiced his disagreement with those who call the new year "the year of threats." Earlier in the day, in his recorded New Year Message he had named the coming year as "the year of boosting production." Iranians on social media pointed out that every year events have played out exactly contrary to Khamenei's expectations. In his Mashad speech he recounted the same reasons for Irans lagging economy as in all his recent statements: "Part of Iran's problems is due to sanctions imposed by Western powers, and another part is the result of shortcomings and mismanagement in Iran." However, he said that the same "sanctions, shortcomings and weaknesses can provide opportunities for solving the country's problems," but did not say how. In another part of the speech, Khamenei insisted on continuing the same policies that have led to problems for his regime. "We shall continue to strengthen our military power in spite of the enemies and will not relent under pressure", ignoring the fact that part of the pressures on Iran is the direct outcome of his insistence to develop ballistic missiles. Khamenei stressed: "Iran has a strong fist and a powerful hand," adding that Iran should forget about Western help if it wants to turn its economy into a deterrent power, however, he did not say how Iran can do that in the absence of foreign investments, with an economy in crisis. Yet he said confronting the enemy is not enough and called for reaching the level of "deterrence." "We should reach a stage where the enemy would realize it is not possible to put pressure on Iran by squeezing its economy. Khamenei's New Year comments in the past have also been controversial. Last year he claimed that "no one is under pressure in Iran for voicing his or her political views," a statement numerous international human rights reports and even Iranian media sharply contradicted. In 2011, he boasted about achieving major economic and diplomatic milestones; promises he was not able to keep as international sanctions enacted in the same year pushed the economy into recession and the country into isolation. God is testing the people of Iran through international pressures, Tehran's interim Friday Prayer Imam told a congregation in the capital city, adding, "Why are you afraid of the sanctions being intensified? The hell with the sanctions and their escalation". The mid-ranking cleric, Ayatollah Kazem Seddiqi (Seddighi), reproached people of Iran for being scared of the U.S. sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic. "Why are you worried about the sanctions and their expansion? Don't you have a God? Isn't your daily bread provided through divine storage? Don't we read Qur'an", Seddiqi retorted. Rhetorically comparing international pressures to child birth pain, Seddiqi said on Friday, April 19, pregnancy labor is painful, "but its outcome is a new birth." His comments were widely derided on social media. "I have almost no doubt that if it comes to pregnancy labor, it would be the people, not Mr. Seddiqi, who would suffer," tweeted Mohsen Bayat Zanjani. In another part of his sermon, Seddiqi described the recent deadly floods across Iran as a praiseworthy "divine blessing." The floods have so far left nearly eighty dead, and up to 4000 trillion rials (approximately $9 billion) of damages in 25 out of 31 provinces. Furthermore, the interim Friday Prayers Imam lambasted the West by branding them as "wretched," affirming, "France and the U.S. are miserable, and struggling with challenges." Washington's withdrawal from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers and the re-imposition of sanctions have devalued the currency, rial, as well as bankrupted numerous industries across the country. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 20 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 21 times, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry informed on April 20, 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. Details added, title changed (first version published at 13:41) Baku, Azerbaijan, April 20 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: The US is looking forward to continuing the dialogue by both sides of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Earle Litzenberger told reporters on the sidelines of the Alumni Fair educational exhibition in Baku, Trend reports. I have nothing special to say. We welcome the meeting of the foreign ministers, which took place in Moscow, as well as the statement that was made after the meeting. We all look forward to continuing the dialogue of both parties. We are pleased that the foreign ministers will hold a regular meeting, the ambassador said. Litzenberger reminded that the US has long been one of the three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. He added that the goal of the group and the co-chairs is to bring both sides to a peaceful solution to the conflict. It was stated earlier by the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov that the US offered to hold the next meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers in Washington on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. 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, April 20 Trend: A delegation of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) has arrived in Baku to get acquainted with Azerbaijan and to explore the country, Trend reports. The 20-member delegation of the YPO visited the Alley of Martyrs in Baku. The young people representing different countries commemorated the Azerbaijani heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and laid wreaths at their graves. Following the visit, the guests enjoyed a panoramic view of Baku as they were informed on the history of the Alley of Martyrs and redevelopment works in the capital of Azerbaijan, as well as the youth policy pursued in the country. Tehran, Iran, April 20 Trend: Iranian government is unlikely to extend the ban on imports of some commodities, the spokesman of Customs Administration Ahmad Khani told Trend. Contrary to the perception of many who thinks that Customs is the policy maker, the Economic Policy Council is the one that made decision on import ban, he said. The Customs Administration only acts as the executor of the government's decisions, so the notion that customs have caused ban on importing specific goods is irrelevant, he added. Last Iranian year (ended on March 21), the imposition of customs restrictions, the prohibition of imports of the luxury goods and closure of production units in the border areas were part of the problems that both traders and the Free Zone Organization was struggling with. In June last year, the import of 1,339 commodities categorized as non-essential goods with domestic counterparts, i.e. Group IV, was banned by the government to save foreign currency and support domestic products. In January, 47 commodities were removed from the list of banned imports and residents of border towns were given the green light to legally bring in previously banned goods including essential commodities like rice (30 kg per person annually), sugar (15 kilograms per person annually), tea (1 kg per person annually), vegetable oil (10 kg per person annually), paper (7 kg per person annually), coffee and oilseeds. Several times, traders and shopkeepers in the border areas protested against the ban on imports of the luxuries commodities. Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20 By Fakhri Vakilov Trend: Representatives of the "Uztextileprom" Association held a meeting with the delegation of the Council for Foreign Economic Relations of Turkey "DEIK" in Uzbekistan, Trend reports with reference to the press service of the textile association. During negotiations with foreign partners, information was provided on the favorable business environment formed in Uzbekistan, a broad system of legal guarantees and privileges for foreign investors, customs privileges and preferences, investment potential, the banking system, and the procedure for granting loans to foreign investors. The sides discussed prospects of introducing the water management system (Zero liquid discharge) in Uzbekistan using Turkish technologies, which provide comprehensive solutions to water purification and industrial wastewater. It worth noting that wastewater, which contains a wide range of contaminants, is formed when finishing textile materials. Moreover, soluble dyes are a big problem, because few cleansing technologies are available and dissolved dyes are not sufficiently eliminated in municipal wastewater treatment plants. Following the meeting, the parties reached an agreement on the introduction of the latest Turkish technologies in the implementation of projects of the textile and garment and knitwear industry. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Tehran, Iran, April 20 Trend: The Swiss government has taken necessary steps to strengthen trade and banking relations with Iran and open up a financial channel between the two countries. The governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has met with the Swiss ambassador to Tehran, Markus Leitner, on April 19, Trend reports citing Official Website of the CBI. "The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the efforts of the Swiss government," AbdolNasser Hemmati said. "The promotion of trade with Switzerland is in the interests of both countries." "The Swiss efforts to open the banking channel between the two sides can be seen as a positive sign to align its international trade and financial policies on the basis of mutual interests, not on the basis of external pressure. This process must be supported and strengthened," the Governor of CBI added. "The Islamic Republic of Iran, despite the pressure from the United States, is pursuing the development of commercial and banking relations with other countries following its national interests," he said. Having stressed the intention of Switzerland to strengthen the banking and financial relations with Iran, the Ambassador to Iran reminded that Switzerland has always had proper banking and financial relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and that US sanctions should not restrict these banking relations. The ambassador went on to say that the Swiss government is taking the necessary steps to strengthen trade and banking relations. In his words, opening the banking channel between Iran and Switzerland will increase banking exchanges between the two countries as soon as possible. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 20 By Sara Israfilbayova Trend: The dialogue between Azerbaijan and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) may be resumed, a source from State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) told Trend. According to SOFAZ, new heads of the organization's Secretariat and Board alongside changes to the Initiatives standards will be presented among other issues to the entire EITI global community for approval at the next EITI Global Conference, the largest and most important event of the Initiative, to be held in Paris in June this year. "Therefore, the scenario for a new round in the EITIs activities facilitating a renewal of the dialogue between the organization and Azerbaijan is not ruled out," the SOFAZ representative said. It was noted that Azerbaijan fully complied with all reporting principles, in particular with the EITI 2016 standard, throughout the years of the country participation in the Initiative. "Despite its withdrawal from EITI, Azerbaijan continues to publish its reports," informed the source. After Azerbaijan announced its withdrawal from EITI in March 2017, national Extractive Industries Transparency Commission was set up. Follow the author on Twitter: @IsrafilbekovaS Baku, Azerbaijan, April 20 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Azerbaijan is an important node in New Silk Road, Charles Stevens, the founder of The New Silk Road Project (www.thenewsilkroadproject.com), told Trend. Stevens pointed out that Baku sits at the crossroad of developing north-south and east-west transportation routes. "These span from Russia to India, via the newly developed Astara rail bridge, and China to Europe respectively. As synergies are created and scale brings cost efficiencies, Azerbaijan is well placed to benefit from a strategy which will help diversify its economy. Azerbaijan is an increasingly important node in this growing multimodal network with the development of Baku Port at Alat," he added. Stevens noted that over the past five years, the implementation of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative has been opaque and unevenly dispersed across Eurasia. "There is minimal clarity as to what foreign investment constitutes a BRI project or not and those that are BRI projects seem to be concentrated around the India Ocean littoral. This centres on East Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan and Southeast Asia. The implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, in the regions contiguous with the major arteries of the ancient Silk Road, are underdeveloped. This includes Kazakhstan, Iran, the South Caucasus, and Turkey," he said. He believes that the Belt and Road Initiative can bring great opportunities but also a multitude of challenges. "Each country needs to assess the benefits of potential projects on their individual merits. These may include financial terms, labour agreements, public benefits, environmental impact, and long term economic benefits," noted Stevens. He pointed out that the New Silk Road has galvanised discussion around the topic of connectivity and cooperation regardless of the actual outcome of the initiative. "This plays an important role in stimulating much more than just investment but also cultural understanding, people to people interaction, and educational partnerships. Challenges include contractual transparency, environmental standards, and labour agreements. These vary widely across projects. Careful screening processes and consultation with stakeholders before implementation will help to ensure that the project bring long term economic value and developmental benefits," he added. Azerbaijan became a signatory to the Belt and Road Energy Partnership Declaration in October 2018. The document emphasized that the Belt and Road Initiative will provide new opportunities for the international cooperation as an open and inclusive platform. By signing the Declaration, the signatory countries have also expressed their support for Building the Belt and Road Energy Partnership. One Belt, One Road initiative was put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Azerbaijan expressed its support to the initiative when the country signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Encouragement of the Establishment of Silk Way Economic Belt in 2015. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, April 20 Trend: A trilateral meeting on energy cooperation between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan was held in Istanbul, Trend reports referring to the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan. Turkey was represented by Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Donmez, Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov represented Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan was represented by Chairman of the Turkmenecology State Corporation Shahym Abdrahmanow. At the meeting, issues related to the current state and prospects for the development of cooperation between the countries in the energy sector were discussed. It was noted that successive meetings of the ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, a number of adopted documents, common regional interests and joint projects such as the Afghanistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey transport corridor, the Trans-Eurasian Superinformational Highway and the restoration of the Great Silk Road form a strong base for cooperation in a trilateral format. The parties also discussed prospects for the development of this format in the energy sector. A joint declaration signed following the meeting envisages expansion of existing cooperation in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency and green technologies; exchange of experience; strengthening ties between companies and research centers of the three countries operating the energy sector including oil and gas industry; and holding exhibitions, conferences and seminars. A joint press conference was held afterwards. A bilateral meeting was also held between Parviz Shahbazov and Fatih Donmez. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 20 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Turkey is interested in supplying energy resources of the Caspian basin to the world markets, Fatih Donmez, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey, said following a trilateral meeting with the Energy Ministers of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, Trend reports with reference to Turkish media. Donmez said that the supply of energy resources of the Caspian basin to Turkey is also very important. On April 19, a trilateral meeting on energy cooperation between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan was held in Istanbul. At the meeting, issues related to the current state and prospects for the development of cooperation between the countries in the energy sector were discussed. It was noted that successive meetings of the ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, a number of adopted documents, common regional interests and joint projects such as the Afghanistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey transport corridor, the Trans-Eurasian Superinformational Highway and the restoration of the Great Silk Road form a strong base for cooperation in a trilateral format. The parties also discussed prospects for the development of this format in the energy sector. A joint declaration signed following the meeting envisages expansion of existing cooperation in many areas including renewable energy, energy efficiency and green technologies; exchange of experience; strengthening ties between companies and research centres of the three countries operating in the energy sector including oil and gas industry; and holding exhibitions, conferences and seminars. A joint press conference was held afterwards. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 20 By Matanat Nasibova Trend: Against the background of the intensification of negotiations on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Armenian side once again attempted to mislead the world community with statements that contradict the norms of international law. Thus, in a recent interview to the French Le Figaro newspaper, Armenian Foreign Minister Zograb Mnatsakanyan stated that settlement of the conflict can only be political, and the only format to achieve this is the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship, adding, however, that those living in the Nagorno-Karabakh region should participate in this process. At the same time, he did not specify whether he also meant the Azerbaijani community, which had been subjected more than once to ethnic cleansing by Armenia. He said that it is impossible to conduct peace negotiations in an atmosphere of hatred. In our opinion, the main issue is the security of 150,000 Armenians who live in Artsakh, he noted. They are under constant threat, given the atmosphere of hatred towards them. Commenting on the statements of the Armenian diplomat, the Head of the Expert Council of the Baku Network, Ph.D. Elkhan Alasgarov told Trend that Mnatsakanyan lied at least seven times in two sentences. "First, there is no so-called Artsakh, as all international documents refer to the occupied territories of Nagorno-Karabakh region, Alasgarov said. Second, there are no 150,000 Armenians in these territories; there are a maximum of 50,000 Armenians there most of whom are the Armenian soldiers, including Pashinyans son. It is necessary to conduct a population census there. Third, the cornerstone of the negotiations is the de-occupation of the territories, which is required in all peace plans, Alasgarov added. Fourth, the Armenians living there fell hostages to the policy of Yerevan that turned the occupied territories into a concentration camp, which no one is allowed to leave. Fifth, Mnatsakanyan does not notice Azerbaijani refugees, which, in accordance with the Madrid Principles, should return to the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The expert noted that the atmosphere of hatred and threat is caused by the occupation, and that nothing can be healed without de-occupation. The hatred is cultivated by the Armenian side, which makes territorial claims not only to Azerbaijan, but also to Turkey, Georgia and Iran, Alasgarov added. Russian, Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers Sergey Lavrov, Elmar Mammadyarov and Zograb Mnatsakanyan held a working meeting in Moscow on April 15 upon the initiative of the Russian side. OSCE Minsk Groups co-chairs (Igor Popov of Russia, Andrew Schofer of the US and Stephane Visconti of France) as well as Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk also joined them. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Follow the author on Twitter: @MatanatNasibova Four Turkish soldiers were killed on Friday in clashes with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) near the border with Iraq, Turkeys Defence Ministry said on Saturday, reports Trend citing to Reuters Demiroren News Agency said a military base had been attacked in the mountainous Cukurca district of Turkeys southeastern province of Hakkari, prompting the Turkish military to respond with a large-scale military operation. As part of ongoing operations in the Turkey-Iraq border, two soldiers were killed in clashes with terrorists despite all efforts to save them, the ministry said, adding a total of four soldiers were killed and six wounded. Terrorists are under intense fire with the air operation and fire support vehicles in the region, it said. The PKK, which has waged an insurgency for autonomy in Turkeys largely Kurdish southeast since 1984, is deemed a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. An air force medical plane from Germany landed on the Portuguese island of Madeira on Saturday to take home the injured survivors of a bus crash that killed 29 German tourists earlier this week, reports Trend citing to Reuters The bus veered off a steep road in the coastal town of Canico on Wednesday. The Portuguese driver and tour guide were among the 27 people hurt in the accident, which prosecutors are investigating. Eleven of the injured Germans have already been discharged from hospital and 12 will be flown home on the medical plane on Saturday. Another was transferred to Germany on Friday and one will stay in hospital in Funchal, Madeiras capital, a hospital spokesman said. The driver and tour guide will also remain under observation in hospital, the spokesman added. Images taken by Reuters photographers on Saturday showed some of the injured being carried inside the plane on stretchers. The company that owned the bus said it was cooperating with authorities investigating the crash, which killed 17 women and 12 men. Many of them were pensioners, German newspaper Bild reported. Autopsies and post-mortem examinations have been concluded, Portugals Justice Ministry said in a statement and authorities are waiting for data including fingerprints and dental records in order to confirm the victims identities. The Arab coalition has began an operation to diminish the drone capabilities of the Houthi militia at a presidential palace camp in Yemens capital Sanaa, Trend reported citing Arab News. Earlier this month, a Houthi workshop manufacturing unmanned drones and a launchpad were destoryed in a coalition strike. The attacks are a continuation of previous strikes aimed at reducing Houthi capabilities, and counter their efforts at launching attacks against the Kingdom. On Apr. 3, five people were injured, including a woman and a child, when two Houthi drones targeting civilian areas in Saudi Arabia were intercepted and destroyed. In early March, Saudi Arabias Royal Air Defense Force again shot down a Houthi drone that was flying toward the Kingdom. Five AH-64 Apache attack helicopters of the British Royal Force have arrived to the Amari Air Base in Estonia as a part of a wider NATO deployment in the Baltic region, press service of the Estonian Defence Forces stated Saturday. The helicopters are expected to take part in the Spring Storm NATO drills and cover the alliance's contingency at the military base near Tapa in Estonia. The redeployed helicopters will soon carry out their first flights in Estonian airspace, before they join exercises with four British AW159 Wildcat multirole helicopters, which arrived at the base earlier. South Korean President Moon Jae-in was set to visit Uzbekistan's historic city of Samarkand Saturday, highlighting his country's long friendship with the Central Asian nation that he says dates back to the era of the Silk Road, Trend reported citing Yonhap. Moon's trip to the city comes one day after he and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev agreed to upgrade the countries' relationship to a "special strategic partnership" in their bilateral summit here. Seoul and Tashkent established diplomatic ties in 1992. Their relationship was upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2006. Moon says the friendship between the two countries dates back hundreds of years when they were connected by the ancient network of trade routes, the Silk Road. "Uzbekistan's development is South Korea's development. South Korea will gladly share its experience of economic development with Uzbekistan," Moon said in an address to the Uzbek parliament Friday. Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. It is known to have been frequented by merchants from countries in the region, including ancient Korean dynasties. The South Korean president arrived in Uzbekistan Thursday on a four-day state visit. Moon will wrap up his visit to the country on Sunday to head for Kazakhstan, the third and last stop in his three-nation tour that earlier took him to Turkmenistan. A Peruvian judge ordered 36 months of preventive prison for ex-President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski on Friday as authorities investigate his alleged involvement in a corruption case, Trend reported citing Xinhua. Peru's judicial authority said via its Twitter account that Kuczynski, who is currently on a 10-day detention since April 10, "is being investigated for money laundering ... being a part of a criminal organization." Last week, Kuczynski was arrested during an ongoing investigation into Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht and its alleged bribery of government officials. Congressman Gilbert Violeta recently said Kuczynski had been hospitalized due to a cardiac issue that resulted from the preliminary detention order. Kuczynski has been under investigation since 2017, following revelations that Odebrecht paid him when he was minister of economy and finance under former President Alejandro Toledo, for his services as a consultant. Toledo, in office during 2001-2006, is charged with having received 20 million U.S. dollars in bribes from Odebrecht in exchange for the contract to build the Interoceanic Highway linking Peru and Brazil. Peru is seeking the extradition of Toledo from the United States. Kuczynski resigned from the presidency in March 2018, following the release of a video showing his allies trying to buy votes from opposition lawmakers ahead of a second impeachment vote over the corruption scandal. Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and private realty firm Crown Acquisitions said on Friday they were the unnamed investors in a deal with Vornado Realty Trust valued at $5.56 billion that involves a portfolio of prime New York retail properties, Trend reported citing Reuters. Vornado sold a non-controlling stake in its portfolio of properties along Fifth Avenue and Broadway in Times Square in a transaction that provided the firm cash proceeds of about $1.2 billion, the firm said on Thursday. Neither QIA, Qatars sovereign wealth fund, or Crown Acquisitions were named on Thursday as the investors who contributed $1.31 billion in cash in a newly created joint venture with Vornado. QIA and Crown Acquisitions, which acted as an advisor to the deal, said they acquired a 24% stake each in a portfolio of five ground-level stores along a swath of Fifth Avenue just north of St. Patricks Cathedral and two sites in Times Square. The deal comprised $950 million of mortgage debt, $1.83 billion of preferred equity entirely held by Vornado and $2.78 billion of common equity in which Vornado holds 51%. The portfolio include stores at 666 Fifth Avenue, a building that has been in the news because it was owned by the family of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, until Brookfield Asset Management bought a 99-year lease on the office portion last August. QIA Chief Executive Mansoor al-Mahmoud said in a statement the investment underlined QIAs ambition to boost its U.S. investments to $45 billion in coming years and our belief in the exciting long-term possibilities offered by New York City. The retail portfolio includes such brands as MAC, Polo, Forever 21 and Disney. QIA also is an investor in Brookfield and the transaction at 666 Fifth Avenue involving Kushner Cos had prompted a rethink of how the gas-rich kingdom invests money abroad via the sovereign wealth fund, two sources told Reuters earlier this year. Qatar had decided that QIA would aim to avoid investing in funds or other vehicles it does not fully control, according to the sources, who are familiar with the strategy. Qatar, whose wealth comes from the worlds largest exports of liquefied natural gas, manages about $300 billion in assets. Mahmoud told Reuters in December the fund was focusing on classic investments in the West such as real estate and financial institutions, and would also accelerate investment in technology and healthcare. With oil and gas prices growing over the past two years, Qatar has not departed from what it is best known for - snapping up big-name properties. 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. At the present time,businesses are globalising and expanding at whistle-stop. The headways of each organization largely depend on creative advertising and marketing companies who succour them to put together a set of tactics with which they can thrive in the competitive and ever-expanding market. By the same token, Monoj Nath, founded BlueAntz Advertising Pvt. Ltd. to devise strategies for both Traditional Advertising and Digital Marketing.Being a part of the advertisement industry for over 25 years, Monoj Nath undoubtedly has gained a lot of knowledge and experience under his belt. With such backwards and forwards of knowledge, he brought into being BlueAntz an advertising agency that proffers traditional advertising and digital marketing. It offers a wide variety of services that includes OOH, TVC, Print Advertisement and conducts promotional events too. The Company has been assisting its clients to build an impressive image of its brand to perk up its value and visibility in the market. Due to its outstanding services and solutions, it is regarded to be one of the most promising advertising agencies in India. "Our expertise, experience and the magic formula simpler and smarter communication have helped us create quite a stir in the advertising and marketing space," says Monoj. "In a span of eight years, BlueAntz has gained several accolades made notable achievements and grew greater in terms of workforce, clients and revenue" BlueAntz had to get its work talk for itself since the time of its inception. It was a challenging task for the Company to win people's belief and impress them with its creativity. Since the market was already dominated by pronounced advertising and marketing agencies, the scopes and opportunities were quite skimpy. Yet true talent and hard work never go unnoticed, the creative capability of the Company was soon recognised and has been swaying this domain by fashioning brands ever since then. "We had a tough start but eventually opportunities started gushing in. With our creative and strategic efforts, we established our stance in this ecosystem" says Monoj. Putting down all the obstructive situations, BlueAntz has worked its fingers to the bone and established itself as a high standing creative agency. In a span of eight years, the Company has gained several accolades, made notable Chapel Hill, NC - The world's first vaccine for malaria will be tested in a pilot study beginning this month in three countries with a high burden of the disease among children, according to researchers leading the project from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Project-Malawi. A previous study found the vaccine RTS,S/AS01 provides partial protection against malaria in young children. In Malawi, malaria is the main cause of illness and death among children age 5 and younger. "Malaria can kill a child in less than 24 hours," said Tisungane Mvalo, MMED, a pediatrician at UNC Project-Malawi in Lilongwe and one of the study's investigators. "And even if the child survives, malaria can impact every organ, causing brain injury or even kidney issues. Prevention is better than treatment." The vaccine was originally studied in a Phase III trial conducted over five years from 2009-2014. It enrolled approximately 15,000 children in seven sub-Saharan countries. UNC Project-Malawi was one of the 11 sites involved in the trial. Over four years of follow up, the vaccine prevented 39 percent of clinical cases of malaria in children 17 months to 5-years-old who received four doses of the vaccine. These results were published in The Lancet. After these results, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the public health potential of the RTS,S vaccine, while also acknowledging the need for further evaluation before considering wide-scale deployment. "Despite gains over the last decade, we have seen a stagnation in malaria control efforts in recent years," said Jonathan Juliano, M.D., M.S.P.H., one of the study's investigators and an associate professor of medicine in the UNC Division of Infectious Diseases. "In certain areas of Africa, we have actually seen rates of malaria infection get worse. New interventions are needed to continue advancing toward elimination. Careful evaluation of candidate malaria vaccines is an essential part in the development of these new tools." Based on the protective effect seen in the Phase III trial of RTS,S, the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Program (MVIP) was formed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of administering the vaccine. Three countries - Malawi, Ghana and Kenya - were selected as evaluation partners. UNC clinician-researchers Mvalo, Juliano and Irving Hoffman, P.A., M.P.H., international director of UNC Project-Malawi, are partnering with the Malawian College of Medicine to monitor the implementation of the vaccine and its impact on preventing mortality from malaria in Malawi. The goal is to vaccinate approximately 120,000 children a year beginning in April 2019. MVIP is expected to continue evaluation through 2022, and the data and feasibility assessment from the program will be used to inform future decisions on the wide-scale deployment of the vaccine. "Evaluating the safety and preventative effect of the vaccine at the facility- and community-level is a real challenge," said Hoffman. "However, Dr. Mvalo's leadership in Malawi, with support from Dr. Juliano and myself, form a strong and collaborative team that is designed for success." ### This research was funded by Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance; The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and Unitaid. The mission of UNC's Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases is to harness the full resources of the University and its partners to solve global health problems, reduce the burden of disease, and cultivate the next generation of global health leaders. Learn more at http://www.globalhealth.unc.edu. The Araguaian river dolphin of Brazil is something of a mystery. It was thought to be quite solitary, with little social structure that would require communication. But Laura May Collado, a biologist at the University of Vermont, and her colleagues have discovered that the dolphins can actually make hundreds of different sounds to communicate, a finding that could help uncover how communication evolved in marine mammals. "We found that they do interact socially and are making more sounds than previously thought," she says. "Their vocal repertoire is very diverse." The findings of May Collado are her colleagues were published in the journal PeerJ on April 18. The Araguaian dolphins, also called botos, are a difficult animal to study. They are hard to find in the first place, and while the waters of the Araguaia and Tocatins rivers are clear, it is challenging to identify individuals because the dolphins are skittish and hard to approach. Luckily, Gabriel Melo-Santos, a biologist from the University of St Andrews in Scotland and leader of the project, found a fish market in the Brazilian town of Mocajuba where the botos regularly visit to be fed by people shopping there. The clear water and regular dolphin visits provided a unique opportunity to get a close look at how the animals behave and interact, and to identify and keep track of various individuals. The team used underwater cameras and microphones to record sounds and interactions between the dolphins at the market, and took some genetic samples. They identified 237 different types of sounds the dolphins make, but even with 20 hours of recordings the researchers don't believe they captured the animals' entire acoustic repertoire. The most common sounds were short, two-part calls that baby dolphins made when they were approaching their mothers. "It's exciting; marine dolphins like the bottlenose use signature whistles for contact, and here we have a different sound used by river dolphins for the same purpose," says May Collado. The river dolphins also made longer calls and whistles, but these were much rarer, and the reasons for them are not yet clear. But there is some indication that whistles serve the opposite purpose than in bottlenose dolphins, with the botos using them to maintain distance rather than for group cohesion. The acoustic characteristics of the calls are also interesting; they fall somewhere between the low-frequency calls used by baleen whales to communicate over long distances, and the high-frequency ones used by marine dolphins for short distances. May Collado speculates that the river environment may have shaped those characteristics. "There are a lot of obstacles like flooded forests and vegetation in their habitat, so this signal could have evolved to avoid echoes from vegetation and improve the communication range of mothers and their calves," she says. May Collado and her colleagues next want to study whether the same diversity of communication is seen in other populations of Araguaian river dolphins that are less accustomed to humans, and compare them to their relatives elsewhere in South America. The Araguaian dolphins are closely related to two other species, the Bolivian river dolphin and Amazon river dolphin; the Araguaian dolphins were only described as a separate species in 2014, and that classification is still under debate. But there seems to be a large amount of variation in the repertoire of sounds each species makes. The Amazon dolphins in Ecuador, studied by May Collado in 2005, are generally very quiet. "We need more information on these other species and more populations," she says. "Why is one population chattier than others and how do these differences shape their social structure?" May Collado says the work could help researchers gain clearer understanding of how communication evolved in marine mammals. Similar calls have been reported in pilot whales and killer whales, for example, and the similarities and differences between different species could help tease out which signals evolved first, and why. The river dolphins are evolutionary relics, represented by just a few species around the world, and they diverged from other cetaceans much earlier than other dolphins. So these calls may have arisen first in river dolphins, then later evolved in marine dolphins into whistles and calls but in a different social context. Or was there a change in the function of the calls, with this kind of sound being used for group identity in killer whales, and individual identity in river dolphins? The calls may also have other functions in addition to identity, perhaps indicating group identity, or providing information on emotional state. "We can't say what the evolutionary story is yet until we get to know what sounds are produced by other river dolphins in the Amazon area, and how that relates to what we found," she says. "We now have all these new questions to explore." ### Delegates walk past a WTO ministerial meeting logo at the entrance of the Geneva International Conference Center in Geneva November 30, 2009. REUTERS/Valentin Flauraud/Files SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's Commerce Ministry said on Friday that it regrets a ruling by a World Trade Organization panel that its administration of tariff-rate quotas for rice, wheat and corn violated its accession commitments. A WTO dispute panel ruled on Thursday that under the terms of China's 2001 WTO accession, Beijing's administration of the tariff rate quotas (TRQs) violated its obligation to administer them on a "transparent, predictable and fair basis". (Reporting by John Ruwitch, Wang Jing and Winni Zhou; Editing by Kim Coghill) ISTANBUL, April 20 (Reuters) - Turkey's ruling AK Party submitted a second petition to cancel and re-run Istanbul elections it lost three weeks ago, citing thousands of ballots cast by people it said were ineligible to vote due to previous government decrees, state-run Anadolu news agency said on Saturday. Based on initial results and a series of recounts, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) won the mayoralty in Turkey's largest city, in a defeat for President Tayyip Erdogan who began his political career there and served as its mayor in the 1990s. The new CHP mayor Ekrem Imamoglu took office on Wednesday, despite a formal request submitted a day earlier by the AK Party (AKP) to annul and repeat the mayoral elections over what it said were irregularities. Erdogan had said his AKP would keep up its challenge, and on Saturday it filed an additional petition to the High Election Board because of some 14,000 votes cast by those it said were ineligible due to the decrees, according to broadcaster NTV. Citing AKP Deputy Chairman Ali Ihsan Yavuz, NTV said the party also found 424 people who had voted illegally. (Reporting by Jonathan Spicer and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Hugh Lawson) Scientist checking hemp plants in a greenhouse. Credit: HQuality/Shutterstock.com Scientist checking hemp plants in a greenhouse. Credit: HQuality/Shutterstock.com Florida is adding eight more medical marijuana operators to the 14 businesses currently selling cannabis throughout the state. The new additions to Floridas rapidly growing medical-marijuana industry, projected to generate more than $2.5 billion in annual revenue within five years, come from a pool of applicants that lost out in the first round of licensing in 2015 under an initial state law that allowed noneuphoric cannabis. Since then, Florida voters broadly legalized medical marijuana, but the state has not begun an application process for investors eager to enter the states cannabis market, which is expected to eventually become one of the largest in the nation. Florida has more than 200,000 patients qualified for medical marijuana, and that number continues to increase. Tuesdays joint settlement agreement between the Department of Health and what are known within the industry as one-pointers means that all of the original applicants that sought licenses in a highly competitive process have now been approved as medical marijuana treatment centers. And it reduces to three the number of available licenses under a 2017 law aimed at implementing the 2016 constitutional amendment that broadly legalizing medical marijuana. Two of those licenses are supposed to go to applicants with ties to the citrus industry, and one must go to a black farmer who was part of class-action lawsuits, known as Pigford cases, about discrimination by federal officials. The settlement ends months of speculation about a potential deal between health officials and losing applicants. The move is linked to a recommended order by an administrative law judge who castigated the state Office of Medical Marijuana Use for using a flawed system to decide which applicants should receive the licenses. In June, Administrative Law Judge John Van Laningham accused health officials of a colossal blunder with the application-scoring process that created a dumpster fire. Van Laninghams decision in the challenge filed by Natures Way Nursery of Miami Inc. was rooted in the 2017 law and the health departments original process to grant five licenses after the Legislature legalized noneuphoric medical marijuana in 2014. Under the 2017 law, health officials were required to issue licenses to applicants that had legal challenges pending as of January 2017 or who had scored within one point of the highest-ranked applicants in five regions. Van Laninghams recommended order prompted the state to grant a license to Natures Way, opening a flood of challenges by other applicants who argued they were eligible for licenses because they fell within one point of the highest scorer in their regions of the state. While former Gov. Rick Scotts administration for months had been rumored to be working out a deal with the one-pointers, it was his successor, Ron DeSantis, who settled the matter after taking office in January. Under the joint agreement, Spring Oaks Greenhouses Inc.; Redland Nursery Inc.; Dewar Nurseries Inc.; Tree King-Tree Farm Inc.; Perkins Nursery Inc.; Bills Nursery Inc.; DeLeons Bromeliads Inc.; and Harts Plant Nursery Inc. are set to receive licenses. In exchange for receiving licenses, the eight new medical marijuana operators had to agree to certain conditions laid out by the DeSantis administration. The agreement requires the operators to agree they intend to provide enhanced patient access by locating a percentage of dispensaries within impoverished communities and rural areas that have been adversely affected by extraordinary economic events or natural disasters. The operators also had to promise to require background checks of all employees that are more stringent than required under existing Florida law. And the new operators have to adopt security and anti-diversion policies that are more stringent than required under Florida law. The medical marijuana treatment centers, known as MMTCs, have to request authorization to start cultivating cannabis within 30 days, according to lawyers involved with the settlement. DeSantis and the Department of Health have resolved significant and expensive litigation surrounding the 2015 application process through the settlements, Jim McKee, a lawyer who represents Perkins Nursery, told The News Service of Florida. At the same time, they have also enhanced patient access by issuing additional MMTC licenses as authorized by statute. The new licensees can now focus on working closely with the Department of Health to quickly get up and running, and turn their attention to serving Florida patients, McKee said. DeSantis has taken a markedly different approach to medical marijuana than Scott on other fronts as well. Shortly after he took office, DeSantis issued an ultimatum for lawmakers to repeal the states ban on smoking medical marijuana. The Republican governor threatened to drop the states appeal of a court order finding that the ban ran afoul of the constitutional amendment if lawmakers did not act, but they bowed to pressure from DeSantis, who quickly signed the legislation into law last month. Dara Kam reports for the News Service of Florida. Pete Law (clockwise, from left), Denise Hoying, Mike Moran with client Laquan Taylor (Courtesy photo) On Thursday, a DeKalb County jury delivered a post-apportioned award of more than $69.6 million to a young Navy veteran shot multiple times during a robbery and carjacking at a Moreland Avenue Kroger store, leading to multiple surgeries and leaving him paraplegic. Lead plaintiffs attorney Peter Law said the evidence was overwhelming that Kroger knew the store was located in an unsafe, high-crime area, yet failed to place any security guards in the parking lot where Laquan Taylor was robbed and shot. There was testimony the guy who shot him had been hanging out around there before, said Law, who tried the case with Law & Moran colleagues E. Michael Moran and Denise Hoying. The case was originated by Joseph Kuveikis of Duluth's Kuveikis Law. Law said the defenses highest offer to settle pretrial was for $1 million. The offered somewhere around $12 million during the trial, he said. We turned that down. Law said his client, Laquan Taylor, is a really great guy. Everybody loved him: the police officers, the defense lawyers, the jury. Hes really an inspiration. Law said Taylor, who served five years aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln before his discharge, now serves as a mentor for other injured vets. Kroger was represented by Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial partners Jonathan Krawcheck, Richard Hill II and Frederick Cooper IV. Kroger and its trial team wish Mr. Taylor all the best, said Krawcheck via email, declining to comment on pending litigation. A co-defendant company that provided in-store security for Kroger, Norred & Associates, was dismissed from the trial case when its attorneys, Charles McDaniel Jr. and Ryan Kolb of Carlock Copeland & Stair, moved for a directed verdict. Norred was granted a directed verdict following Taylors and Krogers presentations of their respective cases in chief, said McDaniel in an email. After presentation of this evidence, the court ruled there was no evidence of a causal connection between Norreds actions and the incident involving Mr. Taylor; Norred was under contract to provide interior security, McDaniel wrote. McDaniel said Norreds security officer had been at the stores entrance when the shooting happened, which is an appropriate location and where the officer was expected to be positioned. According to Law and court filings, Taylor was 26 when he visited the Kroger in southeast Atlanta a little after 7 p.m. in January 2015 to do some shopping and use the Western Union outlet there. Victor Moore and Javon Ross were hanging around the parking lot, Law said. Laquan had an orange Camaro, and when he pulled in, they decided they wanted his car and his money, he said of the men arrested for the crime. Moore and Ross allegedly demanded his keys and wallet. After Taylor handed them over, Ross shot him between 11 and 14 times, and the pair left in his car. Taylors car was equipped with an OnStar security system, and responding officers were able to use it to track and disable the vehicle remotely, Law said. They couldnt figure out why the car wasnt working and were pushing it down the road when the police got there, he said. Ross and Moore are each serving 15-year sentences after pleading guilty to charges including armed robbery, carjacking, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and aggravated assault. Taylor was fortunate to be alive: He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he underwent 14 surgeries over two months, then spent two more months at Shepherd Center. He spent another seven months in rehab at Tampas James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, and underwent two more surgeries. His medical bills thus far are more than $4.5 million. Taylor sued Kroger, Western Union and Norred in DeKalb County State Court in 2015 for claims including premises liability, nuisance and negligence. During a mediation before Gino Brogdon Sr. with Henning Mediation & Arbitration Service last April, Law said Kroger made its $1 million offer to settle. Laquan had more than $4 million in past medicals then, he said. Law said his side started the mediation demanding $40 million but indicated they could drop to around $30 million. Kroger had multiple lawyers of insurance, he said, but the adjuster just never really engaged, he never seemed to get serious. By the time he was ready to offer some money during the trial, we werent interested. Judge Wayne Purdom dismissed Western Union pretrial after determining that it was neither an owner or occupier of the premises and had no employees on site, Moran said. Law said jury selection was so difficult, Purdom had to call in two jury pools to pick a panel. Everybody kept saying they couldnt be fair and impartial because they were all strongly in favor of my client, he said. During a seven-day trial, Law said several of Taylors doctors testified; a life-care plan cited in the pretrial order said Taylor's future medical needs would be at least $1.4 million. Both sides had security experts ready to testify, but they didnt. We decided not to call ours, so they didnt call theirs, Law said. According to the order, Kroger argued that it was not responsible for Ross and Moores heinous actions and that Taylors causation claim was mired in speculation that additional security measures could have prevented the subject criminal attack from occurring. During closing arguments Tuesday afternoon, Law said he asked the jury to award $80 million in damages. The jury deliberated all day Wednesday and about four hours Thursday before awarding $81 million in total damages, but it apportioned 14 percent of the fault to Ross and Moore, for a total award of $69,660,000. The award included $60 million for pain and suffering, mental suffering, physical injury, inconvenience, and physical impairment in the past and into the future. In conversation with jurors afterward, Law said the panel had no problem finding liability on Krogers part. They said that, to them, it was a clear case, a strong case of negligence, he said. Kroger had no security in the parking lot, and they knew they should have had it. This article is written for those who want to get better at using price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). To keep it practical, we'll show how Towngas China Company Limited's (HKG:1083) P/E ratio could help you assess the value on offer. Based on the last twelve months, Towngas China's P/E ratio is 13.79. That corresponds to an earnings yield of approximately 7.3%. Check out our latest analysis for Towngas China How Do I Calculate Towngas China's Price To Earnings Ratio? The formula for price to earnings is: Price to Earnings Ratio = Price per Share Earnings per Share (EPS) Or for Towngas China: P/E of 13.79 = HK$6.05 HK$0.44 (Based on the year to December 2018.) Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good? The higher the P/E ratio, the higher the price tag of a business, relative to its trailing earnings. That isn't a good or a bad thing on its own, but a high P/E means that buyers have a higher opinion of the business's prospects, relative to stocks with a lower P/E. How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios Probably the most important factor in determining what P/E a company trades on is the earnings growth. When earnings grow, the 'E' increases, over time. And in that case, the P/E ratio itself will drop rather quickly. Then, a lower P/E should attract more buyers, pushing the share price up. Towngas China saw earnings per share decrease by 12% last year. But it has grown its earnings per share by 13% per year over the last three years. How Does Towngas China's P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? The P/E ratio essentially measures market expectations of a company. We can see in the image below that the average P/E (17.2) for companies in the gas utilities industry is higher than Towngas China's P/E. SEHK:1083 Price Estimation Relative to Market, April 20th 2019 This suggests that market participants think Towngas China will underperform other companies in its industry. While current expectations are low, the stock could be undervalued if the situation is better than the market assumes. It is arguably worth checking if insiders are buying shares, because that might imply they believe the stock is undervalued. Story continues Don't Forget: The P/E Does Not Account For Debt or Bank Deposits One drawback of using a P/E ratio is that it considers market capitalization, but not the balance sheet. So it won't reflect the advantage of cash, or disadvantage of debt. In theory, a company can lower its future P/E ratio by using cash or debt to invest in growth. Such spending might be good or bad, overall, but the key point here is that you need to look at debt to understand the P/E ratio in context. Towngas China's Balance Sheet Net debt is 46% of Towngas China's market cap. You'd want to be aware of this fact, but it doesn't bother us. The Verdict On Towngas China's P/E Ratio Towngas China's P/E is 13.8 which is above average (12) in the HK market. With modest debt but no EPS growth in the last year, it's fair to say the P/E implies some optimism about future earnings, from the market. Investors should be looking to buy stocks that the market is wrong about. People often underestimate remarkable growth -- so investors can make money when fast growth is not fully appreciated. So this free visualization of the analyst consensus on future earnings could help you make the right decision about whether to buy, sell, or hold. But note: Towngas China may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a P/E ratio below 20). 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. "President Trump is obviously in charge of the overall effort, but it will be my team and special representative Biegun who will continue to lead the U.S. efforts to achieve what [Kim] committed to do,"he said. "He's made that commitment to President Trump multiple times, he's made it to me personally half a dozen times and I am convinced we still have a real opportunity to achieve that outcome and our diplomatic team will continue to remain in the lead." "Nothing changed, we're continuing to work. I'm still in charge of the team," Pompeo told reporters, insisting that he and his special envoy for North Korea Stephen Biegun would remain on the job. Pompeo's refusal to step down and the joint U.S.-Japanese pledge made at a meeting of their foreign and defense ministers at the State Department threw more uncertainty over the possible resumption of stalled denuclearization talks. The talks have been at an impasse over sanctions since Trump's second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ended without any agreement in late February, and the North has warned it may not return to the table without immediate sanctions relief. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday rejected a North Korean demand that he be replaced as President Donald Trump's top negotiator, as the United States and Japan vowed to continue to enforce tough sanctions on North Korea until it dismantles its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. Pompeo's comments -- at a news conference with acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya -- were his first response to the North Korean demand, which followed an announcement by Pyongyang on Thursday that it had tested a new tactical weapon. The test, along with the North's criticism of Pompeo for "talking nonsense" and misrepresenting Kim's positions, signaled a hardening stance and cast doubt on a quick resumption of negotiations. Pompeo, Shanahan, Kono and Iwaya all said that they would not bow to North Korea's sanctions relief demands. "We will continue to press North Korea to abandon all of its weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles and related programs and facilities," Pompeo said, speaking on behalf of the group. "We will continue to enforce all sanctions against North Korea and encourage every country to do so." Kono said Friday's meeting came at "a critical time to align the response to the North Korean situation," noting that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will travel to the U.S. to meet Trump next week and that Trump will soon visit Japan." Japan and the United States will continue to cooperate on full implementation of all UN Security Council resolutions," he said in reference to international sanctions the world body has imposed on the North. The U.S. is refusing to ease major sanctions until North Korea completely and verifiably dismantles its nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles while the North wants significant sanctions to be lifted before the process is completed. Japan has also advocated a tough approach to the North in contrast to South Korea, which has pushed for a step-by-step approach that would lift some international sanctions as incentives. Pompeo has said some minor relief, including the possible easing of travel restrictions, could be considered in the short- to medium-term but that the crippling sanctions the North most wants removed will not be lifted until it fulfills what he says have been Kim's repeated pledges to Trump to completely denuclearize. On Thursday, North Korea said it had test-fired a new type of "tactical guided weapon," its first such test in nearly half a year, and demanded that Pompeo be excluded from future negotiations. Although the test didn't appear to be of a banned mid- or long-range ballistic missile that could scuttle chances of resuming the negotiations, it allowed North Korea to show its people it is pushing ahead with weapons development and reassuring hardline military officials worried that diplomacy with Washington is a sign of weakness. North Korea's foreign ministry accused Pompeo of playing down the significance of comments by Kim, who said last week that Washington has until the end of the year to offer mutually acceptable terms for an agreement to salvage the high-stakes nuclear diplomacy. In a statement, the director general of the American Affairs Department Kwon Jong Gun said that Pompeo was "talking nonsense" and misrepresenting Kim's comments. During a speech at Texas A&M University on Monday, Pompeo said Kim promised to denuclearize during his first summit with President Donald Trump and that U.S. officials were working with the North Koreans to "chart a path forward so we can get there." "He [Kim] said he wanted it done by the end of the year," Pompeo said. "I'd love to see that done sooner." The North Korean statement said Pompeo was "misrepresenting the meaning of our requirement" for the negotiations to be finalized by the year's end, and referred to his "talented skill of fabricating stories." It said Pompeo's continued participation in the negotiations would ensure that the talks become "entangled" and called for a different counterpart who is "more careful and mature in communicating with us.'' In a speech before his rubber-stamp parliament last week, Kim said he is open to a third summit with Trump, but only if the United States changes its stance on sanctions enforcement and pressure by the end of the year. By Tatiana Voronova and Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber MOSCOW (Reuters) - After Western sanctions gutted Russia's financial system five years ago, a new bank card began appearing in the wallets of many Russians. Now the country is hoping to introduce its cards, known as Mir cards, to foreign markets where Russian nationals live and travel, Vladimir Komlev, the head of Russia's National Card Payment System (NSPK), told Reuters in an interview. "In the next three years we want Mir cards to be operational in countries where Russians are used to travelling," Komlev said. "It's the hardest task in terms of returns on investment." Russia created its own card payment system in 2014 because it feared U.S. and European sanctions against some Russian banks and businesspeople over the annexation of Crimea could block transactions made with U.S.-based Mastercard and Visa. NSPK said Turkey's Isbank had started accepting Mir cards as of Thursday. Russians made 5.7 million trips to Turkey last year, according to state statistics agency Rosstat. Komlev projected Mir cards would be operational at some banks in 12 foreign countries by the end of the year. He would not, however, disclose which countries those might be. NSPK is not subject to Western sanctions, but some foreign companies are wary of doing business with Russian firms in case further restrictions are put in place. EXPANDING AT HOME More than 56 million Mir cards have been issued and they currently make up more than 20 percent of Russia's bank card market, Komlev said. Mir means "World" or "Peace" in Russian. NSPK, which was created by the central bank, has received a boost from legislation obliging civil servants to receive their salaries on Mir cards. It aims for Mir cards' share of the market to reach 30 percent over the next couple of years. Starting next year, pension payments, as well as child and unemployment benefits, will only be paid on the cards. These measures have made Mir a rival to Mastercard and Visa in Russia. But its shortcomings - its incompatibility with many international shopping platforms and its limited use outside Russia - have prompted Russian officials to call for more support to help it to take on U.S. competitors. Story continues "At this time, it's difficult for Mir to compete with Visa and Mastercard," Valentina Matviyenko, the speaker of the upper house of the Russian parliament, said this month. "We need to develop its functionality, its social orientation." Mastercard, which operates a co-branded card with Mir, said it "supported the development of the payment industry and fair competition." Visa did not reply to a request for comment. Mir has develop its own "Mir Pay" smartphone application and is available on Samsung Pay. Komlev said NSPK had not reached an agreement with Apple to make Mir cards available on its mobile payment platform. Komlev said another of NSPK's priorities was to get major international online booking services for airline tickets and accommodation to accept Mir cards. "Business and geopolitics have mixed here, so it's not as easy to implement as we would like," he said. (Reporting by Tatiana Voronova and Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Additional reporting by Andrey Ostroukh; Editing by Mark Potter) By Herbert Lash and Saeed Azhar NEW YORK/DUBAI (Reuters) - Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and private realty firm Crown Acquisitions said on Friday they were the unnamed investors in a deal with Vornado Realty Trust valued at $5.56 billion that involves a portfolio of prime New York retail properties. Vornado sold a non-controlling stake in its portfolio of properties along Fifth Avenue and Broadway in Times Square in a transaction that provided the firm cash proceeds of about $1.2 billion, the firm said on Thursday. Neither QIA, Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, or Crown Acquisitions were named on Thursday as the investors who contributed $1.31 billion in cash in a newly created joint venture with Vornado. QIA and Crown Acquisitions, which acted as an advisor to the deal, said they acquired a 24% stake each in a portfolio of five ground-level stores along a swath of Fifth Avenue just north of St. Patrick's Cathedral and two sites in Times Square. The deal comprised $950 million of mortgage debt, $1.83 billion of preferred equity entirely held by Vornado and $2.78 billion of common equity in which Vornado holds 51%. The portfolio include stores at 666 Fifth Avenue, a building that has been in the news because it was owned by the family of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, until Brookfield Asset Management bought a 99-year lease on the office portion last August. QIA Chief Executive Mansoor al-Mahmoud said in a statement the investment underlined QIA's ambition to boost its U.S. investments to $45 billion in coming years and "our belief in the exciting long-term possibilities offered by New York City." The retail portfolio includes such brands as MAC, Polo, Forever 21 and Disney. QIA also is an investor in Brookfield and the transaction at 666 Fifth Avenue involving Kushner Cos had prompted a rethink of how the gas-rich kingdom invests money abroad via the sovereign wealth fund, two sources told Reuters earlier this year. Qatar had decided that QIA would aim to avoid investing in funds or other vehicles it does not fully control, according to the sources, who are familiar with the strategy. Story continues Qatar, whose wealth comes from the world's largest exports of liquefied natural gas, manages about $300 billion in assets. Mahmoud told Reuters in December the fund was focusing on "classic" investments in the West such as real estate and financial institutions, and would also accelerate investment in technology and healthcare. With oil and gas prices growing over the past two years, Qatar has not departed from what it is best known for - snapping up big-name properties. (Reporting by Saeed Azhar; editing by David Evans and Marguerita Choy) French president Emmanuel Macron addresses the audience as he visits the Station F startup campus in Paris, France. Photo: Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP I have spent the week in Paris and it has convinced me that the city is Europes most exciting tech hub and London should be worried. I visited for the Paris Blockchain Week summit, a two-day conference meant to attract blockchain businesses to the city. My biggest takeaway from the event was not the content but the venue Station F. Opened in June 2017, Station F is the worlds largest startup incubator. The 34,000 square meter former train depot in the 13th arrondissement of Paris is home to 1,000 startups. Incubator programmes from the likes of Facebook (FB) and Microsoft (MSFT) are based there and I spotted logos for Google (GOOGL), Amazon (AMZN), and Apple (AAPL) dotted around the space, showing their involvement too. People visit the world's biggest start-up incubator Station F in Paris, France. Photo: Bertrand Guay, Pool photo via AP As well as providing a focal point for the French tech scene, Station F acts as a statement of ambition. France wants to become the number one country for tech in Europe. Our goal is to become the leading ecosystem, Cedric O, Frances minister for the digital economy, said during his closing speech at the conference. This is not only about blockchain, but this is about the general framework that we want to set up. Station F is a private sector initiative, the brain-child of French telecoms billionaire Xavier Niel who invested 250m into the project. But it has received significant support from the government, which wants to foster Frances emerging tech sector. French president Emmanuel Macron officially opened the venue back in 2017 and has been back to visit since. France has been investing for many years in creating a favourable environment for startups, O said in his speech this week. We are gaining pace. As examples of progress, O cited the French Tech Visa programme launched last year by Macron, as well as government plans for artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The Paris Blockchain Week summit at Station F. Photo: Paris Blockchain Week Summit All of this is good news for France. But it is potentially worrying for the UK. In a press conference after his speech, O made it clear that France wants to overtake the UK as Europes tech hub. Its not a direct competition the continent is big enough for both countries to thrive but the unique moment the UK finds itself in with Brexit means the London tech scene could be threatened. The growth of French tech could be as much about Londons decline as it is Paris rise. Story continues The UKs tech scene was helped in part by lavish government support under former prime minister David Cameron. That has largely evaporated under the current government, which finds its time consumed by Brexit and little else. The never-ending Brexit drama poses an existential threat to most industries, with tech no different. The uncertainty surrounding the UKs future trading relationship with the EU could push tech businesses to move overseas, or put off foreign companies from setting up in London. This may not come to pass. Others may dismiss Paris chances of becoming a serious tech hub due to factors like its stricter labour laws or relative lack of engineering talent. London remains well ahead of Paris, with around double the number of funded tech startups based there, according to venture capital firm Atomicos State of European Tech 2018 report. London remains well ahead of Paris in terms of funded tech companies. Photo: Atomico But for anyone who thinks London and the UK are bound to remain number one, I recommend catching a Eurostar and visiting Station F. It is a multi-million euro monument to Frances tech ambition under Emmanuel Macron and a strong reminder that France isnt messing around. This is an opinion piece and does not necessarily reflect the stance of the rest of Yahoo Finance UK. Read more from Paris Blockchain Week: Trump's NAFTA changes would lead to modest boost in growth and jobs, report says Changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement would modestly boost U.S. economic and jobs growth, according to a report from the International Trade Commission. Trump is pushing Congress to ratify the agreement, which he calls the United States Mexico Canada Agreement. A revised North American Free Trade Agreement would lead to a modest boost in economic growth and U.S. auto jobs, according to a report released Thursday. The United States Mexico Canada Agreement, struck by the three North American countries last year, would increase real U.S. gross domestic product by an estimated $68.2 billion, or 0.35%, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission . It would raise employment by about 176,000 jobs, or 0.12%, the report says. The agreement which the countries' legislatures' still need to ratify would boost U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico by 5.9% and 6.7%, respectively. "The model estimates that the agreement would likely have a positive impact on all broad industry sectors within the U.S. economy. Manufacturing would experience the largest percentage gains in output, exports, wages, and employment, while in absolute terms, services would experience the largest gains in output and employment," the ITC said in a news release. The report comes as President Donald Trump pushes Congress to ratify the revised trade deal despite reservations from both Democrats and Republicans. The president has spent his time in office trying to rework trade relationships with major partners, saying changes such as the ones made to NAFTA will encourage American manufacturing and job creation in the U.S. While the ITC study shows the deal would have positive benefits for jobs and economic growth, it underscores that the deal is hardly the "largest" trade agreement ever as Trump has boasted. Even some Republicans in Congress have called the USMCA more of a tweak to NAFTA than a major overhaul. "The miniscule projected gains in this long-awaited official government assessment of the revised NAFTA contradict Donald Trump's grandiose claims that it will lead to 'cash and jobs pouring into the U.S.' and reinforces congressional Democrats' views that absent more improvements, the revised deal won't stop NAFTA's ongoing damage," Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, said in a statement to CNBC. Story continues A separate report from the U.S. Trade Representative, part of the executive branch, projected the deal would have bigger effects on the auto industry specifically. While the ITC estimated 28,000 job gains in the auto sector, the USTR thinks the trade deal would create 76,000 auto jobs in the next five years, a roughly 7.5 percent increase for the industry. Some industries cheered the ITC report both the National Association of Manufacturers and the Computer & Communications Industry Association encouraged Congress to approve USMCA following its release. Democrats who hold the House and the power to slow ratification of the deal have raised concerns about labor and environmental provisions contained in the deal. Some GOP lawmakers have also pushed Trump to drop tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico before moving forward with the agreement. The deal would not come without its downsides for consumers. Under the provisions of the agreement, auto costs would rise and sales would fall, the ITC estimated. CNBC's Mary Catherine Wellons contributed to this report Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. More From CNBC (Clarifies in sixth paragraph that China's Foreign Ministry did not respond to request for comment) April 20 (Reuters) - U.S. intelligence has accused Huawei Technologies of being funded by Chinese state security, The Times said on Saturday, adding to the list of allegations faced by the Chinese technology company in the West. The CIA accused Huawei of receiving funding from China's National Security Commission, the People's Liberation Army and a third branch of the Chinese state intelligence network, the British newspaper reported, citing a source. Earlier this year, U.S. intelligence shared its claims with other members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group, which includes Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, according to the report http://bit.ly/2KT7ztd. Huawei dismissed the allegations in a statement cited by the newspaper. "Huawei does not comment on unsubstantiated allegations backed up by zero evidence from anonymous sources," a Huawei representative told The Times. The company, the CIA and China's Foreign Ministry did not respond immediately to requests for comment. The accusation comes at a time of trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and amid concerns in the United States that Huawei's equipment could be used for espionage. The company has said the concerns are unfounded. Authorities in the United States are probing Huawei for alleged sanctions violations. Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial officer and daughter of its founder, Ren Zhengfei, was arrested in Canada in December at the request of the United States on charges of bank and wire fraud in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran. She denies wrongdoing and her father has previously said the arrest was "politically motivated". Amid such charges, top educational institutions in the West have recently severed ties with Huawei to avoid losing federal funding. Another Chinese technology company, ZTE Corp , has also been at the centre of similar controversies in the United States. U.S. sanctions forced ZTE to stop most business between April and July last year after Commerce Department officials said it broke a pact and was caught illegally shipping U.S.-origin goods to Iran and North Korea. The sanctions were lifted after ZTE paid $1.4 billion in penalties. Reuters reported earlier this week that the United States will push its allies at a meeting in Prague next month to adopt shared security and policy measures that will make it more difficult for Huawei to dominate 5G telecommunications networks. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Nick Macfie) By Heather Somerville SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Uber's autonomous vehicle unit has raised $1 billion from a consortium of investors including SoftBank Group Corp, giving the company a much-needed funding boost for its pricey self-driving ambitions on the eve of its public stock offering. Uber Technologies Inc said on Thursday that the investment values its Advanced Technologies Group, which works to develop autonomous driving technology, at $7.25 billion. SoftBank will invest $333 million from its $100 billion Vision Fund, while Toyota Motor Corp and automotive parts supplier Denso Corp will invest a combined $667 million. Toyota will also contribute up to an additional $300 million over the next three years to help cover the costs of building commercial self-driving vehicles, Uber said. Reuters had reported in March talks of the investment in ATG. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said that the funding "will help maintain Uber's position at the forefront of" a transforming transportation industry. The funding allows Uber to transfer some of the substantial cost of developing self-driving cars onto outside investors. That is likely to appease some of Wall Street's concerns over Uber's spending on the autonomous unit, which has topped $1.07 billion since the program started in 2016. In its filing for an initial public offering this month, Uber cautioned that development of self-driving technology "is expensive and time-consuming and may not be successful" and the company lagged certain competitors. The self-driving business unit brings in no meaningful revenue for Uber, which last year lost $3.03 billion. As part of the investment, ATG becomes its own legal entity but remains under the control of Uber. A new ATG board will be formed, with six directors appointed from Uber, one from SoftBank and one from Toyota. Eric Meyhofer, currently the head of ATG, will take the title of CEO and report to the new board. Such sizeable deals are unusual for companies so close to an IPO, because bringing in large new investors changes the company's capital structure. Story continues Uber is preparing to launch its "roadshow," when it will pitch its company prospective investors, the week of April 29, setting up for an early May debut on the New York Stock Exchange. It is expected to raise $10 billion at a $90 billion to $100 billion valuation. NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS The transaction is expected to close the third quarter. The deal, however, will almost certainly require approval from the inter-agency regulatory group called the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). A law enacted last year expands that group's powers to review minority stakes by foreign investors in startups with certain sensitive technologies, and self-driving technology is widely considered to have defense applications. SoftBank's investment in General Motors Co's self-driving car unit Cruise is still under CFIUS review and is likely weeks away from any decision, even though that investment was announced nearly a year ago. Both SoftBank and Toyota are repeat Uber investors. SoftBank took a more than 16 percent stake in the company after investing around $8 billion last year, becoming its largest shareholder. Toyota invested in Uber in 2016 and again in August with a $500 million check to work jointly to develop self-driving cars. The investment comes despite growing disillusion with the self-driving business, which has failed to deliver on bold promises of commercial autonomous cars, and Uber's setbacks. A crash in March 2018 involving an Uber self-driving SUV killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona, and forced the company to shutter its biggest testing operation and halt autonomous driving in other cities. Uber now has a small number of cars testing in Pittsburgh, during the day and in good weather, with two safety drivers. They do not offer rides to passengers. The Tempe crash hurt the entire industry, say self-driving company executives, dealing a blow to public confidence in the safety of robot cars. ATG chief scientist Raquel Urtasun said in an interview with Reuters this month it "is not clear" when self-driving cars will be deployed at a large scale, and for the next decade at least there will be a mix of robot and human-controlled cars. (Reporting by Heather Somerville; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) Hedge funds are known to underperform the bull markets but that's not because they are terrible at stock picking. Hedge funds underperform because their net exposure in only 40-70% and they charge exorbitant fees. No one knows what the future holds and how market participants will react to the bountiful news that floods in each day. However, hedge funds' consensus picks on average deliver market beating returns. For example in the first 2.5 months of this year the Standard and Poors 500 Index returned approximately 13.1% (including dividend payments). Conversely, hedge funds top 15 large-cap stock picks generated a return of 19.7% during the same 2.5-month period, with 93% of these stock picks outperforming the broader market benchmark. Interestingly, an average long/short hedge fund returned only 5% due to the hedges they implemented and the large fees they charged. If you pay attention to the actual hedge fund returns (5%) versus the returns of their long stock picks, you might believe that it is a waste of time to analyze hedge funds' purchases. We know better. That's why we scrutinize hedge fund sentiment before we invest in a stock like Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA). Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA) investors should be aware of a decrease in hedge fund interest recently. Our calculations also showed that UA isn't among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds. To most stock holders, hedge funds are assumed to be unimportant, old investment vehicles of the past. While there are more than 8000 funds trading at the moment, We look at the upper echelon of this club, approximately 750 funds. Most estimates calculate that this group of people administer bulk of all hedge funds' total asset base, and by tracking their best investments, Insider Monkey has found a number of investment strategies that have historically beaten the market. Insider Monkey's flagship hedge fund strategy surpassed the S&P 500 index by nearly 5 percentage points per year since its inception in May 2014 through early November 2018. We were able to generate large returns even by identifying short candidates. Our portfolio of short stocks lost 27.5% since February 2017 (through March 12th) even though the market was up nearly 25% during the same period. We just shared a list of 6 short targets in our latest quarterly update and they are already down an average of 6% in less than a month. Story continues David Harding We're going to take a glance at the latest hedge fund action encompassing Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA). How have hedgies been trading Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA)? Heading into the first quarter of 2019, a total of 27 of the hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey were bullish on this stock, a change of -4% from the previous quarter. By comparison, 25 hedge funds held shares or bullish call options in UA a year ago. So, let's see which hedge funds were among the top holders of the stock and which hedge funds were making big moves. UA_apr2019 Among these funds, Adage Capital Management held the most valuable stake in Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA), which was worth $201.9 million at the end of the third quarter. On the second spot was Bares Capital Management which amassed $172.5 million worth of shares. Moreover, Alyeska Investment Group, D E Shaw, and Citadel Investment Group were also bullish on Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA), allocating a large percentage of their portfolios to this stock. Seeing as Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA) has faced a decline in interest from hedge fund managers, it's easy to see that there was a specific group of hedgies who sold off their full holdings by the end of the third quarter. Interestingly, Alexander Mitchell's Scopus Asset Management said goodbye to the largest stake of the 700 funds monitored by Insider Monkey, valued at close to $27.6 million in stock, and Brandon Haley's Holocene Advisors was right behind this move, as the fund sold off about $25 million worth. These transactions are important to note, as aggregate hedge fund interest was cut by 1 funds by the end of the third quarter. Let's now review hedge fund activity in other stocks similar to Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA). We will take a look at Israel Chemicals Ltd. (NYSE:ICL), XPO Logistics Inc (NYSE:XPO), BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE:BWA), and Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL). This group of stocks' market values are closest to UA's market value. [table] Ticker, No of HFs with positions, Total Value of HF Positions (x1000), Change in HF Position ICL,5,53471,-3 XPO,44,2449139,0 BWA,22,579935,0 TYL,24,714336,2 Average,23.75,949220,-0.25 [/table] View table here if you experience formatting issues. As you can see these stocks had an average of 23.75 hedge funds with bullish positions and the average amount invested in these stocks was $949 million. That figure was $607 million in UA's case. XPO Logistics Inc (NYSE:XPO) is the most popular stock in this table. On the other hand Israel Chemicals Ltd. (NYSE:ICL) is the least popular one with only 5 bullish hedge fund positions. Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA) is not the most popular stock in this group but hedge fund interest is still above average. Our calculations showed that top 15 most popular stocks among hedge funds returned 21.3% through April 8th and outperformed the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) by more than 5 percentage points. Hedge funds were also right about betting on UA as the stock returned 20.6% and outperformed the market as well. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey. Related Content But a series of recent studies have debunked that view. Some studies even show that eating breakfast causes weight gain. Breakfast is viewed by many people as an essential start to the day. Medical experts have warned that skipping breakfast causes people to consume more snacks, resulting in weight gains. Proponents of breakfasts claim that people need to replenish their energy, which was depleted overnight, in order to have a productive day as well as stay in shape. A closer look at human history reveals that people did not always eat much breakfast. In the past, Koreans ate a hearty breakfast to fortify themselves for a day in the fields but skipped lunch. Even until the 19th century, people in the East and West usually ate only two meals a day. It was during the 19th century that three meals a day became the norm. After the Industrial Revolution, workers ate breakfast before heading off to the factories, ate a simple lunch around mid-day and dinner at home. Pharmacist Yang Jae-hoon said, "Logically, it is true that eating breakfast after having a hearty dinner the night before would raise the chances of weight gain." Yang added, "We must stop believing that eating breakfast is healthy just because we've been taught that in school." (Adds UniCredit comment, background) By Karen Freifeld April 15 (Reuters) - Italy's top bank UniCredit SpA and two subsidiaries have agreed to pay $1.3 billion to U.S. authorities to settle probes of violations of U.S. sanctions on Iran and other countries, U.S. authorities said on Monday. In addition, UniCredit Bank AG, the bank's German unit, agreed to plead guilty to federal and New York state criminal charges for illegally moving hundreds of millions of dollars through the U.S. financial system on behalf of sanctioned entities, the U.S. Department of Justice and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said. The resolution ends a six-year investigation that has hung over the bank and follows last week's $1.1 billion settlement by London-based Standard Chartered Plc with U.S. and British authorities over similar conduct. The German unit's guilty pleas are connected to violations of U.S. sanctions programs, including those related to IRISL, the state-owned Iranian shipping company sanctioned over weapons of mass destruction, authorities said. UniCredit's German unit went to "great lengths" to help the Iranian shipping company evade sanctions and access the U.S. financial system, said U.S. Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski. Another unit, UniCredit Bank Austria AG, entered into non-prosecution agreements with federal and state authorities. UniCredit Bank AG, Bank Austria and their parent entity, UniCredit SpA, also agreed to resolve parallel investigations with the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, and the New York Department of Financial Services. UniCredit said in a statement the penalties owed by each of the units were fully covered by provisions already made. The bank had booked provisions beyond the settlement and, as a result, will have 300 million euros ($339 million) after tax in additional profits in the first quarter. Its Core Tier 1 ratio - an indication of financial strength - will rise by around 8.5 basis points, it said. The bank will report first quarter results on May 9. Story continues UniCredit said it agreed to retain an independent consultant to assess its improvements and compliance program, as part of its settlements with the Federal Reserve and the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS). UniCredit engaged in "billions of dollars of transactions with clients from sanctioned nations, including Iran, Libya and Cuba, and then work(ed) to cover their tracks to avoid detection," acting New York Financial Services Superintendent Linda Lacewell said. The German bank disguised transactions between 2002 and 2011 in part by stripping words like Sudan and Tehran from payment messages to New York financial institutions, the regulator said. The settlements relate to apparent violations of sanctions targeting proliferators of weapons of mass destruction, global terrorism and Iran, Myanmar, Cuba, Libya, Sudan and Syria, the Treasury Department said. Ten banks other than UniCredit have been penalized by U.S. and Manhattan authorities over the past decade for sanctions-related violations. France's BNP Paribas SA pleaded guilty in 2014 and paid a record $8.9 billion penalty. Other banks settled with much lower penalties and deferred prosecution agreements, including Amsterdam-based ING Bank, which paid $619 million in 2012 and Zurich-based Credit Suisse Group AG, which paid $536 million in 2009. The latest Standard Chartered settlement was on top of $667 million the bank paid U.S. authorities in 2012 and another $300 million penalty in 2014 related to surveillance shortcomings. ($1 = 0.8846 euros) (Reporting by Karen Freifeld; additional reporting by Stephen Jewkes in Milan; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Lisa Shumaker) The latest 13F reporting period has come and gone, and Insider Monkey is again at the forefront when it comes to making use of this gold mine of data. We have processed the filings of the more than 700 world-class investment firms that we track and now have access to the collective wisdom contained in these filings, which are based on their December 31 holdings, data that is available nowhere else. Should you consider West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. (NYSE:WST) for your portfolio? We'll look to this invaluable collective wisdom for the answer. West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. (NYSE:WST) was in 20 hedge funds' portfolios at the end of December. WST has experienced an increase in support from the world's most elite money managers lately. There were 17 hedge funds in our database with WST positions at the end of the previous quarter. Our calculations also showed that WST isn't among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds. So, why do we pay attention to hedge fund sentiment before making any investment decisions? Our research has shown that hedge funds' small-cap stock picks managed to beat the market by double digits annually between 1999 and 2016, but the margin of outperformance has been declining in recent years. Nevertheless, we were still able to identify in advance a select group of hedge fund holdings that outperformed the market by 32 percentage points since May 2014 through March 12, 2019 (see the details here). We were also able to identify in advance a select group of hedge fund holdings that underperformed the market by 10 percentage points annually between 2006 and 2017. Interestingly the margin of underperformance of these stocks has been increasing in recent years. Investors who are long the market and short these stocks would have returned more than 27% annually between 2015 and 2017. We have been tracking and sharing the list of these stocks since February 2017 in our quarterly newsletter. Even if you aren't comfortable with shorting stocks, you should at least avoid initiating long positions in our short portfolio. Story continues Dmitry Balyasny Let's take a look at the latest hedge fund action encompassing West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. (NYSE:WST). What have hedge funds been doing with West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. (NYSE:WST)? At Q4's end, a total of 20 of the hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey held long positions in this stock, a change of 18% from the previous quarter. The graph below displays the number of hedge funds with bullish position in WST over the last 14 quarters. So, let's check out which hedge funds were among the top holders of the stock and which hedge funds were making big moves. WST_apr2019 The largest stake in West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. (NYSE:WST) was held by Fisher Asset Management, which reported holding $90.7 million worth of stock at the end of September. It was followed by Intermede Investment Partners with a $26.1 million position. Other investors bullish on the company included Rock Springs Capital Management, Millennium Management, and Renaissance Technologies. As one would reasonably expect, key hedge funds have jumped into West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. (NYSE:WST) headfirst. Balyasny Asset Management, managed by Dmitry Balyasny, established the largest position in West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. (NYSE:WST). Balyasny Asset Management had $0.8 million invested in the company at the end of the quarter. Minhua Zhang's Weld Capital Management also initiated a $0.4 million position during the quarter. The following funds were also among the new WST investors: Matthew Hulsizer's PEAK6 Capital Management, Hoon Kim's Quantinno Capital, and Gavin Saitowitz and Cisco J. del Valle's Springbok Capital. Let's go over hedge fund activity in other stocks - not necessarily in the same industry as West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. (NYSE:WST) but similarly valued. We will take a look at A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE:AOS), Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH), Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UA), and Israel Chemicals Ltd. (NYSE:ICL). This group of stocks' market values match WST's market value. [table] Ticker, No of HFs with positions, Total Value of HF Positions (x1000), Change in HF Position AOS,29,503949,-4 MOH,27,1113378,-3 UA,27,607105,-1 ICL,5,53471,-3 Average,22,569476,-2.75 [/table] View table here if you experience formatting issues. As you can see these stocks had an average of 22 hedge funds with bullish positions and the average amount invested in these stocks was $569 million. That figure was $203 million in WST's case. A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE:AOS) is the most popular stock in this table. On the other hand Israel Chemicals Ltd. (NYSE:ICL) is the least popular one with only 5 bullish hedge fund positions. West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. (NYSE:WST) is not the least popular stock in this group but hedge fund interest is still below average. This is a slightly negative signal and we'd rather spend our time researching stocks that hedge funds are piling on. Our calculations showed that top 15 most popular stocks among hedge funds returned 21.3% through April 8th and outperformed the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) by more than 5 percentage points. Unfortunately WST wasn't in this group. Hedge funds that bet on WST were disappointed as the stock returned 15.6% and underperformed the market. If you are interested in investing in large cap stocks, you should check out the top 15 hedge fund stocks as 12 of these outperformed the market. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey. Related Content Image: Gulf Coast Avionics AVwebs weekly news roundup found reports on a special award for Gulf Coast Avionics, a new training system at Pacific Sky Aviation, a drone-based aircraft inspection solution from Rizse, and a new GLIDERBOOKS Academy online ground school course. It also uncovered announcements from the U.K.s All-Party Parliamentary Group on General Aviation (APPG-GA) regarding how aviation firms are handling issues surrounding Brexit, responses to new drone laws, and proposed changes to the countrys VFR cloud clearance minimums in Class D airspace. Gulf Coast Avionics has been awarded Garmins 2018 Platinum Dealer Award for the 20th consecutive year. The award is given by Garmin for outstanding sales of the companys aviation products. British Columbia-based flight school Pacific Sky Aviation has announced the implementation of the Fox Training Management System by Britannica Knowledge Systems. The system manages operational training requirements including resource allocation, scheduling, pilot training records, qualifications and learning. U.S.-based drone robotics company Rizse has introduced its new solution for aircraft inspections, which uses autonomous drone hardware and proprietary software. Rizses StreamSense platform is capable of inspecting aircraft fuselages for damage such as that caused by lightning strikes, hail and bird strikes. Also with a new product, GLIDERBOOKS Academy is now offering an online ground school course in aeronautical decision making. The course is available for $25. A delegation from the U.K.s All-Party Parliamentary Group on General Aviation (APPG-GA) attended Aero 2019 in Friedrichshafen, Germany, where they spoke with exhibitors about concerns regarding Brexit. The delegation reported that the groups they spoke with had measures in place to address potential Brexit issues. The APPG-GA also discussed recently toughened laws on operating small unmanned aircraft around airfields which expanded restriction zones and removed the lower weight limit of models that the regulation applied to. Concerns were raised about the speed with which the regulations were enacted and their effects on model airplane fliers. Finally, the U.K.s Civil Aviation Authority is proposing increasing cloud clearance distances in the countrys Class D airspace to align with the Standard European Rules of the Air (SERA). Under the new proposal, VFR aircraft within Class D airspace below 3,000 feet would be required to maintain 1,000 feet of vertical distance from clouds. Applications are being accepted for anyone interested in serving on a task force that will overhaul Colorados behavioral health care system. The 25-member Behavioral Health Task Force was announced by Gov. Jared Polis on April 8 to reform the way Colorado delivers care to people battling mental illness and substance abuse. A special report by The Gazette this month found Colorados efforts to make health care effective, accessible and affordable have been inconsistent at best and a failure at worst. Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans are unable to access care in a system that is often confusing, unaffordable and inadequate to meet demand. The Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Behavioral Health will lead the effort. The main task force will be made up of 25 members, and it must represent diverse and balanced perspectives, including consumers and families dealing with behavioral health issues, key executive agencies representing state and local government, criminal justice experts, advocacy groups, behavioral health providers, and others, according to state officials. In addition, three subcommtitees with 25 members each will be formed to tackle three specific issues: reforming the behavioral health safety net system, improving care for children and developing a long-term plan to improve care for criminal defendants who either are or are believed to be mentally incompetent to stand trial. A statewide blueprint of reforms is due June 2020, and the state must be ready to start implementing those changes a month later. A plan specifically to improve competency care for criminal defendants is due much earlier Jan. 1 to meet the terms of a consent decree the Department of Human Services signed last month with a Denver-based nonprofit, which had sued the state over its failing treatment system. To apply to serve on the task force or the three subcommittees, visit www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdhs/colorado-behavioral-health-task-force. 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 Manitou Springs Police Chief Joe Ribeiro will retire at the end of May, nearly 36 years to the day after he became a police officer in Norfolk, Va. Ribeiro, who oversees about a dozen sworn officers, was chosen to head the small mountain communitys police department in 2012. Its been great fun here in Manitou Springs, he said. This opportunity was the highlight of my career. I reached my ultimate career goal here, being a police chief. After 23 years at the Norfolk Police Department, he moved to Colorado and became a police commander in Vail. He said hes retiring to support his wife, Tracy, an environmental program manager at the U.S. Department of Energys Westminster office. The life timing is right. My wife has a career, and its time for me to support her in her career like shes done for mine. Ribeiro said his annual salary is about $113,000. The Manitou Springs City Council on Tuesday will discuss selecting an interim chief. Bill Dismang and his teenage daughter Anna were driving on the southern edge of Denver when they came to a line of cars at a stop sign. It was early 1999. A yellow Subaru Brat, a small truck with an open-air seat facing backward, waited in front of them. A curly-haired young man stared at Bill and his daughter from the open-air seat. It was a vacant, frightening stare, and Bill felt a chill of concern. You know who that kid is? Bill asked Anna, then a sophomore at Columbine High School. Yes, Anna said. He really scares me, she said before telling her father the boys name: Dylan Klebold. On the morning of Tuesday, April 20, 1999, Bill and Anna followed their school-day routine, driving from their home to the circular drive in front of Columbine. Each morning, dad hugged and kissed his daughter and wished her a great day before driving away. That day, Bill says, I just felt that there was something wrong. I really think I could sense there was evil around that place that morning. I could sense everything was being set up. It was such an odd feeling. At 11:10 a.m., according to the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, Klebold parked his black 1982 BMW in Columbines lot. Not far away, Eric Harris was parking his gray 1986 Honda. Both were seniors who had attended the Columbine prom three nights before. They walked together, wearing black trench coats loaded with explosive devices and guns, toward the building where they had sat for years as, by all appearances, normal students. They werent normal. Not at all. For months, they had plotted an audacious, complex, bizarre and, yes, evil mission. They planned to kill teachers, fellow students and bystanders with a combination of bombs and gunfire. Their plans were hideously grandiose. Harris, psychopathic leader of the plot, sought to kill 600, mostly with bombs. If Harris and Klebold had been more expert in wiring the bomb timers, they likely would have succeeded in killing hundreds. An hour after departing their cars, Klebold and Harris were dead of self-inflicted gunshot wounds. In that hour, they shot and killed 13, wounded 21 and created ripples of confusion and agony that linger to this day. About 11:30, Anna scrambled into the high schools science room. A few minutes later, Klebold and Harris looked through the rooms windows. They had just ended a 7-minute shooting spree in the library that killed 10 and injured 12. They made eye contact with students, but did not seek to shoot their way into the science room, where one of their earlier victims, teacher Dave Sanders, was bleeding to death on the floor. About 12:30, Bill arrived at Leawood Elementary, where dozens of parents had been told to wait for their children. He only knew that Anna was in the Columbine building. He did not know if she was alive. Over the next four hours, buses arrived at Leawood filled with Columbine students. Hour after hour, Bill watched parents tearfully and joyfully reunite with their children. After each bus, the crowd of parents at Leawood grew smaller. Kids kept getting off the bus and getting off the bus, Bill said. But no Anna. About 4:30, the last bus arrived, and Bill finally saw his barefoot daughter walking toward him. She had lost her shoes somehow, Bill said. Father and daughter embraced for a long moment. Bill couldnt speak. Neither could Anna. It was total peace to see her, Bill said. Words cant even express what goes through your mind. I just held her and cried. I just cried. Today, Anna is 36, happily married, the mother of four. Her father said shes made a strong recovery from the Columbine massacre. But each time she walks into a public place, she takes a long, careful look around. Always, she checks for exits. The total peace of their tearful reunion in the parking lot at Leawood Elementary did not last. On the devastating, haunting late afternoon of April 20, 1999, Bill drove away, Anna by his side, while thinking of parents who remained at Leawood. Parents who waited for a bus that never arrived. Every time I hear anything about Columbine, I just think about the parents who lost their kids, and the kids who were injured and have lifelong injuries, Bill said. I just think about that and know that our lives are quite different than their lives. I feel for them. BlackRocks Fink says markets are poised for a melt-up A dovish Fed and robust global economy will lure big investors back to equities Robin Wigglesworth and Richard Henderson in New York and Owen Walker in London BlackRocks shares have lagged behind those of its rivals this year Bloomberg Global equity markets are poised for a melt-up as signs of healthier economic growth in the US and China reassure big investors that have largely stayed on the sidelines of the 2019 market recovery, according to BlackRocks Larry Fink. The chief executive of the worlds largest asset manager said he is optimistic that a Goldilocks scenario of improving economic data and more dovish central banks will compel institutional investors that have kept ditching stocks this year to reverse course. Investment strategists have dubbed the 2019 stock market rally the flowless recovery, with equity funds continuing to suffer outflows even as the FTSE All-World index has climbed over 14 per cent its best start to a year since 1998. Theres too much global pessimism, Mr Fink said in an interview. People are still very underinvested. Theres still a lot of money on the sidelines, and I think youll see investors put money back into equities. Bond funds have attracted $112bn of inflows already this year, but equity funds have suffered almost $90bn of investor withdrawals, according to EPFR, a data provider. BlackRock cemented its position as the worlds biggest fund manager, growing its assets under management to $6.5tn in the first quarter, thanks to strong market returns and inflows of $65bn. The impact of last years market tumult was apparent in the quarter, however. Year-on-year, base fees decreased 5 per cent, because it started the year with less than $6bn in assets. There was a 7 per cent decline in revenues to $3.3bn, which resulted in a 1 per cent fall in diluted earnings per share to $6.61. However, this comfortably beat analyst expectations of $6.13, and the group saw technology revenue for the 12 months to March 31 increase 11 per cent, driven by its widely used Aladdin investment platform. Listed investment groups saw their shares tumble almost 26 per cent on average last year their worst performance since the financial crisis as investors feared buoyant markets would no longer mask mounting fee pressures across the industry. BlackRock has this year trimmed jobs and reshuffled its senior management ranks. Mr Fink took a 14 per cent pay cut. With fees coming down a lot of the big players are looking for new ways to generate revenues, said Kyle Sanders, an analyst with Edward Jones. For BlackRock its through software and Aladdin, which isnt tired to moves in the market. The asset managers stock rose over 2 per cent on Tuesday to trade at its highest level since early October. BlackRock is in a years-long battle with Vanguard to dominate the global fund management industry, with the latter catching up fast. However, BlackRock has claimed the top spot for exchange-traded fund global flows this year, which it said was driven by its fixed income products. The iShares ETF business it acquired from Barclays almost a decade ago now manages almost $2tn, which alone would make it one of the worlds five biggest investment groups. The average expense ratio of US equity funds have almost halved since 2000 to 0.55 per cent last year, and industry executives expect the trend to worsen. Morgan Stanley and Oliver Wymans latest annual study of the asset management industry predicted that revenues from traditional, actively-managed funds in developed markets will shrink 36 per cent by 2023. BlackRock remains comfortably profitable, but to counteract these pressures it is doubling down on China. Mr Fink has told the FT that the company was in discussions with Chinese regulators over taking control of a local fund manager and ramping up its alternatives business. The Morgan Stanley-Oliver Wyman report estimates that alternative asset classes such as private equity, direct lending and real estate will keep growing at a healthy clip and account for 40 per cent of all investment industry revenues by 2023. The ravenous appetite for alternative investments has stirred concerns among some analysts and investors, and Mr Fink said that the sheer scale of the inflows should be watched. Its something everyone should be focused on, as there are extraordinary flows going into an illiquid asset class, he said. But if you have a client base with longer-dated liabilities you can have a higher percentage of illiquid investments. Slovenia's University of Ljubljana wins 23rd Annual Student Design/Build/Fly Competition The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Foundation congratulates the winning teams in the 2018-2019 Textron Aviation/Raytheon Missile Systems/AIAA Foundation Student Design/Build/Fly (DBF) Competition, held April 11-14, at the Tucson International Modelplex Park Association (TIMPA) Airfield, Tucson, Arizona. The team representing the University of Ljubljana won the event's $2,500 first-place prize, while the team from Georgia Tech won the event's $1,500 second-place prize. The winner of the event's $1,000 third-place prize was Austria's FH Joanneum of Applied Sciences. The University of Southern California won the "best report" award. Out of 104 eligible teams, 77 competed. Twenty-one teams were international. The competing teams comprised 785 students. There were 96 successful flights, and 26 teams completed all three missions. "Hands-on experience is the best way to learn how to become an engineer and there are few better teachers than the Design/Build/Fly contest," said Dan Dumbacher, AIAA executive director. "I applaud all the teams here for a job well done!" Now in its 23rd year, the DBF competition encourages and recognizes excellence in aerospace engineering skills at the undergraduate and graduate levels by challenging teams to design and fabricate a radio-controlled aircraft conforming to strict guidelines, submit a written report about the aircraft's design, and fly their aircraft over a defined course while carrying a payload and landing it without damage. This year, the design simulated a multi-purpose aircraft to support carrier operations. "More than 30 years ago, I was part of the MIT team that designed and built the record-setting human-powered Daedalus aircraft," said John Langford, AIAA president and CEO of Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company. "The sight of it flying inspires me to this day. I am certain many of these teams will be inspired for years to come by the work and comradery they experienced at DBF." ### Official results and rankings for all participants will be available from the DBF website after their final verification and validation. For more information about the Textron Aviation/Raytheon Missile Systems/AIAA Foundation DBF Competition, please visit http://www. aiaadbf. org . About the AIAA Foundation The AIAA Foundation seeks to "make it exciting, make it empowering, and make it fun." That simple, compelling philosophy drives the Foundation's commitment to math, science, and technology education. The AIAA Foundation offers a wealth of resources to support educators from K-12 through university: scholarships, classroom grants, design competitions, and student conferences, improving scientific literacy and advancing the arts and sciences of aerospace. For more information on the AIAA Foundation and its programs for students, teachers, and professionals, please visit http://www. aiaafoundation. org . About AIAA The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world's largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 88 countries, and 95 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, http://www. aiaa. org , or follow us on Twitter @AIAA. This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. German Defense Spending Is Falling Even Shorter. The U.S. Isnt Happy. By Katrin Bennhold The NATO secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, with German soldiers last October in Norway.CreditCreditJonathan Nackstrand/Agence France-Presse Getty Images BERLIN Germany, which had already announced that it will fall significantly short of NATOs defense spending goals, annoying the United States, risks provoking Washington further by failing to reach even its own slimmed-down target. Chancellor Angela Merkels government had a falling-out with the Trump administration last year when it said that, despite signing a commitment to work toward spending 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense by 2024, its target would instead be 1.5 percent. Now, projected spending levels are expected to fall below even that lower path in a three-year budget plan due to be announced on Wednesday, portending another confrontation with Washington. The timing could not be worse, with NATO preparing to celebrate its 70th anniversary in Washington in April. Mr. Trumps resentment toward European allies he perceives to be coasting on Americas security guarantee is well known, and recent reports that Washington is considering billing allies for hosting American troops has further shaken the alliance. Even in Europe, some diplomats in neighboring countries privately complain that Germanys failure to meet its commitments is putting not just its own relationship with Washington on the line, but that of the whole Continent. Ms. Merkel insisted on Tuesday that her government could still hit the 1.5 percent target in budgets down the road. But few still believe her least of all Mr. Trumps ambassador in Berlin. NATO members clearly pledged to move toward, not away, from 2 percent by 2024, Richard Grenell, the American ambassador to Germany, told reporters on Monday after budget numbers were first floated. That the German government would even be considering reducing its already unacceptable commitments to military readiness is a worrisome signal to Germanys 28 NATO allies. With Mr. Trump calling the European Union a foe and NATO obsolete, trans-Atlantic relations have been badly strained for some time. But in recent months, the tone has become openly hostile, especially between the United States and Germany, Europes largest economy. Mr. Grenell has demanded that Berlin scrap Nord Stream 2, a planned gas pipeline from Russia, or risk possible sanctions for the companies involved; stop German companies from doing business in Iran, or risk restrictions on doing business in the United States; and ban a Chinese company from building a new communications network, or risk losing access to some intelligence sharing. The threats have not gone down well in Berlin, with one German politician this week even demanding Mr. Grenells immediate expulsion for interfering in Germanys sovereign affairs, although that is unlikely to happen. Any U.S. diplomat who acts like a high commissioner of an occupying power must learn that our tolerance also knows its limits, said Wolfgang Kubicki, deputy chairman of the opposition Free Democrats. The Social Democrats, Ms. Merkels center-left coalition partner, have put Mr. Trumps scowling oversize face on a campaign poster ahead of European parliamentary elections with the caption: Trump? Europe is the answer. Mr. Stoltenberg with the German chancellor, Angela Merkel.CreditAndreas Gebert/Reuters But even some of Mr. Trumps fiercest critics say that Germanys failure to live up to its NATO spending commitments has given a hollow ring to the countrys vocal defense of the international order. You cant have it both ways, said Julianne Smith, a former adviser to the Obama administration who is currently in Berlin as a senior fellow at the Robert Bosch Academy. You cant at every turn stress the importance of multilateralism and keep it as the foundation of German foreign policy, Ms. Smith said, and then renege on the commitments youve made to multilateral institutions like the NATO alliance. I appreciate that Donald Trump has made it more difficult, she added. Its become a liability to stand shoulder to shoulder with this guy. But she and others point out that Germany had committed to moving toward the 2 percent target long before Mr. Trumps election most memorably in 2014, shortly after Russia annexed part of Ukraine. Any German who frames this as bending to Trumps wishes is missing the broader point, Ms. Smith said of NATOs 2 percent target. German officials point out that in absolute terms, German military spending has increased for five straight years, up 36 percent, and that Germany is NATOs second-biggest contributor of funds and troops. They say that a fair measurement of a countrys contribution to NATO should take account of wider factors, including foreign aid spending and the rate of economic growth. Given the size of Germanys economy and years of consistently high economic growth, 2 percent of G.D.P., some also argue, was a fast-moving target and one hard to meet in a short period of time. But many security experts have questioned that argument. We are just not credible anymore, said Jan Techau, director of the Europe Program at the German Marshall Fund in Berlin. First we said 2 percent, but we didnt really mean it. Then we said 1.5 percent, and it turns out we didnt really mean that either. Defense spending is still on course to increase next year, rising from 1.35 percent of G.D.P. this year to 1.37 percent next year, finance ministry officials said. But by 2023, according to the latest budget figures, it is expected to be back at 1.25 percent. The latest trans-Atlantic conflict is in part rooted in Germanys domestic politics. The finance minister, Olaf Scholz, who drafted the new budget plan, is a member of the Social Democrats, the center-left coalition partner of Ms. Merkels Conservatives. Ahead of a string of European and regional elections this year, the Social Democrats, whose poll ratings have plummeted in recent years, are eager to distinguish themselves by giving priority to social spending over defense. Some political leaders like Michael Grosse-Bromer, the conservative caucus whip, said that Parliament was expected to approve a continuation of its current military missions in Afghanistan, Mali, South Sudan and the Mediterranean, and that Germany still intended to uphold its spending commitments to its NATO partners. But he, too, conceded that the current plan looks somewhat different. One wild card is economic growth, which is set to slow in coming years, making it easier to increase defense spending as a percentage of G.D.P. The German Council of Economic Experts scaled down its growth forecast for the current and coming years to 0.8 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively, saying that the boom years are over. But it is time for Germany to look beyond electoral horizons and consider defense spending in a longer-term, strategic framework, said Ms. Smith, the former Obama adviser. Imagine Trump left NATO tomorrow, she said. Imagine the investment Germany would have to make in its own and Europes security then. This is the cheap version, she said of the current NATO spending targets. Christopher F. Schuetze contributed reporting. SEC to examine competition among US asset managers Regulator fears that industry consolidation will hit investor choice Chris Flood Dalia Blass said the SEC would look at whether technologies such as blockchain could improve access to fund distribution for small and midsized managers (Capital Insights) The US financial regulator is set to examine whether investors choice of asset management companies will be damaged by competitive pressures that threaten to destroy smaller players. The fight for survival in the fund industry is driving merger and acquisition activity, with many small and midsized managers seeking to forge alliances. This situation is of concern to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which will begin an investigation this year. The SEC wants to see if any barriers exist that make it harder for small and midsized companies and whether these can be addressed without sacrificing investor protection. I am concerned about what it will mean for investors, particularly main street investors, if the variety and choice offered by small and midsized asset managers becomes lost in a wave of consolidation and fee compression, said Dalia Blass, director of the division of investment management at the SEC. Ms Blass was speaking on Monday in San Diego, California, at a conference hosted by the Investment Company Institute, the trade association. As many as a third of managers could disappear over the next five years, according to Marty Flanagan, chief executive of Invesco, the Atlanta-based asset manager. The strong are getting stronger and the big are going to get bigger, said Mr Flanagan in a recent interview with the Financial Times. A price war raging among US asset managers has led to the cheapest mutual funds winning an increasing share of new business. BlackRock and Vanguard, the largest asset managers, have spearheaded price cuts with their low-cost index-tracking funds attracting record inflows. Last year, the big two together grabbed more than half of global net new inflows into long-term mutual funds. Fees have been driven down as a result of competition for the business of institutional clients and the bargaining power of large distributors selling funds to retail investors. Many distributors have culled funds from their platforms as investors shifted to low-cost index trackers. Five of the eight leading US distributors have rationalised shelf space by dropping 4,900 funds in the past two years, according to Deloitte, the financial services provider. Ms Blass said the SEC would look at whether technologies such as blockchain could improve access to fund distribution for small and midsized managers. The SEC may also set up an advisory committee to take a broad view of asset management issues. This could look at the effect of indexing on markets, common ownership, the consequences of the scale of investment management companies and the participation of funds in markets historically associated with banks and brokers. Ms Blass said that while an advisory committee could not answer every question it would lend transparency, engagement and rigour to industry debates. Her speech highlighted other priorities for the SEC in 2019. The finalising of new rules for both exchange traded funds and fund of funds has a high priority for the SEC. It will also seek public comments on proposals for the reform of business development companies and closed-end fund offerings. Ms Blass said the SEC anticipated that it would publish proposals for modernising the advertising and solicitation rules for investment advisers as well as a proposal on the use of derivatives by investment companies. Grand Old Partisan cherishes Republican respect for Judaism. This day of 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed the month of May to be Jewish American Heritage Month: "When the first Jewish settlers came to this land, they sought a place of promise where they could practice their faith in freedom and live in liberty. During Jewish American Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich history of the Jewish people in America and honor the great contributions they have made to our country. As a nation of immigrants, the United States is better and stronger because Jewish people from all over the world have chosen to become American citizens. Since arriving in 1654, Jewish Americans have achieved great success, strengthened our country, and helped shape our way of life. Through their deep commitment to faith, family, and community, Jewish Americans remind us of a basic belief that guided the founding of this Nation: that there is an Almighty who watches over the affairs of men and values every life. The Jewish people have enriched our culture and contributed to a more compassionate and hopeful America. Jewish American Heritage Month is also an opportunity to remember and thank the many Jewish Americans who defend our ideals as members of the United States Armed Forces. These courageous men and women risk their lives to protect their fellow citizens and to advance the cause of freedom. By helping to bring the promise of liberty to millions around the world, they lay the foundation of peace for generations to come. NOW, THEREFORE, I GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2006 as Jewish American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities that honor the significant contributions Jewish Americans have made to our Nation." Here is a Video Version of this article on YouTube: https://youtu.be/y90GkMH5IQ8 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 "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" " " Good news! Earwax prevents small insects from building cozy homes in your ear. Nick Dolding/Getty Images Earwax, also known as cerumen, is produced by glands located in the skin of the outer one-third of the ear canal. There are two types of glands that produce cerumen: sebaceous glands and apocrine sweat glands. The sebaceous glands release sebum primarily made of fatty acids which mix with the apocrine gland secretions to form cerumen. While earwax isn't often the subject of polite conversation, it performs some important functions. Cerumen mixes with dead skin cells, loose hair follicles and dust and slowly sweeps the debris out of the ear canal. Because the ear canal is constructed like a cul-de-sac, a build-up of dead cells, earwax and debris could become trapped if not for a unique type of migrating cells. These cells are continually moving from the interior of the ear canal to the exterior. They are, in a sense, self-cleaning. The cells embark on weeks-long migration bolstered by the natural movement of the jaw; as we eat, talk, sneeze and cough, we help move the cells of the ear canal along their path. Advertisement All the while, the earwax lubricates the skin in the ear canal and keeps cracks at bay so microbes can't gain access. Conveniently, earwax has a slightly acidic pH balance, which discourages bacteria and fungi from taking hold. Better still, earwax prevents small insects from building cozy homes in the ear canal [source: Audiology Awareness]. A person's type of earwax, and its odiferous qualities, can vary according to genetic makeup. People of Asian and non-Asian descent have different kinds of earwax, characterized as either "wet" or "dry." A minute mutation of the ABCC11 gene is behind the differences, believed to be responsible for dry earwax and, incidentally, reduced earwax and underarm odor in people with Chinese, Japanese and Korean ancestry. In contrast, people of Caucasian descent had smellier earwax. A plug of earwax the size of a banana offer clues about the effects of environmental pollution on wildlife, too. Scientists recovered the earwax from a blue whale, a species that keeps earwax for life, unlike earwax-rejecting humans. Analysis of the whale's earwax discovered the 12-year-old had significant contact with 16 different pollutants, such as pesticides, throughout its lifetime [source: McGrath]. Although there's little cause to believe human earwax will be studied to reveal the impact of our environments, it could reveal toxic heavy metals accumulating in the body. Earwax already offers clues into rare metabolic disorders. People with maple syrup urine disease (an inherited disease in which the body cannot break down certain parts of proteins properly), for example, also have earwax that emits a characteristic odor [source: NORD]. By understanding where earwax comes from, scientists are better able to identify the substance's normal and abnormal qualities. " " American poet Walt Whitman helped tend to the wounded during the Civil War. Alexander Gardner/Historical/Thinkstock Bearing the bandages, water and sponge, straight and swift to my wounded I go, where they lie on the ground after the battle brought in, where their priceless blood reddens the grass, the ground. from "The Wound-Dresser" by Walt Whitman December 1862, year two of the American Civil War: Poet Walt Whitman was looking for his brother George among the casualties. A newspaper listed the younger Whitman as wounded during a battle in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Of the many horrific scenes Walt witnessed, one of the most jarring was a wagon piled to the brim with severed arms, legs and hands. To his surprise and relief, he ended up finding George alive and well, but by that time, Walt had seen too much to go back to his life in New York. He decided instead that he needed to help. Visiting the hospitals of Washington, D.C., daily, he tended to the young soldiers dying wholesale of sepsis and typhoid fever. Many of them had simply arrived at the hospital too late to get help [source: Murray]. Advertisement Roughly a year later, in the early days of July 1863, the hills around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, were thundering with artillery fire. Through the smoke and chaos soldiers watched with amazement as a grim, bearded man on horseback rode the battlefield shouting commands to his men, heedless of the rain of bullets. The man was Dr. Jonathan Letterman, and his men were not combatants but medics bearing stretchers [source: U.S. Army]. In the thick of battle they were bravely collecting the wounded from the field with the aim of getting them to a medical facility as quickly as possible instead of waiting until the fighting was over. This was a radical new approach to battlefield care. It was here at Gettysburg that the American practice of emergency medical response was born [source: Werman]. The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoards Dairyman. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has awarded a $750,000 grant to the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) to establish the Beverage Innovation Center, a new center of excellence that will provide resources to small businesses to test and develop new beverage products. "This grant will allow us to purchase specialized equipment as well as provide technical assistance to dairy producers and entrepreneurs in Wisconsin, said CDR Director John Lucey. When the Beverage Innovation Center is up and running, there will be no other facility quite like it in the United States. The Beverage Innovation Center will be a modular pilot plant with an aseptic processing and bottling system for small businesses to produce small batch amounts of packaged beverages that can be used as prototypes in testing and optimizing formulas. The pilot plant will provide entrepreneurs access to CDR expertise, licensed space and equipment. With this access, clients will be able to test and fine tune the scalability of their prototypes in a production environment. One of the advantages of the center is that it will provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to run small-scale trials. Most aseptic processing and bottling systems run large-scale quantities, which are cost prohibitive for most entrepreneurs. The project also includes the creation of the Client Development and Growth Program for qualified clients of the Technology, University, Research, Business, Opportunities (TURBO) program. This program will provide access to consultants for technical advice in identifying new markets, ensuring regulatory compliance, evaluating production costs and return on investment, packaging design and grant-writing assistance. Consulting services will be specifically targeted to Wisconsin companies that have fewer than 50 employees and are located in rural areas. The Beverage Innovation Center is WEDCs latest partnership with TURBO, which is housed and operated within CDR. The TURBO program provides companies with access to several product development and business planning resources, including regulatory and financing assistance, economic development financing programs and workforce development information. Between 2013 and 2016, WEDC and TURBO awarded $200,000 in equipment reimbursement grants to 11 small Wisconsin dairy manufacturers that resulted in more than $2 million in public and private investment. In 2018, WEDC approved a second round of equipment reimbursement grants totaling $200,000, which TURBO is currently awarding. WEDCs investment in the CDR is part of the organizations long-term strategy of advancing targeted, high-growth business clusters to develop high-quality jobs and significant job growth in Wisconsin. WEDC-supported centers of excellenceincluding the Global Water Center and the Energy Innovation Centerserve as cluster anchors around which academic R&D, corporate R&D and commercialization, external investment and company attraction connections are made. "The Beverage Innovation Center will serve as an important resource to entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Wisconsin, said Vincent Rice, WEDC vice president of sector strategy development. At a time when Wisconsin is experiencing a milk surplus, this center of excellence will provide dairy farmers with new avenues to pursue innovation in the beverage industry. This center of excellence is also being supported by a $250,000 grant from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. CDR is the crown jewel of Wisconsin dairy, and we are proud to support its initiative to innovate dairy beverages, said Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. The centers proven innovation and execution excellence are unparalleled, and this partnership between the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the University of Wisconsin and the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin will be vital to industry growth in our state. Founded in 1986, the Center for Dairy Research is located within a licensed, operating dairy plant on the UW-Madison campus and is one of the premier dairy research centers in the U.S. Building on Wisconsins tradition as the Dairy State, CDR supports the foremost scientific expertise in dairy research, technical support and education, with more than 30 researchers and scientists involved in conducting basic and applied research. To learn more about the Center for Dairy Research, please visit www.cdr.wisc.edu . About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Texas has one of the worst environmental records in the U.S., a new study finds. Photo courtesy of Union of Concerned Scientists A tornado, also known as a twister, whirlwind or cyclone, is a spinning wind storm that comes down from the clouds in a snake or v-shape and tears up the e... 4 hours ago 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 - Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff spent the Holy Week in the States - Erwan shared the behind-the-scene of Anne's perfect photo - He showed how much effort he gives just to make his wife happy PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed! Erwan Heussaff and Anne Curtis are couple goals in their nature trip for the Holy Week in the States. They share their Instagram worthy pictures taken during their trip. Erwan shared a picture of the lovely Anne sitting in the middle of the road with the sequoias beautifully blurred behind her. In the post he shared, he also shared the behind the scene of how the picture was taken. Erwan was lying in the middle of the road to take the perfect angle of his wife. PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data! How to make your wife happy 101. Rule #62: Do what is necessary to get the shot. It doesnt matter how uncomfortable you are; the picture will always be worth it. #bulliedhusbandsclub," he wrote. Based on Anne's IG stories, the road was closed to all traffic at the time. PAY ATTENTION: 90s Rage: Celebrities Whose 90s Look You've Never Seen Before Anne Curtis is considered as one of the most prominent celebrities in the Philippines. Year 2018 was a blast for her since she starred in three movies including Sid & Aya, Buybust, and Aurora. In December 2016, Curtis became engaged to her longtime boyfriend, restaurateur and food blogger Erwan Heussaff, who is the brother of actress, TV host, and model Solenn Heussaff. On 12 November 2017, Curtis and Heussaff got married in Queenstown, New Zealand. POPULAR: Read more about Anne Curtis here Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Prank In Public: Did You Just Fart? | HumanMeter Check out the public prank video filmed in the Philippines. Watch us blame farting noises on random people in public. Some people laugh, some are defensive, other don't notice. Enjoy! Source: Kami.com.ph Thomas Heaton is a food and travel reporter for The Kathmandu Post. Before working in Nepal, he spent five years in New Zealand, most recently as a food writer for Cuisine magazine. Heaton is content trawling through markets, sampling sundry skewers of offal and getting into uncomfortable situations while travelling. 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 There are a lot of reasons to give thanks to Southern California's rainy season: We're free of drought conditions We got to see some epic super blooms Our hills have been covered in lush green plants for months. But then there's the not-so-silver lining: we may be primed to burn. For now, things look good, said Jessica Gardetto, spokesperson for the National Interagency Fire Center. With moisture levels still high, there's not a huge risk of fires igniting and growing out of control. But the rains will inevitably end. "That risk," she said, "is going to increase when all these grasses and fuels dry out and become ready to burn." Four of the five structures on Ojai resident Karin Dron's property were destroyed in the Thomas Fire. (Courtesy of Karin Dron) The last time we had similar conditions was in the spring of 2017. "I don't remember it being quite as lush as this year with either the flowers or the vegetation, but it was plenty green and it was just so nice to see things starting to recover," said Ojai resident Karin Dron, sitting on the porch of her stone house. Surrounded by bright green grass on all sides, there is little evidence -- besides a few blackened trees -- that one of the worst fires in state history tore through her yard just a few years ago. Dron's stone house, built in the 1930s, is now surrounded by greenery again after the Thomas Fire. (Photo by Jacob Margolis) 2017: A PERFECT YEAR FOR FIRE "Extra precipitation in winter 2016 to 2017 helped to grow a bunch of new fuel," said Park Williams, bio-climatologist at Columbia's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. "On top of there being a whole bunch of new growth ... the summer of 2017 was record-breaking, or near-record-breaking, across essentially all of the western United States, in terms of temperature." Which meant that abundance of new growth dried out quickly and, because of a delayed rainy season, stayed dry. Grasses were the first to lose their moisture, followed by shrubs and old growth chapparal that had gone unburned for a long time and survived years of low precipitation during the drought. That created ideal conditions for a big fire. The Thomas Fire was sparked by SoCal Edison's power lines and then fueled by Santa Ana winds (which peak in fall and winter). A wet winter 2017 provided fuel for fires that fall Karin Dron watched as it consumed nearly her entire property, sparing only the home that had been there since the 1930s. "There were a lineup of ten firetrucks on my driveway, which is about a quarter of a mile, and they were watching it burn," she said. More than 281 thousand acres burned and 10,000 structures were destroyed. Ojai resident Karin Dron watched as the Thomas Fire tore through her property in 2017. ((Courtesy of Karin Dron)) 2019: IT'S GONNA BURN, RIGHT? On a recent trip into the San Gabriel Mountains, patrol captain Alberto Ortega took samples of shrubs to measure moisture levels, something that he now has to do year-round. For now, they are moist. But it won't last. Plants are going to dry. How quickly that happens depends on how hot things get this spring and summer. And how long they stay dry depends on when our rainy season shows up. "This is going to help us, basically at least at the beginning of the year," Ortega said, explaining that higher moisture levels make it easier to extinguish fires when they start. Alberto Ortega of the U.S. Forrest Service takes fuel moisture samples in the San Gabriel Mountains. (Photo by Jacob Margolis) Cutting moisture samples (Photo by Jacob Margolis) "Our fire season started extending longer and longer," he said. "And we needed that fuel moisture sample for us to fight fire. You probably can see in the last 10-15 years, things are changing with the plants." Southern California's hillsides exploded into green after this winter's rains IS THIS CLIMATE CHANGE? As climate change progresses, temperatures will continue to rise, meaning greater rates of evapotranspiration that will cause plants to dry out faster. "I think maybe the entire stretch from 2012 to 2017 could be seen as a harbinger," said Williams, who's written extensively about climate change on the west coast. We could also see an increased variability in rainfall, meaning that rain could come in short intense bursts followed by long periods of dryness. That matters because when we miss out on deep sustained soakings during our wet season, recovery from dry periods is more difficult. Another concern: indications that that the rainy season could keep showing up late. It's unclear how the Santa Ana winds will be impacted, though they're not expected to worsen. "Warming has been so extreme in California over the last century that every summer is hot and dry enough to support fire, no matter how wet this past winter was," said Williams. California has had a major wildfire every year for the past seven years, and the past five summers have been the warmest on record. Ojai resident Karin Dron's property was destroyed by the Thomas Fire in 2017. ((Courtesy of Karin Dron)) IT'S ALWAYS FIRE SEASON Regardless of what happens, Dron always has fire in the back of her mind. She lost four buildings on her Ojai property during the Thomas Fire. We are on her porch, overlooking the Ojai valley below. There is no sign of a burned-out moonscape. Thanks to the rain, we are surrounded instead, by tall, beautiful, green grasses. "It is gorgeous and we're loving this spring. It's certainly a super bloom and the wildflowers are great," she said. "But yes, we're probably going to have to do multiple fire clearances and we're going to have to keep doing it ... and it's a little worrisome. That's all I can say. We really don't know what's coming." This article was originally published at 7:15 a.m.. This story is part of Elemental: Covering Sustainability, a multimedia collaboration between Cronkite News, Arizona PBS, KJZZ, KPCC, Rocky Mountain PBS and PBS SoCal. Saturday, April 20, 2019 Its no secret to anyone paying attention to Delaware law that the Aruba decisions both at the Chancery and Supreme Court levels involved some apparently personal clashes, which have already been the subject of speculation from several quarters, and I can only assume there is more analysis to come. I was going to weigh in on that as well but upon further reflection, I decided that its boring. And Id rather talk about the substance of the law, because what were seeing here is the inevitable breakdown in appraisal actions given that no one knows why we even have them. As a warning, Ill say that reading over what I wrote on this, I realize its probably pretty impenetrable unless you already are versed in Delaware appraisal jurisprudence. Ive previously posted about recent developments in Delaware appraisal litigation here, here, here, and here, so that might provide some background, but otherwise - you know, read at your own risk: [More below the jump] Historically, there was a very clear purpose for appraisal: it was intended as a mechanism of resolving disputes among shareholders with heterogeneous preferences as to the corporations future strategy. If the corporation sought to change its strategy with a merger or a new line of business, appraisal provided dissenting shareholders with an exit ramp. See, e.g., Peter V. Letsou, The Role of Appraisal in Corporate Law, 39 B.C. L. Rev. 1121 (1998). For that reason, appraisal is designed to give shareholders the value of their proportionate share in the existing enterprise, before any changes are made. But the development of modern securities markets and securities regulation rendered these original purposes unnecessary. (Well, I argue in my article Shareholder Divorce Court that there is a role for appraisal to address heterogeneous preferences in the modern day, but that would require significant revision.) As a result, scholars began to defend the appraisal right as a mechanism of providing liquidity in the absence of a public market, or as a backstop to protect minority shareholders against conflict transactions (involving, for example, a controlling shareholder). See Mary Siegel, Back to the Future: Appraisal Rights in the Twenty-First Century, 32 Harv. J. on Legis. 79 (1995); Daniel R. Fischel, The Appraisal Remedy in Corporate Law, 8 Am. B. Found. Res. J. 875 (1983); Randall S. Thomas, Revising the Delaware Appraisal Statute, 3 Del. L. Rev. 1 (2000); Robert B. Thompson, Exit, Liquidity, and Majority Rule: Appraisals Role in Corporate Law, 84 Geo. L.J. 1 (1995). The modern appraisal action, at least in Delaware, effectuates none of these purposes and all of them. It cant just be about liquidity because it applies to publicly-traded stock, it cant just be about conflict transactions because its available in nonconflict transactions even if its more available in 90% controller squeezeouts and the distinction Delaware draws between receipt of cash versus receipt of publicly traded stock is incoherent. See Charles Korsmo & Minor Myers, Reforming Modern Appraisal Litigation, 41 Del. J. Corp. L. 279 (2017). Its a Frankensteins monster of different impulses that act at cross-purposes. And everyone knows this, but theres no reform because no one can agree on what appraisal is supposed to be (its like insider trading in that way we all know the law makes no sense, but everyone has a different view of what it should be, and nothing changes). With the rise of appraisal arbitrage, a number of scholars argued for its use as a substitute for, or supplement to, a broken system of fiduciary duty litigation. As Charles Korsmo and Minor Myers in particular have claimed, appraisals structure avoids some of the pathologies that infect traditional class claims. See, e.g., Minor Myers & Charles Korsmo, The Structure of Stockholder Litigation: When Do the Merits Matter?, 75 Ohio St. L.J. 829 (2014); see also Albert Choi & Eric Talley, Appraising the Merger Price Appraisal Rule, 34 J. L. Econ. & Org. 543 (2018); Scott Callahan, Darius Palia, & Eric Talley, Appraisal Arbitrage and Shareholder Value, 3 J. L. Fin. & Acctg 147 (2018). And when these appraisal arbitrage cases hit the Delaware Supreme Court, that court almost seemed to agree. Specifically, DFC Glob. Corp. v. Muirfield Value Partners, L.P., 172 A.3d 346 (Del. 2017) and Dell Inc. v. Magnetar Glob. Event Masterfund, Ltd., 177 A.3d 1 (Del. 2017), took steps to move appraisal law more toward traditional fiduciary law. Most obviously, although appraisal is usually described as an attempt to value the company as a going concern, rather than its value to a third party as an acquisition, In re Petsmart, 2017 WL 2303599 (Del. Ch. May 26, 2017), DFC took a new tack, stressing that the purpose of an appraisal action is to make sure that [dissenters] receive fair compensation for their shares in the sense that it reflects what they deserve to receive based on what would fairly be given to them in an arms-length transaction. In fact, the DFC decision actually seemed to express some doubt about the exclusion of synergies from the appraisal valuation, noting that it is not a compelled reading of the statute, and repeatedly stressing that Delaware precedent only seemed to exclude synergies. This is important, because if you view appraisal as a backstop to fiduciary litigation namely, as a mechanism for ensuring that target boards fight for the highest price possible then of course you dont want to exclude synergies; you want target boards to win a share of them. That impression was further confirmed by both Dell and DFCs emphasis on the importance of deal process. Use of a reasonable negotiating process, the decisions stressed, would ensure that the deal price was the best evidence of target value. But good deal processes are characterized by the targets attempts to extract maximum value including synergy value. So if appraisal value is measured by how well target boards accomplish this task, appraisal must be about efforts to win the highest price for shareholders which includes sharing in synergies and not about the going concern value of the target. In fact, Dell actually stated that If the reward for adopting many mechanisms designed to minimize conflict and ensure stockholders obtain the highest possible value is to risk the court adding a premium to the deal price based on a DCF analysis, then the incentives to adopt best practices will be greatly reduced. In other words, appraisals function is to incentivize directors to maximize target shareholder welfare. But if the Delaware Supreme Court seemed, in these decisions, to endorse scholars view that appraisal could substitute for fiduciary litigation, it did not fully satisfy anyone, mostly because those scholars who endorse appraisal as a fiduciary-duty substitute also endorse its exclusive focus on price, without reference to process. It was the focus on process, in part, that was mucking everything up, and that Delaware just imported back into the litigation. See Minor Myers & Charles Korsmo, The Structure of Stockholder Litigation: When Do the Merits Matter?, 75 Ohio St. L.J. 829 (2014); Charles Korsmo & Minor Myers, The Flawed Corporate Finance of Dell and DFC Global, forthcoming Emory L.J. Plus, there was another problem with reading Dell and DFC as I have just described them: their truly baffling discussion of market efficiency. Both cases included extensive endorsement of the efficient markets hypothesis, stressing that multiple market actors bidding for the same asset were more likely to reach an accurate valuation than a single persons estimate. As DFC put it, Precisely because DFCs shares were widely traded on a public market based upon a rich information base, the fair value of the stockholders shares of stock held by minority stockholders like the petitioners, would, to an economist, likely be best reflected by the prices at which their shares were trading as of the merger.; see also DFC (Indeed, the relationship between market valuation and fundamental valuation has been strong historically.); Dell, (the evidence suggests that the market for Dells shares was actually efficient and, therefore, likely a possible proxy for fair value.). Which is why VC Lasters Aruba opinion, equating going concern value with market value, was completely reasonable. Implications of Dell and DFC notwithstanding, appraisal is theoretically about value of what was taken from shareholders, without reference to merger-related synergies. In that context, both decisions extensive endorsements of the efficient markets hypothesis would seem to suggest that, absent other evidence, market price is the best evidence of going concern value. But if thats right, it means that appraisal should not be viewed as a substitute for fiduciary duty litigation. Most acquisitions of public companies are accomplished at a price above market value; if market value is the appropriate measure, then no matter how dysfunctional the negotiation process, appraisal will not win the petitioner any gains and thus cannot discipline recalcitrant directors. This does not mean appraisal has no purpose; instead, appraisals purpose would be to provide a fair exit in the absence of a public market. Which is exactly how it works in many states other than Delaware (they do exist). So Lasters interpretation was not unreasonable. But in reversing him, the Delaware Supreme Court has signaled that this is not where it wants to go it wants appraisal to serve some other purpose. We just dont know what that is. The first thing to note is that the Delaware Supreme Courts Aruba decision seriously walks back Dell and DFC. Whereas DFC emphasized that appraisal is about giving the petitioner what s/he would have received in an arms length sale which itself was a break from prior law Aruba swings the pendulum back to the more traditionalist view: [T]he Court of Chancerys task in an appraisal case is to value what has been taken from the shareholder: viz. his proportionate interest in a going concern. That is, the court must value the company as an operating entity . . . but without regard to post-merger events or other possible business combinations. [Section] 262[] command[s] that the court determine fair value exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger or consolidation, which this Court has interpreted as ruling out consideration of not just the gains that the particular merger will produce, but also the gains that might be obtained from any other merger. As a result, fair value is more properly described as the value of the company to the stockholder as a going concern, rather than its value to a third party as an acquisition. That quote alone suggests appraisal should not be about testing the propriety of the deal process, because deal process is about identifying the value to a third party as an acquisition. Next, the Aruba Court makes a valiant effort to reconcile Dell and DFCs discussions of market efficiency with previous Delaware precedent. On this point, the Aruba Court states: [O]ur courts have for years applied corporate finance principles such as the capital asset pricing model to value companies in appraisal proceedings in ways that depend on market efficiency. The reliable application of valuation methods used in appraisal proceedings, such as DCF and comparable companies analysis, often depends on market data and the efficiency of the markets from which that data is derived. For example, it is difficult to come up with a reliable beta if the subject companys shares do not trade in an efficient market, and the reliability of a comparable companies or transactions analysis depends on the underlying efficiency of the markets from which the multiples used in the analysis are derived. Even before this Courts seminal opinion in Weinberger, the old Delaware block method used market prices in one of its three prongs. In forsaking the Delaware block method as a rigid basis to determine fair value, Weinberger did not hold that market value was no longer relevant; in fact, Weinberger explicitly condoned its use. Extending this basic point, DFC and Dell merely recognized that a buyer in possession of material nonpublic information about the seller is in a strong position (and is uniquely incentivized) to properly value the seller when agreeing to buy the company at a particular deal price, and that view of value should be given considerable weight by the Court of Chancery absent deficiencies in the deal process. Likewise, assuming an efficient market, the unaffected market price and that price as adjusted upward by a competitive bidding process leading to a sale of the entire company was likely to be strong evidence of fair value. [T]o the extent the Court of Chancery read DFC and Dell as reaffirming the traditional Delaware view, which is accepted in corporate finance, that the price a stock trades at in an efficient market is an important indicator of its economic value that should be given weight, it was correct.... Ill just say that in my view, prior to Dell and DFC, Delaware kind of stood out for its failure to endorse the concept of efficient markets which was exactly Lasters point (see his Aruba decision at fn 305). So the Delaware Supreme Courts retcon here does not strike me as entirely convincing. In any event, in what seems to be quite a break from Dell and DFC, the Aruba decision explains all the reasons why courts cannot rely on market price in appraisal actions. Namely, markets are not fundamental-value efficient, and parties engaged in private negotiations have better information and incentives than market traders. As the Court explains: Dell and DFC did not imply that the market price of a stock was necessarily the best estimate of the stocks so-called fundamental value at any particular time. Rather, they did recognize that when a market was informationally efficient in the sense that the markets digestion and assessment of all publicly available information concerning [the Company] [is] quickly impounded into the Companys stock price, the market price is likely to be more informative of fundamental value. In fact, Dells references to market efficiency focused on informational efficiencythe idea that markets quickly reflect publicly available information and can be a proxy for fair valuenot the idea that an informationally efficient market price invariably reflects the companys fair value in an appraisal or fundamental value in economic terms.... And to the extent that the Court of Chancery also read DFC and Dell as reaffirming the view that when that market price is further informed by the efforts of arms length buyers of the entire company to learn more through due diligence, involving confidential non-public information, and with the keener incentives of someone considering taking the non-diversifiable risk of buying the entire entity, the price that results from that process is even more likely to be indicative of so-called fundamental value, it was correct. Here,. HP had more incentive to study Aruba closely than ordinary traders in small blocks of Aruba shares, and also had material, nonpublic information that, by definition, could not have been baked into the public trading price. Ultimately, the Aruba court endorses the deal-price-minus-synergies approach for valuing the target as a going concern, on the theory that the deal price is the best evidence of what someone would pay if they have access to private information, but that price involves synergies, to which the target is not entitled, so they should be deducted. The problem is, this standard (1) gets further away from DFCs description of appraisal as providing sellers with what would fairly be given to them in an arms-length transaction, and (2) introduces the very uncertainty and judge-imposed economic evaluation that Dell and DFC seemed to want to avoid. (As Brian Quinn put it, People understand that deal price minus synergies is mumbo-jumbo, right? Its just a guess. Its not scientific.) But the worst thing about this standard is it how pointless it is. An analysis that defers to deal price so long as the process is Dell compliant at least has a purpose, namely, as a backdoor mechanism of policing compliance with fiduciary duties. An analysis that looks solely at market price (absent reason to think market price is unreliable) moves appraisal into the box of providing liquidity, which is a reasonable place for it to be. But a deal-price-minus-synergies test serves no purpose at all. It doesnt have anything to do with liquidity, and it doesnt protect against flawed processes, since a court will probably find enough synergies to suggest that the flawed process still resulted in some add above standalone value. That fact is especially evident in Aruba, where VC Laster documented numerous dysfunctions in the deal process, including conflicted incentives of Arubas bankers and its CEO, but concluded they were not relevant to his valuation because market price represented standalone value: If this were a case where the market price was depressed or unreliable, then perhaps a detailed inquiry into issues like competition or negotiation might become important in assessing whether the deal process achieved fair value. In a scenario where the underlying market price is reliable, competition and negotiation become secondary. Under those circumstances, an arms- length deal at a premium over the market price is non-exploitive. By definition, it gives stockholders what would fairly be given to them in an arms-length transaction. On this, Ill also note this quote from Lasters Aruba opinion, which business profs everywhere should add to their discussions of Revlon and/or Barlow: Aruba ... focus[ed] at trial on an email exchange ... that discussed why the merger benefitted Arubas customers and employees, including its salesforce in the field. Aruba argued that this email showed that the HP deal was a good one. Whether the deal was good for these corporate constituencies is a different question than whether it provided fair value for stockholders. What the email did show is that [Aruba] pursued the HP deal (at least in part) because of loyalties to constituencies beyond the stockholders. In the grander scheme of life, I find that commendable. For the narrow purpose of Delaware corporate law, those competing loyalties are factors that a court has to weigh. On appeal, the Supreme Court rejected the market price measure of going concern value, but still found the process problems irrelevant given the synergies inherent in the deal. Thus, though it awarded a price above market, it still gave petitioners an award below deal price to account for those synergies, without so much as a nod to the pervasive conflicts of interest identified by Laster. The Court also implied (without squarely holding) that reductions in agency costs as a result of going private count as a synergy to be deducted, so that appraisal awards even in cases involving financial buyers - who typically work with management and thus are especially likely to exploit conflicts - will come in below deal price. In so doing, the Court undermined whatever value appraisal might have in backstopping directors fiduciary duties. So in the post-Aruba world, appraisal cant protect against dysfunctional dealmaking, its not designed to provide stockholders with liquidity, and it remains just as uncertain, just as pointless, as it ever was, but now with - less arbitrage, I guess? https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/business_law/2019/04/aruba-so-theres-a-lot-to-talk-about-here.html Saturday, April 20, 2019 The Fifth Circuit ruled earlier this week that a sheriff office's official Facebook page was a public forum; that the office's posting rules were based on the viewpoint of the poster, in violation of the First Amendment; and that the rules constituted official county policy. The ruling reverses a lower court's denial of a preliminary injunction and remands the case for further proceedings. (That is, the case is still at a preliminary stage, though the ruling answers many of the legal questions.) The case, Robinson v. Hunt County, Texas, tested the Hunt County Sheriff's Office Facebook page. According to the page, "We welcome your input and POSITIVE comments regarding the Hunt County Sheriff's Office." Moreover, "We encourage you to submit comments, but please note that this is NOT a public forum." On January 18, 2017, the HCSO Facebook account posted this message: We find it suspicious that the day after a North Texas Police Office is murdered we have received several anti-police calls in the office as well as people trying to degrade or insult police officers on this page. ANY post filled with foul language, hate speech of all types and comments that are considered inappropriate will be removed and the user banned. There are a lot of families on this page and it is for everyone[,] and therefore we monitor it extremely closely. Thank you for your understanding. Robinson and others posted on the page criticizing the policy as a violation of the First Amendment. Robinson's post was removed, and she was banned from the page. She sued individual officers and the county and moved for a preliminary injunction. The district court denied the injunction and later dismissed the case for failure to state a claim. The Fifth Circuit reversed as to the county. (Robinson didn't appeal as to the individual officers.) The court held that she sufficiently pleaded a constitutional violation, because the defendants' actions constituted viewpoint discrimination in violation of the First Amendment. The court said that the Facebook page was a public forum, and it didn't matter which kind (designated or limited), because either way viewpoint-based discrimination was impermissible. The court held that the policy constituted official policy (for purposes of Robinson's Section 1983 claim against the county), because Robinson "has plausibly alleged that Hunt County had an explicit policy of viewpoint discrimination on the HCSO Facebook page," through the sheriff's official control of the page. The court sent the case back for further proceedings. https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/conlaw/2019/04/fifth-circuit-rule-for-plaintiff-in-free-speech-challenge-to-sheriff-office-facebook-page.html Saturday, April 20, 2019 The Missouri Supreme Court affirmed the rejection of post-conviction claims of a defendant convicted of the murder of a police officer who was investigating his possible criminal involvement in a fatal traffic accident. The court majority rejected ineffective assistance of counsel claims Movant raises four points related to Juror 58s conduct during voir dire and while serving on the jury. Two months before serving on the jury, Juror 58 published a 184-page book, which he described as a fictionalized autobiography. The book contains six pages chronicling the protagonists brutal and graphic revenge murder of a defendant who killed the protagonists wife in a drunken-driving accident. The protagonist viewed the defendant as escaping justice in the court system because the defendant received only probation following his conviction. The books front and back covers contain illustrations of blood spatter. The back cover states the protagonists life changed forever when his wife was killed and her murderer was set free. The cover states the protagonist sought vengeance and seeks justice and knows he will die fighting the system. Point one Movant argues the motion court clearly erred in denying his claim trial counsel were ineffective for failing to question Juror 58 when he volunteered he was a published author. Movant claims questioning Juror 58 about the books contents would have uncovered grounds to strike him for cause. Movant claims he was prejudiced because the books contents demonstrated Juror 58 could not serve fairly and should have been struck for cause. The issue was not explored in voir dire and Juror 58 was chosen for the jury and served as the foreman. The jury returned a guilty verdict. That evening, Movants aunt provided trial counsel with a copy of Juror 58s book. Kessler reviewed the book overnight and presented arguments concerning Juror 58s fitness to serve as a juror the next day. [Defense counsel] Kessler read excerpts into the record and argued the excerpts demonstrated Juror 58 was not truthful when he answered questions during voir dire. Kessler asked the circuit court to question Juror 58 on the record about the books contents and his personal beliefs. Kessler also requested the circuit court question all of the jurors about any effect Juror 58s personal beliefs and opinions had on jury deliberations. The circuit court denied the request to question Juror 58 because it found no evidence of juror misconduct and believed questioning Juror 58 might improperly taint the whole jury. Kessler then moved for a mistrial, arguing he would have to concede ineffectiveness for failing to inquire about the book during voir dire. The circuit court overruled the motion but advised Movant he could question the jurors, if necessary, after the trial. Juror 58 later was removed from the jury by the consent of the parties and did not participate in the penalty phase. Trial counsel sought a new trial and the claims regarding the juror were rejected on direct appeal In this case, Movant had an opportunity to litigate this claim during the hearing on his motion for new trial. However, trial counsel declined to raise the issue in hopes of strengthening their argument for a life sentence for Movant. Further, Movant raised issues related to this claim on direct appeal, arguing he suffered prejudice because Juror 58 may have improperly influenced other jurors by speaking about the books contents, which he believed impacted the verdict. Shockley, 410 S.W.3d at 199-200. This Court found no basis for reversal was demonstrated because it would not speculate about Juror 58s actions or influences when trial counsel declined to question Juror 58 at the hearing on Movants motion for new trial. Id. at 201-02. The court majority rejected a host of other claims of ineffective assistance by trial and appellate counsel. Juror 58 drew a dissent from Judge Laura Denvir Stith I respectfully dissent from the portion of the principal opinion holding counsel were not ineffective in failing to question Juror 58 during voir dire about the provocative novel he admitted writing and in failing to call other jurors in support of Mr. Shockleys motion for new trial. On direct appeal, this Court held, because of these failures, the record did not support Mr. Shockleys claim that Juror 58 should have been stricken for cause or that the other jurors saw his book and it affected their deliberations. State v. Shockley, 410 S.W.3d 179, 201 (Mo. banc 2013). Because the postconviction hearing demonstrates counsel had no valid strategic reason for failing to voir dire Juror 58 and for choosing not to question other jurors about when and how they were exposed to his violent novel, I would find both failures constituted ineffective assistance that may have affected the outcome of the trial... The principal opinion states that finding counsels voir dire ineffective would be equivalent to adopting a rule that a potential jurors employment as an author, standing alone, establishes the juror has multiple sources of bias. The dispositive fact here is not that Juror 58 was an author. What is relevant here is that Juror 58, on his own initiative, approached the bench during a break to inform the court he had not revealed as yet during voir dire that he was a published author and he thought maybe I should be coming out with fact [sic] as well. When a venireperson feels strongly enough that a piece of information may be relevant for consideration in voir dire that he himself suggests it to the court on his own initiative, defense counsel is ineffective in failing to investigate what made the venireperson believe the information needed to be disclosed . For this reason, the principal opinions attempt to distinguish Knese v. State, 85 S.W.3d 628, 632 (Mo. banc 2002), is unavailing. As in that case, the failure here to conduct a basic investigation of the jurors bias was ineffective. This error was compounded by counsels rejection of the circuit courts offer to allow counsel to call Juror 58 and other jurors during the hearing on the motion for new trial. The failure to follow up during voir dire and by calling jurors in support of the motion for new trial meant the record before the circuit court and this Court on appeal did not support grant of a new trial, resulting in the conviction being affirmed on appeal. The principal opinion states the decision not to call jurors in support of the motion for new trial was reasonable in that counsel believed, because the jury was unable to agree whether to impose the death penalty, the trial judge was unlikely to impose death, as they had never had a trial judge impose a death sentence when the jury could not agree on punishment. In other words, counsel filed a motion for new trial but chose not to support it with testimony in the hopes the judge would give a favorable ruling on death. If counsel believed errors in the trial merited a new trial, they had a duty to file a proper and supported motion for new trial. They failed to meet their duty by filing a motion they admittedly chose not to fully support with facts. Moreover, if what counsel wanted was to have the judge decide punishment while knowing the jury deadlocked, they could have requested the judge and State consent to doing just that even if a new trial were granted. Failing to investigate juror misconduct, however, was not an option. Yet counsel made the decision to forego any questioning of Juror 58 or the other jurors about whether they were exposed to Juror 58s novel and the extent of that exposure. Knese v. State involved the following Knese argues that his counsel, was ineffective for not striking two jurors as biased and unqualified. Counsel has been a member of the Missouri bar since 1967, minus a nine-and-a-half-year disbarment. He tried over 20 criminal cases-including several capital cases. [Editor's note: that is a rather significant minus] In preparation for voir dire, counsel reviewed the questionnaires completed by the venire. However, he did not review those received on the morning of trial. Two of these were from (eventual) jurors Dennis K. Gray and Richard R. Maloney. The questionnaires requested opinions on crime and the death penalty. Gray-the foreman-believes our laws are way too soft on criminals. His solution to crime is to build more jails, and give out longer sentences and fewer paroles. Regarding the death penalty he stated: make executions public. If a criminal knew he was being executed in a public square in front of thousands of people, he might [think] twice about committing a murder. Maloney stated that he disfavored endless appeals, parole boards, good time, and clergy to pamper a killer, and wrote: if he is found guilty, do it. Counsel did not read these questionnaires until after trial. He testified that when he read Gray's responses: I about vomited; I missed it and there is no chance that I would have left [Gray] on a jury if I would have seen it ahead of time. Gray would have been my first strike the mistake in this case, I believe, is the most egregious mistake I've ever made in the trial of a case. It could well have had catastrophic consequences for my client and there's no excuse for it. Counsel did not question Gray directly. The court collectively asked the venire one question about following the court's instructions: Is there anybody that could not follow the Court's instructions with respect to the range of punishment? Basically folks, that is what I'm asking you is the death penalty question. Is there anybody here that feels that they could not follow the Court's instructions? See State v. Nicklasson, 967 S.W.2d 596, 611 (Mo. banc), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 1021, 119 S.Ct. 549, 142 L.Ed.2d 457 (1998). Gray did not respond to the court's question. As for Maloney's questionnaire, counsel testified that he was flabbergasted; for any criminal defense lawyer to leave a man who responds like he did is just an egregious error, and especially in a case like this; he does not have a ghost of a chance of being fair and-fair and impartial. Counsel would have struck Maloney. He did not question Maloney directly. As a member of the venire, Maloney did not respond to the general question-asked by the court-quoted above about following the court's instructions. (Mike Frisch) https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2019/04/the-missouri-supreme-court-affirmed-the-conviction-of-a-defendant-charged-with-the-murder-of-a-police-officer-who-was-investi.html Today, a different kind of Words and Their Stories - an examination of the word redaction. This week, United States Attorney General William Barr released the long-awaited report by special counsel Robert Mueller. The report presents the findings of Muellers investigation into possible collusion between the presidential campaign of Donald Trump and Russia. It also aimed to answer whether Trump tried to obstruct justice during the investigation. The 400-page report, however, includes redactions. And Congress is prepared to fight the administration to get a complete un-redacted report released to the public. Dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster defines the verb redact as to select or adapt (as byremoving sensitive information) for publication or release. The publisher said searches for the words redact, redacted and redaction increased 4,000 percent on March 29. The rise in searches followed Barrs letter to Congress on the Mueller report. In the letter, Barr wrote that he was preparing the report for release, making the redactions that are required. Barr said the redactions are needed to protect grand jury material, classified intelligence, ongoing investigations and the privacy rights of others. The U.S. government has redacted things from the most sensitive information to the most harmless facts throughout history. Tom Blanton is with the National Security Archive, an organization that calls for open government. He told the Associated Press, We believe there are real secrets, common-sense secrets, like names of people in the field who would be killed or specifications of weapons of systems. Blanton added, But redactions are also overused. Blanton noted that the U.S. government redacted information on intelligence files for Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, who was accused of human rights abuses. In 2003, the Defense Intelligence Agency released documents that included Pinochets life story. Some information, however, was redacted for national security. Blanton found out that the redacted information included Pinochets favorite alcoholic drinks. David Cole is legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union. He said any government official with a security clearance would want to redact some information. Cole said, If you make a mistake and disclose something you shouldnt have, that mistake is public. If you decide to keep something secret that doesnt need to be secret, that mistake is private. The need for redaction is as old as the country itself. In 1787, Americas founding fathers met in Pennsylvania to draft the nations Constitution behind closed doors. They wanted to speak freely and keep some information from the public. No official papers were kept on the debate, so there was nothing to redact. And James Madisons personal notes of the meeting did not come out until 1836, after Madison and other delegates were dead. I think they are pretty reliable, historian Gordon Wood said of Madisons notes. But they may only account for a fraction of what was said at the convention. At the end of World War II, the U.S. became a superpower. The amount of redacted documents grew with the establishment of the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council. Tim Weiner wrote Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA. He said, In 1947, when you have creation of the CIA and the NSC, you have the production of literally billions of papers and billions of secrets contained within them. In the years since, U.S. intelligence and other agencies have redacted some unlikely information from the public. The list includes: A method for opening sealed letters without detection and a formula for secret ink from Germany during World War I. The information was redacted until 2011. The redaction in 2014 of remarks about the Cuban Missile Crisis made by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. The remarks were made 50 years earlier in a public speech. FBI files about actor Marilyn Monroes reported Communist sympathies were redacted until 2012, 50 years after her death. I'm Bryan Lynn. Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on Associated Press reports with additional materials from Merriam Webster and Department of Justice. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story collusion - n. secret cooperation for an illegal or dishonest purpose fraction - n. a part of something sympathy - n. a feeling of support for something The number of women working in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM fields in South Africa has not been very large. But programs aimed at girls there are beginning to change that. TechnoGirl is one example. Over about ten years, the program has worked to bring 11,000 high-school girls into these areas of study known as the STEM fields. TechnoGirl began in 2004 through a partnership. UNICEF, the United Nations childrens agency, the South Africa Department of Education and Uweso Trust joined their efforts to develop TechnoGirl. Each year, the program places girls between the ages of 15 and 18 in more than 200 companies in South Africa. The girls must be doing exceptionally well in school to qualify. After they are chosen, the girls stay at the companies for a three-year-period and receive mentorship from STEM professionals. The mentors also keep in contact with them throughout their university studies. Smart girls, few opportunities Raquel Sorota was a student in the program. She grew up in Johannesburgs Tembisa township with very little opportunity. She now works as a risk engineer at a top South African insurance company. Sorota was chosen for the program in 2009. Now, at age 24, she says it has changed her life. So I think a lot of what I took from the program was how it exposed me to the world of engineering. So I think for the longest time I never knew of how broad that world was and that I could have a place within that world, most importantly. Staff Sithole leads the company Uweso Trust and is the founder of TechnoGirl. She said the goal is more than just creating a new crop of workers. It is about changing the world and who runs it, she said. And, through the program, she aims to support gender equality in South Africa. Challenging barriers For high school students Gugulethu Zungu and Queen Makaile, the barriers are more than just lack of opportunity. Both have physical disabilities. They were born with rare genetic defects that have affected their appearance and health. Both were chosen to be in the program this year for their high marks in math and science. Zungu says the program led her to identify her dream career forensics and imagine possibilities beyond it. I like investigating and solving mysteries. And it actually makes me believe that, indeed, nothing is impossible. You just have to think out of the box. Makaile, who has struggled with hearing and vision problems because of her defect, says she now wants to become a journalist. She wants to show the world that her thoughts matter more than her looks. Since the program began, more than 5,000 young women have received scholarships to colleges and universities. For these girls, they say nothing will stand in their way. Im Alice Bryant. Anita Powell reported this story for VOA News. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English with additional information from UNICEF. The editor was Mario Ritter. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story mentorship n. the guidance provided by a mentor, especially an experienced person in a company or educational institution insurance n. an agreement in which a person regularly pays money to a company for the promise to receive a payment if the payer suffers some kind of loss gender n. the state of being male or female defect n. a problem that causes difficulty or makes someone less able to do normal things forensics n. the study or science of discovering why something happened or solving crimes by using scientific methods think out of the box expression. to think freely, not bound by old, nonfunctional, or limiting structures, rules or practices scholarship n. an amount of money that is paid by a school, group or individual to help pay for their education With more than 4,000 colleges and universities in the Unites States, it may seem like students have plenty of access to higher education. But that is not always the case for students from places like central Colorado or western Texas, for example. For high school students in rural areas, even going on a college visit may be difficult. That is part of why most colleges and universities employ officials known as recruiters. These people travel around the country to meet with students and bring them important information related to higher education. College recruiters may visit individual high schools or plan larger events where students from a wider area can speak with them. Many even travel to high schools outside the United States to attract international students. Recruiters help colleges and universities better identify the kinds of students they are looking to admit and stay in contact with them, says Ozan Jaquette. He is an assistant professors of education at the University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA). Jaquette says recruiting also usually means more students will apply to the school. And, students who meet with a recruiter may be more likely to choose to go to that school if they are admitted. This is a way of developing a stronger bond with students so they feel a sense of warmth about that university, because, Hey, this person from this university came and wanted speak to me, he told VOA. And its also kind of a means of a higher touch sales pitch. This deeper connection means a lot to underrepresented groups, like students who would be the first from their family to attend college. There are many possible first-generation college students in rural areas, Jaquette notes. He says those students are more likely to be unsure of whether they would fit in at a university. Yet, Jaquette and other researchers recently published a study suggesting that college recruiters are not actually visiting many rural communities. In fact, the study suggests few recruiters are meeting with students who may need their help the most. The researchers announced their findings through an opinion piece in the New York Times newspaper earlier this month. They looked at the recruiting efforts of about 150 U.S. colleges and universities in 2017. They found that recruiters at private colleges made about half their visits to high schools in areas where households make more than $100,000 a year, on average. Only about one-third of American households make that much money. Also, private college recruiters mostly visited private high schools, which most often serve students from wealthy families. The researchers also took a close look at 15 public colleges and universities. They found that at 12 of those schools, recruiters made more visits outside of the colleges home state than within it. And, most of those out-of-state trips were to wealthy, majority-white, suburban high schools schools just outside of cities. Jaquette says such recruiting plans work against the main purpose of public higher education -- which is to serve all kinds of students in a schools home state first. Some school officials have argued that it can be especially costly to visit rural schools, where recruiters may only speak with a few students. Also, states have greatly reduced their financial support for public higher education over the last 20 years. This means the schools depend more on tuition payments from students to cover operating costs. Out-of-state tuition costs are much higher than in-state fees. And wealthy out-of-state students require less financial assistance from the schools. So, out-of-state and international students have become much more attractive to recruiters. Faye Huie says this has an effect on rural communities; it may limit rural students abilities to succeed after high school. Huie is a researcher at the National Student Clearinghouse, an organization that supports American higher education. Huie helps produce a yearly report that gathers data on American high school students. Her groups 2018 report showed that students from both rural and urban high schools were 4 percent less likely to go to college right after graduating than students from suburban schools. Jamie Anthony is an admissions official at Carleton College. The school is in a small town about one hour outside the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Anthony says the school has actively taken steps to build relationships with rural high schools in the area. A lot of times it comes down to access to information, she said. And because theres not many given students at a given school theres not a lot of different examples of what the path after high school can look like. In 2012, Carleton established the Herb and Barbara Fritch Scholarship, which aims to offer financial support to middle-class students from rural areas and smaller cities. The year before the scholarship was launched, about 8 percent of Carletons students came from rural areas. Now, it is closer to 12 percent. Carleton is not the only school to make such efforts. The University of Chicago recently launched a summer program designed for rural students. UCLAs Ozan Jaquette says more schools should be doing the same. He noted that military and for-profit college recruiters seem to have no problem reaching rural high school students. Im Pete Musto. And Im Dorothy Gundy. Pete Musto reported this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. How easy is it for people in rural areas in your country to enter higher education? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Quiz - Study: Some US Colleges Fail to Reach Rural Students Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz Words in This Story access n. a way of being able to use or get something attract v. to cause someone to like or be interested in something apply v. to ask formally for something, such as a job, admission to a school, or a loan, usually in writing sales pitch n. a speech that you give in order to persuade someone to buy something suburban adj. living in or relating to a town or other area where people live in houses near a larger city tuition n. money that is paid to a school for the right to study there urban adj. of or relating to cities and the people who live in them graduating v. earning a degree or diploma from a school, college, or university scholarship n. an amount of money that is given by a school or an organization to a student to help pay for the student's education Hong Kong: Doctors to be treated equally Chief Executive Carrie Lam today expressed some concerns about a new plan proposed by doctors groups for overseas doctors to work in Hong Kong. Under the plan, non-locally trained specialist doctors who serve in the Hospital Authority, the Department of Health or the citys two university medical schools could be exempted from the internship requirement if certain conditions are met. Mrs Lam pointed out that the Hospital Authority is not only short of specialist doctors, but also frontline doctors. She noted the plan proposes to waive the internship requirements, but the terms are different for overseas doctors serving in different institutions. The terms are more stringent for doctors serving in the two university medical schools and the Department of Health who are required to stay longer in these institutions after passing the licensing examination, while overseas doctors in the Hospital Authority are required to stay for a shorter period. Mrs Lam said the Government would follow up with the doctors groups on their proposal and she hopes the final plan approved by the Medical Council would treat all overseas doctors equally. This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. " " Years after hackers emptied 24,000 individual Mt. Gox bitcoin accounts, none of the victims have received a single cent. Oliver Cleve/Getty Images It's bad enough having bitcoins vanish if the price drops on the ones you own and it's been moving around a lot in January 2018. But what if your bitcoin account is hacked? Or you lose the password to your account? More than 980,000 bitcoins have been stolen from online bitcoin exchanges since 2011. With bitcoin prices ricocheting between $10,000 and $17,000 so far in January 2018, that's between $9.8 billion and $16.6 billion in pilfered cryptocurrency. Two-thirds of that total was stolen during one massive attack on the Japan-based bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox in 2014. The Mt. Gox disaster serves as a warning to newbie bitcoin investors who blindly put their trust and tens of thousands of dollars of hard-earned cash in fly-by-night online bitcoin exchanges hosted halfway around the world. Years after hackers emptied 24,000 individual Mt. Gox bitcoin accounts, none of the victims have received a single cent. And thanks to a messy tangle of international lawsuits, they probably never will. Before we explain why it's nearly impossible to recoup lost or stolen bitcoin, here's a quick bitcoin primer. Bitcoin is an unregulated virtual currency or "cryptocurrency" that's run on a global, peer-to-peer computer network. To own bitcoin, you must create a bitcoin wallet on your computer, phone or on an external hardware device. What's confusing is that you don't store any actual bitcoin in your wallet. Instead, when you create the wallet, you're assigned a 64-digit private key. That private key is what allows you to buy and sell your bitcoin or send and receive bitcoin from other people. In other words, the private key is everything. And as many early investors in bitcoin have painfully realized, if you lose your private key, you lose your bitcoin. Advertisement I Lost My Key According to estimates by Chainanalysis, a security software company for bitcoin, between 2.7 and 3.7 million bitcoins are out of circulation because their owners lost their private keys on old hard drives and forgotten scraps of paper back when bitcoin was worth only pennies. There's supposedly a landfill in the UK containing a single trashed hard drive with a private key for more than 7,500 bitcoin that's around $100 million today. The good news is that most bitcoin wallets that you load on your phone, computer or an external device like a hardware wallet come with a 24-word recovery seed that can restore your private key if your device is lost or stolen. Bitcoin owners are encouraged to write the recovery seed words on a piece of paper (digital copies can be hacked) and store it somewhere safe. Like an actual safe. If you lose your private key and recovery seed, your bitcoin is gone. OK, that's not totally true. Your bitcoin still exists recorded for eternity on the shared virtual ledger called the blockchain but you'll never be able to touch it again. Sorry, but that's on you. Advertisement Here Come the Hackers But what if it's not your fault at all? What if, like the victims of the Mt. Gox attack, you (foolishly, maybe) trusted the sanctity of your private key to an online bitcoin exchange, and hackers came along and stole it? Is there any recourse to getting that bitcoin back? One big technical issue with storing your bitcoin on online exchanges is that they don't give you a copy of your private key, explains Andrew Miller, a cryptocurrency and computer security researcher and professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. So, there's no backup copy stashed away in a safe deposit box in case the exchange is hacked. Then there are the legal obstacles. Marc Wites is a Florida attorney who helped bring a class-action suit in 2016 against against Cryptsy, a U.S.-based online bitcoin exchange that was hacked in 2015 and robbed of around 13,000 bitcoin. Cryptsy subsequently filed for bankruptcy and claimed it couldn't repay the victims of the hack. A judge ruled that Cryptsy CEO Paul Vernon and his associates illegally funneled money from client accounts and ordered Vernon to pay $8.2 million to the class of plaintiffs. The problem is that Vernon fled to China and is unlikely to ever pay up. His ex-wife settled and agreed to forfeit a home and other assets valued at more than $1 million to partially reimburse the victims. Wites says that civil class action suits are one of the only effective ways to recoup stolen bitcoin, but even those are hard to come by, for two reasons. First, many exchanges are based outside the U.S. and require that suits be brought in foreign courts. Second, most exchanges make users sign terms and conditions that include forced arbitration of all disputes. Cryptsy was one that didn't. What about criminal charges? Wites says that victims of bitcoin theft are free to file a claim with the police, the FBI or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), but that authorities are unlikely to pursue cases involving a $10,000 or $20,000 loss. Most states don't even recognize bitcoin as legal tender, which further complicates criminal prosecutions. "If someone steals money from your PayPal, you have ways to recover it. The police will get involved," says Ana Maria Dascalescu with Heimdal Security. "With bitcoin, it's a free-for-all. There's no government that's going to step in, no banks that will vouch for it. The responsibility falls on the user alone." Now That's Good to Know What's the best way to keep your bitcoin safe? We compiled a list of tips from Ana Maria Dascalescu, Andrew Miller and Arseny Reutov with security firm Positive Technologies: Dont store large amounts of bitcoin with online exchanges or any bitcoin wallet thats connected to the internet. All websites, computers and phones have vulnerabilities that can be exploited. Instead, use a hardware wallet like Trezor or Ledger that stores your private key and is unreachable by hackers. But make sure you buy the devices from the official website, not a third party (Why? See this clever scam ). If you decide to use online bitcoin wallets for convenience, use a different email address and password for each. Dont post on social media that youve bought bitcoin. You might as well put a huge sign above your head, Please rip me off! says Dascalescu. Read More The SACS transatlantic fibre cable went live in September 2018, offering lower latency and improved connectivity between Africa and South America. The connection, owned by Angola Cables, runs between Fortaleza in Brazil and Luanda in Angola. Tests have shown that South African latency to Fortaleza decreases by 107ms through SACS, while substantial decreases have also been tracked to Miami. Early adopters In October 2018, Cool Ideas was the first South African ISP to go live on the SACS cable. Traceroutes performed by MyBroadband at the time showed that latency between South African and Brazil was nearly halved, while a substantial decrease in latency to the US was also recorded. Broadband Infraco also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Angola Cables in November 2018 regarding the use of its infrastructure, including the SACS cable. Andrew Matseke, CEO of Broadband Infraco, said that the partnership is crucial to the development of digital connectivity in South Africa. Through the Angola Cables subsea networks, SACS, and Monet, Broadband Infraco will have the ability to share international traffic and content, said Matseke. Angola Cables also announced in December that 6 more unnamed ISPs had signed deals with it over the use of their SACS and MONET cables. Antonio Nunes, CEO of Angola Cables, said that the combination of the SACS and MONET cables is a game-changer for the southern hemisphere. According to Nunes, the benefits of the SACS cable range from superior gaming performance to superior shares management on foreign exchanges. Teraco benefits from SACS cable South African data centre provider Teraco has also said that clients who use its Cape Town and Johannesburg data centres benefit from the SACS cable implementation. This is an exciting development and includes much needed investment into local infrastructure, said Jan Hnizdo, Teraco MD. Built with a direct purpose to boost business in South Africa, SACS will provide improved connectivity and significantly lower latency routing between Africa and the Americas. Nunes said that The SACS southern hemisphere, ultra-low latency routings present a massive opportunity for Teracos direct clients to access fast and reliable cross connections between Africa and the Americas. No plans to go live on SACS MyBroadband reached out to various fibre ISPs regarding their plans to utilise the SACS cable. RSAWeb told MyBroadband that while lower latency is an attractive idea, the ISP is ultimately driven by its customers demands. Due to the company finding that large CDNs represent the majority of its traffic growth, and the fact that most of these are hosted locally, the need to pick traffic up internationally has diminished, said RSAWeb. As a result, RSAWeb doesnt plan to directly utilise the SACS cable. Telkom also told MyBroadband that it has no plans to utilise the SACS cable. Telkom has sufficient capacity and resilience to cater for our requirements for the foreseeable future, Telkom explained. Vox also said that it has no plans to go live on SACS, while MyBroadband has learned that Internet Solutions has not elected to take any capacity with SACS. Afrihost had not provided comment at the time of publishing. Now read: Competition Tribunal examining CIVH purchase of Vumatel Reading Robert Muellers report, its hard not to feel like that frog who gets slowly boiled alive. Many of its most incendiary allegations had already been published elsewhere. We knew most of it, but now we really know: President Donald Trump really did order the White House counsel to have Mueller fired. Trump really was working on a Trump Tower Moscow project through at least June 2016. A Russian lawyer really met with campaign officials, including Jared Kushner and Donald Trump Jr., after promising an intermediary to deliver official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary. Others will weigh in on what it all means for the Trump presidency. As a technology reporter reading the report, I realized that I was partially submerged in another pot of boiling water. Several pages of the findings remind us that U.S. social media companies played an essential role in the Russian interference operation during the 2016 election. Muellers report is unambiguous about that fact. On page four it says, The Internet Research Agency (IRA) carried out the earliest Russian interference operations identified by the investigationa social media campaign designed to provoke and amplify political and social discord in the United States. The report says that interference began in 2014 and then evolved into an effort to support then-candidate Trump by early 2016. Facebook Inc. said that as many as 126 million people may have been touched by IRA. And Twitter Inc. alerted 1.4 million people that it believed had interacted with an IRA account, the report says. Facebook is mentioned 81 times. Twitter gets 71 mentions. Kudos to Google which only gets six mentionsmostly in the context of Trump administration officials naively googling people. For example: After receiving Papadopouloss name from [campaign official Joy] Lutes, [campaign co-chairman Sam] Clovis performed a Google search on Papadopoulos, learned that he had worked at the Hudson Institute, and believed that he had credibility on energy issues. Very thorough. In all seriousness, the broader findings raise a question thats every bit as serious as the search for proof of collusion: Are U.S. social media companies prepared for the next election? Facebook and Twitter have so far focused their preparation efforts on banning accounts, and deleting groups controlled by Russian agents. But that seems to be sort of a whack-a-mole approach, knocking out bad actors only after theyve made an impact. This seems like a time when we should be asking more fundamental questions about how Facebook and Twitter operate. And one central issue is that online, people often arent who they say they areand as a result, act with impunity. In some ways, thats liberating. Anonymity allows people who might otherwise be repressed or fearful to express their ideas. Its one of the wonders of the internet. But it also enables people, Russian or not, to act in all sorts of disingenuous ways. As a reporter interacting with trolls online, it can be frustrating to face accounts without any discernible identity. For instance, Id love to know whether people who Tweet on TSLA and TSLAQ are long or short the electric car companyand whether theyre earnest observers or users spinning their own mini-propaganda machines for their respective bets. While thats a silly example, there are far more terrifying ones. Countries like Venezuela, Iran and Bangladesh have all tried their hands at their own social media disinformation campaigns. And neo-Nazis have taken to impersonating Jews and other minorities online. The push and pull over online identity comes back to the central question of free speech online. But the alternative to anonymity isnt necessarily some central government-accessible database like were seeing in China. Its possible to imagine, for example, a sort of scaled-up version of verified Tweets. Social media companies could give people who prove that they run their Twitter account a bigger audience or more power to appear in replies. Twitter could even reward people who dont publish their name publicly, but are willing to prove that they live in the country they say they do. This isnt a fully baked plan, of course, and there are plenty of tradeoffs to be weighed. But the Mueller report should be a reminder that the status quo is not working, and probably wont be before votes are cast 2020. After all these years one central tenant of the internet has held true, proving far more insidious than it once appeared: On the internet, nobody knows youre a dog. Maybe they should. Now read: Trump says US must win race to develop 5G networks More than $46,000 was raised for 19 Ag Mechanics projects and a collaborative three-liter bottle of 2018 Zinfandel during the St. Helena Ag Boosters annual Rib Feed Dinner and Ag Mechanics Auction. Auctioneer Johnnie White nearly lost his voice at the end of the auction as he struggled to coax the last dollar out of a willing and generous audience that crowded into the Native Sons Hall on April 17. Several times he was ready to sell one of the lots when a new bidder raised their hand or their program, seeking to buy one of the 19 unique items. When he was selling a solid oak table, built by Collin Darrall, he told a male bidder, Dont let her beat you, as he got a bid for $2,700. Several hundred dollars later, he told the female bidder, Dont let him show you up. The beautiful table, made from a 100-year-old valley oak that had fallen on the family property, ended up selling for $3,300. Rutherford resident Rico Abreu, an alumnus of St. Helena High Schools Ag program, was active in the bidding, buying both a wine barrel wine rack, made by Larry Trattler, for $1,300 and making several bids to win an ironwood coffee table, built by Gannon Wilson. During the bidding for Wilsons coffee table, White almost sold it for $2,300, but then a new bidder came into the auction and bid $2,600. Abreu ultimately paid $3,100 for it. Catherine Durand and Lisa Drinkward were sitting in the front, clapping and cheering during the night, especially during the sale of Lot 17, a beautiful Sugar Pine bar, built by Hanna Martin. The two cheered as the bids were at $3,500 and then climbed to $4,000, which was the final bid. The two-and-a-quarter inch thick Sugar Pine board that was used for the top of the bar came from Cobb Mountain, following the September 2015 Valley Fire. It was milled from a burned and felled Sugar Pine. Bidding was heavy for the final Ag Mechanics project, a Blue Oak slab table, built by Mitchell Wilms. The wood for the table came from an old Blue Oak tree that grew on the Wilms family property in Pope Valley. The board were milled at the ranch and the slabs were brought to the SHHS Ag shop where they were treated with care and finished. The crowd cheered as bids reached $4,000, then $4,100. At the point, Auctioneer White told the crowd, Open up the checkbooks and lets go. This is the last item of the night youve got nothing else to buy. When he sought a $500 bid for an even $5,000, he got it and then he got another $500 bid for $5,500 in the back. That was the last bid, by Salvatore Martinez, who looked pleased that he had bought the beautiful table. Before the auction Before the rib dinner and live auction were held, Randy Mendes said it was hard to say how much the auction would raise, although he thought it would be over $30,000. Mendes joins Sarah Herdell and Judy Aschwanden as Ag teachers at St. Helena High School. Throughout St. Helena High, some 260 students, more than half of the entire student population, participate in Ag classes. In the Ag Mechanics pathway, Mendes said there are three different class levels, each that take a year: Intro to Ag mechanics, where students learn to use the tools in the wood and metal workshops; computer aided drafting, where they learn how to design projects; and the capstone class, Advanced Ag Mechanics, where students design and fabricate their projects, using both wood and metal. How much help do the students get? Mendes answered, Once they get to this level, it is pretty much giving suggestions and they are very proficient in the shop at this point. They are good welders, good woodworkers. This is their third year and some students chose to take the Advanced class in their third and fourth year. In the parking lot at the Native Sons Hall, the 19 projects were spread out. Garrett Pina said his project was a Vine T wine holder, which mounts on a wall. He said he saw one in a winery and was inspired to build one. It took him five months to build it and Pina said he got the vines from his friends, wherever we could find them, adding it took a couple of weeks to find the right vines. His project sold for $1,300. Both DeWayne Schooley and Jesse Cole made firepits; Schooleys had American flag motifs on the sides because everyone likes the red, white and blue, he said. He put bricks on the top, because they dont conduct heat, so people can put their hands on the bricks with no problem. Schooley, a senior, has been in the Future Farmers of America chapter for four years and the firepit was his second Ag Mechanics project. He said the firepit took a couple of months to build and it was harder than he first thought, because he measured a brick at the beginning of the process and based his design on those dimensions. But, then, that brick was smaller than the ones he bought, so he had to remake his firepit. But, in the end, I finished it and it came out looking beautiful, he added. It sold for $2,200. Cole is a junior at St. Helena High School and his project is both a table and firepit, because as he said you can get warm and also have room to set stuff down. He adds, This is a really good, all-in-one alternative. He used ironwood for the tabletop because its very dense and durable. Its fairly easy to clean, and if it gets grimy, he said, you can sand it and then it looks brand new. He started designing the project in August, began construction in October and finished it in March. It is his first project and before the auction began, he said hes hoping to get $600 to $700. That would be awesome, Id be really happy with it, Cole said. He said he probably save the money, for a vehicle or maybe school, later on. His firepit and table sold for $1,700. Raffle ticket wines The event also included a raffle drawing with 26 lots. Half of those were magnums of Napa Valley wines. The live auction also included a large, three-liter bottle of wine, a 2018-2019 Collaborative Winemaking Project, created by local vintners and students in the high schools Viticulture Class. Salvestrin Family Estate donated the grapes for the 2018 Zinfandel, which were from an Old Crane Ranch clone. It was produced and bottles at Davies Vineyards, with winemakers Sean Thompson and Jessica Koga. The barrel for the wine was donated by Tonnellerei O. 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. Graeme MacDonald qualifies as the unofficial or perhaps even the official historian of Napa Valleys famed To Kalon Vineyard area near Oakville. Its a very small niche, but Ive been enjoying it, said MacDonald, who farms a plot of To Kalon land himself and has just successfully ended a multi-year quest to file a To Kalon history with the Library of Congress. To Kalon is a vineyard started in 1868 by H.W. Crabb, an innovator in wine marketing and vineyard techniques. In modern times, the area has been linked with such wine country movers-and-shakers as Robert Mondavi and Andy Beckstoffer. The name has been involved in lawsuits because its presence on a wine label is seen as adding value, with a court case recently brought by The Vineyard House against To Kalon trademark-holder Constellation Brands. MacDonald said he is not involved with the legal wranglings. Rather, MacDonald is a man on a missionto tell the To Kalon tale to all who want to hear. This is a personal mission about a famous place entwined with his own family history. He hopes his two young daughters will someday be among the readers. It was really for me a great way to document the history for our children I want to leave something that explains why I am so passionate about it, MacDonald said. MacDonald in 2017 successfully petitioned the United States Board on Geographic Names to name a creek near his house To Kalon creek. Now he has spearheaded a 46-page recounting of To Kalons geologic and human history recently added to Historic American Landscapes Survey run by the National Park Service. The 825-acre area joins such locations as Scottys Castle in Death Valley and Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington, D.C. as part of the Historic American Landscapes Survey family. The program provides no land protections, but rather calls attention to and documents special places, with the results available to the world through the Library of Congress web page. Its a really interesting site to add, because Napa is so important to the history of wine-making in this country, said Chris Stevens, a landscape architect with the Historic American Landscapes Survey. To Kalon may be best known because of wine industry titans such as Mondavi, but it has also been home to small family farmers such as the MacDonalds. MacDonalds great-grandparents bought To Kalon land in 1954, though grape-growing fame had apparently passed it by. They soon began selling grapes to Mondavi and his familys Charles Krug Winery. Then they sold grapes to Mondavi after he opened his Robert Mondavi winery in To Kalon in 1966. MacDonald grew up in Marin County, with his parents leading a non-farming life. He decided during visits to his grandparents at the To Kalon property that he wanted to carry on the agricultural tradition of previous generations. One day you just open your eyes, you realize the vineyard is not just a place you run around and play in, MacDonald said. Today, MacDonald and his brother farm 15 acres of To Kalon grapes, with MacDonald doing such things as the tractor work. MacDonald and his wife Sarah live in a one-bedroom house there. Its sort of the way it used to be under my granddad, you take an active role in your farm, MacDonald said. The To Kalon history passion runs in the family. When studying viticulture and enology at UC Davis more than a decade ago, MacDonald came across a history of To Kalon in a school special collection. It had been written in 1978 by his great-uncle. MacDonald describes his To Kalon historical research efforts as a hobby. About five years ago, he took this hobby to a new level. He found out about the Historic American Landscapes Survey on the internet and called up a program official, who by coincidence was about to visit Napa. The two met and MacDonald received encouragement to write a To Kalon account for the survey. He was extremely excited, MacDonald said. He told me their purpose is to preserve and document the history. Its very much a way to honor the history and preserve it for future generations. MacDonalds report starts off like a James Michener novel it looks back 140 million years. He tells how the movement of tectonic plates, the uplifting of mountains and erosion-created alluvial soil resulted in the famed To-Kalon terroir. Then he tells the Native American and subsequent history before reaching pioneer days. H.W. Crabb, an Ohio native, bought the first 240 acres of To-Kalon in 1868. He tried growing table grapes, but didnt make much money and turned to wine-making. His wine venture needed a name and Crabb initially settled on Hermosa Vineyards. He collected grapevine varieties from around the world and experimented to find out what best suited Napa Valley. He found Cabernet Sauvignon to be among the best long before it became a Napa signature grape. By 1878, his annual wine production exceeded 100,000 gallons. He began marketing his wine by opening his own sales agencies throughout the United States. His wine production by 1890 topped 200,000 gallons annually. Along the way, Crabb decided his venture needed a new name and in 1886 chose To Kalon. The Greek philosopher Aristotle linked the word kalon to virtuous action undertaken for the sake of the noble or beautiful. Crabbs vines were hit in the late 1800s by the phylloxera root louse. His acres of planted vineyards decreased from 500 to 120. Crabb experimented with alternate rootstocks. In 1899, he suffered a stroke while riding his horse and soon after died. The St. Helena Star in Crabbs obituary called Crabb a liberal and enterprising man who watched with renowned courage as his devastated vineyards began making a comeback, hoping for the day when his estate could once again return to its former wine-making levels. When Crabb died, he owed $233,523 to creditors and his property and inventory were valued at $221,523. MacDonald doesnt end the To-Kalon tale with Crabb. He keeps going until his own family enters the history and on until the present day, all of it with footnotes, with help from such people as geologist David Howell, who co-wrote The Winemakers Dance: Exploring Terroir in Napa Valley. MacDonalds wife Sarah created maps. The Historic American Landscapes Survey is part of a trio of similar federal programs, along with the Historic American Buildings Survey for buildings and Historic American Engineering Record for structures such as bridges. These programs document some 50,000 sites, Stevens said. The biggest users of the three programs are students in grades kindergarten through 12, Stevens said. Napa County has two sites listed under the Historic American Landscapes Survey. There is To Kalon, of course, and also Elmshaven, a Victorian home on Glass Mountain Lane east of St. Helena that is significant in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Go to http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/ca4339 to view the To Kalon history. A search at the site also reveals dozens of Napa County photos and histories on file with the Library of Congress, many under the Historic American Building Survey and Historic American Engineering Record programs. After naming a creek and writing a history thats in the Library of Congress, whats next for MacDonald besides growing grapes and making wine? Thats a good question, MacDonald said with a laugh. My wife told me I have to start raising the children. Take a bit of a break and theres always something else. Pop the cork on Napa Valley wine! Discover the hidden stories of Napa Valley wine and the people behind it -- plus expert analysis from our columnists and more with our weekly email newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Napa County Library has received a $25,390 grant from the California Coastal Commission to support its upcoming H20 Superheroes program. The H20 Superheroes program will emphasize what our community can do to keep the waterways healthy and how Napa River's health affects the ocean. The program invites families and the public to learn, serve and protect Napa's waterways through an engaging series of library programs, books, materials, and activities that focus on waterway conservation and stewardship. This 18 to 20 month series, starting the end of April will include eco-tainment shows, local wildlife lectures, special storytimes, river hikes, clean- up days, and a variety of new materials available for check out such as books, birding, and litter clean-up kits. The program will be in partnership with Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD), Napa- Solano Audubon Society and Friends of the Napa River. As part of the Library's strategic planning, staff conducted a Community Conversation, which revealed that residents wanted to see a wider variety of family activities focused on local community involvement, organizers said in a news release. In response, Ann Davis, Jennifer Knell, and Kelli Crouch consulted with RCD's Frances Knapczyk to develop the H20 Superheroes program. The Napa Main, American Canyon, Yountville, and Calistoga Libraries will serve as a hub for providing opportunities that not only promote library usage, but provide purposeful family friendly activities and resources that positively impact our local waterways and ocean. For more information, please visit our events page at www.napalibrarv.org. or visit the Napa Main, American Canyon, Yountville or Calistoga Library. Starting April 28, you may sign up to become an H20 Superhero at www.napalibrary.org/H20. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Now that we finally have the (redacted) report from Robert Mueller's investigation into the Russia scandal, we have many questions to confront, such as whether President Donald Trump should be impeached. But the report has also given us many answers, and it's worthwhile to step back and take careful note of what it has clarified. There are some things that were matters of dispute or insufficiently documented before, but are no longer in question. Let's run through them: 1. Vladimir Putin very much wanted Trump to become president of the United States, and undertook a comprehensive campaign to make sure it happened. At this point Trump may be the only person left in America who disagrees with this fact - or pretends to, anyway - but Mueller's report makes it irrefutable. 2. Trump, his family, and his campaign may not have set up a criminal conspiracy to cooperate with Russia, but they were eager to accept the help. This, too, was widely known, but Mueller provides exhaustive detail on just how enthusiastic Trump and those around him were about Russia's interference in the election: There were not just extensive contacts with Russians they hoped would help them; they also gleefully welcoming Russia's cybertheft of Democrats. As the Lawfare team puts it, the best that can be said of them is that "the Russians and the Trump campaign shared a common goal, and each side worked to achieve that goal with basic knowledge of the other side's intention." 3. The president's attempts to obstruct justice were comprehensive and far-reaching. Mueller's report documents in extensive detail the actions Trump took to subvert the investigation, including urging officials to pressure the FBI, trying to fire the special counsel, and lying to the public. We can argue about the degree to which Trump could be held legally accountable or whether the intervention of his aides (or more often, their refusal to act) kept those actions from crossing the line into criminality. But there is no longer any question that Trump attempted to obstruct justice. 4. Everyone around the president, and the president himself, acted as though they had something to hide on Russia. Donald Trump Jr. lied about the infamous Trump Tower meeting. George Papadopoulos lied to the FBI about the outreach from Russia that began the investigation. Michael Flynn lied to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador. Michael Cohen lied to Congress about the effort to secure Trump a multimillion-dollar deal to build a tower in Moscow. Paul Manafort lied about his relationship to the likely Russian intelligence asset to whom he passed polling data. Roger Stone allegedly lied about his contacts with Wikileaks. Donald Trump seemingly lied every time Russia came up. If they were all innocent, they certainly weren't acting like it. 5. Trump regularly instructs aides to lie to the public. Trump told Rod Rosenstein to claim that firing James Comey was his idea. Rosenstein refused, but Sean Spicer later told the lie to the press. Trump dictated a false statement to Hope Hicks for Don Jr. to release about the infamous Trump Tower meeting. He instructed Don McGahn to arrange for Mueller to be fired, then when the news got out, told McGahn to publicly deny it. He told Reince Priebus to tell. KT McFarland to write a false email claiming that Trump never spoke to Michael Flynn about Flynn's conversations with the Russian ambassador. If you're having trouble following all this, that's okay - the point is that Trump regularly ordered his aides to lie; sometimes they complied and sometimes they didn't. There are also doubtless times when Trump aides lie on their own initiative, within a White House culture in which lying is just what everyone does. Sarah Sanders claimed that "countless" FBI agents contacted the White House to express support for the firing of James Comey; she admitted to investigators that this was false (though she now claims it was a "slip of the tongue," another obvious lie). 6. Nearly everything Trump called "fake news" turned out to be true. While news outlets may have made the occasional mistake (as they do on any story), over and over again important revelations were greeted by the president with the cry of "Fake news!," only to be corroborated by the Mueller report. For instance, Trump claimed that reports that he had shooed other officials from the room so he could speak to Comey about Flynn were fake; Mueller concludes that the known facts "support Comey's description of the event." Trump called reports that he ordered Mueller's firing fake; these are extensively documented in the report. 7. Trump has no concern about whether his actions are illegal or unethical. While we have a lengthy record demonstrating Trump's unethical and even lawbreaking ways - running scams that steal people's life savings, abusing small businesspeople, committing tax fraud - the Mueller report documents how he brought that lack of moral compass to the Oval Office. It shows his boundless willingness to lie and have others lie for him, his complete disregard for any norm of integrity or propriety, and his belief that the entire United States government exists to serve his personal ends. There were times when those around him, struck by a sudden attack of conscience or pushed beyond even their rather flexible limits, decide to push back: "The President's efforts to influence the investigation were mostly unsuccessful, but that is largely because the persons who surrounded the President declined to carry out orders or accede to his requests." But it leaves little doubt about who the president is and what kind of administration he is running. This is a president who is deeply, profoundly corrupt in every sense of the word. While we can argue about what should be done about the facts laid out in the Mueller report, that is no longer in doubt. Paul Waldman is an opinion writer for the Washington Post's Plum Line blog. The Mueller report has been publishedand I am vindicated. But not only me: Everyone who began writing about the weird connections between Donald Trumps presidential campaign and the Russian government in the spring and summer of 2016, is vindicated. As it turns out, the Russian attempts to assist the Trump campaign were deep and broad, and those who described them, even if tentatively at first, were right to do so. For me, the turning point was Trumps decision to hire Paul Manafort, who I knew had spent several previous years supporting pro-Russian political leaders in Ukraine. Manafort was famous for using polarizing campaign tactics and sleazy dirty tricks to help his clients win; he helped form the corrupt and lawless world of Ukrainian politics, one in which anything goesand where, on Sunday, a television comedian is probably going to be elected president. I predicted that Manafort would help Ukrainianize American politics. And he did. The role played in the 2016 campaign by conspiracy theories, disinformation, online troll and bot campaigns, as well as hacked emailsall tactics previously tested by the Russian government in Ukraine and elsewhere in Eastern Europewas enormous. Special counsel Robert Mueller did not, as we know, find a moment when the Trump campaign sat down with representatives of the Russian state so that they could coordinate their tactics in a manner that could be described as illegal. I am not surprised by that finding: I have never thought that Trump functioned as a Russian agent, and I have always thought that Trumps public behaviorthings that we all could see and hearwas sufficient to disqualify him for the presidency. But if what the president did was not illegal, it was certainly immoral. As David Frumhas written, Its not a theory but a matter of historical record that Vladimir Putins Russia hacked American emails and used them to help elect Trump to the presidency. Its also a matter of historical record that the Trump campaign approved of this interference; indeed, they cheered it on. There is a lot inside the Mueller report, and it will all take many weeks to digest. But two things remain unexplained. One is the question of messaging. Why was Trump, all through the latter part of the 2016 campaign, repeating and using slogans that were originally conceived on Russian state media? Obama founded ISIS and Hillary Clinton will cause World War Three: These were slogans first used by Sputnik and other Russian sources. We still dont know how Trump and his campaign happened to use the same conspiracy theories that the Russians were using, or happened to be promoting the same conspiracy theories online. I speculated, at one point, that campaign data might have been shared. And, indeed, Mueller did find exactly that: Manafort and deputy campaign chairman Rick Gates were sharing data with Konstantin Kilimnik, whom the FBI believes to be a Russian intelligence operative: Gates periodically sent such polling data to Kilimnik during the campaign. But there is no further information about how that data might have been usedand no explanation of why the online tactics used by the Russian military intelligence agency and the Trump campaign were so similar. The second, bigger question concerns Trumps longer-term, and indeed present-day, relationship with Russia. The presidents business and personal links to Russia and Russians go back many decades, to the Mikhail Gorbachev era, including the Russian money pouring in, as Donald Trump Jr. put it, to the familys U.S. properties. Trump Sr.was praising Putin on CNN as far back as 2013. Trump was working on business deals in Russiawhich he lied about, repeatedlythrough most of the 2016 campaign, as the Mueller report explains in great detail. Trumps performance when standing next to the Russian president in Helsinki last July was bizarre: The sight of the American president cringing before the Russian president was shocking. (Watch it again if youve forgotten.) His repeated attempts to hold secret talks with Putin, with no U.S. officials present, might not be illegal. But neither are they normal, or acceptable, or comparable to the behavior of any previous American president. Trumps evident fear of Muellers investigation and his attempts to obstruct it are now a matter of record. But why was he so afraid, and why did he try to obstruct? Which piece of his past relationship with Russia, or Russians, did he fear might emerge? We still dont know. And now, it seems, we might never know. Anne Applebaum is a Washington Post columnist, covering national politics and foreign policy, with a special focus on Europe and Russia. She is also a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and a professor of practice at the London School of Economics. She is a former member of The Washington Posts editorial board. Anne Applebaum is a Washington Post columnist, covering national politics and foreign policy, with a special focus on Europe and Russia. She is also a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and a professor of practice at the London School of Economics. She is a former member of The Washington Post's editorial board. Nepals premier airline Buddha Air is all set to operate flights between Kathmandu and Guwahati from August 3. The airline company will be operating two flights at 7 am every Tuesday and Saturday between Kathmandu and Guwahati. The flight route between the two cities will help in boosting connectivity, trade and cultural ties between Nepal and the northeastern region of India. Buddha Air is already operating two weekly flights between Kathmandu and Varanasi and will be launching three flights weekly between Kathmandu and Kolkata from May 27. The airline was established as a Private Limited Company by Surendra Bahadur Basnet, a retired Supreme Court judge and former government minister and his son Birendra Bahadur Basnet on April 23, 1996. Also read: Three killed, four seriously injured as plane collides with chopper in Nepal The company is based in Jawalakhel in Lalitpur district of Nepal and it commenced its operations from October 11, 1997. Buddha Air announced the flight route between Kathmandu and Guwahati through its Twitter account. The company tweeted, Our Next International Destination: Guwahati. We will be operating two flights at 7 am every Tuesday and Saturday between Kathmandu and Guwahati. We hope to see you on board. Note: Illustrative images NSFW. This article was originally published on this site for Easter, 2003. ENJOY!Reading from Compton's Pictured Encyclopedia, 1948, Volume 4, page 140, we find that Easter is the Greatest Festival of the Christian Church, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ - which festival was named after the ancient Anglo Saxon Goddess of Spring!The greatest festival of the Christian church commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a movable feast, that is, it is not always held on the same date. The church council of Nicea (a.d. 325) decided that Easter should be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox (March 21). Easter can come as early as March 22 or as late as April 25.The name Easter comes from the ancient Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, Eostre or Ostara, in whose honor an annual spring festival was held. Some of our Easter customs have come from this and other pre-Christian spring festivals. Others come from the Passover feast of the Jews, observed in memory of their deliverance from Egypt (see Passover). The word ''paschal,'' meaning ''pertaining to Easter,'' like the French word for Easter, Paques, comes through the Latin from the Hebrew name of the Passover.Unger's Bible Dictionary, by Merrill F. Unger, 1957, page 283, goes on to corroborate this fact, saying:Easter (Gr. pascha, from Heb. pesah), the Passover, and so translated in every passage excepting ''intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people'' (Acts 12:4). In the earlier English versions Easter had been frequently used as the translation of pascha. At the last revision Passover was substituted in all passages but this.The word Easter is of Saxon origin, Eastra, the goddess of spring, in whose honor sacrifices were offered about Passover time each year. By the 8th century Anglo-Saxons had adopted the name to designate the celebration of Christ's resurrection.It is a fully documented historical fact that the day which was chosen by the Christian Church to celebrate this resurrection, was a day which had been celebrated by pagans from antiquity! Yes, the only difference between these two celebrations, is the fact that its name was changed to veneer it with Christian Respectability!It is simply no secret that EASTER originated with the WORSHIP OF A PAGAN GODDESS! This fact is presented almost every time one researches the word Easter.Compton's Encyclopedia, 1956, Volume 4, says this about Easter:''Many Easter customs come from the Old World...colored eggs and rabbits have come from pagan antiquity as symbols of new life...our name 'Easter' comes from 'Eostre', an ancient Anglo Saxon goddess, originally of the dawn. In pagan times an annual spring festival was held in her honor. Some Easter customs have come from this and other pre-christian spring festivals.''Reading about this Pre-Christian spring festival from Funk & Wagnall's Standard Reference Encyclopedia, 1962, Volume 8, page 2940, we learn:Although Easter is a Christian festival, it embodies traditions of an ancient time antedating the rise of Christianity. The origin of its name is lost in the dim past; some scholars believe it probably is derived from Eastre, Anglo-Saxon name of a Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility, to whom was dedicated Eastre monath, corresponding to April. Her festival was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox, and traditions associated with the festival survive in the familiar Easter bunny, symbol of the fertile rabbit, and in the equally familiar colored Easter eggs originally painted with gay hues to represent the sunlight of spring.Such festivals, and the myths and legends which explain their origin, abounded in ancient religions. The Greek myth of the return of the earth-goddess Demeter from the underworld to the light of day, symbolizing the resurrection of life in the spring after the long hibernation of winter, had its counterpart, among many others, in the Latin legend of Ceres and Persephone. The Phrygians believed that their all-powerful deity went to sleep at the time of the winter solstice, and they performed ceremonies at the spring equinox to awaken him with music and dancing. The universality of such festivals and myths among ancient peoples has led some scholars to interpret the resurrection of Christ as a mystical and exalted variant of fertility myths.The Dictionary of Mythology, Folklore, and Symbols, Part 1, page 487 tells us more about this Spring Festival:''It incorporates some of the ancient Spring Equinox ceremonies of sun worship in which there were phallic rites and spring fires, and in which the deity or offering to the deity was eaten...The festival is symbolized by an ascension Lily...a chick breaking its shell, the colors white and green, the egg, spring flowers, and the Rabbit. The name is related to Astarte, Ashtoreth, Eostre and Ishtar, goddess who visited and rose from the underworld. Easter yields 'Enduring Eos'... 'Enduring Dawn'.''Part of this spring festival centered around Phallic Rites. Collier's Encyclopedia, 1980, Volume 9, page 622, tells us of the Babylonian Ishtar Festival Phallic Rites:The Ishtar Festivals were symbolical of Ishtar as the goddess of love or generation. As the daughter of Sin, the moon god, she was the Mother Goddess who presided over child birth; and women, in her honor, sacrificed their virginity on the feast day or became temple prostitutes, their earnings being a source of revenue for the temple priests and servants.We learn about these Temple Prostitutes from The Interpreter's Dictionary of The Bible, Volume 3, pages 933-934: a. The roll of the sacred prostitute in the fertility cult. The prostitute who was an official of the cult in ancient Palestine and nearby lands of biblical times exercised an important function. This religion was predicated upon the belief that the processes of nature were controlled by the relations between gods and goddesses. Projecting their understanding of their own sexual activities, the worshipers of these deities, through the use of imitative magic, engaged in sexual intercourse with devotees of the shrine, in the belief that this would encourage the gods and goddesses to do likewise. Only by sexual relations among the deities could man's desire for increase in herds and fields, as well as in his own family, be realized. In Palestine the gods Baal and Asherah were especially prominent (see BAAL; ASHERAH; FERTILITY CULTS). These competed with Yahweh the God of Israel and, in some cases, may have produced hybrid Yahweh-Baal cults. Attached to the shrines of these cults were priests as well as prostitutes, both male and female. Their chief service was sexual in nature__the offering of their bodies for ritual purposes.Sexual relations for ritual purposes was the ceremony for the Fertility Cults. The Interpreter's Dictionary, Volume 2, page 265 says:The oldest common feature of the religions of the ancient Near East was the worship of a great mother-goddess, the personification of fertility. Associated with her, usually as a consort, was a young god who died and came to life again, like the vegetation which quickly withers but blooms again. The manner of the young god's demise was variously conceived in the myths: he was slain by another god, by wild animals, by reapers, by self-emasculation, by burning, by drowning. In some variations of the theme, he simply absconded. His absence produced infertility of the earth, of man, and of beast. His consort mourned and searched for him. His return brought renewed fertility and rejoicing.In Mesopotamia the divine couple appear as Ishtar and Tammuz, in Egypt as Isis and Osiris. Later in Asia Minor, the Magna Mater is Cybele and her young lover is Attis. In Syria in the second millennium b.c., as seen in the Ugaritic myths, the dying and rising god is Baal-Hadad, who is slain by Mot (Death) and mourned and avenged by his sister/consort, the violent virgin Anath. In the Ugaritic myths there is some confusion in the roles of the goddesses. The great mother-goddess Asherah, the wife of the senescent chief god El, seems on the way to becoming the consort of the rising young god Baal, with whom we find her associated in the O.T.Ashtarte also appears in the Ugaritic myths, but she has a minor and undistinguished role.The O.T. furnishes abundant evidence as to the character of the religion of the land into which the Israelites came. Fertility rites were practiced at the numerous shrines which dotted the land, as well as at the major sanctuaries. The Israelites absorbed the Canaanite ways and learned to identify their god with Baal, whose rains brought fertility to the land. A characteristic feature of the fertility cult was sacral sexual intercourse by priests and priestesses and other specially consecrated persons, sacred prostitutes of both sexes, intended to emulate and stimulate the deities who bestowed fertility. The agricultural cult stressed the sacrifice or common meal in which the gods, priests, and people partook. Wine was consumed in great quantity in thanksgiving to Baal for the fertility of the vineyards. The wine also helped induce ecstatic frenzy, which was climaxed by self-laceration, and sometimes even by self-emasculation. Child-sacrifice was also a feature of the rites. It was not simply a cult of wine, women, and song, but a matter of life and death in which the dearest things of life, and life itself, were offered to ensure the ongoing of life.(pronounced EASTER) of Assyria was worshiped in Pagan Antiquity during her spring festival! Collier's Encyclopedia, 1980, Volume 15, page 748, gives us this information:Ishtar, goddess of love and war, the most important goddess of the Sumero-Akkadian pantheon. Her name in Sumerian is Inanna (lady of heaven). She was sister of the sun god Shamash and daughter of the moon god Sin. Ishtar was equated with the planet Venus. Her symbol was a star inscribed in a circle. As goddess of war, she was often represented sitting upon a lion. As goddess of physical love, she was patron of the temple prostitutes. She was also considered the merciful mother who intercedes with the gods on behalf of her worshipers. Throughout Mesopotamian history she was worshiped under various names in many cities; one of the chief centers of her cult was Uruk.Astarte of Phoenicia was the offshoot of Ishtar of Assyria. To the Hebrews, this abomination was known as Ashtoreth__Ashtoroth. From Collier's Encyclopedia, Volume 3, page 13, we read:[(terath] the plural of the Hebrew 'Ashto-reth, the Phoenician-Canaanite goddess Astarte, deity of fertility, reproduction, and war. The use of the plural form probably indicates a general designation for the collective female deities of the Canaanites, just as the plural Baalim refer to the male deities.Watson's Biblical and Archaeological Dictionary, 1833, tells us more about this mother goddess, Ashtaroth:ASHTAROTH, or ASTARTE, a goddess of the Zidonians. The word Ashtaroth properly signifies flocks of sheep, or goats; and sometimes the grove, or woods, because she was goddess of woods, and groves were her temples. In groves consecrated to her, such lasciviousness was committed as rendered her worship infamous. She was also called the queen of heaven; and sometimes her worship is said to be that of ''the host of heaven.'' She was certainly represented in the same manner as Isis, with cow's horns on her head, to denote the increase and decrease of the moon. Cicero calls her the fourth Venus of the Syrians. She is almost always joined with Baal, and is called a god, the scriptures having no particular word to express a goddess.It is believed that the moon was adored in this idol. Her temples generally accompanied those of the sun; and while bloody sacrifices or human victims were offered to Baal, bread, liquors, and perfumes were presented to Astarte. For her, tables were prepared upon the flat terrace-roofs of houses, near gates, in porches, and at crossways, on the first day of every month; and this was called by the Greeks, Hecate's supper. Solomon, seduced by his foreign wives, introduced the worship of Ashtaroth into Israel; but Jezebel, daughter of the king of Tyre, and wife to Ahab, principally established her worship. She caused altars to be erected to this idol in every part of Israel; and at one time four hundred priests attended the worship of Ashtaroth, I Kings xviii. 7.The Interpreter's Dictionary, Volume 3, page 975, tells us of Ishtar's role as The Queen of Heaven:Ishtar, the goddess of love and fertility, who was identified with the Venus Star and is actually entitled ''Mistress of Heaven'' in the Amarna tablets. The difficulty is that the Venus Star was regarded in Palestine as a male deity (see DAY STAR), though the cult of the goddess Ishtar may have been introduced from Mesopotamia under Manasseh. It is possible that Astarte, or ASHTORETH, the Canaanite fertility-goddess, whose cult was well established in Palestine, had preserved more traces of her astral character as the female counterpart of Athtar than the evidence of the O.T. or the Ras Shamra texts indicates. The title ''Queen of Heaven'' is applied in an Egyptian inscription from the Nineteenth Dynasty at Beth-shan to ''Antit,'' the Canaanite fertility-goddess Anat, who is termed ''Queen of Heaven and Mistress of the Gods.'' This is the most active goddess in the Ras Shamra Texts, but in Palestine her functions seem to have been taken over largely by Ashtoreth.We find this information about Ashtoreth from The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 1979, Volume 1, pages 319-320:ASHTORETH ash'te-reth [Heb. 'astoret. pl. 'astarot; Gk. Astarte]. A goddess of Canaan and Phoenicia whose name and cult were derived from Babylonia, where Ishtar represented the evening and morning stars and was accordingly androgynous in origin. Under Semitic influence, however, she became solely female, although retaining a trace of her original character by standing on equal footing with the male divinities. From Babylonia the worship of the goddess was carried to the Semites of the West, and in most instances the feminine suffix was attached to her name; where this was not the case the deity was regarded as a male. On the MoabiteStone, for example, 'Ashtar is identified with Chemosh, and in the inscriptions of southern Arabia 'Athtar is a god. On the other hand, in the name Atargatis (2 Macc. 12:26), 'Atar, without the feminine suffix, is identified with the goddess 'Athah or 'Athi (Gk. Gatis). The cult of the Greek Aphrodite in Cyprus was borrowed from that of Ashtoreth; that the Greek name also is a modification of Ashtoreth is doubtful. It is maintained, however, that the vowels of Heb. 'astoret were borrowed from boset (''shame'') in order to indicate the abhorrence the Hebrew scribes felt toward paganism and idolatry.In Babylonia and Assyria Ishtar was the goddess of love and war. An old Babylonian legend relates how the descent of Ishtar into Hades in search of her dead husband Tammuz was followed by the cessation of marriage and birth in both earth and heaven; and the temples of the goddess at Nineveh and Arbela, around which the two cities afterward grew, were dedicated to her as the goddess of war. As such she appeared to one of Ashurbanipal's seers and encouraged the Assyrian king to march against Elam. The other goddesses of Babylonia, who were little more than reflections of a god, tended to merge into Ishtar, who thus became a type of the female divinity, a personification of the productive principle in nature, and more especially the mother and creatress of mankind.In Babylonia Ishtar was identified with Venus. Like Venus, Ishtar was the goddess of erotic love and fertility. Her chief seat of worship was Uruk (Erech), where prostitution was practiced in her name and she was served with immoral rites by bands of men and women. In Assyria, where the warlike side of the goddess was predominant, no such rites seem to have been practiced, and instead prophetesses to whom she delivered oracles were attached to her temples.From various Egyptian sources it appears that Astarte or Ashtoreth was highly regarded in the Late Bronze Age.Reading on pages 412-413 of Unger's Bible Dictionary, we find this information about Ashtoreth-Astarte:Ash'toreth (ash'to-reth), Astarte, a Canaanite goddess. In south Arabic the name is found as 'Athtar (apparently from 'athara, to be fertile, to irrigate), a god identified with the planet Venus. The name is cognate with Babylonian Ishtar, the goddess of sensual love, maternity and fertility. Licentious worship was conducted in honor of her. As Asherah and Anat of Ras Shamra she was the patroness of war as well as sex and is sometimes identified with these goddesses. The Amarna Letters present Ashtoreth as Ashtartu. In the Ras Shamra Tablets are found both the masculine form 'Athtar and the feminine 'Athtart. Ashtoreth worship was early entrenched at Sidon (I Kings 11:5, 33; II Kings 23:13). Her polluting cult even presented a danger to early Israel (Judg. 2:13; 10:6). Solomon succumbed to her voluptuous worship (I Kings 11:5; II Kings 23:13). The peculiar vocalization Ashtoreth instead of the more primitive Ashtaroth is evidently a deliberate alteration by the Hebrews to express their abhorrence for her cult by giving her the vowels of their word for ''shame'' (bosheth). M. F. U.The Interpreter's Dictionary, Volume 1, page 252 says:The antipathy toward the Asherah on the part of the Hebrew leaders was due to the fact that the goddess and the cult object of the same name were associated with the fertility religion of a foreign people and as such involved a mythology and a cultus which were obnoxious to the champions of Yahweh.Unger's Bible Dictionary, page 412, gives us this information about Asherah:Asherah (a-she'ra), plural, Asherim, a pagan goddess, who is found in the Ras Shamra epic religious texts discovered at Ugarit in North Syria (1929-1937), as Asherat, ''Lady of the Sea'' and consort of El. She was the chief goddess of Tyre in the 15th century b.c. with the appellation Qudshu, ''holiness.'' In the Old Testament Asherah appears as a goddess by the side of Baal, whose consort she evidently came to be, at least among the Canaanites of the South. However, most Biblical references to the name point clearly to some cult object of wood, which might be worshiped or cut down and burned, and which was certainly the goddess' image (I Kings 15:13; II Kings 21:7). Her prophets are mentioned (I Kings l8:19) and the vessels used in her service referred to (II Kings 23:4). Her cult object, whatever it was, was utterly detestable to faithful worshipers of Yahweh (I Kings 15:13) and was set up on the high places beside the ''altars of incense'' (hammanim) and the stone pillars (masseboth). Indeed, the stone pillars seem to have represented the male god Baal (cf. Judg. 6:28), while the cult object of Ashera, probably a tree or pole, constituted a symbol of this goddess (See W. L. Reed's The Asherah in the Old Testament, Texas Christian University Press). But Asherah was only one manifestation of a chief goddess of Western Asia, regarded now as the wife, now as the sister of the principal Canaanite god El. Other names of this deity were Ashtoreth (Astarte) and Anath. Frequently represented as a nude woman bestride a lion with a lily in one hand and a serpent in the other, and styled Qudshu ''the Holiness,'' that is, ''the Holy One'' in a perverted moral sense, she was a divine courtesan. In the same sense the male prostitutes consecrated to the cult of the Qudshu and prostituting themselves to her honor were styled qedishim, ''sodomites'' (Deut. 23:18; 1 Kings 14:24; 15:12; 22:46). Characteristically Canaanite the lily symbolizes grace and sex appeal and the serpent fecundity (W. F. Albright, Archaeology and the Religion of Israel, Baltimore, John Hopkins Press, 1942, pages 68-94). At Byblos (Biblical Gebal) on the Mediterranean, north of Sidon, a center dedicated to this goddess has been excavated. She and her colleagues specialized in sex and war and her shrines were temples of legalized vice. Her degraded cult offered a perpetual danger of pollution to Israel and must have sunk to sordid depths as lust and murder were glamorized in Canaanite religion.On page 413 of Unger's Bible Dictionary, we have found that Astarte is the Greek name for the Hebrew Ashtoreth. From Collier's Encyclopedia, Volume 3, page 97, we find that Astarte-Ashtaroth is merely the Semitic Ishtar__which we have already learned is pronounced Easter:ASTARTE [aesta'rti], the Phoenician goddess of fertility and erotic love. The Greek name, ''Astarte'' was derived from Semitic, ''Ishtar,'' ''Ashtoreth.'' Astarte was regarded in Classical antiquity as a moon goddess, perhaps in confusion with some other Semitic deity. In accordance with the literary traditions of the Greco-Romans, Astarte was identified with Selene and Artemis, and more often with Aphrodite. Among the Canaanites, Astarte, like her peer Anath, performed a major function as goddess of fertility.Egyptian iconography, however, portrayed Astarte in her role as a warlike goddess massacring mankind, young and old. She is represented on plaques (dated 1700-1100 b.c.) as naked, in striking contrast to the modestly garbed Egyptian goddesses. Edward J. JurjiIn Ephesus from primitive times, this MOTHER GODDESS had been called DIANA, who was worshiped as the Goddess of Virginity and Motherhood. She was said to represent the generative powers of nature, and so was pictured with many breasts. A tower shaped crown, symbolizing the Tower of Babylon, adorned her head:Reading from Bible Manners And Customs, by James M. Freeman, 1972, page 451, we learn these facts about the Mother of all things: ''The circle round her head denotes the nimbus (sin circle) of her glory, the griffins inside of which express its brilliancy. In her breasts are the twelve signs of the zodiac, of which those seen in front are the ram, bull, twins, crab, and lion; they are divided by the hours. Her necklace is composed of acorns, the primeval food of man. Lions are on her arms to denote her power, and her hands are stretched out to show that she is ready to receive all who come to her. Her body is covered with various breasts and monsters, as sirens, sphinxes, and griffins, to show that she is the source of nature, the mother of all things. Her head, hands, and feet are of bronze while the rest of the statue is of alabaster to denote the ever-varying light and shade of the moon's figure... Like Rhea, she was crowned with turrets, to denote her dominion over terrestrial objects.''The Tagata Fertility Festival involves the procession of a two-metre long, phallus-shaped wooden sculpture along the main street of the small farming town of Komaki. The festival, Hounen Matsuri, is an offering to the local Shinto deities in the hope of a bountiful harvest.In the Tagata Shrine, deities are represented by phalluses of all shapes and sizes. This is due to an ancient Japanese belief that says Mother Earth must be impregnated by Father Heaven for things to grow and develop. Before the procession begins, barrels of sake (rice wine) are opened and distributed among the crowd. The Shinto priest then leads the procession, followed by colorful characters and local musicians playing ritual music on bamboo flutes. Next come the erect wooden phalli, carried vertically on a bar or litter by villagers hoping for a bumper crop. Women follow carrying wooden symbols wrapped in red paper. Sometimes pregnant women will ask the bearers to let them touch the tip of the phallus, which is supposed to bring a safe birth and good health for their baby.The largest symbol of the lot is a 2.5 metre-long, 400kg penis which protrudes from both sides of a portable shrine. Sixty men (all aged 42, which is considered to be a vulnerable age in Shinto belief) work in alternating shifts shouting "hoh-sho hoh-sho", while running, stopping abruptly, or turning the shrine around in circles until eventually they reach the Tagata Shrine itself. Finally the phallus is carried into the shrine and offered to the gods amid great celebration.Saki anyone?Happy Easter! Armenian army generals express willingness to be personal guarantor for Ashot Minasyan Deputy Mayor of Armenia's Goris Menua Hovsepyan released on bail Yerevan Council of Elders to convene special session to express lack of confidence in mayor on Dec. 22 NEWS.am daily digest: 17.06.21 Weigand briefs Sarkissian on UNICEF Armenia programs 23 new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Armenia ruling party MP Armen Khachatryan summoned to National Security Service Dollar rises again after long drop in Armenia Dutch figures receive state awards of Armenia Coordinating committee set up for implementation of Armenia obligations under ECHR Another trial against captured Armenians in Baku Armenia Ombudsman candidate refuses to comment on parliamentary speaker's and PM's statements on POWs Armenia's Varazdat Lalayan becomes silver medalist, Gor Minasyan takes home bronze medal Azerbaijan army tanks fail to defeat 2 Armenian soldiers Wearing face masks outdoors no longer mandatory in Armenia Opposition 'Armenia' Faction MP: We are launching process of resignation of Prosecutor General Demonstration in front of Armenia Prosecutor General's Office concludes Sole candidate is elected Yerevan State University rector Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party candidate is elected mayor of Abovyan Protest underway outside Armenia attorney general's office Armenia ruling party candidate is elected mayor of Talin town Earthquake hits Armenia-Georgia border zone Demonstrators march to Armenia Prosecutor General's Office Henrikh Mkhitaryan: If we can maintain our spot in B League, it won't be bad Aliyev, Overchuk discuss Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan trilateral commission activities Armenia MFA on discussions of granting Azerbaijan observer status in EEU: That issue requires consensus decision Ronaldo and Rodriguez reveal genders of twins US court orders Alec Baldwin to provide law enforcement officers with access to data on the phone Protest against recent arrests being held outside Armenia Supreme Judicial Council building Karabakh President receives Armenia Investigative Committee chief Sex and the City star accused of rape US official lauds Armenia participation in Summit for Democracy Armenia new ombudsperson candidate matter debated on in parliament committee Yerevan State University electing new rector, protest being staged at main building Ned Price: US welcomes Armenia PM-Azerbaijan president meetings in Brussels Large number of police forces on duty in Armenias Talin Yerevan city council opposition Luys Faction to not join no-confidence motion against mayor 193 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia World gold prices going up Russia peacekeepers in Artsakh take anti-Covid measures at observation posts World oil prices dropping Armenia Security Council chief in US, meets with analysts at Atlantic Council event Famous Mexico actress killed while waiting for son Newspaper: Armenia natural increase drops, mortality increases Newspaper: Mayor Marutyan negotiating with Yerevan city council members Which foods increase risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer's? Yerevan Mayor: I have never met with ex-President Robert Kocharyan Copa del Rey: Cadiz reach Round of 32, with Armenias Haroyan Premier League: Liverpool beat Newcastle Premier League: Chelsea, Everton play draw 5 Australia schoolchildren die after falling from bouncy castle Copa del Rey: Valencia win in extra time Armen Ashotyan: No provision on use of force against Armenia, Artsakh in Eastern Partnership Summit resolution "My Step" faction of Yerevan Council of Elders nominates deputy mayor to replace Hayk Marutyan Stratfor: Normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations will essentially increase Turkey's influence in the region Head of ruling faction of Yerevan Council of Elders: Mayor left Civil Contract Party a year ago Armenia Parliament Speaker announces end of second sitting of 8th convocation of National Assembly Armenia-Russia Interparliamentary Committee holds 33rd session, regional issues touched upon as well US releases about 1,500 John F. Kennedy assassination documents Armenia government to pay salaries and benefits of employees of Nairit Factory Armenia government to provide assistance to citizens having lost property in Shurnukh and Vorotan for 5 more months Armenia Deputy PM Hambardzum Matevosyan receives Russia Ambassador Armenia Parliament Deputy Speaker discusses return of POWs, Artsakh status with Poland Ambassador Armenia citizen tries to approach PM, apprehended Mayoral candidate of Armenia's Vanadzor Mamikon Aslanyan is arrested Four more members of Real Madrid test positive for COVID-19 NEWS.am daily digest: 16.12.21 Roma want to purchase Hoffenheim's midfielder Armenian MP: Armenia accepts as a basis the map of 1926, but Russia offered the one of 1974 to stabilize situation Armenia PM arrives at Civil Contract Party's headquarters to meet with ruling faction of Yerevan's Council of Elders Armenia President receives Belarus ambassador Armenia representative in ECHR: UN court did not equate Armenia and Azerbaijan Armenia PM congratulates serving, first Kazakhstan presidents Vanadzor residents hold rally in defense of arrested mayor Ameriabank signs $20M loan agreements with responsAbility and Global Climate Partnership Fund Garo Paylan: Armenian-Turkish relations will be normalized more quickly than expected Armenia's Simon Martirosyan becomes world's bronze medalist Dollar continues losing value in Armenia Armenia representative: European Court is considering lawsuit against Turkey participation in last year's war Opposition 'Armenia' Faction secretary accuses ruling majority of violating Constitution Armenian army's General Staff deputy chief sacked Armenian NGO head Narek Samsonyan is released Armenia Ombudsman discusses with UNDP Representative return of Armenian POWs, their treatment Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte elected Westbrook City Council president Kanye West talks about plans to become homeless and turn his homes into churches Macron: Armenia, Azerbaijan, together Real Madrid's training not held Russia official: Observer status in Eurasian Economic Union will be beneficial for Azerbaijan Wings of Tatev named winner of World Travel Awards in World's Leading Cable Car Ride 2021 category Haberturk: There will be new Armenian-Turkish roadmap, corridor will be key issue Armenia premier receives Artsakh President Artak Dashyan joins FC Pyunik Azerbaijans Aliyev pleased with absence of criticism from Armenia at Eastern Partnership Summit Nicolo Zaniolo resumes training in Roma's general group Armenia PM to meet with members of ruling faction of Yerevan's Council of Elders soon Armenia economy minister: Ruling power has no consensus yet on opening borders with Turkey Armenia official: $1.2bn will be spent on construction of 2 sections of railway with Azerbaijan Overchuk: Active work being done to unblock transport communications in South Caucasus 25 new cases of coronavirus reported in Karabakh Armenia MP released from custody calls on releasing other heads of communities of Syunik Province in parliament YEREVAN. Constructive processes are observed in the talks on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict. Yerevan Press Club President, analyst Boris Navasardian, told about the above-said to Armenian News- NEWS.am. In his words, this is conditioned by the balance of power in the military domain, and by the negotiating persons. I see that the foreign ministers of the two countries [Armenia and Azerbaijan] succeed in finding common ground, Navasardian stressed. But we realize that Azerbaijan will never give up the chance to achieve military superiority over Armenia in order to conduct negotiations from the position of power. Therefore, we need to pay close attention to security issues, which are directly dependent on the economy. As per the analyst, even though the Madrid Principles can no longer serve as a basis for the Karabakh peace process, some of its elements may still be applicable. For example, the element of increasing trust between the [conflicting] parties, [and] which exists in those precepts, must be maintained and developed, he added, in particular. And when asked whether Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan continues the policy which third President Serzh Sargsyan was running with respect to the Karabakh issue, the analyst responded that this is impossible given that the PM has a high level of internal legitimacy which the third president did not have. Internal legitimacy, as is known, directly impacts the foreign policy content, Boris Navasardian concluded. In this sense, Nikol Pashinyan has an advantage. The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] (Adds UCP comment) By Andrew Hay TAOS, N.M., April 20 (Reuters) - The FBI on Saturday said it had arrested Larry Hopkins, the leader of an armed group that is stopping undocumented migrants after they cross the U.S.-Mexico border into New Mexico. The arrest came two days after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) accused the group of illegally detaining migrants and New Mexico's Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered an investigation. Hopkins, 69, also known as Johnny Horton, was arrested in Sunland Park, New Mexico, on a federal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. "We're not worried about it, he's going to be cleared," said Jim Benvie, a spokesman for the United Constitutional Patriots (UCP), blaming his arrest on political pressure from Lujan Grisham. Hopkins is the "national commander" of the UCP, which has had around half a dozen members camped out on a rotating basis near Sunland Park since late February. PATRIOTS OR FASCISTS? The UCP describes itself as a "patriot group" helping U.S. Border Patrol cope with record numbers of Central American families crossing the border to seek asylum. Dressed in camouflage and carrying rifles, UCP members have helped U.S. Border Patrol detain over 5,600 migrants in the last two months, Benvie said. Videos posted online by the group show members telling migrants to stop, sit down, and wait for agents to arrive. Critics accuse the UCP of impersonating law enforcement. Crowdfunding sites PayPal and GoFundMe on Friday barred the group, citing policies not to promote hate or violence, after the ACLU called the UCP a "fascist militia." "Today's arrest by the FBI indicates clearly that the rule of law should be in the hands of trained law enforcement officials, not armed vigilantes," New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas said in a statement of Hopkins's arrest. Story continues Hopkins was previously arrested in Oregon in 2006 on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. NO STANDOFFS U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement it did not support citizens taking law enforcement into their own hands and instead encouraged the public to be its eyes and ears on the border. Benvie said the UCP was doing just that and had the support of local Border Patrol and police. Mostly military veterans, UCP members carry weapons for self defense and at no time pointed guns at migrants, as they have been accused of, Benvie said. Despite having funding sources cut off, Benvie said the group's online support had swelled since it came under attack this week. Its Facebook followers have more than doubled since Thursday. Asked what the group would do if told to leave by state police, Benvie said they would probably go and, if they felt the order violated their constitutional rights, sue the state of New Mexico. "There's not going to be any standoffs, this isn't the Bundy Ranch," Benvie said, in reference to a 2014 armed confrontation in Nevada. (Reporting by Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Christopher Cushing) (Adds PKK death toll, details on clashes, comment) ISTANBUL, April 20 (Reuters) - Four Turkish soldiers and 20 armed assailants were killed on Friday in clashes between the military and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) near the border with Iraq, Turkey's defense ministry and military said. A military base was attacked overnight in the mountainous Cukurca district of Turkey's southeastern province of Hakkari, prompting the military to respond with an air operation, news agencies and the ministry said on Saturday. The Turkish military said "at least 20 terrorists were neutralized" as a result, and it held a ceremony for the dead soldiers on Saturday, according to state-run Anadolu news agency. Hulusi Akar, the defense minister, was to attend. The ministry said six other soldiers were wounded in the clashes. "Terrorists are under intense fire with the air operation and fire support vehicles in the region," it said. The PKK, which has waged an insurgency for autonomy in Turkey's largely Kurdish southeast since 1984, is deemed a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. "Turkey is determined to continue its fight against terrorists and their supporters by making no compromises," Mustafa Sentop, the speaker of Turkey's parliament, was quoted as saying by Anadolu. (Reporting by Jonathan Spicer; Editing by Alison Williams, William Maclean) * Any drone use would signal more sophisticated warfare * Shelling continues on Sunday in outskirts of capital * Tripoli airport reopens (Adds airport reopens) By Ulf Laessing and Hani Amara TRIPOLI, April 21 (Reuters) - Explosions shook the Libyan capital Tripoli late on Saturday after an air strike, residents said, in an escalation of a two-week offensive by eastern forces on the city held by the internationally recognized government. A Reuters reporter and several residents said they saw an aircraft circling for more than 10 minutes over the capital with a humming sound before opening fire on a southern suburb, scene of the heaviest fighting between the rival forces. Reuters was unable to confirm whether an aircraft or unmanned drone was behind the strike which triggered heavy anti aircraft fire. Residents had reported drone strikes in the past days but there has been no confirmation and explosions heard in the city center this time were louder than in previous days. Residents counted several missile strikes which apparently hit a military camp of forces loyal to Tripoli in the Sabaa district. Authorities had closed Tripoli's only functioning airport but reopened it hours later, the airport's website said. The Libyan National Army (LNA) force loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar started an offensive two weeks ago but has been unable to breach the government's southern defenses. If a drone strike was confirmed this would point to more sophisticated warfare. The LNA has so far mainly used aging Soviet-made jets from the air force of Muammar Gaddafi, toppled in 2011, lacking precision firepower and helicopters, according to residents and military sources. In the past the United Arab Emirates and Egypt have supported Haftar with air strikes during campaigns to take eastern Libya. Both countries flew air strikes on Tripoli in 2014 during a different conflict to help a Haftar-allied force, U.S. officials said at the time. Story continues Since 2014 the UAE and Egypt have provided the LNA with military equipment such as aircraft and helicopters, helping Haftar to gain the upper hand in Libya's eight-year conflict, past U.N. reports have established. The UAE even built an air base in Al Khadim in eastern Libya, one such report said in 2017. The air strikes, which were also filmed by residents in video posted online, came after a day of heavy clashes in southern districts, with shelling audible in the city center. TRUMP The violence spiked after the White House said on Friday that President Donald Trump spoke by with Haftar earlier in the week. The disclosure of the call and a U.S. statement that it "recognized Field Marshal Haftar's significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources" has boosted the commander's supporters and enraged his opponents. Western powers and the Gulf have been divided over a push by Haftar's forces to seize Tripoli, undermining calls by the United Nations for a ceasefire. Both sides claimed progress in southern Tripoli on Saturday, but no more details were immediately available. A Reuters TV cameraman visiting the southern Khalat Furgan suburb on Saturday heard heavy shelling but saw no apparent change in the frontline. Shelling continued in the southern outskirts of the capital on Sunday. On Friday, two children were killed in shelling in southern Tripoli, residents said. The fighting has killed 220 people and wounded 1,066, the World Heath organization (WHO) said. It was unclear why the White House waited several days to announce Monday's phone call. On Thursday, both the United States and Russia said they could not support a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Libya at this time. Russia objects to the British-drafted resolution blaming Haftar for the latest flare-up in violence when his LNA advanced to the outskirts of Tripoli earlier this month, diplomats said. The United States did not give a reason for its decision not to support the draft resolution, which would also call on countries with influence over the warring parties to ensure compliance and for unconditional humanitarian aid access in Libya. (Reporting by Ulf Laessing, Ahmed Elumami and Ayman al-Warfalli; Editing by William Maclean and Alison Williams) * 110 people were turned back from Syria * Another 87 fighters, women and children remain there * US said other countries should follow Kosovo example (Adds U.S. military spokesman statement) By Fatos Bytyci PRISTINA, April 20 (Reuters) - Kosovo brought back 110 of its citizens from Syria on Saturday including jihadists who had gone to fight in the country's civil war and 74 children, the government said. After the collapse of Islamic State's self-declared caliphate in Syria and Iraq, countries around the world are wrestling with how to handle militants and their families seeking to return. The population of Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, is nominally 90 percent Muslim, but largely secular in outlook. More than 300 Kosovo citizens have traveled to Syria since 2012 and 70 men who fought alongside militant groups were killed. "Today in the early hours of the morning an important and sensitive operation was organized in which the government of Kosovo with the help of the United States of America has returned 110 of its citizens from Syria, Kosovan Justice Minister Abelard Tahiri said at a press conference. Tahiri did not specify what role the United States had played but a plane with a U.S. flag on its tail was seen in the cargo area of Pristina airport as the operation was ongoing. When asked about the return of fighters to Kosovo and the separate return of a fighter to Bosnia, U.S. military spokesman Sean Robertson said, "U.S. assets were used in support of this repatriation operation." "At no time did the U.S. take custody of the FTF (foreign terrorist fighter) detainees," Robertson said. He declined to provide further details, citing security reasons. Authorities said among those who were returned were four fighters, 32 women and 74 children, including nine without a parent. The four fighters were immediately arrested and the state prosecutor said indictments against them will soon follow. Story continues After several hours at the airport, two busloads of women and children were transported under police escort to an army barracks just outside Pristina. Police said 30 Kosovan fighters, 49 women and 8 children still remain in the conflict zones. "We will not stop before bringing every citizen of the Republic of Kosovo back to their country and anyone that has committed any crime or was part of these terrorist organizations will face the justice," Tahiri said. As Kosovo, we cannot allow that our citizens be a threat to the West and to our allies. International and local security agencies have previously warned of the risk posed by returning fighters. In 2015, Kosovo adopted a law making fighting in foreign conflicts punishable by up to 15 years in jail. The United States commended Kosovo for the return of its citizens and called other countries to do the same. With this repatriation, Kosovo has set an important example for all members of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and the international community to follow. We applaud their compassion in accepting the return of this large number of civilians, the U.S. Embassy in Pristina said in a statement. There have been no Islamist attacks on Kosovan soil, although more than 100 men have been jailed or indicted on charges of fighting in Syria and Iraq. Some of them were found guilty of planning attacks in Kosovo. Prosecutors said they were investigating 156 other suspects. The government has said a form of radical Islam had been imported to Kosovo by non-governmental organizations from the Middle East after the end of its 1998-99 war of secession from Serbia. (Reporting by Fatos Bytyci, additional reporting by Yeganeh Torbati in Washington; Editing by Toby Chopra and Cynthia Osterman) Your daily look at late breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. CONGRESS MULLS NEXT STEPS AFTER RELEASE OF MUELLER REPORT It's now up to Congress to decide what to do with special counsel Robert Mueller's findings about President Donald Trump. 2. ANALYSIS: MUELLER PAINTS A DAMNING PORTRAIT OF THE PRESIDENT Robert Mueller's investigation revealed a commander in chief consumed by self-interest and intent on having his top lieutenants lie or obfuscate on his behalf. 3. WHO TRUMP MAY OWE A DEBT OF GRATITUDE Mueller concluded the president's former top lawyer Don McGahn and others effectively halted Trump's efforts to influence the investigation. 4. WHY BRANDS ARE ROLLING WITH STONER 'HOLIDAY' The once counter-culture celebration that was all about getting stoned now is so mainstream Corporate America is starting to embrace it. 5. HOW CENTRAL AMERICAN MIGRANT CARAVAN FORMS Would-be migrants create chat groups and organize using social media as they try to join together in large groups they hope will make the trip safer, and without having to hide from authorities. 6. MORE YELLOW VEST PROTESTS DESPITE NOTRE DAME FIRE For many yellow vest activists, the stinging sadness that came with the devastating fire at Notre Dame Cathedral has quickly made way for boiling anger ahead of another round of planned protests across France this weekend. 7. COLUMBINE CEREMONIES BEGIN A Colorado community changed forever by the attack that killed 13 people at Columbine High School moved ahead with ceremonies marking the anniversary of the tragedy. 8. COUPLE WHO SHACKLED CHILDREN FACE LIFE IN PRISON A California couple who starved a dozen of their children and shackled some to beds face sentencing for years of abuse 9. WHICH NATIONAL TABLOID IS BEING SOLD The National Enquirer is being sold to the former head of the airport newsstand company Hudson News following a rocky year. 10. AMERICA'S FIRST FEMALE ASTRONAUT CANDIDATE DIES Pilot Jerrie Cobb, who pushed for equality in space but never reached its heights, has died following a brief illness. WASHINGTON (AP) To Donald Trump, the start of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation looked alarmingly like the end of his presidency. So he tried to stop it. His months-long effort pushed the boundaries of presidential powers and the law, revealing a commander in chief consumed by self-interest and intent on having his top lieutenants lie or obfuscate on his behalf. The fact that many refused to do so may have helped save Trump from being charged with obstructing justice. Those advisers effectively served as the guardrails in a White House that often seems to have none. A White House counsel who told the president he would rather resign than oust Mueller. A senior West Wing aide who quietly ignored a request to pass messages to the attorney general, who had already recused himself from the investigation. "The incidents were often carried out through one-on-one meetings in which the president sought to use his official power outside of usual channels," Mueller wrote in his redacted 448-page report. The episodes detailed by the special counsel paint a damning portrait of a president consumed by the investigation. Even after more than two years of revelations about Trump's willingness to lie or press others to do so, Mueller's report put into sharp focus the president's disregard for governing norms and his willingness to challenge both legal and political limits. Trump and his advisers can herald the fact that two years of investigation ended without criminal charges for the president, not only on obstruction but also on criminal conspiracy with Russia to help him win the 2016 election. Though numerous people with ties to Trump including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and ex-campaign chairman Paul Manafort did plead guilty to crimes, no Americans were indicted for colluding with Moscow. "His greatest rebuttal will be he's in office, he's going to remain in office and he'll get re-elected because the Democrats have nothing," Kellyanne Conway, a senior White House adviser, said of the president. Story continues Indeed, the Democrats' next steps are unclear. Some lawmakers will likely continue to press for impeachment proceedings, though party leaders are skeptical of that approach. House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler has requested that Mueller testify before his committee within weeks and plans to subpoena for the full report and underlying evidence. Yet the end of Mueller's investigation did more than answer questions about whether Trump and his associates committed crimes. The probe underscored just how far Trump has gone in pushing the limits of the presidency and encouraging others to help him do so. Rep. Adam Schiff, Democratic chair of the House intelligence committee, said that while Trump's actions may not have been criminal, they were "dishonest, unethical, immoral and unpatriotic." Trump's actions were in line with his behavior as a businessman, when he employed a team of lawyers and fixers to protect him from legal trouble. One of those longtime confidants, lawyer Michael Cohen, was brought down in an investigation stemming from Mueller's probe, centering on hush money payments he made during the 2016 campaign to women who alleged sexual relationships with Trump. In other facets of his administration, Trump has also pressed legal bounds. He has repeatedly directed immigration advisers to take actions they deemed illegal, including blocking all migrants from seeking asylum. When it became clear in recent weeks that those advisers would not follow his orders, he ordered an overhaul of the top echelons of the Department of Homeland Security. There were clear echoes of that behavior throughout Mueller's report. The most startling episode came in June 2017, when Trump directed White House Counsel Don McGahn to call Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversaw the probe, and say that Mueller must be ousted because he had conflicts of interest. McGahn refused deciding he would rather resign than trigger a potential constitutional crisis. Two days later, the president tried another avenue to alter the investigation. During a meeting with former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, he dictated a message for Lewandowski to relay to then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Though Sessions had already recused himself from the investigation, Trump was ordering him to publicly call the probe "very unfair" to the president, declare Trump did nothing wrong and say that Mueller should limit his probe to "investigating election meddling for future elections." Lewandowski didn't want to deliver the message, according to Mueller, so he asked senior White House official Rick Dearborn to do so. Dearborn was uncomfortable with the request, Mueller writes, and did not follow through. Most of the advisers who blocked Trump's requests have since left his administration. ___ EDITOR'S NOTE AP Washington Bureau Chief Julie Pace has covered the White House and politics since 2007. Follow her at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC ___ For complete coverage of the Mueller report, go to https://www.apnews.com/TrumpInvestigations An AP News Analysis The Mueller report contains tantalising details of Trump campaign dealings with Russia and of the presidents possible attempts to obstruct justice. But much of it is blacked out. Nearly 40% of the pages in the document contain at least one redaction, totalling nearly 1,000 in all. In some parts, entire sections have disappeared. Related: The full text of Robert Mueller's report on Trump and Russia The redactions fall into four categories. The largest is harm to ongoing matters. This refers to likely future trials, including that of Trumps friend and ally Roger Stone, who is due in court in November. The second-biggest category is grand jury: material that might be used in ongoing legal matters. Information has also been removed which could compromise FBI investigative techniques. The fourth category is personal privacy. It concerns individuals peripheral to the core investigation by the special counsel, Robert Mueller. Trumps attorney general, William Barr, will release a less-redacted version of the report to Congress. A close reading of the 448-page report made public offers clues as to what is missing, including remarks made by Trump about sensitive matters. 1. Russian interference in the 2016 election The report gives a voluminous account of how Russian military intelligence hacked and released Democratic party emails, and how Moscow used social media to boost Trump and damage Hillary Clinton. The campaign was conducted by the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a troll factory in St Petersburg funded by the businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin. Details of the IRAs structure, history and growth since 2014 have been redacted. Also hidden are paragraphs concerning Prigozhins background and ties to Vladimir Putin. Paragraphs have been blacked out here because of harm to ongoing matters. They appear to illuminate work done by Twitter specialists and pro-Trump rallies organised by the IRA. Mueller has indicted Prigozhin and others but there is little prospect they will ever appear in a US court. Story continues Some of the most intriguing missing sections concern the GRU spy agency. Technical details have been redacted on the grounds they might reveal FBI methods. They encompass how the GRU researched Democratic websites, surreptitious payments made by Bitcoin, and the lease of computers in Arizona and US cities. Redactions in the Mueller report Redactions in the Mueller report.Photograph: Reuters Graphics 2. Campaign interactions with GRU and WikiLeaks Mueller concluded that there was not enough evidence to establish a criminal-level conspiracy between Trump aides and Moscow. However, his report makes clear that Trump and those around him sought to use the Kremlins hacking and dumping to their advantage. There are crucial deletions over how the GRU transmitted stolen emails to WikiLeaks. [Julian] Assange has access to the internet from the Ecuadorian embassy in London, England, the report says, with the rest of the sentence redacted. Also struck out is the name of a Clinton aide targeted by the GRU in July 2016, after Trump appealed to Russia to find Clintons missing 30,000 emails. The most striking section is titled The Trump Campaign and the Dissemination of Hacked Materials. The campaign showed interest in the leaked emails, the report says. But deletions make it difficult to piece together who communicated directly with WikiLeaks, what information was passed up to Trump, and when the campaign became aware of Moscows espionage work. Rick Gates, Trumps deputy campaign manager, who cooperated with Mueller, describes Trump as generally frustrated that Clintons emails had not been discovered. Other parts of his evidence are redacted. Similarly Michael Cohen, Trumps personal lawyer, recalls talking to Trump in Trump Tower in July 2016, after WikiLeaks released the first tranche of emails. Candidate Trump said something to the effect of the report says. Trumps comment is redacted. The campaign chairman Paul Manaforts conversation with Trump on the same theme is blacked out. One imagines Trump was thrilled by the emails publication but his remarks are missing. 3. Contacts with Russians The report says the FBI began investigating Russian interference after a tip-off in July 2016. Australias high commissioner in London, Alexander Downer, met George Papadopoulos, a Trump foreign policy aide. A Maltese professor, Joseph Mifsud, told Papadopoulos Moscow was sitting on hacked emails and had dirt on Clinton. Mueller says Mifsud travelled regularly to Moscow and was in contact with a former member of the IRA. The name has been blacked out. So is the identity of another Mifsud contact linked to Russias ministry of defence. The next section concerns Carter Page, another Trump aide who in summer 2016 travelled to Moscow and held talks with Kremlin officials. Lines are blacked out, including part of an email sent by Page to senior campaign figures concerning policy on Russia. The redactions are explained as grand jury. Page has not been charged. It is unclear which case is meant here. 4. Prosecutions This report looks at the conduct of individuals and whether they committed a federal offence. Mueller asks if there is enough evidence to sustain a conviction. He makes clear the criminal threshold is beyond reasonable doubt and does not include collusion, which is not a term under US law. The special counsel refers to two sets of charges brought against Russians, GRU officers and IRA employees indicted in 2018. But the names of some Americans are hidden. One name buried is almost certainly that of Stone. A paragraph begins Questions over whether and then disappears. Two names are rubbed out from a list that also includes Cohen and Trumps first national security adviser, Michael Flynn. 5. Violation of campaign finance laws The report examines possible campaign finance violations and considers if Trump campaign officials should be designated Russian agents. Lobbyists for foreign governments are obliged to register with the Department of Justice. Failure to do so is a crime: one of several charges against Manafort over his pre-Trump work in Ukraine. Mueller writes at length about the notorious Trump Tower meeting in which Manafort, Donald Trump Jr and Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, met in June 2016 with a Russian lawyer. He decided not to pursue a criminal prosecution because of the high burden of proving a culpable mental state. A second similar instance is discussed and entirely deleted. Related: The key unanswered questions from the Mueller report 6. Trumps conduct There are fewer blackouts in the second volume, which deals with possible obstruction of justice. Mueller lays out Trumps conduct towards witnesses, his anxiety over where the Russia investigation is heading, the firing of the FBI director, James Comey, and his interactions with key players including Flynn and Manafort. Trumps behaviour towards a third person is considered. We dont know who this is. It might be Stone or someone else. The relevant passages are scrubbed. 7. Referrals The report contains appendices. One is a list of dramatis personae. Names are given in alphabetical order, some removed. They include mystery surnames beginning with G or H, K and M, and a line of biography concerning Stone. The last section describes investigations which the special counsel has handed over to the FBI and the justice department. Two of these legal transfers numbers nine and 11 are rubbed out, the words investigation ongoing underneath. There are 13 redacted referrals of cases which fall outside the scope of Muellers inquiry. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) A federal appeals court on Thursday kept in place three California laws intended to protect immigrants, continuing the state's efforts to be a national leader in opposing Trump administration policies. The court upheld lower court rulings denying the Trump administration's request to block law enforcement from providing release dates and personal information of people in jail, as well as to throw out a law barring employers from allowing immigration officials on their premises unless the officials have a warrant. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected U.S. District Judge John Mendez's reasoning last year for denying a portion of the third law, which requires the state to review detention facilities where immigrants are held. It ruled that the section requiring the state to review circumstances surrounding the apprehension and transfer of detainees puts an impermissible burden on the federal government. But the appellate panel said Mendez can consider rejecting a preliminary injunction for that section on other legal grounds. The U.S. Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who has repeatedly sued the Trump administration mostly over immigration and environmental decisions, said the ruling shows that states' rights "continue to thrive." "We continue to prove in California that the rule of law not only stands for something but that people cannot act outside of it," Becerra said in a statement. California officials have said the immigration laws promote trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, while the administration argued the state is allowing dangerous criminals on the streets. Demonstrations were held across the Bangladesh capital Saturday for the tenth consecutive day after a teenager who accused a head teacher of sexually harassing her was burned to death. The killing of 19-year-old Nusrat Jahan Rafi has sparked outrage across the South Asian nation and put police action in the case under the spotlight. Protesters in Dhaka chanted slogans demanding the death sentence for the killers of the girl, who police say was lured to the rooftop of the Islamic seminary she attended in Feni, south of the capital. Police said the attackers then ordered her to withdraw a police complaint against the head of the school. When she refused, she was doused in kerosene and set on fire. Rafi died in hospital on April 10 after suffering 80 percent burns. Eighteen people, including the head teacher, have been arrested. Her death has set off demonstrations in several cities across the Muslim-majority country of 165 million. Many believe the murder has exposed a "culture of impunity" surrounding sex crimes against women and children, while those who complain often feel a backlash. "Rapes and sexual assaults have risen alarmingly in the country," protester M. Rahman Apu told AFP. "Nusrat Rafi's murder proves that the even the bravest of girls do not get justice. "Instead she was murdered for daring to lodge a complaint against the perpetrator. Had police and the administration worked properly, she could have been protected," Apu said. - Party chief held - Garment union leader Kamrun Nahar, who had also joined the protests, said Rafi's murder has awakened the nation's conscience. "We won't stop protests until the killers of Nusrat, and other perpetrators, are brought to book," Nahar said. "We don't want any more of these grisly murders." The 18 arrested include the seminary headmaster. One of those accused of the attack told a closed court earlier this week that the principal ordered the killing. Story continues The local head of the ruling Awami League party has been detained for allegedly helping the killers. Rafi went to police in late March to report the case. A leaked video shows the local police station chief registering her complaint but dismissing it as "not a big deal". Police said at least five of those under arrest, including three of Rafi's classmates, tied her with a scarf before setting her on fire. They had planned to pass off the death as a suicide. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed that all those involved will face action and police say they are investigating why more was not done to protect Rafi. The Manusher Jonno Foundation, a non-government group, says there have been at least 39 cases of children under 18 being raped since April 2. Another eight have been subjected to sexual harassment, the groups says. "Our system has failed," said Shipa Hafiza, executive director of Bangladesh rights group Ain O Salish Kendra "Often we see that when there are rapes or sexual abuse of women or children, all the powerful people become a group to protect the perpetrators," she said. Bernardo Silva hailed Phil Foden after his match-winning goal and insisted the youngster should be man of the match. The Portuguese international was handed the individual award after an impressing showing as Manchester City exacted revenge on Tottenham by beating them 1-0. Fodens early header was the difference, but speaking to broadcaster Sky Sports, Bernardo left viewers in no doubt as to who he believed should have received the award. He ended the interviewing by insisting it should be Fodens and congratulating the boyhood City fan. READ MORE: PFA calls for action after racist responses to campaign READ MORE: Foden scores first Premier League goal against Tottenham to help Man City put European heartbreak behind them And Bernardo was equally straight about what Pep Guardiolas men need to do to lift the Premier League title again. The 24-year-old told Sky Sports: We knew after that game two nights ago against Tottenham, we wanted to give a response, especially with our fans. We wanted to keep the race for the Premier League title alive. It was very difficult, we didnt have a lot of time to rest, and it was really warm outside. It was a great win, great three points. The next one is against Manchester United, it is a very tough game. Unless Im mistaken there are four more to go, we need four wins. Fodens fifth-minute header earned the hosts the full spoils after Sergio Agueros knockdown from Bernardos delightfully incisive pass. READ MORE: De Bruyne limps off injured in Tottenham match AS IT HAPPENED:Manchester City vs Tottenham And the youngster, who scored his first Premier League goal for the club, insisted he idolises all of his team-mates. Like his counterpart, he heaped praise upon Bernardo. Kun (Aguero) did great, luckily I was there on the line to tap it in, the England youngster said. Im just happy to help them today. I try and get in the box as much as I can, thats where you score the goals. I try to be an attacking midfielder and today it paid off. Every player I play with in this team I look up to. Especially this guy today, he didnt stop running. When youve got this guy in your team, its almost impossible to beat us. By Abdul Qadir Sediqi and Rupam Jain KABUL (Reuters) - At least seven people were killed in an attack on the Afghan communications ministry in central Kabul on Saturday, breaking months of relative calm in the capital and underlining the continued security threats despite efforts to open peace talks with the Taliban. The attack began shortly before midday when a suicide bomb was detonated at the entrance to the multi-storey building housing the ministry in a busy commercial area of the city, followed up by gunfire which could be heard over a mile away. Among the dead were four civilians and three police officers, while another eight civilians were wounded, a government official said. "We saw a gunman trying to break open an office door and as we were running out, he was trying to shoot us and he started shouting 'I will kill everyone here'," said Syeda Rashid, an office administrator in the ministry who escaped with several of her colleagues. She said at least six women had been wounded. Television images showed people fleeing after gunfire and explosions began near the 18-storey government tower. The area around the building was sealed off by police as at least three attackers battled security forces for several hours before the attack was finally suppressed in the late afternoon, Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said. The interior ministry said in a statement that more than 2,800 employees of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Information and Culture were evacuated during the clearance operation. Several young children and staff at a childcare center for ministry employees were also evacuated. "We were having lunch when we heard the explosion," said Rabia, who worked at the childcare center. "We grabbed the children together into the safe room and just waited till the security forces arrived," she said. The blast, which security officials said appeared to have been caused by a suicide bomber, was also close to the heavily fortified Serena Hotel, one of the very few Kabul hotels still used by foreign visitors. The operation marked a return to the kind of complex attacks in an urban center that have killed hundreds of people in Kabul and other Afghan cities over recent years. There was no claim of responsibility but the Taliban issued a statement denying any involvement. Many such attacks have been claimed by the radical Islamic State group. Prior to Saturday's attack, Kabul had been relatively calm as U.S. officials have held a series of meetings with representatives from the Taliban to try to agree the basis for a peace settlement and an end to more than 17 years of war. While heavy fighting has carried on across Afghanistan and Taliban militants have announced their now customary spring offensive, it had been months since the last major attack on civilian targets in the capital. The attack, just days after a planned meeting between Taliban officials and Afghan politicians and civil society representatives in Qatar was canceled, underlined the hurdles facing efforts to reach a peace settlement. Officials have said they hope to hold a meeting soon but no date has been set. (Reporting by Abdul Qadir Sediqi, Rupam Jain, James Mackenzie, Zuhra Orooj, Akram Walizada; Editing by Nick Macfie, Kenneth Maxwell and Alison Williams) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Tucked away in the foothills of the southern Rockies, the Philmont Scout Ranch has become a holy grail, its stretches of untamed wilderness and challenging backcountry treks drawing more than 1 million Boy Scouts and other adventurers from across the United States over the past 80 years. For many of those who have spent time at the mountain retreat, they can't get enough. It gets in the blood, it's infectious and it's the reason there was so much heartbreak last year when a wildfire ripped through the heart of the ranch. Dozens of miles of trails were wiped out along with campsites, leaving behind a scar that will take years and millions of dollars to restore. The work is necessary, ranch managers and troop leaders say, pointing to Philmont as a crown jewel of the scouting experience. "There's just a real sense of loss, kind of a grieving process so to speak," said Roger Hoyt, a longtime Scout leader and Philmont's general manager. "But at the end of the day, nature does renew itself and I think from the tragedy and the heartache comes this sense of renewal and opportunity." More than a half-million dollars already has been raised and the rebuilding effort is well underway with the installation of 85 new campsites and work to shore up some of the ash-covered hillsides. Crews were sidelined in January due to snow, but work has resumed in the lower elevations as the clock ticks down for the start of the summer season. And it will be a banner season with a record number of Scouts possibly as many as 24,000 expected to pass through Philmont, Hoyt said. Some of them initially planned to make the trek in 2018 but were derailed due to the fire and the subsequent closure of the backcountry. With nearly one-fifth of Philmont blackened, the ranch is not alone in its new mission to become more resilient as western land managers face larger and hotter wildfires fueled by overgrown forests and dry conditions. Story continues In 2018, more than 8.7 million acres (13,594 square miles) burned across the U.S., with most of that being in the West, according to the National Interagency Fire Center . Records were broken in California, which marked its deadliest and most destructive blaze in November as the town of Paradise was destroyed and 85 people were killed. Scientists have said the 2018 season was part of a longer trend of larger and more frequent fires in the western United States. In New Mexico, more than 382,000 acres (597 square miles) burned in 2018 and the state has seen its largest and most destructive fires on record within the last decade. Hoyt estimates Philmont Scout Ranch will spend $1 million in the next year on conservation and fire mitigation projects. That includes addressing silt that's washing down from barren slopes to clearing fuel from the forest floor, thinning trees and creating fuel breaks to keep fires from racing across other parts of the ranch. While the work is relatively low-cost, it's labor intensive, Hoyt said. In March alone, 140 volunteers spent over 6,000 hours on fire mitigation and restoration projects. Within two years, he hopes pockets of the burned area can be used as an outdoor classroom for visiting Scouts. On the other side of the country, members of Troop 715 are preparing for this summer's journey to Philmont. The Richmond, Virginia-based group was gathering over the weekend for a 2-mile (3-kilometer) backpacking trip so they could learn about what gear to take and what to leave behind. They'll eventually work up to covering 10 miles (16 kilometers) a day. Then there's the first aid training and other skills that will help when they're far from civilization, said Scout Master Steve Tyler, who will be accompanied by his sons, including one who is an Eagle Scout and will have just graduated the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Aside from being immersed in what Tyler calls "big sky country," he said another highlight is summiting Baldy Mountain a 12,441-foot (3,793-meter) peak on Philmont's northern boundary not far from the Colorado border. "Around here, the horizon is about 100 yards away and you're looking at a tall oak tree," Tyler said of his Virginia surroundings. "So it's very, very different out there. It is a special experience." A bolt of lightning pierced its tower and flames licked across its thick oak roof. Thirty-five years ago it was York Minster in northern England that went up in flames. Chunks of timber soon came crashing down and John David, a stonemason, had to halt his rescue of the sacred treasures trapped inside one of Britain's most famous churches. David went on to help restore its glory through meticulous effort. He thinks Notre-Dame in Paris, which was engulfed by flames on Monday, can do the same over time. "If it takes 20 years to repair, it takes 20 years to repair," David told AFP in the church workshop, as masons carved chunks of limestone from a nearby quarry in this history-rich city. "Nowadays everyone wants things done in a hurry," David said, in reference to French President Emmanuel Macron's vow to rebuild the Parisian icon by the time the city hosts the 2024 Olympic Games. "The buildings are more important than, I think, individual people. It's the nation. It's the country. It's the Church." - 'These buildings move' - The stories of York Minster and Notre-Dame have faithfully traced each other's footsteps over the centuries. Britain's cathedral was completed in 1360 -- just 15 years after Notre-Dame -- and shares the same building materials and shape as its Parisian cousin. David was one of a dozen or so stoneworkers in York when its "minster" -- an Old English word that means a large or important church -- nearly went down in flames in 1984. David counted on his dusty fingers all the unknowns facing Notre-Dame over the coming months and years. "These buildings move. They are not cemented together," he said. The danger of Notre-Dame losing its spire and roofing is that much less weight now presses down on the supporting walls and vault -- the stone arches holding up the ceiling. "The timber roof was performing the function of holding it together," he said. Story continues - 'We kept flooding' - Geoff Brayshaw has other worries. He was just 27 when he was part of a crew charged with putting together all the woodwork needed to replace York Minster's roof. The joiner thinks the most important job facing Parisians is putting up a temporary canopy over the cathedral to keep out the rain. "Our biggest problem was that we kept flooding," Brayshaw recalled. York Minster architects and engineers eventually drafted a blueprint that allowed them to get everything done in four years. But it was a much smaller project -- and one helped by the fire getting trapped inside a single tower and being doused before it raced along the latticework. Brayshaw and his team decided against tempting fate again. They installed fireproof compartments into the roof that should keep all but the most persistent flames from spreading. Sprinklers were not an option because of the water leakage risk. "I don't think you can make anything fully fireproof," said Brayshaw. "We obviously went to town trying." The Church of England has already offered to share its long renovation experience with its French colleagues. Yet Brayshaw doubts his chances of showing off his woodwork skills in Paris. "I think by the time they have it all sorted out I'll have retired," he said with a laugh. The British Virgin Islands has inked a partnership with LifeLabs, a crypto startup that builds on the Ethereum blockchain. | Source: Shutterstock By CCN: An official announcement from the British Virgin Islands says that the island protectorate has entered a partnership with a blockchain company. The company, LifeLabs, makes a wallet and has a token called LIFE on the Ethereum blockchain. The wallet supports Ethereum, Bitcoin, and the firms own crypto tokens. In Case of Emergency: Use Blockchain british virgin islands crypto The British Virgin Islands believes blockchain could help the local government better manage emergencies. | Source: Shutterstock The partnership mainly regards the facilitation of emergency funding for the British Virgin Islands as well as payments between islands. Andrew A. Fahie, Premier and Minister of Finance for the British Virgin Islands, says: It is of utmost importance that our citizens receive immediate and proportional response in the midst of emergencies. LIFElabs innovative financial technology comes at a pivotal time for our people and our economy, while the memory of recent natural disasters remains fresh in our minds and hearts, and the pressure for increased economic efficiency keeps mounting. It is with high expectations that we enter into this unprecedented partnership, together, building a better BVI for the future. The British Virgin Islands is home to thousands of global corporations, which has in the past led to accusations that it is a haven for money launderers. The country has recently made changes to its reporting and registration requirements, which, for one thing, led to a restructuring of Telegrams corporate interests. The idea behind the partnership is that when disaster happens, and traditional means are disrupted, British Virgin Islanders will be able to use LIFEWallet to receive government assistance. The government will also utilize blockchain technology in such an event. People contribute cannabis for a communal joint on the day Canada legalizes recreational marijuana, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, October 17, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio This year will mark the first time April 20th, the unofficial cannabis holiday, will be celebrated legally in Canada. Since October of last year, Canada has been settling into its role as the second country in the world to fully legalize the drug, after Uruguay. Yet despite the relatively new status of cannabis in Canada, there are still strict regulations surrounding it that may not be obvious. Yahoo Canada spoke to Toronto-based cannabis lawyer Jack Lloyd about some of the less apparent rules surrounding the countrys newest legal substance. Growing or sharing too much Every household is allowed to grow four plants, aside from Quebec and Manitoba, where home growing is illegal. But Lloyd warns that the definition of plant is pretty broad. Baby plants or clones, which are starter plants that havent yet flowered, for example, would still be considered a plant. If youre growing four cannabis plants, that includes little baby plants, says Lloyd. If you have five baby plants and four flowering plants, you could get yourself into some trouble. If police determine theres enough evidence to prove a home grow is being run for production purposes, jail time could be on the table. There are similar rules around how much cannabis youre allowed to share. The maximum legal amount to share with another adult is 30 grams. Anything more is illegal. If youre growing in British Columbia, youd better be doing it discreetly. If your plants grow too tall or are inadvertently visible, you can be charged. The rule is in place as a way to deter minors from the plant. In general, most places have similar legislation where the guiding principal is that you cant be displaying cannabis products to minors, says Lloyd. Thats the main concern. Flying with it Canadians can travel within the country with up to 30 grams of cannabis in a smell-proof container. If youre caught with more than the maximum amount, you can get in trouble. Travelling anywhere else in the world, even to regions where cannabis is legal, is strictly forbidden. Story continues Things get a little more complex when it comes to travelling with medicinal marijuana. Medicinal users are allowed a maximum of 150 grams a month, which makes the person exempt from the travel limit within Canada. And on top of that limit, a medicinal user is also allowed to carry a maximum of 30 grams of recreational cannabis. A chart on the Department of Justices website breaks down the possession limits for different cannabis product. One (1) gram of dried cannabis is equal to: 5 grams of fresh cannabis 15 grams of edible product 70 grams of liquid product 0.25 grams of concentrates (solid or liquid) 1 cannabis plant seed Where you can consume In general, Lloyd says the rule of thumb on where cannabis can be consumed is anywhere where cigarettes are legally allowed to be consumed. For recreational users, theres a host of potential issues that arise if a strata or condo board prohibits the use. Lloyd says the only people who can argue against those rules are medical marijuana users. Driving with it When it comes to driving with cannabis product, Lloyd strongly keeping it stored as far away from your person as possible. Make sure there is no cannabis that anyone can smell in the front or back seats of the vehicle, he says. Put it in the trunk and seal it. If police find a driver with unsealed cannabis near them, they then have the power to search the car. Police can use, essentially, a blanket warrant to search anything and everything, says Lloyd. (Having unsealed cannabis in the car) exposes you to a charge simply by having it there and then exposes you to other charges, if they search your vehicle. You can make an argument that its unopened, sealed and in the backseat then youre not bound by legislation, but as a lawyer my biggest piece of advice is to put it in your trunk. By Ben Blanchard QINGDAO, China (Reuters) - China will show off new warships including nuclear submarines and destroyers at a parade next week marking 70 years since its navy's founding, a senior commander said on Saturday, as Beijing flexes its increasingly well-equipped military muscle. President Xi Jinping is overseeing a sweeping plan to refurbish the People's Liberation Army (PLA) by developing everything from stealth jets to aircraft carriers as China ramps up its presence in the South China Sea and around self-ruled Taiwan. The navy has been a key beneficiary of the modernization plan as China looks to project power far from the country's shores and protect its trading routes and citizens overseas. Last month, Beijing unveiled a target of 7.5 percent rise in defense spending for this year, a slower rate than last year but still outpacing China's economic growth target. Deputy naval commander Qiu Yanpeng told reporters in the eastern city of Qingdao that Tuesday's naval parade - likely to be overseen by Xi himself, though China has not confirmed that - will feature 32 vessels and 39 aircraft. "The PLA Navy ship and aircraft to be revealed are the Liaoning aircraft carrier, new types of nuclear submarines, new types of destroyers, as well as fighter aircraft," Qiu said, without giving details. "Some ships will be revealed for the first time." The Liaoning, the country's first carrier, was bought second-hand from Ukraine in 1998 and refitted in China. It's not clear if China's second carrier, an as-yet unnamed ship developed and built purely in China, will also take part, but in the past few days state media has run stories praising recent sea trials. Around a dozen foreign navies are also taking part. While Qiu did not give an exact number, China has announced the parade would include ships from Russia, Singapore, India, Thailand and Vietnam - which frequently complains of Chinese military activity in the disputed South China Sea. China's last naval battles were with the Vietnamese in the South China Sea, in 1974 and 1988, though these were relatively minor skirmishes. Chinese navy ships have also participated in international anti-piracy patrols off Somalia's coast since late 2008. STRONG NAVY 'ESSENTIAL' Qiu reiterated China's frequent stance that its armed forces are not a threat to anyone and that no matter what happens it will never "pursue hegemony". "It is fair to say that the PLA Navy has not brought war or turbulence to any place," Qiu said. But China has been scared by its past and needs good defenses at sea, he added. "A strong navy is essential for building a strong maritime country," Qiu said. "From 1840 to 1949, China was invaded by foreign powers from the sea more than 470 times, which caused untold suffering and deep wounds to the Chinese nation." China has frequently had to rebuff concerns about its military intentions, especially as military spending continues to scale new heights. Beijing says it has nothing to hide, and has invited foreign media to cover next week's naval parade and related activities, including a keynote speech by navy chief Shen Jinlong, who is close to Xi. Zhang Junshe, a researcher at the PLA's Naval Research Academy, told reporters after Qiu had spoken that inviting foreign navies to take part in the parade was a sign of China's openness and self-confidence, noting China had also done this for the 60th anniversary in 2009. "New nuclear submarines and new warships will be shown - this further goes to show that China's navy is open and transparent," said Zhang. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by John Ruwitch in SHANGHAI; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell) Littleton (United States) (AFP) - It has been 20 years since two heavily armed young men in dark trenchcoats entered a Colorado high school and launched a bloody attack that seared the word "Columbine" into the American psyche, forever transforming the debate on gun rights and school violence. As people on Saturday prepared to mark the anniversary of the massacre in Littleton, Colorado -- in which teenaged shooters Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris killed 12 Columbine High School students and a teacher before turning their guns on themselves -- there were words of grief and loss and anger. The events of that fateful day planted a jarring and lasting sense of vulnerability in Americans' minds. School shootings, once almost unheard of, have become a tragic feature of American life -- requiring all schools to tighten security, forcing even six-year-olds to take part in traumatic "live-shooter" drills. Places that had always seemed the safest -- schools, libraries, even churches and synagogues -- no longer seem so. - A rededication - But as folks in Littleton prepared for an official memorial service Saturday, there were also words of hope and signs of a rededication to making things better. Saturday was the third annual Columbine Day of Service, with hundreds of students and teachers donating time and labor to help charitable causes and honor the memory of those who died. "Right after Columbine, people wanted to be better people," Dawn Anna, mother of 18-year-old victim Lauren Townsend, told the Denver Post. "There was a real change in people's attitudes." On Friday, survivors of the massacre joined friends and relatives of the victims at a prayer vigil in a memorial park, lighting candles and laying flowers on plaques bearing victims' names. - 'I've just been angry' - One survivor, Amanda Duran, who was 15 at the time of the attack, said she could not believe more has not been done to control gun violence. Story continues "You would have thought someone would have come with more gun laws" or required mental health evaluations of would-be gun buyers, she said Friday. "But nothing of that sort happened. So I have just been angry and pissed off." Her best friend was killed in the shooting. The official memorial service in Littleton, in a park next to the high school, is set for 15H00 (21H00 GMT). School officials, student leaders and graduates, as well as Colorado Governor Jared Polis, are to speak. In addition, a recorded message from Bill Clinton, who was US president at the time of the massacre, will be played. - Gun ownership grows - The shooting sparked a fierce national debate over gun rights and violence. Yet three presidents after Clinton, it seems no closer to resolution. The number of firearms in circulation has continued to grow (now at 393 million in a nation of 326 million people), and mass shootings have become a disturbingly regular part of American life. Since Columbine, an estimated 226,000 children in 233 schools have been exposed to the sight or sound of gunfire, according to a Washington Post investigation. The worst shootings to date were those at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut in 2012 (20 young children and six adults were killed) and at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida last year (17 dead). But the power of an influential gun lobby and a long tradition of gun ownership have meant that little has been done to improve gun safety. In the meantime, Columbine has taken on an almost mythical dimension in the memories of some. A dark fascination with the killings by Klebold and Harris -- whose motives remain somewhat murky -- maintains a grip on some, as shown by the recent case of 18-year-old Sol Pais. Police had been warned that the young Floridian, "fascinated" by Columbine, was headed to Colorado and had purchased a gun. Hundreds of schools in the Littleton area were protectively closed Tuesday. But in the end, Pais was found in a remote, mountainous spot west of Denver -- having shot and killed herself. Littleton (United States) (AFP) - It has been 20 years since two heavily armed young men in dark trenchcoats entered a Colorado high school and launched a bloody attack that seared the word "Columbine" into the American psyche, forever transforming the debate on gun rights and school violence. At a memorial service Saturday to mark the anniversary of the massacre in Littleton, Colorado -- in which teenaged shooters Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris killed 12 Columbine High School students and a teacher before turning their guns on themselves -- there were reflections on grief, loss and healing. "While time may lessen the intensity of the trauma, the incredible memories still remain," said former Columbine principal Ron Mitchell. "The strength and resilience of this community has given us hope." The events of that day planted a jarring and lasting sense of vulnerability in Americans' minds. School shootings, once almost unheard of, have become a tragic feature of American life -- requiring all schools to tighten security, forcing even six-year-olds to take part in traumatic "live-shooter" drills. Places that had always seemed the safest -- schools, libraries, even churches and synagogues -- no longer seem so. - A rededication - But as folks in Littleton prepared for the official memorial service, there were also signs of a rededication to making things better. Saturday was the third annual Columbine Day of Service, with hundreds of students and teachers donating time and labor to help charitable causes and honor the memory of those who died. "Right after Columbine, people wanted to be better people," Dawn Anna, mother of 18-year-old victim Lauren Townsend, told The Denver Post. "There was a real change in people's attitudes." On Friday, survivors of the massacre joined friends and relatives of the victims at a prayer vigil in a memorial park, lighting candles and laying flowers on plaques bearing victims' names. Story continues - 'I've just been angry' - One survivor, Amanda Duran, who was 15 at the time of the attack, said she could not believe more has not been done to control gun violence. "You would have thought someone would have come with more gun laws" or required mental health evaluations of would-be gun buyers, she said Friday. "But nothing of that sort happened. So I have just been angry and pissed off." Her best friend was killed in the shooting. School officials, student leaders and graduates, as well as Colorado Governor Jared Polis, spoke at the official memorial service in Littleton, in a park next to the high school. A recorded message from Bill Clinton, who was US president at the time of the massacre, was played. - Gun ownership grows - The shooting sparked a fierce national debate over gun rights and violence. Yet three presidents after Clinton, it seems no closer to resolution. The number of firearms in circulation has continued to grow (now at 393 million in a nation of 326 million people), and mass shootings have become a disturbingly regular part of American life. Since Columbine, an estimated 226,000 children in 233 schools have been exposed to the sight or sound of gunfire, according to a Washington Post investigation. The worst shootings to date were those at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut in 2012 (20 young children and six adults were killed) and at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida last year (17 dead). But the power of an influential gun lobby and a long tradition of gun ownership have meant that little has been done to improve gun safety. In the meantime, Columbine has taken on an almost mythical dimension in the memories of some. A dark fascination with the killings by Klebold and Harris -- whose motives remain somewhat murky -- maintains a grip on some, as shown by the recent case of 18-year-old Sol Pais. Police had been warned that the young Floridian, "fascinated" by Columbine, was headed to Colorado and had purchased a gun. Hundreds of schools in the Littleton area were protectively closed Tuesday. But in the end, Pais was found in a remote, mountainous spot west of Denver -- having shot and killed herself. House Democrats issued a subpoena Friday for Special Counsel Robert Muellers report into Russian election interference, a day after Attorney General William Barr released a redacted version of the nearly 450-page document. The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said in a statement he expects the Justice Department to comply by 1 May. It now falls to Congress to determine the full scope of that alleged misconduct and to decide what steps we must take going forward, he said. The subpoena has escalated a confrontation resulting between Congress and the Justice Department in the wake of the explosive report. Mr Barr, an appointee of Donald Trump, has been criticised for his handling of the report after the special counsel concluded its investigation, including his decision to hold a press conference defending the president hours before it was released to the public. While the special counsel declined to prosecute Mr Trump on obstruction of justice, he did not exonerate the president, all but leaving the question to Congress. Mr Muellers report provides fresh evidence of the presidents interference in the Russia investigation and challenges lawmakers to respond. The risks for both parties are clear if they duck the responsibility or prolong an inquiry that, rather than coming to a close, may be just beginning. My committee needs and is entitled to the full version of the report and the underlying evidence consistent with past practice, Mr Nadler said in the statement. But the committees top Republican, Doug Collins of Georgia, said the subpoena was wildly overbroad and that Mr Trump already declined to assert executive privilege in a move of unprecedented openness. Mr Collins said Nadler was rushing the process for political gain. This is politically convenient, Mr Collins said, allowing the chairman to grandstand and rail against the attorney general for not cooperating on an impossible timeline. The attorney general sent Congress a redacted version of the report, blacking out several types of material, including classified information, material pertaining to ongoing investigations and grand jury evidence. Story continues Mr Nadler said he is open to working with the department to reach a reasonable accommodation for access to these materials, however I cannot accept any proposal which leaves most of Congress in the dark, as they grapple with their duties of legislation, oversight and constitutional accountability. The materials are due the day Mr Barr is scheduled to testify before a Senate committee and one day before the attorney general is set to appear before Mr Nadlers committee. The chairmen also has summoned Mr Mueller to testify. The Associated Press contributed to this report By Padraic Halpin DUBLIN (Reuters) - A year after moving to Londonderry, celebrated young Northern Ireland journalist Lyra McKee wrote about how she looked forward to "better times ahead and saying goodbye to bombs and bullets once and for all". On Thursday night - just three months later - the 29-year-old McKee's final Twitter post showed a police vehicle being pelted by petrol bombs with the caption: "Derry tonight. Absolute madness." She was killed shortly afterwards, shot dead by a gunman firing towards police during a riot that underscored the challenges still faced by Northern Ireland, a British province, 21 years after the Good Friday Agreement largely ended decades of deadly sectarian bloodshed. Police said the gunman was likely a member of the New IRA, a small militant Irish nationalist group opposed to that peace deal. Born in Belfast just a few years before the 1998 accord was struck to end the kind of violence that took her life, McKee was remembered in an outpouring of tributes as an intelligent, talented writer who brought a human touch to difficult subjects. "She was an inspiring thinker and journalist," Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney wrote on Twitter. He linked his post to video of a TED talk McKee gave in 2017 encouraging churchgoers and fellow lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender young people to talk to one another to try and change religious teaching on the subject. In her tweet in January, she described Londonderry as a beautiful city she had fallen in love with while "falling in love with a woman who hails from it". McKee wrote and spoke openly about the struggles of growing up gay in a hostile environment. A 2014 blog post - "A Letter To My 14-Year-Old Self" - received much acclaim and was subsequently turned into a short film. By that stage McKee had already been named Sky News Young Journalist of the Year - an award she won in 2006 - and was named as one of the "30 under 30 in media" by Forbes Magazine ten years later. Story continues She wrote for publications both in Northern Ireland and aboard, including the Independent newspaper, the Atlantic and BuzzFeed News. A "Good Friday baby", McKee was a journalist of courage, style and integrity, Seamus Dooley, the head of the National Union of Journalists Ireland said in a statement. In 2018 McKee signed a two-book deal with British publisher Faber and Faber. She was writing a book on the disappearance of young people during the British province's three decades of Protestant-Catholic violence that the 1998 deal largely ended. In a story published by the Mosaic Science website in 2016 that was widely shared on social media on Friday, McKee explored why in Northern Ireland more people took their own lives in the first 16 years after the so-called "Troubles" ended than died during them. "We were the Good Friday Agreement generation, destined to never witness the horrors of war but to reap the spoils of peace," she wrote. "The spoils just never seemed to reach us." (Editing by Mark Heinrich) San Jose (AFP) - Eric Orlich and his wife Gioconda Rojas own two electric vehicles, which they charge at home in the garage thanks to solar panels on their roof. That could soon become the norm in Costa Rica, where the government launched a decarbonization plan in February to rid the country of fossil fuels by 2050. "It's totally realistic and necessary," said Orlich, a father of two who lives in a mountainous zone east of the capital San Jose. A businessman in the solar panel sector and president of the Association of Electric Mobility -- which promotes electric-powered transport -- what excites him the most about the government's plan is the focus on public transport. The aim is to have 70 percent of public transport powered by electricity in 2035 -- and the whole fleet by 2050. That is an achievable goal according to diplomat Cristiana Figueres, who in 2015 participated in talks to secure the Paris climate accord on limiting global warming. "The government prudently set the 2050 date because that's what the Paris Agreement demands but I'm confident we'll manage it before then," Figueres told AFP. "Once we've implemented the process of electrifying transport and relaunched a more efficient agriculture and livestock sector, we shall see an exponential effect on technological change" that will accelerate decarbonization, she added. - 'Car no longer king' - Leftist President Carlos Alvarado's plan is set to extend beyond public transport to incorporate industry, agriculture and livestock, as well as a reforestation program aimed at increasing woodland from 50 to 60 percent of the country. Further elements include modernizing waste management and a green tax reform to replace the loss of fuel tax revenues. "This is a change in our social dynamic and our economy," first lady Claudia Dobles, an architect responsible for the urban regeneration program, told AFP. Story continues "By 2050 our urban and rural landscape is going to look very different, with nicer towns... where the car will no longer be king." With regard to transport, there are two key components: an electric train serving the San Jose metropolitan area -- the most densely populated in the country -- and modernization of the bus network. The aim is for people to be able to easily access the bus or train by foot or bicycle and connect to the entire public transport system -- ending the reign of the car, largely responsible for the capital's pollution and congestion problems. - No congestion solution - The plan has its critics, though, such as analyst Juan Carlos Hidalgo, from the Washington-based Cato Institute, who says it fails to consider the costs. He said the plan doesn't take into account the "principle of cost-benefit" but only the "zero emissions goal." "It's a goal without economic foundations," he told AFP. For his part, bicycle use activist David Gomez says the plan lacks ambition when it comes to non-motorized transport and won't solve San Jose's traffic problems. "We need incentives so people feel motivated to leave the car behind and use a bicycle, which is a more powerful decarbonization measure than changing a fuel car for an electric one," he said. And Dobles admits the plan won't alleviate congestion. "The challenges of mobility and displacement will remain. It's not because we'll have better technology and more intelligent systems that we'll stop having mobility problems," she said. Figueres says all countries need to decarbonize their economies in the face of climate change, but in that regard, Costa Rica does at least has an advantage. Amongst wind, hydro, solar and geothermal energy, the tiny Central American country of five million people is already only 1.5 percent off achieving total self-sufficiency in renewable energy. WASHINGTON How did WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy group used as a conduit by Russian intelligence to distribute hacked emails, come to release a trove of documents just when Donald Trumps candidacy seemed to need it most? Why did Trumps campaign chief share internal polling data with a man tied to Russian intelligence? Did the president encourage his lawyer to lie to Congress? After nearly two years of work, investigators working for special counsel Robert Mueller said they still don't know. Mueller's office probed deeply into Trump's campaign and the frantic first months of his presidency, and produced a final report brimming with inside details. But its work left some of the inquirys most perplexing questions frustratingly unanswered. Mueller's report revealed in staggering detail efforts by the Russian government to help Trump win the presidency, his campaigns interest in benefiting from that effort, and a series of steps by Trump to thwart the investigations that followed. Prosecutors ultimately did not conclude that Trump had committed a crime. The investigation gathered information from hundreds of witnesses. Prosecutors and FBI agents served more than 2,800 grand jury subpoenas and 500 search warrants, yielding documents, electronic communications and troves of other records. But even that massive collection of evidence left investigators with some dead-ends. Paul Manafort stands between President Donald Trump and daughter Ivanka Trump in a picture taken during the 2016 Republican convention in Cleveland. Prosecutors wrote that they were sometimes hamstrung by witnesses who lied to them, or provided incomplete information. Some evidence they wanted was protected by attorney-client privilege, and some was in the hands of people who live outside the United States and were largely beyond their reach. And some Trump aides deleted their electronic messages before prosecutors could review them. So Mueller issued his conclusions with a caveat: Given the identified gaps, the Office cannot rule out the possibility that unavailable information would shed additional light on (or cast in a new light) the events described in this report. Story continues Here is what they couldnt find: A well-timed WikiLeak Muellers investigation concluded that in 2016, Russian intelligence operatives hacked into Democratic political organizations and stole huge troves of emails, many of them embarrassing to Trumps political opponents. The intelligence service passed them to WikiLeaks to make them public, a move designed and timed to interfere with the 2016 U.S. presidential election and undermine the Clinton Campaign. Investigators said Trumps campaign showed interest in the documents being distributed by WikiLeaks, and worked to learn what other information the group might possess. One release of records came at an especially perilous moment for Trumps campaign. On Oct. 7, 2016, The Washington Post published a leaked Access Hollywood outtake in which Trump boasted in graphic language about sexually assaulting women, prompting an instant backlash. Less than an hour later, WikiLeaks published a batch of emails the Russians had stolen from Clintons campaign chairman, John Podesta. Prosecutors focused on the timing of that and other releases, but said they were unable to resolve a question about the Oct. 7 release. Michael Cohens lies to Congress Trumps former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about efforts to erect a Trump Tower in Moscow. Cohen told lawmakers in a written statement that the project ended in early 2016, but it actually continued for several more months, until the point when Trump had virtually secured the Republican nomination. Cohen pleaded guilty last year to lying to Congress about those plans. Muellers report said Cohen had circulated that written statement to lawyers participating in a joint defense agreement with Trump, including Trumps new personal counsel before he submitted it to Congress. Telephone records showed that Cohen and the presidents personal lawyer whom the report did not name, but Cohen said was Jay Sekulow spoke almost daily in the period between when Cohen emailed a draft of his testimony and when he finally sent it to Congress. Cohen testified to a House committee in February that Trump had indirectly encouraged him to lie to lawmakers. "Mr. Trump did not directly tell me to lie to Congress," Cohen said. "That's not how he operates. He would look me in the eye and tell me there's no business in Russia and then go out and lie to the American people by saying the same thing. In his way he was telling me to lie about it." Prosecutors wrote in Muellers report that they could not corroborate that claim, in part because the presidents lawyers declined to speak with them about privileged conversations. The absence of evidence about the President and his counsels conversations about the drafting of Cohens statement precludes us from assessing what, if any, role the President played, the wrote. It is not unusual for privilege questions to frustrate investigations, said Randall Eliason, a George Washington University law professor and former federal prosecutor. "I think its information that would be good for the public to know, but we operate in the confines of the legal system that recognizes attorney-client privilege," he said. Internal polling and the GRU Muellers investigation concluded that Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, repeatedly shared the campaigns internal polling data with a Russian associate assessed by the FBI to have ties to Russian intelligence. Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, both provided internal polling data and other updates to the man, Konstantin Kilimnik, while they were serving on Trumps campaign. Both Manafort and Gates have been convicted of crimes related to their illicit work for a pro-Russian political faction in Ukraine. Manafort was sentenced to a total of 7.5 years in prison. Prosecutors wrote that Manafort thought sharing the information would be good for business, and perhaps help him settle a debt he was owed by a Russian oligarch. But prosecutors, who had accused Manafort of lying to them repeatedly, mistrusted his explanation. They said they had limited ability to gather evidence on what happened to the polling data after Manafort sent it. They said they did not identify a connection between Manaforts sharing polling data and Russian interference in the election. Ultimately, prosecutors said they could not reliably determine Manaforts purpose in sharing internal polling data. Carter Pages visit to Moscow Federal agents secretly told a surveillance court in late 2016 that one of Trumps foreign policy advisers, Carter Page, has been collaborating and conspiring with the Russian government in its efforts to intervene in the 2016 election. The statement was part of a request to eavesdrop on Page, who had recently left Trumps campaign. Page came under scrutiny in part because of an infamous dossier compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele, who was paid indirectly by Clintons campaign and the Democratic National Committee to dig up information about Trumps ties to Russia. Steele provided information to the FBI about a trip Page took to Moscow in July 2016. During that trip, he told a campaign official in an email that Russias deputy prime minister had expressed strong support for Mr. Trump. In a passage of Muellers report that is largely blacked-out, prosecutors wrote that they were unable to obtain additional evidence or testimony about who Page may have met or communicated with in Moscow; thus, Pages activities in Russia as described in his emails with the campaign were not fully explained. What did the president know? Muellers office spent more than a year seeking to interview Trump about Russian election interference and his attempts to thwart their investigation, at one point telling him it is in the interest of the Presidency and the public for an interview to take place. Ultimately, Trump agreed to answer only written questions, and only about certain Russia-related topics. Prosecutors asked questions about subjects ranging from efforts to build a Trump Tower in Moscow to a meeting his aides attended at Trump Tower in New York with a Russian lawyer offering damaging information on Clinton. Trumps lawyers turned in his answers in November. Prosecutors found his answers unsatisfying. More than 30 of them included statements that Trump did not remember the answer to the question. Others were incomplete or imprecise. They replied by again seeking to interview Trump, but his lawyers declined. Muellers office considered issuing a grand jury subpoena to force the president to testify but decided not to. Instead, they said, they determined that the substantial quantity of information we had obtained from other sources allowed us to draw relevant factual conclusions on intent and credibility. Contributing: Kristine Phillips This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did Trump encourage Michael Cohen to lie? ... And other mysteries the Mueller report didn't resolve I've been keeping an eye on Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited (NSE:GMDCLTD) because I'm attracted to its fundamentals. Looking at the company as a whole, as a potential stock investment, I believe GMDCLTD has a lot to offer. 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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. Kiev (AFP) - Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko begged for forgiveness and a second chance Thursday as polls showed him facing all-but-certain defeat three days ahead of a presidential vote. In a dramatic televised address, Poroshenko pleaded with voters to support him over Volodymyr Zelensky, a comedian with no political experience who has surged ahead in the polls. "I once again ask you to forgive me. What did not work out hurts the most," Poroshenko said. Polls show Zelensky, a 41-year-old standup comic and television star, sailing to victory in Sunday's second-round vote. The latest survey on Thursday showed him winning 73 percent of the vote against only 27 percent for Poroshenko. His rise has stunned Ukraine's political elite, who have struggled to revive the economy, root out corruption and put an end to a war with Moscow-backed separatists in the country's east. Poroshenko, 53, has cast himself as the only Ukrainian politician who can take on Russia's Vladimir Putin and settle the war, which has claimed 13,000 lives. He said Thursday that because of the conflict with Russia it would be "very risky to experiment with the post of the president and commander-in-chief". He also warned that Ukraine risked defaulting on its debt after a Kiev court on Thursday ruled that his government's 2016 decision to nationalise the country's biggest lender was illegal. The bank, PrivatBank, was owned at the time by Igor Kolomoysky, a controversial tycoon who owns the channel that broadcasts several of Zelensky's television shows. Poroshenko said a default would mean "tens of millions" of people would lose their money and suggested the ruling was linked with Zelensky's campaign. He called an emergency meeting of his security council, while Kiev's international partners including the EU, Washington and the World Bank said in coordinated statements they were closely monitoring the situation. Story continues Ukraine's government has spent nearly 160 billion hryvnyas (around $6 billion) on recapitalising the lender to cover the losses caused by the withdrawal of money from the bank and poorly-secured loans. - Anticipation for debate - "You see they just cannot wait," Poroshenko said. "They've already started implementing their plans." Supporters credit Poroshenko, who took power in 2014 after a popular uprising ousted a Kremlin-backed leader, with implementing important economic reforms, rebuilding the army, securing an Orthodox Church independent of Russia and winning visa-free travel to Europe. But Zelensky has seized on continued economic hardship and corruption, as well as his popularity as the star of sitcom "Servant of the People", in which he plays a school teacher who becomes a president. Anticipation has been building ahead of a presidential debate scheduled for Friday in a 70,000-seat arena, the first and only one of the presidential campaign. "Preparations for the debate are in full swing. You will see the results tomorrow," a Zelensky spokeswoman told AFP. The comic suggested he would have an easy time in the debate given Poroshenko's record. "I don't want to call anyone names, insult anyone or engage in mud-slinging," he told local media. "After what has been done over the last five years I believe I can simply keep mum." In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he was hoping to watch what was likely to be a "curious spectacle". Former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who was knocked out in the first round of voting last month, said it was time to accept that Ukraine was facing a new political reality. "Mathematics already tells us that Volodymyr Zelensky will win the second round," she said in a video address. "This is objective reality. It's time to think of how to live with this." Poroshenko has fought hard to recover lost ground in a bruising campaign after Zelensky leapfrogged the political establishment in the first round of voting on March 31. Over the past few days the candidates traded insults on television and in social media. In a campaign that has become increasingly sensational, both men even underwent drug tests at Zelensky's insistence. ISTANBUL, April 20 (Reuters) - Four Turkish soldiers were killed on Friday in clashes with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) near the border with Iraq, Turkey's Defence Ministry said on Saturday. Demiroren News Agency said a military base had been attacked in the mountainous Cukurca district of Turkey's southeastern province of Hakkari, prompting the Turkish military to respond with a "large-scale" military operation. "As part of ongoing operations in the Turkey-Iraq border, two soldiers were killed in clashes with terrorists despite all efforts to save them," the ministry said, adding a total of four soldiers were killed and six wounded. "Terrorists are under intense fire with the air operation and fire support vehicles in the region," it said. The PKK, which has waged an insurgency for autonomy in Turkey's largely Kurdish southeast since 1984, is deemed a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. (Reporting by Jonathan Spicer; Editing by Alison Williams) UnitedHealth Group has been a stock market darling for much of the past decade, dependably churning out earnings increases and rewarding shareholders with staggering returns. Its latest quarterly report, issued Tuesday, was superb, as expected. Earnings per share jumped 24 per cent. Based on the news about the diversified health service companys fundamental businesses, you might have expected its stock price to rise. Nope. UnitedHealths share price dropped 4 per cent that day and almost two percent the next. And, along with much of the healthcare sector, it has been on a downward trend for the past few months. Whats wrong with the stock? It has nothing to do with the companys short-term profit outlook, which is splendid. But like other healthcare companies, UnitedHealth is confronting a major political problem: the ascendance of Medicare for All as a lodestar for the Democratic Party. Medicare for All isnt a new idea. It may be defined, basically, as universal health insurance under a single government-run, taxpayer-financed plan. It would certainly alter, and probably limit, the role of private health insurance companies like UnitedHealth. Senator Bernie Sanders has supported the idea for years. But it wasnt much of an issue for investors because it never went anywhere in Congress. Now, however, Sanders is the front-runner among the announced aspirants for the Democratic presidential nomination. Whats more, he appears to have moved the entire political conversation into territory that is exceedingly uncomfortable for healthcare companies. When he introduced a new version of his Medicare for All legislation in the Senate on 10 April, the stock market noticed that his co-sponsors included at least four Senate Democrats who are also running for president: Kirstin Gillibrand of New York, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kamala Harris of California. Its far too early to divine whether Medicare for All particularly a version that bans or severely limits private insurance has even a modest chance of coming into existence after the 2020 election. Story continues Even now, amid all the hoopla, the odds may not be propitious. The current Democratic leaders in Congress Chuck Schumer of New York, the minority leader, and Nancy Pelosi of California, the House speaker have not supported it. President Donald Trump and Republican leaders in Congress have been demanding a smaller government role in healthcare, not a larger one. And the giant healthcare companies, which have enormous wealth and influence, are, for the most part, committed to blocking the idea. But that hasnt stopped the stock market from acting as if Medicare for All were just around the corner. In a note to clients Wednesday, Stephen Tanal, a Goldman Sachs analyst, said that fear of government intervention would probably weigh on healthcare share prices perhaps until the presidential election itself. Because many of the companies current business models are solid, he added: It seems likely to us that the trough should occur well before the November 2020 election assuming, of course, that the market likes the signposts that occur between now and then specifically, in this case, the spot probability of single-payer policy that would actually ban the sale of private health insurance. For the moment, though, as Democratic candidates embrace Medicare for All, the stock market is shunning health insurance companies like UnitedHealth, Anthem, Centene, Cigna and Humana. Hospital groups like Tenet Healthcare and HCA Healthcare have been caught in the downturn, too, under the assumption that their revenue could be squeezed if the federal government is the countrys single payer. Comments by David Wichmann, UnitedHealths chief executive, during an earnings call Tuesday, appear to have focused market attention on the issue, which made matters worse. He began his prepared remarks to Wall Street analysts with a direct attack on Medicare for All. The wholesale disruption of American healthcare being discussed in some of these proposals would surely jeopardise the relationship people have with their doctors, destabilise the nations health system, and limit the ability of clinicians to practice medicine at their best, he said. And the inherent cost burden would surely have a severe impact on the economy and jobs, all without fundamentally increasing access to care. After his remarks, the companys shares plunged, and the decline spread to other companies. Data from Bespoke Investment Group shows that the damage to healthcare stocks became much more acute on Tuesday and Wednesday. On those days, according to Bespoke, the healthcare sector, dominated by UnitedHealth, underperformed the S&P 500 by its widest margin since April 2009. Investors aversion to healthcare stocks was far greater than it was for any other market sector, using a common measure: the degree to which its share price has dropped below its 50-day moving average. The difference, or spread, between the markets aversion to healthcare stocks, the most-hated sector, and its attraction to financial services, the most-loved, was extraordinarily wide. The polarisation was greater than it has been for 99.93 percent of all trading days in the US stock market since the start of 1990, Bespoke found. When such extremes in market sentiment have occurred in the past, the depressed sector has rarely bounced back quickly, Paul Hickey, a Bespoke founder, said in an interview. When momentum is this extreme, it often takes some time to recover, he said. A Bloomberg article compared the rout in healthcare stocks to the Dark Days of the Financial Crisis, when, in addition to the crisis afflicting the overall stock market, the sector grappled with uncertainty over what, eventually, became the Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare. But as Ive written, the Affordable Care Act turned out to be a boon for managed care companies, which profited handsomely despite continuing to gripe about the governments expanded role. In the 10 years through March, for example, UnitedHealths shares returned 1,345 percent, including dividends, dwarfing the 376 percent total return for the S&P 500. UnitedHealth trailed Apples total return of 1,593 percent and Amazons, 2,649 percent, but it was far better than Google (now a unit of Alphabet) at 596 percent. At some point, stocks that fly that high simply drop in value. For healthcare stocks, this may just be one of those times. But if profits for major healthcare companies remain strong, as expected, their share prices could begin to stabilise. And if the presidential cycle starts to shift in their favour, they could resume their path upward. Its even possible that many healthcare companies, which already do extensive government business, could find ways of prospering under some version of Medicare for All, especially one that reserves a substantial role for private companies. It has been an awful stretch for healthcare stocks. But it would be foolish to underestimate the companies ability to adapt under duress and to ultimately profit, no matter who is in power. The New York Times U.S. President Donald Trump's consideration of sending immigrants to so-called sanctuary cities represented by Democrats is more than possible retaliation against his political opponents. It also evokes an event nearly 40 years ago that to this day shapes the partisan debates in the United States and other countries about the impact of immigration. That debate focuses on whether a large influx of low-skilled immigrants hurts native workers. That answer is complicated and depends upon how studies are framed, according to economists and research conducted around the world. Some economists say low-skilled immigrants from poor countries can hurt low-skilled native workers, while others say such an influx can bolster a local economy. The Mariel boatlift in 1980 is highly instructive about the impact low-skilled immigrants have on native workers, being the focus of numerous studies. The boatlift was a mass migration of Cubans into the U.S. that began on April 20 of that year and lasted through October, and was allowed by then-President Fidel Castro after a severe downturn in Cuba's economy. In all, an estimated 125,000 people traveled from Cuba to the U.S. and after reports emerged that some of the migrants had been released from Cuban jails, a heated public debate began in America about the merits of allowing large immigrant populations. A sizable portion of those Cubans, called "Marielitos," permanently settled in the Miami area, says economist Michael Clemens, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development, a nonprofit think tank based in Washington. "Everyone assumed at the time the flood (of immigrants) would have to (adversely) influence the labor market," Clemens says. But that didn't happen, Clemens says, who points to research published in 1990 by economist David Card of the University of California-Berkeley as the lasting standard that examines immigration's impact on a local economy. Story continues Card's study found no changes in wage or employment trends between Miami and other similar-sized U.S. cities in his study. Social scientists have since looked at several factors that may explain Card's findings, and a 2017 study by Harvard economist George Borjas challenged the 1990 research by asserting that low-skilled immigrants do damage the employment prospects for native workers. But the Borjas study is flawed, Clemens says. In a separate 2017 study that Clemens co-authored with Jennifer Hunt, Clemens says Borjas' study ignored female and Hispanic workers and people who had high school diplomas Additionally, Borjas looked only at male workers aged 25-55, and placed an overly representative weight on African-American workers compared to the overall Miami labor market. [MORE: The Diversity Visa Lottery Could Affect Low-Skilled Immigration] However, Borjas forcefully contested Clemens and Hunt by presenting data in 2017 that showed that even removing African-American workers from his analysis did not alter his findings. "In short, using the increase in the relative size of Miami's black workforce after 1980 to dismiss my Mariel evidence performs the job of obfuscating the debate further, but does little to clarify," Borjas wrote. The flaw in the argument that an influx of workers will adversely affect native workers is in looking at people as if they are bananas, Clemens says. When the supply of bananas increases, the value of each individual banana falls. That isn't the case with humans, Clemens says, whose research shows that as more people arrive in a local economy, demand for goods and services such as housing and food also increases. Other economists have also stated that overall an influx of migration, regardless of the type, actually boosts the economy, as immigrants can create businesses that hire U.S. workers. "Immigration brings young workers who help offset the large-scale retirement of baby boomers; immigration brings diverse skill sets that keep our workforce flexible, help companies grow, and increase the productivity of American workers," wrote several Nobel laureates in economics in a previous open letter to President Trump. "Immigrants are far more likely to work in innovative, job-creating fields such as science, technology, engineering, and math that create life-improving products and drive economic growth." Yet immigration still raises questions about the overall health of the local economy. In other countries, many local residents remain conflicted about the issue, research shows. For instance, a study that began in 1992 in Spain showed that 62 percent of those surveyed believed immigrants from underdeveloped nations caused greater unemployment among local workers, while about 4 in 10 people said local salaries fell because of immigrants. Five years later, the opinions of the same people changed: Only 46 percent of those surveyed said immigrants from underdeveloped countries caused more unemployment, while about 3 in 10 said they negatively affected the local wagers. During the refugee crisis hitting Europe in 2015, people in Germany were largely uncertain about the economic benefits of accepting large numbers of refugees into the country, with respondents saying it would affect their economy despite studies showing that the new arrivals boosted overall investment. Low-skilled migration's effect on the local economy has also been an issue in the United Kingdom and one of the main points raised in the Brexit campaign. Yet a 2018 report by the Migration Advisory Committee in the U.K. government, looking at immigrants coming from the European Economic Area, revealed that, "overall there is no evidence that migration has had a negative impact on the training of the U.K.-born workforce, and its effects on local wages was 'generally small.'" Overall, immigration is a complex issue that should allow pathways for those whose skills are immediately needed in an economy, and those who are exceptionally talented whose fit might not be immediately assessed but can greatly contribute to a nation in the long run, says William Kerr, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School. Immigration policies should also include various strategies for family reunification and well-being, he said. Developing those policies takes time and a tremendous amount of research and sometimes nations fall short. [MORE: Donald Trump's America First Policy May Jeopardize the Dreams of Indians] "There's always going to be some lag between what we think is likely to be optimal, what we learned to be the optimal scenario, and what people are able to craft right now," says Kerr, who is the author of a book on immigration strategies and global talent. What should policymakers keep in mind when crafting laws to handle immigration? Clemens says it's simple: Countries need to have clear, consistent lawful channels for migration. "When people have legal status, they make larger financial contributions to society," Clemens says. "It's more beneficial to the country of origin. It's also beneficial to the home country, where people can send remittances. Plus, you're taking money away from smugglers." Sintia Radu covers international affairs and technology for U.S. News & World Report. You can follow her on Twitter @sintiaradu and send her suggestions and ideas at sradu@usnews.com. House Democrats have formally issued a subpoena for the full contents of Special Counsel Robert Muellers report on interference in the 2016 election. Its the first official step in what will likely become a legal showdown between Congress and the Trump Administration. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, who chairs the judiciary committee, announced Friday morning that he was sending a subpoena to the Department of Justice for both the un-redacted report and all underlying evidence. The Department of Justice has until May 1 to comply. Although Nadlers committee is conducting multiple probes of the Trump Administration, this is the first subpoena he has issued since he assumed the gavel in January. I am open to working with the Department to reach a reasonable accommodation for access to these materials, however I cannot accept any proposal which leaves most of Congress in the dark, as they grapple with their duties of legislation, oversight and constitutional accountability, Nadler said in a statement. The subpoena comes less than 24 hours after Attorney General William Barr released a redacted version of Muellers report to both the public and Congress. The report was redacted based on four categories: material from grand jury testimonies, material that could compromise intelligence sources and methods, material relating to current investigations, and information that would unduly infringe on the personal privacy and reputational interests of peripheral third parties. This morning, @HouseJudiciary has issued a subpoena to the Department of Justice for the full the Mueller report and the underlying materials. DOJ is required to comply with that subpoena by May 1. pic.twitter.com/nzu9O5CC36 (((Rep. Nadler))) (@RepJerryNadler) April 19, 2019 The Justice Department has set up a briefing later in the month for officials with top clearance to view the redacted information. But Congressional Democrats say they should have access to the full report, an argument that reached a fever pitch after Mueller appeared to toss the question of whether President Donald Trump obstructed justice in the investigation to Congress. Story continues I think it was probably written with the intent of providing Congress a roadmap, as other reports have in the past. Nadler said on Thursday. With a lot of the redactions and others Attorney General Barr seems to be trying to frustrate that intent. Often a subpoena is used as a negotiating tool to coerce both sides to reach an agreement without a court fight. But veterans of past legal showdowns between Congress and the executive branch are confident this one will reach the courts. Experts say the Justice Department can cite legal precedent for withholding some of the materials the Democrats are requesting, like grand jury testimony. I would expect that even if the Justice Department decides to provide flexibility on some matters for instance national security redactions with respect to grand jury material I am sure they will take the position that they dont have the discretion to release that information, said one former House attorney, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter. The only way to solve that would be to go to court if the committee wants to get access to that material. We often see insiders buying up shares in companies that perform well over the long term. On the other hand, we'd 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 ikeGPS Group Limited (NZSE:IKE). Do Insider Transactions Matter? It is perfectly legal for company insiders, including board members, to buy and sell stock in a company. However, rules govern insider transactions, and certain disclosures are required. We don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions. But it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. As Peter Lynch said, 'insiders might sell their shares for any number of reasons, but they buy them for only one: they think the price will rise.' View our latest analysis for ikeGPS Group The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At ikeGPS Group Non-Independent Non-Executive Director Alex Knowles made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for NZ$456k worth of shares at a price of NZ$0.66 each. That means that even when the share price was higher than NZ$0.53 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares is very important. It is generally more encouraging if they paid above the current price, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels. Happily, we note that in the last year insiders bought 823k shares for a total of NZ$527k. ikeGPS Group may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. The chart below shows insider transactions (by individuals) over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! Story continues NZSE:IKE Recent Insider Trading, April 20th 2019 There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Insider Ownership of ikeGPS Group Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. ikeGPS Group insiders own 48% of the company, currently worth about NZ$23m based on the recent share price. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders. So What Do The ikeGPS Group Insider Transactions Indicate? It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded ikeGPS Group shares in the last quarter. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Judging from their transactions, and high insider ownership, ikeGPS Group insiders feel good about the company's future. I like to dive deeper into how a company has performed in the past. You can access this interactive graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow for free . Of course ikeGPS Group may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of high quality 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. HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. Two days after refusing to leave a Newark cathedral, a New Jersey man entered St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York carrying two cans of gasoline, lighter fluid and at least one butane lighter on Wednesday, authorities said. Marc Lamparello, 37, was identified as the man who allegedly brought at least one full can of gasoline to the historic Catholic cathedral, two days after a fire nearly destroyed historic Notre Dame Cathedral, said John Miller, deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism of the New York City Police Department, during a press conference Thursday. Lamparello was charged with attempted arson, reckless endangerment and trespassing, according to an NYPD tweet. UPDATE: Marc Lamparello, 37, of New Jersey, has been charged with Attempted Arson, Reckless Endagerment and Trespassing. https://t.co/PYuOrqo1zS NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 18, 2019 On Thursday morning, a man who answered the door at Lamparello's listed Berkshire Road home said he didn't know where Lamparello was or any other details. "We have no information yet," said the man, who declined to give his name. "If you want to try to tomorrow, we'd be happy to talk. But we don't know anything yet. We haven't heard from the authorities or anything. I don't know where he (Marc) is." Chris DiLorenzo, Lamparello's attorney, left the house at 3:20 p.m. after arriving shortly before, and said only that they would not comment until after the arraignment. When he was taken into custody, Lamparello had four gallons of gasoline, two bottles of lighter fluid and lighters but was stopped by security when he went inside at about 8 p.m. Wednesday, Miller said during a Wednesday press conference. He is approached by the usher working at the front door who tells him he cannot proceed into the Cathedral with these items, said Miller, on Thursday. So when he puts it down some of it spills on the floor. He picks it up and leaves, at which point the usher alerts the counter terrorism bureau critical response command striker team. Story continues The incident does not appear to be terrorism-related, Miller said. At no point did Lamparello reference the Notre Dame fire, police said. On Thursday, visitors were pouring in and out of the cathedral. Its really sad, Jason Cerna, who was visiting from Colombia, said about the incident. Weve always wanted to come here. My wife reminded me about what happened before going inside. You cant let that stop you. Ive enjoyed it here. During questioning Wednesday night, Lamparello told police his minivan had run out of gas and that he was cutting through the cathedral to get to Madison Avenue, police said. When police checked Lamporello's car, it was not out of gas, police said. Lamparello had purchased a $2,800 one-way airplane ticket to Rome, from Newark Liberty International Airport. The flight was scheduled to leave Thursday evening. Lamparello's arrest in New York comes just two days after he was arrested for refusing to leave Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, in Newark. At about 10 p.m. Monday, Lamparello arrived at the cathedral, removing his cap, blessing himself and sitting down at one of the front pews, said Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura. "He was very respectful," said Fontoura. "He was just there being respectful, no problem." It was when officers approached Lamparello later in the night as they began to clear the church that the situation turned, with Lamparello refusing to leave, despite repeated requests, said Fontoura. "They finally get to him and say 'Sir you'll have to leave. Were gonna close up now,'" said Fontoura. "He said No, I'm not leaving. This is the house of god, it should stay open.'" Even after an assistant bishop and a priest held special prayers with Lamparello, he refused to leave, throwing himself on the floor and telling police that the only way he would leave was in handcuffs, Fontoura said. "If you want to take me you'll have to put me in handcuffs and lock me up," Lamparello said, according to Fontoura. "Thats the only way I'm going." Lamparello was ultimately charged with trespassing, obstructing the administration of law and resisting arrest, said Fontoura. He was due in court May 1. Lamparello is a philosophy professor who graduated from Boston College, police said. He is currently a CUNY Student seeking his Ph.D. in philosophy. Lamparello lives in a two-story home with his father, Lenny, and mother, Dolores, according to Salvatore Altomare, who has known the family for years. Altomare, who is from Hasbrouck Heights, described the Lamparellos as a good, religious family. Lamparello was not always at the Berkshire Road home, but Altomare recalled him and his brother Adam going with their parents to St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in East Rutherford. To Altomare, there were no hints of dysfunction in Lamparello. "He came in and out," said Altomare. "He wasn't at the scene all the time. I just met him a couple of times. Seemed like a regular guy. Nice guy. Walked a straight line. He wasn't weird." Follow Keldy Ortiz and Rodrigo Torrejon on Twitter: @KeldyOrtiz and @rod_torrejon This article originally appeared on North Jersey Record: Man charged with attempted arson after bringing gas cans into St. Patrick's Cathedral, police say Pristina (AFP) - Kosovo on Saturday repatriated 110 of its citizens from Syria, mostly mothers with their children having followed their partners who went to join jihadist groups in the war-torn country. The group also included four men suspected of having fought for the Islamic State group, who were charged upon arrival in Pristina with participating in a foreign conflict, chief prosecutor Aleksander Lumezi told reporters. Kosovo, whose population of 1.8 million is 90 percent Muslim, is one of the European countries with the proportionally biggest number of jihadi fighters in Iraq and Syria. The US embassy in Kosovo welcomed the move, calling it an example for others. "With this repatriation, Kosovo has set an important example for all members of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and the international community to follow," the embassy said in a statement. "Today, in the early hours of the morning, a very sensitive and important operation was conducted with the help of the United States in which the Kosovar government repatriated 110 citizens from the war zone in Syria," justice minister Abelard Tahiri told a news conference earlier. Some 300 Kosovars joined jihadists in Syria and Iraq, according to the interior ministry. Other countries have been slow to repatriate their nationals involved in the conflict. France brought five children home in March amid massively hostile public opinion. Of the Kosovar fighters in Syria and Iraq, around 70 were killed and an estimated 120 have come home, with most arrested on their return. The authorities believe that around 30 fighters and some 50 Kosovar women and children are still in Syria, police chief Rashit Qalaj said Saturday. Kosovo, which is a close ally of Washington, passed a law four years ago allowing citizens to be jailed for up to 15 years if they leave the country to join armed groups abroad. Repatriated civilians "deserve rehabilitation and the hope for a peaceful life far from the conflicts", Tahiri said. Story continues President Hashim Taci in a Facebook post urged their loved ones "to help them reintegrate our society as quickly as possible". After landing in Pristina, the group was taken to a detention centre usually reserved for migrants, where they were awaiting medical checks. Health services director Naser Ramadani said that "the women and children have suffered serious trauma". The exact overall number of children of jihadist fighters still in Syria is unknown, but the Save the Children NGO believes that some 3,500 children from 30 countries are in camps there. On Saturday, Bosnia-Herzergovina said it had repatriated one fighter from Syria, with one source in the prosecutors' office saying he was Ibro Cufurovic, a 24-year old who went to Syria in 2013. He is on a list of 25 Bosnians wanted by Interpol. MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Friday that U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's long-awaited report did not contain any evidence the Russian state had meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Mueller's report, released on Thursday, details extensive contacts between Donald Trump's 2016 campaign and Russian operatives who, it said, sought to tilt the election in Trump's favour. However, the report did not find evidence of a criminal conspiracy between Trump's election campaign and Russia. Speaking to reporters on a conference call, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow regretted the Mueller report was having an impact on its relations with Washington. "In general, the report still does not include any reasonable evidence at all that Russia allegedly interfered in the U.S. election. "We, as before, do not accept such allegations," Peskov said. "We regret that a document of this quality is having a direct impact on the development of bilateral Russian-U.S. relations that are already not in the best condition," he added. (Reporting by Tom Balmforth and Maria Kiselyova; Editing by Mark Potter) A tsunami of criticism has crashed upon the shores of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and its director, Michael Govan. Museum lovers and taxpayers its a government-owned museum just learned that the imperially expensive new building that Govan and the museum board want offers less, not more, space for the display of art. This is, as critics correctly note, unprecedented. It will also have little back-of-house space for offices and storage, meaning that the curators and art not on view will go to parts unknown but not in the museums main building on Wilshire Boulevard. Many claim that Govan and the trustees will wreck the museum. Well, thats always been the point. Govan has been the director for twelve years. Yes, LACMA long aspired to become an encyclopedic big-city museum like the Art Institute of Chicago or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It aspired to a comprehensive collection of great things from all media, cultures, and periods, housed in a single giant palace with departments of curators busily researching in their silos like professors in great universities. It aspired to be the powerhouse of scholarship and leadership in the visual arts for the West Coast. It aspired, and it fell short. Not a Myra Breckenridgetype flop, but a chronic disappointment. As a consolation, Its a Wonderful Life more than disappointed. It was a box-office flop. Having known all of its many directors from the past, say, 40 years and many of its curators, I can say with confidence that its always been dysfunctional. It belongs to Los Angeles County, and why should anything there be better run than any other government agency? The land of Tinsel Town and the Beach Boys seems to promise nothing but a supporting part for an art museum, under any circumstances. Its a place where people want to be outside, unless theyre seeing a movie. Its rich people are more often than not stingy, narcissistic, and demanding. Couth isnt a native species. Its hard to nourish a museum where tradition is devalued, where the new is prized above all else, where so much is fake, and where nothing is permanent. Story continues In the face of these headwinds, LACMA has built an impressive collection. The museum was never an exhibition or scholarly giant, though. Its not an egghead place. As a big player, it just never got traction. The Getty Center plays the starring role in that production. LACMA has many good curators. It seems, though, that whenever it does a really great show, most of the time it comes from someplace else. The museum has always been on the fringe. I think a big, Met-style museum in Los Angeles is culturally counterintuitive, and I mean the civic culture. In L.A. style, its time to do something fresh. I like Govan. Hes a Williams man, as am I, and part of the famous Williams Mafia of directors and curators, as was I. Williams aside, or possibly via Williams, hes smooth, classy, smart, and he has good taste. He was hired to break the long cycle of dysfunction and redevelop the museum in a way that both befits a great city and fits this particular citys zeitgeist. The board and Govan champion a new building designed by the Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. I think it will be beautiful, distinctive, and a destination. Its tranquil, even mystical, and yes, looks like a Hollywood movie set with a modernized art deco feel. It looks like a massive spaceship, too, streamlined like the ones in the Star Wars movies, flying cities among the stars. It belongs in L.A. odd since the architect lives in the Alps. Its so sleek that its ironic beyond delicious that its landing next to the La Brea tarpits. Thats where dinosaurs roamed, and theres another irony. Zumthors building will replace four of LACMAs current old, outdated buildings, from the 60s through the 80s. I like these buildings, too. The LACMA campus is nice, neo-Neutra, with lovely outdoor spaces. It feels quaint. Govan and the board think that theyre tear-downs and will cost so much to renovate and retrofit for earthquakes that it makes more sense to start afresh. I dont buy this, but my Vermont making do mania, for once, seems irrelevant. This is L.A. Making do Yankee-style is about as attractive as mud season. Everything there gets trashed sooner or later. Over the last few years, LACMA tried to make the former May Department Store into a museum annex. Its an attractive, workable art deco building on the next block. When the board hired Govan, they had to know he wouldnt be happy with this solution, and neither would glitzy, rich L.A. types. Donna Reed and Celeste Holm were attractive and workable. Lana Turner was fabulous. L.A. will always crave fabulous. The Zumthor project will cost a fortune. Will LACMA do deeply into debt? Probably. Will the total project cost more than $650 million? Of course! Govans masters in county government will soon be tethered to the project. Theyve approved it, and once theres a hole in the ground, theres no retreat. They will find the money to finish it. LACMA has been trying to build a new campus for 20 years. Its gone through one iteration after another, each a painful flop. Theres something to be said for a lets just do it spirit of Mickey Rooney when he played Andy Hardy. I think a single credential on Govans resume explains why LACMA is where it is. Hes a protege of Tom Krens. Krens was the director of the Guggenheim Museum in New York for many years. He is a museum entrepreneur. He gave us the Guggenheim in Bilbao and was the father of Mass MoCA, which I love. He made the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice a place that combines style and scholarship. Govan was the deputy director of the Guggenheim during the Bilbao project. He then went to the Dia Foundation. There, he directed the museum when he moved to a massive, repurposed factory in Beacon, N.Y. Like Krens, he believes that bold statement architecture brings people in the door. Krens pioneered and then refined the concept of museum branding and museum spawning, making the Guggenheim an international name. The Guggenheims motorcycle show was controversial in stuffy circles. It was flashy and brought in crowds. The day I went, the Devil Dolls, Hells Belles, and Badass Babes were waiting to visit, their motorcycles parked wherever-they-damn-well-pleased. Krens and Govan want to market art to a wide audience, and thats fine, too. Bilbao is great. Some of Krenss projects flopped, but when you dream big dreams, that happens. Why the Guggenheim is collaborating with the United Arab Emirates on a museum project in Abu Dhabi is beyond me, since they throw gay people off the roof, work foreign laborers like slaves, and treat women only a little better than in A Thousand and One Nights. I wouldnt work for Krens because Im too much of a traditionalist, but I admire his egalitarian vision. He brought a corporate-style flair and opportunism to the museum world, and this isnt all bad. Govan has brought his own vision to LACMA, and that vision descends from Krens and then from Williams, where art history emphasized aesthetics and accessibility. Its not accessibility in terms of equity, inclusion, and diversity piffle. Its scrutability the idea that art provides sensual pleasure, that a work of art isnt a Social Warrior Action Figure or an illustration but a thing of beauty and refinement anyone with a brain and eyes can savor. The Williams Way saw art more in terms of experience, aesthetics, and craftsmanship than according to school, medium, chronology, and other classifications, or, worse, a cudgel for class struggle. Govan, like Krens, is more about the big splash than anyone at Williams ever was, but to paraphrase Dorothy, hes not at Williams anymore. Hes in Los Angeles. Theyre getting what they want. I wont comment on whether theyre getting what they deserve. Govans plan limits spaces devoted to specific departments. Were not likely to see print galleries or Asian wings or period rooms. This isnt for everyone, and its not for everywhere, thank God, but it offers an eclecticism that seems right for Los Angeles. Zumthors building will be mostly used for rotating temporary and permanent collections show, with the emphasis on rotating, and that means always new and fresh. The fats in the fire on this point. Govan has hired curators who share his philosophy. Theyre doing good, provocative shows. The Old Guard is gone. My biggest concern is that the permanent collection will lose its place of privilege. Govan and the board need to make the baby LACMAs in the neighborhoods a place where the collection can shine. Under Govan, the collection has gotten some very fine new things. Hes not forgetting what the museum owns. I read an essay in the Los Angeles Review of Books by the dogged, perceptive, and brave Joseph Giovannini. It skewers the LACMA plan. I disagree with his bottom line he recommends canceling the project but its a brilliant, scorching piece. He did a space audit, which uncovered the incredible shrinking museum as a news story, and then presented the plan in depth. Govan wanted the article squashed. Zumthor, however great an architect he is, has never worked on this scale and has a history of cost overruns in his projects. There was no search, but as bad as this almost always is, L.A. isnt a convene-a-committee place, and its last architect search was a fiasco. Giovannini and others observe that the Zumthor plan functionally precludes a future on-site expansion. It eats all of LACMAs land. This is true, but thats the plan. It forces LACMA to open branches throughout the county, much as the Guggenheim has Guggenheim babies. Los Angeles County is the size of Connecticut. Its big and diffuse. One giant, central, all-encompassing civic museum wont grab local hearts and minds the way it would in Philadelphia, Chicago, or a dozen smaller cities where a big museum would be icon of civic identity and pride. Were blessed the American museum system is so decentralized and so open to what is, at LACMA, now a start-up. Like the Guggenheim, its a multigenerational project and a fascinating experiment. I hope Los Angeles County sticks with it, and I hope Govan stays there to finish it. More from National Review A loud explosion and follow-up gunfire were heard near the Afghan communication ministry in central Kabul on Saturday, officials said. The blast occurred a day after talks collapsed between the Taliban and Afghan representatives, but no one claimed immediate responsibility and there was no immediate word on casualties. Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said an explosion was heard near the communication ministry around 11:40 am (0710 GMT), followed by sporadic gunfire. Intermittent firing could still be heard more than 30 minutes after the blast, and the area had been cordoned off by security forces. The communication ministry is located in downtown Kabul, about two kilometres (1.25 miles) from the green zone. The explosion comes the week after the Taliban announced their annual spring offensive and amid ongoing fighting across Afghanistan. The Afghan branch of the Islamic State group has also previously carried out multiple deadly attacks in Kabul. French President Emmanuel Macron addresses the French nation following a massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, at the Elysee Palace in Paris - REUTERS Emmanuel Macrons approval ratings have risen to levels not seen since before the yellow vest revolt erupted last autumn with most French feeling he rose to the occasion over the Notre-Dame fire, a poll out on Friday suggests. President Macron's popularity plummeted last September following a tax rise on pensioners and a backlash over plans to raise fuel taxes. According to BVA, Mr Macron has clawed back three points in the past month and is now on 32 per cent with six out of ten French feeling he did a good job handling the Notre-Dame inferno. Mr Macron had been due to broadcast a key televised address on Monday night to address yellow vest concerns in the wake two months of debates around the country. Leaked details of the speech suggest he was going to announce tax cuts for poor households and a boost to small pensions, among other measures. Instead, he rushed to the famed Gothic building in central Paris and later promised to rebuild the cathedral within five years. A poll out yesterday suggested most of the measures Mr Macron was due to announce answered yellow vest demands, although the vast majority were angry at his refusal to instantly reinstate a wealth tax. Mr Macron is expected to detail the measures in person next week. The poll also found that 54 per cent of French think yellow vest protests should be put on hold in the name of national unity over Notre-Dame. Due to the fragility of the building and the risk of violence, police are to impose a protest ban on the area around the fire-stricken for Saturday's 23rd consecutive gilets jaunes protest. Despite this, police fear fresh protests in the French capital on Saturday with the interior minister warning some people literally want to trash Paris. A number of high-profile gilets jaunes figures have called for action with some outraged that almost 1billion (865 million) was donated to rebuilding Notre-Dame while there was no such gesture for the poor. Yesterday the last artworks inside the cathedral were removed with art conservationists confirming none suffered major damage in the fire. In more good news, the 180,000 bees kept in hives on the monument that were thought to have perished in this week's fire were discovered alive. Elizabeth Warren has become the first 2020 election candidate to make a clear call for impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump following the release of special counsel Robert Muellers redacted report. The Massachusetts senator tweeted that it would be damaging to ignore a presidents repeated efforts to obstruct an investigation into his own disloyal behaviour and would allow future presidents to act in the same way. She added: The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty. That means the House should initiate impeachment proceedings against the president of the United States. Mr Mueller, who examined whether Mr Trumps campaign coordinated with Russia during the 2016 election and whether the president tried to interfere with the inquiry, made no clear verdict on obstruction of justice. His report did, however, lay out 11 possible attempts to influence the investigation although he indicated the president was mostly unsuccessful because his aides refused to carry out orders. Other Democrats running in 2020 have been more cautious on impeachment than Ms Warren in their response to the publication. Julian Castro said it would be perfectly reasonable for congress to open up those proceedings. Both Jay Inslee of Washington and Eric Swalwell both of whom have recently launched presidential campaigns said only that the idea should not be taken off the table. Other Democratic candidates, including senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, suggested it was too soon to start impeachment proceedings. The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty. That means the House should initiate impeachment proceedings against the President of the United States. Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 19, 2019 We dont have an unredacted version of the report. We dont have the underlying materials that that report was written upon. We havent had yet an opportunity to have hearings where we interview Mueller, said Mr Booker said during a campaign stop in Reno, Nevada. Story continues I think thats there definitely a conversation to be had on that subject, but first I want to hear from Bob Mueller and really understand what exactly is the evidence that supports the summary that weve been given, said Ms Harris on impeachment hearings. Pete Buttigieg, the Indiana mayor also running for the White House, suggested it was not the best way to get rid of Mr Trump. He told NBCs Late Night with Seth Meyers: If we really want to send Trumpism into the history books, the best thing we can do is defeat it decisively at the ballot box in 2020. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, while not running in 2020, has signed on to an impeachment resolution from fellow Democrat, Rashida Tlaib. The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Jerrold Nadler, has issued a subpoena for the full Mueller report and expects the Justice Department to comply by 1 May. Attorney general William Barr is to appear before the committee on 2 May, while Mr Nadler has also summoned Mr Mueller to testify by 23 May. The only Republican who had declared he will run against Donald Trump in 2020 said on Friday he was horrified by special counsel Robert Muellers report, but said he could not back impeachment for political reasons. The former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld told ABC News: Its very unlikely that he would ever be convicted in the Senate where you need a two thirds vote. Photo Illustration by Sarah Rogers/The Daily Beast / Photo by Getty/FBI Robert Muellers report contains a catalog of misconduct by President Trump, detailing repeated efforts to undermine law enforcement investigations. But the special counsel also provides a detailed brief against a leading Washington lawyer who pursued an unsuccessful campaign to cause the Justice Department to shut down Muellers obstruction of justice investigation: William Barr. Last summer, Barr, a former attorney general for President George H.W. Bush, embarked on a campaign to lobby Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who then oversaw the Mueller investigation, to order Mueller to stop investigating Trumps obstruction. According to Barr, Muellers investigation was fatally misconceived, because the president is wholly immune from liability for exercising what Barr described as discretion vested in him by the Constitution. The mere prospect of allowing Trump to be interrogated about his conduct threatened to do lasting damage to the Presidency and the administration of law within the Executive Branch, Barr wrote. More than 20 pages of the Mueller report are devoted to an explanation of why obstruction of justice statutes can properly be applied to the president, and much of that discussion is a detailed rebuttal of the arguments Barr made in the memo asking Rosenstein to shut down Muellers investigation of Trump. As Barr went on to assert in a 19-page memo to Rosenstein, the president has plenary authority to stop or start a law enforcement investigation for any reason, including an investigation of the presidents own potentially criminal conduct. Barr therefore asserted that courts would not construe the federal obstruction of justice statute to reach Trumps obstruction, and that in any event the Constitution would bar them from doing so. This, Barr asserted, is because the Constitution . . . places no limit on the Presidents authority to act on matters that concern him or his own conduct. Barr shared his memo with Trumps defense team as well as White House lawyers, who previously made similar, but less developed, arguments in their own memo to Muellers team on behalf of the president. But Rosenstein did not shut down Muellers investigation, and until recently, it did not seem that Barrs arguments were gaining traction. Story continues But matters took a different turn when, at the end of last year, Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions and nominated Barr to take his old job as the nations chief law enforcement official once again. Soon thereafter, Mueller delivered his final report to Barr, and on March 24, Barr released his misleading letter regarding the report. Barr stated that Mueller had l[eft] it to the Attorney General to determine whether the conduct described in the report constitutes a crime. That was false. The special counsel did not defer to Barr to reach a judgment about the presidents conduct. Rather, Mueller determined that, because binding DOJ policy categorically bars the indictment of a sitting president, it is improper for any prosecutor (presumably including the attorney general) to apply an approach that could potentially result in a judgment that the president committed crimes while Trump remains in office. In his March letter and again in his press conference, Barr announced his own traditional prosecutorial judgment that Trumps conduct does not merit indictment. This was not simply an act of filling in a gap left by Mueller; it was a direct challenge to Mueller. According to the DOJ, one of the reasons a president cannot be indicted while in office is that the Constitution specifies a mechanism for accusing a sitting President of wrongdoing and removing him from office: impeachment. In his report, Mueller states that the issuance of a prosecutorial judgment upon Trump while he remains in office carries the risk of preempt[ing] constitutional processes for addressing presidential misconduct; that is, the needless issuance of such a prosecutorial opinion could improperly intrude upon Congresss role of adjudging the president through impeachment proceedings. Barr also reasoned that such an advisory opinion would improperly impinge upon the role of prosecutors in a future administration to decide whether to charge Trump after he exits the White House. The Mueller report contains a detailed, and extraordinarily damning, account of 10 separate categories of obstruction by the president. No reader can fairly walk away from the report without concluding that the Trump is probably a serial felon. Nonetheless, Mueller hews studiously to his commitment to avoid making a traditional prosecutorial judgment, and never opines on the presidents legal culpability. Barr has yet to explain why he disagreed with Mueller and felt the need to issue an entirely superfluous judgment that Trump, who cannot presently be indicted under binding DOJ policies, should not be charged. But the Mueller report itself offers a possible answer. It includes a detailed takedown of Barrs argument that presidents cannot obstruct justice by manipulating the justice system they control. Muellers legal arguments against Barr are complex, but, the issue at stake is simple, amounting, in Muellers words, to the fundamental principle of our government that [n]o [person] in this country is so high that he is above the law. Thus, Mueller states, Barrs argument that Congress is barred from criminalizing efforts by presidents to frustrate law enforcement investigations is at odds with our constitutional system. Indeed, Mueller suggests, Barrs argument is akin to the position of absolute executive privilege that the Supreme Court rejected when it compelled President Nixon to turn over the Watergate tapes. When one considers that much of the Mueller report is a direct rebuke of Barrs own expansive views of presidential prerogatives, it becomes less surprising that Barr has used the power of his newly assumed office to attempt to blunt, and even subvert, Muellers report. But at the end of the day, Barr only has the power that the nation is willing to give to him. As Mueller states, Congress has a constitutionally assigned authority to investigate potential presidential misconduct, and to impeach a president if it so decides. Likewise, if the voters choose not to return Trump to office in 2020, there will be no bar to his indictment after he leaves office. In either event, the Mueller report will provide a valuable blueprint for holding the president to account for his crimes. Read more at The Daily Beast. The public release of the special counsel Robert Muellers report on Thursday finally brought into the open key findings from the two-year investigation into Russian interference in the US election. The special counsel team found no criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Moscow but disclosed damning revelations about Donald Trumps repeated attempts to interfere with the Russia investigation and possible obstruction of justice. But the 448-page report includes substantial redactions on the subject of Russian hacking, nearly two-thirds of the section is blacked out. Those redactions, as well as Muellers decision to punt on the question of whether Trump committed a crime, raise a series of fresh questions about the conduct of Trump and his aides. Relationship between the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks Investigators established that WikiLeaks, the website founded by Julian Assange, was the forum for publishing thousands of Democratic party emails that had been hacked by the Russians. The indictment of the longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone also drew a link between the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks, suggesting Stone had advance knowledge that WikiLeaks disclosures were forthcoming and reported back to a high-ranking Trump campaign official. Related: Trump claims 'game over' on Mueller report as Democrats say game on The Mueller report states that the Trump campaign showed interest in WikiLeakss releases of hacked materials throughout the summer and fall of 2016, noting that Trump claimed to know about the forthcoming release of emails. It is then heavily redacted, citing potential harm to an ongoing matter. A subsection in the report titled Contacts with the Campaign about WikiLeaks names several Trump associates the campaign chairman Paul Manafort, the deputy campaign chairman Rick Gates and the presidents former personal attorney Michael Cohen but is largely blacked out. Notably, the redactions cover the release of emails hacked from the account of Hillary Clintons campaign chairman, John Podesta, which were published by WikiLeaks less than an hour after the Washington Post unearthed a 2005 Access Hollywood tape in which Trump bragged about groping and kissing women without their consent. Story continues The redactions leave the public without a full view of what exactly transpired between the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks, the extent of their communications and whether there was coordination around the dissemination of emails. It also remains unclear how the hacked emails were transferred to WikiLeaks by the Russians. Mueller was unable to fully investigate Carter Page or George Papadopoulos Two former Trump campaign foreign policy aides have been central to the investigation due to their contacts with the Russians. George Papadopoulos was offered dirt on Hillary Clinton by a foreign agent and sought (unsuccessfully) to arrange meetings between Trump and Vladimir Putin; and Carter Page was believed to be acting as a foreign agent, prompting the FBI to seek a court-approved warrant to surveil him. Trumps team has downplayed the role both men played in the 2016 campaign, but the Mueller report says some mysteries remain about their activities. The report states that the special counsel was not fully able to explore the nature of Papadopoulos contact with Sergei Millian, a US citizen and native of Belarus. (Millian refused to cooperate with investigators.) The special counsel said Millian claimed to have insider knowledge and direct access to the top hierarchy in Russian politics. Investigators separately scrutinized a trip Page took to Moscow in July of 2016, where he delivered two speeches criticizing US policy toward Russia. Page met with several friends and associates, according to the report, and informed Trump campaign officials of strong support for the then candidate Trump within the Russian government. What follows are redactions and an admission by the special counsel that aspects of Pages travel to Russia are still unknown: The Office was unable to obtain additional evidence or testimony about who Page may have met or communicated with in Moscow; thus, Pages activities in Russia as described in his emails with the Campaign were not fully explained. Trump repeatedly sought to interfere with the Russia investigation so was it a crime? Arguably the most confounding aspect of the report, to many observers, is that Mueller did not make a determination on whether Trump obstructed justice. The special counsel investigated 11 episodes of possible obstruction that spanned Trumps actions as president and his campaigns efforts to obscure its contacts with the Russians during the 2016 campaign. But Mueller left it to Congress to determine whether Trumps conduct was criminal. Jessica Levinson, a law professor at Loyola Law School, said Muellers decision to punt stemmed from three factors: the understanding within the justice department that a sitting president cannot be indicted; Muellers inability to interview Trump in person and confirm that the president did, in fact, have corrupt intent; and the leeway granted to presidents on hiring and firing personnel. He threw this into Congresss lap, Levinson said. I read the structure and substance of the report as a subtle wink and a nod to Congress to say, Heres some useful information for you now you can do something with this if youd like. The report also made clear that the summary provided by the attorney general, William Barr, sought to minimize concerns over Trumps conduct. Levinson said she was surprised by the depth and breadth of the evidence thats laid out pointing to obstruction. The chairman of the US House Intelligence Committee was in London last year asking questions about people who have been investigating Donald Trump. One of his key targets was Christopher Steele who had written the explosive dossier on Trump and the Kremlin which had resulted in the issue getting massive publicity. Devin Nunes was particularly keen on who the former MI6 officer had contacts with in the FBI and Justice Department. He asked to meet the head of MI6, Alex Younger, his counterparts at MI5, Andrew Parker, and GCHQ, Jeremy Fleming. Although it was far from unusual for the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee to meet the heads of Britains security establishment, all three refused because, it is said, they were wary, according to officials, of his motives. He had to do instead, with, Theresa Mays deputy National Security Advisor, Madeleine Alessandri. The visit by Mr Nunes, who was part of Trumps transition team, was at a particularly difficult time for the President with the court appearances of his personal lawyer and consiglieri Michael Cohen and former campaign manager, Paul Manafort. Mr Nunes had to recuse himself for a while from the investigation after being caught out making secret visits to the White House. The Republican controlled House Committee published its report in Spring last year, with dissenting notes from the Democrat members, and it was seen as whitewash of Trump. Mr Nunes is no longer the chair of the Intelligence Committee in the Democrat controlled House, it is Adam Schiff, the former deputy chairman who has been a vociferous advocate for investigation. This is a man who can do Trump a great deal of damage, a man he could perhaps have tried to mend fences with, instead the President referred to him in a tweet as Adam Schitt just after he took over the post. The House Intelligence Committee, under Schiff, said today that it has requested Robert Mueller to testify and it has reopened its investigation into Mr Trump. The Mueller Report reveals that one reason why the Special Counsel did not conclude whether Mr Trump was guilty of obstruction was Justice Department policy that a sitting President could not be prosecuted for a crime. This, a number of analysts has pointed out, leaves it to Congress to make the Constitutional decision whether Mr Trump can be charged. Story continues This House inquiry is possibly the most hawkish in keeping after Mr Trump, but there about 20 different continuing probes into Mr Trump, his family and associates, by Congressional Committees and Federal and State prosecutors. And no fewer than 14 of these inquiries have received information gathered by the Special Counsels team and passed on because it did not fit in with the focus of their task. Just 48 hours before Attorney General William Barr gave his press conference claiming that Trump has been cleared, a performance for which he was criticised for acting like the Presidents Defence Attorney, House Democrats were issuing subpoenas for information from Deutsche Bank and other financial institutions in their investigation of the Mr Trump. The President, we know from redacted copies of the Mueller Report, declared when told of the appointment of a Special Counsel slumped back in his chair and said Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency, Im f****d. The 675 day inquiry may be over, but Trump and his supporters have long complained that Mueller was going beyond his remit, now the Presidents critics know that what he gathered has not been wasted but taken up by other investigators. The Special Counsel, we have seen, pointed to ten episodes in which Mr Trump engaged in potential obstruction of justice. Barr insisted that there was no evidence to bring charges and reiterated that there was no collusion between the Russians and the Trump team. But the Mueller Report also states that Mr Trump ordered a number of his team, former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, lawyer Don McGahn, and former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, to sabotage the Russia inquiry including -- but they refused. The current ongoing investigations are looking for evidence of both collusion and obstruction. The Democrats who have launched investigations maintain that just because the President failed in his attempts to obstruct justice, does not absolve him from possible charges of conspiracy to obstruct. The House Intelligence Committee has expanded its scope by looking in particular at Russian organised crime. This is in response to claims that Russian loans which Mr Trump received when Western financial institutions after one of his bankruptcies were, in fact, illicit funds being laundered. Other lines of inquiry being pursued by the Committee include the extent of contacts between the Trump team and Russia; influence on Mr Trump and his coterie from other foreign states and whether Trump obstructed justice. One of the key events which emerged during the Mueller investigation was a meeting at Trump Tower, New York, between the Presidents son Donald Trump junior, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, his then campaign manager Paul Manafort and a group of Russians, some of them with links to the countrys security apparatus. The meeting was allegedly arranged so that the Russians could pass on damaging. Michael Cohen claims that Donald Trump knew about the meeting despite his denials that was the case. The Mueller Report states that Trump directed aides on multiple occasions not to disclose emails setting up the meeting, and Trump himself dictated a misleading statement. But the Special Counsel concluded that Presidents actions were not criminal acts. Report also states that it did not prosecute Donald junior and others because it could not be proved that they had wilfully violated the law. The damage to Hillary Clintons campaign through the hacking of her and Democrat party emails is another avenue the House Committee is said to be taking. The Information was stolen, according to Mueller indictments, by Russian military intelligence officers from GRU some of whom were in touch with WikiLeaks which then made it public. The Committee is said to be looking at allegations that WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange who is now in police custody in London after being arrested at the Ecuadoran embassy where he had been granted asylum for seven years. Some of continuing investigations into Trump are examining what took place from the very start of his Presidency. The United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) is examining the finances of Trumps inauguration committee which took in and spent $ 107 million. The FBI raised concern about some of the Russians who appeared at the event and other eastern European connections. Sam Patten, an associate of Mr Manafort has admitted that he helped a Ukrainian businessman put $ 50,000 into the inauguration. Prosecutors subpoenaed a range of documents from the Committee with apparent particular interest in money donated with connection to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel, states which have financial ties with Trump or his son-in-law Jared Kushner. They are also believed to be looking at claims that China and Qatar also targeted Kushner who is a White House senior advisor. Mr Mueller passed on information to New York attorneys about Mr Manafort, they are now looking at whether Paul Manafort, when chairman of the Trump campaign, illegally coordinated with a super PAC, Rebuilding America Now, and whether the PAC received money from Qatar and other Middle-Eastern countries. Michael Cohen has testified to Congress that prosecutors from the district are examining his communications with Trump and Trumps representatives following FBI raids on his offices in April 2018. Investigations by New York City are New York State, and New York Attorney Generals office are looking at Trumps finances after the New York Times reported that he had benefited from more than $ 400 million in various tax schemes. And the New York Attorney General has charged the Trump Foundation with violations of campaign finance laws, self-dealing and illegal coordination with the Presidential campaign . The Attorney General has said, after being given the go-ahead by a judge that he is expanding his inquiries into Trumps broader business activities. The Attorney Generals for Maryland and District of Columbia have sent subpoenas to the Trump Organisation over the Emoluments Clause of the US Constitution which bars the President from accepting payments from foreign governments while in Office. This is expected to yield evidence that various countries have done deals with Trumps business such as how the Saudi government booked more than 500 rooms in Trumps hotel in Washington in the months after the election. So this is not the end of the affair as far as Trump and Russia are concerned, not even the beginning of the end. Information Mueller has provided has helped to start other investigations into Trump, and the what is revealed in the Report, even with its redactions, will be of great help in deciding whether the US President really was the Moscovian candidate for the White House. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Nine people were hospitalized in critical condition after a fire engulfed Russia's Nizhnekamskneftekhim (NKNK) petrochemical complex in the Republic of Tatarstan on Friday, TASS news agency reported citing the local health ministry. A spokesman for the emergencies ministry confirmed that in total 17 people had incurred burns "of different degrees" in the fire in the city's industrial zone, but he was not able to say if the incident occurred at the plant. The ministry said that production had not been interrupted and that there was no danger of hazardous materials being leaked. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Hugh Lawson) A former US Marine who was allegedly involved in a raid of the North Korean embassy in Madrid has been arrested, according to sources familiar with the case. Christopher Ahn was arrested on Thursday in connection with the incident, when a group of at least 10 people stormed into the embassy, restrained and physically beat some personnel and held them hostage for hours in February. Spanish investigators have said the group stole computers and hard drives before fleeing to the United States, where they shared the stolen material with the FBI. US federal agents also reportedly raided the apartment of Adrian Hong, the leader of self-styled human right group Cheollima Civil Defence, this week in relation to the investigation. Cheollima Civil Defence, which is seeking to overthrow North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has claimed responsibility for the incident but denied that they used violence. Mr Ahn is thought to be the first person arrested in relation to the raid. A Spanish judicial source said the stolen material has been returned to the North Korean embassy, two weeks after the FBI sent it to the Spanish court investigating the raid. The incident came just days before the second summit between Donald Trump and Mr Kim, which resulted in a failure to come to agreement about the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. North Koreas foreign ministry denounced the incident as a grave terrorist attack and suggested that the FBI was involved. The US State Department has denied that accusation. Cheollima Civil Defence has said the incident was not an attack and claimed it had been invited into the embassy. We were invited into the embassy, and contrary to reports, no one was gagged or beaten, the group wrote on their website. Out of respect for the host nation of Spain, no weapons were used. All occupants in the embassy were treated with dignity and necessary caution. The group also claimed that the US government was not involved with the incident until after the event. Story continues However, a judge for Spains National Court has accused the group of violently beating embassy officials and putting them in shackles and flanges. The judge also said three members of the group took an official into the embassy basement and tried to persuade him to defect from North Korea. Although documents released by the Spanish court said several members, including Mr Hong, had fled to the United States, their whereabouts are unclear. The court is seeking their extradition. Agencies contributed to this report By Clodagh Kilcoyne LONDONDERRY (Reuters) - Two men have been arrested in Northern Ireland over the killing of a journalist during a riot, police said, with politicians calling for calm after the shooting added to concerns about the stability of the region's 21-year-old peace deal. Lyra McKee, 29, an award-winning journalist who was writing a book on the disappearance of young people during decades of violence in Northern Ireland, was shot dead on Thursday as she watched Irish nationalist youths attack police following a raid. Her death, which follows a large car bomb in the city in January, raised fears that small marginalized militant groups are trying to exploit political tensions caused by Britain's decision to leave the European Union. Northern Ireland's political parties, which are broadly split between Irish nationalists aspiring to unite the British region with Ireland and unionists who want it to remain British, issued a joint call for calm. "Lyra's murder was an attack on all the people of this community, an attack on the peace and on the democratic processes," leaders of the main six parties said in a statement. "This is a time for calm heads." McKee was watching with a crowd of bystanders as local youths attacked police with petrol bombs and set cars on fire, video footage showed. Police said McKee was hit when a gunman opened fire in the direction of officers. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Saturday that two men, aged 18 and 19, had been arrested under the Terrorism Act in connection with the murder. Police said they believed the shooting was likely carried out by the small New IRA group of Irish nationalist militants opposed to the Good Friday peace deal. The group was blamed by police for planting the car bomb outside a courthouse in Londonderry in January. It is one of a number of small groups who remain active and oppose the 1998 deal, which largely ended three decades of violence in the region in which over 3,600 died. "FRAGILE PEACE" Politicians around the world condemned the shooting, with former U.S. President Bill Clinton, a key player in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement peace accord, saying he was "heartbroken." "We cannot let go of the last 21 years of hard-won peace and progress," Clinton said on Twitter. Politicians in Northern Ireland have warned that Britain's plans to leave the European Union could undermine the peace deal and that any return of restrictive infrastructure along the Irish-Northern Irish border would become targets for militants. Michel Barnier, the European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, who has insisted the maintenance of a completely open border, on Saturday said the killing was "a reminder of how fragile peace still is in Northern Ireland." Hundreds had gathered in cities across Northern Ireland on Friday to hold vigils for McKee, who was also known as an activist for lesbian and gay rights. In a rare show of unity, the leader of the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party Arlene Foster joined the head of rival Sinn Fein in a heavily Irish nationalist area close to the scene of the shooting to condemn McKee's killing. (Reporting by Conor Humphries and Amanda Ferguson; Editing by Toby Chopra) The tragic fire that nearly destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Monday stunned France, western Christianity, and much of the world. Although the shocking fire did extraordinary damage to the world-renowned building, its effect is a stark illustration of the empty, blackened hole at the heart of secular Europe. The ruined cathedral is both metaphorical and metaphysical. In his 2005 book, "The Cube and the Cathedral," Catholic scholar George Weigel contrasted the secular vision that produced La Grande Arche de la Defense in Paris (a postmodern monstrosity) with the Christian vision that produced Notre Dame Cathedral. Weigel expressed concern that the new European Union constitution of 2004 intentionally left out the Christian history of Europe as a source of its values. Indeed he questioned whether the EU can survive as a democratic polity when it has lost both its foundation and with it any hope for the future. French President Emmanuel Macron announced Monday night, We will rebuild this cathedral together. But to what end? Inside the Notre-Dame Cathedral on April 16, 2019. Read more commentary: After Notre Dame Cathedral fire, Paris lost much more than just a church As a Paris tour guide who ignored Notre Dame, I forgot ancient cities dont last forever Can you be a former Catholic? With new betrayal on child sex abuse, I'm about to find out Europes long-term trend towards secularism that began with the Enlightenment continues unabated. The Pew Research Center last year completed a massive study on Christianity in Western Europe. While most European adults identify as Christians, many of them are no longer practicing their faith. In every country except Italy, non-practicing Christians outnumber regulars at church. A separate study from Pew found that, weekly church attendance everywhere except Poland is below 25% and in some cases in the single digits. European Christians are also losing their theology. Most non-practicing Christians in Europe believe in God, but only 24% believe in God as described in the Bible. According to a survey by Ligonier Ministries, one third of people in the United Kingdom say I dont know when asked whether trust in Jesus alone leads to salvation, whether the resurrection actually occurred, hell is real, or Jesus will return. Story continues Europe is losing it's religion The trends among European young people are dire. British researchers have found that most young people are not identifying with or practicing religion. In the UK, only 7% of youth identify as Anglican, and 10% as Catholic; 6% are Muslim. In the UK, France, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands, between 56% and 60% say they never go to church. With the exception of Catholic youth in Poland, Lithuania, and Ireland, the vast majority of young people in Europe are now unchurched. Scandals in the Christian church have contributed to declining religiosity among the faithful. According to Pew, 53% of European nones who were raised in the Church cited scandals involving religious institutions and leaders as a factor in their decision to stop identifying with the faith of their fathers. God is not dead in Europe, but many are no longer following Him. The shell of Notre Dame Cathedral remains, with the hope that the structure may be rebuilt. Will the shell of European Christianity be revitalized? There are signs that this may be happening already. There are, however, glimmers of hope In Germany, the state Lutheran Church is seeing growth in new members, and evangelical and Pentecostal churches are seeing solid growth. In Norway, although the state Evangelical Lutheran church is in decline, the number of Christian congregations in Oslo has almost doubled in a decade. Much of the growth is due to immigration from eastern Europe and Africa. And in France, Macron himself has encouraged the Catholic Church to be more engaged in politics, although his ultimate purpose may be pragmatic and not principled. Politicians aside, there is anecdotal evidence of increased religiosity among Catholics. And more and more French youth are identifying closely with their religious faith. Secularism has attempted to stamp out the remaining embers of Christianity in Europe. But perhaps the enduring image of this weeks tragic fire at Notre Dame will not be the central spire collapsing in a raging fire, but thousands of Parisians on their knees in the streets, praying and singing hymns. Tom Copeland is a professor of politics at Colorado Christian University, and a fellow at the Centennial Institute. You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Notre Dame fire: Why should France rebuild cathedral? Embers of Christianity still burn. Days after the catastrophic fire at Paris's Notre-Dame, around 30 business owners on Thursday gathered at a cafe in the shadow of the burned cathedral. The owners of restaurants and souvenir stores, flower stalls and gourmet food markets in an area known to residents simply as the "village", they have all been forced to close since Monday's devastating fire at the UNESCO World Heritage landmark. Few at the gathering Thursday morning in the Quasimodo cafe -- named after the hunchback in Victor Hugo's celebrated novel set at the cathedral -- seemed optimistic about the chances of re-opening in the near future. Police are letting only residents and business owners onto the River Seine island known as the Ile de la Cite where the cathedral stands, choking off the tourist traffic that is their lifeblood. "We usually have lots of tourists, more than 500 a day, but now there's nobody," said Virginie Aranda, who has a stall at the flower market on the Ile de la Cite. "We haven't even been able to come and water our plants." She and others at the meeting say the extended security perimeter set up while inspections are carried out at Notre-Dame could cost them dearly. "We've already had a tough winter because of the "yellow vests, and now we have this," said Betty Toullier, another flower vendor, referring to the protests that have shaken central Paris since November. "We're at risk of losing everything," said Toullier, who has held a stand at the flower market since 1971. But Patrice Le Jeune, president of the Notre-Dame business alliance, said that based on his meetings with city officials, the island's picturesque streets could remain closed for weeks, maybe months. "They're not going to take any risks," he tells the group. Aides to Ariel Weil, the mayor of the Fourth Arrondissement, which includes Notre-Dame, said he was not immediately available for comment. Story continues - 'One coffee' - For many Parisians, the winding streets in the shadow of Notre-Dame are full of nothing but cheap tourist stands and overpriced restaurants claiming to be among the oldest in the city. It's an image that riles many residents and business owners, some of whom have lived and worked on the Ile de la Cite for decades. "People forget that there's a church, but there's also a village that surrounds it. The cathedral is our church, our children were baptised there," said one mother, asking not to be identified by name. "It's a village," agreed Michel Mathieu, whose grandmother opened a store on the Rue d'Arcole in 1921. That store is still open, offering the souvenirs you won't find from the roving trinket sellers, as is another right down the street owned by his brother. And another by Mathieu's daughter. Like other businesses, they are hoping insurance policies will cover the lost revenue and merchandise -- the dead flowers, the food going bad in restaurant refrigerators. But so far officials have not declared the site a disaster zone, meaning insurance won't kick in, and shop owners can't file for state aid for the forced unemployment of their workers. "There are jobs at stake," said Esther Butel, who runs a restaurant with three employees on the Quai aux Fleurs. "I opened today but this morning all I sold was one coffee. I'm not going to make it with one client paying 2.50 euros," she told AFP. Le Jeune said he would meet soon with the tourism chief in Mayor Anne Hidalgo's cabinet, to push for a freeze on social charges like payroll taxes and VAT for the affected businesses. But such help, if it comes, might be too late for some. "We opened just four weeks ago," said Francois Monville, who chose the Notre-Dame neighbourhood for his food shop upon returning to France with his wife after 15 years abroad. "The idea was to create something for visitors, but for Parisians as well, to reconcile tourists and locals," he said. But with rent, wages and loan payments, "we can't hold out like this for long." New York (AFP) - A man was arrested Wednesday night after entering St Patrick's Cathedral in New York carrying two cans of gasoline, lighter fluid and butane lighters, police said, just days after a fire badly damaged the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris. New York Police Department (NYPD) deputy commissioner John Miller said the arrested man claimed he was taking a shortcut through the cathedral after his car ran out of fuel, but his answers were "inconsistent and evasive." "We don't know what his mindset was, what his motive was," Miller told a press conference on the steps of the cathedral, a neo-Gothic structure in the heart of Manhattan. The man was confronted by a cathedral security officer and was told he could not go inside carrying those items, according to the police. "At that point, some gasoline apparently spills out onto the floor as he's turned around," Miller said. After an alarm was raised, officers from the NYPD's counter-terrorism bureau caught up to the man and arrested him after questioning. "His basic story was he was cutting through the cathedral... that his car had run out of gas," Miller said. "We took a look at the vehicle. It was not out of gas and at that point he was taken into custody." Miller said the 37-year-old suspect was "known to police," and said he would appear before a judge to be charged with attempted arson, reckless endangerment and trespassing. A resident of New Jersey, the man taught philosophy at Lehman College in New York. According to media reports, he was found to have a one-way ticket to Rome scheduled for Thursday. Construction first started on St Patrick's Cathedral in the mid-1880s and was completed in 1878, although extensions have been added over the years and a major restoration was completed in 2015. Butembo (DR Congo) (AFP) - The DR Congo army fought off an attack on a hospital by a rebel group, killing one militiaman, police said Saturday, in the latest assault on medical staff trying to rein in an Ebola outbreak in the east of the country. Armed rebels from the Mai-Mai militia attacked Katwa hospital near the city of Butembo at around 3.40 am (0140 GMT), officers told AFP. "We have resisted and repelled the attack even though these 'Mai-Mai' had a PKM machine gun," said Butembo police chief Colonel Paul Ngoma. He said one rebel was killed and four captured. The attack came a day after a WHO doctor, Richard Valery Mouzoko Kiboung, was shot dead in an assault by armed militiamen on Butembo University Hospital, according to the World Health Organization. The WHO said the epidemiologist had been deployed to help combat Ebola in the region. The attacks are the latest in a string of assaults on teams grappling with a near nine-month-old Ebola outbreak that has claimed almost 850 lives. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned the Butembo University Hospital attack and called on Congolese authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. DR Congo declared its tenth outbreak of Ebola last August, in northeastern North Kivu province, before the virus spread into the neighbouring Ituri region. Local organisations have said the number of Ebola deaths is rising. An updated toll by the health ministry, issued on Wednesday, said there had been 843 deaths since August. WHO data from April 9 put the number of confirmed or probable cases at 1,186, of which 751 had been fatal. The outbreak is the second deadliest on record, after the epidemic that struck West Africa in 2014-16, which killed more than 11,300 people. Efforts to roll back the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever in DRC have been hampered by fighting but also by resistance within communities to preventative measures, care facilities and safe burials. On March 9, an attack on a treatment centre at Butembo left a policeman dead and a health worker wounded. It was the third attack on that centre. On February 24, a treatment centre in Katwa was set ablaze. The Federal Aviation Administration has for years allowed many aerospace companies to use their own workers in place of FAA inspectors, a system that is coming under scrutiny after two Boeing 737 Max jetliners crashed, killing the crews and passengers. A total of 79 companies are allowed under federal policies to let engineers or other workers considered qualified report on safety to the FAA on systems deemed not to be the most critical rather than leaving all inspections to the government agency. To critics, it's a regulatory blind spot. "The FAA decided to do safety on the cheap -- which is neither safe nor cheap, and put the fox in charge of the henhouse," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., in a statement. He's vowed to introduce legislation "so that the FAA is put back in charge of safety." The safety inspection program operates widely under the benign name of Organization Designation Authorization. It has come under renewed attention after the crashes of the two jets -- Lion Air off Indonesia, an accident that killed 189 in October, and the Ethiopian Airlines crash last month that claimed 157 passengers and crew. The list of companies that applied and were approved by the FAA include some of the best-known names in aviation, such as private aircraft makers Learjet and Gulfstream and helicopter companies Bell and Sikorsky. Companies choose workers as FAA "designees," allowing them to stay on the payroll while assessing safety for the federal agency, which then reviews their work. Boeing, like many aviation companies, depended on this system to stay competitive. The airplane maker unveiled the more fuel-efficient Max version of the 737, an aircraft series first designed in the 1960s. The new 737 Max model approved by the FAA in 2017 was made to compete with archrival Airbus and its popular A320 jetliner. To get the 737 Max airborne, Boeing developed a software-based automated anti-stalling system that is being blamed as having been a key factor in both crashes. The system was designed to make pilots feel like the aircraft had the same flying dynamics as previous versions. But in the two crashes, either the system or the sensors on which it depends malfunctioned, pushing the plane's nose toward the ground as pilots tried to keep the aircraft aloft. Story continues Dan Elwell, acting director of the Federal Aviation Administration, told the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation and Space last month that the system, the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, was initially supervised directly by the FAA, but was then handed over to ODA supervision once the agency's "comfort level" with the system had risen. It is those kinds of disclosures that are raising concern. "As I understand it, any system that was safety critical was supposed to have more direct FAA oversight," said U.S. Rep Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The larger issue, DeFazio said, is the extent to which the FAA became complicit in Boeing's desire to rush a plane that could compete against Airbus in a way that could have compromised safety. "We've got to find out whether the FAA was pressured by Boeing," said DeFazio, who plans to hold a committee hearing on the issue. Corporate self-inspection under FAA auspices has been allowed in various forms for decades. But it wasn't until 2005 that the ODA system was created to allow private-sector employees deemed to be highly qualified to be appointed to be the FAA's eyes and ears in the development of aircraft. The rationale was that the private sector inspectors could keep tabs on the more routine features of aircraft under development, allowing the FAA's team to focus on the harder, riskier systems. Mindful of commercial aviation's safety record in the U.S. -- there wasn't a single passenger death since 2009 until a Southwest Airlinespassenger died after a 737 engine failure a year ago -- the ODA program was reauthorized in 2018. And it still has the FAA's support. The FAA said in a statement that companies aren't left to police themselves. "The agency is directly involved in the testing and certification of new and novel features and technologies," it said. But the program hasn't been without its issues. In 2015, the Transportation Department's inspector general said in a report that he had found four instances of self-audits in which employees working under the ODA program said they felt time pressure, "which could lead to rushing safety-critical tasks to meet safety schedules." Inspector General Calvin Scovel told the Senate subcommittee that two of those instances had come from Boeing. Boeing said in a statement to USA TODAY that the process of using "employees who are designated representatives of the FAA" has led to the safest transportation system in the world. Its workers "act independently on behalf of the FAA when performing this role." The program is in no danger of being abolished. The FAA estimates it would need to hire 10,000 more inspectors at a cost of $1.8 billion in additional payroll costs if the program didn't exist. It isn't just Congress that's skeptical. A union representing FAA inspectors, the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, has been opposed to the expansion of the ODA system for years. "They have expanded the ODA program too far," said Mike Perrone, the union's president. Larry Rooney, president of the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations, an umbrella organization of four airline-pilot unions, takes a more nuanced view. While acknowledging there are issues connected with letting aircraft makers take part in an oversight role, he said the FAA might not have the expertise or the manpower to handle the task itself. The whole system is based on trust between an aviation company and the regulator. And, Rooney added, referring to the latest 737 Max crash, it's yet to be seen where the fault in the development of the MCAS system lies. "Was there a breakdown in this particular incident," he said, "or a rush to get the plane out? That's a story for another day." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boeing 737 Max: FAA's outsourcing of air safety raises conflict-of-interest questions RTHK: Taliban denies it carried out Kabul attack Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the communications ministry in central Kabul on Saturday, officials said, in a deadly, hours-long assault that destroyed weeks of relative calm in the capital. The Taliban said it had "nothing to do" with the attack, which left some 2,000 people stranded in the tall office building for hours at the start of the Afghan work week. No other group claimed immediate responsibility, but the Afghan branch of the Islamic State group has previously carried out multiple deadly attacks in the capital. "As a result of today's explosion/attack in Kabul city, two people have been martyred (killed) and six others are wounded," the health ministry spokesman wrote in a tweet, adding three of the injured were women. In a statement, the interior ministry said four civilians and three soldiers had been killed, though unverified social media posts suggested the final toll could be higher. "The information that we have is four attackers have placed themselves near the communication ministry and are engaged in gun battles with the Afghan security forces," Amanduddin Shariati, a security official in Kabul, said. Panicked workers inside the 18-storey building, believed to be Kabul's tallest, moved up to the top floor as gunmen and Afghan security officials battled lower down. One woman said she had been in a group of about 30 people on the 10th floor when the assault started, then was told to move up to the 18th floor as gunfire increased. They were all eventually rescued by commandos. "Women were screaming and children of the kindergarten were the first to be evacuated," said the woman, who did not want to be named. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. By Shahabuddin Shahab ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The Baloch insurgents who killed 14 people along Pakistan's coast this week are based in neighbouring Iran, Pakistan's foreign minister said on Saturday, heightening tensions ahead of Prime Minister Imran Khan's trip to Tehran on Sunday. Relations between Iran and Pakistan have been strained in recent months, with both sides accusing each other of not doing enough to stamp out militants allegedly sheltering across the border. A new umbrella group representing various insurgent outfits operating in Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province bordering Iran claimed responsibility for the attack on Thursday, when 14 passengers were killed after being kidnapped from buses on southwestern Pakistan. The militants checked the identity cards of passengers, singled out some of them, and then kidnapped and killed them. The Baloch Raji Aajoi Saangar (BRAS) umbrella group said it targeted Pakistani navy and Coast Guard officials travelling on buses. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said his country was angry about the attack and called for Iran to take action against BRAS militants. "The training camps and logistical camps of this new alliance...are inside the Iranian border region," Qureshi told reporters in Islamabad. Qureshi said he spoke to his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, and conveyed to him the "anger of Pakistani nation". Iranian officials could not be reached for comment. Iran's state news agency IRNA confirmed the two men spoke. "Iran's foreign minister condemned the recent terrorist attack on Pakistans military and security forces, and expressed sympathy for the Pakistani government and people," IRNA reported. Pakistani premier Imran Khan is due to arrive in Tehran on Sunday for a two-day visit. Relations between Pakistan and Iran have been strained in recent months after a suicide bomber killed 27 members of Irans elite Revolutionary Guards in mid-February in a southeastern region, with Iranian officials saying the attackers were based inside Pakistan. Story continues The Sunni group Jaish al Adl (Army of Justice), which says it seeks greater rights and better living conditions for the ethnic Baloch minority, claimed responsibility for that attack. Iran's Shi'ite Muslim authorities say militant groups operate from safe havens in Pakistan and have repeatedly called on the neighbouring country to crack down on them. Ethnic Baloch people straddle the porous and lengthy Iran-Pakistan border, with many insurgent groups crisscrossing the border to the annoyance of authorities. Qureshi said Pakistan has decide to fence the border, just as it has started fencing its frontier with Afghanistan. "The work has already started from the points that are frequently misused," Qureshi said. "We intend to seal this whole border which spreads to 950 kilometres, gradually." (Additional reporting by Dubai newsroom; writing by Drazen Jorgic, Editing by William Maclean) A US church has been forced to apologise after a part-time associate pastor urged children to spit on, slap, and even cut him with a steak knife. The preacher at Impact City Church in Ohio, named Jaddeus Dempsey, was leading an after-school activity intended to explain the very important topic of crucifixion. Mr Dempsey said the exercise was his idea alone and that no one else knew about his plans. One of the students who took part, aged 12, said: I thought it was very weird and awkward. I took part because I thought it was OK because it was coming from an adult. The reactions are appropriate, said the lead pastor, Justin Ross, speaking of the harsh response the church had received. Many of you were disgusted, many of you were hurt by this, many of you were very confused. Mr Ross noted the activity was inappropriate, but he also said the intent was honourable. Mr Ross added: [Jesus] chose to allow them to spit on him and beat him and crucify him in order to take the payment of our debt that we call sin. So Jaddeus, in an effort to share that message of love through the gospel and the story of Jesus crucifixion, he shared this illustration and tried to share some of the pain that Jesus took on that day. In his apology, Mr Dempsey said: I am so sorry for misrepresenting the community, the church, the parents, the students and anybody that I hurt, said Dempsey. It was not my intention. My intention was just to show them how much Jesus loves them and I love them. The local sheriffs office has opened an investigation into the incident, as has the churchs board of directors. Los Angeles (AFP) - Oscar-winning film director Roman Polanski is suing the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, demanding his reinstatement nearly a year after the organization expelled him amid the #MeToo movement. Polanski, who in 1977 pleaded guilty in California to statutory rape, argued in a court filing in Los Angeles that the academy wrongly denied him a hearing when it voted in May to oust him amid the nationwide furor sparked by sexual-abuse revelations against famed producer Harvey Weinstein. The complaint, filed to the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles on Thursday, says the academy's board of governors convened on January 26 to re-examine its decision, and confirmed it. Polanski had been a member since 1968. "The procedures taken to expel Mr Polanski were fair and reasonable," an academy spokesperson said in a statement cited by Variety. "The Academy stands behind its decision as appropriate." It did not elaborate. The academy in 2003 had awarded Polanski an Oscar for directing "The Piano." His many other films include "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown," which was nominated for 11 Oscars. Polanski pleaded guilty in 1977 to having had unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl, later identified as Samantha Geimer. After serving 42 days in a California prison while undergoing psychiatric evaluation, he fled to France, saying he feared the judge in the case might renege on a plea deal and send him back to jail. Because he fled the US, charges are still pending against him there. He is a dual French-Polish citizen and has spent much of his life in France. - 'Cruel action' - Asked for comment, Polanski attorney Harland Braun sent a link Saturday to an article saying that Geimer, who is now 54, supports Polanski's desire for reinstatement. The Academy's expulsion of Polanski was "an ugly and cruel action," she told Vanity Fair last year. Story continues But attorney Braun said Polanski just wanted "a fair hearing." "You have an offense that's 40 years old, in which he has admitted his guilt, he has apologized to the victim, he has done more time than the law requires and the victim has come forward and begged the courts to put an end to it," Braun told the Los Angeles Times. "What else do they want from an 85-year-old man?" During his four decades back in Europe, Polanski pursued an active film career. But the Weinstein scandal rocked Hollywood, galvanizing many women to come forward with long-repressed complaints. The academy adopted a new, more stringent code of conduct, and several months after it expelled Weinstein, the group voted to oust Polanski. It also expelled actor Bill Cosby, himself accused by numerous women of rape or sexual misconduct. Four months later, Cosby was convicted in one assault case and is now serving a prison sentence in Pennsylvania. Paris (AFP) - French police said they arrested more than 200 "yellow vest" demonstrators in Paris on Saturday as clashes broke out with demonstrators turning out for a 23rd week of anti-government protests. AFP journalists reported scuffles between police and protesters in the afternoon, after hours of calm, as police used stun grenades and tear gas to disperse marchers in the centre of the French capital. Some protesters threw bottles and other objects at police and set fire to vehicles, safety barriers and bins. Between the two major squares of Bastille and Republique the damage done had been considerable, said Emmanuel Gregoire, deputy mayor of Paris, told AFP. "The violence has to stop!" he added. Across France, the authorities mobilised more than 60,000 police officers and paramilitary gendarmes to try to contain what they feared would be a surge in violence similar to the March 16 riots that wrought havoc along the Champs-Elysees. Paris police reported 227 arrests and more than 20,500 checks on individual protesters. By early evening, 178 had been detained, including six minors, said the prosecutors office. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner congratulated the police on limiting the damage, "despite the willingness of some demonstrators to break things again". Although the main protest took place in Paris this weekend, there were also demonstrations in other cities, including Lille in the north and Bordeaux and Toulouse in the southwest. - 'Don't forget les Miserables' - Yellow vest protests were banned from the area around Notre-Dame Cathedral, parts of which are still sealed off after Monday's devastating blaze. But more than one protester expressed frustration at the largesse of several French tycoons who have promised millions towards the cathedral's restoration. "We're worth a cathedral," said one placard at a protest in Montpellier. Others picked up on a tweet by French writer Olivier Pourriol. Story continues "Victor Hugo thanks all those generous donors ready to save Notre-Dame of Paris and proposes they do the same thing for Les Miserables," he wrote referring to Hugo's famous novel about the poorest people in Paris. The fire at Notre-Dame forced French President Emmanuel to postpone a live broadcast announcing fresh measures to try to meet the grievances of ordinary French citizens. He will now unveil that package on Thursday, though many yellow jackets protesters have already made it clear they expect little. - Hospitals deny allegations - Health officials in Paris meanwhile denied allegations that hospital staff had passed on the details of injured yellow vest protesters to police. One protester, 30-year-old Sebastian Maillet, who lost a hand when a police stun grenade exploded during one of the February protests in Paris, has announced legal action. And on Friday, the National Council of the Order of Doctors said they had contacted the health minstry and France's data protection watchdog CNIL, raising questions about patient confidentiality. In a joint statement Saturday, the Paris state hospitals body (AP-HP) and the regional health authority insisted the files were simply to ensure the most effective treatment of injured people. The government has already been criticised at home and abroad about the number of serious injuries protesters have suffered during the demonstrations. There has been controversy too over new powers granted to the security forces, which opponents say violate civil liberties, measures that Macron signed into law earlier this month. One measure banned protesters from covering their faces, but France's Constitutional Council, its highest constitutional authority, refused to give the green light to one of the most contentious parts of the legislation. It would also have given the authorities the power to ban from demonstrations any individual "posing a particularly serious threat to public order". The yellow vest movement is demanding changes to the government's social and fiscal policies. Interior ministry figures put the number of demonstrators nationwide at 27,900 across the country and 9,000 in Paris. Protest organisers, who have repeatedly said the official figures are underestimated, put the turnout across the country at more than 100,000. By David Brunnstrom and Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said U.S. diplomatic efforts will continue toward the goal of denuclearization of North Korea, a day after a North Korean official said it no longer wanted to deal with him in talks. "Nothing has changed. We'll continue to work to negotiate; still in charge of the team. President Trump's obviously in charge of the overall effort, but it'll be my team," Pompeo told reporters in Washington. He added that U.S. diplomats led by Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun would continue efforts to achieve North Korea's denuclearization, which he said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un committed to last June. "I am convinced we will have a real opportunity to achieve that outcome," Pompeo said at a joint news conference after talks with Japan's foreign and defense ministers. In answer to a question, Pompeo said he believed it was possible to maintain diplomatic engagement with North Korea even without providing the sanctions relief it had been demanding. "We will continue to press North Korea to abandon all of its weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles related programs and facilities," Pompeo said. "We will continue to enforce all sanctions on North Korea and encourage every country to do so." Despite Pompeo's comments, the future of U.S. engagement with North Korea has appeared to be in limbo since the summit, with no sign of direct contact between the two sides. On Thursday, the North Korean foreign ministry official in charge of U.S. affairs said North Korea no longer wanted to deal with Pompeo and he should be replaced in talks by someone more mature. That statement came hours after North Korea announced its first weapons test since a second summit between Trump and Kim broke down in February. Experts said the North Korean statement appeared aimed at dividing Trump from senior officials in the hope of exacting concessions, particularly relief from punishing sanctions. U.S. officials have played down the test of what North Korea has described as a "tactical" weapon, implying a short-range system rather than the ballistic missiles seen as a threat to the United States. "I don't have the details; I just haven't been chasing it, there's been a few other priorities, so that'd give you kind of a sense of where it ranks," acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said before talks at the Pentagon with his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya. Kim warned last week that the summit breakdown risked reviving tensions and said he was only interested in meeting Trump again if Washington showed more flexibility. He gave a year-end deadline for a change in attitude. Trump has said he is open to another summit with Kim, but his national security adviser, John Bolton, told Bloomberg News on Wednesday there first needed to be "a real indication from North Korea that they've made the strategic decision to give up nuclear weapons." In a separate development, U.S. authorities on Thursday arrested a former U.S. Marine who is a member of a group that allegedly raided the North Korean embassy in Madrid in February, two sources familiar with the arrest said. Armed U.S. federal agents also raided the apartment of Adrian Hong, leader of Cheolima Civil Defense, a group seeking the overthrow of Kim that is blamed for the Feb. 22 raid, a person close to the group said. Earlier this month, North Korea's foreign ministry denounced the incident a "grave terrorist attack" and cited rumors that the FBI was partially behind the raid. The U.S. State Department has said Washington had nothing to do with it. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Doina Chiacu; additional reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Diane Craft) Washington (AFP) - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed Friday the United States would keep taking "tough action" on Russia after Special Counsel Robert Mueller revealed widespread attempts by Moscow to help elect President Donald Trump. A day after Mueller's 400-page report was released publicly, Pompeo said that the Trump administration had raised interference in the 2016 election during each meeting with Russia. "We will make very clear to them that this is unacceptable behavior," Pompeo told a news conference after talks with the Japanese foreign and defense ministers. "We will take tough actions which raise the cost for Russian malign activities. And we will continue to do that," he said. Pompeo said that the United States would also keep pressing to stop Russia from intervening in other elections around the world. Trump has spoken of a fondness for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has openly said he favored the populist mogul to his Democratic rival in the 2016 election, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. The Mueller report supported Trump's repeated assertions that he never colluded with Russian intelligence to sway the election, although it left open the question of whether he obstructed justice. Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs. Banks ordered to disclose bondholder information to Puerto Rico board A judge on Thursday ordered banks to comply with a request from Puerto Rico's federally created financial oversight board to disclose customer information related to certain debt issued by the bankrupt U.S. commonwealth. The ruling boosts a potential effort by the board to recover billions of dollars in payments made to bondholders should a federal court hearing Puerto Rico's bankruptcy cases choose to invalidate disputed debt issued by the government and its agencies. In campaign against gun violence, Columbine students aim to shock with final photos Last month, Kaylee Tyner and other students at Columbine High School launched a campaign dubbed #MyLastShot, asking students across the country to pledge to publicize images of their deaths if they became victims of a mass shooting. The project asks students to download the pledge from the groups website and affix it to a drivers license, school identification card or cell phone to be used as a directive, similar to an organ donor's card, if they become shooting victims. U.S. court upholds most of California's 'sanctuary' migrant laws The Trump administration lost a court bid on Thursday aimed at striking down California's "sanctuary" statutes that prevent local law enforcement from helping the U.S. government's crackdown on illegal immigration. (graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/2XmGDDg) Judge upholds New York City's mandatory measles vaccination order A Brooklyn judge on Thursday ruled against a group of parents who challenged New York City's recently imposed mandatory measles vaccination order, rejecting their arguments that the city's public health authority exceeded its authority. In a six-page decision rendered hours after a hearing on the matter, Judge Lawrence Knipel denied the parents' petition seeking to lift the vaccination order, imposed last week to stem the worst measles outbreak to hit the city since 1991. Story continues U.S. launches four-state study to find ways to reduce opioid overdose deaths U.S. health officials on Thursday said they will spend $350 million in four states to study ways to best deal with the nation's opioid crisis on the local level, with a goal of reducing opioid-related overdose deaths by 40 percent over three years in selected communities in those states. The National Institutes of Health will award grants to research sites in Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio, NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins said at a news conference to unveil the plan. They will go to the University of Kentucky, Boston Medical Center, Columbia University and Ohio State University. Man gets life in prison for stabbing policeman at Michigan airport A Tunisian man was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for stabbing a police officer at the airport in Flint, Michigan, a decision a federal judge said was made easier by the defendant's defiant and angry remarks in court. "Do I regret what I did? Never," Amor Ftouhi, 51, told U.S. District Judge Matthew Leitman. "If I had to do it one more time, I would do it. I regret I didn't kill that cop." In unflattering detail, Mueller report reveals Trump actions to impede inquiry Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on his inquiry into Russia's role in the 2016 U.S. election described in extensive and sometimes unflattering detail how President Donald Trump tried to impede the probe, raising questions about whether he committed the crime of obstruction of justice. Thursday's release of the 448-page report after a 22-month investigation was a watershed moment in Trump's tumultuous presidency and inflamed partisan passions ahead of his 2020 re-election bid in a deeply divided country. Man who carried gas cans into NY cathedral charged with attempted arson A 37-year-old man who entered New York's famed St. Patrick's Cathedral carrying two full gasoline cans, lighter fluid and lighters was charged with attempted arson on Thursday, police said. Wednesday's incident occurred two days after a massive fire severely damaged the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, causing global shock and sorrow. That blaze was most likely the result of an accident though a major investigation is under way. Ban the bunny: California aims to end post-Easter parade of unwanted rabbits Californians can eat chocolate bunnies and snuggle plush Peter Cottontail dolls to their heart's content this Easter. But those who want to buy a live bunny as an Easter gift won't find them for sale at pet stores this year after California became the first U.S. state to pass a law aimed at stemming a post-holiday deluge of maturing rabbits being abandoned or euthanized. Senate leader calls for raising minimum age to buy tobacco products to 21 U.S. Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell said on Thursday he plans to introduce legislation to raise the minimum age for buying tobacco products, including vaping devices, to 21 from 18 to curb their "epidemic" use among teens. McConnell said https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=C7912202-0742-4404-8775-8836F261DDEF the bill would be introduced in May. (Reuters) - The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico on Thursday called for state authorities to investigate a small group of armed U.S. citizens who they alleged are illegally detaining migrants entering the United States. The United Constitutional Patriots, who claim to be mainly military veterans, have been patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border near Sunland Park, New Mexico, since late February in search of illegal border crossers. They post near daily videos showing members dressed in camouflage and armed with semi-automatic rifles holding groups of migrants, many of them Central American families seeking asylum, until U.S. Border Patrol agents arrive to arrest them. The small volunteer group says it is helping Border Patrol deal with a surge in undocumented migrants but civil rights organizations like the ACLU say it is a "fascist militia organization" operating outside the law. "We cannot allow racist and armed vigilantes to kidnap and detain people seeking asylum," the ACLU said in a letter to New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Attorney General Hector Balderas. "We urge you to immediately investigate this atrocious and unlawful conduct." The offices of Lujan Grisham and Balderas did not respond to requests for comment. On a March 27 visit to El Paso, Texas, next to Sunland Park, then U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said his agency, which runs U.S. Border Patrol, did not need the help of citizens to police the border. "We are not asking for civil society groups to provide border security assistance," said McAleenan, who was recently appointed acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. U.S. CBP did not respond to a request for further comment. UCP member John Horton did not immediately return calls. Horton has previously told media that UCP members are armed for self defense, as is their right under U.S. law, and aware they cannot detain people entering the United States illegally. U.S. armed groups have long patrolled the U.S. border, their numbers rising during upticks in migrant apprehensions, such as during the mid 2000s when the Minuteman Project was established. The UCP says it is responding to a rise in migrant arrests to their highest monthly levels in more than a decade. The ACLU said the group was a product of the Trump administration's "vile racism" that "has emboldened white nationalists and fascists to flagrantly violate the law." (This story adds dropped words in paragraph 8) (Reporting By Andrew Hay in Taos New Mexico; Editing by Robert Birsel) In Volume II, pages two and three, of the Mueller Report, the Special Counsel deals with the subject of whether the President obstructed justice and makes the wrong decision. Robert Mueller says three especially important things: 1) If Muellers team would have concluded the evidence exonerated the President, they would have said so, but they specifically said the opposite: the evidence does not exonerate the President. 2) The team nevertheless determined not to make a binary determination on the Presidents guilt. That is, they did make not make a declaration of guilty or not guilty only because they decided not to make a traditional prosecutorial judgment of any kind. 3) A central reason for the Mueller teams failure to make that judgment, despite the overwhelming evidence of obstruction they have reported, is two opinions rendered by the Department of Justices Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) one from 1973 and another from 2000 which say that the indictment of an incumbent President is impermissible. Mueller concluded that as an operative of the Department of Justice (DOJ), he was bound to follow that guideline, and he lateralled the decision to Congress. But heres the thing: There is not a syllable in the text of the Constitution that supports the conclusion reached by either the Nixon-appointed OLC lawyer that Nixon was immune or the Clinton-appointed OLC lawyer that Clinton was immune. The foundation of Muellers reluctance to indict is rotten to the core. As I have written previously, both of the OLC opinions upon which Mueller relied have been described by scholars as shaky and political. Indeed, recent historical discoveries (of which Mueller might not even be aware) make them even weaker. To rehash what happened: The OLC rendered the first such opinion in 1973. On its face, it is dubious. It derived from the Departments criminal investigation of Vice President Spiro Agnew. I was a member of Agnews legal team, and we argued the issue directly with Attorney General Elliot Richardson. We were hardly objective historians. We were advocates for our client, and we advanced the theory that an incumbent Vice President was immune from criminal prosecution. One of the bases of our argument was that inasmuch as some scholars opined the Article II President was immune, the Article II Vice President must be immune as well. Story continues Richardson sent the question to the OLC and asked for an objective opinion. What he got, instead, was a politically dishonest one. To use one of President Trumps preferred terms, the OLC response was rigged. The truth was recently uncovered via the historical research done by Michael Yarvitz, a producer for The Rachel Maddow Show. Yarvitz, working on the background of the Agnew case for what is now the Peabody-nominated podcast, Bag Man, located Richardsons Executive Assistant at the time, J. T. Smith. Smith recalled that the OLC lawyer who ultimately researched and wrote the opinion, told Smith that the matter of who was immune from prosecution was unclear. But instead of saying so in his report, this OLC lawyer took the easy way out and asked Smith, What does the Attorney General want me to say? Smith admits telling the OLC lawyer, in effect, The Attorney General wanted a report saying the Vice President was not immune. The OLC lawyer obeyed. In an opinion that obliged the wishes of both the Attorney General and the President (each of whom wanted Agnew gone for different reasons), the OLC opinion writer threaded the needle, and as a bonus, in the tradition of political loyalists, answered a question he was not asked: He concluded that while Agnew was not immune, Nixon was. Decades later, the question came up again. In 2000, while President Bill Clinton was under attack for possible criminal indictment for perjury, his Department of Justice produced an update to the 1973 opinion. By then, the Supreme Court had rendered two opinions that established a doctrine of Presidential vulnerability: In Nixon v. U.S., the Court concluded the President was not immune from a grand jury subpoena, and in Clinton v. Jones, the Court held the President was not immune from a civil suit for damages arising out of his conduct prior to his inauguration. Nevertheless, the Clinton-appointed OLC, citing the 1973 opinion, concluded that Clinton was immune from prosecution. It is notable that both OLC opinions rely on practical considerations: The President now carries a heavier burden than he did when the Constitution was adopted, they argue, and therefore the President has become too busy to deal with an indictment. One can imagine the late Justice Antonin Scalia hearing such an argument and scolding the DOJ lawyer with his famous remark, [The Constitution] is not a living document. Its dead, dead, dead. Inasmuch as neither opinion cites constitutional language clearly supporting its conclusion, one assumes a conservative Supreme Court like the one we have now would apply the Scalia textual approach to constitutional interpretation, and firmly reject both OLC opinions. Regardless of Attorney General William Barrs bogus decision that no charges should be brought, this matter deserves its day in court. Had the rigid Mueller applied the law instead of politically rigged DOJ doctrines, Trumps now famous prediction may have actually come to pass: In his own words, he would be fked. The Daily Beast Doug Mills/GettyWhen it comes to pulling off coups in 2021, Donald Trump is 0 for 2. The latest, of course, being his failed effort to depose Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.I recently documented how Trumps political endorsements dont matter much in the outside game of GOP primary elections. It turns out, neither do his condemnations in the inside game of Senate leadership contests. At least, thats what this Politico headline suggests: GOP blows off Trumps bid to oust McConnell.As t Roman Polanski's expulsion from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences last year was "improper" and "invalid," the Oscar-winning filmmaker said in a lawsuit he filed Friday seeking to be reinstated. "The Academy's actions, sanctions, and decision against (Polanski) are invalid ... on the grounds that the Academy failed to grant Petitioner any notice and a fair hearing," the lawsuit asserts. "The Academy committed a prejudicial abuse of discretion in that the Academy failed to proceed in the manner required by law, the expulsion decision is not supported by the findings, and the findings are not supported by the evidence." Polanski wants a judge to order the academy to set aside its expulsion decision and reinstate Polanski as a member in good standing. Polanski was ejected from the organization that hands out the Oscars in May 2018, after four decades as a member, one Oscar and multiple nominations over the years. At the same time, the academy expelled Bill Cosby, one week after the comedian was convicted of three sex crimes in Pennsylvania. Polanski, now 85, pleaded guilty to statutory rape in a plea bargain in 1978, 10 years after he joined the academy, and remained a member despite being a fugitive from U.S. justice ever since. Restricted to living in France, Switzerland or his native Poland, Polanski has been unable to return to the U.S., including when he won the best-director Oscar for "The Pianist" in 2003. The academy notified Polanski of his ouster in a two-paragraph letter, a copy of which was included in the lawsuit. "The (board of governors) continues to encourage ethical standards that require members to uphold the Academy's values of respect for human dignity, and is categorically opposed to any form of abuse or harassment," the letter said. Director Roman Polanski on May 27, 2017, left, and There was no explanation in the letter for why the academy had not ejected Polanski following his guilty plea to a sex crime and his flight decades before. The academy's public statement at the time also did not elaborate on why it waited until 2018 to act against Polanski. Story continues The Academy responded to Polanski's lawsuit with a brief statement released to the Associated Press Friday. The procedures taken to expel Mr. Polanski were fair and reasonable. The Academy stands behind its decision as appropriate," the statement read. Polanski's lawsuit echoes some of the same arguments made by his lawyer, Harlan Braun, at the time of his expulsion: that the academy's own rules should have allowed for Polanski to make his case against expulsion, and Braun was preparing to do so when the academy acted. "We suspected something might be happening, and we were totally prepared, I've got all the documents, I could have presented them in less than an hour," Braun told USA TODAY in a phone interview from Boston at the time. Polanski's lawsuit puts his arguments in legalese, asserting that the academy's policies required it to provide "reasonable notice" of any adverse action against a member, and failure to follow these rules in expelling him without notice violates the California corporations code. Braun also has represented Polanski in his long-running, and so far unsuccessful, effort to get the Los Angeles District Attorney's office to drop its case to extradite Polanski from France, where he mostly lives, to Los Angeles to serve the few months remaining on his sentence in the statutory rape case, and to pay a price for fleeing California justice for so many decades. Besides Polanski and Cosby, at least two others are known to have been expelled from the academy, including fallen movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who was kicked out in October 2017; he is now being prosecuted on sex-crimes charges in New York. Actor Carmine Caridi was expelled in 2004 for copyright infringement after he was accused of leaking screeners. It is not clear whether anyone has ever sued the academy to be reinstated or been successful. The academy did not respond to a message from USA TODAY. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Roman Polanski sues Oscars academy seeking reinstatement after 'improper' expulsion Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, has defended claims she repeatedly made to reporters in 2017 regarding Donald Trumps firing of then FBI director James Comey despite admitting to investigators for the special counsel Robert Mueller that they had no basis in fact. Sanders admitted in statements to the special counsel that her repeated claims that the president fired Comey because the rank-and-file of the FBI had lost confidence in him as FBI director were a slip of the tongue and not founded on anything, according to the redacted version of the Mueller report released on Thursday. Related: Mueller report: press secretary Sarah Sanders admitted to lying to reporters The long-awaited report the product of a two-year investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election and the Trump campaign exposed a culture of lying at the White House. The report included multiple examples of Trumps current and former press secretaries making false claims to journalists, particularly in the days after Comeys firing. Sanders told the special counsels office that a statement she made to journalists about how the White House had heard from countless members of the FBI that Comey lacked support within the agency, was not founded on anything. Related: William Barr: the attorney general who has the president's back Yet on Friday, Sanders appeared on ABCs Good Morning America and appeared to stand by the statement she had admitted was a lie. Asked by TV host George Stephanopoulos about her deliberate false statement she said: They [FBI rank-and-file] continued to speak out and said that James Comey was a disgrace, a leaker. I stand by the fact, George. Stephanopoulos, a former White House communications director under Bill Clinton, interrupted, saying: [You admitted] those comments werent founded on anything, when you faced criminal penalty. On @GMA, White House press sec. Sarah Sanders sought to double down on past statements she made that special counsel Robert Mueller's team said were "not founded on anything." Watch the full interview: https://t.co/7mRpysmjN1 pic.twitter.com/wrHqaXgyp7 ABC News (@ABC) April 19, 2019 Sanders answered: It was the heat of the moment, meaning that it wasnt a scripted talking point. Im sorry that I wasnt a robot like the Democratic party. Story continues Sanders claim on 10 May 2017, the day after Comey was fired, that countless members of the FBI opposed Comey was a slip of the tongue, Sanders told the special counsels office in an interview last year. Sanders repeated that slip of the tongue during a press briefing the following day, when skeptical White House reporters questioned her on her claim that Comey did not have support within the FBIs rank-and-file. One reporter asked what basis the White House had for that conclusion, given that the FBIs acting director had publicly said that Comey still had the support among the FBIs agents. I can speak to my own personal experience, Sanders told the White House press. Ive heard from countless members of the FBI that are grateful and thankful for the presidents decision. She went on: Ive certainly heard from a large number of individuals. And thats just myself. And I dont know that many people in the FBI. You personally have talked to countless officials, employees, since this happened? another reporter asked later. Correct, Sanders said. I mean, really? the second reporter asked. Between, like, email, text messages absolutely, Sanders said. Fifty? Sixty? Seventy? the reporter asked. Look, were not going to get into a numbers game. I have heard from a large number of individuals that work at the FBI that said theyre very happy with the presidents decision. I dont know what else I can say. Related: The key unanswered questions from the Mueller report A year later, in interviews with the special counsels office, Sanders said that her statement in a separate press interview that rank-and-file FBI agents had lost confidence in Comey was a comment she made in the heat of the moment that was not founded on anything. Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary at the time, also made a false claim to reporters about Comeys firing, telling journalists the night Comey was fired that the decision to fire him was all Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general. Rosenstein said in an interview with the special counsels office that he had told other justice department officials that night that he would not participate in putting out a false story that Comeys firing had been his idea. Sanders replaced Spicer as White House press secretary in July 2017. The White Houses public press briefings to journalists have become increasingly rare and increasingly brief, another issue of concern for the American press and White House transparency. The Sirin Labs Finney represents a remarkable advance forward for mobile cryptocurrency usage, but can this phone rival the Samsung Galaxy S10? | Source: Josiah Wilmoth/CCN By CCN: The developers of the Sirin Labs Finney have created for themselves a monumental task. Not only do they desire to break into the fiercely-competitive smartphone market, but they also aim to spearhead cryptocurrencys transformation from a niche curiosity into a mainstream financial instrument. After raising nearly $150 million for its Israeli creator during the initial coin offering (ICO) boom of 2017, does the Finney achieve this lofty goal? Perhaps more pertinently, does it have any chance of competing with the unexpectedly crypto-friendly Samsung Galaxy S10? Read on to find out. Cold Storage Cryptocurrency Wallet sirin labs finney crypto wallet The Finneys onboard crypto wallet offers the security of a hardware wallet with (most of) the convenience of a mobile app. | Source: Josiah Wilmoth/CCN When Sirin Labs debuted the Finney last year at a launch event in Barcelona, representatives touted it as a solution to both grizzled bitcoin bear market veterans and crypto newbies alike. Seeking to test the Finney on both of those demographics, my wife, who shares my ideological affinity for bitcoin but has no experience using it, was kind enough to help me test and provide a crypto novices perspective on the device. Both of us currently carry variants of the Samsung Galaxy S6 (yes, s-i-x), so keep that in mind when we discuss the phones performance and rave about its ability to hold a charge for more than three hours. The Finneys key selling point is its integrated hardware wallet, which is located on a safe screen that slides out of the top of the phone. Here, private keys remain isolated from the devices operating system, ensuring that funds remain secure even if the phone become infected with malware. Read the full story on CCN.com. Juba (AFP) - South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Saturday urged opposition leader Riek Machar to return home "urgently" to help form a government of national unity. A failure by the former vice president to do so would destroy any hope for peace in the war-torn country, he said. "Even now, it's not too late," Kiir told reporters. "I am inviting Dr. Riek Machar to urgently return to Juba so that we can work together to expedite the process of forming the revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity". A peace deal signed by the parties of the country's six-year-old conflict calls for the formation of a government of national unity on May 12. Machar, who is a signatory of the agreement, on Thursday asked for a delay of six months, saying it was not safe for him to return to Juba. According to leaders of his party he is in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. Machar "will not come to Juba without security arrangements," said Puot Kang Chol, representing Machar's SPLM-IO rebel group at the National Pre-transitional Committee (NPTC), the body charged with implementing the peace agreement. But Kiir said that "we should hold the interest of our people above and beyond any personal fears, resentments and interests. "Any delay to the formation of the government would crush the hopes of our people for peace," he warned. Machar fled Juba in 2016 under fire from Kiir's troops after a previous peace deal fell apart, prompting clashes between both men's forces. The September peace deal has ended most of the fighting, but progress towards a unified army and the security of the capital have been slow. The deal is the latest effort to end years of conflict between both men that has plunged their country into a civil war marked by atrocities, including murder and rape, motivated by ethnic differences. Predominantly Christian, South Sudan is the world's youngest country, gaining its independence from Sudan in 2011 after 22 years of conflict. Story continues Kiir and Machar were allies in the struggle for statehood, but their subsequent rivalry turned into war from December 2013. The government has asked foreign donors to fund much of its $285-million budget to implement the peace deal. But diplomats say it has yet to take important budgetary steps and improve transparency. Kiir spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny told Eye Radio this week that other opposition figures were already in Juba, and this should tell Machar "that his security will be taken care of while the government is formed". Damian Dovarganes/Reuters The children of David and Louise Turpin shared emotional statements in court Friday as their parents were sentenced to life in prison for torturing, starving, and holding them hostage for years. In February, the California couple pleaded guilty in Riverside County Superior Court to torture and dependent abuse as well as several counts of false imprisonment, child endangerment, and adult abuse in the house of horrors case that shocked the country. The abuse came to light in January 2018, when their 17-year-old daughter escaped from their Perris home and used her brothers cellphone to call 911. My parents took my whole life from me but now Im taking my life back, one of the couples 13 children, identified as Jane Doe #4, tearfully said in court. Im a fighter, Im strong and Im shooting through life like a rocket. Before the hearing, the judge allowed the victims to speak under the guise of anonymity. Im in college now and living independently, the daughter added. I love hanging out with my friends and life is great. I believe everything happens for a reason. Life may have been bad, but it made me strong. I fought to become the person I am. Prosecutors allege the Turpins abused 12 of their 13 children, routinely shackling, beating, and starving them in an act of torture and neglect so severe it stunted the growth of some of the kids. Two of the Turpin daughters are now unable to bear children as a result of the abuse. The siblings, who ranged in age from 2 to 29, were isolated from the outside world in their home about 60 miles outside of Los Angeles and were denied showers, medical care, and sometimes even food, prosecutors said. As punishment, the children were tied up for weeks or even months at a time, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said. When authorities arrived to the house after the daughters call, she didnt know what month it was or what the word medication meant. She claimed she hadnt been bathed in months. Story continues I cannot describe in words what we went through growing up. Sometimes I still have nightmares of things that had happened, such as my siblings being chained up or getting beaten. But that is the past and this is now, one of the couples sons said Friday, adding that he loves his parents and now forgives them for a lot of the things that they did to us. On Friday, Superior Court Judge Bernard J. Schwartz sentenced the pair to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years for their selfish, cruel and inhumane treatment, a ruling previously agreed upon with the Riverside County District Attorneys Office. The only reason your punishment is less than the maximum is that you took responsibility and spared your children the harm of reliving it, Schwartz said in court. The parents had an opportunity to speak before the sentencing, each showing remorse for their actions and tearfully asking their children for forgiveness. Im sorry for everything Ive done to hurt my children, Louise Turpin said. I love them more than they could ever imagine. David Turpin broke down in tears before he addressed the court, prompting his attorney to read his hand-written statement, which expressed hope his children will remain close since their parents will not be with them. I thank God for all of my children, the fathers statement read, adding that he is sorry if Ive done anything to cause them harm. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Khartoum (AFP) - Protest leaders are to hold talks Saturday with Sudan's military rulers who have so far resisted calls to transfer power to a civilian administration, two leading figures in the protests told AFP. "The military council will hold talks with the Alliance for Freedom and Change at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) today," said Siddiq Yousef, a senior member of the umbrella group leading the protest movement. The scheduled talks come a day ahead of plans by protest leaders to announce on Sunday a ruling civilian council that they say will replace the military body. Another member of the Sudanese Professionals Association that launched the initial campaign against deposed president Omar al-Bashir in December also confirmed that talks will be held later on Saturday. "Five representatives from the alliance will go today to the military council to discuss with them the transfer of power to a civilian rule," Ahmed al-Rabia told AFP. He said if the military rulers refuse to hand over power then the protest leaders will continue with their plans of announcing a "sovereign civilian council" on Sunday. "If they are willing to negotiate then there is a chance that tomorrow's announcement could be postponed," Rabia said. "What we want from them is a timetable to hand over power, so things don't drag." He said that since the ouster of Bashir the military council has held two rounds of talks with the protest leaders. "During these talks we have felt that the military council has no desire to hand over power," Rabia said. By Aleksandar Vasovic and Ivana Sekularac BELGRADE (Reuters) - Thousands of people from all over Serbia flocked to Belgrade's city centre on Friday in a show of support for President Aleksandar Vucic, who has faced five months of opposition protests. In a lengthy speech to the rally, Vucic called for a dialogue with the opposition, adding, "But we are not going to take any ultimatums". The crowd, rallied by a band of drummers, waved with signal flares and Serbian flags, chanting "Aco (Aleksandar abbreviated) the Serb" as Vucic took the stage in front of the country's parliament building. "We have no man better suited to lead us than Vucic, he is the saviour of Serbia," said Nevenka, 28, a waitress from the southern city of Nis who gave only her first name. Vucic, an ultranationalist during the Balkan wars in the 1990s, embraced European values before coming to power in 2012. In coalition with the Socialists of Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic he controls 160 deputies in the 250-seat parliament. The opposition, which started weekly protests in December, accuses him of stifling media freedoms and turning a blind eye to corruption and what they call the "criminal activities" of his close associates including his brother. Vucic strongly denies the allegations. "Today is the day for our Serbia," Vucic told the crowd. SEEKING SUPPORT FOR KOSOVO DEAL? Some analysts said Friday's rally, a grand finale of Vucic's "The Future of Serbia" campaign, was an attempt to cement popular support ahead of a long-awaited landmark deal with Kosovo, Serbia's former southern province. Predominantly ethnic Albanian Kosovo declared independence in 2008, almost a decade after a bloody war there. It won recognition from the United States and most EU countries, but not from Serbia or its big power patron Russia, and relations between Belgrade and Kosovo remain tense. A binding agreement on normalisation of ties is a precondition for both countries to join the European Union. Story continues "To sign any deal with Kosovo, he needs to show that he has strong popular support because nationalists will not like it," said Djordje Pavicevic, professor at the Political Sciences Faculty. "On the other hand if there is no deal, pro-EU forces in the country will complain." Vucic said in an interview last month that failure to revive talks between Serbia and Kosovo on normalising relations could destabilise the Western Balkan region, which is still recovering from the wars of the 1990s. Vucic is due to meet the presidents of China and Russia, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in Beijing next week and a week later he is expected to meet the leaders of Germany and France, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron. Local media have reported that Kosovo will be the main topic of the talks. Vucic is maintaining a delicate balancing act between Serbia's EU aspirations and close ties with Russia and China. Many Serbs remain opposed to his rule. Dragana, a nurse from central Serbia, said she did not come to Friday's rally voluntarily. "I had a choice, to decline and lose my job in the (state) hospital, or to be here, said Dragana, who declined to give her last name. "They cannot win my mind, I must be here, but tomorrow I will join our real (opposition) protest against injustice and ... this ridiculousness." (Editing by Frances Kerry) A male Sumatran tiger at a zoo in Topeka, Kansas attacked and seriously injured a staff member on Saturday morning. The 7-year-old tiger, named Sanjiv, essentially tackled the primary tiger keeper at the Topeka Zoo at around 9:15 a.m., zoo Director Brendan Wiley said at a press conference. The female keeper, whose name has not yet been released, is in stable condition, but she suffered lacerations and punctures to her back, neck, head and arm, Wiley said. There was an incident with our male tiger and a keeper at the @topekazoo this morning. The keeper was injured and transported to the hospital awake and alert. City of Topeka (@cityoftopeka) April 20, 2019 Wiley said that there were a lot of people in the zoo at the time, and that the attack had happened in full view of guests. It was all right there- kind of on the other side of the glass if you can picture viewing that at our tiger viewing window, Wiley said. Wiley said that the zoo is still investigating the incident, but the attack seems to have been the result of an error. Staff members are never supposed to be in the same space with tigers, he explained. He credited three heroes on the zoos staff for handling the situation. Without them, Wiley said, this could have been a very different outcome. Its a very hard day here. Some of our staff witnessed things that you hope you go through a career without witnessing, said Wiley. He said that there are no plans to put the tiger down. Sanjiv, this morning, did exactly what a tiger would when something comes into its territory. There is absolutely no consideration to euthanize Sanjiv, Wiley said. Story continues He added that Sumatran tigers are critically endangered, and that Sanjiv is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums species survival plan for the tiger. The tiger fathered four cubs last year, Wiley said. Wiley said that an incident like this has never happened at the Topeka Zoo, and that the zoo will reevaluate its safety protocol to ensure that something like this does not occur again. He assured reporters that the zoos guests are in no danger. The zoo temporarily closed after the attack, but it has since reopened. What will consumers do to save a nickel or two? To find out, Suffolk County and the Nassau County town of Long Beach have been conducting a behavioral experiment that intertwines politics and economics. Both jurisdictions imposed a 5-cent tax on plastic and paper bags in recent years, and both saw big drops in the disposable bags and big increases in reusable bags. At the beginning, 50 percent of the customers were pissed off, and the other 50 percent were happy, said Chelo Urena, who manages a Key Foods supermarket in Long Beach. Now, were probably 90-to-10 [happy], which is mind-boggling to me. Going into the Earth Day kick-off of the local ordinance in 2017, Urenas store aggressively doled out reusable cloth bags to churches, PTAs, soup kitchens and other local institutions. Now, cashiers give grocery shoppers fewer than 2,000 free plastic bags a week, a fraction the 10- to 15,000 they doled out before the fee. Listen to Fred Mogul's report on WNYC: I was very iffy on the whole thing, he said. I dont like taxes. They take money people can use to buy things. But now I feel it's great for the environment and for the children. In Suffolk County, where a 5-cent tax on paper and plastic bags took effect at the beginning of 2018, a study found a roughly 80-percent decrease in usage for both kinds of bags, and a 42-percent drop in plastic bag pollution. Now the experiment moves to the rest of the state, but with a twist: New York will soon follow in Californias footsteps and banish plastic bags altogether, while taking a different path on paper bags, which are also bad for the environment. The Golden State imposed a state-wide 10-cent fee on those, but the Empire State is giving counties and municipalities the option of charging consumers 5 cents for each paper shopping bag. Albany was poised to blanket the state with that tax, and let local areas opt out. But late in last months budget talks, Governor Andrew Cuomo ripped the mandatory paper bag tax to shreds. My understanding is he was pretty adamant about not having a state-wide fee on paper, said Judith Enck, who negotiated environmental legislation for previous Democratic governors and led the EPA regional office under President Obama. Suffolk County giveaway bag, is intended for the body of the story. (WNYC) Enck and other sources told WNYC that Cuomo had an ally in Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who was also ambivalent about taxing paper bags. With the 2020 budget introducing a new internet sales tax, a high-end real estate transfer tax, and the elaborate and expensive series of Manhattan tolls known as congestion pricing, the two men apparently were wary of imposing yet another fee on New Yorkers. Its really too bad, but I also think that once the plastic bag ban takes effect, itll be a learning moment for New York consumers, said Enck, who now teaches at Bennington College and is leading a national crusade against single-use plastics. The plastic bag ban goes into effect next March, and local elected officials across New York have started staking out positions on the paper bag tax. The New York City Council has passed a bill instating one, and Mayor Bill de Blasio has said hell sign it. But in Nassau Countyhome to Long BeachRepublican legislators say the measure is dead on arrival. As long as the Republicans have the majority in Nassau County, there will be no paper bag tax," said Richard Nicolello, the county legislatures presiding officer. Environmental groups are pledging a grass-roots campaign to encourage consumers to get reusable bagsand politicians to impose the nickel nudge to incentivize the shift. Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, thinks that the state might initially be a patchwork quilt of places with and without the fee. But she predicts many will opt in, even relatively conservative suburban and rural ones. I actually think in some of those other places it'll be easier, because people are more dependent on cars, and they can just keep bags in their cars for when they're out shopping, Tighe said. She also envisioned alliances with hunting and fishing groups. At Long Islands Gala chain of supermarkets, it might not matter what the local politicians decide about fees. Whether a store is in Nassau or Suffolk county, managers will be pushing reusables and staying away from paper. Theres a reason why the grocery industry moved away from paper bags years ago, said Jenny Jorge, the Vice-President of Operations at the Gala in Freeport. Theyre expensive. They attract vermin. And youre killing trees, so what's the point of that? Shes also keen to avoid another regulatory liability, with government inspectors adding bag tax collection to their checklist. It just opens up a whole new problem, Jorge said. Our cashiers are anywhere from a 16-year-old high school kid to an older-age retired person, and if they make any type of mistake counting bags, we're going to get fined for it. Only a revolt from customers could get her to offer customers paper bags, Jorge said. But she isnt worried. Her familys stores in Suffolk County have seen dramatic uptake in reusable bags, thanks to giveaways and public events, giving her hope that the strategy will succeed in Nassau County, too fee or no fee. We give them out at customer appreciation days, health screenings, you name it, she said. And now were going to amp that up. Fred Mogul is the Albany and politics reporter for WNYC. You can follow him on Twitter @fredmogul. Donald Trumps claims of vindication after the release of Robert Muellers report on Thursday were quickly drowned out by furious Democrats, who pointed to a wealth of evidence the president attempted to obstruct justice and demanded fresh hearings into potentially criminal conduct. Republican hopes of drawing a line under the affair were dashed as the bombshell document threatened to reopen debate over Trumps impeachment and raised questions over the futures of William Barr, the attorney general, and Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, both accused of misleading the public. Related: Mueller report: the key takeaways from the Trump-Russia investigation The gravity of the situation was apparent as the president left for his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Thursday afternoon. Instead of taking a victory lap, as some had expected, he uncharacteristically ignored questions from reporters as he boarded the Marine One helicopter on the White House south lawn. Even so, timing of the report was fortunate for Trump, with Congress not in session and Washington winding down for Easter. Initial reaction was perhaps preordained by a four-page summary released by Barr last month and offered a textbook example of Washingtons bitter partisanship and polarisation. Republicans circled the wagons and reiterated their claims of exoneration. Speaking at the White House, Trump said: This should never happen to another president again. This hoax it should never happen to another president again. He added on Twitter: GAME OVER with a photoshopped image from Game of Thrones. And later, apparently responding to the finding that he tried to remove Mueller, he suggested that he would have been within his legal right to do so. I had the right to end the whole Witch Hunt if I wanted, he tweeted. I could have fired everyone, including Mueller, if I wanted. I chose not to. I had the RIGHT to use Executive Privilege. I didnt! White House staff including lawyer Rudy Giuliani and Kellyanne Conway rallied around. Conway told reporters: Were accepting apologies today, too, for anybody who feels the grace in offering them. Story continues Sign up for the US morning briefing There was also a preview of how Trump will attempt to use the report in next years presidential election, arguing that it was cooked up by Democrats and anti-Trump officials in an attempt to thwart his supporters. His re-election campaign said in a statement: Now the tables have turned, and its time to investigate the liars who instigated this sham investigation into President Trump, motivated by political retribution and based on no evidence whatsoever. But if the White House hopes the nation is ready to move on, it is likely to be disappointed. Mueller offered plenty of fodder for Democrats and other critics of the president, including detailing how the Trump campaign was receptive to Russian help, and how the president repeatedly attempted to obstruct justice and had to be saved from himself by those around him. Congressmen Jerrold Nadler and Adam Schiff, the respective chairmen of the House judiciary and intelligence committees, wrote to Mueller requesting that he testify on Capitol Hill. Schiff tweeted: Regardless of whether the obstructive acts described by Mueller was criminal or whether the litany of illicit contacts with Russia rose to the level of conspiracy, theyre dishonest, unethical, and unpatriotic. Muellers report is not a vindication of Trump, but a condemnation. The Connecticut senator Richard Blumenthal said he would support a subpoena for the full, unredacted report. This report is a detailed, deeply damning portrait of criminal wrongdoing and national scandal. President Trump and his associates sold out our democracy and welcomed help through Russias illegal actions during the 2016 campaign, he added. There was also sharp criticism of Barr, who held a news conference early on Thursday before the reports publication and attempted to put a positive spin on it. William Barr speaks at a press conference on the release of Robert Muellers report at the Department of Justice in Washington DC, on 18 April. William Barr speaks at a press conference on the release of Robert Muellers report at the Department of Justice in Washington DC on 18 April.Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images The Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, and the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, said in a joint statement that Barr deliberately distorted significant portions of the report. Special Counsel Muellers report paints a disturbing picture of a president who has been weaving a web of deceit, lies and improper behavior and acting as if the law doesnt apply to him, they continued. Schumer and Pelosi joined the calls for Mueller to testify to Congress and said it is imperative for the rest of the report and underlying documents to be made available. With Mueller and Barr now effectively passing the baton on to Congress, some Democrats may even reconsider whether to push for Trumps impeachment, although Republican control of the Senate could make that a messy and inconclusive process. Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate judiciary committee, noted that the report includes the apparent invitation: Congress may apply the obstruction laws to the presidents corrupt exercise of the powers of office. Related: The full text of Robert Mueller's report on Trump and Russia Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York agreed: Muellers report is clear in pointing to Congress responsibility in investigating obstruction of justice by the president. She added that she would be signing on to the congresswomans Rashida Tlaibs impeachment resolution. But senior Democrats maintained their cautious position on impeachment, which they fear could backfire. The House majority leader, Steny Hoyer, told CNN: Based on what we have seen to date, going forward on impeachment is not worthwhile at this point. Very frankly, there is an election in 18 months and the American people will make a judgement. The political fallout could also consume Sanders who, after FBI director James Comeys firing in May 2017, denied that he commanded widespread support within the agency. Sanders later admitted to Muellers team that this was a slip of the tongue. The LGBTQ campaign group GLAAD demanded Sanders resignation, stating: The White House press secretarys role is to keep the public informed about the most powerful office in the world. The position shouldnt be held by someone who lies to the press. Long before a redacted version of the Mueller report was released this week, the winds of impeachment were swirling around Donald Trumps presidency. Related: Trump tampered with witnesses. These Senate Republicans voted to oust Bill Clinton for doing just that Nonetheless, the findings in the 448-page report, which include 11 instances in which Trump or his campaign engaged in potential obstruction of justice, have increased pressure on prominent Democrats to take a stand on the issue. Articles of impeachment would have to pass the Democratic-controlled House. But to remove the president from office, two-thirds of the Republican-controlled Senate would need to vote in favor. The House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, has repeatedly resisted calls for impeachment. She and other Democrats fear the process, which would be overwhelmingly likely to fail in the Senate, would become a political distraction and that the party should instead bet on the ballot box in 2020 as the way to get Trump out of the White House. Nonetheless, in the wake of the Mueller report, prominent Democrats including presidential contenders, committee chairs and rank-and-file lawmakers found themselves having to position themselves as for impeachment, against it or somewhere in between. For impeachment I read the Mueller report. When I got to the end, I realized this is a point of principle. Because it matters not just for this president, but for all future presidents. No one is above the law. pic.twitter.com/RdAHQYoH0V Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 20, 2019 Elizabeth Warren: The Massachusetts senator was the first 2020 presidential candidate to call for impeachment, writing that not holding such proceedings would suggest that both the current and future presidents would be free to abuse their power in similar ways. Story continues Related: All the president's men and women: how disobedient aides saved Trump The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty, she tweeted. That means the House should initiate impeachment proceedings against the president of the United States. Julian Castro: The former housing secretary and hopeful for the Democratic nomination said he would support Congress opening impeachment proceedings, telling CNN it would be perfectly reasonable for Congress to do so. Tom Steyer: The billionaire explored running for president until January, with impeachment as a key part of his platform. Despite deciding not to run, he has continued to pursue impeachment. In response to Warrens support, he said she was one of the people in Washington who has the moral courage to do whats right. Were going to impeach the motherfucker Rashida Tlaib Rashida Tlaib: A month before the redacted Mueller report was released, the Michigan representative introduced an impeachment resolution. We all swore to protect our nation, and that begins with making sure that no one, including the president of the United States, is acting above the law, Tlaib wrote in a letter to colleagues. She also called for Trumps impeachment on her first day in office in January, in a Detroit Free Press opinion piece and at a swearing-in event, where she commented: Were going to impeach the motherfucker. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: On Thursday, Ocasio-Cortez said she would sign-on to Tlaibs resolution, in the wake of the Mueller report. Many know I take no pleasure in discussions of impeachment. I didnt campaign on it, and rarely discuss it unprompted, the New York representative and progressive star tweeted. We all prefer working on our priorities: pushing Medicare for All, tackling student loans, and a Green New Deal. But the report squarely puts this on our doorstep. Maxine Waters: The Californian who chairs the House finance committee and who has been attacked by Trump backed impeachment on Thursday. Congresss failure to impeach is complacency in the face of the erosion of our democracy and constitutional norms, she said. Congresss failure to impeach would set a dangerous precedent and imperil the nation as it would vest too much power in the executive branch and embolden future officeholders to further debase the US presidency, if thats even possible. Al Green: The Texas representative has pushed for impeachment since Trump fired the FBI director James Comey in May 2017, forcing two unsuccessful votes on the articles of impeachment. He continues to push on. I call for the impeachment of the president of the United States of America, Green said in a press conference streamed on Facebook. This rests solely now on the shoulders of the Congress of the United States of America. Against impeachment Nancy Pelosi speaks on Capitol Hill. Nancy Pelosi speaks on Capitol Hill.Photograph: Yuri Gripas/Reuters Nancy Pelosi: The speaker of the House has a delicate path to tread and has not encouraged voters to believe she will initiate impeachment proceedings, instead pointing to fierce oversight of the White House by Democratic-led committees. Let me assure you that whatever the issue and challenge we face, the Congress of the United States will honor its oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States to protect our democracy, she told reporters this week. We believe that the first article Article I, the legislative branch has the responsibility of oversight of our democracy, and we will exercise that. The avenue is not impeachment. The avenue is further disclosure to the American people Hakeem Jeffries Hakeem Jeffries: The New York representative who chairs the House Democratic caucus said voters were much more interested in issues beyond impeachment. The avenue is not impeachment, he said this week. The avenue is further disclosure to the American people. Angus King: The independent senator from Maine, who caucuses with Democrats, said the decision to keep Trump as president or not should be taken by voters. In my view, theres an even better political process coming right down the road on almost the same time frame and thats the elections of 2020, King told CNN on Friday. For Congress to go through an impeachment process would be, it would take probably 18 months, which would lead right up to the election. And it would be divisive. Related: What's missing? The clues to Barr's 1,000 Mueller report redactions Somewhere in between Pete Buttigieg: The mayor of South Bend, Indiana, another 2020 hopeful who has surged in the polls, said there was evidence that this president deserves to be impeached. But he also said it was up to Congress to decide whether to proceed, prompting debate over his true meaning. The idea is to find out exactly what went on, who did what Jerrold Nadler Jerrold Nadler: The chairman of the House judiciary committee said his panel would hold major hearings with prominent people featured in the Mueller report. The New York representative, who has subpoenaed the unredacted report, has discussed impeachment repeatedly as it would originate with his committee. This week he remained noncommittal. The idea is not whether to debate articles of impeachment, Nadler said. The idea is to find out exactly what went on, who did what, what institutional safeguards were gotten around and how they were gotten around, and then decide what to do about it. Amy Klobuchar: The Minnesota senator, running for the Democratic nomination, falls very much on the lets investigate more side of things. She told reporters on Friday she wants to see Mueller testify before the Senate judiciary committee, of which she is a member. I think youve seen all the senators are very cautious about talking about this because we would be the jury if there was any kind of an action brought over from the House, she said. Kamala Harris says there is definitely a conversation to be had about impeachment. Kamala Harris says there is definitely a conversation to be had about impeachment.Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP Kamala Harris: I think that there is definitely a conversation to be had on that subject, the California senator and presidential hopeful told MSNBC on Thursday, but first I want to hear from Bob Mueller and really understand what exactly is the evidence that supports the summary that we have been given today. Cory Booker: Speaking in Nevada on Friday, the New Jersey senator, who is also a member of the judiciary committee and a 2020 hopeful, said it was too soon to discuss impeachment because Congress has not seen the unredacted report and has not had a chance to interview Mueller. Theres a lot more investigation that should go on before Congress comes to any conclusions like that, he said. Bernie Sanders: At a South Carolina campaign stop on Friday, the Vermont senator ignored questions from reporters about impeachment. Instead he tweeted: While we have more detail from todays report than before, Congress must continue its investigation into Trumps conduct and any foreign attempts to influence our election. We must also work to do everything we can to protect our future elections from the significant threat of foreign interference, and I call on President Trump and Republican leadership to stop obstructing the necessary work to protect our democracy. Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 18, 2019 Beto ORourke: The 2020 contender and former Texas representative said he believed voters cared more about policy discussions than impeachment, telling reporters on Thursday: I dont know that impeachment and those proceedings in the House and potential trial in the Senate is going to answer those questions for people. Related: The full text of Robert Mueller's report on Trump and Russia Elijah Cummings: The House oversight committee chairman told MSNBC on Friday the Mueller report revealed actions that were at least 100 times worse than those that led to Bill Clintons impeachment in 1998. Weve got to go against this, weve got to expose it. A lot of people keep asking about the question of impeachment, Cummings said. But right now, lets make sure we understand what Mueller was doing, understand what Barr was doing, and see the report in an unredacted form, and all of the underlying documents. Eric Swalwell: The California representative, also running for president, told MSNBC on Friday impeachment was a conversation we have to have as far as holding this president accountable but stopped short of saying whether he supported impeachment proceedings. Im for bringing Bob Mueller in and see what the evidence is, he said. Steny Hoyer: The House majority leader, from Maryland, said the Mueller report was a damning recitation of lies, misinformation, and malfeasance that clearly sets a basis for probable cause that crimes were, in fact, committed. But he did not mention impeachment. By Karen Freifeld WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's personal lawyers spent at least 10 hours reviewing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election before it was made public, two of the lawyers told Reuters on Friday. Rudy Giuliani, Jay Sekulow and two other Trump lawyers went to the U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday and Wednesday for an early look at the 448-page report into whether Trump's team colluded with Russia and whether Trump obstructed the investigation, which was released to the public on Thursday. Attorney General William Barr, who has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers over his handling of the Mueller probe, said on Thursday that both White House counsel and Trump's personal lawyers had been allowed to review the redacted report. Barr gave no details about how much access they were given but Sekulow and Giuliani said they reviewed copies of the report from about 4 p.m. until at least 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, taking notes on legal pads. The lawyers said they gave up their cellphones and other electronic devices before being led into a Justice Department conference room in a restricted area known as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), designed to ensure secret information stays secure. "We were doing a lot of reading, not talking," Sekulow told Reuters, referring to himself, Giuliani, and Jane and Marty Raskin. "I had at least 30 pages of notes," said Giuliani. Sekulow pushed back against Democrats' complaints that Barr had tried to help Trump by giving his lawyers an early look at the report. "Our client was the subject of an inquiry," Sekulow said, explaining that the team of lawyers sent a note to the Justice Department last week asking to see the report. "We believed it was an appropriate request to make." The disclosure followed news reports this week that Justice Department officials discussed Mueller's conclusions with White House lawyers before the release. Giuliani said the preview reassured them that the report did not contain any bombshells. "It gave us some confidence the people who hate him will hate him, the people who love him will love him, and the people in between were not going to be persuaded," he said. After the first session, the lawyers went back to Sekulow's Capitol Hill offices, ordered in Chinese food and created an outline of their own about the most important details in the report, they said. On Wednesday night, they went out for Mexican food. And on Thursday night, after the report's release, they celebrated at the Trump International Hotel in Washington. Although Mueller's team described in detail the extensive contact Trump's team had with Russia during the election campaign and how Trump tried to impede the investigation, it stopped short of concluding he had committed a crime or that his aides had conspired with Moscow. The team of personal lawyers was happy with the result. "No collusion and no obstruction," Sekulow said, using a phrase often repeated by Trump. (Reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Kieran Murray and Bill Rigby) President Donald Trump and his team celebrated the publication of Special Counsel Robert Muellers report Thursday despite a wealth of damaging new details. Im having a good day, Trump said at a Wounded Warrior event in the East Room of the White House less than an hour after the report was released. Its called no collusion, no obstruction. Muellers report did not find evidence that Trump or any members of his campaign conspired with Russia in its efforts to influence the 2016 election. Mueller did not render a judgment on whether Trump obstructed justice despite probing a host of possible examples. Attorney General William Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein then determined there wasnt sufficient evidence to establish that he did. Members of Trumps legal team made a few surprising decisions that demonstrated their willingness to let the report speak for itself. In recent days, White House lawyers made the unusual determination not to assert executive privilege over any aspects of the report, Barr confirmed Thursday. Then, after spending months preparing a rebuttal to the report, members of Trumps personal legal team decided not to release it on Thursday, attorney Jay Sekulow confirmed to TIME. Its not clear if they will release it in coming days; another of Trumps personal lawyers Rudy Giuliani was talking about the counter-report as recently as Thursday morning. The actions by White House officials and allies on Thursday were the culmination of two years of Trump repeatedly proclaiming no collusion, and weeks of Trump insisting that he wanted the public to see the full report. Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr., kept his celebration simple in a tweet: TOLD YA!!! TOLD YA!!! Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) April 18, 2019 Kellyanne Conway, Trumps former campaign manager and now counselor at the White House, told reporters in the White House driveway on Thursday that this was really the best day since he got elected. Story continues Its time to move on, total exoneration, the Presidents in a great mood, Conway said, adding that the president spent part of the morning watching Barrs press conference and talking to his lawyers, as members of the White House went through the more than 400-page report bit by bit. The lengthy report is far from the total exoneration that Conway and other members of the White House claim. The investigation turned up numerous encounters and actions that range from politically embarrassing to potentially highly damaging for the President and his allies. The document details a vast web of connections between the Trump campaign and Russia: Trump associates met with Russians more than 100 times. There are numerous instances in which Muellers team caught Trump aides or allies lying to the public about aspects of the investigation. At one point, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders acknowledged to investigators that when she told the press after Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey that she had heard from countless FBI agents who had lost faith in Comey, those comments were not founded on anything. Mueller also detailed multiple instances of Trump pressuring those around him in regard to the investigation. The Presidents efforts to influence the investigation were mostly unsuccessful, according to the report, but that is largely because the persons who surrounded the President declined to carry out orders or accede to his requests. When asked about this assertion, Conway said, Thats punditry. Thats actually not a sophisticated legal analysis. Some members of Congress have a different view, and Democratic House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler illuminated in a statement why this portion of the report could still be dangerous for Trump. The Special Counsel made clear that he did not exonerate the President, Nadler said. The responsibility now falls to Congress to hold the President accountable for his actions. Whether these acts are criminal or not, Democratic House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said later in the day, they are dishonest, unethical, immoral and unpatriotic. For the White House, allowing these details to come out without attempting to redact them under claims of executive privilege or immediately rebut them may have been in service of the larger defense. It would have been difficult for [the White House] to make heavy redactions and to assert the executive privilege widespread over the report while saying that this is a complete exoneration and theres nothing to see here, Molly Claflin, chief oversight counsel at American Oversight, told TIME before the report was released. Trump supported this line of thinking in a tweet he fired off aboard Air Force One Thursday evening. I had the right to end the whole Witch Hunt if I wanted, the president wrote. I could have fired everyone, including Mueller, if I wanted. I chose not to. I had the RIGHT to use Executive Privilege. I didnt! Donald Trump was being framed, he fought back. That is not Obstruction. @JesseBWatters I had the right to end the whole Witch Hunt if I wanted. I could have fired everyone, including Mueller, if I wanted. I chose not to. I had the RIGHT to use Executive Privilege. I didnt! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2019 Trump will spend Easter weekend at his Florida property Mar-a-Lago with a close circle of aides, including White House counsel Pat Cipollone. He emerged from the White House holding hands with the First Lady and the two boarded Marine One just after 4:15 pm, without stopping to take questions from the press. Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the murder of Lyra McKee (Picture: Northern Ireland Police) Two teenagers have been arrested by police in connection with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Northern Ireland. The men, aged 18 and 19, were detained under anti-terrorism legislation and have been taken to a police station in Belfast for questioning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said. Ms McKee, 29, from Belfast, was shot in the head by suspects police believe were dissident republicans linked to the New IRA during disturbances in Londonderry on Thursday night. Police have released footage that appears to show a masked shooter firing a handgun towards police and onlookers including Ms McKee during clashes with police on the Creggan estate. Ms McKees death has sparked an outpouring of grief, with tributes led by her partner Sara Canning who said: "Our hopes and dreams and all of her amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act," she said. "Victims and LGBTQI community are left without a tireless advocate and activist and it has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with," she added. "This cannot stand, Lyra's death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone else's life and her legacy will live on and the life that she has left behind." READ MORE Two arrested after six-year-old boy shot in broad daylight Ms McKee was an editor for California-based news site Mediagazer and in 2016 was named by Forbes Magazine as one of their 30 under 30 in media. She had been working on a new book which had been due to be published in 2020. Lyra McKee was shot during protests in Londonderry on Thursday night (Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire) Political leaders including Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar joined to condemn the murder. "My deepest condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues," Mrs May said. "She was a journalist who died doing her job with great courage." Mr Varadkar added: "We cannot allow those who want to propagate violence, fear and hate to drag us back to the past." Heartbroken by the murder of Lyra McKee and the violence in Derry. The challenges in NI today are real--but we cannot let go of the last 21 years of hard-won peace and progress. This tragedy is a reminder of how much everyone has to lose if we do. Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) April 19, 2019 Former United States president Bill Clinton tweeted: "Heartbroken by the murder of Lyra McKee and the violence in Derry. Story continues "The challenges in NI today are real-but we cannot let go of the last 21 years of hard-won peace and progress. This tragedy is a reminder of how much everyone has to lose if we do." Tributes to Ms McKee include Michelle Stanistreet, National Union of Journalists (NUJ) general secretary, who said Ms McKee was one of the most promising journalists in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley, speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, DUP leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O'Neill were also among those to pay tribute. Police have described the shooting as a terrorist incident (Picture: Brian Lawless/PA via AP) Police, who described the shooting as a "terrorist incident", believe the violence was orchestrated in response to an earlier search by officers aimed at averting imminent trouble associated with this week's anniversary of the Easter Rising. Around 50 petrol bombs were thrown in the confrontation and two cars were burned out. Officers believe more than one person was involved in the murder. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, who leads the inquiry, described the murder as "senseless and appalling beyond belief". "People saw the gunman and people saw those who goaded young people out onto the streets, people know who they are," he said. The New IRA is an amalgam of armed groups opposed to the peace process and recently claimed responsibility for parcel bombs sent to London and Glasgow in March. Derry (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Two young men have been arrested over the killing of a journalist shot dead in Northern Ireland, police said Saturday, after the murder triggered international condemnation. The 18- and 19-year-old men were arrested in Derry, also known as Londonderry, under anti-terror laws and taken to Belfast for questioning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said. Journalist Lyra McKee, 29, was shot in the head late Thursday in Derry by, police believe, dissident republicans linked to the New IRA paramilitary group as they clashed with police in Northern Ireland's second city. Detectives hunting the gunman released security camera footage of the rioting on Derry's Creggan estate, hoping its publication would help trace her killers. The footage showed McKee standing with other reporters by a police vehicle, and the suspected gunman coming around a corner. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, who is leading the investigation, said Saturday that police conducted a number of searches as part of the probe. "Lyra was murdered by terrorists. I believe that the people responsible are members of the New IRA," he said. Murphy said there was a "new breed of terrorist coming through the ranks". He added that the situation was very worrying and "the brutal nature of the attack has sent shockwaves around the world." "Lyra was killed by shots that were fired indiscriminately," he said. "The shots were fired in a residential area at a time when there were large numbers of local people on the street including children. The gunman showed no thought for who may have been killed or injured." He said McKee's family and partner were "absolutely devastated" and appealed to the public for help to find those who killed her. - 'Fragile peace' - The "New IRA" is a republican paramilitary group opposed to the shift towards non-violent tactics to bring about a united Ireland. Story continues Catholic priest Father Joseph Gormley, who read the last rites for McKee, told BBC radio: "This rioting was clearly orchestrated. I have no problems saying that: everybody in our community knows that. "We have a small group of people who want to play political games with our lives." The IRA sought Northern Ireland's integration into the Republic of Ireland through violence. The group called a final ceasefire in 1997 and announced an end to its armed campaign in 2005, stating that it would seek to achieve its aims through peaceful political means. Dissident splinter groups have sought to continue. The 1998 Good Friday peace deal largely brought an end to three decades of sectarian bloodshed in Northern Ireland between republican and unionist paramilitaries, as well as British armed forces, in a period known as "the Troubles". There have been concerns that paramilitaries could be seeking to exploit the current political turbulence over Northern Ireland and its border with the Republic of Ireland caused by Brexit. Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, said the killing was "a reminder of how fragile peace still is in Northern Ireland. We must all work to preserve the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement." Former US president Bill Clinton tweeted: "Heartbroken by the murder of Lyra McKee and the violence in Derry. "The challenges in NI today are real-but we cannot let go of the last 21 years of hard-won peace and progress. This tragedy is a reminder of how much everyone has to lose if we do." The paperwork hit Detroit's federal courthouse on Jan. 2. The Macomb Township woman hadn't made payments on her student loan and Uncle Sam wanted his money back. The court, the suit argued, should step in and force the woman to pay up, either by cutting a check directly or letting the government garnish her wages and bank accounts for the cash. Earlier this month, after a process server had served a copy of the lawsuit on the woman but she failed to respond, a judge granted the federal government's request and entered a default judgment against her. At stake: A $1,250 loan the woman took out in November 1986, plus interest, totaling $4,055.23. But that's not all she's on the hook for she also owes for the fees the private attorney who filed the suit on the behalf of the federal government, a $400 fee for filing the suit in federal court and interest on that judgment until she pays up, either with a check or through wage garnishment. The woman isn't alone in having the federal government go to court in an effort to get student loans paid. Just under 500 lawsuits were filed in 2018 in federal courts across the country by private attorneys seeking money for the federal government. The lawsuits are a mostly unknown part of an industry of private collectors working on behalf of the federal government to track down student loan payments. It's a system that showcases how student loan debt is different from all other kinds of debt: It can't be written off in bankruptcy and, because it's owned by the federal government, long-term unpaid debt is never written off, but relentlessly tracked down. April 26: She fell for a common student loan forgiveness scam. You don't have to. Nov. 2018: Gift ideas to help with college savings, student loan debt Attorneys who filed the suits declined comment, referring questions to the U.S. Department of Education, which did not respond to requests for comment. It's something the federal government almost has to do, said Jason Delisle, a resident fellow in education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute. Story continues "It's a huge political problem if they just let people walk away," he said. The eastern half of Michigan has been in the top 10 of all federal court districts for these types of lawsuits for about a decade, a Free Press analysis of court filings shows. Experts are unclear why, although a 2015 study showed the nation's poorest ZIP codes often have low student loan debt, but high default rates. For example, in 2015, ZIP code 48211 had an average loan balance of $24,271 on student loans. But the default rates were "extremely high." Why? The median income in the ZIP code was $18,264. How it works It has been about six months since Melissa Williams, 28, of Detroit has made her monthly $120 student loan payment. That's because it has been about eight months since she's had steady work. "I know I owe it, but I've got to eat and pay rent," the Wayne State graduate said. "That's more important than paying the loan. Once I get some steady income again, then I'll be able to catch up." If Williams goes 270 days without making a payment, she'll be considered to be in default on her loan. She won't be alone. Federal data released last fall shows 10.8% of student borrowers who entered loan repayment in 2015 had defaulted within three years. As of December 2017, up to 8.7 million federal student loan borrowers were in default on $154 billion. Federal student loans are serviced on a month-to-month basis by private companies. That's who borrowers make their payments to. Once a person defaults on their loan, it's transferred back to the federal Department of Education, which then sends it to a private collector. Despite being in default, the interest on the loan continues to be charged. The private collection companies can garnish wages or dock a person's federal tax refund to help get the money. If it gets to wage garnishment, up to 15% of a paycheck can be taken to pay off the loan. Of that, just under 20% of each payment goes to the private company. More: Millennials face $1 trillion in debt, but here's how they can manage their loans The collection companies really want to get the defaulted borrower back into the loan program through a loan rehab which basically gets the borrower back into the payment system it came from after nine on-time monthly payments. Under the Obama administration, the federal government paid the collection firm $1,400 for each defaulted borrower sent back through rehab. About 40% of defaulted borrowers end up going this route, Delisle said in a study done in 2018. If the loan is fully repaid, which until recently was allowed to be done with credit card, there is a 24.3% collection fee. Now it's in court If all else fails in trying to collect the money, the education department can turn to federal courts. It's not a new program. In 1986, under President Ronald Reagan, the Department of Justice decided its staff attorneys' time had better uses than student loan collection, so a pilot program was set up, DOJ officials said. The Eastern District of Michigan was one of seven pilot areas picked. Aug. 2018: 1 in 8 divorces caused by student loan debt May 2018: Crushing student loan debt, stagnant pay can put teachers in financial bind The federal government currently bids out the collection work. The contracts are generally one-year deals, with up to four additional rollover years. Much of the defaulted loan debt locally and nationally is owed by students who attended small private schools specializing in training people to be hairstylists, auto mechanics and other blue-collar jobs, according to a Free Press analysis. Many of these debtors owe more in interest than they do in principal on the loans, which can stretch back to the 1970s. The program hit a peak in 2011, when almost 4,500 cases were filed across the nation, according to statistics gathered by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, based at Syracuse University. About 500 cases were filed last year across the nation. The Eastern District of Michigan, headquartered in Detroit, was the third highest in 2018, with 37 cases filed. Beating it out were the Central District of California and the Southern District of Florida. The Eastern District of Michigan had the second-highest rate of suits per capita, trailing on the Southern District of Florida and four times the national rate. It's rare for there to be any drama in the suits. The majority simply march through a court calendar. That was the case in a suit filed on July 6. A Detroit man was sued for a loan taken out in 1988 to attend a now-defunct for-profit college in Southfield. He had borrowed a little more than $1,300 and made some payments, but defaulted. According to the suit, he owed $615 on the loan, plus $1,363.76 in interest, for a total of $1,979. At the end of August, a process server gave a copy of the lawsuit to a person believed to be the man being sued. That person never responded in court and the court entered a default judgment against him at the end of October. In early December, a writ of garnishment was issued by the court and the attorney began the process of getting the $1,900, plus a $400 filing fee, plus attorney fees and more interest from the defaulted borrower. Follow David Jesse on Twitter: @reporterdavidj This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: An unpaid $1,250 student loan can become thousands more and land you in federal court US authorities have arrested a former marine in connection with a mysterious February raid on North Koreas embassy in Spain during which masked assailants roughed-up staff and stole computers, the Washington Post reported Saturday. Citing two sources familiar with the case, the Post said federal authorities arrested Christopher Ahn, a former US Marine and member of a group dedicated to the overthrow of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. A dissident organisation known as the Cheollima Civil Defense (CCD) said it had orchestrated the February 22 embassy raid to highlight illicit activities rampant in North Korea's foreign missions. It came just days before a high-stakes nuclear summit in Vietnam between Kim and US President Donald Trump that ultimately failed to reach an accord. The Post said federal agents had also searched the apartment of Adrian Hong Chang, a Mexican national who Spanish authorities said last month had led the embassy raid. An FBI spokesman referred questions on the case to the Justice Department, who declined to comment. The CCD, a dissident group believed to include high-profile North Korean defectors, said after the raid it had "shared certain information of enormous potential value with the FBI in the United States". North Korea described the incident as a "grave terrorist attack" and urged an investigation into the perpetrators. The Post quoted Hongs lawyer, Lee Wolosky, as saying his client was "dismayed that the US Department of Justice has decided to execute warrants against US persons that derive from criminal complaints filed by the North Korean regime". The CCD -- which offers to assist people attempting to defect from North Korea -- emerged in 2017 when it posted an online video of the son of the North Korean leader's assassinated brother, saying it had guaranteed his safety. Washington (AFP) - Top leaders of the United States and Japan gathered for talks Friday amid a standstill in diplomacy aimed at reaching a deal with their mutual adversary North Korea. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo welcomed Foreign Minister Taro Kono for talks ahead of a planned expanded session with the two allies' defense chiefs. The meeting comes nearly two months after President Donald Trump walked away from a summit in Hanoi with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as the United States presses for the authoritarian state to eliminate its nuclear program. With no visible progress since then, North Korea this week demanded that Pompeo be excluded from future negotiations after he apparently encouraged Trump to stand firm. The regular "two-plus-two" dialogue is one of a flurry of meetings between the allies, with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe due in Washington next week. Trump and his wife Melania will then travel to Japan in May as the first state guests following the enthronement of Naruhito as emperor. Japan has publicly backed Trump's drive to make peace with North Korea but has been cautious on chances for success. Abe built his political career demanding tough action against North Korea over its abductions of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s to train its spies. Less than a month after state lawmakers agreed to ban most single-use plastic bags, the City Council has voted to adopt a five-cent fee on all paper bags given to consumers at supermarkets and other stores. While paper bags are an improvement on the far-too ubiquitous plastic bags that plague our beaches and sewers, some were concerned that passing out paper bags in lieu of plastic ones would end up being just as harmful to the environment. This newly-minted paper bag fee is aimed at addressing that pitfall, and decreasing single-use waste in general. The council voted in favor of implementing the paper bag fee on Thursday by a margin of 38 to 9. Each nickel collected will be split between New York States Environmental Protection Fund and New York Citys initiative that donates reusable bags to residents, particularly in low-income neighborhoods. This city legislation surrounding paper bags was intentionally fast-tracked to take effect on March 1st of next year, the day the states ban on disposable plastic bags will be implemented. Council members officially agreed to ban takeout plastics last month, which can pile up in landfills for centuries; more than 10 billion of these bags are used in New York City each year. According to some representatives, this two-pronged, complementary approach to environmental legislation symbolizes one of New Yorks most significant attempts at waste reduction in a while. Adding a 5-cent fee on paper bags to New Yorks new plastic bag ban will dramatically reduce solid waste and make the new policy a genuine win for the environment, and Im thrilled the Council passed our legislation to be ready for Earth Day, Council Member Brad Lander said in a statement. The hope is that this new fee, paired with the state law, will encourage New Yorkers to put their closets full of tote bags to use. [To] truly see a reduction in waste, our policy must encourage people to switch to reusable bags, which everyone can do," said Lander. Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to sign the legislation, so it looks like the five-cent cost for paper bags will officially take effect early next year. Washington (AFP) - US prosecutors are seeking an 18-month jail sentence for a Russian gun-rights activist who pled guilty to conspiring to act as a foreign agent by infiltrating conservative American groups on behalf of her government. Maria Butina, who is 30, has cooperated with prosecutors since pleading guilty in December to working as an undeclared agent of Russia. She is the first Russian convicted in the sprawl of cases arising from Moscow's interference in the 2016 presidential election. But while she was interviewed by Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Russian meddling, her case arose from an earlier operation and was handled by the US attorney for the District of Columbia. In a court filing Friday, prosecutors said that they were lowering their sentencing recommendation by six months "based on (Butina's) substantial assistance to law enforcement." But her lawyers argued in their own filing that the young woman deserves credit for the nine months she has already spent in detention. Upon her sentencing, which is set for April 26, she should be immediately deported to Russia, the lawyers said. Butina had predicted early in the last presidential campaign that Donald Trump would be the next US president, and she sought ways to gain influence through conservative groups with the ultimate goal of influencing US foreign policy. A gun lover, she managed to infiltrate the National Rifle Association. Working at times with then-boyfriend Paul Erickson -- a longtime Republican operative -- she organized trips to Moscow for leading NRA members. She supported Trump and associated with other Republican candidates. Butina was even photographed with Donald Trump Jr., the president's eldest son. While pursuing a master's degree at American University in Washington, she hosted "friendship dinners" for prominent influence-makers, part of a campaign to persuade leading politicians to take a less confrontational approach to Russia. Story continues But prosecutors eventually dropped early sensational accusations that Butina had traded sex for secrets. The Kremlin has called the accusations against Butina "absolutely unfounded." There has been speculation that Russia detained former US Marine Paul Whelan with an eye to an eventual swap for Butina. Whelan, 48, was taken into custody in December by the Russian FSB security service. While his family said Whelan was in Moscow for a friend's wedding -- and refers to his detention as a state-sanctioned "kidnapping" -- the FSB said he was caught in possession of a USB stick with sensitive information. Whelan's relatives say he thought the stick had vacation photos. Moscow has rejected the idea Whelan could be exchanged for any US prisoner. Is The Lion King a shot-for-shot remake? The Lion King director Jon Favreau has promised that his upcoming new version of the beloved Disney animated film will not be a shot-for-shot remake. Speaking to USA Today, Favreau explained, The original holds up incredibly well. So the challenge here was to tell a story in a different way but still deliver on peoples expectations while surprising them somehow. One of the ways Favreau and the team behind The Lion King have achieved this is by updating its humour. This will undoubtedly come for from the vocal cast of Billy Eichner as Timon, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, John Oliver as Zazu, Eric Andre as Azizi, Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari, and Amy Sedaris unnamed new character. Even Donald Glover should be able to add some laughs to Simba, as he is an experienced comedian, too. Simba and Rafiki from the original version of The Lion King However, even though Favreau is keen to stress that The Lion King is not a shot-for-shot remake, the director admitted that it still possesses the iconic moments that have made the original so popular. That was apparent from the first trailer for the film, which showcased just how similar the shots are to its 1994 predecessor. Disney will be very confident in Favreaus ability to not just tap into the magic of the original version of The Lion King, but to also modernise it for a 2019 audience, too. Thats because the Iron Man director previously oversaw 2016s The Jungle Book, which saw the likes of Baloo and Bagheera re-created as photo-realistic animals. Audiences were entranced by this new incarnation of The Jungle Book, as it went on to gross 743 million worldwide. Well find out whether The Lion King can match or even eclipse this haul when it is released on July 19. When significant portions of the special counsel Robert Muellers report finally came to light on Thursday, politics observers reeled at its second volume a 180-page, densely packed synopsis of conduct by Donald Trump that might amount to criminal obstruction of justice. The initial shock of the allegations that Trump ordered Muellers firing, and then told White House lawyers to conceal that order; that Trump sought to hijack oversight of the Mueller probe; that Trump sought to sway Muellers witnesses soon focused attention on the attorney general, William Barr. Barr, along with the deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein, was responsible for the decision not to prosecute Trump, despite the preponderance of evidence gathered by Mueller. The attorney general did a grave disservice to the country, Representative Adam Schiff, chairman of the House intelligence committee, said in a news conference after the release of the report. The attorney general is not the presidents personal lawyer, although he may feel he is. Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democratic 2020 presidential candidate, went farther. OUR Attorney General acts as Trumps defense attorney, Swalwell tweeted. He cant represent both. Barr must resign. But to those familiar with Barr and his career, there never was much question as to whether an obstruction-of-justice charge or any other charge against the president would materialize, no matter how high the mountain of evidence. Before Trump picked him to lead the justice department last year, Barr had established a 40-year track record as a Washington insider known, on one hand, for strict criminal justice views but on the other for arguing the long arm of the law should not reach too far into the White House. Sign up for the US morning briefing Barrs handling of the Mueller report rollout on Thursday seemed sure to cement that legacy. An hour before passing the report to Congress, Barr convened a news conference to describe the contents of the report. Story continues At the news conference, Barr quoted from the Mueller report highly selectively, it turned out. The investigation did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities, Barr said. Related: Trump claims 'game over' on Mueller report as Democrats say game on But those words were only the end of a sentence that began like this: Although the investigation established that the Russian government perceived it would benefit from a Trump presidency and worked to secure that outcome, and that the campaign expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts Chuck Rosenberg, a former federal prosecutor who had defended Barr based in part on Barrs track record as attorney general under George HW Bush, said that Barrs conduct Thursday was indefensible. William Barr speaks at a press conference on the Mueller reports release. William Barr speaks at a press conference on the Mueller reports release.Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Barr has gone too far into tank for the president of the United States, Rosenberg told MSNBC. I am disappointed. I am chagrined. And I may just be flat out wrong about Bill Barr being a principled institutionalist. Other critics frowned at the pains Barr took at the news conference to plead for sympathy with Trumps state of mind. In assessing the presidents actions discussed in the report it is important to bear in mind the context, Barr said. There is substantial evidence to show that the president was frustrated and angered by a sincere belief that the investigation was undermining his presidency, propelled by his political opponents and fueled by illegal leaks. The former federal prosecutor Mimi Rocah tweeted: Barr sounded like a defense lawyer. Literally. She added: Defense lawyers often say the government didnt prove to focus juries away from what prosecutors did show. Thats what Barrs whole statement was. Warnings about how Barr might handle the Mueller report began to circulate as soon as Trump announced his appointment last December. The journalist Luppe Luppen pointed to a June 2017 interview in which Barr called the obstruction investigation asinine. Barr expanded on that view in an ostensibly unsolicited June 2018 memo to the justice department arguing Muellers investigation of Trump for alleged obstruction of justice was fatally misconceived. That memo seemed to foreclose any idea that as attorney general, Barr would recommend prosecution of the president, analysts said. Related: Mueller's report would have signaled the end for anyone other than Trump The new Barr memo makes it clear that his view is outside the mainstream even of conservative, basic unitary executive theory, Neil Kinkopf, a Georgia State University law professor who worked in the Office of Legal Counsel during the Clinton administration, told the Guardian in January. It goes beyond that, to the point where it comes very close to putting the president above the law. Barr, 68, was born in New York City and graduated with honors in 1977 from the George Washington University Law School. He worked in the Central Intelligence Agency and on Ronald Reagans domestic policy staff before getting a top justice department job under the first president Bush. As attorney general for just over a year in the early 1990s, Barr was known as an immigration hardliner. According to a 1992 CBS News report that called him a tough guy whos not afraid to ruffle feathers, Barr hired hundreds of new border guards and swore in some of them himself to underscore he meant business. At the end of the first Bush administration, Barr recommended pardons for top-level Reagan officials caught up in the Iran-Contra affair. To some ears, that recommendation was echoed in Barrs 2018 memo in which he sought to draw limits around the criminal liability of White House officials. But Barrs support for Trump went beyond legal theorizing, and included a public campaign in print. In a 2017 Washington Post op-ed, a year before his attorney general nomination, Barr argued in favor of the firing of the former FBI director James Comey. The editorial described a formal chain of command within the justice department, which Barr said Comey violated. It is not surprising that Trump would be inclined to make a fresh start at the bureau, Barr wrote. Islamic State group jihadists have killed 35 pro-Damascus fighters in Syria, in what a monitoring group described Saturday as their deadliest operation since the fall of the "caliphate". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four senior Syrian army officers were among the troops and allied militiamen killed in the desert east of Homs province over the past 48 hours. The Amaq propaganda arm of IS, which lost the last vestige of its "caliphate" to Kurdish-led forces last month but retains desert and mountain hideouts in both Syria and Iraq, said its fighters carried out the operation. Another eight soldiers and militiamen, including two officers, were killed in a separate attack in neighbouring Deir Ezzor province on Thursday night, the Observatory said. The attack targeted a desert village south of the city of Mayadeen, upstream from the stretch of the Euphrates Valley where IS made a desperate last stand for its "caliphate", the Britain-based war monitor said. Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman described it as the "biggest attack and the highest death toll among regime forces since the caliphate was declared defeated". Six IS fighters were killed in the clashes, the Observatory said. Amaq said that IS had launched its assault on Thursday evening after government forces tried to track down its fighters. The vast Syrian desert, known in Arabic as the Badia, stretches all the way from the capital Damascus and the cities of Homs and Hama to its north to the Euphrates Valley near the Iraq border, where the "caliphate" was defeated in the village of Baghouz last month. Commanders of the US-led coalition, which provided air and artillery support for the Kurdish-led operation, have warned repeatedly that the jihadists' loss of their last piece of territory did not mean their elimination as a fighting force. Analysts have said that continuing search and destroy operations by the multiple alliances lined up against the jihadists would be necessary to prevent them mounting a comeback from their desert hideouts. Damascus troops have cleared the smattering of towns and villages in the vast Syrian Desert of the black flag of the Islamic State group but the jihadists retain hideouts in unpopulated areas Strokes are terrifying. Reply Thread Link At least it was only 'mild' Reply Thread Link Hope it really was. I remember when Luke Perry's stoke was first announced and how they downplayed its seriousness. Reply Parent Thread Link That he recovers well. Reply Thread Link I worked with a guy that was 64 had a bad stroke and was forced to retire early.but he got better and could walk talk normal after a year. Reply Thread Link that feels so crazy young for a stroke Reply Thread Link Unfortunately you can have a stroke at any age. My friend's 11 year old brother passed away after having a stroke and he had no medical problems. Even after his autopsy they weren't able to tell his family why he had a stroke. I also know a medic who had an 11 year old girl who had an heart attack also no previous medical diagnosis. The nurse didn't believe him until he showed her the EKG. Edit: I thought Sylvester Stallone had a stroke as a child, but turns out it was just complication from the childbirth. Edited at 2019-04-21 01:44 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link omg a stoke at 11 is horrifying - damn and yet there's nothing we can do to really stop them right? Reply Parent Thread Link doctors think POC & women are lying. I know from experience. Reply Thread Link Yup. So thankful that my doctor isn't an asshole. Reply Parent Thread Link I really hope he's ok. Anything with the brain is super scary. Reply Thread Link Hope he's doing okay. :( Reply Thread Link So glad he went to hospital Reply Thread Link shit like this hits black people way earlier and it's so frustrating. hope he makes a full recovery/is able to prevent future ones. Reply Thread Link I'm just glad he caught it early and had a doctor willing to listen to his symptoms, test him, treat him, and give him the best aftercare. Reply Thread Link Oh no. I hope that he recovers soon. Thank God that the doctors believed him Reply Thread Link omg hope he recovers soon Reply Thread Link i hope he recovers. im glad he had a team of doctors that believed him and took it seriously. Reply Thread Link Get well soon. I love Boyz n the Hood. It's on Netflix Canada now Reply Thread Link Wishing him a speedy recovery. Strokes are scary and some people don't take them seriously. Glad, he checked himself in when his legs started feeling weak instead of waiting or hoping it would get better. Reply Thread Link Hope he recovers. Was just talking to someone the other day about how he's gem to the culture and such a brilliant filmmaker. Reply Thread Link god strokes are scary :( I hope he's okay Reply Thread Link My uncle had one of those so-called 'widow makers' five years ago. Whether it's luck, quick thinking or his own persistency, he made full recovery. But, to me, nothing is more frightening than stroke. I hope he makes full recovery. Reply Thread Link Crazy that he was sick enough to be admitted but, okay enough to check himself in. Hope he recovers well. Reply Thread Link Tokyo is still trying to prevent being caught in the geopolitical cross-fire between Washington and Tehran. On Friday, Japans Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) Hiroshige Seko said that his country remains committed to avoiding any harmful impact from U.S. sanctions on Iran, as it sees the OPEC member important for the country's energy supply security. "Japan's relationship with Iran, as one of the world's leading oil producing countries, is important as the country relies on almost all of its petroleum [needs] on imports," Sekos said at a press conference in Tokyo and reported by S&P Global Platts. Seko also refused to disclose the nature of Japans talks with the U.S. over Iranian sanctions, but said: "we intend to have close discussions with the US side in order to avoid having a harmful effect from the US measures on Japan's stable energy supply and its corporate activity." Japan, for its part, was one of eight countries that received a 180-day sanction waiver in November allowing it to continue to buy Iranian oil in spite of U.S. sanctions leveled against Irans energy sector. Other countries that received temporary exemptions include Irans biggest oil clients: China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. The waivers expire on May 2. As a result, Japanese refineries put a halt on Iranian oil imports after buying 15.3 million barrels between January and May, according to Refinitiv Eikon data. Japanese refiners halted imports early to ensure enough time for all cargoes already loaded to arrive in Japan and for payments to be completed. To waiver or not to waiver Japan isnt the only country still waiting to see if President Trump will extend waivers or not. Turkey for its part, which has seen its relations with the U.S. over the past several months diminish, believes that it will be granted a waiver extension. Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Tuesday that Turkey did not support U.S. sanctions policy on Iran and did not think it would yield the desired result. He added that we made it clear that only wed like to continue buying oil from Iran but also Iran is a neighboring country ... People should not expect Turkey to turn its back on Iran just like that. Other countries also hope to receive waiver extensions to buy Iranian oil. Yet the question of the day is what will Trump do? Its a tough decision that got him in hot water last year with key ally Saudi Arabia. Riyadh had been towing the Trump line via Twitter last fall to pump more oil to reign in higher oil prices. However, Trump didnt consult with his Saudi allies before granting the Iranian oil waivers which caught the Saudis off-guard, resulting in an uptick in global oil supply and downward pressure on prices, costing the Saudis and other major producers lost revenue. Since that time, Saudi Arabia has largely been immune to Trumps tweets calling for the Kingdom and OPEC to pump more oil to reduce oil prices which are at five-month highs. Related: Could This Be The Next High Profile Permian Takeover? The Trump administration has indicated that it wants to drive Iranian oil exports to zero, an unlikely scenario, to bring the country to its knees economically, putting Trump in a conundrum of whether to grant waivers or not. I think weve been clear about our objective of getting Iran to zero just as quickly as we possibly can, and we will continue to do that, Pompeo said recently during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing. If Trump grants waivers, it will help keep more Iranian barrels on the market and help keep prices from ticking upward even more, possibly helping avoid hitting the $80s per barrel price point. Yet, if Trump doesn't renew the waivers, he will be collectively shooting himself in the foot over his efforts to reign in higher oil prices - all coming just as the 2020 presidential election cycle kicks in with voters already anxious over higher gasoline prices. The president could also extend waivers for five of the eight countries that that took advantage of the exemptions to import Iranian crude over the last six months. Risk consultancy Eurasia Group said this week under this scenario Iranian oil exports would drip from a current 1.2 million barrels per day to around 900,000 barrels per day. Good luck with your decision Mr. President, you are going to need it. By Tim Daiss for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The state oil company of OPEC member Angola, Sonangol, plans to sell off stakes in dozens of joint ventures and cut jobs in order to focus on its core exploration and production business in Africa, Sonangols chairman Carlos Saturnino said on Friday. Instead of investing in Australia, United States etc, Sonangol wants to become an oil company of reference in the African continent. This is major change for us, Reuters quoted Saturnino as saying at an oil industry event in Paris today. The Angolan company has identified as many as 52 joint ventures from which it wants to exit, the chairman added. The goal of the downsizing is to focus on the core African continent business, make the company more agile, and attract international oil majors back to the Angolan oil industry. Sonangol has been working with Frances Total and Italys Eni on analyzing data for oil blocks in Angola, Saturnino said on Friday. The Angolan state firm has also signed early agreements with U.S. supermajor ExxonMobil and has met with Shell to try to persuade it to return to investing in Angola, Sonangols chairman said, as carried by Reuters. Angola has been struggling in recent years to offset a decline in its oil production as many fields mature. After the oil price crash of 2014, Angolas economy suffered from the low oil prices and struggled to attract international investments in its deepwater higher-breakeven oil resources. Related: The Giant Floating LNG Project Youve Never Heard Of Last year, Angola introduced several new measures to try to boost its oil production and its attractiveness for international investment. President Joao Lourenco signed in the summer of 2018 a decree to create an agency that would sell and manage oil blocks instead of Sonangol. Earlier in 2018, Angola halved the tax rates on the development of oil discoveries with fewer than 300 million barrels of reserves. According to OPECs latest available figures, Angolas crude oil production in March stood at 1.454 million bpdup by 7,000 bpd from February but still below its cap under the OPEC+ deal of 1.481 million bpd. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Sudanese military has removed President Omar Al-Bashir from power and set up a transitional military council to rule the country for two years. Sudans Minister of Defense, Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf, who led the apparent coup, said in a televised statement on Thursday. Awad Ibn Auf said that the constitution has been suspended and the military will now be in charge of the country for another two years. A three-month state of emergency has also been imposed, as protesters demand immediate set up of a democratic transition. Several political prisoners held by Mr Al-Bashir are now being released. I announce as minister of defence the toppling of the regime and detaining its chief in a secure place, Mr Ibn Auf said in a televised address Thursday at about 2:00 p.m. local time. He will lead the newly-inaugurated supreme military council. Mr Ibn Auf said Sudans airspace would be shut for 24 hours, while border crossings would be closed indefinitely. Mr Al-Bashir was pushed out of office following five days of massive protests across the country. The protesters initially hailed the military for aiding their demand for Mr Al-Bashirs exit, but the suspension of the constitution in place of a military rule for at least another two years could further plunge the country into chaos. The protesters said Mr Al-Bashir had ruled for 30 years and demanded that no one near his power within that time should be allowed near power again. They vowed to continue the protest even though a curfew has been imposed as part of the three-month state of emergency. It was unclear whether the military was ready to violently resist the protesters in its early days in power. The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) yesterday convicted the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen of false and non-declaration of assets. Reading the lead judgment yesterday, the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, also ordered the immediate removal of Onnoghen from office as the CJN and the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) as well as the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC). The tribunal also ordered the forfeiture of all the monies in the five accounts the prosecution said Onnoghen failed to declare. They are Domiciliary US Dollar account No. 870001062650 $56,878* Domiciliary Pound Sterling account No.285001062679 13,730.70. Domiciliary Euro account No. 93001062686 10,187.18. e-Saver savings (Naira) account No.5001062693 N12,852,580.52 Another Naira account No.010001062667 N2,656,019.21. All the accounts are maintained with Standard Chartered Bank (Nig.) Ltd. * All balance as at December, 2018, except the US Dollar account Daily Trust reports that except the conviction is overturned by appellate court, Onnoghen cannot be pardoned by the president through prerogative of mercy. Section 23(7) of the CCT/B Act provides that: The provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, relating to prerogative of mercy, shall not apply to any punishment imposed in accordance with the provisions of this section. Earlier, the tribunal dismissed the two interlocutory motions filed by Onnoghen, with the first challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal and the second requesting the tribunal chairman to disqualify himself from the trial on allegations of bias. Meanwhile, Onnoghens lawyer, Okon Efut (SAN) described the CCT judgment as unconstitutional and a breach of fair hearing, adding that the defence will appeal the judgment. Addressing journalists after the judgment, Efut said, Before this day, on 23rd of January, the same judgment had been passed before now removing the CJN without a fair hearing. So, it was a fait accompli, it was premeditated. So, todays (Thursday) judgment is just a formality. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cautions the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, not to plunge the nation into a monumental crisis, by refusing to obey the Court of Appeal to release the election materials used for the conduct of the February 23, Presidential election. The party says INEC, by this action, is blatantly standing in the way of justice and working against the will of the people in their quest to salvage the nation and reclaim their stolen mandate at the tribunal. The continued refusal of INEC to release the electoral materials to the PDP and our legal team is completely provocative and shows that the commission is working in cahoots with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Buhari Presidency to frustrate the PDP, our candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and majority of Nigerians from retrieving our mandate at the tribunal. INEC and the APC are apprehensive that the materials, particularly the forms EC8D and EC40G covering the nation in addition to the report of the Smart Card Readers used in the Presidential election will show at the tribunal that the PDP and Atiku Abubakar clearly won the Presidential election. The PDP has been reliably informed of how the APC and some compromised top officials of INEC have been boasting that they will never allow these materials and documents to be released to the PDP legal team This is the reason the APC and INEC manufactured a groundless claim that the form EC8D, EC40G and the reports of the card readers were not specifically captured in the order of the court whereas the court was unequivocal in its order that all materials used for the election be made available to our legal team. For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal, among other orders, directed INEC to release and allow our legal team to inspect, scan, forensically audit and make copies of forms EC4OA, EC8A, EC8AVP, EC8B, EC8C, EC8E and ALL OTHER ELECTORAL FORMS and materials including, but not limited to ballot papers and voters registers and materials used for the conduct of the presidential election, held across Nigeria on the 23rd of February, 2019, for the purpose of instituting and maintaining an election petition. The refusal of INEC to release forms EC8D, EC40G and the reports of the card readers is therefore a deliberate and vicious disobedience to the orders of the court for which the management of INEC should be charged for contempt. The PDP calls on Nigerians to note that INEC, having rigged the election in favour of APC, is now seeking ways to frustrate our petition at the tribunal. We therefore charge INEC, having been exposed, to end its shenanigan and release these documents without further delay. Signed: Kola Ologbondiyan National Publicity Secretary Ivanka Trump, daughter of Donald Trump, president of the United States, says a trip to Africa would inspire her dad because she has been deeply inspired. Ivanka, who works as Trumps senior adviser, said this on the last day of her four-day trip to Ethiopia and Ivory Coast. In an interview with Associated Press, she said the White House should be judged by its actions toward a continent that her father has privately disparaged. Our commitment to Africa is clear. I am here now reinforcing the fact that our relationship with the continent is strong and growing, said the presidents daughter. Our actions are speaking for themselves in terms of our dedication to seeing Africa prosper. Im very excited about continuing my work to specifically focus on advocating and advancing the role of women on this continent and beyond. She added that she hopes the president will visit Africa. Ive been deeply, deeply inspired by my trip here. And I think he will be as well, she said. Ivankas statement is coming a year after her father was under intense criticism after his private comments referring to shithole countries in Africa and other regions were leaked to journalists. The continent has also been on the receiving end of Trumps tough stance on immigration with the recent measure reportedly being the possible visa ban for countries whose nationals overstay their short-term visas. The presidents daughter was in Africa to champion the womens global development and prosperity initiative (W-GDP), a whole-of-government approach that aims to promote womens economic empowerment (WEE) across the globe. The initiative, which was announced by the US president in February 2019, seeks to economically empower 50 million women in the developing world by 2025. Experts in the health sector have warned that unless stringent measures are adopted to check open defecation, Nigerias health challenges will be aggravated. According to the experts, Nigeria comes second to India as the country with the highest prevalence of open defecation in the world. They warned that the situation is critical because Nigeria has, in only a couple of years, moved from the fifth position on the global table of countries with open defecation to the second position currently. This was one of the critical issues thrown up at a two-day training workshop on Communication for Behaviour Change in Essential Family Practices for various media houses, programme managers, state and national information officers, organised by the Delta State Ministry of Information in collaboration with UNICEF. Specifically, it was revealed that Nigeria, with over 47 million people still practicing open defecation instead of using toilets, is today worse off than countries like Ethiopia and Indonesia, where over 27 million and 32 million people, respectively, defecate openly still, according to latest survey. Delta State Commissioner for Information, Chief Patrick Ukah, who declared the workshop open in Asaba, described the training as timely and critical especially in the light of the numerous challenges today in family healthcare practices and implementation of relevant government policies for the citizens. Ukah assured that the Okowa administration was committed to good hygiene and sanitation practice in homes as well as public places in line with its healthcare policies, noting that media and information practitioners need training and refreshers courses to augment reading and research, so as to be able to inform members of the public accurately and promptly. According to UNICEFs experts, Dr Hilary Ozoh and Martha Hokonya, media role in arousing both the citizens and government to issues of Water Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) cannot be overstressed considering the huge effects of open defecation on Nigerians and the attainment of United Nations deadline of open-defecation-free world in 2030. Nigerian governments at all levels should urgently address the issue even in public hospitals and other health facilities, markets and schools because the countrys health challenges could only worsen with air and water pollution in addition to flies, cockroaches and rodents freely transmitting various diseases among the people. UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr Abe Eghe, who gave an in-depth analysis of Essential Family Practices in Health and Key Messages, underscored the importance of access to appropriate media information to safe motherhood and newborn vis-a-vis the promotion of child right, saying the government could save tens of billions of naira needed annually to tackle numerous health problems, by investing in WASH programmes and addressing the open defecation challenge. UNICEFs Nutrition and safe motherhood specialist, Mrs Ngozi Onuora, who drilled participants on current nutritional status of Delta State as well as maternal and under-five mortality, malnutrition and school enrolment, noted that the media have a massive challenge to draw attention to issues in a holistic manner, including influencing advocacy and policies. The Executive Director, Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Jude Winful-Orieke, the acting Permanent Secretary in the state information ministry, Mr Paul Osahor and the UNICEF Focal person in the information ministry who is also the Delta State Chairman of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs Pat Gbemudu, were among those who gave goodwill messages at the event. The highpoint of the training exercise was the fashioning of pidgin and standard English media reports and jingle format for radio and television programmes, by participants under the guidance of the UNICEF resource persons, on some critical areas including Nutrition, Immunization, Breast/Complementary Feeding, Open Defecation, Hygiene and Water Sanitation. The ruling All Progressives Congress on Friday described President Muhammadu Buharis signing of the nations new minimum wage law as another election promise delivered. The partys National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said this in a statement made available to journalists. Issa-Onilu described the development as another demonstration of a President who matches his words with action. The statement read, The All Progressives Congress commends President Muhammadu Buhari on his assent to the new and improved N30,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers. Truly, our workers deserve a new, improved and implementable minimum wage in view of current economic realities. Commendably, the welfare of workers has remained a top priority of the President Buhari-led APC administration as exhibited in the Federal Governments bailouts to state governments to pay workers salary, housing schemes for civil servants among other welfare packages. We congratulate stakeholders that ensured the achievement of this laudable feat, particularly the National Assembly, state governors, the Amma Pepple-led tripartite committee, labour/trade unions and indeed Nigerian workers. This is another solid demonstration of a President who matches his words with action. Nigerians will recall the President had severally assured of a new and improved national minimum wage for workers. The assent of the N30,000 minimum wage by the president is indeed another election promise delivered. Sudanese protest leaders are warming up to set up and announce a civilian government that will replace the ruling military council. The US has said it will send an envoy to encourage the climax of the civilian protest. This was revealed Friday as demonstrators thronged outside army headquarters and Washington said it would send an envoy to encourage the transition. The military council, which took power after ousting longtime leader Omar al-Bashir on April 11, has so far resisted calls from protesters to quickly make way for a civilian administration. The Sudanese Professionals Association marshalling the rebellion said in a statement that it would name members of the council at a news conference at 1700 GMT on Sunday outside the army complex. Foreign diplomats have been invited. We are demanding that this civilian council, which will have representatives of the army, replace the military council, Ahmed al-Rabia, a leader of the umbrella group of unions for doctors, engineers and teachers, told AFP. This government should be a representative of all the people and their aspirations, said prominent cleric Sheikh Mater Younis as he addressed thousands of protesters after the weekly Muslim prayers at the army complex. It should include all Sudanese people and shouldnt exclude anyone. Some protesters said all who had committed crimes against the Sudanese people be put on trial. This government can then prepare for free elections in two years with participation from all parties, a protester told AFP. The military should stay away from political life. Activists have called for large crowds to gather after weekly Muslim prayers, as on previous Fridays. On Thursday, activists mobilised huge crowds outside the army complex through social media to keep up the pressure on the military council, now led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Power to civilians, power to civilians, protesters chanted through Thursday night. I wont leave until Burhan transfers power to a civilian government, said Wali Aldeen, who has camped outside the complex since the day Bashir fell. Following Bashirs ouster, demonstrations targeted General Awad Ibn Ouf, the first head of the military council, seen by protestors as a tool of the old regime. Ibn Ouf stepped down in less than 24 hours and was replaced by Burhan, who so far has appeased protesters by lifting a night-time curfew and vowing to uproot Bashirs circle. It is however uncertain what the reaction of the military council will be. Civilian unrests have toppled governments in Africa, but not by installig a parallel government when a transition programme has been underway. Post Views: 72 The governments of Kano, Zamfara, Kwara, Rivers, Kogi and Edo States have agreed to pay the new minimum wage of N30,000. Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said in Kano his administration has given priority to the welfare of civil servants in the state, and that is why it is not owning its workers. We are ready to pay N30,000 monthly salary, because the welfare of our workers is paramount to anything and we will always give it .We will pay the N30,000, he said. Governor Abdul Aziz Yari Abubakar said in Gusau that Zamfara State under his watch would do everything possible to ensure the welfare of workers in the state does not suffer. Yari who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Publicity and Public Enlightenment, Malam Ibrahim Dosara said that any state government with the interest of workers at heart will ensure the quick implementation of the new minimum wage. The Osun State government said it will await guidelines on payment of the N30,000 minimum wage. The Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Mr. Adesina Adeniyi, in a telephone chat, said since it is already a law the state will only wait for the implementation guidelines of the minimum wage. According to him, when the guidelines are released the state will study, understand and eventually go into its implementation. He said the state governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, is concerned about the welfare of people of the state, including the civil servants, and therefore, will have no difficulty in ensuring that what is necessary is done at all times. The Kwara State government is also prepared for the payment of the new minimum wage, according to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmeds Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications Dr Muyideen Akorede. Akorede recalled how the state government set up a committee headed by the Head of Service Modupe Susan to work out the modalities and sources of revenue for payment months before the president signed the new into law. The committee is expected to submit its report to Governor Ahmed in the next two weeks, he said. A similar committee was set up by the Kogi State government and the government says laws are made to be obeyed and we are sure the Federal Government will make it convenient for states to pay the new minimum wage. It welcomed the signing of the bill into law adding: a committee was set up to look into the modalities of making compliance easy. Kogi State will work with whatever is agreed by the Governors Forum. As a government, we will also look inwards to ensure we put smiles on the faces of our civil servants who have shown unprecedented cooperation with our administration. The Niger State government disposed to paying the new minimum wage Kogi State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello will pay the new minimum wage of N30,000. Mr.Jide Orintunsin, the Media and Publicity Coordinator to Governor Abubakar Bello said:It will be recalled that the state work force had a 25 per cent salary increase recently. This has placed the state higher than the former minimum wage. Governor Sani Bello, early this year, had assured the state work force of the new minimum wage at a special session he had with organised labour recently. He is committed to ensuring the welfare of the state work force. The Delta State government said yesterday it was looking at the law to enable it take an appropriate action. We have not read the details of the new law since it was only signed yesterday by Mr. President. When we do we will look at our processes and of course Delta State is not going to be an outcast. We will look at it and take a decision, Mr. Charles Aniagwu,the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said in Asaba. He said focus should be on the ability of the organised private sector to pay the new wage structure, while expressing doubts over the ability of many businesses to cope. In my opinion, media outfits should be interested in the private sector. How many companies can afford the new minimum wage as the law also binds them, he said, and expressed fears that the new law might force many in the organised private sector to lay off workers which may be detrimental to the economy. The Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike said he would comply with the provisions of the new minimum wage law. Wike who spoke through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, a lawyer in Port Harcourt, the state capital yesterday, said Rivers state Government will pay whatever is prescribed as the new minimum wage bill. The Edo State Government will also pay The Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said that the new minimum wage would be paid to Edo workers. Osagie was however silent on when the state government would commence payment. He said the state government is labour friendly. Although none of the Cross River State Governors aides could be reached yesterday to comment on the issue, Governor Ben Ayade had in January agreed pay the then proposed N30, 000 minimum wage demanded by workers in the country. The governor had at various times expressed his commitment to the welfare of workers in the state, which many believe is exemplified in the fact that he does not owe workers and pays promptly. While addressing workers who had embarked on a state wide protest to call for the implementation of the new minimum wage law in the country, Ayade who was represented by the State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon John Ulafor, had said it was the right step to take. This is the right step to take and I wish to thank workers in the state for embarking on a peaceful protest. The new wage is workers right and as a workers friendly government we have always ensured that you get your salaries on time. N30, 000 is all right and the state government will stand with labour in this regard and I wish to assure you that government will ensure that the new wage sails through because it is not beyond the state government to pay. Whatever we need to do extra to ensure that the federal government implements the new minimum wage bill for workers will be done, Ayade had assured then. Suspected hoodlums on Saturday killed a 65-year-old Chief Imam of Kwara Village, Kiyawa Local Government Area of Jigawa, the police have confirmed. Abdu Jinjiri, the spokesperson, Jigawa Police Command, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, in Dutse, that the incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. Mr Jinjiri said the deceased cleric, Alsheik Idris Musa, a resident of Kwara, was attacked by hoodlums at his residence after he sold his farmland for N400,000 to one of the construction companies in the state. He explained that the suspects allegedly hit the deceased several times with sticks, which led to his death. The spokesman added that the suspects allegedly took away the N400, 000 belonging to the deceased. According to him, the suspects also beat up the wives and children of the deceased. The deceased was said to have sold his farmland to one of the construction companies in the state at the cost of N400,000, It is suspected that the transaction took place in the presence of the suspected, but unidentified hoodlums who later trailed him to his residence. The village where the incident took place is a remote area. The distance to our station is two hours drive. So the DPO in charge of the area got the information at about 1:30 a.m. and proceeded to the scene immediately, but he got there after 3 a.m. When he got there, the victim was already dead, but he was able to rescue the family members beaten by the hoodlums. They were taken to hospital for medical attention, the spokesman said. Mr Jinjiri said remains of the deceased had been released to his family for burial. He added that the police had commenced investigations into the matter, and efforts were being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects. Suspected motorcycle snatchers had also on Friday, in Dutse, allegedly killed a 33-year-old motorcyclist and made away with his motorcycle. Suspected armed robbers in the early hours of Thursday shot dead one person and injured several others in Garin Maidawa Village, Dutse Local Government Area of the state. (NAN) Brazilian Mixed Martial Arts fighter, Joyce Vieira, was caught on camera punching a man for posing himself in front of her and masturbating during a recent photoshoot in Rio de Janeiro The 27-year-old fighter claims the man, Josenei Viana Ferreira, 26, had his shorts down and was standing in front of her and her friend while performing a sex act on himself. Dressing in a black swimsuit the martial artist took action by raining down a series of punches on the 26-year-old man, who was topless but dressed in swimming shorts. She said: When I looked over there he had his shorts down and was standing on a path where people pass all the time, including children. He was visibly erect, making sounds and moaning. In the photos, the martial artist, dressed in a black swimsuit, can be seen punching Ferreira. Vieira reported the case with police and Ferreira was later arrested for committing an obscene act but has since been released after giving a statement and denying the crime. After his release, Vieira told local media: We feel powerless. Its very strange because hes going to be in the same city as me, and who knows he might be in the same places. Thats why I have received an innumerable number of messages from women saying that [in similar situations] they didnt file a report, because they know the suspects would end up being released. I think the punishment for these cases should be more severe. Vieira says she had tried to speak to the man but he refused to speak to her so she reacted. The Civil Police told reporters the suspect had claimed he was urinating on the beach before Vieira approached him. The Inspector Specialised in Attending to Women in Cabo Frio, Juliana Rattes, said the case will be taken to the Public Ministry who will act together with Special Criminal Court. The Senator-elect for Osun East Senatorial District, Prince Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi has felicitated with Nigerians on the occasion of the celebration of Easter festival with a call on them to imbibe the teachings of Jesus Christ. In his Easter message signed by his Media Assistant, Sam Segun-Progress and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, Fadahunsi charged Nigerians to reflect on the genesis of the festival which is true love to mankind. It added that Jesus died for the whole world to receive forgiveness and grace. This, he said is an utmost price that is very difficult to pay for the generality of mankind but he did this for us. Asking rhetorically, are we ready to show love to one another today? Are we committed to the growth and development of our community, society and the nation at large? How genuine are we to the course of nation building? Fadahunsi charged Nigerians to reflect on the sufferings, endurance, perseverance of Jesus Christ by fasting day and night for forty days before surrendering himself to the hands of the then Roman World power to pay the ultimate price for you and me. Jesus Christ was not a politician and was not after what he stands to gain from mankind but He humbled himself, preached the gospel, healed the sick, delivered those in bondage and performed many extraordinary miracles providing for the poor and needy. How many of us are ready and committed to follow His footpath to the end? He asked. While calling on Christians to celebrate moderately, he charged the Muslim brothers and sisters to equally celebrate the festival as a festival of love, peace and kindness. This is because according to him, we are all serving one God that is supreme above mankind He charged his constituents of Ife/Ijesaland to eschew all forms of bitterness but join hands with him to elevate the district into an envious one for all. This is just as he reechoed his determination to ensure that the dividends of democracy gets to every nook and crannies of the district. He also assured that his own brand of politics would be geared towards maximum human capital development of the indigenes and residents devoid of any form of covert impoverishment of the innocent masses, saying his doors are open to all. Share this: Osun state government has revealed that 769 of its workforce was involved in certificate infraction to secure job in the state civil service. According to a release made available by Adelani Baderinwa, the supervisor, Osun state ministry of information and strategy, out of the detected workers, 132 has been pardoned while 586 were not spared. 51 other workers were still pending. The release revealed that those pardoned have been receiving their salaries while that of the others were suspended. On how the government unravelled the anomaly, Baderinwa explained that a consultancy firm, The Captain Consultants, had been engaged five years ago by the state Government to verify the result and other necessary documents of the workers in the state. After the firm completed its assignment and submitted its report, it was discovered that many workers did not merit the jobs they have been receiving salaries for. The screening of the workers credentials came on the heel of controversies and reported forgery of results with which some of the workers allegedly secured job in the Osun civil service. At the commencement of the screening exercise in 2015, all the civil servants in the state were asked to submit their credentials in their personal files, from which the Captain Consultants firm got access to their results and begun the verification exercise. Each and every result submitted by each of the workers were verified in their various secondary schools, post secondary schools and tertiary institutions. Some of the workers who were suspected to have forged/fake results were summoned by the firm and asked to present original results or go to their various schools for either attestation or re-confirmation. The firm, on its own approached the schools for confirmation of results of the affected workers for which they were obliged. The verification process uncovered serious certificate infraction on the part of some of the workers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Government. In some cases, as discovered in the verification process, some of the affected workers used another persons result, while some forged their secondary and post secondary schools results to secure job in the civil. In the case of some people employed as drivers in the service, it was discovered that they forged the OLevel results they submitted for their appointment. However, the firm in its report recommended that some of the civil servants caught in the certificate infraction be pardoned, while some should not be pardoned. Recommended for pardon are 102 drivers and 30 other workers who are to be pardoned on compassionate ground. A total of 586 workers are not pardoned, while the case of some 51 workers was still pending. While the exercise was on, some of the workers who were cleared and pardoned were receiving their salary while those that are yet to be pardoned have their salary suspended. A complete list of all the workers involved in the certificate infraction has been pasted at the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Civil Service Commission and Local Government Service Commission. Affected workers should check their names in the aforementioned places, the release reads. Share this: Welcome to 'OZ' - The 'Other' Side of the Rainbow!! Some posts may be seen as offensive. Posting is at 10AM, Noon and 2PM CST daily. Up to 12 days of posts on the main page. The archives have more. You can forward posts by clicking on the envelope at the bottom of the post. Enjoy your stay! *** If you need to contact me, or have a copyright issue, please use the "Contact The Wizard" form on the left side of 'OZ'. Original source and author is cited and credited in each post where possible. *** " " A screenshot of the online classifieds site Backpage.com, five days after being shut down by a group of U.S. government agencies Screenshot of Backpage.com by HowStuffWorks On April 6, 2018, an online classifieds site called Backpage.com went offline. In place of the usual links to personals there was a message from a coalition of U.S. government agencies stating that they had taken steps to remove the site and that details would follow later that day. Those details focused on an indictment accusing the site and its founders of multiple counts of conspiracy, money laundering and facilitation of prostitution. In addition to taking down the site, the U.S. government indicted seven of the officials who oversee Backpage.com. At the heart of the matter is the desire to do something to counteract sex trafficking and sex slavery. Statistics on such crimes are problematic as many instances may go unreported, but there's no denying that human trafficking is a global problem. In 2012, the International Labor Organization issued a report that estimated nearly 21 million victims of human trafficking globally. That figure includes not only sexual exploitation victims but also others who were used as slave laborers. Advertisement In the United States, both the House of Representatives and the Senate have proposed legislation that is supposed to combat sex trafficking. The House version is called the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act, or FOSTA, and the Senate version is the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, or SESTA. Neither has been signed into law yet, but both take aim at sites that appear to permit or turn a blind eye to advertising illegal sex work in an effort to combat sex trafficking. A concept called safe harbor plays a crucial role here. When Congress passed the Communications Decency Act in 1996, they included a passage that provides protection for websites. Essentially, the concept is that a website's administrator isn't responsible for the content created by that website's users. Rather the administrator is offering up a website as a platform and isn't responsible for the way that people use that platform. Another piece of legislation that contains a safe harbor clause is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). This episode of TechStuff explores the DMCA and why safe harbor is such an important protection. But both the proposed FOSTA and SESTA legislation argue that the safe harbor concept wasn't meant to protect people who knowingly allow illegal transactions to occur on their platforms. The charges against Backpage's executives state that they knew of and perhaps even welcomed ads from people guilty of sex trafficking. If evidence supports these accusations, the officials could face large fines and prison sentences, even without the proposed legislation becoming law. In July 2017, The Washington Post published an article that alleged a contractor hired by Backpage had run a campaign in the Philippines to lure advertisers away from competitors to use Backpage.com instead, particularly for ads relating to the sex trade. The article also stated that the company had previously edited language in ads for sex that suggested the involvement of minors rather than deleting the ads from the site. Backpage officials, for their part, have said they cooperate with officials to detect and stop cases of sex trafficking. They argue that Backpage.com ads actually are useful tools that law enforcement can leverage to identify criminals and pursue them. They say that without them, investigators would face many more challenges to find criminals and sex trafficking would continue but be harder to detect. The proposed legislation and the takedown of Backpage.com has created a fiery debate about free speech, sex workers' rights and effective strategies to combat sex trafficking. Advocates for the legislation point to very real, tragic stories of people who were forced into lives of sexual exploitation. These people, some of whom are minors, have little to no agency of their own. But critics of the legislation say that not only will moves like the silencing of Backpage.com do little to halt the sex trafficking problem but also put consenting sex workers at risk. The real problem that should be addressed, say the critics, is the stigma against sex work in general. They argue that criminalizing sex work creates the very market for sex trafficking, and that decriminalization and regulation could not only eliminate sex trafficking but also improve the lives of people who have chosen to be sex workers. The criminality of prostitution creates a very tricky situation. There seems little doubt that prostitution will remain even in the wake of legislation like SESTA and FOSTA. There will continue to be a demand for such services, and where there is a demand there will be a supply. But some human rights activists argue that by shutting down services like Backpage.com the United States is making life more dangerous for sex workers in general. They won't be able to rely upon online services to evaluate potential clients and weed out any who set off warning signs. There's no question that human trafficking is evil and should be stopped. But are the proposed laws a sincere effort to stop an evil practice, or are they using sex trafficking as an excuse for a blanket attack against sex work? Could the laws be a threat to free speech? Is there enough evidence to suggest legalization of prostitution would be a more effective solution to the sex trafficking problem? And if so, is there enough support in the U.S. to act upon that information? In the meantime, expect to see personal ad sections disappear (Craigslist.org has already taken this action) from online sites. Now That's Interesting The three major credit card companies (Visa, Mastercard and American Express) stopped accepting payment for Backpage-related activities in 2015, according to the indictment. " " The cartoony font Comic Sans is often derided as immature. But is it also helpfully easy to read? Jupiterimages/Getty Images Oh wow, do some people ever hate Comic Sans. The font, popularized by your aunt and her friends and anybody who wants to give you explicit instructions about what you can and cannot throw into this particular toilet, is, in some people's opinion, an utter abomination. Seeing the typeface used in an inter-office email or on a T-shirt for a 5K race makes these people actually weak with a mixture of fury and melancholy. In fact, there are whole organizations devoted to abolishing Comic Sans forever on the grounds that there's no place in this world for a typographical "voice" that sucks in this particular way (that they're largely unable to describe). They might call it infantile, cartoony, trite or tacky or even submit that Comic Sans is to fonts what Nickelback is to bands. There are memes about all this you can Google it. But here's the thing about Comic Sans: You might hate everything it stands for, but it's actually exceptionally easy to read. Originally designed in the early 1990s by Microsoft engineer Vincent Connare for the little pop-up information bubbles that appeared in early versions of Microsoft programs like Word, the font was the product of his years in art school, Connare told CNN's Great Big Story, where he developed the opinion that subtlety had no place in an art museum: Advertisement "If you didn't notice it, I considered that was bad," said Connare. "And if you did notice that was good because at least they made you stop and look. When tasked with developing a new font for Microsoft, he figured the same principle would apply, and used the not-so-subtle lettering from classic comic books like "Batman" as inspiration for his now-infamous typeface. Although Comic Sans might not establish an appropriate tone for everything you want to communicate a court summons, or the poster for a death metal show, for instance it is actually one of the few widely available fonts that some people with dyslexia say makes it easier to read and write. And in a recent piece in The Establishment, writer Lauren Hudgins argues that railing against Comic Sans is actually a privileged, ableist perspective that ignores the needs of those with dyslexia. Dyslexia is a condition in which a person with an otherwise average or high IQ has a tough time reading and writing due to their brain's inability to interpret words and letters. So when a dyslexic reader scans a line of text, their brain might initially process a word like "modern" as "modem," or "tip" might become "pit." Comic Sans isn't the only font dyslexic readers claim help them manage their disability; some companies like Dyslexie and OpenDyslexic claim to make dyslexic-friendly fonts, created with specific input from dyslexic readers in mind. For instance, many report having trouble reading fonts that have those little lines at the end of each character called serifs, or fonts in which the letters that are mirror images of each other p and q, b and d look exactly the same when you invert them, or where the capital letter I, the lowercase l and the numeral 1 all look the same. But scientific research into whether these special fonts actually work is pretty much nonexistent, although one 2013 study found familiar fonts like Arial, Verdana and Helvetica were often preferred by the study's dyslexic participants over dyslexic-friendly typefaces. According to co-author Dr. Ricardo Baeza-Yates who when he conducted the study was a vice president of research at Yahoo! Labs in Barcelona, Spain the specific elements of a font might not help with readability so much as an individual being accustomed to that particular font. "We didn't include Comic Sans in our experiment, so I don't know if it's good for dyslexic readers," he says. "However, we showed that well-known fonts are good for people with dyslexia, and those should be the ones to use." In other words, if a dyslexic reader is finding a serif-laden paragraph of Times New Roman looks like an impenetrable thicket of tiny lines and loops, then converting it into Comic Sans will probably help them decrypt it, if that's the font they've become habituated to reading and writing in. But not everyone is convinced typography makes much of a difference for dyslexic readers. In fact, some think the background or text color is more important. Others, like Marco Zorzi, a professor in the department of general psychology at the University of Padova in Padua, Italy, think it has more to do with the spacing between letters. In a 2012 study, Zorzi and his co-authors found the effect of font to be small or nonexistent, and that the spacing between letters had a much larger and more reliable effect on readability for study participants. "Fonts can slightly differ in the degree to which letters are spaced in a word, so this might affect legibility in dyslexics," says Zorzi. "But with digital devices these days, letter spacing can be easily increased for any font, so there is no need for special fonts." Perhaps like other things people passionately adore or abhor mustard, for instance, or Tyler Perry movies we can be content to let Comic Sans be terrible for some people, but harmless if they don't engage with it, and of some significant use for others. Now That's Interesting Vincent Connare also contributed to the font Wingdings, which we can all agree is completely unreadable. " " Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump pauses during his speech on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Win McNamee/Getty Images Donald Trump would reject accusations that he's running a negative presidential campaign. Even though many characterized his acceptance speech of the presidential nomination as "dark," he ended it with his usual remark, "We will make America great again." "'Make America Great Again' that's optimism!'" the Republican nominee told primary supporters in Florida back in February. "We're going to fix things up, we're going to make this country better than it's ever been before." Advertisement Whether you believe Trump can "fix" America, "Make America Great Again" brilliantly taps into a peculiar strain of American optimism mostly held by religious conservatives: The past was great, the present is awful, but the future will be amazing. America has always had an "exceptional" relationship with optimism. Alexis de Tocqueville, during his early 19th-century tour of a young United States, was among the first to marvel at Americans' singular optimism a belief that both the individual and society can improve their circumstances with some hard work and faith in God. Even today, two recent polls from the Pew Research Center confirm that American's remain "exceptional" in two major areas their positive outlook and their religious belief particularly when contrasted with other wealthy Western nations. Of the U.S. citizens polled in Pew's Global Attitudes Survey, 54 percent said religion was "very important" in their lives. Compare that to Germany or France, where only 21 percent and 12 percent respectively said religion was a priority. The same holds for optimism and positivity. The very first question asked in the Pew survey is "How would you describe your day today?" Interestingly, the poorest countries generated the most positive responses, like Uganda, where 47 percent of respondents reported a "particularly good" day. Wealthier countries were far more likely to describe their day as "typical," except, of course, for those "exceptional" Americans, where 41 percent said their day was going great. The Connection Between Religion and Optimism If Americans are both exceptionally religious and exceptionally optimistic among wealthy nations, could there be a relationship between the two? Is there something about religious faith that makes believers happier and more positive? According to the experts, yes. It's long been established by psychologists and social scientists that people with strong ties to a religious belief system and faith community are, on average, happier than non-believers and better equipped to cope with life's many hardships. David G. Myers of Hope College has researched and written extensively on happiness. In "Hope and Happiness", he cites a 1984 Gallup poll in which people with the highest faith commitment were twice as likely as non-believers to describe themselves as "very happy." More recently, researchers found that religious belief is an even stronger predictor of happiness when coupled with political conservatism. In a 2015 paper called "Happiness, political orientation, and religiosity", Michael T. Bixter, a psychologist at Georgia Tech, analyzed data from two large social surveys to show that religious conservatives tend to be happier than religious liberals. But why? For that, you have to consult the shrinks. Psychologist John Jost at New York University has researched extensively on the psychological underpinnings of religious ideologies. Jost writes that "political and religious ideologies offer certainty, security, and solidarity." The certainty of devout religious belief God has a plan is comforting in the face of political strife and personal suffering. Conservative political candidates offer similar promises of certainty and security, bolstering national defense and promoting "law and order" in the face of global threats and social upheaval. Paul Nail, a psychologist at the University of Central Arkansas, has shown that the certainty and security craved by religious conservatives is an antidote to their higher levels of anxiety. "Conservatives experience the world as more threatening baseline than liberals do," says Nail, who conducted some interesting research in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. As anxiety levels rose nationwide, so did conservative political tendencies. "After 9/11, there was a conservative shift. Liberals became as interested in defense and patriotism as conservatives normally are. But it was a short-term effect." The Connection Between Doom and Optimism The divisions between religious and non-religious voters have never been starker than in the current election cycle. Another recent Pew poll found that 78 percent of white evangelicals are backing Donald J. Trump in the U.S. presidential election, while 67 percent of religiously unaffiliated voters support Hilary Clinton. But there's an interesting twist in the optimism data. According to Pew, 75 percent of Trump supporters believe that life is worse now than it was 50 years ago for "people like them." Only 22 percent of Clinton supporters feel the same way. On the surface, this appears to go against the idea that religious conservatives are happier and more optimistic. But psychologist Paul Nail says there's a simple explanation: the Bible. "Religious conservatives who believe in Bible prophesy believe things are going downhill, but they are going to be protected," says Nail. "The culture and the world might be going to hell, but that excludes them. When Christ comes back, their fate is sealed on the positive side. They can be quite pessimistic about the current state of affairs, but still optimistic about the ultimate outcome." Now That's Interesting In a recent paper on the psychology of political belief, John Jost refers to the emerging field of political neuroscience or "neuropolitics," in which researchers are analyzing the brain activity of conservative and liberal voters to see where ideological differences are born. " " Christine Blasey Ford prepares to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill Sept. 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. A research psychologist at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Ford has accused Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her during a party in 1982 when they were high school students in suburban Maryland. Win McNamee/Getty Images Harvey Weinstein. Louis C.K. Roy Moore. The list of prominent men admitting to or being accused of sexual harassment seems to grow longer each day. But what exactly is the legal definition of sexual harassment? The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the government agency that enforces discrimination laws, says, "It is unlawful to harass a person (an applicant or employee) because of that person's sex. Harassment can include 'sexual harassment' or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature." The U.S. courts recognize two types of sexual harassment in the workplace: quid pro quo harassment and a hostile or abusive work environment. Quid pro quo harassment is a sexual favor as a term or condition of employment. (The Latin term literally means "this for that.") A good example is actress Dawn Dunning's allegation that Harvey Weinstein invited her to his hotel suite, showed her contracts for his next three films but said she could only sign them if she agreed to have three-way sex with him. Prior to all the recent headlines, this type of sexual harassment was believed to be in decline, notes Merrick "Rick" Rossein, an employment law professor at the City University of New York Law School. To qualify as quid pro quo, a harasser must have the power to influence the professional treatment of the victim, such as whether she's hired, promoted or receives salary increase. "If proven, the employer is always liable, even if they had a policy against asking for sex in the workplace," Rossein says. The favor doesn't always have to be explicit. It can be hinted at through words or gestures (touch). Advertisement Hostile Work Environment The other, far more prevalent, form of sexual harassment is the hostile or abusive work environment. This can occur between co-workers or even between an employee and someone else who enters the building, such as a delivery person or outside sales representative. Several elements must be present to prove this type of harassment, Rossein explains. Unwelcome conduct can be verbal, physical or a combination of both. The conduct must also be severe or pervasive, and that's where a lot of lines get blurred. Sometimes, severity is obvious, like when a man grabs a woman's breast or butt (incidentally, this also qualifies as physical assault, and is covered by civil and criminal law). However, severity can also be more nuanced. Rossein gives the example of a woman named Sally who complains to HR about her co-worker Pete who regularly compliments her on her attire. Does Sally have a legitimate complaint or is she overly sensitive? A lot depends on how the compliment is made (is Pete saying something like, "Your butt looks good in that dress"?) or the tone in which a seemingly innocuous statement is delivered. And finally, how does Sally feel about receiving this "compliment"? "Sexual harassment is broader than what the law says," asserts Jennifer Drobac, a professor and expert in sexual harassment law at Indiana University's Robert H. McKinney School of Law. "I say, to sexually harass is to dominate another physically or psychologically by annoying, frightening, demeaning or taking advantage of someone. Harassment is [gender-based] discrimination played out. You can have discriminatory attitudes but when you act on those attitudes that's harassment." Sexual harassment violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Title VII applies to organizations with 15 or more employees, although people who work at smaller companies can be still be liable for sexual harassment. Many states' laws apply to organizations with fewer than 15 employees. The EEOC states that both men and women can be victims of sexual harassment and it can occur between people of the same sex. Also, making offensive comments about women in general could be considered sexual harassment. Advertisement Harassment Vs. Assault There is also some bleed-over between assault and harassment. "Sexual assault is a violent form of sexual harassment," says Drobac. "Sexual harassment has to be severe or pervasive. If you have a lot of the gross, demeaning jokes you may have actionable harassment," she explains. "But it only takes one instance of violent sexual assault to constitute what would be actionable sexual harassment." She notes that just because behavior isn't actionable yet doesn't mean it's not sexual harassment. "[People] should still complain about it because sexual harassment tends not to go away. Perpetrators tend to continue, and behavior tends to escalate." Not that victims aren't within their rights to be worried about the process. The law has often failed to shield them from retaliation and smearing. In fact, a study published in Harvard Business Review found that 75 percent of women reported being sexually harassed at work. A separate meta-analysis of sexual harassment studies showed less than 20 percent of those harassed filed a formal complaint. Drobac would like to see a major overhaul in the use of confidentiality clauses, typically required by the employer in especially damning cases. "Those only allow companies to camouflage prior illicit behavior. If they want to keep the settlement amount confidential that's fine, but the underlying behavior should not go under a rock," she says. "The strongest cases that actually are filed [are the ones that] get settled," Rossein adds. "The problem with settlements is it's putting band-aids on the problem, not really dealing with the systemic issue of sexual harassment." Now That's Interesting The first step to reporting sexual harassment is to file a complaint with your company's HR department, unless you believe that they'll sweep it under the rug. If so, consult an attorney for legal advice. Also, consider filing a complaint with the EEOC, especially if the company isn't taking the issue seriously. Victims should keep detailed journals or send themselves time-stamped emails with as much information as possible. Be sure to tell others what's going on, so they can serve as witnesses should it come to that. " " In an unprecedented move, the United States Postal Service in 1992 allowed the public to vote on which Elvis young or old to use on the new 29 cent stamp. Young Elvis won (any contest?) and remains the most popular U.S. commemorative stamp of all time. AFP/Getty Images The face of Mister Rogers will soon be flying around the country on envelopes, dropping into mailboxes and no doubt arriving in your neighborhood. " " The Mister Rogers stamp from the U.S. Postal Service. 2018 USPS Fred Rogers, host of the long-running "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" on PBS, will sport his red sweater on the blue Forever stamp along with King Friday XIII, the puppet-ruler of the show's Neighborhood of Make-Believe. The stamp will be released March 23, 2018 by the U.S. Postal Service. Advertisement That's as it should be, says Justin Bua, an award-winning artist, speaker, author and entrepreneur, who was one of 11 people on the advisory committee in 2017. "Everyone agrees this guy is a cultural icon," says Bua, who helped make the decision to feature Rogers. "He had such a positive influence." Rogers, appearing in a knit sweater and singing original songs including "Won't You Be My Neighbor," was beloved of children though sometimes lampooned by tetchy adults for his simple, earnest, shoe-changing manner. But how did he end up on a U.S. postage stamp? Ever wonder who decides what appears on our postage stamps? In 1957, the U.S. Postal Service created the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to float ideas for stamps. Members from the fields of art, education, science and tech, history, politics and other areas of public life are appointed by the Postmaster General to evaluate stamp ideas from the public. Today submissions come in to the committee at more than 30,000 per year. The mail is opened in the U.S. Postal Service office known as Stamp Development, which determines whether submissions meet stamp guidelines and criteria. The staff create big binders of potential stamps to be studied and evaluated by the committee members, who meet four times a year. If you'd like to submit an idea, go to this link, read the guidelines and then mail yes, mail it in. There is no compensation awarded and no credit given to the creator, just bragging rights and a place in postal history. "A lot of stuff comes across the table," says Bua, who ended his term in February. Committee members discuss the ideas in the binders. "You have your personal favorites and lobby for those," he says. But the members try to be a voice of the people. "We like to give voice to what is relevant and going on in the world," he says. The committee must choose primarily American or American-related subjects, and it sticks to those that have made "extraordinary and enduring contributions to American society, history, culture or environment." They send their stamp choices to the Postmaster General, currently Megan Brennan, who began her tenure in 2015. That's where the buck stops the Postmaster General makes the final decision. Some general guidelines: A subject person must have been dead for three years to be considered. Events of historical significance are commemorated on their 50-year anniversaries. The committee focuses on "themes of widespread national appeal," according to the Postal Service. States are commemorated on stamps in 50-year intervals after the date of their entry into the union. If you'd like a stamp to commemorate something like Hurricane Harvey, which flooded Houston in 2017, forget it. Stamps commemorate positive contributions to American life, history, culture and environment. The idea of a Mister Rogers stamp had widespread appeal among the committee. "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" was on the air from 1968 to 2001. "His reach was absolutely astronomical. Every kid tuned in to either 'Mister Rogers' or 'Zoom' or 'Sesame Street,'" Bua says. However, we may never know who initiated or argued for a Mister Rogers stamp, since committee deliberations are confidential and the subjects are presented to the committee anonymously. The committee recommends 20 to 25 stamp subjects each year to the Postmaster General. It generally takes three years for a stamp to be developed from inception to unveiling. When Mister Rogers joins the gang, he will be in diverse company. He may not be able to compete with Elvis, who graces the most popular stamp of all time, according to Terry McCaffrey, former head of Stamp Development, but joins honorees ranging from Lena Horne, issued Jan. 30, 2018, to a series of Disney Villains issued in 2017, including Cruella De Vil from the movie "One Hundred and One Dalmatians" and Scar from "The Lion King." He'll also be in proximity to the total eclipse of the sun, which got its own stamp in 2017. Now That's Interesting You'll get a chance to see Tom Hanks playing Fred Rogers in the movie "You Are My Friend," in development by TriStar Pictures. It's the story of a cynical journalist forced to do a story about Rogers, but who ultimately is won over by Rogers' personality. It's inspired by the real-life friendship between Rogers and award-winning journalist Tom Junod. China's state-owned engineering company CMEC will modernise Tajikistan's flagship aluminium smelter in a $545 million deal, a representative for the smelter told AFP Friday. A representative for Talco confirmed to AFP via telephone that "the contract between CMEC (China Machinery Engineering Corporation) and Talco was signed on April 15," though without details on how Talco would finance the deal. Tajikistan's Talco aluminium smelter is a key industrial asset in an impoverished and mostly agrarian country of 9 million bordering China. But annual production of the smelter fell 7.2 percent in 2018, and its Soviet-era equipment is in sore need of upgrading. The poorest country to emerge from the wreckage of the Soviet Union in 1991, Tajikistan has looked to soft loans from China's state-owned Export-Import Bank of China to facilitate Beijing's investments in the economy. It now reportedly owes the bank more than $1.2 billion, equivalent to nearly a fifth of the national GDP. Chinese companies have also acquired rights to a number of mineral concessions in Tajikistan in recent years, some of which were granted to pay for the investment loans. Talco last year launched a mining venture with Chinese company Tibet Huayu Mining Co. Ltd expected to annually produce 1.5 tonnes of gold and 16,000 tonnes of antimony. Ryan Villaflores of Hot Button Consulting shared: The pursuit of excellence is the singular most powerful driving force in my life. In everything that I do, one can see preparation, hard work and a Ryan Villaflores of Hot Button Consulting shared: The pursuit of excellence is the singular most powerful driving force in my life. In everything that I do, one can see preparation, hard work and a meticulous thought process behind each detail. From building houses and renovating homes to crafting brands, making presentations at work or designing just about anything, I strive to bring excellence to life. Excellence, indeed, marked his journey. From grade school to high school, he was a consistent class valedictorian at the University of San Carlos (USC). In college, he graduated as USCs most outstanding graduate with a degree in accountancy. His excellence in school was a blessing to his parents, Dennis and Perfidia Villaflores, because it meant his schooling was free from kindergarten, especially at that time when his father lost his job as head of motor pool engineering, and for 10 years did odd jobs. For all their deprivation at home, Villaflores said his parents were nurturing, giving their absolute support in whatever he wanted to pursue; and also importantly, there was always enough food on the table. In college, he was a scholar of Equitable PCI Bank (eventually merging with Banco de Oro Universal Bank). But even with that scholarship, he was already earning, doing company reports and similar marketing collateral. He gave back to his benefactor by working for Equitable for almost a year after graduation. He was discovered in Cebu by a team of Unilever talent-seekers in 1996, where he was offered training with Unilevers sales division to set up distributors in South Luzon. After about a year, he was moved to sales strategy, doing shopper marketing for the oral care and hair care categories. In 1999, he was moved to Japan in a swap program, where he learned to speak and write a little Nippongo. After almost a year, he returned to the country as customer development manager for Robinsons and Mercury Drug. In 2004, he was back home in Cebu as area head for the Visayas, where he worked to transform the region to become a showcase of growth and excellence. After four years, he went back to the headquarters as head of category operations, and then as head of customer marketing. Throughout his Unilever life in the Philippines, a company known to have the best and brightest talents from the top three Manila schools, Ryan, a Carolinian from Cebu, was flying high because he was blessed with the best mentors from work. Story continues In 2008, he was off to Moscow, Russia, as customer marketing director for almost two years. And from 2010 to 2014, he was global shopping marketing director for emerging markets, where he went all over the world to create global repeatable models, or market-tested business models of growing Unilever categories. He drove restructuring, revitalizing and training of various shopper marketing organizations, helping them in strategies, inspiring them with best practices for all areas related to shopper marketing. In 2014, when his global teams mandate was largely fulfilled, and the entire team had to be moved elsewhere, he was confronted with two opportunities: one was to continue his global career in a foreign country, and another was to opt for early retirement and return home to Cebu. It was a hard decision to make; to give up a steady employment that has supported his being the family breadwinner for 18 years. But in his words, not everyone grabs the option, the privilege to show love. His mom was sick with a rare kind of cancer (of the soft tissue) since 2011. I gave up my global corporate career to be with her. [It was tough to balance] my career and nursing my mother. But I got that from her; that grit, that wanting to survive, to choose life no matter the pain. All the years she was happy, and whole, and loving. After seven years of fighting, his mother passed away in 2018. She survived five major surgeries and several chemo and radiation therapies. She was my partner, my girlfriend, my best friend, my cheerleader, my constant date, my torch and my flame. I am the worlds biggest Mamas Boy and her passing changed me forever. For his mother and his father who never had a house to call their own, he built a beautiful all-white house by the sea in the north, and secured a penthouse in the city, to give them what they did not have in the most harrowing time of their lives when we were ejected from our home when I was only 10. But life goes on and everyday needs are always there. Unilever taught him the dignity of labor. Nothing is gotten from sheer luck. Luck is what happens when opportunity and preparation collide. So I am always prepared. Whatever opportunities that come my way, I grab it. If I am not prepared, I say no. He started a consultancy business after he resigned, and then decided to brand it. Hot Button is into consulting in areas of branding, design of retail spaces and brand communication materials; end-to-end sales and marketing; crafting of corporate purpose (vision, mission and values); public relations; social media management; and business development. His inspiration for Hot Button? Each person is a hot button to push for whatever stimuli that ignites or inspires market and business transformation. SOME OF RYAN VILLAFLORES clients Property sector ACM Homes Vibo Land ArthaLand Hongkong Land in Indonesia Multinationals Luxasia Pilipinas Shell Homegrown Cebu companies Julies Bakeshop Canedo Equity Ventures Vibo Group Government bodies Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Singapore has extradited an Indian national to the United States to face charges in a call center fraud that scammed millions of dollars from victims in the United States, the Justice Department announced Friday. Hitesh Madhubhai Patel, 42, of Ahmedabad, India, was scheduled to be arraigned Friday in a Houston, Texas federal court for his role in a case that was first announced in 2016, charging 60 people with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. Patel ran the HGlobal call center, one of five India-based operations which allegedly worked together in an operation which targeted mostly South Asians living in the United States. Callers pretending to be US tax or immigration officials threatened them with arrest and deportation if they did not remit money to the government. The victims were then directed to people working with the call centers in the United States to collect the "fines" through prepaid debit cards or wire transfers, and the money was quickly laundered out of the country. "This extradition once again demonstrates the Department's unwavering commitment to disrupt and dismantle the India-based call center scam industry and to work with our foreign partners to hold accountable those who perpetrate schemes that defraud our citizens," said Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski in a statement. Justice officials said that in the past six years more than 15,000 people have been cheated of over $75 million in scams in which callers pose as agents of the Internal Revenue Service, the federal tax agency. So far, in the Indian call center case, 24 domestic US defendants have been convicted and sentenced to up to 20 years in prison, the Justice Department said. "The remaining India-based defendants have yet to be arraigned in this case," they said. Common superstitions abound in the motorcycle community. Some might be worth a second look; while others are just plain, downright ludicrous. Whatever the case, these unfounded beliefs still hold influence on some riders (and passengers alike). And perhaps, you can even see yourself believing one of them. Here are some of the most common superstitions in the motorcycle world: Have your bikes blessed before you ride them. @pia.gov.ph This isnt surprising. The Philippines is home to roughly 84 million Filipino Catholics today, so blessing these motorbikes in church parking grounds is really a common fixture in the countrys religious culture. Still, its interesting to see one religious item thats commonly found in most bikes (and four-wheeled vehicles): rosaries. Some are so dilapidated that the beads have already fallen off. But hey, if it makes you and other riders feel safe, then by all means, hang on to them. Dont ride a dead mans bike. Would you ride a dead mans bike? Many wont (we wouldnt). Some say its bad luck; others say that the previous owners spirit will haunt you for the rest of your life. Some seances, however, would advise riders against riding bikes where the previous owner died while riding the motorcycle. For us, its more of a subconscious, mental thing. How can you ride a bike that you know killed someone in the past? Of course, we know its downright illogicaland sort of smacks us right out of our credentials as respectable journalists (ahem). Whatever the case, it still gives us the jitters. Green motorcycles are unlucky. This is one case where Green is definitely not in. In fact, green motorcycles were considered bad luck, perhaps due to how they were used before. There are two theories why green was considered unlucky. Way back during World War II, riders who rode green motorbikes were sent out to carry messages between their base and camps. Of course, it made them targets for enemy snipers and sharpshooters who desperately wanted these messages out of their hands. Story continues The second theory is that green army surplus bikes, particularly those olive-green Harley-Davidson WLAs were refurbished and sold after the war. Apparently, they say that these bikes were really not in good condition, so many were unreliable and would break down easily. Its bad luck to wear a dropped helmet. This actually makes sense. Dropped helmets can develop invisible cracks that may cause your helmet to crack wide open during a strong impact. And believe us, thats something you dont want to happen. So yes, for safety purposes, wear helmets that havent been dropped. You really dont want to compromise your safety here. Superstitions will always be part of our culture. And while some are interesting, others can really be quite strange. Whatever the case, its always best to take them all with a grain of salt. Know any other motorcycle-related superstitions that we dont know about? Let us know about it! The post Motorcycle Superstitions appeared first on Carmudi Philippines. Anantara Hotels and Resorts recently donated over THB 1.8 million to the Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial Center at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital as part of the brands on-going CSR campaign Dollars for Deeds. The Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial Center, honouring HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, located in the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital under the Thai Red Cross Society and the Faculty of Medicine, is the first center for craniofacial problems and operations in Southeast Asia. A dedicated team of doctors and medical staff treat patients, generally young children, with a range problems relating to the head, eyes, nose, mouth, brain and the face, all of which not only affects the patients but also their families. 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. 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 Yellow Vests demonstrators are taking to streets for the 23rd round of protests that have been rocking the county since mid-November. A major demonstration is set to take place in the capital city of Paris. The police have warned protesters to stay away from the Notre Dame cathedral area Saturday in the wake of a deadly blaze that erupted there on Monday. That same day, President Emmanuel Macron was supposed to unveil measures to quell the protests, but had to cancel the announcement due to the Notre Dame tragedy. The French president is yet to reveal a new date for his address. Hong Kong: Public doctor vacancies rising The Department of Health today said the number of Medical & Health Officer grade vacancies is expected to increase to around 120 in the year 2019-20. The department was responding to media enquiries on the Hong Kong Medical Association's proposal to exempt the internship requirement for overseas medical specialists. It noted representatives of some medical associations, in addressing the manpower shortage of the Medical & Health Officer grade, did not comprehend the departments specialist services and job nature as well as its manpower shortage. The department will approach the associations to provide accurate information for reference to facilitate a thorough deliberation. As at April 1, there are 521 posts under the Medical & Health Officer grade in the department with 59 vacancies, spanning across different medical streams including child assessment, family medicine, forensic pathology, pathology, social hygiene, family health and health. This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Indefinite shutdown of Indias Jet Airways puts passengers traveling to and from Nepal in a fix Travel agencies in Nepal are scrambling to find alternate flights for local Jet Airways passengers, after the embattled carriers decision on Wednesday. At the Hancock College Basic Law Enforcement Academy, located in Lompoc, aspiring police officers and sheriffs deputies go through an intensive 21-week training program that fulfills all of the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) requirements. The majority of the academys students go on to work for agencies across the Central Coast. While a proposed bill to change the legal standard for law enforcement's use of deadly force recently cleared a key committee vote in the California legislature, the Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriffs' Association has thrown its support behind an alternative bill that is scheduled for its first public hearing on Tuesday. " " This National Park Service map of existing conditions displays sound levels across the United States, with the darkest blue shading depicting areas with sound levels below 20 decibels and the yellow (48-54 dBA) and white (55-67 dBA) shading highlightin... National Park Service "Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity," naturalist John Muir wrote in 1901. Today, Muir would be dismayed to learn that in a majority of the United States' protected areas, there's no escape from human-made noise pollution. Advertisement A new study by researchers at Colorado State University and the National Park Service assessed noise levels from parks, designated wilderness areas, Forest Service lands and other protected areas of the United States and found that noise pollution doubled sound levels in more than half of all U.S. protected areas. In 21 percent of these sanctuaries, the grind, buzz and hum of human-made commotion raised noise levels tenfold. "All of us were quite surprised at how high noise levels were in these protected areas," says Rachel Buxton, post-doctoral researcher in Colorado State University's Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology and lead author of the study appearing today in the journal Science. "We found a massive increase in sound energy." A tenfold increase in sound levels, Buxton explains, means that what could be heard at 100 feet (30 meters) away in natural conditions can only be heard from 10 feet (3 meters) away. The natural background of bird songs, rushing rivers and scurrying animals becomes muted by the din of, as Muir describes, "over-civilized people." " " Median noise exceedance (the amount that anthropogenic noise increases sound levels above the natural level) in protected area units across the contiguous United States. Noise exceedance of 1.25, 3.01, 6.02, and 10 dB corresponds, respectively, to 25, ... R.T. Buxton et al., Science (2017) To assess the extent of noise pollution, Buxton and her colleagues analyzed millions of hours of audio recordings captured by National Park Service employees at 492 sites across the country. With the help of machine-learning algorithms that incorporated natural and unnatural features at each site, they extrapolated the data to estimate existing sound levels, natural sound levels and the amount that human noise elevated natural background noise. "Noise pollution is not easy to convey," says George Wittemyer, a conservation biologist at Colorado State University and senior author of the study. "We can't take a photo of sound at a place today and compare it to a snapshot taken 20 years ago." The new research, he says, was an effort to convey "the increasing creep of noise pollution." In 63 percent of protected areas, sound levels were elevated by more than 3 decibels, according to the study. And in 21 percent of the areas, sound levels were amplified by 10 decibels. The culprit, for the most part, says Buxton, was traffic on nearby roads, aircraft flying overhead and noise from extraction operations, such as logging or mining. While noise may not be the first thing that most people think of when considering all the ways people pollute environments, Buxton says that it can have a profound impact on wildlife and ecosystems. Noise pollution "masks" natural sounds, she explains, inhibiting critical functions. For example, a predator like a fox may no longer be able to detect the rustle of its prey in the woods. The fox may also become spooked by the sounds of, say rushing cars, and simply leave an area. This can affect an entire ecosystem since prey such as rabbits may then increase in numbers and the plants they eat may, in turn, become depleted. "Even if sound levels affect just one kind of animal, it can trickle down and have a cascading effect on an entire ecosystem," Buxton says. Noise can also force a change in birds' calls. Research has shown that some birds shift their calls into higher pitches to avoid overlapping with the chiefly lower tones of human-made noise. "If a bird is shifting its song to a higher pitch, we don't know if a potential mate is less interested," says Buxton. "We just don't know the consequences." There is also the impact on our own species to consider. Research has shown that noise pollution can inhibit human memory, raise stress-related cortisol levels and hamper learning. Quiet places in nature, the authors argue, offer critical respites from the din of everyday life. The good news, says Wittemyer, is that large parks in the United States remain mostly quiet sanctuaries. "A lot of the smaller protected areas are loud, but many of the larger, marquis national parks remain quiet," says Wittemyer. "Given the pervasiveness of roads and the amount of aircraft crisscrossing our skies, the fact that we still have so many of these natural intact soundscapes is pretty encouraging." One reason why the bigger parks have retained their natural soundscapes, says Wittemyer, is simply due to their size and relative isolation from development. But he said it's also thanks to efforts underway at several state and national parks to minimize humans' noisy imprint. For example, park service officials at Yosemite, Grand Canyon National Park and elsewhere have confined vehicle traffic to limited areas of the park and supply shuttle bus service for access to less-traveled areas. The National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 requires the park service to work with the Federal Aviation Administration to restrict air traffic to already noisy corridors, leaving swathes of overhead sky plane-free. At Death Valley National Park, officials have installed what's known as quiet pavement, which features a porous surface that absorbs sound from a vehicle's wheels and engine. Combined, these innovations can make a difference, says Buxton, who adds that it's important to remind ourselves why untainted wilderness is, as Muir wrote, "a necessity." "Whether it's a rushing river or a bird chorus or bugling elks," Buxton says, "the sounds we hear in nature can be just as magnificent as the sites we see." Now That's Interesting Noise pollution can even threaten endangered plant species in an area. Buxton explains that birds and mammals play a key role in pollination and in dispersing seeds. When noise drives those animals away, plant growth can become limited. In this way, Buxton says, "Noise has an indirect effect on plant growth even though plants can't hear." " " This image of an X-ray afterglow from a gamma-ray burst was taken at NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, July 12, 2001. NASA/Getty Images It's disconcerting to stumble upon the myriad ways natural global calamity could strike, causing irreversible and catastrophic damage and extinction on Earth. Sure, we have our fair share of nuclear arms threats and massive man-made global warming. But those are the enemies we know. What about massive volcano eruptions? Or wandering black holes? Or what about the massive radiation that could shoot toward Earth when a star collapses, resulting in global annihilation? Advertisement That last one's not likely at all. But we wouldn't be doing our part if we didn't mention that it's kind of maybe possible, under very unusual circumstances that would be entirely improbable to coincide. Consider yourself warned? Here's the deal with gamma-ray bursts: When a huge star collapses, it produces a boatload of radiation in concentrated streams. If one of these jets of radiation hit Earth, it could destroy the entire ozone layer. Global cooling would occur. Acid rain would fall [source: Thomas]. It's not a pretty picture for life on Earth. The thing is, a lot of factors would have to come together in a pretty far-out scenario for a gamma ray to destroy us all. The star, for instance, has to be near us. And so far, a gamma-ray burst is likely to occur near Earth only every billion years or so [source: Minard]. Also, the star would have to be lined up with us just so -- otherwise the radiation stream misses us, and we go on polluting the earth and happily warring. However, it might not be a comfort to know that some scientists posit that gamma rays might've played a part in the late Ordovician extinction about 440 million years ago [source: Melott]. About 70 percent of all marine life died -- and pretty much everything was marine back then [source: Minard]. The period has a few of the hallmarks of an increase in radiation, like global cooling, that might point to gamma-ray zaniness. So sure, a gamma-ray burst could wipe out life on earth. It might've even happened once before. But don't panic yet, because we've got another 500 million or so years before it's likely to cause us much trouble again. " " U.S. Black Hawk helicopter pilots are taking part in a joint-training exercise in Germany with soldiers from the Army's 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, in anticipation of working together during future missions. U.S. Army/Spc. Thomas Scaggs For 27 years Alan Gropman served in the U.S. Air Force, accumulating more than 4,000 flying hours in two tours in Vietnam. He participated in 670 combat missions, including many that delivered the Army's battle-hardened 101st Airborne to the fight. When he returned home, the Lt. Col. Gropman became Professor Gropman and taught military history and strategy at the Air Force Academy, Georgetown University and George Mason University. He's considered the leading authority on African-Americans in the military. You would think that a man with such a pedigree would be in favor of reinstituting the military draft and creating, what some contend, would be a more muscular army. He's not. In fact, he's dead-set against it. "I don't think the draft would improve the army," he says in an interview. Why not? Other nations have mandatory conscription laws. Doesn't that put the United States at a disadvantage? Aren't we less safe since we don't force a portion of our population into military service? Doesn't the size of a nation's military directly correlate to its martial prowess? "You wouldn't have a better army you'd just have more people," Gropman says. Advertisement Mandatory Service Doesn't Mean Might Gropman's view that America is better off with an all-volunteer military is one shared by many academics and military leaders. In their view America's all-volunteer force is vastly superior to any conscripted army in the world. Perhaps that is why the Joint Chiefs of Staff have never recommended reviving the draft. "I believe Israel and South Korea perhaps are the only countries with conscription and top-flight militaries," Michael E. O'Hanlon, a senior fellow in foreign policy at the Brookings Institute said in an email. "We are much better person for person than almost any place else with conscription, though of course, it's hard to measure." In fact, O'Hanlon says, a conscripted army would make us weaker, especially in the age of high-tech warfare. "In fairness to that idea, it could at least give us a greater sense of collective national engagement in the fight," O'Hanlon says. "Beyond that, I don't see notable advantages in military terms." President Harry Truman reinstituted a mandatory draft on July 20, 1948, after the massive demobilization following World War II left the U.S. Army with a force of fewer than 550,000 men. Congress halted it in 1973 and established an all-volunteer military force as the Vietnam War was winding down. Although the draft had been a fact of life for American males for decades, Vietnam had taken its toll. Critics called it a "poor man's war," in which the well-heeled, educated, and politically connected escaped service or served in rear areas, while the poor, especially those who were African American, did the bulk of the fighting. "We've never had an equitable draft," Gropman says. Bringing back the draft would need an act of Congress and the signature of the president, although the government requires all males ages 18 through 25, who are living in the United States and have a social security number, to register with the Selective Service System. Registration creates a pool of would-be soldiers if Congress reinstated conscription. In 2016, lawmakers nixed a proposal that would have allowed women to register for the draft. The issue came up after then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter decided that women could fight in combat for the first time. A consortium of military leaders and women's rights groups supported the idea of female registration. Advertisement Volunteer Military Superior Since Vietnam, the America's all-volunteer military has been engaged in a number of conflicts, from the invasion of Grenada in 1983, to the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Today, 1.4 million people are on active duty and another 850,000 are in the reserves. They are deployed around the world, including facing down North Korea and fighting terrorists in Syria, Iraq and other conflict zones. From all accounts, the all-volunteer force has worked out well. For one thing, less than 0.5 percent of the population serves in the U.S. armed forces as opposed to 12 percent in World War II. It has also saved taxpayers money. The Pentagon's budget accounts for 20 percent of the government's budget, down from 45 percent during height of Vietnam. Moreover, everybody in the armed services wants to be there. No one is forced to serve. The result, Gropman and others say, is a quality army with no rival on the world stage. A 2015 report by Credit Suisse, a multi-national financial firm, bears that out. The company's research institute ranked the United States military as the best in the world, despite the reduction in size and budget. Researchers ranked each nation on six variables, including the number of active personal, aircraft, tanks, attack helicopters, aircraft carriers and submarines. The U.S. far outdistanced the conscripted armies of Russia, Israel, South Korea, Egypt, among others. " " Soldiers of the 200th Military Police Command conduct physical fitness training at Fort Meade, Maryland, in July 2017. U.S. Army/Sgt. Audrey Hayes Moreover, while an army of conscripts tend to fall on the edge of the socio-economic spectrum, America's all-volunteer force now reflects a broad spectrum of society. Volunteers with different cultural and economic backgrounds stay in the military longer, allowing for more complex training and creating consistency and cohesion for units. The armed services also have high standards for intelligence, health and behavior, which an army of draftees lacks. But there are problems. Under the standards set by the military, only 20 percent of Americans are qualified to serve, which makes recruiting hard. During times of conflict there might not be enough soldiers to fight. We saw this during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, when the military had to dip into its reserve and National Guard units to do the bulk of the fighting. Many units did multiple tours. That's one reason of why some still believe the U.S. would be better off without a volunteer army. Joseph Epstein, a former draftee who served in the Army from 1958 to 1960 told The Atlantic that "a reinstated draft, or compulsory military service, would redistribute the burden of the responsibility for fighting wars, and engage the nation in military conflicts in a more immediate and democratic way. A truly American military, inclusive of all social classes, might cause politicians and voters to be more selective in choosing which battles are worth fighting and at what expense." Now That's Interesting A 2007 Gallup Poll found that 80 percent of Americans did not think Congress should reinstitute the draft. A 2013 Rasmussen Reports poll yielded the same results. At that time, only 29 percent of all American voters thought the draft should be reinstated. A white hat hacker discovered how to break Tchap, a new secure messaging app launched by the French government for officials and politicians. The popular French white hat hacker Robert Baptiste (aka @fs0c131y) discovered how to break into Tchap , a new secure messaging app launched by the French government for encrypted communications between officials and politicians. The app was developed by DINSIC (Interministerial Directorate of Digital and Information System and Communication of the State), as a project controlled by Frances National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI). It aims at replacing popular instant messaging services like Telegram and WhatsApp for government people. The Tchap was launched on April 18 and is available on the official iOS and Android app stores, but only French government employees (using @gouv.fr or @elysee.fr email accounts) can sign-up for an account. The key point Tchap is that encrypted communications flow through internal servers to prevent cyber attacks carried out by foreign nation-state actors. Anyway, the French government published Tchaps source code on GitHub, it is based on Riot, a well-known open-source instant messaging client-server package. News of the day is that Robert Baptiste found a security bug that could allow anyone to sign up an account with the Tchap app and access groups and channels without using an official government email account. The expert made a dynamic analysis of the mobile app and discovered it implements certificate pinning in the authentication process. Even if he disables it with Frida, during the registration process, the app requests a token. The expert noticed that depending on the email address provided by the user, the app will refer the correct id_server. The list of available servers is defined in the AndroidManifest.xml. I set id_server to matrix . agent . elysee . tchap . gouv . fr . For info, Elysee is the French presidential palace. As I choose this server I guessed I should have an @elysee . fr email address. So, in the requestToken request, I modified email to fs0c131y@protonmail.com@elysee.fr. Hum, no validation email in my inbox Wait, maybe it is waiting a known @elysee . fr email address. So I did a Google search email @ elysee.fr wrote the expert in a blog post. So I did another try and in the requestToken request and I modified email to fs0c131y@protonmail.com@presidence@elysee.fr. Bingo! I received an email from Tchap, I was able to validate my account! The expert demonstrated how to create an account with the service using a regular email ID by exploiting a potential email validation vulnerability in the Android version of the Tchap app. After he logged as an Elysee employee, he was able to access to the public rooms. Robert reported the issue the Matrix team who developed the Riot client, and it quickly fixed the bug and released a patch. The released patch was specific only to the application developed by French intelligence. Just for curiosity, last week Matrix.org warned users of a security breach, a hacker gained unauthorized access to the production databases, including unencrypted message data, access tokens, and also password hashes. According to Matrix.org, the attacker has exploited a known vulnerability in the Jenkins open source automation server to hijack credentials and gain access to the systems of the organization. Homeservers, source code and packages, identity servers, and Modular.im servers were not impacted. Pierluigi Paganini ( SecurityAffairs hacking, Tchap app) Share this... Linkedin Share this: Twitter Print LinkedIn Facebook More Tumblr Pocket Share On British malware researcher Marcus Hutchins has pleaded guilty to developing and sharing the banking malware between July 2014 and July 2015. The popular British cybersecurity expert Marcus Hutchins has pleaded guilty to developing and sharing the Kronos banking malware between July 2014 and July 2015. Marcus Hutchins, also known as MalwareTech, made the headlines after discovering the kill switch that halted the outbreak of the WannaCry ransomware . In August 2017, he was arrested in Las Vegas after attending the Def Con hacking conference and was detained by the FBI in the state of Nevada. In August 2017, Marcus Hutchins pleaded not guilty to charges of creating and selling malware at a hearing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The court decided to relax the expert bail terms, allowing him to access the Internet and continues his ordinary working activities. The only restriction on Hutchins is that the expert cannot visit the Wannacry server domain. The decision is unusual because computer crime suspects are not allowed to stay online. The court allowed him to live in Los Angeles, where the company that hired him is located, but he was obliged to surrender his passport and he must wear a tracking device until his trial in October. On Friday, Hutchins accepted a plea deal and admitted two charges of malware development. Ive pleaded guilty to two charges related to writing malware in the years prior to my career in security, reads a statement published by the expert. I regret these actions and accept full responsibility for my mistakes. Having grown up, Ive since been using the same skills that I misused several years ago for constructive purposes. I will continue to devote my time to keeping people safe from malware attacks. Marcus Hutchins would face with a maximum penalty of five years in prison a $250,000 fine and a year of probation. According to the Federal law enforcement, the researchers told an unnamed associate over a recorded telephone line: I used to write malware, they picked me up on some old shit, I wrote code for a guy a while back who then incorporated it into a banking malware. Pierluigi Paganini (Security Affairs Marcus Hutchins, cybercrime) Share this... Linkedin Share this: Twitter Print LinkedIn Facebook More Tumblr Pocket Share On "When in Rome... on Local Norms and Sentencing Decisions" | Main | "Misdemeanors by the Numbers" The New York Times magazine has this week's must read under the headline "Is Prison Necessary? Ruth Wilson Gilmore Might Change Your Mind." The piece is a profile of a noted prison abolitionist along with a broader discussion of prison history and prison abolitionism. I heartily recommend the terrific lengthy piece in full, and here is an extended excerpt: Prison abolition, as a movement, sounds provocative and absolute, but what it is as a practice requires subtler understanding. For Gilmore, who has been active in the movement for more than 30 years, its both a long-term goal and a practical policy program, calling for government investment in jobs, education, housing, health care all the elements that are required for a productive and violence-free life. Abolition means not just the closing of prisons but the presence, instead, of vital systems of support that many communities lack. Instead of asking how, in a future without prisons, we will deal with so-called violent people, abolitionists ask how we resolve inequalities and get people the resources they need long before the hypothetical moment when, as Gilmore puts it, they mess up.... In the wake of the Enlightenment, European reformers gradually moved away from corporal punishment tout court; people would go to prison for a set period of time, rather than to wait for the punishment to come. The penitentiary movement in both England and the United States in the early 19th century was motivated in part by the demand for more humanitarian punishment. Prison was the reform. If prison, in its philosophical origin, was meant as a humane alternative to beatings or torture or death, it has transformed into a fixed feature of modern life, one that is not known, even by its supporters and administrators, for its humanity. In the United States, we now have more than two million incarcerated people, a majority of them black or brown, virtually all of them from poor communities. Prisons not only have violated human rights and failed at rehabilitation; its not even clear that prisons deter crime or increase public safety. Following an incarceration boom that began all over the United States around 1980 and only recently started to level off, reform has become politically popular. But abolitionists argue that many reforms have done little more than reinforce the system. In every state where the death penalty has been abolished, for example, it has been replaced by the sentence of life without parole to many people a death sentence by other, more protracted means. Another product of good intentions: campaigns to reform indeterminate sentencing, resulting in three-strike programs and mandatory-minimum sentencing, which traded one cruelty for another. Over all, reforms have not significantly reduced incarceration numbers, and no recent reform legislation has even aspired to do so. For instance, the first federal prison reform in almost 10 years, the bipartisan First Step Act, which President Trump signed into law late last year, will result in the release of only some 7,000 of the 2.3 million people currently locked up when it goes into effect. Federal legislation pertains only to federal prisons, which hold less than 10 percent of the nations prison population, and of those, First Step applies to only a slim subset. As Gilmore said to me, noting an outsize public enthusiasm after the act passed the Senate, There are people who behave as though the origin and cure are federal. So many are unaware of how the country is juridically organized, and that there are at least 52 criminal-legal jurisdictions in the U.S. Which isnt to say that Gilmore and other abolitionists are opposed to all reforms. Its obvious that the system wont disappear overnight, Gilmore told me. No abolitionist thinks that will be the case. But she finds First Step, like many state reforms it mimics, not just minor but exclusionary, on account of wording in the bill that will make it even harder for some to get relief. (Those convicted of most higher-level offenses, for example, are ineligible for earned-time credits, a new category created under First Step.) So many of these proposed remedies dont end up diminishing the system. They regard the system as something that can be fixed by removing and replacing a few elements. For Gilmore, debates over which individuals to let out of prison accept prison as a given. To her, this is not just a moral error but a practical one, if the goal is to actually end mass incarceration. Instead of trying to fix the carceral system, she is focused on policy work to reduce its scope and footprint by stopping new prison construction and closing prisons and jails one facility at a time, with painstaking grass-roots organizing and demands that state funding benefit, rather than punish, vulnerable communities. What I love about abolition, the legal scholar and author James Forman Jr. told me, and now use in my own thinking and when I identify myself as an abolitionist, this is what I have in mind is the idea that you imagine a world without prisons, and then you work to try to build that world. Forman came late, he said, to abolitionist thinking. He was on tour for his 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Locking Up Our Own, which documents the history of mass incarceration and the inadvertent roles that black political leaders played, when a woman asked him why he didnt use the word abolition in his arguments, which, to her, sounded so abolitionist. The question led Forman to engage seriously with the concept. I feel like a movement to end mass incarceration and replace it with a system that actually restores and protects communities will never succeed without abolitionists. Because people will make compromises and sacrifices, and theyll lose the vision. Theyll start to think things are huge victories, when theyre tiny. And so, to me, abolition is essential. The A.C.L.U.s Smart Justice campaign, the largest in the organizations history, has been started with a goal of reducing the prison population by 50 percent through local, state and federal initiatives to reform bail, prosecution, sentencing, parole and re-entry. Incarceration does not work, said the A.C.L.U. campaign director Udi Ofer. The A.C.L.U., he told me, wants to defund the prison system and reinvest in communities. In our conversation, I found myself wondering if Ofer, and the A.C.L.U., had been influenced by abolitionist thinking and Gilmore. Ofer even seemed to quote Gilmores mantra that prisons are catchall solutions to social problems. When I asked him, Ofer said, Theres no question. Shes made tremendous contributions, even just in helping to bring about a conversation on what this work really is, and the constant struggle not to replace one oppressive system with another. The new URA Draft Master Plan 2019 offers incentive schemes to spur rejuvenation in the city and increase mixed-use components. However, there are challenges in the short term Owners of ageing commercial and mixed-use developments in the CBD received a shot in the arm with the Draft Master Plan 2019 unveiled on March 27. This is because it came with two new schemes, namely the CBD Incentive Scheme and the Strategic Development Incentive Scheme. Moray Armstrong, CBRE Singapore managing director, describes these schemes as the SkillsFuture scheme for the CBD. The old stretches of Shenton Way and Cecil Street have greatly contributed to Singapores growth as the pioneer CBD, he notes. The emergence of the new economy and Downtown CBD has resulted in these sub-markets being less favoured and to some, even being functionally obsolete. The two schemes allow for the existing developments to extend their use beyond office operation hours. These schemes are long-term plans deemed to provide a lifeline to ageing developments, adds Armstrong. The incentive of a higher plot ratio is to promote private sector-led urban regeneration in the middle to long term. However, any knee-jerk reaction will be curbed by the strict qualification rules behind each scheme as well as market sentiments. The Central area of Singapore where the URA Master Plan 2019 included the CBD Incentive Scheme and Strategic Development Scheme (Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore) Higher plot ratios Areas earmarked for rejuvenation under the new CBD Incentive Scheme are those in the Anson Road, Cecil Street, Robinson Road, Shenton Way and Tanjong Pagar areas. To qualify for the CBD rejuvenation scheme, buildings have to be at least 20 years old from the last date of Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) and where the existing use is predominantly office. Theres also a minimum plot size of 1,000 sqm for some areas, and 2,000 sqm for others. For a site in the Anson Road and Cecil Street area to be redeveloped for hotel use, or mixeduse development with residential and commercial components, the uplift in gross plot ratio is 25%. For residential use with commercial space on the first level, the new development will enjoy an increase in plot ratio of up to 30%. Story continues This CBD Incentive Scheme will be trialled for a five-year period the duration of the Master Plan 2019. The rationale for the incentives is to encourage the conversion of existing, older, office developments into mixed-use developments that will help rejuvenate the CBD. The Cecil Street (pictured), Robinson Road, Shenton Way, Anson Road and Tanjong Pagar areas are those earmarked for the CBD Incentive Scheme (Credit: Albert Chua/EdgeProp Singapore) Biggest Beneficiaries? CBREs Armstrong estimates that there are about 20 developments in the CBD that could qualify for the CBD Incentive Scheme. These buildings owners will be motivated to explore the possibilities of triggering the bonus plot ratio or to put up their properties for sale with a bonus plot ratio scheme, he says. However, the new use will need to be either hotel or residential, and remains marred by measures and a looming supply in the next few years. In addition, these buildings still currently enjoy relatively high occupancies, limiting the need for any huge capital expenditure and revenue downtime for redevelopment. Of the three areas earmarked for rejuvenation within the CBD, Steven Ming, managing director of Sakal Real Estate Partners -- a real estate investment advisory and brokerage practice -- is of the view that those around Anson Road are the biggest beneficiaries of the schemes. This is because the minimum threshold for plot size is lower, at 1,000 sqm, he explains. Many of the buildings are already of this size and the building owners could benefit from land intensification independently. The Cecil Street, Robinson Road, Shenton Way and Tanjong Pagar areas have a higher threshold in terms of site area minimum of 1,000 sqm for corner plots and 2,000 sqm for the others and hence, pose some challenges for owners. A number of them are sitting on relatively small sites of less than 2,000 sqm and that will mean having to amalgamate with a neighbouring site to enjoy the uplift in gross plot ratio, adds Ming. The biggest challenge will be for owners of adjacent sites to agree on a valuation for two adjoining sites of different lease tenures, especially if one is 99-year, while the other is 999-year or freehold. Sector 16, which is the CBD area including Cantonment Road, Chinatown area, McCallum Street and Tanjong Pagar, saw hotel DC rates for hotel use hit $15,400 psm ($1,431 psf) compared to commercial use, which stands at $12,250 psm ($1,138 psf) and $9,900 psm for non-landed residential use (Credit: Albert Chua/EdgeProp Singapore) Ming sees the anticipated benefits from increased plot ratio for redevelopment into residential, mixed-use or hotel use under the CBD Incentive Scheme negated for now by the higher development charge rates, especially for conversion to hotel use. The latest revision of development charge (DC) rates for the six-month period from March to Aug 31, 2019, saw a hike of 45.6% on average for conversion of buildings to hotel use. Meanwhile, for conversion to commercial use, the average increase in DC rates is 9.8% over the same period. This means that in Sector 16, which is the CBD area including Cantonment Road, Chinatown area, McCallum Street and Tanjong Pagar, the DC rate for hotel use is $15,400 psm ($1,431 psf) compared to redevelopment for commercial use, which is $12,250 psm ($1,138 psf) and for non-landed residential use, $9,800 psm ($910 psf). In the near-term, the immediate beneficiaries are likely to be single-asset owners on pocket sites who undertake the redevelopment of their own buildings, says Shaun Poh, Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) executive director of capital markets. Realty Centre, where 80% of the owners have agreed to a lower reserve price of $148 million ($2,441 psf ppr) for a collective sale for redevelopment into a new commercial project (Credit: Cushman & Wakefield) Commercial collective sale hopefuls However, owners of strata-titled, ageing commercial buildings see the schemes as an opportunity to cash out on their investments, says CBREs Armstrong. However, there are still some challenges to be overcome, such as smaller older buildings that may fail the requirements for the land size. At Realty Centre on Enggor Street, a commercial building built in 1974, strata-titled owners were very excited when the new CBD Incentive Scheme was rolled out, says C&Ws Poh. The existing building, which is predominantly for office use, sits on a site area of 1,021.9 sq m (about 11,000 sq ft). It is located within the Anson area, and therefore, will benefit from the uplift in GPR from redevelopment into residential, mixed-use with residential or hotel use. C&W is the marketing agency for Realty Centre, which was launched for collective sale in January. As it was before the Draft Master Plan 2019 was unveiled, the redevelopment potential was based on the 2014 Master Plan. It was therefore zoned for commercial use with a maximum height of 35 storeys, and approved for a new commercial development with a plot ratio of 5.396 and gross floor area (GFA) of 59,355 sq ft. Shenton Way where many of the old buildings have been redeveloped over the years (Credit: Albert Chua/EdgeProp Singapore) The asking price of Realty Centre was $165 million then, which worked out to a land rate of $2,714 psf per plot ratio (psf ppr), inclusive of an estimated development charge of $2.188 million. The tender closed on Feb 21. There was a price gap when we put it up for collective sale and were trying to bridge that gap, says Poh. There has been renewed interest from potential buyers since the Master Plan 2019 was announced, concedes Poh. A lot of the interest for Realty Centre has come from corporate and business owners looking to redevelop the building for their own use, he adds. Early this month, C&W obtained a new mandate to lower the reserve price to $148 million, and has obtained agreement from 80% of the owners of Realty Centre to do so. The land rate therefore has been adjusted to $2,441 psf ppr, inclusive of the DC rate of $2.334 million for commercial redevelopment. 'Window of opportunity' The strata-titled owners of Realty Centre are not the only collective sale hopefuls who see the upside in plot ratio as a bonus, and therefore, reckon they could command a higher price. There are others who are also exploring the possibility of a collective sale. A strata-titled mixed-use development, International Plaza, built in 1970, is said to be exploring a collective sale (Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore) As consultants, we need to manage these expectations, says Ong Choon Fah, CEO of Edmund Tie & Co (ET&Co). En bloc is not something that can happen overnight. Some of the owners use their commercial units as their place of business, and therefore, it goes beyond real estate. So, it is more difficult to persuade them to sell. Word on the street is that the owners of International Plaza on Anson Road, a mixed-use, strata-titled development built in 1970, have appointed a property consultant to advise them on the collective sale process. Given its location on Anson Road, they are also likely to benefit from the CBD Incentive Scheme for the Robinson Road, Shenton Way and Tanjong Pagar neighbourhood. Along Shenton Way, Shenton House is said to have made a third attempt at a collective sale in late 2018. The strata-titled owners in the mixed-use development are in the midst of securing 80% consensus for a collective sale. Strata-titled, mixed-use developments in the CBD built in the late 1960s and early 1970s included Shenton House and International Plaza. In the old days, even the carpark is a strata-titled lot, says ET&Cos Ong. Apportionment of proceeds that is acceptable to all the owners of a mixed-use development where shops, offices, residential units and carpark space have different share values -- is always very tricky. One Shenton (left) is a redevelopment of the former Robina House, while at Shenton House, built in 1969, strata-titled owners of the mixed-use development recently made its third collective sale attempt late last year (Credit: Albert Chua/EdgeProp Singapore) Norman Ho, deputy director of corporate real estate at law firm Rajah & Tann, has also been fielding inquiries from building owners due to the CBD Incentive Scheme. Owners of such buildings are also asking for very high prices and such sites will also attract high DC rates. No doubt, elevator chats among the owners of strata-titled commercial and mixed-use developments in the CBD will heighten, says Sakals Ming. Some might see this as a rare window of opportunity to secure a better price for their property. Mixed-use Disrict URAs overarching aim to reposition the CBD as a 24/7 mixed-use district so that the CBD will not only be a place to work, but also a vibrant place to live and play, is not new, say property consultants. The government has been encouraging inner city living and mixed-use development with both commercial and residential components since the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the government first launched the government land sales (GLS) programme in the CBD, recounts Tan Tiong Cheng, senior advisor of Knight Frank Asia Pacific. The former Shing Kwang House and an adjacent building at Shenton Way were redeveloped into the present-day SGX Centre (Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore) One of the first such buildings was the former Robina House developed by the late Robin SK Loh, an Indonesian-born Singaporean businessman and real estate developer. Lohs penthouse at Robina House was the only one that came with its own bowling alley, relates Tan. Robina House has since been redeveloped into One Shenton, a 341-unit, twin tower condo development by City Developments and completed in 2011. Meanwhile, another tycoon, SP Tao, the founder of Shing Kwan Group, whose businesses include commodities, real estate and shipping, had his penthouse at the former Shing Kwang House at Shenton Way. It was redeveloped together with the adjacent building into the present-day SGX Centre. To redevelop or not to redevelop? It was around 2005-2010 that there was a spate of redevelopment and conversion of old office buildings to residential towers. For instance, the former VTB Building on Robinson Road has been redeveloped into the new Robinson Suites; the former HMC Building on Mistri Road has been turned into Lumiere; while 76 Shenton is a redevelopment of the former Hong Leong House. The former HMC Building has been redeveloped into Lumiere, a residential tower with commercial units on the first level (Credit: Albert Chua/EdgeProp Singapore) Meanwhile, EON Shenton, a mixed-use scheme with strata commercial space and residential units, is a redevelopment of the former Marina House. UIC Building was also redeveloped into a new 23-storey office block of the same name and a new 54-storey residential tower with 510 units called V on Shenton. In 2011, there were some applications for office buildings to be converted to residential development that were turned down by the URA. These included Cecil Court on Cecil Street and Fuji Xerox Towers. There were also some buildings where applications for conversion from commercial to residential use were approved by URA, but where the owners did not proceed. These included the former Chow House, which has since been redeveloped into the new commercial building, Crowne at Robinson, and two adjoining office blocks at 137 and 139 Cecil Street, formerly known as Aviva Building and Cecil House respectively. The buildings have changed hands several times over the past decade. The 16-storey commercial building at 139 Cecil Street (right) is on the market for $218 million (Credit: Albert Chua/EdgeProp Singapore) In 2010, SE Cheong, the previous owner of both 137 and 139 Cecil Street, had secured provisional permission from URA to redevelop the two office blocks into a new residential project with 227 apartments. However, he did not proceed with redevelopment. The office building at 137 Cecil Street is now owned by the Zhou family of Shanghai Hengda Group, which therefore renamed it Hengda Building. Meanwhile, 139 Cecil Street has been put on the market by the owner, a joint venture between Vibrant Group and DB2 Group. The asking price of the building is $218 million, and is jointly marketed by JLL and CBRE. The former 11-storey building at 139 Cecil Street has been extensively refurbished and is now a new 16-storey office building with a restaurant on the first level and a roof terrace with swimming pool on the topmost level. The building is 100% leased to a Hong Kong co-working operator Campfire, which will take up a total area of 85,000 sq ft when the building is completed sometime in 3Q2019. The prevailing concern is the dearth of new office supply over the next two to three years, which is putting pressure on office rents.(Credit: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore) Office still the flavour of the month With major changes in demographics and lifestyles, URAs efforts to bring more life in the CBD is encouraging, says Knight Franks Tan. It is in the right direction although at the moment, the office market is the hottest sector. In fact, the prevailing concern is the dearth of new office supply over the next two to three years, which is putting pressure on office rents. According to CBRE Research, Grade-A Core CBD monthly office rents in 1Q2019 grew 3.2% q-o-q to $11.15 psf. This marks the seventh consecutive quarter of rent growth, bringing rents to 24.6% higher than the last trough back in 2017. A small but growing number of corporates have been exploring enterprise solutions offered by co-working providers, says CBREs Armstrong. However, its still early days and we do not see a significant threat to traditional office demand at this point. What the draft Master Plan 2019 has done, however, is to put a certain basket of properties in the spotlight, says Armstrong. ET&Cos Ong agrees. Its clear that the URA master plan is not intended to be for the short-term, she adds. It is a rejuvenation process that will evolve over time to avoid an office crunch. See Also: The Thai Navy will begin removing a "seastead" home built by an American bitcoin investor and his partner off the coast of Thailand, an official said Saturday, as the couple remain in hiding from charges accusing them of violating the country's sovereignty. Chad Elwartowski and his Thai girlfriend Supranee Thepdet, known as "Bitcoin Girl Thailand", are facing charges of threatening the kingdom's independence after authorities found their ocean-based home about 12 nautical miles from Phuket's shore. But Elwartowski said the home was 13 nautical miles out and therefore past Thailand's territorial waters. The Thai Navy, which filed a complaint last week to Phuket's police, said the couple did not seek permission to construct their floating platform and a patrol ship was sent out on Saturday to dismantle it. "We will do it today if we can," a senior Navy official told AFP, adding that it might prove difficult given the depth of the waters where the home is located. After the seastead is removed, it would be used as evidence against the couple, said a Royal Thai Navy statement, which denied sending "any forces to chase or threaten the couple". The American's visa has been revoked and if charged and found guilty, the maximum punishment Elwartowski, a software engineer who worked for the US military, and Supranee could be sentenced to is the death penalty. The bitcoin-rich couple -- who are still in hiding -- are part of Ocean Builders, a community of entrepreneurs who aim to build permanent homes in waters outside of government territory. Elwartowski blogged regularly on Ocean Builders about erecting their ocean-dwelling home, a six-meter wide octagonal-shaped platform which included a kitchen, bathroom, eating area and bedroom. The top of the platform served as a deck, which was covered with solar panels, and the whole thing was mounted on a 2-metre-long floating steel "spar" which is anchored to the ocean's floor. They had recently called for 20 interested investors for new seasteads -- costing about $150,000 each -- to be built around their maiden platform, and the money would have initially been raised by bitcoin, Elwartowski told AFP, So far, five orders have been "lined up", he said. They were an underwater restaurant, three "SeaBnBs" for vacationers, and a tuna-farming venture -- the latter which they had planned to get permission from the Thai government, he said. Elwartowski has also said Ocean Builders was "apolitical in the goal" and the couple simply wanted to be free. The seasteading community consists of "tens of thousands" of supporters worldwide, said Joe Quirk, president of the Seasteading Institute -- a think tank co-founded in 2008 by famed tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel advocating for the "Next New World". The institute believes seasteading is a solution to modern governments that don't function efficiently under "obsolete political systems", and oceans could be "humanity's next frontier". "Seasteaders and bitcoin enthusiasts have always been fans of each other, because both communities understand that these innovations will...solve some of the deepest problems humanity faces," Quirk told AFP. The US Embassy is "providing all appropriate assistance" to Elwartowski, who has engaged an attorney, an embassy official said. High up in the eastern mountains of Myanmar bordering China, Wa is one of Asia's most remote areas -- and not an easy place to grow up. Cloistered and highly-militarised, Wa's authoritarian rulers have virtually cut off the region from the rest of Myanmar. It has a special status within the country -- free from the laws of the central state yet still tethered to the Southeast Asian nation. But it looks to China, whose money, weapons and political heft has buttressed Wa's unique status. Checkpoints lock it off from the outside. Inside, authorities tightly control all aspects of life. Poverty stalks the mountainous zone -- with many women prodded into massage parlours in the capital of Panghsang or other shady towns on the Chinese border, while men work on low wages in casinos, restaurants and building sites. The currency is the yuan and the business language is Chinese -- a challenge to many of the other ethnic groups in Panghsang for whom it is not a native tongue. Then there's conscription, all registered families in Wa must give at least one member to the region's 25,000-strong standing army. Young boys and girls, some barely teens, sign up. In return they earn around 200 yuan ($30) a month and get free bed and board. Regional drug police say the Wa run a narco-state pumping out the world's largest amount of meth, claims local leaders vehemently deny. This week they opened their doors for a colourful military parade marking 30 years since they secured a ceasefire with the Myanmar army. It gave glimpses of life on the fringes, just out of reach of the economic miracle of 'big brother' China and cut off from Myanmar. As a party atmosphere enveloped the proudly ethnically diverse town, AFP caught up with a few young people -- rare voices from a far away area. - The soldier - Aung Aung, 20, an ethnic Wa conscripted to the United Wa State Army (UWSA) two years ago. "It's hard to say whether it's difficult being a soldier. It's life... if you say it's not difficult, it's not difficult. "I'm generally happy in the military. But I do get depressed as well. But today my stress has gone away. I danced and my stress disappeared." - The worker - Nan Sai Lao, 19, an ethnic Shan. "I grew up here. I love my hometown. My friends and I often visit the nearby mountains. At night we cook and eat Wa curries, we dance at ethnic celebrations like this one. "I have finished my Chinese language school. I'm currently working at our family restaurant." "I haven't been to other places yet, but I want to visit a Myanmar state, maybe Bagan (home to Buddhist stupas)." - The student - Nilar Oo, 19, ethnic Lahu-Wa. "I'm studying outside of Wa but I plan to move here. I like this place because my ethnic group are from here. I'm learning Chinese, I might come after I understand it better. "There is a disciplined society here and the environment is good. I want to do business here. "There are many places to have fun. There are many night clubs here and casinos. There is happiness here." - The conscript - San Sai Aung, ethnic Shan, 17, a UWSA soldier like his father. "I want to be a doctor. I want to take care of patients. I can study here to be a doctor and work in the hospital here. "I try to learn by going to hospital whenever I have free time. I want to study how doctors take care of their patients." - The outsider - Kyar Khor She, 24, ethnic Lahu. "I have been here since 2012 working as a cook. Many things have changed... there were not this many houses when I arrived. Roads are better now. I'm happy to be here. Making money is easy here. "But I don't have many friends now... I barely go out at night. I want to visit around. But I haven't got many friends." "I'm not going to stay here for good. I came here and I'm staying just for a while to earn money." Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the communications ministry in central Kabul on Saturday, officials said, in a deadly, hours-long assault that destroyed weeks of relative calm in the capital. The Taliban said it had "nothing to do" with the attack, which left some 2,000 people stranded in the tall office building for hours at the start of the Afghan work week. No other group claimed immediate responsibility, but the Afghan branch of the Islamic State group has previously carried out multiple deadly attacks in the capital. "As a result of today's explosion/attack in Kabul city, two people have been martyred (killed) and 6 others are wounded," the health ministry spokesman wrote in a tweet, adding 3 of the injured were women. In a statement, the interior ministry said four civilians and three soldiers had been killed, though unverified social media posts suggested the final toll could be higher. AFP journalists heard one big blast around 11:40 am (0710 GMT), followed by sporadic gunfire for hours afterwards. "The information that we have is four attackers have placed themselves near the communication ministry and are engaged in gun battles with the Afghan security forces," Amanduddin Shariati, a security official in Kabul told AFP. By about 5:00 pm (1230 GMT), the interior ministry declared the assault over. "Operations finished. All suicide bombers killed & more than 2000 civilians staff rescued," the ministry said on Twitter. Panicked workers inside the 18-storey building, believed to be Kabul's tallest, moved up to the top floor as gunmen and Afghan security officials battled lower down. One woman said she had been in a group of about 30 people on the 10th floor when the assault started, then was told to move up to the 18th floor as gunfire increased. They were all eventually rescued by commandos. "Women were screaming and children of the kindergarten were the first to be evacuated," the woman, who did not want to be named, told AFP. Afghan authorities gave conflicting reports during the incident. The information ministry initially said three suicide bombers had attacked a post office building at the ministry. General Sayed Mohammad Roshan Dil, the Kabul police chief, said four attackers had been wearing police uniforms and had targeted a shrine near the ministry. Footage on local television showed a small plume at the building, and people climbing out windows on a lower level. The presidential palace said in a statement "the enemies of Afghanistan have conducted a terrorist attack". "Once again they have created fear and have killed or wounded a number of innocent countrymen," the statement read. - Spring offensive - The communication ministry is located in downtown Kabul, about two kilometres (1.25 miles) from the green zone, a heavily fortified compound for foreign embassies. The area is the city's main commercial zone and is home to a large hotel. Aside from a grenade attack on a military vehicle last week and persistent crime, the capital has in recent weeks enjoyed a period of relative calm. Last year however saw a string of attacks including one where a massive bomb concealed in an ambulance killed more than 100 people. The attack comes a week after the Taliban announced their annual spring offensive and amid ongoing fighting across Afghanistan. It illustrates the sprawling nature of Afghanistan's conflict, and the obstacles to peace even if a deal is reached with the Taliban. This week in the Qatari capital Doha, a summit planned between the Taliban and officials from across Afghanistan was scrapped at the last minute due to bickering over who should attend the conference. The collapse comes at a critical time and amid continued bloodshed in Afghanistan, where the Taliban now control or influence about half of Afghanistan and 3,804 civilians were killed there last year, according to a UN tally. Taliban officials are separately negotiating with the United States, which wants to forge a peace deal with the militants. Nepali workers in Qatar struggle for jobs after being duped with lucrative pay and free visa promises Nepalis who go to Qatar on free visacommonly known as Aazad Visawhich the agents claim would provide them with the freedom to work with any employer in Qatar, are often stranded without any jobs in the Gulf nation. FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo escorts Vice Chairman of the North Korean Workers' Party Committee Kim Yong Chol, North Korea's lead negotiator in nuclear diplomacy with the United States, into talks aimed at clearing the way for a second U.S.-North Korea summit as they meet at a hotel in Washington, U.S., January 18, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo By David Brunnstrom and Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said U.S. diplomatic efforts will continue toward the goal of denuclearization of North Korea, a day after a North Korean official said it no longer wanted to deal with him in talks. "Nothing has changed. We'll continue to work to negotiate; still in charge of the team. President Trump's obviously in charge of the overall effort, but it'll be my team," Pompeo told reporters in Washington. He added that U.S. diplomats led by Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun would continue efforts to achieve North Korea's denuclearization, which he said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un committed to last June. "I am convinced we will have a real opportunity to achieve that outcome," Pompeo said at a joint news conference after talks with Japan's foreign and defense ministers. In answer to a question, Pompeo said he believed it was possible to maintain diplomatic engagement with North Korea even without providing the sanctions relief it had been demanding. "We will continue to press North Korea to abandon all of its weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles related programs and facilities," Pompeo said. "We will continue to enforce all sanctions on North Korea and encourage every country to do so." The North Korean foreign ministry official in charge of U.S. affairs said on Thursday that North Korea no longer wanted to deal with Pompeo and he should be replaced in talks by someone more mature. That statement came hours after North Korea it announced its first weapons test since a second summit between Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un broke down in February. Experts said the North Korean statement appeared aimed at dividing Trump from senior officials in the hope of exacting concessions, particularly relief from punishing sanctions. Kim warned last week that the summit breakdown risked reviving tensions and said he was only interested in meeting Trump again if Washington showed more flexibility. He gave a year-end deadline for a change in attitude. Trump has said he is open to another summit with Kim, but his national security adviser, John Bolton, told Bloomberg News on Wednesday there first needed to be "a real indication from North Korea that they've made the strategic decision to give up nuclear weapons." (Reporting by David Brunnstrum and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) US Navys oldest operational ship, USS Blue Ridge, arrives on its first port visit to Hong Kong in three years The oldest operational ship in the US Navy, the USS Blue Ridge, arrived in Hong Kong on Saturday on its first visit to the city in three years. Captain Eric Anduze, commander of the 48-year-old warship, said the crew of about 1,000 men and women would be able to explore the city while some sailors would visit a home for the elderly and one for disabled adults. We have sailed these waters for a long time. We have been to Hong Kong several times, were excited to be back after a three-year hiatus, Anduze said on board the US Seventh Fleets command and control ship, which was moored at the China Merchants Wharf in Kennedy Town. The Seventh Fleet band will also hold several public concerts, including at the Maritime Museum, Ocean Park and Disneyland. We look forward to engaging with your community and experiencing the culture in the next couple of days, Anduze said. The 194-metre (636-foot) Blue Ridge, which is based in Yokosuka, Japan, started this mission in early February as part of its work to provide mobile command and control capability throughout the Indo-Pacific. It visited cities in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia before its port of call in Hong Kong. The ship also sailed through the contested South China Sea during its trip, but Anduze stressed that it had done so in accordance with international law, amid Beijings objection to a US military presence in the disputed waters. As part of navigation we not only encountered the Chinese navy, but also several other navies throughout our time, he said. I can tell you every interaction Ive had with every single navy has been safe and professional. We follow the rules, and follow international laws. As the oldest operational vessel of the US navy, the 19,000-tonne flagship had undergone major maintenance in the past three years, Anduze said. The ships communications and network system was completely refurbished. Story continues Its capabilities are leaps and bounds over what we had before. It provides commanders of the Seventh Fleet with the ability to conduct exercises, real war operations and communicate with the fleet without hesitation from anywhere in the world, pierside or at sea, he said. The ship will stay for several days in Hong Kong but future operations have not been disclosed for security reasons. The Blue Ridge last visited Hong Kong in April 2016. Many of the sailors were in Hong Kong for the first time. Ensign Bishop, 23, who was on his first mission, said he was most excited about Hong Kong among all of the cities he had visited. Im excited about the authentic food here Its really pretty, said Bishop, who has been in the navy for 11 months. This article US Navys oldest operational ship, USS Blue Ridge, arrives on its first port visit to Hong Kong in three years first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. Tiny it might be, but its loaded with personality. Meet Hyundais small crossover, the Hyundai Venue. This A-segment crossover is slotted under its bigger sibling, the Hyundai Kona, but thats where similarities end. In an interview with MotorTrend, Sanygyup Lee, head of Hyundais Global Design Center in Namyang, Korea, explained the difference: Its smaller and its distinctively different than Kona, Lee said. He also added that they had to make it boxy to accommodate its small size. So imagine Kona as a really fast profile, distinctive, iconic character to it, but this one is almost very boxy, bold, bull-doggy character. @www.hyundaimotorgroup.com Still, thats not to say that the design is boring. The word Venue embodies the characteristics of the place to be, en route to the final destination, wherever that may be, according to Hyundai. Its a mixture of playful and practical features including seamless safety, versatility and connectivity according to Autoblog, with doors almost having a MINI Clubman vibe, according to Motor1.com. And if you add its fresh, youthful exterior to the mix, its easy to see how it can easily attract a younger generation of drivers looking for cheap yet dependable vehicles. Its a perfect vehicle for first-time drivers and even small urban entrepreneurs, because the Venue is oneif not the most affordable carsin Hyundais lineup today. So far, the company hasnt released any technical specifications yet, although some car experts guess that it will be a four-cylinder engine and front wheel drive. The post Venue is Hyundais Newest Pint-Sized, Boxy, Bold, and Bull-Doggy Crossover appeared first on Carmudi Philippines. The culinary world owes a lot to whoever first discovered the magic of mushrooms. Fungus from everyday cremini to decadent morels is an undeniable gift from nature. A vegetarians delight, the fleshy, umami-packed vegetable offers an unparalleled, meaty addition to everything from soup and sauces to pasta and pastries. But the best thing about mushrooms? They occur naturally all over the world. Unlike a lot of seasonal or state-side veggies, like squash or corn, the versatile and sustainable mushroom varies country to country, making it a cultural Easter egg that varies based on dish and destination. You dont have to stick to truffles or morels, either. Whats great about mushrooms is that the everyday cremini or enoki mushroom can be just as decadent when prepared properly. An enoki-packed bowl of ramen in Tokyo can be just as satisfying as a fresh truffle butter pasta in Piedmont. Whatever your culinary preference may be, heres where to travel to satisfy your inner fungus fiend. Courtesy of Cafe des Spores Brussels, Belgium Europe is home to a wide variety of decadent and everyday mushrooms, but to get a taste of the entire European fungi spectrum, head to Cafe des Spores. This decidedly cool, but surprisingly affordable bistro nestled in the trendy Saint Gilles neighbourhood serves mushrooms in every single dish including dessert. While the menu changes seasonally, expect everything from porcini and cheese croquettes to mussels with Jerusalem artichokes and black chanterelles. Michiel Vaartjes/Alamy Rotterdam, Netherlands While mushrooms are, for the most part, naturally occuring, two friends from Rotterdam took fungus production into their own hands by collecting coffee grinds from cafes across the city and growing no-waste oyster mushrooms. Known as Rotterzwam, the innovative mushroom producers now supply many local restaurants and continue to operate in a sustainable manner, fostering a no-waste ecosystem across the city. xeuphoriax/Shutterstock Mexico City, Mexico Think mushrooms only grow in meadows and woods? Think again. Huitlacoche otherwise known as corn smut, or, more elegantly put, Mexican truffle is technically a plant disease that spreads into ears of corn but tastes undeniably decadent. The blue-black spores are considered a delicacy, and are best served on huarache or tostadas. Head to the Mercado de Coyoacan just around the corner from the Frida Kahlo museum, for a huitlacoche tostado or two. And unlike traditional truffle dishes, a huitlacoche tostada will run you less than a dollar. Story continues Courtesy of Nimmo Bay Vancouver, British Columbia The West Coast of Canada has some of the most vast, biodiverse wilderness in all of North America making it a great spot to forage for fungi. Just outside of Vancouver, there are countless forests plenty with everything from chanterelles to lobster mushrooms. Many fishing resorts, like Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort in British Columbias Great Bear Rainforest, offer foraging classes from experts and actually incorporate the wild mushrooms guests find into their meals. From Left: Getty Images; LightRocket via Getty Images Kyoto, Japan Home to the traditional Japanese Kaiseki set meal, Kyoto has some of the most three-Michelin starred restaurants in the world. It goes without saying, youll have no problem finding some of the best sashimi and tofu of your life. But Kyoto also has a handle on Sansai (Japanese mountain vegetables) including mushrooms unique to Japan such as matsutake, nameko, and maitake. If youre in the mood to be spoiled, head to Michelin-starred Kichisen for a multi-course Kaiseki dinner, complete with fresh foraged Sansai, expertly prepared and presented. Be sure to make a reservation in advance. De Agostini via Getty Images Piedmont, Italy The truffle is one of the most sought-after mushrooms in the world and for good reason. Synonymous with decadence and fine dining, truffles are seasonally harvested in autumn until December and are otherwise considerably hard to come by. While travelers opt for guided foraging trips throughout Italy, The International Alba Truffle Fair just outside of Piedmont draws local restaurateurs, renowned chefs, and tourists alike to appreciate and purchase the best truffles Italy has to offer. The fair runs from early October to late November. Copenhagen, Denmark Copenhagen is home to the infamous Noma. A bucket list item for many, Noma strives for culinary perfection from taste and atmosphere to sustainability. Their seasonal ingredients are locally foraged, meaning mushrooms regularly act as the star of the show. Be sure to book far in advance, the two-Michelin-star restaurant by chef Rene Redzepi is not easy to get into but its worth planning for. Courtesy of The Woodlands at Phillips Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Dont have the time for an international trip at the moment? Just head to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, which boasts the largest and tastiest selection of mushroom in the U.S. The Woodlands at Phillips Mushroom Farms (just outside of Kennett Square) offers cooking demonstrations with local chefs, a selection of handpicked mushroom varieties (think everything from cremini and shiitake to royal trumpet and lions mane), as well as a quirky mushroom exhibit which shows the mushroom-growing process, from start to finish. All images by Zachary Tang unless otherwise stated. Two months ago, Destini International Services, a Japanese matchmaking agency that mainly aims to match Singaporean men with Japanese women launched in Singapore. With Japanese women commonly thought of as the epitome of feminine subservience, the possibility of snagging a beautiful, obedient girlfriend set forums like Sammyboy and Hardwarezonehotbeds of Singaporean misogynyalight. Elsewhere, news broke that water is wet. If youve had the distinct displeasure of trawling these forums, youll find adjectives like fierce, willful, and vocal commonly used by these dudes to describe their Singaporean, female counterparts. And they dont mean this in a good way. To them, relationships are about power and they like to dominate. A headstrong woman is, therefore, a useless woman. Significant others should look pretty, sit down, and shut up. Just like how, because of cliches in popular culture, many might assume Japanese women behave. Often, these mens romantic preferences results in their love lives being woefully unfulfilled. In this day and agein which feminism and female representation are strong pillars of societyfinding a Singaporean woman willing to blindly obey has become virtually impossible (not a bad thing, of course). When I first heard about Destini and the services offered, I was more than a little sceptical. Not that Im against matchmaking or cross-cultural marriage, but something about it just felt a little off. It seemed to reek of opportunism: Destini gets the cash and these guys get to bring their fantasies to life. Almost as though Destini was encouraging a very specific, prevalent stereotype of Japanese (or even Asian) women. Would Destini even try to keep the women safe? What were the comprehensive tests and omiai they spoke of? How did It all work? I knew I had to dig deeper for answers. Destini IS was founded on the 10th of September 2018, by 49-year-old Hitomi Endo and 42-year-old Hiromi Kiuchi. Story continues Between them, both Japanese women have about 30 years of experience living and working in Singapore. Ms Kuichi tells me that she used to study in Singapore when she was younger and came back to have working experience here as well. She shares that our sunny island was the first country she ever visited and that she was struck by how clean and safe life here was. This fantastic first impression, coupled with her dislike of cold Japanese winters, meant that she eventually made the move permanent. For Ms Endo, everything was much simpler. Her children (now aged 18 and 21) were coming here to study, and so she moved over as well. She agrees wholeheartedly with Ms Kuichis glowing impression of Singapore and says that in order for me to understand why Destini IS exists, I first have to understand why Japanese women like Singaporean men. But before we get to that, Ms Endo tells me we have to start by examining the relationship Japanese women have with Singapore. She explains that Japan and Singapore have had a good reputation with each other, and because of Singapores increasing appearances in movies and pop culture (think Crazy Rich Asians and various anime), more people are starting to notice the country. Interestingly, it also seems that Marina Bay Sands, in particular, has perhaps the most important part to play in Singapores appeal to the Japanese. In a TV commercial that aired in Japan quite a while ago, MBS was used as the location, and since then, Singapore itself has become very popular, Ms Endo says. According to MBS, Ms Endo is 100% right. In a 2016 press release, they reported that amongst overseas visitors, Japanese guests had booked the most number of nights in the previous five consecutive years. Thanks to STBs brilliant marketing, Singapores image and reputation in the eyes of the Japanese has grown, and the Lion City has become the holiday destination of choice. Indeed, on one of the videos on Destinis YouTube pagein which they interviewed people on the streets of Japan for their thoughts about Singaporethe response was extremely positive, despite a number of them never having met anyone from here or knowing little about the country. From what Ms Endo tells me, the Japanese believe that a good country equates to good people. As such, Japanese women arent opposed to marrying Singaporean men, especially when you take into account womens gender roles throughout Japanese history. For millennia, Japanese women lived in mens shadows thanks to an extremely patriarchal society that openly favours men. In the Japan of old, being a woman meant that your main role was to be a caretaker of the children and home, leaving no place for you in the strictly boys-only club known as corporate boardrooms. In fact, women were even expected to submit to male authority in 3 ways. In youth, she submits to her father. In marriage, she submits to her husband. In old age, she submits to her sons. Granted, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged and taken steps to change all of this with his womenomics policies, but deeply entrenched societal and cultural norms suggest the battle with history will be a long and arduous one. Too long perhaps, for some women. In Japan, Tokyo is very modern but once you visit the [citys] outskirts or countryside, its very, very traditional. They still have an extremely small community and an old way of thinking. Its those girls who want to explore more but find it difficult doing so within Japan. Thats why they look for opportunities abroad, says Ms Kiuchi. After a short conversational detour in which Ms Kiuchi explains how the vibrant nightlife scene in Tokyo, together with the drinking and entertainment culture, acts as a catalyst to extra-marital affairs, she continues: Of course, there is no better side and it doesnt apply to everyone, but a lot of women from my generation and the next are more open and want to explore their options. They want to have a career after marriage, and that kind of lifestyle is easier to have in Singapore. Singaporean men are also more likely to not expect their wife to just stay home, cook, and look after the children. The Singaporean males appeal also lies in our countrys diversity. Unlike places like Thailand or Korea, Singapore doesnt have a distinct, overarching culture. This means that theres less of a culture shock when it comes to dating or living in Singaporeat least more so than when compared to the US or Europe (despite their more liberal views). Contrary to what you might expect of an international matchmaking site (that accepts all applicants and is only out to make a quick buck), it turns out that Destinis business model has been well thought out. It hinges on 3 clear-cut stages and before any proper dating occurs, applicants must first attend the aforementioned free consultation, during which Destinis various services, tier prices, and contracts will be thoroughly explained. If theyre agreeable to the terms and decide to enrol in the programme, they have to submit the relevant and original documents which will be fact-checked and verified. These include income statements (male applicants who have an annual income of below S$60,000 will be rejected), educational certificates, proof of Singaporean citizenship or PR status (legal reasons), and proof of singlehood (no records of a ROM certificate), to name a few. Only when everything checks out does Destini create the members online dating profilesomething only Destini has the power to edit (upon request). While all of this might sound excessive for an online matchmaking service, it makes complete sense when you realise that Destini has access to a database of about 60,000 members, around 35,000 of whom are Japanese women. This comes courtesy of being an affiliate of IBJ, the largest and only Japanese matchmaking company listed on the first section of the Tokyo stock exchange. Left unregulated, theres potential for serious damage, which is why Destinis verification provides the first layer of security. With an online profilethink Facebook sans names and way more detailedup and running, members can officially start viewing other profiles. Only then does the first stage, known as omiai (pronounced oh-me-ah-yee, and used to describe a meeting opportunity with more serious considerations for the future), begin. Unlike Tinders swiping function which allows for immediate interaction, members have to send a request to omiai to the other party. This request, however, goes through both Destini and the womans agency, adding yet another layer of protection. Intended for people who are serious about finding The One, everything is transparent and not much goes unmonitored. Be warned: if you do intend to flout the rules, Ms Kiuchi tells me Destini has a lawyer on standby at all times. If both parties are agreeable, Destini will arrange the omiai session over coffee or high tea. In cases where the lady resides in the land of the rising sun, a Skype date will be planned by both agencies. Up until the first meeting itself, and even after, theres no direct correspondence between man and woman save for what happens during the omiai session. In fact, not exchanging personal contact information or even your full name during this stage is not only encouraged, but a part of the contract to ensure privacy is respected, and no stalking occurs. Members will then inform their respective agencies if they want to continue talking to the other party. If either party doesnt, the interaction ends. If they do, they move on to stage 2. Termed Friendship Dating, Ms Kiuchi explains that a clock is put on these budding relationships. More specifically, man and woman have about 2 months to figure out if itll work. Reading the surprise on my face at how rigorous Destinis programme is, Ms Endo chuckles as she anticipates my next question. No, there will not be anyone from Destini present to chaperone any of the meetings, she tells me. Once a member enters the Friendship Dating stage, they are given more freedom to arrange their own dates, and mobile numbers can finally be exchanged. Both parties are also allowed to request omiai-s with other members in order to have more options. At the end of the 2 months, if both parties are happy with the partner(s) theyve omiai-ed with from day 1, they then have to make a choice: pick one partner to move on to the last and final Steady Couple stage with. Both man and womans profiles will be hidden from other users; this time, the couple will have just 3 months to decide just how serious they are about each other. Of course, it doesnt mean that when you move on to the Steady Couple stage, you must get married. If they think shes not the one or vice versa, they can let us know and well stop and restart the entire process. Also, we do have a cancellation policy and well refund the appropriate amount depending on when they decide to stop completely. Ms Kiuchi shares that during this Steady Couple stage, or so long as they are still members with Destini, both parties cannot go an overseas trip or sleep together. One party going to either Japan or Singapore is fine, but going on a holiday to another country as a couple is a big no-no. She emphasises that this is to ensure the womans safety. Only upon graduation are these rules lifted. To be considered a graduate of the programme, the couple has to remain together for at least a total of 6 months (from omiai to being a steady couple), or if the man proposes and the lady accepts. A successful matchmaking fee would then be paid, and the couple gets to live happily ever after with a years worth of free support and counselling provided by Destini (should the couple require it). And thats about it really. The recipe for a successful marriage according to Destini IS. As someone who believes in taking my time when it comes to relationships, and having a bit more freedom while dating, Destinis model appears pretty intimidating with its myriad of rules that border on Draconian at times. But heres the thing: Im not even close to being the person this is targeted at. This is not a company that runs a mail-order bride service. Nor is it a site meant for casual flings or hook-ups. As far as I can work out, Destini is a legit business born out of good intentions. They do not exist to sell a product; instead, its an opportunity to find yourself, a life-partner, and the future that you want. After all, both Ms Endo and Ms Kiuchi share that theyve had such a pleasant time in Singapore that they simply want to share that experience with Japanese women seeking a better life, away from the trappings of a society that hasnt progressed as quickly as theyd like. With Destinis programme, there are sufficient measures in place to separate the misogynistic Hardwarezone riff-raff from those who genuinely want to meet someone from another culture. The Japanese women who are open to meeting, and possibly marrying Singaporean men are no pushovers either, wanting to leave their home country precisely because they dont want to live such controlled lives. In other words, any Singaporean man who thinks he can buy subservience is in for a rude awakening. One of my other main concerns initially was whether a matchmaking agency aimed at two specific groups of people would perpetuate the and only amplify the differences. And yet, it seems as though the opposite is true. From what Ms Endo and Ms Kiuchi tell me, Destinis male members are, in fact, attending the host of Japanese workshops and language classes they organise. Theyre learning about a culture they mightve known absolutely nothing about previously, picking up the dos and donts of Japanese etiquette in the process. So while I may not fully agree with Destinis take on modern love, if both parties are safe and happy, then thats good enough for me. Have something to say about this story? Tell us at community@ricemedia.co The post Inside the Company Thats Matchmaking Singaporean Men with Japanese Women appeared first on RICE. 15-year-old boy dies in police custody; family claims torture Kiran Karkidholi, 15, of Mechinagar-6 was found dead while in custody of the Area Police Office in Birtamod, Jhapa, on April 14. According to the police statement, Kiran had died of suicide by hanging from the toilet ceiling. Automobile dealers refresh lineup to attract buyers A number of automobile dealers have refreshed their line-up with new variants to attract customers looking to buy a new vehicle during the start of the Nepali New Year. This article is published through a partnership with New York Medias Strategist. The partnership is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected by New York Media. If you buy something through our links, Slate and New York Media may earn an affiliate commission. If you ever caught a glance of your purple-tinged teeth in the mirror or worse, in a photo after a night of drinking red wine, you know the very unappealing effect it can have on your smile. Strong pigments in red wine are instant stain-makers for porous surfaces like your teeth, says New Yorkbased dentist Dr. Lana Rozenberg. These pigments, called chromogens, give it that deep, intense hue, and leave their mark on your teeth after just a few sips. Dr. Marc D. Schlenoff, director of advanced education in the general dentistry program at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, explains, If you look at, or rub your finger across a tooth, you would think it is very smooth, maybe like a plate or a glass. The truth is though, that the outer layer of the tooth, the enamel, contains many thousands of microscopic pores, which can be filled with staining debris from substances like coffee and wine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because no one wants their teeth to match their Syrah, we asked six dentists and one wine-bar proprietor to recommend strategies for keeping your smile bright, no matter how much you indulge. While no home remedies are as effective as professional whitening, their suggestions below, along with keeping up with your regular dental checkups and cleaning, can help you reduce stains on your own. Best for preventing stains Before you even pour your first glass of wine, dentists recommend making sure your teeth are as clean as possible. Rozenberg says, brush your teeth before you go out so there is no plaque or tartar on the teeth, since stains like to adhere to the plaque film. Dr. Ruchi Sahota, an American Dental Association spokesperson, agrees that cleaner teeth are less vulnerable to stains: When we brush our teeth were disrupting bacteria and not allowing it to settle in one location. When it does, it becomes hard and [forms] tartar a rough surface that can be easily stained. Nora OMalley, owner and beverage director at Lois wine bar, says, I learned the hard way that prevention is the only thing that works for me. She uses Sensodyne Pronamel, an enamel-strengthening toothpaste, plus an alcohol-free enamel-strengthening mouthwash to clean her teeth before drinking and build up stain resistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vaseline Lip Therapy Advanced Healing Along with teeth, red wine likes to leave its mark on lips, especially if theyre cracked and dry. Keep your lips moisturized or as OMalley says, massively hydrated to block stains from seeping in. Petroleum-based lip glosses will act as a barrier to the tannins, says Rozenberg, and she even advises applying a thin layer of Vaseline on your teeth for added protection. Best for treating stains on-the-go True Wine Stain Removing Wipes, 12-Pack Advertisement If youve already started drinking and are noticing your teeth and lips taking on that tell-tale purple shade, try one these convenient wipes to brighten up on the go. They come recommended by both Rozenberg and Dr. Elisa Mello of NYC Smile Design. Swipe them on your teeth to instantly erase embarrassing purple tinges, says Rozenberg. Mello likes that using these soon after drinking helps get [the stain] off before it really gets embedded. In a pinch, you can also wipe your teeth with a cloth napkin after sipping a dark red. Its a trick OMalley says she learned while living in Italy. Colgate Max Fresh Wisp Disposable Mini Toothbrush, Peppermint - 24 Count Philips Sonicare Zoom Whitening Touch-up Pen Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like a Tide pen for your teeth, this pocket-sized whitener is another convenient way to instantly erase stains. A Zoom whitening pen is a great quick item to have in your purse, says Dr. Victoria Veytsman, of Cosmetic Dental Studios. You can literally click it a few times and paint on teeth. This will help stains from settling in. Murrays Cheese Greatest Hits Advertisement What you eat while youre drinking also plays a role in keeping teeth white and choosing cheese, which youre probably already pairing with your wine, is actually a very smart move. According to Rozenberg, eating cheese causes calcium to build on your teeth and closes the micro-pores on the surface of your enamel, which makes it harder for red wine to stain them. Dr. Ramin Tabib, also of NYC Smile Design, adds, calcium coats the teeth a little and prevents the tannins [high tannin wines like Cabernet Sauvignon are more staining than lighter wines like Pinot Noir] from binding, and he gives some sage advice: Dont have the wine until youve had the cheese. Get indulgent with your next cheese plate with this selection from Murrays. Trident Original Flavor Sugar Free Gum Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides the tannins and chromogens present in wine, its low, acidic pH level leads to staining. An acidic environment makes the teeth more prone to staining, says Veytsman, and Tabib points out that swirling wine around in your mouth which you may do if youre trying to get a taste for a new wine is like bathing the mouth in acid. Saliva, with its neutral pH, counteracts acidity, but red wine also has astringent properties that dry out your mouth, making it more difficult for saliva production to keep up. Rozenberg says, chewing gum stimulates salivary flow and cleans teeth naturally, and she and Veytsman both recommend keeping sugar-free gum on hand. If gum isnt an option, try swishing some seltzer or water around in your mouth in between sips. Aside from helping you stay hydrated and avoid a hangover water can prevent wine from lingering on your teeth, says Rozenberg. Best for treating stains at home Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Classic Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once you get a chance to brush your teeth and get rid of surface stains, make sure youre using an effective toothbrush and toothpaste. My favorite toothbrush is, by far, the Sonicare, says Rozenberg. While most toothbrushes require mechanical contact with the tooth surface to remove plaque, the Sonicare operates at such a high frequency that it creates a force that blasts plaque off the teeth without actually touching the tooth, which means its gentle to teeth and gums and removes stains beautifully. Quip Electric Toothbrush Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tabib also likes electric toothbrushes but says some people use them improperly, moving around the mouth too quickly or using too much pressure. If youre just transitioning from a manual toothbrush, he likes the non-bulky Quip brush which feels like a traditional brush in the hand and pulses every 30 seconds when its time to move to a new quadrant of your mouth. If youre using it, its a good idea to make sure youre using it effectively, he says. Brush for two minutes and really angle the brush toward the gum line. Crest 3D White Toothpaste Advertisement Youll obviously see a more dramatic improvement from in-office whitening, but brushing with a whitening toothpaste gets rid of fresh stains. Whitening toothpastes work to remove surface stains on your teeth that naturally occur over time, and prevent new red wine teeth stains from forming, says Rozenberg. Both Mello and Veytsman recommend Crest 3D White as a solid, affordable choice. Crest 3D Glamorous White Whitestrips Advertisement Advertisement When you cant make it into the dentist for a professional whitening procedure, or youre in between sessions, Veytsman calls Crest Whitestrips a great way to maintain the whiteness. Mello prefers them to over-the-counter trays which may put too much pressure on the gums if not used correctly. Plus, they carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance, which Sahota says shows a product has been scientifically proven to be safe and effective. Slate has relationships with various online retailers. If you buy something through our links, Slate may earn an affiliate commission. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. All prices were up to date at the time of publication. When it comes to obstruction of justice, did the presidents team really save him from himself as some analysts have put it? Since Thursdays release of the Mueller report, commentators in print and on cable news have suggested that but for these resisters, Trump would have committed the felony of obstruction. This is the wrong conclusion to draw from the report. The confusion may stem from the following statement on Page 158 of Volume II. Here, Mueller wrote: The Presidents efforts to influence the investigation were mostly unsuccessful, but that is largely because the persons who surrounded the President declined to carry out orders or accede to his requests. This disobedient group included high-level officialsFBI Director James Comey and White House counsel Don McGahnas well as seeming longtime loyalists Corey Lewandowski and Rick Dearborn. In each case Mueller cited, the president ordered these surrogateseither directly or via another surrogateto take some extraordinary action to obstruct the Russia probe, and in each case he was rebuffed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This paragraph, though, has given rise to the belief that when someones efforts to influence a proceeding fail, there are no grounds for obstruction. Not so. The federal statute and case law make this clear. An attempt to obstruct that fails is still a crime. Why can failure be a felony? For the answer, lets explore one of the obstruction provisions that Mueller referenced, 18 U.S.C. 1512(c)(2). This passage provides that Whoever corruptly obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both (emphasis added). Making a criminal charge under this and the other relevant obstruction statutes (1503, 1505, and 1512(b)(3) requires allegations of (1) an obstructive act; (2) a close connection (or nexus) with an official proceeding; and (3) a corrupt intent. Or, as Attorney General William Barr acknowledged in his four-page letter to congressional leaders in March, Generally speaking, to obtain and sustain an obstruction conviction, the government would need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a person, acting with corrupt intent, engaged in obstructive conduct with a sufficient nexus to a pending or contemplated proceeding. Advertisement Advertisement Why can failure be a felony? The Mueller report provides proof of all three elements needed to establish obstruction on several potential counts of obstruction. This analysis carefully tracks the statutory language describing an obstruction offense. The report sets out 10 potentially obstructive episodes. In nearly all of them, it establishes a nexus to an official proceeding. The proceedings included, for example, a pending or foreseeable grand jury investigation, a criminal prosecution arising out of the FBI investigation, the special counsel investigation, the congressional investigations, and the investigation by the U.S. Attorneys office for the Southern District of New York. Mueller also states in the report that the president did at some point have influence on the special counsels investigation itself, even though most of his efforts to influence it failed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back to the now popular expression that Trumps team saved him from himself. Not so. Ultimately, both successful and unsuccessful efforts to influence an official proceeding violate the obstruction statute if done with corrupt intent. As Mueller makes clear on Page 11 of the second volume, under Section 1512(c), a person is guilty of an attempt when he has the intent to commit a substantive offense and takes an overt act that constitutes a substantial step towards that goal. He then went on to cite precedent that soliciting an innocent agent to engage in conduct constituting an element of the crime may qualify as a substantial step. In other words, even his close associates could not save the president from himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final problem for Mueller, though, in presenting evidence that Trump violated the lawwhich this report certainly doeswas showing that corrupt intent without having had the opportunity to question the president because of Trumps recalcitrance and Muellers decision not to issue a subpoena. Ultimately, Mueller settled on an approach where he believed that there was enough evidence he had gathered and in the public record to demonstrate that intent. Its partially why he was so meticulous in documenting Trump lie after Trump lie, which in several cases pointed to evidence of a guilty conscience. Given that Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein sought to absolve the president of obstruction in Barrs four-page summary letterwhen Mueller did no such thingwhere does that leave things? On the very first page of the reports second volume, Mueller provided an answer. He wrote, while the OLC opinion concludes that a sitting president may not be prosecuted, it recognizes that a president does not have immunity after he leaves office. He repeated this again in a footnote at the end of the report that it would serve the usual purposes of the criminal law to prosecute a president after he has left office. More likely, though, at least in the short term, the question of whether or not Trump has obstructed justice will be left to Congress. Elizabeth Warren on Friday became the first major presidential contender to call for the House to begin impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. The Massachusetts senator laid out her rationale in a series of afternoon tweets, which together read: The Mueller report lays out facts showing that a hostile foreign government attacked our 2016 election to help Donald Trump and Donald Trump welcomed that help. Once elected, Donald Trump obstructed the investigation into that attack. Mueller put the next step in the hands of Congress: Congress has authority to prohibit a Presidents corrupt use of his authority in order to protect the integrity of the administration of justice. The correct process for exercising that authority is impeachment. To ignore a Presidents repeated efforts to obstruct an investigation into his own disloyal behavior would inflict great and lasting damage on this country, and it would suggest that both the current and future Presidents would be free to abuse their power in similar ways. The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty. That means the House should initiate impeachment proceedings against the President of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warren isnt the first elected official to ring the impeachment bell in the wake of the reports release Thursdaythat honor goes to progressive Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Ayanna Pressley. But Warren is now at odds with her partys leadership, which wants to proceed far more slowly. She also stands alone in a 2020 field in which the other Democratic hopefuls have limited themselves to demanding Congress see the unredacted version and hear directly from Mueller. I remain skeptical that the issue of impeachment will become a defining issue in the Democratic primary. Its somewhere between difficult and impossible to build a presidential campaign on the promise of impeaching the presidentboth because impeachment is the responsibility of the House, and because the need to impeach would become moot the very moment the next president is sworn in. Furthermore, even if a candidate did find a way to square that circle, its not clear it would pay off in either the primary or the general election. Democratic voters seem to care significantly less about the Russia investigation than they do about other issues like healthcare, immigration, and climate change, and the U.S. electorate as whole appears even less interested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, in a crowded field currently dominated by Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, Warrens willingness to even utter the word impeachment will likely earn her a flurry of media coverage, which in turn will give primary voters a second look at her. Many might like what they see: An outspoken progressive who is proposing bold yet specific action. In that regard, Warrens call for the House to begin impeachment proceedings is in line with her bounty of ambitious policy proposals on everything from childcare to taxes. In each case, shes identifying a serious problem and proposing to use the levers of government to fix it. Meanwhile, campaign aside, theres also something to be said for Warren simply doing the job she was elected toregardless of what it means for her next one. On Thursday, the Department of Justice released a redacted version of the Mueller report to Congress and the public. Since then, what had been a mostly muted question as of late has only gotten louder: Should the president be impeached? What follows is a debate on the I-word between Slates Mark Joseph Stern, Jim Newell, Lili Loofbourow, Jeremy Stahl, Ben Mathis-Lilley, and Mike Pesca, along with Above the Law executive editor Elie Mystal and law professor Frank Bowman, author of High Crimes and Misdemeanors: A History of Impeachment for the Age of Trump. The conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Mark Joseph Stern: Welcome to the start of impeachment season. As we all now know, special counsel Robert Muellers exhaustive (though partly redacted) description of Trump and his associates wrongdoing is sufficiently damning and has prompted impeachment talk from some liberal lawmakers. Specifically, Muellers account of the presidents efforts to obstruct justice areat least to my mindwildly incriminating. But Democratic leadership seems gun-shy, given the sky-high political stakes involved in an impeachment vote, plus the near-certainty that the Republican-controlled Senate would never vote to remove Trump from office. Jim, could you give us the lay of the Hill at this early date? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jim Newell: The Hill is still in the first week of its two-week recess, so its hard to get a caucuswide feel so far. But the statements so far from leading Democrats, whether its Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, or Jerry Nadler, seem to indicate that they find the report quite damning, with Pelosi suggesting that Office of Legal Counsel guidelines were the determining factor in not charging Trump with obstruction. That makes it awkward, though, because the more they argue that Trump clearly obstructed justice, the more their deeply held belief that they shouldnt impeach Trump because it would be politically risky doesnt really hold up. Advertisement Advertisement Jeremy Stahl: Jim, what are the political risks of impeachment, as House leaders see them? Newell: The political view is: It wouldnt go anywhere in the Senate, it would rally the presidents base, and it would distract from Dems message on kitchen-table items that people care more about, like health care protections. These are good points! Elie Mystal: I mean, I think this should start with the law. Impeachment is the only constitutional remedy for a president who commits crimes. Its the only remedy for obstruction of justice. The president could be indicted and convicted of crimes and go to jail, and still be president, absent impeachment. Talking about it as a political strategy cedes the highest of grounds. Congress needs to impeach him to uphold their oaths of office. The politics should be secondary, and the fact that theyre not is why Democrats fail. Advertisement Advertisement Newell: I think it would look pretty party-line. Nowhere near the 20 Republicans Democrats would need. Mystal: Let the Republican failure to convict be a pox on their heads. Let that be their sad legacy. Frank Bowman: I may disagree to this extent. First, impeachment is a political process, and designedly so. Despite the bold pronouncements of some, there is nothing in the Constitution that requires the House to commence an impeachment anytime a case can be made out that the president committed a crime, even a felony. That, if anything, is the lesson of Clintonwho surely did commit perjury, and very probably obstruction of justice as well. Congress is obliged to make a seriousness determination and, I think, is also entitled to make a purely political judgment about whether an impeachment proceeding serves or disserves the country. Second, the case for impeaching Trump turns not on whether he attempted (vigorously but unsuccessfully) to obstruct Mueller, but on establishing that across an array of subjects, he represents an ongoing threat to the constitutional order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mystal: I dont see why we keep acting that the lesson of Clinton is applicable to this situation. Like, smacking Mike Tyson with a wet noodle probably isnt going to work out for you. Hitting Tyson with a tire iron might work better. We cant just say, Oh, it didnt work when it was tried over sexy time, so it probably wont work when the president has engaged in a massive scheme to defraud the public and obstruct justice. Advertisement Advertisement Newell: Its a political decision, and a big one, so politics should come into play. Im just noticing a tension thats going to raise questions about why theyre not pursuing impeachment. Its going to be an issue with much of the party if Democrats collect all of this evidence and no action is taken beyond, say, a resolution condemning the president. Advertisement Mystal: And, not for nothing, but I think when you talk to voters of color, or voters who have had more personal or familial experience with the law coming for you, you find that the arguments against impeaching Trump are even more crazy-making. Most Americans do not enjoy the privilege of being accused of crimes but not being prosecuted because its too much trouble for the system to come after them. Stern: One argument for impeachment is that a trial would allow Democrats to carefully, and publicly, go through all the damning evidence in Muellers report. I find that hard to disagree withthe report is so dense and lengthy, I fear a lot of its new, incriminating details just went over most peoples heads. Advertisement Lili Loofbourow: Thats an interesting point, Markitd force the country into a kind of textual scholarship thats unlikely to happen otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Stern: Precisely. Think about how many details of Clintons malfeasance we are still fluent in today precisely because the impeachment proceedings laid them bare in a cogent and public fashion. Mystal: I cede that white guys in Wisconsin just want Democrats to talk about who took their jerbs. But there are a lot of other voters whom Democrats also need who find it weak and craven for the Democrats not to pursue accountability of this president to the ends of the Earth. Loofbourow: I totally agree that the politics of inertia arent especially inspiring. Even if they feel safer for a lot of Dems. Advertisement Ben Mathis-Lilley: I continue to believe that someone could make a compelling case to the white Wisconsin jerbs demo that its not great for them to have a president whose main occupation is obstructing justice so his corrupt friends and children can do favors for foreign billionaires, but I admit I dont have any data on that. Bowman: The problem is that I doubt our view of the seriousness of all this is shared, or ever will be, by a solid majority of the electorate. I have very strong views about the integrity of the justice system and the presidents obligation to see that the laws are faithfully executed. But thats ephemeral elite trivia to most people. The electorate, outside of committed Democrats, is most likely to see two thingsexoneration on collusion and a no-call on obstruction. Even if they bother to understand the evidence, the conclusion is likely to be that it all amounts to Trump being Trump, with no actual harm done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unless Democrats can convince the electorate that something really bad happened here, going with impeachment risks reinforcing the impression that Democrats are just pursuing Trump in default of real policy ideas. And that presents a serious electoral risk in 2020, where the imperative is to get Trump out of office. Dont get me wrongTrump has committed impeachable acts, repeatedly. But whether it makes electoral sense for Democrats to impeach is a whole different question. Advertisement Advertisement Mystal: I think A) if Democrats cant explain why having a criminal president is bad, then thats their failure, and B) I think Democrats can walk and chew gum. I think they can say, Look, here are some programs and policies and solutions that will help your family, ALSO were trying to get this lawless lunatic out of office because no one is above the law. B might be a little pie-in-the-sky, but cant we try? We should expect Democrats to at least try. Advertisement Bowman: Once you start this train rolling down the tracks, how do you stop it? This is the dilemma Ken Starr created for the Republicans on Clinton. He dumped his salacious report on their doorstep with a recommendation for impeachment. They were stuck, even though common sense surely told them that they were walking into a political trap. The case against Trump is far stronger factually, but the polarization of the electorate is also far greater, meaning that impartial judgment by members of the presidents party is proportionately less likely. Advertisement Stern: I think there is also a psychological component here, among both Democratic leaders and the base, that leans against impeachment. Its such an extraordinary remedy, as Frank said, and yet a lot of Americans are tired of these extraordinary times and want, well, a return to normalcy. Defeating Trump at the ballot box is perfectly normal and perhaps equally desirable if your aim is to get him and his enablers out of office. An impeachment trial, by contrast, would be a political circus, and, in the best-case scenario for liberals, would lead to President Pence. Lili, I was wondering if you have thoughts about impeachment as perhaps an overreaction, a misguided way to fight fire with fire. Advertisement Advertisement Loofbourow: Right, the psychology of all thisand by that I guess I mean, recognizing what normalcy means right now, not just within the world of politics but for folks in the country who arent political animals and are sick of everyoneseems central. I dont know that anyone (including the Conventional Wisdom) understands how the American electorate actually feels about this, or how much Barrs double effort to get in front of the story succeeded in muddling the takeaway. I think Frank is right to suspect that plenty of Americans dont see this as especially serious, or hand-wave it away as Trump being a scamp. In other words, I tended to agree with folks who argued (before yesterday) that impeachment was imprudent. There wasnt enough evidence, that argument went, and doing so would come across as political score settling rather than fighting for the present and future health of the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stern: Barrs goal, aside from spinning the report as favorable to the president, seemed to be to calm raging political fires. Nothing to see here, folks. Loofbourow: Right. Its also undeniably the case that the Dem sweep happened when Democrats were focused on the things that actually matter to people in their everyday lives: not Russia, not obstruction. Health care. Dems obviously need to keep making that their main argument. One thing thats interesting to me is that there are signs that a faction of the Dems would do this either wayafter all, the people pushing hardest for impeachment now after the report are those who have been pushing hardest for health care and climate change solutions. AOC reluctantly wants to impeach, but she also wants to fix the stuff thats broken. Whereas Steny Hoyer well, lets just say his performance on both fronts is a little more static. I understand why Dems think thats safer. From a pragmatic point of view, they might be right. Advertisement Advertisement Mystal: Plenty of Americans think drug use is no big deal too. And yet millions are incarcerated for the offense. If the law doesnt matter here, to this man, then its just B.S. to apply the law to anybody else. Not the hopper on the street. Not the next president who decides to commit some crimes. Advertisement Loofbourow: Right. Plus, now that we know as much as we doand theres still plenty we dont!its feeling to me like failing to impeach isnt an option. At least, if the goal is to spare what little integrity and functionality American institutions have left. What is impeachment for (and who cares if it doesnt result in removalits an end unto itself) if not this? Advertisement Because heres the thing: What we know now is that if anything saved this president from obstruction charges, it was that his orders to obstruct werent obeyed. The president asking people to do crazy shit (in Don McGahns immortal words), and these people disobeying, isnt the system working as intended. It cant be, because the executive just has way too much power. Individual disobedience from underlings who retain a modicum of conscienceor simple common sensecant be Americas safeguard from executive malfeasance. Right? The office of the president is bigger than Trump, and the military does not have the option of disobeying their commander in chief. Mike Pesca: I think there are three groups of people in this country. People who hate Trump no matter what, people who love Trump no matter what, and the people who will decide this election. I think impeachment GREATLY appeals to the first group, might even slightly appeal to the second group, and is a BIG turnoff to the third group. Make your political calculations thusly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stern: And Democrats feel they can count on the first group to vote for them in 2020 no matter what. So, if they have to alienate one group, theyd prefer to alienate the hardcore Trump haters. Right? Loofbourow: Yeah. I mean, the flip side, to my mind, is this: Maybe constraining the executive on principle isnt the goal. Maybe trying to safeguard whats left of the normal American system just isnt a priority at this point, because its assuming a future thats not quite in evidence. Like, acting as good custodians of the executive branch could cost the Dems hugely in the 2020 election, and maybe climate change is a bigger priority than constitutional checks and balances. I guess whats shifted, to me, is that impeachment used to feel like the cheap and facile position. Post-report, not impeaching feels like that. Advertisement Mathis-Lilley: It is definitely not the majority belief among voters that Trump is an honest guy with integrity. That may not mean impeachment would be a winning strategy, but theyd be making a case that majorities already believe, in some senses. Mystal: I think there are two groups: people who hate Trump, and people who are wrong. And you need every single one of the Trump haters to turn out to vote, which is not what happened in 2016. People think that those people are just going to show up no matter what. But I think 2018 proved that those people need to be actually inspired by a party that promises to do something about the problem. Advertisement Bowman: Let me argue against myself a bit. I have been saying for most of the last two years that an excessive focus on the Mueller investigation is a mistake, even if, indeed particularly if, one wants to see him removed by impeachment. The big questionthe only questionin presidential impeachment is whether the president is personally unfit for office or, by his conduct, represents a threat to the constitutional order. Trump is both, but the proof lies not in the Mueller report, but in the public record of his conduct and (perhaps) in further investigation of his financial misdeeds and/or fiscal ties to Russia. The House should be vigorously pursuing the whole spectrum. If the result is a comprehensive case for impeachment, good. Go for it. If not, meaning that sound political judgment suggests that impeachment is foredoomed, then use the investigative results to expose Trumps flaws in advance of 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Mystal: I agree with you there 100 percent, Frank. I think its always been a mistake and continues to be a mistake to focus the entire impeachment argument on the Mueller report. Jeremy Stahl: I would just say that some of the proof lies in the Mueller report it was, like, a 500-page report! With footnotes. Advertisement Advertisement Pesca: It was 448, and a third was footnotes, and another third redactions. You dont get hazard pay for reading it, Jeremy. Bowman: But, Lili, what do you really know today that you didnt know last week? The stunning thing about the Mueller report really is how much of it was already well known. To me, at least, the factual case is not much better or worse than it was 48 hours ago. Advertisement Loofbourow: Frankcouldnt agree more. But I do absolutely believe that people are more inclined to trust the report than they are to trust (or even remember) individual stories as reported by the presswhich havent been packaged together into one giant (semi-coherent) document. Mystal: I think checking Trump was a prominent 2018 campaign issue overall. But the winning candidates (and some of the near-winners) did a fantastic job of telling voters that the way to check Trump was to do all these other cool things like let people vote and maybe try to save the planet somehow. Stern: Most Americans probably do not want the opposition party to impeach a president because they dont like his policies, or his personality. I think the Mueller report has long presented a deus ex machina out of this conundrum: Congressional Democrats need not seize on some particularly stupid or evil but likely legal presidential action to justify impeachment; they can point to actual criminality to illustrate that impeachment is an extreme and final resort to deal with a criminal president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats one reason why Democrats are up in arms about Trumps alleged infringement of the Constitutions emoluments clauses. If they can pinpoint a genuine constitutional violation, theyll be on more solid ground when it comes to removing the president from office. It isnt Trump did stuff we dont like, but rather Trump did stuff thats illegal and so he has to go. Pesca: Back to how to get rid of a presidentat the polls has always been the best opportunity for the biggest break with the past. There are such things as realigning elections; there has never been a realigning impeachment. Stern: Maybe because there have been so few impeachments, Mike! We are working with minimal data here! Advertisement Pesca: But theres never even been a realigning assassination, or a realigning death in office. Only elections realign. Mystal: Trump every freaking day normalizes unhinged and lawless behavior as the way to get ahead in the United States. He normalizes playing grab-ass with any woman you meet as acceptable executive behavior. He normalizes using the bully pulpit to advance racism and bigotry and white supremacy. Weve got way bigger problems than normalizing impeachment. Advertisement Advertisement Can I actually also just push back on the normalcy narrative? There are entire swaths of Americans for whom normalcy never worked. I think its wrong to assume that almost everybody wants normalcy. A lot of people want better than that. Loofbourow: Yep. AOC is popular for a reason (on the left). Advertisement Mystal: Impeaching Trump is maybe an abnormal response to the entirely normal bigotry and sexism that he represents. Loofbourow: By the same token, it may feel more normal at this point in history to outsource Congress duties to the public by making the people vote out a president their representatives would rather not do anything about. Advertisement Mystal: Right, Lili. It actually is the most normal thing in the world right now for Congress to abdicate its constitutional responsibilities, to either the executive or the courts or the people. Stern: Last question: Can everyone please provide a prediction speculating what happens next vis-a-vis the Mueller report and impeachment? Heres mine: The House fails to impeach but instead passes some toothless resolution condemning Trump. Advertisement Bowman: Not a clue. Too many variables. Stahl: Hearings are held that bring the full scale of Muellers report into dramatic public light, and Democrats have virtually no choice but to go forward with an impeachment that they dont actually want and that may or may not be politically calamitous (though I lean toward not calamitous). Advertisement Newell: I also believe that the House fails to impeach but instead passes some toothless resolution condemning Trump. But weve got a long way of subpoenas, documents, hearings, more subpoenas, and on and on, until we get there. Democrats are in part continuing to request additional transparency after yesterdays release because they dont want to make decisions. Mystal: Democrats try to get Mueller to say, The president should be impeached, you sodden cowards. He doesnt. Democratic leadership throws up its hands and says, Welp, weve done everything we can do. Lets tell aggrieved white people well bring them unicorns. No impeachment. Biden gets wrecked by Trump in the general. I die. Pesca: Nancy Pelosi does not move on it; the Dems continue investigating taxes and emoluments; the election overtakes the news cycle, 55 percent chance that Trump loses and all right-thinking Americans say, Good thing you didnt waste our time with a doomed impeachment. Forty-five percent chance Trump wins and Elie screenshots the above prediction and emails it to me three times a day. Stern: Everyone seems incredibly skeptical that Democrats will actually vote to impeach, which was a huge talking point when they gained control of the House! This is interesting! Pesca: That talk assumed Mueller would recommend something. Newell: It will be interesting to see, by the way, if some renegade Dem does introduce an impeachment resolution and forces a vote, as theyd be allowed to do. It could make for an interesting whip operation for Democratic leaders. Pesca: But waitwhat if the redactions include the pee tape?!?! Game-changer. Two teenage men have been arrested in the connection to the murder of 29-year-old journalist Lyra McKee. The menaged 18 and 19were arrested under the terrorism act and taken to a police station in Belfast for questioning. McKee, a prominent freelance journalist, was killed in Londonderry, which is known to many of the locals as Derry, on Thursday night while she covered a riot. Police had blamed a militant splinter group known as the New Irish Republican Army for the killing. Advertisement Police released video footage from surveillance cameras that captured McKees final moments in an effort to get the public to hand over information about the murder. The young journalist was standing near a police vehicle with other reporters when she was shot. The riot took place on the 21st anniversary of the Good Friday agreement, the 1998 deal that largely marked the end of decades of conflict. The New IRA group opposes the peace deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives investigating the murder of Lyra McKee release CCTV footage and ask people to come forward with information. Call us on 101. https://t.co/Z1GP93HLLl PSNI DC&S District (@PSNIDCSDistrict) April 19, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement McKee is the first journalist to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2001, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. At a vigil in Derry on Friday, McKees partner, Sara Canning, said McKees amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act. Canning also characterized McKee as a tireless advocate and activist and said the killing has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with. In 2016, McKee was named on a Forbes list of 30 remarkable media professionals under 30. She crowdsourced funds for her first book, Angels With Blue Faces, about the killing of a unionist lawmaker in 1981. Faber, the publisher, had signed a deal with McKee for two books, including one that as due to be published next year about the disappearance of boys and young men during the decades of violence in Northern Ireland. Advertisement The partner of journalist Lyra McKee, who was shot dead during rioting in Londonderry, has said her death was a "barbaric act". 29-year-old Lyra McKee has been described as a journalist of 'courage, style and integrity': https://t.co/h2SgL3wF7w pic.twitter.com/hBcnDuwiNO Sky News (@SkyNews) April 19, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement Political leaders in Northern Ireland united to issue a joint call for calm and to condemn the killing. Lyras murder was an attack on all the people of this community, an attack on the peace and on the democratic processes, leaders of the main six parties said in a statement. This is a time for calm heads. Advertisement Advertisement Lyra McKee's book on the investigation into the 1981 murder of an MP by the IRA was due to be published imminently; only last week she had approved the cover after working on the project for seven years. https://t.co/YD8c5lGhXg Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) April 19, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement Former President Bill Clinton, who was a key player in the Good Friday Agreement sent out a tweet saying he was heartbroken over the killing. The challenges in NI today are realbut we cannot let go of the last 21 years of hard-won peace and progress, Clinton wrote. This tragedy is a reminder of how much everyone has to lose if we do. Advertisement From the dawn of his presidential campaign, and especially since Robert Mueller was named special counsel, President Donald Trump has waged war on professional journalism. He has maligned the press as a den of liars and fabulists. He has applied the term fake news to any story or outlet that he dislikesor that he thinks dislikes him. He has mocked the failing New York Times and the Amazon Washington Post. He has tweeted an edited video of himself wrestling and overpowering a figure with a CNN logo for a head. He has called the media the enemy of the people. Advertisement Trump has been adamant about discrediting the media because the media has discredited him. I do it to discredit you all and demean you all, so when you write negative stories about me, no one will believe you, Trump told Lesley Stahl in 2016. His scorched-earth tactics have worked, to a point. Trumps war against journalism has energized his base and has powered his efforts to preemptively undermine the Mueller report. Now, the Mueller report is out, and the journalists whove spent the past several years reporting on Trumps conduct are looking a lot better than Trump himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Muellers report feels familiar, its because so many of the incidents it documents have already been reported. Take the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and a Russian lawyer who a Trump associate claimed had dirt on Hillary Clinton. When the New York Times first reported this story in July 2017, Trump Jr. claimed that the short introductory meeting was innocuous; in a subsequent appearance on the Fox News program Hannity, Trump Jr. called the meeting such a nothing and literally just a wasted 20 minutes, which was a shame. Sean Hannity noted that liberals in the destroy Trump media once again have worked themselves into frenzy. Theyre frothing at the mouth. Advertisement Advertisement According to Muellers report, the Times had it right all along: Trump Jr. had quickly responded to the potential offer of opposition research on Clinton with the words if its what you say I love it, and set about arranging a meeting. We knew this before the Mueller report was issued, because Trump Jr. released his emails after learning that the Times was about to publish them and expose the falsity of his initial story. But the extent to which the Trump campaign was eager to get its hands on this Hillary dirt was fleshed out in the Mueller report in a way that further vindicated the Times journalistic efforts. Advertisement Former Trump campaign official Rick Gates told Muellers team that in the days before June 9, 2016, Trump Jr. announced at a regular morning meeting of senior campaign staff and Trump family members that he had a lead on negative information about the Clinton Foundation. Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen told the Mueller team that he recalled being in Donald J. Trumps office on June 6 or 7 when Trump Jr. told his father that a meeting to obtain adverse information about Clinton was going forward. Trump has denied that he was aware of the Russian meeting, and Cohen may not be the greatest character witness. Still, if you listened to Trump Jr., you wouldve gotten the facts all wrong. If you read the Times, you wouldve had a good handle on what happened at Trump Tower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January 2018, to take another instance, the Times reported that Trump had ordered White House Counsel Donald McGahn to fire Robert Mueller in June 2017, only to back off when McGahn refused to do so. Fake news, folks. Fake news. A typical New York Times fake story, Trump responded at the time, and his cable news champions took up the same refrain. Havent we had a number of these Washington Post, New York Times stories end up being debunked with their phony, you know, anonymous sourcing? Hannity said on Fox News the night the story broke. Yeah, these are not reliable reporters, Hannitys guest Gregg Jarrett replied. Advertisement Advertisement The reporters were reliable. The Mueller report confirmed not just that Trump had ordered McGahn to get rid of Mueller but that he later tried to get McGahn to publicly deny the whole episode. McGahn told Muellers team that Trump had called him twice at home and on both occasions directed him to call Rosenstein and say that Mueller had conflicts that precluded him from serving as Special Counsel. McGahn did not want to do this, but Trump was insistent, saying something like, Call Rod, tell Rod that Mueller has conflicts and cant be the Special Counsel. McGahn recalled the President telling him Mueller has to go and Call me back when you do it. The Times was right. Advertisement Advertisement Another example: In September 2017, the Post reported that in July 2016, Paul Manafort, who was then Trumps campaign chairman, had offered to provide briefings on the race to a Russian billionaire [Oleg Deripaska] closely aligned with the Kremlin, apparently as a backdoor way of settling Manaforts personal debts. On his Fox News program the day after the Post story was published, Hannity jeered the fact that the story had appeared in the Washington Postyou know, they have so many false reports, and suggested that Manafort had been unfairly targeted by inquisitors intent on reading ill intent into what were likely innocuous exchanges. Hows things going in the campaign? Hannity continued, speculating on what the correspondence between Manafort and Deripaska might have looked like. Wow. It couldve been as innocent as that. Do we believe that youre innocent until proven guilty in this country? You wouldnt know it by watching the mainstream media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Mueller report, Deripaska had previously put money into an investment fund helmed by Manafort. The fund subsequently failed, and litigation between Manafort and Deripaska ensued. Rick Gates told Mueller that Manafort thought his role on the Campaign could help confirm that Deripaska had dropped the Pericles lawsuit. Manafort himself told Mueller that if Trump won, Deripaska would want to use Manafort to advance whatever interests Deripaska had in the United States and elsewhere. In the meantime, Manafort fed a mutual acquaintance internal polling data from the campaign that he assumed would eventually make its way to Deripaska. Far from an attempt to shoot the breeze with a business contact, Manafort was clearly trying to leverage his proximity to power to the benefit of a foreign national (and Vladimir Putin ally) who held influence over him. The Post was right. Advertisement One more example. Trump and Fox News have been bashing BuzzFeed since January 2019, when Muellers office broke its usual silence to publicly refute a story claiming that Michael Cohen had told investigators that Trump had ordered him to lie to Congress. A very sad day for journalism, but a great day for our Country! Trump gloated on Twitter when Muellers office issued its statement. Fake News is truly the ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE! Hannity, naturally, depicted BuzzFeed reporter Jason Leopold as a serial fabulist and called the BuzzFeed story a blatant effort to destroy President Trump. Its sad. Advertisement Advertisement The Mueller report told a somewhat different story. Although Mueller was not willing to conclusively state that Trump had orchestrated Cohens false testimony, BuzzFeeds Ben Smith wrote on Thursday that the report finds that Cohen lied, that he did so at what he believed to be the presidents behest, that the president knew he was giving false testimony, and that the presidents lawyers encouraged that testimony. In his report, Mueller wrote that Trumps attorney told Cohen to stay on message, and not contradict the President. The report also noted that Cohen, whose legal bills were initially being paid by the Trump Organization, was told by Trumps attorney that the support would cease if he went rogue, and that if he stayed on message, the President had his back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Mueller report, then, the initial BuzzFeed story wasnt fake at all. The special counsels objections, it now seems, centered around dueling characterizations of directed to lie, a term that Mueller interpreted more literally than did the sources BuzzFeed used for its initial story. Was journalism right in this particular instance? Perhaps not. But if it was wrong, it wasnt because anyone lied. It was because of a close judgment call, one that BuzzFeed has now explained and contextualized. Advertisement At their best, journalists are everything that Trump is not: careful with facts, cautious in their phrasing, and accountable to the truth. Are there bad, sloppy journalists? Sure. Do journalists make a lot of mistakes? Sure. But as a rule, reporters sweat over every fact and assertion in the stories they publish. They try hard to get their stories right, even as Trump and his associates falsely malign them for getting their stories wrong. There is not and has never been a media conspiracy against Donald J. Trump. The Mueller report reveals that negative coverage isnt the product of a dishonest media vendetta against the president. Its the result of reporters having eyes and ears. This article first appeared on the blog Impeachable Offenses? This is how its done. In the endless, degrading cacophony of the Trump era, in which the tweet storm, the flame war, the sneering insult, and the facile certainty of cable punditry have become the customary form of legal and political discourse, I had almost forgotten what the language of the law sounds like. But there it is in the 448 pages of the Mueller reportlogical, cautious, painstaking, measured, dry, yet inexorably compelling. One may quibble about details, but taken as a whole, Muellers product is an exemplar of the prosecutors craft and a powerful reminder of why a Justice Department imbued with norms of independence and professionalism is an essential counterweight to both presidential overreach and partisan hysteria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legal craftsmanship of the report is also an unanswerable refutation of the endlessly repeated canard that the Mueller investigation was a baseless partisan witch hunt by a hostile deep state. The report is of course actually the work of the career professionals of American law and government. If some of those professionals are hostile to Trump and Trumpism, it is only because their lives are based on valuesthe dogged pursuit of truth, a commitment to fairness and due process, respect for the law, support of constitutional governmentthat Trump openly flouts. Nonetheless, Trump should thank his lucky stars that Muellers team was composed of such old-fashioned folks. Had they indeed been the 13 angry Democrats of Trumps splenetic imaginationpersons of the disposition and caliber of, say, Rep. Devin Nunes or Sen. Lindsey Graham, but of the opposite political valencethe resultant report would surely have been very different. As it is, the professional values and institutional norms by which good prosecutors live produced a report exonerating Trump of an actual crime in relation to Russian election interference and withholding judgment on the legal question of obstruction. Advertisement Advertisement Trump and his enablers are, of course, claiming vindication. But the caution and restraint of Muellers style cannot obscure the facts he meticulously reports. And those amount to a devastating portrait of a man by conduct, character, and temperament unfit for the office of president. Advertisement The section of the report on Russian election interference does clear Trump and his campaign of conspiring with the Russian government to interfere in the 2016 election. It nonetheless unequivocally affirms that the Russians did interfere. And it depicts Trump campaign operatives, including members of the Trump family, who were aware of the possibility that Russia was trying to intervene to help Trump by hacking and leaking material damaging to Clinton, but saw no problem with such Russian meddling and would happily have conspired in it given the chance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reality of Russian intervention and the dangerous, if perhaps not quite provably illegal, proximity of Trump intimates to it frames the question of Trumps obstruction quite differently than his defenders would like. Despite Trumps endless denials, the Russians did meddle. As a matter of national security, that required investigation. Likewise, Trump associates and family did have troubling contacts with Russian emissaries. That, too, required investigation. Given the facts, both those long publicly known and others now laid out in Muellers report, investigation of neither point could, except in the mind of a willfully blind partisan, amount to a witch hunt. Moreover, a truly independent inquiry into Russian electoral interference represented a political threat, or at least grave embarrassment, to Trump, because it raised the possibility that his victory was tainted by the assistance of a hostile foreign power. In addition, by no later than early 2017, Trump knew that his family and associates had, at the very least, come dangerously close to illegal entanglements with Russian representatives. Thus, Trump had powerful motives to quash the Russia investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crime of obstruction of justice depends on proof of three basic points: first, actions intended to obstruct or impede an investigation; second, a nexus to an official inquiry; and third, a corrupt motive. Although a president may lawfully limit or even halt investigations for reasons genuinely related to the national interest, doing so to advance ones partisan political prospects or to protect oneself or ones family or friends from criminal exposure or personal embarrassment is to act corruptly. The second volume of Muellers report lays out 10 different sequences of events that might amount to obstructionfrom Trumps efforts to convince FBI Director James Comey to let go of the investigation of retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, to his repeated attempts to stop or limit the Mueller investigation, to his public and private efforts to induce witnesses Flynn, Paul Manafort, and Michael Cohen not to testify or to hew to Trumps preferred view of reality. Advertisement Advertisement Space precludes a blow-by-blow analysis of each of these categories, but Muellers conclusionsthough guardedly, even opaquely, phrasedare evident and damning. He concludes that on multiple occasions Trump engaged in behavior that either did, or was intended to, obstruct or impede criminal investigations. As to some of the enumerated categories, Mueller concludes that, even if obstructive conduct occurred, there was insufficient evidence of corrupt motive. But as to at least five sequences of events, Mueller unmistakably believes that there is persuasive evidence of obstructive conduct, a nexus to an investigation, and corrupt motive. These included repeated efforts to remove special counsel Robert Mueller; an attempt through Corey Lewandowski to induce Attorney General Jeff Sessions to limit the scope of the Mueller probe to future Russian interference in elections; a brazen attempt to convince White House counsel Don McGahn to lie about the fact that Trump had ordered him to arrange the firing of Mueller; Trumps efforts to influence the cooperation and testimony of Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort; and Trumps efforts to induce Michael Cohen not to cooperate or to shade his testimony in Trumps favor. Advertisement Advertisement Muellers conclusions are unmistakable despite his careful refusal to go the last step and say plainly that Trump obstructed justice. If there were any doubt on the point, it is removed by the reports inclusion of a devastatingly thorough legal rebuttal of Attorney General William Barrs apparent view that a president cannot commit obstruction by stopping or limiting a criminal investigation. The only reason to include such an argument is if Mueller concluded that, on the facts, the president violated the law. Otherwise, the legal question is moot, and a legal craftsman like Mueller would never have included such surplusage. The picture of the current president painstakingly etched in the Mueller report is of a man with three dominant characteristics. In the end, of course, whether a president can or cannot technically commit the crime of obstruction might itself be a moot point. As I have argued many times, Bob Mueller was never going to defy DOJ policy and seek indictment of a sitting president. (Though, in a lengthy footnote near the end of his report, Mueller does contend that it would serve the usual purposes of the criminal law to prosecute a former president for such behavior.) As to the president, therefore, Muellers job from the beginning was to determine the facts and present them to Congress and the public in order that a political judgment about the presidents fitness for office could be madewhether through the impeachment process or at the polls. The picture of the current president painstakingly etched in the Mueller report is of a man with three dominant characteristics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, his narcissism overwhelms all other considerations. Even a more balanced and self-aware person would have found the Russia inquiry politically and personally troublesome. But one cannot escape the feeling (to which Mueller obliquely alludes) that a primary factor in Trumps desperate efforts to squash the investigation was the fragility of his egoa manic determination that the epic achievement of his election not be tarnished by even a hint that forces other than Trump played a role. Second, Trump believes that, having been elected, the powers of government are to be wielded for his personal and political benefit and the law exists only as a tool to serve his ends. No institution, no law, no set of traditional norms, no professional standard, certainly no moral consideration deserves any deference if it stands in the way of his immediate wishes. Advertisement Third, the thread running through the entire report is Trumps essential falsity. Mueller confirms that Trump not only lies constantly as part of his public act, but does so privately among his advisers and intimates, and he expects others to lie for him on command. Among the most revealing vignettes is Trumps effort to convince Don McGahn to lie about the fact that Trump ordered him to secure Muellers firing. McGahn, to his credit, refused and showed Trump his notes documenting the order. Trump exploded in astonishment that lawyers dont take notes. Ive had a lot of great lawyers, like Roy Cohn. He did not take notes. That a subordinate might have personal integrity and be unprepared to sacrifice it on Trumps command had seemingly never occurred to him. Advertisement Advertisement One other curious theme recurs throughout the report as a kind of counterpoint to Trumps lawlessness. Even though Trump repeatedly ordered people to crush or divert or hobble the Russia investigation, over and over they refused to comply, either to his face or simply by failing to carry out his directives. Repeatedly, those who resisted told Mueller that they did so because they didnt want to be responsible for another Saturday Night Massacre, or they didnt want to be another Robert Bork. Advertisement This is heartening in a sense. The example of Watergate seems to have restrained at least some Trump subordinates and helped buttress, at least for a while, the tottering citadel of the rule of law. But the Mueller report is about yesterdays White House. Those with historical memory, and perhaps more imbued with personal integrity and professional values, are largely gone. Quit in disillusionment. Or purged because they refused to bend to Trumps lawless whims. In considering what to do about Donald Trump, Congress should ponder that they now confront a Trump unchanged in his essence but increasingly surrounded by aides who may prove unwilling to provide even the modest restraint on his worst impulses documented in Muellers report. Whether Donald Trump violated a particular federal obstruction statute is in the end a peripheral matter. The fundamental lesson of the Mueller report is simply that he is fundamentally unfit for office and presents a persistent danger to the integrity of the American legal system. That is the question that Congress and the country must now address. Columbus Day is likely to be a thing of the past in Vermont in the near future. The Vermont Legislature passed a bill on Wednesday that would permanently recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day and Gov. Phil Scott said hell likely sign it into law. I see no reason that I would not sign it, Scott told the Burlington Free Press, but were reviewing the bill as we speak. Vermont actually hasnt celebrated Columbus Day for a few years. Former Gov. Peter Shumlin signed a gubernatorial proclamation in 2016 recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day and that continued even after the current Republican governor took office. But the measure now awaiting the governors signature would do away with Columbus Day altogether, turning Vermont into the third state to legally rename the holiday after New Mexico and South Dakota. Alaska is in a special circumstance because it never actually recognized Columbus Day as a holiday but did declare Indigenous Peoples Day a state holiday in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many cities around the country have also moved to rename the Columbus Day holiday as a way of honoring indigenous people and recognizing that the history many learned in school ignored the brutality of colonization. Things that are symbolic can carry very far, Rich Holschuh, a member of the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs, told the Burlington Free Press. The degree of disinformation and lack of understanding around the situation of native people in Vermont, as a microcosm of the national situation, is totally exemplified in the way that Columbus has been celebrated and the native people ignored. Maine is likely to follow suit and be the next state to do away with Columbus Day after Maines Senate gave the final approval to a bill that would rename the holiday on Thursday. Gov. Janet Mills, whose administration has previously expressed support for the measure, would now need to sign the bill to turn it into law. Oami Amarasingham, policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine celebrated the decision by state lawmakers. Its time to stop celebrating a man whose arrival brought death, disease and slavery to hundreds of thousands, and start honoring the people who lived here long before, Amarasingham, said. Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza. Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres. You have to admit its getting better. So reports Karina Hof, a longtime Sprudge staff writer based in Holland, who has for years been fascinated by the disconnect between Amsterdams famed coffeeshopslounges where legal cannabis is sold and consumed freelyand the actual coffee served therein. In a city with one of the worlds great modern coffee cultures, and centuries of history in the coffee trade, why would the famed coffeeshops serve high quality cannabis but such low quality brews? Happily thats changing, and fast. Karina Hof reports to us today from Amsterdam, just in time for the global 4/20 cannabis holiday. By 2016, Amsterdam had an astounding 173 coffeeshopslounges where cannabis can be bought and consumed onsite, much to the delight of tourists, expats and yes, evens some locals. For an article on this site the year before, I went looking for an enjoyable coffee to have at the citys cannabis purveyors, many of which offer patrons a place to sit and smoke, snack, and sip. There were a couple of OK cups, including one prepared with what could be readily identified as specialty coffee, but mostly I encountered over-extracted old-school-Mediterranean dark roasts and staff who were caught off guard by my inquires; sometimes it felt as though I was asking such a trivial or taboo question, like: who provides your toilet paper? Here in spring 2019, I revisited the assignment, finding that in four years, the number of coffeeshops serving specialty coffee had quadrupled. The figure itself is not extreme, but it shows evolutionperhaps as much of specialty coffees democratization as cannabis cultures mainstreaming. Five places described here use coffee from either Australian-headed, Amsterdam-founded Lot Sixty One or the longer-established Dutch operation Bocca, both of which are among the Netherlands larger specialty roasters. These brands appear in cafes, restaurants, and stores around the country, but to experience them in a coffeeshop imbues in that euphemism for these venues a new, true meaning. Tweede Kamer The arrival of specialty coffee to Tweede Kamer is just another jewel in the tiara of this coffeeshop, the most elegant around in terms of interior (art deco) and staff (as personable as professional). Now standing alongside the pre-rolled joint cones and plastic storagesmany containing a cannabis selection from Amsterdam Geneticsare Tweede Kamer-branded Lot Sixty One coffee packages. The display itself reflects how much changed since Sprudge last visited, back when they were serving, terrible coffee, as company social media coordinator and ever-effervescent budtender Babiche Bakker puts it. It was a lot of different beans mixed. Today, Tweede Kamer and its sister business, Coffeeshopamsterdam, send their staff for barista courses at Lot Sixty One, which Bakker points out is a smart move since Tweede Kamer as a training space is too small probably. Elbow-to-elbow seating does not deter their loyal, diverse clientele. No wonder that American tourists dying wish: to have his ashes preserved at his favorite coffeeshopworry not, the urn is on a shelf well above the strains and the beans. Coffeeshopamsterdam On what Smokers Guide to Amsterdam calls the High Street owing to its concentration of coffeeshops, one that stands out for its plainly memorable (in the long, not short, term, naturally) is Coffeeshopamsterdam. Formerly known as Dampkring II, this venue, which has the same owner as Tweede Kamer though is about triple the size, also sells a cannabis selection from Amsterdam Genetics and coffee from Lot Sixty One. Both budtenders and baristas here are attentive and easygoing, whether handing over with your cappuccino a free mini stroopwaffel or a 10-euro gram of Girl Scout Cookies. Fully embracing its polysemous branding, the business prints Amsterdam Coffee on its coffee packaging, baggies, and literature; accompanying the words is the image of a white demitasse with, not steam, but ascending smoke rings. Explains company digital media manager Paul James: Advertising for a coffeeshop is totally illegal as is promoting the sale of drugs. However, promoting Amsterdam Coffee is not. We just let people make their own minds up about the connection between the two. Green House United When, on a springy Wednesday morning, a soft-spoken server brought to the table the menus Healthy Breakfastlow-fat yoghurt, low-sugar cruseli, fresh fruits, and a sprig of mint all gingerly arranged in a custard gobletthe place suddenly seemed less like an Amsterdam coffeeshop and more like a Le Pain Quotidien. But instead of bottomless hazelnut spread, there was that common coffeeshop fixture: a glass filled with green leaves of rolling-tobacco substitute. Sure enough, this was Green House United, the largest of the citys four Green House coffeeshops. With an actual kitchen, it can cater to meal-size munchies day or night and, turns out, perfectly extract a single-origin Brazilian coffee, Boccas Soulmate. The light, fresh fare contrasts with leathery maroon furnishings and dim lighting, though the walls are undeniably brightened by Cannabis Cup trophies, smiling stoner celebrity photos, and clips from VICE/HBOs Strain Hunter. That show follows Arjan Roskam, founder of Green House Seed Co. and the eponymous coffeeshops, as he searches for cannabis landraces on continent-hopping expeditions that sometimes share remarkable similarities with coffee-origin trips. La Tertulia Brownie points are in order here because four years ago, when Sprudge sought low and high for decent coffee at coffeeshops, La Tertulia delivered. The same holds true today. We are still serving Bocca coffee, replies Aline, the younger of the mother-daughter team who own the business, when recently asked for an update. Moreover, all our employees are getting a training by Bocca soon! Whether or not the baristas will master latte art, which Aline hopes for, La Tertulia is sure to maintain its unique appeal. The coffeeshop is women-owned and women-operated, has more space than mostupstairs, small groups can comfortably work or play a borrowed board game; outside bistro chairs and tables allow for smoking and sipping al fresco and canal-sideand a respectable snack menu. The toasties come in about a dozen variations (who would have known tomato-chili chutney, zucchini, and pineapple work together?). And the pot brownie is of American-standard dimensions, homemade by a baker to whom Aline delivers her regularly collected shake. Hempstory You cannot smoke or vape here, but this hemp-heralding lifestyle store deserves an honorable mention. At its core is a bar with a La Marzocco Linea Classic, which Bocca-trained baristas use to prepare Bocca coffee drinks. Hemp milk repeats on the menu, and hot beverages come with a complimentary heart-shaped Hanf & Natur hemp biscuit. From clothes to cosmetics and chips to cookies, much of the goods sold here are made from or with hemp. The shop also well stocks CBD products from world-renowned seed bank Sensi Seeds, whose founder, Ben Dronkers, owns Hempstory itself, the neighboring Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum, and industrial hemp company Hempflax. Despite being in the middle of the Red Light District, Hempstory is green-leaningstylistically more Broccoli than Pineapple Express, more GOOP than Snoopbut equally respectful of the aesthetics surrounding coffee and cannabis. Karina Hof is a Sprudge staff writer based in Amsterdam. Read more Karina Hof on Sprudge. When the American colonists declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776, they knew they were fighting an uphill battle. They were outmatched, and they realized quickly that they needed allies. This was true not only for the war itself, but also for the years after; independence would realistically mean very little if the other nations of the world chose not to recognize it. The Battle of Saratoga was a military engagement of the American Revolution, fought from September to October of 1777. The British were commanded by General John Burgoyne, while the main commander in charge of the Americans was General Horatio Gates. Ultimately, the battle ended in a decisive American victory. The Battle of Saratoga was a substantial victory for the Americans. It was morally galvanizing, forced the surrender of a large number of British soldiers, and Burgoyne became the first British general of the Revolution to be sent back to England in disgrace. The most significant result of the battle, however, was that it convinced the French that the Americans actually had a chance to win the war. American diplomats had been trying to gain France as an ally since the war began, but France was reluctant to enter into an expensive war with their biggest colonial competitor. The Battle of Saratoga changed that, and France became America's first ally and the first major nation to formally recognize America's independence. Quinnipiac University Quinnipiac University in Hamden offers an online traditional MBA program or online MBA program with track options in finance, supply chain management, or health care management. The traditional program totals 46 credits that consist of core courses, a course in decision making tools, and electives. Students in the traditional program must complete a capstone course in decision making. Online students still have the option of participating in a short-term international experience. University of Bridgeport The University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport has an online MBA program that is offered as a 1-year accelerated program. Students in the program take 8-week long courses and can choose from concentrations in human resources, management, or analytics intelligence. For flexibility, the program offers 6 different start dates throughout the year. Students must take 9 credits towards a capstone experience where they can choose from courses in research methods, business planning, policy, or ethics and leadership. University of Hartford The University of Hartford in West Hartford provides an MBA that totals 36 credits and offers all courses online. Students can choose to take the program full- or part-time and can usually complete the program in 24 months. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program and can choose from concentrations in areas like finance, international business, marketing, and supply chain management. Core courses include topics in corporate finance, business law, organizational processes, and managerial statistics. University of New Haven The University of New Haven in West Haven has a flexible online MBA program that students can complete on a full- or part-time basis. The program offers concentrations in areas like strategy leadership, business analytics, human resource management, and management finance. The program also uniquely offers concentrations in financial analysis or data analytics that are Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-certified by the government. For degree completion, a capstone consulting project is required. Post University Post University in Waterbury offers an online MBA program with concentrations in areas including entrepreneurship, corporate innovation, healthcare systems leadership, and marketing. The program totals 36 credits and does require a capstone course. This capstone course has students complete a culminating project that is focused on their given area of concentration for hands-on experience in the field. Core courses discuss topics in financial tools, organizational dynamics, organizational creativity, business analytics, and business strategy. Nepal Telecom to expand 4G coverage nationwide Nepal Telecom is expediting site surveys and procurement processes in a bid to expand its 4G coverage across the country The state-owned utility plans to run the fourth generation cellular network within a year, officials said. Researchers have discovered a number of vulnerabilities in the SwissPost e-vote system which could allow undetectable manipulation of votes. Dr Vanessa Teague is Associate Professor and Chair, Cybersecurity and Democracy Network at the Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Australia. She joins us to explain her team's findings. The original research is here: The Undead Archives I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world. 9 minutes ago Ransomware persists even as high-profile attacks have slowed WASHINGTON (AP) In the months since President Joe Biden warned Russia's Vladimir Putin that he needed to crack down on ransomware gangs in his country, there hasnt been a massive attack like the one last May that resulted in gasoline shortages. Read Article Pashmina export revenues falling despite government incentives Pashmina export revenues are going downhill even though the government has given the sector high priority because it is one of the countrys major export earners, said government officials at a programme on Friday. A place to exercise ideas before writing about them with greater discipline. iStock/Chalabala(MESQUITE, Texas) -- A 26-year-old Mesquite, Texas, mom was scheduled to pick up her child from the babysitter on Wednesday night, but she never showed up. Prisma Denisse Peralta Reyes was reported missing to the police after friends and family made several attempts to reach her by phone. Reyes' 2017 Jeep Wrangler was found abandoned by the Mesquite Police Department on Thursday morning in the 3500 block of Roseland Avenue in Dallas, Texas. ABC affiliate WFAA obtained surveillance video of the last-known sighting of Reyes near an apartment complex where her car was found. Reyes' child is being cared for by relatives until she is located, Mesquite Police said in a statement. Reyes was last seen in the video footage talking on a cell phone and wearing a red polo and light blue jeans. Reyes' stepfather, Dan Fuchs, told WFAA that she recently became a U.S. citizen and is originally from Veracruz, Mexico. He said Reyes also works as a paralegal and was a member of the National Guard. Police are asking anyone with information on Reyes' whereabouts to call the Mesquite Police Department at (972) 285-6336. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Stitch together, stick together The two brothers work from 8 am to 6 pm everyday. Every morning, they collect their equipmentBharat from a tyre workshop and Ram from a barber shop nearby. Bharat and Ram make about Rs 25,000 and Rs 20,000 per month, respectively. 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. Posting Policy This blog may be unique with regard to its degree of transparency about urban ministry. Many people have written to me to say how they cherish the help they have received through this. However, this means that special attention needs to be given to confidentiality in particular. I use the following guidelines for posting on this blog: I apply the following questions to posts: Are they posted in good faith? Are they balanced? Are they compassionate? Are they informative about ministry? Do they help one better understand a problem or issue? I consider a post to be unproblematic if a person's identity is unknowable in the post, if the facts are public knowledge, or if a change of particulars (name, place, date, and so on) will truly protect privacy. If I consider that anyone who was not involved in an incident would recognise those who were, then I do not post. If a post could compromise the safety of those I blog about, then I make a post safe, or I do not post. I believe that these measures should enable me to continue to be "open" about urban ministry while not compromising privacy. In 2013, ninety percent of the posts on this blog were removed. I then put the question of the freedom of the blog to the South African Human Rights Commission. The position is this: if a post is legal, it is legal. Essentially, all of my posts were OK. There is freedom of expression in South Africa. Having said this, if any post should even cause discomfort, it will be removed from this blog immediately. This has always been the position. One does need to contact me for that, best through an e-mail or a blog comment, and I prefer to see a name on it. The post will be put back up only if there would seem to be compelling reason for it. It is hoped that there will be the assumption that I wish to address any discomfort satisfactorily, compassionately, and efficiently. The former museum in Luxembourg City's "Verlorenkost" neighbourhood allowed visitors to dive into the eventful history of the country's police. The museum has been closed to the general public since December 2016. Even though officials hope that the museum may eventually reopen its doors, its future looks uncertain for the time being - "SORRY, NO GUIDED TOURS," the museum's website currently reads. The buildings are run-down and, in the past, officials have already considered tearing them down altogether in order to create space for new apartments. About this series In this popular series, RTL photographer Domingos Oliveira takes you to hidden places, lesser known locations and buildings with an interesting story. 1) The first installment captured the last moment of the agricultural centre in Mersch. 2) We then visited Zenningen Zoo, which was closed in the early 80s. 3) Our third trip took us to Hesperange's eery swimming pool which now looks like the setting for an apocalyptic film. 4) The fourth photo series targeted the veritable ghost town "Cite Syrdall." 5) We also visited the iconic cinema Ariston in Esch, which opened in 1962 and closed in 2016. The cinema's history is an eventful one - from erotic films to youth theatre. 6) In the sixth installment, we took a trip down memory lane and revisited pictures of Luxembourg City's former "centre Aldringen," an underground parking lot and cultural hub that gave way to Centre Hamilius. Telecom authority and central bank announce plans to regulate digital financial service providers In an effort to facilitate and regulate digital payment systems and businesses in the country, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority and the Nepal Rastra Bank have signed a memorandum of understanding to work jointly to introduce regulatory policies for digital financial service providers. 1. Yes. Patrol cars in the lot and armed officers inside would deter would-be criminals. 2. Yes. Police should announce their plans and be highly visible during store hours. 3. No. The citys police officers have other obligations. More private security is the answer. 4. No. Perhaps, but installing more surveillance cameras would be a better deterrent. 5. Unsure. More police might help, but it could also stretch KPDs resources too thin. Vote View Results Three entities under the umbrella of Khaisilk Corp, a Vietnamese conglomerate once regarded as a premium silk manufacturer, have been collectively subject to more than VND5.4 billion (US$215,000) worth of tax arrears, according to the Ho Chi Minh City tax department. Khaisilk Corp is owned and run by Hoang Khai, a business tycoon whose reputation was marred in a high-profile scandal in 2017, when his products, branded as premium Vietnamese silk, were found to be made of Chinese materials. Hoang Khai Co., a private enterprise whose legal representative is Khai, a Hoang Khai Co. branch, and Khai Duc Co., Ltd are among 1,691 entities named in the list of tax debtors that has recently been released by the municipal tax department. In particular, Hoang Khai Co., which operates in real estate, is subject to a VND4.969 billion ($213,667) in value-added tax (VAT) arrears and a VND181 million ($7,783) fine for late tax payment by the end of February. The amount has amounted to VND6.232 billion ($267,976) by the end of last month. The sum was incurred from the transfer deals of a palace and a restaurant, both owned by Khaisilk Corp, in District 7 at the end of last year, according to a leader from the districts tax division. The Hoang Khai Co. branch for its part owes VND244 million ($10,429) in VAT and is subject to a VND15 million ($645) penalty for late tax payment, while Khai Duc Co., which operates in the retail sector, owes VND793 million ($34,099) in VAT and is fined VND27 million ($1,161) for late tax payment. The tax division of District 7, where Hoang Khai Co. and Khai Duc Co. are located, has invited the two companies to a mutual working session but neither companies ever sent their representatives to the meeting. As the tax debt has been due, the division has transferred the list of tax debtors in the district, including the Khaisilk entities, to the Ho Chi Minh City tax department for public announcement. Founded in the late 1990s, Khaisilk Corp built its reputation from its scarves, which were considered a premium product, popular amongst local luxury consumers and international tourists. Following the scandal of selling Chinese-made silk scarves under Made-in-Vietnam labels in late 2017, an inspection into Khaisilk business later found that the companys products did not contain any silk at all. 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 number of apps, both homegrown and international, that were launched last year in an attempt to break the domination of Grab in Vietnam have silently disappeared from the market due to apparent tough competition. Uber's exit from Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, in April 2018 enabled the regional rival Grab to easily dominate the Vietnamese market, while at the same time encouraged local transport companies to launch their own ride-hailing apps to fill in the blank left by the U.S. tech company. Among those Vietnamese companies that hopped on the ride-hailing bandwagon were Mai Linh, Fast-Go, Vato, Aber, MLV, Go-ixe, and Xelo. If many of these names sound unfamiliar to you, its because they are. Even though they were launched with the main goal of competing with the market leader Grab, most of these newcomers struggled to attract both passengers and drivers, despite their appealing promotions and preferential policies. Many of these Vietnamese apps have therefore left the market even before customers had a chance to know about them. In June 2018, for instance, Aber, which was developed by a group of Vietnamese engineers in Europe, entered Vietnams ride-hailing market, offering as many as six different services including motorbike, car, delivery, and business car. Aber said it stood out from competitors as the app applied no fare hike during peak hours, and only charged drivers a monthly rate based on their total income that month, instead of taking a cut from every ride they made. But the companys attempt to differentiate itself from other ride-hailing apps turned out to make no difference. Aber has recently announced its temporary absence from the market for a bigger return, yet without saying when. According to a companys leader, Aber has to find another direction amid tough competition from such rivals with a lot of money to spend as Singapore-based super app Grab and Go-Viet, the Vietnamese brand of Indonesian transportation network Go-Jek An Aber driver is seen in this photo. Photo: Linh Ha A leader of local app VATO, which claimed to have received US$100 million from Vietnamese bus line Phuong Trang and was expected to be a counterweight to Grab and Go-Viet, also admitted the same thing. As the competition from Grab and Go-Viet has been quite harsh, our company has to find a different direction, said the VATO leader. According to drivers and frequent customers of ride-hailing apps like Fast-Go, MLV, and Go-ixe, the coverage of these applications in the market is quite low, with only a small number of drivers, leading to long waiting time for both drivers and users. Industry insiders say that the exit of these apps from the ride-hailing industry is already in sight. Even fiercer competition awaits Despite the demises of several Vietnamese ride-hailing apps, Tran Thanh Hai, general director of Vietnamese technology startup Be Group Corporation, believes there is still great potential for newcomers to join Vietnams technology-based transportation market. The company launched its ride-hailing platform Be last December. According to evaluation reports of some international organizations, Vietnams ride-hailing market revenue can reach US$500 million a year. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City collectively account for 93 percent of the market, meaning there is plenty of room to grow for ride-hailing apps in other localities across the country. Besides personal transportation, technology-based transportation companies are also expanding to other sectors, including food delivery, where competition is already fierce with two main players, Grab and Go-Viet. Grab and Go-Viets food delivery drivers queue to buy drinks at a store in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre It is very wasteful to not take advantage of tens of thousands of drivers for other services such as goods delivery, food delivery, and personal shopper, Hai of Be Group said, adding that his company has plans to join the food deliver sector. Meanwhile, Grab said it has received an additional $1.46 billion from SoftBank's Vision fund for business expansion from its current services of financing, food delivery, freight forwarding, digital content and digital payments. Bui Danh Lien, former chairman of the Hanoi Transport Association, said competition in Vietnams technology-based transportation market is like a race to burn money. Only businesses with sufficient resources and a wise strategy can stay in and win the biggest market share, Lien said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnams low-cost carrier Vietjet said at its 2019 Annual General Shareholders Meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday that the company planned to open 20 more new international routes this year. The 20 added routes will raise Vietjets flight network to 133 domestic and international destinations, from the current 113 services. The airline also targets to increase its air transport revenue to VND42,250 billion (US$1,817 million) and air transport profit at VND3.8 trillion ($163.4 million) in 2019. According to the companys reports at Fridays meeting, Vietjet continued to record high and sustainable growth in all targets last year. In 2018, it opened one new domestic route and 22 international flights. Vietjets air transport revenue in 2018 reached VND33,779 billion ($1,452 million), an increase of 49.8 percent year on year, and accomplished 112.2 percent of its plan. Its air transport profit before tax also increased by 48.9 percent year on year. According to its development orientation announced at the event, Vietjet aims to effectively expand international routes, consider investment opportunities for infrastructure, terminals, technical services, ground services, training to promote the airlines experience, advantages, and efficiency in the next three years. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A Vietnamese fashion designer has chosen to theme her debut collection as Dong Ho paintings, a kind of Vietnamese folk art known for its simple yet natural beauty. Thuy Nguyen introduced her first-ever summer fashion collection, Tinh Tang, in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday, with models showcasing dresses inspired by Dong Ho folk paintings, an ancient cultural relic of the Kinh Bac area in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam. The catwalk was covered with real grass, while the stage was decorated with such props as bamboo window blinds and lotus ponds, so audience felt like they were watching the show in a typical Vietnamese village in the good old days. Dong Ho are woodblock paintings printed on paper made from the bark of poonah tree that usually reflect the aspirations of people for a peaceful, happy and prosperous life. Known to many generations of Vietnamese, Dong Ho paintings date back to the 11th century, with its birthplace being the Dong Ho village in the northern province of Bac Ninh. A famous Dong Ho folk painting... ...and a dress inspired by the painting Models wearing Thuy Nguyens Dong Ho paintings-inspired costumes walked the catwalk with the melody of Muoi Nho, a Vietnamese folk song that was particularly rearranged for a fashion show by Vietnams renowned traditional musician Ngo Hong Quang. The song played a crucial role in making the setting of the fashion show both contemporary and traditional. Just like the shows atmosphere, Thuy Nguyens dresses were contemporary costumes bearing a Vietnamese traditional pattern, showing an integration of Vietnamese culture and modern fashion. In addition to the patterns, her designing technique also bore resemblance to how Dong Ho paintings were created. With the paintings most known for the color-layering technique, Thuy Nguyen layered fabric and embroidery with other details done manually in order to create a unique three-dimensional visual effect. A famous Dong Ho folk painting... ...and a dress inspired by the painting. Another unique attribute of the collection was Thuy Nguyens technique when working with different types of fabric. For instance, instead of using conventional accordion pleat fabric, the designer manually pleated organza sheer fabric with various methods including hand pleating. This pattern was inspired by the three-dimensional and tangible attributes found on Dong Ho paintings. The most important feature of the collection was the colors the young Vietnamese designer carefully chose for her dresses. Bright colors, similar to those of Dong Ho folk paintings, such as red, green, purple, pink, and orange, among others, gave the runway a fresh and energetic look. Thuy Nguyen did not just stop there as her choice of accessories was not conventional either with hundreds of handmade heels, intricately decorated earrings, and traditional hats. All of the outfits were a fusion of contemporary and traditional fashion, making the show a unique experience. Thuy Nguyen is a Vietnamese designer known for her own fashion brand Thuy Design House, which was first introduced to the public in 2011. Thuy Nguyen is known for her feminine designs that always bear traditional feature as she seeks inspiration from nature and traditions. Here are some of the photos of Thuy Nguyens summer collection Tinh Tang Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A ten-day exhibition is ongoing in Ho Chi Minh City, showcasing photos capturing the worrying reality of air pollution in Vietnam. Running from April 17 to 28 at the Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City in District 1, the event features outstanding works of the Portray Air, Expose Pollution photo contest that wrapped up in February. The photo competition was jointly organized by the Center of Hands-on Actions and Networking for Growth and Environment (CHANGE) and the German Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City from December 21 to February 1, aiming to raise peoples awareness of air pollution and encourage real actions on protecting the environment. Thirty-four most impressive entries were chosen out of 732 works are being showcased at the ten-day exhibition, and will continue to be on display at galleries around Ho Chi Minh City to convey the message of fighting against air pollution, the main cause of lung cancer. Every year, approximately seven million people around the world die of lung cancer, and nearly a fifth of them are children under five years old. A photo depicting a toxic atmosphere of gas and fumes covering Ho Chi Minh City by Phan Thi Khanh. Air pollution in Vietnam caused the death of 60,000 people in 2016 due to articulation disorders and respiratory diseases as well as decreased the gross domestic product (GDP) by five percent each year, according to statistics. Vietnam suffered economic loss worth an estimated US$9.86-12.45 billion from air pollution in 2013, with Ho Chi Minh City accounted for 1.47 percent of the damage, or $117-183 million, according to a research by Fulbright University Vietnam. The top prize of the Portray Air, Fight Pollution photo contest was awarded to Nguyen Thanh Chung, whose work is entitled, A hub of thermal power plants in northern Vietnam. Nguyen Thanh Chung smiles with pride in front of his award-winning photo. Photo: Hong Van / Tuoi Tre The image of toxic exhaust from factories in the red sunset really appealed to me, so I decided to capture the moment without hesitation, he talked of his award-winning photo. Chung shared that he took up photography as a hobby in 2016 and shot this photo by chance on his way searching for beautiful scenery in northern Vietnam. The air pollution reality in Vietnam was also exposed through many other works in different ways and forms, including photos of rice paddy fields on fire or people suffocated by polluted air during rush hour. Below are some of the photos being exhibited. The third runner-up photo, Let's count to three and hold our breath together, by Nguyen Minh Tan. A photo depicting a security guard wearing a gauze mask because of the polluted air by Rodrigo Soto. The runner-up photo, Bao Loc covered in smoke, by Le Van Cuong. The third runner-up photo, Thermal-power plants fumes in the beauty of worlds natural wonder by Tran Ngoc Nam. Picking up garbage by Pham Huy Dang The third runner-up photo of a bird trying to survive in the polluted environment by Tran Van Tuy. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Here are todays leading news stories: Society -- Police arrested a 29-year-old man in Ho Chi Minh Citys Binh Chanh District after he stabbed his 68-year-old mother to death under the apparent influence of drug on Friday. -- Ho Chi Minh City Police, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Security and law enforcement in other provinces and cities, have busted a large-scale drug trafficking ring, involving two Taiwanese, and seized more than 1.1 metric tons of narcotics. Business -- Vietjet plans to open 20 more new international routes, expecting to increase its air transport revenue to VND42,250 billion (US$1,817 million) and air transport profit at VND3.8 trillion ($163.4 million) this year, the Vietnamese low-cost airline said at its 2019 Annual General Shareholders Meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday. -- The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) will continue to impose anti-dumping duties on wind tower products imported from Vietnam for another five years, with the applicable tax rates possibly being reviewed every year, according to the Vietnam News Agency. -- Vietnams fiscal deficit will stay high at 5.7 percent, including interest repayment, in 2019 due to delays in the divestment of state-owned enterprises (SOE) and lower import tax revenues, according to Fitch Groups Fitch Solutions forecast released earlier this week. -- The annual Top Thai Brands exhibition co-hosted by the Thai Ministry of Commerce, the Thai Trade Centre in Ho Chi Minh City and the Vietnam National Trade Fair & Advertising Company will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from May 9-12 with over 250 exhibitors this year. Lifestyle -- An exhibition opened in Dien Bien Phu, the capital of the northern province of Dien Bien on Friday, marking the 65th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory that ended French colonial rule in Vietnam on May 7, 1954. -- A reading encouragement week, themed Books and the young community, was launched in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, on the occasion of the sixth Vietnam Book Day (April 21). -- A French cultural week is being held in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang from April 19-24 by An Giang University, the French Embassy in Vietnam and the provincial Peoples Committee. Sports -- The V. League 1, Vietnams top football league, has been ranked as the fifth most prestigious club competition in Southeast Asia and came 22nd overall in Asia, according to the latest rankings of the Asian Football Confederation. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Your browser does not support the audio element. Ho Chi Minh City police have arrested and launched criminal investigation against two Taiwanese men and a Vietnamese national in a large-scale drug bust that saw the seizure of over 1.1 metric tons of meth and ketamine. Yeh Ching Wei and Chiang Wei Chih, both carrying Taiwanese passports, were caught transporting 606.02 kilograms of methamphetamine on April 12. The drugs were packaged as tea bags and concealed inside acoustic speakers found on two trucks. Yeh and Chiang told the police they were working on the order of a Chinese national to transport the drugs from the neighboring province of Dong Nai to Ho Chi Minh City. Chiang, 31, has entered Vietnam three times since 2018 while it was the first time in Vietnam for Yeh, 33, according to the municipal police. The drugs they were found transporting had been smuggled into Vietnam from Thailand through local cargo company Ngoc Van, which had another shipment of drugs delivered to an address in District 3. Following this lead, police officers in the southern metropolis were able to catch Vietnamese national Bui Nguyen Huy Vu, 38, while he was transporting 49.32 kilograms of synthetic drugs. Nearly three kilograms of synthetic drugs and 998.69 grams of ketamine as well as a loaded revolver were also found at Vus residence. The man said he was working on the order of a suspect in Laos. Traffic police officers inspect a truck loaded with meth-containing acoustic speakers in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City police On April 13, police officers raided a storage of Ngoc Van shipping company and seized another 451.98 kilograms of meth, also disguised as tea bags. In total, 1,110.26 kilograms of meth and 998.69 grams of ketamine were confiscated in the massive drug bust. The municipal police have also launched criminal investigation against and arrested Yeh, Chiang and Vu on drug charges. Ho Chi Minh City police said it is working with the Ministry of Public Security and police in the north-central provinces of Ha Tinh and Nghe An to find links between recent hauls of narcotics across the country and investigate the roles of suspects operating from Thailand, Laos and Malaysia. 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 Senate delegation from the U.S. led by Patrick Leahy, vice chairman of appropriations committee senator, on Friday paid a visit to Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh in the central city of Hue. U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink also joined the Senators in the visit. I was honored to meet with Master Thich Nhat Hanh today in Hue along with Senators Leahy, Murkowski, Stabenow, Whitehouse, Udall, Portman, Baldwin, Hirono, and Kaine, as well as their wonderful spouses, the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi wrote on its Facebook page, quoting the ambassador. Master Thich Nhat Hanh continues to be a voice for tolerance and peace. His message of mindfulness and simplicity is a source of comfort and inspiration to us all. Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, who had traveled widely across the world, spreading the Buddhas teachings on compassion and peace, has been staying in Hue since the start of his fifth return to Vietnam in October last year. In a photo shared on the Facebook of the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, the monk is seen with healthy countenance, sitting on a wheelchair and surrounded by the American guests. Visiting the influential Buddhist leader was part of the Vietnam trip that began on Thursday of the delegation led by Senator Leahy. The delegation was scheduled to attend the launch ceremony of a dioxin detoxification project at Bien Hoa Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai on Saturday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Love Island may relocate because the Fiji government is allegedly concerned about the sleazy tone of the program. The Sunday Telegraph suggests Queensland may be the next setting for the show. Season One was filmed by ITV Studios Australia in Spain which, whilst working as exotic not just costly in air fares. Earlier this year Programming boss Hamish Turner told TV Tonight, From a casting perspective if you want to make quick decisions about getting new people in you are somewhat restricted by Mallorca. Its not just Spain, its a boat, a flight and more. The latest episode of Bachelor in Paradise was shot in Fiji along with the last Australian Survivor and US Survivor series. Fijis government attracts producers with incentives through Film Fiji, including all airfares for cast & crew. But it requires a detailed production budget and script in advance (or presumably in the case of reality shows, story outlines). Love Island will screen on Nines primary channel this year, potentially in a later slot. By Abdul Qadir Sediqi and Rupam Jain KABUL (Reuters) - At least seven people were killed in an attack on the Afghan communications ministry in central Kabul on Saturday, breaking months of relative calm in the capital and underlining the continued security threats despite efforts to open peace talks with the Taliban. The attack began shortly before midday when a suicide bomb was detonated at the entrance to the multi-storey building housing the ministry in a busy commercial area of the city, followed up by gunfire which could be heard over a mile away. Among the dead were four civilians and three police officers, while another eight civilians were wounded, a government official said. "We saw a gunman trying to break open an office door and as we were running out, he was trying to shoot us and he started shouting 'I will kill everyone here'," said Syeda Rashid, an office administrator in the ministry who escaped with several of her colleagues. She said at least six women had been wounded. Television images showed people fleeing after gunfire and explosions began near the 18-storey government tower. The area around the building was sealed off by police as at least three attackers battled security forces for several hours before the attack was finally suppressed in the late afternoon, Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said. The interior ministry said in a statement that more than 2,800 employees of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Information and Culture were evacuated during the clearance operation. Several young children and staff at a childcare centre for ministry employees were also evacuated. "We were having lunch when we heard the explosion," said Rabia, who worked at the childcare centre. "We grabbed the children together into the safe room and just waited till the security forces arrived," she said. The blast, which security officials said appeared to have been caused by a suicide bomber, was also close to the heavily fortified Serena Hotel, one of the very few Kabul hotels still used by foreign visitors. Story continues The operation marked a return to the kind of complex attacks in an urban centre that have killed hundreds of people in Kabul and other Afghan cities over recent years. There was no claim of responsibility but the Taliban issued a statement denying any involvement. Many such attacks have been claimed by the radical Islamic State group. Prior to Saturday's attack, Kabul had been relatively calm as U.S. officials have held a series of meetings with representatives from the Taliban to try to agree the basis for a peace settlement and an end to more than 17 years of war. While heavy fighting has carried on across Afghanistan and Taliban militants have announced their now customary spring offensive, it had been months since the last major attack on civilian targets in the capital. The attack, just days after a planned meeting between Taliban officials and Afghan politicians and civil society representatives in Qatar was cancelled, underlined the hurdles facing efforts to reach a peace settlement. Officials have said they hope to hold a meeting soon but no date has been set. (Reporting by Abdul Qadir Sediqi, Rupam Jain, James Mackenzie, Zuhra Orooj, Akram Walizada; Editing by Nick Macfie, Kenneth Maxwell and Alison Williams) A loud explosion and follow-up gunfire were heard in an ongoing assault near the Afghan communication ministry in central Kabul on Saturday, officials said. The attack occurred a day after talks fell apart between the Taliban and Afghan representatives. No one claimed immediate responsibility and there was no immediate word on casualties."The information that we have is four attackers have placed themselves near the communication ministry and are engaged in gun battles with the Afghan security forces," Amanduddin Shariati, a security official in Kabul told AFP.Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said an explosion was heard near the communication ministry around 11:40 am (0710 GMT), followed by sporadic gunfire.Local television footage showed a small plume of smoke near the ministry, and people climbing out the windows on a lower level. Intermittent firing could still be heard more one hour after the blast, and the area had been cordoned off by security forces.The communication ministry is located in downtown Kabul, about two kilometres (1.25 miles) from the green zone. It is the city's main commercial area and has several large hotels. The communication ministry itself is an 18-storey building, thought to be the tallest building in Kabul.The explosion comes a week after the Taliban announced their annual spring offensive and amid ongoing fighting across Afghanistan. The Afghan branch of the Islamic State group has also previously carried out multiple deadly attacks in Kabul.The capital has in recent weeks enjoyed a period of relative calm, after a horrific year last year in which it saw a string of attacks including a massive bomb that was concealed in an ambulance and killed more than 100 people.This week in the Qatari capital Doha, a summit planned between the Taliban and officials from across Afghanistan fell apart at the last minute due to bickering over who should attend the conference.The collapse comes at a critical time and amid continued bloodshed in Afghanistan, where the Taliban now control or influence about half of Afghanistan and 3,804 civilians were killed there last year, according to a UN tally.Taliban officials are separately negotiating with the United States, which wants to forge a peace deal with the militants.(AFP) A loud explosion and follow-up gunfire were heard in an ongoing assault near the Afghan communication ministry in central Kabul on Saturday, officials said. The attack occurred a day after talks fell apart between the Taliban and Afghan representatives. No one claimed immediate responsibility and there was no immediate word on casualties. "The information that we have is four attackers have placed themselves near the communication ministry and are engaged in gun battles with the Afghan security forces," Amanduddin Shariati, a security official in Kabul told AFP. Interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said an explosion was heard near the communication ministry around 11:40 am (0710 GMT), followed by sporadic gunfire. Local television footage showed a small plume of smoke near the ministry, and people climbing out the windows on a lower level. Intermittent firing could still be heard more one hour after the blast, and the area had been cordoned off by security forces. The communication ministry is located in downtown Kabul, about two kilometres (1.25 miles) from the green zone. It is the city's main commercial area and has several large hotels. The communication ministry itself is an 18-storey building, thought to be the tallest building in Kabul. The explosion comes a week after the Taliban announced their annual spring offensive and amid ongoing fighting across Afghanistan. The Afghan branch of the Islamic State group has also previously carried out multiple deadly attacks in Kabul. The capital has in recent weeks enjoyed a period of relative calm, after a horrific year last year in which it saw a string of attacks including a massive bomb that was concealed in an ambulance and killed more than 100 people. This week in the Qatari capital Doha, a summit planned between the Taliban and officials from across Afghanistan fell apart at the last minute due to bickering over who should attend the conference. The collapse comes at a critical time and amid continued bloodshed in Afghanistan, where the Taliban now control or influence about half of Afghanistan and 3,804 civilians were killed there last year, according to a UN tally. Taliban officials are separately negotiating with the United States, which wants to forge a peace deal with the militants. (AFP) Video footage showing the moments before journalist Lyra McKee's death has been released by police in Northern Ireland. Ms McKee, 29, was shot in the head as she covered disturbances in Londonderry on Thursday evening and died later in hospital. Police have now released CCTV footage which shows the street around the time of the "terrorist incident", including what appears to be the murder suspect opening fire. The footage shows where Ms McKee was standing among others and next to a police van before cutting to other angles of the street. It shows a masked gunman crouching down in the street and firing with a handgun. It also shows the gunman at the corner of the street and a man picking something up from the ground at the same corner. One man appears to lift his hand and shoot a weapon before leaving the scene. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: "We are issuing CCTV from the incident to encourage anyone with information to make contact with us. "We have already received a large number of calls and information from the public and I would like to thank them for their support and for their willingness to come forward and to try to help us take a killer off the streets. "We also know that a range of footage is circulating on social media however I cannot stress enough how important it is that people who were in the area last night and who recorded video and took photos share what they have with us via our Major Incident Public Portal." He added: "People saw the gunman and people saw those who goaded young people out on to the streets, people know who they are. "The answers to what happened last night lie within the community. I am asking people to do the right thing for Lyra McKee, for her family and for the city of Derry/Londonderry and help us stop this madness." Detectives have said the New IRA, a dissident republican group, was most likely behind the reporter's killing. Story continues Ms McKee's partner Sara Canning told a vigil in Derry: "Our hopes and dreams and all of her amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act." She said it has left so many friends without their confidante. "Victims and LGBTQI community are left without a tireless advocate and activist and it has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with. She added: "This cannot stand, Lyra's death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone else's life and her legacy will live on and the life that she has left behind." However, Republican group Saoradh released a statement claiming a "Republican Volunteer" shot Ms McKee while attempting to "defend people" from the PSNI. Trouble broke out on Thursday night as officers carried out a search operation aimed at disrupting dissident republicans ahead of this weekend's commemoration of Irish independence. During the disturbances, more than 50 petrol bombs were thrown at officers - and two cars were hijacked and set on fire. A gunman fired a number of shots at police, one of which hit Ms McKee in the head. Tributes to Ms McKee were offered by Arlene Foster, Theresa May, and Leo Varadkar, as well as Sinn Fein's deputy leader Michelle O'Neill and Robin Swann, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party. Former US president Bill Clinton also paid tribute, calling it a tragedy. He tweeted: "Heartbroken by the murder of Lyra McKee and the violence in Derry. The challenges in NI today are real--but we cannot let go of the last 21 years of hard-won peace and progress. This tragedy is a reminder of how much everyone has to lose if we do." :: Anyone with footage can upload it on a dedicated portal or call PSNI on 101. Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, was evacuated. Five children were treated in hospital after falling ill at a swimming pool in Ireland. Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, was evacuated amid the incident, reported to have involved a chemical leak. Ambulances and fire brigade tenders attended the scene, and Letterkenny hospital put its emergency plans in place. Irish broadcaster RTE said the children had been taking part in a swimming lesson. It is understood their conditions are not life-threatening. Paranormal investigator Lorraine Warren, whose decades of ghost-hunting with her late husband Ed inspired horror films like The Conjuring and The Amityville Horror, has died aged 92. During their 61 years of marriage, the couple investigated more than 10,000 cases in the US and abroad, often writing about their experiences. Their son-in-law Tony Spera said that Mrs Warren died in her sleep on Thursday night at her Connecticut home. She was a remarkable, loving, compassionate and giving soul, Mr Spera wrote. Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren and Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring (Warner Brothers/PA) The Warrens founded the New England Society for Psychic Research in Monroe, Connecticut, in 1952 to investigate suspected hauntings. Their unusual profession has been credited with sparking popular interest in the paranormal, as well as the television shows and films now dedicated to the subject. When nobody was really even talking about ghosts, they were just two people from Bridgeport, Connecticut, who came together and fell in love and Ed happened to have had a lot of paranormal instances when he was growing up and Lorraine was always the sensitive clairvoyant, said the Horror News Networks Larry Dwyer. The heavens will surely burn a little brighter tonight. We lost a friend and and inspiration. I will miss the stories, the laughter, and the guidance. Rest In Peace, Sweet Lorraine. Tell Ed I said hello. @VeraFarmiga pic.twitter.com/Ewx4CsOU7B patrick wilson (@patrickwilson73) April 19, 2019 He said the couple realised they could use their gifts and Catholic faith to help people who believed they were being tormented by ghosts or demons. Mr Warren died in 2006 and Mr Spera now oversees the New England Society for Psychic Research. Story continues My dear friend Lorraine Warren has passed. From a deep feeling of sorrow, a deep feeling of gratitude emerges. I was so blessed to have known her and am honored to portray her. She lived her life in grace and cheerfulness. She wore a helmet of salvation, she dawned her sword pic.twitter.com/Kn2E6ZO9fL Vera Farmiga (@VeraFarmiga) April 19, 2019 The organisations website said Mrs Warren had decided to retire from active investigations regarding the areas of haunted homes and demonic infestations/possessions but was still a consultant to the organisation at the time of her death. The Warrens work did receive criticism from doubters over the years. The New England Sceptical Society in 1997 said the Warrens copious anecdotal evidence of reports of hauntings vastly outnumbered their low-grade physical evidence. Warren told the Associated Press in a 2013 interview that she understood it was very difficult for people to accept she could see ghosts if they had never seen one themselves. I hope you never will, she said. I really dont. The 2013 film The Conjuring is based on the couples investigation into alleged events at a Rhode Island farmhouse in the 1970s. Mrs Warren visited the set during the filming. She also spent time at her Connecticut home with actress Vera Farmiga, who portrays her in the movie and its sequels. Farmiga expressed her condolences on Twitter Friday, saying she was blessed to have known Mrs Warren and honoured to portray her. Two teenage men have been arrested after the shooting dead of a journalist in Northern Ireland, police said Saturday. The 18 and 19-year-olds were arrested in Londonderry under anti-terror laws and taken to Belfast for questioning.Journalist Lyra McKee was shot in the head late Thursday as she watched the unfolding drama in the streets around the Creggan estate in Derry.The rioting that led to McKee's killing began after police carried out searches for weapons and ammunition.A gunman fired shots at police officers and the journalist, who was standing near a police 4x4 vehicle, was wounded. She died later in hospital.Earlier, the Belfast-born McKee, had posted an image from the riots, accompanied by the words "Derry tonight. Absolute madness".Some officials blamed Thursday's unrest on the "New IRA", a republican paramilitary group opposed to the shift towards non-violent tactics to bring about a united Ireland.The New IRA (Irish Republican Army) is an amalgam of armed groups violently opposed to Northern Ireland's peace process. It claimed responsibility for parcel bombs sent to London and Glasgow in March.Increased tensions with BrexitThere have been concerns that paramilitaries could be seeking to exploit the current political turbulence over Northern Ireland and its border with the Republic of Ireland, caused by Brexit.Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, said the killing was "a reminder of how fragile peace still is in Northern Ireland. We must all work to preserve the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement."Det Supt Jason Murphy, who is leading the investigation into McKee's death, described the act as "senseless and appalling beyond belief".At a vigil in Derry on Friday, McKee's partner, Sara Canning said McKee's "amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act".Irish President Michael D Higgins signed a condolence book at Belfast City Hall and spoke of the "outrage" in Ireland at the murder."The loss of a journalist at any time in any part of the world is an attack on truth itself," he said. Two teenage men have been arrested after the shooting dead of a journalist in Northern Ireland, police said Saturday. The 18 and 19-year-olds were arrested in Londonderry under anti-terror laws and taken to Belfast for questioning. Journalist Lyra McKee was shot in the head late Thursday as she watched the unfolding drama in the streets around the Creggan estate in Derry. The rioting that led to McKee's killing began after police carried out searches for weapons and ammunition. A gunman fired shots at police officers and the journalist, who was standing near a police 4x4 vehicle, was wounded. She died later in hospital. Earlier, the Belfast-born McKee, had posted an image from the riots, accompanied by the words "Derry tonight. Absolute madness". Some officials blamed Thursday's unrest on the "New IRA", a republican paramilitary group opposed to the shift towards non-violent tactics to bring about a united Ireland. The New IRA (Irish Republican Army) is an amalgam of armed groups violently opposed to Northern Ireland's peace process. It claimed responsibility for parcel bombs sent to London and Glasgow in March. Increased tensions with Brexit There have been concerns that paramilitaries could be seeking to exploit the current political turbulence over Northern Ireland and its border with the Republic of Ireland, caused by Brexit. Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, said the killing was "a reminder of how fragile peace still is in Northern Ireland. We must all work to preserve the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement." Det Supt Jason Murphy, who is leading the investigation into McKee's death, described the act as "senseless and appalling beyond belief". At a vigil in Derry on Friday, McKee's partner, Sara Canning said McKee's "amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act". Irish President Michael D Higgins signed a condolence book at Belfast City Hall and spoke of the "outrage" in Ireland at the murder. "The loss of a journalist at any time in any part of the world is an attack on truth itself," he said. Pope Francis has carried a lit candle up the main aisle of a darkened St Peters Basilica in a dramatic Easter Saturday vigil. The pontiff, prelates and other faithful also clutching candles appeared as slow-moving points of light in darkness, part of a procession symbolising Christians belief that Jesus triumphed over death by resurrection following crucifixion. The solemn Easter vigil took place in St Peters Basilica at the Vatican (Gregorio Borgia/AP) At the chant in Latin for light of Christ, the basilicas lights were suddenly switched on. Francis then reached the central altar to celebrate Easter vigil mass. During the service, he encouraged people to resist cynicism or pursuing the glitter of wealth, and to avoid seeking lifes meaning in things that pass away. The Pope presided over events (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Do not bury hope, Francis exclaimed, after noting that when things go badly, we lose heart and come to believe that death is stronger than life. He warned: We become cynical, negative and despondent. Sin seduces; it promises things easy and quick, prosperity and success, but leaves behind only solitude and death. Sin is looking for life among the dead, for the meaning of life in things that pass away. Francis used the service to urge worshippers to follow the light of Jesus (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Encouraging the faithful, Francis said: Why not prefer Jesus, the true light, to the glitter of wealth, career, pride and pleasure? Among those attending the service were eight people being baptised by the Pope. The Vatican said these new faithful are from Italy, Albania, Ecuador, Indonesia and Peru. On Sunday, Francis will celebrate Easter Mass in St Peters Square and give a speech from the basilica balcony. Last Chance to Win a Behind the Scenes WSOP Package from the WSOP App April 20 2019 Jason Glatzer The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary this summer. How would you like to win a memorable behind-the-scenes experience to poker's biggest stage this summer with a free VIP package? The WSOP's social media app is sending 10 players to Las Vegas this summer with a fantastic package in the 2019 WSOP Vegas Guest List Sweepstakes. Sweepstakes winners will be awarded free flights, meals and transportation and a two-night weekend stay at the luxurious Caesars Palace. This is just the beginning as they will also get to meet WSOP champions and legendary commentators Lon McEachern and Norman Chad and gain a unique view of the WSOP with backstage access to the WSOP Main Event. The luxury all-inclusive package includes: Two-night weekend stay for two guests at the world-renowned Caesars Palace Flights, meal and transportation expenses for two guests provided Backstage access to the WSOP Main Event Hang outs with WSOP champions Meet and greet with legendary commentators Norman Chad and Lon McEachern Once you are logged into the WSOP, head to the WSOP Guest List website, fill in some personal details, confirm you are a resident of the U.S. or Canada and are 21-years of age or older to gain an entry to the sweepstakes. It is that easy! You can increase your odds of winning the sweepstakes and a poker trip to remember to the WSOP by earning more entries earn even more entries, ranking up, clubbing up or purchasing more chips in the WSOP Social App. The more entries you have in the sweepstakes, the better your chances are of winning a Las Vegas trip! The sweepstakes only runs until April 20. So hurry up and head to the WSOP Guest List website to get started on your path for a free trip to Las Vegas this summer. 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. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe More than 70 percent of the Vietnamese population is working in the agricultural sector, yet they contribute only around 20 percent of the GDP. Therefore, to raise the revenue of this mass sector, beside taking full advantage of the integration process, new technologies must be applied more widely in the whole nation. The Vietnam Australia Corporation is raising shrimps using high technologies in the southern province of Bac Lieu. In 2018, the total output value of agriculture in Vietnam increased by 3.86 percent compared to 2017, and the export turnover reached $40.02 billion, a rise of 9.6 percent compared to the previous year. The top 10 kinds of produce earned more than $17 billion from export. Analysis show that science-technology contributed a great deal to those impressive results, thanks to the encouraging policies to boost large-scale manufacturing, cooperate agricultural units in value chains, apply hi-tech equipment, introduce organic agriculture concepts, and improve the market forecast ability in order to timely direct manufacturing and consuming activities in the market, with more focus of beneficial produce. According to Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Cong Tac, thanks to the implementation of science-technology, the agriculture sector was able to noticeably minimize produce loss, such as rice to just under 10 percent. In addition, mechanization in ploughing fields reached around 94 percent, a growth of 1 percent compared to 2017; in sowing and harvesting rice 42 percent; in spraying plant protection chemicals 77 percent. The number of machines and tools used in agriculture developed by 2 percent compared to the previous year. Certain giant enterprises have paid more attention to produce manufacturing to increase quality, diversify packaging and types of goods. In 2018, 16 new factories to process vegetables, pork, and poultry were established, with the total investment amount of VND8,700 billion (approx. $375 million). This participation of large-scale corporations, along with the growth of specialized saplings for export, is a precious chance for Vietnamese agriculture to renovate itself. For instance, the northern province of Bac Giang now has 71 models that apply hi-tech agriculture, with 163 piloting fields specializing in fruit trees on a surface area of 48,300 hectares. They are earning added value and increasing the competitiveness of the regional agriculture. 8 staple kinds of produce in Bac Giang Province have been recognized so far, creating a huge amount of added value. Take the 29,000-hectare area of lychee in the province as an example. It earned VND5,300 billion ($228,4 million) and VND5,800 billion ($250 million) in 2017 and 2018 respectively. After applying new agricultural technologies, the lychee surface area which met the VietGAP standards rose from 1,000 hectares to 13,500 hectares, whereas the area for the Global GAP reached 218.5 hectares. The US issued IRADS codes for 394 households to grow and process lychee for exportation. Bac Giang Province also implemented high technologies in produce preservation like CAS from Japan, Jural from Israel, or MAP films, which all increase the preservation time of fruits and maintain their quality. Thanks to them, Bac Giang lychee is now exported to more than 30 nations worldwide, and gains geographical indication rights in the 9 countries of China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Laos, Cambodia, the US, Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong praised the contribution of science-technology in agriculture growth, hoping that in the near future, there will be a perfect institution for science-technology, especially for developing specialized agricultural standards, so that Vietnamese produce is able to compete with the foreign counterparts. He also suggested that the Ministry of Science and Technology should pay more attention to startup ecosystems in agriculture. SGGP Related News Mekong farmers use iPads to learn about smart agriculture Big investors begin to profit from investments in agriculture Hi-tech and garden fresh Although participating in global value chain will help businesses increase their values, approach global market and get high profits, only 20 percent of Vietnamese enterprises are able to join in the global value chain. Producing high quality plastic to provide supporting products for local and foreign firms. Mr. Le Hoang Tai, deputy head of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, affirmed that global value chain has been undertaking steps in production network and making use of commercial advantages. Participating in the global value chain also helps businesses to speed up industrialization. Especially, it will also help businesses to develop their brands and gain positions in global market. Although Vietnam has signed many economic agreements which pave the way for Vietnamese firms to enter global market, Vietnamese firms have not made breakthrough yet. Meanwhile, potential for investment in production in Vietnam and participation in global value chain for sustainable development is great. Samsung Corporation alone needs about 500 suppliers from now to 2020. However, Vietnamese firms have not been able to take advantage of this opportunity, causing localization ratio to be extremely low. This year, only 35 Vietnamese firms are first-grade suppliers for Samsung. Currently, there are a few enterprises qualified to participate in the supply chain. Mr. Ron Ashkin, director of the USAID program, said that the amount of goods of small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and foreign-direct-investment (FDI) companies accounted for up to 70 percent of total exports of Vietnam with US$244 billion. However, most FDI companies cooperated with foreign suppliers. Meanwhile, although SMEs make up for 98 percent of total number of businesses in the country, only 21 percent of them participated in foreign supply chain whereas that of other countries in the ASEAN, including Thailand and Malaysia, was 30 percent and 46 percent respectively. The countrys localization ratio is also low with average ratio of around 33 percent. Last year, FDI companies in Vietnam had to import 47 percent of input materials from foreign suppliers. Vietnamese market is in need of supporting enterprises. However, if local firms fail to meet the demand, they will gradually lose the market. There are several large firms having built factories in Vietnam, comprising of Samsung and LG. This is the opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to join the global value chain. Foreign investors also want local enterprises to take part in the global value chain with them because using products of local firms will reduce risks when importing supporting products, such as long shipping times, late delivery and defective products which affects greatly their production lines. In addition, firms that invested in Vietnam will not be able to make use of reasonable production expenses in Vietnam and advantages of preferential export tariffs and market opening to easily participate in the global supply chain. While potential value of localization in export via global value chain of Vietnam is US$115 billion, the country has great potential to boost global supply chain to around $58 billion. The difficulty of SMEs in Vietnam when participating in the global value chain is that they are not able to meet the required prices due to high input costs, ineffective production, lack of suitable management standards, lack of distribution channel and limited commercial ability. In order to deal with this difficulty, firms should improve their global competitiveness by acquiring international standards in quality and strengthen abilities in trade, administration and connection. SGGP Related News More VN businesses join global supply chains Supporting industry hoped to meet 65% of domestic demand by 2025 Vietnamese manufacturers struggle in homeland Van Dinh Hong Vu was honoured as one of 10 outstanding young Vietnamese people in 2018 for her successful start-up, English Learning Speech Assistant (ELSA), which has attracted more than four million users from more than 100 countries Viet Nam News speaks with Vu about ELSA. Van Dinh Hong Vu Could you tell us why you set up ELSA? I co-founded ELSA in 2015 with my CTO Dr Xavier Anguera, whose background is in speech recognition and AI technologies. The stories between me and ELSA come from my personal experience in trying to learn English. I moved to the US for my MBA and Masters in Education at Stanford. My first year at Stanford was very challenging because of my inability to speak English fluently, even though I was among the top students in English when I studied in Vietnam. A lot of the time, people misunderstood me. I lost confidence and felt quite embarrassed. When I looked around, I was not alone. Most of my international friends who studied abroad faced the same shock in the first year. Yet, when I discovered this problem, there were no good solutions to solve it. When it comes to speaking, people could either go to a speech therapist that costs them US$150 an hour, who could listen to them and fix their pronunciation, or they could go to YouTube or watch Netflix, which is a one-way learning solution as theres no direct feedback to you when you say the words. So, I decided to develop ELSA with my co-founder Dr Anguera to create a proprietary speech recognition technology that helps 1.5 billion English learners around the world speak English fluently and with confidence. What are the advantages and disadvantages of running ELSA? Can you tell us about stories that impressed you? On the cultural side, Vietnamese are lifelong learners who are willing to invest resources into upgrading their English skills constantly. Young Vietnamese are highly educated and tech-savvy. There is also a great trend of adopting mobile app learning solutions. The biggest obstacle for us is that people are not very aware that pronunciation is the core skill to good speaking, listening, and communication in English. As a result they often skip the practice of pronunciation, and keep making bad habits in speaking. Its an obstacle and also an opportunity for ELSA. We are progressing well in educating our users on this matter, and people appreciate this. Whether to learn English face-to-face, or via apps, the answer is about the quality, not the approach. Learning English is a journey that each person will need a different approach, based on their skill level and their learning style. I think its better to learn directly with a qualified teacher when you are a beginner. However, most people typically only have a few hours a week with their teacher, in a class with many other people. Thats not enough. In my research I discovered what distinguishes people who can master the language and people who keep struggling with it is their ability to self study and self practice. This is where apps like ELSA can be a great tool. What is your secret for luring highly qualified staff to work with you? Actually that was my biggest challenge back then. I needed to call for the world's leading technology experts to work with me. Given the fact that ELSA cannot compete with the giants in terms of salary, what I could do was to emphasize ELSAs big vision and mission, why it was created and what changes it could bring to the language learning community around the globe. I was lucky enough to have such companions who are top experts with many years of experience in the field. Monetary values are not their biggest interest, but they would rather seek opportunities to utilise their talents and create positive values for people around them and leave an impact in the world. What is your advice for Vietnamese English learners? To get the most out of ELSA, you should practise regularly and keep the learning schedule going. Not only ELSA, but any other learning will ask for your self-discipline, hence you are the key factor. ELSA can send you millions of notification encouraging you to study, yet it will serve no good if you cannot push yourself to actually open the app and start learning. Steve Jobs once said: Be hungry, be foolish. Do not be afraid to make mistakes, everybody does, and thats the very basic foundation of learning. ELSA helps you find your mistakes, from which youll know how to improve. Just keep learning. Can you tell us something about Elsa Pro that your company sponsored for Vietnamese teachers of English in Vietnam. Have you received any feedback? In November 2018, we officially launched the campaign called Thay co Viet day tieng Anh hay (Vietnamese teachers with good English teaching). The campaign consists of two main parts: - Sponsoring every English teacher across Vietnam with an ELSA Pro account, so that teachers can explore and better equip themselves to initiate students to learn English properly and excitingly; and - Introducing the Teacher Dashboard platform to all teachers and schools. This platform allows English teachers and schools to integrate ELSA into their curriculum and help students with their speaking skills. The campaign has been going on for more than six months, and we have received such positive and amazing feedback from schools and teachers, saying this really empowers and enables them to better help their students improve their English. VNS RELATED NEWS Vietnamese startup raises $7 million from Silicon Valley Vietnamese technology firms make big leaps in AI research Startups in VN need easier capital attraction Once the cultivation environment can be similar to the natural environment in which cordyceps grows, cordyceps of the best quality can be grown, scientists say. Thu Dau Mot University set up a laboratory with modern equipment to cultivate cordyceps. In order to obtain cordyceps with highest quality, the scientists of the university attached importance to every stage of the cultivation process. Breeders were imported from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), the US-based seed bank, the most respected in the world. Cordyceps were cultivated in a sterile environment, in which all the requirements in temperature, humidity and light were strictly observed through the monitoring system which can be set up in automatic mode or control by smartphone. Cordyceps were cultivated in a sterile environment, in which all the requirements in temperature, humidity and light were strictly observed through the monitoring system which can be set up in automatic mode or control by smartphone. The cultivation environment was established to make it similar to the environment of cordyceps in nature, Nguyen Thi Lien Thuong, director of Thu Dau Mot Universitys Research & Experiment Center. One of the most important factors in the cultivation and production process is cold heat extraction and vacuum condensation technologies. According to Thuong, industrial alcohol must not be used during the extraction process. A molecular extraction chain was imported form South Korea to help create the finished products with high solubility and permeability. Also according to Thuong, cordyceps must undergo experiments - biochemical, physicochemical and biomedical, and their quality must be assessed by indexes, not just color and appearance. According to Dr Luong Le Hoang, cordyceps is effective for cardiovascular patients, post-cancer, trauma patients and those who have undergone surgeriy and suffer from chronic diseases. The medicinal herb helps to shorten recovery time, allows patients to come back to normal life soon. It is very useful for malnourished children and supplement therapy after dengue fever, Hoang said. Because of its wonderful uses, cordyceps are in high demand in Vietnam and many research works exist on how to cultivate cordyceps with high cordycepin concentration. The value of cordyceps is heavily affected by the cultivation process. Different cultivation conditions will create cordyceps with different medicinal content. One of the cultivation methods applied is the use of general chemicals. However, according to Nguyen Thi Ngoc Nhi from SAHA Company, substandard chemicals do not create high-quality products, and the chemical residue in products will make the product quality worse and dangerous to users. Nhi and her co-workers have developed a cultivation process using materials in Vietnam, such as rice, sugarcane, sugar potatoes and silkworms, to create an environment for corcydeps development. Tests show that the products created by SAHA have a concentration of cordyceps, the most important substance, at 8.69 mg per 100 grams of product. The cultivation process lasts 70 days which produces high-quality products at competitive prices. RELATED NEWS The Tibet room full of cordyceps mushrooms in Hanoi Cordyceps fungus successfully cultivated in Vietnam Mai Lan What is behind such high mountains? The innocent question used to appear regularly in the mind of Dr Ngan Luong, a member of the Tay ethnic minority group. What is behind such high mountains? The innocent question used to appear regularly in the mind of Dr Ngan Luong (Emily Ngan Luong), a member of the Tay ethnic minority group, while she was a little girl walking through mountains to the local primary school in a very poor and remote area in the northern province of Cao Bang. Dr. Luong Ngan in her Tay traditional dress outside the University of Birmingham. VNA/VNS Quoc Dat Now, dozens of years later, Ngan, now 33, has grown up enough to discover more about life. However, her thirst for knowledge is still as strong as ever. Thus, with a PhD from the University of Birmingham, UK and as one of the youngest course directors at UK-based London South Bank University, she wondered: What can I do to relieve hardship for people in my hometown? Ngan said the question was both an extraordinary motivation and encouragement to overcome all difficulties to study and work overseas. It is always a desire deep in my heart that I can return to contribute to building my homeland, said Ngan. We met Ngan when she returned to Cao Bang to help the province research tourism development. We all were surprised at the young, but energetic girl. Her distinguished academic record helped earn her a promotion to the head of the post-graduate marketing management programme at one of the world's most prestigious schools but could not stop her determination to continue on her own way to success despite increasing challenges. Born in a very poor family and going to school in De Ga Village in Thong Nong District the poorest area of Cao Bang, every day, Ngan had to walk many kilometres to school. At night, as her home village was not connected to electricity, she had to use an oil lamp to study. Such difficulties could not hinder her determination to get an education. Ngan achieved outstanding results throughout her school career. After graduating from the Foreign Trade University, Hanoi, Vietnam, Ngan found a stable, well-paid job but knew she wanted more. Her dream was to travel outside of Vietnam, see what the world had to offer and return to help her poor community. Ngan applied for a Master's degree at Strathclyde University, Glasgow, the UK in 2011. As the cost of living and tuition fees were very high and her family was unable to support her, Ngan managed to find jobs as a waitress, shop keeper and interpreter. She said at first she was very stressed and always felt exhausted but then found it was a challenge for her to show off her extraordinary spirit. In 2012, Ngan's Masters thesis was highly appreciated by Strathclyde University. The thesis included her work in restaurants in Vietnam and the UK, highlighting the role of social media in restaurant management and marketing. After finishing the Master's programme, Ngan was accepted for a PhD programme at the University of Birmingham. She said the huge costs of the PhD programme in one of the most expensive countries in the world together with the extremely strict requirements of the training programme sometimes made her collapse and nearly give up. Fortunately, thanks to her excellent English skills, Ngan found a job as an interpreter and was able to cover tuition for the programme. She was also at the same time invited to join the tutorship at London South Bank University. In 2017, Ngan finished her doctoral dissertation in front of a council of many prestigious scientists in the field of business and marketing. She was awarded a doctorate degree right after the presentation and surpassed hundreds of candidates from many countries to be selected as a lecturer of London South Bank University a prestigious university with top quality teaching. After only a short time, she was appointed as course director of the post-graduate marketing management programme at London South Bank University. Despite a prerequisite of having at least three years of experience in the trade in order to take the position, Ngan was able to leverage her PhD and intricate understanding of marketing theory in order to convince the Universitys administrators that she was the right person for the job. Accepting the position as a course director, I was really worried because at that time, the faculty included highly experienced professors and doctors. Fortunately, those who are young like me are always fully respected and supported there, said Ngan. The talented doctor still remembers walking to school through the mountains, her mind filled with questions. And now, even with her success and although she is busy with work abroad, she tries to spend time planning activities to support her homeland in Vietnam. She does her best to make social contributions to causes which benefit the country and often contributes to funds and international projects in Cao Bang. Among her visions is the well-drafted plan to bring Cao Bang to the forefront of the tourism scheme in the country. Ngan was invited to participate in developing tourism and marketing for the province and her contacts are currently formulating a plan to build a geographic park named UNESCO Terra Nova, hoping that it will promote sustainable tourism and raise environmental awareness among locals. Early this year, Ngan returned to Cao Bang for two weeks, arranging a full schedule working with the provincial authorities. She compiled and promoted two training courses for farmers, interacted with young businesses in tourism, and participated in a project on developing logistics services to meet import and export needs through provincial border checkpoints. The young PhD holder also held and directly taught classes of advanced English for local students. Through those classes, Ngan said she wanted to light up a flame of passion for poor ethnic students to discover knowledge and conquer the peaks of success. Though she loves working in the UK, Ngan promises that Vietnam and her homeland Cao Bang will always hold a special place in her heart. Van Dat Phuong VNS Tech application creates competitive advantages for start-ups Huynh Kim Tuoc, managing director of Sai Gon Innovation Hub (SIHUB)s Start-up Support Centre under the HCM City Department of Science and Technology, speaks to Hai Quan (Customs) Online newspaper about the advances of technology in the start-up industry. Huynh Kim Tuoc How do you think technology play a role in the manufacturing and development processes for a start-up project? A start-up is based on producing a new product for the market, such as a new service. This process includes the role of technology to create a new product which is important because creativity based on new technology platform creates competitive advantages for new businesses. Developing a business model also requires advanced technology. There are lessons from Amazon, Alibaba and Grab about how to run a business by adopting technology such as satellite, tools, applications, app manager and business management. That shows us the role of technology in the process of business administration in every business model, especially start-ups. How have Vietnamese start-ups applied innovative technology? HCM City is ranked the top destination for start-ups in Vietnam. However, most projects are still lacking creativity and have low tech application. Start-ups lack both an understanding and capital. They lack technical information which can increase product value. These businesses normally shape their products before applying technology. On the other side of the spectrum, big companies search for technology trends and develop their products around them. By doing so they can create a production line and develop for the long-term. The nature of Vietnamese start-ups is developing like a pyramid; the bottom rungs are largely occupied by small businesses with relatively simple products. The second floor is growing with organic products and the application of technology. The top level is limited to mainly pharmaceutical companies that have purchased a number of extraction technologies to create products. Some start-ups have started using indigenous resources that have grabbed a lot of interest. How can we apply technology this area? Over the last five years, many start-ups have used indigenous resources combined with commercialised industrialisation to become booming markets. One of them is the Quang Thanh cheek powder model which produces sunglasses and frames made from bamboo. For example, the sunglasses being sold at Charles de Gaulle Airport for 400 euros each are produced by a young start-up in Cu Chi District. The reason why the price is so expensive is because the owner has captured customers' imaginations with the use of natural materials. That is the benefit of using indigenous resources combined with understanding the market and use of technology application. However, the industrialisation of traditional products remains simple. It is very common for nutritious plants to be dried and packed in bags for sale. This is a relatively simple way of using technology, but if instead we can use those plants to produce skincare products then the value shoots up. On the other hand, start-ups lack support from organisations such as investors and consultants. For example, SMEs should use consulting services to assess competence, and then evaluate their products and resources, and how they can restructure. In the process of restructuring they need to bring in technology, finance and management to help create new and better product lines. Investors will be able to see their return on revenue. This is a way for SMEs to source finance and invest in development technology while creating new product lines. VNS Hanoi Sewage and Drainage Ltd. Company are seeking permission to build a pumping station to take water from the Red River into West Lake and the To Lich River. Hanoi's West Lake becomes a swimming pool in hot weather Floating restaurants abandoned on the West Lake Hanoi considers cleaning up To Lich - again To Lich River has been seriously polluted by wastewater According to Vo Tien Hung, the company director, the company has proposed the construction of a pumping station with a daily capacity of 156,000 cubic metres to take water from Red River for West Lake. The water from West Lake after being treated will be poured into To Lich River through two discharge gates. At a recent meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Japanese experts have promised the Vietnamese government their bio-nanotechnology which could quickly reduce pollution in Hanois To Lich River. Dr Tadashi Yamamura, a UN environmental specialist, chairman of Japan's Trade-Environment Promotion Organisation and head of the delegation, offered to provide Vietnam bio-nanotechnology equipment for free to tackle pollution affecting To Lich River and part of West Lake. The equipment with an aerator to nanotechnology to quickly treat water using natural materials will be installed on the bed of the river. This can help the river's odour reduce considerably within three days. To Lich River runs along 14 kilometres through some districts of Ba Dinh, Cau Giay, Dong Da, Thanh Xuan, Hoang Mai and Thanh Tri. It has been severely polluted for many years. Hanoi has sought solutions for cleaning up the To Lich River and West Lake. In 2016, the city started work on the Yen Xa wastewater treatment plant project, worth USD800 million, in an attempt to clean up the To Lich, Lu and Set rivers and create a greener landscape for these areas. However, the project has not yet been completed. Dtinews A US-funded project on dioxin contamination remediation at Bien Hoa airport in the southern province of Dong Nai was launched on April 20. Da Nang Airport free from dioxin contamination Vietnam demands Monsanto compensate Agent Orange victims Vietnam establishes another research room for dioxin analysis Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (second from right) and US Senator Patrick Leahy (third from right) launch project on dioxin contamination remediation at Bien Hoa airport The launch ceremony, hosted by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Vietnam Air Defence-Air Force Service, was attended by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, visiting US Senator Patrick Leahy, who is Vice Chairman of the US Committee on Appropriations and other US senators who are on the Vietnam visit, the US Ambassador to Vietnam, among others. According to the Vietnam Air Defence-Air Force Service, USAID and other competent Vietnamese agencies completed their assessment of dioxin contamination in Bien Hoa, where the US troops kept most of the toxic chemical used in the war in Vietnam, providing the fact that around 500,000 cubic metres of contaminated soil there need to be treated. Following the assessment, USAID signed an agreement on the implementation of the first five-year phase of a project to resolve dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa airport with the Ministry of Defence of Vietnam in early 2018. The agency committed a funding of 183 million USD for the project, which is scheduled to last 10 years using the remediation methods used at Da Nang airport. Addressing the event, Permanent Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh hailed the US side for actively working to support the making of the project, especially the personal support of Senator Patrick Leahy and other US senators. He said although the war ended years ago, dioxin consequences still linger, leaving huge impact on human life and the environment. Statistics show around 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange/dioxin, over 3 million of whom are Agent Orange/dioxin victims, and the toxic chemical also left effect on the third generation, he said. Accordingly, the Vietnamese Party and Government have defined that the settlement of post-war toxic chemical consequences is an urgent, humanitarian task, helping to protect the health and environmental safety for people and spur sustainable socio-economic development, he said. He also noted the close coordination between relevant agencies of Vietnam and the US in activities to survey, assess, and resolve dioxin contamination and implement projects on healthcare and functional rehabilitation for people with disabilities in Vietnam. These outcomes are initial but important to stepping up the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the US, he said, expressed thanks to the US parliament, government and people for working with Vietnam in addressing Agent Orange/dioxin consequences over the past years. Deputy Minister of Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh said Bien Hoa airport is one of the areas with heaviest dioxin contamination with its 52 ha with over 500,000 cubic metres of soil need to be cleansed. Vietnamese and US agencies estimate that the workload needs over 390 million USD, he said. Located about 30 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City, Bien Hoa, is a major base for US Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine units during the war. Dioxin, a highly toxic chemical contained in the defoliant, stays in the soil and at the bottom of lakes and rivers for generations. It can enter the food chain through meat, fish and other animals, and has been found at alarmingly high levels in human breast milk. The chemicals have been linked to cancer, birth defects and other chronic diseases, according to Vietnam Red Cross.-VNA The police of Ho Chi Minh City on April 19 brought to light a ring transporting over 1.1 tonnes of meth and started legal proceedings against two suspects, including two Taiwanese and a Vietnamese for their involvement. The police of Ho Chi Minh City seized 1,110.26kg of meth in total (Photo: Plo) These suspects were detained. Earlier on April 12, through the traffic cameras, traffic police of Ward 5 detected three vehicles, including one seven-seat car driven by Yeh Ching Wei, a Taiwanese born in 1986, and Chiang Wei Chih, another Taiwanese born in 1988, as passenger, as well as two vans violated parking regulations. The vehicles were towed to the police station where the police found that one of the vans carried a large number of abnormally heavy mobile cabinet loudspeakers packed in carton packages without invoices. Inside the loudspeakers were 590 tea packages, which contain meth weighing 606.02 kilograms. Chiang later confessed that he and Yeh came to Vietnam through Tan Son Nhat International Airport. He said they got the direction from a Chinese to drive a van transporting electronics and handicraft products. The police discovered that the consignment from Thailand was received by Ngoc Van Transport company, which was ordered to deliver the goods to customers in an unknown hotel and to Bui Nguyen Huy Vu, born in 1981 and residing in District 2 of HCM City, in Truong Sa street in District 3. With the clue, the police caught Vu keeping 49.32kg of meth hidden in five cabinet loudspeakers; 2.94kg of meth; 998.69 grams of Ketamine; one gun and four bullets. On April 13, the police searched the storehouse of Ngoc Van company where they found 38 loudspeakers containing 10 tea packages each, seizing 451.98kg of meth. In total, the city police seized 1,110.26kg of meth and 998.68 grams of Ketamine. They are working with the police in Ha Tinh and Nghe An provinces to clarify the links between the newly-seized meth and the 700kg of meth seized earlier in Nghe An, as the drug came from the same place and were packed in the same way.-VNA With the warm heart of a mother, Do Thi Nhi, owner of private special school Binh Minh in Tu Son Town, the northern province of Bac Ninh, has raised hundreds of children with autism, helping them gain confidence and lead a normal life. Caring for all: Nhi intended to build a green and pupil-friendly school to help children in need. Children call her Mum, which demonstrates her successful work with the children. Born into a poor farmer family in Phu Lam Commune in Bac Ninh, Nhi had a difficult childhood. She was the ninth child in her family. At 3 years old, her mom passed away, while one of her older brothers was born with a brain disorder which affected his growth. Every day, the family received help from their neighbours. Some gave them food, some clothes, some footwear, so they could go to school. I lived in difficulty but I did not stop dreaming to become a teacher, Nhi said. Not a teacher for normal children. I wanted to become a teacher for children with difficulties, disabilities and orphans so that I would have more of a chance to help people, especially children in need. Warm-hearted: Nhi said herjob requires love, patience and respect. To realise her dream, at a young age, Nhi did many kinds of jobs to earn money. From polishing wood furniture at Dong Ky Wood Handicraft Village, working on a farm, to cutting grass. At school, she always achieved good results. In 2009, Nhi passed the entrance exam to the Special Education Faculty, Ha Noi Teachers Training College No 1. At college, she was active in volunteering for clubs. She took part in volunteer teaching at social welfare centres and other orphanages in Ba Vi District, Hanoi. She has always been among the most excellent students of the college with top prizes at teaching competitions. After her graduation in 2013, Nhi was offered jobs at some schools and institutions in Hanoi but she refused. I wanted to contribute to my homeland, she said. So I decided to return home to Bac Ninh, to realise my dream helping needy children. Sunrise for children with autism Setting up Binh Minh (Sunrise) school with hardly any capital, she was faced with untold difficulties. But with support from childrens parents and charity organisations, she overcame them all. In 2016, the special school for children with disabilities and autism was opened. The school was designed to meet the diversified demands of children with different deformities, provide early treatment to children of 18 months to six years old, restore functions for children between 6 and 13; provide vocational training to children in the province and neighbouring localities in Quang Ninh, Hung Yen, Hanoi, Bac Giang, Hai Phong, and Hoa Binh. Lifelong passion: Nhi has realised her dream of taking care of children in need. VNA/VNS Photos Thanh Phuong Nhi intended to build a green and pupil-friendly school while applying technology to support children with autism. The school also teaches children IT and co-ordinates with other similar institutions in Vietnam, enhancing peoples awareness in educating children with disabilities. My job requires sincere love, patience, respect and hope for children, she said. Im not a pure teacher or psychology trainer but the one who loosen the lock of the children and their families. When they call me mum, I feel both happy and pressured. I always tell myself to be stronger for them to lean on. After nearly three years, the Binh Minh School has helped over 200 children with disabilities, 60 of whom have gone to normal schools. Some 50 children have been advised to be educated at home with the support of the school. Needy, orphaned children or children of single mothers and children born into poor families get fee exemptions of 30-100 per cent. Children living far have been provided with boarding facilities. I found her to be an active, enthusiastic teacher, said Ha Bich Hao, a teacher at the school. She has always tried to find the most effective way to help the children. She is also kind-hearted. She has not only shared her knowledge and skills in solving problems but also supports us in daily life. Tran Thi Huong, a parent, said after five months learning at the school, her sons behaviour has improved. He can communicate better, look straight into my eyes when we talk and is more active in communicating with other people, she said. Such small changes bring happiness to children with autism like my son, she said. Last year, Nhi wrote a project titled "A Sustainable Education Model for Children with Special Demands" in Bac Ninh. The project won the highest prize at the Viet Nam Women Prize and Women Start-Up Day 2018, beating nearly 1,000 projects competing. The project reviews the increasing number of children with autism and other disabilities in the province, proposes solution to set up an education model for such children by applying advanced technology. The project has been highly appreciated by the province authorities, who have assigned concerned agencies to facilitate and support Nhi to carry out her project. By Diep Truong VNS RELATED NEWS Retired teacher dedicates her life to disadvantaged children Parents play most important role in treating autistic children The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed to providing assistance to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities in seven priority provinces in Vietnam. Signing ceremony of memorandum of intent (Source: http://tgvn.com.vn) Under the memorandum of intent signed on April 20, USAID and the Standing Office for the National Committee on the Settlement of Post-War Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences (Office 701) will coordinate with the Ministries of Public Health, and Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and local organisations in providing direct care, improving the capacity of rehabilitation services, and developing social services to better serve people with disabilities in the central provinces of Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam and Binh Dinh, and southern Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc and Tay Ninh provinces. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh said that over the past years, Vietnamese and US offices and organisations have worked closely in caring for people with disabilities who are victims of dioxin and toxic chemicals, thus helping boost the Vietnam-US relations. He expressed his hope that after the signing ceremony, USAID and Office 701 will carry out specific projects to support more persons with disabilities in general and dioxin victims in particular. Michael Greene, Mission Director for USAID Vietnam, said that USAID continues its support to persons with disabilities in Vietnam through eight projects which aim to expand rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities, increase social support, improve disability policies, and reduce environmental barriers. The agency supports the development of local Disabled Persons Organisations and their advocacy efforts. The signing of the memorandum of intent was witnessed by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, visiting US Senator Patrick Leahy, Vice Chairman of the US Committee on Appropriations and other US senators who are on the Vietnam visit.-VNA The number of MICE travelers to Vietnam has been increasing steadily in the last few years, but Vietnam is still far from becoming an outstanding destination for MICE travelers. In early January 2019, the World Cardiology Conference organization board for the first time decided to organize the event in Da Nang instead of HCMC, after Da Nang successfully organized the 2017 APEC Summit. Pham Mai Hoang Loc from Saigontourist confirmed that after APEC Summit, the travel firm got orders from big groups of MICE tourists. Da Nang is now a hot destination for international MICE travelers, she said. Representatives of other travel firms said the same. Previously, Da Nang also attracted MICE tourists, but the tours were only on a small scale. Only after the 2017 APEC Summi did Da Nang become a destination for big events. The number of conferences with thousands of attendees has increased rapidly. We suggest a lot of destinations, including Nha Trang, Ha Long, HCMC, Hanoi and Da Nang, but clients choose Da Nang, said Tran Xuan Hung, chair of Viking, which is organizing an event for 3,500 MICE travelers from Indonesia, who will stay from March 27 to April 11. Previously, Da Nang also attracted MICE tourists, but the tours were only on a small scale. Only after the 2017 APEC Summi did Da Nang become a destination for big events. The number of conferences with thousands of attendees has increased rapidly. Nguyen Duc Quynh, deputy CEO of Ariyana Da Nang, which has a 12,000 square meter international conference, said Ariyana opened in late 2017, but it is running at 50 percent of capacity. A high number of international events took place there, including events with 4,500 participants and conferences with guests from 150 countries. The real capacity is higher than expected, Quynh said. A branding expert said that for MICE tourism, important events such as APEC Summit in Da Nang and the US-DPRK Summit in Hanoi offer golden opportunities for Vietnam to attract tourists. A representative of a travel firm said that his firm had been chosen by clients, even though it did not have to attend the international bid, because it was known as one of the key service providers at the US-DPRK Summit. Reports all show the steady rise in number of MICE tourists in recent years. The operational capacity of conference and exhibition centers is relatively high. In HCMC, there is only one large international exhibition and conference center in district 7, which has been fully booked until the end of the year. Event organizers now find it difficult to organize international exhibition events. Le Hoang Yen, chair of Global DMC, said the number of Global DMC travelers this year is expected to be 20 percent higher than last year. RELATED NEWS MICE - big cheese for Ho Chi Minh City tourism MICE travel booms in Da Nang Thanh Mai Students at the HCM City Open University bring their own bottles and take water from water purification equipment installed on the campus. Photo courtesy of the university. HCM CITY Educational institutions in several provinces and HCM City are encouraging their students and staff not to use single-use plastic water bottles and straws as part of the UNs global Beat Plastic Pollution campaign. An announcement by the HCM City Open University on April 11 said it plans to stop providing single-use plastic water bottles for lecturers from May 15. They will use their own bottles to fill water provided in staff rooms. On May 5 it will provide reusable water bottles to all lecturers and other staff. Bottled water and single-use plastic glasses, dishes, straws, and spoons will not be used at meetings, workshops or conferences from May 5. According to the university, it discards 124,920 single-use plastic water bottles used in meetings and events every year. It is also encouraging its students to bring their own bottles and use water coolers installed in the campus. Teachers and students at Hoa Hoi Secondary School in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces Xuyen Moc District use straws made from citronella by students Nguyen Thi Bao Ngan and Nguyen Huu Khang. Their invention won the third prize in the provincial Science Technology Contest for students in 2018-19. At Vung Tau High Schools canteen, styrofoam boxes are no longer used for food sold to students. The schools students also know they should not use plastic glasses and straws and styrofoam boxes. Nguyen Van Ba, deputy head of the province Department of Education and Training, told Ba Ria-Vung Tau Online newspaper that his department instructed all schools in the province last month to minimise the use of single-use plastic products to protect the environment. It immediately achieved the intended results, he indicated. Reusable water bottles have replaced single-use ones at department meetings as instructed by the province Party Committee, he added. At the Ly Tu Trong High School for Gifted Students in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, teachers and students have been encouraged not to use plastic products for the last one year. Teachers bring their own reusable water bottles to school and lunch boxes for food they buy near the school. The schools Zero Waste Club teaches students how to classify garbage and sell recyclable waste. The money thus raised is used for the clubs operation. According to the UN, each year 500 billion plastic bags are used, 13 million tonnes of plastic leak into the oceans and 17 million barrels of oil are used for plastic production. Globally, a million plastic bottles are bought every minute and 100,000 marine animals are killed by plastics every year. It takes 100 years for plastic to degrade in the environment. Ninety per cent of water bottles are found to contain plastic particles as is 83 per cent of tap water, 50 per cent of consumer plastics are single use and 10 per cent of all human-generated waste is plastic. About half of all of the plastic waste that ends up in the oceans comes from just five countries: China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. These countries are experiencing rapid economic growth, which is reducing poverty rates. But as these economies grow, consumption booms and so does the use of plastic goods. VNS 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. The Telugu remake of the blockbuster Tamil romantic drama, 96, began its shooting formalities earlier this week in Mauritius. Currently, the team is canning Sharwanands introduction song in this picturesque country. After wrapping up the Mauritius schedule, the team will fly to Kenya for yet another crucial schedule. And then, the unit will return to India for two more major schedules in Vizag and Hyderabad to complete the entire production formalities. Sharwa plays wildlife photographer and Samantha essays his estranged girlfriends role in this much-awaited remake. Prem Kumar is directing the movie and Dil Raju is producing it. Articles that might interest you: Username: Password: or Register Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Thread Rating: 3 Vote(s) - 3.67 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC entropy Bird Truther. User ID: 476071 04-19-2019 11:54 PM Posts: 2,857 Post: #1 Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC Advertisement Damnrod Pull my finger User ID: 196953 04-19-2019 11:57 PM Posts: 7,609 Post: #2 RE: Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC "I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery"...Thomas Jefferson "I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it"...Thomas Jefferson LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 498139 04-19-2019 11:57 PM Post: #3 RE: Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC Sorry, but supporting bernie is like being a met fan. You can always hope but really know they aren't going to do anything for you. Sorry, but supporting bernie is like being a met fan.You can always hope but really know they aren't going to do anything for you. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 497823 04-20-2019 12:06 AM Post: #4 RE: Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC Communists suck! Damnrod Pull my finger User ID: 196953 04-20-2019 12:26 AM Posts: 7,609 Post: #5 RE: Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC reel it in or suffer a worse fate than camps reel it in or suffer a worse fate than camps "I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery"...Thomas Jefferson "I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it"...Thomas Jefferson LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 497750 04-20-2019 12:27 AM Post: #6 RE: Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC No thanks, lame post entropy Bird Truther. User ID: 476071 04-20-2019 12:28 AM Posts: 2,857 Post: #7 RE: Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC Manosteel Wrote: (04-20-2019 12:26 AM) reel it in or suffer a worse fate than camps spo snouou Vocem sine nomine audivit! User ID: 350320 04-20-2019 12:44 AM Posts: 67,593 Post: #8 RE: Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC Manosteel Wrote: (04-20-2019 12:26 AM) reel it in or suffer a worse fate than camps Convergence Convergence Is Worse Than Collusion Code: This is an operational unit of information terrorists helping to transform the way Americans consume news in the age of Trumpsome of the central nodes that give order to the information deluge and around which bot armies and human amplification networks can be organized, wiped out, reconstituted, and armed for attack. Because that is what they do: attack. Many reporters who cover this phenomenon have themselves been swarmed by attacks and harassment from the digital insurgency that these information terroristscall them the cadrecommand. Information terrorism is not a term I apply lightly. But if you accept the core definition of terrorism as "the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims," then there are few terms more apt to describe what this group has unleashed against their fellow Americans. The cadre coalesced and sharpened its edge starting in 2014 with Gamergate before throwing in with then-candidate Trump. It has promoted toxic conspiracies like Pizzagate and QAnon, and was ever-present around movements from Unite the Right to #releasethememo. This same information architecture was used to attack Blasey Ford and exonerate Kavanaugh. The attacks on Blasey Ford aimed to discredit and silence her using the same tactics that have been deployed to discredit and silence others over the past few years. As others have come forward to accuse Kavanaugh of wrongdoingincluding Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnickthey have been similarly harassed and smeared by the same machinery and themes. Some call this trolling, but that term is far too mild. These are not the proverbial hoodied losers in some basement, engaging with other humans only via videogames and 8chan. This cadre has hundreds of thousands of followers and devotees on Twitter, Instagram, Gab, and other social media, many of whom will post and amplify their views even after the personalities themselves are kicked off the platforms for threats and rules violations. The network also takes advantage of affiliations with increasingly mainstream partisan media outlets that will subscribe to any argument that suits their current agenda. Ultimately, the followerswho are real people, not botsare cultivated and activated: They dont need be told to threaten or harass whoever the new enemy is because they already know their part in the play. https://www.wired.com/story/information-...e-america/ The illustrated triangles above, perhaps the best known in psychology (with emotions well identified) may furnish a better idea of how the game is played. They clearly show how each party uses negative emotions to create a situation with no resolution, a catch-22, switching roles and a thankless, pointless nonsensical cycle. The last one shows how to get out of the Karpmans triangle to recover ones mental health. more: https://cornerstone.ac.za/article-of-the...opolitics/ Russia, Reflexive Control, and the Subtle Art of Red Teaming To understand the Russian approach to strategy and conflict, we must first understand something about the concept of reflexive control. Initially developed and championed by Vladimir Lefebvre, its a uniquely Russian view on stratagem and deception that repackages and reframes much of what we usually associate with Sun Tzu. If we expect deception and stratagem from China but not from Russia, weve set yourself up to be surprised. Wed be foolish to assume that the Russians are not currently employing reflexive control against the West. By definition, reflexive control is a means of conveying to a partner or an opponent specially prepared information to incline him to voluntarily make the predetermined decision desired by the initiator of the action. In other words, when employing the theory of reflexive control, you paint a picture of the world, that, if successful, your opponent accepts. This false picture compels your opponent to act in your favor. A close term in the U.S. lexicon is perception management, although the tone of reflexive control is arguably broader and more Machiavellian. Examples of the types of reflexive interactions include transfer of an image of the situation, creation of a goal for the opponent, transfer of a decision, formation of goal by transferring an image of the situation, and transfer of an image of ones own perception of the situation. These types (and others) suggest that when employing reflexive control, an opponent manipulates not just our perceptions but also our decision algorithms. more: https://redteamjournal.com/2016/10/reflexive-control/ Many people think that universal healthcare is socialism. It is not. Many people think that public schools and free college education are socialism. They are not. Many people think that welfare is socialism. It is not. Many people think that police and roads are socialism. They are not. And many people now think that a federal Job Guarantee is also socialism. It is not. http://elliswinningham.net/index.php/201...overnment/ THE "SKELETON HOLDING THE SMOKING GUN" IN THE GOP CLOSET Quote: Constructive Ambiguity, what you dont know will hurt you! In Hyper-normalisation other than the namesake there are two methods identified; firstly, Constructive ambiguity,[3] a technique used by Kissinger whereby current allies are not directly lied to but led to believe that one strategy or outcome is being pursued while the exact opposite is in fact being pursued this requires a kind of managed non-committal set of activities open to interpretation in this way the public facing officials or politicians are able to say they have not openly lied, maintaining appearances while their intentions or subterfuge is achieved never the less. more: http://www.trebuchet-magazine.com/hyper-...ropaganda/ Quote: The information offered relieves emotional stress. Trust to the source of information offering the solution is formed. Based on this trust, the new information is accepted easily. This method creates physiological changes in the brain. Recovery takes special treatment. The thinking patterns are altered and conventional logical arguments fail to deliver facts. On the contrary, the victims of brainwashing develop acute negative emotions to opponents, evidence or facts. Their behavior becomes aggressive and can lead to violence. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_warfare https://www.wired.com/story/information-...e-america/ The illustrated triangles above, perhaps the best known in psychology (with emotions well identified) may furnish a better idea of how the game is played. They clearly show how each party uses negative emotions to create a situation with no resolution, a catch-22, switching roles and a thankless, pointless nonsensical cycle. The last one shows how to get out of the Karpmans triangle to recover ones mental health. more: https://cornerstone.ac.za/article-of-the...opolitics/ To understand the Russian approach to strategy and conflict, we must first understand something about the concept of reflexive control. Initially developed and championed by Vladimir Lefebvre, its a uniquely Russian view on stratagem and deception that repackages and reframes much of what we usually associate with Sun Tzu. If we expect deception and stratagem from China but not from Russia, weve set yourself up to be surprised. Wed be foolish to assume that the Russians are not currently employing reflexive control against the West. By definition, reflexive control is a means of conveying to a partner or an opponent specially prepared information to incline him to voluntarily make the predetermined decision desired by the initiator of the action. more: https://redteamjournal.com/2016/10/reflexive-control/ Many people think that universal healthcare is socialism. It is not. Many people think that public schools and free college education are socialism. They are not. Many people think that welfare is socialism. It is not. Many people think that police and roads are socialism. They are not. And many people now think that a federal Job Guarantee is also socialism. It is not. http://elliswinningham.net/index.php/201...overnment/ THE "SKELETON HOLDING THE SMOKING GUN" IN THE GOP CLOSET more: http://www.trebuchet-magazine.com/hyper-...ropaganda/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_warfare spo snouou Vocem sine nomine audivit! User ID: 350320 04-20-2019 12:44 AM Posts: 67,593 Post: #9 RE: Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC http://time.com/time-person-of-the-year-populism/ President Trump Posts Altered Photos to Facebook and Instagram That Make Him Look Thinner The original photo was taken by a White House photographer on January 14, so you know that the original hasnt been altered by anyone in the so-called fake news media to make Trump look heavier. It sounds silly to even have to say that, but many Trump supporters believe that the media is involved in a coordinated conspiracy against him. Allegations about this conspiracy often have anti-semitic overtones. As you can see in the comparison above, Trumps right shoulder has been slimmed down and his face is looking thinner. Hes also gotten a haircutwell, a digital one anywayand in one of the strangest alterations, Trumps fingers have been made slightly longer. Seriously. Donald Trump, an unindicted co-conspirator whose own lawyer admits that the president was trying to secure a real estate deal in Russia as late as November of 2016, has been somewhat sensitive about the size of his hands ever since journalist Graydon Carter described Trump as a short-fingered vulgarian. Carter was writing for the now-defunct Spy magazine in the 1980s when he made the observation and the insult has reportedly bothered Trump for decades. more: https://gizmodo.com/president-trump-post...09849?IR=T Familism in the personality cult Familism is a type of collectivism in which the one is expected to prioritize the needs of the greater society or family over the needs of the individual. This plays out on a large scale in North Korea, where the Great Leader Kim Il-Sung is Father and the Worker's Party is Mother. Thus, not only are the people expected to cherish their birth parents and treat them with all the respect demanded of traditional Confucian filial piety, but they must cherish and adore the ruling Kim family and the Mother Party even more so. Familism in North Korea stems from a combination of the traditional East Asian Confucian value of filial piety, the communist system of collectivism, and the Kim cult of personality. As a traditional East Asian and Confucian value, the importance of family has come to resonate through all aspects of North Korean life, from politics to the economy to education and even to interpersonal relationships between friends and enemies. When the Soviet Union first entered North Korea in 1945 to start its occupation, it had to start almost from scratch in establishing a communist base in the capital region of Pyongyang.[95] In fact, the Soviets' ideologies of communism and socialism were likely as foreign to the Koreans of Pyongyang as the Soviets themselves. However, by emphasizing family and a father-child relationship between the Soviet Union and Korea, and later between Kim Il-Sung and the North Korean people, Kim not only managed to apply Western Marxism to an Asian state, but also to secure his own personality cult, thereby constructing a sense of unquestioning loyalty toward him amongst the North Korean people when North Korea was at its most vulnerable to unwelcome western influences. However, in the late 1960s after the establishment of Juche as official North Korean ideology, through the cult of personality North Korea began to prominently focus the family ideology more on the North Korean nation itself, with Kim Il-Sung himself as the new pater familias.[citation needed] The cults of personality also promote the idea of the ruling Kims as a model family. In grief over the death of his second son, Kim Pyong-Il in 1947, Kim Il-Sung returned to the very same spot a decade later with a Korean shaman to perform rituals to "assuage his loss and pain."[96] There was particular stress on the Confucian filial love of the son for his parents. After their deaths Kim dedicated monuments to his father and mother, respectively. However, biographer Dae-Sook Suh doubts the sincerity of Kims displays of reverence of his parents. In considering Kims relatively independent childhood, Suh does not believe that Kim held any special love for his parents that would necessitate separate museums and statues for each. Instead, Suh says that "his purpose, rather, seems to be more self-serving: an effort to build his own image as a pious Korean son from a revolutionary family."[84] By publicly portraying himself as a loyal son who loved his mother and father, Kim positioned himself to demand the same filial loyalty from his subjects. Likewise, in celebration of his father's 60th birthday, Kim Jong-Il produced three operas for him,[citation needed] built three monuments, including North Korea's Arch of Triumph, for his 70th birthday in 1982,[97] and upon Kim Il-Sungs death in 1994, Kim Jong-Il declared three years of mourning before fully claiming leadership of North Korea. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Kore...im_Il-sung The presidents remarks at a recent rally inflating his wealth illuminate how his particular brand of populism works. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...sm/564116/ You have a vision of people defending democratic rights and values and systems as this unfocused , disjointed extremist collective like yourselves because you are groomed to attack all that defend democratic principals as communists. The people defending democracy from your populist extremism are not communists ,who if you look at history follow authoritarian personality cults and demagogues that consolidate power for an elite class. They have defended democracy against the likes of you before. Defending democracy means defending mixed economy capitalist society, public purpose spending , NOT crony capitalism, corporatism or plutocratic oligarchy that you represent... Our democratically elected left officials in western democracies are not a even anywhere close to a personality cultists ie. communists and fascists , Trump supporters on the other hand represent a much closer example of this type of totalitarian extremism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolae_Ce...ersonality https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Il-sun...ersonality https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalin%27s...mass_media attacks on the free press and journalism is an unmistakable hallmark of this particular political activity https://miamioh.edu/cas/academics/center...index.html From Memes to Infowars: How 75 Fascist Activists Were Red-Pilled https://www.bellingcat.com/news/americas...ed-pilled/ The original photo was taken by a White House photographer on January 14, so you know that the original hasnt been altered by anyone in the so-called fake news media to make Trump look heavier. It sounds silly to even have to say that, but many Trump supporters believe that the media is involved in a coordinated conspiracy against him. Allegations about this conspiracy often have anti-semitic overtones.As you can see in the comparison above, Trumps right shoulder has been slimmed down and his face is looking thinner. Hes also gotten a haircutwell, a digital one anywayand in one of the strangest alterations, Trumps fingers have been made slightly longer. Seriously.Donald Trump, an unindicted co-conspirator whose own lawyer admits that the president was trying to secure a real estate deal in Russia as late as November of 2016, has been somewhat sensitive about the size of his hands ever since journalist Graydon Carter described Trump as a short-fingered vulgarian. Carter was writing for the now-defunct Spy magazine in the 1980s when he made the observation and the insult has reportedly bothered Trump for decades.more:Familism is a type of collectivism in which the one is expected to prioritize the needs of the greater society or family over the needs of the individual. This plays out on a large scale in North Korea, where the Great Leader Kim Il-Sung is Father and the Worker's Party is Mother. Thus, not only are the people expected to cherish their birth parents and treat them with all the respect demanded of traditional Confucian filial piety, but they must cherish and adore the ruling Kim family and the Mother Party even more so.Familism in North Korea stems from a combination of the traditional East Asian Confucian value of filial piety, the communist system of collectivism, and the Kim cult of personality. As a traditional East Asian and Confucian value, the importance of family has come to resonate through all aspects of North Korean life, from politics to the economy to education and even to interpersonal relationships between friends and enemies.When the Soviet Union first entered North Korea in 1945 to start its occupation, it had to start almost from scratch in establishing a communist base in the capital region of Pyongyang.[95] In fact, the Soviets' ideologies of communism and socialism were likely as foreign to the Koreans of Pyongyang as the Soviets themselves. However, by emphasizing family and a father-child relationship between the Soviet Union and Korea, and later between Kim Il-Sung and the North Korean people, Kim not only managed to apply Western Marxism to an Asian state, but also to secure his own personality cult, thereby constructing a sense of unquestioning loyalty toward him amongst the North Korean people when North Korea was at its most vulnerable to unwelcome western influences.However, in the late 1960s after the establishment of Juche as official North Korean ideology, through the cult of personality North Korea began to prominently focus the family ideology more on the North Korean nation itself, with Kim Il-Sung himself as the new pater familias.[citation needed]The cults of personality also promote the idea of the ruling Kims as a model family. In grief over the death of his second son, Kim Pyong-Il in 1947, Kim Il-Sung returned to the very same spot a decade later with a Korean shaman to perform rituals to "assuage his loss and pain."[96] There was particular stress on the Confucian filial love of the son for his parents. After their deaths Kim dedicated monuments to his father and mother, respectively.However, biographer Dae-Sook Suh doubts the sincerity of Kims displays of reverence of his parents. In considering Kims relatively independent childhood, Suh does not believe that Kim held any special love for his parents that would necessitate separate museums and statues for each. Instead, Suh says that "his purpose, rather, seems to be more self-serving: an effort to build his own image as a pious Korean son from a revolutionary family."[84] By publicly portraying himself as a loyal son who loved his mother and father, Kim positioned himself to demand the same filial loyalty from his subjects.Likewise, in celebration of his father's 60th birthday, Kim Jong-Il produced three operas for him,[citation needed] built three monuments, including North Korea's Arch of Triumph, for his 70th birthday in 1982,[97] and upon Kim Il-Sungs death in 1994, Kim Jong-Il declared three years of mourning before fully claiming leadership of North Korea.The presidents remarks at a recent rally inflating his wealth illuminate how his particular brand of populism works.You have a vision of people defending democratic rights and values and systems as this unfocused , disjointed extremist collective like yourselves because you are groomed to attack all that defend democratic principals as communists.The people defending democracy from your populist extremism are not communists ,who if you look at history follow authoritarian personality cults and demagogues that consolidate power for an elite class. They have defended democracy against the likes of you before.Defending democracy means defending mixed economy capitalist society, public purpose spending , NOT crony capitalism, corporatism or plutocratic oligarchy that you represent...Our democratically elected left officials in western democracies are not a even anywhere close to a personality cultists ie. communists and fascists , Trump supporters on the other hand represent a much closer example of this type of totalitarian extremism.attacks on the free press and journalism is an unmistakable hallmark of this particular political activityFrom Memes to Infowars: How 75 Fascist Activists Were Red-Pilled (This post was last modified: 04-20-2019 12:48 AM by spo snouou .) udis Philosopher User ID: 498200 04-20-2019 12:46 AM Posts: 32,915 Post: #10 RE: Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC Does Anyone Really Thing BERNIE Gives 2Shits About People! Love that Red Porsche and New Beach House Bernie! WAY to Sell out! This Claim Is Disputed Pending Fact Checkers. udis The Ministry Of Thought Crime. Does Not Approve Of Your Thoughts! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 481809 04-20-2019 12:46 AM Post: #11 RE: Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC BROWN ACID BERNIE LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 481809 04-20-2019 12:47 AM Post: #12 RE: Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC udis Wrote: (04-20-2019 12:46 AM) Does Anyone Really Thing BERNIE Gives 2Shits About People! Love that Red Porsche and New Beach House Bernie! WAY to Sell out! oh vey they know oh vey they know LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 497823 04-20-2019 12:49 AM Post: #13 RE: Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC spo snouou Wrote: (04-20-2019 12:44 AM) link to image: http://i.imgur.com/Fe0ctBh.gif [img=250x300]https://i.imgur.com/dUg4T5N.gif http://time.com/time-person-of-the-year-populism/ President Trump Posts Altered Photos to Facebook and Instagram That Make Him Look Thinner The original photo was taken by a White House photographer on January 14, so you know that the original hasnt been altered by anyone in the so-called fake news media to make Trump look heavier. It sounds silly to even have to say that, but many Trump supporters believe that the media is involved in a coordinated conspiracy against him. Allegations about this conspiracy often have anti-semitic overtones. As you can see in the comparison above, Trumps right shoulder has been slimmed down and his face is looking thinner. Hes also gotten a haircutwell, a digital one anywayand in one of the strangest alterations, Trumps fingers have been made slightly longer. Seriously. Donald Trump, an unindicted co-conspirator whose own lawyer admits that the president was trying to secure a real estate deal in Russia as late as November of 2016, has been somewhat sensitive about the size of his hands ever since journalist Graydon Carter described Trump as a short-fingered vulgarian. Carter was writing for the now-defunct Spy magazine in the 1980s when he made the observation and the insult has reportedly bothered Trump for decades. more: https://gizmodo.com/president-trump-post...09849?IR=T [img=500x500]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQl9WvTf2bIb7WUmle_Z96FFEH2S2SoJyclcAyQByx3v5wAYJph [img=500x500]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTFSJiT_r4eNea1WOVfgIkP6wLCiFaR_T2pHjDt0HhOfIVc4ce- [img=500x500]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTUCEn-bTk_v1ne49EM92Nw-qTbcxLfoAWEuHczO1XAP_D98MyP [img=500x500]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9d/74/07/9d7407e3eb721cd9d9a308affdc3eba6.jpg link to image: https://pics.me.me/thumb_when-you-photos...042555.png Familism in the personality cult Familism is a type of collectivism in which the one is expected to prioritize the needs of the greater society or family over the needs of the individual. This plays out on a large scale in North Korea, where the Great Leader Kim Il-Sung is Father and the Worker's Party is Mother. Thus, not only are the people expected to cherish their birth parents and treat them with all the respect demanded of traditional Confucian filial piety, but they must cherish and adore the ruling Kim family and the Mother Party even more so. Familism in North Korea stems from a combination of the traditional East Asian Confucian value of filial piety, the communist system of collectivism, and the Kim cult of personality. As a traditional East Asian and Confucian value, the importance of family has come to resonate through all aspects of North Korean life, from politics to the economy to education and even to interpersonal relationships between friends and enemies. When the Soviet Union first entered North Korea in 1945 to start its occupation, it had to start almost from scratch in establishing a communist base in the capital region of Pyongyang.[95] In fact, the Soviets' ideologies of communism and socialism were likely as foreign to the Koreans of Pyongyang as the Soviets themselves. However, by emphasizing family and a father-child relationship between the Soviet Union and Korea, and later between Kim Il-Sung and the North Korean people, Kim not only managed to apply Western Marxism to an Asian state, but also to secure his own personality cult, thereby constructing a sense of unquestioning loyalty toward him amongst the North Korean people when North Korea was at its most vulnerable to unwelcome western influences. However, in the late 1960s after the establishment of Juche as official North Korean ideology, through the cult of personality North Korea began to prominently focus the family ideology more on the North Korean nation itself, with Kim Il-Sung himself as the new pater familias.[citation needed] The cults of personality also promote the idea of the ruling Kims as a model family. In grief over the death of his second son, Kim Pyong-Il in 1947, Kim Il-Sung returned to the very same spot a decade later with a Korean shaman to perform rituals to "assuage his loss and pain."[96] There was particular stress on the Confucian filial love of the son for his parents. After their deaths Kim dedicated monuments to his father and mother, respectively. However, biographer Dae-Sook Suh doubts the sincerity of Kims displays of reverence of his parents. In considering Kims relatively independent childhood, Suh does not believe that Kim held any special love for his parents that would necessitate separate museums and statues for each. Instead, Suh says that "his purpose, rather, seems to be more self-serving: an effort to build his own image as a pious Korean son from a revolutionary family."[84] By publicly portraying himself as a loyal son who loved his mother and father, Kim positioned himself to demand the same filial loyalty from his subjects. Likewise, in celebration of his father's 60th birthday, Kim Jong-Il produced three operas for him,[citation needed] built three monuments, including North Korea's Arch of Triumph, for his 70th birthday in 1982,[97] and upon Kim Il-Sungs death in 1994, Kim Jong-Il declared three years of mourning before fully claiming leadership of North Korea. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Kore...im_Il-sung The presidents remarks at a recent rally inflating his wealth illuminate how his particular brand of populism works. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...sm/564116/ You have a vision of people defending democratic rights and values and systems as this unfocused , disjointed extremist collective like yourselves because you are groomed to attack all that defend democratic principals as communists. The people defending democracy from your populist extremism are not communists ,who if you look at history follow authoritarian personality cults and demagogues that consolidate power for an elite class. They have defended democracy against the likes of you before. Defending democracy means defending mixed economy capitalist society, public purpose spending , NOT crony capitalism, corporatism or plutocratic oligarchy that you represent... Our democratically elected left officials in western democracies are not a even anywhere close to a personality cultists ie. communists and fascists , Trump supporters on the other hand represent a much closer example of this type of totalitarian extremism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolae_Ce...ersonality https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Il-sun...ersonality https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalin%27s...mass_media attacks on the free press and journalism is an unmistakable hallmark of this particular political activity https://miamioh.edu/cas/academics/center...index.html From Memes to Infowars: How 75 Fascist Activists Were Red-Pilled https://www.bellingcat.com/news/americas...ed-pilled/ Wall of Text Moron, nobody believes or reads any of the propaganda you post. Wall of Text Moron, nobody believes or reads any of the propaganda you post. spo snouou Vocem sine nomine audivit! User ID: 350320 04-20-2019 01:37 AM Posts: 67,593 Post: #14 RE: Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC LoP Guest Wrote: (04-20-2019 12:49 AM) Wall of Text Moron, nobody believes or reads any of the propaganda you post. Yeah , I know sad , isn't it. Everyone believes in populist psychics like you, it would seem All seeing, all knowing existentialist narrative gaming fuckheads, that all seem to know what 'everybody' and 'nobody' thinks. Take a bow ,lowinfo moron personality cult shill.. ^read the fine print Yeah , I knowsad , isn't it.Everyone believes in populist psychics like you, it would seemAll seeing, all knowing existentialist narrative gaming fuckheads, that all seem to know what 'everybody' and 'nobody' thinks.Take a bow ,lowinfo moron personality cult shill.. (This post was last modified: 04-20-2019 01:37 AM by spo snouou .) LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 497823 04-20-2019 02:16 AM Post: #15 RE: Bernie Sanders Rally Live in Greenville, SC spo snouou Wrote: (04-20-2019 01:37 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (04-20-2019 12:49 AM) Wall of Text Moron, nobody believes or reads any of the propaganda you post. Yeah , I know sad , isn't it. Everyone believes in populist psychics like you, it would seem All seeing, all knowing existentialist narrative gaming fuckheads, that all seem to know what 'everybody' and 'nobody' thinks. Take a bow ,lowinfo moron personality cult shill.. ^read the fine print Advertisement Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Francisco Goldman in the NYT: It is the late 1970s and Carolyn Forche is a 27-year-old poet with one published book of poetry, teaching at a university in Southern California. One day Leonel Gomez Vides, 37, arrives at her door with his two young daughters, claiming that hes driven all the way from El Salvador just to talk to her. Forche has never met Gomez, though hes a cousin of Claribel Alegria, whose poetry Forche, despite her rudimentary Spanish, wants to translate, and whose home in Mallorca she has visited. (Alegrias daughter is a close friend.) There she heard Gomez warily described as a man involved in dangerous things, possibly even working with the C.I.A. Gomezs plan is to spend just a few days in California, and then drive home. Its unclear to Forche why hes come. He gives her a crash course on Salvadoran history from the pre-Columbian era to the present, when the tiny country, marked by staggering economic inequality, is ruled by a corrupt military that steals millions of dollars every year in United States aid, murders priests and political opponents, and tosses disappeared torture victims, including an American, from helicopters into the Pacific. Its a country also increasingly terrorized by the right-wing death squads of Mano Blanco, the White Hand. Looking back on Gomezs visit in What You Have Heard Is True, a memoir of the consequences of that encounter, Forche reflects that he was translating not only between languages, but also from one constellation of understanding and perception to another. More here. Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman in The National Interest: THREE DECADES ago, a German history professor listed 210 proposed explanations for the fall of the Roman Empire. The remarkable array included such fanciful causes as Bolshevism, public baths, hedonism, the pressure of terrorism and, most famously, lead poisoning. The last explanation has been discredited. It is highly unlikely that lead water pipes caused the empire to collapse in a tumult of brain damage, gout and madness. Yet exploded theories can point towards important truths. Like classical Rome, Americas empire today depends less on pomp than on plumbing. Instead of roads, aqueducts and seaports, it relies on pipelines conveying financial flows and torrents of data, as well as vast distributed supply chains. These look like a global public infrastructure, but can readily be redirected to private national strategic advantage. Americas domination of obscure, seeming technical structures is generating its own forms of hubristic folly among imperial administrators, who have begun to think that there is nothing they cannot do with it. Far beneath the boastful speeches, petty insults and spiteful feuds; the fights over NATO and Russian influence operations; the subterranean conduits of empire are failing. If Americas empire is indeed headed towards expiry, many future historians will blame the obvious problems: the rise of China, overextension in the Middle East, the defection of allies. Yet some might trace the beginnings of decay back to two more quotidian crises: Americas botched decision to sanction the Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE Corporation, and Europes creation of an apparently innocuous technical arrangementthe Special Purpose Vehiclepurportedly to facilitate humanitarian exchange with Iran. More here. Tim Adams in The Guardian: There is a scene toward the end of Ian McEwans new novel, Machines Like Me, when the narrator, Charlie, is pushing his lifelike prototype robot, Adam, in a wheelchair through a demonstration in Trafalgar Square. The demonstrators are protesting about everything under the sun poverty, unemployment, housing, healthcare, education, crime, race, gender, climate, opportunity. The suggestion being presented by McEwan and his narrator, however, is that here, unnoticed in their midst, is the one thing they should be most concerned about: a man-made intelligence greater than their own. There is a Cassandra tendency in McEwans fiction. His domestic dramas routinely play out against a backdrop of threatened doom. Since the portent-laden meditation on war and terrorism, Saturday, in 2005, he has also turned his gimlet attention to climate change in Solar. The opening lines of that novel He was running out of time. Everyone was, it was the general condition have sometimes sounded like his fictions statement of intent. The New Yorker called his work the art of unease. It was perhaps, I suggested to him one afternoon a couple of weeks ago, therefore only a matter of time before he got around to the looming ethical anxieties of artificial intelligence. McEwan smiled at this idea and explained that he had been enthralled by the possibility of man-made consciousness for just about as long as he could remember. More here. Michael Griffin at Literary Review: Who are the real Kazakhs? Even by the end of Joanna Lilliss wide-ranging survey of Central Asias wealthiest dictatorship, its hard to tell. The livestock-breeding culture of the Kazakh Khanate, a successor to the Mongol Golden Horde, was driven into the ground after its annexation by Russia in the mid-19th century as a result of successive waves of immigration and the Soviet policy of bringing its sprawling herds under state control. Among the first to arrive, following the abolition of serfdom in 1861, were 400,000 Russian peasants. They were followed by nearly two and a half million farmers from Ukraine and central Russia and then a tragic procession of Chechens, Crimean Tatars, Germans, Turks and Poles, forcibly relocated for suspected disloyalty to Stalin. An 85-year-old Tatar, originally from Crimea, recalled, My mother ran up to me and said: You may be taken to dark places. So she gave me two light bulbs. more here. Nathan Robinson in Current Affairs: Tonight, philosopher Slavoj Zizek will debate psychologist Jordan Peterson in Toronto, ostensibly on the subject of Capitalism vs. Marxism. It has been said of the debate that nothing is a greater waste of time. Tickets to the livestream are $14.95, and admission to the venue itself was running as high as $1,500. By popular demand, our editor has been instructed to stare into the abyss and report on what he sees. Those grateful for his sacrifice should consider purchasing a subscription or making a donation as a means of supporting his recovery expenses, which are sure to be considerable. 8:27 P.M. Now a recitation of the familiar pro-capitalist arguments: poor people today have iPhones, poverty is going away, etc. He cites the familiar statistic that there are many fewer people living on extremely small amounts of money. This the usual dodge: the question has always been Why is there so much deprivation that could be alleviated and is not being? not Is there less deprivation? If you adopt the Have things gotten better? approach, as Peterson and Steven Pinker do, then you could make the same argument in 1900: oh look, were better off than the Middle Ages, therefore things must be great and nobody has any legitimate objections. 8:30 P.M. Zizek begins by whining about how he has been marginalized by the academy and says he is disowned by the left. Inexplicable. And annoying. Pity poor Zizek. 8:31 P.M. Zizek correctly begins with China: if capitalism is the force lifting people out of poverty, then why did the greatest reduction of poverty occur in an authoritarian state that intervenes extensively in its market? But he then raises the question that the debate is ostensibly about: what is happiness? Peterson didnt really talk about this. He just talked about why Marx was wrong about things. I dont even think happiness came up. 8:34 P.M. I turned away for a minute and now I have no idea what Zizek is talking about. Trump is the ultimate postmodern president. I dont know where happiness went. Zizek was doing so well at staying on topic for about ten seconds. More here. CBS Broadcasting In the decade since NBC's hospital hit ER ended, Noah Wyle, 47, who got five Emmy nominations as the babyfaced Dr. Carter, grew up onscreen, playing an alien-fighting professor in Falling Skies, the Indiana Jones-ish Flynn Carsen in the Librarians series, and Steve Jobs in TNT's Emmy-nominated Pirates of Silicon Valley. Now he's returned to Chicago for his favorite post-ER role: Daniel Calder, the husband of a black doctor tragically shot by a white cop in Ava DuVernay's eight-episode drama The Red Line (CBS, premieres Apr. 28, 8 p.m.) Wyle talks about family, turning 50 and how his name, Noah, defines a side of him. Chasing Daniel Calder The two great loves of my life are the two women that I actually pursued doggedly they didn't pursue me. Similarly, the two best jobs I've ever done are the ones I really went after: I went after ER tenaciously, and I went after The Red Line from the second I read the script. I just had this quiet confidence that I could do something very special with it. Reality TV The Red Line feels torn from today's headlines. We were in Chicago on the South Side as the Laquan McDonald [police shooting] verdicts were coming. Our show could not have been more at the epicenter of this issue. I was just clinging on with both hands to make sure I didn't get thrown off. Back to ER streets Talk about getting older ... I went to Chicago thinking, I love this city, this city loves me I won't have to pay for a drink the whole time I'm here. But whoa, it ain't the 90s anymore. It's a different world. ER is a lovely memory for me and for many, many people, but If you're under 30 you don't know that show. The city is wonderful, as vibrant and embracing and exciting and freezing as ever. Turning 50 I'm in a pretty strong state of denial. I've always been the kind of person who could start going to the gym just a month before a job, and then you can eat whatever you want, but that's not true with my metabolism or energy levels anymore. I have to exercise pretty much every day, to keep that base level of health. My wife hates my birthdays because she says I'm the biggest curmudgeon on the planet I don't want to do anything about them. And then I get really angry because nothing happened. The day after my 50th birthday, I'll be the saddest 50-year-old, because nothing was done for my birthday. 50th birthday trip I've never been to Scotland or Ireland. I have lineage in both those places. That might be a nice trip. Exercise for grownups My wife, a couple years ago, got me into Pilates, and I got my parents into it. My dad is turning 80, and I know that Pilates has put another 10 years on both of their lives. The fact that they do it together has made all the difference. Building strength and balance gives you confidence when you move. I know for older people the fear is always about falling. My father-in-law teaches tai chi to older people for that very reason. It's almost a fall-prevention technique. On both sides of my family, I've got great examples to show me there's a way ahead with movement and core strength. And laughter and joy. Those seem to be the key ingredients to aging well. Nutrition journey I play the percentages in most things in life, and I've just applied that a little more doggedly with food. I really watch the amount of saturated fat and sugar that I eat to keep me on the straight and narrow. Kids keep you young Honestly, the best thing that keeps me young is a 3-year-old daughter who demands that I chase her. It's like Rocky II, when Burgess Meredith makes Rocky chase the chickens. That's me every day, except my chicken is a 3-year-old girl named Frances. Life on Wyle's ranch When you're born with the name Noah, there's this cellular burden placed on you to take care of the creatures of the earth. We have sort of a love ranch we rescue animals that need homes: chickens and pigs and goats and horses and a cow. None of them are very productive. Watching ER with his kids They refer to it as the doctor show you did before we were born. I watched the pilot, for the first time in 18 years, with my 13-year-old daughter, and she liked it, but not enough to watch any more. The most profound thing about watching it with her is that I look at Dr. Carter's face, and he's so much closer to her in age than he is to me, and he looks just like her. I knew the pilot was good, but I forgot how good it really was. B Christopher / Alamy Stock Photo Social Security scams have intensified in the past two months, with 36,000 consumer complaints to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and reported losses of $6.7 million in these two months alone, eclipsing complaints from Internal Revenue Service (IRS) scams. In total, 76,000 Social Security scam complaints have flooded the FTC with reported losses of $19 million in the past year. According to the FTC, only 3.4 percent of those who report a Social Security scam say they have lost money; most are concerned that the scammer has their Social Security number, which could lead to identity theft. However, when victims do lose money, its considerable. The median individual reported loss last year was $1,500, four times the median individual loss for all types of fraud. Both older and younger adults file loss reports at similar rates. Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim services for AARPs Fraud Watch Network, says 94 percent of calls to the organizations Helpline concern Social Security scams. Scammers use robocalls to reach consumers by phone, requesting that they press 1 to speak to a government support representative to help reactivate their Social Security number. Or, in a caller ID spoofing scam, the telephone number 800-269-0271 flashes on the screen. Its the Social Security Administrations OIG (Office of the Inspector General) Fraud Hotline phone number being used to convince you to answer a call that is really from fraudsters. SSA employees occasionally contact people by telephone for customer-service issues. If you have business pending with the SSA, for example, an employee may telephone you and request that you confirm personal information. Be cautious. silversides The bare necessities of life User ID: 148291 04-20-2019 03:41 AM Posts: 32,279 Post: #1 The Disappearance of a 50.000 Egyptian Army Advertisement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41TPZWAgPoM Ever heard the story about the Persian king Cambyses who sent his army of 50,000 men into the desert and they never came back? They supposedly just disappeared. This is one of the great mysteries which Olaf has solved. Olaf Kaper is professor in Egyptology at the university of Leiden. He forms part of an international excavation team in the Dakhla Oasis in the Western Desert of Egypt, and he is reconstructing the history of that area and the temples of the ancient Egyptian religion. --------------------------------------------- Lost army[edit] The lost army of Cambyses II according to a 19th-century engraving According to Herodotus 3.26, Cambyses sent an army to threaten the Oracle of Amun at the Siwa Oasis. The army of 50,000 men was halfway across the desert when a massive sandstorm buried them all.[39] Although many Egyptologists regard the story as apocryphal, people have searched for the remains of the soldiers for years. They have included Count Laszlo Almasy (on whom the novel The English Patient is based) and modern geologist Tom Brown. In January 1933, Orde Wingate searched unsuccessfully in Egypt's Western Desert, then known as the Libyan Desert.[40] From September 1983 to February 1984, Gary S. Chafetz, an American journalist and author, led an expedition, sponsored by Harvard University, The National Geographic Society, the Egyptian Geological Survey and Mining Authority, and the Ligabue Research Institute. The six-month search was conducted along the Egyptian-Libyan border in a remote 100-square-kilometer area of complex dunes south west of the uninhabited Bahariya Oasis, approximately 100 miles south east of Siwa (Amon) Oasis. The $250,000 expedition had at its disposal 20 Egyptian geologists and labourers, a National Geographic photographer, two Harvard Film Studies documentary film-makers, three camels, an ultra-light aircraft, and ground-penetrating radar. The expedition discovered approximately 500 tumuli (Zoroastrian-style graves) but no artifacts. Several tumuli contained bone fragments. Thermoluminescence later dated the fragments to 1500 BC, approximately 1,000 years earlier than the Lost Army. A recumbent winged sphinx carved in oolitic limestone was also discovered in a cave in the uninhabited Sitra Oasis (between Bahariya and Siwa Oases); its provenance appeared to be Persian. Chafetz was arrested when he returned to Cairo in February 1984 for "smuggling an airplane into Egypt" even though he had the written permission of the Egyptian Geological Survey and Mining Authority to bring the aircraft into the country. He was interrogated for 24 hours. The charges were dropped after he promised to "donate" the ultra-light to the Egyptian Government. The aircraft now sits in the Egyptian War Museum in Cairo with a caption that claimed it was from an Israeli spy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambyses_II#Lost_army Mele Kalikimaka Disappearance of a 50.000 Egyptian Army | Olaf Kaper | TEDxEdeEver heard the story about the Persian king Cambyses who sent his army of 50,000 men into the desert and they never came back? They supposedly just disappeared. This is one of the great mysteries which Olaf has solved.Olaf Kaper is professor in Egyptology at the university of Leiden. He forms part of an international excavation team in the Dakhla Oasis in the Western Desert of Egypt, and he is reconstructing the history of that area and the temples of the ancient Egyptian religion.---------------------------------------------Lost army[edit]The lost army of Cambyses II according to a 19th-century engravingAccording to Herodotus 3.26, Cambyses sent an army to threaten the Oracle of Amun at the Siwa Oasis. The army of 50,000 men was halfway across the desert when a massive sandstorm buried them all.[39] Although many Egyptologists regard the story as apocryphal, people have searched for the remains of the soldiers for years. They have included Count Laszlo Almasy (on whom the novel The English Patient is based) and modern geologist Tom Brown. In January 1933, Orde Wingate searched unsuccessfully in Egypt's Western Desert, then known as the Libyan Desert.[40]From September 1983 to February 1984, Gary S. Chafetz, an American journalist and author, led an expedition, sponsored by Harvard University, The National Geographic Society, the Egyptian Geological Survey and Mining Authority, and the Ligabue Research Institute. The six-month search was conducted along the Egyptian-Libyan border in a remote 100-square-kilometer area of complex dunes south west of the uninhabited Bahariya Oasis, approximately 100 miles south east of Siwa (Amon) Oasis. The $250,000 expedition had at its disposal 20 Egyptian geologists and labourers, a National Geographic photographer, two Harvard Film Studies documentary film-makers, three camels, an ultra-light aircraft, and ground-penetrating radar. The expedition discovered approximately 500 tumuli (Zoroastrian-style graves) but no artifacts. Several tumuli contained bone fragments. Thermoluminescence later dated the fragments to 1500 BC, approximately 1,000 years earlier than the Lost Army. A recumbent winged sphinx carved in oolitic limestone was also discovered in a cave in the uninhabited Sitra Oasis (between Bahariya and Siwa Oases); its provenance appeared to be Persian. Chafetz was arrested when he returned to Cairo in February 1984 for "smuggling an airplane into Egypt" even though he had the written permission of the Egyptian Geological Survey and Mining Authority to bring the aircraft into the country. He was interrogated for 24 hours. The charges were dropped after he promised to "donate" the ultra-light to the Egyptian Government. The aircraft now sits in the Egyptian War Museum in Cairo with a caption that claimed it was from an Israeli spy. Northern State University men, women drop games to Minnesota-Duluth Both the Northern State men's and women's basketball teams were in action on Friday, which saw both teams falling to Minnesota-Duluth. A structure that withstood several wars and holds 850 years of history was all but destroyed in the course of an hour last week. Many people watched in horror as one of the worlds most iconic pieces of architecture and history, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, ignited into flames shortly after 7 p.m. Monday evening. Rio Rancho resident Heather Mosley, who visited the cathedral in 2012 with her husband, said she thought the flames were caused by terrorist when she first witnessed the fire on television. I was just in shock; that was my initial reaction, Mosley said. Of course, because of the world we live in now, I next thought the fire was part of something nefarious. Mosley said it is sad to think that something stood for so long and survived so much could be ruined by something as simple as an accidental fire. She recounted her visit to the iconic structure with awe and sadness. It was amazing, she said. It was so huge and to know it was so ancient and still intactIt was just incredible for a building that old to still be so detailed, like a moment stuck in time. Although she said it was tough taking pictures of the inside of the cathedral because it was so dark, Mosley recounted the many sculptures depicting biblical stories all over the walls. Especially around the door, you could see these really intricate figures set to tell a tale, she said. Mosley said she and her husband spent a couple of hours walking around the cathedral and noticed crews were doing renovations on the back side of Notre Dame seven years ago. We took pictures and enjoyed listening to musicians playing on the street outside; it was just neat to be there, she said. It was one of the places on our bucket list to see because its such an iconic cathedral. Mosley said the giant stained-glass windows were a highlight of her visit. It was just beautiful and it makes me sad to think that they are all melted now, she said. Mosley said she didnt get a chance to see the courtyard but took pictures of the flying buttresses on the right side of the cathedral. The area surrounding Notre Dame was sparse because it is on its own island, she said. I think that makes it kind of cool, that it sits on its own plot of land out there. Mosley referred back to the construction taking place when she visited in 2012, stating that the scaffolding surrounding the cathedral was massive. There was so much of it you couldnt even see the backside of the cathedral, she said. Mosley said she hopes the people of France will salvage what they can of the cathedral and try to rebuild it because of the structures significance to human history. I have every reason to believe that people will still be able to visit Notre Dame in the future. Its just too important not to rebuild, Mosley said. After her daughter committed suicide during a bought of severe pregnancy-related depression, a Rio Rancho woman started a nonprofit to help women find resources to handle that condition. Susan Aguayo founded Kassys Kause in 2015, soon after her daughters death in the first trimester of pregnancy. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 14-23 percent of women will experience symptoms of depression during pregnancy. Kassys Kause is a nonprofit organization with a mission to spread education and awareness about perinatal depression, or pregnancy-related depression. According to kassyskause.org, often, women wont share their experiences because they feel afraid of what others think or ashamed that they cannot control their hormones. Young women need to realize that moms need to be credited for more than what we go through, she said. Its not just nine months carrying a child its physical, emotional and mental pressure in our lives to bring a baby to this world. Aguayo said her daughter, Kassandra Williams, wanted to be a parent since she was a toddler. When she found out Williams was pregnant, it was good news, but she had no idea what her daughter was going through during her pregnancy. Aguayo said she started a blog to discuss her experience with her daughter shortly after Williamss passing in March 2015. She said people came to her with many questions and concerns. The summer after, people started reaching out to say, Oh, my gosh, I cant believe she went through this,' Aguayo said. She said she did not have enough information to start a nonprofit until she got assistance from other states. People provided her with information on what they were doing to help women with mental health during pregnancy. I thought, How many women are experiencing this in silence, because they arent being informed or educated enough?' Aguayo said. How many husbands dont know what their wives are going through? We need education. So, in October 2015, I took a leap of faith. I didnt know where to go, but the right people were put into my path about where to go and what to do. Within a few months, we had everything set. Since then, Aguayo has worked to collect resources for pregnant women. This includes programs that give assistance to women during pregnancy, doulas and midwifes for women who dont want to go to the hospital and counselors that work with perinatal and postpartum depression. Aguayo said that in February, New Mexico House of Representatives declared Feb. 11 to be Kassys Kause Awareness of Perinatal-Postpartum Depression Day. She said hospitals are screening mothers who express concerns of depression and anxiety. Aguayo and her supporters plan to go in front of legislation next year and request a bill to make screening for maternal mental health disorder mandatory during and after pregnancies. Additionally, they want to consolidate hospitals and open a unit that expecting and new moms can rely on for assistance. With the support of mothers, advocates and organizations across multiple states, Aguayo said Kassys Kause will appear before New Mexico representatives in a few weeks to explain why there is a need to spread awareness on perinatal depression and break the stigmas many women face. Aguayos advice for women who may experience depression during pregnancy is that they should remember that what theyre feeling does not define them as a person. Its not your fault, and youre not alone, she said. There is help out there; there is treatment out there. That is my goal to be able to help every woman feel that despite what they are experiencing, they can get help. More information on how to get help with perinatal or post-partum depression can be found on kassyskause.org Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal The district attorney for the 7th Judicial District has decided not to prosecute a Bernalillo County sheriffs deputy who shot and killed two men following the pursuit of a stolen truck in November 2017. After reviewing the high-profile case for more than a year, District Attorney Clint Wellborn on March 28 sent a letter to the sheriffs office announcing his decision not to file criminal charges against Deputy Joshua Mora. Wellborn was appointed to oversee the investigation because the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office in Bernalillo County had a conflict of interest. While the shooting has not resulted in criminal charges, it has been the subject of three civil lawsuits, two of which have already been settled with $1.8 million in payments to the deceased mens families and other passengers in the truck. After reviewing all materials provided, including materials and opinions from experts in the civil litigation, it was mutually agreed that based on the totality of facts and circumstances as they occurred, that the State would be unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the shooting of Isaac Padilla was not justified, Wellborn wrote in the letter, referring to the team of attorneys and investigators who reviewed the shooting. As a result of this determination regarding the shooting of Mr. Padilla it was also determined we would likewise be unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the shooting of Martin Jim was not justified. Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales praised the decision not to pursue charges. This is great news for the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, he said. I was always confident that District Attorney Wellborn would affirm my belief the facts did not justify criminal charges against Deputy Joshua Mora. After the District Attorneys extensive review of all of the evidence and his offices supplemental investigation, DA Wellborn made the right legal and ethical decision. Luis Robles, who represented Mora and the county in civil cases related to the shooting, said he was not surprised Wellborn declined to prosecute his client. There is nothing about this case that would suggest that criminal charges are warranted, Robles said. Nothing that would suggest that criminal charges should have been brought. DA Wellborn did the right thing. The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico has also reviewed evidence in the case including a reconstruction of the shooting done by the New Mexico State Police and decided not to open a federal criminal investigation. Jim, 25, was a backseat passenger in a stolen truck when the driver, 23-year-old Padilla, led deputies on a chase from one side of Albuquerque to the other. Near Glenrio and Coors NW, deputies used a pursuit intervention technique and the truck came to a stop. Sheriff Gonzales has said Mora the son of Undersheriff Rudy Mora opened fire on the truck because Padilla revved the engine and he believed Padilla was going to run his sergeant over. Mora fired seven times, killing Padilla and Jim. Two other passengers were not hit. Attorney Sam Bregman, who is representing the two passengers and the families of Jim and Padilla in state and federal civil lawsuits, said he had not yet been told that Wellborn decided not to prosecute Deputy Mora. Obviously were disappointed in the decision made by that prosecutor, he told the Journal. We believe the facts support a prosecution for murder. Bernalillo County has already agreed to pay $1.8 million to settle some of the claims raised in two civil lawsuits one filed in federal court and one in district court. A lawsuit filed by Padillas family in federal court was settled for $1 million, and a lawsuit filed in state court was settled for $800,000. The state settlement will be divided among all four plaintiffs, with Jims family receiving $400,000, Padillas family getting $360,000, and the two other passengers receiving $20,000. A third lawsuit, filed in federal court by Jims family, is still pending. We will continue our case in federal court and continue to hope and work toward the idea that Martin Jims family deserves justice, Bregman said. And we will hopefully get this matter in front of a jury and let a jury decide if what Deputy Mora did was justified. Over the years I served as chancellor at New Mexico State University, the state didnt have additional resources to spend on anything, including higher education. Hence, universities had to trim budgets, eliminate programs, reduce faculty and staff, and, in most cases, increase tuition, albeit by very small amounts. The state had to do the same, but higher education took a disproportionate share 44 percent of the reductions in state expenditures. This year, with new money available, the leadership of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the many members of the Legislature who value and are willing to invest in the potential and promise of higher education, the worm turned some. To wit, as the result of this recent legislative session: The overall budget for higher education institutions statewide will be $822 million, a 3 percent increase over last year. There was $112.5 million allocated for capital expenditures in SB 280 alone. The budget provided for $62 million in student financial aid, $20 million for college affordability and $20 million for teachers. The Instruction and General increase alone was $28 million, and compensation was $24 million. There was $3.67 million non-recurring in the junior bills allocated for higher education. Happy days are here again almost because higher education still has not returned to the financial health of years ago. Increasing tuition was discouraged by the previous administration and, frankly, it is always (a) difficulty to achieve in either good or bad times. However, according to a recent study, the rate of return for college student investment in higher education in the U.S. was highest in Wyoming, with New Mexico a close second. This is because these states have been financially very supportive of higher education, good federal aid programs and scholarships and very affordable tuition at our New Mexico colleges and universities. When folks are concerned about increasing tuition, remember it is much needed to maintain quality of our higher education programs. The rate of return on investment for our students is very high. With new resources available, institutions of higher learning may now elevate their respective profiles and boost their workforce training initiatives. The four centers of excellence at research institutions now authorized and funded will lay pathways for talented young adults to take root in their community in exciting growth industries like bioscience and value-added agriculture. In a time of declining enrollment and student financial aid crunches, New Mexicos higher ed institutions will be both proactive in establishing ease of access for New Mexico students and responsive to student needs. Legislation this session also made it easier for N.M. students to count AP credit toward college courses. Happy days are here again once more, almost but I look to the governor and the Legislature to continue to consistently support and champion higher education, one of the most important engines of economic development and quality of life in our great state. Happy days are ahead! We in America have lost faith. Not only is there a decline of religious faith in the United States, there is also a lack of confidence in the institutions that made this country what it became a worldwide superpower, respected by all. Im most worried about the lack of faith in our justice system. Today, people of all races, creeds and colors believe the status quo, which has created a current prison population of 2.3 million plus another 4.5 million on probation or parole, simply isnt fair. Rich people get to pay their way out of problems while poorer people mostly those with darker skin get swallowed up by the system, imprisoned and tainted by their conviction record for life. This column will likely make me no friends in the legal community, but things need to be said and facts need to be revealed. The problems within the justice system can be traced to the lawyers who run it the judges, defense attorneys and government prosecutors and the watchdog organizations established to police those lawyers, like the American Bar Association and its statewide chapters. When taxpayer-funded prosecutors commit malpractice they are rarely held accountable. To err is human, of course, but when a prosecutor deliberately withholds information that could go to exonerate a defendant, tampers with a witness or routinely puts winning ahead of the search for truth then steps should be taken to remove that person from office. That rarely happens. Across the nation there are provable cases of prosecutorial misconduct, yet most often neither the ABA or state bar chapters fulfill their mandate to protect the citizenry by issuing a public censure, sanction or some other type of punishment for an offending attorney. According to a recent commentary at TheAppeal.org, an organization that tracks trends within our justice system, prosecutors are almost untouchable under the current legal structure. The authors, California public defenders Jeff Adachi and Peter Calloway, say prosecutors are essentially absolutely immune from (citizens) civil suits in cases of misconduct that lead to unwarranted convictions. It is fairly uncomplicated for someone to sue a police officer for misconduct, but federal law still provides an enormous umbrella of protection for those who do their lawyering from a district attorneys office. There have been several studies into the problem of dishonest prosecutors. The Yale Law Journal reported a few years ago that prosecutors withholding evidence favorable to the accused, accounts for more miscarriages of justice that any other type of malpractice. Yet their offenses are rarely sanctioned by courts and almost never by disciplinary bodies. Talk about protecting your own at the expense of justice. In Massachusetts, the New England Center for Investigative Reporting scoured more than 1,000 rulings going back to 1985 in which a defendant claimed harmful prosecutorial misconduct. In 120 cases, state appeals courts reversed the conviction due to misbehavior by the prosecutor. That is a small percentage of reversals, but there is agreement that this kind of malpractice is way under-reported. Lawyers for the wrongfully convicted frequently move on or dont want to complain about a local prosecutor theyll have to deal with again. Just think of all the time served by those defendants who either didnt get a fair trial or were just plain innocent of the charges. The NECIR also found that when courts tossed out these unconstitutional convictions or outright exonerated the prisoner, the prosecutor was rarely named or disciplined. No prosecutor has been disbarred in Massachusetts since records began 50 years ago. So, if a wrongfully convicted person cant sue an unethical prosecutor and neither the state or national ABA takes steps to remove the offender, then whats to keep that prosecutor from continuing their unscrupulous behavior? The answer is: nothing. Bad actors in Massachusetts, California, New York and other states have been allowed to continue in their prosecutorial positions. Some have become judges or district attorneys. The situation became so egregious in San Francisco in 2017 that public defender Adachi filed a formal complaint against one particular local prosecutor who, he said, was a habitual repeat offender. Adachi, who died suddenly two months ago, wrote, When people are accused of crime they cease to be seen as people by our legal system and become merely criminals.' A San Francisco assistant DA was accused of withholding important evidence and crucial witness statements in seven serious cases going back years. In December 2017, he was fired from the DAs office. I could find no California State Bar Association action against him. He is currently listed as having an active law license and is now reported to be in private practice. As usual, allowing a company, organization or the government to police itself doesnt work. If we truly want to restore the publics faith in our judicial system everyone I repeat, everyone needs to be held accountable. Time for the bar associations and district attorneys everywhere to demand better ethics from their members. www.DianeDimond.com; e-mail to Diane@DianeDimond.com. ABC News(COLUMBINE, Colorado) -- It was sunny and warm as students walked to class at Columbine High School earlier this week, just as it was in 1999, when two boys in trenchcoats tore through the school on a killing spree. Twenty years since the horrific massacre that took the lives of 12 classmates and a teacher, the community in Colorado looks to move on -- even while looking back. Presidential candidate and former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper met with survivors of the Columbine attack this week, along with other survivors of his home states mass shootings. Sitting together in a circle in Denvers First Baptist Church on Tuesday, the mood in the room was somber as the former governor talked with survivors about their guilt and long-term trauma. "This is kind of the trauma that no one is prepared for," Hickenlooper told them, expressing the need for increased attention and expanded federal funding for mental health services for those affected by mass shootings. "We have been insufficient and derelict in providing resources. That's something certainly I think the federal government could step in when you have these mass shootings happen so frequently -- the collateral damage to families and not just them -- first responders -- has been immense." He said it was a moment for them all to reconnect and brush against an issue that he may make a focal point of his 2020 campaign: gun control. Some of those in the meeting on Tuesday with Hickenlooper were even present when he signed landmark legislation placing new restrictions on firearms in 2013. Tom Mauser lost his son, Daniel, in the mass shooting at the Colorado high school and was there to watch as the then-governor signed the new law. Tuesday, he shared a worry that he had with Hickenlooper, that there's too much emphasis on "staying strong" for survivors. "So often after these tragedies, we have this movement -- with Columbine and others -- stay strong, be strong, look at the positive," Mauser said "People need to do that healing, but sometimes there's not enough acknowledgement of the pain that still goes on." Hickenlooper's state has seen its fair share of the violent trauma which swirls around the gun debate; Hickenlooper was governor when James Holmes opened fire on an Aurora movie theater in 2012, killing 12 and leaving dozens more injured. "It changes you. It changed me," the former governor said in an interview with ABC News. "It wasn't an overnight transformation, but there was that period of time it felt ... we just can't stand by with the status quo -- which is really what Republicans have been saying: 'These are just some things we just can't do anything about.' I don't think the country is willing to stay there anymore." Hickenlooper wants to enact on the federal level many of the things done in his state in the aftermath of mass shootings: universal background checks, a ban on high-capacity magazines and raising the minimum age to buy certain firearms. He has had a long, and at times complicated, past with the issue, and not one he came to immediately. Hickenlooper told ABC's "This Week" -- in the wake of the Aurora shootings -- that even if Holmes did not have access to guns, he would have found a way to create "horror." "This wasn't a Colorado problem. This is a human problem," Hickenlooper told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos in 2012. "Even if he didn't have access to guns, this guy was diabolical he would have found explosives; he would have found something. He would have done something to create this horror." Since then, Hickenlooper has adapted his tone, and more than once. Colorado has passed measures expanding background checks and limiting magazine sizes to 15 rounds despite furious backlash from gun rights groups. He later couched himself with Colorado sheriffs, expressing regret if he didn't fully vet the measures that he had championed, remarks some heard as distancing himself from the divisive issue. He's not the only 2020 presidential candidate with a nuanced record on gun laws. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has tumbled from an "A" rating from the National Rife Association to an "F," a point of pride, she's said. She has also expressed remorse over her past pro-gun rights stance. Sen. Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, a state friendly toward hunters and guns by rural wont, has in the past been attacked for being too moderate on gun control, especially in his early career. Now, the tide seems to be shifting notably in the Democratic Party. Candidates for 2020 are embracing more stringent gun control with hawkish gusto, perhaps fueled in part by so many recent mass shootings across the nation. Four of the top 5 and six of the top 10 deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history have happened this decade. Hickenlooper said he thinks the important thing is to unite in efforts to stop gun violence, no matter which side of the wedge you're on. "I think whoever becomes the next president should lead that effort," he told ABC News. "I think we learn from our mistakes. ... I feel there is change that is coming. I feel we are at a tipping point, and some of the obstacles are maybe not so impossible as maybe they seemed a couple years ago." Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. 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Just in a year you can see how kids grow. Sandia High junior Donald Gurule For nearing 30 years, Sandia High School has offered an elective class in early childhood development as part of its Working with Young Children Program. That class includes a pre-K option, giving students valuable and appreciated hands-on experience. But a mysterious audit has put an end to this popular elective class, robbing the high-schoolers of the opportunity to work directly with young children. The high-schoolers have already protested the change with an online petition backed by students, parents and the community. Right now, the parents of around 30 young children who attended the pre-K class this year have to find an alternative. APS spokeswoman Monica Armenta says the decision to cancel the program was made in light of an audit that revealed inadequate infrastructure for it. Audits are not generally conducted incognito, but in this case either nobody knows when or why this move was undertaken, or APS is choosing not to reveal the reasoning behind it. Ditto for what inadequate actually means here. Amid all this confusion, Sandia students are understandably upset. After all, the class has been running for around three decades in, one has to assume, much the same infrastructure. They also feel they were left in the dark about the move and its replacement, namely site visits to Comanche Elementary School. Such an abrupt change to a long-standing program that had measurable value and was much appreciated is a misstep by APS and runs the risk of leaving a hole in the important niche of early education, especially in a state where our younger generation is ravaged by child abuse and teen pregnancy. New Mexicos pre-K services can and do offer results, with almost 92% of kids enrolled in such programs showing measurable progress in 2016-17. What better way to maintain such important progress than by almost guaranteeing a generation of dedicated teachers and child-care providers who have a solid background in early education, and who are doing what they learned to love at Sandia High? 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. Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal Bruce Beckner, aka Bill Evans, opened a new chapter in his life after being convicted in 1998 in Los Angeles of stealing more than $15.6 million from 559 investors through federal mail and securities fraud. And of all the places to end up after serving a 33-month federal prison sentence, Beckner chose Deming, where he began soliciting investments for a truck stop known back then as Truckers Paradise. Instead of plowing the investor money into renovation and expansion of the Savoy Travel Center LLC/Fuel 4 Less LLC, as promised, he allegedly pocketed the funds, used the money to pay off other loans, and allegedly defrauded investors. He fled to Honduras in 2011 after the truck stop business defaulted on a $16 million loan facilitated by the New Mexico Finance Authority, court records allege. But Beckner was back on U.S. soil this week after being captured by Honduran authorities at the San Pedro Sula airport as he tried to leave for his island home in Roatan, off Honduras. He was extradited to New Mexico to face a 2015 federal indictment on bank fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy and aiding and abetting in a scheme to defraud New Mexico investors to cash in on the truck stop business. The Honduran newspaper La Tribuna quoted Beckners defense lawyer in a story after Beckner was arrested March 7. Mr. Beckner has been living in Honduras since 2012, he has a passport from Belize, he lives in Roatan and he has a de facto union with a Honduran woman for 17 years, the attorney was quoted as saying. Appearing in U.S. Magistrate Court in Albuquerque on Thursday, Beckner, 57, was represented by an Albuquerque court-appointed attorney and is being held in federal custody pending trial. Court records say the long-term investigation leading to Beckners arrest included Homeland Security Investigations, an arm of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the Internal Revenue Service; and the New Mexico Attorney Generals Office. In 2012, the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Departments Securities Division imposed $375,000 in civil penalties against Beckner and two corporate officers, finding that they were engaged in securities fraud and that they were selling unauthorized securities without a license. A news release issued by state securities regulators in 2012 says 33 investors were defrauded of about $5.5 million. Court and state records show that Beckner, who acquired an interest in the truck stop in 2001, was alleged to have solicited investors by placing ads in the Los Angeles Times. He and two others took over the truck stop in about 2005. After the loan default involving the NMFA in 2011, a New Mexico state judge turned the truck stop business over to a court-appointed receiver, who filed a bankruptcy petition. Mastermind and fall guy Its unclear what led to Beckners extradition on the criminal indictment. But court records in the criminal case provide some details about the allegations against him. The U.S. Attorneys Office contended Beckner was the de facto owner of the truck stop, even though his name appeared on virtually none of the businesss official records. A co-defendant indicted along with Beckner in 2015 contended in court records that he, too, was duped by Beckner. Art Herlihy, a Californian who knew Beckner as Bill Evans, was impressed by financial performance figures Evans showed him for the truck stop. Herlihy, looking for a fresh start, decided to move to New Mexico to help find institutional financing for the truck stop. What Mr. Herlihy did not know at the time was that Bill Evans was a professional con artist and convicted felon, says a sentencing memorandum Herlihy filed in August 2017. He pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to a bank and denied ever benefiting from Beckners alleged illicit activities. Herlihy was sentenced to one day in jail. In one court filing, Herlihy called Beckner the mastermind behind a series of fraudulent schemes that lured multiple banks, state agencies and institutional investors into believing the truck stop had the potential to be profitable. Herlihy, who lived in Santa Fe, maintained that he was set up to be the fall guy for the fraudulent schemes. He couldnt be reached Thursday, and his former attorney in the case declined to comment. Disputing portions of a pre-sentence report issued after his plea in 2017, Herlihy said that even when he learned of Beckners criminal past, there was no need to immediately cease involvement with the truck stop. Mr. Herlihy had encountered a number of businesspeople in the retail fuel industry with criminal backgrounds. WASHINGTON For two years theres been the drip-drip-drip of the Russia investigation and the tweet-tweet-tweet of President Donald Trump assailing it. Numb yet? The slowly rolling revelations may have worked in Trumps favor by diluting the impact of a damaging report by Robert Mueller laying out substantial evidence of the president interfering in a probe to protect himself. By now, peoples positions on Trump are largely locked in. As Kansas farmer Donn Teske asks: Did it really take this report to point out the irony of this presidency? Americans prefer their scandals in a New York minute, ideally with videotape and the whiff of a smoking gun from Watergate lore. Instead the New Yorker in the White House has been the subject of a slowly assembled puzzle, forming a complex portrait in a special counsel report that neither clears nor nails him but leaves it to Congress to take the next steps. The dawn of the Russia episode made heads turn. Revelations that Russia mounted a sophisticated effort to interfere in and influence the outcome of the 2016 election (favoring the Republican, to boot!), provided a wow moment. The prospect that the Trump campaign cooperated with Moscows machinations elevated the stakes, placing Trumps presidency in peril. Muellers report affirmed much of what was already known while offering plentiful new insights into how Trump acted on multiple fronts to contain the scrutiny of his behavior by prosecutors. But Mueller exonerated Trump and his aides of collusion with Russia while reaching no conclusion about obstruction of justice, pointedly declining to vindicate the president on that matter. So wheres the wow now? Americans are still absorbing the thick report. But at this point, it seems baked into the body politic that the president is something of a rogue cop. The country is both numb and actively rooting for Trump the way we rooted for Dirty Harry to violate a perps rights in the 1970s, said scandal-management expert Eric Dezenhall, speaking at least of a big chunk of the public. He was elected to do two things: to light the system on fire and to entertain. And at least among his supporters, he offers the sheer spectacle, the joy, of watching this guy get away with stuff. Trumps defense has unfolded in the public square over the course of his presidency. On Twitter alone , hes denounced the Mueller probe as a witch hunt at a pace of nearly once a day since last summer. Hes slammed Muellers team untruthfully as Angry Democrats, one day saying there are 13 of them, then 17, then 18. Mueller is a lifelong Republican. Some on the team have donated money to Democratic candidates. (The color of their mood rings is not known.) In the fog of tirades it was easy to forget that the U.S. intelligence findings about Russian meddling and the prospect that Trump or his people might have been involved were disturbing enough to persuade Trumps Justice Department to appoint the special prosecutor. In Congress, at least at first, Republicans as well as Democrats wanted answers. In another nod to old-timey process and norms, Jeff Sessions recused himself from matters involving the probe because he had been part of Trumps campaign. BLANK Jeff Sessions, as a livid Trump called him, resisted Trumps pressure to reverse the recusal and was eventually forced out as attorney general. Since then Trumps hold on the party in Congress and its national apparatus has strengthened, even as GOP numbers fell in the midterms, and Trump has made clearer with each re-election-focused rally that what he cares about most is keeping his core supporters roused and Republicans overall from straying. Democratic presidential candidates, meanwhile, have largely been talking about other things, and not much about Trump at all, in the campaign. That suits Sal DeFrancesco, a Harvard College student who attended an event with Democratic candidate Beto ORourke on Thursday in Nashua, New Hampshire. Anything that the Democrats do to help Trump rile up his base will only increase voter turnout and make it harder for them to win in 2020, DeFrancesco said. So I am perfectly fine with this dying out to the background and letting the voters in 2020 make the decision about how big a deal this is for them. Against that backdrop, a poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found evidence of scandal fatigue and so-whatism among Republicans on the eve of the Mueller report even as a slight majority of respondents overall wanted Congress to keep investigating Trumps actions in the Russia matter, which Democrats plan to do. His anemic approval rating of 39% remained unchanged from before Mueller completed his investigation. But on these questions, as on so much else, the polarization is stark. Democrats in the poll want him impeached even if he did nothing wrong with Russia and the investigations to continue. Republicans want the country to move on. His supporters are going to support him, said Teske, 63, who raises cattle near Wheaton in northeast Kansas, leads the Kansas Farmers Union and held my nose to vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016. It doesnt matter what the report says. I dont consider Trump an evil man, Teske went on. I just consider him a symptom of our society. By that, he means a fragmentation that frightens him: I see people ready to start shooting guns and that is really scary. I dont think his supporters will allow him to be prosecuted. I think Mueller may have been very wise in how he dealt with this. For Dezenhall, who counsels his clients on how to get through scandal, the Mueller report doesnt have the flavor of a takedown. The public, he says, doesnt parse muddy differences between meddling, collusion, hacking and the like. Did he do it or did he not do it? Nobody wants to hear, he didnt technically do it. More broadly, though, he sees a public figure who has lived a life of utter exemption from consequences pretty much since birth. In a sense, he said, Donald Trump has been dodging the Mueller report since 1946. This is just another stop along his journey of impunity. ___ Associated Press writer Roxana Hegeman in Wichita, Kansas, and Hunter Woodall in Nashua, New Hampshire contributed to this report. Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal Jan Ramey Browning, wife of U.S. District Court Judge James O. Browning and a woman remembered as someone you wanted to emulate because it always seemed like she did the right thing, died last week after a short illness. She was 63. The federal court community is devastated, said U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Harris Hartz. Her passing leaves a hole in all of us. Jan Ramey and Jim Browning met in first grade in Hobbs and married shortly after college. She waited tables to get Jim through law school in Virginia and enticed him to come back to New Mexico where they raised three children. They were married for 40 years. An accomplished pianist who as a child taught herself to play on a neighbors piano, Jan had a degree in music education from West Texas State University and a masters degree in ministry from Pepperdine University. Jan was a longtime music education teacher at Albuquerque Christian School and Sunset Mesa Schools. And she was an active volunteer at Montgomery Church of Christ in Albuquerque where she taught classes and sang on the praise team. She loved poetry as well as music and was known for her graciousness as a hostess and warm smile in greeting people. Former state Attorney General Hal Stratton described her as the anchor of the Browning family and an independent and accomplished woman who pursued her career as a beloved and admired music teacher. He said she set an example for others to follow. It seemed like she always did the right, moral thing the hard things and not taking the easy path in life, Stratton said. All of us who know the Brownings are better off for knowing her, and she will be missed dearly. She is survived by her husband and their three children, Eli, Jacob and Elizabeth Bell. Jan passed away Wednesday in Dallas, where she had spent time recently with Elizabeth and husband Zacs three children Bennett, Emma and Aubrey. A visitation is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. Monday at French Funerals at 10500 Lomas NE. A service will be held at Netherwood Park Church of Christ at 5101 Indian School on Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. with a reception to follow featuring Jans favorite: green chile enchiladas from Monroes. A second service is scheduled at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Jefferson Street Church of Christ in Hobbs, with burial to follow at Prairie Haven Cemetery. An effort by the governors office to bump the pay of faculty and staff at all colleges and universities throughout the state could result in a 3% tuition increase for students at New Mexicos largest university, according to a university budget proposal being recommended. The University of New Mexicos budget leadership team on Thursday unanimously approved a budget scenario for next year that would increase the base tuition for every student in the university system by 3.1% and give faculty and staff a 3% pay raise. That budget scenario is a compromise to Secretary of Higher Education Kate ONeill, who said in an April 8 letter that all employees at colleges and universities in the state are to get a 4% raise next year. ONeills letter was sent the day before UNMs Board of Regents was scheduled to vote on a recommended budget that wouldnt have increased base tuition at UNM. But that proposal would have only given faculty and staff a 2% pay raise. Weve gone back to the drawing board to see what it would take to do the full 4% (raise). Weve looked at everything, said interim Provost Richard Wood, who is the chair of the budget leadership team. Ultimately, the recommendation is that the only place we have flexibility right now to fund the additional compensation increase is to increase tuition. Its not clear if the governors office would be OK with a 3% raise instead of the 4% increase. ONeill didnt respond to a request for comment on Thursday. As was the case the other week, we wish tuition increases werent the first option, said Tripp Stelnicki, a spokesman for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. I feel like there are or can be other avenues to get where the university needs to go in boosting the hard-working professionals in the classrooms and all throughout the org chart who deserve a boost most. And we still would like to get to 4%. The budget leadership teams scenario isnt binding. The recommendation will go to UNM President Garnett Stokes, who could alter it before presenting it to the universitys Board of Regents at a meeting on Monday. Regents are scheduled to vote on the universitys budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year at that meeting. In addition to the base tuition increase, there are also likely going to be fee increases for some UNM students next year, primarily for those who take advanced courses or are in certain fields of study. Those fee increases were included in the budget proposal that regents had been scheduled to vote on April 9. Officials from the governors office, when asked about ONeills letter calling for raises, pointed out that lawmakers had allocated millions of dollars for faculty and staff raises at New Mexico colleges in a state spending bill. But university officials have said that between UNMs main and health sciences campus, less than half the employees are funded with state money. For that reason, the university in prior years has modified state allocations for raises and spread the money to a greater number of employees, Stokes previously said. If the recommendation is approved by regents, tuition next year for an undergraduate taking lower-level courses would be about $3,800 per semester, upper-level undergrads would be spending about $4,350 and graduate student tuition would be about $4,770, according to university documents. Those would be up about $115 to $145 from current costs. Another budget scenario floated by the budget leadership team called for faculty and staff to get to the 4% pay raise ONeills letter said was necessary. That scenario would increase base tuition by almost 6% across the board. Students from the University of New Mexicos Anderson School of Management were faced with ethics questions and passed the test. UNM placed first in the graduate competition of the eighth annual Daniels Fund Ethics Consortium Case Competition earlier this month. The competition exposes college students to a business ethics case, similar to a situation they might face in their professional careers. It is designed to challenge students ethical reasoning, give them tools for decision-making, and raise awareness of the importance of principle-based ethics. In advance of the competition, teams were provided with a case involving a fictional gene editing company. Students took on the role of a management consulting firm hired by the board of directors to help deal with issues and risks at the company. Each team conducted an analysis of the ethical issues and presented their prepared recommendations to a panel of judges. After a question-and-answer session with the judges, the teams received a second part of the case a crisis that provided new information and put a twist on the case. They had just four hours to re-analyze their original recommendations and make a second presentation to the judges. UNM competed with schools from Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico. Team members were Daniel Seymour, Shae Zsiga, Julianna Zarasura, Francine Briones and James Burton. We welcome suggestions for the daily Bright Spot. Send to newsroom@abqjournal.com. Three suspects are in custody after gunning down three men at a home near Los Lunas early Saturday, according to the Valencia County Sheriffs Office. VCSO spokesman Joseph Rowland said Brandon Dowdy, 18, Anthony William, 17, and Robert Wilson, 19, are each charged with three counts of murder. Dowdy and Wilson, both of Belen, will be booked into the Valencia County Detention Center, while William, of Los Lunas, will be booked into the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center. The three are accused of killing Darren Bernal, 40, and Nathan Morrison, 28, both of Belen, and Joseph Santiago, 29, of Albuquerque. Authorities have not released any information on what led to the shootings. Deputies say they were dispatched to the 200 block of East El Cerro Loop around 2 a.m. after receiving reports of gunfire in the area. They found Bernal, Morrison and Santiago dead, shot multiple times. Witnesses told deputies they heard numerous gunshots and saw a blue sport utility vehicle driving off. The vehicle was found a short distance away with Dowdy, William and Wilson inside. Detectives from the VCSO Criminal Investigations Division were at the scene, along with the New Mexico State Police Crime Scene Unit. 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 Brzezinski's Warning To America LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 348173 04-20-2019 02:03 PM Post: #1 Brzezinski's Warning To America Advertisement At the 2019 Munich Security Conference, Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger, underscored many of these same themes. Heres an excerpt from his presentation: Quote: The whole liberal world order appears to be falling apart nothing is as it once was Not only do war and violence play a more prominent role again: a new great power confrontation looms at the horizon. In contrast to the early 1990s, liberal democracy and the principle of open markets are no longer uncontested. In this international environment, the risk of an inter-state war between great and middle powers has clearly increased.What we had been observing in many places around the world was a dramatic increase in brinkmanship, that is, highly risky actions on the abyss the abyss of war. No matter where you look, there are countless conflicts and crisesthe core pieces of the international order are breaking apart, without it being clear whether anyone can pick them up or even wants to. (Who will pick up the pieces?, Munich Security Conference) https://www.securityconference.de/en/pub...he-pieces/ Ischinger is not alone in his desperation nor are his feelings limited to elites and intellectuals. By now, most people are familiar with the demonstrations that have rocked Paris, the political cage-match that is tearing apart England (Brexit), the rise of anti-immigrant right-wing groups that have sprung up across Europe, and the surprising rejection of the front-runner candidate in the 2016 presidential elections in the US. Everywhere the establishment and their neoliberal policies are being rejected by the masses of working people who have only recently begun to wreak havoc on a system that has ignored them for more than 30 years. Trumps public approval ratings have improved, not because he has drained the swamp as he promised, but because he is still seen as a Washington outsider despised by the political class, the foreign policy establishment and the media. His credibility rests on the fact that he is hated by the coalition of elites who working people now regard as their sworn enemy. The president of the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations, Richard Haass, summed up his views on the weakening of the liberal world order in an article that appeared on the CFRs website. Heres what he said: Quote: Attempts to build global frameworks are failing. Protectionism is on the rise; the latest round of global trade talks never came to fruition. .At the same time, great power rivalry is returning There are several reasons why all this is happening, and why now. The rise of populism is in part a response to stagnating incomes and job loss, owing mostly to new technologies but widely attributed to imports and immigrants. Nationalism is a tool increasingly used by leaders to bolster their authority, especially amid difficult economic and political conditions. But the weakening of the liberal world order is due, more than anything else, to the changed attitude of the U.S. Under President Donald Trump, the US decided against joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership and to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. It has threatened to leave the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Iran nuclear deal. It has unilaterally introduced steel and aluminum tariffs, relying on a justification (national security) that others could use, in the process placing the world at risk of a trade war.America First and the liberal world order seem incompatible. (Liberal World Order, R.I.P., Richard Haass, CFR) https://www.cfr.org/article/liberal-world-order-rip What Haass is saying is that the cure for globalisation is more globalization, that the greatest threat to the liberal world order is preventing the behemoth corporations from getting more of what they want; more self-aggrandizing trade agreements, more offshoring of businesses, more outsourcing of jobs, more labor arbitrage, and more privatization of public assets and critical resources. Trade liberalization is not liberalization, it does not strengthen democracy or create an environment where human rights, civil liberties and the rule of law are respected. Its a policy that focuses almost-exclusively on the free movement of capital in order to enrich wealthy shareholders and fatten the bottom line. The sporadic uprisings around the world Brexit, yellow vests, emergent right wing groups can all trace their roots back to these one-sided, corporate-friendly trade deals that have precipitated the steady slide in living standards, the shrinking of incomes, and the curtailing of crucial benefits for the great mass of working people across the US and Europe. President Trump is not responsible for the outbreak of populism and social unrest, he is merely an expression of the peoples rage. Trumps presidential triumph was a clear rejection of the thoroughly-rigged elitist system that continues to transfer the bulk of the nations wealth to tiniest layer of people at the top. Haasss critique illustrates the level of denial among elites who are now gripped by fear of an uncertain future. As we noted earlier, the center of gravity has shifted from west to east, which is the one incontrovertible fact that cannot be denied. Washingtons brief unipolar moment following the breakup of the Soviet Union in December, 1991 has already passed and new centers of industrial and financial power are gaining pace and gradually overtaking the US in areas that are vital to Americas primacy. This rapidly changing economic environment is accompanied by widespread social discontent, seething class-based resentment, and ever-more radical forms of political expression. The liberal order is collapsing, not because the values espoused in the 60s and 70s have lost their appeal, but because inequality is widening, the political system has become unresponsive to the demands of the people, and because US can no longer arbitrarily impose its will on the world. Globalization has fueled the rise of populism, it has helped to exacerbate ethnic and racial tensions, and it is largely responsible for the hollowing out of Americas industrial core. Haasss antidote would only throw more gas on the fire and hasten the day when liberals and conservatives form into rival camps and join in a bloody battle to the end. Someone has to stop the madness before the country descends into a second Civil War. What Haass fails to discuss, is Washingtons perverse reliance on force to preserve the liberal world order, after all, its not like the US assumed its current dominant role by merely competing more effectively in global markets. Oh, no. Behind the silk glove lies the iron fist, which has been used in over 50 regime change operations since the end of WW2. The US has over 800 military bases scattered across the planet and has laid to waste one country after the other in successive interventions, invasions and occupations for as long as anyone can remember. This penchant for violence has been sharply criticized by other members of the United Nations, but only Russia has had the courage to openly oppose Washington where it really counts, on the battlefield. Russia is presently engaged in military operations that have either prevented Washington from achieving its strategic objectives (like Ukraine) or rolled back Washingtons proxy-war in Syria. Naturally, liberal elites like Haass feel threatened by these developments since they are accustomed to a situation in which the world is their oyster. But, alas, oysters have been removed from the menu, and the United States is going to have to make the adjustment or risk a third world war. What Russian President Vladimir Putin objects to, is Washingtons unilateralism, the cavalier breaking of international law to pursue its own imperial ambitions. Ironically, Putin has become the greatest defender of the international system and, in particular, the United Nations which is a point he drove home in his presentation at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 28, 2015, just two days before Russian warplanes began their bombing missions in Syria. Heres part of what he said: more https://www.unz.com/mwhitney/brzezinskis...o-america/ The liberal world order, which lasted from the end of World War 2 until today, is rapidly collapsing. The center of gravity is shifting from west to east where China and India are experiencing explosive growth and where a revitalized Russia has restored its former stature as a credible global superpower. These developments, coupled with Americas imperial overreach and chronic economic stagnation, have severely hampered US ability to shape events or to successfully pursue its own strategic objectives. As Washingtons grip on global affairs continues to loosen and more countries reject the western development model, the current order will progressively weaken clearing the way for a multipolar world badly in need of a new security architecture. Western elites, who are unable to accept this new dynamic, continue to issue frenzied statements expressing their fear of a future in which the United States no longer dictates global policy.At the 2019 Munich Security Conference, Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger, underscored many of these same themes. Heres an excerpt from his presentation:Ischinger is not alone in his desperation nor are his feelings limited to elites and intellectuals. By now, most people are familiar with the demonstrations that have rocked Paris, the political cage-match that is tearing apart England (Brexit), the rise of anti-immigrant right-wing groups that have sprung up across Europe, and the surprising rejection of the front-runner candidate in the 2016 presidential elections in the US. Everywhere the establishment and their neoliberal policies are being rejected by the masses of working people who have only recently begun to wreak havoc on a system that has ignored them for more than 30 years. Trumps public approval ratings have improved, not because he has drained the swamp as he promised, but because he is still seen as a Washington outsider despised by the political class, the foreign policy establishment and the media. His credibility rests on the fact that he is hated by the coalition of elites who working people now regard as their sworn enemy.The president of the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations, Richard Haass, summed up his views on the weakening of the liberal world order in an article that appeared on the CFRs website. Heres what he said:What Haass is saying is that the cure for globalisation is more globalization, that the greatest threat to the liberal world order is preventing the behemoth corporations from getting more of what they want; more self-aggrandizing trade agreements, more offshoring of businesses, more outsourcing of jobs, more labor arbitrage, and more privatization of public assets and critical resources. Trade liberalization is not liberalization, it does not strengthen democracy or create an environment where human rights, civil liberties and the rule of law are respected. Its a policy that focuses almost-exclusively on the free movement of capital in order to enrich wealthy shareholders and fatten the bottom line. The sporadic uprisings around the world Brexit, yellow vests, emergent right wing groups can all trace their roots back to these one-sided, corporate-friendly trade deals that have precipitated the steady slide in living standards, the shrinking of incomes, and the curtailing of crucial benefits for the great mass of working people across the US and Europe. President Trump is not responsible for the outbreak of populism and social unrest, he is merely an expression of the peoples rage. Trumps presidential triumph was a clear rejection of the thoroughly-rigged elitist system that continues to transfer the bulk of the nations wealth to tiniest layer of people at the top.Haasss critique illustrates the level of denial among elites who are now gripped by fear of an uncertain future.As we noted earlier, the center of gravity has shifted from west to east, which is the one incontrovertible fact that cannot be denied. Washingtons brief unipolar moment following the breakup of the Soviet Union in December, 1991 has already passed and new centers of industrial and financial power are gaining pace and gradually overtaking the US in areas that are vital to Americas primacy. This rapidly changing economic environment is accompanied by widespread social discontent, seething class-based resentment, and ever-more radical forms of political expression. The liberal order is collapsing, not because the values espoused in the 60s and 70s have lost their appeal, but because inequality is widening, the political system has become unresponsive to the demands of the people, and because US can no longer arbitrarily impose its will on the world.Globalization has fueled the rise of populism, it has helped to exacerbate ethnic and racial tensions, and it is largely responsible for the hollowing out of Americas industrial core. Haasss antidote would only throw more gas on the fire and hasten the day when liberals and conservatives form into rival camps and join in a bloody battle to the end. Someone has to stop the madness before the country descends into a second Civil War.What Haass fails to discuss, is Washingtons perverse reliance on force to preserve the liberal world order, after all, its not like the US assumed its current dominant role by merely competing more effectively in global markets. Oh, no. Behind the silk glove lies the iron fist, which has been used in over 50 regime change operations since the end of WW2. The US has over 800 military bases scattered across the planet and has laid to waste one country after the other in successive interventions, invasions and occupations for as long as anyone can remember. This penchant for violence has been sharply criticized by other members of the United Nations, but only Russia has had the courage to openly oppose Washington where it really counts, on the battlefield.Russia is presently engaged in military operations that have either prevented Washington from achieving its strategic objectives (like Ukraine) or rolled back Washingtons proxy-war in Syria. Naturally, liberal elites like Haass feel threatened by these developments since they are accustomed to a situation in which the world is their oyster. But, alas, oysters have been removed from the menu, and the United States is going to have to make the adjustment or risk a third world war.What Russian President Vladimir Putin objects to, is Washingtons unilateralism, the cavalier breaking of international law to pursue its own imperial ambitions. Ironically, Putin has become the greatest defender of the international system and, in particular, the United Nations which is a point he drove home in his presentation at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 28, 2015, just two days before Russian warplanes began their bombing missions in Syria. Heres part of what he said:more LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442059 04-20-2019 02:13 PM Post: #2 RE: Brzezinski's Warning To America Right wing ideology seems to have broken most of it: - too much corporate freedom - too much faith in war and force - and now at the end a hate for any dealings outside one's own country The left having become neo liberal and adapting may of the same attitudes, didn't help too.... engineering Banned User ID: 497851 04-20-2019 02:25 PM Posts: 5,299 Post: #3 RE: Brzezinski's Warning To America LoP Guest Wrote: (04-20-2019 02:03 PM) As we noted earlier, the center of gravity has shifted from west to east, which is the one incontrovertible fact that cannot be denied. Natura Naturans Registered User User ID: 497797 04-20-2019 04:37 PM Posts: 13,155 Post: #4 RE: Brzezinski's Warning To America The handwriting is on the wall, the belligerent US has invaded over 50 countries since WW2 and left the third world in extreme poverty and chaos. The Russians and Chinese are now loaning to the third world to improve their lives as well as exploit their natural resources. The US can no longer afford it's 800 bases around the world, the national debt won't allow it. So it's buy buy American pie. I just hope Engineering will join the US military so he can find out first hand that war is a racket, something he could more easily confirm by reading a book by the same name by Smedley D. Butler. "Smedley D. Butler quotes Showing 1-25 of 25 I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents. Smedley D. Butler, War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier" The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free. --Baruch Spinoza engineering Banned User ID: 497851 04-20-2019 04:42 PM Posts: 5,299 Post: #5 RE: Brzezinski's Warning To America Natura Naturans Wrote: (04-20-2019 04:37 PM) The handwriting is on the wall, the belligerent US has invaded over 50 countries since WW2 and left the third world in extreme poverty and chaos. The Russians and Chinese are now loaning to the third world to improve their lives as well as exploit their natural resources. The US can no longer afford it's 800 bases around the world, the national debt won't allow it. So it's buy buy American pie. I just hope Engineering will join the US military so he can find out first hand that war is a racket, something he could more easily confirm by reading a book by the same name by Smedley D. Butler. "Smedley D. Butler quotes Showing 1-25 of 25 I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents. Smedley D. Butler, War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier" So you base your entire would view on what a f&*king communist did in 1902? So you base your entire would view on what a f&*king communist did in 1902? SkeptiSchism Registered User User ID: 450243 04-20-2019 04:43 PM Posts: 36,805 Post: #6 RE: Brzezinski's Warning To America Brzezinski, Kissinger, all those cold war intelligensia were children of the devil. Evil incarnate. We have our own evil now, but it suffers from degradation of intellect which I attribute to maintaining socialist policies like EEO for decades. Natura Naturans Registered User User ID: 497797 04-20-2019 05:38 PM Posts: 13,155 Post: #7 RE: Brzezinski's Warning To America engineering Wrote: (04-20-2019 04:42 PM) Natura Naturans Wrote: (04-20-2019 04:37 PM) The handwriting is on the wall, the belligerent US has invaded over 50 countries since WW2 and left the third world in extreme poverty and chaos. The Russians and Chinese are now loaning to the third world to improve their lives as well as exploit their natural resources. The US can no longer afford it's 800 bases around the world, the national debt won't allow it. So it's buy buy American pie. I just hope Engineering will join the US military so he can find out first hand that war is a racket, something he could more easily confirm by reading a book by the same name by Smedley D. Butler. "Smedley D. Butler quotes Showing 1-25 of 25 I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents. Smedley D. Butler, War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier" So you base your entire would view on what a f*cking communist did in 1902? I don't know where you got the idea Butler was a communist. He was a quintessential American patriot. He single handedly stopped a coup by American Nazi's against the US in 1934: https://timeline.com/business-plot-overt...59a012c32a I don't know where you got the idea Butler was a communist. He was a quintessential American patriot. He single handedly stopped a coup by American Nazi's against the US in 1934: The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free. --Baruch Spinoza LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 204121 04-20-2019 05:45 PM Post: #8 RE: Brzezinski's Warning To America Natura Naturans Wrote: (04-20-2019 05:38 PM) engineering Wrote: (04-20-2019 04:42 PM) So you base your entire would view on what a f*cking communist did in 1902? I don't know where you got the idea Butler was a communist. He was a quintessential American patriot. He single handedly stopped a coup by American Nazi's against the US in 1934: https://timeline.com/business-plot-overt...59a012c32a I think he stated quite clearly what he was about by his actions. I think he stated quite clearly what he was about by his actions. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 497653 04-20-2019 07:07 PM Post: #9 RE: Brzezinski's Warning To America engineering Wrote: (04-20-2019 02:25 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (04-20-2019 02:03 PM) As we noted earlier, the center of gravity has shifted from west to east, which is the one incontrovertible fact that cannot be denied. You find that funny? You haven't noticed that we are broke and hopelessly in debt? wtf? You find that funny? You haven't noticed that we are broke and hopelessly in debt?wtf? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 486611 04-20-2019 07:33 PM Post: #10 RE: Brzezinski's Warning To America The Council on Foreign Relations lacks the "diversity" it's forced down the throats of everyone else. A mass firing is in order at the CFR. CNN too! loNe-RPT Registered User User ID: 450073 04-20-2019 07:41 PM Posts: 2,982 Post: #11 RE: Brzezinski's Warning To America engineering Wrote: (04-20-2019 02:25 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (04-20-2019 02:03 PM) As we noted earlier, the center of gravity has shifted from west to east, which is the one incontrovertible fact that cannot be denied. its true. you dont understand PTB. [christian] west will implode by their treason from inside. better a new world with chinese drone people. its true.you dont understand PTB.[christian] west will implode by their treason from inside.better a new world with chinese drone people. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 486611 04-20-2019 07:47 PM Post: #12 RE: Brzezinski's Warning To America Russia defeated the largest covert irregular army ever fielded. They did it using a literal handful of antique USSR jets. Jets that operated unopposed because America's "first black President" was unable to withstand the revelation of him actually being the King of State Sponsored Terror. The 2014 vote in the British Parliament to oppose PM Cameron's push to invade Syira to save ISIS didn't help American Supremacy either. The deep state is currently clinging to power over it's increasingly impotent covert force structure. Imperial overreach and exposure of the true logistics structure of state terror turned counter-productive. Struggling with all it's might, the elites struggle to force Trump to drink as deeply from the cup of state terror as Obama and Bush did. Even Trump's gifts and giveaways to Israel run counter to what elites like Haass wants. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 486611 04-20-2019 08:03 PM Post: #13 RE: Brzezinski's Warning To America Syria was the G-7's Vietnam. ISIS was Hillary Clinton's version of the Vietcong. The Global Economy collapsed in 2008. The Globalist army was defeated in 2014 in Aleppo and Donbass. These defeats preceeded Trump. If the Corporate Dems fail to stop a Sanders or a Tulsi takeover of the White House, it's game over. You won't see a Samantha Powers or a Nikki Haley in their cabinet. Fu King Registered User User ID: 430765 04-20-2019 08:28 PM Posts: 3,346 Post: #14 RE: Brzezinski's Warning To America engineering Wrote: (04-20-2019 04:42 PM) Natura Naturans Wrote: (04-20-2019 04:37 PM) The handwriting is on the wall, the belligerent US has invaded over 50 countries since WW2 and left the third world in extreme poverty and chaos. The Russians and Chinese are now loaning to the third world to improve their lives as well as exploit their natural resources. The US can no longer afford it's 800 bases around the world, the national debt won't allow it. So it's buy buy American pie. I just hope Engineering will join the US military so he can find out first hand that war is a racket, something he could more easily confirm by reading a book by the same name by Smedley D. Butler. "Smedley D. Butler quotes Showing 1-25 of 25 I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents. Smedley D. Butler, War is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier" So you base your entire would view on what a f*cking communist did in 1902? SkeptiSchism Registered User User ID: 450243 04-20-2019 08:35 PM Posts: 36,805 Post: #15 RE: Brzezinski's Warning To America LoP Guest Wrote: (04-20-2019 08:03 PM) Syria was the G-7's Vietnam. ISIS was Hillary Clinton's version of the Vietcong. The Global Economy collapsed in 2008. The Globalist army was defeated in 2014 in Aleppo and Donbass. These defeats preceeded Trump. If the Corporate Dems fail to stop a Sanders or a Tulsi takeover of the White House, it's game over. You won't see a Samantha Powers or a Nikki Haley in their cabinet. You're wrong about Tulsi Gabbard. But there is no way she could get the DNC nomination, because they are doing to her exactly what the republicans did to Ron Paul when he ran for president. You're wrong about Tulsi Gabbard. But there is no way she could get the DNC nomination, because they are doing to her exactly what the republicans did to Ron Paul when he ran for president. Advertisement Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread PARADISE, Calif. - Sunday is the day many families who surivived the Camp Fire will be celebrating Easter and the renewal it symbolizes at a community event at Bille Park in Paradise. Stephen Murray was raised in Paradise. He has been helping survivors and is one of the organizers of the event. Murray has found food, delivered propane, and even helped to provide trailer to families in need. Murray told Action News Now that they are expecting more than 2,000 people at the event. E&J's Mobile Kitchen (a non-profit agency) will be serving up hamburgers and hotdogs. A potluck will also be held. Easter baskets will be given to children who attend the event, while supplies last. Organizers are hoping all children will receive baskets. There will also be an Easter egg hunt, games, and a visit by the Easter Bunny. The event was created to help families who are struggling get together with each other in "a magical way for our children," said Murray. The event starts at 11:00 a.m. and will continue until 5:00 p.m. Ashlynn Pride, Stephen Murray and Paradise Fire Adopt a Family are the organizers of the event.. Murray posts regularly to his Facebook page with updates on his efforts to help survivors of the Camp Fire. Chico, Calif. - Paradise Town Officials are not the only ones working on rebuilding plans after the Camp Fire. Architecture students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo have also been re-imagining the future of the Town. A group of 40 Cal Poly students is now working with students from CSU, Chico and Montana State and Friday they presented their ideas to the community. They used posters, models and virtual reality to highlight their concepts for two villages and 27 projects. CSU,Chico student Evelyn Gonzalez said, "Once we all got to see the area we were dealing with, we got to take it in personally and come up with our own concept. So every single person has a different concept on what building they wanted to build, and I think the personal effect that it took on every person, they wanted to make sure that they could find a solution for all those victims." The students from CSU, Chico are from the Department of Art and Art History. There will be one more presentation of ideas before the end of the semester. India News on Friday hosted, Manch Chhattisgarh Ab Ki Baar Likh Kar Do Sarkar a mega political conclave to gauge the mood of the people of Chhattisgarh on the general elections, the event was held at Piccadilly, Raipur. The event was graced by Shri Bhupesh Bhagel, Honorable Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh along with the state cabinet ministers. The conclave was also attended by Dr. Raman Singh, Former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. Speaking exclusively during Manch Chhattisgarh Ab Ki Baar Likh Kar Do Sarkar, Shri Bhupesh Bhagel, Honorable Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh said We dont need any Chowkidar (guard), here in Chhattisgarh, only rich people needs a Chowkidar(guard). He added that Chhattisgarh is the dream of our ancestors. While speaking on development issues he said We have already started the procedure to recruit 15000 school teachers, we waived loans and proved that a 60-day government is much better than the 60-month government. He also slammed BJP government and said if Modi government will come in power by mistake, then it won't do nothing in the next five year but criticizing the Congress. Modi government has no vision. He also questioned BJP governments demonetization and GST act. On the Lok Sabha elections, he said UPA will get 300 seats. In an exclusive session with Dr. Raman Singh, Former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, the minister said Surgical strike is an example that India has emerged as a strong country in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He further slams Chhattisgarh government and said, Promises made by the congress government has not been fulfilled in 100 days, while our BJP government has done development work in Chhattisgarh during our tenure of 15 years, and the present Congress government is shutting down our policies. On the Lok Sabha elections he said BJP will repeat the result of 2014 Lok Sabha elections and people will surely reward the party for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's good work, we are hopeful to get 9 10 seats. In another session with Shri Tamradhwaj Sahu, Home Minister of Chhattisgarh, the minister discussed about various government policies, he said Chhattisgarh government is keen to ban liquor in the state but we are afraid of drug abuse. On the development work in the state he said, In just 100 days our government has started doing development work and fulfilled 18 promises. On the Lok Sabha elections he said Modi wave has ended not only in Chhattisgarh but also in India. People of our country has full confidence in Rahul Gandhi and we will win 11 seats in the state. In an exclusive session with Shri Navjot Singh Siddhu, Congress Leader, slams BJP government and said Judiciary has come on the crossroads. Constitutional institutions are like rubber dolls. The army was left to be the army of Narendra Modi. To woo the issue, the political arrows are run on the shoulders of the soldiers. Further he questioned Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and BJP government on Black Money, demonetization and Jobs. In another session, Shri Sanjay Srivastava, BJP Leader; Shri R.P Singh, Congress Leader; and Shri Sanket Thakur, AAP leader, discussed various issues about the problems related to public health, education and naxalites in the state. Shri Sanjay Srivastava said Liquor ban has still not been implemented in the state yet, on naxal issues he said Under Bhagel government our BJP leader was shot dead by Naxalites. while, Shri Sanket Thakur said People are not been able to avail the Aayushman Bharat scheme in the state due to politics between BJP & Congress. In one of the sessions, Shri Ramesh Warlyani, Congress Leader said Congress will get all 11 seats due to the work done by Bhupesh Bhagel government in past three months. While countering the same, Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, BJP leader, said Bhupesh Baghel government failed to reduce electricity prices, in fact reduced power supply in the state. In another special session, some top experts discussed on the topic when will Chhattisgarh get rid of Naxalites? experts like Dr. Sunil Trivedi, Former Election Commissioner, Chhattisgarh said Voting percentage has increased gradually in the state as these people are having trust in democracy, now our politicians should also build that trust. The problem is only about trust factor in Chhattisgarh. While, Shri Ramesh Nayyar, Senior Journalist said We should never question or counter our army personnels, we should be proud to them as they are situated in naxal prone areas for our safety. Dr. Varnika Sharma, Researcher & Academician said In the past few years, majority of students have started going regularly to the schools without any fear from naxalites due to CRPF present in the critical areas. There was a special session on Chollywood, film & entertainment industry in Chhattisgarh with Shri Santosh Jain, Chhattisgarh Film Director & Producer; Padmashri Shri Anuj Kumar, Actor in Chhattisgarh film industry and Smt Mamta Chandrakar, Chhattisgarhi playback Singer, the panelists discussed about the problems faced by the Chollywood film industry and the support required by the industry from the state government. Manch Chhattisgarh is an initiative of India News Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh, to foster a sense of citizenship and make political processes more transparent and accountable towards the people of the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be seen in the blockbuster political interview of the year with Rahul Shivshankar, Editor-in-Chief and Navika Kumar, Managing Editor, Times NOW airing tonight, at 9 PM on Times NOW. In a 75-minute compelling interview, PM Modi today speaks on a wide range of the controversies and developments that he has not yet commented upon. Exuding confidence after two-phases of the General election, the Prime Minister said that the only challenger to Narendra Modi is Narendra Modi. The PM discounted talk that he views politics as a zero-sum game in which he believes he needs to respond to challenges from Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav or Chandrababu Naidu. Slamming critics who question the BJPs decision to field Malegaon blasts accused Pragya Thakur from Bhopal, PM Modi said, The decision is a befitting reply to individuals who linked a whole religion and culture to terror. Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi and his claims that the Congress is reviving and bharat is not Congress Mukt the Prime Minister said, If that was the case why is the Grand old party contesting the least number of seats this election. The reason the Congress is contesting the fewest seats is because it doesnt have worthy candidates left to field. The Prime Minister sought to reach across the aisles by distinguishing the BJP from what he calls is an arrogant standalone Congress caught in the Panchmarhi Trap. Even though the BJP is confident of securing a majority in a vast nation like ours not only a majority but consensus is required and that he intends to take all parties along. About the question on why the government allowed the Mallyas and Choksis to get away, the Prime Minister hit back at his detractors and said, When the heat got to the offenders they ran away but why arent the critics talking about the fact that some have lost their cases on extradition while others are rotting in jail. In an extremely determined re-assertion of the NDAs zero-tolerance for terror, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized those who have been advocating a soft touch towards Jammu & Kashmir. On Rahul Gandhis vow to dilute the provisions of AFSPA to reduce the alienation of the people in the troubled state of J&K the Prime Minister said, The terrorists and separatists can only be dealt with a hitting touch. The healing touch, should be reserved for the civilians of the state. Walking the talk with TIMES NOWs Editor-In-Chief Rahul Shivshankar and Managing Editor Navika Kumar, the Prime Minister, for the first time, commented on why his government has nothing to be defensive about on charges that it was withholding documents from public scrutiny in the Rafale case. The PM said, Those who have been using the Defence Ministry as an ATM have made the corruption allegations in the Rafale deal without any basis. The PM also questions the intent of those who allege vendetta behind the I-T raids that have been conducted to prevent the influence of cash from vitiating the poll process. The PM asserts that the raids have all yielded proof of corruption including the siphoning of money from schemes meant for the most vulnerable sections of the society like children and expectant mothers. Acknowledging that there has been hardship from demonetisation which he had always predicted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he still has the publics support for the policy and only the dishonest have created an atmosphere that it is a draconian imposition on the people. The PM said that linking the exercise to joblessness was mischievous. In a clear message to those embroiled in corruption cases the Prime Minister has vowed to take the fight to clean-up India further in his 2nd term. Taking a slew of questions from TIMES NOW on the perceived lack of jobs the PM combatively asserted that the claims being made about rising unemployment are fake intended by a Lutyens brigade that is only looking at their narrow politically motivated self-interest. On the question of whether the Modi Magic exists on the same scale in 2019 as witnessed in 2014 the PM said, I am not an election rally paratrooper but has spent quality time with people on the ground 3 days every week giving me a direct exposure to the peoples mood. Responding for the first time to the charge that the Citizenship Bill has a communal agenda, PM Modi declares that no country is a Dharamshala where there is no census of the actual citizens. The Prime Minister called out the duplicity of the Congress Party by reminding it of the stand taken by Rahul Gandhis father 30 years ago in support of the NRC in the context of the Assam Accord. Predicting more than 282 + seats for the BJP alone the PM claims his administration in the last 5 years has not worked by giving orders from air-conditioned rooms and getting reports through babus but has halted the night in 450 districts of India to get feedback from the ground. Tune-in to Times NOW at 9.00 p.m. tonight to watch the riveting conversation of PM Narendra Modi with Rahul Shivshankar and Navika Kumar by Ginger Taylor, MS If even ONE Jew is barred from entering a place of worship on Passover... we have a big problem. Rockland County has told the Jewish people that they cannot obey God, and worship Him as He instructed them, unless they first inject aborted fetal cell remains and pig into themselves and their children. Which God has instructed them not to do. "And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you." - Leviticus 11:7-8 But unless they disobey God in his instructions in Leviticus, Rockland County will not let them obey Exodus 12: I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night and strike every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, both man and beast. I am Yahweh; I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt. The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a distinguishing mark for you; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will be among you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day is to be a memorial for you, and you must celebrate it as a festival to the Lord. You are to celebrate it throughout your generations as a permanent statute..." New York has turned going to a house of worship for a regular service established thousands of years ago, into an act of civil disobedience. Rockland County tells Jews to decide how they will decide to defy the God of the Old Testament who has preserved them for thousands of years from Egyptian slavery to the Holocaust: JewishPress.com - Rockland County officials desperate to limit the spread of the measles outbreak before it becomes an outright epidemic on Tuesday banned all exposed, unvaccinated people from public gathering places, including houses of worship, for the next three weeks, AP reported. The order coincides with religious celebrations of both Passover and Easter... On Tuesday, NYC health officials ordered the residents of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which is densely Jewish Orthodox, to be vaccinated for measles or face fines as high as $1,000. The same officials noted that this may be the first time in more than 100 years that such stiff measures have been used... Back in 1905, the Supreme Court upheld an order forcing smallpox vaccinations in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and in 1922 the court upheld states right to impose school-vaccination programs, which has since established the schools as the avenue for dispensing vaccinations... In 1905, in HENNING JACOBSON v. COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, SCOTUS held that a pastor who didn't want to pay the five dollar fine for failing to get the Massachusetts government prescribed smallpox vaccine, had to pay the $5. The Massachusetts order was issued ONLY to adults, to address an epidemic of a deadly disease for which there was no treatment. And SCOTUS also said that such orders by governments could not be onerous or unreasonable. Governments then took the ruling and applied it to onerous and unreasonable orders, including orders for children to get dozens of vaccines, even for diseases that had been completely absent in their states (or country) at the cost of the price of an education ($50k and up.) Oliver Wendell Holmes even decided he could use the law upholding a FIVE DOLLAR FINE to force sterilize women, writing in the case of Buck v. Bell that: "...in order to prevent our being swamped with incompetence. It is better for all the world, if instead of waiting to execute degenerate offspring for crime, or to let them starve for their imbecility, society can prevent those who are manifestly unfit from continuing their kind. The principle that sustains compulsory vaccination is broad enough to cover cutting the Fallopian tubes. Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11 , 25 S. Ct. 358, 3 Ann. Cas. 765. Three generations of imbeciles are enough." That demonic ruling in Buck v. Bell still stands, by the way. If the individual states did not prevent it by law, you could have your right to reproduce violently removed tomorrow in the United States, and it would be legal. So where is the line? If a five dollar fine is allowed by law, but having your reproductive organs involuntary mutilated is anathema to the American mind, where is the line? Or maybe the continued good standing of both Jacobson and Buck mean that the Jews can be put back into ghettos and camps for the protection of the public, and that I can be strapped down and cut into because I am a, "probable potential parent of socially inadequate offspring." All you have to do is state the government has a "compelling interest" and shout, "GREATER GOOD!" What say you, America? How far past that little FIVE DOLLAR FINE can government go? Where is the line? Is the blatant violation of the rights of the The Jewish People to practice sacraments thousands of years old to prevent even one case of what is now a nuisance infection (treated with Vitamin A) in the US over the line? When I say that we have a big problem, I don't just mean with the First Amendment. I mean with the God who drowned the whole damn Egyptian Army when they went after His People. Let him who has ears to hear, let him hear. This matter must go back to the Supreme Court. Jacobsen must die. 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. After Jesus was crucified, did he Descend into Hell, as millions of Christians recite during weekly church services in The Apostles Creed? Nearly 2,000 years of Christian tradition and a scriptural reference in 1 Peter 3:19-20 make the case: "After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits - to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built." (New International Version) The "harrowing of hell" refers to what Christ did when he descended to Hades or hell between his death and his resurrection. The early church believed that after his death Christ descended into hell in order to rescue the souls of the righteous, such as Adam and Eve. Jesus descends and breaks down the doors of hell, unbinds the prisoners and leads the just to heaven. In ancient paintings from the Eastern Orthodox Church, and in similar icons still used in Greek and Russian Orthodox churches now, the art depicts Christ standing over the broken gates of hell, angels binding Satan and Satan crushed under the gates of hell, while Christ pulls out two figures representing Adam and Eve who have been imprisoned because of sin. An early version of the Apostles' Creed, the Interrogatory Creed of Hippolytus from about 215 A.D., refers to Christ's descent to the dead. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead (or "he descended into hell" or "hades" depending on the translation). On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead. Here are some more Bible verses that relate: 1 Peter 4 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead, that though judged in the flesh like men, they might live in the spirit like God. Acts 2.27, 31 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay.... Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. Ephesians 4 8 Therefore it is said, When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men. 9 (In saying, He ascended, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) Revelation 1 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one; I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Millions of Christians will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus this weekend on Easter Sunday. What is Hell? Human ideas about hell were still in ferment as the Bible was being written. The theological concept of hell has a rich cultural heritage, according to historian Alan Bernstein, author of "The Formation of Hell." The ancient Hebrews focused on the afterlife following their Babylonian captivity, when they experienced the torment of ungodly enemies who seemed to have an unjustifiably good life on Earth. During the Babylonian exile, Jews were exposed to Zoroastrianism, which asserts there is an eternal struggle between good and evil, with good triumphing in the end. The Hebrew concept of "Sheol" -- the realm of the dead -- may also have been influenced by the Greek mythology of Tartarus, a place of everlasting punishment for the Titans, a race of gods defeated by Zeus, Bernstein writes. From about 300 B.C. to 300 A.D., those influences combined with Hebrew speculation about an eventual comeuppance to the worldly wicked. In translating the Bible from Hebrew to Greek, the Greeks used the terms Tartarus, Hades and Gehenna. In Greek thought, Hades is not a place of punishment; it's where the dead are separated from the living. The term Gehenna referred to a ravine outside Jerusalem that was used as a garbage dump. It had once been a place of child sacrifice and became a symbol of pain and suffering. As a garbage dump, it was probably often a place of fire as trash was burned, emphasizing the symbolism of the flames of eternal damnation. The Bible contains a litany of colorful images of hell as both fire and darkness, as in the Gospel of Matthew, which refers to "the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" and "the outer darkness" where "men will weep and gnash their teeth." In Revelation 20:14, it is described as a lake of fire: Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. A man told Marshall County sheriffs deputies he ran away from them last week because he was in a hurry to feed his hogs, Assistant Chief Deputy Steve Guthrie said Friday. Gary Wayne Rowell, 47, was approached by sheriffs deputies on April 11 after they saw him parked in the middle of Martling Road. When deputies approached the car, Rowell fled on foot to an open field. When deputies finally made contact with Mr. Rowell he stated the reason he ran was because he was in a hurry to feed and water his hogs," Guthrie said. An undetermined amount of crystal meth was found on Rowells person, authorities said. Rowell then allegedly told the deputies that the pants he was wearing wasnt his. Rowell was charged with possession of a controlled substance and released from the Marshall County Jail on $2,500 bond. Today is April 20. Or, numerically speaking, 4-20. Or, marijuana speaking, it's a sort of holiday 420 has long been associated with marijuana but as ABC News reports, no one knows quite why. "The origins of the so-called pot holiday '420' are fittingly fuzzy," ABC News reported. But it's become so synonymous with marijuana that a website self-described as "your source for global cannabis news" is titled 420 Intel. While today may be an unofficial pot holiday, cannabis is getting a lot of attention in Alabama these days. In the Alabama legislature, bills have been introduced in both the House and the Senate proposing to ease penalties on marijuana possession. The bill call for reclassifying marijuana possession penalties, downgrading felony possession to a misdemeanor punishable only by a fine. The Senate bill will move to the full Senate after the Judiciary Committee backed it in an 11-0 vote. Another bill in the House is seeking to extend Carlys Law, which authorized the study of CBD oil from cannabis for medical purposes. Carlys Law expires July 1. The bill would exempt the penalty for marijuana possession if the person has a valid medical cannabis card. It would also update Lenis Law, which decriminalized the possession of marijuana for medical purposes. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison, and co-sponsored by, among others, Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, has not yet moved out of committee. Meanwhile, in Jefferson County, a prosecutor said Wednesday that consideration is being given to no longer arrest those suspected of marijuana possession. Specifically, it would end non-violent misdemeanors, including simple marijuana possession. Since 2017, I have been advocating for a policy of cite and release for certain non-violent misdemeanors, Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff District Attorney Lynneice Washington said in a press release issued Wednesday afternoon. It is no secret that Jefferson County, like others around the country, is plagued with overcrowded jails. On April 11, after 30 years in power, the longstanding dictator, General Omar al-Bashir, was forced out of power by his right-hand man, defence minister and vice president, General Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf. Al-Bashirs ouster was welcomed as a major victory by Sudanese protesters who had been out in the streets of Khartoum and other major cities since December. However, many remain wary of the dubious transition of power that Sudans military leadership has undertaken. In his April 11 statement, with which he declared the removal of al-Bashir, Ibn Auf also announced the suspension of the Constitution, the imposition of a state of emergency and the formation of a transitional military council headed by him. But just two days later, after mass protests continued to call for the whole regime to step down, Ibn Auf resigned along with his deputy, General Kamal Abdelmarouf al-Mahi. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was appointed his place as the head of the council and General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemedti, as the deputy chair. Meanwhile, General Salah Abdallah Saleh, also known as Gosh, resigned as the head of the notorious National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). So what do all these reshuffles in the Sudanese regime mean and how will they affect the Sudanese struggle for democratic civilian rule? How al-Bashir deposed Over the past few years, it became increasingly clear that al-Bashir was doing everything to consolidate his power and prevent any possible conspiracy against his presidency. On the foreign policy front, he was trying to reach out to anyone who could guarantee the security of his regime. When the US eased the sanctions in October 2017 but made it clear that they still demand that he step down, al-Bashir went on a visit to Russia to seek the backing of the Kremlin. He also continued to deal with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, on one side, and Qatar and Turkey, on the other, hoping to secure their support. On the home front, al-Bashir undertook a number of reshuffles in the past few years, plagued by suspicions of conspiracies against him. In the process, he managed to alienate a number of different factions within the Sudanese regime and important commanders within the security sector and the militias. He also angered members of his ruling National Congress Party (NCP) when he declared he was a national figure that stood above all political parties in Sudan. Most importantly, al-Bashir alienated his own people. For a long time, he had been playing the ethnic card, trying to divide the Sudanese people and justify his destructive wars in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile. In December, however, public anger once again boiled over and people across Sudan, from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds, took to the streets to protest against his failing regime which had left the Sudanese economy in tatters and the general population struggling to put bread on the table. Fearing a coup, al-Bashir kept Ibn Auf, who is on a US sanctions list due to his involvement in the Darfur conflict, and former governor Ahmed Haroun, who is also indicted by the International Criminal Court, close, believing they would not hand him over to the international prosecution. When the Sudanese streets escalated the pressure, Ibn Auf was appointed vice president and Haroun took over the chairmanship of the NCP. Al-Bashirs fate was sealed once the protesters managed to win over the sympathies of mid and lower-ranking military officers, as well as soldiers. This became apparent when on April 8, NISS security forces attacked the sit-in in front of the Army High Command headquarters in Khartoum, causing some soldiers to intervene and protect the protesters. The Sudanese president and other loyalists had planned to disperse the sit-in with force, hoping that the violence would keep the protesters away. Fearing an insurrection within the lower army rank and file, the top brass of the military could not go along with the plan. More importantly, there are speculations that General Gosh, the head of the NISS, also switched sides at that critical juncture and refused to unleash a bloody crackdown. Gosh, who is widely despised by the Sudanese people, was one of the people al-Bashir had alienated early on. In 2009, he was removed from his position as head of the NISS and made presidential adviser, only to be sacked in 2011. The following year, Gosh, who had been a point of contact in Sudan for US intelligence agencies, was accused of plotting a coup against the president and imprisoned for a year. Although he was politically rehabilitated and reinstated to his former position in 2018, he surely continued to bear a grudge against al-Bashir. He, along with other generals, saw an opportunity to get rid of al-Bashir and seized it. Their consensus on ousting the president, however, did not mean that they were willing to give up power or that they actually agreed on a clear-cut plan of succession. As political ambitions clashed and outside forces intervened, General Ibn Auf took over with the intent of securing al-Bashirs exit and maintaining the status quo within the regime. However, the general lacked charisma and was not well-respected within the ranks of the army. He was also tainted by the role he played in recruiting Janjaweed militia in Darfur and commanding armed forces that committed war crimes in 2007. It was evident that he was not going to be accepted as a transitional leader neither by the Sudanese people, nor by various international players. While his resignation could be seen as another victory for Sudans protest movement, the appointment of General al-Burhan as the head of the military council and General Hemedti as his deputy shows that the deep state and its foreign backers are by far not ready to give in to the demands of the protesters and allow for a smooth transition to civilian rule. The rise of General al-Burhan and General Hemedti General al-Burhan is the commander of the Sudanese ground forces and is believed to enjoy some popularity within the armys lower ranks. Some opposition groups see him as more acceptable because he is considered not to be an Islamist. Yet, he, too, has a murky past. As an officer in the ground forces, he had served in both South Darfur and South Sudan. In the 2000s, he was also a mid-raking commander in the notorious Border Guards, a sub-group of the Janjaweed militia. In recent days, people in Darfur have expressed their outrage at al-Burhans appointment as head of the military council, claiming that under his command, the Border Guards committed killings and forced displacement. He also seems to support the Popular Defence Forces (PDF), which was created in 1989 by al-Bashir as a loyal paramilitary organisation with an Islamist ideology which in the 1990s fought in the war in South Sudan. Over the past few days, a video from a news broadcast has been widely circulated on social media, which shows General al-Burhan addressing the PDF, calling them the legitimate sons of the Sudanese army, and saying that he would never accept their dissolution under any circumstances. General al-Burhan was also in charge of recruiting Sudanese armed forces and militia to go fight in Yemen along with the Saudi-led coalition and is said to be close to senior military officials in the Gulf. Al-Burhans deputy, General Hemedti, also has a similar background. In the mid-2000s, he was a commander of the Fut-8 battalion of the Border Guards in Darfur, where, in 2007, he led a rebellion against the army, which had failed to pay his men salaries. He eventually made up with Khartoum and in 2013 he was appointed head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which absorbed former Janjaweed militia. The move was engineered by al-Bashir to punish Janjaweed leader Sheikh Musa Hilal who had started criticising him. But more recently, not fully trusting Hemedti, al-Bashir began appointing some of his loyalists to the RSF, to ensure the paramilitary force was under tight control. Hemedti was said to have had close ties to Taha al-Hussain, the former director of the presidents office, who was dismissed in 2017 and then swiftly appointed as an adviser at the Saudi ministry of foreign affairs after moving to Riyadh. Since the protests erupted, Hemedti has been careful about his public statements, displaying a great deal of political acumen and opportunism. He distanced himself and his militia from any act of violence against the peaceful protesters and expressed support for the demands of the Sudanese people and respect for human rights. His appointment as a deputy chair of the transitional council prompted outrage on social media and was widely rejected by people in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan states, where his militia has been committing crimes against the civilian population. Hemedti also appears to be involved with the war effort in Yemen. In fact, in 2017, Sheikh Hilal accused him and al-Bashirs former vice president Hassabo Abdel Rahman of stealing funds Saudi Arabia and the UAE had offered in exchange for the deployment of Sudanese fighters in Yemen. The fact that the two generals in charge are linked by the major roles they have played in the wars in Darfur and Yemen is not coincidental. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have hastened to recognise the military council, while the African Union and the European Union have both rejected it. General Hemedti, in turn, announced that the Sudanese troops would abide by its commitments to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. What happens next? No doubt, the overthrow of al-Bashir and his close corrupt and brutal clique out of power is a positive development, but what is currently going on is not a full-fledged revolution, like the ones in October 1964 and April 1985. There is yet to be a break with the old regime. It is true that General al-Burhan has struck a conciliatory tone and seemingly accepted the popular demands for freedom, peace and justice. He also made some promises about moving away from the old regime by uprooting it, fighting corruption and pursuing justice and accountability. But there are also plenty of doubts about his true intentions and agenda. There are real concerns that the new transitional military council is just a puppet of the old regime, which was created to buy time and ensure the continutity of the status quo. To date, it is not clear what the fate of figures of the old regime, including al-Bashir, will be and how the military council will deal with the deep state and its militias, security and financial arms. At the same time, tensions within the regime itself remain. The appointment of Hemedti, a commander of a militia who did not graduate from a Sudanese military academy to such a high position within the state is a shocking precedent and could play a detrimental role in Sudanese politics. It shows the weakness of the Sudanese army and the collapse of the Sudanese state institutions. This situation could trigger tensions between different groups in the regime and destabilise the state further. Meanwhile, there are also real fears that the popular opposition could also fragment along generational, ideological, geographical and ethnic lines. A rift between the youth and traditional political forces has started to appear over how to deal with the military council and what political priorities should be pursued. Such divisions could be exploited by the military council and the old regime to carry out a full-fledged counterrevolution. Many regional powers are not interested in seeing the foundations of democracy being laid in Sudan and are ready to do whatever it takes to undermine any peaceful democratic transition. Furthermore, the Sudanese people also fear that their country could descend into chaos and total war, if the change does not come soon. There are many lessons to be learned from the fate of post-independence of Sudan, the October Revolution of 1964, the April Uprising of 1985 and the separation of South Sudan. The popular protest movement has a unique opportunity not to repeat the mistakes of the past, and seek national unity, equal citizenship for all ethnic groups and reconciliation. Only a strong and united popular front could withstand the counter-revolution the Sudanese generals, the deep state and foreign powers would surely launch in order to undermine the revolutionary movement. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Kiev, Ukraine Ukrainians are set to choose the countrys sixth president in a runoff vote that is expected to bring an anti-establishment political novice, comedian Volodymyr Zelensky, to power. Sundays poll between two candidates comes just three weeks after Zelensky, 41, won the first round of the election on March 31 among 39 candidates with more than 30 percent of ballots. Incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, 53, who also made it to the second round with less than 16 percent of the vote, tried to recover the lost ground by a number of methods. His first step was to link Zelenskys success to the Kremlin agents and self-exiled Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky who owns the television channel that airs the comedians sitcoms. 190418153527470 Poroshenko also positioned himself as the only candidate capable of standing up to Russias President Vladimir Putin, who in 2014 annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and backed the separatists who seized control of parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the east. He even put Putin on his election poster after the first round. Youd be a weak head of state who would be unable to defend yourself from Putins blows, he told Zelensky on Friday, the last day of campaigning during an election debate held at Kievs Olympic Stadium. I dont believe that Mr Volodymyr dreams of handing over Ukraine, of dragging Ukraine back into the Russian empire, but Putin has such a dream, Poroshenko added. Poroshenko claims he is the only candidate capable of standing up to Putin [Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters] On his part, Zelensky, who is best known for playing a president in a TV sitcom the Servant of the People, used his inexperience in his favour, adopting the image of his TV character who turned from an ordinary teacher to a corruption-busting head of state. Im not a politician. Im just an ordinary person who has come to break the system. I am the result of your mistakes and promises, he told Poroshenko during the debate, accusing him of overseeing corruption and failing to end the war in the east that has killed more than 13,000 people. According to the latest opinion poll, 72.7 percent of voters will back Zelensky on Sunday, whereas Poroshenko is expected to secure only 27.2 percent of ballots. Nikolay Orlov, a psychologist in his 50s, told Al Jazeera that Zelensky is his last hope against this corrupt system that we have for almost 30 years now. I havent voted in the last three elections because I havent seen the personality I would like to support. But this time such a personality appeared. And this person is Volodia (Volodymyr) Zelensky, he said. I believe that he is speaking honestly, it is not a clownery as his opponents say about him. This is the person who can change the system with his team. 190418131155087 Vicious circle Orlov said Ukraine was locked in a vicious circle of corruption that destroyed the country. We need to change the system, because it is a vicious circle. If completely new people dont come to the army, economy, politics to start to build new interactions, the destruction will continue, he said. But others struggle to believe that inexperienced Zelensky will be able to fix the war-torn country. Svitlana Bondarenko, 45, an administrator at an education centre who voted for the former head of Ukraines security service Ihor Smeshko in the first round, told Al Jazeera that Zelensky was a made-up image of what people want to see. Her candidate did not make it to the runoff vote, but she intends to take part in Sundays poll even if she doesnt know yet who to support. [Zelensky] is a great project, but no one knows what this project will turn out to be, said Bondarenko. Poroshenko has done a lot of good things, but there are a lot of minuses and unfinished business that confused people and they cant continue to believe him. I want to give him a chance but I dont know if he will use it. Valentyn Kovbasyuk, the 42-year-old software developer, voted for Poroshenko in the first round and plans to support him in the runoff as well. I dont think he is a perfect candidate, but he is the most adequate for the current situation, Kovbasyuk told Al Jazeera. I dont have anything particular against Zelensky, but nobody knows how he will behave if he becomes a president. He doesnt have any experience in this field. Zoia Naumenko, 30, a software engineer, said she wanted to show her dissatisfaction with both candidates by staying away from the polls since the ballots in Ukraine no longer give an option of voting against all. Naumenko credited Poroshenko with securing the independence of Ukraines Orthodox Church from Russia as well as forging closer ties with the West. But she wanted to punish the president for not doing enough to tackle corruption. His best achievement is that we can go to Europe [the Schengen zone] without a visa. Yes, he helped our army and carried out the church reform, she said. But he didnt do much to fight corruption. Its his biggest failure. She also holds it against Poroshenko that not enough people have been punished for the killing of demonstrators during the Maidan protests in 2014 that brought him to power. We have about 80 suspects detained over the killings, but only two of them have been sentenced over the last five years, Naumenko said. The polling stations will open in Sundays runoff vote at 8am local time (05:00 GMT) and close at 8pm (17:00 GMT). An early count is expected overnight on Monday. About 35 million people are eligible to vote, but several million in Russian-annexed Crimea and rebel-held parts of eastern Ukraine are unable or unwilling to cast their ballots. Follow Tamila Varshalomidze on Twitter: @tamila87v Treebeard Registered User User ID: 479750 04-20-2019 04:36 PM Posts: 4,313 Post: #1 Venezuela False Flag Alert for May 1 !!! Advertisement We call upon all Venezuelan people to take part in the biggest march in the history of Venezuela next May 1 to demand the definitive end of usurpation in Venezuela, to demand once and for all the termination of this tragedy, he said during an open town-hall meeting at a plaza in Caracas. What has to happen for this to succeed? To whom is this plea directed? Because we already know its neither Maduro nor the regime, they have nothing to offer. First it must be the armed forces that accompany a people that wants, that needs, that demands to live, he added. The opposition leader, recognized as interim president of Venezuela by more than 50 countries, was not clear about the destination of the march on a day the government traditionally uses to call public servants into the streets to show their support. The lawmaker said the destination of the march will be the place where the demand will be made for the usurpation to cease immediately. What he did make clear was that the march will not be a scene of confrontation with the armed forces, but rather one that is constructive, since he insisted on the need for military support in order to remove Maduro from power. Were not aiming for a clash with troops who also want change, who also need electricity and water, no. Just the opposite, we want them to join the movement... to accompany us to the future we all want, said Guaido, who for weeks has said that soon he will go looking for an office in the Miraflores presidential palace. The points of concentration for this grand march will be announced on social networks in the coming days, the opposition leader said, while also noting that the so-called committees of aid and freedom, which his supporters have organized, will be sworn in next April 27. At the same time, he announced that during the coming week there will be rallies in the streets and activities of public workers that support him. Everyone into the streets for the definitive end of the usurpation... come accompany us to the future we all desire, he said. Guaido swore in as acting president last Jan. 23 because he considered Maduro a usurper who fraudulently won the last election. http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleI...ryId=10717 CARACAS Venezuelas interim President Juan Guaido called on people this Friday from all over the country to join in a grand march next May 1, Labor Day, to demand the armed forces aid in ending the usurpation, as he calls the Nicolas Maduro regime.We call upon all Venezuelan people to take part in the biggest march in the history of Venezuela next May 1 to demand the definitive end of usurpation in Venezuela, to demand once and for all the termination of this tragedy, he said during an open town-hall meeting at a plaza in Caracas.What has to happen for this to succeed? To whom is this plea directed? Because we already know its neither Maduro nor the regime, they have nothing to offer. First it must be the armed forces that accompany a people that wants, that needs, that demands to live, he added.The opposition leader, recognized as interim president of Venezuela by more than 50 countries, was not clear about the destination of the march on a day the government traditionally uses to call public servants into the streets to show their support.The lawmaker said the destination of the march will be the place where the demand will be made for the usurpation to cease immediately.What he did make clear was that the march will not be a scene of confrontation with the armed forces, but rather one that is constructive, since he insisted on the need for military support in order to remove Maduro from power.Were not aiming for a clash with troops who also want change, who also need electricity and water, no. Just the opposite, we want them to join the movement... to accompany us to the future we all want, said Guaido, who for weeks has said that soon he will go looking for an office in the Miraflores presidential palace.The points of concentration for this grand march will be announced on social networks in the coming days, the opposition leader said, while also noting that the so-called committees of aid and freedom, which his supporters have organized, will be sworn in next April 27.At the same time, he announced that during the coming week there will be rallies in the streets and activities of public workers that support him.Everyone into the streets for the definitive end of the usurpation... come accompany us to the future we all desire, he said.Guaido swore in as acting president last Jan. 23 because he considered Maduro a usurper who fraudulently won the last election. The protests that began in London on Monday are spreading, aiming their actions at multinational companies with government links. Climate activists have gathered in a number of European cities at the start of the Easter break. They are demanding that politicians act in the face of what they say is a climate emergency. Al Jazeeras Jonah Hull reports from London. Several mass school shootings since have led to calls to change gun laws in the US. Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting in the United States. Twelve students and a teacher were killed when two teenagers carried out a planned attack at the school in Colorado. Several mass school shootings since have led to calls to change gun laws in the US. Al Jazeeras Alan Fisher reports. Top US Democrats reiterate demand to view the full, unredacted report from Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Top Democrats in the United States House of Representatives and Senate on Friday rejected Attorney General William Barrs proposal to allow them access to a less-redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation report. In an April 19 letter to the attorney general, six Democratic politicians led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer instead reiterated their demand for Barr to release the unredacted Mueller report and underlying evidence to Congress. But they also said they were open to discussing a reasonable accommodation with the Justice Department. The letter was also signed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, top Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat Dianne Feinstein and top Senate Intelligence Committee Democrat Mark Warner. Your proposed accommodation which among other things would prohibit discussion of the full report, even with other committee members is not acceptable, the Democrats wrote. The politicians said access to the full Mueller report and underlying evidence is necessary for Congress to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. This includes considering whether legislation is needed in light of the findings contained in Special Counsel Muellers report and the attorney generals determination that no prosecution is warranted despite those facts, the letter said. Subpoena issued Also on Friday, Nadler issued a subpoena to obtain the full report, giving the Justice Department until May 1 to comply. Even the redacted version of the report outlines serious instances of wrongdoing by President [Donald] Trump and some of his closest associates, Nadler said in a statement. It now falls to Congress to determine the full scope of that alleged misconduct and to decide what steps we must take going forward. 190419133003572 The Justice Department dismissed the subpoena, calling it premature and unnecessary in a statement on Friday. The Department will continue to work with Congress to accommodate its legitimate requests consistent with the law and long-recognised executive branch interests, DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said in a statement In the report, Mueller did not conclude that Trump had committed obstruction of justice, but did not exonerate him either. Special Counsel Robert Muellers redacted report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election as released [Jon Elswick/AP Photo] Mueller examined what he called 10 separate episodes involving Trump related to obstruction of justice. His report details legal theories behind each incident. The report recounts 10 episodes involving the president and discusses potential legal theories for connecting these actions to elements of an obstruction offence, Barr said in a press conference on Thursday ahead of the reports release. 190419174453875 Mueller reported that Trump had been agitated at the special counsel probe from its earliest days, reacting to Muellers appointment by saying it was the end of his presidency. Barr concluded based on Muellers report that Trump did not obstruct justice. As for the question of whether the Trump campaign had colluded with Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign, Mueller wrote, While the investigation identified numerous links between individuals with ties to the Russian government and individuals associated with the Trump Campaign, the evidence was not sufficient to support criminal charges. Haters Trump has repeatedly called the Mueller probe a witch-hunt and hoax. His legal team on Thursday called the results of the report a total victory, saying, the report underscores what we have argued from the very beginning there was no collusion there was no obstruction. 190418154116647 In early morning tweets on Friday, Trump called it the Crazy Mueller Report written by Haters and filled with statements that are fabricated & totally untrue. Meanwhile, on Friday, Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is vying to become the Democratic candidate against Trump in 2020, tweeted that the Democrat-led House should initiate impeachment proceedings. With Republicans controlling the Senate, Democrats would have little chance of removing Trump through impeachment. For now, Warren is an outlier, with other senior Democrats shying away from discussing impeachment. Egyptians began voting in a three-day referendum on proposed constitutional amendments that could see President Abdel Fattah el-Sisis rule extended to 2030. State television on Saturday showed images of Sisi casting his ballot at a polling station in the eastern suburb of Heliopolis. Egypts parliament on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly in favour of the changes, which include allowing the general-turned-president to extend his current term by two years and stand for another six-year-mandate, potentially extending his rule until 2030. Prominent Egyptian newspaper columnist Abdullah Al Sennawy decried the amendments as a threat to the countrys stability. He said they would increase the governments grip on power and erode the balance between authorities currently in place. Changing the constitution reflects the weakness of the regime. It is a sign that the regime is close to its end, such as what happened in Sudan and Algeria, he said. The 596-member assembly is packed with Sisi supporters, with 531 of the 554 legislators who attended the vote opting in favour of the constitutional changes. Outside a polling centre near the Giza Pyramids, about two dozen people, mostly elderly women, lined up waiting to cast their votes. Heavy police and army security was reported at polling stations throughout the country. Haja Khadija, a 63-year-old housewife, said she came for the security and stability of the country. We love el-Sisi. He did lots of things. He raised our pensions. The ballot will also see voters decide on whether an upper parliamentary chamber should be created. Omar Ashour, director of the security studies programme at the Doha Institute, told Al Jazeera the new body would likely work to further serve the interests of the Sisi government. In a democracy, the upper houses role is to overview the lower house, have some form of oversight and review legislation, he said. Since the upper house was founded in 1979 by Sadat, what it did really was outbid the lower house in a competition to please the leader. It [the senate] will be a legislation of jockeying, outbidding each other and a more favourable outcome for the regime. 190228075713352 Sisis government has been repeatedly criticised by human rights organisations for alleged repression of political opponents. Contempt for rights In a statement on Tuesday, Amnesty International said the proposed constitutional amendments would facilitate the authorities crackdown on freedom of expression, association and assembly, erode peoples rights, and exacerbate the human rights crisis in the country. The decision to put these amendments to the constitution to a public referendum, amid the worst crackdown on freedom of expression and severe restrictions on political parties and independent media, demonstrates the Egyptian governments contempt for the rights of all people in Egypt, said Magdalena Mughrabi, Amnestys deputy Middle East and North Africa director. Sisi, 64, was re-elected in March 2018 with more than 97 percent of the vote, in a ballot boycotted by large swaths of the countrys political opposition after several potential candidates dropped out citing intimidation or were arrested. 190319180632151 Only one other candidate, himself an ardent supporter of Sisi, opposed the incumbent. Mousa Mostafa Mousa had endorsed Sisi for a second term and even organised events to help nominate the former military commander up until a week before the nomination deadline. Eliminating the opposition The election commission said last years vote was held according to the highest international standards of integrity and transparency, but rights groups including international NGO Human Rights Watch criticised the ballot as neither free nor fair. I think you have to take votes that are held in military dictatorships with several grains of salt, said Mohamad Elmasry, associate professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Egypt has eliminated the opposition; its an environment of repression and fear. People are terrified to vote and express dissent. In the lead-up to this vote, more than 120 people have been arrested for campaigning for the no vote. We have to remember there are no independent monitors so the government is free to rig the results. Already under stress from a number of terror attacks and a two-year-long state of emergency, officers face long working hours, and struggle to get paid for overtime. There has been a sudden rise in the number of French police officers taking their own lives. An increase in attacks, mass protests and anti-police sentiment, is adding to the stress. On average, one police officer commits suicide every four days. Now police unions are calling on the government to take action. Al Jazeeras Andrew Chappelle reports. Gaza Strip Under cover of early morning darkness, Hassan Zidan, a Palestinian fisherman in Gaza, puts on warm clothes and ventures out to sea in a rickety fishing boat along with his friends. They hope to catch a good amount of fish to sell in the morning market. But before that, they will have to face a series of dangerous obstacles that hundreds of Palestinian fishermen are coping with on a near-daily basis. Only a few days ago, the Egyptians arrested four fishermen, and the week before that, Israelconfiscated five fishing boats, Zidan told Al Jazeera, saying both incidents had no pretext or clear reason. Israel enforces its 12-year blockade on the Gaza Strip with tens of gunboats that set the terms for an ever-changing limit on how far the fishermen can sail out into the Mediterranean Sea, keeping a tight grip on the siege against the impoverished enclave. Fishermen in Gaza often clash with the gunboats, sometimes with deadly consequences on the Palestinian side. 190401093902573 Almost every day, we receive news about our friends at sea coming under Israeli shelling or being sprayed with skunk water, or fired at with rubber bullets and live ammunition, fisherman Ibrahim Haniya told Al Jazeera. The blockade and the Israeli navy have turned our profession into a suicidal pursuit. You never know if youll make it back alive from the sea, Haniya added. In a rare positive gesture to Gazas fishing community, Israel announced last month a pack of unilateral measures aimed at easing the blockade as part of a ceasefire agreement with the ruling authority in Gaza Hamas. The measures, most notably, included an unprecedented expansion of Gazas fishing zone to 15 nautical miles (28km), the largest range allowed by Israel since the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993. COGATs gesture According to the Israeli body that oversees the occupation of Palestinian territories, COGAT, or Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, this fishing range expansion meant a civilian policy to prevent humanitarian deterioration in the Gaza Strip, and policy that distinguishes between terrorism and the uninvolved population. However, Palestinian fishermen in Gaza argue that the devil lies in the details of the expansion, saying the rules of when and where they may fish are arbitrary. We were shocked when we learned the details of this Israeli decision. The criteria they impose make this move entirely unpractical, Zakaria Bakr, head of Gazas fishermen union, told Al Jazeera. Bakr explained a long list of obstacles and threats that render the move redundant and empty, blaming COGAT for disseminating false news and misleading pictures to boast that they care about us, while in reality, they do everything possible to make our job impossible. Bakr argues that theres no improvement here whatsoever. This expansion is only made for media consumption, at best. Fishermen complain about the devastating effect of Israels 12-year blockade on Gaza [Walid Mahmoud/Al Jazeera] He explained how Israels tight restrictions on commercial imports in Gaza have made the fishing range expansion meaningless, changing nothing in their daily struggle to make ends meet. To utilise this expansion, we first need new fishing equipment. Israel continues to ban the entry of almost everything we need under the pretext that our requirements are on the long list of prohibited dual-use items, Bakr told Al Jazeera. We can only import plastic wires to make fishing nets, nothing more. Adding to Bakrs argument, Zidan told Al Jazeera that in order to sail to the edges of the 15-nautical mile zone, we need bigger boats, reliable GPS systems and advanced fishing tools, but we cant get any of this. We try to make the best of what we have, but our boats are older than Israels blockade and Israel doesnt even let fibreglass in to fix them. The engines, navigation systems and fishing nets are all weary without means for maintenance, he said. Strict criteria Bakr explained that Israel put strict criteria on what kind of boats were allowed to sail into the expanded part of the fishing zone; namely small boats. He also pointed out that Israels 15-nautical mile expansion of the fishing range is confined to the southern part of the zone that neighbours Egypt. The northern fishing zone near Israels borders, however, is still strictly limited to 6 nautical miles (11km). They keep changing the map. Its so vague that it needs a surveying engineer to decode it, instead of simple fishermen, who lack basic GPS navigation tools due to the blockade, Bakr said. He also complained about harassment and provocations that fishermen are often subjected to by Israels military at sea, including arbitrary arrests, spraying with skunk water and confiscation of, or shooting at, their boats. The Israeli navy invades our fishing zone anytime at free will, Bakr said. The number of Israeli navy ambushes and traps has doubled, and without proper navigation tools, we cannot avoid them. Fishermen in Gaza are sceptical about Israels unilateral improvement measures [Walid Mahmoud/Al Jazeera] To save Gazas endangered fishing industry, we need international protection so that fishermen can perform their jobs without fearing death, injury or losing their boats, he added. We also call on Israel to release all boats and engines it confiscated from us, and to allow needed imports into Gaza. The blockade on Gaza has wrecked the enclaves economy, and dramatically diminished the purchasing power, putting many trades, including the fishing industry, in a critical state. 190326085728986 Even if I capture a good amount of fish and make it safely back to town, it would be difficult to find buyers, Zidan told Al Jazeera. About 80 percent of Gazas population is dependent on food aid, which renders fish an unaffordable luxury for many. Israel also restricts the outflow of production in Gaza, making it virtually impossible to export to the outside world, or even to the occupied West Bank. We were born at the sea, we belong there. We inherited this profession from our parents for generations, Mohammed Miqdad told Al Jazeera. But under Israels blockade, weve become the most oppressed, abused and bullied part of society. They are trying to drive us to utter despair, but we will nonetheless continue to struggle to preserve this heritage, he added. Heavy clashes broke out in the southern districts of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, as forces loyal to the countrys UN-recognised government launched a counterattack to repel fighters allied to renegade General Khalifa Haftar. Residents of the city said they could hear sustained rocket and artillery fire in several districts of Tripoli on Saturday, after several days of stalemate on the ground. Haftars Libyan National Army, which is allied to a rival administration in the countrys east, launched an offensive to seize Tripoli more than two weeks ago, but it has been stopped in the citys southern outskirts by forces allied to the Government of National Accord (GNA). The shelling was louder and more frequent on Saturday than in previous days, residents said, and audible in central districts more than 10km away from the front line. Both sides claimed progress in southern Tripoli, but no more details were immediately available. Mustafa al-Mejii, a spokesman for the GNAs military operation, said his forces have launched a new phase of attack. Orders were given early this morning to advance and gain ground, he told the AFP news agency. Colonel Mohamad Gnounou, another spokesman, said Tripoli-allied forces carried out seven air raids against military positions held by Haftars LNA. They included areas south of the city of Gharyan, 100km southwest of the capital, and an airbase at Al-Watiya, 50km further southwest. Ahmed al-Mesmari, spokesman for Haftars forces, said Tripoli-allied forces attacked the airbase three times on Saturday. Speaking to reporters in Benghazi, Mesmari confirmed attacks on Gharyan, saying civilians had been targeted. Our airforce is providing fire support to troops on the ground, he said, adding: The enemy is trying to flank our forces from the back, but they have failed in the face of the strength of our fighters and the experience of our fighters. Its become a war of attrition. We want civilian rule Fighting on Tripolis outskirts has killed at least 220 people and wounded more than 1,000 others, according to the World Health Organization, while the International Organization for Migration said more than 25,000 people have been displaced. The offensive, which Haftar said was aimed at cleansing Libyas western region of remaining terrorist groups, has raised fears of a full-blown civil war in the oil-rich country, which has been mired in chaos since the NATO-backed toppling of long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. For years now, Libya has been split between the Tripoli-based GNA in the west and a rival administration in the east allied to Haftar. Saturdays clashes were the fiercest fighting yet, said Al Jazeeras Mahmoud Abdelwahed, reporting from Tripoli. GNA-allied forces say they have gained more ground against Haftars forces, and are determined to re-take control of Tripolis unused international airport, he said. 190405214022194 While GNA forces claim Haftars fighters were on the retreat, the battle would not be easy, Abdelwahed said, because Haftars forces are supported by regional powers, like Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. A phone call between President Donald Trump and Haftar on Monday, in which the United States leader praised the commanders significant role in fighting terrorism was likely to have emboldened the LNA further, said Abdelwahed. The US and Russia declined on Thursday to support a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Libya. Moscow said it objected to the British-drafted resolution blaming Haftar for the latest flare-up in violence, and the US did not give a reason for its decision. Meanwhile, about 2,000 residents of Tripoli staged a protest in the citys central Martyrs Square on Friday to condemn Haftars push on the city as well as world powers that back him, which they say include France and Russia, and now the US. The powers that support terrorism in Libya are France, Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, said Abdelrizaq Musherib, a protester. We condemn the criminal acts against the Libyan people and the support for the rebel Haftar. We also condemn the United Nations mission, because of their inability to handle the Libya situation, he added. Nour Mohamed said the US wants Haftar to take over Libya. We, the Libyan people, are against Trump and against Haftar. We want civilian rule and freedom. The French embassy in Libya tweeted in Arabic on Friday that Paris was opposed to the attack on Tripoli. The foreign ministers of France and Italy also said they are trying to forge a common strategy on Libya. Woman writes to 22 judges, charging Gogoi with unwanted sexual advances, while he calls the allegations unbelievable. Indias most senior judge has been accused of sexual harassment by a former Supreme Court employee. Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi called the accusations made by a 35-year-old junior court assistant unbelievable and said they were an attempt to stop him from hearing important cases. Saying judicial independence was at stake, Gogoi, 64, called a special session of the apex court after the woman wrote to 22 Supreme Court judges on Friday, alleging he twice made sexual advances in the office of his official residence in October last year. He hugged me around the waist, and touched me all over my body with his arms and by pressing his body against mine, and did not let go, she wrote in an affidavit seen by the AFP news agency. He told me hold me, he did not let go of me despite the fact that I froze and tried to get out of his embrace by stiffening and moving my body away, the document said. The woman claimed she was dismissed from her job and her family had been harassed after she rebuffed Gogois advances. She also said she was summoned by Gogois wife who asked her to prostrate herself and rub her nose at her feet to seek forgiveness. Bigger force behind this I have taken this unusual and extraordinary step of sitting in court today because things have gone too far, Gogoi said. This is unbelievable. I dont think I should stoop low even to deny these allegations there has to be a bigger force behind this. The chief justice, who is to retire in November after a year as chief justice, said he was scheduled to hear many sensitive cases in coming days and that he would continue his work without any fear. Why do you think a person decides to become a judge? Reputation is all that matters for a judge. If that is also under attack, what is left? Gogoi said the woman had a criminal background and that the media must act responsibly on reporting the allegations. A New Delhi court is to hear a police application on Wednesday to cancel bail for the woman in a separate criminal investigation. The woman, a married mother of one, has called on the Supreme Court to set up a special inquiry committee to look into her accusations. The controversy came amid a mounting #MeToo movement in India that has seen several Bollywood directors, actors and media figures accused of sexual harassment. A junior foreign minister was forced to resign last year after several women accused him of harassment. The Supreme Court has 25 judges appointed by Indias president, including the chief justice. One of the countrys most respected institutions, the Supreme Court, often rules on key policy matters and orders measures citing the public interest. Baghdad meet brings together lawmakers of Iraqs six neighbours: Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, and Kuwait. A summit organised by Iraq brought together regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran on Saturday as part of a broader effort by Iraqi leaders to fashion the countrys image as a friend among neighbours. Scarred by more than three decades of war, Iraq is recasting itself as a mediator among neighbours who are often at odds over weighty issues, including the civil war in Syria and US sanctions against Iran. The summit, hosted by Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi, brought together top legislators of Iraqs six neighbours: Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, and Kuwait. Today, Iraq is building a promising strategic partnership with all neighbouring countries without any reservations or favouring any party, said al-Halbousi. The regional meeting follows months of high-profile diplomacy that has involved Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and President Barham Salih to engage with the neighbours. The stability of Iraq is necessary in the stability of the region and contributes its return with all its political and economic weight and creative human resources to its Arab and regional environment, a final declaration said. It emphasised the importance of supporting moderation and combating extremism in all its forms, especially as it is the people of the region who pay the price of extremism. Abdul Mahdi made visits in quick succession to Iran and Saudi Arabia earlier this year, emphasising that Iraq would not favour one or the other in the rivalry between them. Instead, Iraq is looking to expand trade with both as it looks to rebuild itself, 16 years after the 2003 US invasion plunged the country into civil war. The country is seeking billions of dollars in aid and investment particularly in energy and electricity for reconstruction. Iraq is also spearheading a regional initiative to bring Syria which was suspended in 2011 back into the Arab League, with President Bashar al-Assad surviving a 2011 uprising against his rule. While Iraq remains a close ally of the US in the Middle East, Iraqi leaders have made clear they will not be constrained by US policy objectives to isolate Iran and Syria. Iraq is coming back to the neighbourhood, President Salih told The Associated Press last month. Detectives arrest two men, aged 18 and 19, under the Terrorism Act over the killing of Lyra McKee, police say. Northern Ireland police said that two men have been arrested over the killing of journalist Lyra McKee in the city of Londonderry, also known as Derry, on Thursday. Major Investigation Team detectives have arrested two men, aged 18 and 19 under the Terrorism Act, in connection with the murder of Lyra McKee in the Creggan area of Derry on Thursday, 18th April, the police tweeted on Saturday morning. They have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite, it added. The 29-year-old was shot dead during an evening riot while standing near a police van as a gunman opened fire. 190313184306383 The riot broke out after security forces raided the Creggan area in search of firearms before Easter weekend when republicans opposed to the British presence in Northern Ireland commemorate the 1916 Easter uprising against British rule. A crowd of about 100 people, including journalists, had gathered at the scene, where young people had been throwing petrol bombs at police and where they had set two vehicles on fire. Major Investigation Team detectives have arrested two men, aged 18 and 19 under the Terrorism Act, in connection with the murder of Lyra McKee in the Creggan area of Derry on Thursday, 18th April. They have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite. Police Derry City and Strabane (@PSNIDCSDistrict) April 20, 2019 The police opened an investigation into the killing and said dissident republicans calling themselves the New IRA were likely responsible. The group rejects the 1998 Good Friday peace deal, which largely brought an end to decades of sectarian bloodshed. Saoradh (or Liberation in the Irish Gaelic language), which is an unregistered party formed by Irish republicans seen as the political wing of the so-called New IRA, said in a statement that McKee was killed accidentally by a Republican volunteer. An act of hate Leo Varadkar, the prime minister of the neighbouring Republic of Ireland, described the killing as an act of hate. We cannot allow those who want to propagate violence, fear and hate to drag us back to the past, he said. British counterpart Theresa May said the killing was shocking and truly senseless. 190419185745784 McKee has been remembered as a talented and accomplished investigative journalist, dedicated to documenting Northern Irelands recovery from 30 years of sectarian conflict, known as the Troubles. The conflict erupted between largely Catholic republicans, who wanted to reunite Ireland as one country, and mostly Protestant unionists, who wanted Northern Ireland to remain British. The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 largely put an end to that conflict, but paramilitary groups have continued to exist on both sides. The doctors were heading to a government hospital where they had been working for close to a year treating patients from Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. The police investigating the abduction of two Cuban doctors in Kenya have arrested their driver. The anti-terror police are looking into whether he had links with people in Somalia. Al Jazeeras Catherine Soi reports from Mandera. Beirut, Lebanon In the Lebanese highlands overlooking the Qadisha Valley, north of Beirut, a small but thick cluster of long-lived cedars, some up to 3,000 years old, cling to a rugged limestone slope, keeping alive the memory of an era long past. A staple of the countrys identity proudly featured in the national flag, its banknotes currency and the national anthem, these looming evergreen trees once blanketed most of Lebanons upper reaches. Now they can hardly be seen across the country. For centuries, Egyptians, Phoenicians and Sumerians chopped cedar trees for construction, shipbuilding and ceremonies, depleting the national forest stock. Ottoman Turks axed many of the surviving cedars for trade, while British troops used cedar wood to build railroads during wartime. Only 17 square-kilometres, 0.4 percent of the estimated ancient cover, of cedars remain in Lebanon nowadays, hanging on in a few scattered redoubts. The tree is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Natures red list of threatened species. But while these coniferous trees outlasted empires and centuries of relentless exploitation, they might not survive the last on a string of threats to their existence: climate change. Hotter and drier In order to grow, cedars need humid, calcareous soil with a certain level of moisture. They also require cold temperatures, and a minimum amount of rain and snow to regenerate naturally. As temperatures rise across the eastern Mediterranean country, cedars are retreating to higher altitudes in search of the distinct climatic conditions they need to thrive. This migration is already evident in the Shouf Biosphere Reserve, home to a quarter of the remaining cedar population. But south of Beirut, where the reserve is located, mountains average no more than 1,800 metres, the upper limit of cedars ecological comfort zone. There isnt much higher the trees can go here, said Joe Rahmeh, an eco-tour guide at the reserve. Climate change has disrupted weather patterns in this region, said Nizar Hani, director general of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve. Here, temperatures increased by 0.7 degrees as compared with the annual average. 171127124901517 A few decades ago, rain or snow fell for more than 100 days in the year. Cool temperatures kept the snow on the ground for three to four months up in the mountains. Last winter, rainfall was less than half the average, and snowpack lasted only a month. As weather patterns become more erratic, cedar saplings, which usually germinate in May, are finding the conditions to come up earlier and earlier. This increases the risk of losing the new seedlings to cold snaps and pest outbreaks, said Hani. The Lebanese government estimates that temperatures in the country will rise from around one degree Celsius on the two degrees Celsius in the mainland by 2040, while rainfall is projected to decrease by up 20 percent. Snow cover could decrease by 40 percent around the same time. If warming continues as expected, experts predict that cedars may be able to grow in only three refugial areas in the northern tip of the country, where mountains are higher, by the end of this century. Only 17 square kilometres, 0.4 percent of the estimated ancient cover, of cedars remain in Lebanon nowadays [File: Getty Images] Tiny insect, big damage The combination of drier and hotter conditions has boosted the rise of a further threat for the cedars: the proliferation of the cedar web-spinning sawfly, or Cephalcia tannourinensis, a tiny green grub that feeds off the trees young needles. The origin of the outbreak is directly tied to climate change, explained Nabil Nemer, a forest entomologist at Lebanons Holy Spirit University of Kaslik who helped discover the insect after an epidemic killed swaths of the Tannourine Cedars Forest Nature Reserve, Lebanons densest and largest cedar patch, in the late 1990s. Normally, the adult sawflies emerge in spring, said Nemer, laying their eggs on the cedar trunks. As they spring out, the larvae eat cedar needles before burying themselves into the earth for up to four years and surface again as adult sawflies with wings. But as snow melts earlier and the soil becomes less humid, larvae are emerging every year and in larger numbers, feeding on new shoots and preventing them from making novel needles. A repetitive attack of three years on the same branch or tree will lead to its death, said Nemer. The sawfly killed more than seven percent of the Tannourine forests trees over the last two decades, and more than 70 percent are now affected, he said. In the past, the pest was contained by sprinkling pesticides from above. But with the use of chemicals banned in protected areas the reserve was established soon after the discovery of the sawfly scientists are now resorting to native microorganisms that naturally kill the larvae to restrain the spreading. The method, however, has its flaws. We depend on the university laboratories to produce these control agents. But theres not enough funding, space and manpower to produce sufficient quantities to cover the whole cedar surfaces, said Nemer. We started to have a new rise in the sawfly population three years ago. A gleam of hope As scientists fight to preserve the dwindling cedar population, conservationists are trying to understand if cedars can survive above their natural range. Meanwhile, the Beirut government is seeking to replenish the countrys depleted forests. Five years ago, the Ministry of Agriculture began a reforestation scheme to plant 40 million native trees, including some cedars, by 2030. But with a lingering sectarian power-sharing system making the government too weak to deliver even basic reforms, enforcement is weak. So far, less than three million were planted under the scheme. A cedar sapling being planted as part of a government-back reforestation scheme [StaticShare.America.gov] Civil society organisations are trying to fill the gap. Jouzour Loubnan, a non-profit organisation, has managed to plant 300,000 new trees in a decade. Separately, the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative, a partnership between grassroots organisations and the US Agency for International Development, planted more than 600,000 trees since 2010. In Arz al-Rab, a local body has planted more than 100,000 trees in a number of parcels around the Cedars of God forest, Lebanons most iconic cedar stretch, since it was added to Unesco World Heritage list two decades ago. But here, as elsewhere, there are hurdles. Most cedar patches are isolated and their ability to enlarge is limited. In the Bsharri District, where the Cedars of God forest lies, most of the utile land for afforestation has already been populated, said Charbel Tawk, head of the Friends of the Cedar Forest Committee. The cedar forest in Bsharri in Lebanon [File: Getty Images] In other regions, he added, plots of land where the cedars could naturally spread and connect are privately-owned, or entitled for other uses. Even when belonging to the public, municipalities are not always willing to allocate the land for afforestation, preferring tourism development. Even so, Lebanese are bullish on the chances of the cedars to stand the test of climate change, seeing in the tree a powerful metaphor of the countrys ability to survive the challenges of history. They fought against whatever threat you can imagine. And they kept reproducing and giving siblings that thrived, said Magda Bou Dagher, a plant geneticist who is also the president of the Jouzour Loubnan organisation. Despite how hard human made their live, they are still harbouring in their genes the potential to overcome environmental crisis, she said. We just have to give them this small push by reconnecting their populations and then stay aside and let them accomplish their fate. Police arrested a Florida man on Friday on suspicion of leaving racist, homophobic and Islamophobic messages filled with death threats on the voicemails of several Democratic members of Congress. John Kless, 49, of Broward County, is accused of leaving expletive-strewn death threats in voicemails at the Washington, DC, offices of California Representative Eric Swalwell, Detroit Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker. In the messages, he allegedly threatened and expressed his hatred for Ilhan Omar. Tlaib and Omar are the first Muslim women in Congress. Booker, who is an African American, and Swalwell are running for the Democratic 2020 presidential nomination. Kless allegedly said in his racist message to Booker that you government officials will be in the graves where you belong. He also allegedly defended the white supremacist who rammed his car into a group of counterprotesters at the August 2017 Unite the Right rally and killed 32-year-old Heather Heyer, US media reported. Kless is said to have racially abused Omar, a Somali-American former refugee, referencing a recent controversy in which she was accused of downplaying the September 11, 2001 attacks, an allegation she and her supporters, including top Democrats, deny. He allegedly said in one of the messages that he would like to throw Omar off the Empire State Building, according to local media. Kless, who reportedly defended President Donald Trump in the messages and warned the politicians to stop criticising the president, has been charged with making threatening communications. Trump rhetoric Many analysts have pointed to the US presidents heated rhetoric as the catalyst for a toxic atmosphere encouraging such behaviour an accusation the White House has rejected. Last year, the Anti-Defamation League said all perpetrators who carried out at least 50 extremism-related murders were linked to the far right. That total marked the largest number of people killed by the far right since 1995, the watchdog said. 190415143018153 Trump recently tweeted out a video of Omar featuring footage of the World Trade Center burning juxtaposed with her comments, taken out of context to portray her attitude to the 9/11 attacks as glib. Omar said she experienced an increased number of death threats after the video was shared. The presidents language was also criticised following an anti-Semitic massacre in Pittsburgh last year and during a week-long mail bombing spree that saw another Florida man target high-profile liberal political figures, Trump critics and the news outlet CNN. Prosecutors say Kless used homophobic slurs in his message to Swalwell who supports same-sex marriage rights and gun control and is also vying for the presidency. The day you come after our guns is the day youll be dead, Kless is alleged to have warned the politician. Ukraines incumbent president who came to power on a pro-West protest wave struggles to secure support for re-election. President Petro Poroshenko, a 53-year-old billionaire with a chocolate empire, came to power in 2014 after a pro-Western uprising overthrew Ukraines Russia-backed leader Viktor Yanukovich. Over the last five years, his popularity dropped despite his efforts to be seen as a passionate fighter for Ukraines territorial unity, as well as the champion of the countrys dream of integration with the European Union and NATO. Poroshenko has positioned himself as the only politician able to take on Russias President Vladimir Putin who led the annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014. The incumbent has reinforced the Ukrainian army that is battling Moscow-backed rebels in Ukraines Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The conflict has killed more than 13,000 people, according to the United Nations. Poroshenko also ratified the Association Agreement with the EU, the document that enabled Ukrainians to trade with and travel to Europe without restrictions. The president also secured the independence of Ukraines Orthodox Church from its Russian counterpart. Poroshenko claims he is the only candidate capable of standing up to Putin [Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters] But Poroshenko failed to rid the country of corruption or recover the money stolen from Ukraines coffers during Yanukovichs rule. Ukrainians blame Poroshenko for the lack of reforms and the deterioration of living standards since 2014. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Tetiana Sokolova, a 60-year-old pensioner, acknowledged the war made it difficult for Poroshenko to fulfil his promises, but still blamed him for deteriorating living standards. Under Poroshenko, our standard of living lowered even more. I became a pensioner under his administration. I have 30-year work experience as a kindergarten teacher and I receive 1,600 hryvnias [$58], they recently raised it by 100 hryvnias [$3.6], she said, tearing up. I am very unsatisfied with the current government. They are all thieves in law. Struggle for re-election Poroshenko came second in the first round of presidential elections on March 31, securing less than 16 percent of ballots half of the frontrunner, comedian Volodymyr Zelensky. He sought to recover the lost ground by launching a special court to try corruption cases and linking his rival to Kremlin agents. Poroshenko also ordered the dismissal of the Odessa governor and fired the deputy head of foreign intelligence who reportedly has vast real estate holdings in Russia. He is expected to lose Sundays runoff vote by a bigger margin. The father of four was born in Ukraines southwestern town of Bolgrad. Poroshenko studied economics and entered politics in 1998 when he became a legislator. He was one of the founders of Yanukovichs Regions Party in 2000, but changed sides after the 2004 election widely seen as rigged by Yanukovich. Ukrainians expected to turn Zelenskyy, a comedian who plays the president in a TV sitcom, into a real-life leader. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a politically inexperienced 41-year-old comedian, appears set to win the presidency of Ukraine, a war-torn country riddled by corruption. The star of the Servant of the People television sitcom, where he fights corruption as a teacher-turned-president, is poised to win Sundays presidential runoff vote, defeating incumbent President Petro Poroshenko by a huge margin, according to the latest polls. In the first round of vote held on March 31, Zelenskyy came first among 39 presidential candidates with more than 30 percent of ballots double of what Poroshenko secured. The comic benefited from the support of Ukrainians tired of mainstream politicians. Zelenskyy supporters who spoke to Al Jazeera during the first round of voting said they were backing him because he was not a politician. They argued Zelenskyy would come to power to fulfil his civic duty and fight Ukraines endemic corruption from the countrys top seat. Oleksiy Haran, a professor of comparative politics at the University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, told Al Jazeera that Ukrainians did not realise they were electing a TV character instead of Zelenskyy. People projected the image of the fictional president in his movie into the real candidate. This is a psychological phenomenon, he said. 190331171422240 When Zelenskyy is starting to speak, he is making a lot of mistakes. Thats why the position of his team is actually to avoid any direct communication between Zelenskyy and journalists or experts. The lack of access to the frontrunner prompted about 20 Ukrainian media outlets to write Zelenskyy a critical open letter, calling on him to prove the principles of openness and transparency he proclaims are not just empty words. The millionaire of Jewish descent especially appeals to young people and the Russian-speaking population. The father-of-two from the industrial city of Krivy Rig in central Ukraine has shunned campaign rallies in favour of comedy shows, and prefers to get his message across through YouTube clips and social media updates. One of the factors that make him popular among Russian-speakers is that he is not linked to the Maidan protests that deposed pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovich. However, Zelenskyy is unlikely to make any changes in Ukraines foreign policy if elected, Haran told Al Jazeera. [If he is elected], the situation will be very unpredictable depending on his team. But my assumption is that the general foreign policy of Ukraine will not change, he said. Zelenskyy said that we will continue to drift towards the EU and he will not accept the annexation of Crimea and the occupation of Donbass. His critics find his political programme vague and say the political novice will not be able to resist Moscow, which annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and backed the separatists who seized parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the east, also known as Donbass. Dmytro Razumkov, Zelenskyys political aide, told Al Jazeera if the comedian wins the second round of voting he would stand by the Minsk Agreement. The agreement was forged by France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia the countries involved in talks known as the Normandy Format to secure a truce. All sanctions put in place by the European Union against Russia are linked to the Minsk Agreement. If we try to annul it, we might lose these sanctions. It cant be, Razumkov said, speaking after Zelenskyy won the first round. Zelenskyys proposal is to add the United Kingdom and the United States to the Normandy Format as the signatories of the Budapest Memorandum to apply joint pressure on Russia like a laser beam. Under Zelenskyy, Razumkov said, Ukraine would continue to aspire to join the EU and NATO, but it would hold a referendum on the issues only when the chance of doing so was realistic. We will not be selling air. Even Germanys [Chancellor] Angela Merkel said that the prospect is far. It doesnt mean that we will stop aspiring to join the EU; we must keep following the path and one day achieve it, he said. The story is similar with the NATO. We need to modernise the army and at the moment Ukraine is not in a position to do so. We will not be holding a referendum on these subjects 10-20 years ahead of time, but at a time when there is a realistic opportunity [to join the EU and NATO]. Shadow leader Many people also fear if Zelenskyy becomes a president, the country will be run from the shadows by self-exiled oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky. Kolomoisky, who has been living in Israel since Ukraine started investigating alleged financial wrongdoings in his now-nationalised PrivatBank, owns the television channel that airs Zelenskyys shows. A study by Reuters news agency of vehicle registration databases, company ownership documents, and photographic records has suggested that Kolomoisky and Zelenskyy intersect in other ways. According to the report, the two men have common business partners; Zelenskyy uses security staff who in the past were also seen accompanying Kolomoisky; a former Kolomoisky adviser is on Zelenskyys campaign team; and at least two vehicles used by Zelenskyy and his entourage are owned by people or entities linked to Kolomoisky. Both Zelenskyy and Kolomoisky have said their relationship is strictly professional and centred on the comedians TV work. Both say no undue influence is being exerted by the oligarch. In one attack, ISIL ambushed Syrian forces in the desert of central Homs province, setting off two days of clashes. Syrian government forces came under separate attacks from ISIL and al-Qaeda-linked rebels in different parts of the country that killed nearly 50 soldiers and allied fighters. In one attack, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fighters ambushed Syrian forces in the desert of central Homs province on Thursday night, setting off two days of clashes that killed 27 soldiers, including four officers, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Saturday. A pro-government militia, known as Liwa al-Quds, confirmed the ambush saying it had sent its fighters to liberate the two besieged battalions, made up of nearly 500 soldiers, east of the town of al-Sukhna. In a Facebook post, the militia said it successfully broke the siege and liberated the surviving soldiers before pulling the bodies of those killed and damaged vehicles to safety. Liwa al-Quds, one of the elite militias operating side by side with government troops, didnt give a casualty figure. It said the besieged battalions were out in the desert looking for an army division that disappeared in the area over the last few days. Sleeper cells ISIL lost its last territories in Syria in March after months of battles with US-backed Kurdish-led fighters in the eastern province of Deir Az Zor. But fighters remain active in the desert to the west of Deir Az Zor where they have taken refuge and increasingly targeted government troops and allied militia. The armed group, which once controlled large swaths of territory in Syria and Iraq, has kept a network of sleeper cells active in both countries. It has also kept up its media operations. The ISIL-affiliated Aamaq website reported the attack east of al-Sukhna, saying in 24 hours of clashes its fighters killed nearly two dozen Syrian soldiers and officers. It said they also seized Syrian government ammunition and vehicles. Separately, government forces came under an attack from fighters of al-Qaeda-linked Hayet Tahir al-Sham in northwest Syria, where a ceasefire is supposed to be in place. The Observatory said the rebels assaulted government positions west of Aleppo early on Saturday, killing 21 soldiers and allied fighters. Baladi news, an activist-operated news site, said the attack in Akrab village killed 27 soldiers, quoting an HTS operative. Akrab overlooks the Aleppo-Damascus highway. A ceasefire was reached in the area in September but is increasingly tested. The area includes the last major stronghold of the armed opposition. The ceasefire was negotiated by Russia and Turkey, who support opposite sides of the conflict but have closely coordinated their policies. Prosecutor launches money laundering probe against al-Bashir after finding suitcases of money at his home, says Reuters. Sudans public prosecutor has begun investigating deposed President Omar al-Bashir on charges of money laundering, the Reuters news agency said, citing a judicial source. The source said on Saturday that military intelligence had searched al-Bashirs home and found suitcases loaded with more than $351,000 and six million euros ($6.75m), as well as five million Sudanese pounds ($104,837). The chief public prosecutor ordered the [former] president detained and quickly questioned in preparation to put him on trial, the source said. The public prosecution will question the former president in Kobar prison, the source added. Relatives could not be reached on Saturday for comment about the investigation. Al-Bashir, who is also being sought by the International Criminal Court over allegations of genocide in the countrys western Darfur region, was removed on April 11 by the military following months of protests against his rule. 190420090754507 His family said this week that the former president had been moved from the presidential palace to the high-security Kobar prison in Sudans capital, Khartoum. As president, al-Bashir often played up his humble beginnings as the child of a poor farming family in Hosh Bannaga, a small village consisting mainly of mud houses on the eastern bank of the Nile some 150km north of Khartoum. Incomplete revolution The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which has spearheaded the protests, has called for holding al-Bashir and the members of his administration to account, a purge of corruption and cronyism and easing an economic crisis that worsened during al-Bashirs last years in power. On Wednesday, Sudans ruling military council ordered the central bank to review financial transfers since April 1 and to seize suspect funds, according to state news agency SUNA. Sudanese protesters chant slogans during a rally outside the army headquarters in Khartoum [Ebrahim Hamid/AFP] The council, which has resisted calls by protesters to hand over power to a transitional civilian body, also ordered the suspension of the transfer of ownership of any shares until further notice and for any large or suspect transfers of shares or companies to be reported to authorities. Members of the protest movement said five of its representatives were due to hold talks with the military council at 8:00pm local time (1800 GMT) on Saturday to discuss the transfer of power. Ahmed al-Rabia, an SPA member, said if the military rulers refused to hand over power, then the protest leaders would go ahead with their planned announcement of a sovereign civilian council on Sunday. If they are willing to negotiate, then there is a chance that tomorrows announcement could be postponed, Rabia told the AFP. What we want from them is a timetable to hand over power, so things dont drag. Since al-Bashirs removal, the military council has held two rounds of talks with the protest leaders, he said, adding: During these talks, weve felt that the military council has no desire to hand over power. The military council and Moussaka Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission, also met in Khartoum on Saturday. The AU has warned Sudans military rulers to hand over power to a civilian body by the end of April or risk suspension. Al Jazeeras Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said Mahamat met the council on Tuesday as well. The African Union Commission has been very clear since the military council took over from President al-Bashir that they do not agree with the military takeover and theyre saying that unless the military council hands over power to an independent civilian transitional government, then the revolution of the people will be incomplete and Sudan would risk losing its membership in the African Union, she said. Meanwhile, thousands of protesters continued their weeks-long sit-in outside the army headquarters in Khartoum, demanding a civilian-led transition. No matter their shortcomings, former presidents have a way of still exerting influence. Will the same be true for Trump? Username: Password: or Register Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Thread Rating: 6 Vote(s) - 4.33 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 3 4 5 ... 13 A militia group detained migrants at the border. northerntomcat Registered User User ID: 485474 04-20-2019 06:45 PM Posts: 10,909 Post: #1 A militia group detained migrants at the border. Advertisement "My office has been informed that this week, an armed group has detained nearly 300 people near Sunland Park, New Mexico," Attorney General Hector Balderas said in a written statement. "These individuals should not attempt to exercise authority reserved for law enforcement." Videos posted online purportedly showing migrants held by the United Constitutional Patriots group and handed over to the US Border Patrol drew swift condemnation from the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico. https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/19/us/border...index.html "They Killed Us": Crowdfunding Sites Have Cut Off An Armed Militia Detaining Migrants At The Border The militia detained hundreds of migrants at gunpoint this week and is accused of violating the crowdfunding sites' policy on the promotion of hate or violence. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/sal...ain-paypal A militia group near the US-Mexico border detained hundreds of people this week, New Mexico's attorney general told CNN."My office has been informed that this week, an armed group has detained nearly 300 people near Sunland Park, New Mexico," Attorney General Hector Balderas said in a written statement. "These individuals should not attempt to exercise authority reserved for law enforcement."Videos posted online purportedly showing migrants held by the United Constitutional Patriots group and handed over to the US Border Patrol drew swift condemnation from the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico.The militia detained hundreds of migrants at gunpoint this week and is accused of violating the crowdfunding sites' policy on the promotion of hate or violence. Prince Vegeta Knowledge and Power User ID: 456214 04-20-2019 07:22 PM Posts: 2,726 Post: #2 RE: A militia group detained migrants at the border. Hooray for militia groups! Glad to see them standing up to enforce the nation's laws. Next time come here legally. I have no time for weaklings. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 498308 04-20-2019 07:24 PM Post: #3 RE: A militia group detained migrants at the border. Was the militia operating on private land? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 498306 04-20-2019 07:24 PM Post: #4 RE: A militia group detained migrants at the border. I disagree with militia. They should not capture the invaders, they should repel them. A few warning shots, then its on the invaders if they decide to violate our territory. CBP, ICE, local leos should all be firing on the invaders. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 498306 04-20-2019 07:26 PM Post: #5 RE: A militia group detained migrants at the border. Goblin Slayer Wrote: (04-20-2019 07:22 PM) Hooray for militia groups! Glad to see them standing up to enforce the nation's laws. Next time come here legally. No, don't come here at all. There is no god given right to enter the USA. We have enough people here, time to stop all immigration. No, don't come here at all. There is no god given right to enter the USA. We have enough people here, time to stop all immigration. He Man Subscriber User ID: 426524 04-20-2019 07:34 PM Posts: 40,578 Post: #6 RE: A militia group detained migrants at the border. To think that armed groups of people can decide to round up people near the border on their assumptions and hold them detained for how long, at gun point with threats to them of being killed or injured if they do not comply with detention etc. is illegal and reprehensible. They do not have the right to do this. Those are police powers. The ACLU is correct to call the illegality of this to the authorities and to threaten law suits if the practices are not stopped. They are also correct to request investigations of these militant groups for illegally kidnapping and detaining these people that every legal right to be seeking legal authorities to request asylum. Some militant groups have already been caught and prosecuted for involvement in drug stealing operations and beatings of people they are interdicting near the border. Many of these group members are known to be very violent, and many are very open about their involvement with white supremacist gangs that are well known to be already involved in drug dealing especially meth, the drug of choice for racist white supremacist biker and prison gangs. Many of these groups are also well known to be involved in sex trafficking and brutal treatment of women to violently use drug addiction and beatings and threats of death to force them into the sex trade. There is no reason to expect these criminal gangs to be acting on anything other than opportunistic reasons to be near unprotected people seeking asylum and drug smuggling operations to continue their criminal enterprises. New Mexico Governor Demands Right-Wing Militia Stop Illegally Holding Migrants Armed vigilantes in camouflage rounded up about 300 immigrants, many of them children, in a video posted by the United Constitutional Patriots. "New Mexicos governor has ordered a right-wing militia to stand down and stop illegally holding migrants often at gunpoint in her state. Regular citizens have no authority to arrest or detain anyone, Michelle Lujan Grisham said Friday. That migrant families might be menaced or threatened in any way, shape or form when they arrive at our border often times after an unimaginably arduous journey is completely unacceptable, Lujan Grisham said in an email to NBC News. The American Civil Liberties Union alerted the governor to the militia in a letter Thursday. The vigilantes, who call themselves the United Constitutional Patriots, arrested nearly 300 people near Sunland Park in New Mexico on Tuesday, according to the letter. A video revealing the operation has been posted online by the group (below). A woman with the militia can be heard telling others not to point guns at the migrants while they wait for U.S. Border Patrol agents to arrive to collect the asylum seekers. The ACLU characterized the group as an armed fascist militia organization made up of vigilantes working to kidnap and detain people seeking asylum. The Trump administrations vile racism has emboldened white nationalists and fascists to flagrantly violate the law, the ACLU said in the letter. This has no place in our state: we cannot allow racist and armed vigilantes to kidnap and detain people seeking asylum. We urge you to immediately investigate this atrocious and unlawful conduct. A spokesman for the group who identifies himself as Jim Benvie of Minnesota posted a video Wednesday on Facebook showing a group that appeared to be almost all women and children being held on a sandy patch of earth, presumably initially by the vigilantes, but border agents are on the scene as Benvie films. Benvie claims in another video that Border Patrol agents are happy that the vigilantes take action. He told The New York Times that his group has been camped out near El Paso for the last two months. He insisted the vigilantes actions are legal, comparing the detentions to a verbal citizens arrest. He told the Times that group members are told not to point their weapons at the immigrants. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement that CBP does not endorse private groups or organizations taking enforcement matters into their own hands. It added that interference by civilians could have public safety and legal consequences for all parties involved. CBP @CBP #CBP does not endorse or condone private groups or organizations that take enforcement matters into their own hands. Interference by civilians in law enforcement matters could have public safety and legal consequences for all parties involved. MORE: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/new-mexic...e7ceb869d9 I was just about to post on this topic. Thanks for doing it first. 5*To think that armed groups of people can decide to round up people near the border on their assumptions and hold them detained for how long, at gun point with threats to them of being killed or injured if they do not comply with detention etc. is illegal and reprehensible.They do not have the right to do this. Those are police powers. The ACLU is correct to call the illegality of this to the authorities and to threaten law suits if the practices are not stopped. They are also correct to request investigations of these militant groups for illegally kidnapping and detaining these people that every legal right to be seeking legal authorities to request asylum.Some militant groups have already been caught and prosecuted for involvement in drug stealing operations and beatings of people they are interdicting near the border.Many of these group members are known to be very violent, and many are very open about their involvement with white supremacist gangs that are well known to be already involved in drug dealing especially meth, the drug of choice for racist white supremacist biker and prison gangs. Many of these groups are also well known to be involved in sex trafficking and brutal treatment of women to violently use drug addiction and beatings and threats of death to force them into the sex trade. There is no reason to expect these criminal gangs to be acting on anything other than opportunistic reasons to be near unprotected people seeking asylum and drug smuggling operations to continue their criminal enterprises.Armed vigilantes in camouflage rounded up about 300 immigrants, many of them children, in a video posted by the United Constitutional Patriots."New Mexicos governor has ordered a right-wing militia to stand down and stop illegally holding migrants often at gunpoint in her state.Regular citizens have no authority to arrest or detain anyone, Michelle Lujan Grisham said Friday.That migrant families might be menaced or threatened in any way, shape or form when they arrive at our border often times after an unimaginably arduous journey is completely unacceptable, Lujan Grisham said in an email to NBC News.The American Civil Liberties Union alerted the governor to the militia in a letter Thursday. The vigilantes, who call themselves the United Constitutional Patriots, arrested nearly 300 people near Sunland Park in New Mexico on Tuesday, according to the letter.A video revealing the operation has been posted online by the group (below). A woman with the militia can be heard telling others not to point guns at the migrants while they wait for U.S. Border Patrol agents to arrive to collect the asylum seekers.The ACLU characterized the group as an armed fascist militia organization made up of vigilantes working to kidnap and detain people seeking asylum.The Trump administrations vile racism has emboldened white nationalists and fascists to flagrantly violate the law, the ACLU said in the letter. This has no place in our state: we cannot allow racist and armed vigilantes to kidnap and detain people seeking asylum. We urge you to immediately investigate this atrocious and unlawful conduct.A spokesman for the group who identifies himself as Jim Benvie of Minnesota posted a video Wednesday on Facebook showing a group that appeared to be almost all women and children being held on a sandy patch of earth, presumably initially by the vigilantes, but border agents are on the scene as Benvie films. Benvie claims in another video that Border Patrol agents are happy that the vigilantes take action.He told The New York Times that his group has been camped out near El Paso for the last two months. He insisted the vigilantes actions are legal, comparing the detentions to a verbal citizens arrest. He told the Times that group members are told not to point their weapons at the immigrants.U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement that CBP does not endorse private groups or organizations taking enforcement matters into their own hands. It added that interference by civilians could have public safety and legal consequences for all parties involved.CBP@CBP#CBP does not endorse or condone private groups or organizations that take enforcement matters into their own hands. Interference by civilians in law enforcement matters could have public safety and legal consequences for all parties involved.MORE: Making LOP Great again since 06-07-2013! If you give up on democracy, you might as well give up on everything. -- Robert Reich He Man Subscriber User ID: 426524 04-20-2019 07:40 PM Posts: 40,578 Post: #7 RE: A militia group detained migrants at the border. Goblin Slayer Wrote: (04-20-2019 07:22 PM) Hooray for militia groups! Glad to see them standing up to enforce the nation's laws. Next time come here legally. You have no idea who these people are going to the border or what their actual motivations are. They are doing illegal detentions of people that should be only done by law enforcement. Some ARE their to steal and sells drugs and be involved in human trafficking and sex trafficking. Arizona militia men caught in plot to steal cocaine from drug smugglers This article is more than 3 years old The men tried to replicate a tactic long used by smugglers, and were caught when they revealed themselves to an undercover federal agent posing as a trafficker "Three men affiliated with an Arizona militia group were charged in federal court with trying to replicate a tactic long used by smugglers: stealing drugs from people who have already sneaked them across the Mexican border. However, it turned out that the men took drugs from an SUV that federal agents had stocked with cocaine as part of a sting operation, court records state. Authorities said it was one of three attempted thefts prompted when an undercover FBI officer offered tips to the trios leader about drugs coming into the country and drug money headed into Mexico, authorities said. The stings were arranged after the leader, Parris Frazier, portrayed himself to an undercover federal agent as a mercenary who had stolen drugs and money from smugglers and expressed a willingness to kill people during such rip-offs, according to the records. Frazier, Erik Foster and Robert Deatherage have each pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. The case was filed on 23 July. Smugglers have long resorted to holding up rival traffickers who have already moved their drugs across the border. The dangerous tactic offers a chance at a big payoff without shouldering the risk of bringing drugs into the country. Normally, the ploy is used exclusively by smugglers against smugglers. The vast majority of the rip-offs that occur in the desert are cartels ripping off cartels or people who are on the receiving end of the drugs and know the delivery is coming, said Neville Cramer, a retired US border agent who now works as a border security consultant. Terry Goddard, a former Arizona attorney general who focused on border crimes, said he has never heard of smuggling rip-offs being carried out by people affiliated with militias. I would have never suspected anything of this nature, Goddard said. Authorities provided little information in court records about the mens connections to militias. Court records state the three men were affiliated with the Arizona Special Operations Group, and the investigation began in January when Frazier talked to agents from US Customs and Border Protection during a traffic stop. It was unclear why he was stopped or what was said. US magistrate Eileen Willett, who previously denied bail for the defendants, said in a court order that Frazier has connections to the militia community and is anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant. The magistrate also wrote that Foster is shown in a social media photo for Arizona Special Operations, which the judge described as a militia group. Cosme Lopez, a spokesman for the US attorneys office in Arizona, declined to provide information on the group. Investigators say Frazier claimed he wanted to help stop border crimes and expressed an interest in talking to someone whom the agents had said provided them with information in the past. An undercover officer posing as someone who worked in drug trafficking then spent the next six months talking to Frazier about cocaine coming into the country and drug proceeds headed to Mexico, the FBI said in court records. Frazier is accused of offering the undercover officer a 25% cut of whatever money came from a rip-off. Investigators say they staged three rip-offs of vehicles involving Frazier . The first came in April when Frazier and an unnamed associate were told there was $8,000 in drug proceeds in a vehicle. The pair carried rifles and wore camouflage, face masks and bullet-proof vests, but they were unable to find the money, court records show." https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015...gglers-fbi You have no idea who these people are going to the border or what their actual motivations are. They are doing illegal detentions of people that should be only done by law enforcement. Some ARE their to steal and sells drugs and be involved in human trafficking and sex trafficking.This article is more than 3 years oldThe men tried to replicate a tactic long used by smugglers, and were caught when they revealed themselves to an undercover federal agent posing as a trafficker"Three men affiliated with an Arizona militia group were charged in federal court with trying to replicate a tactic long used by smugglers: stealing drugs from people who have already sneaked them across the Mexican border.However, it turned out that the men took drugs from an SUV that federal agents had stocked with cocaine as part of a sting operation, court records state.Authorities said it was one of three attempted thefts prompted when an undercover FBI officer offered tips to the trios leader about drugs coming into the country and drug money headed into Mexico, authorities said.The stings were arranged after the leader, Parris Frazier, portrayed himself to an undercover federal agent as a mercenary who had stolen drugs and money from smugglers and expressed a willingness to kill people during such rip-offs, according to the records.Frazier, Erik Foster and Robert Deatherage have each pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. The case was filed on 23 July.I would have never suspected anything of this nature, Goddard said.Authorities provided little information in court records about the mens connections to militias.Court records state the three men were affiliated with the Arizona Special Operations Group, and the investigation began in January when Frazier talked to agents from US Customs and Border Protection during a traffic stop. It was unclear why he was stopped or what was said.US magistrate Eileen Willett, who previously denied bail for the defendants, said in a court order that Frazier has connections to the militia community and is anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant.The magistrate also wrote that Foster is shown in a social media photo for Arizona Special Operations, which the judge described as a militia group.Cosme Lopez, a spokesman for the US attorneys office in Arizona, declined to provide information on the group.Investigators say Frazier claimed he wanted to help stop border crimes and expressed an interest in talking to someone whom the agents had said provided them with information in the past.An undercover officer posing as someone who worked in drug trafficking then spent the next six months talking to Frazier about cocaine coming into the country and drug proceeds headed to Mexico, the FBI said in court records.The first came in April when Frazier and an unnamed associate were told there was $8,000 in drug proceeds in a vehicle. The pair carried rifles and wore camouflage, face masks and bullet-proof vests, but they were unable to find the money, court records show." Making LOP Great again since 06-07-2013! If you give up on democracy, you might as well give up on everything. -- Robert Reich northerntomcat Registered User User ID: 485474 04-20-2019 08:02 PM Posts: 10,909 Post: #8 RE: A militia group detained migrants at the border. He Man Wrote: (04-20-2019 07:40 PM) Goblin Slayer Wrote: (04-20-2019 07:22 PM) Hooray for militia groups! Glad to see them standing up to enforce the nation's laws. Next time come here legally. You have no idea who these people are going to the border or what their actual motivations are. They are doing illegal detentions of people that should be only done by law enforcement. Some ARE their to steal and sells drugs and be involved in human trafficking and sex trafficking. Arizona militia men caught in plot to steal cocaine from drug smugglers This article is more than 3 years old The men tried to replicate a tactic long used by smugglers, and were caught when they revealed themselves to an undercover federal agent posing as a trafficker "Three men affiliated with an Arizona militia group were charged in federal court with trying to replicate a tactic long used by smugglers: stealing drugs from people who have already sneaked them across the Mexican border. However, it turned out that the men took drugs from an SUV that federal agents had stocked with cocaine as part of a sting operation, court records state. Authorities said it was one of three attempted thefts prompted when an undercover FBI officer offered tips to the trios leader about drugs coming into the country and drug money headed into Mexico, authorities said. The stings were arranged after the leader, Parris Frazier, portrayed himself to an undercover federal agent as a mercenary who had stolen drugs and money from smugglers and expressed a willingness to kill people during such rip-offs, according to the records. Frazier, Erik Foster and Robert Deatherage have each pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. The case was filed on 23 July. Smugglers have long resorted to holding up rival traffickers who have already moved their drugs across the border. The dangerous tactic offers a chance at a big payoff without shouldering the risk of bringing drugs into the country. Normally, the ploy is used exclusively by smugglers against smugglers. The vast majority of the rip-offs that occur in the desert are cartels ripping off cartels or people who are on the receiving end of the drugs and know the delivery is coming, said Neville Cramer, a retired US border agent who now works as a border security consultant. Terry Goddard, a former Arizona attorney general who focused on border crimes, said he has never heard of smuggling rip-offs being carried out by people affiliated with militias. I would have never suspected anything of this nature, Goddard said. Authorities provided little information in court records about the mens connections to militias. Court records state the three men were affiliated with the Arizona Special Operations Group, and the investigation began in January when Frazier talked to agents from US Customs and Border Protection during a traffic stop. It was unclear why he was stopped or what was said. US magistrate Eileen Willett, who previously denied bail for the defendants, said in a court order that Frazier has connections to the militia community and is anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant. The magistrate also wrote that Foster is shown in a social media photo for Arizona Special Operations, which the judge described as a militia group. Cosme Lopez, a spokesman for the US attorneys office in Arizona, declined to provide information on the group. Investigators say Frazier claimed he wanted to help stop border crimes and expressed an interest in talking to someone whom the agents had said provided them with information in the past. An undercover officer posing as someone who worked in drug trafficking then spent the next six months talking to Frazier about cocaine coming into the country and drug proceeds headed to Mexico, the FBI said in court records. Frazier is accused of offering the undercover officer a 25% cut of whatever money came from a rip-off. Investigators say they staged three rip-offs of vehicles involving Frazier . The first came in April when Frazier and an unnamed associate were told there was $8,000 in drug proceeds in a vehicle. The pair carried rifles and wore camouflage, face masks and bullet-proof vests, but they were unable to find the money, court records show." https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015...gglers-fbi "However, it turned out that the men took drugs from an SUV that federal agents had stocked with cocaine as part of a sting operation, court records state." Too funny! But it does raise a red flag for sure. "However, it turned out that the men took drugs from an SUV that federal agents had stocked with cocaine as part of a sting operation, court records state."Too funny!But it does raise a red flag for sure. northerntomcat Registered User User ID: 485474 04-20-2019 08:19 PM Posts: 10,909 Post: #9 RE: A militia group detained migrants at the border. They have a Facebook page link here: They have a few videos of them rounding up family's near the border. They posted this 4 hours ago TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS : WE AT UNITED CONSTITUTIONAL PATRIOTS ARE OVERWHELMED WITH THE INCREDIBLE SHOW OF SUPPORT WE HAVE RECEIVED THE PAST FEW DAYS FROM ALL OF YOU. THE ATTACKS FROM THE LEFT AGAINST US ARE BACKFIRING ON THEM. WE ARE RECEIVING WALL TO WALL PHONE CALLS FROM PEOPLE WANTING TO HELP,EITHER WITH DONATIONS OR BOOTS ON THE GROUND. OUR MEMBERS HERE HAVE SHOWERED US WITH SUPPORT AND HAVE KEPT US INFORMED ON WHAT'S BEEN SAID. WHILE MANY OF YOUR POSTS HAVE YET TO BE APPROVED THEY ARE BEING READ, AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR ALL THE HELP. WHILE WE ARE EXTREMELY BUSY WITH THE BORDER SITUATION, WE WILL TRY TO CORRESPOND WITH YOU ALL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND KEEP YOU INFORMED. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. The group in question here is called "United Constitutional Patriots"They have a Facebook page link here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/314311732261330/ They have a few videos of them rounding up family's near the border.They posted this 4 hours agoTO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS : WE AT UNITED CONSTITUTIONAL PATRIOTS ARE OVERWHELMED WITH THE INCREDIBLE SHOW OF SUPPORT WE HAVE RECEIVED THE PAST FEW DAYS FROM ALL OF YOU. THE ATTACKS FROM THE LEFT AGAINST US ARE BACKFIRING ON THEM. WE ARE RECEIVING WALL TO WALL PHONE CALLS FROM PEOPLE WANTING TO HELP,EITHER WITH DONATIONS OR BOOTS ON THE GROUND. OUR MEMBERS HERE HAVE SHOWERED US WITH SUPPORT AND HAVE KEPT US INFORMED ON WHAT'S BEEN SAID. WHILE MANY OF YOUR POSTS HAVE YET TO BE APPROVED THEY ARE BEING READ, AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR ALL THE HELP. WHILE WE ARE EXTREMELY BUSY WITH THE BORDER SITUATION, WE WILL TRY TO CORRESPOND WITH YOU ALL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND KEEP YOU INFORMED. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 414299 04-20-2019 08:20 PM Post: #10 RE: A militia group detained migrants at the border. Demand that the ACLU relocate to Mexico. I heard that Fox News reshuffled this story. I don't trust Fox News to promote American Sovereignty. The media is not your friend. I believe that they fear Americans organizing to take back their country before it is turned into the world's largest banana republic. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 498313 04-20-2019 08:21 PM Post: #11 RE: A militia group detained migrants at the border. northerntomcat Wrote: (04-20-2019 08:19 PM) The group in question here is called "United Constitutional Patriots" They have a Facebook page link here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/314311732261330/ They have a few videos of them rounding up family's near the border. They posted this 4 hours ago TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS : WE AT UNITED CONSTITUTIONAL PATRIOTS ARE OVERWHELMED WITH THE INCREDIBLE SHOW OF SUPPORT WE HAVE RECEIVED THE PAST FEW DAYS FROM ALL OF YOU. THE ATTACKS FROM THE LEFT AGAINST US ARE BACKFIRING ON THEM. WE ARE RECEIVING WALL TO WALL PHONE CALLS FROM PEOPLE WANTING TO HELP,EITHER WITH DONATIONS OR BOOTS ON THE GROUND. OUR MEMBERS HERE HAVE SHOWERED US WITH SUPPORT AND HAVE KEPT US INFORMED ON WHAT'S BEEN SAID. WHILE MANY OF YOUR POSTS HAVE YET TO BE APPROVED THEY ARE BEING READ, AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR ALL THE HELP. WHILE WE ARE EXTREMELY BUSY WITH THE BORDER SITUATION, WE WILL TRY TO CORRESPOND WITH YOU ALL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND KEEP YOU INFORMED. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. Are you a member? Are you a member? northerntomcat Registered User User ID: 485474 04-20-2019 08:24 PM Posts: 10,909 Post: #12 RE: A militia group detained migrants at the border. Archangel Wrote: (04-20-2019 08:14 PM) He Man expects Americans to lay down and take in it the butt while their country is overran by Foreign invaders, but that's the kind of guy he is. JT Ready ran an operation similar to these guys, but wound up dead. Now hold on a minute here,what happens when someone runs from these guys and they end up shooting the entire group of families? And don't say that's impossible because it happened in Iraq and that was with properly trained soldiers. What happens then? Now hold on a minute here,what happens when someone runs from these guys and they end up shooting the entire group of families? And don't say that's impossible because it happened in Iraq and that was with properly trained soldiers. What happens then? northerntomcat Registered User User ID: 485474 04-20-2019 08:28 PM Posts: 10,909 Post: #13 RE: A militia group detained migrants at the border. LoP Guest Wrote: (04-20-2019 08:21 PM) northerntomcat Wrote: (04-20-2019 08:19 PM) The group in question here is called "United Constitutional Patriots" They have a Facebook page link here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/314311732261330/ They have a few videos of them rounding up family's near the border. They posted this 4 hours ago TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS : WE AT UNITED CONSTITUTIONAL PATRIOTS ARE OVERWHELMED WITH THE INCREDIBLE SHOW OF SUPPORT WE HAVE RECEIVED THE PAST FEW DAYS FROM ALL OF YOU. THE ATTACKS FROM THE LEFT AGAINST US ARE BACKFIRING ON THEM. WE ARE RECEIVING WALL TO WALL PHONE CALLS FROM PEOPLE WANTING TO HELP,EITHER WITH DONATIONS OR BOOTS ON THE GROUND. OUR MEMBERS HERE HAVE SHOWERED US WITH SUPPORT AND HAVE KEPT US INFORMED ON WHAT'S BEEN SAID. WHILE MANY OF YOUR POSTS HAVE YET TO BE APPROVED THEY ARE BEING READ, AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR ALL THE HELP. WHILE WE ARE EXTREMELY BUSY WITH THE BORDER SITUATION, WE WILL TRY TO CORRESPOND WITH YOU ALL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND KEEP YOU INFORMED. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. Are you a member? No, and i don't agree with what they are doing. If they really want to help they can sign up for the border service or the military. But i doubt any of them would qualify for service due to criminal backgrounds and such. No, and i don't agree with what they are doing. If they really want to help they can sign up for the border service or the military. But i doubt any of them would qualify for service due to criminal backgrounds and such. He Man Subscriber User ID: 426524 04-20-2019 08:29 PM Posts: 40,578 Post: #14 RE: A militia group detained migrants at the border. northerntomcat Wrote: (04-20-2019 08:02 PM) He Man Wrote: (04-20-2019 07:40 PM) You have no idea who these people are going to the border or what their actual motivations are. They are doing illegal detentions of people that should be only done by law enforcement. Some ARE their to steal and sells drugs and be involved in human trafficking and sex trafficking. Arizona militia men caught in plot to steal cocaine from drug smugglers This article is more than 3 years old The men tried to replicate a tactic long used by smugglers, and were caught when they revealed themselves to an undercover federal agent posing as a trafficker "Three men affiliated with an Arizona militia group were charged in federal court with trying to replicate a tactic long used by smugglers: stealing drugs from people who have already sneaked them across the Mexican border. However, it turned out that the men took drugs from an SUV that federal agents had stocked with cocaine as part of a sting operation, court records state. Authorities said it was one of three attempted thefts prompted when an undercover FBI officer offered tips to the trios leader about drugs coming into the country and drug money headed into Mexico, authorities said. The stings were arranged after the leader, Parris Frazier, portrayed himself to an undercover federal agent as a mercenary who had stolen drugs and money from smugglers and expressed a willingness to kill people during such rip-offs, according to the records. Frazier, Erik Foster and Robert Deatherage have each pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. The case was filed on 23 July. Smugglers have long resorted to holding up rival traffickers who have already moved their drugs across the border. The dangerous tactic offers a chance at a big payoff without shouldering the risk of bringing drugs into the country. Normally, the ploy is used exclusively by smugglers against smugglers. The vast majority of the rip-offs that occur in the desert are cartels ripping off cartels or people who are on the receiving end of the drugs and know the delivery is coming, said Neville Cramer, a retired US border agent who now works as a border security consultant. Terry Goddard, a former Arizona attorney general who focused on border crimes, said he has never heard of smuggling rip-offs being carried out by people affiliated with militias. I would have never suspected anything of this nature, Goddard said. Authorities provided little information in court records about the mens connections to militias. Court records state the three men were affiliated with the Arizona Special Operations Group, and the investigation began in January when Frazier talked to agents from US Customs and Border Protection during a traffic stop. It was unclear why he was stopped or what was said. US magistrate Eileen Willett, who previously denied bail for the defendants, said in a court order that Frazier has connections to the militia community and is anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant. The magistrate also wrote that Foster is shown in a social media photo for Arizona Special Operations, which the judge described as a militia group. Cosme Lopez, a spokesman for the US attorneys office in Arizona, declined to provide information on the group. Investigators say Frazier claimed he wanted to help stop border crimes and expressed an interest in talking to someone whom the agents had said provided them with information in the past. An undercover officer posing as someone who worked in drug trafficking then spent the next six months talking to Frazier about cocaine coming into the country and drug proceeds headed to Mexico, the FBI said in court records. Frazier is accused of offering the undercover officer a 25% cut of whatever money came from a rip-off. Investigators say they staged three rip-offs of vehicles involving Frazier . The first came in April when Frazier and an unnamed associate were told there was $8,000 in drug proceeds in a vehicle. The pair carried rifles and wore camouflage, face masks and bullet-proof vests, but they were unable to find the money, court records show." https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015...gglers-fbi "However, it turned out that the men took drugs from an SUV that federal agents had stocked with cocaine as part of a sting operation, court records state." Too funny! But it does raise a red flag for sure. Ot the CIA was directly involved in drug distribution or some of it's agents are rogue. But that is beside the point. The militia groups at the border are very suspect and some have been caught involved in stealing drugs and using the cover of border patrols for illegal activities. Many militia members are active members of white supremacist gangs which are active in sex trafficking and meth dealing etc. etc. I am glad the Gov. of NM is directly telling them they are not wanted at the border and so is the official twitter account of the CBP (Customs and Border Protection), now. See post # 7. Ot the CIA was directly involved in drug distribution or some of it's agents are rogue.But that is beside the point. The militia groups at the border are very suspect and some have been caught involved in stealing drugs and using the cover of border patrols for illegal activities. Many militia members are active members of white supremacist gangs which are active in sex trafficking and meth dealing etc. etc.I am glad the Gov. of NM is directly telling them they are not wanted at the border and so is the official twitter account of the CBP (Customs and Border Protection), now.See post # 7. Making LOP Great again since 06-07-2013! If you give up on democracy, you might as well give up on everything. -- Robert Reich Archangel Michael User ID: 441975 04-20-2019 08:32 PM Posts: 14,103 Post: #15 RE: A militia group detained migrants at the border. northerntomcat Wrote: (04-20-2019 08:24 PM) Archangel Wrote: (04-20-2019 08:14 PM) He Man expects Americans to lay down and take in it the butt while their country is overran by Foreign invaders, but that's the kind of guy he is. JT Ready ran an operation similar to these guys, but wound up dead. Now hold on a minute here,what happens when someone runs from these guys and they end up shooting the entire group of families? And don't say that's impossible because it happened in Iraq and that was with properly trained soldiers. What happens then? Your guess is as good as mine. Your guess is as good as mine. Advertisement Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread The F-15 Eagle fighter, which first entered United States Air Force (USAF) service in 1976, will continue to be an essential element of Americas air superiority force into the 2040s. Accordingly, the Department of Defense needs to procure the F-15X, the latest version of this fourth-generation fighter that will remain a vital weapons system even in an era of stealthy fifth-generation fighters like the scarce F-22. The website Warzone has examined how a quiet USAF inquiry prompted the F-15X, not Boeings commercial interests (Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive, has recused himself from F-15X decisions). Previously USAF leaders like Air Force secretary Heather Wilson had been adamant about only buying stealthy 5th generation fighters and had myopically focused on USAFs F-35. The USAF procured its last fourth-generation fighters, F-15s and F-16s, in 2001. Warzones report contrasts that an all stealth force sounds good, but in reality, it is fiscally unsustainable and not beneficial, and even a hindrance, for many USAF missions. In particular, the Air Force, which had 134 fighter squadrons in 1991 during the Gulf War, wants to expand a current strength of 55 fighter squadrons to 60. USAFs Air Combat Command General James Mike Holmes has therefore emphasized the cost-saving need for an appropriate procurement mix of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters. Warzones article noted that the F-15X could play a pivotal role in supporting many of the most buzz-worthy air combat concepts being discussed by USAF today. Already the F-15 is the heavy lifter among American fighters and the F-15Xs crazy weapons hauling capabilities could carry a whopping 22 air-to-air missiles. By comparison, the USAFs current single- and two-seater F-15C/Ds can carry eight air-to-air missiles, and F-15s recently ordered by Saudi Arabia 12, while the F-35 in stealth-mode has only six to eight weapons carried internally. Therefore a Popular Mechanics article has noted that the F-15X could act as a glorified missileer, launching missiles on cue from its stealthier cousins. The F-15X could also carry a range of large weapons systems like lasers or standoff tactical jammers to support stealth aircraft. Additionally, the F-15s combat radius of 1,150 miles versus 870 for the F-35 means that the F-15 can fly long-range missions while the F-35 is much more a tactical aircraft optimized for relatively short-range missions. Concerning air superiority, analysts have noted that the F-15 is designed for this mission. The F-15 has 50 percent greater maximum speed than the F-35 (Mach 2.5 compared to 1.6) and can fly 10,000 feet higher. Among American planes, only the stealthy F-22 beats F-15s at dogfighting, but USAF has too few of these fighters with 186 units. At the urging of President Barack Obama, who had threatened to use his veto, Congress made the controversial decision to cancel the F-22 program in 2009, even though USAF had called for a minimum of 381 F-22s. Analysts have decried that the F-22 is simply the best air superiority fighter the United States has ever produced and it was a foolish, shortsighted decision to end its production run prematurely. However, others have noted that the F-22 is a (highly effective) boutique aircraft that saw no service during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, with their emphasis on close air support, although F-22s recently have struck Islamic State targets in Syria. Obama and others like Senator John McCain had objected to the F-22s high cost. Unit costs had only dropped to $137 million per copy at production runs end, although continued production would have decreased unit costs to about $90 million, and the F-22 has hourly operating costs of over $68,000. Congress prohibition on F-22 export only increased costs by excluding international development partnerships. Several factors preclude resumption of the F-22 program, whose origins date to the Cold War in the 1980s when USAF initially sought 750 F-22s, including the simple fact that tools and instructions for F-22 production have gone missing. The F-22s technology is old -- stealth, propulsion, avionics and airframe design have come a long way since the F-22 was designed, the National Interest has noted. F-22 computer architecture dates back to the early 1990s and the jets antique processors and other components havent been made in decades. Most F-22 systems would be hopelessly obsolete by the end of a projected service life in 2035. Given such factors, the USAF had already planned to use its present inventory of F-15C/Ds (last built in 1986) until 2042 and the F-15E Strike Eagle, a multirole ground attack version, even longer. Yet F-15s in service often are older than their pilots and many companies that built the F-15s original parts are now defunct. Compared to the proposed modern F-15X with digital avionics, existing F-15s have a computer processor comparable to a 1980s Commodore 128 and their cockpits have been described as a throwback to an analog age. While the USAFs previously planned F-15C/D upgrades would have demanded many millions of dollars per jet, an F-15X modernization offers many savings. The original F-15s intended to serve individually only 5,000 hours, but the F-15Xs 20,000-hour service life, some 80 service years, is about three times that of most fighters produced globally. The F-15Xs hourly operating cost of about $27,000 seriously undercuts older F-15s at $45,000 as well as F-35s at about $50,000. Thus Warzone has noted that the F-15Xs will pay for themselves in about a decade's time based on operational cost savings over their F-15C/D brethren. The plug-and-play F-15X additionally uses preexisting F-15 base infrastructure, an enormous cost saving over newly developed fighters. The F-15X, an advanced version of the Eagles Qatar ordered in 2017, would also benefit from about $5 billion spent by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, and South Korea on new technology for their F-15 orders in the past 15 years. In turn, the former four-star USAF general Frank Gorenc has noted, the F-15X 4th gen++ or generation 4.5 fighter can help build partnership capacity with allies and partners who do not need, want or cannot afford a 5thgen fighter. Meanwhile in America F-15X production will help sustain a diverse industrial base. This prior international investment help refute concerns that the F-15X will cost more per unit than the F-35. While F-35 unit costs are declining towards a targeted $85 million, an F-15X would most likely cost $50-$75 million. Moreover, Boeing has offered the F-15X under a fixed-priced contract. The F-15X thus validates the analysis of Dan Grazier, the Jack Shanahan Military Fellow at the Project on Government Oversight. Whenever the military possesses a proven basic design like the F-15, the Pentagon should focus its efforts on maintaining and improving it until the state of technology changes to the point where the basic design is no longer viable, he has noted. The United States Navy has followed this advice with recent purchases of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to complement the navys F-35 inventory. Israel likewise seeks a future F-15 and F-35 combination. In contrast to the F-35, the F-15s long range is particularly appropriate for targets in places like Iran. Analysts have noted that for Israel modern stealth fighters, particularly the F-35, are not a one size fits all solution to aerial warfare. The F-15 family of fighters evokes the long-serving B-52 bomber, whose storied USAF service began in 1955 and continues today. While developing new technologies, even beyond those of current fifth-generation aircraft like the F-22, America should not too soon abandon tried and true aircraft platforms. The F-15 Eagle still has many years to soar. Next week, on the 24th, is the commemoration of the Armenian genocide, 114 years after the Ottoman Empire started systematically murdering 1.5 million Armenians, as well as Greek and Assyrian minority Christians. One man and the state he leads will not be participating in this important recognition of historical truth. Turkey's anti-Semitic, Islamist president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, fancies himself the reviver of a neo-Ottoman Empire and has undertaken to spread his ideological influence globally. That includes Armenian genocide denial. While Turkey has long fought the recognition of the Armenian genocide internationally, the situation under Erdogan's Islamist ideology has led him into an alliance with the international Muslim Brotherhood and its American affiliates. This has given Turkish propaganda a reach into the United States that didn't exist at these levels before. Samantha Rose Mandeles wrote at The American Spectator in February on how Turkish diplomats have spoken at and influenced prominent Muslim groups since 2014. One such organization officially embracing Turkey's genocide denial is the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), an umbrella group of over 30 Islamist charities and mosques, which published a "Statement on 1915 Turkish-Armenian Events" that forwards Turkey's denialism. American Muslim organizations that founded the USCMO include American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), ICNA, Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), MAS, Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), and The Mosque Cares (Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed). Today, 32 Muslim organizations and mosques affiliate with the group. Now Turkey has gone a step farther: actively distributing Armenian genocide denialist propaganda to American Muslims. Last year, MAS's 21st annual West Coast convention took place from November 22 to 24 at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, California. The conference featured booths from Muslim charities and businesses. But Turkey was the only Muslim government present, represented by two booths. There, amid complimentary Turkish flags, hats, and t-shirts, they distributed free books and pamphlets challenging the regime's enemies, including the Armenian people. A good example of the Turkish propaganda on offer is Our Neighbours of a Thousand Years: The Armenians, a slick, 52-page book filled with pictures and even a miniature CD in the back with folk songs. While the title seems friendly and inviting, the book contains questionable historical claims and shaky arguments about Armenian-Turkish relations. These falsehoods include the following: The book quotes Erdogan at the beginning demanding that all death and suffering of the period be treated the same, ignoring the historical question of who was responsible: "a fair humanitarian and conscientious stance requires an understanding of all the pain experienced in this period regardless of religion or ethnic origin." This is akin to insisting that equal historical weight be given to the Jews murdered in the Holocaust and to the Nazis responsible for their deaths. The book claims that the Ottoman Empire did not seek to exterminate the Armenians that it sought only to relocate them. The decision to forcibly relocate Armenians was supposedly the result of a "life or death struggle," and had it not been done "to secure both fronts during this time [sic] war," then there would have been "heavy casualties among Muslims." The book alleges that Armenians and Turks "lived side by side, amicably" for centuries; the conflict allegedly started with "the armed actions by the Armenians." Thus, Turkey claims that rising Armenian nationalism provoked the conflict. This ignores the fact that pogroms against Armenians occurred in 1894, 1895, 1896, and 1909. It alleges that Armenians collaborated with Turkey's enemies during the war and committed violent crimes: "they were involved in manslaughter and looting incidents in cities and towns, that there is a need for a radical measure for the security of the state and that on this account, it had been decided to transfer the Armenians rioting from the war zones to other regions." The pamphlet asserts that the Ottoman government did have a plan to feed and support the Armenians who were forced to relocate; however, there were "certain setbacks and abuses in implementation" that "caused many Armenians to have bitter memories of this period etched in their brains." Any abuses of Armenians were supposedly done by "disobedient state officials," and documents proving that such events occurred supposedly disprove genocide claims because "they also prove that the Ottoman Government did not intend for such incidents to occur, on the contrary, penalized those who committed such crimes." Finally, the pamphlet asserts that in the 1970s, Armenian terrorists murdered Turkish diplomats and that it was around this time when "forged documents and photographs" and "dubious memoirs" emerged supporting the idea of the genocide. This historical revisionism collapses by doing the most basic historical research into the period. The truth of the genocide was affirmed in the 1918 memoir by Henry Morgenthau, who served as the United States' ambassador to the Ottoman Empire from 1913 to 1918, and Winston Churchill's 1929 history of the First World War, The World Crisis. It is evidenced even by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Turkish president from 1923 to 1938. Ataturk named the nationalist group responsible for the genocide: "These leftovers from the former Young Turk Party, who should have been made to account for the lives of millions of our Christian subjects who were ruthlessly driven en masse from their homes and massacred ..." To summarize: Today, Turkey claims that the Ottoman Empire's policy was one of relocation, not extermination, and that it was both morally justified and existentially necessary because it was provoked by alleged Armenian nationalism, violence, and treason. Where to begin? All of these historical points and arguments may seem like a lot to unpack. However, the book skips something that should be obvious in any document purporting to tackle a controversial historical subject: there are no sources whatsoever to back up any of these dubious claims. "This booklet is publication of Prime Ministry of Republic of Turkey," the book notes on the last page in the poor English that characterizes much of the text. How is it that a state with the resources of Turkey cannot manage to produce a book that would earn a college freshman a passing grade? The Turkish-backed USCMO's insistence that what is needed is a "proper investigation of these events by independent historians" rings hollow, given that substantive historical work has been done for generations now, and an abundance of contemporaneous evidence from 1915 makes the denialist position so untenable that it almost starts to make sense that Turkey would not even bother with standard academic conventions like a works cited page. Where do we find clear evidence affirming the Genocide? The New York Times' archives going back to 1915 are a good place to start. An article summarizing the Times coverage and evidence of the genocide notes how "extensively" it was covered, with "145 articles in 1915 alone by one count with headlines like 'Appeal to Turkey to Stop Massacres.' The Times described the actions against the Armenians as 'systematic,' 'authorized,' and 'organized by the government.'" The pamphlet's claim that the Ottoman government's policy was relocation, not extermination, and that atrocities were isolated incidents by officials acting on their own, is not tenable when the sheer numbers are considered. The Times notes, "The University of Minnesota's Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies has compiled figures by province and district that show there were 2,133,190 Armenians in the empire in 1914 and only about 387,800 by 1922." Likewise, the vastness of the numbers missing engulfs Turkey's suggestion that any meaningful number of the Armenians killed were done so in reasonable self-defense. The historical truth of the genocide and the mendacity of its present-day Islamist deniers are dark and disturbing subjects to process. However, history has offered a silver lining in the form and people of the Armenian diaspora. In countries around the world, over the generations since the genocide, Armenians have built prosperous communities, in harmony with their neighbors. Living well is indeed the best revenge, and it is this sense of peace that Turkey is now striving to disrupt among Armenian-Americans. But we can fight back together. I will continue to advocate for recognition of historical truth, clear-eyed resolve in confronting Erdogan's imperial impulses, and a unified opposition to the threat of Islamist totalitarianism both abroad and right here in sunny Southern California. It's time for Armenians, Jews, Christians, women, moderate Muslims, and everyone with a moral conscience to come together to recognize the common threat Islamism poses to the peace of all our communities. David M. Swindle is Southern California associate for the Counter-Islamist Grid and director of research for The Israel Group. Follow him on Twitter at @DaveSwindle. I wrote a book about the Mueller report before the report was published. The published report shows that I have overestimated the Mueller team. The report is a completely one-sided accusation against Trump, like a criminal complaint or an indictment; it is very long and written for the consumption of the media rather than legal professionals. It consists of two volumes. Volume I is devoted to the supposed subject of the investigation: the allegation of coordination or conspiracy between the Trump campaign and any Russian in alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. Its conclusion manifests in two lines: "the investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities." Given almost unlimited power, resources, and practically two years spent on the investigation, it finally proves that there was no conspiracy and no coordination. Having found no conspiracy, the Mueller report then uses about 200 pages to fully develop a conspiracy theory. This conspiracy theory repeats almost every insinuation made by the Democratic Party, the Obama administration, and the media against Trump. The fake news publications are seriously cited as sources, even the articles that are known as information dumps by the DNC. The Washington Post is cited as a source 47 times, CNN is cited 24 times, and so on (counting both volumes). The Mueller Report also recursively cites the earlier Mueller indictments against Russian persons his team made earlier, although they were not heard in a court. Finally, it uses coerced statements that his team suborned from Michael Flynn, Michael Cohen, George Papadopoulos, and other individuals during the witch hunt. Insinuations are reported as facts. Volume II attempts to make the case that Trump might have obstructed justice by exercising his duties as president. Inexplicably, it is longer than Volume I. Mark Levin called it an essay and op-ed for the liberal media, and I agree with him. The report indicates that the Mueller team accepted the talking points of the Democratic Party and Spygate perpetrators as the final truth and didn't even attempt to verify them. It also didn't investigate any of the multiple real connections between the Clinton campaign and the Russian government or the possibility that the Democratic Party courted Putin for electoral support. An unexpected discovery in the report is that Rosenstein and Mueller launched an investigation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions in October 2017. It seems as if they illegally took control of the Department of Justice. Rosenstein and Mueller are called registered Republicans. (This seems to be a trick of the Democratic Party: using its supporters possibly former Republicans disguised as registered Republicans in place of real Republicans.) The Mueller report never mentions Fusion GPS, Glenn Simpson, Chris Steele, Bruce Ohr, or Nellie Ohr, except when quoting someone's words from 2017 or later. To be precise, the published report is slightly redacted, and some of these names might have been on the list of witnesses, which was blacked out. That doesn't affect the argument. The writers of the report seem to enjoy putting a Russian name or the word Russian in a sentence with the name of a Trump campaign member, even when the only thing they can say is that that member refused an offer to connect. Worse, even when IRA (the Saint Petersburg troll farm) accounts impersonated Republicans or the Trump campaign, Mueller counted it as contacts between the Trump campaign and "the Russians." Mueller's team collaborated with Facebook, Google, and Twitter to misinterpret the behavior of alleged IRA accounts as support for the Trump campaign, but they failed to mention their role in Skolkovo, Saint Petersburg. Some of the technology these companies helped the Russian Federation to develop there and to test on U.S. audiences are useful for interfering in U.S. elections. Neither Skolkovo nor Clinton cash was mentioned in the report. Too bad, because "Skolkovo happens to be the site of the Russian Security Service (FSB)'s security centers 16 and 18, which are in charge of information warfare for the Russian government." This quote from a 2010 article from well known security researcher Jeffrey Carr appeared in the American Thinker in August 2016. The concern has never been officially addressed. One thing is certain: publication of the Mueller report is the end of nothing. Nobody is going to just move on. The Democratic Party leaders, their accomplices, and their hangers-on bet everything on it, and they have already signaled that they won't accept this loss neither the loss of the Russian hoax nor the loss of the 2016 elections. For them, the Mueller report is a roadmap for impeachment. This is why the wheels of justice should start rotating in the opposite direction. The DOJ and FBI HQ served as a coup Petri dish for too long. It's draining time. Leo Goldstein's Missing from the Mueller Report is a bestseller on Amazon in its category. It covers Robert Mueller's conflicts of interest, including the taboo subject of him receiving money from a Chinese intelligence front a few weeks before the special counsel appointment. The book is available both as an e-book and in paperback. Image: James Ledbetter via Flickr. Numerous examples are provided in a soon to be released book, Judgment in Moscow, by the heroic Soviet dissident, Vladimir Bukovsky. He makes use of extensive first hand documents that he personally stole from Russia's Central Committee (C.C.) archives, which have never before been accessible to Americans. The media must be tripping over themselves to see what Bukovsky reveals...right? Well, not so much. Because the C.C. documents demonstrate, irrefutably, that the American Establishment was the one willingly and repeatedly colluding with Russia an inconvenient fact. This is history that the mainstream media don't want Americans to know. Bukovsky's book was actually first published over two decades ago in many languages and countries. But not in America. Random House said it would publish it but then demanded that Bukovsky fundamentally alter its content downplay the infiltration of the West by Russia! Show how insignificant Russian actions were! that Bukovsky had to walk away. Afterward, no American publisher would touch it. That's especially remarkable, given Bukovsky's accomplished life. He spent over a decade in gulags, psychiatric wards, and labor camps and wrote a worldwide bestseller on it, To Build a Castle: My Life as a Dissenter. He then went on to be an adviser to President Reagan and a personal friend of Prime Minister Thatcher. Imagine that! After such an extraordinary life, American publishers tried to lecture Bukovsky about what ideas on American-Russian relations were permissible. They really did not want to talk about Russian collusion up until just recently. The true history of collusion explored in Judgment in Moscow will be accessible only due to the efforts of a tiny independent publisher, Ninth of November, who wanted to get the truth out. The stolen documents tell the story. For instance, to cite just one of the many examples, there was collusion between America's ABC and Russia's C.C. A 1966 secret C.C. document explained: The Novosti Press Agency has received a request from representatives of the American television company ABC concerning the creation of a joint special television report on the life of a worker's family from the 'Rostselmash' factory in Rostov-on-Don. The film will show various aspects of the life of a working-class family, and the family will be used to illustrate the achievements of the Soviet government over the past 50 years. Russia's C.C. concluded this was a good project to go ahead with. The entities who tried to dupe us into thinking Trump is a Russian agent were the very same ones literally colluding with Comrade Brezhnev to pump out pro-communist pro-Russia disinformation. Naturally, such history and context would have helped Americans immeasurably toward understanding the Russia hoax over the last few years. But the gatekeepers at Random House told Bukovsky this was a big nothingburger: There is nothing sinister here in principle, but there would be if the resulting product amounted to Soviet propaganda. I don't understand what you mean ... when you say that the press, the business world, etc. failed to preserve their chastity. If you mean to imply that the press, etc. were in the service of the USSR, nobody here will take you seriously. How can anyone take these clowns in the media seriously? One day, they are literally censoring one of the pre-eminent experts on Russia in the entire world, telling him he's insane to warn about collusion with Russia; the next, they want to put Trump in jail with no evidence. Was Russiagate some sick Freudian projection? Or even deflection? Here is another example Bukovsky shares: a secret C.C. document from 1979, detailing secret collusion between President Carter and Russia through cutouts to boost Carter's popularity, advance highly questionable political objectives, and trick Americans into liking communist Russia: [Francis Ford] Coppola told the chairman of Goskino of the USSR that he had a discussion with the President of the United States, J. Carter, who expressed an interest in the making of a joint Soviet-American film on disarmament. According to F. Coppola, the president linked this project with the forthcoming summit meeting in Vienna and the signature and ratification of the second treaty on the limitation of strategic arms (SALT II). The American side feels that such a film would promote the growth of mutual trust between the Soviet and the American peoples, the formation of a positive international appraisal of this treaty, and serve the further development of Soviet-American cultural cooperation. This documented collusion between Carter and Russia is worse than anything Trump is even accused of. Carter secretly colluded with Russia to limit America's nuclear weapons! Democrats may have just opened up Pandora's box with their Russia hoax. Up until now, the depth and extent of the Kremlin's subversion of America has been understood by just a limited number of subject matter experts. But that could all change now. Just as it has always been, the real Russia collusion today is taking place with Democrats. Look at this Devin Nunes interview President Trump recently tweeted. The clip ends with Nunes saying Christopher Steele "was running around in London somewhere supposedly talking to Russians[.] ... Maybe Christopher Steele was a compromised Russian agent. We don't know." That's a bombshell. Nunes is not one to idly speculate that someone may be a Russian agent. Republicans have gotten strategy on Democrats' Russia hoax all wrong. The idea never should have been to end it; it should have been to enlarge and extend it. The Democratic Party, and mainstream media, has been colluding with Russia, over the course of decades, at every possible level. A serious inquiry could end the Democratic Party. Following the horrifying fire that badly damaged one of the worlds great treasures, the mainstream media is pushing the storyline that the fire that ravaged the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was caused by an electrical short circuit. But the story in the Daily Mail lacks any evidence to back up that claim. A French judicial police official said investigators brought in to work out the cause of the inferno made the claims -- despite them not having been given access to the church yet for safety reasons. The official, who spoke anonymously about the ongoing investigation, said the monument is still being consolidated with wooden planks to support some fragile parts of the walls. Only after it is fully made safe will investigators will be allowed a closer look in order to accurately determine the cause of the fire .Only after (the Cathedral) is fully made safe will investigators will be allowed a closer look in order to accurately determine the cause of the fire. Did you get that? Investigators brought in to determine the cause of the tragic blaze have not yet been given access to the burned-out cathedral. Nevertheless they are already announcing the results of their investigation. Even as the embers were still glowing on the day of the fire, French prosecutors were ruling out arson. On what evidence were they able to make that judgment? Consider the Geller Report. What its French investigators have reported so far leads to other very real poss ibilities. The work teams that were just beginning a major restoration project on the cathedral are among the best in the world. They had recently successfully completed a similar level project of the great cathedral in Reims, France. And a reasonable person can only assume that the French government and the Catholic Church would only select the most competent and experienced teams to undertake such a critical project as the restoration of this medieval monument widely regarded as one of the most important jewels of Western civilization as well as Christianity. The work teams took extraordinary care to do no harm to the cathedral. On the day of the fire, work in setting up scaffolding had stopped at 6:00 p.m., 50 minutes before the fire apparently began near the scaffolding itself. Geller notes that No electricity was allowed near the roof, because it was made in wood and as a matter of security, every inflammable thing was banned too. So, to have a fire there, someone needed to bring something. In fact the work on the roof had not even begun. Only the work in setting up the elaborate scaffolding was underway. Every possible precaution was taken to avoid any source of heat near the 850-year-old highly flammable timber roof. Julien Le Bras, head of the European Scaffolding Company, was quoted as saying, All I can say for the time being is that at the moment of the fire, absolutely none of the employees of my company was present on site. All safety procedures on the Notre-Dame de Paris site have been respected. A French expert familiar with the restoration effort was quoted as saying, I visited the framing of Notre Dame with architects of the Batiments de France (Buildings of France, the highest rank for an architect in France), some years ago. This 13th century timber frame was extremely protected. Each intervention is always accompanied by historians, architects, experts; no work is envisaged without extreme caution; no source of heat, no torch, no electrical apparatus is allowed; a high-performance alarm system is in place; and very strict supervision of all people allowed there. I think we will eventually learn that this was arson. In other words, one must assume that whatever source of fire there was must have been deliberately taken to the roof area. Geller offers additional background. Its a very big probability that Jihadists committed this crime, in the middle of the Christian Holy Week. In 2016, two veiled Muslim women tried to detonate a car filled with explosives in front of Notre-Dame. At the beginning of March, an illegal Muslim immigrant tried to burn down the Saint-Sulpice church. At mid-March, an illegal Muslim immigrant tried to burn down the organ of the Saint-Denis basilica (another jewel) and destroyed stained glass. On Twitter, thousands of Muslims are rejoicing and saying that they are happy that Notre-Dame was destroyed! But theres a lot more than that contributing to raised suspicion about what happened. On March 20, Breitbart reported: A dozen Catholic churches have been desecrated across France over the period of one week in an egregious cases of anti-Christian vandalism. The recent spate of church profanations has puzzled both police and ecclesiastical leaders, who have mostly remained silent as the violations have spread up and down France. The Catholic hierarchy has kept silent about the episodes, limiting themselves to highlighting the anti-Christian threats and expressing hope that politicians and police will get to the bottom of the crimes. Reports indicate that 80 percent of the desecration of places of worship in France concerns Christian churches and in the year 2018 this meant the profanation of an average of two Christian churches per day in France, even though these actions rarely make the headlines. In 2018, the Ministry of the Interior recorded 541 anti-Semitic acts, 100 anti-Muslim acts, and 1063 anti-Christian acts. Whatever of the actual cause of the Notre Dame blaze, Christian churches are clearly under steady assault of one kind or another across France. Authorities are afraid to speak up about it. Its likely they are afraid of backlash from the growing Muslim population in France. Censorship of discussion on the topic is already evident here in the U.S. As the fire was still burning, Sheppard Smith of Fox News cut off Philippe Karsenty, a conservative French politician and broadcaster, for even suggesting that the fire could have been caused by arson. And Neil Cavuto actually hung up on Catholic League President Bill Donohue when he dared to call the fire suspicious while mentioning in the same context the number incidents of anti-Christian vandalism in Paris just this year. At this early stage of the investigation, its fair to say no one can declare with certainty how the fire started. French authorities continue to peddle the line that the fire was accidental. At the time same, there is convincing evidence the scaffolding team and the French restoration experts working with them were extraordinarily cautious as they were well aware of the danger of fire in the cathedral. In addition, attacks on French churches and French Christians and Jews continue to grow. There is also a video circulating online of a mysterious figure seen in the cathedral as water was sprayed onto the fire. The video was apparently recorded off of a live French television broadcast of the disaster, adding to speculation about what happened. With this background, why is not logical to at least consider the obvious possibility that the fire was set? Via GatewayPundit, you gotta see this: This sweet, adorable, 8yo actress is not only much cuter than the real #AlexandriaOcasioCortez but shes also already much smarter too. I asked her to do this video because when #AOC is talking this is what were all thinking. Were better off with this sweetheart in Congress. pic.twitter.com/QybovhN8WZ SickenTirade (@SICKENLAW) April 18, 2019 Someone apparently going by the slightly mysterious Twitter handle of @SICKENTIRADE and identifying him- or herself as SICKENLAW, says he or she asked an 8-year old girl, who looks like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to do a skit on her. The kid came through brilliantly, and made the self-important Ocasio-Cortez look utterly stupid. The skit worked for several reasons. One, the 8-year-old girl really did look unnervingly like Ocasio-Cortez, and got her body movements right, too. Her costume gestures, with Ocasio-Cortez's serious-looking tortoiseshell frames and not-so-serious-looking bright red lipstick worked well. But there were some additionals that just kicked it to the moon. The kid wore perfectly tuned Dr. Seuss-inspired, or Where's Waldo-oriented stripey leggings, emphasizing her child character. Her kindergarten-style 'Dream Big' tshirt sounded like just something a Democrat would say to patronize kids. Her exaggerated childish signals worked perfectly with the content she chose to present as Ocasio-Cortez explaining herself to an audience. She picked two themes that are very Ocasio-Cortez - cow farts and doomsday scenarios over global warning - to show just how childish Ocasio-Cortez's ideas were. She didn't do much to exaggerate the words Ocasio-Cortez has intoned, she just stated them in her little kid voice - and unavoidably pointed to the reality that Ocasio-Cortez's ideas are total amateur hour. Coming out of her child's mouth, such ideas would be fine, because a child thinks like a child. But to think about Ocasio-Cortez spouting those words realy drives home the point that Ocasio-Cortez is the childish one. Her ideas are Romper Room. The eight year old gets even more sophisticated on the topic of socialism. She first points out that Ocasio-Cortez doesn't know what she's talking about when she mentions socialism, something that isn't discussed as often as it should be. She manages satire by conflating 'socialism' with 'social media' which is something Ocasio-Cortez is good at. She also conflates socialism with Venezuela, Facebook, and Twitter, and discusses moving from Facebook to America in a good baroque comic montage, demonstrating that Ocasio-Cortez is mainly a creature of social media with very little upstairs. This ends up being an impressive smackdown. In short, the kid made mincemeat of the haughty, socialist loudmouth from New York, exposing her as a fool. I don't know who wrote this kid's material - it's possible she wrote it herself - but this kid is genius. Let's hear more from her. Image credit: Twitter screen grab Since pulling the United States out of the controversial 2015 JCPOA, President Donald Trump has accused Iran of "supporting terrorist proxies and militias such as al-Qaeda." For years, the annual terrorism report has described Iran as "the state sponsor of terrorism," highlighting that "groups supported by Iran maintained its capability to destabilize the world peace and security." But despite the conclusions of a 2018 New America think-tank study that there is no evidence that Iran and al-Qaeda cooperated in carrying out terrorist attacks, according to an NCRI statement, IRGC brigadier general Saeed Ghassemi confessed for the first time on April 15, 2019 that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was acting in Bosnia under the cover of the Red Crescent and was in contact with al-Qaeda. Subsequently, the IRGC and the Red Crescent, fearing international consequences, unsuccessfully sought to reject and retrieve Ghassemi's comments. These statements were again confirmed on April 17 by Ansar Hezb'allah leader Hossein Allah Karam. Over the past four decades, the Iranian resistance has repeatedly revealed how the regime has used the Red Crescent and other seemingly civilian organizations to serve domestic repression, the export of terrorism, and the plundering of people's property. The Red Crescent has always been the tool of the Revolutionary Guards in its criminal and terrorist intervention in the countries of the region. Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the Iranian Resistance, on April 6, 2019 described the Red Crescent as an instrument for the export of fundamentalism and terrorism, saying, "The Red Crescent is for the export of fundamentalism and terrorism. The Relief Committee is for Syria and Afghanistan, and none of the institutions and facilities of the country are to protect the people but to preserve the regime of Velayat-e-Faqih's rule." The People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), in a statement on August 4, 1987, titled "Exposing Details and Agents of Khomeini's Terrorist and Subversive Plan in Mecca," which killed hundreds of pilgrims, wrote: "To implement this plan, the mullahs' regime has dispatched many important leaders and authorities of the regime, including ministers, commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Friday Imams, MPs and Yusef Vahidi Dastjerdi, the head of the Red Crescent, to Mecca." The Iranian Resistance had earlier revealed a confidential letter from the regime's Supreme Security Council addressed to the head of the Red Crescent, Noor Bala, on April 19, 2003, indicating that the Red Crescent is nothing but a tool in the hands of the Revolutionary Guards and the Quds Force. The letter, signed by Ali Rabiei, executive secretary of the Supreme Security Council, instructed the head of the Red Crescent on the decisions of the "Iraq Policy Council, approved by President Khatami," according to which "the immediate needs of the Iraqi people are determined by the Qods Force" and the "Red Crescent is responsible for collecting popular aid," and "aid will be transferred to Iraq with the coordination of the Qods Force." In a statement on April 17, 2004, the Iranian Resistance said that "on April 5, Shooshtari Zadeh, the head of the Red Crescent of the regime, along with a team of the Ministry of Intelligence and the Qods Force under the name of the Red Crescent went from Tehran to Karbala and Baghdad, on Khamenei's order." In a statement on March 29, 2015, the Iranian Resistance announced that "one of the schemes used by the Qods Force makes its way into Yemen was to have regime's Red Crescent become active there so that through the cover of humanitarian assistance, building hospitals, and delivering medicine, the regime would open its way to the country. The regime used this cover to recruit elements for its terrorist networks." In another statement on May 24, 2004, the Iranian Resistance revealed the transfer of Houthi commanders between Iran and Yemen through airplanes under the cover of Red Crescent assistance. Sickened? Seriously, Mitt Romney is 'sickened'? The failed former presidential candidate and longtime critic of President Trump would like us to know how displeased he is with President Trump again, this time telling us he's "sickened" by President Trump's private behavior described in the Mueller report. According to the Daily Mail: Republican Senator Mitt Romney said Friday that he was 'sickened' and 'appalled' by what Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report revealed about President Donald Trump and his aides. While most Republicans declined to comment on the explosive report, he chastised the GOP president and senior White House officials caught misleading the public. 'I am sickened at the extent and pervasiveness of dishonesty and misdirection by individuals in the highest office of the land, including the president,' Romney said in a Twitter statement. So there he went, looking for the minutia of the report, zeroing in on an errant statement here or there from a presidential spokewoman (as if no presidential spokesperson has ever 'misspoken' in the past, and none would dream of doing during a past Democratic administration). He ought to be 'sickened' by the Mueller report itself. And the disgusting spectacle of how the Special Counsel's investigation was pretexted from the work of politically motivated Democratic operatives, who not only sought to prevent candidate Donald Trump's election, but also sought to topple him from power after he was elected president. Their phony 'Steele dossier' created by Russians, no less is what led to the corrupted pre-Mueller investigations of the Trump administration, leading to the Special Counsel's appointment. These activities involved unprecedented and seemingly illegal spying on a presidential candidate in unprecedented corruption. The president was guilty of nothing but losing his temper and using the F-word once, according to the report. The vast scope of dishonesty falls with the Democrats and the Deep State, who cooked up this travesty wholesale until it was exposed. Now former House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes did a yeoman's job at exposing the real rot, and Mueller's report just underscored it with an exclamation point. I have read some of the report, and I was frankly pretty impressed by the skeletal structure of the whole plot as it was exposed with things I knew to be true, that the press was either ignoring or reporting as not true exposed as true. Did the Russians collude with the Trump campaign to steal the election from Hillary Clinton? Not a scintilla of evidence of that turned up. The Russians complained they couldn't even get their phone calls through, which is exactly what my Moscow sources told me before Trump was even elected. And they also didn't think Trump was going to win. Collusion is nonsense, though they certainly tried to create some chaos. And yes, it was Bernie Sanders they really loved for old time's sake. If Mitt wants to be sickened, he should be sickened by that. Instead, he's sickened by Trump, and sickened by a bunch of tiny insignificant things, things of manner, never mind the unprecedented left-wing mega-plot that rose like a tidal wave against him. 'Sickened' is a pretty strong word, so he sounds as though he's got the vapors. He reveals himself to be a prissy little dimwit, more petty than ever after all these years, and still nursing his grievances about why Trump won a presidential election and he didn't. In doing this, he reminds us all very well why we voted for Donald Trump. Image credit: Caricature by DonkeyHotey via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. James Clapper is making a fool of himself and now wants you to be his bigger fool. Get a load of his hot take on the Mueller report, reported by the Daily Caller: Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said he believes the Mueller report demonstrates "passive collusion" from President Donald Trump if not "active collusion." Clapper suggested Thursday that candidate Trump was perhaps "unwittingly" advancing Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, in a CNN interview reported by Fox News. "If there wasn't active collusion proven, then I think what we have here is a case of passive collusion where in some cases, unwittingly, to include candidate Trump himself, who retweeted messages that had been planted by the Russians in social media," the CNN national security analyst said in an interview with Anderson Cooper. "That's a small, but important, example of how members of the campaign were used and manipulated by the Russians." He's resorting to this claptrap because there is no there there. If there's no real collusion to denounce, then seeing some 'unwitting' collusion will have to do. This rather nullifies the entire meaning of the word 'collusion,' the words here are 'useful idiot,' the sort of phrase that might upset the left. So virtual collusion it is, in the absence of any real collusion. It's come to this. What's more, he's covering his keister. The former director of National Intelligence under the Obama administration is widely believed to be one of the sleazy political operatives involved in the creation and dissemination of the now discredited 'Steele dossier,' which was one of the pretexts for the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Judicial Watch is still after him for that one, and is seeking all of his correspondence with former Obama administration CIA director John Brennan. Remember this? James Clapper, the chief intelligence official in the Obama administration, has admitted that he discussed the salacious and unfounded claims in the dossier with CNN reporter Jake Tapper, and may have discussed it with other journalists as early as January 2017. Clapper later signed on to be an analyst at CNN in August 2017. The dossier was written by ex-British spy Christopher Steele. He was part of the Deep State plot to spread it all around in the press that President Trump was in bed with the Russians. The facts show that actually, it was Democrats in bed with the Russians. Now the Mueller report is out, and that presents a problem. He can see that the media is blindsided. He can see that there's no evidence of any collusion with Russians. His solution, then, is to act the role of the charlatan, insisting that with all his fancy specialized knowledge, all his refinement, the Mueller report indeed shows collusion, but only for those with the refinement to see it. Sorry, pal, the emperor's new collusion is nonsense. And Clapper himself is the one walking around without any clothes. Image credit: Caricature by DonkeyHotey, via Flickr // CC BY SA 2.0 Donald Trump, the president of the United States, behaved as any innocent man would, behave having been framed by fabricated propaganda prepared by foreign intelligence agents and paid for by his political enemies. He behaved as any innocent man might when prosecutors hounding him were enabled and appointed by his political enemies. He behaved as any innocent man might when he realized that his prosecutors included the chief counsel of the Clinton Family Foundation and Barack Obama's deputy assistant attorney general and that the chief witness against him was represented by Hillary Clinton's longstanding lawyer whom the Washington Post called "The Ultimate Clinton Loyalist." He acted as any innocent man might who realized that his home, phone lines, offices, and associates were being spied on, wiretapped, surveilled, followed, photographed, and even infiltrated by paid spies and foreign agents sent by his domestic political enemies who deliberately set him and his family up in a sting operation. Meanwhile, the selfsame people vehemently denied that the spying took place. In other words, he acted against the blatant injustice by pushing back against criminal operatives conspiring to frame him. He acted as any innocent man might who realized he was being framed for a crime his framers, rather than he himself, committed: collusion with Russia, treason of which he was accused publicly by top-level intel agents working for the media, a former president, and the opposition candidate. Trump objected to the coordination, collusion, and conspiracy among his political enemies to commit a crime against himself, the office of the presidency, the American People, and democracy first, to frame the candidate for the nation's highest office, and second, to frame the president now sitting in the nation's highest office. The president is guilty of self-defense. He is guilty for fighting fictional, fabricated, and false charges against himself for crimes he's innocent of. He's guilty of feeling sincere frustration against the daily, persistent, and disingenuous political attacks, lies, and speculation; he's guilty for expressing opinion. He's guilty for protesting the dishonest witch hunt that is nothing more than revenge for his 2016 victory and his subsequent astonishing successes. He's guilty of sincerity and honesty, for thinking he's being unjustly prosecuted and framed by corrupt officials of a corrupt-to-the-core party, some of whom profess to belong to his party but are, actually, working actively against it. He acted as any innocent man might who would deny the preposterous charges made against him by serious people formerly in power whose favored candidate lost. He acted as any innocent man might who would object to the methods by which these charges were fabricated out of thin air, paid for by the political opposition, manipulated by the media, the goal posts frequently moved, and how the transparent politically motivated story du jour was amplified, distributed, and spun. He acted as any innocent man should act by pushing back. He acted by refusing to lie down while being steamrolled. He acted by refusing to be railroaded into criminality not of his making. He acted as any innocent man should, by trying to obstruct injustice. This is the injustice against his person, integrity, and performance, the injustice of being framed by greedy, self-dealing, soulless, and cowardly criminals not fit to shine his shoes. These are criminals who paid for the fabricated pack of lies and evidence illegally obtained. They deliberately and speciously persecuted him, knowing he was innocent. They, along with their media associates, coordinated, colluded, and conspired among themselves and with foreign agents to give the false impression to the nation that the president obstructed justice by vocally objecting to the three-year-long witch hunt against him, his family and associates, and the American people. Harleen worked with Ekta in the web series Broken But Beautiful with Vikrant Massey. Ekta Kapoor is a mentor to many and she has made the lives of many struggling actors. The successful entrepreneur has some plans to launch a new kid on blockHarleen Sethi. The two have been working together for a while and now Ekta intents to launch her with a film. According to a source, Ekta believes in giving breaks to talented actors and Harleen is indeed talented and has proved herself. Ekta has plans to give her a break in films but it is still in its initial stage. As soon as she is ready, she will make an official announcement Harleen worked with Ekta in the web series Broken But Beautiful with Vikrant Massey. The actress was also in a relationship with Vicky Kaushal. However, they recently parted ways for reasons best known to the two of them. Since this is the second time that Vicky has received injuries, his parents are naturally worried. Looks like the exuberant performer Vicky Kaushal is accident-prone. Last year, the actor had injured his right arm while shooting in Serbia for his blockbuster Uri: The Surgical Strike. And now, the actor has received injuring again during an action scene he was shooting in Gujarat. Vicky had a five-day shooting schedule in Gujarat for his upcoming horror film by debutant director Bhanu Pratap Singh. Unfortunately, the Raazi actor who was shooting a fight sequence at the largest shipping yard in Gujarat injured himself. During an action scene, he was supposed to run fast and open a door. No sooner did he push the door, it fell on his face and he got hurt. He was then rushed to the hospital by the crew members, informed a reliable source. Adding more, our source confirmed, As per the doctors examinations, Vicky has fractured his cheekbone and got 13 stitches on his cheek. However, Vicky will be consulting Mumbai doctors soon. He will resume the shoot once he is ready to perform the action scenes. Since this is the second time that Vicky has received injuries, his parents are naturally worried. Confirming the accident, action master and Vickys father, Sham Kaushal said, Thanks for the concern. Vicky has just returned home yesterday. I am busy shooting in Kerala. So havent met him but spoke to him about his well being. He is fine now. Adding further, his father said, Unquestionably, as parents, we do get worried but by Gods grace he is doing fine. Sometimes the grehas are unsuitable at a particular time and so all this happens, I feel. However, we always wish things to fall in place in the end. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday signed into law a bill to increase minimum wage from 18,000 to 30,000 naira ($98) with immediate effect. According to Buharis senior aide and special assistant, Ita Enang, the implementation of the law takes effect as of April 18. The move comes after Unions went on strike last year over the minimum wage, initially demanding a rise to 50,000 naira a month. A tripartite committee set up to review the hitherto N18,000 national minimum wage put together a draft bill that was sent to the National Assembly on January 22, with N27,000 proposed as the new minimum wage. The National Assembly increased the figure to N30,000. The government had previously argued that many of Nigerias 36 states struggle to pay the current salaries. More than 87 million of Nigerias 190 million people live in extreme poverty on less than two dollars a day. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has projected Nigerias economy to grow by 2.3% in 2019 and 2.4% in 2020. This development harped on the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan by President Muhammadu Buhari-led government. Economic growth has been recovering since the third quarter of 2016, when the recession bottomed out. Higher oil prices helped Nigeria exit that contraction. 'Gujaratis believe Modi ji will do well for the country,' Rupani said. 'In past five years, there has been no incident of bomb attack inside the country. In their rule, there have been many attacks in many parts of the country,' Rupani said. (Photo: File) Rajkot: Refuting claims of Congress leader Ahmed Patel that its party will cross 'double digits' in the state, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Saturday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will bag all the 26 Parliamentary seats while the Congress will not get even a single seat. "We will get all the 26 seats. Gujaratis believe Modi ji will do well for the country. Congress will not get even a single seat, the Chief Minister told ANI. Earlier in the day, Patel had said: "We are not only hopeful but also very confident that BJP will lose. We will get good results in Gujarat too, we will cross double digit. On May 23, when the election results come, the BJP will no longer be in the government." When asked to comment on Congress claim that the BJP is raising nationalism to deflect from the main issues, Rupani said: "For ten years, Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister. Congress should tell people about the steps they have taken against terrorism. They have not taken any single step, they did not have the courage. After Pulwama and Uri, Modi ji did surgical strikes." "In the past five years, there has been no incident of bomb attack inside the country. In their rule, there have been many attacks in many parts of the country, he added. In the 2014 General elections, BJP had registered a landslide victory and bagged all the 26 Lok Sabha seats. All parliamentary seats of Gujarat will go to polls in the third phase of ongoing Lok Sabha elections on April 23. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. Refuting to allegations, CJI said there is some bigger force behind woman who made allegations and called them baseless. CJI led bench did not pass any orders on allegations and asked media to show restrain to protect independence of judiciary. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Saturday said that sexual harassment allegations against him make independence of judiciary under very serious threat. He also added that it is a larger conspiracy to destabilise the judiciary. CJI led bench did not pass any orders on allegations and asked media to show restrain to protect independence of judiciary. Refuting to the allegations, the CJI said there is some bigger force behind the woman who made sexual harassment charges and called them baseless. This is unbelievable. I don't think I should stoop low even to deny these allegations. After 20 years of selfless service as judge, I have bank balance of Rs 6.80 lakh. Nobody can catch me on money, people have to find something and they have found this, Gogoi added. Justifying his stand, CJI said, I have taken this unusual and extraordinary step of sitting in court today because things have gone too far. Judiciary can't be made scapegoat. I will sit on this chair and discharge my judicial functions without any fear. Gogoi said, "Independence of judiciary is under serious threat, very hurt with the allegations being levelled. Four media houses have published stories in great detail. I received communication from them." The former employee has described two incidents of alleged molestation by Gogoi in her affidavit, both of which allegedly took place in October 2018, only days after he was appointed as the CJI. Confirming that a letter by the woman has been received by several sitting judges, Supreme Court Secretary General Sanjeev Sudhakar Kalgaonkar said all the allegations made by the woman concerned are malafide and have no basis. "No doubt, it is a malafide allegation," he said. The "unusual and extraordinary" hearing on a Saturday was held after stories were published on some news portals on the allegations made by an ex-employee of the apex court against the CJI. The CJI said this issue has cropped up when a bench headed by him is scheduled to hear "many, many sensitive cases" next week and this was also the month of Lok Sabha elections in the country. Chief Justice clarified that charges against him will be examined by other senior judges and not by himself. Justice Mishra urged the media to exercise restraint and act responsibly so that the independence of the judiciary is not affected by such "wild and baseless allegations" We are not passing any judicial order at this moment. We, however, ask media to show restraint, responsibility, and wisdom so that independence of the judiciary is not affected by such wild and baseless allegations, Justice Mishra said. According to reports, the woman alleged that she was removed from service after she rebuffed his advances. She claimed that her husband and brother-in-law, both of whom were head constables, were suspended for a 2012 criminal case that had been mutually resolved. She was later also made to prostrate before Justice Gogoi's wife and made to rub her nose at her feet in the chief justice's residence, she alleged, adding that her disabled brother-in-law was removed from service at the Supreme Court. The woman also alleged that she was detained at a police station along with her husband and other relatives and they were subjected to physical and verbal abuse in a case of cheating against her. (With PTI inputs) The 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council has clear criteria for the procedures to list terrorist organizations or individuals. Gokhale is scheduled to meet with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit which, according to sources, is a part of the regular bilateral consultation process. (Photo:File) New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale is slated to begin his official visit to Beijing on April 20. This is the first high-level engagement between the two countries after China put a technical hold - for the fourth time - on the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist at the UN Security Council following the terror outfit's perpetrated Pulwama terror attack. Gokhale is scheduled to meet with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit which, according to sources, is a part of the regular bilateral consultation process. The issue pertaining to the designation of Azhar is expected to figure during discussions. The Chinese Ambassador to India, Luo Zhaohui, has previously expressed optimism regarding the issue, telling ANI that the matter "will be resolved". "Regarding Masood Azhar, we fully understand and we fully believe this matter. We understand Indias concerns and are optimistic this matter will be resolved...This matter (of putting Masood Azhar on UNSC 1267 sanctions committee list) will be resolved; this is only a technical hold which means there is time for continued consultations. It will be resolved, believe me," Luo told ANI last month. "After Wuhan summit last year, the two-way cooperation is on right and fast track. We are so satisfied with that cooperation and I am quite optimistic about future cooperation," he added. On March 13, China had blocked a proposal by the US, the UK and France, among others, to enlist Azhar as a global terrorist before the UNSC committee. A day after, Beijing had defended its technical block on the proposal, saying it needed "more time" as it is "conducting a comprehensive and in-depth review" on the listing request put forth by the countries. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang had told reporters at a regular briefing that China will continue "coordinating" with all the relevant parties to find a "lasting solution" to the issue if it is to be resolved in a "responsible and sustainable way". "The 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council has clear criteria for the procedures to list terrorist organizations or individuals. China is conducting a comprehensive and in-depth review of the listing request put forth by the relevant countries. We still need more time and that is why we decided to put a technical hold on it," Lu had said. "It complies with the rules of procedure of the 1267 Committee. We hope that relevant actions taken by the 1267 Committee will help countries concerned to settle their issues through dialogue and consultation and avoid adding more complex factors to regional peace and stability. China will continue its communication and coordination with all relevant parties (including India) in a constructive and responsible way to properly settle this issue," he had said. India had expressed disappointment over China's move but vowed to continue to pursue "all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens" are brought to justice. The United States had also said that the failure to designate Azhar as a global terrorist runs counter to Washington and Beijing's goal of regional stability and peace. A global terrorist tag under the UN's 1267 committee would have led to a freeze on Azhar's assets and a ban on travel and keeping weapons. Prasad is now in direct contest with Sinha, the two-time BJP MP from Patna Sahib, who has been made a candidate by the Congress this time. Ravi Shankar Prasad also claimed that the 'opportunistic alliance' of the opposition parties in Bihar has disintegrated as RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav did not share stage with Congress president Rahul Gandhi in his rallies. (Photo: File) Patna: Union minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate Ravi Shankar Prasad Saturday questioned actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha's commitment to the Congress, his new party, for favouring SP leader Akhilesh Yadav as the prime ministerial candidate. Prasad, BJP nominee for Patna Sahib parliamentary seat, also claimed that the "opportunistic alliance" of the opposition parties in Bihar has disintegrated as RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav did not share stage with Congress president Rahul Gandhi in his rallies. The union minister is now in direct contest with Sinha, the two-time BJP MP from Patna Sahib, who has been made a candidate by the Congress this time. Talking to reporters, Prasad said he would not name his rival during the entire electioneering. To a query about Sinha favouring Akhilesh Yadav as the prime ministerial candidate, Prasad said, "You better ask this question to the Patna Sahib MP. He has been an MP for 22 years. He has now gone to a new party. He should tell you what is the yardstick for commitment in the new party." Sinha, despite being a Congress candidate, has said in a television interview that he sees the SP leader as the prime ministerial candidate. Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha had on April 18 filed her nomination papers from Lucknow as a Samajwadi Party nominee against BJP candidate and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Shatrughan Sinha was a Rajya Sabha member for two terms between 1996 and 2008. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Patna Sabhib seat in 2009 and 20014 on BJP ticket. However, his relation with the party's leadership has been bitter for the past few years. The disgruntled MP has publicly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi a number of times during this period. The 'mahagathbandhan' in Bihar has disintegreted as RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav did not share the stage with Congress president Rahul Gandhi during his rallies in the state on Saturday, Prasad claimed. "It was an opportunistic alliance and it has disintegrated", he alleged. The two leaders - Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav - "who are out on bail are not sharing the stage. This shows that these leaders have come together only to oppose Modi and nothing else", he said. Gandhi and Yadav have secured bails in the National Herald case and the IRCTC scam case respectively. The NDA has the strong leadership of Narendra Modi with clear policy and intention to build a strong India, the minister said. Prasad claimed that he had played a major role in bringing Metro Rail and smart city projects to Patna and promised to effectively implement the central govenrment's schemes in Patna, if he elected from Patna Sahib. Speaking on the occasion, Bihar minister Nand Kishore Yadav of the BJP said the people of Patna Sahib felt cheated by the activities of Shatrughan Sinha and they will elect Prasad in record margin. Chaturvedi said she would work towards strengthening the Sena not only in the state but also across the country. Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray (L) and Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray (R) welcome Priyanka Chaturvedi into the party in Mumbai on Friday. (Photo: Shripad Naik) Mumbai: Disgruntled former Congress national spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of party chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence Matoshree. Mr Thackeray said that his party would give her a post well-suited to her capabilities while Ms Chaturvedi said that she would work for women and Mumbai. Ms Chaturvedi, who was miffed at the reinstatement of some party workers who had allegedly misbehaved with her during a press conference in Mathura a few days ago, resigned from the party on Friday. Hours after quitting the Congress, she joined the Shiv Sena. Mr Thackeray told the media, Parties keep fighting polls. However, only fighting and winning is not life. The work of party workers should be to accept an ideology and work towards the cause. Asked what post Ms Chaturvedi would be given, he said, I will give her a post befitting her capabilities and one in which she would be beneficial for the Sena. Ms Chaturvedi said she would work towards strengthening the Sena not only in the state but also across the country. I am thankful to Uddhavji for giving me respect and welcoming me into the party, Ms Chaturvedi said. Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant hinted that Ms Chaturvedis move was not spontaneous as its not easy for even Shiv Sainiks to meet Mr Thackeray. The rules are very clear that foreigners cannot participate in any election campaign. By picking terror-accused Sadhvi Pragya Thakur as its candidate against senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh in the Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sent out an unequivocal message about its intention to make saffron terror the chief talking point in what has become a high-profile contest. A known Hindu hardliner, Ms Thakurs mandate is to whip up a communal frenzy by putting Mr Singh in the dock for appeasing minorities and equating saffron with terror. But the veteran Congress leader is no pushover and has been going out of his way to establish his credentials as a true Hindu even before the BJP announced Ms Thakurs candidature. Not only has Mr Singh been busy temple-hopping, performing pujas and participating in yagnas, he has also made it a point to publicise this on Twitter. In addition, Mr Singh has sought help from his long-time guru Dwarka-Sharda Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, who is virtually camping in Bhopal to vouch for Mr Singhs devotion to the Hindu faith. Having been branded as anti-Hindu, Mr Singh sought an image makeover when he undertook a six-month Narmada yatra last year. The Congress leader also made it a point to invoke Ma Narmada while welcoming Ms Thakur to Bhopal for the election and expressed the hope that Narmadaji would bless them all so that they walk the path of truth and non-violence. The BJP is predictably upbeat about its electoral prospects in Rajasthan after it tied up with Gurjar Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti leader Kirori Singh Bainsla and Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal, especially since the Congress was also in talks with the two caste leaders. Though Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot was said to be keen on drafting Mr Bainsla and Mr Beniwal, he was unable to clinch a deal with them because of internal pressures. According to the political grapevine, the politically powerful Mirdha family was not happy about a partnership between the Congress and Mr Beniwals party, as it fears he has the potential to erode its support base in the Jat majority areas. Jyoti Mirdha, who has been fielded from the Nagaur Lok Sabha constituency by the Congress, is learned to have sought help from former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who also happens to be her sisters father-in-law. Mr Hooda, who wields considerable influence in the party, apparently ensured that the Congress failed to finalise an alliance with Mr Beniwal. On the other hand, a partnership with Mr Bainsla was apparently nixed at the behest of deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot who was wary of sharing the limelight with another Gurjar leader. Unable to build a winning social coalition, the Congress has handed an advantage to the BJP even though it had defeated the saffron party in last years Assembly polls. The term dummy candidate consistently crops up to describe the BJP candidate in Uttar Pradeshs Firozabad Lok Sabha constituency in conversations with people. It is an open secret here that the BJP has deliberately fielded a weak candidate and is instead helping Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadavs estranged uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav, who is contesting against his nephew and sitting MP Akshay Yadav from this seat. People in Firozabad point out that the BJPs campaign here has been low-key and though some senior leaders from the saffron camp have visited Firozabad, the party has taken a conscious decision not to schedule Prime Minister Narendra Modis election rally here. In the past week, the ministry of home affairs issued leave India notices to two Bangladeshi actors after the BJP complained that they had campaigned for Trinamool Congress candidates. The rules are very clear that foreigners cannot participate in any election campaign. First, it was actor Ferdous Ahmed who was asked to leave the country while his business visa was cancelled. Equally popular in West Bengal, Ferdous visits India regularly to fulfil his acting assignments in Bengali films. After him, it was the turn of Bangladesh television actor Gaazi Abdul Noor to be shown the door. However, the move has not gone down well with the Bangladesh government. While admitting that the actors had been wrong in breaking the law, its foreign minister A.K. Abdul Momen told the local media that the Indian governments reaction had been too harsh. The actors fans want their government to take up the matter with New Delhi. Dhaka is likely to do so once the elections are over. To an objective observer this is unbridled divisive cacophony which seriously undermines the macro attempts to project a larger unity. Opposition unity at the national level appears to be an enigma wrapped in a mystery. It is, and it is not. What is amazing is that the contradictions that riddle this pretense of unity are, apparently, not given much importance by those who gather periodically on stage to proclaim this unity. They go about the business of opposing the BJP, happily oblivious to the fact that they themselves are a transparently disunited group at the level of pan-Indian cohesion. Recent statements by leading Opposition political parties only reinforce this conclusion. BSP supremo Mayawati says that her party will never align with the Congress. In a recent rally, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the Congress is at the number one slot in betraying the trust of people. In West Bengal, the Congress lashes out at TMC leader Mamata Banerjee, and she minces no words in castigating the Congress and the CPI(M). The negotiations to come to an understanding for elections in Delhi carry on endlessly between the AAP and the Congress, with both parties happily attacking each other even when talks are on to finalise an alliance. To an objective observer this is unbridled divisive cacophony which seriously undermines the macro attempts to project a larger unity. There have been several occasions when Opposition parties cutting across the political spectrum have come together in a display of bonhomie and camaraderie. They have stood on stage and raised their hands in unison to signal their joint resolve to take on PM Narendra Mod and the BJP. But the moment such a rally is over, they are back to their routine exercise of attacking each other. What is becoming apparent is that the Opposition is suffering from a terminal disease of political schizophrenia. It believes that national avowals of unity have nothing to do with local levels of extreme acrimony. The belief appears to be that at the ground level, and in states, parties can be at each others throats, but this disunity will miraculously dissolve once parties gather together on a national platform. There is something deeply flawed in such a vision. Political parties consist of cadres. Cadres internalise a certain message at the local level that is not effortlessly erasable at the national level. Animosities generated at the micro level persist when attempts at unity are sought to be made at the macro level. To say that there is no co-relation between the two is rather damaging wishful thinking. A far more effective attempt at real Opposition unity would have seemed possible if, for instance, the Congress would have aligned with the BSP and the SP in UP, the CPI(M) and the Congress would have not decided to oppose the TMC, the dominant Opposition party in West Bengal, and the Congress and the AAP would have come together to fight the polls in Delhi and Haryana. But none of these have happened. It would seem that the Congress is seeing this election as a means of reviving itself politically rather than forging an overarching national unity. It is true that as a national party, the Congress cannot abandon its commitments to its own party cadres, or abdicate from the goal of resuscitating itself in areas where it has been in the past a dominant force. But the downside to this is that the Congress may end up eroding the combined vote of the BSP-SP alliance in UP, and weaken the ability of the TMC to face the onslaught of the BJP in West Bengal. The same holds true in Odisha, where the Congress could eat into the electoral support base of the BJD in its fight against a nascent BJP. The perceptions of ordinary voters must also be taken into account. Amidst the ambient noise of attacks and counter-attacks between Opposition parties, why would they not think that as against a united BJP with an identifiable and strong leader, there is on the other side a hopelessly divided house? In a parliamentary national election, voters exercise their franchise keeping in mind what kind of dispensation would rule in Delhi. They may have certain grievances or disappointments with the BJP, but they may be even more wary of a collation of warring parties in which individual chieftains are mercurial, egoistic, inflexible and incapable of mature political accommodation. It would also be a factor in the minds of voters that if, for any reason, such a grouping of political parties come to power, will they be able to form a government, and even if they do, will the government be able to run? It is a myth that the hostilities generated in the unfolding of the electoral process will suddenly dissolve, and a magical unity will envelop the warring factions once on the doorstep to power. There are too many egos clashing about, too many memories of acrimony, too many state-level contradictions to believe that a government formed of such mutually opposed elements can work in cohesion at the national level. The truth about the project of Opposition unity is that too much water has flowed down the Yamuna in the wrong direction by now for such a project to succeed. If, on the contrary, right in the beginning, the major Opposition parties would have met and come out with a resolve, that even at the cost of minor losses at the local level, the major goal of unitedly taking on the BJP was the preferred option, and further, if following such a decision, pragmatic adjustments would have been made in key states that ensured and strengthened Opposition unity, the story would have been different. What we are seeing now is a divided Opposition that is somehow clinging to the hope that in a post-poll situation, all the abuses that they have hurled at each other will turn into praise, and with a swing of the magic wand, cohesion will replace confusion. Unfortunately, the real world of politics is rather different than the fairy tale world of perennially happy endings. Social media platforms have supercharged battles over scientific evidence on a range of issues. Anti-vaccine groups use social media to fuel doubts about vaccines, often citing concerns about side effects or recycling long-debunked suggestions about links to autism. (Photo: Pixabay) Social media platforms have supercharged battles over scientific evidence on a range of issues. A United Nations panel of climate scientists says it is at least 95 per cent certain that human activity is the dominant cause of climate change since the mid-20th century. Climate sceptics challenge that consensus daily on social media, arguing that fluctuations in global temperatures have occurred in the previous era and are natural events. A United Nations panel of climate scientists says it is at least 95 per cent certain that human activity is the dominant cause of climate change since the mid-20th century. Climate sceptics challenge that consensus daily on social media, arguing that fluctuations in global temperatures have occurred in the previous era and are natural events. Hundreds of scientific studies have shown genetically modified foods to be safe to eat and GM crops are widely grown across the world, including in the United States. Supporters say GM crops can help feed a growing world population with cheaper, more plentiful food. But opponents believe they are risky and say tampering with crops genes could have unknown future impacts. The number of Americans who approve of Donald Trump dropped by 3 percentage points to the lowest level of the year. While Mueller ultimately decided not to charge Trump with a crime, he also said that the investigation did not exonerate the president, either. (Photo:AP) New York: The number of Americans who approve of President Donald Trump dropped by 3 percentage points to the lowest level of the year following the release of a special counsel report detailing Russian interference in the last U.S. presidential election, according to an exclusive Reuters/Ipsos public opinion poll. The poll, conducted Thursday afternoon to Friday morning, is the first national survey to measure the response from the American public after the U.S. Justice Department released Special Counsel Robert Mueller's 448-page report that recounted numerous occasions in which Trump may have interfered with the investigation. According to the poll, 37 percent of adults in the United States approved of Trump's performance in office, down from 40 percent in a similar poll conducted on April 15 and matching the lowest level of the year. That is also down from 43 percent in a poll conducted shortly after U.S. Attorney General William Barr circulated a summary of the report in March. In his report, Mueller said his investigation did not establish that the Trump campaign had coordinated with Russians. However, investigators did find "multiple acts by the President that were capable of exerting undue influence over law enforcement investigations." While Mueller ultimately decided not to charge Trump with a crime, he also said that the investigation did not exonerate the president, either. The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online in English throughout the United States. It gathered responses from 1,005 adults, including 924 who were familiar with the Mueller report. It has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of 4 percentage points. The poll found that 50 percent of Americans agreed that "Trump or someone from his campaign worked with Russia to influence the 2016 election," and 58 percent agreed that the president "tried to stop investigations into Russian influence on his administration." Forty percent said they thought Trump should be impeached, while 42 percent said he should not. The poll responses were sharply split along party lines, with Democrats much more critical of Trump than his fellow Republicans. The Mueller investigation had previously charged 34 other people and three Russian entities, netting convictions or guilty pleas from several Trump associates including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, White House national security adviser Michael Flynn and longtime personal attorney Michael Cohen. So far, the report does not appear to have convinced many to change their opinions about the president's conduct during a bitter presidential campaign, whether his inner circle improperly engaged with Russian agents, or if he tried to interfere with federal investigators afterward. Among those respondents who said they were familiar with the Mueller report, 70 percent said the report had not changed their view of Trump or Russia's involvement in the U.S. presidential race. Only 15 percent said they had learned something that changed their view of Trump or the Russia investigation, and a majority of those respondents said they were now more likely to believe that "Trump or someone close to him broke the law." Thousands of followers are expected to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Dubai: Thousands of followers are expected to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, according to a media report. The four-hour ceremony will begin in the presence of Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, the religious and social organisation constructing the temple. The preparations are in place for the 'Shilanyas Vidhi' (foundation stone laying ceremony) of the stone temple at Abu Mureikha, the Khaleej Times reported. The main ceremony will see the priests sanctify pink sandstones that will be used to set foundation of the temple. All these stones are transported from Indian state of Rajasthan. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, will attend the programme along with social and spiritual leaders from across the world. ]Sheikh Nahyan received Swami Maharaj and his delegation of Hindu priests at Al Maktoum International Airport on Thursday. Temple volunteers said there was a special orientation conducted where devotees were told details of the ceremony. Passes were distributed for 'yajman seva' for those who have made a donation of USD 680 or USD 1,300 to participate in the ritual and support the BAPS temple, the report said. The temple will be a cultural complex with art gallery, halls, library and gym, it said, adding that it is not clear when the temple would be completed. The temple with seven towers representing the seven emirates in the UAE will come up on a 14-acre piece of land at Abu Mureikhah, close to the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway. The stones for the temple will be carved by temple artisans in India and assembled in the UAE. The plan to build the temple in the UAE's capital was approved by the Abu Dhabi government during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to the country in 2015. Drew Angerer/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Democrats renewed consideration of impeaching President Donald Trump after the release of special counsel Robert Muellers report, with leading progressives and some presidential candidates calling for swift action -- as Democratic leaders cautioned restraint. In interviews with ABC News, a half dozen House Democrats remained wary of immediately launching impeachment proceedings against Trump, even as they highlighted the reports unflattering depiction of the Trump White House and the presidents actions. Moving forward on impeachment, they argued, could alienate voters and help Trump ahead of the 2020 election, jeopardizing the partys chances of retaking the White House and Congress by overshadowing Democrats messaging on healthcare and kitchen-table issues. Congress has a responsibility for oversight, Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, told ABC News. But weve also got a job to deliver for the people. But some of the partys rising stars and presidential candidates said Muellers findings called for a quick response. This isn't about politics," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, the first presidential candidate to voice support for impeachment proceedings, said on MSNBC Friday. "This isn't even specifically about Donald Trump himself. It is about what a president of the United States should be able to do and what the role of Congress is in saying, no, a president does not get to come in and stop an investigation about a foreign power that attacked this country. The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty. That means the House should initiate impeachment proceedings against the President of the United States. Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 19, 2019 I have now read the redacted Mueller report and offer my personal reaction: pic.twitter.com/ACnExskqXJ Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) April 19, 2019 In an interview with CNN on Friday, former Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro said it would be perfectly reasonable for Congress to begin impeachment proceedings.The rest of the Democratic presidential hopefuls remained uncommitted to pursuing impeachment, with some suggesting that it may be best at this point to leave it to voters at the ballot box in 2020.Mueller determined that the Trump campaign did not conspire or coordinate with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election, but stopped short of clearing the president of obstruction of justice --- outlining 11 instances of possible obstruction and suggesting it would be up to Congress to make that judgment.Mueller wrote that "[w]ith respect to whether the President can be found to have obstructed justice by exercising his powers under Article II of the Constitution, we concluded that Congress has the authority to prohibit a President's corrupt use of his authority in order to protect the integrity of the administration of justice.Democratic leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, are wary of rushing to action, but have not definitively ruled out impeachment. Seizing on Mueller's own words, they have said Congress must first review the un-redacted report and hear testimony from Attorney General William Barr and the special counsel about the reports findings.As the Speaker has said repeatedly, one step at a time, Ashley Etienne, Pelosis communications director, told ABC News in response to Warrens comments. "Were focused on getting the full un-redacted version of the report and its underlying documents as well as hearing from Mueller. The report raises more questions and concerns that we believe the American people deserve answers to."Nadler has issued a subpoena to the Justice Department for the full report and requested Muellers testimony. Barr is scheduled to testify before the House and Senate in early May.Once I hear the testimony from Mueller, then Ill be able to make a decision, Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-New York, told ABC News.Pelosi has scheduled a Monday conference call with the House Democratic caucus now scattered around the world during a two-week congressional recess - to discuss the report and the Houses next steps.Many Democrats bluntly acknowledged the political reality surrounding impeaching the president: As Nadler and Pelosi have argued, the effort would fizzle without Republican buy-in.In the Senate, 20 Republicans would have to join with all Democrats to convict Trump, who remains exceedingly popular among Republican voters and lawmakers.If, for instance, you end up in like in previous situations where the House does one thing and the Senate does something else then the president could proclaim his innocence even more than hes doing now, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, a member of the House Intelligence and Oversight Committees, told ABC News.After the release of the report, the majority of Republicans claimed vindication, celebrating the fact that Mueller did not bring charges against the president and found no evidence on coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia.Feels good to be right, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, told ABC News.Rep. Tom Reed, R-New York, a moderate who frequently votes with Democrats, said Muellers conclusions should be celebrated.Now it is time for our country to heal because all politics all the time is tearing our country apart and hurting real people, he said.Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, appeared to be one of the only Republicans to express some concern with Muellers findings, but did not suggest any course of action in Congress.Privately, some undecided House Democrats said the presidents actions outlined in the Mueller report constituted impeachable offenses, but worried about the political costs of a failed impeachment push.For now, only the partys most progressive voices, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, joined activists and a handful of Democrats in support of impeachment proceedings without additional committee actions in the House.People in my view are genuinely conflicted about the need to hold the president accountable and some sense of how we bring this country together, and how we move on from this chapter in this countrys history, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-California, told ABC News. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Budweiser Releases Discovery Reserve to Celebrate the First Lunar Landing This Buds for You: Budweiser Releases Lunar Beer How do you celebrate a fete as epic as landing on the moon? With a special beer, of course. RELATED: Beer-Infused Pork Is Coming From Budwesier To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing of July 20, 1969, Budweiser has released a limited-edition red lager called Discovery Reserve. But this isnt just your regular Bud with a fancy name. According to Budweisers news release, its made of a medium-roast barley malt with a hint of toffee and a sharp finish. Plus, the brew recipe was created with the help of Brewmaster and former U.S. Air Force captain, Karissa Norrington. Norrington told Forbes, The Moon landing is such an iconic showing of the American spirit and determination, and with Discovery Reserve we are honoring both where weve been and where were going. Besides the new flavor and hue, the new brew also supports a good cause. Budweiser plans to donate $1 from each case of beer it sells to the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides relatives of veterans and military families with more than 3,000 scholarships. Ricardo Marques, VP of Marketing Core & Value Brands at Anheuser-Busch, says the charity component is part of a long history that the beer brand has in supporting the military. More than $16 million have already been donated to Folds of Victory by Budweiser and its partners since 2011. Bud has been a champion of the military for many, many, years, he said in Forbes. The human stories of bravery and resilience those are stories that are inspiring for people from all walks of life. In addition to producing a beer celebrating the moon landing, Budweiser has been working on creating the first beer SERVED ON MARS! Norrington told Forbes Colored malt gives the beer its reddish hue, which is a nod towards the next lofty goal for our country sending the first team to Mars, and for Budweiser, to be the first beer on the Red Planet! The company has already sent barley seeds to the ISS US National Laboratory to research how it might perform under space-like conditions part of the continuing research to grow malts that can survive extreme weather. RELATED: The Best Canned Beers Budweisers Reserve Collection also includes Budweiser Reserve Copper Lager, Budweiser Freedom Reserve, and Budweiser Repeal Reserve, all of which are connected to important moments in time. "This Bud's for those who challenged the odds and made the impossible, possible," said Marques. "Budweiser Discovery Reserve is our tribute to this epic moment in history, one that will certainly continue to inspire generations of present and future explorers." You can celebrate the anniversary of the moon landing with Budweiser Discovery Reserve until September 2019, or while supplies last. You Might Also Dig: 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. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Its still not clear what went wrong with the spacecraft. Beresheet spent more than two weeks approaching the Moon, and everything worked as intended up to the most important moment.On April 11, the spacecraft suffered a cascade of failures, with telemetry going down first, then recovering only to give way to an engine shut off. Mission control managed to bring the engine back online, but after a second communications failure, all was lost.Having had time to look into the matter, SpaceILs preliminary conclusions are that a manual command might have triggered the cascading failures. The company did not specify the nature of the command, nor who was responsible for it.Whatever it was, it led to a chain reaction in the spacecraft, during which the main engine switched off, which prevented it from activating further," SpaceIL said in a statement cited by Space Since the lander went down, NASA decided to send the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) above the crash site to have a look at the wreck. The American space agency hopes that one of the experiments that hitched a ride to the Moon on the lander might have survived.The experiment in question is called Lunar Retroreflector Array (LRA), a ball made of eight quartz mirrors that was supposed to act as a landing beacon of sorts for future missions to the Moon.The full results of the investigation into the crash of the Beresheet will be announced later this year.SpaceIL was a competitor in Googles Lunar X-Prize, a competition set up to encourage the development of low-cost methods of robotic space exploration. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has reported 2 arrests in connection with the death of LGBTQ investigative journalist and author Lyra McKee, who was killed in Londonderry, Northern Ireland on Friday while covering riots that have followed ongoing Brexit proceedings, the Irish Times reports. The bottom line: 2 men, ages 18 and 19, were arrested on Saturday under the Terrorism Act and have not yet been formally charged. Police said that a gunman fired shots toward police officers during the riots, which was also described by a reporter at the scene, per the BBC. Police are attributing Friday's violence to the New Irish Republican Army dissident group, which is not affiliated with the Provisional Irish Republican Army known for its role in the 1968-to-1998-era of the "Troubles, per the New York Times. The big picture: Some worry that Britains exit strategy may negatively impact "the openness and invisibility of the border once Northern Ireland has left the European Union," the Washington Post reports. Mckee's death and the violent turmoil that has arisen signify an alarming acceleration of unrest, reminiscent of challenges in Northern Ireland more than 20 years following the Good Friday peace agreement. An informal conference between Afghan and Taliban negotiators in Doha this Saturday was postponed indefinitely after the Taliban rejected President Ashraf Ghanis list of delegates, leaving intra-Afghan discussions further behind even as direct U.S.Taliban security talks move forward. Why it matters: Without progress among Afghans, the U.S. cannot achieve its core counterterrorism objectives. Background: Ghani has been unhappy with the structure of peace efforts and tried to reassert his role through a fraught effort to build a representative team. Even after letting the delegation grow to a whopping 250 members, however, there were serious problems with its composition. With a presidential election scheduled for September, both Ghani and his opponents are tempted to use the peace process for electoral gain. One of the most powerful opposition leaders, Atta Mohammad Noor, was excluded and rejected Ghani's group as ignoring social balance and the presence of the jihad and resistance faction. Despite the justified concerns of Afghan women, there were only 50 women on the list. Where it stands: The Taliban would agree to meet government officials only in a personal capacity a time-honored way to avoid legitimizing adversaries in early talks. But Ghani was ostentatious in presenting the delegation as his own, and told them in a public meeting to represent the wishes of the Afghan nation and government. The Taliban also erred in insisting on its own list of Afghans, looking more like a government trying to put together a canned town hall. Between the lines: Tactically, it would almost certainly have helped the Taliban to meet a large, divided, and ill-prepared delegation, rather than to reject the meeting. Not to mention that a party doesnt get to pick its adversarys representatives. Secretary Pompeo, for example, would probably have preferred that his team not meet with the Taliban Five, whom he had bitterly criticized, but in paying that price he made faster progress toward a peace framework. What to watch: In the short term, both sides may be feel an illusory short-term relief over the breakdown. Ghani slowed a peace process he distrusts, but President Trump called the war in Afghanistan ridiculous early this month and may withdraw U.S. troops even without progress toward peace. The Taliban are spared from revealing their internal divisions, but they cannot long avoid that if they want to see civil war averted and American forces withdrawn. The bottom line: With patience, the U.S. could exert leverage to help avoid worst-case scenarios. But after 2 generations of war, a successful peace process in Afghanistan will be long, complex and halting. Jarrett Blanc is a senior fellow in the Geoeconomics and Strategy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and was acting special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan under President Obama. By Mirsaid Ibrahimzade Iran and Azerbaijan have always been interested in developing economic relations, including mutual cooperation in various areas, especially in automotive industry, which is on the upgrade in Azerbaijan. The opening ceremony of the Iranian Trade Center was held in Baku on April 19. Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Economy Rufat Mammadov, Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Reza Rahmani, Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan Javad Jahangirzadeh and other officials attended the opening ceremony. The purpose of the trade center is to support trade relations between the businessmen of the two countries and help them solve their problems. On the same day, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Azerbajani company AzerMash and Iranian Maral Trailer. Within the cooperation, AzerMash will deal with distribution of truck trailers produced by Maral Trailer company in Azerbaijan. The production of truck trailers is planned to be established in the country at the next stage. Its vital to note that the Iranian-Azerbaijani cooperation in automaking industry already has successful evidence. On August 6, 2016, big Iranian automaker Iran Khodro and Azerbaijani company AzEuroCar, a subsidiary of AzerMash, signed an agreement to establish a joint automobile plant in Neftchala. The Azerbaijani side invested 75 percent of funds in the plant, and the Iranian side put 25 percent. Automotive sector is currently developing fast in Azerbaijan, as more plants engaged in the production of cars are being launched across the country. -- Mirsaid Ibrahimzade is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @MirsaidIbrahim1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The US is looking forward to continuing the dialogue by both sides of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Earle Litzenberger told reporters on the sidelines of the Alumni Fair educational exhibition in Baku, Trendreports. He was commenting on the proposal to hold the next meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in Washington. I have nothing special to say. We welcome the meeting of the foreign ministers, which took place in Moscow, as well as the statement that was made after the meeting. We all look forward to continuing the dialogue of both parties. We are pleased that the foreign ministers will hold a regular meeting, the ambassador said. Litzenberger reminded that the US has long been one of the three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. He added that the goal of the group and the co-chairs is to bring both sides to a peaceful solution to the conflict. It was stated earlier by the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov that the US offered to hold the next meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers in Washington on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The opening of the Zangazur corridor will define new priorities in the tourism sector and new challenges, the Chairman of the Labor and Social Policy Committee of Azerbaijans Parliament Musa Guliyev said during the discussion of the new draft law "on tourism" at the plenary session of the parliament, Trend reports. By Trend Representatives of the "Uztextileprom" Association held a meeting with the delegation of the Council for Foreign Economic Relations of Turkey "DEIK" in Uzbekistan, Trend reports with reference to the press service of the textile association. During negotiations with foreign partners, information was provided on the favorable business environment formed in Uzbekistan, a broad system of legal guarantees and privileges for foreign investors, customs privileges and preferences, investment potential, the banking system, and the procedure for granting loans to foreign investors. The sides discussed prospects of introducing the water management system (Zero liquid discharge) in Uzbekistan using Turkish technologies, which provide comprehensive solutions to water purification and industrial wastewater. It worth noting that wastewater, which contains a wide range of contaminants, is formed when finishing textile materials. Moreover, soluble dyes are a big problem, because few cleansing technologies are available and dissolved dyes are not sufficiently eliminated in municipal wastewater treatment plants. Following the meeting, the parties reached an agreement on the introduction of the latest Turkish technologies in the implementation of projects of the textile and garment and knitwear industry. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The Californians Robert Price answers your questions and takes your complaints about our news coverage in this weekly feedback forum. Questions may be edited for space and clarity. To offer your input by phone, call 661-395-7649 and leave your comments in a voicemail message or email us at soundoff@bakersfield.com. Include your name and phone number; they wont be published. When Havalisia Owens was a child, she used to spend summers with her grandparents at what eventually became her Port Arthur home. But when destruction done to the home by Hurricane Ike was finished by Tropical Storm Harveys flooding, she thought she was going to have to move from that land forever. After months of waiting and working with state officials on eligibility, Owens has a new home to make memories with her own grandchildren and to provide a safe space whether for family gatherings, during future storms or in other events. I cried this morning thinking about what my grandfather would think, she said while exploring her new home for the first time Friday. Owens and her grandfather tried to work together to get a new home after Hurricane Ike but werent able to make it happen then. He would be so proud, she continued. Im glad my family and I have a homestead for all the generations to come. The new two-bedroom, two-bathroom home built in 15 days by JW Turner Construction was funded by federal dollars administered by the Texas General Land Office through the Homeowner Assistance Program. We built this home for you, but youre going to have to make it a home, said J.W. Turner. The HAP program aims to repair and reconstruct homes for area residents who lost their homes during Tropical Storm Harvey. Post-Harvey housing help How to apply for the Housing Assistance Program: Apply online at recovery.texas.gov. Or download the application online and return it in person to one of the General Land Office's regional offices. Or visit a regional office and fill out application in-person. Send questions to cdr@glo.texas.gov or call 844-893-8937. You'll need as many relevant documents as possible. Examples include income information for all adult household members, proof of home ownership and, if applicable, proof of child support payment. More information can be found at the link above. See More Collapse The GLO allocated $1 billion of federal disaster recovery funds to the program, which will go to 48 eligible counties, excluding the city of Houston. Money is awarded to eligible homeowners on first-come, first-serve basis. Homes that require rebuilding, instead of simple repairs, cost between $100,000 and $150,000, said GLO spokeswoman Brittany Eck. As of April 12, 2,824 applications for the program have been received from Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties the largest number out of the eligible sections of the state according to the GLO. Of those, construction on 41 homes is underway. Owens home was the first in Port Arthur to be completed. But there were times she thought she may never get to the end. Early this year, Owens was informed by the GLO that she was ineligible for the full amount of funding for a new home because of what the federal government says qualifies as a misuse of an initial round of aid. Eck said thats not an uncommon issue the agency finds with storm victims. But it strives to work with residents to determine how they can be helped even with whats called a duplication of benefits issue. Eck said that can mean reducing the scope of the home or helping homeowners come up with ways to pay back the misused ais. If there are any issues with eligibility, we want folks to come talk with us anyway, she said. During that time and after FEMA took away her mobile home because Owens couldnt afford rent the organization would be charging, she had to live with her daughter and two grandchildren in an apartment. But the GLO worked with her to find a solution reducing the scope of the home by taking it from three bedrooms to two and decreasing the size of the bedrooms. But the home raised some seven feet off the ground and easily the highest in her neighborhood will work just fine, she said while holding her infant grandson on her hip and watching her 5-year-old grandson run from window to window, checking out the new view. Owens said she plans to begin moving in after the Easter weekend with her uncle, who is older than her and has some mobility issues. My family is going to be so happy, I can cook now, she said, planning smothered potatoes as the first food shell make in the new kitchen. In addition to the home, JW Turner Construction provided Owens with a housewarming gift of various home cleaning supplies and tools. The program also pays for Owens homeowners, flood and wind insurance for the first year, Turner said. Owens will then be required to maintain flood insurance to be eligible for any future flood assistance. kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/KaitlinBain 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. Seven recent health IT vendor contracts and go-lives: 1. Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health and UPMC in Pittsburgh are collaborating with DNAnexus, a biomedical informatics and data management company, on a precision medicine study of multiple sclerosis treatments. 2. Jacksonville, Fla.-based Baptist Health added remote monitoring technology from Advanced ICU Care, an intensive care unit telemedicine provider, for patients at Baptist Medical Center Nassau. 3. Willmar, Minn.-based Carris Health, a nonprofit subsidiary of CentraCare Health in St. Cloud, Minn., will go live on an Epic EHR May 1. 4. NYC Health + Hospitals debuted an Epic EHR at two hospitals in New York City and 17 ambulatory care clinics in Brooklyn as part of the health system's $1 billion IT platform rollout. 5. New Orleans-based Ochsner Health System partnered with Tyto Care to offer patients access to a remote patient examination device developed for virtual appointments. 6. Health iPass, an Oak Brook, Ill.-based medical billing service, has partnered with athenahealth to streamline patient payment options. 7. The latest joint effort from the American Medical Association and Sling Health, a student-run biotechnology incubator based at Washington University in St. Louis, is an online database that will pair physicians' insights about clinical challenges with developers of cutting-edge medical technology. "The only thing Hitler did wrong was he didn't kill enough f****** Jews". As noted by Tuvia Tenenbom, who filmed shocking scenes this week of a group of moronic bigots in a Derry bar spouting vile abuse (including the above), at least they weren't making any attempt to hide their hatred of Jews. There are many others who are equally prejudiced, but they are cuter and much more coy about expressing it quite so blatantly. Throughout Ireland, north and south today, anti-Semitism isn't just tolerated. It isn't just condoned. It's encouraged. I'm ashamed even to write the sentence at the beginning of this column. But I also believe we need to be honest about and to confront the evil of the hatred of the Jews so brazenly and unapologetically expressed in it. It's the same sort of malevolence towards Jews expressed in the video (although usually more craftily sugar-coated by terms such as "Zionist" or "Israeli") that is reflected in the popular portrayal of Israel - the only genuine democracy in the Middle East - as the global great Satan. Entirely coincidental, we're expected to believe, is that Israel is the only Jewish state in the world. But no, it isn't coincidental. Israel and its citizens are singled out for boycott and bile and an unprecedented barrage of censure directed at no other nation on Earth. Yes, absolutely, there is nothing wrong with criticising and protesting against the Israeli government, its political leaders, its strategy in the Middle East - any more than it is to criticise any other country. But that's a far cry from the concerted and unique campaign of vilification targeting Israel and all Israelis. Throughout Ireland north and south today, anti-Semitism often conveniently labelled as anti-Zionism is pretty much mainstream. It unites lefties and far right nutters. There are people who couldn't show you Israel on a map who just know that it is the evil empire incarnate, the fount of all ills amid the complexity of conflict in the Middle East. Mr Tenenbom is a German journalist, an author, playwright, theatre director and academic. He is also Jewish. This week he spoke bluntly to Frank Mitchell on U105: "I don't think I ever have met people who have so much hatred for the Jews as I met in Northern Ireland and Ireland - and that includes Derry." Sadly, he added: "The more I walk this land the more anti-Semitism I find." Mr Tenenbom has been accused on social media of provoking the response of the Derry ghouls, who not only endorsed the most horrific genocide in the history of the human race, but actually suggested that the Holocaust didn't go quite far enough. All he did, however, was to ask about the proliferation of Palestinian flags in the streets outside. That's hardly winding people up. And for a man who is of a generation scarily close to the attempted complete annihilation of his fellow Jews, it must have been a chilling enough few minutes standing there listening to a venomous tirade that could have come straight from a 1930s newsreel about the rise of the Nazis. Those comments have been widely condemned by politicians on all sides, of course. Not representative of the vast majority of people here, we have been assured. I think that as a Jew himself, Mr Tenenbom might be better placed than the rest of us to gauge the degree of anti-Semitism he has encountered. And how representative it is of our wider population. We're kidding ourselves if we think the Derry drinkers represent some sort of local societal anomaly. There is a reason why the now pitifully small Jewish community here in Northern Ireland and in the Republic - a Jewish community which has contributed so very much to this place - has been in decline for a number of years. Knowing that your neighbours harbour such hatred that they not only support the massacre of your people but, shamelessly, aren't afraid to say so doesn't exactly inspire a sense of security. Mr Tenenbom is writing a book which will reflect his experiences here. I don't expect we're going to come out of it terribly well. I don't think we deserve to. There's a rat in me kitchen, what am I gonna do? Er, kill it... It certainly puts the Waiter, theres a fly in my soup scenario in perspective. This week a worker in a Portrush restaurant had occasion to advise a startled customer: Miss, the rats on you. We need you to get up. The girl in question had been dining at the Ramore Wine Bar a hostelry with a deservedly fine reputation when dinner was interrupted. By a rat falling from the ceiling. In scenes to rival the famous episode from Fawlty Towers where a large rodent appeared in Basils proffered box of assorted cheese biscuits, panic ensued. One heroic onlooker stood their ground though and filmed the Ramore Rat as it ran amok. People screamed hysterically. People laughed hysterically. Eventually a couple of workers cornered the creature and, fearing that it was going to escape again, killed it by use of a yard-brush and boot. Obviously for the rat it wasnt a pleasant experience, but what else were staff to do? Theres some argument that it might have been more humanely put down. Im not sure how. The term pest control covers processes which I dont imagine are all that comfortable either. The restaurant was later officially inspected and given a clean bill of health. It was just a one-off. Rats, mice do sometimes get into the most hygienic of places. But, yes, the management should have closed the place down right away (like Basil, they nonchalantly continued serving). You have to admire, though, the stoicism of the Portrush waiter, steadfast in the face of adversity. In particular Im thinking of the lad who is reported to have emerged from the kitchen immediately afterwards to inquire of understandably traumatised diners: Rocket and pesto pasta, anyone? It's a rich irony for Notre-Dame After the horrific flooding caused by the cyclone that devastated Mozambique last month the official appeal raised an impressive 8m in 24 hours and 18m in five days. There were other relief efforts too. But compare and contrast with the "generosity" of the fabulously wealthy who have already contributed over a billion to the fund to restore Norte-Dame - and in the process, promote their own largesse. Billionaire priorities? Charity begins in the PR department. Snow comment on eco chaos, Jon? Where's Jon Snow when you need him? Mr Snow was criticised after commenting about a Brexit march that he'd never seen so many white people in one place. As someone who judges people by skin colour he doubtless will have noted a similar preponderance of white eco protesters in London this week. Perhaps that doesn't count, though, because like Mr Snow himself, so many of those causing problems for working class commuters come from a posh, privileged background. Vi Dawson is a contributor to Thought for the Day on BBC Radio Ulster: Vi Dawson admits that her faith was "like an anchor" when her husband, George, a DUP MLA, died at the young age of 45. The East Antrim representative, a businessman, was regarded as a potential minister in the Northern Ireland Executive when the DUP and Sinn Fein agreed to share power. Surely his death must have tested the faith of the Ballymena schoolteacher and member of the Free Presbyterian Church? "I am not taking away from the difficulty of that time in 2007, or the sadness or sorrow, but if you know the character of the one in whom you trust and you know that his character is kind and loving and compassionate and that he has promised that all things work together for good, then you have to trust him," says Vi. "Faith is not about understanding, but trusting when you don't understand. It is like when I go to take my granddaughter, Holly, somewhere. She puts her hand in mine because she trusts me, even though she doesn't know where she is going. "I trust the Heavenly Father. If he would send his son to Earth to die for me and perform such an act of love, he would never allow anything to come across my path that was not for my good and glory. "However, I must stress that I am not taking away from the death of my husband. It was very difficult and very sad, but my faith was like an anchor. I was fortunate I had a teaching job - I am now principal of that same school - so I was able to provide for my daughters, Emma and Sara." Vi, who will be 55 next month, is originally from Rathfriland. Her parents were both members of the Free Presbyterian Church, and Vi describes both daughters as Christians. Asked about how important her faith is to her, she turns the question around. "People often ask me that, but the thing that is important is the one in whom I have faith. The Lord's hold on me is never weak or wavering. My faith in him is the most important thing in my life," she explains. For Viv, Easter is a special time for Christians to remember what Jesus suffered. "He died for our sins and took the punishment that was due for us," she stresses. "The resurrection is particularly important. Because he defeated death, we have not just a hope, but the certain hope that carries us through life on Earth to Heaven above." Many people know Vi through her Thought for the Day comments on Radio Ulster. "I consider it a great privilege to be asked to do that and I am always very conscious of the number of people I am speaking to in the morning," she says. "I would pray a lot before writing for Thought for the Day and am conscious that the message I would put across is one that the Lord would give me, not just my own thoughts. "At the end of the day, the people listening, especially Christians, know that it is only the Lord's word that can give comfort and help. "The thoughts of Vi Dawson are of no use to anyone." Baroness O'Loan was the first Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman from 1999 to 2007 Tonight is the favourite night of the year for former Police Ombudsman Baroness (Nuala) O'Loan. The devout Catholic says: "The Easter Vigil is a wonderful night. It is the night when we pass through the shadow of the cross and come to the resurrection. To me, it is a night of affirmation and a very wonderful moment as we go into a new time when Christ has risen. "It is my favourite night of the year." She stresses that faith is of the utmost importance to her. "It has a profound importance in my life. "I feel that we are here on Earth to serve God and here on Earth to go back to God. "The prophet Micah said, 'This is what the Lord asks of you: act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God.' That is what I try to do." She agrees that faith can be a solace or strength in hard times. "We all have times that are profoundly difficult, even in our professional lives, when we may face real challenges. "Those are the times that the fact I am blessed with faith has been a huge solace to me. "Everyone has those times when someone you love dies, or you see people suffering terribly from diseases like cancer. I remember a friend of mine dying from cancer. It is hard to see someone suffer, yet you know that there is life after death. I have felt that my faith has help me up in the bad times. Sometimes, we find it difficult to pray on our own. Then it can be a comfort to be in the company of others and to listen to them praying until the time arrives when you can go back to prayer. I believe the family of the Church is profoundly important. There are times when we walk with others in their pain and times when they walk with us when we are suffering. Although Baroness OLoan came from a Catholic family, they were not overtly religious. She was sent to Catholic schools and it was there that she came to a strong faith from people I met on the journey. I try to love God and everyone I meet. Some of the people I meet are a little harder to love than others, she says. Baroness OLoan admits that, initially, her religion caused some difficulty when she was appointed Police Ombudsman. When I was appointed it became known that I was a Catholic, she explains. Some people had assumptions about me as a consequence, even other Catholics. Initially, there were question marks hanging over me because I was going in to investigate the police. However, when we got up to speed and when we showed we were there for everyone, it became less of an issue. It was obvious at the beginning there were some people who were suspicious of me. Perhaps that feeling remained for a few, but it largely passed. I tried to act justly and to follow the law and act for everyone who came to my office. It was a very difficult role. The ethos of the office was to find out the evidence, say only what you can show to be true based on that evidence, and I think that is what we did. Baroness OLoan writes a weekly column for The Irish Catholic newspaper. It is not a role she chose. I had spoken at a conference and someone came up and asked me if I would like to write a column, she says. It is not something that you seek out, as it means quite a bit of work, but it is a privilege to be able to reach a wider audience with whatever thoughts I have in that column. The Rev Andrew Kerr worked as a surgeon before retraining as a minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church Rev Andrew Kerr, pastor of Knockbracken Reformed Presbyterian Church in Belfast, candidly admits that life as a clergyman was the furthest thing from his mind when he was growing up. The 52-year-old came from a family steeped in medicine his father was a GP who had also trained in pharmacy and later became a homeopath, and his mother was a nurse tutor. He was to follow what seemed an obvious path, training in medicine and working full-time for six years as a general surgeon, with some orthopaedics work, and another four years as a locum. The medical connection continued into his personal life his wife, Hazel, is a part-time GP. They have three children, Rebekah and twins Paul and Andrew Jnr. I was brought up in a home where there was a lot of compassion and, in the case of my parents, selflessness. That was my life, he recalls. I had no thought of ministry. In my childhood and teens, it was one of the careers I would have ruled out. I was brought up in a joyful, happy, loving home and always loved Church, but, I guess, in my early to late teenage years, I became conscious that all parts of my personality and character were in some ways affected and influenced by sin. However, later, after a period of spiritual reflection and a period of spiritual upheaval and turning away from God and then being brought back to repentance and faith, my life was turned upside down by God. Subsequently, I saw life in a very different way and I sensed Gods call on my life. So now how does he regard faith? I see it in several ways. Primarily, it is Gods gift to us. Some people think of faith as a collection of doctrines and teachings, but I am talking about personal faith, he says. We dont naturally have faith; God gives it to us. The way I think of faith is not just a collection of facts, or agreement to those facts, but a childlike trust in God. The key to faith is the object of faith Christ. It is not faith for faiths sake that saves, but faith in Christ. Rev Kerr has been holding a series of services during the run-up to Easter, concentrating on Christs passion, suffering and death. The cross is the key thing. It is where he suffered all the pain, even Hell, for my sin and where he stood as a substitute in place of sinners, he says. Rev Kerr is also Professor of Old Testament Languages and Literature at the Reformed Theological College in Belfast and has a working proficiency in Hebrew, Ancient Greek, Official Aramaic and Classical Syriac. Courses at the college last for three years and attract on average six students during each cycle. The Reformed Presbyterian Church has 40-plus congregations in Ireland and has begun work in Nantes in France and in the south of Spain. Sister congregations in Canada, Australia, Scotland and Japan work closely with the Church in Ireland and training is also undertaken in Pittsburgh and Kobe in Japan. Norman Lynas is the founder of Lynas Foodservice, which employs 540 staff in food distribution On Norman Lynas business card are written the words: Husband, father, grandfather and follower of Jesus. To the businessman, who built up very successful Lynas Foodservice company, faith is central to everything he does. The firm began life as a fish shop in Coleraine, owned by his father, but it now employs 540 staff and provides its customers with frozen, chilled and ambient food ranges. It is now run by Normans son, Andrew. Norman (76) describes himself as a Christian first and a Baptist second, and recalls how his parents sent him and his siblings to Sunday School and Church every week. He says: Being a Christian is a journey. I believe that, at some point in life, you choose to follow Christ. As a 13-year-old, I started on that journey. It was only when I was 23 that I realised the implications of becoming a follower of Jesus in business, in life and in everyday things. I believe you go through a commitment crisis, followed by a process of growing in Christ. The latter is very important and I would like to think that, even at my age, I am still growing in my faith. Norman says that he would be classified as an evangelical. It is not just what you do on a Sunday that is important. Being a follower of Jesus is going to affect my business, my family and what I do with my time, he adds. He also admits, however, that there have been times of crisis in his faith. I had a number of crises, in terms of facing issues such as deciding if the Bible is true and could I believe it. Getting the Bible as the textbook of my life has been vital to me, he says. Easter is a time when he gets excited. At one time, it was all about the Friday (Good Friday) when Jesus died on the cross and all my sins were forgiven, but that was me thinking as a 13-year-old, he explains. When I came to 23, I realised the importance of Easter Sunday. Jesus had died for me, but he rose again. This was a call for divine action and gives us purpose, adventure and victory. Normans faith is not just a personal issue. With his wife, Lynda, two decades ago he set up a Christian nightclub in Portstewart. I realised through my own experience that a lot of folk only ever get to Friday when they think about Easter they dont realise that God has a plan for them, he says. We decided to try to help young people, aged 15 to 25, who would be heading off to university, or jobs, and give them some stability in their lives. I had never taken alcohol because of family addiction problems, and the nightclub did not serve alcohol. Many of the young people who came initially would have been churchgoers or ones who did not want to become involved in the traditional nightclub scene. This developed into an organisation called Exodus, which offer discipleship courses. On our first venture overseas, we sent 23 young people to Romania to show an example to young people there and encourage them in the Christian faith. This year, we are sending out 70 teams of young people to eastern European countries, like Romania, Moldova and Hungary, as well as Spain, South Africa and India. Jim Brown heads a team of 14 people in their late 20s or early 30s who work full-time in mentoring these young people. Some are just looking at their faith, some are growing in faith and some want to develop leadership skills. It is very exciting to see these young folk develop. You realise that, in five or 10 years, some will be in key jobs or working with young people in schools and that they will still believe in their Christian faith. Some, of course, will drop away. However, if I want to leave a legacy, it is in the lives of these young people. 'Academics found that the most senior jobs, attracting the highest salaries, are most likely to go to white, male graduates who attended elite universities' (stock photo) There is a two-tier recruitment system in the UK's top multinational firms, with the best jobs dominated by privileged white graduates over ethnic minority graduates, a study has suggested. Academics found that the most senior jobs, attracting the highest salaries, are most likely to go to white, male graduates who attended elite universities. Graduates from parts of the UK other than London were less likely to have a higher starting salary. Those from Northern Ireland were more than 10% less likely, while those from the North West and South West were both 7% less likely. Women were 4% less likely to have a higher starting salary than men on entry to a top multinational firm. The study, published in the British Journal of Sociology, drew on data from the Destination of Leavers in Higher Education survey. It examined 3,260 graduates recruited by 31 elite companies, including firms such as Goldman Sachs, Barclays Bank, HSBC and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Alison Bennington will stand as a council candidate for the DUP next month A DUP woman standing in the upcoming council elections is the party's first ever openly gay politician. Alison Bennington is a DUP candidate for the Glengormley Urban area of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. Ms Bennington told the Irish News: "I am delighted to have been selected as a DUP council candidate. I am putting myself before the electorate based on what I can deliver for them as a councillor working alongside a strong team of colleagues, not based on my sexual orientation. "I regard my private and family life as a matter for myself in the same way as everyone else." The move by the DUP is considered a significant step in a bid to reach out to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Northern Ireland. The party has been considered as hostile towards the LGBT community in the past. The DUP remains opposed to same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland - the only part of the UK where it remains outlawed. Environmental campaigners gathered in central Belfast yesterday to call for urgent government action on climate change. Around 50 Extinction Rebellion protesters took part in an "engagement and awareness day" at Castle Place. The demonstration featured music and street performances. It follows similar events by climate rebellion activists in cities in the UK and around the world. In central London yesterday, demonstrations entered a fifth day. Officers surrounded a pink boat in Oxford Circus as actress Dame Emma Thompson told activists her generation had "failed young people". Nearly 700 people have been arrested at protests this week. Demonstrators also staged a protest at Heathrow Airport. Agnes Gow lays flowers at the spot where her daughter Lisa died Family and friends of Lisa Gow have gathered in north Belfast to mark the first anniversary of her death. The mother-of-two, who was in her 30s, died as she walked to the shops on Ballysillan Road on April 19, 2018. She had just taken her two children Olivia (9) and Riley (7) to school when she was hit by a Audi A4 car which had been stolen from a home on nearby Cavehill Road. Yesterday Lisa's heartbroken parents Peter and Agnes revisited the scene to lay flowers at the spot where she died 12 months earlier. They watched as Olivia released a balloon into the sky in memory of her mum. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Peter said his family were feeling "pure sorrow" as they marked Lisa's first anniversary on Good Friday. "This should never have happened, but we wanted to come here today and celebrate the fact that we had Lisa in our lives," he said. "This past year has been very hard and Lisa missed so many things that she loved - the summer holidays, her birthday in December and her kids telling her what they wanted for Christmas. "Now we are facing our first Easter without her and all of these events are so hard, but today marking one year since she died has been the hardest. "We want to have a quiet day remembering Lisa as a family. "I was dreading coming over here to the scene this morning, but to see so many people gathered to remember Lisa with us is a great help." He added: "To be marking her anniversary on Good Friday, the same day that God lost His Son and with the sun shining down on us, is something only Lisa could have arranged. "It's very strange but it shouldn't be this way and no parent should have to bury their kids, yet unfortunately we have had to." On Thursday Martin Alexander Nelson, the 40-year-old man accused of causing Lisa's death, expressed his remorse to the Gow family ahead of the anniversary. Nelson's solicitor Pearse McDermott told Belfast Magistrates Court that his client was "very conscious tomorrow is the first anniversary of the incident... and he wants to express remorse to the family of the deceased". Nelson, from Ardoyne Road in Belfast, has been charged with 11 offences linked to the collision. These include causing death by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle-taking causing death, and driving while disqualified. The accused has been returned for trial at Belfast Crown Court on a date to be fixed. Mr Gow said the family are "in limbo" as they await the outcome of the trial and a Police Ombudsman investigation into the circumstances of Lisa's death. Nelson was being pursued by police at the time of the crash. "Whatever happens, the pain will always be there and we are never going to see our daughter again," he added. "We are facing a life-sentence without her, especially Lisa's children, but they are the ones keeping us going. "We talk to them about their mum every day and remember all the fun times they had with her. "We answer all their questions and don't shy away. "We tell them that their mummy is looking down on them and always will be, so they need to be good." Lyra McKees death should help end the use of guns in Londonderry, one of her close friends urged after visiting the scene of her shooting (Michael McHugh/PA) Lyra McKees death should help end the use of guns in Londonderry, one of her close friends urged. The Belfast journalists murder highlights the peaceful expectations of a generation which matured to adulthood during the signing of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, Kathleen Bradley said. She stood beside a pile of floral tributes at the spot where Ms McKee, 29, fell on Thursday night after being hit by an indiscriminate bullet fired towards police. Lyra was one of the nicest people that you ever could have met, just so genuine and so sincere, and there is definitely a void now within our group that will never be filled againKathleen Bradley She said: Lyras legacy I think will be opening all our eyes to what we should have got as a result of the Good Friday Agreement the ceasefire babies generation. Lyras legacy will be in this town that guns dont solve anything, guns should never be used for anything and her legacy will be that we will keep her name and spirit going amongst us. A very clear message has been given from not only the people of this town but wider afield to say that this is not okay, this is not acceptable, this is not justifiable. It has to stop, nothing is worth a life nothing. Ms McKee was a breath of fresh air when she joined a group of 13 friends in her adopted city after she moved there with her partner Sara Canning. They were last together on Sunday. Expand Close On Saturday friends of Lyra McKee came to the spot where she died and stood, arm in arm, in silent grief (Brian Lawless/PA). PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp On Saturday friends of Lyra McKee came to the spot where she died and stood, arm in arm, in silent grief (Brian Lawless/PA). On Saturday, they came to the spot where Ms McKee died and stood, arm in arm, in silent grief. Ms Bradley said: Lyra was one of the nicest people that you ever could have met, just so genuine and so sincere, and there is definitely a void now within our group that will never be filled again. She added: She was just one of the most genuine, sincere, funny and intelligent people that I have come to know throughout my life. And Ms Bradley added that Ms McKee would have been very open about Northern Ireland needing to move on and hoping that it moved on. Ms McKee said in a recent tweet that she loved Derry and there was no place for bombs and bullets. From an article about the peace process, published in the Belfast Telegraph in March 2017. Are things changing? The answer is: not as fast as we'd like them to or as fast as they could. The generation known as the Ceasefire Babies - those of us who were children around the time of the Good Friday Agreement or were born after it - were seen as the great hope of the Peace Process. We were free of the terrors our parents had witnessed and would therefore grow up not hating each other - or so it was assumed. The reality was that, for many of us, our childhoods were defined not by what we'd seen but the fear of what we might see. That's how trauma works - it's handed down, from parent to child to grandchild. Research by academics at the University of Ulster has shown that the impact of The Troubles is still being felt by this generation, indirectly fuelling suicides among young people who never witnessed them. It will be felt by generations to come, made worse by a pitiful lack of mental health facilities and resources. The conflict is still claiming victims but you'll never read their names in Lost Lives. The last piece she penned for the Belfast Telegraph, published on Valentine's Day this year Four months after I met the love of my life, I accompanied her to a room in Altnagelvin Hospital. It was a Thursday morning. After dropping her off to visit her dad, I had planned to drive on to Belfast for work. Some people get a child as part of the package when they begin a relationship - I got an 82-year-old man. Big D was the dictionary definition of a grumpy oul git but I adored him. He would sit, every day, in his chair and the only thing that could rouse him out of the grumpiness was talking about old times - his memories of Derry from the Forties through to the Troubles. That morning, I decided to drop in on him to say hello before heading to work. We walked into the room. At the foot of his bed, a doctor stood, deep in conversation with my girlfriend's sister. She fell silent as soon as she saw us. We knew, immediately, something was wrong. We'd been told Big D had weeks left to live. Now, we were instructed, it was hours. I went outside and made phone calls. A dear friend went and fetched clothes and drove the 60 miles to deliver them. Within 2-3 days, I thought, I'd be needing a suit for a funeral. It didn't happen like that. Big D held on. We took shifts - myself, his son, two daughters, a son-in-law - and sat with him through the day and night. Other family members streamed in and out of the room constantly. The nursing and cleaning staff, angels that they were, provided us with towels and soap when we couldn't get home to get a shower. On Sunday morning, Big D took his last breath. Today, Big D's daughter and I celebrate our first Valentine's Day together. It's been almost a year since we met and in that time, I feel as if I've had a crash course in what it means to love and be loved. In the months after Big D's death, I had to confront the fact that I, too, was sick. Given that she was dealing with her Dad's death, I wouldn't have blamed her if she'd decided she couldn't deal with that. Instead, she held my hand and told me she wasn't going anywhere. I realised that love isn't just what you feel, it's what you do when everything is falling apart and the person you love needs you. I have been so blessed, in my life, to have both felt that kind of love and had it returned tenfold to me. Happy Valentine's, Sara, and thanks for letting me be the one you spend it with. From an article on the devastating toll of suicides in Northern Ireland, published in the Belfast Telegraph, April 2018 News of another death reaches me nearly every week. Again and again, I see the same theatre play out. Statements of condolence from politicians have become as meaningless as the "thoughts and prayers" offered after every mass shooting in America. Northern Ireland is a country where activity tends to be confused with progress but make no mistake: until the suicide rate is reduced as close to 0 as we can get it, the peace process has failed the very Ceasefire generation it was meant to save from slaughter... Normally, this - the final paragraph of my column - is where I deliver some pithy one-liner (or try to) summing up my argument. Yet I didn't write this column to advance an opinion or start a debate. Instead, I want to make an appeal to you, reader. I've talked here about people who are at risk of suicide - who are just not sure if they can go on. Maybe that person is you. If it is, please keep reading - I just want two minutes of your time. In the last five months, I've lost two good friends to suicide. To protect their families' privacy, I'll call them James and Roisin. In the months since their deaths, I have felt like grief is eating me from the inside out. I am wracked with guilt. I've spent so much time talking about mental health and encouraging others to talk about theirs yet I didn't realise just how much my own friends were suffering. Suicide is a thief. It will rob you of the opportunity to see the day when things start to get better, before slowly torturing the loved ones you've left behind. People tell me not to blame myself for my friends deaths but I do. Not a week goes by when I don't think of all the missed chances, times when I could have talked them out off it, if only I'd realised what thoughts were in their heads. If I could turn back time, I would go to the small flat where James lived. I'd beg him not to leave us. I'd tell how much we love him and that I know he's suffering but we'll fix it and we'll get him help and we'll make things better. Then I'd go to Roisin's house and do the same. I'd beg them both to keep living because I've seen the devastation their deaths have caused. But I can't turn back time. I can't bring them back. I can only use this opportunity to beg you to reconsider what you're thinking about doing. If you are feeling the same way they did, please, ask for help. Talk to someone. There are amazing volunteers at Samaritans ready to take your call. Talk to your family, friends, neighbours, GP - someone out there will listen. If you feel you have no one, find me on Twitter and ask me to follow you for a private message - I will give you contact details for professionals who can help. The detective leading the investigation into the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry has said it is "very worrying" that a new breed of terrorist is coming through the ranks on the streets of Northern Ireland. Lyra, who was 29-years-old, died after being shot during disturbances in the Creggan area of the city on Thursday night. Police have arrested two teenagers who they suspect are members of the dissident republican New IRA and were involved in shooting dead the promising young journalist. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, who heads up the PSNI's Major Investigation Team, said terrorists were lurking in the shadows. Read More "What we are seeing is a new breed of terrorist coming through the ranks and that for me is a very worrying situation," he said. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Lyra's partner - Sara Canning A vigil is held for Lyra McKee in Fanad Drive Creggan on April 19th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph An upset friend as A vigil is held for Lyra McKee in Fanad Drive Creggan on April 19th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph A vigil is held for Lyra McKee in Fanad Drive Creggan on April 19th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph A vigil is held for Lyra McKee in Fanad Drive Creggan on April 19th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph A vigil is held for Lyra McKee in Fanad Drive Creggan on April 19th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph A vigil is held for Lyra McKee in Fanad Drive Creggan on April 19th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph A vigil is held for Lyra McKee in Fanad Drive Creggan on April 19th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph A vigil is held for Lyra McKee in Fanad Drive Creggan on April 19th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph A vigil is held for Lyra McKee in Fanad Drive Creggan on April 19th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph A vigil is held for Lyra McKee in Fanad Drive Creggan on April 19th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin at the scene after 29-year-old Lyra McKee who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 Naomi Long Long at the scene after 29-year-old Lyra McKee who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 The Vigil for 29-year-old Lyra McKee who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin at the scene after 29-year-old Lyra McKee who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 Forensics at the scene after 29-year-old Lyra McKee who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 Mary Lou McDonald at the scene after 29-year-old Lyra McKee who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 Colm Eastwood SDLP at the scene after 29-year-old Lyra McKee who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press Lyra Vigil PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 Arlene Foster at the scene after 29-year-old Lyra McKee who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 Mary Lou McDonald at the scene after 29-year-old Lyra McKee who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 Sarah Canning Partner of Lyra McKee during a vigil at the scene after 29-year-old Lyra McKee who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 Sarah Canning Partner of Lyra McKee during a vigil at the scene after 29-year-old Lyra McKee who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 Sarah Canning Partner of Lyra McKee during a vigil at the scene after 29-year-old Lyra McKee who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. Frt. Joe Gormley, PP, Creggan. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. DUP leader Arlene Foster arrives with party colleagues Gary Middleton and Gregory Campbell. Included are Fr. Joe Gormley and Bishop Ken Good. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. PSNI officers place floral tributes left at the scene. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. Local Sinn Fein Councillor Kevin Campbell speaking with DUP leader Arlene Foster and party colleagues Gary Middleton and Gregory Campbell. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. PSNI officers place floral tributes left at the scene. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, with Mayor Councillor John Boyle. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, with the DUP's Gregory Campbell and Arlene Foster Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. DUP party leader Arlene Foster, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long and Sinn Fein MEP Martinas Anderson. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, SDLP party leader Colum Eastwood, Gregory Campbell, MLA, The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor John Boyle, DUP leader Arlene Foster and Councillor Kevin Campbell. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. SDLP party leader Colum Eastwood, DUP party leader Arlene Foster and then Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor John Boyle. Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, DUP party leader Arlene Foster, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long and Sinn Fein MEP Martinas Anderson. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. Most Rev. Dr. Donal McKeown, Bishop of Derry, and Right Rev. Dr. Ken Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. Most Rev. Dr. Donal McKeown, Bishop of Derry, Right Rev. Dr. Ken Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, and the Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor John Boyle. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. Alliance leader Naomi Long, Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald and DUP leader Arlene Foster. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. Most Rev. Dr. Donal McKeown, Bishop of Derry, and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. Alliance leader Naomi Long, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald and DUP leader Arlene Foster, Bishop Ken Good, Mary Hamilton and Bishop Donal McKeown. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. Lyra McKee's partner Sarah Canning speaking to DIUP leader Arlene Foster. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. Alliance leader Naomi Long, Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald and DUP leader Arlene Foster, Bishop Ken Good, Mary Hamilton and Bishop Donal McKeown. Lorcan Doherty Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 19th April 2019 - Photo by Lorcan Doherty / Press Eye. The community vigil held on Fanad Drive, Creggan, following the murder of 29 years-old Lyra McKee. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press E PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 The NUJ hold a vigil at the Guildhall in memory of 29-year-old Lyra McKee ,who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 The NUJ hold a vigil at the Guildhall in memory of 29-year-old Lyra McKee ,who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 The NUJ hold a vigil at the Guildhall in memory of 29-year-old Lyra McKee ,who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 The NUJ hold a vigil at the Guildhall in memory of 29-year-old Lyra McKee ,who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 The NUJ hold a vigil at the Guildhall in memory of 29-year-old Lyra McKee ,who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 The NUJ hold a vigil at the Guildhall in memory of 29-year-old Lyra McKee ,who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 The NUJ hold a vigil at the Guildhall in memory of 29-year-old Lyra McKee ,who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 The NUJ hold a vigil at the Guildhall in memory of 29-year-old Lyra McKee ,who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PACEMAKER BELFAST 18/4/2019 The NUJ hold a vigil at the Guildhall in memory of 29-year-old Lyra McKee ,who was shot dead during rioting after police searches in Derry's Creggan area on Thursday night. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the New IRA "are likely to be the ones behind this" and detectives have started a murder inquiry. Photo Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press PRESS EYE BELFAST - 19/4/19- PSNI officer lays floral tributes left by members of the public following the murder of 29-year-old Lyra McKee during rioting after police searches in the area last night. Lorcan Doherty PRESS EYE BELFAST - 19/4/19- Lyra McKee shooting, Derry. Grafitti close to the scene. Lorcan Doherty PRESS EYE BELFAST - 19/4/19- PSNI officer receives floral tributes left by members of the public following the murder of 29-year-old Lyra McKee during rioting after police searches in the area last night. Lorcan Doherty PRESS EYE BELFAST - 19/4/19- PSNI officer searching Fanad Drive in Creggan, Derry following the murder of 29-year-old Lyra McKee during rioting after police searches in the area last night. Lorcan Doherty PRESS EYE BELFAST - 19/4/19- Floral tributes left by members of the public following the murder of 29-year-old Lyra McKee during rioting after police searches in the area last night. Lorcan Doherty PRESS EYE BELFAST - 19/4/19- Floral tributes left by members of the public following the murder of 29-year-old Lyra McKee during rioting after police searches in the area last night. Lorcan Doherty A woman with a rainbow flag at a vigil at Belfast City Hall in memory of murdered journalist Lyra McKee. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday April 19, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Unrest Vigil. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA People hold candles during a vigil at Belfast City Hall in memory of murdered journalist Lyra McKee. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday April 19, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Unrest Vigil. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA People hold candles during a vigil at Belfast City Hall in memory of murdered journalist Lyra McKee. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday April 19, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Unrest Vigil. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA People signing a book of condolence after a vigil at Belfast City Hall in memory of murdered journalist Lyra McKee. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday April 19, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Unrest Vigil. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA John O'Doherty of the Rainbow Project reads a letter written by Lyra McKee when she was aged 24 called, Oa letter to my 14-year-old selfO, during a vigil at Belfast City Hall in memory of murdered journalist Lyra McKee. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday April 19, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Unrest Vigil. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA John O'Doherty of the Rainbow Project reads a letter written by Lyra McKee when she was aged 24 called, Oa letter to my 14-year-old selfO, during a vigil at Belfast City Hall in memory of murdered journalist Lyra McKee. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday April 19, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Unrest Vigil. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA People hold candles during a vigil at Belfast City Hall in memory of murdered journalist Lyra McKee. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday April 19, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Unrest Vigil. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lyra's partner - Sara Canning A vigil is held for Lyra McKee in Fanad Drive Creggan on April 19th 2019 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) He said there had been a sea change in community attitudes and that was demonstrated in the revulsion expressed by many at Thursday evening's killing. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, who is leading the investigation into the murder of 29-year-old Lyra McKee in Derry/Londonderry tells media of a palpable sea change in the sentiment towards community policing. pic.twitter.com/g7WKcReYzC Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) April 20, 2019 The senior detective told a press conference he had met with Lyra's devastated family on Saturday morning. "Lyra's family have a lot of questions, and today I was able to answer some of them. But I need more help from the community to enable me to answer more of their questions and to be able to bring Lyra's killers to justice. "Shortly before 11pm on Thursday night 29-year-old Lyra was murdered by terrorists. I believe that those responsible are the New IRA. "Lyra was killed by shots that were fired indiscriminately in Fanad Drive. The brutal nature of that attack has sent shockwaves around the world. The shots were fired in a residential area at a time where there were large numbers of people, including children, standing by. "The gunman showed no thought for who may have been killed for injured when he fired those shots." DCI Murphy appealed to members of the public who filmed footage of the disturbances on Thursday night to come forward and speak to detectives to allow them to view the footage. Images and video can also be uploaded to the dedicated Major Incident Public Portal via https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI19O09-PO1. He added: "We have already received unprecedented support from the local community and I would like to thank them for helping us to seek justice on Lyra's behalf. "I know that there will be some people that know what happened but are frightened to come forward. I want to reassure you that we will work with you sensitively. Expand Close Lyra McKee Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lyra McKee "There is a real sense that what happened to Lyra will mark a sea change. I want people to have confidence to come forward to help us. "It is really important that those who killed Lyra in this cowardly attack should never be allowed to do this again. "The individuals responsible for Lyra's murder continue to hide in the shadows, attempting to justify their actions to each other. "They have shown no courage to offer any explanation directly to Lyra's family. Meanwhile the community continue to work together with Alan and his policing team to bring lasting and positive change for the community of the Creggan. This should be Lyra's legacy. "Lyra's murder was not just an attack on Lyra. It was an attack on the fabric of this community. Lyra's killers have succeeded in doing one thing and this is in uniting the entire community in condemnation." The officer appealed for anyone with information to contact detectives. He added: "This morning we arrested two young men aged 18 and 19. "I believe both of those are members of the New IRA, I believe both were involved in the attack on Lyra. "Clearly my consideration is whether those two individuals acted in isolation or in collusion with other individuals, and I am keen for the community to come forward and help me answer that question." He said there was still fear of reprisals from the shadowy figures for giving information. "Individuals continue to exert influence over communities, not just in the Creggan but in other parts of the communities as well. "This intimidation and fear creates a real concern for local residents to come and talk to us as police officers." He said helping police with their inquiries was still unfortunately a difficult thing for some to do, but he said officers would behave sensitively. The heartbroken partner of murdered journalist Lyra McKee has said her death must not be in vain. The plea came as police last night released chilling CCTV footage which appears to show the moment a gunman opened fire at officers, killing the 29-year-old. Lyra, an innocent bystander, was shot in the head by dissident republicans during the disturbances in Derry on Thursday evening. Police have blamed the New IRA for the killing. Read More Read More A senior detective called for the community's help to stop the "madness". Prime Minister Theresa May led condemnation, calling the murder "shocking and senseless". Former US President Bill Clinton said he was "heartbroken", adding that it was a reminder not to let go of more than two decades of peace. Lyra's partner Sara Canning described her as the love of her life and a shining light in the lives of those who knew her. "Our hopes and dreams and all of her amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act," she told a vigil in the city. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close CCTV images of the gunman issued by police Photopress Belfast CCTV images of the gunman issued by police Photopress Belfast CCTV images of the gunman issued by police Photopress Belfast Forensic experts search for evidence PA Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp CCTV images of the gunman issued by police Ms Canning said the "senseless murder" had left her "without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with". She added: "This cannot stand, Lyra's death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone else's life and her legacy will live on and the life that she has left behind." Lyra was shot during disturbances in the Creggan estate on Thursday night. Detectives believe the violence was orchestrated in response to an earlier search by officers aimed at averting trouble linked to the anniversary of the Easter Rising. A masked gunman fired shots at police officers at about 11pm and the journalist, who was standing near a police 4x4 vehicle, was hit. Moments before her death, she had posted an image from the scene of the riots on Twitter that showed smoke rising into the air above police vehicles, along with the caption: 'Derry tonight. Absolute madness.' Last night the detective leading the murder investigation echoed calls from across the political spectrum for the community to help police identify the killer. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: "Lyra's death is senseless and appalling beyond belief. It represents the tragic loss of promise and the loss of potential, however it should not be the loss of hope. "We know that the people of Creggan do not support what happened and they stand with us today in outrage and disgust at the mayhem that took place on their streets on Thursday night." In CCTV footage released by the PSNI, Lyra can be seen standing with a crowd of people beside a police vehicle moments before she was shot. She raised her mobile phone into the air to take a photo of the confrontations. A third clip shows the masked shooter head-on as he steps from behind a wall then points a handgun towards police and bystanders. Detectives released the footage, which also appears to show an accomplice picking up something from the ground where the gunman was standing, to encourage those with information to make contact. Det Supt Murphy added: "People saw the gunman and people saw those who goaded young people out onto the streets, people know who they are. "The answers to what happened last night lie within the community. I am asking people to do the right thing for Lyra McKee, for her family and for the city of Derry/Londonderry and help us stop this madness." Yesterday the organisers of a march planned for Derry on Monday to commemorate the Easter Rising, which resulted in rioting last year, said it has been cancelled as a "mark of respect". But there was anger at a statement from Saoradh, a political group representing dissident republicans, that tried to blame Lyra's death on police in Creggan conducting searches. Described as a rising star in journalism, Lyra was an editor for California-based news site Mediagazer, a trade publication covering the media industry. She had written for a range of publications, including the Belfast Telegraph, and was working on a new book, due to be published in 2020. In 2014, aged 24, Lyra wrote to her teenage self about being gay, her future in journalism, and being happy. It was called 'Letter to my 14-year-old self', and it helped her gain widespread prominence. She also wrote about the issue of suicide in post-Troubles Northern Ireland. In one article, she wrote: "We were the Good Friday Agreement generation, destined to never witness the horrors of war but to reap the spoils of peace. The spoils just never seemed to reach us." Yesterday more than 2,000 people gathered in Creggan along with political leaders, including DUP leader Arlene Foster, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald, SDLP leader Column Eastwood and Alliance leader Naomi Long. Also attending the rally were Church leaders including Catholic Bishop of Derry Dr Donal McKeown and Church of Ireland Bishop Ken Good, along with the Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin and city civic leaders. Earlier Mr Martin, who spent 11 years in Derry as the district commander, blamed the New IRA the murder. He said: "Lyra's murder at the hands of a gunman has been met with global condemnation, horror and revulsion. "The gunman and those who share his warped ideology should hang their heads in shame today, they represent no one. "It's a cruel twist in our history that 21 years ago the majority of people in Northern Ireland signed up to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement yet here we are today mourning the loss of a talented young woman, a young journalist who was also a daughter, a sister and a partner." Local priest Father Joseph Gormley, who comforted Lyra's family in hospital, accused the killers of forcing their viewpoint on others down the barrel of a gun. He asked: "Have you no sense of humanity or dignity about yourself?" In a joint statement, the leaders of the six main local political parties said it was an attack on the peace process. They added: "It was a pointless and futile act to destroy the progress made over the last 20 years, which has the overwhelming support of people everywhere. "We are united in rejecting those responsible for this heinous crime." Mr Clinton, who as US President played a key role in the peace process in the 1990s, tweeted: "Heartbroken by the murder of Lyra McKee and the violence in Derry. The challenges in NI today are real - but we cannot let go of the last 21 years of hard-won peace and progress. This tragedy is a reminder of how much everyone has to lose if we do." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: "An activist and journalist, she changed lives as she lived and will do so again in death." Michelle Stanistreet, National Union of Journalists general secretary, said Ms McKee was one of the most promising journalists in Northern Ireland. She said: "A young, vibrant life has been destroyed in a senseless act of violence. A bright light has been quenched and that plunges all of us into darkness." Vigils in Lyra's memory were held in Belfast, Derry and Dublin. The vigil in the Creggan was organised by local residents who said they felt sad and angry. Spokesman George McGowan said: "This behaviour is not in our name. We have all been wounded by these actions." Members of the public gather to pay tribute at Belfast City Hall A Booker prize-winning writer from Belfast has paid tribute to murdered journalist Lyra McKee, saying: "She will never leave our hearts." Milkman author Anna Burns was among hundreds who turned out at Belfast City Hall for a vigil yesterday evening. The crowd stood for a minute's silence, which was followed by applause. Speaking to the gathering of around 1,000 people, Ms Burns paid an emotional tribute to Lyra. "She was always so helpful and generous. Her wee heart was always open - and she will never leave our hearts," she said. Anna had met Lyra through the publisher that they shared - Faber & Faber in London - and the two women became close friends. Last night Lyra had been scheduled to have dinner with both Anna and friend Alison Millar to discuss her forthcoming book, The Lost Boys, about the disappearance of children in 1970s Northern Ireland. Ms Burns described Ms McKee as a "dear, dear friend" and said: "It's absolutely wonderful that you are all here for Lyra." Her voice breaking with emotion, Alison Millar told the crowd, many of whom were holding candles, that Lyra "had touched the hearts of the world". A book of condolence for Lyra was brought to the front steps of City Hall after the doors were closed for the night, to allow those waiting in a long queue to sign it. A smiling photograph of the 29-year-old gazed across the rainbow flag-draped table which held the condolence book - along with a small posy of forget-me-not flowers. Those attending were asked to talk to each other in memory of Lyra who, vigil organiser Conall McCorry reminded them, loved conversations. John O'Doherty of the Rainbow Coalition read out Lyra's "Letter To My 14-year-old Self", in which she had written evocatively about facing challenging times at school and the moment she came out as gay to her mother, and her relief when her mother embraced her. Journalist Henry McDonald had known and worked with Lyra since she was a teenager. "It's awful," he told the Belfast Telegraph. "It reminds me of 2001, when Martin O'Hagan was shot dead - albeit he was deliberately targeted. "But that does not diminish what's happened. It's just awful, unbelievable. "But it's good to see the ordinary, decent people of this city and Derry come out against this disgusting behaviour." Publisher Tina Calder was among those who had travelled to Belfast's City Hall to sign the book of condolence. She said: "Lyra was a forward-thinking, global-thinking journalist. "It was all about reaching a global audience - and I really admired that about her. "She was one of those people who had this amazing amount of tenacity and determination - and it was that which gave her an immense amount of empathy as well. She put her heart and soul into her stories. "We're all still in shock. We're still kind of numb. We can't really believe she's gone." Separate vigils were held in Londonderry, where Lyra was killed, and Dublin. In Derry, NUJ members held a rally outside the Guildhall, with several hundred people attending the remembrance event. Among the banners were a rainbow flag and those representing various trade unions. A minute's silence was held. A speaker on behalf of the NUJ told the crowd: "The NUJ stands by the right of its members to investigate and report the news. "We are deeply shocked that our young member has become the latest of over 1,300 journalists who have been killed worldwide since 1992 simply for doing their job." The Prime Minister led condemnation of the murder of Lyra McKee, describing it as "truly senseless". Theresa May was speaking as politicians from across Ireland and the UK joined in criticising the brutal killing of the young journalist. It included a rare joint statement from six Northern Ireland party leaders. Mrs May said: "The death of Lyra McKee in the suspected terrorist incident in Londonderry is shocking and truly senseless. "My deepest condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues. She was a journalist who died doing her job with great courage." Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called the murder "senseless". "This shocking attack is a reminder of the vital importance of protecting the Good Friday Agreement and Northern Ireland peace process," he said. Secretary of State Karen Bradley said that she was "deeply shocked and saddened". "Those responsible for last night's violence have nothing to offer anyone in Northern Ireland," she said. "Their intolerable actions are rejected by the overwhelming majority of people who want to build a peaceful and more prosperous future for everyone in Northern Ireland." In a joint statement, the leaders of the six main political parties here said it was an attack on the peace process. The statement was issued by Arlene Foster of the DUP, Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill, Robin Swann of the UUP, Colum Eastwood of the SDLP, Alliance's Naomi Long and Clare Bailey of the Green Party They said: "We want to express our condemnation in the strongest terms possible at the murder of journalist Lyra McKee. "The murder of Lyra McKee is first and foremost a devastating loss for her grieving partner, family and friends, and our thoughts are with them at this awful time. "Lyra's murder was also an attack on all the people of this community, an attack on the peace and democratic processes. "It was a pointless and futile act to destroy the progress made over the last 20 years, which has the overwhelming support of people everywhere. "We are united in rejecting those responsible for this heinous crime. "They have no support in the community, must be brought to justice and should disband immediately. "We reiterate our support for the PSNI, who while carrying out their duties were also the target of last night's attack. "We call on anyone with any information to bring that forward to the police and assist their enquiries." Attending a vigil for Ms McKee in Derry yesterday, Mrs Foster urged Catholics and Protestants to come together in the wake of the murder by dissident republicans. "Of course this is not the first time I have been in this wonderful city, but it is the first time I have been in this part of this wonderful city," the DUP leader said. "I want to say your pain, is my pain. It doesn't matter whether you are Catholic or a Protestant. Whether you identify as Irish or British. "When people come out with guns to shoot people from their own community, then we have to say: enough is enough." Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald, who was also at the vigil, said: "These so-called dissident groups who took her life offer nothing, only hardship and suffering. "They do not represent the community, the people of Derry or wider opinion." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar led condemnation from the Irish Government. He said that those behind the murder were "cowards who will fail in their hate-filled efforts to drag Ireland into the past". In a statement outside Government Buildings in Dublin, he added: "An activist and journalist, she changed lives as she lived and will do so again in death." A senior US politician has also expressed her sadness at the murder. Nancy Pelosi, who is the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, made her comments during a visit to Stormont to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. A moment of silence was held at Stormont's Long Gallery in memory of Lyra. Assembly Speaker Robin Newton told of his hope that those responsible would be brought to justice. Ms Pelosi and her delegation of US congressmen and women were on the final day of a four-day visit to the island of Ireland. On Thursday they had visited Derry, just hours before Ms McKee was shot. Ms Pelosi extended her condolences to her family. "Sadly Mr Speaker, we join you on the sadness of the tragedy that happened last night," she said. "We extend our condolences to the family, and your moment of silence at this time, on Good Friday, is especially poignant. "You not only had a moment of silence, you presented a sense of resolve that justice would be done and the memory of that young woman would be a lesson for all of us." Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry. Lyra (29) was shot during disturbances in the Creggan area of the city on Thursday night. Police believe the New IRA is behind the killing. On Saturday morning detectives arrested two men, aged 18 and 19 under the Terrorism Act, in connection with the murder. They have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning. Council animal welfare officers and a vet who studied video footage of a rat being killed at the Ramore Wine Bar have concluded that no offence occurred. It came after shocked customers described seeing the rodent being crushed underfoot in front of families and children in the popular Portrush eatery on Tuesday night and recalled how blood "squirted everywhere". After the footage went viral on social media, members of the public and the Northern Ireland Says No to Animal Cruelty group slammed the manner in which the creature was killed. However, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council won't be taking any action. "Officers from council's animal welfare service have reviewed the video footage, in conjunction with a veterinary surgeon," it said. "Council would conclude no offence under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 has occurred." Ballymena woman Alexs Wallace (25), who was in the wine bar, previously told this newspaper how the creature had leapt into her lap before being trapped and crushed. She said: "I screamed and bolted and they proceeded to trap the rat with the brush and crush it in front of everyone with the heel of their shoe. "There were kids screaming their heads off and blood squirted everywhere." The council said that its environmental health officers had visited the Ramore Wine Bar earlier this week, and after a "thorough inspection of the premises, particularly food preparation areas and food stores" they had found no evidence of a rodent infestation. It added: "Environmental health staff will continue to monitor the situation, liaising with the pest control contractor and restaurant management on pest control matters and will not hesitate in taking action to protect human health if required. "Officers are of the opinion that emergency closure of the premises is not warranted at this time, however we will continue to monitor the situation." Daniel Barclay from the animal welfare group said he was disappointed by the council's stance. He added: "The video was very difficult to watch. I was angry and disgusted. "When they had the rat pinned there were options. They could have got something to secure the rat and release it outside, or at least dispatch it much quicker. "From our perspective, there was unnecessary suffering." The Ramore was contacted for a comment. The African Union has welcomed the Jerusalem/Al-Quds appeal launched from Rabat by King Mohammed VI and Pope Francis during the Popes historic visit to Morocco in March. King Mohammed VI has received in this connection a letter from the President of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, who expressed his conviction that the call, which takes place in a particularly worrying global context, will contribute immensely to the efforts to preserve the multi-religious specific character, as well as the spiritual dimension and identity of al-Quds. He also affirmed that the AU, which fully associates itself with this initiative, will provide all possible political support for this Call. Moussa Faki Mahamat recalled in his letter to the Sovereign that the AU Peace and Security Council also welcomed the Al-Quds appeal in a communique issued earlier this April. A burnt-out digger in front of the Tesco store in Crumlin after another ATM robbery on Thursday night Police are coming under increasing pressure after four more ATMs were stolen in a single night. The raids took place on both sides of the border in the early hours of yesterday morning. A retail chief said the situation is now "beyond critical". Two machines were ripped from the wall at the Tesco supermarket in Crumlin, Co Antrim, and two further machines removed in Kells, Co Meath. A failed attempt was also made to steal another ATM in Craigavon. Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said: "It seems that these criminal gangs are now able to strike at will. "This is a systematic and calculated attack on our members and with the Easter holidays upon us we fully expect more attacks this weekend. "I have spoken again this afternoon to Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray on just how bad this situation now is. She has assured me that the PSNI is pulling out all the stops to catch these gangs. "We would urge the general public to be vigilant and report anything suspicious activity to the police." Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Evans said at least three men were involved in the Crumlin incident. "At approximately 2.30am, two ATMs were stolen from a shop on Main Street, Crumlin," he said. "The machines were removed from the wall by a digger and placed into a pick-up truck. The digger was then set alight before at least three men made off from the scene. "A second incident was reported to police shortly before 3.45am at Drumgor shops in Craigavon. "A telehandler was used in an attempt to remove the cash machine from the wall. The criminals were unsuccessful in their attempt and ran off from the scene, leaving the ATM and telehandler behind. They have now been recovered and examinations are being carried out." The ATM attack in Crumlin was the 10th in Northern Ireland this year. Mr Evans added: "I want to reassure the public that we continue to do everything that we can to catch those responsible. "We have increased resources dedicated to tackle this issue. However, the reality is that these attacks are carried out in a range of geographical areas and we cannot monitor every ATM all of the time. We need the public to help us. "Whilst we do not think these incidents are linked, stolen diggers were used in both attacks. "This shows the importance of owners of heavy plant machinery ensuring that they do everything possible to secure and immobilise equipment. If the diggers cannot be stolen, these attacks cannot take place." UUP councillor Mervyn Rea visited the scene in Crumlin yesterday. "From what I understand the tractor and trailer were stolen from a farm yard in Dundrod and the digger from Ballyclare," he said. "Police manpower is down and they can't be in all places at any one time. But a deterrent on the streets should be the first step to trying to combat this criminality. "These gangs have taken over our communities and do what they want, when they want. It's ripping the heart out of our local communities." Sinn Fein MLA Declan Kearney said the theft of the two machines would have serious repercussions for the community. "This is not a victimless crime. Those behind this criminality have demonstrated absolute contempt for the community," he said. Local Sinn Fein councillor Anne Marie Logue also appealed for help to apprehend the criminals. "This is not only an act of wanton theft and destruction of property, it is an attack on the whole community. "I would ask the public to pass any information about this theft directly to the police." SDLP councillor Thomas Burns said the theft has caused major disruption to the town and the staff of the local supermarket. "The SDLP will meet with retailers and the PSNI in the coming weeks to explore ways in which new innovative security measures can be put in place to deter these gangs," he said. DUP MLA Carla Lockhart said condemnation was not enough. "We need to see robust measures put in place by the banks, police and owners of these ATMs," she said. "There is an urgent need to ensure those responsible are brought to justice. Hundreds of thousands of pounds has been stolen, damage to properties and vehicles and yet no progress in terms of apprehending these people involving themselves in this type of activity. This is totally unacceptable." In the incident in Kells, Co Meath, it is believed up to 200,000 was taken when two ATMs were ripped from the walls of both the Bank of Ireland and the AIB just after 4am. It took four minutes to rip the ATMs from the walls of both the Bank of Ireland and the AIB on John Street. The alarm was raised at around 4am. CCTV image of Lyra McKee (circled) within the crowd watching a protest in Londonderry before she was shot (PSNI/PA) Detectives hunting the gunman who murdered journalist Lyra McKee released footage of the shooting in the hope the community can help trace her killers. An outpouring of tributes to the 29-year-old was led by her partner, Sara Canning, who said Ms McKees amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act. The published author, from Belfast, was shot in the head by suspects who police believe were dissident republicans linked to the New IRA, as they clashed with police on the Creggan estate in Londonderry on Thursday night. CCTV released by Police Service Northern Ireland captured her final moments at around 10pm, when she stood among a crowd of other innocent bystanders and raised her phone in the air, apparently to photograph the violence. Shaky mobile phone footage also released by detectives showed a masked gunman lean from behind cover and appear to fire shots towards police and onlookers. Expand Close Lyra McKee was shot and killed when guns were fired and petrol bombs were thrown in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in what police are treating as a terrorist incident Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lyra McKee was shot and killed when guns were fired and petrol bombs were thrown in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in what police are treating as a terrorist incident Ms Canning said: Victims and LGBTQIA community are left without a tireless advocate and activist and it has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with. This cannot stand, Lyras death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone elses life and her legacy will live on and the life that she has left behind. Expand Close Sara Canning, Ms McKees partner, paid tribute to the love of my life PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sara Canning, Ms McKees partner, paid tribute to the love of my life Police, who described the shooting as a terrorist incident, believe the violence was orchestrated in response to an earlier search by officers aimed at averting imminent trouble associated with this weeks anniversary of the Easter Rising. Around 50 petrol bombs were thrown in the confrontation and two cars were burned out. Officers believe more than one person was involved in the murder. In the video footage an accomplice beside the gunman appears to crouch and pick something up from the spot where the shots were fired. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, who leads the inquiry, described the murder as senseless and appalling beyond belief. Expand Close CCTV image issued by the PSNI of the man (circled) suspected of firing the shots that killed Lyra McKee (CCTV/PSNI/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp CCTV image issued by the PSNI of the man (circled) suspected of firing the shots that killed Lyra McKee (CCTV/PSNI/PA) People saw the gunman and people saw those who goaded young people out onto the streets, people know who they are, he said. The answers to what happened last night lie within the community. I am asking people to do the right thing for Lyra McKee, for her family and for the city of Derry/Londonderry and help us stop this madness. He said police have already received a large number of calls and information. Expand Close Flowers left at the scene where Ms McKee was shot on Thursday night PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Flowers left at the scene where Ms McKee was shot on Thursday night Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin addressed the suspects directly at a press conference, saying: This was not done to further any cause, this will have achieved nothing other than to plunge a family into grief. Political leaders including Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar joined to condemn the murder. My deepest condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues, Mrs May said. She was a journalist who died doing her job with great courage. "The death of Lyra McKee in last night's suspected terrorist incident in Londonderry is shocking and truly senseless. My deepest condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues. She was a journalist who died doing her job with great courage." PM @theresa_may UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 19, 2019 Mr Varadkar added: We cannot allow those who want to propagate violence, fear and hate to drag us back to the past. Former United States president Bill Clinton tweeted: Heartbroken by the murder of Lyra McKee and the violence in Derry. The challenges in NI today are realbut we cannot let go of the last 21 years of hard-won peace and progress. This tragedy is a reminder of how much everyone has to lose if we do. Heartbroken by the murder of Lyra McKee and the violence in Derry. The challenges in NI today are real--but we cannot let go of the last 21 years of hard-won peace and progress. This tragedy is a reminder of how much everyone has to lose if we do. Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) April 19, 2019 The New IRA is an amalgam of armed groups opposed to the peace process and recently claimed responsibility for parcel bombs sent to London and Glasgow in March. A vigil was held in Creggan in Ms McKees memory, organised by local residents who said they felt sad and angry. She had recently moved to Derry to live with love of her life Ms Canning and was also an editor for California-based news site Mediagazer, a trade publication covering the media industry. In 2016, Forbes Magazine named her one of their 30 under 30 in media and she was working on a book due to be published in 2020. 'The poll by teaching union the NASUWT, ahead of its annual conference in Belfast this weekend, also found 86% of teachers have been sworn at, and 42% verbally threatened' (stock photo) Teachers are being regularly attacked by pupils, with almost a quarter saying they suffer physical violence at least once a week. In a survey of 4,912 teachers, 89% had suffered physical or verbal abuse in the last year. About 24% said pupils were physically attacking them at least once a week, and 4% said this happened every day. The poll by teaching union the NASUWT, ahead of its annual conference in Belfast this weekend, also found 86% of teachers have been sworn at, and 42% verbally threatened. Almost three in 10 (29%) have been hit, punched or kicked, and 39% have been shoved or barged. Others have been spat at (7%), headbutted (3%), or had personal property damaged (27%). One teacher, who has since left the profession, said: "Having taught for almost 40 years I have witnessed a demonstrable and seemingly unstoppable deterioration in pupil behaviour." Four in five of the respondents (81%) said the abuse had affected their enthusiasm for their job. Only 15% felt pupils were dealt with appropriately when incidents were reported. Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, said: "Pupil indiscipline is now second only to workload in teachers' concern about their job and is a contributory factor to the teacher recruitment and retention crisis." The Department for Education said: "We are committed to tackling bad behaviour in schools have made great strides in empowering teachers to tackle this issue and have recently announced a 10m investment to support schools to share best practice in behaviour management." The incident took place at Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny (PA) Five children were treated in hospital after falling ill at a swimming pool in Ireland. Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, was evacuated amid the incident, reported to have involved a chemical leak. Ambulances and fire brigade tenders attended the scene, and Letterkenny hospital put its emergency plans in place. Irish broadcaster RTE said the children had been taking part in a swimming lesson. It is understood their conditions are not life-threatening. Police at the scene in Wolverhampton (Matthew Cooper/PA) A 24-year-old man and 17-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of wounding after a six-year-old boy was injured in a shooting. Officers from West Midlands Police believe a group of men fired shots at a house in Ashbourne Road in the Eastfield area of Wolverhampton at around 4pm on Friday. The injured boy, who was in the property at the time, has an injured back and remains in hospital in a stable condition. Expand Close Police at the scene in Wolverhampton where a six-year-old boy was injured (Matthew Cooper/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police at the scene in Wolverhampton where a six-year-old boy was injured (Matthew Cooper/PA) The arrested men remain in custody, West Midlands Police said. Detective Inspector Rod Rose said: These arrests are a significant step forward in our investigation which continues at pace. Its a shocking incident where someone has opened fire with a shotgun in broad daylight. The motive of this attack remains unclear and were working hard to try and understand what happened earlier today. #UPDATE | Detectives investigating after shots were fired at a house in Wolverhampton, injuring a six-year-old boy, just before 4pm this afternoon (Friday 19 April) have arrested two men. Details here: https://t.co/pVMYJyyVeY pic.twitter.com/qwQrK9YOA1 Wolverhampton Police (@wolvespolice) April 19, 2019 Police have increased patrols and brought in extra officers following the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Britain is set for a sunny Easter bank holiday weekend, that could break national records, after temperatures almost topped 25C on Good Friday. Under fine clear skies, most Brits can enjoy dry, sunny and very warm conditions with temperatures rising on Saturday and Sunday to a possible 26C and maybe a 27C on Easter Monday, Met Office forecaster Helen Roberts said. The Met Office said it is set to be a glorious day in most areas, but that outbursts of rain which are expected to clip north west Scotland on Saturday will be the exception. Expand Close A group of runners take a morning run along the sea front in Bournemouth, Dorset (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A group of runners take a morning run along the sea front in Bournemouth, Dorset (PA) The UKs warmest Easter temperature was the 29.4C recorded at Londons Camden Square London on Easter Saturday in 1949. The other warmest Easter weekend days include the 26.9C recorded at Londons St Jamess Park on Good Friday in 2011 when the mercury also reached 25.3C on Easter Sunday and 24C on Easter Monday, both in the Solent. Ms Roberts said that these last two top temperatures are ones to keep an eye on and could be broken this weekend. The far north and west of Scotland will have some #Rain tomorrow, and some high level cloud will affect southern areas on #EasterMonday. Otherwise the settled and very #Warm weather will continue for the remainder of the #EasterWeekend pic.twitter.com/Q1rHCMSJgm Met Office (@metoffice) April 20, 2019 She said that the top temperature for this Good Friday was 24.5C at Wiseley in Surrey, ahead of plenty of varied sunshine for the rest of the UK. Southern England and South Wales could wake up to some mist and fog, but that will burn away pretty quickly in the morning with the strong sunshine. There is a better picture for north west Scotland on Easter Monday as they will lose the cloud and rain, according to Ms Roberts. The 20.7C enjoyed in Aboyne, Scotland, in 2015, along with 21.6C in Brynamman, Wales, in 1984 and 19.4C in Armagh in Northern Ireland in 1924 are the top national temperatures recorded on Easter Sunday. The warmest Easter Mondays recorded nationally were the 21.4C enjoyed in Culzean Caste, Scotland, in 2014, plus the 23.2C in Nantmoor in Wales and 21.1C in Knockarevan in Northern Ireland, both in 1984. Bookmaker Ladbrokes has cut odds from 5/6 to just 8/11 for this year to see the hottest Easter Sunday on record. Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: Brits have been treated to a scorching start to the Easter weekend and things will only get hotter if the latest odds are anything to go by. The area between Links Road and Lyars Road, at Longniddry, was closed with inquiries ongoing (David Cheskin/PA) A man has been taken to hospital after a crash between a car and a motorcycle along a coastal road. The crash happened on the B1348 at Seton Dean, close to Seton Sands caravan park, around 2.20pm on Saturday. Emergency services attended and the man was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. The area between Links Road and Lyars Road, at Longniddry, was closed with inquiries ongoing. A police spokeswoman said: Around 2.20pm police recived a report of a road collision involving two vehicles on the B1348 at Seton Dean at Longniddry. One male has been taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where hes currently being treated for his injuries. Inquiries at the scene are continuing and the stretch of coastal road is currently closed in both directions. Please #beaware that, due to a road traffic collision, the East Lothian coastal road is currently closed in both directions from Links Road, Port Seton to Lyars Road, Longniddry. We thank you for your patience at this time. #eastlothian Police Scotland Control Rooms (@polscotcontrol) April 20, 2019 A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue service confirmed they had attended the scene of the crash but had since left. Marcus Hutchins, also known as Malwaretech, who has pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the United States relating to writing malware (@MalwareTechBLog/PA) The British computer expert who helped shut down the WannaCry cyber attack on the NHS has pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the United States, court documents show. Marcus Hutchins, 24, from Ilfracombe, Devon, who is also known as Malwaretech, said he had admitted two charges relating to writing malware. The cyber expert was hailed as a hero in May 2017 when he found a kill-switch that slowed the effects of the WannaCry virus that hit more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries. Statement About My Legal Casehttps://t.co/XLp82vedLk Marcus Hutchins (@MalwareTechBlog) April 19, 2019 Hutchins was arrested by FBI agents in a first-class lounge at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas as he waited to board a flight back to the UK on August 2 2017. He had been in the US to attend the Def Con hacking convention. Documents from a court in Wisconsin say Hutchins helped create and sell malicious computer code known as Kronos. I have nothing but infinite gratitude for those who have shared kind messages today. I feel undeserving of them, but you really helped me get through today. Thank you Marcus Hutchins (@MalwareTechBlog) April 20, 2019 It said: The malware was designed to target banking information and to work on many types of web browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome. Since 2014, Kronos has been used to infect numerous computers around the world and steal banking information. Both counts carry maximum punishments of five years in prison and fines of up to 250,000 dollars (190,000). Hutchins has told the Press Association that sentencing is yet to be scheduled. In a statement on his website, Hutchins wrote: I regret these actions and accept full responsibility for my mistakes. Having grown up, Ive since been using the same skills that I misused several years ago for constructive purposes. I will continue to devote my time to keeping people safe from malware attacks. Spencer Platt/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee slammed Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney on Friday for describing being "sickened" after reading the report on Russian election interference from special counsel Robert Mueller. Romney, a former Massachusetts governor now serving as the junior U.S. Senator from Utah, tweeted on Friday afternoon that he was sickened by the Trump administration's dishonesty and misdirection." Neither of the two prominent Republican Party elders immediately responded to requests from ABC News for further comment. Huckabee and Romney were former rivals when they ran against each other for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination. Romney ran for the 2012 presidential campaign, where former President Obama won re-election. I have now read the redacted Mueller report and offer my personal reaction: pic.twitter.com/ACnExskqXJ Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) April 19, 2019 Know what makes me sick, Mitt? Not how disingenuous you were to take @realDonaldTrump $$ and then 4 yrs later jealously trash him & then love him again when you begged to be Sec of State, but makes me sick that you got GOP nomination and could have been @POTUS https://t.co/dmidOraRGQ Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) April 19, 2019 Just 90 minutes after Romney's tweet, Huckabee criticized Romney's response on Twitter saying, Know what makes me sick, Mitt? Not how disingenuous you were to take @realDonaldTrump $$ and then 4 yrs later jealously trash him & then love him again when you begged to be Sec of State, but makes me sick that you got GOP nomination and could have been @POTUSRomneys response comes after the Department of Justice publicly released a redacted version of the Mueller investigation report on Thursday. The 448-page report outlined details about Russia's efforts to influence the 2016 election.No obstruction, no collusion, said President Donald Trump, speaking at an event at the White House close to the time when the report was released.Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Private sector lender, HDFC Bank has reported a 20.53 per cent growth in its net profit at Rs 21,078.14 during the financial year 2018-19 as compared to Rs 17,486.75 crore in 2017-18. The bank's Net Interest Income (NII), the difference between the total interest earned and interest expended by a bank, rose by 20.32 per cent to Rs 48,243.22 crore in FY19. HDFC Bank has reported a 22.63 per cent rise in its net profit for the March quarter of the last fiscal on a year-on-year basis. The private lender posted a net profit of Rs 5,885.12 crore during the quarter under review, as opposed to the Rs 4799.28 crore in the corresponding quarter in the previous fiscal. The total interest HDFC Bank earned during FY19 was Rs 98,972.05 crore, as opposed to Rs 80,241.35 crore. This amounts to an increase of 23.34 per cent, the bank said in a regulatory filing. The interest earned during the March quarter of FY 19 was 26,333.25 crore as opposed to Rs 21,321.08 crore for the same period last fiscal, translating into an increase of 23.50 per cent. The lender's NII during the Q4 FY'19 was 13,089.49 crore. The NII for Q4 FY'18 was Rs 10,657.71 crore. The increase of 22.81 per cent in NII figures was due to average asset growth of 19.8 per cent. The HDFC Bank also reported an increase in its provisions for bad loans during the March quarter. The provision and contingencies rose to Rs 1,889.22 crore from Rs 1,541.10 crore seen during the year-ago period. On asset front, bank's gross non-performing assets (NPAs) were at 1.36 per cent of gross advances by March 31, 2019, as compared to 1.30 per cent on March 31, 2018. Coverage ratio as on March 31, 2019, was 71 per cent. Net non-performing assets or bad loans were at 0.30 per cent of net advances against 0.40 per cent. HDFC Bank said in its statement that it held floating provisions of Rs 1,451 crore as on March 31, 2019. Announcing the financial results, the HDFC board recommended a dividend of Rs 15 per equity share for the year ended March 31, 2019. The issuance of dividend is subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting of the bank. The board also approved raising up to Rs 50,000 crore through a private placement of debt instruments in the next 12 months. "The Board of Directors have approved the issue of Perpetual Debt Instruments (part of Additional Tier I capital), Tier II Capital Bonds and Long Term Bonds (financing of infrastructure and affordable housing) up to a total amount of Rs 50,000 crore in the period of next 12 months through private placement mode, subject to the approval of the shareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting of the Bank and any other regulatory approvals as applicable," HDFC Bank further said in the statement. Additionally, the HDFC Bank board also decided for termination of the Global Depository Receipts (GDR) programme and delisting of 22 GDRs (representing 11 underlying equity shares of the Bank) from the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LSE). The decision was taken due to the minimal number of GDRs outstanding and the low trading volume of GDRs. ALSO READ:ICICI Lombard General Insurance Q4 profit up 7.5% at Rs 228 crore ALSO READ:Reliance Industries Q4 net profit surges 9.8% to Rs 10,362 crore, revenue jumps 19.4% The teenage founder of the school strikes against climate change has said she hopes to join the protesters in London. Greta Thunberg told The Guardian on Friday she hopes to join the Extinction Rebellion (XR) protests when she arrives in London over the Easter weekend. Her comments come as the protests at Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge and Parliament Square were approaching their sixth day. The 16-year-old Swedish activist is due to meet senior British politicians next week having already met with Pope Francis and addressed the EU Parliament. She told The Guardian she would also like to join the protests if they are still going when she arrives. Im only a 2 day train ride away. Leaving for London first thing in the morning!! Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) April 19, 2019 She added: I would love to participate in their protests while in London if there is time and if they are still protesting. I think its one of the most important and hopeful movements of our time. Civil disobedience is necessary to create attention to the ongoing climate and ecological crisis. Expand Close Pope Francis greets Swedish teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg (Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pope Francis greets Swedish teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg (Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo) Large numbers of police officers moved into Oxford Circus on Friday to remove the pink boat XR had installed there which has become a symbol for the ongoing disruption. The boat, which is named after murdered environmentalist Berta Caceres, was dismantled several hours after Dame Emma Thompson used it as a stage to rally protesters. Police were initially forced to remove activists from the deck and frame as dozens of other officers formed a huge cordon to force back others on the ground. Expand Close Police dismantled the boats mast before it was towed away (Yui Mok/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police dismantled the boats mast before it was towed away (Yui Mok/PA) Activists tried to stop the boat from being towed away, with one woman gluing herself to the road in front of it in Great Portland Street, XR said. But the group decided to let the boat go and then chanted we love you to the large police convoy escorting the boat before departing. Earlier, on Friday morning, about 20 activists, most of them under 17, had staged a brief demonstration on roads near Heathrow Airport. Expand Close Extinction Rebellion demonstrators at London Heathrow airport (Aaron Chown/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Extinction Rebellion demonstrators at London Heathrow airport (Aaron Chown/PA) The scenes unfolded as the Metropolitan Police said it had made 106 arrests by around 5.30pm on Friday, bringing the total since Monday to 682. In a statement on Friday night the force said it had focused its arrests at Oxford Circus to give businesses the chance to get back to business as usual. It added: One thing that is unusual about this demonstration is the willingness of those participating to be arrested and also their lack of resistance to the arrests. UPDATE: Extinction Rebellion - Over 680 arrests made https://t.co/os9JzaqkKJ pic.twitter.com/yM0SDwsW97 Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) April 19, 2019 To date, since Monday April 15, we have made over 680 arrests and of course that places a logistical problem on, and not just, the police service for cell space but also the wider criminal justice system. Ten people had been charged by the Met by Thursday night and three others arrested by British Transport Police were remanded in custody after they appeared in court accused of obstructing trains at Canary Wharf. Routes are also blocked around Waterloo Bridge, Parliament Square and Marble Arch, and Home Secretary Sajid Javid has urged police to use the full force of the law. Expand Close Actress Emma Thompson joined Extinction Rebellion demonstrators at Oxford Circus in London and addressed crowds from the pink boat (Jonathan Brady/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Actress Emma Thompson joined Extinction Rebellion demonstrators at Oxford Circus in London and addressed crowds from the pink boat (Jonathan Brady/PA) XR has pledged to continue causing disruption until its demands are met. They want the Government to declare a climate emergency and take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025. Tory grassroots members expressed disappointment over the fact that European elections will be held (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Tory councillors are revolting against Theresa May over her handling of Brexit, with 40% prepared to vote for Nigel Farages rival party at the European elections. A survey of elected grassroots Conservatives found three quarters of Mrs Mays councillors wanted her to resign, with 43% of them calling for her to quit immediately. Just over half 52% said they would vote Tory at the European election, a figure that would rise to 65% if Mrs May was replaced by Brexiteer Boris Johnson, the Survation poll for the Mail On Sunday found. Some 40% said they would vote for Mr Farages Brexit Party, a figure that would fall to 22% if Mr Johnson was in Number 10. There was almost complete agreement that the Brexit deadlock had damaged the Conservatives, with 96% saying the party had been harmed. One councillor in the Survation study said: The Conservative Party is dead. It will take a strong leader to dredge it out of the mud. Another said: For Gods sake get on with it (Brexit) it is killing us on the doorstep. Survation questioned 781 Tory councillors between April 17 and 19. Some 43% said Mrs May should resign now and 33% once a Brexit deal has been reached the timetable the Prime Minister has indicated for her departure. Expand Close There was support for Boris Johnson as the next prime minister (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp There was support for Boris Johnson as the next prime minister (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Johnson was backed by 23% as the best leader, followed by Michael Gove on 14%, Jeremy Hunt on 12%, Sajid Javid on 11% and Dominic Raab on 9%. The Mail On Sunday report came after a survey of more than 1,000 Tory members by the influential ConservativeHome website found nearly eight out of 10 want Mrs May to quit. And it followed the Tory group on Derbyshire County Council announcing it would not campaign for the party in the European elections. In a sign of the pressure on Mrs May, the Sunday Times reported that she will be told within days that she must step down by the end of June or face a fresh effort by MPs to oust her. The newspaper reported that Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, will tell her that 70% of Tory MPs now want her to resign. Mrs May survived a confidence vote by her MPs in December and the partys rules prevent another attempt to force her out within 12 months. But discontent with Mrs Mays leadership has fuelled speculation that those rules could be changed to allow a fresh challenge. The ConservativeHome survey of 1,132 party members on its panel found 79% wanted Mrs May to quit and trigger a leadership contest. The Prime Minister has said she will not lead the Tories into the next election due in 2022 and has promised to bring her departure forward if her Brexit deal gets through Parliament. Former Tory MP Paul Goodman, the websites editor, said: Its like Groundhog Day for the Prime Minister but in which each one is worse than that before. Last month, a record total of seven out of 10 of our panel members wanted a new Party leader. This month we have a new record of nearly eight out of 10. Just 19% of those surveyed wanted Mrs May to stay on as leader. The voluntary Party has lost confidence in the Prime Minister. Is anyone listening around the Cabinet table?Paul Goodman Mr Goodman said: The second postponement of Brexit and the talks with Jeremy Corbyn are undoubtedly huge contributors to this lamentable rating. The latter especially is making campaigning uphill work indeed for many local government candidates. However, we suspect the biggest factor is the European Parliamentary elections that are due to take place. In a suggestion that ministers should now tell Mrs May her time is up, he said: The voluntary Party has lost confidence in the Prime Minister. Is anyone listening around the Cabinet table? Barry Lewis, who has led the Derbyshire authority since May 2017, said he had informed party chairman Brandon Lewis of the boycott of the European elections, which he said had received overwhelming support from his colleagues. He said: We were promised, following the largest public mandate a UK Government has ever received, that we would be out by March 29. The Prime Minister said we would be out by that date countless times, so did many others in Government, and yet here we are racing towards the end of April and facing an increased prospect of participating in a European election in May that should not be happening. As an extension to the Brexit process has been granted until October, the UK is obliged to elect 73 MEPs to the European Parliament who will sit until Britain leaves on October 31 or when the Withdrawal Agreement is ratified in the Commons. Britain will become one of only two countries allowed to export live langoustines to China under a new agreement announced by Liam Fox. Also known as Dublin Bay Prawns, exports of the shellfish could be worth up to 26.5 million over the next five years, the Department for International Trade said. The Scottish and Northern Ireland fishing sectors could to receive a 5.3 million export boost per year as a result of the deal. Exports of frozen langoustines are already in place. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said the deal was a key milestone for the sector and shows a clear demand for the world-class quality of British seafood. Expand Close Liam Fox said the deal was a key milestone for the sector (Jonathan Brady/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Liam Fox said the deal was a key milestone for the sector (Jonathan Brady/PA) With the UKs total exports of langoustines valued at over 100 million, gaining access to the Chinese market for our shellfish industry, our sixth largest overall export market, is a significant win for the UK. This is a key milestone for the sector and demonstrates the great work my international economic department is doing to deliver enhanced market access for a variety of British produce. Now more than ever UK businesses should be exploring opportunities for selling their products overseas. Todays announcement is just once example of the opportunities available for British businesses looking to grow beyond Europe. David Larrad, chief executive of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB) added: The UK has some of the finest quality of shellfish in the world and to satisfy demand, especially at this time of uncertainty with European markets, the SAGB looks forward to working with government, and its agencies, in the future to establish new markets and more trade agreements to benefit the shellfish industry. Virgin Australia posted pictures of the owl hidden in the engine after they found it (Steve Parsons/PA Images) An airline crew received a shock when it found an owl sleeping inside a plane engine as they were performing pre-flight checks. The team at Virgin Australia found the napping bird as the plane was being checked at Melbourne Airport. The airline posted photos to Twitter of the owl hidden in the engine after they found it, saying: This owl didnt give a hoot where it napped! This owl didnt give a hoot where it napped! The cute little guy was found during our pre-flight checks. Our team of engineers rescued it & was assessed before being safely released back into the wild. Wheres the strangest place youve woken up? #HootHoot pic.twitter.com/1NEx9usRfu Virgin Australia (@VirginAustralia) April 18, 2019 The airlines owner, Sir Richard Branson, then weighed in on the story with a pun, tweeting: Just when I thought Id seen it owl Great job team. Just when I thought Id seen it owl Great job team Richard Branson (@richardbranson) April 18, 2019 After the owl was found by a team of engineers, it was assessed for injuries before being released back into the wild. Virgin Australia said: The cute little guy was found during our pre-flight checks which is a good reminder of why we do them. Our team of engineers rescued it and it was checked out before being safely released back into the wild. Paranormal investigator Lorraine Warren, whose decades of ghost-hunting with her late husband Ed inspired horror films like The Conjuring and The Amityville Horror, has died aged 92. During their 61 years of marriage, the couple investigated more than 10,000 cases in the US and abroad, often writing about their experiences. Their son-in-law Tony Spera said that Mrs Warren died in her sleep on Thursday night at her Connecticut home. She was a remarkable, loving, compassionate and giving soul, Mr Spera wrote. Expand Close Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren and Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring (Warner Brothers/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren and Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring (Warner Brothers/PA) The Warrens founded the New England Society for Psychic Research in Monroe, Connecticut, in 1952 to investigate suspected hauntings. Their unusual profession has been credited with sparking popular interest in the paranormal, as well as the television shows and films now dedicated to the subject. When nobody was really even talking about ghosts, they were just two people from Bridgeport, Connecticut, who came together and fell in love and Ed happened to have had a lot of paranormal instances when he was growing up and Lorraine was always the sensitive clairvoyant, said the Horror News Networks Larry Dwyer. The heavens will surely burn a little brighter tonight. We lost a friend and and inspiration. I will miss the stories, the laughter, and the guidance. Rest In Peace, Sweet Lorraine. Tell Ed I said hello. @VeraFarmiga pic.twitter.com/Ewx4CsOU7B patrick wilson (@patrickwilson73) April 19, 2019 He said the couple realised they could use their gifts and Catholic faith to help people who believed they were being tormented by ghosts or demons. Mr Warren died in 2006 and Mr Spera now oversees the New England Society for Psychic Research. My dear friend Lorraine Warren has passed. From a deep feeling of sorrow, a deep feeling of gratitude emerges. I was so blessed to have known her and am honored to portray her. She lived her life in grace and cheerfulness. She wore a helmet of salvation, she dawned her sword... pic.twitter.com/Kn2E6ZO9fL Vera Farmiga (@VeraFarmiga) April 19, 2019 The organisations website said Mrs Warren had decided to retire from active investigations regarding the areas of haunted homes and demonic infestations/possessions but was still a consultant to the organisation at the time of her death. The Warrens work did receive criticism from doubters over the years. The New England Sceptical Society in 1997 said the Warrens copious anecdotal evidence of reports of hauntings vastly outnumbered their low-grade physical evidence. Warren told the Associated Press in a 2013 interview that she understood it was very difficult for people to accept she could see ghosts if they had never seen one themselves. I hope you never will, she said. I really dont. The 2013 film The Conjuring is based on the couples investigation into alleged events at a Rhode Island farmhouse in the 1970s. Mrs Warren visited the set during the filming. She also spent time at her Connecticut home with actress Vera Farmiga, who portrays her in the movie and its sequels. Farmiga expressed her condolences on Twitter Friday, saying she was blessed to have known Mrs Warren and honoured to portray her. Pope Francis holds a candle as he presides over a solemn Easter ceremony (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Pope Francis has carried a lit candle up the main aisle of a darkened St Peters Basilica in a dramatic Easter Saturday vigil. The pontiff, prelates and other faithful also clutching candles appeared as slow-moving points of light in darkness, part of a procession symbolising Christians belief that Jesus triumphed over death by resurrection following crucifixion. Expand Close The solemn Easter vigil took place in St Peters Basilica at the Vatican (Gregorio Borgia/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The solemn Easter vigil took place in St Peters Basilica at the Vatican (Gregorio Borgia/AP) At the chant in Latin for light of Christ, the basilicas lights were suddenly switched on. Francis then reached the central altar to celebrate Easter vigil mass. During the service, he encouraged people to resist cynicism or pursuing the glitter of wealth, and to avoid seeking lifes meaning in things that pass away. Expand Close The Pope presided over events (Gregorio Borgia/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Pope presided over events (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Do not bury hope, Francis exclaimed, after noting that when things go badly, we lose heart and come to believe that death is stronger than life. He warned: We become cynical, negative and despondent. Sin seduces; it promises things easy and quick, prosperity and success, but leaves behind only solitude and death. Sin is looking for life among the dead, for the meaning of life in things that pass away. Expand Close Francis used the service to urge worshippers to follow the light of Jesus (Gregorio Borgia/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Francis used the service to urge worshippers to follow the light of Jesus (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Encouraging the faithful, Francis said: Why not prefer Jesus, the true light, to the glitter of wealth, career, pride and pleasure? Among those attending the service were eight people being baptised by the Pope. The Vatican said these new faithful are from Italy, Albania, Ecuador, Indonesia and Peru. On Sunday, Francis will celebrate Easter Mass in St Peters Square and give a speech from the basilica balcony. Lyra's dead. Lyra's dead. Lyra's dead. That's not true. Lyra isn't dead. I spoke to her on the phone a few hours ago. My brilliant, beautiful friend with the biggest heart and soul of anybody I know is brimming with life. She's not lying on a road in Derry with a bullet in the head. She's just moved there, for God's sake. Lyra's not dead, don't be silly. She's addressing an Amnesty International event in a fortnight about journalist Marie Colvin, who was killed in Syria. And she's heading to New York after that. She's never been there before. She's so excited. She doesn't have the money to stay in a hotel in Manhattan but she doesn't care. She's renting an Airbnb in Queens and she can't wait. She's going to propose to her girlfriend Sara. She's bought the ring. Lyra's trending on Twitter. There are hundreds of thousands of people talking about her, condemning her killing. There are statements from the Prime Minister, the Taoiseach and President Michael D Higgins. There are vigils for her in Belfast, Derry and Dublin. Lyra's not dead because she has a book to finish, The Lost Boys. It's about children who disappeared during the Troubles. Children whose stories nobody else has bothered to investigate. But Lyra's doing it because Lyra cares. She's not interested in money or glory or any of the trappings of conventional success. A rarity in the world of journalism, she is totally without ego. It's always about the story - first, middle, and last. Read More Lyra McKee came into my life five years ago. I was meeting Carrie Twomey, wife of ex-IRA prisoner Anthony McIntyre, for coffee and Carrie invited her. I was annoyed. This cynical old hack didn't want anybody else, especially a cub reporter, tagging along. That feeling didn't last long. Lyra and I became the best of friends. Her empathy, wit, curiosity and compassion just blew me away. When people die, those who know them, and those who don't, always say nice things. In Lyra's case, there is no need to invent or exaggerate anything. We only need tell the truth. Lyra was 29 years old, but she looked 12. She was regularly asked for ID when she went to pubs. She grew up in working-class nationalist north Belfast. At school she was the gauche, gay nerdy kid. She was bullied. That made her instinctively always side with the underdog. She challenged a chain coffee shop for its treatment of a homeless man and took an online punishment beating from thousands of its customers. Although hugely talented, she loathed the journalist and blogging in-crowd. She found them cliquey, smug and self-important. She chose to chart her own independent course. Lyra had brains to burn. She had signed a two-book deal with Faber but you'd never have guessed it. Her unassuming appearance belied a fierce intellect which she wore so lightly. She was a proud LGBT and social justice campaigner but she had Christian fundamentalist, Orange Order and Tory friends. She related to people, not the labels we impose on them. In her journalism, I'd constantly advise her that she was spending far too long on research with interviewees which didn't make sense financially or professionally. She never listened because it was talking to people, creating connections, that made Lyra tick. And those who mourn her come from right across the political spectrum - ex-loyalist and republican paramilitaries, victims, police officers. She didn't discard anyone after a story; a friendship was maintained. The Facebook message at 1.15am on Thursday, when most sensible people were asleep, was typical. "RING ME," Lyra, a fellow night owl, wrote in capital letters. We were on the phone for two hours but it seemed like two minutes. Because Lyra loved the world. And she brought passion and zest to everything. She'd been invited to speak before an Amnesty International screening of a film on Colvin to mark World Press Freedom Day. She was also excited about making headway investigating reports that a local journalist had been arrested and questioned about the murder of an RUC man during the Troubles. There was lots happening in her personal life, too. She had just moved from Belfast to live with her girlfriend of the past year, Sara Canning. She was planning a Donegal wedding. She told me how much she loved Derry. It was more authentic and raw than Belfast, she enthused. People took to the streets or occupied a building in peaceful protest at an injustice. We argued over the level of support for dissident republicans there. I thought it was significant and growing, she insisted it wasn't. We chewed the fat over the coming council elections. That she was good friends with three candidates in her North Belfast home patch - the Greens' Malachai O'Hara, the SDLP's Paul McCusker and Sinn Fein's Mary Ellen Campbell - was typical of the breadth of Lyra's reach. Later that night I followed the street violence in Derry on social media. I watched a video where a woman screams after dissident republicans open fire, and another where the person hit is lying on the ground. Just after 1am, the BBC's Darragh MacIntyre rang to tell me it was Lyra. She had gone to observe the trouble in preparation for her Amnesty address. I didn't really believe him. I still don't. I can't think of someone so alive in the past tense. I never told you that I loved you, Lyra. I'm old school about things like that, but I want to tell you now. The world will be a far, far darker place without you in it. The infectious comedic charm of "Derry Girls" had almost lulled us into reviewing the Troubles in Londonderry in a much more benign way. The comedy formula for the popular Channel 4 television series is the tried and trusted one of "Tragedy + Time". But now we learn with a jolt that, while Derry had more than its share of tragedy, time has not mended the deep fractures in a still badly broken society. When we stand back from the senseless killing of Lyra McKee, we see a number of clear underlying factors. First is a certain surprise that nobody has been seriously hurt or killed by the reckless antics of a minority of wrong-headed and evil fanatics long before this. There have been several near-misses in Londonderry in recent times. The most high-profile one came on Saturday evening, January 19, when a car bomb was set off in the city centre. Investigations into that incident, and the killing of Lyra McKee, focus on a group called the 'New IRA'. This is one of a number of self-styled dissident groups which want to take us all back to our murderous past of fear and suffering. Read More This, and the other yob groupings, deny the 1998 Good Friday Agreement which was a beacon of hope for the "Derry Girls" generation. These so-called dissident paramilitaries are of course facilitated by the absence of normal political activity. And this brings us to the second underlying factor. It is that the power-sharing apparatus at Stormont has been idle for 27 months. The DUP and Sinn Fein are equally culpable here, for their failure to do grown-up politics and find the necessary compromises to overcome their major differences. These problems afflict not only Derry but other communities still in ferment across Northern Ireland. The mainstream politicians' failures to do mainstream politics facilitate the crazies who want to revert to the bomb and the bullet to achieve their deluded aims. Just as those who took that path before them, they feel they can equivocate or explain away the loss of life and limb by innocent people who are unfortunate enough to cross their paths, or somehow become so-called "legitimate targets". It is abhorrent and contemptible. But Derry has another difficulty right now: an absence of very strong local political leadership from which it benefited in other dark times past. Happily, the architect of the peace, John Hume, is still with us. But age and illness mean he is no longer active on the streets of his beloved home town. Incidents such as this also remind us just what a loss Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness is, two years on from his death at the age of 66. The former Derry IRA commander had morphed from an enthusiastic participant in street violence, into an effective advocate for tolerance and peace. Derry does have a band of active and sincere politicians, including current SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood, toiling in a difficult situation, and making this point is not an attempt to belittle their work. But Derry clearly misses personalities of the stature, influence and skill of a Hume or a McGuinness at a time of ongoing crisis. The only potential for hope is that Lyra McKee's death can serve as a rallying point. There was a curious but inspiring moment at Martin McGuinness's funeral on March 23, 2017, when DUP leader Arlene Foster received welcoming applause as she entered the church. The DUP leader's attendance and the mourners' response were a signal that things can be different. It is time for those people who applauded to reclaim their city and tell those yobs to stop. But it is also time to demand the restoration of power-sharing in Northern Ireland. Mainstream politicians must get back to work. John Downing is a political commentator with the Irish Independent You'd need some nerve or have to be particularly insensitive to justify the murder of Lyra McKee as an accident arising from the defence of your community. Or you would have to be living in an alternative universe in which things are just not as most people see them. In the vision of dissident republicans, the New IRA is legitimately preserving a military machine poised against an illegitimate state. They know that they do not have the power to overthrow that state but they believe that, as before, larger numbers of people will one day swing behind them and a new opportunity will arise to fight more strategically for Pearse's republic. They take their legitimacy from the Proclamation that Pearse read on the steps of the GPO on Easter Monday in 1916 and the general election of 1918 which massively endorsed Sinn Fein. By that vision, the police are not the police. They are the armed front of British imperialism, the British war machine. And they have no more right to disarm a republican than to eat him. It doesn't matter to them that the treaty which ended the war for Irish independence was signed by the leaders of the IRA and endorsed in elections, or that the Union which places six Irish counties inside the UK is recognised by the United Nations. It is of no consequence that the right of a majority in Northern Ireland to determine whether or not to unite Ireland has been accepted by majorities on both sides of the border. That's irrelevant. There is a Republic. It was conceived in the mind of Patrick Pearse and it is our future, perhaps at the end of a rainbow, but no less real for that. Strictly speaking, it is wrong to call these republicans 'dissidents' for they are the ones who have never changed. And that is a matter of pride for them. There is no essential difference between the position they hold and that which was held by the IRA that attacked Lisnaskea police station in 1956, or blew up the Abercorn bar in 1972 or murdered Mountbatten in 1979. If anyone has dissented, it is the Provisionals and before them the Officials and before them the IRA that spawned Fianna Fail. And just as the Officials, who changed first, sneered at the Provos as chauvinistic sectarian throwbacks, the Provisionals of today sneer at the New IRA for their failure to get with the programme. Modern Provos may express their disgust with the murderers of Lyra McKee for using 'defence of the community' as an excuse and calling it an accident. But that is precisely how they defended their own role in Bloody Friday when they lacerated Belfast with bombs on July 21, 1972 and killed nine people. There is continuity in the self-serving humbug. I have spoken to some of the 'dissidents'. Read More One I met was a leader of the IRA in Derry before the split of 1970 and wanted to take credit, in our discussion, for creating the Battle of the Bogside of August 1969. "That was all our doing," he said. And he told me how, back then, he had spoken with older republicans about their unpopularity, asked him how he had put up with the disdain. He said his mentor had assured him it has often been like this in the past, but that the Irish people will come round again to the republican vision. The true republicans accept this, that they will be scoffed at through the fallow years. We are in one of those periods now in which Pearsian republicanism is mocked or reclaimed by people who have tweaked it, but in this man's view, the truly heroic republican is the one who holds on to the pure vision and waits for the next opportunity. I went to the annual conference in Dundalk last year of Saoradh, the republican group that supports the New IRA, the people who killed Lyra. It was interesting. They were electing their new leader, Brian Kenna. He was a Provo who had been released from Portlaoise by the Irish Government in 1995 as a gesture of faith in the peace process after the first ceasefire. He was a bank robber. Then he became an 'anti-drugs' activist. He went back to jail a few years ago after being caught smuggling comms out of prison, messages about the debriefing of three new prisoners. We sometimes imagine the 'dissidents' to be young hoodlums using the mask of republicanism to cover their criminality, but Kenna's roots are deep and the republican cause, as he understood it when he was a Provo, is still his life's mission. It's the same with Dee Fennell, the north Belfast republican who is also a member of Saoradh. I interviewed him for a book coming out later this year. His great grandfather Frank Fennell was a British soldier, injured at Ypres. When he came home he joined the IRA. But he sided with Collins and supported the treaty. Dee Fennell says: "My grandfather and his brother were both active republicans from the 1930s. My grandfather's brother was interned in the North and my grandfather was active right up until the early Seventies and the split. He sided with the Officials at the time of the split. His name was Jimmy Fennell." And Jimmy Fennell told him stories of how, on the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising, he went round the houses in Ardoyne trying to collect money to pay for bunting and flags and had doors slammed in his face. So Dee thinks being unpopular is just what republicans have always had to endure until the people reawaken. Dee Fennell's father and his siblings were all republican activists though his father has no convictions. "They would certainly have been involved in a range of organisations, either the Official Fianna, the Provisional IRA, the INLA, the Official IRA." As he sees it, the movement passes through periods of alienation and disgrace and he particularly admires those who endure those periods. They are the true republicans. For now there is no prospect of the New IRA waging a war that might eject the British from Ireland but what they can do is keep the flame alive, maintain an organisational structure that can lead a future revolution, and absorb new members, and provide them with arms and training, as the Provisionals did in the 1970s. Then, people had taken to the streets to campaign for civil rights but the near-dormant IRA had been able to absorb much of that energy and direct it towards a campaign of murder and sabotage with an all-Ireland republic as the objective. The irony is that the Provisionals reverted to putting rights issues at the front of their concerns and settled for a deal that would allow Irish unity to be achieved by exclusively peaceful means. Yet the same organisation now leads the contempt for people who thought the same as themselves, used the same methods as themselves and voiced the same excuses as themselves. And in total contradiction of that celebrates the Provisional IRA campaign again this weekend, as a noble struggle. It would help a little if they would admit their own mistakes and failure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, defended BJP's decision to field Malegaon blast-accused Sadhvi Pragya Thakur from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat. The Prime Minister said that the ticket to Thakur was an answer to those who branded 5,000 years of civilisation as terrorism. "They defamed a 5000-old culture that believes in Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam. They called them terrorists. To answer them all, this is a symbol and it will cost Congress," he said. In an interview to Times Now, Modi called Sadhvi Pragya a saint and said that she was subjected to torture. "A woman, a Sadhvi was tortured like this, no one raised a finger," Modi added. The Prime Minister also brought up the Samjhauta case judgment and said that there are people who have been punished without evidence. He also brought up the 1984 Sikh riots, saying that Congress awarded people accused of killing thousands of Sikhs and that they had no moral right to give sermons. "When in 1984 Indira Gandhi died, her son said when a big tree falls the earth shakes. Thereafter, there were thousands of Sikhs who were massacred. Was it not terror? Was it not terror unleashed by a few people? Despite that he was made PM and the neutral media never asked a question like it is doing now. Those who were identified by eyewitnesses, those who lead murderous mobs were made MPs, some were made cabinet ministers, one was recently made CM of Madhya Pradesh. Those who are facing such serious charges were never questioned," he added. Modi asked why were questions being raised on Sadhvi Pragya's bail and why not on Congress candidates from Amethi and Raebareli who were also out on bail. "Should the Amethi and Raebareli candidates who are out on bail not be questioned? But a Bhopal BJP candidate is out on bail and is fighting elections, there is a huge hue and cry," he said. He also accused the Congress of weaving "a web of lies just like the script of a movie". He said that it is the modus operandi of the Congress; they also tried to portray the natural death of Justice Loya as a murder case. Recently Sadhvi Pragya had commented on 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare, who was killed fighting terrorists in Mumbai. "Hemant Karkare was called by the (blast) probe panel member to Mumbai. I was then in a Mumbai jail. The commission member told him that if he didn't have any proof against me, he should not unlawfully hold me in jail. But he said he will do anything to bring the proof...Will do anything...will create it, bring it from here and there, but will not release Sadhvi," she said. At a press conference she said that she had told Karkare that he will be "finished" and that he was killed by terrorists two months later. She was severely criticised for her comment on Karkare, after which BJP said that it was her personal statement. The Opposition parties have demanded an apology from BJP for her comments on Karkare. Also read: Collateral-free loan up to Rs 50 lakh, credit card, pension for traders if NDA comes to power: PM Modi Also read: Election Commission suspends officer in Odisha for checking PM Modi's chopper Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today A few showers this evening with isolated thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight A few showers this evening with isolated thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. By Samantha Sharp I want the children to be more aware of what they were doing to one another. That is one of the reasons Im speaking out, not to tell my story. I really dont want you to feel any pity for me; I am the lucky one. I am the one that survived when thousands of children did not. Holocaust survivor Erna Gorman delivered a powerful and touching message to the Bowling Green State University community on April 15 in a talk hosted by BGSU Hillel and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Gorman received two standing ovations during her speech about her life story, held in the Lenhart Grand Ballroom in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union. For the last seven years, BGSU Hillel and the Office of Multicultural Affairs have co-sponsored a Holocaust speaker event in the spring semester. Weve had numerous Holocaust speakers here before, and her story stuck out to us because she is a hidden-child speaker, BGSU Hillel Chair Rachel Feldman said. We have not had that kind of perspective in the last four years at this event. Gorman said she had spent 40 years of her life ignoring her painful Holocaust memories, but she decided to start speaking once she realized that the skinhead movement was a threat to her country, the United States. The 85-year-old survivor insisted that the audience not bother calculating her age because she is 29. Her humor and comical remarks throughout the evening elicited deep laughs across the rows of seating in front of her. She had a slideshow prepared with pictures to accompany her story, which enriched her comedic approach as she struggled to work the presentation remote device. As Gorman went deep into her childhood experience, the air in the room turned thick with muffled tears and students leaning in toward the stage to hear her every word. She became very serious once she got to the most difficult parts of her experience. I joke a little bit, but the truth of the matter is that my tummy is in knots now, she said. As a hidden child, Gorman spent more than 18 months hiding in a Ukrainian farmers barn loft with her parents and her older sister. Before that, she had already felt the pain of extreme loss. My mothers family were made to strip and were shot in a mass grave, Gorman said. The able-bodied, including my father, were made to cover the grave. Gorman described the barn loft as straw-filled, cramped and teeming with vermin. The farmer did not share their location with his family for safety reasons, and Gorman said she could hear the sounds of his carefree children playing outside. She wore the same clothes every day and suffered intense welts and afflictions from the louses and lice that lived in her pores. Her muscles had atrophied and she eventually had to be carried out of the barn. Gorman said that by the time she left that place, she was no longer a human being. I dont know why we survived. I think that when you are meant to survive, things just happen, she said. She watched from the hospital bedside as her mother died from wounds inflicted by bomb shrapnel. Following the end of the Holocaust, Gorman was sent back to Metz, France, with her father and sister. She started her first job at age 11 and she feared going to school. They put me in the first grade and I didnt know one plus one, she said. All these children knew more than I did and I didnt even know how to brush my teeth. She did not go to school because the French girls there would bully her for the large lesion she had on the back of her head as a result of her encounters with vermin and poor hygiene. After Gorman finished her story, there was a brief open-question session in which audience members were able to talk to her one-on-one. A student tearfully asked her about handling religious oppression. She answered, I think everyone should be able to practice their own religions safely and freely. Once the ballroom cleared and the last few attendees got to hug Gorman and thank her for her strength, members of Hillel held a separate reflection session with her to learn more about her on a personal level and reflect on the evenings events. Ahead of the Phase 3 of the Lok SabhaElections 2019 on April 23, the Election Commission has asked Eros Now to stop airing their 5-part web series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the second such series/movie after Vivek Oberoi-starrer 'PM Narendra Modi' to be cancelled by the EC. Meanwhile, at a rally in Bihar's Araria, the Prime Minister said that when 26/11 happened, the Congress party asked the Army not to do anything about it. Instead of attacking the Pakistani terrorists, they portrayed Hindus as terrorists. At another rally in Buniadpur in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that she wants to apply the model of West Bengal across the country where the poor are kept poor and it is hard to carry out religious processions. He also said that justice will be done for the slain BJP worker in Purulia. Additionally, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra held a rally in Wayanad today, which is Congress President Rahul Gandhi's constituency. She said that from the time the BJP government came it began to betray the faith and hopes that the people of the country had from them. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi's candidature from Amethi has been challenged by an independent MP. Follow Lok Sabha Election 2019 LIVE updates on the BusinessToday.In blog: 4:10pm: Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda says, "Few weeks ago I said something about Balakot, immediately PM started tweeting, head of BJP party went wild, called a press conference. Congress leaders started calling me why did you say that? I said what did I say? I said the truth. I said the truth, I asked a question and I am entitled to ask a question. Just because I asked a question, you can't label me as anti-national. Who are you to ask me? That's when you need courage." 3:50pm: Election Commission asks Eros Now to stop broadcasting their web series on PM Modi. "It was brought to our notice that a web series 'Modi-Journey of a Common Man', having 5 episodes is available on your platform. You're directed to stop forthwith the online streaming and remove all connected content of the series till further orders." 3:40pm: The District Election Officer and Collector has issued a notice to Pragya Singh Thakur in Bhopal seeking an explanation for her comment on Late Hemant Karkare. The officer has asked for her explanation within a day. 3:31pm: Visuals from PM Modi's rally in Karnataka. People of Karnataka have clearly decided to root out the unholy and corrupt alliance of JDS-Congress. They want BJP. Here are the glimpses from BJP National President Shri @AmitShah's roadshow in Shimoga, Karnataka. #IndiaWantsModiAgainpic.twitter.com/vABJElLmG2 BJP (@BJP4India) April 20, 2019 3:30pm: Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia files his nomination from Madhya Pradesh's Guna constituency. 3:10pm: Visuals from Rahul Gandhi's rally in Bihar. Congress President @RahulGandhi drew in huge crowds at his rally in Bihar today. #JanSankalpRallypic.twitter.com/0BaoZUxYPd Congress (@INCIndia) April 20, 2019 2:50pm: Calling Rahul Gandhi 'Buddhu', Subramanian Swamy said that the Congress President's citizenship is likely to be cancelled. Buddhu citizen likely to be cancelled because he cannot deny his British citizenship now. His tax returns are damning. Ensure BJP Govt returns on May 23 rd Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) April 20, 2019 2:30pm: Subramanian Swamy takes a jibe at Rahul Gandhi. Buddhu has also filed income tax returns innUK during 2004-2006 as a British Citizen as Rahul Gandhi while MP in India!!!!! Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) April 20, 2019 2:05pm: Samajwadi Party supremo Mayawati said, "Borders are not safe under BJP rule. The recent terrorist attacks are the proof." 1:55pm: GVL Narasimha Rao said at a press conference, "I think it's a matter of great surprise that the objections that have been raised regarding Rahul Gandhi's citizenship haven't been answered. Rahul Gandhi's name has been shown to be listed as a British citizen in documents related to a company in the UK. Was Rahul Gandhi a British citizen?" 1:48pm: An independent candidate from Amethi, Dhruv Lal, raised objections to Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers. His lawyer, Ravi Prakash said, "On basis of certificate of incorporation of a company registered in UK, he declared himself a UK citizen. A non-citizen can't contest polls here. There are no details on assets and profits of the company mentioned in the affidavit. There are a number of mistakes in his educational qualification certificates. The original educational certificates should be presented so that his claim can be established." 1:45pm: Rahul Gandhi said at a rally in Supaul, Bihar, "In the entire country, young people from Bihar go and get employed as chowkidars. People who serve as chowkidars from Bihar are honest people. If there is a Bihari chowkidar in front of a bank, then there can be no case of theft there. But this man who calls himself the country's chowkidar is in reality Anil Ambani's chowkidar. He has defamed all the hardworking chowkidars from Bihar who brave the harsh sun and storms and have half a roti to serve honestly." 1:30pm: Amethi returning officer postpones the scrutiny of Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers to April 22. Amethi returning officer orders postponement of scrutiny of Congress President Rahul Gandhis nomination papers to 22nd April. pic.twitter.com/KLHZ7PA5qc ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 20, 2019 1:19pm: At a rally in Bihar's Araria, PM Modi said, "Those who feel discomfort chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and side with those saying 'Bharat Tere Tukde Honge' can do nothing for the progress of India." 1:17pm: PM Modi in Bihar's Araria said, "Some people are spreading lies about 10% reservation for the economically poor. They are saying that this reservation will be removed later on. I am telling you that reservation is something that was started by Baba Saheb and no one will ever touch it." 1:11pm: PM Modi in Bihar's Araria said, "When 26/11 happened, the ruling Congress party asked the Army to not do anything about it. Instead of doing anything against Pakistani terrorists, the Congress party plotted to portray the Hindus as terrorists." 1:07pm: Priyanka Gandhi said in Wayanad, "I stand here on behalf of a man who I've known from the day I was born. He'll be your candidate in this election and over the last 10 years has faced massive personal attack from his opponents. They have sought to portray a character of his which is very far from truth." 1:05pm: PM Modi in Bihar's Araria said, "Before belonging any religion, any cult, we are Indian, our identity is Indian." 12:55pm: Visuals from BJP President Amit Shah's roadshow in Karnataka's Shivamogga. Karnataka: BJP President Amit Shah holds a roadshow in Shivamogga. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/twRPbC5U0h ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2019 12:50pm: Speaking at a rally in Wayanad, Priyanka Gandhi said, "They (BJP) began to believe that power belonged to them and not the people. The first indication of this gross misunderstanding came when their own President declared shortly after the election that the promise of Rs 15 Lakh in every bank account was just for sake of elections, what he called a 'jumla'." 12:45pm: Priyanka Gandhi said in Wayanad, "Five years ago, a government came into power that was voted in with a big majority. In all their wisdom the people of our country placed their faith and hopes in BJP government. That government, from the moment it came to power, began to betray that faith." 12:25pm: Ahmed Patel said, "We are not only hopeful but also very confident that BJP will lose. We will get good results in Gujarat too, we will cross double digit. On 23rd May when the election results come, BJP will no longer be in the govt." 12:20pm: Congress' Ahmed Patel said about Sadhvi Pragya's comment on Hemant Karkare: "It's a party's right to field any candidate they want for elections, I would not like to comment on that but saying something against an officer who sacrificed himself fighting terrorism isn't right. Although she withdrew her statement it shows her mentality." 12:00pm: BJD's Patkura seat candidate in Odisha Bed Prakash Agarwalla passed away in Bhubaneswar. Election in the constituency is expected to be postponed. 11:45am: Manish Sisodia said, "We have maintained that AAP took birth fighting the Congress. But at a time Modi-Shah is posing a grave danger to the social fabric of our country, we mulled over alliances, including in Delhi. We found that alliances involving the AAP can defeat Modi-Shah in 33 seats." 11:20am: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "Taking political advantage of surgical strikes is a big mistake. Our armed forces carried out the surgical strike. Did Modi carry a gun to do a surgical strike? Why is he claiming credit for it?" 11:05am: Modi said in West Bengal's Buniadpur, "TMC, Left front and Congress indulge in politics of discrimination. On the other hand, our govt believe in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. The schemes of our govts are benefitting the poor and marginalized from all communities." 11:00am: "When our brave sons entered Pakistan and destroyed the terrorists, Didi was one of those who asked proof of the incident. If you want to ask for proof, then ask from the accused in the chitfund scam," said Modi in West Bengal. 10:55am: "Mamata didi intends to apply model of West Bengal to the entire country. The poor are kept poor and it's hard to carry out religious processions. This is the model she is referring to," said Modi. 10:50am: Prime Minister Modi, at a rally in West Bengal said, "In Purulia, a BJP worker was murdered. I want to assure each West Bengal BJP worker and people of the state that justice will be done. Strict action will be taken against those people who are responsible." 10:45am: Speaking about Kumaraswamy's alleged claims that he knew about Pulwama two years ago, Yeddyurappa said, "If he knew about it 2 years back, he should've informed police or the President so that the death of our more than 40 soldiers could be prevented." 10:40am: In an interview leader of Opposition in Karnataka, BS Yeddyurappa said, "Despite all the divisive tactics by Congress party, BJP emerged as the single largest party in Assembly polls. In this elections too we are 100% confident that we'll not only win Shimoga LS seat with a huge margin but also win more than 22 seats in Karnataka." 10:30am: Speaking about HD Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy said, "He's a good administrator and is experienced. He has experience in his political career. He's better than everybody, according to me. But he's not interested now. He already projected name of Rahul Gandhi for PM. He's going to advise Rahul ji for good administration." 10:25am: Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy said, "When my father (HD Deve Gowda) was Prime Minister for 10 months in 1995 did any terrorist activity take place in this country? Did any terrorist activity go on at the India-Pakistan border? Entire country was in peace at the time when my father was the PM. There were no clashes between India-Pakistan, even inside the country there was no bomb attack, nothing happened." 10:20am: Speaking about the use of Balakot strikes in Modi's speeches, Kumaraswamy said, "He can speak but misusing his office is wrong. Several Prime Ministers ruled this country, several times India-Pakistan war took place. Nobody took advantage about that issue for personal benefit. He is misleading the people that he went to Pakistan border and he himself dropped the bomb." 10:15am: Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy in an interview to ANI said, "Now people are actually getting confident Kumaraswamy has done good thing by joining hands with Congress to form this govt. He is looking forward to the development of Karnataka state. That is the feeling of people now." Carly Pearce, Clayton Anderson To Perform at Firestone Legends Day Concert Posted by: newsla on Apr 20, 2019 - 08:46 AM Carly Pearce, Clayton Anderson To Perform at Firestone Legends Day Concert May 25 at IMS Chart-topping country artist Carly Pearce and Clayton Anderson have been added to a star-studded lineup at the Firestone Legends Day Concert on Saturday, May 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Fan favorites at IMS, Pearce and Anderson each will perform sets one day before the 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band will headline the concert, which starts at 3:30 p.m. on the Firestone Stage inside Turn 4 of the IMS oval. "It's always great to welcome back Carly Pearce and Clayton Anderson to IMS," IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. "They have thrilled our fans with their talent and magnetic performances, whether it's singing the national anthem or performing on our infield concert stages. They will put on a great show, along with Zac Brown Band, during the Firestone Legends Day Concert." Born into the bluegrass brawn of Kentucky, Pearce has never known a moment that country music wasn't her destined path. At the young age of 11, she began touring with a local band, at 16 quit high school for a job performing at Dollywood while being homeschooled and learned humility working odd jobs upon moving to Nashville. Now, she's defying odds with her No. 1 debut "Every Little Thing," which steered a chart-topping trifecta on SiriusXM's "The Highway" that also includes "If My Name Was Whiskey" and "Hide The Wine." With the gold-certified title track from her highly acclaimed debut album, "Every Little Thing" (Big Machine Records), Pearce became the highest-charting solo female debut since July 2015 and one of only three to accomplish the feat in over a decade. Her textured vocals and emotive songwriting prowess are emphasized across the full 13 tracks, which Uproxx regarded as "the best country debut of 2017." In 2018, Pearce earned her first CMT Music Award "Breakthrough Video of the Year" for "Every Little Thing," as well as a Radio Disney Music Award for "The Freshest! - Radio Disney Country Best New Artist." She has been nominated for 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards "Best New Country Artist" and ACM Awards "New Female Artist of the Year," where she also presented during the live broadcast. Her sound has always honored the legendary voices before her, evident with over 60 invitations to play the Grand Ole Opry. Following coveted slots on four major tours with Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts and Luke Bryan (including stadium dates), Pearce inspired ABC Radio News to boast: "'Every Little Thing' points to Carly Pearce as country's 'it' girl." Pearce has performed the national anthem before the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard in 2017 and 2018 at IMS. She recently wrapped her co-headline tour with Russell Dickerson and will join Jason Aldean's RIDE ALL NIGHT TOUR this summer. Pearce is aligned once again with sought-after producer and longtime collaborator busbee (Katy Perry, Keith Urban, Maren Morris, Kelly Clarkson), with the recent release of her new Top 30-and-rising new single "Closer To You" and recording more songs for her sophomore album. For tour dates and more, visit CarlyPearce.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Southern Indiana native Anderson has released three albums, including his latest record, "Only To Borrow." Recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville, this six-song EP was written and produced by Anderson and some of music's most talented writers, musicians and producers. The album's first single, "In the Dark," earned immediate streaming activity online and captured the attention of influential music playlist programmers. In college, Anderson decided to learn guitar because he thought it would impress the ladies. Next thing he knew, he and his friends were playing local parties and bars. After he graduated, he won Kenny Chesney's "Next Big Star Competition." It was the boost of confidence he needed to leave his job at a mortgage company and move to Nashville. Anderson's first record, "Torn Jeans & Tailgates," was released in 2011 and climbed to No. 12 on the iTunes Country Chart, situating itself next to household names like Zac Brown Band, Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton. Anderson has traveled across the country playing backrooms, side stages and honky tonks from Michigan to Florida, each time gaining a few more fans and a better foothold on areas that aren't traditional country strongholds. He's opened for some of country's biggest stars, the likes of Shelton, Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Darius Rucker and even Mr. Party himself, Jimmy Buffett. He also has performed the national anthem before the Red Bull Air Race in 2017 and 2018 at IMS, and his performance during the Firestone Legends Day Concert featuring Keith Urban in 2017 was a hit with fans. PaddockTalk Perspective The show featured students walking the runway in both traditional and modern garments, and was interspersed with dance performances, spoken poetry, and pop trivia. The show is student run, student led, and student filled. Models were students of African descent who volunteered to either represent their own countries or walk for unrepresented countries. Participants brought their own clothing to wear in the show. Africa is not a monolith, said Vanessa Apira 21, the public representative for the Africa Alliance and a runway model, and I think thats what this fashion show is about. To show you the many different ways and styles of dress among different nationsthat theres so much variance within the continent." Clothes are such a big aspect of many African cultures," Apira continued. "One of my classes this semester, Traveling Textiles, helped to highlight for me how important they are." The course, taught by Allison Martino, Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Africana Studies, examines the histories and roles of textiles and clothing in cross-cultural exchanges. Organizing the show is a huge undertaking, which is why its offered every two years rather than annually. The club delegated tasks to different subgroups that figured out where the show would be located, recruited models, organized outfits, managed performances, wrote the script, and posted daily trivia to the Africa Alliances Instagram (@bowdoinafricanalliance). Photos in slideshow by Darius Riley 19 Visiting Assistant Professor in Government Alyssa Maraj Grahame was recently a guest on Maine Public Radios call-in program Maine Calling, which looked at the issue of socialism and how its being redefined in the current political climate. She told program host Keith Shortall 82 that the widespread disillusionment that followed the market collapse of 2008 and the governments reaction to it, prompted many Americans to view democratic socialism as a viable political option. Listen to Professor Aylssa Maraj Graham discuss socialism on Maine Public Radio's Maine Calling. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 16/4/2019 (977 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us By Drew May Six months after legalization in Canada, Brandons cannabis stores are set to celebrate the first legal 4-20. Jennifer White, a communications advisor at Canopy Growth, the company that owns the Tokyo Smoke and Tweed brands, said both stores are expecting a rush of customers on Saturday. "I think each of the stores are really excited to see what the first legal 4-20 is going to bring, were definitely preparing for it Were expecting that its going to be a pretty fun celebration." The Tokyo Smoke store on 18th Street is scheduled to have a DJ and photo booth from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and catering from Chez Angela, Wheat City Juice Company and Well Dressed Cakes. The store will also have a special class on the history of 4-20 at noon. "You never know whats going to happen until the day of and considering this is the first legal one, well see how it shakes out," she said. The Tweed store on Victoria Avenue will also be hosting an event including snacks, contests and prizes. Taylor Bristow, store manager at the Delta 9 store at Shoppers Mall, said the store has stocked up on pre-rolls and will be giving out T-shirts to the first 200 people through the door. While 4-20 was originally about pushing for legalization and more acceptance of cannabis, Bristow said this years event will be more of a celebration that cannabis is now legal. "Im expecting it will be just as big, if not bigger than some of the previous ones because of the celebratory aspect of it." There is still work to be done to get all forms of cannabis legalized in Canada, he said. The federal government plans to legalize cannabis concentrates and edibles by Oct. 17, 2019, so advocates still have work to do. Meta Cannabis Supply Company did not respond to a request for detail on the Brandon stores 4-20 activities. dmay@brandonsun.com Twitter: @DrewMay_ MONTREAL - Canadian Armed Forces are deploying in three regions across Quebec, officials say, as rising water levels continue to wreak havoc on the province after claiming a life. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 20/4/2019 (973 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MONTREAL - Canadian Armed Forces are deploying in three regions across Quebec, officials say, as rising water levels continue to wreak havoc on the province after claiming a life. About 200 soldiers were poised to start filling sandbags and carrying out evacuations in the Outaouais and Mauricie regions Saturday night, with 400 more troops set to deploy there as well as Laval on Sunday, said Brig.-Gen. Jennie Carignan. A vehicle is seen in a gaping hole in the road in the Municipality of Pontiac, about 30 km northwest of Ottawa in this photo posted on the Twitter page of MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais. One person has died amid flooding in western Quebec, after rising river levels swept away part of a road in the Outaouais region overnight. Police confirmed the death in a tweet Saturday morning, posting a photo of a gaping hole along the road in the Municipality of Pontiac, about 30 km northwest of Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais *MANDATORY CREDIT* The soldiers are "extremely well-trained and prepared" for the flood fight, Carignan said. "They are used to doing it." Quebec's public safety minister urged residents throughout the day to stay safe and cooperate with authorities. "Be careful, be vigilant...please," Genevieve Guilbault said alongside Carignan at Canadian Forces Base Longue-Pointe in Montreal Saturday evening. As of Saturday night, turgid rivers had resulted in 903 flooded residences, 251 isolated residences and 317 evacuees across the province, according to Urgence Quebec. Eight major floods were identified by Urgence Quebec on Saturday evening, threatening thousands of Quebecers: the Chaudiere River at Saint-Georges, Saint-Joseph, Scott and Vallee-Jonction, all in the Beauce region; Lake of Two Mountains at Rigaud and Quesnel Bay; and the Beaurivage River in Levis in the Chaudiere-Appalaches region. Guilbault also offered her condolences to the family of Louise Seguin Lortie, who died early Saturday morning after driving her car into a massive sinkhole caused by flooding in the Outaouais region, according to police. The accident left the 72-year-old's sedan upside down in a swollen stream after rising river levels swept away part of the road overnight, police said. Sgt. Martin Fournel of the MRC des Collines police said a pair of witnesses parked near the washout tried unsuccessfully to warn the driver as she approached. "That lady, who was driving by herself on that road, fell into a sinkhole basically because of the flooding. There was a culvert that was not there anymore, so the road was cut in half and she was not able to brake and avoid the accident," Fournel told The Canadian Press. The woman was taken to hospital but died shortly after, he said. The accident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. in the Municipality of Pontiac, about 30 kilometres northwest of Ottawa. Pontiac, which sits along the Ottawa River, is one of at least four municipalities in the Outaouais region to declare states of emergency, along with Gatineau, Saint-Andre-Avellin and Val-des-Monts. Trois-Rivieres is also under a state of emergency. Rigaud, west of the Island of Montreal, saw at least 68 evacuations, as residents feared a repeat of 2017, when record flooding forced thousands from their homes. William Bradley, whose house in Rigaud sits on a street that hugs the Ottawa River, said he filled several hundred city-supplied sandbags this week. He's stacked them four-high around doors and windows, wrapping the makeshift barriers in polyethylene. "It's still coming up, coming up," said Bradley, 72. He said flooding two years ago caused about $100,000 in damage to the ceramics equipment he stores at home for his small business. "We'll stay as long as we have gas for the generator. We've got a boat my daughter bought a boat and a motor for us in 2017," he said. "By the way, never buy a boat during a flood season. It gets pricey." More than 45 millimetres of rain fell on the Montreal area between Thursday and Saturday, according to Environment Canada. Rainfall warnings have been lifted, but water levels were already high and are expected to rise sharply over the weekend with warm temperatures and snowmelt runoff. The City of Laval, just north of Montreal, said in a statement it had distributed sandbags to 900 homes and knocked on 550 doors to make sure people were safe as more than 1,500 homes and business remained under flood watch. Quebec City and the Gaspe Peninsula can expect up to 30 millimetres of rainfall this weekend, said Environment Canada meteorologist Andre Cantin. "That will help the snow to melt again, and we do not expect the river will be able to go down for at least 48 hours," he said Saturday. Guilbault has said the province will allow stores usually closed on Easter Sunday to remain open this weekend so residents can stock up on supplies. Some of the worst flooding Saturday appeared to surge through the Beauce region south of Quebec City, where 868 homes were flooded and 94 people evacuated as of 3 p.m., according to an Urgence Quebec bulletin. In Beauceville, about 90 kilometres south of Quebec City, officials have asked the Canadian Armed Forces for assistance with evacuations ordered by the municipality. Earlier this week, the Chaudiere River burst its banks and flooded a large part of downtown. Officials called it the worst flooding since 1971, with 230 homes and businesses flooded. In Saint-Raymond, about 60 kilometres northwest of the provincial capital, 24 seniors in three residences have been moved to higher ground as the Ste-Anne River continues to rise. A local dam gave way Saturday, said Mayor Daniel Dion, prompting concerns about flooding. "The problem today is that there is a lot of ice. If they clog our channels the water will have no space to circulate and that's where it overflows," he said. In the Mauricie region, Canadian Armed Forces are focusing on Trois-Rivieres as well as the municipalities of Becancour, Louiseville, Maskinonge and Yamachiche. TORONTO - Ontario conservation authorities say the provincial government has cut their funding for flood management programs in half. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 20/4/2019 (973 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO - Ontario conservation authorities say the provincial government has cut their funding for flood management programs in half. Conservation Ontario, which represents the province's 36 conservation authorities, said impacts of the cuts will be felt immediately, particularly in smaller and more rural areas. "Cutting natural hazards funding is particularly problematic right now in light of the fact that like everywhere else Ontario is experiencing stronger and more frequent flood events as a result of climate change impacts," general manager Kim Gavine said in a statement. "Using a watershed-based approach, conservation authorities deliver effective and cost efficient flood management programs across the province, partnering for many years with the province, municipalities and others." Ontario had given $7.4 million to the conservation authorities for that work, but they say that has now been reduced by 50 per cent. Conservation authorities forecast flooding and issue warnings, monitor stream flow, regulate development activities in flood plains, educate the public about flooding and protect natural cover that helps reduce the impacts of flooding. Natural Resources and Forestry Minister John Yakabuski said the government is trying to eliminate the deficit currently at $11.7 billion and has asked conservation authorities to focus on their core mandate. "Flood control is part of that core mandate and we've asked them to focus on that," he said. "Across the province we average less than 10 per cent of conservation authorities' funding. In fact, some of them are as low as 2.5 per cent provincial funding. And we've heard from different conservation authorities across the province that have said that this will not affect their ability to deal with flood management." Green party Leader Mike Schreiner said it's short-sighted, when a flood on one day in August last year in Toronto cost $80 million in insurable losses. "I don't think there's any way to reconcile saying, 'Focus on your core mandate and then we're going to cut your core mandate in half,' especially at a moment in time when we know the intensity of storms is going up, the risk of flooding is going up, the costs associated with that are going up," he said. The chief administrative officer of Quinte Conservation said his organization has relied on the province's transfer payment to fund essential flood programs throughout its 6,000 square-kilometre watershed. "The government has been very clear about its goal to reduce costs, but a 50-per-cent reduction in payments that support government mandated responsibilities will have a significant impact on how we can deliver our programs and services," Brad McNevin said in a statement. OTTAWA - It was a blow out, man, the kind that's a total drag. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 20/4/2019 (973 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. People smoke marijuana on Parliament Hill as they take part in the annual 4-20 gathering in Ottawa on Saturday, April 20, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA - It was a blow out, man, the kind that's a total drag. Protesters dotted one half of Parliament Hill's front lawn on a blustery, rainy Saturday at the climax the first 4-20 "Weed Day" demonstration since Canada legalized recreational marijuana. The turnout disappointed organizers who expected thousands more, but a festive atmosphere prevailed as the Peace Tower clock struck 4:20 p.m., sparking simultaneous smart phone photography and the lighting of joints, bongs and pipes. "The weather didn't co-operate. It kind of shut us down," Shawn Mac, a program director for 4-20 Ottawa, said moments earlier. "Coming and going, we've probably seen about 3,000, but right now, probably about a thousand." A bout of blowing rain earlier in the afternoon meant the shutdown of a public address system, and a made for a sparse gathering of perhaps several dozen people, most huddled under plastic ponchos or tarps. Sara Bakir, 29, of Ottawa was one of early arrivals, dressed in a dark hoodie under a black umbrella. "It's still nice to be out with a few like-minded people," she said laughing, and casting her eyes at the empty and soaked brownish yellow lawn. Organizers learned a tough lesson even before the rain started falling new freedoms bring great bureaucracy. Mac said his group is encountering more red tape Saturday than on past April 20 protests. Organizers can't use the steps to the now-closed Centre Block, which means spectators will need a front row position on the lawn to see or hear something Mac calls a "huge letdown." "Hearing is already a problem so not being able to see is a crushing blow," he said. Organizers have also been told to limit musical performers to just two, Mac said, adding that isn't in the rules of how to hold a public event on the Hill. New limits on auto access also meant organizers had to haul equipment and material by hand up to the lawn from Wellington Street, he added. "It's frustrating because legalization was supposed to ... make things easier and not more complicated," he said. Lingering post-legalization concerns are sustaining a sense of protest among 4-20 event organizers across the country. They include concerns over the government's decision to tax medicinal marijuana, slow progress on legislation to expedite pardons for people previously convicted of simple pot possession, and the fact that provincial and municipal governments are grappling with retail sales and land-use laws for growing pot. The federal government also has yet to legalize edible marijuana products and has six more months to set rules to do so. "Everything about legalization has made things harder, which is the opposite of what is was supposed to be," said Mac. Others were more upbeat and saw Saturday's event as an inspiration to the world. "Again, the world is watching, and I'm very proud of Canada today and Canadians," said Kelly Coulter, a cannabis policy adviser based in British Columbia. She said Canada is helping change global attitudes and policies as the first G7 nation to legalize pot, and she expected people from Germany and Britain to take part in Saturday's festivities on the Hill. It was a far cry from Ottawa's subdued festivities on the West Coast, as hoards of people crowded Vancouver's Sunset Beach to mark the city's 25th annual 4-20 event warmed by rays of glorious spring sunshine amid a low lying marijuana haze. Vancouver police said the crowd peaked at about 60,000 people during the late afternoon, and while no major incidents were reported they said officers assisted BC Emergency Health Services with more than 14 medical emergencies. A much smaller crowd gathered at the front lawn of British Columbia's legislature in Victoria, but the mood was equally celebratory and defiant. "Today, in many ways, is bittersweet for us," said long-time marijuana activist Ted Smith, who led the countdown chant to 4:20 p.m. in Victoria. "We're happy it's legalized, sure, but there's a lot of things to protest." Smith, in between puffs from a large joint, said the current marijuana rules are biased against entrepreneurs who want to sell their products in much the same way as craft brewers and winemakers. And a downpour didn't dampen the festivities at Woodbine Park in Toronto's east end, where revellers trampled through the muddy grass to the steady thrum of house music. Cannabis artisans sold their wares at tarp-covered stands, many expressing hope that they could one day emerge from the "grey market" to set up shop at brick-and-mortar storefronts. Justin Loizos, owner of the Just Compassion marijuana dispensary in Toronto, said the mood Saturday was more celebratory than in past 4-20 gatherings, which felt more like protests. The current regime may not be the "legalization people asked for," Loizos said, but the cannabis community should take heart in just how far Canada has come. "I see a lot of people complaining, whatever don't," he said. "We're just going to celebrate here and enjoy the day." with files from Adina Bresge and Dirk Meissner. CHARLOTTETOWN - With only a few days before voters were to go to the polls in Prince Edward Island, the Green party suspended all campaigning Saturday after the sudden death of one of its candidates and his young son. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/4/2019 (973 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. CHARLOTTETOWN - With only a few days before voters were to go to the polls in Prince Edward Island, the Green party suspended all campaigning Saturday after the sudden death of one of its candidates and his young son. The party confirmed Saturday that Josh Underhay and his son died in a canoeing accident on Friday afternoon. Josh Underhay, a candidate in district 9, Charlottetown-Hillsborough Park, is shown in this images from the Green Party of Prince Edward Island's website. Underhay and his young son died in a 'tragic accident,' according to a statement issued by P.E.I. Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker late Friday night. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO- Green Party of Prince Edward Island Voting day is Tuesday. Green party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker, whose party has been leading in the polls, issued a statement saying he was bereft when he learned of Underhay's death. "Josh has been a dear friend and colleague of mine for many years, as a volunteer, musician, passionate cycling advocate and Green party supporter," Bevan-Baker said. "He has touched the lives of everyone who knew him, including the students he taught, fellow musicians and members of the party ... Josh brought humour, enthusiasm and boundless energy to every situation." Bevan-Baker said the Greens would suspend all election-related activities for the remainder of the campaign. The province's three other major parties suspended all campaign events scheduled for Saturday. The RCMP issued a statement saying two canoeists were reported missing Friday after they failed to show up at an agreed pick-up point along the Hillsborough River, which cuts through the middle of the Island and empties into the Northumberland Strait near Charlottetown. Firefighters, police and a volunteer ground search team were called in to look for the pair. They had help from a police tracking dog and an aerial drone. Police would not identify the victims, but a Green party official confirmed Underhay and his son were later found in the water near their capsized canoe. Though they were wearing flotation devices, both were declared dead at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown, police said. Police asked for the public's help as they continued their investigation, saying they'd like to hear from anyone who saw a red canoe on the Hillsborough River on Friday afternoon. Later in the day, Elections P.E.I. issued a statement saying it had invoked a section of the Elections Act to cancel the vote in Underhay's district and order a byelection within the next three months. Underhay, a married father of two boys, had been the Greens' candidate in District 9, Charlottetown-Hillsborough Park. According to a profile on the party's website, he was a teacher at Birchwood Intermediate School in Charlottetown, as well as an experienced musician and a student of languages, speaking English, French, Spanish, Mandarin and Czech. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his condolences in a tweet, saying Underhay was "committed to serving his community, his students, and all of P.E.I." "The tragic accident that took him and his son is absolutely heart-breaking," the prime minister said. Federal Green party Leader Elizabeth May said she knew Underhay well. "To lose Josh and his son in such a tragic accident is unbearably sad," May said in a tweet. "My deepest condolences to his family and all members of the P.E.I. Green family." Provincial Progressive Conservative Leader Dennis King issued a statement saying the tragic loss of Underhay and his son marked "a heart-breaking day for all Islanders." "It is a reminder of how fragile life is and how often we take it for granted," King said. "Josh was a dedicated teacher and community leader who had a love for life and a passion for people. He was an advocate, talented musician and friend to many." The Green party has been leading in opinion polls since August, but the race remains too close to call when the margin of error in recent surveys is factored in. Premier Wade MacLauchlan's Liberals will be seeking a fourth term on Tuesday, which has prompted some critics to suggest the party has overstayed its welcome. The close numbers have also raised the possibility of a minority government, which would mark a historic moment for the Island. The last time a minority was elected in P.E.I. was 1890. The Conservatives have been plagued by infighting for the past eight years, churning through no fewer than six leaders, including King, who was elected in February. However, the party enjoyed a boost in the polls the following month, leaving them in a virtual tie with the Liberals. As for the Island's New Democrats, led by Joe Byrne, their poll numbers have remained at single digits for the past year. By Michael MacDonald in Halifax FREDERICTON - More than 100 Canadian soldiers are being deployed across western New Brunswick to help residents threatened by rising floodwaters, which have shown no signs of letting up. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 20/4/2019 (973 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A New Brunswick flag floats in floodwater from the Saint John River in Waterborough, N.B., on Sunday, May 13, 2018. About 120 Canadian soldiers will soon be deployed in western New Brunswick to help residents threatened by rising floodwaters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese FREDERICTON - More than 100 Canadian soldiers are being deployed across western New Brunswick to help residents threatened by rising floodwaters, which have shown no signs of letting up. The soldiers from Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, a huge base in the southern part of the province, have been tasked with filling sandbags and, if necessary, evacuating homes. "We do have some vehicles that are a little more suitable to going through deep water," Lt.-Col. Sean French, commander of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, told a briefing Saturday in Fredericton. "We're here to help. We're here at the request of the provincial government." French said the soldiers part of an immediate reaction unit are also prepared to conduct "wellness checks" in various communities. The New Brunswick Legislature is seen in the background of a boat ramp sign in Carleton Park surrounded by the flood water and debris from the St. John River in Fredericton, N.B. on Saturday, April 20, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Stephen MacGillivray "If people would like to leave, then we can definitely help them," he said. Water levels in the Saint John River Basin are expected to rise significantly over the next few days, reaching or passing flood stage in several areas. With heavy rain expected to continue through Saturday and overnight particularly in northern New Brunswick residents of 15 communities have been warned to remain on high alert. Greg MacCallum, director of New Brunswick's Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), said no major flooding was reported as of Saturday afternoon, but previous experience shows the rising waters are sure to lead to road closures in several areas, particularly in Fredericton and communities farther south. "The time for preparedness is now," MacCallum told the briefing. "If (residents) find themselves starting to get into difficult circumstances, they should be considering voluntarily evacuating their homes." He said water levels in the Fredericton area had already surpassed flood stage at 6.5 metres, which means the Saint John River was already seeping into low-lying areas and was sure to block some roads. Over the next few days, water levels in the Fredericton area could reach 8.0 metres, though that is not as bad as last year when it reached 8.3 metres, he said. In general, MacCallum said the anticipated flooding might not be as bad as it was last year, when rising waters damaged about 12,000 properties between late April and mid-May, leaving dozens of homes and cottages beyond repair. "The indications we have now are that we won't necessarily reach the levels reached last year," MacCallum said in an interview. "But we're trending in the direction where we'll be approaching those numbers in some locations." The EMO is also monitoring other major rivers, including the Restigouche River, Middle River, and Tetagouche River, where ice jams and rising water levels could lead to localized flooding. "Residents intending to relocate from their residences should be finalizing arrangements," the EMO said in a statement. "Flood waters may rise quickly limiting access and making evacuation more difficult by increasing risks to those involved." In neighbouring Quebec, floodwaters claimed the life of a woman whose car fell into a massive hole caused by a washout near Pontiac, about 30 kilometres northwest of Ottawa. Her vehicle flipped early Saturday as it dropped into a swollen stream. Regional liaison officers from the Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed in five districts in Quebec. The province's public safety minister is urging residents exercise extreme caution as rising water levels continue to wreak havoc. By Michael MacDonald in Halifax Life is not easy for employers, with Brexit preparations, adverse currency movements, hikes in input costs, and an ever-increasing range of demands in the field of compliance. At times, some manager must wonder about the mountain of regulation with which they are now faced. They must also be aware that moves to tackle one particular legal compliance problem could leave them open to challenge on another front as a result of an unintended breach of someone elses rights. A year ago, senior managers were preparing for the General Data Protection Regulation. For many, GDPR became the new Y2K or millennium bug preparations for such event absorbed much managerial time in the late 1990s. The Data Protection Act 2018 was passed into law on May 25 last year, bringing in a raft of requirements. A year on, the new regulations are biting. Writing in the Law Society Gazette recently, solicitor Terry McAdam reported that clients are currently experiencing a significant increase in the volume of data subject requests. Employee confidentiality has been top of the agenda at a time when personal data breaches have been attracting huge attention. Mr McAdam also warns of the threat posed by hackers or by carelessness within an organisation. Data breaches occur in every organisation. Simple user errors such as sending an email to an unintended recipient are commonplace while cyber attacks represent a growing risk to all professionals services firms. Firms need to get up to speed with the appointment of data controllers. The relationship with individual employees needs to be handled with ever more care. Recently, the French data protection body imposed a 50m fine on Google the largest to date since the passage of the new law. The legal caravan moves on and this year, issues surrounding gender equality and family-friendly work practices have been to the forefront at various employment law conferences. Suffice to say that employers must pay far greater attention to gender pay gap reporting, in particular. At the recent Ibec employment conference, solicitor Aoife McFadden addressed competing equality rights. This is particularly evident in the area of family leave, both maternal and paternal. As Ms McFadden noted, there are limits to the extent to which employers can engage in positive action in favour of one gender usually female. She cites the case of a Mr Briheche, a French widower who was left unable to take advantage of an abolition of age limits in promotional competitions that was open to widows. The European Court of Justice ruled the favouring of widows over widowers was disproportionate. The decision could be relevant in the context of a recently announced plan for the promotion of gender equality in Irish higher education institutions. Elsewhere, interesting developments have been taking place in the area of workplace investigations. Terence McCann, a senior partner with McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors, pointed to a number of recent cases dealing with procedures for handling disciplinary investigations. These include cases brought against the Dunboyne Castle Hotel and the Catholic University School, Dublin. The case concerned the handing out by the school of a final written warning to a teacher over his inappropriate behaviour towards a student. What is interesting to note is the contrasting viewpoints adopted by various judges involved in hearing the case in both the High Court and Court of Appeal. Three judges, three diverging opinions, three contrasting philosophical outlooks. Taking someone or some organisation to court can amount to a trip into the unknown. A fundraising campaign in memory of journalist Lyra McKee has raised more than 50,000 (57,770) in just one day. The 29-year-old was killed in Derry on Thursday night after she was shot in the head amid riots in the city. Two men, aged 18 and 19, have been arrested today in connection with Ms McKee's murder, which police believe was perpetrated by dissident republicans linked to the New IRA. A GoFundMe page was set up yesterday morning to assist with funeral expenses for Ms McKee's family and to decide on her legacy. The appeal, established by her friends Michael Harris and Padraig Reidy, exceeded its goal of raising 50,000 after more than 1,900 people donated money. A statement on the page describes Ms McKee as "one of the nicest, smartest and most decent people I have ever met" and "an incredible investigative journalist". "Lyra was part of a new generation of Northern Irish journalists (and young people) who had moved past sectarian identities and wanted to build a more progressive, more peaceful Northern Ireland. Lyra was a powerful advocate for LGBTi rights, civil liberties and human rights. "I had the pleasure to get to know Lyra through her working on the grassroots campaign to reform the law of libel in Northern Ireland. Lyra was a passionate defender of press freedom and exposing the truth," the statement said. Police and dissident republicans clashed on Thursday night, with officers, who described the shooting as a "terrorist incident", believing the violence was carried out in response to an earlier search in the Creggan Estate aimed at averting trouble associated with this week's anniversary of the Easter Rising. CCTV released by the PSNI captured Ms McKee's final moments at around 10pm, when she stood among a crowd of other innocent bystanders and raised her phone in the air to capture the violence. In her last post on Twitter, Ms McKee posted a picture showing smoke rising into the sky as police vans drove towards the scene of the unrest, describing the events unfolding in Derry on the night as "absolute madness". A journalist has been killed covering riots in Derry. Her name was Lyra McKee. She was 29. She recently signed a two-book deal with Faber, who called her a "rising star of investigative journalism". This is her last tweet, sent from the scene of the unrest. pic.twitter.com/0gk1Fa7Du0 Naomi O'Leary (@NaomiOhReally) April 19, 2019 As a "rising star of investigative journalism", Ms McKee was a freelance journalist based in Belfast and had written for publications including BuzzFeed, The Atlantic, and Private Eye. She also worked as an editor for California-based news site Mediagazer, a trade publication covering the media industry. As a published author, her book, Angels With Blue Faces, about the Troubles murder of South Belfast MP Robert Bradford, was released in 2018, while Faber is due to release her second book, The Lost Boys, in 2020. Politicians, journalists and colleagues in Ireland and around the world have been among those paying tribute to Ms McKee. Leading these tributes was her partner Sara Canning who said her "amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act". Ms Canning said: "Victims and LGBTQIA community are left without a tireless advocate and activist and it has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with. This cannot stand, Lyra's death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone else's life and her legacy will live on and the life that she has left behind. Events are being held in Omagh and Belfast today in memory of Ms McKee. You can donate to the GoFundMe campaign here. A 15-year-old girl is in a critical condition in hospital after being stabbed in the neck in Co Armagh. The incident occurred in the Deans Walk area of Lurgan at around 9pm last night. Archbishop Eamon Martin has paid tribute to journalist Lyra McKee "whose life was so cruelly and pointlessly ended by violence" in Derry on Friday. He also extended his sympathies to her family and loved ones following her tragic death. In his Easter Vigil, Archbishop Martin said: "This weekend I have been praying in particular for the loved ones and colleagues of the talented young journalist, Lyra McKee." Ms Mckee was shot dead by dissident republicans in Derry, the home town of the archbishop. A few months ago the Belfast native McKee tweeted that "Derry is such a beautiful town." She added: Ive fallen in love with it over the past year while falling in love with a woman who hails from it. Heres to better times ahead and saying goodbye to bombs and bullets once and for all. The Archbishop also spoke about the fire at Notre Dame cathedral on Monday. He opened the Homly by saying: "...A local priest spoke of his great sadness at the destruction, but, seeing how much had been saved - including the Blessed Sacrament and the treasured relic of the Crown of Thorns - he also expressed his unspeakable joy which he put down to his hope of the Resurrection." You can read the full text of Archbishop Martin's Easter homily below. As flames engulfed the beautiful Cathedral of Notre Dame on Monday evening last, a local priest spoke of his great sadness at the destruction, but, seeing how much had been saved - including the Blessed Sacrament and the treasured relic of the Crown of Thorns - he also expressed his unspeakable joy which he put down to his hope of the Resurrection. This past week Christians have been marking, in prayer and in worship, the two great pillars of our faith the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ. At this time of the year, the media features stories about relics like the Shroud of Turin, the Crown of Thorns, the True Cross and the Veil of Veronica. Seasonal films are shown like The Passion of the Christ, Mary Magdalen and The Greatest Story Ever Told. But perhaps the most vivid and tangible way to understand the mystery of Holy Week and Easter is to remember that Christ is alive!, and to search for Him in the real-life experiences of people who face the Cross of suffering while sharing the hope of Resurrection. The Cross of Good Friday continues to cast a long shadow in the world from the hungry and thirsty lands of South Sudan and Yemen, to those still fleeing from violence in Syria, to those caught up in natural disasters like the recent cyclone in Mozambique. And we can all think of people much nearer home for whom the agony of the Cross is very real. This weekend I have been praying in particular for the loved ones and colleagues of the talented young journalist, Lyra McKee, whose life was so cruelly and pointlessly ended by violence in my home city of Derry. May Lyra rest in peace. If the story of salvation had ended on Good Friday, we would remain a people of despair, crying out as Jesus did on the Cross, My God, my God, why have you abandoned us? On this Easter Day I pray that we can be Easter People - like the early Christians - capable of bringing the joy of the Resurrection into our troubled world. Everywhere around us, people are crying out for a reason to live in hope. Our mission, as Easter people, is to work for the restoration of hope in society; to be a positive and charitable presence in our communities, especially with the suffering, homeless, migrants and poor. We are called to be reconcilers and peacemakers, willing to help heal the wounds of the past in our families, society and Church; to be comforters, reaching out to those who feel abandoned or in despair with the Good News of Easter hope. Pope Francis sums up this Good News in his post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus vivit (Christ is Alive), which the Holy Father published on 2 April specifically for the benefit of young people but also for the entire People of God: Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world, and everything he touches becomes young, new, full of life Christ is alive and he wants you to be alive! He is in you, he is with you and he never abandons you. However far you may wander, he is always there, the Risen One. He calls you and he waits for you to return to him and start over again. When you feel you are growing old out of sorrow, resentment or fear, doubt or failure, he will always be there to restore your strength and your hope (Christus vivit, 1/2). Beannachtai na Casca oraibh go leir. Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Derry. The men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested by PSNI detectives this morning. They were arrested under the Terrorism Act and have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite. Ms McKee, a 29-year-old published author from Belfast, was shot in the head during riots in the Creggan Estate on Thursday night. Police said yesterday they believe the attack was carried out by dissident republicans linked to the New IRA. CCTV released by the PSNI captured her final moments at around 10pm, when she stood among a crowd of other innocent bystanders and raised her phone in the air, apparently to photograph the violence. Shaky mobile phone footage also released by detectives showed a masked gunman lean from behind cover and appear to fire shots towards police and onlookers. Police, who described the shooting as a terrorist incident, believe the violence was orchestrated in response to an earlier search by officers aimed at averting imminent trouble associated with this weeks anniversary of the Easter Rising. Around 50 petrol bombs were thrown in the confrontation and two cars were burned out. Catholic priest Father Joseph Gormley, who read the last rites for Lyra McKee, said: It was heartbreaking to see a young woman, 29 years of age, lying in Altnagelvin hospital. It was just so sad. This rioting was clearly orchestrated. I have no problems saying that, everybody in our community knows that, he told BBC Radio 4s Today. We have a small group of people who want to play political games with our lives and want to use our community as a place where they can play their little war games. Fr Gormley continued: People in our community have tried to have conversations with these people and I have been involved to some degree with those conversations myself. They have not listened and now our community are finally saying enough is enough, please get off our backs. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, who leads the inquiry, described the murder as "senseless and appalling beyond belief". An outpouring of tributes to Ms Kee was led by her partner, Sara Canning, who said her "amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act". Ms Canning said: "Victims and LGBTQIA community are left without a tireless advocate and activist and it has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with. "This cannot stand, Lyra's death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone else's life and her legacy will live on and the life that she has left behind." The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said the murder of Lyra McKee was "a reminder of how fragile peace still is in Northern Ireland", adding: "We must all work to preserve the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement." The tragic murder of Lyra McKee is a reminder of how fragile peace still is in Northern Ireland. We must all work to preserve the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement. https://t.co/kweO4tHjFI Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) April 20, 2019 A vigil will be held today in Omagh in CoTyrone which has been organised by the Omagh Trade Union Council and the Northwest Branch of the National Union Of Journalists. A minute's silence will be held before a separate rally in Belfast over citizen's rights after Brexit. The British government cannot just "throw the Good Friday Agreement under the bus" to pursue a shortsighted Brexit agenda, a campaigner has said. Rallies held in both London and Belfast on Saturday, dubbed #WeAreIrishtoo, called on all governments to uphold the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts. The protests came after the UK Government rejected Emma DeSouza's American husband's application for a visa over her refusal to call herself British. Mark Hughes, who was born in Newry and now lives in Lewisham, south London, said Ms DeSouza's case highlights the "legal grey area" that Northern Irish citizens could fall into. "The Good Friday Agreement gave us peace, normality and a shared future no matter what - we could be British, we could be Irish and we could be both," the 33-year-old said. Speaking outside the Northern Ireland Office in Westminster, the paralegal said the murder of journalist Lyra McKee has shown "just how fragile" peace is. "We need to show the Government that they cannot just throw the Good Friday Agreement under the bus to pursue a myopic Brexit agenda." "The current stance of the Tory government dumps on that parity of esteem which is provided by the Good Friday Agreement." He added that they do not want a "two-tiered society where EU rights are given to one group and not the other". Under the terms of the Good Friday peace agreement of 1998, people from Northern Ireland have the right to hold UK or Irish citizenship, or both. Solidarity with Northern Irish people The GFA is class and needs to be cherished. #WeAreIrishtoo pic.twitter.com/RRmZatWcnA Alison Spittle (@AlisonSpittle) April 20, 2019 But Ms DeSouza and her husband Jake were told after their wedding in 2015 that his application for a family member residence card to remain in Northern Ireland had been rejected because she applied for the visa as an Irish national. She and others have claimed they were being forced to declare as British, or formally renounce British citizenship they insist they never held, to engage with the residency application process. In a video posted on Twitter ahead of the rally in Belfast, which she attended, Ms DeSouza said in the current climate it is important to come forward and stand up for the Good Friday Agreement, peace process and their rights which are "under threat". Ms DeSouza has previously said the "lack of legislative protections" for citizens in Northern Ireland is because the Good Friday Agreement "has not been fully implemented". This legislative gap which leaves citizens vulnerable will "only widen after Brexit", she has said. With a silence held in memory of Ms McKee, Mr Hughes said they want the Government to recognise the "special circumstances" of Northern Ireland citizens. Derry Girls actress Siobhan McSweeney attended the rally in London and said that as someone from the Republic of Ireland, she felt a "responsibility to support Northern Irish voices". "What I see is a sleight of hand by the British Government to dismantle the Good Friday Agreement which was hard-won and hard-fought for, and a deeply-treasured agreement that allows citizens of Northern Ireland to identify as Irish as British or as both," she told the Press Association. "When you start messing with that we end up with the tragedy that happened Lyra ... peace is not a partisan matter." Mr Hughes warned how the current leadership vacuum in Northern Ireland "has allowed dissidents to rear their ugly heads" and how no-one wants to go back to borders and violence. "If anything this protest and the spirit of it - given what has happened - is to show that the Good Friday Agreement has done so much, so please don't tear it up," he added. PA & Digital Desk "Thanks for the review! It's like you were right there in the room with the band. Hopefully we'll do better next time," one of the band members emailed me. It was embarrassing. I don't want to upset people with the nonsense I write. I felt bad for a bit, but not that long. In the end, it's just another opinion, words in the cosmos, no more valid than any other. And why are you even reading your own reviews, losers? This week, during a lecture to NYU's Stern School of Business, director M. Night Shyamalan revealed the depths he plummeted following lacklustre reviews to his latest stinker Glass. "I was in London when I heard the US reviews for Glass were poor. I was in a make-up chair for a TV show, and I cried," he told attendees. "We had only great screenings of the movie around the world, so essentially I wasn't prepared ... Boy, did I feel distraught that day. "But anyway, the film went on, right?" he continued. "It became number one in every country in the world ... I've had more success than anybody should be allowed to have. I mean, everything I've ever written has been offered to be made into a movie, and my nine films that are original ideas have averaged $US270 million each. I just think I can't complain about anything." Which brings me to my ever elusive point: you're in the biggest TV show on Earth, Kit Harington, a show viewers are clamouring to see and eager to dissect. Instead of targeting critics, maybe just make like a White Walker and chill out. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young says she is "horrified" at the prospect that her Senate spot could be taken by One Nation, as the Greens face losing two of their most high-profile parliamentarians at the upcoming election to Pauline Hanson's party. South Australian senator Sarah Hanson-Young, pictured with Greens leader Richard Di Natale on Wednesday, is aiming to be elected for her fourth term. Credit:AAP Along with Senator Hanson-Young, the Greens' co-deputy leader Larissa Waters has an uphill struggle to hold on to her Queensland seat due to challenges from One Nation, Clive Palmer and far-right senator Fraser Anning. The Greens have six of their nine senators up for re-election on May 18. "Our focus is on retaining our team of MPs," Greens leader Richard Di Natale told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, saying South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales would "come down to the wire". Senator Hanson-Young said she was fighting for one of the last two Senate spots in South Australia with the Centre Alliance's Skye Kakoschke-Moore (who was forced to resign over dual citizenship in 2018), One Nation candidate Jennifer Game and the Liberal Party's third candidate, Alex Antic. Two young men accused of murdering a Brisbane doctor at his home have fronted a Queensland court. Luping Zeng, 56, was shot in the chest on Monday night in the garage of his MacGregor home while he was packing his car about 11.40pm. Emergency services were called to Dr Luping Zeng's home about 11.40pm on Monday. Credit:Facebook His accused murderers, Joshua Hamilton and Billy Smith, were not required to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday. They were charged on Friday with murder, attempted robbery with violence, and firearms offences. A Queensland magistrate has questioned an anti-coal activist's sanity after he stepped in front of a moving train to protest against climate change. The five-hour protest on an Aurizon coal train in Brisbane caused rail delays and cancellations costing the freight company about $1.3 million. The coal protester, Jaxom Kerlin, was charged on Thursday evening. Credit:Extinction Rebellion. Magistrate Walt Ehrich granted Jaxom Kerlin, 18, bail in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday. But not before he questioned the young man's mental health. A Queensland man has been charged with attempted kidnapping after trying to lure a young girl away at a beach in South Australia. Police were called about 11.50am on Friday to Military Road at West Beach, a family-friendly suburb near the Adelaide Airport, over a suspicious behaviour report. Police have charged a Queensland man with attempted kidnapping. Credit:Cathryn Tremain Police said a man had approached a girl and had asked her to walk away with him before the girl's mother stopped him. A defected Cold War spy, a man losing his trousers during a drunken brawl on the Gold Coast and Australian secret service operatives breaking into the Russian embassy in Canberra to steal a dog - all of these incidents are connected by one man, Vladimir Petrov. The information provided by Mr Petrov and his wife after their defection to Australia exposed 600 Russian spies across the world, but they were a nightmare for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation to keep an eye on. Vladimir Petrov with his wife, Evdokia. Credit:Photographer Unknown On the night of November 27, 1956, the Petrovs were on holiday in Surfers Paradise with new identities and new lives after defecting two years earlier. They were staying in a flat with ASIO minders and about 8pm Mr Petrov went for a walk, ending up at the Surfers Paradise Hotel. Several hours later, he walked home in darkness, drunk. He went into a flat, adamant this was where him and his wife were staying, but he was wrong. The third dingo attack on Fraser Island this year has sparked immediate action to boost ranger numbers and contact with visitors amid criticism of the state government's existing approach. Rangers will be increased 50 per cent and face-to-face contact with visitors will be bumped up following a review into the dogs. A 14-month-old boy has undergone surgery after being attacked by a dingo. Credit:ninevms The moves came after a 14-month-old boy was dragged by the neck from a campervan and left with a fractured skull and head and neck punctures. A dingo had snatched the boy and was heading towards bushland when his father heard his toddler's receding cries in the early hours of Friday morning. recordings from a day-long Conclave on the theme "Nehruas legacy: Its relevance to contemporary India." The conclave was held on March 30, 2019 at the Indian Social Institute, New Delhi. Australian Border Force banned three European motorcycle gang members and two associates from entering the country after landing at Perth Airport earlier this week. The men, apart of the Gypsy Joker Outlaw motorcycle club, held German, Spanish and Norwegian passports. Australian Border Force officials interrogate one of the Spanish Gypsy Jokers associates. They were planning to attend an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Gypsy Jokers, which is expected to attract dozens of bikies and supporters from Australia and overseas to the gang's clubhouse in Maddington on Saturday night. The two German men, aged 33 and 61, arrived in Perth on a flight from Hong Kong on Monday night, while the two Spanish nationals, aged 43 and 44, landed in Perth from Dubai on the same day. More than 750 climate change activists blocking roads at some of London's most famous landmarks have been arrested over the past six days, police say. The protests, organised by climate group Extinction Rebellion, have for several days disrupted travel through parts of central London, including at Marble Arch and Waterloo Bridge. Police arrest protestors at Oxford Circus in London. Credit:AP The activists had also blocked the Oxford Circus shopping district, but by 5pm local time on Saturday, the roads had been cleared by police and traffic was flowing again. Extinction Rebellion has called for non-violent civil disobedience to force the British government to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2025 and stop what it calls a global climate crisis. Police have arrested two men, aged 18 and 19, in relation to the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old journalist during a riot in the Northern Irish city of Derry (also known as Londonderry.) Lyra McKee who was shot and killed when guns were fired during clashes with police Thursday night April 18, 2019, in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Credit:AP Lyra McKee was standing near police when she was shot in the head about 11pm local time in the suburb of Creggan. The city is known as Derry to Irish nationalists and Londonderry to British unionists. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said in a statement that the men were arrested under the Terrorism Act in connection with the murder. Police said dissident Irish republicans were behind the act, Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton told reporters on Friday. A rare Sumatran tiger attacked a worker at the Topeka Zoo in Kansas on Saturday local time, wounding the back of her head and neck before other staff members were able to coax the animal away with food, officials said. The zookeeper was alert and awake when she was rushed to a hospital, where she was listed in stable condition, city of Topeka spokeswoman Molly Hadfield said by phone. The victim, the primary tiger keeper at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center, was in the predator's outdoor habitat when she was attacked, zoo director Brendan Wiley said at a news conference. Somehow, the 7-year-old male tiger named Sanjiv entered the habitat, which is never supposed to happen when a person is present, Wiley said. RTHK: Turkey arrests 'UAE spies' in Khashoggi probe Turkey has arrested two men suspected of spying for the United Arab Emirates and is probing if they are tied to Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder, Anadolu state news agency said on Friday. The two were detained as part of an investigation by Istanbul prosecutors into alleged spying by the Gulf state, Anadolu reported. It was not clear when they were arrested. A critic of the Saudi regime, Khashoggi was killed October 2 in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by a team of 15 agents sent from Riyadh. His body has never been recovered. After first denying the murder, Saudi Arabia later said rogue agents had carried out the operation. A trial of 11 suspects opened earlier this year in Saudi Arabia. Much of the case remains unclear, including the role of Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman. Turkey has delicate relations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two of the Arab states that imposed a blockade on Qatar, one of Ankara's close allies. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly said he would keep investigating Khashoggi's death and has criticised the lack of cooperation from Riyadh. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. In addition to the fact that limousine travel is very glamorous, it is also the most comfortable trip you can... 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 Tahnee Camilleri couldnt have been more excited to start racing Ideal Lifestyle A. The Australian mare came to Camilleris barn off a career-best 1:50.3 victory at Menangle in September 2018 and by late fall, Camilleri had the Western Ideal mare ready to qualify at the Meadowlands. However, Ideal Lifestyles North American debut suffered a delay. I had her ready to qualify at the Meadowlands roughly in October or November, but she had a bit of a mishap in the paddock when I had her in to qualify, Camilleri said. She kicked and got her leg caught over her hopples, so she ended up doing a little tear in her hamstring and she needed time off then. For Camilleri, the injury proved to be a low point. After embarking on a career as a lawyer, the Australian native changed course and came to the United States to pursue her passion of harness racing. After a brief stint here in 2009, Camilleri returned last year. Her growing stable of Australian imports have posted 20 wins from 54 starts since April 2018 and Ideal Lifestyle looked to be the star of the stable. It was really disappointing because I was quite excited to start racing her and just to have a horse of that caliber, Camilleri said. Her last start in Australia, she made a bunch of very good mares look ordinary, she absolutely destroyed them. I was pinching myself to be able to get my hands on a mare of that caliber and for it to all go pear-shaped her first time she set foot on a racetrack here was a little bit disappointing, but I suppose thats racing. Tahnee Camilleri and Andrew McCarthy with Firebby A Tahnee Camilleri and Andrew McCarthy with Firebby A A multiple Group 3-placed performer Down Under, Ideal Lifestyle came to Camilleri off an open-length victory in a one-mile mares free-for-all. After leaving from the far outside post, Ideal Lifestyle set and opening fraction of :25.4 and came home with a :27.3 quarter to post her lifetime mark. When she arrived in Camilleris barn, her impression in the flesh was even more impressive than that on the track. Shes built like a breeding stallion, shes a very big Western Ideal mare, extremely highly-strung, but a lot of the good mares are, Camilleri said. Just looking at her, shes a very impressive looking individual. Ive never trained a Standardbred that big, let alone a mare. Shes quite impressive to look at. She was very hard to get out of the stall when I first got her. Shes very high-strung and you just have to train her with sheepskin gloves, I guess. Shes a little bit temperamental, but shes entitled to be. After her arrival, Camilleri and Ideal Lifestyle quickly got off on the wrong foot. However, over time, she has become easier to work with. I got her off the truck when she had just come from quarantine and I put her in a stall. I let her rest in there for a little while, let her have something to eat and drink, Camilleri recalled. And then I went and hour or two later to let her out in the field and she wasnt having it. She chased me out of the stall. That was basically my introduction to Ideal Lifestyle. Its not very fun being chased out of a stall by a horse that size. Shes definitely taught me a lot, Camilleri said. She hasnt been an easy horse to train, but Im now starting to reap the rewards of the patience Ive put into her. Its been a bit of a ride, but its been an exciting one, anyway. Camilleri gave Ideal Lifestyle time to recover from her injury and by January, she was ready to qualify again. After two successful trials at the Meadowlands and a runner-up finish in 1:52 on debut February 1, Camilleri decided to nominate to the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series despite her concerns about the half-mile track. I had my doubts about whether she would get around Yonkers, the trainer said. I paid up for the Matchmaker and just thought I would put her around Yonkers and see how she goes. Shes a very big mare, a very long mare. Ideal Lifestyle made her Hilltop debut February 15, the evening after payments were due. She wired the field in a $29,000 overnight, scoring in 1:54 with Jordan Stratton in the sulky. Ideal Lifestyle subsequently posted two straight runner-up finishes in the $44,000 distaff feature before taking aim at the series. Ideal Lifestyle continued to surprise her trainer with a 1:52.3 victory in leg one of the series March 15. After two straight second-place finishes in weeks two and three and a fourth April 5, Ideal Lifestyle accumulated 208 points, enough for an eighth-place ranking in the standings, earning her a spot in the $402,600 Final Saturday night (April 20). Probably half-mile racing isnt really her go, but its a testament to her ability that she qualified for the final when its very obvious she struggles around a half, Camilleri said. Im very proud of her; she does a lot of things wrong, but she still qualified for the final and shes a great trier, so its going to be fun. Ideal Lifestyle drew post seven in the final and will be reunited with Jordan Stratton after George Brennan drove throughout the preliminary legs. Although she is a 20-1 outsider, the long odds take the pressure of Camilleri in her stakes debut. This is my first stakes race Ive ever been in. Shes a bit of a forgotten horse and its a lot less pressure on me and her and Im going to go into (Saturday) night and just enjoy myself, she said. Im still pinching myself. Its very, very exciting and Im very excited for the mare, Camilleri continued. George came off and said she was a little tired her last start. I skipped last week and freshened her up, shes jumping out of her skin, so Im expecting her to run a good race. Ive got a great tactical driver on board in Jordan Stratton and Ill just leave it up to him. Win, lose, or draw, Im so proud she qualified for the final and Im thankful to be there. The field for the Matchmaker Series Final is listed below: (Post - Horse - Driver - Trainer) 1. Kaitlyn N - Matt Kakaley - Rich Banca 2. Apple Bottom Jeans - Corey Callahan - Dylan Davis 3. Feelin Red Hot- George Brennan - Ron Burke 4. Dont Think Twice - Jason Bartlett - Andrew Harris 5. Bettor Joy N - Dexter Dunn - Jim King Jr. 6. Shartin N - Tim Tetrick - Jim King Jr. 7. Ideal Lifestyle A - Jordan Stratton - Tahnee Camilleri 8. Seaswift Joy N - Jim Marohn Jr. - Tony Alagna Saturday nights card also features the $664,000 George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series Final, the $100,000 Levy Series Consolation, the $75,000 Matchmaker Series Consolation, and a $50,000 Open Handicap Trot. First post time is 6:50 p.m. (SOA of NY) The airline also asked to retain prime airport slots to retain value for new investor. A team of employee representatives led by CEO Vinay Dube and Deputy CEO Amit Agarwal later in the evening met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and requested for Rs 175 crore, which would be used to pay one month salary to the employees. "We requested for funds to pay at least one months salary and that will give hope to employees," Jet Airways CEO Vinay Dube told Business ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor The Bombay High Court has granted bail to a person, arrested on charges of circular trading and fictitious claim of input tax credit under the goods and services tax (GST) regime. The court also ruled that no coercive action would be taken against the person, while posting the next hearing on July 8, when charges of fake invoices and circular trading would be taken up. The order may have repercussions for over a dozen of people arrested under similar charges across the country, Abhishek Rastogi, counsel for the petitioner and partner Khaitan & Co. said. The petitioner, who has ... US intelligence has accused Huawei Technologies of being funded by Chinese state security, The Times said on Saturday, adding to the list of allegations faced by the Chinese technology company in the West. The CIA accused Huawei of receiving funding from China's National Security Commission, the People's Liberation Army and a third branch of the Chinese state intelligence network, the British newspaper reported, citing a source. Earlier this year, US intelligence shared its claims with other members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group, which includes Britain, ... If the fire at Notre Dame cathedral had happened 20 or 50 years ago, Frances luxury fashion houses would surely have rushed to support its reconstruction as quickly as they did in 2019. There is no doubting the sincerity of LVMH, Kering SA and their founding families, who led the way with donations after the devastation earlier this week. The city of Paris, its streets and landmarks, have held a special role as the artistic center of the industry since its earliest days, so to restore what has been lost is to preserve its own history. But more than a century after Coco ... As many as 13 people including a child were killed on Friday (local time) when a group of unidentified gunmen opened fire at a party in the eastern Mexican state of Veracruz, authorities said. "Federal and state forces have deployed a strong search and capture operation of those responsible for the events," Gutierrez Maldonado, secretary of public security in Veracruz state, tweeted on Saturday. Authorities told CNN that an investigation in the matter has been launched to find those responsible for the shootings. State authorities have held an emergency meeting "to address the regrettable and condemnable events," Veracruz state Governor Cuitlahuac Garcia tweeted. Four other people present in the party were injured in the attack. Preliminary reports said that the gunmen were in search of a person, named El Beky, the owner of a bar located in Minatitlan city in Veracruz. Further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Saturday took charge as the newly-appointed Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs. Shortly after taking charge, Hafeez said that that economic decision needs to be well thought out and free from emotions, Dunya News reported after quoting officials from the Finance Ministry. Following a major Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, Prime Minister Imran Khan replaced former Finance Minister Asad Umar with Hafeez. Hafeez worked as Saudi Arabia's country head with the Bank, and as a senior official adviser to 21 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America. He also remained Pakistan's finance minister from 2010 to 2013 during the tenure of the Pakistan Peoples Party and minister of finance, planning and development of Sindh from 2000 to 2002. He served as minister for privatization under former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf. Meanwhile, Umar, who was offered the energy portfolio by Khan, said: "I have obtained his consent to not take any cabinet position." "I strongly believe @ImranKhanPTI is the best hope for Pakistan and insha Allah will make a Naya Pakistan," he tweeted. The change in the Finance Ministry comes at a time when Pakistan is in the middle of negotiating a new bailout package with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Umar had just returned from a trip to Washington during which details of Pakistan's next IMF bailout were finalised, documented and signed. After resigning from his post, Umar said that "it was time to make some difficult decisions to stabilise the economy" and that he hopes his replacement would be supported in his efforts. "This does not mean I am not available to forward PTI's vision for 'Naya Pakistan'. I am and will always be available to forward the interests of the country," The Express Tribune quoted Umar as saying. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said on Friday that only one month is left for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to become an ex-Prime Minister. He slammed PM Modi and BJP for fielding Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur as Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal. "Insha Allah only one month is left and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to become ex-Prime Minister," said Owaisi while addressing a public rally at Aurangabad on Friday. "At every place Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his useless speeches has been reiterating that security issue has been resolved, terrorism has been controlled, but I ask the PM, BJP and NDA - which also includes Shiv Sena - why have they given a ticket to Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur who allegedly planted a bomb near a mosque in Malegaon killing 6 innocent people and injuring hundreds," said Owaisi. "Is this the proof of fight against terrorism? To give party ticket to someone who has charges of terrorism against her?" asked Owaisi. Pragya Thakur is among the seven accused facing trial in Malegaon blast case. Six people were killed and a dozen others were injured after a bomb placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtra's Malegaon on September 29, 2008. Owaisi further slammed the Prime Minister for Sadhvi's controversial statements on former Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare. "How will the PM ask for votes from the people of Mumbai after Sadhvi Pragya said that Hemant Karkare died because of her curse. Karkare laid down his life fighting the demon Ajmal Kasab and other terrorists from Pakistan. He has not seen who is Hindu and who is Muslim but laid down his life for Hindustan," said Owaisi adding that the "Prime Minister should now break his silence". In a controversial remark, Sadhvi Pragya had said: "I called Hemant Karkare and asked him to let me go if there is no evidence (against me). He (Karkare) said that he will bring evidence but will not leave me. I told him -- You will be ruined." Karkare was killed along with two other senior police officers while fighting terrorists during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in November 2008. BJP was quick to distance itself from Sadhvi Pragya's statement. The party has fielded her to contest Lok Sabha election against Congress leader Digvijaya Singh from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) court on Saturday dismissed the bail plea of alleged arms dealer and businessman Sushen Mohan Gupta in connection with AgustaWestland money laundering case. Gupta had filed an application for a bail plea on April 6. On April 15, after hearing his plea, the court reserved the order on the bail application for today. Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) told a special CBI court that Gupta tried "his best, but could not destroy the evidence". During the course of the hearing, ED's Special Public Prosecutors DP Singh and Naveen Kumar Matta had accused Gupta of 'influencing' Rajiv Saxena after the latter was allowed to turn "approver" in the case by the court. "When one of our witnesses wanted to be an approver, Gupta went to Dubai to desist him. He had started calling him when there was a buzz on diaries," had added the counsels. The ED had previously said that two diaries in the form of a pen drive were recovered from the possession of Saxena, which allegedly belonged to Gupta. Opposing Gupta's bail plea, ED had also contended that the statement given by Gupta in 2016 that he did not have any knowledge of Interstellar Technologies, a Mauritius-based company through which money was laundered, was "wrong". "But later during the investigation, it came to light that Gupta was the one who gave the instructions for the transfer of funds," ED had added. Gupta's counsels, Advocate Siddharath Aggarwal and PV Kapoor, however, had argued that he had joined the investigation as and when summoned. "There is no scope of apprehension regarding his availability," they had said. Gupta was arrested on March 26 and is currently lodged in Tihar jail. The court, on April 8, had sent Gupta to judicial custody till April 20. In his bail plea, Gupta submitted that he fully cooperated with investigation agencies and had complied with all directions given by them, adding that he has neither been accused of evading the law nor has he interfered with the investigation in any manner. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amethi Returning Officer Ram Manohar Mishra has ordered the postponement of scrutiny of Congress president Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers to April 22. An Independent candidate, Dhruv Lal, has filed a complaint alleging discrepancies in Rahul's candidature. "There are three basic issues we have raised," Ravi Prakash, who is Lal's lawyer, told ANI. One of the issues he has raised is on the "basis of a certificate of incorporation of a company registered in the UK wherein he has declared himself a UK citizen," Prakash alleged. He said that under the Representation of People Act, a non-Indian citizen is barred from contesting elections in the country. "On what basis has he become a British citizen? And, how did he obtain Indian citizenship now? Unless there is clarity over the matter, we have requested the Returning Officer not to accept Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers," Prakash said. The lawyer alleged that there are no details mentioned in Rahul's election affidavit about the assets and properties of the UK company for the period between 2003 to 2009. While alleging that there are a lot of issues in Rahul's educational qualifications, Prakash said: "His education qualifications don't match in the documents. He has used the name 'Raul Vinci' in his college and there are no certificates available in the name of Rahul Gandhi." He added, "So, we are asking is Rahul Gandhi and Raul Vinci the same person? If it is not the case then we demand that he gives his original educational certificates, so that these can be verified." Amethi, a traditional bastion of the Gandhi family, will go to polls on May 6. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army officials rescued 3 police personnel and a civilian who had met with an accident while escorting a vehicle carrying Electronic Voter Machine (EVM) here. The vehicle carrying police officials and the civilian met with an accident on April 19. They were rushed to the Military hospital in Dimapur, where they are being treated for their injuries. Autonomous District Lok Sabha constituency of Karbi Anglong went to polls in the second phase on April 18. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut on Saturday alleged that late Hemant Karkare-led Anti Terror Squad (ATS) acted against Pragya Singh Thakur in the Malegaon blast case under pressure from the UPA government. Thakur is BJP's candidate from Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency. Raut told ANI, "Congress was in power then. Everyone knows that ATS was under pressure". Defending Thakur, Raut advocated that people should feel her pain. "We should understand Sadhvi's feelings and her pain," Raid said here. Hitting out at the Congress for using the word 'Hindu terror', the Shiv Sena leader said that the action against Thakur was unjustified. "The way the woman was harassed and tortured, it does not fit in any rule of law. Then you (the Congress leaders) started using words like Hindu terror!" The Shiv Sena leader said that terrorism has no religion and it was unfair to link terrorism to any religion. "We never supported linking terrorism with any religion," he stressed. On Friday, Thakur said that Karkare lost his life in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack because she had cursed him. "I called Hemant Karkare and asked him to let me go if there is no evidence (against me). He (Karkare) said that he will bring evidence but will not leave me. I told him -- You will be ruined," she had said. Pragya is among the seven accused facing trial in Malegaon blast case. Six people were killed and a dozen others were injured after a bomb placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtra's Malegaon on September 29, 2008. She was arrested in 2008 but was exonerated by the Investigation Agency in 2016 for lack of evidence. However, the trial court refused to let her off, saying it was difficult to accept since her motorcycle was used in the blast. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Election Commission (EC) has issued a notice to BJP candidate from Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency Pragya Singh Thakur for alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct by her comments on former Mumbai ATS chief late Hemant Karkare. The notice was issued by Bhopal District Election Officer and Collector Sudam Khade seeking an explanation from her within a day on her comments. Thakur, who is contesting against Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, said on April 18 that Karkare lost his life because she had cursed him. "I called Hemant Karkare and asked him to let me go if there is no evidence (against me). He (Karkare) said that he will bring evidence but will not leave me. I told him -- You will be ruined," Thakur had said. Thakur is an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. Later on Friday, the Indian Police Service (IPS) Association condemned her "insulting" statement. "Ashok Chakra awardee late Sri Hemant Karkare, IPS made the supreme sacrifice fighting terrorists. Those of us in uniform condemn the insulting statement made by a candidate and demand that sacrifices of all our martyrs be respected," the IPS Association wrote on their Twitter handle. Thakur has also faced flak from the opposition parties over her controversial remarks. The BJP distanced itself from the controversy, stating that her comments were personal. The remarks were probably due to the "mental and physical torture" she underwent during the investigation in the case, the party said. "The BJP strongly believes that late Hemant Karkare attained martyrdom while fighting against the terrorists. BJP has always considered him a martyr. This is Sadhvi Pragya's personal statement which she might have given because of the mental and physical torture she had faced," read a statement from the party. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The skies lit up on Sunday, Dec. 12 with many of the fireworks perfectly timed to lyrics from music played at the base of the pier on the Skechers stage. A group of Muslim workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including some burqa-clad women on Saturday carried out a door to door campaign seeking votes in Jamalpur Darwaza area of Ahmedabad West Lok Sabha seat. It is believed that the residents of the Muslim dominated area have been traditionally voting for the Congress. But the development works done by the Modi governments at Centre and in Gujarat have changed the minds of people here, Rauf Sheikh, one of the campaigners, claimed. "There is peace and harmony in Gujarat for the last 20 years. Both Hindu and Muslim are working together peacefully. That is why we are campaigning for the BJP", he said. A Muslim woman in burqa said she was campaigning for the saffron party since it is the strongest party in the country. "We are campaigning for the BJP because I personally feel it is the strongest party", Razia Sheikh who was part of the group said. A resident of the area said that he was supporting the party because it brought unity and brotherhood in the state. "I have full faith in the BJP. I urge everyone to come together and vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We have witnessed unity and brotherhood here, no communal violence has occurred in the last five years," he said. Jaitun Biwi Mahommad, another resident, expressed similar views saying that people in the area were benefitted from the Modi government. "This party is better than the Congress," she stated. BJP's Kirit Premjibhai Solanki is seeking re-election from the parliamentary constituency. Congress has pitted Raju Parmar against him. The Lok Sabha seat will go to election in the third phase of voting on April 23. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Launching a scathing attack on Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the grand old party affixed 'terror' word with the Hindus instead of giving reply to terrorists after 26/11 Mumbai attack. "When the terrorists attacked Mumbai in 26/11, the Congress government had refused to give permission to the Army to give a reply," the Prime Minister said while addressing an election rally here. "Instead of giving reply to terrorists who came from Pakistan, the Congress conspired to affix the 'terror' word with the Hindus. They did conspiracy to change the entire discourse of the investigation," he said. Modi expressed surprise that Opposition which was often raising questions over the IAF air strike inside Pakistan, have suddenly fallen silent over the issue. "After two phases of Lok Sabha elections, all those who questioning air strike and asking for proof, are not doing so now. Why have they forgotten to ask now?" the Prime Minister asked. "I challenge those who questioned the bravery of our soldiers. If they have the courage, they should go among the people and discuss the revenge taken against the martyrs of Pulwama terror attack and also ask questions of the Army's power. This is my challenge but they will not ask," he said. The Prime Minister also said that there are some people in Bihar spreading rumours that reservation will be scrapped. "Politicians are spreading rumours in Bihar. They are saying that 10 per cent reservation for the poor in the general category has been given which will be eliminated later," he said. "People should be cautious as these people (politicians) will conspire to take away some per cent of reservation from the poor, backward, Adivasis, etc as given by Baba Sahab Ambedkar, and give it to some other for the sake of vote bank They have tried it before also," Modi said. The Prime Minister reiterated his promise to ensure coverage of all farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme irrespective of their land ownership if the BJP is voted to power again. "We will scrap the maximum five acres of land clause to avail the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Yojna after the formation of our government," he said. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, which was launched in February this year, provides aid of Rs. 6,000 per year to small and marginal farmers having combined land holding or ownership of up to two hectares. NDA alliance, comprising BJP, JD(U) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) had announced its seat-sharing agreement. Under the deal, both the BJP and JD(U) will contest on 17 seats each, while the LJP will contest six seats. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Devendra Singh Yadav on Saturday filed a police complaint against BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur for her comment on late Mumbai ATS chief Hemant Karkare. Earlier in the day, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a notice Sadhvi Pragya for alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct by making comments on Hemant Karkare. The notice was issued by Bhopal District Election Officer and Collector Sudam Khade, seeking an explanation from her within a day on her comments. Thakur, who is contesting against Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, had said on April 18 that Karkare lost his life because she had cursed him. "I called Hemant Karkare and asked him to let me go if there is no evidence (against me). He (Karkare) said that he will bring evidence but will not leave me. I told him -- You will be ruined," Thakur had said. Thakur is an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. On Friday, the Indian Police Service (IPS) Association condemned her "insulting" statement. "Ashok Chakra awardee late Sri Hemant Karkare, IPS, made the supreme sacrifice fighting terrorists. Those of us in uniform condemn the insulting statement made by a candidate and demand that sacrifices of all our martyrs be respected," the IPS Association wrote on its Twitter handle. Thakur has also faced flak from the opposition parties over her controversial remarks. The BJP has distanced itself from the controversy, stating that her comments were personal. The remarks were probably due to the "mental and physical torture" she underwent during the investigation in the case, the party said. "The BJP strongly believes that late Hemant Karkare attained martyrdom while fighting against the terrorists. BJP has always considered him a martyr. This is Sadhvi Pragya's personal statement which she might have given because of the mental and physical torture she had faced," read a statement from the party. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party and SP-BSP alliance, stating that together they don't have any vision for the country. "Congress, SP and BSP do not have any vision for the nation. They have only one agenda - Modi hatao (Remove Modi)," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing a rally here. "After the first two phases of Lok Sabha elections, Opposition leaders are frustrated. They are miffed with the Election Commission and the Central government," he said. "All the 'mahamilawati' across India have started shouting. Some of them have started abusing the EVM. When this starts, think that there is something wrong. They have understood that the people are not with them," he said. "Do charan ke baad, humare sare virodhi karan doonde mein lage hai abhi se ke bhai parajay ke karan taiyar karo, yeh aisa Modi roller aaya hai ke sab saaf ho raha hai (The Opposition leaders have already started looking for excuses over their loss in the Lok Sabha polls)," he said. Further criticising the Congress, the Prime Minister said "We are saying that terrorism and Naxalism have to be eradicated. The Congress party says that armed forces should be removed from Jammu and Kashmir." "We are saying that our soldiers should be given a free hand. But Congress says that the brave soldiers of the country should be made helpless. The Congress party wants to take the decision to remove the laws that protect our armed forces," he saidPrime Minister Modi also said that the Opposition leaders have started making fun of his caste. "Ab ye mere pichdepan ka certificate bhi baantne lage hain, vo mere pichde hone ka mazak uda rahe hain. Har chunaav mein in logon ko jab parajay samne dikhne lagti hai to ye khel shuru ho jata hai. Meri jaati, is par aa jate hain," (These people have started making fun of me belonging to backward class. They start this game in every election when they can see their defeat in front of them)," Prime Minister Modi said. He added, "Koi neech bolta hai, koi kuch gaali deta hai. Vaise bhi hum gareebon ko pichdo ko sadiyon se ye naamdaron ki gaaliyan khane ki adat hogai hai, mujhe bhi hogai hai. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Crime Branch of Delhi Police is questioning Apoorva, the wife of Rohit Shekhar Tiwari, who was found dead on April 16 under mysterious circumstances. The questioning is taking place at Rohit's residence in Defence Colony in south Delhi. Women security guards are also present inside the house. On Friday, the Delhi Police had registered a murder case in connection with the death of Rohit, who was the son of late Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Chief Minister ND Tiwari. The case was registered under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Rohit was declared brought dead to the Max Hospital in Saket on April 16. The case of murder against unknown persons was registered after a post mortem examination report suggested that Rohit's death occurred due to unnatural causes. According to the medical report, he was smothered to death. The testimony of his servants and visuals from the CCTV footage revealed that Rohit came to his house on April 15 in an inebriated condition. He slept till the evening of the following day as no one tried to wake him up, police said. Rohit was found dead with blood oozing out of his nose at 4 pm on Tuesday evening following which he was taken to the hospital. The case was transferred to the Crime Branch of Delhi Police on Friday. The Forensic and Crime Branch teams had searched his house in Defence Colony to ascertain the cause of his death. Shortly after Rohit's death, his mother Ujjala Tiwari had told media persons: "His death is natural. I have no suspicion but I will reveal later what circumstances led to his death." Rohit had fought and won a long court battle with his late father to prove that he was his biological son. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that his father HD Deve Gowda's ten-month long tenure as the Prime Minister of India was much better than Prime Minister Narendra Modi's so far as far as the country's internal security is concerned. Kumaraswamy in an exclusive interview to ANI said that during the tenure of Deve Gowda as the Prime Minister, the country was peaceful as there was not even a single terror attack. Janata Dal-Secular supremo Deve Gowda was the Prime Minister of the country for less than a year from June 1, 1996, to April 21, 1997. When asked to comment if his father's month-long tenure was better than Prime Minister Modi's five-year government, he said: "Absolutely. You can go through the records to see what happened in Deve Gowda's 10 month government and five years under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi." Citing the relative calm situation in Jammu and Kashmir during the tenure of his father, Kumaraswamy said: "When my father was the Prime Minister, was there any terrorist activity in this country? The entire country was calm at that time.""There was no clash between India and Pakistan. There was not a single blast in Jammu and Kashmir. Even inside the country, there was no bomb attack," he said. Prime Minister Modi during an election rally at Chitradurga in Karnataka had said that the whole world stood with India, but "our Mahamilavati Dal" (Congress-JDS) was condemning Modi instead of Pakistan. Chief Minister Kumaraswamy attacked Prime Minister Modi, saying that he is using Balakot air strike incident to his political advantage in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. "He doesn't know the meaning. He can speak but misusing his office is wrong. In this country, several Prime Ministers came. Several times the India-Pakistan war took place. Nobody has taken advantage of those issues for their personal benefits," he said. "He (Prime Minister Modi) is the only person, he is misleading people that he went to Pakistan border and he only dropped the bomb on terror camps in Balakot. That way he is projecting himself," Kumaraswamy said, in response to a question where he had said that Modi does not know the difference between Balakot and Bagalkot. Kumaraswamy's response came after PM Modi, while addressing a poll rally in north Karnataka, said: "Now tell me - where is the Congress and the JDS vote bank? Is it in Bagalkot or Balakot? This Congress-JDS has to decide." On being asked to respond on his statement that 'Modi put make-up and wax on his face' before the camera, Kumaraswamy said: "All BJP candidates are telling people to vote for us (BJP) by seeing the face of Narendra Modi. That is their request to the masses. For that reason only, I said." Answering a question as to why he broke down at an event in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy said: "I wept because I am a very emotional and sensitive man. I am always looking at the mood of the people. I was a little bit upset, so I wept in the beginning." "But now the people are actually getting confident. The reaction or feeling of the people is that Kumaraswamy has done a good thing by joining hands with the Congress to form government. He is looking forward to the development of Karnataka." Calling Deve Gowda a 'good administrator,' the Karnataka Chief Minister said that JDS supremo will advise Congress president Rahul Gandhi to run a good administration if the Gandhi scion becomes the Prime Minister. "He (Deve Gowda) is a good administrator. He is an experienced person. He has experience in a political career. He is better than everybody, according to me. He has already projected the name of Rahul Gandhi (as PM)," he said."Whatever experience he has in his political career, he will be advising Rahul ji to run a good administration," Kumaraswamy said while pitching the name of Rahul as the prime ministerial candidate if a non-BJP government is formed at the Centre after the Lok Sabha polls. Adding that Deve Gowda might play a major role as an advisor to everybody in a coalition government after getting voted to power in the general elections, he said: "Most probably, there is not going to be a BJP government at the Centre.""We have to form the government with several regional parties combined together. At that time, I think Deve Gowda may play a major role as an advisor to everybody," he said when asked if Deve Gowda will play a role after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. When asked about his unhappiness with media for giving more attention to south Indian actor Sumalatha Ambareesh, an independent candidate contesting from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency where his son Nikhil Gowda is also in the fray, he said: "Regarding Mandya issue, I am not upset." "But unnecessarily, our local media friends for the last four months continuously, even during midnight, early morning, afternoon, evening whenever you switch on the TV, they had only been projecting Mandya issue by projecting that (Sumalatha) lady as a big leader. They are trying to create an image among the voters. That is why I criticised media friends." Responding to PM Modi's attack over "dynastic" in the Congress-JD(S) alliance, Kumaraswamy said: "People want us. They are demanding our family members to contest. This is not a dynastic issue. If people want our leadership, they will accept. Otherwise, they will reject us. It is because of the pressure from the people and party workers we have fielded our family members in the poll." Karnataka's final phase of Lok Sabha polling will take place on April 23, while the first phase of polling took place on April 18. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Mumbai police commissioner Julio Ribeiro, on Saturday condemned Pragya Singh Thakur's remarks on Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, who was killed in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and said her idea of Hinduism is not in sync with teachings of Hindu deities Lord Rama and Krishna. "A good Hindu is one who does his duty. I think Sadhvi Pragya's idea of Hinduism is different. To curse a person who has done his duties responsibly is not a Hinduism." "Her statement was not in line with the teachings of Hindu gods like Lord Rama and Krishna," he added. Sadhvi Pragya, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case had recently claimed that Karkare died because she had "cursed" him. She further claimed that Karkare had tortured her while she was in in prison. Notably, it was Karkare's team which led the investigation team which arrested her. "He tortured me and subjected me to harsh abuse which was unbearable. I told him he will be destroyed. A little over a month later 'sutak' (ritual observed after the death of a family member) was going to start ... just over a month later, he was shot dead by terrorists and the inauspicious period ended," Thakur had stated. "Pragya Singh Thakur's statement on Karkare has hurt the sentiments of Mumbai police because we all know that Karkare was a man who used to perform his duties responsibly. He was a man of principles. During the terror attack in Mumbai, he was just doing his duty. And while working on other cases he made sure that the truth gets established and the right person is prosecuted," Ribeiro added. The former Mumbai commissioner also clarified that Thakur was not tortured and abused in jail by Karkare. "Her complaint was looked up by the human rights and the court too dismissed her petition as no injury marks were found on her body," he said. Thakur, who is out on bail, last week was named as the BJP candidate from Bhopal and is set for a contest against Congress's Digvijaya Singh in the Lok Sabha elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale is slated to begin his official visit to Beijing on April 20. This is the first high-level engagement between the two countries after China put a technical hold - for the fourth time - on the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist at the UN Security Council following the terror outfit's perpetrated Pulwama terror attack. Gokhale is scheduled to meet with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit which, according to sources, is a part of the regular bilateral consultation process. The issue pertaining to the designation of Azhar is expected to figure during discussions. The Chinese Ambassador to India, Luo Zhaohui, has previously expressed optimism regarding the issue, telling ANI that the matter "will be resolved". "Regarding Masood Azhar, we fully understand and we fully believe this matter. We understand India's concerns and are optimistic this matter will be resolved...This matter (of putting Masood Azhar on UNSC 1267 sanctions committee list) will be resolved; this is only a technical hold which means there is time for continued consultations. It will be resolved, believe me," Luo told ANI last month. "After Wuhan summit last year, the two-way cooperation is on right and fast track. We are so satisfied with that cooperation and I am quite optimistic about future cooperation," he added. On March 13, China had blocked a proposal by the US, the UK and France, among others, to enlist Azhar as a global terrorist before the UNSC committee. A day after, Beijing had defended its technical block on the proposal, saying it needed "more time" as it is "conducting a comprehensive and in-depth review" on the listing request put forth by the countries. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang had told reporters at a regular briefing that China will continue "coordinating" with all the relevant parties to find a "lasting solution" to the issue if it is to be resolved in a "responsible and sustainable way". "The 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council has clear criteria for the procedures to list terrorist organizations or individuals. China is conducting a comprehensive and in-depth review of the listing request put forth by the relevant countries. We still need more time and that is why we decided to put a technical hold on it," Lu had said. "It complies with the rules of procedure of the 1267 Committee. We hope that relevant actions taken by the 1267 Committee will help countries concerned to settle their issues through dialogue and consultation and avoid adding more complex factors to regional peace and stability. China will continue its communication and coordination with all relevant parties (including India) in a constructive and responsible way to properly settle this issue," he had said. India had expressed disappointment over China's move but vowed to continue to pursue "all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens" are brought to justice. The United States had also said that the failure to designate Azhar as a global terrorist "runs counter" to Washington and Beijing's goal of regional stability and peace. A global terrorist tag under the UN's 1267 committee would have led to a freeze on Azhar's assets and a ban on travel and keeping weapons. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking a jibe at former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, BJP leader and former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said that though Gowda's party is contesting only on a few seats in the state, he is nursing ambitions of becoming the Prime Minister of the country, or at least an advisor to the PM. Speaking exclusively to Smita Prakash of ANI, Yeddyurappa said: "Deve Gowda is fighting on 7 seats in Karnataka and has ambitions of becoming the Prime Minister or an advisor to the Prime Minister." Gowda had said in a recent interview that unlike BJP veteran LK Advani, he is not going to retire from active and that if Congress president Rahul Gandhi becomes the Prime Minister of the country, he will be sitting by his side. Of the 28 parliamentary constituencies in the state, Congress and JD(S) are contesting on 21 and 7 seats, respectively, as per a pre-poll arrangement. Expressing his confidence of BJP gaining a big victory at the polls, Yeddyurappa said: "Despite all the divisive tactics by the Congress party, BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections by winning 104 seats. In this election too we are hundred per cent confident that we will not only win Shimoga Lok Sabha seat with a huge margin but also win more than 22 seats in the state." Shimoga has become a high profile constituency in the state as sons of two chief ministers are battling it out. Yeddyurappa's son B Y Raghavendra has been campaigning extensively and tells ANI that despite the state machinery being used against the BJP in his constituency, the people are with him. His father is very popular in Shikaripura where they have a modest family home in a congested locality but Raghavendra feels that Modi's popularity is his trump card. The JD (S) nominee Madhu Bangarappa, son of former CM is banking on the Ediga community and his late father's popularity. HD Kumaraswamy has made several emotional appeals to minorities and other communities to break the hold that Yeddyurappa has in central Karnataka. But the ageing Kannada stalwart Yeddyurappa is confident of adding Karnataka to Modi's kitty, "We are going to win at least 300 seats in the entire country," he added. On the prospects of JD(S)-Congress alliance getting 'destabilized' in Karnataka if BJP wins the Lok Sabha elections, Yeddyurappa said, "After results, anything may happen," claiming that "over 20 Congress MLAs are not ready to help the Chief Minister, they are not happy with him". He, however, denied that the allegedly estranged MLAs were in touch with him. "These MLAs have not spoken to me, they have spoken secretly," he said. He probably means that there is a whisper campaign. Talking about the Veerashaiva-Lingayat issue, Yeddyurappa accused former Congress president Sonia Gandhi of hatching a conspiracy with the local Congress leadership to divide the Lingayat community in the state. "Congress leader and Home Minister MB Patil had written to the then AICC chief Sonia Gandhi on Veerashaiva-Lingayat issue which exposes the conspiracy hatched by Congress to prevent BJP from coming to power in Karnataka. What is surprising is that Sonia Gandhi is involved in this conspiracy as the letter written by Patil starts with 'as suggested by you', that means she herself has guided state Congress leaders on the issue," he said. "Being the head of a party and claiming the legacy of Nehru family, she should not have stooped to such a level because we have high regards for Nehru and his family. Though it is not new for Congress people to involve in such conspiracies," he added. On Kumaraswamy's alleged claims that he knew about the 'Pulwama terrorist attack' two years back, Yeddyurappa hit back questioning the CM's silence for so long."If he knew about the attack two years back, he should have informed it to the police or to the President of India so that such a tragic incident and the death of our more than 40 soldiers could have been prevented," he said. Yeddyurappa is dismissive of the Chief Minister's statements on Pulwama and Balakot, telling ANI that HDK seems mentally unsound. Refuting the allegations levelled on him by the Congress in the 'Yeddyurappa diary' row wherein he was alleged to have paid Rs 1800 crore to some top BJP leaders, the former CM said that there was no truth in it. "If there is even a small amount of truth in it, I will retire from Officials and experts have checked my handwriting and signature and have come out openly saying that it was not my signature at all. It was not a diary but only 2-3 loose sheets," he said. Continuing his tirade against the JD(S)-Congress government in the state, the senior BJP leader said that it has been a complete failure and that the CM has lost his "mental balance". "We are seeking votes on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 5-year performance. The existing coalition government has miserably failed in Karnataka and the Chief Minister has lost his mental balance and is speaking irresponsibly," he said. "In Mandya district, Sumalatha is giving a very good fight and she may win the election. The Chief Minister was there only for a week, thereafter he lost his mental balance and is speaking nonsense wherever he has gone after that," said Yeddyurappa. The BJP has fielded candidates in all constituencies except in Mandya where it has extended support to independent candidate Sumalatha, wife of late actor-turned-politician Ambareesh. Sensing difficulties for his son Nikhil, who is the coalition candidate, Kumaraswamy had been campaigning in Mandya for the past few days. When asked about his statements on Balakot, Yeddyurappa said that he has been misquoted by some media outlets. "I didn't say that Balakot air strike will help us to win 22 seats, I was misquoted by the media. The credit will go to the military," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gujarat Cabinet Minister Ganpat Vasava on Saturday once again stoked controversy by comparing Congress president Rahul Gandhi with a puppy, wagging its tail at the sight of food. "When PM Modi stands, it looks like the lion of Gujarat is standing. When Rahul Gandhi stands, it looks like a puppy is there wagging its tail; if Pakistan offers it a chapatti, it'll go there; if China offers it a chapatti, it'll go there," Vasava said. The BJP minister made the statement while addressing a public rally here in support of the Member of Parliament Mansukhbhai Vasava. Vasava had earlier stirred a controversy after he said that Rahul Gandhi should be made to consume poison by his party workers to prove that he is a true devotee of Lord Shiva. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Richwood, TX (77531) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 80F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening followed by isolated thunderstorms overnight. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Justifying his decision of reshuffling the federal Cabinet a day before, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that a good captain constantly keeps an eye on his team and sometimes changes the batting order and replaces a player with a new one to win the match. Addressing a public gathering in Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa, The Dawn quoted Khan, as saying that being a Prime Minister of the country the only objective he had in mind was the nation's uplift. "For this, I have changed the batting order in my team and made a couple of changes too. I will do it in the future as well," he added. "I want to tell all the ministers that anyone of no use for the country will be replaced with the one who is beneficial," Khan was quoted as saying. Khan also urged the respective Chief Ministers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to put their teams under the scanner. The Prime Minister on Thursday brought in five new aides and changed the portfolios of four ministers, including that of Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, who has now been assigned Science and Technology ministry. Chaudhry will be replaced by Firdous Ashiq Awan, an erstwhile Pakistan People's Party (PPP) stalwart who switched to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in May 2017. Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, former finance minister in the PPP government from 2010 to 2013, has been appointed as Advisor Finance. He will replace Asad Umar, who resigned hours before the announcement of the reshuffle, saying Imran Khan offered him energy ministry but he did not want it. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior, Shehryar Afridi, has now been named the Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron). Ghulam Sarwar Khan, who was the petroleum minister, has been shifted to aviation ministry. Reportedly, Sarwar had threatened to quit the party, if removed from the cabinet. Therefore he was shifted to Aviation portfolio which was until then held by Federal Minister for Privatisation Muhammad Mian Soomro. The reshuffle comes as the South Asian nation is going through a serious economic crisis. Despite owing around USD 10 billion to Beijing and Riyadh, Islamabad is seeking another bailout package of USD 8 to 10 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There is no such term called 'Hindutva' that exists in my dictionary, said Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh here on Saturday. "Why are you using the word 'Hindutva'? No such word called 'Hindutva' exists in my dictionary," he said while addressing a press conference. The Congress leader was asked if he thinks that there will be polarisation in elections on the issue of Hindutva. His comments assume significance in the wake of BJP fielding Malegaon Blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur from Bhopal, the seat from where Digvijaya is contesting on a Congress ticket. Digivijaya has often been accused by his political rivals of inventing the 'saffron terror' term. Later, Singh tweeted saying that the Hindu religion was his faith. "Therefore, I did not propagate about Narmada Parikrama, traditions of Raghogarh temple...When did the BJP people come between me and God? When did they become agents to give certificates," he asked. Tweeting further, he said: "The Hindutva of Sangh does not unite, but divides. I will never allow my religion to be hijacked politically. For us, the Hindu religion is a matter of faith. I have my personal relationship with God." Bhopal will go to polls on May 12. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Investigative Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested an alleged Islamic State (IS) sympathiser from his home in Kings Colony here, sources said. The suspect, Taha, was taken into custody by the NIA sleuths, sources said. The NIA is carrying out searches in Telangana and Maharashtra against an IS module, according to sources. The raids are being conducted at three locations in Hyderabad and one in Wardha. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Income Tax (I-T) Department on Saturday seized unaccounted cash over Rs 4 crore during various searches carried across the state and in Goa as well. "On the receipt of a credible input about the cash being transported from Bangalore to Shimoga and Bhadravati, a cash handler was intercepted. Upon searching, Rs 2.3 crore cash was recovered from the spare tyre of his vehicle in the denomination of Rs 2,000 notes," I-T officials said. I-T sleuths also seized Rs 1 crore from a bank employee after a raid was conducted on his house in Bagalkot. "On the basis of local intelligence, the house of a bank employee in Bagalkot was searched and Rs 1 crore has been recovered so far. Inputs suggest that the person was accumulating cash for distribution during the election," they said. In Goa, searches are underway at the premises of two brothers who run a jewelry business in the state. "Two residential premises are being searched, while two business premises are under survey," the officials said. "Information was received that they mainly carry out business deals in cash and the cash so generated is potentially used for providing accommodation entries against cheque issued by the parties who need cash. Cash in excess of Rs 30 lakh is being seized from this premise," the Income Tax Department said. Cash in excess of Rs 10 lakh was also seized at Vijayapura, while the follow-up searches are underway in Bhadravati where a seizure of Rs 60 lakh is expected, said I-T officials. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff, on Saturday informed that India's first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, (IAC) Vikrant, will be delivered to the Indian Navy by 2021. The chief said: " India's first Indian Aircraft Carrier IAC Vikrant is undergoing outfitting at Kochi shipyard Ltd. Harbour acceptance trials are in progress and sea acceptance trial of this will commence in the latter half of this year." He further said that "The Aircraft Carrier will be delivered to Navy by the year 2021." INS Vikrant, also known as Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 (IAC-1), is the first aircraft carrier to be built in India for the Navy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A delegation of Jet Airways employees on Saturday met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at his residence here and apprises him of their demands including transparent bidding process. "We met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and presented our case. We requested him to have an open and transparent bid process. He assured us of that and also told us that as part of the expression of interest, there were four parties that were interested in Jet Airways," said Vinay Dube, Jet Airways CEO, while speaking to reporters after the meeting. "We also requested him to keep our employees with Jet Airways. They should be given the salary of at least a month. Finance Minister Jaitley has assured that he would look into the matter," he said. Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola was also present in the meeting. Shivalika Sharma, member, Guest Delight Team of the airline who was a member of the delegation that met the Finance Minister, said that they were hopeful of dominating the skies once again after meeting the Union Minister. Jet Airways on Wednesday cancelled all flights including its international flights temporarily after failing to secure emergency funds from its lenders, according to a statement by the airline. The embattled airline said to have taken the decision after the State Bank of India (SBI) on behalf of a consortium of Indian lenders informed on Tuesday night that they were unable to consider its request for critical interim funding. "Since no emergency funding from the lenders or any other source is forthcoming, the airline will not be able to pay for fuel or other critical services to keep the operations going. Consequently, with immediate effect, Jet Airways is compelled to cancel all its international and domestic flights," Jet Airways had said in the statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Friday wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin vowing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, ahead of the upcoming summit between the two leaders. "It is fully compatible with the common interests of our two peoples in order to continue to strengthen and develop the goodwill relationship that has been established by senior leaders and has long historical roots," the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) cited the letter as saying. "I have a willingness to cooperate closely with you to maintain the peace and security of the Korean peninsula and the while continuing to constructively develop friendly relations in accordance with the demands of the new era," it read. "I would like to take this opportunity to make greater achievement in your responsible business to build a strong and strong Russia, and to have well-being and prosperity for the friendly people of Russia," it added. The Kremlin, in a brief statement on Thursday, said that the North Korean leader will visit Russia "in the second half of April" on an invitation extended by the Russian President, however, no additional details of the meeting have been disclosed. The first-ever Kim-Putin summit comes after the breakdown of Kim's meeting with United States President Donald Trump in Hanoi in February. The summit had ended abruptly as the two parties failed to reach an agreement over denuclearisation. Speculations hint that the two leaders will hold their first summit in Russia's Far East city of Vladivostok next week when Putin travels to the Far East on his way to China for an international forum, Yonhap agency reported. Kim and Putin are expected to discuss the development of bilateral ties, issues related to denuclearisation and regional cooperation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Russia's TASS news agency. Peskov added that "Russia will be ready to do everything to promote the process of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula to the best of its abilities." He also said that the venue and exact date for the Kim-Putin summit have yet to be released due to security concerns. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) We are not only hopeful but confident that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will lose in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, said senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Saturday. "We are not only hopeful but also very confident that the BJP will lose. We will get good results in Gujarat too, we will cross double digit," he said addressing media persons here. "After the election results are announced on May 23, the BJP will no longer be in the government," he added. Talking about the incidents of Electronic Voter Machine (EVM) malfunction, he said: "The central government and Election Commission must be held accountable as so many EVMs malfunctioned during the polling." Sharpening his attack on the government for fielding Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur as Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal, Patel said: "The BJP can elect anyone they want to, but her controversial statement on the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) Chief Hemant Karkare shows her ideologies." Sadhvi Pragya on April 18 had said that ATS Chief died in the terror attack as she had cursed him. She also received flak from various opposition parties over her controversial remark. On being asked about the attack on the Congress leader Hardik Patel, Congress leader said, "BJP is anxious because they know they are going to lose in the elections." Gujarat will go to polls on April 23 in a single phase for all the 26 Lok Sabha seats. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Northern Ireland police on Saturday arrested two men, aged 18 and 19 years, in connection with the killing of investigative journalist Lyra McKee who was shot during the riots in Londonderry. The prominent 29-year-old scribe was killed in the Creggan area on April 18. The Police Service of Northern Ireland had released the CCTV footage of the shooting on Friday in a bid to elicit information from the community regarding the perpetrators. The two suspects were arrested under the terrorism Act, according to CNN. They have been taken to a police station in central Belfast, according to the police. "I cannot stress enough how important it is that people who were in the area last night and who recorded video and took photos to share what they have with us," Northern Ireland Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said in a statement on Friday. Authorities suspect the New Irish Republican Army (IRA), also referred to as the IRA dissidents, to be behind the killing, which has since been labelled as a terrorist incident. Over 50 petrol bombs were thrown at officers and gunshots were fired after a crowd gathered in the area on Thursday night. This comes right ahead of the Easter weekend, during which the IRA marks the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, considered one of the most important dates in the struggle for Irish independence. "People saw the gunman and people saw those who goaded young people out onto the streets, people know who they are. The answers to what happened last night lie within the community. I am asking people to do the right thing for Lyra McKee, for her family and for the city... help us stop this madness," Jason Murphy added. McKee is the first journalist to be killed in the UK since 2001, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Vigils are being held across Northern Ireland in memory of the rising journalist. McKee's partner, Sara Canning, said that the young scribe's "amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act," during a vigil in Londonderry on Friday. "Victims and LGBTQIA community are left without a tireless advocate and activist and it has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with," she said. The identity of the two arrested men has not been shared by the police yet. It is not known if they are related to the New IRA in any way. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday hit out at BSP supremo Mayawati for her comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying she is "frustrated". "Mayawati has become frustrated. She is desperate and is ready to do or say anything. The people of Uttar Pradesh have rejected caste-based This is an unethical alliance (between SP and BSP) and the truth is that the two parties are working against each other's interests," Goyal told reporters. In reference to Mayawati yesterday calling Mulayam the only "real" backward community leader in the country and not a "fake OBC" leader like Modi, Goyal recalled that it was the same SP founder who had said in the Lok Sabha that he wanted to see Modi get a second term. While addressing a joint rally in Mainpuri on Friday, Mayawati had said, "There is no doubt that he (Mulayam) has joined people from all groups of the society under the SP banner. He does not come from a fake backward community like PM Modi, he is real OBC leader". She also urged the electorates to vote in large numbers for Mulayam who is contesting from Mainpuri seat and ensure his victory. "Mulayam Singh ji is not a fake servant of the people like Prime Minister Modi, he is a politician who has sworn that he will continue working for the people till his last breath and that is why he is willing to fight again from Mainpuri constituency," Mayawati said. "Nothing can save the incumbent central government from being thrown out of power, the government has come to be known for its capitalistic, narrow-minded policymaking, as well as communal and casteist policies," she added. The remaining 64 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh will go to polls in the next five phases of elections, and counting of votes will take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was chowkidar (guard) of chors (thieves) and accused him of insulting the honest guards of Bihar by calling himself a chowkidar. "Narendra Modi calls himself guard of the country but, in fact, he is a guard of Vijay Mallya, Anil Ambani, Mehul Chauksi, and Nirav Modi. Modi has given Rs 30,000 crore to Ambani. He has insulted the honest youth of Bihar who guards the nation," Gandhi said at a rally here. Ambani has repeatedly refuted the charge. He said, "The people from Bihar guard several banks across the country. A bank where the guard is a Bihari, there can never be theft in that bank." Rahul alleged that Modi did not help the people of Bihar when the state was hit by floods caused by the Kosi river. "He gave Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani but did not give a single penny to the people of Bihar when floods hit Bihar." Rahul said that people of the country will dislodge Modi in the ongoing elections. "Voters are about to tell him to go and hug Anil Ambani," he quipped. "Wo to hai hi (that he is)," he said when some people started raising slogans of 'chowkidar chor hai'. Gandhi reiterated his party's promise to probe the Rafale jet deal if they come to power. He said: "The probe in Rafale case will soon begin. In the end, it will expose the names of two people -- Narendra Modi and Anil Ambani. And they will be punished." The Congress president said that BJP promised to give Rs 15 lakh to each Indian but did not fulfil. He assured that if the Congress is voted to power, 5 crore families will get Rs 72,000 per year under Nyuntam Aay Yojna, a poll promise of the grand old party. "Narendra Modi has waved off the loans worth Rs 5.5 lakh crore of 15 richest people of India. If the government can give money to Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, why can't the Congress give some money to the poor," he said. Congress' Ranjeet Ranjan is the sitting MP from Supaul Lok Sabha seat. The constituency will go to polls on April 23. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested Mohammad Gufran, suspected of being a key conspirator in plans to carry out terrorist attacks in Delhi NCR and Uttar Pradesh. He is the 13th accused to be arrested in the NIA probe in connection with its probe against an ISIS-inspired group, which was allegedly planning to target places of importance in and around Capital Territory of Delhi. Gufran who is a resident of Amroha district of Uttar Pradesh was inspired by the ideology of ISIS and formed a pro-ISIS module namely Harkat Ul Harb-e-Islam, the NIA said. "During the investigation, it was established that Gufran is one of the key conspirators in planning to carry out terrorist attacks in Delhi NCR and UP. It was further revealed that he was instrumental in the procurement of arms and ammunition and also explosives to carry out terrorist attacks," the investigating agency said. Apart from Gufran, 12 other people have already been arrested in the case. The case pertains to a group of Pro-ISIS terrorists who formed a terrorist gang which was engaged in acts preparatory to the commission of terror attacks with a view to wage war against the Government of India. The group was found to be inspired by the ideology of ISIS and was conspiring and preparing to target places of importance in and around Capital Territory of Delhi. "It was gathered that Mufti Mohd. Suhail alias Abbasi who is a resident of Seelampur area of New Delhi was the Amir of pro-IS module who mobilized funds and procured weapons, ammunition and explosive materials to prepare IEDs etc with his other associates," NIA said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former prime minister and senior Congress leader Dr Manmohan Singh on Saturday stated that there will be no need for any new taxes to finance party's poll promise of NYAY (Nyuntam Aay Yojana) in which an income support of Rs 72,000 would be provided annually, if the party voted to power in 2019. "Congress is committed to fiscal discipline. NYAY scheme will cost between 1.2 - 1.5 per cent of GDP at its peak. Our nearly $3 trillion economy has the fiscal capacity to absorb this expenditure. There will be no need for any new taxes on the middle class to finance NYAY. The economic stimulus that NYAY will provide will further help in fiscal discipline," Singh said in a statement. "NYAY will also help restart our economic engine that has come to a stop today. Money in the hands of the needy will stimulate demand in the economy which can then lead to increased economic activity and job creation, referred to as the Keynesian effect by economists. At a time when private investment and industrial production are low, NYAY can help bring our economy back to life and create new factories and jobs," he said. Speaking further about the scheme, Singh said: "Nearly 70 per cent of Indians were poor when India attained Independence from the British in 1947. With sound policies adopted by successive governments over the last seven decades, poverty levels have been brought down from 70 to 20 per cent now. It is time now to renew our pledge to wipe out the last remains of poverty." "NYAY will ensure a basic level of dignity and respect for every Indian family. By providing direct income support, NYAY will empower our poor with economic freedom and choice. With NYAY, India will usher in an era of a minimum income guarantee and help create a new social contract for a new welfare state," he emphasised. Singh, who himself is a noted economist said NYAY is a powerful idea with dual objectives - to wipe out the last remnants of poverty and to restart stalled economic activity in our nation. The former prime minister is hoping that the Congress will back come back to power in 2019 and will implement NYAY successfully. "Just as we brought in a new paradigm for India's development with the de-licensing regime in 1991, a rights based approach to governance including the Right to Work under MGNREGA, I am confident a Congress party led government in 2019 will implement NYAY successfully and usher in a new model for social justice and prudent economics," he said. "NYAY has the potential to catapult India into the club of 'poverty free' nations in the world and I hope to be able to live to see our nation achieve this historic milestone," Singh added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a bid to increase its border security, Pakistan will be fencing its border with Iran in the wake of the Ormara incident which saw 14 Pakistani people being killed on the Makran Coastal Highway recently. "It is costly and Pakistan has tight economy but considering its importance we have decided to fence it," Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Saturday. Fourteen Pakistanis were shot dead, after three to four buses travelling from Ormara to Gwadar were stopped by around 15-20 terrorists, wearing the Frontier Corps (FC) uniform, on the coastal highway at Buzi Top on April 18, according to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pakistani authorities have alleged that BRAS, the alliance of three Baloch terrorist organisations, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistan lodged a strong protest with Iran over the country's "inaction" against the group behind the attack, according to The Express Tribune. "Actionable intelligence after investigations has been shared with Iranian authorities. Location of the camps has also been identified by us. We expect Tehran to take action against these entities," Qureshi stated. He further said that he had spoken to his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, conveying "the sorrow and anger of the Pakistani masses" at the incident. The Pakistani minister added that Zarif had "strongly condemned the incident and reassured full cooperation." Qureshi also announced that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan would be visiting Iran on April 21, during which the two sides "will get a chance to discuss a mechanism which can be put in place to prevent further incidents." Quoting Qureshi, The Express Tribune further reported that six steps have already been taken to make the Iran-Pakistan border more peaceful. The steps include setting up a new Southern command in Turbat for vigilance and prompt action and establishing joint border centres. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will embark on a four-day visit to Japan on Sunday. During his visit, the minister is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with other dignitaries, reported Radio Pakistan. Foreign Office Spokesperson Muhammad Faisal, in a statement on Friday said that the Foreign Minister's visit will help further deepen our friendly ties and advance mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in diverse fields. This comes months after Qureshi had cancelled his scheduled visit of Japan amid tensions with India after the February 14 Pulwama attack, in which 44 CRPF personnel were killed. Japan condemned the attack for which the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist group had claimed responsibility. Japan also urged Pakistan to take stronger measures to counter terrorism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Peru's former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski was handed a 36-month-long preventive prison sentence by a judge for his alleged involvement in a corruption case. Kuczynski, who served as Peru's President from 2016 to 2018, was detained on April 10, as part of an ongoing investigation into bribery charges against Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. The company allegedly bribed government officials in exchange for favours, according to Xinhua. According to Peru's judicial authority, the former Peruvian President "is being investigated for money laundering...being a part of a criminal organisation." The sentencing comes in the wake of two-time former President Alan Garcia committing suicide as police sought to arrest him on similar charges related to Odebrecht bribery case. Since 2017, Kuczynski is being investigated for accepting payments from Odebrecht, during his tenure as the minister of economy and finance under former President Alejandro Toledo, for his services as a consultant. Toledo, meanwhile, has been found guilty of having received USD 20 million in bribes from Brazilian construction giant. Odebrecht was allegedly given the contract to build the Interoceanic Highway linking Peru and Brazil in exchange. the Latin American country is currently seeking Toledo's extradition from the United States. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government of using central agencies against the political opponents to cover up its failure in delivering the promises made in the last Lok Sabha elections. "Like the Congress party, they (BJP leaders) are also abusing CBI, ED and I-T Department against their political opponents to cover up their failures committed in the past five years," Mayawati said at a joint rally of SP-BSP-RLD alliance here. She slammed the BJP for promising big in the last general elections, but not fulfilling it in the last five years. Mayawati said: "Modi promised big to the poor, the youth, farmers, labourers, women, traders, Dalits, OBCs, Adivasis, and Muslims in 2014. But he did not fulfill even one-fourth of the promises." The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said that PM Modi-led government spent its energy and time to benefit the rich of the country. "He spent most of the time and energy to benefit and defend his close associates and the rich," she added. Mayawati said that sugarcane farmers had not been paid their dues and stray cattle had added the woes of farmers due to the cow vigilantism by Hindutva groups. The BSP leader alleged that the incidents of harassment of Dalits and Muslims have soared since the BJP came to power in Centre. She said: "Incidents of harassment of Dalits, Muslims and Adivasis have also increased." Mayawati termed PM Modi calling himself a 'Chowkidar' (watchman) as a drama and urged the people to dislodge Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from power at the Centre and the state respectively. Mayawati slammed the Congress over its promise of providing Rs 6,000 per month to the poor families and asserted that only providing employment was a permanent solution to alleviate poverty. "If we get a chance to form a government, we will try to provide permanent job in government and private sectors. This complex problem can only be solved by providing job to everyone and not with Rs 6,000 per month," she said. She appealed to the people to vote for Rampur SP candidate Azam Khan who, according to Mayawati, gives a befitting reply to the 'communal' BJP and RSS in the elections. The Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, and Rashtriya Lok Dal have formed an alliance in UP to defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls. As per the seat-sharing pact, the BSP, SP, and RLD are contesting on 38, 37 and 3 Lok Sabha seats, respectively. The election in Rampur is slated to take place on April 23. The results will be announced on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Political heat in the alleys of Wayanad has soared as the parliamentary constituency prepares to decide the fate of 22 candidates including that of Congress president Rahul Gandhi on April 23, the third phase of polling in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. With campaigning reaching its peak, people's voting preferences seem to be inclined towards Rahul Gandhi. It is widely believed that Gandhi's candidature would bring attention and the facilities to the rural constituency. Kunjikriahna Kurup, 86, says, "I will vote for Rahul Gandhi. Only Congress could give better administration." Kurup is not the only one who is open about his voting preference. Majority of people, ANI talked to, said that they will vote for Gandhi this time. People believe that Gandhi's election will benefit the people of Wayanad. They hope that the Congress president can bring more facilities like railway link, medical college, and transportation to the constituency. Surendran and Chandran, however, share a different opinion when it comes to voting choices. "The Left Democratic Front under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's government is delivering a very good administration," Chandran says. Surendran says, "They have handled the issues like flood and Nipah virus outbreak very well." Advocate Shinil, a leader of Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), which is a BJP ally, expresses his confidence of the winning the polls, trouncing Gandhi. The BJP-led Democratic Alliance has fielded BDJS president Thushar Vellappally from the parliamentary constituency. Though the opinion of Wayanad voters is divided, they are on the same page when it comes to development. People allege that their area has been ignored by all the previous governments. A medical college, upgraded transportation facility and railway line connecting Wayanad with Karnataka and other parts of Kerala are among the several issues that will play a crucial role in this elections. Rahul Gandhi is contesting against CPI's PP Suneer and NDA's Tushar Vellapally in Wayanad. Voters form Wayanad will be among those from 14 states who are set to exercise their franchise in 14 states on April 23, in the third phase of the elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav are yet to share the stage at an election rally in Bihar during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Sources said that a kind of 'bitterness' between the two leaders over the issue of seat sharing in Bihar and Jharkhand as well. Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad wanted to contest from Madhubani Lok Sabha seat, but the seat went to Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) led by Mukesh Sahni. After Sahni, a close confidant of Yadav, insisted to get Madhubani seat, Ahmed chose to resign from the Congress and decided to contest the poll as an independent candidate. VIP is an ally of grand alliance in Bihar, but is contesting the poll on the symbol of RJD. The tussle over Chatra seat in Jharkhand, and Supaul and Madhepura seats in Bihar has further added to the woes of the Mahagathbandhan. On the contrary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared the stage often with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan during campaigning in the state. BJP state president Nityanand Rai stated that while Rahul Gandhi was attending a rally in Supaul, Tejashwi Yadav was also campaigning nearby. "Then why two leaders were not campaigning together," he asked. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi too questioned the equation among the members of grand alliance in the state. Polling was held in Bihar in the first two phases and will continue to be held in each of the remaining five phases of the Lok Sabha elections till May 19. The counting of votes will begin on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reliance Industries on Saturday denied involvement in any arrangements that lead to cash payments for oil supplies to Venezuelan government oil company PDVSA via third parties. Reports suggesting that Reliance is involved in an arrangement that leads to cash payment for oil supplies to PDVSA via third parties are 'false and reckless,' it said in a statement, adding the oil refining major is not in violation of any sanctions imposed by the United States. Reliance has purchased Venezuelan crude oil from companies like Russian energy giant Rosneft long before the imposition of US sanctions, as they do get title to Venezuelan oil in return for reduction in their prior debt. Since sanctions were imposed, Reliance has made such purchases with the full knowledge and approval of the US Department of State (USDOS), and it had informed USDOS of specific volumes and transactions. "Such transactions do not lead to any consequent payment to PDVSA and do not violate US sanctions or policies," said Reliance. Reliance's price agreement with such sellers is at market and payments by Reliance for such supplies are settled in cash or by product supply bilaterally between Reliance and such sellers. "It is false to suggest that Reliance would be settling such shipments via Rosneft to PDVSA. In these transactions, PDVSA is only the original physical supplier as the crude oil originates in its export facilities." Some recent reports suggested that Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro is funnelling cashflow from PDVSA through Rosneft as he seeks to evade US sanctions designed to oust him from power. One said PDVSA and Reliance would a fee equivalent to about three per cent of the sale price, split between them. Reliance Industries is India's largest private sector company with activities spanning hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, retail and digital services. . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russia is ready to help investigate the cause of the devastating fire at the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris and determine how stable its basic structural elements are, Russian Emergencies Minister Yevgeny Zinichev told French Ambassador to Russia Sylvie-Agnes Bermann on Friday. "If necessary, the Russian Emergencies Ministry is ready to send its experts and equipment to Paris in order to assist in establishing causes of the blaze and determining how stable the cathedral's affected structural elements are," Russian news agency TASS quoted Zinichev as saying. "Notre-Dame is one of the greatest symbols of the global cultural and spiritual heritage," he added. Quoting a spokesperson for the Russian Emergencies Ministry, TASS further reported that the two sides discussed main aspects of cooperation in disaster prevention and response, apart from signing an agreement on cooperation in disaster prevention and response. Bermann and her delegation were invited by Zinichev to attend the Complex Security-2019 exhibition in Moscow on June 6 and June 7. Completed in the 13th Century, the cathedral is considered a feat of architecture with its towers, spire, flying buttresses, and stained glass. It draws nearly 13 million tourists to Paris every year. Nearly two-thirds of the roof of the 850-year-old French gothic architecture was severely damaged by a devastating fire on April 15. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tata Coffee, a subsidiary of Tata Global Beverages and Asia's largest integrated coffee company, has reported standalone total income of Rs 757 crore in April to March 2018-19 compared to Rs 762 crore in the previous financial year. The profit after tax was Rs 72 crore against Rs 63 crore in the same period due to an improved plantation and instant coffee performance as well as on the sale of its non-core fixed assets. For the quarter ended March 31, the company reported a total income at Rs 212 crore compared to Rs 207 crore during January to March 2018. Profit after tax was higher at Rs 12 crore compared to Rs 4 crore in the same period. "The offtakes to Africa and European geographies continue to be strong and our focus on customer acquisition in new geographies has enabled a robust and healthy order book," said Tata Coffee's Managing Director Chacko Thomas. "While volumes are high, the instant coffee continues to be under margin pressure due to the current competitive scenario in the industry and hardening rupee," he said. On March 6, the company unveiled its first off-shore freeze-dried coffee production plant in Vietnam with a capacity of 5,000 million tonnes per annum. Tata Coffee produces 8,000 to 10,000 million tonnes of shade-grown Arabica and Robusta coffees at 19 estates in south India. Its two instant coffee manufacturing facilities have a combined installed capacity of 8,400 million tonnes. lt exports green coffee to 40 countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump slammed Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report again on Saturday, alleging that the report should not have been "authorised in the first place," adding that it had been written "as nastily as possible." "Despite the fact that the Mueller Report should not have been authorized in the first place and was written as nastily as possible by 13 (18) Angry Democrats who were true Trump Haters, including highly conflicted Bob Mueller himself, the end result is No Collusion, No Obstruction!" he mused. "The Fake News Media is doing everything possible to stir up and anger the pols and as many people as possible seldom mentioning the fact that the Mueller Report had as its principle conclusion the fact that there was NO COLLUSION WITH RUSSIA. The Russia Hoax is dead!" Trump tweeted. However, the US President later called the results of the Mueller investigation "pretty amazing," adding: "The end result of the greatest Witch Hunt in US political history is No Collusion with Russia (and No Obstruction). Pretty Amazing!" This comes after the redacted version of the Mueller report was made public on Thursday. While Mueller found no Russian collusion in Trump's campaign for the 2016 Presidential elections, he fell short of completely exonerating the incumbent US President when it came to obstruction of justice. On the other hand, Attorney General William Barr, in his conclusions, made the decision to not prosecute Trump. "The Special Counsel's decision to describe the facts of his obstruction investigation without reaching any legal conclusions leaves it to the Attorney General to determine whether the conduct described in the report constitutes a crime," Barr said in his conclusions, which were widely slammed by Democrats. "After reviewing the Special Counsel's final report on these issues...Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and I have concluded that the evidence developed during the Special Counsel's investigation is not sufficient to establish that the President committed an obstruction-of-justice offence," Barr stated. After the redacted version of the findings of Mueller's 22-month long investigation was released, senior Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi outlined that there is a stark difference between what Barr wrote in his conclusions and Mueller's findings. The Democrats have continued with their demand seeking the release of the complete Mueller report, calling the Special Counsel to testify before the House Judiciary Committee "no later than May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday accused the Congress of playing "spoilsport" in alliance talks and "being unfair" by not giving them any seat in Punjab and asking for too many seats in Delhi. "The Congress doesn't have a single seat in Delhi, but they are demanding three seats from us. In Punjab, we have 4 MPs and 20 MLAs, yet they are not giving us any seats to contest from the state," said AAP leader and Delhi deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia while talking at a press conference here. Sisodia also stated that even though the Congress doesn't have an MP or an MLA in Delhi and in the last elections, it barely managed to fetch 10 per cent of the votes, AAP agreed to give them three seats in the capital, on a condition that AAP, Congress and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) will fight together in Haryana too. He also said that Congress had been playing with them and continues to confuse them about the coalition in the two states. But, the time was up now and there weren't going to be any more talks about the seat-sharing, he said. "We are strong in Delhi, while Congress is nowhere close. In Haryana, they denied, even when we offered them seven seats. There is no hope left for a coalition with Congress. We have also closed all the negotiations now. There is no question of seat-sharing with Congress in Delhi," he said. Elections in Delhi will be held on May 12 in the sixth phase for all the seven seats. The counting of votes will begin on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended Pragya Singh Thakur's candidature from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, she said that those who refer Hindutva as terrorism are anti-nationals. "The riots of 1984 were not riots but a massacre. A guilty of those riots is the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. Those who refer to Hindutva as terrorism are anti-nationals, anti-Army and anti-religion. These anti-Hindutva and anti-society people should be concerned about their end," Pragya told reporters here. On Friday, Modi in a television interview said, "When Indira Gandhi died in 1984, her son said when a big tree falls, the earth shakes. Thereafter, there were thousands of Sikhs who were massacred. Was it not terror? Was it not terror unleashed by a few people? Despite that he was made the Prime Minister and the neutral media never asked a question like it is doing now." "A woman, a Sadhvi was tortured like this, no one raised a finger. I have lived in Gujarat; I understand the modus operandi of Congress. Like a film script, the Congress works to build a narrative. They will pick something, add something to it, add a villain to the story to build a false script for propaganda," he said. When asked to comment on her remark that she might contest elections from jail, Pragya said: "Conspirators went to the extent of treating me inhumanly during the last nine years when I was in custody. I have been given clean chit by the investigative agency. But they kept me behind bars. Like this, they are also involved in conspiracy right now." Speaking on her remark on former Anti-Terrorist Squad chief Hemant Karkare, she said: "I never give an imprudent statement. I speak what is there. I have already apologised for my comment." "Whosoever dies by terrorists' bullets is a martyr. Can you tell those people who had given (me) inhuman treatment for nine years to seek my forgiveness?" she asked. On Thursday, Thakur who is contesting against senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh in Bhopal, had said that Karkare lost his life because she had "cursed him". Thakur is among the seven accused facing trial in Malegaon blast case, wherein six people were killed and a dozen others were injured when a bomb placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtra's Malegaon on September 29, 2008. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid criticism for campaigning for his wife and Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Poonam Sinha, Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha on Saturday said to support his wife is his duty as a husband. "Yesterday was a big and special day for my family as my better half, the graceful and radiant #PoonamSinha embarked on a new chapter of her life. I stood by her as a dutiful husband amidst remarks of me crossing party lines to campaign for my wife. But my stance was very loud and clear," Sinha said on Twitter. "I learnt that there was a mixed bag of reactions among people to my action. Some said I was behaving in my authoritative style as a star, others said that I did no wrong... as I said I will serve the people of Lucknow," he said in another tweet. Sinha also expressed gratitude to the Gandhi family saying, "Expressed my thanks to the Gandhi family and Congress party for giving me the opportunity to fight this battle." Poonam Sinha, who is contesting as SP candidate, was pitted against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency. Pramod Krishnam, the Congress candidate for the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat, criticised Sinha and asked him to campaign for his own party. "Shatrughan Sinha has come here and fulfilled his duty as a husband, but I would like to tell him that he should now campaign for his party and fulfil his political dharma," Krishnam said. Sinha, on Friday, praised BSP-SP-RLD alliance in the state. "I have never seen such a powerful and huge gathering. This has been possible only through the blessings of Mulayam Singh Yadav, co-operation of BSP's Mayawati and hard work of RLD's Ajit Singh," he said. While praising SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Sinha said, "Grand alliance has the power of youth with it and the example is Akhilesh Yadav, who is a youth icon not only in Uttar Pradesh but also throughout the country." Congress is not being made a part of SP-BSP-RLD alliance. As per the seat-sharing agreement, SP is contesting on 37 seats while BSP is on 38. Three seats (Mathura, Muzaffarpur, and Baghpat) have been given to the RLD. Sinha, who joined Congress after he was denied ticket from Patna Sahib Constituency in Bihar, will be contesting against BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has spoken with Libyan General Khalifa Haftar and praised him for his role in fighting terrorism, reports CNN. Trump "recognised Field Marshal Haftar's significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources, and the two discussed a shared vision for Libya's transition to a stable, democratic political system," the White House said on Friday. In a phone call that took place on Monday, Trump, however, did not mention Haftar's frequent military offensive on Tripoli. However, earlier this month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said, "We have made clear that we oppose the military offensive by Khalifa Haftar's forces and urge the immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan capital." "This unilateral military campaign against Tripoli is endangering civilians and undermining prospects for a better future for all Libyans," he added. More than 200 people have lost their lives and 913 have been wounded ever since clashes erupted in the region as Haftar's Libyan National Army advanced towards Tripoli. Libya has been largely divided into two factions ever since the death of its dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The LNA-backed parliament controls the east of Libya, while the UN-backed interim Government of National Accord (GNA) governs Libya's western region from Tripoli. While the US government has primarily backed the GNA which is led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, American diplomats and military officers have maintained contacts with Russia backed Haftar. Most of the international community has urged for a peaceful resolution to the intense fighting which has ensued in the African nation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey on Friday arrested two United Arab Emirates based intelligence operatives for allegedly spying for Saudi Arabia in relation with Jamal Khashoggi's murder. The suspects were later referred to court on charges of political, military and international espionage, reported Anadolu Agency. The Sabah newspaper has reported that one suspect had been in constant contact with a person connected with Khashoggi's murder. The US intelligence agencies and Turkey have alleged the murder of Khashoggi was enacted upon orders by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Abu Dhabi is considered a close ally of Riyadh. Khashoggi, who was a journalist with The Washington Post and a vocal a critic of the Saudi regime, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 last year, where he had gone to obtain paperwork certifying his divorce with his former wife Alaa Nassif in order to be able to marry his Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz. However, Saudi Arabia has repeatedly rejected all the allegations against its Crown Prince, adding that it is committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice. UN's special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, Agnes Callamard, leading the investigations into Khashoggi's death, had confirmed that evidence showed the latter to be a victim of "a brutal and premeditated killing, planned and perpetrated by officials of the state of Saudi Arabia". After presenting several contradictory theories, Saudi Arabia acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate premises in what the country's then Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir had described as a "rogue operation". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said that his party went into an alliance with the BJP because he wanted a Prime Minister who can attack Pakistan. "Shiv Sena wanted a Prime Minister who can attack Pakistan and so we went into an alliance with BJP," said Thackeray while addressing a public rally in Aurangabad. Slamming the Congress party on its stance on Article 370, he said, "All laws in Kashmir should be on par with the rest of India. Congress does not want to abolish Article 370, while leaders like Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have said that if Article 370 is abolished there will be no one to respect the tricolor." Thackeray also came down heavily on former JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar who is contesting on a CPI ticket from Begusarai in Bihar. "People like Kanhaiya Kumar preparing to enter Lok Sabha is very sad, he is a separatist," he said. Hitting out at NCP chief Sharad Pawar's statements on Shiv Sena's pre-poll pact with BJP, Thackeray said, "Sharad Pawar left Congress abusing Rajiv Gandhi and pledged that he would never join Congress till the end. He is black at heart. Pawar later joined Congress. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two US soldiers were questioned by Mexican troops earlier this month while conducting a surveillance operation on the American side of the border, defence officials told CNN. "On April 13, at approximately 2 p.m., five to six Mexican military personnel questioned two US Army soldiers who were conducting border support operations in an unmarked (Customs and Border Protection) vehicle near the southwest border in the vicinity of Clint, Texas," the US Northern Command said in a statement on Friday. "The soldiers were appropriately in US territory" during the encounter. During the incident, the Mexican soldiers pointed their weapons at the US troops, removing a soldier's sidearm and returning it to the unmarked American vehicle, the defence officials said. The Mexican troops were armed with what appeared to be assault rifles. The officials told CNN that the US soldiers allowed the weapon to be taken "in an attempt to de-escalate a potential volatile situation". One of the American soldiers spoke some Spanish and was able to explain the situation to the Mexican forces. The two sides talked the incident over and promised to de-conflict in the future, the officials said. President Donald Trump had previously ordered the active duty military to support border security and the US has some 3,000 active duty troops supporting the Department of Homeland Security on the southern border with Mexico in addition to some 2,000 National Guard troops. The Pentagon expects additional troops to be sent to the border to support additional pending requests for assistance from the Department of Homeland Security. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Trend South Korean President Moon Jae-in was set to visit Uzbekistan's historic city of Samarkand Saturday, highlighting his country's long friendship with the Central Asian nation that he says dates back to the era of the Silk Road, Trend reported citing Yonhap. Moon's trip to the city comes one day after he and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev agreed to upgrade the countries' relationship to a "special strategic partnership" in their bilateral summit here. Seoul and Tashkent established diplomatic ties in 1992. Their relationship was upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2006. Moon says the friendship between the two countries dates back hundreds of years when they were connected by the ancient network of trade routes, the Silk Road. "Uzbekistan's development is South Korea's development. South Korea will gladly share its experience of economic development with Uzbekistan," Moon said in an address to the Uzbek parliament Friday. Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. It is known to have been frequented by merchants from countries in the region, including ancient Korean dynasties. The South Korean president arrived in Uzbekistan Thursday on a four-day state visit. Moon will wrap up his visit to the country on Sunday to head for Kazakhstan, the third and last stop in his three-nation tour that earlier took him to Turkmenistan. In a horror of an incident a teenager in Bihar's Bhagalpur district was bathed with acid after she resisted an attempt to gang rape by a group of four youths, police said on Saturday. The 16-year-old Class 11 student is battling for her life in a hospital. The police have arrested two suspects in the case, Bhagalpur Senior Superintendent of Police Ashish Bharti said. --IANS ik/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three suicide bombers staged an assault on an 18-storey building housing the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology headquarters in the centre of the Afghan capital on Saturday. Two of the attackers were later killed by the security forces. Hundreds of civilians were rescued from the Afghan Ministry after an explosion followed by the sound of sporadic gunfire had been heard in the complex, said Interior Ministry spokesperson Nasrat Rahimi. Six people were injured in the assault and taken to hospital. No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but it follows the suspension of talks between the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents. The outfit's spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, however, said it was not behind the attack. The Interior Ministry spokesperson had tweeted earlier in the day that three suicide bombers had launched the attack on the Ministry complex and the post office building at 11.40 am, "taking advantage of a holy shrine". The BBC said that the attack happened near the heavily fortified Serena Hotel -- one of the very few hotels in Kabul still used by foreign visitors -- a couple of other ministries and the presidential palace. The area around the building was sealed off as the attackers battled security forces for over six hours. Two of them were later shot and the attack was finally over in the late afternoon, Rahimi said. "Hundreds of civilians have been rescued," he said, adding that police and special forces were combing the area. Local television broadcast video images showing some smoke emerging from somewhere near the Ministry and people climbing out of windows. Saturday's attack came after the government of Qatar cancelled the first-ever peace talks between the Taliban and representatives of the Afghan government in the presence of a US delegation. The meeting was set to be held this weekend but was cancelled after the host, Qatar, rejected a list of 250 participants provided by the Afghan government. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court on Saturday rejected the bail plea of Sushen Mohan Gupta, an alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case. Special Judge Arvind Kumar dismissed the bail plea. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has opposed Sushen's bail plea. He was arrested on March 26, a day after the court allowed Rajiv Saxena, a Dubai-based businessman and another alleged middleman in the deal, to turn approver. According to the ED, Saxena, in connivance with lawyer Gautam Khaitan, developed the global corporate structure that laundered money for payment to politicians, bureaucrats and Indian Air Force (IAF) officials to influence the contract for supplying 12 VVIP choppers in favour of AgustaWestland, the Rome-based helicopter design and manufacturing company. --IANS akk/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Pilots' Guild (IPG), one of Air India pilots' union, on Saturday urged the national carrier's management to hire just Boeing 777 (B-777) rated co-pilots on short-term contracts instead of hiring Captains who come at a high cost. In a letter to the Director, Operations of Air India, the IPG, referring to information about the airline planning to hire B-777 rated Captains and co-pilots on contract basis, said it will be a brutal waste of money when the company is facing a tough financial situation. "Currently the Boeing 777 fleet has approximately 219 Captains and 110 First Officers. The total numbers are adequate with the fleet average at 70 hours (per month). "We also have approximately 40 Captains on deputation awaiting repatriation from Air India Express and about the same number of First Officers awaiting their turn for command upgrade," they said in the letter. According to the IPG, if Air India plans to procure more B-777 aircraft to fill the vacuum created by the failure of a private airline (Jet Airways), it is understandable to hire co-pilots on short-term basis. "However, to hire type rated Captains on B-777 and increase the wage bill dramatically would be an utter waste of resources which we can ill-afford at this time," the IPG letter notes. Speaking to IANS on the condition of anonymity, an IPG member said: "Ideally Air India should take the aircraft on dry lease (leasing of the aircraft alone and use its personnel for operations) than taking the planes on wet lease (paying a lump-sum towards aircraft and staff salaries)." It is also an opportune moment for Air India to look at hiring of those Captains it had dismissed in 2012, he added. "Though many of them are in private airlines, they would still like to come back to their parent airline," he said. He said the Captains of Jet Airways may be drawing a salary of about Rs 7 lakh per month. According to him, the IPG is not opposed to Air India taking over Jet Airways aircrafts and staff, on a need basis, so that the airlines get back its lucrative routes. --IANS vj/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Global hospitality services provider Airbnb is shaking up the hotel industry by driving down the lodging prices and revenues for traditional hotels, a new study suggests. The Florida State University researchers suggest that Airbnb's exponential growth worldwide is devouring an increasing share of hotel revenues and also driving down room prices and occupancy rates. "This is the first study confirming the negative impact on those three key metrics in the hotel industry," said co-author Tarik Dogru, Assistant Professor at the varsity. "Increased competition from Airbnb is mainly affecting hotel prices and revenues but occupancy rates are also down slightly," Dogru added. For the study, published in the journal Tourism Management, the researchers examined the effects of Airbnb in 10 major US cities between 2008 and 2017. They found one per cent increase in Airbnb's supply lowered hotel revenues between 0.02 and 0.04 per cent, which he estimated in New York City alone would have amounted to a loss ranging between $91 million and $365 million in 2016. The lost revenues came mainly from economy and luxury hotel listings, the study noted. It also found Airbnb negatively affecting mid-scale hotels and suggests an increasing demand for authenticity in lodging. Travellers felt Airbnb properties were more authentic than franchised hotels, the study noted. According to the researchers, Airbnb's business model has flourished for many reasons. Customers like having access to an enormous supply of properties and rooms at a wide variety of prices, often more competitive than hotels, and Airbnb collects commissions on every booking. In addition, the company does not follow conventional rules, the researchers pointed out. "Airbnb does not ensure the security of guests, it's not taxed in some jurisdictions, and it has flexibility to add new supply because of a lack of regulation," Dogru said. "Those are some reasons why Airbnb has a significant competitive advantage against the hotel industry because adding a new hotel to the market can take several years," Dogru added. --IANS vc/mag/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress Amanda Bynes is "doing great" and focusing on herself as she continues to seek treatment after checking into a rehabilitation facility in January. "Amanda is doing great, working on herself, and taking some well-deserved time off to focus on her well-being after graduating from FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) in December," Tamar Arminak, her family's attorney, told people.com. "She's spending time reading and exercising, sketching for her new line and mostly making sure this time around she puts her needs first," the attorney added. The actress checked into a rehabilitation facility earlier this year after a "relapse" and is getting help and treatment from mental health professionals and addiction counsellors for drug addiction and mental health issues, a source previously said. The source said Bynes started struggling toward the end of last year when she stepped back into the public eye and began pursuing work in Hollywood again. --IANS nn/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Raising the issue of full statehood to Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that governs the state on Saturday said it could not put in place adequate infrastructure like schools and healthcare facilities, as the Centre did not give required land, which ultimately "hurt" Delhiites. The AAP said the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) refused to give land to the state government for constructing bus depots, Mohalla Clinics, schools, colleges and landfill sites on various pretext. It is a "grave injustice" to the taxpayers of Delhi "who pay Rs 1.5 lakh crore" by way of income tax to the Centre, the party said. It said the government could not construct 27 new schools and was forced to construct additional 8,000 classrooms instead in the premises of existing schools to bring down student-classroom ratio in the absence of land. Similarly, the government could not add buses to its depleting fleet of public transport as the DDA did not clear required land for bus depots for four years, it claimed. "Be it Barapullah flyover, be it Signature Bridge or bus depots or Mohalla Clinics, the DDA took years to process files related to land. It is on record that it has not given a single peace of land to date," AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj told IANS. "As a result, we had to build Mohalla Clinics at Delhi Jal Board premises. It has hurt people of Delhi." The AAP said only 192 Mohalla Clinics could be built and that too in the space available at the premises of Delhi Jal Board, Irrigation Department and under footover brides. As per the Delhi University rules, the Delhi government cannot open regular colleges but only technical ones. The party said the Dwelhi government has opened 27 technical collages, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government has not opened any in past few years. The DDA also used "innovative ways" to deny land for landfill sites, the AAP claimed. It said all these issues can be sorted out if Delhi becomes a full-fledged state and the DDA is brought under the purview of the state government. The party blamed the BJP and the Congress for "betraying" the people of Delhi by maintaining silence on the issue, though they talked of granting full statehood in their manifestos in every election. "Why are BJP and Congress shying away?" Bharadwaj said. --IANS spk/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court has issued notice to DGP Prisons after an inmate at Tihar Jail was forcibly branded with 'OM' symbol on his back and was also allegedly deprived of food for two days. District court judge Richa Parihar said: "The allegations raised by counsel for the prisoner are of serious nature and require immediate intervention. Notice is being issued to DGP, Prisoner headquarters, Tihar Jail No.4, to get medical examination of the accused and also to make an inquiry report." Nabbir alias Popa, a prisoner, is lodged at Jail No. 4 of Tihar. His counsel Jagmohan informed the court that Nabbir had been subjected to cruelty and inhuman treatment inside the jail by the Jail Superintendent. The court directed the jail authorities to record statements of the other inmates in the vicinity of the complainant, and ordered jail authorities to make necessary arrangements for his safety. The court also ordered removal of Nabbir from the direct or indirect supervision of Jail Superintendent Rajesh Chauhan. Nabbir had reportedly informed one his family members about the incident. His counsel moved the application after meeting him in the jail on April 16. --IANS ss/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who was the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for 10 years, does not own any vehicle, according to an affidavit submitted on Saturday with his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections. Singh, who filed his papers from Bhopal constituency, has declared Rs 657,990 income for the last financial year, while his wife Amrita Singh's income was Rs 696,925. Besides, his income as head of the Hindu undivided family was to the tune of Rs 627,546. As per the affidavit, he has Rs 32,57,547 in his various bank accounts and a total of Rs 39,32,852 in his wife's accounts. Also, they own shares and debentures of various companies worth Rs 407,838, and given Rs 44,51,000 as loan to some companies. The value of cash, jewellery and other valuables deposited in the banks, together with the loans to companies, stands at Rs 88,87,596 and that of Amrita Singh at Rs 105,85,357. The market value of Singh's inherited properties is Rs 2,95,21,858. Singh has declared in the affidavit that he has no vehicle in his name, while his wife owns a Toyota Corolla Altis. There are eight cases lying sub judice against him in various courts, but he has not been pronounced guilty in any of them. --IANS hindi-nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A week after a Goa Catholic priest apologised to the poll authorities for a hate speech urging people not to vote for the BJP, Goa's Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao on Saturday urged voters not to cast their ballot for those candidates who "corrupt, communalize, exploit and divide". In his message on the eve of Easter Sunday, Ferrao said: "As we stand on the threshold of parliamentary elections as well as by-elections in some of our constituencies, let us pray that our electorate will vote for the forces which empower the weak, the marginalised and the exploited, rather than those that corrupt, communalise, exploit and divide". Ferrao is the religious and spiritual leader of more than a quarter of the state's 1.5 million population which is Catholic in religious orientation. On Saturday, two viral videos featuring Father Conceicao D'Silva, in which he referred to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah as a "demon" and attributed the cause of late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's affliction of cancer to the "wrath of God", went viral in the media, attracting uniform condemnation. After a complaint was filed by the Goa BJP against the priest, D'Silva apologised to the district administration, which also cautioned him against making hate speeches. --IANS maya/mag/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) HFW, a leading global law firm in the construction, energy and resources, aerospace, commodities, insurance and shipping sectors, has continued to expand its fast-growing Middle East practice, launching an insurance offering in Abu Dhabi with the hire of partner Justin Whelan. He joins the company from leading international law firm Ince Gordon Dadds, which boasts global offices in key cities including Beijing, Cologne, Dubai, Hamburg, Hong Kong and London. With the arrival of Whelan, HFW now has specialist insurance teams in each of its four Middle East offices. HFW established an insurance offering in Kuwait City in January with the hire of consultant Sandra Ortiz, and relocated insurance partner John Barlow from Dubai to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2018. The firm's Middle East insurance practice is led by Dubai-based Sam Wakerley. On the appointment, Wakerley, the head of insurance, Middle East, HFW, said: "Whelan is one of the top insurance lawyers in the Middle East and has an outstanding reputation with clients, so I'm very pleased to welcome him to the team." "We are the only international law firm with specialist insurance lawyers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Kuwait City, meaning that we are uniquely positioned to offer clients expert advice across the region," he stated. In his new role, Whelan advises global insurers, reinsurers and insureds on insurance and reinsurance claims, policy coverage, subrogated recoveries, public and employer's liability and property damage claims, with a particular focus on the real estate, construction, travel and professional indemnity sectors. Justin is also a leading expert in cyber security and cyber insurance. Justin has significant experience litigating in the UAE and English Courts, and also in various forms of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation. On the new role, Whelan said: "I am absolutely delighted to be joining HFW. The firm has significantly enhanced its Middle East practice in recent years and has established itself as one of the clear market leaders." "I am very excited at the opportunity to build on and develop HFW's practice in Abu Dhabi, and to work alongside the firm's first-rate insurance lawyers across its extensive international network," he noted. HFW has now added eight new partners in the Middle East since April 2018, and developed its regional network by opening in an office Abu Dhabi in October 2018 and entering into a new association in Saudi Arabia in January 2019. The firm now has 17 partners and more than 50 lawyers including 31 Arabic speakers across its four Middle East offices, making it one of the largest practices of any international law firm in the region. Richard Crump, Global Senior Partner, HFW, said: "This is another significant milestone for our Middle East offering and underlines our longstanding commitment to the region." "At a time when many international law firms are downsizing in the Middle East - particularly in Abu Dhabi - we continue to invest and remain focused on our goal of building the leading international practice in the market," he added.-TradeArabia News Service The Election Commission in on Saturday served a notice on BJP's Lok Sabha candidate Sadhvi Pragya Thakur over her controversial remarks about Hemant Karkare, the senior police officer who was martyred in the terrorist attack in on November 26, 2008. The Commission served the notice even after she had withdrawn the remarks and asked why action should not be taken against her for breach of election code. Thakur has been given 24 hours to respond. The District Returning Officer Sudam Khade was asked if the notice could be served despite her withdrawal of the remarks. He said the commission would take a call on receiving her reply. Pragya Thakur had on Thursday bragged that Karkare died during the attacks as she "cursed" him for torturing her. But once the statement caused a furore among the BJP's supporters and adversaries alike, she apologised for the remarks. She said those were personal observations since she was tortured while facing trial for alleged involvement in the bomb blasts in Malegaon. State chief electoral officer V.L. Kanta Rao said, "We took suo moto cognisance of the statement and sought a report from the assistant returning officer (ARO) on the matter. We got the report this morning and we have issued notice. The organisers of the meeting addressed by Thakur were also served the notice, said the commission. Can the commission act against the candidate if she failed to respond to the notice? The commission was apparently unsure, but said that it would be decided once the deadline for the candidate's response passed. One of the officials attached to the Election Commission said the candidates and the organisers are granted permission for meeting certain conditions while the Model Code of Conduct is in force. Use of objectionable language to defame a person was prohibited and the candidate could even face disqualification. The BJP has been facing the supporters' flak for fielding Pragya who has embarrassed the leadership. But the Sadhvi found an unexpected supporter in Prime minister who was asked why Sadhvi was given the ticket despite charges of violence against her. Modi said if the person responsible for 1984 riots against Sikhs could be made the Prime Minister what was wrong in fielding Sadhvi. Pragya's rival has refused to speak about her comments. He has, however, questioned the BJP leaders of their comments about 'Hindu terrorism'. He said the BJP president owes an answer on how a home secretary to the Union Government who first officially used the term Hindu terror was made a party member and subsequently made a minister. Sadhvi Pragya, meanwhile, took a cue from the PM's remarks and launched an offensive against Chief Minister She said was involved in the 1984 carnage after Indira Gandhi's death. He should know how she was tortured in custody. American authorities have arrested a former US Marine who is allegedly part of a group that raided North Korea's embassy in Madrid, reports say. Christopher Ahn will reportedly appear in a Los Angeles court, the BBC reported on Saturday. It would be the first arrest over the incident, which happened in February days before US President Donald Trump met North Korea's Kim Jong Un in Vietnam. Free Joseon, a self-styled human rights group, says it was involved. US federal agents have also raided the apartment of Adrian Hong, one of the group's leaders, says the Washington Post. In a statement, Free Joseon said it was "dismayed" by arrest warrants being executed. "The last US citizen who fell into the custody of the Kim regime returned home maimed from torture and did not survive," said spokesperson Lee Wolosky. "We have received no assurances from the US government about the safety and security of the US nationals it is now targeting." On February 22, a group of at least 10 people stormed North Korea's embassy in Spain, allegedly identifying themselves as "members of a human rights movement seeking to liberate North Korea". During the incident several embassy staff were held hostage, including an attache whom they tried persuading to defect. Members of the group allegedly made off with several computers and hard drives, data from which was allegedly passed on to American authorities. Free Joseon - formerly known as Cheolima Civil Defense - insists that its members were invited to the consulate. A Spanish court document released last month has named leaders of organisation, some of whom are believed to live in the US. The court is seeking their extradition. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Despite Facebook's claim that the livestreaming video of the March 15 Christchurch shooting that killed 50 people was removed from its platforms, sections of the raw footage are still available for users to watch, the media reported. According to a report in Motherboard on Friday, certain videos on Facebook and Instagram show sections of the raw attack footage. "The world's biggest and most well-resourced social media network is still hosting copies of the violent attack video on its own platform as well as Instagram," the report claimed. Some of the videos are slices of the original 17-minute clip -- trimmed down to one minute or so -- and are open to be viewed by anyone. In one instance, instead of removing the video, which shows the terrorist shooting and murdering innocent civilians from a first-person perspective, Facebook has simply marked the clip as potentially containing "violent or graphic content". One of the clips shows the terrorist walking up to the first mosque he targeted, and opening fire. The video does not show the full attack, and stops at the 01:15 mark. A Facebook spokesperson, however, said "the video did violate our policies and has been removed". The Facebook livestreaming of the New Zealand terror attack sparked global outrage. The video was viewed over 4,000 times before it was removed. The video was later shared in millions on other social media platforms, including Twitter and YouTube. Facing flak, the social media giant is now exploring restrictions on who can use its "Facebook Live" feature. Earlier this month, New Zealand's privacy commissioner John Edwards labelled Facebook as "morally bankrupt pathological liars" after the social media platform's CEO Mark Zuckerberg tried to play down the Facebook livestreaming of Christchurch shooting. --IANS na/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The historic foundation stone-laying ceremony of the first traditional Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi was performed on Saturday in the presence of officials from India and the United Arab Emirates as well as thousands of members of the community. The ceremony was presided over by Mahant Swami Maharaj -- the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha -- the organisation building the temple, along with other priests. Indian Ambassador Navdeep Suri attended the event in the presence of over 2,500 Indians from the UAE and across the world, according to Gulf News. Suri and BAPS Hindu Mandir committee head and community leader B.R. Shetty were among those who laid foundation stones. Some 50 priests from India were part of the ceremony, the Khaleej Times reported. UAE's Minister of Climate Change Thani Al Zoyoudi and Ahmad Bilhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Sciences, were among the attendees. The temple will be built in phases with all the pink stones and marble being transported from Rajasthan to the UAE capital, the Khaleej Times said. The stones of the temple will be hand-carved by artisans in India and then transported to Abu Dhabi. Once completed, this will be the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East. The temple is being built on 13.5 acres (55,000 square metres) of land gifted by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the Indian community. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee has issued a subpoena demanding that the Justice Department hand over an unredacted version of Special Counsel Robert Muellers report and the evidence underlying it by May 1, and pledged "major hearings" on its findings. The chairman, Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York, on Friday asked for all evidence obtained by Mueller's investigators, including summaries of witness interviews and classified intelligence - and indicated he intended to air it to the public, reports the New York Times reported. "Even the redacted version of the report outlines serious instances of wrongdoing by President Trump and some of his closest associates," Nadler said in a statement. "It now falls to Congress to determine the full scope of that alleged misconduct and to decide what steps we must take going forward." The subpoena was sent as House Democrats, who have the power to initiate impeachment proceedings if they so choose, debate how to proceed with the new evidence handed over on Thursday by Mueller. Democratic-led committees have already initiated their own investigations of Russian election influence, as well as obstruction of justice and abuse of power, which can incorporate the findings in the shorter term. But there were also new calls in the wake of the report from the party's left flank - including Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat running for President - to go further and open a formal impeachment inquiry. House Speaker has scheduled a conference call for all House Democrats on April 22 to discuss the implications of what she called "a grave matter". A Justice Department spokeswoman, Kerri Kupec, called the subpoena "premature and unnecessary" given Attorney General William Barr's voluntary release of the report and offer to share more with lawmakers. "The Department will continue to work with Congress to accommodate its legitimate requests consistent with the law and long-recognized executive branch interests," she said on Friday night. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US-Japan 2+2 ministerial meeting has welcomed the growing ties between their countries and India in the Indo-Pacific region that is of vital strategic interest to them. The defence and diplomatic cabinet officials of the two countries expressed satisfaction on Friday with the trilateral meeting with India and noted significance of joint military exercises, the State Department said in a statement. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan met on Friday with Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya for their high-level strategic meeting focused on building a free and open Indo-Pacific. "The Ministers also noted with satisfaction the first Japan-US-India trilateral summit meeting in 2018 and highlighted significant joint exercises, such as Malabar 2018 and Cope India 2018", the statement said. "Building upon these various trilateral efforts, the Ministers welcomed the regularization of quadrilateral engagement among Japan, the Us, Australia, and India". In the Asia region, where China is building up its presence and is involved in aggressive maritime disputes with several countries, the US and Japan "Ministers called for full respect for freedoms of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea, and reiterated the importance of activities that support those principles", the statement said. Prime Ministers Narendra Modi of India and Shinzo Abe of Japan and US President Donald Trump held their trilateral summit on the sidelines of the meeting of the G20, a grouping of 19 countries and the European Union, in Buenos Aires last November. Modi dubbed it as the "JAI" summit based on the initials of the three countries while noting that it meant victory in Hindi. The navies of the three countries held the Malabar 2018 naval exercises off the coast of ths US territory of Guam last June. US and the Indian Air Force participated in the Cope 2018 exercises conducted from the Kalaikunda Air Force base in West Bengal. The India-US-Japan-Australia quadrilateral held a meeting of their of foreign office officials in Manila last November to discuss issues of common interest in the Indo-Pacific region. (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.) Senior executives of grounded Jet Airways met the Union finance minister Arun Jaitley on Friday and requested him to direct the banks to release at least one month's salary. Jet has not paid salaries of a large number of its employees for the last three months, causing huge financial distress to them. The carrier last week suspended its entire operations for want of cash and is unlikely to clear employee dues anytime soon. The airline executives also appealed to expedite the bidding process for the airline's stake sale and ensure transparency in the procedure. Speaking to IANS, National Aviator's Guild Vice President Captain Asim Valiani said the Finance Minister assured them that he would look into all issues raised by the airline employees. "We have not got any firm commitment from the Finance Minister on payment of one month's salary, but he told us that all the issues would be looked into," Valiani said after the meeting with Jaitley. The airline executives accompanied by Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungatiwar also urged the minister to ensure that Jet Airways' slots are protected. Jet CEO Vinay Dube and CFO Amit Agarwal were present in the meeting. "We urged him to protect our slots so that there is something for the new buyers. We also requested that Jet Airways' aircraft do not get de-registered and go elsewhere," Valiani said. "The Finance Minister said he would like to see Jet Airways is revived," the senior pilot said. Jet Airways had on Wednesday night suspended its operations indefinitely. The airline's revival now depends on successful stake sale initiated by the lenders led by SBI. In an official statement, the airline lenders led by SBI has said that they are 'reasonably hopeful' that the stake sale process would succeed and determine fair value of the enterprise. As per industry sources, private equity firms TPG Capital, Indigo Partners and the NIIF and Etihad Airways are in the race to buy a stake in the grounded carrier. --IANS nk/sn/prs (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.) The chronicler of Chennai history, cartographer and journalist S. Muthiah, 89, died here on Saturday owing to age-related ailments. The founder of Madras Musings, the free fortnightly that helped many a journalist learn the basics of journalism here, Muthiah also authored and co-authored histories of well-known corporate houses. He also taught journalism at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan here. Muthiah was also known as "Mr. Madras" for his love for Chennai that was earlier known as Madras and for his books on the city's history. He is survived by two daughters Ranjani and Parvathi. Muthiah's wife Valliammai, a practicing company secretary, died some years back. Born in Ramanathapuram district in the Madras Presidency during the British rule, Muthiah had moved to Sri Lanka early in his life and had his initial schooling there. Completing his matriculation in India, he went to the USA for higher education and came back to Colombo to start his career as a journalist with the Times of Ceylon. When the Sri Lankan government turned down his application for citizenship, Muthiah came to Chennai and joint TTK Maps -- a leading publisher of maps -- that was part of the TTK group. On his retirement, he decided to take up writing and also founded Madras Musings, the pioneer of free tabloid focusing on the preservation of the city's heritage buildings. When the fortnightly started facing financial crunch, several well-known corporates decided to lend financial support as it was apolitical and the city's heritage as its focus. Muthiah's sustained campaign through Madras Musings and otherwise to preserve the Director General of Police (DGP) building on the Marina was instrumental in its preservation instead of razing it down to raise a new building. In 1999, he co-founded Chennai Heritage and was one of the key persons behind the annual Madras Day celebrations. --IANS vj/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a poll-eve embarrassment, Maharashtra Congress on Saturday suspended its Sillod legislator Abdul Sattar A. Nabi for alleged aanti-party' activities. State Congress President Ashok Chavan made the announcement after Sattar openly declared his support to a rebel Shiv Sena legislator Harshvardhan Jadhav, who is contesting elections against the official Sena nominee Chandrakant Khaire. Jadhav, a legislator from Kannad assembly, is son-in-law of state Bharatiya Janata Party President Raosaheb Danve-Patil. Adopting an aggressive stance, Chavan also hinted that he would take a decision on Leader of Opposition, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil soon. Vikhe-Patil has been reportedly giving tough times to the party after his medico son, Sujay, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and is contesting from Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat, a stronghold of the Vikhe-Patils for decades. For the past couple of days, there has been speculation on Vikhe-Patil, who has merely said that "he would pronounce his future course of action" on Sunday (April 21). "Sattar has been suspended for anti-party activities as his actions would affect the prospects of the Congress candidate from Aurangabad, Subhash Zambad," a state MPCC official told IANS. Last month, a peeved Sattar had abruptly quit the Congress after he was denied a Lok Sabha ticket from Aurangabad and threatened to contest as an independent, worrying the Congress over his potential to split the Muslim voters in this minority-dominated seats. However, a fortnight later, he backtracked, withdrew from the parliamentary contest and was back in the party fold. The five-cornered contest in Aurangabad has become critical for all parties given with Khaire making a fifth attempt against the challenge posed by Congress MLC Zambad, VBA-AIMIM's MLA candidate Imtiyaz Jaleel. Besides there is the rebel Jadhav and a former senior Aurangabad Sena leader Subhash Patil contesting for Maharashtra Swabhiman Party of former Chief Minister Narayan Rane. After quitting the Congress and his Assembly seat, Sattar had held two meetings with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, sparking speculation that he would join the BJP. The maverick legislator shot into limelight when his supporters carted away 300 plastic chairs he had donated to the Congress party office here recently. --IANS qn/prs (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.) Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur will cast their votes in Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency where polls will be held on April 23 in the third phase of elections, a Congress leader said on Saturday. Singh and his wife will vote at the Dispur Government Higher Secondary School, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Debabrata Saikia said. A Rajya Sabha member from Assam since 1991 with his current term ending on June 14 this year, Manmohan Singh and his wife are voters of Dispur legislative assembly in Assam. Their serial numbers in the electoral roll are 623 and 624 and their address is House No 3989 in the Sarumotoria area. Then Assam Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia offered him a Rajya Sabha seat from Assam after he became the Union Finance Minister in the P.V. Narasimha Rao government in 1991. Saikia also made him a tenant in his house located at Sarumotoria. --IANS ah/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bahrain Polystyrene Factory (BPF), a leading industrial group in the kingdom, will be launching its pioneer thermal insulation products at the upcoming Gulf Construction Expo in Manama, Bahrain. The largest showcase for building and construction sector, the Gulf Construction Expo is being held under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, from April 23 to 25 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, said the event organiser Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE). Located at the Bahrain International Investment Park, the BPF is a first-of-its-kind plant that produces expanded (EPS) and extruded (XPS) polystyrene using the state-of-art technology. The new thermal insulation product will be one of the finest being manufactured in the GCC with the latest technology delivering a fire-retardant composition for both residential and commercial buildings, said a top official. "Bahrain Polystyrene Factory aims to meet the growing demand for thermal insulation products in Bahrain. Our extruded polystyrene plant looks to support this for thermal insulation of roof and walls to provide savings on energy costs and protect from climate change," remarked Mohammed Jassim Zayani, the managing director. "Insulation of buildings is essential for consumers. Extruded polystyrene for roof and wall insulation are vital when considering higher thermal conductivity," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Spain's Rafael Nadal managed to eke out a 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 win against Guido Pella of Argentina to secure a berth in the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters, an event he has won 11 times. Nadal avoided joining the list of favourites who have been upset in the 2019 edition of the clay court tourney, including Dominik Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who lost on Friday to Daniil Medvedev. In a match that lasted nearly two and a half hours, the Spaniard had to extend himself to defeat a solid, energetic Pella who is having the best season of his career, winning the Sao Paulo title and reaching the final at Cordoba, reports Efe news. In their one previous meeting, at last year's French Open, Pella took only four games in a 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 victory for Nadal en route to Rafa's record-extending 11th title at Roland Garros. But Nadal found himself facing a different Pella here on Friday. The world No. 2 struggled to hold serve and trailed 4-1 before rebounding to take a 5-4 lead. Pella, making his first quarterfinal appearance at a Masters 1000 tourney, refused to throw in the towel and managed to hold serve to level the set at 5-5 and went on to grab another service break to take a 6-5 lead. The surge fell short and Nadal was able to force a tie-break that the Spaniard won easily. Undaunted, Pella battled back from 5-1 in the second set to narrow the deficit to 5-3, but the 17-time Grand Slam champion took the next game and sealed the match on Pella's serve after two hours and 21 minutes of play. Next up for Nadal will be Italy's Fabio Fognini, who defeated Borna Coric of Croatia 1-6, 6-3, 6-2. --IANS kk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The NIA on Saturday said that it has arrested a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Amroha in connection with its ongoing investigation into a new Islamic State module named "Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam", which was allegedly planning a terror attack in Delhi and adjoining areas. A National Investigation Agency (NIA) official said that Mohammad Gufran was arrested after his role had surfaced as one of the key conspirators in the terror attack plan. He is 13th accused arrested in the case. The NIA official said that Gufran was inspired by ideology of the proscribed IS and formed a pro-IS module Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam with the help of accused persons arrested earlier to wage war against the Indian government. The official said that investigation revealed that he was instrumental in procurement of arms and ammunition and also explosives to carry out terrorist attacks in Delhi-NCR as well as Uttar Pradesh. The NIA had on December 26 arrested 10 members, including mastermind Mufti Mohammad Suhail, of the IS module from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh after carrying out searches at 17 places. The arrested men were allegedly planning to attack some political personalities, security establishments as well as crowded places in Delhi and the National Capital Region. The NIA also seized 25 kg of explosive material including potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, sulphur, sugar material paste, mobile phone circuits, batteries, 51 pipes, remote control car triggering switch, wireless digital doorbell for remote switch, steel containers, electric wires, knifes, swords, IS-related literature and Rs 7.5 lakh in cash. The NIA later in January arrested two more suspects named Muhammad Absar and Naeem, the alleged arms supplier of the Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam, from Meerut Gufran will be produced before court here on Sunday. --IANS aks/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Director Priyadarshan says nothing has been decided regarding "Hera Pheri 3". According to media reports, Priyadarshan has been locked to helm the third film in the franchise, 19 years after he directed the first film which was a remake of the 1989 Malayalam film "Ramki Rao Speaking". However, Priyadarshan told IANS: "It is true that I had one meeting with producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala and that was it. Nothing is decided and I can't say whether if this will happen." He said that superstar Akshay Kumar is interested in the project, but that is about it. Nothing beyond that has happened, he asserted. It was "Hera Pheri", starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, in 2000 that gave the Kerala director the biggest boost to his career in Bollywood. "At the moment, I have finished the filming of my present film 'Marakkar: The Lion of the Arabian Sea'. I did it in 104 days and the 63 old in me is completely drained. The post-production is presently on in Chennai and my son Siddarth has come from the US as he is the 'visual producer' of the film. He says he needs eight months for it and after that I need three months to wrap it up," said Priyadarshan. The film, he said, will release next year. "So my hands are tied, and hence, at this moment I can only say, nothing is decided on 'Hera Pheri 3'," he added. Asked whether after seeing his film's rushes at the editing table, is he is happy about how things have turned out, the 'director' in him spoke. "Never ask a director if he is happy, because everyone is insecure about his product and it's too early for me to say." --IANS sg/rb/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pope Francis presided over a Way of the Cross procession here in honour of migrants and the victims of human trafficking and lamented that they often find closed doors at the countries they are trying to reach. On Good Friday evening, Francis presided over the procession in front of the Colosseum, itself a symbol of the persecution and suffering of the first Christians, and in front of thousands of people who had gathered in the vicinity hours before and who attended the rite carrying candles, Efe news reported. During his prayer, the Pope rejected social injustices he referred to as the present-day crosses of the world, citing among them 'the cross of migrants who find doors closed because of fear, and hearts sealed by political calculations", and "the cross of humanity that wanders in the darkness of uncertainty and in the darkness of the culture of the fleeting moment". As he has done on previous occasions during his pontificate, he criticised the fact that in today's societies there are people who are rejected and marginalised. Francis ended his prayer by repudiating the weaknesses of human beings, their hypocrisy, betrayals, sins and their broken promises. The Pope arrived at around 9 p.m. at the Palatine Hill, near the Flavian Amphitheatre, and was received by the Mayor of the capital, Virginia Raggi. It was in 1964 that Pope Paul VI chose the Roman Colosseum to as the location for the procession. The pontiff will continue the rites of the Holy Week on Saturday, with the Easter Vigil, which he will preside over in the Vatican Basilica, while on Easter Sunday he will celebrate a Mass in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican and then from the central lodge of the Basilica he will impart the traditional blessing "Urbi et Orbi" (To the city and to the world). --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There was a singular absence of frenzy last week in Ayodhya on the occasion of Ram Navmi. As the campaign for election 2019 rose to a crescendo, one would have expected the Hindutva Brigade to turn up in full force for several reasons. To obtain the Lords blessings for the do or die battle. And to focus on Ayodhya to keep the issue simmering during these crucial elections. True, the matter is in court but so is the Sadhvi Pragya Thakur matter. When were such niceties sacrosanct for the current lot? More likely, the Mandir-Masjid souffle is not rising. I have seldom seen Rama's city so bereft of political presence. The old colonial bungalow refurbished as Faizabad's Circuit House looks like a spruced up haunted haven. Cooks, bearers, housekeepers, in white, appear at one end and shuffle past with no apparent work in hand. Well past midnight, there is a knock on the door. "Please let me have your remote," a voice implores. Spooky, isn't it? Apparently someone of consequence has arrived unexpectedly. It turns out that a solitary remote services all the air conditioners which are available in abundance. Even the dressing rooms are air conditioned. Cross into Ayodhya and throngs of devotees chanting 'Jai Sia Ram' choke the lanes. Milling crowds climb the wide staircase of the Kanak Bhawan Ram temple. Chanting devotees come in waves, their hands uplifted in reverence, eyes focused on the jharoka or balcony beyond which aarti begins at 11 a.m. in preparation for the Lord's birth at noon. But even at noon there is no frenzy, just chants of reverence accompanied by a surge towards the balcony for a closer experience of the moment of birth. I do not know how purists will take this report but my wife and I are rather proud that we had more than a ringside seat, virtually within whispering distance of the birthing suite where Ram was born. The pujari with a "thal" or plate of lamps makes circles around the imaginary bed. The lights flicker on the gold silk and taffeta, neatly folded in Ram and Sita's wardrobes lining the walls all around us. Once Ram lalla is born, Madhukar Singh of Orchha and his Rani wave a "murchal" a sort of whisk in slow, pampering motions around the infant. Madhukar's ancestors, the rulers of Orchha in Bundelkhand, built the Kanak Bhawan Ram temple complex in the late 19th century. Since then it has been the responsibility of the family to personally supervise Ram Navmi and other festivals associated with Ram. It is hard to imagine larger crowds, steeped in such unadulterated reverence. Pardon the thought, but is there a need for a parallel temple of contention which will only neutralize the good natured atmospherics of the birthday celebrations in this magnificent Ram Mandir? Our visit was a function of both: my passionate pursuit of the multicultural and Madhukar Orcha's profound hospitality. The red and yellow thread the priest tied on my wrist was, in its minutest detail, similar to what my mother did to visitors of diverse faiths who visited our village home during Moharram. In fact even the Imambara, where a replica of Imam Hussain's tomb in Karbala is kept, was not very dissimilar to the sanctum sanctorum - all peculiarly Indian. Mosques, of course, are different. There is a great deal in common between the Jama Masjid, Blue Mosque or the Shah Abbas mosque in Delhi, Istanbul and Isfahan respectively. But these mosques, in their distinct grandeur, are marvels of architecture. Not surprising, therefore, that in Ayodhya, the thought of Babri Masjid, should cross one's mind. It was by no stretch of the imagination a historic mosque. It had no architectural merit compared to the ones listed above. In August 1989 when I visited Ayodhya for the Shilanyas, the scene was distressing. I have since found myself on the same wavelength as the moderate cleric, Maulana Kalbe Sadiq. Since his cancer has galloped to its last stages, what the Maulana says is virtually his last will and testament: "A Muslim can spread his prayer mat anywhere, facing the Kaaba, and say his prayers; a Hindu consecrates the idol forever. The difference is enormous. Just look at the Muslims in India today: unwise politics around the Mandir-Masjid issue has contributed greatly to their unhappy situation." If Muslims win the Ayodhya case in the Supreme Court and decide to make a gift of the land for the construction of the temple, "The gesture will electrify Hindu masses; communal politics will be defeated." The soft, reverential tones of the ceremonies at the Ram temple are such a welcome relief from the warlike atmosphere of intrigue and deception that we witnessed during the Shilanyas 30 years ago. I can never forget, the District Magistrate of Faizabad, Ram Sharan Srivastava's harassed face under instructions to implement the underhand, duplicitous order handed over to him by the Congress High Command - Rajiv Gandhi, Arun Nehru and Narayan Datt Tiwari. The situation was this: Allahabad High Court had stayed any brick laying on "disputed" land. But Ashok Singhal of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad threatened "rivers of blood", if Shilanyas were not held where the VHP wanted it. The District Magistrate was instructed to accede to Singhal's demand "confidentially". In other words, brick laying would be allowed clandestinely on disputed land. Singhal had agreed to keep this secret. But the Congress, to score brownie points, announced that the brick laying ceremony was allowed only on land which was "not disputed". No sooner was the handout issued, then Singhal, not to be upstaged, held a press conference. "We have laid the Foundation Stone at exactly the place within our construction plan." The Congress double crossed the people; Singhal double crossed the Congress - and all in the name of Maryada Purushottam, the perfect man. I removed this nightmare from my mind and left the sanctum sanctorum remembering Allama Iqbal's couplet: "Hai Ram ke wajood pe Hindostaan ko naz Ehle nazar samajhte hain usko Imam e Hind." (Ram is Hindustan's pride. Men of vision consider him the Imam of Hindustan.) (Saeed Naqvi is a commentator on political and diplomatic affairs. He can be reached on saeednaqvi@hotmail.com. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are strictly those of the author and not of the IANS) --IANS naqvi/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia on Saturday said the alliance with the Congress in the national capital was not possible as the grand old party refused a tie-up in Haryana. Addressing a press conference here, Sisodia said that AAP was popular in Delhi and can sweep all the seven Lok Sabha seats, while the Congress cannot win even a single seat. Yet the AAP insisted on an alliance, not just in Delhi, but in other states as well in order "to stop the Modi-Shah duo" from coming back to power, Sisodia said. "We are popular in Delhi and can win all the seven seats. There is not a single MP or MLA of the Congress in Delhi. Yet it wants half of the Lok Sabha seats. If we share some of them with the Congress, it will not be able to pull through even a single seat," he said. The Congress abandoned the alliance plans after rounds of negotiations, he claimed. On Friday, the Congress went back on the proposal of alliance with the AAP and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), which could have defeated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on 10 seats in Haryana, he said. Sisodia said the Congress first proposed a 6:3:1 seat-sharing formula -- six for the Congress, three for the JJP and one for the AAP -- which was later revised to 7:3:1. "We did everything possible for an alliance in Haryana and elsewhere. We were ready for a 4:3 seat-sharing formula in Delhi as well. However, the Congress retracted last night," he said. "The Congress does not have the intention to forge an alliance in Haryana. It was doing timepass so far," Sisodia said. --IANS spk/arm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A team of Tata group called on Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday to explore investment avenues in the state. An official statement here said: "A team of Tata group comprising Girish Krishnamurthy, Vice President and Head - Strategic Initiatives Chairman's Office, Tata group, and Shankar Ranganathan, Principal, Tata Strategic Management Group, had a meeting with Governor Satya Pal Malik at the Raj Bhavan here in the evening. "K. Skandan, Advisor to Governor, Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Ravinder Kumar, MD, J&K IT Infrastructure Company and MD, State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO) were present in the meeting." The team, which was here to study best possible opportunities for gainful intervention and investment in Jammu and Kashmir, apprised the Governor about various parts of the state visited by them, the statement said. "The Team especially stressed upon the available potential in sectors of IT, Infrastructure, Handloom and Handicrafts, Agriculture and Horticulture, Tourism, Health Care, Airlines and Skill Development," it added. --IANS sq/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The White House said US President Donald Trump has spoken to Libyan eastern commander General Khalifa Haftar, whose forces are attacking the capital Tripoli. During Monday's call, Trump recognised Gen. Haftar's efforts to combat terrorism and secure Libya's oil and they discussed Libya's future, the BBC reported on Friday. Tripoli is the seat of Libya's UN-backed and internationally recognised government. Trump's call suggests he endorses Gen. Haftar, unlike some of his allies. More than 200 people have been killed since the fighting began three weeks ago. On Thursday, the UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj condemned the "silence" of his international allies amid the assault by Gen. Haftar's forces. Libya has been torn by violence and political instability since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011. The latest crisis started three weeks ago, when Gen. Haftar's eastern forces descended on the capital in what Serraj has described as an attempted coup. Gen. Haftar's troops are advancing from various directions on the outskirts of the city and say they have seized Tripoli's international airport. Trump's and Gen. Haftar "discussed a shared vision for Libya's transition to a stable, democratic political system", the White House said. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has urged the House of Representatives to initiate an impeachment process against President Donald Trump for the "severity" of the revelations included in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report. "The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty. That means the House should initiate impeachment proceedings against the President of the US," the Massachusetts Senator said in a series of tweets on Friday. Warren highlighted the revelations of the report, which were released Thursday, including several episodes of Trump to obstruct the investigation into the possible conspiracy with Russia during the 2016 elections, Efe news reported. The Senator said that Mueller's document details Russia's attempts to help get Trump elected as President and he "welcomed that help" and once elected "obstructed the investigation". "To ignore a President's repeated efforts to obstruct an investigation into his own disloyal behaviour would inflict great and lasting damage on this country, and it would suggest that both the current and future Presidents would be free to abuse their power in similar ways," she added in another tweet. Other Democratic candidates, such as former Texas state Congressman Beto O'Rourke, have limited themselves to demanding that Congress sees the unredacted version of Mueller's report and hear from Mueller himself. Mueller explains in his report the development of his investigations into the alleged connection between the Trump team and Russia in the campaign for the 2016 presidential elections and the alleged obstruction of justice by the President. However, Mueller concluded that there was "insufficient evidence to support criminal charges" related to the "numerous contacts between individuals linked to the Russian government" and Trump's campaign, but does not come to a conclusion as to whether Trump obstructed justice. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the US will continue to work to negotiate with North Korea to achieve the Korean Peninsula denuclearization. Pompeo's remarks came after Pyongyang test-fired a new tactical guided weapon earlier this week. "I'm convinced we still have a real opportunity to achieve that outcome (the denuclearization), and our diplomatic team will continue to remain in the lead," said the top US diplomat on Friday at a joint press conference in the State Department with visiting senior Japanese officials, Xinhua reported. Pompeo swept aside Pyongyang's demand about replacing him by someone "more careful and mature" to deal with the talks. "Nothing's changed. We're continuing to work to negotiate. I'm still in charge of the team," he said. North Korea's state media Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday that Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, supervised the test-firing of a new tactical guided weapon on Wednesday. Pentagon spokesperson Charles Summers Jr. confirmed on Thursday that the tactical-level weapons test posed no threat to the US and regional allies. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) has signed a strategic new memorandum of understanding (MoU) with global wellness pioneer Delos, to become the universitys official partner in its move to launch the Middle East region's first innovation and economic free zone. The move falls in line with Dubai University Free Zones strategy, which aims to promote the emirate as a regional hub for youth support and the development of newer education curriculums and concepts based on innovation and technology, said a statement. The newly formed alliance is being seen as an important addition to the network of international partnerships that HBMSU continues to maintain in its efforts to create an educational environment supportive of economic and innovative activity, complementing its role in the race to graduate entrepreneurs instead of job seekers to achieve the objectives set forth in the 50-year charter, it said. According to HBMSU senior officials, the partnership represents a strong push towards achieving and maintaining sustainable development through the universitys smart facilities. In fact, the MoU aims to transform HBMSU into an environment-friendly learning community that is conducive to innovation, creativity, and excellence. HBMSU is working towards building smart, interactive, and sustainable facilities to support the education of innovative and knowledgeable learners capable of creating a bright future for the country. The university also applied for a Well certification that, if granted, will make it the first university in the Middle East to receive such recognition. HBMSU seeks to meet the certifications health requirements through its collaboration with Delos. Dr Mansoor Al Awar, HBMSU chancellor, said: We welcome this new partnership with Delos, which is expected to play a key role in our move to launch the first innovative and economic free zone in the UAE. We are excited be working closely with them according to the criteria of Dubais strategy for free university zones that was launched by HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai and president of the HBMSU, to promote the role of academic institutions supporting the national efforts towards establishing a new generation of creative and qualified graduates who can guide the countrys path towards embracing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurshipfalling in line with the visions of the 50-year Charter, which clearly embodies the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the best city in the world, he added. Dr Al Awar also took note of the importance of establishing a strong strategic partnership with Delos, which is a welcome and valuable addition to the universitys string of achievements. The MoU will bolster HBMSUs efforts to meet the highest education standards to cement its position as one of the best smart universities in the world. According to him, the agreement is aligned with the universitys Together We Grow vision, which compliments the mission of re-engineering the future of higher education through new education tools and guidelines based on innovation, technology disruption and transformation. Dr Al Awar added that having a sustainable campus is also in response to the directives of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the University, to support the national environmental sustainability efforts for the sake of the future generations. Dr Al Awar added: We remain highly confident in this key alliance with a leading global company like Delos as we continue to adopt the best sustainability practices. HBMSU is employing and adopting innovation to provide unique and creative health solutions for the overall well-being of our faculty members, administrative employees, and learners under the guidance of HH Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who has made innovation the centre of the UAEs sustainable development approach. The new partnership will transform the campus into a sustainable and integrated environment that prioritises the peoples health and well-being. HBMSU will consistently adopt advanced systems to make our building sustainable, solidify our leadership in preparing for the future, and be ahead of other international universities by 10 years, he said. Our application for the Well certification reflects our continued commitment to meet the highest international standards and adoption of the best industry practices in the field of sustainability and innovation. The certificate represents a world standard tool that recognizes integrated buildings possessing environment-friendly designs, which support the individuals health, well-being, and happiness. We are committed to collaborate with the research and scientific team of Delos to ensure that the health requirements are met. Having sustainable and secure building will help improve the quality of life of our learners, faculty, and administrative staff in line with the global standards, Dr Al Awar concluded. Paul Scialla, founder and CEO of Delos, said: We are proud to have the opportunity to be a key member of this university lead research-business collaboration and at the same time is honoured to be selected by this prestigious institution. The intersection of smarter and healthier buildings, through the use of people centred health and building data, is a unique and powerful opportunity to positively impact people wherever they work, live and learn. Our company has participated in many research initiatives and collaborations, including our establishment of the Well Living Lab in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, and we are excited that HBMSU will be our first knowledge collaboration in EMEA. We share HBMSUs vision of helping create enhanced indoor environments, he said. This is not theoretical. The research that will be performed as part of this collaboration will be designed to directly inform and shape the implementation of solutions in the workplace designed to enhance our health, wellbeing and performance, Scialla added. The two sides agreed to incorporate an innovative healthy feature in the design and development of the university campus, using the latest innovative technologies, advanced methodologies and sustainable materials to promote the learners health and well-being, in addition to utilising comfortable designs, advanced air and water purification systems, and lighting technologies. The move is aligned with their goals to leverage technological innovations to improve the quality of life in local communities and ensure a better future for the coming generations. The agreement between HBMSU and Delos will also cover applied research in which data relating to health and wellness in the workplace and other indoor environments will be collected. The university will provide a dedicated space and facilities on-site where Delos experts can conduct research activities as well. Both will promote the results of the research works. The two sides also agreed to unify their efforts in the field of entrepreneurship to help advance the career development of HBMSU learners and other community members. Their collaboration will also focus on the development and delivery of business solutions to local and international institutions and entities, it stated. TradeArabia News Service The US government is taking aim at the "India-based call centre scam industry", Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski has warned while announcing the extradition of an Indian citizen from Singapore allegedly involved in a multi-million dollar racket. Hitesh Madhubhai Patel, 42, who operated the HGlobal call centre in Ahmedabad, was extradited to face trial on charges relating to the scam that allegedly ripped off thousands of Americans of millions of dollars using people in call centres impersonating US government officials, the Justice Department said Friday. Patel was arrested and produced on Friday in a federal court in Houston, Texas, where Magistrate Judge Peter Bray remanded him to custody, according to a court document obtained by IANS. He is to appear in court again on Wednesday. "This extradition once again demonstrates the (Justice) Department's unwavering commitment to disrupt and dismantle the India-based call centre scam industry and to work with our foreign partners to hold accountable those who perpetrate schemes that defraud our citizens," Benczkowski said. He added that "Patel operated a call centre that allegedly preyed upon vulnerable U.S. citizens as part of a massive fraud scheme". After Patel flew from India to Singapore, he was arrested there on September 21, 2018, at the request of the US, and Singapore Law Minister K. Shanmugam issued a warrant on March 25 to hand him over to America, the Justice Department said. "This historic extradition should serve as notice to transnational criminal organisations of the lengths DHS (Department of Homeland Security) is willing to go to arrest those who would enrich themselves by extorting the most vulnerable in our society," said David Green, the Special Agent in charge of the DHS Houston Field Office. He warned of global action against the owners, managers and employees of overseas call centres, saying: "Our pursuit of justice for victims of their scams does not stop at the water's edge." Patel was charged in 2016 along with 55 people, most of them of Indian descent, and five companies in the alleged massive scam. The India-based call centres allegedly impersonated tax or immigration officials and called people in the US and threatened them with arrest or deportation if they did not pay what they claimed were back taxes or fines, according to the chargesheet filed against them. When their victims agreed to pay, the people at the call centre arranged for payments to be collected in the form of store cards or wire transfers by their co-conspirators in the US, who cashed them often using stolen identities and laundered the money, according to the charges. In other instances, they offered people fake loans and collected fees for the lending that never materialised. Since 2013, the tax official impersonation scam "has been on a relentless path, claiming more than 15,000 victims who have collectively suffered over $75 million in losses", said Treasury Inspector General J. Russell George. Federal agencies have identified 140 scammers, including Patel, "who have preyed upon taxpayers", he added. The fraud calls originating from India that are received by millions of Americans are hurting the country's reputation as a hub for back office, tech support and call centre operations. In recent weeks, at least three persons of Indian descent have been sentenced to prison terms in cases of tax official impersonation. A federal court in Florida sentence an Indian on Thursday to eight and a half years in prison and last month another person of Indian origin to eight years and nine months. In a separate case, Indian was sentenced to 16 months in prison by a federal judge in Atlanta earlier this month. (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.) Conventional wisdom has it that the current polls will not produce a clear-cut result as in 2014. The reason is that there is no definite trend for or against any party at the national level although such tendencies are there in some states such as Tamil Nadu. However, in the absence of an all-India "wave", neither of the two main groups of protagonists - the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the parties in the "secular" camp - is expected easily to cross the half-way mark of 272 seats in the Lok Sabha. The general assumption is that the NDA may barely cross the finishing line or just fall short while the BJP will not get a majority of its own although it is likely to emerge as the largest party. In that event, there is every possibility of the BJP being given the first chance by the President to form a government. Furthermore, there will be no difficulty for it if the NDA has a majority. However, the thinness of the NDA's lead over the other parties can pose a problem. For instance, the critics are bound to interpret the NDA's slender majority as a virtual rejection by the voters of its legitimacy in view of the fall in its seats from the present 336. There is a political need, therefore, for the BJP to repeat its 2014 performance if the party wants to persist with its current dominance. The scene will obviously be even worse for the BJP if the NDA is unable to get a majority and there is a hung parliament. It has been suggested that it will then have to look for potential allies to cross the magical figure of 272. In this context, several names are already in the air, such as those of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao and the rising Andhra Pradesh leader Jagan Mohan Reddy, although both have been critical of the BJP. Rao, for instance, had once taken the initiative to constitute a non-BJP, non-Congress federal front in Mamata Banerjee's company, but the project went nowhere. Reddy is at present too focussed on his battles with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to pay much attention to national But he appears to have decided to keep his lines open for both the BJP and the Congress. Another party whose name has figured in the speculation is that of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), a one-time ally of the BJP which is now engaged in trying to maintain its dominance in Odisha against a combative BJP which has replaced the Congress as the BJD's main opponent in the state. At the all-India level, the BJD's position is for maintaining equidistance from both the BJP and the Congress. However, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is of the view that he will go with that party at the centre which will show special consideration for the state. It doesn't take much perspicacity to believe that if push comes to shove for the BJP, struggling to maintain the NDA's majority in the Lok Sabha, it will listen to Odisha's plea for help with greater sympathy. Given such possibilities, it is obvious that the BJP will not be able to display the kind of chutzpah that it does at present. It is bound to be far more subdued, a posture it adopted recently when concluding pre-poll seat arrangements with the Shiv Sena, the Janata Dal (United) and the Lok Janshakti Party. How will the national opposition fare in these circumstances? For a start, it will have to accept the inconvenient truth about itself that an inability to get its act together to stand united against the BJP made it lose the race. Moreover, the ego hassles among its senior leaders which scuttled the earlier talks about forming a mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) with a single opposition candidate against the BJP in every constituency will continue to help the BJP retain its hold on power. The only card which the opposition can play even in its fractured state is to assert that the 2014 outcome was an aberration caused up by two factors - the unexpected rise of Narendra Modi as a popular leader and the equally unexpected collapse of the Congress because of corruption - an old malady - and policy paralysis, a new affliction. In the absence of either one or the other of these two factors, the scene would have been different. In a way, this is what appears to be happening at present, with the BJP losing some of its earlier momentum and the Congress partly recovering its old self under a new leadership. From this aspect, there has been a return to a more or less level playing field with a slight tilt in the BJP's favour. But the opposition can make good the lost ground if the BJP is foxed by the complexities of a hung parliament. (Amulya Ganguli is a political analyst. He can be reached at amulyaganguli@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are strictly those of the author and not of the IANS) --IANS amulya/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Last week, activists from Greenpeace Africa delivered to the Nestle factory serving East Africa a giant plastic monster made of the companys brand packaging. This was an effective way of conveying that much of the needed action on restricting the prevalence of single-use plastic throughout the world will need to be taken by the big fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. It is certainly an important and urgent issue according to the United Nations Environment Programme, over 8 billion tonnes of plastic has been produced since the 1950s and that might increase to as much ... The killing of a labourer from Maldah in far- away Rajasthan almost two years ago weighs heavily on the minds of people of the district, which is heavily dependent on remittance from its male members working as construction labourers in other states, as it prepares to vote on April 23. Mohammad Afrajul, a labourer from Saiydpur village, was allegedly hacked and burnt to death by a man in December 2017. The attack was filmed on video, which shows the victim pleading for his life. "The video is still there. People in the village still see it. I don't know what wrong he did, but I keep wondering was it his religion that killed him," asked Afrajul's wife Gulbahar Bibi in her one-room house, with her youngest daughter Habiba and her grandchildren sitting near her. Afrajul's death stunned the district, whose extent of migration is such that the Farakka Express leaving Malda railway station every evening to ferry migrant workers to Delhi is popularly called the 'labour express'. "There is not a family in this village, in fact the entire area, where someone or the other is not working as a labourer in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan or such places. There is nothing here -- no development, no jobs. If our children get killed over their religion, then there is no hope for us," said Mohammad Babul, whose three sons are currently in Delhi working at a construction site. "I want my sons to be here. Whoever comes to power, should ensure that migration becomes a choice, not a necessity," he said. For Afrajul, who worked as a labourer for 20 years in Rajasthan, all he had to show at the end of his life was Rs three lakh as compensation from the state government, a Rs 6000 job for his eldest daughter and a Rs 750 pension for his wife. "I have seen a lot of grief in my life, just when I thought I would get some peace, it all ended," Gulbahar said, recalling the phone call that brought her world crashing down. Will she vote on April 23 when Malda Uttar and Malda Dakshin go to polls in the third phase of the elections? Does she expect anything from anyone this election? "Why shouldn't I vote? It's my right. I will vote to do my bit. Even at a time when the video was viral and my family was suffering, not one leader from the BJP came to see us. In the past two years, no one from the party has come."It is not just this village, but surrounding areas as well where the fear of losing a loved one has made families call their sons home. "Many have come back like me. But I know I have to go back, as will the others. What will we do here? Roll bidis with our sisters," asked Mohsin in nearby Babangram. Just after the incident, locals recall migrant workers had come back in droves, many had even signed up for a one time grant of Rs 50,000 announced by the West Bengal chief minister urging them to return. However, their growing needs at home, insufficient financial security have driven them back. "We have no hope, no expectations. Life will go on, there will be many more Afrajul's, people will forget. These people will again come back in five years for our votes," said Babul, going back to his tea stall, "I can just pray hard everyday, that not one of them is my son. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 200-bed hospital built with Pakistan's assistance to boost the health sector of Afghanistan was inaugurated in Kabul on Saturday. Muhammad Ali Jinnah Hospital is a state of the art hospital constructed at the cost of USD 24 million and a flagship project of Pakistan's USD 1 billion development assistance to Afghanistan in pursuance of its policy objective of deepening and broadening people to people connections between the two countries. The facility was jointly inaugurated by Pakistan Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Khan, Afghanistan's Vice-President, Mohammad Sarwar Danish and Minister of Public Health, Dr Ferozuddin Feroz. The 200-bed state-of-art Jinnah Hospital, completed at a cost of USD 24 million, was officially handed over by the Pakistan to the government of Afghanistan, the Foreign Office said. Khan said on the occasion that the hospital would be a substantial contribution to the health sector of Afghanistan. He also conveyed the message of the Prime Minister Imran Khan that Pakistan would continue to take all possible measures for the welfare of the people of Afghanistan. Dr Feroz expressed his deep thanks for the the hospital and appreciated Pakistan's immense assistance in the health sector which also included under construction 100-bed Naeb Aminullah Khan Hospital in Logar costing USD 19 million and other completed projects including Nishtar Kidney Center in Jalalabad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three houses and seven shops were gutted in a devastating fire in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir but there was no report of any loss of life, officials said Saturday. The fire broke out in one of the structures at Dadpeth village Friday night and immediately engulfed the nearby buildings, the official said. The fire and emergency services personnel managed to put off the blaze after several hours of operation, they said, adding the cause of the fire was not known immediately. Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Angrez Singh Rana visited the affected village Saturday and handed over an immediate relief of Rs 5,000, blankets, kitchen kit, bucket and solar lights to each of the affected families, out of Red Cross fund. The deputy commissioner directed officials concerned to ensure proper and timely compensation to the fire victims. He directed Tehsildar Chatroo to submit a detailed report earliest so that compensation could be provided to them, an official spokesman said. Rana instructed the people to dump their dry fodder or hay away from their houses to avoid fire incidents in future. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 63-year-old doctor was arrested for allegedly molesting a minor girl at his residence in suburban Khar, a senior police official said Saturday. The victim's mother told police that she had left her house keys with the accused and had asked her 14-year-old daughter to collect it from there, an official said. "According to the victim's mother, the doctor hugged and kissed the victim when she went to collect the keys. She has told police that the incident happened on April 14," he said. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code and the doctor was arrested Friday night, he added. The doctor was produced in court Saturday and was remanded in judicial custody, his lawyer Laxman Kanal said. Kanal told court that the complaint against the doctor was filed at the instigation of the latter's housing society members. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Aam Aadmi Party has extended unconditional support to all candidates of the Left Democratic Front in Kerala for the Lok Sabha elections, party leader Somnath Bharti said. CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu thanked the AAP for the support. "Our main aim is to remove the NDA and stop communal tension and polarisation done by them and in this direction, we are campaigning in different states. We thank the AAP for supporting us," he told reporters in a joint press conference with Bharti. Meanwhile, the AAP suspended its Kerala convener C R Neelakandan for allegedly announcing the party's support to the Congress in the southern state without any consultation with the party's political affairs committee. Bharti said Neelakandan held a press conference in Kerala and said the AAP supports the candidates of the Congress in the state. "That press conference was unauthorised and conducted without the knowledge or consultation of the Aam Aadmi Party. The AAP's political affairs committee has condemned his move and decided to suspend Neelakandan from the primary membership of the party," he said. AAP's New Delhi Lok Sabha candidate Brijesh Goyal hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent address at the Talkatora Stadium here, claiming that traders were extremely unhappy with Modi for not addressing their issues at the event. Modi on Friday addressed a thanksgiving convention at the Talkatora Stadiumorganised by traders supporting the BJP to express their "gratitude" for various measures promised in the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Aam Aadmi Party has extended its unconditional support to the Left Democratic Front in Kerala following which the Left front also expressed its support to the ruling party in Delhi for the general elections. "The AAP's political affairs committee (PAC) has decided to give unconditional support to the Left Democratic Front candidates in the state (Kerala)," AAP leader Somnath Bharti said. CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu thanked the AAP for the support and also extended his party's support to the Arvind Kejriwa-led party. "Our main aim is to remove the NDA and stop communal tension and polarisation done by them and in this direction, we are campaigning in different states. We thank the AAP for supporting us," he told reporters in a joint press conference with Bharti. Meanwhile, the AAP suspended its Kerala convener C R Neelakandan for allegedly announcing the party's support to the Congress in the southern state without any consultation with the party's political affairs committee. Bharti said Neelakandan held a press conference in Kerala and said the AAP supports the candidates of the Congress in the state. "That press conference was unauthorised and conducted without the knowledge or consultation of the Aam Aadmi Party. The AAP's political affairs committee has condemned his move and decided to suspend Neelakandan from the primary membership of the party," he said. AAP's New Delhi Lok Sabha candidate Brijesh Goyal hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent address at the Talkatora Stadium here, claiming that traders were extremely unhappy with Modi for not addressing their issues at the event. Modi on Friday addressed a thanksgiving convention at the Talkatora Stadium organised by traders supporting the BJP to express their "gratitude" for various measures promised in the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday said an alliance just in Delhi is not possible after the Congress refused to have a tie-up anywhere else. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that giving three seats to the Congress in the national capital would mean "giving three seats to the BJP", when asked his opinion on the 4:3 seat sharing formula proposed by the Congress. He said the Congress first proposed 6:3:1 seat sharing formula to the AAP in Haryana where six seats would be for Congress, three for Janayak Janata Party and one seat for AAP. "Our decision to form an alliance with the Congress was to stop the Modi-Shah duo," he said. "The Congress has zero presence in Delhi even then they want nearly half of the seats. With that logic, the Congress should form an alliance in Punjab and Haryana too. We have 20 MLAs and 4 MPs in Punjab then why can't an alliance be formed with us," Sisodia asked. Senior party leader Sanjay Singh said they have agreed to all seat sharing arrangements that the Congress proposed, but even then the grand old party backtracked. "After discussions with our alliance partner in Haryana, the JJP, we agreed to it, but the Congress refused and said they can't give more than two seats to the JJP and proposed 7:2:1 formula," said Singh, who was negotiating with the Congress. JJP chief Dushyant Chautala even agreed to that but then the Congress backtracked again on Friday night, saying there is no possibility of formation of any alliance anywhere except Delhi, he said. Singh said the JJP had proposed 4:4:2 with four seats for Congress, four for JJP and two seats for AAP but it was outrightly rejected by the Congress. However, sources say that even though the possibility of formation of an alliance has been completely closed in Haryana, the AAP is still open to alliance in the national capital in 5:2 formula, with five seats for the ruling party. Senior party leader Gopal Rai had said Friday that in a last ditch effort to form an alliance with the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party postponed the nomination of its candidates. On Saturday, AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi, Chandini Chowk candidate Pankaj Gupta and North West candidate Gugan Singh were to file their nominations. "But to give a last chance to the Congress to come on the table for holding talks over the alliance, we are postponing these candidates' nominations from Saturday to Monday," Rai had said on Friday. On Monday, these candidates would file their nominations along with South Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha, North East Delhi candidate Dilip Pandey and New Delhi candidate Brijesh Goyal, he added. On Thursday, after holding a roadshow, the party's West Delhi candidate Balbir Singh Jakhar filed his nomination papers. Uncertainty prevails over the tie-up in Delhi, with the AAP seeking an alliance in Haryana, Delhi and Chandigarh. The Congress, however, offered to tie up only in the national capital. On Thursday, the AAP-JJP alliance announced that there is no possibility of a tie-up in Haryana as the JJP said that it could never join hands with the grand old party. Flag carrier Turkish Airlines has launched flights from Istanbul to Sharjah, its third destination in the UAE and its 307th global route. During the launch of the inaugural flight, Turkish Airlines chief marketing officer (CMO) Ahmet Olmustur said: With Istanbul Airport, a new era has begun for Turkish aviation and tourism sectors. With having such a monumental facility as our home base, now we have an unmatched advantage to further accelerate our network expansion performance. As part of this performance, today we are highly pleased to add Sharjah as our third destination in the UAE after Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Selected as the Cultural Capital of Arab World in 1998, Sharjah is a coastal destination away from the desert heat and it is the third biggest and third most populous emirate of UAE. Modern but old, crowded but peaceful, Sharjahs rich history, culture and economy attracts passengers travelling there. - TradeArabia News Service Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said Saturday that the BJP's 2014 slogan of "acche din" has now given way to "chowkidar chor hai". Addressing campaign rallies in Chhattisgarh for the first time since the Lok Sabha elections were announced, he also said that the Congress' 'Nyay' minimum income scheme would act like "petrol" to kickstart the economy's engine. Campaigning for Congress candidate Pratima Chandrakar at Bhilai in Durg constituency, Gandhi said, "This slogan (chowkidar chor hai) is trending. Wherever you go, when you speak the word "chowkidar", comes the same reply (chor hai)." Gandhi started using the phrase 'chowkidar chor hai' (the watchman is thief) to accuse the Narendra Modi government of irregularities in the Rafale deal. Modi had earlier dubbed himself the country's chowkidar or watchman. "Earlier the slogan used to be Acche Din Aayenge (good days will come). In five years, the country has seen the truth of chowkidar," the Congress chief said. The Congress government, after winning the Assembly election in Chhattisgarh, did not tell people "Man ki Baat", he said, in a dig at the prime minister's radio program. "We started work. We waived farm loans, procured paddy at Rs 2,500 per quintal and returned land acquired for Tata project in Bastar to farmers," he said. "Five months ago, I told economists in the Congress party's think tank that Modi had promised to deposit Rs 15 lakh in the account of people.... I said Congress would not give Rs 15 lakh but I want a figure (amount of money) which can be put in the accounts of poor people," he said. "I told them if Rs 35,000 crore can be given to Mehul Choksi...and loans of 5,50,000 crore rupees of 15 industrialists can be waived, then why money cannot be put into accounts of the poor people," said Gandhi. "(Congress leader and former finance minister) Chidambaram said we can give Rs 72,000 to five crore poor families per year which will benefit 25 crore people," he said, referring to 'Nyay' (Nyuntam Aay Yojna), a promise made by his party in the poll manifesto. "We will take money from thieves like (industrialist) Anil Ambani and deposit it into account of the woman member of poor families," he said. "I don't promise you to give two crore jobs (unlike the BJP's promise) but 22 lakh posts are vacant in the government sector and if we are elected, all these vacancies will be filled. Ten lakh youths can be given employment in panchayats," Gandhi said. Continuing his attack on Modi over the Rafale fighter jet purchase issue, Gandhi reiterated the allegation that the prime minister took away the contract for Rafale from the PSU Hindustan Aeronautics and gave it to Anil Ambani. He also promised a simplified Goods and Services Tax "within six months of coming to power". "Farmers said to me that businessmen who took loans of thousands of crores were roaming in private jets. While the farmers who took loans of Rs 20,000 and were unable to pay were sent to jail. Now this will not happen, not a single farmer will be sent to jail for failing to pay debt," he asserted. The Congress has fielded Pratima Chandrakar from Durg Lok Sabha constituency which will go to the polls on April 23. Earlier, campaigning for party candidate Atal Shrivastav at Bilaspur, he said that with the Nyay scheme, people will be able to buy things they need "which will revive manufacturing units and thereby generate employment". "Nyay scheme will act like petrol for the Indian economy which will kickstart its engine," he added. "When we promised to waive farm loans in Chhattisgarh, Modi had asked where the money will come from. But we showed where the money comes from after waiving farm loans in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan (after winning Assembly polls in the three states)," Gandhi said. "As soon as we are elected to power, we will deposit Rs 72,000 in bank accounts of poorest families," he said. "In the 21st century, India will surely eliminate poverty. We will show it by carrying out a surgical strike on poverty in the next 10-15 years," the Congress chief said. The unemployment rate in the country stands at a 45-year high due to demonetisation and the "Gabbar Singh Tax" (as he refers to Goods and Services Tax), Gandhi said. During demonetisation, "money was taken out from people's pockets and put in banks" and later given to businessmen like Nirav Modi who fled from the country, Gandhi said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said Saturday that the BJP's 2014 slogan of "Acche Din" has now given way to "chowkidar chor hai". Gandhi was addressing an election rally at Bhilai, Chhattisgarh's steel-city. As the crowd chanted 'chowkidar chor hai' (the watchman is thief), Gandhi said, "This slogan is trending. Wherever you go, when you speak the word "chowkidar", comes the same reply," he said. "In Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pardesh, Telangana Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, wherever you go and say "chowkidar", the reply is "chor hai"," the Congress chief said. Gandhi started using the catch phrase 'chowkidar chor hai' to accuse the Narendra Modi government of irregularities in the Rafale deal, as Modi had earlier dubbed himself as the country's chowkidar or watchman. "Earlier the slogan used to be Acche Din Aayenge (good days will come). In five years, the country has seen the truth of chowkidar," the Congress chief said. The Congress government, after winning the Assembly election in Chhattisgarh, did not tell people "Man ki Baat", he said, in a dig at the prime minister's radio program. "We started work. We waived farm loans, procured paddy at Rs 2,500 per quintal and returned land acquired for Tata project in Bastar to farmers," he said. Saying he would not make false promises like the BJP, he said, "Even if you put pressure on me, I will not deposit Rs 15 lakh in your account. "Five months ago, I told economists in the Congress party's think tank that Modi had promised to deposit Rs 15 lakh in the account of people.... I said Congress would not give Rs 15 lakh but I want a figure (amount of money) which can be put in the accounts of poor people," he said. "I told them if Rs 35,000 crore can be given to Mehul Choksi...and loans of 5,50,000 crore rupees of 15 industrialists can be waived, then why money cannot be put into accounts of the poor people," said Gandhi. "(Congress leader and former finance minister) Chidambaram said we can give Rs 72,000 to five crore poor families per year which will benefit 25 crore people," he said, referring to 'Nyay' (Nyuntam Aay Yojna), a promise made by his party in the poll manifesto. "We will take money from thieves like (industrialist) Anil Ambani and deposit it into account of the woman member of poor families," he said. "I don't promise you to give two crore jobs (unlike the BJP's promise) but 22 lakh posts are vacant in the government sector and if we are elected, all these vacancies will be filled. Ten lakh youths can be given employment in panchayats," Gandhi said. Continuing his attack on Modi over the Rafale fighter jet purchase issue, Gandhi reiterated the allegation that the prime minister took away the contract for Rafale from PSU Hindustan Aeronautics and gave it to Anil Ambani. "Modi has been attacking government sector companies. His target is to hand over all the public sector firms to private entrepreneurs and thieves," he added. He also promised a simplified Goods and Services Tax "within six months of coming to power". "Farmers said to me that businessmen who took loans of thousands of crores were roaming in private jets. While the farmers who took loans of Rs 20,000 and were unable to pay were sent to jail. Now this will not happen, not a single farmer will be sent to jail for failing to pay debt," he asserted. The Congress has fielded Pratima Chandrakar from Durg Lok Sabha constituency which will go to the polls on April 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An independent candidate Saturday raised objections over Congress president Rahul Gandhi's nomination from Amethi, alleging discrepancies over citizenship and educational qualifications in his election affidavit. Citing the complaint, the BJP said in New Delhi asked Gandhi to come clean on the matter. Complainant Dhruv Raj's lawyer Ravi Prakash showed reporters purported copies of a certificate of incorporation of a UK-registered company in which the Congress leader is stated to be a British national. The returning officer (RO) has asked Rahul Kaushik, the Congress leader's counsel, to give his reply on Monday at 10.30 am. Ravi Prakash claimed that the UK Company had existed for five years and would have made some profit, but that has not been disclosed in the affidavit. He told reporters that he has urged the returning officer to look into this aspect. Ravi Prakash said he has sought a clarification on Gandhi's citizenship as being a UK citizen would bar him from fighting the Lok Sabha elections. Yogendra Misra, the president of the district Congress unit, said the objections will be countered legally on Monday. Uttar Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer L Venkateshwar Lu said he has sought information on the complaint from the district election authorities. In Delhi, BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said it is "stunning" that Gandhi's lawyer sought time to reply to the objections. "These are serious allegations. Is Rahul Gandhi an Indian citizen or not? Did he ever become a British citizen? He should come out with the real story," he told reporters. Election Commission sources said the returning officer is the final authority on such a matter, but he cannot check the veracity of what is submitted in an election affidavit. They said if someone approaches an RO raising objections, the official must hear the affected party. If anyone has an objection to what is recorded in an affidavit, the person should approach the court, the sources said. The BJP spokesperson claimed that a British company, in which Gandhi had said in 2004 that he made investments, had made a submission that year to the authorities there that he was a British citizen. Referring to the complaint, the BJP spokesperson said there are "discrepancies and attempts to suppress facts" in Gandhi's affidavits filed during different elections from 2004 to 2014. The Congress chief had said that he did M Phil in development economics from Cambridge University, but later claimed it was in development studies, Rao alleged. The BJP spokesman said inquiries show that one Rahul Vincy and not Rahul Gandhi got the degree that particular year. "We will like to know if Rahul Gandhi goes by multiple names in different countries," Rao said. He also wondered if the Gandhi scion's qualifications were like Congress manifestos that change every five years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP president Amit Shah Saturday took out a massive roadshow in Pathnamthitta, which had witnessed frenzied protests over the Sabarimala temple women entry issue last year. Shah, who was seen waving to the crowd, is here to give a last-minute push to the BJP-NDA's campaign in the constituency where the saffron party has fielded K Surendran, who was arrested in connection with the violence during the protests. Thousands of saffron party followers, including women, are participating in the roadshow. Kerala had witnessed massive protests after the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF government decided to implement the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all age groups to offer prayers at the hill shrine. Earlier children and women in the 10-50 age group were banned from the Sabarimala agitation. The constituency is witnessing a fierce triangular contest between the ruling CPI(M)-LDF, Opposition Congress-UDF and the BJP-NDA. LDF has fielded Veena George, its Aranmula MLA, eyeing the Christian vote bank, to take on the two-time sitting MP Anto Antony (Congress-UDF), while the BJP has brought in its state General Secretary Surendran hoping to cash in on the sympathies of Hindu voters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Any "arbitrary" ban on social media platforms and intermediaries could impede foreign direct investment and affect expansion of the digital India initiative, an industry body of Internet and mobile device companies said Saturday. Without naming Chinese video sharing app TikTok, the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) said its statement was in response to the "recent ban by the MeiTY on the order of a High Court of a social media platform". The Madras High Court on April 3, 2019, had directed the Centre to ban TikTok, saying it was evident from media reports that pornography and inappropriate content were made available through such mobile applications. Soon after, tech giants Google and Apple removed TikTok from their app stores in India to prohibit further downloads of the application. Owned by Chinese firm Bytedance, TikTok is a short-video app that has over 120 million users in India and is popular among youngsters. The IAMAI said it would be a major roadblock to the growth of digital India and impede FDI in digital if intermediaries were to be banned quite arbitrarily by the courts in the country. "The association was of the view that such bans dilutes nay negate the safe harbour provisions currently contained in the IT Act and its Rules and make it impossible for them to operate in the country. Especially affected would be the so-called social media platforms which allow citizens to express themselves," it added. The IAMAI said content moderation on user-generated content platforms has been a problem about which the platforms themselves are keenly aware and have taken effective measures in recent months to curb the excesses. It also pointed out that social media platforms in the country have adopted the Code of Ethics with the Election Commission. "The association is of the view that in this particular instance, the complainant should have approached the government for redressal first before approaching the courts and the court should have ideally asked the platform to remove the 'offending content' than ban the entire app. It is a classic case of throwing the baby with the bathwater," the IAMAI said. According to the IAMAI, dilution of the Safe Harbour protection available to intermediaries/social media platforms undermines the steady growth of India's digital economy and especially impacts the thriving startup ecosystem in the country. "Content moderation on user-generated platforms is an industry-wide challenge that our members take very seriously, and are constantly addressing with ever-improving mechanisms along with enhanced safety features such as increased privacy settings, in-app reporting, comments filter, content filter for younger users, in-app access to Community Guidelines, online safety resources and more," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh Saturday visited Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district and reviewed the operational preparedness and the prevalent security situation. The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Udhampur-based northern command, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, interacted with police and civil administration officials and exhorted all for their synergised efforts to defeat attempts of anti-national elements to revive militancy in the region, a defence spokesperson said. He, along with the White Knight Corps Commander Lt Gen Paramjit Singh, visited the hinterland bases and posts in Kishtwar sector to review the operational preparedness and the prevalent security situation in the wake of recent terrorists initiated incidents, a defence spokesperson said. Communally sensitive Kishtwar, which was declared terrorism-free over a decade ago, was rattled by the killing of BJP state secretary Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet Parihar on November 1 last year, followed by assassination of senior RSS leader Chanderkant Sharma and his security guard inside a health centre on April 9. "During the visit to the sector, the Army commander was briefed by the commanders on ground about the current operational situation, prevailing security scenario and the preparedness of the formations in dealing with the same," the spokesperson said. He said the Army commander was also briefed on the formations role in maintaining conducive environment for successful conduct of recently held parliamentary elections. Kishtwar, which is part of the Udhampur parliamentary constituency, went to polls in the second phase on April 18. He was also briefed on the aggressive domination of area of responsibility being exercised by the troops to thwart the nefarious designs of the anti national elements, the spokesperson said. He complimented the Army, police and the civil administration for efficiently handling security situation in Kishtwar town arising after the recent killings. Lt Gen Ranbir Singh exhorted all ranks on the need to remain vigilant to counter the evil designs of the anti-national elements. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bar Council of India Saturday condemned the "false and cooked-up" sexual harassment allegations against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and said the entire bar was standing with the CJI, and against this "attempt to malign the institution". "These are all false and cooked-up allegations and we condemn these kinds of acts. These kind of allegations and actions should not be encouraged. This is an attempt to malign the institution. Entire bar is standing in solidarity with the Chief Justice of India," Manan Kumar Mishra, BCI chairperson, told PTI. He said an emergency meeting of the top bar body would be convened on Sunday and a resolution be passed in this regard. "We will pass the resolution and then try to meet the CJI to make him aware of the (BCI's) decision," Mishra said. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president and senior advocate Rakesh Khanna, who was present during the extraordinary hearing in the matter on Saturday, however, refused to comment. "We are not part of the case...There is no lis (litigation) before the court. I am not giving any interview (on the controversy). Thank you," he said. However, former SCBA president and senior advocate Vikas Singh said the proper course would be to have an in-house inquiry by some senior Supreme Court judges to authoritatively find out the truth "this way or that way" in a time-bound manner. "If it is a false allegation then this definitely is a threat to independence of judiciary, but if it is true then it is also very serious," he said. "There should be an in-house inquiry by some senior Supreme Court judges to find out authoritatively this way or that way in a time-bound manner," Singh told PTI. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Bar Association also condemned the allegations on the CJI and said it was an attempt to target top Indian judiciary and the entire bar stood in support of the CJI. "We condemn this attempt of targeting Indian judiciary. There is an urgent need to find a better way of dealing with these kind of accusations. Such baseless allegations are enough to ruin the reputation of a judge...this way anyone can make any accusations against anyone," the NGT Bar Association's office-bearer Gaurav Kumar Bansal told PTI. The Supreme Court in the hearing Saturday said independence of judiciary was under "very serious threat" and "unscrupulous allegations" of sexual harassment have been levelled against CJI Gogoi as some "bigger force" wanted to "deactivate" the office of the CJI. A three-judge bench headed by Justice Gogoi was constituted to hold the unprecedented proceedings in the wake of circulation of an affidavit of a former woman apex court employee levelling allegations against the CJI. The affidavit was sent to 22 SC judges. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior BJP leader Mukul Roy Saturday said that the Bengal BJP unit has approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to contest from a Lok Sabha seat in Bengal. "We have expressed our desire to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he should contest from any of the Lok Sabha seats from Bengal this time going to the polls in the last two phases on May 12 and May 19," he told reporters. "He (Modi) has not said anything but we hope he will keep our request," Roy added. Polling for the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal are being held in seven phases. According to BJP sources Roy had approached the prime minister during the rally at Buniadpur in South Dinajpur district in which Modi was present during the day. The request is a part of an attempt by Bengal BJP to send out a message to the voters about the importance of the state in BJP's roadmap to Delhi. BJP president Amit Shah has set a target of 23 seats for the party in the state where the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) has held power since 2011. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar is expecting "lies and jumlas" in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election rally in Araria Lok Sabha constituency, RJD leader and former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav said on Saturday. Hours before the PM's rally at Forbesganj town in favour of NDA candidates in the state, Tejashwi Yadav, also the leader of opposition in the Bihar assembly, said Modi will portray himself as the son of the extremely backwards. "PM @narendramodi ji is coming to Bihar today. He would portray himself as the son of extremely backwards. Will make an abortive bid to create polarisation," he tweeted. "Bihar is expecting 'lies and jumlas' from him (PM Modi). Hope that the PM would give account of his 2014 promises such as giving special status, special package to Bihar, and also about giving free education and medicine #BiharRejectsModi," Tejashwi Yadav said. The RJD leader's tweet comes two days after he had termed Modi as a "fake backward", who did nothing for OBCs. The remark had drawn a sharp reaction from the BJP, with national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav terming it as "arrogant, graceless and childish" made on the advice of Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Tejashwi Yadav on Monday also asked the PM to name any project in Bihar, for which he had laid the foundation and inaugurated. Modi would address a public meeting near the highway that was constructed by the UPA government, he said, adding, the Manmohan Singh-led government sanctioned projects worth Rs 1.44 lakh crore for Bihar, "while you (PM) merely indulged in rhetoric". Taking a swipe at Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for not releasing its manifesto, he said, "Nitish jee is so much scared of PM Modi that they (JDU leaders) have not released their manifesto so far." BJP has fielded Pradeep Singh from the Araria constituency, which would go to polls along with four other constituencies of Jhanjharpur, Supaul, Madhepura and Khagaria in third phase on April 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Raising objections over Rahul Gandhi's citizenship and educational qualifications, a complainant has sought rejection of the president's candidature from Amethi, an issue the BJP seized and asked him to come clean on the matter. The Returning Officer has taken cognizance of the matter and fixed Monday as the next date of hearing on the matter, The BJP cited the content of the complaint and claimed that Gandhi's lawyer sought time till Monday to file his response instead of answering it quickly which, its spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said, was "stunning". ALSO READ: Cong demands disqualification of BJP nominee against Sonia in Rae Bareli "These are serious allegations. Is an Indian citizen or not? Did he ever become a British citizen? He should come out with the real story," Rao said. There was no immediate reaction from the Election Commission sources said the returning officer is the final authority on such a matter, but he cannot check the veracity of whatever is written on an election affidavit. "If someone approaches an RO raising objections, he must hear the affected party. If anyone has any objection to whatever is recorded in an affidavit, the person should approach court. The EC has no role in any objection made to election affidavit," they said. Rao said it was matter of great surprise that the objections raised regarding Gandhi's citizenship haven't been answered. "It is stunning," he added. He claimed that a British company, in which Gandhi had said in 2004 that he made investment, in its submission to the authorities there stated that Gandhi was a British citizen. Under Indian law, one ceases to be a citizen of the country if he gets citizenship of any country, he said and asked the president to answer the questions raised in the complaint. If the British company made a false statement, then did Gandhi act against it, he asked. Referring to the complaint, the BJP spokesperson said there are "discrepancies and attempts to suppress facts" in Gandhi's affidavits filed during different elections from 2004 to 2014. The Congress chief had said that he did M Phil in development economics from Cambridge University, but later claimed it was in development studies, Rao alleged. The BJP spokesman said inquiries show that one Rahul Vincy and not got the degree in that particular year. "We will like to know if goes by multiple names in different countries," Rao said. He also wondered if the Gandhi scion's qualification was like Congress manifestoes that change every five years. To a question about Congress' allegations levelled against Union minister Smriti Irani, who is the BJP candidate against Gandhi, over her educational qualification, Rao said the issue had been addressed earlier and that the opposition party was free to file a plea with the RO. Help India! TCN News On 18th April when 2nd phase polling was held in some states of India, one voter named Mariam Tahoora from Yelahanka constituency, Bengaluru found that her name was not there in the voters list. At the polling booth, she was told to ask the polling agents. Support TwoCircles The polling agents outside the booth looked for her name on the electoral website of the Government and did not find it there. When she insisted, they saw the printed list they had with them and found that her name was struck off. And after checking the deleted list they found her name in the deleted list of voters. Mariam was both shocked as well as disappointed that she wont be able to vote this time. For her and her entire family voting is a responsibility they have religiously fulfilled. A well-wisher guided her to a retired IAS Officer, who told her about the election handbook which the presiding officers wherein it is mentioned that with sufficient proof of existence, a deleted name can be allowed to vote. Back at the polling booth, the presiding officer was a cooperative lady who checked the guidelines in the handbook. But she didnt find the relevant section mentioned by the IAS officer. So she called up a senior colleague and got the right section and also details about the required documents to be produced by the voter. So Mariyam showed her original Aadhar card and submitted a Xerox and then was allowed to vote. Initially there was a doubt whether my vote would be counted as disputed one. But thankfully it was not. It was a normal vote she shared with TwoCircles.net. A mechanical engineer by profession, Mariam Tahoora on the same day shared her experience for the benefit of other voters. I shared my experience on social media and to all people who want to know about the incident, because I think it will be of help to others who have yet to cast their vote and if by chance they find their names deleted, they can also do the same. We can still vote if our names are in the deleted list. And I feel bad for people whose names are not even in the deleted list and they cannot vote despite having an EPIC (Electoral Photo Identity Card) she added TwoCircles.net also spoke to Khalid Saifullah who has developed an App for missing voters called Missing voters app to learn what exactly is the process to vote if your name has been deleted from the electoral roll. Section 18 of the Presiding roll book talks about this provision. Ask the presiding officer to check the name if it is in the ASD(Absent, shifted, deleted) list. It is their duty to do so And if your name is in the ASD list, then you have to prove that you are still residing in the same constituency and have not shifted. Submit a document of age proof with photo Identity such as Aadhar, PAN, in Xerox and show the original for cross verification. Then you can cast your vote as a regular voter When a person whose name has been found in the ASD list casts his/ her vote at the polling officer has to enter the name and address of the voter to include him/ her among the persons who have cast their vote on that day. The names of so many voters have been deleted. It is perhaps unintentionally done by the EC. But I feel it is all because the Election commission is not strong enough and miscreants can easily misuse and take advantage of the loopholes explained Khalid Saifullah. But if your name is not mentioned in the deleted list then you cannot do anything. You will have re-apply he said. It is not possible that all deleted names will be in the ASD list. But at least half of the names will be found in the deleted list. And you can vote only if your name is deleted and mentioned in the deleted list. he further explained As many as 68,000 people across India have applied for voter ids through the Missing Voters App. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel Saturday alleged that the BJP had no one with a "clean image" and so it had to field Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused in the Malegaon blast case, from the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat. Thakur is out on bail in the 2008 blast case and she is under fire for claiming that IPS officer Hemant Karkare was killed during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack as she had "cursed" him for "torturing" her. Thakur, who is pitted against senior Congress leader Digvijiya Singh from the Bhopal seat, has apologised for her remarks. "She has filed her nomination against Congress leader Digvijaya Singh.The BJP did not have any other candidate so it has fielded a 'gunda mavali' (goon) who had indulged in spreading terror," Baghel said while addressing an election rally at Chhattisgarh's Tundra here. Baghel was campaigning for Congress candidate from the Janjgir-Champa Lok Sabha constituency Ravi Bharadwaj. On Thakur's remark on Karkare, he said, "She had said that Karkare died because she cursed him.Terrorists had killed him. It seems she was hand in glove with the terrorists." Speaking to reporters after the rally, Baghel alleged that Thakur had attacked a man with a knife when she was living in Bilaigarh town in Balodabazar district in 2001-2002 and claimed local people had also told him about the incident. The BJP has refuted the charges, saying Baghel was making baseless allegation for "political gains". "She has been jailed for her acts. For the first time, she was jailed in Madhya Pradesh in 2008 during chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's tenure. The BJP does not even have an appropriate candidate who has a clean image," Bhagel said. He said that a person, who has been "involved in violent and terrorist activities and wanted to divide the nation, has been made a candidate by the party (BJP)". "What are they (BJP) doing," Baghel said. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah should apologise to the nation for her statement on Hemant Karkare. The entire country salutes the martyrdom of Hemant Karkare," he said. However, BJP state spokesperson Sanjay Shrivastav refuted the charges, saying Baghel has levelled false allegations for "political gains". "The allegations are false. Sadhvi Pragyaji had given a statement before public and now has taken it back. The matter is over now. The CM is levelling false charges on her for political gain," he told PTI. Thakur had made the remarks on Karkare in an election rally in Bhopal on Friday and apologise for her comments in a public meeting in Madhya Pradesh's Berasai area. Thakur has been discharged by a court on charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the 2008 blast case, but is still facing trial under other criminal provisions, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP government has "broken the idea" of India and has "hurt the soul" of the country, Congress leader Sam Pitroda said Saturday. Pitroda, a long-time Gandhi family adviser, also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he was "lying to the country day in and day out". "Today we are fighting one of the biggest battle of ideas," the technocrat-turned-politician said while addressing the Congress Gyan Samvad here. "When Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, 'India did nothing for 70 years', I want to remind him and his colleagues, 'India did hell of a lot'. I feel sorry for you that you don't see it, that you don't respect the talent and hardwork a large number of people put in, and it's an insult to our own country," Pitroda said. Pitroda recalled that when he said something about the Balakot airstrike, the prime minister had started tweeting and ministers started speaking. "Congress leaders started calling me saying, 'What did you say', and I said, I said the truth. I asked a question and I am entitled to ask a question. Just because I asked a question, you can't label me that I am not a nationalist. "We lose that courage and get sucked into public opinion. My daughter said, they will harass you and what happens if they put you in jail. I said, 'You come and meet me in jail'," the chief of the Indian Overseas Congress said. Pitroda said Gandhiji had taught about some fundamental values."Truth, this government is all about lies. Trust, there is no trust on anybody. Love, it is hate. Inclusion is exclusion. Diversity is uniformity. This bothers me. I cannot see PM of a country lying to people day in and day out," he said. Pitroda said vice chancellors of universities should be given all the freedom but they don't have it."Somebody in the ministry decides what you do. Then why have a VC? You have to give them autonomy, freedom and there should be focus on accountability. This government has broken the idea of India and destroyed the core of India and hurt the soul of India," he said. He urged first-time voters to not take the elections lightly and said students should ensure that this government does not come back to power. "Big promises were made in 2014. We will make 100 Smart Cities. How many were made? Zero. We will create 100 million jobs. How many? Zero,negative. Everything that was promised has not been delivered," Pitroda alleged. "You (Modi) told the people that you will bring black money back but nothing happened. You demonetised and killed small and medium scale businesses. You introduced GST and hurt small and medium scale industries. "You took money away from education and you hurt India's future. Science and technology is on the back-burner because you always look at the past as if you have eyes at the back. People like me worry about our children's future, our national future. We are in a position to exercise our vote and say enough is enough," he said. Today, everyone asks about religion. In a country where such a question is asked that country "cannot flourish, cannot give jobs, cannot encourage entrepreneurs and cannot invite investments", Pitroda said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh claimed Saturday that the BJP made the person who used the term "Hindu terror" in official parlance a Union minister. He was apparently referring to R K Singh, a Union home secretary during the UPA regime who later joined the BJP and became minister. The BJP has often targeted Digvijay Singh for 'tarnishing the Hindu community' by using the term Hindu or saffron terror. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday defended the BJP's decision to field Pragya Singh Thakur, Malegaon blast accused, from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, saying it was a symbolic answer to all those who falsely bracketed the rich Hindu civilisation as "terrorist". Modi was apparently referring to Digvijay, who is the Congress' candidate from Bhopal. "I think they do not have the knowledge of Hindu civilisation. The person who, as home secretary, issued a statement with the word Hindu terror was given Lok Sabha ticket by the BJP and was made a Union minister," Singh told reporters here. "Will (BJP chief) Amit Shah speak about it?" the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister asked. Amid the political row over the term Hindu terrorism, the Congress had pointed earlier that it was used by Union minister R K Singh when he was home secretary. Digvijay also said the word Hindutva did not exist for him. "Why do you use the word Hindutva? The word does not exist in my dictionary," he said. The Congress leader refused to comment on the Election Commission's notice to Thakur over her remark that former Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare died in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack because she had cursed the police officer for torturing her during the blast probe. "Ask the EC. Why are you asking me? I don't want to get into it," the Congress leader said. Asked if he was now in "silent mode", Singh, known for kicking off controversy with his provocative statements, replied amid laughter, "Have I taken a contract to create " Interestingly, Singh, whose outlandish theories about the Mumbai attack and the Batla House encounter have incurred him the wrath of the right wing, has desisted from making any comment on Thakur's comment on Karkare. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra Congress Saturday lashed out at BJP for giving a Lok Sabha ticket to Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur and claimed if Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi's assassin was alive, the ruling party would have fielded him as well. Thakur, an accused in the case who is out on bail, is under fire for saying then Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Karkare died in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack because she had cursed him for 'torturing' her when he probed the Malegaon blast as chief of the ATS. Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, "The BJP is shamelessly supporting the candidature of a person who is accused of terrorism and anti-national activities." "The BJP's star campaigners, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who are asking votes on the sacrifices of soldiers, did not feel the need to apologise to the nation (post her comments)," he said. He hit out at BJP for not removing Thakur despite the furore following her comments against Karkare, adding that it showed the BJP "supported" terrorism. "After uproar from across the country, Thakur has apologised. The BJP is trying to save itself by saying it is her personal opinion. But the BJP cannot be absolved of its sins until Thakur is removed from the party and Modi apologises," he said. "Help is provided to Thakur in court and almost no action against Sanatan shows the BJP's ideology. Looking at this, if Nathuram Godse was alive, the BJP would have given him candidature as well. In future, the BJP would field killers of Dr Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare, MM Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh as well," Sawant claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The body of a man with his throat slit was found near bushes in northwest Delhi's Azadpur area on Saturday, police said. Police were informed around 7.55 am about the unknown body lying near railway line at Azadpur flyover, they said. On reaching the spot, police found his throat slit by a sharp edged weapon. A case has been registered and a probe initiated, a senior police officer said. The body is yet to be identified and has been preserved in the mortuary, the officer said, adding that efforts are being made to identify it. Police are also scanning through profiles of missing persons at the local police stations to identify the body. If not identified within 72 hours, the post-mortem will be conducted, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A chain snatcher was arrested after a brief exchange of fire with the police at Sahibabad Industrial Area Site-4 here, officials said Saturday. The arrest was made on Friday night when the arrested tried to snatch a necklace off a woman who had come to a hotel here for a marriage function, they said. As the man tried to grab the necklace, the woman started screaming and a beat constable reached the spot, an official from Link Road Police Station said. Seeing the constable, the accused tried to run away and opened fire, the official retaliated and the accused sustained a bullet injury on his right leg, they said. He was rushed to the hospital and is said to be stable, police added. The accused has been identified as Kishan Lal Bhutani, resident of Jwalanagar Colony, Shahdara Delhi, DIG Upendra Agarwal said. During the preliminary investigation, Bhutani confessed to have snatched over five hundred chains and jewellery items in the last five years from Gautam Budh Nagar, Ghaziabad and Delhi, police said. Police recovered a country-made pistol and cartridges from the accused who now has been sent to jail, the DIG added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, who held an extraordinary hearing in the Supreme Court on Saturday over allegations of sexual harassment against him, cited "criminal record" of the accuser during the proceedings. The CJI, who along with Justices Arun Mishra and Sanjiv Khanna assembled to hear the matter which was described as of "great public importance touching upon the independence of judiciary", said that the woman, a former apex court employee, had a criminal record and two FIRs were lodged against her. In a letter addressed to 22 other apex court judges, the woman had said that she was a junior court assistant in the apex court. She said she had joined the service on May 1, 2014 and her service was terminated on December 21, 2018. During the hearing, Justice Gogoi said when she was employed with the apex court, an FIR was pending against her. "How can she become a Supreme Court staff when an FIR was pending against her?" the CJI said, adding that two criminal cases were also pending against her husband. A third FIR was registered against her following which she was arrested, he said, adding that after getting bail, she threatened the complainant of the third case with dire consequences. He said the woman was in jail for four days because of the criminal cases lodged against her and she was also warned by the police a couple of times to maintain good behaviour. The CJI said that in the third case, the police has moved the lower court seeking cancellation of the bail granted to her and the matter was listed for hearing in the Patiala House district court today itself. Later in the day, a trial court said that it would hear on April 24 the plea filed by police seeking cancellation of the bail granted to the former woman Supreme Court employee in a cheating and criminal intimidation case. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Manish Khurana listed the matter for Wednesday as the accused woman was not served with the copy of the police's plea. The police sought cancellation of the bail granted to the woman on March 12, after the complainant claimed that he was being threatened by the former Supreme Court staffer and her associates. An FIR for the alleged offences of cheating, criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy was lodged against the woman on March 3, after a complaint was filed by Naveen Kumar, a resident of Jhajjar in Haryana, at the Tilak Marg Police Station here. Kumar has alleged that the former apex court employee had defrauded him of Rs 50,000, which he claimed she took as part of a bribe, promising him a job at the Supreme Court. The apex court took suo motu (on its own) note of reports carried by four portals on allegations of sexual misconduct levelled by the former apex court woman employee against the CJI. There have been other instances of unsavoury allegations of sexual misconduct against judges. But it is for the first time that such an allegation has led to the unprecedented and unscheduled court hearing by a three-judge special bench, which also comprised the CJI. However, the CJI dissociated himself from the judicial order which contained the names of justices Arun Mishra and Sanjiv Khanna only. Attorney General K K Venugopal told the court that earlier also two such instances of alleged sexual harassment had come to light, one against a former apex court judge and other against a senior advocate, and in these cases the media was asked not to publish anything. Venugopal said the law contemplated that name of either the complainant or the respondent should not be published in such cases but the portals, which have carried out the allegations, have "brazenly published" it. Prior to this, a panel of apex court judges had indicted its own former judge and the then chairperson of West Bengal Human Rights Commission, Justice A K Ganguly. Justice Ganguly was accused of sexually harassing a law intern in December 2012. Similar allegations were levelled against another apex court judge. The Delhi High Court, however, had barred the media from reporting anything related to the case. A woman judicial officer had levelled allegations of sexual harassment against a sitting Madhya Pradesh high court judge. However, the high court judge was given a clean chit in December 2017 by a Rajya Sabha-appointed panel which had probed the allegations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dozens of people gathered Friday on the 20th anniversary of the Columbine high school massacre, many still angry that authorities have done little to prevent copycat killings in the years since. Twelve students and a teacher were killed on April 20, 1999, when two teenagers armed with an assortment of weapons and home-made bombs went on the rampage at the school, whose name has become synonymous with school shootings. "You would have thought someone would have come with more gun laws or require (a) mental health workout before you are allowed to buy a gun," said Amanda Duran, who was 15 when the attack happened. "But nothing of that sort happened. So I have just been angry and pissed off." Only last year, 17 students and staff were killed when an ex-pupil went on the rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, while 27 people, mostly children, were killed at Sandy Hook elementary school in 2012 and 32 at Virginia Tech university in 2007. There have been more than a dozen other shootings at schools across the US since Columbine. On Friday survivors of the massacre and families and friends of the victims gathered for a vigil in Littleton, Colorado. They lit candles and prayed at a memorial in the town, and laid flowers on a shrine bearing the names of victims. "Never forget" is carved in stone. Duran vividly recalled the shooting, which took place while she was in the library, waiting for an appointment with a school counsellor. Students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold burst into the room and started shooting. "I hear this 'boom' right next to me, when they'd shot the girl next to me," she remembers. "I went deaf at that point and I thought for sure that I was going to be next." "So I curled up really, really tight, put my arms above me like this and just kinda held my breath, braced myself to get shot in the ribs. Just waited, waited."The two gunmen killed themselves as police closed in. The aftermath of Columbine is still felt today. An American teenager whose obsession with the massacre set off school closures and a manhunt in Denver was found dead Wednesday from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. Dean Phillips, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Denver office, said 18-year-old Sol Pais had made comments in the past that expressed "an infatuation" with the Columbine massacre and its perpetrators. Authorities had mounted a massive search for Pais after she travelled from Florida to Colorado, bought a pump-action shotgun and ammunition. Colorado authorities, who said Pais was armed and considered "extremely dangerous," had ordered around half a million students to stay at home "due to ongoing safety concerns". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal, where the electoral discourse has largely steered clear of communal politics, has been drawn into the vortex with the TMC and the BJP accusing each other of resorting to polarisation to get a larger share of the pie in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. A minor player in the state till a few years ago, the BJP is emerging as the new opposition, pushing the once formidable Left and the Congress to the fringes. The saffron party holds only one assembly seat and two of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, where ideology and people's problems have traditionally been the poll planks, but hopes to better its tally this time. BJP president Amit Shah has set a target of 23 seats for the party in the state where the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) has held power since 2011. Admitting that religion and caste have pervaded West Bengal politics, veteran TMC leader and state Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee held the BJP responsible for the import and asserted that his party is only countering the former's narrative. BJP state president Dilip Ghosh denied the charges and in turn blamed the TMC's alleged appeasement politics for communal tensions in the state. Both the TMC and the BJP are working hard to woo the Matuas, a Scheduled Caste community, mostly comprising backward class Hindus who migrated from Bangladesh. The community has a significant presence in seats in North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts of south Bengal. Matua votes also hold key in the neighbouring Ranaghat and Barrackpore constituencies. In February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an election meeting in Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas and met Matua community matriarch Binapani Devi, fondly known as 'Boro Maa'. Following Binapani Devi's death in March, the family has been divided over its political leanings. Mamata Bala Thakur, widow of Binapani Devi's elder son Kapil Krishna Thakur is a TMC MP and has been re-nominated by the party from Bongaon seat. The BJP has Shantanu, the son of the Matua community matriarch's younger son Manjul Krishna, from the constituency. Mukherjee said he has not seen religion-based polarisation in West Bengal politics before. "Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Advani also used to talk about religion, but never in this manner. They never said Muslims will be thrown out of the country," the TMC leader told PTI. Referring to illegal immigrants in the country, Shah said at a rally in Raiganj last week that after his party returns to power, it will send back every single "infiltrator", except Buddhists, Sikhs and Hindus. "In West Bengal, no political party indulged in religion-based propaganda. But now, since the main opposition party is doing it, we have to counter it to make people understand their game," said Mukherjee, who is contesting from the Bankura Lok Sabha constituency. Banerjee, who is also the chief minister of West Bengal, has been spearheading her party's efforts to check the BJP's aggressive campaigning. She has repeatedly underscored her Hindu credentials, while asserting that she stands for peaceful co-existence of people of all religions in the state. Popularly known as 'Didi' (elder sister), Banerjee, at an election rally on Tuesday, said she was ready to risk her life but would not allow politics of division. "They (BJP) claim to be the champions of Hinduism, are we not Hindus?" she asked. Banerjee, who is a Brahmin, said she chants Chandi mantra every morning. The firebrand TMC chief said her parents had taught her to respect all religions and to treat them equally. "The BJP is imposing on us a religion which has no relation to Hinduism or our country; we believe in togetherness of different faiths and languages," Banerjee said. Ghosh dismissed the chief minister's accusations that the BJP is trying to create communal tension in West Bengal. "She is saying all this out of the fear of losing the elections," Ghosh told PTI. "We are only saying that illegal immigrants from Bangladesh will be sent back. Those without valid documents cannot enjoy the rights of the citizens of our country," he said. Religious minorities from the neighbouring country, who have come to India, will be given shelter as per international convention, he added. The BJP leader said West Bengal -- where Muslims constitute 30 per cent of the total population -- had witnessed a number of communal clashes, including those in Raniganj and Dhulagarh. "Has there been any such communal clash in the other parts of the country?" Ghosh asked. He alleged that the TMC's appeasement politics has led to creation of communal tension in West Bengal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Gowda Saturday lashed out at the BJP for Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur's candidature from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat. Thakur is pitted against senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh in Bhopal. Thakur is under fire for saying former Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare died in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack because she had cursed him for 'torturing' her when he probed the Malegaon blast case as then chief of the state Anti-Terrorism Squad. "The BJP had no other candidate that they had to go for a terror accused?" Gowda, convener of the Congress' manifesto committee, questioned. "She is out on bail on health grounds. Here is a person charged with a crime of this nature (Malegaon blast case) and the prime minister acknowledges her candidature," he said. "After she is nominated (by the BJP), she defames a martyr. This is what PM Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah have reduced this country to," Gowda alleged. He claimed Thakur was first arrested by the then BJP government in Madhya Pradesh under Shivraj Singh Chouhan for alleged involvement in the killing of RSS worker Sunil Joshi. Joshi was shot dead on December 29, 2007 near Dewas in MP, and Thakur and seven others were acquitted in the case by an MP court in February, 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 10th International Winners Forum "Great Victory Achieved Through Unity" will be held on April 25 in St. Petersburg. This forum will be attended by 250 delegates from Russia and the CIS countries. Executive director of the North-South political science center, Angelica Trapeznikova, expressed hope that this forum will become a platform for cooperation between representatives of different generations, united by the common goal of not only preserving historical memory of the Great Patriotic War as the most important foundation of values in the post-Soviet space, but also by the common goal of building future of all the Eurasian states. "Over the past years, our initiative has grown stronger and significantly expanded its format from all-Russian to interstate. Today it's a respectable and, in many ways, unique dialogue platform where representatives of different states, generations, fields of activity gather to exchange experiences and work together in order to consolidate efforts to preserve historical memory of the World War II, countering distortion of objective historical knowledge, reminding about role and contribution of representatives of all peoples of the former USSR in the victory over Nazism," Trapeznikova said. According to her, the choice of venue for annual forum is determined by topics, which organizers are trying to diversify and which reflect the most significant topics of the Great Patriotic War, events and processes that have become important factors in achieving the Great Victory. Leitmotif of the forum, which will be held on April 25 in St. Petersburg, was chosen based on significant date - 75th anniversary of lifting of the Leningrad blockade. "Liberation of Leningrad is one of the most tragic and, at the same time, one of the most heroic pages of not only World War II, but also the entire history of human civilization, because in the history of mankind, there is no other example when a city with such a huge population would be under blockade and suffering from famine for 900 days and not only survived, but also courageously fought the enemy. Greatness of the feat of defenders of Leningrad, despite vain attempts of modern falsifiers to distort history of the hero-city's defense, is indisputable. This feat was and will be a reference point for descendants of the victorious peoples in their mission to preserve historical memory, adhere to ideals of peace, friendship and good neighborliness," Trapeznikova believes. Great program was prepared for participants of this forum. There will be 250 delegates from all countries of the Commonwealth, the republics of the Baltic States, Georgia, veterans of the Second World War, residents of besieged Leningrad, their descendants, representatives of state authorities, leaders of public organizations, scientists, historians, political scientists and the media. The day will begin with solemn ceremony of laying wreaths at the Eternal Flame, the Monument to Motherland in the Piskarevsky cemetery. Then there will be a solemn laying of memorial stone The Great Victory Achieved Through Unity in the square of Menshikovsky Prospect. Presidential Library named after Boris Yeltsin will host an open plenary session, where greeting to participants on behalf of the President of the Russian Federation is expected. This forum will continue to work in sections on various topics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday charged the Congress with having placed vote bank above national interest while it was in power at the Centre. He said lies are being spread that his government introduced 10 per cent reservation for the weaker sections of the unreserved categories will eventually do away with the quota system. In a bid to reach out to the farmers, the prime minister announced that in his next term he will ensure that the ceiling of ownership of five acres of land for beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Nidhi Yojana is made available to all. "The country has witnessed two types of of vote bhakti and of desh bhakti. The former was on display when after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks the government of the day did not go after Pakistan for abetting terror. "It rather chose to derail the investigations in many terror cases by coming up with the theory of Hindu terror. Desh bhakti was demonstrated by us when the Uri terror attack was replied with surgical strike and Pulwama was followed by air strikes," Modi told an election rally here. The of 'vote bhakti' was again on display when the Congress insulted martyrs of the Batla House encounter in New Delhi by casting doubts over the operation in which security personnel were killed, he said. A team of Delhi Police had raided a Batla House flat in south Delhi following a tip-off that terrorists involved in the September 13, 2008 serial blasts in the national capital, were holed up there. "The trends of the first two phases of elections have left them rattled. They are not demanding proofs of the Balakot air strike," Modi claimed at the rally. Leaders of BJP allies Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who heads the JD(U), and cabinet colleague Ram Vilas Paswan, who is the founder of the LJP - were also in the stage. In a veiled attack on Lalu Prasad's RJD and its heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav, Modi said, "In Bihar some people are purveying lies that the quota for economically weaker sections was a step in the direction of finishing off reservations." Asking the people to be cautious about them, he alleged that they have been running their shops with such falsehoods for two decades - "first by the father and now by the son". He also made a mention of the welfare schemes launched by his government including the Ayushman Bharat Yojana which provides medical insurance cover at a small premium. Seeking to strike a chord with the local populace, he spoke movingly of the renowned Hindi writer Phanishwar Nath Renu, who hailed from Araria district, and said he had received a copy of his renowned novel "Maila Anchal" as a gift from the late litterateur's son. He sought votes for NDA candidates in adjoining constituencies of Madhepura, Jhanjharpur, Supaul and Khagaria, all of which go to polls in the third phase on April 23. As these seats have a sizeable population of Yadavs, Modi deftly played the caste card saying, "I come from the land of Dwarka (Gujarat) and it has a very strong affinity with the gau-paalaks (those involved in the profession of rearing cows). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday accused the Congress of stamping Hindus with the terrorist tag instead of acting against Pakistani terrorists. Addressing an election rally days after the nomination of Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur as the BJP candidate for Bhopal, Modi said the Congress and its supporters used the term Hindu terror to malign an ancient culture. Terrorists from Pakistan used to set off blasts, carry out attacks. But instead of acting against them, the Congress and its companions would get busy in putting the terrorist stamp on Hindus, Modi said in Bareilly, referring to the tenure of the UPA government. The world has never pointed a finger at out great culture of thousands of years. These people have done the disgusting sin of maligning it, he added. He said while the world does not link any religion with terrorism, the Congress and its sycophants had knit a web of torture and oppression by invoking Hindu terror. Modi did not name terror-accused Pragya Singh Thakur, who has alleged that she was implicated in a false case and beaten in custody. Earlier, at another rally in Etah, the prime minister attacked the opposition coalition in Uttar Pradesh, seemingly reacting to BSP leader Mayawati's jibe that he is a farzi (fake) backward class member. He said the 'farzi dosti' (fake friendship) between the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party will fall apart the day election results are announced. "You all remember the friendship that was struck during the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh that came to an end with the announcement of the results and turned into rivalry, he said referring to the understanding in 2017 between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. The farzi dosti of bua' and 'babua' will also end the same way," Modi said at an election rally in Etah, referring to Mayawati and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. "The date of this friendship has also been fixed. May 23, Thursday, this farzi dosti' (fake friendship) will fall apart, he said. That day 'bua' and 'babua' will start part 2 of their rivalry," the prime minister said. At the joint rally of the opposition alliance in Mainpuri Friday, Mayawati had called SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav a real backward unlike Modi, a 'farzi' or 'naqli' backward. Attacking the opposition alliance in Uttar Pradesh, Modi said those thinking of their selfish gains can never think about the welfare of the deprived sections of society. By doing in the name of the poor they have only increased their own bank balances," he claimed. "Only the flags of the SP and the BSP are different, their intentions are the same, he said, and referred to the period when an SP or a BSP government was in power in Uttar Pradesh. The governments used to change, and the 'goondas' and the gangs of encroachers also changed, he alleged. At the time of the 'bua' it was corruption, and during the time of 'babua' atrocities were committed on Dalits, he said. "During the SP government it was difficult for sisters and daughters to go to school, and this has been seen by the entire country, he claimed. It must have been a really difficult decision for Mayawati to ask for votes for such people," he said. Mayawati had said Friday that despite the state guest house episode, she took the difficult decision in the interest of the people and party's movement. In 1995, SP workers had allegedly attacked Mayawati when she was staying at the Lucknow guest house, leading to over two decades of bitterness between her and Mulayam Singh Yadav. The two leaders Friday shared the dais, signalling to their supporters that they were no longer rivals. Modi said the SP and the BSP wrongly believed their vote banks can be transferred as per their convenience. "It has been proved in the first two phases of polling that their game is over, he claimed. They thought they are the 'thekedars' (middlemen) of voters but the people have foiled their plan." He said those who do by dividing people over caste and creed forget that when it comes to development and national security, UP gives a befitting reply in such cases. All the 'mahamilavati' people will be sent home, he said. The prime minister said when Akhilesh Yadav was chief minister he did not send to the Delhi the list of intended beneficiaries under the Centre's housing scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna. Taking a swipe at Yadav over reports last year that his official residence in Lucknow had expensive bathroom fittings, Modi said he must have been beautifying his own bungalow then. Modi said patriotism for the BJP is ensuring the country's security and saving it from middlemen. The SP, the BSP and the Rashtriya Lok Dal have forged an alliance to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in UP. Etah and Bareilly are among the constituencies that go to the polls in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Police Crime Branch Saturday questioned the wife and family members of Rohit Shekar into his unnatural death case. Crime Branch officials questioned Shekar's wife Apoorva for over eight hours, sources said. She was questioned about her entry in their Defence colony residence, her schedule -- what she did during the day and why she did not find it odd when Shekar was sleeping throughout the day, they said. Shekar's brother Siddharth and househelps -- Martha and Golu -- were also questioned since they, too, were present at his residence at the time of his death, the sources said. The officials suspect that an insider was involved in the murder, they said. The Delhi Police had Thursday registered a case of murder into the death of Shekhar, 40, hours after his autopsy report stated that he died of asphyxia due to strangulation. Shekhar, son of late Uttarakhand chief minister ND Tiwari, was brought to Max Hospital in south Delhi around 5 pm on Tuesday in an ambulance and doctors declared him dead. The case has been transferred to the crime branch for investigation. Shekar's cousin Rajeev and his wife Kumkum are also being questioned in connection with the case. Police sources said at least five-six calls were made from Rohit's phone to Kumkum from 2 am to 4 am on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. They said police is trying to ascertain the reason why did Shekar contact her at the odd hours. Neighbours claimed that the couple often had fights and just last month a PCR call was made by one of them. "They had a fight last month. A PCR call was also made in this regard. The local police had come to the residence of Shekar. We could hear noises and we were out to check," said a neighbour requesting anonymity. Shekar's mother Ujjwala too reached the Defence colony residence to join the investigation and left a couple of hours later. The Defence colony residence is registered in Ujjwala's name. "My son was under some stress but I don't want to talk about it. By the time I reached home, Apoorva had made him lie down in someone's car. When I saw his condition, I had little hope left about his survival," she said. "I trusted Apoorva and did not question her as to why was Shekhar sleeping till so late," she said. Ujjwala said Shekhar, 40, and his wife did not share a cordial relationship and "they had issues since day one of their marriage". "Apoorva and Shekhar tied the nuptial knot in 2018. It was a love marriage. Before that, they were seeing each other for a year," she said. "They even took a break in between. Shekhar maintained distance from her and said he did not want to marry her. After elections in March 2017 UP, we took a flight and came to Delhi," she said. "They were not in touch from January to March, 2018. But on April 2, 2018, they came to me and expressed their wish to get married," she said. Shekhar's father-in-law said, "My daughter cannot do something like this. When I got to know about his death, I came down here. Police are probing the matter and soon we will know how he died." A forensic team that visited Shekar's residence collected two pillows and a blood-stained bedsheet and also seized mobile phones. Among the seven CCTV cameras installed in the premises, two were not functioning, sources said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Czech billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis said Saturday he would not resign if indicted for his alleged role in a two-million-euro EU subsidy fraud. Police this week recommended that Babis be indicted over the case which could see him and several others, including family members, spending five to ten years in prison. "I would not resign because I have been saying from the beginning that this is a political process," Babis told the DNES broadsheet which he owns. The 64-year-old agro-chemicals mogul pegged by Forbes as the second-wealthiest Czech is suspected of abusing EU funds to build the luxury Stork Nest resort and farm near Prague in 2007. He allegedly took the farm out of his sprawling Agrofert food, chemicals and media holding to make it eligible for a subsidy awarded to small companies before eventually putting it back. Charged by police in 2017, Babis and several others -- including his wife, brother-in-law and daughter -- are suspected of subsidy fraud and harming the EU's financial interests. "If I weren't in politics, nobody would have heard about the Stork Nest," Babis told DNES. "People keep plotting affairs against me, delving into the past. This affair is 12 years old," he said, calling charges against his family "incredible filth". President Milos Zeman, who could remove the embattled prime minister, said Thursday he would not do so. "An indicted prime minister is not a sentenced prime minister," said the 74-year-old pro-Russian, pro-Chinese veteran leftwinger and a staunch Babis ally. The prime minister's populist ANO movement leads a minority coalition government with leftwing Social Democrats. It also has tacit backing from the Communists -- a first in the post-Communist country's history. Late last year, the government survived a confidence vote after media reported that Babis aides had taken his son Andrej Babis Jr. to Russian-occupied Crimea against the son's wishes to hinder the fraud probe. ANO currently has the highest backing by far of any Czech party, despite the Stork Nest affair and allegations that Babis was a Communist secret police agent in the 1980s. ANO was credited with 33 percent backing in a March-April poll by the Kantar CZ agency for Czech Television, ahead of the second-placed Pirates party with 19 percent. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A new government for the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority was sworn in Saturday, led by a veteran peace negotiator and harsh critic of Gaza's Hamas rulers. Khartoum, Apr 13 (AFP) Sudan's second new military leader in as many days vowed Saturday to 'uproot' deposed president Omar al-Bashir's regime and release protesters, in a bid to placate demonstrators demanding civilian rule. Karachi: The Islamic State Saturday claimed responsibility for a suicide attack that killed 21 people and wounded more than 50 others in Quetta, the provincial capital of Pakistan's restive Balochistan province. Sunday Helsinki: Early results in Finland's general election on Sunday showed a lead for the leftist Social Democrats, while the current prime minister said his Centre Party was the night's "biggest loser". Khartoum: Sudanese protesters on Sunday demanded the country's military rulers "immediately" hand power over to a civilian government that should then bring ousted leader Omar al-Bashir to justice. Tripoli: Fighting near Tripoli has killed 121 people since strongman Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive earlier this month to take the Libyan capital, the World Health Organisation said Sunday. Monday Paris: A colossal fire swept through the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday, causing a spire to collapse and threatening to destroy the entire masterpiece and its precious artworks. Geneva: Measles cases rose 300 percent worldwide through the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period last year, the UN said Monday, as concern grows over the impact of anti-vaccination stigma. Islamabad: Pakistan's independent human rights watchdog Monday raised concerns about incidents of forced conversions and marriages of Hindu and Christian girls, saying around 1,000 such cases were reported just in the southern Sindh province alone last year. Tuesday Paris: President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday vowed to rebuild Notre-Dame cathedral "even more beautifully" within five years, as France reeled with shock from the fire that gutted the great Paris landmark. Cairo: Egypt's parliament on Tuesday passed amendments to the constitution that could see President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi remain in power until 2030. Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to receive formal backing to remain premier for a fifth term Wednesday, but tough negotiations to form a coalition government await following last week's elections. Wednesday Jerusalem: Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday formally handed Benjamin Netanyahu his letter of appointment to start building a coalition government following last week's general election. Lima: Peru's former president Alan Garcia died in hospital on Wednesday after shooting himself in the head at his home as police were about to arrest him in a sprawling corruption case, a party official said. He was 69. Beijing: China Wednesday dismissed reports that the US, the UK and France have served an ultimatum to Beijing to lift its "technical hold" by April 23 on branding Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN but claimed the vexed issue was "moving towards settlement". Thursday Washington: Russia tried to interfere in the 2016 US presidential polls, according to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe which did not find any evidence that members of the Trump campaign "conspired or coordinated" with Moscow, Attorney General William Barr said on Thursday. Islamabad/Karachi: Unidentified gunmen donning uniforms of paramilitary soldiers Thursday massacred at least 14 passengers, including Pakistan Navy personnel, after forcing them to disembark from buses on a highway in the restive Balochistan province, in the latest targeted killing in the country. Islamabad: Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar abruptly quit the Cabinet Thursday in the middle of the negotiations to secure a crucial multi-billion dollar IMF bailout package for the cash-strapped country, amid mounting criticism over the handling of the economic crisis. Friday Beijing: China said Friday it was ready to hold a Wuhan-style summit meeting with India this year to improve ties, notwithstanding the differences over the trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative in which the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project. Washington: US President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed unfavorable testimony in the Mueller report on Russian election interference as "fabricated" and labelled the document "crazy." New York: An Indian has been extradited to the US from Singapore to face charges of his involvement in a multi-million dollar India-based call centre scam that targeted Americans. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Election Commission's nodal officer who has gone missing from his office here since Thursday afternoon is yet be traced, Nadia District Magistrate Sumit Gupta said Saturday. The 30-year-old officer, Arnab Roy, was in-charge of EVMs and VVPATs for the Ranaghat parliamentary constituency. The Nadia administration has lodged a missing complaint with the Kotwali police station at Krishnagar. Roy's wife, Anisha Jash, also lodged a missing diary with the police on Thursday night. "We are yet to spot our officer. The search is on for him," Gupta told PTI. Gupta rubbished rumours that Roy was spotted in Asansol, his hometown, in Paschim Bardhaman district. "We have shared his photographs on social networking sites, with the police of other districts, with the media and with adjoining states. There is no of him," he said. Asked whether the officer was suffering from any psychological problem due to work-related stress, Gupta said, "I do not have any idea about that." "But we have come to know about an earlier incident when Roy had gone missing for two days. He was a joint block development officer (BDO) then," the district magistrate said. Rumours were rife that Roy had an altercation with the district magistrate a few days ago. Gupta, however, denied it. On Thursday, Roy had left for work from his official residence and went to Bipradas Choudhury Polytechnic College, his current place of work. He went missing from there. His vehicle was found parked outside the college. Both of his mobile phones are switched off and the police traced their last location near Shantipur, around 18 km from Krishnagar. Roy's wife dismissed that her husband was "depressed". "I want to clarify that my husband was not depressed at all. He was absolutely normal and was not tensed with anything and I will like to stress that we have been in a healthy relationship," she told reporters after meeting police officers here Saturday morning. The Ranaghat parliamentary constituency, considered to be a stronghold of the Trinamool Congress, will go to polls on April 29, during the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Election Commission Saturday ordered the transfer of the Malda police chief in West Bengal, just days ahead of the April 23 Lok Sabha polls in the district. The Commission asked the state government to shunt out Arnab Ghosh as SP, Malda, and replace him with Ajoy Prasad, who is heading a state armed police battalion. The EC also made it clear to the state government that Ghosh should not be put on election duty. Malda goes to polls on April 23 in phase three of Lok Sabha elections. Recently, when the poll watchdog had transferred some senior police officials, state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had accused it of working as a "tool" of the BJP-led government at the Centre. Rejecting the allegation, the EC had said it was well within its rights to transfer officials during election period. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five men have been arrested for allegedly gang-raping a 15-year-old girl at her house in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh, police said Saturday. The incident took place on Wednesday night in a village under Gharghoda police station area when the victim was alone at her house, Raigarh Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar Arawal said Saturday. The girl's parents had gone to their farm to keep a watch on crops, he said. On finding the girl alone, the accused identified as Gocharan Rathiya (26), Sanjay Rathiya (19), Madhav Rathiya (21), Sugan Rathiya (21) and Nutan Rathiya (19) barged into her house and raped her, he said. The victim's elder sister managed to flee from the house by jumping through a window and informed her parents about the incident, he said. Based on the complaint of the victim on Thursday night, all five accused were booked under section 376 D (gang rape) of IPC and provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act and were arrested, Agrawal said. The accused were Friday produced in a local court, which sent them to judicial remand for 14 days, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale starts his two-day visit to China on Sunday during which he will hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as both countries grapple with a host of issues, including Beijing's continuous attempts to block efforts to list Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist". Gokhale will be visiting China for regular consultations, the Indian Embassy here said on Saturday. He is due to meet China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on April 22. His schedule here is being worked out, it said. The visit of Gokhale, previously India's Ambassador to China before he took over as Foreign Secretary last year, is taking place amid close engagement between India and China following the February 14 Pulawama terror attack carried out by a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. Following the suicide attack, the US, the UK and France moved a proposal under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to designate Azhar as a "global terrorist". China stalled it for the fourth time by putting a technical hold on the resolution, a move India termed as disappointing. China, while saying that the matter moved towards settlement, firmly opposed the issue to be taken up by the UNSC and instead wanted it to be resolved by the UN's 1267 committee on counter terrorism. Beijing also accused the US of attempting to scuttle the resolution of the issue by taking it to the UNSC. China considers Pakistan as an "all-weather friend" and has given Islamabad billions of dollars in aid to support its ailing economy. Gokhale's visit also coincides with China holding its biggest international event the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) to showcase its trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in which the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project. India has protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). While India is expected to skip the BRF meeting being held here from April 25-27, informed sources said there was no invitation from China to the leadership of India or at the Ministerial level to attend event. Asked whether India would attend the event Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri told state-run Global Times last month "above all, connectivity initiatives must be pursued in a manner that respects sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity of nations. No country can participate in an initiative that ignores its core concerns on sovereignty and territorial integrity". Wang told the media here on Friday that 37 heads of state government and representatives from 150 countries and international organisations had confirmed their participation for the event. Wang also said the differences over the BRI would not come in the way of the development of India-China relations and Beijing is preparing for a Wuhan-style summit meeting this year. Asked if India's opposition to the BRI would undermine the new momentum generated by last year's informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wang said the two leaders had a very successful meeting at Wuhan last year. "Particularly they have established mutual trust between the leadership and they jointly planned for the future of improvement and strengthening of China-India relations. "After the Wuhan summit, we see all areas or progress between the two countries and we have bright prospect for this relationship. We are now preparing for the next summit of our leaders," he said without specifying any time line. He also urged India to reconsider its stand on the BRI economic project, saying it had nothing to do with sovereignty issues. "One of our differences is how to look at the BRI. The Indian side has their concerns. We understand that and that is why we have stated clearly on many occasions that the BRI including the CPEC is only an economic initiative and it does not target any third country and has nothing to do with the sovereign and territorial disputes left from history between any two countries," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Supreme Court judge J Chelameswar, who along with three senior-most judges held the unprecedented January 12, 2018 press conference, on Saturday refused to be drawn into the controversy surrounding allegations of sexual harassment against Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The four judges, including Justice Gogoi, had virtually revolted against the then CJI Dipak Misra by levelling litany of allegations. "I do not have any comment to make. Why should I (make comment)," Justice (retd) Chelameswar told PTI over phone. When contacted, the retired judge said many people are asking for his reaction on the development but he has refused to express his views. Justice (retd) Madan B Lokur, who was also the part of the controversial presser long with Justice (retd) Kurian Joseph, too refrained from making any comments on the issue saying he was away from the national capital. "I am in Bombay and I will not speak to you now," Justice (retd) Lokur said. An attempt was also made to contact Justice (retd) Kurian Joseph. However, he was not available at his residence. A former woman employee of the apex court has levelled allegations of sexual harassment against Justice Gogoi, who on Saturday held an extraordinary hearing in the apex court. The CJI asserted that the charges were "unbelievable" and part of a conspiracy by some "bigger force" to "deactivate" the CJI's office. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP Saturday attacked the Delhi government for non-implementation of Centre's housing scheme PMJAY, alleging that four lakh slum dwellers have been denied pucca houses in the city because of the ruling AAP's "political malice". It also claimed that Delhi government's thousands of houses for the poor remain unallotted for the last several years. "The Kejriwal government has thwarted the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMJAY) in Delhi out of political malice denying pucca houses to four lakh JJ (Jhuggi Jhopti) cluster dwellers in 675 such dwellings in the city," BJP leader Vijender Gupta said in a press conference. No immediate reaction on the BJP charge was available from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) or its government in Delhi. Under the PMJAY, Gupta said, each of the four lakh households living in JJ clusters of Delhi were to be provided a financial assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh. Out of 675 JJ clusters, 478 clusters are built on the land of Central government and its agencies, whereas 197 clusters are built on Delhi government's land, the leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly said. "As many as 1.5 lakh families are dwelling in JJ clusters built on the Delhi government land and 2.5 lakh families on the Central government land. But, unfortunately, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal did not let the poor of Delhi to avail the opportunity," he charged. Gupta alleged that the AAP government derailed the scheme in Delhi for it thought its credit will go to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the AAP's promise in the Lok Sabha election campaigning that it will provide affordable housing to each family in Delhi within 10 years is "absolutely hollow". "Its falsehood can be gauged from the fact that having come to power more than four years back on the promise of providing house to each JJ Cluster family, it failed to construct even a single house for them. Not only this, it failed to allocate about 18,000 built-up flats to such families," Gupta alleged. The Kejriwal government has done "nothing" to alleviate misery of poor JJ Cluster dwellers, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Saturday urged the new generation to brush up their knowledge of history and not fall prey to the BJP's "misleading" campaign on social media. "Teams of social media are at work. They (BJP) are spending crores of rupees to attack... conspiracy is going on to mislead people of the country," he told reporters in Jaisalmer district. "People in the BJP are misleading the new generation through social media. I appeal to youths to limit the use of smartphones and read history," he said. Gehlot also asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not come back to power. He claimed that there was a wave in favour of the Congress in the entire state and an undercurrent against Modi due to the environment of "fear, hatred and violence" created by the Centre. Meanwhile, BJP's Deputy Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly Rajendra Rathore hit out at Gehlot's recent remarks on surgical strikes. "It seems the chief minister is talking like a spokesperson of Pakistan," he told reporters in Chittorgarh. The chief minister had on Wednesday mocked the Modi government for boasting about a surgical strike across the Line of Control, saying even Pakistan did not talk about its own actions. He claimed that except a handful of ministers, the NDA government was made up of first-timers. They boasted about the surgical strike because they lacked experience. "Surgical strikes have been conducted in the tenure of every prime minister but they were never talked about. There were several things that Pakistan also did, but the nation never talk about it," Gehlot said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rakhi Prabhudesai Naik of Shiv Sena and activist-cum-politician Aishwarya Salgaonkar have focussed their campaign for Lok Sabha elections in Goa on burning issues like the stalled mining activity and lack of employment in the coastal state. Prabhudesai Naik and Salgaonkar, who is contesting as Independent, are in the fray from South Goa and North Goa constituencies, respectively. Prabhudesai Naik, 34, has been the face of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party in Goa since the last two years, taking up various issues against the BJP-led government in the state. Her opponents are BJP MP Narendra Sawaikar, Francis Sardinha of Congress and Elvis Gomes of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Salgaonkar had left the Congress after a bitter fallout with Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee president Pratima Coutinho. She had sat on fast seeking intervention of Congress president Rahul Gandhi. She is squaring off against Congress' Girish Chodankar, sitting BJP MP Shripad Naik and AAP leader Pradeep Padgaonkar. Prabhudesai Naik clarifies that she was not seeking votes on the basis of her gender. "In my personal view, women should contest and get elected in the general category rather than waiting for reservation. I believe that we can compete with men and win," she said. Prabhudesai Naik was in the NCP before she joined the Sena. When asked about her electoral prospects, she said, "Sena has devoted its entire resources to South Goa Parliamentary seat. That iswhy we are not even contesting in North Goa". Prabhudesai Naik said the voters are looking at the Sena with much hopes because the party has proved its mettle in neighbouring Maharashtra. "Our focus is the 'bhumiputras' (the sons of soil) in Maharashtra and 'Goenkars' (Goans) in Goa. Our priority will always be Goans," she said. Prabhudesai Naik further said that she was in favour of resumption of mining activity, which came to halt in March last year due to a supreme court order. The Sena leader also promises generation of employment in the coastal state which mainly draws its revenue mainly from tourism industry and iron ore extraction. Meanwhile, Salgaonkar is promising jobs for locals at upcoming international airport at Mopa in North Goa. She said that Goa should have a say in the projects taken up as a part of Nationalisation of Rivers. "The Congress does not know to recognise the leadership qualities. They don't know to respect women in the party. That is why I thought of quitting the party and contesting as an independent," says the 41-year-old. Goa votes on April 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gujarat minister Ganpatsinh Vasava on Saturday likened Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to a "puppy who would go to Pakistan or China if the they threw bread at it", inviting censure from not just the opposition party but also state chief minister Vijay Rupani. Vasava had earlier taken a swipe at the claim of some Congress supporters that Gandhi was an "incarnation of Lord Shiva", asking the Congress chief to prove the claim by consuming poison. Speaking at a tribal gathering on Saturday in Dediapada in Narmada district, part of Bharuch Lok Sabha constituency, the BJP leader said, "When Rahul Gandhi gets up from the chair, it appears as if a puppy has got up wagging its tail, which would go to Pakistan and China if they threw bread at it." During the address, Vasava likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a lion. Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said Vasava's remarks showed that the BJP has been rejected by the people of Gujarat. "Vasava has done injustice to the tribal community to which he belongs. He should understand using such language will not get him any support as long as he does not give an account of what he did for the tribals," Doshi said. Gujarat Congress in charge Rajiv Satav said, "This is the BJP's style of functioning, but the people of Gujarat have decided that it will stand with the Congress." Chief Minister Rupani too disapproved of Vasava's remarks and urged him to show restraint. "In the election, in the heated environment, one should show restraint. Words should be used with firmness, but one should not use unsavoury personal language," Rupani told reporters in Rajkot. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- The 125th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) is showcasing more than 8,700 exhibitors from the home appliance, automobile, construction, chemical and energy sectors during Phase 1, with a special highlight on smart technologies in these areas. Home Appliances Apply Human-oriented Smart Manufacturing More than 2,700 home appliance suppliers, including world leaders such as Haier, Midea, Haisen, TCL, Gree and Changhong, are demonstrating not only high-tech and smart products but also the digital services behind them. Galanz, a leading Chinese electronic home appliance manufacturer, has brought their smart home product lineup to Canton Fair. Products introduced include its IoT fridge which enables users to monitor and control the appliance on their mobile device. Home Appliances and Automobiles Highlight Smart Technology During Phase 1 of 125th Canton Fair Singfun, a home appliance leader in electric heaters and fans in China, is demonstrating its latest achievements at the Fair. Eric Zhu, Sales Manager of Singfun, noted that the technologies Canton Fair has showcased is a signal of Chinese businesses introducing their manufacturing capabilities to the international market. Companies such as Singfun are taking advantage of the Fair's platform to promote its brand to global customers. "Canton Fair as a platform is helping us on increasing our brand's visibility. We meet new friends and customers every year," Zhu said. Vansky Fan, General Manager of the International Business Division, Overseas Brand Development Dept. of Konka Group Co., Ltd., a Chinese manufacturer of electronics products and a regular exhibitor at Canton Fair, added that Konka aims to find cross-border business partners and create a path for its private brand at the Fair. Its displayed products show innovation in visual technology, from an 8K-size display to smart home systems. "Implementation of the latest technology in internet, big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence are seen not only in the mobile industry but in home appliances and automobiles as well. Products in these areas are becoming terminals for human-computer interaction," said Liu Quandong, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Canton Fair. "Canton Fair is privileged to present these trends to the world and explore how humans realize their potential and achieve technological breakthroughs." Automobiles: High-Tech Embraces a Smarter FutureThis year's Canton Fair also gathers 1,300 businesses in the motorcycle, bicycle, auto parts and vehicle sectors, including industrial experts and leaders such as Phoenix bicycle, Yadea, Guizhou tire and Leoch battery. Exhibitors are cultivating new business modes to develop new energy and smart products. Driven by innovation, Qianjiang Motorcycle has made breakthroughs in its three key business sectors including high-end motorcycles, industrial robots and smart electrical equipment. "Innovation is crucial for us, that's why we are investing in new energy and smart technologies, as well as innovative design of motorcycles, " Dante Bustos, Sr. Director of Marketing &Communication of Qianjiang Motorcycle said. "The products we brought to the Fair this time, Benelli Leoncino, Benelli TRK251 and Benelli 180S, from design to manufacturing, are achievements of an international team in Qianjiang Motor, with team members from Italy and China, and they should shine at an international platform just like Canton Fair." For more information, visit: http://cantonfair.org.cn/en/index.aspx About Canton Fair The China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, is held biannually in Guangzhou every spring and fall. Established in 1957, the fair is now a comprehensive exhibition with the longest history, highest level, largest scale and largest number of products as well as the broadest distribution of buyer origins and the highest business turnover in China. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/874326/Canton_Fair_Home_Appliances. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NCP chief Sharad Pawar said Saturday that he was "terribly afraid" as to what Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who once called Pawar his mentor in politics, would do next. Pawar was addressing a campaign rally at Daund in Baramati Lok Sabha constiutency from where his daughter Supriya Sule is seeking reelection. "Modi says he came into holding my finger. But now I am terribly afraid, because what this man will do, nobody knows," the former Union minister said. Modi had said he came into "holding Pawar's finger" while sharing dais with the NCP supremo at a function in Pune district in 2016. Pawar, as a senior minister in the UPA government, always helped him when he took up matters related to Gujarat with the Centre, Modi had said. At the rally Saturday, Pawar noted that BJP chief Amit Shah recently visited Baramati and Union minister Smriti Irani was scheduled to address a public meeting in the constituency. Why "the entire country" was interested in visiting the place, he wondered. In the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, Shah had vowed to snatch Baramati from the NCP this time. The BJP is asking what the UPA government did, but it fails to answer what it did in the ten years it was in power, Pawar further said. "Modi held seven (election) rallies in Maharashtra and the issue at all those rallies was Sharad Pawar," he said, referring to the prime minister's frequent swipes at him. He also said that while he himself never did on agricultural issues, the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state did not create a good industrial set-up for the sugar sector. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who became the face of the tense military confrontation between India and Pakistan, has been shifted out of Srinagar and posted to a frontline air base in the western sector, official sources said Saturday. It is also learnt that the IAF was going to recommend Varthaman's name for Vir Chakra, the coveted wartime gallantry medal, which is the third highest after the Paramvir Chakra and the Mahavir Chakra. Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan on February 27 during an aerial combat with Indian Air Force, had returned to his squadron in Srinagar last month though he was on a four-week sick leave. Orders have been issued for his transfer from Srinagar to another base in the western sector, sources said, terming the transfer as "routine one". The IAF pilot went on leave in mid-March after security agencies completed a nearly two-week debriefing following his return from Pakistan. Sources said a medical board will review his fitness to help the IAF top brass decide whether he can return to fighter cockpit as desired by him. Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani Army on February 27 after his MiG-21 Bison jet was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistani jets during aerial combat. Before his jet was hit, he downed an F-16 fighter of Pakistan. Varthaman was released on the night of March 1 by Pakistan. After he was captured, Varthaman showed courage and grace in handling the most difficult circumstances for which he was praised by politicians, strategic affairs experts, ex-servicemen, celebrities and people in general. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian military installations the next day. However, the IAF thwarted their plans. The Indian strike on the JeM camp came 12 days after the terror outfit claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's trajectory holds immense potential for global stakeholders to establish energy, infrastructure and technology collaboration with the country, a UN forum here has been told. Counsellor in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Ashish Sinha stressed on Wednesday at the ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development Follow Up that India wanted to use as a mechanism to pull the maximum number of people out of poverty and improve quality of life in an inclusive manner. "India has retained its position as the world's fastest growing major economy. has been growing over 7 per cent for several years and the forecast for the future is equally robust," he said. Sinha noted that India improved its ranking by 23 positions in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business rankings last year. India improved its ranking on the World Bank's 'ease of doing business' report for the second straight year, jumping 23 places to the 77th position on the back of reforms related to insolvency, taxation and other areas. "India's trajectory holds immense potential for our global stakeholders to establish energy, natural resource, and infrastructure and technology collaboration with us," Sinha said. The current global economic outlook also reiterates the need for the promotion of policies for enhancing economic growth and growth inducing investments, he said. Earlier this month, the said India's was expected to accelerate moderately to 7.5 per cent in fiscal year 19-20, driven by continued investment strengthening, particularly private-improved export performance and resilient consumption. "The objective is to bank the unbanked, secure the unsecured, fund the unfunded and service the un-serviced areas," Sinha said. Noting that India has taken strong initiatives for financial inclusion, he said in the the past three years, the government has opened over 320 million bank accounts for those who never had an account. "We have leveraged these bank accounts with the power of a biometric identity system and mobile phones, to deliver subsidies and services to the deserving poor," he said, adding that 1.6 million people have benefited from the recently launched cashless health insurance scheme called 'Ayushman Bharat' in the first four months of its launch. India is also the sixth largest producer of renewable energy in the world and Indian solar power capacity will grow robustly at an annual average rate of 15.3 per cent to reach 105.9 GW by 2028, up from 26 GW in 2018, he said. Sinha noted that research and innovation would be the driving force in the 4th industrial revolution era. The Indian government has introduced the flagship programme Start-up India with 1.4 billion dollars fund for four years to create a startup ecosystem in India. The effort of the government has also been to maximise resources with lowering of the tax rate by following the theory of lower taxation, higher compliance, he said. "However, we fully acknowledge the role of international cooperation on tax matters in a globalised and digital economy. In this regard, to further strengthen the work of the UN Tax Committee, India continued its contribution to its Voluntary Trust Fund for the Tax Committee for the second consecutive year in 2018," Sinha said. Stepping up our cooperation with the fellow developing countries here at the United Nations, India established the India-UN Development Partnership Fund that supports Southern-owned and led, demand-driven, and transformational sustainable development projects. A sum of $150 million has been committed for the next decade focusing on developmental projects in Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. The Fund already has projects in 39 countries. Sinha said the world finds itself at a critical moment which calls for an action-oriented resolve in an increasingly complex inter-dependent world. "The 2030 Agenda, Paris Agreement and Addis Ababa Action Agenda have been remarkable acknowledgements of these interlinked challenges, and our collective responsibility to overcome these with collective action at the international level," he said. A 44-year-old Indian-origin medical professor is facing a tribunal inquiry over his alleged failure to inform a UK university that he was still working at another varsity and continued to draw salaries from both the places for little over a year. Akhilesh Reddy admits being in full-time employment with the University of Cambridge and University College London (UCL) between September 2015 and November 2016, according to The Times'. He is set to appear before the UK Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service this month to face charges that he failed to inform UCL that he remained employed by Cambridge and knowingly received full-time salaries from both institutions. The professor, who specialises in sleeping disorders, faces possible strike off action over the allegations, the newspaper reports. He made his mark in the study of sleep patterns when he discovered that red blood cells had their own body clocks and was hailed as a catch for UCL when he was appointed to the chair of experimental neurology. A spokesperson for UCL said they have nothing to say until the hearing is over and a spokesperson for Cambridge University refused to comment. The Medical Defence Union, which is representing him, has also declined to respond. Reddy now works for the University of Pennsylvania as a professor of pharmacology. The US university has refused to answer questions on whether it was aware of the allegations when he was appointed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior advocate Indira Jaising on Saturday questioned why Attorney General K K Venugopal appeared in the Supreme Court during the hearing on the sexual harassment allegation against the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. Jaising, founder of The Leaflet that was among the four portals which reported the allegation against the CJI prompting the extraordinary hearing, suggested that Justice Gogoi should withdraw from hearing any matter related to the government. In a series of tweets, Jaising, who was additional solicitor general during the UPA-II regime, asked since the "government has so vociferously defended the Chief Justice of India, should he not recuse from hearing any cases relating to the government?" "What have the allegations of sexual harassment by a dismissed woman employee of the SC got to do with the Government of India ? Why should the Attorney General for India appear is such a case?" she tweeted. She said, "It is not for us to say whether the allegations against the Chief Justice of India are true or false, a competent court will decide, but everyone is entitled to due process." The senior lawyer tagged the story carried by newsportal The Leaflet with her tweets. During the extraordinary hearing Saturday in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said there was a "common thread" in the communications sent to him by four portals that carried stories on allegation of sexual harassment against him, and suggested a "bigger force" could be behind the controversy to "deactivate" the office of the CJI. One of the portal, he referred was The Leaflet. The newsaportal has been founded by Jaising and senior advocate Anand Grover under the aegis of their NGO "An Imprint of Lawyers Collective", according to its website. The CJI, who was part of a hurriedly convened special bench also comprising justices Arun Mishra and Sanjiv Khanna, said the four portals -- Scroll, The Leaflet, Caravan and the Wire -- have carried the stories on the allegations. "There is a common thread in the communications, and the questions I was asked to answer are common," he said, adding, "they (news portals) gave less than five hours notice to the CJI to respond". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Oil major BP and Azerbaijans state energy company SOCAR signed an agreement on Friday to build a new exploration platform for the South Caucasus nations three major oilfields, BP-Azerbaijan said in a statement, Arab News reported. The Azeri Central East (ACE) platform, the latest phase of Azerbaijans giant Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG) oilfields extension program, is expected to produce 100,000 barrels of oil a day and cost $6 billion to build, the company said. The project is one of the biggest upstream investment decisions to have been signed in Azerbaijan so far this year. The ACG fields, which to date have produced around 3.5 billion barrels of oil, are estimated to have the potential to yield another 3 billion barrels. BPs main aim now would be to maximize the extraction of remaining reserves, Robert Morris, senior analyst at Wood Mackenzie, said in a statement. ACE is central to those plans, adding 100,000 barrels per day of production at peak in the mid-2020s, he said. BP and the government of Azerbaijan extended their agreement to continue developing the ACG fields until 2050 in a major deal in 2017. Separately, SOCAR and its partners at the BP-led ACG consortium plan to participate in a tender to acquire stakes being sold by two of its members, ExxonMobil and Chevron. SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev made the announcement to reporters following a meeting of senior SOCAR figures on Friday. Attacks by Islamic State group fighters deep in the Syrian Desert killed 27 Damascus troops and allied fighters over the past 48 hours, a monitoring group said on Saturday. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead included four senior Syrian army officer. The Amaq propaganda arm of IS, which lost the last vestige of its "caliphate" to Kurdish-led forces in eastern Syria last month but retains desert and mountain hideouts in both Syria and Iraq, said its fighters carried out the operation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Investigation Agency Saturday conducted searches at three places here and Wardha of Maharashtra in connection with an ISIS module case, and picked up four suspects for questioning, the agency said. As part of the investigations into the 2016 Abu Dhabi module case, based on reliable information, NIA carried out searches and seized several digital devices and other documents from the houses of the four suspects, whose questioning is going on, the agency said in a release. The National Investigation Agency is probing a case since 2016 where it is alleged that the members of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) were involved in a conspiracy to identify, motivate, radicalise, recruit and train Indian Muslim youth on behalf of the proscribed outfit to carry out terror activities, according to the release. In January 2016, the NIA had registered a case against three accused Sheikh Azhar-ul-Islam, Adnan Hassan and Mohammed Farhan Shaikh and they were arrested on arrival to Delhi from Abu Dhabi. The digital devices seized included 13 mobile phones, 11 SIM cards, one iPad, two laptops, one external hard disk, six pen drives, six SD Cards and three walkie talkie sets, it said. In August 2018, the NIA had arrested two alleged ISIS sympathisers--Mohammed Abdullah Basith and Mohd Abdul Qhadeer from Hyderabad as part of its larger probe into Indian youngsters being radicalised to carry out terror strikes on behalf of the banned international outfit. On February 7 this year, the NIA had filed a supplementary chargesheet against two accused in connection with its probe in the Abu Dhabi module case and the fresh raids were being carried out in connection with this module based on "fresh inputs", official sources said. According to the agency,Basith was connected with accused Adnan Hassan and some of his associates were in regular touch with each other and conspiring to further the activities of ISIS. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The NIA on Saturday arrested a person from Delhi in connection with its probe against an ISIS-inspired group, which was allegedly planning suicide attacks and serial blasts, targeting politicians and government installations in Delhi and other parts of north India. Mohammad Gufran, a resident of Amroha in western Uttar Pradesh (UP), formed a pro-ISIS module namely Harkat Ul Harb-e-Islam with the help of accused persons arrested earlier to wage war against the Government of India, a spokesperson of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said. He is the 13th accused to have been arrested in the case. Gufran was one of the key conspirators in planning to carry out terrorist attacks in Delhi NCR and UP, the official said. He was inspired by the ideology of the dreaded ISIS terror group which is a proscribed organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), he said. Investigation revealed that he was instrumental in procurement of arms and ammunition and also explosives to carry out terrorist attacks in Delhi NCR and UP, the official said. With Gufran's arrest, the NIA has so far arrested 13 men, including a 'mufti' from Amroha, who it said were planning suicide attacks and serial blasts targeting politicians and government installations in Delhi and other parts of north India. Gufran will be produced before the Patiala House court on Sunday, according to the NIA official. The case pertains to a group of pro-ISIS terrorists who formed a terror group which was engaged in acts preparatory to commission of terror attacks with a view to wage war against the Government of India, the official said. The NIA has said that one Mufti Mohammed Suhail, a resident of Delhi's Jafrabad in Seelampur, was the 'Amir' (local chief) of the pro-ISIS module which mobilised funds and procured weapons, ammunition and explosive materials to prepare improvised explosive devices with his other associates, the NIA official added. The agency has so far seized a locally-made rocket launcher, material for suicide vests and 112 alarm clocks to be used as timers besides recovering 25 kg of explosive material -- Potassium Nitrate, Ammonium Nitrate and Sulphur. The ISIS-inspired group had allegedly purchased remote-controlled cars and wireless doorbells to use their circuits in assembling remote-controlled improvised explosive devices. Besides, the NIA had also seized steel containers, electric wires, 91 mobile phones, 134 SIM cards, three laptops, knife, sword, ISIS-related literature during the searches conducted earlier. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Minister has assured to look into cash-strapped Jet Airways' issues that have forced the to halt operations temporarily, its chief executive Vinay Dube said Saturday. Dube, along with Maharashtra Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, civil secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola, the airline's chief financial officer Amit Agarwal, representatives of pilots, engineers, cabin crew and ground staff unions met Jaitley at his residence in At least one month's salary was needed to be paid to the employees for retaining them, Dube said, speaking to reporters later. "To keep them where they are and to give them hope we need to pay them at least a month's salary or more. The minister has assured us to look into that," Dube said after the meeting. Jet Airways, which ceased all operations Wednesday, has not paid to its entire staff for March. Jet would require around Rs 170 crore to clear at least one month's salary of its employees, Dube stated. During the meeting which lasted for more than an hour, the Jet CEO also said that competition in the sector is "important" and requested the Union Finance Minister to ensure an "open, transparent and efficient" bidding process. The Jet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Welfare Association (JAMEWA) also submitted a representation to Jaitley, saying "the is sinking for want of funds and taking away the livelihood of 23,000 people". It said the grounding of the carrier has affected not only the airline's employees but others as well, such as the passengers who are not only stranded across airports but are also paying much higher price for the flights due to a sharp spike in air fares. Shops in retail areas of airports are facing a "lull", it said. "We explained to the finance minister the prevailing situation at the carrier. We told him that the bidding process has to be expedited and funds need to be infused. Jaitley agreed with our demand on the sale process and also said that he will talk to the banks," said Aseem Valiani, of the National Aviator's Guild (NAG), which represents around 1,000-odd pilots of Valiani said that in their meeting with Kharola at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan (which houses the civil ministry) earlier in the day, the management sought six-months' credit line with and extension of payment window to airport operators. Earlier this month, SBI Caps, on behalf of the lenders, invited bids for selling upto 75 percent stake in the (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.) Local industry here Saturday called for the inclusion of locally-made industrial items while framing the revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for restarting the cross LoC trade which was suspended by the Centre on Thursday. In a related development, the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) requested for the resumption of the cross-LoC trade at the earliest and fixing of responsibility for "administrative lapses resulting in the breach of security and suspension of the trade". Hardening its stand against Pakistan, India Thursday indefinitely suspended cross-LoC trade at two points along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir effective Friday, following reports that it was being "misused" by elements from across the border to smuggle weapons, narcotics and fake currency. "There is an ample scope for the trading of Industrial goods being manufactured by the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector through Cross-LoC trade... the MSME sector of our state is suffering due to location disadvantages and shallow market avenues as it is difficult to sell products in the neighbouring states as well as in the neighbouring countries," General Secretary Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA) Ajay Langer said after a meeting of the members here. He said if an opportunity is provided to the unit holders to sell their products through cross-LoC trade, it would boost the confidence of the industrial unit holders and will also ensure overall economic development of the state. Langer said the meeting appreciated the government's decision to suspend the trade for the time being to revisit the present SOP to plug the loopholes as there was a great resentment among the industrial fraternity in the state over the non-inclusion of the majority of industrial products being manufactured locally in the previous business. "As per the previous SOP, only those items were included for cross-LoC trade which were produced or manufactured in both parts of the state (Kashmir and Jammu) but the majority of the Items traded since 2008 till date were not produced or manufactured in the state which was a clear violation of the guidelines by the implementing agencies," Langer said. The Centre had said a stricter regulatory and enforcement mechanism is being worked and the issue of the reopening the trade routes will be revisited once they are implemented. The trade was taking place four days a week on the barter system and zero-duty through two trade facilitation centres located at Salamabad in Uri sector of north Kashmir's Baramulla district and Chakkan-da-Bagh in Poonch district of Jammu. The suspension of the business has hit around 280 traders, who were directly involved in the trading, which has touched Rs 6,900 crore since its inception in 2008. "India and Pakistan should take initiatives for holding buyer-seller meet of the stakeholders of Industries and trade of the state on regular basis to explore the market for the items manufactured and produced for cross-LoC trade and to resolve the issue like telecommunication facility and financial transactions through banks," Langer said. "We request Home Minister Rajnath Singh, and state Governor Satya Pal Malik to kindly intervene into the matter and issue necessary directions for the inclusion of all the industrial items being manufactured or produced within the state of Jammu and Kashmir while framing the revise SOP guidelines for the Cross-LoC Trade," he said. In a communication to union home ministry, JCCI president Rakesh Gupta requested for the resumption of the LoC-Trade at the earliest and fixing of responsibility for the "administrative lapses resulting in a breach of security and suspension of the trade". "We fully agree that security should be a prime concern not only of government but every Indian Citizen and that too in the trouble-torn state of Jammu and Kashmir. We would like to bring to your kind notice that stopping LoC-trade abruptly without intimating to the LoC traders poses a huge risk of financial loss to the traders," Gupta said in his communication on Friday. He said both the JCCI and LoC Traders federation have been requesting and demanding for a foolproof strict regulatory regime at the LOC trade points both in Jammu and Kashmir. "These included installing full truck body scanners, putting in place the banking facilities, policy on registration on LoC traders and appointment of one man trade authority. It is most unfortunate that none of these demands has been met with resulting in the suspension of LOC Trade. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lenders of debt-ridden will meet on April 26 to discuss the revised bids of state-owned Ltd and Suraksha group, which have been asked to sweeten their offers for acquiring the Jaypee group's realty arm. In a regulatory filing, Jaypee Infratech's Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) Anuj Jain informed that a meeting of the committee of creditors (CoC) would be held on April 26. and Suraksha group are expected to submit their revised resolution plans by April 25 to complete over 20,000 pending housing units to aggrieved In their current bids, both and Suraksha group have offered Jaypee group's land parcels to settle their debt as well as monetization of Yamuna Expressway that connects Noida and Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, business conglomerate Adani group has also thrown its hat in the ring by expressing its interest in putting in a bid to acquire Lenders will have to decide whether to allow Adani to enter the race at this stage. On Friday, crisis-hit promoters made a fresh attempt to retain control over its arm by seeking the support of homebuyers for its debt resolution plan submitted under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. chairman Manoj Gaur apologised to thousands of distressed homebuyers and promised to infuse Rs 2,000 crore to complete pending apartments over the next four years. in April 2018 had also submitted a Rs 10,000 crore plan before lenders to revive Jaypee Infratech, but the same was not accepted. Jaypee Infratech had to deliver 32,691 units, of which 4,889 units were completed before the start of insolvency proceedings. As many as 7,278 more units have been completed in the last 18 months, while 20,524 units are yet to be delivered. In 2017, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) admitted the application by an IDBI Bank-led consortium seeking resolution of Jaypee Infratech. In the first round of insolvency proceedings, the Rs 7,350 crore bid of Lakshdeep, part of Suraksha group, was rejected by lenders as it was found to be substantially lower than the company's net worth and assets. In October 2018, the IRP started a fresh initiative to revive Jaypee Infratech on the NCLT direction. The realty firm has an outstanding debt of nearly Rs 9,800 crore. JAL had submitted Rs 750 crore in the registry of the Supreme Court for the refund to buyers and amount is lying with the NCLT. Employees of have written to and seeking their intervention to recover outstanding dues as well as to expedite the process of emergency funds for the airline, which has shuttered its operations temporarily. Cash-starved Jet Airways, which has around 23,000 employees, has delayed payment of salaries to the employees, including pilots. Amid uncertainty over the future course of the carrier, two employees' unions have now written to the President and the Prime Minister. In separate but similarly-worded letters this week, the Society for Welfare of Indian Pilots (SWIP) and Jet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Welfare Association (JAMEWA) have requested help in clearing their outstanding salary dues. "We request you to consider the situation with the urgency it deserves and direct the management of (India) Ltd to expeditiously disburse all outstanding dues to affected employees. "We also urge you to expedite the process of emergency funding, as every minute and every decision is very critical in these testing times," one of the letters said. After months of uncertainty, announced temporary suspension of its operations on April 17 as it failed to receive emergency funds from lenders. The unions highlighted that a section of employees have not been paid their salaries on time for the last seven months and that the distressing situation was also brought to the notice of the Ministry of Labour and Employment in March. "The management of Jet Airways has gone back on its salary arrears payment schedule conveyed by mail dated December 7, 2018. The outstanding amount for pilots and engineers as of now is three months salary (full salaries for the months of January, February and March), and for all other staff is one month's salary," the letter said. Noting that employees did their best to keep up the highest standards of safety and professionalism in these trying times, the grouping said non-payment of salaries is causing extreme hardships to employees. "... even after all our efforts, we are not seeing any ray of hope and so it is our humble plea to take this matter under your guidance for an immediate action for the revival of the entire system," the letter said. SWIP has around 1,200 members while JAMEWA represents more than 500 employees. "We have also realised that along with our Jet Airways sinking, we are not only 23,000 employees who will be affected directly but a number of people who are running business or are associated with us some way or the other. "Even the shops at the airports are facing a lull. Such a big airline going down will leave a huge vacuum behind. Passengers are already facing the brunt of it," they said. The unions also flagged that air ticket prices are "sky rocketing". A day after the airline suspended operations, hundreds of employees had gathered in the national capital seeking measures to revive the carrier, which has been in operation for nearly 26 years. Domestic lenders have invited bids for selling stake in Jet Airways. On April 18, the lenders said they were "reasonably hopeful" that the bidding process for the airline would end successfully. An attack Saturday by jihadists linked to Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate killed 13 regime fighters on the outskirts of the northern city of Aleppo, a war monitor said. A faction linked to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham "early Saturday attacked checkpoints and positions of regime forces on the western outskirts of Aleppo city", the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Heavy fighting and shelling broke out between both sides, so far "killing at least 13 regime troops and allies fighters", the Britain-based monitoring group said. The ongoing clashes have also taken the lives of at least eight members of the Abu Bakr Al-Sadeeq Army jihadist faction, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman added. Islamist and jihadist factions control the countryside to the west of Aleppo, which is part of the broader Idlib region under administrative control of HTS. That region is in theory protected from a massive regime military offensive by a deal inked in September by government ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey. But the accord has unwound as HTS took full control of the region in January after defeating rival rebels, and the area has come under increasing bombardment. The Observatory said Saturday's attack came after regime bombardment overnight hit the western part of Aleppo province and the southeastern part of Idlib province. A planned buffer zone around the region was never fully implemented as jihadists refused to withdraw from it. President Bashar al-Assad's troops have managed to claw back some two thirds of the country since Russia intervened militarily in 2015, but Idlib remains beyond regime control. On Friday, Assad insisted the main aim of the Idlib deal was to "eliminate terrorists", after they failed to pull out from the planned demilitarised area. He urged progress on removing "obstacles" to the stalled deal ahead of talks to be attended by Russia, fellow ally Iran, and Turkey next week in Kazakhstan. Saturday's attack comes after the Observatory reported that the Islamic State group had killed at least 35 regime fighters in 48 hours in the country's Badia desert further south. They were the deadliest attacks since US-backed forces announced the defeat of that jihadist group's "caliphate" on the border with Iraq last month. Syria's war has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since the conflict began with the repression of anti-government protests in 2011. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jihadists have killed more than 60 Syrian regime fighters in 48 hours, a monitor said Saturday, in some of the deadliest attacks on pro-Damascus forces in recent weeks. Kurdish-led forces in March announced the defeat of the Islamic State group's "caliphate" in eastern Syria, but the jihadists have retained hideouts there and in other parts of the country as well as the ability to carry out deadly assaults. Since Thursday, IS jihadists have killed 35 pro-Damascus fighters in regime-held parts of central and eastern Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said it was "the highest death toll among regime forces since the caliphate was declared defeated" in the eastern village of Baghouz last month. Regime fighters also came under attack on another front of Syria's grinding eight-year war, the Britain-based monitor added. On Saturday, jihadists linked to Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate attacked loyalists outside the northwestern region of Idlib, killing 26 pro-Assad fighters, it said. It was the latest death tally in a civil war that has killed more than 370,000 people since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. President Bashar al-Assad has managed to claw back around 60 percent of the country with Russian military backing since 2015, but several regions remain beyond the regime's control. These include a large swathe of northeastern Syria held by Kurdish-led forces who have been fighting IS with the support of a US-led coalition, as well as the region of Idlib held by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate. Regime forces in theory control the vast desert that stretches from the capital Damascus to the Iraqi border, but IS is still present there. Since Thursday they have killed 27 troops and allied militiamen, including four Syrian army officers, in the desert east of Homs province, the Observatory said. IS claimed the attacks. The Observatory also said IS fighters killed another eight soldiers and militiamen in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor on Thursday night. That attack targeted a desert village south of the city of Mayadeen on the Euphrates River, upstream from Baghouz. IS swept across a large swathe of Syria and Iraq in 2014, declaring a cross-border "caliphate" in territory that was once roughly the size of the United Kingdom. But after various military operations in both countries, IS lost the last shred of its proto-state on the eastern banks of the Euphrates last month. The US-led coalition has however repeatedly warned that the battle against the jihadists is not over. In the northwestern Idlib region, Assad's forces face Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate. Idlib was to be protected from a massive regime military offensive by a deal inked in September by government ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey. But the accord has unwound as HTS took full control of the region in January, and the area has come under increasing bombardment. A planned buffer zone around the region was never fully implemented as jihadists refused to withdraw from it. Saturday's attack by an HTS affiliate on the western edges of Aleppo city killed 21 loyalists while an ambush by HTS-linked jihadists took the lives of five more pro-regime fighters in the northeast of Latakia province. On Friday, Assad urged progress on removing "obstacles" to the stalled Idlib deal ahead of talks to be attended by Russia, fellow ally Iran, and Turkey next week in Kazakhstan. And on Saturday, he met Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov in Damascus for talks, including on ways to overcome obstacles resulting from international sanctions imposed on Syria, the presidency said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) JKLF chief Yasin Malik's family on Saturday alleged that he was "very ill" after he went on a hunger strike to protest against his "illegal" detention by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). A Delhi court had on April 10 sent Malik to NIA custody till April 22 in connection with a terror funding case. Addressing a press conference here, Malik's family said they were not allowed to meet the separatist leader and that he has been in a hospital for the past four days. "We had gone to Jammu to meet him (Malik), but when we reached there in the evening, we heard that he has been taken to Delhi. So we returned without meeting him. Since then, we are only in touch with his lawyer. The lawyer, Raja Tufail, was also not allowed to meet Malik," they alleged. The family said Tufail had to get court permission to meet the JKLF leader on Saturday. "It was then that they (NIA officials) were forced to tell him (lawyer) that Malik was very ill as he (Malik) had been on a hunger strike since April 10 and was admitted to a hospital on April 16. The jail authorities had not informed us about his health condition," they said. In a statement, a Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) spokesman said the "illegally detained JKLF chairman is in a serious condition" in Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Delhi. "After getting court permission, his (Malik) lawyer was contacted by NIA officials this morning and asked to come to the said hospital where the lawyer found that Malik was on a hunger strike. The JKLF chairman started his hunger strike against the callous approach of NIA, a day after he was shifted to New Delhi and handed over to the agency," the spokesman said. He also warned the Centre of "serious consequences" if anything untoward happened to Malik. "The JKLF will hold a two-day hunger strike in Islamabad on April 25 and 26, and stage a five-day dharna starting from April 28 outside the Indian Embassy in London," the spokesman said. Meanwhile, moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said he was "deeply" disturbed by the about Malik's health. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In Georgia, residents of the village of Kobi and the Gudari ski resort will be able to use the cableway connecting these two settlements free of charge. The corresponding proposal was presented by the Mountain Resorts Development Company of the Ministry of Economy of the country. The ministry explained that such a decision was associated with the increasing problems on the Kobi-Gudauri section of the Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Lars highway. Describing the allegations of sexual harassment against him as "unbelievable", Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi convened an extraordinary hearing at the Supreme Court on Saturday said that a larger conspiracy was behind it and he would not stoop too low even to deny these allegations. In the hurriedly called hearing after the allegations cropped up, the apex court left it to the "wisdom of media" to show restraint and act responsibly so that independence of judiciary is not affected. The apex court, which held the hearing for around 30 minutes, said independence of judiciary was under "very serious threat" and "unscrupulous allegations" of sexual harassment have been levelled against the Chief Justice of India as some "bigger force" wanted to "deactivate" the office of the CJI. The "unusual and extraordinary" hearing on a Saturday was held after stories were published on some portals on the allegations made by an ex-employee of the apex court against the CJI. The court, which said the judiciary "cannot be made a scapegoat", said the media should not publish the woman's complaint without verifying its truth. The CJI said this issue has cropped up when a bench headed by him is scheduled to hear "many, many sensitive cases" next week and this was also the month of Lok Sabha elections in the country. Besides the CJI, the bench also comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Sanjiv Khanna, hinted towards a "bigger force" behind the controversy which has the potential to shake the faith of public in the judicial system. Though the CJI was heading the bench, he left it to Justice Mishra to take a call on passing a judicial order. Dictating the order, Justice Mishra said, "Having considered the matter, we refrain from passing any judicial order at this moment, leaving it to the wisdom of the media to show restraint, act responsibly as is expected from them and accordingly decide what should or should not be published, as wild and scandalous allegations undermine and irreparably damage reputation and negate independence of judiciary." "We would, therefore, at this juncture leave it to the media to take off such material which is undesirable," the order said. The CJI said that "unbelievable" allegations have been levelled against him and "I do not think I should stoop too low even to deny these allegations. But that comes after 20 years of selfless service as a judge". "Nobody can catch me on money. People have to find something and they have found this," the CJI said, while making it clear that he has a bank balance of Rs 6.80 lakh apart from around Rs 40 lakh in provident fund after being in service for around two decades. "There has to be a bigger, bigger force behind this. There are two offices -- one of the Prime Minister and one of the CJI. They (people behind this controversy) want to deactivate the office of the CJI," Justice Gogoi said, adding, "This is the reward a CJI gets after 20 years of service". Anguished over the allegations, the CJI warned that "the judiciary of this country is under very serious threat. We will not allow this to happen". "I will sit on this chair and discharge my judicial functions without any fear. I will decide the cases in the seven months (of his remaining tenure as the CJI). I will do that," he said. Justice Gogoi, who assumed the office of the CJI on October 3, 2018, will retire on November 17 this year. Before being elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on April 23, 2012, Justice Gogoi was the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court from February 12, 2011. Prior to his appointment as a permanent judge of the Gauhati High Court on February 28, 2001, he practised mainly in that high court. As a judge, he was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on September 9, 2010. A three-judge special bench headed by Justice Gogoi was constituted after a sworn affidavit by the woman, copies of which were sent to the residences of 22 apex court judges, became public on Saturday. The apex court registry in a notice earlier in the day said a three-bench headed by the CJI was being set up to deal with a "matter of great public importance touching upon the independence of judiciary". The former employee has described two incidents of alleged molestation by Gogoi in her affidavit, both of which allegedly took place in October 2018, only days after he was appointed as the CJI, and her subsequent persecution. According to reports, the woman alleged that she was removed from service after she rebuffed his advances. She claimed that her husband and brother-in-law, both of whom were head constables, were suspended for a 2012 criminal case that had been mutually resolved. She was later also made to prostrate before Justice Gogoi's wife and made to rub her nose at her feet in the chief justice's residence, she alleged, adding that her disabled brother-in-law was removed from service at the Supreme Court. The woman also alleged that she was detained at a police station along with her husband and other relatives and they were subjected to physical and verbal abuse in a case of cheating against her. Confirming that a letter by the woman has been received by several sitting judges, Supreme Court Secretary General Sanjeev Sudhakar Kalgaonkar said all the allegations made by the woman concerned are malafide and have no basis. "No doubt, it is a malafide allegation," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Afghan authorities declared Saturday the end of an hours-long, multi-pronged assault by suicide bombers and gunmen at the communications ministry in Kabul. "Operations finished. All suicide bombers killed & more than 2000 civilians staff rescued," the Minstry of Interior said on Twitter. The attack had started about six hours earlier at a postal facility by the ministry, officials said, in a busy area in downtown Kabul. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) IT firms Infosys and Cognizant said they have not observed any data breach and they remain vigilant against cyber attacks that appear to be targeting technology players. Cybersecurity blog KrebsOnSecurity in its latest post KrebsOnSecurity said "the crooks responsible for launching phishing campaigns that netted dozens of employees and more than 100 computer systems last month at Wipro, India's third-largest IT outsourcing firm, also appear to have targeted a number of other competing providers, including Infosys and Cognizant, new evidence suggests". It further stated that the "fairly experienced crime group" is focused on perpetrating gift card fraud. Earlier this week, KrebsonSecurity had first reported that Wipro's systems had been breached and were being used to launch attacks against some of its clients. Wipro had then confirmed that it had been subjected to an "advanced phishing campaign" that affected a few of its employee accounts. When contacted, Infosys in an emailed statement said the company has not observed any breach of its network based on its monitoring and threat intel. "This has been ascertained through a thorough analysis of the indicators of compromise that we received from our threat intelligence partners. We continue to strive to improve our security posture and have deployed an advanced threat protection solution to protect the company's email gateways, endpoints and network," it added. Infosys said the company is also working with its threat intelligence partners to get more information on attack vectors and threat actors to further strengthen its IT and cybersecurity controls. A Cognizant spokesperson said since the criminal activity first surfaced earlier this week, the company's security experts took immediate and appropriate actions including initiating a review. "While our review remains ongoing, we have seen no indication to date that any client data was compromised. It is not unusual for a large company like Cognizant to be the target of spear phishing attempts such as this. The integrity of our systems and our clients' systems is of paramount importance to Cognizant," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that the company continuously monitors, updates and strengthens its systems against unauthorised access and has put additional protocols in place related to this specific industry-wide incident. On Tuesday, Wipro had said a few of its employee accounts were affected in an "advanced phishing campaign", and the company has taken remedial steps to contain and mitigate any potential impact. The Bengaluru-based company has also retained an independent forensic firm to assist the company in its investigation of the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hundreds of "yellow vest" protesters on Friday demonstrated in Tripoli against an offensive by military strongman Khalifa Haftar on the Libyan capital and accused France of backing him. Wearing the trademark yellow vests of French anti-government demonstrators, they were among thousands of Libyans who flooded a central Tripoli square to rally in support of the internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). "We are surprised by France's conduct in the face of the Tripoli attack," read a sign held up by the demonstrators. Portraits of French President Emmanuel Macron and the leaders of Egypt and Saudi Arabia were also carried by demonstrators or placed on the ground for people to trample them. Haftar is seen by his allies -- Egypt and the United Arab Emirates -- as a bulwark against Islamists who have gained a foothold in Libya after the 2011 uprising that ousted and killed dictator Muammar Gaddafi. "Other countries must stop interfering in Libyan affairs," Haifa Ferjani, a 23-year-old protester said. "France says it is a friend but secretly backs those attacking our city and our homes," added the young woman. The French embassy in Libya on Friday tweeted -- in Arabic -- that Paris was "opposed to the attack" on Tripoli and urged all parties to abide by a ceasefire and engage in peace negotiations. Khalifa Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), based in the country's east, launched an offensive on April 4 to take Tripoli, the western seat of the UN-recognised GNA. Friday's rally came days after a smaller protest brought out dozens of "yellow jacket" demonstrators who on Tuesday also demanded the GNA sever ties with countries that "back aggression" on Tripoli. It also comes a day after UN envoy Ghassan Salame warned of "a widening conflagration" in other parts of the North African country. On Thursday GNA interior minister Fathi Bach Agha lashed out at France, accusing it directly for the first time of supporting "the criminal Haftar" and saying it was cutting security ties with Paris. France immediately denied the claim. "Tripoli's claim of support and diplomatic cover for Haftar are completely unfounded," a French foreign ministry official said. "France supports the legitimate government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and the mediation of the UN towards an inclusive political solution in Libya," the French presidency said in a statement. More than 200 people have been killed since the violence erupted, and more than 900 wounded, the World Health Organization said on Thursday. More than 25,000 have been displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday hosted representatives of the Kurdish-led force that defeated Islamic State (IS) extremists in Syria, drawing a sharp rebuke from Turkey's foreign ministry. Macron assured the Kurdish envoys of French support in their fight against the remaining jihadists, but Ankara accused the French leader of "seeking to confer artificial legitimacy on a faction of terrorist groups". "We condemn the reception by French President Emmanuel Macron of a delegation of so-called 'Syrian Democratic Forces' (SDF)," Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said in the statement. In late March the US-backed SDF flushed out IS fighters from their last bastion in Syria but Kurdish-led force still warns that the jihadists remain a threat in places. The SDF is an umbrella Kurdish-Arab force dominated by Kurds from the People's Protection Units (YPG). It is regarded with huge distrust by neighbouring Turkey which sees the YPG as a terror group. Macron assured the visiting SDF representatives, who were not named, of the "active support of France in the fight against Daesh which continues to be a menace for collective security," the presidency said in a statement, using an Arabic acronym for IS. Particularly important is the support in the "handling of terrorist fighters held as prisoners along with their families". European capitals are keeping a careful eye on the IS prisoners held by the SDF after the defeat of the jihadists, given many are dual nationals. Macron also vowed that financial support would be allocated to "respond to the humanitarian needs and the socio-economic stabilisation of civilian populations in Syria." The SDF were the West's key ally in defeating IS and waged the bulk of the fighting on the ground. But they fear being abandoned by their patrons now Islamic State has been beaten, after US President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of American forces from Syria. France's past contacts with the SDF's Syrian Kurds had already angered Turkey which regards the YPG as the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has waged a 35-year insurrection against the Turkish state. Macron on Friday made clear of the importance to Paris of "the security of Turkey and a de-escalation along the Syrian-Turkish border," the French presidency said. But Aksoy said Macron's move did not sit well with the French-Turkish alliance, and warned that "Turkey will not hesitate to take measures deemed necessary to protect its national security". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Malayalam film "Bhayanakam" (Fear) directed by Jayaraj won the best cinematography award at the Beijing International Film Festival on Saturday. The cinematography was done by Nikihil S Praveen. The film had also won the best cinematography award at the 65th National Film Awards. Both Jayaraj and lead actor, writer and journalist Renji Panicker who attended the festival received the award. The film portrays the visits of first World War veteran to a small village in the backwaters of Kerala's Kuttanand as a postman during the World War-II. He shares with the families the good and bad of the soldiers who took part in the war. According to Jayaraj, about 600 soldiers from Kerala died during the World War-II. Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Zero" was screened at the end of the festival. Shah Rukh, who made his maiden visit to China on April 17, took part in the festival, specially in the "China-India Film Cooperation Dialogue" along with film director Kabir Khan. The festival also screened five Indian films, including Satyajit Ray's "Pather Panchali", "Apur Sansar", "Aparajito", the romantic comedy "Love Per Square Foot", the 2018 Indian romantic comedy and the thriller "Ittefaq". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 45-year-old man was allegedly shot dead by unidentified bike-borne men in outer Delhi's Bawana area, police said Saturday. The deceased has been identified as Narender, a resident of Bajitpur village in outer Delhi. He was previously wanted in two cases of robbery and lodged in jail for a brief time, they said. The incident took place late Friday night when unidentified bike-borne men called Narender on the pretext of asking directions and then gave him a mobile phone to talk to someone, the police said. Narender exchanged heated arguments with the caller and as soon as he cut the call and returned the mobile phone to bikers, they opened fire at him before fleeing from the spot. It is suspected that he was shot five times, they said. Police reached the spot and rushed him to a hospital where he was declared brought dead, they added. The body has been sent for post-mortem and the autopsy report will ascertain the number of bullets shot leading to his death, the officer said. Police said they are probing all angles, including that of personal enmity, behind the killing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, an Army official said Saturday. The encounter took place at Watergam town in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. Some weapons and war-like stores were recovered from the site of the operation, the official said. The operation was over but the militant was yet to be identified, he said, adding that further details were awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP President Amit Shah Saturday said Narendra Modi should be installed as the Prime Minister once again to secure the country and to give a "befitting" reply to terrorism and Pakistan. Creating a saffron surge, Shah held a massive road show at Bhadravathi in Shimogga, campaigning for party candidate B Y Raghavendra, son of Karnataka BJP President and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. Raghavendra is pitted against former legislator Madhu Bangarappa of JD(S), who is the son of former Chief Minister S Bangarappa. "This election is not only about making Raghavendra Member of Parliament, but to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister," Shah said at the end of road show. "Why should we make Narendra Modi Prime Minister?, to secure the country, to give a befitting reply to terrorism and Pakistan. In order to give a befitting reply to Pakistan, people of Shimogga will have to press the ballot button adjacent to the Lotus symbol and Raghavendra's name," he said. Noting that he too was facing election from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat on April 23, Shah said he had come to campaign for Raghavendra to ensure his victory. Hundreds of enthusiastic BJP workers cheered the BJP chief chanting "Modi, Modi" as the "Rath," a modified vehicle, covered little more than one and half kilometre distance with Raghavendra, among others, accompanying him. Thousands of people had gathered all along the route showering flower petals on Shah as the vehicle wound its way in a delirious atmosphere. The road show that began with party workers greeting Shah with a loud cheer in favor of BJP, lasted about 40 minutes. Ahead of the "rath," BJP supporters sporting saffron caps and holding cutouts, placards and party flags danced to the drum beats, as slogans of 'Modi Modi' rent the air. Raghavendra, who is a sitting MP from Shimogga had defeated Madhu Bangarappa, joint candidate of ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in the by-polls held in November last year. While, Raghavendra is banking on Modi wave along with his father's name and his work as MP, Madhu too is relying on his late father's legacy, support of the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition, andon Ediga community, to which he belongs to. Ediga community has considerable presence in Shimogga. Out of eight assembly segments in Shimogga, BJP had won 7 and Congress only one in Bhadravathi during the 2018 assembly polls. Madhu had lost to his own brother Kumar Bangarappa of BJP during 2018 assembly polls from Soraba constituency. Raghavendra's father and Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Yeddyurappa is the BJP legislator from Shikaripura constituency. There are 12 candidate in the fray in Shimogga that would go to polls on April 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee Saturday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is suffering from 'haratanka', a phobia of losing elections and is trying to win in the state by dividing the people on communal lines. Modi is merely repeating words told to him by party cadres and is not cross checking the facts about Bengal, she said. "He(Modi) knows that he will lose the elections and that is why his face has turned pale. He is now suffering from 'haratanka' and is uttering nonsense everyday thinking about losing in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, New Delhi, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha and others," she said at a rally held at Panighata in support of party candidate for Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency Mohua Moitra. "I do not mind if BJP wins in Tripura but that will not give him (Modi) 543 seats. That is the reason he is roaming around in Bengal hoping to get votes by dividing people along Hindu-Muslim lines," Banerjee said. "Do you know why is he (Modi) roaming in West Bengal ? It's because the RSS has advised him to keep Mamata Banerjee under control. There is nobody who speaks against him other than Mamata," the combative TMC chief said. Describing the ongoing Lok Sabha elections as a test for Modi and not for her, Banerjee said that it was not for him to question what she has done for West Bengal in the last five years. "It's my turn to ask him (Modi) about his achievements for the country during the last five years ... And if I have not done anything for the state then the people will demand answers from me." Keeping up her attack against the prime minister, Banerjee said "For four and half year you (Modi) have roamed around the world. You (Modi) have done nothing other than lynching the common people in the name of gau raksha." Later addressing another gathering in Bagula in the Ranaghat Lok Sabha constituency in the same district for party candidate Rupali Biswas, widow of slain TMC MLA Satyajit Biswas, Banerjee called Modi the "biggest liar" for accusing her of not allowing organising of Durga Pujas in the state. "The prime minister should be given the award for being the biggest liar ... At least one lakh Durga Pujas are organised in West Bengal. People hold Lakshmi pujas, Saraswati pujas and Kali pujas in different formats in every household ... People worship as per their own will. There is a limit to speaking lies," she said. Referring to the I-T department sending notices to Durga Puja organisers in the state to furnish expenditure details incurred in festivities in 2018 as Rs 10000 had been given to them by her government, Banerjee questioned whether the BJP loved performing pujas. Referring to Modi's claims that Banerjee had done nothing for Balurghat when she was the railway minister, Banerjee said he should stop lying. "If he can prove that I have not done anything for Balurghat as the railway minister then I will quit ... Tell me what has he done for West Bengal? Not a single train has been sanctioned for us," she said. "Do not cast your votes for BJP if you want to save the country ... Have you forgotten demonetisation, the suffering you underwent? Crores of people had suffered. Now when the elections have come will you not give him (Modi) the reply ? Give them (BJP) a tight slap for demonetisation by casting your votes against them," she said. Nadia district has two parliamentary constituencies - Ranaghat and Krishnanagar - where elections are due on April 29 in the fourth phase. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lasha Zhvania, Chief of Georgia Presidents Administration, will quit his post on May 1, 2019, InterPressNews reports. As Zhvania wrote in his Facebook post on Friday, he will return to the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Zhvania explained that in March he requested from President to vacate the position at a convenient moment. "And May 1 is the convenient time for the President. At the time when I assumed the office at the Presidency, his Holiness satisfied the Presidents request to assign me to the Presidents administration, but did not release me from the Charity Foundation of the Patriarchy. So starting from May 1, I will leave the Presidents administration and continue my work with my sweet and wise Patriarch, Zhvania wrote. He also thanked President Zurabishvili for endowing him with great responsibility and wished her the ability to differ kind from vicious. Two persons have been arrested for allegedly cheating a film producer of over Rs 1 crore on the pretext of giving his film a wider release, police said Saturday. According to an official, accused Trilokchand Kothari and Rajesh Singh had entered into a contract worth Rs 1.2 crore with the maker of film "Ram ki Janmabhoomi" to release it in over 500 screens, and then allegedly reneged on the deal. The victim filed a complaint at Amboli police station following which Kothari and Singh were arrested for cheating, forgery and intimidation from Mazgaon and Andheri, he said. The film maker has told police that he was getting threat calls from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, he said. The two have been remanded in police custody till April 22, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A sessions court here Saturday rejected the bail plea of a structural auditor and two civic corporation engineers arrested in connection with the collapse of a foot over bridge near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus last month in which seven people were killed. Neeraj Kumar Desai, a structural engineer whose firm had carried out audit of the bridge and declared it safe despite finding some corrosion, was arrested on the charge of negligence along with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) engineers Anil Patil and S F Kakulte. Opposing their bail plea, public prosecutor Mangesh Arote submitted that prima facie a case is made out against the accused. "If released on bail, they might temper with the evidence because they have relations with BMC officials and the investigation into the matter was still underway," the public prosecutor said. The bail plea of the three officials were rejected by additional sessions judge M S Azmi. Earlier, their bail application had been turned down by a Metropolitan Magistrate Court. The 40-year-old bridge, connecting the area near the Times of India building with the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station in south Mumbai, had collapsed on March 14, killing seven people. Desai, who worked with a private firm, had allegedly given clearance for continued use of the bridge after a structural audit. A preliminary report into the collapse submitted by the BMC had said the structural audit of the foot over bridge was not carried out properly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NCP activists Saturday staged a protest here in Maharashtra condemning BJP leader sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur's statement on Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare, who died in the line of duty while repulsing terrorists in Mumbai in 2008. Thakur is the BJP candidate from Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh. Earlier in the day, scores ofNCP activists, led by party leader Jitendra Awhad, gathered at the General Arunkumar Vaidya chowk, and raised slogans condemning Thakur and praising Karkare. Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case and currently out on bail, had said that Karkare died in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack because she had "cursed" him for "torturing" her. She apologised Friday after her statement caused a furore. The ATS under Karkare had probed the bomb blast case before the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over. Awhad alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "backing" the statement made by the Hindutva leader. "Calling Thakur a 'sadhavi' (a female seer) is akin to insulting Sahdus. Seers have fought against casteist and religious discrimination," he said. Taking a dig, the NCP MLA said had Thakur should have cursed terrorists in Pakistan, if she believes that her curse is so powerful. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 58 out of total 370 candidates in the fray from all the 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat have various criminal cases registered against them, as per Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) analysis. Among them, 34 nominees are facing serious offences including the charges of murder and attempt to murder under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In terms of proportion, 16 per cent of the total candidates have criminal cases against them while 9 per cent are facing serious cases, the ADR stated. Voting in all the 26 Lok Sabha seats in the state will be held in a single phase on April 23. At 19, Independent candidates lead the pack of the 34 nominees facing serious cases, followed by the Congress (nine contestants) and the BJP (five candidates). As per the analysis, BJP chief Amit Shah, the party candidate from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat, is facing charges including criminal intimidation, mischief by fire, promoting enmity between members of different groups etc. In his poll affidavit filed last month, Shah had declared that though four criminal cases were pending against him, he has not been convicted in any of them. Bharatiya Tribal Party candidate and party chief Chhotu Vasava and his Congress opponent from Bharuch Lok Sabha constituency, Sherkhan Pathan are faceing charges related to murder. Apart from the charges registered section 302 (Punishment for murder) of the IPC at Jhagadiya police station in 1993, Vasava also faces charges related to theft, rioting, causing grievous hurt, criminal conspiracy among others. The charges are yet to be framed. Pathan also faces five other serious cases, including charges related to undue influence during elections, kidnapping, and voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons. Bhagvan Goltar, an Independent candidate in the fray from Surendranagar seat, and Vijay Parmar, the Bahujan Samaj Party nominee from Rajkot, are also facing charges of murder, attempt to murder, robbery under the IPC, as per ADR. Amrutbhai Karia, an Independent candidate from Junagadh constituency, has the highest number of 11 serious cases against him. These cases are related to attempt to murder, forgery, cheating, endangering life or personal safety of others, it said. BJP contestant from Anand, Mitesh Patel has nine serious offences registered against him, including promoting enmity between members of different groups, rioting with deadly weapons, mischief with fire, and house breaking among others, it said. Patel also faces the charges related to cheating, promoting enmity between two communities, rioting and arson, related to the post-Godhra riots. He was acquitted by a court, which was challenged in the Gujarat High Court by the state government, where the matter is pending. Pravin Dengada, an Independent candidate from Rajkot, has six serious offences pending against him, including theft, mischief by fire, using deadly weapon to voluntary causing hurt, among others, the ADR analysis shows. Bhupat Solanki, an Independent candidate from Surendranagar, also has six serious offences registered against him that include dacoity, causing hurt by dangerous weapons, house trespass etc. Geetaben Patel, who is in the arena from Ahmedabad (East) seat on a Congress ticket, has five serious offences against her related to house-tresspass and voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant, among others. Dharamsinhbhai Dhapa, a Vyavastha Parivartan Party candidate from Amreli seat, has five serious offences against him including dacoity, mischief by fire or explosives, and house-tresspass. Congress nominee from Dahod Babubhai Katara has four serious cases against him related to cheating and forgery. Rajkot candidate Lalit Kagathara of Congress is facing serious offences including bribery, undue influence and illegal payment during elections. Vadodara candidate Prashant Patel of Congress also faces three serious charges under the IPC, including forgery and cheating. Soyabhai Bhoraniya, an Independent candidate from Patan, is facing charges related to attempt to murder and voluntarily causing hurt. Another independent candidate from Jamnagar seat, Sama Yusuf, also faces attempt to murder charge. Vechat Khant, a Congress candidate from Panchmahal seat, faces charges related to dacoity. Junagadh BJP candidate Rajesh Chudasama is facing serious offences including assault or using criminal force against woman with intent to outrage her modesty. Amardas Dasani, an independent candidate from Rajkot, is also facing the similar charges. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korea has issued a relatively mild criticism of White House national security adviser John Bolton over a recent interview he gave. State media on Saturday cited First Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui as criticising Bolton for telling Bloomberg that the US would need more evidence of North Korea's disarmament commitment before a third leaders' summit. Choe described Bolton's comments as having "no charm" and being "dim-sighted" Her criticism is much softer than the North's typical fiery rhetoric usually directed at the US and South Korea. North Korea blames the US for deadlocked nuclear negotiations. Some observers say the North is avoiding harsh rhetoric at the US to keep diplomacy alive. On Thursday, the North demanded US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo be removed from nuclear negotiations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress candidate from North Goa Lok Sabha seat, Girish Chodankar, has claimed that there was no sympathy wave for the ruling BJP after the death of four-time chief minister Manohar Parrikar. He also said the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party's move of joining hands with the Congress has improved his party's poll prospects in the state. Chodankar is contesting against BJP candidate and Union minister Shripad Naik. "Contrary to the expectations of the BJP leaders, there is no sympathy wave for the party after Parrikar's death," Chodankar told PTI on Friday during his campaign trail. There is a small section of BJP workers, who are still carrying the sympathy plank in the election, but not the entire party, he said. "A small percentage of voters might get carried away with the feeling of sympathy. But by and large, there is no such trend among the voters, who are determined to get Congress elected to power," Chodankar, who is also the head of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), said. Parrikar died on March 17 this year after a year-long battle with a pancreatic ailment. Chodankar said MGP's support has boosted the poll prospects of Congress's both the Lok Sabha candidates in Goa. MGP's relations with the BJP soured after its leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sudin Dhavalikar was dropped from the cabinet last month. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had said he had to drop Dhavalikar from the cabinet as he "failed" to adhere to the common minimum programme of the coalition government. The MGP, which won three assembly seats in the 2017 polls, was one of the key allies in the BJP-led government in the state. "MGP joining hands with us is a big boost to our prospects. MGP workers are aggressively campaigning in various assembly constituencies in support of me and also our South Goa Parliamentary seat candidate Francis Sardinha," he said. When asked whether Congress was eyeing a long-term association with the MGP, Chodankar said it was up to the latter. "But we have always been saying that the parties which are against the BJP should come together, provided they have a common agenda to protect Goa and the Goan identity," he said. The Congress leader said that he has been receiving tremendous support from the people belonging to mining, tourism and other sectors, who have "determined to defeat the BJP". Election to the two Lok Sabha seats and three assembly bypolls in the state will be held on April 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Facing flak for her remarks against Hemant Karkare, the then Maharashtra ATS chief killed in the 26/11 terror attack, Malegaon blast accused and BJP candidate Pragya Singh Thakur on Saturday demanded an apology from those who "tortured" her for "nine years". After her statement that Karkare died in the 26/11 terror attack because she had "cursed" him for "torturing" her led to a furore, Thakur had apologised on Friday. However, when reporters reached her residence on Saturday and asked her about the controversial statement, Thakur lost her cool and said, "Will you get an apology from those who tortured me for nine years?" "I have myself apologised yesterday... I give you the authority to get an apology from those who tortured me," she added. Out on bail, Thakur (48) is facing trial under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. Six people died in the blast at Malegaon, a communally sensitive town in North Maharashtra, on September 29, 2008, with the ATS claiming that it was the work of a group of Hindu extremists. The BJP on Wednesday announced Thakur's candidature from the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, where she would be facing senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh. Her statement about Karkare triggered a political storm with opposition parties attacking the BJP, and the Congress demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The saffron party distanced itself from her comment, saying it was her "personal view" which she might have made "due to years of physical and mental torture". On Friday, Thakur was quoted as saying by her aide that she felt the "enemies of the country" were benefiting from her statement, so "I take back my statement and apologise for it". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former prime minister Manmohan Singh Saturday claimed the Congress' 'Nyay' minimum income guarantee scheme will not result in any new taxes and help restart the "economic engine" which has come to a "stop". The senior Congress leader's remark comes as the BJP has claimed that the scheme will "ruin" fiscal discipline and the Congress will impose new taxes on middle class to finance it. The Congress has promised to give an annual income support of Rs 72,000 to poor families under the scheme, if voted to power. The former prime minister, also a noted economist, said his party is committed to fiscal discipline. "Nyay scheme will cost between 1.2-1.5 per cent of GDP at its peak. Our nearly USD3 trillion economy has the fiscal capacity to absorb this expenditure. There will be no need for any new taxes on the middle class to finance Nyay. The economic stimulus it will provide will further help in fiscal discipline," he said. The scheme has been conceptualised after much thought and consultations with experts, he added. Singh said as the Congress government in 1991 brought in a new paradigm for India's development with the de-licensing regime and a rights based approach to governance in 2004-14, he was confident that a Congress-led dispensation in 2019 will implement 'Nyay' scheme successfully and usher in a new model for social justice and prudent economics. "It is my sincere belief that Nyay has the potential to catapult India into the club of 'poverty free' nations in the world and I hope to be able to live to see our nation achieve this historic milestone," he said. In remarks aimed at the Narendra Modi government, he said 'Nyay' will help restart "our economic engine that has come to a stop today". "At a time when private investment and industrial production are low, Nyay can help bring our economy back to life and create new factories and jobs," Singh said. The senior Congress leader said nearly 70 per cent of Indians were poor when India attained Independence from the British and the figure has come down to 20 per cent with sound policies adopted by successive governments over the last seven decades. It is time now to renew our pledge to wipe out the last remains of poverty,he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi said here Saturday that the 'Nyay' minimum income scheme promised by his party will act like "petrol" and revive the economy. He was addressing his first poll rally in Chhattisgarh after the Lok Sabha elections were announced. With the Nyay scheme, people will be able to buy things they need "which will revive manufacturing units and thereby generate employment opportunities", he said. "Nyay scheme will act like petrol for the Indian economy which will kickstart its engine," he added. "In 2014, Narendra Modi made tall promises of providing two crore jobs, fair prices to farmers and depositing Rs 15 lakh in everyone's bank account," the Congress chief said. Instead, Modi "snatched money from the poor and put it in the pockets" of a few businessmen, he said. "Modi had raised hopes of people by promising to deposit Rs 15 lakh in their account. I was well aware that it cannot be done," Gandhi said. "I spoke with world's renowned economists and senior leaders of Congress about how much money can be put into the accounts of the poor so that it would not affect the economy. I spoke to (former finance minister) P C Chidambaram and others and asked them to come up with a figure. "Chidambaram came to me and said we can give Rs 72,000 to five crore poor families per year," he said. "When we promised to waive farm loans in Chhattisgarh, Modi had asked where the money will come from. But we showed where the money comes from after waiving farm loans in Chhattigsrh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan (after winning Assembly polls in the three states)," Gandhi said. As soon as we are elected to power, we will deposit Rs 72,000 in bank accounts of poorest families," he said. "In the 21st century, India will surely eliminate poverty. We will show it by carrying out a surgical strike on poverty in the next 10-15 years," the Congress chief said. The money under Nyay will be deposited in the account of the woman member of the family because it was women "who have suffered much due to demonetisation", he said. The unemployment rate in the country stands at a 45-year high due to demonetisation and the "Gabbar Singh Tax" (as he refers to Goods and Services Tax), Gandhi said. During demonetisation, "money was taken out from people's pockets and put in banks" and later given to businessmen like Nirav Modi who fled from the country, Gandhi said. Promising a separate farmers' budget, Gandhi said wherever farmers seek loan waiver, the demand will be met. The Congress has fielded Atal Shrivastav, state Congress' general secretary, from Bilaspur, which will go to the polls in the third phase on April 23. His main rival is BJP's Arun Sao. The BJP denied ticket to its incumbent MP Lakhanlal Sahu. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a stinging attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and remarked that the people of the country have made up their minds to "relieve the chowkidar of his duties". "He (Modi) sought the votes of the people with the promise of playing the role of a chowkidar (watchman). But he ended up becoming a chowkidar for the likes of Anil Ambani. Now the people have made up their minds to relieve him of his duties," Gandhi told an election rally here. Continuing his attack, the Congress president said fear is nowadays writ large on the face of the "chowkidar". "It is the fear of defeat, of getting exposed before the people and of the fact that once the Rafale deal is investigated properly the chowkidar himself will be in jail along with the likes of Anil Ambani," he said. "Let him (Modi) try as much as he can, the people of Bihar, the people of the country have made up their minds that they will not allow the chowkidar to have another term in office," he claimed. Gandhi alleged that the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government had been more generous in providing assistance to Bihar than the NDA regime despite BJP sharing power in the state as well. He calimed that when the Kosi region of Bihar was ravaged by floods in 2008, the UPA government had extended assistance of more than Rs 100 crore. On the other hand in 2017, when the state was again hit by the natural calamity, the Modi government did not give even five rupees to the state. The Congress president also reiterated his promises of giving annual assistance of Rs 72,000 to five crore poor households under the NYAY scheme, besides government jobs to 22 lakh youths against posts that have been lying vacant, and employment to another one million at the Panchayat level. "The Modi government has done a lot of anyay (injustice). We will rectify that with our NYAY (a pun on the Hindi word for justice)", Gandhi said. "The Congress does not believe in making empty promises. We fulfilled our electoral promise of waiving farmers loans in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh soon after coming to power in these states. If we form the next government at the Centre, we will do the needful for farmers of all regions - including Bihar," he said. "We will come out with a separate farmers budget which will help those involved in agriculture get an idea beforehand of what lies in store for them. We will also come out with projects that are in keeping with the potentials of the respective regions," he said. The Congress, Gandhi said, proposes to set up processing units of maize and makhana (fox nut) in the Kosi region. The Congress presidents rally was attended by sitting party MP Ranjeet Ranjan, AICC spokesman in-charge for the state Shaktisinh Gohil and BPCC president Madan Mohan Jha, besides alliance partners like Upendra Kushwaha, who heads the RLSP and HAM founding president, Jitan Ram Manjhi. Notably RJD de facto leader Tejashwi Yadav, whose non-appearance at rallies held by Gandhi in Bihar during the general elections has been noted by common people and political commentators alike, was conspicuous by his absence here. Yadav has, however, been asserting that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his father Lalu Prasad used to hold rallies separately in the 2015 assembly polls despite having an alliance and went on to win the elections hands down belying skeptics. The RJD has put up a rebel candidate against Congress' sitting MP Ranjeet Ranjan at Supaul in protest against her husband Pappu Yadav entering the fray from adjoining Madhepura from where the party has fielded veteran socialist Sharad Yadav. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Today, the outstanding Russian-Azerbaijani writer, literary critic, doctor of philology, professor of the philological faculty of Moscow State University, honored art worker of Azerbaijan Chingiz Huseynov turns 90 years old. Chingiz Hasan oglu Huseynov was born in 1929 in Baku. In 1952, he graduated from the philological faculty of Moscow State University, in 1956, completed a postgraduate course at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. He worked as a consultant in the Commission on Literature of the Peoples of the USSR under the Union of Writers of the USSR (1955-1971). Since 1991, he has been teaching at the philological faculty of Moscow State University and at the same time at the Academy of Retraining of Culture and Art Workers. In 1999, Huseynov was awarded the Order of Friendship. He wrote many books, including six novels translated into many languages. The writer gained popularity due to his novels "Magomed, Mamed, Mamish", "Family Secrets", "Fatal Fatali", "Doctor N" and others. The novel "Fatal Fatali" describes the Russian-Caucasian relations in the 19th century, and the Doctor N novel - the collapse of the Russian Empire in the Caucasus in the early 20th century. Chingiz Huseynov is the chairman of the Council on Azerbaijani Literature of the International Community of Writers Unions and a member of the Council of the Federal National-Cultural Autonomy of Russian Azerbaijanis. In addition, he is a recognized expert in the field of literary creativity of the peoples of Russia and the former USSR. Huseynov presented his lectures and presentations at major scientific conferences in Germany, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, USA, France, Turkey and other countries. Vestnik Kavkaza congratulates Chingiz Huseynov on his anniversary. A Delhi court Saturday said it would hear on April 24, a police plea to cancel the bail of a former woman Supreme Court employee, who has accused Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi of sexual misconduct, in a cheating and criminal intimidation case. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Manish Khurana listed the matter for Wednesday as the accused woman was not served with the copy of the police's plea. The police sought cancellation of the bail granted to the woman on March 12, after the complainant claimed that he was being threatened by the former Supreme Court staffer and her associates. An FIR for the alleged offences of cheating, criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy was lodged against the woman on March 3, after a complaint was filed by Naveen Kumar, a resident of Jhajjar in Haryana, at the Tilak Marg Police Station here. Kumar has alleged that the former apex court employee had defrauded him of Rs 50,000, which he claimed she took as part of a bribe, promising him a job at the Supreme Court. He claimed that in June 2017, he met the woman through a common friend, Mansha Ram, regarding his employment and she had told him she was a personal assistant of a judge in the Supreme Court and her husband was also an officer. Kumar said the woman had claimed that she has good contacts and can get him employed as process server or as a class-IV employee in the Supreme Court in about one-and-a-half month time, and for this she allegedly demanded Rs 10 lakh from him. "On her inducement, the complainant paid an advance of Rs 50,000 to her in cash in the presence of Ram in the Supreme Court complex. Till three months, he did not receive any information regarding his employment. Thereafter, he along with Ram again met the woman at Supreme Court complex. "She told him that the employment will take more time and he should not visit her in the Supreme Court and threatened him to implicate in some false case," the police said in the application seeking cancellation of her bail. Kumar said he remained in touch with Ram, who died in January this year due to illness. He approached the police claiming that he has been cheated of Rs 50,000 by the woman on the pretext of his employment in the apex court and that she neither returned his money nor got him employed. He alleged the woman and her husband threatened him for life if he demanded the money back. During the investigation, the woman was arrested by the police on March 10 and was sent to judicial custody by a court here the next day. She was granted bail on March 12. On March 14, the investigation in to the case was taken up by the crime branch of Delhi Police and the complainant addressed an application to the DCP that he was being threatened by the woman and her associates. The police also told the court, in its application, that the SSP of Jhajjar has been sent a letter to provide adequate protection to the complainant. It is pertinent to mention that the woman Friday sent a sworn affidavit to the residences of 22 apex court judges which became public on Saturday. In her affidavit, the former SC employee has described two incidents of alleged molestation by the CJI. Both the alleged incident took place in October 2018, within days of CJI Gogoi being appointed to the post. This allegations prompted the Supreme Court to hold an extraordinary hearing on Saturday morning. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate and Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur Saturday hit out at Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and alleged he was "guilty" in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that followed the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Nath, speaking to reporters in Chhindwara on Friday, had condemned Thakur's statement on former Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare. "I condemn Pragya Thakur's statement. If this her start, where its end will take them," Nath had said. Hitting back, Thakur said, "A person guilty in the 1984 riots who is Madhya Pradesh chief minister now is asking what will be my end. Don't talk about my end. He (Nath) has no moral right to bother about a sadhvi. You stay put in your corrupt life." Thakur, out on bail in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, is under fire for saying that Karkare died in the 26/11 terror attack because she had cursed him for 'torturing' her when he probed the Malegaon blast as chief of the ATS. Earlier, in a television interview on Friday, Prime Minister Modi had defended the decision to field Thakur from the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, saying she is a "symbol" for those who described Hindus as terrorists. "The decision (to field Thakur) is a befitting reply to individuals who linked a whole religion and culture to terror," the prime minister had said taking a jibe at the Congress over saffron terror remarks. Thakur is pitted against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh from the Bhopal seat in Madhya Pradesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Madhya Pradesh Finance Minister Tarun Bhanot Saturday lodged a police complaint seeking action against BJP's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Pragya Singh Thakur for her remarks against former Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare. Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, had earlier claimed Karkare died in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks as she had "cursed" him for "torturing" her. Bhanot said he had filed the case with the city's Gorakhpur police station as a private citizen and not in the capacity of a state minister. "I as a citizen filed a complaint with the city police demanding action against BJP candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh for making derogatory remarks against Hemant Karkare," Bhanot told PTI here. "I am hurt with her remarks against a martyr and filed the complaint as a citizen and not a minister. I am seeking action as per law against her," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Members of the Rajput community continued their protest for the third day on Saturday for their demand to arrest people involved in abduction of a bride, police said. The protesters gathered outside the Sikar district collectorate demanding strict action against the culprits, they said. "A group has been protesting and demanding the arrest of the suspects. The search for the bride and the prime suspect is on. As a preventive measure, internet services have been suspended in the area till 6 pm today," Additional SP Devendra Kumar Sharma said. Five people have been detained in connection with the incident whereas prime accused Ankit Sevda is still on the run, he said. On Wednesday, bride Hansa Kanwar was abducted by a group of armed men at gun point here when she and her husband were on the way to their home. Hansa and her elder sister Sonu got married Tuesday to two brothers from Nagwa village. After the wedding, when they were returning in a car from Nagwa village, the accused attacked the vehicle and abducted Hansa. The incident had occurred near Rambashpura area which comes under the jurisdiction of Dhod police station. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate Ravi Shankar Prasad Saturday questioned actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha's commitment to the Congress, his new party, for favouring SP leader Akhilesh Yadav as the prime ministerial candidate. Prasad, BJP nominee for Patna Sahib parliamentary seat, also claimed that the "opportunistic alliance" of the opposition parties in Bihar has disintegrated as RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav did not share stage with Congress president Rahul Gandhi in his rallies. The union minister is now in direct contest with Sinha, the two-time BJP MP from Patna Sahib, who has been made a candidate by the Congress this time. Talking to reporters, Prasad said he would not name his rival during the entire electioneering. To a query about Sinha favouring Akhilesh Yadav as the prime ministerial candidate, Prasad said, "You better ask this question to the Patna Sahib MP. He has been an MP for 22 years. He has now gone to a new party. He should tell you what is the yardstick for commitment in the new party." Sinha, despite being a Congress candidate, has said in a television interview that he sees the SP leader as the prime ministerial candidate. Sinha's wife Poonam Sinha had on April 18 filed her nomination papers from Lucknow as a Samajwadi Party nominee against BJP candidate and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Shatrughan Sinha was a Rajya Sabha member for two terms between 1996 and 2008. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Patna Sabhib seat in 2009 and 20014 on BJP ticket. However, his relation with the party's leadership has been bitter for the past few years. The disgruntled MP has publicly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi a number of times during this period. The 'mahagathbandhan' in Bihar has disintegreted as RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav did not share the stage with Congress president Rahul Gandhi during his rallies in the state on Saturday, Prasad claimed. "It was an opportunistic alliance and it has disintegrated", he alleged. The two leaders - Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav - "who are out on bail are not sharing the stage. This shows that these leaders have come together only to oppose Modi and nothing else", he said. Gandhi and Yadav have secured bails in the National Herald case and the IRCTC scam case respectively. The NDA has the strong leadership of Narendra Modi with clear policy and intention to build a strong India, the minister said. Prasad claimed that he had played a major role in bringing Metro Rail and smart city projects to Patna and promised to effectively implement the central govenrment's schemes in Patna, if he elected from Patna Sahib. Speaking on the occasion, Bihar minister Nand Kishore Yadav of the BJP said the people of Patna Sahib felt cheated by the activities of Shatrughan Sinha and they will elect Prasad in record margin. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reliance Industries Saturday said it is not in violation of the US sanctions on Venezuela and had purchased crude originating from the Latin American nation from companies such as Russia's Rosneft in full knowledge of US authorities. In a statement, Reliance said reports suggesting that it was involved in an arrangement that leads to cash payment for oil supplies to Venezuelan national oil company PDVSA via third parties are "false and reckless". "Reliance has purchased Venezuelan crude oil from companies such as (Russia's) Rosneft long before the imposition of the US sanctions, as they do get title to Venezuelan oil in return for reduction in their prior debt. "Since sanctions were imposed, Reliance has made such purchases with the full knowledge and approval of the US Department of State (USDOS), and Reliance has informed USDOS of specific volumes and transactions. Such transactions do not lead to any consequent payment to PDVSA and do not violate US sanctions or policies," it said. Reliance said its price agreement with such sellers is at market price and payments are settled in cash or by product supply bilaterally between it and such sellers. "It is false to suggest that Reliance would be settling such shipments via Rosneft to PDVSA. In these transactions, PDVSA is only the original physical supplier, as the crude oil originates in its export facilities," the statement said. Reliance had last month stated that it had stopped all oil exports to US sanctions-hit Venezuela and will not resume sales until sanctions are lifted. Reliance, whose twin refineries at Jamnagar in Gujarat were major importers of Venezuelan crude oil, has reduced purchases by about a third. The US imposed economic sanctions on Venezuela in late January 2019 with a view to curb the country's crude exports and put pressure on socialist President Nicolas Maduro to step down. Reliance has investments in US shale gas projects and trades fuel in North America. "Our US subsidiary has completely stopped all business with Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PDVSA, and its global parent has not increased crude purchases," the company had said last month. "In addition, since sanctions were imposed and contrary to some reports, Reliance has halted all supply of diluent to PDVSA and will not resume such sales until sanctions are lifted." US oil sanctions on Venezuela do not ban importing crude oil from the Latin American nation but bar imports from the US of the diluents that must be blended with the extra-heavy oil from Venezuela's Orinoco Belt so it can flow through pipelines. Industry sources said Reliance had a contract to buy some 3 million barrels of crude oil from Venezuela a month, which has been reduced to about 2 million barrels already. Venezuela's state-owned oil company PDVSA has been placed on the US Treasury Department's Specially Designated Nationals list, which generally prohibits American citizens from dealing with named firms or individuals. This has resulted in international banks and shipping companies as well as Reliance ceasing any transactions with the firm. These restrictions came into force on March 29 after an eight week winding down period for contracts that were already in effect. Oil from the Orinoco Belt needs to be diluted with lighter grades to reduce its viscosity so as to allow its flow through pipelines to the coast for export or processing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi Saturday said that "reputation" is the only thing which a judge has and if it will be attacked on baseless allegations of sexual harassment, no "sane person" will come forward to take up judgeship. "If such things will happen then no judge is going to decide matters. He (judge) will say why should I decide. Then I will come (in the court) and simply adjourn the cases. Why will any sane person want to become a judge? Reputation is the only thing which a judge has," the CJI said. Justice Gogoi was speaking during a specially convened hearing on Saturday in the Supreme Court where he heard the matter along with Justices Arun Mishra and Sanjiv Khanna. The CJI said that after being a judge for around two decades, he had a bank balance of Rs 6.80 lakh. "I have a bank balance of Rs 6.80 lakh. There is Rs 21.80 lakh in my bank account out of which Rs 15 lakh has been given by my daughter for the repair of my house at Guwahati. I have around Rs 40 lakh in provident fund. These are my total assets," he said. "When I had become a judge, I had much more," he said, adding, "Nobody can catch me on money. People have to find something and they have found this". "If judges have to work under these conditions then, I have always said in my public meetings, that good people will not come forward to take up the job. My peon has got more money than me," he said. The CJI alleged that the woman has a criminal record and two FIRs were lodged against her. When she was employed with the apex court, an FIR was pending against her, Justice Gogoi said. "How can she become a Supreme Court staff when an FIR was pending against her," the CJI said, adding that two criminal cases were also pending against her husband. A third FIR was registered against her following which she was arrested, he said, adding that after getting bail, she threatened the complainant of the third case with dire consequences. He said the woman was in jail for four days because of her criminal record and she was warned by the police a couple of times to maintain good behaviour. "I felt that this should be told from the highest seat of judiciary," he said, adding, "Independence of judiciary is under very, very serious threat. It is pathetic". The CJI said that police has moved a trial court here seeking cancellation of the bail granted to the woman and the matter was listed for hearing before a lower court Saturday itself. Attorney General K K Venugopal told the court that earlier also two such instances had come into light, one against a former apex court judge and other against a senior advocate, and in these cases the media was asked not to publish anything. "The CJI's today's statement should get the widest publicity as possible," he said. Venugopal said the law contemplated that name of either the complainant or the respondent should not be published in such cases but the portals, which have carried out the allegations, have "brazenly published" it. He also said that being the attorney general, he was being attacked by a lawyer for defending the government in a case. "The lawyer said they were disappointed with the court's order...What was he insinuating?," Venugopal said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that it "appears to be a sheer blackmail technique" and there was a need to conduct probe against the "unscrupulous lady". "In a probe, we can find a similar pattern. was published within an hour," Mehta said, adding, "Such rubbish has been published". To this, the CJI said, "The responsibility of holding this special sitting is mine being the CJI. I have taken this unusual and extraordinary step because things have gone too far. The judiciary cannot be made a scapegoat." During the hearing, Justice Mishra said that there was concern about independence of judiciary as people have faith in the judicial system of the country. Justice Sanjiv Khanna said that judges have to decide the cases and they cannot be put under such kind of strain. "The employee was dismissed from service following proper procedure. Suddenly they have woken up and levelled such allegations," Justice Khanna said. At the fag end of hearing, the solicitor general told the bench, "Please register an appropriate proceedings in my name." To this, the CJI said, "Leave it to the media to exercise restrain and act responsibly. Whatever further judicial orders are required to be passed, we will see later". During the hearing, the CJI also said that every employee in the apex court is treated fairly and decently. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP MLA Radha Mohan Das Agarwal Friday condemned his party's Bhopal Lok Sabha seat candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur's remarks on IPS officer Hemant Karkare, who was killed in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, saying the comments were "shameful". Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, is under fire for claiming that Karkare died in the attack as she had "cursed" him for "torturing" her. "Hemant Karkare fought terrorists without wearing a bulletproof jacket. Calling his martyrdom a result of her curse is very shameful and terming him an anti-national is an act of treason," the Gorakhpur MLA said in a tweet. When contacted, he said, "Yes, I have tweeted that Pragya Thakur's statement on Hemant Karkare's martyrdom is an act of treason and I am standing by it. Hemant Karkare is a martyr and was a great police officer." On the BJP's decision on selecting her as a candidate for the seat in Madhya Pradesh, the MLA said, the party has already disassociated itself from Thakur's statement. The BJP has not endorsed her statement and that is why she apologised. Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Karkare's house to condole the family, he said. After the BJP distanced itself from the controversial statement, Thakur, according to a close aide of hers, had apologised for her remarks at a public meeting in Madhya Pradesh's Berasia area on Friday. "It's good that Pragya Thakur has taken back her statement and also apologised, but it is different that she might have done it on the high command's order," Agarwal tweeted again. Investigations in the blast case was led by Karkare, who was the then chief of the Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad. Thakur at a rally in Bhopal on Thursday had said Karkare committed an "anti-national" act by falsely implicating her in the Malegaon blast case and keeping her behind bars without evidence."It was treason. It was against religion," she had said. "He tortured me and subjected me to harsh abuse which was unbearable. I told him he will be destroyed. A little over a month later 'sutak' (ritual observed after death of a family member) was going to start...just over a month later, he was shot dead by terrorists and the inauspicious period ended," Thakur had said. Out on bail, Thakur has been discharged by a court on charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the 2008 case, but is still facing trial under other criminal provisions, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai Saturday said he would walk out of the BJP-led government if it deviated from the common minimum programme chalked out under former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar. Sardesai, chief of the Goa Forward Party, was talking at an NDA rally in support of BJP's South Goa candidate and sitting MP Narendra Sawaikar. "If I find that the current government moves away from the common minimum program adopted by Parrikar-led coalition, then it would not take a single minute to walk out of the government," he said in presence of the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. "But I have no reason to believe that I would have to walk out of the government. Pramod Sawant has assured that he would be following the common minimum programme charted out by Parrikar," he added. He said that "special status" for Goa might not be possible but the state government can take special measures to protect "Goem, Goemkar and Goemkarponn (Goa, Goans, Goanness). "When Congress president Rahul Gandhi had come to Goa, he had assured to give special status to Goa. I have been hearing about special status from my days as Youth Congress president. Several finance ministers have categorically made it clear that special status for Goa is not possible," he said. "We can have special measures to protect Goem, Goemkar and Goemkarponn. We can have legislative measures for that and I am sure Narendra Sawaikar will do it," he said, adding that it would be done by taking a "middle approach" and striking a balance. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba Saturday said he was satisfied with the force's fleet and said more aircraft and submarines would be inducted in the days to come. The admiral was speaking at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders here during the the launch of guided missile destroyer Imphal. "I am very much satisfied with the fleet we currently have. Whatever ships or aircraft we have, I am satisfied with. We have a long-term perspective plan and we're going to induct more and more submarines, aircraft in coming days as part of that plan," Admiral Lanba said. He said, over the years, due to visionary leadership, the Navy had become a "builder" from a "buyer" and was slated to excel in coming years. "In the early 60s, the Indian Navy took a conscious decision to be a builder navy and not a buyer navy. A small team of 15 officers was set up. In the meantime, the Navy and the nation invested money in shipyards to build complex warships and submarines," he said. "Now we have self sufficient and reliant teams of experts to make aircraft carriers to advanced submarines," he said. "We are so self-reliant that SAIL is manufacturing the entire steel required to build submarines and warships. Even weapons and sensors are now being made in India. Indigenous content in P15 Bravo is more than 75 per cent," he said. Lanba informed that indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant was undergoing outfitting in Cochin Shipyard and its harbour acceptance were on trial stage. "Its harbour acceptance are in progress and sea acceptance trial will commence in the later half of this year. It will be delivered to the Indian Navy by 2021," he said. When asked about the delivery of previously launched Visakhapatnam (2015) and Mormugao warships (2016) and which are being fitted with equipment in Mazagon Dock, Lanba said the delivery time line of these warships will start in April 2021 and go on till 2024. He admitted there has been delay in the delivery of these warships launched under the Project P-15 Bravo. "As far as project (P-15B) is concerned, there has been a delay in the first two ships but Mazagon Dock is going to catch up and the project will be completed as per scheduled time line of 2024," he said. Admiral Lanba also told the gathering that the Navy was looking forward to the delivery of the second Scorpene submarine and it will be commissioned withing one month of delivery. Explaining the reason behind naming the guided missile destroyer Imphal, Lanba said it was so named as the battle of Imphal and Kohima would complete 75 years this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the most famous symbols of the capital of France since it was built over 850 years ago, and for many Russians, the image of Paris is largely associated with this gothic building, the analyst of Vestnik Kavkaza, Darya Melikhova told today in the National Question program on Vesti. FM. The National Question is a weekly program on Vesti.FM, during which various aspects of national relations, primarily in Russia, are discussed. Russias reaction to the fire in Notre-Dame de Paris was discussed in todays program. The expert noted that the tourist route in the French capital includes at least a dozen "mandatory" attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Champs-Elysees, Palace of Versailles, the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de la Bastille, Montmartre. But the most visited object in Paris for more than one century was the Notre-Dame de Paris. "For those who visited this place, Notre-Dame was perceived not only as a pearl of Gothic architecture but also as a keeper of history. A place where the past eras flashed before our eyes, of which the Cathedral was a witness or even a participant," Melekhova said. She recalled that the cathedral had a difficult fate. "The construction was repeatedly subjected to destruction and reconstruction, and more than once there was a real threat of its complete destruction and oblivion. During the French Revolution, the Cathedral was desacralized and de-Christianized. For some time it was turned into a secular temple. Notre-Dame survived two world wars and remained almost unscathed. Victor Hugos novel Notre-Dame de Paris, published in 1831, forever secured the cathedrals place in popular culture, the expert recalled. According to Melekhova, the popularity of Notre-Dame de Paris is explained not only by its unique architecture and luxurious interior decoration. "This is the place where millions of Christians made pilgrimages. In Notre-Dame de Paris, the nail with which Jesus Christ was crucified, the part of the cross, and the Crown of Thorns, with which Jesus Christ ascended to the place of his execution, were preserved. There was one of the largest organs in the world, consisting of 8 thousand pipes. Also the Cathedral was home for the Vladimir Mother of God icon, which was presented by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II during his visit to Paris in 2007, the analyst said. "Notre-Dame de Paris is perceived as something living. It is not just a building. There has been prayer for centuries," Darya Melekhova concluded. An autonomous robot navigation system, intelligent vehicle monitoring system, smart bins, destination finder for public transport and smart cushion-cum-mattress are among various projects developed by students of Indian Institute of Technology here. A total of 60 projects were on display on the IIT campus during the institute's "Open Day". "The projects range from agriculture to security, from healthcare to atmospheric sciences. It is important to expose children to some of these research activities early on. They may not understand everything, but they will have lifelong memories of what they see or hear during their day-long interactions and visits to the research labs. Sometimes, it is these small triggers or casual interactions that shape one's future," IIT Delhi Director V Ramgopal Rao said at a press conference. The one-day event provided an insight into path-breaking research work, new initiatives, student projects and advanced facilities and laboratories at IIT Delhi. "This year more than 3,500 students from about 100 schools attended the Open House. The students witnessed more than 60 demonstrations presenting the ongoing research from various departments of IIT Delhi and about 300 posters in the area of health, energy, clean air and water, artificial intelligence, robotics, and nanotechnology," Rao said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prohibitory orders were clamped in parts of the district that witnessed violence after an audio clip containing alleged derogatory remarks about a community went viral, police said Saturday. Nearly 1,500 police personnel have been deployed in Ponamaravathy area, where violence was reported and regulatory orders under CrPc section 144 had been promulgated to restore normalcy, they said adding situation in the area was being closely monitored. Meanwhile, District Collector Uma Maheswari Saturday ordered closure of liquor shops in the district. In the audio clip, two men are purportedly heard making derogatory comments against the community. Several vehicles, including government buses and shops were damaged in violent incidents over the past two days, they said. Thirteen people, including three policemen were injured when a group of villagers belonging to the community indulged in stone-pelting in Ponamaravathi on Friday. Earlier, the agitators laid siege to the police station demanding the arrest of the accused. Based on a complaint from the Ponamaravathy Tahsildar, a case was registered against 1,000 people under seven sections of IPC, police said. Bus services were being restored in a phased manner, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiv Sena will continue to support farmers' agitations, party chief Uddhav Thackeray said Saturday. Thackeray was addressing a rally in Hatkanangale in support of party candidate Dhairyasheel Mane, who is pitted against Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana's sitting MP Raju Shetti. The SSS is now aligned with the Congress-NCP combine in the state. The Sena chief said the ongoing Lok Sabha elections was to solve the problems of farmers and claimed they had no leader for the past several years. Thackeray added he was not a leader of farmers but a friend and that he would stand shoulder to shoulder with them till the last breath of his life. "I am sure Dhairyasheel Mane will go to the Lok Sabha. I want to see a smile on the face of farmers. Not just Maharashtra, but the whole country should be proud of the state's farmers. I am satisfied the Shiv Sena kept supporting farmers when they were committing suicide due to debts and from worries about their children's weddings," he said. "The Sena had conducted mass weddings for children of farmers in the name of late Sena patriarch Balasaheb Thackeray ... the Sena will continue to publicly support farmers in their agitations," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Should Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi against whom sexual harassment allegations are levelled have heard the matter sitting in the bench? The question remains even though the CJI opted himself out midway in the hearing and left it to the other two judges, who were nominated to be a part of the bench, to take a call for passing the judicial order. Some senior advocates agreed to speak on the issue, but wished not to reveal their names. A senior law officer, who is aware of the development, said there was nothing wrong in the CJI sitting in the three-judge bench as he had already made it clear that he will not be a part of the judicial order which would be passed by the other two judges of the bench. The law officer said as judges cannot go to the press or communicate to the public, the "CJI wanted to justify himself" and "made the remarks while sitting on the bench which should be given publicity". However, Justice Gogoi, before becoming the CJI, was part of the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court to hold a controversial press conference on January 12, 2018. Justice Gogoi along with Justices J Chelameswar, Kurian Joseph and M B Lokur, all three since retired, held the press conference, virtually revolting against then Chief Justice Dipak Misra by levelling a litany of allegations. Another senior advocate said the CJI should have kept himself away from the bench as the allegations were against him. "Ideally, I would have respected the CJI's move if he had not involved himself in the bench," he said, adding there was a need for taking the matter to the logical end. An attempt was made to reach some of the former chief justices of India on the issue, but they said they did not want to be drawn into the controversy. "It is for you people to find out what is the truth and do whatever you feel like, but I have nothing to say," a former CJI said. Describing the allegations of sexual harassment against him as "unbelievable", Justice Gogoi convened an extraordinary hearing at the Supreme Court Saturday during which he said "bigger force" was behind it and he would not stoop too low even to deny these allegations. In the hurriedly called hearing after the allegations cropped up, the apex court left it to the "wisdom of media" to show restraint and act responsibly so that independence of judiciary is not affected. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Election Commission special observer, Ajay V Nayak Saturday said the situation in West Bengal is similar to what it was in Bihar around 15 years ago and had lead to the voters' demand for deployment of central forces in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The people of West Bengal have lost faith in the state police and therefore their demand for deployment of central forces at all polling booths has increased, Nayak, who is the former Bihar chief electoral officer, said. The situation in Bihar has improved and less number of central forces are required there now, he told newsmen at the office of the West Bengal chief electoral officer here. Nayak, a 1984-batch IAS officer, was recently given the responsibility to oversee the last five phases of polls in West Bengal. "This situation in West Bengal is similar to what it was in Bihar around 15 years ago. During that time in Bihar total deployment of central forces at the booths was required. Now it is required in West Bengal as the people of West Bengal have lost faith in the state police and are seeking deployment of central forces at all the booths," he told newsmen in the office of the chief electoral officer here. "I cannot understand that if people in Bihar were able to bring in a change in the atmosphere and situation there then why is this not happening in West Bengal," Nayak said in the presence of West Bengal chief electoral officer Ariz Aftab. He said that in the third phase of polling on April 23 324 companies of central forces would be deployed to cover more than 92 per cent of the polling booths in five Lok Sabha constituencies. Balurghat, Malda North, Malda South, Jangipur and Murshidabad parliamentary constituencies will go to the polls on April 23. In the first phase on April 11 central forces were deployed in 51 per cent booths in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar parliamentary constituencies and 194 companies covered 80 per cent of the booths in Raiganj, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri in the second pase on April 18. In the first phase there were reports of booth capturing, smashing of EVMs and intimidation. Similar incidents were reported in the second phase from Chopra in Darjeeling constituency and also from Islampur in Raiganj constituency. There were also reports of damage to the vehicle of sitting CPI-M MP Mohammed Salim at Raiganj. Nayak said that no negligence was found after scrutiny of the pollings in the first phase elections and there will be no repoll in the constituencies where voting was held on the day. The special observer, however, did not dismiss chances of repolling in some booths where polling was held in the second phase. The EC has appointed Vivek Dubey as the special police observer for the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal. Meanwhile, the EC has transfered Malda superintendent of police Arnab Ghosh and has brought in commanding officer of the second batallion of state armed police Ajoy Prasad in his place. Sources said that Ghosh, who was reportedly close to the Trinamool Congress administration, was under the EC scanner. The state BJP had a few days ago urged the EC to remove Ghosh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) If the BJP benefits from the Pragatishil Samajwadi Party (Lohia) contesting the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party are to be responsible as they shunned his offer of an alliance, the party's chief and Akhilesh Yadav's estranged uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav said. Irrespective of the bonhomie between BSP supremo Mayawati and Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav in their Mainpuri rally Friday, Yadav dismissed this 'gathbandhan' (grouping) as a 'bemel' (incompatible) combination which is not likely to make much impact on the ground. "Who will guarantee that Mayawati won't switch sides after the results and go with the BJP if needed," he asked. In 2018, Shivpal had parted ways from the Samajwadi Party, founded by his elder brother Mulayam Singh Yadav, after 26 years of association, falling out with its president Akhilesh and cousin Ram Gopal Yadav, SP MP in Rajya Sabha. He launched Pragatishil Samajwadi Party (Lohia) and has given tickets to 60 candidates in Uttar Pradesh and 51 in other states. The process of giving tickets is still on. "I tried to stitch an alliance with the SP and the Congress. But none of them accommodated me in their scheme of things. Had the SP gone with me, we would have contested all 80 seats. Now they are contesting in less than half. Who will be responsible if the BJP benefits," he told PTI in an interview. In Firozabad, Shivpal is in contest with Ram Gopal Yadav's son Akshay, who is trying to save his seat that has traditionally been a SP stronghold. Akshay Yadav is the SP-BSP alliance's joint candidate. Presence of his uncle Shivpal, who is known as a ground level organisation man, may make a dent in his core votes giving an edge to the BJP which has fielded an ayurvedic doctor Chandra Sen Jadaun, analysts said. Sitting in his makeshift office-cum-residence in Sirsaganj here, Shivpal said he also approached the Congress and sought only two seats - Etawah and Firozabad - and had offered to give tickets on seats where the grand old party cannot get candidates. There were hectic meetings with top Congress leaders including general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, West UP in-charge Jyotiraditya Scindia, UP Congress chief Raj Babbar and others. They all agreed that it will be beneficial for the Congress to have this alliance, he claimed. "It did not materialise because Ram Gopal Yadav threatened the Congress that in case it enters into an alliance with my party, the SP will give tickets to candidates in Amethi and Rae Bareli," he further claimed. These two unsuccessful attempts in stitching an alliance may play on his mind in case he emerges as kingmaker after the results are declared on May 23. "We are secular people. We will prefer secular people but only if we are given proper respect and honour. If not, then central parliamentary panel will take a call. We also want to defeat the BJP, that's why we spoke to the SP and the Congress for an alliance in UP but if we are given such treatment who will be responsible," he said. Shivpal, who is meeting people in at least 20-25 villages in his constituency, said he had never expected that he would see a day when he had to leave the party which he had nurtured with his sweat and blood under the leadership of his elder brother. He accused SP Rajya Sabha member Ram Gopal Yadav of creating discord in the family by "constantly bad mouthing" about him before Mulayam Singh Yadav fondly called as "Netaji". Irrespective of parting ways with the Samajwadi Party, Shivpal keeps his elder brother in high esteem and is seeking votes for him in Mainpuri seat. In the family village, Saifai, he called a meeting of about 3,000 core workers of the party asking them to ensure votes for the patriarch, who is contesting from Mainpuri. Shivpal has not fielded any candidate so far from the seats Mulayam, Akhilesh and daughter in law Dimple Yadav are contesting. Shivpal claimed he was advised by Amar Singh to join the BJP, while he was still in the SP and he even had a phone conversation with BJP president Amit Shah but he had said no. "It was during the time of Rajya Sabha elections in 2018.Amar Singh had suggested me to speak to Shah on joining of BJP. We even had a phone conversation but then I said no. Akhilesh had called me and sought my support for his candidate. I gave full support," he said. But things were not that smooth between Akhilesh and Shivpal during the elections of the President in 2017. "Neither Akhilesh nor the Congress sought my support for their candidate. I was not consulted. I was not invited in the parties before elections. I was not called in the meetings whereas Ram Nath Kovind and Yogi Adityanath both sought my support so I extended it and had voted for Kovind," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lashing out at TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister on Saturday said "speedbreaker didi" has lost her sleep after the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. Addressing an election rally here in South Dinajpur district, Modi accused the chief minister of fooling people in the name of 'ma, mati and manush' (mother, land and people). "Speedbreaker didi has lost her sleep after the reports that came in post the first and second phase of polling in the state," the prime minister told a well-attended rally. He also flayed Banerjee for allowing people from the "neighbouring country" to campaign for the Trinamool in the state. "It is shameful that people from neighbouring country are campaigning for the TMC. This was done by the party to appease the minority community," Modi said. The prime minister criticised Banerjee for seeking proof of the Balakot air strikes in Pakistan, and asked her to, instead, collect evidence against those behind chit fund scams. Lashing out at TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said "speedbreaker didi" has lost her sleep after the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. Addressing an election rally here in South Dinajpur district, Modi accused the chief minister of fooling people in the name of 'ma, mati and manush' (mother, land and people). "Speedbreaker didi has lost her sleep after the reports that came in post the first and second phase of polling in the state," the prime minister told a well-attended rally. He also flayed Banerjee for allowing people from the "neighbouring country" to campaign for the Trinamool Congress in the state. "It is shameful that people from neighbouring country are campaigning for the TMC. This was done by the party to appease the minority community," Modi said, referring to Bangladeshi actor Ferdous canvassing for the ruling TMC. "Such a thing has never happened in India, where people from neighbouring country have been campaigning for a political party," he said. The prime minister criticised Banerjee for seeking proof of the Balakot air strikes in Pakistan, and asked her to, instead, collect evidence against those behind chit fund scams. He also said that tough measures will be taken to identify and stop cross border infiltration after the NDA-led government returns to power. Modi said after the poll results are declared, "those elements who are trying to stop border fencing will have to face the reality". "After May 23, we would take steps to identify and stop cross border infiltration," he said at Buniadpur, which shares its border with Bangladesh. Besides, the NDA government is committed to grant citizenship status to refugees, he said. "During partition, some people had stayed back in other countries. But, due to their religion and faith, they have been facing persecution in those countries... Where will they go?" Modi asked. It is the duty of every Indian and the government to save these people, he said, adding, "It is our commitment to pass the Citizenship Bill in Parliament." Some political parties, the PM said, are trying to mislead people on the issue of citizenship. "Be it the TMC, the Congress or the Left, they have only indulged in of dividing people, but we believe in taking everybody along with us," he said. Mocking Banerjee's 'Bengal model', Modi said, "Mamata Didi wants to implement her 'Tolabaji (extortion) Tax' model of development across the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has called for large-scale electoral reforms in the country to remove poll-related malpractices and to cleanse the system. The 81-year-old activist lamented that lack of awareness among voters and focus of political parties on winning the elections by hook or crook has led to degeneration of politics, and he saw no bright future for the country if the situation continued. Talking to PTI at his native village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, Hazare said voters were one of the pillars of the democracy. "But looking at the reports of cash seizure from various places during the electioneering, one wonders why voters take money to vote. Is this the value of our freedom fighters, who gave us independence?" he asked. Hazare felt that the parties' approach of coming to power by hook or crook has resulted in criminalisation of "The sanctity of Parliament and state assemblies have come under threat," he said. The octogenarian said he believed in the Constitution of India, in which there was no mention of election symbols and political parties. "Any individual who is above the age of 25 can contest elections. For the last six years, I am in correspondence with the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking removal of election symbols. The Constitution of India recognises only individuals," he said. The veteran Gandhian said using the sacrifices of martyrs for seeking votes was saddening. "When the trend is to do anything to come to power, such misuse is seen and voters are sleeping," he said. He expressed sadness over not getting any response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his 32 letters written on a range of issues. He said the appointment of Lokpal recently done by the Centre was not up to his expectations. "But, I am confident that it will put a break on corrupt practices," Hazare added. He said he will vote on April 23, as Ahmednagar goes to polls in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra. "I will vote for the correct candidate or exercise the NOTA (none of the above) option," he said. To a question whether he was following the Lok Sabha election campaign, the activist said, "Society does not remain the focal point in The only motto is to get money through power and power through money." Hazare said instead of the election symbols, names of candidates and their photos should be enough for voting. "In 1952, when the first (general) elections were held (in India), printing technology was not advanced and hence symbols were used. But now, you do not need symbols. This will curb the entry of undesirable people in the law-making bodies," he said. If the system of symbols is done away, people with good image and proven track record will get elected, he opined. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A teenaged girl died hours after being allegedly raped by at least five persons, who were members of a marriage party, in a village in Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, police said Saturday. All the five, including two minors, have been apprehended, they said. The marriage party had come from Jamtara district of the state to the village under East Tundi block. Some of the wedding guests went to meet their relatives in another part of the village. The victim was a neighbour of their relatives, Superintendent of Police (Dhanbad Rural) Aman Kumar said. At least five persons, who were drunk, lured the tribal girl to a deserted place between 9 pm and 10 pm on Friday and raped her, he said. The victim's father told reporters that his daughter came home limping and fainted after narrating her ordeal. She was taken to a hospital where she died, he said. The body has been sent for post-mortem at Patliputra Medical College Hospital here, police said. "We suspect more than five persons were involved in the crime. We will take the arrested persons to district headquarters (Dhanbad) for interrogation," the SP said. East Tundi Block Development Officer Suresh Kumar Sinha met the family of the victim and assured to provide all assistance as per the state government's rules. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In Georgia, the policemen detained three Liberty Bank robbery suspects. The robbery of the bank took place yesterday. The Interior Ministry reported that it became possible to detain the criminals thanks to effective police actions in Tbilisi and Imereti. The police were guided by the testimony of witnesses. In addition, the material evidence was found on the scene, and the amount of money stolen by the detainees was returned, Georgia Online reports. Anandpur Sahib MP and Akali nominee Prem Singh Chandumajra Saturday alleged that Congress candidate Manish Tewari may "leave" the electoral arena because of "growing rebellion" in the party over his candidature. "There is a lot of resentment among Congress workers against the candidature of Tewari. They are asking the Congress high command why it was unable to give ticket to a local from the (Anandpur Sahib) constituency," he said addressing an election meeting at Kukkar Majra village in his constituency. "Tewari may leave the election arena anytime under pressure from growing rebellion in the Congress party," he said. Chandumajra also asked the former Union minister why he "ran away" from the electoral contest in Ludhiana in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. He has been attacking the Congress leader by calling him an "outsider". Tewari, who had opted out of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, is pitted against the SAD candidate from the Anandpur Sahib parliamentary seat in the general elections.The AAP has fielded Narinder Singh Shergill from the seat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AttackingNarendra Modi,Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Saturday said there has never been a "weaker government" and "weaker Prime minister" than the incumbent ones, as she sought to highlight the values and virtues of a true leader. Campaigning in Wayanad from where her brother and party chief Rahul Gandhi is contesting besides his stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, she sought to know whether suppressing the voice of those who criticise the government's policies amounts to nationalism. She also alleged that the BJP government had "betrayed" the faith of people, who voted it to power. Making a strong pitch for her brother, the Congress' general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh East took part in four election rallies in the constituency and met the farmers of Wayanad as thousands of people thronged the meetings. Her children Miraya and Raihan were also with her. Addressing a massive rally of farmers at Pulpally, she questioned the nationalism of those who refused to listen to thousands of farmers who had "marched barefoot" to Delhi to highlight their problems. She said people deserve a Prime Minister who respects them and does not dismiss his own promises casually. "Sisters and brothers of Wayanad, I have never seen a weaker government, than the government that has been in power for last five years in India. I have never seen a weaker Prime Minister than the Prime Minister of India today. My sisters and brothers, I think you deserve better. I think you deserve a government that speaks for you," Priyanka Gandhi said. Continuing to attack Modi, the congress leader claimed the prime minister, who cannot take out one day to visit even a single house in his constituency in five years, does not respect the people of the country. "A Prime Minister who is afraid of questions, who is afraid to answer people when they ask him what he wants to do for them, who is afraid of criticism, who cannot tolerate dissent is not a strong Prime Minister," she said. She said a government which suppresses its own people, that does not allow freedom of speech, or to practice own religion or culture, is not a strong government. "Weakest of all is the government that divides you instead of uniting. That makes you afraid instead of filling you with courage. That makes you worried of speaking your views in public. That's the weakest form of governance that could possibly exist," she said during a rally at Areekode. She asked the voters of Wayanad to consider democracy and the vote as their weapons. "When you see advertisements by the BJP which use words like you have been 'gifted' by certain policies or that the government is doing certain things as a favour to you, you must question it... Because, nothing a leader does, a politician does or a political party does for your benefit is not a favour but their duty," she said. The government which does not have the "guts" to accept the power of its people, it is a weak government and it must be "taught a lesson", she said. Narrating her experience when she went to Uttar Pradesh, she said she was asked by some women to make a promise, that is to construct a bridge across the river in their village. "I got scared. I did not know how much it will cost, whether the government has sanctioned it or not.So I cannot make this promise. And when I tell you that you must recognise your strength, you must understand, the fear that I felt in my heart, that making a wrong promise I cannot fulfill. It should be a fear that you instill in the hearts of politicians who come before you," Priyanka Gandhi said. She said if a leader was a true nationalist, he does not spread hate, but spreads love and does not divide but unites. Canvassing votes for Rahul Gandhi, she asked the voters to exercise their franchise carefully and use their vote to protect the country, democracy and their rights. Attacking the NDA government, she wanted to know if "attempts" to destroy the constitution and weakening institutions that protect rights of people was nationalism. "They (BJP) attempt to divide you and talk about nationalism... When thousands of farmers marched barefoot from all corners of the country to your doorstep and you send them away without listening to their suffering.. When people raise their voice in protest against you, when they criticise your policies...you jail them, beat them.. Is that nationalism?" she asked. Referring to BJP leaders invoking Pakistan in their election speeches, the congress leader said they never speak of what they were going to do for the people of the country. Earlier at a rally in Manthawady, she said the saffron party, when it came to power, forgot who gave them the power. "Five years ago, a government came to power that was voted with majority. The people of our country, with all their wisdom, rested their faith upon them. But from the moment it came to power, it began to betray the faith of the people," Priyanka Gandhi said. She also found time to meet seven-year-old Naadan, a boy who was seen crying in a video which went viral as he was unable to see Rahul Gandhi when he visited the state earlier. She gave him an autographed photo of the Congress chief. Rahul Gandhi had earlier called and talked to Naadan over phone after the video went viral. "She will be visiting the house of CRPF jawan Vasanth Kumar, who was killed in the Pulwama terror attack in February, tomorrow," a senior party source said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Priyanaka Gandhi Vadra Saturday lashed out at the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying there has never been a "weaker government" and "weaker Prime Minister" than the incumbent ones. Priyanka, who is in Wayanad, where her brother and party chief Rahul Gandhi, is contesting besides Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, sought to know whether suppressing the voice of those who criticise the government's policies amounts to nationalism. Addressing a massive rally of farmers in Pulpally, she questioned the nationalism of those who refused to listen to thousands of farmers who had "marched barefoot" to Delhi to highlight their problems. Priyanka said people deserve a Prime Minister who respects them and does not dismiss his own promises casually. "Sisters and brothers of Wayanad, I have never seen a weaker government, than the government that has been in power for last five years in India. I have never seen a weaker Prime Minister than the Prime Minister of India today. My sisters and brothers, I think you deserve better. I think you deserve a government that speaks for you," she said. "You deserve a government that encourages you to raise your voice even when it is against the government. I believe you deserve a Prime Minister who respects you and who respects every word that he speaks before you and does not dismiss casually his own promises," she added. The AICC in-charge of Eastern Uttar Pradesh wanted to know if attempts to destroy the Constitution and weakening institutions that protect the rights of the people was nationalism. "They (BJP) attempt to divide you and talk about nationalism... When thousands of farmers marched barefoot from all corners of the country to your doorstep and you send them away without listening to their suffering.. "When people raise their voice in protest against you, when they criticise your policies... you jail them, beat them.. Is that nationalism?," she asked. Referring to BJP leaders invoking Pakistan in their election speeches, Priyanka said they never speak of what they were going to do for the people of the country. "When you come to election rallies and speak of Pakistan, but you do not speak of what you are going to do for the people of India or what you promised them and did not deliver, is that nationalism?.." Priyanka questioned. Alleging that the BJP government had "betrayed" the faith of people, who voted it to power, she said, "This is my country, these hills are my country, the wheat fields in Uttar Pradesh are my country, Tamil Nadu is my country... But all that BJP has done in last five years, is just to divide the nation." Earlier at a rally in Manthawady, she said the saffron party, when it came to power, forgot who gave them the power. "Five years ago, a government came to power that was voted with majority. The people of our country, with all their wisdom, rested their faith upon them. But from the moment it came to power, it began to betray the faith of the people," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 54 out of 245 candidates in the contest for third phase of Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, whose affidavits have been analysed, are facing serious criminal cases. Of the 245 analysed candidates, 71 (29 per cent) nominees of various parties, including the Shiv Sena, the BJP, the BSP, the NCP and the Congress, are crorepatis. A total of 14 constituencies, including high-profile seats like Pune, Baramati and Madha, are scheduled to vote on April 23 in the penultimate phase in the state, which sends 48 MPs to Lok Sabha. The Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) has analysed the poll affidavits of 245 out of total 249 nominees who are in the fray. The 14 seats going to polls are: Madha, Pune, Aurangabad, Jalna, Ahmednagar, Baramati, Hatkanangle, Kolhapur, Raigad, Jalgaon, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Raver, Sangli and Satara. According to the ADR, out of 245 candidates, 75 (31 per cent) have declared criminal cases against themselves while 54 nominees (22 per cent) have declared serious criminal cases. While two candidates have been convicted by courts, four others are facing cases related to murder, it said. Besides, five candidates have declared cases related to attempt to murder against themselves and as many candidates have declared that cases related to crime against women are pending against them. Four candidates have declared cases related to kidnapping and seven others the cases related to robbery and dacoity. One of the contestants has declared a case related to communal disharmony and hate speech. Also, 6 (46 per cent) out of 13 candidates from Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi, 5 (39 per cent) out of 13 candidates from BSP, 5 (63 per cent) out of 8 candidates from BJP, 5 (71 per cent) out of 7 candidates from NCP, 3 (50 per cent) out of 6 candidates from Shiv Sena and 3 (60 per cent) out of 5 candidates from the Congress have criminal cases lodged against thems, as per the ADR. As far as serious criminal cases are concerned, 3 (23 per cent) out of 13 candidates from the VBA, 4 (31 per cent) out of 13 candidates from the BSP, 2 (25 per cent) out of 8 candidates from the BJP, 5 (71 per cent) out of 7 candidates from the NCP, 3 (50 per cent) out of 6 candidates from the Shiv Sena and 1 (20 per cent) out of 5 candidates from the Congress have declared serious criminal cases, it stated. The analysis said that 12 out of the 14 constituencies are red alert constituencies, where three or more number of contestants have declared criminal cases. Out of the 245 analysed candidates, 71 (29 per cent) are crorepatis. Among the major parties, 8 (100 per cent) out of 8 candidates from BJP, 8 (62 per cent) out of 13 candidates from Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi, 7 (100 per cent) out of 7 candidates from NCP, 6 (100 per cent) out of 6 candidates from Shiv Sena, 5 (100 per cent) out of 5 candidates from the Congress and 3 (23 per cent) out of 13 candidates from BSP have declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tens of thousands of supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Friday rallied in Belgrade, in a show of force after months of opposition demonstrations. Vucic, once an ultranationalist and close ally of the late Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic, has become a staunch pro-European liberal who hopes to bring Serbia into the EU. Marchers, who waved signs with slogans such as "support to Vucic" and "Kosovo loves you" came from all over Serbia as well as from Bosnia, Kosovo, Croatia, North Macedonia and Montenegro. Media outlets close to the government put the crowd at more than 100,000; independent media did not make any estimates. Weekly protests by the opposition began in December against what critics describe as Vucic's slide towards autocratic rule. On Sunday, thousands rallied around the presidential palace in Belgrade accusing him of authoritarianism and muzzling the media. Vucic has rejected the claims. Although it has EU aspirations, Serbia was criticised by the European Commission last year over press freedom with concerns over threats, intimidation and violence against journalists. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thousands of followers are expected to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, according to a media report. The four-hour ceremony will begin in the presence of Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, the religious and social organisation constructing the temple. The preparations are in place for the 'Shilanyas Vidhi' (foundation stone laying ceremony) of the stone temple at Abu Mureikha, the Khaleej Times reported. The main ceremony will see the priests sanctify pink sandstones that will be used to set foundation of the temple. All these stones are transported from Indian state of Rajasthan. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, will attend the programme along with social and spiritual leaders from across the world. Sheikh Nahyan received Swami Maharaj and his delegation of Hindu priests at Al Maktoum International Airport on Thursday. Temple volunteers said there was a special orientation conducted where devotees were told details of the ceremony. Passes were distributed for 'yajman seva' for those who have made a donation of USD 680 or USD 1,300 to participate in the ritual and support the BAPS temple, the report said. The temple will be a cultural complex with art gallery, halls, library and gym, it said, adding that it is not clear when the temple would be completed. The temple with seven towers representing the seven emirates in the UAE will come up on a 14-acre piece of land at Abu Mureikhah, close to the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway. The stones for the temple will be carved by temple artisans in India and assembled in the UAE. The plan to build the temple in the UAE's capital was approved by the Abu Dhabi government during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to the country in 2015. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Angered by political parties using the downtrodden as a mere "vote bank", a Valmiki community organisation in Delhi has decided to enter Lok Sabha polls in Delhi, seeking to take their "destiny in their own hands". Delhi Democratic Alliance, a coalition of activists, trade union leaders, and a few civil society groups working for such communities, have fielded their own candidates ahead of the elections, in an "act of defiance" against existing parties. "We have announced our seven candidates, one of whom is a sanitation worker. Two of the candidates filed nominations on Thursday while two others filed today," said Ashok Agyani, convener of the alliance. "We have entered the election not to challenge any party or candidate, but to challenge the status quo. We are tired of being treated as a mere vote bank. We are tired of being exploited for political gains by parties," he told PTI. Agyani says, Valmiki community forms a sizeable chunk of voters, about "40 lakh" or "about 27 per cent of all downtrodden classes" in Delhi, and that's why all parties seek to woo us during elections, be it Congress, BJP or now AAP. "But, we are remembered by parties only during elections. No one comes to see our economic condition, or poverty we face at home in raising our family. We were cleaning sewer and garbage centuries ago, we did it during British time, and after over 70 years of Independence, still doing the same," he lamented. Valmikis belong to the SC community and spread across Delhi, from Mongolpuri to Sultanpuri and Trilokpuri to Tughlaqabad. Deepak Kumar Pihal is a daily-wage sanitation worker in the Rohini zone of the BJP-led North Delhi Municipal Corporation, and an independent candidate of the alliance from West Delhi constituency. "Our Valmiki community has been treated as 'use and throw' vote bank. We suffer for five years and then politicians come to us seeking votes. Our brothers die in sewer chambers cleaning filth but what happens to their families," he asked. The 34-year-old sanitation worker says, his community has now "woken up" and decided to defy the big political parties, who "have been exploiting us for electoral gains". "But, not anymore. We have lost faith in these parties. And, now decided to take the step to end our exploitation, politically and economically. We want to take charge of our own destiny," he said. Agyani, 49, a trade union leader, alleged that both major political parties in the country at preset are "'poonjivadi' aur 'manuvadi' (favouring capitalists and upper caste supremacy)". "Why no party talks of dismantling the caste system, and bringing in the real democracy that Babasaheb Ambedkar scripted in our Constitution. Why no strong political will to abolishing manual scavenging," he asked. "We carry their flags, their cups before elections and after that are made to sit outside. Are we getting proper representation in core committees," he said. Even the party that took "our jhadoo (broom) symbol" has not done what it had promised to Valmiki community, Agyani claimed. The union leader said, the Valmiki community decided to have its own candidates "not to pose challenge" to anyone but to send out a strong message to the dominant parties and the society at large. "We are not in it to win or lose. We have just entered But, the larger purpose is to tell these parties that we will no longer be befooled by them and rely on strength of our community," Agyani said. The alliance which was floated last year in March has already announced its manifesto and has been holding public meetings across Delhi to leverage support, he said. "We are raising money through voluntary donations from people for our candidates' nominations and fund our campaigning. The response from our people have been positive," Agyani claimed. The seven candidates also include a person who has multiple degrees in education (East Delhi), besides one of them is from the OBC community and another is a Muslim (South Delhi), he added. "Today, Charan Singh, a Valmiki leader filed nomination from North West Delhi constituency and and Munna Lal from Chandni Chowk seat. Our candidates from North East Delhi and East Delhi had filed nominations on Thursday," he said. Pihal will file nomination on April 22 and Mohammad Shahid on April 23, Agyani said. Pihal said, "We are not fighting elections to gain political clout but to underline our community's pathetic condition." "I live in a small house with my wife and son, and support them with my monthly salary of Rs 12,099. And, if I don't go to work some day, my salary for that day will be cut. I don't want my child to be a sanitation worker, I want him to have get good education and a good job," he lamented. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fighting between rival Libyan forces for control of Tripoli escalated in the past couple of days, a spokesman for the self-styled Libyan National Army said Saturday, as the death toll rose to at least 220, including combatants and civilians, since the LNA declared a major military offensive to take the capital earlier this month. Fighting erupted April 5 pitting the LNA, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter and aligned with a rival government in the east, against militias affiliated with Tripoli's U.N.-supported government. Ahmed al-Mesmari, LNA spokesman, told a conference in the eastern city of Benghazi that heavy clashes have been underway between his forces and rival militias in the towns of Swany and al-Aziziya, south of Tripoli, which Hifter's forces seized earlier this month. He said militias allied with the U.N.-supported government launched airstrikes on the Alwatya air base, southwest of Tripoli. There were also airstrikes on the town of Gherian, he said. Residents in Tripoli said Hifter's forces seem to be making small progress and gains on the ground. They said fighting has been ongoing in residential areas, a few kilometers (miles) south of Tripoli. Both sides have used heavy artillery and airstrikes, they said. The residents spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons. The fighting has killed 220 people, including civilians, since Hifter declared his offensive on April 5, the U.N. health agency said Friday. The World Health Organization said that 1,066 others have been wounded. President Donald Trump phoned Hifter earlier this week, expressing U.S. support for the leader's perceived stance against terrorism. A White House statement Friday said: "The President recognized Field Marshal Haftar's significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources, and the two discussed a shared vision for Libya's transition to a stable, democratic political system." AP reporters saw Hifter's foreign minister Saturday in the Tunis hotel where he was staying, but the press conference he had scheduled was postponed at the last minute. His press service distributed a statement saying it was because of "developments in Libya and the positive and fast-advancing evolution of events." The statement did not elaborate but said a new press conference would be arranged at a later date. The Tunisian Foreign Ministry spokesman suggested that the Libyans hadn't requested permission from Tunisia's government to hold the conference. Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemais Jhinaoui has intensified contacts in recent days with U.N. envoy Salame and various Libyan parties, calling on them to cease hostilities and resume negotiations. Tunis is officially neutral in the Libyan conflict and has hosted repeated diplomatic negotiations on Libya's future. Tunisia wants to hold a meeting among the top diplomats of Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia in the coming days to discuss ways to solve Libya's crisis. The battle for Tripoli could ignite civil war on the scale of the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Since Gahdafi's ouster, Libya has been governed by rival authorities in the east and in Tripoli, in the west, each backed by various militias and armed groups fighting over resources and territory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court on Saturday issued production warrant for April 22 against Sushen Mohan Gupta, an alleged defence agent arrested in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP choppers scam case. Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar issued production warrant against Gupta after Tihar Jail authorities, where he is lodged, could not produce him. The court directed the jail authorities to present him before the court on Monday. The Enforcement Directorate had said Gupta's alleged role in the case came to light on the basis of disclosures made by Rajiv Saxena, who has turned approver in the case. He was deported from the UAE and arrested by the agency here. "During the course of investigation, Saxena, in his statements, stated that Interstellar Technologies, a company which received the AgustaWestland kickbacks, was controlled by accused Gautam Khaitan and Gupta," the agency had claimed. The ED had alleged that in connivance with Khaitan, a lawyer, the proceeds of crime after being received in the accounts of Interstellar were further transferred by Gupta through various companies in different countries. The agency had claimed that Saxena has also produced two diaries, some loose sheets and other documents and a pen drive, which as per him pertained to accused Gupta and contain information related to laundering of kickbacks in AgustaWestland scam. "Gupta during the period when kickbacks were received in the accounts of Interstellar through IDS Tunisia had direct dealing with Interstellar and kickbacks from Agusta had been transferred to several entities/ persons having direct links with him," it had claimed. The agency had also alleged said the conduct of the accused has been non-cooperative and his replies were contrary to records. Asserting that he is not a "political sanyasi" and was in "active politics", former Chief Minister Siddarmaiah Saturday said the Congress will form government in Karnataka after the next assembly polls, and he will become Chief Minister once again. Rubbishing reports about his immediate chief ministerial ambitions citing his recent statements, the Chairman of the Congress-JD(S) coalition coordination committee clarified that he will occupy the top job after the next assembly election and there was nothing wrong in that. The next assembly elections in the state will be held in 2023. "I had said I will become chief minister in the future... did I say tomorrow (after Lok Sabha polls). I meant after next assembly election... am I a political sanyasi? If I was why would I come here in this hot sun? I would have sat in the shade. I'm not a political sanyasi, I'm in active politics," Siddaramaiah told reporters in Davangere. "What I said was, in the future our party government will come to power, once I become chief minister, I will increase distribution of rice from 7 to 10 kg. What is wrong in that?" he asked. The CLP leader's statement on Friday during a rally at Siraguppa about providing 10 kg rice if he comes back, while speaking about his previous government's flagship 'Anna Bhagya' scheme had created flutter, amid speculation that any adverse results in Lok Sabha polls will have its impact on the longevity of the coalition government. Earlier on Saturday hitting out at the BJP in Belagavi, Siddaramaiah said the saffron party will be reduced to a single digit in the Lok Sabha polls. "...they (BJP people) are speaking out of frustration knowing very well that they will lose. They will be defeated, in Karnataka this time they will be in single digit, they will not reach double digit," he told reporters. Siddaramaiah was responding to a question about BJP national joint general secretary (Org) B L Santohs recent comments on getting two BJP governments, one at the Centre and the other in state. "... from your vote, you will get one direct government- Narendra Modi's. After one month you will get another government- Yeddyurappa's government in Bengaluru's Vidhana Soudha. In Parliament and Vidhan Soudha our government will be there from your one vote," he had said recently addressing a gathering. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said that he was waiting for warm and kind relations between states after the Ukrainian elections. He also expressed the hope that Belarus and Ukraine will maintain respectful relations, regardless of the election results. No matter who is elected the president of Ukraine, we will have the kindest and warmest relations with this country, RIA Novosti quoted Lukashenko as saying. Going without ration for 20 days, an organisation of the Bru refugees living in relief camps in Tripura Saturday threatened to loot a government godown. The Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF) expressed concern at the delay of supply of ration to the relief camps for the last 20 days, while it should have reached them by the fifth of this month. Officials said officials formalities led to the delay. The camp inmates receive Rs 5 per day to each adult, Rs 2.5 to each minor, 600 gram of rice to each adult on a daily basis, three soaps in a year, one pair of slippers every year and a mosquito net in every three years, they said. Around 35,000 Brus are sheltered in six camps in Kanchanpur sub-division in North Tripura district after they fled from neighbouring Mizoram in phases following ethnic clashes with the Mizos since 1997. MBDPF general secretary Bruno Msha and president A Sawibunga jointly wrote a letter to North Tripura District Magistrate C K Jamatiyat, saying "ration for the month of April, 2019 has not distributed till today whereas the due date to receive the ration is generally from 1st to 5th of every month". The condition of relief camp inmates is deteriorating every day as they have almost exhausted their share of rice from previous month's supplies, the letter said. "There will be many casualties in the camps due to starvation if the ration is delayed for some more days, the letter said. The state government should take immediate steps for distribution of ration, failing which the Brus would put up road blockades and loot the nearest government relief godown. Kanchanpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Abhedananda Baidya said the delay in supplies of rations was caused due to official formalities since the Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier asked to halt supplies to camps after March 31, 2019. "According to a new order, the ration supplies till September was extended but formalities are taking some time. We hope to release supplies in the camps within a day or two," the official said. The MBDPF letter also claimed that ration supplies to the camps were delayed by 10-20 days every month since the last 4 years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) KrebsOnSecurity founder Brian Krebs on Friday reported security breaches by attackers on other competing firms of Wipro, namely Infosys, Cognizant, Capgemini in which their email systems were targeted in an apparent criminal hacking scheme related to gift card fraud. This comes after the blog broke the news of a cybersecurity breach at Wipro. "Crooks responsible for launching phishing campaigns in computer systems of Wipro last month appear to have targeted a number of other competing providers," Krebs' blog post added. The same attackers who broke into Indian outsourcing giant Wipro last month also likely targeted competitors Infosys and Cognizant, along with a number of retail, financial and consulting companies https://t.co/bFwrdeHpHx The attackers seem focused on gift card fraud. pic.twitter.com/AQLjrCYBMf - briankrebs (@briankrebs) April 18, 2019 Capgemini's internal security center (SOC) did detect and monitor suspicious activities occurred between March 4 and March 19, that showed similar patterns to the attack faced by Wipro. They took immediate remedial action and added, "There has been no impact on us, nor on our clients to date." However Infosys, after ascertaining through a thorough analysis of the indicators of compromise that they received from their threat intelligence partners, said there was no breach in its network, as per the statement mentioned in Krebs' blog. As per Krebs' blog post on Monday, Wipro's trusted networks and systems were being used to launch cyber attacks against Wipro's customers. The attack was focused on perpetrating gift card fraud. Wipro had acknowledged the attack and launched a forensic investigation to look into it. On their recent post about the cybersecurity breach events, the blog listed the number of malicious phishing domains and stated that they all were connected to an Internet address of a well-known bulletproof hosting company in Russia, called KingServers. As per the blog, subdomains suggested the attackers may also have targeted American retailer Sears; Green Dot, the world's largest prepaid card vendor; payment processing firm Elavon; hosting firm Rackspace; business consulting firm Avanade; IT provider PCM; and French consulting firm Capgemini, among others. Updated Thursday's story about the Wipro breach to include comment from multiple firms similarly targeted. Two of the targets said they'd had employees phished but that they responded to the incidents before the attackers could do more damage. https://t.co/YC0WE74dhe - briankrebs (@briankrebs) April 20, 2019 Wipro has not confirmed yet if the investigation is complete. The billion dollar company denied Kerbs' blog post that reported the company was subject to a systematic attack 'over months' and said it was a 'zero-day attack' which stands for a cyber attack or exploit, that occurs on the same day a weakness is discovered in software and for which a patch had not been set up to counter effectively. Citing anonymous sources, the story published on KrebsOnSecurity reported, that the attack compromised more than 100 Wipro systems and installed ScreenConnect, a legitimate remote access tool on all of them. The attackers also searched their systems for specific phrases related to gift cards, and for clues about security systems the retailer was using. Updated Thursday's story about the Wipro breach to include comment from multiple firms similarly targeted. Two of the targets said they'd had employees phished but that they responded to the incidents before the attackers could do more damage. https://t.co/YC0WE74dhe - briankrebs (@briankrebs) April 20, 2019 The pattern by the attackers throws light on the fact that they targeted companies indirectly had access to a significant amount of third-party company resources, and/or the companies that could be abused to conduct gift card fraud. The attackers appear to be after anything they can turn into cash fairly quickly. (Edited by Rupa Burman Roy) Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019 LIVE updates: 'Those who can't say Bharat Mata ki Jai can do nothing for India,' says PM Modi in Bihar Also Read: Reliance Retail's cellphone, consumer electronics sale doubles; boosts revenue To speed up the lease of Jet planes to other airlines, the Ministry of Finance has decided to waive a mandatory customs requirement. The requirement needs Jet Airways' grounded planes in India to be first be sent to the country of registration of their lessors and then fly them back to India before they can be used by other carriers. To further minimise the pain caused by Jet Airways' shutdown for both passengers and employees, without using taxpayers' money to bail out the airline, the Ministry of Civil Aviation had formed a committee on Thursday comprising airport operators, Airport Authority of India (AAI) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to temporarily re-allocate Jet's slots. The government plans to allot Jets' 280 slots at Mumbai and 160 at Delhi as well as those at other airports to other Indian carriers for three months. While the SBI-led consortium of lenders are running Jet Airways under a debt recast plan, Air India and SpiceJet have started working on plans to induct Jet's planes on either dry or wet lease. Where in a dry lease, the owner provides the lessee with an aircraft without a crew, in a wet lease, the organization (who owns the aircraft) provides that aircraft as well as the crew members to the lessee and also promises to conduct adequate maintenance and procure the insurance necessary to operate. Leasing Jet's planes on wet lease would provide employment to at least some of Jet Airways employees, including pilots, engineers and cabin crew. This could further help in bringing down fares. SpiceJet's chairman Ajay Singh said in a statement on Friday that the airline is giving "first preference" to Jet Airways employees in recruitment. Singh added that SpiceJet has already provided jobs to more than 100 pilots, over 200 cabin crew and 200-plus technical and airport staff and it is open for inducting more as it adds more aircraft and routes in the times ahead. The airline has already initiated the process to lease 22 of Jet's Boeing 737s. "We will induct a large number of planes in our fleet soon. SpiceJet is making all possible efforts to minimise passenger inconvenience and serve Indian customers, who are finding it difficult to get seats this busy season," Singh said. In a separate development, after Jets' shutdown, Air India becomes the only airline that can operate twin-aisle aircraft among the Indian carriers and that can start operating Jet's wide body without much delay. Yesterday, Air India (AI) chairman Ashwani Lohani held preliminary talks with his counterpart from State Bank of India Rajnish Kumar on the national carrier's interest in leasing five Boeing 777s from the now-grounded Jet Airways. In all, AI may take 10 to 12 of Jet's planes in the future. Facing a serious cabin crew shortage, AI has hired 500 crew members from the private sector, hospitality sector and airlines, in the last one month and nearly half of them have come from Jet Airways. The national carrier plans to wet lease five Boeing 777s and Boeing 737s for AI Express, reports suggest. Weighted down with a debt of over Rs 8,500 crore, cash-starved Jet Airways , which had been flying for over 25 years, announced a temporary suspension of operations on April 17. (Edited by Rupa Burman Roy) Also Read: Infosys, Capgemini, other IT giants may have faced cyber attack like Wipro: report Also Read: Not violated any sanctions, purchased oil from Venezuela in full knowledge of US authorities: Reliance The Allahabad High Court on Friday asked the Election Commission to file its reply on a PIL seeking a stay on the release of a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The court has asked the poll panel to file the reply by the next date of hearing on April 26. A bench comprising justices Sudhir Agarwal and Rajendra Kumar also asked the EC how the makers of the film will be compensated for losses due to delay in the release of the movie. The bench passed the order after hearing the PIL filed by Sana Ullah Khan, president of Bhim Sena. The petitioner contented that the release of the movie during election time will influence voters, and hence, violate the Model Code of Conduct. It was also alleged that the release of movie will effect free and fair elections. Hence, its release must be stopped, the petition said. The Modi biopic, starring Vivek Oberoi and directed by Omung Kumar, tells the story of PM Modi's rise to power from his humble beginnings. Also read: PM Modi biopic: How BJP exploited grey areas in regulations Also read: Election Commission bans release of PM Modi biopic ahead of Lok Sabha election, order to affect NaMo TV too Ahead of the Phase 3 of the Lok SabhaElections 2019 on April 23, the Election Commission has asked Eros Now to stop airing their 5-part web series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the second such series/movie after Vivek Oberoi-starrer 'PM Narendra Modi' to be cancelled by the EC. Meanwhile, at a rally in Bihar's Araria, the Prime Minister said that when 26/11 happened, the Congress party asked the Army not to do anything about it. Instead of attacking the Pakistani terrorists, they portrayed Hindus as terrorists. At another rally in Buniadpur in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that she wants to apply the model of West Bengal across the country where the poor are kept poor and it is hard to carry out religious processions. He also said that justice will be done for the slain BJP worker in Purulia. Additionally, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra held a rally in Wayanad today, which is Congress President Rahul Gandhi's constituency. She said that from the time the BJP government came it began to betray the faith and hopes that the people of the country had from them. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi's candidature from Amethi has been challenged by an independent MP. Follow Lok Sabha Election 2019 LIVE updates on the BusinessToday.In blog: 4:10pm: Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda says, "Few weeks ago I said something about Balakot, immediately PM started tweeting, head of BJP party went wild, called a press conference. Congress leaders started calling me why did you say that? I said what did I say? I said the truth. I said the truth, I asked a question and I am entitled to ask a question. Just because I asked a question, you can't label me as anti-national. Who are you to ask me? That's when you need courage." 3:50pm: Election Commission asks Eros Now to stop broadcasting their web series on PM Modi. "It was brought to our notice that a web series 'Modi-Journey of a Common Man', having 5 episodes is available on your platform. You're directed to stop forthwith the online streaming and remove all connected content of the series till further orders." 3:40pm: The District Election Officer and Collector has issued a notice to Pragya Singh Thakur in Bhopal seeking an explanation for her comment on Late Hemant Karkare. The officer has asked for her explanation within a day. 3:31pm: Visuals from PM Modi's rally in Karnataka. People of Karnataka have clearly decided to root out the unholy and corrupt alliance of JDS-Congress. They want BJP. Here are the glimpses from BJP National President Shri @AmitShah's roadshow in Shimoga, Karnataka. #IndiaWantsModiAgain pic.twitter.com/vABJElLmG2 BJP (@BJP4India) April 20, 2019 3:30pm: Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia files his nomination from Madhya Pradesh's Guna constituency. 3:10pm: Visuals from Rahul Gandhi's rally in Bihar. Congress President @RahulGandhi drew in huge crowds at his rally in Bihar today. #JanSankalpRally pic.twitter.com/0BaoZUxYPd Congress (@INCIndia) April 20, 2019 2:50pm: Calling Rahul Gandhi 'Buddhu', Subramanian Swamy said that the Congress President's citizenship is likely to be cancelled. Buddhu citizen likely to be cancelled because he cannot deny his British citizenship now. His tax returns are damning. Ensure BJP Govt returns on May 23 rd Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) April 20, 2019 2:30pm: Subramanian Swamy takes a jibe at Rahul Gandhi. Buddhu has also filed income tax returns innUK during 2004-2006 as a British Citizen as Rahul Gandhi while MP in India!!!!! Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) April 20, 2019 2:05pm: Samajwadi Party supremo Mayawati said, "Borders are not safe under BJP rule. The recent terrorist attacks are the proof." 1:55pm: GVL Narasimha Rao said at a press conference, "I think it's a matter of great surprise that the objections that have been raised regarding Rahul Gandhi's citizenship haven't been answered. Rahul Gandhi's name has been shown to be listed as a British citizen in documents related to a company in the UK. Was Rahul Gandhi a British citizen?" 1:48pm: An independent candidate from Amethi, Dhruv Lal, raised objections to Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers. His lawyer, Ravi Prakash said, "On basis of certificate of incorporation of a company registered in UK, he declared himself a UK citizen. A non-citizen can't contest polls here. There are no details on assets and profits of the company mentioned in the affidavit. There are a number of mistakes in his educational qualification certificates. The original educational certificates should be presented so that his claim can be established." 1:45pm: Rahul Gandhi said at a rally in Supaul, Bihar, "In the entire country, young people from Bihar go and get employed as chowkidars. People who serve as chowkidars from Bihar are honest people. If there is a Bihari chowkidar in front of a bank, then there can be no case of theft there. But this man who calls himself the country's chowkidar is in reality Anil Ambani's chowkidar. He has defamed all the hardworking chowkidars from Bihar who brave the harsh sun and storms and have half a roti to serve honestly." 1:30pm: Amethi returning officer postpones the scrutiny of Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers to April 22. Amethi returning officer orders postponement of scrutiny of Congress President Rahul Gandhis nomination papers to 22nd April. pic.twitter.com/KLHZ7PA5qc ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 20, 2019 1:19pm: At a rally in Bihar's Araria, PM Modi said, "Those who feel discomfort chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and side with those saying 'Bharat Tere Tukde Honge' can do nothing for the progress of India." 1:17pm: PM Modi in Bihar's Araria said, "Some people are spreading lies about 10% reservation for the economically poor. They are saying that this reservation will be removed later on. I am telling you that reservation is something that was started by Baba Saheb and no one will ever touch it." 1:11pm: PM Modi in Bihar's Araria said, "When 26/11 happened, the ruling Congress party asked the Army to not do anything about it. Instead of doing anything against Pakistani terrorists, the Congress party plotted to portray the Hindus as terrorists." 1:07pm: Priyanka Gandhi said in Wayanad, "I stand here on behalf of a man who I've known from the day I was born. He'll be your candidate in this election and over the last 10 years has faced massive personal attack from his opponents. They have sought to portray a character of his which is very far from truth." 1:05pm: PM Modi in Bihar's Araria said, "Before belonging any religion, any cult, we are Indian, our identity is Indian." 12:55pm: Visuals from BJP President Amit Shah's roadshow in Karnataka's Shivamogga. Karnataka: BJP President Amit Shah holds a roadshow in Shivamogga. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/twRPbC5U0h ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2019 12:50pm: Speaking at a rally in Wayanad, Priyanka Gandhi said, "They (BJP) began to believe that power belonged to them and not the people. The first indication of this gross misunderstanding came when their own President declared shortly after the election that the promise of Rs 15 Lakh in every bank account was just for sake of elections, what he called a 'jumla'." 12:45pm: Priyanka Gandhi said in Wayanad, "Five years ago, a government came into power that was voted in with a big majority. In all their wisdom the people of our country placed their faith and hopes in BJP government. That government, from the moment it came to power, began to betray that faith." 12:25pm: Ahmed Patel said, "We are not only hopeful but also very confident that BJP will lose. We will get good results in Gujarat too, we will cross double digit. On 23rd May when the election results come, BJP will no longer be in the govt." 12:20pm: Congress' Ahmed Patel said about Sadhvi Pragya's comment on Hemant Karkare: "It's a party's right to field any candidate they want for elections, I would not like to comment on that but saying something against an officer who sacrificed himself fighting terrorism isn't right. Although she withdrew her statement it shows her mentality." 12:00pm: BJD's Patkura seat candidate in Odisha Bed Prakash Agarwalla passed away in Bhubaneswar. Election in the constituency is expected to be postponed. 11:45am: Manish Sisodia said, "We have maintained that AAP took birth fighting the Congress. But at a time Modi-Shah is posing a grave danger to the social fabric of our country, we mulled over alliances, including in Delhi. We found that alliances involving the AAP can defeat Modi-Shah in 33 seats." 11:20am: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "Taking political advantage of surgical strikes is a big mistake. Our armed forces carried out the surgical strike. Did Modi carry a gun to do a surgical strike? Why is he claiming credit for it?" 11:05am: Modi said in West Bengal's Buniadpur, "TMC, Left front and Congress indulge in politics of discrimination. On the other hand, our govt believe in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. The schemes of our govts are benefitting the poor and marginalized from all communities." 11:00am: "When our brave sons entered Pakistan and destroyed the terrorists, Didi was one of those who asked proof of the incident. If you want to ask for proof, then ask from the accused in the chitfund scam," said Modi in West Bengal. 10:55am: "Mamata didi intends to apply model of West Bengal to the entire country. The poor are kept poor and it's hard to carry out religious processions. This is the model she is referring to," said Modi. 10:50am: Prime Minister Modi, at a rally in West Bengal said, "In Purulia, a BJP worker was murdered. I want to assure each West Bengal BJP worker and people of the state that justice will be done. Strict action will be taken against those people who are responsible." 10:45am: Speaking about Kumaraswamy's alleged claims that he knew about Pulwama two years ago, Yeddyurappa said, "If he knew about it 2 years back, he should've informed police or the President so that the death of our more than 40 soldiers could be prevented." 10:40am: In an interview leader of Opposition in Karnataka, BS Yeddyurappa said, "Despite all the divisive tactics by Congress party, BJP emerged as the single largest party in Assembly polls. In this elections too we are 100% confident that we'll not only win Shimoga LS seat with a huge margin but also win more than 22 seats in Karnataka." 10:30am: Speaking about HD Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy said, "He's a good administrator and is experienced. He has experience in his political career. He's better than everybody, according to me. But he's not interested now. He already projected name of Rahul Gandhi for PM. He's going to advise Rahul ji for good administration." 10:25am: Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy said, "When my father (HD Deve Gowda) was Prime Minister for 10 months in 1995 did any terrorist activity take place in this country? Did any terrorist activity go on at the India-Pakistan border? Entire country was in peace at the time when my father was the PM. There were no clashes between India-Pakistan, even inside the country there was no bomb attack, nothing happened." 10:20am: Speaking about the use of Balakot strikes in Modi's speeches, Kumaraswamy said, "He can speak but misusing his office is wrong. Several Prime Ministers ruled this country, several times India-Pakistan war took place. Nobody took advantage about that issue for personal benefit. He is misleading the people that he went to Pakistan border and he himself dropped the bomb." 10:15am: Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy in an interview to ANI said, "Now people are actually getting confident Kumaraswamy has done good thing by joining hands with Congress to form this govt. He is looking forward to the development of Karnataka state. That is the feeling of people now." An independent candidate from Amethi, Dhruv Lal, has raised objections against Congress President Rahul Gandhi's nomination from the constituency. Dhruv Lal's lawyer, Ravi Prakash, said on Saturday that on the basis of certificate of incorporation of a company registered in UK, the Congress leader has declared himself as a UK citizen on his nomination papers. He added that a non-citizen (of India) cannot contest polls there, tweeted ANI. ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) 20 April 2019 Ravi Prakash, lawyer of independent MP candidate from Amethi, Dhruv Lal who has raised objections on Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers: On basis of certificate of incorporation of a company registered in UK, he declared himself a UK citizen. A non-citizen can't contest polls here. pic.twitter.com/A8ifZgbGhC "On what basis has he become a British citizen? And, how did he obtain Indian citizenship now? Unless there is clarity over the matter, we have requested the Returning Officer not to accept Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers", ANI quoted Prakash as saying. "The most shocking aspect is in relation to Rahul Gandhi's nationality. Was he a British citizen ever? In 2004 affidavit, he had said that he'd invested in a UK-based company and in 2005, Rahul was shown as a British citizen in this company's papers (BackOps Ltd). Was he a British citizen then? It is against the Indian Citizenship Act? If anyone takes up citizenship of another country, then he loses the citizenship of India," he added. The lawyer said that there are no details on the assets and profits of the company mentioned in Rahul's election affidavit and added that there are a lots of issues in the Congress leader's educational qualifications. Ravi Prakash: There are no details on assets&profits of the company mentioned in the affidavit. There are a no. of mistakes in his educational qualification certificates. The original educational certificates should be presented so that his (Rahul Gandhi) claim can be established ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) 20 April 2019 "There is some haziness about his educational qualifications as well. In 2004, he gave a senior secondary school certificate and after that, he gave an MPhil from Cambridge. In 2009, he introduced a new degree. A BA from Rollings College, Florida. Then a degree on Development Economics (MPhil). This became Development Studies (MPhil) in 2014. In 2019, Rahul Gandhi said he got a BA degree in 1994 and then MPhil in 1995. Which University gives an MPhil degree right after Bachelors in a year?" he said. Following this development, the BJP conducted a press conference where its national spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said that Rahul Gandhi's legal representative does not have answers to any of the objections raised by other candidates on his nomination. He added that, "It's a matter of great surprise that the objections raised regarding Rahul Gandhi's citizenship haven't been answered". I think it's a matter of great surprise that the objections that have been raised regarding Rahul Gandhi's citizenship haven't been answered: Shri @GVLNRAO #IndiaWantsModiAgain BJP (@BJP4India) 20 April 2019 The BJP leader also said that Gandhi's name has been listed as a British citizen in documents related to a company in the UK. Rahul Gandhi's name has been shown to be listed as a British citizen in documents related to a company in the UK. Was Rahul Gandhi a British citizen?: Shri @GVLNRAO #IndiaWantsModiAgain BJP (@BJP4India) 20 April 2019 As per ANI, Ram Manohar Mishra, the returning officer from Amethi has postponed the scrutiny of Congress President Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers to April 22, 2019. The next generation of Motorola's Z series phones have been doing the rounds on the rumour mill for some time now. Leaks surrounding the Moto Z4 Play first surfaced in February. For the first time, specifications for the Moto Z4 have been spotted in an internal marketing document related to the device. The leaked Moto Z4 specifications list indicates it will be placed in the premium mid-range segment. As per the leaked marketing material, the Moto Z4 is expected to come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 SoC. This chipset has been used in smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro, Vivo V15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A70. The leaks claim that the device's price will be half of what the flagships cost, confirming its status as an upper mid-range phone. The Moto Z4 is most likely to run Android 9.0 Pie out of the box, complete with Google's Digital Wellbeing and Lens. The battery on the device is expected to be 3,600mAh with 18W TurboCharge fast-charging support. The device will come with a choice of 4GB or 6GB of RAM, and 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. While the Moto Z4 will work on the 4G network, it is rumoured to support 5G connection via dedicated mods. There is no word on whether the next modular smartphone from Motorola's stables will support the Moto Mods released for the three previous generations of Moto Z series devices. The next big reveal over Moto Z4 comes from the optics department. The leaks show the device equipped with a 48MP rear camera. The sensor is rumoured to come with the Quad Pixel technology which uses pixel binning to deliver more detailed images in low-light conditions. The leaked marketing material also talks about the rear camera being equipped with Night Vision Mode, which might be similar to Google's Night Sight. The front camera is expected to be a 25MP sensor with Group Selfie feature. The leaks suggest that the Moto Z4 will come with a 6.4-inch OLED display. So far, this is the only point where the device differs from Moto Z4 Play, which is expected to come with a 6.22-inch screen. Both devices are expected to come with an in-display fingerprint sensor. The display is likely to have a waterdrop notch at the top, a 16-pin pogo connecter at the back, similar to previous Moto Z series phones and a circular bump at the back for the camera and LED flash. ALSO READ: OnePlus enters big league, to unveil OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro on May 14 ALSO READ: Honor to launch Honor 20i on April 17; here're the key features In the coming weeks, Russia will lease the seaport of Tartus in Syria for 49 years for transport and economic purposes, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said after a meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad. He noted that the decision to lease the port was made at the meeting of the intergovernmental commission in 2018. The current visit of the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed this agreement. The trip consolidated all these agreements. We have advanced on this issue and hope that the contract will be signed within a week, Borisov said. CAMEROUN :: Trafficking Gang to Appear at the Bonaberi-Douala Court of First Instance on April 26, 2019 :: CAMEROON To answer to charges brought against them following their arrest last month with ivory and pangolin scales in Douala. The four were arrested with an estimated two tons of pangolin scales and about 200kg of elephant ivory, during a crackdown operation carried out by a team comprising Members of a trafficking gang shall appear wildlife and police officers. Reports after their arrest say they trafficked in wildfire products especially ivory and pangolin scales, transporting the contraband to Nigeria. They had front businesses to cover up the trafficking in wildlife products. One of them used a telephone shop from where he operated while the another dealt in pepper and a local ingredient that goes by the name djansang. Ivory and pangolin scales were hidden inside the pepper and djansang bags when transported. The reports equally claimed they activated a huge network of smaller traffickers in towns across the East, Centre and South regions including Batouri, Messanmena, Ngoyla, Abong Mbang Yoko and Ayos. The illegal products were stored at the premises of one of the traffickers in Douala and exported to Nigeria. Following their arrest, a house search that was carried out at the premises found bits and pieces of pangolin scales littering several rooms. Speaking after the arrest, Francis Durand Nna, the Littoral Regional Delegate of Forestry and Wildlife said: This is a great victory for us, to have apprehended individuals who illegally exploit wildlife products. The operation that led to the arrest of the traffickers was technically assisted by LAGA, an NGO that has been assisting the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife to enable them track and arrest traffickers since 2003. If found guilty they face up to 3 years imprisonment and or fine of up to 10 million CFA F as pangolins are listed in the class of totally protected wildlife species. Cameroon is host to three species of pangolin including the black-bellied, the white-bellied and the giant pangolins. Scales from all three species of pangolins were found in the seized haul. 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. A high-ranking delegation from Saudi Arabia visited the Russian Cosmonaut Training Center during its stay in the Russian capital, the centers press service said, TASS reports. "The guests were shown special training equipment, including simulated Soyuz-MS spacecraft, the Russian segment of the International Space Station, the TsF-18 centrifuge. Besides, members of the delegation examined reconfigurable equipment to simulate various planes and helicopters," the press service said in a statement. The document quoted a delegation member as saying that "cooperation with Russia is important for us." "This is our first meeting, but we hope that our cooperation will be expanded," he said. The delegation led by Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who is also the board chairman of the Saudi Space Committee, met with the head of the Russian space corporation Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, in Moscow on Wednesday. During the meeting, "the Saudi partners demonstrated interest in enhancing cooperation between the two states in a number of areas, including manned space missions, satellite navigation systems (and related technologies and services), the remote sensing of the Earth and joint projects to build space equipment and ground-based launch infrastructure," Roscosmos said. The delegation also visited the Russian Mission Control Center and the Rocket and Space Corporation Energia. The Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), India's premier Navaratna PSU under the Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India, has invited offline applications from qualified and experienced Indian citizens for filling 09 vacancies to the post Software Engineers (Military Communication) on contract through direct recruitment to be posted at BEL's Bangalore unit. Interested candidates must submit their applications on or before May 01, 2019 CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Software Engineers Organisation Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) Educational Qualification B.E/B.Tech/M.E/M.Tech in Computer Science/Information Science/Information Technology Experience 1 year in relevant domain Job Location Bangalore, Karnataka Salary Scale As per the company standards Industry Electronics Application End Date May 1, 2019 Age Criteria And Fees Candidates interested in applying for the post of Software Engineers through BEL Recruitment 2019 must not be more than 27 years of age as on March 01, 2019 with relaxation (upper age limit) to reserved categories as per Govt. of guidelines. For details regarding application processing fee, refer to the official advertisement here http://www.bel-india.in/CareersGridbind.aspx?MId=29&LId=1&subject=1&link=0&issnno=1&name=Recruitment+-+Advertisements ITBP Recruitment 2019: Apply Online For 121 Constable (General Duty) Vacancies Educational Criteria And Experience Desirous candidates applying for the post of Software Engineers through BEL Recruitment 2019 must possess B.E/B.Tech/M.E/M.Tech in Computer Science/Information Science/Information Technology with at least one year relevant industrial experience in software application development using Java/ Java EE, Javascript, HTML, and CSS or web application testing. Selection And Pay Scale The selection of candidates as Software Engineers through BEL Recruitment 2019 will be done through Shortlisting, Written Test/Interview and Document Verification. Candidates selected as Software Engineers will be paid an emolument as per the company standards. DDA Recruitment 2019: Apply Online For 23 Assistant Executive Engineers (Civil/Electrical) How To Apply Candidates applying for the post of Software Engineers through BEL Recruitment 2019 must fill the applications in a prescribed format after downloading it from the BEL website, and send the same along with copies of relevant testimonials to the, "Deputy General Manager (HR/Mil-Com), Military Communication SBU, Bharat Electronics Limited, Jalahalli Post, Bengaluru - 560 013." on or before May 01, 2019 Download Application Form here http://www.bel-india.in/Documentviews.aspx?fileName=bio-data-form-17419.pdf Read the detailed notification about BEL Recruitment for Software Engineers here http://www.bel-india.in/CareersGridbind.aspx?MId=29&LId=1&subject=1&link=0&issnno=1&name=Recruitment - Advertisements Munich Re Syndicate Singapore (MRSS) is partnering with a Singapore-based limited liability company and Lloyds coverholder that provides tailor-made insurance and reinsurance products and services. The company, Nectar Specialty Risk Pte Ltd. (Nectar), sells its products under the trading name of Nectar PRO, a financial lines business unit focused on emerging Asian markets in Southeast Asia and the Indian sub-continent. Nectar offers the security of Lloyds of London and will now underwrite for Munich Re Syndicate Singapore Pte Ltd, under authority from Munich Re Syndicate 457 at Lloyds. Nectar PRO offers significant capacity for directors and officers (D&O), professional indemnity (PI), crime and financial institutions, for corporations across the Asia-Pacific region, according to MRSS, which added the coverage is provided as direct insurance and reinsurance through local insurers. Celine Ang, head of Asia, Munich Re Syndicate Ltd., said in prepared remarks that the Asia Pacific Region is a key growth market for the company, particularly since the launch of its Singapore office as Munich Re Syndicate Ltd.s Asia hub in the summer of 2018. Ang said the partnership with Nectar PRO will help propel that growth further. Nectar PRO will allow us to expand both our distribution into these Asian markets and also to service the mid-market segment with a high volume of transactions in an efficient manner, Ang said. It is completely complementary to both our current open market Financial Lines strategy in the region and to our overall business strategy of transitioning to a specialty Syndicate with a diverse business offering. Ram Garg, founder and CEO of Nectar, said it will be a valuable partner with Munich Re Syndicate due to its extremely close relationships with local insurers and brokers in the emerging Asian markets. Munich Re Syndicate is a marine and specialty insurance underwriter at Lloyds of London, and has been part of Munich Re since 1997. Source: Munich Re Syndicate *A version of this story ran previously in our sister publication Insurance Journal. South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov said that Syria and South Ossetia were forming an intergovernmental commission, and expressed hope that it would soon start working, Urdu Point reports. "We have almost finished forming our part of the intergovernmental commission. I hope that the joint commission will start working soon and will work directly on the implementation of the agreements that we had reached with [Syrian] President Bashar Assad," Bibilov said as quoted in a statement published on his official website. The delegations of Syria and South Ossetia met on the sidelines of the ongoing Yalta International Economic Forum in Crimea. The Duggar family has had a serious following ever since the very beginning with 19 Kids and Counting. While Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar were the first of the family to attain fame, their kids are now getting all the attention now and Jinger Duggar has attained a fan base along with her husband, Jeremy Vuolo, thanks to TLCs Counting On. Fans have always viewed Jinger as slightly more rebellious than her siblings, and now that shes recently announced shes moving to the West Coast, her followers are even more excited to see what shell do next. Recently, Jinger posted a photo to Instagram thats been getting some serious love and one of her followers even compared her to Kate Middleton. Jinger keeps proving shes the most independent of the Duggar kids Fans certainly had their suspicions when Jinger was younger that shed be the first of the family to break away completely. That never quite happened, of course, as we know she still keeps in touch with her siblings and parents and has serious religious values. But even so, shes proven to be quite adventurous, as she and her husband, Jeremy, moved to Laredo, Texas, to begin their new life together and are headed out to Los Angeles next. As Jinger and Jeremy announced on their blog, Through much prayer and counsel, the next step for our family is to relocate to Los Angeles to attend Grace Community Church as Jeremy pursues graduate studies at The Masters Seminary. Fans shouldnt be too surprised by the move, either, as Jinger has talked about her desire to move to a big city in the past. When Jinger expressed a desire to move to New York City, for example, Michelle Duggar shut it down by telling Radar Online, Jinger didnt mean she wanted to move to New York City. She meant that she wants to live closer to a city. Were talking right near a city, but not New York City. Jinger meant she wanted to live 15 minutes from Walmart. She posted this photo to Instagram thats getting serious love Fans love when Jinger posts photos of her daughter, Felicity, and they showed the happy mom some extra love for this particular post. Not only does Felicity look adorable, but Jinger looks completely radiant in a sleeveless top. Its against Duggar household rules to wear revealing clothes or pants, so this definitely would not be suitable for Jinger growing up. Now that shes on her own, however, fans are completely obsessed with her style. Yesss show those shoulders girl. I love that you have branched out into your own style and standards/values, one fan commented on the photo. And another thought Jinger looked so poised, classy, and beautiful, that they wrote, the Kate Middleton of America. Considering this comment received 34 likes, its safe to say others are feeling the same way. Will Jinger raise her daughter as strictly as she was raised? Felicity is growing up fast, and were all wondering if Felicity is going to grow up in a household thats as strict as Michelle and Jim Bob Duggars. While Jinger and Jeremy certainly hold their religious values high, it seems they wont be quite as reserved as Jingers parents. Considering Jinger wears pants and sleeveless tops now, were willing to bet shell allow her daughter to do the same. As far as Jeremys concerned, hes also quite liberal for a minister. Hes had run-ins with the law in the past and has also been quite candid with his partying ways in college. While hes since learned from the experience, fans love how open and honest he is about real-life matters. We definitely see him being an excellent dad as Felicity grows up, too. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! On his Facebook page, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan commented the accusation of the Head of the State Control Service Davit Sanasaryan on abuse of official powers. The head of the government complained that nepotism in Armenia has deeper roots than crime and oligarchy. Even for the civil society activists and politicians, it remains the main way of world perception ... Davit is my friend, but there are no untouchables in Armenia, Pashinyan said. One of the many reasons why Bethenny Frankels fans love her so much is because she is always keeping it real. The Real Housewives of New York City star recently shared images of an angry breakout she experienced on her Instagram story but also revealed how she combats it. Bethenny Frankel |Photo by Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/WireImage Frankel has been on the go nonstop. Which means shes been covered in heavy makeup in order to be camera ready on the spot. And even though she likely has a smart skin care routine she adheres to daily, nonstop makeup, combined with travel wreaked havoc on the Skinnygirl moguls skin. Because Frankel is so down to earth, she had no problem going on video sans makeup to show fans how she deals with breakouts. She admits this one was particularly bad, but shes on the case. She first visited an esthetician Frankel is on vacation in South Florida and hit the spa to attend to her skin. She takes in a chamomile steam first. Look how much better its getting, Frankel says, showing her face to the camera. She also gives credit to the technician who is working on Frankel too. Im in the skin ER, she jokes. She adds that she was in makeup nonstop from interviews through when she appeared on Watch What Happens Live. So Im going to send Andy [Cohen] this bill, she says. She also tags Cohen in her post. Just send this bill to Andy Cohen, o.k.? she says to the esthetician. Then she does these compresses The next morning, Frankel returned to her Instagram story. Dont hate me because Im hideous, she says. Still, without makeup, she shows the camera her face. She admits her skin is improving and offers her fans an amazing tip. She pans the camera down toward a bowl holding chamomile soaking in water. Put really serious chamomile in ice and then Ill show you in a second, she says. The next frame has Frankel laughing. She has taken the cloth that was bathing in the chamomile and placed it over her face. Can you imagine being in a relationship with me, she says while her face is completely covered. Meanwhile, her boyfriend Paul Bernon must be standing off camera because she laughs and asks him what he thinks. So anyway, chamomile is very cooling and the ice is also very healing. So its a cold chamomile compress. She adds that applying the compress morning and night is helpful in calming an angry breakout. Tea is an acne fighter Both a compress and drinking tea may keep those inconvenient breakouts at bay. According to Banish blog, chamomile tea helps to reduce the severity of a breakout. Also, Chamomile compresses that are used on the skin was compared to have a comparable activity to 1% hydrocortisone ointment in reducing skin inflammation. It can also help protect the skin by reducing the damage done by free radicals and also acne-causing bacteria. The blog also suggests rubbing powdered chamomile tea leaves to reduce acne scars. Plus, for a quick way to reduce redness, apply chilled chamomile tea bags directly to the breakout. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Its a good thing Tom Selleck decided to keep working in television, even if it was arguably out of necessity due to a movie career fizzling out by the late 90s. Over the last 25 years, Selleck has put in some great work on TV with Friends, his own brief sitcom Closer, the popular Jesse Stone TV movies, plus a recurring role as a casino owner on Las Vegas. All of these and more helped influence his near-iconic Frank Reagan character on Blue Bloods. Now heading into a ninth season, Commissioner Reagan has fascinated a lot of viewers and may continue to for at least another season or more. In what ways did the above roles help Selleck make the selfless Reagan more rounded? In some cases, it involved taking from reality. Both Selleck and Reagan have military backgrounds Tom Selleck served in the California Army National Guard from 1967 to 1973. pic.twitter.com/H6hOMz0isx Groovy History (@GroovyHistory) November 21, 2017 If you know a little about Sellecks past, then you may remember he served in the California National Guard (160th infantry regiment) after receiving draft orders for Vietnam in the late 1960s. At the time, he was under contract at 20th Century Fox for an acting program, despite not having much to go on. His military experience lasted until 1973 and brought a whole new sensibility to understanding what leadership means. You can see how he tapped into his military background for Reagan thanks to his character being a former lieutenant in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. While Reagan has far more military honors than Selleck ever received, having the same time reference to Vietnam gives compelling parallels. While it took Selleck some time to find his footing as an actor after his military experience, he later managed to land roles that played up the idea of bravery, sacrifice, and former military training. It took seven years and three failed TV pilots before finding his first great role in Thomas Magnum. How similar was Thomas Magnum to Frank Reagan? Were you a Magnum, P.I. fan? On from 1980 to 1988, the television series starred Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum, the private investigator pic.twitter.com/dQzBrqI9OG 60s, 70s & 80s Kids (@60s70s80sKids) January 6, 2017 Those of you who were alive back when the original Magnum P.I. aired will remember how instantly iconic Selleck made the role. When we first saw Magnum on our TV screens in 1980, we found out he was a former Naval intelligence and SEAL team member who was retiring from his military role to become a private investigator. One could almost draw a fictitious line from Magnums 1980s heyday to becoming the commissioner of the NYPD later in life. Regardless, Reagan is the most heroic of any of Sellecks TV characters. The commish was not only a lieutenant in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, but he also bravely made rescues during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Another side to the sacrifices Reagan made is that he seemingly wants to be alone in his private life after his wife died of cancer. Despite this being a notable character, Selleck did other past roles with similar heroics and relational sacrifices for a larger purpose. Playing Eisenhower helped Selleck learn even more about leadership Can you spot what's different about Tom Selleck who plays General Eisenhower in Ike: Countdown to D-Day at 9pm? #WorldWarTrue pic.twitter.com/cGeREKXNAC HISTORY UK (@HISTORYUK) October 27, 2017 According to a recent interview Selleck did for TV Insider, he notes playing Gen. Dwight Eisenhower during his role in D-Day helped understand leadership above any other figure. Not many actors have attempted to play Eisenhower with such depth, especially during the D-Day Invasion. Outside of Selleck not perfectly resembling Eisenhower, he captured his essence and gave a noteworthy performance. Doing so set him up for understanding the significance of sacrifice and being a ringmaster for something larger. You can definitely see the calm from his Eisenhower portrayal in Frank Reagan. The same goes for playing a police chief in the Jesse Stone films Tom Selleck in Blue Bloods | Craig Blankenhorn/CBS via Getty Images Some might say the Jesse Stone movies were somewhat of a series when you consider nine TV movies were produced to date. Selleck might not be completely done with the character either since he last played the role just four years ago. He did a few of these movies while subsequently in Blue Bloods, giving him more insight into what its like to be a chief of a major police department. Ultimately, Sellecks legacy is going to be that of playing the most honorable cops ever portrayed on TV. In many ways, this is a better legacy than having a long stream of credits in big-screen romantic comedies. Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo are adored by fans. They do things a bit differently than other Duggars, and the two appear to have an extremely solid, confident marriage. But believe it or not, there was one thing that completely terrified Vuolo when it came to walking down the aisle with his wife. Jinger Duggar with her husband, Jeremy Vuolo and daughter, Felicity Vuolo. | Jinger Vuolo via Instagram Vuolo and Duggar knew each other for a few months before they began courting Vuolo and Duggar met through Duggars sister and brother-in-law, Jessa and Ben Seewald. The Seewalds had gone to Texas for a bit and were looking for something to do when they learned that Vuolo was hosting a church fellowship at his home. Although the Seewalds didnt know Vuolo, they heard about it through a friend and decided to attend. Vuolo kept in touch with them, and he came to visit them in Arkansas, which is how he first met Duggar. The two got to know one another pretty well and eventually attended a mission trip together before they began courting. The couple only dated for one month before Vuolo proposed The Duggars arent known for long courtships. Typically, when the Duggar children meet someone they connect with, theyre engaged within six months of starting a courtship. But for Jeremy Vuolo and Jinger Duggar, things moved much more quickly. The couple finally started a courtship a while after meeting, and within a month, Vuolo proposed. He knew Duggar was the one and was everything he was looking for in a wife, but there was a part of him that was hesitant to marry her. Vuolo admitted that Duggars reality television fame petrified him Vuolo and Duggar recently appeared on Audrey and Jeremy Roloffs podcast. (The Roloffs star on the TLC show Little People, Big World.) Vuolo and Duggar discussed a lot of points about their marriage, including how Duggar has helped Vuolo curb his intimacy temptation, and how the two have built trust in their relationship. But he also explained how he was actually completely petrified to marry into the Duggar family. The reality television world can be a scary place, and Vuolo wasnt sure what it would entail or the proper way to handle it. But he knew he loved Duggar, and he was determined to make things worth with her. The two have been married for nearly three years and have one daughter together Vuolo eventually overcame his reality television fears, and he and Duggar tied the knot in 2016. About two years later, they welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Felicity. Since then, the couple has shared plenty of photos of their adorable family on Instagram, and fans cant get enough of their little girl. The couple also recently announced theyd be making a move to California for Vuolo to take graduate classes; they hinted that there probably wouldnt be any more babies joining their family in 2019. Theyve kept fans entertained with their adventures, and theyre arguably the most-liked couple from the Duggar family. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! At the helm of the new Marvel Cinematic Universe film Avengers: Endgame are Joe and Anthony Russo, also known as the Russo Brothers. The directors have been making the rounds during the movies press tour, and though they have been asked many questions there are very few they can actually answer. Heres what they had to say about which MCU flicks to watch (or rewatch) before seeing Endgame in theaters. Joe Russo and Anthony Russo attend the Avengers Endgame UK Fan Event at Picturehouse Central on April 10, 2019, in London, England. | Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images The Russo Brothers are keeping secrets from everyone As weve learned on this press tour, its not just the fans that are in the dark when it comes to what happens in Endgame. Marvel has always kept secrets about its films, but never more so than now, when the conclusion of the 22 movie arc that makes up the MCU. And the keeper of these secrets? Right now, thats the Russo Brothers. The cast has been put to the test in interviews, very carefully avoiding letting any details slip that could give any indication of what well see on screen. These questions range from seemingly innocuous inquiries about individual characters and their interactions to much more extreme, like the fate of each Avenger. And while some may know everything (all signs point to Robert Downey Jr. being very in-the-know), theyre definitely not all fully informed: Some were even given fake scripts or made to film alternate endings, like Mark Ruffalo. These are the movies they say you need to see before Endgame While they couldnt answer all of SYFY WIREs questions as posed by Caitlin Busch, the Russo Brothers did manage to give us a little bit of the information weve been hoping for (spoiler-free, of course). When she asked which movie might offer the most clues or contain the most information necessary for watching Endgame, heres what they had to say. Theres two actually that are important for this movie, said Joe. [Captain America:] Civil War and [Avengers:] Infinity War. He continued, The events of Civil War we commit to every movie so Civil War certainly affected Infinity War, and Infinity War will certainly affect Endgame. I think if we tell anyone if there are two movies [they] have to catch up on, its those two. Some people are having full MCU marathons before the film is released While most dont have time to see 21 movies in a week, others are committed to rewatching the entire MCU filmography (and have likely already begun, unless they have tickets to one of the very few AMC screenings). The question then becomes: How do you watch them all and in what order? We can answer both of those questions for you here. Aside from Captain Marvel (which is still in select theaters), the previous 20 Marvel films are available to watch viewing a streaming service, either included in your membership or with an additional $3-$5 fee. As for the order, this is debatable: While Busch said that the SYFY WIRE staff was rewatching in the traditional release order format, the Russo Brothers have indicated on social media that they prefer chronological order. However you plan to rewatch, you better make it quick! Check out the Cheat Sheet on Facebook! From French to German to Russian and Spanish, the royal family is fluent in quite a few foreign languages. However, not everyone is multilingual or even bilingual for that matter. Case in point: Prince Harry doesnt have fluency in any foreign language, despite taking French in school. Prince Harry | Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage What languages does Prince Harry wish he could speak (hint: Its not French)? Find out, ahead. What languages does Prince Harry speak? Unlike his brother and father who are each fluent in around five foreign languages Prince Harry has only mastered English. But, that doesnt mean that the Duke of Sussex doesnt try to connect with others through their native languages. While in New Zealand last fall, Prince Harry delivered a speech in six different languages (with the help of some notes, of course). During the speech, the Duke of Sussex spoke Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Niuean, Cook Islands Maori, and Maori. This is definitely the first time Ive spoken most of those languages, so I apologize if my accent wasnt any good, he noted afterward. In addition to these languages, the Duke of Sussex has delivered a speech in Arabic before. However, he is not fluent in the language. During his royal tour of New Zealand, Prince Harry sat in on a German class and revealed the one foreign language he knows or, knew. I learned French at school, but Ive forgotten most of it, he noted while visiting the class. He also revealed the two languages he wishes he could speak. What languages does Prince Harry wish he could speak? Prince Harrys grandfather, Prince Philip is an impressive linguist with fluency in three languages: English, French, and German. And, although Prince Harry learned French in school, he wishes he took after his grandfather and learned German, too. I wish I could speak German, he commented while visiting the German class in New Zealand. German isnt the only foreign language Prince William wishes he could speak. He also wanted to learn Spanish but, according to his remarks, his teacher advised against it. Luckily, if he ever needs a translator, his wife is comfortable speaking the language. What languages does Meghan Markle speak? According to the royal familys website, Meghan Markle is multilingual with knowledge of both French and Spanish. However, her fluency is unknown. According to her online biography, the Duchess of Sussex learned Spanish while interning at the US Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina during her college years. She also studied French for six years in school and lived in Canada, which is a bilingual country, prior to moving to the United Kingdom. However, the French spoke in Canada is different than that of France. Like her husband, Meghan Markle also knows some words and phrases in foreign languages. While visiting Edinburgh, the Duchess of Sussex spoke a little Tagalog, the language of the Philipines. The duchess allegedly said Salamat Po, which means thank you in the language. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Joe Giudices fate may already be sealed. But it didnt stop his daughter Gia from making this plea to allow him to remain in the United States. Joe and his wife Teresa from The Real Housewives of New Jersey were sentenced to prison time in 2014 for a slew of crimes including mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud. Teresa Giudice and Joe Giudice |Photo by Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for Mount Airy Casino Resort Teresa was sentenced to serve 15 months and Joe just completed his 41-month sentence. The judge in the case imposed the sentence because the Giudices probation included a number of glaring omissions and inconsistencies. So, judge Esther Salas issued jail time because she wanted to send a message. For a moment I thought about probation. I dont honestly believe you understand or respect the law. I need to send a message. In the eye of the law, it doesnt matter who you are. There are consequences to pay. Joe completed his sentence, so why does he still need help? Joe never became a United States citizen. Even though his family came to the U.S. from Italy when Joe was a child, he never applied for citizenship. As a result, he was immediately transferred to an immigration detention center upon release, People reports. The familys attorney made an appeal for his release into the U.S. but the appeal was denied. We are extremely disappointed that the Board of Immigration Appeals has denied Mr. Giudices appeal, James J. Leonard Jr., the Giudice family attorney, told People in a statement. We have filed a stay with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and will continue to fight to keep Mr. Giudice in the United States, the only country he knows, and reunite him with his wife and four daughters. Whether or not the family would move to Italy with Joe was a big topic during the RHONJ season. At one point Teresa seemed on board, but eventually said she would not move to Italy if Joe was deported. His eldest daughter makes this plea Now that Joes future in the U.S. looks bleak, his daughter Gia issued a plea on Instagram for President Donald Trump to intervene. How could we live and support a nation that Allows sex offenders and pedophiles to stay in the United States as long as we register them to a list knowing they could live next-door and harm again, yet they could take a man who committed a minor crime to support his family away from his family it makes me want to leave this country !!!!!!! she wrote. Gia posted a picture of the entire family together, looking happy. Donald Trump do something intervene, she begged. I voted for you because I support you and what you stand for. She added, I think you can make a motion to bring this man home back to his family instead of sending him to a country that he has no ties to besides his cultural background please help @realdonaldtrump Make a motion to pardon Joe Giudice 1 nation under God! Gods in control nobody else. Teresa may be more resigned to the fact that there is no going back. She posted a loving photo of Joe and his daughters from an Easter during happier times. Joe with the girls decorating eggs, days like this I love having photos, she wrote. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Try as we might to make weddings go off without a hitch, hitches happen. Guests might make drunken toasts to the bride and groom or the weather may not cooperate at an outdoor ceremony. The same goes for royal weddings. Princess Diana and Prince Charles 1981 wedding, deemed by some as the wedding of the century, looked every part the fairytale wedding but there were hitches on the big day. Prince Charles and Princess Diana return to Buckingham Palace by carriage after their wedding, on July 29, 1981. She wears a wedding dress by David and Elizabeth Emmanuel and the Spencer family tiara. | Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images One, in particular, involved a disaster with Princess Dianas now iconic wedding gown. Keep reading to learn how the princess handled the disaster like a professional. Princess Dianas wedding gown Elizabeth and David Emanuel designed Princess Dianas wedding gown, according to Readers Digest. Now one of the most famous wedding dresses in history, the dress included hand embroidery, 10,000 pearls, sequins, and lace bought at an auction. Later identified as Carrickmacross lace, the lace the designers bought, hailed from the bodice of a gown dating back to Queen Mary. Then theres the stunning 25-foot long train Diana topped off her gown with, not to mention the tiara and other jewels she wore. Lady Diana Spencer and her father Earl Spencer arrive at St Pauls Cathedral on the day of her wedding to the Prince of Wales, 29th July 1981. | Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images Even her shoes were elaborately made although they were barely visible beneath her wedding dress. The top of the shoes featured a heart and on the sole, shoemaker Clive Shilton painted a C and D. No one even saw the bottom of the shoes, but it was important to us that they looked fantastic. You would have seen much more of them if shed tripped! Shilton said according to Business Insider. Princess Dianas gown and train were left to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry per the instructions in her will. Perfume spilled on dress Right before she walked down the aisle with the world watching, Princess Diana accidentally spilled perfume on her wedding gown. Make-up artist Barbara Daly said that when the princess, then 20 years old, went to apply her favorite perfume, Quelques Fleursher, she spilled some on her gown. At that moment Princess Diana couldve had a Bridezilla level meltdown but she didnt. She cooly covered the spot by lifting up that part of her dress. To the world, it looked as if she carried the dress to keep from tripping but in reality, she was concealing the spot where the perfume spilled. Another hitch at the royal wedding Two other hitches occurred at the royal wedding in July of 1981, while the royal couple exchanged vows. Princess Diana famously called Prince Charles by the wrong name, calling him Philip Charles instead of Charles Phillip. And when they were done with their vows, Prince Charles forgot to kiss the bride. Thats how the tradition of kissing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace came to be. Prince Charles forgot to kiss Princess Diana at the end of the ceremony so they improvised by kissing at Buckingham Palace in front of onlookers and family, creating a new royal wedding tradition. Prince Charles kissing Diana during their wedding in London on July 29, 1981, and Prince William kissing his wife Kate Middleton on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011. | /AFP/Getty Images) Their son Prince William followed the same tradition when he married Kate Middleton in 2011 but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle didnt (learn why here). Anne Hathaway made waves a few months ago when she revealed she planned to give up alcohol at least until her child is grown up. Im going to stop drinking while my son is living in my house, the actress told Ellen during an appearance on her show in January. Now, in an interview with British magazine Tatler, she explained that decision in more detail, saying that while she enjoys drinking, shes not so fond of the after-effects. She once had a five-day hangover Anne Hathaway |Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images A long day of overindulgence pushed the 36-year-old star to start saying no to wine and other alcoholic drinks. My last hangover lasted for five days, The Dark Knight Rises star recalled. Id earned it: it was a day drinking session with friends that went into an evening birthday party with one of my drinking buddies. I will never be that person who can nurse a glass of wine throughout an entire evening. When she talked with Ellen, she shared a story about having to drop her son off at school while still feeling the sting of the previous nights celebration. I did one school run one day where I dropped him off at school; I wasnt driving, but I was hung over and that was enough for me, she said. I didnt love that one. But she says she still loves drinking While Hathaway has given up drinking for the time being, she says its not because she doesnt enjoy it. In fact, thats exactly the problem. My issue is I just love it. So. Much, she said. But the way I do it makes me unavailable for my son. Hathaway gave birth to her first child, Jonathan, in 2016. She has been married to Adam Shulman since 2002. The actress, whose new movie The Hustle is in theaters May 10, has said she doesnt think she has a problem with drinking, though and she doesnt think everyone needs to completely quit booze. I didnt put [a drink] down because my drinking was a problem; I put it down because the way I drink leads me to have hangovers and those were the problem, she told Boston Common. When Im at a stage in my life where there is enough space for me to have a hangover, Ill start drinking again, but that wont be until my kid is out of the house. But, I just want to make this clear: Most people dont have to do such an extreme thing, she added. I dont think drinking is bad. Its just the way I do it which I personally think is really fun and awesome is just not the kind of fun and awesome that goes with having a child for me. But this isnt a moralistic stance. Whats next for Hathaway? Earlier this year, Hathaway starred in the thriller Serenity opposite Matthew McConaughey. Next up is something completely different: The comedy The Hustle, a gender-swapped remake of 1988s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Rebel Wilson co-stars. This fall, shell star with Ben Affleck and Willem Dafoe in The Last Thing He Wanted, an adaptation of the Joan Didion novel that will be released in theaters and on Netflix. And shell play the Grand High Witch in a new adaptation of Roald Dahls The Witches directed by Robert Zemeckis. Finally, shell appear with Mark Ruffalo and Tim Robbins in an as-yet-untitled movie from Carol director Todd Haynes about a DuPont chemical company scandal. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Bethenny Frankel from The Real Housewives of New York City had an encounter with an ex-boyfriend during a recent episode of the show. She was getting ready for a party at her new home and was trying to get everything done at once. As her team multi-tasks her look (hair, makeup, and even an IV), she comments, I cant believe my ex-boyfriend is here. Bethenny Frankel |Photo by Leon Bennett/WireImage Her ex-boyfriend, Russ Theriot owns The Crew Of Events, LLC., the company that was helping Frankel throw the party. We hired these guys but I didnt know he was going to come, Frankel tells her glam squad. She seems stressed because shes not completely put together as her ex roams the hallways playing with the dogs. How serious was Frankel with Theroit and why did they break up? They seemed happy together The couple seemed happy together when they were dating during the summer of 2017. Pictures surfaced of the two looking relaxed and happy on a Hamptons beach. At the time, tabloids reported that Frankel and Dennis Shields had broken up too. Theroit is almost a decade younger than Frankel. She was 46 when they dated and he was 37. Daily Mail cited a source who claimed the pair were not seriously dating at the time but instead just having fun. Frankel was not only coming off a relationship with Shields but also drama with ex-husband Jason Hoppy. Hoppy was arrested earlier in the year on stalking charges. Theriot was a serious boyfriend Frankel says in a confessional that she was all in with Theroit. Russ is someone I dated seriously last summer, she says. A few minutes later Theroit pokes his head into Frankels bedroom to let her know he has to go to his next event. That was him? her makeup artist asks. I did not expect for him to be that fine, he hairstylist adds. Frankel then rushes out to give Theriot a hug after shes fully put together and looking beautiful. She apologizes and he jokingly warns her not to scare his guys. They could get laid, she quips. But they may not want to. But this is why they broke up During Watch What Happens Live, host Andy Cohen couldnt help but comment on Theroit. Bethennys ex-boyfriend made an appearance and this guy is so hot, he said. This guy has been a cater waiter at events Ive been at. Hes like crazy hot. Dorinda Medley pipes in that she knows Theroit through a mutual friend, who Cohen seems to know as well. During the episode, Frankel reveals why the pair broke up. She turns to her team to whisper what happened with the relationship. You know why I ended it abruptly was because we were like in love, madly in love, she admits. But Dennis came in hot, like freaking out, I want to marry you, can you please come to the Bahamas, Im in love with you. So I just phased out. I just disappeared. It was a disaster. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! The media presence for a royal is constant. The royal family cant have a moment to themselves without the press wanting to snap pictures of them or see what they are up to. That pressure is only intensified when one of the royals is pregnant. Kate Middleton had nonstop coverage surrounding the births of all three of her children. And if you go back to when Princess Diana was pregnant with Prince William and Prince Harry, its the same story. Meghan Markle has been the main focus of several news stories since her marriage to Prince Harry. The number of stories has only increased since she announced her pregnancy. Everyone wants to know when she will give birth, what the sex of her baby will be, and how she will give birth. Living under a microscope can be overwhelming. Will Markle speed up the birth to get out of the spotlight? How did Princess Diana deal with the pressure? As we know, Diana, like Markle, liked to do things her own way. So, when she was pregnant with her first child and came under so much scrutiny, she couldnt take it. In Andrew Mortons Diana: Her True Story, she opened up about how awful the media attention was surrounding her pregnancy and what she did to get away from it. When we had William, we had to find a date in the diary that suited Charles and his polo, she said. William had to be induced because I couldnt handle the press pressure any longer, it was becoming unbearable. It was as if everyone was monitoring every day for me. Will Markle induce? There has been much speculation around Markles birthing plan, but it seems that the new royal wants to take a different route than her mother-in-law to get away from the public scrutiny. First off, she and Harry have chosen not to have their baby at The Lindo Wing at St. Marys Hospital which is a very public location. The child will not be born at the Lindo, a source told The Sun. She and Harry have decided that rather than go somewhere as public as the Lindo, they will allow Meghan to recover somewhere more private. She also wont be taking pictures right after giving birth like her sister-in-law. Buckingham Palace have announced media plans for the Duke & Duchess of Sussexs baby, royal correspondent Emily Andrews tweeted earlier this month. Once #Meghan is in labour, we will be told (like #kate) but the couple will keep where private & wont be appearing on the hospital steps afterwards. There will be a photo op once theyre home. Markle is also considering a natural birth, so inducing is unlikely. Her mother is very into anything that is holistic and natural, and having been brought up with yoga and mindfulness, its all very much part of Meghans birth plan, a source recently told Vanity Fair. Read more: Royal Split: What Does Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Splitting the Royal Household Mean? Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! The US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on Friday sentenced Russian citizen Yuri Martyshev, extradited from Latvia to US in 2017, to six and half years in prison on charges of cybercrime, TASS reported citing his lawyer. "A verdict has been passed for Russian citizen Yuri Martyshev, who earlier pleaded guilty to two charges - complicity and unauthorized computer access. In total, those charges entail the punishment of up to 15 years in prison," Alexei Tarasov said. "The judge sentenced him to 78 months behind bars, or 6.5 years. Considering the good behavior reward, which is 54 days every year, his term may be cut by another year in total. By now, Yuri has spent two years in detention, so he has about 3.5 years in prison left." The Russian citizens was also sentenced to a symbolic fine of about $200. He also must pay about $8.8 million "in restitution" for the crimes he had committed. "But this does not mean that he must give the money tomorrow," Tarasov said. Yes, its beginning to look a lot like Christmaswhich, for many of us, feels like a rush into chaos. Celebrating Advent during this season slows us down and helps our hearts and minds be reoriented around the coming of Christ.Yes, its beginning to look a lot like Christmaswhich, for many of us, feels like a rush into chaos. Celebrating Advent during this season slows us down and helps our hearts and minds be reoriented around the coming of Christ. Harvest Bible Chapel allegedly made James MacDonald a millionaire; ECFA terminates membership Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment James MacDonald, founder of Harvest Bible Chapel in greater Chicago, who was recently fired under a cloud of financial abuse, was allegedly being paid nearly a million dollars per year in regular salary, had access to approximately a million more in discretionary spending, and is currently owed $2.6 million in deferred compensation by the debt-ridden church. Independent journalist Julie Roys reported Wednesday that in 2018, HBC paid MacDonald $80,000 per month ($50,000 monthly in regular salary and $30,000 monthly in deferred compensation), which amounts to $960,000 annually. This number does not include additional money MacDonald may have received from his broadcast ministry, Walk in the Word, Harvests church planting network, Vertical Church, its songwriting and worship ministry, Vertical Worship, and books, Roys said. Roys reported that she confirmed the details of MacDonalds compensation arrangement with a senior leader at the church. The Christian Post reached out to HBC seeking comment on the report Thursday but officials authorized to speak on behalf of the church were not immediately available. Citing Emmanuel Manny Bucur, a deacon and one-time volunteer bodyguard of MacDonalds, and Mark Banaszak, a Harvest member and captain of the churchs Saturday night security team, as sources, Roys reported that HBC gave MacDonald between $800,000 to $1.2 million annually in discretionary funds. Half of the discretionary funds in general came from a senior pastor discretionary fund, and a similar amount came from a discretionary fund in Walk in the Word. Roys noted that the unnamed HBC leader she consulted with confirmed the discretionary funds were part of a hidden or black budget. The news comes just over a month after HBC officials revealed they are struggling financially due to the hemorrhaging of members and donations in the fallout from MacDonalds Feb. 12 ouster from the megachurch. In their message to members on March 10, officials reviewing finances at the church admitted that there was a lack of financial control over MacDonalds office but did not provide any details of how that lack of control manifested. As our Harvest 2020 team is charged with reviewing all finances within the church, we have found that there was a lack of financial control and oversight as well as questionable spending practices made by the senior pastors office. "In addition, we have identified there was a separate budget for the senior pastors office over which there was not sufficient controls and oversight, officials said. According to Roys report however, MacDonald was supposed to record any personal expenses charged to his discretionary funds and reimburse the church, but it is unclear if that happened. He reportedly counted having a bear stuffed and shipped from Alaska as a ministry expense. Church funds were also allegedly used to gift between six and eight Harley Davidson motorcycles to people inside and outside of the church. The report also noted that HBC also handed over the Walk in the Word ministry to MacDonald even though the church pumped millions of dollars into it. The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability announced Wednesday that they had terminated HBCs membership based on further investigation into the megachurchs operation. The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) board voted today to update the membership status for Harvest Bible Chapel (Elgin, IL) from suspension to termination due to significant violations of four of ECFAs Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship. Based on new information obtained by ECFA from the church while under suspension, ECFA determined that the church was not in compliance with Standards 2, 3, 4 and 6, which pertain to Governance, Financial Oversight, Use of Resources and Compliance with Laws, and Compensation-Setting and Related-Party Transactions, the organization said. ECFA continues to champion integrity in Gods Kingdom, Dan Busby, ECFA president said in the announcement. "We are committed to applying our standards rigorously and consistently. MacDonalds ouster from HBC was triggered by "highly inappropriate recorded comments" he made on a radio program as well as "other conduct." He was recorded talking about planting child pornography on Christianity Today CEO Harold Smith's computer, and making crude remarks about independent journalist Julie Roys including joking that she had an affair with CT Editor-in-Chief Mark Galli and a rude reference to Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College. It was recently reported that MacDonald splurged thousands of dollars in church funds on a vintage car he gifted Stetzer. Stetzer said he had no idea MacDonald used money from church donations to pay for the gift. He reportedly reimbursed the ministry for the full value of the car, a just under $13,000 1971 VW Beetle, in March. Jentezen Franklin, Abby Johnson urge thousands at Free Chapel Church to not stay silent on abortion Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Jentezen Franklin, senior pastor of the multi-campus Free Chapel Church in Gainesville, Georgia, urged more than 4,000 Christians to speak out against abortion at an event celebrating life with former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson from the hit movie Unplanned Saturday. If America is going to be destroyed, it will be destroyed by the silence of the pulpits and the silence of the righteous minority called Christians who are failing to lift their voice and say with great passion we are going to protect the life of the unborn, Franklin said in opening remarks at his Life Is Beautiful conference. He also recommended grace for people who have had abortions or were engaged in the abortion industry. With just as much passion and just as much fervency, we are going to extend grace and compassion to anyone who has experienced an abortion, been anyway involved in it, were not mad at you. Jesus loves you and we love you. And were here to walk through life. Were all flawed people. We need Gods grace. We can make our nation greater. We can make our world a place that values life because life is beautiful, Franklin said. He also highlighted the recent legislation in New York permitting abortion up until the point of birth, as well as a similar proposal in Virginia and noted: If theyre not ashamed to take that stand, then I am not ashamed to take the Word of God and say with all the love in my heart, that life matters to God and it matters to us. Franklin further urged the gathering, which included a number of national Christian leaders, public servants, and the church community to unite on the issue. "We no longer have the luxury of disunity in the Body of Christ. The lines have been drawn. Stand up for life. And stand up for compassion and grace for those that have experienced abortion. We dare not be silent in such a time as this, he said. Franklin, Johnson and others who spoke at the conference raised concern about pregnant women who feel like abortion is their only option and also prayed for women grieving past abortions. Johnson, who is now pregnant with her eighth child, shared her story of going through two abortions herself. Most people who work inside these abortion clinics are not there because they love abortion, theyre there because of misguided compassion, she said of her eight years working for Planned Parenthood. "I was very ignorant surrounding the topic of abortion. It was my ignorance, it was my naivety that led me inside the doors of the abortion industry." She revealed that her conversion came in 2009 when her supervisor asked her to double the quota of abortions at her clinic. She was also affected by her role in an ultrasound-guided abortion procedure on a 13-week-old unborn baby boy. I watched this perfectly formed innocent human being become dismembered in his mother's womb, she said. I believe that all of these things that happened in 2009 were God's way of chipping through the callous that had formed around my heart. I knew then that what I had seen was a grave injustice. Since then, Johnson has been fighting for life. There is no such thing as an unwanted child because every child is created in the image and likeness of God, and very much wanted by our Father, Johnson said. Let us do everything that we can, not just to make abortion illegal, but to make abortion unthinkable in our society. Lauren Daigle reveals music healed her after two year battle with extreme illness Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Grammy award-winning artist, Lauren Daigle visited New Yorks Z100 studios this week and revealed that music healed her while in a two year battle with an extreme illness. Daigles last release, Look Up Child debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart upon its release in September, beating out popular secular musicians such as Drake, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B that week. Since then shes been on a mainstream circuit sharing her Christian music and her story. While at Z100, Daigle shared that at age 15 she was diagnosed with cytomegalovirus, an immune deficiency she likened to an extreme form of mono. I was placed on homebound and that was when my mom said, 'Hey we should start voice lessons,' basically to say, to keep you from depression, let's keep you focused on music. Daigle explained. I fell in love, it became my healing. That time of isolation became the Louisiana natives inspiration for most of her Christian music today. The wealth that was given to me and invested in that time, I tell people a lot of times, 'What you think might overcome you is actually just the place you're supposed to launch from. What you think might be the place that is overwhelming and all-consuming is actually just the beginning of your destiny, she testified. The now 27-year-old wants everyone to know that the difficult times in life can serve as their starting part. Daigle said in a recent interview with The Christian Post that she is remaining true to her call of going outside the walls of the church to share the Gospel. "I think the passage that says, 'Go out into the world and draw people unto Him,' the Great Commission, that's what I think about in regard to the mainstream aspect," Daigle told CP in the interview. "I wasn't looking at [making my music] as in mainstream versus Christian. I was like, 'OK, what is the purest version of me? Or what is the purest thing that God has written into my spirit and how do I express that? How do I communicate that?" The 27-year-old Louisiana native said she's not afraid to appeal to the world with her message of hope, which some fear might lead her astray and to abandon her worship roots to become a secular artist. Daigle, however, said her faith and mission in life has never been clearer. "[My music] is having crossover appeal, but it doesn't mean that I'm leaving one for the other or that I'm going to be swept up by one thing or the other. For me, it's like, 'Oh, everything just got even more clear.' Everything just got clearer as to why it is that we go and love people who are outside of the walls of our church, outside of the walls that we're comfortable with," Daigle added. Daigle is scheduled to perform at the Billboard Music Awards Wednesday, May 1st on NBC. After 22 years of marriage, couple reveal what keeps them going Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment When Miami couple Lilliane and Rodrigo Farinazo wed as young Christians nearly 22 years ago, they were both sure that they had found the proverbial one in each other. I was actually looking for somebody to complete me. I was looking for a companion, a person that would be able to spend the rest of her life with me and I think I found that in Lilliane, said Rodrigo about his decision to get married when he was just 21. Coupled with his cultural background where it was not uncommon for men his age to get married, the Brazilian immigrant also felt he was in a good position to be a husband. We moved to this country from Brazil, we were very young at the time I believed [myself] to be an adult. I was paying my bills. I was making my own decisions. I was living in a friends house but I felt I was ready to have my own house with my spouse. If you grow up in this country, some people take their time. At the time I felt that I was a grown adult, he explained. Obviously, when youre that young you believe that you can adjust to anything and we have been afforded the opportunity to adjust, thank God. At 19, Lilliane, who is now a licensed marriage therapist, was even younger and she was excited about spending the rest of her life with Rodrigo. I loved it. Like he said, we were here from Brazil. In Brazil, in 1997, it was common for people to get married [young] as well. My mom got married even younger than me and she is still married to my dad. And his parents also. They were married for 60 years until a couple of weeks ago we lost my father-in-law. So we had a good background of lasting marriages, Lilliane added. The young lovers dated for a year-and-a-half before finally making their marriage official in May 1997. What they didnt know about the journey, despite all the family role models they had and their faith, almost cost them their marriage. I think when we got married we had a lot of the fantasies, thinking that everything was just going to fall into place and you dont have to work for it, since youre in love. You dont have to be intentional. And now, even as a marriage therapist and that experience in our own marriage, I know we have to be intentional. Not even a relationship with God would be a good one if we dont work at it, Lilliane said. In about two to three months into their marriage, Rodrigo and Lilliane realized they had real differences to overcome. You give yourself a few months, the honeymoon period, when the bills start coming in, when you start seeing the differences in how she thinks and how I think and how I was brought up and how she was brought up, Rodrigo said. Were both from Brazil but from different states. My culture in Rio is a lot more insensitive, whereas her culture was more of a polite-type culture. Sort of what you see in the northwest of the United States where you can trust people. There was a point in time when we said we have to adjust. When did that happen? I dont know, but it didnt take long [to happen]. I would say a couple months, three months maybe, he recalled. Challenges and submission Back then I always believed that my wife had to conform to my standards. Its part of the culture. The macho man culture. It took me a while to understand that we have to walk side by side. And that she doesnt have to obey me. I dont have to obey her. Lets get an agreement here, lets move forward, Rodrigo said. And even though she understood that as a Christian being submissive to her husband is biblical, they both had to wrestle with how that guidance should manifest in a modern marriage. In the beginning we had a lot of fights. I grew up in a house where [there were] only girls. Im the youngest of four girls and I was taught to be very independent, said Lilliane. We had to adjust a lot to that. It was much easier for me to totally embrace being submissive when I knew that he was also valuing me. It was not a matter of he just makes decisions and I dont care what you think. I dont care what you feel. So it was much easier for me when you have to make a decision that we get to a point where if my husband tells me I do feel God is leading us this way, I respect it because I trust God, she explained. More than anything I will trust God that God is the head of my husband. And so I see it as, if there is any mistake in all of it, I know God will honor me because I am being submissive. Submission soon became easy for Lilliane because of the partnership approach to life that she developed with Rodrigo over time. We dont make decisions separate from each other. We make decisions together. And being very careful with each other for me it makes being submissive so easy. Being submissive works best when your husband is seeking the Lord and he is demonstrating that he is valuing your role in the relationship? she said. Learning to value Lilliane Rodrigo admits that learning how to include his wife in the decision-making process of their household made their marriage better because they also dealt with the consequences of their decisions together. I cant recall a particular instance where I had to make a decision without her being around. Whenever we make decisions, whether its small or big decisions, we would do it together and bear the consequences of those decisions together, he said. Making bad decisions together, however, is not always easy. At times it is difficult avoiding not blaming someone when things dont go as planned. I cant say we are free of blame here and there. Theres always well, we shouldnt have done this. Its like the elephant in the room. You cannot ignore it. The decision is done, we are both paying the price. On occasion we would even say, yeah, I told you.' The only difference between this and what we see out there is that we dont hold this against each other, said Rodrigo. We truly learned from these mistakes and Im very careful when Im making decisions when Im at home or at work. Some decisions we even consult the kids. And when were not sure we would consult people we trust. But youre gonna make decisions [that arent good]. Most important lesson in marriage The most important takeaway for marriage, the couple agrees, is that if you really want it to work, you cannot give up. I think the most important lesson for me is first, not to give up, said Lilliane. We did have rough patches in our relationship. We struggled. For a period of time we even considered divorce because we felt like we were at the end of the road and God restored [us]. Im thankful that we didnt give up on each other, we did not give up on our relationship, and God helped us through the hard seasons. So perseverance is No. 1 and being able to forgive and connect with each other, she said. How God used the Gottman Method Being a licensed mental health counselor and marriage therapist was also a big help for the Farinazos during hard times. In fact, says Lilliane, I think my training saved our marriage. When I was going to graduate school, I had this professor that said, 'you know, you have this cohort and youve been married the longest, I think it would be great if you got trained in the Gottman Method,' she recalled. The Gottman Method is an approach to couples therapy that includes a thorough assessment of the couple relationship and integrates research-based interventions based on the Sound Relationship House Theory. Im looking at her (professor) like, you have no idea how hard it is for me right now but OK, Ill do it. I came home and I told my husband, shes telling me I have to learn about this and I dont want to learn alone, can you learn with me. He did. And that really was used by God to bring us closer, she said. For Rodrigo, the method was challenging. To me, I considered it uncharted waters. You know, you go into this and I thought, now I have to pretend everything is OK. When I really understood what I had to do it became doable because marriage is a journey, he said. Youre walking side by side with your partner. I use the word partner a lot. We use the same word in Portuguese when I say to you my partner. Because youre doing things together. Youre doing life together. Everything you do will affect her or him. So you gotta think twice before doing something, he noted. On forgiveness and when to seek help The Farinazos, who have two children together, believe that to have a healthy marriage couples must also learn to forgive. Its very important because you can make all kinds of mistakes in the marriage. You know what kind of disrespect can happen in a marriage? asked Rodrigo. Contention, disrespect, you name it. Without forgiveness youre gonna build resentment. At one point youre gonna start keeping score you gotta let it go, he said. If your marriage feels like it's in an unending rut and there is no effective communication, Lilliane suggests that it might be time to get some professional help. Well, when they (couples) feel like they are stuck. They cant communicate in a way thats clear to the spouse. Anytime they feel like they are stuck in the same cycle of attack, defense like not going anywhere [thats the time to get help], she said. And for Christians, its always important to combine professional help with their faith. There is no other counseling book that is as important for me as the Bible. Of course God uses the research, God uses the knowledge that psychology can provide in order to help couples to get unstuck, Lilliane said. She noted that getting professional help becomes even more important when mental health issues are involved. I know for a fact that if you dont have a healthy individual then that individual will not be able to relate to the spouse or even to other people in a healthy way. So mental health is very important. You have a spouse that is suffering with depression, if the other spouse could say, let me help you through the process, lets seek professional help, lets do a psychological evaluation, I want to be a part of your healing process as well. As a couple, thats a great way that God can use the spouse to bring healing to take care of each other but also using the tools that we have in our profession that are helpful. There are situations that if you need to take medication, I would even refer you to a psychiatrist, Lilliane said. There are situations that goes beyond the normal cognition that we work on and needs additional care. You wouldnt tell a person with diabetes dont go to the doctor, right? You wouldnt tell a person with cancer oh, just forget about seeking treatment. Why [then with] mental health there is such a stigma? she asked. For Christian couples who might be going through challenging situations right now, Rodrigo agrees that seeking help and praying is the best approach. For anyone trying to help, he believes its never enough to tell couples in difficult circumstances to just pray. The most difficult thing you can tell somebody who is going through that is pray about it," he said. "I cannot imagine somebody whos been going through problems five, six years and they havent prayed about it. So when people are feeling down and feeling like throwing in the towel, calling it a day, you have to say go get help. Were not putting God aside. That person has likely prayed already Thats how I feel about it. "Thats the one thing I feel like if people could have given me a piece of advice back when our marriage was going through some really rocky times, it would have been go seek counseling. Go get help. I think it would have made a lot of difference for us, Rodrigo added. On being a Christian husband and father As a husband, Rodrigo says he works very hard to ensure that he doesnt put himself in situations that could create problems for his marriage. When people look at you what do they see? Who do they see? Do they see a talker, a social butterfly? Do they see a guy whos always putting himself in a bad position? Or do they see somebody who is really respectful? So I try to be that person at all times. Im respectful with everybody around me. I dont put myself in questionable positions, he said. One associate of mine said, there are only two people in the world that wont eat with another woman. Its you and Mike Pence, he quipped. When it comes to parenting their two children the couple admit that even though it's a difficult job, tackling it in a united way is the most effective way to lead as parents so they try hard not to give them mixed messages or allow themselves to be manipulated. Sometimes I do things that she doesnt agree with and sometimes she does things that I dont agree with, and were trying to keep it to ourselves and on occasion we let it slip. We should have done this, he said. In general, however, Lilliane praised Rodrigo for being an amazing father to their 16 and 11-year-old children. I feel really blessed. If there is one thing that I admire about my husband is that hes an amazing dad. Hes very involved. Hes careful about how the kids are feeling, how the kids are doing in school, so I am very blessed with that, she said. After 22 years of marriage though, the couple agree that they try to be as creative as they can to unwind and keep their marriage healthy. You do crazy things man, Rodrigo said as Lilliane laughed when asked how they make their life fun too. We just purchased a motorcycle. So both of us are gonna hop on [it] very soon and ride along with the people from church We go on vacations and we keep it interesting. Sequel to The Other Side of Heaven being released two decades later (First look) Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Nearly two decades ago, Anne Hathaway starred in her first feature film, The Other Side of Heaven, about an American missionary couple. The film easily helped launch the faith-based genre. Now, the sequel, The Other Side of Heaven 2: Fire of Faith, is being released on June 28. See a first look at the trailer here. After its theatrical run, part one of the movie was picked up by Disney and went on to sell over 4 million DVDs. The Other Side of Heaven 2: Fire of Faith does not feature Hathaway but the original director and producer, Mitch Davis (The Stray), and lead actor, Christopher Gorham (Ugly Betty), reprise their respective roles. Gorham again stars as John Groberg and his wife is now played by New Zealand actress Natalie Medlock. John Groberg returns to Tonga for his second round of missionary adventures, this time bringing his wife and family. When their son is born critically ill, the Grobergs face the ultimate test of their faith, only to find themselves surrounded by the love and prayers of thousands of Tongans of all denominations. Barriers of interreligious strife (the Grobergs are Mormons) are broken down as an entire nation unites in hopes of a miracle that will save the baby's life, as well as that of a Tongan minister's son who is in a coma in an adjacent hospital room, the films synopsis reads. See the exclusive first look at the trailer here: "John Groberg's true-life story among the Tongan people is incredible. It sells itself. But there was so much of that story we were unable to fit into the first installment," Davis told Deadline. With so much demand and such a great reservoir of unused content, we finally decided to give families the next chapter. For more information on The Other Side of Heaven 2: Fire of Faith, visit the movies website. 5 big takeaways from the Mueller report Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A redacted version Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on the findings of his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election was released to the public Thursday. The 400-page report outlining the findings of the Mueller investigation, which was launched in May 2017, has been long anticipated by political opponents looking to find a smoking gun to bring down Trump and supporters looking to absolve the president of wrongdoing. While Thursdays report states that it has no evidence to suggest that Trump and his campaign colluded with the Russian actors, it did not exonerate the president of the obstruction of justice. The report did not reach a conclusion as to whether or not Trump committed a crime and lays out instances in which the presidents actions could be legally construed as obstruction of justice. Muellers team also had to deal with questions of whether a sitting president can be indicted under Justice Department practices. If we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state, the report explains. In the following pages are five key takeaways from the Mueller report. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next Franklin Graham condemns Randall Terry's 'Sodom and Gomorrah' protest against Pete Buttigieg Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Evangelist Rev. Franklin Graham condemned protesters who shouted slurs about "Sodom and Gomorrah" toward gay presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg on Tuesday at an Iowa campaign rally. Graham, son of the late Billy Graham took to Facebook to condemn the harassment. Protesters shouting Sodom and Gomorrah interrupted mayor and 2020 presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg this week at a rally in Iowa. I dont agree with heckling anyone, he wrote. While on his campaign run in Iowa this week, protesters, including Randall Terry, a Christian activist who founded Operation Rescue, an anti-abortion rights group, shouted the biblical reference, "Sodom and Gomorrah," which was destroyed by God for their sinful behavior including homosexuality. Democrat presidential candidate and mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Buttigieg hopes to make history as the first openly gay president in America. Operation Rescue, split with Terry 18 years ago and now considers the activist too radical. Other Christian leaders have also weighed in to condemn the behavior of the protesters. "I identify with the fake @PeteButtigieg whipping Jesus. It was MY sins that put Him on the Cross, my sins as well that Jesus died for, and I would have likely yelled crucify! But for grace. Singling out Mayor Pete alone for this is horrendous, especially as a political protest," Southern Baptist Pastor Alan Cross wrote on Twitter. Christian radio host Carmen LaBerge also weighed in on Twitter. "Misrepresenting Christ is not Christian. Making a farce of the faith is not faithful. Please stop," she wrote in part. Buttigieg who was also met with cheers at the campaign rally, tactfully responded to his critics, "The good news is, the condition of my soul is in the hands of God, but the Iowa caucuses are up to you." While not condoning the politician's lifestyle, Graham did commend his response. Mayor Buttigieg is absolutely rightHis soul is in the hands of God, so is everyones, the president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said. He also says that hes a Christian and wants to become the first openly gay president in Americas history. Whats wrong with that picture? In reality, being a Christian isnt just a title we select or a church membership. It is a faith in God and His Word that transforms our lives to be more like the One we followJesus Christ, Graham continued. Last week, Buttigieg drew criticism from evangelicals after telling Vice President Mike Pence that his gay marriage actually brought him closer to God. "My marriage to Chasten has made me a better man and yes, Mr. Vice President, it has moved me closer to God," Buttigieg declared during a speech at the LGBT Victory Fund's annual brunch in Washington, D.C., according to USA Today. Despite slamming the protestors, Graham went on to reference John 14:15, where Jesus said those who love God keep His commandments. The Bible makes it very clear that homosexuality is a sin. If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination... (Leviticus 20:13). Thats what God says and that settles it for me. I stand with the Word of God. I care enough about people to tell them the truth and to warn them about the judgment to come for all sin, Graham warned Buttigieg. Yerevan Municipality is developing a project to create a body for cleaning garbage. According to the project, it is supposed to create a center for budgetary funds, which will deal with neutralizing the threat of garbage impact on the environment and human health. Earlier, within the framework of this project, the Yerevan Mayor's Office purchased 15 garbage trucks. They will be available to the capital utilities in two weeks, news.am reports. Ohio pro-life group optimistic that heartbeat abortion ban law will survive legal challenge Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A spokesperson for a pro-life organization based in Ohio is confident that the states newly signed law banning abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected will survive a legal challenge. Jamieson Gordon of Ohio Right to Life, whose group lobbied on behalf of the legislation, which effectively bans abortions after six weeks, explained to The Christian Post in an interview her reasons for the confidence. The ACLU has said that they will sue, but we are confident that our pro-life Attorney General Dave Yost will defend the law well, said Gordon. We believe that the Sixth US Circuit Court of Appeals may be the most conservative circuit in the country, and the heartbeat bill may have a better chance there. Gordon also told CP that they viewed the new law as the next incremental step to overturning Roe v. Wade, the controversial 1973 United States Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Last week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 23, or the Ohio Human Rights and Heartbeat Protection Act, into law. "The essential function of government is to protect the most vulnerable among us those who do not have a voice," said DeWine just before he signed the bill. Government's role should be to protect life from the beginning to the end, to protect those who cannot protect themselves, such as the elderly, the unborn, those who are sick, those who have a disability, those who have a mental illness, or an addiction. SB 23 passed 56-40 in the House and then 18-13 in the Senate last week. Local news reported protests from both sides of the abortion debate outside of the legislative chamber. Former Ohio Governor and Republican presidential hopeful John Kasich vetoed similar legislation while in office, believing that such a law would not survive a costly legal battle. Freda Levenson, legal director at the Ohio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement released before the bill signing that the new law was blatantly unconstitutional. SB 23 is one of the most aggressive, oppressive, and radical attacks against women ever seen in this state and this country, stated Levenson. In addition to Ohio, other states that have recently passed similar legislation include Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, and North Dakota. Legal challenges to the laws in Iowa and North Dakota successfully blocked them from taking effect, while last month a federal judge blocked Kentuckys law via a temporary restraining order. Other states, including Tennessee, are considering bans on abortions once a heartbeat is detected in an unborn baby. Tennessee state Senator Mark Pody submitted a letter earlier this week to the state Senate clerk asking for Senate Bill 1236 to be brought before the Senate floor, according to the Nashville Tennessean. As someone who believes life begins at conception, I support the bill philosophically, stated Lt. Gov. Randy McNally regarding SB 1236, adding that he opposed it because he feared it would be the losing side of a lawsuit. Passing a constitutionally suspect bill now would give the courts an opportunity to erase the progress we have made. Quena Gonzalez, director of State and Local Affairs at the Family Research Council, told CP that he believed the rise in heartbeat bills was "a reflection of the polling showing that Americans are more and more pro-life." "There are also more and more pro-life legislators; since the wave election in 2010, when Republicans took a commanding lead in state legislatures, pro-life Republicans have maintained or grown their dominance in the state elections every cycle," said Gonzalez. "This year alone more than 125 pro-life bills have been introduced; states have enacted bills to defund Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, prohibit dismemberment abortions, prohibit partial-birth abortion, and prohibit all abortions when Roe v. Wade falls." Gonzalez also told CP that it still remains to be seen if the heartbeat bill litigation "will ultimately make its way to the Supreme Court." Pete Buttigieg stops calling Mike Pence a 'Pharisee' because it offends Jews Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The campaign of Democrat presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg says that it will no longer refer to Vice President Mike Pence or other evangelical Republican adversaries as Pharisees after receiving complaints that the term is offensive to Jews. Buttigieg, the openly gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana who officially announced his presidential bid Sunday, has taken heat in Israeli media in recent days over his repeated use of the word Pharisee to describe what he considers to be the political hypocrisy of Pence and other conservative evangelicals. In the New Testament, Christ on multiple occasions criticized Pharisees for their acts of hypocrisy and greed. The Pharisees were a Jewish sect whose beliefs became the liturgical basis for known as Rabbinic Judaism, the mainstream belief of Judaism since the 6th Century. Most recently in speaking to The Washington Post about Pence, a devout evangelical Christian, Buttigieg suggested that the vice president doesnt practice what he preaches because he serves in an administration that Buttigieg and others consider immoral, due to its treatment of immigrants and other policies. Buttigieg, a Navy veteran of the Afghanistan War, contended that Pence attached himself to the Trump campaign for the purposes of gaining power and that it is alarmingly resonant with some New Testament themes, and not in a good way. On Tuesday, Buttigieg's communications advisor Lis Smith took to Twitter to respond to complaints that the use of the word Pharisee is harmful to Jews. We appreciate the people who have reached out to educate us on this, Smith tweeted. While intended to highlight political hypocrisy, we listened and learned and wont be using it going forward. We appreciate the people who have reached out to educate us on this. While intended to highlight political hypocrisy, we listened and learned and wont be using it going forward. https://t.co/373XmOBXFi Lis Smith (@Lis_Smith) April 16, 2019 However, Smiths tweet comes after the Buttigieg campaign initially defended the word choice after being criticized for its repeated use by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Buttigiegs national press secretary, Chris Meagher, said in a statement provided to JTA last week that the term Pharisee was simply a common expression to refer to hypocrites. The Mayor expressed his concern about the hypocrisy on the part of evangelical leaders, Meagher explained. He invoked this Biblical reference since it is commonly used to show skepticism of hypocritical establishment leaders. That was the way he intended it. However, that initial response did not satisfy Jewish leaders. Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg told the JTA that the term Pharisee is anti-Semitic and compared it to the word gay being used on a playground as a juvenile insult. Throughout his short campaign, Buttigieg has emphasized how his faith informs his stances on political issues. Left-leaning media have painted Buttigieg as being a symbol for a rising Christian left. Responding to Buttigiegs claims, Pence claimed that his faith was being attacked by Buttigieg, who disagrees with Pences traditional Christian views on marriage and sexuality. I hope that Pete will offer more to the American people than attacks on my Christian faith or attacks on the president as he seeks the highest office in the land, Pence told CNN last week. When asked if he believes that Buttigiegs quarrel with him was over Pences opposition to the notion that Buttigieg was born gay, Pence argued that Buttigiegs quarrel is with the First Amendment. All of us in this country, have the right to our religious beliefs, Pence said. Buttigieg responded in his own interview. The vice president is entitled to his religious beliefs, Buttigieg told CNN. My problem is when those religious beliefs are used as an excuse to harm other people. On Tuesday at a rally in Iowa, Buttigieg was heckled by a Christian activist who shouted out about Sodom and Gomorrah, two biblical cities destroyed by Gods judgment for their sinful ways. "The good news is, the condition of my soul is in the hands of God, but the Iowa caucuses are up to you," Buttigieg responded. Buttigieg also drew the ire of Christian conservatives by saying on Monday that he and his husband, Chasten Glezman Buttigieg, are hoping to have a child soon. More accurate title: Dem 2020 candidate announces that he will be purchasing eggs selected from catalogue based on race & physical appearance of co-ed, and renting uterus of lower-class (likely) military wife trying to make ends meet to create intentionally motherless child, childrens rights advocate Katy Faust, founder of the nonprofit Them Before Us, wrote in a tweet. The race to challenge Trump: Biden strong; Harris losing support? Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment With the first contests to determine the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party several months away, the race for the White House in full swing. The Christian Post examined multiple analyses on the state of the crowded Democratic Party primary field in a Mar. 19 article to see who had advantages in polling and endorsements. Since then, more individuals have launched campaigns, including Miramar, Florida Mayor Wayne Messam and Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio. Although former Vice President Joe Biden has not officially declared his candidacy, hints are dropping that he plans to enter the presidential race. For example, Politico reported on Monday that a Spanish language Biden campaign ad for Florida was leaked. As seen by data compiled by different political polling websites, Biden maintains a strong presence in most polls, with Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont not far behind. 1 2 3 4 5 Next Time Well Spent: Liberty University Students Build Community by Serving Others In April, Liberty University continued its commitment to impacting the community as Champions for Christ when it sponsored the second annual Serve Lynchburg. Over a Friday and Saturday, approximately 2,000 students, faculty, and staff worked at more than 90 sites. From painting, landscaping, and picking up litter to playing games with neighborhood children and serving food to the homeless, participants met the needs of thousands throughout the City of Lynchburg. Some Liberty teams also responded to a more immediate need from residents whose homes were damaged when a tornado swept through the region the previous weekend. I think its amazing that were able to respond to something like the tornado that has affected the community and the residents here, said sophomore Stephen Lightner, who helped a homeowner move large trees and limbs that fell into her yard. The cleanup is a massive burden for a lot of people, so its great that were able to take a bit of that burden off of them. In Downtown Lynchburg, a team at the Lynchburg Daily Bread soup kitchen prepared and served a hot lunch, an act that freshman volunteer Bailey Duran said she hoped would build relationships with residents who are in need. What we want to do is show Libertys presence in the community, Duran said. Just to do what the Lord said to go out into the world and interact with people and help them in Christs name. This year, in conjunction with Serve Lynchburg, Liberty also offered a special service opportunity for its alumni and online students in the Washington, D.C., area. During Serve DC, students volunteered at Bread for the City, the Salvation Army, Pillar Church of Woodlawn, Veritas City Church, and So Others Might Eat. While Liberty requires all students to complete community service hours before they graduate, Serve Lynchburg and many other volunteer opportunities throughout the year dont count toward those hours. From participating in numerous food drives on campus to ringing bells for the Salvation Armys Red Kettle Campaign, students regularly go above and beyond to serve their community. Professors often encourage service projects in their classes, too. Last semester, students in an event management course in the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences raised money by hosting creative fundraisers they planned for several local organizations, including the Jubilee Center (which helps at-risk youth), the American Cancer Societys Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, and the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center. A class of School of Divinity students raised $3,000 and donated their time to pack meals for children in Nicaragua through Rise Against Hunger. >>>Request for Liberty University Online degree info now. Liberty University, also referred to as Liberty, is a private, non-profit Christian research university in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty is one of the largest Christian universities in the world and the largest private non-profit university in the United States, measured by student enrollment. Donations for 3 burned historic black churches pour in after Notre Dame fire Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Donations to restore three historically black churches torched in alleged arson attacks in Louisiana are pouring in after high profile figures like Hillary Clinton asked the public to remember them too when more than $700 million was quickly raised to restore the famed Notre Dame cathedral in France. As we hold Paris in our thoughts today, lets also send some love to our neighbors in Louisiana. Three historically black churches have burned in recent weeks, charring buildings and scattering communities, Clinton tweeted Tuesday with a link to a GoFundMe campaign that had initially been struggling to raise the $1.8 million needed to restore the three churches. The rebuild of Notre Dame will be well funded. In the past month, three historically black churches in Louisiana were destroyed by a racist arsonist. He has been charged with hate crimes, but these churches need your help. Please join me in donating https://t.co/gj1BcNsGpu Yashar Ali ???? (@yashar) April 16, 2019 Mount Pleasant Baptist Church became the third historically black church over 100 years old to burn down in St. Landry Parish, in a span of 10 days earlier this month. St. Marys Baptist Church was the first reported church fire on March 26 and Greater Union Baptist Church went up in flames a week later. Last Wednesday, the Seventh District Baptist Association, a 149-year-old nonprofit religious organization, launched the GoFundMe campaign seeking to raise the $1.8 million to evenly distribute between the three churches to help them rebuild. On Monday morning, even after retired Christian New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson, urged his supporters on Twitter over the weekend to support it, only about $60,000 had been raised. It is imperative that we show this community and the entire country that these types of acts do not represent who we are. And most importantly as the body of Christ, we suffer alongside our brothers and sisters whenever tragedy, persecution or loss happens, he noted in one of several tweets on the church fires. It was a tweet from journalist Yashar Ali on Tuesday, as the world mourned over the Notre Dame, that sparked donations from liberals and conservatives alike. The rebuild of Notre Dame will be well funded. In the past month, three historically black churches in Louisiana were destroyed by a racist arsonist. He has been charged with hate crimes, but these churches need your help. Please join me in donating, Ali wrote. Wonderful, important cause. Just donated. Thanks for tweeting this, @yashar! conservative pundit Ben Shapiro quickly responded. The campaign has since gone viral and as of Wednesday morning has galloped beyond the $1 million mark. In an op-ed in The Washington Post on Tuesday, identity politics reporter Eugene Scott highlighted criticism being shared on social media that while both President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence had quickly issued statements on the Notre Dame fire, none of them said anything about the burning of the historic black churches in Louisiana. Notre Dame is an iconic symbol of faith to people all over the world and it is heartbreaking to see a house of God in flames. Our thoughts and prayers are with the firefighters on the scene and all the people of Paris, Pence tweeted Monday. Pence was quickly called out by many for his silence on the burning of the black churches, including Air Force veteran Michelle Tolosky who replied: Four Black Churches were recently set on fire by a white supremacist in Louisiana. What's the matter, aren't those churches 'Christian' enough for you to even warrant a comment to the congregations & our Nation who is under seige by Domestic Terrorists? #Hypocrite#FakeChristian. Since the publication of The Washington Posts op-ed, Alyssa Farah, a spokeswoman for Pence, released a statement on the burning of the black churches. When tragedy strikes in places of worship, people of all faiths unite. Our hearts go out to the members of the congregations of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, St. Marys Baptist Church, and Greater Union Baptist Church who were victims of arson. No one should be in fear in a house of worship. Justice must be carried out on the perpetrator, the statement said. Holden Matthews, the 21-year-old son of a sheriff's deputy with alleged ties to Satanism, was charged with burning down the three historically black churches in southern Louisiana. He allegedly used a secondary Facebook account to claim Baptist worshipers were brainwashed people days before his arrest. According to The Acadiana Advocate, Matthews used his secondary account to comment on April 6 about Afrikan spirituality, saying he cant stand all these Baptists around here, bunch of brainwashed people trying to find happiness in a religion that was forced on their ancestors just as it was on mine. I wish more blacks people would look into ancient beliefs of pre Christian Africa. On Monday, Holden, who was charged with three counts of arson, was further charged with three hate-crimes, according to St. Landry Parish District Attorney Earl Taylor. In Louisiana, hate crimes include offenses perpetrated against an individual because of their race, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or other protected status. Twitter drops hate map nonprofit SPLC as 'safety partner' amid accusations of discrimination Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Twitter is reportedly no longer partnering with the far-left Southern Poverty Law Center after the organization was itself accused of having a culture of discrimination and sexual harassment. As The Daily Caller reports, the social media giant is no longer working with the SPLC as one of its safety partners in the effort to prevent abuse, harassment, and bullying. The SPLC is one of the most well funded civil rights organization with an endowment of over $470 million in 2018. It claims to fight hate and teach tolerance and gained prestige in the civil rights community by standing up for victims of attacks by the white supremacist group Ku Klux Klan. But over the years, its credibility has been cast into doubt as it has included nonviolent Christian organizations as part of its online map of American hate groups because of the organizations conservative advocacy on political issues like marriage and sexuality. Mainstream media outlets and other watchdog organizations have regularly used SPLC as a resource to further the claim that the Christian conservative nonprofits are hate groups. Some of the worlds largest tech companies, such as Facebook, Google, Amazon and Twitter have partnered with the SPLC to help police their platforms. As noted in a 2018 report, Twitter had previously listed SPLC as one of its safety partners. However, an anonymous Twitter employee recently told The Daily Caller News Foundation on the condition of anonymity that the SPLC is not a member of the Twitter Trust and Safety Council, which serves to provide input on Twitters safety products, policies and programs. Additionally, the employee stressed that the SPLC is not an organization that Twitter has recently worked with. The Christian Post reached out to Twitter for clarification on its current and past relationship with the SPLC. A response is pending. The news comes over a month after SPLC co-founder Morris Dees was fired after being accused of inappropriate conduct. The SPLC was also accused of having a toxic culture that breeds gender and racial discrimination as well as sexual harassment. Additionally, the SPLC and Dees have been criticized for shady fundraising practices that take advantage of gullible Northern liberals. One progressive writer even accused the SPLC hate group map of being a deceptive promotion aimed at generating funds. After the firing of Dees, the organizations president and legal director also resigned. Trying to chart a new path forward, the SPLC hired an external consultant to analyze the SPLC workplace culture. In recent weeks, conservative Christian organizations listed on the SPLC hate map have renewed their pressure on news and social media companies to stop using the SPLC as a resource, claiming it has an untrustworthy and corrupt nature. An April 3 letter to members of the media signed by a number of conservative leaders led by Family Research Council President Tony Perkins expressed concern about the neutrality of the SPLCs external consultant Michelle Obama's former chief of staff, Tina Tchen. Todays SPLC is aggressively anti-Christian and morally bankrupt both inside and out. It attacks anyone who disagrees with its far-left agenda, smearing them with lies and grossly mischaracterizing their work, the letter reads. Indeed recent developments, including confessions by former staffers that the SPLCs fundraising was suspect, have attracted the attention of a member of the U.S. Senate and triggered a request for investigation by the Internal Revenue Service into the SPLCs classification as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. On Wednesday, FRC along with the American Family Association and SPLCExposed.com posted a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal calling on companies like YouTube, Spotify, CNN, MSNBC, Amazon and Paypal to stop using the SPLC as an authority on hate and extremism. The SPLC has become a hate-for-cash machine that has weaponized its hate labeling of groups and individual people, the advertisement states. As SPLC collected hundreds of millions in donations, it expanded its definition of hate to nonviolent conservative Christian and parent organizations who oppose SPLCs political agenda. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment If Ive heard it once, Ive heard it a thousand times, from both Jews and Christians: If you believe in Jesus, youre no longer Jewish. You were Jewish. Youre not Jewish anymore. Actually, I am Jewish and I do believe in Jesus. You can call me a Messianic Jew. You can call me a Jewish Christian. I am, most certainly, both. Christians will often quote Pauls famous words from Galatians 3:28 to buttress their point. There Paul wrote, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus (KJV). Using this same logic, a man who believes in Jesus is no longer a man and a woman who believes in Jesus is no longer a woman. Or a slave who believes in Jesus is no longer a slave and a free person who believes in Jesus is no longer a free person. In practice, that would mean no mens meetings or womens meetings in our churches. Or no mens or ladies rooms in our church buildings. (You get the idea.) It would also mean, going back to the days of Paul, that the moment a slave became a Christian, he could inform his master that he was no longer a slave and would be leaving post haste. This wrong reading of Galatians 3:28 would also bring into question why Paul actually gave specific directives to men and to women, to husbands and to wives, to slaves and to masters. Why do this if these distinctions no longer existed? Of course there are still Jews and Gentiles, men and women, slaves and free. Pauls point was that, in Jesus, there is no caste system and no class system, no one higher and no lower. Every believer is equally a child of God, equally forgiven and loved by the Father, equally a member of Christs body, equally a priest to God, equally a branch of the Vine. Thats the incredible, liberating power of the gospel, and Pauls words were truly revolutionary when written. They are revolutionary to this day. It was Paul who also wrote Romans 10:12-13: For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Yet Paul could refer to his own lineage (he was still an Israelite, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; see 2 Corinthians 11:22; Philippians 3:5, although, to be sure, he put no confidence in the flesh). And it was James (Jacob) who shared with Paul that there were tens of thousands of fellow-Jews who now followed Jesus as Messiah (Acts 21:20). He did not call them former Jews. So, just as I am a male follower of Jesus, I am also a Jewish follower of Jesus. And the reason I make that part of my statement of faith is because of the widespread, historic misconception that Jews dont believe in Jesus or, Jesus is not for Jews. As for the claim from my own Jewish people that I was Jewish but no longer am, what they really mean to say is, Youre no longer practicing Judaism. That, of course, is true, and I never deny that in the least. I am not a traditional Jew and I do not practice traditional Judaism (although I do appreciate many of our traditions). But there are millions of nominal Jews (including a healthy percentage of atheistic Jews), yet very few question whether theyre still Jewish. There are even Jewish Buddhist (called Jubus) and Jewish cult members, and they are still recognized as Jews. Why, then, are they still Jewish, yet I am not Jewish despite my deep connection to my people. Despite being married to a Jewish woman (who also believes in Jesus). Despite learning Hebrew after coming to faith. Despite believing in Jesus (Yeshua) as the Jewish Messiah. Despite honoring every word of the Tanakh (what Christians call the Old Testament). To be sure, most rabbis I have interacted with over the decades recognize me as a Jew but believe I have gone astray. But others would say, Youre no longer Jewish because you changed religions. That, however, would mean that nominal Jews and atheistic Jews were no longer Jewish because they were not following traditional Judaism. More importantly, that would deny the fact that being Jewish is both religious (practicing Judaism) and ethnic (born of a Jewish parent or parents). Even more importantly, those who claim Im no longer Jewish must forget that Jesus was born King of the Jews and died King of the Jews. That all of His first followers were Jews. That most (if not all) of the New Testament books were written by Jews. And that the gates of the New Jerusalem will carry the names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel while its foundations will carry the name of the Twelve (Jewish!) Apostles. You better believe that you can be Jewish and follow Jesus. In fact, the majority of us who identify as Messianic Jews will tell you that following Jesus has made us even more Jewish. The truth is that I am saved by grace, forgiven through the cross, redeemed by the love of God and still Jewish. And there are hundreds of thousands of others just like me. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment This coming Sunday, hundreds of millions of Christians around the world will celebrate Easter. Its the holiest day in the Christian calendar because it is the day we believe Jesus resurrected from the grave. However, what does Easter mean to us and to anyone who may wander into a church this weekend? To understand the meaning of Easter, we must understand the context of Jesus day. The world Jesus lived in was not unlike our own full of injustice and oppression. The average person knew heartbreak and suffering, physically and spiritually, too well under the power structures that lorded over their lives. For example, as far as we know, never in the history of the Jewish people had someone driven out the moneychangers who had turned the Jewish temple into a place of economic exploitation for people who were earnestly seeking God. The religious leaders of Jesus day had made God very difficult to access for the poor, the outcasts, the marginalized, the prostitutes and all those who knew because of the system they operated in that they were not good enough. In many ways, God was unreachable for those who needed him most. Then there was the reality of the mighty Roman Empire and its heavy, omnipresent hand over the people it ruled across the known world. Commoners in occupied territories were taxed and enslaved for the benefit of the rulers. Caesar himself demanded to be worshipped as lord and savior of the world, and anyone who refused to kowtow to him did so at risk of being considered a rebel and therefore executed. Seeing this, some of the leaders in Israel allied themselves with the Romans, preferring to have a small level of autonomy and political power than to lose everything. In comes Jesus to the picture, preaching a message of forgiveness of sinners, justice for the oppressed and unconditional love that challenges these power structures and turns them upside-down. The rulers of his day and today opposed him, but his resurrection was proof that his message was true. Here are three truths to reflect on the meaning of Easter for us: The power brokers are gone Jesus simplified how humans could universally access God through him. He did away with religious power structures and demanded a simple faith in him and his message. People can and do all over the world follow Jesus with or without any religious structures. This is what Martin Luthers Protestant Reformation was about, removing the yoke of oppression from the Roman Catholic Church over the poor masses. Easter reminds us that the power brokers are gone. The restoration of human dignity Second Jesus also unleashed a new, apolitical power structure whose power lay in the truth of his life and message. He called it the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven. Individuals and communities were invited to experience this power in their personal and social lives. This kingdom had a new ethic built on the love of God and loving our neighbor as ourselves. In this kingdom, every human being regardless of age, ethnicity, nationality, gender or any other identifying social quality has value and dignity because they are Gods image-bearers. Hope for the hopeless In allowing himself to be crucified even though he was innocent, Jesus became the embodiment of all victims who suffer violence from others. He was the great scapegoat for humanity. In his death, the suffering of every person who has ever lived is represented and validated. And in his resurrection, there is the promise that every wrong will be put to right, every injustice will be judged and everything that has been broken will be restored. Ultimately, Jesus resurrection ensures the triumph of good over evil. Caesars and world rulers have come and gone, but Jesus still lives on in the hearts of those who follow him and believe in his promises. His resurrection fuels in them an unshakeable hope and makes them a force for good all over the world. Most Rev. Joseph DSouza is an internationally renowned human and civil rights activist. He is the founder of Dignity Freedom Network, an organization that advocates for and delivers humanitarian aid to the marginalized and outcastes of South Asia. He is archbishop of the Anglican Good Shepherd Church of India and serves as the president of the All India Christian Council. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Fitness is a $27 billion dollar industry. Every January gym memberships shoot up, but eighty percent of those who join a fitness center at the beginning of the year quit by the second week of February. Apparently we love the idea of being fit, but we lack the discipline to do what it takes to actually be fit. In Leviticus 16:21, God is looking for a fit man: And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness. In the Old Testament times, God had a system to take away the sins of the people. On the Day of Atonement each year, the high priest had to choose three things: 1. The Lords Goat. This goat was offered as a sacrifice for sin. Sin cannot be forgiven without the shedding of blood. The Lords goat had to die as a sin offering for forgiveness of every sin committed that year. 2. The Scapegoat. In the days leading up to the Day of Atonement, each family came to the priest to confess out loud every sin committed in the previous year. At the end of all the confessions, the priest laid his hands on the head of the scapegoat and transferred all the sin and evil the people had committed onto that goat. 3. The Fit Man. The fit man took the scapegoat carrying the peoples sins deep into the wilderness, so far away it could never find its way back. If the scapegoat ever came back, it would bring a curse on the nation. It took a certain type of man to make the journey. So, one goat had to die to shed the blood needed for forgiveness of sin. And one goat had to live to provide separation from sin. And each year the priest went through the process again. The confession, the sacrifice, the scapegoat, and the fit man were needed year after year. But then Jesus came to earth and everything changed. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is powerful. He is the Lords Goat; He died and shed His blood so our sins could be forgiven. Hes also the Scapegoat because after three days He rose from the dead. He takes the place of both the goat that died and the goat that lived. And Hes also the Fit Man, removing our sin so far away that it can never come back. Because of Jesus, not only can our sin be forgiven but we can be released from its bondage. Through Jesus death and resurrection, you can be rid of shame, guilt, depression, and fear. You can be delivered from addiction, alcoholism, and immorality. Not only are you forgiven of your sins, you are set free. Hallelujah! Its not Gods plan for us to say a prayer asking for forgiveness and then to keep living in our sin. Salvation requires separation from our old way of living. Giving your heart to the Lord and being forgiven of sin is amazing. Its a miracle. But if you go right back to what you were doing and living how you were living, you havent experienced the fullness of salvation. When you get saved, there must be separation. There are things that leave your life. You didnt get saved to stay in the filth you were rescued from. Separation matters. Remember, Jesus was the forever Fit Man. No more goats were needed. Jesus was the Lamb who paid the price once for everyone and for all time. He was fit to be the sacrifice for sin. He was blameless and without sin. He alone was able to lay down His life to redeem ours. He was cross fit, to offer His life as a sacrifice. Because Jesus was cross fit, our sin can be forgiven and removed. We become a new creation. The old person is gone, and the Fit Man takes up residence in us. He makes us fit to say no to what is wrong and yes to what is right. You can never be fit enough relying on just your own willpower. You can never be strong enough to be a good person on your own. You must be born again. You must have the Fit Man living in your heart. The only way to really change is from the inside out. Get the Fit Man in your heart, and He will make you what you need to be. He will transform you. He will change your life. He will change your attitudes. He will change your family and your circumstances. He will make you fit for His use and prepared for every good work. Jentezen Franklin is the Senior Pastor of Free Chapel, a multi campus church. Each week his television program, Kingdom Connection, is broadcast on major networks all over the world. A New York Times best-selling author, Jentezen has written nine books including his most recent Love Like Youve Never Been Hurt, the groundbreaking Fasting, and Right People-Right Place-Right Plan. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment My class and I recently completed a wonderful Ph.D. seminar entitled Issues on Messianic Prophecy with Dr. Randall Price and Dr. Ed Hindson at Liberty University. Unfortunately, messianic prophecy has received less attention than in times past. Even in evangelical circles, hyper-critical views are being taken on the Old Testament which seemingly lessens any apologetic power when considering a future eschatological messiah (Note: I use the capitalized Messiah when referring to Jesus and the lower case when referencing the position). Other evangelicals are deemphasizing the importance of the Hebrew Bible (i.e., Old Testament). However, when keeping the prophecy in context, especially the context of the entire book, it is surprisingly clear that the prophet was speaking about a future blessed Redeemer who would bring forth a new covenant. At Christmastime, we often ponder the prophecies of Isaiah when contemplating the Messiahs miraculous birth and the prophecy of Micah when considering his birthplace. But as we approach Easter, did you realize there are prophecies pertaining to Easter? This article will examine a few of those prophecies. Genesis 3:15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel (Gen. 3:15, CSB). Genesis 3:15 is the earliest messianic prophecy in the Bible. In this prophecy, God speaks to the serpent and notes that there would be hostility between him and the offspring of the woman. She would have an offspring that would crush the serpents head and the serpent would strike the offsprings heel. While this prophecy may not explicitly reference the resurrection, it does so implicitly. The writer of Hebrews notes that through the death of Jesus the power of the devil was destroyed. John also denotes the same in 1 John 3:8. But the ultimate victory over death came by the resurrection of Jesus on the first resurrection morning. For victory to occur, death must be defeated. Jesus did just that. Psalm 2:7-8 I will declare the LORDs decree. He said to me, You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance and the ends of the earth your possession (Ps. 2:7-8, CSB). This prophecy may require a bit of explaining. In Psalm 2, the Messiah is coronated as the ruler of the earth. In verse 2, the psalmist shows that the rulers of the world conspire against Messiah. They conspire to destroy the Holy One of God. However, the Lord laughs from heaven. Verses 7-8 describe a time when the Anointed Ones identity is displayed before all. Paul, in an early sermon summary recorded in Acts, views this as being fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus. After thoroughly reading Psalm 2, I would wholeheartedly concur. Psalm 16:10-11 For you will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful one to see decay. You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures (Ps. 16:10-11, CSB). Psalm 16 is a psalm of David. In this psalm, David asks for Gods protection using the term shamar which means to keep watch over a person like a shepherd. At the end of the psalm, David notes his confidence in that God would not leave him in the grave. Gods holy one would not see decay. This not only points to Davids confidence in the resurrection but is ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah as is noted by Peter in an early sermon summary in Acts 2:25. Job 19:25-27 But I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the end he will stand on the dust. Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh. I will see him myself; my eyes will look at him, and not as a stranger. My heart longs within me (Job 19:25-27, CSB). Job had been met with a horrible fate. He had lost his family, his home, his farm, his family, and his health. Yet despite his suffering, Job was able to proclaim his confidence in the Lord knowing that his Redeemer lives. He placed confidence that he would be resurrected after his inevitable demise. The passage is prophetic in that he realizes that his Redeemer will stand on the dust at the end and would testify on his behalf. This points to a resurrected Redeemer who is Jesus the Messiah. Isaiah 53:9-12 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but he was with a rich man at his death, because he had done no violence and had not spoken deceitfully. Yet the LORD was pleased to crush him severely. When you see him make a guilt offering, he will see his seed, he will prolong his days, and by his hand, the LORDs pleasure will be accomplished. After his anguish, he will see light and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will carry their iniquities. Therefore I will give him the many as a portion, and he will receive the mighty as spoil, because he willingly submitted to death, and was counted among the rebels; yet he bore the sin of many and interceded for the rebels (Isa. 53:9-12, CSB). Isaiah 53 provides a portrait of the Messiahs life. It was not until recently that I came to realize that the latter portion of Isaiah 53 prophesies the resurrection of the Anointed One. Notice that the prophet depicts the Suffering Servant sharing a grave with the wicked and buried with a rich man at his death (Is. 53:9). The Servant was crushed which also points to his death. Yet, despite the death suffered by the Servant, he would have his days prolonged. How does one prolong the days of one who has died unless the person is brought back to life? How could the Servant see light and be satisfied without a resurrection? How could he possess a portion among the many and the spoil of the mighty if he is dead in the grave? All of these vividly points to the Messiahs resurrection. Some of the prophecies listed are more explicit in referencing the resurrection of the Messiah than others. Nevertheless, all of them point to a Redeemer who would overthrow the powers of Satan and defeat the doom of death. The resurrection of Jesus is not only historically verifiable, but it was also prophetically predicted to happen. Our Savior is one who gives life to all who ask. For, those who call upon the name of the Lord will most assuredly be saved (Ac. 2:21 and Rom. 10:13). 2019. BellatorChristi.com. Brian G. Chilton is the founder of BellatorChristi.com and is the host of The Bellator Christi Podcast. He received his Master of Divinity in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); and received certification in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. Brian is enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University. Brian has been in the ministry for over 15 years and serves as a pastor in northwestern North Carolina. The USA is one messed up sick country S.1189 A bill to require the Secretary of State to determine whether the Russian Federation should be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism and whether Russian-sponsored armed entities in Ukraine should be designated as foreign terrorist organizations. Source: S.1189 116th Congress (2019-2020): A bill to require the Secretary of State to determine whether the Russian Federation should be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism and whether Russian-sponsored armed entities in Ukraine should be designated as f Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO] (Introduced 04/11/2019) Committees: Senate Foreign Relations Latest Action: Senate 04/11/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Cosponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]* 04/11/2019 This is the part of our government that I look at and that part of the government, that 99% of Americans never attempt to look at. This is how we get ourselves into a situation that we fail, time and time again Soon we will just call every country a terrorist country and then it will all make sense WtR PS: You cannot make this stuff up Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Clive Sinclair once said that he saw the world as a place of bitter irony. Irony, I think, can be defined as incongruity between a situation and the action which accompanies it. Irony was what came to mind as I considered legislation North Carolina lawmakers passed this week and its incongruity with this being the time we celebrate Christs passion and resurrection. Thursday, the North Carolina General Assembly passed HB 130 Allow Game Nights. The legislation authorizes non-profits across the state to have casino-style gambling events for fundraising. Proponents argue these gaming nights are benign, its all for fun, no cash is passed, and the proceeds go to charity. But I suggest the legislation is still wrong very wrong because it glorifies gambling. Does anyone remember the Roman soldiers, the gamblers at Golgotha, during Jesus crucifixion, down on their knees, casting dice for his garment? They were so caught up in gamblings pernicious effect; they didnt even notice the Savior of the world was dying. For what was Christ dying on that Cross? He was giving his life as an atonement for sin the sin of covetousness which gambling stirs up in us the sin of failing to love our neighbor whom gambling preys upon, especially the poor and vulnerable for failing to be good stewards of the resources God has provided which gambling wastes to set us free from the enslaving power of addictions like gambling that drag us down in life and into hell. Gambling in any form is a violation of the moral will of God. Can anyone see the irony of state lawmakers approving a measure that lauds gambling as a means of charity a means for demonstrating love and benevolence something the God of love condemns on the eve of the day we commemorate Christs death for our sins? This week, a panel of lawmakers in the North Carolina House, passed a bill, HB 91 ABC Laws Modernization/PED Study, that would allow liquor stores to open on Sundays. Does anyone remember the reason Christians worship on Sunday? It is because, after the resurrection of Christ on the first day of the week, the early Christians (a Jewish sect at that point) moved Sabbath observance from the seventh day to the first to commemorate the eternal rest Christ secured for everyone who believes. The 4th commandment, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, still stands, but because of Christs resurrection, most Christians observe it on Sunday. Does anyone see the irony of opening liquor stores on Sunday - the day Christs resurrection is celebrated every year as a national holiday, as well as the beginning of every week? On this day, which God has commanded people everywhere to keep holy; our state representatives have proposed that we sell more liquor and put the publics health and safety at higher risk. Moreover, liquor sales or the imbibing of liquor, which can lead to insobriety and bad behavior, hardly seem consistent with keeping the Sabbath day holy a special day not just for the individual but also for the culture to observe in the name of higher pursuits. Call the legislative proposal a blow for freedom, if you will, but freedom without responsibility, without legal or moral restraint, can no longer be defined as liberty, but instead licentiousness. Did Christ rise from the dead that we might be a licentious people? Does the Sabbath on Sunday call us to rest, worship, and family, or to getting liquored up? The irony here is palpable. This week, state legislators passed an excellent measure, SB 359 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. The legislation, for purposes of state law, ensures that an infant who is completely expelled or extracted from the mother and born-alive as the result of a botched abortion is a person, regardless of whether the infant was targeted for abortion. But Governor Roy Cooper, a professing Christian, vetoed the measure. Does anyone see the irony in the Governor vetoing legislation meant to preserve life, on the same week we celebrate the One who died and rose again so that we might have life? The gospel of the resurrection is about life. Jesus said, I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10: 10). Governor Coopers veto placed him on the wrong side of the battle for life, which has already been decided by the resurrection of Christ. Any of the infants who die because of his action will rise up on the last day to testify and veto him at the judgment of God. The irony! The incidents of this week are a grim reminder of lifes bitter ironies. They demonstrate our fallen state before the Lord and our desperate need for repentance. The Apostle Paul tells us the way of hope: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. (Romans 10:9-10). Rev. Mark H. Creech is executive director of the Raleigh-based Christian Action League of North Carolina Inc. Jeremy Hunt 'appalled' by suffering of 245 million Christians persecuted for their faith Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt has used an Easter message to express his solidarity with millions of Christians worldwide suffering for their faith. Mr Hunt spoke of his commitment to promoting religious freedom around the world in 40 Lent letters sent out to Christians who have experienced persecution. The first letter was sent to Open Doors founder Brother Andrew. In it, Mr Hunt said it was his "honour" to send the first letter to Brother Andrew, a missionary from the Netherlands who used to smuggle Bibles behind the Iron Curtain. Mr Hunt praised his "extraordinary and courageous support" for the persecuted church as he recalled reading about Brother Andrew's story as a child in the book, "God's Smuggler". "As a man of faith, free to practise in line with my conscience, I am appalled at the plight of the 245 million Christians worldwide currently facing persecution as a result of their belief," he said. "I want you to know that the UK stands in solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world and that British diplomats will continue to advocate for them, and for those who are being denied the basic right to practise their faith. "Freedom of Religion or Belief is a human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It must be respected. People from all faiths or none should be free to practise as they wish. I will continue to make this case for the millions who suffer as a result of their beliefs." Henrietta Blyth, CEO Open Doors UK and Ireland said she was delighted Mr Hunt had chosen Brother Andrew as the recipient of his first Lent letter. "Families are left scarred by the loss of loved ones and communities are devastated at a time when they should simply be celebrating the Easter message joyfully and freely," she said. "Easter is a time of hope for us all. Yet it is often a time when Christians are targeted for their faith." A man has been charged with scamming U.S. residents for money. Hitesh Patel, 42, allegedly operated a money laundering, fraudulent call center network in Ahmedebad, India, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Southern District of Texas. Patel, along with 60 other individuals and entities, was charged with general conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. Callers allegedly impersonated IRS or immigration officials to coerce U.S. residents into paying a sum of money by threatening arrest, fines or deportation. They then laundered and collected the paid amounts using stolen identities or fake names. Patel appeared in court Friday afternoon for his arraignment, wearing a black button-up shirt and cuffed at the hands and feet. U.S. Magistrate Peter Bray explained parts of the American legal system to Patel, including the meaning of indictments and a grand jury. When Bray explained the possible fines associated with the charges, Patel asked through a translator, "If I don't have the money, how will I pay back?" Bray admitted that he didn't know how Patel would pay, but was only responsible for making sure Patel understood his rights. Patel requested court-appointed counsel, which Bray granted. His income is approximately $720 per month in American currency, and his spouse earns about $360 per month, Bray said. The judge will hold another hearing at 10 a.m. Wednesday to determine whether he can be held in federal custody pending the outcome of the trial. Prosecutors worry Patel won't show up for court hearings because he isn't a U.S. citizen, Bray explained. Patel was apprehended by Singapore authorities per the request of a U.S. provisional arrest warrant after he flew from India to Singapore. Laredo police said they have dismantled a group that carried out serious crimes throughout the city. Authorities said this "rip crew," a term used for a group that steals drugs and other contraband, also has a link to a Mexican cartel. Several months of investigation concluded with the execution of search and arrest warrants Thursday morning. The Juvenile and Gang Enforcement Team, or JAGET, task force, comprised of Laredo police officers, Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety, served the warrants. READ ALSO: Laredo-area family pleads guilty in illegal gambling case, sentenced to probation SWAT team members came under fire while raiding an apartment in the 2500 block Monterrey Avenue. Police said a 16-year-old boy armed with an assault rifle fired shots at them. "The SWAT team's training, skills and great restraint prevented anyone from being injured and were able to detain the male juvenile without firing a single shot," said LPD Chief Claudio Trevino Jr. "This is the reason such extreme planning and execution was taken during these raids." Investigator Joe E. Baeza, LPD spokesman, said the SWAT team took part in the raids given the high-risk offenders. "The SWAT team was the one who made entry at all these locations. There were certain factors that were taken into account regarding serving these warrants out to ensure safety," Baeza said. Trevino said the officers participating in the raids should be commended because they showed courage and skill while removing dangerous criminals from the streets. Authorities arrested the following suspects during the raids: Steven Byfield, 21, in the 3200 block of St. Kathryn Loop Carlos Ibarra Jr., 18, in the 100 block of Alicante Drive Carlos Daniel Rodriguez, 20, in the 4900 block of Marcella Avenue Angel Camero, 19, in the 100 block of Arizona Loop The four suspects and the juvenile detained were charged with four counts of aggravated robbery, one count of burglary of habitation with intent to commit another felony and one count of engaging in organized criminal activity. Police said the juvenile is expected to face additional charges for firing at police. Byfield was also allegedly found in possession of 14 pounds of marijuana and 11 grams of cocaine. He was additionally charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. A sixth suspect identified as Arturo Flores, 20, remains at large. To report his whereabouts, call police at 795-2800 or Laredo Crime Stoppers at 727-TIPS (8477). Calls made through Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. RELATED: Laredo man sentenced to 120 months in prison for role as drug trafficking leader Baeza said the case began to unravel when a home invasion occurred in 2018 on Comal Loop. The suspects had gone to the residence looking for drugs, according to police. From there on, authorities were able to piece together the case and secure the warrants. "The suspects of this home invasion had a history of forming a part of a cell, a group of persons involved in criminal activity, to include ... human smuggling, narcotics trafficking, weapon smuggling and home invasions," Trevino said. He added, "The suspects of this home invasion investigation ... formed a meticulous one organized group of persons involved in carrying out serious crimes. (There) is a nexus to cross-border criminal organizations involved in this case as well." Houston Chronicle A 23-year-old man died Friday evening after he was shot in the chest at a Galveston apartment complex, officials said. BREAKING NEWS UPDATES: Get your Houston breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox Theres a chance that the lyric Welcome to the new age in Radioactive could have extra meaning after the sold-out screening. The Imagine Dragons song accompanied the opening credits of the documentary Screenagers, which was shown to attendees students, parents and educators 7 p.m. Wednesday at Humble High School. Also at the event was Delaney Ruston, the director, producer, writer and cinematographer of the film that took three and a half years to assemble. This is the Berkeley, California natives third directorial effort that is health-related and holds personal significance. In 2009, she made the 57-minute Unlisted: A Story of Schizophrenia featuring her father. Four years later came Hidden Pictures, which looked at mental illness on a global scale. I started noticing that theres a lot of stress in our home because of the struggles around screen time, she said. As a physician I wanted to understand what impacts about screen time were. And most importantly, as a mom, I wanted to find solutions about how to find balance with the technology. Screenagers follows different families, including Rustons, whose younger members possess a risky relationship with technology too much gaming and negative self-image, for examples and the adults trying to respond to it. A section of the film covers how adults can also display patterns of screen-time mismanagement. Interspersed throughout these moments are inputs from psychological experts and authors on sensible technology use. Ruston has been showing the film at venues, mostly schools, that can host it for a fee since 2016. The nonprofit Big Ocean Women Houston Cottage teamed up with the Humble ISD Education Foundation for this screening. She said Netflix had reached out to her for the film. That said, for now, the preferred viewing format for Screenagers is to demand a screening. But you wouldnt get people out together and discuss these issues, she said, explaining why she isnt shaking hands with the streaming giant. Although the title, a portmanteau of screen and teenagers, suggested the presence of a new social demographic, Ruston wouldnt want the interpretation to become definitive. In her address to the audience after the screening, she said that its not too late to adopt measures that promote healthy interfacing with devices at all institutions and for all ages. Courtney Slater-Nelson, a seventh-grade reading teacher at Woodland Acres Middle School, was glad upon hearing this point. Sometimes, with my daughter shes 16 and 16-year-olds they think theyre grown but theyre not, she said. And sometimes Im reluctant to take her phone from her because in her mind, Im too old for that, you shouldnt have done that, Im not 12 anymore. And Im like, OK, maybe she is too old for that. But after tonights screening, I realize she isnt. She added that her daughter, who also attended the screening, was invested in the film. Future showings of Screenagers are viewable on the films official website, www.screenagersmovie.com. The film is 67 minutes long, also has a shorter classroom version of 47 minutes and has subtitles in different languages including Spanish, French, Arabic and Vietnamese. The Katy Fire Department is among only 70 such agencies within Texas and about 300 nationwide to have been awarded the top rating by the Insurance Services Office, which monitors the topic for their insurance agency clients throughout the world. This took a lot of teamwork and is a huge accomplishment for our fire department. But, the ultimate benefit is the across the board cost-savings to our citizens and businesses, said Katy Fire Chief Russell Wilson. When he was hired for the position in 2016, Katy Mayor Chuck Brawner told Wilson he wanted the Katy FD to have a Class 1 rating from the ISO. This has now been accomplished. It is part of the process to make our city the best that it can be, Wilson said. The result of this third-party review speaks for itself. The new Class 1 rating means homes and businesses in Katy could receive some property tax relief in the future. For our commercial properties, it means a potential of a reduction in their casualty insurance, Brawner said. Any tax relief will like occur no sooner than mid-June and could take even longer, officials said. Its going to take awhile for this to become implemented into the computer systems that the insurance companies use, Brawner said. Even for those who wont see any direct property tax relief, the new ISO ranking will benefit them because its a draw for new businesses coming, officials said. There will be indirect cost savings that stimulate economic development, bringing in new businesses to the city, Wilson said. It lessens the tax burdens on the citizens. In 2013, Brawner was tasked with transforming the Katy Fire Department from a part-time agency filled with volunteers to a professional organization. Among other priorities, that meant purchasing better communications equipment, providing additional training opportunities and ensuring the citys fire hydrant system was sufficient to handle any blaze. Over the years, weve been able to grow the fire department so that we could meet that standard, Brawner said. The recently opened KFD fire station on the outskirts of Katy Mills Mall is one of the elements that helped bring about the new ISO ranking. In October, Katy officials brought the ISO auditors to the fire station on Bell Patna at Katy Mills Circle. He could see it was under construction and we showed him what our staff plan was, Brawner said. It turned out very well. Under the ISOs Fire Suppression Rating Schedule, communities can be ranked between 1 and 10. To come up with Katys Class 1 ranking, ISO officials examined staffing levels of the fire department, the geographic distribution of fire stations and the adequacy of the fire equipment. Katy officials said that made up half of the overall score. They also looked at the water supply, including the placement and condition of the fire hydrants, and the amount of available water for fire suppression. That was 40 percent of the score. Ten percent of the tally came after an examination of the departments emergency communications system. There was a lot that went into this. Its been a long process and a difficult process, Wilson said. Im very proud of our department. Success never happens without real teamwork. mike.glenn@chron.com As of February, Cy-Fair Helping Hands received an upgrade to their office that has made their efforts to assist the local homeless community. Cy-Fair Helping Hands, a nonprofit founded in 2010 with the goal of aiding homeless individuals and people in need, moved into their new location at 7520 Cherry Park Drive Ste. B, Houston at the end of February. The new location, across the parking lot from their former location, has more room for pantry space, office space, a conference room and a shower. Patricia Hudson, executive director of community outreach for Cy-Fair Helping Hands, said the organization has been able to hold more food in their pantry and now has a conference room for meetings. We're very fortunate that it happened because it had so many things that we were looking for, she said. The pantry space is incredible. Before we had two or three people in the pantry and they would be knocking elbows. We have a receiving area so they can bring the food into the back, we have a marketplace area as well. Counseling for clients is also easier for Cy-Fair Helping Hands now due to expanded office space Jean Dreyer, founder and executive director of homeless initiatives for the organization, said. Before, Cy-Fair Helping Hands had a separate office for counseling, which hindered communication she said. Dreyer also said she wants to host shower days for the homeless using the new shower room available in the new office due to its former tenant hosting an adult daycare. She said the last location had a shower they intended to use, but it had low water pressure and no temperature control. Hopefully in June we'll start up a shower day where the homeless can come in here and have a shower, a hot meal and a bible lesson, she said. We've always wanted to have a shower day. It'd be nice if we had two or three shower stalls, but we'll make one last and work. With expanded pantry space, Cy-Fair Helping Hands has been able to receive more food including meat, such as ground beef and pork, for clients to pick up. The pantry space now has a loading area, three large refrigerators and an overflow area for extra food. Hudson said Cy-Fair Helping Hands has been fortunate to receive consistent supplies of food from several local and national groups. Aldi, Sprouts, H-E-B and Calvary Community Church, as well as other organizations, provide various meats, bread, peanut butter, canned foods and more. Hudson said the pantry is consistently in need of new food or donations from the community. Long-term, Cy-Fair Helping Hands would like to open a transitional housing program, allowing homeless families to live in a community of small trailers purchased by the nonprofit with the intention of the client purchasing the trailer. Dreyer said the idea is currently in the planning phase and that land near FM 529 would be ideal for space and employment potential for clients. There is no place in this part of town for homeless people who are trying to transition out of homelessness into permanent housing, she said. We could cut that in half by putting them in a small trailer or an RV. That's the goal to get them to where they can pay for it. chevall.pryce@chron.com Pull out your fishing rods and get ready to catch some catfish. On Wednesday, as part of its Neighborhood Fishin' program, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) began stocking thousands of catfish at 19 lakes across Texas, including four in the Houston area, according to a recent release. 'That's the biggest fish we have ever pulled in': 198-pound alligator gar caught in the Brazos River Each lake will receive continuous stockings of channel catfish every two weeks now through early November, with Mary Jo Peckham Park receiving a total of 9,230 catfish and Missouri City C.P.L. receiving 5,538. Burke-Crenshaw Lake in Pasadena is set to get 7,020 total catfish and Herman Little Pond in Spring is scheduled for 5,538. Other lakes in the Lone Star State being stocked include five in Dallas-Fort Worth, two in the Austin area and in San Antonio, and one in Abilene, Amarillo, Bryan-College Station, San Angelo, Waco and Wichita Falls. It's official: 67.1-pound fish caught by 13-year-old sets a new Texas record All anglers can keep up to five fish per day without a minimum length limit, according to a recent release. At some locations, cleaning tables are available to make it easy for you to clean your catch. "Our Neighborhood Fishin' lakes are conveniently located in these urban and suburban areas so that Texans don't have to travel outside the city to have a great fishing experience," TPWD inland fisheries management and research chief Dave Terre said in the release. "Catfish are fun and easy to catch for anglers of all ages and experience levels," he added. To find the Neighborhood Fishin' lake near you, head to the Neighborhood Fishin' website. See the biggest fish caught off the Texas shores in the photos above. Marcy de Luna is a digital reporter. You can follow her on Twitter @MarcydeLuna and Facebook @MarcydeLuna. Read her stories on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | Marcy.deLuna@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message Self-described serial killer Edward Harold Bell died in the Texas prison Saturday, leaving unanswered questions about the unsolved murders of 11 girls he claimed to have killed. Bell died Saturday morning at the Wallace Pack Unit, a prison that houses many elderly prisoners, a spokesman confirmed. He was 82. STAY IN THE KNOW: Get all the news you need to know to start your day Bell was already a Texas inmate serving a 70-year sentence for the murder of Larry Dickens, an ex-Marine from Pasadena, when in 2011 he told the Houston Chronicle that he had committed a string of other homicides. Bell described abducting and murdering girls as young as 12 who had disappeared from Galveston, Dickinson, Houston, Clear Lake and Alvin between 1971 and 1977. Bell called the girls the Eleven who went to Heaven, in one of several letters. In interviews, Bell also acknowledged he had also sent confession letters describing several of the same crimes to prosecutors in Galveston and Harris counties in 1998. Read More: The Eleven who went to Heaven But Bell was never prosecuted for any other murder besides that of Dickens, whom he shot and killed on Aug. 24, 1978 in Pasadena. Bell shot Dickens several times with two different guns minutes after Dickens confronted Bell, a serial sex offender who had just exposed himself to a group of neighborhood girls. Dickens mother, who could see her son being shot from a kitchen window, immediately called 911. In minutes, Pasadena Police arrested Bell and found murder weapons and pornography in his pick-up. Bell made bail in Harris County and went on the lam for 14 years. Tips that finally led to his arrest poured in after Bell became the subject of a 1992 Unsolved Mysteries episode. The show featured Matthew McConaughey as a Dickens in the actors first TV role. A former Harris County District Attorney investigator Larry Boucher helped coordinate Bells arrest in 1993 at a yacht club in Panama where hed been living with a teenaged girl. A few years after Bell made his 2011 jailhouse claims to be a serial killer, retired Galveston homicide detective Fred Paige and a Chronicle reporter teamed up to try to find proof of whether Bell had been in the right places at the right times to murder girls in the 1970s as he claimed in interviews and in letters. Read more: Documentary Series reexamines 1970s murders: As a result of discoveries in that investigation, featured in a 2017 documentary on A&E called The Eleven, Galveston prosecutors reopened the murder cases of Debbie Ackerman and Maria Johnson, two island girls whose abduction and deaths Bell described in detail in both letters and interviews. Bell admitted in a recorded interview that he had picked up the two girls on the day they disappeared at a Baskin Robbins on the island. In a letter, he described how hed shot and killed them. And their bodies were found dumped as Bell described in an isolated bayou very near a pasture where Bell kept a trailer, public records and interviews show. Bell was never charged with those two homicides, but he remained the prime suspect at the time of his death Saturday. He was also the suspect in several other unsolved murders, but no DNA evidence or weapons were located by the departments in charge of the 11 cold cases Bell described. Many of the girls relatives joined Dickens family in opposing Bells efforts to win parole. Galveston Police Officer Michelle Sollenberger, who reinvestigated the murders in recent years, posted on Facebook Saturday that she believed Bells death would bring some comfort. Today these girls may finally rest in peace because their killer has gone to hell. Rita Brestrup, who lost her sister Maria Johnson in 1971, said she had no words for Bell but was glad that he no longer walks this earth and will never be paroled. I believe he took a life precious to me and my life has never been the same since. Marias death impacted my life more than any other single event. Nothing can take her memory away. Phyllis Southern , a long-time Galveston resident, was one of the family members of the 11 girls. Southern became convinced through discoveries recently made that Bell was also responsible for the murder of her sister, Brenda Jones. Upon hearing of Bells death, Southern said: I had hoped to one day to question him myself, but now Gods judgment is upon him!! I just wanted him to know that he will Never take anything else from me! My little Sister was my everything and he took her in the most vile and horrible way he could!! TDCJ Spokesman Jeremy Desel confirmed Bell collapsed at the Pack Unit in Navasota. Like all in custody deaths, it is under investigation by the Independent Office of the Inspector General, Desel said. NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. Goldfund.io (CRYPTO:GFUN) Lists on CATEX Mining Exchange Sydney, April 20, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - GoldFund (GFUN) ( CRYPTO:GFUN ) is available for purchase on the CATEX cryptocurrency mining exchange. GFUN coins are a new digital currency that provides development capital to proven gold resources. Users that possess GFUN coins are eligible to purchase discounted gold at the ZOMIA Gold Exchange (find out more: www.goldfund.io).Enhance your Crypto portfolio with GFUN pairings today;* GFUN / BTC* GFUN / ETHExplore the CATEX Exchange: http://www.catex.io Explore Goldfund: http://www.goldfund.io About CatexCatex" (Cat Exchange) is a mining transaction exchange and "Catt" is the token of this exchange. In the last couple of years, because of the extreme power consumption of the systems that are used to mine cryptocurrencies, and the decrease of price in all cryptocurrencies, mining costs have increased and the environmental impact of this power consumption has become a concern. As a result of this, the practice of trading mining has begun to used in newly established exchanges. Trading mining is a new term in the cryptocurrency world that means mining is being done by the investors while they are trading any coin listed in the exchange. That is to say, when the investors buy or sell any coin in the market, the token of the exchange is being produced at the same time and deposited to the investors account. Catex gives 5% mining bonus to all of its investors to make mining more attractive. In other words, paid fees return to investors as Catt Tokens.About GOLDFund.io Sourcing Capital for Mining & Investment in Precious Metals while providing liquidity to transactable Cryptocurrency Coins using Blockchain Security. GoldFund.io also operates the GoldFund Cryptocurrency Exchange, where Gold can be exchanged for cryptocurrency assets. Successful Race for Awareness at Tough Elementary Last weekends Race for Awareness brought more than 1,000 people out to Tough Elementary School to benefit Inspiration Ranch, an organization that offers equine-assisted activities and therapies for children and adults with special needs. The student-led event began with the national anthem, sung by the schools choir students, and opening remarks from MG Tindall, the president and CEO of Inspiration Ranch. Amid all of the celebration and activities, three Tough students, who are also clients at Inspiration Ranch, cut the ribbon to begin the race. The event, which raises funds for a different organization each year, is a Tough tradition to introduce students to different ways to help in their community. The group is to have a fundraising total soon, but are hopeful that they raised enough to purchase a new therapy horse for Inspiration Ranch. 2 Woodlands students nab National Merit corporate scholarship One student from The Woodlands High School, Dominique ONeill, and one student from The Woodlands College Park High School, Matthew Winningham, were awarded with corporate-sponsored National Merit scholarships. ONeill received her award from the State Farm Companies Foundation, which exists to develop visionary youth through education. Each year, the foundation gives scholarships to legal dependents of employees, agents and retirees of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries. Winningham received his award from the Chevron Corporation, an integrated energy company that deals with crude oil, natural gas, petrochemical products and other energy resources. According to a press release, students are selected for this version of the National Merit scholarship who are children of company employees or residents of communities the company serves who plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wants to encourage. These students may use their awards, which vary in amount, at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation is to name recipients of other scholarships in May and June. John Cooper artists win awards This years student art scholarship competition, sponsored by The Woodlands Arts Council, included nine winners from The John Cooper School. Each student submitted art per category. Senior Peyton Tague received a first-place $1,500 scholarship for a digital piece. Junior Maddy Sinkovic was given a second-place $1,000 scholarship for her digital work. Junior Haley Hinch received a $1,500 scholarship in photography. Senior Maddie Smith was given a third-place scholarship in the sculpture category. Honorable mentions were given to senior Avery Nakahara and junior Wyatt Wright in sculpture; senior Natalie Osmond in digital artwork; junior Caroline Muhith in photography and sophomore Cathy Zhang in animation. In a different competition, senior Natalie Osmond earned a silver award in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Her submitted piece, Pinched, concentrates on body image. While she studies photography at John Cooper, Osmond plans to continue studying art at New York University in the fall. Conroe ISD gives Ambassador Awards Continuing their tradition of visiting each Conroe Independent School District campus to surprise individuals with Ambassador Awards, Superintendent Curtis Null and Board of Trustees Member Ray Sanders took trips to five different schools recently. An Ambassador Award signifies that an individual has made positive contributions to campus life and climate. At The Woodlands High School, educator Kristen Gartner, paraprofessional Madeleine Doak and student Alyssa Torres were honored. At Powell Elementary School, educator Stephanie Mathews, paraprofessional Michelle Lutes and student Lily Miller were surprised. At Bush Elementary School, educator Jodi Lamberti, paraprofessional Jessica Lane and students Devon and Dylan Shumate were given the award. At Mitchell Intermediate School, educator Patti Thorpe, paraprofessional Susan Whitehead and student Mary Macie Ezell were recognized. At McCullough Junior High School, educator Krissi Chambers, paraprofessional Karla Rizzuti and student Branson McShaffry were honored. At Glen Loch Elementary Schgool, educator Maria Diaz, paraprofessional Maria Talamas and student Joshua Comier were awarded. jane.stueckemann@chron.com A three-year veteran with the San Antonio Police Department is now on administrative leave after police arrested her early Friday morning on a domestic violence charge. Nicolette Muniz was arrested around 3:19 a.m. on suspicion of assault family violence, according to a news release from the police department. Parents and children with colorful baskets filtered into the Czech Center Museum in Houston Saturday afternoon for a day of Easter-themed activities. Pryce Mahboub, 5, and Aubriel Mahboub, 8, made bunny ears out of bright pipe cleaners and tails out of cotton before settling at the egg dying table. Their favorite part of Easter? Candy, Pryce said, while dunking a green-painted egg into blue dye. Eggs, his sister Aubriel said. STAY IN THE KNOW: Get all the news you need to know to start your day Their parents Bri Gibson and Gabriel Mahboub, who recently relocated from New Mexico, searched for fun Easter events for their children and learned about the museums activities. The afternoon event, which expected more than 100 people, had attracted families who like Gibson and Mahoub had never been to the museum, which serves as a cultural home for the local Czech community. Most children were in it for the free egg decorating and culminating Easter egg hunt. Madhu Jayarman, 8, had her heart set on finding 21 eggs, beating her record last year of 20, she said after dunking three eggs into a deep blue dye. She decorated them with pink paint one with a smiley face, one with a sun that encompassed a deep crack, and another with an abstract blob, which she deemed the pink thing. Little did she know, she was taking part in a popular tradition of Czechia, or the Czech Republic. Sandra Samolik, the museums development director, organized the event for the second year, aiming to bring people of all cultures to the museum to take part in a popular Czech tradition. EASTER EVENTS: Glowing eggs, special Easter Bunny events planned this weekend Easter generally is a very important event for Czech people, Samolik said, referencing the unique traditions that are sometimes unusual to those who are not native. Theres the Czech mens playful whipping of women on Easter Monday once a custom way to acquaint young eligible men to single women in their town and the better known festive eggs that sport intricate designs made by using a needle, dye and depending on the method, hot wax. The Czech method of designing eggs is too dangerous for children, according to Samolik, and so families were invited to decorate the eggs using dye, stickers and paint. Samantha Trevino, 10, who attended the event with her grandmother Mel Brooks, her brother, and six cousins, said she learned more about the Czech Republic and had fun playing outside, decorating eggs and making Easter-themed headbands and tails. It was really cool that the eight of us could spend time as a family, she said. Her grandmother Brooks agreed. It was a great family event. NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. With robots from an international competition dominating the south side of downtown, thousands of dogs marked their turf on the north side with their playful barks echoing around Market Square Park. An estimated 3,500 people and their dogs descended upon the park to play and socialize at the 8th annual Puppies for Breakfast festival, which is hosted by design agency Neue Creative, the Houston Downtown Management District and several other area animal partners. Its not often you see these many dogs, said Blanche Ragsdale, 63, who brought her Pomeranian dog Mr. Fox with her. Its really fun for me to see all these breeds. Ragsdale rescued Mr. Fox eight years ago. She said Mr. Fox was a little overwhelmed by all the dogs, but he rested with her on a bench tongue all the way out in the sun. Dogs came in and out of the park, splashing in the shallow fountains. The dog run overflowed with canines and owners playing together. A dog trick show had dogs jumping through arm hoops or barking out the answers to math problems. The show was performed by local dog training company Unstoppable K9s, who try to show off how once-aggressive rescued dogs can be taught Other dogs came in their best outfits, including pink tutus and denim jackets. Lynzee Soliz, 22, and her partner Evan Mendez, 27, brought their goofy dog Baddle wearing a flamingo hat, Hawaiian shirt, swim trucks and pineapple socks. Hes there more for the people than the dogs, Soliz said, laughing. Hector Garcia, who owns Neue Creative, created Puppies for Breakfast in 2010 by inviting around 30 friends and their dogs to breakfast in his backyard. He held the first festival in 2012 at their offices, and they began hosting the event at Market Square Park in 2014, after being approached by the Houston Downtown Management District. Its like a true dog party, Garcia, 46, said. For the first time, part of Preston Street had to be closed off, Garica said. He likes having the events at Market Square Park and doesnt want to outgrow it but more streets in the future could be closed off. The festival was free, but donations were encouraged that will be given to a local dog rescue later in the week. Puppies for Breakfast will surprise a rescue with the money and post their reaction online. For Oumer Salim, video visits were the only practical to way to see his brother in prison. Sure, they were pricey almost $10 for 30 minutes. But with Salim in the Fort Worth suburb of Colleyville, and his brother more than 1,100 miles away in an Ohio penitentiary, there werent a lot of alternatives. So like hundreds of thousands of other inmates families Salim paid up. Eventually, he realized he was getting ripped off, as the expensive calls would get cut off early, according to court records. When Salim couldnt figure out a way to get his money back, he filed a class-action lawsuit. Earlier this week, a federal judge in Sherman greenlit a preliminary settlement agreement awarding one free call credit to anyone who used video visitation services through the company JPay since 2009. Its small, but still a win for prisoners families, who routinely bear many of the financial burdens of incarceration, traveling miles for in-person visit, paying top-dollar for prison phones, forking over money for expensive commissary items and ponying up the cost of added perks like video visitation. 'EGREGIOUS' FAILURE: Mom sues Texas prisons after son's suicide Im pleased that JPay agreed to an amicable resolution and allowed a vehicle for people to get their money back, said Dallas attorney Bruce Steckler, who is representing Salim in the suit. We were able to achieve exactly what he wanted. The legal wrangling started in October, when Salim filed his claim in the Eastern District of Texas. Twice a month, Salim said, hed been scheduling video visits with his brother, paying $9.90 each time. But his sessions repeatedly got cut off early. Sometimes it was just a few minutes, according to his attorney; sometimes it was much more than that. In total, Salim estimated that he lost just under $300. But, given the number of people who use the companys video visitation nationwide, attorneys estimated the total claims would exceed $5 million. Typically, video visits are offered by a single vendor that contracts with a given jail or prison. At the Noble Correctional Institution in Ohio - where Salims brother was incarcerated - that vendor was JPay, a Florida-based company offering affordable correctional services including everything from email to money deposits to video visits. After a few months of negotiations between Salims attorneys and JPay, earlier this year both parties in the lawsuit reached a settlement agreement. "JPay has agreed to issue each class member a transferable video visitation credit, as well as establish a process through which purchasers can report any future issues with video visits to obtain a credit," Salims attorneys wrote in February, adding that the settlement squarely address the issues raised and gives the inmates families exactly what they allege they have lost. The settlement does not require the company to admit fault. On Tuesday U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant III preliminarily approved the agreement, calling the proposal fair and reasonable. If the judge signs off on a final approval of the settlement later this year, families will have 60 days to use the free call credit or transfer it to someone else. Though it can benefit families of prisoners anywhere JPay is used, it wont impact those with loved ones in the Texas prison system. The states 104 prisons use JPay for the email function - not the video visits. Still, Jennifer Erschabek of the Texas Inmate Families Association said the settlement offered hope to inmates families impacted by high prices and monopolies - even as it stood as a reminder of some of the problems inherent in corrections services. Its a shame that people who are incarcerated are in in a position where they can be taken advantage of, she said. Families have no say or choice in these matters, but its what we have to live with. Harris County Sheriff's deputies are investigating a car crash in Cypress that left a woman dead after she ran a stop sign, veered off the road and landed her BMW at the bottom of a drainage ditch Friday near U.S. 290 and Texas 99. BREAKING NEWS UPDATES: Get your Houston breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox Share Article Retired Col. Philip Conran. USAF photo. The heroic actions of a USAF special operations helicopter pilot, who saved multiple American lives during a secret 1969 mission in Laos, are getting a renewed look as a Congressman is urging the Pentagon to upgrade the previous award of an Air Force Cross to the Medal of Honor. Retired Col. Philip Conran, then a pilot with the 21st Special Operations Squadron based in Thailand, received the award for a mission on Oct. 6, 1969, as part of a multiple helicopter flight into Laos. During the flight, a lead helicopter was shot down and a rescue helicopter, designated H-1, in the formation refused a request to try to reach the downed crew because of how dangerous the area was. Conran, then a major, was flying a H-3 Jolly Green Giant that was carrying troops. He had two choices: depart the area leaving his downed comrades or attempt a rescue and reinforce the friendly troops already on the ground, the Air Force Cross citation states. Despite knowing the chance of survival was minimal, Conran decided to try to rescue the crew since he felt his comrades would not survive the overwhelming enemy forces. As the Jolly Green Giant began its approach, the helicopters servos were destroyed, but he continued on and landed, letting off the troops he was carrying. He then picked up the four Americans from the downed helicopter. As they tried to take off, enemy fire destroyed the helicopters transmission, making flight impossible. The team fled the helicopter, and Conran took command, exposing himself to enemy fire to set up a perimeter. He ran back to the H-3 to pick up packaged parachutes to use as cover, and then ran 50 yards through enemy fire to get to the downed H-1 that had two M-60 machine guns and ammunition. As the day went on, Conran called in airstrikes, using a pocket compass to help direct the fires. Eventually he received a severe leg wound, but he remained a source of energy to the rest of his team. As night fell, the area was completely sanitized with gas and two H-53 helicopters were able to land to rescue the downed crews. Even though he was severely wounded, as the team boarded the rescue helicopter, Conran got down on his hands and knees so another man could use his back as a stepping stone to get onto the aircraft. Major Conrans decision to come to the aid of his downed comrades, his heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty while under severe hostile fire, and his outstanding leadership throughout the many hours were instrumental in enabling them to withstand the superior enemy force, the citation states. Conrans local Congressional Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif) introduced a bill this week to authorize the President to award Conran the Medal of Honor. His heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty while under severe hostile fire, and his positive attitude throughout the ordeal were instrumental in enabling the two helicopter crews and 44 friendly troops to withstand superior odds until a rescue could be made, the bill states. In a statement to Air Force Magazine, Carbajal said, Conran served our nation with the utmost bravery during the Vietnam War when he risked his own life in combat to save his fellow soldiers. It has taken far too long for our country to honor his courage, and I will continue working to help secure this well-deserved recognition. In addition to the bill, Carbajal provided two eyewitness accounts from others on the mission to the Air Force Decorations Board to bolster the case for an upgrade. In one of the statements, a gunner from the helicopter that was shot down said he owes his life to Conran because before he joined us on the ground, I didnt think we would survive the day. The reinforcements from Conrans helicopter and his leadership helped them withstand the onslaught of enemy fighters. The gunner said Conrans decision to get on his hands and knees to help another soldier was a particularly heroic act that still impresses me. In the other statement, the mission commander of the helicopter that was shot down wrote that Conran showed the willingness to sacrifice to save your comrades that shows Conran deserves the Medal of Honor. I know I lived to see another day because Conran risked his life to save me and my crew, he said. The aircraft commander wrote that at the time, politics prevented Conran from the recognition he deserved. Those who fought in Laos did not receive the same attention as those in Vietnam because the US was not publicly in the country. We were in a place we should not have been, doing what our country asked us to do, yet we were treated different from those in open combat when it came to recognizing our accomplishments, he wrote. In war some secret missions cant be discussed until enough time has passed so as not to embarrass the nation. In this case, there is no excuse not to bestow this honor on a deserving warrior that was willing to give his life for his comrades. The military has in recent years upgraded several valor awards to the Medal of Honor. Last year, MSgt. John Chapmans Air Force Cross was upgraded the Medal of Honor, and in October, President Donald Trump also awarded the Medal of Honor to retired Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. John Canley, who originally received the Navy Cross for his actions during the notorious Battle of Hue in 1968. In 2010, former President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously to CMSgt. Richard Etchberger, who originally received the Air Force Cross. Like Conran, Etchberger was deployed to Laos, where he was killed during the Battle of Lima Site 85. There is precedent for a law pressing the military to upgrade an award. In 1999, then Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) introduced a measure to upgrade the Air Force Cross awarded to A1C. William Pitsenbarger to the Medal of Honor. The measure was included in the next years defense authorization bill, and the award was presented to Pitsenbargers family in 2000. Texans should be outraged by the way theyre treated by autocratic legislators who think nothing of imposing restrictions that ignore the will of the people. Case in point: state Sen. Brandon Creightons bill that would bar municipalities from requiring private employers to offer paid sick leave and other benefits to workers. Both Austin and San Antonio have paid-leave ordinances that could be affected if the bill becomes law. Austins ordinance also is being challenged in court. How dare Creighton and his fellow lawmakers in Austin try to usurp the authority of local governments? The Republican from Conroe may be on solid ground constitutionally, but hes standing on Jell-O when it comes to democracy. The power of the government at every level is derived from the people. In each municipality, mayors, commissioners, council members and judges are elected to make decisions on behalf of the people. If voters dont like what local officials are doing they can vote them out. They dont need the state to step in and deny them that privilege. It seems strange to even have this debate in Texas, a state that has long cried out against the intrusion of the federal government into its affairs, beginning with its decision to join the Confederacy over the question of slavery. More recently, both former Gov. Rick Perry and Gov. Greg Abbott have railed against federal interference. So why do lawmakers sent to Austin to make statewide decisions feel compelled to take control at the local level, as if they know better than the people who live in those towns whats good for them? If a city believes it would have a healthier, happier population by requiring employers to give its workers paid sick leave, it should be allowed to impose that rule. If a company decides its too costly, then it can relocate it can relocate to a different town and take the local taxes it pays with it. Theres another problem with Creightons bill. In its original form, it specifically exempted any ordinance prohibiting employment discrimination. But in rewriting the bill, he dropped that language. He says the bill isnt about discrimination and maybe its not. But it does prevent municipalities from regulating a private employers terms of employment. Some rights groups fear those words could effectively void ordinances that protect LGBTQ workers from discrimination in private employment. The Senate passed the paid leave bill, and another Creighton bill that would bar ordinances limiting that limit an employers ability to ask on a job application whether an applicant has an arrest record. He says his legislation is needed so an employer doesnt blindly hire a convicted thief to operate a cash register. Thats a blatant mischaracterization of most ban the box laws. They dont prevent an employer from asking about a conviction. Most call for qualified job applicants to at least be interviewed before being asked about any criminal history. Some applicants may prove worthy of a job whether they have a record or not. Those who dont shouldnt be hired. The House should reject both these bills. Too often, the same legislators who complain local ordinances create a patchwork of legal requirements across Texas sing a much different song when criticizing federal mandates. If Texas shouldnt have to live by rules made for California, then why shouldnt it be OK for Houston and Amarillo to sometimes have different laws too? Changes would make OINP more responsive to labour market needs, Ontario says Ontario provides new details of proposed nominee program changes Ontario provides new details of proposed nominee program changes Changes would make OINP more responsive to labour market needs, Ontario says Ontario provides new details of proposed nominee program changes Changes would make OINP more responsive to labour market needs, Ontario says Ontario provides new details of proposed nominee program changes Changes would make OINP more responsive to labour market needs, Ontario says Stephen Smith Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A Ontario has released new details of proposed changes to a number of key Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program streams. The changes touch on existing Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) streams and do not detail the new stream for foreign tech workers or the new smaller communities pilot announced in the provinces 2019 budget last week. Two changes highlighted in the budget that are detailed are proposed reductions to the minimum investment and net worth thresholds for the OINPs Entrepreneur Stream and the addition of new occupations to the seven that are currently eligible under the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream. Ontario is also proposing the termination of its Corporate Stream and minor updates to eligibility requirements for some of the OINPs more popular immigration pathways, including its Express Entry-linked Human Capital Priorities, French-Speaking Skilled Worker and Skilled Trades streams. Among other goals, the OINP said the proposed changes are meant to improve the responsiveness of the OINP to current labour market and employer needs, including supporting regions that do not traditionally see significant levels of immigration. All proposed changes would only go into effect after a 45-day public consultation period that ends May 30, 2019. Discover your Canadian immigration options This article looks at proposed changes to the following OINP streams: Entrepreneur Stream Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream Express Entry-aligned streams Masters Graduate and PhD streams Corporate Stream Entrepreneur Stream In its budget, the Ontario government said adjusting the investment and net-worth thresholds for the OINPs Entrepreneur Stream will make Ontario more competitive with other provinces and expand the provinces base of prospective candidates. The Entrepreneur Stream allows eligible candidates to open a new business or buy an existing business in Ontario. The OINP said the proposed amendments will increase the quality of business proposals and bring minimum investment and net worth thresholds in line with other jurisdictions. In certain cases, the minimum threshold will be reduced by half or even more than half of the current requirements. Current minimum investment requirement Revised investment requirement $1,000,000 minimum personal investment if the proposed business will be located within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) $600,000 $500,000 minimum personal investment if the proposed business will be located outside the GTA. $200,000 $500,000 minimum personal investment if the proposed business will be in the ICT/Digital Communications sector regardless of location. $200,000 The proposed amendments would also reduce the personal net worth threshold as follows: Current net worth requirement Revised net worth requirement $1,500,000 minimum personal investment if the proposed business will be located within the GTA. $800,000 $800,000 minimum personal investment if the proposed business will be located outside the GTA. $400,000 $800,000 minimum personal investment if the proposed business will be in the ICT/Digital Communications sector regardless of location. $400,000 The amendments also introduce varied job creation requirements for businesses located in the GTA and those that are either outside the GTA or in the Information and Communications Technology / Digital Communications sector. The current requirement holds applicants to creating two permanent, full-time jobs within the first 20 months of establishing or acquiring a business regardless of its geographical location or industrial sector. The proposed amendments would change this requirement so that: a business located in the GTA would have to create at least two permanent, full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada within the first 20 months of establishing or acquiring the business. a business located outside the GTA or in the Information and Communications Technology / Digital Communications sector would have to create only one permanent, full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada within the first 20 months of establishing or acquiring the business. The jobs created have to be filled continuously for at least 10 months before the submission of a final report to the OINP and the jobs must continue to exist at the time the report is submitted and when a nomination for Canadian permanent residence is issued. Among other changes, the proposed amendments would require candidates to have experience managing the day-to-day operations of a business in whole or in part as well as senior decision-making responsibilities. Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream Ontarios 2019 budget said truck drivers and personal support workers would be added to the list of eligible occupations under the OINPs Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream. This, the budget read, will better reflect employer and labour market needs. The stream supports employers facing shortages in lower-skilled occupations rated under Canadas National Occupational Classification (NOC) as Skill Level C or D. The proposed changes actually add three occupations to the seven that are currently listed as in-demand: NOC 3413: Nurse aides, orderlies and patient services associates NOC 4412: Home support workers and related occupations, excluding housekeepers NOC 7511: Transport truck drivers The amended criteria for the stream also propose lowering the amount of paid, Ontario work experience in the occupation that a candidate is required to have accumulated from one year to at least nine months. The OINP said this last change will improve the responsiveness of the program to current labour market and employer needs. Express Entry-aligned streams A minor change proposed for the three OINP streams that are aligned with the federal Express Entry system the Human Capital Priorities, French-Speaking Skilled Worker and Skilled Trades streams would change the start date for qualifying work experience. Whereas work experience was previously assessed as of the date that an applicant received a Notification of Interest from Ontario, the new criteria would see work experience assessed as of the date of application for a provincial nomination. This change would align the start date with all other stream criteria, the OINP says. Interested Express Entry candidates can only apply for a provincial nomination through these streams if they have been invited by the OINP to do so. All three streams allow the OINP to search the Express Entry pool for candidates who meet their respective provincial and federal eligibility criteria. Express Entry candidates who apply for and receive a nomination from Ontario are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Express Entry ranking score. Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams Under the proposed changes, applicants for a provincial nomination through the OINPs Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams would have to submit either proof that they obtained their degree from an eligible Ontario institution OR a letter from an eligible Ontario institution indicating that they completed the necessary requirements for their degree. The document submitted must be dated no more than two years before the date of the application. The proposed amendments do not specify what would qualify as proof in the first instance. The current requirements state that applicants must have, less than two years before the date of making the application, completed the requirements necessary to obtain either a masters or PhD degree from an eligible Ontario institution. Termination of Corporate Stream The Government of Ontario said the decision to terminate the OINPs Corporate Stream was based on the view that it has not achieved its intended objective of bringing international businesses to Ontario. This stream was designed to help established international corporations looking to expand into Ontario or buy an existing Ontario business. Discover your Canadian immigration options 2019 CICNews All Rights Reserved In some ways, the queer, Latina public defender Tiffany Caban is running a campaign focused on change from the status quo but in other ways, the Queens district attorney candidate is conducting politics as usual, including sending a volunteer to spy on an opponents event. A Caban volunteer was caught red-handed, signing in under a fake name to an event for Queens Borough President and Queens district attorney candidate Melinda Katz and then taking notes in Katzs office while the candidate spoke to supporters. Marcin Rozkowski showed up at the opening of Katzs Astoria campaign office on Saturday, but signed in under the name Matthew March. Maspeth resident Rozkowski, 24, is a frequent volunteer for Caban, hosting at least three canvassing events over the past couple months. He used the same phone number for those events as he did to sign into the Katz event, which helped the Katz campaign identify him as a mole though his cell has since been scrubbed from the pages. "There are easier ways to find out why Melinda Katz is the best choice for Queens District Attorney than trying to infiltrate our events under false pretenses and we'd respectfully request all campaigns refrain from these tactics, Katz campaign spokesman Grant Fox told City & State. Fox then compared Rozkowski to James OKeefe, the right-wing activist who has made a career of catching liberals on hidden camera. Reached by phone, Rozkowski declined to answer any questions, but Caban campaign spokeswoman Monica Klein owned up to the campaign sending a tracker to a Katz event even though her emailed statement suggested he acted on his own. Sometimes, (supporters) enthusiasm may not always be focused on bringing (Cabans) message to voters in the borough, and we continue to work with our supporters to find the best ways to engage and promote her vision for Queens to bring racial, social, and economic justice to our communities, she said in a statement provided to City & State. This is a distraction from the real issues this campaign should focus on. Sending campaign operatives or trackers to opponents public events is a relatively common practice in politics. Campaigns can learn a lot about opponents strategy, and if theyre lucky, can publicize something an opponent wanted to keep private. Last year, Tedra Cobb, the Democratic candidate challenging Rep. Elise Stefanik in New Yorks 21st Congressional District, told supporters that she supported an assault weapons ban but wouldnt say so publicly. Rozkowskis goals in attending Katzs event, and whether the Caban campaign plans to use any information gathered, weren't immediately clear. In most cases, such tracking is legal, especially at an event open to the general public, like Katzs Saturday office opening. At a stump speech, where attendance doesnt imply support, tracking isnt even something a rival campaign would feel any need to hide. But sending a tracker to an opponents event for campaign volunteers, where one identifies as a supporter, is something most campaigns would prefer to keep it a secret to avoid questions about the ethics of misrepresentation. Most campaigns dont like to do it in case youre caught, said George Arzt, a political consultant with decades of experience. You generally send someone who is not identifiable with the campaign. Arzt, who worked on Katzs initial run for borough president in 2013, said she is viewed as the front-runner in the June 25 Democratic primary thanks to broad name recognition in the borough. But Cabans rise from obscurity has been hard to ignore, since the first-time candidate earned a series of progressive endorsements from players such as New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer. So Arzt saw the Katz campaigns focus on Caban to be a sign. And I think what it shows, he said, is that the Katz campaign sees her as a threat on the left. MORELAND HILLS, Ohio -- Animal bites, Ohio 87 and Chagrin River Road: A caller reported being bitten by a small Maltese dog running off-leash at the Polo Fields on the evening of April 11. The caller had spoken with the pet owners, but claimed they were refusing to address the issue, at which point Cleveland Metroparks rangers were called in. Fire call (utilities), SOM Center Road: The mens locker room at Chagrin Valley Country Club was evacuated at around 9:30 a.m. April 14 after an employee smelled an odor of burning electrical wires. Within an hour, the cause was found to be a bad HVAC motor, which was taken out of service. Fraud, Raea Lane: A resident reported a computer virus scam to police on April 12, and the case has been assigned to the detective bureau. Mutual aid, car crash, squad call; Brainard and Jackson roads: Moreland Hills police assisted with traffic control following a 10 a.m. two-car crash on April 3 in neighboring Orange involving a Toyota Corolla and a Hyundai Elantra. At least one person was taken to the hospital, with one woman trapped inside a car until she was freed within about 15 minutes. She was described as conscious and breathing at the time. No further details were available. Mutual aid given, Country Lane: Warrensville Heights police requested assistance at 3:15 a.m. April 13 with at least 15 people who were causing a disturbance on the fourth floor of an apartment building. Solon also sent three cruisers and Beachwood sent two, with the crowd remaining uncooperative. Attempt to locate, Chagrin Boulevard: Moreland Hills police assisted in an unsuccessful search for a girl, 17, who had walked off from the New Directions residential treatment facility around 9:15 p.m. April 13. Pepper Pike police noted that she had done the same thing a few days earlier, but returned on her own. Moreland Hills police checked the surrounding woods, Hiram House camp, school campus and businesses, but were unable to locate her over the next 30 minutes. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. Read more news from the Chagrin Solon Sun here. AVON, Ohio -- Theft, Chester Road: Police responded to a theft at a Walmart store at 1:57 a.m. April 16. According to store management, the man took $129 worth of merchandise from the store and left in a white sedan, heading west on Chester Road. Police searched the area and were unable to locate the suspect. The store provided police with security camera footage of the incident. There were no suspects at the time of the report. Theft, Center Road: Police responded to a Lowes store at 12:06 p.m. April 16 for a report of a man stealing a DeWalt power tool. The suspect left in a green BMW, but reports did not indicate that any arrests were made. Theft, Center Road: Lowes store management reported that two men stole two generators and a vanity from the store at 3:30 p.m. April 15. The suspects were seen leaving the parking lot in a Chrysler Town and Country station wagon. Theft, Chester Road: Police arrested two Lorain men at 4:57 p.m. April 12 for shoplifting miscellaneous meat from a store, reports said. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. Read more news from the Sun Sentinel here. BENTLEYVILLE, Ohio -- Traffic stop, warrant served; Hawthorn Parkway: A Cleveland man was stopped on the evening of April 17 in the South Chagrin Reservation after running a stop sign at Sulphur Springs Drive. Police then found a warrant issued against the driver through the Summit County Sheriff's Office and turned him over to deputies in Macedonia. The car was turned over to a valid driver. Driving on temporary (learners) permit, Solon Road: A Chagrin Falls woman, 20, was stopped around 8:45 p.m. April 15 for having expired plates and at least one non-working brake light. She was issued a warning on those infractions, but cited for driving on a temporary permit without having a licensed driver in the car. The car was not towed as police waited briefly on the scene for a valid driver to arrive. Speeding (in excess of 21 miles over posted limits), Solon Road: A Lyndhurst man, 60, was stopped on March 21 shortly after midnight driving 57 mph in a 35 mph zone, requiring a mandatory court appearance. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. Read more news from the Chagrin Solon Sun here. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Little Caesars Pizza employee was shot multiple times Saturday morning, police say. The shooting happened about midnight at the pizza shop on Harvard Avenue near East 74th Street in the citys South Broadway neighborhood, Cleveland police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said. The shooter came into the store and tried to rob the shop at gunpoint, police said. An employee was shot in the arm and leg and drove to MetroHealth, police said. Police believe the suspect shot the employee and the employee shot back at the suspect, police said. The shooter is currently at MetroHealth confined and under arrest, police said. The shooting remains under investigation. If youd like to comment on this story, visit Saturdays crime and courts comments section. BRECKSVILLE, Ohio Even though its been more than three decades, Bill and Rebecca Kopp still consider themselves to have been extremely lucky to find a Brecksville home that not only sits atop a bluff overlooking a valley and stream, but never lost its original charm. The white stucco home with textured interior walls, lots of exposed natural wood, a sunroom on either side and lush surroundings remind one of a country cottage. The two-story, four-bedroom place has 40 windows, and, from the second-floor rear windows, one could get lost in the sweeping, sloping view of the forest. We never get tired of the view, says Bill. Its stunning in every season. The Kopp home, which sits on an acre and a half, and 16 other nearby homes on the same amount of acreage have a history that even many long-time Brecksville residents are unaware of, Bill continues. More than 100 years ago, several wealthy Cleveland businessmen who were nature lovers were urged to explore the gorge at Brecksville. After a visit to the gorge and adjacent untouched valley, with trees climbing 200 feet from the creek to the top of the bank, the men decided to acquire a strip of land along the bank and divide it into lots for summer homes for themselves and other businessmen who were willing to invest in the venture for their families. After the purchase, they named the private, member-owned enclave the Glen Valley Club. The club originally owned nearly 600 acres, but about 500 were appropriated by the Metroparks during the early 1940s. Later, the summer getaways were remodeled to become year-round residences. Tucked out of sight, with seclusion even among the residents, Glen Valley continues to be a privately owned enclave of 17 homes. The Kopps moved into their home, built in 1908, 34 years ago, making them the third residents. Although the residence has been updated several times over the years, it still looks a lot like it did originally, says Rebecca, who is a retired teacher. Everything was done with an eye toward maintaining the historical value, she adds. Visitors enter through a 4-foot wide wood front door, and immediately see glowing wood floors and wood-framed entrances to other rooms. For an older home, the first-floor layout is unusually open and airy, with a large entrance hall, and nothing dividing the living room to the right and an informal dining room to the left. The living room has two facing floor-to-ceiling wood bookcases, and a large red brick-faced fireplace. Some of the windows are newer and energy-efficient. We replaced the side and back windows, but not the front windows, says Bill, who is a former Marine and attorney. The front windows are unusual, and we wanted to maintain the original appearance of the front of the house. The home has a stone path leading to the front door, and the garage is detached. People have asked us why havent we put in a circular driveway, and why havent we added an attached garage? says Bill. But the house is so stately with the walkway, and having a detached garage hasnt been a bother to us. We didnt want to detract from whats here by putting on an addition. The original roof was slate, but the Kopps installed a metal roof. When the couple renovated the screened-in sun porches into three-season rooms, they installed metal roofs on those. Its absolutely delightful when it rains, Rebecca says. Adds Bill, My wife grew up in a home in Virginia that had a metal roof, and I agree that when you hear the rain landing, its lovely. Do you know of an unusual or eye-catching home, condo, business, or public space such as a school or library, that you think would make a nice Cool Spaces feature? If so, please send photos and a brief description to rwashington@plaind.com. CLEVELAND, Ohio WOIO Channel 19 has a brand-new news brand. First off, the Cleveland CBS affiliate station is putting the word first in first place, altering its news slogan to First, Fair, Everywhere. It also means a change of primary graphics color from blue to red and an overall news philosophy that embraces WOIOs First Alert weather approach. Thats the shorthand on the new brand. And what is a brand? Well, its a news operations philosophy, guiding motto, mission statement, goal, mantra, identifier and slogan. Its a lot of things summarized in very few words. A brand is a necessity, said Erik Schrader, vice president and general manager at Channel 19 and its sister station, WUAB Channel 43. It tells people what to expect and what youre going to deliver, and you hope a large part of the viewership says, Yes, that matches up with what were interested in. Its the vehicle that tells people what youre all about what your values are. Branding is a tool that has been used to promote and market everything from soft drinks and automobiles to political campaigns and sports. It has been an essential part of television news for decades, growing in importance as both technology and viewing options have exploded. Basically, the brand is what youre known for in a market, said Steve Weinstein, vice president and general manager of WEWS Channel 5. Its more than a slogan. Its your identity. You need to differentiate yourself from all the other news sources out there, and thats why its essential. The brand should make you feel a certain way. Its about making a connection with the viewer and the user of your digital products. No brand in the history of Cleveland television has been more successful than WJW Channel 8s Clevelands Own, adopted by the station in the early 80s. A brand is a news philosophy and a marketing tool, and it should be both, said Kevin Salyer, WJWs vice president of promotion and programming. Its who you are and what you believe in, so its also how people see you, know you and perceive you. Clevelands Own has its origins in the day that then-news director Virgil Dominic remarked on how many people in front of and behind the camera at Channel 8 were from Cleveland. It remains the brand at the Fox affiliate, the markets leader in news ratings. It still works because its still true and still has meaning to our viewers, said Salyer, who has been at WJW for 39 years. This has been picked over and researched by news consultants, who always want to change things and do it their way. There are some things you dont change. So, a memorable and effective slogan is important, but whats more important is what the slogan represents to viewers. If its going to be effective, you have to live your brand, Weinstein said. The colors, the graphics package and the logo you choose are important, but the most essential thing is how they communicate what you do, Schrader said. The brand should help dictate what stories you choose to do. But finding a brand that clicks can be incredibly tricky. Its hard to build a strong brand and its very easy to screw it up, said Micki Byrnes, general manager and president at WKYC Channel 3. And it takes time. Its a powerful connection when it works, but its not as simple as throwing a tag line at the end of the spot. And some people do a better job with it than others. And some brands just go out of fashion. Channel 3s news slogan once was, Report the facts, respect the truth. It felt right at the time, but Im not sure I would do that now, Byrnes said. When we went to See the Possible, it was aspirational and forward-looking, which seemed to reflect the mood in Cleveland. Tag lines sort of come and go. The important thing is that the commitment remains the same. The essence of the brand should stay the same. Byrnes believes branding is different from marketing, even though branding is a marketing tool. The tag line and colors are part of brand identity, but they are not the brand, she said. Brand is product. Then marketing supports that brand. The brand comes first because its the emotional connection people have with you and how they interact with your product. In terms of getting noticed and establishing identity, Channel 19 had an effective brand in its fast-and-flash days of Action News. The challenge has been to find a brand that reflects an evolving news product. We do research, like everybody, and it showed that Cleveland really has embraced the First Alert brand, which initially was a weather and traffic brand, Schrader said. That idea seemed to resonate. So realizing how people consume news has evolved, the focus and filter of how were going to do things will be first, fair and everywhere. People want to consume news when its happening. Accuracy still is vital, but getting the information to people quickly is getting more important. And everywhere means not just about being all over Northeast Ohio but being on your TV, your phone, your computer, your streaming device. And that circles back to being first. More than ever, Schrader said, stations need to be aggressive and ready to adapt. Its a competitive market and environment, he said. We have to stand out. Action News was an effective brand for its time, but time moved on and we had to move on, too. And tastes will change. As much as I like this brand, it probably will eventually change. Investors will soon apply environmental, social and governance standards to global governments as the role of ethics grows in the investing world, according to Paul O'Brien, the former deputy CIO of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, which manages more than $700 billion in assets. "People [are] taking a more ethical approach to their investing. That has been more tied to environmental issues, primarily in Europe and the United States," O'Brien told CNBC on the sidelines of the Ned Davis Research conference earlier this month. "But, really, ethics applies to countries, too." One example of this was seen earlier this year. Pharo Management, a UK-based hedge fund, returned $300 million to the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of the Saudi government, Bloomberg News reported. The report, which cited a person familiar with the matter, said founder Guillaume Fonkenell told some of the fund's investors he gave back the money as a matter of principle. Pharo Management declined CNBC's request to comment. "I suspect we will see more of that," O'Brien said. "It's not confined to Saudi Arabia. You might be concerned about any number of countries. You might be concerned about Venezuela, Israel, you might be concerned about the United States, depending on where you are." The popularity around ESG investing which refers to making investments that could lead to a positive impact in society led to record inflows into so-called sustainable funds last year, according to Morningstar data. The numbers show investors pushed nearly $5.5 billion into these funds, bringing their assets under management to $89 billion. Critics of ESG investing argue that, while taking into account these factors can mitigate investment risk, it can also lead to lower investment returns. But O'Brien thinks ESG will become more popular moving forward, particularly as it relates to the actions of sovereign governments and how investors react to them. "The world is breaking up a little bit. You're getting this multi-polar world; countries are going in different directions in things like technology, internet privacy, even economic and political systems. So, that's going to be an interesting challenge for investors," he said. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. As the eighth and final season of HBO's "Game of Thrones" gets underway (Sunday's premiere hit record viewership), fans have been guessing how the popular show will end. Those who believe they know could win a trip to Croatia if they're right. Luxury tour company Unforgettable Croatia is giving away a seven-night trip to Split and Dubrovnik to see "Game of Thrones" filming locations. The catch is you have to correctly guess the how the HBO series ends to be in the running. Croatia is home to many of the show's most famous filming locations and landmarks, like King's Landing (which is filmed in capital Dubrovnik), Slaver's Bay (filmed in the island of Hvar) and Meereen (filmed in the town of Split). Tourism there has soared since the show began in 2011. The "luxury," "custom trip" across Croatia for two will take place in October and will include English-speaking guided "Game of Thrones" tours in Split (three nights) and Dubrovnik (four nights). The trip also includes five-star accommodations, a speed boat trip to the islands of Hvar and Vis and private transfers. However, international flights and other expenses are not included. (October flights from New York City to Dubrovnik currently start around $569, and $619 from Los Angeles.) A customer at Takoma Wellness Center in Takoma Park, is shown inventory by Stephanie Kahn, owner of the medical marijuana dispensary. Cannabis advocates have a lot to celebrate this April 20, the unofficial marijuana holiday. Efforts to legalize marijuana are gaining momentum at both the state and federal level. Congress legalized marijuana's close cousin, hemp, in December. And public support for cannabis is higher than ever. "Never in modern history have we had more political support and momentum for ending policy of marijuana prohibition," said Justin Strekal, political director of NORML, a marijuana legalization advocacy group. "Now, the real questions that are being discussed throughout the halls of Congress and state legislatures and in dining rooms nationwide is no longer if but how, and the how matters." Recreational use of marijuana is now legal in 10 states and Washington, D.C. Michigan became the first state in the Midwest to allow adult recreational use last year. New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Illinois, New Hampshire and Rhode Island are actively considering similar laws, while even more state policymakers are supporting legalization. Fourteen states have decriminalized marijuana and 33 allow medicinal marijuana use. Full federal legalization is likely still far off, but lawmakers are warming up to the idea. Democratic presidential hopefuls, including Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, have embraced legalization. Some lawmakers are also pushing for criminal justice reform. New Jersey Senator and 2020 Democratic hopeful Corey Booker in February reintroduced the Marijuana Justice Act, which would legalize weed and automatically expunge marijuana convictions from people's criminal records. A House committee recently marked up a bill that would allow banks to serve cannabis companies. Marijuana Moment is tracking 1,038 cannabis bills in state legislatures and Congress for the 2019 session. "There's been a growing public dialogue that just feeds on itself," said Marijuana Policy Project spokesman Mason Tvert. "In the last couple years and particularly this year, things are starting to change," said Morgan Fox, spokesman for the National Cannabis Industry Association. More Americans support legalizing marijuana than ever before, with two-thirds saying they think it should be made legal, according to a Gallup poll published in the fall. That's up from less than one-third in 2000. People will start hearing about cannabis much more thanks to Congress in December legalizing marijuana's close cousin hemp. Companies are now adding CBD, a non-intoxicating cannabis compound, in everything from seltzer to cheeseburgers. Yet despite the apparent optimism around cannabis, the feelings aren't universal. One-third of Americans don't think marijuana should be legal, according to the same Gallup poll. New Hampshire lawmakers passed a bill legalizing marijuana but the state's governor has vowed to veto it. "We've still got a long way to go," Strekal said. "We've made remarkable progress, and we're looking to build on that momentum." President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El Sisi addresses the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters, September 20, 2016 in New York City. Egyptians vote this weekend on constitutional changes that will potentially allow President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to stay in office until 2030 and bolster the role of Egypt's powerful military. Sisi's supporters say the changes are necessary to give him more time to complete major development projects and economic reforms. Critics say they concentrate more powers in Sisi's hands and return Egypt to an unequivocally authoritarian model. Egypt's 596-member parliament, dominated by Sisi's supporters, approved the amendments on Tuesday, voting by 531 to 22 in favor. Some 55 million of Egypt's nearly 100 million population are eligible to cast votes in the referendum, which will be held over three days starting on Saturday. While the changes are widely expected to pass, observers say the size of the turnout will be watched as a test of Sisi's popularity, which has been dented by economic austerity measures since 2016. Opponents of the changes complained that they were being rushed through without proper public scrutiny. "They are not giving us time to even organize a campaign to ask people to vote no," said Khaled Dawoud, a member of the opposition Civil Democratic Movement, which has rejected the changes. "This is the final deathblow after all the ambitions we had after the 2011 revolution," said Dawoud, referring to the uprising that ousted veteran leader Hosni Mubarak. Dawoud said campaigning would take place online due to the lack of time. Egyptian officials have said that Egyptians from all walks of life were given a chance to debate the amendments, and that all views were factored into the final proposals. American Chinese e-commerce company JD.com logo is seen on an Android mobile device with a Christmas wrapped gifts in the background. Hundreds of people have added their names to an online petition in support of a University of Minnesota student who said she was raped last August by Richard Liu, the chief executive officer of China's e-commerce retailer JD.com. The student, Liu Jingyao, from China, filed a civil lawsuit against JD's CEO in a Minneapolis court on Tuesday, nearly four months after prosecutors declined to press criminal charges against him. The law suit identified the student for the first time. The two Lius are not related. Richard Liu, through his lawyers, maintained his innocence throughout the law enforcement investigation, which ended in December. The company did not immediately respond to an email request for comment. It was unclear who launched the petition, which carried the hashtag #HereForJingyao, although signatories included Chinese students at foreign universities as well as in China. On Saturday, it was gathering momentum on the social media platform WeChat, with more than 500 names attached. "To Liu Jingyao: You are not alone. We believe in survivors, we believe in your bravery and honesty, we will always stand with you. We must join hands and march together in the face of the challenge of a culture of blaming the victims of rape," the petition said. A Chinese-language translation of the indictment was also circulating online. Liu Jingyao first accused Richard Liu of rape in August when he was visiting the University of Minnesota to attend a program directed at executives from China. Liu, 46, who started JD.com as a humble electronics stall and expanded it into an e-commerce company with 2018 net revenues of $67 billion, was arrested on Aug. 31 but released without charge about 17 hours later. A fledgling #MeToo-style movement in support of women's rights has been slow to gain wide traction in China, where issues like sexual assault have traditionally been brushed under the carpet. China's ruling Communist Party, wary about grassroots organizing, has also in recent months put pressure on activistsfocused on issues like sexual assault on campuses and workers' rights. Federal prosecutors are asking for Maria Butina to receive 18 months in prison for conspiring to act as an agent of Russia in an effort to influence U.S. politics by cultivating ties to gun rights activists and conservative political circles. In a court filing late Friday, prosecutors said Butina provided information of "immense" value to Russia in the runup to the 2016 presidential election. Butina sought to cultivate ties with the National Rifle Association and even a presidential candidate, who is unnamed in the filing, in a bid to establish a communications backchannel between the Russian government and the next U.S. presidential administration. In the pre-sentencing memo, prosecutors said Butina was not a spy in the traditional sense and was not a trained intelligence officer, but she did take actions on behalf of a Russia that could have harmed U.S. national security. "She undeniably worked in the United States to gather that information, provide it, and attempt to establish herself as a backchannel of communication," prosecutors wrote. "Had she successfully done so, the risks to the United States would have included harm to this country's political processes, internal government dealings, and U.S. foreign policy interests." The filing includes a note drafted by Butina, which was intended for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explaining why it was important for an unnamed Russian official to attend a gun rights organization's annual meetings. Butina said it was important to cultivate ties with the campaign of a presidential candidate, unnamed in the court filing, to help them "form the correct view of Russian-American relations." In conclusion it is important to note that on April 22, 2016 [Presidential Candidate] announced a change in the management of his primary campaign staff and in his election strategy, where the candidate plans to pay closer attention to foreign policy. Important in these circumstances are those contacts with the candidate and his entourage that will help form [the candidate]'s correct view of Russian-American relations. Attending the general assembly of the [Gun Rights Organization] in May 2016 fully provides this unique opportunity" According to the filing, Butina and the unnamed Russian official did not meet with the presidential candidate at the gun rights organization's meetings. Butina came to the United States on a student visa in July of 2016, but worked illegally as an unregistered foreign agent at the direction of the unnamed Russian official. In December, Butina pleaded guilty to a single conspiracy charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison. She is expected to be sentenced on April 26. The pre-sentencing memo comes after a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election was made public. The report documented extensive ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, but concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to establish a conspiracy between the campaign and the Kremlin. The marines of the China's navy participate in the annual military training on January 3, 2018 in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province of China. China will show off new warships including nuclear submarines and destroyers at a parade next week marking 70 years since its navy's founding, a senior commander said on Saturday, as Beijing flexes its increasingly well-equipped military muscle. President Xi Jinping is overseeing a sweeping plan to refurbish the People's Liberation Army (PLA) by developing everything from stealth jets to aircraft carriers as China ramps up its presence in the South China Sea and around self-ruled Taiwan. The navy has been a key beneficiary of the modernization plan as China looks to project power far from the country's shores and protect its trading routes and citizens overseas. Last month, Beijing unveiled a target of 7.5 percent rise in defense spending for this year, a slower rate than last year but still outpacing China's economic growth target. Deputy naval commander Qiu Yanpeng told reporters in the eastern city of Qingdao that Tuesday's naval parade - likely to be overseen by Xi himself, though China has not confirmed that will feature 32 vessels and 39 aircraft. "The PLA Navy ship and aircraft to be revealed are the Liaoning aircraft carrier, new types of nuclear submarines, new types of destroyers, as well as fighter aircraft," Qiu said, without giving details. "Some ships will be revealed for the first time." The Liaoning, the country's first carrier, was bought second-hand from Ukraine in 1998 and refitted in China. It's not clear if China's second carrier, an as-yet unnamed ship developed and built purely in China, will also take part, but in the past few days state media has run stories praising recent sea trials. Around a dozen foreign navies are also taking part. While Qiu did not give an exact number, China has announced the parade would include ships from Russia, Singapore, India, Thailand and Vietnam which frequently complains of Chinese military activity in the disputed South China Sea. China's last naval battles were with the Vietnamese in the South China Sea, in 1974 and 1988, though these were relatively minor skirmishes. Chinese navy ships have also participated in international anti-piracy patrols off Somalia's coast since late 2008. Visitors pass in front of Huawei's display at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. U.S. intelligence has accused Huawei Technologies of being funded by Chinese state security, The Times said on Saturday, adding to the list of allegations faced by the Chinese technology company in the West. The CIA accused Huawei of receiving funding from China's National Security Commission, the People's Liberation Army and a third branch of the Chinese state intelligence network, the British newspaper reported, citing a source. Earlier this year, U.S. intelligence shared its claims with other members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group, which includes Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, according to the report. Huawei dismissed the allegations in a statement cited by the newspaper. "Huawei does not comment on unsubstantiated allegations backed up by zero evidence from anonymous sources," a Huawei representative told The Times. The company, the CIA and China's Foreign Ministry did not respond immediately to requests for comment. The accusation comes at a time of trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and amid concerns in the United States that Huawei's equipment could be used for espionage. The company has said the concerns are unfounded. Authorities in the United States are probing Huawei for alleged sanctions violations. Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial officer and daughter of its founder, Ren Zhengfei, was arrested in Canada in December at the request of the United States on charges of bank and wire fraud in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran. She denies wrongdoing and her father has previously said the arrest was "politically motivated". Amid such charges, top educational institutions in the West have recently severed ties with Huawei to avoid losing federal funding. Another Chinese technology company, ZTE Corp, has also been at the center of similar controversies in the United States. U.S. sanctions forced ZTE to stop most business between April and July last year after Commerce Department officials said it broke a pact and was caught illegally shipping U.S.-origin goods to Iran and North Korea. The sanctions were lifted after ZTE paid $1.4 billion in penalties. Reuters reported earlier this week that the United States will push its allies at a meeting in Prague next month to adopt shared security and policy measures that will make it more difficult for Huawei to dominate 5G telecommunications networks. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on May 31, 2018 in New York City. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said U.S. diplomatic efforts will continue toward the goal of denuclearization of North Korea, a day after a North Korean official said it no longer wanted to deal with him in talks. "Nothing has changed. We'll continue to work to negotiate; still in charge of the team. President Trump's obviously in charge of the overall effort, but it'll be my team," Pompeo told reporters in Washington. He added that U.S. diplomats led by Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun would continue efforts to achieve North Korea's denuclearization, which he said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un committed to last June. "I am convinced we will have a real opportunity to achieve that outcome," Pompeo said at a joint news conference after talks with Japan's foreign and defense ministers. In answer to a question, Pompeo said he believed it was possible to maintain diplomatic engagement with North Korea even without providing the sanctions relief it had been demanding. "We will continue to press North Korea to abandon all of its weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles related programs and facilities," Pompeo said. "We will continue to enforce all sanctions on North Korea and encourage every country to do so." Despite Pompeo's comments, the future of U.S. engagement with North Korea has appeared to be in limbo since the summit, with no sign of direct contact between the two sides. On Thursday, the North Korean foreign ministry official in charge of U.S. affairs said North Korea no longer wanted to deal with Pompeo and he should be replaced in talks by someone more mature. That statement came hours after North Korea announced Its first weapons test since a second summit between Trump and Kim broke down in February. Experts said the North Korean statement appeared aimed at dividing Trump from senior officials in the hope of exacting concessions, particularly relief from punishing sanctions. U.S. officials have played down the test of what North Korea has described as a "tactical" weapon, implying a short-range system rather than the ballistic missiles seen as a threat to the United States. "I don't have the details; I just haven't been chasing it, there's been a few other priorities, so that'd give you kind of a sense of where it ranks," acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said before talks at the Pentagon with his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya. Kim warned last week that the summit breakdown risked reviving tensions and said he was only interested in meeting Trump again if Washington showed more flexibility. He gave a year-end deadline for a change in attitude. Trump has said he is open to another summit with Kim, but his national security adviser, John Bolton, told Bloomberg News on Wednesday there first needed to be "a real indication from North Korea that they've made the strategic decision to give up nuclear weapons." In a separate development, U.S. authorities on Thursday arrested a former U.S. Marine who is a member of a group that allegedly raided the North Korean embassy in Madrid in February, two sources familiar with the arrest said. Armed U.S. federal agents also raided the apartment of Adrian Hong, leader of Cheolima Civil Defense, a group seeking the overthrow of Kim that is blamed for the Feb. 22 raid, a person close to the group said. Earlier this month, North Korea's foreign ministry denounced the incident a "grave terrorist attack" and cited rumors that the FBI was partially behind the raid. The U.S. State Department has said Washington had nothing to do with it. I'm currently on the graphics desk. I've also been an assistant city editor and a reporter on the community and education beats. You can reach me by email at oliviagarrett@mail.missouri.edu or on Twitter @_oliviagarrett. Follow this search Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Richard Ritchie is the author of The Progress Trust (Without Hindsight: A History of the Progress Trust 1943-2005). He is Enoch Powells archivist and is a former Conservative Parliamentary Candidate. Eastertide presents Christians with an obligation, as well as an excuse, to think about something other than Brexit. But it is probably no exaggeration to say that anyone interested in politics who professes also to be a Christian is bound to wonder whether the political beliefs he or she advocates meet with the approval of Jesus Christ. This presents a problem because while Christ has a great deal to say about morals and motivation, his words are not so easily transcribed into political practice. An obligation to feed the hungry and protect the poor, for example, is not necessarily achieved by the introduction of a wealth tax. But if a Conservatives sole reason for opposing such a tax were the dislike of having to pay it oneself, he would be on shaky ground. And even then, its not simple. Can anyone be confident of the purity of ones motives? And yet, if pressed too far, scrupulosity might easily lead towards political paralysis. For socialists, its easier. Christians with left-wing views almost always tend to think that their politics are consistent with their faith, and one can see why. Literal readings of the parables all lean towards condemning the rich for having too much and for lacking compassion. Hence, the need, in the eyes of many on the Left, for redistribution although a redistribution dictated by the state rather than freely offered by individuals which, it could be argued, is not at all what Christianity is about. Its hard to see why simply paying taxes should help to get one into heaven. But it is not just politicians of the Left who make this mistake, and who seek to mould Christs teaching into a political philosophy. Margaret Thatcher, for example, used the parable of the talents to justify capitalism. But Doctors of the Church remind us that these talents represent Gods grace not money in the bank. This is why for a literal reading of the parables, one might more accurately substitute superficial, because it is clear that they were never intended be interpreted from a single standpoint. Almost every parable has a deeper theological meaning, which is peculiar not only to Christian morality but also to the very nature of Christs Church. If anyone doubts that, they only have to read Harold Macmillans great friend, Monsignor Ronald Knox. His Mystery of the Kingdom interprets the parables as being primarily about Christs purpose in creating his Church and the characteristics which it will hold including the presence of good and evil within it. But this doesnt mean that an avowedly Christian politician should expect to end up politically in the same place as, say, a Muslim or an atheist. Ones religion should make a difference and then the question is whether a religious person has a duty to ensure that the law of the land reflects his religious values. Most today would say not, but again it is not that simple. A recent essay by the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, has recently been published, in which he returns to his favourite theme of absolute rather than relative moral values. He challenges todays central assumption that morality should be determined exclusively by the purposes of human action that prevailed. He concludes that the current approach to morality means there can no longer be anything that constitutes an absolute good, any more than anything fundamentally evil. Any Christian whose conscience is in the same place as Pope Benedict would have found it necessary to oppose, in his words, the unprecedented radicalism of the 1960s. In particular, he singles out the proliferation of pornography as a serious source of evil which no Christian politician should have countenanced, however libertarian his or her outlook. But he goes further in the following passage, which goes to the heart of the dilemma facing any Christian politician: After the upheaval of the Second World War, we in Germany had still expressly placed our Constitution under the responsibility to God as a guiding principle. Half a century later, it was no longer possible to include responsibility to God as a guiding principle in the European constitution. God is regarded as the party concern of a small group and can no longer stand as the guiding principle for the community as a whole. This decision reflects the situation in the West, where God has become the private affair of a minority. Most people today would say :and a good thing too. Religion should only be the private affair of a minority. But that is not what a Christian politician should think, whether of the right or of the left. One doesnt have to be a Roger Scruton to note, in Pope Benedicts words, that in the twenty years from 1960 to 1980, the previously normative standards regarding sexuality collapsed entirely. Christian politicians are under an obligation to challenge a morality based entirely on private judgment and relativity, especially if they conclude that these normative standards are endangering the spiritual welfare of children. It is because socialists in particular have liked to claim for themselves a monopoly of Christian morality except, of course, when it comes to sexual morality that the politics of this country has drifted into a religious no mans land, where everyone is judged by the standards of the BBC and nobody asks difficult questions. But however important issues such as the distribution of wealth or child poverty should be to a Christian, it does not follow that the Gospels contain a political message or solution. All we know is that ambition and material sufficiency can be barriers to holiness and the more comfortable we are, the greater this danger. Such thoughts dont write a manifesto: at best they only provide the moral foundations on which a manifesto is based. And Christs resurrection certainly doesnt help us out on Brexit unless it be to remind us of the Christian virtues of temperance and respect. Perhaps that should be the focus of our Easter meditation before political hostilities recommence. Cllr Simon Cooke is a councillor in Bradford and a professional marketer. He has been leader of Bradfords Conservative Group, Deputy Leader of the Council and led on regeneration in that city for six years. He blogs at The View from Cullingworth. Companies own 2.6 million hectares of UK land. One striking fact revealed by Guy Shrubsole in a Guardian article presenting an extract from his book Who Owns England? Equally striking is that this is just 18 per cent of the country over 80 per cent of England isnt owned by corporate entities but, presumably, by private individuals or the Government. This startling fact doesnt, of course, stop Shrubsole from launching into a search for scandal. Take land banking. Every examination of the problem reveals that big housebuilders do not hold large amounts of land purely for speculation. Shelter say that the housebuilders own enough land for six years housing supply, a figure that matches the requirement in the English planning system for local councils to identify a five-year supply of land for housing. Yes, there is a speculative market in land but much of this is investors betting on the outcome of the local plan process: buying up parcels of green belt land knowing that, given the massive difference in value between agricultural land and housing land, it only needs a few of these sites to become housing land for the overall investment to succeed. And in the meantime, the land delivers rent from its agricultural use. This speculation is only made possible by our planning system. In areas dominated by Green Belt, the supply of land for housing is controlled by local councils through their Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) and local plan. Shrubsole accuses corporate interests of outgunning local councils, but provides no evidence beyond Peel Holdings funding a business lobby a decade ago opposing proposals for a congestion charge in Manchester, something entirely understandable given Peels then ownership of the Trafford Centre. The real picture is that the political pressure on local councils with green belts is actually to release as little land as possible. Ive been a local councillor for a ward entirely in Bradfords green belt for 24 years, and opposition to new development is consistently the number one local issue. Shrubsole wants us to believe that government, local politicians and the public are powerless faced with these corporate behemoths but, in his search for bad boys, he makes mistakes conflating investments by a pension fund for BAe workers with the activities of the company. It would indeed be weird if an aerospace business owned a pub in Blackpool, but it isnt at all odd for a pension fund to make this sort of investment: the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, for example, owns 101 Embankment, a large office block in central Manchester, as part of its significant property portfolio. For me, the significance of Shrubsoles work isnt the look at all those secret, tax-avoiding businesses owning land but, rather, the picture he provides of how land investment is skewed by the UKs planning system. Without housing land supply being controlled by the Government, there would be no need for land banking and no speculative markets in green belt agricultural land. Moreover, we now know that corporate land ownership is mostly purposeful rather than speculative companies like Peel Group own things (the Manchester Ship Canal, John Lennon Airport, the Port of Liverpool) that are actively managed, income generating assets, and the same goes for the land ownerships of water companies and other utilities. It is good to see land registry information more readily available, but the picture we get is of a mostly stable land ownership where companies see land assets as working capital rather than speculative investment. It simply isnt true to say that corporate ownership of land and property is biased towards short-term returns. Nor is it the case that the pattern of ownership is the reason for agricultural intensification, the decline of high streets or the lack of housing. Places like Bradford welcome the attention and investment from property businesses: its how we get regeneration projects to work, how we get the houses we need for our residents, and how we get the jobs for those people. 80% Website buh.edu.vn uses latest and advanced technologies like: Boostrap. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 301991 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 108747 bytes (106.20 kb uncompressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-11-26, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 100% Website dekordia.pl uses latest and advanced technologies like: Boostrap. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 104638 bytes (102.19 kb uncompressed) and 19691 bytes (19.23 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-10-20, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 96% Website glossitdetailstudio.com uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery, Boostrap and Php. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 26318 bytes (25.70 kb uncompressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2019-09-15, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 80% Website mujsoubor.cz uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery and Boostrap. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 101702 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 91377 bytes (89.24 kb uncompressed) and 17831 bytes (17.41 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-09-17, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 60% Website networkland.ir uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery and Boostrap. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 43103 bytes (42.09 kb uncompressed) and 9713 bytes (9.49 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2019-09-30, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. General Motors Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra took a 0.4 percent pay cut last year, as the largest U.S. automaker pulled off the rare feat of uniting Washington in opposition to its plan to close four factories in America. Barra made about $21.9 million in 2018, with her pay dropping by $87,598 from a year earlier, according to GM's proxy filing. Portions of her compensation linked to GM's performance shrank slightly as the company's $11.8 billion in adjusted earnings before interest and taxes dipped after record profits the previous two years. The pay for Barra, 57, and other GM executives is almost certain to be scrutinized in the wake of the company's November announcement that it planned to idle four U.S. factories by the end of this year. The automaker also is cutting thousands of salaried jobs as it eliminates unpopular sedan models and prepares to spends billions developing electric cars and self-driving technology. The cutbacks have drawn sharp criticism from the likes of both President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, who's leading many polls as a potential Democratic candidate for the White House, despite not having officially announced he's running. Trump attacked Barra by name within hours of the announcement. He's kept up the criticism of her and the company this year on Twitter and at rallies in Ohio and Michigan, the location of three of the factories and states that were crucial to his victory in 2016. "Just spoke to Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors about the Lordstown Ohio plant. I am not happy that it is closed when everything else in our Country is BOOMING. I asked her to sell it or do something quickly. She blamed the UAW Union - I don't care, I just want it open!" Trump wrote on Twitter March 17. Biden, whose father, grandfather and uncle all worked at a GM plant in Delaware that shut down in 2009, criticized the company in a speech to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers earlier this month. He said he "couldn't remain silent" because he was both blamed and credited for bailing out the carmaker as Barack Obama's vice president. "There used to be a basic bargain in America -- you guys know it better than anybody -- it said that if you're a part of building the success of an enterprise, you got to share in the benefits," Biden said on April 5. "Not now. If an enterprise is hit hard, it used to be everybody took a hit: the CEO, the managers, the hourly workers." GM said in February it would make profit-sharing payments of as much as $10,750 to more than 46,000 U.S. hourly workers. Since 2010, certain eligible employees have collected more than $80,500 in profit-sharing checks as a condition of contracts with the United Auto Workers union, which will bargain for a new agreement with the company later this year. Barra earned 281 times more in compensation last year than the company's median employee. Separately in its annual proxy filing, GM said that lead director Tim Solso will remain on the board for one more year. He and directors Mike Mullen and Jim Mulva, who are leaving, are all 72, the board's retirement age. With Mulva and Mullen departing, GM will have an 11-member board that is majority women women for the first time. Barra is among the company's six female directors. In 1982, I went to interview "demonologists" Ed and Lorraine Warren (see Chronicle Classic on Page 28) about a new movie but came back with the makings of a ghost story. I didn't have smoking-gun proof of the supernatural, but it had been an unforgettable night. To this day, I wonder: Did the ghost- chasing Warrens inadvertently bring something with them that hovered in the doorway, something from hell that scared the hell out of my wife? Now The Chronicle has asked to me catch up with Lorraine Warren again because there is a remake of the 1979 "The Amityville Horror." Warren, 77, is again available to talk about how she and Ed investigated the mystery, the most widely known ghost story of our time, and the one case, after years of tracking otherworldly phenomena, that made them famous. This new version stars Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George as the young couple who think they are taking possession of a new house in Amityville, N.Y., only to discover the home has taken possession of them. Voluminous reporting on the Long Island haunting has made it almost impossible to separate fact, fiction and urban legend. Stoking the controversy is a book that denounced the whole thing as a hoax concocted by the involved parties for monetary gain (Stephen Kaplan's "The Amityville Horror Conspiracy" was published in 1995 -- but Kaplan, a parapsychologist, died before publication). But when it comes to commercial movies, producers are always believers ... in potential profit. Especially when it's a story "based on a true case." This much is fact: The three-story, six-bedroom Dutch Colony-style house was at 112 Ocean Ave. in the village of Amityville on Long Island. At the end of the paved driveway was a small sign: "High Hopes." On Nov. 13, 1974, at 3: 15 a.m., 23-year-old Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot to death all the members of his family: his father, Ronald; his mother, Louise; his sisters Dawn and Allison; and his brothers, Mark and John. No one in the neighborhood ever reported hearing the rifle shots. Defeo claimed that he had heard voices urging him to commit the murders and that a "shadow ghost" had been beside him as he pulled the trigger. He was sentenced to life -- and remains in prison today. The next owners of the house -- George and Kathy Lutz and their three children - - moved in on Dec. 18, 1975. Oddly, George Lutz resembled DeFeo in the way that his hair, mustache and beard were shaped. The couple fled from the house 28 days later, leaving all their possessions behind. What happened next is what gets murky. The Lutzes claimed to author Jay Anson that they had had numerous supernatural experiences and never wanted to go back, even to get their things. According to Anson's "The Amityville Horror," which has sold 10 million copies, the Lutzes had seen levitating demonic pigs, discovered a "pit into hell" in the basement, had been mysteriously awakened nightly at 3:15 a.m. , and saw slime and blood ooze out from walls. Worst of all, George Lutz had felt the urge to kill his family with an ax and became demonic. Back to facts: American-International Pictures, the colorful and irascible Samuel Z. Arkoff producing, released "The Amityville Horror" in July 1979 with James Brolin and Margot Kidder as the Lutzes and Rod Steiger as a priest driven blind by the haunting. With an estimated $80 million profit to inspire them, rival producers made six sequels, each a little worse than the last. (Anson barely enjoyed any monetary success -- he died in 1980 in Palo Alto at age 58.) The Warrens have always been a credible source, no matter how incredible their adventures. Charming and disarming, always matter-of-fact about their profession, they were respected on the lecture circuit and conveyed sincerity. Lorraine has been called "America's top ghost hunter." She prefers to be called a clairvoyant or light-trance medium. And please count her husband, Ed, in on an estimated 4,000 investigations of the supernatural and paranormal, including voodoo, exorcism, possession and telepathy. But Ed, Lorraine told me, is no longer a ghost hunter, and Lorraine now works on new cases with her son-in-law Tony Spera. Four years ago, Ed collapsed in their home in Monroe, Conn., where the two had established the Occult Museum and the Psychic Society of New England, and he remains bedridden. "I'm not here to support the movie," she told me by telephone from her home, "because I haven't seen the movie. When (producer) Brad Fuller came to my house, he asked me if I thought the Amityville house was haunted. I told him, 'I don't think it's haunted, I know it's haunted.' So I'm here to tell you my experiences inside the house." I asked her to walk me through it -- not literally, of course. "The first time I was in the house, I started up the stairway to the second-floor landing. I carried with me a relic blessed by Padre Pio (a canonized mystic priest). I felt a pressure like a waterfall against my chest. I held the relic up and asked for Pio's and God's help. Then I was able to continue on to the third floor. I went into the room where Missy, one of the Lutzes' daughters, had slept. I closed my eyes, and horrible images came into my mind, images that Missy had experienced when she was haunted by one of the DeFeo children, Jodie, who had been shot in that room. Without knowing it, Kathy Lutz had allowed her daughter to sleep in the same bed where Jodie had been murdered. "Then I went to the master bedroom. I knew instantly that two people had been killed in that room. How in God's name, I asked myself, had the Lutzes been able to sleep in this horrible place? Suddenly I felt the presence of Robert DeFeo Jr. It was an overpowering feeling of someone committing murder. I definitely felt his evil presence. Questions in my mind: Why hadn't the first shots awakened the others in the house? They were all on their stomachs, as if fast asleep. Why hadn't neighbors heard the shots and done something to protect themselves? He hadn't used a silencer. This cursed bedroom, it was the worst place of all. Two people had died there. The mother had been shot twice. Twice." Shaken, Lorraine returned to the living room, where she was asked to communicate with any spirits in the house. She did so reluctantly, overwhelmed by fear. "Suddenly," she said, "there was an investigator from Duke University who passed out. A cameraman from Channel 5 News in New York complained of heart palpitations and had to sit on the floor. Mary Pascarella, a prominent psychic researcher from New Haven, became ill and had to be taken out of the house." Although the house has since been occupied by families that never complained of anything except nosy tourists hanging around the neighborhood, Lorraine vowed, "I am never going back. Never, never again. Going into that house plagued us for years." And that led to Lorraine's final story: "We finished investigating Amityville and tried to put it behind us, but I always sensed something from that house was following us. Something dangerous. Ed was uneasy about it, too. Well, it was a beautiful day, and we were driving in a brand-new car on Interstate 84 (Connecticut). We passed one exit marked 'Promised Land,' and Ed made a joke about it. Ed had left a religious medallion, his Miraculous Medal of the Blessed Mother, at home, so I slipped a (religious) chain around his neck. When we came to another turnoff marked 'Lord's Valley,' the car suddenly went out of control. Inexplicably out of control. Ed was always such an excellent driver. But he couldn't control that steering wheel. We crashed through a guardrail and plunged down a 40-foot embankment. I prayed aloud to God because I could see an outcropping of rocks below, and I knew if we hit those rocks, the car would explode and burst into flames." Miraculously, she said, the car rolled to a stop on its side, avoiding the rocks. They were both alive and unharmed. According to Lorraine, Ed turned to her utterly shaken and said, "Even the Amityville Horror couldn't get us." THE AMITYVILLE HORROR (R) opens Friday at Bay Area theaters. NEW HAVEN Body camera footage of the police-involved shooting in New Haven earlier this week that involved a Hamden police officer is expected to be released next week, according to Commissioner James C. Rovella of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Rovella revealed the decision in a prepared statement Friday. We ask for a little patience but we expect to release to the public details of the investigation including body camera video next week, he said. At the request of the New Haven States Attorney, the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad was designated as the lead investigating agency for the officer-involved shooting that happened early Tuesday morning in New Haven. The investigation includes, but is not limited to, all public and private video camera data available of the shooting, Rovella said. As of Thursday, Hamden police made the body camera footage available for investigators to analyze and evaluate, he said. Activists, local leaders and community members have been calling for the release of the footage in the aftermath of the shooting. We support everyones rights to free speech, Rovella said. His statement goes on to say, The integrity of the investigation, fair treatment for the individuals in the vehicle, Officers involved and Transparency is paramount in these types of investigations. Hamden and Yale police officers opened fire on a vehicle early Tuesday morning, shooting 22-year-old Stephanie Washington, according to Connecticut State Police. She was a passenger in the vehicle. According to state police, a car was stopped by Hamden police in New Haven as they were investigating an armed robbery of a newspaper delivery driver at the Gas and Go station on Arch Street in Hamden. State Police Trooper Josue Dorelus said Tuesday that officers fired after the driver of the vehicle, a suspect in the alleged robbery, exited the vehicle in an abrupt manner and turned toward them. Thats when both Hamden and Yale officers fired their weapons. No one is seen getting out of the vehicle in surveillance video that circulated in the press and the community Tuesday. In that clip, a Hamden officer appears to bring his car to a stop, get out, and fire toward the passenger-side door. On Wednesday, Hamden police identified their officer as former New Haven Officer Devin Eaton. He has been an officer for nearly five years, started in New Haven before getting hired in Hamden almost three years ago. The next day, in a statement, Yale identified Terrance Pollock, a 16-year veteran of the department, as the university officer involved in the shooting. Are the politics of disruption extending their reach in Europe? Spanish elections on April 28 may give us an indication. When Spanish voters go to the polls for the third time in four years to choose a new prime minister, they'll be giving their verdict on the direction of a country roiled by angry quarrels over national unity. The fallout from an economic crash a decade ago and the social fissures caused by the Catalan independence movement have caused the Spanish political scene to splinter. If rage at austerity was the great theme of elections in 2015, driving voters into the arms of Podemos, this time round it's fury at Catalan separatism that has fueled the rise of the Spanish nationalists of Vox. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez still looks set to win the national vote on a platform of rolling back austerity policies and seeking to heal the rifts with Catalonia. Even so, Steve Bannon, President Donald Trump's former adviser, has singled out Spain as the next domino to fall in his drive to disrupt mainstream politics. Here's a list of the main party leaders: - Pedro Sanchez: Socialist leader Sanchez, 47, showed his mastery of the moment to become Spanish prime minister last year when he harnessed a wave of outrage at political corruption to topple Mariano Rajoy. But the Madrid-born economist is a survivor as well as an opportunist. In 2016, he resigned as party leader under pressure from Socialist grandees over his refusal to allow Rajoy to remain in government after two deadlocked general elections. In May 2017, members voted to reinstate him and a year later he had pulled off the putsch that removed Rajoy from office. Opinion polls have consistently shown Sanchez building his lead but he'll need to craft alliances to be able to govern. - Pablo Casado: Casado, 38, took over as People's Party leader last year after Rajoy's defeat in parliament. He'd spent the previous three years as the party's communications chief, but up to now he's been struggling to get his message over to voters. As well as doing battle with Sanchez, Casado has also had to defend his right flank as Vox emerged to poach supporters. A lawyer and economist by training, Casado learned his trade under the tutelage of former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, for whom he served as chief of staff from 2009 to 2012. Despite pledges to cut taxes and clamp down on Catalonia's independence movement, the PP's poll ratings have been in decline, and the party -- the biggest in parliament after elections in 2016 -- looks set to trail well behind the Socialists. - Albert Rivera: Rivera, 39, led Ciudadanos into the Spanish parliament for the first time in 2015, claiming ground in the political center by championing liberal social policies and free-market reforms. A year later, he helped Rajoy return to power and could -- in theory -- again play the kingmaker in Spain's upcoming elections, joining a coalition with either the Socialists or the PP. Rivera's tough stance on Catalan separatism has led him to rule out any alliance with Sanchez who relied on secessionists to eject Rajoy from office last year. Even so, Rivera, a former bank lawyer, has shown he's willing to do business with the Socialists before, forging a political pact with Sanchez in 2016. Recent polls show the party may place third in the elections. - Pablo Iglesias: Iglesias, 40, the pony-tailed leader of Podemos, rode a wave of indignation at Spain's economic crash to forge a new force on the left that came from nowhere to place third in Spain's elections in 2015. An economic recovery that's now in its 22nd quarter has sapped some of the movement's energy and Iglesias himself has made some missteps that have damaged his firebrand credentials -- including the much-criticized purchase last year of a house in the country with a swimming pool. Even so, Podemos is an obvious potential coalition partner for the Socialists in the likely event that the elections produce no clear winner. Support for Podemos has dipped sharply since 2015 when it won 69 seats in parliament and polls show the party in fourth place. - Santiago Abascal: Abascal, 43, is the leader of Vox, the Spanish nationalist party that leaped to prominence in December when its unexpectedly strong showing in regional elections in Andalusia helped unseat the Socialists after 36 years in power there. A motorcyclist and horseman, he was shown in Vox political ads on Facebook riding through the Andalusian countryside to the theme of "Lord of the Rings" as he began his "reconquest" of the region last year. Vox is set to win seats in Spain's parliament for the first time, potentially handing Abascal a key role if the PP and Ciudadanos accumulate enough votes to be able topple Sanchez with his backing. - - - Bloomberg's Samuel Dodge contributed. There is an effort by some members of Congress unhappy with the results of the 2016 presidential election, to change how votes are counted in presidential elections. This is being marketed with a claim of more vote equality. This claim states that for each vote to count equally, presidential elections should be run as a national, not state by state, election. To do this, the Electoral College would be dismantled. These marketers claim that this is what a true democracy does. They have a point. This is what a true democracy would look like. Except that The United States is not, and never was, a true democracy. It is a representative republic. Voters do not generally vote on specific issues but elect public officials who vote for them. Thats what Congress and state legislatures are. Does this system of voting create imbalances? Interestingly, the correction of one of the largest voting imbalances found in presidential elections is why the Electoral College was conceived in the first place. What does the Electoral College actually do? It rebalances the state by state voters in U.S. presidential elections by ensuring that voters in less populated states are not overrun by voters in larger populated states. Alexander Hamilton explained the need for an Electoral College in The Federalist Paper number 68, The Mode of Electing the President, published Friday, March 14, 1788. There are 538 Electoral College voters (called electors), each with one vote. The electors are distributed to each state based on each states number of U.S. House of Representatives, which is based on population. California, with a population 39,560,000, or 12 percent of the nations 327,200,000, has 55 House Representatives and therefore gets gets 55 electoral votes. Wyomings population of 578,000, or .18 percent, gets it three. California has 12 percent of the U.S. population (Wyoming has .18 percent) and 10 percent of the electors (Wyoming has .55 percent ). It would take more than 68 Wyomings to equal one California. To be elected, a presidential candidate must get 270 electoral votes (or 50 percent plus one out of the 538 total). What chance would voters in Wyoming have? Consider the U.S. Senate where each state has two senators, each with equal voting authority. A senator from Wyoming has the same voting power as a senator from California. Some might consider that an imbalance, but what it does do is protect voters in Wyoming from being overrun by voters in California. This same philosophy is one of the primary reasons the Electoral College was created, to protect small states such as Delaware, Rhode Island and Connecticut from the larger Virginia, Massachusetts, and New York, the larger states at the time. The House of Representatives shows a similar imbalance, where the number of representatives per state is based on state populations, with a minimum guarantee of at least one House Representative. The total number of Representatives was fixed by law in 1911 at 435 House Representatives. This law makes the number of Representatives each state gets a zero sum game for each representative one state gets, another state loses one. As people move from one state to another, power shifts. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has complained recently that New York is losing state tax revenue as people leave the state. New York may also start losing representatives in the U.S. House. That means a loss of voting power. It is not only for whom a vote is cast, it is where it is cast. And power, not fairness, is what the Electoral College debate is all about. The issue has never really been about one person-one vote. Its really about the weight that each vote has. There have been five presidential elections is which the candidate with more popular votes lost due to fewer votes in the Electoral College. The winners of these elections were: John Quincy Adams in 1824, Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876, Benjamin Harrison in 1888, George W. Bush in 2000, and Donald Trump in 2016. Through 2016, there have been 58 presidential elections, so this has happened only 8.6 percent of all presidential elections. It is an actually very unusual occurrence. So why change it now? Some are not happy with recent election results. Winners wine. Losers whine. That may be what is happening with this attempt to change the voting methodology. While not perfect, the electoral college protects the smaller state voters from the larger, and has for more than 200 years. The Founding Fathers saw this need. They were, and still are, the smartest guys in the room. Kevin McEvoy, PhD, is an award-winning marketing professor at the University of Connecticut-Stamford. He holds degrees in Political Science, Marketing and Business Education. Whether you like him or not so much, Sen. Richard Blumenthal brings an unusual perspective to bear on the Mueller report which he was reading for the second time when I reached him by phone Friday. As Connecticuts former state attorney general and U.S. attorney, Blumenthal sees special counsel Robert Muellers work through prosecutorial lenses. But as a political figure in the U.S. Senate and a thinly veiled loather of President Donald Trump (who never misses an opportunity to trash Blumenthal), he kind of wishes Mueller had pulled the pin before tossing the grenade. The 400-plus pages of the Mueller report is a grab bag, something for everyone. Blumenthal and the rest of the Connecticut Dem delegation sees an epic mosaic of criminality and impropriety, Blumenthals words. But Trump was doing a victory dance, tweeting about the Crazy Mueller Report and Muellers team chasing a made-up fraud. Mueller ended up saying evidence was insufficient to charge Trump or his campaign team with conspiring and coordinating with Russian intelligence to chip away at his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. And he punted on obstruction, saying that although the report does not accuse him of a crime, it also does not exonerate him. Did Mueller pull his punches? Did he blink in the end, unwilling to take down the President of the United States, no matter how flawed? The four corners of the law dont always fit moral or ethical breaches, Blumenthal said. Whether it was criminal or not, the misconduct was unethical, immoral, unbefitting the presidency and a betrayal of Donald Trumps oath of office. Attorney General William Barr said Thursday he has no problem permitting Mueller to testify before Congress. If he appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which Blumenthal is a member, Blumenthal said he plans to ask Mueller whether he didnt push further because of an internal Justice Department policy that a sitting president cannot be indicted. Does Mueller agree with the policy? And why didnt he push harder for an interview with Trump, instead of just submitting written questions? (Mueller in the report stated that haggling with Trumps lawyers over an interview would have eaten up a lot more time.) Mueller is a by-the-book guy and probably he went as far as he thought he could go, adhering to the rules as he perceived him to be, Blumenthal said. With Mueller closing up shop, the action now likely shifts to New York. Mueller listed 14 referrals on Trump-related matters to other law enforcement agencies, Most were blotted out in the report. But likely among them is fleshing out the case against Michael Cohen, Trumps fixer who already has pleaded guilty to making payments to women who claimed affairs with Trump in order to buy their silence prior to the 2016 election. Cohen said he was directed to do so by Individual-1 evidently a reference to Trump. An then theres a New York state investigation of Deutsche Bank which lent Trump millions for real-estate investments when other banks were shunning him. The door also is open for impeachment proceedings, which would start in the House. Nothing should be taken off table but there would have to be a lot of additional thought and fact finding and consideration of the Mueller report before any remedy is decided, said Blumenthal. Sympathy for Hope Hicks After reading the Mueller report, I couldnt help but feel just a bit of sympathy for Hope Hicks. Now just 30, she had a storybook upbringing in Greenwich, classic looks and brains to match, a modeling career followed by a PR career that landed her a job as publicist for Ivanka Trumps clothing line in 2014. From that, it was just a hop, skip, jump to the world of Donald Trump and his budding presidential campaign. She became Hopie, The Hopester, the one Trump trusted more than virtually anyone outside his own family. A high-level communications position in the White House beckoned after Trump surprised everyone including himself and won the 2016 presidential election. But the storybook turned into something of a nightmare as the investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller proceeded. In copious detail, the Mueller report recounts how the publicly demure Hicks head began spinning as she read through emails telling Donald Trump Jr. that an emissary from Russia sought to provide documents and information that would incriminate Hillary and her dealings with Russia as part of Russia and its governments support for Mr. Trump. The email exchange eventually led to the now-famous meeting at Trump Tower with Donald Jr., Paul Manafort, son-in-law Jared Kushner and a Russian lawyer thought to be the purveyor of dirt on Hillary. The meeting proved to be less eventful, and the lawyer segued into a discussion of U.S. legal constraints on Russia that affected the adoption of Russian children. Hicks told the Mueller team she thought the emails were really bad and the media response, once they were disclosed, would be massive. She went to Trump and counseled early disclosure of the emails to get ahead of the story, coupled with a friendly interview full of softball questions. Trump waved her off, saying it was unlikely the emails would leak - and in any case he didnt want to know anything about it. When Hicks subsequently told Trump the New York Times was working on a story, Trump told her not to say anything. When she mentioned the adoption discussion to Trump, the president responded: Then just say that. After some back-and-forth with Donald Jr., Hicks prepared a statement saying the meeting was primarily about the adoption of Russian children. Donald Jr. wanted primarily in the statement as a hedge. Mueller cites Trumps three directions to Hicks not to disclose anything about the June 2016 meeting as obstructive acts. But ultimately Mueller concluded Trumps actions were not obstruction because Trump never tried to hide the emails from Congress or Muellers team. In any case, pretty heady stuff for Hicks, then 28. Eight months later, she was out the White House door and headed to Los Angeles for a position as communications chief for Fox. Now we know what shes recovering from. CultNews101.com: news, links, resources. Cults101.org: resources about cults, cultic groups, abusive relationships, movements, religions, political organizations and related topics. CultMediation.com: offers resources designed to help thoughtful families and friends understand and respond to the complexity of a loved ones cult involvement. Intervention101.com: to help families and friends understand and effectively respond to the complexity of a loved one's cult involvement. CultRecovery101.com: assists group members and their families make the sometimes difficult transition from coercion to renewed individual choice. Warm weather on the way as some look to the sky for snow Remember the advent of the Do Not Call List? The year was 2003, and consumers tired of picking up the phone to an unwanted sales pitch were happy to be getting some relief. By registering a home number with the federal list administered by the Federal Trade Commission or with the Pennsylvania list managed by the state attorney generals office, households were assured some protection from businesses or agencies making targeted sales calls. Unwanted calls from unknown callers became illegal, and businesses stopped making them rather than face fines. Sixteen years later, its a different story. Technology has given rise to call automation, creating armies of robo-callers that cant be identified and dont care about the illegality. Robo-calls are generated by the millions from overseas servers instead of humans, flooding phone land lines. And the numbers keep rising. In 2018, Americans received 48 billion robocalls, a 57 percent increase over the previous year. Nearly half those calls are scams, meant to steal money or identity information from consumers. According to the Federal Communications Commission, consumers lose more than $350 annually in telephone scams. What can be done? At a Chester County forum last month, consumers expressed frustration to legislators. State Sen. Andy Dinniman, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chairwoman Sen. Lisa Boscola and Sen. Tim Kearney heard from local residents, business owners, officials from the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office, and representatives of the telecommunications industry. Among those offering testimony was West Chester business owner Karen Cavin, who said her business is interrupted nearly 50 times a day by robocalls. How are we to know these are not customers asking questions? We have to answer them. How do I know these are not my vendors? Ive got to take them. Its distracting, disruptive and it costs you money. One of the problems with enforcement according to Sarah Frasch, director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office, is that even if the agents are able to identify a criminal, they are often located overseas, and impossible to fine or prosecute. Making rules or punishments more stringent has no impact when the offenders are not the least bit worried about being caught. Stopping the onslaught created by scammers use of technology demands a shakeup, according to officials. The latest idea is something called SHAKEN/STIR (Secure Handling of Asserted information using toKENs / Secure Telephone Identity Revisited), to stop call-spoofing, in which telemarketers use equipment to mimic local numbers or the recipients own number. At the heart of the issue, Dinniman noted at the hearing, is privacy and the failure of government and communications agencies to protect it. We may reach the point, he said, where people no long use land lines. For the vast majority of people who ignore robo-calls, its hard to imagine that money is to be gained from ringing millions of phones that dont get answered. And yet the plague keeps growing. The answer lies in the caller-ID feature in most phone plans. Due to a system of database search and reward, when a call is made a database search of the number can yield an exchange of a few cents between phone carriers. If 10 calls produce 2 cents each, there is little gain. Make it two million calls, and those pennies add up. The issue, many say, is that the FCC has not done enough to curb robo-calls through call blocking or other aggressive measures to stop them from originating. These scammers are breaking the law, and a means of enforcement is necessary. The FCC must devise ways of making robo-calling difficult and unprofitable. Consumers are paying the price in lost time and comfort in their own homes. Since technology created this problem, a focused effort by the telecommunications industry and FCC on technology to combat it is needed. Tell your congressional representatives to get involved and pressure the FCC. Robo-calls invade our privacy, disrupt our homes, distract from work and family. Its time to end these calls. . Facing almost certain impeachment for his role in the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon resigned as the president of the United States 45 years ago. As countless students of politics have been taught since, Nixon's problem was not the crime itself namely the illegal break-in to the Democratic Party headquarters to spy on and dig up dirt on his rival George McGovern's campaign. For Nixon himself was not aware of the secret raid on the Watergate Hotel on June 17, 1972. Let's not mince words about Trump. He is a megalomaniac monster. There is enough material in the Mueller Report for U.S. Congress to move forward and impeach him [File photo] His downfall was the result of the subsequent cover-up. Nixon had to quit because he lied about White House involvement. The Republican president's resignation was an epochal moment in American history. He remains the only U.S. president to have resigned. I vividly remember, as a teenager, listening to his final broadcast from the White House. It felt as if the world had come to an end. Nixon told the American people that to leave office before the end of his term was 'abhorrent to every instinct' in his body, yet added: 'But as President, I must put the interests of America first.' Although he admitted some of his judgments 'were wrong', he refused to confess to the 'high crimes and misdemeanours' with which he was charged in a bill of impeachment. To be generous to Nixon, he was a member of the magnificent generation which grew up between the two world wars and adhered to ideas of right and wrong. Nixon is pictured in 1971 [File photo] The truth is that Nixon's resignation was also a glorious moment of renewal for democracy that signalled the triumph of integrity and virtue in politics. The fact that a crooked president had been forced out of office was seen as a powerful warning to future incumbents of the White House never to do the same again. Roll forward four decades and many think history is repeating itself in a chilling way. Two years ago, Robert Mueller was appointed to investigate claims that Russians had meddled in the 2016 presidential election campaign which secured Donald Trump his shock victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton. On Thursday, his 22-month inquiry ended with a report that concluded the investigation had not established there had been 'coordination with Russian election interference'. However, Mueller did come up with a significant number of profoundly disturbing findings, each of which was more heinous than the offences that brought down Nixon. Nixon told the American people that to leave office before the end of his term was 'abhorrent to every instinct' in his body, yet added: 'But as President, I must put the interests of America first'. Nixon is pictured above in 1974 announcing his resignation What's more, it was revealed that a rattled Trump believed the inquiry would be 'the end of my presidency' and destroy the legitimacy of his election victory. He is reported to have said: 'Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency. I'm f***ed!' Nixon's presidency unravelled when the existence of hours of tape recordings of his confidants discussing the Watergate break-in were made public, and the president admitted he'd been aware of the cover-up and had tried to halt the FBI's inquiry. In an echo of that, the 448-page Mueller report established that Trump ordered his deputies to sack Robert Mueller. He also made numerous other corrupt attempts to derail the investigation, such as by offering pardons to witnesses. In total, Mueller investigated 11 potential obstructions of justice made by Trump for instance, urging the firing of the director of the FBI. The report concluded that the president's efforts to influence the investigation were 'mostly unsuccessful, but that is largely because the persons who surrounded him declined to carry out orders'. Indeed, a White House counsel disobeyed his order to tell the acting attorney-general that Mueller must be ousted. The lawyer said he would have preferred to resign rather than trigger what he considered would be a 'Saturday night massacre' a reference to the mass firings during the Watergate scandal. Not only that, the report did confirm that agents of Russian president Vladimir Putin 'worked to secure' a Trump victory by hacking and distributing stolen information. Just imagine if Watergate investigators had discovered the Kremlin had been secretly working for a Nixon victory in the 1972 election, or that Nixon had ordered that his investigators should be sacked. He would have been out of the White House much earlier. Two years ago, Robert Mueller (above) was appointed to investigate claims that Russians had meddled in the 2016 presidential election campaign which secured Donald Trump his shock victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton The Mueller findings are so damning that I find it hard to believe Trump's claims they are a 'total exoneration' adding: 'No collusion. No obstruction.' Moreover, experts are predicting that Trump one of the most repugnant men ever to run the White House will be elected for a second term in 18 months' time. All of which raises the question how has Trump got away with it? The answer should worry us all. For Trump is just the most egregious example of a shocking collapse in integrity in public life. To be generous to Nixon, he was a member of the magnificent generation which grew up between the two world wars and adhered to ideas of right and wrong. And when he was finally exposed as a liar and a crook, the revelation was greeted by disgust, not just in the United States, but throughout the Western world. By contrast, Trump occupies the White House at a time when, sadly, criminality, falsehood and amorality have become, too often, the characteristics of many politicians. British politics is not immune. Just think back to the MPs' expenses scandal. Or to Tony Blair telling blatant falsehoods about Saddam Hussein's non-existent weapons of mass destruction in order to sell the Iraq invasion to the British public. How typically hypocritical that those on the Left who are so outraged at the lies of Trump went along with Blair's deceit. Let's not mince words about Trump. He is a megalomaniac monster. There is enough material in the Mueller Report for U.S. Congress to move forward and impeach him. It is essential that it does so if the United States is to regain its hard-fought reputation as a force for decency in a deeply troubled world. Nigel Farage has many serious faults. But the British people have reason to be grateful for his comeback with a new Brexit Party. Above all, it looks likely to bury his former outfit, Ukip, which has become the nastiest political organisation in the country. Its leader, Gerard Batten, has chosen the odious Tommy Robinson as an adviser, with the result that Ukip has become the gutter of British politics, through which a toxic river of hatred swills down our streets. The BBC's shameful disrespect for the Church The BBC's failure to treat religion, and in particular Christianity, with due respect was exposed again by its coverage of the Notre Dame inferno in Paris. As historian Ruth Dudley Edwards has acutely noted: 'It really was a remarkable feat for BBC1's News At Ten to get through the entire programme about Notre Dame without a single mention of any of these words: 'Christian', 'Christianity', 'Catholic', 'worship', 'worshippers', 'sacred', 'Mass', 'Holy Week'.' The Cathedral of Note Dame in Paris is pictured alight during a devastating fire this week. No fire, however terrible, can ever destroy the power of people's faith This Easter weekend, when we Christians remember unimaginable sacrifice and redemption, is an ideal moment to reflect that for 850 years, countless Christians have worshipped at the Paris cathedral and at other churches to bear their souls before God. No fire, however terrible, can ever destroy the power of people's faith. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, we learnt this week, will host the G20 economic summit of the worlds biggest economies next year. This is despite global outrage over the brutal murder of respected journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Its utterly immoral that Saudi Arabia has been welcomed back into the comity of nations. I have always been super worried about the environment. Climate change causes erratic weather conditions, which is really bad for the hedge maze on my estate. And Im very aware of my carbon footprint. For instance, I always make sure that at least one of my cars is energy efficient. Besides, as a social justice activist, I can do an awful lot of good by sending angry tweets from a ski slope in Val-dIsere. But my involvement in the Extinction Rebellion movement has taken my environmental work to a whole other level. Ive spent the last couple of nights camped out in Oxford Circus in London. I cant sleep in an actual tent because Im allergic to nylon, but the hotel Im staying in only has a three-star rating, so I feel like Ive made a genuine sacrifice. Some of the most talented and well-loved public figures have supported our work, and so has Guardian columnist Owen Jones. On Friday, Dame Emma Thompson arrived after a gruelling 5,000-mile flight from Los Angeles to show how dedicated she is to reducing carbon emissions. People camping out in Oxford Circus (pictured above) during the Extinction Rebellion protests Dame Emma Thompson (pictured above) also joined in with the protests in Oxford Circus this week To those who see this gesture as hypocritical, I would like to point out that the flight was already scheduled and she didnt even travel First Class. She was in the cargo hold making papier-mache wind chimes which she later distributed to adoring fans. We are here in this island of sanity! Dame Emma cried from the top of a bright pink boat at the heart of Oxford Street, while bearded men in red togas chanted paeans to Pan and the woodland nymphs. She praised the young people who had turned out in droves, although a few of them confessed they were only there as fans of Nanny McPhee. I arrived later that afternoon and, as I approached the cluster of tents just outside the Oxford Street branch of H&M, I was greeted with wild cheers from the sunburnt throng. They were understandably thrilled that their campaign was to be supported by a high-profile individual such as myself. (I presume they recognised me from my frequent appearances in the society pages of Tatler.) Protesters in Oxford Circus gathered today to continue to demonstrate in support of Extinction Rebellion Officers sat across from the pink boat in Oxford Circus earlier this week One young woman remarked that my arrival reminded her of Jesuss triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. I told her that if I must be compared to a male historical figure, it should be Mahatma Gandhi, not some Zionist settler whod learnt a few conjuring tricks. Gandhi has provided the inspiration for the entire modus operandi of Extinction Rebellion, based as it is on the principle of non-violent resistance. Gandhis followers used to call this satyagraha, because they lacked the necessary discipline to learn English properly. In many ways I have surpassed Gandhi. He might have brought the British empire to its knees, but did he ever glue himself to the Docklands Light Railway, stripped to the waist and smeared in woad? No, he was too busy mincing around in flip-flops and collecting salt. The group Extinction Rebellion is calling for a week of civil disobedience against what it says is the failure to tackle the causes of climate change We in Extinction Rebellion have three main aims. Firstly, the Government and the media need to start telling the truth about climate change. There is so little discussion on this topic that most people havent even heard of the climate, let alone realise that its changing. Jeremy Corbyn (pictured above) leaving his house past Extinction Rebellion campaigners I only found out about it because I watched the film Highlander II, which depicts a dystopian future where the ozone layer has fully depleted. Sean Connery plays a Spaniard with a Scottish accent and Christopher Lambert plays a Scotsman who sounds French. Is that really the kind of perverted future we want for our children? Secondly, we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by the year 2025. Critics have pointed out that the restrictions on key industries that would be required in order to achieve this would cause economic meltdown and that it would be the poorest in our society who would be most severely impacted. But hardly any working-class people have turned up to our protests over the past few days, which surely means that theyre not bothered either way. Finally, the Government must outsource all decisions relating to ecological issues to a citizens assembly. It is perfectly obvious that our current system of representative democracy is failing and that our politicians cannot be trusted. Except when it comes to Brexit, in which case Parliament clearly knows best and should just ignore the will of the electorate. Climate change activists from Extinction Rebellion protest pictured leaving the scene after staging a protest and glueing themselves to the front fence of Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn's house in London Our tactics in Extinction Rebellion are varied but for the most part we like to chain ourselves to things and strip naked. Over the past week, we have attached ourselves to famous landmarks, buses, and even the occasional homeless person. Sometimes we chain ourselves to things as a sign of affection, such as the fence in front of Jeremy Corbyns house. He seemed a bit annoyed when he saw a group of hipsters sitting cross-legged on his begonias but I think deep down he understands that we are saving the world. Its been particularly heartening to see so many children joining our group. Its never too early to start being politically active and, as we saw with the Youth Strike 4 Climate back in February, some young people are so committed to direct action theyre even prepared to miss school for it. After all, its their future thats at stake. Gail Bradbrook (pictured above) pointed out that her children wont have enough food to eat in a few years As Gail Bradbrook, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, recently pointed out on Good Morning Britain, her two children wont have enough food to eat in a few years. This strikes me as an understatement. I wouldnt be surprised if they gradually eat each other to death. Inevitably, there has been a backlash from the more reactionary elements of the media. Jon Snow (pictured) said he had never seen so many white people in one place Some have criticised the protesters for being overwhelmingly white and middle class, but this is simply not true. I saw at least one family who had brought along their Filipino au pair. Besides, this wasnt like that pro-Brexit rally where Channel 4s Jon Snow said that hed never seen so many white people in one place. The members of Extinction Rebellion are not white in any sense other than their skin colour. They are the good whites. Jon Snow was clearly referring to working-class whites, who tend to have the wrong opinions. Other critics have claimed that the UK Government has worked assiduously to address climate change, with CO2 emissions at their lowest since the 19th Century and all coal-fuelled power stations (which have been pointless anyway since we invented electricity) due to be shut down permanently by 2025. Furthermore, the critics sneer, China is responsible for almost a quarter of all the worlds greenhouse gases, producing 23 times more than the UK, so why arent we protesting outside the Chinese embassy? But if a freestyle pagan folk dance on Waterloo Bridge doesnt make the Chinese government think twice about its environmental policies, surely nothing will. Some people had inconsiderately scheduled their Easter holidays to clash with our protests and then had the gall to complain when their travel plans were ruined. Frankly, these kinds of people dont deserve a holiday, and if the apocalypse does come, I hope they bear the brunt of it. As for me and my compatriots in Extinction Rebellion, we had a wonderful time. There was cavorting in the streets, amateur hemp-weaving competitions, angry teenagers reciting haiku about why we need more badgers and even an acoustic lesbian quintet performing the songs from Hair. I myself mounted the pink boat to recite my shocking and evocative poem Mother Earth Is Not Your Slut, which I performed naked except for a pashmina fashioned from interlaced earthworms. A number of people were so moved that they actually had to leave. There is still so much work to be done. Actor Jason Momoa, star of the film Aquaman, has just shaved off his beard to raise awareness about the need to eliminate plastic waste. Hes doing his bit to save the planet. Why arent you? These days, I dont sleep nearly as well as I used to. And I certainly cant shrug off the effects of a restless night as easily as I once did. But aside from being annoying, Im often left worrying after hours of tossing and turning could my disturbed sleep be a sign of something more sinister? Perhaps it is an unfortunate consequences of ageing. Or, as the latest scientific findings suggest, it may in fact be a sign that my brain is not as healthy as it could be. It is well known that those with neurological, degenerative diseases such as Alzheimers sleep badly. It has long been believed that lifetime insomniacs are much more likely to suffer irreversible brain damage. Mail on Sunday Deputy Health Editor Eve Simmons takes part in a cutting-edge new experiment at the University of East Anglia (UEA). She is pictured here with Dr Michael Mosley Eve's brainwaves were monitored during the test. She has 18 pin-sized electrodes dotted over her crown, chin and forehead. These are attached to long wires that are held in place with an oily glue (she is pictured here alongside Dr Michael Mosley, right, and Dr Alpar Lazar) Some studies estimate that the lifetime risk of dementia rockets by a third among those who suffer with poor sleep on a long-term basis. We also know that those who pop sleeping pills regularly are more likely to suffer cognitive decline in later life. Theres no doubt that poor sleep and Alzheimers go hand in hand. But so far, science has failed to reveal the cause of this relationship. What comes first? Does a build-up of sleepless nights cause the brain to rot? Or are those at high risk of Alzheimers more likely to struggle with sleep? Now, a pioneering British study aims to find out. The Mail on Sunday has been granted exclusive access inside a cutting-edge sleep laboratory at the University of East Anglia (UEA). Over the next six weeks, scientists will host 40 participants (well, 41, counting Mail on Sunday Deputy Health Editor Eve Simmons, who was also brave enough to volunteer her brain for the experiment). After being genetically tested to determine their risk of Alzheimers disease the most common form of dementia they will be divided into two groups. One group will be kept awake for 40 hours roughly two days and the others will be less sleep-deprived and allowed short naps. As Eve writes on these pages, taking part in these sorts of experiments is not much fun. Not only do you have to fight the powerful urge to sleep, but throughout the experiment our participants will be subjected to a series of challenging tests to assess things such as memory, balance, co-ordination and focus. Eve had to stay awake until 3am, unlike the real-life participants kept awake for two nights on the trot The prediction, according to Dr Alpar Lazar from the Universitys School of Health Sciences, is that those at the highest genetic risk of dementia will do significantly worse in the tests than others when sleep-deprived. He explains: Studies show that people at high genetic risk of Alzheimers struggle more with sleep. Its also been shown that a combination of poor sleep and high genetic risk for Alzheimers makes you more likely to develop cognitive problems, as well as developing dementia, compared to others without those vulnerabilities. Ultimately, this could help doctors identify whether specific problems with sleeping, or reported difficulties in performing everyday tasks when tired, might identify dementia at an early stage. COULD LIGHT THERAPY HELP TREAT ALZHEIMERS? The UEA experiment will go further: some of the volunteers will be allowed to nap for an hour, at specific times. The bodys sleep-wake cycle, or circadian rhythm, is governed by the release of certain hormones and other body chemicals. Some, like noradrenaline, are released when the eyes sense daylight, and they help to keep us alert. EVE SIMMONS reveals what happened when she bravely took part in the experiment Its 2.05am and Im staring hopelessly at a pair of old, crinkly feet. Of the 20 memorable images flashing up on screen, its the only one my brain has registered. Im midway through a memory test designed to measure the capacity of my sleep-deprived brain. Ive now been awake for a solid 20 hours which means, thankfully, theres just 55 minutes left of my experiment. 'The longer I stayed awake, the more my brain went haywire', writes Eve Simmons Its at about this point that signs of a genetic vulnerability would begin to show. If I were a carrier of the genetic variety that makes you 12 times more likely to get dementia, I could even experience psychiatric disturbances such as hallucinations or panic attacks. Thankfully none of the above has set in yet. Im no scientist, but intuition tells me Im not performing well in these tests. For one, Im distracted by the constant itch of 18 pin-sized electrodes dotted over my crown, chin and forehead. They are monitoring my brainwaves, and attached to long wires that are held in place with an oily glue which has formed matted clumps in my hair, making it stick up. As a journalist previewing the University of East Anglias sleep experiment, Im only staying awake until 3am, unlike the real-life participants kept awake for two nights on the trot. I didnt think this would be difficult. In fact, I jumped at the chance to spend a night wide awake for the sake of science. But without the usual distractions that might keep me up that late at a party, for instance it was torture. When I arrived at 5pm, I did the first series of tests. These were to be repeated later in the night when sleep deprivation kicked in. Words flashed up on a screen, some of which were nonsense, and I had to pick out the non-words using a keyboard. I was shown one sequence of pictures, followed by another, and asked to say whether, the second time round, Id seen any of them before. Another test involved balancing on a platform with my eyes closed which is harder than it sounds. Im then asked to hover my hand over a button without touching it. At 5pm, I barely wobbled. But now, nine hours later, my legs were trembling, swaying sideways. Be careful with this one, Professor Lazar, who runs the experiment, warns. At your level of sleep deprivation, theres a risk of sudden fall and bone breakages. As his first-ever participant, Im not filled with confidence by Dr Lazars words. The sleepiness set in at 10pm, thanks to the dimmed, artificial light and cool 18C temperature in my bedroom, designed to make me feel sleepy. I was advised to keep my distance from the bed, and the large, ornate armchair wasnt as comfortable as it looked. I passed the time watching things on Netflix, struggling to keep my eyes open. At about midnight, I began to imagine I could hear a whirring noise which disappeared when Dr Lazar returned for my final round of tests it seems I was desperate for some human contact. When the tests are over, at 2.50am, its time to tuck me in. I leap under the duvet while research assistants plug my dangling wires into a hand-held monitor. The device will transmit my brain activity on to Dr Lazars computer screen. According to my brain scan, it took precisely three-and-a-half minutes for me to fall asleep. This is very quick, suggesting you were very tired, Dr Lazar explains the next morning. He also tells me that a third of my sleep was the intensive, deep kind. This level is above average and considered a sign of exhaustion. A week later, Im given the results of my cognitive tests. At 7.30pm, Id scored 96 per cent on the memory tests, with only three errors. At 2am this rocketed four-fold I made 12 mistakes. I chose not to have the Alzheimers gene test prior to the experiment. I really didnt want to know either way. But taking part did make me realise why I enjoy nothing more than an early night. Advertisement Others, such as melatonin, are released when it gets dark, and slow down the bodys processes, making us sleepy. In people with dementia, the release of these chemicals is believed to be disrupted. By allowing the volunteers to nap, the scientists will be able to track the volunteers sleep-wake cycle albeit artificially induced a number of times. In theory, those with the dementia gene may display abnormalities during these cycles, compared to those without the gene. Ultimately, this may herald a new way to treat the disease, says Dr Lazar. He explains: Regulating the circadian rhythm has been shown to slow the progression of other neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntingdons disease in animals. Using light is a powerful way to do this. It is possible that these interventions could work in a similar way for dementia. WOULD YOU WANT TO KNOW IF YOULL GET DEMENTIA? As I mentioned, all the volunteers must take the genetic test which looks at variants of a gene linked to Alzheimers risk called APOE. About five per cent of the population carry two copies of the E4 variant of the APOE gene, which makes them 15 times more likely to develop Alzheimers later in life. Understandably, not all participants wish to know their results. For the purposes of the experiment, neither the participants nor the research assistants are informed of their genetic status to be sure it doesnt impact the results of the study. The tests have been around for a while and, as I did want to find out my risk of Alzheimers, Ive already had myself independently tested by a private genetic-testing company called 23andme. I paid a small fee and supplied a swab of the inside of my mouth which I then posted off to the company. Thankfully, I had no copies of the E4 variant, which means my risk of developing Alzheimers by the age of 75 is less than two per cent. Carrying one copy of the variant raises the risk to about six per cent. Two copies sees risk climb to 28 per cent under the age of 75, and this doubles to 60 per cent once you reach 85. So Im lucky. But for tens of thousands of Britons, the odds arent so promising. With any luck, the results of this experiment expected this time next year will show that even these people neednt be defined by their genetics. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE ASLEEP? I didn't join Eve in her sleep-deprivation experiment Ive done a few myself over the years and thats enough to last a lifetime. A couple of years ago I took part in an experiment to measure the impact of sleep-deprivation on concentration and mood. For three nights I slept just four hours a night, staying awake till 3am, then waking up at 7am. I thought Id be able to get lots done with those extra four hours a day, but instead I just watched terrible films and stared at the clock until it was time for bed. Each day I took part in simulated driving tests and psychological surveys. Some of my fellow volunteers claimed to feel fine, but the tests revealed otherwise. Not only were our reaction times shot to blazes, but we also all showed signs of increased anxiety, depression and stress. Remarkably, just a single good nights sleep was enough to improve all these outcomes significantly. Another particularly uncomfortable experiment involved me wearing a tight cap that measured brainwave activity, heart rate and eye muscle movement, called an electroencephalograph. I was allowed to take the kit home and sleep in my own bed. That night, feeling slightly ridiculous, I went to bed at 11pm and soon fell asleep. According to the electroencephalograph reading I fell asleep within a minute of turning off the lights. Id quickly entered whats known as stage one sleep: a light stage where you can still be easily woken. Next, I entered stage two a fairly light sleep but with a slowed heart rate. This phase can be identified clearly on brain scans as a series of exaggerated spikes. Soon afterwards, brainwaves slow and you slip into deeper sleep, or stages three and four. Eye movements stop and the brains electrical activity slows even further. It is this stage of sleep that is often considered the most important, as it is a stage when your body conducts essential repairs on tissues, bones and nerves, produces hormones that spark growth and boosts cells of your immune system. And when it comes to maintaining brain health, deep sleep is vital. HOW DEEP SLEEP CAN PROTECT AGAINST DEMENTIA Although scientists have not yet concluded that a lack of deep sleep causes dementia, theres no doubt it affects the memory dramatically. Researchers believe that during deep sleep, memories from the day short-term memories are sorted and moved into long-term storage, allowing more space for short-term memories the following day. Without ample deep sleep, these memories will be lost. In order to make it into our long-term stores, they need to be consolidated within 24 hours of being formed. We know this because research has shown it to be the case: in one study, students who sat up all night cramming performed 40 per cent worse than their contemporaries. Deep sleep is also crucial for maintaining the glymphatic system which is responsible for cleaning the brain which is believed to play a role in protecting against dementia. These purple-coloured lymphatic blood cells at the back of the skull transport fluid through the brain tissue and wash away excess, naturally occurring proteins.These include the build-up of beta amyloid proteins and tau tangled protein in the nerve cells linked to Alzheimers. Two recent studies, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine And Science, found long-term poor sleepers to have concerningly high levels of tau used as a telltale sign of early-stage dementia. Another US study published this month found that just one night of sleep deprivation increased the presence of beta amyloid proteins by five per cent. Reassuringly, the electroencephalograph showed I was getting about an hour of deep sleep each night, considered a perfectly normal amount. As I write, at the UEA Sleep Lab their second participant will be waking up from their second nap of the evening, to be prepared for another barrage of gruelling tests before being sent back to sleep again. Their results may unlock further doors in the search for answers about the brain illness that, if trends continue, will affect more than one million Britons by 2025. And, ultimately, with more understanding, we might find an effective treatment for, at present, there is little hope. To be a fly on the wall would be fascinating. But I must admit, this time, Im glad Im not the guinea pig. What's the difference between a sprain and a strain? A sprain occurs when the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect one bone to another within a joint, known as the ligaments, are stretched too far or torn. It commonly happens in the ankle or wrist during activity, and can be identified by the presence of rapid swelling and intense pain. A strain occurs when the muscle or tendon the tissue that attaches muscle to a bone is torn or stretched too severely. It usually happens in the hamstring or back and may lead to bruising and significant loss of muscle function. Both strains and sprains can be treated at home with a cold compress to reduce the swelling, and by resting. Ask a stupid question: Why do babies' eyes often change from blue to brown? This phenomenon is more common in Caucasian babies, says consultant eye surgeon Allon Barsam, of Ophthalmic Consultants of London. Levels of melanin, the pigment which gives eyes their colour, increase gradually after birth, leading to baby-blue eyes turning green or hazel or brown. We inherit a mixture of eye colour from our parents: the genes for darker colours tend to dominate, so brown tends to win out over green, and green tends to win out over blue. Mr Barsam adds: By about the age of one, you will know the childs definitive eye colour. Mental-health campaigner Claire Eastham Blog me better The blog: allmadhere.co.uk The blogger: Award-winning writer and mental-health campaigner Claire Eastham who has suffered with social anxiety disorder since she was a teenager and now fights for support for mental-health disorders. Whats it all about? Drawing on her experiences of crippling anxiety and panic attacks, Claire, 30, offers evidence-based advice on dealing with the day-to-day difficulties that come with a mental illness. Her YouTube videos provide a window into her life, giving comfort to other sufferers. YOU WILL BE SAFE HERE by Damian Barr (Bloomsbury 16.99, 352 pp) YOU WILL BE SAFE HERE by Damian Barr (Bloomsbury 16.99, 352 pp) In the Second Boer War, farmers wife Sarah van der Watt is taken, along with her six-year-old son, to Bloemfontein, one of the largest British internment camps, where they are promised safety, but conditions are harsh, and the internees ruled by terror. Skip forward to 2010 when Willem Brandt, a 16-year-old white South African, is sent to a privately run training camp that promises to make men out of boys. Again, conditions are brutal with tragic consequences. This part of the novel is inspired by the true story of Raymond Buys who died in one such camp. The research is worn lightly and the two narratives neatly brought together in this brave, compassionate and beautifully written novel. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next SATIRE POPULAR Share this article Share ISLAND SONG ISLAND SONG by Madeleine Bunting (Granta 12.99, 400 pp) by Madeleine Bunting (Granta 12.99, 400 pp) One of Buntings previous books The Model Occupation is a history of the Channel Islands under German rule during World War II. She puts her knowledge to good use in this elegant novel focusing on the uncovering of one womans secret past. When Roz discovers that the man who brought her up is not her biological father, she determines to find out who is. Rozs quest takes her to Guernsey where she gradually resurrects what happened to her mother Helene during its occupation. Secrets involving a disaffected German officer, a Russian escapee and the theft of valuable artworks are brought out into the open as Helenes story is unpicked through an unflinching narrative, highlighting the moral complexities and compromises involved in living with the enemy. DOGGERLAND by Ben Smith (4th Estate 12.99, 208 pp) DOGGERLAND by Ben Smith (4th Estate 12.99, 208 pp) The boy and the old man exist aboard an abandoned accommodation rig in a wind farm of more than 6,000 turbines somewhere in Doggerland, the submerged area of land that once connected the UK to mainland Europe. Together, as this odd pair maintain the farm, the boy is haunted by the mysterious absence of his father, whose thankless job he has inherited until a chance of escape presents itself. The shade of Beckett hangs over this bleak, but haunting, tale characterised by a powerfully convincing relationship between the two characters. NOVEMBER ROAD by Lou Berney (HarperCollins 12.99, 320 pp) NOVEMBER ROAD by Lou Berney (HarperCollins 12.99, 320 pp) This novel is so compelling it takes your breath away. It is American noir at its bleakest, yet most beguiling. Set against the background of the assassination of President J. F. Kennedy in November 1963, it describes the fate of New Orleans mob lieutenant Frank Guidry, who is asked by his masters to deliver a car to a lot in Dallas just before the shooting. In the wake of Kennedys death, the mobster senses the hit has been orchestrated by his boss and that he has delivered the shooters getaway car. Suddenly, there are a string of killings, and Guidry leaves for Las Vegas to save his skin. So far, so Sopranos but then he picks up a woman who is on the run, along with her two daughters, from an unhappy marriage. Guidry uses the beautiful young mother and her girls as camouflage to throw off the hitman on his trail and an extraordinary love affair develops on this road trip across an America in mourning. It brings the story a bittersweet poignancy that is heart-breaking. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next SATIRE PSYCHO THRILLERS Share this article Share METROPOLIS by Philip Kerr (Quercus 20, 400 pp) METROPOLIS by Philip Kerr (Quercus 20, 400 pp) Sadly, this is the last of the 14 novels to feature the delightfully cynical German detective Bernie Gunther, as Kerr died last year, aged just 62 but it is a magnificent tribute to both character and author. It is 1928 and we are in Berlin in the dying days of the Weimar Republic, where Gunther is asked to investigate the killing of four prostitutes in as many weeks. They have all been hit over the head and scalped with a sharp knife. Before long, the daughter of one of the citys crime bosses joins them and the investigation ramps up. Suddenly, a second series of murders begins, this time targeting crippled veterans of World War I who beg on the streets. Is someone trying to cleanse the city of its less-than-perfect examples of humanity as the voice of the burgeoning Nazi party echoes along the boulevards? This enthralling portrait of the decadence of Weimar Berlin, seen through the eyes of a young Gunther, is quite wonderful. MR TODD'S RECKONING by Iain Maitland (Contraband 8.99, 288 pp) MR TODD'S RECKONING by Iain Maitland (Contraband 8.99, 288 pp) This is a splendidly creepy story about Malcolm Todd, a tax inspector who has been fired and is now trapped in a cramped, two-bedroom bungalow in Suffolk with his mentally challenged, and unemployed, adult son Adrian. Malcolm is being driven to distraction by Adrians obsessive-compulsive behaviour always chopping vegetables and rearranging things so that they look exactly right. The story is told by Malcolm, partly as a narrative, but also as extracts from the diary he is keeping to maintain his sanity. Gradually, it emerges that there is rather more to this menage than meets the eye where, for example, is wife and mother Dawn? Has something happened to her, or has she run off, no longer able to stand the claustrophobic atmosphere in a house that is also sweltering in a prolonged heatwave? Stealthily, the truth seeps out revealing that the bungalow contains a psychopath. But who is it? WHITE SHADOW by Roy Jacobsen trans by Don Bartlett and Don Shaw (Maclehose 14.99, 272 pp) WHITE SHADOW by Roy Jacobsen, translated by Don Bartlett and Don Shaw (Maclehose 14.99, 272 pp) This tersely written novel by the revered Norwegian author is a sequel to his Man Booker International-shortlisted The Unseen, about a family living alone on a weather-whipped Norwegian island during the early 20th century. Daughter Ingrid is now an adult and the islands last remaining inhabitant, until, one day, as World War II rampages through Europe, a Russian washes up on the shore alongside his dead comrades. As Ingrid nurses him back to health, she falls in love with him yet knows she has no choice but to enable him to escape. What happens next is ambiguous, as Jacobsen withholds certain plot details in ways that suggest Ingrid may be in the midst of a psychological breakdown. The narrative contortions in the second half as Ingrid finds herself caught up in the turmoil of an ever-encroaching conflict compare unfavourably with the immaculately detailed stillness of her island existence, but this remains an unsentimental story that combines the cosmic with bracing emotional austerity. THE PINE ISLANDS THE PINE ISLANDS by Marion Poschmann (Serpents Tail 12.99, 192 pp) by Marion Poschmann (Serpents Tail 12.99, 192 pp) This is a male mid-life crisis novel, but probably unlike any you have read before. Gilbert Silvester, a lowly German lecturer, dreams that his wife is having an affair, and promptly takes a plane to Tokyo. There, he discovers the work of Japanese poet Basho who, 500 years previously, sought to rid himself of worldly cares, and Gilbert determines to make a pilgrimage to the archipelago covered in pine trees that inspired his poetry. Accompanying Gilbert is a young man, Yosa, who is determined to commit suicide, obsessively consulting a manual on how to do it. There is a strong whiff of farce about this odd couple, compounded by Gilberts contempt for Yosa. Poschmann walks a fine line between skewering Gilberts pomposity and taking seriously the crises of both men in this blackly funny novel, in which the rhythms of modern life slowly give way to the restorative poetry of the natural world. IF, THEN by Kate Hope Day (Doubleday, 12.99, 272 pp) IF, THEN by Kate Hope Day (Doubleday, 12.99, 272 pp) Kate Hope Day is a former associate producer at HBO and, for all the merits of her debut, you do wonder if she conceived it in the way that one might a pitch for TV. No one in the small Oregon town of Clearing thinks the volcano that overshadows them will ever blow, except for Mark, a research scientist at the local university. Yet Mark is also haunted by visions of a man he thinks might be another version of himself, a ragged vagrant who lives in a tent in the woods, while his wife, an ER doctor whom he barely sees, is experiencing similar disruptions in reality that speak to her deepest desires. Hope Day has a lot of sly, stealthy fun with time-bending and parallel universes, but she also has serious things to say on urban paranoia, climate change and the atomised nature of modern life. However, her characters are constrained by the overarching plot that, in the end, delivers rather less than it promises. Protesters took to the streets of London this week, in the name of rebellion against governments' perceived lethargy in the face of climate change. Whether their strategy of bringing areas to a standstill actually achieved anything is doubtful. But for savers who want to bring about change in a more pragmatic way, investing wisely could be the answer. Responsible returns: with environmental protesters taking to the streets of London this week, how can you make your portfolio more sustainable? Impact investing strategies that provide social or green benefits and funds focusing on environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns, are becoming increasingly popular. Climate change is only a part of what most want to tackle - other problems in the crosshairs include poor health, poverty and discrimination. The theory is that by targeting investment at companies aiming to do good, or by engaging with firms as a shareholder to improve their practices, more money will flow to the businesses, making the world a better place. Those which don't will have to buck up their ideas. Ben Yearsley, director of Shore Financial Planning, says every fund manager he has met over the past year refers to ESG. 'Most of the focus seems to be on the governance angle,' he says. Easy as ESG Fund managers have become more vocal about problems they see with management. Last year, for example, Aberdeen Standard Investments tore apart housebuilder Persimmon for awarding its chief executive pay of more than 100m. Aberdeen, which owned 2.3pc of Persimmon at the time, deemed the amount disproportionate, saying it brought Persimmon into disrepute. Legal & General revealed this week that it voted against more than 100 UK company chairmen in 2018 for failing to address concerns on gender diversity. A lack of women on boards and in senior roles is a social and governance concern, it argued. For savers who want to put their money to good use, looking up an investment firm's ESG processes is a good start. The more a fund pushes its portfolio companies to focus on ESG values, the better. Just this week, Persimmon tried to clean up its image by appointing a new director to oversee executive pay. But for individual investors who want to take it a step further, and make sure their money never goes to companies which they might morally object to, there are firms which cater to that. Wealth manager Close Brothers Asset Management is one which has built a range of socially responsible portfolios. They aim to meet expectations on returns and only back responsible business. Nancy Curtin, Close Brothers' chief investment officer, says the 17 sustainable development goals published by the United Nations form the background to any investment decisions. 'We group them into four: social empowerment, environmental protection, health and economic advancement,' she says. PUNT OF THE WEEK - Iomart: WHAT IS IT? Glasgow-based Iomart is a cloud computing business, offering companies ways to store data and manage IT systems remotely. WHAT'S THE LATEST? In an update this month, Iomart reported a 7pc rise in both sales and earnings for the past year. As well as a long-term shift towards cloud computing, it has reaped gains from reorganising its sales platform. WHO BACKS IT? Asset managers such as Liontrust, Octopus Investments and Blackrock. Entrepreneur Angus MacSween, Iomart's founder PUNT OF THE WEEK and chief executive, is also in the top ten. WHY INVEST? Cloud computing will expand as businesses leave clunky old systems behind, says Share Centre's analyst Ian Forrest. He adds: 'As a leader in this niche, Iomart is well positioned to benefit. It also has partnerships with some of the largest computing businesses in the world, such as Microsoft and Dell.' AND WHY YOU SHOULDN'T Growth means significant investment, which has increased Iomart's debt, and the sector has also been held back by rising security fears. 'If the meat of what a company does is contrary to the goals, we remove it from the portfolio.' That's the first aspect - Close Brothers then ranks companies based on the positive impact of their products or services, or how they conduct themselves under ESG criteria. Tracker funds, which simply mirror an index like the FTSE 100, could seem problematic - if they just follow the index, surely they won't be able to ignore companies with poor practices? However, eggheads at giants such as Vanguard and Blackrock have thought of ways around this and created socially responsible investment funds. James Norton, senior investment planner at Vanguard, says it looks at the four broad principles of the UN Global Compact: human rights, labour standards, environmental protection and anti-corruption. The funds then exclude companies deemed as 'bad' under these principles and invest more money in a similar business, so the fund still broadly mirrors the index. 'If there's a business we exclude - like HSBC, which we took out on anti-corruption grounds - we cut it from the fund and overweight other global banks,' Norton explains. For those taking a strong stance, there are impact specialists like M&G's Positive Impact Fund. These only invest in businesses which are performing a measurably good purpose while also making a profit for investors. John William Olsen, who runs the fund, thinks there are only around 150 companies in the world which fit his strict criteria. Does all of this doing-good mean less money at the end of the day for savers? Yearsley thinks it might. 'The companies you're invested in will be trying to achieve other goals, and might not be putting profit top of the list,' he says. Olsen argues this isn't necessarily true. 'We only invest in companies where we think there's a perfect alignment between them making money and having this focus on sustainability and impact,' he says. 'It's not mutually exclusive in any way.' Most impact funds available to normal savers haven't yet existed for long enough to test his theory. But investors with a sharp moral compass will be watching closely. Trust Watch - Impax Environmental Markets Trust WHAT IS IT? Asset manager Impax specialises in environmental efforts. It invests around the world, and aims to pick fast-growing companies which focus on making basic services, like energy and water provision and waste removal, cleaner and more efficient. WHAT DOES THE MANAGER INVEST IN? Run by Bruce Jenkyn-Jones and Jon Forster, it is mainly invested in North America and Europe. Most assets focus on energy efficiency, but the largest holding is Australian waste tech firm Brambles. Water treatment companies and waste management outfits also appear in the top ten holdings. WHAT DO THE EXPERTS LIKE? Tom Stevenson, at Fidelity International, says: 'It is focused on a significant growth market that will benefit from the world's need to manage rapid increases in population, urbanisation and infrastructure requirements.' ANY DOWNSIDES? The strong performance means shares are at a premium to the underlying value of assets. Environmental focus leaves it vulnerable to Government policy change. The company that provides McDonalds with its burger buns is weighing up a sale of its UK logistics operation. City sources said Irish-Swiss food giant Aryzta was talking to potential buyers. KPMG is understood to be advising Aryzta on a sale, which could value the unit at 10million to 20million. Aryzta provides McDonalds with its burger buns Aryzta Food Solutions UK is behind muffin and cookie brand Otis Spunkmeyer, high-end frozen patisserie brand Coup de Pates and French baked goods brand Cuisine de France. Aryzta, which calls itself the largest frozen bakery company in the world, was founded in 1897 as the Irish Co-operative Agricultural Agency Society. It merged with Hiestand in 2008. Aryzta said only: 'Cuisine de France is not for sale.' Details of a spectacular business failure suffered by the corporate raider targeting Barclays Bank can be revealed by The Mail on Sunday today. Edward Bramson, the London-born activist investor who is trying to force his way on to the board of Barclays, has repeatedly emphasised his many successes in letters to shareholders ahead of a vote on May 2 that could give him a seat at the bank's top table. The multi-millionaire, who owns luxury homes in New York and Connecticut, has touted his ability to deliver 'significant gains in operating performance and shareholder value'. Corporate raider: Edward Bramson wants a seat on the board He says Barclays would thrive if it drastically scaled back its investment banking arm something which chief executive Jes Staley has refused to permit. But Bramson, 68, has been much less keen to talk about his 20-year stint presiding over a major business worth hundreds of millions when he joined, but which filed for bankruptcy just months after he quit. The details of his central role at Californian electronics giant Ampex, which went under in 2008, are bound to interest shareholders. Bramson is likely to argue that he is seeking a different type of role at Barclays which has 30,000 UK staff than he held at Ampex. But if he wins, the information could interest regulators assessing his suitability for a directorship. Bramson, who grew up in England before moving to New York in 1975, bought Ampex in a private equity deal through his firm Sherborne & Company in 1987 for $479million, when it had revenues of $522million. But the firm swung from a profit of $23million to an $8million loss within two years, its income had halved to $238million within five, and by 1992 its workforce had been slashed from 6,700 to 3,000. The upheaval prompted the loss of three chief executives and 38 senior managers in four years. Bramson took on the chief executive role in 1991 but disgruntled employees posted criticisms of his leadership online, sparking bitter court battles as Bramson sued for libel. Bramson wants Barclays to scale back its investment banking arm but boss Jes Staley does't When Apex floated in 1992 it was valued at $102million a fifth of the value when Bramson's company purchased it and by 2007 it was worth just $7million. Bramson stepped down as chief executive that year and the company buckled in early 2008 when it could no longer meet its pension contributions. Paul Mumford, fund manager at Cavendish Asset Management, said: 'Of course investors should know about this sort of thing. Everyone has their successes and failures and if you do have a failure it can be more important than some of the successes.' Mumford also criticised the way Ampex laid off staff extremely rapidly. 'If you cut costs and fire people left, right and centre, and create an unhappy atmosphere, then that business isn't going to grow,' he said. 'If he did similar at Barclays, he'd get a lot of disruption.' To his credit, Bramson has enjoyed numerous successes as an activist investor, turning around companies such as merchandise specialist 4imprint, chemicals firm Elementis and telecoms company Spirent Communications. He delivered share price returns to investors of 138 per cent, 144 per cent and 96 per cent respectively. In his most recent letter to Barclays' shareholders, Bramson said: 'Our public investment record shows that we have consistently assisted boards, that were initially reluctant, to deliver major increases in value for all of the shareholders.' Former business associates said Bramson, who is thought to favour deep cuts at Barclays, often keeps details of his plans private. Keith Hopkins, former chairman at Elementis, said: 'He didn't put forward any particular strategy. It would seem his modus operandi is just to choose companies that haven't been performing very well, get a seat on the board and decide what to do later.' Barclays has said Bramson has refused to set out details of his plans in meetings with the bank. Barclays has said Bramson has refused to set out details of his plans in meetings with the bank One chairman ousted by Bramson said dealing with Bramson was like 'grappling with a sponge'. He said: 'It's a one-way street with him. Even when I was deposed and he took over as chairman he didn't tell the board what he planned to do. I think he likes to promote a certain mystique.' Bramson has a 5.51 per cent stake in Barclays, which he bought through his fund Sherborne Investors after raising about 700million from institutional investors in 2017. When he sought funding, Bramson pointed to the healthy returns he delivered at 4imprint, Elementis, Spirent Communications and F&C Asset Management but did not outline Ampex's performance. Jupiter Asset Management has backed Bramson, who is thought to have the support of about 15 per cent of Barclays shareholders. This would fall well short of the 50 per cent he needs to win a seat, but would represent a significant revolt against management. However, shareholder advisory firms Glass Lewis and ISS have both recommended that investors vote against Bramson's proposals. They said the share price of Barclays is down 25 per cent in the past year but Bramson has not put forward a compelling case for a seat on the board. Mumford added: 'I'd send him away with a flea in his ear. You don't like pirates on board at the best of times.' A spokesman for Bramson declined to comment. A Russian fugitive allegedly used the proceeds of a major bank fraud to buy a London townhouse. Georgy Bedzhamov bought the property in Belgrave Square in 2015 for 15.2million via a loan from a shell company based in the British Virgin Islands. The empty property, now said to be worth 45million, and others in Israel and France, could be seized as part of a 1.34billion asset freeze ordered by the High Court in London. Empty: Belgravia bolthole, which Bedzhamov bought tin 2015 for 15.2million Investigators claim Bedzhamov used money siphoned from Russian bank Vneshprombank, which collapsed in 2016 with a 2.5billion black hole. He fled to Monaco but was spared extradition following an intervention by the principality's Prince Albert. Bedzhamov's sister, Larisa Markus, was the bank's chief executive and jailed for nine years in Russia over loans to 286 shell companies which were never returned. Andrei Elinson of recovery experts A1, which has been hired by Moscow to locate the assets said: 'We see London as the primary location where wealthy Russians enjoy and hide their valuable assets.' Bedzhamov could not be reached for comment. Billionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes is well known as the proprietor of some of Sydney's most popular hotels and bars, but few know of his increasing slice of the city's waterfront residential property market. Mr Hemmes' list of waterfront homes has been growing across Sydney and the wider region since he bought his first property - a four-bedroom beachside cottage - in 2005. The 45-year-old, who debuted in the Australian Financial Review's list of the wealthiest people in the country last year, paid $4.15 million for the property in Berrara town on the South Coast. Hemmes is the chief executive of his family's hospitality firm Merivale, which owns a collection of several pubs and hotels including popular Sydney venues The Ivy, Coogee Pavilion and The Newport Arms. Justin Hemmes, who debuted in the Australian Financial Review's list of the wealthiest people in the country last year, paid $4.15 million for the property in Berrara town on the South Coast Hemmes is the chief executive of his family's hospitality firm Merivale, which owns a collection of several pubs and hotels including popular Sydney venues The Ivy, Coogee Pavilion and The Newport Arms (stock image) He has been in charge of the group since 1997 - a business built from scratch by his father John and was named after John's wife, Merivale. Hemmes is assisted by his sister Bettina, who is the part owner of the Merivale Empire. After 10 years of buying his first residential property in Berrara, Hemmes bought two adjacent properties in 2016 in the same locality. He is learnt to have paid more than $3 million. But his biggest acquisition on the South Coast was a 60-acre beachfront estate in Narooma in 2015. Hemmes paid $6.7 million for the Glasshouse Rocks estate, which is supposed to be his family's nature retreat. Hemmes paid another $2.75 million for an architect-designed bush retreat in Morning Bay in May 2016. Hemmes' biggest residential acquisition on the South Coast was a 60-acre beachfront front property in Narooma in 2015 (stock image) Hemmes bought his ex-partner Kate Fowler and two children a $7.5million home in Dover Heights in 2018 - which is less than a 10-minute drive from his Vaucluse mansion (Stock image of property on Dover Heights) First built back in the 1870s, the home has been in the Hemmes family for more than 40 years, having been bought by Justin's late father John for a mere $500,000 (stock image of Hemmes' Vaucluse mansion) Hemmes bought his ex-partner Kate Fowler and two children a $7.5million home in Dover Heights in 2018 - which is less than a 10-minute drive from his Vaucluse mansion. The heritage-listed harbourfront mansion has previously been estimated to be worth 'more than $60 million'. First built back in the 1870s, the home has been in the Hemmes family for more than 40 years, having been bought by Justin's late father John for a mere $500,000. Hemmes and his ex-partner Kate, who is the sister of Victoria's Secret model Georgia Fowler, were recently spotted in good spirits during a family outing at Sydney's Bondi Beach. The couple split in 2018. Last month, Hemmes denied reports that he was seeing model Montana Cox. Hemmes pictured with his ex-partner Kate Fowler. He has denied reports that he was seeing model Montana Cox (stock image) Hemmes' journey to billionaire status hasn't been straightforward. In 2008, rumours swirled that his first multi-million dollar project, The Ivy, was struggling to break even. The now thriving venue opened in the height of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Hemmes, who denied his financial problems at the time, rode out the GFC and has since has become the undisputed Sydney king of pub restoration. Just days after his father's death in 2015, Justin purchased the Newport Arms on the northern beaches for a reported $50 million. That purchase came amid the $6 million securement of the Paddington Arms and his famous purchase of the Beach Palace, which he renamed Coogee Pavilion. Hemmes' 10th pub procurement in the space of three years came when he snapped up Bondi's Royal Hotel for $25million last November. In 2018, he also purchased the Alexandria Hotel for a reported $10 million, Mascot's Tennyson Hotel for $37.5 million and the Collaroy Hotel for $21 million. Hemmes has seen his fortune jump to a spectacular $1.05 billion with the help of his sister Bettina, who is the part owner of the Merivale Empire (stock image of Morning Bay property) Hemmes' 10th pub procurement in the space of three years came when he snapped up Bondi's Royal Hotel for $25million last November (stock image) The Cook County state's attorney says she won't comment further on the Jussie Smollett case in Chicago while another deputy from Kim Foxx's office announced she was stepping down as a county inspector general finishes his review of prosecutors' decision to drop charges against the Empire actor. Kim Foxx said in a written statement Friday that she doesn't want any comments by her to interfere with the inspector general's work compiling 'reliable and accurate records' on the matter. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and others criticized the decision by Foxx's office last month to drop charges accusing Smollett of staging a racist, anti-gay attack against himself in January. Kiera Ellis (left), who held the position of director of external affairs under Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx (right), is no longer in the position Ellis is the third senior aide in Foxx's office who is either no longer on the job or has stated their intent to resign since prosecutors dropped charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett (seen above in a Chicago courtroom last month) Foxx has publicly defended the dismissal of charges. But she said Friday she would engage in 'a candid conversation' about the case only after the inspector general submits his findings. Foxx requested the review. Meanwhile, a third deputy from Foxxs office is either out of the job or on their way out. Kiera Ellis, who held the position of director of external affairs, abruptly left her position, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office confirmed to DailyMail.com on Friday. There was no word as to whether Ellis was fired or she resigned. Ellis first joined the office in October. She was reportedly on the job as recently as Thursday, according to the Chicago Tribune. Chief ethics officer April Perry, who also served as Foxx's chief deputy, and the head of the conviction integrity unit Mark Rotert, right, are leaving amid turmoil over the Smollett case Her departure was confirmed a day after it was announced that two of Foxx's top deputies are set to leave her office amid growing turmoil over its handling of the Smollett case, including the officer who announced the prosecutor had recused herself. Chief ethics officer April Perry, who also served as Foxx's chief deputy, and the head of the conviction integrity unit Mark Rotert will leave their posts next month, it has been confirmed. Perry was the officer who wrote a memo to the office announcing Foxx had recused herself from the Smollett case after it emerged she had exchanged text messages with a member of his family in the days after the incident. Her email read: 'Please note that State's Attorney Kim Foxx is recused from the investigation involving victim Jussie Smollett. First Assistant State's Attorney Joe Magats is serving as the Acting State's Attorney for this matter.' Foxx then handed the case over to her deputy Joe Magats and weeks later the 16 grand jury charges against Smollett were suddenly dropped. Foxx handed the case over to her deputy Joe Magats, pictured, and weeks later the 16 grand jury charges against Jussie Smollett were suddenly dropped But while she announced at the time that she was recusing herself, she has since said she meant it in a 'colloquial' sense rather than a 'legal sense' and that it was more an informal decision to 'step away from the decision making' rather than remove herself entirely from it. And the release of thousands of texts and emails this week show Foxx continued to meddle in the case, calling the actor a 'washed up celeb who lied to cops' and telling Magats that the actor was being overcharged. It is understood Perry, who started working under Foxx two years ago, will start work for a tech start-up while veteran prosecutor Rotert is set to retire. He handed in his notice a day before all charges against Empire actor Smollett were dropped. Perry resigned Wednesday and they both will leave May 3. Rotert told The Chicago Sun Times: '(Smollett's case) had absolutely zero percent to do with my decision.' Perry is said to have not responded to requests for comment but her name is said to appear in emails between Foxx and her staff in connection with the Smollett case. The case against Smollett, 36, was suddenly dropped last month by Foxx's office in questionable circumstances and questions surrounding Foxx's alleged role in that decision have run rampant since. In a statement to W9N9 Foxx thanked Perry and Rotert for their work for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. She said: 'I am profoundly grateful for Mark's work to make the Cook County Conviction Integrity Unit a national model. Kim Foxx sent these text messages to her deputy on March 8 after a grand jury indicted Smollett on 16 counts of lying to police. She had already 'recused' herself for speaking to Smollett's family but continued to interfere in the case by telling her deputies that the charges were excessive. The charges were dropped two weeks later Smollett was arrested in February for allegedly lying about the attack. Police say he paid Abel and Ola Osundairo to attack him and that he thought he could use it as leverage to get a raise on Empire, a claim he denies 'Under his tenure, we have vacated the convictions of over 70 wrongfully convicted men and women. We have created national standards and protocols for reviewing past convictions. 'The people of Cook County have been well served by his leadership and he has well earned his retirement. 'I am also grateful for April Perry's tenure as the first ever Chief Ethics Officer for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. 'She has been a valuable resource to the office in ensuring that we operate with the highest levels of integrity and professionalism. I wish her well in her new endeavors.' Empire actor Smollett was accused of staging an attack on himself on January 29 to try to get a raise on the show. Police say he paid Abel and Ola Osundairo to beat him in what he then described as a racist, homophobic attack by two Trump-loving perpetrators. He has always maintained his innocence and insisted he was attacked. Foxx's office maintains it has not acted unethically and welcomes an independent investigation. In a statement to DailyMail.com, Foxx said: 'After the indictment became public, I reached out to Joe to discuss reviewing office policies to assure consistencies in our charging and our use of appropriate charging authority. 'I was elected to bring criminal justice reform and that includes intentionality, consistency, and discretion. I will continue to uphold these guiding principles.' Rep Ilhan Omar wished a 'happy Passover' to Jews commemorating the holiday in her home state of Minnesota and around the world less than a week after being called out for alleged anti-Semitism once again. In a tweet on Friday, Omar said: 'The story of Passover has resonated with and given hope to so many Jewish families in times of oppression.' 'Wishing those celebrating in Minnesota and around the world Chag Kasher v'sameyach - Happy Passover,' she tweeted. Omar, a Somali American and one of the first Muslims elected to Congress, has been a lighting rod for controversy since taking her oath of office in January. Rep Ilhan Omar sits with fellow Democrats on the House Education and Labor Committee during a bill markup, on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 6, 2019 Omar tweeted 'Happy Passover to all who are celebrating!' Friday afternoon In another tweet on Friday, Omar said, 'The story of Passover has resonated with and given hope to so many Jewish families in times of oppression' She's recently been called anti-Semitic for remarks on Israel, Jewish influence in Washington, and 9/11. Omar was accused of hating Jews again on Monday for calling White House senior advisor Stephen Miller, who is Jewish, a white nationalist. Miller was the author of the Trump administration's travel ban policy against Venezuela, North Korea and five Muslim majority countries. The pioneering former refugee says criticizing the Israeli government does not mean she's a bigot. She's faced increased death threats since President Donald Trump spread a video that purports to show her being dismissive of the 2001 terrorist attacks. 'No one person no matter how corrupt, inept, or vicious can threaten my unwavering love for America,' Omar tweeted on Saturday. 'I stand undeterred to continue fighting for equal opportunity in our pursuit of happiness for all Americans.' The pioneering former refugee was called anti-Semitic again on Monday for calling White House senior advisor Stephen Miller, who is Jewish, is a white nationalist. A wealthy heiress pleaded guilty on Friday in a sensational case accusing a cult-like upstate New York group of creating a secret harem of sex slaves for the group's self-anointed spiritual leader. Clare Bronfman admitted in her plea in federal court in Brooklyn that she harbored someone who was living in the U.S. illegally for unpaid 'labor and services' and that she committed credit card fraud on the behalf of Keith Raniere, the leader of the group called NXIVM. Kathy Russell, the organization's longtime bookkeeper who oversaw its tax and business filings, pleaded guilty to federal racketeering charges, according to the Times Union of Albany. She also pleaded guilty to one count of visa fraud. Clare Bronfman, left, arrives at Federal court with her attorney Mark Geragos in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Friday Russell, who will be sentenced in late July, faces up to 10 years in prison. Bronfman - the 40-year-old daughter of the late billionaire philanthropist and former Seagram chairman Edgar Bronfman Sr. - told the judge that she had wanted to help people through NXIVM but ended up dishonoring her family. 'Your honor, I was afforded a great gift by my grandfather and father,' Bronfman said. 'With the gift, comes immense privilege and more importantly, tremendous responsibility. It does not come with an ability to break the law.' Kathy Russell, a longtime bookkeeper for NXIVM, is seen arriving at federal court in Brooklyn on Friday. She pleaded guilty She added: 'For this, I am truly sorry.' As part of a plea agreement, Bronfman agreed to forfeit $6 million. She faces up to 27 months in prison at sentencing on July 25. The plea means Bronfman will avoid going to trial early next month with Raniere, who's facing conspiracy charges alleging that his inner circle of loyalists created a secret society of women who were forced to have unwanted sex with him. Prosecutors say some of the women were branded with his initials as part of their initiation. Three other co-defendants, including TV actress Allison Mack, have also pleaded guilty. Mack is best best known for her role as a young Superman's close friend on the series 'Smallville.' Bronfman had long been affiliated with NXIVM, giving away tens of million of dollars of her fortune to bankroll Raniere and his program of intense self-improvement classes. She also paid for lawyers to defend the group against a lawsuit brought by its critics. Clare Bronfman, center, leaves federal court in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Friday, April 19, 2019. Bronfman has pleaded guilty to charges implicating her in a sex-trafficking conspiracy case against an upstate New York self-help group Kathy Russell, center, arrives at Federal court in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Friday In total, of the six defendants who were initially indicted in the case, just one, Raniere, has steadfastly professed his innocence. Nancy Salzman, who once ran NXIVM and co-founded the group with Raniere, pleaded guilty last month to helping steal identities of the group's critics and hacking into their email accounts from 2003 to 2008. Sentencing for Salzman, who was the first to plead guilty, is set for July 10. Her daughter, Lauren, also pleaded guilty to racketeering and racketeering conspiracy on March 25, according to the Times Union. Raniere, who was known by his followers by the nickname 'Vanguard,' has been held for more than a year at a federal detention center in Brooklyn. Keith Raniere (above) now stands alone as the only defendant to be tried in the NXIVM case. He has pleaded not guilty to child pornography as well as other charges stemming from his group's alleged forcing of women to be his sex slaves Raniere (second from right) is seen above in a courtroom sketch which was released on April 13, 2018 Nancy Salzman (left), who co-founded the group with Raniere, and her daughter, Lauren (right), also pleaded guilty last month He has not been permitted contact with any of his followers or the five female co-defendants who have pleaded guilty. Last month, Raniere pleaded not guilty to recently filed child pornography charges. He was charged in mid-March with exploiting a child and possessing child pornography. He had previously pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of operating a secret society within his NXIVM group that forced women 'slaves' to have sex with him and branded them with his initials. The feds can now call these women as witnesses in Raniere's trial. They can testify that they coerced women to perform labor and to have sex with Raniere. They also admitted in court to holding a young Mexican woman in a room against her will for two years; forging identity documents; laundering money; and hacking the computers of enemies and followers to spy on them. On April 8, Mack pleaded guilty to blackmailing two women into becoming Raniere's sex slaves. Allison Mack, 36, pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn court on April 8 to blackmailing two women into becoming sex slaves for the leader of the Nxivm sex slave cult Mack, 36, sobbed as she admitted her crimes and apologized to the women who prosecutors say were exploited by Raniere and NXIVM. 'Through it all, I believed that Keith Raniere's intentions were to help people,' Mack told a judge in federal court in Brooklyn as she pleaded guilty to racketeering charges. 'I was wrong. I now realize that I and others engaged in criminal conduct.' The Smallville actress was sobbing so much at one point that the judge stopped to offer her tissues. Health officials are investigating Dr. Danielle Roberts, a doctor they say branded women under unsafe conditions at the behest of Raniere, according to court documents about the accusations The women were branded with the initials of both Raniere and Mack, according to the group's former publicist She had been charged with racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy forced labor conspiracy, sex trafficking conspiracy , sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking. Mack was facing life in prison if convicted on those charges, but will now likely be given a more lenient sentence if she testifies against the other defendants in the case. Mack said that at Raniere's direction, she obtained compromising information and images of two unidentified women - called 'collateral' within the group - that she threatened to make public if they didn't perform 'so-called acts of love.' Health officials are investigating Dr. Danielle Roberts, a doctor they say branded women under unsafe conditions at the behest of Raniere, according to court documents about the accusations. The papers containing the revelations stem from a legal fight pitting the state Department of Health against women it says have refused to answer questions about Roberts. The Times Union of Albany first reported the investigation earlier this month. A British computer security researcher once hailed as a 'hero' for helping stem a ransomware outbreak, and later accused of creating malware to attack the American banking system, said Friday he has pleaded guilty to US criminal charges. Marcus Hutchins, from Ilfracombe, Devon and whose arrest in 2017 stunned the computer security community, pleaded guilty to criminal charges linked to his activity in 2014 and 2015 - via a statement. Marcus Hutchins, who was charged on 10 counts in the United States, pleaded guilty to two of them, with the U.S. government agreeing to move towards dismissing the remaining counts at the time of the sentencing, according to a filing British IT expert Marcus Hutchins speaks during an interview in Ilfracombe, England Marcus Hutchins (R), seen ahead of a 2017 court appearance, was hailed as a hero for stemming the WannaCry ransomware outbreak but later charged in the US with creating malware that could attack the banking system 'I regret these actions and accept full responsibility for my mistakes,' the 24-year-old Hutchins, known by his alias 'MalwareTech,' wrote, noting that the charges related to his activity prior to his work in security. 'Having grown up, I've since been using the same skills that I misused several years ago for constructive purposes. I will continue to devote my time to keeping people safe from malware attacks.' Hutchins in 2017 found a 'kill switch' to stem the spread of the devastating WannaCry ransomware outbreak, prompting widespread news reports calling him a hero. MalwareTech, aka Marcus Hutchins, said he 'I deserve it' in response to backlash he's getting The WannaCry ransomware attack was a May 2017 worldwide cyberattack which targeted computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system by encrypting data and demanding ransom payments in the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Months after Hutchin's helped stem it, hex was arrested after attending the Def Con gathering of computer hackers in Las Vegas. Hutchins was arrested by FBI agents in a first-class lounge at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas as he waited to board a flight back to the UK on August 2 2017. The case drew fire from critics who argued that researchers often work with computer code that can be deployed for malicious purposes. A federal indictment unsealed in Wisconsin accused Hutchins and another individual of making and distributing the Kronos 'banking Trojan,' a reference to malicious software designed to steal user names and passwords used on online banking sites. According to the indictment, Hutchins was part of a conspiracy to distribute the hacking tool on so-called dark markets. Hutchins, whose Twitter handle is MalwareTech, tweeted this message of gratitude yesterday Marcus Hutchins, also known as Malwaretech, who has pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the United States relating to writing malware According to the indictment, Hutchins was part of a conspiracy to distribute a hacking tool He was released on bail while awaiting trial, allowing him to continue working for a security firm. He had maintained his innocence and won support from many others in his profession. US prosecutors did not immediately respond to an query about the case. But court documents published by the news site ZDNet showed Hutchins could face up to one year in jail on each of the criminal counts along with financial penalties. Other counts in the indictment were dismissed, according to the court papers. Both counts carry maximum punishments of five years in prison and fines of up to 250,000 dollars (190,000). Hutchins said that sentencing is 'yet to be scheduled'. THE WANNACRY ATTACK In May 2017, a massive ransomware virus attack spread to the computer systems of hundreds of private companies and public organisations across the globe. The software locked computers and asked for a digital ransom before control is safely returned. In just a few hours, the malware had already infected victims in at least 74 countries, including Russia, Turkey, Germany, Vietnam, and the Philippines - and was estimated to be spreading at a rate of five million emails per hour. Hospitals and doctors' surgeries in England were forced to turn away patients and cancel appointments after the attack crippled the NHS. The WannaCry virus targeted Microsoft's widely used Windows operating system. The virus encrypts certain files on the computer and then blackmails the user for money in exchange for the access to the files. It leaves the user with only two files: Instructions on what to do next and the Wanna Decryptor program itself. The hackers asked for payments of around 230 ($300) in Bitcoin. When opened the software tells users that their files have been encrypted and gives them a few days to pay up or their files will be deleted. It can quickly spread through an entire network of computers in a business or hospital, encrypting files on every PC. Advertisement The Justice Department says the subpoena issued by House Democrats for the full special counsel report is unnecessary. Justice Department spokesperson Kerri Kupec says Attorney General William Barr released the report with 'minimal redactions.' Kupec says the department is working with Congress to view more of the report and the subpoena issued Friday by Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is 'premature and unnecessary.' The department offered Friday to have a select group of congressional leaders view some of the redacted information from the report. But Democrats rejected that offer as insufficient. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and four other leading Democrats said in a letter Friday that lawmakers must see Robert Mueller's entire report so Congress can 'fulfill its constitutional responsibilities.' They offered to negotiate a workable agreement. House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler announced Friday morning he was subpoenaing the full Robert Mueller report 'in the next couple of hours' Nadler wants the full, unredacted Mueller report The Justice Department is offering to let the legislators see much of the information that was redacted in the report released Thursday. It says only information censored because it pertains to grand jury proceedings would still be withheld. The department said lawmakers could view the less-censored version at the agency and would have to pledge to keep the information confidential. The move by House Democrats to subpoena the full report sets up a legal showdown with Barr. Nadler demanded the material by May 1, in one of the few instances House Democrats have used their subpoena power against President Trump. 'My committee needs and is entitled to the full version of the report and the underlying evidence consistent with past practice,' he said in a statement. 'Even the redacted version of the report outlines serious instances of wrongdoing by President Trump and some of his closest associates. It now falls to Congress to determine the full scope of that alleged misconduct and to decide what steps we must take going forward.' White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley said Democrats don't know when to stop. 'Jerry Nadler is irrelevant in this situation,' Gidley told Fox News on Friday. 'The American people now know that regardless of what the Democrats were saying about the president, lies they were telling with zero evidence and zero proof, now he wants to do deeper. When does this ever stop? I mean if we gave them the unredacted report, if we gave them all the tax returns, unredacted as well he would still want something else.' Nadler had warned earlier in the day the subpoena was coming. 'We need the entire report unredacted and the underlying documents in order to make informed decisions,' he told ABC's Good Morning America. 'We will subpoena that entire report today.' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (left), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (right) and four other leading Democrats said in a letter Friday that lawmakers must see Robert Mueller's entire report so Congress can 'fulfill its constitutional responsibilities' Mueller is seen right alongside his wife, Ann, in Washington, DC on March 24 He said his subpoena will be for the special counsel's full findings, including grand jury evidence, which Barr said he would with hold. 'Including the grand jury evidence, yes. Because we have to see the entire report. By the way, in every previous instance, Congress has seen all the evidence,' Nadler said. Barr said in a news conference on Thursday that he would allow a bipartisan group of lawmakers to see the redacted material but not the redacted grand jury information. 'In an effort to accommodate congressional requests, we will make available to a bipartisan group of leaders from several Congressional committees a version of the report with all redactions removed except those relating to grand-jury information. Thus, these members of Congress will be able to see all of the redacted material for themselves with the limited exception of that which, by law, cannot be shared,' he said. Federal law prevents government lawyers from releasing grand jury information but does allow certain exceptions. Nadler slammed Barr's offer. 'I've been invited to read the less redacted versions of the report on condition we take no notes and tell nobody of that,' the New York Democrat told CBS' 'This Morning.' 'What's the point of that? If I read something and I can't tell the others about it or members of Congress,' he added. 'Frankly it's insulting the Congress. We will work to have an accommodation with the attorney general, but in terms of seeing the rest of the report and the underlying documents. But it can not be under such restrictions we can't function.' The battle over how much information lawmakers can see from the investigation will likely end up in the courts. The attorney general is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on May 2, in what is expected to be a contentious hearing. Democrats have Barr in their sights and are targeting him with heavy fire. 'Barr has revealed himself as an agent of the president. He's a defense attorney for the people. He clearly misled over a period of four weeks from March 24th right through his press conference yesterday, he consistently misled the American people as to what was in the report. He said that they found no collusion whereas the special prosecutor specifically said collusion is not a legal term and he didn't make any findings that we hadn't reached a finding on criminal conspiracy,' Nadler told ABC Friday morning. And House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer went after Barr in the wake of the report's release, accusing him of 'deliberately distorting' the Mueller report which they say 'paints a disturbing picture of a president who has been weaving a web of deceit, lies'. The pair issued a joint, blistering statement Thursday evening in response to the release of the 448-page report, outlining 'at least four significant ways that Mr. Barr has misled the public on the contents of the Mueller report'. 'The #MuellerReport paints a disturbing picture of a president who has been weaving a web of deceit, lies and improper behavior and acting as if the law doesn't apply to him.' The statement adds: 'But if you hadn't read the report and listened only to Mr. Barr, you wouldn't have known any of that because Mr. Barr has been so misleading.' Attorney General William Barr, seen at his Thursday press conference with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, is being targeted by Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, pictured here in January, have slammed Attorney General William Barr, accusing him of 'deliberately distorting' the Mueller Report Also on Thursday Nadler released a letter he sent to Mueller requesting him to testify before Congress no later than May 23. 'I request your testimony before the Judiciary Committee as soon as possible but, in any event, no later than May 23, 2019. I look forward to working with you on a mutually agreeable date,' the letter stated. Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer had pushed for Mueller's public testimony earlier in the day on Thursday, claiming Barr's 'partisan handling' of the report has resulted in a 'crisis of confidence in his independence and impartiality.' Barr told reporters during his press conference: 'I have no objection Bob Mueller personally testifying.' Nadler's threat comes as House Democrats plan a Monday conference call to regroup on their next steps. 'The Caucus is scheduling a conference call for Monday to discuss this grave matter, which is as soon as our analysis and this Holy Season's religious traditions allow,' Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote to her Democratic lawmakers Thursday evening. 'The Mueller report states, 'We concluded Congress has authority to prohibit a president's corrupt use of his authority in order to protect the integrity of the administration of justice,' which 'accords with our constitutional system of checks and balances and the principle that no person is above the law.' Congress will not be silent,' she added. Pelosi's challenge in the weeks ahead will be to manage Democrats who are calling for President Donald Trump's impeachment with those who want to take a more deliberative approach. Nadler will be a key ally for the speaker in this battle. And he said he believes Trump obstructed justice. 'I believe he committed obstruction of justice, yes,' Nadler said on ABC, saying he'd want to hear from Barr and Mueller. A medical examiner concluded late Friday that remains found behind a Chicago theater are not human. Investigators were called to the city's downtown neighborhood of The Loop earlier in the morning, after a building engineer discovered what he believed were five 'fresh, real' human hearts discarded in a dumpster. Police cars descended on the 0-100 block of East Benton Place shortly after 9.30 AM and the area was sealed off from the public. The organs were transported to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office for testing. While, the body parts were confirmed not to be human, police released no further information. They said they were examining CCTV footage of the area. Chicago police have confirmed that remains found in a dumpster in The Loop neighborhood on Friday are not human The discovery was made on the 0-100 block of East Benton Place, which was quickly sealed off The lane way where the discovery was made is close to many hotels and tourist attractions, including The Chicago Theatre and Millennium Park. The Loop neighborhood is considered one of the safest in Chicago - a city that has long grappled with violent crime. Last year, there were 561 homicides reported in the city - a decrease of about 100 from 2017. However, Chicago - which is the country's third most populous city - still had more murders than New York and Los Angeles combined. The Cook County medical examiner confirmed the remains found in this dumpster were not human A brave policeman has been released from hospital after he was stabbed in the back in an unprovoked attack at a busy train station last night. Constable Hayden Edwards, 30, had been responding to an assault when he was attacked from behind at Sydney's Central Station, around 6.45pm on Friday. A witness said the victim staggered across the concourse before he collapsed to the ground and lay in a pool of his own blood. Scroll down for video A brave police officer is recovering in hospital after he was stabbed in the back in an unprovoked attack at a busy train station last night (pictured, Constable Hayden Edwards) A police officer screamed for help after he was stabbed in the back in an unprovoked attack at a busy Sydney train station 'The copper was up against a pole, stood there for 10 minutes, then walked over. That's where he fell and he's telling people help, help help,' a witness said of the attack 'I wasn't sure what was happening. I saw a guy laying face down on the tile area there and I saw a pretty decent amount of blood,' Jamie Jones told Sunrise. During a press conference on Saturday, police said Constable Edwards was lucky to have escaped with only minor injuries. Police said the 30-year-old and another officer were responding to reports of an assault on Platform One in the lead-up to the attack. A 53-year-old man allegedly approached the constable from behind before slashing him with a 30cm long hunting knife. The alleged attacker was taken to St Vincent's Hospital under police guard for treatment. He has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful arrest, resist arrest, and custody of a knife in a public place. He has been refused police bail to appear in Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday. Another witness described how the constable cried out for help as other officers ran after the attacker. 'The copper was up against a pole, stood there for 10 minutes, then walked over. That's where he fell and he's telling people help, help help,' a witness told 9News. The attacker allegedly jumped onto the train tracks as police apprehended him, before he was eventually tasered and arrested. Footage of the arrest shows a group of policemen drag the man out of the station. Police said the 30-year-old and another officer were talking to a witness on Platform One in a separate matter in the lead-up to the attack (pictured, knife used in the attack) A witness said the 30-year-old officer crumpled to the ground after he was knifed at Central Station on Friday night It is understood about 12 officers were at the scene and pepper spray was used. Police say constable Edwards was left with a six centimetre-long wound and was taken to hospital for surgery. The officer underwent surgery and was released from hospital on Saturday night. Constable Edwards had just finished a stint at Moree in remote north-west NSW, before he was recently transferred to Sydney. Part of the station was taped off as police investigated the scene last night. Officers were called to an unrelated assault at Central Station at 6.45pm, before the knife attack happened Charles Eldridge, 48, was arrested in January following a police sting operation. On Thursday he was issued with five additional charges of child molestation A man who resembles a sketch of a suspect wanted for the murder of two Indiana teenage girls has been issued new child molestation charges - just hours before police investigating the killings announced a new direction in their probe. Charles Eldridge, 46, was handed five new child molestation charges by Randolph County prosecutors on Thursday, after they say he repeatedly sexually abused a child under the age of 14 last summer. Eldridge has been in custody since January 8 on separate charges, after he was apprehended in an unrelated sting operation where he had allegedly arranged to meet up with what he thought was a 13-year-old girl for sex. Upon his arrest, Eldridge reportedly admitted to officers that he's had multiple sexual encounters with another child under the age of 13. Its understood the new charges relate to that purported confession. Just 24 hours after he was slapped with the new charges, Indiana State Police announced there had been a significant development in their investigation into the deaths of Libby German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, who went missing in Delphi, on February 14, 2017. Since the two girls were found dead, authorities have consistently stated that they have no concrete suspects and the public would be notified when that changes. Scroll down for video Though never identified as a suspect, Eldridge (left) was taken into custody just over a 100 miles from where the killings took place. His mugshot was compared to a sketch (right) of the man suspected of killing two Indiana girls The bodies of Abby Williams, 13, (left) and Libby German, 14, (right) were found in Delphi February 14, 2017, a day after they were last seen Though Eldridge has never formally been named as a suspect in the killings, after his arrest in January members of the public inundated police with calls saying that the suspected child molester fiercely resembled a composite sketch released by FBI two years ago. A keen hiker, after his arrest police say Eldridge confessed to having multiple sexual encounters with a child under 14-years-old, police say The photo-fit was compiled by investigators using testimonies from witnesses who say they saw a man in the area of where the two girls were killed. At the time of his arrest, officers acknowledged to DailyMail.com that they had been made aware of the resemblance and would investigate to see if there could be any connection to Libby and Abigails murders. Now, Superintended Doug Carter of the Indiana State Police says new developments in their two-year investigation to search for the culprit will be announced in a press conference on Monday. No further details about what the development may entail was offered by the police department on Friday. The bodies of Libby and Abigail were found on the Delphi Historic Trail half a mile upstream from the abandoned Monon High Bridge in Indiana, on February 14, 2017 - 24 hours after they were reported missing. An autopsy was carried out on the two girls but police have never revealed their cause of death. Libby had posted a series of photos of her walking along the bridge to Snapchat on February 13. The former security guard was arrested in Union City, Indiana around 116 miles from where Libby and Abby were found dead almost two years ago. He shared this image to Facebook in November 2014 The girls were found on the Delphi Historic Trail half a mile upstream from the abandoned Monon High Bridge in Indiana February 14, 2017. It was a day after they were last seen Also recovered from her phone was an audio recording of a man's voice ordering her and Abigail to go 'down the hill' shortly before her death. Police praised Libbys bravery in the terrifying circumstances for trying to record her attacker, insisting the audio tape has remained a crucial piece of evidence in their investigation. Across his two Facebook pages, Eldridge obsessively shared almost daily - stories of missing children cases. Police had released an audio recording of a man's voice saying 'down the hill' - which was captured by Libby on her phone. Eldridge has been likened to the image Eldridge even shared a number of posts relating to the murder of Libby and Abigail. He posted public appeals and a story about potential DNA evidence, as well as the sketch of the suspect which the public believes he looks like - bearing the tagline 'Pass it around. [He] Could be anywhere.' Eldridge, a keen hiker, also shared the recording of the suspects voice, along with a photo of the believed murder walking along the same bridge Libby was photographed on, the same day the girls disappeared. Alongside the picture, the assailant is described as a white male between 5'6" and 5'10", weighing between 180lbs-220lbs, with reddish-brown hair. Former security guard Eldridge was arrested in Union City on January 8, around 116 miles from where Libby and Abby were found dead over two years ago. The Delphi multi-agency investigative team, and participating agencies continue to receive media and public inquiries asking about the person arrested January 8, 2019, in Union City, Randolph County Indiana for allegations of sexually related crimes against children and if he is connected to the Delphi investigation, the Indiana State police said in a January statement, acknowledging the slew of public comparisons between Eldridge and the sketch. 'The team is aware of this arrest and will investigate to see if there could be any connection to the murders that occurred in Delphi, Indiana on February 14, 2017. 'It is important for the public and media to know that many similar tips and arrests of other persons alleged to be connected to the Delphi murders occur with some frequency in and outside of Indiana. The former security guard is a keen hiker and avid advocate of gun ownership rights. He shared the above photo to Facebook on November 2 2017 with the caption 'Halloween pic... it was for the kids' The 46-year-old shares links to case of missing children almost daily across both of his Facebook pages Eldridge even shared posts relating to the deaths of Libby and Abigail (left). He also regularly shared disturbing and graphic images to his timeline, including images of bloody weaponry (right) The tirade of sharing missing children cases appeared to begin shortly after the girls were found dead, according to Eldridge's Facebook Speaking to DailyMail.com in January, Capt. David R. Bursten of the Indiana State Police insisted the public would be notified as soon as a significant development occurs in the case. 'When an arrest is made of a suspect identified by the multi-agency investigative team as the alleged perpetrator of the Delphi Murders, rest assured, we will let everyone know,' Bursten added. Police say in the year following the murders they received 11,000 individual tips from the public, with that number now said to have more than tripled. Any information leading to the capture of the killer carries a $200,000 reward. Libby and Abby were eighth graders at Delphi Community Middle School when they were killed. Both girls played softball and were gearing up for spring practices before they died. The murders shook Delphi, a small town of 2,877 people set amid farm fields of the Hoosier heartland, around an hour from Indianapolis. Indiana State Police will be holding a press conference to reveal their new line of inquiry at 12pm on Monday. Rangers are willing to euthanise the dingo that snatched and attacked a 14-month-old baby but say it may never be found, as locals warn attacks will continue to occur on the island. A 14-month-old boy has undergone surgery after he was dragged by his head from his family's caravan on Fraser Island in Queensland, early on Friday morning. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have since sent dingo rangers to the island to talk to witnesses and try to identify the animal responsible for the attack. A 14-month-old boy has undergone surgery after he was dragged by his head from his family's caravan on Fraser Island in Queensland, early on Friday morning The boy was treated by paramedics stationed on the island before an RACQ LifeFlight helicopter arrived about 2.30am on Friday Principal ranger Daniel Clifton said they would consider euthanising the dingo, however without an expert witness or photo it would be hard to track it down. 'Euthanasia is an option that has been employed in the past, but that's certainly an option we don't take lightly it's taken with all the information gathered together and in consultation with the Butchulla traditional owners as well,' he told The Weekend Australian. At least two wild dogs are believed to have popped a clip on the side of the campervan before entering it and attacking the baby. The boy's parents woke to the sounds of screams as one of dingoes dragged the boy outside. Rescue personnel said the father chased the wild dogs into nearby bushland and fought them off the tot before calling paramedics. The boy was treated by paramedics stationed on the island before an RACQ LifeFlight helicopter arrived about 1.40am on Friday. The victim was bleeding heavily but was in a stable condition in Hervey Bay Hospital by morning. He was later transferred to Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane. The tot suffered a fractured skull, puncture wounds to his neck and head, and cuts on his legs, scalp and body in the attack The boy was bleeding heavily but was in a stable condition in Hervey Bay Hospital by morning. He was later transferred to Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane He suffered a fractured skull, puncture wounds to his neck and head, and cuts on his legs, scalp and body in the attack. Locals are warning tourists they shouldn't be camping in unfenced areas with children under 12 and are urging for more information to be made available. Long-term Fraser Island resident Hannah Robinson said there was not enough public information available for how to be dingo safe on the island. She told The Sydney Morning Herald this meant that more attacks were inevitable. 'More and more people are coming to the island every year and there just is not enough education,' Ms Robinson said. Locals are warning tourists they shouldn't be camping in unfenced areas with children under 12 and are urging for more information to be made available (stock image) 'People who do the wrong thing are either naive or stupid. People just grab a permit and come over here without being prepared. This is not the kind of place to do that; you need to come with a plan.' If dingoes can be identified following an attack, they are euthanised by wildlife services. But Ms Robinson warned that dingoes are vital to the local ego system and should be preserved. 'We are losing 10 to 15 dingoes each year and it is such a shame. it is really important to keep them here, they are an apex predator and we have a feral cat population,' she said. Former Harrow headteacher Barnaby Lenon said girls were more 'anxious to please' Boys should have started their A-level revision during the Easter holidays or they risk losing their university place to a more 'diligent' girl, the former head of Harrow has said. Barnaby Lenon said all pupils should spend seven hours a day revising during the spring break to ensure they reached their potential in the summer exams. And he said that while many girls may do this without prompting, boys are on average more 'naturally lazy' and 'not particularly used to hard work'. Mr Lenon, who has spent most of his life teaching boys, including at Prince William's school Eton, said male students were becoming under-represented at universities partly for this reason. Data shows female pupils are more than a third more likely to go to university than their male peers, with about 30,000 more gaining places each year. Mr Lenon said: 'Boys are naturally lazy. Girls are more diligent during the term because they are more anxious to please their teacher. 'Boys are not very anxious to please their teacher, they are not as diligent and therefore they've got more to catch up. Some are not particularly used to hard work.' Harrow School, where Mr Lenon was headmaster. He is now dean of education at the University of Buckingham He said many girls were more 'intellectually mature' and 'can see there are long-term benefits for the short term pain of revision'. Mr Lenon, dean of education at the University of Buckingham, said while it was right to safeguard children's mental health, encouraging them not to revise could have the opposite effect. 'We all understand that there's more to life than exams, but I think to say to a child that GCSE or A-level grades don't matter is a lie,' he said. 'For many people they do matter a great deal. How good is it for your mental health when you open your GCSE results and find that you've failed maths?' He said that getting a large chunk of revision done in the Easter holidays actually helped to take the pressure off in the summer. Mr Lenon added: 'The problem with boys is not that they're suffering from such tremendous stress that they shouldn't embark on revision. 'The problem is often that they're lazy and they have to be goaded into doing some work. And the ones that do work benefit from it. They can be confident that every hour spent revising will pay dividends.' A violent brawl broke out at a busy shopping centre after a customer allegedly tried to use a pram to steal goods. Stunned shoppers looked on as two women lashed out at security staff at the Big W in Gungahlin, north of Canberra, on Thursday. Witness Rachel captured the shocking scuffle with her mobile phone and told Daily Mail Australia the women grew aggressive at staff. 'I watched one of the women punch a staff member in the head when she tried to intervene,' she said. A violent brawl broke out a busy shopping centre after a customer allegedly tried to steal a pram full of items Video footage of the incident shows a woman wearing a body warmer and black jeans pushing pram with a yellow blanket draped over the top. Aware that the woman is trying to steal, security staff formed a line at the exit of the store in a bid to stop her from leaving. She tries to go around them before one rips off the blanket exposing the stolen goods. 'Get her, get her, get her,' a person is heard saying loudly in the video. Rachel said the woman hurled verbal abuse at the staff members as they tried to stop her from leaving. 'They were obviously getting defensive and one of the women yelled, "Get your hands off my f***ing pram".' A second woman dressed in a black top jumps to the woman's aid as staff engage in the tug-of-war with the pram. The second woman can be seen swinging her arm towards one staff member's head while yelling loudly. A staff member manages to rip the blanket off exposing the pram full of stolen goods which started spilling over the floor The woman with the pram finally gives up and lets go of the stroller, before she turns her attention to another staff member. She grabs the employee by her hair and shakes her before violently throwing her to the ground. The pair begin to walk away, and one woman is seen pushing the now empty pram towards the exit. Security staff look shaken as they pick up the items, now scattered on the floor. Big W confirmed an incident happened at its store on Thursday. 'Police were called and were currently assisting them with their investigation,' a spokesperson said. 'We are providing support to our team members.' Daily Mail Australia reached out to ACT Police for comment. A disgraced Labour MP is continuing to employ her son as her chief of staff despite his drugs conviction after an official probe into the scandal was quietly shelved. Kate Osamor faced widespread pressure to sack Ishmael, 30, after he was convicted of having 2,500 of drugs at Bestival music festival in September 2017. The North London MP was lambasted for claiming that she was unaware of her son's trial when in fact she had written to the judge on House of Commons notepaper requesting leniency. Kate Osamor faced widespread pressure to sack Ishmael, 30, after he was convicted of having 2,500 of drugs at Bestival music festival in September 2017 Miss Osamor, 50, later resigned from Labour's frontbench and was reported to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, the watchdog which investigates MPs accused of breaching the code of conduct. Investigators were expected to probe Miss Osamor over her decision to continue employing her son in the taxpayer-funded role, a position which gives him a parliamentary pass, in spite of his serious drugs conviction. She was also reported for using Commons-branded paper in her letter to the judge a move described by MPs as a rank abuse of privilege. Miss Osamor, 50, resigned from Labour's frontbench and was reported to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Yet the Daily Mail can today reveal that the investigation has been dropped, and Miss Osamor is continuing to employ her son. A source close to the probe said: 'The commissioner wrote back to the MP who requested the investigation and told them there weren't enough grounds for a proper investigation.' Critics reacted with fury, branding standards commissioner Kathryn Stone 'toothless to act in the face of obvious wrongdoing'. Simon Hoare, Tory MP for North Dorset, said: 'If Kate Osamor's behaviour isn't enough to warrant an investigation by the standards commissioner, then who knows what is. 'The commissioner's ruling appears completely incomprehensible. There must be a review of the decision.' Ishmael is listed as a staff member on Miss Osamor's latest register of interests, updated on March 22. The job earns him a salary of between 30,000 and 35,000. Asked about the commissioner's decision, Miss Osamor said: 'The issue concerning my son was and remains a private family matter. 'Nothing that my son did had impacted upon his work in my office or upon my work within the constituency.' The office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards declined to comment. Back in the summer of 1922, a 15-year-old girl and her matronly middle-aged chaperone got off a train from Wichita, Kansas, at New York's Grand Central Station. She had won the chance to study with a famous dance troupe and was blown away by the big city. Her respectable companion, Alice Mills, whom she described as a 'stocky, bespectacled housewife of 36', impressed her considerably less particularly when they had to share a lumpy bed each night in their modest rented apartment. Louise Brooks (pictured starring in 1927 silent film Now We're In The Air) was an enigmatic sex siren of the silent screen era and arguably the most outrageous actress in Hollywood history The high-spirited teenager would very soon be sharing hundreds more beds, with rather more alluring partners such as Greta Garbo, Humphrey Bogart and Charlie Chaplin. For she was Louise Brooks enigmatic sex siren of the silent screen era and arguably the most outrageous actress in Hollywood history. Her relationship with Ms Mills is the subject of The Chaperone, a new film written by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes. Elizabeth McGovern aka Lady Cora in Downton plays the chaperone while her headstrong and flirtatious charge is portrayed by young American actress Haley Lu Richardson. In real life, Brooks had hardly anything to say about her 'provincial' chaperone so the film is based on a novel by U.S. writer Laura Moriarty that imagines their testy relationship. Haley Lu Richardson as Louise Brooks in the film, The Chaperone, written by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes It cannot have been easy. Louise Brooks was a handful at any age and never did anything by halves. She was a heavy drinker from the age of 14 and was wildly promiscuous, leaving that early dance troupe under a cloud amid rumours she was sleeping with all the back stage crew. They were only the start. She 'got in the hay', as she called it, with hundreds of men and women, too. Renowned theatre critic Kenneth Tynan, who was smitten by her, said: 'She was the most seductive, sexual image of woman ever committed to celluloid. She was the only unrepentant hedonist, the only pure pleasure-seeker, I think I've ever known.' Brooks died in 1985 and her silent films are remembered only by film buffs. But her rebel image, not to mention her signature bob hairstyle, inspired generations of artistes, from Maurice Chevalier to Liza Minnelli, to memorialise her in film and in music. With her huge dark eyes, shiny black hair and perfect dancer's figure, which she clothed with impeccable style, Brooks also had a keen intelligence and razor-sharp wit. She was both irresistible and terrifying to men. 'If I ever bore you, it will be with a knife,' she warned one. The impetuous Brooks was crowned the archetypal Twenties 'flapper' the pert and provocative 'It Girls' of that era. Elizabeth McGovern, aka Lady Cora in Downton (pictured), plays the chaperone in the film She always made an impression such as when she visited England she was the first woman to dance the Charleston in London. A 1926 newspaper photo of her in a swimsuit was captioned: 'Several of the reasons that have figured in her success.' But that wasn't entirely fair as she was far from the typical Hollywood casting couch operator, sleeping her way to stardom. Brooks was fiercely independent-minded and rarely exploited any of her famous friends or lovers to advance her career. She put her sex-life before fame or fortune, and paid the price when she spurned the advances of powerful studio bosses. She would later claim she was 'kicked out' of Hollywood because: 'I like to f*** and drink too much.' As a close friend liked to quip: 'Louise brooks no restraint.' Unfortunately for her career, Brooks always spoke her mind and admitted she had a 'gift for enraging people'. Born in 1906 in 'Bible Belt' Wichita, Kansas, to a workaholic lawyer father and a pianist mother, she was left to run wild. Aged nine, Brooks was molested by a house painter, an ordeal she blamed for her subsequent incapacity to ever feel real love and, instead, seek simple sexual pleasure. 'Nice, soft, easy men were never enough there had to be an element of domination,' she said. 'The men who were the worst in bed were the men I liked the most.' At 17, she became a chorus girl in a Broadway show notorious for nudity (publicity pictures of Brooks wearing only a carelessly flung scarf and a pair of sandals came back to haunt her when she was a film star). Before Brooks she left for California, she had a passionate two-month affair with Charlie Chaplin (pictured) Many showgirls including her were glorified prostitutes, as she later admitted: 'There was a hand-picked group of beautiful girls who were invited to entertain the great men in finance and government.' The girls screened by two film producers, Walter Wanger and Englishman Eddie Goulding had to be 'fairly well bred and of absolute integrity', she said. 'At these parties we were not required, like common whores, to go to bed with any man who asked us, but if we did the profits were great. Money, jewels, mink coats, a film job name it.' One of these powerful men with film industry connections was Daily Express newspaper tycoon Lord Beaverbrook, who Brooks described as an 'ugly little grey man who went directly to his object with no finesse'. She would later say that her 'sexual education had been conducted by the elite of Paris, London and New York'. She got noticed by the right people. Brooks had no acting training but, aged 18, accepted a five-year contract with Paramount Studios. Before she left for California, she had a passionate two-month affair with Charlie Chaplin. The British star was twice her age, married and at the height of his fame. They moved into New York's Ambassador Hotel and spent much time with Peggy Fears, Brooks' 17-year-old best friend, and Peggy's fiance, financier Alfred Blumenthal. Brooks told friends the foursome once had a three-day champagne-fuelled orgy in Blumenthal's suite at the Ambassador, rarely bothering to get out of bed. Brooks later claimed she and Fears had been lesbian lovers and that Blumenthal had his butler secretly photograph them together. She caused further scandal by revealing that Chaplin was so scarred by his mother contracting syphilis that he never had sex without first painting his sexual organ with iodine to try to prevent any possible infection. Brooks hated Hollywood and the shameless sexism of the studio system which regularly tossed aside established female stars for younger, more malleable starlets. She treated Tinseltown with the insouciance she felt it deserved, never bothering to see her movies and, between takes while filming, burying her face in books by German philosopher Schopenhauer. When journalists came to interview her, sometimes she couldn't be bothered to get out of bed. One described her as 'exquisitely hard-boiled'. Brooks told a biographer: 'I was always late. But too damn stunning for them to fire me.' By the time she was 19, 'Brooksie', as she was known to friends, had married British-born playboy and director Eddie Sutherland. They rarely saw each other and neither bothered to be faithful. Their relationship was so fraught that when Hollywood was shaken by a small earthquake one night, Brooks thought the tremor was her husband making a move on her as she slept. She walloped him on the jaw, vowing that if he did it again, she'd move into a hotel. When, a year into their marriage, Brooks returned to visit New York, she renewed her dalliance with Peggy Fears and Alfred Blumenthal. This time, the fourth member of their menage was Brooks's new lover, laundry millionaire George Preston Marshall. In 1928, less than two years after their wedding, she divorced Sutherland after falling 'terribly in love' with Marshall. Sutherland claimed Brooks's insatiable sexual demands drove him to impotence and to seek psychiatric help. The actress, who resented being branded a nymphomaniac, said she had affairs simply to stave off boredom and 'pass the time waiting for the studio to call'. Englishmen made the best lovers and Irishmen the worst, she said. Yet Brooks didn't say 'yes' to everyone. She turned down a director who pursued her for 15 years when 'hundreds of less attractive men succeeded in the hay' with her. The reason? He had bright pink rims around his blue eyes. She encouraged her reputation as a lesbian, saying women had pursued her since she was 15. This was simply another outlet for her endless sexual curiosity. She claimed she had one night of passion with Greta Garbo, her screen idol, when they were both in their early 20s. She described Garbo as masculine but a 'charming and tender lover'. Always perverse, Brooks would later insist she was strictly heterosexual and that her Sapphic dalliances 'did nothing for me'. Short-changed in Hollywood contract renegotiations and fed up with being cast as a 'pretty flibbertigibbet', Brooks flounced off to Berlin in 1928. There, she wallowed in the city's notorious debauchery and made some of the best films of her career. In Pandora's Box, she played Lulu, a sexually uninhibited showgirl whose thoughtless behaviour leads to prostitution and ruin. The role could have been written for her. She also made a film in Paris, where the director said she would have been the 'ultimate actress' were it not for her industrial alcohol consumption. She was almost continually drunk on cognac and champagne, he said, and had to be carried to the set each morning because she was asleep. She even had her make-up put on while she was sleeping and was woken 'only to shoot a scene, after which she returned to drinking'. Her method of overcoming a hangover was to take three big swigs of gin. Returning broke to Hollywood in 1930, still just 24, she'd left behind a host of enemies after haughtily refusing to dub dialogue on an earlier picture which had been shot as a silent. Columbia promised her a contract but its boss, Harry Cohn, made it clear he expected her to sleep with him, appearing shirtless at all their meetings. When she refused, he ensured her career sank in a succession of B-movie roles. Brooks sealed her fate when she rejected the female lead alongside James Cagney in the 1931 gangster film The Public Enemy because she wanted to visit a boyfriend in New York. It was one of the decade's most successful films. Her second marriage to industrial heir Deering Davis lasted five months. As with her first rich husband, Brooks was too apathetic towards money to seek a penny from him when they divorced. As her career disintegrated, she continued to play the field in Hollywood. One of her numerous one-night stands was with Humphry Bogart. They were so different, she said: he could only love a woman he had known a long time while, for her, 'love was an adventure into the unknown'. Brooksie left Hollywood for good in 1938. She ended up in New York where she got a job as a salesgirl in a department store. She still indulged her prodigious sexual appetites, sometimes joining the actress Tallulah Bankhead at sex parties to which Bankhead invited boat-loads of sailors. As she descended into alcoholism, Brooks became, at 36, a call-girl for three rich Manhattan clients for almost a decade. 'It was very discreet and, all things considered, infrequent,' said a friend. 'She did what she had to do.' From 1960, she became a recluse, living in a spartan flat in the New York town of Rochester. She was 'rediscovered' by film buffs and had a second act as an acerbic writer, astutely critiquing actors and Hollywood. She converted to Catholicism and died of a heart attack, aged 78. Though recklessly blunt and free-spirited, even she could be embarrassed by her own outrageous behaviour. She wrote a tell-all autobiography, Naked On My Goat, but was so appalled that she threw it into an incinerator. Commons Speaker John Bercow has been told that Donald Trump must be allowed to address Parliament this summer or risk damaging the special relationship. Britain and the US are preparing for a state visit in June to coincide with the 75th anniversary of D-Day. But Mr Bercow is continuing to refuse to extend the traditional courtesy of asking the President to address both Houses of Parliament. His decision has angered US officials and become an embarrassment to the Government as it attempts to stage a state visit three years after it was first offered by the Prime Minister. Commons Speaker John Bercow is continuing to refuse to invite the US President to the Houses of Parliament when he visits the UK on a state visit in June The decision has angered US officials and become a further source of embarrassment for the UK government as it prepares for a state visit first offered three years ago Defence minister Tobias Ellwood said the UK should leverage Mr Trumps state visit and give him the chance to formally address Parliament. Writing in the Daily Telegraph he said: D-Day represents the bedrock of our international relationships. As we pay tribute to a generation of lives to defend our values, we can reaffirm our commitment to our allies and most crucially the US to defend those same values once again under threat. The special relationship matters. It is greater than any one individual. So we should leverage the US presidents state visit, including the opportunity formally to address Parliament. In 2017 Mr Bercow said he was strongly opposed to a presidential address, citing opposition to racism and sexism. He described it as an earned honour, not a right. Months later, Mr Bercow said the president had still not earned that honour. Asked if he still held that view, a spokesman for the Speaker said: We dont have any comment. Donald Trump pictured with Melania stepping off Air Force One as they arrived at Palm Beach International Airport earlier this week Sebastian Gorka, Mr Trumps former deputy assistant in the White House, said Mr Bercows decision would be interpreted as a snub. He said: The UK is meant to be the mother of democracy. The Speaker is slapping the face of British tradition. This is a totalitarian approach. You dont limit speech you disagree with, you should actually engage in dialogue. To think that in the land of Magna Carta, Winston Churchill and the Battle of Britain, this is how you deal with your most important partner in the world? This is an outrage. Lord Fowler, Speaker of the Lords, last year criticised Mr Bercow for failing to consult him over whether Mr Trump should speak to Parliament. Barack Obama addressed Parliament during a state visit in 2011. Others who have been given the honour include Ronald Reagan and German chancellor Angela Merkel. A senior minister said last night: It is staggeringly arrogant and inappropriate for the Speaker to assume the right of veto on this. His job is to be a referee, not a judge, and for him to impose his own opinions on the visit of a President is corrupting the role he holds. Pc David Alston arriving at his misconduct hearing A police officer has been sacked after claiming Adolf Hitler 'had never done him any harm' because he had 'never met him personally'. PC David Alston also called a black waitress a 'fluffy coco angel' and said Asians 'reproduce like 3-to-1 compared to us', a misconduct tribunal was told. He was dismissed by Essex Police after messages were uncovered between Alston and friends who served in the Army Reserve. The group exchanged sexist, racist and homophobic 'banter' on messaging tool WhatsApp and traded extreme porn videos. In one message Alston, 31, referred to a 'hot black chick' who served him in a London bar as 'Umbongo', and then posted a controversial 1980s advert for the soft drink. When questioned, Alston, from Braintree, Essex, claimed 'fluffy coco angel' was 'meant as a compliment'. But in one exchange, another member of the group wrote: 'Dave's your stereotypical copper. He doesn't like blacks.' In a reference to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, Alston wrote: 'He has never done any of us any harm.' When questioned about the comment he said: 'I have never met him personally, he died in 1945. 'I don't come from a Jewish family, I did have a great grandad who fought in the war, but he never did me any harm.' Braintree Police Station where Alston was based before being sacked for using discriminatory language Alston, who was an Army Reservist for ten years, left the WhatsApp group in September 2017 when he quit the Armed Forces The messages were uncovered after a member of the group was arrested for domestic violence. Alston, who was an Army Reservist for ten years, left the WhatsApp group in September 2017 when he quit the Armed Forces but was suspended and hauled in front of police investigators. Stephen Morely, acting for Essex Police, told the panel: 'PC Alston is expected to protect society from this type of language and behaviour, not indulge in it.' Chelmsford Civic Centre where the his hearing was heard. A cop has been sacked for calling a black waitress 'fluffy coco angel' and claiming Hitler 'has never done any of us any harm' Father-of-one Alston accepted his comments were racist and discriminatory and admitted gross misconduct. He said 'I wholeheartedly apologise if I caused any offence. 'Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but I didn't want to alienate anyone in the group.' His representative Rakesh Sharma said Alston had never used similar language with his police colleagues or shown prejudice. Alston, who joined the force in 2013 after working as a PCSO and served in the Army Reserve for more than ten years, was dismissed without notice. Disciplinary panel chairman Siobhan Goodrich said his conduct 'fell well below the standards expected of a police officer'. Det Supt Dean Chapple, of Essex Police, said: 'Racism and homophobia is absolutely disgusting and has no place in our society, let alone within the police force.' The two men charged over the alleged shooting death of a Brisbane doctor were named ahead of their court appearance. Joshua Hamilton and Bill Smith fronted a Queensland court on Saturday over the alleged late-night murder of skin cancer doctor Luping Zeng, the Courier Mail reported. Mr Zeng, 56, was shot and killed while packing his car in the affluent south-side suburb of MacGregor, in Brisbane, shortly before midnight on Monday. The two men, aged 19 and 20, were arrested in neighbouring suburbs Slacks Creek and Woodbridge, in Brisbane's south, between 11am and 12pm on Friday in connection to the shooting. Both Hamilton and Smith were not required to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court. They were remanded in custody to appear in the same court on April 23 and June 3 respectively. Skin cancer doctor Luping Zeng, 56, was shot and killed while packing his car in the affluent south-side suburb of MacGregor, in Brisbane, shortly before midnight on Monday Two men, 19 and 20, were arrested in neighbouring suburbs between 11am and 12pm on Friday in connection to the shooting The pair have been charged with murder, attempted robbery with violence and firearms offences. A 17-year-old boy from Slacks Creek - who cannot be named - will also front a closed children's court hearing over the incident. He has been charged with murder, enter premises with intent, armed robbery, possession of a shortened firearm and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming said the youngest boy did not know Dr Zeng and robbery appeared to be the motive. 'It was likely this is a crime of opportunity that has escalated and resulted in the death of Dr Zeng,' he told reporters on Friday. Detective Superintendent Fleming added that the killers are known to each other. Officers were called to the home on Delfin Drive at about 11.40pm on Monday following reports a man had been shot. The 56-year-old doctor was transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition but later died. Dr Zeng was shot once in the chest while his wife and two adult daughters were inside the home Dr Zeng was shot once in the chest while his wife and two adult daughters were inside the home. The doctor was a highly regarded member of Brisbane's Chinese community. He had three decades of medical experience and spoke three languages. The popular doctor previously worked in plastic and reconstructive surgery for 11 years before he moved to Australia in 2000. He obtained the Fellowship of Royal Australian College of General Practice in 2006 and worked at the Waterford 7 Day Medical Centre and Skin Cancer Clinic. Officers were called to the home on Delfin Drive at about 11.40pm on Monday following reports a man had been shot Dr Zeng's wife was also an overseas-trained doctor and both his daughters are currently in training to become doctors. Acting Detective Inspector Steven McCartney said the doctor's family didn't witness the shooting but heard the single gunshot from inside the home. 'These are professional members of the community, they dedicate their time to helping people, this is just a tragic event that's occurred,' Insp McCartney said. The 19-year-old Kingston teenager and 20-year-old Woodridge man will both appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday. A second man has died after he was gunned down in a drive-by shooting at Melbourne's Love Machine nightclub. Richard Arow, 28, died in hospital on Friday, almost a week after the fatal shooting at the popular nightclub near Little Chapel Street in Prahran at 3.20am on April 14. He was waiting in line with a group of friends outside the club when he and three others were hit by bullets. There have since been claims the killer may have shot the men as revenge for being refused entry to the venue. Richard Arow (pictured with his girlfriend Rebekah Spinks) died in hospital following the fatal drive-by shooting at the popular nightclub Forensic police were at the scene outside popular nightclub Love Machine on Sunday morning Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh said Mr Arow was an innocent man who was impacted by the shooting. Mr Arow's friend Jay Bell posted a heartbreaking tribute to Facebook on Saturday after the 28-year-old's death was confirmed. 'Words won't ever be enough. Praying you're up top with the big man himself, nan and Moses, rest easy Big Bro,' Mr Bell posted. The Chelsea FC fan's friend Anthony Morello on Monday wrote on social media: 'Our friend was innocently standing in the wrong place at the wrong time. 'Your million dollar smile & warm energy was so infectious and would light up any room you walked into. 'One of the friendliest and most cheerful guys I've had the pleasure of meeting... You will be missed by many and remembered for ever as someone with a big beautiful heart.' Security guard at the venue, 37-year-old Aaron Khalid Osmani, was shot in the face and immediately taken to hospital where he died on Sunday afternoon. Mr Osmani was remembered as a 'beautiful soul' who was loved by all as friends and colleagues flooded social media with tributes to the 'kind soul'. 'My heart is broken... you were the most kind-hearted soul I have met since I started working at Love Machine,' wrote one female worker at the club. 'The most humble security guard I have ever had the pleasure to call a friend.' Mr Arow was waiting in line with a group of friends outside Love Machine when he and three others were hit by the bullets Aaron Khalid Osmani, 37, died in hospital from his injuries after he was shot outside the Love Machine Nightclub 'You were everything to me. I'm broken that you are gone,' wrote another. The callous killer who shot the men may have done so as revenge for not being let into the venue, it's been claimed. It's understood police are investigating whether a man who was twice refused entry to the nightclub after he was previously removed from the premises, is involved in the double homicide. The Love Machine was packed with patrons The patron was kicked out of the venue around a month ago after staff saw him acting aggressively, The Herald Sun reported. Once outside the nightclub the man in question is believed to have become embroiled in a scrap before the police were called. Two weeks later he was refused entry to the club, and he was not allowed in again last weekend when he once more tried to enter the venue. A police probe is believed to be looking into the man's involvement and his possible links to bikie gangs. Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said three of the people struck by bullets worked at the nightclub, while the fourth was an 'innocent' patron waiting to get inside. 'This is just a horrendous act. It's a busy nightclub, one of the main nightclubs in Melbourne in one of the main entertainment precincts in Melbourne.' Victoria Police said four other people were injured during the incident including a 26-year-old man and 20-year-old woman who went to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A 50-year-old man and 29-year-old man also sustained non-life threatening injuries. Mr Arow was outside the Love Machine nightclub (crime scene pictured) in Prahran about 3.10am on Sunday when four shots were fired from a stolen Porsche The gunman was driving a stolen black Porsche Cayenne four-wheel-drive which was later found burnt out in Wollert in the city's north. Assistant Commissioner Walsh said police were not certain who was responsible for the shooting but were investigating links to Middle Eastern and bikie gangs. 'We think this is quite a specific, targeted attack, but we do not understand the motive, nor the people who are involved in it at this time,' she said. She said Love Machine's owners had been very cooperative and detectives hoped to review CCTV from venue and nearby for clues. Police are hunting two men seen running from a burning Porsche used in the drive-by shooting, which may have been carried out by a bikie gang. Gang members have reportedly caused trouble at Love Machine and nearby Lux nightclub, which have the same owner, in recent weeks. They have apparently threatened staff, refused to pay for drinks and demanded payments from the venues known to host bikies, strippers and underworld figures. Police are hunting two men (pictured on CCTV) seen running from a burning Porsche used in a drive-by shooting at a nightclub in which a bouncer was killed The car was torched in Wollert, north Melbourne after the 3am shooting at Love Machine in Prahran on Sunday Police said the attackers did not target anyone in particular and simply fired at the front entrance, likely to attack the club itself. 'They didn't care who they shot at - it's just indiscriminate,' a police source told the Herald Sun. The nightclub was still packed with patrons at the time of the shooting. They left the venue via a back entrance after police deemed the area safe. A security guard at the nightclub told Seven's Sunday Sunrise he had no idea there had been a shooting outside and there was no panic inside the venue. Clothes and bullet casings were also scattered along the footpath outside the nightclub. The Love Machine is one of Melbourne's most popular nightclubs and was recently refurbished by new owners. A Victoria police spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. Advertisement Thousands of Britons have flocked to beaches across the country on a record-breaking Easter Saturday as the mercury soared to 77F (25C). Temperatures peaked at Hurn, in Dorset, mid-afternoon, and Londoners basked in 75F (24C) heat in parks around the capital. Record temperatures were broken comfortably in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Highs of 23.2C in Aboyne, Aberdeen, smashed the 2003 record of 21.4C - and Ireland was two degrees hotter than in 1929, when the country experienced highs of 19.4C. The mercury is expected to reach into the 20s every day of the Bank Holiday week with Tuesday seeing the first dip. It means the UK is outshining many other countries across the continent, including Spain, Portugal and Italy. Large parts of Spain were hit with showers, with temperatures remaining at 19C (66F). Portugal (20C) and Italy (21C) were also in Britains shadow yesterday and today. A Met Office forecaster said: 'It's going to be dry, bright and sunny for nearly everybody this weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach into the 20s every day of the four-day break. Scots took advantage of the great Bank Holiday weekend weather today by heading to Loch Morlich, pictured with snow-capped Cairngorms in the background Others went for a dip in the cold water while wearing wetsuits, with this pair stopping to take a selfie on a Go Pro Holidaymakers swarmed to Weymouth beach today, with a sea of people taking to the sand earlier today during the warmest day of the year so far This group of tourists hit the water in a paddle boat in Weymouth in Dorset earlier today, where temperatures hit 24C A Londoner lies on a towel and laps up the record-breaking sunshine in Hyde park on Easter Saturday afternoon This person decided to hang out in a hammock while reading a book in the sunshine in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire Bikini-clad sunbathers top up their tan on Boscombe Beach in Bournemouth where temperatures soared to almost 77F A mother and son take their dog a punt on the River Cam in Cambridge Swarms of families took to Weymouth beach in Dorset today, with many putting up tents to keep cool in the shade Pictured: a dog enjoys a splash in the sea off Scarborough beach while playing with a tennis ball with its owner Thousands of visitors take to the beach in Brighton and Hove as sunny and hot weather helps populate the seaside resorts The hot weather has seen thousands of families head to the seaside. Pictured: Brits stood outside a pub in Weymouth Old Town earlier today Met Office forecaster said: 'It's going to be dry, bright and sunny for nearly everybody this weekend.' Brighton Beach pictured People enjoy the sunshine at Boscombe beach, Dorset, as Britain is set for a sunny Easter bank holiday weekend, that could break national records A girl takes a lick of her ice cream cone before it melts in the sizzling bank holiday Saturday sunshine A sunbather basks in the hot weather at Bournemouth beach, Dorset, as Britain enjoys its second day of scorching sunshine A little boy had fun digging a hole in the sand today on Weymouth beach as temperatures in the UK soared A paddle boarder in the water off Boscombe beach, Dorset, as Britain is set for a sizzling Easter bank holiday weekend People play beach volleyball at Boscombe beach, Dorset, in scenes that may be more suitable to Copacabana beach in Rio A group of runners take a morning run along the sea front in Bournemouth, Dorset Families feed a group of hungry swans at Hyde Park on Saturday as thousands flocked to beaches and parks across the UK A man performs a mid-day work out with cones in Hyde Park to make the most of the sizzling temperatures Cyclists make their way past the colourful beach huts on Boscombe beach, Dorset, as others take in the sun on the sand 'It is likely to be the warmest Easter Sunday since 2011 and the warmest Easter weekend since 1949.' Back then, temperatures in Camden Square, London, reached a sweltering 29.4C (84.9F) over the Easter weekend. Large parts of Spain were hit with showers yesterday, with temperatures remaining at 19C (66F). Portugal (20C) and Italy (21C) were also in Britains shadow. Over in Madrid the temperature is just 10C (50F), while in Alicante the mercury hit 13C. Wednesday should see the return of the rain, unfortunately. It should still hover around 17 degrees in the early evening and become cloudy at around 7pm, paving way for a 50% chance of rain. Plenty of Brits took to Twitter to compare the beautiful blue skies in the UK to the miserable downpours on the continent. Andy Hiscox tweeted: 'We are having your Spanish weather this weekend, and you are apparently having some British rain in Spain. Best get yer wellies out spanner!' Rosie Drage added: 'Signing out for a bit of a digital detox for 5 days for family time & unfortunately rain in Spain! Happy Easter all!' Sunseekers flooded to Bournemouth seafront in Dorset yesterday, desperate to soak up the glorious bank holiday rays. Car parks at the seaside resort were chockablock with hotels selling out their rooms to tourists and last-minute holiday makers. According to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, the sweltering conditions could see hundreds of thousands of pounds spent in the coastal resort. By midday yesterday, the authority had reported 182 deck chairs being hired out, with 5,000 sunseekers already enjoying out on the sand. It is estimated that around 50,000 visitors will go to Bournemouth beach over the course of the weekend. Nicola Goode, from BCP Council, said: 'On Friday morning alone there were 5,000 people down at Bournemouth beach with that set to double in the afternoon. 'With this being an extended weekend we could see more than even more than that over the coming days which is a real boost for the town. 'Drinks and refreshment sales on the beach will definitely see a huge spike as will sales of towels and swimming costumes in the town centre. Hundreds of beachgoers in their swimming suits and trunks lap up the sun and take to the sand in Weymouth on Saturday People enjoy the hot weather at Bournemouth beach, Dorset, one of many places sizzling in the sun across the UK London is likely to hit 25C (77F) today, with temperatures expected to reach into the 20s every day of the Bank Holiday week Visitors to Weymouth enjoy the holiday sunshine and appear to fall asleep under the rays, risking burning from high temps A field of rapeseed near Skirpenbeck, Yorkshire, as Britain is set for a sunny Easter bank holiday weekend, across the country People out punting on the River Cam in Cambridge on Saturday afternoon, making the most of the hot Easter weather Andy Hiscox tweeted: 'We are having your Spanish weather this weekend, and you are apparently having some British rain in Spain'. Weymouth is pictured basking in glorious sunshine today Londoners enjoy the warm Easter weather and an ice-cold drink in Hyde Park, in the west of the city 'A sunny bank holiday is so important to town's like Bournemouth as well as Poole and Christchurch nearby.' Forecasters said it could get even hotter over the weekend, and the UK could see record temperatures for Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. On Thursday tens of thousands of visitors flocked to Devon and Cornwall to make the most of the sunshine. It was predicted about 80 million will be spent in Cornwall over the Easter break, providing a welcome economic boost. Holidaymakers also took refreshing dips in the sea in Llandudno, Colwyn Bay and Rhyl, where millions of pounds have been spent on redeveloping the seafront. According to official figures, nearly ten million people were due to head off on an Easter break yesterday. Two ladies enjoy an ice cream each as the Met Office says that temperatures could soar towards 26 degrees (79F) today Pictured: holidaymakers on the promenade in Marbella hide under umbrellas in downpours yesterday afternoon ** Taken any photographs of today's beautiful weather? Please email them to: pictures@mailonline.co.uk ** A CNN reporter fought off a giant lizard during a broadcast from outside President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Largo resort on Thursday night. Abby Phillip, 30, was taking part in a panel discussion anchored by Chris Cuomo and Alisyn Camerota when her brush with the reptile was caught on camera. The White House correspondent was listening to a fellow panelist discuss the release of The Mueller Report before she started to appear distracted. She was then heard making a shrieking sound as she looked down and realized a lizard had jumped onto her. Phillip then began shaking her leg and stomping, trying to get the reptile to unlatch while the rest of the panelists appeared confused by her erratic movements. 'Hold on, Abby what was that?' Cuomo asked from studio headquarters in New York. 'That was a lizard climbing on me!' Phillip responded animatedly. 'Did you just stomp out a lizard on live television? Is that lizard OK?' Cuomo then shot back. Abby was seen disengaging from the panel discussion to deal with the situation at hand The White House correspondent managed to keep her sense of humor about the situation 'I don't think it's OK, but I'm fine!' Phillip responded with a giggle. Clearly keeping a sense of humor, the CNN reporter later shared footage of the funny moment on her Twitter account. 'Literally my nightmare just happened on live tv, no big deal,' she wrote beneath the video. Phillip has been a White House correspondent for CNN since 2017, and was in Florida to cover Trump's Easter weekend at Mar-a-Lago. The Harvard graduate was previously a reporter at The Washington Post. A married police officer who ran background checks on his lovers, also had sex with women he met on Tinder while on duty. Senior Constable Manu Tenana, 38, joined Queensland Police Service in 2013 and transferred to Proserpine after the death of his brother in 2016. The father-of-two allegedly had multiple affairs with women he met on Tinder and had sex while he was meant to be working. One woman told an officer from Whitsunday Police Station in 2016 that they 'had engaged in sexual activity while he was rostered for duty.' Senior Constable Manu Tenana accessed QPrime 30 times over five years and has pleaded guilty to 15 counts of using a restricted computer without consent (file image) Tenana had also accessed Queensland Police Records and Information Management Exchange (QPrime), which stores personal information, 30 times over five years. The first time was just 18 months after he joined the police force. There were numerous times he had used the system to access information about a former partner, reported the Courier Mail. Police Prosecutor Sergeant Jay Merchant said this suspicious behaviour is what led to an investigation. He was suspended from Queensland Police Service in February last year. The 38-year-old pleaded guilty to 15 counts of using a restricted computer without consent causing or intending to cause detriment, damage or gain. Defence barrister Troy Schmidt said Tenana is embarrassed by his actions which started after his brother's death and has apologised. 'He subsequently became very self-destructive. He then engaged in a series of meaningless relationships,' Mr Schmidt said. Tenana was fined $2600 and had no convictions recorded. However an investigation by the Ethical Standards Command is still ongoing. 'Your future in the police force, that's unknown ... (you) have and will suffer a heavy penalty,' Acting Magistrate Ron Muirhead said. Advertisement High-fliers of the first order are the only ones privy to Qantas' exclusive airport lounges, described as by CEO Alan Joyce as 'the most exclusive club in the country.' The Chairman's Lounge is a free but invitation-only service that many regard more important than membership of the Melbourne Club. Decked out in designer furniture, the lounges serve top-shelf liquor, five-star food and provide private meeting rooms, large shower suites and fluffy bathrobes. Those lucky enough to step inside can expect to rub shoulders with the Prime Minister, A-list celebrities and influential businessmen. The Chairman's Lounge is deemed such a privilege that controversial columnist and broadcaster Phillip Adams was furious that Qantas refused to renew his membership this week. Qantas has told Mr Adams, 79, that his membership will expire despite the fact Mr Adams coined one of the airline's most iconic phrases: 'Spirit of Australia'. Mr Adams said members of the lounge would likely see high profile figures or media identities (pictured, lounge in Brisbane) Members of the federal government are known to also be gifted membership to the exclusive lounge (pictured, lounge in Brisbane) Mr Adams is a columnist, radio broadcaster and former advertising mastermind and has been a member of the lounge since it was created nearly 40 years ago. However, he admitted old age had stopped him from frequently taking flights. Broadcaster Phillip Adams (pictured) was furious that Qantas refused to renew his membership this week 'I was hardly cluttering up the facility and I was really quite surprised because I do have a large media footprint,' a disappointed Mr Adams told The Australian. Members invited to be a part of the exclusive club are given a matte black card after being personally signed off by Qantas bosses. Each membership lasts for two years and invitations have nothing to do with frequent flyer points or status. 'Membership is very sought after and it's a great asset for Qantas to utilise for our commercial endeavours' Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said. Mr Adams is not the first person to be banned from the lounge. Most recently Senator Fraser Anning was turned away after a censure motion was passed against him. Mr Anning came under fire after he linked the Christchurch massacre - in which 50 people died - with Muslim immigration. Lounges at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth airports are hidden behind a door labelled 'private'. Members include powerful politicians such as former PM Tony Abbott and former foreign secretary Julie Bishop. Astronomer and Nobel Prize recipient Brian P. Schmidt is known to be part of the club. Qantas remains tight-lipped on the Chairman's Lounge and its members and the place isn't even mentioned in the airline's annual report (pictured, Brisbane lounge) The airline refuses to lift the lid on how many people are members of the lounge or how it chooses its lucky recipients (pictured, only a 'private lounge' sign flags the location the secretive Qantas Chairman's Lounge) Qantas remains tight-lipped on the Chairman's Lounge and its members it is never mentioned in the airline's annual report. The airline has never said on how many people are members of the lounge or how it chooses its lucky recipients. Despite the silence, a few details of the mysterious and high-class club have been leaked over time. Fliers are greeted at the door by name and there is no need to check boarding boards as a police member of staff will let them know their flights are ready. Members do not have to pay an annual fee and can get access to all the lounges across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane (pictured, lounge in Sydney) Members are greeted at the door by name and walk into a room that could seem completely separate to the airport (pictured, lounge at Sydney) The Brisbane lounge is described as having a luxurious open-plan design that relieves 'feelings of confinement during long haul travel,' according to designers Scarchi & Boston. For breakfast, members can treat themselves to food like omelette, corn fritters or porridge. Lunch and dinner can be anything from a salad to chicken wings to a club sandwich. Needless to say, anything goes with the a la carte menu and table service. The bar opens at 6am with lounges in Sydney and Canberra known to have the self-pour option. Designer furniture and leather lounges adorns the rooms, with top-shelf liquor and five-star food available on offer (pictured, lounge at Sydney) The Brisbane lounge is described as having a luxurious open-plan design that relives 'feelings of confinement during long haul travel,' according to designers Scarchi & Boston (pictured, lounge at Melbourne) A Chairman's Lounge host will walk up to a member and politely inform them of their upcoming flight (pictured, lounge in Melbourne) Privacy-shielding armchairs also add to the solitude and bring added comfort (pictured, lounge in Sydney) While only the best branded alcohol is available across all the lounges, the Brisbane lounge is known for a fact to bring another perk to the table. A wine rack is set up beside the bar replete with bottles for members to not only enjoy, but take with them out of the lounge. That's not to say members spend all their time gorging on food or drinking, with plenty of private rooms available for the hardworking customers. Privacy-shielding armchairs also add to the solitude and bring added comfort. The lounge takes noise reduction so seriously that in its Brisbane lounge the tarmac-facing glass has additional sound-dampeners. And if members need a quick wash, they can make use of one of the many large shower suites and slip back on the sofa in a fluffy bathrobe. Members can also skip the queue in waiting for their ticket to be checked and even upgrade their seats. They will even receive a call the day before they fly out and be asked if they have any needs - that ranges from a massage to a fine dining meal. Needless to say, anything goes with the a la carte menu and table service (ANSA) - Milan, April 17 - Over the last few days the crowds at Milan Design Week have been queuing patiently to be let into Italdesign's temporary showroom in Via Tortona 31 to admire, alongside many objects designed by the company's industrial design division, the fascinating 4-door DaVinci coupe. With its original stylistic features and electric platform, it celebrates the visionary genius of Leonardo on the 500th anniversary of his death. There is another section of the public, though one that is less numerous but perhaps even more knowledgeable than the Milan one. It is waiting to see and 'judge' another product of Italdesign's excellence, specifically from its ULSP - Ultra-Limited Series Production - department: the Zerouno hypercar, production of which has been limited to five cars. At the auction that opened yesterday in Essen, Germany, as part of Techno Classica, the world most popular showcase for vintage, classic and prestige collectors' cars, the bidding for Zerouno number 5, which is black and decorated with the Italian Tricolors, will start at 1.5 million euros - namely the same price as the other cars were previously sold for (taxes and optionals not included). Expectations for this car are high, since insiders in Essen heard reports that Zerouno number 2, which was painted red, has just been sold as part of a private negotiation with a profit for the seller - an Ukranian trader - estimated to be over 300,000 euros. President Donald Trump has spent the first day of his Easter vacation enjoying time with family at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The Commander-in-chief was pictured looking happy and relaxed in Instagram photos shared by son Donald Trump Jr on Friday. Just 24 hours after the release of the redacted Mueller Report revealed no concrete evidence that he had colluded with Russia, the President sported a smile as he posed for a picture with grandson Tristan, 7, and granddaughter Chloe, 4. 'A little breakfast and grandpa duty on the calendar for the weekend,' Trump, Jr. captioned the happy snaps. In another image shared by the President's oldest son, Trump was seen with Chloe and grandson Spencer, 5, standing on one of Mar-a-Largo's patios. The Trump clan has descended on the resort to celebrate Easter, with First Lady Melania seen touching town with the President on Air Force One late Thursday. Trump's children, Tiffany, 25, and Barron, 13, were also pictured arriving in Florida, while older son Eric, 35, flew south on a private jet with Donald Jr. President Trump was all smiles Friday as he posed with grandchildren Chloe and Tristan Trump at Mar-a-Largo in Florida The President is seen in another happy snap with grandchildren Chloe and Spencer Trump Donald Jr posed for a selfie with son Donald Trump III before taking a private jet to Florida Donald Jr and Eric certainly seemed to be in high spirits following Friday's release of the Mueller Report, publicly gloating after the investigation found no concrete evidence of collusion against their father. The pair, who called the report a 'hoax', were pictured on the plane laughing and smiling with several of Donald Jr's children. They later took off on a nighttime fishing trip once they reached Florida. Donald Jr's elated mood appeared to continue into Friday, as she shared a series of fun selfies that showed his daughter, Kai, 11, playing with his hair. Eric Trump was seen clowning around in the private jet en route to Mar-a-Lago Chloe and Donald Jr appeared ecstatic as they set off to join the President for Easter weekend Eric and Donald Jr enjoyed a late night fishing trip after gloating about the Mueller Report Donald Jr appeared keen to leave behind the intensity surrounding the Muller Report, enjoying some quality time with daughter Kai, 11 The family festivities were a contrast to the angry mood brewing back in Washington, with Elizabeth Warren calling for impeachment proceedings against Trump following the release of the Mueller Report. She is the first of the 19 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls to push for his removal from office, but it is likely others will follow. In a Twitter thread, the Massachusetts senator claimed the Mueller Report showed that the President was trying to 'obstruct' the investigation into foreign interference in the 2016 election. 'The Mueller report lays out facts showing that a hostile foreign government attacked our 2016 election to help Donald Trump and Donald Trump welcomed that help,' she wrote. 'Once elected, Donald Trump obstructed the investigation into that attack.' 'Mueller put the next step in the hands of Congress: Congress has authority to prohibit a Presidents corrupt use of his authority in order to protect the integrity of the administration of justice"' she wrote quoting a line Mueller included in his report. 'The correct process for exercising that authority is impeachment,' she said. 2020 candidate Elizabeth Warren is calling for impeachment proceedings against the President Meanwhile, in addition to spending quality time with his grandchildren on Friday, Trump was also back on Twitter, going after the 'Crazy Mueller Report'. He insisted that parts of it were 'fabricated' and 'total bullsh*t' and he never made embarrassing statements that were attributed to him. The commander-in-chief later put his phone down to play a round of golf. Putting aside his thoughts on the fracas surround Mueller's investigation, he ended the day with well wishes for his Jewish followers. 'Wishing a Happy Passover to all those celebrating in America, Israel, and around the world!' he tweeted. A booking photo taken of Janet Alexander, 69, in 2015 was released on Friday by the Houston Police Department A Houston woman set herself on fire on Friday while police were about to arrest her for allegedly killing her husband last year. Janet Alexander, 69, is recovering in a local hospital after she used gasoline to set herself and her house on fire as law enforcement officials were about to serve her a murder warrant. Video footage taken by a KHOU-TV helicopter shows one side of the home charred as a result of the fire. The windows were also busted out as firefighters quickly rushed into the home and extinguished the blaze. Alexanders condition is not known. Alexanders home is the same one in which her 64-year-old husband, Lionel Alexander, was found stabbed to death on April 27 of last year. Police said that Janet Alexander called the couples daughter and asked her to come to the home. Police said Janet Alexander set herself and her home on fire on Friday while officers tried to arrest her She was taken to a hospital, where she is being treated for burns. The image above shows the damage caused by the fire at her home Police surround the same home where Lionel Alexander, 64, was stabbed to death last year Authorities say that Janet Alexander apparently stabbed her husband in self-defense during a domestic violence incident When she arrived, she saw her fathers body lying on the floor and dialed 911. Police said that there have been multiple domestic violence calls made from the same home. Janet Alexander told police at the time that the couple had been arguing earlier that day and that tensions escalated. Police said that it appeared Janet Alexander, who had suffered multiple lacerations to her chest, was forced to defend herself, according to KPRC-TV. She was taken to the hospital at the time for non-life-threatening injuries. The case was sent to a grand jury, which recommended murder charges against Janet Alexander. If convicted, she faces between 5 years to life in prison. Five former high-ranking officers of the New York Police Department that were once at the center of a federal bribery investigation have been issued a settlement of more than $1 million, sources say. Ex-inspector Peter DeBlasio, former Deputy Chiefs Andrew Capul, David Colon, Eric Rodriguez and John Sprague say they were all forced to retire by former Deputy Commissioner for Legal Matters, Lawrence Byrne, when the bribery probe was first launched. Each of the five men claimed they lost out on a wealth of accrued compensation including vacation and overtime when the demand was made by Byrne in July 2016. At the time, the officials had been linked to a bribes-for-favors scandal surrounding two donors of New York Major Bill De Blasio - Jona Rechnitz and Jeremy Reichberg but none of the men ever faced any charges. Ex-inspector Peter DeBlasio (left), former Deputy Chiefs Andrew Capul (right) say they were forced out of their jobs when the scandal broke In solidarity, (left to right) David Colon, Eric Rodriguez and John Sprague also filed a grievance complaint alongside their superiors, claiming they were owed compensation and unfairly dismissed The ousted officers decided to file a grievance complaint with New Yorks Office of Labor Relations, contesting the nature of their forced departure. The claimants said theyd previously been assured that theyd be compensated for the hours due to them and were also never supplied with a chance to defend themselves. At the time, the officials had been linked to a bribes-for-favors scandal surrounding two donors of New York Major Bill De Blasio (file photo) but were never charged Last year, arbitrator David Stein voiced his support of the complaint, insisting the men had been blackmailed out of their jobs, as reported by the New York Daily News. Stein ultimately ruled that the men were due compensation. They were never informed of the basis for any suspicions the department may have about them, nor were they able to assuage the department of any concerns it may have had with respect to any of them, Stein wrote in a report. The departments motive was depicted as a concern about negative publicity, although neither man was ever charged with misconduct. Now, according to Daily News and New York Post sources, the five men are said to have received a collective settlement in excess of $1 million, though the exact amount isnt known. A chart showing the alleged bribery scheme is presented by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara An evidence photo in the Grant and Reichberg case showing Jeremy Reichberg (left), Jona Rechnitz (near left), Fernando Mateo and Mayor Bill de Blasio at Gracie Mansion Reichberg (pictured) and Rechnitz were accused of attempting to bribe officers to buy influence in NYPD's HQ, 1 Police Plaza The NYPD believes these retirements were handled properly; an arbiter rendered a decision binding on all parties, an NYPD spokeswoman said. The two-month federal bribery investigation ensnared at least half-a-dozen highly-regarded cops. Evidence uncovered in the probe revealed an inappropriately cosy relationship between them and Reichberg and Rechnitz, who appeared to be attempting to buy influence in the departments headquarters, 1 Police Plaza. Former Deputy Chief Michael Harrington was found to have misused police resources as favors for Reichberg and Rechnitz, and was sentenced to two years probation. Ex-Deputy Inspector James Grant was acquitted at trial of taking bribes Reichberg is awaiting sentencing for bribery and a number of other offenses. Rechnitz testified for the government and also awaits sentencing. The two children who gave heart-wrenching impact statements about being tortured and abused by their parents in the California house of horrors had an unsung hero by their side. Raider the gold-colored Labrador, who has been the Turpin childrens emotional support dog for the past year, was inside Riverside County Superior Court in California on Friday. Speaking publicly for the first time since being freed from their filthy home, Jennifer, 30, and Joshua, 27, described how their parents, David Turpin, 57, and his wife, Louise, 50, inflicted years of torture and abuse on them and their 11 siblings. Their parents broke down in tears as they listened to their children speak of the nightmares of being chained, beaten and starved in their home. Scroll down for video As a specially trained therapy dog, Raider has accompanied witnesses who testify in court. the dog shared this snap to his social media pages late Friday As they read their victim statements during the sentencing of their parents David and Louise Turpin, Jennifer and Joshua Turpin were comforted by a gold-colored Labrador support dog called Raider, brought into the court by two Corona Police Department officers When the two Turpin siblings gave testimony about the abuse they suffered at the hands of their parents, they took turns petting Raider (seen in the above file photo) Raider is a therapy dog used by the Corona Police Department. His handlers, Sgt Adam Roulston (right) and police dispatcher Erin Lennox (left), are seen with Raider 'My parents took my whole life from me but now I'm taking my life back,' Jennifer said shakily as she was comforted by Raider. 'I saw my dad change my mom. They almost changed me, but I realized what was happening. 'I believe everything happens for a reason. Life may have been bad, but it made me strong. I fought to become the person I am. I'm a fighter, I'm strong and I'm shooting through life like a rocket.' The two adult children have had Raider by their side throughout the legal ordeal of the past year. One of children reportedly asked authorities to allow Raider into the courtroom on Friday to be with them during their parents sentencing. When they gave testimony about the abuse they suffered at the hands of their parents, they took turns petting him. A message was posted to Raider's Facebook account which read: 'Today marked the end of a lengthy criminal proceeding. 'We were fortunate to work with a forward thinking team of advocates, investigators, and prosecutors who welcomed the idea of using a Facility Dog for the first time ever in Riverside County. 'We met the Turpin children from the start and were welcomed with open arms by them. 'They treated me with such love and affection every time we met. 'I wish them all strength and wellness and hope to visit with them again someday!' The three-year-old Labrador is a specially trained facility dog with the Corona Police Department, according to CNN. The two adult children have had Raider by their side throughout the legal ordeal of the past year. One of children reportedly asked authorities to allow Raider into the courtroom on Friday to be with them during their parents sentencing Raiders job is to provide companionship without disrupting people in a work environment. He is the first dog provided to the Corona Police Department by Canine Companions for Independence, an organization that trains dogs. When we see him bring a smile to someone's face or even just touching him, we know that they are getting emotions out that maybe a human wouldn't be able to do, said Corona Police Sgt. Adam Roulston, who is one of Raiders handlers. Raider has helped the Turpin siblings as well as other victims of abuse who have suffered prolonged symptoms of trauma, including anxiety. He has also comforted crime victims in hospitals as well as traumatized witnesses. Seeing the way that he does and seeing how he makes people feel better it's the best reward ever, Roulston said. Officers and public safety personnel want to help people and Raider is a tool to help us do that. In 2017, California approved a law allowing trained therapy dogs to accompany witnesses while testifying in court. David and Louise Turpin wept in court on Friday as two of their children spoke publicly for the first time about the abuse they endured in the California house of horrors The couple pleaded guilty in February to 14 felony counts of abusing and imprisoning their children in their home in Perris, about 70 miles east of Los Angeles Key moments in the Turpins' emotional sentencing hearing: Their daughter Jennifer, 30, read a victim impact statement saying her 'parents took her whole life' from her Son Joshua, 27, said he still has nightmares about him and his siblings being chained up or beaten David and Louise wept as they listened to their children speaking about the abuse in public for the first time Daughter Joy defended her parents in a statement that was read out in court, saying 'our parents didn't know we were malnourished' The couple addressed the court and apologized for harming their children Judge Keith Schwartz put in place restraining orders to prevent Turpins contacting their children from prison Judge sentenced them to life in prison with possibility of parole in 25 years Dressed in a black headband with short brown hair, a navy blue cardigan and dark jeans, the daughter revealed she was now at college and living independently. 'I love hanging out with my friends and life is great,' she said. Her brother, dressed in a gray shirt and black jeans and tie, said he still has nightmares about him and his siblings being chained up or beaten. 'That is the past and this is now. I love my parents and have forgiven them for a lot of the things that they did to us,' he said. 'I have learned so much and become very independent.' The son, who is studying to be a software engineer at college, revealed he had learned to ride a bike, swim and cook healthy meals. The couple's son also read a statement from his sister Jessica, saying: 'Although it may not have been the best way of raising us I'm glad that they did because it made me the person I am today. 'I just want to thank them for teaching me about God and faith God looks at the heart and I know he sees theirs,' she said, adding that she was now at college full-time and living in an apartment. My parents took my whole life from me but now I'm taking my life back. I'm a fighter, I'm strong and I'm shooting through life like a rocket. Daughter Jennifer Turpin One of their other daughters, Joy, had a statement read to the court begging the judge to give a lighter sentence because 'they believed everything they did was to protect us.' 'I want the court to know that our parents love each other and love each of their children,' the girl's statement read. The girl wrote that her mother 'didn't want to use rope or chain' but was 'afraid' her children were 'taking in too much sugar and caffeine'. 'The reason our parents didn't stop buying the soda was because father needed it for work. He would fall asleep driving and got in an accident. They didn't know what else to do. I believe our parents feared if they asked for help they would lose their children,' she said. 'Our parents didn't know we were malnourished. They thought we all got the gene from our mother because she was so small. I remember mother saying 'God has blessed us with healthy children.' The girl asked the judge to place the parents in a detention center nearby so that she would be able to visit them and asked for a restraining order to be lifted so she could speak to them via phone. David and Louise also addressed the court and apologized for harming their children. 'I thank god for all of my children. Each one of them is a blessing from God,' David said. 'My homeschooling discipline had good intentions. I never meant any harm to come to my children. 'I hope and pray that my children can look out for each other since their mother and father cannot be there with them. I miss all my children and will be praying for them I long for the opportunity to have contact with them again.' His wife added: 'I'm sorry for everything I've done to my children. I love my children so much, I'm blessed to be the mother of each one of them. Their happiness is very important to me. 'I want them to know mom and dad are going to be okay. I believe God has a special plan for each of them... I love them more than they could ever imagine.' David Turpin, 57, and his wife Louise, 50, were both sentenced on Friday to life in prison with possibility of parole after 25 years They were rarely allowed outside but went out on Halloween and traveled as a family to Disneyland and Las Vegas where David and Louise renewed their wedding vows on multiple occasions THE VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS FROM THE TURPIN CHILDREN: Jennifer Turpin: My parents took my whole life from me, but now I'm taking my life back. I'm in college now and living independently. I love eating out with my friends and life is great. I believe everything happens for a reason. Life may have been bad but it made me strong. I fought to become the person I am. I saw my dad change my mom. They almost changed me, but I realized what was happening. I did everything I could to not become like them. I'm a fighter, I'm strong and I'm shooting through life like a rocket. Joshua Turpin: I cannot describe in words what we went through growing up. Sometimes I still have nightmares of things that have happened, such as my siblings being chained up or beaten. But that is the past and this is now. I love my parents and have forgiven them for a lot of the things they did to us. Since January I have learned so much and become very independent. In June of last year, I learned how to ride a bike and ever since then I've been hooked and I ride everywhere, such as to school, the store, or sometimes I just go on long rides, which I enjoy so much. I live in an apartment and go to a nearby college. I'm getting a bachelor's degree in software engineering. After I get my bachelor's degree I'm going to get a job as a software engineer and go to school part time to get my master's degree. I've also learned how to advocate for myself, how to swim, how to eat healthy and prepare a balanced meal. I've also been learning how to manage money right. Jessica Turpin: (statement read by her brother) I love both my parents so much. Although it may not have been the best way of raising us, I am glad that they did because it made me the person I am today. I just want to thank them for teaching me about God and faith. I hope that they never lose their faith. God looks at the heart and I know he sees theirs. I pray often for them. I am doing well. I am going to college full time, I have an apartment and I am able to transport myself independently by bus, bike or walking. We are not supposed to necessarily understand God's will. But we are only to follow. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours, my thoughts higher than your thoughts,' said the Lord, Isiah 55:9. Never lose faith. You are one of his sheep and he is constantly watching over his flock. I love you and I wanted you to know. P.S. God is all we need. Joy Turpin: (statement read by an attorney) I want the court to know that our parents love each other and love each of their children. People in Texas, even friends, said our parents were having too many children. Our parents didn't agree. They felt that God blessed them with all their children. So they kept away from the world and trusted God would guide them through life. Our mother wrote two small notes to our father. The first note reads: 'Always let god be in control of your life. We have a perfect life because God has always taken such good care of us. I am so thankful to God for this. I would love for us to pray together on a regular basis. Spend [SIC] more time with God will make our life more awesome.' The second note reads: 'Children are the most awesome gift ever. I've always known our precious and wonderful children are. When they are on their own it's even awesome. The best gifts ever.' Through the years things became more and more overwhelming but they kept trusting in God. I remember our mother sitting in our recliner crying and saying she don't [SIC] know what to do. She didn't want to use rope or chain but she was afraid her children were taking in too much sugar and caffeine. The reason our parents didn't stop buying the soda was because father needed it for work. He would fall asleep driving and got in an accident. They didn't know what else to do. I believe our parents feared if they asked for help they would lose their children. Our parents didn't know we were malnourished. They thought we all got the gene from our mother because she was so small. I remember mother saying 'God has blessed us with healthy children.' Our parents would get us pizza and Mexican food every other week, and sometimes more than once a week. Our mother would always tell us to let her know if we are still hungry and she will give us more. Their first child went to a public school. They started noticing she wasn't really learning much so mother started teaching her at home and saw a big difference. Our parents decided to start homeschooling all their children. It worked out good at first, but through the years it became very overwhelming. I believe our parents were afraid to put us in public school for many reasons. They felt that they put it on their hearts to home school. When we came to California, people treated us so much better, and people started telling us our family was a blessing. Our parents finally felt safe to start taking us out as a family. They got us annual passes to Disneyland, and took us to see the Grand Canyon, Flintstone Park, Vegas. Every year from as far back as I could remember, our parents tried to give us the nicest Christmas they could. They would get us what we wanted even if they couldn't afford it. They always tried to keep up with our birthdays every year too. Closer to the end things became more overwhelming again. I truly believe most of this was because our mother lost both her parents in 2016. I feel that 25 years is too long. I believe with all my heart that our parents tried their best to raise all 13 of us and they wanted to give us a good life. They believed everything they did was to protect us. If at all possible, I would really appreciate if the court would place our parents as close to the detention center they are in right now, so if we ever want to visit them we can. Also I want the restraining order lifted and I want to be allowed to talk to both my parents on the phone. Thank you for hearing my statement. Advertisement Judge blasts the Turpins for 'selfish, cruel and inhumane treatment' of their children In sentencing the couple, judge Keith Schwartz put in place restraining orders preventing the Turpins from trying to contact their children from prison. The restraining orders will end at different times for each child, based on their age and whether they want to retain a relationship with their abusive parents. 'Children are indeed a gift. They're a gift to their parents, to their family, to their friends, and they're a gift to society,' Judge Schwartz told the Turpins. 'They're a gift to their parents in the sense that a parent should be joyful of firsts in their child's life. The first day of school, first job, marriage. All of those things should be enjoyed by the parent and child alike. 'But they're also a gift to society, because you don't know what a child is going to do when they've finished their schooling and seek their occupation. Maybe they'll become a scientist and discover a cure for some disease. Maybe they'll become a doctor or first responder and save someone's life. 'Maybe they'll enter the military and protect our country. Or maybe they'll just otherwise become a good citizen who makes the world a better place. 'I thank god for all of my children. Each one of them is a blessing from God. My homeschooling discipline had good intentions. I never meant any harm to come to my children. David Turpin 'The selfish, cruel and inhumane treatment of your children has deprived them, your family, friends, society and especially both of you of those gifts. Their lives have been permanently altered in their ability to learn and thrive. 'It delayed their mental, physical and emotional development. To the extent that they do thrive, and we've learnt today that a couple of them are, it will be not because of you both but in spite of you both. 'You have severed the ability to interact and raise your children, that you created and arrived to this world. 'The only reason that your punishment is less than the maximum time, in my opinion, is you accepted responsibility at an early stage in the proceedings, and spared your children the humiliation and the harm [of a trial]. 'Any punishment that is given to you today will pale in comparison with the fact that you will not have an opportunity to spend your years as a normal parent would.' The couple pleaded guilty in February to 14 felony counts of abusing and imprisoning 12 of their 13 children in their home in Perris, about 70 miles east of Los Angeles. They were never convicted of harming their two-year-old child. Their sentencing marks the culmination of a horrific case that has played out publicly for almost 16 months after being shrouded in secrecy for decades. Louise Turpin was spotted smiling and laughing with an attorney before the sentencing proceedings got underway on Friday In sentencing the couple, judge Keith Schwartz put in place restraining orders preventing the Turpins from trying to contact their children from prison In sentencing the couple, judge Keith Schwartz put in place restraining orders preventing the Turpins from trying to contact their children from prison Their home was neatly kept on the outside and neighbors rarely saw the children outside the home, but what was happening on the inside was a different story The years of abuse only came to light in January 2018 when David and Louise's 17-year-old daughter Jordan jumped from a window of their filthy home and called 911 on a barely workable cellphone. The brave teenager's phone call resulted in the 13 Turpin children being freed and landed their parents behind bars. Following their arrests in January last year, horrific details began to emerge of the extent of torture, abuse and neglect that the children - aged between two and 29 at the time - had endured. The 13 siblings have remained out of the public eye as their parents' case unfolded in court and they learned to adapt to normal life outside the confines of the house of horrors. The abuse and neglect was so severe it stunted their children's growth, led to muscle wasting and left two of their daughters unable to bear children. Before the 17-year-old managed to escape from the home, the Turpin family had lived largely out of view. David had been an engineer for Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, while his wife Louise was listed as a housewife in a 2011 bankruptcy filing. Their home was neatly kept on the outside and neighbors rarely saw the children outside the home. But what was happening on the inside was a different story. 'I live in a family of 15 people and my parents are abusive': The chilling 911 call the brave 17-year-old daughter made after escaping In the chilling 911 call placed by the 17-year-old daughter, she informed the dispatcher that she and her siblings were being abused and that their home was so filthy she sometimes struggled to breath. The call lasted for 20 minutes because the girl struggled to work out her address because she had not been outside alone before. 'Okay, I live in a family of 15 people and my parents are abusive. They abuse us and my two little sisters right now are chained up. There's 13 kids and then a mother and a father,' she said in the 911 audio. She went on to reveal that two of her sisters and one of her brothers were tied to their beds with chains. The couple pleaded guilty in February to 14 felony counts of abusing and imprisoning their children in their home in Perris, about 70 miles east of Los Angeles The years of abuse only came to light in January 2018 when David and Louise's 17-year-old daughter Jordan jumped from a window in their filthy home and called 911 on a barely workable cellphone. She is pictured above singing in a video she managed to upload to YouTube When asked for details about her location, the girl said: 'I've never been out. I don't go out much so I don't know anything about the streets or anything.' The dispatcher then asked if anyone in the house would need to go to the hospital. 'I'm not sure. Sometimes we live in filth and sometimes I wake up and I can't breathe because because how dirty the house is,' she said. The dispatcher responded: 'When was the last time you had a bath?' 'I don't know, almost a year ago. But sometimes I feel so dirty, I wash my face and I wash my hair,' the girl said. After the dispatcher asked if anybody took medication at the house, the girl replied: 'Oh I don't know what medication is.' The 17-year-old also told the dispatcher that she and her siblings didn't attend school. 'We don't do school. Our mother tells people we're home schooled... she has a fake private school set up but we don't really do school. I haven't finished first grade and I'm 17,' she said. 'I don't know much about my mother. She doesn't like us. She doesn't spend time with us ever.' Sheriff's deputies met the girl and she led them to the house of horrors that she had described. The brave teenager's phone call resulted in the 13 Turpin children being freed and landed their parents behind bars. Pictured above is authorities leading David and Louise away from the home in handcuffs The couple were arrested in January 2018 after their 17-year-old daughter managed to escape from the home and call 911 Authorities found a 22-year-old son chained to a bed and two girls who had just been set free from their shackles. The house was covered in filth and the stench of human waste was overwhelming. The children had been deprived of food and were suffering from severe malnutrition, stunted growth and muscle wasting, including an 11-year-old girl who had arms the size of an infant. Deputies testified that the children said they were only allowed to shower once a year. They were mainly kept in their rooms except for meals, which had been reduced from three to one per day, a combination of lunch and dinner. The 17-year-old complained that she could no longer stomach peanut butter sandwiches - they made her gag. The couple also were accused of taunting their children with pies and other food that they were forbidden to eat. The children said they were beaten, caged and shackled to beds if they didn't obey their parents. During various court appearances, photos were shown of the squalid conditions inside the home including images of soiled underwear, photos of children in chains and the cramped bunk beds where they were forced to sleep. The Turpin offspring weren't allowed to play like normal children and were deprived of things other kids take for granted, including toys and games. They were rarely allowed outside but went out on Halloween and traveled as a family to Disneyland and Las Vegas. They slept during the day and were active a few hours at night. The children have remained out of the public eye since the arrest of their parents and the only glimpses of the Turpin offspring have been from old family pictures on vacation to Disneyland and Las Vegas The 13 siblings have remained out of the public eye as their parents' case unfolded in court and they learned to adapt to normal life outside the confines of the house of horrors Neighbors said they rarely saw the children and many had no idea there were youngster living in the home at all. One neighbor, Wendy Martinez, said she once saw four of the children rolling on the grass outside the home at about 9pm but didn't realize they needed help. 'They were on their knees, four little kids, and they were just rolling on the grass. It was odd at that time of night,' she said at the time of the arrests. 'Their mother was in the archway... and I said, hi. There was like no movement, not even to look over to see who's saying hi. 'No movement, like if they were told not to speak to anybody.' A former neighbor, Mike Clifford, said he had seen the children being marched in circles around their bedrooms late at night and said they had seemed 'robotic' when spoken to. 'It was military like. My wife would see two [of the girls], they looked like twins, maybe about 10 years old,' he said. 'She called them the clones. When she spoke to them, they were monotone, they spoke together. But we'd see them go to the mail and stuff. 'I guess the mother let them out to check the mail. Once a day.' The Turpin family first lived in Texas from 1992 to 2010 before relocating to California. The owners who moved into their Fort Worth home after them claim the home was left in complete squalor. They say they found scratch marks on the back of doors and that the carpet was covered in disgusting dirt stains and filth David's parents, James and Betty Turpin of West Virginia, have said their son and daughter-in-law were a deeply religious couple who home-schooled their children and required them to memorize Bible scripture. Investigators found that the toddler had not been abused by David and Louise, but all of the children were hospitalized immediately after they were discovered. The children, whose ages now range from 3 to 30, are in the care of child and adult protection agencies. The seven adult children were living together and attending school in February when their parents pleaded guilty. David and Louise Turpin had lived in a home in Fort Worth, Texas from around 1992 to 1999 before they lost it in a foreclosure and moved to California Footage has emerged showing the final moments of an Australian man who was wrongly jailed for 12 years over a jeweller's brutal murder. Andrew Mallard, 56, died after he was struck by a car while crossing a road at Sunset Boulevard and Formosa Avenue in Hollywood on Thursday. The vehicle fled east on Sunset Boulevard, LA Police said in a statement. CCTV footage shows Mallard making a purchase at a store about 1.15am, which police say was 15 minutes before he was killed. Andrew Mallard died after he was struck by a car while crossing a road at Sunset Boulevard and Formosa Avenue in Hollywood on Thursday Mallard spent more than a decade in jail before his conviction was quashed in the High Court in 2005, allowing him to be released the following year. Mallard was free for only 13 years after being cleared of murder. Mrs Lawrence, a business owner in Mosman Park, Perth, was attacked at her jewellery shop on the afternoon of Monday, 23 May 1994. She was attacked sometime between 3pm and 6pm and died in an ambulance at 7pm. Mallard quickly became a suspect because a witness saw a man matching his description outside the shop. He had been released from police custody earlier that day after being arrested for breaking into his his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend's apartment and was seen arriving in Mosman Park in a taxi at around 5pm. Mallard had a history of mental illness but no history of violence. There was also no weapon, blood or DNA connecting him to the case. Two key pieces of evidence led to his conviction the first was police notes from interviews with Mallard where it was claimed Mallard had confessed. The second was 12 minutes of an 11-hour interview where Mallard was filmed speculating how Ms Lawrence may have been killed. CCTV footage shows Mallard making a purchase at a store about 1.15am, which police say was 15 minutes before he was killed Andrew Mallard (pictured), 56, was found guilty of killing Perth business owner Pamela Lawrence in 1994 in one Australia's worst miscarriages of justice 'If Pamela Lawrence was locking the store up, maybe she came in through the back way, the front door was already locked Maybe she left the key in the back door and that's why he had easy access, and that's why she didn't hear him until he was in the store,' he told police. Mallard spent 12 years of his life sentence at Casuarina Prison in Perth before he was released in 2006. Months later a cold-case review found a palm print linking English backpacker Simon Rochford to the crime scene. The convicted murder was serving a 15 year minimum sentence for bashing his girlfriend Brigitta Dickens to death. He had four years left on his sentence when he was questioned by police in relation to mother-of-two Ms Lawrence's death. A week later he committed suicide in a West Australian prison after being publicly named as the new suspect for Ms Lawrence's murder. The following year, in 2007, a Corruption and Crime Commission inquiry found that police had withheld crucial information from Mallard's defence team, including details of an undercover operation. 'He suffered injustice and spent almost 12 years in prison for something he didnt do,' his sister Jacqui Mallard (pictured far right with his mother) said Perth jeweller Pamela Lawrence (pictured) was brutally killed in her store in 1994 It also emerged that two police officers had caused witnesses to alter their statements. Mallard was granted a $3.25million compensation payment for his time behind bars after lengthy negations with the state government in 2009. He later moved to the United Kingdom, while also spending time in America. Mr Mallard's family has been left devastated by his tragic passing. 'He suffered injustice and spent almost 12 years in prison for something he didnt do,' his sister Jacqui Mallard told The Australian. 'Those years were taken from him and now his life has been taken. We are heartbroken.' English backpacker Simon Rochford (pictured left) is suspected of murdering of Pamela Lawrence in 1994. Right: Mallard WA Attorney-General John Quigley, who as a Labor backbencher had helped Australian journalist Colleen Egan and a team of pro bono lawyers overturn Mallard's conviction, expressed his condolences to Mallard's family. 'Its just fortunate that he got to spend 13 years of freedom after so much time wrongfully imprisoned,' he said. Ms Edan worked tirelessly to prove the miscarriage of justice. 'It was just a cruel twist of fate that put him on a collision course with this inquiry and it was just a matter of fact that there were police who were willing to act dishonestly,' she told ABC in 2010. 'There was a prosecutor willing to run a case that wasn't quite right, and there were three judges who refused to believe it when evidence was put in front of them, and they saw what the High Court saw.' Rochford (pictured) had been serving a minimum 15-year sentence for killing his girlfriend when he committed suicide - just one week after he was questioned about Ms Lawrence's murder A picture of an inmate's Tinder profile has emerged online - but it could just be part of an elaborate romance scam. A screenshot of the profile shows a woman called Dee who claims to be a detainee at the Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney's west. The 29-year-old has her job description set to 'Villawood detainee' and tells prospective partners that she is waiting for 'old Dutton to hand back my visa.' 'Immigration laws currently prevent me from being able to continue living in Brisbane,' the woman writes. The 29-year-old, claimed to be named Dee, has her job description set to Villawood detainee with the description of the profile reading: 'Just giving you the truth' A screenshot of the profile was posted online with the user claiming to be a detainee at the Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney's west (pictured) Dee says she is looking for 'good conversation', 'some laughs', a friendship or a relationship. The image was posted to Reddit with the caption: 'Looking for love from the Villawood detention centre.' One user in the comments was quick to point out phones are not allowed inside the detention centre. Another said the Tinder profile may have been part of an alleged romance scam enterprise that was busted in the centre. Police cracked down on the scam in September with four people charged after the alleged con artists generated over $3 million. Investigations into the alleged syndicate found it was using sophisticated business email compromises, identity theft, romance scams and the fraudulent sale of goods. The ABC reported that 16 contraband phones were used to defraud Australians out of their savings. The romance scam victims were also sometimes used as mules to launder money in and transport drugs to other countries. Australian Border Force Detention Operations Commander Bill Ries said they've been urging for the centre to remove phones from detainees within the centres. Police cracked down on the scam in September with four people charged after the alleged email scam generated over $3 million (pictured) 'Many have had their visas cancelled for serious criminal charges,' Mr Ries said. 'We know phones can be used to coordinate escape efforts, as a commodity of exchange, to facilitate the movement of contraband, to convey threats and, in this case, to organise significant criminal activity outside our centres. 'The continued use of phones in detention poses a significant threat to our staff, to detainees and the broader community.' The inmates of Villawood are mainly comprised of immigrants who have overstayed their visa permits or had their visas cancelled, often due to criminal activity, and are waiting deportation. There have also been incidents of inmates committing suicide in the facility over the years. In 2010, two men awaiting deportation hung themselves from the shower. During the same year, a third man from Fiji jumped to his death as he was being removed from the detention centre. A desperate search is underway for a 14-year-old girl who has been missing for more than six weeks. Portia Tobin was last seen on Lonsdale Street in Melbourne's CBD on Friday March 8. Family members hold grave concerns for the teenager, originally from Williamstown, 9km west of the city. Portia Tobin (pictured) was last seen on Lonsdale Street in Melbourne's CBD on Friday March 8 Victoria Police have fears for her safety due to her age and the length of time she has been missing. They have released images of Portia in the hope someone may recognise the young girl and provide information on her location. There have been several unconfirmed sightings of the teenager around the Laverton area, 17 km south-west of the city. Portia is described to be 168cm tall with a thin build and fair complexion. She has straight shoulder-length brown/blonde hair and blue eyes. There have been no confirmed sightings of the teenager, but police believe she may have been seen on March 26 wearing jeans and a dark red top. Detectives have had reports of further possible sightings of Portia at Central Square Shopping Centre, Altona Meadows and the shopping precinct on Maher Road at Laverton. Police are urging anyone with information on the young girl's whereabouts to contact Altona North Police Station or Crime Stoppers. A survivor of a domestic abuse has recalled the moment her partner attacked using a 32 inch television with the back of her skull. Shards of glass shattered across Abbie Brydon's bedroom in Manchester back in March 2018 when her then-boyfriend Scott Hughes, 27, struck her. The 28-year-old tried to escaped but he pinned her into a corner, kicked her and stamped her head. Her blonde hair had turned red with blood and she was convinced the man supposed to love her was about to kill her. Domestic abuse survivor Abbie Brydon, 28, was left bloodied and bruised after her ex-boyfriend Scott Hughes, 27, attacked her using a 32 inch television back in March 2018 She met Hughes after the pair got chatting in a pub in Manchester several months earlier and thought he seemed like a 'nice guy'. They eventually sparked a relationship before moving into their own flat together. Friends had warned her that Hughes had a chequered past, but Abbie ignored them, believing she knew a different side to him. But less than a year into their relationship, Abbie was hospitalised with two 'blow out' fractured eye sockets, nasal fractures and a face so badly bruised her own family didn't recognise her. Her injuries were shocking, but for Abbie, it was a relief just to be alive. There had been some warning signs, but none that would predict what Hughes was going to do to her that Friday night. Hughes, from Northern Moor, Wythenshawe, will now serve 14 years behind bars after being convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent following the attack on March 24 last year. He tried to fool a jury that he acted in self-defence - even slitting his own throat in a twisted attempt to frame Abbie for his crimes - but they saw through his web of lies. They met in a pub in Manchester and moved in together despite warnings from her friends that he had a chequered past It later emerged that he had a string of convictions for violence. Speaking publicly for the first time, Abbie hopes her story will inspire other victims of domestic abuse to seek justice. He was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent following the attack in March last year and will serve 14 years behind bars 'He had me fooled for a very long time,' said Abbie. 'After a few dates I had mentioned him to my friends and they warned me to stay away from him, but I just couldn't see it - he seemed like a really nice guy.' Abbie says the cracks began to show within a matter of weeks after she went on a three-week holiday to Australia with friends. 'Even in the first day of the holiday I had my phone cut off because Scott had run up a 300 bill because he hadn't stopped ringing me,' she said. 'He would constantly ask me what I was doing and who I was with. 'At the same time I was speaking to my mum back home and he was helping her walk the dog and taking her shopping so I thought, am I being too hard on him?' By Christmas 2017, the pair had moved into a flat together and for a short while, things seemed to be going okay. 'After a month or so living together, Scott just completely changed,' Abbie said. After about a month of living together she noticed that he had changed and was crippled with jealousy and paranoia, and would often accuse her of cheating on him The violent attack in March 2018 left Abbie with fractured eye sockets, nasal fractures and badly bruised face It was clear to Abbie that her boyfriend was crippled with jealousy and paranoia, and would often accuse her of cheating on him. On one occasion, Hughes flew into a fit of rage after Abbie accepted a lift home from a man at work instead of walking home in the snow. 'Even when we were out with Scott's friends, he would accuse them of flirting with me,' she said. The 24th of March was a Friday and Abbie had been working a late shift and she and Scott had planned to have a few drinks when she got home. 'By the time I got home from work Scott was absolutely wasted and I could tell he had been taking drugs,' Abbie said. The pair had an argument and Hughes decided to go out to a house party whilst Abbie stayed at home, falling asleep on the sofa. But the couple argued again when Hughes was bought home by a mutual friend, who he later accused of sleeping with Abbie. 'As soon as the guy left Scott just flew into another one of his rages,' she said. 'I told him I had had enough and that I couldn't go on like this anymore so I went upstairs to begin packing a suitcase.' After going to a house party, Hughes returned home to Abbie and they argued. He flew into a rage and she left to pack a suitcase. Moments Abbie was curled up in a ball on the bedroom floor after he smashed her 32inch flat screen over her head Moments later, Abbie was curled up in a ball on the bedroom floor trying to escape the excruciating pain she felt coming from her head. 'He picked up my 32inch flat screen and smashed it over the back of my head,' Abbie recalled. Hughes repeatedly punched Abbie to the face, poured paint on her, kicked her to the head and at one point, pulled a wardrobe over her. In an attempt to 'dispose of the evidence,' Hughes forced Abbie into the shower before assaulting her again. So desperate to cover his crimes, Hughes even took a 'butter knife' to his own throat and inflicted 'superficial' wounds to make the attack look like self defence. As Abbie made a run for the stairs, Hughes resumed the assault and pushed her down the stairs, punching, kicking and stamping on her again. Hughes reportedly punched her, poured paint on her, kicked her to the head and at one point, pulled a wardrobe over her. He even took a 'butter knife' to his own throat and inflicted 'superficial' wounds to make the attack look like self defence Abbie says she was unable to work for three months after the assault due to the severity of her injuries and her extreme anxiety. She said: 'I have insomnia because I'm scared to sleep knowing that I'll wake up in a sweat having relived what he did to me' 'I pleaded with him to stop because I knew in that moment if he didn't he was going to kill me,' she said. 'Nobody should ever have to plead for their life.' Her terrifying ordeal only came to an end when Abbie managed to open the front door and scream for help, alerting neighbours to the house. 'I was taken to hospital and I was unrecognisable,' she said. 'My brother and best friend came to visit me and they walked straight past my hospital bed because they didn't even recognise me.' Abbie says she was unable to work for three months after the assault due to the severity of her injuries and her extreme anxiety. 'The nightmares are the worst bit,' Abbie said. Abbie pressed charges against Hughes and vowed to see the case through to trial, where she was forced to testify against him and relive her traumatic ordeal 'I have insomnia because I'm scared to sleep knowing that I'll wake up in a sweat having relived what he did to me.' Abbie pressed charges against Hughes and vowed to see the case through to trial, where she was forced to testify against him and relive her traumatic ordeal. 'I don't want people to think they can't get justice,' said Abbie. 'I couldn't have it on my conscience that if I didn't speak up he could have killed someone else, because he so nearly killed me. 'Even though going through the trial was the hardest thing I have ever done it was the best thing I did because now I know he can't do it to anybody else.' Thanks to Abbie's bravery, Hughes will be on licence until 2037 following his release from jail, under the terms of an extended sentence. A cheeky owl took a dangerous nap between propeller blades of an aeroplane engine before he was quickly rescued by staff. Engineers freed the barn owl after a pilot discovered it in his pre-flight checks on a Virgin Australia plane at Sydney airport on Thursday morning. 'This owl didn't give a hoot where it napped!' the airline posted to Twitter. A cheeky barn owl (pictured) took a dangerous nap between propeller blades of a Virgin Australia aeroplane engine at Sydney airport on Thursday morning 'Just when I thought I'd seen it owl Great job team,' Virgin founder Richard Branson said (pictured with supermodel Kate Moss) Billionaire Virgin founder Richard Branson was quick to join in on the owl puns. 'Just when I thought I'd seen it owl Great job team,' he replied. The nocturnal bird was assessed for injuries before being released into the wild. Billionaire Branson was quick to join in on the owl puns This isn't a barn! Bondi vet said the bird 'took the cake for engine-unity' in a Facebook post Bondi Vet Dr Chris Brown also joined in on the fun. 'This barn owl takes the cake for engine-uity,' he wrote on Facebook. 'A hollow nook inside a tree might make for a slightly better hotel tonight.' Advertisement Two men arrested for the murder of Lyra McKee are 'members of the New IRA' says the detective leading the hunt for the journalist's killers. Detective superintendent Jason Murphy added that a new breed of terrorist is coming through the ranks in Northern Ireland. The two men, aged 18 and 19, were earlier arrested under the terrorism act in connection with the shooting of the 29-year-old journalist, who was killed as she covered rioting in Londonderry on Thursday night. Detective Murphy said: 'What we are seeing is a new breed of terrorist coming through the ranks and that for me is a very worrying situation.' However, he added that there had been a sea change in community attitudes and that was demonstrated in the revulsion expressed by many at Thursday evening's killing. The detective explained: 'There is a real sense after what happened to Lyra of a sea change and I want people to have confidence to come forward and help us. 'The individuals responsible for Lyra's murder continue to hide in the shadows.' DS Murphy also said they had offered no explanations for their actions to her family but police were working to bring about a positive change. 'This will be Lyra's legacy. Lyra's murder was not just an attack on Lyra, it was an attack on the fabric of this community. 'Lyra's killers have succeeded in only one thing, and that is in uniting the entire community in condemnation.' 'This morning we arrested two young men aged 18 and 19. 'I believe both of those are members of the New IRA, I believe both were involved in the attack on Lyra. Lyra McKee, 29, had extensively covered the legacy of the Troubles, and was filming clashes between dissidents and police when she was killed. Here she is in a new picture released by her family yesterday A pedestrian walks past graffiti that has been amended to read "IRA are done. Defeated Army" instead of "IRA undefeated Army" in the Creggan area of Derry A picture shows the floral tributes placed at the scene in the Creggan area of Derry in honour of Lyra McKee, reading 'not in our name' 'Clearly my consideration is whether those two individuals acted in isolation or in collusion with other individuals, and I am keen for the community to come forward and help me answer that question.' However, he said there was still fear of reprisals from the shadowy figures for giving information. 'Individuals continue to exert influence over communities, not just in the Creggan but in other parts of the communities as well. 'This intimidation and fear creates a real concern for local residents to come and talk to us as police officers.' A gunman aiming to kill police shot Ms McKee in the head after he fired indiscriminately during disturbances in the Creggan estate. Police officers search waste ground near the scene in Creggan as they search for evidence related to the murder of the 29-year-old journalist The arrests come after the 'New IRA' claimed that the gunman was 'attempting to protect' Creggan estate from 'heavily-armed' police during the riots. Police earlier released CCTV footage of the masked gunman suspected of having shot dead the young journalist and it shows Lyra in the crowd lifting her phone to take pictures just moments before she was killed. As the footage moves on, a masked gunman is shown lurking near the corner of a nearby building. The man is then spotted later on in the same area just moments before he takes aim at officers. Police in Ireland have called the killing 'senseless and appalling' after Lyra, from Belfast, was shot in the head by suspects, believed to be dissident republicans linked to the New IRA, as they clashed with police on the Creggan estate. Police in Northern Ireland revealed that two men had been arrested in connection with the journalist's shooting and have been detained under the Terrorism Act Saoradh, a political party that reflects New IRA thinking, released a statement blamed the murder on an 'incursion' by 'heavily armed crown forces' in the Creggan estate, and that the gunman was 'attempting to defend people' from police officers. Rioting had erupted following raids by police, who said they were trying to prevent militant attacks planned for Easter weekend, a time when dissidents are traditionally active due to the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. A senior detective leading the case has said the only way to find those responsible is if the community helps. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: 'People saw the gunman and people saw those who goaded young people out onto the streets, people know who they are. 'The answers to what happened lie within the community. I am asking people to do the right thing for Lyra McKee, for her family and for the city of Derry/Londonderry and help us stop this madness.' He added that her death was 'senseless and appalling beyond belief' and highlighted that it represents the tragic loss of promise and loss of potential. 'However it should not be the loss of hope. We know that the people of Creggan do not support what happened and they stand with us today in outrage and disgust at the mayhem that took place on their streets. ' A map which shows the timings of the riots in Londonderry. At 11pm Miss McKee was shot in the head by a gunman firing Images takes from a police video show journalist Lyra McKee standing in the crowd watching the protest in Londonderry on Thursday night Other images released by the police highlighted people who could possibly be involved with the shooting. Two men have now been arrested The masked gunman is later spotted at the corner of a building (pictured above, picture issued bu PSNI) as police called on the community to help them Dissident republicans have been blamed by police for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee (pictured right, with girlfriend Sara Canning), who was shot dead while covering a riot in Londonderry Police have urged those who have footage to send it directly to them, in order to aid their investigation and prevent further distress to Lyra's family and the local community. Yesterday Sara Canning, the girlfriend of Lyra, who was shot dead while covering a riot in Londonderry, called for peace so that her beloved partner's death is 'not in vain'. Ms Canning paid tribute to 29-year-old partner in front of hundreds of people attending a vigil in her memory and described her killing as a 'senseless murder'. Ms McKee, 29, was hit by a stray bullet after a masked gunman opened fire towards a crowd of police officers and bystanders at around 11pm, as republican dissidents rioted in the city's Creggan estate. Police in Northern Ireland confirmed they are hunting 'multiple suspects' after they blamed the New IRA for the murder of the journalist. Photos show the violence escalating as petrol bombs are thrown in the direction of police as a nearby crowd watches Footage on social media could aid police in the search for the gunman who opened fire at officers. Police have urged members of the public to come forward with any footage or information they may have Ms McKee's devastated partner Ms Canning, centre, paid tribute to her in front of hundreds of people at a vigil near the scene of the shooting, and said her partner's 'amazing potential was snuffed out by a single barbaric act' Lyra McKee, 29, (shown left,at the wedding of close friend Matthew Hughes) is believed to have been hit by a stray bullet after a gunman opened fire indiscriminately at around 11pm Speaking at the vigil, Ms Canning said: 'It has left so many friends without their confidante. Victims and LGBTQI community are left without a tireless advocate and activist and it has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with are all passed in the loss of Lyra. 'Our hopes and dreams and all of her amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act. 'This cannot stand, Lyra's death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone else's life and her legacy will live on and the life that she has left behind.' The latest winner of the Man Booker prize paid a tearful tribute to the murdered Belfast journalist. Milkman author Anna Burns was among hundreds who turned out at Belfast City Hall for a vigil to Lyra McKee and stood for a minute's silence, which was followed with applause. The books of condolence for Ms McKee was brought to the front steps of the building after the doors were officially closed for the night to allow those waiting in a long queue to sign it. A smiling photograph of the 29-year-old journalist gazed across the rainbow flag-draped table which held two condolence books for well wishers to sign as well as a small posy of forget-me-nots. Those attending were asked to talk to each other in memory of Ms McKee who they were reminded, loved conversations. John O'Doherty of the Rainbow Coalition read out Ms McKee's 'Letter To My 14-year-old Self', in which she had written evocatively about facing challenging times at school and the moment she came out as gay to her mother, and relief when her mother embraced her. Next three friends of Ms McKee's, who had been due to meet her for dinner that evening, shared their memories of their friend. Michele Devlin, Anna Burns and Alison Miller supported each other as they tearfully addressed the vigil. Ms Burns described Ms McKee as a 'dear, dear friend' that she had met through their mutual publisher Faber and Faber. 'It's absolutely wonderful that you are all here for Lyra,' she told the crowd, many of whom held candles. 'She was just so helpful and generous, her wee heart was always open.' Irish and British politicians widely condemned the murder, with the city mayor John Boyle claiming: 'It doesn't matter if you call it Derry of Londonderry; this city is united with one voice... against this heinous murder.' Residents of the area walking past a sign today which read 'IRA are done'. Police have been continuing their investigations A single bunch of flowers are seen next to a banner during a vigil at Guildhall for Lyra McKee who had worked as a journalist Beautiful daffodils were left in bunches near the scene of the shooting along with a framed photo of Lyra (centre) Flowers at the scene with a touching tribute which read: 'Heartbroken you lost your life here in Derry. So very sorry RIP Lyra not in our name' A police van stationed in the area where Lyra was shot sits in front of an Irish flag and freshly donned graffiti which reads 'IRA are done' Police officers wearing protective face masks and rubber gloves seem to be taking notes and bagging up evidence with the forensics team Yesterday, residents of the area walked past a wall which was plastered with graffiti which read 'IRA are done, defeated army'. There still appeared to be a heavy police presence in the area which police trucks being parked along main roads and in residential areas. Tributes including flowers and heartfelt notes were also left at the scene of the shooting. One single bunch of flowers was left on some steps, which bore a sign above it which read 'injury to all'. A memorial including flowers candles and trinkets was laid including a plaque which read: 'Rest in peace Lyra MC Kee Not In Our Name - The People Of Derry' A police officer was pictured paying her respects at the memorial which had been left for Lyra close to the scene People attending a vigil at the Guildhall today held Unison flags and a banner which read 'An Injury To One is An Injury To All' Officers continued to inspect the scene while others were also pictured paying their own tributes to the journalist at various shrines and memorials which had been put up in her memory. Defiant residents of the city later started the hashtag #NotInMyName on social media in an act of opposition to the violence, while hundreds of people attended a vigil in memory of the Belfast-born journalist near where she died. Moments before her death, Ms McKee had posted an image from the scene of the riots on Twitter that showed smoke rising into the air above police vehicles, along with the caption: 'Derry tonight. Absolute madness.' In another heartbreaking Tweet, she spoke of 'falling in love with Derry' and 'a woman who hails from it', before tragically adding: 'Here's to good times ahead and saying goodbye to bombs and bullets once and for all.' Ms Canning, pictured left alongside Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster, right, added Lyra was a 'shining light' An emotional Ms Canning waved a rainbow flag at the vigil, pictured, as she mourned her partner alongside hundreds of other friends and supporters Friends of Ms McKee struggled to contain their emotions as they wept at the vigil in her memory in Londonderry today Moments before her death, Ms McKee had posted an image from the scene of the riots on Twitter showing smoke rising into the air above emergency service vehicles, along with the caption: 'Derry tonight. Absolute madness' Hardline republican group blames 'Crown Forces' for killing Saoradh, a political party with links to dissident republican militants, said in a statement it understood Ms McKee was killed accidentally by a 'Republican Volunteer'. The statement read: 'The Crown Forces have waged a campaign of oppression in Republican Derry, and the community has endured ongoing State Violence in the area, with deafening silence from the political establishment representatives in the area. Saoradh has not shied away from highlighting this, including attacks on our members.' Saoradh said last night's riot were the consequence of raids against republicans ahead of Easter weekend. 'The inevitable reaction to such an incursion was resistance from the youth of Creggan. The blame for last night lies squarely at the feet of the British Crown Forces, who sought to grab headlines and engineered confrontation with the community. 'During this attack on the community, a Republican Volunteer attempted to defend people from the PSNI/RUC. Tragically a young journalist covering the events, Lyra McKee, was killed accidentally while standing behind armed Crown Force personnel and armoured vehicles. 'This outcome is heartbreaking and we extend our sincerest sympathy to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased.' Advertisement Tributes left on a fundraising page said Ms McKee 'just wanted to expose the truth' and was an 'incredible investigative journalist and a defender of press freedom'. Her first book, Angels With Blue Faces, is a non-fiction investigation of the murder of Robert Bradford, a Methodist minister and Ulster Unionist MP for South Belfast who was killed by the IRA in 1981. One person wrote on the page: 'Lyra was a passionate defender of press freedom and exposing the truth. You don't expect journalists to be killed anywhere. 'For it to happen to a friend, in a (troubled) democracy, is just unbelievable.' Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin said that police were hunting multiple suspects following the shooting, but refused to be drawn on suggestions that the gunman who killed Ms McKee was a teenage boy. Speaking during an emotional press conference at the Guildhall in Londonderry on Friday, he said: 'We certainly believe there was more than one person who was involved in this last night. 'Obviously only one person pulled the trigger but there was more than one person. This was not done to further any cause - this will have achieved nothing other than to plunge a family into grief.' Ms McKee had covered the legacy of the Troubles extensively, and spoke of being segregated from Protestants while growing up on Belfast's 'Murder Mile', a road notorious for the high number of locals killed by Ulster loyalists. Assistant chief constable Mark Hamilton said more than 50 petrol bombs were thrown at police during the riots as he described the killing as 'not only a murder of a young woman, it is an attack again on the people of this city'. He then pointed the finger at the New IRA, an amalgamation of dissident republican factions in the city, which was blamed for a car bombing in Bishop Street in January, as he called for calm in the city ahead of Easter. Speaking about the shock of Ms McKee's death, close friend Matthew Hughes told MailOnline: 'The loss her friends feel is unquantifiable. Unfathomable. She is utterly irreplaceable.' Paying tribute to his friend, he added: 'It was just after midnight, my wife got a call from Lyra's partner. It was probably the one of the worst phone calls I've ever overheard in my life. 'I heard the word 'shot', and that she was dead. Lyra was one of my best friends, she was a groomswoman at my wedding; she helped me tie my tie before the wedding. We'd traveled abroad together; we were very, very close.' Mr Hughes said he had known Ms McKee for five years and understood his friend had been killed by a stray bullet, according to Ms McKee's partner, who was at the scene. He added: 'Lyra was such a brilliant, kind, compassionate person, and so unbelievably good; as a journalist, as a storyteller, as a person. Ms Canning, pictured centre at the vigil in Londonderry, said the 'senseless murder' left her without the 'love of my life and the woman I was planning to grow old with' Some of those who attended the vigil in Londonderry were wiping tears from their eyes as they mourned Ms McKee Ms Canning, pictured, added the LGBTQI community had lost an advocate following her partner's death Leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland Naomi Long (left), Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (second left) and DUP leader Ms Foster showed a united front at the vigil Police forensic officers at the scene in Londonderry, Northern Ireland as an investigation begins into the murder of Ms McKee Who are the New IRA? The New IRA is the biggest of the dissident republican groups operating in Northern Ireland. It has been linked with four murders, including PC Ronan Kerr, who was killed by an under-car bomb in Omagh in 2011. The group is also linked to the deaths of prison officers David Black, who was shot as he drove to work at Maghaberry Prison in 2012, and Adrian Ismay, who died in 2016 after a bomb exploded under his van outside his home in east Belfast. The New IRA is believed to have been formed between 2011 and 2012 following the merger of a number of smaller groups, including the Real IRA - the group behind the 1998 Omagh bomb. It is strongest in Derry, north and west Belfast, Strabane in Co Derry, Lurgan in Co Armagh, and pockets of Tyrone. This year the group was responsible for a car bomb outside the courthouse in Bishop Street, Derry. The explosives-laden car was left on the city centre street on a Saturday night in January, and scores of people, including a group of teenagers, had walked past before it detonated. The New IRA also claimed a number of package bombs posted to targets in London and Glasgow in March. Advertisement 'If she saw a homeless person on the street she would go and buy them a cup of tea and a sandwich. She was the kindest, brightest, most determined person. 'She was a great investigative reporter, and she was at this inflection point in her career - she was going to go to the next level, she was so bright and so accomplished.' Ms McKee was an editor for California-based news site Mediagazer and had extensively covered the Troubles in Northern Ireland, leading to Forbes naming her as one of its 30 under 30 in the media in 2016. She first rose to prominence in 2014 after a blog post called 'Letter to my 14-year-old self' in which she spoke about the struggle of growing up gay in Belfast. Last year, she released her first novella called Angels With Blue Faces, a non-fiction novella about the murder of a reverend during the Northern Irish conflict, with her second book The Lost Boys scheduled for release in 2020. In a forward to her first book, she said her share of the sale proceeds would 'go to Paper Trail, a charity that helps survivors of the conflict regardless of religion, political belief, or other affiliations'. She added: 'It empowers victims by helping them ask questions and obtain answers about what was often the most traumatic experience of their lives. 'Your money will help Paper Trail continue to do this, as Northern Ireland continues to recover from the devastation left by 30 years of war.' In the foreword, she spoke of her country as 'a beautiful tragedy, strangled by the chains of its past and its present'. 'It's a place full of darkness and mysteries,' she added. 'It's also my home. Sometimes, I love it and hate it in equal measure.' She had headed to the city's Creggan district after riots erupted following police raids on a number of homes yesterday. Several vehicles were hijacked and set alight earlier in the incident before the gunshots were heard. Another reporter, Leona O'Neill, said she was standing next to the woman who was hit. She Tweeted: 'I was standing beside this young woman when she fell beside a police Land Rover tonight in Creggan. A car was torched by the mob as violence erupted on the streets of Londonderry on Thursday ahead of the Easter Weekend Police said shots were fired and petrol bombs were thrown as rioters (pictured) clashed with police after homes were raided in the area ahead of Easter weekend Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin said this afternoon that police were hunting multiple suspects following the shooting but refused to be drawn on suggestions that the gunman who killed Ms McKee was a teenage boy In a heartbreaking Tweet, Ms McKee spoke of 'falling in love with Derry' and 'a woman who hails from it', before tragically adding: 'Here's to good times ahead and saying goodbye to bombs and bullets once and for all' 'I called an ambulance for her but police put her in the back of their vehicle and rushed her to hospital where she died. Just 29 years old. Sick to my stomach tonight.' And local political candidate Emmet Doyle said: 'A masked figure stopped at the bottom of the road and fired shots up towards the Land Rovers. 'We all turned and ran, I stopped beside the Land Rover nearer the top of the street and a girl beside me dropped to the ground.' The tragic journalists killed amid unrest in Northern Ireland Martin O'Hagan had been the only journalist killed on Northern Irish soil before the death of Lyra McKee. He was assassinated by the Loyalist Volunteer Force as he walked home from the pub with his wife in 2001. O'Hagan had been an investigative journalist for the Sunday World, and was well-known for his stories exposing the seedy activities of Ulster loyalists. Before his time as a journalist, he was a member of the Official IRA, and was once convicted of possession of firearms with intent, being sentenced to seven years imprisonment. On September 28, 2001, Martin and his wife Marie were walking home from Fa' Joe's pub in his hometown of Lurgan in Northern Ireland when a car pulled up slowly alongside them. As the occupants opened fire from a window, O'Hagan pushed his wife into a bush as he was struck several times by bullets. As he lay wounded on the pavement, he asked his wife to call an ambulance, but by the time she returned from making the call he had died. English journalist Ross McWhirter, co-founder of the Guinness World Book of Records, was murdered by IRA assassins outside his London home in 1975. He came a target of paramilitary republicans after offering a 50,000 reward for information leading to convictions in high-profile bombings carried out by the IRA during the Troubles. He also advocated for restrictions on the freedom of Irish people during the unrest. Harry Duggan and Hugh Doherty shot him in the head and chest outside his home with a Magnum revolver. They were convicted for the crime but then released under the Good Friday Agreement. Advertisement Prime Minister Theresa May called the death of Ms McKee a 'shocking and truly senseless' loss of life in a statement today. 'My deepest condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues,' she said. 'She was a journalist who died doing her job with great courage.' Speaking at a press conference at Strand Road PSNI station in Londonderry, Assistant Chief Constable for District Policing Mark Hamilton said journalist Ms McKee was murdered by dissident republicans. He said police had been carrying out a search operation in the Creggan area of Derry when a situation developed during which more than 50 petrol bombs were thrown at police and two cars hijacked and set on fire. 'Unfortunately, at 11pm last night, a gunman appeared and fired a number of shots towards police and a young woman, Lyra McKee, 29 years old, was wounded,' she said. 'She was taken away in a police landrover to Altnagelvin Hospital but unfortunately she has died there. We have now launched a murder inquiry here in the city. 'Can I say also, I want to pass my deepest sympathies to the family of Ms McKee, this is a horrendous act, it is unnecessary, it is uncalled for, it's totally unjustified. 'But not only is it a murder of a young woman, it is an attack again on the people of this city. 'I stood here in January and we talked about the bomb and the act of violence against this city, and yet again we see another act of violence in this city which has had horrendous consequences and which will affect people for many, many years. 'I would appeal to people, particularly this Easter weekend, to stay calm, I would appeal to people who are intent on violence to draw back, I would appeal to people with influence to use your influence and make sure this is peaceful weekend. Not only this weekend but going forward in this city. 'These acts of violence are bringing nothing to this city, all they are doing is bringing misery to one family, but also particularly to this city and also to our broader province.' Ann Travers, whose sister Mary was murdered by the IRA in 1984, said Ms McKee was a 'kind, gentle, witty and stubborn soul'. 'I have just heard, that my lovely friend Lyra was murdered tonight in Derry. I just can't believe, that this witty, clever human being has been taken... Feel sick.' Fellow journalist Peter McGuire said Ms McKee was a 'gifted writer, a kind person and SO generous with her time and knowledge'. 'So young - horrific & heartbreaking news from Derry tonight,' he tweeted. Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists, wrote: 'Shocked by news that woman shot dead in Derry last night has been named locally as @NUJofficial Lyra McKee. 'We are shocked by killing of a journalist of courage, style and integrity. Sympathy to her partner, family and many friends.' Lilly Dancyger, a New York-based editor at Narratively, said Ms McKee was 'dedicated to covering the lasting trauma & violence of the Troubles'. 'Devastating to hear she was killed tonight by that same violence,' she tweeted. Ms Dancyger shared an article written by Ms McKee about the families of Troubles victims. 'I was Lyra's editor on this story, and it was an honour. Sharing her work now is all I can think to do,' she said. Police officers were pictured at the scene of last night's riot and murder as they launched a murder probe following the death of Ms McKee Police attend the scene of the shooting this morning, after a journalist was killed on Fanad Drive in Creggan late last night Ms McKee headed to the city's Creggan district after riots erupted following police raids on a number of homes yesterday. Several vehicles were hijacked and set alight earlier in the incident before the gunshots were heard Michelle Stanistreet, National Union of Journalists (NUJ) general secretary, said Ms McKee was one of the most promising journalists in Northern Ireland. She said: 'A young, vibrant life has been destroyed in a senseless act of violence. A bright light has been quenched and that plunges all of us in to darkness.' Writer Brooke Magnanti, whose blogs were made into TV hit Secret Diary Of A Call Girl, said she was 'stunned' by the news. She tweeted: 'I only knew her from online and a phone conversations after we were introduced by @GlasgaeLauraLee. Police revealed this morning that they believe the attack was carried out by 'violent dissident republicans', calling Ms McKee a 'completely innocent bystander' Armed officers were pictured at the scene, but police claimed that none of its firearms were discharged during the night, despite 'absorbing high levels of violence' from rioters Mr Hughes said he had known Ms McKee (pictured) for five years and understood his friend had been killed by a stray bullet, according to Ms McKee's partner, who was at the scene Crowds watch on as a hijacked car explodes after being set on fire in Creggan, Londonderry, late on Thursday, in the rioting before the gunfire Police 'appealed for calm' in the wake of the violent flare-up on Thursday evening after the female journalist was murdered How Lyra McKee grew up on Belfast's 'Murder Mile' before launching a career as a journalist Lyra McKee had extensively covered the legacy of the Troubles, and spoke of being segregated from Protestants while growing up on Belfast's 'Murder Mile', a road notorious for the high number of locals killed by Ulster loyalists. Ms McKee was an editor for California-based news site Mediagazer and had extensively covered the Troubles in Northern Ireland, leading to Forbes naming her as one of its 30 under 30 in the media in 2016. She first rose to prominence in 2014 after a blog post called 'Letter to my 14-year-old self' in which she spoke about the struggle of growing up gay in Belfast. Last year, she released her first novella called Angels With Blue Faces, a non-fiction novella about the murder of a reverend during the Northern Irish conflict, with her second book The Lost Boys scheduled for release in 2020. In a forward to her first book, she said her share of the sale proceeds would 'go to Paper Trail, a charity that helps survivors of the conflict regardless of religion, political belief, or other affiliations'. She added: 'It empowers victims by helping them ask questions and obtain answers about what was often the most traumatic experience of their lives. 'Your money will help Paper Trail continue to do this, as Northern Ireland continues to recover from the devastation left by 30 years of war.' In the foreword, she spoke of her country as 'a beautiful tragedy, strangled by the chains of its past and its present'. 'It's a place full of darkness and mysteries,' she added. 'It's also my home. 'Sometimes, I love it and hate it in equal measure.' Advertisement 'She struck me as a thoughtful journalist unafraid to challenge her own beliefs. Rare and precious. Deepest condolences to family and friends.' The unrest comes ahead of the Easter weekend where republicans mark the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, a time when dissidents are traditionally active. Irish Taoiseach Leo Vardakar said his government condemned the violence in the 'strongest possible terms'. He tweeted: 'The Government condemns in the strongest possible terms the fatal shooting of journalist and writer Lyra McKee in Derry. 'We are all full of sadness after last night's events. We cannot allow those who want to propagate violence, fear and hate to drag us back to the past. 'I would like to express my sincere condolences to Lyra's family, her partner Sara and her friends. 'Our solidarity also goes out to the people of Derry and to the entire journalism community.' United States House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi also paid tribute to journalist Ms McKee during a visit to Stormont. A minute's silence was observed during an event she attended in the Long Gallery in respect of Ms McKee during a speech by Northern Ireland Assembly speaker Robin Newton. During her speech, Ms Pelosi said: 'Sadly, Mr Speaker, we join you on the sadness of the tragedy that happened last night, we extend our condolences to the family and your moment of silence at this time, on Good Friday is especially poignant,' she said. 'You not only had a moment of silence, you presented a sense of resolve that justice would be done and the memory of that young woman would be a lesson for all of us.' Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O'Neill said the killing in Derry was a 'senseless loss of life'. Gunfire erupted during the clashes as police moved in to assist and the female victim was struck by a stray bullet, witness said 'Keep hanging on, kid. It's worth it. I love you': Lyra's poignant letter to her 14-year-old self A poignant letter than Ms McKee wrote to her 14-year-old self has been widely shared on Twitter as people pay tribute to her life and career. In the letter, published by The Muckraker in August 2014, she told of overcoming homophobia to live a happy and fulfilling life. It begins: 'Kid, It's going to be okay. 'I know you're not feeling that way right now. You're sitting in school. The other kids are making fun of you. You told the wrong person you had a crush and soon, they all knew your secret. It's horrible. They make your life hell.' She then described joining a scheme to encourage young people into journalism, before joining a local technical college and then going on to university, which she dropped out of. The letter continues: 'Three months before your 21st birthday, you will tell Mum the secret. You will be sobbing and shaking and she will be frightened because she doesn't know what's wrong. Christmas will be just a couple of weeks away. 'You have to tell her because you've met someone you like and you can't live with the guilt anymore. You can't get the words out so she says it: 'Are you gay?' And you will say, 'Yes Mummy, I'm so sorry.' And instead of getting mad, she will reply 'Thank God you're not pregnant'.' She then described coming out to her friends and siblings, none of whom reacted badly. After several more paragraphs it concludes: 'You will do 'normal' things. You will spend time with your Mum. You will go to work and pay your bills. 'You will go to the cinema with your best friend every week because that's your ritual dinner then an action movie where things explode. You will fall in love again. You will smile every day, knowing that someone loves you as much as you love them.' Advertisement What is the timeline of the Northern Ireland Troubles and peace process? August 1969: British Government first send troops into Northern Ireland to restore order after three days of rioting in Catholic Londonderry 30 January 1972: On 'Bloody Sunday' 13 civilians are shot dead by the British Army during a civil rights march in Londonderry March 1972 The Stormont Government is dissolved and direct rule imposed by London 1970s: The IRA begin its bloody campaign of bombings and assassinations in Britain April 1981 Bobby Sands, a republicans on hunger strike in the Maze prison, is elected to Parliament. He dies a month later October 1984 An IRA bomb explodes at the Grand Hotel in Brighton, where Margaret Thatcher is staying during the Tory Party conference Early 1990s: Margaret Thatcher and then Sir John Major set up a secret back channel with the IRA to start peace talks. The communications was so secret most ministers did not know about it. April 1998 Tony Blair helps to broker the Good Friday Agreement, which is hailed as the end of the Troubles. It establishes the Northern Ireland Assembly with David Trimble as its first minister. 2000s: With some exceptions the peace process holds and republican and loyalist paramilitaries decommission their weapons May 2011 The Queen and Prince Philip make a state visit to Ireland, the first since the 1911 tour by George V. In a hugely symbolic moment, the Queen is pictured shaking hands with Martin McGuinness - a former IRA leader. Advertisement She said: 'I am shocked and saddened at the tragic news that a young woman has been shot dead by so-called dissidents in the Creggan estate tonight. 'The murder of this young woman is a human tragedy for her family, but it is also an attack on all the people of this community, an attack on our peace process and an attack on the Good Friday Agreement. 'I unreservedly condemn those responsible for killing this young woman. We will remain resolute in our opposition to the pointless actions of these people who care nothing for the people of Derry.' DUP leader Arlene Foster said that news of the death was 'heartbreaking' and that it was a 'senseless act'. 'Those who brought guns onto our streets in the 70s, 80 and 90s were wrong. It is equally wrong in 2019. No one wants to go back,' she said. Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley said she was 'deeply shocked and saddened' to hear of the death. 'My thoughts and condolences are with her family at this time. Those responsible for last night's violence have nothing to offer anyone in Northern Ireland. 'Their intolerable actions are rejected by the overwhelming majority of people who want to build a peaceful and more prosperous future for everyone in Northern Ireland.' Mark H Durkan, SDLP MLA for Foyle, said he was left 'heartbroken and angry' by the killing. 'Just leaving Creggan, heartbroken and angry at the senseless loss of a young life,' he tweeted. 'Violence only creates victims, that's all it ever has done. The thoughts and prayers of our city are with the young woman's family and friends, may she rest in peace.' Assistant chief constable Mark Hamilton, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said a murder inquiry had been launched after the death. He said: 'Sadly I can confirm that following shots being fired tonight in Creggan, a 29-year-old woman has been killed. 'We are treating this as a terrorist incident and we have launched a murder inquiry.' PSNI officers were searching houses in the Creggan area when the disorder broke out. Bricks, bottles and fireworks were hurled at police officers and a car and a van were seen burned out in the area. The trouble comes after the announcement on Monday that 'Soldier B' will be prosecuted for the murder of 15-year-old Daniel Hegarty in the Creggan area in July 1972. He will also be prosecuted on a second charge of wounding with intent. The Police Service of Northern Ireland wrote on Twitter: 'Police are appealing for calm after a number of shots have been fired and petrol bombs thrown in the Creggan area of Derry. Gary Middleton, DUP member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Foyle, tweeted: 'Disgraceful scenes of violence in the Creggan estate tonight. 'PSNI and members of the public being put in danger by unrepresentative thugs intent on destroying communities.' A GoFundMe has been set up to cover funeral expenses for the family. Christchurch's top police officer has revealed how he and his team launched into action to bring down the alleged mosque massacre shooter. Superintendent John Price, 55, was having a cup of tea between meetings discussing serious crime in the region when the call came in on March 15. A shooter had entered a mosque in Christchurch and opened fire on people gathered inside the building. The toughest day of Price's career began to unfold. Scroll down for video Superintendent John Price, 55, was in his having a cup of tea between meetings discussing serious crime in the region when the call came in on March 15 Accused Christchurch massacre gunman Brenton Harrison Tarrant (pictured) made a white power gesture from behind a glass window, during his first court appearance in March With 32 years' experience, Price had seen his fair share of tragedy, including the Canterbury earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, the Kaikoura earthquake in 2016 and the Port Hills Fires in 2017. The father of three knew he needed to remain calm and began putting together a plan in his mind as he headed to the command centre where he would oversee the deployment and management of police staff. 'Inside I was not calm... there was a little bit of crisis chaos going on, but my exterior was portraying calmness,' he told Stuff. The armed offenders squad were first on the scene at the Deans Ave mosque, where multiple people had been injured and killed. Moments later another call came in, shots had been fired at the Linwood Masjid on Linwood Ave too. Footage of the shooting, which was livestreamed by the shooter, was being played on a screen inside the Christchurch police command centre. 'I was stunned seeing it,' Price said. 'The human side of me (was thinking) this is simply unbelievable, but then the police officer in me... (was) going what's happening here? Trying to process it. 'To be quite frank, it felt like a nightmare, it absolutely felt like a nightmare to me, and, in fact, it probably might have been an hour into it I was thinking ''is this actually happening?'' It felt so surreal.' Tarrant (pictured) was arrested on the sidewalk by two training police officers on Friday after he allegedly shot and killed 50 Muslim worshipers Worshipers from the two mosques began to emerge covered in blood. Schools went into lockdown in Christchurch as police swarmed the city. Price was part of the team trying to understand and manage the chaos. Two experienced rural police officers, who had been at a training exercise when the shooting began, then spotted a gold Subaru driving erratically on Brougham St. The registration number matched the one that had been identified in the alleged shooter's video, where the the alleged gunman had been seen grabbing a rifle from the boot. The officers then risked their lives by ramming the vehicle off the road. They dragged the driver out of the car, and he was arrested. Inside the car were improvised explosive devices, which were later disarmed. The arresting officers' experience and maturity was the key to taking him down, Price said. The officers were two of many heroes that day, Price said. The horrific terror attack in Christchurch, which left 50 worshipers dead, has been described as New Zealand's darkest day Young women weep as they hold each other for comfort during a students vigil near Al Noor mosque Following an interview with the alleged gunman, and through police intelligence, police knew the immediate threat to the city was over. There were 50 people killed and dozens more injured on what has been described as New Zealand's darkest day. Price left work in the early hours the following day to have a few hours sleep before returning again, as his job was far from done. Police have endured 12 hour long days in the weeks following the shooting, fueled by coffee, they have worked tirelessly investigating what had happened. The investigation is still ongoing, there are 26 detectives dedicated to the full-time investigation. Accused gunman Brenton Harrison Tarrant has been charged with 50 counts of murder and 39 counts of attempted murder. He has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on June 14. The police response will be put under the microscope in the coming weeks. Price said the review will identify lessons that can be learnt, but said his team did all they could to help ensure the city was safe. TIMELINE OF TERROR: HOW THE CHRISTCHURCH MASSACRE THAT CLAIMED 50 LIVES UNFOLDED A 28-year-old Australian man entered a mosque in central Christchurch on Friday afternoon and opened fire on people gathered inside the building - killing 50 people and leaving dozens more injured. This is how the incident unfolded in local New Zealand Time on March 15. 1.40pm: First reports of a shooting at a mosque in central Christchurch. A man entered the mosque with an automatic weapon and opened fire on people inside. 2.11pm: Police confirmed they were attending an 'evolving situation' in Christchruch. Gunshots are heard in the area outside Masid Al Noor Mosque on Deans Avenue. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, with one saying she attempted to give CPR to an injured person but they died. 2.17pm: Multiple schools went into lockdown in Christchurch. People who were in the mosque began to leave covered in blood and with gunshot wounds. 2.47pm: First reports of six people dead, three in a critical condition and three with serious injuries. 2.54pm: Police Commissioner Mike Bush said the situation is 'serious and evolving' and told people to remain indoors and stay off the streets. The Canterbury District Health Board activated its mass casualty plan. 3.12pm: New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern cancelled her afternoon arrangements. 3.21pm: Christchurch City Council locked down many of their central city buildings. 3.33pm: First reports of a bomb in a beige Subaru that crashed on Strickland Street, three kilometres from the shootings. 3.40pm: Police confirmed there were multiple simultaneous attacks on mosques in Christchurch. 3.45pm: Reports of multiple shots fired at the shootings, which are ongoing. 3.59pm: 300 people were reported to be inside the moque. 4.00pm: One person is confirmed to be in custody but there are warnings there may be others out there. Police commissioner Mike Bush urges Muslims across New Zealand to stay away from their local mosque. 4.10pm: Jacinda Ardern calls Friday 'one of New Zealand's darkest days'. 5.27pm: First reports of a second shooting. A witness said a Muslim local chased the shooters at the mosque in Linwood, firing in 'self defence'. 5.31pm: Four people are confirmed to be in custody. including one woman. Multiple fatalities were reported. 7.07pm: It was confirmed an AR15 rifle was used in the attack. 7.20pm: Dunedin Street was cordoned off. Reports the attackers planned to also target the Al Huda Mosque. 7.26pm: At least 40 people were confirmed dead, Jacinda Ardern confirmed. 7.34pm: Confirmed that 48 people were being treated in hospital. 7.46pm: Britomart train station in central Auckland was evacuated after bags were found unattended. The bags were deemed not suspicious. 8.35pm: New Zealand's Government confirmed this is the first time ever the terror level has been lifted from low to high. 9.03pm: Police Commissioner Mike Bush confirms that the death toll has risen to 49. Brenton Tarrant was later charged with murder, and the death toll rose to 50. Advertisement Advertisement Australia's most remote six-day festival has encouraged visitors to dive into the natural beauty of the Outback - with more than 50 events including cultural rock climbing, opera performances and yoga classes. The Karijini Experience, hosted in the Pilbara region of northern Western Australian, lets visitors celebrate the accomplishments of Aboriginal Australians by immersing themselves in their rich culture. The colourful and vibrant experience held at the state's second largest national park, the Karijini National Park, runs from Tuesday until Easter Sunday. Australia's most remote six-day festival has welcomed visitors to dive into the natural beauty of the outback The Karijini Experience, hosted in the Pilbara region, northern Western Australian, encourages festivalgoers to celebrate the accomplishments of Aboriginal Australians The experience hosts more than 50 events including cultural rock climbing, opera performances and yoga classes A cultural workshop hosted by the Banjima traditional owners of the land explains to visitors how they hold onto culture, while the Aboriginal Sashiko workshop teaches them how to use the Japanese stitching method. For the more active visitors keen to explore the wonders of the area, the Karijini Experience provides full-day canyoning and gorge tours. To recover from the day in the outback, the festival hosts yoga classes and plays live music. The Karijini Experience has grown from strength to strength in six years. It launched in 2013 with an inaugural Karijini Dinner Experience and after three years it transformed from a culinary event with 75 attendees to an annual multi-arts event. The festival attracted 1,640 visitors in 2018 and featured 180 artists. There were 52 headlined events, which represented 13 Aboriginal language groups. The colourful and vibrant experience held at the state's second largest national park, the Karijini National Park, runs from Tuesday until Easter Sunday The Karijini Experience has grown from strength to strength in a short six years since it started in 2013 The festival launched in 2013 with an inaugural Karijini Dinner Experience and after three years it transformed from a culinary event with 75 attendees to an annual multi-arts event The Karijini Experience says its unique setting and strong sense of place sets it apart from other regional festivals. The growing success of the festival has brought positive social, cultural and economic impacts to the region. Banjima elder Maitland Parker told Pilbara News the success of the event was partially due to its uniqueness. 'It's a one- of-a-kind event, but more importantly, its main aim is promoting not just Karijini National Park, but the Banjima people, our customs and our cultures.' The experience's original creator Sarah Kemp agreed with the sentiment: 'Its authenticity and it's grounded in the community and the volunteers that are running it.' For the more active visitor keen to explore the natural wonders of the area, the Karijini Experience can take you on full-day canyoning and gorge tours To recover from the day in the outback, the festival hosts yoga classes and plays live music. Pictured: Festivalgoers 'The location helps to make it, but it's just such an authentic experience of the place and the people in it.' Both Maitland and Sarah agreed the festival has become bigger and better each year. Local man Wesley Carey, 34, said the cultural festival would help create economic growth for the generation of his four-year-old son. 'I'm someone who is willing to share our culture, and tourism fits in with that,' he told The Australian. Tourism Minister Paul Papalia attended the first few days of the experience and said the region epitomised WA's two-year tourism strategy, notably its 'geographic advantage'. The Karijini Experience says its unique setting and strong sense of place sets it apart from other regional festivals The growing success of the festival has brought a number of positive social, cultural and economic impacts to the region The festival attracted 1640 visitors in 2018 and featured 180 artists. There were 52 headlined events, which represented 13 Aboriginal language groups Advertisement Around 20,000 worshippers gathered in Trafalgar Square yesterday for the annual Passion of Jesus celebration, which depicts the Easter story. The production's cast is 100 people strong, along with real horses, doves and a donkey. For the past nine years, the Wintershall Cast have performed The Passion of Jesus in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday The company behind it said parental guidance was advised because of their 'realistic interpretation of the crucifixion' over its two performances on Good Friday. The same actor, James Burke-Dunsmore, has played Jesus in the depiction for 22 years. Speaking to Londonist a few weeks ago, ahead of yesterday's performance, he said: 'Busses and sirens may pepper the performance, but we are not in a darkened theatre. 'I can see the 20,000 faces and this offers a great opportunity to keep the connection tight.' London Mayor Sadiq Khan was also in attendance. He said: 'The Passion of Jesus has captivated Londoners and visitors to the capital for nearly a decade by bringing the story of Easter to life in Trafalgar Square.' Company behind the performance said parental guidance is advised because of the 'realistic interpretation of the crucifixion' The same actor, James Burke-Dunsmore, has played Jesus in the depiction for 22 years. He is pictured carrying the cross 'I can see the 20,000 faces and this offers a great opportunity to keep the connection tight,' said James Burke-Dunsmore The Passion of Jesus performance in Trafalgar Square, depicting the last supper. The production's cast is 100 people strong Dunsmore, playing Jesus, depicts the scene where the son of God carries the cross to execution, as people watch on For the past nine years, the Wintershall Cast have performed The Passion of Jesus in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday The story commemorating the day Jesus is believed to have been arrested, tried and crucified by the Romans, two days before miraculously rising from the dead on Easter Sunday, is brought to life in the open air in front of Londoners Speaking to Londonist a few weeks ago, ahead of yesterday's performance, James Burke-Dunsmore (pictured playing Jesus) said: 'Busses and sirens may pepper the performance, but we are not in a darkened theatre. I can see the 20,000 faces' A 2.5 metre tiger shark has been caught at a popular Sydney beach after a string of attacks on swimmers. The predator was caught using a new SMART drum line at Dee Why Beach in the heart of Sydney's Northern Beaches region last week. The mechanism consists of a floating barrel with two lines attached to it. One line is attached to an anchor on the sea floor, while the other features a large baited shark hook. A small amount of bait is used to only attract sharks that are very close and stop them from swimming further into a beach. The capture comes after a Melbourne doctor was mauled to death by a tiger shark in November last year and a 12-year-old girl lost her leg to a tiger shark in September. A 2.5 metre tiger shark (pictured) was caught using a new SMART drum line at Dee Why Beach in the heart of Sydney's Northern Beaches region last week 'It was only a small tiger shark,' a NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) spokeswoman said. Tiger sharks are 3.25 metres to 4.25 metres long on average while larger specimens can reach up to five metres. The spokeswoman said 'they frequent the entire NSW coast'. 'Since August 2015 the NSW DPI Shark Management Strategy has tagged 332 White Sharks 69 Tiger Sharks and 83 Bull Sharks,' she said. Tiger sharks (pictured) prefer tropical waters but come down to Sydney with the warm waters of the East Australian Current (stock image) Tiger shark attacks have killed and seriously injured swimmers on the Whitsunday Islands in recent weeks. Melbourne doctor Daniel Christidis, 33, was mauled to death by a tiger shark in the Whitsundays' Cid Harbour on November 7, 2018. Melbourne schoolgirl Hannah Papps, 12, lost her leg after being savaged by a tiger shark while holidaying in the Whitsundays on September 20 last year. The shark attack occurred just 24 hours after 46-year-old Tasmanian tourist Justine Barwick was attacked near her yacht near Sawmill Bay in Queensland. Tiger sharks prefer tropical waters but come down to Sydney with the warm waters of the East Australian Current. Dee Why Beach (pictured) is popular with families and surfers. The NSW Department of Primary Industries is trialing new drum line technology at the beach until May A new Shark-Management-Alert-in-Real-Time (SMART) drum line was used to catch the shark. Drum lines have been criticised since they sometimes kill sharks and by-catch like dolphins. SMART drum lines alert rangers that an animal has been caught so they can be quickly moved away from the beach. Alerted rangers reach captured animals within 90 minutes and 90 per cent of animals caught on the hooks survive. The DPI has been trialing the new technology at seven locations, including Dee Why Beach. The trial will end in May. A mother was horrified when she saw her two-year-old daughter put a condom in her mouth at a McDonald's. The girl was with both her parents when she found the condom at Warnbro McDonald's in Perth on Friday night. They spotted the girl with the item in her mouth before grabbing it off her and rushing her to hospital, worried she may have contracted an STD. The father quickly grabbed the condom off his two-year-old daugther and threw it on the counter of the Warnbro McDonald's in Perth The child's mother, identified as Wendy, said she didn't know how her daughter got hold of the condom. 'I went back up to the counter to order something and my daughter was with my husband, I don't know how it happened but when my husband next looks at her, she's sucking on a black condom,' Wendy told 10 daily. 'I ran into the bathrooms, washed her mouth and hands and came out and gave her a drink. We were terrified.' Wendy's family left the restaurant to visit a doctor to check her daughter for STDs but the doctor told them they needed to go back to McDonald's to get the condom so it could be tested (pictured Warnbro McDonald's) Wendy's family left the restaurant to visit a doctor to check her daughter for STDs but the doctor told them they needed to go back to McDonald's to get the condom so it could be tested. When she went back, she claims staff refused to give her the condom and she was disgusted with how they treated her. 'What if there is an STD there and my daughter is going to get it? We have to wait three months to do a blood test on her,' she said. McDonald's apologised for the incident and stated that cleanliness was their top priority. 'We are very sorry that the incident occurred, and take situations like this seriously,' a spokesman said. 'Cleanliness and safety are our top priorities and we ensure the shift manager on duty conducts what we refer to as a travel path every 30 minutes. 'The travel path sees the shift manager walk through and check all areas of the restaurant.' Advertisement This is the moment a pink boat used by climate change activists to blockade Oxford Circus in London was towed away by police officers, after 100 hours at the heart of the protests. The bright pink Berta Cacares was finally carted away shortly after actress Dame Emma Thompson had climbed on top of it to deliver a speech during the protests. Crowds made up of protesters from the Extinction Rebellion group attempted to prevent the police removing the ship while chanting 'we have more boats'. It took a team of engineers, with more than 200 police officers and a mountain of equipment, to remove the boat, which had become a symbol of the protest. Organisers said that on Easter Monday they planned to expand the protest to include 'picnics on motorways'. Police arrived at midday to start attempting to move the boat, which took several hours because of the protesters who had attached themselves to it. Hi-vis jacketed officers formed two concentric rings around the boat and shepherded protesters away. The boat was encircled by one ring of at least 30 officers, which came hours after police told of the 'strain' the protests were putting on them with officers working 12-hour shifts and having rest days cancelled. Crowds of people watched the operation to the remove the boat while drumming and chanting, with many carrying banners and flags. More than 100 hours after the boat was stationed at the crossroads of two of London's busiest streets - Oxford Street and Regent Street - police put it on a trailer and started to tow it away The boat was escorted by walking - and at times jogging - police men and women at all times as it was moved away Huge crowds thronged around the pink boat in Oxford Circus until it was towed away After the final protester was removed, specialist officers climbed aboard and took down the mast, before the boat was connected to a trailer. As police attempted to deal with those blocking the route, others swarmed back into Oxford Circus, closing off the opportunity for the police and the boat to head back the way they came. One woman was arrested for trying to barge through police lines as officers started to move the boat away, while crowds booed and shouted 'fascists' as police escorted the woman away. This week's Extinction Rebellion (XR) demonstrations have closed key routes through the capital, cost businesses tens of millions in lost revenue, inconvenienced half a million people a day, and resulted in at least 682 arrests, but show no sign of abating. Yesterday organisers said they had seen an increase in people joining up, pointing to warm weather, the Easter holiday, and a David Attenborough documentary about climate change broadcast on Thursday evening as motivators. Police ran ahead of the route the boat was taking in order to clear prospective protestors out of the way Dame Emma talks to members of the media from on top of the pink boat after police officers surrounded it today The overstretched Met issued a plea that the willingness of so many people to be arrested was causing a 'logistical problem' for cell space and the wider criminal justice system. The teenage founder of the millions-strong global movement of school strikes against climate change, Greta Thunberg, 16, told The Guardian she hopes to join the XR protests when she arrives in London this weekend. Yesterday Dame Emma poured scorn on the Metropolitan Police's decision to escalate its approach on the fifth day of the protests having taken a hammering for its light-touch strategy earlier in the week. She said: 'We didn't ask for police resources, that is their decision. It's not like we are burning things down. The police turned up because they have been asked to turn up. They decided to spend their money in this way, which I personally think is a waste of taxpayers' money. We aren't doing anything violent.' She said it was 'nonsensical' to blame her and Extinction Rebellion, the group behind the protests, for potentially diverting police resources from tackling violent crime. 'It is not my problem, it is their problem,' she said. 'It is the problem of Government, so don't hand it back to me because I have dealt with this [climate change] for decades. 'What this is about is a Government that would prefer not to listen, who would prefer to put entirely peaceful protesters into a f****** police cell instead of doing what they promised to do for decades. They are liars and hypocrites.' The horrific moment an Australian man who was wrongly jailed for 12 years over a jeweller's brutal murder was killed in a hit-and-run has been caught on camera. Andrew Mallard, 56, was found guilty of killing Perth business owner Pamela Lawrence in 1994 in one Australia's worst miscarriages of justice. He spent more than a decade in jail before his conviction was quashed in the High Court in 2005, allowing him to be released the following year. CCTV footage captured the heartbreaking moment Mallard was struck by a silver sedan in Los Angeles on Thursday night. Andrew Mallard (pictured), 56, was found guilty of killing Perth business owner Pamela Lawrence in 1994 in one Australia's worst miscarriages of justice Perth jeweller Pamela Lawrence (pictured) was brutally killed in her store in 1994 In the footage Mallard can be seen casually strolling across the road at Sunset Boulevard and Formosa Avenue in Hollywood, near where his fiancee lives. The footage shows Mallard suddenly stopping as the vehicle, with its headlights on, approaches. The sedan does not slow down as it ploughs threw Mallard before fleeing east on Sunset Boulevard. Dozens of onlookers can then be seen rushing to his rescue before he died at the scene. Mallard was free for only 13 years after being cleared of murder. Mrs Lawrence, a business owner in Mosman Park, Perth, was attacked at her jewellery shop on the afternoon of Monday, 23 May 1994. She was attacked sometime between 3pm and 6pm and died in an ambulance at 7pm. Mallard quickly became a suspect because a witness saw a man matching his description outside the shop. He had been released from police custody earlier that day after being arrested for breaking into his his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend's apartment and was seen arriving in Mosman Park in a taxi at around 5pm. 'He suffered injustice and spent almost 12 years in prison for something he didn't do,' his sister Jacqui Mallard (pictured far right with his mother) said Jacqui Mallard (pictured), sister of Andrew Mallard who was the man originally convicted and in the murder of Pamela Lawrence, has been left heartbroken after her brother was killed Mallard had a history of mental illness but no history of violence. There was also no weapon, blood or DNA connecting him to the case. Two key pieces of evidence led to his conviction the first was police notes from interviews with Mallard where it was claimed Mallard had confessed. The second was 12 minutes of an 11-hour interview where Mallard was filmed speculating how Ms Lawrence may have been killed. 'If Pamela Lawrence was locking the store up, maybe she came in through the back way, the front door was already locked Maybe she left the key in the back door and that's why he had easy access, and that's why she didn't hear him until he was in the store,' he told police. Mallard spent 12 years of his life sentence at Casuarina Prison in Perth before he was released in 2006. Months later a cold-case review found a palm print linking English backpacker Simon Rochford to the crime scene. The horrific moment an Australian man who was wrongly jailed for 12 years over a jeweller's brutal murder was killed in a hit-and-run has been caught on camera The sedan did not slow down as it ploughed threw Mallard before fleeing east on Sunset Boulevard. Dozens of onlookers can then be seen rushing to his rescue, however, he died at the scene The convicted murder was serving a 15 year minimum sentence for bashing his girlfriend Brigitta Dickens to death. He had four years left on his sentence when he was questioned by police in relation to mother-of-two Ms Lawrence's death. A week later he committed suicide in a West Australian prison after being publicly named as the new suspect for Ms Lawrence's murder. The following year, in 2007, a Corruption and Crime Commission inquiry found that police had withheld crucial information from Mallard's defence team, including details of an undercover operation. It also emerged that two police officers had caused witnesses to alter their statements. English backpacker Simon Rochford (pictured left) is suspected of murdering of Pamela Lawrence in 1994. Right: Mallard Rochford (pictured) had been serving a minimum 15-year sentence for killing his girlfriend when he committed suicide - just one week after he was questioned about Ms Lawrence's murder A partial palm print was uncovered during cold case review, linking English backpacker Simon Rochford (pictured) to the crime scene Mallard was granted a $3.25million compensation payment for his time behind bars after lengthy negations with the state government in 2009. He later moved to the United Kingdom, while also spending time in America. Mr Mallard's family has been left devastated by his tragic passing. 'He suffered injustice and spent almost 12 years in prison for something he didn't do,' his sister Jacqui Mallard told The Australian. 'Those years were taken from him and now his life has been taken. We are heartbroken.' WA Attorney-General John Quigley, who as a Labor backbencher had helped Australian journalist Colleen Egan and a team of pro bono lawyers overturn Mallard's conviction, expressed his condolences to Mallard's family. 'It's just fortunate that he got to spend 13 years of freedom after so much time wrongfully imprisoned,' he said. Ms Edan worked tirelessly to prove the miscarriage of justice. 'It was just a cruel twist of fate that put him on a collision course with this inquiry and it was just a matter of fact that there were police who were willing to act dishonestly,' she told ABC in 2010. 'There was a prosecutor willing to run a case that wasn't quite right, and there were three judges who refused to believe it when evidence was put in front of them, and they saw what the High Court saw.' Los Angeles police have been appealing for information about the car that struck Mallard. A $25,000 reward is on offer for all hit-and-run cases in the city. Paramedic Ben Du Toit (pictured) said the parents saved their son's life by stemming the bleeding on his head The first paramedic to treat the 14-month-old boy attacked by a dingo insists the parents are not to blame. The family were on Queensland's Fraser Island on Friday morning when a dingo dragged the toddler out of their camper van by his head. At least two wild dogs are believed to have popped a clip on the side of the camper van before entering. The boy's parents woke to the sounds of screams as one of dingoes dragged the boy outside. The father chased the wild dogs into nearby bushland and fought them off before calling paramedics. The boy's head was fractured and bleeding heavily. He was treated by paramedics stationed on the island and remains in a stable condition. Paramedic Ben Du Toit said the parents saved their son's life by stemming the bleeding on his head. 'Immediately, the parents were really under control. They did an amazing job. They stemmed the bleeding to a large extent, basic first aid things,' he told 9News. 'I can state that the parents did everything right. They weren't at fault in any way. Mr Toit said the parents did not leave their child open to the elements. 'From the dad's description, everything was shut up tight when they went to bed,' he said. The family were on Queensland's Fraser Island on Friday when a dingo dragged the toddler out of the camper van by his head The boy's parents woke to the sounds of screams as one of dingoes dragged the boy outside The boy was treated by paramedics stationed on the island before an RACQ LifeFlight helicopter arrived about 1.40am on Friday. The victim was bleeding heavily but was in a stable condition in Hervey Bay Hospital by morning. He was later transferred to Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane. He suffered a fractured skull, puncture wounds to his neck and head, and cuts on his legs, scalp and body in the attack. The boy's head was bleeding heavily and he was treated by paramedics stationed on the island and remains in a stable condition Kid, It's going to be OK. I know you're not feeling that way right now. You're sitting in school. The other kids are making fun of you. You told the wrong person you had a crush and soon, they all knew your secret. It's horrible. They make your life hell. They laugh at you, whisper about you and call you names. It's not nice. And you can't ask an adult for help because if you did that, you'd have to tell them the truth and you can't do that. They can't ever know your secret. Life is so hard right now. Every day, you wake up wondering who else will find out your secret and hate you. It won't always be like this. It's going to get better. In a year's time, you're going to join a scheme that trains people your age to be journalists. I know the careers teacher suggested that as an option and you said no, because it sounded boring and all you wanted to do was write, but go with it. For the first time in your life, you will feel like you're good at something useful. You'll have found your calling. You'll meet amazing people. And when the bad times come again FYI, your first girlfriend is not 'the one' and you will screw up that history exam it will be journalism that helps you soldier on. In two years' time, you will leave school and go to a local technical college. Don't worry you're going to make friends. These will be your first real friends in semi-adulthood, the people who will answer your calls at 4 o'clock in the morning. In the years to come, you'll only keep in touch with Gavyn and Jonny but you'll remember the others fondly. When you're 17, you'll tell them your secret and they won't mind. It will take courage but you will do it. Gavyn will become Christian and you will fear that he will hate you, but one afternoon, you'll receive a text message saying: 'This changes nothing. You'll always be my friend.' Accept him for what he is as he has accepted you. You'll go to university, like you always planned to, but you'll drop out because it reminds you of school where people were cold and you had few friends. The campus is just too big and scary. But this experience will be the making of you. You'll be making your way in the world for the first time. Through this, you will meet the people who become your best friends. They'll help you replace all the bad memories with good ones. For the first time in your life, you will like yourself. Three months before your 21st birthday, you will tell Mum the secret. You will be sobbing and shaking and she will be frightened because she doesn't know what's wrong. Christmas will be just a couple of weeks away. You have to tell her because you've met someone you like and you can't live with the guilt any more. You can't get the words out so she says it: 'Are you gay?' And you will say, 'Yes Mummy, I'm so sorry.' And instead of getting mad, she will reply 'Thank God you're not pregnant'. You will crawl into her lap, sobbing, as she holds you and tells you that you are her little girl and how could you ever think that anything would make her love you any less? You will feel like a prisoner who has been given their freedom. You will remember all the times you pleaded with God to help you because you were so afraid, and you will feel so foolish because you had nothing to worry about. You will tell your siblings. No one will mind. Mary will hug you in the food court in Castlecourt as you eat KFC together and tell you she's so proud of you. The others will joke about how they always knew. They will all say some variation of 'I love you,' 'I'm so proud of you,' 'This doesn't change a thing.' You will feel so lucky. You watched James get thrown out of his house after coming out to his parents. You were in Michael's house the night his mum said she would 'beat the gay out of him'. You will feel guilty for being the lucky one and getting it easy in the end, even though you went through hell to get there. You will fall in love for the first time. You will have your heart broken for the first time, and you will feel like you might die of the pain. You won't. You will get over it. Right now, you're wondering if you'll ever be 'normal'. You are normal. There is nothing wrong with you. You are not going to hell. You did nothing to deserve their hate. Life will not only get easier, it will get so much better. You will walk down the street without fear. Teenage boys you've never met will not throw things at you and shout names. Your friends will be the best anyone could ask for. You will be invited to parties. You will have a social life. You will be loved. People will use words like 'awesome' and 'cool' and 'witty' to describe you, and you'll forget the times the other kids said you were 'weird' and 'odd' and a 'lesbo'. You will do 'normal' things. You will spend time with your mum. You will go to work and pay your bills. You will go to the cinema with your best friend every week because that's your ritual dinner then an action movie where things explode. You will fall in love again. You will smile every day, knowing that someone loves you as much as you love them. Keep hanging on, kid. It's worth it. I love you. Advertisement A mother-of-two and her friend died after going for a midnight swim in bitterly cold water near a beach in Aberdeen yesterday. Mother Karolina Pisarska, 36, and Luiza Koniuszy, 22, were found face-down in the freezing North Sea after the taxi driver who drove them to the beach raised the alarm. The women had left him behind to wait for them while they swam. Police Scotland described the deaths as 'tragic accidents' after the women got into difficulties while swimming in the sea in the early hours of Good Friday. The foreign nationals were taken from the water by the RNLI and rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where they died. Detectives have launched an investigation but said there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances. Part of the beach was cordoned off with police tape and officers stood guard at the scene. Karolina Pisarska, 36, and Luiza Koniuszy, 22, were found face-down in the freezing North Sea after going for a midnight swim A police search team work on Aberdeen beach this morning after two women were pulled from the sea by the RNLI Emergency services were called to the scene in Aberdeen today following a report that two women were in the water The police search team work on Aberdeen beach following the major rescue operation overnight Chief Inspector Martin Mackay said: 'Above all, my thoughts are with all of those who will be affected by this tragic incident. 'While officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding why these women came to be in the water so late at night, at this stage there appears to be no apparent suspicious circumstances. 'From our initial enquiries, which include speaking to a witness who was at the scene at the time, we understand that they entered the water for the purpose of swimming but sadly underestimated the conditions.' He added: 'I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the rescue personnel who attended and assisted at the scene during the night and did their very best to save the women involved. 'Our seas can be extremely unforgiving, conditions can change rapidly and I can't stress enough the dangers of entering the water at any time of the day or night when you are not suitably prepared.' A policeman stands by a cordon at Aberdeen esplanade after two people were pulled from the sea by the RNLI overnight Police on the scene today after two people were pulled from the sea off Aberdeen beach Emergency services were called to the area after a report that two females were in the water Davie Orr, of the RNLI, said the women were not too far from the end of the groynes on the beach when they were rescued. He said: 'Conditions were not too bad at all. We've had an easterly breeze the last couple of weeks and that causes a bit of swell coming in towards the shore. 'It was high tide as well, which also causes problems, particularly here because when the water's in there's not a ready escape to get out of the water. 'So, it was high tide, a slight easterly breeze, and also being dark as well caused a bit of problem when you're searching for someone.' The two people were rescued from the water by the RNLI inshore lifeboat but died at hospital A passerby speaks with a policeman on Aberdeen esplanade after two people were pulled from the water by the RNLI Warning signs are pictured inside a police cordon on Aberdeen beach this morning following the rescue overnight Officers have been combing the beach as part of the investigation. The coastguard helicopter and Aberdeen and Stonehaven coastguard rescue teams were also involved in the operation. An Aberdeen Water Safety Group spokesman said: 'First and foremost our thoughts are with the families of the two women following this terrible tragedy. 'It would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time but we are obviously deeply saddened at the loss of two young lives and would like to extend our deepest sympathies to friends and families and our gratitude to rescue services who did everything they could to prevent the fatalities.' It comes three years after Julie Walker, 37, and her son Lucas, six, died after being swept out to sea off Aberdeen. Police said at the time in August 2016 that Lucas's brother Samuel also went into the water to try to save them. This is the dramatic moment a crazed robber armed with a nail-gun flees police in a stolen truck with burst tyres in a late-night rampage. Gavin Bourke, 36, allegedly rammed a car with a stolen truck in Holview, south east Brisbane on Friday night. He then allegedly drove the white Mitsubishi Fuso to New South Wales and back to Palm Beach in Queensland where he was arrested. Bourke, from Elanora, allegedly attempted two carjackings by threatening drivers with a nail-gun along the way. Kara Wade, 19, from Pimpana, was allegedly in the passenger seat of the truck with Bourke and was arrested after the first attempted carjacking. Gavin Bourke, 36, allegedly rammed a car with a stolen truck (pictured) in Holview, half an hour south east of the Brisbane CBD on Friday night A truck with stolen registration plates driving in the City of Logan came to Queensland Police's attention at 10.45pm on Friday night. The truck hit a parked Holden Barina and pushed it two meters into a tree before driving south on the Pacific Motorway. Police ambushed the truck on the motorway at Mudgeeraba by using a tyre deflation device to puncture the trucks two front wheels. They then chased after the truck with their lights and sirens turned on. Bourke allegedly drove to New South Wales where local police were waiting for him. NSW Police chased the truck to Tweed Heads where it turned around and traveled north on the Gold Coast Highway at Coolangatta. An allegedly stolen truck came to a stop when the driver did not judge a turn correctly on Eighth Avenue in Palm Beach. It is pictured surrounded by police cars Queensland Police arrested 19-year-old Kara Wade after an alleged attempted carjacking. Pictured is the moment police caught up to the truck and arrested Gavin Bourke Bourke allegedly stopped on Farrell Drive, near Gold Coast Airport, just before midnight. He allegedly threatened a stationary Toyota Tarago driver with a nail-gun but the driver drove away. Bourke allegedly fled when police arrived and left Wade behind where she was arrested. The same truck was seen travelling north on the wrong side of the the Gold Coast Highway at Palm Beach, a few minutes later. Bourke allegedly got out of the truck and threatened a Mazda3 driver for their car but they also drove off. The truck was ambushed by police ambushed on the Pacific Motorway at Mudgeeraba with a tyre deflation device He then allegedly got back in the truck and drove north on the Gold Coast Highway. The truck driver did not judge the turn correctly and came to a halt on Eighth Avenue in Palm Beach. Police arrested Bourke at 12.02am. The White Mitsubishi Fuso truck he was driving was allegedly stolen from a Gold Coast shopping centre in Nerang at 3.45pm on Tuesday, April 16. Bourke was charged with two counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle and attempted robbery and one count each of unlawful use of motor vehicle, drive while relevant drug is present in blood, disqualified driving, stealing, possession of tainted property and assault police. Sparks fly from the deflated two front wheels of the truck as it speeds down a highway He was due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on April 20 but his charges were adjourned until April 30, according to the Courier Mail. Kara Wade appeared in court charged with assaulting police, attempted robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and failing to appear in court for another matter earlier this month. She was granted conditional bail and required to seek a mental health plan, report twice-weekly to police, obey a 10am-6pm curfew and have no contact with Bourke. Wade pleaded guilty to failing to appear to a previous court hearing and was fined $150. Her remaining charges were also adjourned to April 30. The CIA has accused Huawei of being funded by Chinese state security amid a list of allegations facing the company. They say the technologies giant, who wants to provide Britain with technology for the new 5G network, has received funds from China's National Security Commission, the People's Liberation Army and a third branch of the Chinese state intelligence network, The Times reported. The US source explained that Huawei wants to sell its 5G technology to members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group - including Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. But critics have warned that Chinese law could force the tech company to co-operate with its security branches, leading to software being built to spy on or disrupt communications in Britain. The CIA has accused Huawei of being funded by Chinese state security. They say the technologies giant have received funds from China's National Security Commission, the People's Liberation Army and a third branch of the Chinese state intelligence network However Huawei, who insist they are independent of influence from the government, have dismissed the claims. They told the publication: 'Huawei does not comment on unsubstantiated allegations backed up by zero evidence from anonymous sources.' The Whitehall review, which is looking at the future of the UK's telecom systems and introducing 5G into Britain, will be discussed at the National Security Council by Theresa May, cabinet ministers and security chiefs. 'I don't think it's massively supportive [towards Huawei],' a Whitehall source told the newspaper. Out of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group, Australia, New Zealand and The US are the only countries to have blocked the Huawei from providing elements of telecoms, while Britain and Canada are still reviewing their position. The accusation comes at a time of trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and amid concerns in the United States that Huawei's equipment could be used for espionage. The company has said the concerns are unfounded. Authorities in the United States are probing Huawei for alleged sanctions violations. The US source explained that Huawei wants to sell its 5G technology to members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group - including Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Critics have warn Chinese law could force the tech company to co-operate with its security branches However Huawei, who insist they are independent of influence from the government, have dismissed the claims Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial officer and daughter of its founder, Ren Zhengfei, was arrested in Canada in December at the request of the United States on charges of bank and wire fraud in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran. She denies wrongdoing and her father has previously said the arrest was 'politically motivated'. Amid such charges, top educational institutions in the West have recently severed ties with Huawei to avoid losing federal funding. The accusation comes at a time of trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and amid concerns in the United States that Huawei's equipment could be used for espionage. The company has said the concerns are unfounded Another Chinese technology company, ZTE Corp, has also been at the centre of similar controversies in the United States. U.S. sanctions forced ZTE to stop most business between April and July last year after Commerce Department officials said it broke a pact and was caught illegally shipping U.S.-origin goods to Iran and North Korea. The sanctions were lifted after ZTE paid $1.4 billion in penalties. Earlier this week Reuters reported that the United States will push its allies at a meeting in Prague next month to adopt shared security and policy measures that will make it more difficult for Huawei to dominate 5G telecommunications networks. Ohio prison staff are being sued for 'knowingly and intentionally' letting a white supremacist stab four black inmates while they were handcuffed to a table, according to a report published this week. Two correctional officers allegedly laughed as Greg Reinke knifed the men multiple times in June 2017, according to a federal lawsuit viewed by the Cincinnati Enquirer. Shamieke Pugh and Maurice Lee, two of the inmates who've filed the lawsuit, say officers didn't strip search Reinke as required and didn't provide first aid to the bleeding inmates for more than 10 minutes. All four survived the attack at the maximum-security Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, which occurred as they were playing cards at a table near where the attacker had been seated. It was recorded on prison surveillance video that has since been viewed by millions. Staff at Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville have been sued for 'knowingly and intentionally' letting a white supremacist to stab four black inmates. Pictured: The attack Shamieke Pugh, Maurice Lee, Dontez Hollis and Daryl Pascol were sitting together, cuffed to a table, when fellow inmate Greg Reinke slipped out of his handcuffs and began stabbing the men. Pictured: The attack Correctional officers stayed behind a closed door allegedly laughing and debating letting the men die. Pictured: The attack The lawsuit alleges that the four inmates - Pugh, Lee, Dontez Hollis and Darryl Pascol - were strip-searched by the officers before they were let out of their cells for recreational time and handcuffed to a table. Reinke - identified as a member of the white supremacist group the Aryan Brotherhood - was allegedly not strip-searched before he was handcuffed to a nearby table. Guards also allegedly 'gave Reinke a key' or 'knew or should have known that Reinke' had a key or something similar to slip out of his cuffs, reported the Enquirer. Reinke then pulled a homemade blade out of his sock before he began to attack the men. The officers, identified by the last names Faye and Dalton, then reportedly laughed behind a closed and locked door, with one allegedly saying: 'We should just let them die.' Hollis was able to slip out of his handcuffs and tackled Reinke, which is when the guards arrived on the scene. The men were all visibly bleeding by this time. Pugh and Lee are seeking $75,000 in damages and claim in the lawsuit that their civil rights were violated and that they suffered cruel and unusual punishment. Reinke has denied the officers arranged the attack, but said they condoned it. He's also 'stated that he just felt like killing someone,' according to a prison report. Reinke was sentenced to 54 years for the attack and is currently on a hunger strike, saying he is being mistreated by guards The Scioto County prosecutor said he found no evidence of a setup. Reviews of what happened found that guards followed prison policies and procedures, and no officers were disciplined, said Chris Mabe, the president of the union that represents the officers. One of the inmates' attorneys, Solomon Radner, argues that the guards' conduct violated constitutional protection against cruel and unusual punishment. 'I don't care what the policies are. I don't care what the procedures are,' Radner said. 'I know what the Eighth Amendment is.' The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said it doesn't comment on pending litigation. Prison officials wouldn't say how Reinke smuggled homemade knives from his cell and slipped his cuffs. The officers' union previously said Lucasville has since ended the practice of shackling multiple inmates seated at a table. Pugh spent two weeks in the hospital being stabbed. The lawsuit also alleges he was punched and kicked by different officers while shackled a year later when he experienced chest pain and sought medical treatment from prison nurses, then was denied medical treatment for resulting injuries. Guards entered the area after one of the victims got out of his cuffs and tackled Reinke to the ground with all the men visibly bleeding (pictured) The lawsuit, filed by Pugh and Lee, allege that officers strip-searched the four men but not Reinke and either gave him a key to his cuffs or knew he had one. Pictured: Attorney Solomon Radner, far left, and Pugh discuss the lawsuit on April 3, 2019 Pugh and Lee are seeking $75,000 in damages and claim in the lawsuit that their civil rights were violated and that they suffered cruel and unusual punishment. Pictured: Pugh speaks during an interview in Delaware, Ohio, in December 2018 Pugh was released from prison in December after serving several years for burglary. Lee, now at Madison Correctional Institution, is serving a 10-year sentence on charges including aggravated robbery. Their lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. Having video of the attack is extremely important to the case because it provides evidence in a situation that might otherwise be just the guards' word versus the inmates' word, Radner said. He said he hopes the case prompts conversations about having corrections officers wear body cameras as police do. Reinke was sentenced to 54 years in prison for the attack and then received another 32-year sentence for attacking a corrections officer just eight months later. According to prosecutors, Reinke and a fellow inmate stabbed the officer 32 times, reported the Enquirer. Prior to both attacks, Reinke was already serving a life sentence after he was found guilty in a 2004 shooting in Cleveland. Recently, Reinke went on a hunger strike, claiming he's being harassed by guards, denied proper recreation time and lives in a bare cell so empty that he's forced to place his clothes on the floor. He also alleges inmates who have been convicted of killing guards aren't being treated as poorly. Advertisement Local California authorities were left bewildered on Thursday by a large illegal cannabis farm that took them an entire day to seize and contained some 40,000 pot plants, valued at a staggering $20million. The illicit farm - located on the 2500 block of McCallister Street in Riverside - reportedly emitted a strong odor that prompted an anonymous source to contact authorities, Riverside Police Department Officer Ryan Railsback explained to KTLA. The property sits approximately nine miles outside of Riverside and roughly eight miles outside of Corona. It is surrounded by trees and a few sprinkling of houses and is five minutes away from the Riverside Freeway. Detectives were granted a search warrant, which gave them access to the property on Thursday. The size of the property meant the search extended well into Friday. The illicit farm - located on the 2500 block of McCallister Street in Riverside - emitted a strong odor which prompted an anonymous source to contact local authorities The massive property is believed to have formally been a plant nursery and investigators discovered that the product was being housed in multiple greenhouses. The cannabis plants were also in various stages of maturity. It took investigators all day to collect the plants, using forklifts to load them onto trucks. Railsback shared that authorities also 'found the chemicals used' for growing the plants. 'Thousand of gallons of pesticide and thousands of pounds of the fertilizer used for this cultivation process,' he added. Investigators found roughly 40,000 pot plants at various stages of maturity and valued at $20million The site is believed to have formally been a plant nursery and investigators discovered that the plants were housed in multiple greenhouses on the massive property The officer also shared that animal control was called to the scene to collect dogs that were found on the premises. According to Railsback, no one was at the scene at the time that the warrant was served. Police did find makeshift living quarters, however. Authorities are looking into who owns the part farm, Railsback shared. At the scene, police also a variety of equipment, including: multiple cars, a tractor and a forklift. Railsback indicated that the items would be permanently seized through asset and forfeiture. California does allow for recreational marijuana usage. 'It is very illegal in the city of Riverside to have anything more than six plants for your personal use, ' Railsback added. 'And it's obvious that this was a full-scale operation going on that was conducted illegally.' The property sits approximately nine miles outside of Riverside and roughly eight miles outside of Corona. It is surrounded mostly by trees and a few sprinkling of houses and an approximate five minutes away from the Riverside Freeway No one was at the scene at the time that the warrant was served. Police did find makeshift living quarters at the scene, however At the scene, police also a variety of equipment including: multiple cars, a tractor and a forklift. Those items will be eventually seized by the Riverside Police Department Advertisement Climate change protesters at Oxford Circus in London have finally been moved on by police officers - only to go to Hyde Park instead, where thousands are celebrating an international cannabis day. Popularised in the US, 420 is a day that sees cannabis smokers celebrate the drug and it seems several protesters have decided to join in. People were pictured with bongs at the park while climate protesters could be seen dancing and enjoying the festivities. A MailOnline reporter on the scene said that many climate change protesters were seen leaving their stations at Oxford Circus at around the same time that the festivities started this afternoon. Signs placed on the entrance and around Hyde Park stated that 'cannabis is illegal' and those found in possession would be prosecuted. However, no arrests were reported to have been made, despite police being present in and around the park. The soft approach from officers comes after more police were drafted in to deal with protesters in London this week. The force could face criticism for their approach to the 420 event which has seen many cannabis supporters descend to Hyde Park to smoke the illegal substance. More than 30,000 people are expected to congregate in the park for the event, which is against the laws surrounding the use and possession of cannabis in the UK. The park is expected to be busy all afternoon as people arrived early to make sure they got a spot for the inaugural 4.20pm time slot, which is said to be the best time of day to light up. London has been hit by consecutive days of protests all over the city with 750 people having been arrested with 28 protesters charged following the six days of demonstrations. The Met has urged protesters on both Oxford Circus and Waterloo Bridge to go to Marble Arch where they will be allowed to protest lawfully. Marble Arch sits on the corner of Hyde Park, where the 420 event is taking place this afternoon and it is thought that many of the protesters may have seeped into the park as officers closed off the roads around the Marble Arch area. Popularised in the US, 420 is a day that sees cannabis smokers celebrate the drug and it seems several protesters have decided to join in One man had a smile on his face and was pictured with a mock road sign which read: 'Mr NICE Higher Living, Have a NICE Day, Only Smoke The Best 420 Thousands of people gathered in the park for the event and it is thought that climate change protesters also entered the event after being ushered to Marble Arch by police Officers outnumbered protesters on Waterloo Bridge this evening as they started clearing away the protesters belongings Officers were pictured patrolling the event at Hyde Park but seemed to be turning a blind eye to those who were clearly smoking cannabis A sign outside of Hyde Park stated that 'Cannabis is illegal' and that anyone found in possession of drugs faces arrest and prosecution As the sun went down this evening, protesters still remained on Waterloo Bridge and had placed a sign near officers which read 'Rebel for Life' Those who had moved their protests on to Marble Arch were seen camping out on the pavement and roads. Telephone boxes had also been spray painted with graffiti which read 'vegan rebel', while cardboard signs were also erected on the street along with plastic bottles which had been filled with different liquids. People continued to march in the area tonight holding signs which read: 'The livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions than transport. Go vegan 4 the environment'. Social media users reported that police had taken to using angle grinders to remove protesters of Oxford Circus who had locked themselves down in the area. This is while others continued to march on Waterloo Bridge despite police intervention this evening. Some women took off their tops and walked across the bridge while wearing flower headbands. As the sun was setting this evening a few people remained on Waterloo Bridge which had been spray painted with the sign 'Save mother earth' Protesters in Marble Arch spray painted iconic London telephone boxes near their encampment which was set up today Those marching along Marble Arch held signs which stated facts about greenhouse gas emissions and urged people to go vegan for the environment The protesters put up Extinction Rebellion signs as well as flyers which stated 'non violent'. Also pictured were various plastic bottles Women on Waterloo Bridge went bra less as they continued to protest despite police intervention earlier in the day The High Club is hosting the 420 cannabis event which will include music from artists such as Dappy and educational talks from speakers such as Tommy Corbyn. Proceedings kicked off at midday hosted by hip hop artist Clement Marfo, who is recognised for his frequently featured TV anthem 'Champion'. Marwan Elgamal, founder of The High Club said: 'This year has been huge for the cannabis industry, not just for business but also the law itself. 'In the UK we've seen considerable progression made in regards to medicinal access. To mark what has been an unprecedented year for the cannabis in the UK, we've put plans in place for this to be an unforgettable 420. Last year there were around 15,000 people, this year it will be more than double that.' Despite the relaxed atmosphere on the park, police were called at around 4.20pm to the western side of Hyde Park and found a man suffering with a stab injury, it is not yet known whether the incident is linked to the 420 event. One woman was seen smoking and enjoying the sunshine on Hyde Park today, where people have gathered for the 420 event While some protesters were being carted off Waterlook Bridge. Other people were embracing the warm weather and enjoying the sun People at the event had been selling cannabis merchandise and it is not yet known if there has been any arrests on the park for those smoking Snacks at the ready! These women had come prepared and seemed to have brought a picnic with them to the event Marijuana activists and smokers unite for a day of smoking, protests, and community. Many people had gathered on the park this afternoon In a statement police said: 'Officers attended along with LAS and found a man suffering a suspected stab injury. The man, believed to be aged in his 20s, has been taken to hospital. His condition is being treated as potentially life-threatening at this stage. 'We await a further assessment. Detectives from the Central West Command Unit are investigating. There has been no arrest.' Earlier this evening police were seen carrying people off Waterloo Bridge who had remained in the area despite being told to move or face arrest. Officers were also seem removing the belongings and items such as trees and banner from the bridge. Today Met Police Crime Commissioner Cressida Dick said she had one message for the protesters, and that was to protest where it was lawful, or go home. Speaking on Sky News she said the force has had around 1,500 officers working to police these protests. Marijuana activists and smokers unite for a day of smoking, protests, and community. Many pitched up at the park for the event Police on Waterloo Bridge were seen carrying people off the bridge who had refused to move off peacefully. It is the sixth day of protests Officers were pictured pushing wheelbarrows full of various items and rubbish off of Waterloo Bridge where Extinction Rebellion has been protesting for the last few days Crowds of officers gathered on Waterloo Bridge while others were forced to remove protesters from the demonstration One woman was pictured lying on the floor with her arms out as police tried to talk to her to advice her that she needed to move from the area 'It's had an impact not just on the police obviously but on Londoners in general. Lots of people have had miserable disruption to their lives and I've got one message for the protesters, and that is please go to Marble Arch where you can protest lawfully, stop your unlawful protests and if you don't want to go to Marble Arch then go home.' Asked whether or not she has sympathy for the businesses which would have been disrupted by the protests this week she said all Londoners would have sympathy with them and that some would be able to cope better with losses than others. 'It is clear that by stopping for example Oxford Circus and stopping the through route up from Waterloo Bridge it is affecting businesses in all kind of ways. People are losing money, it's also affecting people who want to get about London whether that's for work or tourist reasons and its affecting everyone in the West End. Police officers keep watch as climate change activists continue to block the road at Oxford Circus in London on the sixth day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion Appearing on Sky News, Cressida Dick (pictured above) said that protesters needed to move to Marble Arch where they could continue to protest lawfully 'I've been walking about there today and I can assure you that many people are fed up - they are coming up to me and saying that these protesters don't realise the impact they are having on people like me.' This afternoon police officers were seen removing potted plants and other items from the protesters from Waterloo Bridge. Some officers were pictured pushing wheelbarrows full of various items, while others were seen bagging them up and taking them away. Rubber gloves at the ready! Officers were seen dragging ruggs and other items of the bridge which has been left littered by protesters One officer was seen carrying a plant pot full of soil in one hand while holding bits of rubbish with the other. Officers behind him were holding crates and other items left behind by protesters A member of the Extinction Rebellion campaign group hiding underneath a vehicle at Waterloo Bridge in central London The activists were also in a celebratory mood earlier this morning after they defied police officers who threatened to arrest them. Officers had said they would arrest any activists found camped out after 10.30am on a busy junction of Oxford Circus - but they withdrew from the scene just an hour later. This allowed the small crowd of protesters, which numbered just 30 at the start of the day and was outnumbered by around 50 officers, to swell as it approached midday. Some were heard saying that they were headed to Hyde Park later in the day to celebrate 420. Eventually, police officers returned to remove protesters while fellow activists cheered and chanted slogans at them. Some protesters were overheard saying they were going to go to Hyde Park, where thousands are coming together to celebrate 420, an international cannabis celebration day This map shows the journey that some of the protesters took as they moved from Oxford Circus to Hyde Park to mark the 420 day After repeated warnings from police officers, the protesters were eventually arrested and removed from Oxford Circus Police officers took over the site of the protest at Oxford Circus today, moving and removing demonstrators after 1pm The blockade of Waterloo Bridge also continued today, with protesters adding a truck to their line. Police tried to force protesters away from Oxford Circus and other locations in London, filtering them to Marble Arch. A statement from the force said: 'We are trying our best to give the businesses a chance to return to ''business as usual''.' Oxford Circus protesters were repeatedly threatened with arrest throughout the day, though discussions between officers and demonstrators saw police backtrack. Members of the climate change Extinction Rebellion joined in with the Hyde Park celebrations, playing music and dancing as they marked 420 Some of the protesters at Oxford Circus were heard saying that they were headed to Hyde Park later in the day to celebrate 420 Thousands of people are believed to have descended on Hyde Park today to celebrate the annual cannabis event, 420 Popularised in the US, 420 is a day that sees cannabis smokers celebrate the drug and it seems several protesters have decided to join in As the day went on, police stayed at the scene in vans, but there were few officers on the street. However, they eventually arrived at Oxford Circus en-masse, forcibly removing any protesters they came across. They cleared out the area and retained a strong presence, blocking any other activists from gathering. Rebecca Johnson, who was at the scene as a legal observer, said: 'I'm here as a legal observer. People have come here to stop traffic and to stop London and say ''wake up we have to do something now to prevent climate destruction escalating''. The park was filled with crowds of people with members of the climate change protest believed to have also attended Residents said that the park smelled strongly of marijuana and there was music and food as people marked the annual celebration At the start of today's Oxford Circus protest at 10.30am, there were more police officers than demonstrators as they threatened activists with arrests 'We were facing nuclear war but here everyone has come together. This has got to be the right use of everybody's time, we are sleepwalking into a climate catastrophe. 'I cannot emphasise enough if we don't act now it will be too late. We want to make sure protesters know what their right are.' One father, who was at the protest with his wife and children, said: 'I'd be happy to get arrested but it's difficult with my kids here.' Another, named Rory, said: 'I've been here since 9pm last night we were very thin on the ground because the boat got taken yesterday. There were only 15/20 people were here last night. However, an hour later police had dispersed, leaving just a few officers on the ground as the crowd of protesters swelled towards midday Spirits were high as the protesters sang and chanted while blocking the street, without any police officers seemingly in sight They held banners proclaiming 'we are the boat' in reference to the pink boat that was removed by police officers after it had become a symbol of the protest 'I'm going to carry on doing it till Monday but I'm working on Tuesday.' Protester Katie said: 'I've been coming everyday because I care about our future and I want to show the government that our collective voices can be powerful and do mean something. We made a collective decision to stay out here today when police said we would be arrested and look what happened, our voices are powerful'. Police added: 'One thing that is unusual about this demonstration is the willingness of those participating to be arrested and also their lack of resistance to the arrests.' This week's Extinction Rebellion (XR) demonstrations have closed key routes through the capital, cost businesses tens of millions in lost revenue, inconvenienced half a million people a day, and resulted in at least 682 arrests, but show no sign of abating. Close to 1pm, police officers descended on the protesters, arresting and removing them from the scene, carrying some of them They hoisted some of the protesters into the air and carried them away, while other demonstrators cheered and chanted They instead directed protesters who wished to continue demonstrating to go to Marble Arch or risk being arrested Climate change activists sit atop a lorry as they continue to block Waterloo Bridge for a sixth consecutive day this morning Yesterday organisers said they had seen an increase in people joining up, pointing to warm weather, the Easter holiday, and a David Attenborough documentary about climate change broadcast on Thursday evening as motivators. The overstretched Met issued a plea that the willingness of so many people to be arrested was causing a 'logistical problem' for cell space and the wider criminal justice system. Yesterday Dame Emma Thompson poured scorn on the Metropolitan Police's decision to escalate its approach on the fifth day of the protests having taken a hammering for its light-touch strategy earlier in the week. She said: 'We didn't ask for police resources, that is their decision. It's not like we are burning things down. The police turned up because they have been asked to turn up. They decided to spend their money in this way, which I personally think is a waste of taxpayers' money. We aren't doing anything violent.' A climate change activist meditates as demonstrators continue to block Waterloo Bridge in London on the sixth day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group An Extinction Rebellion demonstrator wearing an owl mask on Waterloo Bridge during today's protest from climate change activists As of 10am, more than 715 people have been arrested with 28 protesters charged following the six days of demonstrations Robert De Niro took another swipe at Donald Trump on Friday, branding him a 'total loser' and 'wannabe gangster.' The Godfather actor, 75, who has been involved in a long-running war of words with POTUS, made the comments during an appearance on the the Late Show With Stephen Colbert. He claimed he had tried to give Trump a chance but had been left disappointed. He told Colbert: 'Thats what I said right after he was elected.' Robert De Niro (left) criticized Donald Trump (right) on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, calling him a 'total loser' and 'dumbbell' The Godfather actor, 75, who has been involved in a long-running war of words with POTUS, appeared on the the Late Show to discuss the Tribeca Film Festival 'Give him a chance. I give everybody the benefit of the doubt. This guy has proven himself to be a total loser,' he added. The Hollywood star recently reprized his role as special counsel Robert Mueller on SNL last weekend to read the summary findings of the report into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, which found there was no criminal collusion by Trump or his staff. He said of playing the part: 'It's my civic obligation to play Mueller, I don't know if it's possible, but I keep saying [if it's possible] to handcuff him and take him [Trump] away in a orange jump suit. De Niro is one of the most distinguished actors of his generation, winning two Oscars for his performances in The Godfather Part II and Raging Bull. He will return to the gangster genre for The Irishman on Netflix, which is due for release this fall and will reunite him with director Martin Scorsese. Speaking about playing gangster roles, the actor again criticized Trump, saying: ' We have a wannabe gangster in the White House now.' 'Even gangsters have morals, they have ethics, they have a code, and you know, when you give somebody your word thats all you have is your word, especially in that world. This guy, he doesnt even know what that means,' he added. De Niro later branded Trump a 'disappointed dunski,' which he explained was the head of a crime family, and a 'dumbbell.' The interview was taped on Tuesday and didnt air until Friday, which meant that De Niro could not comment on the findings of the Mueller report The Hollywood star recently reprized his as role special counsel Robert Mueller on SNL, which he said it was his 'civic duty' to play He claimed Trump tried to act like a made man, but was missing some of the standards they held. Introducing a performance by Bruce Springsteen last November at the Tony Awards, the actor railed against the American President. 'First, I wanna say, 'f**kTrump",' De Niro said in the bleeped telecast. 'It's no longer 'Down with Trump,' it's "f**k Trump".' His comments received a standing ovation in New York's Radio City Music Hall. De Niro has never been a fan of Trump, and he's not afraid to share his thoughts Trump responded by calling De Niro 'a very low IQ individual' in a series of tweets. Trump wrote: 'Robert De Niro, a very Low IQ individual, has received to (sic) many shots to the head by real boxers in movies. I watched him last night and truly believe he may be 'punch-drunk.' 'I guess he doesn't realize the economy is the best it's ever been with employment being at an all time high, and many companies pouring back into our country. Wake up Punchy!. De Niro has never been a fan of Trump, and he's not afraid to share his thoughts. He compared the then New York real estate developer to a used care salesman in 2011. In January he claimed Trump was a 'white supremacist' and compared him to Adolf Hitler, claiming dictators had 'looked funny' when they first came to power. Asked whether Trump was a fascist, he said: 'I guess that's what it leads to. If he had his way, we'd wind up in a very bad state in this country. 'I mean, the way I understand it, they laughed at Hitler. They all look funny. Hitler looked funny, Mussolini looked funny and other dictators and despots look funny. De Niro has reunited with the acclaimed director Martin Scorsese for the Netflix movie 'The Irishman' which will be released this fall and also stars Al Pacino and Joe Pesci 'What bothers me is that there will be people in the future who see him as an example and they'll be affected in some way, but they'll be a lot smarter and do more damage as a despot.' A month before the 2016 election, in a campaign video he said of the republican candidate, 'he says he'd like to punch someone in the face, I'd like to punch him in the face.' He was also one of the celebrities at Trump Tower on the even of the inauguration speaking out against the president. Just last month the Goodfellas star said that he would ban President Trump from all of his Nobu restaurants. At the opening of Nobu Marbella, he said 'I don't care what he likes. If he walked into a restaurant I was in - I'd walk out.' Donald Trump took aim at the Mueller report again on Saturday morning, calling it the 'greatest Witch Hunt in U.S. political history' in a series of scathing tweets. The president declared 'the Russia hoax is dead' and suggested the 'haters' were trying to stir up trouble. It comes following the release of the Mueller report this week by Attorney General William Barr, which said there was not enough evidence to state the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin to boost his election chances. Trump, who is spending the Easter weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach County, Florida, also used Twitter to boast of his record as president, declaring that unemployment was at a 50 year low, and that 'the economy is doing GREAT! [sic]' Donald Trump has taken aim at the Mueller report again, calling it the 'greatest Witch Hunt in U.S. political history', in a series of scathing tweets posted this morning. The president doesn't appear willing to let the investigation go quietly into the night, declaring 'the Russia hoax is dead' and that 'haters' are trying to stir up trouble Trump is currently enjoying an Easter vacation with his family at his Mar-a-Lago Florida resort Released on Thursday after a nearly two-year investigation, Mueller's report detailed a huge amount of cooperative but not criminal contacts between Trump's 2016 election campaign and Russia that assisted the Republican against his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. The report also detailed numerous acts by the president that supported allegations of obstruction of justice, though Mueller, constrained by Justice Department rules, could not himself recommend charges against Trump. Trump declared victory and exoneration after the report, and later labeled Mueller's work 'total bullshit.' It comes following the release of the Mueller report this week by Attorney General William Barr which appeared to clear Trump of any allegations of collusion with the Kremlin in order to boost his presidential election chances Trump, who is spending the Easter weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate, in Palm Beach County, also used Twitter boast of his record as president, declaring that unemployment was at a 50 year low, and that 'the economy is doing GREAT! [sic]' Thumbs up: Trump acknowledges photographers from the window of his chauffeured SUV Thumbs up: Trump acknowledges photographers from the window of his chauffeured SUV Trump's remarks follow Elizabeth Warren's recent call for impeachment proceedings against the president following the release of the Mueller Report. She is the first of the 19 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls to push for his removal from office, but it is likely others will follow. In a Twitter thread, the Massachusetts senator claimed the Mueller Report showed that the President was trying to 'obstruct' the investigation into foreign interference in the 2016 election. 'The Mueller report lays out facts showing that a hostile foreign government attacked our 2016 election to help Donald Trump and Donald Trump welcomed that help,' she wrote. 'Once elected, Donald Trump obstructed the investigation into that attack.' Trump's remarks follow Elizabeth Warren's recent call for impeachment proceedings against the president following the release of the report. She is the first of the 19 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls to push for his removal from office, but it is likely others will follow 'Mueller put the next step in the hands of Congress: Congress has authority to prohibit a Presidents corrupt use of his authority in order to protect the integrity of the administration of justice"' she wrote quoting a line Mueller included in his report. 'The correct process for exercising that authority is impeachment,' she said. Meanwhile Republican Senator Mitt Romney said Friday that he was 'sickened' and 'appalled' by what Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report revealed about President Donald Trump and his aides, as the leader's approval rating dropped 3 percent. The President was pictured reading the New York Post, wearing a white polo t-shirt and cap While most Republicans declined to comment on the explosive report, he chastised the GOP president and senior White House officials caught misleading the public. 'I am sickened at the extent and pervasiveness of dishonesty and misdirection by individuals in the highest office of the land, including the president,' Romney said in a Twitter statement. 'I am also appalled that, among other things, fellow citizens working in a campaign for president welcomed help from Russia -- including information that had been illegally obtained, that none of them acted to inform American law enforcement and that the campaign chairman was actively promoting Russian interests in Ukraine.' The Thai navy has boarded the floating cabin of a fugitive American Bitcoin investor and his girlfriend after they were warned they could face the death penalty for setting up their offshore home. Thai authorities revoked Chad Elwartowski's visa and charged him and girlfriend Supranee Thepdet with violating Thai sovereignty by having the cabin 14 miles off the west coast of the island of Phuket. The cabin had been promoted as the world's first 'seastead' by the group Ocean Builders. Chad Elwartowski, pictured with girlfriend Supranee Thepdet, claims to have proof that his 'seastead' home was outside Thai territorial waters after the country raided the property threatened him with the death penalty Thai naval officers from the Third Naval Area Command approach the 'seastead' floating cabin in the Andaman Sea, 14 miles off the coast of Phuket He says a GPS beacon placed on his home by a researcher recorded the coordinates where it was located, and Google's mapping feature shows it was 14 nautical miles from a Thai island - two miles outside the country's territorial waters A gun from the Thai navy's ship looks on to the small floating home in the middle of the sea It is part of a movement to build floating communities beyond the bounds of nations as a way to explore alternative societies and governments. 'I was free for a moment. Probably the freest person in the world,' Elwartowski posted on Facebook on April 13, days before the Thai navy raided his vessel. Countries can claim a 'contiguous zone' from between 12 and 24 nautical miles from shore, which allows it to apply a limited number of laws. However, these can only be to prevent or punish 'infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary laws and regulations within its territory or territorial sea.' A Thai naval vessel sails by the floating cabin. It is part of a movement to build floating communities beyond the bounds of nations as a way to explore alternative societies and governments A floating home, lived in by an American man and his Thai partner, is pictured in the Andaman Sea, off Phuket Island in Thailand Mr Elwartowski and Miss Thepdet have been in hiding since Thai authorities raided their home on last week, saying they fear for their lives The Thai navy claims their 'seastead' is 12 nautical miles from the shore but Elwartowski said it was 14 miles and so in international waters Elwartowski claims he 'did not do anything on the seastead that was not legal on land', raising doubts over whether these laws would apply to him. Crypto traders are said to be leading the charge to 'establish micronations', outside known territorial borders by exploiting a loophole in international law. It is thought Elwartowski, who was part of the first group to adopt Bitcoin and made his money trading crypo-currencies, paid $150,000 for the seastead. Elwartowski, 46, was not on board having apparently fled after a surveillance plane flew overhead the previous day. Thepdet, whose Facebook page describes her as a 'Bitcoin expert, Trader, Chef, seastead Pioneer', was said to be with him. 'Seasteaders' Bitcoin Girl Thailand and Chad Elwartowski enjoying the golden beaches of Thailand. The kingdom has accused the coupe of violating its sovereignty Chad Elwartowski and 'Nadia' Supranee Thepdet posted pictures online of them sipping Champagne on their 'floating platform' off the coast of Phuket island, southern Thailand The US Embassy in Bangkok said Elwartowski had spoke to a lawyer and was being provided with appropriate assistance. The Royal Thai Navy had planned to seize the structure today and tow it back to shore for use as evidence. In a video posted last month detailing the construction of the floating home, Elwartowski said 20 more similar houses would be up for sale to form a community. Chad Elwartowski (left) and girlfriend Supranee Thepdet (left and right) posted a series of pictures on Instagram of the couple enjoying the Thai sunshine A naval worker fastens a rope under the cabin. The Royal Thai Navy had planned to seize the structure today and tow it back to shore for use as evidence Supranee Thepdet documented the couple's quest to build a home out at sea with pictures on social media Elwartowski and Ocean Builders say the vessel was in international waters and beyond Thailand's jurisdiction. But Thai authorities said it is in the country's 200-mile exclusive economic zone - therefore a violation of its sovereignty. A Thai navy task force inspected the floating home today as it prepared to tow it back to Phuket. Captain Puchong Rodnikorn, chief of staff of the Operations Squadron of the Third Naval Area Command, said 'We will invite technical units and officials who have inspected the object to consult on the methods of towing to minimise damage. 'Once the sea house reaches the shore, the owner of this house can come to inspect it, as well as come forward to the Thai authorities in order to prove themselves in the legal process.' Supranee Thepdet and her boyfriend Chad Elwartowski are facing charges that could be punishable by death over their alleged bid to build their own 'micronation' Thai navy officers inspecting a 'seastead' - a floating 'living platform' in the Andaman Sea - some 12 nautical miles off the coast of Phuket island, southern Thailand, last week Thepdet and her boyfriend are facing the death penalty over their alleged bid to launch their own 'micronation' off the coast of Thailand The navy said it had evidence the floating home was built in a private boatyard in Phuket and the couple wanted to establish a 'permanent settlement at sea beyond the sovereignty of nations by using a legal loophole'. It said the action 'reveals the intention of disobeying the laws of Thailand and could lead to a creation of a new state within Thailand's territorial waters'. It added that this would undermine Thailand's national security as well as the economic and social interests of maritime nations. The couple allegedly built the platform in international waters with the intent to set up a permanent outpost out of any state territories Thailand's navy takes a dim view of any attempts to threaten the country's sovereignty, the kingdom's police said When asked by reporters, Elwartowski referred all questions to the Seasteading Institute and pointed to online statements from the Ocean Builders website. Elwartowski and Supranee are members of Ocean Builders, which has denied they were planning to set up an independent state or 'micro nation'. The group said the pair did not build, invest in or design the floating home themselves, but were 'volunteers excited about the prospect of living free'. According to Ocean Builders, the concept of seasteading has been discussed for years but the cabin Elwartowski and Supranee lived on was the first attempt at living in what it described as international waters. Other groups, such as the Seasteading Institute - which was originally backed by PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel - have looked to build floating cities with the cooperation of host nations. Pill testing cannot save lives because it doesn't tell users how strong their drugs are, according to a former police drug squad boss. Former Superintendent Nick Bingham told the Police Tape podcast any argument to support pill testing at live events misses the point. He said pill testing at festivals is essentially ineffective because it only tests for additives as opposed to analysing the dose levels of a specific chemical in a pill. Former Superintendent Nick Bingham (pictured) this week told the Police Tape podcast any argument to support pill testing at live events missed the point Mr Bingham said pill testing at festivals is essentially ineffective because it only tests for additives opposed to analysing the dose levels of a specific chemical in a pill 'It doesn't matter what they identify within that ecstasy pill or ecstasy capsule, it's the ecstasy that's going to hurt you, more so than whatever else they put in it,' Mr Bingham said. The test's inability to determine concentration is also mentioned on the Parliament of Australia website, which states high doses are often fatal by themselves. 'On-site pill testing kits are severely limited in what they detect, with test kits unlikely to detect contaminants or other toxic compounds in pills,' the website states. The pill testing technology is allegedly also ineffective at detecting new drugs on the market, such as NBOMe - or N-Bomb - which was linked to three deaths in in 2017. But as the website states, arguments for and against pill testing are typically led by broader debates on the merits of harm minimisation versus zero tolerance to drugs. Mr Bingham said it shouldn't be a question of whether to set up stalls at festivals, but rather how to enforce the message drug taking is like playing 'Russian roulette'. He said five deaths from suspected overdoses at music festivals within the last five months was too many - with four alleged to be directly linked to drug purity. According to pro-pill testing advocate Dr Alex Wodak, pill testing can be effective because it eradicates impurities and reduces risks associated with overdose. Mr Bingham said five deaths from suspected overdoses at music festivals within the last five months was too many - with four alleged to be directly linked to drug purity Speaking to The Today Show in January, Dr Wodak, said Australians need to have a conversation about how drugs should be regulated - which includes pill testing. Dr Wodak said very often drug consumption is reduced when the environment that surround it is less punitive or viewed as a punishment and restrictive. But Mr Bingham this week argued the initiative does nothing to discourage people from taking illicit drugs. He said said young people underestimate the dangers of illicit drug use, so the message he wants to get out is that there is no such thing as a safe drug. 'I get angry because these people are smart people, but they're running the risk - it's like Russian roulette - of death or serious injury,' he said. According to pro-pill testing advocate Dr Alex Wodak (pictured), pill testing can be effective because it eradicates impurities and reduces risks associated with overdose Australian spies have reportedly been sacked and demoted over booze-fuelled rampages in Afghanistan. An internal review was launched by the Australian Secret Intelligence Service in 2015 amid concerns agents had become consumed by negative 'frontier culture'. The inquiry found spies were abusing alcohol and were fraternising improperly with troops from Australia's Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). 'They got caught up in a sort of frontier culture,' one source told The Australian. Australian spies have allegedly been sacked and demoted over booze-fuelled rampages in Afghanistan 'That should and did raise alarm bells.' The review also found there was no proper supervision when the operatives were out in the field. A booze-fuelled night in Kabul lead to an SASR troop pulling out a weapon on a ASIS agent in 2013. An inquiry, conducted by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS), followed the incident. Paul Symon, the ASIS director general, said: 'This IGIS noted that while no physical injury resulted, the incident had the potential to cause serious injury - and that ASIS's investigation of the incident had highlighted systemic issues, into which (the IGIS) would inquire'. Aussie troops in Afghanistan heavily relied on ASIS agents to provide important intelligence material for their missions. An internal review was launched by the Australian Secret Intelligence Service in 2015 amid concerns agents had become consumed by negative 'frontier culture' (stock image) The progression of the war meant more ASIS agents were deployed by 2012 to meet the demand for intelligence. But as they grew in numbers, so did the concerns about their conduct in frontier culture. Another source familiar with the findings of the report said it highlighted some ongoing problems. 'Some of it was personality-based. There was concerning reports around the way they dealt with alcohol,' the source said. An Ohio mother demanded action on Friday after her two young daughters were removed from their private Christian school because she 'committed adultery.' Summer Grant, 30, told WYKC that her daughters - fourth grader Summara and second grader Summaia - have attended the Chapel Hill Christian Schools for years. The schools offer preschool to six grade classes and has two campuses in Cuyahoga Falls and Springfield Township. Scroll down for video Summer Grant, 30, asserted that her daughters - fourth grader Summara and second grader Summaia - have been going to the Chapel Hill Christian Schools for years Her 10-year-old and seven-year-old daughters were dismissed from the Cuyahoga Falls location last Friday, with just 30 days left in the school year Grant shared that her 10-year-old and seven-year-old daughters were dismissed from the Cuyahoga Falls location last Friday, with just 30 days left in the school year. The school's reason: Grant was allegedly 'living in sin.' Grant recorded a conversation she had with a pastor John Wilson, who explained she was violating the school's covenant by having children with different fathers 'He said it was many reasons and the main one was because I was not married and my children had different fathers,' Grant explained. The mother recorded a conversation she had with administrative pastor John Wilson, who said that the mother was violating the school's covenant by having children with different fathers and living with a significant other while not being married. 'There's 10 commandments and committing adultery is not part of that,' Pastor Wilson can be heard saying in footage. 'It's not that they should not go to the school it's that they can't go to the school.' Grant described her children as being great students and proudly showed off the many accolades and certificates the pair had gotten from their school. She explained that the children had never been in trouble, save for a misunderstanding a bus driver had with one of her daughters last week. Wilson and Grants have butted heads before about the mom's private home life. She shared that at a July parent conference, Wilson asked her why her kids had three different fathers The mother said that the driver wanted her child to sit in the front because he claimed she wasn't listening. Grant said her daughter shared that she had been talking to a friend at the time and hadn't heard the driver. The next day, when the Akron resident tried to resolve the situation with the driver, she said that he became rude. He eventually called the cops but no one was arrested. But Grant asserts that Wilson indicated that the incident had little to do with the school's decision. 'It's not right,' she declared. 'It's not right.' Grant described her children as being great students and proudly showed off the many accolades and certificates the pair had gotten from their school Wilson and Grants have butted heads before about the mom's private home life. She shared that at a July parent conference, Wilson asked her why her kids had three different fathers. Grant also described how Wilson gave her eight recommendations on how to improve her life. 'As Christian you are not supposed to judge,' she said. 'You shouldn't have affected these kids education over that.' Wilson is heard stating that having kids by the same man is a 'strong recommendation' but not a requirement in the recorded conversation. The mother claims that she isn't the only parent that isn't married with kids so she doesn't get why her children were singled out. Pastor Wilson released a statement with Jeff Sumner, the Board of Education Chairman for the schools, after refusing to go on camera. He claimed that parents sign a 'written agreement to conduct themselves in accordance with expressed guidelines of conducts' in hopes of ensuring the 'physical safety of our students' Pastor Wilson released a statement with Jeff Sumner, the Board of Education Chairman for the schools, after refusing to go on camera. He claimed that parents sign a 'written agreement to conduct themselves in accordance with expressed guidelines of conducts' in hopes of ensuring the 'physical safety of our students.' Grant asserted that she never signed an agreement of the sort The agreement is 'meant to reflect a common commitment to the cause of Christ, foster the "Spirit of unity through the bond of peace," and continue to extend the redemptive work of Christ in individual lives and the corporate life of God's School.' Wilson wouldn't go into specifics but asserted that the 'dismissal was necessary in order to protect the safety of our school children and their families.' Grant asserted that she never signed an agreement of the sort. She's distraught as there are only 30 days left in the school year and its practically impossible to transfer the girls to a public school without losing their scholarships. Grant hopes the school will change its mind, for the sake of the two girl's education. 'They dont have a school, she added. They dont have anywhere to go to school right now. I dont know what to do.' The mother took to her Facebook to defend her past, stating that the 'situation has really put' her in a 'bind mentally' even though she is a 'really good mother' The mother took to her Facebook to defend her past, stating that the 'situation has really put' her in a 'bind mentally' even though she is a 'really good mother.' 'I especially dont want my kids to be judged for my actions,' she said in the Friday post. Grant continued: 'I understand Im not married and fornication would be what I committed not adultery! However Ive been the same unmarried women with children who have different fathers since the day he first accepted me n my children and the money for them to attend and thats where hes wrong at. Im sorry I didnt get married in the time frame he thought I should of but I wanted to bad! But thats just not what was for me at the time.' In a later post, the woman defended her relationship with one of her daughter's fathers after people directed the story to him to paint her in a negative light. In a later post, the woman defended her relationship with one of her daughter's fathers after people directed the story to him to paint her in a negative light A woman whose Chihuahua was stolen from its pram outside a Woolworths has been reunited with her beloved dog. Ruth Reidy, 70, who sells the Big Issue had stopped at the supermarket in Adelaide last week to pick up some groceries. She left her FiFi outside and when she got back she horrified that was no longer there. Scroll down for video Ruth Reidy, 70, who sells Big Issue had stopped at a supermarket in Rundle Mall one afternoon to pick up some groceries when a woman took off with FiFi who was sitting in a pram outside A shattered Ms Reidy returned to the shop the next day with a handwritten sign pleading for her constant companion to be returned. Police located FiFi at a home in Richmond on Friday night and a 43-year-old woman was arrested and charged with theft. Ms Reidy couldn't contain her happiness when she was reunited with her long lost pooch. 'I can't describe the feeling, but she's home now,' Ms Reidy told Adelaide Now. 'She went crazy when she saw me. There was this complete chaos, everyone in the street was out. FiFi is a companion to them all too.' She said FiFi was a little bit timid after the whole ordeal but she is slowly getting back to her old ways. 'She had four Schmackos and she was so happy to be back in her bed. There's not enough words to thank everyone. All I can do is say thank you to everyone.' Ms Reidy received waves of support from the public and social media while FiFi was missing. The Lost Dog of Adelaide Facebook page posted about the theft, and the post has since received more than 500 shares. The Big Issue launched a city-wide search on Ms Reidy's behalf to find the missing dog. 'It's a terrible thing to have happened and you feel so helpless,' South Australian operations manager Matt Stedman told Daily Mail Australia. Police located FiFi at a home in Richmond on Friday night and reunited the pooch with Ms Reidy. A 43-year-old woman was arrested and charged with theft Mr Stedman told Daily Mail Australia Ms Reidy is grateful for the overwhelming public support she's received. 'It's a terrible thing to have happened and you feel so helpless.' 'Ruth is a hard working, happy and vibrant person who cares for everyone. The support from the public has been amazing, where people have volunteered to offer rewards for FiFi's return.' 'People and pets have an incredible bond, and that connection is even greater for someone experiencing homelessness or disadvantage. Often a pet is a lifeline, and a vital source of comfort and companionship.' The woman who allegedly stole FiFi was bailed when she appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on May 31. Ms Reidy said that she does not want to press charges as she is too happy to be reunited with FiFi. Geelong's Gary Ablett Jnr has explained why he liked Israel Folau's controversial Instagram post. Wallabies star Folau is in trouble for sharing the post that said hell awaited 'drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators'. The post added that they should repent as only Jesus saves. Geelong's Gary Ablett Jnr (pictured with wife Jordan) explained why he liked and unliked Israel Folau's controversial post, with the AFL star saying he had not meant to cause offence Ablett said he was 'saddened' by the coverage of Israel Folau in an Instagram post Ablett, who is also deeply religious, marked Easter Saturday by sharing a New Testament quote: 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.' The Cats star added on the post that coverage of the Folau controversy had saddened him and his family. 'I want to make it clear that I love ALL people regardless of race, religion, gender or sexuality,' Ablett posted. 'I have always admired how strong Izzy is in his faith, it is not easy to share faith in the public sphere, and this is why I initially 'liked' his post. 'I understand that liking this post appeared offensive and this is why I chose to remove my 'like' from the post.' AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has said Ablett and Carlton's Matthew Kennedy were spoken to by their clubs for liking the post and that they then unliked it. Rugby Australia has terminated Folau's contract for the post, but he will challenge the decision at a code of conduct hearing. Israel Folau (pictured with his wife Maria) is in trouble for sharing the post that said hell awaited 'drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators' Five police officers are facing criminal charges and could lose their jobs for ramming moped yobs off their scooters as part of the Met's controversial new tactic, it has been revealed today. Since the tough 'tactical contact' strategy was introduced in October 2017, eight separate incidents involving 10 officers were reported to the police watchdog. Five of them are still under investigation and face charges such as actual bodily harm. Five Met Police officers are being investigated for knocking a moped criminal off their bikes. File photo One case involves two officers who rammed a 14-year-old off a moped in Uxbridge, west London, in February 2018, causing him to break his leg. The other three are being investigated for bashing a man off a stolen motorbike in Ealing, also west London, in March 2018 The cases are examined by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which will decide whether the officers should be referred to the Crown Prosecution to face criminal charges. Stephanie Holland, whose boyfriend was stabbed to death for his 7,000 Rolex watch by a moped mugger, criticised the decision to investigate the officers The news will raise fears among police that they will not be protected from legal action when tackling scooter gangs. Scotland Yard introduced the controversial tactic as part of a clamdown on Lawless London's violent and prolific moped gangs. The move was met with praise by the public and saw a 36 per cent drop in moped crime in the capital. Stephanie Holland, whose boyfriend Danny Pearce, 31, was stabbed to death for his 7,000 Rolex watch by a moped mugger in south-east London, criticised the decision to investigate the officers. She told the Sun Online: 'If police officers are trying to prevent crime and they have evidence to see that someone is committing a crime, I don't think they should be investigated. 'If a criminal is doing something, I don't think the officer should be prosecuted because they are doing their job and that's a good thing. I don't have any sympathy for them. Danny Pearce, 31, (pictued with an expensive watch) died from his wounds following the attack in south-east London 'If someone is committing a crime that could harm someone else, then any sort of prevention is good and it doesn't matter about the consequences.' Miss Holland revealed she's 'constantly on edge' and paranoid after the attack that claimed the life of her partner. She said no-one should go through that, and police shouldn't be prevented from trying to stop other lives being taken. Ex-Met policeman Norman Brennan said the move could lead to officers deciding not to pursue moped thugs in fear of losing their jobs. The woman who survived Saturday morning's horrific ax attack in New York City has been identified by friends and neighbors as 21-year-old Angela Valle. Medics arrived at Valle's apartment block in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, shortly after 1.30 am to find her outside and bleeding heavily with lacerations to her head and body. She told them her female relative, 20-year-old Savannah Rivera, was dead inside, The New York Daily News reports. Friends and neighbors have identified 21-year-old Angela Valle (pictured) as the surivor of Saturday's horrific ax attack in Brooklyn Neighbors are now speculating whether an estranged boyfriend of Valle's could be responsible for the attack. She is pictured in a recent social media photo Police responded to Valle's address in East Williamsburg (pictured) to find her outside and bleeding heavily Investigators found the relative unconscious and unresponsive in the living room of the eighth floor home, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Police sources reportedly told The New York Daily News that her head was 'almost severed from her body and several of her fingers were severed.' Meanwhile, Valle's four-year-old daughter was also found inside the premises. She was unharmed, but was taken to hospital for evaluation and observation. Valle (pictured) is the mother of a four-year-old daughter who was inside the apartment at the time of the ax attack, but was left unharmed Neighbors are speculating whether an estranged boyfriend of Valle's may have been responsible for the attack. One claimed that the former couple were 'always fighting'. An ax, thought to be the murder weapon, has reportedly been found in the building's trash compactor. Valle is currently in a critical but stable condition in Elmhurst hospital. She initially tried to escape her blood-soaked apartment by calling an Uber. However, the driver noticed she was bleeding heavily and called 911, The New York Post reported. Medics arrived shortly afterward. Valle (pictured) is currently in a critical but stable condition in hospital Margaret Thatcher's former press secretary has savaged a claim by the veteran pro-European Tory MP Ken Clarke that she would have voted to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum. Mr Clarke, 78, said last week that Mrs Thatcher, who died in 2013 and whom he served under as health and education secretary, was 'never in favour' of leaving the European Union. Speaking in an interview with The Guardian, he said that in the 2016 referendum, Mrs Thatcher would have 'voted remain, just as she campaigned very heavily to remain' in the 1975 referendum. He conceded that Mrs Thatcher had had a 'bad temper towards Europe towards the end [of her time in office'], but that was because of a poor relationship with other European leaders rather than a desire to leave the bloc. Margaret Thatcher's former press secretary Sir Bernard Ingham (pictured) has savaged a claim by the veteran pro-European Tory MP Ken Clarke that she would have voted to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum However, Sir Bernard Ingham, who served as Mrs Thatcher's press secretary throughout her time in office from 1979 to 1990, strongly rejected Mr Clarke's claims. He told MailOnline that the claims were 'self-serving arrogance'. 'I think it is ridiculous to claim she would have voted Remain just because, like me, she voted to confirm our membership of the Common Market in 1975. Sir Bernard instead argued that developments within the EU since Mrs Thatcher left office may have prompted her to 'threaten to leave'. He pointed to the adoption of the Euro single currency, which he argued has 'devastated southern Europe', and the moves towards a 'single foreign policy' and 'Euro-army' as factors which might have changed Mrs Thatcher's mind. 'All this ran against the grain of Mrs T's convictions and anyone, Ken Clarke or others, who suggests she would have sat unmoved by this nonsense is incredible,' he said. 'It is true she regarded referenda as the tool of dictators and that she never said to me either before or after 1990 that we should leave the EC. 'My best guess - and this is only a guess - is that she would have eventually challenged - and harried - the EU to drop its damaging federalism and go for a loose, wider freely co-operating group of nation states. Mr Clarke (pictured) said in the wide-ranging Guardian interview that Mrs Thatcher was 'never in favour' of leaving the European Union' and had instead been 'exploited' by 'hardline Eurosceptics' 'I would not have put it past her, given no movement on the part of Brussels, to threaten to leave if it did not reform. 'I think anybody who thinks she would never have acted on her threat is totally ignorant of what made her,' he added. Mrs Thatcher famously opposed plans by the European Community the forerunner to the EU for further centralisation of decision making. In a speech in Bruges in 1988, she said: 'We have not successfully rolled back the frontiers of the state in Britain, only to see them re-imposed at a European level, with a European super-state exercising a new dominance from Brussels'. But Mr Clarke said in the wide-ranging Guardian interview that Mrs Thatcher was 'never in favour' of leaving the European Union' and had instead been 'exploited' by 'hardline Eurosceptics'. Sir Bernard Ingham told MailOnline Mr Clarke's claims were 'self-serving arrogance'. He said: 'I think it is ridiculous to claim she would have voted Remain just because, like me, she voted to confirm our membership of the Common Market in 1975. (Margaret Thatcher pictured in 1986) 'When she was in office she was very pro-Europe economically, [even if deeply suspicious of political Europe,' he said. He also said that the 2016 referendum was 'stunt' and 'silly whim of David Cameron', called only to 'get some short-term, party political advantage'. Mr Clarke has also served as home secretary and chancellor and was Justice Secretary between 2010 and 2012. He voted against triggering the Article 50 process nearly two years ago but has backed Theresa May's Brexit deal three times. He has been the MP for Rushcliffe since 1970 and is currently the Father of the House - the member with the longest continuous service. Mr Clarke's strong pro-EU views are widely believed to have been the main reason behind his failure to become leader of the Conservative Party. He has contested the role on three occasions; in 1997, 2001 and 2005. A controversial Washington State 'church' that claims to cure 95 percent of all illnesses with a miracle solution is holding a $450-a-ticket 'healing ceremony' on Saturday - despite the FDA previously slamming the potion as nothing more than industrial bleach. The Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, which has been wholly discredited by scientists, is asking participants for 'donations' amounting to hundreds of dollars to experience 'Chlorine Dioxide Therapy.' Otherwise known as Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS), the snake oil treatment has been dismissed by the FDA, who have warned consumers to 'stop using it immediately and throw it away.' The Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, which has been wholly discredited by scientists, is holding a ceremony on Saturday and asking participants for 'donations' amounting to hundreds of dollars to experience 'Chlorine Dioxide Therapy' (church founder Jim Humble) Known as Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS), the snake oil treatment has been dismissed by the FDA, who urgently warn consumers to 'stop using it immediately and throw it away' 'The FDA continues to advise consumers about the dangers of Miracle Mineral Solution and the agency has issued warnings to consumers over the past decade,' a spokesperson said in a recent statement. It did not confirm whether they would alert law enforcement to stop the ceremony, which is being held at the Icicle Village Resort, in Leavenworth, Washington. The event organizer, Tom Merry, publicized the event on Facebook, with donation requirements of $450 each and $800 for couples, who in return will receive membership to the organization as well as packages of the bleach, described as sacraments, plus instruction videos and a 'light lunch with refreshments.' Merry tells people on the social media page that learning how to consume the bleach could save your life, or the life of a love one sent home to die. The false miracle solution promises to rid the world of terrible diseases but in actual fact is used both on textiles and in industrial treatment of water. It has even been banned in several countries around the world for use as a medical treatment, and in the U.S., cannot be sold for human consumption. In 2010, the FDA put out a public warning after several cases of poisoning occurred following consumption of the solution, with victims suffering vomiting, diarrhea and severe dehydration. One person was rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition. In a shameful bid at promoting the event, the church even shared a video on Facebook claiming to show people with malaria being cured in just two hours. The clip shows a British proponent of MMS travelling to a village in Uganda, where he arranges for several villagers to be given the miracle cure. It emerged that the church founder is none other than Jim Humble, a former Scientologist who claims that he is a billion-year-old gold from the Andromeda galaxy Merry writes on the Facebook page introduction: 'I am thrilled to help bring effective alternative healing to the Pacific Northwest! 'Everyone knows someone sent home to die by their doctor because mainstream medicine can't do anything more for them. 'Bishop Mark Grenon will be leading the seminar and introducing attendees to Chlorine Dioxide Therapy, otherwise known as MMS.' He goes on to say there will be testimonies of patients in recovery that are 'nothing short of miraculous.' This church has a dark past and is no stranger to controversy. In 2016, an investigative reporter for KABC when undercover to a so-called healing ceremony and recorded the events on a smartphone. It emerged that the church founder is none other than Jim Humble, a former Scientologist who claims that he is a billion-year-old gold from the Andromeda galaxy. As part of the investigation, Humble admitted he was not a doctor, had no medical training and was proud of it. He claimed to have treated more than 800 cases of HIV in Africa after discovering the miracle potion deep in the untouched jungles of South America. Among the ailments the potion claims to cure, according to its snake oil salesman, ranges from HIV to leukemia, to the common cold and even male pattern baldness. A new tourism campaign aimed at attracting young backpackers from overseas to work in Australia has been launched in a bid to boost the economy. The television campaign from the Federal Government will run in the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said there was a need for more working holiday makers in Australia because the numbers had become stagnant. Tourism Australias new campaign video features 'Australia's CEO' riding around on the back of a truck (pictured) in remote areas of the country where seasonal workers are needed Australia needs more working holiday makers as they would give the economy a boost (stock image pictured) 'Working holiday makers have a tendency to holiday in regional areas and inject over $3 billion into our economy each year,' he said. 'They help fill short-term workforce shortages and they basically spend every dollar they earn while in Australia, plus the savings they brought here, boosting regional economies and creating more jobs for Australians. 'The more working holiday makers we can attract to Australia, the more we can support our farmers and boost regional tourism.' And while farmers will be pleased with the new tourism push, not everyone will be thrilled. Some Australian workers have claimed they have struggled to secure work because employers would prefer someone foreign. Charley Newton, 20, applied for dozens of labouring roles, including fruit picking, but claimed she had not been accepted because of her nationality. 'As soon as I said I was Aussie I didn't get a response back,' she told Today Tonight about one of her applications. The backpacker (pictured) has applied for more than 20 labouring roles including fruit picking but claims she has not been accepted because of her nationality Charley Newton (pictured), 20, has been visiting rural Queensland from South Australia but has struggled to find work Miss Newton said that after being rejected several times, she put a post in a local Facebook group saying she was looking for some seasonal work. 'I got loads of responses from people saying 'good luck - you're Australian, Australians don't get work out here',' she said. Steve Baker from the Australian Workers' Union told the programme that farmers prefer foreign backpackers on working holiday visas to Australians because 'they don't understand their rights.' 'At the end of the day, Aussie workers are not lazy,' Mr Baker said. 'They are being overlooked because overseas workers are easier to exploit.' Australia offers working holiday visas to people from 42 countries around the world. The visa allows young adults to stay and work in Australia for up to two years. In order to be allowed to stay for a second year, the applicant has to work in a certain approved sector for three months. In the six months to December 31, 80,305 first year working holiday visas were granted and 18,812 second-year visas were approved. Around 92 per cent of the second-year applicants said they did agricultural work, around seven per cent did construction work, and less than one per cent did mining work. The eligible countries have reciprocal programmes in place, benefiting Australians who want to travel and work abroad. There are more than one million Australians working overseas. A $14.5million LED advertising display at Denver International Airport is broken after only 16 months in use, an airport official said on Friday. Denver City Council paid Panasonic $11.5million to create the illuminated wall outside the terminals that is made up of 1,000-foot-long poles and a large screen. It costs $3million to maintain it over 12 years. However, travelers in Colorado haven't been able to view the full display since April 5 when the stick portion was switched off due to malfunctions. Scroll down for video The Panasonic display at Denver International Airport cost $11.5M to build in 2017 The Denver International Airport LED sign is pictured before it was turned on in 2017. It's off again to fix reoccurring problems 'The airport has chosen to turn off the sticks until Panasonic can fix the problems that are occurring,' airport spokesperson Emily Williams told the Denver Post in an email. Advertisements are still being shown on the screen but it's not as eye-catching without the bright lights to accompany it. Airport spokesperson Alex Renteria added that Panasonic was working 'to determine a plan for permanent repairs'. The over-the-top display was built in 2017 to help the airport rake in more funds from advertisers. But in 2018 the airport only grossed $21,000 on the investment because it wasn't actively selling ads, Fox 31 reported. Outfront Media LLC was brought on board in February to secure advertising deals. In an agreement the airport is to get 67 percent (or $150,000) with the media company pocketing the rest. Consists of 1,000ft poles that were switched off April 5 but the television screen still works The airport in February hired a company to help boost advertising sales Yet two months later the display looks less appealing. Regardless, the contract states that Denver International will receive a minimum of $12,500 per month until the display starts earning bigger sums. Ideally Outfront will want to secure around $19,000 per month just $2,000 less than last year's annual airport gross - for the deal to work. However, the airport is still expecting to make $1.2million in advertising sales by the end of its first year with Outfront. It was initially estimated to take eight years for the airport to pay off the sign and in February it was reported that was updated to 12 years. If revenue stays at the current rate, it would take the airport 93 years to pay off the display. Two teenagers and a young man accused of murdering a Brisbane doctor with a sawn-off shotgun at his home have fronted a Queensland court. Joshua Hamilton, 19, Billy Smith, 20, and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons remained in custody while their cases were heard in the Brisbane Magistrate's Court on Saturday. The trio are charged with the late-night shooting murder of Luping Zeng, 56, at his MacGregor home during an alleged botched robbery attempt on Monday night. Two teenagers and a young man accused of murdering a Brisbane doctor at his home have fronted a Queensland court Skin cancer doctor Luping Zeng, 56, was shot and killed while packing his car in the affluent south-side suburb of MacGregor, in Brisbane, shortly before midnight on Monday The skin cancer doctor was shot and killed while packing his car in the affluent south-side suburb of MacGregor, in Brisbane, shortly before midnight on Monday. Bail was not applied for and all three were remanded in custody. Hamilton and Smith will reappear in the same court on April 23 and June 3, respectively. The boy will appear in the Children's Court on June 10. They have also been charged with entering a dwelling with intent, attempted robbery with violence, possession of shortened firearms and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. Police believe the trio didn't know Dr Zeng and robbery was likely to be the motive behind his killing. Dr Zeng was allegedly shot once in the chest while his wife and two adult daughters were inside the home. He was taken in a critical condition to Princess Alexandra Hospital where he died. Dr Zeng had three decades of medical experience, spoke three languages and was a highly regarded member of Brisbane's Chinese community. He moved to Australia in 2000 and worked at the Waterford 7-Day Medical Centre and Skin Cancer Clinic. Joshua Hamilton, 19 (right), Billy Smith, 20 (left), and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were not required to appear in the Brisbane Magistrate's Court on Saturday Two men, aged 19 and 20, who were arrested in neighbouring suburbs between 11am and 12pm on Friday, have fronted a Queensland court charged with murder The two men, aged 19 and 20, were arrested in neighbouring suburbs Slacks Creek and Woodbridge, in Brisbane's south, between 11am and 12pm on Friday, the Courier Mail reported. Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming told the publication the youngest boy did not know Dr Zeng and robbery appeared to be the motive. 'It was likely this is a crime of opportunity that has escalated and resulted in the death of Dr Zeng,' he told reporters on Friday. Detective Superintendent Fleming added that the alleged killers are known to each other. Officers were called to the home on Delfin Drive at about 11.40pm on Monday following reports a man had been shot. Dr Zeng was shot once in the chest while his wife and two adult daughters were inside the home Officers were called to the home on Delfin Drive at about 11.40pm on Monday following reports a man had been shot The 56-year-old doctor was transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition but later died. Dr Zeng's wife was also an overseas-trained doctor and both his daughters are currently in training to become doctors. Acting Detective Inspector Steven McCartney said the doctor's family didn't witness the shooting but heard the single gunshot from inside the home. 'These are professional members of the community, they dedicate their time to helping people, this is just a tragic event that's occurred,' Insp McCartney said. Advertisement Clashes broke out between dozens of demonstrators and police in Paris on the 23rd Saturday of yellow-vest protests after authorities warned that rioters could return to the French capital to spark a new wave of violence. Dozens of black-hooded demonstrators threw rocks at police and some set fire to motor-cycles in the centre of French capital, according to Reuters TV footage. Trash cans and a several scooters were also set ablaze. Police responded by firing tear gas and stun grenades. Some officers also marched toward demonstrators to control the crowd and funnel it to Paris' Place de la Republique, where they were authorised to demonstrate. Yellow vest protesters burn rubbish bins during the 'Act XXIII' demonstration near Place de la Republique today in Paris A protester lies on the ground during clashes with police today in Paris, as thousands of 'Yellow Vest' (Gilets Jaunes) protesters took to the streets a 23rd week of anti-government marches. As of 1 pm, 110 people had been arrested and placed in custody, the Paris prosecutor's office said. A man stands in a ruined city street Protesters from the 'Gilets Jaunes' movement march through Paris's streets during the 'Act XXIII' demonstration As of 1 pm, 110 people had been arrested and placed in custody, the Paris prosecutor's office said. Several demonstrators clearly alluded to the catastrophic fire at Notre-Dame cathedral on Monday, which prompted an outpouring of national sorrow and a rush by rich families and corporations to pledge around 1 billion euros for its reconstruction. 'Millions for Notre-Dame, what about for us, the poor?' read a sign worn by a demonstrator. 'Everything for Notre-Dame, nothing for the miserables,' read another sign that evoked Victor Hugo's well-known novel. Yellow vest demonstrators set fire to motorbikes as they protest for a 23rd week A protestor throws a scooter onto a pile of burning motorbikes during a yellow vest demonstration in Paris, today A protester from the yellow vests stands in front of a burning bin today and gives the cameras two thumbs up Police walk among burning vehicles during a yellow vest demonstration in Paris A demonstrator throws back a tear gas canister during today's Paris demonstration The city was on high alert after Christophe Castaner, the interior minister, said domestic intelligence services had informed him of a potential return of rioters intent on wreaking havoc in Paris, Toulouse, Montpellier and Bordeaux, in a repeat of violent protests on March 16. Large portions of the Paris metro network were closed and about 60,000 police were deployed across France, authorities said. The so-called Yellow Vest protests erupted in mid-November originally over fuel price hikes and the high cost of living but spiralled into a broader movement against President Emmanuel Macron and his drive for economic reforms. The French leader was due to unveil policies to quell the grassroot movement on Monday, before the blaze at Notre-Dame forced him to cancel the speech. He is now set to make his announcements next Thursday. Protestos take shelter behind wooden panels. Dozens of black-hooded demonstrators threw rocks at police and some set fire to motor-cycles Some officers marched toward demonstrators to control the crowd and funnel it to Paris' Place de la Republique, where protesters were authorised to demonstrate Riot police monitor yellow vest demonstrators in the Bercy neighborhood as a protester speaks with a police officer (right) A police officer moves a man during today's protest. The city was on high alert after Christophe Castaner, the interior minister, said domestic intelligence services had informed him of a potential return of rioters Some demonstrators alluded to the catastrophic fire at Notre-Dame cathedral on Monday, which prompted an outpouring of national sorrow and a rush by rich families and corporations to pledge around 1 billion euros for its reconstruction A protester reacts to the scenes at a demonstration today, which is the 23rd consecutive national protest, in Paris, France The so-called Yellow Vest protests erupted in mid-November originally over fuel price hikes and the high cost of living but spiralled into a broader movement against President Emmanuel Macron and his drive for economic reforms Firefighters battle blazing scooters in a Paris street by spraying them with water as demonstrations raged in the capital city A man bangs a drum in front of a fire on the street during a yellow vest demonstration in Paris Trade Unions and key Gilets Jaunes spokespeople say the amount donated by big French businesses highlights the complacency of those in power towards low-income workers in poverty A woman confronted a couple wearing swastika armbands who allegedly gave a Nazi salute near a Holocaust memorial in Rhode Island, according to a report this week. Sondra Pierson, 47, a bookkeeper from Rhode Island, was dining at the Parkside Rotisserie & Bar in Providence on April 11 when a couple across the street caught her attention. The man was wearing a 'MAGA' hat and had a red armband with a black swastika on it. The woman wore a matching armband and a swastika T-shirt. A woman confronted a couple wearing swastika armbands who allegedly gave a Nazi salute near a Holocaust memorial in Rhode Island. She first saw them outside a restaurant where she was dining and took a picture of them The pair crossed the street to the Holocaust Memorial, leaned on the various statues, took pictures and laughed, Pierson told the Providence Journal on Wednesday. 'I confronted them,' said Pierson, who left the restaurant and walked over to the memorial. She said she told them: 'What the hell do you think youre doing?. How dare you do this?' The woman, she explained, sarcastically replied: 'Thank you so much, I so appreciate your input...let me guess - youre Jewish?' Teenagers who were skateboarding overheard and filmed the couple. 'The woman dared them to put the videos on YouTube,' Pierson claimed. 'Then they went to the World War II Memorial.' Pierson claimed she was horrified by the encounter and that the man had swastikas tattooed where his eyebrows should be. Piersons account was corroborated by another witness at the restaurant. She told Yahoo Lifestyle: 'I said, "am I actually seeing this?"' The couple went to the Rhode Island Holocaust Memorial and gave a Nazi salute 'I literally felt sick to my stomach. I started shaking. Everybody at the bar was just really disturbed. 'People around me said the same thing. I took their photo almost to convince myself it was happening. 'I dont like confrontation but when you see something so reprehensible, you have to stand up. Its not brave, just a natural reaction.' Pierson claimed she made two 911 calls and read the license plate number of the couples white Cadillac to the operator. 'Two police cars drove by but they didnt stop,' she explained. Steven Brown, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island, wrote in an email to the Providence Journal. Pierson was at the the Parkside Rotisserie & Bar in Providence when she saw the pair outside 'Its perfectly despicable and shameful, but also perfectly lawful. I certainly think that the Jewish community feels that surge in hostility,' he said. 'Its a sense that heinous actions and ideas are coming into the light, and are very much designed to cause fear and harassment.' According to the Anti-Defamation League, reports of anti-Semitic crimes are on the rise, with a 58 percent rise reported between 2016 and 2017. The was due, in part, because of an increase in anti-Semitism on school and college campuses, according to the organization. In 2017, a group of far-right activists caused outrage when they marched through Charlottesville with tiki torches, chanting Nazi slogans such as 'blood and soil' and 'Jews will not replace us.' In October last year a gunman broke into the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and shot 11 worshipers dead in what has been described as an anti-Semitic attack. An American investment banker was charged with manslaughter while on vacation in Anguilla this week. The Royal Anguilla Police Force arrested Gavin Scott Hapgood, 44, in connection with the death of local man Kenny Mitchel, 27, on April 13, according to a Wednesday post on Facebook. Police originally reported that Hapgood, who works at UBS, was denied bail by the Magistrate court and was to make an appearance on August 22. However, The Anguillian, a local paper, later reported that a judge granted his application for $200,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars ($74,000 USD) in bail - and he is believed to be back in the US. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Gavin Scott Hapgood, 44, a banker at UBS, was arrested and charged with manslaughter in the death of Kenny Mitchel, 27 (left and right), in Anguilla on April 13. Mitchel was a maintenance worker at a hotel in the West End of Anguilla, the same hotel where Hapgood and his family were staying Hapgood (pictured, during his arrest) was originally denied bail, but a judge later his application for $74,000 in bail. He is believed to be back in the US but must return to Anguilla by August 22 The medical examiner ruled Mitchel's causes of death to be prone restraint (a maneuver that reduces a person's ability to breathe), positional asphyxia and blunt force trauma to the head, neck, and torso. Mitchel was a maintenance worker at a hotel in the West End of Anguilla, the same hotel where Hapgood and his family, who live in Connecticut, were staying. According to a Facebook post from a local resident, Hapgood called the front desk on April 13 and asked for Mitchel specifically to come to his room where he, his wife and children were staying. A fight allegedly occurred in the bathroom, where the resident claims Hapgood began choking Mitchell. The post goes on to say that Hapgood told police that Mitchel pulled a knife on him and attempted to rob the family and that he acted in self-defense. A representative for UBS told Page Six: 'We are aware of the recent events in Anguilla and are following the situation closely. As you will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for us to provide any comment in relation to an active criminal proceeding.' Hapgood allegedly told police that Mitchel pulled a knife on him and tried to rob him in his room, a fight ensued and Hapgood acted in self-defense. Mitchel's causes of death were ruled to be prone restraint, positional asphyxia and blunt force trauma to the head, neck, and torso UBS did not immediately return DailyMail.com's request for comment. '[Hapgood] has every intention to return to Anguilla to clear his name,' his attorney, Thomas Astaphan, told the court, according to The Anguillian. Video posted to Facebook shows Hapgood being handcuffed and led inside Her Majesty's Prison, and another shows him after he was released being led to a private jet. In a statement, the Royal Anguilla Police Force asked that residents of the island be patient while an investigation is underway. 'We acknowledge the fact that people want information in respect of the recent arrest and charging of a US tourist, however, like all [investigations] these are not conducted on social media,' the statement said in part. There are calls for convicted killers to be banned from early release from jail if they refuse to explain how their victims died - after a judge ruled wife slayer Borce Ristevski can walk free in less than five years. The 55-year-old was sentenced in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Thursday to nine years' jail for killing his wife Karen following a shock guilty plea on the eve of his murder trial last month. But with time already served and a non-parole period of six years, he may be out before his 60th birthday. Ristevski has shed no light on what happened on June 29, 2016, when he killed his dress-shop owner wife before disposing her body in between two logs and covering it with foliage. Convicted killers could be banned from parole if they refuse to explain how their victims died, following uproar wife-killer Borce Ristevski's (pictured with victim Karen, left, and daughter Sarah, right) jail term was too short A police source told the Herald Sun new laws could be considered by the Victorian government to ban killers from parole if they don't explain the circumstances of their victim's death. The source compared the potential changes to reforms passed in 2016 where killers were not eligible for early release if they did not share the location of the victim's body. 'Why is it any different to someone who won't help find a body? Why should he get parole if he doesn't provide answers? This tortures everyone,' the source said. 'It would not undermine the right to silence. It would have no impact on conviction.' The officer added that Ristevski would likely walk free from jail after the six years. A government spokesman determined it would not be appropriate to comment as the Office of Public Prosecutions are reviewing the sentence, which could pave the way to an appeal. The 55-year-old was sentenced in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Thursday to nine years jail for killing his wife Karen 'This sentence, like all sentences, will be under review for possible appeal. However, no decision has been made as yet,' a spokesman told The Age. Michael O'Brien, the Victorian Opposition leader, said the sentence did not fit the crime. 'Too many Victorians will be looking at the sentence handed down to Ristevski and shaking their heads,' Mr O'Brien said. 'That's not justice, that's not justice or anything like it, but that's where we are in Victoria at the moment.' After Thursday's sentencing, Mrs Ristevki's brother Stephen Williams gave a brief statement outside Victoria's Supreme Court. Borce Ristevski (left) has already spent almost 500 days behind bars and could walk free before his 60th birthday due to his non-parole period of six years He said: 'Nothing is going to bring Karen back but today was about justice. We didn't get justice today, at all. 'As a society, at some stage in regards to domestic violence we must make a stand.' Former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina told A Current Affair Ristevski won't disclose any further details about the crime as he has 'nothing to gain' from doing so. 'If he hasn't said how he killed her to this point he won't say it into the future, I wouldn't imagine,' he said. 'He's got nothing to gain by it and he doesn't want to then place himself in a position of how he killed her.' In a packed courtroom on Thursday morning, Justice Christopher Beale castigated Ristevski for his 'rank deceit,' saying 'for years, you continued spinning your web of lies'. Supreme Court Justice Christopher Beale ruled that Ristevski's actions after the killing, when he played the role of grieving husband, could not be used to prove 'murderous intent' Ristevski killed his dress-shop owner wife on June 29 2016 before disposing her body in between two logs and covering it with foliage 'When Karen's body was discovered after eight months, you acted as a pallbearer, playing the part of the innocent grieving widower,' he said. The unexpected guilty plea in mid-March came after he vehemently denied involvement in Karen's death for almost three years. Justice Beale ruled that Ristevski's actions after the killing, when he played the role of grieving husband, could not be used to prove 'murderous intent'. A new indictment with the lesser charge of manslaughter was subsequently filed and Ristevski pleaded guilty. Ristevski killed his wife Karen, 47, at their Melbourne home in June 2016 before dumping her body in a national park where it was found eight months later. A controversial former Arizona state senate president suggested the U.S. might have to resort to violence to save itself during a right-wing rally in Gilbert, Arizona, held this week. Russell Pearce, a firebrand former politician who helped introduce one of the country's harshest state immigration laws, declared that it might take the 'shedding of blood to save the Republic,' during a series of remarks delivered at the event, dubbed 'Patriotism Over Socialism.' While it is unclear what Pearce was specifically referring to, the speech was made against the backdrop of a heated debate about how to deal with groups of Central American migrants fleeing their homeland and traveling to the U.S. border. Russell Pearce, a firebrand ex politician who helped introduce one of the country's harshest state immigration laws, declared that it might take the 'shedding of blood to save the Republic,' during a series of remarks delivered at an event dubbed 'Patriotism Over Socialism' Wearing an American flag shirt and Stetson hat, Pearce told the audience of anti-immigration activists that 'I, for one, am willing to do whatever it takes.' During the rambling speech, that appeared to have severe racial and homophobic undertones, he rallied against lawmakers who do not support his tough stance on immigration. 'We have stupid leaders, we have stupid politicians and it's time we started replacing those that refuse to stand up for the values that we have shed blood for,' he said. Pearce was fundamental in introducing the SB1070 that requires police to determine the immigration status of someone arrested or detained when there is 'reasonable suspicion' they are not in the U.S. legally. The much maligned law is among the toughest on illegal immigration nationally. The rally also included speeches by U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Arizona Republican Party chairwoman Kelli Ward and right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who was banned from Twitter and from using Uber and Lyft over her anti-Muslim posts. Later in his remarks, Pearce criticized the repealing of a law that banned teachers from discussing homosexuality in the classroom. 'They took that away. Why would they do that? Why would they do that? Why would they put my children at risk?' Pearce said about the repeal of the so-called 'No Promo Homo' law. Pearce currently works at the treasurer's office, where he earns $157,000 a year, according to county officials. Annunziata Rees-Mogg has slammed Britain's broken politics and 'confused' leadership at a rally for the Brexit Party in Nottingham. Ms Rees-Mogg, the sister of Tory Brexiteer Jacob, said he fully supports her decision to stand for a different party and says the pair 'get on extremely well'. Speaking at the event alongside leader Nigel Farage, Ms Rees-Mogg, who has twice stood unsuccessfully for the Conservatives, said: 'I think our politics is broken. 'It's been very clear that we have got a Remainer parliament trying very ineffectually to represent the Leave vote. Scroll down for video Ms Rees-Mogg, who has twice stood unsuccessfully for the Conservatives, said the Tory party is 'confused' Annunziata Rees-Mogg will stand in the East Midlands for the European elections on May 23 'We need Leave representatives to fight the corner of our democracy.' Asked why Labour and Tory Brexiteers should switch their allegiance to the newly-formed party, she replied: 'When it comes to Labour, Lord Adonis has said it better than I could - if you supported Brexit, don't vote Labour. 'For the Conservatives, they are in such a confused place. There is no leadership from the top. 'Theresa May has succumbed to the Remainer will of some of her party and ignored the rest of her party. 'If you want your voice to be heard, vote for the Brexit Party.' Asked if she had spoken to her brother about her decision to stand for the Brexit Party, Ms Rees-Mogg replied: 'Of course I have. My family is incredibly important to me, and Jacob and I get on extremely well. Around 700 activists came to the campaign rally in Nottingham to see Ms Rees-Mogg and Nigel Farage Ms Rees-Mogg said the Remainer wing of the Conservative party has drowned out the voice of the Brexiteers 'He understands that I feel this is the only way to get everyone's voices heard - to get us out of Europe for the good of our democracy, for the sake of our country.' Ms Rees-Mogg said it had yet to be confirmed where she would be ranked on the Brexit Party's list of candidates in the East Midlands. For European elections, parties compile a list of candidates where MEPs are elected by proportional representation in specific regions. 'Obviously I hope to be reasonably high up and I hope we get as many votes as possible so that there as many representatives in order to make sure we're heard.' Afterwards, Nigel Farage said he intended to fight and win the European elections and insisted he was not a career politician. He said: 'We have not formed this party just to protest, just to stick two fingers up to the establishment on May 23, just to get our own back and tell them what we think of them. Nigel Farage said today at a rally in Nottingham his Brexit Party was fighting to win the European elections next month He told the crowd: 'I genuinely thought that I had played my part in turning around history and the future of our country' 'No, our ambitions are much, much higher than that. I think it's obvious that our two-party system simply doesn't work any more. 'I think it's obvious that our two big parties serve nothing but their own interests and agenda rather than the nation more broadly. 'I genuinely thought that I had played my part in turning around history and the future of our country. I was perfectly happy to cease involvement in frontline politics. Attendees of the rally wore Union Flag trainers and waved banners and placards advocating a change in the current Brexit process The former Ukip leader received a hero's welcome and rapturous applause before his speech 'I am not, after 25 years of fighting and campaigning for our country to be free and independent, I am not prepared to stand aside - I am not prepared to be rolled over by our career politicians.' The Brexiteer also singled out Change UK's Anna Soubry among the politicians who have failed to honour the result of the 2016 referendum. He said: 'It is dishonest, it is disrespectful, it is undemocratic and it is wholly unacceptable.' Republican Representative Duncan Hunter posted a video on Thursday of himself hopping over the 'grand border wall in Yuma, Arizona' - only he wasn't actually at the Mexican border. The Arizona congressman took to his social media pages late on Thursday to share that he was on a 'late night ride-along' with border patrol agents in Yuma. 'About 15 meters that way is Mexico,' the embattled Hunter states in the video. 'This is the Colorado river. We are standing where hundreds of illegal aliens everyday come into Yuma, Arizona.' Scroll down for video Republican Representative Duncan Hunter posted a video on Thursday of himself hopping over the 'grand border wall in Yuma, Arizona' - only he wasn't actually at the Mexican border Hunter then walks to a barrier and insinuates that he is at the border. He continues: 'So here is the grand border wall in Yuma, Arizona. This is what we expect people, transnational terrorist, families, all those illegal aliens that are coming across the border. This is it.' He continues: 'So here is the grand border wall in Yuma, Arizona. This is what we expect people, transnational terrorist, families, all those illegal aliens that are coming across the border. This is it' 'It looks pretty tough to cross, let me see if I can do it.' He manages to hop over the fence and a look of elation seems to waft over his face. 'Hey, here we go,' he exclaims. 'That's how easy it is to cross the border at Yuma, Arizona.' The footage jumps to the congressman on the 'Mexico' side about to cross 'back' Stateside. 'This is the border fence and this is the grand border fence, he asserts. 'So you won't see it on fake news media. This is why we need a wall. This is why Trump is right. This is what we need to get rid of and expand upon to secure this country.' The video quickly became viral but not for the reason Hunter intended. After the video was posted, Times of San Diego received an email from Ammar Campa-Najjar on Thursday stating that Hunter had violated his parole by crossing the border. Back in November, Hunter beat the first-time Democratic candidate Campa-Najjar for a sixth term in a deep red San Diego-area district that President Donald Trump won by double digits in 2016. He manages to hop over the fence and a look of elation seems to waft over his face. 'Hey, here we go,' he exclaims. 'That's how easy it is to cross the border at Yuma, Arizona' Campa-Najjar, 29, a former Obama White House aide, was largely unknown until the race drew wide attention when Hunter and his wife were indicted on allegations of illegally spending more than $250,000 in campaign money for personal expenses, ranging from family trips to tequila shots. The politician is running against Hunter for the second time and in his email Campa-Najjar asserted that the Republican 'violated' his parole. Judge William Gallo told the Hunter couple they couldn't leave the continental U.S. or travel to Mexico in August. Campa-Najjar pointed out to direct quotes from Hunter, who did suggest that he was crossing to and from the border. But a spokesman for Hunter said that the information is a 'non-issue typical of someone desperate for a headline as opposed to focusing on the real issue.' Soon after the video was posted, Times of San Diego received an email from Ammar Campa-Najjar on Thursday sharing the video and stating that Hunter violated his parole Campa-Najjar, 29, a former Obama White House aide, was largely unknown until the race drew wide attention when Hunter and his wife were indicted on allegations of illegally spending more than $250,000 in campaign money for personal expenses - from family trips to tequila shots 'I would encourage others to look and review a map, spend time with the Border Patrol and understand what structures are in place and where they are with regards to the international border,' spokesman Michael Harrison added. Campa-Najjar retorted that Hunter either broke the law by violating his parole or was trying to pull a 'political stunt.' Harrison explained that Border Patrol asked the delegation not to share exact locations and added that multiple members of Congress participated in the tour. He also said: 'It was a Border Patrol guided tour with several members of Congress. The barrier is what they have now and it is entirely on the U.S. side, just like it is here in San Diego.' Border Patrol agents in Yuma verified that the politician actually went over a vehicle barrier that is roughly 75-100 feet away from the border Border Patrol spokesman Vincent Dulesky in Yuma confirmed that Hunter did not cross over the Mexico border at all. 'What [Hunter] crossed was a vehicle barrier,' said Dulesky. 'That is approximately 75-100 feet from the border the border is actually the river that's west of that.' Dulesky was one of the agents who helped lead the tour. He added: 'But it's not the boundary between Mexico and the U.S. that's another 75 feet west of that actual area.' In a final email, Campa-Najjar said: 'Can Hunter's spokesperson please show Hunter a map? He was the one who falsely advertised he was 15 meters from Mexico. He also needs to be shown the Colorado River, which is a secondary barrier he'd need to cross to actually get to Mexico. 'As Trump says, we don't need a wall from sea to shining sea.' A couple in their 80s have been found dead at their seaside Devon home in a suspected murder-suicide. Police officers went to an address on Drake Avenue in Chelston, Torquay, yesterday morning after concerns were raised for the pair's well-being. There, they found the man and woman dead and cordoned off the property. Residents said the couple are called Albert and Evelyn Eno - and say both had been struggling with ongoing health issues. Yesterday morning police officers went to an address on Drake Avenue in the Chelson area of Torquay, Devon, where they found an elderly couple dead Witness Peter Williamson said that police cars, fire engines and ambulances all swooped in on the home While police are investigating the cause surrounding their deaths, they have made clear that no suspects are being pursued. One elderly neighbour said she hadn't seen the couple in a long time and that Evelyn suffered with Alzheimer's, and that Albert, known as Al, was her carer but had himself become sick in recent years. The neighbour said: 'They were a lovely couple. I haven't seen them for a long long time, I understand she was suffering from Alzheimer's and he had not been well. 'The last time I saw them was five or six months ago, he looked dreadful. He didn't look at all well. They were nice people.' Another neighbour said: 'We're all a bit upset, you just don't know what's happened. They're both in their 80s and he looked after her, it's a very sad sad thing. 'You just wonder, when people are found dead like that you wonder if it is a suicide pact. 'We'll have to wait and see what happened. You just wonder, when people are found dead like that you wonder if it is a suicide pact.' Another neighbour, Mrs Hill, who lives directly next to Mr and Mrs Eno, said, 'They were very private and kept themselves to themselves.' It is understood Mr and Mrs Eno had a son named Robert. Peter Williamson told Devon Live that police cars, fire engines and ambulances all swooped in on the coastal home at around lunchtime yesterday. A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police force said: 'At approximately 1100hrs on Saturday April 20, police were called to an address in Chelston, Torquay for a concern for the welfare of a couple in their 80s. 'On attendance, police found a male and female deceased within the premises. 'Police are investigating the circumstances leading to their deaths, but would like to reassure the local community no one else is being looked for in relation to this incident at this time.' The ambulance service also confirmed they had been in attendance. 'An ambulance spokesperson said: 'We were called to that area of Torquay at 11.43. We sent two cars and one road ambulance.' Four men have been arrested for murder after a man in his 30s was found dead in east London today. Reports of an unresponsive man prompted police to investigate a home in Hedgeman's Road, Dagenham, at 10.41am. On arrival, officers found the dead man and cordoned off the crime scene where a police presence remains. Reports of an unresponsive man prompted police to investigate a home in Hedgeman's Road, Dagenham (stock image) at 10.41am The four murder suspects have been taken to east London police stations where they are being held in custody. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Police were called at 1041hrs on Saturday, 20 April to reports of a non-responsive male at a residential address at Hedgemans Road, Dagenham. 'Officers attended, at the scene a male, believed aged 30s, was found deceased. 'Four males, no further details, were arrested on suspicion of murder. 'They have been taken to east London Police stations where they remain at this time. 'Officers remain on scene. The Homicide and Major Crime Command has been notified. 'Anyone with information who has not yet spoken with police is asked to dial 101 quoting CAD2547/2APR, Tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 5555 111.' The daughter of a mother who kept three of her stillborn baby daughters in a wardrobe and another in a bag beside her bed for 20 years, has spoken about the dreadful conditions she faced growing up. Joanne Lee, now 47, lived in several properties including a house in Liverpool with her mother, Bernadette Quirk, and little brother Chris and sister Cath, where maggots, dog faeces and piles of rubbish were strewn across the family home. Bernadette, who died aged 64 in February, was handed a two-year community order after admitting four counts of concealing a birth after her dead children were found by her daughters and reported to police. The babies, born between 1985 and 1995 and who each have a different father, are thought to have been born after Bernadette started drinking and having casual sex when her marriage broke down in the 1980s. Bernadette (right) pictured with her daughter Joanne, son Chris and other members of the family. She was arrested in St Helens after police were called about possible dead children in her house Ms Lee said animal faeces and maggots were scattered throughout the homes she lived in with her mother, and that there were years old nappies squished into the carpet Ms Lee told The Sun there was animal faeces scattered throughout the house along with swarms of maggots, bin bags piled from floor to ceiling and years old nappies squished into the carpet. 'The washing machine broke and the clothes in there were left for years and years,', she said describing the home situation. 'You couldn't determine the colour of the kitchen floor. Bernadette, who died in April aged 64, kept four dead babies in her house for more than 20 years 'The bathroom was out of use because of the bin bags in there from floor to ceiling. Nappies of my brother's had been in there for years. 'It's something you couldn't possibly imagine. I can remember another time me and my sister were carrying a mattress out and there were maggots dropping off it.'. Ms Lee was 26 in May 1998 when her sister Cath, then 16, told her that Quirk had put the remains of a baby in the wardrobe. Without telling authorities, she then helped her mother bury the baby in the family grave, where her own son John had been legally buried. She told the Liverpool Echo: 'I couldn't stand the woman - and what she put us all through. But I wouldn't go back and change any of it. It's made me a better mother and person.' Mother Bernadette Quirk (right) pictured with her daughter Joanne and son Christopher 'If I had known then what I know now (about the other babies) I would have gone to the police there and then. 'I knew I was doing wrong and I could have gone to jail but I think a lot of it was to do with me losing my own child, and I felt sorry for her. I thought she was grieving.' The body had been found in a red bin in the wardrobe and it was only later, when Ms Lee saw the bin in the wardrobe again, that she decided to call the police. At Liverpool Crown Court in 2010, prosecutor Anya Horwood told how Quirk had fallen into a 'chaotic and dysfunctional' lifestyle following the break-up of her second marriage. Bernadette was charged with four counts of concealing a birth and given a two-year community order She said: 'The defendant's heavy drinking significantly impaired her ability to look after her children, her family and herself. She had a number of sexual relationships during this period.' When the babies were tested, the father of one was found to be Ms Lee's former long-term partner, making her the infant's half-sister and stepmother simultaneously. There was no explanation about why Quirk kept the remains with her - moving home several times in the intervening years. At the end of July 2009, Quirk's daughter discovered the remains of one baby in her mother's wardrobe at her house. Police then searched the property and Quirk directed them to the remains of two more infants, also wrapped up in the bedroom. The defendant told detectives she gave birth to the four babies at her previous home in St Helens, and they were all stillborn. Forensic tests suggested they had congenital disorders and Quirk was charged with concealing birth contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. Ian Morris, defending, said Quirk embarked on a series of inappropriate relationships following the breakdown of her marriage. He said she hid the pregnancies because she was ashamed of what she had done and did not believe in abortion. Ms Lee, 47, who is a mother-of-three and grandmother-of-four, has written about her childhood experiences in a book called Silent Sisters, published on April 18. New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand tweeted a pictured on Friday of the moment she realized her new drag queen friend could make her glamorous outfit look far better than she ever could. The presidential hopeful posted photos from her night out to a gay bar in Iowa and revealed she ended up handing over her long black gown so a performer could give it a whirl. However the woman hoping to be the Democratic nominee for the 2020 elections admitted that while her curves poured perfectly into the busty dress, the employee worked it in a way she never imagined. 'Vana and the amazing queens at the Blazing Saddle in Des Moines invited me for a visit tonight before their show,' Gillibrand tweeted. 'I felt underdressed, so I brought a dress I picked up yesterdayturns out it fit me, but it fit Vana even better! Thank you for having me, ladies!' New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand let Iowa drag queen Vana try on her dress Friday night Gay bar employee tried on the 52-year-old mother-of-two's black gown in Des Moines, Iowa Images show the 52-year-old mother-of-two wearing a branded T-shirt from the East Village nightlife venue with blue jeans and brown belt. Meanwhile a made-up Vana poses with her hip popped as she shows off her body in the sultry number. A second shot shows what the blonde politician looks like in the bejeweled floor-length item. Emulating Vana's pose, they appear side-by-side with their hands positioned to accentuate their waists. It seems Gillibrand and the drag queen were taking more than just styling tips from each other, the pair feature in a third picture where they again seem to mirror each other. Glancing at their reflections, Vana in her original floral frock slicks on pink lip gloss while Gillibrand opts for red lipstick. The pair applied makeup as they prepared for the drag show at nightlife venue Blazing Saddle Gillibrand was previously 'underdressed' in her usual blue jeans and a branded T-shirt Gillibrand later thanked the ladies of Blazing Saddle for having her at their East Village show Gillibrand is gearing up for a fundraiser with LGBT activist and performer Marti Gold Cummings on May 2. She said on Sunday that her campaign has raised more than $3million in the first quarter. Nearly two-thirds of contributors to Gillibrand's campaign are women, communications director Meredith Kelly said. Advocacy for women and victims of assault and harassment have been early themes of the New York senator's campaign. Kelly said 92 percent of donations to Gillibrand's campaign were under $200 and that the average online donation was $25. The campaign now has about $10.2million cash in hand, Kelly said. Gillibrand's fundraising tally trailed other Democratic contenders who have voluntarily disclosed their totals. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has raised more than $18 million; California Sen. Kamala Harris was at $12 million. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren has raised $6 million, and New Jersey Sen. Corey Booker has raised $5 million. Aides to Gillibrand's campaign view her candidacy in two distinct phases. The first 'exploratory' phase began in January when Gillibrand revealed that she was considering a presidential run on during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. She then quickly made her first trip to the leadoff caucus state of Iowa and held 60 events across eight states. She's currently trying to raise 2020 election campaign funds as she trails others. She speaks with a supporter during a 'listening tour' stop at at the Adams Street Espresso & Soda Shoppe The second phase began with the formal launch of her campaign on March 17. Since then, her campaign says she doubled her total number of donors, though the campaign did not disclose the total number of donors or donations to her campaign. In a memo to supporters obtained by The Associated Press, Gillibrand's campaign also says that she received a fundraising boost from her recent appearance at a CNN town hall. In that memo, Gillibrand's campaign says that of donations to the campaign made within 48 hours of the April 9 town hall, 63 percent were new contributors. In the same memo, her campaign said that though they see her on strong financial footing, her decision to call on former Sen. Al Franken, a Minnesota Democrat, to step down over allegations of sexual misconduct has adversely impacted her campaign. In the memo, the campaign said there was 'no question that the first quarter was adversely impacted by certain establishment donors - and many online - who continue to punish Kirsten for standing up for her values and for women.' Weed is also a talking point. In a Saturday tweet she posted: '65% of Americans agree: We have to legalize marijuana. It's critical to dismantling mass incarceration and institutional racism, and to achieving fundamental justice.' 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Gillibrand speaks during a meet and greet with local residents, Thursday A Virgin Atlantic jet came within seconds of colliding with two drones at 14,000ft as it approached Heathrow to land. Airline bosses are calling for a crackdown on drones after the shocking near-miss, which happened as the B787-9 Dreamliner carrying 264 passengers flew at 320mph over Essex. A member of the crew spotted the drones, one of which was just 90ft from the aircraft. If either drone had hit the plane, it could have disabled an engine or even smashed the windscreen, injuring the pilots. The shocking near-miss happened as the B787-9 Dreamliner carrying 264 passengers flew at 320mph over Essex. The report rated the incident as Category A, meaning there was a serious risk of a collision. A stock image is pictured above [File photo] The law says drones should fly no higher than 400ft. Drone operators who endanger the safety of an aircraft can already be jailed for five years or, if they intend to cause violence, get life imprisonment. A report by the UK Airprox Board said one of the drones appeared to veer away at the last second to avoid a collision. The close call happened just before 5pm on February 14 at the end of a nine-hour flight from Delhi. The report rated the incident as Category A, meaning there was a serious risk of a collision. It said that the alarm was first raised by the cabin crew manager who saw two multi-rotor drones on the right-hand side of the aircraft. The report added: The first drone was slightly low and a bit further out, whereas the second was close in at the same level and seemed to take avoiding action. It concluded that the drones were endangering other aircraft and had been flown into conflict with the B787 to the extent that providence had played a major part in avoiding a collision. A Virgin Atlantic spokesman said: Virgin Atlantic can confirm that pilots operating flight VS301 from Delhi to London on 14 February 2019 reported seeing two drones as they flew over Essex. A report by the UK Airprox Board said one of the drones appeared to veer away at the last second to avoid a collision. The close call happened just before 5pm on February 14 at the end of a nine-hour flight from Delhi. The drone pictured above is a stock image [File photo] 'The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our priority, and the pilots immediately reported the incident to Air Traffic Control. Its vital action is taken to further regulate the use of drones, and we urge the Government to consider additional proposals. Last month, the Government introduced tough new rules making it illegal to fly drones within 5km of an airport. It followed a number of near-misses and the cancellation of hundreds of flights at Gatwick before Christmas after repeated sightings of drones at the airport. The Mail on Sunday revealed last October how another Virgin Atlantic Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner flying from Delhi was just 10ft from smashing into a drone in the closest-ever near-miss involving a passenger jet in UK airspace. The scare happened as the jet was flying at 3,200ft just north of Clapham Common in South London on its approach to Heathrow. A thug was filmed viciously hacking at another teenager with a machete as shocked bus passengers watched on in horror. In the clip, filmed in Leeds, West Yorkshire, the two boys are seen gesturing angrily at each other before one lunges at the other in the terrifying duel. The other teenager, armed with a wooden pole, then fights back in the confrontation outside a parade of shops. The boy landed the first blow but is soon felled by his blade-wielding opponent as a shocked bus passenger can be heard saying: 'Madness.' This shocking clip, filmed from a bus in Leeds, West Yorkshire, shows two boys fighting each other One is wielding a machete, while the other is holding a plank of wood. It was filmed on Good Friday A woman, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, captured the footage in the Belle Isle area of Leeds on Good Friday. The outcome of the fight is unknown as the two enemies continued to circle each other as the bus left the area. A number of other youths are seen watching as the pair fight a running battle along a footpath and around a bus shelter. It was recently revealed that West Yorkshire had the highest rate of knife and sharp incident crime outside London last year. According to data from the Office for National Statistics, there were 4,496 knife and sharp incident offences in Yorkshire and the Humber for the year ending September 2018, 60 per cent (2,717) of which took place in West Yorkshire. At one point, the boy with the plank of wood fell to the ground (pictured). It was recently revealed that West Yorkshire had the highest rate of knife and sharp incident crime outside London last year Despite an initial decrease in knife crime in the region between 2010 and 2013, there has since been a rise every year with a total increase of 124 per cent from 2012-13 to 2017-18. Detective Superintendent Chris Gibson, West Yorkshire Police's Knife Crime expert, said: 'We are doing everything we can to tackle knife violence - the consequences of which can be horrific - for victims injured or killed, for families caught up in it and for the wider community. 'Our message is simple: carrying a knife is never the answer and by carrying a knife you are much more likely to get stabbed yourself. 'We are concerned about knife crime and the impact it can have on the communities we serve and we are working tirelessly with our partners to prevent it from happening.' Teaching assistant Kristie Higgss devotion to her Christian faith was matched only by her dedication to her job. She is no evangelist, but believed one complemented the other her role, after all, was to provide emotional support and care for the most needy and troubled students in a 1,000-pupil secondary school. It was a job the mother-of-two cherished and carried out for seven unblemished years until she was sacked recently for an offence that, in these politically correct times, is becoming all too familiar. Kristie Higg lost job at Farmors School in Fairford, Gloucestershire, in January after sharing on her personal Facebook account a protest against transgender teaching at her son's primary school Kristies crime was to share on her personal Facebook site what she thought was an innocent expression of her Christian point of view an online protest against transgender teaching at her sons primary school. A single anonymous complaint that accused her of offending gay and transgender pupils led to her immediate suspension and eventually ended her career. Today in an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday, Kristie reveals how: During a six-hour disciplinary hearing, a school governor likened her posts to those of a pro-Nazi, far-Right extremist; School chiefs snooped on her emails and questioned why she had used her school email to receive inspirational quotations from the Bible; A school governor told her she had no absolute right to freedom of speech. Kristie was devastated when she lost her job at Farmors School, a mixed-sex academy in Fairford, Gloucestershire, in January. As well as being an essential source of family income, her role was a vocation that allowed Kristie to put her Christian values those that taught her to care for others no matter what into practice. Many of the students the 43-year-old encountered were, she says, outsiders. Kristie's post on Facebook. One anonymous complaint accused her of offending gay and transgender pupils and led to her immediate suspension and eventually ended the mother-of-two's career They included gay and transgender teenagers who turned to her for emotional and practical support when they felt the world was against them the accusation that she would discriminate against such pupils she finds deeply offensive. I loved my job and I loved the children that I cared for, she says. It wasnt just kids who were in trouble, I also helped children who were gay or changing gender. When they came to my office I opened my arms to them and treated them like any other young people. I never discriminated against them and never would. Kristies ordeal began in October when the Church of England primary school attended by her youngest son adopted No Outsiders teaching about sexual minorities. She posted on her Facebook page a petition, which did not originate from her, against Government plans to make relationships education compulsory in schools adding: They are brainwashing our children! The same programme has generated a row between schools and Muslim parents in Birmingham. Books given to children as young as four include stories about a boy who wants to wear a dress and one about a red crayon that discovers it is really blue. Kristie felt that her son was too young to understand the issues so, with the agreement of teachers, excluded the nine-year-old from the lessons. The assertion in the books that people can change gender at will jarred with her firmly held Christian beliefs. Trans book alarmed Muslims too The controversial teaching programme No Outsiders was created by gay assistant head teacher Andrew Moffat in 2014 to promote tolerance of sexual minorities. It is now taught at primary schools across England and Wales but has sparked protests among Muslims in Birmingham where parents have withdrawn pupils from lessons. Children as young as four are taught about same-sex relationships and transgender people using brightly illustrated books. They include a story about a boy who wants to wear a dress and a red crayon who discovers it is really blue (pictured right). The No Outsiders programme is not officially part of the Government plans to make relationships education compulsory in primary schools next year but last month schools watchdog Ofsted gave it its backing. In a recent interview, Tory MP Andrea Leadsom said it was absolutely right for parents to be allowed to choose what age their children should be taught about LGBT issues. Advertisement Never anticipating the catastrophic consequences, she posted on her Facebook page a petition, which did not originate from her, against Government plans to make relationships education compulsory in schools adding: They are brainwashing our children! While some may not agree with the petitions sentiments, its hard to understand why it caused so much offence. It alerts parents to the plans, pointing out: Children will be taught... gender is a matter of choice, not biology, so that its up to them what sex they are. At the same time it means that expressing and teaching fundamental Christian beliefs, relating to the creation of men and women and marriage, will in practice become forbidden because they conflict with the new morality and are seen as indoctrination into unacceptable religious bigotry. It continues: Freedom of belief will be destroyed, with freedom of speech permitted only for those who toe the party line! The online petition then warned: We say again, this is a vicious form of totalitarianism aimed at suppressing Christianity. Kristie then put up a second Facebook post linking to an American blog criticising schools for using childrens books to teach youngsters about changing sex. The blogger, who argues that someones sex can only be biologically determined, branded the stories a perversion of the truth and a form of child abuse. Kristie says: My only crime was to share information about what was happening in schools with other parents and I cant see what was so terrible about that. I was raising concerns about my son being educated in matters that are not aligned with my religious beliefs and people could choose to agree or disagree. I would never tell others what to think. My bigger worry was that they were introducing the confusing idea of changing gender to children at such a young age. Kristies accuser, one of her Facebook friends, complained to her headteacher in an email on October 26 last year and asked the school to keep their identity secret. Kristie has never been given the opportunity to challenge them and still doesnt know the identity of her accuser. In the message, the unnamed parent, whose child attends Farmors School, alleged that Kristie had been posting homophobic and prejudiced views against the LGBT community on Facebook. And in light of her offensive views, they were worried that the softly spoken pastoral assistant may exert influence over the vulnerable pupils who may end up in isolation the very pupils she had been helping for seven years. Days later Kristie was called into the headmasters office without warning and told she was suspended pending an investigation into whether she had broken the schools code of conduct. Kristie had worked at Farmor's School in Fairford (pictured) for seven years, attended it as a child and had recently enrolled her son After hearing the allegations against her, Kristie told the headmaster that millions of Christians around the world shared her view. He insisted the suspension had nothing to do with her religion but she suspects he had been warned to say that to avoid accusations of religious discrimination against her. It had everything to do with my Christianity. To suggest otherwise is ridiculous, she says. In the weeks after her suspension, which she was banned from discussing with anyone, Kristie was ordered to attend two further investigation meetings with the schools human resources officer. Kristie was banned from discussing her suspension with anyone In the second of these sessions it emerged that the school had been trawling through her work emails in search of any wrongdoing. Bizarrely, one school official demanded to know if she had used her professional email address to subscribe to a Christian broadcast service that sent out daily inspirational Bible readings. I could not believe they had gone into my email messages looking for evidence that I was a Christian. It felt as if I was being persecuted for my faith, Kristie says. She is a member of Fairford Christian Fellowship, a prayer group that interprets the Bible literally. She and about 20 other followers hold weekly meetings at a community centre in the leafy Cotswolds town and do work for local charities. She and her 45-year-old electrician husband, Darren, grew up in Fairford and both attended the school from which Kristie has been sacked. Her father worked at the local RAF base for almost a decade before retiring. The investigation into her conduct culminated in Kristie being asked to attend a disciplinary hearing at a hotel just days before Christmas. With only her pastor for support, she was grilled for a total of six hours by a five-strong panel of three school governors and two human resources officers. She says she felt intimidated by the panels chairman, employment lawyer Stephen Conlan. Just listening to his voice on a recording of the hearing was enough to bring Kristie to tears. I just felt so intimidated by the way he questioned me. He was clearly well practised in this type of situation and I felt out of my depth it didnt seem right that it was me against all of them, she says. In the hearing she denied that she had illegally discriminated against anyone or brought the school into disrepute, pointing out that the language used in the posts she shared were not her words. Her aim, she argues, had been merely to raise awareness among parents of the Governments education plans and the transgender literature being taught in primary schools. She was grilled for a total of six hours by a five-strong panel of three school governors and two human resources officers. She says she felt intimidated by the panels chairman, employment lawyer Stephen Conlan But she believes her words fell on deaf ears because the panel had already made its mind up about her. They basically kept saying what I did was wrong and that a parent had complained, she says. But Im a parent too. The parent who complained had their beliefs and these are my beliefs, yet that wasnt taken into consideration. In one exchange she described how one of the governors compared her Facebook posts to offending comments that might be made by a far-Right extremist a person which Mr Conlan helpfully clarified was something that was pro-Nazi. I didnt understand what they meant at first because I wasnt familiar with the far-Right, Kristie says. But when Mr Conlan explained, I was shocked that they put my posts about Christianity in the same category as political extremists. Following the hearing she was forced to wait three weeks over Christmas before she was dealt the devastating news by email that she had been dismissed for gross misconduct. The ruling by the disciplinary panel found her guilty of a serious inappropriate use of social media that could bring the school into disrepute, although it acknowledged there was no evidence the schools reputation had been damaged to date. The panel also concluded that her online posts had amounted to illegal discrimination. The ruling by the disciplinary panel found her guilty of a serious inappropriate use of social media It ruled that there was clear evidence of discrimination against the complainant in the form of harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation and/or gender reassignment. To read in black and white that she had been fired from the school she had devoted seven years of her life to, attended as a child and recently enrolled her son at was crushing for Kristie and her family. Along with the emotional toll came the financial reality of losing her 10,000-a-year salary. I just couldnt believe that sharing something with my friends could lead to this, Kristie says. Id worked at the school happily for all those years, but now I felt like it was persecuting me for my beliefs. I just couldnt stop crying. My husband was upset because he believed I was in the right and the decision to sack me placed him under a lot of pressure to work more hours to support us. When I told my older son he actually cried because he was so confused about why the school would sack me for standing up for my beliefs. In February, Kristie launched an appeal against her dismissal but described the subsequent hearing as a kangaroo court. Theyd made up their minds that I was guilty before I even walked I to the room, she says. It was during this hearing that Mr Conlan, who attended to defend his original ruling, made the extraordinary statement that Kristie had no absolute rights to freedom of expression or to manifest her religious views. He argued that these rights could be infringed if justified as necessary in democratic society. Kristies appeal was later rejected. Despite this, she remains determined to clear her name and prove that she is not homophobic. Kristie has enlisted the help of the Christian Legal Centre, a campaign group that defends Christians rights. She has launched a claim for wrongful dismissal for illegal discrimination on the grounds of her religious beliefs. She still goes to the school to collect her 12-year-old son and feels the pain of losing her job every day. Parents and teachers, she says, look upon her with suspicion. Friends still say hello to me, but it has been hard to go into the playground. I feel my right to express my religious beliefs has been completely taken away from me . As a Christian, it seems that Im not allowed to have an opinion about what is going on in the world or even my own sons school. My freedom of speech has been sacrificed for a politically correct agenda that no one now dare disagree with. People have an opinion of me now that is a million miles from the truth. Last night Farmors School chairman of governors, Tony Joslyn, said the school was unable to make any comment ahead of Kristies legal claim against them. Theresa May has been warned that she is presiding over the death of the Tory Party after a devastating poll revealed the immense scale of the grassroots revolt against her. The exclusive Mail on Sunday survey shows that an astonishing 40 per cent of Conservative councillors are planning to vote for Nigel Farages new Brexit Party in Mays European elections, in protest at the Prime Ministers failure to conclude the UKs exit from the EU. Three-quarters of her own councillors want Mrs May to resign and an overwhelming 96 per cent believe that the Tory Party has been damaged by the impasse. The exclusive Mail on Sunday survey shows that an astonishing 40 per cent of Conservative councillors are planning to vote for Nigel Farages new Brexit Party in Mays European elections, in protest at the Prime Ministers failure to conclude the UKs exit from the EU Prime Minister Theresa May acts as a marshal during the Maidenhead Easter 10 race in maidenhead. Three-quarters of her own councillors want Mrs May to resign and an overwhelming 96 per cent believe that the Tory Party has been damaged by the impasse Mr Farage only launched his Brexit Party earlier this month, but one poll last week put its support for the European Parliament elections at 27 per cent well ahead of both Labour, on 22 per cent, and the Tories, who were stuck on 15 per cent Conservative MPs preparing to return to the Commons after the Easter break have been shaken by the strength of feeling in their local associations over Mrs Mays leadership, after she agreed to delay Brexit until the end of October if she cannot strike a deal. Such is the scale of the anger that the partys 1922 Committee of backbench MPs will convene on Tuesday to discuss changing the rules to allow a new vote of no confidence in her leadership. Mrs May is currently protected from a challenge until December following a failed coup last year. The Tory group on Derbyshire County Council is so disillusioned that it has gone on strike by refusing to take any part in next months European election campaign. The Survation researchers were bombarded with vitriolic remarks by the hundreds of councillors they contacted for the MoS poll. One said: The Conservative Party is dead. It will take a strong leader to dredge it out of the mud. Another said: For Gods sake get on with it [Brexit] it is killing us on the doorstep. The turmoil engulfing the Government has made Jeremy Corbyn the most likely victor of the next General Election, according to a string of recent opinion polls, prompting Whitehall mandarins to ratchet up their preparations for a Labour Government. As this newspaper reveals today, Mr Corbyn plans to boycott Downing Street and remain living in his North London home if he becomes Prime Minister. Officials in charge of transition arrangements have made plans to allow that to happen. A source close to the Labour leader confirmed he is seriously considering the idea to the dismay of aides and police and security advisers. Mr Farage only launched his Brexit Party earlier this month, but one poll last week put its support for the European Parliament elections at 27 per cent well ahead of both Labour, on 22 per cent, and the Tories, who were stuck on 15 per cent. The new party is estimated to have already received more than 1.5 million in donations. Our poll shows if Boris Johnson was Tory leader for the elections, the number of defectors to the Brexit Party would nearly halve. Out of those Tory councillors who said they were certain to vote in the elections, 52 per cent said they would vote for their own party, while 40 per cent would vote for the Brexit Party. If Mr Johnson was Prime Minister, the proportion voting Tory would rise to 65 per cent and 22 per cent would vote for Mr Farage. Our poll shows if Boris Johnson was Tory leader for the elections, the number of defectors to the Brexit Party would nearly halve Out of the 96 per cent of councillors who believe that the Brexit deadlock has damaged the Tories, 39 per cent believe it has done so permanently. A total of 76 per cent of the councillors want Mrs May to resign: of these, 43 per cent want her to go now while 33 per cent want her to go only after a deal has been reached. A slew of rivals are preparing campaigns for the moment when Mrs May does step down as leader. Mr Johnson tops the grassroots rankings on 23 per cent, ahead of Michael Gove on 14 per cent, Jeremy Hunt on 12 per cent, Sajid Javid on 11 per cent and Dominic Raab on 9 per cent. But if Mr Farage is included as an option for Tory leader, he would beat everyone except Mr Johnson, who is on 19 per cent to Mr Farages 15 per cent. The six-month Brexit extension granted to Mrs May has infuriated the Tory grassroots. Of the councillors questioned in our poll, 64 per cent voted Leave in 2016. The language used by many of the councillors will shock Downing Street, with a number describing the current situation as the end of the Conservative Party. Survation founder Damian Lyons Lowe said: Conservative councillors are an influential and important indicator of the partys grassroots support. Out of those who will cast a vote, almost half will not vote Conservative, underlining the deep divisions over Europe and the difficulty the party will have in getting out the vote for the forthcoming elections. l Survation questioned 781 Conservative councillors between April 17 and 19. A double boost for Boris as reputation as the darling of Tory Party members is reinforced Boris Johnsons strong performance in todays poll for The Mail on Sunday is part of a double boost for the former Foreign Secretary as he waits for the leadership race to start. Mr Johnson reinforces his reputation as the darling of Tory Party members by coming top of the poll rankings, well ahead of his main rivals Michael Gove, Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid and Dominic Raab. The main impediment to his long-harboured dream of becoming Prime Minister has always been his lack of popularity among Tory MPs, who decide which two of their colleagues are entered into the run-off in a ballot of party members. It has led supporters of both Mr Johnson and fellow Brexiteer Mr Raab to express the fear that they will be kept out of the final two by collusion between Mr Hunt and Mr Javid, both former Remainers who have tacked more towards Brexit as the contest has neared. Now Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, which determines the rules governing the leadership contest, is under increasing pressure to reform the system to allow four names to go to the membership. If agreed, it would make it almost impossible for Mr Johnsons rivals to keep him off the members ballot. The comments made by many of the councillors in our survey suggest that he would then be on a clear path to No 10. One told us: May has done nothing but vacillate. Boris has at least been consistent and would be more electable. Another said: They are so intent on infighting except for Boris. Advertisement Brexit Party are raking in 200 a minute as the public make donations through a PayPal account and envelopes of cash By Miles Goslett for The Daily Mail Who funds The Brexit Party? That question is likely to be asked with increased intensity if, as bookmakers predict, Nigel Farages new organisation wins seats at the European elections on May 23. Party treasurer Phillip Basey agreed to open its books to me on Thursday. And having seen a raft of data, I can report that some-thing remarkable is going on. On Baseys computer screen at his Westminster office was the party PayPal account. Every few seconds I saw another donation come in from a member of the public. Then another. And another. It was dizzying. Most money comes via PayPal but were being sent envelopes of cash as well, he said. Weve also had scores of cheques. Our local branch of Lloyds Bank say they havent seen so many cheques for years. Basey revealed that on April 12, when the party formally launched, it received 440,000. Thats 305 a minute on average. When I went in, that average was down to 200 a minute. By my calculations, The Brexit Party has taken about 1.5 million in total. Correct, said Basey. Almost all of it will go on campaigning, in line with official limits. Our overheads are lower than the Tories and Labour. The mainstream parties rely on big donations. But Basey said every contribution they get is small. Most give 25. This allows someone to become a registered supporter and receive newsletters. Some pledge only 5. More rarely, 500 is offered. One benefactor has given 200,000, the biggest donation to date. The official campaigning period has not even begun in earnest, Basey pointed out. Everything will be reported to the Electoral Commission in due course. By 4pm on Thursday, the party had 57,000 registered supporters. Typically, 1,200 to 1,500 new supporters join each day. The Tories and Labour could only dream of statistics like these. Farage says he wants to start a political revolution. With this sort of public backing, he may just achieve it. Advertisement A howl of rage from the shires: Heart and soul of the Tory party reveal their cries of exasperation and pain and demand to be listened to over Brexit crisis and Conservative leadership By Glen Owen Political Editor for The Daily Mail Traditionally, Conservative councillors across Britain have been united in their sense of duty, spending long evenings and weekends on doorsteps or stuffing endless envelopes for the sake of their party. Now, as British politics plunges further into crisis, The Mail on Sunday has asked 800 of these loyal foot soldiers just what they think of the disastrous Brexit stalemate and of Theresa Mays leadership as many of them face a fight for their seats in local elections on May 2. And their verdict is damning as these quotes from them vividly illustrate... The Conservative Party is dead! Will take a strong leader to dredge it out of the mud. I am embarrassed to be a member at the moment. This will be a case study of (predictable) incompetence which has made our country and party a laughing stock around the world. It will be difficult to resolve all the problems that exist and I think it could be the end of the Conservative Party in its current format. The Conservative Party needs a proper shake up. There are too many Old Etonians who just give the party its bad, upper-class reputation. Breaking the manifesto pledge has damaged the party beyond repair. It has caused me to seriously consider my party allegiance. We local councillors have been very badly served by the MPs at Westminster and I fear a drubbing in the local elections. I have always maintained that I would give the Conservative Government the full course of this Parliament to meet the key manifesto commitment to leave the EU. However, holding EU elections in May is such anathema to me that I will register an unambiguous protest vote for the Brexit Party. It is an absolute affront to democracy to attempt to thwart the majority vote to leave. You [Mrs May] have lost my trust for ever. I will be resigning from the party and joining Change UK, who put the country ahead of party politics. I will not vote Conservative nationally again. I have been a lifetime supporter and a Conservative councillor for 33 years. The Conservative Party has become a joke on the doorstep. For Gods sake GET ON WITH IT it is killing us on the doorstep! My re-election as a Conservative councillor next month is at risk, in an otherwise safe Tory ward, purely and simply because central Government has shredded the Conservatives reputation for competence through its gross mishandling of Brexit. The Governments performance over the past three years has been truly shambolic, an embarrassing fiasco. We have now reached a point where I no longer believe a word May says. For Christs sake get on with it. You bloody idiots are causing damage to business, to our party and local election chances. Locally Conservatives are working well and working hard while our MPs continue to s*** on us. If we dont get out of the EU before the local elections you can write off 60 per cent of Conservative councillors. May is perceived as a traitor. I feel dismayed, disappointed and betrayed by our MPs from all parties, they should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. Theresa May and other Remainers have destroyed Conservatives from the inside. I have to explain at the door while canvassing that I feel just as let down, betrayed, disappointed as local people. As local councillors we do bins, not Brexit. Possibly the biggest shambles ever and likely to lose huge numbers of Conservative councillors their seats on May 2. A lot of Tory MPs are disloyal and selfish with total disregard for the will of the people and those of us at grassroots. We are suffering on the doorstep. If we do not get our act together we face wipeout in future elections. The Conservative Party no longer stands for anything not even competence. [It] still has a strong, principled, patriotic membership but its earnest wishes are being frustrated by a parliamentary party who dont think much like the local members who fought to get them elected and who are, in large, careerist politicians more likely to default to the whip line than stand for anything. Its a disgraceful situation. And if it goes uncorrected, the UK will get a Corbyn Government by default. I think we could be out of power for a decade with, God help us, J Corbyn able to wreck everything weve achieved. Theresa May is between a rock and a hard place. She is a person of great spirit and principles but she has been let down appallingly by weak-willed, easily led MPs who put their own interests before the needs of the nation. We are losing local party members because of their actions. They have done irreparable damage to the party and I fear we will not recover for decades to come. I am an admirer of Theresa May. However, her stance on Brexit has damaged her and the Conservatives. She needs to resign as soon as possible to ensure the party survives this disastrous debacle. How can I campaign for the UK Conservative Party when I now absolutely believe that Brexit needs to happen as soon as possible? To save her party she should stand down tomorrow. The longer she procrastinates, the more serious and long-term will be the damage to the Conservative Party. The Prime Minister has destroyed the Conservative Party. My worry is May has done so much damage to the reputation [of the party], and alienated so many core Tory voters, that any new leader will have a mountain to climb and too little time before the next Election to win over enough voters to stop Corbyn getting the keys to No 10. God help us if Corbyn gets into power. The Conservative Party is doomed until May goes. Just bloody get on with it and stop behaving like children (that is for all MPs, frankly). The Trotskyist, the ex-retail boss and the woman they call 'Boadicea': Who else is joining Annunziata Rees-Mogg in standing for Nigel Farage's new Brexit party? By Daily Mail Reporter Annunziata Rees-Mogg, the younger sister of Tory euroseptic Jacob and daughter of former Times editor Lord (William) Rees-Mogg, joined the Conservative Party at the age of five, and claimed she was out canvassing by the time she was eight. She has worked as a stockbroker and journalist, and formerly edited the European Journal owned by Brexiteer Tory MP Bill Cash who recently demanded Theresa May resign for abject surrender to the EU. She twice failed to get elected as a Tory MP. David Cameron suggested she call herself Nancy Mogg to sound less posh, but she refused. June Mummery is a member of Fishing For Leave and the managing director of fish market auctioneers BFP Eastern in Lowestoft, Suffolk. Described as a veteran Brexiteer who has spent years fighting for the rights of British fisherman by finally taking back controls of our waters, she has claimed some people call her Boadicea, after the British queen who led a doomed uprising against Roman rule almost 2,000 years ago. Mummery, 55, backed Brexit for the economic benefits she believes it will bring for the fishing industry, adding: At the moment we have about 500 people making a living from fish in the town. If Brexit goes our way, I believe the workforce will double in the next ten to 15 years. Mrs Mummerys daughter Scarlett, 23, who works on oil rigs, has used her model good looks to gain almost 25,000 followers on Instagram Ben Habib is chief executive of First Property, a 730 million portfolio that has made the Anglo-Pakistani magnate millions from investments in office blocks in Central Europe. The company has boasted of exploiting Brexit nervousness to maximise profits. Mr Habib, who lives in a 6 million mansion in Hampshire with wife Sarah and three children, was previously a lifelong Conservative voter who donated to the party Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice is a multi-millionaire property developer in charge of a 500 million portfolio. He co-founded Leave.EU, which campaigned in the referendum, with Arron Banks. Tice, 54, then founded Leave Means Leave to fight for a hard Brexit. He regularly appears on TV and radio to make his case. He had been a loyal Tory backer, and was tipped to stand for them in next years election for Londons mayor Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, a hard-Left academic and a former member of the Revolutionary Communist Party, has formed an unlikely alliance with Nigel Farage. Dr Cuthbert, whose father immigrated from India in the 1960s, earned her PhD from Cambridge University. She says Brexit was a working-class revolt that could lead to a surge in Trotskyist socialism. Im not doing this for Nigel Farage, she has said Thousands of people suffering from a reversible brain condition may be languishing in care homes because they have been wrongly diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. About 20,000 Britons are thought to have normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition caused by fluid becoming trapped on the brain. Richard Edwards, a consultant neurosurgeon from Bristol, said that doctors often mistake the illness for dementia, which has similar symptoms. NPH can cause a loss of balance and a slow, shuffling walk as if your feet are stuck to the floor. As a result, it is often spotted by podiatrists rather than GPs Dementia is usually caused by irreversible changes in the brain, but that triggered by NPH can be treated by surgery to drain the excess amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that builds up deep inside the brain. Mr Edwards said some patients have experienced jaw-dropping improvements after the procedure, yet misdiagnosis meant the 8,000 operation is being used far too infrequently. He told The Mail on Sunday: Patients who present with moderate to severe dementia can occasionally experience almost complete reversal of cognitive impairment after the operation. Some will have a jaw-dropping improvement in terms of mobility and cognitive impairment. As well as memory loss and disorientation symptoms also associated with dementia NPH can cause a loss of balance and a slow, shuffling walk as if your feet are stuck to the floor. As a result, it is often spotted by podiatrists rather than GPs. One of Mr Edwardss patients was diagnosed with dementia but asked his GP about NPH when his wife searched his symptoms on the internet and found details of the condition. After treatment, he went from being almost unable to walk and frequently confused to striding around and regaining his former eloquence. MRI brain showing hydrocephalus with clinical of normal pressure hydrocephalus , ataxia, cognitive decline, incontinence Mr Edwards said that results are usually more modest: The majority will have an improvement in balance and mobility although improvement in cognitive function can be variable. Another common symptom of NPH is worsening bladder control, which is often mistaken for prostate problems. Surgery usually leads to an improvement. Studies suggest that about 20,000 people could have NPH in the UK, making it a factor in up to five per cent of dementia cases. At present, between 300 and 400 sufferers undergo surgery each year, which involves inserting a special tube called a shunt into spaces in the middle of the brain where CSF has built up. This drains the excess liquid which is reabsorbed elsewhere in the body. Mr Edwards said GPs commonly have insufficient knowledge of NPH to consider it as a possible diagnosis, meaning that vulnerable, elderly people whose lives could be transformed were instead being side-lined and stuck in nursing homes. An NHS spokesman said: NPH is an uncommon and poorly understood condition that most often affects people over the age of 60. It can sometimes develop after an injury or a stroke, but in most cases the cause is unknown. Mobility problems, dementia and urinary incontinence are the main symptoms of NPH, but because they come on gradually and are similar to the symptoms of other, more common conditions, such as Alzheimers, it can be difficult to diagnose. Three young men have been arrested after a 50-acre wildfire tore across Ilkley Moor in West Yorkshire on a scorching Easter weekend. The males, aged 19, 23 and 24, remain in police custody for what officers described as a 'fire on Ilkley Moore'. An investigation is now underway to establish if this fire was linked to the enormous blaze which torched the conservation area. Police believe that the flames have now been contained but warned that the baking hot weather will make fires prone to spreading. Arrests have been made over the 50-acre wildfire that ripped through Ilkley Moor in West Yorkshire, suggesting that police are treating it as deliberate A helicopter was brought in this morning to drop tonnes of water over the moorland to ensure the blaze was fully extinguished A police spokesperson said: 'The blaze is believed to now be under control, but we would like to remind members of the public that this recent hot weather may have made some moorland areas tinder dry, which means that even small fires may spread rapidly in these conditions.' Their reassurances come after helicopters today swooped in on the fire to drop tonnes of water on to the smouldering moorland just to the south of the town of Ilkley, West Yorkshire. And more than 100 firefighters tackled the fire in sweltering conditions at its height on Saturday afternoon. The 14 crews mobilised from across West and North Yorkshire withdrew overnight but around 70 firefighters returned to the moor on this morning. The helicopter was seen scooping water from a small nearby reservoir and dropping it on the scorched ground. The blaze is not far from the Cow and Calf rocks, which are the focal point of one of the most popular recreation areas in the region. Martin Langan, of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the service will be 'ramping up' the presence of firefighters throughout the day in case the fire reignites. Firefighters battled late into the night yesterday to tackle the blaze and keep the moorland under control Around 100 firefighters tackled the blaze last night and 70 came back this morning in case the fire reignites The mercury soared to 24C (75F) across the country today, with record temperatures comfortably broken in Scotland and Northern Ireland He added that lunchtime is 'a critical period' as that's 'the hottest part of the day'. It's believed all fire in the area has been extinguished but a helicopter continues to dump water on to the least accessible parts of the moor. The service said crews also had to cope with another moor fire, a few miles further south, involving 50 acres of land near The Dick Hudsons Pub, above Shipley. The mercury soared to 24C (75F) across the country today, with record temperatures comfortably broken in Scotland and Northern Ireland. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) battled the blaze long into the night A Met Office spokesperson said it is likely to be the warmest Easter Sunday since 2011, and the warmest Easter weekend since 1949 Temperatures are expected to reach into the 20s every day of the Bank Holiday weekend, with Tuesday seeing the first dip. A Met Office spokesperson said it is likely to be the warmest Easter Sunday since 2011, and the warmest Easter weekend since 1949. Back then, temperatures in Camden Square, London, reached a sweltering 29.4C (84.9F) over the Easter weekend. Having your name made into a verb is a singular distinction, even for a royal but the Duchess of Sussex is unlikely to be happy at how hers has found its way into the English language. In the Urban Dictionary an online lexicon of slang Meghan Markle is listed as a verb for ghosting or disposing [of] people once you have no use or benefit from them any more without any regard to genuine human relationships. Accompanying examples of usage are given to illustrate the meaning: Do not Meghan Markle me when your movie comes out!, She did a Meghan Markle on her friends as soon as she became famous and Mary did a Meghan Markle on her poor husband as soon as she became famous. Urban Dictionary says the phrase 'Meghan Markle' means to 'ghost' or 'dispose' of someone 'once you have no use or benefit from them'. (Pictured) Meghan with her childhood friend Ninaki Priddy in 2002, who she was once close to but now no longer contacts Other people that are said to have been 'Meghaned' include Piers Morgan and her 74-year-old father The definition may seem harsh to the Duchesss camp. But there is little doubt that she has virtually dropped all contact with a number of former close friends and family members since meeting Prince Harry, most notably her 74-year-old father Thomas Markle. He was frozen out after he was exposed by The Mail on Sunday staging photos with the paparazzi just before the Royal Wedding last year. Childhood friend Ninaki Priddy received similar treatment. She had once been so close to Meghan that they were said to be like sisters. But Ms Priddy is believed to have been unhappy over the way Meghan ended her first marriage to Trevor Engelson and found herself Markled. Millie Mackintosh was also Meghaned. The Made In Chelsea star had been tipped to be a bridesmaid at the Royal Wedding, but in the end she wasnt even a guest. Her former friend Millie Mackintosh, who was once tipped to be a bridesmaid, has also been dropped by Meghan Meghan Markle, who is eight-months pregnant, pictured during a visit to Canada House, London, for a Commonwealth Youth Day event Placed on Urban Dictionary by Hayley71 on December 14, it says 'Meghan Markle' is a verb for 'ghosting' or 'disposing of people' when you have no use for them Some said she had been ditched as Harry and his bride mercilessly culled anyone from their social circles they suspected might be to blame for stories about the couple being leaked to the press. Mail on Sunday columnist Piers Morgan became pally with Meghan after meeting her when she was an actress on legal drama Suits but he too found himself dropped by the royal. He said: As someone who has actually been Meghan Markled by Meghan Markle, I feel great empathy with anyone who gets Markled in life. 'Theres never any need for it. You should always at least have the basic good manners to tell someone why they are no longer of any use to you as you crawl ruthlessly up the social ladder. And it seems Harry may be following his wifes approach, after reports that he has banished former close pals including his onetime wingman Tom Inskip. Some speculated that the Duchess asked the Prince, 34, to Meghan his old friends before he froze them out. However, defenders of Meghan, 37, have pointed out that, though the Urban Dictionary is popular worldwide, it has no official status and is vulnerable to being manipulated by trolls. The definition for Meghan Markle was created by Hayley71 in December and has received 25 thumbs up and just one thumbs down from users. Traditionally, Conservative councillors across Britain have been united in their sense of duty, spending long evenings and weekends on doorsteps or stuffing endless envelopes for the sake of their party. Now, as British politics plunges further into crisis, The Mail on Sunday has asked 800 of these loyal foot soldiers just what they think of the disastrous Brexit stalemate and of Theresa Mays leadership as many of them face a fight for their seats in local elections on May 2. And their verdict is damning as these quotes from them vividly illustrate... Now, as British politics plunges further into crisis, The Mail on Sunday has asked 800 of these loyal foot soldiers just what they think of the disastrous Brexit stalemate and of Theresa Mays leadership as many of them face a fight for their seats in local elections on May 2. Pictured, Mrs May acting as a marshal during the Maidenhead Easter 10 race The Conservative Party is dead! Will take a strong leader to dredge it out of the mud. I am embarrassed to be a member at the moment. This will be a case study of (predictable) incompetence which has made our country and party a laughing stock around the world. It will be difficult to resolve all the problems that exist and I think it could be the end of the Conservative Party in its current format. The Conservative Party needs a proper shake up. There are too many Old Etonians who just give the party its bad, upper-class reputation. Breaking the manifesto pledge has damaged the party beyond repair. It has caused me to seriously consider my party allegiance. We local councillors have been very badly served by the MPs at Westminster and I fear a drubbing in the local elections. I have always maintained that I would give the Conservative Government the full course of this Parliament to meet the key manifesto commitment to leave the EU. However, holding EU elections in May is such anathema to me that I will register an unambiguous protest vote for the Brexit Party. It is an absolute affront to democracy to attempt to thwart the majority vote to leave. You [Mrs May] have lost my trust for ever. I will be resigning from the party and joining Change UK, who put the country ahead of party politics. I will not vote Conservative nationally again. I have been a lifetime supporter and a Conservative councillor for 33 years. The Conservative Party has become a joke on the doorstep. For Gods sake GET ON WITH IT it is killing us on the doorstep! My re-election as a Conservative councillor next month is at risk, in an otherwise safe Tory ward, purely and simply because central Government has shredded the Conservatives reputation for competence through its gross mishandling of Brexit. The Governments performance over the past three years has been truly shambolic, an embarrassing fiasco. We have now reached a point where I no longer believe a word May says. For Christs sake get on with it. You bloody idiots are causing damage to business, to our party and local election chances. Locally Conservatives are working well and working hard while our MPs continue to s*** on us. If we dont get out of the EU before the local elections you can write off 60 per cent of Conservative councillors. May is perceived as a traitor. I feel dismayed, disappointed and betrayed by our MPs from all parties, they should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. Theresa May and other Remainers have destroyed Conservatives from the inside. I have to explain at the door while canvassing that I feel just as let down, betrayed, disappointed as local people. As local councillors we do bins, not Brexit. Possibly the biggest shambles ever and likely to lose huge numbers of Conservative councillors their seats on May 2. A lot of Tory MPs are disloyal and selfish with total disregard for the will of the people and those of us at grassroots. We are suffering on the doorstep. If we do not get our act together we face wipeout in future elections. The Conservative Party no longer stands for anything not even competence. [It] still has a strong, principled, patriotic membership but its earnest wishes are being frustrated by a parliamentary party who dont think much like the local members who fought to get them elected and who are, in large, careerist politicians more likely to default to the whip line than stand for anything. Its a disgraceful situation. And if it goes uncorrected, the UK will get a Corbyn Government by default. I think we could be out of power for a decade with, God help us, J Corbyn able to wreck everything weve achieved. Theresa May is between a rock and a hard place. She is a person of great spirit and principles but she has been let down appallingly by weak-willed, easily led MPs who put their own interests before the needs of the nation. We are losing local party members because of their actions. They have done irreparable damage to the party and I fear we will not recover for decades to come. I am an admirer of Theresa May. However, her stance on Brexit has damaged her and the Conservatives. She needs to resign as soon as possible to ensure the party survives this disastrous debacle. How can I campaign for the UK Conservative Party when I now absolutely believe that Brexit needs to happen as soon as possible? To save her party she should stand down tomorrow. The longer she procrastinates, the more serious and long-term will be the damage to the Conservative Party. The Prime Minister has destroyed the Conservative Party. My worry is May has done so much damage to the reputation [of the party], and alienated so many core Tory voters, that any new leader will have a mountain to climb and too little time before the next Election to win over enough voters to stop Corbyn getting the keys to No 10. God help us if Corbyn gets into power. The Conservative Party is doomed until May goes. Just bloody get on with it and stop behaving like children (that is for all MPs, frankly). The Trotskyist, the ex-retail boss and the woman they call 'Boadicea': Who else is joining Annunziata Rees-Mogg in standing for Nigel Farage's new Brexit party? By Daily Mail Reporter Annunziata Rees-Mogg, the younger sister of Tory euroseptic Jacob and daughter of former Times editor Lord (William) Rees-Mogg, joined the Conservative Party at the age of five, and claimed she was out canvassing by the time she was eight. She has worked as a stockbroker and journalist, and formerly edited the European Journal owned by Brexiteer Tory MP Bill Cash who recently demanded Theresa May resign for abject surrender to the EU. She twice failed to get elected as a Tory MP. David Cameron suggested she call herself Nancy Mogg to sound less posh, but she refused. June Mummery is a member of Fishing For Leave and the managing director of fish market auctioneers BFP Eastern in Lowestoft, Suffolk. Described as a veteran Brexiteer who has spent years fighting for the rights of British fisherman by finally taking back controls of our waters, she has claimed some people call her Boadicea, after the British queen who led a doomed uprising against Roman rule almost 2,000 years ago. Mummery, 55, backed Brexit for the economic benefits she believes it will bring for the fishing industry, adding: At the moment we have about 500 people making a living from fish in the town. If Brexit goes our way, I believe the workforce will double in the next ten to 15 years. Mrs Mummerys daughter Scarlett, 23, who works on oil rigs, has used her model good looks to gain almost 25,000 followers on Instagram Ben Habib is chief executive of First Property, a 730 million portfolio that has made the Anglo-Pakistani magnate millions from investments in office blocks in Central Europe. The company has boasted of exploiting Brexit nervousness to maximise profits. Mr Habib, who lives in a 6 million mansion in Hampshire with wife Sarah and three children, was previously a lifelong Conservative voter who donated to the party Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice is a multi-millionaire property developer in charge of a 500 million portfolio. He co-founded Leave.EU, which campaigned in the referendum, with Arron Banks. Tice, 54, then founded Leave Means Leave to fight for a hard Brexit. He regularly appears on TV and radio to make his case. He had been a loyal Tory backer, and was tipped to stand for them in next years election for Londons mayor Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, a hard-Left academic and a former member of the Revolutionary Communist Party, has formed an unlikely alliance with Nigel Farage. Dr Cuthbert, whose father immigrated from India in the 1960s, earned her PhD from Cambridge University. She says Brexit was a working-class revolt that could lead to a surge in Trotskyist socialism. Im not doing this for Nigel Farage, she has said Amber Rudd politely declined a invite to have a drink with an unknown Tesco shopper Shopping in Tesco last weekend, Amber Rudd was approached by a man anxious for an impromptu briefing on Brexit from a Cabinet Minister in the know. But once the topic was exhausted, the chap tried his luck and asked the Work and Pensions Secretary: Right, now thats sorted, shall we go for a drink? Arch-Remainer Amber wisely opted for No Deal for once and politely declined. Michael Gove is unperturbed at an impending warts and all biography by political journalist Owen Bennett, say pals. After all, its only portraits that unwisely flatter their subject that backfire as the would-be Tory leader knows. After Goves 1995 book Michael Portillo: The Future Of The Right, his hero never did become party leader and is now in the sidings doing TV railway shows. Asked about climate protests clogging up London, Tory Andrew Bridgen told Radio 4s Any Questions that he was disrupted on the way to the show, just two miles from Parliament. It took an hour in a taxi to get from Westminster, he moaned. He quickly added: it was an electric taxi. But up piped Labours Lisa Nandy to say she came by Tube. Sorry, Andrew, couldnt resist, she smirked. Tory MP Nigel Huddleston confesses to a raunchy secret Nigel bares all about his stripper relative Theresa Mays new envoy to the younger generation Tory MP Nigel Huddleston confesses to a raunchy secret. His brother-in-law was a Chippendale who stripped off at the MPs wedding. He doesnt do it any more, says Worcestershire MP Huddleston. They retire em young in that line of work. No Easter weekend escape from Brexit for Remain backer Matt Warman the Tory MP with the most determined Leave seat in Britain. St Botolphs church in his Boston, Lincolnshire, constituency is holding Prayers for Brexit in the hope some divine intervention can solve the current political situation the country is going through. All are welcome even Remainers. No relief for Corbyn So fed up is Jeremy Corbyn at being nobbled by his own MPs when the Labour leader votes in the Commons, he hides in the voting Lobby loo to escape his pesterers. He makes a beeline for the toilet, said Dogs Lobby mole. But sadly for Corbyn, MPs have all worked it out. Now, as soon as the sign goes from engaged to vacant, theyre standing outside ready to pounce. Ten years on from the MPs expenses brouhaha, Andrew Walker, the ex-Commons official who oversaw their claims, reveals one scandal that never saw the light of day the MP who asked: Ive got black satin sheets in my main home why cant you pay for black satin sheets in my second home? Teasingly, Walker who said the claim was rejected wont name the very well-known culprit. Spoilsport. Annunziata Rees-Mogg, the younger sister of Tory euroseptic Jacob and daughter of former Times editor Lord (William) Rees-Mogg, joined the Conservative Party at the age of five, and claimed she was out canvassing by the time she was eight. She has worked as a stockbroker and journalist, and formerly edited the European Journal owned by Brexiteer Tory MP Bill Cash who recently demanded Theresa May resign for abject surrender to the EU. She twice failed to get elected as a Tory MP. David Cameron suggested she call herself Nancy Mogg to sound less posh, but she refused. Annunziata Rees-Mogg, the younger sister of Tory euroseptic Jacob and daughter of former Times editor Lord (William) Rees-Mogg, joined the Conservative Party at the age of five June Mummery is a member of Fishing For Leave and the managing director of fish market auctioneers BFP Eastern in Lowestoft, Suffolk. Described as a veteran Brexiteer who has spent years fighting for the rights of British fisherman by finally taking back controls of our waters, she has claimed some people call her Boadicea, after the British queen who led a doomed uprising against Roman rule almost 2,000 years ago. Mummery, 55, backed Brexit for the economic benefits she believes it will bring for the fishing industry, adding: At the moment we have about 500 people making a living from fish in the town. If Brexit goes our way, I believe the workforce will double in the next ten to 15 years. Mrs Mummerys daughter Scarlett, 23, who works on oil rigs, has used her model good looks to gain almost 25,000 followers on Instagram Ben Habib is chief executive of First Property, a 730 million portfolio that has made the Anglo-Pakistani magnate millions from investments in office blocks in Central Europe. The company has boasted of exploiting Brexit nervousness to maximise profits. Mr Habib, who lives in a 6 million mansion in Hampshire with wife Sarah and three children, was previously a lifelong Conservative voter who donated to the party Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice is a multi-millionaire property developer in charge of a 500 million portfolio. He co-founded Leave.EU, which campaigned in the referendum, with Arron Banks. Tice, 54, then founded Leave Means Leave to fight for a hard Brexit. He regularly appears on TV and radio to make his case. He had been a loyal Tory backer, and was tipped to stand for them in next years election for Londons mayor Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthbert, a hard-Left academic and a former member of the Revolutionary Communist Party, has formed an unlikely alliance with Nigel Farage. Dr Cuthbert, whose father immigrated from India in the 1960s, earned her PhD from Cambridge University. She says Brexit was a working-class revolt that could lead to a surge in Trotskyist socialism. Im not doing this for Nigel Farage, she has said Amanda Holden has pre-recorded the voice over for self-service machines in M&S Theres something startlingly unexpected in the bagging area and Marks & Spencers shoppers are furious. The high street store chain is facing a flood of complaints after employing Amanda Holden to pre-record the instructions for its self-service checkouts. Earlier this month, the supermarkets chiefs replaced the inoffensive voice of the self-service tills with those of the Britains Got Talent judge and her co-stars Alesha Dixon and Ant and Dec. Now, shoppers buying lunch or a ready meal after work have to contend with chirpy greetings from the stars Amandas is described as a hyperactive Hello and instructions from the celebs such as Please scan your first item! Despite picking up a rumoured 100,000 for promoting the supermarket, Miss Holden, 48, has provoked the wrath of patrons, many of whom took to social media to describe her new checkout role as annoying. Shopper Joe Wheatley tweeted: Just went to get my lunch at M&S. The voice of the machine asking me to scan my first item is Amanda Holden. Think this might just be the worst day of my life. Amanda Holden (pictured above) posted a picture of herself on Instagram after visiting M&S and hearing her voice on the machine Nick Weatherhead from Cambridgeshire said: Why are you inflicting this on me?, while another claimed it was a ridiculous gimmick & annoying. Jez Merckel added: Why is Amanda Holden bellowing at everyone from the self-serve till? Its horrible, turn it off! One shopper, Tracey Eckert, complained that hearing Miss Holdens recorded instructions had prompted her to take her custom elsewhere. Earlier this month, the supermarkets chiefs replaced the inoffensive voice of the self-service tills with those of the Britains Got Talent judge and her co-stars Alesha Dixon (left with Amanda) and Ant and Dec (right) Nipped into Wetherby Services Marks & Spencer and Amanda Holden started jabbering on through the automated system, she said. As I cant stand her, I abandoned my purchases and grabbed something from an alternative source. Another unhappy shopper in East Sussex complained: So its Amanda Holden in the Hastings branch? Oh dearie me. I may have to boycott M&S tomorrow in that case. There was equal fury in the Kensington branch of Marks & Spencer in West London yesterday. I find it bonkers. Its absolutely annoying, one customer, who asked not to be named, told The Mail on Sunday. Im not into celebrities and celebrity culture at all. And its not only customers who are unimpressed by her appearance at the tills, part of Marks & Spencers sponsorship of the new series of the ITV talent show. Shoppers took to social media to express their remarks on the new voices on the self checkouts One worker, who asked to remain anonymous, said: People have found it really annoying. After a week of work here, it does get to you. The way that they greet you is particularly annoying. Some people like it but some people really dont. Shoppers bristling at the sound of Miss Holden advising Help is on the way! will be relieved to know that the changes at the tills will only last until June 3. Last night, a spokesman for Marks & Spencer defended the chains decision to recruit Miss Holden, saying: It was supposed to be fun and engaging, and supposed to get customers talking. Sharry Cramond, director of food marketing at M&S, put a positive slant on the promotion. She added: Our customers are enjoying the check-out takeover and are loving being told what to do at the till by their favourite celebs. Were expecting the voiceovers to be heard over 10 million times and would love to know who is proving the most popular with our customers! Packed with nuclear firepower and capable of taking out an aircraft carrier or even an entire city, this is the latest devastating weapon in Vladimir Putins arsenal the worlds longest submarine. To be launched tomorrow by the Russian President, the 604ft Belgorod is expected to be equipped with up to six nuclear-armed torpedoes, each capable of carrying warheads with an explosive power of two megatons equivalent to two million tons of TNT, or more than 130 times the power of the Hiroshima bomb. Experts fear the 79ft-long torpedoes dubbed Poseidon or Kanyon could be detonated underwater to cause a radioactive tsunami and threaten coastal cities with waves up to 300ft high. The Belgorod is expected to operate in the Arctic and the North Atlantic areas where Russian submarine activity has increased tenfold in recent years In what is regarded as a sinister development, the submarines commanders will report directly to President Putin rather than to the countrys naval top brass, making Belgorod more like a deep-sea intelligence agency than a conventional submarine [File photo] And there may be no defence for the new British aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales the largest warships ever built for the Royal Navy against the nuclear torpedoes, which have a top speed of 70 knots and a range of thousands of miles. The Belgorod sets sail from Severodvinsk on Russias Arctic coastline tomorrow. It carries eight unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) which can operate miles below the waves to map the ocean floor using a sonar imaging system known as side-scanning, but may also be deployed to sabotage undersea power and internet cables. The giant sub also has a 180ft mini-submarine docked underneath it. The 25-man craft can be used for research, rescue and special military operations. In what is regarded as a sinister development, the submarines commanders will report directly to President Putin rather than to the countrys naval top brass, making Belgorod more like a deep-sea intelligence agency than a conventional submarine. Dr Sidharth Kaushal, from the Royal United Services Institute, told The Mail on Sunday he believed the fleet of UUVs could be of strategic value for Putin. Dr Kaushal said: The Belgorod is large enough to act as a mother ship for a unique set of smaller vessels which have deep-diving capabilities and the ability to tamper with undersea infrastructure. So it is well equipped for sabotage and clandestine operations. Its Poseidon nuclear torpedoes could also be a very effective means of attacking an aircraft carrier in wartime one against which at present no defence exists. The Belgorod will not be part of the Russian Navy per se, meaning its covert and aggressive actions will effectively be deniable. The submarine appears set up for non-attributable Special Forces warfare with its commanders answering directly to the [political] leadership and bypassing the Russian naval command structure. The Belgorod is expected to operate in the Arctic and the North Atlantic areas where Russian submarine activity has increased tenfold in recent years. There has also be a huge rise in Russian approaches to UK territorial waters. In 2010, the Royal Navy had to respond to only one intrusion, but in 2017, 33 separate incidents required a response by British ships or submarines. The Navy is developing its own fleet of UUVs, but they are not expected to enter service for another eight years, according to sources. A music store employee who ranted at an elderly man because she saw him wearing a Make America Great Again hat outside a California Starbucks has gone missing, after she was fired from her job. Rebecca Mankey, from Palo Alto, failed to return home to her husband on Friday after a trip to Lake County, the Sheriff's Office there say. Her cellphone last placed her in Aberdeen, Washington, and desperate friends have posted online for help in finding her. Melissa Demyan wrote on Facebook: 'My friend Parker is missing. Its been over 24 hours since anyone has seen or heard from her. I last saw her when she was leaving Lake County to head home yesterday. 'Parker if youre reading this: we love you so so much and we just want to know youre safe. Please let us know youre okay!' Mankey, 46, allegedly branded the 74-year-old Jewish Trump supporter 'racist' and a 'Nazi' before boasting about her attack online earlier this month. In a long Facebook post she admitted that she shouted at Victor and called for anyone who saw the man to 'please confront him.' The post was spotted by her boss which eventually led to Mankey losing her job. The elderly Jewish man, (left), who gave his name only as Victor, claimed he was berated for wearing a MAGA hat and supporting President Donald Trump by Rebecca Mankey, (right) Mankey has since gone missing after she was fired from her job and received death threats The woman, who later identified herself as Rebecca Mankey, admitted in a lengthy Facebook post that she yelled at Victor and called for anyone who spotted the man to 'please confront him.' Sgt. Aaron Clark said: 'We have nothing that makes us think shes at-risk. Weve determined from the people weve talked to that she is voluntarily missing.' In an interview with KTVU on April 3, the Trump supporter - who gave his name only as Victor - said those criticizing people for wearing the red hat have 'Trump derangement syndrome.' He added: 'If you cant tell the difference between a Make America Great hat and a hat that's a Nazi hat or a Ku Klux Klan hat, I would say you are deranged.' 'This woman came over and not only started screaming at me, she turned to the Starbucks audience and said, Hey everybody come here! This guy's a racist! This guy hates brown people!.' Victor, was wearing a yarmulke on his head under his MAGA hat, claimed that the woman also called him a Nazi. In the post on her now deactivated page, Mankey admitted the dispute: 'I yelled at him. Called the entire Starbucks to order and yelled at him more about how its not okay to hate brown peopleI called him more names and told him to call the police. Rebecca's cellphone last placed her in Aberdeen, Washington, and desperate friends have posted online for help in finding her Rebecca Mankey posted this picture of Victor on Facebook with her abusive post in her account which has since been deactivated 'He wouldnt call the police so I called him a wimp, He got his stuff together to leave. I followed him to the register while he complained about me, then chased him out of Starbucks yelling at him to get the f**k out of my town.' She later wrote in a comment that she was 'going to publicly shame him in town and try to get him fired and kicked out of every club he is in.' Mankey was also forced to resign as co-chair of Bayshore Progressive Democrats. They wrote: 'As a result of publicity surrounding her actions, today she and her family members were doxxed (had personal contact revealed to encourage threats and harassment) on right-wing social media and internet channels. 'She and her family have received multiple death threats and other threats of injury and harm, and is losing her employment.' Palo Alto police said both parties did not file a report on the incident. But Mankey was fired from her job at Gryphon Strings, a guitar sales and repair shop, after the store owner was made aware of the incident. 'Gryphon does not believe anyone should be harassed or subject to hate speech no matter their beliefs. Rebecca Mankey admitted in a long Facebook post that she shouted at Victor and called for anyone who saw the man to 'please confront him' Richard Johnson, the owner of the store where Mankey worked, said she was fired because her actions conflict with his beliefs and values 'Music has historically been something that has brought people of diverse socio-political backgrounds together,' the store said in a statement earlier this week. 'We would like to make it clear that the opinions expressed and actions taken by the employee are not indicative of how we conduct ourselves at the shop and we hope we can continue to serve our customers across the country respectfully and universally as we have done for nearly 50 years.' The store owner Richard Johnson said the actions conflicts with his own values. Palo Alto police said that Victor did not contact them about what happened and as a result they did not have proof of a crime. But Mankey is said to have contacted police over alleged threats due to her comments on social media. Anyone with information about her whereabouts should call police on 707-263-2690. One of the most talked-about programmes of the past week a primetime documentary on BBC1 featured two people many seem to regard as living saints. One was the presenter, Sir David Attenborough, the other Greta Thunberg, the Swedish teenage activist inspiring climate change 'school strikes' in several countries, including Britain. The film's title was Climate Change: The Facts, and these, Sir David claimed, are now 'incontrovertible'. The film's message was so bleak it could have been made by Extinction Rebellion, the eco-anarchist protest group which has brought Central London to a standstill. No one has done more to convey the marvels of the natural world than Attenborough, and his long career has rightly earned him public acclaim. Sadly, on this occasion, I believe he has presented an alarmist argument derived from a questionable use of evidence, whose nuances he has ignored. 1: In the film an orangutan bounds along a felled tree trunk towards a digger bucket in a Borneo forest According to Sir David, climate change, is the 'greatest threat' to humanity in thousands of years. 'We are facing the collapse of our societies,' he intoned, insisting we 'must all share responsibility for the future of life on Earth.' Attenborough is about to turn 93, while Thunberg is just 16, but they issued the same warning. 'It's our future and we can't just let it slip away from us,' she told viewers. Yet 'nothing is being done, no one is doing anything'. The film rounded off a week which had already seen the BBC invite Extinction Rebellion extremists on to its news shows to expound the message without serious challenge that unless we cut greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2025, 'our children will die'. Last year, the BBC issued guidelines instructing editors that inviting comment from 'climate change deniers' was 'false balance'. In practice, this has meant that those who accept climate change is real, but less threatening than some such as Attenborough claim, have effectively been banished from the airwaves. Now the Corporation has given acres of airtime to protesters demanding the overthrow of democratic governments and an almost immediate end to fossil fuel-derived power, heating and transport in other words, the abrupt termination of civilisation as we know it. Thunberg has become a global media darling, her pronouncements cherished as if they were holy writ. 'I want you all to panic,' she told the Davos economic forum in January: and Attenborough's film may well have persuaded viewers to do just that and, perhaps, to join the Extinction Rebellion barricades. 2: After reaching the machine, the orangutan makes a desperate grab for it as a tree is about to be crushed Watching it did fill me with horror, but not at the threat from global warming. It was at the way Sir David and the BBC presented a picture of the near future which was so much more frightening than is justified. Climate science remains a field riven by deep uncertainties. The film largely glossed over these and where faced with alternatives, it plumped unerringly for the most pessimistic version of the 'truth'. Let me be clear: I am not a 'denier'. Global warming and climate change are real, in large measure caused by humans. According to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), our emissions were responsible for more than half the 0.6C 0.7C global average temperature rise recorded between 1951 and 2010. But I am also convinced that the 'panic' Thunberg desires and Attenborough's film will encourage is not helpful when it comes to making policy designed to tackle it. Moreover, it is a grotesque travesty of the truth to claim that 'nothing' has been done: for example, since 1990, UK emissions have fallen by 43 per cent, according to the Government's Committee on Climate Change. Not only that, Government statistics say 53 per cent of our electricity came from low carbon sources in 2018, our last coal-fired power station will close in six years and the Government has pledged to reduce carbon emissions to below 100g/Kwhr by 2030. Above all, the Climate Change Act requires Britain to reduce its 1990 carbon emissions by no less than 80 per cent by the year 2050, making us the first major economy to make such a dramatic commitment. To say that 'nothing' has been done is as risible as it is dishonest. 3: The digger arm is raised by the controller and the animal tumbles down on to the forest floor One of the film's most questionable aspects was its claim that extreme weather events such as floods and storms have already got worse and more frequent, thanks to global warming, along with wildfires. It did say that attributing reasons to any single event is difficult, and derived from probabilities. But in the words of interviewee Michael Mann, a US climate scientist, the effects of climate change are 'playing out in real time', and are 'no longer subtle'. Cue images of monster waves and hurricanes, accompanied by doomy music. But is this true? The IPCC, regarded by mainstream scientists as the world's most authoritative source, says there have been some changes, such as higher rainfall. But its Fifth Assessment Report, published in 2013, stated there are 'no significant observed trends in global tropical cyclone frequency over the past century'. It added: 'No robust trends in annual numbers of tropical storms, hurricanes and major hurricane counts have been identified over the past 100 years in the North Atlantic basin.' A separate IPCC report last year said that cyclones in the tropics would in future be less numerous, although some would be stronger. In 2014, a group of IPCC experts published a paper about flooding. So far, they said, 'no gauge-based evidence has been found for a climate-driven, globally widespread change in the magnitude/frequency of floods.' Another memorable segment of the film showed a father and son narrowly escaping from one of several devastating fires last year in California. These, too, were ascribed to global warming. Surprisingly, several recent scientific papers suggest that wildfires have been declining in recent years even in California, where statistics gathered by the local agency, Calfires, says the number across the state has roughly halved since 1987, following a peak in the 1970s. According to a study published by the Royal Society in 2016, 'many consider wildfire as an accelerating problem'. In reality, however, says the study: 'global area burned appears to have declined in past decades, and there is increasing evidence that there is less fire in the global landscape than centuries ago.' Equally questionable was the film's claim that global warming is triggering a wave of extinctions, with eight per cent of species under threat solely because of it. This also appears to oversimplify the findings of the IPCC, which said in 2014: 'There is low confidence that rates of species extinctions have increased over the last several decades. Most extinctions over the last several centuries have been attributed to habitat loss, over-exploitation, pollution, or invasive species. 'Of the more than 800 extinctions documented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, only 20 have been tenuously linked to recent climate change. It says: 'Overall, there is very low confidence that observed species extinctions can be attributed to recent climate warming.' The IPCC is clear that further warming will make things worse, but has found 'low agreement' over which species are at risk, and when extinctions might occur. Attenborough made yet another contentious claim about corals, claiming that one third of the world's reefs have perished due to 'heat stress' in the past three years. But why are Borneo's forests being cut down? The reason, as Attenborough said, is palm oil, a lucrative crop used in products ranging from soap to biscuits. Unfortunately, he left out the final stage of the argument It is true that the record high temperatures recorded during the powerful 'El Nino' event of 2015/16 which saw the central Pacific warm by several degrees and drove warmer weather elsewhere damaged corals badly. But many have begun to recover, including those of the supposedly moribund Great Barrier Reef. I suppose it could be argued that this film merely jumped the gun a little, by portraying climate impacts which, while not discernible yet, soon will be. But here we must turn to its most provocative claim of all that IPCC computer model projections show that, by the end of this century, world average temperatures will be between three and six degrees higher than now. Needless to say, this would be devastating. In fact, the IPCC issues not one but four such projections, each one showing what would happen with differing levels of future greenhouse gas emissions. The most pessimistic known in the trade as 'RCP 8.5' suggests that by 2100, the world would indeed be much hotter: according to the 2013 IPCC report, between 2.6 and 4.8 degrees above the average between 1986 and 2005. This, of course, is lower than the 3-6 degree range predicted by Attenborough. Meanwhile, there is evidence that RCP 8.5 is almost certain not to take place. First, it posits population increases far higher than those now thought likely by many demographers. UN forecasts claim the global population will reach 11 billion by 2100, but several expert teams now say falling birthrates mean it will peak much earlier. 'It will never reach nine billion,' says the eminent futurologist Jorgen Randers. 'It will peak at eight billion in 2040 and then decline.' For the RCP 8.5 prediction to become a reality would also require a massive increase in the use of coal, and the reversal of the emissions cuts which many countries have already achieved. All of which means the world is more likely to conform to what are known as RCP 4.5 or RCP 6. Under RCP 4.5, the IPCC says, the 'likely' range of warming by 2100 would be between 1.1C and 2.6C; under RCP 6, between 1.4C and 3.1C. A BBC spokesperson said yesterday that the film said the 3-6 degrees of warming was a reasonable estimate given the current emissions trajectory, and said emissions 'have been following the RCP 8.5 curve rather than the alternatives.' Under this, an upper limit of 6C was possible. She added: 'The film sought to make clear that scientists don't know exactly what may happen.' I'm not trying to argue that climate change is trivial, nor that the world doesn't need 'action' to deal with it. On the other hand, we have already seen what can happen when 'panic' determines policy: the introduction of measures conceived by a need to be seen to be doing something under pressure from groups such as Extinction Rebellion. Without making this clear, the film revealed one of the worst examples of this unfortunate effect. A powerful sequence showed an orangutan, fleeing loggers who have been eradicating Borneo's rainforest. This is disastrous for both wildlife and the climate because, as the film pointed out, a third of global emissions are down to deforestation, because giant trees lock up a lot of carbon. But why are Borneo's forests being cut down? The reason, as Attenborough said, is palm oil, a lucrative crop used in products ranging from soap to biscuits. Unfortunately, he left out the final stage of the argument. Half of all the millions of tons of palm oil sent to Europe is used to make 'biofuel', thanks to an EU directive stating that, by 2020, ten per cent of forecourt fuel must come from 'renewable' biological sources. Malaysia says this has 'created an unprecedented demand'. To put it another way: misguided 'action' designed to save the planet is actually helping to damage it although the EU has pledged to phase out palm oil biofuel by 2030. Another example of a misconceived effort to save the planet is Drax power plant in Yorkshire which is fed, thanks to 700 million of annual subsidy, by 'renewable' wood pellets made from chopped-down American trees while pumping more CO2 into the atmosphere than when it burnt only coal. In theory, the trees it burns will be replaced but a large part of its supply comes from hardwood forests that take 100 years to mature. There are times when climate propaganda for this is what this was calls to mind the apocalyptic prophets of the Middle Ages, who led popular movements by preaching that the sins of human beings were so great that they could only be redeemed by suffering, in order to create a paradise on earth. Perhaps this is how Attenborough, nature journalism's Methuselah, sees himself. But climate change is too important to be handled in this manner. It needs rational, well-informed debate. Too often, cheered on by the eco-zealots of Extinction Rebellion, the BBC is intent on encouraging quite the opposite. 'An earlier version of this article said 56 per cent of our electricity came from low carbon sources in 2018. This figure related to one quarter of the year and the total for UK-generated electricity in the full year was 53 per cent.' Diane Abbott should be prosecuted for flouting a drink ban on a train, Conservative MPs demanded last night. They called on the Shadow Home Secretary to face the consequences after being caught swigging a rum cocktail on a London Overground train last week. She was forced to apologise after being photographed breaching the strict no alcohol rule on all trains and buses run by Transport for London (TfL). The Labour frontbencher tweeted: A photo of me drinking from a can of M&S mojito on the Overground has been circulated. A photograph taken of Diane Abbott on the London Overground drinking a 2 M&S mojito has emerged Ms Abbott said on Twitter she was 'sincerely sorry' for drinking the Marks and Spencer cocktail Im sincerely sorry for drinking on TfL. But last night Tory MPs said the apology did not go far enough, and called on TfL to prosecute Ms Abbott for breaking a ban introduced in 2008. Harrow East MP Bob Blackman said: Its up to a Shadow Home Secretary to set an example by obeying the rules not openly flout them. Diane should be prosecuted by TfL for this. She can have no excuse. Not only is she a London MP but this very sensible rule has been in place for over a decade now. Harrow East MP Bob Blackman said: Its up to a Shadow Home Secretary to set an example by obeying the rules not openly flout them' He added that she should be prosecuted He was backed by fellow Tory MP Paul Scully, who added: Diane Abbott is not above the law and should be treated like anyone else who infringes it. TfL makes it very clear that anyone drinking alcohol on one of their trains is liable to prosecution. Ms Abbott, 65, was snapped drinking the rum cocktail on a journey through her North London constituency a week ago yesterday. Left: A sign explaining the introduction of the alcohol ban on public transport. Right: Ms Abbott pictured with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn A fellow passenger was quoted as saying: She kept her head down and was staring at her phone but kept slurping from the can. It was 1pm, so a bit early to be drinking especially in public. TfLs booze ban was brought in nearly 11 years ago by then-London Tory mayor Boris Johnson, to cut crime and reduce anti-social behaviour on the capitals transport. At the time, Mr Johnson said: I firmly believe that banning the drinking of alcohol on Londons public transport will create a better travelling environment for all Londoners. But yesterday Ms Abbott, who campaigned against the sale of cheap alcohol when she was the Shadow Minister for Public Health, received support on Twitter. One user said: Hope you really enjoyed the drink its no ones business but yours. Fellow Labour London MP David Lammy said: Jah Rastafari! Why was the rum not Jamaican? Ms Abbott also appeared to have started a new craze among Left-wing activists. Matt Zarb-Cousin a former spokesman for Mr Corbyn tweeted: The act of getting cans in for a train journey will now be known as Abbotting. It is not the first time that Ms Abbott a former girlfriend of Jeremy Corbyn and one of his closest allies has been pictured enjoying a drink. Two years ago, The Mail on Sunday published a snap of her and fellow Labour frontbencher Shami Chakrabarti seated at a table with full champagne flutes. The pair were caught on camera in the House of Lords exclusive Barry Room, where a bottle of Brut then cost 43 and a bottle of Prosecco Belstar, 25.50. A TfL spokesman said last night that its staff and police dealt with illegal alcohol consumption usually through asking the passenger to refrain and dispose of the alcohol, using the opportunity to educate about the purpose of our bylaws. Eco-activists are plotting to cause traffic misery for tens of thousands of families tomorrow by blocking one of the busiest roads into London. Extinction Rebellion (XR) is organising a picnic on the Westway, a key route along the A40 into the capital from the West, in a protest that would cause mayhem for tourists, Bank Holiday day trippers and Londoners returning home from weekend breaks. It follows a week of chaos in London, during which hundreds of mainly middle-class eco-warriors blocked Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge, Parliament Square and Marble Arch, costing businesses tens of millions of pounds. After fierce criticism of their softly-softly tactics, police officers yesterday finally broke-up the Oxford Circus protest site. Police try to remove an activist from Extension Rebellion glued to the ground as they attempt to clear all protesters from Oxford Circus on Saturday Police form a human barrier in Oxford Street to prevent members of the public getting close on Saturday Pink paper boats are seen as climate change activists continue to block the road at Oxford Circus in London on Saturday Protesters were pictured tonight in Parliament Square after a day of demonstrations across the capital Around 20 demonstrators were arrested after officers encircled them at around 1pm. About ten locked their hands together inside concrete-lined metal tubes, which had to be broken with cutting devices. A final group of 200 protesters dispersed at 5pm and the road reopened, with dozens of officers on patrol last night to prevent it being re-taken. But Waterloo Bridge remained blocked. Police were urging protesters to confine themselves to Marble Arch. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick condemned last weeks miserable disruption which has led to more than 750 people being arrested, with 28 charged. With the protests set to enter a second week, The Mail on Sunday can reveal: One woman smiles as she is arrested and taken away by police officers attending the demonstrations in Parliament Square Police officers were pictured trying to remove climate activists at the Extinction Rebellion demonstration in Parliament Square One woman smiled as she pointed at her friend who was being detained in a police van this evening A climate activist who had been detained was smiling as she sat in a police van This evening activists remained on Waterloo Bridge ahead of more planned protests tomorrow Eco-warriors are using encrypted messages to swap intelligence on police tactics and discuss how they have converted some officers to their cause; Activists have drawn up sinister plans to infiltrate the school system in a bid to educate children; Six celebrities who backed the XR protests have flown almost seven times around the world between them over the last year, racking up 30 tonnes of flight-related carbon dioxide emissions; A MoS reporter gained access to XR control centre, where ringleaders organise flash protests with military precision; The Met asked for 200 extra officers from neighbouring forces amid claims that officers are burnt out. The threatened protest on the Westway a three-mile long, elevated dual carriageway is set to put even more pressure on police. More than 160 activists have indicated online they will attend the so-called Last Picnic on Westway from 11am to 3pm, which organisers say is inspired by an 1862 oil painting The Luncheon on the Grass by Edouard Manet. Protesters have been urged to bring board games, frisbees and croquet sets. Protest leader: I drive a diesel Gail Bradbrook has admitted that she still drives a highly polluting diesel car. The molecular biophysicist, left, who helped to orchestrate almost a week of disruption, revealed she would not paint herself as a saint on the green front. She also defended XR against claims that it is elitist, arguing: In loads of successful civil disobedience movements, youll find some of the people who were leading them were a bit posh. A self-proclaimed neo-pagan, the 47-year-old says she experienced a download from the Universe in Costa Rica in 2016 after taking the psychedelic drugs ibogaine and ayahuasca which opened her eyes to the environmental crisis. She has left the care of her sons, aged ten and 13, to her second husband, but plans to return home to Stroud this week for her youngests 11th birthday. Advertisement But AA president Edmund King said blocking Westway would be totally irresponsible and he urged the Met to prevent it. It will cause absolute gridlock, more emissions and more pollution, he added. Meanwhile, leaked WhatsApp messages reveal how protesters have fostered close relationship with the police and gleaned intelligence on their tactics. In one, activists were advised to request being taken to Croydon police station if they are arrested as they will spend less time in cells there and its custody suite boasts vegan food. There are increasing fears that protests by XR, which boasts more than 100 regional groups, could spread nationwide. Leaked minutes from a meeting of activists in Devon earlier this year reveal plans to educate children and infiltrate the school system along with the use of puppets and street theatre to blockade streets. Activists, meanwhile, are asked to question our attachment to having pets what is the carbon footprint of cat/dog ownership? XRs campaign has won widespread celebrity backing, but an analysis by The Mail on Sunday exposes the hypocrisy of six who have voiced their support. Dame Emma Thompson, actors Willem Dafoe and Simon Pegg, plus wildlife presenter Chris Packham, former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and documentary maker Jack Harries have jointly flown at least 170,000 miles in the past year, creating 30 tonnes of flight-related carbon dioxide emissions the equivalent of the total annual CO2 produced by four average UK households. The estimates assume the six flew business class and are based on the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organisation Carbon Emissions Calculator. Hugs tears and three types of soya milk! HOLLY BANCROFT reveals how she posed as an eco-warrior to infiltrate London protests Dr Gail Bradbook co-founder of Extinction Rebellion at their HQ in Drummond Street, London I'm standing in the kitchen of Extinction Rebellions London headquarters as the protest groups scrupulously polite co-founder Gail Bradbrook makes me a cup of peppermint tea. In an open-plan office, about 20 people tap away on laptops and talk in hushed voices. To the uninformed, it could be one of the hip technology firms or trendy advertising agencies found in abundance across the capital, but this atmosphere of focused professionalism is very different from the last time I was here. Two weeks ago, I posed as an eco-warrior to infiltrate the revolutionary protest group. When I entered the same fourth-floor office for the first time, loud music played and a man with long hair danced around and waved his arms. Last weekend I revealed how Extinction Rebellion (XR) was planning huge disruption through a campaign of civil disobedience and by recruiting an army of middle-class rebels willing to be arrested. Remarkably, despite my deception, I am welcomed back and offered a tour of the nerve centre where XR ringleaders mastermind the rebellion. The willingness of Gail to show me around says a lot about the groups sophisticated approach to the media: XRs blockade is disrupting the lives of millions and they want to do everything they can to explain why. Gail Bradbrook addresses a speech to the protesters in central London yesterday Im shown how the office, a bright room in an anonymous office block near Euston station, is split into sections for the key working groups: teams of six to eight people running different parts of the rebellion, from planning and logistics to finance and support for those who get arrested. The media and messaging team take up much of the main room, with five young women working across six desks that have been shoved together. The desks are a jumble of newspapers, Apple Mac computers, reusable water bottles and plants. Staff have a choice of three different soya milks for their tea and coffee. We walk past an office with the words Regenerative room written on the door. Gail peers in and hushes me to be quiet as protesters are sleeping on the floor. XR is built to be self-organising with no job descriptions, few targets and hardly any budget. When we start meetings everyone might say how they are actually really doing, Gail says. Lots of tears, lots of hugging, lots of music and dancing. Dr Gail Bradbrook (pictured above) is the co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, the group which has been holding demonstrations across the capital this week But amid the hippy vibes, there is steeliness and an anarchic impulse to overthrow the status quo. Gail, a molecular biophysicist, believes it will take between ten days and three weeks for the Government to cave in and Extinction Rebellion is ready for the long haul. Each day at 7pm, key figures meet in a small room to go over that days successes and plan for tomorrow. A flip-chart in this room has a list, including the alarming line: Mass hunger strike? This is a rebellion, Gail tells me quietly. Its fine if people want to have a bit of fun and a bit of a dance but this is not a free party. What were wanting to do is create a political crisis. All white and middle class? Thats SO not true. I saw one family whod brought their Filipino au pair to the eco protests, says TITANIA MCGRATH... the social injustice warrior (created by Andrew Doyle) I have always been super worried about the environment. Climate change causes erratic weather conditions, which is really bad for the hedge maze on my estate. And Im very aware of my carbon footprint. For instance, I always make sure that at least one of my cars is energy efficient. Besides, as a social justice activist, I can do an awful lot of good by sending angry tweets from a ski slope in Val-dIsere. But my involvement in the Extinction Rebellion movement has taken my environmental work to a whole other level. Ive spent the last couple of nights camped out in Oxford Circus in London. I cant sleep in an actual tent because Im allergic to nylon, but the hotel Im staying in only has a three-star rating, so I feel like Ive made a genuine sacrifice. People camping out in Oxford Circus (pictured above) during the Extinction Rebellion protests Some of the most talented and well-loved public figures have supported our work, and so has Guardian columnist Owen Jones. On Friday, Dame Emma Thompson arrived after a gruelling 5,000-mile flight from Los Angeles to show how dedicated she is to reducing carbon emissions. To those who see this gesture as hypocritical, I would like to point out that the flight was already scheduled and she didnt even travel First Class. She was in the cargo hold making papier-mache wind chimes which she later distributed to adoring fans. We are here in this island of sanity! Dame Emma cried from the top of a bright pink boat at the heart of Oxford Street, while bearded men in red togas chanted paeans to Pan and the woodland nymphs. She praised the young people who had turned out in droves, although a few of them confessed they were only there as fans of Nanny McPhee. Dame Emma Thompson (pictured above) also joined in with the protests in Oxford Circus this week I arrived later that afternoon and, as I approached the cluster of tents just outside the Oxford Street branch of H&M, I was greeted with wild cheers from the sunburnt throng. They were understandably thrilled that their campaign was to be supported by a high-profile individual such as myself. (I presume they recognised me from my frequent appearances in the society pages of Tatler.) One young woman remarked that my arrival reminded her of Jesuss triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. I told her that if I must be compared to a male historical figure, it should be Mahatma Gandhi, not some Zionist settler whod learnt a few conjuring tricks. Gandhi has provided the inspiration for the entire modus operandi of Extinction Rebellion, based as it is on the principle of non-violent resistance. Gandhis followers used to call this satyagraha, because they lacked the necessary discipline to learn English properly. In many ways I have surpassed Gandhi. He might have brought the British empire to its knees, but did he ever glue himself to the Docklands Light Railway, stripped to the waist and smeared in woad? No, he was too busy mincing around in flip-flops and collecting salt. We in Extinction Rebellion have three main aims. Firstly, the Government and the media need to start telling the truth about climate change. There is so little discussion on this topic that most people havent even heard of the climate, let alone realise that its changing. Protesters in Oxford Circus gathered today to continue to demonstrate in support of Extinction Rebellion I only found out about it because I watched the film Highlander II, which depicts a dystopian future where the ozone layer has fully depleted. Sean Connery plays a Spaniard with a Scottish accent and Christopher Lambert plays a Scotsman who sounds French. Is that really the kind of perverted future we want for our children? Secondly, we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by the year 2025. Critics have pointed out that the restrictions on key industries that would be required in order to achieve this would cause economic meltdown and that it would be the poorest in our society who would be most severely impacted. But hardly any working-class people have turned up to our protests over the past few days, which surely means that theyre not bothered either way. Officers sat across from the pink boat in Oxford Circus earlier this week Finally, the Government must outsource all decisions relating to ecological issues to a citizens assembly. It is perfectly obvious that our current system of representative democracy is failing and that our politicians cannot be trusted. Except when it comes to Brexit, in which case Parliament clearly knows best and should just ignore the will of the electorate. Our tactics in Extinction Rebellion are varied but for the most part we like to chain ourselves to things and strip naked. Over the past week, we have attached ourselves to famous landmarks, buses, and even the occasional homeless person. Sometimes we chain ourselves to things as a sign of affection, such as the fence in front of Jeremy Corbyns house. He seemed a bit annoyed when he saw a group of hipsters sitting cross-legged on his begonias but I think deep down he understands that we are saving the world. Its been particularly heartening to see so many children joining our group. Its never too early to start being politically active and, as we saw with the Youth Strike 4 Climate back in February, some young people are so committed to direct action theyre even prepared to miss school for it. After all, its their future thats at stake. As Gail Bradbrook, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, recently pointed out on Good Morning Britain, her two children wont have enough food to eat in a few years. This strikes me as an understatement. I wouldnt be surprised if they gradually eat each other to death. The group Extinction Rebellion is calling for a week of civil disobedience against what it says is the failure to tackle the causes of climate change Inevitably, there has been a backlash from the more reactionary elements of the media. Jeremy Corbyn (pictured above) leaving his house past Extinction Rebellion campaigners Some have criticised the protesters for being overwhelmingly white and middle class, but this is simply not true. I saw at least one family who had brought along their Filipino au pair. Besides, this wasnt like that pro-Brexit rally where Channel 4s Jon Snow said that hed never seen so many white people in one place. The members of Extinction Rebellion are not white in any sense other than their skin colour. They are the good whites. Jon Snow was clearly referring to working-class whites, who tend to have the wrong opinions. Other critics have claimed that the UK Government has worked assiduously to address climate change, with CO2 emissions at their lowest since the 19th Century and all coal-fuelled power stations (which have been pointless anyway since we invented electricity) due to be shut down permanently by 2025. Furthermore, the critics sneer, China is responsible for almost a quarter of all the worlds greenhouse gases, producing 23 times more than the UK, so why arent we protesting outside the Chinese embassy? But if a freestyle pagan folk dance on Waterloo Bridge doesnt make the Chinese government think twice about its environmental policies, surely nothing will. Climate change activists from Extinction Rebellion protest pictured leaving the scene after staging a protest and glueing themselves to the front fence of Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn's house in London Some people had inconsiderately scheduled their Easter holidays to clash with our protests and then had the gall to complain when their travel plans were ruined. Jon Snow (pictured) said he had never seen so many white people in one place Frankly, these kinds of people dont deserve a holiday, and if the apocalypse does come, I hope they bear the brunt of it. As for me and my compatriots in Extinction Rebellion, we had a wonderful time. There was cavorting in the streets, amateur hemp-weaving competitions, angry teenagers reciting haiku about why we need more badgers and even an acoustic lesbian quintet performing the songs from Hair. I myself mounted the pink boat to recite my shocking and evocative poem Mother Earth Is Not Your Slut, which I performed naked except for a pashmina fashioned from interlaced earthworms. A number of people were so moved that they actually had to leave. There is still so much work to be done. Actor Jason Momoa, star of the film Aquaman, has just shaved off his beard to raise awareness about the need to eliminate plastic waste. Hes doing his bit to save the planet. Why arent you? Dr Gail Bradbook co-founder of Extinction Rebellion at their HQ in Drummond Street, London I'm standing in the kitchen of Extinction Rebellions London headquarters as the protest groups scrupulously polite co-founder Gail Bradbrook makes me a cup of peppermint tea. In an open-plan office, about 20 people tap away on laptops and talk in hushed voices. To the uninformed, it could be one of the hip technology firms or trendy advertising agencies found in abundance across the capital, but this atmosphere of focused professionalism is very different from the last time I was here. Two weeks ago, I posed as an eco-warrior to infiltrate the revolutionary protest group. When I entered the same fourth-floor office for the first time, loud music played and a man with long hair danced around and waved his arms. Last weekend I revealed how Extinction Rebellion (XR) was planning huge disruption through a campaign of civil disobedience and by recruiting an army of middle-class rebels willing to be arrested. Gail Bradbrook addresses a speech to the protesters in central London yesterday Dr Gail Bradbrook (pictured above) is the co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, the group which has been holding demonstrations across the capital this week Remarkably, despite my deception, I am welcomed back and offered a tour of the nerve centre where XR ringleaders mastermind the rebellion. The willingness of Gail to show me around says a lot about the groups sophisticated approach to the media: XRs blockade is disrupting the lives of millions and they want to do everything they can to explain why. Protest leader: I drive a diesel Gail Bradbrook has admitted that she still drives a highly polluting diesel car. The molecular biophysicist, left, who helped to orchestrate almost a week of disruption, revealed she would not paint herself as a saint on the green front. She also defended XR against claims that it is elitist, arguing: In loads of successful civil disobedience movements, youll find some of the people who were leading them were a bit posh. A self-proclaimed neo-pagan, the 47-year-old says she experienced a download from the Universe in Costa Rica in 2016 after taking the psychedelic drugs ibogaine and ayahuasca which opened her eyes to the environmental crisis. She has left the care of her sons, aged ten and 13, to her second husband, but plans to return home to Stroud this week for her youngests 11th birthday. Advertisement Im shown how the office, a bright room in an anonymous office block near Euston station, is split into sections for the key working groups: teams of six to eight people running different parts of the rebellion, from planning and logistics to finance and support for those who get arrested. The media and messaging team take up much of the main room, with five young women working across six desks that have been shoved together. The desks are a jumble of newspapers, Apple Mac computers, reusable water bottles and plants. Staff have a choice of three different soya milks for their tea and coffee. We walk past an office with the words Regenerative room written on the door. Gail peers in and hushes me to be quiet as protesters are sleeping on the floor. XR is built to be self-organising with no job descriptions, few targets and hardly any budget. When we start meetings everyone might say how they are actually really doing, Gail says. Lots of tears, lots of hugging, lots of music and dancing. But amid the hippy vibes, there is steeliness and an anarchic impulse to overthrow the status quo. Gail, a molecular biophysicist, believes it will take between ten days and three weeks for the Government to cave in and Extinction Rebellion is ready for the long haul. Each day at 7pm, key figures meet in a small room to go over that days successes and plan for tomorrow. A flip-chart in this room has a list, including the alarming line: Mass hunger strike? This is a rebellion, Gail tells me quietly. Its fine if people want to have a bit of fun and a bit of a dance but this is not a free party. What were wanting to do is create a political crisis. A major inquiry into the persecution of Christians around the world should be expanded to cover discrimination against followers of the faith in the UK, MPs said last night. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has asked the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen, to carry out the review and uses an Easter article in todays Mail on Sunday to say that the Government is determined to act against victimisation worldwide. But critics said Mr Hunt should acknowledge that Christians face discrimination in the UK, including the nurse sacked three years ago for offering a Bible to a patient. And this newspaper today reveals how a Christian teaching assistant was sacked after daring to raise concerns over transgender education in primary schools. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has faced calls from MPs to expand the inquiry into international persecution of Christians to include the UK It comes after a teaching assistant was fired after they raised concerns over transgender education in primary schools A recent survey found that 50 per cent of British Christians say that they have personally experienced prejudice. Officials say global violence against Christians is rising dramatically, with hundreds killed every month. Mr Hunt set up his review in December to map the persecution of Christians in key countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, to provide an analysis of UK Government support and to offer recommendations for a better policy response. Tory MP David Davies said: Mr Hunt is quite right to look at the dreadful persecution Christians suffer in some countries but he should also be mindful that many Christians suffer discrimination in our own country. He should ask the bishop to expand his inquiry. Tory MP Sir Gary Streeter, chairman of Christians in Parliament, added: Lots of people in authority judges, police officers, civil servants dont understand people who are motivated by faith. Theres certainly a case to be made that in the UK we are marginalised. The inquiry was also called after the high-profile cases of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who faced death threats after being acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan In his article, Mr Hunt warns that many Christians around the world will today worship in fear of persecution. He says: The world was rightly shocked by the flames destroying Notre-Dame in Paris... in too many parts of the world, however, it is the congregations themselves who perish. It follows the high-profile cases of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who faced death threats after being acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan. Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey welcomed Mr Hunts comments, but complained it has taken many years of persuasion for the Foreign Office to even admit that the persecution of Christians is a major problem. In his article, Mr Hunt sets out the scale of the challenge by saying that of all the people who suffer persecution for their faith, it may surprise some to know that the greatest number are Christian with 245 million enduring oppression worldwide. Mr Hunt adds: Some Christians will be worshipping at the scene of unspeakable atrocities and cites recent terrorist attacks at cathedrals in Alexandria, Egypt and in the Southern Philippines. The Foreign Secretary added: The evidence suggests that far from easing, the burden of worldwide persecution is becoming heavier. The message was taken up by Theresa May in her own Easter message. She said that, while she would spend the holy day as I do every year, giving thanks in church for many Christians around the world such simple acts of faith can bring huge danger. Churches have been attacked. Christians murdered. Families forced to flee their homes. We must stand up for the right of everyone, no matter what their religion, to practise their faith. Notre Dame was a tragedy. But in too many parts of the world it's the Christian congregation that perishes, says JEREMY HUNT BY JEREMY HUNT The Easter story begins with persecution but ends in salvation. A man is crucified for his faith, only to rise from the dead and re-join his followers, a miracle that we celebrate today. But the sombre truth is that millions of Christians will today celebrate Easter while living under a similar shadow of persecution. Many will be gathering in churches at risk of attack; countless more will have suffered threats or discrimination. Some Christians will be worshipping at the scene of unspeakable atrocities. St Marks Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, Egypt, for example, was the target of a terrorist attack on Palm Sunday in 2017 that killed 17 people. the sombre truth is that millions of Christians will today celebrate Easter while living under a similar shadow of persecution, writes Jeremy Hunt The world was rightly shocked by the flames destroying Notre-Dame in Paris last week, a tragedy that touched our common humanity. In too many parts of the world, however, it is the congregations themselves who perish, writes Jeremy Hunt In the southern Philippines, terrorists planted a bomb in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, claiming 20 lives during mass on January 27 this year. The world was rightly shocked by the flames destroying Notre-Dame in Paris last week, a tragedy that touched our common humanity. In too many parts of the world, however, it is the congregations themselves who perish. As the Prince of Wales wrote on Good Friday, there is something inexpressibly tragic about the innocent being murdered because of their faith. There is a peculiar wickedness about hate-filled extremism that justifies murder because of the God someone chooses to worship. Of all the people who suffer persecution for their faith, it may surprise some to know that the greatest number are Christian. In total, about 245 million Christians endure oppression worldwide, according to the campaign group Open Doors. And last year more than 4,000 Christians were killed because of their faith. Flames and smoke rise from the blaze at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Monday evening A crane works at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Friday as art experts attended to remove all of the paitings In 2015, Christians faced harassment from governments or social groups in 128 nations, according to the Pew Research Centre. By 2016, this had risen to 144. China imposes the highest levels of government restrictions. Should religious persecution matter in an increasingly secular world? The truth is that, if a regime tries to control what you believe, it will generally seek to control every other aspect of your life. The 50 worst places to be Christian Church group Open Doors has updated its World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer persecution. 1 North Korea 2 Afghanistan 3 Somalia 4 Libya 5 Pakistan 6 Sudan 7 Eritrea 8 Yemen 9 Iran 10 India 11 Syria 12 Nigeria 13 Iraq 14 Maldives 15 Saudi Arabia 16 Egypt 17 Uzbekistan 18 Myanmar 19 Laos 20 Vietnam 21 Central African Republic 22 Algeria 23 Turkmenistan 24 Mali 25 Mauritania 26 Turkey 27 China 28 Ethiopia 29 Tajikistan 30 Indonesia 31 Jordan 32 Nepal 33 Bhutan 34 Kazakhstan 35 Morocco 36 Brunei 37 Tunisia 38 Qatar 39 Mexico 40 Kenya 41 Russian Federation 42 Malaysia 43 Kuwait 44 Oman 45 United Arab Emirates 46 Sri Lanka 47 Colombia 48 Bangladesh 49 Palestinian Territories 50 Azerbaijan Advertisement Where Christians are persecuted, other human rights are often brutally abused. Yet the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, passed by the United Nations General Assembly without a single negative vote in 1948, enshrines freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The declaration makes clear that everyone has a right to the practice, worship and observance of their faith. Britain has always championed freedom of religion or belief for everyone. In my first weeks as Foreign Secretary I prioritised the plight of the Rohingya Muslims, horrifically targeted by the army of Myanmar (formerly Burma.) But I am not convinced that our efforts on behalf of Christians have always measured up to the scale of the issue. In the Middle East, for example, the survival of Christianity as a living religion now hangs in the balance. A century ago, about 20 per cent of people in the region were Christians; today the figure is below five per cent. The bitter irony is that Christianity is retreating in the very region of its birth, where its earliest followers worshipped. Anxious not to offend minorities or appear colonialist in troublespots around the world, British governments have occasionally taken refuge behind the principle that all religions must be protected. But this must include Christianity, where those targeted are often extremely poor, female and living in or close to poverty. We must not allow misguided political correctness to inhibit our response. So I have asked Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, the Anglican Bishop of Truro, to conduct an independent review of the Foreign Offices efforts to help persecuted Christians and report back to me later this year. Questions need answering: do we counter oppression based on religion as forcefully as that based on politics or other characteristics? How can we use the considerable influence the UK has in much of the world to better stand up for religious minorities? I hope he will recommend practical steps for how the Government might strengthen its response. When I moved house last year, I came across a book that I first read when I was about ten. It was called Gods Smuggler by Brother Andrew van der Bijl, a Dutch missionary. At the height of the Cold War, when Christianity was struggling against communist oppression in Central Europe, Brother Andrew began to smuggle Bibles across the Iron Curtain. His book quotes Karl Marxs famous boast about mobilising the letters of the alphabet to fight ideological battles: Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world. Brother Andrew noted how this game could be played both ways. So he set off for Marxist capitals, carrying suitcases packed with Bibles, helping Christians to preserve their faith in defiance of iron-fisted repression. When I first read Gods Smuggler, it was barely possible to hope that the Iron Curtain would one day fall. So when the Berlin Wall dissolved before our eyes in 1989, it was a wonderful blow for freedom, allowing all the European countries that Brother Andrew had visited to win their liberty. Yet perhaps this good news has made us complacent about problems elsewhere. Exactly 30 years later, 245 million Christians are still at risk. The evidence suggests that far from easing, the burden of worldwide persecution is actually becoming heavier. So as we celebrate Easter today we must not be indifferent. This year I marked Lent by writing 40 letters to 40 persecuted Christians or those campaigning on their behalf. My first letter was to Brother Andrew, now 90, assuring him that the UK stands in solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world: Freedom of religion or belief is a human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It must be respected. People from all faiths or none should be free to practise as they wish. I will continue to make this case for the millions who suffer as a result of their beliefs and British diplomats will continue to be advocates for all those denied the right to practise their faith. Many of the recipients of those letters, by dint of the danger they are in, should not be named publicly. But they include men and women, clergy and worshippers, who have been personally targeted by terror organisations, had their churches attacked or been imprisoned by draconian regimes. Britain is on their side. We care about those who stand up for the right to believe and express ones faith, and we care about the decent and humane values that inspire those rights. I hope that one day letters of this kind will not be necessary. Until then, everyone of faith should remember persecuted Christians in our Easter prayers and in our actions. He has a licence to kill ... and to print money, judging by the big-money deals that James Bond is landing in endorsements. Brands of champagne, watches and cars are among the firms that have paid a total of 75 million to be seen on the screen with the British spy. Bollinger champagne is believed to have paid about 10 million to renew its association with the 007 franchise, which goes back 40 years, while Heineken beer has handed over a similar sum to extend an ad campaign featuring Bond star Daniel Craig. Bollinger, the Champagne of James Bond,have had an association with the infamous British Agent 007 for 40 years. Actress Rachel Kavanagh (pictured) was the face of Bollinger in Ireland in 2008 Other brands already locked in include Omega and Aston Martin. The 25th Bond film is set for release next year. Last week the MoS revealed that Fleabag star and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been asked to work on the script. The film will formally launch in Jamaica where Bond author Ian Fleming lived later this week. Police voiced their concerns as thousands of people openly smoked cannabis yesterday but they were only worried about the drug-users getting sunburnt in the heatwave. In an extraordinary scene at Londons Hyde Park, officers did nothing while a crowd estimated at more than 5,000 gathered to campaign for the legalisation of the Class B drug. Police signs proclaiming Cannabis is illegal and Anyone found in possession of drugs faces arrest and prosecution were entirely disregarded. People in Hyde Park defiantly smoke marijuana at a drugs rally to call on the Government to legalise the Class B drug at one of the world's biggest celebrations of cannabis on 420 day Even though the law says anyone found in possession of the drug can be jailed for up to five years, and if found guilty of dealing for 14 years, officers said it was a good opportunity to have a chat and a laugh with drugs users puffing on joints. One sergeant told our reporter: We are not like the French police going in hard. I am more concerned for their health because there are a lot of pasty white people out here today. 'They are going to get sunburnt. They get stoned and they will forget about the sun and before they know it, they could get sunstroke. He added: It might be different if people are dealing. But I have seen no evidence of that. A Met Police spokesman confirmed there were no arrests. Brazen: A group smoke as police officers stand feet away in London. A Met Police spokesman confirmed no arrests were made The gathering in London was one of a number of events across Britain, part of an international pro-cannabis day known as 4-20 American code for the drug, and also US style for yesterdays date. In Leeds own Hyde Park the smell of cannabis wafted through the 3,000-strong crowd at what was labelled a pirate pop-up event but there were no police in sight. In Durham people smoked cannabis from glass pipes at an event billed as helping to educate people about the benefits of medicinal cannabis and full legalisation. Marijuana plants and illegal hash cakes were also on sale at Durham 420, held in the grounds of Bowburn Hall Hotel, an upmarket venue more used to hosting weddings and conferences. Despite the event being prominently advertised, not a single police officer turned up. In Doncaster, only half a dozen people attended the 4-20 event of the towns cannabis club. An organiser calling himself Dank, 27, said: South Yorkshire Police are the toughest force out there. They are not willing to work with any organisation like ours. They are very anti-weed and can get quite aggressive over it. The Easter story begins with persecution but ends in salvation. A man is crucified for his faith, only to rise from the dead and re-join his followers, a miracle that we celebrate today. But the sombre truth is that millions of Christians will today celebrate Easter while living under a similar shadow of persecution. Many will be gathering in churches at risk of attack; countless more will have suffered threats or discrimination. Some Christians will be worshipping at the scene of unspeakable atrocities. St Marks Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, Egypt, for example, was the target of a terrorist attack on Palm Sunday in 2017 that killed 17 people. The sombre truth is that millions of Christians will today celebrate Easter while living under a similar shadow of persecution, writes Jeremy Hunt The world was rightly shocked by the flames destroying Notre-Dame in Paris last week, a tragedy that touched our common humanity. In too many parts of the world, however, it is the congregations themselves who perish, writes Jeremy Hunt In the southern Philippines, terrorists planted a bomb in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, claiming 20 lives during mass on January 27 this year. The world was rightly shocked by the flames destroying Notre-Dame in Paris last week, a tragedy that touched our common humanity. In too many parts of the world, however, it is the congregations themselves who perish. As the Prince of Wales wrote on Good Friday, there is something inexpressibly tragic about the innocent being murdered because of their faith. There is a peculiar wickedness about hate-filled extremism that justifies murder because of the God someone chooses to worship. Of all the people who suffer persecution for their faith, it may surprise some to know that the greatest number are Christian. In total, about 245 million Christians endure oppression worldwide, according to the campaign group Open Doors. And last year more than 4,000 Christians were killed because of their faith. In 2015, Christians faced harassment from governments or social groups in 128 nations, according to the Pew Research Centre. By 2016, this had risen to 144. China imposes the highest levels of government restrictions. Flames and smoke rise from the blaze at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Monday evening In total, about 245 million Christians endure oppression worldwide, according to the campaign group Open Doors. (Pictured) Jeremy Hunt leaving Downing Street Should religious persecution matter in an increasingly secular world? The truth is that, if a regime tries to control what you believe, it will generally seek to control every other aspect of your life. Where Christians are persecuted, other human rights are often brutally abused. Yet the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, passed by the United Nations General Assembly without a single negative vote in 1948, enshrines freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The declaration makes clear that everyone has a right to the practice, worship and observance of their faith. Britain has always championed freedom of religion or belief for everyone. In my first weeks as Foreign Secretary I prioritised the plight of the Rohingya Muslims, horrifically targeted by the army of Myanmar (formerly Burma.) But I am not convinced that our efforts on behalf of Christians have always measured up to the scale of the issue. In the Middle East, for example, the survival of Christianity as a living religion now hangs in the balance. A century ago, about 20 per cent of people in the region were Christians; today the figure is below five per cent. The bitter irony is that Christianity is retreating in the very region of its birth, where its earliest followers worshipped. Anxious not to offend minorities or appear colonialist in troublespots around the world, British governments have occasionally taken refuge behind the principle that all religions must be protected. But this must include Christianity, where those targeted are often extremely poor, female and living in or close to poverty. Pope Francis leads the Easter Vigil mass at Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Rome Queen Elizabeth II, who is head of the Church of England, distributes Maundy money during the Maundy Thursday service at St George's chapel, Windsor We must not allow misguided political correctness to inhibit our response. So I have asked Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, the Anglican Bishop of Truro, to conduct an independent review of the Foreign Offices efforts to help persecuted Christians and report back to me later this year. Questions need answering: do we counter oppression based on religion as forcefully as that based on politics or other characteristics? How can we use the considerable influence the UK has in much of the world to better stand up for religious minorities? I hope he will recommend practical steps for how the Government might strengthen its response. When I moved house last year, I came across a book that I first read when I was about ten. It was called Gods Smuggler by Brother Andrew van der Bijl, a Dutch missionary. At the height of the Cold War, when Christianity was struggling against communist oppression in Central Europe, Brother Andrew began to smuggle Bibles across the Iron Curtain. His book quotes Karl Marxs famous boast about mobilising the letters of the alphabet to fight ideological battles: Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world. Brother Andrew noted how this game could be played both ways. So he set off for Marxist capitals, carrying suitcases packed with Bibles, helping Christians to preserve their faith in defiance of iron-fisted repression. When I first read Gods Smuggler, it was barely possible to hope that the Iron Curtain would one day fall. So when the Berlin Wall dissolved before our eyes in 1989, it was a wonderful blow for freedom, allowing all the European countries that Brother Andrew had visited to win their liberty. Yet perhaps this good news has made us complacent about problems elsewhere. Exactly 30 years later, 245 million Christians are still at risk. The evidence suggests that far from easing, the burden of worldwide persecution is actually becoming heavier. So as we celebrate Easter today we must not be indifferent. This year I marked Lent by writing 40 letters to 40 persecuted Christians or those campaigning on their behalf. My first letter was to Brother Andrew, now 90, assuring him that the UK stands in solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world: Freedom of religion or belief is a human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It must be respected. People from all faiths or none should be free to practise as they wish. I will continue to make this case for the millions who suffer as a result of their beliefs and British diplomats will continue to be advocates for all those denied the right to practise their faith. Many of the recipients of those letters, by dint of the danger they are in, should not be named publicly. But they include men and women, clergy and worshippers, who have been personally targeted by terror organisations, had their churches attacked or been imprisoned by draconian regimes. Britain is on their side. We care about those who stand up for the right to believe and express ones faith, and we care about the decent and humane values that inspire those rights. I hope that one day letters of this kind will not be necessary. Until then, everyone of faith should remember persecuted Christians in our Easter prayers and in our actions. Out for a stroll with her beloved dog in the spring sunshine, this is the young actress who has been plucked from obscurity to play Princess Diana in The Crown. And, by happy coincidence, it turns out that Emma Corrin had named her cockapoo Spencer Dianas maiden name long before she was given the role. As she stood clutching the cocker spaniel-poodle cross, her pose echoed that of Diana on a visit to Dartmouth in 1989, when the Princess showed a similar affection for a dog she was handed. Emma Corrin, 23, who plays a young Diana in Netflix series The Crown had named her dog Spencer - which is Diana's maiden name - long before landing the role Diana showed affection for the cockapoo breed when she picked up and cuddled one during a visit to Dartmouth in 1989 An onlooker said: The funny thing is that people are only interested in stopping to talk to her about her dog Spencer at the moment. Hes the one who attracts attention but no doubt that will all change. Miss Corrin, 23, only had two minor screen acting credits to her name when, less than a year after sitting her finals at Cambridge University, she landed the role of a lifetime. She is the eldest of three siblings raised by businessman Chris Corrin and his South African wife, Dr Juliette Corrin, a speech therapist, at their 2.5 million home with a swimming pool near Sevenoaks in Kent. She attended 36,000-a-year Roman Catholic independent girls school, Woldingham, near Oxted in Surrey. At St Johns College, she became a frequent performer at Cambridge Universitys ADC theatre, where stars such as Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie forged their careers. It was also where Oscar-winning Crown actress Olivia Colman, who is set to appear in season three as the Queen, took on some of her earliest roles. Miss Corrin, 23, only had two minor screen acting credits to her name when, less than a year after sitting her finals at Cambridge University, she landed the role of a lifetime Miss Corrin will play Lady Diana Spencer in her early days, when she worked at the Young England kindergarten in Pimlico, London. She will also portray her engagement and ill-fated marriage to Charles, who is being played by The Durrells star Josh OConnor. The Crown returns for its third series on Netflix in July, covering the Queens reign from the mid-Sixties to the late Seventies. Miss Corrin will not appear until series four next year. Federal regulators are reportedly considering seeking some kind of oversight of Mark Zuckerberg's leadership of Facebook over the social network giant's mishandling of users' personal information. Discussions between Facebook and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission officials about its data-handing lapses have touched on holding the CEO personally accountable, The Washington Post reported Friday. Zuckerberg controls a majority of Facebook's voting stock and has run the company since starting it at Harvard in 2004. Federal regulators are reportedly considering seeking some kind of oversight over Mark Zuckerberg's leadership of Facebook over the social network giant's mishandling of users' personal information The Post quoted two anonymous sources familiar with the discussions. It said putting restraints on Zuckerberg could send a message to other tech giants that the FTC could hold their executives accountable for privacy misdeeds. The FTC had no comment and Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The commission opened an investigation into Facebook last year after revelations that data mining firm Cambridge Analytica had gathered details on as many as 87 million Facebook users without their permission. The FTC has been examining whether that massive breakdown violated a settlement that Facebook reached in 2011 after government regulators concluded the Menlo Park, California, company had repeatedly broken its privacy promises to users, who now number 2.3 billion globally. The FTC decree, which runs through 2031, requires that Facebook get its users' consent to share their personal information in ways that aren't allowed by their privacy settings. The Post previously reported the FTC is considering hitting Facebook with a multibillion-dollar fine. That would top its previous record fine of $22.5 million, which it dealt to Google in 2012 for bypassing the privacy controls in Apple's Safari browser. Facebook has in the past year been buffeted by media coverage highlighting what critics call a cavalier attitude toward protecting user privacy and data - and in failing to prevent the dissemination of hate speech and misinformation on the biggest communications medium in history. On Thursday, its Instagram subsidiary said in a blog post that millions more users were affected by a password security lapse than Facebook acknowledged when announcing the problem nearly four weeks ago. In the initial announcement it had said tens of thousands of passwords were stored on the site in plain text, meaning company employees could search them. Google is trying to cut out the 'middle man' by disallowing logins from embedded browsers -- a move they will add an extra layer of cyber security. According to the company, the change will start in June and will prevent logins that don't take place within a dedicated web browser like Safari, Chrome, or Firefox. While many applications use embedded browsers as a means of convenience, allowing users to stay in an app to input their credentials as opposed to having to jump to a dedicated mobile browser, Google said the feature puts users at unneeded risk. Google has bolstered a number of security features to help protect its users from phishing and more. According to the company, the change will start in June and will prevent logins that don't take place within a dedicated web browser like Safari, Chrome, or Firefox A major concern, said the company, is a type of phishing scam known as 'man in the middle.' 'One form of phishing, known as "man in the middle" (MITM), is hard to detect when an embedded browser framework... or another automation platform is being used for authentication,' reads a blog post. 'MITM intercepts the communications between a user and Google in real-time to gather the users credentials (including the second factor in some cases) and sign in.' Because Google can't differentiate between someone attempting to phish an account and the legitimate owner, it has decided to completely scrap embedded logins, said the company. Similarly, Google has also introduced 'safe browsing' features that notify users when they're browsing a potentially harmful website and added notification features that let users know when their account is signed into from a new device. With the rise of mobile app usage and connectivity, phishing scams have spread across the internet rapidly through the last several years. Many involving the use of email have also become increasingly more sophisticated. In 2017, one particularly effective attack on Gmail users was orchestrated by scammers who, with access to one victims email account, were able to impersonate that person in order to infect the computers of the first victims' contacts. Hackers have become more sophisticated in their attempts to glean critical password and login information. Stock image Disguised as the first victim, scammers would send a fake Google Doc containing a phishing link to one or more of their a contacts using victim one's email address. If opened, the second victim would be sent to a fake Google login page where the scammers would harvest the credentials of victim two. The phishing expedition compromised the accounts of at least 1 million Gmail accounts according to Forbes. Doing away with embedded logins comes on the heels of a host of new security features announced by Google this month that specifically target phishing and look to educate on 'best practices.' Theresa May opted for a Welsh walking holiday for her Easter break Even Theresa May's bitterest enemies would accept that she (in contrast to some MPs) deserves some time off. Yes, she popped over to Wales for a quick walking holiday earlier this week, but we think a longer getaway is in order. The poor woman needs some fresh air, literally and metaphorically, somewhere she can put Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk firmly to the back of her mind. Here are some suggestions . . . DANCING QUEEN After dancing jauntily into last year's Conservative Party Conference to the accompaniment of Abba's Dancing Queen, it's time the PM rediscovered her boogie. Stockholm has plenty of nightclubs to enjoy the Swedish mega group's hits and a visit to its Abba Museum is a must (abbathemuseum.com). The PM could have headed to Stockholm to visit the Abba Museum. The group's songs inspired the musical and movie Mamma Mia! Top tip: Take a chance on the Abba Gold Suite at Pop House hotel by the museum. Details: Return flights from 121 (ba.com); Pop House rooms from 93 B&B (pophouse.se). ON A SWISS ROLL One of the walking trails in Meiringen in Switzerland. The PM and her husband have long enjoyed Swiss walking holidays The Prime Minister and her hubby Philip have long enjoyed invigorating Swiss walking holidays. To take their love of the Swiss mountains one step further, we recommend setting forth from Meiringen and traversing the lower slopes of the Eiger on a 130-mile, two-week hike to Zermatt by the Matterhorn. Juncker wouldn't have the puff for this. Top tip: Wear shades for sun protection (and a low profile). Details: 14-night walking tour with Eurostar trains, hotels, half-board and luggage transfer from 2,595 pp (inntravel.co.uk). THE NORWAY OPTION The breathtaking Hardangerfjord in Norway, which is described as one of the most peaceful corners of Scandinavia Much discussion has centred on the 'Norway Option' of being outside the European Union while part of the European Economic Area. Certainly, if Mrs May goes on holiday there her head will be turned by the fjords in one of the most beautiful, peaceful corners of Scandinavia. Top tip: Go now for gorgeous cherry blossoms near Hardangerfjord. Details: Seven-night self-drive tour with flights, accommodation and some meals from 1,396 pp (discover-the-world.com). SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP The Santa Lucia Mountains of California loom over the coastline. Located in the mountains is the New Camaldoli Hermitage retreat that is run by Benedictine monks Theresa and President Trump seem to get on pretty well. So how about a trip to the States but one that shuns the DC limelight? The New Camaldoli Hermitage in the remote Santa Lucia Mountains of California is run by Benedictine monks offering 'dynamic and creative peace' on retreats. Just what the abbot ordered. Top tip: Leave your smartphone; there's no internet or mobile reception. Details: A 14-night stay from 1,820 for two people (contemplation.com). KITTEN HEELS HOLIDAY Imelda Marcos tours the Shoe Museum in the Filipino city of Marikina, which now displays some of her footwear It's Theresa's trademark look: her leopard-print kitten heels. Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines, amassed more than 1,000 shoes and a Shoe Museum now displays many in the city of Marikina (marikina.gov.ph). A day trip might prove fun, along with a week by a gorgeous beach to unwind. Top tip: Don't wear heels on the plane as they can slow emergency evacuations. Details: Seven-night tour from 1,699pp with flights and hotels (hayesandjarvis.co.uk). ROUND-THE-WORLD Mrs May might want to opt for splashing out on a private jet to study history around the world Theresa's keen interest in the world dates from her university days when she studied geography at St Hugh's College, Oxford. One way to indulge her early interest in style, while avoiding prying cameras, would be to join a round-the-world private jet trip. But they don't come cheap as much as 85,000 for 25 days. Top tip: Don't claim it on your MP's expenses. Details: Round-the-world private jet trips are offered by Abercrombie & Kent (abercrombiekent.co.uk); prices on request. I WANT TO BE ALONE New flights to Saint Helena deep in the Atlantic Ocean make it a great place to escape to Napolean was sent into exile to Saint Helena, deep in the Atlantic Ocean. It's not quite that bad for Theresa, but new flights to this remote island make it a good place to escape. Top tip: Take time out to consider how much worse things were for Napoleon. Details: Ten-night trips with flights and hotels from 2,795 pp (jasmineholidays.co.uk). PLAY IT AGAIN, THERESA The PM could have considered a trip to Morocco to visit the biggest city, Casablanca. The film Casablanca is her favourite The PM's favourite film is Casablanca. How about a break to Morocco's biggest city a chance to embrace another culture and imagine the goings-on of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the atmospheric 1942 film. Top tip: Remember, the film was shot in Hollywood, 6,000 miles away. Details: Three-night stays are from 304 with flights (lastminute.com). COOKING IN GREECE The island of Poros in Greece, pictured, is the perfect place for a cooking holiday SUGGESTED READING 1. Persuasion, Jane Austen 2. Audacity Of Hope, Barack Obama 3. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens 4. How To Win Friends And Influence People, Dale Carnegie 5. All's Well That Ends Well, Shakespeare Advertisement Asked how she likes to unwind from the 'world's most stressful job', Theresa mentioned her love of cooking and her 150 cookbooks. We recommend Poros in Greece, about an hour's ferry from Piraeus, where terrific week-long breaks with lessons from a local chef are available at the peaceful village of Askeli. Top tip: Don't mention the Greek Eurozone debt crisis. Details: Eight-day full-board trips with lessons and hotels from 1,307 pp (golearnto.com). WHEATFIELDS REBELS Mrs May could have considered a break in Sussex to relieve her rebellious days of running through fields of wheat THE PM'S PLAYLIST 1. I Want To Break Free - Queen 2. Everything's Gonna Be Alright - Bob Marley 3. Don't Worry, Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin 4. Take A Chance On Me - Abba 5. Please Please Please - James Brown Advertisement During her childhood in Sussex, the PM says that the 'naughtiest thing' she ever did was to run through wheatfields with a friend. So how about slipping away to Sussex to relive her rebellious wheat field days. Top tip: Definitely no kitten heels in the wheatfields. Details: B&B doubles at Rosehill Farm in Isfield, East Sussex are from 75 (farmstay.co.uk). Q. I am a recently single traveller and I love going on cruises. But single occupancy supplements are often high. I have noticed a cruise that says a second person can go free. Could I book this and go alone, telling them the second person couldnt come at the last minute. I know this is naughty. Gillian Saunders, via email A. Probably not a good idea, as tempting as it may be. Why not simply ask upfront? One way to check for better-value cruises is to tick the no single supplement box on the search page of the website of Iglu Cruise (iglucruise.com), a cruise-specialist travel agent. Norwegian wood: The streets of Bryggen in Bergen are a popular haunt An 11-night cruise along the coast of Norway from Bergen to Hammerfest and back is from 1,669pp full-board including flights and transfers on Hurtigruten cruise line. Also try rolcruise.co.uk; cruise1st.co.uk; travel.saga.co.uk and ncl.com. Q. Can you tell me the easiest way to get from London to Gruyeres in Switzerland by train, please? Lorna Fowkes, via email A. Swiss Tourism, the tourist board, recommends travelling to Paris by Eurostar and onwards to Lausanne, where you would catch further trains to Gruyeres famous, of course, for its cheese. The first journey costs from 44 and takes 2h 15m (euro-star.com). Adventure: Gruyeres in Switzerland, above, is famous for its cheese You can buy a Paris-Gruyeres ticket from Swiss Federal Railways from 110 (sbb.ch). This takes five hours and includes a change at Lausanne and two small connections near Lake Geneva. You would also need an hour to get from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon in Paris. So the total trip would be about 8h 30m. But its an adventure, especially in Switzerland as you pass mountains and vineyards and catch sight of Lake Geneva. Q. What are the duty-free rules when you are travelling from Cyprus into Northern Cyprus? Jo, via email A Northern Cyprus is a de facto state that is only recognised by Turkey, and it is difficult to establish its border rules. Insiders say that taking a reasonable amount of duty-free for personal use say a bottle of spirits, a bottle of wine and a carton of cigarettes is quite acceptable. If you need advice, the Holiday Guru is here to answer your questions and provide tips on how to make the most of your precious time off. Please send questions to holidayplanner@dailymail.co.uk or write to Daily Mail Travel, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT and include your contact details. We will do our best to answer your queries but we cant reply to every enquiry. Please do not send in any original documents. We look forward to hearing from you. There are a surprising number of islands in the Thames. Canvey and Sheppey, of course, but also smaller curiosities: Glovers Island at Richmond and DOyly Carte Island, Weybridge, for example. And less than an hours drive from central London is an island which presents visitors with a near perfect retro-Georgian idyll. In 1738, Charles Spencer, great-great-great-great-grandfather of Winston Churchill, bought Monkey Island at Bray to celebrate his love of angling. He built a fishing lodge and a fishing temple. Pristine: The new Monkey Island Hotel and its immaculately prepped grounds In those days angling was a pursuit of the privileged classes, affording opportunities for contemplation after nights of carousing and days of punting. And lets not forget that The Admiralty gave Lord Nelson Pharoahs Island, also in the Thames near Weybridge, as a fishing retreat to recover after the rigours of battle. Monkey Islands lodge and temple designed by Robert Morris, a pioneering vegetarian were and remain buildings (Grade I-listed) of such imposing presence that they would certainly be denied planning permission in nearby modern Maidenhead. Later, in 1744, when Spencer became a duke and was upgraded to Blenheim Palace, Monkey Island became known as Marlboroughs Folly. A hotel opened here in the 1840s and was soon served by the first generation of recreational steam launches. At the time he discovered the island, Spencer had been attending a rowdy local party given by The KitKat Club, men of wit and pleasure. The Swinging Sixties commune of Eel Pie Island shares with Marlboroughs Folly a reputation for good-natured dissipation, but the Monkey Island name has religious origins. Originally inhabited by a branch of Merton Abbey, it was first known as Monks Eyot, eyot being Middle English for Island. Historic: A picture, above, of the original lodge and temple Today, you approach an ambitious new YTL hotel on the island through Bray and over a motorway bridge. If this sounds disappointing, the effect is quite the opposite. The M4 could be centuries away. You park, cross a pedestrian bridge and discover shimmering white Palladian stucco and greenery, just as Morris intended in 1738. The sight is designed to impress. Chickens roam the immaculately prepped grounds, which provide monkish herbs for the kitchen and for elixirs used in the floating spa, a converted narrow-boat. In 2015, when the late Tan Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay, a Malaysian construction firm founder and chairman of YTL Hotels (named after his initials), bought the old hotel, it was gruesomely run-down. It was overwhelmed by ad-hoc additions and Monkey Island hosted crestfallen weddings. Chef Will Hemming, formerly of The Savoy A New York firm called Champalimaud was charged with the interior design of 27 rooms, three suites, a bar and the brasserie. They have thrown the complete decorators manual of effects at the project, working in a style which will become known, if I have my way, as Airport de Luxe. It is neither fully antiquarian, nor frigid boutique minimalism. There are leather buckets with magazines, balls of rope, hand-painted wallpaper, scented candles (soon to become taboo) and rug art aplenty. All signifiers of quality ambitions. But there are quibbles. Patterns clash; a generous free-standing bath has nowhere to lay a book or towel; there are no full-length mirrors; the chair and writing desk are horribly misaligned in height; and there is no mirror adjacent to the hairdryer. There are glamorous ghosts on Monkey Island. Its louche appeal extended even to the decadent King Edward VII. Rebecca West and H. G.Wells were lovers here. In a hut on the riverbank, Elgar composed his violin concerto. Just upstream was Bray Studios, where Hammer horror movies were filmed in the days when blonde stars cruised this part of the Thames Valley in powder-blue convertibles. The big question is how Monkey Island Hotel fits into the complex gastro-ethology of Michelin star-struck Bray, with its sauce Nantua at the Roux Waterside Inn and its snail porridge at the Blumenthal Fat Duck? The answer is, very well. Chef (Welsh) Will Hemming, once of The Savoy, sources local produce where possible and treats it with respect and precision. Glamorous ghosts: The decadent King Edward VII enjoys lunch Overlooking the river, we ate home-smoked salmon, 35-day dry-aged steak tartare, duck breast sausage roll. A very good bottle of Sicilian Grillo was a reasonable 29. A charming conceit is a tiny attic Whisky Snug, for reclusive tastings, a modern folly by the genial general manager, Lee Kelly, who has been given something of a free hand with arrangements. After a glass of Monkey Shoulder, I had no difficulty summoning the ghost of Charles Spencer and feeling like a man of wit and pleasure myself. Monkey Island does that to you. The stars of Bachelor In Paradise have been left 'horrified' by the editing on the latest season of the reality series. Sources tell Daily Mail Australia that multiple cast members have been stressed out watching the series back, unsure of how they'll be portrayed from episode to episode. 'They're leaving huge stuff out, taking thing totally out of context and even cutting and pasting random sentences together,' one source revealed. 'Horrified': The stars of Bachelor In Paradise have been left 'horrified' by the editing on the latest season of the reality series 'The contestants feel like the show that made it to air is so much different than what actually happened on the island.' They continued: 'All the Bachelor stars run in the same circles and they've been complaining to each other about how badly it's been edited this year. 'Everybody knows that reality TV is produced and manipulated, but this season felt worse than anybody expected.' 'They're leaving huge stuff out, taking thing totally out of context and even cutting and pasting random sentences together,' one source told Daily Mail Australia One former Bachelor star, who wasn't asked to go to Paradise this season, told Daily Mail Australia that they're now relieved to have missed out. 'I thought it would be fun but the cast this year had a bad experience,' they said. 'I'm glad I didn't do it now because I know a lot of people from this season are really disappointed by how it's all played out.' 'I thought it would be fun but the cast this year had a bad experience': A Bachelor star who didn't appear in Paradise this year told Daily Mail Australia that they're glad they missed out Viewers have taken to social media to point out some of the questionable editing this season, singling out sudden outfit changes and suspicious-sounding audio. 'Can anyone else hear breaks in the voice-overs, like Channel Ten is editing what they say?' wrote one. Another tweeted: 'Editing is bad... one sec Paddy [Colliar] has his flowery jumpsuit on and next second his blue shorts... all with the same guy arriving.' 'Can anyone else hear breaks in the voice-overs, like Channel Ten is editing what they say?' Viewers have noticed suspicious editing while watching the show this year Cast members have also publicly defied Channel Ten by complaining about the show's editing on Instagram. In recent Instagram post, Nathan Favro hit back at former Bachelor In Paradise star Keira Maguire for criticising the current season, saying that she should know better because she's 'experienced what it's like and the process of editing.' Rachael Gouvignon also referred to one of her scenes on the show as 'completely manipulated.' 'The process of editing': Nathan Favro is one of the Bachelor In Paradise stars to publicly slam the show's editing 'I'm actually shocked with what they've done and it saddens me with how they have portrayed me,' she added. The brunette was referring to a scene in which she appeared to recoil or faint in reaction to Richie Strahan not giving her a rose, but a closer look revealed an editing fail that showed that her reaction had been taken out of context. Some of last season's contestants have also criticised the show's editing. Speaking on the Life After Reality TV podcast, Jake Ellis claimed that some of his confessional interviews were aired out of context. Editing fail: A major editing fail involving Rachael Gouvignon and Brittney Weldon was spotted, proving that footage had been edited out of context for dramatic effect 'I noticed watching it, which the viewers wouldn't, that either myself or Megan [Marx] said something in an interview in the first two weeks, then it was used in the later parts of the show,' he said. Megan also said that some of the things she said in the first week of the show were played in the final episode, as if she had just said them. Blake Colman also claimed that he had a relationship with Megan on the show that was completely edited out. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Ten for comment. Amber Heard was seen being comforted by a male friend after a two-hour meeting with lawyers in Los Angeles. The outing comes amid news that she is being called to give even more evidence on her messy divorce from Johnny Depp, according to the latest filing in one of the Pirate of the Caribbean star's ongoing legal battles, exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com. The 32-year-old actress was seen being comforted by a male friend outside of the office of her lawyers on Wednesday. Scroll down for video Moving on: Amber Heard was seen exiting an office after a two-hour meeting with her lawyers in Los Angeles on Wednesday There for her: She was given a hug by a male friend after the meeting Tough: Meanwhile there were 10 more videos released from her August 2016 deposition in which she detailed her now-ex's alleged abuse Meanwhile there were 10 more videos released from her August 2016 deposition in which she detailed her now-ex's alleged abuse. Perhaps the most eye-brow raising of all was one in which Heard claims that Depp grabbed her by the hair after throwing a cell phone at the actress hitting her in the eye. Heard seemed visibly shaken and her voice broke a few times as she detailed the alleged incident saying: 'He grabs my head, takes a fist full of my hair and says "I hit your eye, I hit your eye huh? Let me see your eye, let me see, what if I pulled your hair back? Making moves: She opted for comfort as she left the office building Busy: She also tapped away on her mobile phone Friendly: She chatted away with her pal Nice: The two embraced before going their separate ways Happy: Amber flashed a big smile on the outing 'And he yanks my head back and he's, I don't know, smacking my face or moving my face and he's got me by the hair.' She goes on to say that Depp was screaming in her face while grabbing her and expressed her frustration about no one in the vicinity trying to help. Heard said: 'He's yelling at me, he's screaming about "let's see how hard I hit you." And I'm screaming at the top of my lungs: "help help please help." I guess I say "call 911."' According to the DailyMail.com report Friday, the 55-year-old actor Depp is suing his former law firm for $30million over claims of negligence. Sad: Perhaps the most eye-brow raising of all was one in which Heard claims that Depp grabbed her by the hair after throwing a cell phone at the actress hitting her in the eye Recalling: Heard seemed visibly shaken and her voice broke a few times as she detailed the alleged incident Not a peep: She goes on to say that Depp was screaming in her face while grabbing her and expressed her frustration about no one in the vicinity trying to help The firm - Bloom Hergott Diemer Rosenthal LaViolette Feldman Schenkman & Goodman - says Depp has recently accused them of malpractice in connection with his divorce from Heard and therefore will need to depose the actress in order to build a defense in the case. The firm asks that the plaintiffs - named as Depp and his film companies Scaramanga Bros and Infinitum Nihil, respond in writing to their questions and demand the ability to ask Depp more questions over his 'newly articulated theories'. Bloom & Co previously told the court that Depp had failed to supply documents and information, and while the judge ordered the star to give more detailed answers to a number of questions, he denied some of the firm's demands. Moving forward: Heard was seen on a solo outing in Los Angeles on Friday The new filing reads: 'This is not idle speculation: for example, in the last three months, Plaintiffs have begun to accuse Defendants of malpractice in connection with Depp's divorce from Amber Heard. 'Plaintiffs' supplemental written discovery responses should clarify whether (or how) Plaintiffs believe Defendants were responsible for the purported mismanagement of Depp's divorce (even though Depp had separate counsel in that divorce proceeding).' On March 29, Depp's lawyer told the court that he would be providing information that would make 'all aspects of the malpractice claim very clear'. Johnny Depp is suing his former law firm, Bloom Hergott Diemer Rosenthal LaViolette Feldman Schenkman & Goodman, for $30million and says he would be providing information that would make 'all aspects of the malpractice claim very clear' Amber Heard will need to be deposed in order to build a defense in the case after Depp accused the firm of negligence and malpractice in dealing with his divorce from Heard, which was finalized in 2017 Bloom & Co say that this means they 'will then need to conduct additional discovery regarding those other aspects, such as documents and depositions from Depp's divorce attorneys, Ms. Heard, and numerous witnesses to incidents allegedly occurring between Mr. Depp and Ms. Heard, in order to defend themselves from charges that they were somehow responsible for Mr. Depp's divorce settlement'. Heard filed for divorce from Depp in May 2016 stating that he had been 'verbally and physically' abusive towards her. Their divorce was finalized in January 2017, with the actress receiving a $7million settlement. Heard filed for divorce in 2016 and it was finalized in 2017, with the actress receiving $7million. She and Depp are shown in February 2016 The request, filed on Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, also asks for 'a new trial date that reflects the reality of the status of discovery and document productions in the case'. The case was due in court on September 16 after being pushed back from May 6. Bloom & Co. now want the case to be pushed back again, suggesting that it would take them at least six months to prepare, and calling the September date 'unrealistic'. Depp also accused his former attorneys of conspiring with his ex-business managers, The Management Group (TMG), to cheat him out of millions, blaming Bloom & Co. for allegedly failing to alert him to their actions despite knowing what was going on. The lawyers say that TMG has been slow to produce an estimated 1.5 million documents that they need to build their defense, despite requesting the paperwork in November 2017. It reads: 'Plaintiffs consistently refused to produce these documents, but have now finally agreed to produce nearly all of the documents (though not documents relating to a SEC investigation of TMG) produced in the TMG litigation.' The law firm is also requesting to depose Johnny Depp; his sister Christi Dembrowski; his current manager Edward White and others who worked for him. Last month, a judge ordered that Depp's case against his lawyers be pushed back in order to provide more time to submit testimonies and 'unwind the actor's tangled affairs'. The judge warned both sides could have moved quicker and have caused the case to drag on by engaging in 'a great deal of finger-pointing concerning whose fault it is'. Depp's lawyer, Adam Waldman, told The Blast: 'Bloom is accused among other things of a failure to supervise the fraudulent activity of the Mandel Brothers/TMG, Mr. Depp's former business managers who are under multiple federal criminal investigations and whose offices were raided by the FBI in June 2017. 'Judge Green agreed to move their trial from May to September, and ruled that Bloom is entitled to Mandel's sealed documents.' Waldman also slammed the lawyers for their behavior during Johnny's divorce from Heard. Depp was meant to face his legal team on May 6 but the date has now been pushed back to September 16. Bloom & Co now want the case to be pushed back again, saying it would take them at least six months to prepare to dispute Depp's 'newly articulated theories', revealed in court documents obtained by DailyMail.com Waldman added: 'Part of Bloom's defense is that he did a good job on Mr. Depp's divorce. But the facts are these: some of Mr. Depp's legal dream team of five Hollywood lawyers reviewed the entire surveillance video library taken of Ms. Heard, her friends, Elon Musk and others captured by 24 surveillance cameras in the Eastern Columbia Building and the 87 surveillance videos that these lawyers set aside. 'Then Mr. Depp's lawyers took sworn declarations from multiple eyewitnesses. Some on Mr. Depp's legal team secretly represented Elon Musk. Some of Mr. Depp's legal team then hid for nearly three years this exculpatory evidence from Mr. Depp that disproved the malicious hoax perpetrated against him by Amber Heard.' Bloom & Co. have denied all allegations of wrongdoing and insisted they never conspired against the actor. They have filed a countersuit, accusing Depp of causing his own damages due to his own misconduct and negligence, claiming he hadn't paid them for months, despite the lawyers continuing to work for him. The actor denied owing any money, claiming he had paid tens of millions over the years and argued the firm are barred from trying to collect unpaid dues because they never signed an official retainer, describing their agreement as 'illegal'. Depp has also has filed a $50million defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife, 32, in which he claims her accusations of domestic abuse were an 'elaborate hoax'. His legal team have apparently interviewed a number people under oath, who all claimed they saw no visible injuries on Heard when they interacted with her following an alleged altercation. In transcripts obtained by The Blast, four employees and one neighbor from the couple's former apartment building were deposed and asked about any sign of abuse they may have seen between the pair and all insisted there were none. Trinity Esparaza, who owns the building's concierge services company, encountered the actress a number of times following an alleged incident on May 21, including two days afterwards, when she did not see any visible injuries to Amber's face or body. But she noted on May 27 - the day the Aquaman star filed for a temporary restraining order and accused her then-husband of spousal abuse - that she was sporting a 'red cut underneath her right eye and red marks by her eye'. After seeing pictures which were released when Amber filed for the order against Johnny, Trinity went back and reviewed security footage from the building because she suspected the allegations were 'false' as the 'time didn't add up' and she had seen the actress 'several times' without marks on her face. In her legal filings against Depp, Heard attached these photos of the injuries she says she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband This is one of the clumps of hair left on the ground after Depp pulled it from her hair during a December 2015 fight, she claimed Heard was left with a hole in her scalp after being repeatedly punched in the back of the head, she said Security guard Alex Romero also admitted he had serious doubts about Amber's account because he had seen her a number of times during the week and saw nothing to suggest the actress had been 'punched by anyone' or had anything thrown at her. Heard and Depp were married for just 15 months when they split and he is suing her for $50million over defamation He added: 'I saw the pictures and the next day I saw her. I was like come on, really. I couldn't believe. When I saw her in person, I didn't see anything.' Two other employees, including the building's general manager Brandon Patterson - also testified they had seen the actress multiple times after the alleged assault and was seen 'without bruises, cuts, redness, swelling or any other injuries to her face'. And the couple's neighbour, Isaac Baruch - who has been friends with the Black Mass actor for 37 years - told how he saw Amber the morning after the alleged fight and claims she shouted: 'He hit me! He threw a phone and hit me!' While the actress 'stretched her neck' to show him her alleged injuries, he didn't see anything and though he saw her mark-free throughout the week, on May 27, there were visible marks on her. Johnny's attorney has also provided 87 different pieces of recorded video, taken from different cameras before and after the alleged incident. Amber's lawyer has branded the lawsuit 'frivolous' and insisted his client won't be silenced. The latest news comes after Johnny accused Amber of starting a relationship with Elon Musk just a month after they married in 2015. In the lawsuit obtained by People, the actor alleged that Heard would receive 'late night' visits from Musk while Depp was out of the country filming. Depp also claims that the Tesla founder was allowed into the couple's Los Angeles home on the same night Heard 'presented her battered face to the public'. Heard and Depp separated in May 2016. According to People, a representative for Musk claims that 'Elon and Amber didn't start seeing each other until May 2016'. 'Their relationship didn't become romantic until sometime later,' the representative said. Heard's attorney, Eric M. George, said in a statement to the magazine: 'This frivolous action is just the latest of Johnny Depp's repeated efforts to silence Amber Heard. 'She will not be silenced. Mr. Depp's actions prove he is unable to accept the truth of his ongoing abusive behavior.' Johnny Depp allegedly destroyed the $3million penthouse wife Amber Heard used as a closet (above) during a fight in Match 2015, according to a court filing DailyMail.com obtained photos of the wreckage which show broken racks and designer clothing and accessories scattered around the room (above) Kevin, who worked for the building where Depp was living at the time, wrote that he will deal with the situation, prompting the other individual to text: 'Insanity. Just f***ing insanity' (above) Last December, Heard wrote an article for the Washington Post in which she said she had received death threats and lost out on work after accusing Depp of domestic abuse. 'The op-ed's clear implication that Mr Depp is a domestic abuser is categorically and demonstrably false,' Depp's lawsuit states. 'Mr Depp never abused Ms Heard. Her allegations against him were false when they were made in 2016. 'They were part of an elaborate hoax to generate positive publicity for Ms Heard and advance her career.' The lawsuit goes on to say that the allegations made by Heard against Depp were refuted by 'two separate responding police officers, a litany of neutral third-party witnesses, and 87 newly obtained surveillance camera videos'. 'Ms Heard is not a victim of domestic abuse, she is a perpetrator,' the lawsuit states. The Aquaman actress filed for divorce from the Pirates of the Caribbean star in May 2016 stating that he had been 'verbally and physically' abusive towards her. Their divorce was finalized in January 2017, with Heard later donating a portion of her $7million divorce settlement to the Children's Hospital Los Angeles. They were married for 15 months before she filed for divorce. Images emerged at the time showing Heard with a bruised eye and face. She claimed Depp threw a phone at her face and struck her in their home. Depp has long denied the allegations and has instead claimed that his ex-wife repeatedly violently attacked and severely injured him. In the defamation lawsuit, Depp claims Heard threw a glass vodka bottle at him and caused the bones in the tip of his right middle finger to shatter. He claims the incident occurred one month into their marriage and resulted in him having to have his finger 'surgically reattached'. 'Ms Heard then disseminated false accounts of this incident, casting Mr Depp as the perpetrator of his own injury'. Depp claims in the lawsuit that he was dropped from Pirates of the Caribbean just four days after Heard's op-ed was published in the Washington Post. She stars in one of the most anticipated blockbuster films in decades. And Scarlett Johansson took a break from her busy Marvel movie publicity tour to enjoy some dinner with celebrity restaurateur Bruce Bozzi, 51, on Thursday. The 34-year-old actress was in Los Angeles in advance of the Avengers: Endgame premiere on Monday. Grabbing a bite: Scarlett Johansson, 34, took a break from her busy Avengers: Endgame publicity tour to enjoy some dinner in Los Angeles on Thursday with celebrity restaurateur Bruce Bozzi, 51 The 5ft3in Ghost World star was dressed casually for their dinner, with a floral print mini dress that highlighted her trim gams. She paired it with a black leather biker jacket and tall black heels. Her dirty blonde hair was held back in a short ponytail, and she wore a pair of black frame glasses. Bruce looked the opposite of Scarlett's dark color scheme with his all-white outfit, including a white collared shirt and a pair of white jeans. Toned legs: The 5ft3in Ghost World star was dressed casually for their dinner, with a black biker jacket and floral print mini dress that highlighted her trim gams Bruce has a connection to another major franchise now owned by Disney: the Star Wars series. He's married to Bryan Lourd, former husband to Carrie Fisher and father of their daughter Billie Lourd, who was most recently featured in The Last Jedi and will appear in the recently-titled The Rise Of Skywalker. His family founded the famous Palm restaurant and the subsequent chain of high-end locations that followed, and he serves as Executive Vice President of the corporation that runs the Palm restaurants. About time: Despite the popularity of Scarlett's Black Widow character and her appearances in multiple Avengers and stand-alone films, a solo Black Widow film only recently went into development; pictured April 11 in London Scarlett plays Black Widow in Avengers: Endgame, a role she originated nearly a decade ago in Iron Man 2. Despite the popularity of her character and her appearances in multiple Avengers and stand-alone films, it was only recently that a solo Black Widow film finally went into development. The lack of female protagonists has long been an issue for Marvel Studios, which released its first woman-led superhero film this year with Captain Marvel. Speaking on Lorraine in a dual interview with Paul Rudd, the Vicky Christina Barcelona star applauded the Marvel Cinematic Universe's adoption of more female heroes. 'It's a huge relief for me because, you can only imagine, a decade ago when we started all this, it was a major testosterone festival. It was me and the dudes and the locker room banter,' she said. Their turn: Speaking on the lack of women in the MCU, she said, 'It's a huge relief for me because, you can only imagine, a decade ago when we started all this, it was a major testosterone festival. It was me and the dudes and the locker room banter'; shown April 10 Scarlett was exhausted by the atmosphere, though the addition of Cobie Smulders and Elizabeth Olsen to the Avengers films helped change the working environment for the better. 'I was so thankful to have two other women in the cast and we would just like to cling to each other,' she added. 'We've got so many great actors, Danai, Brie, many now it's a huge relief.' The Her actress is expected to be on hand when Avengers: Endgame has its star-studded premiere in Los Angeles on Monday, April 22. Ben Affleck famously hit back at critics and defended his large back tattoo after photos of him on a beach in Hawaii surfaced in March 2018. Fast forward just over a year, and the actor inadvertently flashed the bottom part of massive body ink during a chat with ex-wife Jennifer Garner in Los Angeles on Friday. The partial reveal happened when his shirt and jacket slid upwards when he leaned down into the driver's window to get closer to Garner. Partial reveal: Ben Affleck flashed part of his massive back tattoo when he leaned in to a car window to chat with ex-wife Jennifer Garner Garner's car was stopped at the front part of a residential driveway when Affleck, 46, approached the window. For the looks of things, the former couple appeared to then get into an serious conversation. It was at this point that the Good Will Hunting star leaned in closer to talk with Garner and exposed the left side of the giant phoenix tattoo that covers much of his back. After a few brief moments of conversation, Affleck turned away and walked towards his parked car, as Garner looked to be trying to get his attention. Co-parenting: The former couple appeared to be in a serious conversation When word first leaked about Affleck's tattoo, many fans were critical of the artwork. Initially, he claimed it was fake that was drawn on his back for a movie role. But he changed his story during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show last year. 'Your back tattoo got a lot of attention', Ellen said during their sit down with a picture of a shirtless Affleck in the studio monitor behind them. 'Not so much positive,' he admitted. 'It's a phoenix'. Working it out: Garner appeared to be trying to get Affleck's attention as he walked to his car With Ellen quick to quip: 'rising from your a**', Ben continued: 'I was about to say it represents something really important to me! 'It's meaningful to me. I like it. It's not something I sort of kept private. The sentiment ran against... but I love my tattoo, I'm happy with it. Luckily, I'm the one who has it.' Affleck and Garner separated in 2015 and share shares three children: Violet, 13, Seraphina, 10, and Samuel, seven. A brand new EastEnders trailer revealed the explosive return of fan favourite Sean Slater as he arrived in Albert Square amid mum Jean Slater's ovarian cancer diagnosis. Actor Rob Kazinsky reprises his role as the troubled character following a decade long absence, with his comeback teased at the end of Friday's episode of the BBC soap. But despite several years away from Walford, things are just as dramatic as ever for Sean as he's seen breaking down at the grave of late wife Roxy Mitchell following a furious bust-up with former love rival Jack Branning. He's back! A brand new EastEnders trailer revealed the explosive return of fan favourite Sean Slater as he arrives in Albert Square amid mum Jean Slater's ovarian cancer diagnosis The teaser clip begins with his sister Stacey Fowler in the pub slating her big brother as she said: 'He's not just going to walk in the pub and go "oh hello mum".' But low and behold, this is exactly the case as Stacey and their mum Jean were left stunned by his appearance after not clocking eyes on him for 10 years. And while Jean was left on the brink of tears at the arrival of her boy, the same couldn't be said for feisty Stacey as she issued her sibling with an almighty slap across the face as she asked 'Why are you even here?' With Stacey having desperately tried to get hold of him after Jean expressed her desire to reunite with her son, Sean replied 'to make amends'. Heartbreak: Things are just as dramatic as ever for Sean as he's seen breaking down at the grave of late wife Roxy Mitchell following a furious bust-up with former love rival Jack Branning Welcome home: Stacey and their mum Jean are left stunned by his appearance after not clocking eyes on him for 10 years The short clip then switched to Sean's violent showdown with Jack at the site where his former wife Roxy is buried alongside her sister Ronnie Mitchell. Fans will remember Sean left the Square after discovering that the daughter he had been bringing up with Roxy, was in fact Jack's - so it was little wonder there is bad blood between the two. But amid the bust-up, Sean was later seen sitting bloodied and bruised at Roxy's grave, with the troubled character reaching out to touch her name carved into the stone. Sorrow: But his bust-up with Jack, Sean was later seen sitting bloodied and bruised at Roxy's grave, with the troubled character reaching out to touch her name carved into the stone Troubled: As the various images of Sean flashed by, Stacey was heard saying via voice over: 'Everywhere you go you hurt people. Everywhere you go you cause trouble' As the various images of Sean flashed by, Stacey was heard saying via voice over: 'Everywhere you go you hurt people. Everywhere you go you cause trouble.' The trailer also further portrayed Sean's emotional reunion with mum Jean as they took a country walk, with her telling him: 'Never takes you where you think, does it? Life.' With Stacey and Sean at odds, it appears the pair were brought closer together over fears for their mum. The duo were seen sharing a hug as they anxiously waited at the hospital, indicating that Jean may have taken a turn for the worse. Together again: The trailer also further portrayed Sean's emotional reunion with mum Jean as they took a country walk, with her telling him: 'Never takes you where you think, does it? Life' United in grief: With Stacey and Sean at odds, it appears the pair were brought closer together over fears for their mum In the closing moments of the teaser video, Sean was pictured forlornly looking at his and Roxy's wedding photo, with him later telling Jean: 'I'm sorry'. The trailer closes with Sean saying 'forgive me'. With fans excited for the return of the Walford bad boy, they won't have to wait long until he's back on screens. EastEnders continues Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One. Missing you: In the closing moments of the teaser video, Sean was pictured forlornly looking at his and Roxy's wedding photo, with him later telling Jean: 'I'm sorry' She's the Sydney PR queen who became the owner of a luxurious 2018 Aston Martin Vantage in October. But Roxy Jacenko's $380,000 set of wheels has been parked illegally outside her Sydney offices for many months, Private Sydney reported. Both her vehicle and her husband Oliver Curtis' $250,000 Range Rover were pictured this week in the No Stopping zone in Paddington. Parked: Both Roxy's $380,000 Aston Martin and her husband Oliver Curtis' $250,000 Range Rover were pictured this week in the No Stopping zone in Paddington (pictured together) Roxy's neighbours in Sydney's trendy Inner West have also been complaining about her car blocking off their access, the publication reported. City of Sydney Council has confirmed parking in the stopping zone carries a fine of $263. A spokesman added the offence could carry a more severe punishment if it can be proved it has been made repeatedly. When contacted for comment by Daily Mail Australia, Roxy said that it was clearly obvious that the space outside her office should be re-zoned for parking. Hot wheels: Roxy's $380,000 set of wheels (stock image) has been reportedly parked illegally outside her Sydney offices for many months 'It's ridiculous that the No Stopping zone is there when two cars can easily fit into this space by my garage,' she said. 'I will be applying to have that No Stopping area re-zoned for parking. The Council has failed to provide parking spaces for all buildings and businesses in the area. 'People wonder why Oxford St Paddington has died and are quick to blame Westfield, far from fact, maybe if people could park they would come to the area and the street and businesses would once again thrive!' 'It's ridiculous that the No Stopping zone is there when two cars can easily fit into this space': Roxy told Daily Mail Australia that she will be applying to have the No Stopping zone re-zoned for parking The PR maven who is no stranger to copping a parking ticket. In March and November 2017 she received a fine for the same offences, with the latter hitting her for an eye-watering $257. The following year, The Daily Telegraph reported Roxy, 39, was handing out merchandise in front of a No Stopping sign at Bondi Beach. Fined: In March and November 2017 she received a fine for the same offences, with the latter hitting her for an eye-watering $257 (pictured) Any fine copped by Roxy would likely be pocket money for her, given her recent purchase of a $6.5million in Sydney's Vaucluse. On Thursday, the blonde beauty shared photos of a large marble kitchen bench-top being delivered to her home and a tradesman inspecting the surface in the kitchen. Roxy and Oliver have two children - Hunter, 4, and Pixie, 6. Since failing to find love on Married at First Sight, Cyrell Paule has been romantically linked to Love Island's Eden Dally. But on Saturday, a close friend claimed that their relationship might just be a ploy for media attention. 'They're going to break up soon, it is all for publicity,' the mystery pal told The Daily Telegraph. 'They're going to break up soon, it is all for publicity!' A friend has claimed that Cyrell Paule and Eden Dally's relationship is just a publicity stunt In recent weeks, the couple have been flaunting their new relationship across social media and have been conveniently photographed together canoodling in public. After months of speculation on whether or not they were 'official', Cyrell confirmed they were in fact 'dating' when she appeared on Talking Married earlier this month. 'He's a cool guy we're seeing each other,' the outspoken Filipino-Australian told the panel. PDA! In recent weeks, the couple have been flaunting their new relationship across social media and have been conveniently photographed together canoodling in public (pictured) He's one of those guys who's so attractive that at first I was like, "no", but then you talk, and it grows,' she explained. The former bride was then asked to compare her new squeeze with her 'ex-husband' Nic Jovanovic from Married At First Sight. 'I think Eden's a bit more fun and outgoing and Nic was a bit more reserved. He likes to go to bed at 9:30pm,' she said. 'We're seeing each other!' It comes after Cyrell finally confirmed she is dating Love Island Australia's Eden Dally on an episode of Talking Married earlier this month 'It's cute but we're all different women and we all like different things and I like adventure,' she added. Last month, the fledgling couple put on a very cosy display for the second time, as they stepped out for a charity event in Sydney. It came after the reality stars were spotted getting hot and steamy during a lust-filled dinner date in Sydney last month. Joined at the hip! Eden and Cyrell put on a raunchy public display at a charity event in Sydney last month The pair could hardly keep their hands - or lips - off each other during the raunchy date in the Harbour City. In an awkward turn of events, Cyrell was also spotted kissing her MAFS husband Nic during a romantic date in Sydney this month. New Idea magazine published photos of the pair smooching up a storm earlier this month, leaving MAFS fans confused about Cyrell's relationship status. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Eden and Cyrell for a comment. In a new interview with The Advocate, Tyler Blackburn, 32, of Pretty Little Liars and Roswell, New Mexico came out as bisexual on Friday. He revealed the news saying he's identified as such since he was a teenager. Now, he's bravely fighting for a future where he said he wants to feel 'happy' and 'free.' Happy day: In a new interview with The Advocate, Tyler Blackburn, 32, of Pretty Little Liars and Roswell, New Mexico came out as bisexual on Friday The Roswell, New Mexico star came out to the outlet, admitting that his childhood was not an easy one. 'I got bullied a lot by other boys [growing up], and I just felt like my soul was slowly being taken from me,' he said. He continued, 'I ended up eating lunch in my biology classroom in 10th grade, and I had no one to talk to. You form a shell around yourself for protection. And you start to make decisions based off of things outside of what you want and who you are.' Detailing how the cruelty affected him, Blackburn added, 'I stopped doing so many of the things that I loved doing because it felt safer. That right there is the outcome of oppression. When you literally have to mute who you are in order to feel safe. Thats soul-crushing.' Turning things around: The actor explained how for years, he felt pressure to figure out his sexuality, causing him to suppress his attraction towards men The actor explained how for years, he felt pressure to figure out his sexuality, causing him to suppress his attraction towards men. But near the end of his 20s, he said he finally allowed himself to 'go there and not just wonder about it or lust over it, but experience that vulnerability and experience the emotional aspect of what it is to be bisexual.' Ironically, in the CW show, Tyler plays an openly gay character, a role he said he understood well. 'I knew this guy in and out,' Tyler shared. 'I understood feeling oppressed. I understood having issues with my father [wanting to feel] accepted by him. I understood wanting something but being afraid to have it. I understood self-doubt.' On air: Ironically, in the CW show, Tyler plays an openly gay character, a role he said he understood well Through all that though, the talent has decided to turn things around and allow himself to be who he truly is. 'I just want to live my truth and feel ok with experiencing love and experiencing self-love,' he said. The Teen Choice award winner went on to praise how in today's time, such fluidity is much more accepted. 'Fluidity is spoken about in such a beautiful way that it doesnt make me feel as pressured to have it figured out.' His goal, he said, is to feel as happy and as free as possible. Vincent Cassel and his model wife Tina Kunakey have welcomed their first child together. The French actor, 52, announced the birth of baby daughter Amazonie, his third child but first with the model, 22, in a sweet Instagram post on Friday entitled 'Amazonie est nee (Amazonie is born).' The post showed a waterfall in the idyllic Brazilian rainforest, and prompted more than 62,000 of the La Haine actor's followers to like the post. New arrival: Vincent Cassel and his model wife Tina Kunakey have welcomed their first child together Fairytale: The French actor, 52, announced the birth of baby daughter Amazonie - his third child but first with Tina, 22, in a sweet Instagram post on Friday entitled 'Amazonie est nee' (Amazonie is born)' The baby's name is an apparent tribute to Brazil, where the happy couple reside for part of the year, though Vincent had shared the image from Paris, France. MailOnline have contacted representatives of Vincent for comment. Tina and The Black Swan actor announced their pregnancy in a sweet Instagram post in January this year, just four months after their wedding. The couple posed on a beach during their romantic getaway to Bahia, with Vincent cradling his wife's growing belly, to break the news to fans. Joy: The post showed an idyllic rainforest waterfall, with more than 61,000 of the La Haine actor's followers liking the post Happy couple: Tina and The Black Swan actor announced their pregnancy in a sweet Instagram post in January this year, just four months after their wedding Looking every inch the radiant beauty, Tina stunned in a bright yellow bikini, before stripping naked and covering her modesty with a large straw hat on the sandy shores of the Brazilian state. Tina captioned her image: 'HAPPIEST NEW YEAR EVER #andifyoudontknownowyouknow'. While Vincent penned: 'Happy new year #tellementdechance #danslavieriennestdu #lifeismagicneverforget #goooooooaaaaaaal'. [sic] The pair's confirmation came days after Just Jared reported the happy news, after they tied the knot in south-west France following a two-year relationship. Sweet: Looking every inch the radiant beauty, Tina stunned in a bright yellow bikini, as Vincent gently cradled and kissed her blossoming baby bump Bumping along nicely: Later, the model stripped naked and covering her modesty with a large straw hat on the sandy shores of the Brazilian state to show off her bump Vincent and Tina married in a private ceremony at the city hall in Bidart, south-west France, on August 24. Tina looked breathtaking in a strapless ivory gown, which had a plunging strapless sweetheart neckline and a full princess skirt. The couple, who live in Brazil, were first linked back in July 2016 when Tina, then 19, shared a social media snap of herself cuddling up to the actor, then 49, while smoking a cigarette. Wedding bells: Vincent and Tina married in a private ceremony at the city hall in Bidart, south-west France on August 24 Gorgeous couple: Tina looked breathtaking in a strapless ivory gown, which had a plunging strapless sweetheart neckline and a full princess skirt Vincent rose to fame in Matthieu Kassovitz's 1995 film La Haine (Hate) and starred in Ocean's Twelve and Ocean's Thirteen, as well as Eastern Promises and Black Swan. He was previously married to Italian actress Monica Bellucci, 54, who he tied the knot with in 1999 after the pair met on the set of their 1996 film The Apartment. The couple welcomed two daughters, Deva, 14, and Leonie, eight, before divorcing in 2013 after 14 years of marriage. Former flames: Vincent was previously married to Italian actress Monica Bellucci, 54, who he tied the knot with in 1999 after the pair met on the set of their 1996 film The Apartment (pictured in May, 2002) She's the stunning indigenous beauty who first shot to fame after appearing on Nick Cummins' season of The Bachelor. And on Saturday, Brooke Blurton showed that being in the spotlight comes with a price when she re-posted a vile homophobic and racist message from a troll. Taking to her Instagram, the Bachelor In Paradise star, 24, expressed her anger at the remark. 'I'm sorry but this is absolutely disgusting!' Bachelor In Paradise star Brooke Blurton was targeted by an online troll this week 'I'm sorry but this is absolutely disgusting,' she wrote. The message from the troll began: 'Do you still fantasise about girls when you are indulging in adult fun? You f***ing lesbian f**k bandwaggoning from one gender to the other. 'You little attention-seeking wh*** trynna play the good girl (sic).' 'This is disgusting!' The message began: 'Do you still fantasise about girls when you are indulging in adult fun? You f***ing lesbian f**k bandwaggoning from one gender to the other' The troll continued: 'You f***ing train wreck. You f***ing wannabe unit. Do you consider yourself bi-sexual you monkey looking f***.' It's not the first time Brooke has received abusive remarks from followers. On Thursday, a comment, which was left on one of Brooke's Instagram photos, read: 'You act so sweet, but you use ''who you are'' as an advantage, so no one can say anything back. #littlewench.' 'Little wench': It comes after Brooke revealed this vile comment she received from an online troll via Instagram on Thursday A frustrated Brooke wrote next to the post: 'Comments like this,' followed by an angry face emoji. The vile attacks on Brooke come after viewers watched her and Alex Nation get steamy during a date on Tuesday's episode of Bachelor In Paradise. After kissing passionately, a flushed Alex gasped: 'Holy s**t this chick! The energy is just so intense. We feel it from head to toe. It gives you goosebumps'. Not happy: The Bachelor In Paradise star has re-posted some of the abusive comments she receives on her Instagram page Before their date, Alex admitted: 'But I am so attracted to Brooke. And I feel like we both have something there and we need to figure that out'. The former Bachelor star added: 'She's such a little hottie, she sucks me in. Her eyes just draw me right in'. Brooke officially exited Bachelor In Paradise on Thursday, voluntarily quitting the show. He is currently wowing audiences with his co-stars Charlie Cox and Zawe Ashton in the West End play Betrayal. And Tom Hiddleston continued to make his fans' night as he stepped out to meet them following his performance at the Harold Pinter theatre on Thursday. The 38-year-old actor took the time to see those waiting outside the stage door, and was happy to chat, sign their programmes, and take pictures with the delighted fans. Making their night: Tom Hiddleston delighted fans by signing autographs and taking selfies as he joined his Betrayal co-star Charlie Cox after their latest performance on Thursday The Thor: Ragnarok star kept warm in a black jacket which he teamed with denim jeans and brown suede shoes. Tom maintained his signature rugged look as he combed his brunette curls back and had a close-cropped beard. Joining him to meet with fans was Charlie, as the Daredevil star was seen chatting away with a fan after the show. Friendly: Joining him to meet fans was Charlie, as the Daredevil star was seen chatting away with a fan after the show Casual chic: The Thor: Ragnarok star kept warm in a black jacket which he teamed with denim jeans and brown suede shoes Stylish: While Zawe Ashton looked effortlessly chic in a black jacket which she wore over a grey jumper to keep off the evening chill Charlie kept things casual as he donned a grey sweater over a white shirt, while he looked sharp with his well-coiffed hair. While Zawe also met fans, and she looked effortlessly chic in a black jacket which she wore over a grey jumper to keep off the evening chill. The play, written by Harold Pinter, follows a seven-year extramarital affair between Emma (Zawe) and Jerry (Charlie), behind her husband's Robert's (Tom) back. Sweet: The 38-year-old actor took time to meet with those waiting outside the stage door, and was happy to chat, sign their programmes, and take pictures with them Handsome: Charlie kept things casual as he donned a grey sweater over a white shirt, while he looked sharp with his well-coiffed hair Yet in particular innovative Pinter style, the play uses reverse chronology with the first scene taking place after the affair has ended. Betrayal was inspired by Pinter's secret relationship with Joan Bakewell during the 1960s. It is part of the The Jamie Lloyd Company's Harold Pinter season, marking ten years since his death in 2008, with Betrayal the finale in the star-studded performances of all his short plays. Looking good: Tom maintained his signature rugged look as he combed his brunette curls and had a close-cropped beard Intense drama: The play, written by Harold Pinter, follows a seven-year extramarital affair between Emma (Zawe) and Jerry (Charlie), behind her husband's Robert's (Tom) back Tom's after-show appearance comes after it was announced that Tom would star in one of three new Marvel series on the Disney+ streaming service. The actor is set to reprise his role as the God of Mischief in the titular role, though it is unclear in what period of time the series will take place in. The service will launch in the U.S. on November 12, 2019, and will cost $6.99 a month, while it's not known when Disney+ will launch in the UK, or the expected price tag. She the model of motherhood. And Chrissy Teigen was stunning while taking the family to visit a friend in Santa Barbara on Friday. The 33-year-old star went barefoot while she stepped out in a long kimono. Barefoot and beautiful: Chrissy Teigen stepped out with bare feet while visiting friends in Santa Barbara on Friday Chrissy went makeup free and kept her hair up into a messy top knot. Meanwhile, husband John Legend walked several steps ahead. He looked handsome in a beige bomber jacket and grey skinny jeans. Hubby: John Legend and the kids were with her Helping hand: Daughter Luna got carried by mom Vilailuck while Miles was carried by another friend Daughter Luna got carried by mom Vilailuck while Miles was carried by another friend. Chrissy was recently named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People. Chef Eric Ripert profiled the star for the list, calling her an 'excellent cook' with a true passion for food. Describing their relationship, he wrote: 'I first met Chrissy on the set of my show, On the Table. The idea was to interview the guest while we cooked a meal together. She was a riot. She was out-of-her-mind funny, and we had a blast.' Influencer: Chrissy (above November 2018)was recently named one of Time Magazine 's 100 Most Influential People 'But while she might come off as lighthearted, Chrissys cooking is truly excellent. Shes a true perfectionist and extremely precise. She remembers where she came from, and shes very proud of that. Her father is of Norwegian descent, her mother is Thai and shes American, and shes bringing her culture to the food world. Her cookbooks are made for people to cook at home, but theyre not something you just leave on the coffee tabletheyre recipes you want to make over and over again. 'She may be a top model, but all her life, Chrissy Teigen has liked to eat. Shes not shy about thator anything else, really. Shes very opinionated, and I love her for it. But what I love most about Chrissy is that shes very much herself. She may be glamorous and an icon in elegance, but shes extremely approachable and warm. And above all, shes a very proud mother and a tremendously supportive wife. I admire her so much.' His return to Australian screens has been met with controversy, with viewers claiming that he darkened his skin for one of his characters. But despite the furore over his new Netflix show Lunatics, Chris Lilley has said that he stays off social media and doesn't get involved with his online critics. 'Reading all those opinions would affect me, and it would affect what I was trying to create next,' the 44-year-old told The Weekend Australian on Saturday. Scroll down for video 'Reading all those opinions would affect me': Comedian Chris Lilley says that he doesn't pay attention to the backlash he receives on social media 'Earlier in my career I didn't have to think about it (social media). Now I choose not to. It's easy - you just don't look.' However, The We Can Be Heroes and Summer Heights High creator said that the communicative aspect of the internet did have its advantages. 'I actually got a message from a girl overseas to tell me she was doing the voice-over for my show in her country and she was obsessed with it,' he said. Controversy: The 44-year-old's return to Australian screens has been met with controversy, with viewers claiming that he darkened his skin for one of his characters (pictured) Twitter users have accused Lilley of blackening his face to play animal psychic Jana, who has Afro hair and speaks in a South African accent. His producer Laura Waters has publicly stated though the character is a 'white woman' and that Lilley is 'not portraying a woman of colour'. Lunatics is being broadcast through Netflix to 190 countries and the comedian has called the series his biggest creation to date. Angry: Twitter users have accused Lilley of blackening his face to play animal psychic Jana, who has Afro hair and speaks in a South African accent Responding to the criticism: His producer Laura Waters has publicly stated though the character is a 'white woman' and that Lilley is 'not portraying a woman of colour' Other characters portrayed in the series include a realtor with a large bottom and a fashion retailer with a sex addiction. The controversy comes after Lilley changed his skin colour to play Tongan schoolboy Jonah Takalua and an African-American rapper called S.Mouse. And in 2017, the actor was accused of insensitivity after posting a remix of his S.Mouse's 2011 song Squashed N-word. What a busy week. Just last night Sofia Richie was living it up at Kourtney Kardashian's 40th birthday party and on Friday, she quickly jetted off to Mexico with the birthday girl's ex, Scott Disick. Sofia, 20, cuddled in the arms of Scott, 35, as they relaxed together on a yacht. Whirlwind: On Friday, Sofia Richie, 20, jetted off to Mexico with Scott Disick, 35 As they made their way out to the docked luxury boat, the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star draped a loving arm across his girlfriend's shoulders. Scott wore a simple grey long sleeve shirt and Richie matched his laid-back style in a white t-shirt. Her hair was up in a messy bun. Easy does it: Scott wore a simple grey long sleeve shirt and Richie matched his laid-back style in a white t-shirt Here we go: The couple flew through the blue water aboard a smaller boat, taking them to their destination The couple flew through the blue water aboard a smaller boat, taking them to their destination. Surrounded by other vacationers, the pair held on to their sunglasses so as not to lose them in the ocean. Looking rather distraught, Sofia put a hand to her throat as Scott looked at her with concern in his eyes. Something wrong? Looking rather distraught, Sofia put a hand to her throat as Scott stared at her with concern in his eyes En route: The couple sat with strangers while being boated out to the main attraction Finally making it to the ginormous floating device, the model stripped down and revealed a stunning purple Sommer Swim bikini underneath her comfort clothing. Together, the pair lay back, with the father of three relaxing with a cigarette in hand. They put their feet up, fully soaking in the sun's rays. Sexy: Finally making it to the ginormous floating device, the model stripped down and revealed a stunning Sommer Swim purple bikini underneath her comfort clothing Off the clock: Together, the pair lied back, with the father of three relaxing with a cigarette in hand Lionel Richie's youngest daughter stood up to give a better view of her bathing suit. The low cut top flaunted her cleavage, which was dazzling with a diamond cross hanging onto her chest. Sofia unbuttoned her shorts before sitting back down, showing off her tiny figure. Hot: Lionel Richie's youngest daughter stood up to give a better view of her bathing suit Comfort first: Scott wore a simple grey long sleeve shirt and Richie matched his laid-back style in a white t-shirt The duo's relationship took flight nearly two years ago after they were spotted canoodling on a yacht in Cannes. A romance was later confirmed while the pair vacationed in Miami in September 2017. Scott shares three children with Kourtney - nine-year-old son, Mason, six-year-old daughter, Penelope, and four-year-old son, Reign. The couple split in the summer of 2015. New boo: Scott and Sofia's romance was later confirmed while the pair vacationed in Miami in September 2017 Rolling deep: There was a full group of people with Scott and Sofia Legs get going: Sofia short shorts put her slim pins on display She suffered from low self-esteem and anxiety after starring in The Biggest Loser in 2006. But these days, Fiona Falkiner is brimming with confidence as a successful plus-size model. On Saturday, the 36-year-old revealed in a column for news.com.au how she got into the industry - and how 'humiliating' her first shoot was. Haunting: On Saturday Fiona Falkiner (pictured) revealed how she got her break in plus-sized modelling and opened up about one of her first casting shoots being 'humiliating' 'One day I was at the gym and I got a tap on the shoulder, a lady said she would have me modelling full-time within a year,' she wrote. Fiona, who announced she was engaged to Channel Nine reporter Hayley Willis this week, said her haunting experience came when she tried out for a shapewear shoot. 'I was the only "plus-size model" in the room. I was so embarrassed but finally I got the stupid thing (Lycra clothing) on,' she said. Encounter: 'One day I was at the gym and I got a tap on the shoulder, a lady said she would have me modelling full-time within a year,' she said 'I quickly realised I was going to have to get this thing off - my underwear went with it and it became like a giant rubber band stuck to me.' The 36-year-old revealed she didn't get that modelling job, but soon started to have success when she learned to accept her body. Fiona also spoke in her latest column of the difficulties with getting her family on side when it came to her career choices. Romance: This week, Fiona announced she was engaged to Channel Nine reporter Hayley Willis (pictured together) She told of how her father also questioned her original career choice as a make-up artist, telling her she wouldn't make much money. The model is now one of Australia's most accomplished plus-sized models, and was last year reportedly touted as a potential future star of The Bachelorette. Her opening up about the early stages of her career come after she spoke about her nerve-filled experience on Dancing With The Stars in 2006. In high regard: The model is now one of Australia's most accomplished plus-sized models Fiona said she began eating blindly while training for the reality show - just months after Biggest Loser wrapped. Expected to shed even more weight and appear 'sexy' on the dance floor, the media personality said she turned to food to comfort her nerves and anxiety. 'My self-loathing, disgust and embarrassment grew,' Fiona candidly shared, adding that she 'found myself in the grips of anxiety related insomnia'. The World's Hottest Grandma has had multiple raunchy images banned from Instagram. But Gina Stewart, 48, didn't let that stop her from stripping down on the holy day of Easter Saturday. Taking to the social media platform, the mother-of-four defiantly flaunted her double-E cup assets in a busty zip swimsuit that left little to the imagination. Holy moly! The World's Hottest Grandma Gina Stewart, 48, gave her loyal fans a holiday treat by stripping down on Instagram on Easter Saturday Posing in front of a pool, the blonde bombshell says: 'I was gonna go for a swim today, but it's pouring down. 'But never mind, I'm going to get wet anyway,' she added with a smile. The gorgeous grandma then wished her thousands of followers a happy Easter while using an bunny ears filter. What ban? The mother-of-four has recently had a number of her images banned from Instagram, but she didn't let that stop her from flaunting her curves over Easter She also shared a link to her Only Fans account, where her loyal followers can receive uncensored content from her for just $35 a month. Despite her confidence, Gina recently said that she's 'scared' to strip naked on Instagram in case her popular profile is permanently deleted. 'I'm scared to post certain photos now in case Instagram bans my entire account,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday. Posing in front of a pool, the blonde bombshell says: 'I was gonna go for a swim today, but it's pouring down' 'I've worked so hard to build up my following and I love connecting with my fans on social media,' she continued. 'Now I fear I could lose everything.' Gina has had dozens of photos banned from Instagram in recent months because they supposedly violate the website's community guidelines. In one image, the Sunshine Coast stunner lifts up her top to expose her breasts while her long hair barely protects her modesty. 'I'm scared to post certain photos now': The 'World's Hottest Grandma' recently told Daily Mail Australia that she fears her raunchy photos will get her banned from Instagram In another photo, Gina poses completely nude but her body is strategically positioned to one side to avoid revealing too much. Instagram has a strict policy on nudity, with women banned from showing their nipples, genitalia or completely bare buttocks. In response to this censorship, Gina has started sharing her more X-rated images on Twitter, which freely allows users to share everything from nudity to hardcore pornography. Too rude? Gina has had multiple photos banned from the platform so far, which Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal in their censored form In a recent Twitter photo, Gina poses naked with a man's striped tie pulled down over her breasts to cover her nipples. 'A photo I cant show on Instagram for fear of being banned,' she wrote in the caption. 'There is nothing wrong with the female chest, topless and artistically represented. Ordeal: 'I've worked so hard to build up my following and I love connecting with my fans on social media,' Gina told Daily Mail Australia. 'Now I fear I could lose everything' 'Women are beautiful creatures and our bodies are not to be ashamed of. Art has shown this throughout history.' This isn't the first time that the mother-of-four has been the victim of a strict Instagram ban. In October, a naked photo of the model was banned from the site for violating guidelines, which she believed was unfair. Famous: Gina shot to fame last year thanks to her popular Instagram profile, and has since been named one of the hottest women in Australia by Maxim magazine 'The guidelines say no nipple and nipples were not being shown in the picture, so I have asked Instagram to please re-post it,' she told Daily Mail Australia at the time. 'Its only a naked side shot and my hair is covering me.' Gina, who is based on the Gold Coast, has four children and one grandchild. They were last seen arm in arm on Monday. And Kelly Osbourne was spotted out again with model and skateboarder Jimmy Q in Los Angeles' Studio City neighborhood on Friday. The 34-year-old reality star rocked a thigh-length black overcoat for their visit to the celebrity hot spot Joan's on Third. Lunch date: Kelly Osbourne, 34, was spotted out with model and skateboarder Jimmy Q in Los Angeles' Studio City neighborhood on Friday The 5ft2in Fashion Police presenter stayed with a dark theme for her out, wearing a black shirt with horizontal white strips and a pair of black slacks. She added in a pair of stylish black and white saddle shoes and her quilted black Chanel handbag. Her silvery locks were done up in a messy bun, and she wore a pair of large sunglasses. Back in black: The 5ft2in Fashion Police presenter stayed with a dark theme for her out, wearing a black shirt with horizontal white strips and a pair of black slacks Jimmy was dressed casually with a pair of black jeans and a plain white shirt. He showed off an impressive tiger tattoo on his midriff after a scratching fit while the two chatted outside Joan's. Last week, she and the tattooed model posed with friend Christopher Abrego for a picture shared to Instagram. On Monday, Kelly was seen holding onto Jimmy's arm after they grabbed some coffee in West Hollywood. Out and about: Last week, she and the tattooed model posed with friend Christopher Abrego for a picture shared to Instagram Divination: Later in the day, the London-born fashion designer shared some fortunes she and the tattoo artist (real name: James Quaintance III) apparently retrieved from fortune cookies Later in the day, the London-born fashion designer shared some fortunes she and the tattoo artist (real name: James Quaintance III) apparently retrieved from fortune cookies to her Instagram Stories. Hers read: 'A pleasant surprise is coming your way,' while his read: 'Quality counts and you've got it.' She also posted a picture with her black cat, who didn't appear to be in the best of moods. 'Morning cuddles from my meow meow!' she wrote. Kelly later posted another selfie with her tongue sticking out that showed off her gold Chanel earrings. She simply wrote 'Mood' to accompany the image. Cuddly: She also posted a picture with her black cat, who didn't appear to be in the best of moods Nearly two months after checking herself into a mental health facility, actress Amanda Bynes is doing well, according to her family's attorney. The 33 year old actress checked herself into a Los Angeles mental health facility after a 'stress-induced relapse' as she was planning her Hollywood comeback. Bynes' family's lawyer Tamar Arminak told Access on Friday that Bynes is 'doing great,' while offering more about her treatment. Bynes in treatment: Nearly two months after checking herself into a mental health facility, actress Amanda Bynes is doing well, according to her family's attorney 'Well, I can tell you she's doing remarkably well, under the circumstances,' Arminak said in her interview. 'This time around, she realized herself, after the Paper Magazine interview spread, that she really wasn't feeling like herself, all of the sudden,' she said. 'She wanted to address it right away before going back into showbusiness and exploring showbusiness again. Treatment: Bynes' family's lawyer Tamar Arminak told Access on Friday that Bynes is 'doing great,' while offering more about her treatment 'It was her decision and her choice to address the situation, seek treatment, which, I think, is an incredibly mature way to handle this type of thing,' she added. 'I think we're proud of her, her parents, I can certainly say are proud of her. Her family, they're on amazing terms, great terms, and looking forward to her success.' When asked what Bynes' 'day-to-day' routine is like, the attorney said that it's focused on her 'well-being.' Well-being: When asked what Bynes' 'day-to-day' routine is like, the attorney said that it's focused on her 'well-being' 'Shes exercising, yoga. Shes really focusing in on herself, which is very, very important,' the attorney continued. 'I know that she will be sure this time around to focus on herself and get better before she leaves the treatment center or wherever shes seeking help currently,' she added. When asked if the actress is still studying, the attorney said she was 'absolutely still studying' referring to her time at the Fashion Institute of Design and Manufacturing (FIDM) in Los Angeles. Exercise: 'Shes exercising, yoga. Shes really focusing in on herself, which is very, very important,' the attorney continued 'She's been so amazed by FIDM because, as a school, they've been so supportive of her this entire time,' she said. 'She can't wait to get back to the FIDM campus, be creative again, and staff at FIDM have reached out, they've been in constant contact and they can't wait for her return.' 'She really looks forward to her fashion line coming out,' the lawyer added. 'We saw a glimpse of her style during the Paper Magazine shoot and she really has this great aesthetic for materials and what works on a person, coloring and body shape and all that stuff. I think it's gonna be a great fashion line. The lawyer added that Bynes' parents have been, 'beyond supportive,' adding 'Her parents have been unbelievable.' His 'ex-wife' Jessika Power's relationship with Dan Webb ended abruptly last week. And Mick Gould, 31, may have had the last laugh after being spotted cosying up to ex-Bachelor contestant Kayla Gray over the past fortnight. The pair were pictured enjoying a conversation over a can of whisky at the Goondoowindi Picnic Races in southern Queensland on April 6. Scroll down for video Together? Mick Gould (left) may have had the last laugh over 'ex-wife' Jessika Power after being spotted cosying up to ex-Bachelor contestant Kayla Gray (right) over the past fortnight (pictured at Goondoowindi Picnic Races in southern Queensland on April 6) Mick wore an open neck patterned blue shirt for the occasion, while the brunette beauty stunned in a plunging white dress and an elegant headpiece. The two appeared close friends as they inspected a plane at the event - this time dressing noticeably down for the occasion. Kayla stepped out in a red checkered shirt over a red Lee T-shirt, and a pair of denim mini-shorts to show off her trim pins. Pals: The two appeared close friends as they inspected a plane at the event - this time dressing noticeably down for the occasion Casual: Kayla stepped out in a red checkered shirt over a red Lee T-shirt, and a pair of denim mini-shorts to show off her trim pins Conversation: On Thursday night, the reality TV contestants were seen chatting with other punters at a hotel The Gympie-based farmer chose to wear a pair of light brown cargo shorts and a plain grey T-shirt. And on Thursday night, the reality TV contestants were seen chatting with other punters at a hotel. This time Kayla, who is a flight attendant, wore a black leather jacket and ripped jeans for the casual occasion. Night out: This time Kayla, who is a flight attendant, wore a black leather jacket and ripped jeans for the casual occasion Once again, the down-to-earth Mick wore a pair of brown thongs, complementing it with a yellow checkered sweatshirt around his waist. Last month, the pair were spotted enjoying a drink at the plush Waterman Business Centre in the Melbourne suburb of Chadstone. Kayla was The Bachelor contestant who memorably jumped into a pool as she tried to gain Nick Cummins' affections. Getting friendly: Last month, the pair were spotted enjoying a drink at the plush Waterman Business Centre in the Melbourne suburb of Chadstone She left the process in episode three after failing to receive a rose. The pictures come after Mick's co-star Tamara Joy, 30, hinted she could be more than just friends with the Queensland farmer in an Instagram Q&A. When asked who'd she like to date out of anyone from her season of MAFS, Tamara wasted no time replying: 'Mick'. Mick Gould declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Kayla Gray for comment. Lisa Rinna had her breakout roles in both daytime and primetime soap operas beginning in the early 1990s, and has since transitioned into reality television. All along, through her personal path of success, she has always maintained her rock-solid figure and perky persona. And those attributes were both on display in the moments after the 55-year old star wrapped up a yoga session. Zen-like: Lisa Rinna flash a smile and a peace sign after leaving a yoga class in LA on Friday Rinna kept it casual but she still oozed confidence dressed in black leggings, a black hoodie and dark sneakers. Always aware of the camera, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star flashed a big beaming smile as she carried her yoga mat and bag, and eventually offered the classic two-finger peace sign. She accessorized with some stylish big rimmed-sunglasses and wore a skull-and-bones headscarf over her shoulder length brown tresses. Glowing: The 55-year old couldn't hold back her lust for life in an all-black sporty ensemble Dressed for success: Rinna wore black leggings and a black hoodie as she carried her yoga mat Rinna maintains she has had to work hard to keep her body fit and healthy with a regimen that has included yoga for more than 25-years and counting. She also adds in hiking and spin classes to change things up. 'Oh and I'm real consistent. Like really,' she she shared on Instagram in 2018. In an interview with People four years earlier, the California native explained that she works out six days a week and for the most part she sticks to vegetables and fruits. 'I tend to call myself a dirty vegan. Im mostly plant-based but if I do need to eat some meat, I'll have it.' Earning her body: The RHOBH star has said she's been doing yoga for more than 25-years That consistency in her life has also translated to her love life. Rinna and actor Harry Hamlin celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary last month. All tolled, they have been together for nearly 28-years. The couple have two daughters together: models Delilah Belle Hamlin, 20, and Amelia Gery Hamlin, 17. Rinna had her big breakthrough in Hollywood on the NBC soap opera Days Of Our Lives, starting in 1992. She also made waves in the hugely successful hit, Melrose Place from 1996 to 1998. In more recent years, she has been apart of the main cast of RHOBH since 2014. She was spotted earlier this month at the Moulin Rouge in Paris partying with her girlfriend Cara Delevingne. Ashley Benson was back in the US on Friday as she took in a game at Yankee Stadium in New York City. The 29-year-old Pretty Little Liars star was glimpsed hanging out with friends and family at the YankeesKansas City Royals game, though Cara wasn't anywhere to be seen. Home run: Ashley Benson was back in the US on Friday as she took in a game at Yankee Stadium in New York City The Spring Breakers actress adopted a slightly androgynous style for the evening with a black bowling shirt with white stripes. She had on a pair of black jeans and wore multiple gold necklaces and a classy gold watch. Her dirty blonde locks were held up in a messy bun that she occasionally covered up with a Yankees cap. Relaxed look: The Spring Breakers actress adopted a slightly androgynous style for the evening with a black bowling shirt with white stripes Monochromatic: She had on a pair of black jeans and wore multiple gold necklaces and a classy gold watch No fuss: Her dirty blonde locks were held up in a messy bun that she occasionally covered up with a Yankees cap Party time: Ashley posted multiple videos to her Instagram Stories of the group's afternoon pregaming before the main even Ashley posted multiple videos to her Instagram Stories of the group's afternoon pregaming before the main event. The boisterous group were seated in the swanky Legends section of the Bronx-based stadium, where a single seat costs thousands of dollars. She seemed to be having a great time at the social outing, and the group fit in multiple selfies from their seats. High rollers: The boisterous group were seated in the swanky Legends section of the Bronx-based stadium, where a single seat costs thousands of dollars Kissy face: She seemed to be having a great time at the social outing, and the group fit in multiple selfies from their seats Celebration: Afterward, they had a special birthday dinner for one of her friends, and Ashley and company finished out the fun evening by partying the night away at a rooftop bar high above the city Afterward, they had a special birthday dinner for one of her friends, and Ashley and company finished out the fun evening by partying the night away at a rooftop bar high above the city. Missing from all the celebration was her girlfriend Cara. The two are featured as '90s-era bandmates in the tense psychological drama Her Smell, which stars Elisabeth Moss of The Handmaid's Tale as Becky Something, a violently self-destructive Riot Grrl frontwoman. Ashley and Cara play members of an up-and-coming punk group that threatens to topple her position in the musical ecosystem All About Eve-style. MIA: Missing from all the celebration was her girlfriend Cara Dark vision: The two are featured as '90s-era bandmates in the tense psychological drama Her Smell, which stars Elisabeth Moss of The Handmaid's Tale as Becky Something, a violently self-destructive Riot Grrl frontwoman The two actresses presumably met on the set of the indie drama, which also features Amber Heard and Downton Abbey's Dan Stevens. They presumably began their relationship after working together on set. Later on Friday, both posted a photo from the film set of themselves in costume, with Ashley nuzzling up to Cara on a couch. 'Roxie + Cassie,' she wrote, referencing their characters' names. Ashley also shared a moody black and white photo of herself with Elisabeth Moss from the production. Her Smell is currently playing in limited release in New York and Los Angeles. She's the former child star from one of ABC's most popular children's shows. The Australian actress, now 30, made her debut on ABC's The Saddle Club at the age of 12. The brunette still works in the business and has been based in Los Angeles and Vancouver for the past few years. Scroll down for video Guess who? She's the former child star from one of ABC's most popular children's shows - and now she's all grown up and ready for a comeback But since having returned to Australia a month ago, she has been working on a number of new scripts. The star is Lara Jean Marshall, who was one of the lead actresses on The Saddle Club back in the early 2000s. Based on the series of popular books for young readers, The Saddle Club follows the lives of three aspiring equestrians developing their riding skills at Pine Hollow Stable. Who is she? The Australian actress still works in the business and has been based in Los Angeles and Vancouver for the past few years Lara played the role of Lisa Atwood, alongside stars Keenan MacWilliam and Sophie Maude Bennett. The brunette said she trained for a month before filming the series, with the same trainers they used to train the horses in Lord Of The Rings. Lara has previously admitted to falling in love with horse-rising since playing an avid horse-back rider on the show. Revealed: The star is Lara Jean Marshall, (centre) who was one of the lead actresses on the popular children's show, The Saddle Club. Pictured with Keenan MacWilliam (right) and Sophie Maude Bennett (left) Despite playing Lisa almost 18 years ago, Lara said she still gets fans who follow her. Lara currently has almost 10,000 followers on Instagram. 'I still have fans who follow me,' Lara told The Daily Telegraph on Saturday. 'Saddle Club keeps on replaying all over the world so there are new fans coming through.' She has documented each stage of her baby joy since her first son Elio was born in January. And on Friday, former radio host Em Rusciano, 40, shared an adorable collection of photos of the three-month-old wearing different coloured hats. The photos, which were shared to Em's Instagram, showed the tot wearing white, blue, yellow and grey headwear in the first months of his young life. Scroll down for video Cute: On Friday former radio host Em Rusciano, 40, shared an adorable collection of photos (two pictured) of her three-month-old son Elio wearing different coloured hats Tiny tot: The photos shared to Em's Instagram followers pictured the tot wearing white, blue, yellow (pictured left) and grey (pictured right) headwear in the first months of his young life '12 weeks old today Elio Arthur. We've got so many stupid, totally adorable headwear moments to look forward to,' the media personality wrote in the heartwarming post. Earlier this week, the ex-2DayFm host enjoyed some fun and games with the new addition to her family by putting fake eyebrows on his face. Em said she was teaching her newborn about 'brow awareness' as she shared a short video of Elio with the child-friendly clay eyebrows. Multitasking mummy! Em Rusciano breastfed her bundle of joy in this glitzy sequin ensemble ahead of her first day back at work The tot's mother could be heard laughing uncontrollably in the background while he wore the thin facial add-ons and looked happily into the camera. 'You can never be too young for brow awareness,' the radio presenter joked. Her son wore a white cat-print zip-up top to complement his catching facial attire - and Em promised her followers the clay she used was not harmful to children. 'It's cool guys, it's non-toxic kids clay,' she revealed. Babies are often born with very light eyebrows that grow thicker as they get older. Having a lark: Em enjoyed fun and games with the new addition to her family earlier this week by putting fake eyebrows on his face At the end of March, Em revealed she was quickly getting the hang of multitasking as she breastfed her bundle of joy on her first day back at work. Looking fabulous in a glitzy ensemble, the former radio star took to Instagram to share the snap while gushing over her big day. 'Just a busy working Mum getting sh** done. BIG first day back at work,' she began in the caption. 'We shot the show tour poster (it's EPIC my best ever) my maternity line (not pictured), my earrings (pictured) and my press shots for 2019. 'It's gonna be a BIG YEAR y'all. I'm excited. And anxious. But mostly, excited!' she gushed. 'Ill never be one of those Mothers who wears a matching outfit to her child,' she wrote in an Instagram post (pictured) last month In the photo, Em clutched onto her sweet baby while wearing a glimmering silver top, decorated with sequins all over. She teamed the statement piece with a matching sequin skirt and stylish silver-plated earrings. Em, 40, announced the birth of her first son on January 25, writing on Instagram: 'He's here! Elio Arthur Rusciano-Barrow. 3.5kg, totally gorgeous and practically perfect in every way.' The Melbourne-based star joyfully added: 'Our hearts are bursting, he's just magic!' Her fashion and fitness regime has evolved since her time on TOWIE. And Ferne McCann looked effortlessly stylish as she attended a friend's birthday party with daughter Sunday at the Bluebird Chelsea, London, on Friday. The former TOWIE star, 28, showcased her toned figure in a red leopard print ruffled mini skirt and a plunging white shirt which she tied into a knot on her waist. Sweet: Ferne McCann looked effortlessly stylish as she attended a friend's birthday party with daughter Sunday at the Bluebird Chelsea, London, on Friday She accessorised her ensemble with a pair of black leather ankle boots, a Gucci belt and a matching rucksack. Ferne styled her blonde locks into a blow-dried hairdo, which she styled into a relaxed loose hairdo, she added a slick of make-up. Giving a nod to her reality star status, she added a pair of orange mirrored sunglasses. Motherhood: The former TOWIE star, 28, showcased her toned figure in a red leopard print ruffled mini skirt and a plunging white shirt which she tied into a knot on her waist Details: She accessorised her ensemble with a pair of black leather ankle boots, a Gucci belt and a matching rucksack Glamorous: Ferne styled her blonde locks into a blow-dried hairdo, which she styled into a relaxed loose hairdo, she added a slick of make-up Meanwhile, her daughter, Sunday, looked adorable in a blue dotted baby grow with a white knitted cardigan, frilly socks, white shoes and a matching coloured ribbon in her hair. Ferne appeared in good spirits as she carried her daughter and was later spotted talking to a friend nearby. Her outing comes after she was feeling candid about pregnancy and motherhood as she spoke on Wednesday's episode of Loose Women, during which she admitted to 'missing being pregnant' after giving birth in November 2017. Party time: Giving a nod to her reality star status, she added a pair of orange mirrored sunglasses Adorable: Meanwhile, her daughter, Sunday, looked adorable in a blue dotted baby grow with a white knitted cardigan, frilly socks, white shoes and a matching coloured ribbon in her hair She admitted she 'misses being pregnant', as she also revealed she loved the smell of damp sponges in what was her most bizarre craving. Ferne shares her beloved daughter with her acid attacker ex-boyfriend Arthur Collins, who she split from in 2017 after his atrocious crime. Arthur was found guilty of five counts of grievous bodily harm and nine of actual bodily harm after throwing acid on clubgoers before being jailed for 20 years. Good spirits: Ferne appeared in good spirits as she carried her daughter and was later spotted talking to a friend nearby First time mum: Her outing comes after she was feeling candid about pregnancy and motherhood as she spoke on Wednesday's episode of Loose Women After splitting while she was pregnant, Ferne went it alone and on Loose Women she discussed her baby journey and life while expecting. Speaking about her cravings at the time, she revealed: 'It all seems like blur now. I had the maddest thing when I loved the smell of sponges. Damp smells. I was obsessed. I am now over that. My obsession with sponges has finished.' On being away from Sunday, even briefly, she stated: 'I actually really miss her she stayed with my mum. I can't wait to get home. Seeing me being pregnant, I miss being pregnant, I miss the bump.' She is currently starring as Queen Victoria in the ITV hit drama. And Jenna Coleman looked every inch camera ready as she left rehearsals for All My Sons at the Old Vic in London on Friday ahead of next week's opening night. The actress, who stars as Ann Deever in the Arthur Miller play, cut an effortlessly chic figure in burgundy dungarees and a black turtleneck as she left the West End after a day of rehearsals. Glam: Jenna Coleman looked every inch camera ready as she left rehearsals for All My Sons at the Old Vic Theatre in London on Friday ahead of next week's opening night The Doctor Who star, 32, completed her ensemble with a dark orange duster coat and wore a simple pair of white trainers. And she left her brunette locks in ringlet curls - reminiscent of those her character will don in the 1947 tragedy. The actress also carried a black quilted cross body bag as she hailed a taxi and made her way home. The show, which opens on the West End on Wednesday, is based on a true story about a businessman who caused the deaths of 21 pilots when his firm sold faulty engines to the air force. Character: Jenna will star in the play alongside Sally Field and Bill Pullman, who play husband and wife Kate and Joe Keller, and Colin Morgan as their son Chris (Pictured as Ann Deever) Jenna will star in the play alongside Sally Field and Bill Pullman, who play husband and wife Kate and Joe Keller, and Colin Morgan as their son Chris. The final performance of All My Sons will take place at the Old Vic Theatre on June 8. Jenna's fashionable display comes after she insisted she and boyfriend Tom Hughes never take their characters from Victoria home with them when the cameras turn off. Chic: The actress, who stars as Ann Deever in the Arthur Miller play, cut an effortlessly chic figure in burgundy dungarees and a black turtleneck Classic: The Doctor Who star, 32, completed her ensemble with a dark orange duster coat and wore a simple pair of white trainers The actress stars as Queen Victoria in the series while Tom, 32, plays her other half Prince Albert. It was a case of life imitating art for the pair who began dating in 2016 after they met on set. Speaking to the Telegraph, Jenna said: 'No, I definitely do not go home and play Queen Victoria, I want to make that clear. 'But I really enjoy the company of her, if that makes sense. There's a lovely familiarity, and getting to know them as a couple has been a real joy.' Curls: Jenna wore her brunette locks in tight ringlet curls - reminiscent of those her character will don in the 1947 tragedy True story: The show is based on a true story about a businessman who caused the deaths of 21 pilots when his firm sold faulty engines to the air force (Pictured with Sally Field) Quizzed whether Tom keeps up his German accent around the house, Jenna looked horrified and exclaimed, 'No... No, no.' Jenna often works 14-hour days on the set of Victoria and struggles to find time to exercise. However, she regularly does yoga and is conscious of her health after she became ill while filming the first series. Quick! The final performance of All My Sons will take place at the Old Vic Theatre on June 8 Real life couple: Jenna insisted she and boyfriend Tom Hughes never take their Victoria characters home with them when the cameras turn off (Pictured in 2016) She said: 'I got glandular fever while shooting the first series of Victoria, so I have educated myself about what I put in my body.' While they may never take their characters home with them, Jenna told the Australian that she never sees Tom as anything else other than the character he plays while they are on set. She said: 'What's incredible about him is he's always completely authentic when he comes to set. There's never a moment when I don't see Prince Albert.' Actress Deborra-Lee Furness has spoken candidly about her adoption journey with husband Hugh Jackman. On Sunday, the Australian-born star wrote a column in Stellar Magazine about her experience of adopting the couple's children: Oscar, 18, and Ava, 13. 'The universe had a plan in place,' the 63-year-old wrote lovingly of their family, who are notoriously private. 'The universe had a plan in place': On Saturday, actress Deborra-Lee Furness (pictured) spoke about husband Hugh Jackman and their two children Oscar and Ava Deborra-Lee spoke about the adoption process a decade ago, with her initially going to Melbourne to start the journey back in the noughties. However, the family later opted to adopt in the US, where the laws surrounding adoption are less draconian, which she said prompted questions. 'Those who knew that Hugh and I had adopted our children Oscar and Ava in the US would come up to me in the street and ask: 'Why is it so hard to adopt in Australia?' Loving family: The Australian-born star wrote a column in Stellar Magazine about her experience of adopting the couple's children: Oscar, 18, and Ava, 13. Pictured in 2012 She said this prompted her to call the editor of The Daily Telegraph, which soon led to her meeting with the Prime Minister at the time to speak about the issue. Now the founder of Adopt Change, an advocacy group who campaigns to make adoption easier in Australia, Deborra-Lee slammed current legislation. Deborra-Lee said: 'The security of love helps develop self-esteem, building a child's confidence and helping them contribute all they have to offer.' Close: 'The universe had a plan in place,' the 63-year-old wrote lovingly of their family. Deborra-Lee is pictured with husband Hugh Jackman in a recent social media snap 'Still today, tens of thousands of children are stuck in the statutory care system, not knowing what it is to find permanency with their carers.' Deborra-lee has spoken out before about the importance of fostering children, during an interview with Channel Nine's Today Show in December. 'Everything in life is not easy. We all have our hurdles and our challenges, these kids have extra hurdles right from the get go,' the actress said. Deborra-lee went on to explain how Australians can support children who have 'aged out' of the foster care system after turning 18. Unfair? Now the founder of Adopt Change, Deborra-Lee slammed current adoption legislation. She wrote: 'Still today, tens of thousands of children are stuck in the statutory care system'. Pictured with husband Hugh Jackman in a recent social media snap 'You don't have to adopt a child to be involved here. Reach out to a kid transitioning from foster care [to] going to college, hopefully,' she said. She added: 'Give them a computer, ring them up to see how their grades are, just to let them know someone cares.' This year, Deborra-Lee and Hugh marked 23 years of marriage together. The famous Australian couple met on the set of ABC drama Correlli in 1995 when Hugh was fresh out of acting school. She's been forced to apologise after she was caught drinking a canned 2 M&S Mojito on the London Overground, after Transport for London introduced an alcohol ban in 2008. And Rylan Clark-Neal decided to poke fun at Diane Abbott breaking the law as he took to Twitter on Saturday to give his very tongue-in-cheek solace to her. Replying to the Shadow Home Secretary's, 65, apology statement, he responded with: 'Try the Pornstar Martini next time, its lovely, really compliments the District line x.' Cheeky!: Rylan Clark-Neal decided to poke fun at Diane Abbott breaking the law as he took to Twitter on Saturday to give his tongue-in-cheek opinion (pictured drunk at the TV Choice Awards in 2017) The tweet left Rylan's fans in hysterics as they also suggested their preferred drink of choice, with one follower, called Charlie Agnew, even creating her own M&S alcohol guide tube line. Sharing a picture of her creation, she added: 'Youre gonna have to bring a guide out with @marksandspencer babe.... xxx.' Meanwhile a different fan put: 'Agreed. My choice on the tube after a hard day in the office. #PornStarMartini.' Caught: She's been forced to apologise after she was caught drinking a canned 2 M&S Mojito on the London Overground, after Transport for London introduced an alcohol ban in 2008 Poking fun: Replying to the Shadow Home Secretary's, 65, apology statement, he responded with: 'Try the pornstar martini next time, its lovely, really compliments the District line x.' Another follower commented: 'Hahaha! I love this! Made me spit out my gin! .' While a different account said: 'The pina colada one is also very good x'. And another person added: 'Absolutely wet myself laughing at this @Rylan.' However, not all followers saw the funny side as people lamented the fact she had broke the law and it is illegal to drink alcohol on transport in London. Impressive!: The tweet left Rylan's fans in hysterics as they also suggested their preferred drink of choice, with one follower, called Charlie Agnew, even creating her own M&S alcohol guide tube line Agreed: Meanwhile a different fan put: 'Agreed. My choice on the tube after a hard day in the office. #PornStarMartini.' One person tweeted: 'Except it is against the law to drink on a train. There are reasons for this. Not a cool answer @Rylan.' Rylan later hit back at the criticism, in a tweet reading: 'Just to clarify I'm not digging out @HackneyAbbott. Good luck to her there's worse crimes going on (including my past singing) cheers babe.' Ms Abbott said she was 'sincerely sorry' for drinking the Marks and Spencer cocktail after the photo was published. She tweeted: 'A photo of me drinking from a can on M&S mojito on the Overground has been circulated. 'I sincerely apologise for drinking on TFL. Not impressed: However, not all followers saw the funny side as people lamented the fact she had broke the law and it is illegal to drink alcohol on transport in London Seriously? Rylan later hit back at the criticism in a follow-up tweet, where he joked that there were worse things going on, including his 'past singing' Apologies: Ms Abbott said she was 'sincerely sorry' for drinking the Marks and Spencer cocktail after the photo was published, she tweeted this statement Reacting to the statement, Tottenham MP David Lammy tweeted: 'Jah Rastafari! Why was the rum not Jamaican?' But not everyone shared Mr Lammy's attitude to the incident. One critic said: 'Call me old-fashioned but I really expect better of Diane Abbott. Transport for London Introduced an alcohol ban on all public transport in the capital in 2008 (pictured: Ms Abbott) Speaking out: Tottenham MP David Lammy responded to Ms Abbott's apology, asking her why the rum was not Jamaican Rise of the canned cocktails Marks & Spencer's ready to drink Mojito in a can costs 2.25 and contains an alcohol level of 8%. Other cocktails offered are the Cosmopolitan, and last year the retailer launched its Pornstar Martini in a can. Tesco offers a 4% own-brand 250ml canned Cosmopolitan for just 1 a can - described as a 'carbonated lime, orange and cranberry flavour drink with vodka'. Ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails have been popping up in retailers across the country in recent years, and spirit brands have started offering their own versions of canned liqueurs with mixer. Asda offers a 330ml Jack Daniels whiskey and cola in a can (1.80 or four for 5) and Gordon's premium pink distilled gin and tonic (1.70 or four for 5). Waitrose shoppers can buy a 'made for two' pre-mixed 200ml Kahlua Espresso Martini for 1.90, consisting of 29,8% coffee, 9,5% coffee liqueur and 0.6% Vodka. Advertisement 'Those defending her should consider where society would be if we all decided to flout the law. 'TfL introduced an alcohol ban for a reason and everyone, including politicians, should obey it.' One supporter responding to her tweet said: 'I'm sincerely sorry you feel the need to say sorry Diane and I hope you really enjoyed the drink. It's no one's business but yours.' Another social media user said: 'Of course swigging a can of Mojito on the tube is harmless. But shes Shadow Home Secretary. 'If her party get in at the next election, shell be in charge of the police. Unless shes planning to repeal the law against drinking on public transport, shell be responsible for enforcing it.' A passenger on the train had told The Sun: 'She kept her head down and was staring at her phone but kept slurping from the can. It was 1pm, so a bit early to be drinking especially in public.' Another added: 'There are clear signs up in the carriages which say alcohol is banned. She was lucky there wasn't an inspector on board.' The 'ready to drink' 25cl can of mojito contains two measures of white rum two units of alcohol. Its strength is eight per cent. Model Kris Smith and his personal trainer girlfriend Sarah Boulazeris welcomed their first child together four months ago, in December 4, 2018. And it is clear that fatherhood suits Kris, 40, just fine, judging by his latest Instagram post. The handsome dad-of-one posted a picture of him kissing adorable Mila Elle on the cheek to the social media platform on Friday. 'How I love you': Model Kris Smith (pictured) posted a sweet tribute to his baby daughter Mila Elle (right), four months after her birth on Friday. Model Kris and his personal trainer girlfriend Sarah Boulazeris Mila in December 2018 Mila is wearing a beige coloured beanie, perfectly complementing daddy's brown tweed newspaper boy cap. Kris captioned the picture, 'My world, how I love you', followed by the hashtags '#milaellesmith #mybaby #daughter'. The model has been doting over the four-month-old girl since Sarah, 28, gave birth to her late last year. Cute! The handsome dad-of-one posted a picture of him kissing adorable Mila Elle on the cheek to the social media platform on Saturday with the caption: 'My world, how I love you.' Pictured from left: Sarah Boulazeris, Mila Elle and Kris Smith In March, after three weeks travelling the world for work, Kris took to Instagram to share his delight at being reunited with little Mila. The proud dad beamed with happiness while posing alongside his grinning daughter. He captioned the picture: 'After a long three weeks working overseas, it feels amazing to be back with my babies.' The Myer model was separated from and mum Sarah while travelling to Japan, America and Germany for a work trip. Proud dad! The model has been doting over the four-month-old girl since Sarah gave birth to her late last year. Pictured in a recent social media snap Three's company! 'It feels amazing to be back with my babies,' Kris captioned one Instagram photo. Pictured with their daughter in a recent social media snap Kris even managed to fit in some family time at home with his parents in the UK. In addition to baby Mila, Kris shares an eight-year-old son, Ethan, with former girlfriend, performer Dannii Minogue. Kris and personal trainer Sarah have been dating since 2017, not long after Kris split with model Maddy King. Before that, the English hunk was in a long-term relationship with Dannii Minogue from 2008 to 2012. She's the Sydney PR queen who is no stranger to the odd parking fine - nor is she known for backing down when there is roadblock in her way. And after Roxy Jacenko's $250,000 Range Rover was pictured this week parked in a No Stopping zone outside her Paddington office, the unflappable entrepreneur is ready to wage war with the council. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Saturday, Roxy said: 'It's ridiculous that the No Stopping zone is there when two cars can easily fit into this space by my garage'. 'I will be applying to have it re-zoned': Roxy Jacenko (pictured) revealed on Saturday she will be applying to the council for the right to park her two cars worth $600,000 in a No Stopping area outside her ritzy Sydney office 'I will be applying to have that No Stopping area re-zoned for parking. The Council has failed to provide parking spaces for all buildings and businesses in the area.' Roxy went on to complain that lack of parking has negatively impacted businesses in the area other than her own. 'People wonder why Oxford St Paddington has died and are quick to blame Westfield. Far from fact, maybe if people could park they would come to the area and the street and businesses would once again thrive!' she added. Parked: Both Roxy's $380,000 Aston Martin and her husband Oliver Curtis' $250,000 Range Rover were pictured this week in the No Stopping zone in Paddington. Pictured in a recent social media snap Hot wheels: Roxy's $380,000 set of wheels (stock image) has been reportedly parked illegally outside her Sydney offices for many months The comments come after Roxy's $380,000 set of wheels were seen parked illegally outside her Sydney offices, which run alongside Oxford Street, for many months, Private Sydney reported on Saturday. Roxy's neighbours in Sydney's trendy Inner West have also been complaining about her car blocking off their access, the publication claimed. City of Sydney Council has confirmed parking in the stopping zone carries a fine of $263. It's all fine: While there's been no word on whether she has been fined since the photos emerged, the PR maven who is no stranger to copping a parking ticket. Pictured in a recent social media snap A spokesman added the offence could carry a more severe punishment if it can be proved it has been made repeatedly. And while there's been no word on whether she has been fined since the photos emerged, the PR maven who is no stranger to copping a parking ticket. In March and November 2017 she received a fine for the same offences, with the latter hitting her for an eye-watering $257. Fined: In March and November 2017 she received a fine for the same offences, with the latter hitting her for an eye-watering $257 (pictured) The following year, The Daily Telegraph reported Roxy, 39, was handing out merchandise in front of a No Stopping sign at Bondi Beach. Any fine copped by Roxy would likely be pocket money for her, given her recent purchase of a $6.5million in Sydney's Vaucluse. On Thursday, the blonde beauty shared photos of a large marble kitchen bench-top being delivered to her home and a tradesman inspecting the surface in the kitchen. She's the striking blonde model who turned her win on Channel Nine's The Block into a lucrative career as a social media influencer. And in the latest issue of Stellar Magazine, Elyse Knowles showcased exactly why she now boasts more than 904,000 Instagram followers. The 26-year-old looked sensational in the stylish and edgy editorial looks that showcased her svelte, gym-honed figure. Model life! Elyse Knowles (pictured) cut a stylish figure in edgy photo hoot with Stellar Magazine, published on Saturday In one look, Elyse is wearing a skin-tight top with a psychedelic cloud print and high waist white trousers. Switching up looks entirely, in another photo she draped a baby pink coat over her shoulders while wearing a white printed t-shirt with cropped jeans. She added white sneakers and a pink flannelette shirt tied around her waist. Blonde beauty! In the shoot, she draped a baby pink coat over her shoulders while wearing a white printed t-shirt with cropped jeans Switching it up! In another look, she is posed in a puffy sleeved yellow and black checkered dress with light brown leather boots In the final look, she was photographed wearing a puffy sleeved yellow and black checkered dress with light brown leather boots. The shoot comes just a day after the blonde beauty revealed she's in no rush to take the next step in her relationship and doesn't appreciate being pressured by others to do so. 'We just switch off when people ask, "When are you going to get engaged? When are you having babies?"' she told The Daily Telegraph on Friday. 'Um, I'll have a baby when I want to have a baby not when you want me to. Surprises are pretty special in life and yeah, I'm going to keep a lot of surprises,' she added. 'We just switch off': It comes after Elyse (right) and longtime boyfriend Josh Barker (left) revealed that they hate being pressured by others to get married and have children Last October, Elyse said that if her modelling career didn't take off, she would already be starting a family in Australia. 'If I wasn't doing what I'm doing now, and having the dreams I have, I would have a baby by now,' the Myer ambassador told WHO magazine. 'I love babies, adore them! I'm always babysitting for friends and I can't wait to have a family,' she added. Right back at you! 'We just switch off when people ask, "When are you going to get engaged? When are you having babies?"' she told The Daily Telegraph on Friday. Pictured in a recent social media snap Happy couple: Elyse and Josh, who have been dating six years, made the big move from metropolitan Melbourne to bohemian Byron Bay just last month. Pictured in a recent social media snap Elyse also admitted that she and her boyfriend-of-six-years are too busy to get married. 'When people ask, I'm like, "You ask him! I don't know!", she laughed. 'There's been a lot of things happening in our lives. It's not on my mind. Like, we just bought a house again. We're getting ready to build that, there's a lot of output happening and we have no time.' Elyse and Josh, who have been dating six years, made the big move from metropolitan Melbourne to bohemian Byron Bay just last month. Since failing to find love on Married at First Sight, Cyrell Paule has been romantically linked to Love Island's Eden Dally. While some 'friends' of the couple have claimed their relationship may just be a ploy for attention, the pair certainly looked like an item at the weekend. On Saturday, the reality stars were spotted canoodling in a public park, looking very much the young couple in love. Loved up! Married at First Sight's Cyrell Paule (left) and Love Island's Eden Dally (right) were seen canoodling in a public park on Saturday after being accused of faking their romance Cyrell, 30, clad in a white singlet top, light-blue jeans and sandals, was laughing as she snuggled up into Eden's arms while relaxing in the park. Eden, 26, sat behind Cyrell, with his arms reaching over her shoulders, and his hands resting on her knees. He matched his date well on the wardrobe front, wearing a white T-shirt and light-blue shorts. Cosy coupledom! Cyrell, 30, clad in a white singlet top, light-blue jeans and sandals, was seen smiling as she snuggled up into Eden's arms while relaxing in the park Protective: Eden, 26, sat behind Cyrell, with his arms reaching over her shoulders, and his hands resting on her knees The MAFS bride returned the affection, resting her hands on the prison officer's bare legs, with her head on his chest. At one point, Cyrell grinned and excitedly leaned forward as if reacting to some cheeky pillow talk Eden had whispered in her ear. Or perhaps her handsome beau had simply made a crack about one of her MAFS co-stars. Tech check! A distracted Cyrell could not resist checking her phone during their outing Eyes on me, please! Eden appeared slightly rankled by the technological interruption, and playfully reached out to Cyrell as if to distract her from the screen All ears! The dark-haired beauty soon again turned her attention back to Eden, her Louis Vuitton bag nestled at her feet Regardless of the content of the banter, the couple looked overjoyed to spend some quiet time together in nature. A distracted Cyrell could not resist checking her phone during their outing, however. Eden appeared slightly rankled by the technological interruption, and playfully reached out to Cyrell as if to distract her from the screen. Dreaming big: Eden proudly showed off his sleeve tattoos as he sat cross-legged by Cyrell Making it official? In recent weeks, Eden and Cyrell have been flaunting their new relationship across social media and have been photographed together in public The dark-haired beauty soon again turned her attention back to Eden, her Louis Vuitton bag nestled at her feet. In recent weeks, Eden and Cyrell have been flaunting their new relationship across social media and have been photographed together kissing and cuddling in public. After months of speculation on whether or not they were 'official', Cyrell confirmed they were in fact 'dating' when she appeared on Talking Married earlier this month. It's out of the bag! After months of speculation on whether or not they were 'official', Cyrell confirmed they were in fact 'dating' when she appeared on Talking Married earlier this month 'He's a cool guy we're seeing each other,' the outspoken Filipino-Australian told the panel. But on Saturday, a close friend claimed that their relationship might just be a ploy for media attention. 'They're going to break up soon, it is all for publicity,' the mystery pal told The Daily Telegraph. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Eden and Cyrell for comment. She has the leggy siren who has long been an advocate for body positivity. And almost a year after she last stripped down, former model and best-selling author Tara Moss is baring it all again, in the name of self-acceptance. Opening up in the Sunday issue of Stellar Magazine, the Canadian-Australian beauty revealed why appearing in the Mighty Good Undies' Bare for Good campaign is more important than ever. 'I have stretch marks, you can call them stretch marks': Author and former model Tara Moss (pictured) will strip down to her undies for a new underwear campaign, she revealed Saturday. Pictured in a recent social media snap 'I have stretch marks, you can call them stretch marks. I'm 45 now so it's not, like, big on my list of things to get in my undies in front of people,' she said. 'But if asked, I'm going to rock up because I would've done it at 25, and I just don't want to be ageist about other people, and that includes me.' She hopes the campaign will 'shine a light on sustainable and fairtrade practices' saying she would like it to become commonplace in the fashion industry. Bare: The Canadian-Australian beauty revealed why appearing in the Mighty Good Undies' Bare for Good campaign is more important than ever. Pictured in a recent social media snap Fashion-conscious: 'I'm 45 now... and I just don't want to be ageist about other people, and that includes me,' she said. Pictured in a recent social media snap As a self-professed fashionista and red-carpet regular, Tara states that she's trying her best to be more conscious with what she now wears and how she acts as a consumer. The brand Mighty Good Undies prides itself on manufacturing its products only in factories that provide safe working conditions and fair pay. Always an advocate for body positivity, Last year, Tara took to Instagram to tell her fans: 'I've said this before, here on this account, and in my book The Fictional Woman, and I'll say it again: ALL BODIES ARE GOOD BODIES'. Always an advocate for body positivity, Last year, Tara took to Instagram to tell her fans: 'ALL BODIES ARE GOOD BODIES'. Pictured in a recent social media snap Stunning and smart: Since finding fame as a teen model, Tara has gone on to publish 11 books and last year fronted ABC anti-bullying series Cyberhate 'My body is no more or less good or worthy of self care and love now at 44 than it was at 24, or 4. No more or less worthy after a baby or after an injury.' 'It is different, but it is good and it is mine, and I will love it and appreciate my body for what it is and what it can do. My body is a good body, because all bodies are good bodies.' Since finding fame as a teen model, Tara has gone on to publish 11 books and last year fronted ABC anti-bullying series Cyberhate. Tara is now working on two books, her 12th and 13th, with the first due out in October and the other, which is set in 1940s Sydney, will drop next year. Bachelor in Paradise star Brooke Blurton has sensationally hit out at trolls who have questioned her sexuality. Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, the 24-year-old reality star slammed online commentary that she is a 'fake lesbian' depending on the circumstances. 'I have been called a fake lesbian quite often,' she said. 'I'm not a fake lesbian': Bachelor in Paradise star Brooke Blurton, 24, (pictured) has hit out at trolls questioning her sexuality while speaking to The Sunday Telegraph on Saturday 'People say I pick and choose whether I am going to be with men or women depending on the circumstance.' Brooke went on to explain that she has had two long-term girlfriends in her life, but does not put herself in the 'bisexual box.' 'I was with both of them for a substantial amount of time and I have been with men,' she said. Steamy: 'I knew I was attracted to women from quite a young age. I didn't have a coming-out party, but I have always been very open with my family and friends,' Brooke said. Pictured with Alex Nation on Bachelor in Paradise Brooke went on to slam the idea she should either look like a 'd**e or a dude', adding there's so much stigma around what people think she should look like. 'I knew I was attracted to women from quite a young age. I didn't have a coming-out party, but I have always been very open with my family and friends.' It comes after Brooke publicly shut down a vile racist and homophobic troll on Saturday, who heaped abuse at her online. Stigma: Brooke (pictured) added that she believed there was a 'stigma' that women who are interested in other women should look like a 'dude' Taking to her Instagram, the TV star expressed anger at the remark, which read: 'Do you still fantasise about girls when you are indulging in adult fun?' The message continued: 'You f***ing lesbian f**k bandwaggoning from one gender to the other. You little attention-seeking wh*** trynna play the good girl (sic).' Brooke hit back: 'I'm sorry but this is absolutely disgusting,' she wrote. It's not the first time Brooke has received abusive remarks from followers. On Thursday, shared shared a vile comment, which was left on one of Brooke's Instagram photos. 'I'm sorry but this is absolutely disgusting!' Brooke (pictured) was targeted by an online troll earlier this week The message began: 'Do you still fantasise about girls when you are indulging in adult fun? You f***ing lesbian f**k bandwaggoning from one gender to the other' It read: 'You act so sweet, but you use ''who you are'' as an advantage, so no one can say anything back. #littlewench.' A frustrated Brooke wrote next to the post: 'Comments like this,' followed by an angry face emoji. Despite the upset, Brooke did reveal she has found love since shocking fans when she quit Bachelor in Paradise. Brooke shared a loved-up snap with Perth hunk, Nick Power, and told fans: 'I am so happy to announce that I have found love.' Channel Nine producers were reportedly hoping to film the next series of Love Island Australia in tropical Fiji. However, the Fijian government is allegedly concerned about the 'sleazy tone' of the program and discouraged the 2019 series from being filmed there. According to Confidential on Sunday, the racy reality show may be shot in the decidedly less exotic locale of Queensland, Australia. Keeping it local? A new report claimed on Saturday that the next season of Love Island Australia 'may be forced to film in Queensland' after being rejected by Fiji over 'sleazy tone' Pictured: The cast of Love Island Australia 2018 Given that Love Island is to shift from 9GO! to Nine's primary channel, the pressure is on executives to find a location that will bring the necessary wow factor to appeal to mainstream viewers. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Nine for comment. Sophie Monk, 39, is once again touted to host the reality program, which was filmed in Spain last year. In our backyard! Sophie Monk, 39, is once again touted to host the reality program, which was filmed in Spain last year. Pictured: Love Island Australia host Sophie Monk Crant Crapp and Taylor Damir won the inaugural season of Love Island Australia last year. The couple, who split shortly after the program aired, walked away with $50,000 between them in prize money. The duo beat runners up Eden Dally and Erin Barnett to the cash. Fizzer: Crant Crapp (left) and Taylor Damir (right) won the inaugural season of Love Island Australia last year. The couple, who split shortly after the program aired, walked away with $50,000 between them in prize money Eden and Erin moved on after two months, calling into question the effectiveness of the program in matching up couples for love. The program rated well for Nine, however, when live and streaming figures were taken into account. Romantic young hopefuls can sign up for their chance to find The One on Love Island 2019 at My Casting Net. Charlize Theron, 43, has shut down speculation that she is dating Brad Pitt following talk the pair were 'dating' earlier this year. Speaking to Australian magazine Sunday Life, the Oscar winner confirmed she is single and focused on raising her children: August, 3, and Jackson, 7. 'I'm not really thinking about dating now,' South African-born Charlize told the publication when asked about the Hollywood star. 'I'm single and focused on my kids and career': Actress Charlize Theron, 43, (pictured) shuts down talk of a 'dating' Brad Pitt, while speaking to Sunday Life magazine this week 'I'm single and I have a full life with my kids and my career,' she said. Rumours surfaced Charlize and Brad were a item after a report was published in The Sun in December last year, with claimed they had been 'casually seeing each other.' The pair were reportedly introduced to each other by Theron's movie star ex, Sean Penn, who she dated from 2013-2015. Date? Charlize was reportedly 'casually seeing' Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt (pictured) late last year, according to reports in UK publication The Sun. Seen here in LA, 2018 Charlize previously dated her Trapped co-star Stuart Townsend between 2001 and 2010, with him even giving her a 'commitment ring' in their union. In the deeply personal interview, the Monster actress went on to explain her belief that 'babies choose you, more than you choose them.' 'When I wanted to be a mom I was like, "Like it be," ' she began, before then referring to her birth country of South Africa. Match making ex: Charlize and Brad were reportedly introduced to each other by Theron's ex, Sean Penn (left), show she dated from 2013 to 2015 'There are a lot of countries, South Africa included, that aren't very forgiving to single mums and make adoption impossible.' 'So my children just chose to be born in America and that's fine with me,' she concluded to the publication. Family has been a topic of interest for Charlize this week, hitting the headlines when she revealed her child Jackson is a girl. Family: Charlize hit the headlines this week after she revealed that the child she thought was a boy is actually a girl: 'She looked at me when she was three years old and said: "I am not a boy!"'she said. Pictured here with Jackson Reported by US Daily Mail, the Hollywood star said: 'Yes, I thought she was a boy, too,' when asked about the 7-year-old. She then added: 'Until she looked at me when she was three years old and said: "I am not a boy!"' She continued: 'So there you go! I have two beautiful daughters who, just like any parent, I want to protect and I want to see thrive.' For years now, rumours have swirled that Charlize has, in fact, been raising Jackson as a girl, who she introduced to the world as a boy when they were adopted. Mother's work: 'My job as a parent is to celebrate them and to love them and to make sure that they have everything they need in order to be what they want to be,' Charlize said. Seen here in January, 2019 'My job as a parent is to celebrate them and to love them and to make sure that they have everything they need in order to be what they want to be. 'And I will do everything in my power for my kids to have that right and to be protected within that.' Strong family ties has always been important for the Afrikaans star, whose story of early childhood trauma in South Africa is well known. When Charlize was just 15-years-old, her father returned back to their farm outside of Johannesburg in a rage threatening to kill Charlize and her mother, Gerda. However, in a turn of events, it was Gerda who shot him in front of Charlize's eyes, in an act of that was later deemed self-defence. She's getting set to film the eleventh and final season of sitcom Modern Family, after ten years on the air as Gloria. And Sofia Vergara was as glorious as ever, as she showcased her va-va-voom figure in Beverly Hills on Friday. The 46-year-old actress teetered in high heels as she was spotted running errands in the exclusive district. Sexy: Sofia Vergara was as glorious as ever, as she showcased her va-va-voom figure in Beverly Hills on Friday She flaunted her curves in ripped black jeans which had sequins added. They were cropped at the ankle, with a black T-shirt to complement the outfit. Strappy black platform heels completed the sexy outfit, and she carried a chic Chanel quilted bag. Stepping out: The 46-year-old actress teetered in high heels as she was spotted running errands in the exclusive district The 5ft7in star matched her cool ensemble with immaculately applied make up, perfecting her brows and pout. She flashed her giant engagement and wedding rings, from her second husband - Rampage action star Joe Manganiello. Playing the role of Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on Modern Family has made Vergara the highest paid actress on television for the past seven years. Dressed up: Strappy black platform heels completed the sexy outfit, and she carried a chic Chanel quilted bag The four-time Golden Globe nominee earns an eye-popping $500K per episode to play the housewife in the 10th (and final) season of the mockumentary series Modern Family, which resumes May 1 on ABC. She banked $42.5 million between June 2017 and June 2018, which is 73% more than second-ranked Kaley Cuoco's $24.5 million. It's expected that the final season of Modern family will have between 18 to 22 episodes, according to Country Living. The show's tenth season was ABC's top rated comedy and second highest rated series on the network behind Grey's Anatomy. Vergara is mom to 26-year-old Manolo, whom she shares with her high school sweetheart - mechanic and DJ Joe Gonzalez; they were married from 1991-1993. The Con Is On stunner will next join Armie Hammer and John Stamos as celebrity readers at the 10th anniversary Kids Art Museum Project fundraiser happening May 19 at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. She's just returned from a work trip to Nashville, where she has been focusing on her singing career. And Megan McKenna enjoyed a therapeutic break in the sunshine as she took a dip in a Jacuzzi for a snap she shared via Instagram on Saturday. The 26-year-old reality star was engrossed in her book The Miracle Morning, which gives readers advice on how to improve their morning routine. Chilling out: Megan McKenna soaked up the sun as she sat in a jacuzzi while reading a motivational book in an Instagram snap she shared on Saturday Megan looked stylish as she shielded her eyes from the bright sun with a pair of robust shades, while her blonde locks were combed back. The former TOWIE star put on a chic display in a black halterneck bikini, as she chilled out in the large hot tub. It's been an extremely tough time for the star after the death of her former boyfriend Mike Thalassitis. Police confirmed he was found hanged in a London park. In mourning: It's been an extremely tough time for the star after the death of her former boyfriend Mike Thalassitis. Police confirmed he was found hanged in a London park The star released a statement on Twitter to offer condolences to Mike's family, two days after his death in March. She wrote at the time: 'Sorry I haven't been on social media but I'm in complete shock and trying to come to terms with this. 'I can't believe I'm even writing this post. My thoughts and prayers are with Mike's family. Rest in peace Mike x' Mike and Megan dated on and off throughout 2018, but ended their relationship for good last August. Her post also comes after the television personality honoured work commitments with a trip to Nashville, which she had booked before December. During her time in the home of country music she visited country music hot spots and performed at the iconic Bluebird cafe. It's the classic wardrobe staple that looks good on just about anyone. And Mariah Carey looked absolutely mesmerizing in her fitted LBD while stepping out in New York on Friday. The songstress, 49, was joined by her seven-year-old twin children, Moroccan and Monroe. Working it! Mariah Carey looked absolutely mesmerizing in her fitted LBD while stepping out in New York on Friday Mariah was smiling from ear to ear while leaving the hotel, as a helpful man held up an umbrella for her. Wearing a long gold necklace and a pair of matching earrings, the hit-maker exuded glamour from head-to-toe. She pulled her hair into an elegant up do while sporting a large pair of stylish shades. An application of pink blush polished off Mariah's radiant complexion. Family matters: The songstress was joined by her children, Moroccan and Monroe Monroe headed outside sporting a Pikachu themed hat, jeans, boots, and a windbreaker jacket, while his sister wore a lilac sweater, Gucci T-shirt, and black trousers. Even though Mariah has had an incredibly busy year so far, the star seemed in good spirits as she enjoyed some quality time with her family. The songstress has been traveling across the U.S. as part of her Caution Tour, and next month will see the songstress begin the European and U.K. leg of her tour. Can't rain on her parade! A helpful gentleman held an umbrella for Carey Not only will Mariah be busy dazzling fans around the world, but she will also be honored with the Icon Award at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards on May 1. A press release noted: 'The true definition of an icon, Carey has been smashing records since she debuted on the music scene in 1990 with her self-titled album. 'Over the next three decades she continued to rule the charts, creating anthems, and snapshots of pop culture history along the way.' They've been going strong since July 2018. And Kym Marsh and boyfriend Scott Ratcliffe looked happier than ever as they strolled arm in arm during a day out at The Trafford Centre in Manchester on Saturday. The Coronation Street star, 42, could barely keep the smile off her face as she cosied up to her Army Major beau, 30, as they enjoyed some quality time together over the Easter period. Loved-up: Kym Marsh, 42, and boyfriend Scott Ratcliffe, 30, looked happier than ever as they strolled arm in arm during a day out at The Trafford Centre in Manchester on Saturday Kym kept things casual in a slouchy, black and white striped jumper, which she teamed with a pair of white lace-up trainers. The star's raven tresses flowed freely in the wind, while she opted to go make-up free for the outing. Meanwhile, Scott also went for the laid-back look, donning a bright blue jacket layered over a black T-shirt. He added a pair of faded ripped denim jeans and grey and white trainers to his look. The couple didn't appear to have a care in the world as they wrapped their arms around each other during the day out. Happy: The Coronation Street star could barely keep the smile off her face as she cosied up to her Army Major beau, as they enjoyed some quality time together over the Easter period Kym has been dating Scott since July last year following her split from Matt Baker, who she had been dating for two years. The star recently revealed they will be facing six months apart later this year, when Scott returns to Afghanistan for duty in the Parachute Regiment. Kym told The Sun Online at the Military Awards in December: 'He is due to go back to Afghanistan next year for six months. It is tough, but I know we can make it work and we will be fine. 'He's just got back from a training exercise in Kenya, so tonight was the first time we have seen each other in weeks. Romance: Kym has been dating Scott since July last year following her split from Matt Baker, who she had been dating for two years 'It feels very special to us to be here together - and now he's back for Christmas, it's a lovely feeling.' Meanwhile, Kym revealed last month that she'd quit her role as Michelle Connor in Coronation Street after 13 years. She told OK! Magazine that an important factor in her leaving the soap is the impending arrival of her first grandchild later this year. The actress, who announced her daughter Emilie, 21, was expecting her first child in December explained further in her latest column for the magazine. Another big factor in my decision to take a break from Corrie is the impending arrival of my grandson. Im looking forward to having more time to spend with him and Emilie after hes born this summer. And Kym went on to reveal what prompted her to make her decision: 'Ive loved every minute of working there and Ive made some great friends at work but now feels like the right time for me to take a break and spread my wings.' She went on to admit that she had no plans to appear in any reality shows. She's recently been in Croatia with husband Ryan Reynolds. And Blake Lively was making sure she was staying warm as she arrived back in NYC on Friday. The 31-year-old actress carried their two daughters as she landed at JFK airport. Bundled up: Blake Lively was making sure she was staying warm as she arrived back in NYC on Friday The Gossip Girl actress was keeping it casual in black baggy tracksuit bottoms and white sneakers. She added a green festival jacket and a giant blanket around her shoulders. The beauty covered her face with the brim of a giant black hat. Landing gear: The 31-year-old actress carried their two daughters as she landed at JFK airport Her daughters Inez, 2, and James, 4, were brightly and comfortably dressed, with James stepping out in Ugg boots. Earlier this month, Reynolds shared a rare Instagram snap with wife alongside a number of behind-the-scenes photo from the advert shoot for his Aviation Gin. The Deadpool actor, 42, took a break from filming The Hitman Wife's Bodyguard to shoot the advert in Croatia and took to the photo-sharing platform to give his fans a sneak peek of the project. Hats all: Her daughters Inez, 2, and James, 4, were brightly and comfortably dressed, with James stepping out in Ugg boots They cuddled up together inbetween takes, in the picture which shows the star wearing the same oversized khaki-coloured jacket and wrapped in an embrace as Ryan reciprocated the same amount of emotion. Blake showcased her natural beauty in the shot as she accentuated her radiant complexion with little make-up and left her honey-hued tresses loose in a tousled style. While Ryan donned a white T-shirt with a tan-coloured apron and goggles as an empty bottle of his Aviation Gin lay infront of him on a distressed work bench. Blake and Ryan have been married since 2012 after first meeting on 2011's Green Lantern and are parents to James, 4, and Inez, 2, while both juggling busy careers. She has been enjoying a sunshine holiday in Barbados this week. And Jeremy Clarkson's ex wife Frances Cain continued to embrace the idyllic beaches as she strolled with a handsome male friend on the Caribbean island. The mother-of-three, 57, showcased her sensational figure in an eye-catching red gingham bikini that complemented her bronzed limbs. Glowing: Jeremy Clarkson's ex wife Frances Cain continued to embrace the idyllic beaches as she strolled with a handsome male friend on the Caribbean break Her physique was out on full display as she chatted with her friend while holding goggles as she headed for a refreshing dip in the sea. She wore her blonde locks in effortless waves as she topped up her tan on the Barbados coast. Frances was accompanied by a hunky male pal who sported striped navy swim shorts while also displaying a toned physique. The two friends appeared deep in conversation as they strolled along the sandy shores of the beach and near sun loungers. Eye-catching: The mother-of-three, 57, showcased her sensational figure in an eye-catching red gingham bikini that complemented her blonde locks Frances has headed to the Caribbean coast to holiday in the same location every year since 2014. Earlier this week Frances was spotted chatting with hunky male pal, Fred Milln, 34, on the beach, who she was last spotted with in Barbados in April 2017. Her most recent jaunt comes as her ex-husband Jeremy, 59, returned from his trip to Vietnam with his girlfriend Lisa Hogan, 46. Jeremy has shared many snaps of himself and girlfriend Lisa from their idyllic trip on Instagram, as he kept his followers up to date with their antics. Jeremy and Lisa have been dating since March 2017, two years after he split from wife Frances. Frances and Jeremy share three children together son Finlo and daughters Emily and Katya. Jennifer Lawrence is set to star as a war veteran in her latest movie project. The Oscar-winning star has joined forces with acclaimed theatre director Lila Neugebauer for an as-yet-untitled movie that will see her play the role of a US solider who suffers a traumatic brain injury in Afghanistan. Jennifer's on-screen character struggles to recover from her injuries upon her return home, according to Collider. Jennifer Lawrence has joined forces with director Lila Neugebauer for a movie that will see her play the role of a US solider who suffers a traumatic brain injury in Afghanistan The Oscar-winning Silver Linings Playbook star is a producer on the project along with Scott Rudin, Eli Bush and Justine Polsky with production set to begin in June in New Orleans. Jennifer could star in the movie alongside Atlanta star Brian Tyree Henry, who has already held discussions about taking on the role of the male lead. Neugebauer's star has been rising with a number of feted Broadway and off-Broadway productions under her belt, including 2018's rendition of Kenneth Lonergan's The Waverly Gallery starring Elaine May and Lucas Hedges. Meanwhile, Jennifer revealed plans to take a career break back in 2017. Announcing her hiatus two years ago, the Red Sparrow star said: 'I'm taking [a break]. I don't have anything set for two years.' And asked what she'll do with her time off, she quipped: 'Start making pots.' Wedding plans: Jennifer got engaged to art gallery director Cooke Maroney in February During her break, Jennifer actually got engaged to art gallery director Cooke Maroney. And an insider recently speculated that her wedding will be a 'family affair'. The source said: '[Jennifer is a] family girl. I would be surprised if the wedding were not a fairly extensive family affair.' Jennifer's last theatrical release was 2018's Red Sparrow, and she's slated to appear in this summer's Dark Phoenix alongside Sophie Turner, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender. 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. She is no stranger to a scantily-clad style style display. And Katie Salmon set pulses racing as she enjoyed a night out in London on Saturday. The Love Island alum, 23, showcased her taut midriff in a clinging black strapless crop-top which she paired with tiny denim ripped hotpants. Toned: Katie Salmon set pulses racing as she enjoyed a night out in London on Saturday Drawing the eye to her toned legs, she slipped on thigh-high crushed velvet boots with lace-up detail. Her raven tresses were slicked back into a sleek bun while her pretty features were enhanced with a rich palette of make-up. She completed her ensemble with the ultimate celeb accessory, a pair of aviator shades worn at nighttime. Katie is certainly no stranger to causing a stir after her Love Island 2016 appearance. Superstar: The Love Island alum, 23, showcased her taut midriff in a clinging black strapless crop-top which she paired with tiny denim ripped hotpants Leggy: Drawing the eye to her toned legs, she slipped on thigh-high crushed velvet boots with lace-up detail She is best known to viewers of the ITV2 show for pairing up with the late Sophie Gradon on the reality dating series. Sophie was originally partnered with Tom Powell but later coupled up with Katie after he quit the show. However, Sophie later dumped Katie and bowed out of the show to be with Tom again, leading Katie to pair off with Adam Maxted. Their romance was short-lived, lasting just two weeks after the series drew to a close. Katie's appearance comes weeks after she opened up about the abuse she received from the LGBT community, following her same-sex romance with late Love Island star Sophie. Toned: Her raven tresses were slicked back into a sleek bun while her pretty features were enhanced with a rich palette of make-up Work: The star put on a cheeky display as she worked the camera Speaking on the Victoria Derbyshire programme in September, Katie admitted she was the subject of much uproar after her relationship with Sophie, who was tragically found dead in June aged just 32. Katie explained that men seem to misinterpret her sexuality as being 'a woman who likes having threesomes,' and went onto admit she doesn't understand why she is made to feel 'ashamed' about being bisexual. She said: 'In the villa I was so scared because I didn't know what the outside world was thinking, what my family was thinking, what my friends were thinking, so I was really upset that they'd not supported me from my own community. 'Why can't I be who I want to be? There's nothing to be ashamed of, there's nothing to feel bad about. You're completely normal, and there's so many people out there like you, just as long as you love you that's all that matters.' North Korean leader Kim Jong Un welcomes US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Pyongyang in October 2018 Donald Trump has said he's in love with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. But if there's someone with whom the US president is even more smitten, it's Mike Pompeo. North Korea on Thursday demanded that the United States remove the secretary of state from future negotiations after Pompeo apparently encouraged Trump to stand firm and walk away from a summit with Kim in Hanoi in February. The State Department offered a low-key initial response, with a spokesman saying the United States "remains ready to engage North Korea in a constructive negotiation" but not commenting directly. Trump is famously fond of flattery and dismissive of aides. But even though he is eager to strike a potentially historic deal, North Korea is likely misreading US domestic politics by attacking Pompeo. The top US diplomat is one of Trump's few senior aides who has managed to avoid public ruptures with him, amenably rallying to the defense of the president's every move even after pushing different policies. Pompeo was instrumental in the secret diplomacy that eased soaring tensions with North Korea and set the stage for two summits between Kim and Trump, with Pompeo traveling four times last year to Pyongyang, first as CIA director and then as secretary of state. "It would be very difficult for the US to make a move after the statement to change the negotiating team without making it look like Kim Jong Un is dictating the terms," said Jenny Town, a fellow at the Stimson Center and managing editor of the North Korea analytical website 38 North. "I don't think it's going to gain them anything," she said of the North Koreans. "It only makes it more difficult to get back to negotiations." - Seeking to 'wean' Trump from aides - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stands by President Donald Trump during his first summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June 2018 Senior North Korean foreign ministry official Kwon Jong Gun, in a statement carried by state media, called Pompeo "reckless" and immature. He also denounced Pompeo's testimony to Congress earlier this month in which, pressed by a senator concerned over what human rights groups say are rampant abuses in North Korea, agreed that Kim was a "tyrant." Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said that North Korea believed it could achieve its goals through Trump and was "trying to wean the president away from his advisers." "I think they're trying to get another summit," he said. "They feel that is where they can make more traction by appealing to Trump's sense of wanting to have a success, or maintaining the success they have already claimed." North Korea has already shut out Stephen Biegun, the State Department pointman on North Korea, who has failed for months to arrange a meeting on anything other than the logistics of the Hanoi summit. But North Korea also denounced Pompeo in July last year for his "gangster-like" insistence on disarmament -- and welcomed him back to Pyongyang several months later. - Mixed messages from Washington - US National Security Advisor John Bolton arrives for a signing ceremony between North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump during their historic first summit in Singapore in June 2018 Trump has quipped that he and Kim are "in love" and spoken of his "beautiful" letters -- and his affection has not dimmed after the Hanoi summit. In an extraordinary intervention last month, Trump -- who has hailed his punishing pressure campaigns on Iran and Venezuela -- blocked the imposition of tough new sanctions on North Korea. Trump said he intervened because he and Kim get along "very well" and that he wanted to maintain the relationship. His move came despite the insistence by Pompeo and John Bolton, Trump's hawkish national security advisor, that the United States will not relent on pressure until North Korea's full denuclearization. Just a day before Trump reversed the sanctions, the Treasury Department had announced action against two Chinese shipping companies over deliveries to North Korea. Town said the administration's messaging on North Korea has been inconsistent from the start. She noted that Bolton -- who before entering the White House mused about attacking North Korea -- took the lead in public statements after the Hanoi summit. "What message does that send the North Koreans, and how much of it is for a domestic audience?" she asked. "It certainly wasn't helpful to the diplomatic process of getting back to negotiations if that's what the US really wants to do." Flowers lie at the center of the Columbine Memorial at Clement Park in Littleton, Colorado, before a community vigil for the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre Dozens of people gathered for a vigil on Friday on the 20th anniversary of the Columbine high school massacre, laying flowers at a memorial for the victims. Twelve students and a teacher were killed on April 20, 1999, when two teenagers armed with an assortment of weapons and home-made bombs went on the rampage at the school, whose name has become synonymous with school shootings. There have been more than a dozen other shootings at schools across the US since Columbine. Only last year, 17 students and staff were killed when an ex-pupil went on the rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, while 27 people, mostly children, were killed at Sandy Hook elementary school in 2012 and 32 at Virginia Tech university in 2007. On Friday survivors of the Columbine massacre and families and friends of the victims gathered in Littleton, Colorado. Will Beck, a Columbine High School massacre survivor, places flowers at the memorial shrine They lit candles and prayed at a memorial in the town, and laid flowers on plaques bearing the names of victims. An inner circular wall bears biographies of the victims carved into marble, while an outer wall lists those injured in the attack. "Never forget" is carved in stone on the floor. Speaking earlier this week, survivor Amanda Duran expressed anger that school shootings were still taking place. "You would have thought someone would have come with more gun laws or require (a) mental health workout before you are allowed to buy a gun," said Duran, who was 15 when the attack happened. "But nothing of that sort happened. So I have just been angry and pissed off." The aftermath of Columbine is still felt. An American teenager whose obsession with the massacre set off school closures and a manhunt in Denver was found dead Wednesday from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. Candles encircle a collection of flowers at the Columbine memorial Dean Phillips, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Denver office, said 18-year-old Sol Pais had made comments in the past that expressed "an infatuation" with the Columbine massacre and its perpetrators. Authorities had mounted a massive search for Pais after she travelled from Florida to Colorado, bought a pump-action shotgun and ammunition. Colorado authorities, who said Pais was armed and considered "extremely dangerous," had ordered around half a million students to stay at home "due to ongoing safety concerns". At the height of its rule, the Islamic State group imposed its brutal ideology on millions in territory roughly the size of the United Kingdom Jihadists have killed more than 60 Syrian regime fighters in 48 hours, a monitor said Saturday, in some of the deadliest attacks on pro-Damascus forces in recent weeks. Kurdish-led forces in March announced the defeat of the Islamic State group's "caliphate" in eastern Syria, but the jihadists have retained hideouts there and in other parts of the country as well as the ability to carry out deadly assaults. Since Thursday, IS jihadists have killed 35 pro-Damascus fighters in regime-held parts of central and eastern Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said it was "the highest death toll among regime forces since the caliphate was declared defeated" in the eastern village of Baghouz last month. Regime fighters also came under attack on another front of Syria's grinding eight-year war, the Britain-based monitor added. On Saturday, jihadists linked to Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate attacked loyalists outside the northwestern region of Idlib, killing 26 pro-Assad fighters, it said. It was the latest death tally in a civil war that has killed more than 370,000 people since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. President Bashar al-Assad has managed to claw back around 60 percent of the country with Russian military backing since 2015, but several regions remain beyond the regime's control. - IS assaults - These include a large swathe of northeastern Syria held by Kurdish-led forces who have been fighting IS with the support of a US-led coalition, as well as the region of Idlib held by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate. Regime forces in theory control the vast desert that stretches from the capital Damascus to the Iraqi border, but IS is still present there. Since Thursday they have killed 27 troops and allied militiamen, including four Syrian army officers, in the desert east of Homs province, the Observatory said. IS claimed the attacks. The Observatory also said IS fighters killed another eight soldiers and militiamen in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor on Thursday night. That attack targeted a desert village south of the city of Mayadeen on the Euphrates River, upstream from Baghouz. IS swept across a large swathe of Syria and Iraq in 2014, declaring a cross-border "caliphate" in territory that was once roughly the size of the United Kingdom. But after various military operations in both countries, IS lost the last shred of its proto-state on the eastern banks of the Euphrates last month. The US-led coalition has however repeatedly warned that the battle against the jihadists is not over. - Aleppo attack - In the northwestern Idlib region, Assad's forces face Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate. Idlib was to be protected from a massive regime military offensive by a deal inked in September by government ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey. A handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on April 20, 2019 shows President Bashar al-Assad (R) receiving Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov in the Syrian capital Damascus But the accord has unwound as HTS took full control of the region in January, and the area has come under increasing bombardment. A planned buffer zone around the region was never fully implemented as jihadists refused to withdraw from it. Saturday's attack by an HTS affiliate on the western edges of Aleppo city killed 21 loyalists while an ambush by HTS-linked jihadists took the lives of five more pro-regime fighters in the northeast of Latakia province. On Friday, Assad urged progress on removing "obstacles" to the stalled Idlib deal ahead of talks to be attended by Russia, fellow ally Iran, and Turkey next week in Kazakhstan. And on Saturday, he met Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov in Damascus for talks, including on ways to overcome obstacles resulting from international sanctions imposed on Syria, the presidency said. Indira Gandhis two bahus Sonia and Maneka Gandhi are in the electoral fray once again perhaps for the last time. Maneka stunned many in Sultanpur recently when she allegedly made a remark against the Muslim electorates tendency to not vote for her a statement she denied after receiving a notice from the Election Commission. Sonia too made a cryptic remark at Rae Bareli, after filing her nomination for the fifth time from the family pocket borough, dubbing the 17th Lok Sabha Elections much like the 2004 General Election, when an otherwise weak Congress managed to edge out the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. Sonia dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as someone who was not invincible. Once upon a time, these two powerful political women were simply daughters-in-law. (Photo: India Today) Sonia and Maneka's strange ties date back to March 1974 when Sanjay got married. Initially, Maneka's entry into Indira Gandhi's household did not bring about much change. There were occasional tantrums, but both Indira and Sonia were sympathetic towards Maneka, young as she was. As in a typical Indian family, as the elder bahu (daughter-in-law), Sonia had a special place she was responsible for running the kitchen and deciding the menu. Maneka had little interest in the kitchen, so there were no clashes on that count but she enjoyed helping Indira get quotations for her speeches. Not always a united family: Occasionally, there were big fights inside Indira Gandhi's house. (Photo: India Today) After the Emergency, in 1977, when Indira was out of power and under attack from the Janata government, she managed Surya magazine and used it apparently as a tool to run down Indiras opponents. Maneka proved a staunch defender of the familys interests and gave back as good as Indira received through the magazine, running a series of exposes that did immense damage to those arrayed against Indira. Yet, occasionally, there were big fights inside Indiras house. On one occasion, Maneka reportedly got so angry with Sanjay that she removed her wedding ring and threw it at him. Indira lost her temper too as the ring had belonged to her mother, Kamla Nehru. Maneka had a keen interest in politics, a fact that she never tried to hide. Yet, over the years, Indira started trusting Sonia more, seeking her advice on everything, from the choice of menu to her selection of sarees. She also valued Sonias aloofness towards politics and matters of statecraft. Sonia got along well with Sanjay, except when he apparently appointed her as a director in Maruti Technical Services (MTS), a dubious subsidiary of Maruti. Sonia reportedly signed on the dotted line, entitling her to a monthly salary, 1% commission on net profits, house and travel expenses, car, driver, etc. However, none of these perks was directly passed on to her. Sonia was unaware of the larger legal dimensions but when Rajiv came to know that MTS was posing as a consultancy service and had reportedly taken ten lakh rupees from Maruti, which was struggling to survive in spite of generous contributions from public sector banks, he was said to be livid. Angrily, he apparently asked Sonia, How could you do this?! Sonia Gandhi was reportedly against Rajiv joining politics. But she was apparently even more wary of Maneka. (Photo: India Today) A commission of inquiry headed by Justice AC Gupta probed the issue and submitted its report in 1978, during the Janata Party regime. The commission concluded, "[I]t is a fact known to all concerned that Shrimati Sonia Gandhi was a foreign national. In view of the provisions of the foreign exchange regulation act of 1973, which had come into force on 1 January 1974, she could neither hold shares of any Indian company nor hold any office of profit in such company from the date the act came into force without the prior approval of the Reserve Bank of India." Ultimately, she tendered her resignation on 21 January 1975. This issue resurfaced when Rajiv took over as Prime Minister. Rajiv, refuting the charge, made it clear that his wife never drew a monthly salary of Rs 2,500 or visited the Maruti office or factory. After her defeat in the elections of 1977, Indira was forced to vacate the Prime Ministers house and move to 12 Willingdon Crescent with both daughters-in-law, grandchildren, attendants and dogs. It was in this smaller house that Sonia really became closer to Indira. She did not keep an ayah for Rahul and Priyanka and began cooking both meals of the day. Indira was extremely wary of keeping a cook as the old one had died and she had many suspicions. Things were not smooth though. Another big fight was witnessed by BK Nehru when Sanjay threw a fit at Sonia because an egg was not properly fried. According to Nehru, Indira did not reprimand Sanjay, but she appeared acutely embarrassed by Sanjays conduct. Sometimes, all it takes is an egg and a family relationship simply fries. (Representational image: Reuters) In his memoir Nice Guys Finish Second, Nehru described the scene at Indiras 12 Willingdon Crescent house: 'More often than not, there was servant trouble. Sonia was the cook, Maneka merely ate. Indiras two sons and their wives were certainly not on the best terms with each other. Journalist and author Khushwant Singh, too, recalls that Rajiv and Sanjay had their differences, "Once I happened to be there when Rajiv and Sonia were celebrating one of their childrens birthdays. I noticed that the two brothers and their wives occupied different ends of the house and had very little to do with each other. Both Rajiv and Sonia had not liked the imposition of the Emergency, but they chose to remain silent. At a party during this time, Sonia met Naveen Patnaik, son of Biju Patnaik, the towering Odisha politician and head of the regional Utkal Congress (currently known as Biju Janata Dal) who was jailed in the round-up of Opposition leaders. Sonia had no hesitation in apparently sympathising with Bijus son. "It must be terrible for you that your father is in jail. I am sorry about it," she reportedly remarked. Friends of Indira said her two bahus were completely different since they came from diverse backgrounds. Sonia had been taught not to raise her voice or show dissent; Maneka was more outspoken. Maneka hardly measured her words before speaking. The Gandhi-Anand households were never at ease except during Emergency when Manekas mother, Amteshwar Anand, became a close companion of Indira. Maneka and Sanjay used to have the usual family arguments over minor things like food, but many times, these were reportedly witnessed by the entire family. Exaggerated accounts were later given to show Maneka as irresponsible but sources close to Sonia maintained that at least in the first few years, the family had adjusted and they had a good time. Maneka always had a strong political streak. And she always wondered why Sonia was treated as special. (Photo: India Today) Sonia and Rajiv were away in Italy when Sanjay died in an air crash while practising loops in his Pitts S-2A aircraft over Safdarjung Airport on 23 June 1980. A chartered aircraft was sent to Rome to fetch them. On the way, it picked up Manekas mother, Amteshwar, sister Ambika, Congress leader VC Shukla and industrialist Swraj Paul from London. Shukla and Paul kept telling Amteshwar that she should try to keep the two families together and rally round Rajiv. Amteshwar was too grieved to apply her mind to this aspect. However, within days the Anand family, which had risen from being a decisively middle-class army family to one with political clout during the Sanjay era, was once again viewed with suspicion and distrust. As time went by, Sonia was spotted picking up vegetables at Khan Market, a shopping area favoured by diplomats and bureaucrats. She began growing broccoli in the vegetable patch behind the house. Indira, facing challenges from various quarters, would not leave an opportunity to praise Sonia. The preferential treatment of Sonia upset Maneka, who was also trying to help out her mother-in-law with the feisty Surya magazine, among other things. Maneka wondered why Sonia was treated specially just because she could buy groceries and cook. Khan Market: The site of delicious Lutyens dramas, then and now. (Photo: Wikipedia) Indiras family friends, ranging from Pupul Jayakar to Mohsina Kidwai, attribute a number of factors as to why Indira had a preference for Sonia over Maneka. In many ways, she was much more Indian than an average Indian girl, Mohsina Kidwai recalled. Indiraji always admired her for her good eye for handicrafts, handloom and antiques. She shortlisted and selected menus for dinners. When Frontier Gandhi, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, visited India in connection with the Gandhi centenary celebrations, Sonia was Indirajis personal emissary, looking after his one meal a day, etc. Indiras return to Parliament in 1978 from the Chikmagalur parliamentary seat in southern Karnakata where she won by a massive margin marked a turning point. Incidentally, the seat was vacated by HD Deve Gowda, who would later head a rag-tag coalition as Prime Minister in 1996-97. The Chikmagalur victory restored the confidence of the family. For both Sonia and Maneka, life at 12 Willingdon Crescent was a lively experience of an Indian joint family with its share of skirmishes and happy moments. Maneka and Sonia temporarily became friends when Maneka was expecting Feroze Varun the elder sister-in-law took care of her food, giving her vital tips and spending a lot of time with her until the baby was born in March 1980. Somehow, Sonia has never clarified why she vehemently opposed Manekas entry into politics. Sources close to Sonia said she felt Manekas inexperience and haughty behaviour would become a liability for Indira. Sonia was also said to be extremely wary of the Anand family particularly Amteshwar Anand. The exit of Maneka from the Indira household witnessed many twists and turns an ideal script for any saas-bahu serial. Indiras so-called perfect bahu, who cooked food, bought groceries, helped Indira choose the right sarees, raised her children and showed no inclination towards politics and politicking, strangely made no attempt to be a peacemaker. Some of Sonias friends said that her conduct must also be seen in a human context. After all, she too was a bahu and had to protect her turf. Her assessment of Manekas potential threat and personal bias may have prevented her from acting decisively. Maneka, however, does not hold her responsible. According to her, Indira and other members of the family changed their attitude once Sanjay died: I realised that I was nothing but Maneka to them. Maneka began working on an independent line in her effort to enter politics. She apparently had the support of some influential friends of Sanjay who had reportedly benefited immensely under him but many backed out when Maneka told them she was planning to go against Indira. Suddenly, Maneka discovered that, except for Akbar Dumpy Ahmad, known for his fiery speeches and outspoken behaviour, virtually everyone else had changed loyalties. The good Congress leaders who had suffered during the Sanjay era, began a campaign, saying that the Anand family wanted Indira to draft Maneka in politics. The whisper campaign had its impact. In any case, Sanjays death had changed everything. Indira was a broken person. Sometimes, she would hold herself responsible for Sanjays death; sometimes, she would blame the young widow. In her wavering mood, she began putting pressure on Rajiv to give up flying completely, fearing for his life. Rajiv was in no mood to oblige his mother, but he agreed to take leave to be at her side. Word was soon out that Rajiv would emerge as Sanjays successor it came as a rude shock to Maneka as Indira had promised to make Maneka her personal secretary. Maneka wondered how Indira could draft a political novice like Rajiv. After all, on numerous occasions, Indira herself had described Rajiv as an apolitical person. Indira was apparently not that keen on Rajiv joining politics either. This changed after the loss of Sanjay Gandhi. (Photo: India Today) Indiras close circle, ranging from Pupul Jayakar, Dhirendra Brahmachari and RK Dhawan to writer Khushwant Singh, was sharply divided on the issue of Sanjays successor. Some media persons who had easy access to Indira and Manekas family began lobbying for a political role for Maneka. Indira was undecided Sonia opposed Manekas entry. Although she was not keen on Rajiv to become a political player, she viewed Maneka as an unpredictable and ambitious person. According to Pupul Jayakar, "At first, Indira understood Manekas despair. She was anxious to find something that would occupy Manekas time and in a compassionate gesture to the young widow, suggested to Maneka to become her secretary and travel with her. This upset Sonia. Letters were exchanged between Sonia and Indira, and Indira, realising the need for Rajiv and family, withdrew the offer." Sonia may have blocked Manekas entry in politics, but she was equally opposed to Rajiv stepping into Sanjays shoes. At one juncture, she even threatened to walk out of his life if he were to join politics. Sonia recalls that she fought like a tigress for the sake of Rajiv and the children but most of all, for our freedom that simple human right that we had so carefully and consistently preserved. Sonia, however, slowly gave in. The rivalry between the two took a piquant turn when Maneka, who had won as an independent from Pilibhit in western UP, became a minister in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government headed by Atal Behari Vajpayee in 1999. In a subsequent reshuffle, she was appointed a minister for culture, a position which gave her supervision over various family trusts headed by Sonia. Maneka ordered a probe into alleged financial irregularities in some of these trusts and questioned the trust deed of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). Becoming a minister, Maneka ordered a probe into the IGNCA. (Photo: IGNCA website) The pace at which she started looking into these institutions upset many people. In an abrupt move, she was taken out of the ministry and moved to the more innocuous department of statistics. Maneka held Sonia responsible for her exit. The publication of Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi by Katherine Frank provided further ground for discord. Maneka alleged that the older bahu of Indira was instrumental in the inclusion of hoary tales involving Sanjay in the book. She claimed that Sonia and the Congress were trying to project Sanjay in a poor light and show Sonia, Priyanka and Rahul as the true inheritors of the NehruGandhi legacy. Frank had met Sonia while conducting research for the book and acknowledged Sonias support in terms of granting access to family letters and photographs. When the book came out, some Congress leaders felt portions of it showed Sanjay and Indira in a negative way, but aide and adviser on literary matters K Natwar Singh and party spokesman Jaipal Reddy advised Sonia against issuing any statement or demanding a ban. Maneka acted quickly against some statements in the book and won an out-of-court defamation suit in England. Maneka quickly asserted that it was Varuns sense of outrage against Frank that prompted her to file charges against the author. Maneka is dismissive about her failure to inherit the legacy of the family. According to her, the whole idea of linking the Congress with the NehruGandhi legacy is incorrect. "The legacy lies in carrying out the ideals set by the family," she says, asserting that it does not matter to her that it is Sonia who is accruing the political benefits of things in life. Earlier, she had stayed on, working round the clock to float the Sanjay Vichar Manch, a quasi-political outfit. Indira was livid and plainly told Maneka to leave Safdarjung Road if she wished to run a political organisation. Although a political novice, Maneka played her cards well, dictating the timing of her exit from the Indira household. At the time, Indira was in London with Sonia, while Rajiv was busy learning the ropes of politics and governance from a select band of academics, bureaucrats and technocrats. Indira returned from London on the morning of 28 March 1982. Family watchers said the Prime Minister was in a foul mood so much so that she did not even return Manekas greeting. Soon, Indira stormed barefoot into Manekas room in the company of two witnesses, Dhirendra Brahmachari and RK Dhawan, ordering her to leave her residence. Maneka first exhibited innocence, wondering why she was being given marching orders. When Indira referred to her Sanjay Vichar Manch speech, Maneka said she had cleared it. This infuriated Indira further. They exchanged heated words and Indira told her to leave without any belongings. The debate went on for long, and finally, at 1 am, she began walking out of the house. For the dozens of media persons, including correspondents of major foreign news agencies like Reuters, AFP and BBC, it was an opportunity of a lifetime. There was Indira, shouting, hair dishevelled, and Maneka, sobbing in a low voice. I have watched hundreds of Hindi films and soap operas but nothing like that. It was so real, said a photographer who captured the entire episode on film. Indiras two daughters-in-law are still at loggerheads. Sonia refuses to comment on Maneka but Sanjays widow is not so diplomatic. She is known to make acerbic remarks about her sister-in-law on her political style and way of functioning, even personal comments. Speaking on Doordarshan, Maneka said, It is true that she is a foreigner. But more than that, she has never done any social work and does not have any training. We are not born politicians, but you learn, study, and most important, you feel that something belonging to the dynasty.' While the young Gandhis were reluctant to attack one another in public, K Natwar Singh launched a no-holds-barred verbal assault on Maneka. The Sonia camp was quick to remind the nation about the circumstances and the manner in which Maneka made common cause with Indiras detractors eventually accepting the post of a junior minister in the Vajpayee government. Flowers, but with the thorns of broken relationships: The saga of distrust among the Gandhi siblings continues. (Photo: Twitter) In the last couple of months, Varun Gandhi had apparently made concerted efforts to warm up to the Congress but both Rahul and Priyanka remained rather guarded. Reportedly, Varun kept expecting a call that was nowhere in sight. Varun Gandhi apparently made concerted efforts to warm up to his Congress cousins who reportedly have not responded. (Photo: DailyO) At the last moment, Varun and Maneka exchanged constituencies to shore up their electoral prospects. The saga of distrust among the Gandhi siblings still continues. Also Read: Priyanka Gandhi's plans and pitfalls: There are many moves towards power, and possible falls on the way, for the Gandhi scion The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. 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Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc., ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics. ADVANZ PHARMA Corp. Limited, a pharmaceutical company, through its subsidiaries, owns or licenses a portfolio of branded and generic prescription products worldwide. The company operates through two segments: ADVANZ PHARMA International and ADVANZ PHARMA North America. Its ADVANZ PHARMA International segment offers a portfolio of branded and generic prescription products to wholesalers, distributors, hospitals, and pharmacies. This segment's products include Brinavess for the conversion of onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm in adults; Aggrastat, a reversible GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor indicated for use in patients with acute coronary syndrome; Xydalba, a semi-synthetic lipoglycopeptide for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections in adults; and Zevtera/Mabelio, a cephalosporin antibiotic for the treatment of community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia. The company's ADVANZ PHARMA North America segment provides Donnatal for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome; Zonegran for the treatment of partial seizures in adults with epilepsy; Nilandron for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer; Lanoxin for the treatment of mild to moderate heart failure and atrial fibrillation; Plaquenil for the treatment of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis; and Photofrin for the treatment of certain types of cancer. It also offers Prostaglandin E1 formulations for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and peripheral arterial occlusive disease under the Prostavasin, Viridal, Vasaprostan, and Edex brands, as well as holds licensed commercialization rights to a pre-registration drug/device combination product, Trevyent for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. It sells its products through direct sales and local distribution relationships. The company was formerly known as ADVANZ PHARMA Corp. and changed its name to ADVANZ PHARMA Corp. Limited in December 2019. ADVANZ PHARMA Corp. Limited is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. 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 [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. 39 minutes ago Ransomware persists even as high-profile attacks have slowed WASHINGTON (AP) In the months since President Joe Biden warned Russia's Vladimir Putin that he needed to crack down on ransomware gangs in his country, there hasnt been a massive attack like the one last May that resulted in gasoline shortages. Read Article The following companies are subsidiares of Iron Mountain: AB Archyvu Centras, AB Archyvu Sistemos, AB Archyvu Sistemos Estonia Branch, AS Archivu Serviss, Accutrac Software Inc, ArchivesOne, Archyvu sistemos, Arhiv-Trezor d.o.o., Ausdoc Group Pty Limited, Ausdoc Holdings Pty Limited, Bonded Services (International) B.V., Bonded Services Acquisition Ltd., Bonded Services Group, Bonded Services Group Limited, Bonded Services International Limited, Bonded Services Limited, Box Butler, Britannia Data Management Limited, Capital Vision Holdings SAS, Capital Vision SAS, Connected Corporation, Cornerstone Records Management, Crozier Fine Arts, Crozier Schweiz Ag, Custodia S.O.S. SA, DBJ Limited, DMS Storage s.r.o., DigiGuard, Disaster Recovery Services Limited, Docscan Cape Town Proprietary Limited, Docscan Proprietary Limited, Docu-File JHB Proprietary Limited, DocuTar Iratrendezo es Tarolo Szolgaltato Kft., DocuVault, Docufile (Pty) Ltd, EAC Invest, Eurospags Investments ApS, EvoSwitch, F.T.S. (Freight Forwarders) Limited, F.T.S. (Great Britain) Limited, F.T.S. (Road Transport) Limited, FTS Bonded Limited, Fairfield Fine Art, File Express Limited, Film Media Services Limited, First International Records Management AG, First International Records Management LLC, Fleet Freight Limited, Fontis International GmbH, Fortrust, G4S Secure Data Solutions Colombia, Glenbeign Records Mangement (GRM) DWC-LLC, Global Logistics Worldwide Limited, Haworth Group Holdings (UK) Limited, Haworth Group Limited, Hays IMS, Helcom Limited, IG2 Data Security, IM Mortgage Solutions LLC, IMI Investments Two Ltd, IMSA Peru SRL, IO.com, Information Storage Consolidation Co, Iron Mountain (Deutschland) Service GmbH, Iron Mountain (Espana) Services S.L, Iron Mountain (Gibraltar) Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain (Ireland) Services Limited, Iron Mountain (Nederland) Data Centre B.V., Iron Mountain (Nederland) Data Centre Holdings B.V., Iron Mountain (Nederland) Data Centre Services B.V., Iron Mountain (Nederland) Services BV, Iron Mountain (Schweiz) AG, Iron Mountain (UK) Data Centre Limited, Iron Mountain (UK) EES Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain (UK) PLC, Iron Mountain (UK) Services Limited, Iron Mountain A/S, Iron Mountain Acquisition Holdings Pty. Ltd., Iron Mountain Argentina S.A., Iron Mountain Arsivleme Hizmetleri A.S., Iron Mountain Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd, Iron Mountain Asia Pte Limited, Iron Mountain Australia Group Pty. Ltd., Iron Mountain Australia Group Services Pty. Ltd., Iron Mountain Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd, Iron Mountain Austria Archivierung Gmbh, Iron Mountain BPM SPRL, Iron Mountain Belgium NV, Iron Mountain Bulgaria, Iron Mountain Canada Operations ULC, Iron Mountain Ceska Republika S.R.O., Iron Mountain Chile S.A., Iron Mountain Chile Servicios S.A., Iron Mountain Cloud LLC, Iron Mountain Colombia S.A.S., Iron Mountain Cyprus Limited, Iron Mountain DIMS Limited, Iron Mountain Data Centers LLC, Iron Mountain Data Centers Services LLC, Iron Mountain Data Centre Pte. Limited, Iron Mountain Data Management (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Iron Mountain Data Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Iron Mountain Deutschland GmbH, Iron Mountain Do Brasil Ltda, Iron Mountain Document Holdings Sweden AB, Iron Mountain Document Storage Services LLC, Iron Mountain EES Holdings Ltd., Iron Mountain Enterprises Sdn. Bhd., Iron Mountain Espana SA, Iron Mountain Eswatini (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain Europe (Group) Limited, Iron Mountain Europe Ltd., Iron Mountain FZ-LLC, Iron Mountain Finland OY, Iron Mountain France S.A.S., Iron Mountain Fulfillment Services Inc., Iron Mountain Global Holdings Inc., Iron Mountain Global LLC, Iron Mountain Group (Europe) Limited, Iron Mountain Hellas SA, Iron Mountain Holdings (Europe) Limited, Iron Mountain Holdings (France) SNC, Iron Mountain Holdings Sweden AB, Iron Mountain Hong Kong Ltd., Iron Mountain Incorporated, Iron Mountain India Private Ltd, Iron Mountain Information Management LLC, Iron Mountain Information Management Services Canada Inc., Iron Mountain Information Management Services Inc., Iron Mountain Intellectual Property Management Inc., Iron Mountain International (Holdings) Ltd, Iron Mountain International Holdings BV, Iron Mountain Ireland Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain Ireland Limited, Iron Mountain Korea Limited, Iron Mountain Latin America Holdings Sociedad Limitada, Iron Mountain Lesotho (Proprietry) Limited, Iron Mountain Luxembourg Sarl, Iron Mountain Luxembourg Services S.a.r.l., Iron Mountain MDM Limited, Iron Mountain Macau Limited, Iron Mountain Magyarorszag Kereskedelmi es Szolgaltato Kft., Iron Mountain Management Services GmbH, Iron Mountain Mayflower Limited, Iron Mountain Mexico Holding S. de RL de CV, Iron Mountain Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Iron Mountain Mexico Servicios S. de RL de CV, Iron Mountain Mortgage Finance Holdings LLC, Iron Mountain Mortgage Finance I LLC, Iron Mountain Nederland B.V., Iron Mountain Nederland Holdings B.V., Iron Mountain New Zealand Limited, Iron Mountain Norge AS, Iron Mountain Participations SA, Iron Mountain Peru S.A., Iron Mountain Philippines Inc., Iron Mountain Poland Holdings Ltd, Iron Mountain Polska Services Sp z.o.o., Iron Mountain Polska Sp. z.o.o., Iron Mountain Receivables QRS LLC, Iron Mountain Receivables TRS LLC, Iron Mountain Records Management (Puerto Rico) Inc, Iron Mountain Records Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Iron Mountain SRL, Iron Mountain Sdn. Bhd., Iron Mountain Secure Shredding (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain Secure Shredding Canada Inc., Iron Mountain Secure Shredding Inc., Iron Mountain Services Private Ltd, Iron Mountain Services S.A.S., Iron Mountain Shanghai Co Ltd, Iron Mountain Singapore Pte. Ltd., Iron Mountain Slovakia s.r.o., Iron Mountain South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain South Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain South Africa Information Management (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain South Africa Records Management (Pty) Ltd, Iron Mountain South America Sarl, Iron Mountain Southeast Asia Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain Sweden AB, Iron Mountain Taiwan Ltd., Iron Mountain UK Services (Holdings) Ltd, Iron Mountain US Holdings Inc, Iron Mountain Vietnam Company Limited, Iron Mountain d.o.o. Novi Banovci, Jigsaw Freight Limited, Jigsaw Pieces Limited, Jin Shan Limited, KDM Spectrumdata Pty Ltd, KH Data Capital Development Land LLC, Lane Archives Technologies Corporation, Livevault, Marshgate Morangis Sarl, Mimosa Systems, Nettlebed Acquisition Corp., Novo Group Limited, Novo Holdings Limited, Novo Overseas Limited, NxtGen Data Center & Cloud Services, OEC Records Management Company Private Limited, OSG Records Management (Europe) Limited, OSG Records Management Center LLC, OSG Records Management Centre LLC, OSG Records Management Crypto LLC, OSG Records Management Foreign LLC, OSG Records Management LLC, OSG Records Management LLC (Ukraine), OSG Records Management LLP, OSG Services sp. zoo, Oda International Management Corporation NV, Osrecki d.o.o., PT Iron Mountain Indonesia, Preferred Media Ltd, Prism Integrated Sdn Bhd, Recall, Recall (London) Limited, Recall (Shanghai) Ltd., Recall Europe Finance Ltd., Recall Europe Limited, Recall GQ Ltd, Recall Holdings, Recall Holdings Limited, Recall India Information Management Pvt. Ltd., Recall International Pty Limited, Recall Italy SRL, Recall Limited, Recall Overseas Holdings Pty Limited, Recall Shredding Limited, Recall Technology Pty. Ltd., Recall Total Information Management India Pvt. Ltd., Record Data Limited, Royal Seal S.R.O., SIA RIATech, Saracen Datastore Limited, Shanghai Iron Mountain Data Storage Co. Ltd., Shuttle SRL, Startify, Superior Storage Limited, UAB Confidento, and Xepa Digital. Distil Plc, through its subsidiaries, markets and sells spirits. The company offers its products under various brands, including RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Vintage Gin, Blackwoods Vodka, Blavod Original Black Vodka, TrAve Botanical Spirit, Diva Vodka, and Jago's Vanilla Cream Liqueur. It markets and sells its products in the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Spain, Australia, and Russia. The company was formerly known as Blavod Wines and Spirits plc and changed its name to Distil Plc in April 2014. Distil Plc was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More McDermott International, Inc. provides engineering, procurement, construction and installation, and technology solutions to the energy industry worldwide. It operates through five segments: North, Central and South America; Europe, Africa, Russia and Caspian; the Middle East and North Africa; Asia Pacific; and Technology. It designs, engineers, and constructs upstream offshore oil and gas facilities, downstream oil and gas facilities, gas-fired power plants, liquefied natural gas import and export terminals, atmospheric and refrigerated storage vessels and terminals, water storage and treatment facilities, pipe and module fabrication, hydrocarbon processing facilities, pipe fabrication and manufacturing, and refining and petrochemical facilities. The company also provides gas processing, refining, petrochemical and coal gasification technologies, as well as a supplies catalysts, equipment, and related engineering services. It serves national, integrated, and other oil and gas companies, as well as producers of petrochemicals and electric power. McDermott International, Inc. was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Read More 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 Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC, together with its subsidiaries, provides private and commercial banking products and services in the United Kingdom. It operates through Private Banking, Mortgage Portfolios, Commercial Banking, Renaissance Asset Finance, Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending, Arbuthnot Specialist Finance Limited, and All Other Divisions segments. The company offers private banking services, including current and deposit accounts, loans, overdrafts, and foreign exchange; financial planning; investment and asset management; asset finance funding; and short-term secured lending solutions. It also provides commercial banking services, such as guarantees and charge cards; property finance for property investments and developments; individual secured lending; and asset based lending solutions. In addition, the company offers wealth structuring, tax mitigation, estate preservation, and retirement planning services, as well as mortgage portfolios. Further, it provides insurance, specialist finance, and property development and investment services. Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC was founded in 1833 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More Bank of America Corp. is a bank and financial holding company, which engages in the provision of banking and nonbank financial services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth and Investment Management, Global Banking, Global Markets, and All Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers credit, banking, and investment products and services to consumers and small businesses. The Global Wealth and Investment Management provides client experience through a network of financial advisors focused on to meet their needs through a full set of investment management, brokerage, banking, and retirement products. The Global Banking segment deals with lending-related products and services, integrated working capital management and treasury solutions to clients, and underwriting and advisory services. The Global Markets segment includes sales and trading services, as well as research, to institutional clients across fixed-income, credit, currency, commodity, and equity businesses. The All Other segment consists of asset and liability management activities, equity investments, non-core mortgage loans and servicing activities, the net impact of periodic revisions Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Becton, Dickinson and: (Bard Istanbul Healthcare Limited Company), Accuri Cytometers, Accuri Cytometers Inc., Adaptec Manufacturing Singapore, Alverix, Alverix Inc., Atto Bioscience, BD Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., BD Infection Prevention BV, BD Kiestra BV, BD Kiestra Total Lab Automation, BD Rapid Diagnostic (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., BD San Luis Potosi S.A. de C.V., BD Switzerland Sarl, BD Ventures LLC, BD West Africa Limited, BDX INO LLC, Bard (Thailand) Limited, Bard ASDI Inc., Bard Access Systems Inc., Bard Acquisition Sub Inc., Bard Australia Pty. Limited, Bard Benelux N.V., Bard Brachytherapy Inc., Bard Brasil Industria e Comercio de Produtos Para a Saude Ltda., Bard Canada Inc., Bard Chile S.p.A., Bard Czech Republic s.r.o., Bard Devices Inc., Bard Dublin ITC Limited, Bard EMEA Finance Center Sp.z o.o., Bard European Distribution Center N.V., Bard Finance B.V. & Co. KG., Bard Financial Services Ltd., Bard Finland OY, Bard France S.A.S., Bard Global Holdings I LLC, Bard Global Holdings II LLC, Bard Global Holdings III LLC, Bard Healthcare Inc., Bard Healthcare Science (Shanghai) Limited, Bard Hellas S.A., Bard Holding SAS, Bard Holdings Limited, Bard Holdings Netherlands B.V., Bard Hong Kong Limited, Bard IP Holdings Inc., Bard India Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Bard International Holdings B.V., Bard International Inc., Bard Korea Ltd., Bard Limited, Bard MRL Acquisition Corp., Bard Malaysia Healthcare Sdn. Bhd., Bard Medica SA, Bard Medical Devices (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Bard Medical R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Bard Medical SA (Proprietary) Limited, Bard Mexico Realty S. de R.L. de C.V., Bard Norden AB, Bard Norway AS, Bard Pacific Health Care Company Ltd., Bard Peripheral Vascular Inc., Bard Poland Sp. z.o.o., Bard Productos Plasticos e Medicos Ltda., Bard Reynosa S.A. de C.V., Bard S.r.l., Bard Sdn. Bhd., Bard Shannon Limited, Bard Singapore Private Limited, Bard Sourcing Office Singapore Pte. Ltd., Bard Sweden AB, Bard UK Newco Limited, Bard de Espana S.A., Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Holdings Ltd., Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Limited, Becton Dickinson (Gibraltar) Management Limited, Becton Dickinson (Mauritius) Limited, Becton Dickinson (Pty) Ltd., Becton Dickinson (Thailand) Limited, Becton Dickinson A.G., Becton Dickinson A/S, Becton Dickinson Argentina S.R.L., Becton Dickinson Asia Holdings Ltd., Becton Dickinson Asia Limited, Becton Dickinson Austria GmbH, Becton Dickinson Austria Holdings GmbH, Becton Dickinson B.V., Becton Dickinson B.V. Saudi Limited Company, Becton Dickinson Benelux N.V., Becton Dickinson Biosciences Systems and Reagents Inc., Becton Dickinson Canada Inc., Becton Dickinson Caribe Ltd., Becton Dickinson Croatia d.o.o., Becton Dickinson Czechia s.r.o., Becton Dickinson Dispensing Belgium BVBA, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Denmark A/S, Becton Dickinson Dispensing France SAS, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Ireland Limited, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Norway, Becton Dickinson Dispensing Spain S.L.U., Becton Dickinson Dispensing UK Ltd., Becton Dickinson Distribution Center N.V., Becton Dickinson East Africa Ltd., Becton Dickinson Euro Finance Sarl, Becton Dickinson Europe Holdings S.A.S., Becton Dickinson France S.A.S., Becton Dickinson GSA Beteilgungs GmbH, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings I Inc., Becton Dickinson Global Holdings II LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings IV LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings V LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings VII LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Holdings VIII LLC, Becton Dickinson Global Services Centre Sdn. Bhd, Becton Dickinson GmbH, Becton Dickinson Guatemala S.A., Becton Dickinson Hellas S.A., Becton Dickinson Holdings Limited, Becton Dickinson Holdings Ltd., Becton Dickinson Holdings Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Hungary Kft., Becton Dickinson India Private Limited, Becton Dickinson Industrias Cirurgicas Ltda., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy AB, Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Holdings UK Limited, Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Systems Inc., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy Systems Inc. S.A. de C.V., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy UK, Becton Dickinson Insulin Syringe Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings II Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings III Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Israel Ltd., Becton Dickinson Italia S.p.A., Becton Dickinson Ithalat Ihracat Limited Sirketi, Becton Dickinson Korea Holding Inc., Becton Dickinson Korea Ltd., Becton Dickinson Ltd., Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Finance S.a.r.L., Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Global Holdings Sarl, Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Holdings II S.a.r.L, Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Holdings III S.a.r.L, Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Holdings V S.a.r.L., Becton Dickinson Malaysia Inc., Becton Dickinson Management GmbH & Co. KG, Becton Dickinson Matrex Holdings Inc., Becton Dickinson Medical (S) Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Devices (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Devices (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Products Pte. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Technology (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Global Holdings II C.V., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Holdings B.V., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Holdings II B.V., Becton Dickinson Norway AS, Becton Dickinson O.Y., Becton Dickinson Overseas Services Ltd., Becton Dickinson Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd., Becton Dickinson Penel Limited, Becton Dickinson Philippines Inc., Becton Dickinson Polska Sp.z.o.o., Becton Dickinson Portugal Unipessoal Lda., Becton Dickinson Pty. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Research Centre Ireland Limited, Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH, Becton Dickinson Rowa Italy Srl, Becton Dickinson S.A., Becton Dickinson Sample Collection GmbH, Becton Dickinson Scot Financing L.L.P., Becton Dickinson Scot Financing L.P., Becton Dickinson Sdn. Bhd., Becton Dickinson Slovakia s.r.o., Becton Dickinson Sweden AB, Becton Dickinson Sweden Holdings AB, Becton Dickinson Switzerland Global Holdings SarL, Becton Dickinson Technology Campus India, Becton Dickinson U.K. Limited, Becton Dickinson UK Financing I Limited, Becton Dickinson UK Financing II Limited, Becton Dickinson Venezuela C.A., Becton Dickinson Venture LLC, Becton Dickinson Verwaltungs GmbH, Becton Dickinson Vostok LLC, Becton Dickinson Worldwide Investments Sa.r.L., Becton Dickinson Zambia Limited, Becton Dickinson and Company Ltd., Becton Dickinson de Colombia Ltda., Becton Dickinson de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Becton Dickinson del Uruguay S.A., Benex Ltd., Biometric Imaging, Bridger Biomed Inc., C. R. Bard, C. R. Bard (Portugal) - Produtos e Artigos Medicos e Farmaceuticos, C. R. Bard Do Brasil Productos Medicos Ltda., C. R. Bard GmbH, C. R. Bard Inc., C. R. Bard Netherlands Sales B.V., CME America LLC, CME Ltd., CME Medical (UK) Limited, CME UK (Holdings) Limited, CRISI Medical Systems, CRISI Medical Systems Inc., Caesarea Medical Electronics, Cardal II LLC, Care Fusion Development Private Limited, CareFusion, CareFusion (Barbados) SrL, CareFusion (Shanghai) Commercial and Trading Co. Limited, CareFusion 213 LLC, CareFusion 2200 Inc., CareFusion 2201 Inc., CareFusion 302 LLC, CareFusion 303 Inc., CareFusion Asia (HK) Limited, CareFusion BH 335 d.o.o. Cazin, CareFusion Corporation, CareFusion D.R. 203 Ltd., CareFusion France 309 S.A.S., CareFusion Israel 330 Ltd., CareFusion Italy 312 S.p.A., CareFusion Manufacturing LLC, CareFusion Mexico 215 S.A. de C.V., CareFusion Netherlands 328 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands 503 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands 504 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands Financing 283 C.V., CareFusion Resources LLC, CareFusion S.A. 319 (Proprietary) Limited, CareFusion Solutions LLC, CareFusion U.K. 244 Limited, CareFusion U.K. 305 Limited, CareFusion U.K. 306 Limited, Carmel Pharma AB, Carmel Pharma Inc, Cato Software Solutions, Cell Analysis Systems Inc, Cellular Research, Cellular Research Inc., Clearstream Technologies Group Limited, Clearstream Technologies Limited, Clontech Laboratories Inc, Corporativo BD de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Cubex, Cytopeia, DLD (Bermuda) Ltd., DVL Acquisition Sub Inc., Davol Inc., Davol International Limited, Davol Surgical Innovations S.A. de C.V., Difco Laboratories Incorporated, Distribuidora BD Mexico S.A. de C.V., Dutch American Manufacturers (D.A.M.) B.V., Dymax Corporation, Embo Medical Limited, Enturia de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Enturican Inc., FJ International Inc., FlowCardia Inc., FlowCardia LLC, FlowJo LLC, Franklin Lakes Enterprises L.L.C., GSL Solutions, Gamer Lasertechnik GmbH, GenCell Biosystems, GenCell Biosystems Ltd., GeneOhm Sciences, GeneOhm Sciences Canada ULC, Gentest Corporation, Gesco International Inc., Gesco International LLC, HandyLab Inc, HandyLab Inc., IBD Holdings LLC, Iontophoretics Corporation, JoHome LLC, Kabushiki Kaisha Medicon (Medicon Inc.), Liberator Health and Education Services Inc., Liberator Health and Wellness Inc., Liberator Medical Holdings Inc., Liberator Medical Supply Inc., LifeBond, Limited Liability Company Bard Rus, Loma Vista Medical Inc., Loma Vista Medical LLC, Lutonix Inc., Med-Design Corporation, Med-Design Investment Holdings Inc., Med-Safe Systems Inc., MedChem Products Inc., Medafor Inc., Medegen LLC, Medinservice.com Inc., Medivance Inc., NAT Diagnostics, NAT Diagnostics Inc., NOW Medical Distribution Inc., NOW Medical Distribution LLC, Navarre Biomedical LLC, Navarre Biomedical Ltd., Neomend Inc., Nippon Becton Dickinson Company Ltd., Omega Biosystems Incorporated, P.R.C. (Isialys) Societe a responsabilitie limitee (Societe a associe unique), PT Becton Dickinson Indonesia, PharMingen, PreAnalytiX GmbH, Pristine Access Technologies Inc., ProSeed Inc., Procesos para Esterilizacion S.A. de C.V., Productos Bard de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Productos Para el Cuidado de la Salud S.A. de C.V., Puls Medical Devices AS LC, PureWick Corporation, Roberts Laboratories Inc., Rochester Medical Corporation, Rochester Medical Ltd., Saf-T-Med, Safety Syringes, Safety Syringes Inc., Sendal S.L.U., SenoRx Inc., SenoRx LLC, Shield Healthcare Centers Inc., Sirigen, Sirigen II Limited, Sirigen Inc., Sistemas Medicos ALARIS S.A. de C.V., Specialized Cooperative Corporation, Specialized Health Products Inc., Specialized Health Products International Inc., Specialized Health Products International LLC, Staged Diabetes Management LLC, Straub Medical, Straub Medical AG, Surgical Site Solutions Inc., TVA Medical, TVA Medical Inc., Tepha, Tepha Inc., Tri-County Medical & Ostomy Supplies Inc., TriPath Imaging, TriPath Imaging Inc., Vas-Cath Incorporated, Vascular Pathways Inc., Velano Vascular, Velano Vascular Inc., Venetec International Inc., Venetec International LLC, Y-Med Inc., Y-Med LLC, and ZebraSci Inc.. There is not enough analysis data for Blackwall Property Trust. 4.5 Community Rank Outperform Votes Blackwall Property Trust has received 21 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Blackwall Property Trust has received 10 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Blackwall Property Trust has received 67.74% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Blackwall Property Trust and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe BWR will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe BWR will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next The following companies are subsidiares of BlackRock: Acero Cooperatief U.A., Acero Holdings I B.V., Amethyst Merger Sub LLC, AnalytX Hosting LLC, AnalytX LLC, AnalytX Software LLC, Aperio, Aperio, Aquila Heywood, Asia-Pacific Private Credit Opportunities Fund I (GenPar) Ltd., BAA Holdings LLC, BFM Holdco LLC, BLK (Gallatin) Holdings LLC, BLK SMI LLC, BR Acquisition Mexico S.A. de C.V., BR Jersey International Holdings L.P., Beijing eFront Software Company Limited, BlackRock (Barbados) Finco 1 SRL, BlackRock (Channel Islands) Limited, BlackRock (Luxembourg) S.A., BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., BlackRock (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco II Pte. Ltd., BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco Pte. Limited, BlackRock (Singapore) Limited, BlackRock AP Investment Holdco LLC, BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited, BlackRock Advisors LLC, BlackRock Advisors Singapore Pte. Limited, BlackRock Alternative Advisors GP Holdings LLC, BlackRock Alternatives Management LLC, BlackRock Argentina Asesorias Ltda., BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Deutschland AG, BlackRock Asset Management International Inc., BlackRock Asset Management Investor Services Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited, BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Schweiz AG, BlackRock Asset Management UK Limited, BlackRock Australia Holdco Pty. Ltd., BlackRock Brasil Gestora de Investimentos Ltda., BlackRock Cal 1 Investor LLC, BlackRock Canada Holdings LP, BlackRock Canada Holdings ULC, BlackRock Capital Holdings Inc., BlackRock Capital Investment Advisors LLC, BlackRock Capital Management Inc., BlackRock Cayco Limited, BlackRock Cayman 1 LP, BlackRock Cayman Capital Holdings Limited, BlackRock Cayman Finco 2 Limited, BlackRock Cayman Finco 3 Limited, BlackRock Cayman Finco Limited, BlackRock Cayman West Bay Finco Limited, BlackRock Cayman West Bay IV Limited, BlackRock Cayman Z Limited, BlackRock Channel Islands Holdco Limited, BlackRock Chile Asesorias Limitada, BlackRock Colombia Holdco LLC, BlackRock Colombia Infraestructura S.A.S., BlackRock Colombia SAS, BlackRock Company Secretarial Services (UK) Limited, BlackRock Corporation US Inc., BlackRock Delaware Holdings Inc., BlackRock Enterprise Management Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock Europe Development Management Limited, BlackRock Execution Services, BlackRock Finance Europe Limited, BlackRock Financial Management Inc., BlackRock Finco LLC, BlackRock Finco UK Ltd., BlackRock First Partner Limited, BlackRock France SAS, BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Fund Management Company S.A., BlackRock Fund Managers Limited, BlackRock Funding International Ltd., BlackRock Funds Services Group LLC, BlackRock Germany GmBH, BlackRock Group Limited, BlackRock HK Holdco Limited, BlackRock Holdco 2 Inc., BlackRock Holdco 3 LLC, BlackRock Holdco 4 LLC, BlackRock Holdco 5 LLC, BlackRock Holdco 6 LLC, BlackRock Hungary Kft, BlackRock Index Services LLC, BlackRock Infrastructure Management I LLC, BlackRock Institutional Services Inc., BlackRock Institutional Trust Company National Association, BlackRock International Holdings Inc., BlackRock International Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Dublin) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Korea) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock Investment Management (Taiwan) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management Ireland Holdings Limited, BlackRock Investment Management LLC, BlackRock Investments LLC, BlackRock Japan Co. Ltd., BlackRock Japan Holdings GK, BlackRock Jersey Finco 2 Limited, BlackRock Latin America Holdco LLC, BlackRock Latin American Holdings B.V., BlackRock Life Limited, BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l., BlackRock Luxembourg Holdco S.a r.l., BlackRock Mexican Holdco B.V., BlackRock Mexico Infraestructura I S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Infraestructura II S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Infraestructura III S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Manager II S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Manager III S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Manager S de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Operadora S.A. de C.V. Sociedad Operadora de Fondos de Inversion, BlackRock Mortgage Ventures LLC, BlackRock Niagara LLC, BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., BlackRock Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock PC Holdings LLC, BlackRock Pensions Limited, BlackRock Peru Asesorias S.A., BlackRock Property Consulting (Beijing) Co. Ltd., BlackRock Property France S.a.r.l., BlackRock Property Lux S.a.r.l., BlackRock Property Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., BlackRock Realty Advisors Inc., BlackRock Saudi Arabia, BlackRock Scale Holdings LLC, BlackRock Services India Private Limited, BlackRock Singapore III Pte. Ltd., BlackRock Slovakia s.r.o., BlackRock Strategic Investors GP LLC, BlackRock Strategic Investors LP, BlackRock Trident Holding Company Limited, BlackRock UK (Alpha) Limited, BlackRock UK (Beta) Limited, BlackRock UK (Delta) LP, BlackRock UK (Gamma) Limited, BlackRock UK (Sigma) Limited, BlackRock UK 2 LLP, BlackRock UK 3 LLP, BlackRock UK 4 LLP, BlackRock UK A LLP, BlackRock UK Holdco 2 Limited, BlackRock UK Holdco Limited, Blackhawk Investment Holding LLC, CIE Automotive, Cachematrix Holdings, Cachematrix Holdings LLC, Cachematrix Integrations Private Limited, Cachematrix Software Solutions LLC, Cachematrix UK Limited, FutureAdvisor Inc., Glass Mountain Pipeline, Global Energy & Power Infrastructure Advisors LLC, Global Energy & Power Infrastructure II Advisors LLC, Grosvenor Alternate Partner Limited, Grosvenor Ventures Limited, HLX Financial Holdings LLC, MGPA (Bermuda) Limited, MGPA (Exec) Limited, MGPA Limited, Mercury Carry Company Ltd., Mercury Private Equity MUST 3 (Jersey) Limited, Object Capital Technology Inc., Phoenix Acquisition B.V., Phoenix Acquisitions Holdings LLC, Portfolio Administration & Management Ltd., Prestadora de Servicios Integrales BlackRock Mexico S.A. de C.V., SVOF/MM LLC, St. Albans House Nominees (Jersey) Ltd., State Street Research & Management, Tennenbaum Capital Partners LLC, Tennenbaum Capital Partners LLC, Tlali Acero S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR, Trident Merger LLC, eFront, eFront, eFront (Jersey) Limited, eFront DMLT Holdings LLC, eFront DMLT Holdings S.R.L, eFront DR S.R.L, eFront Do Brasil Solucoes Informaticas Para Sistemas Financeiros Ltda., eFront FZ-LLC, eFront Financial Solutions Inc., eFront GmbH, eFront Holding II SAS, eFront Holdings SAS, eFront Hong Kong Limited, eFront II SAS, eFront Kabushiki Kaisha, eFront Ltd, eFront SAS, eFront Singapore Pte. Ltd, eFront Software Luxembourg S.a r.l., eFront Solutions Financeieres Inc., eFront d.o.o. Beograd, iShares (DE) I Investmentaktiengesellschaft mit Teilgesellschaftsvermogen, and iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC. The following companies are subsidiares of BP: 200 PS Overseas Holdings Inc., 563916 Alberta Ltd., ACP (Malaysia) Inc., AE Cedar Creek Holdings LLC, AE Goshen II Holdings LLC, AE Goshen II Wind Farm LLC, AE Power Services LLC, AE Wind PartsCo LLC, AM/PM International Inc., ARCO, ARCO British International, ARCO British Limited, ARCO Coal Australia Inc., ARCO El-Djazair Holdings Inc., ARCO Environmental Remediation L.L.C., ARCO Exploration Inc., ARCO Gaviota Company, ARCO International Investments Inc., ARCO International Services Inc., ARCO Midcon LLC, ARCO Oil Company Nigeria Unlimited, ARCO Oman Inc, ARCO Resources Limited, ARCO Trinidad Exploration and Production Company Limited, ARCO Unimar Holdings LLC, Actomat B.V., Advance Petroleum Holdings Pty Ltd, Advance Petroleum Pty Ltd, Air BP Albania SHA, Air BP Brasil Ltda., Air BP Canada LLC, Air BP Croatia d.o.o., Air BP Finland Oy, Air BP Iceland, Air BP Limited, Air BP Norway AS, Air BP Sales Romania S.R.L., Air BP Sweden AB, Air Refuel Pty Ltd, Allgreen Pty Ltd, AmProp Finance Company, American Oil Company, Amoco (Fiddich) Limited, Amoco (U.K.) Exploration Company LLC., Amoco Bolivia Petroleum Company, Amoco Bolivia Services Company Inc., Amoco Canada International Holdings B.V., Amoco Capline Pipeline Company, Amoco Chemical (Europe) S.A., Amoco Chemicals (FSC) B.V., Amoco Cypress Pipeline Company, Amoco Destin Pipeline Company, Amoco Environmental Services Company, Amoco Exploration Holdings B.V., Amoco Guatemala Petroleum Company, Amoco International Finance Corporation, Amoco International Petroleum Company, Amoco Leasing Corporation, Amoco Louisiana Fractionator Company, Amoco MB Fractionation Company, Amoco MBF Company, Amoco Main Pass Gathering Company, Amoco Marketing Environmental Services Company, Amoco Netherlands Petroleum Company, Amoco Nigeria Exploration Company Limited, Amoco Nigeria Oil Company Limited, Amoco Nigeria Petroleum Company, Amoco Nigeria Petroleum Company Limited, Amoco Norway Oil Company, Amoco Oil Holding Company, Amoco Olefins Corporation, Amoco Overseas Exploration Company, Amoco Pipeline Asset Company, Amoco Pipeline Holding Company, Amoco Properties Incorporated, Amoco Remediation Management Services Corporation, Amoco Research Operating Company, Amoco Rio Grande Pipeline Company, Amoco Somalia Petroleum Company, Amoco Sulfur Recovery Company, Amoco Tri-States NGL Pipeline Company, Amoco Trinidad Gas B.V., Amoco U.K. Petroleum Limited, Amprop Illinois I Limited, Amprop Inc., Anaconda Arizona Inc., Arabian Production And Marketing Lubricants, Aral Aktiengesellschaft, Aral Luxembourg S.A., Aral Services Luxembourg Sarl, Aral Tankstellen Services Sarl, Arco Mediterraneo Inversiones S.L., Areas Noriega S.L., Areas Singulares Reyes S.L., Aspac Lubricants (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Atlantic 2/3 UK Holdings Limited, Atlantic Richfield Company, Atlantic Richfield Companyd, Autino Holdings Limited, Autino Limited, Auwahi Wind Energy Holdings LLC, B2Mobility GmbH, BASS Management Pty Ltd, BP (Abu Dhabi) Limited, BP (Barbados) Holding SRL, BP (Barbican) Limited, BP (China) Holdings Limited, BP (China) Industrial Lubricants Limited, BP (GTA Mauritania) Finance Limited, BP (GTA Senegal) Finance Limited, BP (Gibraltar) Limited, BP (Guangzhou) Advanced Mobility Limited, BP (Hunan) Petroleum Company Limited, BP (Indian Agencies) Limited, BP (Shandong) Petroleum Co. Ltd, BP (Shanghai) Trading Limited, BP - Castrol (Thailand) Limited, BP AMI Leasing Inc., BP Absheron Limited, BP Advanced Mobility Limited, BP Africa Limited, BP Africa Oil Limited, BP Akaryakit Ortakligi, BP Alaska LNG LLC, BP Alternative Energy Holdings Limited, BP Alternative Energy Investments Limited, BP Alternative Energy North America Inc., BP Alternative Energy Trinidad and Tobago Limited, BP America Chembel Holding LLC, BP America Chemicals Company, BP America Foreign Investments Inc., BP America Inc, BP America Inc., BP America Limited, BP America Production Company, BP Amoco Chemical Company, BP Amoco Chemical Holding Company, BP Amoco Chemical Indonesia Limited, BP Amoco Chemical Malaysia Holding Company, BP Amoco Exploration (Faroes) Limited, BP Amoco Exploration (In Amenas) Limited, BP Andaman II Ltd, BP Angola (Block 18) B.V., BP Argentina Exploration Company, BP Argentina Holdings LLC, BP Aromatics Holdings Limited, BP Aromatics Limited, BP Asia Limited, BP Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., BP Asia Pacific Holdings Limited, BP Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, BP Australia Capital Markets Limited, BP Australia Employee Share Plan Proprietary Limited, BP Australia Group Pty Ltde, BP Australia Investments Pty Ltd, BP Australia Nominees Proprietary Limited, BP Australia Pty Ltd, BP Australia Shipping Pty Ltd, BP Australia Swaps Management Limited, BP Aviation A/S, BP Benevolent Fund Trustees Limited, BP Berau Ltd., BP Biocombustiveis S.A., BP Bioenergia Campina Verde Ltda., BP Bioenergia Ituiutaba Ltda., BP Bioenergia Itumbiara S.A., BP Bioenergia Tropical S.A., BP Biofuels Advanced Technology Inc., BP Biofuels Brazil Investments Limited, BP Biofuels Louisiana LLC, BP Biofuels North America LLC, BP Biofuels Trading Comercio Exportacao Ltda., BP Bomberai Ltd., BP Brasil Ltda., BP Brazil Tracking L.L.C., BP Bulwer Island Pty Ltd, BP Business Service Centre Asia Sdn Bhd, BP Business Service Centre KFT, BP CIV Pty Ltd, BP Canada Energy Development Company, BP Canada Energy Group ULC, BP Canada Energy Marketing Corp., BP Canada International Holdings B.V., BP Canada Investments Inc., BP Capellen Sarl, BP Capital Markets, BP Capital Markets America, BP Capital Markets America Inc., BP Capital Markets p.l.c., BP Car Fleet Limited, BP Caribbean Company, BP Castrol KK, BP Castrol Lubricants (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., BP Central Pipelines LLC, BP Chembel, BP Chemicals (Korea) Limited, BP Chemicals East China Investments Limited, BP Chemicals Investments Limited, BP Chemicals Limited, BP China Exploration and Production Company, BP Comercializadora de Energia Ltda., BP Commodities Trading Limited, BP Commodity Supply B.V., BP Company North America, BP Company North America Inc., BP Containment Response Limited, BP Containment Response System Holdings LLC, BP Continental Holdings Limited, BP Corporate Holdings, BP Corporate Holdings Limited, BP Corporation North America, BP Corporation North America Inc., BP D-B Pipeline Company LLC, BP D230 Limited, BP Danmark A/S, BP Developments Australia Pty. Ltd., BP Dogal Gaz Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, BP East Kalimantan CBM Limited, BP Eastern Mediterranean Limited, BP Egypt Company, BP Egypt East Delta Marine Corporation, BP Egypt East Tanka B.V., BP Egypt Production B.V., BP Egypt Ras El Barr B.V., BP Egypt West Mediterranean (Block B) B.V., BP Energy Asia Pte. Limited, BP Energy Colombia Limited, BP Energy Company, BP Energy Europe Limited, BP Energy Solutions B.V., BP Energy do Brasil Ltda., BP Energia Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., BP Espana S.A. Unipersonal, BP Estaciones y Servicios Energeticos Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, BP Europa SE, BP Exploracion de Venezuela S.A., BP Exploration & Production Inc., BP Exploration (Absheron) Limited, BP Exploration (Alaska), BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc., BP Exploration (Algeria) Limited, BP Exploration (Alpha), BP Exploration (Alpha) Limited, BP Exploration (Angola), BP Exploration (Angola) Limited, BP Exploration (Azerbaijan), BP Exploration (Azerbaijan) Limited, BP Exploration (Canada) Limited, BP Exploration (Caspian Sea), BP Exploration (Caspian Sea) Limited, BP Exploration (D230) Limited, BP Exploration (Delta), BP Exploration (Delta) Limited, BP Exploration (El Djazair) Limited, BP Exploration (Epsilon) Limited, BP Exploration (Gambia) Limited, BP Exploration (Greenland) Limited, BP Exploration (Madagascar) Limited, BP Exploration (Morocco) Limited, BP Exploration (Namibia) Limited, BP Exploration (Nigeria Finance) Limited, BP Exploration (Nigeria) Limited, BP Exploration (Psi) Limited, BP Exploration (STP) Limited, BP Exploration (Shafag-Asiman) Limited, BP Exploration (Shah Deniz) Limited, BP Exploration (South Atlantic) Limited, BP Exploration (Xazar) Pte. Ltd., BP Exploration Angola (Kwanza Benguela) Limited, BP Exploration Argentina Limited, BP Exploration Australia Pty Ltd Level 15, BP Exploration Beta Limited, BP Exploration China Limited, BP Exploration Company (Middle East) Limited, BP Exploration Company Limited, BP Exploration Indonesia Limited, BP Exploration Libya Limited, BP Exploration Mexico Limited, BP Exploration Mexico S.A. De C.V., BP Exploration North Africa Limited, BP Exploration Operating Company, BP Exploration Operating Company Limited, BP Exploration Orinoco Limited, BP Exploration Personnel Company Limited, BP Exploration Peru Limited, BP Express Shopping Limited, BP Finance Australia Pty Ltd, BP Finance p.l.c., BP Foundation Incorporated, BP France, BP Fuels & Lubricants AS, BP Fuels Deutschland GmbH, BP GOM Logistics LLC, BP Gas & Power Investments Limited, BP Gas Europe S.A.U., BP Gas Marketing Limited, BP Gas Supply (Angola) LLC, BP Ghana Limited, BP Global Investments, BP Global Investments Limited, BP Global Investments Salalah & Co LLC, BP Global West Africa Limited, BP Greece Limited, BP Guangdong Limited, BP High Density Polyethylene - France, BP Holdings (Thailand) Limited, BP Holdings B.V., BP Holdings Canada, BP Holdings Canada Limited, BP Holdings International B.V., BP Holdings North America, BP Holdings North America Limited, BP Hong Kong Limited, BP India Private Limited, BP Indonesia Investment Limited, BP International, BP International Limited, BP International Services Company, BP Investment Management Limited, BP Investments Asia Limited, BP Iran Limited, BP Iraq N.V., BP Italia SpA, BP Japan K.K., BP Korea Limited, BP Kuwait Limited, BP LNG Shipping Limited, BP Latin America LLC, BP Latin America Upstream Services Inc., BP Lubricants KK, BP Lubricants USA Inc., BP Luxembourg S.A., BP Malaysia Holdings Sdn. Bhd., BP Management International B.V., BP Management Netherlands B.V., BP Marine Limited, BP Mariner Holding Company LLC, BP Maritime Services (Singapore) Pte. Limited, BP Marketing Egypt LLC, BP Mauritania Investments Limited, BP Mauritius Limited (in liquidation), BP Middle East Enterprises Corporation, BP Middle East LLC, BP Middle East Limited, BP Midstream Partners GP LLC, BP Midstream Partners Holdings LLC, BP Midstream Partners LP, BP Midwest Product Pipelines Holdings LLC, BP Mocambique Limitada, BP Mocambique Limited, BP Muturi Holdings B.V., BP Nederland Holdings BV, BP Netherlands Upstream B.V., BP New Ventures Middle East Limited, BP New Zealand Holdings Limited, BP New Zealand Share Scheme Limited, BP Nutrition Inc., BP Offshore Gathering Systems Inc., BP Offshore Pipelines Company LLC, BP Offshore Response Company LLC, BP Oil (Thailand) Limited, BP Oil Australia Pty Ltd, BP Oil Espana S.A., BP Oil Hellenic S.A., BP Oil International, BP Oil International Limited, BP Oil Kent Refinery Limited (in liquidation), BP Oil Llandarcy Refinery Limited, BP Oil Logistics UK Limited, BP Oil New Zealand Limited, BP Oil Pipeline Company, BP Oil Senegal S.A., BP Oil Shipping Company, BP Oil UK Limited, BP Oil Venezuela Limited, BP Oil Vietnam Limited, BP Oil Yemen Limited, BP Olex Fanal Mineralol GmbH, BP One Pipeline Company LLC, BP Pacific Investments Ltd, BP Pakistan (Badin) Inc., BP Pakistan Exploration and Production Inc., BP Pension Escrow Limited, BP Pension Trustees Limited, BP Pensions (Overseas) Limited, BP Pensions Limited, BP Petrochemicals India Investments Limited, BP Petroleo y Gas S.A., BP Petrolleri Anonim Sirketi, BP Pipelines (Alaska) Inc., BP Pipelines (BTC) Limited, BP Pipelines (North America) Inc., BP Pipelines (SCP) Limited, BP Pipelines (TANAP) Limited, BP Pipelines TAP Limited, BP Polska Services Sp. z o.o. Ul., BP Portugal -Comercio de Combustiveis e Lubrificantes SA, BP Poseidon Limited, BP Products North America, BP Products North America Inc., BP Properties Limited, BP Raffinaderij Rotterdam B.V., BP Refinery (Kwinana) Proprietary Limited, BP Regional Australasia Holdings Pty Ltd, BP River Rouge Pipeline Company LLC, BP Russian Investments Limited, BP Russian Ventures Limited, BP SC Holdings LLC, BP Scale Up Factory Limited, BP Senegal Investments Limited, BP Services International Limited, BP Servicios de Combustibles S.A. de C.V., BP Servicios territoriales S.A., BP Shafag-Asiman Limited, BP Shipping Limited, BP Singapore Pte. Limited, BP Solar Energy North America LLC, BP Solar Espana S.A., BP Solar International Inc., BP Solar Pty Ltd, BP South America Holdings Ltd, BP Southern Africa Proprietary Limited, BP Southern Cone Company, BP Subsea Well Response (Brazil) Limited, BP Subsea Well Response Limited, BP Taiwan Marketing Limited, BP Technology Ventures Inc., BP Technology Ventures Limited, BP Train 2/3 Holding SRL, BP Transportation (Alaska) Inc., BP Trinidad Processing Limited, BP Trinidad and Tobago, BP Trinidad and Tobago LLC, BP Turkey Refining Limited, BP Two Pipeline Company LLC, BP UK Retained Holdings Limited, BP Venezuela Investments B.V., BP West Aru I Limited, BP West Aru II Limited, BP West Papua I Limited, BP West Papua III Limited, BP Wind Energy North America Inc., BP Wiriagar Ltd., BP World-Wide Technical Services Limited, BP Zhuhai Chemical Company Limited, BP+Amoco International Limited, BP-AIOC Exploration (TISA) LLC, BPA Investment Holding Company, BPNE International B.V., BPRY Caribbean Ventures LLC, BPX (Eagle Ford) Gathering LLC, BPX (KCS Resources) LLC, BPX (Karnes) Gathering LLC, BPX (Permian) Gathering LLC, BPX (WSF Operating) Inc., BPX Energy Inc., BPX Midstream LLC, BPX Operating Company, BPX Production Company, BPX Properties (GP) LLC, BPX Properties (LP) LLC, BPX Properties (NA) LP, BTC Pipeline Holding Company Limited, BXL Plastics Limitedv, Bahia de Bizkaia Electridad S.L., Baltimore Ennis Land Company Inc., Black Lake Pipe Line Company, Blueprint Power, Brian Jasper Nominees Pty Ltd, Britannic Energy Trading Limited, Britannic Investments Iraq Limited, Britannic Marketing Limited, Britannic Strategies Limited, Britannic Trading Limited, Britoil Limited, Burmah Castrol, Burmah Castrol Australia Pty Ltd, Burmah Castrol Holdings Inc., Burmah Castrol PLC, Burmah Castrol South Africa (Pty) Limited, Burmah Chile SpA, Butamax Advanced Biofuels, CASTROL Austria GmbHb, CH-Twenty Inc., CNAA, Cadman DBP Limited, Casitas Pipeline Company, Castrol (China) Limited, Castrol (Ireland) Limited, Castrol (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Castrol (Shenzhen) Company Limited, Castrol (Tianjin) Lubricants Co. Ltd., Castrol (U.K.) Limited, Castrol Australia Pty. Limited, Castrol B.V., Castrol BP Petco Limited Liability Company, Castrol Brasil Ltda., Castrol Caribbean & Central America Inc., Castrol Colombia Ltda., Castrol Del Peru S.A., Castrol Egypt Lubricants S.A.E., Castrol India Limited, Castrol Industrie und Service GmbH, Castrol KK, Castrol Limited, Castrol Lubricants RO S.R.L, Castrol Mexico S.A., Castrol Namibia (Pty) Limited, Castrol Offshore Limited, Castrol Pakistan (Private) Limited, Castrol Philippines Inc., Castrol Servicos Ltda., Castrol Ukraine LLC, Castrol Zimbabwe (Private) Limited, Centrel Pty Ltd, Charge Your Car Limitedc, Chargemaster, Chargemaster (Europe) GmbH, Chargemaster Limited, Charging Solutions Limited, Clarisse Holdings Pty Ltd, Coastwise Trading Company Inc., Consolidada de Energia y Lubricantes (CENERLUB) C.A., Conti Cross Keys Inn Inc., Coro Trading NZ Limited, Cuyama Pipeline Company, DHC Solvent Chemie GmbH, Dermody Developments Pty Ltd, Dermody Holdings Pty Ltd, Dermody Investments Pty Ltd, Dermody Petroleum Pty. Ltd., Dome Beaufort Petroleum Limited, Dome Wallis (1980) Limited Partnership, ECM Markets SA (Pty) Ltd, Elektromotive Limited, Elite Customer Solutions Pty Ltd, Elm Holdings Inc., Energy Global Investments (USA) Inc., Enstar LLC, Estacion de Servicio Alto Campoo S.L., Estacion de Servicio Ganzo 10 S.L., Estacion de Servicio Reocin 9 S.L., Estacion de Servicio Santillana II S.L., Estacion de Servicio Sardinero S.L., Estonian Aviation Fuelling Services, Europa Oil NZ Limited, Exomet Inc., Expandite Contract Services Limited, Exploration (Luderitz Basin) Limited, Exploration Service Company Limited, FWK (2017) Limited, FWK Holdings (2017) LTD, Finite Carbon, Flat Ridge 2 Holdings LLC, Flat Ridge Wind Energy LLC, Foseco Holding Inc., Foseco Holding International B.V., Foseco Inc., Fosroc Expandite Limited, Fotech Solutions Ltd, Fowler Ridge Holdings LLC, Fowler Ridge I Land Investments LLC, Fowler Ridge II Holdings LLC, Fowler Ridge III Wind Farm LLC, FreeBees B.V., Fuel & Retail Aviat ion Sweden AB, Fuelplane- Sociedade Abastecedora De Aeronaves Unipessoal Lda, GOAM 1 C.I S. A .S, Gardena Holdings Inc., Gelsenkirchen Raffinerie Netz GmbH, Grampian Aviation Fuelling Services Limited, Guangdong Investments Limited, Highlands Ethanol LLC, Hosteleria Noriega S.L., IGI Resources Inc., Insight Analytics Solutions Holdings Limited, Insight Analytics Solutions Limited, Insight Analytics Solutions USA Inc., International Bunker Supplies Pty Ltd, Iraq Petroleum Company Limited, Jupiter Insurance Limited, Ken-Chas Reserve Company, Kenilworth Oil Company Limited, Kingbook Inversiones Socimi S.A., Latin Energy Argentina S.A., Lebanese Aviation Technical Services S.A.L., Limited Liability Company BP Toplivnaya Kompania, Limited liability company Setra Lubricants, Lubricants UK Limited, Lytt Limited, Manormaker (Nominee No. 1) Limited, Manormaker (Nominee No. 2) Limited, Manormaker GP Limited (99.90%) 11 Black Horse Lane, Mardi Gras Transportation System Company LLC, Markoil S.A., Masana Petroleum Solutions (Pty) Ltd, Mayaro Initiative for Private Enterprise Development, Mehoopany Holdings LLC, Mes Tecnologia En Servicios Y Energia S.A., Minza Pty. Ltd., Mountain City Remediation LLC, No. 1 Riverside Quay Proprietary Limited, Nordic Lubricants A/S, Nordic Lubricants AB, North America Funding Company, OMD87 Inc., OOO BP STL, Omega Oil Company, OnSight Analytics Solutions India Private Ltd., Open Energi, Orion Delaware Mountain Wind Farm LP, Orion Energy Holdings LLC, Orion Energy L.L.C.b, Orion Post Land Investments LLC, Oyambre 1 S.L., PRODUITS METALLURGIE DOITTAU, PT BP Petrochemicals, PT Castrol Indonesia, PT Castrol Manufacturing Indonesia, PT Jasatama Petroindo, Pacroy (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Peaks America Inc., Pearl River Delta Investments Limited, Petrocorner Retail S.L.U., Phoenix Petroleum Services Limited, Pozuelo 4 S.L., Prospect International C.A. (In liquidation), Puente Arce 4 S.L., Remediation Management Services Company, Richfield Oil Corporation, Rio Corvo 2 S.L., Rolling Thunder I Power Partners LLC, Romax Insight Korea Ltd., Ropemaker Deansgate Limited, Ropemaker Properties Limited, Ruhr Oel GmbH, Rusdene GSS Limited, SOFAST Limited, SRHP, Saturn Insurance Inc., Sherbino I Holdings LLC, Sherbino Mesa I Land Investments LLC, Sociedade de Promocao Imobiliaria Quinta do Loureiro SA, Societe de Gestion de Depots d'Hydrocarbures - GDH, South Texas Shale LLC, Southeast Texas Biofuels LLC, Southern Ridge Pipeline Holding Company, Southern Ridge Pipeline LP LLC, Sp/f Decision3 (GreenSteam) Company, Standard Oil Company, Standard Oil Company Inc., Standard Oil of Ohio, Stryde Limited, Sunrise Oil Sands Partnership, TISA Education Complex LLC, TJKK, Taradadis Pty. Ltd., Telcom General Corporation, Terre de Grace Partnership, The Anaconda Company, The BP Share Plans Trustees Limited, The Burmah Oil Company (Pakistan Trading) Limited, The Standard Oil Company, Thorntons, Toledo Refinery Holding Company LLC, Torrelavega 7 S.L., Union Texas International Corporation, Vastar Pipeline LLC, Veba Oel AG Veba Oel, Verenium, Viceroy Investments Limited, Villacarriedo 8 S.L., Warrenville Development Limited, Water Way Trading and Petroleum Services LLC, Welchem Inc., West Kimberley Fuels Pty Ltd, Westlake Houston Development LLC, Whiting Clean Energy Inc., Windpark Energy Nederland B.V., and Winwell Resources L.L.C. The following companies are subsidiares of Emerson Electric: A.P.M. Automation Solutions Ltd., AE Valves, AGI Mexicana S.A. de C.V., ALCO CONTROLS spol. s.r.o., APM Automation Solutions, ASC Investments Inc., ASCO (Japan) Company Limited, ASCO L.P., ASCO Numatics (India) Private Limited, ASCO Numatics Holding Inc., ASCO SAS, ASCO Valve (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ASCO/JOUCOMATIC s.r.o., ATX SAS, Advanced Protection Technologies, Aegir Norge Holding AS, Alliance Compressors LLC, American Governor, Aperture, Apple JV Holding Corp., Appleton Electric LLC, Appleton Electric S.A. de C.V., Appleton Group, Appleton Group Canada Ltd., Appleton Grp LLC, Appleton Holding Corp., Appleton Holding Sarl, Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Artesyn Hungary Elektronikai Kft., Artesyn Technologies, Asco AB, Asco Controls AG, Asco Controls B.V., Asco Joucomatic Ltd., Asco Joucomatic ZA B.V., Asco Magnesszelep Kft., Asco Numatics GmbH, Asco Numatics S.A., Asco Numatics Sirai S.R.L., Asco Numatics Sp. z o.o., Ascomatica S.A. de C.V., Ascomation (NZ) Ltd., Ascomation Pty. Ltd., Ascotech S.A. de C.V., Ascoval Industria e Commercio Ltda, Automatic Switch Company, Aventics, Aventics, Aventics AB, Aventics AG, Aventics AS, Aventics ApS, Aventics B.V., Aventics Corporation, Aventics Holding S.A.S., Aventics Holding S.a.r.l., Aventics Hungary Kft, Aventics Inc., Aventics India Private Limited, Aventics Limited, Aventics Ltd., Aventics Oy, Aventics Pneumatics Equipment (Changzhou) Co. Ltd., Aventics Pneumatics Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Aventics S.A.S., Aventics S.R.L., Aventics Services Germany GmbH, Aventics Singapore Pte. Ltd., Aventics Sp. z.o.o., Aventics Spain S.L., Aventics spol. s.r.o., Avtron LoadBank, Bannerscientific Limited, Beckman Industrial B.V., Beijing Rosemount Far East Instrument Co. Ltd., Bettis Canada Ltd., Bettis Holdings Limited, Bettis UK Limited, Biffi Italia S.r.l., Bioproduction Group, Branson Korea Co. Ltd., Branson Ultrasonic S.A., Branson Ultrasonics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Branson Ultrasonics B.V., Branson Ultrasonics Corporation, Branson Ultrasonics a.s., Branson Ultrasonidos S.A.E., Branson Ultrasons SAS, Branson Ultrasuoni S.R.L., Branson de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Bray Lectroheat Limited, Bristol Babcock Limited, Bristol Inc., Buehler Europe Limited, Buehler UK Limited, CR Compressors LLC, CSA Consulting Engineers Ltd., California Emerson LLC, Cascade Technologies, Cascade Technologies Holdings Limited, Cascade Technologies Limited, Chemat GmbH Armaturen fur Industrie - und Nuklearanlage, Chloride Koexa S.A., Componentes Avanzados de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Computational Systems, Computational Systems Incorporated, Conception et Representation de Technologies de Controle C.R.T. Controle SAS, Control Products Inc., Controles de Temperatura S.A. de C.V., Cooligy Inc., Cooper-Atkins, Cooper-Atkins Corporation, Cooper-Atkins Pte. Ltd., Copeland Access + Inc., Copeland Compresores Hermeticos S.A. de C.V., Copeland Corporation, Copeland Corporation LLC, Copeland Limited, Copeland Redevelopment Corporation, Copeland Scroll Compresores de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Copeland de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Copesub Inc., Crosby Valve LLC, Damcos A/S, Damcos Holding A/S, Daniel Automation Company, Daniel Europe Limited, Daniel Industrial Inc., Daniel Industries, Daniel Industries Canada Inc., Daniel Industries Inc., Daniel Industries Limited, Daniel International Limited, Daniel Measurement Solutions Private Limited, Daniel Measurement and Control Inc., Daniel Measurement and Control S. de R.L. de C.V., Danmasa S.A. de C.V., Dar Ibtikar Al Iraq for General Services and General Trade LLC, Decision Management International, Dieterich Standard Inc., Digital Appliance Controls (UK) Limited, Dixell North America Inc., Dixell S.R.L., Do+Able Products, E. Business Development E.B.D.Com Ltd., E.G.P. Corporation, EECO Inc., EGS Comercializadora Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., EGS Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., EGS Private Ltd., EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES s.r.o., EMR (Asia) Limited, EMR (Mauritius) Ltd., EMR Emerson Holdings (Switzerland) GmbH, EMR Europe Holdings Inc., EMR Foundation Inc., EMR Holdings (France) SAS, EMR Holdings Inc., EMR Worldwide B.V., EMR Worldwide Inc., EMRSN HLDG B.V., EMRSN Process Management Morocco Sarl, ENPDOR2012A Limited, ENPESNA Inc., EPM Tulsa Holdings Corp., EPMCO Holdings Inc., ETC International Holdings Ltd., Easy Heat Europe SAS, Easy Heat Inc., El-O-Matic B.V., El-O-Matic Valve Actuators (F.E.) Pte. Ltd., Electrische Apparatenfabriek Capax B.V., Emerald Advanced Technology Limited, Emerson (Philippines) Corporation, Emerson (Taiwan) Limited, Emerson (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Arabia Inc., Emerson Argentina S.A., Emerson Asia Pacific Private Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Actuation Technologies Holdings Inc., Emerson Automation Solutions Actuation Technologies Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Sichuan) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Taiwan) Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Thailand) Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Africa (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Czech Republic s.r.o., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Denmark A/S, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control France SARL, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Germany GmbH, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Hong Kong Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Hungary Kft, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Italia S.r.l., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control LLC, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Middle East FZE, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Netherlands B.V., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Polska Sp. Z.o.o., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Sales Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Sales Holding LLC, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Singapore Pte. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control UK II Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control UK Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control US LP, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Automation Solutions GmbH, Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms Private Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms do Brasil Ltda, Emerson Automation Solutions Ireland Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Isolation Valves Inc., Emerson Automation Solutions SSC UK Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions UK Limited, Emerson Beijing Instrument Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Services LLC, Emerson Climate Technologies (India) Private Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies (Shenyang) Refrigeration Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Climate Technologies (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies (Suzhou) Trading Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies - Solutions (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies - Transportation Solutions ApS, Emerson Climate Technologies Arabia Limited Co., Emerson Climate Technologies Australia Pty. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies FZE, Emerson Climate Technologies GmbH, Emerson Climate Technologies Inc., Emerson Climate Technologies Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Climate Technologies Refrigeration S.A., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions Europe S.R.L., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions Inc., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions UK Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies S.A., Emerson Climate Technologies S.R.L., Emerson Climate Technologies Sarl, Emerson Commercial & Residential Tools LLC, Emerson Commerical & Residential Asia Limited, Emerson Comres de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson DHC B.V., Emerson Dietzenbach GmbH, Emerson Dominicana Srl, Emerson Egypt LLC, Emerson Electric (Asia) Limited, Emerson Electric (China) Holdings Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Electric (Mauritius) Ltd., Emerson Electric (South Asia) Pte. Ltd., Emerson Electric (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Electric (Tongling) Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric (U.S.) Holding Corporation, Emerson Electric (U.S.) Holding Corporation (Chile) Limitada, Emerson Electric (Zhuhai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric CR Limitada, Emerson Electric Canada Limited, Emerson Electric Company (India) Private Limited, Emerson Electric Company Lanka (Private) Limited, Emerson Electric Holdings (Switzerland) GmbH, Emerson Electric II C.A., Emerson Electric International Inc., Emerson Electric Ireland Limited, Emerson Electric Korea Ltd., Emerson Electric Nederland B.V., Emerson Electric Overseas Finance Corp., Emerson Electric Poland Sp. z o.o., Emerson Electric U.K. Limited, Emerson Electric de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Electric do Brasil Ltda, Emerson Energy Systems (UK) Limited, Emerson FZE, Emerson Final Control US Holding LLC, Emerson Finance LLC, Emerson Fusite Electric (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Emerson Gabon SARL, Emerson Hazardous Electrical Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Holding Company Limited, Emerson Holding Sweden AB, Emerson InSinkErator Appliance (Nanjing) Co. Ltd., Emerson Industrial Automation USA Inc., Emerson International Holding Company Limited, Emerson Japan Ltd., Emerson Junkang Enterprise (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Korea Limited, Emerson LLC, Emerson LLP, Emerson Machinery Equipment (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Emerson Mexico Finance S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR, Emerson Middle East Inc., Emerson Network Power DHC B.V., Emerson Paradigm Holding LLC, Emerson Process Management (India) Private Limited, Emerson Process Management (South Africa) (Proprietary) Ltd., Emerson Process Management (Tianjin) Valves Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management (Vietnam) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management A/S (Denmark), Emerson Process Management AB, Emerson Process Management AG, Emerson Process Management AS, Emerson Process Management Angola Lda, Emerson Process Management Arabia Limited, Emerson Process Management Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Process Management B.V., Emerson Process Management Chennai Private Limited, Emerson Process Management Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Distribution Limited, Emerson Process Management Europe GmbH, Emerson Process Management Flow B.V., Emerson Process Management Flow Technologies Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management GmbH & Co. OHG, Emerson Process Management Holding AG, Emerson Process Management Holding LLC, Emerson Process Management Kft., Emerson Process Management LLLP, Emerson Process Management Lda, Emerson Process Management Limited, Emerson Process Management Ltda, Emerson Process Management Magyarorszag Kft., Emerson Process Management Manufacturing (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Process Management Marine Solutions Korea Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Marine Solutions Singapore Pte. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Marine Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management NV, Emerson Process Management New Zealand Limited, Emerson Process Management Nigeria Limited, Emerson Process Management Oy, Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions Inc., Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions India Private Limited, Emerson Process Management Qatar W.L.L., Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Inc., Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Tulsa LLC, Emerson Process Management Romania S.R.L., Emerson Process Management S.A., Emerson Process Management S.A. de C.V., Emerson Process Management S.L., Emerson Process Management S.R.L., Emerson Process Management SAS, Emerson Process Management Shared Services Limited, Emerson Process Management Sp. z o.o., Emerson Process Management Ticaret Limited Sirket, Emerson Process Management UAB, Emerson Process Management Valve Automation (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Process Management Valve Automation (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Valve Automation Inc., Emerson Process Management Verwaltung GmbH, Emerson Process Management d.o.o., Emerson Process Management de Colombia SAS, Emerson Process Management del Peru S.A.C., Emerson Process Management s.r.o., Emerson Professional Tools (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Puerto Rico Inc., Emerson Retail Services Europe GmbH, Emerson S.R.L., Emerson Sales UK Limited, Emerson Saudi Arabia LLC, Emerson Scroll Machining (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Sice S.R.L., Emerson Sweden AB, Emerson TOV, Emerson Technologies GmbH & Co. OHG, Emerson Technologies Verwaltungs GmbH, Emerson Tool Company de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson Tool and Appliance Company S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson UK Trustees Limited, Emerson USD Finance Company Limited, Emerson Valves & Controls Japan Co. Ltd., Emerson Ventures Inc., Emerson Vulcan Holding LLC, Emerson Xi'an Engineering Center, Emersub 1 LLC, Emersub 10 LLC, Emersub 11 LLC, Emersub 12 LLC, Emersub 14 LLC, Emersub 15 LLC, Emersub 16 LLC, Emersub 3 LLC, Emersub 4 LLC, Emersub 5 LLC, Emersub 7 LLC, Emersub 8 LLC, Emersub 9 LLC, Emersub CII Inc., Emersub CV Inc., Emersub Italia S.R.L., Emersub LXXXIV Inc., Emersub LXXXVI Inc., Emersub Mexico Inc., Emersub Treasury Ireland Unlimited Company, Emersub XLVI Inc., Emersub XXXVI Inc., Emirates Techno Casting FZE, Emirates Techno Casting Holding Limited, Emirates Techno Casting LLC, Enardo, Endura-Greenlee Tools, Energy Solutions International (India) Private Limited, Energy Solutions International GP LLC, Energy Solutions International Ltd., Energy Solutions International SAS, Energy Solutions International Sub LLC, F-R Tecnologias de Flujo S.A. de C.V., FC QSF LLC, FMC Technologies, Fiberconn Assemblies Morocco Sarl, Fincor Holding LLC, Fire & Safety Group.Com Ltd., Fisher Controles de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Fisher Controls International LLC, Fisher Jeon Gas Equipment (Chengdu) Co. Ltd., Fisher Regulators (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Sanmar Limited, Fisher-Rosemount Systems Inc., Flow Control Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Flow Control Holding Verwaltungs GmbH, Flow Control US Holding Corporation, Francel SAS, Fromex S.A. de C.V., Fusite B.V., Fusite Corporation, Fusite Land Company, GSEG LLC, General Equipment and Manufacturing Company Inc., Generale de Robinetterie Industrielle et de Sytemes de Surete, GeoFields, GeoFields Inc., Greenex Ltd., Greenfield (UK) Limited, Greenlee, Greenlee Communications, Greenlee Tools Inc., Gulf Valve FZE, Gustav Klauke GmbH, H.T.E. Engineering Limited, HD Electric Company, HTE Engineering Services Limited, Hindle Cockburns Limited, Hiross India Private Limited, Hiter Industria e Comercia de Controles Termo-Hidraulicos Ltda., Humboldt Hermetic Motor Corp., Hytork International Ltd., I Solutions Inc., ICC Intelligent Platforms GmbH, ISE-MagTech, Industrial Controls Canada ULC, Industrial Group Metran JSC, Instrument & Valve Services Company, Intelligent Platforms LLC, Intellution, International Gas Distribution SA, Intrinsic Safety Equipment of Texas Inc., JCF Fluid Flow India Private Limited, JSC Metran-Export, Joucomatic S.A., K Controls Limited, Keystone Germany Holdings Corp., Keystone Valve (Korea) LLC, Keystone Valve (U.K.) Limited, Klauke, Klauke (Jiangsu) Electrical Connection Technology Co Ltd., Klauke France SARL, Klauke Handelsgesellschaft mbH, Klauke Iberia S.L., Klauke Polska Sp. z.o.o., Klauke Slovakia s.r.o., Klauke UK Ltd., Knurr, Liebert, Liebert Swindon Limited, Locus Solutions LLC, Locus Traxx Worldwide, Locus Traxx Worldwide Europe BVBA, MDC Technology Limited, MDC Technology Trustees Limited, METCO Services Limited, MYNAH Technologies, Management Resources Group Inc., Mecafrance (Deutschland) GmbH, Metallurgical Services Laboratories Limited, Metaserv Limited, Metco Services Venezuela C.A., Micro Motion Inc., Mobrey Group Limited, Motores Hermeticos del Sur S.A. de C.V., NetworkPower Ecuador S.A., Nippon Fisher Co. Ltd., Novel Environmental Technologies Ltd., Novel Extinguishing Agent Technology Ltd., Numatics Incorporated, Nutsteel DHC B.V., Nutsteel Industria Metalurgica Ltda, O.M.T. Officina Meccanica Tartarini S.r.l., Open Systems International, P I Components Corp., PT Emerson Solutions Indonesia, PT. Emerson Indonesia, PT. Paradigm Geophysical Indonesia, Pactrol Controls Limited, PakSense, PakSense Inc., Paradigm, Paradigm (UK) Holding Limited, Paradigm B.V., Paradigm France S.A., Paradigm Geophysical (India) Private Limited, Paradigm Geophysical (KL) Sdn. Bhd., Paradigm Geophysical (Nigeria) Limited, Paradigm Geophysical (U.K.) Limited, Paradigm Geophysical B.V., Paradigm Geophysical Corp., Paradigm Geophysical Italy SRL, Paradigm Geophysical LLC, Paradigm Geophysical Limited, Paradigm Geophysical Pty Ltd, Paradigm Geophysical S.A., Paradigm Geophysical Sdn. Bhd., Paradigm Geophysical Spain S.L., Paradigm Geophysical de Venezuela C.A., Paradigm Geophysical do Brasil Ltda., Paradigm Geoservices Canada Ltd., Paradigm Geotechnology (Egypt) S.A.E., Paradigm Kazakhstan LLP, Paradigm Middle East FZ-LLC, Paradigm Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Parex Industries Limited, Pentair Valves & Controls, Pentair Valves and Controls India Private Limited, Permasense, Permasense Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd, Permasense Limited, ProSys, ProTeam Inc., Progea, RAC Technologies (Israel) Ltd., RIDGID Inc., RPP Europe GmbH, RPP LLC, Rey-Lam S. de R.L. de C.V., Ridge Tool (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Ridge Tool Company, Ridge Tool Europe NV, Ridge Tool GmbH, Ridge Tool GmbH & Co. OHG, Ridge Tool Manufacturing Company, Ridge Tool Pattern Company, Ridgid France SAS, Ridgid Italia S.R.L., Ridgid Online Inc., Ridgid Scandinavia A/S, Ridgid Werkzeuge AG, Rosemount China Inc., Rosemount Inc., Rosemount Measurement Limited, Rosemount Nuclear Instruments Inc., Rosemount Specialty Products LLC, Rosemount Tank Gauging India Pvt. Ltd., Rosemount Tank Gauging Middle East SPC, Rosemount Tank Gauging North America Inc., Rosemount Tank Radar AB, Rosemount Tank Radar Properties AB, Roxar, Roxar AS, Roxar Flow Measurement AS, Roxar Flow Measurement Sdn Bhd, Roxar Limited, Roxar Maximum Reservoir Performance W.L.L., Roxar Saudi Co., Roxar Services AS, Roxar Services OOO, Roxar Software Solutions AS, Roxar Technologies AS, Roxar Vietnam Company Ltd., Roxar de Venezuela C.A., Rutherfurd Acquisitions Limited, S.F.T. Group Ltd., SABO-Armaturen Service GmbH, Safety Systems UK Pte. Ltd., Sakhi-Raimondi Valve (India) Limited, Scroll Compressors LLC, Scroll Mexico LLC, Sempell GmbH, Shanghai Virgo Valves Technology Consulting Co. Ltd., Sherman + Reilly, Soluciones 0925 C.A., Spectra-Tek Holdings Limited, Spectra-Tek International Limited, Spectra-Tek UK Limited, Spectrex, Spectrex Inc., Spectronix Ltd., Spensall Engineering Limited, Steel Support Systems Limited, Stratos Lightwave, System Plast International B.V., System Plast Ltda, System Plast USA de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., TDM-avtomatizatsiya, TV&C GP Holding LLC, Taiwan Valve Co. Ltd., TechnipFMC, Termocontroles de Juarez S.A. de C.V., Tescom Corporation, Tescom Europe GmbH & Co. KG, Tescom Europe Management GmbH, The Automation Group Inc., The J.R. Clarkson Company LLC, Therm-O-Disc Europe B.V., Therm-O-Disc Incorporated, Thunderline Z Inc., TopWorx UK Limited, Tranmet Holdings B.V., Tranmet Holdings Limited, Verdant Environmental Technologies, Vilter Manufacturing LLC, Virgo Valves & Controls (ME) FZE, Virgo Valves and Controls Sdn Bhd, Von Arx AG, Vulsub 1 Limited, Vulsub Brasil Holding, Vulsub Brasil Ltda., Vulsub Chile SpA, Vulsub Gulf Holding Limited, Vulsub Holding III (Denmark) ApS, Vulsub Holding Ltd, Vulsub Holdings A LLC, Vulsub Holdings B LLC, Vulsub Holdings C LLC, Vulsub Holdings D LLC, Vulsub Italia S.r.l., Vulsub Middle East Holdings LLC, Vulsub Peru S.A.C., Vulsub Property Holding LLC, Vulsub Property Limited, Vulsub S.A., Vulsub South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Vulsub VZ C.A., Westinghouse Electric Pvt. Limited, Westlock Controls Limited, Westlock Equipamentos de Controle Ltda., Woodstock Land Company LLC, epro GmbH, iSolera Inc., iSolutions Private Limited, and intelliSAW. Bridgepoint Education, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides postsecondary education services in the United States. Its academic institutions, Ashford University and University of the Rockies, offer associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in the disciplines of business, education, psychology, social sciences, and health sciences. The company offers its programs primarily through online; and at its campuses. As of December 31, 2017, its institutions offered approximately 1,200 courses and 80 degree programs; and had 45,730 students enrolled. The company was formerly known as TeleUniversity, Inc. and changed its name to Bridgepoint Education, Inc. in February 2004. Bridgepoint Education, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in San Diego, California. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of CVS Health: @Credentials Inc., ACS ACQCO CORP., ADMINCO Inc., AE Fourteen Incorporated, AHP Holdings Inc., AMC - Tennessee LLC, APS Acquisition LLC, ASCO HealthCare LLC, ASI Wings LLC, AUSHC Holdings Inc., Accendo Insurance Company, Accordant Health Services L.L.C., Active Health Management Inc., Administrative Enterprises Inc., AdvancePCS SpecialtyRx LLC, AdvanceRx.com L.L.C., Advanced Care Scripts Inc., Aetna, Aetna (Beijing) Enterprise Management Services Co. Ltd., Aetna (Shanghai) Enterprise Services Co. Ltd., Aetna ACO Holdings Inc., Aetna Asset Advisors LLC, Aetna Behavioral Health LLC, Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health of California Inc., Aetna Better Health of Florida Inc., Aetna Better Health of Kansas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Michigan Inc., Aetna Better Health of Missouri LLC, Aetna Better Health of Nevada Inc., Aetna Better Health of North Carolina Inc., Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma Inc., Aetna Better Health of Texas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Washington Inc., Aetna Capital Management LLC, Aetna Card Solutions LLC, Aetna Corporate Services LLC, Aetna Dental Inc., Aetna Dental of California Inc., Aetna Financial Holdings LLC, Aetna Florida Inc., Aetna Global Benefits (Asia Pacific) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Bahamas) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Bermuda) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Europe) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Middle East) LLC, Aetna Global Benefits (Singapore) PTE. LTD., Aetna Global Benefits (UK) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits Limited (DIFC UAE), Aetna Global Holdings Limited, Aetna Health Holdings LLC, Aetna Health Inc., Aetna Health Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Aetna Health Insurance Company, Aetna Health Insurance Company of Europe DAC, Aetna Health Management LLC, Aetna Health and Life Insurance Company, Aetna Health of California Inc., Aetna Health of Iowa Inc., Aetna Health of Michigan Inc., Aetna Health of Ohio Inc., Aetna Health of Utah Inc., Aetna HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc., Aetna Holdco (UK) Limited, Aetna Holdings (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Inc., Aetna Insurance (Hong Kong) Limite, Aetna Insurance (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Aetna Insurance Company Limited, Aetna Integrated Informatics Inc., Aetna International Inc., Aetna Ireland Inc., Aetna Korea Ltd., Aetna Life & Casualty (Bermuda) Ltd., Aetna Life Assignment Company, Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC, Aetna Multi-Strategy 1099 Fund LLC, Aetna Network Services LLC, Aetna Partners Diversified Fund LLC, Aetna Pharmacy Management Services LLC, Aetna Resources LLC, Aetna Risk Assurance Company of Connecticut Inc., Aetna Rx Home Delivery LLC, Aetna Services (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Aetna Student Health Agency Inc., Aetna Ventures LLC, Aetna Workers Comp Access LLC, Alabama CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Alaska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, American Continental Insurance Company, American Drug Stores Delaware L.L.C., American Health Holding Inc., Arbor Drugs, Arizona CVS Stores L.L.C., Arkansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Badger Acquisition LLC, Badger Acquisition of Kentucky LLC, Badger Acquisition of Minnesota LLC, Badger Acquisition of Ohio LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc., Beauty Holdings L.L.C., Best Care LTC Acquisition Company LLC, Busse CVS L.L.C., CCI Foreign S.a R.L. (R.C.S. Luxembourg), CCRx Holdings LLC, CCRx of North Carolina LLC, CHP Acquisition LLC, CP Acquisition LLC, CVS 2948 Henderson L.L.C., CVS 3268 Gilbert L.L.C., CVS 3745 Peoria L.L.C., CVS AL Distribution L.L.C., CVS AOC Corporation, CVS AOC Services L.L.C., CVS Albany L.L.C., CVS Bellmore Avenue L.L.C., CVS Care Concierge LLC, CVS Caremark Advanced Technology Pharmacy L.L.C., CVS Caremark Indemnity Ltd., CVS Caremark Part D Services L.L.C., CVS Caremark TN SUTA LLC, CVS Foreign Inc., CVS Gilbert 3272 L.L.C., CVS Health Solutions LLC, CVS Indiana L.L.C., CVS International L.L.C., CVS Kidney Care Advanced Technologies LLC, CVS Kidney Care Health Services LLC, CVS Kidney Care Home Dialysis LLC, CVS Kidney Care LLC, CVS Manchester NH L.L.C., CVS Media Exchange LLC, CVS Michigan L.L.C., CVS Orlando FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS PA Distribution L.L.C., CVS PR Center Inc., CVS Pharmacy Inc., CVS RS Arizona L.L.C., CVS Rx Services Inc., CVS SC Distribution L.L.C., CVS State Capital L.L.C., CVS TN Distribution L.L.C., CVS Transportation L.L.C., CVS Vero FL Distribution L.L.C., Campos Medical Pharmacy LLC, Canal Place LLC, Care Pharmaceutical Services LP, CareCenter Pharmacy L.L.C., Carefree Insurance Services Inc., Caremark Arizona Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Arizona Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark California Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Florida Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Florida Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Hawaii Mail Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Hawaii Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark IPA L.L.C., Caremark Illinois Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Illinois Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Irving Resource Center LLC, Caremark Kansas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark L.L.C., Caremark Logistics LLC, Caremark Louisiana Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Maryland Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Massachusetts Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Michigan Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Minnesota Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark New Jersey Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark North Carolina Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ohio Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Pennsylvania Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark PhC L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Redlands Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Repack LLC, Caremark Rx L.L.C., Caremark Tennessee Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ulysses Holding Corp., Caremark Washington Specialty Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Alabama Mail Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Health L.L.C., CaremarkPCS L.L.C., Central Rx Services LLC, Claims Administration Corp., Cofinity Inc., Compscript LLC, Connecticut CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood Tennessee, Continuing Care Rx LLC, Coram Alternate Site Services Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Alabama, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater D.C., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater New York, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Indiana, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Massachusetts, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Mississippi, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Nevada, Coram Healthcare Corporation of North Texas, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Northern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Utah, Coram LLC, Coram Rx LLC, Coram Specialty Infusion, Coram Specialty Infusion Services L.L.C., Coventry Consumer Advantage Inc., Coventry Health Care National Accounts Inc., Coventry Health Care National Network Inc., Coventry Health Care Workers Compensation Inc., Coventry Health Care of Illinois Inc., Coventry Health Care of Kansas Inc., Coventry Health Care of Missouri Inc., Coventry Health Care of Nebraska Inc., Coventry Health Care of Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Care of West Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Plan of Florida Inc., Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company, Coventry HealthCare Management Corporation, Coventry Prescription Management Services Inc., Coventry Rehabilitation Services Inc., Coventry Transplant Network Inc., D & R Pharmaceutical Services LLC, D.A.W. LLC, Delaware CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Delaware Physicians Care Incorporated, Digital eHealth LLC, District of Columbia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., E.T.B. INC., Echo Merger Sub Inc., Eckerd Corporation of Florida Inc., Employee Assistance Services LLC, Enloe Drugs LLC, Enterprise Patient Safety Organization LLC, EntrustRX, Evergreen Pharmaceutical LLC, Evergreen Pharmaceutical of California Inc., Express Pharmacy Services of PA L.L.C., FOCUS HealthCare Management Inc., First Health Group Corp., First Health Life & Health Insurance Company, First Script Network Services Inc., Florida Health Plan Administrators LLC, Garfield Beach CVS L.L.C., Generation Health L.L.C., Geneva Woods Health Services LLC, Geneva Woods LTC Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Management LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Alaska LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Washington LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Wyoming LLC, Geneva Woods Retail Pharmacy LLC, Georgia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., German Dobson CVS L.L.C., Goodhealth Worldwide (Asia) Limited, Goodhealth Worldwide (Global) Limited, Goodyear CVS L.L.C., Grand St. Paul CVS L.L.C., Grandview Pharmacy LLC, Group Dental Service Inc., Group Dental Service of Maryland Inc., Health Care Management Co. Ltd., Health Data & Management Solutions Inc., Health Re Inc., Health and Human Resource Center Inc., HealthAssuance Pennsylvania Inc., Healthagen LLC, Highland Park CVS L.L.C., Holiday CVS L.L.C., Home Care Pharmacy LLC, Home Pharmacy Services LLC, Hook-SupeRx L.L.C., Horizon Behavioral Services LLC, Idaho CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., IlliniCare Health, Indian Health Organisation Private Limited, Innovation Health Holdings LLC, Innovation Health Insurance Company, Innovation Health Plan Inc., Interlock Pharmacy Systems LLC, Iowa CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., JHC Acquisition LLC, Kansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Kentucky CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., LCPS Acquisition LLC, Langsam Health Services LLC, Lo-Med Prescription Services LLC, Lobos Acquisition LLC, Longs Drug Stores, Longs Drug Stores California L.L.C., Louisiana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., MHHP Acquisition Company LLC, MHNet Life and Health Insurance Company, MHNet Specialty Services LLC, MHNet of Florida Inc., Managed Care Coordinators Inc., Managed Healthcare LLC, Martin Health Services LLC, Maryland CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Med World Acquisition Corp., Medical Arts Health Care LLC, Medical Examinations of New York P.C., Melville Realty Company Inc., MemberHealth LLC, Mental Health Associates Inc., Mental Health Network of New York IPA Inc., Meritain Health Inc., Merwin Long Term Care LLC, MetraComp Inc., Minor Health Enterprise Co Ltd., MinuteClinic, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Alabama L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arizona LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Florida LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Georgia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Hawaii L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Illinois LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Kentucky L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Louisiana L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maine L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maryland LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Massachusetts LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Nebraska L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Hampshire L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Mexico L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Ohio LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oklahoma LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oregon LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Pennsylvania LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Rhode Island LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of South Carolina L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Utah L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Virginia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Washington LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Wisconsin L.L.C., MinuteClinic L.L.C., MinuteClinic Online Diagnostic Services LLC, MinuteClinic Physician Practice of Texas, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services LLC, Mississippi CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Missouri CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Montana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NCS Healthcare LLC, NCS Healthcare of Illinois LLC, NCS Healthcare of Iowa LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kansas LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kentucky Inc. (Oh, NCS Healthcare of Montana LLC, NCS Healthcare of New Mexico LLC, NCS Healthcare of Ohio LLC, NCS Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, NCS Healthcare of Tennessee LLC, NCS Healthcare of Wisconsin LLC, NIV Acquisition LLC, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Nebraska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NeighborCare Holdings Inc., NeighborCare Inc., NeighborCare Pharmacy Services Inc., NeighborCare Services Corporation, NeighborCare of Indiana LLC, NeighborCare of Virginia LLC, New Jersey CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Niagara Re Inc., North Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., North Shore Pharmacy Services LLC, NovoLogix LLC, OCR Services LLC, Ocean Acquisition Sub L.L.C., Ohio CVS Stores L.L.C., Oklahoma CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Omnicare, Omnicare Holding Company, Omnicare Inc., Omnicare Indiana Partnership Holding Company LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania East LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania West LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of the Great Plains Holding LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy and Supply Services LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of Tennessee LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of the Midwest LLC, Omnicare Property Management LLC, Omnicare of Nebraska LLC, Omnicare of Nevada LLC, Omnicare of New York LLC, Oregon CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., PE Holdings LLC, PHPSNE Parent Corporation, PP Acquisition Company LLC, PRN Pharmaceutical Services LP, PT Aetna Management Consulting, Pamplona Saude e Beleza LTDA, Part D Holding Company L.L.C., PayFlex Holdings Inc., PayFlex Systems USA Inc., Pennsylvania CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Performax Inc., Pharmacy Associates of Glenn Falls LLC, Pharmacy Consultants LLC, Phoenix Data Solutions LLC, Precision Benefit Services Inc., Prime Net Inc., ProCare Pharmacy Direct L.L.C., ProCare Pharmacy L.L.C., Prodigy Health Group Inc., Professional Risk Management Inc., Pt. Aetna Global Benefits Indonesia, Puerto Rico CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Red Oak Sourcing LLC, Resources for Living LLC, Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Roeschens Healthcare LLC, RxAmerica, Schaller Anderson Medical Administrators Incorporated, Scrip World LLC, Sheffield Avenue CVS L.L.C., Shore Pharmaceutical Providers LLC, Silverscript Insurance Company, Soma Intimates, South Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., South Wabash CVS L.L.C., Specialized Pharmacy Services LLC, Spinnaker Bidco Limited, Spinnaker Topco Limited, Stadtlander Drug Company, Stadtlander Pharmacy, Sterling Healthcare Services LLC, Superior Care Pharmacy LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Administrative Services LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, T2 Medical Inc., TCPI Acquisition LLC, TargetPharmacy, Tennessee CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Company, Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Texas Health + Aetna Health Plan Inc., The Vasquez Group Inc., Thomas Phoenix CVS L.L.C., Three Forks Apothecary LLC, U.S Healthcare Holdings LLC, U.S. Healthcare Properties Inc., UAC Holding Inc., UC Acquisition LLC, UNI-Care Health Services of Maine LLC, Universal American - Medicare Part D Business, Utah CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., VAPS Acquisition Company LLC, Value Health Care Services LLC, Vermont CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virtual Home Healthcare L.L.C., Warm Springs Road CVS L.L.C., Washington CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Washington Lamb CVS L.L.C., Weber Medical Systems LLC, Wellpartner LLC, West Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Westhaven Services Co LLC, Williamson Drug Company LLC, Wisconsin CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Woodward Detroit CVS L.L.C., Work and Family Benefits Inc., ZS Acquisition Company LLC, Zinc Health Services LLC, Zinc Health Ventures LLC, bSwift LLC, and iTriage LLC. Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. is a supplier of precision instruments and services. The firm manufactures weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial, packaging, logistics, and food retailing applications. It also manufactures several related analytical instruments and provides automated chemistry solutions used in drug and chemical compound discovery and development; and also, metal detection and other end-of-line inspection systems used in production and packaging and provides solutions for use in certain process analytics applications. Its operations are conducted by the following segments: U. S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations and Other. The U.S. Operations segment represents certain of the company's marketing and producing organizations located in the United States. The Swiss Operations segment includes marketing and producing organizations located in Switzerland, as well as extensive R&D operations that are responsible for the development, production, and marketing of precision instruments, including weighing, analytical, and measurement technologies for use in a variety of industrial and laboratory applications. Th Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Dover: Accelerated Production Systems, Acme Elevator, Advansor A/S, Advansor Dover International (Poland) sp. z o.o, Advansor Germany GmbH, Alfred Fueling Systems Holdco Ltd., Alfred Fueling Systems Inc., Alfred Fueling Systems Intermediate Holdco Ltd., All-Flo Pump Company, Anman LLC, Anthony Equity Holdings Inc., Anthony Holdings Inc., Anthony Inc., Anthony International, Anthony International Foreign Sales Corp., Anthony International Holding Company, Anthony Mexico Holdings LLC, Anthony North Holdco Inc., Anthony Specialty Glass LLC, Anthony TemperBent GP LLC, Auto Glanz Solutions LLC, Automatik Grundstucksverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Automatik Plastics Machinery (Taiwan) Ltd., BSC Filters Limited, Background2 Limited, Belanger, Belanger Inc., Belvac Middle East FZE, Belvac Production Machinery Inc., Blackmer, BlitzRotary GmbH, Butler Engineering and Marketing S.P.A., CDS Visual, CEP Liquidation LLC, CP Formation LLC, CPC Europe Inc., CPI Products Inc., Caldera, Canada Organization & Development LLC, Chief Automotive Technologies (Shanghai) Trading Company Ltd., Chippewa Square Captive Insurance Company, Colder Products Company, Colder Products Company GmbH, Colder Products Company LTD, Cook Compression BV, Cook Compression LLC, Cook Compression Limited, Cook-MFS Inc., DD1 Inc., DDI Properties Inc., DE-STA-CO Benelux B.V., DE-STA-CO FRANCE, DE-STA-CO Shanghai Co. Ltd., DESTACO UK Limited, DFH Corporation, DFS Netherlands B.V., DSR BZ Holdings LLC, Datamax International Corp, De Sta Co (Asia) Company Limited, De-Sta-Co Cylinders Inc., DeStaCo Europe GmbH, Delaware Capital Formation Inc., Delaware Capital Holdings Inc., Dover (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Dover (Schweiz) Holding GmbH, Dover (Shanghai) Industrial Co. Ltd., Dover (Shenzhen) Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Dover (Suzhou) Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Dover Asia Trading Private Ltd., Dover Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Dover Business Services EMEA Limited, Dover Business Services LLC, Dover Business Services Philippines Corporation, Dover CLP Formation Limited Partnership, Dover CR spol s r.o., Dover Canada Holdings ULC, Dover Canada Operations ULC, Dover Corporation Regional Headquarters, Dover DEI Services Inc., Dover Denmark Holdings ApS, Dover EMEA FZCO, Dover Energy UK Ltd, Dover Engineered Products Segment Inc., Dover Europe Inc., Dover Europe Sarl, Dover Fluids UK Ltd, Dover France Holdings, Dover France Participations, Dover France Technologies, Dover Fueling Solutions Segment Inc., Dover Fueling Solutions UK Limited, Dover Germany GmbH, Dover Global Holdings LLC, Dover Holdings de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Dover Imaging & Identification Segment Inc., Dover India Pvt. Ltd., Dover Intercompany Services UK Limited, Dover International B.V., Dover International Operations Inc., Dover International Ventures Inc., Dover International Ventures Tunisia S.a.r.l., Dover International ithalat ihracat ve Pazarlama Limited Sirketi, Dover Italy Holdings S.r.l., Dover Luxembourg Finance Sarl, Dover Luxembourg Participations Sarl, Dover Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Dover Luxembourg Services Sarl, Dover Operations South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Dover Overseas Ventures Inc., Dover Pumps & Process Solutions Segment Inc., Dover Refrigeration & Food Equipment Segment Inc., Dover Refrigeration & Food Equipment UK Ltd, Dover Resources International de Mexico S. de R.L. C.V., Dover Solutions Colombia SAS, Dover Southeast Asia (Thailand) Ltd., Dover Spain Holdings S.L., Dover UK Pensions Limited, Dover WSCR Holding LLC, Dover WSCR LLC, Dover do Brasil Ltda., Dow-Key Microwave Corporation, Dresser Wayne Data Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Dresser Wayne Fuel Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., EOA Systems Inc., Ebs-Ray Holdings Pty Ltd, Ebs-Ray Industries Pty. Ltd., Ebs-Ray Pumps Pty. Ltd., Em-tec, Espy, Ettlinger, Ettlinger Kunststoffmaschinen GmbH, Fairbanks Environmental Limited, Fibrelite Composites Limited, Fibresec Holdings Limited, Fibresec Limited, Finder, GAL LLC, GIIER LLC, Gala Industries, Gala Kunststoff-und Kautschukmaschinen GmbH, Guangdong Tokheim LIYUAN Oil Industry Technology Limited Company, Highland Park Insurance Company, Hill PHOENIX Inc., Hill PHOENIX WIC LLC, Hill Phoenix Costa Rica Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada, Hill Phoenix El Salvador Limitada de Capital Variable, Hill Phoenix Guatemala Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix Honduras Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hiltap Fittings Ltd., Hydro Systems Company, Hydro Systems Europe Ltd., Hydronova Australia-NZ Pty Ltd, Industrial Motion Control LLC, Innovative Control Systems, Innovative Control Systems Inc., Inpro/Seal LLC, JK Group, JK Group S.P.A., JK Group USA Inc., K S Boca Inc., K&L Microwave DR Inc., K&L Microwave Inc., KPS (Beijing) Petroleum Equipment Trading Co Ltd., KPS Fueling Solutions Sdn. Bhd., KPS Hong Kong Holding Limited, KPS UK Limited, KS Formation Inc., KS Liquidation Inc., KSLP Liquidation L.P., Kiian Digital (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Knappco LLC, Knowles Electronics, LIQAL, Liquip, Liquip International Pty Limited, MAAG, MARKEM FZ SA, MARKEM-IMAJE Corporation, MIP Holdings Inc., MS Printing Solutions, MS Printing Solutions S.R.L., Maag Automatik GmbH, Maag Automatik Plastics Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Maag Gala Inc., Maag Italy S.R.L., Maag Pump Systems, Maag Pump Systems (US) Inc., Maag Pump Systems AG, Maag Reduction Inc., Maag Service (Malaysia) Sdn. Bdn., Maag Systems (Thailand) Limited, Marathon Equipment Company (Delaware), Markem Imaje Center of Competencies Spain S.L.U., Markem-Imaje, Markem-Imaje (China) Co. Limited, Markem-Imaje - Unipessoal Lda, Markem-Imaje A/S, Markem-Imaje AB, Markem-Imaje AG, Markem-Imaje AS, Markem-Imaje B.V., Markem-Imaje CSAT GmbH, Markem-Imaje Co. Ltd., Markem-Imaje GmbH, Markem-Imaje Holding, Markem-Imaje Identificacao de Produtos Ltda., Markem-Imaje Inc., Markem-Imaje India Private Limited, Markem-Imaje Industries, Markem-Imaje Industries Limited, Markem-Imaje KK, Markem-Imaje LLC, Markem-Imaje Limited, Markem-Imaje Limited, Markem-Imaje Ltd., Markem-Imaje N.V., Markem-Imaje Oy, Markem-Imaje Philippines Corporation, Markem-Imaje Pty Ltd, Markem-Imaje S.A., Markem-Imaje S.A. de C.V., Markem-Imaje S.r.l., Markem-Imaje SAS, Markem-Imaje Sdn Bhd, Markem-Imaje Singapore Pte. Ltd., Markem-Imaje Spain S.A.U, Markpoint Holding AB, Midland Manufacturing LLC, Mouvex, Northern Lights (Nevada) Inc., Northern Lights Funding LP, Northern Lights Investments LLC, Nova Controls Inc., OK International, OK International (UK) Ltd., OK International Holdings Inc., OK International Inc., OPW Engineered Systems Inc., OPW Fluid Transfer Group Europe B.V., OPW Fluid Transfer Solutions (Jiang Su) Co. Ltd., OPW Fluids Group Inc., OPW France, OPW Fuel Management Systems Inc., OPW Fueling Components (SuZhou) Co. Ltd., OPW Fueling Components LLC, OPW Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OPW Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., OPW Slovakia s.r.o., OPW Sweden AB, Officine Meccaniche Sirio S.R.L., PDQ Manufacturing, PDQ Manufacturing Inc., PISCES by OPW Inc., PSD Codax Holdings Limited, PSD Codax Limited, PSG (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, PSG (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., PSG California LLC, PSG Germany GmbH, Petro Vend Sp. z o.o., Pike Machine Products Inc., Pole/Zero Acquisition Inc., Precision Brasil Equipamentos E Servicos Para Postos De Combustiveis Ltda., Precision Service - Servicos De Manutencao E Instalacao De Postos De Abastecimento De Combustivel Ltda., Production Control Services, Pump Management Services Co. LLC, RAV Equipos Espana S.L., RAV France, Ravaglioli Deutschland GmbH, Ravaglioli S.P.A., Reduction Engineering GmbH, Revod Corporation, Revod Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Revod SAS, Revod Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd, Revod Sweden AB, Robohand Inc., Rosario, Rosario Handel B.V., Rotary Lift Consolidated (Haimen) Co. Ltd, SE Liquidation LLC, SWEP Germany GmbH, SWEP Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., SWEP North America Inc., SWEP Slovakia s.r.o., SWEP Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Seabiscuit Motorsports Inc., Simmons Sirvey Corporation, So. Cal. Soft-Pak, So. Cal. Soft-Pak Incorporated, Solaris Laser, Solaris Laser S.A., Somero Enterprises, Sound Solutions, Space S.R.L., Spirit, Start Italiana Petrol Cihazlari Sanayi Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Start Italiana S.R.L., Swep Energy Oy, Swep International A.B., Swep Japan K.K., Sys-Tech Solutions, Sys-Tech Solutions Inc., Systech GB Limited, Systech Shanghai Consulting Company Limited, TQC Quantium Quality S.A. de C.V., TTSI III Inc., TWG Canada Consolidated Inc., TXHI LLC, Tartan Textile Services Inc., The Heil Co., Tokheim Belgium, Tokheim China Company Limited, Tokheim GmbH, Tokheim Group, Tokheim Hengshan Technologies (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Tokheim Holding B.V., Tokheim India Private Limited, Tokheim Sofitam Applications, Trans - Logistic Group S.R.L., Triton Systems, Tulsa Winch Inc., UPCO Inc., US Synthetic, Unattended Payment Solutions LLC, Unified Brands, Unified Brands Inc., Val TemperBent Glass L.P., Vectron Frequency Devices (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Vehicle Service Group LLC, Vehicle Service Group UK Limited, Vos Food Store Equipment Ltd., WSCR Corp., Warn Automotive LLC, Warn Industries, Waukesha Bearings, Waukesha Bearings Corporation, Waukesha Bearings Limited, Waukesha Bearings Russia LLC, Wayne Fuel Management UK Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems, Wayne Fueling Systems (Rus) Limited Liability Company, Wayne Fueling Systems Australia Pty Ltd, Wayne Fueling Systems Canada ULC, Wayne Fueling Systems Deutschland GmbH, Wayne Fueling Systems Italia S.R.L., Wayne Fueling Systems LLC, Wayne Fueling Systems Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems Sweden AB, Wayne Fueling Systems UK Holdco Ltd., Wayne Industria e Comercio Ltda., WellMark, XanTec Steuerungs- und EDV-Technik GmbH, and em-tec GmbH. The following companies are subsidiares of Exxon Mobil: AKG Marketing Company Limited, Aera Energy LLC, Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company, Ampolex (Cepu) Pte Ltd, Ancon Insurance Company Inc., Barnett Gathering LLC, Barzan Gas Company Limited, Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Celtic Exploration Ltd., Coral FLNG S.A., Cross Timbers Energy LLC, Ellora Energy Inc., Esmeroon Oil Transporta Imperial Oil Limited, Esso (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, Esso Deutschland GmbH, Esso Erdgas Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 17) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Angola (Overseas) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Chad Inc., Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited, Esso Global Investments Ltd., Esso Italiana S.r.l., Esso Nederland B.V., Esso Norge AS, Esso Petroleum Company Limited, Esso Raffinage, Esso Societe Anonyme Francaise, Exxo Holdings Inc., Exxon Azerbaijan Limited, Exxon Chemical Arabia Inc., Exxon International Finance Company, Exxon Luxembourg Holdings LLC, Exxon Mobile Bay Limited Partnership, Exxon Neftegas Limited, Exxon Overseas Corporation, Exxon Overseas Investment Corporation, ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil (Taicang) Petroleum Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil Abu Dhabi Offshore Petroleum Company Limited, ExxonMobil Alaska Production Inc., ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd, ExxonMobil B Resources Company, ExxonMobil Capital Finance Company, ExxonMobil Capital Netherlands B.V., ExxonMobil Central Europe Holding GmbH, ExxonMobil Cepu Limited, ExxonMobil Chemical France, ExxonMobil Chemical Gulf Coast Investments LLC, ExxonMobil Chemical Holland B.V., ExxonMobil Chemical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil China Petroleum & Petrochemical Company Limited, ExxonMobil Development Africa B.V., ExxonMobil Development Company, ExxonMobil Egypt (S.A.E.), ExxonMobil Exploracao Brasil Ltda., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Norway AS, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania Limited, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Tanzania Limited, ExxonMobil Finance Company Limited, ExxonMobil Financial Investment Company Limited, ExxonMobil France Holding SAS, ExxonMobil Gas Marketing Europe Limited, ExxonMobil General Finance Company, ExxonMobil Global Services Company, ExxonMobil Golden Pass Surety LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Company Holland LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Norway AS, ExxonMobil Hong Kong Limited, ExxonMobil International Services SARL, ExxonMobil Iraq Limited, ExxonMobil Italiana Gas S.r.l., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Ventures Inc., ExxonMobil LNG Services B.V., ExxonMobil Lubricants Trading Company, ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, ExxonMobil PNG Limited, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical BVBA, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical Holdings Inc., ExxonMobil Pipeline Company, ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH, ExxonMobil Production Norway Inc., ExxonMobil Qatargas (II) Limited, ExxonMobil Qatargas Inc., ExxonMobil Ras Laffan (III) Limited, ExxonMobil Rasgas Inc., ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, ExxonMobil Russia Kara Sea Holdings B.V., ExxonMobil Sales and Supply LLC, ExxonMobil Technology Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Funding Ltd., Fujian Refining & Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Golden Pass LNG Terminal Investments LLC, Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures LLC, Imperial Oil Limited, Imperial Oil Resources Limited, Imperial Oil Resources N.W.T. Limited, Imperial Oil/Petroliere Imperiale, Infineum Italia s.r.I., Infineum Singapore Pte. Ltd., InterOil Corporation, Jurong Aromatics Corporation Pte Ltd, MPM Lubricants, Marine Well Containment Company LLC, Mobil Australia Resources Company Pty Limited, Mobil California Exploration & Producing Asset Company, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company, Mobil Chemical Products International Inc., Mobil Corporation, Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc., Mobil Erdgas Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Mobil Exploration & Producing Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil International Petroleum Corporation, Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil Oil Exploration & Producing Southeast Inc., Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mobil Producing Texas & New Mexico Inc., Mobil SerLimited, Mobil Venezolana De Petroleos Inc., Mobil Yanbu Petrochemical Company Inc., Mobil Yanbu Refining Company Inc., Mountain Gathering LLC, Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A., Palmetto Transoceanic LLC, Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas Global Company LDC, Permian Express Partners LLC, Phillips Exploration LLC, Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (II), SPI Limited, Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company Ltd., Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Co., SeaRiver Maritime Inc., South Hook LNG Terminal Company Limited, Tengizchevroil LLP, Terminale GNL Adriatico S.r.l, Trend Gathering & Treating LLC, Wolverine Pipe Line Company, XH LLC, XTO Delaware Basin LLC, XTO ENERGY, XTO Energy Canada, and XTO Holdings LLC. Xcel Energy, Inc. operates as a holding company, which engages in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity. It operates through the following three segments: Regulated Electric Utility, Regulated Natural Gas Utility and All Others. The Regulated Electric Utility segment generates, transmits and distributes electricity primarily in portions of generates, transmits and distributes electricity in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Texas and New Mexico. In addition, this segment includes sales for resale and provides wholesale transmission service to various entities in the United States. It also includes commodity trading operations. The Regulated Natural Gas Utility segment transports, stores, and distributes natural gas primarily in portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Michigan and Colorado. The All Others segment engages in steam, appliance repair services, nonutility real estate activities, processing solid waste into refuse-derived fuel and investments in rental housing projects that qualify for low-income housing tax credits. The company was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Accenture: (Accenture Endustriyel Yazlm Cozumleri Limited Sirketi), 2nd Road, ?What If!, ?What If! China Holdings Limited, ?What If! Holdings Limited, ?What If! Limited, ACN Consulting Co Ltd, AD.Dialeto (Digital Agency acquired by Accenture), AGS Business and Technology Services Limited, AIG Shared Services Business Processing Inc, ASM Research Inc., ASM Research LLC, ATAN, Accenture (Botswana) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (China) Co. Ltd., Accenture (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd., Accenture (South Africa) Pty Ltd, Accenture (UK) Limited, Accenture 2 Business Process Services S.A., Accenture 2 LLC, Accenture A/S, Accenture AB, Accenture AG, Accenture AS, Accenture Africa Pty Ltd, Accenture Agencia Interativa Ltda, Accenture Australia Holding B.V., Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture B.V., Accenture BPM Operations Support Services S.A., Accenture BPM S.C.R.L., Accenture BPS Services S.p. z o.o., Accenture Branch Holdings B.V., Accenture Bulgaria EOOD, Accenture Business Services for Utilities Inc, Accenture Business Services of British Columbia Limited Partnership, Accenture Business and Technology Services LLC, Accenture C.A., Accenture Canada Holdings Inc, Accenture Capital Designated Activity Company, Accenture Capital Inc, Accenture Central Europe B.V., Accenture Chile Asesorias y Servicios Ltda, Accenture Cloud Services GmbH, Accenture Cloud Software Solutions Limited, Accenture Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions LLC, Accenture Cloud Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd, Accenture Co. Ltd, Accenture Communications Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, Accenture Company Ltd, Accenture Consulting Pty Ltd, Accenture Consulting Services Ltd Tanzania, Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A., Accenture Consultoria de Industria e Consumo Ltda, Accenture Consultoria de Recursos Naturais Ltda, Accenture Credit Services LLC, Accenture Customer Services Distribution SASU, Accenture Customer Services Ltd, Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, Accenture Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Accenture Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Accenture Delivery Poland S.p. z o.o., Accenture Dienstleistungen GmbH, Accenture Digital Holdings GmbH, Accenture East Africa Limited, Accenture Ecuador S.A., Accenture Egypt LLC, Accenture Enterprise Development (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Accenture Federal Services LLC, Accenture Finance II Limited, Accenture Finance Limited, Accenture Finance and Accounting BPO Services S.p.A., Accenture Finance and Accounting Services S.r.l., Accenture Financial Advanced Solution & Technology S.r.l., Accenture Flex LLC, Accenture GP LLC, Accenture Global Capital Designated Activity Company, Accenture Global Engagements Limited, Accenture Global Holdings Limited, Accenture Global Services Limited, Accenture Global Solutions Limited, Accenture GmbH, Accenture HR Services S.p.A., Accenture Healthcare Processing Inc, Accenture Holding Brasil Ltda, Accenture Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Accenture Holdings (Iberia) S.L., Accenture Holdings B.V., Accenture Holdings France SASU, Accenture Hungary Holdings Kft, Accenture Inc, Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions Kft, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions SA, Accenture Insurance Services B.V., Accenture Insurance Services LLC, Accenture International B.V., Accenture International LLC, Accenture International Limited, Accenture Japan Ltd, Accenture Korea B.V., Accenture LLC, Accenture LLP, Accenture Lanka (Private) Ltd, Accenture Limited, Accenture Lithuania UAB, Accenture Ltd, Accenture Ltda, Accenture Maghreb S.a.r.l., Accenture Managed Services SRL, Accenture Management GmbH, Accenture Marketing Services LLC, Accenture Marketing Services Limited, Accenture Middle East B.V., Accenture Minority I B.V., Accenture Mozambique Limitada, Accenture Mzansi Pty Ltd, Accenture NV/SA, Accenture NZ Limited, Accenture Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Co., Accenture OOO, Accenture Operations GmbH, Accenture Operations S.p. z o.o., Accenture Operations Services Private Limited, Accenture Operations Services Sdn Bhd, Accenture Outsourcing S.r.l., Accenture Outsourcing Services S.A., Accenture Oy, Accenture Panama Inc, Accenture Participations B.V., Accenture Participations II Limited, Accenture Peru SRL, Accenture Post Trade Processing SASU, Accenture Post-Trade Processing Limited, Accenture Process (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Pte Ltd, Accenture Puerto Rico LLC, Accenture Qiyun Technology (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, Accenture S.C., Accenture S.L., Accenture S.R.L., Accenture S.p. z o.o., Accenture S.p.A., Accenture SASU, Accenture SG Services Pte Ltd, Accenture SRL, Accenture Saudi Arabia Limited, Accenture Sdn Bhd, Accenture Service Center SRL, Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Services AB, Accenture Services AG, Accenture Services AS, Accenture Services GmbH, Accenture Services Morocco SA, Accenture Services Oy, Accenture Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Services S.p. z o.o., Accenture Services SRL, Accenture Services and Technology S.r.l., Accenture Services s.r.o., Accenture Single Member S.A. Organization Information Technology & Business Development, Accenture Solutions Co. Ltd, Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Accenture Solutions Pte Ltd, Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Solutions S.p. z o.o, Accenture Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC, Accenture Sub II Inc, Accenture Sub III Inc, Accenture Sub LLC, Accenture Systems Integration Limited, Accenture Sarl, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Accenture Technology Solutions (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (HK) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions S.r.l., Accenture Technology Solutions SASU, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures B.V., Accenture Technology Ventures SPRL, Accenture Tecnologia Consultoria y Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co. Limited, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Ltda, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Advoco, Agilex Technologies Inc., Allen International, AlphaBeta Advisors, Altevie Technologies S.r.l., Altima, Altima (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Altima Asia Ltd, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Altius Consulting Limited, Altius Data Solutions Private Limited, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Apis Group Pty Ltd, Appaloosa Technology SASU, AppsPro, Arca, Arca Ingenieros y Consultoria S.L., Arca Telecom S.L., Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Artio People (Payroll) Pty Ltd, Artio People Pty Ltd, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Automation Partners Pty Ltd, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd., Avanade Asia Pte Ltd, Avanade Australia Pty Ltd, Avanade Belgium SPRL, Avanade Canada Inc, Avanade Consulting Poland S.p. z o.o., Avanade Denmark A/S, Avanade Deutschland GmbH, Avanade Europe Holdings Limited, Avanade Europe Services Limited, Avanade Finland Oy, Avanade France SASU, Avanade Holdings LLC, Avanade Hong Kong Ltd, Avanade Inc, Avanade International Corporation, Avanade Ireland Limited, Avanade Italy S.r.l., Avanade Japan KK, Avanade Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avanade Middle East Limited, Avanade Netherlands B.V., Avanade Norway AS, Avanade Poland S.p. z o.o., Avanade Schweiz GmbH, Avanade South Africa Pty Ltd, Avanade Spain S.L., Avanade Sweden AB, Avanade UK Limited, Avanade do Brasil Ltda, Avanade Osterreich GmbH, Avenai, Axia Ltd., BABCN LLC, BCS Consulting, BCT Solutions, BCT Solutions Pty Ltd, BENEXT, BPO Servicos Administrativos Ltda, BRIDGE Energy Group, Beacon Consulting Group Inc., Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co. Ltd., Beijing Zhidao Future Consulting Co. Ltd, Benext, Berico Technologies LLC, Bionic, Bionic Solution LLC, Blue Horseshoe, Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Bow & Arrow, Bow & Arrow Limited, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, Byte Prophecy Private Limited, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CS Technology (Australia) Pty Ltd, CS Technology (UK) Limited, CS Technology Group LLC, CS Technology LLC, CadenceQuest Inc., Callisto Integration Europe B.V., Callisto Integration Europe Limited, Callisto Integration LLC, Callisto Integration Ltd, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc, Certus Solutions Consulting Services Limited, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cirrus Connect Australia Pty Ltd, Cirrus Connect Limited, Cirruseo, Clarity Insights, Clearhead, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas Japan G.K., Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Limited, Cloudeasier SAS, Cloudpoint Limited, Cloudsherpas Inc, Cloudworks, Cloudworks Consulting Services Inc, Cloudworks Technology LLC, Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda, Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda, Context Information Security, Context Information Security LLC, Context Information Security Limited, CoreCompete LLC, CoreCompete Limited, CoreCompete Private Limited, Corliant Inc., Creative Drive LLC, Creative Drive US LLC, CreativeDrive, CreativeDrive Digital Content Services (Shenzhen) Co Ltd., CreativeDrive EMEA Limited, CreativeDrive Singapore Pte Ltd, CreativeDrive UK Group Limited, Cutting Edge Solutions Limited, Cygni AB, Cygni Norrsken AB, Cygni Stockholm AB, Cygni Syd AB, Cygni Vast AB, Cygni Ost AB, Cygni Ostersund AB, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Limited, DI Futures Corporation, Data Essential SARL, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings LLC, Decora Marketplace LLC, Decorado Marketplace Ltda-EPP, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digital Results Group LLC, Double Digit Limitada, Double Digit Pty SA, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Limited, Duck Creek Technologies, ESR Labs, ESR Labs AG, EdenOne Solutions Limited, Edenhouse ERP Holdings Limited, Edenhouse Solutions Limited, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting LP, End to End Analytics LLC, End-to-End Analytics, Endorphin Medici (M) Sdn Bhd, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Limited, EnergyQuote JHA, Enimbos, Enimbos Global Services S.L., Enkitec, Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions LLC, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V., Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enthusian Pty Ltd, Entropia, Entropia (M) Sdn Bhd, Entropia Holdings Pte Ltd, Entropia Intercraft Sdn Bhd, Epylon, Espedia S.r.l., Ethica Consulting Group, Ethica Consulting S.p.A., Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Experity, Exton Consulting, Exton Consulting Spain Strategy&Management S.L., Exton Germany GmbH, Exton International SAS, Exton Italia S.r.l., Exton SAS, FGM LLC, Fairway Technologies Inc, Farah BidCo Limited, Farah MidCo Limited, Farah Topco Limited, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Formicary, Fruendo S.r.l., FusionX, Future State Consulting LLC, FutureMove (Beijing) Automotive Technology Co. Ltd., FutureMove Automotive, FutureMove Automotive Co. Ltd., GRA Supply Chain Pty Ltd, Gagel Group S de R.L. de C.V., Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gevity, Gren utvikling AS, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., HRC Retail Advisory, Hagberg Consulting Group, Hahntel Ltda, Halo Partners LLC, Hamilton Holding Company S.A, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Happen GP Limited, Happen Limited, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl A/S, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn Bhd, IBB Consulting, ICM.S S.r.l., IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INSITUM, IQSP Consulting LLC, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Icon Integration (NZ) Limited, Icon Integration Pty Ltd, Imagine Broadband (USA) Limited, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Imaginea Technologies LLC, Industrie IT (Hong Kong) Ltd, Industrie IT (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Industrie IT Group Pty Ltd, Industrie IT Pty Ltd, Industrie&Co, Infinity Works Consulting Limited, Infinity Works Holdings Limited, Infinity Works Management Limited, Infinity Works Midco Limited, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Innotec International EAD, Innotec International S.p. z.o.o., Innotec Marketing GmbH, Innotec Marketing International Ireland Limited, Innotec- Marketing Spain S.L, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., International Biometric Group LLC, International Biometric Group UK Limited, Intrepid, Intrepid Futureworks Sdn Bhd, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Technology Ltd, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, ItSafer Continuity Services S.L., JKD Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, K Comms Group Limited, KSC Studio LLC, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Limited, Kogentix Singapore Pte Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon US LLC, LEXTA, LINKBYNET, LINKBYNET Indian Ocean (L.I.O) Ltd, LabAnswer, Lexta GmbH, Lexta UK Limited, Lien par le reseau Inc, Lien par le reseau infrastructures Inc, Lin Bo (Shanghai) Network Technology Co. Ltd., Link By Net SAS, Link By Net SRL, Link By Net Vietnam Company Limited, Linkbynet East Asia Ltd, Linkbynet Singapore Pte Ltd., Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, Lumenup S.A., MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte Ltd, Mackevision UK Limited, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd, Maihiro, Matter, Maud Corp Pty Ltd, Maxamine International, Measuretek LLC, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing LLC, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mistral Wind Operations Servicos Empresariais Unipessoal Lda., MobGen, Mortgage Cadence LLC, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, Mudano Limited, Myrtle Consulting Group LLC, N3 (Dalian) Business Consulting Co. Ltd., N3 Brazil Consultoria em Marketing Ltda, N3 Germany GmbH, N3 LLC, N3 North America LLC, N3 Results Australia Pty Ltd, N3 Results Ireland Limited, N3 Results Japan G.K., N3 Results Limited, N3 Results Malaysia Sdn Bhd, N3 Results Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., N3 Results S.A.S., N3 Results Singapore Pte Ltd, N3 Results Unipessoal Lda, NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., Nell'Armonia Israel Ltd, Nell'Armonia SAS, Nell'Participation SAS, NellArmonia, Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda, New Energy Group, News Imaging LLC, NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage Pte Ltd, Northstream, Novetta Holdings LLC, Novetta LLC, Novetta Solutions LLC, Novetta Topco LLC, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Olikka Pty Ltd, Openmind, Openmind S.r..l., Openminded, Openminded SAS, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium AG, Orbium Consulting Limited, Orbium Inc., Orbium Ltd, Orbium Pte Ltd, Orbium Pty Ltd, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PLM Systems S.r.l, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, PacificLink Group, Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production A/S, Pegasus Production K/S, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pollux Automation Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pollux Canada Inc, Pollux S.A.S., Pollux USA LLC, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Limited, Pramati Technologies Europe Limited, Pramati Technologies Private Limited, Presence of IT Workforce Management North America LLC, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Limited, Procurian Inc., Prof. Homburg GmbH, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co. Ltd., RBCP Fund 1-A Vapor Blocker LLC, RBCP Platform Vapor Blocker I LLC, REPL Consulting LLC, REPL Consulting Limited, REPL Digital Limited, REPL Group K.K., REPL Group Pty Ltd, REPL Group Worldwide Limited, REPL Pte Ltd, REPL Software Limited, REPL Technology Limited, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Root LLC, Rothco, Rothco Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SALT Solutions GmbH, SEC Servizi, SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Salt Solutions, Sandbox Studio LLC, Sapling Bidco Limited, Sapling Midco Limited, Sapling Topco Limited, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Search Technologies BPO Inc, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Securiview SAS, Sentelis, Sentor Managed Secuirty Services AB, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Seven Seas Business Ventures LLC, Shackleton, Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton S.L.U., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., SigInt Technologies LLC, Silveo, Silveo Consulting India Private Limited, Simian Pty Ltd, SinnerSchrader, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, Sirvart S.A., Sistemes Consulting S.L., Skylink SAS, Soltians Limited, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Somers Ventures Ireland Limited, Somers Ventures LLC, Spacelink SAS, Storm Digital, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Synership LLC, Systor AG, TXF LLC, TargetST8, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Ltd, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Tquila, Trivadis, Trivadis Austria GmbH, Trivadis Denmark AS, Trivadis Germany GmbH, Trivadis Holding AG, Trivadis Partner AG, Trivadis Services AG, Trivadis Services SRL, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Vector Acquisition Company LLC, Vector Topco LLC, Verax Solutions, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd, Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd, Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Wabion GmbH, WaveStrike LLC, White Cliffs Consulting LLC, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wise Partners SAS, Wolox, Wolox Colombia S.A.S, Wolox LLC, Wolox Mexico S.R.L de C.V., Wolox S.A., Wolox SpA, Workforce Insight, Workforce Insight LLC, Yesler, Yesler LLC, Yesler Limited, Yesler Singapore Pte Ltd, Zag, Zag Australia Pty Ltd, Zag Limited, Zag USA LLC, Zebra Worldwide Australia Pty Ltd, Zebra Worldwide Group Limited, Zebra Worldwide Media Pty Ltd, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines Inc, Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc, Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, solid-serVision.com GmbH, and umlaut. HDFC Bank Ltd. engages in the provision of banking and financial services, including commercial banking and treasury operations. The firm also provides financial services to upper and middle income individuals and corporations in India. It operates through the following segments: Treasury, Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking and Other Banking Operations. The Treasury segment consists of bank's investment portfolio, money market borrowing and lending, investment operations and trading in foreign exchange and derivative contracts. The Retail Banking segment provides loans and other services to customers through a branch network and other delivery channels. The Wholesale Banking segment provides loans, non-fund facilities and transaction services to large corporates, emerging corporates, public sector units, government bodies, financial institutions, and medium scale enterprises. The Other Banking Business segment includes income from para banking activities such as credit cards, debit cards, third party product distribution, primary dealership business, and the associated costs. The company was founded by Aditya Tapishwar Puri in August 1994 and is headquartered in Mumbai, India. Read More 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.. Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF's stock was trading at $25.82 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, PCY stock has increased by 1.8% and is now trading at $26.28. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of Bristol-Myers Squibb: 1096271 B.C. ULC, 345 Park LLC, A.G. Medical Services P.A., AHI Investment LLC, AbVitro LLC, Abraxis BioScience Australia Pty Ltd., Abraxis BioScience Inc., Abraxis BioScience International Holding Company Inc., Abraxis BioScience LLC, Abraxis BioScience Puerto Rico LLC, Acetylon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Adnexus, Adnexus a Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D Company, Allard Labs Acquisition G.P., Amira Pharmaceuticals, Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc., Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Apothecon LLC, B-MS Generx Unlimited Company, BMS Benelux Holdings B.V., BMS Bermuda Nominees L.L.C., BMS Data Acquisition Company LLC, BMS Forex Company, BMS Holdings Sarl, BMS Holdings Spain S.L., BMS International Insurance Designated Activity Company, BMS Investco SAS, BMS Korea Holdings L.L.C., BMS Latin American Nominees L.L.C., BMS Luxembourg Partners L.L.C., BMS Omega Bermuda Holdings Finance Ltd., BMS Pharmaceutical Korea Limited, BMS Pharmaceuticals Germany Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals International Holdings Netherlands B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Korea Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Mexico Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Netherlands Holdings B.V., BMS Real Estate LLC, BMS Spain Investments LLC, BMS Strategic Portfolio Investments Holdings Inc., Blisa Acquisition G.P., Bristol (Iran) S.A., Bristol Iran Private Company Limited, Bristol Laboratories Inc., Bristol Laboratories International S.A., Bristol Laboratories Medical Information Systems Inc., Bristol-Myers (Andes) L.L.C., Bristol-Myers (Private) Limited, Bristol-Myers Middle East S.A.L., Bristol-Myers Overseas Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Israel) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (NZ) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Proprietary) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Taiwan) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (West Indies) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb A.E., Bristol-Myers Squibb Aktiebolag, Bristol-Myers Squibb Argentina S. R. L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia Pty. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Axia Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb B.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Belgium S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Business Services Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada International Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Delta Company Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Denmark Filial of Bristol-Myers Squibb AB, Bristol-Myers Squibb EMEA Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Egypt LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Epsilon Holdings Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Ltda., Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Portuguesa S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb GesmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH & Co. KGaA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holding Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings 2002 Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Germany Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Ireland Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Pharma Ltd. Liability Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Ilaclari Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb India Pvt. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Company Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Investco L.L.C., Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K., Bristol-Myers Squibb Kft., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg International S.C.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb MEA GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Manufacturing Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Marketing Services S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Norway Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Nutricionales de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Peru S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (HK) Ltd, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (Thailand) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Holding Company LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Ventures Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Polska Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Products SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico/Sanofi Pharmaceutical Partnership Puerto Rico, Bristol-Myers Squibb Romania S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.A.U., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Holding Partnership, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Service Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Services Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Spol. s r.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Theta Finance Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Trustees Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Colombia S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Costa Rica Sociedad Anonima, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Guatemala S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb/Astrazeneca EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership, Bristol-Myers de Venezuela S.C.A., CHT I LLC, CHT II LLC, CHT III LLC, CHT IV LLC, CR Finance Company LLC, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals Inc., Celem LLC, Celem Ltd., Celgene, Celgene A.B., Celgene AS, Celgene Ab (Finland), Celgene Alpine Investment Co. II LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. III LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. LLC, Celgene ApS, Celgene B.V., Celgene BVBA, Celgene Brasil Produtos Farmaceuticos Ltda., Celgene CAR LLC, Celgene CAR Ltd., Celgene Chemicals Sarl, Celgene China Holdings LLC, Celgene Co., Celgene Corporation, Celgene Distribution B.V., Celgene EngMab GmbH, Celgene Europe B.V., Celgene Europe Limited, Celgene European Investment Company LLC, Celgene Financing Company LLC, Celgene Global Holdings Sarl, Celgene GmbH [Austria], Celgene GmbH [Germany], Celgene GmbH [Switzerland], Celgene Holdings East Corporation, Celgene Holdings II Sarl, Celgene Holdings III Sarl, Celgene Ilac Pazarlama ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Celgene Inc., Celgene International Holdings Corporation, Celgene International II Sarl, Celgene International III Sarl, Celgene International Inc., Celgene International Sarl, Celgene K.K., Celgene Kft., Celgene Limited [Hong Kong], Celgene Limited [Ireland], Celgene Limited [New Zealand], Celgene Limited [Taiwan], Celgene Limited [UK], Celgene Logistics Sarl, Celgene Ltd, Celgene Luxembourg Sarl, Celgene Management Sarl, Celgene NJ Investment Co, Celgene Netherlands B.V., Celgene Netherlands Investment B.V., Celgene Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Celgene Pte. Ltd., Celgene Pty Ltd, Celgene Puerto Rico Distribution LLC, Celgene Quanticel Research Inc, Celgene R&D Sarl, Celgene RIVOT LLC, Celgene RIVOT Ltd., Celgene RIVOT SRL, Celgene Receptos Limited, Celgene Receptos Sarl, Celgene Research Incubator At Summit West LLC, Celgene Research S.L.U., Celgene Research and Development Company LLC, Celgene Research and Development I ULC, Celgene Research and Development II LLC, Celgene Research and Investment Company II LLC, Celgene S. de R.L. de C.V., Celgene S.L.U., Celgene S.R.L., Celgene SAS, Celgene Sarl AU, Celgene Sdn Bhd, Celgene Services Sarl, Celgene Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Celgene Sp. Z.o.o., Celgene Sro [Czech Republic], Celgene Summit Investment Co, Celgene Switzerland Holding Sarl, Celgene Switzerland II LLC, Celgene Switzerland Investment Sarl, Celgene Switzerland LLC, Celgene Switzerland Sarl, Celgene Tri A Holdings Ltd., Celgene Tri Sarl, Celgene UK Distribution Limited, Celgene UK Holdings Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing II Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing III Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing Limited, Celgene d.o.o., Celgene sro [Slovakia], Celmed LLC, Celmed Ltd., ConvaTec Divestiture, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals AB, Crosp Ltd., Delinia Inc., Deuteria Pharmaceuticals Inc., DuPont Pharmaceuticals, E. R. Squibb & Sons Inter-American Corporation, E. R. Squibb & Sons L.L.C., E. R. Squibb & Sons Limited, EWI Corporation, EngMab Sarl, F-star Alpha, FermaVir Pharmaceuticals L.L.C., FermaVir Research L.L.C., Flexus Biosciences, Flexus Biosciences Inc., Forbius, Galecto Biotech, GenPharm International L.L.C., Gloucester Pharmaceuticals LLC, Grove Insurance Company Ltd., Heyden Farmaceutica Portuguesa Limitada, IFM Therapeutics, Impact Biomedicines Inc., Inhibitex, Inhibitex L.L.C., Innate Tumor Immunity Inc., JuMP Holdings LLC, Juno Therapeutics GmbH, Juno Therapeutics Inc., Kosan Biosciences, Kosan Biosciences Incorporated, Linson Investments Limited, Mead Johnson (Manufacturing) Jamaica Limited, Mead Johnson Jamaica Ltd., Medarex, Morris Avenue Investment II LLC, Morris Avenue Investment LLC, MyoKardia, O.o.o. Bristol-Myers Squibb, Oy Bristol-Myers Squibb (Finland) AB, Padlock Therapeutics, Padlock Therapeutics Inc., Pharmion LLC, Princeton Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Receptos LLC, Receptos Services LLC, RedoxTherapies Inc., Route 22 Real Estate Holding Corporation, SPV A Holdings ULC, Seamair Insurance DAC, Signal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Sino-American Shanghai Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Societe Francaise de Complements Alimentaires(S.O.F.C.A.), Squibb Middle East S.A., Summit West Celgene LLC, Swords Laboratories, VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Westwood-Intrafin SA, Westwood-Squibb Pharmaceuticals Inc., X-Body Inc., ZymoGenetics, ZymoGenetics Inc., ZymoGenetics LLC, ZymoGenetics Paymaster LLC, iPierian, and iPierian Inc.. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF's stock was trading at $56.05 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EFA stock has increased by 36.8% and is now trading at $76.65. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of Ingersoll Rand: 211 E. Russell Road LLC, Air-Relief, Belliss & Morcom Brasil, Belliss and Morcom, Boardwalk Enterprises, Charm Merger Sub Inc., CompAir, CompAir (Hankook) Korea Co. Ltd., CompAir Acquisition (No. 2) Ltd., CompAir Acquisition Ltd., CompAir BroomWade Ltd., CompAir Canada, CompAir Finance Ltd., CompAir GmbH, CompAir Holdings Limited, CompAir Holman Ltd, CompAir International Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, CompAir Korea Ltd, CompAir South Africa (SA) (Pty) Ltd., CompAir UK Ltd, CompAir USA, Consolidated Distribution Holdings Ltd., DV Systems Inc., Emco Wheaton, Emco Wheaton GmbH Branch, Emco Wheaton Gmbh, Emco Wheaton UK, Emco Wheaton USA Inc, Enza Air Propriety Limited (South Africa), GD Aria Holdings #2 Limited, GD Aria Holdings Limited, GD Aria Investments Limited, GD First UK Ltd, GD German Holdings GmbH, GD German Holdings I Gmbh, GD German Holdings II GmbH, GD German Investments GmbH, GD Global Holdings, GD Global Holdings II, GD Global Holdings UK II Ltd., GD Global Ventures I B.V., GD Global Ventures II B.V., GD Global Ventures III B.V., GD Industrial Products Malaysia SDN. BHD., GD Investment KY, GD UK Finance Ltd., Gardner Denver (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Austria GmbH, Gardner Denver Bad Neustadt Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Belgium NV, Gardner Denver Brasil Industria E Comercio de Maquinas Ltda., Gardner Denver CZ + SK sro, Gardner Denver Canada Corp, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Ltd., Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Ltd. - US Branch, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Ltd., Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Ltd. - US Branch, Gardner Denver Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Engineered Products India Private Limited, Gardner Denver FZE, Gardner Denver Finance II LLC, Gardner Denver Finance Inc & Co KG, Gardner Denver France SA, Gardner Denver France SAS, Gardner Denver Group Services Ltd, Gardner Denver Group Svcs Ltd, Gardner Denver Hoffman, Gardner Denver Holdings, Gardner Denver Holdings Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Ltd, Gardner Denver Iberica, Gardner Denver Industries Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd. Branch, Gardner Denver International, Gardner Denver International Ltd., Gardner Denver Intl Ltd Middle East Regional Rep Office, Gardner Denver Investments, Gardner Denver Italy Holdings S.r.L., Gardner Denver Japan, Gardner Denver Kirchhain Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Korea, Gardner Denver Korea Ltd, Gardner Denver Ltd, Gardner Denver Ltd South Africa, Gardner Denver Ltd., Gardner Denver Ltd. Branch (Ireland), Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co, Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co., Gardner Denver Nash Brasil Industria E Comercio De Bombas Ltda, Gardner Denver Nash Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd., Gardner Denver Nederland BV, Gardner Denver Nederland Investments B.V., Gardner Denver Oberdorfer Pumps, Gardner Denver Oy, Gardner Denver Petroleum Pumps, Gardner Denver Polska Sp z.o.o., Gardner Denver Pte Ltd., Gardner Denver S.r.l., Gardner Denver Schopfheim GmbH, Gardner Denver Schopfheim Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Schweiz AG, Gardner Denver Slovakia, Gardner Denver SudAmerica S.r.l., Gardner Denver Sweden AB, Gardner Denver Taiwan Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas, Gardner Denver Thomas GmbH, Gardner Denver Thomas Pneumatic Systems (Wuxi) Co., Gardner Denver Thomas Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver UK, Gardner Denver Water Jetting Systems, Garo Dott. Ing. Roberto Gabbioneta S.r.l., Hamworthy Belliss & Morcom, ILMVAC (UK) Ltd., ILS Innovative Labor Systeme, ILS Inovative Laborsysteme GmbH, Indonesia Foreign Trade Representative Office, LeROI, LeRoi International Inc, MP Pumps Inc., Mako Compressors, Nash, Nash Elmo, Oina VV, Oina VV Aktiebolag, Robuschi, Rotary Compression Technologies, Runtech Systems, Runtech Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Runtech Systems Inc., Runtech Systems OY, Shanghai CompAir Compressors Co Ltd, Shanghai Compressors & Blowers Ltd., Syltone, TCM Investments, TIWR Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG, TODO AB, Tamrotor Marine Compressors AS, Thomas Industries, Thomas Industries Inc., Tri-Continent Scientific, Welch Vacuum Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zinsser Analytic, Zinsser Analytik GmbH, and Zinsser NA. Pendragon PLC, together with its subsidiaries, operates in the automotive retail sector in the United Kingdom. It operates through Car Store, Franchised UK Motor, Software, and Leasing segments. The company sells new and used motor cars, motorbikes, trucks, and vans together with associated aftersales activities of service, body repair, and parts sales. It also operates carstore.com, an online marketplace for used cars; and distributes aftermarket parts, accessories, and workshop consumables under the Quickco brand. In addition, the company provides cloud-based dealer management systems; and Licence Link, an online license checking tool for fleets, as well as leases cars and vans to small, medium, and large fleets under the Pendragon Vehicle Management brand, and retails vehicles under the Evans Halshaw and Stratstone brand names. It operates 142 franchise points. Pendragon PLC was incorporated in 1988 and is headquartered in Nottingham, the United Kingdom. Read More Suncor Energy Inc. operates as an integrated energy company. The company primarily focuses on developing petroleum resource basins in Canada's Athabasca oil sands; explores, acquires, develops, produces, transports, refines, and markets crude oil in Canada and internationally; markets petroleum and petrochemical products under the Petro-Canada name primarily in Canada. It operates in Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; Refining and Marketing; and Corporate and Eliminations segments. The Oil Sands segment recovers bitumen from mining and in situ operations, and upgrades it into refinery feedstock and diesel fuel, or blends the bitumen with diluent for direct sale to market. The Exploration and Production segment is involved in offshore operations off the east coast of Canada and in the North Sea; and operating onshore assets in Libya and Syria. The Refining and Marketing segment refines crude oil and intermediate feedstock into various petroleum and petrochemical products; and markets refined petroleum products to retail, commercial, and industrial customers through its other retail sellers. The Corporate and Eliminations segment operates four wind farm operations in Ontario and Western Canada. The company also markets and trades in crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products, and power. The company was formerly known as Suncor Inc. and changed its name to Suncor Energy Inc. in April 1997. Suncor Energy Inc. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More Varian Medical Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, sells, and services medical devices and software products for treating cancer and other medical conditions worldwide. It operates through Oncology Systems and Proton Solutions segments. The Oncology Systems segment offers hardware and software products for treating cancer with radiotherapy, fixed field intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, volumetric modulated arc therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiotherapy, artificial intelligence based adaptive radiotherapy, and brachytherapy, as well as quality assurance equipment. Its products include linear accelerators, brachytherapy afterloaders, treatment accessories, and quality assurance software; and information management, treatment planning, image processing, clinical knowledge exchange, patient care management, decision-making support, and practice management software. This segment serves university research and community hospitals, private and governmental institutions, healthcare agencies, physicians' offices, medical oncology practices, radiotherapy centers, and cancer care clinics. The Proton Solutions segment designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and services products and systems for delivering proton therapy for the treatment of cancer. The company has a strategic agreement with McKesson Corp. to supply treatment delivery systems and planning, services, and radiotherapy information system solutions to its U.S. Oncology Network and Vantage Oncology affiliated sites of care; and a strategic partnership with Siemens AG to represent Siemens diagnostic imaging products to radiation oncology clinics in the United States and other select markets. Varian Medical Systems, Inc. was formerly known as Varian Associates, Inc. and changed its name to Varian Medical Systems, Inc. in April 1999. The company was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Sonoco Products: AMGH, APEI UK Limited, APEI Unlimited IOM, Associated Packaging Technologies Inc., Beteiligungen Sonoco Deutschland Vermogensverwaltungsgesellschaft mbh, CP Acquisition LLC, Can Packaging, Can Packaging SAS, Cap Liners Limited, Capseals Limited, Capseals Liners Limited, Cascades Sonoco Inc. (fka Cascades Conversion Inc), Clear Lam Flexible Films (Nanjing) Co. Ltd., Clear Lam Packaging Inc., Clear Pack Co., Clear Pack Company, Colombiana P.M. LLC, Conitex Sonoco (BVI) Ltd., Conitex Sonoco (Mexico) S. de R.L. de C.V., Conitex Sonoco Hellas S.A., Conitex Sonoco Holding B.V., Conitex Sonoco Inc., Conitex Sonoco India Pvt. Ltd., Conitex Sonoco N.V., Conitex Sonoco Shanghai Ltd., Conitex Sonoco Suzhou Co. Ltd., Conitex Sonoco Taiwan Ltd., Conitex Sonoco USA Inc., Convex Mold Inc., Corenso Holdings America Inc., Corenso North America, Corenso Richmond LLC, Corepak Limited, CorrFlex Graphics LLC, Demolli Industria Cartaria S.p.A., Engraph Inc., Engraph Puerto Rico Inc., Fair Lawn Packaging Services LLC, Friarsgate Studio Limited, Graffo Paranaense De Embalagens S.A., Graffo Paranaense de Embalagens S/A, Grove Mill Paper Company Limited, Gunther of America Inc., Hartsville Corrugating LLC, Hayes Manufacturing Group, Heathfield Reels Limited, Highland Packaging Solutions, Highland Packaging Solutions LLC, Industrial Machine Co. Inc., Inversiones Sonoco Limitada, Italtubetti SpA, Laminar Medica, Laminar Medica (CE) s.r.o., Laminar Medica Limited, Manufacturas Sonoco S.A. de C.V., Matrix Packaging Inc., Nathaniel Lloyd & Company Limited, OOO Sonoco Alcore (fka ZAO Sonoco Alcore), Ontario Inc., PT Conitex Sonoco, PT Papcor Asia Pacific, PT Papertech Indonesia, PT Sonoco Indonesia, Packaging Holdings Inc., Papcor (Dezhou) Packaging Material Co. Ltd., Papertech Dezhou Co. Ltd., Papertech SL, PenPack LLC, Peninsula Packaging Company, Peninsula Packaging LLC, Penpack S. de R.L. de C.V., Phoenix Packaging Corp., Plastique Holdings LTD, SAS Du Lagon, SCI Lagon Quest, SMB GmbH, SPC Capital Management Inc., SPC Liquidation LLC, SPC Management LLC, SPC Resources Inc., SR Holdings of the Carolinas LLC, Sebro Plastics Inc., Sonoco (Shanghai) Co., Sonoco (Taicang) Packaging Co., Sonoco (Weifang) Packaging Company Ltd., Sonoco Absorbent Technologies LLC, Sonoco Absorbent Technologies Limited, Sonoco Alcore - Demolli S.r.l., Sonoco Alcore AB, Sonoco Alcore GmbH, Sonoco Alcore N.V., Sonoco Alcore Nederland B.V., Sonoco Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Sonoco Asia Holding S.a.r.l., Sonoco Asia L.L.C., Sonoco Asia Management Company L.L.C., Sonoco Australia Pty Ltd, Sonoco Board Mills Limited, Sonoco Bonmati S.A.U., Sonoco Canada Corporation, Sonoco Capseals Liners Limited, Sonoco Comercial S. de R.L. de C.V., Sonoco Consumer Products Dordrecht B.V. (fka Dorpak B.V.), Sonoco Consumer Products Europe GmbH (fka Weidenhammer Packaging Group GmbH), Sonoco Consumer Products Hellas S.A. (fka Weidenhammer Hellas S.A.), Sonoco Consumer Products Limited, Sonoco Consumer Products Mechelen BVBA (fka Weidenhammer Belgium BVBA), Sonoco Consumer Products Montanay SAS (fka Neuvibox SAS), Sonoco Consumer Products Poland Sp. Z.O.O., Sonoco Consumer Products SAS, Sonoco Consumer Products South Africa (PTY) Ltd., Sonoco Consumer Products Zwenkau GmbH (fka fka Weidenhammer Plastice Packaging GmbH), Sonoco Cores and Paper Limited, Sonoco D & P LLC, Sonoco D and P York LLC, Sonoco Deutschland GmbH, Sonoco Deutschland Holdings GmbH, Sonoco Development Inc., Sonoco Display and Packaging LLC, Sonoco Elk Grove Inc., Sonoco Embalagens Ltda. (fka Sonoco Embalagens S.A.), Sonoco Europe Limited, Sonoco Flexible Packaging Canada Corporation, Sonoco Flexible Packaging Co. Inc., Sonoco Graphics India Private Limited, Sonoco Hickory Inc., Sonoco Holdings Inc., Sonoco Holdings UK Limited, Sonoco Hutchinson LLC, Sonoco IPD France SAS, Sonoco Iberia S.L.U., Sonoco International Holdings GmbH, Sonoco JV GmbH & Co. KG, Sonoco Kaiping Packaging Co. Ltd., Sonoco Limited, Sonoco Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Sonoco Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Sonoco Milnrow, Sonoco Netherlands Holding II BV, Sonoco Netherlands Holding III BV, Sonoco New Zealand Limited, Sonoco Operadora S. de R.L. de C.V., Sonoco Packaging Limited, Sonoco Packaging Tapes Limited, Sonoco Paper Mill & IPD Hellas SA, Sonoco Paperboard Group LLC, Sonoco Partitions Inc., Sonoco Phoenix LLC, Sonoco Pina S.A.U., Sonoco Plastics B.V., Sonoco Plastics Canada ULC, Sonoco Plastics Germany GmbH, Sonoco Plastics Inc., Sonoco Poland Holdings B.V., Sonoco Polysack A/S Inc., Sonoco Polysack Limited, Sonoco Products Company UK, Sonoco Products Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Sonoco Protective Solutions Inc., Sonoco Recycling - International Trade Group LLC (fka Reparco USA Inc.), Sonoco Recycling LLC, Sonoco Reels Limited, Sonoco Retail Packaging S. de R.L. de C.V., Sonoco S.A. de C.V., Sonoco SAS, Sonoco Saudi Limited Company, Sonoco Services LLC, Sonoco Singapore Pte. Ltd., Sonoco TEQ Holdings Ltd, Sonoco TEQ LLC, Sonoco TEQ Ltd, Sonoco TEQ Sp. Z.o.o, Sonoco Taiwan Ltd, Sonoco Thailand Ltd, Sonoco UK Leasing Limited, Sonoco Venezolana C.A., Sonoco Venture International Holdings GmbH, Sonoco Ventures UK Limited, Sonoco Wisconsin Rapids Core Plant LLC, Sonoco Wisconsin Rapids Inc., Sonoco Wisconsin Rapids Paper Mill LLC, Sonoco Yatai Pinghu Packaging Co Ltd, Sonoco de Colombia Ltda, Sonoco do Brasil Participacoes Ltda, Sonoco do Brazil Ltda, Sonoco of Puerto Rico Inc., Sonoco-Alcore AS, Sonoco-Alcore Ou, Sonoco-Alcore Oy, Sonoco-Alcore S.a.r.l., Sonoco-Alcore Sp. Z.O.O., Sonoco-Engraph Puerto Rico Inc., TPT Board Mills Limited, TPT Limited, Tegrant Alloyd Brands Inc., Tegrant Corporation, Tegrant International Inc., Tegrant Property Holdings LLC, Tegrant de Mexico S.A. de C.V., ThermoSafe Brands Asia PTE LTD., ThermoSafe Brands Europe Ltd., Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC, Trident Graphics Canada Corporation, Trident Graphics NA LLC, U.S. Paper Mills Corp., Unit Reels & Drums Limited, Weidenhammer Chile Ltda., Weidenhammer Packaging Group, Weidenhammer UK Ltd., and Wisenberg U.S. Inc.. The following companies are subsidiares of Pfizer: AH Robins LLC, AHP Holdings B.V., AHP Manufacturing B.V., Agouron Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alacer, Alpharma Holdings LLC, Alpharma Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alpharma Specialty Pharma LLC, Alpharma USHP LLC, American Food Industries LLC, Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc., Angiosyn, Array BioPharma, Ayerst-Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, BIND Therapeutics Inc., BINESA 2002 S.L., Bamboo Therapeutics, Bamboo Therapeutics Inc., Baxter International - Marketed Vaccines, BioRexis, Bioren, Bioren LLC, Blue Whale Re Ltd., C.E. Commercial Holdings C.V., C.E. Commercial Investments C.V., C.P. Pharmaceuticals International C.V., CICL Corporation, COC I Corporation, Catapult Genetics, Coley Pharmaceutical GmbH, Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Coley Pharmaceutical Group Inc., Continental Pharma Inc., Covx, Covx Technologies Ireland Limited, Cyanamid Inter-American Corporation, Cyanamid de Argentina S.A., Cyanamid de Colombia S.A., Distribuidora Mercantil Centro Americana S.A., Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc., Esperion LUV Development Inc., Esperion Therapeutics, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals Inc., Farminova Produtos Farmaceuticos de Inovacao Lda., Farmogene Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Ferrosan A/S, Ferrosan International A/S, Ferrosan S.R.L., FoldRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Foldrx Pharmaceuticals, Fort Dodge Manufatura Ltda., G. D. Searle & Co. Limited, G. D. Searle International Capital LLC, G. D. Searle LLC, GI Europe Inc., GI Japan Inc., GenTrac Inc., Genetics Institute LLC, Greenstone LLC, Haptogen Limited, Hospira, Hospira (China) Enterprise Management Co. Ltd., Hospira Adelaide Pty Ltd, Hospira Aseptic Services Limited, Hospira Australia Pty Ltd, Hospira Benelux BVBA, Hospira Chile Limitada, Hospira Deutschland GmbH, Hospira Enterprises B.V., Hospira France SAS, Hospira Healthcare B.V., Hospira Healthcare Corporation, Hospira Healthcare India Private Limited, Hospira Holdings (S.A.) Pty Ltd, Hospira Inc., Hospira Invicta S.A., Hospira Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, Hospira Ireland Sales Limited, Hospira Japan G.K., Hospira Limited, Hospira Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Hospira NZ Limited, Hospira Nordic AB, Hospira Philippines Inc., Hospira Portugal LDA, Hospira Produtos Hospitalares Ltda., Hospira Pte. Ltd., Hospira Pty Limited, Hospira Puerto Rico LLC, Hospira Singapore Pte Ltd, Hospira UK Limited, Hospira Worldwide LLC, Hospira Zagreb d.o.o., ICAgen, Idun Pharmaceuticals, Industrial Santa Agape S.A., InnoPharma, InnoPharma Inc., International Affiliated Corporation LLC, JMI-Daniels Pharmaceuticals Inc., John Wyeth & Brother Limited, Kiinteisto oy Espoon Pellavaniementie 14, King Pharmaceuticals Holdings LLC, King Pharmaceuticals LLC, King Pharmaceuticals Research and Development LLC, Korea Pharma Holding Company Limited, Laboratoires Pfizer S.A., Laboratorios Parke Davis S.L., Laboratorios Pfizer Ltda., Laboratorios Wyeth LLC, Laboratorios Wyeth S.A., Laboratorios Pfizer Lda., MTG Divestitures LLC, Mayne Pharma IP Holdings (Euro) Pty Ltd, Medivation, Medivation Field Solutions LLC, Medivation LLC, Medivation Neurology LLC, Medivation Prostate Therapeutics LLC, Medivation Services LLC, Medivation Technologies LLC, Meridian Medical Technologies Inc., Meridian Medical Technologies Limited, Monarch Pharmaceuticals LLC, Neusentis Limited, NextWave Pharmaceuticals, NextWave Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, P-D Co. LLC, PAH USA IN8 LLC, PF Americas Holding C.V., PF Asia Manufacturing B.V., PF PR Holdings C.V., PF PRISM C.V., PF PRISM Holdings S.a.r.l., PF Prism S.a.r.l., PFE Holdings G.K., PFE PHAC Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Pfizer Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Wyeth Holdings LLC, PFE Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) LLC, PHILCO Holdings S.a r.l., PHIVCO Corp., PHIVCO Holdco S.a r.l., PHIVCO Luxembourg S.a r.l., PN Mexico LLC, PT. Pfizer Parke Davis, Parke Davis & Company LLC, Parke Davis Limited, Parke Davis Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Parke-Davis Manufacturing Corp., Parkedale Pharmaceuticals Inc., Peak Enterprises LLC, Pfizer, Pfizer (China) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Pfizer (Perth) Pty Limited, Pfizer (Thailand) Limited, Pfizer (Wuhan) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer AB, Pfizer AG, Pfizer AS, Pfizer Africa & Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Veterinarian Products & Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer Anti-Infectives AB, Pfizer ApS, Pfizer Asia Manufacturing Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., Pfizer Atlantic Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Australia Holdings B.V., Pfizer Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Pfizer Australia Investments Pty. Ltd., Pfizer Australia Pty Limited, Pfizer B.V., Pfizer BH D.o.o., Pfizer Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer Biofarmaceutica Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Pfizer Biologics (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, Pfizer Biologics Ireland Holdings Limited, Pfizer Biotech Corporation, Pfizer Bolivia S.A., Pfizer Canada Inc., Pfizer CentreSource Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Chile S.A., Pfizer Cia. Ltda., Pfizer Colombia Spinco I LLC, Pfizer Commercial Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Commercial Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Commercial TRAE Trading Kft., Pfizer Consumer Healthcare AB, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare GmbH, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Ltd., Pfizer Consumer Manufacturing Italy S.r.l., Pfizer Corporation, Pfizer Corporation Austria Gesellschaft m.b.H., Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Limited, Pfizer Croatia d.o.o., Pfizer Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Development LP, Pfizer Development Services (UK) Limited, Pfizer Domestic Ventures Limited, Pfizer Dominicana S.R.L, Pfizer ESP Pty Ltd, Pfizer East India B.V., Pfizer Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer Egypt S.A.E., Pfizer Enterprise Holdings B.V., Pfizer Enterprises LLC, Pfizer Enterprises SARL, Pfizer Europe Finance B.V., Pfizer Export B.V., Pfizer Export Company, Pfizer Export Holding Company B.V, Pfizer Finance Share Service (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Pfizer Financial Services N.V./S.A., Pfizer France International Investments, Pfizer Free Zone Panama S. de R.L., Pfizer GEP S.L., Pfizer Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer Global Supply Japan Inc., Pfizer Global Trading, Pfizer Group Luxembourg Sarl, Pfizer Gulf FZ-LLC, Pfizer H.C.P. Corporation, Pfizer HK Service Company Limited, Pfizer Health AB, Pfizer Health Solutions Inc., Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, Pfizer Hellas A.E., Pfizer Himalaya Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Holding France, Pfizer Holding Ventures, Pfizer Holdings Corporation, Pfizer Holdings Europe Unlimited Company, Pfizer Holdings G.K., Pfizer Holdings International Corporation, Pfizer Holdings International Luxembourg (PHIL) Sarl, Pfizer Holdings North America SARL, Pfizer Hungary Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Inc., Pfizer Innovations AB, Pfizer Innovations LLC, Pfizer Innovative Supply Point International BVBA, Pfizer International LLC, Pfizer International Markets Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer International Operations, Pfizer International S. de R.L., Pfizer International Trading (Shanghai) Limited, Pfizer Investment Capital Unlimited Company, Pfizer Investment Co. Ltd., Pfizer Investment Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Ireland Investments Limited, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 1 LLC, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 2 LLC, Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Ireland Ventures Unlimited Company, Pfizer Italia S.r.l., Pfizer Italy Group Holding S.r.l., Pfizer Japan Inc., Pfizer LLC, Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Limited, Pfizer Laboratories Limited, Pfizer Laboratories PFE (Pty) Ltd, Pfizer Leasing Ireland Limited, Pfizer Leasing UK Limited, Pfizer Limitada, Pfizer Limited, Pfizer Luxco Holdings SARL, Pfizer Luxembourg Global Holdings S.a r.l., Pfizer Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer MAP Holding Inc., Pfizer Manufacturing Austria G.m.b.H., Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG, Pfizer Manufacturing Holdings LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Manufacturing LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Services, Pfizer Medical Technology Group (Belgium) N.V., Pfizer Medicamentos Genericos e Participacoes Ltda., Pfizer Mexico Luxco SARL, Pfizer Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pfizer Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Animal Health and Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer New Zealand Limited, Pfizer Norge AS, Pfizer North American Holdings Inc., Pfizer OTC B.V., Pfizer Overseas LLC, Pfizer Oy, Pfizer PFE ApS, Pfizer PFE AsiaPac Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Pty Ltd, Pfizer PFE B.V., Pfizer PFE Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Belgium SPRL, Pfizer PFE Brazil Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE CIA. Ltda., Pfizer PFE Chile Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Colombia Holding Corp., Pfizer PFE Colombia S.A.S, Pfizer PFE Commercial Holdings LLC, Pfizer PFE Croatia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer PFE Finland Oy, Pfizer PFE France, Pfizer PFE Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Ireland Pharmaceuticals Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco 2 S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Pfizer PFE Limited, Pfizer PFE Luxembourg S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Mexico Holding 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE Netherlands Holding 1 C.V., Pfizer PFE New Zealand, Pfizer PFE New Zealand Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Norway Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE PILSA Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Peru Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Peru S.R.L., Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Ltd., Pfizer PFE Private Limited, Pfizer PFE S.R.L, Pfizer PFE Service Company Holding Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer PFE Singapore Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Singapore Pte. Ltd., Pfizer PFE Spain B.V., Pfizer PFE Spain Holding S.L., Pfizer PFE Sweden Holding 2 S.a.r.l., Pfizer PFE Sweden Holding S.a.r.l., Pfizer PFE Switzerland GmbH, Pfizer PFE Turkey Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Turkey Holding 2 B.V., Pfizer PFE UK Holding 4 LP, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 1 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 2 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 4 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 5 LLC, Pfizer PFE spol. s r.o., Pfizer PFE Ilaclar Anonim Sirketi, Pfizer Pakistan Limited, Pfizer Parke Davis (Thailand) Ltd., Pfizer Parke Davis Inc., Pfizer Parke Davis Sdn. Bhd., Pfizer Pharm Algerie, Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Pfizer Pharma PFE GmbH, Pfizer Pharmaceutical (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Pfizer Pharmaceutical Trading Limited Liability Company (a/k/a Pfizer Kft. or Pfizer LLC), Pfizer Pharmaceuticals B.V., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Global B.V., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Israel Ltd., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Korea Limited, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals LLC, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Pfizer Pigments Inc., Pfizer Polska Sp. z.o.o., Pfizer Private Limited, Pfizer Production LLC, Pfizer Products Inc., Pfizer Products India Private Limited, Pfizer Research (NC) Inc., Pfizer Romania SRL, Pfizer S.A., Pfizer S.A., Pfizer S.A. (Belgium), Pfizer S.A. de C.V., Pfizer S.A.S., Pfizer S.G.P.S. Lda., Pfizer S.L., Pfizer S.R.L., Pfizer SRB d.o.o., Pfizer Saidal Manufacturing, Pfizer Sante Familiale, Pfizer Saudi Limited, Pfizer Seiyaku K.K., Pfizer Service Company BVBA, Pfizer Service Company Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Services 1, Pfizer Services LLC, Pfizer Shared Services Unlimited Company, Pfizer Shareholdings Intermediate SARL, Pfizer Singapore Holding Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Singapore Trading Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Spain Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Specialties Limited, Pfizer Strategic Investment Holdings LLC, Pfizer Sweden Partnership KB, Pfizer TRAE Holdings Kft., Pfizer Trading Polska sp.z.o.o., Pfizer Transactions Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Transactions LLC, Pfizer Transactions Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer Transport LLC, Pfizer Ukraine LLC, Pfizer Vaccines LLC, Pfizer Venezuela S.A., Pfizer Venture Investments LLC, Pfizer Ventures LLC, Pfizer Worldwide Services Unlimited Company, Pfizer Zona Franca S.A., Pfizer spol. s r.o., Pharmacia, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc., Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn S.A. de C.V., Pharmacia Brasil Ltda., Pharmacia Hepar LLC, Pharmacia Holding AB, Pharmacia Inter-American LLC, Pharmacia International B.V., Pharmacia LLC, Pharmacia Limited, Pharmacia Nostrum S.A., Pharmacia South Africa (Pty) Ltd, PowderJect Research Limited, PowderMed, Purepac Pharmaceutical Holdings LLC, Redvax, Renrall LLC, Rinat Neuroscience, Rinat Neuroscience Corp., Roerig Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Roerig S.A., Sao Cristovao Participacoes Ltda., Searle Laboratorios Lda., Serenex, Servicios P&U S. de R.L. de C.V., Shiley LLC, Sinergis Farma-Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Site Realty Inc., Solinor LLC, Sugen LLC, Tabor LLC, The Pfizer Incubator LLC, Therachon, Thiakis Limited, Treerly Health Co. Ltd, US Oral Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, Upjohn Laboratorios Lda., Vesteralens Naturprodukter A/S, Vesteralens Naturprodukter AB, Vesteralens Naturprodukter AS, Vesteralens Naturprodukter OY, Vicuron Holdings LLC, Vinci Farma S.A., W-L LLC, Warner Lambert, Warner Lambert Ilac Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Warner Lambert del Uruguay S.A., Warner-Lambert (Thailand) Limited, Warner-Lambert Company AG, Warner-Lambert Company LLC, Warner-Lambert Guatemala Sociedad Anonima, Warner-Lambert S.A., Whitehall International Inc., Whitehall Laboratories Inc., Wyeth (Thailand) Ltd., Wyeth AB, Wyeth Australia Pty. Limited, Wyeth Ayerst Inc., Wyeth Ayerst S.a r.l., Wyeth Biopharma, Wyeth Canada ULC, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare LLC, Wyeth Europa Limited, Wyeth Farma S.A., Wyeth Holdings LLC, Wyeth Industria Farmaceutica Ltda., Wyeth KFT., Wyeth LLC, Wyeth Lederle S.r.l., Wyeth Lederle Vaccines S.A., Wyeth Pakistan Limited, Wyeth Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Company, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals FZ-LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Limited, Wyeth Puerto Rico Inc., Wyeth S.A.S, Wyeth Subsidiary Illinois Corporation, Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH, Wyeth Whitehall SARL, Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) Limited, Wyeth-Ayerst International LLC, and Wyeth-Ayerst Promotions Limited. Unum Group is engaged in providing financial protection benefits. It operates through the following segments: Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, Closed Block and Corporate. The Unum US segment comprises of group long-term and short-term disability insurance, group life and accidental death and dismemberment products, and supplemental and voluntary lines of business. The Unum International segment engages in the operations of UK business, which includes insurance for group long-term disability, group life, and supplemental lines of business that include dental, individual disability, and critical illness products; Poland business primarily includes insurance for individual and group life with accident and health riders. The Colonial Life segment includes insurance for accident, sickness, disability products, life products, and cancer and critical illness products. The Closed Block segment consists of individual disability, group and individual long-term care, and other insurance products no longer actively marketed. The Corporate segment refers to investment income on corporate assets and other corporate income and expenses not allocated to a line of business; and interest Read More The Williams Cos., Inc. operates as an energy infrastructure company, which explores, produces, transports, sells and processes natural gas and petroleum products. It operates through the following segments: Transmission and Gulf of Mexico; Northeast G&P; and West. The Transmission and Gulf of Mexico segment comprises of interstate natural gas pipelines, Transco and Northwest Pipeline, as well as natural gas gathering and processing and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region. The Northeast G&P segment includes midstream gathering, processing, and fractionation businesses in the Marcellus Shale region primarily in Pennsylvania and New York, and the Utica Shale region of eastern Ohio. The West segment consists of gas gathering, processing, and treating operations in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado and Wyoming, the Barnett Shale region of north-central Texas, the Eagle Ford Shale region of south Texas, the Haynesville Shale region of northwest Louisiana, and the Mid-Continent region which includes the Anadarko, Arkoma, and Permian basins. The company was founded by David Williams and Miller Williams in 1908 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Read More Jaypee group founder Jaiprakash Gaur was also present at the meeting, which was attended by over 1,000 buyers. Noida: In a fresh attempt to retain control over its realty arm Jaypee Infratech, crisis-hit Jaypee group's promoters Friday apologised to thousands of distressed home buyers and promised to infuse Rs 2,000 crore to complete pending apartments over the next four years. This proposal was made to home buyers at a meeting called by Jaypee group chairman Manoj Gaur as part of efforts to seek flat owners' support for resolving the crisis and delivering the pending 20,524 units. Jaypee group founder Jaiprakash Gaur was also present at the meeting, which was attended by over 1,000 buyers, while around dozen flat owners boycotted the meet and staged protest at the venue -- Jaypee Instutute of Information Technology -- here. Jaypee Infratech, a subsidiary of Jaypee group flagship firm Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL), is undergoing an insolvency proceedings. State-owned NBCC and Suraksha group are in race to acquire Jaypee Infratech. JAL has also submitted its plan but the same is not being considered by lenders at this stage. To solicit the support of it's homebuyers, who have now got a voting rights for approval of any resolution plan under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, the Jaypee group chairman Friday invited flat owners to discuss the proposal submitted by it. The Jaypee group said it will put in Rs 1,500 crore in an escrow account and also attach a 100-acre land parcel worth Rs 500 crore to deliver these flats within four years. At the outset, Manoj Gaur apologised for the delay in completing the housing projects, which he said "was beyond his control". "We are victims of circumstances. Jaypee Group is synonymous for creating best of the infrastructure projects in India like power plants in Baspa, Karchamwangtoo in the toughest of the terrains and Sardar Sarovar Dam that aside Yamuna Expressway and others," he said. Promising to complete and hand over the remaining units, Gaur sought another chance from the homebuyers. "We will put Rs 1,500 crore in escrow account and keep 100-acre land worth Rs 500 earmarked, won't sell this land. In total we have around Rs 2,000 crore for this," Jaypee Group advisor Ajeet Kumar told reporters. Additional funds would come from home buyers as well as sale of unsold housing units worth Rs 4000 crore, he added. "Under Section 12A of the IBC Procedure, we have submitted a proposal (to lenders) in the month of February. The highlights of the proposal are that we will put Rs 1,500 crore in an escrow account which will be monitored by a committee and the entire amount will be used for construction and completion of the houses," he said. Jaypee group had in April 2018 as well submitted Rs 10,000 crore plan before lenders to revive Jaypee Infratech, but the same was not accepted. "It's been 18 months since the case is in the Supreme Court and the NCLT, our chairman (Manoj Gaur) has apologised to the buyers. He told them that he understands their pain of not getting the homes and wants the support of the buyers for his proposal," Kumar said. Asked if Jaypee's proposal was aimed at stalling the bids made by NBCC and Suraksha, Kumar said this is not the intention of the group. "We have also made a proposal and people will decide. If they find the other two bids more favourable, they can accept that and we won't have any objection," he said. After the interaction with Jaypee promoters, flat owners gave mixed response to the group's proposal, with some terming it as lie and fraud while others ready to give another chance to the company. "I still feel if they are still given a chance they will complete it expeditiously. However, the quality of their work is a concern," one buyer P K Arora, 79, told PTI. "We had lost all hopes. But the history of this company has been good. Jai Prakash (the founder of the group) is a man of his words," Arora said after emerging from the session. Buyers said other contenders NBCC and Suraksha have promised delivery of projects in five and four years, respectively. The NBCC has assured interest on delay in 25 per cent cases, Suraksha on none, but Jaypee Group on all projects. "We will be satisfied only when we get our homes. This assurance today is a hope at least," said another homebuyer, Vipul Kumar. Gaurav Vishnoi, also a flat buyer, however, said: "It's all lies and fraud. He is just buying time for himself. The group been doing it for years now. We have been protesting for four years now." "They just speak during meetings but they don't walk their talk," he said. Jaypee Infratech had to deliver 32,691 units, of which 4,889 units were completed before start of insolvency proceedings. As many as 7,278 more units have been completed in last 18 months, while 20,524 units are yet to be delivered. In 2017, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) admitted the application by an IDBI Bank-led consortium seeking resolution of Jaypee Infratech. The tribunal had appointed Anuj Jain as insolvency resolution professional (IRP) to manage the company's business and invite bids from investors. In the first round of insolvency proceedings, the Rs 7,350 crore bid of Lakshdeep, part of Suraksha group, was rejected by lenders as it was found to be substantially lower than the company's net worth and assets. In October 2018, the IRP started a fresh initiative to revive Jaypee Infratech on the NCLT direction. The realty firm has an outstanding debt of nearly Rs 9,800 crore. JAL had submitted Rs 750 crore in the registry of the Supreme Court for refund to buyers and amount is lying with the NCLT. Reliance said its price agreement with such sellers is at market price and payments are settled in cash or by product supply bilaterally between it and such sellers. New Delhi: Reliance Industries Saturday said it is not in violation of the US sanctions on Venezuela and had purchased crude originating from the Latin American nation from companies such as Russia's Rosneft in full knowledge of US authorities. In a statement, Reliance said reports suggesting that it was involved in an arrangement that leads to cash payment for oil supplies to Venezuelan national oil company PDVSA via third parties are "false and reckless". "Reliance has purchased Venezuelan crude oil from companies such as (Russia's) Rosneft long before the imposition of the US sanctions, as they do get title to Venezuelan oil in return for reduction in their prior debt. "Since sanctions were imposed, Reliance has made such purchases with the full knowledge and approval of the US Department of State (USDOS), and Reliance has informed USDOS of specific volumes and transactions. Such transactions do not lead to any consequent payment to PDVSA and do not violate US sanctions or policies," it said. Reliance said its price agreement with such sellers is at market price and payments are settled in cash or by product supply bilaterally between it and such sellers. "It is false to suggest that Reliance would be settling such shipments via Rosneft to PDVSA. In these transactions, PDVSA is only the original physical supplier, as the crude oil originates in its export facilities," the statement said. Reliance had last month stated that it had stopped all oil exports to US sanctions-hit Venezuela and will not resume sales until sanctions are lifted. Reliance, whose twin refineries at Jamnagar in Gujarat were major importers of Venezuelan crude oil, has reduced purchases by about a third. The US imposed economic sanctions on Venezuela in late January 2019 with a view to curb the country's crude exports and put pressure on socialist President Nicolas Maduro to step down. Reliance has investments in US shale gas projects and trades fuel in North America. "Our US subsidiary has completely stopped all business with Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PDVSA, and its global parent has not increased crude purchases," the company had said last month. "In addition, since sanctions were imposed and contrary to some news reports, Reliance has halted all supply of diluent to PDVSA and will not resume such sales until sanctions are lifted." US oil sanctions on Venezuela do not ban importing crude oil from the Latin American nation but bar imports from the US of the diluents that must be blended with the extra-heavy oil from Venezuela's Orinoco Belt so it can flow through pipelines. Industry sources said Reliance had a contract to buy some 3 million barrels of crude oil from Venezuela a month, which has been reduced to about 2 million barrels already. Venezuela's state-owned oil company PDVSA has been placed on the US Treasury Department's Specially Designated Nationals list, which generally prohibits American citizens from dealing with named firms or individuals. This has resulted in international banks and shipping companies as well as Reliance ceasing any transactions with the firm. These restrictions came into force on March 29 after an eight week winding down period for contracts that were already in effect. Oil from the Orinoco Belt needs to be diluted with lighter grades to reduce its viscosity so as to allow its flow through pipelines to the coast for export or processing. New Delhi: In a strong re-election pitch to the business community, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday promised collateral-free loan of up to Rs 50 lakh, Rs 10-lakh accidental insurance to GST-registered entities, credit card facility for traders, a pension scheme for small shopkeepers and a new retail policy. Addressing a traders' convention here, Modi said opposition Congress abused businessmen by calling all of them 'chor' (thieves), while the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi used to take pride in hailing from the businessmen community of Baniya. The BJP government, he said, has stood by traders in thick and thin and will upon re-election set up a National Traders' Welfare Board to address their issues. Stating that the country has seen the "insults" meted out by Congress to traders, he said the opposition party has in its 70-year rule only "insulted" businessmen. "They called all businessmen chor (thieves)" without realising the contribution of the business community in the economy, he said. "Congress' naamdaars (dynasts) cannot see anything but themselves. Gandhiji used to proudly proclaim himself as a Baniya, yet Congress abuses all businessmen, calls them chor (thieves). Today's Congress is neither aware of history nor the ground reality. Congress' naamdaars are unaware of the traders' contribution towards the country's development." The prime minister said he has in the five years of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre worked to simplify lives and businesses of traders by scraping 1,500 archaic laws, simplifying processes and providing easy credit. Traders are "backbone" of the Indian economy but had in past never got the respect they deserved, he said adding doubling the side of the economy to USD 5 trillion is not possible without their contribution. "I am impressed by the hard work of traders... their business has helped the economy bloom," he said. "I have tried to make your life and business easy in last five years." Modi said the trading community is like weather forecaster who can anticipate future tidings. "On May 23, once again the Modi-led government will come to power, after which a National Traders' Welfare Board will be constituted. The board will be a permanent arrangement which will create an institutional mechanism for communication between the traders and the government," he said. Modi said the BJP will formulate a National Retail Policy to boost retail trade and provide accidental insurance up to 10 lakh to all businesses registered with the GST. "We will introduce a traders' credit card scheme on the lines on the Kisan credit card. We will bring a policy for providing pension to small businessmen," he said. Modi also promised that a provision will be made to provide loans of up to Rs 50 lakh without any collateral. Congress-led governments blamed traders for ills like price rise when it was the party's own hoarders who were black marketing commodities, he alleged. "For promoting entrepreneurship among youth, the new BJP government will invest Rs 20,000 crore in the startup sector... We will get 50,000 start-ups established in the country by 2024," the prime minister said. He promised that several new incubation zones and incubators will be set up in local bodies to boost startups, adding that the new BJP-led government will strengthen businesses financially and institutionally in such a manner that they can leave a mark in the export sector, and also boost Brand India. Listing his government's achievements, he said he has ended 1,500 archaic laws at the rate of one per day in the last five years to make doing business easier in the country. Processes have been simplified, inspector raj largely checked and personal interference in income tax assessment removed. "I consider you (traders) as biggest stakeholder of the economy. Opposition parties remember you only on special occasion," he said. Modi said the Goods and Services Tax, which was brought in July 2017 by amalgamating 17 different central and state taxes, has made doing business transparent, ended state check-posts and resulted in doubling of registered traders. "I do not say there have not been any mistakes (in implementing GST) but we have quickly addressed any anomalies based on suggestions from traders," he said. Based on suggestions of traders, most daily use items are taxed at zero rate while 98 per cent of the commodities are taxed at less than 18 per cent, he said adding the process of filing tax returns under GST has also been simplified and exemption limit for small businesses doubled. "We are continuously making this process simple," the prime minister said. Stating that he is a 'sevak' (servant) and not a 'malik' (lord), Modi said his government has on a daily basis released 70,000 free LPG gas connections to poor women, provided electricity connection to 50,000 households, opened 2 lakh Jan Dhan bank accounts for poor, given loan under Mudra scheme to 1 lakh entrepreneurs. Modi said India has jumped 65 places on the World Bank's ease of doing business ranking to rank 77 in the world and the target is to break into top 50 in the next 5 years. The Most Extensive and Reliable Source of Information Related to the Mexican Drugs Cartels. You will not find this level of coverage anywhere else, join us! Send information, pictures or videos, you remain 100% anonymous. Envia fotos, videos, notas, enlaces o informacion todo 100% Anonimo. Borderland Beat? We love to have you in our team, send Sol Prendido or HEARST an email! Want to be a contributor or citizen reporter forBorderland Beat?We love to have you in our team, sendoran email! WARNING: Posts may contain strong violent material, discretion is advised. COMMENTS: We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. Mumbai: Superstar Salman Khans Dabangg has become a huge franchise in itself. It tells the story of Chulbul Pandey, a police officer who has his own way of dealing with corruption. The franchise also stars Sonakshi Sinha and Arbaaz in key roles. And now when the makers are coming up with Dabangg 3, we talk to the producer, Arbaaz Khan about the future plans of the beloved franchise. Talking about it, he says, I dont think too far ahead. It is a very actor-driven franchise. We have taken seven years to make the third part. He further adds, It is not like a James Bond kind of series that you work with an actor for two years and then with someone else. The character is evergreen and it will go on. Till the time we have the actor (Salman) and we can do something his age-wise, we will do it. It is like Rocky, till the time Sylvester Stallone is there, Rocky will also be there. Arbaaz pinpoints a similar example with Munna Bhai franchise and says, Similarly, till the time Sanjay Dutt is there, till that time Munna Bhai will be there. I had heard they are getting Aamir Khan. Some franchises dont work like that, you need to have the lead actors for the whole thing. While Arbaaz directed Dabangg 2, there were reports that he would also be directing Dabangg 3. However, Prabhudeva took charge of direction eventually. Talking about this change, the producer informs, I did not want to direct it. We wanted a fresh person to do it. There are other reasons that you cant discuss. Also, I was busy with other things. I will do (direction), not this one but maybe the one after that. Talking about the films release plans, he reveals, We should wrap up by September hopefully. As of now, we want to tentatively come by the end of this year. It depends on how well we prepare. This is what we plan to do but it depends on our schedule, if it happens then we will come. Meanwhile, Arbaaz will next be seen in a web series titled Poison where he will be playing the antagonist. Rating: Director: Abhishek Varman Cast: Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Madhuri Dixit, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjay Dutt I love it when Bollywood goes all out to romance and seduce us by creating a lavish, large, fake world, fills it with larger-than-life characters who then scoop us up to partake in their heightened drama that inevitably leads to melodrama. Writer-director Abhishek Varmans Kalank, which has majestic, gorgeous sets sitting against an epic, historic backdrop Angrezon ki gulam India is hurtling towards both, Independence and bloody Partition inten-ds to give us that big Bollywoods engulfing jhappi. But his film doesnt have the honesty of emotion or integrity of storytelling for it to feel either warm or sincere. In his beautifully constructed world that conjures a rich nawabi past with lots of period detail and heavy, long dialogue in Urdu, dwell seven characters we are concerned with the great sacrificing wife and her quiet, principled husband; the golden-hearted tawaif-philosopher and the rich man who wronged her; two mismatched lovers caught in the fault-lines of history, class and fate; and the villain. While Kalanks period setting is quite charming, complete with horse-driven buggies, an LP spinning to yield K.L. Sehgal, and characters swaddled in fine cloth that maketh gorgeous ensembles, in this grand, classic world the films characters and actors often feel small, diminutive. While the movie is able to pull off spectacle with stunning effect, especially in the Dussehra sequence, hum-an drama falls short. And so its often left to cinematographer Binod Pradhan to use the art directors creations and his swooping camera to add some heft and gravitas to scenes. Theres a certain Bolly-wood mainstream cynicism, and laziness, to this sort of filmmaking where instead of being honest to their characters and stories, writers, directors often use filmy solutions from the template of Big Bollywood. This results in an uneasy effect at the end. While you will recall Kalanks red-walled study room, the characters who sat or stood there, and the looming piece of tragic history, the human drama faint, weak will disappear from your memory. Circa 1946, Husnabad, on the outskirts of Lahore, the bahu of the Chaudhary parivar, Satya (Sonakshi Sinha), is at a doctors clinic, asking how much time she has left. Meanwhile, in Rajputana, Roop (Alia Bhatt), a sweet, nubile girl-woman is skipping about in a lenhnga-choli chasing a kite, essentially to exhibit her free spirit and agility. Given her impending departure, Satya has a plan to restore conjugal bliss in her husbands life that involves Roop. But Roop doesnt care for it much. However, on her haan rests the fate of her two younger sisters. So Roop comes up with a sharat, a condition that will seal many fates. Dev Chaudhary (Aditya Roy Kapoor), son of Balraj Chaudhary (Sanjay Dutt), is a decent, vilayat-returned, kurta-clad dude who runs the Delhi Times newspaper and is staunchly anti-batwara. He believes in one mulk, one samaj, not Partition. In Hira Mandi, the badnam galli of kothewaalis where women are beautiful and easy, resides the third one whose destiny will be controlled by Roops decision. Zafar (Varun Dhawan), the lohar who makes sharp, deadly swords, arrives with his own song and a dance troupe. When he is not working or sleeping around, Zafar is being angsty about his parentage and there is an exchange of looks which throws hints at where his anger may be directed at. Zafars pal Ahmed (Kunal Khemu) is a pro-Partition Muslim League activist who is loathe to the idea of Hinduon ki gulami after centuries of Angrezon ki gulami. He rides pillion on the fear of steel factories to recruit men for Jinnahs call for Direct Action while Hindu families talk of moving to Hindu-majority parts of India. A wedding takes place in depressing solemnity though it later yields one of the films cutest scenes. The bridegroom offers the bride an honourable bed & breakfast arrangement, but no pyaar. Roop, bored and irritated, decides that she wants to learn sangeet from Bahar Begum (Madhuri Dixit), Hira Mandis chief mujrewaali, and despite the threat to the Chaudhary parivars izzat, she gets what she wants. Even as sad music is playing around Satya, Hira Mandi is all decked up for Dussehra, its favourite festival. Its here that the film pulls out all the stops to deliver a sequence that is absolutely stunning in its scale and detail, even if quite Balinese in its aesthetics. The choreography of the rising blue Rams, the Garuda, the vanars play alongside Bahar Begun singing in her kotha with its ceiling-to-floor chandeliers, ornate walls who is a spectacle unto herself. And then, as Ravans many heads burn, the star-crossed lovers meet. This scene is the movies centrepiece, deserving a hearty applause. Since Roop is educated, she finds herself a desk in her husbands newspaper office and an assignment that takes her to a bullfight. The CGI marvel, i.e. the bull, not conversant with the golden rules of Bollywood, pushes the hero off a cliff, unaware that desi heroes return from the dead, cliff kya cheez hai. After two cute scenes and a confrontation between two exes, the movie inches towards the climax that is tense and made fabulously heady with the weight of history and the sharp, steely sound of betrayal. It packs in the sadness of eternal separation of a nation, of people, of cities, of a shared culture, food, clothes, history, of generations spent together Kalanks story is narrated by Roop. And if one were to get all technical and logical, one could ask how come she knew details of stuff that happened when she was not around. But that would mean looking at Bolly-wood, its stories and storytelling from outside, examining it minutely for flaws and silly, illogical things. Thats not the Bollywood promise. Bolly-wood offers a brief stay in a world where things are as we were told in our bachpan they will be.No matter what may be going wrong in the world outside, here, in the hall, in this story on the screen, things wont change. Here, love will triumph. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the joy of Bollywood. Those who are able to lose themselves to this, will enjoy Kalank. Others wont. In the world of Kalank, the significance, marquee value of stars can be judged by how they arrive. Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan arrive with their solo song and dance sequences, leading hundreds of dancing extras, but the cameras steady eye always on them. Sad part is that Kalanks songs are bad and barely register. Madhuri Dixit also gets some solo numbers, but in the climatic Tabaah Ho Gaye song the choreography is so terrible and her dancing so shoddy that its painful watching the woman who, once upon a time, danced like a dream. With Kalank, Abhishek Varman (who made 2 States in 2014) probably wanted to pull off a Pakeezah, or at least a significant Muslim social complete with women in shararas and dupatta-covered heads, but his film really is the bastard child of Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Dilwaale Dulhaniya and, of course, Silsila, Kabhi Kabhi Its in love with all things vintage from soft muslin and mulmul to luxury furnishings, from big mohabbat to big drama. In this world, when lovers meet, they are colour coordinated. But the long-winding dialogue in Urdu assigned to most belittle them rather than enlarging them, because while they may be efficient, as actors and personalities in this setting they dwarf. They do not have the majesty of, say, Rehman, Raaj Kumar, Meena Kumari That would require living a good part of life outside Bollywood. Alia Bhatt is very charming and an exceptionally talented actress. She is able to hold many big scenes quite well and carries the film for most part. But man, she cant dance, and must not be made to. What she does when music plays could at best be described as bluff and bluster, not dance steps. Varun Dhawan, as always, tries and is not bad. But in intense, dramatic scenes he pulls that same old muhje-zukam-hai face. Kumar Khemu, who wears all the kajal he could find, is quite deliciously villainous. Sonakshi Sinha is always skulking and dukhi. Of course theres a sadness to her character, but she wears that tragedy like a tightening noose not just around her neck, but the films neck as well. Though she and Aditya Roy Kapoor look like they belong to the Chaudhary parivar, their chemistry is that of badi didi-chota bhai. Somewhere, right at the end, theres a spark, but it dies out too soon. Though Aditya doesnt have many dialogues, he uses his quiet restrain rather effectively. In Kalank, Dixit resides in a kotha thats inspired in parts by Pakeezah. Madhuri still has a compelling presence and brings power to some scenes. But she is now increasingly resembling a Madame Tussauds version of herself, or, perhaps, a certain resident of Antilia in Mumbai. She seems so much into preserving her wrinkle-less face that her expressions, her dance seem so unreal, facile, plastic almost. I never thought I would say this about Madhuri, but I have to say exactly what Bahar Begum says about Roops singing, Namak kam hai. Ill just add, bahut kam, mohtarma, bahut kam. The victim has been shifted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), where she is being treated for her injuries. (Photo: ANI) Bhagalpur: A 17-year-old was badly injured after her neighbour threw acid on her, following a failed attempt to molest her. The unfortunate incident happened on April 19, when the victim was at home with her mother. The culprit, Prince, along with three other persons barged into the victims house and tried to molest her, while keeping her mother at gunpoint. When the girl resisted, they threw the acid on her face. We have recovered a gun from the spot Deputy Superintendent of Police Roop Ranjan Hargave told media persons. Prince has been apprehended in this regard. The victim has been shifted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), where she is being treated for her injuries. On April 17, the election officials seized three vans which were transporting 56 boxes containing nearly 22 kg gold in each and totalling 1,381 kg in all as the bank officials failed to authenticate that the gold belongs to the TTD. (Representational Image) Tirupati: Drawing curtains on the three-day drama over gold being transported to Tirupati, state-owned Punjab National Bank on Saturday handed over 1,381 kg gold to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The gold which was being returned by PNB to TTD after the maturity of a three-year deposit was seized by an election squad in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu on the day before the Lok Sabha election in the state on April 17, after the bank officials failed to submit documents relating to the movement of gold. On April 17, the election officials seized three vans which were transporting 56 boxes containing nearly 22 kg gold in each and totalling 1,381 kg in all as the bank officials failed to authenticate that the gold belongs to the TTD. The value of the confiscated gold is estimated to be at over Rs 450 crore. Following the seizure, PNB officials left for Chennai from Tirupati on the same night to get the seized gold released, along with a letter from TTD. However, the release orders for the seized gold were issued by the Election Commission after three days and the gold was handed over to the TTD in Tirupati on Saturday evening. A senior official from the TTD vigilance and security wing has confirmed the receipt of the seized gold and said that the gold was shifted to TTDs treasury by Saturday evening. The Allahabad High Court on Friday awarded life term to BJP MLA Ashok Singh Chandel and nine others in a 22-year-old shootout incident in Hamirpur district in which five members of a family were killed. (Photo: File) Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court on Friday awarded life term to BJP MLA Ashok Singh Chandel and nine others in a 22-year-old shootout incident in Hamirpur district in which five members of a family were killed. While partly allowing an appeal filed by the state government and complainant Rajiv Shukla, a division bench comprising Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh reversed the decision of additional sessions judge, Hamirpur dated July 15, 2002, who had acquitted all 10 accused, including Chandel. The state government as well as Shukla had challenged the decision of district and sessions judge. On 26 January, 1997, a minor altercation between local BJP leader Shukla and Chandel led to a shootout in which five persons, including Shukla's two elder brothers Rakesh, Rajesh and nephews Ambujh, Ved Nayak and Srikant Pandey died. Five more persons including two children had suffered bullet injuries in the shootout after which an FIR was lodged against Chandel and others. A charge sheet was filed against Chandel and others after investigation. All the 10 accused were acquitted on July 15, 2002 by additional district and sessions judge, Hamirpur, on the ground that the testimony of witnesses were doubtful. The decision was challenged by Shukla before the High Court, which reversed the judgement on Friday. Chandel, a former MP and a four-time MLA from Hamirpur, had started his political carrier in 1989 as an Independent MLA. He went on to become MP from Hamirpur in 1999 on a BSP ticket. Presently, he is a BJP sitting MLA. Swaraj tweeted, 'Even after massive evacuation from Libya and the travel ban, there are over 500 Indian nationals in Tripoli.' (Photo: File) New Delhi: As Libya's capital Tripoli continues to be hit by violence, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday said that over 500 Indians are stuck there and suggested that they leave the city immediately. The minister said that if the Indians stranded in the Libyan capital do not leave immediately, then it may not be possible to evacuate them later. Over 200 people were killed in Tripoli in the last two weeks since renegade Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar's troops launched a strike to oust UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj from power. Swaraj tweeted, "Even after massive evacuation from Libya and the travel ban, there are over 500 Indian nationals in Tripoli. The situation in Tripoli is deteriorating fast. Presently, flights are operational. Pls ask your relatives and friends to leave Tripoli immediately. We will not be able to evacuate them later," she said on her Twitter handle. New Delhi: The National Investigative Agency (NIA) is carrying out searches in Telangana and Maharashtra against an Islamic State (IS) module, NIA sources said on Saturday. The raids are being conducted at three locations in Hyderabad and one in Wardha, sources added. Further details are awaited. Pragya said: 'Conspirators went to the extent of treating me inhumanly during the last nine years when I was in custody. I have been given clean chit by the investigative agency.' (Photo: ANI) Bhopal: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended Pragya Singh Thakur's candidature from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, she said that those who refer Hindutva as terrorism are anti-nationals. The riots of 1984 were not riots but a massacre. A guilty of those riots is the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. Those who refer to Hindutva as terrorism are anti-nationals, anti-Army and anti-religion. These anti-Hindutva and anti-society people should be concerned about their end, Pragya told reporters here. On Friday, Modi in a television interview said, When Indira Gandhi died in 1984, her son said when a big tree falls, the earth shakes. Thereafter, there were thousands of Sikhs who were massacred. Was it not terror? Was it not terror unleashed by a few people? Despite that he was made the Prime Minister and the neutral media never asked a question like it is doing now. A woman, a Sadhvi was tortured like this, no one raised a finger. I have lived in Gujarat; I understand the modus operandi of Congress. Like a film script, the Congress works to build a narrative. They will pick something, add something to it, add a villain to the story to build a false script for propaganda, he said. When asked to comment on her remark that she might contest elections from jail, Pragya said: Conspirators went to the extent of treating me inhumanly during the last nine years when I was in custody. I have been given clean chit by the investigative agency. But they kept me behind bars. Like this, they are also involved in conspiracy right now. Speaking on her remark on former Anti-Terrorist Squad chief Hemant Karkare, she said: I never give an imprudent statement. I speak what is there. I have already apologised for my comment. Whosoever dies by terrorists bullets is a martyr. Can you tell those people who had given (me) inhuman treatment for nine years to seek my forgiveness? she asked. On Thursday, Thakur who is contesting against senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh in Bhopal, had said that Karkare lost his life because she had cursed him. Thakur is among the seven accused facing trial in Malegaon blast case, wherein six people were killed and a dozen others were injured when a bomb placed on a motorcycle exploded in Maharashtras Malegaon on September 29, 2008. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. According to sources in the TTD, the PNB officials from Tirupati left for Chennai after they came to know that the gold was intercepted in TN by the poll squad. (Representational Image) Tirupati: The TTDs 1,381 kg of gold, seized by the poll squad in Tamil Nadu on the day before the general election, has not reached back to the treasury of the temple adm-inistration in Tirupati, though two days have passed after the bank officials submitted valid documents to the authorities concerned. On Wednesday night, the poll squad spotted three vans with nearly 10 armed guards passing-by near Puduchatram village on Chennai-Tiruvallur Highway. When they intercepted the vehicles, the officials fou-nd 56 boxes containing nearly 22 kg gold in each of the vehicles, amounting to a total of 1,381 kg of gold. The officials seized the gold, after the officials from Punjab National Bank, escorting the vehicles allegedly failed to authenticate that the gold belonged to the TTD. According to sources in the TTD, the PNB officials from Tirupati left for Chennai after they came to know that the gold was intercepted in TN by the poll squad. The bank officials also carried an authentication letter given by the TTD, which claimed that the gold belonged to the temple administration. It was learnt that the higher authority in EC has given the clearance to release the gold. But, with the non-availability of the staff concerned who were with the squad during the seizure, there was a delay in releasing the gold. The PNB officials are coordinating with the Tiruvallur district officials. It was expected th-at the gold may reach the TTDs treasury late on Friday or on Saturday. The move comes just a day after Lok Sabha and by-elections to 18 assembly seats concluded in Tamil Nadu and days after the Supreme Court had rebuked the group led by former AIADMK leaders Dhinakaran and V K Sasikala for not registering AMMK as a political party. (Photo: File) Chennai: Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader TTV Dhinakaran was unanimously elected as its general secretary on Friday, even as a decision was taken to have it registered as a political party. The move comes just a day after Lok Sabha and by-elections to 18 assembly seats concluded in Tamil Nadu and days after the Supreme Court had rebuked the group led by former AIADMK leaders Dhinakaran and V K Sasikala for not registering AMMK as a political party. At a meeting held at the AMMK headquarters in Chennai, it was decided that VK Sasikala, currently the general secretary, would be elevated as president after her four-year imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case ends. "TTV Dhinakaran has been unanimously elected as AMMK''s general secretary. Also, as informed to the Supreme Court by our advocate, a decision to take steps to register AMMK as a political party was also taken today," AMMK spokesperson C R Saraswati told news agency PTI. "The post of president would be allotted to our leader V K Sasikala soon after she is released," she added. TTV Dhinakaran had launched the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) after he and VK Sasikala were expelled from the E Palaniswami-led AIADMK. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Gokhale is scheduled to meet with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit which, according to sources, is a part of the regular bilateral consultation process. (Photo:PTI) New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale is slated to begin his official visit to Beijing on April 20. This is the first high-level engagement between the two countries after China put a technical hold - for the fourth time - on the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist at the UN Security Council following the terror outfit's perpetrated Pulwama terror attack. Gokhale is scheduled to meet with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit which, according to sources, is a part of the regular bilateral consultation process. The issue pertaining to the designation of Azhar is expected to figure during discussions. The Chinese Ambassador to India, Luo Zhaohui, has previously expressed optimism regarding the issue, telling ANI that the matter "will be resolved". "Regarding Masood Azhar, we fully understand and we fully believe this matter. We understand Indias concerns and are optimistic this matter will be resolved...This matter (of putting Masood Azhar on UNSC 1267 sanctions committee list) will be resolved; this is only a technical hold which means there is time for continued consultations. It will be resolved, believe me," Luo told ANI last month. "After Wuhan summit last year, the two-way cooperation is on right and fast track. We are so satisfied with that cooperation and I am quite optimistic about future cooperation," he added. On March 13, China had blocked a proposal by the US, the UK and France, among others, to enlist Azhar as a global terrorist before the UNSC committee. A day after, Beijing had defended its technical block on the proposal, saying it needed "more time" as it is "conducting a comprehensive and in-depth review" on the listing request put forth by the countries. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang had told reporters at a regular briefing that China will continue "coordinating" with all the relevant parties to find a "lasting solution" to the issue if it is to be resolved in a "responsible and sustainable way". "The 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council has clear criteria for the procedures to list terrorist organizations or individuals. China is conducting a comprehensive and in-depth review of the listing request put forth by the relevant countries. We still need more time and that is why we decided to put a technical hold on it," Lu had said. "It complies with the rules of procedure of the 1267 Committee. We hope that relevant actions taken by the 1267 Committee will help countries concerned to settle their issues through dialogue and consultation and avoid adding more complex factors to regional peace and stability. China will continue its communication and coordination with all relevant parties (including India) in a constructive and responsible way to properly settle this issue," he had said. India had expressed disappointment over China's move but vowed to continue to pursue "all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens" are brought to justice. The United States had also said that the failure to designate Azhar as a global terrorist runs counter to Washington and Beijing's goal of regional stability and peace. A global terrorist tag under the UN's 1267 committee would have led to a freeze on Azhar's assets and a ban on travel and keeping weapons. Hyderabad: More than six months after he was suspended for alleged security lapses in the security arrangements for Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, who was on a visit to the famous Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam cadre IPS officer Bhanwar Lal Meena continues to be under suspension till date. On October 17 last year, BJP president Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal were inside the temple when the CJI arrived. Due to the rush, Justice Gogoi had to wait for some time, reportedly 34 seconds, before he could enter the temple, after which the IPS officer, DCP, West, Guwahati at that time, and additional deputy commissioner were suspended since they could not ensure seamless entry for the CJI and his wife. Soon after the incident, the Assam government ordered an inquiry which was conducted by a senior police official. The enquiry report was submitted to the Chief Minister a fortnight ago. Ever since the incident took place, I have been attached to the police headquarters, without any assignment (posting). I continue to draw my salary but without work. The enquiry was over and I have given my statement. Even the statements of witnesses were also taken. I do not know the outcome of the inquiry,'' Mr Meena told Deccan Chronicle, on a day when a special bench of the Supreme Court called an emergency hearing after a former employee at the top court, in an affidavit to several Supreme Court judges, alleged she was sexually harassed by the CJI. It was Durgashtami that day and there was a heavy rush of devotees. BJP president Amit Shah, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were present inside the temple and a lot of mediapersons had gathered apart from general public and there was a sort of blockade. The entry and exit of the temple is same and very narrow and only one person can enter or exit at one time. The CJI had to wait for 34 seconds before he could enter the temple. He did not have a seamless entry and the situation arose due to rush of VIP movements that day, Mr Meena, an IPS officer of 2013 batch, is understood to have said in his statement before the enquiry officers. When asked on whose instructions he was suspended, Mr Meena said he was not aware of it. I am waiting for the outcome of the enquiry, was all that he chose to say. Back then, following the incident, former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi had demanded that the state government tender an unconditional apology to the CJI. The series tells story of Narendra Modis life from when he was 12 years old to the time he became the Prime Minister of India. New Delhi: The Election Commission on Saturday asked Eros multimedia to stop till further orders online streaming of a web series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Citing an April 10 order, the poll panel directed banning a biopic on Mr Modi. On the said date, the commission had placed a similar bar on the web series titled Modi Journey of a Common Man. In view of the admitted facts and material available on record, this web series being an original web series on Narendra Modi, the PM and a political leader and a prospective candidate in the current general polls to the LS, cannot be exhibited, the EC said in its order. The series tells story of Narendra Modis life from when he was 12 years old to the time he became the Prime Minister of India. While episodes of the web series were already aired on April 3 before the first phase of polling, the remaining five episodes have been ordered to be removed from Eros Nows digital platform. In its order staying the release of the biopic, the polls panel had said, Any biopic material in the nature of biography/ hag-iography subserving the purposes of any political party or any individual entity connected to it, should not be displayed in electronic media. On Friday, three Intermediate students committed suicide after their exam results were declared on Thursday, taking the total to five in two days. (Representional Image) Hyderabad: Dharma Ram, a 17-year-old Intermediate first year student and nephew of TD MP C.M. Ramesh, ended his life reportedly after he failed in the exam. He is the seventh student to have ended his life after the results were declared on Thursday. According to sources, he was a bright student. Dharma Ram was a student of Narayana College in Ameerpet. Police said he took his life after learning that he had not cleared the mathematics exam. He had gone into depression after checking his exam result, Banjara Hills inspector Kalinga Rao said. He had left a message for his father and his sister and jumped to death from the terrace of Vasavi Bhuvana in Sri Nagar Colony, he said. Dharma Rams sister who was in the fifth floor had heard a loud sound and on looking out found her brother lying on the floor in a pool of blood. She rushed him to the Yashoda Hospital. An official at Yashoda Hospital said that Dharma Ram had sustained severe injuries to the brain and suffered several fractures including of the rib cage. We tried to resuscitate him but the injuries were very severe and he succumbed. Banjara Hills police registered a case under Section 174 CrPC and further investigation is underway. On Friday, three Intermediate students committed suicide after their exam results were declared on Thursday, taking the total to five in two days. The incidents were reported at Nizamabad, Warangal and Hyderabad districts. Another student attempted to take her life and is in a critical condition. Ahmedabad: Voters in Gujarat are seeing a number of non-resident Indians (NRIs) approaching them to ask for a vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These NRIs normally visit the state in November-December, but have retuned home mid-summer to seek support for Mr Modi, whom they passionately back. A group of non-resident Gujaratis led by US-based Dr Vasudev Patel and Mr Govind Patel is travelling to the remote areas and towns and campaigning for Mr Modi. I have known Modiji for 40 years. As Prime Minister he has made us proud. He has done tremendous work for Gujarat and India. As a Gujarati we feel that we must support him, said Dr Vasudev Patel, who has been in the US for 35 years and is associated with the overseas wing of the BJP. Mr Govind Patel said, I have been taking part in the campaign since 1990s. Modi ji, after he became PM, has addressed our issues. Today, wherever we go, we notice that the Indian passport holder gets respect. Our country has a special standing in the world. Approximately 300 NRIs have arrived in the state and are using their influence to secure votes for Mr Modi and the BJP. They have come from more than 20 countries including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai and from African nations. Gujarat has a large number of natives spread across the globe. Some NRIs are making 20 telephone calls a day to their relatives and friends in the state and appealing them to to vote for Mr Modi. No one in this group is ready to hear anything against Mr Modi. Asked about the Congress allegation of corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal, Dr Vasudev Patel said, These are not issues at all. Modiji is working round the clock for the welfare of the nation. These are baseless allegations. Another staunch supporter of Mr Modi, US-based Anar Mehta said, We are not going to listen to this. How can you level such nonsense allegations against him when he is working hard and that too selflessly, According to him, the courses offered for the foreign policemen includes VIP security, cyber crime and economic offences, law and order, traffic management. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: Policemen from war-torn Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Tunisia are all set to be trained at the RBVRR Telangana State Police Academy (TSPA) in various aspects of policing including VIP security and cyber crime. This will be the first state police academy in the country to start courses for policemen from these five countries. We had written to the government of India to start these courses for the five countries and they have given us the acceptance. The Centre will soon be writing to the respective countries and invite policemen to undergo the courses in our academy which has state-of-the-art facilities, Additional Director General of Police and TSPA director Santosh Mehra told Deccan Chronicle. According to him, the courses offered for the foreign policemen includes VIP security, cyber crime and economic offences, law and order, traffic management. The Centre had sought information about the syllabus, modules and the expenditure, in terms of faculty, accommodation etc, which was promptly sent to them after which it accepted the proposal. There are different courses and it all depends on the duration of the course and the number of participants, Mr Mehra, an IPS officer of the 1987 batch, said. Spread over 148 acres and surrounded by lush green hillocks near Himayatsagar, the TSPA has recently revised its syllabus and started a fully-equipped IT and cyber crime cell at a cost of Rs 3 crore besides sprucing up International Officers Mess, where accommodation can be provided to the foreign policemen. Right from station house management to forensic science, cyber crime, VIP security, law and order we now have revised syllabus and study material which will be beneficial for our men as well as those arriving here from other countries. It will enable them to serve the community in consonance with law, understanding its expectation and respecting the rights of the people, the director added. Lucknow: Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Friday called Congress sabse dhokebaaz (most betraying) party of the country. Congress desh ki sabse dhokebaaz party hai, Akhilesh said at a press conference here. His comment came after Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday reportedly said that SP and BSP leaders are afraid of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he has the CBI and Enforcement Directorate under him. Those Congress people who are saying that we are afraid of ED and CBI, we are in fact not afraid of any organisation. Congress itself got an investigation done on us. The person who filed the PIL belongs to Congress. Big leaders of Congress gave money to get PIL filed against Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) and our family. That person is still a part of Congress. When the investigation got over and the matter came up for review, that person joined hands with BJP, said Akhilesh. I want to make this clear that the person who filed PIL on Netaji, me and my wife Dimple has joined hands with both BJP and Congress. Both the parties have formed an alliance on this, he added. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. Kumaraswamy in an exclusive interview to ANI said that during the tenure of Deve Gowda as the Prime Minister, the country was peaceful as there was not even a single terror attack. (Photo: File) Hubli: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that his father HD Deve Gowdas ten-month long tenure as the Prime Minister of India was much better than Prime Minister Narendra Modis so far as far as the countrys internal security is concerned. Kumaraswamy in an exclusive interview to ANI said that during the tenure of Deve Gowda as the Prime Minister, the country was peaceful as there was not even a single terror attack. Janata Dal-Secular supremo Deve Gowda was the Prime Minister of the country for less than a year from June 1, 1996, to April 21, 1997. When asked to comment if his fathers month-long tenure was better than Prime Minister Modis five-year government, he said: Absolutely. You can go through the records to see what happened in Deve Gowdas 10 month government and five years under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Citing the relative calm situation in Jammu and Kashmir during the tenure of his father, Kumaraswamy said: When my father was the Prime Minister, was there any terrorist activity in this country? The entire country was calm at that time. There was no clash between India and Pakistan. There was not a single blast in Jammu and Kashmir. Even inside the country, there was no bomb attack, he said. Prime Minister Modi during an election rally at Chitradurga in Karnataka had said that the whole world stood with India, but our Mahamilavati Dal (Congress-JDS) was condemning Modi instead of Pakistan. Chief Minister Kumaraswamy attacked Prime Minister Modi, saying that he is using Balakot air strike incident to his political advantage in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. He doesnt know the meaning. He can speak but misusing his office is wrong. In this country, several Prime Ministers came. Several times the India-Pakistan war took place. Nobody has taken advantage of those issues for their personal benefits, he said. He (Prime Minister Modi) is the only person, he is misleading people that he went to Pakistan border and he only dropped the bomb on terror camps in Balakot. That way he is projecting himself, Kumaraswamy said, in response to a question where he had said that Modi does not know the difference between Balakot and Bagalkot. Kumaraswamys response came after PM Modi, while addressing a poll rally in north Karnataka, said: Now tell me - where is the Congress and the JD(S) vote bank? Is it in Bagalkot or Balakot? This Congress-JD(S) has to decide. On being asked to respond on his statement that Modi put make-up and wax on his face before the camera, Kumaraswamy said: All BJP candidates are telling people to vote for us (BJP) by seeing the face of Narendra Modi. That is their request to the masses. For that reason only, I said." Answering a question as to why he broke down at an event in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy said: I wept because I am a very emotional and sensitive man. I am always looking at the mood of the people. I was a little bit upset, so I wept in the beginning. But now the people are actually getting confident. The reaction or feeling of the people is that Kumaraswamy has done a good thing by joining hands with the Congress to form government. He is looking forward to the development of Karnataka. Calling Deve Gowda a good administrator, the Karnataka Chief Minister said that JDS supremo will advise Congress president Rahul Gandhi to run a good administration if the Gandhi scion becomes the Prime Minister. He (Deve Gowda) is a good administrator. He is an experienced person. He has experience in a political career. He is better than everybody, according to me. He has already projected the name of Rahul Gandhi (as PM), he said. Whatever experience he has in his political career, he will be advising Rahul ji to run a good administration, Kumaraswamy said while pitching the name of Rahul as the prime ministerial candidate if a non-BJP government is formed at the Centre after the Lok Sabha polls. Adding that Deve Gowda might play a major role as an advisor to everybody in a coalition government after getting voted to power in the general elections, he said: Most probably, there is not going to be a BJP government at the Centre. We have to form the government with several regional parties combined together. At that time, I think Deve Gowda may play a major role as an advisor to everybody, he said when asked if Deve Gowda will play a national role after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. When asked about his unhappiness with media for giving more attention to south Indian actor Sumalatha Ambareesh, an independent candidate contesting from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency where his son Nikhil Gowda is also in the fray, he said: Regarding Mandya issue, I am not upset. But unnecessarily, our local media friends for the last four months continuously, even during midnight, early morning, afternoon, evening whenever you switch on the TV, they had only been projecting Mandya issue by projecting that (Sumalatha) lady as a big leader. They are trying to create an image among the voters. That is why I criticised media friends. Responding to PM Modis attack over dynastic politics in the Congress-JD(S) alliance, Kumaraswamy said: People want us. They are demanding our family members to contest. This is not a dynastic issue. If people want our leadership, they will accept. Otherwise, they will reject us. It is because of the pressure from the people and party workers we have fielded our family members in the poll. Karnatakas final phase of Lok Sabha polling will take place on April 23, while the first phase of polling took place on April 18. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday charged the Congress with having placed vote bank politics above national interest while it was in power at the Centre. (Photo: File) Araria: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday charged the Congress with having placed vote bank politics above national interest while it was in power at the Centre. Addressing an election rally here, Modi also said that the opposition party and its allies were rattled by the trends that have emerged from the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls. "... The trends of the first two phases of elections have left them rattled. They no more have the temerity to demand proofs of the valiant cross-border operations conducted by our armed forces," the Prime Minister said. He said that "lies" were being spread about his government that its introduction of five per cent quota for the unreserved categories was a step in the direction of doing away with reservations. "Beware of such lies," he added. "The country has witnessed two types of politics of 'vote bhakti' and of 'desh bhakti'. The former was on display after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, when the then government did not go after Pakistan for abetting terror, and chose to derail the investigations in many terror cases by coming up with the theory of Hindu terror. The latter was demonstrated by us when the Uri terror attack was replied with surgical strikes and Pulwama was followed by air strikes," Modi said. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday hit out at BSP supremo Mayawati for her comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying she is 'frustrated'. (Photo: File) Ahmedabad: Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday hit out at BSP supremo Mayawati for her comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying she is "frustrated". "Mayawati has become frustrated. She is desperate and is ready to do or say anything. The people of Uttar Pradesh have rejected caste-based politics. This is an unethical alliance (between SP and BSP) and the truth is that the two parties are working against each other's interests," Goyal told reporters. In reference to Mayawati yesterday calling Mulayam the only "real" backward community leader in the country and not a "fake OBC" leader like Modi, Goyal recalled that it was the same SP founder who had said in the Lok Sabha that he wanted to see Modi get a second term. While addressing a joint rally in Mainpuri on Friday, Mayawati had said, There is no doubt that he (Mulayam) has joined people from all groups of the society under the SP banner. He does not come from a fake backward community like PM Modi, he is real OBC leader. She also urged the electorates to vote in large numbers for Mulayam who is contesting from Mainpuri seat and ensure his victory. Mulayam Singh ji is not a fake servant of the people like Prime Minister Modi, he is a politician who has sworn that he will continue working for the people till his last breath and that is why he is willing to fight again from Mainpuri constituency, Mayawati said. Nothing can save the incumbent central government from being thrown out of power, the government has come to be known for its capitalistic, narrow-minded policymaking, as well as communal and casteist policies, she added. The remaining 64 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh will go to polls in the next five phases of elections, and counting of votes will take place on May 23. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. Thousands of people had gathered all along the route showering flower petals on Shah as the vehicle wound its way in a delirious atmosphere. (Image: ANI twitter) Bengaluru: BJP President Amit Shah Saturday said Narendra Modi should be installed as the Prime Minister once again to secure the country and to give a "befitting" reply to terrorism and Pakistan. Creating a saffron surge, Shah held a massive road show at Bhadravathi in Shimogga, campaigning for party candidate B Y Raghavendra, son of Karnataka BJP President and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. Raghavendra is pitted against former legislator Madhu Bangarappa of JD(S), who is the son of former Chief Minister S Bangarappa. "This election is not only about making Raghavendra Member of Parliament, but to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister," Shah said at the end of road show. "Why should we make Narendra Modi Prime Minister?, to secure the country, to give a befitting reply to terrorism and Pakistan. In order to give a befitting reply to Pakistan, people of Shimogga will have to press the ballot button adjacent to the Lotus symbol and Raghavendra's name," he said. Noting that he too was facing election from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat on April 23, Shah said he had come to campaign for Raghavendra to ensure his victory. Hundreds of enthusiastic BJP workers cheered the BJP chief chanting "Modi, Modi" as the "Rath," a modified vehicle, covered little more than one and half kilometre distance with Raghavendra, among others, accompanying him. Thousands of people had gathered all along the route showering flower petals on Shah as the vehicle wound its way in a delirious atmosphere. The road show that began with party workers greeting Shah with a loud cheer in favor of BJP, lasted about 40 minutes. Ahead of the "rath," BJP supporters sporting saffron caps and holding cutouts, placards and party flags danced to the drum beats, as slogans of 'Modi Modi' rent the air. Raghavendra, who is a sitting MP from Shimogga had defeated Madhu Bangarappa, joint candidate of ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in the by-polls held in November last year. While, Raghavendra is banking on Modi wave along with his father's name and his work as MP, Madhu too is relying on his late father's legacy, support of the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition, andon Ediga community, to which he belongs to. Ediga community has considerable presence in Shimogga. Out of eight assembly segments in Shimogga, BJP had won 7 and Congress only one in Bhadravathi during the 2018 assembly polls. Madhu had lost to his own brother Kumar Bangarappa of BJP during 2018 assembly polls from Soraba constituency. Raghavendra's father and Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Yeddyurappa is the BJP legislator from Shikaripura constituency. There are 12 candidate in the fray in Shimogga that would go to polls on April 23. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. The BJP minister made the statement while addressing a public rally here in support of the Member of Parliament Mansukhbhai Vasava. (Photo: ANI) Narmada: Gujarat Cabinet Minister Ganpat Vasava on Saturday once again stoked controversy by comparing Congress president Rahul Gandhi with a puppy, wagging its tail at the sight of food. When PM Modi stands, it looks like the lion of Gujarat is standing. When Rahul Gandhi stands, it looks like a puppy is there wagging its tail; if Pakistan offers it a chapatti, itll go there; if China offers it a chapatti, itll go there, Vasava said. The BJP minister made the statement while addressing a public rally here in support of the Member of Parliament Mansukhbhai Vasava. Vasava had earlier stirred a controversy after he said that Rahul Gandhi should be made to consume poison by his party workers to prove that he is a true devotee of Lord Shiva. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. 'Yesterday was a big and special day for my family as my better half, the graceful and radiant PoonamSinha embarked on a new chapter of her life. I stood by her as a dutiful husband.' (Photo: ANI) New Delhi: Amid criticism for campaigning for his wife and Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Poonam Sinha, Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha on Saturday said to support his wife is his duty as a husband. "Yesterday was a big and special day for my family as my better half, the graceful and radiant #PoonamSinha embarked on a new chapter of her life. I stood by her as a dutiful husband amidst remarks of me crossing party lines to campaign for my wife. But my stance was very loud and clear," Sinha said on Twitter. "I learnt that there was a mixed bag of reactions among people to my action. Some said I was behaving in my authoritative style as a star, others said that I did no wrong... as I said I will serve the people of Lucknow," he said in another tweet. Sinha also expressed gratitude to the Gandhi family saying, "Expressed my thanks to the Gandhi family and Congress party for giving me the opportunity to fight this battle." Poonam Sinha, who is contesting as SP candidate, was pitted against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency. Pramod Krishnam, the Congress candidate for the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat, criticised Sinha and asked him to campaign for his own party. "Shatrughan Sinha has come here and fulfilled his duty as a husband, but I would like to tell him that he should now campaign for his party and fulfil his political dharma," Krishnam said. Sinha, on Friday, praised BSP-SP-RLD alliance in the state. "I have never seen such a powerful and huge gathering. This has been possible only through the blessings of Mulayam Singh Yadav, co-operation of BSP's Mayawati and hard work of RLD's Ajit Singh, he said. While praising SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Sinha said, "Grand alliance has the power of youth with it and the example is Akhilesh Yadav, who is a youth icon not only in Uttar Pradesh but also throughout the country." Congress is not being made a part of SP-BSP-RLD alliance. As per the seat-sharing agreement, SP is contesting on 37 seats while BSP is on 38. Three seats (Mathura, Muzaffarpur, and Baghpat) have been given to the RLD. Sinha, who joined Congress after he was denied ticket from Patna Sahib Constituency in Bihar, will be contesting against BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said that his party went into an alliance with the BJP because he wanted a Prime Minister who can attack Pakistan. (Photo: File) Aurangabad: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said that his party went into an alliance with the BJP because he wanted a Prime Minister who can attack Pakistan. Shiv Sena wanted a Prime Minister who can attack Pakistan and so we went into an alliance with BJP, said Thackeray while addressing a public rally in Aurangabad. Slamming the Congress party on its stance on Article 370, he said, All laws in Kashmir should be on par with the rest of India. Congress does not want to abolish Article 370, while leaders like Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have said that if Article 370 is abolished there will be no one to respect the tricolor. Thackeray also came down heavily on former JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar who is contesting on a CPI ticket from Begusarai in Bihar. People like Kanhaiya Kumar preparing to enter Lok Sabha is very sad, he is a separatist, he said. Hitting out at NCP chief Sharad Pawars statements on Shiv Senas pre-poll pact with BJP, Thackeray said, Sharad Pawar left Congress abusing Rajiv Gandhi and pledged that he would never join Congress till the end. He is black at heart. Pawar later joined Congress. How can such a man say that the alliance of Shiv Sena and BJP is not fair? Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. Thiruvananthapuram: Aam Aadmi Party has extended unconditional support to LDF candidates in Kerala in the Lok Sabha polls. The announ-cement was made at a joint press conference attended by AAP central leader Somnath Bharati and CPM politburo member Nilotpal Basu in Delhi. The AAP suspended state convenor C.R. Neelakantan from the party for unilaterally delaring support to UDF in 12 seats. It may be recalled that CPM had supported AAP in Assembly elections in Delhi and Chief Minister Pinaryi Vijayan had gone to Delhi to express solidarity with his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kej-riwal who was on a dharna against the Centre and LG. Somnath Bharti said Neelakantan held a press conference in Kerala re-cently and declared that AAP would support Con-gress candidates in the state. The press conference was unauthorized. The AAP political affairs committee has condemned his move and decided to suspend him from the primary membership of the party, he said. Meanwhile, Neelakan-tan told DC that he approved of partys decision as the national leadership has the right to take disciplinary action. The partys policy is to ensure defeat of NDA candidates in all constituencies. The party decided to extend support to those candidates who could defeat the NDA nominees based on the reports received from from district committees. Had the national leadership announced the decision to support the LDF earlier, the state unit would not have had any hesitation in accepting it, he said. However, he added that the last minute decision of the national leadership would create confusion among party workers and it will not do any good to the party. I think it is due to the pressure of CPM leadership that the AAP has announced a stand favouring the LDF, he said. CPM politburo member Nilotpal Basu thanked the AAP for extending support to LDF. Our main aim is to remove the NDA and stop the communal polarisation being triggered by the Sangh Parivar. We thank the AAP for supporting us, he said. Two days ago the state unit of AAP had declared that it will support UDF in 11 lok sabha constiutencies and back LDF in Malappuram. Neelakan-dan declared support for UDF in Kasargod, Kann-ur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Ponnani, Palakkad, Alat-hur, Thrissur, Chalakudy, Ernakulam and Idukki. It may be recalled that in 2014 Lok Sabha polls AAP candidates Anita Pratap secured 51,517 votes in Ernakulam, Sarah Joseph secured 44,368 in Thrissur and Ajit Joy 14,153 votes in Thiruvananthapuram. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao along with Cabinet ministers at a wedding in the city on Saturday. Hyderabad: AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan met for the first time after the AP Assembly elections, at a private ceremony in Hyderabad. Both were attending a marriage on Saturday in the capital when they came face to face with each other. They both shook hands and spoke with each other for a few minutes. Mr Kalyan also greeted Mr Naidu on his birthday. While Mr Kalyan is accused of being in cahoots wth Mr Naidu, both had exchanged hot words during the campaign. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao also attended the marriage but at a different time. It is not known if this was planned in advance. Mr Chandrasekhar Rao and Mr Naidu have greeted each other, had a brief conversation and posed for pictures previously, especially when they met each other at functions at Raj Bhavan. However, the increased bitterness after Mr Naidu campaigned for the Congress in Telangana state and Mr Rao promised him a return gift made the prospects of such a meeting unlikely. Patna: Tejashwi Yadav skipping AICC President Rahul Gandhis public meeting on Saturday has fuelled speculations about a rift in the Grand Alliance. This was Rahul Gandhis fourth public meeting in Bihar since election dates were announced. Mr Gandhi was in Supaul to campaign for Congress nominee Ranjeet Ranjan where he targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on various issues. He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) is trying hard but people of Bihar and people of this country have made up their mind to stop chowkidar this time, AICC president Rahul Gandhi said while addressing a public meeting in Supaul on Saturday. He also asked people to vote for Congress candidate from Supaul Ranjeet Ranjan and defeat the JD-U nominee. Ranjeet Ranjan has the potential, please vote for her. She needs your blessings to defeat the NDA. Mr Gandhi said while addressing the masses in Supaul. Sources said that Tejashwi Yadavs absence from the event gave NDA a chance to raise questions on the unity of grand alliance in Bihar. Reports suggest that the ongoing tension between RJD and Congress over Ranjeet Ranjans husband Pappu Yadav candidature in Madhepura was one of the reasons behind Tejashwi Yadavs absence from the event. Questions were also raised when RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha, who was present on the stage with Rahul Gandhi, asked people to vote for Ranjeet Ranjan in Supaul but support veteran socialist leader Sharad Yadav in Madhepura. Ranjeet Ranjans husband Pappu Yadav had contested on RJD ticket and won in 2014 from the seat but a year later he was expelled from the party for engaging in anti-party activities. Sources said the Congress party had earlier tried to persuade Ranjeet Ranjan to convince her husband not to contest from Madhepura but he filed his nominations from the seat. There are also reports that RJDs district president and Pipra MLA Yaduvansh Kumar Yadav has decided to support an independent candidate from the seat. Chennai: Barely 48 hours after the elections to 38 Lok Sabha seats and by-polls for 18 Assembly seats got over in the state, DMK president M K Stalin held conference with senior lieutenants and also the local party functionaries to devise strategy for the four Assembly by-elections scheduled on May 19. The meeting at the DMK headquarters discussed steps for winning all the four seats so as to fulfill Stalin's challenge that his party would soon take charge of the Government at Fort St. George by defeating the ruling AIADMK in most of these by-polls. The DMK meet also decided Stalin would launch his first phase of campaigning on May 1 at Ottapidaram and conclude at Aravakurichi on May 8. Considering his hectic work for the April 18 polls, it is to be expected that the DMK chief would stretch his physical limits to make a strong bid for these four seats too. The day also witnessed DMK allies, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan and MDMK leader Vaiko, calling on Stalin to renew their commitment to support the DMK candidates in the four by-elections. "Our party cadres will work hard to ensure victory for the DMK in these elections too", Thirumavalavan told reporters later. Meanwhile, the AIADMK has invited applications for the four Assembly bye-elections from aspirants in the party. They could purchase the applications by remitting `25,000 on Sunday, April 21, and submit it the same day, said a statement from the AIADMK headquarters. By-elections to the four Assembly constituencies Aravakurichi, Thiruparankundram, Ottapidaram(SC) and Aravakurichi-have been announced to be held on May 19. The EC gazette notification will be issued on April 22, the last date for filing nominations will be April 29. Nominations would be scrutinised by April 30 and the last date for withdrawal would be May 2. The DMK had petitioned the Supreme Court challenging the EC decision not to hold by-elections in three of these four Assembly bye-pollsAravakurichi, Thiruparankundram and Ottapidaram(SC)-which had fallen vacant after 18 MLAs were disqualified for shifting loyalty to rebel TTV Dhinakaran. The EC had claimed it did not announce the polls because cases relating to these three here citing cases pending in court. The Sulur by-poll was necessitated by its AIADMK MLA R Kanagaraj passing away after cardiac arrest in March. In fact, a berth was given to a leader belonging to Vijayapura district during his tenure as Chief Minister, he added. Earlier, Mr Gowda campaigned for his party candidate Sunita Devanand Chavan, wife of Nagthan legislator Devanand Phulsing Chavan, in Vijayapura parliamentary constituency. Hubballi: Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda said he had no ambitions of joining the race for the Prime Ministers post and pledged his support for Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday. He told the media here that though many leaders including BSP supremo Mayawati, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, NCPs Sharad Pawar and TDPs Chandrababu Naidu were eligible to occupy the top post, his party would support for Mr Gandhi. The former prime minister declared that this would be his last Lok Sabha election as he was at the end of his political career, and admitted that he was forced to enter the fray during ongoing elections in view of pressure from party leaders and supporters. Mr Gowda said: Those who opposed me in politics are already in heaven. I am still alive as I have divine blessings. I have not neglected north Karnataka. I had released funds for construction of Almatti dam for storage of 30 TMC feet water and also launched several irrigation projects in the Krishna basin, but leaders of the region are accusing me of discrimination about development of the region. In fact, a berth was given to a leader belonging to Vijayapura district during his tenure as Chief Minister, he added. Earlier, Mr Gowda campaigned for his party candidate Sunita Devanand Chavan, wife of Nagthan legislator Devanand Phulsing Chavan, in Vijayapura parliamentary constituency. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Hyderabad: MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi slammed the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for nominating Pragya Singh Thakur, accused in the Malegaon blasts, who said that former chief of Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad Hemant Karkare was killed in the Mumbai terror attacks because she had cursed him. Mr Owaisi was addressing an election meeting in Auranga-bad, Maharashtra, in support of MIM candidate Imtiyaz Jaleel. The meeting observed silence for a minute to pay homage to Karkare. He likened the silence to the calm before the storm. He said those in uniform who are serving the country were ready to sacrifice their lives. He asked the people at the meeting, Will you would support a party whose candidate cursing on one of your officers who laid his life for the country? Those who are protecting the country are the police, the military and paramilitary forces. They are performing their duties to ensure fair and free elections in India, Mr Owaisi said. Mr Owaisi said the candidate put up by Mr Modi had dared to say that she had cursed Karkare which had resulted in his being killed. We condemn the statement of Pragya Thakur. She talks nonsense, Mr Owaisi said and asked asked whether a person who had laid his life for the nation should be cursed. He said the real face of Mr Modi is exposed by the statement of Ms Thakur. He said that external affairs minister Sushma Sawaraj had debunked Mr Modis claims on the Balakot attacks by stating that no Pakistan national or Army personnel had been killed during the air strikes. She was perhaps waiting for a right time and took her revenge on Modi. Everyone feels suffocated in the BJP, the MIM president told the meeting. Mr. Owaisi raised slogans praising Karkare and condemning Mr Modi, Ms Thakur and terrorists. Bengaluru: BJP national president Amit Shah has once again emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be elected for a second term to make India secure and give a befitting reply to Pakistan- sponsored terrorism in the country. Mr Shah, who participated in a road show in Bhadravathi town on Saturday, was greeted with slogans of Modi , Modi by thousands of party workers. Why should we elect Narendra Modi as Prime Minister again? To secure India and to give a fitting reply to terrorism and Pakistan, he said, urging the people to vote for Shivamoggas BJP candidate, B Y Raghavendra, who is banking on the Modi wave in the constituency besides the support of his father and state BJP chief, B.S. Yeddyurappa to be relected MP. Mr. Yeddyurappa has been camping in the district for the past two days to campaign for his son and on Saturday addressed a public meeting at Thirthahalli along with former Chief Minister, S.M.Krishna. The Congress is meanwhile, depending on water resources minister, D.K.Shivakumar to ensure the victory of Mr Madhu Bangarappa of the JD(S) in the constituency. Mr. Shivakumar was a diehard supporter of former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa, who first made him a minister and has continued to remain loyal to his family even after his death. He has vowed to make sure Mr Madhu Bangarappa wins in Shivamogga these elections and as part of the strategy has made truce between Bhadravathi Congress MLA, B.K. Sangameshwar and former JD(S) MLA, N. Appaji Gowda, who have not been on the best of terms and saw to it that they campaigned together in Bhadravathi. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. New Delhi: BJP chief Amit Shah met actor Sunny Deol in the national capital on Friday. The meeting set off political speculation on whether Deol is likely to be fielded from a seat in Punjab. The meeting comes as the BJP is yet to announce candidates for the three seats in Punjab for the ongoing Lok Sabha election. Mr Shah met the actor to convince him to contest from Amritsar, sources said. However, no announcement has been made so far. I heard about it (rumours about joining politics). I just met him (Amit Shah) and we took a photograph, thats it, Sunny Deol told a news channel. The BJP, that has formed an alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal, is fighting three of the 13 parliamentary seats in Punjab: Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur. Sunny Deol, 62, is best known for his action hero roles in films like Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Himmat, Ghatak and Border. For Amritsar, the BJP had also contemplated the names of actor Poonam Dhillon and Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina. Poonam Dhillon was appointed as the vice-president of the BJPs Mumbai unit last year. Gurdaspur seat is likely to go to actor and former lawmakers Vinod Khannas wife Kavita Khanna or his son, actor Akshaye Khanna. Sunny Deols father, veteran actor Dharmendra, had a brief stint in politics about ten years ago, when he contested the 2004 national election from Rajasthans Bikaner on BJP ticket and won. Last week, the veteran actor campaigned for his wife, actor and BJP lawmaker Hema Malini, in Uttar Pradeshs Mathura. The legendary Bollywood couple addressed a rally for the Jat community where a massive crowd turned up. Punjab will vote in a single phase, on May 19. Jagjivan Ram, a stalwart Congressman who found a place in every government until he lived, came from a poor dalit background. But he had a distaste for being thus categorised. When a journalist asked a question, prefacing it by calling him a harijan leader, the top politician shot back angrily: I am a national leader, not a caste leader! Thats a part of a glorious past of an incipient democracy in which the agency of the individual was still sought to be privileged, rather than that of communal or caste affiliation. Alas, the manner in which we have cruised on the democratic road, the healthy old past that recalls the Jagjivan Ram spirit may well be lost for good. These days even leading individuals clamour to play the caste card in order to extract electoral or political advantage. In Bihar, Rams home state, chief minister Nitish Kumar has asked for the caste census to be revived. In Solapur district in Maharashtra earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi loudly proclaimed his backward caste status, the louder to attack Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who, Mr Modi harangued at Solapur, had attacked all the backward caste people as chor or thief. This does not stand scrutiny. Mr Gandhi has indeed run the campaign of Chowkidar Chor Hai, but there has never been the smallest suggestion that backward caste folks are chors or thieves, as Mr Modi insinuates. In the chowkidar jibe, Mr Gandhi does of course mean the leader of the government in the institutional and metaphoric sense in the context of the Rafale controversy in which the government appears to have scored one own goal after another by seeming to obfuscate, rather than illuminate, especially since published defence ministry documents are raising uncomfortable questions, and details are getting to be known of the French making a huge tax exemption for Anil Ambani, the key Indian offset partner after the inking of the Rafale deal. This is an entirely valid criticism in democratic discourse, especially at election time, and cannot attract the charge of defamation, which arises from unsubstantiated personal vilification. Nevertheless, the Congress leader would be better off not plumbing to low depths, even unintentionally. Mr Gandhi had once asked on the subject of the fleeing of Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi why every crook running away had the last name Modi. This was certainly intended to wound the Prime Minister, but can also upset those who carry that surname, although by no stretch of the imagination does it signify an attack on all so-called backward caste people or on those with the name Modi, as has been suggested. Still, Mr Gandhi ought to acknowledge his rhetorical mistake. That said, after nationalism, the PM has sheltered behind caste, although his governments policies have hurt the poorest castes the most, including the backward castes. Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP KAPIL SIBAL has been at the forefront of the legal fight against the BJP as well as exposing the "scams" behind demonetisation. In a free-wheeling interview to SREEPARNA CHAKRABARTY, the top lawyer says he has serious doubts about EVMs and also claims that though the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was signally responsible for the decline of UPA, a Congress-AAP alliance in Delhi is being explored to keep the BJP out. Recently you carried out a series of exposes on demonetisation, calling it the biggest scam in recent years. Do you think it has found resonance on the ground? It is. There are two ways in which such a thing has resonance. One is when the mainstream electronic media takes it up, which has not happened. But what has happened is that it has gone viral on social networks. For example, the press conference as I talk to you has had 4,70,000 views. It has gone completely viral. Anywhere in the country you go they have seen it. Do you think demonetisation will be an issue in these elections? It will be a silent issue. People have not forgotten it. The kind of suffering they went through they had to stand in lines, their businesses were destroyed people never forget that. They never knew what was happening behind the scenes. Why did this happen? Now they have exposure to the real intent behind it. What do you think are the issues on which these elections are being fought? It is unfortunate that the issues these elections are being fought on have nothing to do with the people of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi keeps on talking about Pakistan, forgetting that the elections are being fought in India. He is using Pakistan for domestic advantage instead of informing people whether he has delivered on the promises he had made in 2014. He has forgotten all about ache din, black money, about saying give me 60 months, you gave the Congress 60 years... Now he is saying 2022 and 2030. In fact, I asked several people this question, give me one scheme which he has taken up on his own initiative. All schemes are renamed. There is nothing like Make in India. It is a very big disaster. Start-up India is a disaster. You go to any market there is nothing from India. What does he have to show for five years except demonetisation and GST... both of which were disasters? Therefore, he is now talking about Pakistan and patriotism and nationalism. Is fielding Pragya Thakur a desperate act? They have to themselves explain to the people of India. We dont want to get into that controversy. If their conscience allows them to do what they are doing, good for them. People of India are getting cynical about the politics that is being played. Look at the Main Bhi Chowidar movement. These are not things which behove the status of the Prime Minister of India. Cabinet ministers are calling themselves Main Bhi Chowkidar. What kind of chowkidari have they done if, under their noses, these scams took place (demonetisation)? The myth of a strong leader Which field has he shown his strength in? apart from the fact that he can deliberately make mis-statements to the people of this country. Untruths stated again and again is part of his dialogue with the people of this country. Do you think the Ram temple issue has been put on the back-burner? Mohan Bhagwat has made a statement that this is not an issue in these elections and we will talk in July. Last year there was a move to impeach the then Chief Justice. You were a part of it. What do you feel about it retrospectively? I think we did the right thing as a political party. At least we sent a message that howsoever high you might be, if there are serious allegations against you, political parties will take it up. Of course they politically managed not to take it forward. The Vice-President as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha dismissed the petition, which he did not have any jurisdiction to do. I did not want to take it forward at that point of time for the simple reason that all that we are going to get is a hearing in the Supreme Court and nothing coming out of it. So I think the point had been made and we stand by what we did. The Congress is right now in the midst of negotiating an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). What is your opinion on that and the tie-ups by your party in general? The Congress Party has done a pretty good job on alliances. Take all the alliances that we had in previous polls. We are steadfast in all of them. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, NCP in Maharashtra all are intact. Which are the alliances we are not going with? We were never in alliance with the SP-BSP together. We never had an alliance with the AAP. If you ask me, the AAP was signally responsible for the decline of the UPA. Why is then your party exploring an alliance with AAP now? Because I think what is happening is that in Delhi we feel that if we get together, the BJP will lose all seven seats. But then there are conditionalities attached. If it was only Delhi I dont know what would have happened. But there are issues that have muddied the waters. How do you expect the post-poll scenario to be? It is difficult to say at this point of time. It depends on what the tally of the Congress Party is on May 23... how well the regional parties have done, like in West Bengal and Tami Nadu. Then, of course, the KCR, Jagan and the Naidu factors. What is your assessment on the numbers based on ground feedback? I doubt whether the NDA will come back to power. It is my personal assessment. In the two phases that are over, they are in decline and the Prime Ministers popularity is in decline. You have also raised concerns over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). I have great concern. Ultimately, when the matter came to court, the rationale given was that 50 per cent VVPAT trail will delay the result by five-six days. I dont buy that. But let us assume it does. That means convenience is more important than an election which is not manipulated. I fundamentally dont agree with that. Second, EVM voting, in principle, has two elements. A voter presses the button against the name, but when the vote is counted, it is being done by a machine. I favour any system other than a machine. A machine should not be used to count my vote. That is why the US and Europe also use ballots. Are you fighting elections this time? If my party decides. So far not decided. Versatile, robust and colourful, Iranian cuisine is a beautiful amalgamation of traditional food and diverse cultures. Due to its strategic location along the ancient Silk Route, Iran adopted the culinary flavours and styles of its neighbours and invaders, dramatically changing its culinary landscape. Thus, one can find gastronomic influences from Greek, Turkish, Central Asian, Russian and even the Mughal dynasty in the vast spectrum of Iranian food. Persians, belonging to Irans native ethnic group, have immensely influenced the culinary culture, lending Iranian cuisine its alternative name as Persian cuisine. Historically, Irans staple food has been rice and bread called naan. The cuisine is largely based on a local variety of rice called berenj. A plate with a heap of rice either chelo or plain, cooked rice topped with vegetables, fish or meat; or polo rice cooked with several ingredients, is a typical Iranian meal. And one doesnt have to look far for our connect with Persian cuisine. Naan was brought to India during the Mughal era, while the word biryani comes from birinj or rice and biryan or beriyan means fried or grilled in Persian. Dating back to nearly 4,000 years ago, it is said people in Central Asia cooked meat with their rice and called it polow, which has in turn given us pulao. Baghali polo is one of their most popular rice dishes made with saffron, fava beans and green dill, served with lamb. The Indo-Persian narrative also takes us to our much loved tehri. Comm-only called as tahari, this mix of rice and vegetables with its origins in Persia, came to be cooked in India as a vegetarian biryani option for the Hindu vegetarian nobles of the Mughal empire. And then of course, there are the kebabs and koftas. Kee-bahbs in Persia were succulent and tender with several varieties including koobideh, barg, chenje and bakhtiari. The popular Indian nargisi kofta is a variant of the tabrizi kofta. While the Persians used minced chicken, in India, the nargisi kofta is primarily made of minced goat meat. Likewise, the Kashmiri aab gosht is similar to the Persian version. Brinjal or aubergine is also common to both Indian and Persian cuisines. Just as we prepare baigan bharta, kashke bademjan is made up of smoked aubergines and kashk a yoghurt used in Iranian cooking. Among the treasure of spices, we have borrowed several from Persia, notably cumin seeds, black pepper and saffron. The use of garam masala in Indian kitchens comes from the Persian advieh, a blend of five or more different spices, explains Iranian MasterChef Feridoun Sohrabi Shahsavar, who has curated a unique dining experience at SETZ at DLF Emporio, New Delhi. Indian and Iranian cuisines use some common ingredients and spices like eggplant, onion, garlic, dry fruits and saffron, he says, adding, However, the proportion and method of how they are used vary significantly. In Iranian cooking, the spices are used to enhance the flavour of the other ingredients while the Indian cooking method uses these spices to alter the level of taste and heat across dishes. Coming to desserts, Persian halva is traditionally known as HAHL-wah, made with sesame and is very close to our own halwas, especially Grandma-style attey ka halwa. Faluda kulfi also has its origins in Persia. As early as 400 BC, falude (faluda) was invented in the ancient Persian city of Shiraz (known for producing some delightful wines too). Made of vermicelli, and nicely flavoured in rose water along with ice mixed with saffron, fruits and other flavours, falude was a summer dish for royalty. Served at almost every corner in India as well as fine dining tables, faluda is our humble delectable version. Kubideh kabab Ingredients 180 gm mutton, minced 40 gm onions, chopped 5 gm white pepper 5 gm black pepper 5 gm broth powder 10 ml saffron water Salt to taste Method Take the minced mutton and add chopped onions, broth powder, salt, white/black pepper powder, saffron water. Mix it well and put it on the barbeque skewers. Grill it in the barbeque and serve with various salads, rice and sauce. Meygoo Kabab Ingredients 11-15/300 gm prawns Salt to taste 5 gm white pepper 5 gm black pepper 5 gm broth powder 10 ml saffron water 10 gm onions, chopped 20 gm bell peppers Method De-shell the prawns. Add salt, white pepper, black pepper and chicken broth powder. Now add saffron water and mix it well with the prawns. Insert it on the barbeque skewers one by one, placing a coloured bell pepper each between the prawns. Barbeque it and serve with different salads, rice and sauce. Kashko Bademjan Ingredients 80 gm egg plant 15 gm onions, chopped 10 gm garlic, chopped 5 gm broth powder 5 gm black pepper 5 gm white pepper 5 gm turmeric powder 2 tbsp olive oil Oil for deep frying Salt to taste Method Peel out the eggplant, slice it and deep-fry it after adding some salt. In a frying pan, pour olive oil and add chopped garlic, chopped onions, salt, broth powder and turmeric. Now add the fried egg plant and serve it in a round mold with curd, fried onions and chopped parsley as garnish. Ash Reshteh Ingredients 15 gm spinach 15 gm parsley 15 gm coriander leaves 15 gm garlic, chopped 10 gm onions, chopped 15 gm kidney beans, boiled 15 gm white beans 15 gm chick peas 3 gm white pepper 5 gm black pepper powder 5 gm broth powder 1 tbsp tomato paste 1 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp olive oil Method Clean, cut and fry the leaves. In a pan, add olive oil, then add chopped garlic and chopped onions. Saute it and add boiled kidney beans, chick peas, white beans, tomato paste, lemon juice, black pepper, white pepper powder and broth powder. Cook it well. Now add the fried leaves and cook it till you get the desired consistency. Serve it in a soup bowl, add yogurt and saffron water. The Partition and its aftermath are topics that have been explored time and again through every creative medium available, be it film, text or photographs. Yet, every re-telling is unique, and celebrated Hindi author Krishna Sobtis last novel A Gujarat Here, A Gujarat There (Gujarat Pakistan Se Gujarat Hindustan), translated into English by Daisy Rockwell, provides yet another lens through which this literal and metaphorical chasm can be viewed, thanks to the novels autobiographical quality. Described as a part novel, part memoir, part feminist anthem, A Gujarat Here, A Gujarat There takes the reader on a journey into the authors mind where memories of lived experiences piece together a moving tale about loss and despair but also about resilience and the strength of a womans spirit. A Gujarat Here, A Gujarat There begins with young Krishna a college student studying in Lahore at the time of Partition, but with immediate family in Delhi and an ancestral home in Gujrat (also spelled as Gujarat, is a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan) watching several of her Muslim neighbours in Delhi scramble to catch the last Pakistan Special to Lahore. Reeling from her own displacement and in an effort to put her past behind her, Krishna takes up a job in the princely state of Sirohi an area itself in a state of flux as it is on the verge of being accessioned by the Indian Government and merged with either Gujarat or Rajasthan. Though she is initially hired to be the Director of a Montessori preschool in the kingdom, Krishna eventually ends up as the governess of the four-year-old Maharaja Tej Singh Bahadur, heir to a throne that could be shortly up for grabs. Through this slice-of-life narrative, Krishna touches upon all that the Partition brought about, other than the formation of two distinct countries. She describes the refugees, the survivors of Partition-fuelled violence as being Defeated, all of them, with their bundles, their discoloured old trunks, their filthy dupattas, their faces blazing with impotent rage paralysed by a murderous hatred now cooled. Elsewhere, she recounts how refugees couldnt find a home in their new homeland. She felt as though she were a part of that large crowd that went to Nehrujis residence to beg him to find roofs to shelter them they were done with tents and sidewalks, she writes. Her self-aware observations also bring into focus the suspicion refugees like her were viewed with, despite being in their geographically correct homelands; Such an expensive pen for a refugee. Where must she have got it? asks a Sirohi official on seeing her Parker pen. But Sobtis story isnt a tale of lament, because, despite the hardships brought about by the Partition, stories of friendship, hope and courage abound in the narrative. In fact, the author herself confronts her fate with her head held high and doesnt allow herself to dwell upon her past or the loss that is part of it. A staunch feminist even in her early years, young Krishna refuses to let sexist norms govern her actions in the change-resistant Sirohi, nor does she let her reality of being a refugee stop her from chasing new dreams in a foreign homeland. It is her indomitable spirit, coupled with her ability to let herself be moulded by change that allows her to gradually embrace her new homeland. How large our country is. Rajasthans borders reach out to Gujarat. Sometimes settlements and people must also be pushed across borders. A Gujarat here. A Gujarat there, she observes in the novel. A Gujarat Here, A Gujarat There by Krishna Sobti, translated by Daisy Rockwell penguin books Pp. 272, Rs 499 One also gets to savour Krishnas powerful, poetic language crisp and concise sentences that pack in more meaning and emotion than you can imagine. In the Introduction, Daisy describes Krishnas writing as follows: Where other authors have spilled buckets of ink writing histories and novels about Partition, Sobti attempts to use the smallest amount of ink possible, to cut the story of migrancy and violence down to the bone. But this Sobti-lect brought on unique challenges for the person translating the authors work. Because Krishna ji wrote with such brevity, it was very tricky to find the right brevity to represent her writing in English. As with translating poetry, one has to ask oneself, What is she trying to say here? What is the point of this word or phrase? This can take a lot of interpreting. It really pushed me way beyond my approach to translation. I definitely feel that my translation has entered a post-Sobti phase, where I understand the process quite differently than I used to, reveals Daisy. She also says that Krishnas text was never predictable, making it a pleasure to translate. Recalling a passage that describes Krishnas maternal aunt Shantis tin refugee hut, she says, I was struck at how she animated the house it unfolded and Shanti Aunty was encased in tin like tinned sardine. And then slowly you learn about the home she left behind and the poignancy is quite painful. I was also taken up by the way she thinks about work, misogyny, and the anti-refugee sentiment, and grasps messages that lurk in minute details, like ones clothing and shoes! Daisy, who is one of the most devoted translators of Hindi and Urdu literature, also got a chance to visit Krishna while she was translating the texts Punjabi-inflected Hindi words giving shape to the authors memories. She recalls her interactions with the author with much fondness; Krishnaji had an amazing presence a charismatic personality and a genuine interest in her fellow human beings. She loved to talk and she loved to hear what others had to say. Though she was quite elderly when I met her, she could spend many hours on end socialising and chatting with friends; never once showing signs of fatigue. She was also the consummate hostess. Conversation around Krishna ji was always interesting and thought-provoking. No one spoke of the weather, but most people were ready to recite poems to her at the drop of a hat, which she loved. Customers in the US, who do not have a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited will be able to listen to the ad-supported version with Amazon Music. As reported earlier, Amazons ad-supported, free version, of its music streaming service is now live for non-prime members. Customers in the US, who do not have a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited will be able to listen to the ad-supported version with Amazon Music, the company detailed on its official blog. It is to be noted that users will be able to avail the service on compatible Alexa-enabled devices. To listen to songs, users can simply instruct by saying, Alexa.. followed by the song, playlist, or genre of choice. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Chinas press and publication regulator has issued new rules on applications for publishing online games in China, signalling a possible acceleration in the handing out of formal approvals. China stopped granting licences to monetise online games in March 2018, hurting the industry and developers such as Tencent Holdings Ltd and NetEase Inc. It started up approvals again in December, only to ask local governments to pause on submitting applications in February. The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television released the new rules late on April 19. Under the guidelines, games will undergo content vetting and the number of games allowed on to the market will be controlled. Gaming market research and consulting firm Niko said the administration had explained the new rules to industry insiders earlier in the month, saying it was grinding through a backlog of applications submitted last year. Chinese gaming publishers were being encouraged to develop titles with Chinas core social values in mind, including games that promote traditional culture, Niko said. Niko said the administration would take new submissions from April 22, under the new application process. With a new more transparent approval process set to go live soon, we have a positive outlook for Chinas digital games market in 2019, it said. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The ventures chief executive had been replaced and that its work on future chips had either slowed or stalled. A joint venture between US smartphone chipmaker Qualcomm Inc and Chinas Guizhou province will shut down by the end of the month, The Information reported on Friday, citing employees at the venture. The joint venture, Huaxintong Semiconductor (HXT), was formed in 2016 for the design, development and sale of advanced server technology. Executives at the venture said in internal meetings on April 18 that it would close by April 30, The Information said, adding that Qualcomm and Guizhou province had invested a combined USD 570 million in HXT as of August 2018. The development follows a report from earlier this month, which said the ventures chief executive had been replaced and that its work on future chips had either slowed or stalled. Qualcomm did not respond to a request for comment outside regular US business hours. HXT could not immediately be reached for comment. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The self-driving business unit brings in no meaningful revenue for Uber, which last year lost USD 3.03 billion. (Photo:AFP) Ubers autonomous vehicle unit has raised USD 1 billion from a consortium of investors including SoftBank Group Corp, giving the company a much-needed funding boost for its pricey self-driving ambitions on the eve of its public stock offering. Uber Technologies Inc said on April 18, that the investment values its Advanced Technologies Group, which works to develop autonomous driving technology, at USD 7.25 billion. SoftBank will invest USD 333 million from its USD 100 billion Vision Fund, while Toyota Motor Corp and automotive parts supplier Denso Corp will invest a combined USD 667 million. Toyota will also contribute up to an additional USD 300 million over the next three years to help cover the costs of building commercial self-driving vehicles, Uber said. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said that the funding will help maintain Ubers position at the forefront of a transforming transportation industry. The funding allows Uber to transfer some of the substantial cost of developing self-driving cars onto outside investors. That is likely to appease some of Wall Streets concerns over Ubers spending on the autonomous unit, which has topped USD 1.07 billion since the program started in 2016. In its filing for an initial public offering this month, Uber cautioned that development of self-driving technology is expensive and time-consuming and may not be successful and the company lagged certain competitors. The self-driving business unit brings in no meaningful revenue for Uber, which last year lost USD 3.03 billion. As part of the investment, ATG becomes its own legal entity but remains under the control of Uber. A new ATG board will be formed, with six directors appointed from Uber, one from SoftBank and one from Toyota. Eric Meyhofer, currently the head of ATG, will take the title of CEO and report to the new board. Such sizeable deals are unusual for companies so close to an IPO because bringing in large new investors changes the companys capital structure. Uber is preparing to launch its roadshow, when it will pitch its company prospective investors, the week of April 29, setting up for an early May debut on the New York Stock Exchange. It is expected to raise USD 10 billion at a USD 90 billion to USD 100 billion valuations. The transaction is expected to close the third quarter. The deal, however, will almost certainly require approval from the inter-agency regulatory group called the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). A law enacted last year expands that groups powers to review minority stakes by foreign investors in startups with certain sensitive technologies, and self-driving technology is widely considered to have defence applications. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. New York: An Indian has been extradited to the US from Singapore to face charges of his involvement in a multi-million dollar India-based call centre scam that targeted Americans. Hitesh Madhubhai Patel, 42, of Ahmedabad is scheduled to be arraigned Friday before a US magistrate judge in federal court in Houston. The indictment, which was unsealed in October 2016, charged Patel and 60 other individuals and entities with general conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. The US Justice Department said that the massive India-based telephone impersonation fraud and money laundering conspiracy defrauded thousands of US residents out of hundreds of millions of dollars. Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division said Patel operated a call centre that allegedly preyed upon vulnerable US citizens as part of a massive fraud scheme. This extradition once again demonstrates the Departments unwavering commitment to disrupt and dismantle the India-based call centre scam industry and to work with our foreign partners to hold accountable those who perpetrate schemes that defraud our citizens, he said. US Attorney Ryan Patrick of the Southern District of Texas said large complex international cases like these often take years to bring in foreign-based defendants, applauding Americas global partners in helping bring this case closer to a conclusion. The Justice Department said that Singapore authorities apprehended Patel at the request of the US following a provisional arrest warrant in September last year, after he flew from India to Singapore. The Singaporean Minister for Law issued a warrant on March 25, 2019 for Patel to be delivered into custody of the United States. The indictment alleges that Patel operated the HGlobal call center conglomerate and participated in a complex fraudulent scheme involving a network of call centers based in Ahmedabad. Using information obtained from data brokers and other sources, India-based conspirators allegedly called potential victims while impersonating officials from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or US Citizenship and Immigration Services. According to the indictment, the call centre conspirators then threatened victims with arrest, imprisonment, fines or deportation if they did not pay taxes or penalties to the government. When victims agreed to pay, the call centers used a network of US-based conspirators to quickly liquidate and launder the extorted funds through the use of stored value cards or via wire transfers. As alleged in the indictment, the stored value cards were often registered by the scammers using misappropriated personal identifying information of thousands of identity theft victims, and conspirators collected the wire transfers by using fake names and fraudulent identifications. The call centre conspirators also defrauded victims through other schemes, including via offering fake short-term loans or grants. The indictment alleges that the conspirators would then request a good-faith deposit to show the victims ability to pay back the loan or a fee to process the grant. The victims of the alleged scam never received any money after making the requested payment. A total of 24 domestic defendants associated with this transnational criminal scheme have previously been convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment of up to 20 years in the Southern District of Texas, District of Arizona and Northern District of Georgia. The defendants were also ordered to pay millions of dollars in victim restitution and money judgments and to forfeit seized assets. Some defendants were ordered to be deported based on their illegal immigration status, with another defendant having his US citizenship revoked due to a separate conviction for immigration fraud. The remaining India-based defendants have yet to be arraigned in this case. Executive Associate Director Derek Benner of US Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said Patels extradition should serve as a strong deterrent to anyone considering taking part in similar scams and hoped it provides a sense of justice for the victims as well. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) Russell George said since 2013, the IRS impersonation scam has been on a relentless path, claiming more than 15,000 victims who have collectively suffered over USD 75 million in losses. TIGTAs investigations, often conducted with other Federal agencies, have identified 140 scammers, including Patel, who have preyed upon taxpayers. Todays extradition and arraignment are proof that TIGTA and its law enforcement partners will be equally relentless in rooting out individuals who fraudulently identify themselves as IRS employees in order to extort money from taxpayers, George said. Special Agent in Charge David Green of DHS-OIG Houston, Texas Field Office said the owners, managers and employees of overseas call centers who target US residents should know that the US pursuit of justice for victims of their scams does not stop at the waters edge. We will continue to work with our international partners to identify these fraudsters, track them down and hold them accountable for their crimes, Green said. Agents assigned to the Ajo Border Patrol Station rescued the two migrants following the activation of a US Border Patrol rescue beacon on Wednesday evening. (Representational Image) New York: Two Indians were apprehended by patrol agents at the US-Mexico border in Arizona after they got stranded while trying to enter America illegally, authorities said. The duo, including a Sikh man, called for help using technology installed in remote locations to help people in distress. Agents assigned to the Ajo Border Patrol Station rescued the two migrants following the activation of a US Border Patrol rescue beacon on Wednesday evening. They responded to the rescue beacon located approximately 14 miles northwest of the Lukeville Port of Entry in Arizona and found the two men alone in the beacon. The two men were in good health, and did not request further medical aid, the US Customs and Border Protection said in a statement. The duo was transported back to the station for processing, where records checks revealed the men were Indians who were trying to enter US illegally. The US agency said criminal organisations often abandon migrants in the desert. London: Two teenage men have been arrested after the shooting dead of a journalist in Northern Ireland, police said Saturday. The 18 and 19-year-olds were arrested in Londonderry under anti-terror laws and taken to Belfast for questioning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said. Journalist Lyra McKee was shot in the head late Thursday in Derry by, police believe, dissident republicans linked to the New IRA paramilitary group as they clashed with police on the Creggan estate in Northern Ireland's second city. Tributes to the 29-year-old were led by her partner, Sara Canning, who said McKee's "amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act". Detectives hunting the gunman had released footage of the unrest, hoping that the community would help trace her killers. Also Read: Irish woman shot dead in possible 'terrorist' event: Police Belfast-born McKee, 29, had posted an image from the riots, accompanied by the words "Derry tonight. Absolute madness. Images of the unrest on social media showed a car and van ablaze and hooded individuals throwing petrol bombs and fireworks at police vehicles. Police chief Mark Hamilton said Friday "a single gunman fired shots in a residential area of the city and as a result wounded Ms McKee". Some officials blamed Thursday's unrest on the "New IRA", a republican paramilitary group opposed to the shift towards non-violent tactics to bring about a united Ireland. The Saoradh party denies being the political wing of the New IRA (Irish Republican Army). Saoradh said Friday that "heavily armed" police went in to Creggan "to attack republicans in advance of upcoming Easter Rising Commemorations". "The inevitable reaction to such an incursion was resistance from the youth of Creggan," added the statement. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, believed to be the Emirates day-to-day ruler, is the only world leader included in Muellers cast-of-characters index. (Photo:AP) Dubai: One of the most powerful leaders in the United Arab Emirates has found himself entangled in special counsel Robert Muellers report on US President Donald Trump and Russian interference in Americas 2016 election. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, believed to be the Emirates day-to-day ruler, is the only world leader included in Muellers cast-of-characters index near the end of the 448-page report. His inclusion, stemming from his mysterious role in a 2017 meeting between a Trump associate and a Russian middleman for Vladimir Putin in the Seychelles, stands out from otherwise glancing references to the wider Mideast. But left unsaid or possibly redacted is what motivated the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula, to insert itself as a middleman in contacts between Trumps campaign and Russia. However, the reports release comes as the UAE backs Trumps maximalist policies against Iran and as Emirati officials have been on a blitz of meetings with American officials, showing the importance they still place on their relationship with him even as faces opposition. The Emiratis saw an opportunity for a do-over with the Americans with a new, incoming administration with a president they personally knew, said Ryan Bohl, an analyst with the Austin, Texas-based private intelligence firm Stratfor. They didnt take into account that other institutions, like the military, the State Department, Congress, would all have an opinion too. Emirati government officials did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press about Sheikh Mohammeds inclusion. However, it comes the same week that Sheikh Mohammed, 58, found himself included in Time Magazines 100 Most Influential People list. The ranking shows what has been known regionally for some time: that Sheikh Mohammed wields tremendous influence both home and abroad. Sheikh Mohammeds 71-year-old half-brother, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, remains the Emirates president and ruler and ruler of oil-rich Abu Dhabi but has been rarely seen since suffering a stroke in 2014. Sheikh Mohammed also maintains a tight relationship with neighboring Saudi Arabias own upstart crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. In a country where leaders rule absolutely, the Mueller report provides a brief glimpse into the deal-making and connections of the UAE. It puts Sheikh Mohammed at a luxury hotel in the Indian Ocean Seychelles islands in January 2017, just before Trumps inauguration, with his adviser George Nader. Nader is a Lebanese-American businessman convicted in a Czech Republic court in 2003 of multiple counts of sexually abusing minors, later would cooperate with Muellers investigation. This meeting put Kirill Dmitriev, the head of a Russian sovereign wealth fund close to Putin, face to face with Erik Prince, the founder of the private military firm Blackwater who had ties to Trump officials, according to the report. Dmitriev earlier had asked Nader for access to Trump transition team members, the report said. While initially distrustful of meeting Prince, Nader reportedly made a point to stress that Princes sister, Betsy DeVos, would become Trumps education secretary. Dmitriev told Nader that Putin would be very grateful to Nader and that a meeting would make history, the report said. What happened at the Jan. 11, 2017, meeting that Dmitriev, Nader and Prince attended remains unclear, in part due to a series of redactions in the report. However, in the released material Prince reportedly told Dmitriev to warn Putin not to get Russia involved in Libyas still-ongoing civil war. The Washington Post broke news of the meeting in April 2017. Prince, who reportedly has helped the UAE form its own mercenary forces, later told Congress the meeting was happenstance and that I didnt fly there to meet any Russian guy. Thats directly contradicted by Muellers report, which says Nadler set up the meeting with Prince ahead of time. Its unclear what implications Prince could face over the Mueller report. A request for comment to Princes new firm, Frontier Services Group, was not immediately answered. The rest of the Mideast gets far less attention in Muellers report. Theres mention of a U.N. Security Council vote calling on Israel to stop building settlements in Palestinian territory, a vote which former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn made calls to Russian officials about and later lied to investigators. Saudi Arabia is mentioned only in context of Trump showing staffers on Air Force One a resignation letter from then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions. However, the small UAE plays an oversized role in the report, as it does in Mideast politics due in part to its closeness to America. Some 5,000 American troops are stationed in the country, while Dubais Jebel Ali port remains the U.S. Navys busiest foreign port of call. Whats public from Muellers report does not elaborate on Sheikh Mohammeds role in the Seychelles meeting. However, Sheikh Mohammed also had sought a meeting in the U.S. with Trump transition officials before he entered the White House. But Sheikh Mohammed undoubtedly welcomed Trumps hard-line approach to Iran after President Barack Obamas administration signed onto Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers. And while Sheikh Mohammed hasnt been back to the U.S. for some time, the UAEs foreign minister and its minister of state for foreign affairs both have traveled to Washington in recent days. Trump also spoke by phone to Sheikh Mohammed on Thursday night after earlier vetoing a bill that called for the U.S. to pull its military support from the Saudi and Emirati war in Yemen. For now, the Emiratis know they have a strong ally in the White House, Bohl, the Stratfor analyst, said. What would be much more notable if we see them trying to reach out to potential Democratic successors as a backup plan for Trump. Cairo: Egyptians voted on Saturday in a referendum that aims to cement the rule of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the former coup leader who presents himself as a rock of stability. Voters were being asked to back amendments to the Constitution to allow Sisi, 64, to run for another six-year term while boosting his control over the judiciary and giving the military even greater influence in political life. The three-day referendum bucks the trend of North Africas mini-Arab Spring, in which mass pro-democracy protests this month swept away veteran presidents in Algeria and Sudan. Sisi himself was among the first to vote when polls opened, casting his ballot in Cairo suburb Heliopolis. In Shubra, dozens of voters, mostly women carrying their children, queued outside a polling station in the local school. In Cairo, troops and police were deployed in numbers although the interior ministry denied to give any nationwide figures. Egypt is still battling a jihaidst insurgency based in the Sinai Peninsula that has seen attacks in Cairo and other cities. Sisi argued that he needs longer to complete the job of restoring security and stability after the turmoil that followed the overthrow of veteran autocrat Hosni Mubarak in the Arab Spring of 2011. Out on the streets, his supporters waved flags bearing their campaign motto: "Do the Right," as they pressed passers-by to turn out and vote 'Yes'. Indian energy giant Adani has urged the Australian government to give its controversial coal mine project "a fair go" and indicated that the opposition party would not derail the proposed billion dollar project if it comes to power. The Gautam Adani-led Adani Group entered Australia in 2010 with the purchase of the greenfield Carmichael coal mine in the Galilee Basin in central Queensland, and the Abbot Point port near Bowen in the north. The massive coal mine in Queensland state has been a controversial topic, with the project expected to produce 2.3 billion tonnes of low-quality coal. ''All we're every asking for a fair go and to be treated like everyone else. I think at certain points, that has not been the case. We're certainly not whinging about it. We just want to get on with it now. We want a fair go," Adani Mining chief executive officer Lucas Dow, told Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He said the sort of scrutiny that the project was facing on the management plans was unprecedented. The Adani project which still requires to clear few more approvals from the Queensland Government, including groundwater modelling, recently received the clearance from federal government for development. Commenting if the mine project could run any risk if the Labor Party comes to power, Dow said "I think (Federal Labor) has been crystal clear that if they are to form government they won't be in the habit of creating sovereign risk by ripping up the existing approvals." He said that he was satisfied by recent assurances given by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and his Treasury spokesman Chris Bowen. "Shorten and Bowen have been at pains to say...they won't be creating sovereign risk and potential compensation requirements," he said. The federal approval came just before Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the federal election are set for next month. Dow denied directly lobbying with the Prime Minister for the final approval before the election announcement and said, ''We provided updates on both sides of politics, to be able to give people clarity in terms of exactly where our project was up to, what we need to be able to do, to be able to then step in and start delivering jobs for thousands of Queenslanders.'' Meanwhile, environmental groups have continued their campaign against the mine. "We don't really know why these approvals were granted in such a rush," Christian Slattery of Australian Conservation Foundation said, adding "We have big concerns about the integrity of that process given that there was substantial pressure on the minister from other members of the Government." Last year, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten indicated the party's "skeptical" stance towards the project but said the approvals will not be revoked even if they win. "We don't know what they'll be up to by the time we get into government. So we'll deal with facts and the situation we're presented with if we win the election in 24 weeks' time," he said. "We'll be making decisions at that point based on the national interest. Of course we're not interested in sovereign risk or breaking contracts. We'll be guided by the best science and the national interest." Carmichael would be the largest coal mine in Australian and one of the biggest in the world. The Coalition has been split over the project - rural Queensland MPs have been strongly supportive, while urban Liberals have worried it could damage their electoral chances. The Opposition has been walking a similar political tightrope as it seeks to capture seats in central Queensland while holding off inner-city Greens challengers. Adani said last year it would fully fund the coal mine and rail project itself but did not give an updated estimate of the cost of the mine. The mine previously estimated at about USD 2.9 billion. I have no lingering association with Weimar, apart from the fact that Ive travelled sporadically there, and yet, of late, my thoughts turn frequently to the place. That the city is a hotbed of arts and culture with celebrated souls like Goethe having lived and worked here is among the reasons Ive visited it. What exerts the strongest pull at the moment is the fact that the Bauhaus one of the worlds most influential movements that had enormous impact on architecture, design, craft, art and policy around the world, was founded here in Weimar. Think of the adjustable reading lamp you own, the classic modern home with its geometric lines and functional design, constructed from largely prefabricated elements and you sense the seed sown by the Bauhaus. Walter Gropius founded this multidisciplinary school at Weimar in 1919, with the aim of dissolving the distinction between the fine and the applied arts. He urged his students to create a complete work of art that united arts, craft and technology in its production. Long years In 2019, Germany will celebrate 100 years of the movement. How this translates is that, in Weimar and in the surrounding countryside of Jena, Erfurt, Gera and other big-daddy centres of the Bauhaus movement Dessau chiefly a range of events have begun to unfold. Here, opening of new museums, unique exhibitions and displays. There, all permutations of tours to historical venues. Elsewhere, testimonials through architecture and the showcasing of artistic works in gallery spaces. In short, plenty of opportunities to walk through the history of Bauhaus and modernism. My trail in Weimar begins at the University (former Arts School) where Walter Gropius, founding father, pursued the desire to synthesise life, art and craft. Student-led walking tours take visitors across the campus, discussing the history of the Bauhaus while illuminating significant sights a mural by Oskar Schlemmer, a reproduction of the modernist composition that is the directors room, which Walter Gropius designed in 1923. On the trail of the early Bauhaus, youd do well to visit the pioneering Haus Hohe Pappeln. This whimsical structure, lived in by architect and pioneer of the Bauhaus, Henry Van de Velde, features an asymmetrical facade with edges, angles, and projecting elements everywhere. The Haus Hohe Pappeln, built by Belgian art nouveau architect, designer and painter Henry Van De Velde. The reason for the whimsical shape is that Van de Velde planned the house from inside out the shape determined by the layout of the interior rooms, evolving from the activities unfolding within them. I sense the meaning of the words A complete work of art in the strategic arrangement of rooms that follow the light of the sun, and in the harmonious, balanced interiors. Im assured that there will opportunities to experience this successful combination of utility and beauty in Bauhaus Museum, scheduled to open this month. On display will be design classics like the teapot by Marianne Brandt, the lattice chair by Marcel Breuer, ceramics by Theodor Bogler walking one through a comprehensive overview of the genesis of functional design. But what makes the whole greater than the sum of these form-follows-function parts is that they provoke an examination of the designs of everyday life through multimedia and interactive exhibits. A half-an-hour drive away in University-city Jena, I make for the Mensa Canteen building. The cubical, steel-framed building with its flat roof, large window surfaces and red brick facade is another example of unified design. Nearby the Auerbach house makes compelling viewing as one of the most evocative examples of the beginning of Neues Bauhaus for residential buildings. This arrangement of asymmetrical cubic construction, large windows, a flat, partially accessible roof all geometric in structure, and accompanied by thoughtful detailing from the built-in cupboards to the wall-mounted bookshelves are distinct elements of the new building style. Break up that nose-to-tail feast of architecture with a stop at the Philisterium, the cafe in Jenas Municipal Museum. Coffee and cake on Van de Velde replica porcelain is the treat here. A break There are plenty of other stops that one can make on the Bauhaus trail, but with limited time on hand, it is to Dessau that I elect to go. A one-and-a-half hour drive from Weimar, this is the city most closely associated with the Bauhaus. It was here that the three key directors Walter Gropius, Hannes Meyer and Mies van der Rohe lived and worked in the movements most creative phase. The Bauhaus Building, Dessau, Germany. Photos by author The city is home to a most significant cluster of icons of 20th-century architecture. The Bauhaus Building, a haiku of concrete, glass and steel, with its interlocking cubic forms and curtain wall of glass came to be regarded as a paragon of modern classicism and industrial design. The form of each part of the building was determined by its function and hence designed and arranged asymmetrically. The furniture is lightweight and appears as if drawn in space, communicating the desire for movement. The building has no hierarchy of space or central viewpoint, and in order to experience the whole, one must wander and explore. I have a cluster of experiences over the next few days. An introduction to the new Bauhaus museum scheduled to open in Dessau in September 2019. A chance to witness a spot of Bauhaus Ballet or the Triadic Ballet, first staged by Oskar Schlemmer in 1922. A packed walking tour that includes a visit to the Masters Houses homes to Gropius, Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and a litany of other Bauhausiers. Their collaboration through art, dance, music, design and architecture, pushed boundaries on the familiar, and sparked new imaginative artistic forms and agendas including ones intended to lessen social disparity through the kind of housing it made possible, as and when required. The further into the Bauhaus movement you delve, the more youll discover. I spend the flight home reflecting on one of the eternal philosophical questions posed by the Bauhaus, How do we want to live together today? BOISE, Idaho Health officials in Idaho say anyone who used an on-board restroom during a Greyhound bus trip from Salt Lake City to Boise on April 10 might have been exposed to hepatitis A. The Central District Health Department in Idaho is asking anyone who used the restroom to contact them to get information about potential exposure. The district says riders on the bus from Utah to Idaho who were exposed could receive a vaccine to protect them from the virus through April 23. Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver spread through the feces of an infected person. Most infected adults suffer fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice symptoms that usually end within two months of infection. SALT LAKE CITY It was her first comic con event, and Linda Larkin had no idea what to expect. Well known for voicing Princess Jasmine in the 1992 Disney animated classic Aladdin, Larkin was used to the isolation of a recording studio. She wasnt used to the constant interactions with fans. Which is why the voice actress found herself in a jam at the Indianapolis Comic Con in 2015. Doing a panel with Paige OHara, the voice of Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Larkin received a question that caught her off guard: Who was the biggest inspiration in your childhood? I didnt really have an answer; it was my very first time doing this, Larkin recalled. And I was like, I dont know, Im going to have to get back to you on that. That response didnt sit well with at least one fan. After Larkins nonanswer, a woman convincingly dressed as the villainous Ursula from The Little Mermaid raised her voice and shouted, Oh come on, Linda! (I thought), Im getting heckled by Ursula, Larkin said. It was very funny. Four years later, Larkin, who will appear at FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention April 19-20, is much more comfortable in the comic con world and has come up with an answer to that fan's question. (I remember thinking back then), Should it be a celebrity? Should it be connected to my childhood or connected to Hollywood?" the voice actress said. I really didnt have an answer. As I have been asked that question many times since then, I realize the biggest inspirations in my childhood were the strong women in my life: my mother, my grandmother, my dance teacher. Thats the real answer, and it doesnt have to be anything but the real answer. But at that time I just didnt know what to say. Getting heckled by Ursula hasnt kept Larkin away from fan conventions. Since that first event in Indianapolis, the voice actress has traveled as far as Australia and New Zealand to celebrate Princess Jasmine. This is one of the reasons that I keep doing this, because you dont know what stories people are going to come up and share with you, she said. And this is something that really makes it special for me, because Ive worked in a recording studio for most of my life and I am realizing, after years of doing these comic cons, how what I did by myself in an isolated studio the reach that that has had and the impact that it has had on people all around the world. Larkin was 21 when she voiced Princess Jasmine, and although shed been doing commercials and voiceovers since she was 18, Aladdin was her first animated gig. At the time, she thought it would be a one-and-done deal. But nearly three decades later, the 49-year-old Larkin whose voice still has a youthful quality continues to voice Princess Jasmine in new projects such as last year's Ralph Breaks the Internet. It really hit me back in November of 2018, standing at the El Capitan Theatre for the premiere of Ralph Breaks the Internet, she said. If you told me 26 years ago that I would be back here at the El Capitan Theatre for the premiere of another Disney animated feature where I was still playing Jasmine, my mind wouldve been blown. I would not have known how we got there. Its been a continuous journey from that day to now and to whatever we will do in the future. With Larkin having a career based largely on being the voice of Princess Jasmine, it would be understandable for the voice actress to be nervous about Disneys live-action Aladdin, which hits theaters May 24. But Larkin, who hopes to attend the films premiere, doesnt believe the movie will detract in the least from her longtime role as Jasmine. I think that people will fall in love with 'Aladdin' (after) seeing the live-action film people who maybe havent seen the original animated film, she said. And those people will want to go back and see the animated film as well. So I think it really creates an even broader appeal for all versions of the story. And thanks to events like Salt Lake's FanX, Larkin knows that even with the buzz surrounding the new Aladdin, her role as the original Princess Jasmine will never diminish. To be Jasmine for three decades is something better than I could have ever imagined for myself, she said. Its not something that I ever feel anything but grateful for. If you go What: FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention Spring 2019 When: Friday, April 19, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, April 20, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Where: Salt Palace Convention Center, 100 S. West Temple How much: $40-$200 Web: fanxsaltlake.com SALT LAKE CITY Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren has called for the House of Representatives to start impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. In a series of tweets, Warren said the findings of special counsel Robert Muellers report encouraged her to call for impeachment. Read the full statement below. The Mueller report lays out facts showing that a hostile foreign government attacked our 2016 election to help Donald Trump and Donald Trump welcomed that help. Once elected, Donald Trump obstructed the investigation into that attack. Mueller put the next step in the hands of Congress: Congress has authority to prohibit a Presidents corrupt use of his authority in order to protect the integrity of the administration of justice. The correct process for exercising that authority is impeachment. To ignore a Presidents repeated efforts to obstruct an investigation into his own disloyal behavior would inflict great and lasting damage on this country, and it would suggest that both the current and future Presidents would be free to abuse their power in similar ways. The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty. That means the House should initiate impeachment proceedings against the President of the United States. The Mueller report lays out facts showing that a hostile foreign government attacked our 2016 election to help Donald Trump and Donald Trump welcomed that help. Once elected, Donald Trump obstructed the investigation into that attack. Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 19, 2019 Warren will be the first 2020 presidential candidate to announce her feelings on impeachment. Deeper dive: CNN reporter MJ Lee reported that Warren made her decision hours after visiting Salt Lake City. Lee said she was told that Warren began reading the redacted Mueller report on the plane from Salt Lake City to Boston. She continued reading into the night after getting home, and when she was finished, felt it was her duty publicly say what she just tweeted, Lee tweeted. Lee reported that Warrens decision to call on impeachment proceedings does not mean that the topic will become (a) central theme of her 2020 campaign going forward Warren plans to continue to rolling out major policy proposals. Am told that Warren, who was flying back to Boston from Salt Lake City yesterday, began reading the redacted Mueller report on the plane. She continued reading into the night after getting home, and when she was finished, felt it was her duty publicly say what she just tweeted MJ Lee (@mj_lee) April 19, 2019 Warren visited Salt Lake City on Wednesday for a campaign stop, the Deseret News reported. Warren spoke about Utahs national parks. She also criticized the Trump administration for agreeing to contracts to drill on public lands. Warren also talked about her proposal for people to post their tax returns online, which appears to be a measure aimed at the president, too. GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, who is the niece of Utah, Sen. Mitt Romney issued her response, according to CBS News. ".@realDonaldTrump was just exonerated after TWO YEARS of Democrat lies. Democrats' calls for impeachment have been bogus all along, but Elizabeth Warren is proving how truly desperate they are to appeal to their radical base," McDaniel wrote. SALT LAKE CITY On Friday, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that renovations to the Salt Lake Temple and Temple Square will begin in December 2019 and take four years to complete, the Deseret News reported. The temple is scheduled to reopen in 2024. The Salt Lake Temple has had its share of famous visitors through the years. In addition to famous Temple Square visitors such as John F. Kennedy, James Taylor, Yo-Yo Ma and David McCullough, here are a few of the other notable visitors. 1. President Ulysses S. Grant President Grant was the first of several United States presidents to visit Temple Square. Grant stopped in Utah after visiting Colorado in 1875. According to a 2011 Deseret News article, Grant met Brigham Young, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while on the train to Salt Lake City. Upon meeting him, President Young said, "President Grant this is the first time I have ever seen a president of my country." 2. Oscar Wilde The acclaimed writer visited Temple Square on April 10, 1882. While visiting, Wilde gave a speech on aesthetics. Although, according to a 1995 Deseret News article, Wilde wasn't enamored by Temple Square's architecture. He later said, "The Tabernacle was the shape of a soup kettle with decorations suitable for a jail." Wilde also wasn't much of a hit in Utah. One Deseret News reviewer at the time said, "The lecture was without strength or argument, was delivered in the most flabby and meaningless manner imaginable." 3. President Theodore Roosevelt In 1903, President Roosevelt became the first U.S. president to speak at the Tabernacle. 4. Queen Liliuokalani Temple Square has also hosted royalty. Queen Liluokalani of Hawaii visited Utah at least twice. Her name is in the register records on Temple Square for Nov. 26, 1896. 5. Buffalo Bill Col. W.F. Cody, also known as Buffalo Bill, was invited to the Tabernacle on Temple Square for an organ recital on Aug. 14, 1902. He was already in town for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Cody was impressed by Temple Square. "The most marvelous building, all things considered, I was ever in," he said in a Deseret News article published at the time. He also complimented the organist: "Why, he makes that grand old organ talk." 6. Edward Herrmann Actor Edward Herrmann was probably best known for his roles as Richard Gilmore in "Gilmore Girls," As FDR in "Eleanor and Franklin" and as Grant Stayton III in the romantic comedy "Overboard." This Emmy and Tony award-winning actor came to Temple Square in 2008 when he performed with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for their Christmas concert. He narrated the New Testament Christmas story and "Longfellows Christmas." [https://www.youtube.com/watch?time\\\_continue=170&v=XJQ2ajszyhU\](https://www.youtube.com/watch?time\_continue=170&v=XJQ2ajszyhU) 7. Angela Lansbury The world renowned Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square have attracted many celebrity performers to Temple Square over the years. Four-time Tony award-winner Angela Lansbury was a featured guest for their 2001 Christmas concert. After the performance Lansbury said, "I didnt realize that I was going to be hit by this extraordinary spirit. I havent experienced this before. Its quite unique, people doing something for the love of it. 8. Sutton Foster Actress and Broadway star Sutton Foster performed with the choir and orchestra for their 2017 Christmas concert. She sang many classic carols including "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Christmas Time is Here" and "Angels We Have Heard on High." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBzDBiV5OB0 9. Hugh Bonneville Hugh Bonneville visited Temple Square when he performed in the same concert as Foster. Bonneville is known by many for playing Robert Crawley on "Downton Abbey." He said coming to Temple Square to perform with the choir and orchestra was an honor. To us from out of town, its quite an experience to come into this vast arena, which all at the same time feels like a home, Bonneville said. 10. Kristin Chenoweth Kristin Chenoweth, best known for her role as Glinda in the Broadway musical "Wicked," also performed for the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. She sang with them in 2018 and said she had watched the choir while growing up. This is a bucket list. Its the music that draws me in every time, so for me its part of my DNA. Im so honored to be here celebrating the birth of Christ, Chenoweth said. 11. Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper were on tour for their AC2 show in 2017 when they made a quick stop to take in the sights at Temple Square. In an Instagram post with the two of them in front of the Salt Lake City Temple, Cohen said Salt Lake City was beautiful. https://www.instagram.com/p/BVLL6JzDp0U/?hl=en SALT LAKE CITY Beginning May 4, both TRAX passengers and vehicle traffic will be diverted around an $8.5 million monthlong project to replace aging portions of the light rail track downtown. The Utah Transit Authority detailed plans Friday to re-route passengers on the Green, Blue and Red lines during three phases of construction on Main Street between 150 South and 400 South expected to last until June 2. "This is probably UTA's most significant repair project since TRAX first opened in December 1999," Eddy Cumins, the transit authority's chief operating officer, said. "The tracks and switches in this area have been in service for almost 20 years." Working around the clock between the City Center and Courthouse stations will allow the project to be completed in four weeks "as opposed to months of ongoing disruption," Cumins said. All businesses in the area will remain open throughout the construction. But there will be impacts on TRAX passengers as well as drivers traveling through downtown. "This is a disruption to everyone's traffic routes that they normally go through as well as our riders," James Larson, a UTA communications specialist, said. "It basically cuts all our three lines in half." Transferring to shuttle buses or walking around the construction area could add 10 to 30 minutes to TRAX trips, Larson said, while vehicle traffic will be diverted for road closures, including from I-15. Some FrontRunner connections and bus routes will also be affected. Volunteers will be on hand and UTA will also be utilizing social media, including Twitter, to assist customers, he said. Information on the project is available online at rideuta.com/construction. Nighttime preparations are already being made for the project to replace the track junction at Main Street and 400 South and four turnouts on Main Street and 150 South that could result in lane closures between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. UTA Project Manager Greg Thorpe said the new track junction will be quieter. He said the project was scheduled to start once the University of Utah is out of session and is expected to be completed just in time for the annual Utah Pride Parade on June 2. Thorpe said another TRAX track replacement project is planned for July, but may involve only weekend shutdowns. SALT LAKE CITY Sen. Mitt Romney said Friday he was "sickened" by the conduct of President Donald Trump detailed in the Mueller report, which the one-time presidential candidate described as "a sobering revelation." Romney, R-Utah, joined at least two other GOP senators publicly criticizing Trump in the wake of special counsel Robert Mueller's report on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. The trio broke ranks with the White House and other Republican lawmakers who have limited their remarks to expressing vindication and relief that the report didn't find criminal evidence against Trump. The first-term senator did say that he, too, was "glad" Attorney General William Barr found "insufficient evidence to charge the president of the United States with having conspired with a foreign adversary or with having obstructed justice. "The alternative would have taken us through a wrenching process with the potential for constitutional crisis. The business of government can move on." But Romney, as he has been wont to do since Trump became the frontrunner in 2016, didn't spare the president a harsh assessment of conduct by Trump and his campaign that was detailed in the 488-page redacted report released Thursday. "I am sickened at the extent and pervasiveness of dishonesty and misdirection by individuals in the highest office of the land, including the president," the statement said. "I am also appalled that, among other things, fellow citizens working in a campaign for president welcomed help from Russia including information that had been illegally obtained; that none of them acted to inform American law enforcement; and that the campaign chairman was actively promoting Russian interests in Ukraine." I am sickened at the extent and pervasiveness of dishonesty and misdirection by individuals in the highest office of the land, including the president. Mitt Romney Mueller's report examined 10 episodes of potential obstruction by Trump, who pressured aides to fire and replace Mueller, lie to the news media and otherwise derail the investigation. The presidents efforts to influence the investigation were mostly unsuccessful, but that is largely because the persons who surrounded the president declined to carry out orders or accede to his requests, the report said. Mueller also found Trump's campaign was eager to obtain "the dirt" Russians claimed to have had on Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, although the report found no conclusive evidence of the Trump campaign conspiring with Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign. Reading the report is a sobering revelation of how far we have strayed from the aspirations and principles of the founders, Romney's statement concluded. GOP Sens. Rob Portman, of Ohio, and Susan Collins, of Maine, were more cautious in their condemnations of Trump's conduct detailed in the report. "Portman characterized some of the actions of the president and those around the president as inappropriate but not criminal. Even on obstruction of justice, Portman worded his statement carefully, noting others had concluded there was not "sufficient evidence" for charges not that Trump was cleared," the Cincinnati Inquirer reported. Grid View President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk across the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, April 18, 2019, to board Marine One for a short trip to Andrews Air Force Base, Md. They are spending the Easter weekend in Florida. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik An American flag flies outside the Department of Justice early Thursday, April 18, 2019, in Washington. The Justice Department on Thursday is expected to release a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian election interference and President Donald Trump's campaign. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Patrick Semansky Attorney General William Barr leaves his home in McLean, Va., on Wednesday morning, April 17, 2019. Special counsel Robert Mueller's redacted report on Russian interference in the 2016 election is expected to be released publicly on Thursday and has said he is redacting four types of information from the report. Congressional Democrats are demanding to see the whole document and its evidence. (AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz) Sait Serkan Gurbuz Attorney General William Barr speaks alongside Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein about the release of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report during a news conference, Thursday, April 18, 2019, at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Patrick Semansky Attorney General William Barr speaks alongside Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, right, and acting Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Edward O'Callaghan, left, about the release of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report during a news conference, Thursday, April 18, 2019, at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Patrick Semansky Special counsel Robert Mueller's redacted report on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election is photographed Thursday, April 18, 2019, in Washington. The photos in the report show George Papadopoulos and others in meetings. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick) Jon Elswick Attorney General William Barr speaks about the release of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report during a news conference, Thursday, April 18, 2019, at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Patrick Semansky The White House at sunrise in Washington, Thursday, April 18, 2019, as the Mueller report is expected to be released later this morning. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik President Donald Trump speaks at a Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride event in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, April 18, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik Attorney General William Barr leaves his home in McLean, Va., on Thursday morning, April 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz) Sait Serkan Gurbuz President Donald Trump gives a 'thumbs-up' as he prepares to board Air Force One, Thursday, April 18, 2019, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. President Trump is traveling to his Mar-a-lago estate to spend the Easter weekend in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais The dome of the U.S. Capitol early Thursday, April 18, 2019, in Washington. The Justice Department is expected to release a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian election interference and President Donald Trump's campaign. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Patrick Semansky FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2013, file photo, former FBI Director Robert Mueller is seated at FBI Headquarters in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File) Charles Dharapak This combination of images shows the entire redacted report by special counsel Robert Mueller's released Thursday, April 18, 2019, by special Attorney General William Barr. (Department of Justice via AP) AP Journalists take photographs of the television broadcast monitors in the press room of the White House in Washington of Attorney General William Barr speaks alongside Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, right, and Deputy Attorney General Ed O'Callaghan, rear left, about the release of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report April 18, 2019, Thursday, April 18, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais Attorney General William Barr speaks about the release of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report during a news conference, Thursday, April 18, 2019, at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Patrick Semansky Special counsel Robert Mueller drives away from his Washington home on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Outstanding questions about the special counsel's Russia investigation have not stopped President Donald Trump and his allies from declaring victory. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf) Kevin Wolf Collins called the report's details of Trump trying to get Mueller fired "disturbing" and "an unflattering portrayal of the president, according to Maine Public Radio. Other Republicans have avoided observations on the details of the Mueller report and instead pointed out that no evidence was found to charge the president with a crime. Any criticisms have been leveled by Democrats who see the Mueller report as an invitation to continue investigating. Romney's harsher rebuke of Trump is consistent with past statements when the 2012 GOP presidential nominee called then-candidate Trump a "phony" and a "fraud" in a failed attempt to encourage fellow Republicans to find another nominee. During his Senate campaign, Romney called out Trump's temperament and character. And before he was sworn in as senator, Romney penned an op-ed in The Washington Post blasting Trump for not rising "to the mantle of the office." While that could create problems for senators up for reelection in states where Trump has a strong base of support, polls have shown that Utahns want Romney to call out Trump. According to an Associated Press poll in late 2018, most Utah voters 64 percent would like to see Romney confront the president. And a more recent poll found if Romney ran again for president, he would easily beat Trump in Utah. Washington, D.C. is quieter this week as Congress is closed for the two-week Easter break. Lawmakers have gone home and even the sea of lobbyists in this town have become quiet. The talk or buzz has shifted to the 2020 presidential race. The news media is focusing on the 20-plus citizens running for president. Most of them do not yet have national recognition or a high chance of winning. Why do so many run? And more importantly, how can a conscientious voter get to know 20-plus presidential candidates? The challengers to President Trump will get a lot of publicity as the national media is in an irrational, anti-Trump fever. Whoever opposes Trump on anything will get a huge amount of priceless publicity. I think the biggest tragedy of the Trump era is that we have lost objectivity and balanced reporting by some of our most reliable, old news sources. President Trump deserves and indeed causes some of his bad press. But our national media will not grant him even a sentence of credit for some of the many good things he has accomplished. So many candidates run because they believe lightning might strike and they would win, as outsiders President Carter and President Trump demonstrated. Some run because they genuinely believe they might become president. However, others run to get increased recognition, to espouse some issues, and to become a more effective senator or public servant. Running will usually enhance a career and is an opportunity to express ones self on national issues. I could use myself as an example of why so many run. In 1980, I was an announced candidate for the Republican nomination for president of the United States. Having been the first Vietnam veteran elected to the U.S. Senate, I was asked by several Vietnam veteran groups to run for president to help raise the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder, Agent Orange and several other unique Vietnam veterans issues. At that time, veterans were not popular we had a negative profile. My fellow Vietnam veterans hoped that my running might improve veterans of getting at least equal treatment of World War II veterans in educational and housing benefits. I had to drop out of the race after six months because of lack of funding, but my campaign is credited with being a start to the 180-degree turnaround of the publics impression of Vietnam veterans. So I am deeply proud that my candidacy did serve a most worthwhile cause. And the lightning that the current candidates are hoping for did a strike, but too late. Just a few weeks after I dropped out of the presidential race, the ABSCAM bribery matter surfaced which showed me on live tape emphatically turning down a bribe. I was never a target of the sting operation, but one of my fundraisers helping me raise money to pay off my presidential campaign debt mistakenly took me to an alleged Arab political action committee where I was offered $50,000 to introduce legislation to bring certain people into the U.S. I emphatically turned the bribe down and said on tape, I would never do anything in exchange for a campaign contribution. It turns out that the Arab political action committee were FBI agents and about 15 congressmen and senators took bribes from them, and several went to jail. When all the tapes became public, the national media and Walter Cronkite in particular made me a national hero for a few days. I responded by saying, If turning down a bribe is heroic what have we come to? It is all forgotten now, but the publicity of turning down that bribe on tape made me a national figure for a few days and one poll in New Hampshire showed me running just behind Ronald Reagan were I to re-enter the race of 12 candidates. But by that time I was exhausted and still had a campaign debt, so I never re-entered. Alan Dershowitz at the Harvard Law School used me as an example of ethical behavior in all his classes and I received amazing editorial praise from the world. To this day people come up to me and say I saw you turn down that bribe so emphatically on TV I am glad I ran. In losing I helped my my fellow Vietnam veterans. And as Sen. Barry Goldwater wrote me later, your integrity was a priceless example to our nation. How is all this relevant to the 20 present candidates? It shows how losing a presidential race can sometimes enhance ones reputation and a cause such as veterans recognition. And that is why we must endure listening to 20-plus candidates. It is part of our vibrant democracy. The biggest job will be for citizens to listen carefully and to choose wisely. If I had to predict I would say it will narrow down to two Trump and Sanders. And Trump wins. But proverbial "lightning" might strike and we will have a totally different surprise outcome. That is why so many candidates are running. SALT LAKE CITY Last April Cindy Taufa, then a single mother of eight, was given just 30 days notice to move out of her Salt Lake duplex after the landlord unexpectedly sold the building. Six of her children attend schools within the Salt Lake City School District and Taufa said it was difficult to get them to school while struggling with the instability of homelessness. One year later, now working two jobs as a certified nursing assistant and raising nine children with the addition of a grandchild, Taufa lives with her children in a six-bedroom Salt Lake house all thanks to Utah Community Action's school outreach homeless program. "It's just made it a lot easier for me to be able to have the stability I need to raise my kids," Taufa, who moved into the house in February, said Tuesday. "And have them constantly in school whereas it was harder for us to get them to school even on time or even at all without a place to stay." Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski announced Tuesday a donation of $105,808 from the citys Funding Our Future sales-tax initiative to keep the organizations school-based homelessness program operating. Taufa said living in her own place is "less stressful" and the stability's made a big difference in her kid's lives as well. "It's a lot more relaxed and my kids are relaxed," she said. "I see that they're happier and they don't worry so much and they're not arguing as much, which is great." Lauralee Duarte, Taufa's case manager in the program, said she gets excited when she sees families placed into housing. "They don't just get housed, they get an opportunity to be a family again without all that chaos around them," Duarte said. The city partnered with Utah Community Action and the Salt Lake City School District to continue to enhance its school-based homelessness program. The grant is expected to target a minimum of 12 households that meet the McKinney-Veto definition of homelessness, which includes those "couch-surfing" and living in cars. Additionally families must be at or below 40 percent of the area's median income and have at least one school-aged child enrolled in Salt Lake City School District to qualify. "The heart of this program are the students in our city schools," Biskupski said. "Young people who are doing all they can to stay focused on their studies and trying to live normal lives." Salt Lake City Councilman Andrew Johnston said funding projects like this is important, even if it means some things in the city might be a little more expensive. "I want to thank the citizens of Salt Lake City and all those who come to Salt Lake and help with our sales tax, because that's the way we can help fund these things and it's meaningful," he said. "When we pay a little extra for our amenities downtown, it helps families in very deep ways." The funding will help build on a pilot program initiated in 2017 through the partnership of the school district and Utah Community Action, aimed at addressing a gap in the homeless system, according to Patrice Dickson, chief operations officer of social services for the community agency. "This program provides eligible families with case management, short to medium term rental assistance and connections to UCA's other programs," she said. "Having a stable home greatly impacts the student's ability to succeed in school." The pilot program has served 51 families, with a total of 121 school-age children, who have met the requirements since its inception in 2017. Of those 51 families, 25 have secured housing and the organization is working with the remaining families to secure housing, Dickson said. "I didn't realize how many families there are that actually do need this kind of help until (I) was in it," Taufa said. Mike Harman, Salt Lake City School District homeless education liaison, said he works closely with families experiencing homelessness and knows how greatly children can be impacted by it. "As an educational institution, we don't have the organizational capacity or the resources to provide housing," he said. "But through this partnership, we now have additional tools that we can refer families to get the support that they need when they're facing a housing crisis." SALT LAKE CITY When Brad Fritz saw the carjacking happening Tuesday, he had no hesitation as he accelerated, driving to the other side of the road to park in front of Joanna Kingston's car. "There was no question I was going to help," Fritz said. At that point, he did not know there were kids in the car. Fritz said once he noticed he stayed in his white truck in front of the car, ready if the suspect tried to drive off. On Friday, South Salt Lake police executive officer Gary Keller called Fritz a hero and a good Samaritan for his role in thwarting the attempted carjacking Tuesday evening. The agency held a news conference to honor him. Kingston and her family brought him a large fruit basket with a note to thank him, saying if he had not been there the attacker could have gotten away or been more aggressive toward her. "Thank you so much, it really did help a lot to know that there was someone out to help us out," Kingston told Fritz. Kingston said she and three siblings, Janice, 9, Jane, 10, and Jack, 12, were heading to a birthday party when they saw a man walking in the road. She honked to alert him to get out of her way and he turned, heading straight toward her car. She quickly parked the car and tried to lock the doors, however, she wasn't able to lock her door in time. She said after the attacker opened the door, he asked Kingston to get out and reached over to unbuckle her seat belt. Kingston said she told him no multiple times. He proceeded to pull her out of the car. "When he grabbed my neck thats when it started to hurt so thats when I just let go of the steering wheel and got out," Kingston said. She stood by the door as man got in the driver's seat, and then reached over him to grab the keys from the car. "My main goal was to stop him from driving the car because if he drives away with the kids in the back, Id probably never see them again," Kingston said. Kingston said she is doing better, but still kind of in shock a few days after the incident. Fritz called Kingston "the brave one," saying she did all the right things, including getting out of the way after the would-be carjacker turned his attention to Fritz and got out of the car and began pounding on his truck window. Kingston got back in her car and drove off. "She used her head and she did a very, very outstanding job in saving those kids," Fritz said. Police responding to the scene had to use a Taser to detain the man. Christopher Medina-Izarra was booked into jail for investigation of aggravated robbery, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Keller said Medina-Izarra had been in a fight with his wife, who stopped the car for him to get out and locked the doors so he could not get back in. He was wandering through the traffic on the street when he allegedly attempted to hijack Kingston's car. SALT LAKE CITY A jury found a West Jordan man guilty of shooting and killing a Unified police dog in 2017 after roughly two hours of deliberation Friday. Torey Massey, 30, of West Jordan, faces up to five years in prison for the death of Dingo, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois who was nearing retirement. "The verdict today and the jury's quick deliberation and quick decision provided some vindication," the dog's handler, Chad Reyes, said. "Dingo was my best friend, my partner and my protector, but he really belonged to the public. He was the citizen of Salt Lake County's police dog and protector." Reyes, now deputy chief of the Herriman Police Department, held back tears Thursday on the stand as he recalled finding the dog with bullet wounds and rushing him to a Millcreek hospital. Prosecutors argued Massey fired several rounds at the dog after the K-9 lunged at him and the two tumbled down a steep slope on July 6, 2017. Reyes visited Dingo's gravesite Friday, a place he's returned to many times to visit one of his closest friends. "I really feel like I carry him with me every day, for sure," Reyes said. The dog "really was part of our family," he explained. "A lot of scientific types will argue that dogs aren't capable of self-sacrifice," according to the handler. But "I'm certain that he willingly put himself in jeopardy." Massey was convicted of two counts of possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a first-degree felony; and killing a police service animal, a third-degree felony. He was also found guilty of two counts of failing to stop at an officer's command. Prosecutors dismissed other charges of drug possession and theft charges, in part because the burglary victim moved out of the country. Aldo, another Unified K-9 that was slain in 2016, and Dingo inspired lawmakers last year to strengthen penalties for killing police service dogs. The offense is now a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for June 17. Contributing: Alex Cabrero Correction: A previous version said police K-9 Aldo died in 2019. He was shot and killed in 2016. FULLERTON, Calif. A pilot killed in a fiery plane crash at a Southern California airport has been identified as a 48-year-old Utah man. Robert Kenner Ellis, 48, moved to Heber City in January after living and working as a dentist in Tustin, his mother, Sandra Ellis told KTLA. She said he would fly back and forth from his new home to his dental practice twice a week. She described her son was "smart, loving and talented" and said he took an interest in mechanics at an early age. "All I can say is, he died doing what he liked to do, and you can't knock him for that," Sandra Ellis said, adding that he leaves behind a wife and four sons. The family, devout members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she said, is "doing OK." "We have a strong feeling about life and death in the Mormon church it's not as devastating as you think it might be," Sandra Ellis told the TV station. "I've always had the feeling that people never really are gone, they're just always in another place. It's not like you've lost them forever." Robert Ellis was in the process of taking off from the Fullerton Municipal Airport, southeast of Los Angeles, on Thursday at about 7:50 p.m. The Orange County Sheriff's Office reported that the plane was going 80 mph and was just 15 feet above ground when it crashed and burst into flames. His flight plan had him landing in Heber City later that night. FAA spokesman Ian Gregor says the plane rolled to the left and caught fire. Video showed the aircraft burning in a fireball. The wings and tail were incinerated. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Contributing: Associated Press Joseph Runs Through, of the Assiniboine Tribe, dances in the Grand Entry of the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Isaiah Bob, of the Navajo Tribe, and Xavier Bolton, of the Blackfoot Tribe, fist-bump before dancing at the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Dancers perform in the Grand Entry at the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Latanya Robinson, of the Navajo Tribe, dances in the Grand Entry of the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Xavier Bolton, 13, of the Blackfoot Tribe, dances in the Grand Entry of the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Dowawisnima Groves, 11, center, gets some help with her regalia from her mother, Amanda Groves, left, and her sister, Tavamawisi Groves, 12, before dancing at the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Carl Moore prepares to lead a Grand Entry at the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Shane Etsitty, of the Navajo Tribe, dances in northern fancy regalia in the Grand Entry of the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Xavier Martin, of the Navajo Tribe, dances at the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Isaiah Bob, of the Navajo Tribe, dances in men's southern fancy regalia at the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Young Spirit, a Grammy-nominated Cree drum band, performs at the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Holly Begaye, of the Navajo Tribe, and her son, Lennox Reymus, 3, of the Northern Paiute and Navajo tribes, walk together in the "Tiny Tots" category at the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Kelly Dee, 9, of the Dineh and Hopi tribes, dances in the "Double Beat" category at the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Tuumogoy Groves, 8, of the Northern Ute and Hopi tribes, gets some help from his dad, Alan Groves, with his regalia before dancing at the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News A dancer performs at the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Mya Jansen, 12, of the Assiniboine Sioux Tribe, gets some help with her regalia from her mother, Chauma Jansen, of the Assiniboine Sioux and Navajo tribes, before dancing at the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Isaiah Bob, of the Navajo Tribe, prepares his eagle bustle, part of his men's southern fancy regalia, before dancing at the Utah Valley University Powwow at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Spenser Heaps, Deseret News SALT LAKE CITY As FanX Spring Salt Lake Comic Convention wrapped up two days of celebrity panels and signings, artist vendors, cosplayers and more Saturday, a question hung over co-founder Dan Farr: Is the expense of it all worth hosting two events a year? "Economically it's a little tough to try to do two events because the spring event isn't really that much less expensive than the September event to put on," Farr told the Deseret News. "The attendance has always been a little bit less in the spring than it is in September." Farr estimates FanX saw between 45,000 and 50,000 people pass through the doors of the Salt Palace Convention Center for the Friday and Saturday convention, a far cry from the 75,000 to 100,000 attendees the fall event brings in. And with overhead costs running about the same Farr said each event costs somewhere between $2 million and $3 million it's hard to justify the expense and effort to run two events. But then he looks around the crowded convention center. "It's just so fun to have the spring event, right?" Farr said. "You know, we love doing it. There's so many people that love being here." Farr won't have an answer to his spring convention question immediately. He and his team, which includes co-founder Bryan Brandenburg, will take into account a number of factors as they decide the fate of their spring event. In addition to looking at the current economic market can people afford two fan conventions a year, which run guests between $40 to $200? they also must decide how the convention's 2017 name change from Salt Lake Comic Con to FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention has impacted attendance. Before the name change stemming from a trademark lawsuit, the spring event went by Salt Lake Comic Con FanX, while the fall event was the Salt Lake Comic Con. Farr worries that by naming both events FanX, guests are less likely to realize there are two separate events. But a quick survey of attendees on the Salt Palace floor showed that those interviewed, at least, have no problem with paying for both events. "I am definitely hoping to come to FanX in the fall," said guest Marianne VanAntwerp. "Ive tended to come to all of them. Ive found theres (always) at least one real big (celebrity) draw for me." VanAntwerp was most excited to see Monty Python founding member John Cleese this spring, who joined a roster of 31 celebrity guests that included Zachary Levi, Lynda Carter, Tom Felton, Alice Cooper and many others. "Weve been coming for a very long time (to FanX), (so) yeah, definitely (were coming in the fall)," guest Nichole Hatfield said. "We go every year, any time theres one available." In addition to satisfied guests, the spring convention does provide Farr and his team with an opportunity to see how they can improve their fall event. Farr is hoping to have new electronic line technology in place for September to help cut down on the time guests spend standing in line to meet celebrities, which not only could create happier guests but would also allow them to have more time to shop the vendors and spend more money. Time will tell as to the future of FanX's spring events, but one thing Farr doesn't have to wait to know is how he feels about these conventions he helped create six years ago. "These events are much bigger than fandom," he said. "Really what this is, it's about relationships. And that's what this is, is one big relationship." Vicky Kaushal, after the release of Uri, has become one of the busiest stars in Bollywood. With power-packed performances in films like Masan, Sanju, Manmarziyaan and Uri, the audiences know that there is hardly anything that the man cannot ace. These days, Vicky had been busy shooting for Bhanu Pratap Singh's untitled horror film which revolves around a ship. But all is not well with Vicky, who has injured himself during the shoot of the film. According to Pune Mirror, the cast and crew had been shooting in Alang in Gujarat which boasts of the worlds biggest ship-breaking yard. On the second last day of shoot, i.e., on Thursday night, a door fell on the actor. He was taken to a local hospital and was flown to Mumbai early morning on Friday. Vicky Kaushal gets injured while filming an action sequence... Shooting for director Bhanu Pratap Singh's horror film in #Gujarat... Vicky fractured his cheekbone and got 13 stitches on his cheek. taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) April 20, 2019 The actor had fractured his cheekbone and also got 13 stitches on his cheek. He is currently consulting a doctor in Mumbai and the shoot will resume once he recovers. Vicky Kaushal, apart from the horror film, has Karan Johar's Takht that also stars Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor, Anil Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar. The actor will also be seen with his Uri crew, director Aditya Dhar and producer Ronnie Screwvala in an action-based superhero film, Ashwathama. He will also play the lead in Udham Singh biopic and a film opposite Masaan co-star Shweta Tripathi called Ticket To Hollywood. We wish for Vicky's speedy recovery. "These changes are being made in response to feedback from the European Commission. We will be evolving the implementation over time.", explained Gennai. This week Google on announced how it plans to give its European users enhanced search app and browser options. The move was taken in order to comply with the anti-trust ruling against Google by the European Commission.Back in July 2018, the European Commission fined Google with a whopping 4.34 billion for its restrictions on Android device makers and network operators.Google appealed the fine in October but after a week, announced its decision to comply with the ruling. In March, the company announced increased options for Android users in Europe.The companys product management director Paul Gennai explained in a press release that the upgraded features for the European Android users will start rolling out in the next few weeks. The updated Android devices will pop up two screens for the European users in which one will give them five options for search apps and the other with five options for browsers.The list will include the search apps and browsers already installed by the users while those that are not installed on the device will be shown in a random manner based on their popularity. The new screens will pop up for both new and existing Android phone users in Europe.In the case when the user chooses to download the recommended search app or browser, Google will assist them in installation and setup. If a user installs a new search app, Google will also ask their choice for the default search engine the next time they open Chrome.Despite Googles attempts at making peace with the European Commission, the company received yet another fine for 1.49 billion for signing contracts with third-party websites that lock out rivals from placing search ads on these sites. CAMPOST Workers Announce Strike Facebook Workers of Cameroons Postal Services(CAMPOST), have announced a strike action for Wednesday, 24th of April, following a series of accumulated salaries, intransigence of the organs head, poor working conditions amongst others. In a communique addressed to the Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, and signed by most members of the companys syndicate, they all regretted that following past negotiations geared towards a comfortable working space, the General Manager of the company had failed to adhere to most decisions taken. The workers indicted that since January 2018, they have been advancing their grievances to both the GM but it all ended on table, as no concrete actions have been taken to mitigate their worries. They cited sessions held on 30/1/2018, 17/04/2018, 20/04/2018, 22/04/2018 and 07/08/2018, between members of the syndicate, the general manager of CAMPOST, and representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, to address their plight. Their call for a strike action, comes barely a week before the celebration of the 133rd edition of the International Labour Day. This year, Cameroon chosen theme focuses on decent work, protection of workers and social justice, all these demanded by embittered CAMPOST workers. For the past years, since 2008, workers from the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication on at the Cameroon Postal Service, former Post-Office Saving Banks workers' and those directly recruited by the Cameroon Postal Service, went on strike, asking their salaries, statues and social benefits regularised by the government and management of the company. With the advent of internet and social media, many people diverted to the use of electronic mails. This has greatly affected the company as it strives to meet up with modern demands and sign partnerships. Paul Biya et Marcel Niat Njifenji P.R.C. The President of Cameroons Senate, Marcel Niat Njifenji has blasted the European Parliament for embarking on a smear campaign against the sovereign state of Cameroon when they released resolution 2019/2691(RSP) of April 18, 2019 in relation to the socio-political climate in the countrys North West and South West Regions. In a press release dated April 19, 2019, the Senate President says the European Parliament resolution on Cameroon contains a litany of falsehoods on the socio-political and security situation in Cameroon. The State of Cameroon, deeply attached to its territorial integrity and its unitary and decentralized status, has through its Government spared no effort in providing ideal solutions to the problems faced in the North West and South West Regions ever since the tabling of the unionist and corporatist claims, Niat wrote. He adds that: the State of Cameroon, open to dialogue, has always taken into account the complaints of all social classes, and provided the appropriate responses. But Niat failed to state how, when and with whom such dialogue took place and why with all the measures so taken, the crisis remains unending. The State of Cameroon has a legislative and parliamentary corpus in compliance with international treaties and agreements. Therefore, and like all other States, it seeks to ensure their respect by all Cameroonian citizens, Niat adds, as if to justify why all those considered political detainees by the European Parliament will not be freed as recommended by the EU legislators. The resolution on Cameroon had condemned the 2014 anti-terrorism law. [The European Parliament] expresses concern that the 2014 anti-terrorism law is being misused to restrict fundamental freedoms; supports the requests made by UN experts that the law be reviewed to ensure that it is not used to restrict the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, the EU MPs had said. Niat claims that since his accession to the helm of the State, H.E. Paul Biya has committed himself to establish a firmly democratic and liberal State under the rule of law, which grants access to the free expression of individual and collective freedoms but failed to show how, especially with many detained for simply expressing their opinions. Many are those who see the detention of opposition leader, Maurice Kamto as an insult on basic freedoms of expression. In what may well be a veiled threat to international actors critical of the Yaounde regime, Niat appealed to the international good conscience: The Senate of the Republic of Cameroon, while denouncing the smear campaign against our country, calls on the understanding of its partners of the European Union, particularly those, whom like itself, have been or are currently facing separatist threats and/or terrorist violence which affects the daily lives of our populations. The President of the Senate, mindful of the fact that no known Senate Commission of Inquiry has been to the restive regions, writes: The Senate of the Republic of Cameroon is convinced of the relevance of the measures taken by the State of Cameroon, through its Government, to curb the violence perpetrated by the Boko Haram terrorist sect in the Far North Region, and to ease the situation in the North West and South West Regions, for the populations which are victims of these terrorist attacks to get the fulfillment of peace which is their legitimate right. Even before a delegation of the Cameroon Senate pays a visit to the North West and South West Regions, Niat is inviting a delegation of European MPs to come and see for themselves the socio-political and security situation in the country. Hear him: The Senate of the Republic of Cameroon, which stands proud of its good cooperation ties with the European Parliament, and overall, that of the State of Cameroon with all the Institutions of the European Union, shall be delighted to host a delegation of European MPs in its country, so the latter make their own opinion on the socio-political and security situation of Cameroon. To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020. Plans lodged to make Villiers Square 'suitable for public events' Plans have been lodged by the owners of the Villiers site in Douglas to improve the appearance of the dilapidated area. The Tevir Group, which purchased the building and associated land last year, wants to enhance the space and make it suitable for events. Bench repairs, new group seating areas, planting around borders to create a green boundary to the square and other changes have all been mooted. The plans also include the over cladding of existing hoardings with black timber boards and the cleaning of paving stones. Tevir Group proposes the square could then be used for public occasions, such as an upcoming charity event organised by the Hospice. A separate but linked application has also been lodged for display boards to be attached to existing hoardings, advertising both the charity event, and the TT races. The Villiers site was purchased by Tevir Group last year, after it acquired the Castle Mona, and the former Zurich headquarters on Athol Street. Ewan Gawne - Local Democracy Reporting Service Dr Richard Valery Mouzoko Kiboung Twitter Cameroonian-born epistemologist fighting the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was shot dead on Friday, April 19,2019 in an attack on a hospital in the eastern city of Butembo, the World Health Organisation has said. The WHO said that Dr. Richard Valery Mouzoko Kiboung, an epidemiologist it had deployed to help rein in the Ebola outbreak, was killed in the attack on Butembo University Hospital. Two other people were also injured but believed to be in a stable condition, it said. The attack is the latest in a string of assaults on teams grappling with a near nine-month-old Ebola outbreak that has claimed almost 850 lives. I and all of WHO are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and brother Dr Mouzoko, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement. He put himself on the frontline to save lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he said, adding that We grieve with his family and friends at this very difficult time. Police and local officials said the victim was a Cameroonian national. The attack took place at the University Clinics Hospital of Butembo, said the citys mayor, Sylvain Kanyamanda. The (Ebola) response team was in a meeting. Armed Mai-Mai (militiamen) arrived and fired on people. A doctor, an epidemiologist, was shot and taken to the emergency room. His colleagues were injured. The doctor, a Cameroonian, later died, Kanyamanda said. Tedros said Mouzokos killing was a tragic reminder of the risks health workers take every day to protect the lives and health of others. We are outraged by this attack: health workers and health facilities must never be targets, he insisted. The WHO Director-General said his agency was currently assessing the security situation to ensure the safety of all patients, health workers and Ebola responders. At the same time, we remain committed to continue supporting the Ministry of Health of DRC to end this outbreak as quickly as possible, he said. The DR Congo declared a tenth outbreak of Ebola in 40 years last August in northeastern North Kivu province before the virus spread into the neighbouring Ituri region. The epicentre of the outbreak was first located in the rural area of Mangina, but then switched to the town of Beni. Local organisations say the number of Ebola deaths is rising. An updated toll by the health ministry, issued on Wednesday, said there had been 843 deaths. WHO data from April 9 put the number of confirmed or probable cases at 1,186, of which 751 had been fatal. The outbreak is the second deadliest on record, after the epidemic that struck West Africa in 2014-16, which killed more than 11,300 people. Efforts to roll back the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever in DRC have been hampered by fighting but also by resistance within communities to preventative measures, care facilities and safe burials. On March 9, an attack on a treatment centre at Butembo left a policeman dead and a health worker wounded. It was the third attack on that centre. On February 24, a treatment centre in Katwa was set ablaze. On April 12, the WHOs Emergency Committee, in a new review of the outbreak, determined that the situation in DR Congo did not constitute a public health emergency of international concern, a status that initiates a major global response. Neighbouring Uganda and Rwanda, worried by the outbreak, have started vaccinating health workers. More than 102,000 people have received a new Ebola vaccine in the DRC. Cameroons Public Health Minister, Dr. Manaouda Malachie has expressed his condolences to the bereaved family in a tweet yesterday. Demonstrations continue in France and England While the Yellow Vests protests are continuing in France, the action of the activists began in England as well. Many protests have been detained in both countries. The protests have been on the streets for 5 months againts the decisions of President Emmanuel Macron. ONGOING PROTESTS IN FRANCE The Yellow Vests who turned Paris and other cities of the country into a battlefield are determined to continue their actions. Actions in Belgium and Germany have been stopped. BRITS ARE ON THE STREET In recent days, activity has started in England. Those who participated in the actions initiated by environmentalists began wearing Yellow Vests. The actions began at other parts of the country. 700 ARRESTED The British police, who responded harshly to the incident, arrested more than 700 protests. EU IS SILENT A statement from the European Union on demonstrations has not been made yet. Demonstrations continue in France and England WATCH Macron meets YPG terrorists 'This attempt to give artificial legitimacy to the extensions of the terrorist group is a rather wrong step which is incompatible with the alliance relations,' Turkey Foreign Ministry Hami Aksoy said. Turkey on Friday condemned the meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and a delegation of the so-called SDF, led by Syrian branch of the PKK terror group. "WE CONMDEMN THIS MEETING" "We condemn that French President Emmanuel Macron received a so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) delegation, led by the PYD/YPG the Syrian branch of PKK terror group, Hami Aksoy, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said in a statement. "This attempt to give artificial legitimacy to the extensions of terrorist group is a rather wrong step which is incompatible with the alliance relations," Aksoy added. He underlined that it is important to hinder any agenda targeting the political unity and territorial integrity of Syria. Aksoy also reiterated that Turkey will not hesitate to take necessary precautions to ensure its national security. In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children. The US, which considers the PKK a terrorist organization, changed the YPGs name to the SDF in July 2017 in order to dissociate it with the PKK. Trump discusses shared vision with commander Haftar Donald Trump discussed 'ongoing counterterrorism efforts' and the need to end hostilities with Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar during a telephone call earlier this week, the White House said Friday. The White House said on Friday that Donald Trump spoke by phone on Monday to Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar and discussed ongoing counterterrorism efforts and the need to achieve peace and stability in Libya. "ONGOING COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS" The call Monday comes amid a simmering conflict in the North African nation after Haftar, commander of forces loyal to Libyas eastern government, launched a campaign to capture Tripoli where a rival UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) is headquartered. "The recognized Field Marshal Haftars significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libyas oil resources, and the two discussed a shared vision for Libyas transition to a stable, democratic political system," the White House said in a readout of the call. Intermittent fighting near Tripoli has left scores of people dead. The UN fears this new conflict will create another migration crisis. Libya has remained locked in turmoil since longtime Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in a bloody NATO-backed uprising in 2011. The country has since seen the emergence of two rival seats of power: one in eastern Libya, to which Haftar is affiliated, and another in Tripoli, which enjoys UN recognition. Electoral reforms should look beyond anonymity of donors to make a real difference. Who finances elections in India? Looking at the Election Commission of Indias (ECI) provisional election expenditure estimates over the past six decadesskyrocketing almost 274 times from 0.26 million to 71.38 million per constituency between 1952 and 2014one is barely left with any doubt about the presence of some enigmatic benevolent sponsors in the backyards of the political parties in this country. In fact, a recent survey of some 2,577 politicians across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, conducted by the University of California, Berkley, shows that the preponderance of such inscrutable sources of income reaches the zenith for high-level incumbents like a member of Parliament or a lower house in the stateassembly (constituting almost 44% and 47% of their respective incomes). This finding inadvertently ends up implying that political financing in India is an economy in which the state will keep exerting a heavy hand to incentivise clandestine funding. Thus, it is no surprise that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments electoral bond scheme does not break through this opacity, despite the governments drum-beating about its mythical claim for transparency. Electoral reforms in India have had a chequered history that has seen the political will for enforcing and or adhering to the regulatory systems of election and political financing conspicuously missing. The electoral bonds, however, have lent the political parties the statutory immunity for denting, rather than simply circumventing, these regulations. And, the most disconcerting aspect of such sanctions is that these make the electoral system potentially an apparatus for legitimising the black income of both the benefactor and the beneficiary. For instance, by relaxing the definition of foreign source companies through the amendment of the 2016 Finance Act, the NDA has opened up the route for legalising the political donations even from shell companies. On the other hand, while the amendment in the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010 has removed the embargo on foreign funding for Indian elections, its application with retrospective effect for 42 years has enabled political parties (the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress in the main) to emerge clear of sub judice inquiries on illicit foreign donations in all previous elections (the Delhi High Court had held both the parties guilty of such defilement in 2014). Again, there are amendments in the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Income Tax Act, 1961 that have legally reinstated the case for anonymous donations, though for amounts below 20,000. Yet, there remains an absence of clarity regarding the maximum number of times that donations of this magnitude can be made by any particular contributor. Ironically, all these provisions are articulated by a government that is boastful of its surgical strike on black money (aka demonetisation). From: Dr. Frank Farley -- Psychologist Philadelphia , PA Saturday, April 20, 2019 It's been 20 years since April 20, 1999, when two high school students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, spent the final 49 minutes of their lives killing their classmates at Columbine High School, Columbine, Colorado. 12 students and 1 teacher were killed, and many others injured, and Harris and Klebold committed suicide. This infamous event has been forever seared into our nation's memory, and has had effects on our lives. It is THE watershed mass school shooting in America. BUT school shootings have continued apace since Columbine. Mass murders have continued. What were the motives of Harris and Klebold, and other mass shooters; what can we learn from Columbine; how can we reduce school shootings; what to do about the trauma experienced by survivors and a nation? Dr. Frank Farley is a professor at Temple University, Philadelphia; former President of the American Psychological Association, the Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict and Violence, the Society for Media Psychology and Technology, the American Educational Research Association, and Chair of the National Violence Summit (see YouTube). Phone (215)668-7581 email: frank.farley@comcast.net With the state's ever-increasing infrastructure needs, Texas farmers and ranchers are bracing for the likelihood of pipelines, transmission lines and railways cutting through their fields and pastures. But some say its unfair to allow private companies or other entities wielding the power of eminent domain to pressure landowners to accept lowball offers that dont take into account the overall loss of value to their property. This may be the property rights issue of our time, Texas Farm Bureau spokesman Gary Joiner said in a meeting this week with the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board. The Texas Senate on April 4 approved an eminent domain reform bill by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, in a 28-3 vote. Supporters say the legislation would require entities using eminent domain to treat landowners more fairly. A House committee led by Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, is set to hear a companions bill sponsored by Rep. Dwayne Burns, R-Cleburne, next week. The legislation a watered-down version of a bill that failed in 2017 calls for three new requirements: initial offers based on more than the companys assessment; clear easement terms, with protections in case theres property damage; and meetings to allow landowners to address companies in a group setting. On ExpressNews.com: Read about cattle raisers' hopes for eminent domain reform; You have a for-profit company that knows this process well, and they go to a landowner who knows nothing about this process and has very little information, said Si Cook, executive director of the Texas Farm Bureau. So you really have an uneven playing field. San Antonio Democrat Jose Menendez was one of three senators who voted against the measure. Hes worried the measure could be used to stop rail projects. Im a big supporter of the high-speed rail, and Im concerned that this eminent domain bill could be used to derail pun intended high-speed rail, he said. As someone that commutes between San Antonio and Austin every single day, I can tell you Id much rather be riding on a train with Wifi than driving four hours a day round-trip. On ExpressNews.com: Read about nearly decade-old wish list for high-speed rail; While I support the idea of a fair eminent domain process, I just didnt think we were there yet, he said. Still, it looks like entities that use eminent domain have warmed to the legislation. We would like to solve this problem this session and be finished with it for a while, said Lisa Kaufman of the Coalition for Critical Infrastructure, whose members include the Texas Association of Manufacturers, Texas Oil and Gas Association, Texas Pipeline Association and others. We have agreed with the landowners on the three fundamental concepts currently in the bill, and we are negotiating from our perspective. Eminent domain is granted to public and private entities that are considered common carriers, meaning theyre carrying goods such as oil and gas or electricity for public use. It gives them the right to acquire land for fair compensation. We are working with the landowner groups and the authors of the bill to come up with eminent domain reform that provides landowners with more additional information, thats more transparent but at the same time doesnt slow down or curtail the ability of everyday Texans from getting the critical infrastructure they need like water, electricity, fuel, Kaufman said. Russell Boening, a Poth farmer and rancher who serves as the state Farm Bureau president, said property owners often feel defenseless when approached by company representatives with what they say is their best possible offer. As a property owner, I cant walk away because they have the power of eminent domain, Boening said. Its a business transaction, but its not a normal business transaction. Youre selling your house, and I come over there and you dont like the offer I make, you can tell me to get lost. I cant tell them, that company, to get lost. While large landowners are likely to have attorneys, smaller owners may not have the money for legal help, especially since one-third of any gains over the initial offer price typically go toward legal fees. The part of the reform bill addressing initial offers says that appraisals, broker price opinions, comparative market analysis or market studies along with an assessment of damage to the overall property should be used to determine the value of the land. When they put a pipeline in the ground, forever they dictate what happens on top of that pipeline, Cook said. You cant build on top of it, you cant drill there. Theres so many things that you can not do. And it also decreases the value of your land. Youre not going to put a housing subdivision there, build a house, or a barn or anything. So that property is worth less. Easement terms would need to include protections for landowners during construction and the promise of payment in case of damages to the property. The meetings would be a chance for property owners to get more details about the project. The sessions would be mandatory when a project would affect 25 or more property owners, or if requested by landowners. You know, if theres 25 of us in a room, some other landowner may think to ask a question that I wouldnt think of, Boening said. It could be a very legitimate, a very fair question but you dont know to ask those things. Regan Beck, the state Farm Bureaus director of government affairs, said property owners groups have been negotiating extensively with industry since June. They abandoned a 2017 provision that would require entities to pay legal fees for disputes decided in property owners favor. Kaufman, of the Coalition for Critical Infrastructure, said that while her group was open to legislation, a lot of details still have to be hammered out. We are not OK with the bill as filed, she said. It would lead to significant litigation and curtail our ability to provide critical infrastructure. Lynn Brezosky is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering trade, agriculture and the economy. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | lbrezosky@express-news.net | Twitter: @lbrezosky Saying it is out of detention space for the surge of asylum-seeking families from Central America, the federal government is building two tent cities to fill the gap on the Texas border. But the largest family detention center in the U.S. has hundreds of unused beds. The South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, an hour south of San Antonio, had 751 beds occupied Friday, out of 2,400 available. The Karnes County Residential Center, 54 miles to the south, also was designed for parents and children, but is near capacity with 680 adult women. A smaller family detention facility in Pennsylvania, the third in the country designated for families, has 17 of nearly 100 beds occupied. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attributes the detention problem to a lack of buses to transport families from the border. Dilley is about an hours drive from Laredo and more than three hours from McAllen. The current volume of family units crossing the Southwest border has overwhelmed ICEs limited transportation resources to the point that ICE is currently only able to route a limited number of families to Dilley, ICE said in a statement to the Express-News. Kevin McAleenan, acting secretary of Homeland Security, said the department is spending $37 million to detain arriving migrant families in tent cities being built in El Paso and Donna, on the border near McAllen. The facilities are supposed to open at the end of April. The temporary structures will be similar to those erected last summer in Tornillo, south of El Paso, at the height of President Trumps zero tolerance policy that separated migrant children from their parents. The operation was later shut down. Those permanent structures are preferable to the tent cities. Theres better infrastructure there, theres an education system, theres a family living system there, said U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, referring to Dilley and Karnes. Attorney General William Barr also ordered immigration judges to deny immigrants bail this week. The rule, effective in 90 days but could be challenged in court, could increase the need for more detention space. Now that theyre trying for indefinite detention, what does temporary mean? Castro said. Tent cities like Tornillo are unfit for people to stay in for extended periods of time. The new tent cities will detain 500 migrants each, and will be operated for at least eight months. They will have air conditioning, laundry and shower trailers. Congressman Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, said there are plans to build another 800-bed facility in July. He said the temporary facilities are necessary. What do you do, just put them at the bus station? he said. We have to put resources at the border. And Im not talking about a wall. Im talking about the resources that we need to hold them, give them a hearing there, and return people, Cuellar said. He said Customs and Border Protection will buy 20 more buses to help relieve the transportation bottleneck. The agency has been releasing migrants at bus stations with no money, food and often no bus tickets. Nonprofits and city health departments have picked up the slack to provide humanitarian aid and help make travel arrangements. In the past month, 37,500 migrants were released along the border, with 12,400 of those released in South Texas, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Since the end of last year, some 146,000 migrants have been released with notices to check in later with an immigration agent or appear at their first court hearing. Asylum claims for detained migrants are faster-paced, taking an average of a month or two to process, compared to about two years for migrants who are released. Detained migrants often have less access to legal counsel, which means they have a lower chance of winning their asylum claims. Cuellar said rather than spreading immigration judges around the country to hear cases, they should be assigned to border cities. Theyve been doing it backwards, he said, adding that he wants to see a massive movement of moving judges here to the border. He said the tents were also necessary to make sure migrants receive medical and humanitarian aid. Theyre going to be fully equipped, he said. I know when the word tent is used, theres a particular image that comes to mind, it brings a particular reaction. Makeshift facilities along the border have become a tradition in U.S. immigration policy. Last month, migrants were being held under an El Paso underpass because of the lack of space at facilities in West Texas. Under the Obama administration, a San Antonio military base was used to temporarily house minors. ICE said Karnes is holding adults only because its other adult detention centers are out of space. It said Karnes is expected to transition back into detaining families in about three months. Silvia Foster-Frau covers immigration news in the San Antonio, Bexar County and South Texas area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | sfosterfrau@express-news.net | Twitter: @SilviaElenaFF Rosemary Robles was in tears Friday morning as she walked through the massive crowd gathered at Milam Park. The Passion of the Christ re-enactment was just starting but already was having an emotional impact. Caprice Diaz, 44, tried to console her 62-year-old mother amid the throng packed around the dais. At a bilingual, ecumenical prayer service, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller addressed the crowd as brothers and sisters and spoke of how Jesus was a pilgrim, an immigrant from heaven who walked from place to place to deliver the good news. Jesus taught us how we should live here on Earth, he said, as actors playing Roman soldiers yanked the chains of the condemned prisoner at the heart of the story, played by Charles Ramirez. Many people are moving, they are migrants from so many places, to live here. We know he achieved salvation for us. Unlike Robles, Diaz had seen the parishioners from San Fernando Cathedral re-enact how Jesus carried his cross to Calvary several times in the past 15 years. Each viewing hurt her soul, she said. How could anybody see someone go through pain like that (and) not stop and rethink their life? Diaz said. Its an experience you wont forget. Thousands, including many viewers from other cities, converged downtown on Good Friday to witness the 30th Passion of the Christ re-enactment, combining a trial at Milam Park and a street procession that culminates with the crucifixion scene in front of San Fernando Cathedral. Catholic Television of San Antonio broadcast it live and will rebroadcast it on Spectrum Cable Channel 15 at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. People packed the park to watch soldiers jeer at a thorn-crowned Jesus, covered with welts and cuts, his face streaming blood, as he struggled to pull his wooden cross. As the trial and sentencing took place, a father warned his little daughter about what was about to happen. Theyre going to be coming this way, he said sitting beside her on a bench, and theyll be hurting Jesus. But its not real, its a play. Hundreds of spectators joined the procession down West Commerce. Mario Mandujano, who played the lead centurion, screamed at Jesus, ignoring the crowd and its jeers and focusing on his brutal role as the procession turned right on South Laredo. Mandujano, 52, the plays longtime director, said he mentally travels in time to Jerusalem when when he puts on his uniform. That is very spiritual to me, he said. If I dont do this, I dont think people can change. People have to see what God passed through. This happened 2,000 years ago, but its still happening. Midway along Dolorosa, Garcia-Siller took on the role of Simon of Cyrene, taking the cross from Jesus and hefting it to City Hall. Spectators gasped as Jesus grimaced in pain on unsteady knees. To prepare for his role as the savior, Ramirez focused on Jesus suffering, learning the script in Spanish in a short amount of time and lifting weights and exercising every day to be able to bear the 60-pound wooden cross. Its a special calling, Ramirez, 30, said earlier in the week. Jesus came and he died for us. He brought a message to love one another and to love your enemies, which is just as controversial today as it was in his day. Related: https://www.expressnews.com/news/religion/article/Re-enacting-the-passion-of-Christ-7096163.php Loreily Ortiz, 34, struggled with her decision to portray Mary. She came to grips with her role after visiting St. Matthews chapel, where a priest consoled her before she prayed to the Virgin Mary. I feel it in my heart, she said. Its not just a part, its like walking in her shoes. Top hits: Get San Antonio Express-News stories sent directly to your inbox At noon, the procession pushed through the crowd to the cathedral steps. As the soldiers lifted Jesus, nailed on his cross, Ortiz watched in anguish. She had wept in the same area several years ago as an audience member. So had Alice Gonzales, 70, who clenched a tear-stained tissue in her hand as the drama reached its climax. She had parked a mile away and caught a bus to the plaza, then pushed her walker to the cathedral amid the faithful. It hurt so much, she said as the crowd broke up. I saw it in real life, what he went through for us. Vincent T. Davis is a reporter in the Greater San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | vtdavis@express-news.net | Twitter: @vincentdavis Ron Nirenberg was weaving through rows of seats at a Northeast Side candidate forum, shaking hands and introducing himself to voters who will help decide his fate May 4. When he reached the back of the crowd, a man asked the question that has nagged at Nirenberg for a month. Why had city officials barred Chick-fil-A from the airport? Nirenberg leaned in and offered his rationale: Chick-fil-A isnt a local company and it isnt open Sundays, which he said creates problems in the airport. As the mayor moved on, the man shook his head in dissatisfaction. City Councils March 21 decision to remove the Atlanta-based fast food company from a San Antonio International Airport concession contract has emerged as a defining issue in Nirenbergs bid for re-election against Councilman Greg Brockhouse, his foil at City Hall and most prominent challenger. The council vote came on the same day the San Antonio Express-News published an investigation into domestic violence accusations against Brockhouse. But questions about the Chick-fil-A decision have perhaps overshadowed the councilmans personal baggage, which has not been mentioned in a debate since the first one on March 22. The Chick-fil-A issue has surfaced at each of Nirenberg and Brockhouses debates, ignited a national controversy and prompted an investigation by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who like many conservatives sees the vote as an infringement on religious rights. To Nirenberg, what he dismissively calls the fast food subcontract is much less important than how the city will address mass transit and affordable housing and how it will plan for the 1.1 million people expected to move to the San Antonio region by 2040. How much oxygen is this going to take up? Nirenberg asked recently. But some observers feel the Chick-fil-A debacle is emblematic of Nirenbergs difficulty in imposing his will and setting the terms of political debate during his first term as mayor. Among elected officials and political insiders, including Nirenbergs allies, there is as much ambivalence as praise for the incumbent facing an unexpectedly serious electoral challenge. While he has gradually unfurled master plans on transit, affordable housing and climate change, observers say he has gotten in his own way at times with unforced errors and blind spots, including his handling of the Chick-fil-A controversy. Cathartic victory He has also faced external challenges, notably from the firefighters union. The union remains in a bitter contract stalemate with the city, and it pushed a series of city charter amendments last year that commanded City Halls attention, two of which ultimately won voters approval. One gave the union unilateral power to declare an impasse in bargaining and take contract disputes to binding arbitration. The other imposed a salary cap and term limit on San Antonio city managers. Now, the union and its police counterpart are working to elect Brockhouse. Councilman Rey Saldana, an ally, said he thinks Nirenberg has done well in City Halls corner office, especially under the circumstances. But theres a qualifier. You can be brainy and you can be thoughtful, but at the end of the day you come to a decision, Saldana said. And I think thats what folks have been looking for in Ron. He has tended to try to thread the needle on sensitive issues. Like Chick-fil-A. The issue began when the council approved a new airport concession contract with Paradies Lagardere, an Atlanta company that operates stores and restaurants in airports and hotels. The contract called for removing Chick-fil-A from the list of concessionaires at the San Antonio airport. Councilman Roberto Trevino proposed that condition, citing what he called the Chick-fil-A's legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior. Chick-fil-A's founder was a devout Southern Baptist, and its CEO made comments in 2012 opposing same-sex marriage. The company's charitable foundation has made donations to organizations the LGBTQ community sees as discriminatory. Nirenberg voted with Trevino on the airport contract, but as criticism mounted, the mayor framed the decision in business terms, not gay rights. As a result, some felt he was reacting to the situation instead of leading. Brockhouse has held up the Chick-fil-A vote as a symbol of whats wrong with City Hall under Nirenbergs. Brockhouse said it "sent a message ... that we do not respect religious freedom." Its unclear what impact that pitch will have on voters. I dont think its about changing minds as much as it is about expanding the electorate and getting people who are incensed about that to show up to the polls, said Walter Wilson, a professor of political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. If that does happen, it could have an effect on a municipal election, for which turnout is usually low, Wilson said. Controversial issues like Chick-fil-A have created difficulties in trying to advance the high-impact projects Nirenberg has championed. Votes on the climate change plan have been delayed twice as Nirenberg tries to win support from the business community. And the ConnectSA transit plan is now slated to go before voters in 2020, which would be Nirenbergs fourth year in office. Brockhouse has depicted those plans as grandiose and potentially too costly, pledging instead a back-to-basics municipal government. But Nirenbergs supporters, who extol his studious approach to public policy, say theyre his greatest strength. The thing I have liked best about him is his vision for San Antonio through the various programs he has promulgated, said former mayor Phil Hardberger, who served from 2005 to 2009. There is a temptation when youre an officeholder to simply try to be proper. You go where youre supposed to go, cut the ribbons and kiss the babies. But theres a seriousness about Ron that not every officeholder has. As Nirenberg looks toward election day, he is eyeing what he predicts will be a cathartic victory, an opportunity to overcome his greatest adversaries: Brockhouse and the fire and police unions, which are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to elect the councilman, their former consultant. A win would mark a fresh slate for the mayor and perhaps a stronger mandate to pursue climate, housing and transit policies still in the planning phase. If he loses, those initiatives will almost certainly be shelved. Im willing to stake my time at City Hall on meaningful objectives, not short-term political wins just to get to the next election, said Nirenberg. And I have a deep and abiding faith thats exactly what voters want to see someone whos not worried about winning elections but actually gets real stuff done thats important to people. The back story Nirenbergs family moved from the suburbs of Boston to Texas when he was 3 years old. His father, Ken, was charged with managing a new Austin office for the software firm that employed him. Nirenberg, now 42, grew up in the state capital and graduated from Anderson High School. He came to San Antonio to attend Trinity University, where he graduated in 1999 with a bachelors degree in communications. Then he went to Philadelphia for graduate study at the University of Pennsylvanias Annenberg School for Communication. The only other Texan in the program was Erika Prosper. The two began dating and eventually married. At the mayors State of the City address this month, former Texas House Speaker Joe Straus introduced Nirenberg as Erika Prospers husband. Thats because Prosper has become a San Antonio power broker in her own right: an H-E-B executive and former chair of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. We joke around about that, Prosper said. One of the things I do love about my husband is that hes never been intimidated by my sort of assertive personality. On ExpressNews.com: The story of Ron Nirenberg and Erika Prosper After getting his masters degree at Annenberg, Nirenberg took a job working on a civic engagement program called Student Voices. The main appeal: The position allowed him to live anywhere, including San Antonio, where Prosper had landed a job with advertising guru Lionel Sosa. In 2009, Nirenberg began working for KRTU, a jazz station at Trinity, eventually becoming general manager. He was elected to the City Council in 2013, representing District 8 on the Northwest Side. After two council terms, he ran for mayor against incumbent Ivy Taylor in 2017. Nirenberg won in a runoff. Prosper and Nirenberg have a 10-year-old son named Jonah, who the mayor often mentions in discussing his outlook for the city. He says he wants to make San Antonio the city that Jonah would choose, even if he could live anywhere in the world. Prosper said Nirenberg has a close relationship with his son in part because he spent Jonahs first year at home with him, working remotely by computer. I think that one year gave him a separate appreciation that many men dont get the experience or privilege of having, Prosper said. The mayor is a power lifter, bench-pressing more than 225 pounds during workouts. He eats chicken and broccoli just about every night, and Prosper calls him a 2-to-6er he sleeps four hours a night, from 2 to 6 a.m. On ExpressNews.com: Mayor is fit to lead. Like, really fit She said he brings the same rigor to choosing refrigerator models or insurance plans as he does to city policies. When his briefcase is closed, Nirenberg likes to watch the Boston Red Sox or "Americas Funniest Home Videos" with his son. Being mayor hasnt changed him, Prosper said. At the end of the day, the guy that comes home is the same guy that I married 18 years ago, Prosper said. The minute I see that (change) is the minute I tell him were out of politics. City you deserve In Nirenbergs master plan for San Antonio, the foundation is set. Nirenberg has rolled out ambitious, long-term projects that he hopes will turn San Antonio into the city you deserve, as his campaign slogan puts it. They include ConnectSA, a master transit plan in the works; a climate plan that aspires to make the city carbon-neutral by 2050; and a 10-year master plan for affordable housing. But many City Hall watchers believe the mayor doesnt have a significant achievement to hang his hat on in seeking a new term. As a councilman, he pursued tough projects and emerged with keynote victories. Early in his first term, he forged a complex, public-private partnership to save the Bracken Bat Cave, which houses more than 15 million bats, from encroaching development. Nirenberg disputes that he doesnt have similar achievements as mayor, pointing to the issues he ran on two years ago. On transportation, he said, the city has continued to increase spending on street maintenance, which has risen from $64 million to $110 million during his first term. On the economy, San Antonio has maintained near-full employment. The crime rate has declined over the last two years. The city budget includes about $25 million for affordable housing, and the citys rules on campaign financial disclosure are more stringent. The mayor has made the same case on debate stages, in speeches and to supporters at a tony Stone Oak meet-and-greet: He has delivered on the fundamentals transportation, housing, economy, public safety and ethics and the grander vision will follow. His legacy will likely rest on that grander vision and whether he is able to advance it if he gets a second term. For Brockhouse, the committees and master plans are evidence the mayor is out of touch with what matters to San Antonians: reducing taxes, filling potholes, taking care of the basics. He says Nirenberg has forgotten the most important task force his colleagues. On June 1, the first thing I got to do is unpack the multiple task forces that Ron Nirenberg has put into place, Brockhouse said at a recent debate. You cant even keep track of them anymore. Nirenberg is more comfortable defending his master plans than litigating the Chick-fil-A fight again. It doesnt concern me at all that you have a candidate who is against all of these things on the ballot, Nirenberg said, referring to his long-term projects. The choice is very clear. In regard to the critics, Hardberger points out that two years is a short time to get things done. I think his performance under the circumstances would get an A, Hardberger said. If youre talking about what he was able to do, it might drop down to an I, for incomplete. Dylan McGuinness covers City Hall and local politics in San Antonio. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | dylan.mcguinness@express-news.net | Twitter: @DylMcGuinness Long before people bemoaned the lack of civility in modern politics, a heated disagreement between a former San Antonio mayor and a sitting one ended in a shocking public crime. At the time, several elected officials were suspected of being members of a secret society based on fear of local residents who were foreign-born. A March 30 column answered Gene Elders question about the identity of an unnamed mayor mentioned by Tejano statesman Jose Antonio Navarro in a newspaper editorial as a member of the nativist Know-Nothing political movement, also known as the American Order. That was James R. Sweet, who was mayor from 1855 to 1856 and was accused of secretly being a Know-Nothing by rival James M. Devine. Navarro was cautioning all his Texas neighbors against the groups anti-Catholic, anti-foreign-born policies. The Know-Nothings started as a secret society so called because its members were supposed to say I know nothing if they were asked about the group and elected several candidates in San Antonio during the 1850s who didnt declare they were members. Sweet, who was preceded and succeeded by Devine as mayor, wasnt the only top officeholder identified as a Know-Nothing party member, said Larry W. Luckett, editor of Our Heritage, a journal of the San Antonio Genealogical and Historical Society, and of the societys forthcoming book of articles on 54 area families. One chapter chronicles the political life and death of John S. McDonald, who served as mayor from 1849 to 1851, and became a local leader of the Know-Nothings before the movement went public in the mid-1850s as the American Party. During the election of 1855, Luckett wrote, McDonald was elected district clerk. At a July 29, 1856, political meeting, McDonald confronted Devine, a leader of the local Democratic Party, at Devines drugstore, according to the section on McDonalds family in the genealogical societys forthcoming book, First Families of Bexar County, Texas: Descendant Lineages of Residents of Bexar, San Antonio and Bexar County Prior to 1850. The argument became heated, according to an account quoted in the book from the Austin State Gazette, Aug. 2, 1856: McDonald caught Devine by the hair and pulled him to the floor (Restrained by onlookers), McDonald finally broke loose from the hold and made a rush at Devine, who had in the meantime obtained his pistol, the book continued. The then-current mayor fired at the former mayor, hitting McDonald in his right side, said the Gazette. The accused Know-Nothing expired in about 10 minutes, and Devine left the store to turn himself in. Devine soon met the sheriff, who shut the shooter up in Vances, a store on Alamo Plaza, to protect Devine from an angry mob calling for him to be hung. Although the autopsy report stated that McDonald had been shot in the back, Luckett wrote, Devine escaped punishment when the grand jury decided that he shot in self-defense. The Canadian-born mayor, whose U.S. citizenship had been called into question before he won his last election, served out his third term as mayor from 1856 to 1857. For information about the First Families book of descendant lineages, personal histories and family narratives about residents of San Antonio and Bexar County before 1850, download an order form from the societys website, txsaghs.org, or call 210-342-5242. Cemetery Ceremony The names of more than 200 Tejano Confederates and their units from San Antonio and Bexar County will be read at a Confederate Decoration Day observance to be held next Sunday at 2 p.m. in the San Antonio Confederate Cemetery, a National Historic Site within City Cemetery No. 4 off South New Braunfels Avenue. The program, Los Tejanos Rebeldes (The Tejano Rebels) will recognize the very large part the Hispanic community played in the Confederacy, said John McCammon, president of the Confederate Cemetery Association, which co-sponsors the event with the 6th (South Texas) Brigade of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans and other historical and lineage organizations. Some of those buried in this cemetery were descendants of Confederates who went on to serve in the U.S. military in later wars, so veterans of the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq also will be commemorated. The event is free and open to the public; refreshments, including homemade cookies, will be provided. historycolumn@yahoo.com | Twitter: @sahistorycolumn | Facebook: SanAntoniohistorycolumn Nearly 400 people gathered at the Baruch HaShem Messianic Synagogue on the Northeast Side on Friday evening for the largest Passover Seder in San Antonio, marking the occasion with song, dance and food. The sold-out event drew people of all ages and all faiths to the synagogues gymnasium, where the aroma of delicious food filled the air. Seder a Hebrew word that means order tells the story of the Israelites exodus from slavery in Egypt, said Linda Kristensen, one of the synagogues deacons. It is a symbolic ritual that involves horseradish, salt water and other elements. The event began as the wives of the synagogues three rabbis lit candles, each of them saying a prayer in different languages English, Hebrew and Spanish. Elder Ric Medina then sounded the opening notes on a shofar, a musical instrument fashioned from a rams horn, to signify the start of Seder. The word Seder itself refers to the dinner, Kristensen said. In many places, its just like Thanksgiving dinner in America you have your family gathered around. In many, many homes in Judaism here and everywhere around the world, theres people gathered in their homes, doing this. The idea is that your children will never forget what happened. Its as if we lived it ourselves. Those in attendance took part in Urchatz, a washing of the hands. One person at each table poured water over the hands of each of the others seated there. That was followed by the blessing and breaking of the matzah, which are thin pieces of unleavened bread. Small pieces were broken off and dipped into horseradish, to symbolize the bitter experience of slavery. Some of the matzah was saved and wrapped under covers to be hidden in places so children could later look for them a tradition called the search for Affikomen. Several women from the congregation dressed in white bridal gowns danced to music for the telling of the Passover story. Many in the audience filmed the procession and some observers clapped along enthusiastically with the music. Lead Rabbi Roy Garcia recited the Ten Plagues that afflicted Egypt. For each plague named, everyone removed a drop of grape juice from their cups to sprinkle on their napkins or plates to express a diminishing of joy because of that suffering. Everyone rose to their feet for Dayenu. Those in attendance enthusiastically sang and clapped along. At the end, many applauded and cheered. That led up to the dinner, a feast that included brisket, chicken, lamb and many side dishes. Pretty much everything has been home cooked, not catered, Kristensen said. Since this is a largely Sephardic congregation ... we have a lot of cultural dishes here tonight, like some rice and beans kind of dishes, Puerto Rican dishes, a blend of cultures. Thats why we have Spanish translation, because a good number of our people dont speak English that well. Seder is a biblical feast, said John Gardiner, another deacon at the synagogue. Its a solemn occasion, he said. Its a time to remember what the Israelites went through. For Messianic (Jews), its a time to remember what pain and suffering we went through. Garcia, the lead rabbi, founded the Baruch HaShem Messianic Synagogue in 1992. Messianic Jews believe that Jesus is the Messiah and thus are not considered Jewish by mainstream Jewish denominations. Peggy OHare covers housing, demographics and the census in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pohare@express-news.net | Twitter: @Peggy_OHare In late March, Pride Center San Antonio called the first meeting of its Gender Affirmation Project. It was a busy Saturday. The center was receiving deliveries and selling Fiesta medals. Refreshments were put out, and early on it was clear more chairs would be needed in the community room for the informational session. Everyones name tag reflected a first name and preferred pronoun; any combination of he, she and they. Transgender men and women, Latinos and Anglos, joined transgender minors accompanied by their parents or guardians. They were all drawn to the projects singular purpose to help transgender individuals go to court to have their names and gender identifiers changed to reflect who they are, not who they used to be. Its no mere formality. Getting an M changed to an F on a government ID card or drivers license represents a turning point in lives likely to hold many more. The center says making such legal changes can curb discrimination and violence and protect someone from being outed as transgender every time an ID or drivers license has to be presented. A 2012 Trinity University study of San Antonios LBGTQ community found that nearly 63 percent had experienced discrimination or harassment. Transgender people reported the highest rates. Getting ones name or gender marker updated used to require petitioners to appear before a judge in person. In Travis County, its handled differently. A case is presented to a court administrator who finds an available judge. With few exceptions, a judge reviews the petition, approves and signs it. The petitioner doesnt have to plead his or her case in a courtroom. Claire Bow, an Austin transgender attorney, told those gathered at the Pride Center that judges once considered whether a transgender woman or man was pretty or masculine enough to be granted the desired change. Now its more straightforward, she says, requiring a one-party lawsuit. The Gender Affirmation Project is a joint effort of the Pride Center, the pro bono program at St. Marys University School and the Mithoff Pro Bono Program at the University of Texas at Austin law school. The March session was a precursor to a legal clinic at St. Marys today in which a dozen law students will assist as many as 50 San Antonians get their case work completed and ready to file, in person or online. Though many hands went up during Bows question-and-answer session, none of the attendees was quite ready to be quoted in the newspaper. Pride Center executive director Robert Salcedo called the launch of the new project historic and another effort to help the citys LGBTQ community be who we are without fear of discrimination. Benjamin Dunn and Molly Buchanan, who lead a group called OUTLaw at St. Marys, spearheaded the project to aid the transgender community and give law students pro bono legal experience. Name and gender marker changes werent always legal in Texas, and theyre still not handled consistently by courts. Some counties arent accustomed to the cases. Travis County has dealt with a lot of them, so San Antonios project will guide local petitioners to file their cases in Austin. Ultimately, its hoped Bexar County courts will follow Travis Countys lead in making the process painless. Bow, who did months of research to get her own court ruling, says gender affirmation experiences in Travis County have prompted a series of recommendations. She went through them step by step. Courts in Austin like to see petitioners present two letters, she said: one from a personal physician and another from a licensed therapist. Fingerprints are required. The physicians letter needs to say the patient has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, in which ones emotional and psychological identity is in conflict with ones biological sex. Its not treatment, she says. Its a diagnosis. It helps if the doctors letter says the changes are in your best interests. Minors need the consent of a parent or legal guardian to make name and gender marker changes. With each explanation, Bow described what documents to gather before todays clinic. Her voice was calming, her advice born of her legal training and experience. Then came the best news: If you choose to file in person, you may be able to become a new person by lunchtime. Bow smiled, then turned serious. Old names and pronouns, those will take time. Their journeys are also likely to require a lifetime of courage. Its been nearly two years since the Confederate monument was removed from Travis Park, taken down in the dead of night after a 10-1 City Council vote. The promise was to contextualize the monument in a museum, but that has yet to happen. The monument, two Civil War cannons and a corresponding time capsule have been warehoused in separate, undisclosed locations. The city and the local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy are litigating the monuments ownership and placement, as well as concerns about possible damage. But as time has marched forward, the question I have returned to is what does it mean to properly contextualize the monument and fully reflect history? This is a moral and historical question, not a legal one. And the only moral answer is to place it in a museum. To warehouse the monument indefinitely is to cloak its own unique history and make invisible the social forces that allowed the unnamed Confederate soldier to loom over this community for nearly 120 years. To return it to the United Daughters of the Confederacy is to perpetuate the mythology of the Lost Cause, which reduces the centrality of slavery to the Confederacy. To place it in the Confederate Cemetery in the historically black East Side is a nonstarter. To return it to Travis Park as the Daughters insist is untenable with its obvious echoes of hegemony. So, to a museum it must go where it can be displayed and contextualized. But even so, thats hardly enough. As much as I supported moving the monument to a different setting in 2017 why venerate this cause? it has bothered me to see no recognition of the statues gravitational force at Travis Park and no meaningful dialogue about honoring the Civil War and civil rights in this setting. No marker to say what once stood here, and no new statue to reflect inclusive values. The Christmas tree that has replaced the monument at Travis Park in the winter is beautiful, and the summer movie series there is fun and inviting, but neither promotes a deeper understanding of where we have been nor light the way forward. As certain as I am about placing the monument in a museum, the Daughters are equally certain it should return to its place of prominence. We know the context couldnt be any better in any other place than where it just came from, said Robin Terrazas, president of the local UDC chapter. As the Daughters see it, the monument is a celebration of valor, and a reminder of the horrors of war. Men fought and died on the battlefield, regardless of the cause, and they were then honored by the women left behind. You call it a monument, said attorney Thomas Crane, who is representing the Daughters. I call it a memorial. Its not a monument to the Confederacy, its a memorial to deceased Confederate veterans. During a slideshow, Terrazas and Rita Schimpff, also with the UDC, pointed out what they viewed as inconsistencies in the citys decision to remove the monument. They showed pictures of press conferences and festivals at the park, the Confederate soldier standing tall in the background as citizens of all races mingled. How, they asked, was this a symbol of hate if the community was having such a good time? It bothers us that they want to say bad things about our ancestors and take down our monument, Schimpff said. I am upset and sad. ... Obviously, for 118 years there was diversity around that monument. They pointed to the Woolworth Building the citys first desegregated lunch counter and questioned why this historic downtown site might be torn down as part of the Alamo master plan. They asked how removing the Confederate monument made any difference in the present moment. They also took a distinctly narrow view about slaverys place in the Confederacy and the war: I personally dont think that was a primary reason for the war being fought, Terrazas said. This is a difficult comment to hear, but it was tame in comparison to comments from other monument supporters. Richard Brewer, of the Texas Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, which has unsuccessfully sued the city, told me the monument should be a portal for learning. But learning what? He also said the end of slavery was the worst thing that happened to the slaves because of the failures of reconstruction when the rug that supported them was pulled out from under them. Slavery, he said, that was 150 years ago and we are still worried about it? My Irish ancestors were enslaved by the Vikings in 800. Just kind of let it go. Ive included these comments, not out of a sense of bothsidesism, but to show why we cannot kind of let it go even as efforts mount in the Legislature and in courts to force this monument back to Travis Park. The monument is the propagation of Civil War mythology. Its modern-day supporters give very little thought to the cataclysm of slavery, and are singularly interested in foisting their views onto the community with little regard for historical context or understanding for other views. What I always found hilarious in one way, and disturbing in another way, they would always have the jazz festival in that park when the statue was there, said Mario Salas, a civil rights leader and lecturer at the University of Texas at San Antonio. And people would sit under that monument drinking beer, people of all ethnic groups having a good time, listening to jazz, very much African American inspired music, under that symbol of hatred. Clearly, those past celebrations at Travis Park were not as comfortable as the Daughters assumed. Slaverys centrality to the Confederacy is well-documented. Its evident in Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens Cornerstone Speech, in which he said the Confederacys foundation rested upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. Its evident in Texas Declaration of Causes, which declared blacks were rightfully held and regarded as an inferior and dependent race, and in that condition only could their existence in this country be rendered beneficial or tolerable. These werent just views of leadership. In his essay Confronting Slavery and Revealing the Lost Cause, the late historian James Oliver Horton, of George Washington University, provides a number of examples of rank-and-file soldiers sharing these views, even if they did not own slaves. San Antonios monument was a testament to such rank-and-file soldiers. An unnamed soldier facing Southward, one hand pointing toward heaven, the monument was erected in 1900, a time when San Antonio had become a much more Southern city, said John Reynolds, a history professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. The monument bears the inscription, Lest we forget, invoking collective memory for the Confederate dead. Its placement in the center of town was a pronouncement of values and a statement of power. The turn of the 20th century was a time of peak Anglo culture here, and the monument, Reynolds said, is meant to celebrate this Anglo culture, and to perpetuate a narrative that affirmed that white Southerners all bravely answered the Confederacys call to come to its defense. But San Antonio voted against secession, and there is a haunting monument to the Union in nearby Comfort. Is it at all surprising that in 2017, a time of peak diversity in San Antonio, a minority-majority city, that community leaders would question this narrative and symbolism? It is part of our history. Its a part of all of our histories, said Gregory Hudspeth, president of the NAACPs San Antonio branch and a political science professor at St. Philips College. We dont need to have those (Confederate monuments) in a place of prominence in which we are celebrating treating people as subhuman. Neither Hudspeth nor Salas wants the monument destroyed, although it would be understandable if they did. They only want it understood, and to never again be uncritically celebrated and accepted. There were many reasons for the Daughters to erect such monuments across Texas and the South. To honor their fallen fathers, and also the sacrifices of women during wartime, of course. But this was also a feminist creation. These monuments were a path toward social authority, power and collective memory creation. The Daughters understood the potential power in memory construction and used it to project the morals they valued, morals such as honor, sacrifice, and patriotism, historian Kelly McMichael writes in her essay, Memories Are Short But Monuments Lengthen Remembrances: The United Daughters of the Confederacy And The Power of Civil War Memory. They took the myth of the Lost Cause and made it as real as granite. That makes the statue interesting, but not right. To return the statue to Travis Park would reverberate Confederate values and ignore the social context of this moment so defined by greater awareness of racial injustice. It belongs in a local museum. But what about Travis Park? How do we acknowledge our past veneration of something so wrong in this space while also honoring our endless struggle toward equality? Removing the monument is not enough. Lest we forget. jbrodesky@express-news.net At Julian Castros political rally in San Antonio, all he spoke about were his plans to help the citizens of Central America coming here illegally. I thought he was running for president of the United States to represent our citizens, not Central America. One of his speakers, who admitted to being here illegally, claims she never lived in fear of being an undocumented immigrant until Trump was elected. I would think if she was really so scared, she wouldnt have agreed to be a speaker at Castros rally. What other country would allow someone living illegally in their country to speak out publicly against their laws. She has no fear because she knows the Democrats will protect her for her support and use her as a political pawn should she be deported. What has the Democratic Party ever done to fix the immigration issue nothing! They only pretend to care about it at election time to solicit votes. If this country was treating immigrants less than human beings as Castro insinuates why do they continue to illegally cross our southern border in record numbers every month? About the mariachi band from Jefferson High School that opened the political rally for Castro: Since when does taxpayer money for the school district go to support a political candidate by sending a band to preform? I realize Castro is struggling to get attention in the crowded field of liberal Democrats, so he cannot be happy about 500 to 600 people attended his political rally in his home town of over 1 million citizens. Carthel W. Williams, Spring Branch Consider Castro Re: Being Twins Is All Relative, Front Page, March 24: Bill Lambrecht writes of the Castro brothers early life together in San Antonio, their education at Stanford and Harvard and their political accomplishments. Lambrecht notes, their political aspirations in the 2020 election will add an intriguing subplot to their national story. The article fell short expounding on the Castros dedicated and unselfish desire to serve, which has been very much a part of their lives. Their years of unwavering service to our city, state and country has been exemplary. Looking to Platos Republic III, one can see what early philosophers valued in their guardians of the state. Certainly, wisdom and character were a must, but one should always look to those who in their whole life show the greatest eagerness to do what is for the good of their country, and the greatest repugnance to do what is against her interests. Julian and Joaquin Castro merit our consideration in 2020. Nancy Draves The logic is troubling Re: City cowed by wokeness plays chicken politics, Another View, April 9: I found interesting the commentary by the gay couple supportive of Chick-fil-A. Just as there are probably vegan cattle ranchers and likewise probably some anti-gun NRA members, there are some gay people who support Chick-fil-A. In each of these cases, the inherently conflicted logic probably renders the number of people in each case fairly small, however. The couple proudly states their married and parental statuses, yet fails to acknowledge that organizations supported by Chick-fil-A such the Family Research Council and others, spent thousands of dollars and worked tirelessly to fight those very rights this couple now enjoys. As an American, I wholeheartedly support the right of this couple to espouse these beliefs. As a gay man who was with the same partner for 25 years before we could finally get legally married, I find their logic somewhat troubling. Jim Germann No honest Dems I see the Trump haters are not done with what they started and got an answer to. All Democrats should at least try and cut the string through their nose that has been leading no, guiding them in their thoughts. Dont tell free-thinkers that you will not vote if you dont see the full Mueller report. All you have to do is admit that you will vote the way the Democratic Party tells you to. Do not claim to be an independent, open-minded and reasonable thinking American. For two years, Democrats have claimed collusion on Trumps part, yet Mueller could find nothing. Your own man said no. Why not open an investigation on Hillarys spying on Trumps organization using fake documents as justification to the FISA court? If you Democrats got behind that investigation, I would probably (though not likely now) think the Democratic Party finally found a couple of honest Democrat persons. As it stands now, the Democrat search for someone honest in the party will be a lengthy one. Philip McKeon, Converse Socialism contributes For those going bonkers over the thought of socialism, they may need to re-think the term and understand what they are willing to do without in order to eliminate socialism. Please eliminate: Safe drinking water, $10 refills for prescription medication, employers medical plans, safe food to eat, knowing the ingredients in what we consume (including the air we breath), bus rides to work, retirement benefits, Social security, Medicare, paid sick leave, paid vacations, unemployment benefits, safer cars to drive, Federally insured (guaranteed) bank accounts, public education, Fannie Mae insured housing loans, roads we drive to work on, public roads private businesses use to deliver goods, health care, law enforcement, military protection, government sponsored innovation and Im sure you can think of plenty more services created by collective payment for such. All created by those liberal-thinking, idiotic, thoughtless and uncaring progressives. Im trying to think of contributions made by capitalism in its purest form? Perhaps its economic inequality and trust funds that the capitalists create for the public good to ease their conscience. Jerry Kempe, New Braunfels As John Casey mingled this week with a few dozen Stop & Shop strikers in Norwalk under his supervision, he mulled the impact of any prolonged action on the lives of those United Food & Commercial Worker members now reduced to a $20-a-day stipend. Morale is strong and workers will remain galvanized in securing what the union considers are fair demands on wages and benefits, Casey maintained with the supermarket workers perhaps helping to stiffen the resolve of unions nationally for upcoming negotiations. It would take six weeks of picketing by the 31,500 Stop & Shop workers out on strike to eclipse the worker days lost in an ongoing dispute between Charter Communications and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, whose 1,700 member technicians in New York and New Jersey walked off the job just over two years ago. But while those workers have staged visible demonstrations outside Charters Stamford headquarters and in the boroughs of New York City, for sheer power of persuasion they have represented a relative pinprick for Charter, which employs nearly 100,000 people and added more than 940,000 subscribers last year. The United Food & Commercial Workers strike, by contrast, has kept customers away from Stop & Shop stores in droves, with parking lots full at competing stores this week as households stock up for gatherings. A Farmington UFCW official estimated this week that parent Ahold Delhaize is sacrificing $20 million in revenue each day the strike continues. Joe Biden noted the extraordinary pressure UFCW workers are applying on Ahold Delhaize, speaking in Boston Thursday as the former vice president made the rounds amid speculation of a pending candidacy for the White House. Whats happening here is that workers are not being treated, across the board, with dignity theyre not being treated like they matter, Biden said Thursday. Ordinary, middle-class people built America, and ... thats not hyperbole thats just a simple fact. ... The middle class built this place, and you know who built the middle class? Unions. Unions lose ground in 2018 After a relative lull lasting a decade, work stoppages spiked last year to 20 separate actions involving a combined 485,000 workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, representing the highest number of workers on the picket line since 1986. A few of those strikes got national attention, particularly in Arizona where 81,000 school teachers rallied in Phoenix to pressure state government into softening its previous stance on contract negotiations. In Connecticut, unions built up their membership base four straight years to reach 278,000 people in 2017, a 10-year high, before losing 10,000 members last year in the aggregate as estimated by BLS. The reversal occurred despite overall employment gains last year, with 16 percent of Connecticut workers belonging to a union according to BLS. Union challenges have included workers changing jobs and careers more frequently, making it more difficult to retain existing members; and corporations with more far-flung business interests giving them alternative sources of revenue to ride out work stoppages. In the case of Ahold Delhaize, in addition to Stop & Shop the company owns the nonunion Hannaford supermarket which has an extensive Northeast footprint save in Connecticut and Rhode Island, as well as the Giant and Food Lion chains. All eyes on Stop & Shop Initial, cordial public exchanges between the sides threatened to take a turn for the worse on Wednesday, when Stop & Shop CEO Mark McGowan issued a pointed warning to UFCW members acknowledging their right to picket but warning them not to cross any lines with respect to interacting with customers on the picket lines. McGowan did not state what recourse the company would take if it deemed strikers become too disruptive. On several occasions ... protests have gone far beyond civil and customers and employees have been threatened, intimidated or put in situations that felt dangerous or disrespectful, McGowan stated on a Stop & Shop website addressing the strike. That and illegal actions are things that we will and I will absolutely not stand for. We have a responsibility to make sure that everyone on Stop & Shop property is safe at all times, and we take this commitment very seriously. Local UFCW supervisors and workers have told Hearst Connecticut Media this past week that while they see some Ahold Delhaize proposals as to be expected in any new contract negotiation, others they regard as callous including a company stance to no longer offer health insurance to spouses who have access to plans from their own employers. Ahold Delhaizes responses are being monitored nationally, according to John Casey, a UFCW supervisor at a Stop & Shop store in Norwalk and a veteran of a 1988 Stop & Shop strike that lasted less than 24 hours. The question is the degree to which they will turn the heat up on other labor negotiations, whether at companies represented by UFCW members like Acme Market owner Albertsons, or other prominent chains like CVS and Rite Aid. I can tell you that every single UFCW across the United States is looking at this, Casey told Hearst Connecticut Media this past week. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman This week, we witnessed a tragedy in the making. On April 15, the world stood by and watched in bewilderment as the Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris burned out of control the building consumed by flames for more than 12 hours. In addition to battling the flames, firefighters worked swiftly to remove religious treasures that have been objects of devotion for millions of Christians for centuries. Among these items were what is believed to be the true crown of thorns of Jesus, one of the authentic nails of the Cross of Jesus and a relic of wood of the same Cross. The intense damage sustained at such a Christian icon was devastating and disheartening for many. New Yorks Cardinal Timothy Dolan said on the Today show that it was like having lost a family member. He noted that looking at the fire and aftermath was like a funeral. The magnificent edifice has undergone much and endured many hardships throughout the ages, among them: the French Revolution, the Huguenot rebellions and two world wars. Nonetheless, once the flames and smoke had subsided, amidst the rubble and charred remains, the heart and soul of the cathedral were found intact. The cross of the main altar stood unharmed and, alongside it, a majestic sculpture of the Pieta by Nicolas Coustou. French President Emmanuel Macron promised that the cathedral will be rebuilt, vowing to have it back to its glorious state within five years. Notre Dame is our history, its our literature, its our imagery. Its the place where we live our greatest moments, from wars to pandemics to liberations, he said. Im telling you all tonight we will rebuild this cathedral together. This is probably part of the French destiny. This is a wonderful paradigm for Christians as we celebrate Holy Week and Easter. Life is not about falling down but about getting up. Life is not about tearing down but about rebuilding. The Book of Ecclesiastes says: There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens a time to tear down and a time to build. Just when we think that we are destroyed and defeated, thats the moment of a new beginning. Something mystically unites us in tragedy and releases a hidden divine energy that motivates us to join forces to begin again toward a renewed future. For Christians celebrating these Holy Days, the presence of the Cross and that of the Blessed Mother is at the center of our faith and reassures us of our hopeful future just as the Parisians will rebuild Notre Dame around the central altar where the Cross and Pieta remain, unscathed, waiting for a new beginning. The Very Rev. Arthur Mollenhauer is the pastor of St. James Church in Stratford and judicial vicar for the Diocese of Bridgeport. He is the former pastor of St. Roch Church in Byram. The #MeToo Movement reinforced the ongoing fight for womens rights. Now, Western Connecticut State University is hosting Its On Us at The Gallery, a unique art exhibit to raise awareness of sexual assault during April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The event is being held Monday from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom on the universitys Westside campus. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Sexual assault is difficult to discuss, so I wanted to create a powerful walk-through for people to see how prevalent the issue is and how it truly impacts survivors a space where people could come together to discuss the issue and educate those on campus, said senior Leah Harger, president of the Its On Us WCSU chapter, and organizer of the event. My objective is for this exhibit to deeply move people and give them ideas of how they can get involved in the movement. I want to showcase some of the experiences people have had and how their lives have changed through these traumatic events. The exhibit will range from artwork and poetry to photography and music and include sexual assault and domestic violence statistics. Art and writing tends to be a healing and processing tool for people whove experienced traumatic events, such as sexual assault. I was inspired to organize the gallery because I wanted to highlight art or writing that survivors may have created to help themselves heal, Harger said. One of the artists, freshman Samantha Cross, of Watertown, is exhibiting poems that recount her story and those of others, in addition to documentary poetry. Documentary poetry is when a poet uses articles or other outside sources and information in a poem, said Cross whose project, Our Cultured 17.6%, is a manipulation of articles, stories, and statistics of sexual assault and rape in America. Her poetry incorporates well-known cases, such as Dr. Ford vs. Brett Kavanaugh and Kesha vs. Dr. Luke. She said that Kesha and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford showed her what bravery looks like and were the inspirations for her piece. I can spread more awareness, talk with other survivors, and open up more dialogue about this monumental problem of sexual assault and rape culture in America. I hope people realize theres so much a victim has to go through after a sexual assault. I want people to see how big a problem it is and how hurtful the stigmas can be to a victims psyche. When Cross needed a welcoming place, she joined Its On Us, a chapter of the national organization initiated by Barack Obama and Joe Biden to combat sexual assault and sexual violence on college campuses. Its On Us works to educate the university community on different facts, statistics, and myths surrounding sexual violence and victim-blaming language and behaviors to hopefully change the culture of our campus one event, meeting, or conversation at a time, Harger said. Artist Bhadrangi Soni, 20, a junior from Danbury, is exhibiting oil and acrylic paintings featuring South Asian survivors of sexual assault accompanied by each victims story. I incorporate their story into the emotions of the painting. The juxtaposition of the womens facial expressions and the beautiful jewelry and clothing illustrates the truth of our society. Within the South Asian culture, theres a heavy emphasis put on womens appearance and her persona, Soni said. Im very grateful to be part of this exhibit. Id like for people to read these stories and understand the way our society has treated sexual assault victims and survivors. If someone who has been sexually assaulted reads these stories, I hope they know theyre not alone and we must all come together to help support survivors. According to Sydney Trezza, director of Campus Counseling and Advocacy for the Womens Center of Greater Danbury, its critical to raise awareness of sexual assault. There are still people in our communities who arent aware of the prevalence of sexual assault on campuses, said Trezza, praising Its On Us for educating the community and reminding survivors of safe people and places to go on campus. Sometimes, it takes courage to speak out against sexual assault, and to see the students in this club dedicating their time and energy to finding ways they can take do that is very inspiring to me as the adviser and reminds me why this work is so important, Trezza said. The Womens Center of Greater Danbury can be reached at 203-731-5200. For information about the exhibit, email Leah Harger at harger005@connect.wcsu.edu or Sydney Trezza at Trezzas@wcsu.edu. GREENWICH For its 11th annual Stand Against Racism Day, the YWCA Greenwich will move the powerful event outside to increase the visibility of the community event. The event will be held from noon to 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, on the front steps of Greenwich Town Hall. This annual event is held in partnership with the Town of Greenwich and all members of the community are invited to participate. Participants will be asked to join in a group picture demonstrating their pledge to stand up against all forms of racism. This years guest speaker is Claudia Connor, president and CEO of the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants. The annual Stand Against Racism is our way of uniting the Greenwich community in a public demonstration that delivers a clear message, said YWCA Greenwich President and CEO, Mary Lee A. Kiernan. We are on a mission to eliminate racism. First Selectman Peter Tesei will read the Stand Against Racism proclamation. YWCA Racial Justice Scholarship Awards will be presented by Ralph Mayo, interim superintendent of the Greenwich Public Schools, to students who demonstrate a commitment to social justice. The Greenwich High School Jazz Band will provide music for the event. Refreshments will be served to encourage participants to stop and mingle with colleagues, friends and neighbors. Stand Against Racism is a signature event of the YWCA to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities. This event is one part of the larger national YWCA strategy to fulfill our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Register a business, school, club or nonprofit to be listed on the community poster by visiting www.ywcagreenwich.org/standagainstracism. For further information, contact Joan Mockler at j.mockler@ywcagreenwich.org or 203-869-6501, Ext. 104 Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Partly cloudy. Gusty winds diminishing after midnight. Low 24F. Winds SW at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Gusty winds diminishing after midnight. Low 24F. Winds SW at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Vicky Was Filming An Action Sequence On A Ship A source revealed, "The crew has been shooting in Gujarat since the last five days. During a night shoot on Thursday, when Vicky was filming an action sequence in a ship, he had to run and open the door." 'Ouch' Diaries "Unfortunately, the door fell on him and he was badly hurt. He was rushed to a local hospital by the crew and flown back to Mumbai," revealed the source. We Wish Vicky A Speedy Recovery! "Vicky fractured his cheekbone and got 13 stitches on his cheek. The actor will be consulting a doctor in Mumbai and will be back in action once he is better." The Actor Has An Exciting Line-up Of Films Apart from this horror flick, Vicky will be also seen in Shoojit Sircar's Uddham Singh biopic, Aditya Dhar's period war film on on Ashwathama and Karan Johar's Takht. On The Personal Front The 'Uri' actor who was reportedly dating actress Harleen Sethi, recently broke up with her. Rumours of their split first surfaced when Harleen unfollowed him on Instagram. Budget carrier SpiceJet Ltd said on Friday it will prioritise hiring employees of Jet Airways Ltd who are losing their jobs after the crisis-hit airline halted all flight operations indefinitely this week. Budget carrier SpiceJet Ltd said on Friday it will prioritise hiring employees of Jet Airways Ltd who are losing their jobs after the crisis-hit airline halted all flight operations indefinitely this week. We have already provided jobs to more than 100 pilots, more than 200 cabin crew and more than 200 technical and airport staff, said Ajay Singh, chairman and managing director of SpiceJet, Reuters reported. As we expand and grow, we are giving first preference to those who have recently lost their jobs due to the unfortunate closure of Jet Airways," Singh said, according to a PTI report. Giving first preference to personnel affected by Jet Airways' closure, SpiceJet has recruited 500 former Jet Airways employees, including 100 pilots. This follows the induction of 27 aircraft to help relieve capacity crunch caused by the closure.https://t.co/nqhBwJQX7Y SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) April 19, 2019 Hundreds of Jet Airways employees protested in Delhi and Mumbai on Thursday to push its management for answers about their future after the airline shut down all flight operations on Wednesday having failed to secure new funding from its lenders. Jet Airways has lost many employees as the crisis unfolded. About 400 pilots have moved to other airlines, leaving Jet with about 1,300 pilots, a senior Jet pilot told Reuters. About 40 engineers have also left, a senior engineer said. SpiceJet, the Gurugram-based no-frills airline has already announced induction of 27 more planes -22 Boeing 737s and five turboprop Bombardier Q400s - in the fleet to help overcome to an extent the capacity deficit due to Jet Airways temporarily withdrawing its domestic and international services. The carrier Thursday announced the launch of 24 new flights connecting Mumbai and Delhi with 16 services connecting Mumbai and four Delhi while the remaining four connecting the two metros. These flights are set to be rolled out between 26 April and 2 May. Earlier this week, the carrier said it will connect Mumbai to a host of international destinations with direct non-stop flights to Hong Kong, Jeddah, Dubai, Colombo, Dhaka, Riyadh, Bangkok and Kathmandu, starting May-end. Low cost carrier SpiceJet said that it is making all possible efforts to minimise passenger inconvenience. "SpiceJet is making all possible efforts to minimise passenger inconvenience and serve Indian customers who are finding it difficult to get seats in this busy season," Singh added. Lenders, led by State Bank Of India, say they are hopeful of a successful bidding process for Jet. The carrier is saddled with about $1.2 billion in debt. The government plans to form a committee to temporarily allocate takeoff and landing slots left vacant by the grounding of Jets flights, a senior official said on Thursday. Local airlines including InterGlobe Aviation Ltd and state-run Air India are likely to benefit. Air India on Thursday offered special fares to passengers stranded in international routes due to Jets grounding. (With inputs from agencies) WASHINGTON(Reuters) - The U.S. International Trade Commission said on Friday it had determined that imports of wooden cabinets from China are harming American producers, keeping alive a trade investigation that could lead to tariffs on the products. WASHINGTON(Reuters) - The U.S. International Trade Commission said on Friday it had determined that imports of wooden cabinets from China are harming American producers, keeping alive a trade investigation that could lead to tariffs on the products. The preliminary findings by the trade panel mean the U.S. Commerce Department will move ahead with an investigation into whether Chinese wooden cabinets, vanities and components are unfairly subsidized or sold in the U.S. market at less than fair value. If the Commerce Department determines the products are unfairly subsidized or dumped on the U.S. market, and the ITC upholds its finding of harm, the United States would impose tariffs on the imports for a period of five years. The United States imported some $4.4 billion worth of wooden cabinets, vanities and their components from China in 2018. The trade investigation was launched in March based on petitions from the American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance. (Reporting by Tim Ahmann; editing by Grant McCool) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Amethi's returning officer Ram Manohar Misra told reporters that Rahul's counsel had sought time to reply to the objections and has been asked to do so by Monday Amethi/New Delhi: An Independent candidate Saturday raised objections over Congress president Rahul Gandhi's nomination from Amethi, alleging discrepancies over citizenship and educational qualifications in his election affidavit. Citing the complaint, the BJP said in New Delhi asked Rahul to "come clean" on the matter. Complainant Dhruv Lal's lawyer Ravi Prakash showed reporters purported copies of a certificate of incorporation of a UK-registered company in which the Congress leader is stated to be a British national. Amethi's returning officer Ram Manohar Misra told reporters that Rahul's counsel had sought time to reply to the objections and has been asked to do so by Monday. Ravi Prakash claimed that the UK Company had existed for five years and would have made some profit, but that has not been disclosed in the affidavit. He told reporters that he has urged the returning officer to look into this aspect. The Independent candidate's counsel said he has sought a clarification on Rahul's citizenship as being a UK citizen would bar him from fighting the Lok Sabha elections. Yogendra Misra, the president of the district Congress unit, said the objections will be countered legally on Monday. Uttar Pradesh's chief electoral officer L Venkateshwar Lu said he has sought information on the complaint from the district election authorities. In Delhi, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said it is "stunning" that Rahul's lawyer sought time to reply to the objections. "These are serious allegations. Is Rahul Gandhi an Indian citizen or not? Did he ever become a British citizen? He should come out with the real story," he told reporters. Election Commission sources said the returning officer is the final authority on such a matter, but he cannot check the veracity of what is submitted in an election affidavit. If anyone has an objection to what is recorded in an affidavit, the person should approach the court, they said. The BJP spokesperson claimed that a British company, in which Rahul had said in 2004 that he made investments, had made a submission that year to the authorities there that he was a British citizen. Referring to the complaint, the BJP spokesperson said there are "discrepancies and attempts to suppress facts" in Rahul's affidavits filed during different elections from 2004 to 2014. The Congress chief had said that he did M Phil in development economics from Cambridge University, but later claimed it was in development studies, Rao alleged. The BJP spokesman said inquiries show that one Rahul Vincy and not Rahul Gandhi got the degree that particular year. "We will like to know if Rahul Gandhi goes by multiple names in different countries," Rao said. He also wondered if the Gandhi scion's qualifications were like Congress manifestos that change every five years. The Singara village in Assam, adjacent to the rivers Singara and Ranganadi gets submerged every year and the water refuses to recede even after the monsoon is over 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 *** Singara: Thunder rumbles in the distance and heavy dark clouds loom in the sky but they do little to deter Budbori Payeng and Lalita Payeng from continuing to maneuver their axes to break down logs into neatly-chopped wood in rapid strokes. It has started already, says Lalita, Before the rains, we must stock enough firewood to sustain throughout these months, until the monsoon is over. The Singara village in Assam, adjacent to the rivers Singara and Ranganadi gets submerged every year and the water refuses to recede even after the monsoon is over, as released water from Ranganadi reservoir also add to the woes. Water comes rushing from the Singara river nearby and the strong current takes along everything in our houses firewood, utensils, food, lanterns. It has been so long that we have been living like this. Our fields are no longer cultivable as they are deluged for the entire year; crops are destroyed before we can harvest them, Budbori Payeng tells us while directing our attention to the rice planted in their land of less than an acre. This is one variety of rice that grows only in deep water, but we cannot rely upon its produce as it is not preferred in the market. The river water has already found its way to the nearby fields. The water will breach the road and enter our homes. We travel to raised roads at the T-point or embankments on our broken boat during the floods, says Lalita, adding that livestock also faces huge distress. Several metres away, their neighbour, Dhenuram Narah, has a similar tale to tell. "Every year, floods wash away our cows, goats and pigs. We may shift to relief camps, but it is difficult to provide them food and shelter. If they survive but fall sick, no one comes to treat them and they eventually die. The April rains have started, and until January, the water continues to stand in our fields and courtyards. This means we cannot grow anything here and often end up working for others even though we are land owners, says the 67-year-old. In July 2018, there was a sudden deluge in the Singara river which caused massive inundation of more than 50 villages of Nowboicha Revenue Circle in Lakhimpur district. According to reports, the river overflowed after heavy rains and breached a PWD road which led the water into the villages blocking the NH-15 (Lakhimpur-Arunachal Pradesh) for four days. Residents allege that their miseries were neglected by the government, which failed to set up any relief camp. Again, a few days later, water from the Ranganadi reservoir spilled and resulted in breaching of an embankment and flooded the road between NH 15 and the rail bridge over Ranganadi river. People of North Lakhimpur have serious grievances against the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO), who, they claim, open the Ranganadi reservoir gates without warning and cause loss of lives and property. In the bordering villages of Majuli, residents say that they spend the better part of the year battling the waters but more than the flood, it is erosion which has ruined lives of millions of people. The flood here is so routine an affair that its almost like we are born in the waters. We can live with the flood, swimming and rowing but who will give us back our lands lost to the river? There is no embankment to protect our village from the river. We dont have any crop fields left to cultivate, no proper house to live, everything has been swallowed by the river, said Rameshwar Pameng of Alimur Mising Gaon. Rameshwar Pameng recalls the devastating floods of 1988, when all the embankments and elevated roads were under water and it has been since then that they are fighting for help. Although a few villages were relocated in the year 1992, after that, till date no one has been shifted, neither provided any shelter or monetary help. In more than 100 villages in the Majuli district, people live on roads in makeshift houses, supported by bamboo poles 4-5 feet high (called Sang Ghor). The river water continues to flood their homes, which are submerged for months during monsoon. Wrath of the Brahmaputra In 2018, more than 4 lakh people in Assam were affected and 46 died after severe floods hit the region following torrential rains. The Brahmaputra river, which descends from a height of 2,450 meters above sea level in the Himalayas, flows through Assam along with its many tributaries and regularly changes its course. The braided river means life to the people of North East India and Bangladesh, as it gifts fertile soil to the valley, helping in agricultural and marine farming and is also a friend of the fisherfolk. But the river is as feared as it is loved. Every year, the Brahmaputra and 33 of its tributaries cause catastrophic floods in the Brahmaputra valley, Barak valley and also in neighbouring Bangladesh. The valley receives an average annual rainfall of 220 centimetres. The southwest monsoon brings heavy precipitation from May to October, causing the Brahmaputra and its tributaries to overflow. The river Brahmaputra contributes to significant amount of sediment load, which makes the Brahmaputra valley prone to flooding. Over the past years, a considerable amount of land in the region has been wiped out, with Majuli facing the worst kind of erosion. Temporary relief camps and materials can never be sufficient for the millions affected by such a disaster every year and effective measures for control and protection of lives and land have been a dire necessity. The Centre had proposed dredging along the length of the river after the disastrous flood of 2017 but no relief has come of it. Dhenuram Narah says the government and district authorities have done nothing to change their lives. The problem has existed for over 20 years now. Poll promises are made, but even after four-five elections, the situation remains grim in the village. Do they consider our lives to be of any value, he asks. Government officials and politicians remember us during elections, only to forget us soon after. We heard that they are giving cooking gas to women, but have a look at us. We still cook food on earthen stoves using firewood, and during floods, when our floors remain deluged, even cooking food becomes impossible, complains Budbori Payeng. For the Payeng family, all that is earned throughout the year needs to be spent on repairing their homes and buying essentials that are washed away again and again. In places like these, which have no urban pockets and where agriculture is still the major economic activity of almost all households, loss of cultivable land, plantations and farm animals have huge social and economic ramifications. The states disaster management authority, which was notified in 2007 and became functional in 2010, is meant to build capacity for disaster response at the lowest levels. Project Officer of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) in Lakhimpur, Papori Borah, maintains that proper precautionary measures have been taken in the district and by coordinating with NEEPCO, the district authorities will try to prevent harm caused by water from the Ranganadi river. She added that after the floods last year, they recognized the loopholes and accordingly initiated projects like community-based warning system by installing sirens which can alert villagers when water crosses danger mark. Her counterpart in Majuli, Dibya Jyoti Saikia, says that significant work has been done in the past few years to control floods and minimise loss. He said that all the project work undertaken in the past year has been completed or is nearing completion, and this year, the monsoon is unlikely to cause widespread damage. Such claims are however refuted by Moneswar Kutum, the village headman of Sumoimari Gaon, a village critically affected by erosion happening every year. Ten years ago, this village stretched for kilometres from here (towards the river), but successive floods kept pushing its boundary inward with hundreds of acres of land destroyed by the river. Small embankments are made here and there in the name of control measures, but they are not planned properly, he says. Pointing to construction work just 50 metres from his home towards the river, Kutum narrates how the government had felled hundreds of trees on his land without his permission and initiated work for construction of an embankment. The work was left incomplete due to a dispute between the government and the construction company. Whatever clashes the powerful people have, it is us who always suffer. We have shifted thrice in the past ten years; our homes and fields are already devoured by the river. Over 240 families from this village and those from other villages in Majuli continue to reside along the ridges. Rameshwar Pameng says, The situation becomes horrifying; we only stick to our children and family in those awful days. We have lost everything and yet were never provided any monetary help to revive. You will never visit the island if you see what happens here in the months when it is flooded. According to a recent report by NENOW, RTI replies have revealed that the Brahmaputra Board had paid Rs 31,48,326 to charter an aircraft for four days in December 2017, when Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari had come with his family to lay the foundation stone for Brahmaputra Board complex in Majuli and spent a luxurious new year in the state. The Brahmaputra Board is supposed to carry out surveys and investigations in the Brahmaputra and Barak Basin and to prepare a master plan for the control of floods, bank erosion and improvement of drainage and activities connected therewith. The current chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal convincingly won the Lakhimpur Lok Sabha seat in 2014, before he contested Assembly elections in 2016 from Majuli and was elected as the chief minister of Assam. Does belonging to the chief ministers constituency give Lakhimpur an edge over those from other constituencies? When Sarbananda Sonowal approached us for the previous Lok Sabha election in 2014 and then the Vidhan Sabha election in 2016, he assured us that if we vote for him, he would solve the problem of erosion in Majuli and help us with relocation, establishment or jobs . But nobody has received any benefits, says Rameshwar Pameng. Pameng also expressed anger over the proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. The Bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha on 8 January this year, facilitates granting of citizenship to illegal migrants belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian religious communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan. Is there any place for them to come and settle here? If there is, why isnt it being given to us? he asks. Moneswar Kutum adds, The government knows about our situation. The previous Tarun Gogoi-led Congress Government told us that they do not have any provision for resettlement and we will have to continue living here. It has become an annual event now, but no one, even once, talks about a permanent solution to this problem. Meanwhile, after the current government came to power, yoga guru Baba Ramdev has been allocated 1,200 acres and 148 acres of land in Chirang and Balipara respectively to set up Patanjali factories in Assam. The voters here exercised their franchise during the first phase of polling. Congress president Rahul Gandhi had visited Lakhimpur a week before that and addressed a rally in the presence of thousands of supporters, but skipped any mention of the victims of this annual calamity. Repeated betrayals have left the people shattered and elections do not mean much anyway for people in these afflicted areas. Perhaps the 65 percent voter turnout that was recorded here is a good figure under the circumstances. (The author is a Pune-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters) Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said, in an urgent Supreme Court hearing on Saturday morning, that charges of sexual harassment against him will be examined by other senior judges and not by himself and labelled the allegations as a threat to judiciary. Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said, in an urgent Supreme Court hearing on Saturday morning, that charges of sexual harassment against him will be examined by other senior judges and not by himself and labelled the allegations as a threat to judiciary and "a conspiracy" against it. The session was convened following charges of sexual harassment levelled against the CJI by a former SC staffer, who sent a signed affidavit to all 22 judges of the court, alleging that she was harassed by Gogoi in October. A bench was hurriedly constituted after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned online media reports of a sexual harassment complaint made by a former junior assistant of Justice Gogoi's before a Supreme Court official on Saturday. The woman had sent an affidavit to all 22 judges of the court on 19 April, 2019. The alleged incident occurred in October 2018. The woman, in her affidavit, said she has since been dismissed from service and claimed to have faced harassment on several other fronts. The registry came out with the notice that a special bench has been constituted to deal with the "matter of great public importance" touching upon the independence of the judiciary. The special bench comprising Gogoi and Justices Arun Mishra and Sanjeev Khanna sat at 10.30 am. During the hearing in CJI's court No 1, Gogoi said the allegations are unbelievable. He also said the independence of the judiciary was under "very, very serious threat" and there is a "larger conspiracy" to destabilise the judiciary. "This is unbelievable. I don't think I should stoop low even to deny these allegations," he said, adding, "There has to be a bigger force behind this, they want to deactivate the office of CJI." Confirming that a letter by the woman has been received by several sitting judges, Supreme Court Secretary General Sanjeev Sudhakar Kalgaonkar said all the allegations made by the woman concerned are malafide and have no basis. "No doubt, it is a malafide allegation," he said. Stating that the court was leaving it to the wisdom of media to act responsibly on allegations of sexual harassment against the CJI, the court said the independence of judiciary is under "very, very severe" threat. "After 20 years of selfless service as judge, I have bank balance of Rs 6.80 lakh," he said. "Nobody can catch me on money, people have to find something and they have found this: This is the reward CJI gets after 20 years of service," Gogoi added. He made it clear that he will preside over the CJI court and discharge his judicial functions without any fear. "I have taken this unusual and extraordinary step of sitting in court today because things have gone too far," he said. CNN News18 legal editor Utkarsh Anand, reporting from the court, tweeted that Gogoi noted having been "extremely hurt" by the allegation. "My peon has more assets and money than me," Gogoi also said. "Good people will never become judges if this is how they are targeted. There's nothing more valuable than honour for me. And I had to constitute this bench to say this from the highest seat," Gogoi was reported saying. Anand also tweeted the reply by the Supreme Court Secretary General Sanjeev Sudhakar Kalgaonkar to four media houses on behalf of Gogoi. "The allegations regarding 11 October 2018, as well as other allegations as can be discerned from your emails, are completely and absolutely false and scurrilous and are totally denied," Kalgaonkar wrote in the reply. With inputs from agencies Around 1 lakh candidates have appeared for HPBOSE 12thExamination 2019, which was conducted between 6 March and 29 March. HPBOSE 12th Result 2019| The Himachal Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (HPBOSE) was likely to declare the HPBOSE Class 12th result 2019, however, reports quoted the HPBOSE secretary Harish Gajju as saying that the results will not be out on Saturday. When the results are announced, students can check the official website, hpbose.org. Students can also check examresults.net for their scores. Gajju was quoted by The Indian Express as saying, "The board may announce the date of the 12th result declaration tomorrow, and not the results. Alternate websites to check the HPBOSE 12th results are examresults.net and indiaresults.com. According to reports, around 1 lakh candidates have appeared for the examination, which was conducted between 6 March and 29 March. Last year, the HP Board Results 2018 for Class 12th were declared on 24 April and saw 86 percent overall pass percentage in the board. How to check HPBOSE 12th result 2019: Step 1. Visit the official site of Himachal Pradesh Board at hpbose.org. Step 2. Select the available result link. Step 3. Enter your name and roll number. Then, click on 'Search Result' option. Step 4.The HPBOSE 12th result will be displayed on the screen. Step 5. Download the result and keep a print for further use. About Himachal Pradesh Board of Secondary Education The HPBOSE was established in 1969 and has its headquarters in Dharamsala currently. The board prescribes syllabus, courses of instructions and textbooks for the Himachal Pradesh schools. As many as 5 lakh candidates annually appear in the examination conducted by the board. Indira Jaising questioned why Attorney General KK Venugopal appeared in the Supreme Court during the hearing on the sexual harassment allegation against the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. New Delhi: Senior advocate Indira Jaising on Saturday questioned why Attorney General KK Venugopal appeared in the Supreme Court during the hearing on the sexual harassment allegation against the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. Jaising, founder of The Leaflet that was among the four portals which reported the allegation against the CJI prompting the extraordinary hearing, suggested that Justice Gogoi should withdraw from hearing any matter related to the government. In a series of tweets, Jaising, who was additional solicitor general during the UPA-II regime, asked since the "government has so vociferously defended the Chief Justice of India, should he not recuse from hearing any cases relating to the government?" "What have the allegations of sexual harassment by a dismissed woman employee of the SC got to do with the Government of India ? Why should the Attorney General for India appear is such a case?" she tweeted. She said, "It is not for us to say whether the allegations against the Chief Justice of India are true or false, a competent court will decide, but everyone is entitled to due process." The senior lawyer tagged the story carried by newsportal The Leaflet with her tweets. During the extraordinary hearing Saturday in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said there was a "common thread" in the communications sent to him by four news portals that carried stories on allegation of sexual harassment against him, and suggested a "bigger force" could be behind the controversy to "deactivate" the office of the CJI. One of the news portal, he referred was The Leaflet. The news portal has been founded by Jaising and senior advocate Anand Grover under the aegis of their NGO "An Imprint of Lawyers Collective", according to its website. The CJI, who was part of a hurriedly convened special bench also comprising justices Arun Mishra and Sanjiv Khanna, said the four news portals Scroll, The Leaflet, Caravan and The Wire have carried the stories on the allegations. "There is a common thread in the communications, and the questions I was asked to answer are common," he said, adding, "They (news portals) gave less than five hours notice to the CJI to respond". Priyanka, not one to reveal anything in advance, is keeping her cards close to her chest. So is her brother, Congress president Rahul Gandhi. The siblings certainly believe in keeping suspense alive. Their brief hints on just how important this constituency is for the Congress have kept political watchers on their toes. Speculation is rife on whether Priyanka Gandhi will fight the elections from Varanasi. If she decides to take the plunge, the city will witness what can safely be called the mother of all contests. With a Gandhi daughter pitted against a political figure no lesser than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country will see a bout capable of setting the Ganga, which forms the backdrop of happenings big and small in the city, on fire. Priyanka, not one to reveal anything in advance, is keeping her cards close to her chest. So is her brother, Congress president Rahul Gandhi. The siblings certainly believe in keeping suspense alive. Their brief hints on just how important this constituency is for the Congress have kept political watchers on their toes. Almost three weeks ago, Priyanka dropped her first hint. A party worker in Rae Bareli said she wanted her to contest from her mothers constituency. "Why not Varanasi?" asked Priyanka. Her remark set off fervent speculation which she then tried to diffuse by going on to state the following day that she was willing to contest from whichever seat her party would ask her to contest from. Rahul Gandhi has also kept the pot boiling with his recent comments to a newspaper on the there being no harm in keeping up the "suspense" about Priyanka taking on Modi. It is obvious that the Congress is trying to test the waters. One crucial reason why they are not willing to disclose their plans could be prevent Modi from contesting from two seats and instead concentrate his campaign efforts to one constituency. The last date for filing nomination papers to contest from the constituency of Varanasi is 29 April. The seat will go to polls in the last and final round of polling. Once voting takes place there on 19 May, there are no further campaigns to be held until the declaration of the results. Meanwhile, in Varanasi itself, rumours have been circulating that the Indore seat in Madhya Pradesh -- considered a safe seat -- has been kept aside for a "VVIP candidate" who may consider fighting elections from there as well. Rothin Chaudhary, a former Uttar Pradesh-based trade unionist, said that it was obvious that Congress was trying to ensure that Modi can be pinned down to one seat. "At the height of the Modi wave in 2014, if a complete newcomer like Arvind Kejriwal could win two lakh votes in our city by announcing his candidature mere days before the filing of the nomination, then it is very possible that someone who is a charismatic personality like Priyanka Gandhi can go on and win this election too," said Chaudhary. Dr Hiralal Yadav, state secretary of CPIM, who contested the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha elections from Varanasi in 2012, held a meeting last week in the city, inviting academics, intellectuals and activists who arrived at the unanimous decision that it was imperative for political parties to come together and announce a joint candidate against Modi. "Even though Varanasi is seen as a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh citadel, the Sangh is very aware of the strong undercurrent against the present dispensation. There is an ongoing agitation against the fact that large tracts of land were purchased from farmers to construct the Ring Road project at rates much lower than the prevailing market prices. This was in clear violation of the Land Acquisition Act 2013 and is in contrast to the astronomical rates offered by the government to those living around the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in order to push through a motorable Kashi Vishwanath corridor," says Yadav. Click here for constituencies, poll dates and election stories from Uttar Pradesh Yadav believes the average Benarasi citizen is very politically discerning and will not be taken for a ride this time around. "It is now up to political parties to come together and announce a joint candidate. If they decide on Priyanka Gandhi, she will win, if it is somebody else, she too will win. The important point is to ensure that the vote does not get divided," he insists. But activist Nandlal who has been working for the NGO Lok Kalyan in Nagepur, one of the villages Narendra Modi had adopted, believes that Priyanka will have several factors, in addition to anti-incumbency, working in her favour if she decides to contest from this hot seat. "First-time voters will definitely gravitate towards her. We will also see a large percentage of the women voters, many of whom have been openly complaining about the lack of representation of women in this state," he says. Shalini Tripathi, a teacher at a private school in Varanasi, seconds Nandlal's observation. "She is outspoken and does not hesitate to criticize her political opponents including Modi ji. She is also not shrill or high pitched like some of our other women leaders," Tripathi says. Nandlal also feels that Varanasi's large Muslim population is likely to vote for Priyanka too. Muslims form the largest voting block in the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, with around three lakh voters. Should the opposition parties come together in a steely display of strength, the 1.5 lakh Yadav vote, which usually goes to the Samajwadi Party, would be transferred to the Congress. The same could possibly be said for the 80,000 Dalit votes which would usually go to Mayawati. The other large vote bank she needs to tap into are the 2.5 lakh Brahmins and the 1.5 lakh Bhumihars who were traditional Congress supporters but have switched loyalties to the BJP. Similar groups are the two lakh Vaishes, one lakh Rajputs, 80,000 Chaurasias and the 65,000 Kayasthas. Among them, Priyanka could well harness the Brahmin and Bhumihar votes. Varanasi activist and politician Aflatoon, who heads the Samajwadi Jan Parishad, believes there are many questions that are close to the average Varanasi citizen that need to be raised by Priyanka Gandhi is she decides to contest against Narendra Modi. "The company handling the flyover which collapsed is reported to be owned by a senior minister in the Modi cabinet. Fifteen people died in that collapse and many more were injured but the company's owner was not indicted. We have also learned that most of the street lighting and other projects have all been given to Gujarat-based contractors. In what way are the local businessmen and the local public benefiting from the work being done in this key constituency?" he asks. The BJP leadership is dismissive of this criticism. "Our work speaks for itself. Our performance here has been outstanding. We have nothing to be scared of. Twenty percent of the Muslims will vote for the BJP and we are confident that Modi will win with a wide majority," said a Varanasi BJP leader who did not want to be named. Priyanka Gandhi has herself been an unsparing critic of the prime minister, claiming that Modi has ignored Varanasi and has not "visited a single village in his own constituency though he has been travelling around the country and abroad." There are, however, Congress leaders who believe that Priyanka, as general secretary in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh already has more work on her plate than she can handle. A power tussle with arguably the most powerful person in the country could tie her down to one constituency, forcing her to ignore larger duties to the party. Yet Varanasi's citizens are hopeful that under the glare of such a high octane competition, their fortunes can only improve. Why has poll violence gradually become the rule rather than an exception in West Bengal? Why has poll violence gradually become the rule rather than an exception in West Bengal? How come violence is organised and executed every polling day in the state when no such complaints emerge from anywhere else in the country? Can the Election Commission really ensure free and fair elections in the state? These questions have just one answer an answer that is obvious, if not well thought through. Political observers, both in West Bengal and the capital, have always blamed the weak presence of central security forces for violence in the state. It's partially true, because the state police is completely politicised. The process of politicisation began during the tenure of the Left Front between 1977 and 2011. But Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress government has developed it into a higher art form. From the top bosses of the police down to the lathi-wielding constables, no one seems to have a backbone strong enough to stop ruling party goons from scaring away voters and capturing polling booths. The only solution, therefore, seems to be deployment of central forces in huge numbers to control the goons and protect the voter. In fact, for the third phase of elections, the Election Commission has decided to deploy central forces in 90 percent of the booths in Bengal, which should also keep the ruling party on its toes. The situation, as it unfolded till the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, shows that this solution could at best only be a part of the strategy to bring democracy back to Bengal. The reason is that the election process in Bengal does not really begin on the day election dates are announced and end with the declaration of results. It continues in cities, towns and villages all through the five-year cycle. The ruling parties' local machinery comprising largely of goons and their leaders keep the process going by creating an atmosphere of dread around the potential electorate. All walks of life in every village, semi-urban area and city, is controlled and manipulated by the ruling party. Nothing, repeat nothing, happens without the permission of party leaders. The reason is simple. The rural poor (and the largest vote bank) is dependent on government doles to a considerable extent. The most effective political tool, therefore, is to alienate recalcitrant members of a community who do not support the ruling dispensation and deny them access to government largesse. No police force can solve this problem. The police, after all, can only protect people when there's visible physical violence. Moreover, even when there's violence or violation of fundamental rights, which villager has the gumption to go to a police station? Village folk know that they will not be heard, since the policeman's boss is always a politician. Booth capturing is only a small part of the election strategy. The process gets intensified even before poll dates are announced. The tools used are staging motorbike rallies and squad processions to demonstrate muscle power in the constituency especially where there's a concentration of suspect voters threatening Opposition supporters from street corner meetings and, of course, those proverbial nocturnal knocks on the front door. The penultimate steps against the recalcitrant voter are threats, beatings and murders. On 18 April, during the second phase of the 2019 polls, a huge throng of villagers at Chopra in North Dinajpur district, blocked the highway because Trinamool Congress workers had not allowed them to cast their votes. The first reaction of the state police was to beat up the protesters and tear-gas them in full view of their tormentors. These villagers, though, stood their ground. The most striking footage on the electronic media was that of a lady wailing, "We want to live! We want our rights!" Four hours later, a huge contingent of central forces arrived at the spot and escorted the voters to the polling booth. But the story did not end there. The next day, when there were no security forces around, a huge mob attacked the village with guns and bombs and set most of the houses on fire. By the time the local police managed to reach the spot, half the village had been razed to the ground and almost all the protesters of the previous day had to be rushed to hospital with severe injuries. But why attack them the next day? This is where the 'tricks of governance' kick in. The protesting village was taught a lesson and an example was set for others for the latter phases of the polls. Has any politician either of the ruling dispensation or the Opposition made any noise about the incident? Well, the ruling party denied any involvement, and all that the Opposition could do was whimper. But the protesters have surely learnt how to respect authority. Every election shows just how brittle the common man's security and his fundamental rights are. Elections come in cycles, but that man on the street has to bend painfully backwards every time he goes to ask for either work under the MGNREGA or his share of various government aids. He knows the bitter truth. He has to either conform or perish' even if there are gun-toting central security men deployed all around him. Nabbir also accused the Tihar jail authorities of thrashing him and also making this symbol with hot metal and forcing him to fast. New Delhi: In an unprecedented incident, a prisoner on Friday alleged that Om symbol has been engraved on his back while he was in judicial custody and lodged in the Tihar Jail. The matter came to light when Nabbir alias Popa, an alleged arms dealer, was produced before the Karkardooma Court as his judicial custody was ending today. Nabbir took off his shirt before the Duty Magistrate Richa Parashar and showed her the said symbol. He also accused the Tihar jail authorities of thrashing him and also making this symbol with hot metal and forcing him to fast. Following this, the court ordered the Tihar Jail authorities to inquire into the matter and submit a report within 24 hours. The allegations raised by accused are of serious nature and require immediate intervention. In view of the same, notice is being issued to DGP Prisoner... to get the medical examination of accused Nabbir be conducted with immediate effect, the order read. Necessary CCTV footage be collected and statement of other inmates be also taken in this regard. It is further directed that necessary arrangements be made to ensure the safety of accused in jail.., the judge ruled. Nabbir, a resident of New Seelampuri area of New Delhi, is lodged in the jail in an alleged arms supply case. He has been kept in Jail No.4s high-risk ward. In her resignation letter, the former Congress spokesperson brought two damning charges that reveals Congress culture and exposes party chief Rahul Gandhis tall claims on womens empowerment as a mere sham. It is being said that Priyanka Chaturvedi's decision the high-profile Congress national spokesperson and media cell convenor quit her party and joined the Shiv Sena because she no longer felt safe, valued and able to carry on with her work in dignity within the Grand Old Party is an example of ideological duplicity and opportunism. It is as if her concerns over misogyny and lack of respect for women rampant in Congress internal culture, issues that made her take this step, ceased to matter the moment she walked into the rival camp. Within hours of Chaturvedi's decision, Congress national spokesperson Sanjay Jha had this to say on Twitter: Within 48 hours Shiv Sena, alliance partner of #BJP, has no goons in it. Awesome! Kya baat hai! Political opportunism touches a new nadir. The self-righteous bullshit is sickening. But hey, tomorrow is another day. The reason being provided for this phony argument is that if Congress encourages goons by rewarding them instead of punishing them, then Shiv Sena is no better and muscle-flexing is more ingrained in Shiv Senas brand of politics. This argument is specious, and a straw man aimed at obfuscating the real issue and diluting the charges against Congress. It is nobodys argument that Shiv Sena doesnt harbour goons. Goon-and-gun culture is prevalent in every political party. In varying degrees, almost every Indian political outfit uses goons as a veritable tool to wield influence. For a party in power, goons become an unofficial extension of the State. They run a parallel administration. The situation is grimmer in states where regional outfits are in power such as in West Bengal. The issue of crime in Indian politics and why money and muscle are the preferable route to electoral power has been the subject of much scholarly debate. Milan Vaishnav, a senior fellow at Washington DC-based Carnegie Endowment who has written on a book on this subject (When Crime Pays), argues that when a government is unable to fulfill its basic responsibilities and social divisions are rife, voters seek refuge in strongmen who can deliver what the State cannot. This nexus is not necessarily unique to India; it shows up in democracies across the globe, from the Philippines to Pakistan. Remember, Chaturvedi did not walk out of Congress because of a generic aversion towards the Grand Old Partys culture of tolerating goons. She cannot lay claim to that moral high ground. Had that been the case, the charge of duplicity against her leveled by a section of media and some members of her former party would have been valid. It is worth noting that Chaturvedi, in her resignation letter and at a news conference two days prior to announcing her decision, leveled specific charges of misogyny against her party. She accused the Congress of reinstating some leaders who had attacked her, behaved as lumpen goons and allegedly threatened her with rape and said that she felt let down by her partys actions. On Wednesday, Chaturvedi posted on Twitter that she was deeply saddened that lumpen goons get preference in @incindia over those who have given their sweat and blood. Having faced brickbats and abuse across (the) board for the party but yet those who threatened me within the party getting away with not even a rap on their knuckles is unfortunate. The decision to reinstate the eight leaders against whom Chaturvedi brought specific charges of threat, intimidation and attack was taken by Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is in charge of the campaign in west Uttar Pradesh. According to a News18 report, Chaturvedi's appeal to the Gandhis also did not work leading her to feel that she was not given the respect she deserved. In his defence, Scindia said the suspended leaders apologised. Since when has a mere apology been enough to reinstate individuals who have leveled such serious threats against a woman and a party colleague? Congress encouraged this act of misogyny by reinstating the cadres against whom Chaturvedi brought charges. And the partys high command is complicit in this act by its dint of silence. At a news conference in Mumbai, seated alongside Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Chaturvedi said she was pained by the fact that some party members who made certain remarks about me were reinstated. It was forgotten that a woman like me dedicated 10 years without any greed or expecting returns. It was a matter of self-respect for me and I did not want to let down all those women for whom I spoke. She said she let her grievances be known to the partys high command, but refused to answer whether the central leadership tried to prevent her from resigning. In her resignation letter, the former Congress spokesperson brought two damning charges that reveals Congress culture and exposes party chief Rahul Gandhis tall claims on womens empowerment as a mere sham. In the letter sent to the Congress president, Chaturvedi wrote: In the last few weeks certain things have convinced me that my services are not valued in the organisation and that I have reached the end of the road. At the same time I also feel that more time I spend in the organisation will be at cost of my own self respect and dignity. What saddens me is that despite the safety , dignity, empowerment of women being promoted by the party and has been your call to action the same is not reflected in the action of some of the members of the party. A serious incident and misbehaviour against me by certain party members while I was on official duty for the party has been ignored under the guise of all hands needed for elections. This indignity to me has been the final factor to convince me to move on and focus on other things outside INC. The letter leaves Rahul, who has, on numerous occasions and very recently in Chennai claimed that Congress assures women of India that we will stand with them and we will do everything in our power to empower them and ensure they get their rightful place in our democracy and economy, with very little defence. During that interaction with students in Chennai, the Congress president also promised 33 percent reservation for women in government jobs and Parliament if voted to power, and urged women to be fearless in claiming their space. It is interesting that Rahul promises 33 percent reservation for women if voted to power when its working committee its highest decision-making body that was reconstituted last year has only seven women among 51 members and only three, including his mother, in the main body. The second issue that emerges from Chaturvedi's letter is the fact that Congress was and remains a party of and for dynasts. Chaturvedi is widely acknowledged to be a feisty spokesperson who defended her party vigorously during debates or any other fora. She was perceived as a hardworking and dedicated party worker destined for a greater role within the party. Contrast her fortune with that of her namesake, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and the intrinsic nature of a dynastic party becomes clear. In failing to retain an important member of the party by adequately addressing her grievances, Rahul has proven that his protestations in favour of womens rights and empowerment is a sham: much like many other aspects of his politics. Efforts to evacuate all Indians have been underway ever since tensions rose in Tripoli on 4 April, when Khalifa Haftar announced an attack on the Libyan capital to capture the region from the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). New Delhi: External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday appealed to around 500 Indians to leave Tripoli "immediately," as the situation continues to deteriorate in Libya. The Indians civilians continue to remain in the Libyan capital, despite massive evacuations and a travel ban which is in place, according to Swaraj. Pls ask your relatives and friends to leave Tripoli immediately. We will not be able to evacuate them later. /2 Pls RT Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 19, 2019 Efforts to evacuate all Indians have been underway ever since tensions rose in Tripoli on 4 April, when Khalifa Haftar announced an attack on the Libyan capital to capture the region from the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). India already removed its entire contingent of peacekeeping forces comprising 15 CRPF personnel on 6 April from Tripoli, a move which was followed by countries like the United States and Nepal. More than 200 people have lost their lives and 913 have been wounded ever since clashes erupted in the region as Haftar's Libyan National Army advanced towards Tripoli. Libya has been largely divided into two factions ever since the death of its dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The LNA-backed parliament controls the east of Libya, while the UN-backed interim GNA governs Libya's western region from Tripoli. Most of the international community has urged for a peaceful resolution to the intense fighting which has ensued in the African nation. After Yogi Adityanath took over as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in March 2017, things have gotten worse, say critics, with cow vigilantes running amok. Editor's note: This is part of a multi-article series on the jobs crisis in the three states crucial to Lok Sabha election 2019: Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. *** Shailesh Pratap Singh, 24, has been looking for a government job for over three years. He has a BSc degree, an MSc degree and a BEd degree. But there are no vacancies, he said. Too much competition. But he is not crestfallen or depressed, like most other unemployed youths. When he is not busy preparing for exams, Shailesh said he devotes his time to social work, which makes him feel alive. He is a member of the Rashtriya Chetana Samiti, an organisation that takes great pride in its Gau Seva in the district of Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradeshs western region. The founder of Rashtriya Chetana Samiti is Hemant Singh, 32, a former Bajrang Dal leader, and currently a government teacher at a primary school in Bulandshahr. My team of about 50 members is full of youngsters, said Hemant in a telephonic interview. Hemant was in Ayodhya as his team was in Bulandshahr on a sweltering afternoon. Most of them are either students or job seekers. Our major focus is on blood donation camps, arranging funerals for unclaimed bodies and protecting cows. We depend on a network of people across the district for tip-offs. Saving cows that are allegedly being taken to slaughterhouses and ensuring the ones carrying them are "taken to task" is what they call fieldwork. Shailesh said he does not feel jobless since he has been engaged in Gau Seva. When you are active, you dont feel frustrated or worthless, he explained, soaking the sweat on his forehead with the saffron gamchha wrapped around his neck. Even family members feel the boy is doing something productive with his time instead of wasting it. People in the society treat you with respect. Unemployment is obviously not the sole reason why the youngsters become Gau Rakshaks, who have, in fact, been around for a long time. At the core of it is hate. Shailesh, asked about lynchings in the name of cow, said there is nothing wrong in taking any step to save the cow. We do not want riot or conflict, he added. But cow is our mother. Its security is our priority. However, with increasing societal approval, unemployed youths are gravitating towards Gau Raksha to feel important, and to be treated with respect. Observers believe that eco-system gives them a sense of purpose and identity, and the narrative of hate becomes an integral part as a process. Our donors who help us financially are respected people in society, said Hemant. They are bankers, chartered accountants running their own businesses or factories and so on. Many struggling youngsters get in touch with us because we are associated with people who are in a position to recruit. And quite a few of the youngsters have gotten jobs due to our referral. Hemant said he is active on over 250 WhatsApp groups, through which he gets volunteers. Those who have gotten jobs have not been able to dedicate as much time after that, said Hemant. They show support financially, he added. Shailesh said once he gets a job, he would not be able to devote as much time to Gau Seva. I cannot leave a 9 to 5 job and do fieldwork, he said. I will have to delegate it to somebody who has the time. Since 2012, according to the database of IndiaSpend website, Uttar Pradesh has turned out to be the worst in terms of cow-related violence, recording 16 such instances that resulted in nine deaths. After Yogi Adityanath took over as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in March 2017, things have gotten worse, say critics, with Gau Rakshaks running amok. One such horrific instance transpired in Bulandshahr. The district hit headlines in December 2018 when a policeman was murdered by a mob over alleged cow slaughter. Cow carcasses were found scattered in the forests near the village of Siyana in Bulandshahr, which led to frenzy, eventually resulting in the murder of Subodh Kumar. The police arrested Bajrang Dal leader Yogesh Raj as a prime accused behind the murder. Hemant, who used to be a district coordinator with Bajrang Dal until he got the job as a teacher, said Yogesh was his junior, and he is aware of the role Bajrang Dal plays in such situations. Whenever someone slaughters a cow, the locals notify us, he said. We notify the police. Sometimes the police reach first, sometimes the crowd gathers before that. In case of the latter, it is hard to control the situation. People dont trust the police to act against cow slaughterers, and they tell us to ensure justice is done. Hemant claimed Subodh could not pacify the crowd that day, and one thing led to another. Our people were not involved in his killing, he said, adding the police are only defaming the Bajrang Dal by pressing charges against their people. In fact, we were in touch with the police and the administration throughout the day. And it has been happening since my time. When the public is out of control, police themselves call us to pacify the crowd so they can go about their work. Speaking of the police, one of Hemants team is planning to become a sub-inspector. Nitin Gurjar, 21, wearing a short-sleeve shirt, with his muscles bulging out, said he cannot wait to join the force. I go for a run every morning, he said. In the evening, I hit the gym. I have the entire day in between to do fieldwork. It makes me feel good about myself. Just as Nitin said he is upbeat about joining the police force, a friend sitting alongside him said, I hope he gets through quickly. Police force mein bhi apna koi aadmi hona chahiye na (we should have our own man on the police force). Both Bertrand Russell and Winston Churchill were vocal supporters of the Sikh community; the former, for their compassionate culture, the latter, for the loyalty they showed during two great wars, where they fought for the Empire. Though this acknowledgment of both intrigue and fealty by instruments of the Raj is perhaps an extension of a long-running colonial romance, the Sikhs have been vetted and honoured on foreign soil unlike any other community from the country. Though it is, to an extent, a contrast to the end of Ranjit Singhs Sikh empire which was reined by the British, the peculiar attention and adulation showered on these colonial subjects is a notable aspect of history. To that effect, a collection of some 80 artworks by European artists, whose subjects are the Sikh faith, culture and some of its famous personalities, is being showcased for the first time in India as part of the exhibition titled The Sikh: An Occidental Romance. [A portrait of the Golden Temple by Charles William Bartlett] This exhibition is made of up of archival replicas of original artworks that are scattered across the world. The process of creating a replica is fairly complex. It can be done only in two or three places in the world. The ink is made in Japan, the printing is done in Germany. So it is a coming together of various methods and technologies. We shoot several thousand photos of a single artwork, to create the highest resolution possible and then print it, says Gautam Srivastava, founder of The Hubris Foundation, which has put together the exhibition. [A portrait of Prince Duleep Singh by Franz Winter Halter] Srivastava explains why exhibiting the 80 replicas in one place is more momentous than the experience of seeing each of the originals, given the possibility of that happening is slim. To see the originals, you would have to travel to at least 20 countries around the world. A lot of these works are part of private collections that people wont even be prepared to show to you. When I started this project, I could have gotten a couple of the original works here in exchange for a few millions, but what I wanted was to offer a full spectrum, he says. [A portrait of Prince Victor Albert Duleep Singh by George Richmond] Of the paintings on display, the most notable ones are the famous portraits of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his son Maharaja Duleep Singh, who was exiled to British shores. Aside from the portraits, some of which are rare in themselves, there are others like Edwin Lords painting of the Golden Temple, paintings of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and easels of Lahore from the Russian prince Alex Soltykoffs collection. [A portrait of a Sikh Noble by Prince Soltykoff] One of the hardest things we had to do was the research. Some of these paintings were hard to locate. At first, not everyone was willing to be part of this project, which is why it has taken me six years. We started in 2011, after I saw a couple of Sikh paintings and thought to myself, there was something unique in the way occidental artists saw these people. How rare is it that a colonial power imagines its subjects in such a light? There is something there, Srivastava says. Maharaja Duleep Singh was one of the first Indians to set foot on British land. He remained a popular figure in local circles till the day he died. Is it merely an interest in the exotic? I think there is veneration and respect. If you look at these paintings and if you look at paintings by the same artists of other communities, you see this stark difference. They saw other Indian communities as raw and vile, but the Sikhs they adored to a great extent, Srivastava says. [Thugs of India by August Schoefft] In getting to some of these works, Srivastavas research has taken him to interesting places. A painted done by Alfred De Dreux was presented to King Louis-Philippe of France. [Randjiit Sing Baadour, roi de Lahore by Alfred de Dreux] We found the painting in the godown of the Louvre. So the journey to that work was a long one. It involved first discovering that the painting existed, and then getting to it, he says. There is little doubt, given the evidence of these works, that the Sikhs enjoyed the kind of pageantry that other native Indians did not during British rule. As Srivastava explains, most Indians were relegated to being lean, bent black figures appearing in the corners of canvasses. The Sikhs, on the other hand, even in commissioned works of places and scenes, are largely at the centre, resolute and glowing. About this obsession, Srivastava says it was perhaps an admiration of sorts. [The Golden Temple by William Carpenter] They found the community fascinating, honourable and beautiful, as I see it. When Maharaja Sher Singhs portrait was exhibited in Vienna, almost a million people came to see it. And everyone acknowledged that he was a handsome man. To an extent this also explains the near-universal adaptability of the Sikh community around the world, and Queen Victorias adoration for her political prisoner, Duleep Singh. Adoration that Srivastava says these works continue to receive in Europe. What a beautiful people, they all say." [Une Rue de lahore by The Russian prince Alexis Soltykoff] [Gulab Singh by Charles Harding] [Portrait of Golden Temple by Hiroshi Yoshida] [A peek at the train by Rudolf Swoboda] All photos courtesy of The Hubris Foundation The Sikh: An Occidental Romance was on display at the AIFACS gallery, New Delhi The decision to hold elections for the southern Kashmir parliamentary seat of Anantnag in three phases has come in the wake of threats of violence. Srinagar: The decision to hold elections for the southern Kashmir parliamentary seat of Anantnag in three phases and reduce the polling by two hours has come in the wake of threats of violence during the elections in the constituency that will begin from Tuesday. The bypolls on the seat couldnt be held in 2017 after eight people were killed during elections in relatively peaceful areas of the Srinagar parliamentary seat. The elections in the district of Anantnag, on which the constituency is named, will be held in Kulgam on 29 April and Shopian and Pulwama on 6 May. On Friday, the Election Commission of India (EC) also issued a notification to reduce the polling by two hours and to hold it from 7 am to 4 pm only. The EC notification read that the polling was being changed after considering the reports of district administration, police, observers and chief electoral officer and taking into account all material circumstances including law and order situation. Earlier on 11 April, during the polling for Baramulla parliamentary seat, a teenager had died in clashes with security forces while militants hurled a grenade on the National Conference (NC) workers' meet at Tral. The grenade, however, exploded outside the meeting venue, causing no loss of lives. On Thursday, polling for Srinagar parliamentary seat was disrupted at many places due to stone-pelting, and the turnout was only 14.1 percent. In April 2017, after the record-low voter turnout of 7 percent, the by-elections on Anantnag seat were cancelled. The polls were due after PDP president Mehbooba Mufti resigned from the seat to assume office as chief minister. Mehbooba had fielded her brother, Tasaduq Mufti, on the seat. Additional chief electoral officer, Anil Koul, said that precarious security scenario is a reason for EC's decision to hold the elections in three phases in the constituency. At his 10 March press conference for the announcement of dates for Lok Sabha polls across India, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora had admitted that holding the elections in Kashmir were a difficult task. We will have to carry out three phases of election for just one constituency of Anantnag...so you can imagine how complicated it is," he said. Mehbooba is now standing for re-election in Anantnag against retired judge and NC candidate, Hasnain Masoodi, and former minister and Congress state president GA Mir. The seat was a PDP stronghold, but following the heavy-handed measures by the government forces to curb the unrest after the July 2016 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Muzafar Wani, it has become synonymous with anti-India demonstrations in Kashmir. Congress leader GN Monga said that the campaigning in Anantnag seat has remained subdued and was relatively a difficult task. It would be tough to hold the elections for Anantnag seat on account of anger against the PDP-BJP dispensation which ruled the state. The current government has removed security of even our MLAs and ex-MLAs further to foil the electioneering, he said. Though the campaigning was also a low-key affair on Srinagar parliamentary seat, in Anantang, run-up to the polls has also been marred by large-scale arrests of youth, who were charged for stone-pelting on security personnel. During the unrest after Wani's killing, most of the parts of Anantnag district had remained off-limits for the security forces as anti-militancy activities were suspended for a long time. In Mehboobas home town of Bijbehara, the protests were as fierce as in any other part of the Lok Sabha constituency. On Monday, her security entourage was attacked by stone-pelting youth. Unlike the roadside campaigning in Srinagar constituency, in southern Kashmir area of Pulwama, local residents said that they have seen mostly indoor party meetings. At the height of the protests in 2016, the people had burned down security camps and even looted dozens of weapons from Damhal Hanjipora police station, which will go for polls in second phase in the constituency. Around that time, across the constituency, scenes of youth holding night vigils to foil the arrests of stone-pelters, and shutdowns and road blockades being enforced by demonstrators had been a common phenomenon. Over two and half years after July 2016 uprising, there has been no let up in the protests taken out during the anti-militancy operations that are launched by the forces in areas of Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam. All three parties, PDP, NC and Congress have denounced the heavy handed security measures as well as attempts by BJP to revoke the special status of the state under Article 370 and 35 A of the Indian Constitution. Modi said while the world does not link any religion with terrorism, the Congress and 'its sycophants' had knit 'a web of torture and oppression'. Bareilly/Etah: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress of stamping Hindus with the terrorist tag instead of acting against Pakistani terrorists. Addressing an election rally days after the nomination of Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur as the BJP candidate for Bhopal, Modi said the Congress and its supporters used the term Hindu terror to malign an ancient culture. Terrorists from Pakistan used to set off blasts, carry out attacks. But instead of acting against them, the Congress and its companions would get busy in putting the terrorist stamp on Hindus, Modi said in Bareilly, referring to the tenure of the UPA government. The world has never pointed a finger at our great culture of thousands of years. These people have done the disgusting sin of maligning it, he added. He said while the world does not link any religion with terrorism, the Congress and its sycophants had knit a web of torture and oppression by invoking Hindu terror. Modi, however, did not directly refer to terror-accused Pragya Singh Thakur, who has alleged that she was implicated in a false case and beaten in custody. Earlier, at another rally in Etah, the prime minister attacked the opposition coalition in Uttar Pradesh, seemingly reacting to BSP leader Mayawati's jibe that he is a farzi (fake) backward class member. He said the 'farzi dosti' (fake friendship) between the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party will fall apart the day election results are announced. "You all remember the friendship that was struck during the Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh that came to an end with the announcement of the results and turned into rivalry, he said referring to the understanding in 2017 between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. The farzi dosti of bua' and `babua' will also end the same way," Modi said at an election rally in Etah, referring to Mayawati and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. "The date of this friendship has also been fixed. 23 May, Thursday, this farzi dosti' (fake friendship) will fall apart, he said. That day `bua' and `babua' will start part 2 of their rivalry," the prime minister said. At the joint rally of the opposition alliance in Mainpuri Friday, Mayawati had called SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav a real backward unlike Modi, a `farzi' or `naqli' backward. Attacking the Opposition alliance in Uttar Pradesh, Modi said those thinking of their selfish gains can never think about the welfare of the deprived sections of society. By doing politics in the name of the poor they have only increased their own bank balances," he claimed. "Only the flags of the SP and the BSP are different, their intentions are the same, he said, and referred to the period when an SP or a BSP government was in power in Uttar Pradesh. The governments used to change, and the `goondas' and the gangs of encroachers also changed, he alleged. At the time of the `bua' it was corruption, and during the time of `babua,' atrocities were committed on Dalits, he said. "During the SP government, it was difficult for sisters and daughters to go to school, and this has been seen by the entire country, he claimed. It must have been a really difficult decision for Mayawati to ask for votes for such people," he said. Mayawati had said Friday that despite the state guest house episode, she took the difficult decision in the interest of the people and party's movement. In 1995, SP workers had allegedly attacked Mayawati when she was staying at the Lucknow guest house, leading to over two decades of bitterness between her and Mulayam Singh Yadav. The two leaders Friday shared the dais, signalling to their supporters that they were no longer rivals. Modi said the SP and the BSP wrongly believed their vote banks can be transferred as per their convenience. "It has been proved in the first two phases of polling that their game is over, he claimed. They thought they are the 'thekedars' (middlemen) of voters but the people have foiled their plan." He said those who do politics by dividing people over caste and creed forget that when it comes to development and national security, Uttar Pradesh gives a befitting reply in such cases. All the `mahamilavati' people will be sent home, he said. The prime minister said when Akhilesh Yadav was chief minister he did not send to the Delhi the list of intended beneficiaries under the Centre's housing scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna. Taking a swipe at Yadav over reports last year that his official residence in Lucknow had expensive bathroom fittings, Modi said he must have been beautifying his own bungalow then. Modi said patriotism for the BJP is ensuring the country's security and saving it from middlemen. The SP, the BSP and the Rashtriya Lok Dal have forged an alliance to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in UP. Etah and Bareilly are among the constituencies that go to the polls in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday. Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that his father HD Deve Gowdas ten-month long tenure as the Prime Minister of India was much better than Prime Minister Narendra Modis so far as far as the countrys internal security is concerned. He also hit out at PModi's Balakot, Bagalkot remark. Hubli: Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that his father HD Deve Gowdas ten-month long tenure as the Prime Minister of India was much better than Prime Minister Narendra Modis so far as far as the countrys internal security is concerned. He also hit out at Modi's "Balakot, Bagalkot" remark. Kumaraswamy in an exclusive interview to ANI said that during the tenure of Deve Gowda as the prime minister, the country was peaceful as there was not even a single terror attack. Janata Dal-Secular supremo Deve Gowda was the Prime Minister of the country for less than a year from 1 June, 1996, to 21 April, 1997. When asked to comment if his fathers month-long tenure was better than Prime Minister Modis five-year government, he said: Absolutely. You can go through the records to see what happened in Deve Gowdas 10 month government and five years under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Citing the relative calm situation in Jammu and Kashmir during the tenure of his father, Kumaraswamy said: When my father was the Prime Minister, was there any terrorist activity in this country? The entire country was calm at that time. There was no clash between India and Pakistan. There was not a single blast in Jammu and Kashmir. Even inside the country, there was no bomb attack, he said. Prime Minister Modi during an election rally at Chitradurga in Karnataka had said that the whole world stood with India, but our Mahamilavati Dal (Congress-JDS) was condemning Modi instead of Pakistan. Chief minister Kumaraswamy attacked Prime Minister Modi, saying that he is using Balakot air strike incident to his political advantage in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. He doesnt know the meaning. He can speak but misusing his office is wrong. In this country, several prime ministers came. Several times the India-Pakistan war took place. Nobody has taken advantage of those issues for their personal benefits, he said. He (Modi) is the only person, he is misleading people that he went to Pakistan border and he only dropped the bomb on terror camps in Balakot. That way he is projecting himself, Kumaraswamy said, in response to a question where he had said that Modi does not know the difference between Balakot and Bagalkot. Kumaraswamys response came after Modi, while addressing a poll rally in north Karnataka, said: Now tell me - where is the Congress and the JDS vote bank? Is it in Bagalkot or Balakot? This Congress-JDS has to decide. On being asked to respond on his statement that Modi put make-up and wax on his face before the camera, Kumaraswamy said: All BJP candidates are telling people to vote for us (BJP) by seeing the face of Narendra Modi. That is their request to the masses. For that reason only, I said." Answering a question as to why he broke down at an event in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy said: I wept because I am a very emotional and sensitive man. I am always looking at the mood of the people. I was a little bit upset, so I wept in the beginning. But now the people are actually getting confident. The reaction or feeling of the people is that Kumaraswamy has done a good thing by joining hands with the Congress to form government. He is looking forward to the development of Karnataka. Calling Deve Gowda a good administrator, the JDS supremo said he will advise Congress president Rahul Gandhi to run a good administration if the Gandhi scion becomes the Prime Minister. He (Deve Gowda) is a good administrator. He is an experienced person. He has experience in a political career. He is better than everybody, according to me. He has already projected the name of Rahul Gandhi (as PM), he said. Whatever experience he has in his political career, he will be advising Rahul ji to run a good administration, Kumaraswamy said while pitching the name of Rahul as the prime ministerial candidate if a non-BJP government is formed at the Centre after the Lok Sabha polls. Adding that Deve Gowda might play a major role as an advisor to everybody in a coalition government after getting voted to power in the general elections, he said: Most probably, there is not going to be a BJP government at the Centre. We have to form the government with several regional parties combined together. At that time, I think Deve Gowda may play a major role as an advisor to everybody, he said when asked if Deve Gowda will play a national role after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. When asked about his unhappiness with media for giving more attention to south Indian actor Sumalatha Ambareesh, an independent candidate contesting from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency where his son Nikhil Gowda is also in the fray, he said: Regarding Mandya issue, I am not upset. But unnecessarily, our local media friends for the last four months continuously, even during midnight, early morning, afternoon, evening whenever you switch on the TV, they had only been projecting Mandya issue by projecting that (Sumalatha) lady as a big leader. They are trying to create an image among the voters. That is why I criticised media friends. Responding to PM Modis attack over dynastic politics in the Congress-JD(S) alliance, Kumaraswamy said: People want us. They are demanding our family members to contest. This is not a dynastic issue. If people want our leadership, they will accept. Otherwise, they will reject us. It is because of the pressure from the people and party workers we have fielded our family members in the poll. Karnatakas final phase of Lok Sabha polling will take place on 23 April, while the first phase of polling took place on 28 April. The counting of votes will take place on 23 May. 'To the number of those who voted, add those who wanted to but couldnt, and the actual turnout would've been 97.64 percent,' a Bengaluru citizen's group said. The Association of Aggrieved but Honourable Activists! (Aaha!), a never-say-die citizens group in Bengaluru, on Saturday repudiated in no uncertain terms what it called the medias malicious and mischievous campaign to defame Indias IT capital. Aaha! is stark raving mad with media reports that said Bengalureans lived up to their historic infamy of not turning up to vote in good numbers on the polling day on Thursday. This was based on Election Commission data that said that average voting in the three constituencies of Bengaluru North, Central and South was 54.13 percent against the 55.9 percent of 2014. This pathetic turnout was widely attributed to laziness and a devil-may-care-but-I-dont attitude towards democracy. Aaha! said it had kept the situation under close watch from the morning of polling day and found that, though a humongous number of Bengalureans intended to vote, they couldnt because of certain inexorable predicaments. To the number of those who actually voted, add the number of those who wanted to but couldnt, and the actual turnout would have been 97.64 percent, highest anywhere in the world, the civic group concluded. The organisation promised to release a report on this statistical paradox at an appropriate time, but my sourceI call him Deep Throatgave me breaking-news access to it. Here are some excerpts: We confess we should have sensed the first clue very early on the morning of polling daybut failed toin the imageries from Cartosat-2F satellite that showed Bengaluru roads deserted as if there was a curfew. We presumed this was because Bengalureans, renowned the world over for their devotion to constitutional responsibilities, had already flocked to polling booths. Then we found highways leading out of the city crawling with bumper-to-bumper traffic. This made the 2014 Ukrainian exodus to Russia look like a movie queue. But we foolishly attributed this to a technical snafu of the satellite. However, when we went to polling stations, we were frozen with shock. They were as empty as the treasuries of populist governments. In some polling booths, officials were playing gin-rummy. Some were playing with buguris (spinning tops). A lady officer was knitting a sweater for a future child. But nobody was watching Narendra Modis biopic as alleged later by fake-news digital goons of WhatsApp. We interviewed a number of voters who didnt deign to participate in the democratic process. Pothole dodgers You must be out of your mind to think I would cross nine large potholes and six medium-sized ones just to reach the polling station, fumed a dentist. Whats filling up a pothole for politicians, when they can fill up their pockets, a teacher said and laughed. Imagine slipping and falling into a potholeits horrific, remarked an IT professional, who preferred to watch Kanchana-3 on 18 April. Migrant madness We found no evidence to confirm whether the low voting would help Congress or BJP. Devendra Gowda, an electronics engineer, said, Narendra Modi is awesome. I wanted to press the button for him, but I had promised to go to Hogenakkal Falls with friends. But there are plenty othersarent there?to vote for Modi anyway. Nalini, a housewife, said: Rahul Gandhi is cute, isn't he?... best dimples! But I wanted to try a new Paneer Kolhapuri recipe at home. Migrants sang different tunes. We spoke to Abraham Koshy from Kerala, who runs a departmental store. Registered as a voter in Bengaluru, he launched a vicious Facebook campaign last year against the citys air pollution. He was apparently too busy watching TV to vote. When we asked him whether actor and Independent candidate Prakash Raj deserved support since Congress and BJP had failed the IT capital, Koshy took his eyes off the TV, yawned and said, Rahul Gandhi has every right to contest from Wayanad. Footloose and fancy-free Several voters we reached on phone were in fact driving up to holiday resorts in Mysuru, Chikkamagaluru and Mangaluru. Bingo and eureka! That explained the packed highways on the satellite maps! Said one of them: Hello ... Cant hear ... Whos it? ... Aaha!, is it? ... Oho ... Voting? ... For whom? ... Yeah ... Taking a break ... Whats one vote less? ... Haha ... Aaha. Said another: Who asked the Election Commission to have polling to add to the weekend? No selfies, no votes An astounding number of voters made it to the polling stations but walked out in anger when they were not permitted to take selfies. What yaar, whats the fun in doing something so important in life without clicking a selfie? So I walked out, revealed a chartered accountant. Argued a furious housewife: Look, when my kid grows up to voting age and when I tell her I voted, why would she believe me without a selfie? This is preposterous. Online voting, anybody? Radhika Sharma, a senior manager at an IT company, who didnt vote, screamed at us. She said she was flabbergasted, shocked and dumbfounded that voters cant vote on Whatsapp or Twitter in this day and age. Deep Throat revealed that the Aaha! report concluded with these words, We too were flabbergasted, shocked and dumbfounded. So we went home. The author tweets @sprasadindia Lok Sabha Election 2019; Model Code of Conduct Watch: The Election Commission (EC) has issued a notice to BJP's Chandigarh candidate Kirron Kher, seeking a reply after she shared a video on Twitter in which children were seen campaigning for her. Auto refresh feeds However, Sharma deleted the post later, but said that he did not understand why was the poll body was so "allergic" to a person cheering the heroic act of its soldiers and rejoicing over an act of national honour. "The Election Commission is biased against nationalist leaders like me," he said. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday issued a show-cause notice to Delhi BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma for putting up two posters featuring him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on Facebook. The Commission asked him to take down the post and give a reply by Thursday. Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) Pratapgarh Lok Sabha constituency in-charge Ashok Tripathi was among 68 booked for poll code violation on Wednesday. A case was registered against Tripathi, divisional president Ajay Pasi, Kamlesh Verma and 65 unnamed people at Lalganj Kotwali on Wednesday evening, police said. On Saturday, sector magistrate Pradip Kumar reached Verma Nagar crossing where an election meeting was going on without permission. The organisers failed to produce any document to establish they had permission for the meeting, the police said According to UT administration, a complaint was received on the C-vigil app on Wednesday, following which the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) took cognizance and thereafter issued notices for convening the election meetings at government properties Community Center in Sector 29, Ram Darbar in community centre at Sector 37, Chandigarh. Show cause notices were issued to BJP's Chandigarh chief Sanjay Tandon , four BJP councillors, two nominated councillors and three officials of the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh on Wednesday for violating the model code of conduct. The notice asked the officials to reply within 24 hours as to why disciplinary action may not be taken against them. The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday asked the Election Commission to take action against Congress President Rahul Gandhi for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct by making unverified allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ANI reported . Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, We have requested the EC to take action against Rahul Gandhi for levelling unverified allegations against Narendra Modi on Wednesday in Ahmedabad, when the Model Code of Conduct is already in effect." Congress registered it's first complaint MCC violation complaint with the Election Commission on Thursday. In Maharashtra, the party gave a written complaint to the chief electoral officer against government advertisements still displayed outside state transport buses, bus stops and petrol pumps. Congress general secretary and spokesperson Sachin Sawant said that despite the MCC coming into force, ST buses, bus stops and petrol pumps among other public places were displaying government advertisements. He said that the commission should ask the government about it and register a case of violation, and wrote a letter to the Maharashtra chief electoral officer (CEO) Ashwani Kumar for the same. In a letter, the Goa NSUI president has said, The NSUI, Goa writes to you demanding: ban of the movie in theatres in states during the 'election silence' period that is two days prior to the day of voting and ban of the movie in the Lok Sabha Constituency where the prime minister would be contesting. The NSUI demands a ban on the movie 48 hours prior to voting which is known as election silence where a party is not allowed to promote or campaign. The National Students' Union of India Goa, the Congress party's student wing, on Friday urged the Election Commission to ban the release of the Narendra Modi biopic, alleging that the movie was propaganda by the BJP to influence voters during the Lok Sabha elections. Das's photographs allegedly appear on posters of schemes like the mid-day meal. The party also told the newspaper that tablets distributed to teachers under the Gyansetu initiative have Das's photograph on display and alleged that this too was a violation of the model code of conduct. The Aam Aadmi Party's East Singhbhum wing) has written to the deputy commissioner of the Election Commission, alleging that posters of Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das were seen inside school campuses in the district, reported Times of India . The notice also stated that comments on other political parties had been visible on boards put up along the sides of the e-rickshaw. The notice issued to her states she had displayed her name in a poster on an e-rickshaw on which she travelled across city, on 14 March, reported ANI. An assistant returning officer of Vidhan Sabha constituency 25, Jagdish Lal, has issued a notice for violation of the Model Code of Conduct on the mayor of Haridwar Municipal Corporation, Anita Sharma, reported Daily Pioneer. It is the duty of the EC to conduct a fair election and protect democracy. The threatening by Delhi Police is still continuing even after MCC has come into force. The Delhi Police is acting like BJPs goons. We have asked that it should be stopped, he added. They (call centre) are not doing something proxy. AAP has hired them. AAP has an agreement with them, Sisodia clarified. An AAP delegation lead by Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia met EC officials urging them to suspend three Delhi Police officials whom he accused of working on behalf of BJP As per BJPs directions, names of 24 lakh voters were stuck off voter list. We launched a campaign to get their name re-registered in the voter list. Delhi Police acting on behest of BJP has been raiding the call centre with whose help we did this campaign, Sisodia said. Delhi police is threatening the owner of the call centre that if you work for AAP, we will make you fall in line, Sisodia claimed. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday complained about the alleged harassment of the owner of a call centre by the Delhi Police on the "behest of BJP." The call centre was alleged to be hired by AAP to "help people whose names were allegedly stuck off the voters' list," ANI reported. On 17 March, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera had told ANI: "Whenever farmers of this country and unemployed youths ask tough questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he hides behind terrorists and Pakistans intelligence agency ISI." On 16 March, Khera had said that 'Modi' stood for 'Masood, Osama, Dawood and ISI' during a television debate, a comment which the Congress leader is facing flak for. BJP has appealed to the Election Commission to take appropriate action under penal laws and election laws, for allegedly violating the MCC. Calling it a blatant violation of the MCC, the BJP in its letter said: "Such speech amounts to a violation of the MCC. The MCC Manual 2019 under Chapter 4 Clause 4.4 prescribes no criticism of other parties or their workers on the basis of unverified allegations or on distortions." The BJP in its letter to the Chief Electoral officer has asserted that 'comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with dreaded terrorists is not only unparliamentary but defamatory and deplorable.' The BJP in its complaint has claimed that Khera, during a news channel's event, had stated that 'Modi stands for Masood Azhar, Osama, Dawood and ISI.' Since the Model Code of Conduct came into effect on 10 March, the Delhi Police has also seized 82 unlicensed weapons, 2,113 live cartridges, 16,495 litres of illicit liquor and 94.337 kilograms of drugs. Also, four FIRs have been registered against political parties , including two against AAP and one against the BJP, for violating the Model Code of Conduct. Chief Electoral Office of Delhi Ranbir Singh said 90,937 posters, hoardings and banners had been removed from across the city on Monday. He added that 235 FIRs had been registered under the Excise Act and 242 people had been arrested for violating the Act. "In order to secure votes, Chief Minister Rao has used illegal means and made statements against the Hindus of this country. He tried his level best to flare up religious tension and instigate the people of other religions against Hindus," claimed the VHP in its memorandum. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has approached Telangana Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar for action against Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct by "defaming" Hindus during a public meeting. The group has handed over a memorandum to Kumar, in which it has claimed that KCR had made many derogatory and defamatory statements against Hindus and tried to flare up "religious tension". Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu on Monday accused Palladam AIADMK MLA A Natarajan of violating the Model Code of Conduct by inspecting a number of developmental projects in his constituency. They raised the issue at the all-party meeting organised by the district administration at the collectorate in Tirupur. CPM Tirupur district executive member N Gopalakrishnan also presented photos as evidence at the meeting. The District Revenue Office said it has yet to recieve a complaint. The Ranchi district administration on Monday filed a poll code violation case against Union minister Jayant Sinha, who is an MP from Hazaribag. The case was filed on a complaint by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha that wrote to Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer L Khiangte, claiming that Sinha has used the convocation ceremony at IIM-Ranchi to publicise the BJP government's achievements, in gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct. In order to put a check on the poll irregularities and other malfunctions ahead and during the Lok Sabha elections, a 24x7 control room was opened at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in Bhubaneswar on Friday. The control room would monitor activities like poll irregularities, model code of conduct (MCC) violation, and other violations such as the distribution of illegal inducements, black money and hate speech. The CEO office has issued a number 0674-2395015 for this purpose. Based on these complaints, the control room will direct the concerned authorities which will then spring into action to check the violation, reports said. However, state BJP president Jitu Vaghani dismissed the complaint and said that there was no violation of the code of conduct. "The chief minister has certain rights. Election campaigns are not allowed (from government buildings), but it is his residence. Chief Minister's security... everything has to be considered. We are meeting and having discussions at the CM residence. Campaign or speeches are not being done," he said, according to a DNA report . "The CM's official residence is a government building. Political activities are not allowed there when the model code of conduct is in force. BJP's meetings of 17 and 18 March for selection of candidates (for Lok Sabha elections) at the chief minister's residence are a violation of the code of conduct," Balubhai Patel, chairman of Gujarat Congress' election coordination committee, said in a complaint to the state's Chief Electoral Officer S Murali Krishna. Following the complaint, the CEO office directed the Gandhinagar collector to look into the matter and to submit a report. The Gujarat Congress on Monday complained to the election authorities that BJP had violated the model code of conduct by holding meetings of its parliamentary panels at the Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's official residence. The highest number of 85 complaints were received from Pune, followed by Thane (61), Solapur (44), Mumbai suburban (40), Mumbai city (39) and Nagpur (26). Most of the complaints pertained to banners being put up without permission, the official said. The Maharashtra Chief Electoral Office has received as many as 400 complaints of MCC violations through its cVIGIL app, an official said Wednesday. "The local team gets an alert once the complaint is lodged, and our people reach the spot and verify the details. If the complaint is valid, we record the details and initiate an inquiry," the official added. "The very title of the book and its display on the election poster is an open declaration by the candidate that he is Hindu. This is a subtle attempt aimed at exploiting Hindu religious sentiments. This is a gross violation of election rules and the Model Code of Conduct. Significantly, the poster was published and publicised after the election notification," the BJP's complaint read. The Kerala BJP on Tuesday complained to the Chief Electoral Officer in Thiruvananthapuram, claiming that the posters put up by the Congress related to MP Shashi Tharoor's book Why Am I A Hindu violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The saffron party claimed APP had burned the manifestos to attack the BJP on the issue of full statehood to Delhi. "AAP leaders violated the MCC by either not seeking permission for such events from the Election Commission, or they sought permission for election meetings from the EC and misused this permission to violate the MCC by burning BJP's manifesto," read the letter written by SN Verma, co-convener of Delhi BJP's legal department. The Delhi BJP on Tuesday filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Office in the city, seeking action against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for allegedly "indulging in violent acts" and violating the MCC. The BJP claimed AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, had burned copies of its 2014 manifesto on 13 March. The BJP leader claimed he had not made the music video, and that media houses had covered it while he was recording of the song, WION reported. West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Basu said, ''We are keeping a close watch on media and through the surveillance, we came to know of the election campaign song of Babul Supriyo... This is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. We have issued a showcause notice to Babul Supriyo. He has to reply to the notice within 48 hours." The Election Commission on Tuesday issued a showcause notice to BJP leader and Union minister Babul Supriyo for violating the MCC. The notice is related to a campaign song, which Supriyo allegedly promoted on electronic media and social media sites without a media certification from the EC. The Trinamool Congress had also registered a complaint against the song with the EC He said that they did so "by publicising materials in a bid to appeal to religious sentiments of voters." Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday wrote to the chief electoral officer (CEO) or Kerala in order to "file a complaint in relation to the malicious attempt by BJP and the Sabarimala Karma Samithi to vitiate free and fair polls in Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency." Earlier in March, a BJP delegation comprising Ravi Shankar Prasad, JP Nadda and others had urged the EC to declare Bengal as a super sensitive zone while expressing apprehensions that the ruling TMC government might not allow free and fair elections to be held in West Bengal. A Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation comprising Derek O'Brien, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, and Chandan Mitra approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday to lodge a complaint against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding an alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The TMC claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modis photo was being published on railway tickets as part of a government scheme, which, the party said, was in violation of the MCC. It urged the poll body to ensure that the pictures were taken off rail tickets. The Cubbon Park police have booked Praveen, Abhilash and Raj under various sections of the Representation of People's Act and also under the Karnataka Police Act. In a complaint to the police on 19 March, a flying squad official for the 163 Vidhana Sabha constituency, stated that actor-turned-politician Prakash Raj had used a mike and campaigned for elections at a public rally held at the Mahatma Gandhi Circle near MG Road on 12 March. The rally was organised by one Praveen K and Abhilash CS under the banner Media and Freedom of Expression and it was a non-political programme. Several writers, artists and activists attended the programme where Prakash Raj used the mike and began to canvass seeking votes, Murthy stated in his complaint. A whatsapp video footage as evidence of Raj speaking on the mike was handed over to police. However, by the time the flying squad reached the spot, the programme was over and people had dispersed. Permission was taken to conduct a non-political programme but Raj used it as a platform canvassing for the election. This amounts to violation of the model code of conduct, Murthy said in his complaint. Twenty-nine FIRs have been registered against various political parties in Delhi so far, including three each against the AAP and the BJP, for violating the model code of conduct, Delhi's chief electoral officer said on Wednesday. Special CEO Satnam Singh said that the poll body has also removed more than 1.8 lakh hoardings, banners and posters since the enforcement of model code of conduct. Of the three FIRs registered against the AAP, one is related to using auto rickshaw for election campaign, Singh said. In most of the 29 cases, FIRs were registered against political parties for defacing public property, he said. Singh said 91 FIRs have been registered and 112 people arrested under the Arms Act since March 12 while police have seized 99 unlicensed weapons from them. As many as 296 FIRs have been registered and 302 violators arrested under the Excise Act, PTI reported. 21 March, Thursday | Three FIRs each against AAP, BJP so far for violating MCC in Delhi; 29 against all political parties Mallikarjun Utture, the Expenditure Observer appointed by the Central Election Commission for the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru parliamentary seat , said on Wednesday that government officers should immediately suo motu register a case if there was any violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Utture said that the officers should act in such cases without waiting for the public to lodge a complaint. The officers should maintain a tight vigil to see that there was no violation of the Model Code of Conduct during campaigning by political parties. The different teams and squads appointed for election purposes should ensure that there was no effort being made to induce or influence the voters. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday said that Congress president Rahul Gandhis interaction with students of a womens college in Chennai did not violate the model code of conduct (MCC), though it has sought a report on his speech. Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo said local election officials have reported that there was no violation in terms of permission obtained by Stella Maris College for Women to host the interaction on 13 March. He said the District Electoral Officer (DEO) had informed him that there was permission for Rahul's event. So, there is no violation of the MCC. However, Sahoo sought further information on Rahul's speech. Have sought further information on what kind of speech was given... have asked the DEO to give a report based on the speech content, he said. Speaking to reporters after a Congress delegation met the Election Commission on Monday, Kapil Sibal said, "We represented to the EC that there is a film being made on Narendra Modi, to be released just a few days before election. It's purpose is political. Three producers and actor belong to BJP; the director is involved in 'Vibrant Gujarat' (investors' summit). This is violative of all norms." Earlier Banerjee had filed a complaint against Supriyo on 20 March for the circulation of false, unverified and distorted news criticising his family members. On 24 March, Supriyo made another defamatory statement in public, Banerjee cited in the letter. In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Banerjee said that Supriyo has maligned his image by levelling false and unverified allegations against him. Banerjee alleged that Supriyo on 24 March made a public statement against him which was "vindictive, libelous, and defamatory." The Election Commission of India (ECI) has written to the Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Civil Aviation , asking them why the pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi were not removed from rail tickets and Air India boarding passes even after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect. They've been asked to submit a reply within three days to the commission. The Odisha Congress on Monday filed a complaint with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the state against BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Puri Sambit Patra alleging violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The Odisha Pradesh Congress in its complaint said that Patra violated MCC by holding the idol of Lord Jagannath in his hand during an election rally. The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday sent a notice to four producers of the upcoming film ' PM Narendra Modi '. Congress and the CPM had complained to the commission about the film's release, saying it's being done with political intent. EC had earlier sent notices to two newspapers on 20 March over publishing 'PM Narendra Modi' film's poster for promotions Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi and producer of film 'PM Narendra Modi', Sandeep Singh arrived at the Election Commission in Delhi on Thursday after complaints were filed over the release of the movie and ban of its trailer in light of the Model Code of Code (MCC) being in force ahead of the Lok Sabha election. The EC committee headed by Deputy Election Commissioner in charge of the MCC division Sandeep Saxena came to the conclusion that Modi's speech did not violate the guidelines because "he did not mention the BJP, nor did he appeal for votes" in the duration of his address. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech on 'Mission Shakti' did not violate the Model Code of Conduct, the Election Commission announced on Friday, even as the Opposition had accused the prime minister of violations and "publicity mongering". Cups sporting Main Bhi Chowkidar ads, the prime minister's pet campaign unveiled just before elections, were spotted at a Shatapdi train today. Tea was served in these paper cups but these were later withdrawn after some passengers brought this to the notice of railway officials and pictures of it became viral on social media. Ministry of Railways reacted to the controversy over tea being served in Shatabdi train in 'Main bhi Chowkidar' cups. The railway officials said that the incident happened today but the cups were immediately withdrawn. The ministry said that these are not procured from any political party and penal action will be taken against the contractor, and the railways supervisor. The office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has shot off a letter to head of departments, saying the projects that actually started on the ground after obtaining all necessary permission, before the poll code came into force, can be continued. The Delhi poll body has received several complaints about the AAP government departments and BJP-ruled MCDs starting work on projects before the model code of conduct came into force, but seeking formal approvals later. He said as per the FIR, based on the complaint of Mansur Chak Block Development Officer-cum-flying squad magistrate Shatrughan Rajak, Kanhaiya had addressed a public meeting in a village on Thursday without obtaining prior permission for the same from the authorities. PTI The case was lodged at Mansur Chak police station of the district under relevant sections of the Representation of People Act, SHO Arvind Kumar said. Former JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar's Begusarai as a CPI candidate, was booked for violation of Model Code of Conduct. "Jokes apart, Sanjaykaka Patil has done a good job here in Miraj by getting funds for development of roads, highways, railways and other infrastructure," he added. - PTI When someone from the crowd asked what would he give them if they got Patil re-elected, he said, "You will get five lakh rupees or even more." Addressing a joint gathering of the BJP, Shiv Sena and RPI (A) workers Wednesday, Deshmukh purportedly said it was not going to be easy to retain the Sangli Lok Sabha seat, where the BJP has fielded sitting MP Sanjaykaka Patil. "After ascertaining the facts, a complaint was registered at Miraj and Bhilwadi police stations," the CEO's office said in a release. The Election Commission had received a complaint about the comments made by Deshmukh in Miraj on 27 March, it said. A case has been registered against Prithviraj Deshmukh, Sangli district unit chief of the BJP, for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct, the office of Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer said Saturday. According to Babu, the chief minister has moved a civil suit in the high court in connection with the issue and has obtained an injunction against certain people from making such statements.- PTI He alleged that Stalin and the DMK with an intention to cause disrepute, to defame, and damage the name and reputation of Chief Minister K Palaniswami has been circulating video clips, making allegations linking the chief minister to the Kodanad Estate murder and robbery case. RM Babu Murugavel submitted that the code of conduct prohibits levelling false statements by any candidate or his agent or any other person in public domain. A spokesperson of the ruling AIADMK has approached the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the State Chief Electoral Officer for taking action on a complaint against DMK chief M K Stalin for alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct. This comes after the BJP leader (Choubey) was caught on camera while having a verbal altercation with Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) KK Upadhyay after the official had stopped his convoy for allegedly violating MCC. Giving clarifications over the incident, Choubey said, "I abide by the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), as I'm not the kind of guy who goes against the rules. But, I would like to mention that these people are stopping me from doing 'Chowkidari'. I will keep on raising my voice against them." Following a verbal altercation between Union Minister Ashwini Choubey and a government official over alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct, an FIR has been lodged against 150 people including Choubey. The FIR also names BJP leader Rana Pratap Singh and various other leaders. The said 150 accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including 'assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty'. Singh courted controversy last week when he told reporters in Aligarh on 23 March that everyone wants Modi to win and that its necessary for the country. Hum sabhi log BJP ke karyakarta hai aur iss naatey se hum zaroor chahengey ke BJP vijai ho. Sab chahengey ek baar phir sey kendra mein Modiji pradhanmantri banein. Modiji ka pradhanmantri banna ye desh ke liye avashyak hai, samaaj ke liye avashyak hai (We are all BJP workers, so we will want the BJP to win. Everyone will want Modi to become PM again. Modi becoming PM is necessary for the nation and society), he had said. The Election Commission has found Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singhs remark that Narendra Modi should be re-elected as the Prime Minister violative of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and the commission will write to President Ram Nath Kovind to bring it to his notice, The Indian Express reported. "Congress ke log aatankwadiyon ko biryani khilate they aur Modi ji ki sena aatankwadiyon ko goli aur gola deti hai (Congress would feed biryani to terrorists, while Modi's army gives them bullets and bombs). This is the difference. The Congress people use 'ji' to refer to Masood Azhar to encourage terrorism," Adityanath had said at an election rally in Ghaziabad on Sunday. The Election Commission on Monday took cognizance of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yodi Adityanath referring to the Indian Army as 'Modi ji ki sena'. The district magistrate of Ghaziabad has been asked to furnish a report in this regard, a functionary said. The report will be submitted to the office of chief electoral officer of Uttar Pradesh which has sought the details after taking cognizance of media reports in this regard. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) filed a Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violation complaint against BJP accusing it of advertising on commercial taxis in the run-up to the general elections. AAP has alleged that some public service vehicles are being used for political advertisement by BJP and were spotted plying in Delhi. It also mentioned that such advertisement was in violation of the Delhi Transport Policy. Delhi Transport policy also forbids political advertisement through any vehicle which is being used for transporting passengers, the letter reads. In its letter, AAP has also given the number and image of a car which it claims was spotted on 2 April, carrying an advertisement of the BJP in Delhi. Meanwhile, the producers of PM Narendra Modi, which is slated for release on Friday, have already replied to the poll panel's notice to them on the Oppositions' complaint against the film. Earlier, Opposition parties had alleged "political intent" in the release of the Vivek Oberoi-starrer and had complained to the poll watchdog, claiming that 'PM Narendra Modi' would serve as an advertisement for the BJP. Till Tuesday, the Election Commission had been awaiting the BJP's reply to a plea by Opposition parties seeking to prevent its screening amid the ongoing poll process. Since the complaint to the commission had mentioned BJP in it, its copy was sent to the party for its reply. The Election Commission has given its approval for the release of the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports said . News18 reported sources as saying that the Election Commission has asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to decide on whether to allow the release of 'PM Narendra Modi'. CEO Krishna said he has directed collectors of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar to inquire into the matter. "I have received that complaint. I have directed collectors of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar districts to conduct an inquiry into the matter," he said. On Saturday, Shah had addressed a gathering near Sardar Patel's statue in Naranpura area of Ahmedabad before participating in a 4 km-long road show from Naranpura to Ghatlodia. He then left for Gandhinagar to file his nomination papers. In its complaint, the Congress alleged that despite knowing that three big hospitals with emergency and trauma care are situated close to the Sardar Patel statue, loudspeakers were used during Shah's rally at the venue. Such use of the loud speakers near the hospitals is a clear violation of the model code of conduct, the party said. The Gujarat Congress on Tuesday lodged a complaint of model code violation against BJP chief and party's Gandhinagar nominee Amit Shah's rally cum roadshow on 30 March alleging that loudspeakers were used near hospitals. In its complaint sent to Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S Murali Krishna through fax, the Opposition party demanded necessary action against Shah for "violating" the poll code. The Election Commission had sought a response from the ministry on the 24-hour TV channel 'NaMo TV' based on a complaint filed by the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In its reply, the information and broadcasting ministry told the polling watchdog that NaMo TV is not a licensed channel but a direct-to-home (DTH) advertisement platform, reported India Today. Hema, who is re-contesting elections from Mathura, held a public rally in the premises of a government school in Chaumuha on Tuesday. Mathura DM SR Mishra told ANI that permission was granted to BJP MP Hema Malini to hold a public meeting but not at a govt school premises. He said that if a violation of model code of conduct is found, a FIR will be registered against the concerned persons and appropriate action will be taken. 4 April, Thursday | Hema Malini did not have permission to conduct public meeting at govt school, action will be taken: Mathura DM The Congress had questioned the decision to run the address in full. EC had asked DD News for complete information on coverage of various political parties and prominent leaders to assess whether there was any truth in Congress allegations of preferential treatment to the ruling party. In response to a notice from the Election Commission of India, DD News is learnt to have defended its decision to run Prime Minister Narendra Modis 1.24-hour public address Main Bhi Chowkidar in full on 31 March on the grounds of its high news value". According to The Economic Times' report , DD News, in its response, has said that that various other private TV channels also ran the address in its entirety due to the same reason. When contacted for his reaction, Joshi said "it is for the Election Commission to decide on the matter." He alleged that the report was deliberately released at this point of time just to benefit the ruling TRS. In a complaint to the EC on 6 April, G Niranjan, Convener,Election Commission Coordination Committee of state Congress, said Chief Secretary S K Joshi and other officials released the report on 5 April, "just five days before the elections, which is against the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)." The Congress in Telangana has requested the Election Commission to take action against the Chief Secretary and government officials for allegedly violating the model code of conduct for the 11 April Lok Sabha polls by releasing a report on the governments achievements. Singh had filed his nomination earlier on Monday in the presence of former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Jabalpur. The district administration also registered a First Information Report report against eight people in this regard. Madhya Pradesh BJP chief and Jabalpur candidate Rakesh Singh has been issued a show-cause notice for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct. The notice was issued to Singh for allegedly taking more than five people to the returning officer's room while filing nomination. Baghel, who also holds the post of state Congress president, reached the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Subrat Sahoo along with senior party leaders and handed over the written complaint. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel Monday lodged a complaint of alleged poll code violation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making statements about the Army and surgical strikes during his public meeting held in Balod district of the state on 6 April. 9 April | Addressing first-time voters, Narendra Modi invokes Pulwama attack, Balakot air strikes at Latur rally Prime Minister Narendra Modi violated the Model Code of Conduct on Tuesday, by appealing to first-time voters in Maharashtras Latur to vote for the BJP government for carrying out the Balakot air strikes against Pakistan reportedly as a response to Pulwama terror attack that killed over 40 CRPF soldiers in February. Addressing a rally in Latur, where he shared the stage with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Modi urged first-time voters to exercise their franchise carefully. You will remember you first vote for all of your life. Would you dedicate your first vote to the brave soldiers who conducted the Balakot air strikes in Pakistan? Would your first vote honour the CRPF soldiers who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack? Modi said. Through a notification dated 9 March, the Election Commission (EC) had asked political parties to not use the armed forces for political advertisements or campaigns. The Armed Forces of a nation are the guardian of its frontiers, security and 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 EC had said in the notification. The prime minister had allegedly violated the MCC last month as well while addressing the nation after the successful completion of the A-SAT test by the DRDO. The Meerut District Magistrate is expected to file a report on the matter by 11 am on Wednesday. The BJP leader said Dalit-Muslim unity is impossible, and in Bareilly, he accused Mayawati of hurting Dalit sentiments with her call to Muslim voters at a rally in Saharanpur's Deoband. "Agar Congress, SP (Samajwadi Party), BSP ko Ali par vishwaas hai, toh humein bhi Bajrangbali par vishwaas hai (If the Congress, the SP and the BSP have faith in Ali, then we too have faith in Bajrang Bali)," the BJP leader said at an election meeting in Meerut. Attacking Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati for recently appealing to Muslims to vote for the Opposition alliance in Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath said now the Hindus have no option but to vote for the BJP. The Election Commission has taken cognisance of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's remarks at Meerut on Tuesday, with which he seemed to suggest that Hindu and Muslim voters were in an Ali-Bajrangbali contest. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday sent a notice to Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao for violation of Model Code of Conduct over his derogatory remark against Hindus at a public rally in Karimnagar on 17 March, PTI reported. The Commission has produced his remarks in Telugu but did not give English translation of the same. "... the Commission is, prima facie, of the opinion that by making the aforesaid statement which has the potential of disturbing the harmony and aggravating existing differences between social and religious communities, and appealing to communal feelings, you have violated the ... the Model Code of Conduct," the notice served Tuesday said. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is learned to have directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi to ensure that the contents of NaMo TV are pre-certified by the local media certification and monitoring committee. The EC has also asked the CEO to inform whether the political contents were at any time cleared by the certification committee. The commission has ruled that the channel which touted as BJPs purported advertising portal carried by DTH operators, should be subjected to content certification regime, like all other political advertisements during the poll code period. The Election Commission of India on Wednesday stalled the release of PM Narendra Modi, a day before it was set to hit theatres. The election watchdog has ruled that no biopics can be released during elections as the political content in such movies "threaten level playing field". District poll authorities issued her with a show cause notice. The Election Commission in Delhi is also examining the transcript of the minister's speech, which was condemned by the Congress. In a controversial remark, Union minister Maneka Gandhi has told Muslims to vote for her as they will need her once the Lok Sabha elections are over. We are not Mahatma Gandhi's children that we keep giving and not get anything in return, she said in Sultanpur's Muslim-dominated Turabkhani area on Thursday. A case registered against her under the 171-D and 171-F of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the Kopar Khairane police station. 58-year-old Mhatre had won the Belapur assembly seat on BJP ticket in the 2014 assembly election in Maharashtra. A case was registered against BJP MLA Manda Mhatre for allegedly violating MCC. Mhatre was accused of flouting Election Commission's norms by requesting voters to cast their ballots twice in favour of Rajan Baburao Vichare, a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Thane Lok Sabha constituency, while campaigning for him on 13 April. BJP also complained against Congress spokesperson Sunil Kauthankar for allegedly violating MCC "while addressing a press conference, wherein he has grossly misinterpreted the statement of BJP national president Amit Shah and has tried to spread lies." Goa BJP complained to the Election Commission (EC) against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by propagating fear-mongering among Christian and Muslim community at a public meeting. Kejriwal was in Goa on 13 April to address a public meeting at Margao in south Goa. "Arvind Kejriwal has blatantly violated MCC by way of inciting religious sentiments in his speech," read the letter. "Arvind Kejriwal has been reported to have made utterances such as 'Mob lynching taking place in the country under the guise of cattle theft is actually organised murder," said the complaint. "He also tried to propagate fear-mongering among the Christian and Muslim community by his utterance that 'Christian and Muslim will be driven into the sea under the guise of infiltrators," it read. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath was seen visiting a temple on Tuesday morning, a day after the Election Commission citing Article 324 of the Constitution barred him from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows and interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print and social media) in connection with the ongoing Lok Sabha election. He was handed a 72-hour ban for delivering a communal or hate speech during one of his rallies. Though the BJP leader did not defy the ban by participating in a poll campaign, he did violate the spirit of election by making a public visit to the temple. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Gujarat Ramesh Katara on Tuesday reportedly told villagers at a rally in Dahod constituency that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has installed cameras in polling booths and he will come to know who votes for whom in the Lok Sabha elections. Katara has been served a show-cause notice by the Dahod collector and district election officer VL Kharadi for his remarks and also notice by the Election Commission (EC) for violation of MCC. The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP has written to the Election Commission demanding an FIR against Ghulam Nabi Azad, Vikramaditya Singh and Waqar Rasool Wani for allegedly violating the model code of conduct, ANI reported. The Election Commission has taken cognisance of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur's remarks that former Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, who died during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, met his untimely death due to bad karma, and ordered an enquiry into the same. Thakur on Friday had said that the former ATS met his unfortunate fate because he had "tortured" her during the investigation of the 2008 Malegaon blast case. A complaint was filed against the BJP candidate from Bhopal with the Madhya Pradesh EC hours after she made the controversial statement. The poll panel pointed out that an FIR has already been lodged against him in Bihar's Kathiar under some sections of the penal code and section 123 of the Representation of the People Act. The Punjab minister has been asked to respond within 24 hours, failing which the EC will take a decision without further reference to him. The EC said prima facie he has violated provisions of the model code of conduct, election law and a Supreme Court direction asking politicians not to mix religion with political discourse while electioneering. The Election Commission on Saturday issued a showcause notice to Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for his remarks in which he allegedly warned the Muslim community that efforts were on to divide their votes in Bihar. Singhvi alleged the EC hesitates in taking action against one-two persons sitting on top posts. He said: "The EC listens to us. They act on our request. It is, however, unfortunate that the EC hesitates in taking action against one-two people sitting on tops posts of the country." He also expressed his disappointment over the ECIs inaction on another complaint earlier submitted by the Congress against Modi for allegedly violating the MCC by citing the services at a rally in Maharashtra on 9 April. "It is very distressing and sad that the very credibility of an independent police force of the elections is at stake. We showed the EC a video of Modis campaigning. We have demanded a ban on him for 48 to 72 hours from campaigning, and also on Shah," he said. A Congress delegation led by Abhishek Manu Singhvi met the Election Commission officials and sought action against Modi for holding a procession after casting his vote on Tuesday in Ahmedabad. They also requested the EC to act against Shah for repeatedly citing the services of armed forces in his election rallies. "The Prime Minister is violating the Model Code Conduct (MCC) shamelessly and advertently. He made political statements, held a procession after casting his votes today," Singhvi told reporters. The Congress spokesman said: "On Monday we had filed a written complaint to the EC that Modi would violate the Model Code of Conduct by holding a procession after casting his vote." Singhvi termed Modi as a "habitual, egregious and completely uncaring offender". The Congress party on Tuesday sought to impose 48 to 72 hours ban on campaigning by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The party has requested the ECI and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir Shailendra Kumar to take appropriate action against the three leaders under the rules and regulations governing MCC and relevant provisions of Representation of the People Act, 1951. BJP has further requested the ECI to debar Azad from campaigning for Congress in the country. The BJP, in a complaint filed on Thursday, accused Waqar Rasool Wani, who was campaigning for Congress' candidate from Udhampur-Doda parliamentary constituency Vikramaditya Singh, of violating MCC by campaigning on polling day and requesting voters of a particular religion to vote for their party. In the audio clip, a copy of which has been sent to the ECI, Wani could be heard saying that Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is currently campaigning in Kerala, called him up and directed him to appeal to the voters of the erstwhile Doda region belonging to particular community to cast their votes on communal lines, BJP claimed. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has moved the Election Commission of India (ECI) demanding FIR against Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Vikramaditya Singh and an ex-MLA of Banihal town for allegedly violating Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the ongoing Lok Sabha polls in the state. The Election Commission has taken cognisance of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur's remarks that former Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, who died during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, met his untimely death due to bad karma, and ordered an enquiry into the same. Thakur on Friday had said that the former ATS met his unfortunate fate because he had "tortured" her during the investigation of the 2008 Malegaon blast case. A complaint was filed against the BJP candidate from Bhopal with the Madhya Pradesh EC hours after she made the controversial statement. The poll panel pointed out that an FIR has already been lodged against him in Bihar's Kathiar under some sections of the penal code and section 123 of the Representation of the People Act. The Punjab minister has been asked to respond within 24 hours, failing which the EC will take a decision without further reference to him. The EC said prima facie he has violated provisions of the model code of conduct, election law and a Supreme Court direction asking politicians not to mix religion with political discourse while electioneering. The Election Commission on Saturday issued a showcause notice to Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for his remarks in which he allegedly warned the Muslim community that efforts were on to divide their votes in Bihar. While addressing a rally in Jalna on Sunday, BJP leader Pankaja Munde said: "We did surgical strike after cowardly attack on our soldiers (by Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pulwama). Some peole ask what was surgical strike and what's the evidence? I say we should've attached a bomb to Rahul Gandhi and should have sent him to another country. Then they would have understood." The Election Commission found Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu guilty of violating model code of conduct for appealing for Muslim votes. It has banned him from campaigning for 72 hours. Singhvi alleged the EC hesitates in taking action against one-two persons sitting on top posts. He said: "The EC listens to us. They act on our request. It is, however, unfortunate that the EC hesitates in taking action against one-two people sitting on tops posts of the country." He also expressed his disappointment over the ECIs inaction on another complaint earlier submitted by the Congress against Modi for allegedly violating the MCC by citing the services at a rally in Maharashtra on 9 April. "It is very distressing and sad that the very credibility of an independent police force of the elections is at stake. We showed the EC a video of Modis campaigning. We have demanded a ban on him for 48 to 72 hours from campaigning, and also on Shah," he said. A Congress delegation led by Abhishek Manu Singhvi met the Election Commission officials and sought action against Modi for holding a procession after casting his vote on Tuesday in Ahmedabad. They also requested the EC to act against Shah for repeatedly citing the services of armed forces in his election rallies. "The Prime Minister is violating the Model Code Conduct (MCC) shamelessly and advertently. He made political statements, held a procession after casting his votes today," Singhvi told reporters. The Congress spokesman said: "On Monday we had filed a written complaint to the EC that Modi would violate the Model Code of Conduct by holding a procession after casting his vote." Singhvi termed Modi as a "habitual, egregious and completely uncaring offender". The Congress party on Tuesday sought to impose 48 to 72 hours ban on campaigning by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Taking a jibe at the poll panel, he said the Congress is saddened to say that it seems that from the second word of Election Commission, 'C' has been dropped, and it has become "Election Omission" for the Modi-Shah duo. "We have a right to approach the courts seeking action over model code violations... we can exercise that option... the mega policeman has turned a blind eye," Singhvi said, adding that silence can be construed as approval. The two leaders have "cheated" on the issue of level playing field for all parties during elections and questioned the "silence of mega policeman" Election Commission (EC), Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi alleged at a press conference. Alleging that the Model Code of Conduct has become "Modi code of conduct", the Congress on Saturday questioned the EC's "silence" over poll code "violations" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, and said it may approach courts to seek action against the duo. Satti said that the alleged speech was circulated on social and print media by the Congress party workers who intended to malign and rapture of his image. In his reply to Mandi District Electoral Officer, he said, "I was not having any political vendetta or intention against any of the workers or leaders of any of the political party/opponents. I never made any false, derogatory or inciting remarks, as alleged in the notice under reply. Moreover, the wording of my speech was taken otherwise by press correspondents," he added. "Our leaders are sitting on the dais. If anyone dares to raise their finger, we would chop their hands off. We are not nincompoops. We are not a group of stupid people," Satti had said addressing a rally in Mandi on Wednesday. Himachal Pradesh BJP president Satpal Singh Satti on Saturday replied to the Election Commission's notice over his "will chop off hands of those who point fingers at BJP leaders" remark and denied making any false, inciting or derogatory remark. Kejriwal said even Pakistan wants to divide India and accused BJP of fulfilling Pakistans agenda. "The BJP is fulfilling Pakistan's agenda of dividing India," he added. "Can it be done, is it possible. At least 20-25 crore people come from these religions. So I want to ask Amit Shah what is your plan. Are you going to throw all these people, throw them in the Pacific Ocean or would they be mob lynched? What will be done with all these people," Kejriwal had asked. Quoting Shah's tweet, Kejriwal said this means the BJP's plan is to remove all religions except Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs from the country. "He has made the highly provocative speech which has the tone and tenor to aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred between different religious communities, and thus violative of provisions of MCC. That such statements that have the undertone and propensity to polarize the elections" the BJP's letter to the EC said. "Arvind Kejriwal with the sole intention of creating panic and mutual hatred between the communities made a deliberate and false statement. Kejriwal is trying to mislead the people of India by saying that BJP considers Muslims, Christians, Jains, Parsis and other minorities in India as infiltrators..," read the complaint. Shah had in his tweet had said: "We will remove every single infiltrator from the country except Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs". The BJP has written to Election Commission of India (EC) alleging that Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal had violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) with his statement related to a tweet by BJP president Amit Shah. Kher later said she has sent her reply to the EC. The EC had subsequently instructed that it should be ensured by all political parties and election officials that children are not involved in any election-related activity, as per the notice. In the notice, it was mentioned that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights in January, 2017 had requested the EC to ensure that children are not involved in any form with election-related activities, by either election officials or political parties. "You have shared a video on your Twitter account which shows that children are being used for election campaign in your favour through slogan 'Vote for Kirron Kher' and 'Ab Ki Baar Modi Sarkar'," the notice issued on 3 May said. However, in her reply, Kher said it was done "unintentionally", acknowledging that it was "wrong". The Election Commission (EC) has issued a notice to BJP's Chandigarh candidate Kirron Kher, seeking a reply after she shared a video on Twitter in which children were seen campaigning for her. Lok Sabha Election 2019; Model Code of Conduct Watch: The Election Commission (EC) has issued a notice to BJP's Chandigarh candidate Kirron Kher, seeking a reply after she shared a video on Twitter in which children were seen campaigning for her. However, in her reply, Kher said it was done "unintentionally", acknowledging that it was "wrong". The poll panel had asked the actor-turned-politician to reply within 24 hours. "You have shared a video on your Twitter account which shows that children are being used for election campaign in your favour through slogan 'Vote for Kirron Kher' and 'Ab Ki Baar Modi Sarkar'," the notice issued on 3 May said. Alleging that the Model Code of Conduct has become "Modi code of conduct", the Congress on Saturday questioned the EC's "silence" over poll code "violations" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, and said it may approach courts to seek action against the duo. The two leaders have "cheated" on the issue of level playing field for all parties during elections and questioned the "silence of mega policeman" Election Commission (EC), Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi alleged at a press conference. The Congress party on Tuesday sought to impose 48 to 72 hours ban on campaigning by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). A Congress delegation led by Abhishek Manu Singhvi met the Election Commission officials and sought action against Modi for holding a procession after casting his vote on Tuesday in Ahmedabad. They also requested the EC to act against Shah for repeatedly citing the services of armed forces in his election rallies. The Election Commission found Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu guilty of violating model code of conduct for appealing for Muslim votes. It has banned him from campaigning for 72 hours from 10 am on Tuesday. BJP leader Pankaja Munde said on Monday that a bomb should be tied around Congress president Rahul Gandhi and sent to the neighbouring country for questioning surgical strikes. While addressing a rally in Jalna on Sunday, Munde said: "We did surgical strike after cowardly attack on our soldiers (by Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pulwama). Some peole ask what was surgical strike and what's the evidence? I say we should've attached a bomb to Rahul Gandhi and should have sent him to another country. Then they would have understood." The Election Commission on Saturday issued a showcause notice to Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for his remarks in which he allegedly warned the Muslim community that efforts were on to divide their votes in Bihar. The Election Commission has taken cognisance of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur's remarks that former Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, who died during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, met his untimely death due to bad karma, and ordered an enquiry into the same. Thakur on Friday had said that the former ATS met his unfortunate fate because he had "tortured" her during the investigation of the 2008 Malegaon blast case Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has moved the Election Commission of India (ECI) demanding FIR against Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Vikramaditya Singh and an ex-MLA of Banihal town for allegedly violating Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the ongoing Lok Sabha polls in the state. The BJP, in a complaint filed on Thursday, accused Waqar Rasool Wani, who was campaigning for Congress' candidate from Udhampur-Doda parliamentary constituency Vikramaditya Singh, of violating MCC by campaigning on polling day and requesting voters of a particular religion to vote for their party. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Gujarat Ramesh Katara on Tuesday reportedly told villagers at a rally in Dahod constituency that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has installed cameras in polling booths and he will come to know who votes for whom in the Lok Sabha elections. Katara has been served a show-cause notice by the Dahod collector and district election officer VL Kharadi for his remarks and also notice by the Election Commission (EC) for violation of MCC. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath was seen visiting a temple on Tuesday morning, a day after the Election Commission citing Article 324 of the Constitution barred him from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows and interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print and social media) in connection with the ongoing Lok Sabha election. He was handed a 72-hour ban for delivering a communal or hate speech during one of his rallies. Though the BJP leader did not defy the ban by participating in a poll campaign, he did violate the spirit of election by making a public visit to the temple. Goa BJP complained to the Election Commission (EC) against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by propagating fear-mongering among Christian and Muslim community at a public meeting. Kejriwal was in Goa on 13 April to address a public meeting at Margao in south Goa, where, BJP alleged, the AAP leader said that "Christian and Muslim will be driven into the sea under the guise of infiltrators". The Goa Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) ordered an inquiry into an alleged hate speech given by a Christian priest against the BJP following a complaint from the party. A video of the priest from South Goa addressing some people inside a church had gone viral in which the priest, speaking in Konkani, is seen criticising the BJP, party president Amit Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and late Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar. A case was registered against BJP MLA Manda Mhatre for allegedly violating MCC. Mhatre was accused of flouting Election Commission's norms by requesting voters to cast their ballots twice in favour of Rajan Baburao Vichare, a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Thane Lok Sabha constituency, while campaigning for him on 13 April. In a controversial remark, Union minister Maneka Gandhi has told Muslims to vote for her as they will need her once the Lok Sabha elections are over. We are not Mahatma Gandhi's children that we keep giving and not get anything in return, she said in Sultanpur's Muslim-dominated Turabkhani area on Thursday. District poll authorities issued her with a show cause notice. The Election Commission in Delhi is also examining the transcript of the minister's speech, which was condemned by the Congress. The Election Commission of India on Wednesday stalled the release of PM Narendra Modi, a day before it was set to hit theatres. The election watchdog has ruled that no biopics can be released during elections as the political content in such movies "threaten level playing field". Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh wrote to the Election Commission over the 'shockingly disgraceful' invocation of the Balakot air strikes and Pulwama terror attack during his speech in Maharashtra's Latur on 9 April. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is learned to have directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi to ensure that the contents of NaMo TV are pre-certified by the local media certification and monitoring committee. The EC has also asked the CEO to inform whether the political contents were at any time cleared by the certification committee. The commission has ruled that the channel which touted as BJPs purported advertising portal carried by DTH operators, should be subjected to content certification regime, like all other political advertisements during the poll code period. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday sent a notice to Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao for violation of Model Code of Conduct over his derogatory remark against Hindus at a public rally in Karimnagar on 17 March, ANI reported. The commission also issued show cause notices to producers of two TV serials following allegations that the shows were violating the Model Code of Conduct by promoting various government schemes. The Election Commission has taken cognizance of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's remarks at Meerut on Tuesday, with which he seemed to suggest that Hindu and Muslim voters were in an "Ali-Bajrangbali" contest. "If the Congress, the SP and the BSP have faith in Ali, then we too have faith in Bajrang Bali," the BJP leader said at an election meeting. The Meerut District Magistrate is expected to file a report on the matter by 11 am on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi violated the Model Code of Conduct on Tuesday, by appealing to first-time voters in Maharashtras Latur to vote for the BJP government for carrying out the Balakot air strikes against Pakistan reportedly as a response to Pulwama terror attack that killed over 40 CRPF soldiers. Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel Monday lodged a complaint of alleged poll code violation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making statements about the Army and surgical strikes during his public meeting held in Balod district of the state on 6 April. The Madhya Pradesh BJP chief and Jabalpur candidate Rakesh Singh has been issued a show cause notice for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The notice was for allegedly taking more than five people to the returning officer's room while filing his nomination. The Tripura unit of the Congress has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), seeking the immediate arrest of Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb for allegedly spreading communal hatred in the state. A case was registered against BSP leader Omar Ali Khan and his supporters for violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) as they carried out a procession on the road without permission and misbehaved with the SDM. In response to a notice from the Election Commission of India, DD News is learnt to have defended its decision to run Prime Minister Narendra Modis 1.24-hour public address Main Bhi Chowkidar in full on 31 March on the grounds of its high news value". Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh chairperson and grandson of BR Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar, on Thursday threatened to take action against the Election Commission of India (ECI) if his party is voted to power. While addressing a public gathering at Yavatmal, Ambedkar called the Election Commission biased and slammed the organisation for directing political parties to not talk about the terror attack in Pulwama. The Congress had questioned the decision to run the address in full. EC had asked DD News for complete information on coverage of various political parties and prominent leaders to assess whether there was any truth in Congress allegations of preferential treatment to the ruling party. The District Magistrate of Mathura has said that BJP MP Hema Malini did not have permission to conduct a public meeting at a government school and appropriate action would be taken in the matter if MCC violation is found. Hema, who is re-contesting elections from Mathura, held a public rally in the premises of a government school in Chaumuha on Tuesday. In its reply to the Election Commission, the information and broadcasting ministry told the polling watchdog that NaMo TV is not a licensed channel but a direct-to-home (DTH) advertisement platform, reported India Today. The Election Commission has sought a response from the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry on the 24-hour TV channel 'NaMo TV' based on a complaint filed by the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The Madhya Pradesh Election Commission has sent a notice to Congress for using the Rafale issue in poll advertisements as the matter is sub-judice. EC has ordered Congress to take down the six advertisements using Rafale issue as a campaign plank of the party, India Today reporte The Gujarat Congress on Tuesday lodged a complaint of model code violation against BJP chief and party's Gandhinagar nominee Amit Shah's rally cum roadshow on 30 March alleging that loudspeakers were used near hospitals. In its complaint sent to Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S Murali Krishna through fax, the Opposition party demanded necessary action against Shah for "violating" the poll code. The Election Commission (EC) has given its approval for the release of the biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports said. News18 reported sources as saying that the Election Commission has asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to decide on whether to allow the release of 'PM Narendra Modi'. Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday told the Election Commission that his comment son Congress' Nyay scheme were made in his personal capacity as an economist and should not be interpreted as Niti Aayogs stand on the Congress announcement. The Election Commission had pulled up Kumar for targeting Congress's minimum income guarantee scheme, NYAY during a media interview. Speaking to India Today, Kumar had said that the Congress has made the announcement only for the sake of winning the elections. "This is the worst kind of vote politics," he said. BJP MP from Mathura Hema Malini, who is re-contesting elections from the seat, may face a case of MCC violation for holding a public rally in the premises of a government school in Chaumuha on Tuesday, The Times of India reported. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) filed a Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violation complaint against BJP accusing it of advertising on commercial taxis in the run-up to the general elections. AAP alleged that some public service vehicles are being used for political advertisement by BJP and were spotted plying in Delhi. The Election Commission took cognizance of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yodi Adityanath referring to the Indian Army as 'Modi ji ki sena'. The district magistrate of Ghaziabad has been asked to furnish a report in this regard, a functionary said. The report will be submitted to the office of the chief electoral officer of Uttar Pradesh which has sought the details after taking cognizance of media reports in this regard. A case was registered against Samajwadi Party's Badaun candidate Dharmendra Yadav and three others for allegedly violating the model code of conduct. Yadav had apparently used a convoy of cars for campaigning. A video of the incident had also gone viral on social media. A case was registered and the matter is being investigated further. The Election Commission found Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singhs remark that Narendra Modi should be re-elected as the Prime Minister violative of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The commission will write to President Ram Nath Kovind to bring it to his notice, The Indian Express reported. Singh had courted controversy last week when he told reporters in Aligarh that everyone wants Modi to win and that its necessary for the country that he is re-elected. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut was also served a notice by the Election Commission on Monday for his editorial in Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana in which he made reference to tampering of EVMs in Begusarai. Raut has been asked to give a clarification by 3 April to the notice issued by Mumbai District Election Officer Shivaji Jondhale. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) wrote to the Election Commission on Monday complaining against the recently-launched "NaMo TV", asking the poll panel if political parties having TV channels was in adherence to the Model Code of Conduct. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party asked the EC if the BJP had sought approval for the launch of the channel, which has Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph on its logo and runs all his speeches. Following a verbal altercation between Union Minister Ashwini Choubey and a government official over alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct, an FIR has been lodged against 150 people including Choubey. The FIR also names BJP leader Rana Pratap Singh and various other leaders. The said 150 accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including 'assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty'. A video had surfaced on Sunday purportedly showing Choubey, on the front seat of a vehicle, furiously reacting to the official who attempted to apprise the Union minister about Election Commission's order. Former JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar's Begusarai as a CPI candidate, was booked for violation of Model Code of Conduct. Ministry of Railways reacted to the controversy over tea being served in Shatabdi train in 'Main bhi Chowkidar' cups. The railway officials said that the incident happened today but the cups were immediately withdrawn. The ministry said that these are not procured from any political party and penal action will be taken against the contractor, and the railways supervisor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech on 'Mission Shakti' did not violate the Model Code of Conduct, the Election Commission announced on Friday, even as the Opposition had accused the prime minister of violations and "publicity mongering". Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi and producer of film 'PM Narendra Modi', Sandeep Singh arrived at the Election Commission in Delhi on Thursday after complaints were filed over the release of the movie and ban of its trailer in light of the Model Code of Code (MCC) being in force ahead of the Lok Sabha election. The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday sent a notice to four producers of the upcoming film 'PM Narendra Modi'. Congress and the CPM had complained to the commission about the film's release, saying it's being done with political intent. EC had earlier sent notices to two newspapers on 20 March over publishing 'PM Narendra Modi' film's poster for promotions. The Odisha Congress on Monday filed a complaint with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the state against BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Puri Sambit Patra alleging a violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The Odisha Pradesh Congress in its complaint said that Patra violated MCC by holding the idol of Lord Jagannath in his hand during an election rally. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has written to the Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Civil Aviation, asking them why the pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi were not removed from rail tickets and Air India boarding passes even after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect. They've been asked to submit a reply within three days to the commission. After a Congress delegation met the Election Commission on Monday, Kapil Sibal told reporters, "We represented to the Election Commission that there is a film being made on Narendra Modi, to be released just a few days before election. It's purpose is political. Three producers and actor belong to BJP; the director is involved in 'Vibrant Gujarat' (investors' summit). This is violative of all norms." Karnataka Congress has asked the Election Commission to allow political parties to pre-view the biopic on Narendra Modi. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday said that Congress president Rahul Gandhis interaction with students of a womens college in Chennai did not violate the model code of conduct (MCC), though it has sought a report on his speech. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, led by Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema, filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer against cabinet minister Vijay Inder Singla for allegedly influencing voters of Sangrur by misusing his official position. Cheema alleged Singla had violated the model code of conduct by trying to induce voters by sanctioning funds worth crores for the repair of government schools. Actor-turned-politician Prakash Raj was booked by the Cubbon Park Police for violating the Model Code of Conduct as he was accused of using a mike and campaigning for elections at a public rally held at the Mahatma Gandhi Circle in Bangalore on 12 March. A Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation comprising Derek O'Brien, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, and Chandan Mitra approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday to lodge a complaint against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modis photo was being published on railway tickets as part of a government scheme, which, the party said, was in violation of the MCC. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday wrote to the chief electoral officer (CEO) or Kerala in order to "file a complaint in relation to the malicious attempt by BJP and the Sabarimala Karma Samithi to vitiate free and fair polls in Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency." He said that they did so "by publicising materials in a bid to appeal to religious sentiments of voters." The Delhi BJP on Tuesday filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Office in the city, seeking action against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for allegedly "indulging in violent acts" and violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The BJP claimed AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, had burned copies of its 2014 manifesto on 13 March. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India issued a showcause notice to BJP leader and Union minister Babul Supriyo for violating the MCC. The notice is related to a campaign song, which Supriyo allegedly promoted on electronic media and social media sites without a media certification from the EC. The Trinamool Congress had also registered a complaint against the song with the EC. In Kerala, the BJP complained to the Chief Electoral Officer in Thiruvananthapuram, claiming that the posters put up by the Congress related to MP Shashi Tharoor's book Why Am I A Hindu violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Tharoor, however, claimed they were not election posters. Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer S Murali Krishna has ordered an inquiry after the Congress, on Monday, filed a complaint alleging that the BJP had violated the MCC by holding a meeting of the party's state parliamentary board at Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's official residence. The Congress pointed out that the chief minister's official residence in Gandhinagar is a government property, and no political activity is permitted from a government premises when the poll code is in force. meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla (Jammu and Kashmir) on Monday rescinded transfers ordered by the districts assistant commissioner in violation of the model code of conduct, after the state government questioned the reshuffle affected despite standing directions. On the other hand, after last week's takedown notification to Facebook, the EC called all social media platforms including Google, Twitter, Whatsapp, ShareChat and Tiktok for a meet to discuss over their violative social media content, ad policy and response time over complaints on Tuesday. The meet comes in wake of confusion over ECs first takedown notice to Facebook regarding a Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violation on 13 March. A delegation led by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Election Commission Coordination Committee convenor G Niranjan complained to the CEO on MCC violation by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao for inviting Congress leader and former home minister Sabitha Indra Reddy and her sons to his camp office on 13 March for deliberations and reportedly influencing them to joins TRS. BJD accused BJP of violating the Model Code of Conduct by allegedly shifting the Railway Electrification Board unit from Bhubaneswar to Bengaluru on 13 March after the announcement of the Lok Sabha election dates. Whereas, in order to put a check on the poll irregularities and other malfunctions ahead and during the Lok Sabha elections, a 24x7 control room was opened at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in Bhubaneswar on Friday. BJPs Delhi unit wrote to the Election Commission to appoint special observers in mosques to prevent religion from influencing electoral outcomes. The BJP has squarely blamed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for polarising the voters on religious and caste lines and has stated that it is Arvind Kejriwal who has been delivering many inflammatory and baseless statements to polarise votes, especially in Muslim dominant areas. The Ranchi district administration on Monday filed a case of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violation against Union minister Jayant Sinha on a complaint by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. In its complaint to Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer L Khiangte, the party claimed that Sinha had used the convocation ceremony at IIM-Ranchi to publicise the BJP government's achievements, violating the poll code. Meanwhile, the BJP on Monday filed a complaint against Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera for allegedly violating the MCC. In its complaint, the party claimed that Khera, during a news channel's event, had stated that 'Modi stands for Masood Azhar, Osama, Dawood and ISI.' The Congress registered its first Model Code of Conduct violation complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday. In Maharashtra, the party gave a written complaint to the chief electoral officer against government advertisements still being displayed outside state transport buses, bus stops and petrol pumps. Show cause notices were issued to BJP's Chandigarh chief Sanjay Tandon, four BJP councillors, two nominated councillors and three officials of the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh on Wednesday for violating the model code of conduct. The notice asked the officials to reply within 24 hours as to why disciplinary action may not be taken against them. In Arunachal Pradesh, the Nirjuli police under the supervision of Capital Complex Superintendent of Police Tumme Amo on Tuesday night seized Rs 15.6 lakh from undisclosed people for violation of the model code of conduct. Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) Pratapgarh Lok Sabha constituency in-charge Ashok Tripathi was among 68 booked for poll code violation on Wednesday. The ECI on Wednesday issued a notice to BJP's Jaipur MP Ramcharan Bohra and Rajasthan Congress' General Secretary Sunil Sharma for putting up posters in different locations across Jaipur depicting various operations done by the Indian Armed forces along with their own photos. It also asked both the politicians to file a reply within three days. The Commission on Wednesday issued a show-cause notice to Delhi BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma for putting up two posters featuring him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on Facebook. The Commission asked him to take down the post and give a reply by Thursday. The Election Commission has asked all political parties to refrain from making reference to the armed forces during their campaign. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, hoardings and banners containing the photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi were removed from petrol pumps in New Delhi on Tuesday following the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for Lok Sabha elections. ECI on 10 March, 2019 announced the dates of the seven-phase upcoming Lok Sabha election scheduled to begin on 11 April. The results will be announced on 23 May. The last polling date is 19 May. With the announcement of the schedule, the Model Code of Conduct kicked in the very same day. The ECI 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". More than 820 million citizens will cast their votes across India this year. The number of eligible voters has gone up by more than five times since the first General Election. Voter turnout has also increased from 46 percent in 1951-52 to 66 percent in 2014. In the last election held in 2014, there were roughly 815 million, but just 550 million exercised their right to vote. Lok Sabha Election 2019 will see over 1.5 crore first-time voters. These voters in the age group of 18-19 years constitute 1.66 percent of the total electorate. Two-thirds of Indians are under 35 years of age. The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday said an alliance just in Delhi is not possible after the Congress refused to have a tie-up anywhere else. New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday said an alliance just in Delhi is not possible after the Congress refused to have a tie-up anywhere else. Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said that giving three seats to the Congress in the national capital would mean "giving three seats to the BJP" when asked his opinion on the 4:3 seat sharing formula proposed by the Congress. He said the Congress first proposed 6:3:1 seat sharing formula to the AAP in Haryana where six seats would be for Congress, three for Janayak Janata Party and one seat for AAP. "Our decision to form an alliance with the Congress was to stop the Modi-Shah duo," he said. "The Congress has zero presence in Delhi even then they want nearly half of the seats. With that logic, the Congress should form an alliance in Punjab and Haryana too. We have 20 MLAs and 4 MPs in Punjab then why can't an alliance be formed with us," Sisodia asked. Senior party leader Sanjay Singh said they have agreed to all seat sharing arrangements that the Congress proposed, but even then the grand old party backtracked. "After discussions with our alliance partner in Haryana, the JJP, we agreed to it, but the Congress refused and said they can't give more than two seats to the JJP and proposed 7:2:1 formula," said Singh, who was negotiating with the Congress. JJP chief Dushyant Chautala even agreed to that but then the Congress backtracked again on Friday night, saying there is no possibility of formation of any alliance anywhere except Delhi, he said. Singh said the JJP had proposed 4:4:2 with four seats for Congress, four for JJP and two seats for AAP but it was outrightly rejected by the Congress. However, sources say that even though the possibility of formation of an alliance has been completely closed in Haryana, the AAP is still open to alliance in the national capital in 5:2 formula, with five seats for the ruling party. Senior party leader Gopal Rai had said Friday that in a last ditch effort to form an alliance with the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party postponed the nomination of its candidates. On Saturday, AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi, Chandini Chowk candidate Pankaj Gupta and North West candidate Gugan Singh were to file their nominations. "But to give a last chance to the Congress to come on the table for holding talks over the alliance, we are postponing these candidates' nominations from Saturday to Monday," Rai had said on Friday. On Monday, these candidates would file their nominations along with South Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha, North East Delhi candidate Dilip Pandey and New Delhi candidate Brijesh Goyal, he added. On Thursday, after holding a roadshow, the party's West Delhi candidate Balbir Singh Jakhar filed his nomination papers. Uncertainty prevails over the tie-up in Delhi, with the AAP seeking an alliance in Haryana, Delhi and Chandigarh. The Congress, however, offered to tie up only in the national capital. On Thursday, the AAP-JJP alliance announced that there is no possibility of a tie-up in Haryana as the JJP said that it could never join hands with the grand old party. Speaking at a rally in support of TMC's Krishanagar candidate Mohua Moitra, Banerjee urged the people not to vote for BJP to save the country. Panighata: West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee Saturday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is suffering from 'haratanka', a phobia of losing elections and is trying to win in the state by dividing the people on communal lines. "He(Modi) knows that he will lose the elections and that is why his face has turned pale. He is now suffering from 'haratanka' and everyday is uttering nonsense thinking about losing in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, New Delhi, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha and others," she said at a rally in support of party candidate for Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency Mohua Moitra. "I do not mind if BJP wins in Tripura but that will not give him 543 seats. That is the reason he is roaming around in Bengal hoping to get votes by dividing people along Hindu-Muslim lines," she added. Reacting to BJP's allegations that she as chief minister of the state has done nothing for West Bengal, Banerjee said that people will seek answers from her if it is so. Speaking at a rally in support of TMC's Krishanagar candidate Mohua Moitra, Banerjee urged the people not to vote for BJP to save the country. "Do not cast your votes for the BJP if you want to save the country ... Have you forgotten demonetisation, the suffering you underwent? Crores of people had suffered. Now when the elections have come will you not give him (Modi) the reply ?" she said. "Give them (BJP) a tight slap for demonetisation by casting your votes against them," she added. Lashing out at TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said speedbreaker didi has lost her sleep after the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. Buniadpur: Lashing out at TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said "speedbreaker didi" has lost her sleep after the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. Addressing an election rally here in South Dinajpur district, Modi accused the chief minister of fooling people in the name of 'ma, mati and manush' (mother, land and people). "Speedbreaker didi has lost her sleep after the reports that came in post the first and second phase of polling in the state," the prime minister told a well-attended rally. He also flayed Banerjee for allowing people from the "neighbouring country" to campaign for the Trinamool Congress in the state. "It is shameful that people from neighbouring country are campaigning for the TMC. This was done by the party to appease the minority community," Modi said, referring to Bangladeshi actor Ferdous canvassing for the ruling TMC. "Such a thing has never happened in India, where people from neighbouring country have been campaigning for a political party," he said. The prime minister criticised Banerjee for seeking proof of the Balakot air strikes in Pakistan, and asked her to, instead, collect evidence against those behind chit fund scams. He also said that tough measures will be taken to identify and stop cross border infiltration after the NDA-led government returns to power. Modi said after the poll results are declared, "those elements who are trying to stop border fencing will have to face the reality". "After 23 May, we would take steps to identify and stop cross border infiltration," he said at Buniadpur, which shares its border with Bangladesh. Besides, the NDA government is committed to grant citizenship status to refugees, he said. "During partition, some people had stayed back in other countries. But, due to their religion and faith, they have been facing persecution in those countries... Where will they go?" Modi asked. It is the duty of every Indian and the government to save these people, he said, adding, "It is our commitment to pass the Citizenship Bill in Parliament." Some political parties, the PM said, are trying to mislead people on the issue of citizenship. "Be it the TMC, the Congress or the Left, they have only indulged in politics of dividing people, but we believe in taking everybody along with us," he said. Mocking Banerjee's 'Bengal model', Modi said, "Mamata Didi wants to implement her tolabaji (extortion) tax model of development across the country." BJP Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate and Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur on Saturday hit out at Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath. Bhopal: BJP Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate and Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur on Saturday hit out at Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath and alleged he was "guilty" in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that followed the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Nath, speaking to reporters in Chhindwara on Friday, had condemned Thakur's statement on former Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare. "I condemn Pragya Thakur's statement. If this her start, where its end will take them," Nath had said. Hitting back, Thakur said, "A person guilty in the 1984 riots who is Madhya Pradesh chief minister now is asking what will be my end. Don't talk about my end. He (Nath) has no moral right to bother about a sadhvi. You stay put in your corrupt life." Thakur, out on bail in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, is under fire for saying that Karkare died in the 26/11 terror attack because she had cursed him for `torturing' her when he probed the Malegaon blast as chief of the ATS. Earlier, in a television interview on Friday, Prime Minister Modi had defended the decision to field Thakur from the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, saying she is a "symbol" for those who described Hindus as terrorists. "The decision (to field Thakur) is a befitting reply to individuals who linked a whole religion and culture to terror," the prime minister had said taking a jibe at the Congress over saffron terror remarks. Thakur is pitted against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh from the Bhopal seat in Madhya Pradesh. Key political incidents on Friday, including the SP, BSP Mainpuri rally, Priyanka Chaturvedi's resignation from Congress and Sadhvi Pragya Thakur's remarks on Hemant Karkare could become essential rallying points in Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi's campaign speeches on Saturday. Saturday will see a pitched battle on the campaign front with only two days left for campaigning before the mandatory 48-hours of "silence" begins ahead of polling for the third phase of the Lok Sabha election on 23 April. On Friday, a joint rally was organized in Mainpuri by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) where BSP chief Mayawati and SP founder and patron Mulayam Singh Yadav shared a stage after more than two decades. Mayawati lauded Mulayam for his efforts to "uplift the backward classes" and called him their "real leader". She also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom she dubbed as "farzi" or counterfeit. Modi, significantly, did not address any public rally on Friday. He only spoke at the National Traders' Convention, the Rashtriya Vyapari Dhanyawad Sammelan, at Talkatora Stadium. But on Saturday, he will be addressing four public rallies in Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. His rallies are scheduled at Etah and Aonla in Uttar Pradesh. And it is in these rallies that he is expected to respond to the barbs thrown at him by the SP and BSP at the Mainpuri rally. Modi will also address meetings at Buniadpur in West Bengal and Araria in Bihar. On Friday, two important developments took place that might be used both by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress to launch fresh attacks on each other. Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi resigned from the party and joined Shiv Sena on Friday. Chaturvedi resigned because some Congress members who had allegedly misbehaved with her during a press conference in Mathura and were suspended from the party, were reinstated. While social media was abuzz with this news and Congress was criticized for failing to protect the dignity of its own female member, Friday was a difficult day for BJP too as the party came under fire for a remark by its Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal. Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, the prime accused in Malegaon blast case that took place in 2008, said Hemant Karkare, the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad chief who died during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, "got what he deserved". She said the IPS officer died because of his "karma", referring to his investigation which led to the arrest of Pragya and other Hindutva outfit members. Rahul Gandhi took no time to target BJP for Thakurs comment. Rahul, who will be addressing rallies at Supaul in Bihar and Bilaspur and Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, might indeed rake up this issue to his benefit. Nandini Yadav Guess what is the number one most downloaded app on Google play store? It is Tiktok. Yes, the same TikTok that has been banned to download in India since 18 April 2019. TikTok boasts of about 0.5 billion users around the world, of which over 119 million are in India. Love it or hate it, you just can't ignore, the worlds fastest growing 15-second video making app. Thanks to meteoric rise its parent company Bytedance secured a $75 billion valuation in late 2018, making it the worlds most valuable startup. So much so that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg in his typical style tried to buy TikTok, and then imitate it. But even though TikTok enjoys record popularity, and makes record revenue (which more than tripled in the past year), it has become the most divisive app in India's recent history. Arrey! Whoever wouldve imagined so much grave sensitivity & hurt & offence taken & dissatisfaction, towards a silly ass app, that made people waste their time & mislead many to end their lives... Yes! stupidly. I dont like TikTok, I never have & Yes! Im happy it got banned. Kubbra Sait (@KubbraSait) April 18, 2019 TikTok has come under fire for allegedly allowing pornographic and sleazy content to propagate, especially among its younger audience. Its also been alleged, in several countries no less, that the app is proving to be a fertile hunting ground for paedophiles. So how did this happen? How do so many people love and hate this lip-sync and video sharing app at the same time? Here's a timeline of events that got the TikTok app from its boom to ban in India. September 2016: TikTok is launched as Douyin in China in September 2016. September 2017: TikTok is launched outside of China. November 2017: China's Bytedance buys 15-second fame app Musical.ly for nearly $1 billion. Musical.ly is already a sensation among teenagers in the Americas and Europe, while TikTok, owned by Bytedance, is only popular among youth in Asia. June 2018: Musical.ly reaches 100 million monthly active users, according to the company. TikTok touted 500 million monthly active users in June. July 2018: TikTok is banned in Indonesia for 'negative content'. Days later, the Indonesia government overturns the ban on the app. Chinese video app Tik Tok to set up Indonesia censor team to overturn ban: Report https://t.co/5eCm2Z6XQQ Manila Bulletin News (@manilabulletin) July 5, 2018 August 2018: Bytedance announces it is shuttering Musical.ly and will move users to a revamped version of its homegrown competitor TikTok. October 2018, a 24-year-old from Chennai allegedly commits suicide following harassment by TikTok users for posting videos of himself dressed as a female. November 2018: TikTok is sitting at the top of the US App Store. It also surpasses Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat in monthly installs for the first time. The same month, Sensor Tower data announced that TikTok has more than tripled its revenues in the past year. TikTok grew its user spending on in-app purchases some 275 percent or 3.75x year-over-year last month to more than $3.5 million worldwide. Jan 2019: S Ramadoss, founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi party in Tamil Nadu, asks the state government to ban TikTok, saying it distracts children and leads them to be sexually perverse. Feb 2019: Tamil Nadu Information Technology minister M Manikandan says Tamil Nadu government will seek centers help to seek a ban on TikTok for causing degradation of Tamil Nadus culture and leading to issues related to law and order in the state. Days later, a college student dies, and two of his friends are severely injured, after their motorcycle rams into a truck while making a TikTok video. April 2018: Advocate and social activist Muthu Kumar files a plea in the Madras high court on 1 April to ban TikTok for its "pornographic" content and its potential of exposing children to sexual predators. Two days later, on 3 April, Madras high court demands center to ban TikTok and prohibits media to broadcast any content created on TikTok. Why has Madras High Court ordered a ban on download of @TikTokIndia app? Is it fair? What is #TikTok doing about it? @Nandiniwhy has all these answers. @tiktok_us pic.twitter.com/DXsivMTKjx Tech2 (@tech2eets) April 4, 2019 On the 12th of the month, TikTok responds saying it removed six million videos for not complying with its community guidelines. On 13 April, 19-year-old is allegedly shot dead by his friend in Delhi as they pose with a pistol to make a video on TikTok. The same day, TikTok is reported to have gained 88.6 million new users in India alone in the first quarter of 2019. Interestingly, the report also points out that Android was the dominant platform for TikTok with 99 percent of TikTok downloads coming from the Google Play Store. Come 15 April, the supreme court refuses to stay the Madras high courts ban on TikTok on grounds that it is temporary and the matter is still being heard at the high court. And on 18 April, TikTok is removed from App Store and Play Store following the government order. As of 22 April, the Supreme Court of India has directed Madras High Court to pass an interim order on the ban by 24 April. The court says that if the High Court fails to decide on the interim relief by then, the order will stand vacated. Fortunately or not, the ban is not a new page in TikTok's playbook. Like mentioned in the timeline of events above, in July last year the app was banned in Indonesia for 'negative content', but in the span of eight days, TikTok promised to regulate its content and got the ban overturned. Would Bytdance manage the same in India as well? That remains to be revealed till the Madras High Court's interim on the ban on 24 April. CAIRO (Reuters) - A young man who was injured in protests in the Algerian capital last week died on Friday of injuries to the head, Ennahar TV said on Friday. Ennahar said there were two accounts regarding the death of the 18-year-old. The first was that he was beaten during last Friday's protests and the second was that he fell from a truck on his way to the protests. CAIRO (Reuters) - A young man who was injured in protests in the Algerian capital last week died on Friday of injuries to the head, Ennahar TV said on Friday. Ennahar said there were two accounts regarding the death of the 18-year-old. The first was that he was beaten during last Friday's protests and the second was that he fell from a truck on his way to the protests. Police are investigating his death, Ennahar added. (Reporting by Hesham Hajali; editing by David Evans) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Attorney General William Barr could have buried Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report deep in the recesses of the U.S. Justice Department and simply told the public that President Donald Trump would not face criminal prosecution. 'These reports are not supposed to be made public,' Barr said at a news conference on Thursday morning before releasing the 448-page report with some information blacked out. By Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Attorney General William Barr could have buried Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report deep in the recesses of the U.S. Justice Department and simply told the public that President Donald Trump would not face criminal prosecution. "These reports are not supposed to be made public," Barr said at a news conference on Thursday morning before releasing the 448-page report with some information blacked out. Barr was following through on a promise he had made months earlier to make as much of Mueller's findings public as possible. But that opened him up to widespread criticism from Democrats and some legal experts, who questioned his decision not to charge Trump with obstruction of justice, and accused him of acting like the president's personal defense lawyer. Mueller's report outlined 10 episodes in which Trump tried to get the special counsel fired, limit the scope of his investigation, or otherwise interfere with the probe. Mueller stopped short of concluding that Trump had committed a crime, but did not exonerate him of wrongdoing either, leaving Barr or Congress the option to take action against the Republican president. Some experts said Barr should have brought charges. "To me, they laid out a chargeable obstruction case," said Shanlon Wu, a former federal prosecutor who represented Rick Gates, the former Trump deputy campaign chairman who has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and making false statements and is cooperating with the investigation. Barr's news conference, held shortly before the report's release, provided more fodder for his critics. He praised the White House's cooperation with the investigation and said Trump's public and private efforts to interfere with the probe could have been fueled by a "sincere belief" that the investigation was "propelled by his political opponents and fueled by illegal leaks." At several points, Barr echoed Trump's mantra that Mueller had found "no collusion" with Russia. To some, it was a disappointing performance from a man who had been praised for upholding the Justice Department's independence during a previous stint as attorney general from 1991 to 1993. "He's really shown himself to be principally focused on defending the president," said Robert Litt, a former federal prosecutor who had supported Barr's nomination for the job. The top two Democrats in Congress, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, accused Barr of deliberately distorting Mueller's findings. A Justice Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Barr did not mislead the public because the White House cooperated with the probe despite Trump's numerous statements criticizing it. The official also said Mueller had the choice to either recommend charges against Trump or not, and he had decided against it. Representative Eric Swalwell, one of more than 15 Democrats running for president, called on Barr to resign. Justice Department officials declined to respond to the resignation demand. Rudy Giuliani, Trump's personal lawyer, defended the attorney general. "I think Barr is a straight lawyer. He's an honest man," he told Reuters. EASY ON THE REDACTIONS Democrats had worried that Barr might use too heavy a hand when redacting portions of the report that dealt with sensitive material, such as active investigations, confidential legal proceedings and matters of national security. In the end, only 6 percent of the report was blacked out, according to ProPublica, the nonprofit investigative journalism organization. "The redactions seemed to me to be reasonable," said Jack Sharman, a lawyer who worked on the impeachment of Democratic President Bill Clinton during the 1990s. "I was a little surprised." Starting next week, 12 top lawmakers and their staffers will be able to see a more complete version in a secure reading room. Still, Barr is sure to face pointed questions when he testifies before Congress in May. Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he had no reason to believe Barr's redactions were not made "justifiably and in good faith" but he also criticized him for protecting Trump. "He has over the past few weeks used his office to perform what I consider to be inappropriate PR services for the Trump White House," he said on Friday. To some in Trump's camp, the criticism directed at Barr is a sign of a job well done. "Attorney General Barr knew every step of the way that people are going to unload on him today," said Michael Caputo, a former Trump campaign adviser. "He had a role to play and he played it." (Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Additional reporting by Karen Freifeld, Sarah N. Lynch, Nathan Layne and David Morgan; Editing by Leslie Adler and Grant McCool) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. While Robert Mueller ultimately decided not to charge Donald Trump with a crime, he also said that the investigation did not exonerate the president, either. New York: The number of Americans who approve of President Donald Trump dropped by three percentage points to the lowest level of the year following the release of a special counsel report detailing Russian interference in the last US presidential election, according to an exclusive Reuters/Ipsos public opinion poll. The poll, conducted Thursday afternoon to Friday morning, is the first national survey to measure the response from the American public after the Justice Department released Special Counsel Robert Muellers 448-page report that recounted numerous occasions in which Trump may have interfered with the investigation. According to the poll, 37 percent of adults in the United States approved of Trumps performance in office, down from 40 percent in a similar poll conducted on 15 April and matching the lowest level of the year. That is also down from 43 percent in a poll conducted shortly after Attorney General William Barr circulated a summary of the report in March. In his report, Mueller said his investigation did not establish that the Trump campaign had coordinated with Russians. However, investigators did find multiple acts by the President that were capable of exerting undue influence over law enforcement investigations. While Mueller ultimately decided not to charge Trump with a crime, he also said that the investigation did not exonerate the president, either. The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online in English throughout the United States. It gathered responses from 1,005 adults, including 924 who were familiar with the Mueller report. It has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of four percentage points. Sharp split The poll found that 50 percent of Americans agreed that Trump or someone from his campaign worked with Russia to influence the 2016 election, and 58 percent agreed that the president tried to stop investigations into Russian influence on his administration. Forty percent said they thought Trump should be impeached, while 42 percent said he should not. The poll responses were sharply split along party lines, with Democrats much more critical of Trump than his fellow Republicans. The Mueller investigation had previously charged 34 other people and three Russian entities, netting convictions or guilty pleas from several Trump associates including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, White House national security adviser Michael Flynn and longtime personal attorney Michael Cohen. So far, the report does not appear to have convinced many to change their opinions about the presidents conduct during a bitter presidential campaign, whether his inner circle improperly engaged with Russian agents, or if he tried to interfere with federal investigators afterward. Among those respondents who said they were familiar with the Mueller report, 70 percent said the report had not changed their view of Trump or Russias involvement in the US presidential race. Only 15 percent said they had learned something that changed their view of Trump or the Russia investigation, and a majority of those respondents said they were now more likely to believe that Trump or someone close to him broke the law. By Emily G Roe and Hannah McKay LONDON (Reuters) - Film star Emma Thompson joined climate change activists in a central London shopping district on Friday to read poetry praising Earth's bounties, part of five days of protests which clogged the British capital with transport snarl-ups. Organisers Extinction Rebellion have called for non-violent civil disobedience to force the British government to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2025 and stop what they call a global climate crisis. The protests did not cause major travel disruption on Friday during one of Britain's biggest holiday weekends, but police said they have now arrested more than 682 people. By Emily G Roe and Hannah McKay LONDON (Reuters) - Film star Emma Thompson joined climate change activists in a central London shopping district on Friday to read poetry praising Earth's bounties, part of five days of protests which clogged the British capital with transport snarl-ups. Organisers Extinction Rebellion have called for non-violent civil disobedience to force the British government to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2025 and stop what they call a global climate crisis. The protests did not cause major travel disruption on Friday during one of Britain's biggest holiday weekends, but police said they have now arrested more than 682 people. Extinction Rebellion blocked several locations in central London this week after staging a semi-nude protest in parliament earlier this month. "Our planet is in serious trouble," Thompson told reporters amid a crowd of about 300 activists, according to eye witnesses. She addressed them from a pink boat in the middle of London's Oxford Circus as shoppers and tourists milled past. "We are here in this island of sanity and it makes me so happy to be able to join you all and to add my voice to the young people here who have inspired a whole new movement," said Thompson, one of Britain's most acclaimed actresses who has won two Academy awards. She was one of several actors who read poems celebrating the beauty of nature. The activists formed a human chain around the boat, with one attached to its main mast making it extremely difficult for the police to dislodge him. After a painstaking operation, they removed him and secured the boat, but had difficulty transporting the vessel away because more protesters continually sat in their path. "The serious disruption the demonstrations are causing to people in London and beyond is unacceptable and we completely understand the concern it is causing to those who are disrupted by it," police said in a statement. Thompson's appearance followed a demonstration near Heathrow Airport earlier, where a group of around a dozen teenagers, some as young as 13 and 14, held a banner alongside a busy road which read: "Are we the last generation?" Some of the teenagers wept and hugged each other, although they were far outnumbered by police. "I fear for my future" Oscar Idle, 17, told Reuters at Heathrow. "That fear gives me courage to act." "I want to live in a society which is not catastrophic, where there is not going to be food shortages, wild fires and hurricanes where people can live," he said. (Reporting by Emily Roe, Will Russell, Simon Dawson and Hannah McKay; Writing by Elisabeth O'Leary; Editing by Gareth Jones and David Evans) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Lamine Chikhi and Hamid Ould Ahmed ALGIERS (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators returned to Algeria's streets on Friday to press demands for sweeping democratic change well beyond former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's resignation, chanting 'we do what we want', witnesses said. By Lamine Chikhi and Hamid Ould Ahmed ALGIERS (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators returned to Algeria's streets on Friday to press demands for sweeping democratic change well beyond former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's resignation, chanting "we do what we want", witnesses said. The march was peaceful, like most of the demonstrations in the country over the last two months. But an 18-year old who was injured during last week's protest in Algiers, when clashes broke out, died on Friday of injuries to the head, Ennahar TV said. It said police were investigating the death, adding that he could have been beaten or fallen from a truck. Parliament named an interim president and a July 4 election date was set in a transition endorsed by Algeria's powerful military. But Bouteflika's exit on April 2 failed to satisfy many Algerians who want to topple the entire elite that has dominated the country since independence from France in 1962. Protesters gathered anew in city centres around Algeria demanding root-and-branch reforms - including political pluralism and crackdowns on corruption and cronyism, witnesses said. Numbers later surged after Friday prayers. There was no official count but Reuters reporters at the scene estimated the number of demonstrators in the hundreds of thousands as on previous Fridays since the extraordinary mass dissent erupted on Feb. 22. "We will not give up our demands," said Mourad Hamini, standing outside his coffee shop, where thousands of protesters were waving Algerian flags. The crowd later chanted: "This is our country and we do what we want!" 'THEY MUST GO' Protesters also called for Abdelkader Bensalah, head of the upper house of parliament, to quit as caretaker president and for Noureddine Bedoui to stand down as interim prime minister. "They must go. The B's must go," one banner read, referring to Bensalah, Bedoui and Moad Bouchareb, head of the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) party. Tayib Belaiz, chairman of Algeria's Constitutional Council and a fourth senior "B" official, resigned earlier this week. On Tuesday, armed forces chief Lieutenant-General Ahmed Gaed Salah said the military was considering all options to resolve the national political crisis and warned "time is running out". It was a hint the military is losing patience with the popular upheaval shaking Algeria, a major oil and natural-gas exporter and an important security partner for the West against Islamist militants in north and west Africa. Salah did not specify what measures the army could take but added: "We have no ambition but to protect our nation." The army has so far patiently monitored the mostly peaceful protests that at times have swelled to hundreds of thousands of people. It remains the most powerful institution in Algeria, having swayed politics from the shadows for decades. Protesters want a clean break with "le pouvoir" (the power) - the secretive establishment comprised of veterans of the war of independence against France, senior FLN figures and associated oligarchs - and sweeping reforms. "The ninth Friday is a vote against the gang," read a banner held up by protesters on Friday. "The system will go sooner or later," said Mohamed Dali, who was selling sweets to protesters. Another banner read: "The country is ours and the army is ours." (Additional reporting by Hesham Hajali in Cairo; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Frances Kerry) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Imran Khan's moves are likely to make the Prime Ministers Office more like that of New Delhi Pakistan never fails to surprise. In what may be called a premature move, just eight months into his tenure, Prime Minister Imran Khan coaxed out not only Finance Minister Asad Umar, who was to preside over a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan, but also several others key Cabinet members. These were members of the core team that was to deliver Naya Pakistan. But as of now it appears that it is in with the old, and out with the new. The exit of Umar, the highly qualified finance minister, is not just a blow to his professional career, but also a slight on Imrans governments capacity to hold a team together. However, Umars exit was unsurprising. Just after his appointment, he earned criticism from the pro-China lobby and they are legion for his comments that some of the bad loans taken under the previous government may need to be renegotiated. He hastily withdrew that statement, and has since been swearing by Beijings generosity at every available forum. However, he had to retract other statements. Just after his return from Bali, where he'd gone to first negotiate a loan from the IMF, he went so far as to say that there was nothing in the CPEC agreements and loans that should be kept secret. Rather, it should be known to the world, placed before parliament and shared with the IMF. That statement has now come home to roost. It is now clear that Pakistan will have to open the books for the lending organisation, not only on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), but according to Najam Sethi, on the funding being provided by China for nuclear reactors and related activity which has long quietly included assistance to its weapons programme and all aspects of funds by China for other weapons programmes. Thats not all. Once the IMF package the 13th such package, which might jar the superstitious is in place, the pace of opening up the books will steadily increase with the release of each tranche every three months or so. So, theres no wriggling out of those commitments. Blaming the finance minister for the sins of those who led the country into this mess seems unfair to say the least. It is undoubtedly true that during his visit, he was denied access to the US treasury secretary, having to make do with far lower ranking officials instead. He met only the deputy chair of the IMF, and overall seemed to have been quietly elbowed aside. True, the finance minister had been highly critical of the US, saying rather nastily that the US should look to its own debt to China first before castigating Pakistan. That would have riled officials, but the cold shoulder showed to him was directed against Pakistans policies, not him. Pakistans economy has been going from bad to worse over the past few months, with its credit rating being downgraded by S&P among others. He also seems to have annoyed the business lobby, and reportedly also the powerful military. That last assumption by many commentators is probably more due to the fact that his replacement as an advisor to the prime minister on finance is none another than Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, another relic of the Musharraf government, who in his time, was seen as soft on IMF negotiations. The fact that hes an economist with more than 30 years of experience and a degree from Harvard will hardly matter. What will matter is what conditions he can wring out of the international lending body, which at present includes making the State Bank independent, expanding the tax base and recovering a Rs 140 billion electricity debt from consumers. Those conditions are simply politically unacceptable. But they are hard for a finance minister to dodge, however qualified he may be. There could be trouble ahead, not only from the aam aadmi but also from the party, whose elected members are increasingly being sidelined. Which is probably why Imran has also chosen to an old military hand as interior minister. Brigadier Ijaz Shah's selection has already been roundly criticised. He was one of the persons mentioned by Benazir Bhutto as among those desiring her violent demise when he was chief of the Intelligence Bureau when General Musharraf was in power. But theres much more to the retired Brigadier than a mere conspiracy to kill. He was also said to be well networked to sections of Al-Qaeda. He received the surrender of Omar Saeed Sheikh who murdered Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl at an opportune time for the Musharraf government when it was under severe US pressure. But theres no doubt at all that hes a good man to have on the side of a prime minister who is unsure of almost everyone around him. The controversial Shehryar Afridi accused of the somewhat mundane offence of diverting public funds for his own use has been relieved of his office as MoS Interior, and shifted to the somewhat watered down SAFRON: which is not a front office of Hindu religious groups, but the Ministry of State and Frontier Regions. Another party man bites the dust, even as Imran appoints three special assistants to the prime minister, who are to provide him with professional advice on key areas like energy and health. They will also by pass party politics and strictures. Imran, therefore, seems to be centralising power, even while bringing more former military favourites into this inner circle. That may not really give him more leg room theres precious little available in Pakistans tense situation anyway but will certainly protect his back against those wanting him out of the hot seat. Oddly however, his moves are likely to make the Prime Ministers Office more like that of New Delhi than before. Two former IB chiefs on either side is one such similarity. The most critical difference, however, is yet to be seen, and will depend on the forthcoming elections. Hopefully, an uneasy head wearing the crown won't be a common factor. BOSTON (Reuters) - A Massachusetts man was sentenced on Friday to five years of probation after admitting he mailed threatening letters filled with a suspicious white powder to several prominent people, including U.S. President Donald Trump's sons. Federal prosecutors in Boston had sought three years in prison for Daniel Frisiello, 25, of Beverly, Massachusetts, whose hoax letters included one in February 2018 addressed to Donald Trump Jr BOSTON (Reuters) - A Massachusetts man was sentenced on Friday to five years of probation after admitting he mailed threatening letters filled with a suspicious white powder to several prominent people, including U.S. President Donald Trump's sons. Federal prosecutors in Boston had sought three years in prison for Daniel Frisiello, 25, of Beverly, Massachusetts, whose hoax letters included one in February 2018 addressed to Donald Trump Jr. Trump's then-wife, Vanessa, opened the letter and was taken to the hospital. Investigators later determined the powder sent to Trump's eldest son's home was harmless, as was the substance contained in an earlier letter Frisiello sent during the 2016 presidential campaign to the Republican president's son Eric Trump. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel Gorton in Boston sentenced Frisiello to five years of probation, with one year to be served in home detention with location monitoring, and restitution. During the period of probation, Frisiello is prohibited from contacting victims in the case, sending letters through the mail, accessing the internet, and possessing and accessing computers. He pleaded guilty in October to charges related to 13 threatening letters he mailed from 2015 to 2018, six of which contained a white powder. [L2N1VT188] U.S. authorities have been on alert for mail containing white powder since 2001, when envelopes laced with anthrax were sent to media outlets and U.S. lawmakers, killing five people. Other letters containing a white powder were mailed to Democratic U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Antonio Sabato Jr, an actor who in 2018 was a Republican candidate in California for the U.S. House of Representatives. Frisiello also sent threatening letters to prosecutors and police chiefs overseeing high-profile criminal cases he objected to and a Massachusetts company that fired one of his relatives, prosecutors said. The letter he sent to Trump Jr's address in Manhattan read in part, "You are an awful, awful person, I am surprised that your father lets you speak on TV," prosecutors said. Reviews of social media posts led prosecutors to view Frisiello as a suspect and a search of his trash revealed a computer printout referencing two of the people who received the threatening letters, prosecutors said. His lawyers sought five years of probation, saying in court papers that Frisiello had developmental delays and is autistic, facts that provide "context to understand the genesis of his crimes and to gauge the degree of his moral culpability." (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Daniel Wallis and David Gregorio) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. ROME (Reuters) - Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg wants to fix climate change and hopes for world peace, but acknowledges that she might be being 'very naive'. Thunberg, 16, has brought her campaign against rising global temperatures to Rome this week, meeting Pope Francis, addressing Italian parliamentarians and joining a student protest on Friday in a city-centre square. 'I think what I want for the future is just that we fix everything and that we fix the climate and the ecological crisis so that everyone lives in peace, I guess, very naive,' she told Reuters, shrugging her shoulders. ROME (Reuters) - Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg wants to fix climate change and hopes for world peace, but acknowledges that she might be being "very naive". Thunberg, 16, has brought her campaign against rising global temperatures to Rome this week, meeting Pope Francis, addressing Italian parliamentarians and joining a student protest on Friday in a city-centre square. "I think what I want for the future is just that we fix everything and that we fix the climate and the ecological crisis so that everyone lives in peace, I guess, very naive," she told Reuters, shrugging her shoulders. Thunberg shot to prominence last August with weekly sit-ins on the cobblestones in front of Stockholm's Parliament House with her "school strike for climate" sign. Thousands of students around the world have since copied her and youth organisations have launched school strikes involving students in more than 40 countries. Her single-minded determination have won her fans of all ages and she has also earned respect for living by her ideals. "I do many small things just to change my habits, like I have become vegan, I have stopped flying, I have stopped shopping and small things like that," she said, patiently straining to hear questions over the noise of the protest. She rejected suggestions that she had stolen the limelight away from her cause, saying she did not like being a celebrity. "I mean I don't enjoy attention, but I enjoy making a difference," she said, adding that she wanted to make sure that climate crisis was always the main focus of any trip. Her blunt criticism of politicians has raised some eyebrows, but she warned that it was up to the current crop of leaders to find solutions because time was running out. "When I am grown up, when I am old enough to become a politician, I mean it will be too late to act because we need to act now," she said. "We can't wait for people like me to grow up and become the ones in charge." (Reporting by Antonio Denti; Editing by Crispian Balmer and David Evans) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Lovely verite documentaryis about eight-year-old Sasha, who was born into a boys body but is definitely a girl. This is an inspiring portrait of someone asking for so little: to be accepted for who she is. Read the review Oil prices have been gut-wrenchingly volatile over the past six months. Crude crashed 40% during the last three months of 2018 as supplies started running well ahead of demand. Oil, however, quickly corrected in early 2019, experiencing its best quarter in a decade. These wild swings leave oil analysts unsure about crude's next move, especially since the oil market is now sending mixed signals. That suggests the next few months could yield more volatility. Giving off mixed signals One of the major authorities on the oil market is the International Energy Agency (IEA). The organization puts out a closely watched report each month, giving its view on supply, demand, and oil prices. Its latest one showed just how confounding the oil market can be to analysts. The IEA noted that "as far as 2019 is concerned, among the analyst community there is an extraordinarily wide divergence of view as to how strong growth will be," both for the global economy and oil demand. That led the organization to tepidly reaffirm its forecast. The IEA wrote that "we maintain our forecast of 1.4 million barrels per day [for oil demand growth], but accept that there are mixed signals about the health of the global economy, and differing views about the likely level of oil prices." As a result, the IEA's head of the oil industry and markets division, Neil Atkinson, doesn't think anyone should put too much stock in oil price forecasts. He recently told CNBC that "in a world where we saw Brent at $86 a barrel in October, $50 a barrel in December and now back to over $70, I think it is a very brave person that attempts to forecast what the price will be at the end of the year." Still, some try. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), for example, sees the global oil benchmark, Brent, averaging $65 a barrel in 2019. Meanwhile, it expects the U.S. oil benchmark, WTI, to hover around $59. That's up from its initial 2019 oil price forecast that Brent and WTI would average $61 and $54 per barrel, respectively, though it's below their current prices. While the EIA's latest outlook suggests that crude prices will cool off, others believe they could continue rallying. Oil stocks for an uncertain environment The sharp rebound in oil prices so far this year has fueled big-time rallies in many oil stocks. Some top-tier producers, however, haven't yet bounced back and trade at more reasonable valuations compared to their red-hot peers. That makes them among the best options for investors to consider buying given the mixed signals in the oil market. Three notable laggards that should be on investors' radar are ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP), Concho Resources (NYSE:CXO), and Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY). That trio is up less than 8% on average this year. That's significant underperformance compared to the 35% rebound in crude oil and the roughly 17% return of stocks in top oil ETF SPDR S&P Oil and Gas Exploration and Production ETF. That trio's lackluster performance in 2019 doesn't make much sense given that they all set their budgets to generate free cash flow on sub-$50 oil. ConocoPhillips, for example, only needs oil to average about $40 a barrel to fund its $6.1 billion budget for 2019. That's enough money to boost the oil giant's production by about 5%. Meanwhile, it intends on using a combination of free cash flow produced on oil prices above that level and its cash-rich balance sheet to pay its 1.8%-yielding dividend and repurchase another $3 billion in shares. Because ConocoPhillips can thrive at $40 oil, it's in a strong position for an uncertain oil market. Occidental Petroleum, meanwhile, only needs $40 oil to fund enough new wells to maintain its current production rate and pay its 4.9%-yielding dividend. The company plans to use its excess cash above that level to grow output, with it able to increase production 8%-10% at $50 oil and by 11%-13% if crude averages $60 a barrel. Occidental Petroleum's low-cost operations and flexibility give it a competitive advantage over many rivals if turbulence returns to the oil market. Concho Resources also took a cautious approach entering 2019. The Permian Basin-focused oil producer reduced its spending range from $3.4 billion-$3.6 billion down to $2.8 billion-$3 billion. That will enable Concho Resources to generate free cash flow at lower oil prices so that it can pay its recently initiated dividend while still growing output at a healthy 21% to 25% rate. Because Concho Resources can prosper at lower oil prices, it can easily handle a choppy oil market. Turbulence doesn't need to rattle oil investors Oil prices have made gigantic moves over the past few months. As a result, even the market's best analysts aren't sure what's next. As more conflicting data emerges, it could cause oil prices to bounce around quite a bit. That's why investors might want to avoid the oil sector's hottest stocks. Instead, they should consider top-tier names like Conoco, Concho, and Occidental that have surprisingly lagged despite their ability to thrive in any market environment. Reporting 2018 annual production of 349,147 ounces, Eldorado Gold (NYSE:EGO) may have exceeded its original guidance of 290,000 to 330,000 ounces and reported revenue of $459 million -- a 17.% year-over-year increase -- but dig below the top line, and you'll find the rest of the company's income statement didn't glitter quite as much. Due to the impact of the first year of operations at Olympias, operating cash costs per ounce sold jumped to $625, a notable increase from the $509 that the company reported in 2017. The higher cash costs and impairment charges, moreover, affected the company's profits. Eldorado reported a net loss from continuing operations of $7.1 million in 2017, but that figure rose to $361.9 million in 2018. Will the company be able to regain some of the luster it lost last year? Let's dig into Eldorado's forecast for 2019 to see what investors can expect. The prophecy pertaining to production Successfully digging more of the yellow stuff out of the ground in 2018 than it did in 2017, Eldorado believes that 2019 will glitter even more brightly, forecasting gold production of 390,000 to 420,000 ounces. Should the company achieve the midpoint of its guidance, it will represent a 16% increase over the total reported last year. The company believes it will achieve this tanks to starting commercial production at Lamaque in the first quarter. Located in Quebec, the Lamaque mine is forecast to produce 100,000 to 110,000 gold ounces in 2019. Turning to the other assets in the portfolio, management expects gold production at Kisladag to decline from 172,000 ounces in 2018 to between 145,000 and 165,000 ounces in 2019; meanwhile, gold production at Efemcukuru in 2019 is expected to be comparable to the 95,038 ounces reported in 2018. And management foresees gold production at Olympias climbing about 12% year over year, from 46,750 ounces in 2018 to between 50,000 and 55,000 in 2019. For those familiar with Eldorado's portfolio, the burning question may be, "What about Skouries?" The answer: Yes, what about it? It's unclear whether 2019 will be the year when Eldorado will be able to move forward with development of the mine, located in northern Greece. In the company's Q4 2018 report, management indicated that it "continues to attempt to work with the Greek government to find a path forward" for the project. Consider the cost While Eldorado sees an increase in gold production during the coming year, it doesn't expect costs to simultaneously skyrocket. In 2018, Eldorado reported all-in sustaining costs (AISC) of $994 per gold ounce, and management forecasts AISC per gold ounce in 2019 to fall to between $900 and $1,000. Although management hasn't provided specific AISC forecasts for each of the mines, it has provided guidance on the mines' projected cash operating costs, giving insight into the coming year. For one, management foresees increased profitability at Kisladag, where cash operating costs were $662 per ounce sold in 2018 but are projected to be $570 to $620 in 2019. Similarly, cash operating costs per ounce sold at Olympias were $764 in 2018; however, they're forecast to be $550 to $650 in 2019. Besides the costs at the individual mines, investors can monitor the company's general and administrative expenses in the coming year. Having articulated a concerted effort to reduce this expense in the future, management, on the Q4 2018 conference call, said that it had budgeted for 2019 a 10% reduction in general and administrative expense from the $46.8 million it reported in 2018. Looking for brownfields to yield gold piles While gold mining companies make their green by digging the yellow metal out of the ground, it's crucial that they replenish their reserves if they hope to have a future paved in yellow brick. To this end, Eldorado forecasts $18 million in capitalized exploration for 2019 to grow the mineral resources at several of the assets in its portfolio. At Lamaque, for example, Eldorado has 37,000 meters of exploration drilling planned to expand resources in the lower part of the Triangle Deposit. Likewise, Eldorado has 25,500 meters of drilling planned at Efemcukuru and 7,000 meters of underground drilling at Olympias. These brownfield projects provide great value to the company because they represent organic growth opportunities at locations where infrastructures are already in place, reducing the need to seek higher-cost acquisitions. The glittering takeaway With gold production expected to rise and AISC projected to fall, it seems as though Eldorado Gold is on the verge of a more lustrous year than the one it reported in 2018. It certainly seems that Wall Street believes so, as the stock was the subject of several upgrades in early February. With the ample number of forecast figures that management has provided, investors will have plenty to monitor in the months ahead. Hilton Expands Presence in Colombia with Debut of New Hotel in Bogota 410-room Hilton Bogota Corferias represents first full-service hotel located within Bogotas International Fair & Convention District April 11, 2019 // Franchising.com // BOGOTA, Colombia and MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced the opening of Hilton Bogota Corferias, representing Hiltons 20th property in the country. As the first full service hotel in the citys fair and convention district, the 410-room property features more than 13,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and event space, including the largest terrace in the area that offers both indoor/outdoor space and spectacular mountain views. Colombias tourism industry continues to set records with a nine percent growth in visitor arrivals last year, maintaining a positive year over year momentum, said Jorge Giannattasio, senior vice president and head of operations, Caribbean and Latin America, Hilton. The markets consistent growth paves the way for further tourism development and we are proud to play a significant role in this boom with the opening of our 20th hotel in the destination Hilton Bogota Corferias. Hilton has been welcoming guests for nearly 100 years, and we are thrilled to continue extending our mission to be the worlds most hospitable company throughout this incredible country. Redefining business travel with first-of-its-kind meeting spaces in the area, Hilton Bogota Corferias forms part of the Corferias complex, spearheaded by the Chamber of Commerce of Bogota to promote industrial, commercial, social and cultural development in the region. Serving as the official hotel for the complex, the property boasts a contemporary design inspired by the citys natural elements and landscape. Overlooking the 10,341-foot Monserrate Hill, the hotels spacious guest rooms each contain floor-to-ceiling windows, offering unparalleled views of the city and natural light throughout the room. Guests can take advantage of convenient amenities, including a work desk with adjustable lamp, 50-inch HD TVs, a pillow menu and complimentary Wi-Fi. Suites also offer a separate living area for those seeking more spacious accommodations, particularly the Presidential Suite, which features a large living and cocktail area as well as a dining room, two bathrooms and a king guestroom. The contemporary hotel amenities include: Dining Paying homage to Colombias culinary traditions, Hilton Bogota Corferias features three dining concepts that embrace Colombian culture and showcase locally sourced ingredients. Featuring an urban design with an open kitchen taking center stage, OKA Grill House and Four Eleven Bar offers a dynamic atmosphere with lounge seating inspiring social connectivity where guests can enjoy the tastes of Colombias authentic dishes, paired with options from an extensive wine list. Guests on the go can stop by Bon Market and Bar, which offers a variety of grab-and-go items, including specialty sandwiches and salads. The Executive Lounge offers complimentary hot breakfast, evening refreshments and hors d'oeuvres. Paying homage to Colombias culinary traditions, Hilton Bogota Corferias features three dining concepts that embrace Colombian culture and showcase locally sourced ingredients. Featuring an urban design with an open kitchen taking center stage, OKA Grill House and Four Eleven Bar offers a dynamic atmosphere with lounge seating inspiring social connectivity where guests can enjoy the tastes of Colombias authentic dishes, paired with options from an extensive wine list. Guests on the go can stop by Bon Market and Bar, which offers a variety of grab-and-go items, including specialty sandwiches and salads. The Executive Lounge offers complimentary hot breakfast, evening refreshments and hors d'oeuvres. Meetings + Events Meeting professionals have access to a 5,815-square-foot main ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and a capacity for up to 720 and seven breakout rooms totaling 13,200 square feet. Planners can also opt to host their event on a 6,500-square-foot terrace, celebrated as the largest in the city. Within walking distance, business travelers also have access to Agora Convention Center, which was recently completed in late 2017. The five-story glass structure offers nearly 65,000 square feet of event space, ideal for major summits. Meeting professionals have access to a 5,815-square-foot main ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and a capacity for up to 720 and seven breakout rooms totaling 13,200 square feet. Planners can also opt to host their event on a 6,500-square-foot terrace, celebrated as the largest in the city. Within walking distance, business travelers also have access to Agora Convention Center, which was recently completed in late 2017. The five-story glass structure offers nearly 65,000 square feet of event space, ideal for major summits. Fitness And Recreations Guests can relax by the hotels sleek, indoor heated swimming pool and hydro-massage pool. The modern property also features a fully equipped fitness center, steam bath and treatment rooms for massage services Transformed into a global business hub, Bogota has been a key market in our brands expansion plans due to the rise in tourism, said Vera Manoukian, senior vice president and global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. With the debut of Hilton Bogota Corferias as the Fairs & Conventions districts first full-service hotel, our goal is to introduce guests to the brands intuitive service and world-class amenities while providing them with a memorable travel experience. Located adjacent to the Corferias Bogota Fairground, the hotel offers a privileged location in the towns main commercial area within close proximity to La Candelaria colonial neighborhood, Gold Museum and the Art Museum of the National University of Colombia. Those looking for adventure can hike up Monserrate Hill or indulge in Colombian cuisine as Bogota is known as the countrys gastronomic epicenter. Hilton Bogota Corferias participates in Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hiltons 17 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi and access to the Hilton Honors mobile app. Hilton currently has a portfolio of nearly 150 hotels and resorts open and welcoming travelers in 25 countries across the Caribbean and Latin America with 20 hotels in Colombia, including Hilton Bogota Corferias, Hilton Bogota and Hilton Cartagena. The company is actively pursuing additional growth opportunities and currently has a robust development pipeline of more than 80 hotels throughout the region, including four in the pipeline for Colombia. Guests can make reservations at Hilton Bogota Corferias by visiting https://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/colombia/hilton-bogota-corferias-convention-center-BOGCCHH/index.html or calling +57-1-4434400. For more news on Hilton Hotels & Resorts, visit https://newsroom.hilton.com/hhr. About Hilton Hotels & Resorts For nearly 100 years, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has set the benchmark for hospitality around the world, providing new product innovations and services to meet guests' evolving needs. With more than 585 hotels across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties are located in the worlds most sought-after destinations for guests who know that where they stay matters. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Begin your journey at www.hilton.com, and learn more by visiting newsroom.hilton.com/hhr or following Hilton Hotels & Resorts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. About Hilton Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 17 world-class brands comprising more than 5,600 properties with nearly 913,000 rooms, in 113 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the worlds most hospitable company, Hilton earned a spot on the 2018 worlds best workplaces list, and has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its nearly 100 year history. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program, Hilton Honors, nearly 85 million members who book directly with Hilton have access to instant benefits, including digital check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Media Contact: Karla Visconti Hilton 786-866-7240 karlavisconti@hilton.com newsroom.hilton.com SOURCE Hilton ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Galveston, TX (77553) Today Cloudy and windy with periods of rain this evening. Thunder possible. Low 53F. Winds N at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Cloudy and windy with periods of rain this evening. Thunder possible. Low 53F. Winds N at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%. It's a thriving Canadian industry that might surprise many people. More than 100,000 horses a year are slaughtered in Canada for human consumption. According to the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition, thousands are also shipped to foreign countries where they are slaughtered for human consumption. Carly Marchand-Jones, of Freedom's Gate Equine Rescue in Salmon Arm, calls it Canada's dirty little secret. Marchand-Jones said many horses that are sold at auction are then sold to slaughter houses which then sell them for human consumption. Known as 'meat buyers' or 'kill buyer' Marchand-Jones said they will bid on horses no one else is bidding on. Marchand-Jones said horse meat is popular in parts of Ontario and Quebec as well as Europe and Japan. We ship horses live for slaughter in Japan, she said. Marchand-Jones said it is illegal in the United States, so many horses are shipped north of the border where they are either slaughtered or shipped out of country to a slaughter house. It's a dirty little Canadian secret, which is sad because Canada is known as the nicest country, she said. Marchand-Jones has heard, but has not confirmed that horse for human consumption can be purchased in the Okanagan-Shuswap area. She said over the past few years numerous rescues have popped up in BC and Alberta to save the horses from the dinner plate. The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition is leading the charge in saving horses and making the public aware of the meat industry. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. Don't know what to watch? Netflix is testing a new tool that'll suggest random episodes News oi-Karan Sharma If you don't know what to watch on Netflix then this feature will make your search easier. On Thursday Android Police has reported that online streaming platform Netflix is testing a new feature which will suggest you Random Episode of a series within an app shuffle icon. The company has also confirmed the same to Gizmodo that it is testing this new tool which is going to be exclusive to the Android platform only. "We are testing the ability for members to play a random episode from different TV series on the Android mobile app," a Netflix spokesperson told Gizmodo in a statement by email. "These tests typically vary in length of time and by region, and may not become permanent." However, this option seems to be a bit confusing for users who are not familiar to the plot of the series or characters. Meanwhile, it is equally confusing for users who know about the series, but who wants to watch a series from a random episode somewhere from the middle. For example, you do know about the plot of Games of Thrones but this feature will show you an episode of season 5. This seems to be a bit annoying for some users. The screenshot taken by Android Police suggests that Arrested Development, The Office, and Our Planet will be listed under this feature. You can watch individual episodes from this particular tool. This will be useful for those users who don't want to waste their time watching the entire series and just want some glance of a few episodes for pass time. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Amazon Music and YouTube Music now free on respective smart speakers News oi-Karan Sharma Amazon Music and YouTube Music now free on Alexa devices and Google Home speakers. But there is a catch. After settling down the streaming dispute between both the companies Amazon and Google seems to be very friendly. The companies have announced that they are offering free music services for their respective smart speakers. Yes, this means Alexa device owners will get a free subscription to Amazon Music and Google Home speaker users will get YouTube Music services for free. But do note that the free Amazon Music service will also come with ads which are unskippable. If you have an Amazon Prime subscription then you will get unlimited Amazon Music without any interruption of ads. Same goes to YouTube Music it will also come free to your Google Home device along with ads. You can command your smart speaker to play like 'play jazz' and it will find a station to get you the song. Basically, it is similar to how Google Play Music's free tier works. But there is a catch you can't demand a specific album, artist or song on both the free offering of Amazon Music and YouTube Music. Do note that the free Amazon Music subscription is currently available for only the US users. Meanwhile, YouTube Music free offering is limited to the following countries only. US Canada Mexico Australia Great Britain Ireland Germany France Italy Spain Sweden Norway Denmark Japan Netherlands Austria Sadly the service is not yet available in India, but we can expect it soon arriving in the country. 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 Game of Thrones season 8 pirated 55 million times; India tops the list News oi-Karan Sharma Did you know Game of Thrones season 8 premiere priated 55 million times and India tops the list? Here are some fun facts about the series. India has a huge fanbase of popular TV series Game of Thrones, and the eight and the final season has already started broadcasting. With the broadcast of the first episode of GOT India tops the list of countries that views Game of Thrones illegally the most. The first episode of GOT was out on April 14, just after that, the episode was pirated 55 million times, out of which India contributed 10 million according to data shared by analytics firm MUSO, and reported by Digit India. With this number, India has contributed 18 per cent to the global number of illegal viewing of Game of Thrones. The second position is occupied by China with 5 million, the US comes in the third number with four million pirated views. India can stream the TV series on Hotstar premium but it doesn't have the access to the HBO Go or HBO now. Recently, picture and video sharing app Instagram has disclosed that India is the in the top Asian country that talks the most about Game of Thrones. Mumbai is one of the top city with a maximum number of conversations about GOT, followed by Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai. "Instagram has become an important community for fans from across India to discuss all things GoT," the company said in a press note. According to Instagram, Jon Snow is the most talked GOT characters across the country followed by Daenerys Targaryen, Arya Stark, Sansa Stark and Tyrion Lannister. Source Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications New Swedish SIGINT ship launched in Gdynia 17 April 2019 Nauta Shiprepair Yard has completed the next milestone in the construction of the Swedish SIGINT ship for the Royal Swedish Navy. Outfitting and equipment installation will take place in Nauta Shiprepair Yard, after which the vessel will undergo harbour and sea trials. The ship will then sail to Saab's shipyard in Karlskrona to complete outfitting of special systems. The launching ceremony took place in PGZ Stocznia Wojenna in Gdynia on April 17 and was attended by representatives of the Polish government, the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and Saab, as well as representatives of the Royal Swedish Navy, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), Swedish National Defence Radio Establishment (FRA), the Embassy of Sweden and invited guests. The first steel cutting took place in March 2018 followed by the keel-laying only three months later. The new ship is 74 metres long with displacement of 2,200 tonnes. "We are delighted to achieve a significant milestone within the contract for the construction of a signals intelligence ship, which will serve the Royal Swedish Navy", said Gunnar Wieslander, Senior Vice President, Head of Saab Business Area Kockums. "The launch of the signal intelligence ship is a significant event in the construction process. The vessel is a showcase of the high quality and technical capabilities of the shipyard and our partners", said Adam Potrykus, acting President of the Board of Nauta Shiprepair Yard S.A. Saab was awarded the contract to design and build the SIGINT ship, which will replace the Swedish Navy's existing HMS Orion, by the Swedish Material Defence Administration (FMV) in 2017. Subsequently Saab selected Nauta Shiprepair Yard, part of PGZ Group, to construct, launch and perform the sea trials of the ship. The cooperation in ship construction between Saab and Nauta Shiprepair Yard is a direct result of the agreement, signed in late 2016, to establish a close partnership between Saab and PGZ in the planning and delivery of naval programmes. The Swedish Rear Admiral, Jens Nykvist, earlier today announced that the new SIGINT ship will be given the name HMS Artemis. For further information please contact: Saab Press Centre, +46 (0)734 180 018 presscentre@saabgroup.com www.saabgroup.com www.saabgroup.com/YouTube NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran intelligence forces expose 290 CIA spies IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, April 19, IRNA -- Iranian Intelligence Minister said that some 290 spies affiliated with US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have been discovered by the country's Iran intelligence forces in various countries. The CIA forces have found and arrested so that US established a defeat committee to address the issue, Mahmoud Alavi said while addressing a large congregation gathered for Friday prayer. He added that the Iranian Intelligence Ministry has shifted its anti-spy approach from defensive to combative and has inflicted heavy blows to the foreign intelligence services. Referring to recent interview with 11 American security experts released by Yahoo News, he said most of the interviewees refused to mention their names but one of them said the discovering 290 CIA agents has been one the most disastrous defeats after 9/11. Stressing the fact that the US official themselves reminded of this defeat as a scandal, said more details with will be released though media soon. Elsewhere in his remarks, Alavi pointed to the same blow inflicted to UK Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), the details of which will be released in the future. Iranian Intelligence Forces also penetrated deeply into the Israeli regime, he noted. He went on to say that Iranian forces in an anti-spy act, have discovered a company which were producing faulty parts in a sensitive center. If it was not discovered, a humanitarian disaster would occur, he reiterated. Alavi said that the operations orchestrated by 114 Takfiri groups, 116 teams affiliated with Mujahedin-e Khalq terrorist organization (MKO aka, MEK), 44 anti-Revolution teams, 380 narcotic smuggling gangs have been foiled. The last operation resulted in arresting 4 terrorists in southwestern Iran, Alavi added. Underlining the importance of fighting goods and currency smuggling and protecting people's properties in banking system for the Intelligence Ministry, he said head of a company which robbed 209 million UAE dirham was arrested outside the country. 9376**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CIA shifts to focus more on Russia and Iran: Gina Haspel Iran Press TV Fri Apr 19, 2019 02:09PM CIA Director Gina Haspel has said that the US Central Intelligence Agency has shifted resources to better deal with rivals such as Russia and Iran. Speaking before students, faculty and journalists at an event at Auburn University on Thursday, Haspel said those targets had suffered from neglect in the post-September 11, 2001 focus on terrorism. "Our Russia and Iran investment has been strengthened after years of falling behind our justifiably heavy emphasis on counterterrorism in the wake of 9/11," she said. "Groups like ISIS (Daesh) and al-Qaeda remain squarely in our sights, but we're honing our focus and resources on nation-state rivals." Her statement comes as Iran has identified 290 CIA agents across different countries, forcing the US to form a special committee to reassess its cloak-and-dagger operations. Iran's Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi said on Friday, "CIA operatives in these countries were identified and arrested and the contacts of the US intelligence agency with its sources were disrupted in such a way that a committee to assess the failure was set up in America." Alavi said his ministry has shifted from focusing on defensive counter-intelligence to conducting offensive operations. He said details of the operations would be publicized soon. In her speech, Haspel also praised President Donald Trump for showing "a lot of wisdom" by outreaching to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. "I am very proud that we've been able to support this administration's effort to engage the North Koreans in a dialogue and that's not to downplay the difficulty of that or the obstacles or challenges associated with it," she said. "But after years of failure I do think that President Trump has shown a lot of wisdom in reaching out his hand to the North Korean leader and to suggest to them that there might be a different future for the North Korean people," she added. Haspel added that the CIA was "working hard to support the president, the national security team and Secretary Pompeo as they try and establish a regular and positive dialogue with the North Koreans." Trump has said he is considering a potential third nuclear summit with North Korea's leader, and added that he does not want to increase sanctions on Pyongyang. The second summit between Trump and Kim collapsed in February in Hanoi over differences on how far Pyongyang was willing to limit its nuclear program and the degree of US eagerness to ease sanctions. Trump abruptly walked away from the talks and held a press conference shortly afterwards. During the presser, Trump said that "he had to walk away" from the talks because of the North's demands to lift all economic sanctions against Pyongyang as a prerequisite to denuclearization. However, a few hours later, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho offered a completely different breakdown of the summit, telling reporters in a separate presser that Pyongyang had never asked for the removal of all sanctions, but was only seeking their partial removal. According to a state media report published last month, the people of North Korea blame the US for the collapse of the summit. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey Arrests Two People on Suspicion of Spying For UAE - Reports Sputnik News 15:33 19.04.2019(updated 18:34 19.04.2019) Reuters, citing an unnamed Turkish official, reported on Friday that the country's authorities had detained two people as part of an investigation by the Istanbul chief prosecutor's office. Turkish authorities arrested two individuals in Istanbul on 15 April on suspicion that they were spying on Arab nationals on behalf of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Reuters reported, citing an unnamed senior Turkish official on 19 April. Those arrested, who are believed to be intelligence officers, have reportedly confessed to conducting espionage. "It is possible that there was an attempt to collect information about Arabs, including political dissidents, living in Turkey", the source reportedly said. Turkish Daily Sabah newspaper reported that the arrested spies were delivered to the courthouse, where prosecution requested to prolong their arrest under charges of military, political and international espionage. The source didn't specify the names of alleged the spies, but noted that one of them had arrived in Turkey in October 2018. A journalist for The Independent Turkish later published alleged photos of the arrested men. Both spies had reportedly recruited informants to be used in their intelligence activities. "We have extensive evidence of the individuals' covert activities on Turkish soil," the source said. Turkey has reportedly also found the spies' hidden base of operations and seized encrypted computers as a result of a counter-intelligence investigation. The UAE hasn't commented on the report yet. Relations between Turkey and the UAE recently entered a downward spiral. The UAE's Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash admitted in 2018 that bilateral relations weren't "in their best state". Abu Dhabi has repeatedly slammed Turkey's actions in Syria, calling for Ankara to "respect Arab sovereignty and deal with its neighbours with wisdom and rationality". In turn, Ankara accused the UAE of supporting the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is deemed a terrorist entity in Turkey, over Abu Dhabi's reported support for the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Ankara believes that the SDF and PKK are linked. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian Security Service Discloses CIA, MI6 Espionage Networks - Reports Sputnik News 13:29 19.04.2019(updated 15:29 19.04.2019) Since the arrival of the Trump administration, Washington has been taking a harsh approach towards Iran in its foreign policy. The US notably withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal on 8 May 2018 and imposed hefty sanctions against Tehran's oil, banking and shipping sectors in November of the same year. The head of Iran's Intelligence Ministry's Mahmoud Alavi announced on Friday that his ministry has managed to deal a heavy blow to the CIA's spy network, operating both within Iran and the region, Mehr News Agency reported. He reportedly said that dozens of spies, working in the state's sensitive sectors, have been arrested as a result of the ministry's work. "In a complicated process against the US Central Intelligence Agency, 290 spies from its espionage network in different countries, including Iran were identified", he said. Alavi further noted that a similar measure had been taken regarding Britain's MI6, promising to release more details about operations against both foreign intelligence agencies later. He also said that the info about the spy networks will be forwarded to friendly states interested in it. Neither Washington nor London have commented on the report yet. The news comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and Tehran that have recently led to Washington designating the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation and Tehran adding the US Central Command (CENTCOM) to a list of terrorist entities in a reciprocal move. Relations between the US and Iran have spiralled downward since US President Donald Trump took office. Trump withdrew the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, an international accord that lifted sanctions from the Islamic Republic in exchange for limiting its nuclear programme and allowing international inspections at nuclear sites. Later in November 2018, Washington imposed harsh sanctions on Iran's oil, banking and shipping industries, trying to cut its oil exports. The US moves have been criticised by Tehran and other signatories to the nuclear deal. Iran has vowed to continue shipping oil disregarding the sanctions and threatening to block the Strait of Hormuz, the only maritime exit from the Persian Gulf, in case its exports are endangered. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mueller Report Confirms Intelligence Findings About Russian Meddling By Jeff Seldin April 19, 2019 Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference is providing current and former U.S. intelligence officials with a sense of vindication, affirming many of the conclusions they drew following the 2016 election. At the same time, however, some suggest the report released on Thursday by the Justice Department should serve as a warning that Moscow's efforts to degrade and undermine American democracy, already extraordinarily successful, continue unabated. Specifically, these former intelligence and national security officials warn the evidence in the special counsel report shows Russia was able to find and exploit U.S. citizens who were willing to go along with Moscow's means, described as "sweeping and systematic," to achieve their desired results. "The investigation established that the Russian government perceived it would benefit from a Trump presidency and worked to secure that outcome," the Mueller report said, adding that President Donald Trump's campaign "expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts." Yet even as both sides pursued the shared goal, investigators "did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government," the report stated. "The evidence was not sufficient to support criminal charges." Still, some former officials Thursday seized upon the report's confirmation of the U.S. intelligence community's initial findings. The January 2017 unclassified assessment by the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the National Security Agency, issued in the aftermath of the presidential election, concluded Russia aimed to "undermine public faith in the U.S. democratic process." "We further assess Putin and the Russian government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump," the intelligence agencies wrote at the time, adding, "Putin and the Russian government aspired to help President-elect Trump's election chances when possible." The assessment, though, has been attacked repeatedly by Trump. In November 2017, Trump slammed former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and Former CIA Director John Brennan as "political hacks," while deferring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "He said he didn't meddle," Trump told reporters following a conversation with Putin in Vietnam. "He said he didn't meddle. I asked him again. You can only ask so many times." Trump again deferred to Putin following their July 2018 summit in Helsinki. "President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial," Trump said at a joint news conference."President Putin says it's not Russia. I don't see any reason why it would be." Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Already, the U.S. has taken action, indicting members of the Internet Research Agency, a Russian-based "troll farm" with ties to the Kremlin, as well as charges against 12 Russian military intelligence agents for hacking into Democratic Party computers. Some former officials worry nonetheless that without a more forceful U.S. response, Russia or other adversaries will seek to get away with such behavior again. "Those in America who cheered foreign intelligence attacks on our democratic processes, particularly for their own gain, should pay a price," Larry Pfeiffer, a 32-year veteran of the U.S. intelligence community who served as chief of staff to former CIA Director Michael Hayden, told VOA. But if they do, it will not be in a U.S. court of law. The Mueller report concluded despite numerous contacts between Russians and members of the Trump campaign, and evidence that campaign members "deleted relevant communications," the evidence, "was not sufficient to charge that any member of the Trump Campaign conspired with representatives of the Russian government." As frustrating as that may be for some former officials, experts like Frederic Lemieux, a professor of applied intelligence at Georgetown University, warn it was to be expected. "The report is a traditional criminal investigation," Lemieux said. "We're certainly not seeing the counterintelligence investigation." "I am mostly certain that there are several intercepts that exist that have been made on Russian targets and those Russian targets were talking about Trump and his associates," he said. "You don't see anything what they were reporting back to Russia when we know those individuals are important enough to be under surveillance 24-7." Hints of that type of information, which could reveal sources or methods, or harm ongoing intelligence operations, may be contained in parts of the report that have been redacted. But Lemieux said it is just as likely they were not included at all, as many counterintelligence investigations rarely produce the type of "damning evidence" needed for a criminal conviction. "It's probably there [in the counterintelligence investigation] that maybe not collusion but maybe a sense of being compromised might emerge," he said. Other factors, as well, have complicated U.S. efforts to hold individuals accountable for working with the Russians to interfere in the 2016 election. Among them, according to intelligence officials, has been the quality of the Kremlin's spycraft, which left many Americans in the dark. "Some IRA employees, posing as US persons and without revealing their Russian association, communicated electronically with individuals associated with the Trump Campaign and with other political activists to seek to coordinate political activities," the Mueller report said. "The investigation did not identify evidence that any US persons knowingly or intentionally coordinated with the IRA's interference operation." U.S. media outlets and numerous "high-profile" individuals were also taken in by the IRA. At other times, Russia seemed to proactively play-off of the Trump campaign, such as in July 2017 when then-candidate Trump said he sarcastically challenged Russia to find tens of thousands of missing emails from Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. "Within approximately five hours of Trump's statement GRU officers targeted for the first time Clinton's personal office," the Mueller report said. Despite such findings, some former officials say the Mueller report shows the U.S. intelligence community is not blameless. "One of the lessons should be, we were pretty sloppy with our counterintelligence and our ability to counter stuff that was going on over the internet," said Steve Bucci, an assistant to former U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative public policy research group in Washington. "We need to be more sophisticated about that aspect of it, at least more cognizant of it, and at least gin up our counterintelligence efforts a little bit around people that are involved in campaigns to make sure they don't get caught up in this sort of thing and, regardless of their intent, that they don't get tricked into doing stuff that's counter to the general interests of the United States of America as far as us having fair and free elections," he said. That opportunity likely will be coming. Intelligence and Homeland Security officials have warned that Russia tried to meddle again in the recent 2018 midterm elections, with at least one Russian national connected to the IRA charged as a result. And some analysts suggest Moscow is saving its best and newest tricks for the next U.S. presidential election in 2020. Large swaths of redacted information in the Mueller report's accounts of Russia's IRAand "Project Lakhta," would seem to back that up. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address April 19, 2019 News Release Press Operations Release No. NR-096-19 Readout of Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan's Meeting with Japanese Minister of Defense Takeshi Iwaya Acting Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Charles E. Summers provided the following readout: The U.S. Japan Security Consultative Committee, with the participation of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Kono, and Minister of Defense Iwaya convened today at the Department of State in Washington, District of Columbia. During the meeting, the ministers affirmed their strong commitment to realize a "free and open Indo-Pacific," a shared vision for a region in which all nations are sovereign, strong and prosperous. The U.S.-Japan Alliance serves as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and remains iron-clad amid an increasingly complex security environment. Following the morning session, Secretary Shanahan met with Minister Iwaya at the Pentagon to further advance the alliance's defense cooperation. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining readiness to face threats in the Indo-Pacific region, and discussed tangible ways to implement the National Defense Strategy and Japan's National Defense Program Guidelines. Both parties agreed to enhance alliance capabilities and interoperability across the conventional, cyber, and space domains. Secretary Shanahan expressed appreciation for Minister Iwaya's leadership, which has further strengthened the alliance and helped to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region. https://dod.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1819588/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address April 19, 2019 Transcript Press Operations Remarks By Acting Secretary Shanahan At An Enhanced Honor Cordon And Meeting Welcoming Japanese Minister Of Defense Iwaya To The Pentagon Remarks By Acting Secretary Shanahan At An Enhanced Honor Cordon And Meeting Welcoming Japanese Minister Of Defense Iwaya To The Pentagon ACTING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PATRICK SHANAHAN: Is everybody set there? Oh, very good. So, Minister Iwaya, it's so good to have you back in the Pentagon. It feels like just yesterday you were here. (Laughter.) Even though we've only worked together a few times, it feels like we've worked together a long time. I thought this morning's 2-plus-2 was very productive, but this meeting will be very productive. I -- I think we're in a very opportunistic situation, where now we can do integration and execution. Both our strategies are well-defined and well-developed. Now is our chance to bring them together. I have -- I've had the team put them side by side and I want to show you they -- all the overlap and the places where they fit very well together. I wrote an equation today: Success equals the alliance plus the commitment plus leadership. And you have shown great, strong leadership. And I expect because of our ability to work together, we'll see much success. I look forward to us rolling up our sleeves today and working together. MINISTER OF DEFENSE TAKESHI IWAYA (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary. It is my great honor to meet you again here at the Pentagon since we last met this January. It's been two years since our last 2-plus-2 meeting, and I am very much delighted that we have concluded our latest one successfully. I would like to take this occasion once again to extend to you, Secretary Shanahan, as well as Secretary Pompeo's great leadership, to make this meeting a successful one. Mr. Secretary, you described how you read through all the -- our National Defense Program Guidelines. SEC. SHANAHAN: Thank you. MIN. IWAYA (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): And I might just -- and I might say that you might know more about it than we do. (Laughter.) MIN. IWAYA (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): But it is true that we are (inaudible), our documents are aligned and there are more that we can do together, between Japan and the United States alliance. And we have various items that we can even deepen our cooperation so that we can contribute to maintaining the peace and security of this region as well as this world. So I look forward to today's discussion on ways how we can deepen our cooperation, including in (inaudible) domains. And finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the United States and U.S. forces for your support for JASDF F-35A, which was recently involved in a mishap off the cost of North Japan. Your helping hand are -- made our alliance relationship a stronger one. And when a tragedy like this occurs, we are reminded of the strength and value of our alliance. SEC. SHANAHAN: Thank you. Q: Mr. Secretary, do you support General Haftar's assault on Tripoli? SEC. SHANAHAN: So, Lucas, I think there -- what I would say is, a military solution is not what Libya needs. What we've said before and what I do support is Field Marshal Haftar's support in terms of his role in counterterrorism. But where we need Field Marshal Haftar's support is in building democratic stability there in the region. Q: Did the president contact you before he made the phone call to General Haftar? SEC. SHANAHAN: The department and the executive branch are well-aligned on Libya. (CROSSTALK) Q: Minister, are you afraid that the Chinese are going to find the F-35 before your forces or U.S. forces? SEC. SHANAHAN: I told him no. (Laughter.) MIN. IWAYA (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): So I will say that possibility, we don't have such possibility, absolutely no. We are conducting our surveillance and warning activity so that we can identify and find the missing aircraft. Q: Mr. Secretary, a question for you. What steps is the Pentagon taking to comply with the ban on Huawei and other Chinese telecom companies? And does the U.S. expect allies to follow suit? SEC. SHANAHAN: Is there -- there's not an official ban, right? Q: The -- in the congressional mandate. SEC. SHANAHAN: Right. You know, the way I'd -- I would put it, effort is on finding better technical solutions to the Huawei. You know, the thing that we want to do with cyber-security is be dependent on ourselves, and we're building better technical solutions so that others adopt those solutions. That's going to be part of the discussion we have today, how we build networks that we can trust. Q: And, Mr. Minister, one question: Are you concerned about the lack of progress in the U.S.-North Korea talks, especially given the recent North Korea weapons test? MIN. IWAYA (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): We believe in President Trump's word that he will continue to have constructive talk with North Korea. And we will also work step by step so that we can reach the complete denuclearization of North Korea. And in addition to that, we would also like to move forward and make progress on abduction issue. SEC. SHANAHAN: OK, thanks, everybody. Appreciate your time. Yeah. Have a wonderful weekend https://dod.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1819592/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HSC-25 Rescues Two Fishermen from Sunken Watercraft Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190419-06 Release Date: 4/19/2019 10:26:00 AM From HELICOPTER SEA COMBAT SQUADRON TWO FIVE Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR BASE, Guam (NNS) -- Guam-based "Island Knights" Sailors of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 rescued two local spear fishermen after their personal watercraft sank off the east coast of Guam. The men were able to battle the surf and traversed the jagged reef to shore, but were stranded on the cliff line with no avenue of rescue from shore or sea. U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam notified HSC-25 of the incident and HSC-25 Search and Rescue led by Aircraft Commander, Lt. Cmdr. Sean Rice successfully recovered the two men via airborne hoist April 11 and delivered them to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam. "This rescue highlighted the professionalism and efficiency of the Island Knight Team," said Rice. "We received the report during preflight for a scheduled flight event. Within minutes, our maintenance team had the aircraft ready for an expeditious launch. We were able to proceed to an accurate location provided by the squadron duty officer, where Petty Officer Medlin spotted the survivors within minutes of beginning the search. Lt. Ramos moved the aircraft into a stable hover, allowing Petty Officer Washington to deploy via hoist, rapidly recovering both survivors. They were attended to en route to Naval Hospital Guam by Petty Officer Bowen, where they were turned over a mere thirty minutes after launch." The incident was the 9th emergency call to HSC-25 by U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam, the 4th in three weeks, and marks seven recoveries during search and rescue and medical evacuations in 2019. "I keep saying that I could not be prouder of the Sailors of HSC-25" Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Frank Loforti, said. "But every week our Sailors take the squadron to a new level. We have the finest Sailors in the fleet, and I can't thank them enough for ensuring our aircraft are always ready!" HSC-25 provides a multi-mission rotary wing capability for units in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations and maintains a Guam-based 24-hour search and rescue and medical evacuation capability, directly supporting U.S. Coast Guard and Joint Region Marianas. HSC-25 is the Navy's only forward-deployed MH-60S expeditionary squadron. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia says Mueller report offers no proof of 'Russian meddling' Iran Press TV Fri Apr 19, 2019 06:04PM Russia has dismissed the report by United States Special Counsel Robert Mueller about alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election in the US, saying it offers no proof of such meddling. "The report contains no proven evidence that Russia allegedly interfered in the election process in the United States," Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. "As before, we do not accept such charges." A redacted version of the 448-page report was released on Thursday. The report marked the culmination of a months-long probe by Mueller of alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and Donald Trump campaign's purported collusion with Russia. Those allegations surfaced soon after the election that year. While the report lays out wrongdoings by Trump and his associates, it stops short of providing conclusive evidence of collusion between Trump and Moscow. Peskov said the report contained "nothing new." "All that information had been published by different sources and the mass media earlier," he said. Peskov said that the publication of the report was "a fresh confirmation" of Moscow's long-held position, that "investigators will not find any intervention however hard they may try" because "there was no such intervention." Both Russia and Trump have long rejected any interference. They had dismissed the Mueller investigation while it was underway. Peskov said the report affected the two countries' relations. "We regret the documents of this sort are causing direct influence on the development of Russian-US relations, whose condition leaves much to be desired," he said. Also speaking on Friday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that he did not expect relations with Washington to improve following the release of the Mueller report. "Unfortunately, there is no sign that US political circles, particularly those who seek to score political points in the Congress from Russophobia, are ready for dialog," Ryabkov said. "The document is most likely to have no effect from the standpoint of improving relations." Ties between Russia and the West hit a low in 2014, after the then-Crimean territory of Crimea voted in a popular referendum to join the Russian Federation. The US has imposed rounds of economic sanctions, along with security measures, against Russia. Moscow has also responded with its own retaliatory measures against the West. While Trump has sought to improve relations with Moscow, he has so far been unable to. The release of the Mueller report, meanwhile, has only exacerbated the political bickering in the US over Russia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Democrats issue legal demand to full Mueller report while some push for Trump's impeachment Iran Press TV Fri Apr 19, 2019 05:28PM Congressional Democrats have taken a legal step to see all of US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's evidence from his inquiry into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, with some members pushing for the impeachment of President Donald Trump just 18 months before the 2020 presidential election. The redacted edition of the much-anticipated 400-page investigation, covering Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election, as well as Donald Trump and his team's wrongdoings and possible presidential obstruction of justice, was released in Mueller's report on Thursday. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat, issued a subpoena to the Justice Department to release the full Mueller report, and rejected the redacted version that he said "leaves most of Congress in the dark." "My committee needs and is entitled to the full version of the report and the underlying evidence consistent with past practice. The redactions appear to be significant. We have so far seen none of the actual evidence that the Special Counsel developed to make this case," Nadler said in a statement. Nadler said even the redacted version "outlines disturbing evidence" that Trump engaged in misconduct and possibly obstruction of justice. "The attorney general deciding to withhold the full report from Congress is regrettable, but not surprising," Nadler said during a press conference on Thursday. "Even in its incomplete form, the Mueller report shows disturbing evidence that President Trump obstructed justice." Nadler said he does not know whether or not Democrats would file articles of impeachment against the Republican president, but added that he would not rule out the impeachment option. "Congress must get the full, unredacted report along with all the underlying materials from Special Counsel Mueller," Nadler said. "We have to get to the bottom of this and we'll see what happens." In addition, Nadler stated that US Attorney General William Barr will be testifying before the House Judiciary Committee next month and that he has also asked Mueller to appear before the committee. "I have been and continue to be prepared to make every effort to work with the Attorney General to find a solution that allows Congress to review the entire recordand not merely the fragments he chose to share with us today," Nadler said. Meanwhile, Congressional Democrats Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar have called for an impeachment order against Trump, following the full release of Mueller's report. The Congresswomen believe the findings detailed in Mueller's report contradict Trump's claims that he has been "totally exonerated" from any criminal wrongdoing. "Mueller's report is clear in pointing to Congress' responsibility in investigating obstruction of justice by the President," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on Thursday. "It is our job as outlined in Article 1, Sec 2, Clause 5 of the US Constitution." She then vowed to support impeachment proceedings launched by fellow Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. "While I understand the political reality of the Senate + election considerations, upon reading this DoJ report, which explicitly names Congress in determining obstruction," she added. "I cannot see a reason for us to abdicate from our constitutionally mandated responsibility to investigate." Meanwhile, Omar said Congress has a "constitutional responsibility" to act. She said that such violations include, "Obstruction of justice, violating the Emoluments Clause, collusion, [and] abuse of power." Speaking on Thursday at a media conference at the US Justice Department, Barr said Mueller did not discover any evidence that Trump's election campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 presidential election. He also said the Mueller's two-year investigation did not uncover any evidence that Trump obstructed the special counsel probe. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli tanks, aircraft target Hamas positions in Gaza Strip Iran Press TV Fri Apr 19, 2019 04:00PM Israel has launched artillery and aerial attacks on positions belonging to the Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas in the besieged Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian security sources speaking to AFP, the Israeli attacks struck the military observation posts of the resistance group at three locations along the fence separating Gaza from the occupied territories on Friday. The sources said no casualties had been reported. Israel's military claimed that the attacks had been conducted after shots were fired from the besieged enclave at Israeli troops on the other side of the fence. "No injuries to soldiers were reported," the Israeli army said in a statement. Meanwhile, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip continued to protest along the fence in Gaza on Friday. Ashraf al-Qedra, the spokesman for the Gazan Health Ministry, said that Israeli forces injured 42 Palestinians, including five paramedics and four journalists, in eastern Gaza during the latest protests. The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. Palestinians in Gaza have held weekly rallies to demand the right to return for those driven out of their homeland and an end to the Israeli siege on the enclave. More than 270 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces ever since anti-occupation protest rallies began in the Gaza Strip on March 30, 2018. Over 16,000 Palestinians have also sustained injuries. The blockade has caused a decline in living standards as well as unprecedented unemployment and poverty. Israel has launched several wars on the Palestinian coastal sliver, the last of which began in early July 2014. The military aggression, which ended on August 26, 2014, killed nearly 2,200 Palestinians. Over 11,100 others were also wounded in the war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India suspends cross-border trade in Kashmir Iran Press TV Fri Apr 19, 2019 01:50PM India's government has suspended trade across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, the de facto border that divides the Himalayan region between India and Pakistan, saying it has been "misused" for smuggling weapons and narcotics. The Indian government said on Thursday that cross-LoC trading was being "misused by Pakistan-based elements for funneling illegal weapons, narcotics, and fake currency" and that many of those involved in trade there had links to militant groups. India's Home Ministry said cross-border trade at the LoC would be suspended until a stricter inspection mechanism was set up, without specifying when that would happen. Indian authorities prevented 35 trucks carrying fruits from crossing into the Pakistani-side of the border on Friday, according to the Indian Express newspaper. It was not clear why. Tensions have been running high between India and Pakistan ever since a Pakistan-based militant group claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack on a military convoy of Indian forces in Kashmir that killed at least 44 of them in February. India said Islamabad had been involved, but the Pakistani government denied that accusation. Kashmir has been split between India and Pakistan since partition in 1947. Both countries claim all of Kashmir and have fought three wars over the territory. New Delhi and Islamabad started barter trade across the de facto border in 2008 as part of peace efforts. However, disputes often disrupt the trade. In 2015, India briefly suspended cross-border trade with Kashmir after it arrested a Pakistani truck driver on charges of drug trafficking. The latest move comes after India removed the "Most Favored Nation Status" granted to Pakistan under World Trade Organization rules in response to the February attack. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Islamic Jihad urges Arab front against US 'deal of century' on Palestine Iran Press TV Fri Apr 19, 2019 12:46PM Palestinian resistance movement Islamic Jihad has demanded the formation of a unified Arab front to counter US President Donald Trump's controversial proposal for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, dubbed "the deal of the century." "We reject the idea of establishing a Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip or outside the enclave, whatever the cost may be. We also reject the relocation of the Palestinian people and an alternative homeland," the movement said in a statement released on Thursday. "Recognition of Israel is a threat to identity and the existence of the Arab and Muslim world. Normalization is an instrument to pass the deal of the century, plunder national wealth, create internal hostilities among people from various walks of life, and deepen sectarian divisions. "We reject any proposal that would affect the unity of the Arab lands, and demand preservation of the unity and integrity of Arab countries to confront the serious repercussions of the deal of the century, which is aimed at tearing up and dividing the (Middle East) region and re-drawing its maps according to the American colonial vision," the statement pointed out. Meanwhile, Nabil Shaath, international relations advisor to the Palestinian president, said on Thursday that Palestinians will launch a campaign to confront the "deal of the century." The campaign will target "the crime and conspiracy that aim at liquidating the Palestinian cause under the so-called deal of century," Shaath told the official Voice of Palestine radio station. He added, "We've seen this plan advancing through the US recognition of al-Quds (Jerusalem) as Israel's capital, disregarding the Palestinian refugees' issue, and recognizing Israeli settlements and Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights." "All steps taken by Trump proved that the deal is nothing but a conspiracy to terminate the Palestinian cause," Shaath noted. Trump's so-called "peace plan" has been dismissed by Palestinian authorities before its unveiling at the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan and the formation of the new Israeli cabinet, most likely in June. "We will all have to look for reasonable compromises that will make peace achievable," the US president's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, said on Wednesday. Speaking in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on Tuesday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh lashed out at Trump's initiative, asserting that it is "born dead." Shtayyeh noted that negotiations with the US are useless in the wake of the country's relocation of its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds, which Palestinians consider the capital city of their future state. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Collapse of peace talks with Taliban leaves US reeling Iran Press TV Fri Apr 19, 2019 10:30AM The US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan is "disappointed" over the collapse of a peace talks even before they started between the Taliban and Afghan politicians in Qatar. A delegation of 250 Afghan politicians and civil society figures had been scheduled to meet Taliban officials in Doha at the weekend. The meeting, however, was cancelled on Thursday amid arguments over the size and status of the group. The Taliban derided the agreed list of participants as a "wedding party". Some senior opposition figures who had been included refused to attend. "I'm disappointed Qatar's intra-Afghan initiative has been delayed," US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, said on Twitter. "I urge all sides to seize the moment and put things back on track by agreeing to a participant list that speaks for all Afghans." Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's office reacted to the cancellation of the meeting, blaming the Qatari official. It said authorities in Doha had authorized a list of participants that differed from the one proposed by Kabul, "which meant disrespect for the national will of the Afghans." "This act is not acceptable for the people of Afghanistan," it said in a statement on Friday. The collapsed meeting was intended to prepare the ground for possible future talks by building familiarity among Taliban officials and representatives of the Afghan government. Director of the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies in Qatar Sultan Barakat also said that there was no disagreement about the agenda. "Rather, there is insufficient agreement around participation and representation to enable the conference to be a success," he tweeted. The talks in Doha have so far excluded the Afghan government because the Taliban view it as illegitimate. The militant group has rejected a government bid to attend the talks as well as an offer to open an office in Kabul, urging instead international recognition of its office in the Qatari capital. US officials, however, said any final agreement would require that the Taliban meet with Afghan officials. The Taliban's five-year rule over at least three quarters of Afghanistan came to an end following the 2001 US-led invasion, but 17 years on, Washington -- having failed to end the Taliban's militancy campaign is seeking truce with the militants. The group has continued to carry out daily attacks on Afghan security forces despite holding several rounds of peace talks with the United States in recent months. The Taliban have claimed the US has promised them to withdraw half of its troops from Afghanistan, although the timing for that purported pullout has not been finalized. The United States said last month that it might reduce the number of its troops in Afghanistan by at least 1,000. The militant group has strengthened its grip over the past three years, with the government in Kabul controlling just 56 percent of the country, down from 72 percent in 2015, according to a US government report released last year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan protesters hold biggest sit-in since Bashir's ouster Iran Press TV Fri Apr 19, 2019 06:12AM A week after the fall of Sudan's long-time President Omar al-Bashir, a huge crowd has converged in the streets of the capital, demanding the country's transitional military council hand over power to civilians. Hundreds of thousands of people packed the streets outside the defense ministry in Khartoum on Thursday, chanting "Civilian rule, civilian rule." Protesters waving national flags were also chanting "Freedom and revolution are the choice of the people." "We will remain in the street until power is handed to civilian authority," said 24-year-old protester Samia Abdallah. "We will bring down military rule." Demonstrators joined a sit-in protest that began early this month outside an army complex, which houses the president's residence and the defense ministry the culmination of 16 weeks of protests which initially erupted on December 19, 2018, in the face of a government decision to triple the price of bread. The protests finally led to Bashir being ousted and arrested after almost three decades in power. The ten-man military council, which has taken power, announced a two-year transition period to civilian rule. The council has also promised to work with Bashir opponents and opposition groups to form an interim civilian government. "We are completely committed to handing over power within a maximum two years," one of the members of the council, Lieutenant General Salah Abdelkhalek said on Thursday. "Perhaps the most difficult issue facing the military council now through its political committee is getting agreement from the political spectrum and the community forces on the naming of a prime minister," Abdelkhalek said. "The ball is in their court." This is while Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have announced their backing for the transitional military council. Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Military Council Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan on Tuesday praised Sudan's distinguished relations with Saudi Arabia and the UAE), official SUNA news agency reported. Burhan, who is known for his ties to the Saudi kingdom, met with a joint delegation from Riyadh and Abu Dhabi this week, and received a verbal message from their leaders. The council's spokesman said on Thursday that the undersecretary at Sudan's foreign ministry had been dismissed for preparing for the visit of a delegation from Qatar, the regional rival of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. Spokesman Shams El Din Kabbashi said the ministry had made the statement without consulting the council. Analysts warn that both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are striving to influence the transition process by backing the military council. Saudi Arabia and the UAE had cultivated close ties with Bashir before his ouster and were reportedly exhorting him to forge relations with Israel. With protests raging in Sudan, however, the London-based Middle East Eye reported in March that the head of Mossad had met his Sudanese counterpart in Germany as part of a secret plan by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE to oust Bashir. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Afghan Peace Talks Suspended Amid Conflict Over Delegates By RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan April 19, 2019 Disputes over the size of delegations have roiled critical peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, with new talks in Qatar now suspended and Washington urging both sides to return to the table. The talks, which had been scheduled for April 19, were considered a significant first step toward finding a negotiated end to the war in Afghanistan and the eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops. But a statement released April 18 by the Afghan government blamed the Qatari government for the disruption. The head of the organization hosting the talks in Doha, however, said the dispute stemmed from disagreement over the size and composition of the respective delegations. "This unfortunate postponement is necessary to build further consensus as to who should participate in the conference," Sultan Barakat, of the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, said in a statement. President Ashraf Ghani's administration earlier in the week had announced a list of 250 people, including government figures, to attend the so-called intra-Afghan dialogue in Doha. The Taliban criticized the lengthy list, saying that they would not meet with so many people. The Taliban also insisted they would not be negotiating with Kabul at the conference. The list was also criticized by some powerful opposition figures, including the powerful former warlord, Atta Mohammad Noor, who said it was not inclusive. The U.S. Special Representative to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, said he was disappointed by the delay. "We're in touch with all parties and encouraged that everyone remains committed to dialogue," the envoy said in a post to Twitter. "I urge all sides to seize the moment and put things back on track by agreeing to a participant list that speaks for all Afghans." The United States has been holding separate bilateral peace negotiations with the Taliban in Doha as part of a months-long peace push. In Afghanistan, meanwhile, the Taliban have launched their so-called spring offensive, unleashing violence in many parts of the country. The militants now control or influence about half the country, and last year was the deadliest yet for civilians. With reporting by AP, AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-peace- talks-suspended/29890931.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. House Judiciary Committee Issues Subpoena For Full Mueller Report By RFE/RL April 19, 2019 U.S. House Judiciary Committee has issued a subpoena to obtain the full Russia investigation report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, saying that a redacted version "leaves most of Congress in the dark. " "My committee needs and is entitled to the full version of the report and the underlying evidence consistent with past practice," Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler (Democrat-New York), said in a statement on April 19, the day after the release of the partially redacted 448-page report. Attorney General William Barr sent the Mueller report to Congress, blacking out several types of material, including classified information, material pertaining to ongoing investigations, and grand jury evidence. Mueller corroborated U.S. intelligence conclusions of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and also documented President Donald Trump's efforts to undermine his inquiry, but Mueller concluded there was not sufficient evidence to prove Trump and his team committed a crime by colluding with Russia officials. The report also points to areas where Trump and his associates could still face legal problems, as well as the potential for impeachment proceedings. "The redactions appear to be significant. We have so far seen none of the actual evidence that the special counsel developed to make this case," Nadler said. He said the report points to "serious instances of wrongdoing" by Trump. But the committee's top Republican, Doug Collins, said the subpoena was "wildly overbroad" and that Trump already declined to assert executive privilege in a move of "unprecedented openness." He said that Nadler was rushing the process for political gain. The subpoena gives Barr until May 1 to produce the materials requested. The subpoena is the opening shot in what could be a lengthy legal battle. If the Justice Department doesn't respond, Democrats could hold officials in contempt of Congress or eventually fight the battle in court. Mueller's report painstakingly details evidence about Russian election meddling and confirms the previous findings of the U.S. intelligence community of a two-pronged Russian strategy to manipulate U.S. public opinion through e-mail hacking and a disinformation campaign. "The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion," the Mueller report said. However, Russia's Foreign Ministry falsely claimed on April 19 that Mueller "admitted" his investigation did not find evidence of Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential election. "There is nothing there to catch attention. In fact, it confirms the absence of any arguments proving Russia's alleged interference in the U.S. election," said Georgy Borisenko, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's North America Department. "There is not a single piece of evidence. In fact, the report's authors have admitting having no proof," Borisenko claimed. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on April 19 also dismissed the evidence contained in the Mueller report, saying the Kremlin does not accept the meddling accusations. "As a whole, the report as before does not present any reasonable proof at all that Russia allegedly meddled in the electoral process in the United States," Peskov told journalists in Moscow a day after the publication of the redacted version of the document. Among the most pointed allegations leveled earlier by Mueller regarding Russian interference was the indictment of a dozen Russian military intelligence officers who, he said, were behind the hacking and theft of Democratic Party e-mails, e-mails that were released in the heat of the 2016 U.S. election. While the Mueller report concluded there wasn't sufficient evidence to prove Trump or members of his team colluded with Russia's state-sponsored meddling campaign, it said Trump and at least 17 of his campaign officials and advisers did have more than 100 contacts with Russians during the 2016 election campaign. Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, dpa, TASS Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s-house-judiciary -committee-issues-subpoena-for-full- mueller-report/29892283.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 Moscow Falsely Claims Mueller 'Admitted' Having No Proof Of Russian Meddling By RFE/RL April 19, 2019 Russia's Foreign Ministry falsely claimed on April 19 that U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller "admitted" his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election did not find evidence of Russian meddling. A redacted version of Mueller's report, sent to Congress and published online on April 18, painstakingly details evidence about Russian election meddling and confirms the previous findings of the U.S. intelligence community of a two-pronged Russian strategy to manipulate U.S. public opinion through e-mail hacking and a disinformation campaign. "The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion," the Mueller report said. "After nearly two years of investigation, thousands of subpoenas, hundreds of warrants and witness interviews the special counsel confirmed that the Russian government sponsored efforts to illegally interfere with the 2016 presidential election but did not find that the Trump campaign or other Americans colluded in those efforts," U.S. Attorney General William Barr said on April 18. Nevertheless, in remarks on April 19 that dismissed the findings of the long-awaited Mueller report, a Russian Foreign Ministry official told journalists in Moscow that Mueller "admitted having no proof" of Russian interference. "There is nothing there to catch attention. In fact, it confirms the absence of any arguments proving Russia's alleged interference in the U.S. election," said Georgy Borisenko, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's North America Department. "There is not a single piece of evidence. In fact, the report's authors have admitting having no proof," Borisenko claimed. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on April 19 also dismissed the evidence contained in the Mueller report, saying the Kremlin does not accept the meddling accusations. "As a whole, the report as before does not present any reasonable proof at all that Russia allegedly meddled in the electoral process in the United States," Peskov told journalists in Moscow a day after the publication of a redacted version of the document. "We regret documents of this sort are causing direct influence on the development of Russian-U.S. relations whose condition leaves much to be desired," Peskov said. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on April 19 that it is "completely impossible for Russia to interfere in internal political processes not only in the United States but in any other country." Ryabkov said Russian's foreign policy is "based on unconditional respect for international law, including the principle of noninterference in the affairs of other states." In the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, Information Committee Chairman Aleksei Pushkov on April 19 mocked the Mueller probe for spending millions of dollars of taxpayers' money without proving there was any collusion between Trump and the Kremlin. Most of Russia's state-controlled media on April 18 and 19 also rejected the well-documented findings about Russian interference in the 2016 elections. The state-owned Rossia television channel said in coverage on the Vesti Economy program late on April 18 that the Mueller report is not credible because it did not release the content of hacked e-mails or "specific files." "The Mueller probe was an attempt to threaten the current government and influence U.S. foreign policy without offering any specific evidence," Rossia said. Among the most pointed allegations leveled earlier by Mueller regarding Russian interference was the indictment of a dozen Russian military intelligence officers who, he said, were behind the hacking and theft of Democratic Party e-mails, e-mails that were released in the heat of the 2016 U.S. presidential election. While the Mueller report concluded there wasn't sufficient evidence to prove President Donald Trump or members of his team colluded with Russia's state-sponsored meddling campaign, it said Trump and at least 17 of his campaign officials and advisers did have more than 100 contacts with Russians during the 2016 election campaign. With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, TASS, and Interfax Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moscow-falsely -claims-mueller-admitted-having-no-proof-of -russian-meddling/29891502.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 Mueller Report Corroborates Russian Meddling, Signals Potential Legal Problems For Trump By RFE/RL April 19, 2019 WASHINGTON U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller corroborated U.S. intelligence conclusions of Russian meddling in the 2016 election, and also documented President Donald Trump's efforts to undermine his inquiry, but Mueller concluded there was not sufficient evidence to prove Trump and his team committed a crime by colluding with Russia officials. Mueller's findings were detailed in the partially redacted, 448-page report, released April 18, which also points to areas where Trump and his associates could still face legal problems, as well as the potential for impeachment proceedings. Overall, the report was met with satisfaction by Trump, who said it vindicated his statements that he and his associates neither colluded with Russian officials nor sought to obstruct Mueller's investigation. "It was called no collusion. No obstruction," Trump said. "There never was by the way, and there never will be. We do have to get to the bottom of these things." "This should never happen to another president again," Trump said, calling the allegations against him that were being investigated by Mueller's team "a hoax." The release of the report closed a chapter in an investigation that has overshadowed Trump's presidency since before he even took office. And though it does not provide evidence of criminal actions by Trump, it is likely to fuel calls for impeachment in Congress, where Democrats in the House of Representatives have faced mounting pressure to initiate such proceedings. The Democratic chairmen and chairwomen of six separate House committee said "it must fall to Congress to assess the president's improper, corrupt and immoral conduct in an effort to obstruct the investigation." The second top Democrat in the House, Steny Hoyer said impeachment was not worthwhile with the next presidential election looming, in November 2020. "Based on what we have seen to date, going forward on impeachment is not worthwhile at this point. Very frankly, there is an election in 18 months and the American people will make a judgment," Hoyer told CNN. Aside from impeachment, the report points to other criminal prosecutions that have spun out of Mueller's work, some of which are still unknown. It said that Mueller's team had made 14 criminal referrals that were outside the scope of the special counsel's authority -- 12 of them were redacted. Some of the investigations that are known publicly to have emerged from Mueller's work include the investigation into Trump's longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. He has pleaded guilty to some of the charges against him and has testified under oath to Congress about his actions. The report, in painstaking detail, details different aspects of Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 election, a finding that matches previous findings of the U.S. intelligence community, made after the November 2016 election and just weeks before Trump's inauguration. "The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion," the Mueller report said. Among the most pointed allegations leveled earlier by Mueller regarding Russian interference was the indictment of a dozen Russian military intelligence officers who, he said, were behind the hacking and theft of Democratic party e-mails, e-mails that were released in the heat of the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The April 18 report showed that Trump understood the gravity of the appointment of Muellera respected former FBI director--- from the very beginning. Mueller, who was appointed in 2017 just days after FBI Director James Comey was fired by Trump, took over an ongoing FBI investigation into Russian interactions with Trump campaign officials. That investigation stretched back to the height of the U.S. election campaign in 2016. Trump tried to take control of the Russia probe and force Mueller's removal to stop him from investigating potential obstruction of justice, the report said. "Everyone tells me if you get one of these independent counsels it ruins your presidency. It takes years and years and I won't be able to do anything. This is the worst thing that ever happened to me," Trump reportedly said. Attorney General Jeff Sessions was legally the overseer of Mueller's work, but he recused himself early on, and designated Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to oversee it. That enraged Trump, and Trump humiliated Sessions for months, until he resigned in November 2018. According to the report, in June 2017, roughly a month after Mueller's appointment, Trump directed White House lawyer Don McGahn to tell Sessions that Mueller had conflicts of interest and must be removed. McGahn refused, deciding that he would rather resign, the report said. Mueller said his investigators examined several issues including the pressure on McGahn and the circumstances behind Trump's firing of Comey, but decided there wasn't evidence to conclude Trump obstructed justice. "If we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the president clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state," the report said. "Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, however, we are unable to reach that judgment." Mueller also reported multiple times where Trump directed staffers or officials to curtail the Russia investigation. It said those efforts "were mostly unsuccessful, but that is largely because the persons who surrounded the president declined to carry out orders or accede to his requests." Despite those revelations, Mueller said that he could not conclusively determine that Trump committed criminal obstruction of justice. "If we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the president clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state," the report said. "Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, however, we are unable to reach that judgment." Prior to the report's release, Sessions' successor as attorney general, William Barr, held a news conference in Washington, where he previewed the report. He said the investigation did not find evidence that Trump or members of his campaign team colluded with the Russian effort. Barr also said Mueller's report did not present any evidence that Trump attempted to obstruct justice during the investigation into the Russian attempts to interfere in the election. The Mueller report also included 12 pages of Trump's written responses to Mueller's questions. Under an agreement with Trump's legal team, they did not include any questions about obstruction of justice. Though Mueller said the answers were inadequate, he said he decided against issuing a subpoena for the president to meet with investigators to answer questions. That was, according to Mueller, because his office "had sufficient evidence to understand relevant events and to make certain assessments without the president's testimony." In explaining the process for redacting the report, Barr said no material was redacted on the basis of Trump invoking "executive privilege," though he said that Trump officials did review the redacted report. Barr said on April 18 that he withheld grand jury and classified information along with information related to ongoing investigations and the privacy or reputation of uncharged "peripheral" people. In Moscow, meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the release of Mueller's report as unimportant. "This is not an issue for us. It is not a thing that interests us or causes us concern," Peskov said, adding that the Kremlin has "more interesting and important things to do." But Peskov did say that "it is first necessary to leaf through [the document] and understand whether it contains something that is worthy of analysis" before informing President Vladimir Putin about the report. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/mueller-russia -meddling-trump/29890926.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 US, Japan to Expand Alliance Given Threats Posed by China, N Korea Shanahan Sputnik News 19:11 19.04.2019(updated 19:15 19.04.2019) WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The United States and Japan will continue to expand their alliance based on a shared understanding of security threats to both nations in the region from China and North Korea, Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said during a press conference on Friday. "Exponentially enhancing our cooperation, capability and capacity in moving our alliance forwardwill be critical as we face diverse challenges in the region from China and North Korea", Shanahan told reporters. Shanahan said Washington will maintain a combat-credible force in the Asia Pacific region as a frontline deterrent, while also expanding US cooperation with Japan both bilaterally and multilaterally through joint exercises and other operations. According to the joint security treaty, the US military has the right to utilise lands and capacities in Japan in order to maintain peace in East Asia. In addition, Japan has been hosting several US military bases on its territory since Tokyo's defeat in World War II. US, Japan Agree to Enforce UN Sanctions on North Korea Until Full Denuclearisation Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, in turn, said at a press conference that the United States and Japan share the position that the UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea should remain implemented until the Korean Peninsula entirely destroys its nuclear arsenal, "The United States and Japan had agreed that we need to implement [UN] Security Council resolution until North Korea CVID [complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation] all the weapons of mass destruction and the missiles of all ranges," Kono said. "Unless they take concrete steps towards CVID of nuclear weapons and missiles, there is going to be no bright future for North Korea". Kono pointed out that the United States and Japan also agreed to work with other partner-countries on the prevention of illicit ship-to-ship transfers of goods to North Korea in violation of UN Security Council-imposed sanctions. Earlier in April, Japan decided to prolong for two years its sanctions on North Korea. The sanctions ban imports of North Korean goods to Japan as well as prohibit entry to Japan of North Korean-registered ships and other countries' vessels that have visited North Korean ports. The UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1718 in 2006 with which it imposed economic and commercial sanctions on North Korea and guiding the Sanctions Committee to monitor the sanctions' implementation. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US to Talk of Election Meddling With Russia Amid Mueller Report Release Pompeo Sputnik News 18:13 19.04.2019(updated 18:15 19.04.2019) WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The United States will raise the issue of election interference with Russian officials following the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report that concluded Moscow meddled in the 2016 US presidential election, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a press conference. "We will talk about the steadfast requirement that Russia not engage in activity that impacts the capacity of our democracy to be successful As you've seen from this administration, we will take tough actions, which raise the costs for Russian malign activity. And we will continue to do that", Pompeo said. The statement comes after the Justice Department published on 18 April Mueller's final report of the investigation into allegations of Trump-Russia collusion and Russia's interference in the 2016 US elections. Mueller described in the report ten episodes involving Trump that could amount to the president obstructing justice in the Russia probe. The report, however, did not exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice charges and concluded that Russia did try to interfere in the US election. US Attorney General William Barr stated the report said the investigation did not find any evidence of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. Russia has repeatedly refuted any claims of interference in the US political system, saying the allegations were made up to excuse the election loss of Trump's opponent as well as deflect public attention from actual instances of election fraud and corruption. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Calls on Countries Worldwide to Block Russia's Planes Heading For Venezuela Sputnik News 18:11 19.04.2019(updated 20:08 19.04.2019) The arrival of Russian military planes in Venezuela in March 2019 spurred harsh criticism from the US, who has accused Moscow of destabilising the situation in the Latin American state, currently engulfed in a political crisis. Russia, for its part, has recalled that its planes arrived under a bilateral agreement with Caracas. The US has called on the international community to deny Russian planes flying to Venezuela a right of passage through their airspace, following the example of such a move by Malta. Ortagus said that such a decision could help stop Russian support for the country's President Nicolas Maduro. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova earlier stated that Malta had refused to provide a green light for the passage of two Russian planes carrying cargo and personnel to Venezuela. The spokeswoman noted that Malta didn't provide any reason for denying it and added that Moscow will take this fact into consideration in its bilateral relations with the island nation. Venezuela has been engulfed in a political crisis, which took another turn after opposition figure, Juan Guaido proclaimed himself the country's interim president. The move was immediately supported by the US and most western states, but was harshly criticised by Russia, Turkey, China, and many other countries. They expressed their support for the constitutionally elected president, Nicolas Maduro. Washington has lambasted Moscow's support for the president and specifically the arrival of Russian planes carrying military personnel in March 2019. The US called their arrival an "unwelcomed provocation". At the same time, Moscow said that its military personnel had arrived to carry out maintenance on Russian military tech under a bilateral agreement with Caracas. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address White House Calls on Americans to 'Move On' After Release of Mueller Report Sputnik News 17:00 19.04.2019(updated 17:01 19.04.2019) WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Americans should move on after the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report, which did not find that President Donald Trump and his 2016 campaign team colluded with Russia, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in an interview on Friday. "I hope collectively as a country we can move on because great things can happen under this president", Sanders told ABC News. The White House spokeswoman noted that the big takeaway from the report is there was not collusion with Russia and that fact should be a cause of every American to celebrate rather than be "sorrowful like we've seen over the last 48 hours from the Democrats that are actually sad that the president didn't work as a foreign agent". The statement comes after, the Justice Department released on 18 April Mueller's final report of the investigation into allegations of Trump-Russia collusion and Russia's interference in the 2016 US elections. US Attorney General William Barr, in turn, stated that the report said the investigation did not find any evidence of collusion. Russia has repeatedly refuted claims of interfering in the US political system, saying the allegations were made up to excuse the election loss of Trump's opponent as well as to deflect public attention from actual instances of election fraud and corruption. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vandenberg AFB aids during exercise Patriot Hook 2019 By Airman 1st Class Aubree Milks, 30th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published April 19, 2019 VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- Exercise Patriot Hook 2019, an annual joint-service exercise coordinated by the Air Force Reserve Command, took place at Vandenberg Air Force Base, April 10 through 15. The five day long exercise demonstrated the execution of civil relief operations that would typically occur following a natural disaster and provided realistic mission training for AFRC members and other service affiliates. Other members from AFRC also participated in the exercise at March Air Reserve Base, Naval Air Station North Island and Burbank Bob Hope Airport, due to their strategic locations in California. The exercise was designed to integrate different branches of the military and first responders of federal, state and local agencies. They trained for real-world scenarios, where they would need to mobilize quickly and deploy military aircraft in the event of a regional emergency or natural disaster. "This is the third exercise that our unit has participated in this year, and the difference of our capabilities, from when we started to now, is substantial," said Army Capt. Ricardo Tolentino, 314th Military Intelligence Battalion officer in charge. "The old way of thinking was, waiting until we're tagged to deploy and at that time no one is prepared. By proactively doing exercises, such as Patriot Hook 2019, when the time comes for my unit to deploy, we will be ready." Each unit's attendance was crucial for the achievement of the exercise. The C-17 Globemaster III and crew members assigned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, provided much needed assets as the members tested their rapid disaster and medical response skills. Wright-Patterson AFB crewmembers, airfield managers, aerial porters and loadmasters aided in the movement of equipment and prepared cargo for a mock deployment. Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, and members of the 314th Military Intelligence Battalion in San Diego joined the exercise to get hands-on-training as well. Although the exercise was primarily geared toward members of AFRC, Vandenberg AFB played a vital role. While there are no aircraft assigned to the installation, the base houses a 15,000 foot runway, which allowed enough space and open airfield time for the contingency response exercise. "Vandenberg is a large base with a lot of facilities, so if something were to go on such as a natural disaster, the Air Force would definitely want to utilize this base," said Lt. Col. Rodney Furr, 439th Force Support Squadron commander. "In terms of a contingency response location, the significance of Vandenberg can't be overstated." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Another Intra-Afghan Meeting with Taliban Unlikely Soon By Ayesha Tanzeem April 19, 2019 Afghan Taliban are "exhausted" with the failed efforts to organize an intra-Afghan conference in Doha, so another such conference seems unlikely in the near future, a source close to the Taliban told VOA on the condition of anonymity. The conference, which was scheduled to be held April 20 and 21 in the capital of Qatar, was supposed to provide a breakthrough as members of the sitting Kabul administration were going to be a part of talks with the Taliban for the first time. It was canceled at the last minute over the size and make-up of the Afghan delegation. The Afghan government had issued a list of 250 participants, a list Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed was more suited to a wedding party than a conference. The Afghan government rejected suggestions by the Qatari government to reduce the size of the delegation, calling it "a disrespect to the national will of the Afghan people." "Despite tireless and well-intentioned efforts of all parties, a shared understanding on how to achieve inclusivity couldn't be reached," tweeted Sultan Barakat, the director of the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies that was helping organize the conference. However, interviews with Taliban sources and a subsequent statement by Mujahid showed that the size of the Afghan delegation was not as concerning for the Taliban as how they felt about the posturing of the Kabul administration ahead of the meeting. "Just as all the arrangements for the conference were finalized, the Kabul administration officials launched their own bizarre meetings inside the Arg palace (presidential palace), announcing their red lines and conditions, claiming host status for the conference," Mujahid's statement said. The Taliban also objected to President Ashraf Ghani and his special envoy Umar Daudzai declaring that members nominated by them would participate as representatives of the Kabul administration rather than in their personal capacity. The Afghan Taliban have long resisted direct talks with the administration of President Ghani, calling it a "puppet" of the Americans. "Nothing is in their hands. They are helpless. There is no use talking to them," the source close to the Taliban mentioned earlier when asked why the Taliban refused to engage with the Afghan government. In addition, Afghanistan is gearing up for a presidential election in September and the Taliban do not want to give an edge to any particular candidate, according to Zalmay Khalilzad, the chief U.S. negotiator who has been engaged with the Taliban since September in an effort to find a negotiated solution to the conflict in Afghanistan. "The Talib preference is not to sit with the government alone because they think that will give the government legitimacy and be favorable to one of the candidates, the president in his re-election campaign," Khalilzad said during a talk at the United States Institute of Peace, a Washington based think tank. However, some Afghans think the Taliban should not have a say in who represents them. "Before any conferences to be held, there should be a solid agreement between the parties, specifically Taliban and the United States," said Najibullah Azad, a university professor in Kabul. "Taliban should have no right to reject any person or a group that is part of a delegation." Others believed the failure of the talks as well as the turmoil leading up to them laid bare the deep fissures among the Afghan political elite that may undermine a possible peace process. "One thing the messy lead-up to the Doha 'intra-Afghan' from all sides has proven beyond doubt ... is just how deeply divided Afghanistan's political elite are & how even the biggest national opportunities are hostage to small power games," tweeted Mujib Mashal, a New York Times correspondent in Kabul. At stake, in an election year, is how various parties feel this conference, or any part of the peace process, might impact their political status. Several presidential candidates, including CEO Abdullah, have boycotted a Loya Jirga, or a grand assembly of thousands of Afghans from across the country, scheduled for April 29, that was supposed to discuss the Afghan peace process. Analysts say the opposition candidates fear Ghani might use the platform to boost his status as a national leader and, therefore, his election campaign. Meanwhile, Ghani fears the opposition is using the Taliban refusal to engage with him to undermine him politically. The insurgent group has had contacts with Afghan politicians, war lords, and others, but not the Ghani administration. The last "intra-Afghan" conference between Taliban and Afghan stakeholders was held in Moscow and officials of the Ghani administration were not invited. The militants have also been negotiating with the Americans since last year. According to Afghan and international media, Ghani has been feeling sidelined in the peace process since September last year, when Khalilzad took over direct negotiation with the Taliban. The administration's frustration became evident when Hamdullah Mohib, Ghani's national security adviser, lashed out at Khalilzad during a trip to the U.S. in March of this year. It resulted in the U.S. administration telling Ghani that it will not deal with Mohib anymore. With the failure of the crucial Doha conference, the focus has already started shifting to the Jirga meeting at the end of the month. "New political battle lines being drawn ahead of controversial Jirga & govt elex agenda after #DohaAfghanTalks debacle? What is national strategy to resolve issues?" tweeted Omar Samad, a senior adviser to Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India Suspends Cross-border Trade in Kashmir By Anjana Pasricha April 19, 2019 In yet another signal of the downward spiral in ties between archrivals India and Pakistan, New Delhi has suspended cross-border trade in the divided region of Kashmir, saying it is being misused to smuggle weapons, narcotics and fake currency. Initiated more than a decade ago, the confidence-building measure was seen as one of the most significant steps taken by the two countries to reduce their tensions over the Himalayan region. Announcing a halt to the trade starting Friday, India's Home Ministry said investigations had revealed that a number of firms involved in sending goods had links to banned militant organizations and that "Pakistan-based elements" were funneling illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency into India. Trade began in 2008 The opening of two border routes in Kashmir in 2008 allowed Indian and Pakistani businessmen to trade goods four days a week on a barter system. The trade in items such as spices, herbs, cloth, fruits and carpets attracted no duties and was a boon to local businessmen. India now has halted the cross-border trade two months after it withdrew Most Favored Nation status for Pakistan following a suicide attack that killed 40 paramilitaries in Kashmir in February. The Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad group claimed responsibility for the assault. The attack led to an aerial confrontation between the two sides after India conducted airstrikes on what it said was a militant camp inside Pakistan. Political analysts see the latest step as yet another signal of the tough stance that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken since the terror attack in Kashmir. "It is a continuation of the approach that seeks to isolate Pakistan and put pressure on Pakistan on terrorism," according to South Asia expert Sukh Deo Muni with the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. India has been demanding that Pakistan take steps to dismantle the infrastructure of Islamic militant groups based in its territory. Islamabad denies that it supports such groups. Muni said the timing of the measure could also be linked to India's general elections, in which Modi has made national security his top plank. "He probably would want to send a message to the party's voters that he is very strong on Pakistan," Muni said. Voting in India began last week and continues in stages until May 19. Another look India said it would revisit the issue of restarting trade after working out a stricter regulatory and enforcement mechanism. The trade that began in 2008 was started with the idea of making the heavily militarized Kashmir border more open. The trade has remained largely unaffected by tensions between the two sides, although it has been halted briefly before, including a four-month suspension in 2016. Claimed by both countries, Kashmir has been the cause of two of their three wars and continues to be a flashpoint between the nuclear-armed neighbors. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cameroonian Women Call on Government to Stop Anglophone Separatist Fighting By Moki Edwin Kindzeka April 19, 2019 Hundreds of Cameroonian women gathered in the capital this week to urge the government to stop the killings in the country's Anglophone separatist western regions. Weeks of violent clashes in those areas have left at least 70 people dead. The event Thursday at the Yaounde conference center saw about 700 women from various cultural associations call for efforts to end fighting in the English-speaking regions. Teacher Elizabeth Mankaa, who organized the groups, said most of the women have lost family members or belongings in battles between the military and separatists. "The northwest and the southwest region are suffering, and we are here to cry like mothers so that the government should hear our cry and stop this crisis," she said. Cameroon's Ministry of Defense said in a statement that dozens of separatists have been killed within the past two weeks. The Catholic dioceses in the regions said they counted at least 70 bodies, including those of civilians and military members. Mankaa said all of the victims were children of Cameroon, dying in what she described as a senseless war. Government to separatists: Surrender At a separate event Thursday, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute claimed Cameroon's military is winning the fight. He called on the wives and mothers of separatists to persuade them to surrender. "I have it on very good information that a lot of those young people out in the bushes are there in spite of themselves," he said. "They want to come out, but many do not know how to come out. Talk to them [in] a language of fraternity, that we are begging them to leave the bush because they are our own. They are our children." Daniel Mukete, a political analyst at the Cameroon Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Conflicts, says the government cannot declare war and deploy heavily armed troops, then expect separatists to disarm. "Let the enabling condition for an inclusive dialogue be set. Let violence [cease]. Let guns stop being heard. Let the people feel free to express their minds," Mukete said. He added that rebel fighters will only believe that troops will not kill them if they withdraw. Humanitarian principles Liberian peace activist and 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Roberta Gbowee was at another Yaounde-related event Thursday. She warned that Cameroon will descend into chaos if there are no talks to bring peace to the separatist regions. "From my own experience as a Liberian, I think it is important that Cameroonians come to the place where there is consensus on humanitarian principles," she said. "When you hear stories of women using leaves for sanitary pads and people giving birth in the bushes, you know that it is time for leaders to take a step back and say we need to think about the humanity of the people." International pressure is growing over the worsening conditions in Cameroon's Anglophone regions. The European Union's top diplomat, Federica Mogherini, on Thursday called for talks between the government and rebels as the only way to achieve a sustainable solution. In a speech at the European Parliament, she said the humanitarian consequences were alarming with about half a million internally displaced people and more than 32,000 Cameroon refugees registered in Nigeria. More than 1,500 people have been killed in Cameroon's English-speaking regions since fighting broke out in 2017. The unrest was sparked by English-speaking teachers and lawyers protesting Francophone dominance. Armed rebels took over the movement, demanding independence for an English-speaking state they call "Ambazonia." Their demands were met with a government crackdown and calls to surrender or be killed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Democrats Dispute Barr's Evaluation, Seek Mueller Testimony By VOA News April 19, 2019 The Democratic leader of the U.S. Senate, Chuck Schumer, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi say the conclusions drawn by U.S. Attorney General William Barr about special counsel Robert Mueller's report undercut the findings of the report itself. Schumer and Pelosi released a statement Thursday saying "the differences are stark between what Attorney General Barr said on obstruction and what special counsel Mueller said on obstruction. "As we continue to review the report," they continued, "one thing is clear: Attorney General Barr presented a conclusion that the president did not obstruct justice while Mueller's report appears to undercut that finding." Nadler subpoenas Mueller House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler issued a subpoena Friday to get Special Counsel Robert Mueller's full report on his investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. national election. Nadler released via Twitter an image of a letter he had sent to Mueller requesting the special counsel's appearance. Nadler said Attorney General William Barr's "redactions [to the report] appear to be significant," leaving "most of Congress in the dark." The Democratic lawmaker added that he and his colleagues "have so far seen none of the actual evidence that the Special Counsel developed to make this case." For months, Democratic congressional leaders had been clamoring for the speedy release of the findings of Mueller's probe into whether President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign colluded with Russia. Now that the redacted version of the report has been released, they are confronted with a choice: stay on the attack or move on. Nadler says he wants Mueller to testify before the committee no later than May 23. Late last month, Barr released his summary of the report's findings, and said the special counsel had concluded that Trump had not colluded with Russia, but reached no decision on whether he had obstructed justice. Trump hits back Trump repeatedly characterized Mueller's investigation as a "witch hunt" and took to Twitter Friday to further criticize the report, saying the "Crazy Mueller Report" was prepared by "18 Angry Democrat Trump Haters" that included "total bullsh**" about him. Report findings The 448-page report outlined the findings of the 22-month probe, which cleared Trump of criminal conspiracy but not whether he obstructed justice. The report describes 11 episodes involving Trump and of potential obstruction of justice Mueller noted, however, he adhered to Justice Department policy not to charge the president and that the evidence his team uncovered "does not exonerate" him. Meanwhile, Russia said Friday the account exonerates the European country from any meddling in the 2016 presidential election. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Voting Begins on Egyptian Constitutional Amendments By VOA News April 19, 2019 Expatriate Egyptians began voting Friday on constitutional changes that could allow Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to stay in office until 2030. Voting begins inside Egyptian borders on Saturday less than a week after parliament approved the measure. If passed, the amendments also would deepen presidential powers and military presence within communities. The presidential term would be increased from four to six years and Sissi would be allowed to run for a third term in 2024. Supporters of the referendum have hailed the vote as a national duty, but critics charge that the vote is simply a power-grab in a country where political diversity has dissolved almost completely. Organized opposition is almost non-existent, with many leading public figures, businesses and media houses firmly in league with the current government. Officials promised to announce the results by April 27 and say if the measure passes, they will implement the constitutional reforms swiftly. Many of the amendments pertain to the government's structure, creating new positions and increasing the number of presidential appointees. The Egyptian military, which already wields tremendous economic and political power in Egypt, also will increase its role in criminal justice, if the referendum passes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Uganda's Supreme Court Upholds Lifetime Term for Museveni By Halima Athumani April 19, 2019 President Yoweri Museveni has been given a green light to contest Uganda's presidency in 2021, even after the age of 75. Uganda's Supreme Court Thursday upheld a constitutional court ruling in 2018 that stated Museveni elected for the fourth time in 2016 could run. Led by Chief Justice Bart Katureeba, Justice Eldad Mwangusya read the final court ruling. "By a majority decision of 4 to 3 on the process of enactment of the act, fails. On the violence scuffle, inside and outside parliament, fails," he said. "On the substantiality test, fails. By unanimous decision of the court, on the vacation of office by the president after attaining the age of 75, fails. The decision of the constitutional court is upheld." The Supreme Court sat to consider eight key issues. Pertinent among others is whether the majority of constitutional court justices erred in holding that the process of conceptualizing, debating, and enacting the Constitution Amendment Act that removed the age limit did not violate the constitution and parliamentary procedures. They also considered whether constitutional court justices erred when they held that the removal of the age limit was not consistent with the constitution, and whether constitutional court justices erred when they held that the violence and scuffle inside and outside parliament during the enactment contravened the constitution. The ruling by four out of seven justices contradicted three justices who found the process leading to the age limit amendment null and avoid and in violation of Uganda's constitution. Justices who ruled in favor of the appellants also argued that the certificate of compliance accompanying the bill was defective because it contained unmentioned provisions. They also ruled that the president had a duty to bring them to the attention of the speaker before assenting to it. Opposition legislator and petitioner Winfred Kiiza expressed disappointment. "When they say 'beating up people was not okay, but it was not so serious to warrant a violation of the law,' did they want people to be killed for them to really understand the magnitude of the violence? Oh my God," she exclaimed. "Why did we even spend our time debating these issues and yet these issues are held irrelevant. It's unfortunate." Deputy Attorney General Adolf Mwesige, representing the government, was elated by the Supreme Court ruling, describing it as the rule of law and democracy at work. "I appeal to our colleagues when you lose, you get disappointed," he said. "But even when you are disappointed, it's incumbent upon you to respect the court ruling. This is the final opportunity to challenge the outcome. The constitutional amendment No. 2 is now law on the books of Uganda." Critics say with such court rulings, Ugandans have no option but to take to the streets to see a change in government. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Malawi's Elections Get EU Observers, Biometric Voting System By Lameck Masina April 19, 2019 The European Union has launched an observation mission for Malawi's presidential elections next month. But some political analysts question the impact of foreign election observers will have on the poll. The EU was the first to deploy observers for the county's May 21 poll in response to an invitation issued by Malawi's Electoral Commission and Foreign Ministry. The EU observer mission's deputy chief, Mark Stevens, spoke at the launch ceremony Thursday in Blantyre. "Our hope is that the elections are transparent, inclusive, and credible and are run according to the code of conduct for the election and the laws for elections," Stevens said. The EU's 28-member long-term observer team arrived in the country in early April. EU observer team member Marketa Nekvindova is being deployed to central Malawi's Lilongwe district. "Will have a lot of interviews, with a lot of interlocutors, for example political parties, some NGOs, the electoral commissioners, also media. And then we will write our weekly report and sent it to our core team, and they will make analysis," Nekvindova said. The EU will send a second team of 32 short-term observers just before election day to monitor voting and counting operations. Other foreign observer missions to Malawi's elections will include Britain's Commonwealth of Nations and the African Union's. Malawian political analyst Sheriff Kaisi says the observer missions should be coming earlier. "To have free, fair and credible election is not only during campaign period. It's a process whereby its starts from registration period, up to the day when election results are out. So, if they came much, much earlier than what they have done now, probably they might have an impact. But, for now, I don't think it will have an impact on our election," he said. Kaisi said foreign observers all too often serve as a rubber stamp for African elections with doubtful outcomes. "And the word that comes from the observers do not in many times satisfy the electorate because in many times when people are crying to say elections are not okay but still in many time[s] observers side with the winner," Kaisi said. The African Union has faced repeated criticism for recognizing the results of disputed election and those found rigged. However, the EU observer mission says their mandate is not to decide if elections should be accepted or not but to ensure the quality of the process. The EU mission observed Malawi's elections in 2004, 2009 and 2014, when it recommended a biometric voting system after some polling center numbers did not match those registered. A biometric system is being used for the first time in the Malawi's May elections. This year, seven presidential candidates are expected to contest the country's leadership. The top contenders include incumbent President Peter Mutharika, who is seeking a second five-year term, Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima, and the main opposition leader, Lazarus Chakwera. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lukashenka Calls Belarus's Next Presidential Election For 2020 April 19, 2019 Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has announced that the country's next presidential election will be held in 2020, but the parliamentary elections will be held in 2019. Lukashenka made the announcement on April 19 during his annual address to the nation and the parliament. His announcement comes amid calls from some politicians to keep the dates of the presidential and parliamentary elections separate so that the election campaign periods do not overlap. According to Lidziya Yarmoshyna, the head of Belarus's Central Election Commission, current legislation stipulates that the next presidential election must be held no later than August 30, 2020 and that the next general election must be no later than September 6, 2020. "In the Belarusian legislation there is only the term 'no later than.' That is, it is impossible to hold elections later than these dates. But you can do it before this date," Yarmoshyna told RFE/RL in January, noting that there was nothing in the legislation stating how much earlier the elections can be held. Based on reporting by RFE/RL's Belarus Service and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka- calls-belarus-s-next-presidential-election -for-2020/29891622.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 China Refutes Claims Belt and Road Plan Aims to Drive Nations Into Debt Trap Sputnik News 12:55 19.04.2019(updated 19:17 19.04.2019) BEIJING (Sputnik) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi refuted on Friday allegations voiced by some Western countries labelling China's Belt and Road Initiative as a debt trap and noted that the project was beneficial for all participating countries. "The Belt and Road Initiative is in line with modern trends. It is in line with aspirations of the participating countries for greater development and revival, while the criticism and discrediting comments alleging that it is a debt trap will never be supported by participants of the initiative", Wang told reporters. The foreign minister stressed that countries criticising the Belt and Road Initiative wanted to prevent other states from making any significant economic achievements. "Within last six years since the moment when Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed this initiative, the practical cooperation under it has brought significant results", the minister noted. Earlier in the day, the FM announced that the second Belt and Road forum, which is to be held in Beijing the next week, will gather 37 heads of states and governments. The top diplomat continued by saying that leaders of several countries, including Russia, Egypt, Italy, Russia, the United Arab Emirates will arrive in China for the forum, while representatives of the United States and North Korea will also be present. The Belt and Road Initiative, also known as the One Belt, One Road project, was first announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping back in 2013. The project remains one of Xi's most ambitious foreign policy and economic plans. The plan's objective is to boost cooperation between Eurasian countries and advance economic growth in the region. The project also seeks to promote investment in projects that would connect dozens of countries across Africa, Asia and Europe through the creation of infrastructure networks resembling the ancient Silk Road trading routes. Some Western states have criticised the Chinese project as a debt trap. Most recently, Jonathan Cohen, acting US permanent representative to the United Nations, said in March that the Belt and Road Initiative had "known problems with corruption, debt distress, environmental damage, and lack of transparency". The same month, the US-based Centre for Global Development issued a study that said eight countries may face difficulties with debt sustainability linked to the Belt and Road Initiative. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's Political System Helps Advance Its Artificial Intelligence By Saibal Dasgupta April 19, 2019 Recent technological advances demonstrated by China have started an intense debate on whether it is set to take a lead in the field of artificial intelligence, or AI, which has extensive business and military applications. U.S. concerns about China's AI advances have also influenced, in part, the ongoing trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing. Both the United States and European Union are taking measures to stop information leaks that are reportedly helping Chinese companies at the expense of Western business. But many analysts are saying that Chinese corporate and defense-related research in areas like AI and 5G wireless technologies can thrive on their own even if information from the Western world is shut off. China is already reportedly leading in several segments of businesses like autonomous vehicles, facial recognition and certain kinds of drones. The U.S.-based Allen Institute of Artificial Intelligence recently captured attention when it reported that China is a close second after the United States when it comes to producing frequently-cited research papers on artificial intelligence. The U.S. contribution is 29%, and China accounts for 26% of such papers. "The U.S. still is ahead in AI development capabilities, but the gap between the U.S. and China is closing rapidly because of the significant new AI investments in China," Bart Selman, president-elect of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, a professional organization, told VOA. Political advantage Chinese President Xi Jinping has in recent months encouraged Communist leaders to "ensure that our country marches in the front ranks when it comes to theoretical research in this important area of AI, and occupies the high ground in critical and AI core technologies." He also asked them to "ensure that critical and core AI technologies are firmly grasped in our own hands." Analysts said China's political system and its government's eagerness to support the technological advancement were key reasons it could build infrastructure such as cloud computing and a software engineering workforce, and become a big player in artificial intelligence. Chinese companies enjoy special advantages in deploying new technology like facial recognition, which is often difficult in democratic countries like the U.S., said William Carter, deputy director and fellow in the Technology Policy Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "China does have strengths in terms of application development and deployment, and has the potential to take the lead in the deployment of some technologies like autonomous vehicles and facial recognition where ethical, social and policy hurdles may impede deployment in the U.S. and other parts of the world," Carter said. China's capabilities in image and facial recognition are possibly the best in the world, partly because government controls have made it easier to generate data from a wide range of sources like banks, mobile phone companies and social media. "These capabilities arise out of the use of deep learning on very large data sets. In general, China has the advantage of having more real world data to train AI systems on ... than any other country," Selman said. Other areas where China has shown significant advances are natural language processing (in Chinese only) and drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) swarming. "China also has unique capabilities that are not found in the U.S. or Europe. I'm thinking of electronic payment platforms [e.g. AliPay] and the super app WeChat that provide an advanced platform for the rapid introduction of further AI technologies," Selman said. U.S. role Last February, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order asking government agencies to do more with AI. "Continued American leadership in artificial intelligence is of paramount importance to maintaining the economic and national security of the United States," Trump was quoted as saying in an official press release accompanying the order. Critics have said that Trump's order does not suggest enhanced government investment and plans for attracting fresh talent in AI research and development, which is essential for growth and industry competition. Gregory Allen is an adjunct senior fellow with the research group Center for a New American Security. He was recently quoted as saying that the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is spending the most on research and development at $2 billion over five years. In contrast, the Chinese province of Shanghai, which is a city government, is planning to spend $15 billion on AI over 10 years. "So literally, we have the U.S. federal government at present at risk of being outspent by a provincial government of China," Allen said. China's AI capabilities have limits. They suffer from major weaknesses in areas like advanced semiconductors to support machine learning applications. "At the end of the day, when it comes to most major AI fields, China is not the technological leader and is not the source of most foundational innovations," Carter said. The U.S. still dominates in the overall market for self-driving car technology, machine translation, natural language understanding, and web search. China has gained a strong presence in a few segments of these businesses, largely because of its vast domestic market. Despite the competition, collaboration and exchange of ideas occur between the two countries in the AI field, although this aspect is less discussed, Carter added. "Politically, the dynamic is more competitive; economically and scientifically, it is more collaborative," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK condemns US move to sue foreign companies over Cuba sanctions Iran Press TV Fri Apr 19, 2019 08:41AM Britain has condemned the new attempt by the administration of US President Donald Trump to require foreign companies to abide by American sanctions on Cuba that have been rejected by the UK and other European countries. "The extraterritorial application of ... sanctions, which we consider to be illegal under international law, threaten to harm UK and EU companies doing legitimate business in Cuba by exposing them to liability in US courts," Britain's foreign office said in a statement on Thursday. "We will work alongside the EU to protect the interests of our companies," the statement added. The European Union and Canada have already warned of reprisals over the new extraterritorial measure by the US. The Trump administration announced on Wednesday it was allowing US citizens to file lawsuits against foreign companies for purchasing property seized by Cuba that was formerly owned by US citizens, who are primarily Cuban-Americans. The 1959 Cuban revolution led by Fidel Castro resulted in the largest expropriation of US assets ever, according to Washington-based attorney Robert Muse. The US law that allows these lawsuits, the Helms-Burton Act, has been fully waived by every US president since it was passed 23 years ago due to opposition from the international community and fears it could create chaos in US courts. However, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Wednesday that Washington will end the routine wavers to the 1996 on May 2 and allow for lawsuits to proceed. Pompeo also announced new US sanctions and other punitive measures against Cuba and Venezuela, seeking to ratchet up pressure on Havana to end its support for Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kim Jong-un Says Ready to Cooperate With Russia for Peace on Korean Peninsula Sputnik News 20:41 19.04.2019(updated 20:47 19.04.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - North Korea's chairman Kim Jong-un has expressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin his readiness to cooperate in order to reach peace on the Korean Peninsula and to develop relations between the two states. "I am ready to closely cooperate with you in order to steadily and constructively develop the traditional friendly relations between the DPRK and Russia as required by the new era and defend peace and security of the Korean Peninsula and the rest of the world", Kim said in a letter, as quoted by KCNA. He also noted that the further development and strengthening of friendly Korean-Russian relations is of common interest for the two states. In addition, Kim wished Putin "health and greater success in your responsible work for building a powerful Russia" and "wellbeing and prosperity" to the Russian people. On Thursday, North Korea's chairman sent a letter in response to Putin congratulating Kim on his re-election as the head of the North Korean State Affairs Commission. The text was revealed by KCNA news agency on Friday. On 12 April, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un was re-elected as the chairman of the State Affairs Commission during the latest session of the state's parliament. Later in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Kim on his re-election, confirming his commitment to "cooperation on pressing bilateral and regional issues". The Kremlin said in a statement on its website on Thursday that Putin will meet with Kim Jong-un in Russia later in April. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 2nd Round of Indian Elections Focuses on Regional Heavyweights By Anjana Pasricha April 18, 2019 Powerful regional parties that could play the role of kingmaker if India's ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party fails to win a clear majority were in the spotlight as millions voted in the second phase of the country's staggered election. Polling was also held in Srinagar, the main city of Indian Kashmir amid heavy security and a boycott call by separatist leaders. But unlike the rest of the country where voters queued early in long lines to beat the scorching summer heat, polling booths in the restive region's summer capital wore a relatively deserted look. Internet services were shut down and police in riot gear patrolled the streets. Over 155 million voters were eligible to cast ballots across 12 states for 95 parliamentary seats in the 545 member house in Thursday's round of polling. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to vote in large numbers. "I am sure all those whose seats are polling today will strengthen our democracy by exercising their franchise," he tweeted. With the BJP unlikely to repeat the clear mandate he won five years ago, opposition parties are hoping to halt Modi's return to power by forming an alliance if they win enough seats. Their ambitions depend heavily on how regional heavyweights perform in electorally significant states like Tamil Nadu in the south, where 38 seats were up for grabs in Thursday's round. The focus was also on half of the 28 seats being contested in Karnataka, another southern state where the BJP hopes to make up for losses it could suffer in its northern strongholds. The BJP has warned of political instability if an opposition alliance comes to power and mocked these parties for lacking a common ideology. It has also stitched up alliances with some small parties. India has been governed by coalitions led by either the Congress or the BJP for decades until Modi secured the first single party parliamentary majority in 30 years in 2014. But his five-year-rule has seen a growing chorus of criticism from opponents who accuse him of seeking to impose a Hindu majoritarian agenda on the country and undermining its secular ethos. "Undoubtedly this is Modi versus the rest," says Satish Misra at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. "The contest is between Modi's vision of India based on the fundamentals of Hindutva and strong leadership versus the liberal left of the center policies which focus on weaker sections of society." In a no-holds-barred campaign, Modi has played to the BJP's nationalist, Hindu base and brushed aside criticism that he is using recent hostilities with Pakistan for electoral gain as he plays on national security concerns. "If farmers die, then it is an election issue, but when soldiers die then it is not an election issue? How can that be?" he told a television interviewer this week. The Congress party on the other hand has attacked his economic record flagging the need to address rising unemployment and alleviate rural distress. It is promising a cash handout to 20 percent of India's poorest families. Polling was cancelled in one seat in Tamil Nadu after the Election Commission, which conducts the polls, said it found evidence of bribing voters. Political parties in India have long been accused of distributing cash, gifts and even gold in return for votes Tamil Nadu this year topped the list of unaccounted cash seized with a record haul of $ 30 million during raids and vehicle checks in the last month. There will be five more days of voting until May 19 and counting of votes will take place on May 23. Results are expected the same day. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US measure promotes armed forces' unity: Commander IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, April 19, IRNA -- US measure to list Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity promoted the unity among Iran's armed forces, a senior Iranian Army commander said. The Iranian Army and the IRGC are united to defend the country and the Islamic establishment against enemies, Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force Brigadier General Kiomars Heidari added. He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Friday. IRGC's hand will be in the hands of Iranian Army, people and Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei till the end of global arrogance, the commander stressed. He said that US President Donald Trump's unwise decision undermined the security of US forces across the world. The United States officially designated Iran's IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization, according to a notice published in the US Federal Register on April, Reuters reported. US President Donald Trump said afterwards he would make the symbolic, but unprecedented move which was immediately condemned by Iran. Majority of politicians from all sides of the Iranian political spectrum rallied in support of the IRGC in a bid to show their support. Also, the Iranian lawmakers, wearing the IRGC's olive green uniforms, attended the parliament on Sunday. The Iranian press also opened their front pages with the news and reactions to the move. The reformist Etemad's page one title read 'I'm a guard' in a clear bipartisan support for the forces. The IRGC expressed its gratitude for the show of support, promising 'a reciprocal response to the enemies, especially the rogue and terrorist-producing government of the US'. The latest anti-Iran move of Trump received fierce reactions from the Iranian officials. The country's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in a letter to President Hassan Rouhani called for a retaliatory move by labeling the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) as a terrorist organization and the US government as a sponsor of terrorism. 9191**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Expectations mixed as Iraq, Saudi announce security deal Iran Press TV Fri Apr 19, 2019 10:41AM Riyadh and Baghdad have agreed to promote their security and intelligence cooperation after several years of mutual distrust over Saudi Arabia's support for terrorists in Iraq. The agreement was reached during a visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi to Saudi Arabia, Al-Arabiya television cited Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali al-Hakim as saying. Abdul-Mahdi's office announced that the prime minister signed "13 agreements in areas such as trade, energy, and political cooperation" during his meetings with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Abdul-Mahdi's visit to the Arab kingdom came right after his first trip to Tehran, where he held talks with senior Iranian officials. The new round of Saudi-Iraqi cooperation comes as the premier has said Iraq would maintain strong ties with Iran, but also with the United States and regional neighbors. Iraq and Saudi Arabia had historically been at loggerheads since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 but have recently undertaken a diplomatic push to improve ties. Reconciliation between the two countries began in 2015, when Saudi Arabia reopened its embassy in Baghdad on April 4, after 25 years. Earlier this month, the Saudis reopened a consulate in Baghdad which had been closed for 30 years. King Salman also announced his country would provide Iraq $1 billion to build sport facilities. The warming relations come as Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has time and again underlined the need for amicable ties between all countries in the region. Back in January, Zarif told a gathering of representatives from hundreds of Iranian and Iraqi companies in Baghdad that if regional countries wanted a strong region, they had to substitute dialog for war as well as cooperation for an arms race. "In a secure and powerful region, dialog takes the place of war, and cooperation replaces arms race while brotherly relations replace trust in foreigners," Iran's top diplomat said. Zarif noted that in a strong region, all countries can trust one another and make a better future for themselves, adding, "In this case, bilateral and multilateral relations among countries in this region would be stronger than their relations with other countries." Iraq's mediation between Iran, Saudi Meanwhile, there are reports that Iraqi officials have been trying to mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia in recent months. Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh recently noted that Iraqi officials were doing their best to reduce tensions between Tehran and Riyadh. He told Tasnim news agency that "the Iraqi government knows if tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia are not resolved in the near future, a crisis may spill over to Iraq." The senior lawmaker said Iraq is in its transition period and knows how important security is to the country. "That's why the resolution of tensions between Iran and the Arab states has turned into a strategy in Iraq today." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Libya's Sarraj accuses France of supporting Haftar's push to seize Tripoli Iran Press TV Fri Apr 19, 2019 09:18AM Libya's government based in Tripoli has accused France of backing self-styled commander Khalifa Haftar, whose forces have launched an offensive to seize the capital. The interior ministry of the government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj ordered the suspension of all relations between the ministry and the French side on Friday. Interior minister Fathi Bach Agha cited "the position of the French government in support of the criminal Haftar" as the reason. French foreign ministry reacted to the decision, dismissing the accusations as "disappointing" and "completely unfounded." "France supports the legitimate government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and the mediation of the UN towards an inclusive political solution in Libya," the French presidency said in a statement. General Haftar's eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) attacked Tripoli where Serraj's Government of National Accord (GNA) is seated early this month. The attack has prompted intense fighting between Haftar's forces and those loyal to the GNA, threatening to push the country into a fully-grown civil war. The fighting has killed more than 200 people and left 614 others wounded, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). France has supported Haftar in the past along with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates because it is believed to be relying on oil imports from the regions under his control. The LNA has almost two-thirds of the country and all oilfields under its control. Paris is also adamant about maintaining its foothold in the African continent, even in the countries which gained independence almost six decades ago. France played the leading role in a military campaign by NATO which led to the ouster of Libya's former dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 and plunged the country into the current crisis. According to a report published by The Wall Street Journal this weekend, Saudi Arabia has also "promised tens of millions of dollars to help pay for the operation" by Haftar's forces in Libya. "The offer came during a visit to Saudi Arabia that was just one of several meetings Mr. Haftar had with foreign dignitaries in the weeks and days before he began the military campaign on April 4," wrote the Journal. On Thursday, the United Nations' envoy for Libya Ghassan Salame warned of "a widening conflagration" in the country. He also referred to "countries that have invested in Mr Haftar as a champion of the fight against terrorism," without naming them. "They will not drop him now even if they do not agree with his attack on Tripoli," he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Security Council Calls for Urgent Resolution on Libya German Envoy Sputnik News 05:47 19.04.2019(updated 05:49 19.04.2019) UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) The UN Security Council members should immediately adopt the UK-drafted resolution calling for a ceasefire in Libya, German Ambassador to the UN Christoph Heusgen who presides over the Security Council told reporters. "We need to have this resolution urgently, we need to send this very strong message to the population that is desperate and when you hear now rockets falling into civilian quarters we need a strong voice from New York," Heusgen said on Thursday. He added, "We want to have this resolution, we want to have a strong resolution and a strong resolution within the united council, everybody is behind it." Heusgen said that UN Special Envoy for Libya Ghassan Salame, who participated in the meeting via video conference from Tripoli, urged the members of the council to include arms embargo in the final document. According to the special envoy, the political process in Libya has not seen any progress yet and the potential of violence escalation increases with the influx of arms. On Tuesday, the United Kingdom submitted the draft resolution which calls for an immediate ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities in the North African country. Libya has been in a critical political situation since April 4, when the Libyan National Army (LNA) commander, Khalifa Haftar, backed by the parliament ruling the country's eastern part, announced an offensive against Tripoli in a bid to drive what he called terrorist forces out of the city. In response, armed forces loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) started a military operation against the LNA. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey detains, investigates UAE operatives over Khashoggi murder Iran Press TV Fri Apr 19, 2019 02:08PM Turkey has arrested two alleged intelligence operatives who confessed to spying on Arab nationals on behalf of the United Arab Emirates, a senior Turkish official says. Turkey is investigating whether the arrival of one of the detainees could be linked to the murder of prominent dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year, the official, who requested anonymity, added on Friday. One of the two men arrived in Turkey in October 2018, days after Khashoggi was killed inside Saudi Arabia's consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul, the official said, adding that the other arrived to help his colleague with the workload. Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and a US resident, disappeared on October 2, 2018 after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain documentation for his forthcoming marriage. Saudi Arabia initially claimed that the US-based Washington Post columnist had left the consulate alive, but weeks later admitted that he was killed inside the diplomatic mission and blamed his death on a group of Saudi operatives. The official said, "We are investigating whether the primary individual's arrival in Turkey was related to the Jamal Khashoggi murder," and added that the suspected man has been monitored for the past six months. "It is possible that there was an attempt to collect information about Arabs, including political dissidents, living in Turkey." The suspects were arrested in Istanbul on Monday as part of a counter-intelligence investigation. The official told Reuters that Turkish officials seized an encrypted computer located in a hidden compartment at the spy ring's base. The detainees' statements suggested that their intelligence operation targeted political exiles and students, the official added. Turkey has said Khashoggi was killed by a team of 15 Saudis who strangled him, and Ankara has repeatedly asked Riyadh to identify the local who allegedly helped them dispose of the body, which has not been found. Speaking in an interview with the A-Haber television channel in February, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country is working to carry the case of the murder of the journalist to an international court. The United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, Agnes Callamard, said in March that Saudi Arabia's so-called investigation into the murder of Khashoggi falls short of international standards. Callamard, who is leading an international inquiry into the murder, called on the kingdom to reveal the defendants' names and charges and the fate of 10 others initially arrested, denouncing what she called the lack of transparency of the kingdom's investigation and legal proceedings. In November, the kingdom's Public Prosecutor indicted 11 unnamed suspects for the killing, which is believed to have been ordered by bin Salman. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address RTHK: Journalist shot dead in Northern Ireland violence A journalist was shot dead during riots in Northern Ireland in what police on Friday were treating as a terrorist incident following the latest upsurge in violence to shake the troubled region. "Lyra McKee was murdered during orchestrated violence in Creggan last night," Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said. McKee, 29, had earlier posted an image that appeared to be from the riots in the Creggan housing estate in the city of Londonderry, also known as Derry, accompanied by the words "Derry tonight. Absolute madness." Images of the unrest posted on social media showed a car and van ablaze and hooded individuals throwing petrol bombs and fireworks at police vehicles. "A single gunman fired shots in a residential area of the city and as a result wounded Ms McKee," said Hamilton, adding that police believed the gunman was a "violent dissident republican". "We are treating this as a terrorist incident and we have launched a murder enquiry," he added. McKee had written for The Atlantic magazine and Buzzfeed News and was named by Forbes Magazine in 2016 as one of their "30 under 30" outstanding figures in media, according to her literary agent Janklow & Nesbit. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Turkey 'De Facto' Established Safe Zone in Syria Up to Manbij - Ankara Sputnik News 03:41 19.04.2019 ANKARA (Sputnik) - A safe zone has been "de facto" established between Turkey and Syria right up to the city of Manbij in Syria, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Thursday. "Currently a 'de facto' safe zone has been established within the Turkey-Syria border through to Manbij city," he told reporters. Manbij, a city with some 100,000 people, is located in the northeast of Aleppo province in northern Syria, some 18 miles west of the Euphrates river and is currently the only area still controlled by Kurdish militias on the west bank of the Euphrates. Kalin added that Turkey stands for the earliest possible implementation of the Manbij roadmap, and calls for making Kurdish militias leave the east of the Euphrates. Ankara also "expects the continuation of the process of withdrawing American troops from Syria." Last December, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Ankara was ready to launch an offensive against the Kurdish militia in then Kurdish-controlled Manbij. However, following a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, the Turkish president said that the operation had been postponed. Trump himself announced the withdrawal of US troops from Syria after the same call. Washington and Ankara have long been at loggerheads over the status of Syrian Kurds. Also Turkey criticized the United States for delivering military supplies to Kurds in Syria. Turkey has repeatedly conducted operations against the Kurds. In March this year, Ankara announced its operation against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is designated by Turkey as a terrorist group, however, without revealing the targeted area. Back in 2018, Turkey led Operation Olive Branch in majority-Kurdish Afrin district in northern Syria. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkish FM: S-400 Systems Acquired by Turkey Pose No Threat to F-35 Fighter Jets Sputnik News 16:11 19.04.2019(updated 16:14 19.04.2019) ANKARA (Sputnik) - Russia's S-400 air defence systems, acquired by Turkey, do not pose a threat to the US fifth-generation F-35 fighter aircraft, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday. "We have been unable to receive such systems from our allies for 10 years and now we get S-400 from Russia. The United States says that S-400 will increase the vulnerability of F-35 aircraft. We do not think so, but let the experts express their opinion. We have proposed to create a joint commission, if they are so concerned about that. However, we have not received a response from the United States so far," Cavusoglu told reporters. According to the minister, S-400 air defence systems in Turkey will be under total control of Ankara. "There are S-400 systems in Syria and US warplanes flew dozens of times in this region. NATO aircraft fly in Norway [S-400 systems are stationed near border with Russia] and nobody worries about that. Therefore, we do not see a big problem and reasons for concern. But again, if this is a problem for them, let's discuss that. Our NATO allies must understand that we need air defense systems very urgently, and if we do not receive them from our allies, then we will take them where we can," Cavusoglu said. Turkey is one of the participants in the US F-35 international program. Washington has repeatedly threatened Ankara with sanctions for possible acquisition of Russian S-400 air defence systems and has not ruled out delaying or canceling the process of selling the F-35 aircraft to Turkey. Ankara, in its turn, has said that purchase of military equipment is its sovereign affair and ruled out the possibility of abandoning its plans. In December 2017, Russia and Turkey signed a loan agreement for the delivery of S-400 air defence systems to Ankara. The first shipment of S-400 air defence systems is expected to be delivered to Ankara in July. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey Insists It Will Remain Part of F-35 Programme Despite US Threats Sputnik News 09:18 19.04.2019 The United States has repeatedly warned of possible sanctions against Turkey under the 2017 Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), including halting the deliveries of F-35 fighter jets, if Ankara goes ahead with the purchase of S-400 air defence systems from Russia. Following a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Turkish presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin told reporters that Turkey would not be removed from the F-35 programme despite US threats to do so if Ankara does not abandon its S-400 deal with Russia. "Turkey is and will continue to be a partner of F-35 technology. We are not just a client or buyer of F-35s", he said. Earlier this week, Kalin warned that Ankara's exclusion from the fighter jet project would have a negative impact on the programme overall: "Turkey's removal from the F-35 programme will not be a punishment for Turkey, it will damage the programme [itself]. Rather than using language of threats from sanctions against Turkey, I think the people here in Congress, as well as this administration should understand Turkey's security concerns", Kalin stated, adding that he didn't believe that Washington could "afford to lose Turkey" as a partner. He continued by stressing that Ankara's "dialogue with Russia" and its decision to acquire its S-400s "does not target a third country": "We are a member of NATO. We value our strategic partnership with the United States", he concluded. On 1 April, the US Department of Defence announced that it had halted its delivery of F-35 fighter jet parts to Turkey and that it's looking for secondary sources of supply for Turkish-produced parts: "The United States has been clear that Turkey's acquisition of the S-400 is unacceptable. Therefore, the DoD has initiated steps necessary to ensure prudent programme planning and resiliency of the F-35 supply chain. Secondary sources of supply for Turkish-produced parts are now in development. [] Until they forgo delivery of the S-400, the United States has suspended deliveries and activities associated with the stand-up of Turkey's F-35 operational capability. Should Turkey procure the S-400, their continued participation in the F-35 program is at risk", the Pentagon announced. In the meantime, the US Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees once again warned of looming sanctions on Turkey last week and called on Ankara to make a choice. "By the end of the year, Turkey will have either F-35 advanced fighter aircraft on its soil or a Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile defence system. It will not have both", Republican Senators Jim Risch and Jim Inhofe, along with Democratic lawmakers Bob Menendez and Jack Reed, wrote in a New York Times article. The US has repeatedly threatened to impose sanctions on Turkey in the framework of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), a 2017 law drafted in response to Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential election, if Turkey acquires Russian air defences. Washington has long been concerned by the possibility of Ankara procuring S-400s along with F-35s, with the Pentagon worrying that it would allegedly give Russian experts key insights into confidential data related to the fighter jet's technology. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pollsters: Britain's Governing Conservatives Heading For Electoral Wipe-Out By Jamie Dettmer April 19, 2019 Britain's governing Conservative Party faces an historic loss in next month's European Parliament elections, warn party insiders and pollsters, as a result of its handling of Brexit and the delay of the country's departure from the European Union. Half-a-dozen opinion polls suggests the Conservative government of Prime Minister Theresa May could fall off a cliff and the center of British politics could be eroded, benefiting a new Brexit party founded in January by populist Nigel Farage and the Labour Party, which, under the leadership of socialist Jeremy Corbyn, has moved significantly to the left. "Populist parties are resurgent, politics is re-fragmenting, trust has all but vanished and left, center and right are in a rage. The atmosphere is surly, nasty and vicious," according to Allister Heath, a commentator. Few voters expected Some opinion polls are forecasting Conservative candidates in the May elections for the European Parliament will attract only 15 percent of the vote, which, if accurate, would be the party's worst electoral performance ever. The forecasts suggest Farage's Brexit party, which wants an immediate clean break with the European Union, regardless of the economic or political consequences for Britain, including Scotland opting for independence, will top the election. The Labour Party likely will come in a close second, thanks mainly to pro-Remain voters, who want Britain to stay in the European Union, the pollsters say. The polls bring home how Brexit is reshaping British politics and setting the country up for a major realignment not seen since the 1920s and the rise of the Labour Party. The likely biggest casualty of the political shift will be the Conservatives, also known as Tories, party insiders admit. Opposite camps Voters now identify more strongly with either the Leave or Remain camps than they do with Britain's parties, in a division that's falling more along socio-cultural lines than traditional socio-economic ones. When it comes to a possible general election in Britain, which many politicians expect to happen this year, polling data suggests that just half of the Conservative Party's lifelong voters would back it. A quarter say they will switch their vote to Farage's group or his old UK Independence Party, setting up the likelihood of Labour emerging as the largest parliamentary party and reliant on the support to govern of Scottish Nationalists, Liberal Democrats and a breakaway pro-Remain party called Change UK, made up of Labour and centrist Conservative defectors. Until this month it was unthinkable that Britain would have to take part in European elections. The country was due to leave the bloc on March 29, but now has a new departure date of October 31. But deadlock in the British parliament, where lawmakers refused to approve an exit deal negotiated by Prime Minister May with the European Union and also have not been prepared to leave the bloc without a deal, forced the exit delay. EU leaders had no option under the bloc's rules but to demand Britain participate in the elections for as long as it remains a member. Political system in crisis The Euro-elections couldn't have come at a worse time for a British political system that's cracking and creaking under the strain of an ill-tempered Brexit, which has seen Leavers demanding a sharp break with the Continent and pro-Europeans trying to salvage a so-called soft Brexit. May is holding talks with Labour in an attempt to secure a compromise exit deal involving a deeper, permanent customs deal with the European Union, a move that's infuriating hardline Brexiters in her party. Dozens of local party chairmen and hundreds of grassroots activists the party relies on for campaigning have said they will shun the elections and offer no help. The Conservative Party is also running out of money with big donors on both sides of the Remain and Leave debate, withholding their normal funding. "Many long-standing Tories are on strike," says Daniel Hannan, a Brexiter and Conservative European Parliament lawmaker. Writing in Britain's Sunday Times newspaper, Hannan raised the prospect of a complete Conservative meltdown next month. "There comes a point when a political party gets so badly hammered at a national poll that its position becomes irrecoverable. It happened to the Canadian Tories in 1993. It could happen to the British Tories next month," he warned. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Presidential Candidates Hold Debate Prior to Runoff Sputnik News 22:04 19.04.2019 KIEV (Sputnik) - Ukrainian presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Friday he was a judgment against current head of state Petro Poroshenko. "I am not your opponent, I am your verdict," Zelenskiy said during debates with Poroshenko at Kiev's Olimpiysky stadium. Zelenskiy said Friday he would do everything possible to end the "war" in Donbas. "And about the war: we will do everything to end it," Zelenskiy said during debates with his opponent, current president Petr Poroshenko. Zelenskiy further noted that Ukraine "is heading to Europe," and vowed to defend the European choice of Ukrainians in the event of his victory in the second round of presidential elections. "Ukraine has chosen the path to Europe and this is the most important thing. Ukraine paid a high price during Maidan Ukraine is going to Europe, and I, if people decide so, will defend the European choice of Ukraine," Zelenskiy said during debates with his opponent, incumbent leader Petro Poroshenko at Kiev's Olimpiyskiy stadium. The presidential candidate also jumped at the chance to play the Russian card, saying that he had never talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin, unlike his opponent in the presidential race, incumbent Ukrainian head of state Petro Poroshenko. "I have never talked to Putin in my life, while I know how many times you have had phone conversations with Putin," Zelenskiy told Poroshenko at their debate in Kiev, held ahead of their upcoming runoff. Zelensky added that he had not visited Russia since 2014. Poroshenko, in his turn, said that he would accept any choice of the Ukrainian people after the second round of presidential elections. "Dear Ukrainian people, I can stress that I will accept any choice of the Ukrainian people on [April] 21 and [on April] 22 life will continue, and on [April] 22 we must unite to protect the state together. The main thing is not to lose the country," Poroshenko said. The first round of the Ukrainian presidential election was held on March 31 and resulted in none of the candidates gaining the majority needed to win the race. The runoff is scheduled for Sunday. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Readying for Sunday's Presidential Election By VOA News April 19, 2019 Last minute preparations are underway for voters in the Eastern European country of Ukraine to select their next president on Sunday. They will choose between President Petro Poroshenko and Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a standup comic who plays a fictional president in a popular television series. The 41-year-old Zelenskiy, who has no political experience, is heavily favored to defeat Poroshenko, polls show. Zelenskiy's once long-shot bid for the presidency gained momentum amid voter frustration over corruption, economic woes and an ongoing conflict in the country's east. Poroshenko tried to energize his supporters at a rally Friday in Kiev's Independence Square, just hours before the candidates square off in a nationally televised debate in the city's Olympic Stadium. The 51-year-old president told several thousand supporters Zelenskiy would be exploited by Russian President Vladimir Putin if he were elected and said a Zelenskiy win would derail Ukraine's chances of integrating into the European Union (EU). Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in 2014 and the country has since been entangled in a war with Russian-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country. Zelenskiy has shunned traditional political campaigning, largely avoiding media interviews and touring the country with his comedy show instead. When he has spoken with the media, he has advocated for closer ties with the EU and NATO. He has also called for greater efforts to reintegrate the rebels in the east into the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW ORLEANS, April 19, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (KSF) and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors of pending deadlines in the following securities class action lawsuits: CVS Health Corporation (CVS) Class Period: 5/21/2015 - 2/20/2019 Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: April 26, 2019 SECURITIES FRAUD To learn more, visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-cvs/. Conagra Brands, Inc. (CAG) Class Period: 6/27/2018 - 12/19/2018; shares issued either in or after the October 2018 public offering. Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: April 23, 2019 SECURITIES FRAUD, MISLEADING PROSPECTUS To learn more, visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-cag/. The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) Class Period: 7/6/2015 - 2/21/2019 Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: April 25, 2019 SECURITIES FRAUD To learn more, visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgs-khc/ . Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (BPI), now Zovio Inc. (ZVO) Class Period: 3/8/2016 - 3/7/2019 Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: May 10, 2019 SECURITIES FRAUD To learn more, visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-bpi/ . If you purchased shares of the above companies and would like to discuss your legal rights 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, via email (Lewis.Kahn@KSFcounsel.com), or via the case links above. If you wish to serve as a Lead Plaintiff in the class action, you must petition the Court on or before the Lead Plaintiff Motion deadline. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC, 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 lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com 1-877-515-1850 1100 Poydras St., Suite 3200 New Orleans, LA 70163 As surveillance technologies have become increasingly common in public spaces, measures of consent and transparency have struggled to keep up. On any given day, urban citizens encounter more traffic and security cameras, bike lane counters, card readers, Wi-Fi signals or door sensors than they could possibly be aware of, and most people dont read the fine print in user agreements when they sign up for digital services.To get the ball rolling on addressing this problem, urban innovation startup Sidewalk Labs has developed a set of standardized icons to be placed on physical signs to tell people when theyre being recognized, when their data is being collected and by whom, where the information is going, and other things about their technological environment.As detailed in a blog post today on Medium.com , after a period of user research, Sidewalk Labs convened more than 100 participants from various cities over the past few months to sketch, debate, iterate and prototype a visual system of symbols, shapes and colors.Were far from the days where signs needed to convey simple ideas like stop or go. Our public realm has become more complex and oversaturated with signs and informational cues, said Spencer Cathcart, creative director at Puncture Design, in a statement included in Sidewalk Labs blog post. New technology requires a richer visual language with roots in visual systems we already understand. It requires the knowledge and ideas of a wide range of experts, an iterative and collaborate process and an obsession with getting it right.The blog post said user research identified two primary categories of information people wanted to know about digital technology: its purpose, and the accountable entity. People also wanted an easy way to learn more, such as whether or not the technology could see or identify them.Sidewalk Labs group chose four hexagonal icons to relay this information. One of these conveys the purpose of the technology being labeled, one contains the logo of the responsible entity, one has a scannable QR code that leads to more detailed information, and a colored hexagon combines an icon displaying the technology type (video, image, audio or other) with a color to mark how identifiable information is used yellow for identifiable and blue for de-identified before first use, among others. This hexagon only appears when the technology can identify people.For anyone who wants more detailed information, the QR code leads to a mobile site that displays a linear chain of icons, also including circles and squares. At the top of the chain are hexagons showing the organization, purpose and type of technology; followed by circular icons containing symbols to say whether the data collected is identifiable, how it gets processed and who can access it; followed by squares with symbols that convey where the data gets stored and who has access to it.In its blog post, Sidewalk Labs said it made these concepts, workshop activities and materials available to the public in hopes that others might adopt or build upon them. The first draft of these design patterns is available in the "Digital Transparency in the Public Realm" repository on GitHub Sidewalk Labs said multiple cities have agreed to start testing this visual language on physical, hexagonal signs near sensor technologies, and the company is working on software to help managers of public spaces make their own signage with QR codes.We stand at a critical point in the development of our cities where technology is increasing all around us yet most of us are oblivious to how this technology is being used and to what ends, said Jeff Merritt, the World Economic Forums head of IoT, robotics and smart cities, in a statement. This is a global challenge and we need global solutions. (TNS) Butler County will save about $700,000 on new voting equipment, and the machines are like huge iPads so voters will have an easier time casting their ballots, officials said.County Administrator Judi Boyko said when she and Board of Elections staff began negotiating with preferred provider Dominion, the price dropped from the estimate of $8.5 million and they were able to secure guaranteed, compatible software upgrades that were crucial to the commissioners. The state will pay about $3.2 million toward Butler Countys purchase of new equipment.As long as we own the equipment, Dominion has to provide a software application that is practical and useful to the existing infrastructure, Boyko said. As long as we have those (machines), they are going to have to continue to provide us software that will run on our hardware.The county entered the process of buying new voting machines with fresh memories of a challenging purchase of Motorola emergency radio equipment. The communication equipment giant handed the county a $19 million radio replacement bill, because it stopped making the devices first responders all use and stopped servicing the old ones last year.Planned software upgrades for this year and 2021 could also potentially render the old radios useless. The county was able to negotiate a $10 million solution.The countys voting equipment is 15 years old, and BOE Director Diane Noonan said the new machines will be much easier to use.They are crisper, theyre cleaner, theyre easier to navigate, Noonan said. People are so used to iPads, these are like huge iPads. They are very easy to maneuver around in.Deputy Director Eric Corbin said the touch screen technology in this new system is much more similar to the cell phones and tablets that people are using, when they go and tap on it with the tip of their finger its going to do just what they expect it to.The commissioners have yet to vote on the purchase, but all three abandoned the cheaper $6.3 million paper ballot system this week.The biggest decision now is how to pay for the system. Boyko gave the commissioners several payment plan options ranging from $4.3 million for an outright purchase to $4.48 million if the payback is 10 years. The 10-year payment plan includes a $196,685 finance charge.Boyko said she has been identifying funding sources so the commissioners should have the option of paying up front.We are going to present some options to them, she said. From my limited time here its been made very clear the commissioners do not like to be in a position where they are owing money whether its debt or payment plans.The county general fund debt is planned to roll to zero next year.Commissioner Don Dixon, who balked at the high total price when the BOE made its recommendation, said he believes that board when they say the old machines must be replaced. The paper ballot option is not in the interest I believe of anyone, he said.He said the county hasnt finished negotiating and the price might drop a little more.Ive gotten the rough numbers and theyre pretty much a wash between financing it and what you could invest the money for and have a return, he said. Well have that much more money in revenues than projected for 19 anyway, so well still be able to hit our debt-free number and pay for it if we want.Commissioner T.C. Rogers hasnt made up his mind on the funding mechanism yet.The option to make payments is still being considered, he said.Commissioner Cindy Carpenter said she is leaning toward the outright purchase.Noonan and Corbin said they hope to have the new machines in-house by July, which will give them enough time to prepare them for use in the November election this year. The goal has always been for voters picking a president next year to cast their ballot on new equipment. (TNS) LOWVILLE Mohawk Networks has brought Gov. Andrew Cuomos Broadband for All program in Lewis County to a halt, citing the financial burden of constructing the 36 fixed-wireless projects involved.According to a document provided to county officials by Mohawk Networks, dated March 11, the company cited the Dec. 31 deadline to complete phases 2 and 3 of the project, grant constraints and the reimbursement structure as reasons for their action.Mohawk Networks is ceasing the work on projects that we have invested in for nearly two years, the document said.According to the Lewis County zoning board, Mohawk Networks has pulled current and future zoning applications.On Feb. 14, Mohawks document said, the companys Board of Managers notified the Empire State Development Broadband Project Office of their decision to stop their work because the two entities had failed to find solutions to the companys issues.Mohawks document said they needed at least a six-month extension on the projects deadline, more flexibility in grant disbursement terms and more money from the development office.Empire State Development was unable to provide any flexibility in identifying a solution, the document said. Mohawk Networks said they have already invested $1.3 million in the project without an agreement on grant disbursement.The document said the project cost has nearly doubled because of the increasing costs of steel and the cost and time challenges of acquiring tower sites. The document also listed topography as a reason for the price increase without further explanation.Mohawk officials said they believe they are being expected to carry all of the financial risk involved with the project without any agreements in place, saying they would have to finance $24 million to complete the project at the risk of over-leveraging the tribes businesses.The number of towers that we needed to build and the cost to build those towers is too steep for the Tribe to cover without a return on that investment, the document said. That would have placed the Tribe in a position of financial instability.In March 2017, Mohawk Networks was awarded a $6.4 million project grant for the $7.9 million broadband project to include all of Lewis County and some sites in Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Oneida counties. The plan for Lewis County included using a mixture of newly constructed and existing towers.Of the 3,600 homes that were anticipating high speed internet access through Mohawk Networks, about 3,000 are in Lewis County, 240 in Jefferson County, 180 in St. Lawrence County and 220 in Oneida County, according to the Empire State Development Broadband Project website.Mohawk Networks said they had delivered broadband to 126 homes, on time and on budget, and basic infrastructure has been completed that could serve hundreds of other homes.Mohawk Networks has every intention to continue delivering broadband to the households that are currently served as part of the completed Phase 2 part one project, the document said.Mohawk Networks is owned by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribes Tewathahonni Corp. and managed by a seven-person board that includes members of Tribal Council and the community of Akwesasne. It was launched in 2015 after the completion of a $15 million broadband project that laid 68 miles of fiber, connecting residents of Akwesasne to reliable, cost-effective broadband service.Although representatives from the Mohawk Networks and the state broadbrand program could be reached for this article, both entities provided written statements on the situation after it was published.The Mohawk Networks General Manager Alysson Doctor said Empire State Development has been a fantastic partner, but despite both parties efforts, a solution couldnt be found.Both parties worked diligently to make the project viable and the State went above and beyond to make this project a reality, the statement said, The projected cost of the build, versus the actual cost to complete construction nearly doubled, and Mohawk Networks had to make an extremely difficult decision based on our own financial stability.A state development office spokespersons statement said the agency was disappointed about Mohawks decision, but that the broadband program office had given Mohawk unprecedented support and flexibility to allow it to be successful.The statement said that no funds have been distributed relating to Mohawks projects, but the broadband office is working to get the project up and running again.The BPO is actively speaking with alternative providers about covering any unserved areas as soon as possible, the statement said. What is 5G? Cities evaluate small cells (TNS) You may not think much about the small elongated cylinders or boxes perched on rooftops or street lights.But those small wireless facilities, dubbed small cells, are the building blocks for 5G, an ultra-fast wireless technology that will quicken the things you do on your cellphone and unleash a new generation of devices.5G wont roll out to much of Southern California for a few more years, but companies such as Verizon and AT&T are beginning to install the necessary infrastructure, including those small cells pole by pole, across the region.Communities from Huntington Beach to Pasadena are grappling with more and more requests to install equipment and balancing the emerging technology needs 5G will also help them improve operations from addressing gridlock in their streets to deciding where to dispatch police officers with residents who are still concerned about the community aesthetics and the potential impacts of radiation on their health.And the federal government is now stepping in to make sure communities dont get in the way of deploying the infrastructure as quickly and as widely as possible.The FCC is trying to take away control of the time, place, manner and even aesthetics, Antonia Graham, assistant to the Huntington Beach city manager, said of the government agencys efforts to restrict cities control over the small cell structures. For communities, we are hamstrung by the FCC.Cellphone towers have traditionally been tall, bulky steel towers maybe fashioned to look like a palm tree or evergreen spaced hundreds of yards or even miles apart.But for 5G to work, at least in dense areas such as urban Southern California, companies need to pack their cell sites tightly together hundreds of feet apart and closer to the users.Why? With 5G, companies can begin to use whats called a millimeter wave. The high-frequency wave doesnt travel far, but it can deliver a much faster Internet speed, up to 20 times faster than 4G, and with a quicker response, Verizon says. That means with 5G, you can download a full, high-definition movie within a couple of minutes and you will spend less time waiting between clicking a link and having it show up on your cellphone.But the technology has a greater ramification than just providing a faster Internet experience, UC Irvine computer science professor Scott Jordan said.4G can handle Internet traffic from smartphones and tablets, but not much beyond that.5G, because it has a higher capacity, can handle the increasing traffic from your new Alexa devices and that refrigerator that emails you a shopping list. It allows self-driving cars to communicate with each other so they dont get in a crash. Manufacturing plants can use wireless sensors to alert when equipment is breaking down. Cities can deploy wireless sensors to collect a variety of data throughout the community from street light outages to airplane noise levels.There are so many different applications you can put in those street light poles, Huntington Beachs Graham said.The proliferation of requests to install the small cell equipment has also been beneficial to many city budgets around Southern California.Cities have negotiated annual payments from wireless companies installing a small cell on a utility pole that range from $40 to $4,000, according to data collected by the California Street Light Association.Crown Castle, a wireless infrastructure company, is installing small cells on Long Beachs street poles and other city-owned space. In return, Long Beach is getting upwards of $1,500 a pole and use of the companys infrastructure to build out the citys fiber network, the California Street Light Associations 2018 report said. Daniel Schweizer, Crown Castles director of government affairs for the western United States, said the company has made tremendous progress in installing small cells in Southern California, engaging with 25 of 34 of Orange County cities, for instance.But the Federal Communications Commission is now restricting how much cities can charge the companies to install equipment: $500 for up to five cells, $100 a cell after that and a $270 annual access fee for each cell.As more Americans use more wireless services, demand for new technologies, coverage and capacity will necessarily increase, making it critical that the deployment of wireless infrastructure, particularly small wireless facilities, not be stymied by unreasonable state and local requirements, the FCC wrote in its September order. The concern now is wireless companies will try to break or renegotiate down existing agreements and the FCCs restrictions could keep cities from recouping their cost for reviewing and administering proposals and permits, said Rony Berdugo, a legislative representative for the League of California Cities, which advocates for local governments.La Verne city officials recently said the FCC ruling has reduced the revenue they expected from a citywide project from $150,000 annually to $35,000 a year.More than a dozen cities, including Arcadia, Huntington Beach, Ontario and San Jacinto, filed a petition in January challenging the FCC ruling in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.Cities also now have only 60 to 90 days to review the permits for a small cell.That small of a window means residents will have less time to voice their opinions about the look or effect on their neighborhood of cell sites, San Juan Capistrano Councilman Sergio Farias said. Officials expect an influx of requests in the next year or so.We should have the discretion to listen to our residents, he said.But Crown Castles Schweizer said the ruling will help both cities and the wireless industry. Setting up the predictability of what can be a confusing process is a benefit for the industry, community and the city staff.Schweizer didnt have an answer for how many small cells will likely be installed in Southern California in the next few years. But he was sure of one thing: When you see a large, dense area youll see a large amount of small cells. Lack of Consensus Industry Voices and the Political Process Future Legislation A large privacy bill in Washington state that had been expected to pass this session has failed to do so.The Washington Privacy Act (WPA) would have been the second of its kind in the nation, a regulatory framework designed to tackle big tech and consumer issues like facial recognition software and consumer data.A fraught legislative process saw it heralded as a bill made in the image of other major privacy bills the EUs General Data Protection Regulation or the California Consumer Privacy Act while its detractors consistently argued it lacked proper consumer protections and was too influenced by lobbying efforts from tech companies.After being introduced in January and passing overwhelmingly in the Senate two months later, the bill stalled in committee, failing to come to the House floor for a vote. While there is still technically an opportunity for the bill to advance, it is not expected to be discussed again this session, said Alex Alben, the states chief privacy officer.The bills primary sponsor, Sen. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, took to social media Thursday, saying that he was committed to seeing legislation passed next year.We built alignment that well-crafted, strong #dataprivacy is imperative to consumers and society. Unfortunately, House failed to pass privacy legislation this year. We're committed to 2020, Carlyle tweeted Why the bill failed is a matter of who you ask. Proponents of the bill have said it was purely a matter of the House and Senate not being able to get on the same page, while privacy rights activists have laid blame for the irresolution on the tech industry and its resistance to certain consumer protections that some legislators wanted to include.The WPA went through a large number of revisions since its introduction in January, with a flurry of amendments and adjustments taking place over the last few weeks of negotiations. Ultimately, a number of critical policy issues proved too contentious for consensus to emerge, said 11th District Rep. Zack Hudgins, who chairs the Houses Innovation, Technology and Economic Development committee, and was involved with the bill.One of the most argued issues was the bill's approach to the regulation of facial recognition software, Hudgins said. Critics, many of which supported a total moratorium on the technology, have argued that face recording victimizes minority demographics, and presents a more generalized threat to civil liberties. Most versions of WPA allowed a looser approach to the technology, with proponents of more lax regulations often industry groups arguing the bill struck "the right balance" of permissiveness and restriction.Meanwhile, enforcement proved another stumbling block. The Washington bill differed from the GDPR and the CPPA in that it did not allow for a private right of action that is, the ability of individuals to sue companies if they infringed upon their rights. Instead, the WPA ceded the role of enforcement to the state's Attorney Generals Office, which would have acted on behalf of a collective of people presumably affected by corporate malfeasance. The lack of private right of action within the bill was something that some legislators and activists consistently criticized.Discussions also came to a head over the issue of basic definitions for bill terms, said Hudgins. Overly broad wording for certain key terms led to a fear that companies would be able to "put almost anything into a user agreement," he said. "That's where I thought the bill could have been better and stronger; there were some of these [rhetorical] loopholes in it."Privacy rights activists have alleged that the states tech industry had a disproportionate influence in crafting the legislation.Industry representatives from companies, including Microsoft, were consistently involved in the negotiations and had a visible presence at most public meetings associated with the bill, according to those knowledgable about the situation.Furthermore, many of those same representatives publicly criticized another privacy bill with stronger consumer protections that was drafted by the ACLU and introduced in January, according to Shankar Narayan, the director of the organization's Washington chapter. When that bill floundered, industry figures then rallied around Carlyle's bill, which had looser regulation and fewer protections, he said."Overall, we really see this [bill] as big tech attempting to preempt meaningful regulation by seizing control of the process themselves, essentially writing a bill and putting a ton of resources and pressure on the legislature to pass it without a real public process, said Narayan, in an interview withHudgins said he wasnt sure it was fair to characterize tech companies influence as disproportionate, but said they were very involved in the process.I can tell you that the industry was spending a lot of time on the bill, Hudgins said. There were a lot of lobbyists. There was a lot of discussion. They were in the room. There were a lot of meetings. I dont know if it was disproportionate or not, but they were very involved with the bill all the way through the process.Closed-door meetings hosted and facilitated by the governors office during the final stretch of negotiations saw invitations to a cadre of senators and representatives, as well as to officials from Amazon, Comcast, Microsoft, and the Association of Washington Business, emails provided by the ACLU show. However, other consumer interest groups were left out of the picture when they should have been included, said Narayan.There was a discussion about why there werent other voices in the room, Hudgins said, of the closed-door meetings. It certainly doesnt look good when youve only got industry folks there and not consumer voices. Certainly the elected officials are there to help protect consumers.Even as Washington failed to pass the WPA, it seems clear that comprehensive privacy legislation is on the rise. Texas, Massachusetts, New York and other states have seen bills introduced this year that would seek to accomplish similar ends.Looking to the future, Hudgins said it would be important to take the lessons learned from this session when legislators tried again next year.There is discussion underway of allocating funds from the fiscal budget to put together a task force to study the issues under consideration in the bill, he added.The hope is that weve learned we need to have more voices in the room if we discuss these issues, Hudgins said. Especially around facial recognition, we need to make sure that the communities who are most affected by this technology are in the room. ...We need a broader and more robust discussion in order to find better agreement.Narayan, speaking for the ACLU, said in an email that he hopes next year the process is more inclusive. "We are hopeful that if the bill does not come back, a meaningful stakeholder process can begin in the legislative interim, with consumer rights and impacted community advocates at the table," he said. (TNS) The citys two state legislators have emerged as key players in what promises to become a revived debate about police body cameras at the N.C. General Assembly. State Reps. John Faircloth, R-Guilford, and Cecil Brockman, D-Guilford, have introduced separate bills that would govern the oversight of police body cameras used by law enforcement officers in the state.Faircloth, a retired High Point police chief, on Tuesday introduced a bill that would amend the current state law on police body cameras to give local governments more flexibility in reviewing footage.Under the current police body camera law, a city council or county board of commissioners first has to get permission from a Superior Court judge to review the footage. House Bill 791 would eliminate that requirement.Instead, a city council or county board of commissioners could vote by a simple majority to review the footage at the request of a city manager or county manager, Faircloth told. Faircloth is seeking the change to give cities and counties greater discretion in reviewing a case in their communities.They cant distribute them (the footage) anywhere. Theyve got to keep them within their operation as a review board, Faircloth said.Under the police body camera law enacted three years ago, footage isnt a public record. Footage can be released only with the permission of law enforcement or through a request in the court system.House Bill 791 also would override any local rules governing police body camera footage that arent authorized by the state.A municipality or county shall not enact any ordinance or regulation relating to the release of law enforcement agency recordings, and this section preempts any existing county or municipal ordinances or regulations on its subject matter, according to the legislation.Faircloth told The Enterprise that he wants to streamline the law so we wont have people going off in so many different directions.Meanwhile, Brockman and other House Democrats last week filed a bill to require law enforcement officers in North Carolina to wear body cameras and set up a fund to help pay for it.House Bill 706 would require law enforcement officers to wear and activate a body camera during interactions with the public. A $10 million state fund would be established to help local law enforcement agencies purchase and maintain body cameras.Ensuring safe interactions between law enforcement and the communities they serve is crucial for public safety. This bill works to build trust between those groups as it protects citizens by increasing transparency and protects law enforcement from false claims of misconduct, Brockman said.Brockman has pushed for required police body cameras since he first became a legislator five years ago, though his legislation hasnt gained much traction in the Republican-controlled House. Still, he continues to propel his proposal to keep the conversation going, he toldFaircloth said the current law on police body cameras, which leaves local law enforcement with the discretion whether to use them, has worked well.There was a lot of consternation from all directions when we first started. But very seldom do we hear any complaints now, Faircloth said.Locally, officers of the Greensboro Police Department and deputies with the Guilford County Sheriffs Office use body cameras. The High Point Police Department doesnt use body cameras.High Point Police Chief Ken Shultz said he continues to have concerns about police body cameras because of privacy issues, release of footage and who can view the video and audio. The High Point police do have dash-cams on police cruisers.Shultz toldthat the technology on police body cameras still needs to evolve.I have seen many technological changes but still hope to see the cameras become more discreet and less noticeable, the chief said. I know first-hand how much having a camera recording impacts interaction. In law enforcement we deal with many sensitive situations ranging from victims describing what happened to them to informants and citizens providing suspect information. Total OECD annual production of crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL), and refinery feedstocks increased by 10.3% in 2018 compared to 2017, reaching a record total monthly production of over 100 million tons at the beginning of the year and remaining above this for almost all of 2018, according to the IEA. This trend was observed across all OECD regions with the OECD Americas seeing the largest growth (+12.2%), followed by OECD Europe (+0.6%) and OECD Asia Oceania (+2.5%) in absolute terms. Production from the United States rose to a record high in the third quarter of 2018, and increased by 17.1% or 105 Mt in 2018 compared to 2017. Canadian production also increased on an annual basis (+8.1%), due to robust production of crude oil, while Mexicos production continued to fall (-6.3%). The United Kingdom experienced the largest growth in production in OECD Europe (+10.1%) due to multiple new projects on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf coming online in late 2017. Italy also experienced significant growth (+12.6%), reflecting the re-opening of facilities in the Val dAgri region which was closed in mid-2017 due to leaks from on-site storage tanks. Within OECD Europe, the growth in Italy was partially offset by declines in Norway (-6.2%), where several fields were under maintenance in 2018. Production decreases in Norway are also due to natural production declines from mature fields that are not being compensated by new fields coming online. Growth in production in OECD Asia Oceania was driven by growth in Australia (+4.4%), where the production of condensates increased due to new LNG projects coming online. The OECD Americas was responsible for 85% of total OECD production of crude oil, NGL and refinery feedstocks in 2018, with 56% of this being produced in the United States. Refinery gross output of total products within the OECD remained relatively stable (-0.3%) in 2018 compared to 2017. On a regional level, moderate growth in the OECD Americas (+0.6%) was offset by decreases in output in both OECD Europe (-1.5%) and OECD Asia Oceania (-0.4%). The United States was responsible for the growth in the OECD Americas (+2.2%) and experienced the largest growth in refining activity in the OECD as a whole. This was due to a large increase in the production of middle distillates (+1.9%). In contrast, Mexico experienced the largest decrease in the OECD in absolute terms (-19.7%), due to prolonged maintenance at the Madero refinery in the last half of 2018. Within OECD Europe, the largest decline in refinery output was observed in Germany (-4.4%). This was mainly due to an explosion in the Bayern oil refinery in September 2018, which led to a decrease in production levels for this last quarter of the year. This was also compounded by maintenance activity in several other refineries throughout 2018. A large decline was also observed in France (-5.9%) due to increased maintenance activity in the second quarter of 2018. Decreases in the output of all products were observed in OECD Europe. OECD Asia Oceanias decrease was driven by Japan (-4.9%) due to a combination of scheduled maintenance programs and the unscheduled shut-down of the Hokkaido refinery following a large earthquake in September. Growth in both Korea (+2.5%) and Australia (+12.6%) was able to offset the drop in Japan, and there was an increase of output of all other products (+2.6%) in the region as a whole. Total imports of crude oil, NGL and refinery feedstocks to individual OECD countries were 2.7% lower in 2018 compared to 2017, with all OECD regions contributing to this decline. OECD Europe experienced the largest decline in imports (-3.0%), followed by the OECD Americas (-2.7%) and OECD Asia Oceania (-2.0%). Overall OECD imports of crude oil, NGL and refinery feedstocks from Iran and Russia decreased significantly by 41.6% and 9.8% respectively, while imports from the United States grew by 55.1%. Imports from Saudi Arabia also decreased (-2.8%), however it was the largest exporter to the OECD in 2018, taking the lead from Russia which was the largest supplier to the OECD in 2017. Total imports of total products to individual OECD countries increased by 3.1% in 2018 compared to 2017. Growth was observed in both the OECD Americas (+11.0%) and OECD Asia Oceania (+6.1%), while OECD Europe experienced a slight decline (-0.5%). Most notably, imports of other kerosene increased across all OECD regions, by 18.1% in total. Overall, the OECD continues to be a net exporter of refined products, but exports remained relatively stable in 2018 compared to 2017 (+0.3%). Exports of crude oil, NGL and refinery feedstocks increased by 13.3% in 2018, with the largest volumes destined for the United States and the Far East. Total OECD net deliveries of refined products grew by 1.0% in 2018 compared to 2017, reflecting growth in the OECD Americas (+2.4%) and OECD Europe (+0.15%), while deliveries decreased in OECD Asia Oceania (-1.6%). Growth in the OECD Americas can be attributed to higher deliveries of gas/diesel oil (+4.8%), where the most notable growth was in the United States (+5.1%) and Canada (+3.8%) due to a particularly cold winter. The OECD Americas also saw a large decrease in the demand of naphtha (-13.6%). OECD Asia Oceania experienced similar trends to the OECD Americas, with the largest increase in deliveries being for gas/diesel oil (+1.5%) and the largest decrease being for naphtha (-5.5%). The trend for gas/diesel oil was driven by Australia (+6.9%), while Korea (-5.4%) and Japan (-5.5%) were responsible for the decreases in demand of naphtha in the region. The upward trend in OECD Europe was partially driven by higher demand for total kerosene (+4.3%), particularly in the United Kingdom (+3.8%) and France (+3.7%). Increased demand for total kerosene was seen across the OECD, with a growth of 2.6% in the OECD as a whole. Total OECD stocks of total oil on national territory remained broadly unchanged in 2018 compared to 2017 and closed at 531 million metric tons. A stock build was observed in the OECD Americas (+1.0%), and was balanced by stock draws in both OECD Europe (-1.2%) and OECD Asia Oceania (-1.0%). In the OECD Americas, stocks of total oil on national territory grew by 2.3 million metric tons due to increases in both primary products (+1.7 Mt) and secondary products (+0.6 Mt). This was despite large drawdowns of United States crude stockpiles at the Cushing, Oklahoma storage hub in the first quarter of 2018. Stocks of total oil in OECD Europe decreased by 2.2 million metric tons, due to large stock draws of refined petroleum products (-2.6 Mt). The largest decrease was observed in Germany (-0.5 Mt). Stocks of total oil also decreased in OECD Asia Oceania (-1.1 Mt), due to large stock draws of crude oil, NGL and refinery feedstocks in Korea (-3.1 Mt). File / Hearst Connecticut Media Connecticut players have more than held their own in two of the American Contract Bridge Leagues annual contests, the North American Open Teams and the North American Open Pairs. Over the years, a great many players from this state have represented New England at these two events, winning several of them outright and finishing high in the rankings in a number of others. It therefore came as somewhat of a shock when, at the NAOT Flight A playoffs held last weekend at Sturbridge, Mass., only one player out of more than a dozen from Connecticut even made it to the semifinal. Nearly all the other semifinalists were from Massachusetts. Two local players playing on different teams, Rich De Martino and Steve Becker, both of whom have represented New England at the national final on numerous occasions, were among those who failed to make it to the second day of the competition. With Venezuela in flames, China and Russia are seeking claims in the rubble. But the United States has been caught flat-footed, and the Pentagon is struggling to develop ways to blunt the countries' influence in Latin America since President Donald Trump has antagonized and distanced himself from nations in the Western Hemisphere. RELATED: An armed militia was 'detaining' migrants at the border. The FBI arrested its leader. Defense officials have sought non-force options to deter China and Russia in Venezuela, CNN reported this week, through a mix of humanitarian missions and more training in Latin America led by U.S. Southern Command, the Pentagon arm that oversees a sixth of the world's land mass. Yet experts said those efforts and others are in opposition to pressure and rhetoric from the White House, which has made significant demands to Latin American nations to curb migration and drug trafficking without offering much in return - all while ceding influence and support that Russia, and particularly China, have been happy to take over. "The Trump administration's policy has supercharged China's increased presence in the region," said Benjamin Gedan, former National Security Council official under the Obama administration and a senior adviser to the Latin American program at the Wilson Center, a Washington think tank. "It's entirely counterproductive." For years, China and Russia have sought more influence in the Western Hemisphere, but are increasingly emboldened to bolster their economic and security positions in South America, Central America and the Caribbean. RELATED: Top Democrats say the party is still weighing impeachment after the Mueller report China has pledged to invest $250 billion there and reach half a trillion dollars in trade, while Russia has taken root to antagonize the United States and demonstrate its might. Both have invested billions in Venezuela, though some experts have questioned Russia's true prominence and focus on the region. Meanwhile, the Trump administration's approach to Latin America is a house of mirrors and contradictions as it emphasizes relations mainly through migration and crime. Citing a crush of immigrants at the border, Trump plans to slash aid for Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, where assistance is aimed at combating corruption, stimulating economics and reducing violence - the issues that have driven migration to the United States. Administration officials have said they do not think the aid has been effective. Trump has also leveled sanctions on Cuba and Nicaragua for their support of the embattled Maduro government in Venezuela, recalled a trio of diplomats after Central American nations no longer recognized Taiwan, imposed steel tariffs harmful to Brazil and told a former Mexican president he would consider sending U.S. troops over the border of its neighbor and ally to battle cartels. Those and other measures have angered Latin American officials and have led some to reassess the worth of a U.S. relationship. "There is harsh rhetoric coming from the White House but not a lot offered by way of replacement," said Cynthia Arnson, the director of the Wilson Center's Latin American program. "The reaction has been: The U.S. treats us as the enemy, in economic terms." RELATED: US won't renew sanctions waivers for importing Iranian oil Other parts of the administration have scrambled to assert the United States as the favored power in the region. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has toured the hemisphere and criticized China and Russia for what he has described as strengthening authoritarian leaders and spreading corruption. "On this continent, the United States is showing up as never before - reminding our friends of how much we have in common, of how much our interests align, and how much we love you," Pompeo said April 12 in Lima. Pompeo added: "China, Russia - they're showing up at the doorstep, but once they enter the house, we know the debt traps. They will use debt traps, they will disregard rules, and they will spread disorder in your home." A senior administration official blamed the Obama administration for "neglect" in the region and said Trump has worked to amass a coalition to support a democratic transition for Venezuela. U.S. Southern Command did not return a request for comment. While the administrations works to curb China and Russia incursions, those nations are already there, and China particularly has marbled South America with military hardware, technology and direct military relationships that have signaled deeper interest. That has prompted some concern on the continent, most recently over a $50 million, Chinese military-built satellite control center that towers over the Patagonian steppe, triggering speculation it may also double as a surveillance station. China has sold aircraft, weapons and military equipment in Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador and other nations to burrow itself in local infrastructure and political decisions. It has also ramped up military exercises and humanitarian missions, and in distributing arms and technology, it has created an environment where it can fine-tune its equipment and distribution networks. "China is trying to rewire the world," said R. Evan Ellis, a research professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College. It is the same playbook that Southern Command has used for years, he said. China's recent influence is even more stark when compared to that of Russia, Ellis said. Russian proliferation of arms and military hardware, most notably in Venezuela, has declined as nations look to China for more reliable systems. And Chinese mobilizations and invitations for young Latin American officers to train in China demonstrates a seriousness that Russia has not often shown. Russian deployments of warplanes and vessels to Cuba and Venezuela for years have pointed more to provocation than strategy, but Russia has far less to lose in the region, Ellis said. "Everything about Russian presence shows weakness far more than it shows strength," he said. "It doesn't have any logic or sustainability." This has been a grim month for Egyptians who seek a better life and believe in dignity and freedom. First, on April 9, there was President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's visit to the White House, where he received a warm welcome from his U.S. counterpart. President Donald Trump uttered only a few hollow compliments about the situation in Egypt; he made no mention of Sissi's dismal human rights record. Then, on April 16, the tame parliament in Cairo approved amendments to the constitution that could allow Sissi to remain in office until 2030. According to statements by two senior judicial officials, the amendments would give Sissi complete authority over the judiciary and institutionalize the military's dominance over political life. Final approval of the amendments remains subject to a national referendum - which the authorities have now scheduled for Saturday through Monday. Given Sissi's iron control of the government and the media, his previous record of election fraud and manipulation, and the absence of independent national and international elections-monitoring mechanisms, no one doubts the amendments will pass. Sissi's five years in power have brought Egypt to a dark place. Since 2013, the country has experienced the biggest authoritarian crackdown in its modern history, aimed at members of the peaceful opposition, both Islamist and secular. More than 60,000 people have been jailed for political reasons, and hundreds have died in prison. According to the United Nations, torture has become a common and systematic practice in all places of detention, whether civilian or military; sexual assault is sometimes involved. More than 2,500 people have been sentenced to death by civilian and military courts since 2013; more than 160 of those involved have been executed, according to Egyptian and international rights groups. Most of the victims are peaceful secular and Islamist activists. Presidential candidates running against Sissi were either arrested or threatened. And anyone who dared to object to the amendments was thrown in jail. Yet the brutality doesn't stop there. Egyptians now find themselves confronting the phenomenon of "false positives." That's a term coined in Latin America, where security forces kidnapped civilians, executed them in remote areas and passed them off as militants killed in combat. Since 2015, Egyptian security forces have announced the killings of more than 460 people, alleging that they were terrorists killed in action. While more than 300 of those killed remain unnamed, numerous forensic reports, as well as testimony and evidence contradict the narratives of the security forces, pointing instead to extrajudicial executions. Some of the victims were in police custody for months before their deaths. These crimes have been facilitated by the Egyptian judiciary, which has been fully co-opted by the security services. The United Nations has referred to some trials as a "mockery of justice." The media has been entirely silenced. Dozens of journalists are in jail, and more than 500 news websites have been blocked. And while international rights groups have been forced out of the country, Egyptian rights defenders must contend every day with death threats, prosecution, imprisonment and asset freezes. Holding Sissi accountable in Egypt is an impossibility, meaning his crimes can only be addressed by the international community. It is encouraging that his visit to Washington prompted a wave of critical scrutiny from Congress, the media, think tanks and activists. This is also why a group of exiled human rights defenders (including me) have now formed the Egyptian Human Rights Forum (EHRF), the first organization of our country to include both secularists and non-partisan Islamists with the aim of promoting a human rights-based political dialogue, both at home and abroad. We aim to ensure that political reform after Sissi rests on the respect of universal human rights for all without any compromises based on political or religious criteria. Our effort is consciously aimed at the future as well as the present. The warm welcome we have received from the political and human rights community inside Egypt, as well as from the diaspora, are very promising signs. We believe human rights will ultimately prove to be a transcendent framework that bypasses the chronic ideological and political divisions among Egyptians. If that happens, then Sissi's unprecedented brutality may well turn out to have been partly responsible for that progress. - - - Bahey eldin Hassan is the director of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) and a founding member and chief adviser of the Egyptians Human Rights Forum (EHRF). We've had the team's hands on the Samsung Galaxy Fold pretty much non stop ever since it arrived a couple of days ago and as we settle in for the weekend, we decided to gather a few early impressions of the novel gadget and share them with you. As a first-generation device, the Galaxy Fold is not without teething issues in need of ironing out, and we expect that some of these will be worked out by the time early adopters get their retail units in. Okay, now that the preamble is out of the way, let's quickly look at the few issues we've found before we move onto the exciting aspects of the Galaxy Fold. Number 1. Some apps that are landscape-only (such as games) are very specific about their orientation and won't rotate the other way around if you turn the phone. This means that the phone has a very specific orientation preset when it comes to landscape and it's a cleaver one as in this orientation you won't muffle the speakers. Number 2. Apps that don't support the Continuity feature (where you'll open an app on the smaller screen and then unfold the phone to the larger one) will display huge black bars on either side of the app window once you unfold. We hope the most popular apps will be updated soon to fix that. The Galaxy Fold has some issues with apps Number 3. We found that shooting photos and video on the smaller external screen is a lackluster experience (likely due to its smaller size, or perhaps slightly inferior quality?) but when we unfold the Galaxy Fold it feels like taking photos with an iPad. Browsing your photos on the large screen however is a joy, and that makes up for it. Plus, we were able to verify that the image quality is just the same as on the Galaxy S10+. Number 4. If you unfold the phone, the external screen will not work under any circumstance. And while that makes sense, we feel it's a lost opportunity to have it a looking glass for when you are taking photos of a person. Who doesn't want to look their best? The Mate X has a better implementation of this. Number 5. When the Galaxy Fold is folded, there's a slight flex in the front and back panels where they meet the hinge but it disappears when you unfold the phone. It's not a big deal but make the construction look cheap and flimsy. Number 6. There's also a noticeable jello effect when you scroll through lines of content in portrait mode on the large screen. It seems the screen content is updated from left to right so there is a small lag there. Number 7. Since the magnets that help hold the Galaxy Fold well, folded, are powerful, they attract close-by small metal objects easily. Not that we'd advise that you keep this $2000 phone in a pocket with metal objects, but you've been warned. Number 8. However, despite the strong magnets that keep it closed, it's quite possible to open the Galaxy Fold with one hand, but it requires some finger gymnastics. It gets easier the more you do it, so in the end, it feels almost like a fidget toy. Okay, now let's move on to some interesting bits that really show a lot of thought has gone into designing the Samsung Galaxy Fold. Number 9. If you're on a call and you unfold the phone, the call will automatically go into speaker mode. Number 10. The Galaxy Fold uses a capacitive fingerprint scanner on the side (like the Galaxy S10e) and it doubles as the Bixby button. That smaller button above it is the power button. Number 11. The supplied protective case is made of two parts, so its not bendable itself. Its got a mild adhesive to stick it securely onto the phone, but you can easily remove it after it's been applied. Number 12. The screen crease is noticeable, but we didnt mind it visually. It doesnt get in the way if you are looking at the screen head-on. However, your finger will still feel it when you swipe left or right so you would never forget it's there. Number 13. There are three typing modes on the Samsung Galaxy Fold - a regular keyboard, a split-screen keyboard, and even a floating keyboard. Samsung Galaxy Fold typing methods Number 14. Just like the Galaxy S10 phones, the Galaxy Fold has both regular and reverse wireless charging. We're making headway on our detailed review of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, and it will come out next week. There's a lot to test and go over - three screens, six cameras, a big battery, the unique form factor, etc. So stay tuned! BlackBerry had previously launched the BlackBerry KEY2 Red Edition with a few key differences (no pun intended) over the standard KEY2 version thats currently available. BlackBerry is announcing the device's US availability. For starters, this is the KEY2 Red Edition. Its a totally red version of the KEY2, not to be confused with the KEY2 LE, which was announced back during IFA as a similar-looking Atomic Red color option. The exposed metal parts of the phone are bright red while the QWERTY keyboard remains black and the physical keys are silver. The Red Edition is made of the same 7000 series aluminum and features all the same specs as before, but the Red edition is the first US variant to come with 128GB of on-board storage. Previously, if you wanted that much internal storage, you had to import the device from Europe. The Red Edition also comes with newly-designed packaging and a pair of red BlackBerry-branded headphones that match the paintjob of the KEY2. This new edition also debuts a redesign of the BlackBerry Hub+ app with a new look and updated UX. It also adds a new action bar to the Hub+ app for quicker access to shortcuts like search, sort, and compose. You can grab the new KEY2 Red Edition now at Best Buy and Amazon for $699 Unlocked. As a reminder, the unlocked version is compatible with Verizon. This new edition comes at a premium of $50 as the regular price for the Black Unlocked 64GB version of the KEY2 has a regular price of $649 but as of the writing of this post, Best Buy is selling it for $599. If that price is too steep, theres always the Atomic Red BlackBerry KEY2 LE which retails at $499, but that one has a slower CPU, lower-cost build materials, 2GB less of RAM, and a smaller 3,000 mAh battery. BlackBerry KEY2 Red Edition: Amazon | Best Buy Haiti - FLASH : Money laundering, justice has cleared President Moise After more than 2 years of investigation on the money laundering case, in which President Jovenel Moise was indicted following a report from the Central Financial Intelligence Unit (UCREF), the investigating judge, Bredy Fabien considered that there was no matter to prosecute and handed over Wednesday to the Commissioner of the Government Paul Eronce Vilard, an order of dismissal that discharges Jovenel Moise from any charge of money laundering. Recall that this case, which began long before Jovenel Moise was President, originated in a report in the UCREF report concerning a supposed account in US dollars BNC #0340 000 272 making transactions of more than 5 million dollars, a much higher amount than the commercial activities Jovenel Moise. After analyzing the bank accounts of Jovenel Moise UCREF in its report had concluded "It is possible that Mr. Jovenel Moise manipulated funds that have nothing to do with his companies". Jovenel Moise throughout this case has never ceased to claim his innocence and to deny that this account is in dollars but that it was an account in Gourdes (which makes all the difference) that made submit via his lawyers as proof a certificate of the BNC certifying the opening of this account in Gourdes and not in dollars. It should be recalled that already two years ago, the investigating judge had already concluded that there was no reason to prosecute, but it was at the request of the Government Jean Danton Leger, who wished that certain points of this affair be deepened, that the instruction continued. Reacting to this order, Me Andre Michel fierce political opponent of President Moses and Civil Party Lawyer, constitued for Professor Ernest Bolivar in this case, says that this order he qualifies as an order of convenience, does not correspond to the reality of the alleged facts and asserts that the battle is far from over "We are waiting for the order to be served by the prosecution of Port-au-Prince to attack by the Court of Appeal Port-au-Prince [...]" To be continued... SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : Mexico suspends the issuance of safe-conducts to Haitian emigrants The National Institute of Migration (INM) announced that the Mexican Government had suspended the issuance of safe-conducts to migrants from Cuba and Haiti. The INM explained that this decision was made because a network of lawyers benefited from the scope of Article 136 of the Migration Act, which facilitates the regularization of aliens to divert the use of this document. Recall that these safe-conducts grant a 30-day protection during which the INM must respond to the beneficiary's request for regularization, but this document was used for other purposes, for example as a way out of the migration station, to move freely in the country towards the North and to go to the American border... Recall that Mexico, which is under heavy migratory pressure, is threatened by the Trump Administration with strong taxation of its exports to the United States, if Mexico does not make sufficient efforts to fight against illegal migrants mass north and try to enter the United States illegally. The INM reported that in recent weeks, several attacks of migrants against its facilities and staff, involving Cubans and Haitians, have been reported. In Tapachula (Chiapas) the damage to the INM offices during one of these attacks forced the temporary closure of these offices... For the first two months of the year, 18,846 requests for regularization were submitted to the INM (16,611 Central Americans, 113 Cubans, 391 Haitians, 683 Asians and 624 Africans). Of this number, 13,643 were refused and returnees repatriated (more than 95% in Central America) Recall that on March 4, 71 Haitians were repatriated from Mexico by plane to Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27384-haiti-news-zapping.html According to our information, the returns have multiplied in recent weeks and a large number of migrants of various origins are awaiting repatriation to their country of origin. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Artibonite : Violent clashes between the PNH and men of Arnel ! Friday a situation of panic prevailed in the commune of Petite Riviere de l'Artibonite, when heavily armed individuals attacked the police station and burned a service vehicle and police premises. It seems that this attack is linked to the arrest of several individuals gang members, arrested by the police of Petite Riviere including a certain "Nan Savien" who would be a close of Arnel. The assailants furious that their accomplices were transferred to Saint-Marc, decided to attack the police station after asking for reinforcement from the dangerous gang leader Arnel Joseph who has been for some time in the Artibonite. Arnel would have intervened actively alongside his men in this attack according to testimonies. During this attack, in addition to significant property damage, a police officer would have died and there would be several wounded on both sides (information not officially confirmed). See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27492-haiti-guerilla-the-pnh-will-strengthen-its-police-presence-in-the-streets.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27490-haiti-security-pm-promises-to-fight-against-urban-guerilla.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27429-haiti-flash-arnel-challenges-the-pnh-to-reach-the-arrest-him.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27383-haiti-flash-the-gang-leader-arnel-enters-war-with-the-pnh.html TB/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Martissant Shootout, 2 dead Friday at Martissant 7, a shooting took place between 5 bandits aboard a Toyota Prado who were preparing to divert a truck of goods and the National Police of Haiti (PNH), 2 of the bandits were killed the 3 others managed to escape. The Ambassador of Haiti wants to convince the Trump administration The Ambassador of Haiti to Washington, Herve Denis, said he will take steps with the US authorities to convince them to remove Haiti from category 4 of the travel advisory on the issue of insecurity and the recommendation to avoid traveling in Haiti since February 14, 2019: https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26948-haiti-flash-usa-raises-to-maximum-travel-advisory-levels-for-haiti.html . However, the diplomat believes that the work must first be done in Haiti. To do this, he would like a change of behavior among the armed groups that are spreading terror in the country. Note that the United States has confirmed the maintenance of Haiti in this category on April 9, 2019 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26948-haiti-flash-usa-raises-to-maximum-travel-advisory-levels-for-haiti.html Bordeaux is looking for opportunities in Haiti The Haitian Business Accelerator Team "Banj" met with a delegation from Bordeaux (France) visiting Haiti in search of collaboration opportunities, particularly in entrepreneurship and innovation. Note that Bordeaux is the 2nd largest city in France with the largest number of start-ups. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26638-haiti-technology-the-accelerator-of-haitian-companies-banj-seeks-6-startups.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26520-icihaiti-forbes-magazine-a-haitian-winner-of-the-changemaker-2018-award.html 9th Edition of the Summit on Finance The 9th edition of the Summit on Finance and Technology will be held at the Karibe Hotel from Monday 22 to Saturday 27 April in Port-au-Prince on the theme : "Financing Agro-tourism in Haiti". An initiative of the Groupe Croissance. Minister Pierre respects his promise Despite a difficult context of economic precariousness, Jean-Claudy Pierre, the Minister of Planning informs all the employees of the ministry that he kept his promise and renewed during the month of April the staff debit card on the occasion of Easter holidays. Minister Pierre takes the opportunity to wish all the staff of the Ministry and the members of the family of each employee a moment of peace and serenity. Greetings from Senator Etienne The Political Bureau of the Senator Dieudonne Luma Etienne wished the entire Christian community a good Holy Week and a happy Easter. HL/ HaitiLibre By William Schwartz | Published on 2019/04/19 Following news of Joo Jin-mo's imminent marriage, many have wondered how Joo Jin-mo met his bride to be. Min Hye-yeon is a family doctor who has made many appearances in a professional capacity on television variety shows, where she has sat on panels. Advertisement As it happens they did not meet directly, but rather because of the intervention of Kim Hyun-ok. Min Hye-yeon had appeared on her good morning show on Channel A, and for Joo Jin-mo's sake, Kim Hyun-ok set up a meeting between the two. Kim Hyun-ok has said that having seen Min Hye-yeon for week after week on his show he felt that her personality was a good fit for Joo Jin-mo. Though both were embarrassed by Kim Hyun-ok's troublesome meddling, evidently he had good instincts on the subject. Apparently one reason they were an easy match for each other is that both enjoy the hobby of fishing. Joo Jin-mo has also publically thanked Kim Hyun-ok, saying that thanks to his friend, he was able to have a happy new year. Written by William Schwartz St Mels when it went up in flames Tiernan Dolan with a photo he took of damage caused to St Mels when it went up in flames Retired teacher Tiernan Dolan has told how he had a horrible sense of deja vu as he watched flames engulf Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral on Monday. The sense of loss, helplessness and despair came flooding back as he recalled the fire that blazed at St Mel's Cathedral in Longford on Christmas Day 2009. Only hours before, he and hundreds of other par- ishioners had braved the snow, ice and -14C chill to attend midnight mass. "It was a lovely mass," Mr Dolan said. Magical "Coming out, the cathedral was like walking into a living Christmas card. The place was magical. You were on an absolute high." However, that high came crashing down before the sun came up. A chimney fire sparked a devastating blaze that ripped through the 175-year-old landmark in the early hours of the morning. "You went from an absolute high to rock bottom," said Mr Dolan. "You could see the yellow and orange flames dancing in the sky. It was horrible, like watching your best friend lying in a hospital bed on life support." When Christmas Day dawned, the church was in ruins. Gone was the 10th century crozier of St Mel and other priceless artefacts. The cathedral roof was destroyed. The wooden floor sank into the crypt. Ornate tapestries, paintings and statues were lost. Locals wept openly on the street outside the church - as did those in Paris this week. As Our Lady of Paris is to the people of the French capital, so is St Mel's to the people of Longford. When Notre Dame went up in flames, they knew exactly what Parisians, and indeed the French nation, were going through, Mr Dolan said. However, they also know what it is like to rise from the ashes. Five years after the fire, St Mel's reopened in time for Christmas 2014 following a massive 30m restoration project. Mr Dolan's message to the people of Paris is simple: "If we can rise from the ashes, so can you." Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg wants to fix climate change and hopes for world peace, but has acknowledged she might be "very naive". The 16-year-old Swede has carried her campaign against rising global temperatures to Rome, where she met Pope Francis, addressed Italian parliamentarians and joined a student protest yesterday in a city centre piazza. "I think what I want for the future is just that we fix everything and that we fix the climate and the ecological crisis so that everyone lives in peace. I guess, very naive," she said. Strike Ms Thunberg shot to fame last August with weekly sit-ins on the cobblestones in front of Stockholm's Parliament House with her "school strike for climate" sign. Thousands of students around the world have since copied her, and youth organisations have launched school strikes involving students in more than 40 countries. Her single-minded determination has won her fans of all ages, and she has also earned respect for living by her ideals. "I do many small things just to change my habits, like I have become vegan, I have stopped flying, I have stopped shopping," she said at the protest. She rejected suggestions she had stolen the limelight away from her cause, saying she did not like being a celebrity. "I mean, I don't enjoy att- ention, but I enjoy making a difference," she said, adding that she wanted to make sure climate crisis was always the main focus of any trip. Her blunt criticism of politicians has raised some eyebrows, but she warned that time was running out. "When I am grown-up, when I am old enough to become a politician, it will be too late to act because we need to act now," she said. "We can't wait for people like me to grow up and become the ones in charge." Hundreds of environmental activists gathered in front of the Dublin Spire yesterday as part of the Extinction Rebellion protests against climate change. Traffic was diverted away from O'Connell Bridge by gardai as protesters made their way from the GPO to the Liffey crossing, where they took part in a sit-down protest. There was a mixture of young and old at the event, all concerned about the impact of climate change on the planet. Extinction Rebellion's Sue Breen said that while protesters hoped to see moves from the Government to support their action, she did not expect it soon. Truth "Unfortunately, we don't expect it to happen today, but whatever happens today the campaign will continue with great gusto," she said. In her speech, Ms Breen said: "We are here to tell the truth and to ask the Government to tell the truth, and the truth is that this is an emergency. "The truth is that we are destroying 18 million acres of forest per year - that is the equivalent of the size of Panama. "We are not here to cause trouble or disrupt your day." However, she added that "the system is not just broken, it is malignant, and it has poisoned every river, every stream". Among the crowd who travelled to the city centre was Majella O'Connor (43), from Co Tipperary, accompanying her daughter Eva (11) to the event. Meanwhile, Liz Barry (73), from Donaghmede, said she attended the event for the sake of her grandchildren. She said Ireland was better in the past at re-using packaging, with less plastic in use too. "When we were young you got chips in newspapers and you got your milk bottles, very little plastic, you bought your fruit loose, your cheese loose, your vegetables loose," she said. "Now everything is pre-packed and it's killing the environment." There has been nearly a week of climate protests in London. Actress Emma Thompson rallied cheering Extinction Rebellion activists blocking London's busiest shopping street yesterday afternoon and declared: "Our planet is in serious trouble". She stood on top of a pink boat at Oxford Circus reading a "love poem to the Earth". Speaking to reporters, she said her generation had failed to protect the planet for young people. 'So much we want the public to know': Meritus COVID cases surge again news Easter is a Christian festival which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The holiday falls on April 21 this year and will be celebrated all across the globe. According to the New Testament of the Bible, Easter occurs three days after the crucifixion of Jesus by Romans. Easter concludes the Passion of Christ, which begins with a 40 days period of fasting Lent and is concluded by the Holy Week. Holy Thursday (celebration of Jesuss last supper) and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday is a part of the Holy Week which ends on Easter Sunday. History The story behind Easter lies in the New Testament of the Bible which narrates how Jesus was arrested by the Roman authorities because he claimed to be the Son of God. He was then sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate, the Roman emperor by crucifixion. His resurrection three days later marks the occasion of Easter. This day is also closely associated with the Jewish festival of Passover. Celebrations Easter is celebrated as a joyous occasion and the Sunday prior is called Palm Sunday which marks the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem. Various churches begin the celebration in the late hours of Saturday through a religious service called Easter Vigil. Nonreligious celebrations include the tradition of Easter eggs, which represent fertility and birth and Easter bunny which delivers chocolates and sweets to kids on Sunday morning. Easter Eggs Chocolate-filled eggs or brightly painted eggs with sweets inside are common gifts exchanged on Easter. People choose to loosen their purse strings and splurge on the Easter weekend as the celebrations arrive after a 40-day lent period. Some examples of non-religious Easter traditions include a treasure hunt like search for Easter eggs, and games such as egg rolling and egg decorating. Did you know? Hidden messages or pop-culture references in films, multimedia games and other media are also termed Easter Eggs? Thats because Easter eggs mimic the idea of the hunt for an Easter egg during the festival. These could be hidden messages, characters or images. Its like a little secret that the software programmers or directors want to share, yet be discreet about them. It is a fun and engaging activity to look for these Easter eggs because it usually reveals more about the character or the plotline. Most Disney films have the iconic Mickey Mouse ears or his head placed in a scene. Similarly, in animated films like The Lion King (1994), Little Mermaid (1989), Lilo & Stitch (2002), Finding Nemo (2003), Frozen (2013) and several more, characters from previous films have been known to visit each other in the films, either as guests or toys or wall clocks. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Actor Abhishek Bachchan has shared a special picture of his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to commemorate their 12th wedding anniversary on Saturday. Aishwarya, too posted a picture with her husband on Instagram. The couple is currently in the Maldives. Sharing a new picture, Abhishek wrote, Honey and the moon. @niyamamaldives #niyamamaldives #edge. In the image, a gorgeous looking Aishwarya is seen staring at something as the moon shines in the background. She is wearing a dark blue gown, paired with a statement necklace and the hair tied in a top knot completes the elegant look. Also read: Heres Kartik Aaryans first look from Imtiaz Alis Love Aaj Kal sequel. See pic Aishwarya shared a picture that Aaradhya took showing Abhishek hugging the Jazbaa actor. Our Togethernesscaptured by The Divine Light of Our Lives LOVE YOU AARADHYA, she wrote. Checkout a few more posts from Abhishek: Aishwarya and Abhishek met 20 years ago and worked together in films such as Dhai Akshar Prem Ke (2000), Kuch Naa Kaho (2003) and Guru (2007). The two got engaged in 2007 and were married in a private ceremony at Amitabh Bachchan residence, Jalsa, in Mumbai. They were blessed with a daughter, Aaradhya, in 2011. Speaking during an interview with Famously Filmfare earlier this year, Aishwarya talked about arguments in her marriage and said, Were both genetically very generously been given very strong genes. So, were inherently very strong personalities. I think there is a very fine line between arguing and discussing and thats something were still arriving at discovering what is what. So, we discuss a lot, either politely put it as discuss, probably argue but On the work front, Aishwarya was last seen in Fanney Khan alongside Anil Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, while Abhishek made his return to films after two years in Anurag Kashyaps Manmarziyaan, opposite Taapsee Pannu. Follow @htshowbiz for more In the upcoming film Brahmastra, actor Ranbir Kapoor will play a DJ who discovers that he has superpowers - he can unleash fire from his hands, a new report suggested Saturday. Starring Ranbir, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna Akkineni.and Mouni Roy, Brahmastra is directed by Ayan Mukerji and is the first film in Ayans fantasy trilogy. A Mid Day report quoted a source as saying, Ranbir plays a DJ who walks out of his house against his fathers wishes. The story then traces his journey as he tries to fulfil his dreams and discovers his superpowers in the process. It is known that every character in the film possesses superpowers, with Kapoors character believed to have the power to unleash fire from his palms. The tabloid also revealed that Ranbir has undergone training in martial arts such as Kalaripayattu and Varma Kalai, as Brahmastra has some high octane action sequences. The ability to control fire is synonymous with the Fantastic Four character Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch. The character has been played on screen by Chris Evans and Michael B Jordan. Ayan has been sharing pictures from his recce for Brahmastra. Check them out here: Also read: Rajkummar Rao to play Dharmendras character in Chupke Chupke remake by Luv Ranjan Talking about working with boyfriend Ranbir, Alia had recently said, The idea for Brahmastra was conceived long back when Ayan had just done Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. I wanted to work with him and I have always wanted to work with Ranbir as well. I pleaded to Ayan that please cast me with him. From what has been revealed so far, Ranbir plays a character named Shiva and Alia plays Isha in the film, which has been shot in London, New York, Bulgaria, Israel and India, among other places. The logo of the film was unveiled in an innovative way - 150 drones flew and formed the logo in the sky during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Brahmastra is set to hit theatres around Christmas. . Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Kangana Ranauts sister Rangoli Chandel has now set her sights on Deepika Padukone, after publicly criticising actors Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn in recent days. Rangoli took to Twitter on Saturday to respond to a statement made by Deepikas Live Love Laugh Foundation, which called into question the intention behind Kanganas upcoming film Mental Hai Kya. Rangoli said in a tweet that after watching the film, you will remove Deepika Padukone and get Kangana on as your brand ambassador. Deepika isnt the brand ambassador, but the founder of the Live Love Laugh Foundation, which is dedicated to removing the stigma and discrimination mental health patients face in India, by providing them with the necessary help, support and guidance. The foundation had tweeted in reaction to a poster of Mental Hai Kya, It is time we put an end to the use of words, imagery and/or the portrayal of persons with mental illness in a way that reinforces stereotypes. Many millions who suffer with mental illness in India already face tremendous stigma. Therefore,it is extremely important to be responsible and sensitive towards the needs of those suffering. It is time we put an end to the use of words, imagery and/or the portrayal of persons with mental illness in a way that reinforces stereotypes. (1/2) https://t.co/sZCeIp8eGw TLLLFoundation (@TLLLFoundation) April 20, 2019 Many millions who suffer with mental illness in India already face tremendous stigma. Therefore,it is extremely important to be responsible and sensitive towards the needs of those suffering. (2/2) https://t.co/sZCeIp8eGw TLLLFoundation (@TLLLFoundation) April 20, 2019 As usual listing her sisters many real accolades, Rangoli wrote, Dear @TLLLFoundation Ms Ranaut who is recipient of three national awards and one of the driving forces of feminism movement in India through her films like Queen & Manikarnika is one f the most responsible artists,to jump the gun & assume the worse is nothing but immature. All I can say is that for Manikarnika we held screenings for school children in many states of India after MHK we would like to do the same with you. She continued, Genre of the film is such (thriller) that we cant reveal the exact plot or the parts that the characters are playing but of course we will acquire all the certificates we need to in order to show case the film to public. Suggesting Deepika Padukones battle with depression was because of a break-up, Rangoli said, now she is a happily married woman who is enjoying marital bliss. She didnt forget to tag Deepika in her tweets. On Friday, the Indian Psychiatry Society objected to its title and demanded a change. The society had written in their letter to the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Prasoon Joshi, We take serious objections to the title of the movie which is discriminative, stigmatising, degrading, inhumane in projecting mental disorders and people who suffer from mental disorders. We strongly demand that the title be removed with immediate effect preventing further damage to the modesty of mental health service users. We also demand to censor any sequence in the movie that is violating the rights of persons with mental disorder. Also read: Days before her wedding, Deepika Padukone wrote this sincere note on her fight against depression. Details inside Prior to making the comments in response to TLLL foundation, Rangoli had written on behalf of Kangana on Twitter that the film will trigger relevant talk about the subject. The film also stars Rajkummar Rao and Jimmy Shergill in supporting roles. Directed by Prakash Kovelamudi, written by Kanika Dhillon and produced by Ekta Kapoor, Mental Hai Kya is slated for a June 21 release. Follow @htshowbiz for more I was recently in the archives in New Delhi, where I came across an intriguing report on the first General Elections, held in 1951-52. It was written by Kamalnayan Bajaj, whose father, Jamnalal Bajaj, was a great patriot and philanthropist and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhis. Kamalnayan himself was a successful entrepreneur with close ties to the Congress Party. He had been nominated by the Congress to fight a Lok Sabha seat in Sikar, Rajasthan. He lost his election to a candidate from the Ram Rajya Parishad, and afterwards wrote an eight page note for internal circulation within the party. It was entitled My experience of the General Elections and certain irregularities connected with it in Rajasthan, and it makes for instructive reading today, some 67 years after it was written. Kamalnayan Bajaj began his account by highlighting the rivalry in the Congress Organisation between the two groups headed by Hiralalji on the one side, and Varmaji and Vyasji on the other. As he wrote, in some exasperation, the leaders of these rival groups within the Congress demanded personal loyalty from the workers. Loyalty to the Organisation got second place. In consequence of this some of the really good workers were shoved to the background and persons of questionable character without any service to their credit came to the forefront. Mutual bickerings and petty quarrels took most of the time and energy of the leaders. Consequently the Organisation suffered and could not remain as an effective link between the Government and the people. Even the good and beneficial enactments of the Government were to some extent ineffective, inasmuch as the Congress failed to explain to the masses the proper effects of such legislation. The Congress in Rajasthan faced a challenge from within, with rival factions led by leaders who worked for personal rather than party interest. And it faced a challenge from without, in particular from the right-wing Ram Rajya Parishad, which was particularly close to, and funded by, the feudal elite of Rajasthan. Thus Kamalnayan Bajaj wrote of what he termed the misleading and false propaganda carried on by the Ram Rajya Parishad, whose leaders openly said that a vote given to the Congress would be tantamount to slaughtering a thousand cows and that a vote to the Ram Raj [Parishad] would bring them Punya of looking after a thousand cows. Kamalnayan Bajaj then came to the less-than-legitimate means used to garner votes. Thus he wrote: Money was freely distributed particularly amongst Brahmins so that they may vote for the Ram Raj. Sweets were also distributed amongst the children for crying Ram Raj slogans. Ram Raj workers had offered money even to Harijans but at some places the latter spurned the offer and said that their votes would go to the Congress. In his report, Kamalnayan Bajaj also spoke of the electoral process being contaminated by violence. At many booths, he wrote, Ram Raj workers with lathis and naked swords in their hands went round openly telling the people to proceed to the booths only if they wanted to vote for the Ram Raj, otherwise they asked them to go back. [T]he Ram Raj workers threatened the poor and ignorant voters to make it impossible for them to live their normal life. In spite of this, however, the general feeling that Congress was likely to eventually come to power prevailed and this was to some extent responsible for the Congress securing some votes even in areas dominated by the Jagirdars. Kamalnayan Bajaj suggested that the police were partial towards the landed elites of Rajasthan. As he put it: During the election it is my impression that a section of the Police including Officers was indirectly co-operating with the Jagirdar element in creating an atmosphere of threat and panic. He also alluded to the presence of rigging, writing: I have strong suspicion that ballot boxes have been tampered with and votes from the Congress and the Kisan Sabha boxes have been manipulated. Kamalnayan Bajaj was writing about the first General Elections held in India on the basis of universal adult franchise. The elections now underway are the 17th such exercise. Yet, despite the passage of time, the increase in the size of the electorate, and the economic and social changes that have taken place in the intervening decades, much of what Kamalnayan Bajaj observed in 1952 remains relevant to what we are witnessing in 2019. In several states the Congress Party remains riven with factionalism, with individual leaders seeking to maximise their own personal influence rather than of the party to which they belong. Again, right-wing parties continue to spread false propaganda about the Congress and its leaders, tendentiously portraying them as anti-Hindu, although this now take the form of WhatsApp forwards rather than oral rumours. The role of money and money power in elections, meanwhile, has dramatically increased. On the other hand, one area in which there has been progress rather than regress is in the counting of votes. With electronic voting machines (EVMs) in place, it is no longer so easy to manipulate ballots and ballot boxes. There is an old French saying, which may be translated into English as follows: The more things change, the more they stay the same. This is validated by one last remark that I shall quote from Kamalnayan Bajajs report of 1952. This reads: The people in general were very bitter about the corruption prevailing in Government quarters. Postscript: For the next General Elections, in 1957, Kamalnayan Bajaj shifted from Sikar to Wardha, and won. He thus himself exemplified another running theme in Indian elections, namely, the search by candidates for a safe seat. Ramachandra Guha is the author of Gandhi: The Years That Changed The World. The views expressed are personal All manifestos in this election contain promises to make India a more equal place by diverting funds to those who suffer most from the current inequality. While the Congress is promising 72,000 each year to the 20% of the population who are poor, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is promising 6,000 a year to small and marginal farm households (that is, farmers who have land holdings of up to 2 hectares). In Odisha, where elections to the assembly are also taking place, the BJP is trying to rival Naveen Patnaiks existing provision of rice to the poor at 1 per kg with a commitment to provide 1.5 kg rice with dal and salt free. In West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress has pointed out that it already provides grain at 2 per kg. It would be harsh to deny the benefits the poor enjoy from these schemes but their effectiveness is limited. A dole, which is what free or heavily subsidised food is, doesnt help the poor to earn a decent living, nor does it provide them with dignity. Being on the dole is not dignified. The series of loan waivers for farmers demonstrate that they only solve the problem for the moment. Farmers still cant find markets to sell their produce at prices which enable them to balance their books. While writing a chapter on farmers suicides in a book 17 years ago, I visited the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, where a plant physiologist said: Farmers come to us and say, We did everything you told us to produce crops, now tell us where to sell them. This bitter lesson has only just been learnt. But it hasnt. If it had been then, distress in the countryside wouldnt be an issue this election. The vice-chancellor of the university blamed governments for farmers not getting their rewards. Governments are on the side of the consumers entirely. All they want is cheap food, he said. I would say relying exclusively on short-term solutions such as debt relief is another cause. But I would like to suggest there is a more fundamental reason for the inequality in India, of which the need to provide doles and debt relief is only one sign. This reason is that India is misled by what is known as neoclassical economics, which relies on the market to distribute a nations resources. But markets take no account of equity. When I was discussing neoclassical economics with Ramgopal Agarwala, who was once the head of the economics unit of the World Bank in China, he said to me: A self-equilibrating market is nonsense. Neoclassical, or market economists, justify their dominance over economic thinking by maintaining that their way is scientific, and using mathematics to prove it. Ramgopal, as I know him, obtained a PhD in econometrics from Manchester University and went on to work in that field. But eventually he lost faith in the role of maths and econometrics in economics. Now he believes: We must give up this scientification of economics. Ramgopals view is endorsed by the economist, Thomas Piketty, whose book criticising the dominance of neoclassical economics caused such a stir. He said: This obsession with mathematics is an easy way of acquiring the appearance of scienticity without having to answer the far more complex questions posed by the world we live in. Ramgopal believes that India has a lot to learn from China where, as he puts it, neoclassical economists were told to buzz off and the Chinese grew their economy in their own way. Starting in 1991 with a per capita income lower than Indias, China has grown much faster than India and has practically eliminated poverty. According to Ramgopal, with his experience of China and India, there are two changes in the latters economic policies that could create faster and more equitable growth. One is relaxing controls on the fiscal deficit to allow the government to increase spending on social and physical infrastructure. The second is an increase in savings, including higher taxes, to fund the infrastructure programmes. Indias neoclassical economists, who have dominated policy since the reforms of the 1990s, will not approve of either. I have not read of any manifesto which calls for higher taxation. The views expressed are personal The Election Commission (EC) has come in for extensive criticism. Its been accused of either not responding promptly to breaches of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) or of not doing so adequately. Some believe it has noticeably slipped from the acme established by former chief election commissioner TN Seshan in the 1990s. What I find particularly disturbing is the ECs weakness in responding to the prime ministers own alleged breaches of the MCC and, even, the law. However, let me at the outset acknowledge the Commission did take a strong stand on the biopic and on NaMo TV. I only wish it had done this in other areas which are more directly connected to Narendra Modi himself. Lets first come to the prime ministers speeches. In Latur, on April 9, he called on people to dedicate their vote to the soldiers behind the Balakot airstrike and to the martyrs of Pulwama. In doing so, he directly defied the ECs letter of March 9, warning political parties against politicising the armed forces. At Wardha, on April 1, he asked the audience not to forgive the Congress for insulting Hindus by coining the term Hindu terror. This breached both Section 1 of the MCC and Section 123 of The Representation of Peoples Act. These speeches are 20 and 11 days old. Although the EC has called for details, its taken no action. The question is why not? In the middle of an election campaign, such a lengthy lapse of time is hardly excusable. When it concerns an alleged breach by the prime minister (PM), a prompt and clear decision is required. If it appears the PM is being allowed to get away, that can only damage the ECs credibility. A second issue is that NaMo TV broadcast the PMs speeches during the 48-hour period immediately prior to the first and second days of voting. Section 126 of The Representation of Peoples Act explicitly prohibits the broadcast of any matter intended or calculated to influence or affect the result of an election. Modis campaign speeches clearly fall into that category. Equally importantly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accepts NaMo TV is a feature of the NaMo app. And the app, it appears, is owned by Narendra Modi. That points the finger at the PM. But again, as far as I can tell, the EC hasnt acted. Why? Third, Scroll.in has revealed that NITI Aayog asked bureaucrats in constituencies the PM was scheduled to campaign in to send local inputs to the PM office. Such inputs were received from Wardha, Gondia and Latur shortly before Modi campaigned there. Doesnt this sound like a breach of the MCC, which says: Ministers shall not make use of official machinery or personnel during the electioneering work? But again, as far as I can tell, the EC hasnt acted. And, again, I ask why? Whilst its true that during an election campaign the PM is just another candidate, its also undeniable that as PM he has a position and importance quite distinct from any other person. This means his lapses are of greater significance. They cannot be ignored or responded to in a dilatory fashion. Of course, he must not be treated unfairly but the response has to be fast, if not faster, than other cases. Isnt it odd the EC has acted against Yogi Adityanath and Mayawati, whose lapses occurred on the April 7 and April 9 respectively, but is silent about Modis, though the incidents happened earlier? Karan Thapar is the author of Devils Advocate: The Untold Story The views expressed are personal Bihar ITICAT Admit Card 2019: Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (BCECEB) has issued admit card for Industrial Training Institute Competitive Admission Test (ITICAT) 2019. Candidates who have successfully applied for Bihar ITICAT 2019 can download their admit card at its official website bceceboard.bihar.gov.in. The Bihar ITICAT 2019 will be conducted on April 28. There are a total of 25, 168 seats in General ITI and WITI. Candidates are advised to check all the details provided in their admit card is correct. Any error in the information provided in the admit card should be corrected. Candidates will have to visit the BCECEB office in Patna near airport between 11 am and 3 PM (5 working days before the date of exam) and get the errors corrected. Bihar ITICAT 2019: How to download admit card Visit the official website of BCECEB at bceceboard.bihar.gov.in On the homepage, click on the link that reads Bihar ITICAT 2019 admit card Click on the Admit Card option You will get an option to download admit card. Click on the link Fill in your registration number and date of birth and submit Your admit card will be displayed on screen Download and take its print out Look for any error in the admit card and make sure you get the errors corrected. Heres the direct link to download Bihar ITICAT admit card 2019 Full details of Bihar ITICAT 2019 here. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON If the fire at Notre Dame cathedral had happened 20 or 50 years ago, Frances luxury fashion houses would surely have rushed to support its reconstruction as quickly as they did in 2019. There is no doubting the sincerity of LVMH, Kering SA and their founding families, who led the way with donations after the devastation earlier this week. The city of Paris, its streets and landmarks, have held a special role as the artistic center of the industry since its earliest days, so to restore what has been lost is to preserve its own history. But more than a century after Coco Chanel sold her first hat, the titans of luxury have even more reason to ensure Notre Dame recovers. And it is not just that they are among the wealthiest in France LVMHs Bernard Arnault is Frances richest man and Francois Pinault, who created Kering SA, ranks third. LOreal SA and its principal shareholder, the Bettencourt Meyers family, are also key donors. Fashion generates 2.7% of French gross domestic product. Luxury, including LOreal, represents 19.8% of the CAC 40 index. With such a sizable share of the nations business, its only natural that the leading producers of high-end goods would step up to preserve one of their countrys iconic locations. Its important that they do, because selling high-end goods has changed over the past decade. The lines are blurring between fashion, art, travel and culture, and developing a brand depends on so much more than offering the latest It bag. Success means blending all these elements together, so theres a drive to branch out. The big groups are already involved in art and restoration. LVMH opened the Fondation Louis Vuitton, a Frank Gehry-designed center for contemporary arts, on the western edge of Paris in 2016. Pinault, meanwhile, is building a museum to house his private art collection at the former Bourse de Commerce, in the center of Paris. Notre Dame is associated with heritage and beauty, values that resonate within the luxury industry. Preserving the cathedral burnishes donors position as a guardian of those characteristics, which in turn highlights the broader lifestyle they seek to promote. Landmark preservation fits well with this ethos. Fendi, part of the LVMH empire, contributed $2 million to the repair of the Trevi fountain in Rome. Sister brand Bulgari donated $1.7 million to overhaul the citys Spanish Steps. Outside of the Arnault stable, Italian leather goods group Tods SpA has underwritten the $28 million restoration of the Colosseum in Rome. Their altruism works best on high-profile sites that appeal to tourists, as their donations also literally put their names on the map for the millions of visitors to key locations each year. Fendi even held a fashion show at the Trevi Fountain under the late Karl Lagerfeld. A restored Notre Dame will be no different (though fashion shows may not be allowed). The real prize for the French houses is to assure their connection to the Chinese, who are the number one buyers of luxury goods globally. LVMH and Kering each generate about a third of their sales from Asia excluding Japan. Paris is one of the main destinations for travelers from this region, and anything that affects visits can also impact sales of luxury goods. For example, the 2015 tourist attacks on the city, and the recent yellow vest protests, hurt demand. On the other hand, a weaker euro can lift sales. For these companies, there is a special urgency to ensure that Paris is preserved. When Notre Dame is finally rebuilt, donors will rightly be credited with rescuing a symbol of the city. Theyll also have created an even bigger draw for visitors. It makes good business sense for them to have taken part. Andrea Felsted is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering the consumer and retail industries. She previously worked at the Financial Times. 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Actor Johnny Depp reportedly tried to get his ex-wife, actor Amber Heard fired from the superhero film Aquaman. The Hollywood Reporter quotes sources familiar with Depps ongoing legal troubles with his former lawyer that ex Warner Bros chairman Kevin Tsujihara has been served a deposition notice to appear and testify whether or not he was asked to remove Heard from the film. THR says Depp personally lobbied Tsujihara to remove (Heard) from Aquaman and block her from getting other projects. Heard had been cast as the princess Mera in Warner Bros Justice League, and eventually appeared in Aquaman, which became the highest grossing film on a DC Comics property ever. Depp plays the villainous Gellert Grindelwald in Warner Bros Harry Potter prequel series, Fantastic Beasts. Depps casting in the films has been controversial among fans, whove lobbied to have him removed. Series writer and producer JK Rowling personally defended his casting, and implied that she believed he was innocent in the ongoing legal matter between him and Heard, who has accused him of physical assault. Johnny Depp, left, and Amber Heard arrive for the European premiere of their film, The Rum Diary, in London in 2011. (AP) Heard had written about the potential troubles surrounding her involvement in Justice League and Aquaman in a Washington Post op-ed, in which she wrote that her advisors had warned she may be blacklisted. Questions arose as to whether I would be able to keep my role of Mera in the movies Justice League and Aquaman, shed written. In a separate statement, shed said that she lost a part in at least one film after her split from Depp. Following my highly-publicised separation from Johnny, ... I lost a part for a movie in which I had already been cast. Depp and Heard were married from 2015 to 2017. Follow @htshowbiz for more The Indian Navy has dispatched two of its warships to China to take part in an international fleet review being staged at Qingdao to mark the 70th anniversary of the Chinese navy, a navy spokesperson said on Friday. The locally-built stealth guided-missile destroyer INS Kolkata and fleet support ship INS Shakti are set to reach Chinas east coast on April 21, he said. The two warships will be a part of the maritime parade that will be reviewed by the Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 23. The Pakistani navy is unlikely to send warships to take part in Chinas high-profile maritime parade, as reported by Hindustan Times on April 7. At least two Pakistani ships were expected to attend the review. The withdrawal of the Pakistani ships hasnt been announced officially but the reason behind it could be the current heavy deployment of the Indian navy in the Arabian Sea, HR reported. The IFR serves as an ideal platform for worlds navies to showcase their prowess and indigenous ship-designing and building capabilities, the spokesperson said. The visit of Indian Navys most potent destroyer and versatile fleet support ship showcases Indias indigenous ship-building capability. India had sent a frontline warship to Qingdao in 2014 to take part in a naval exercise to mark Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) navys 65th year of founding. That visit of INS Shivalik was in the news after the Indian Navy politely declined an unusual request from the Chinese navy chief to be shown the Combat Information Centre (CII). When Silchar in Assam voted on Thursday, the fight between sitting Congress MP Sushmita Deb and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s Rajdeep Roy was the main focus of public attention given that both parties have won the Lok Sabha seat several times in the past decades. Yet, Nazia Yasmin Mazumdar, the candidate of the National Peoples Party (NPP), received her share of attention. Despite the BJPs remarkable rise and the Congresss decline in the Northeast over the past three years, it is the NPP that has emerged as the biggest player across the seven states in the region. And whats more, Mazumdar, a former Congress general secretary, is upbeat about her prospects. I got a lot of support from the rural belt, Mazumdar said. Over the past three decades, both the BJP and the Congress indulged in divisive politics and didnt develop the Barak valley. I have tried my level best to reach out and convince voters and am confident of a good show. The NPP gaining such clout is not without irony since it is one of many regional parties that are part of the anti-Congress, BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and has yet managed to chart its own course across the region. It has fielded candidates in 11 of the 25 Lok Sabha seats of the Northeast. Besides its home turf and stronghold, Meghalaya, the NPP has fielded contestants in Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland. Tripura is not on the agenda for these elections, but it is only a matter of time. We are relatively new and have our limitations, NPP president Conrad Sangma said. It was difficult to reach out in Tripura for logistical and tactical reasons. Itll take time, but we certainly have the desire to spread our wings across the Northeast, he said. Had he been alive, the NPPs rapid rise would have thrilled founder PA Sangma. The former Congressman and Lok Sabha speaker, who died in 2016, formed the NPP in 2012 with a definite purpose in mind. Sangma wanted the consolidation of tribal constituents, said Patricia Mukhim,.editor of the Shillong Times. He wanted to make the NPP a tribal party with a national presence. And if he had lived longer, it would have materialized by now. In 2013, the party, which joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), secured barely 9% of the total votes and just two seats in the Meghalaya assembly polls. In 2017, the NPP won four assembly seats in Manipur and helped the BJP to form its first government in that state. By 2018, the NPPs vote share increased to over 20%. It won 19 seats in Meghalayas 60-member assembly. The NPP was able to form a government headed by its chief and the late PA Sangmas youngest offspring, Conrad with support from other regional players and also the BJP. After the Nagaland assembly polls last year, the NPP, with two seats, joined the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)-BJP coalition government. After the senior Sangmas death, the partys mantle passed to Conrad, his second son who, along with his older brother James and sister Agatha, has been able to strengthen the NPP and expand its presence across the region. Ironically, it is the BJPs determination to push through the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) despite near-unanimous opposition across the Northeast, that came as a blessing in disguise for the NPP because the regional partys fierce campaign against the CAB rapidly made it a household name in all seven states. So unified was the Northeast against the controversial bill that envisages Indian citizenship for all minorities from Muslim-majority Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan that 10 regional parties many of whom were BJP allies were persuaded by the Meghalaya CM to come together on one platform and oppose the CAB together. It is this pan-Northeast narrative that makes NPP attractive to many voters. People like the NPP because they feel it is a Northeast party unlike the Congress. Besides, there are many people who are unsympathetic towards the BJP, said Taba Anjum, editor of the Arunachal Times. They see the NPP as a kind of neutral party that is in power but separate from the BJP. For first-time Meghalaya voter David Thangkhiew, the NPP is appealing because unlike the bigger parties, it is genuinely concerned about regional issues. The NPP may not be able to produce magic so soon but it is slowly building its base in the region, he said. Conrad Sangma is clear about the partys goals. Our mission and focus have been simple we want to touch the lives of our people and work for the people. We want to become a platform for the people of the Northeast to voice their concerns in Parliament, he said. His older brother and Meghalaya home minister, James Sangma, says the NPP has complete faith in the CMs leadership. Conrad has been active in politics from his early childhood. He used to travel with our late father when he was only 12 years old. He is meticulous in his actions and does his job with perfection, James said. Conrad also has the backing of sister Agatha, a former Union minister who is the partys candidate from the Tura Lok Sabha seat in Meghalaya, which was once represented by Conrad and several times by their father PA Sangma. The BJP admitted that the NPP had become a force to reckon with across the Northeast due to its many successes in assembly polls but dismisses its chances in the Lok Sabha elections. The NPP wont make a big impact this time, the BJP spokesperson in Assam, Rupam Goswami, said. 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 Rows of women line both sides of the street in traditional Kerala Kasavu cream cotton saris with the trademark gold border, plates in hand, fragrant flowers in hair, grandmothers, mothers and granddaughters. This is not a puja, though. It is an election rally in the Adoor block of Keralas Pathanamthitta, the place where the Sabarimala temple is located. Following months of protests at the temple site, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate K Surendran played a visible and voluble part, he is being feted in this God-like way. Surendran, the man from North Keralas Kozhikode region, who contested from another northern region seat, Kasaragod, in the past and lost, is now, post Sabarimala, seen as the defender of the faith. He has been fielded from the southern constituency of Pathanamthitta. The 49-year old politician became a hero overnight for protesting a court order that allowed women between the ages of 10 and 50 to enter the Sabarimala temple, striking down an age-old practice. In September 2018, when the Supreme Court said the Indian constitution does not permit any form of discrimination and therefore the Sabarimala temple cannot continue to prevent women of childbearing age from entering the temple, it raised a storm in Kerala. Surendran post Sabarimala - feted by BJP followers like a God. Grandmothers, granddaughters and all (Revati Laul ) The Communist Party of India Marxist (CPIM)-led Left parties government tried to enforce the court order and arrested Surendran, charging him under various counts of endangering the peace. But politics is an entirely different process from the court. And in that world, the more Surendran offended the law and the state, the bigger hero he became in the eyes of temple worshippers. Pathanamthittas women, aged seven to 70, are lining the streets of Adoor to pay him back for his defiance. As a political worker I am with the feelings of the public. Thats it, Surendran says, stepping away from his fans. In Kerala, you cannot underestimate the feelings of devotees. Lakhs and lakhs of devotees. His supporters agree. Among them is 72-year old Lakshmi Kuttyamma, who says in her slightly shaky voice: This is the first time I am voting for the BJP. She is flanked by a little girl in class two. I came to see Surendran, she says. When asked who he is, she replies He is not my relative. Surendrans Sabarimala protest is actually a political manoeuvre in the longer history of the Hindu rights attempts to breach the countrys only remaining communist bastion. The BJPs ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and its affiliates have worked in Kerala for decades, slowly and steadily gaining ground until an opportunity like Sabarimala gave them the spurt and the ideological foot-in-the-door they were looking for. Kumanam Rajsekharan visits BJP voters in their homes in Thiruvananthapuram (Revati Laul ) Long-term gains Senior RSS leader KB Sreekumar said the organization is now going door to door, campaigning on the Sabarimala issue. At stake are the sentiments of 50 million people who believe this is a question of their identity. And while the RSS is not against the Supreme Court verdict, Kumar explains that reform must come from the people, and not the courts. On the larger issue of the rationale for the practice at the temple, he has nothing to offer, only that it is the desire of that deity. The RSS has over 5,000 branches or shakhas in the state among the largest numbers in the country after states such as Uttar Pradesh. While the Hindutva or hardline Hindu proselytization isnt visible in votes or electoral seats gained by the BJP yet, there has been a steady gain in the partys vote share over time from a measly 5% in 2001 to 14.6% in the state election in 2016. The Sangh has its eye not just on the one-odd seat the BJP may win in this election, but on gains in the long term. It would eventually like a repeat of Tripura where the communist government lost to the BJP for the first time in the states history in 2018. The build-up has been gradual and it has attracted people such as 45-year old C Sajith Kumar, the BJP Mandalam president for the Kazakottam assembly constituency in Keralas capital city, Thiruvananthapuram. The pull for him was the Sanghs grassroots cadre base and the protective umbrella it offers to someone like him from a difficult background. I was attracted to the Sangh from a young age, from when I was 12 or so. I joined the RSS first. When I was a child I used to go to the temple and there was a shakha there, Kumar says. My father was a drug addict. Being in the shakha helped deal with the trauma of my fathers addiction and develop a personality. Another young recruit from the RSS, who did not want to be named, said it was the josh, the adrenalin rush after the Kargil conflict and the RSSs emphasis on ultra-nationalism that made him join. Now he is part of the networks Vishwa Sampad Kendra in the state, an agency that collects and disseminates news on cultural nationalism to various media outlets looking for such content. In this election season, Sabarimala is a hugely emotional issue, he admits. No discrimination In Thiruvananthapuram, the Sangh Parivar has made sure the Sabarimala issue is uppermost in the minds of those going to the shakha meetings. At an evening shakha in the precinct of the Kulangara Sri Krishna temple, a group of IT professionals gather for their daily shakha meeting. Prayers and exercise done, they sit down to a conversation on the most important issue in this election. Women only started the agitation. This is therefore not a matter of discrimination. The RSS stood behind women, says one. Very quickly, the conversation gets loud and heated. Women activists have misunderstood Hindu religion because we worship women, adds the oldest member in the group who says he had spent 45 years in the Sangh. He says: The temple is the private abode of the deity. It is not for the judge and judiciary to infringe upon the rightthat is the beginning. When I come to your house and I come naked and you tell me to get out, then it is not discrimination because it is your propriety right. You cant understand a 1,000-year-old tradition in two years. You want a Swiggy (a food order-in app) to be delivered, you want a quick-fix. We are all programmers here. You dont know the code; you cant write the programme, adds another. The BJP candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, Kummanam Rajsekharan, puts across the same point more gently, suggesting what the Kerala state government could have done to avoid a political disaster on its hands that is turning out to be a bonus for him. The government should have presented to the court the difficulties for implementation, he says, smiling as he dips the idlis on his plate into some coconut chutney. He is at the house of an influencer -- part of his door-to-door street-by-street campaign. So many court orders are there, he adds. There is one on the Church. State says it is very difficult to implement it. The 66-year-old seasoned politician started his political career in the Sanghs Vishwa Hindu Parishad. In the dining room of the influencers home, sculptures of the Gods gleam brightly. Outside, even as he walks past his own campaign posters and those of his rival from the Congress party, Shashi Tharoor, one thing is perfectly clear. This election, at least in the constituencies close to Sabarimala, it is a God versus the communists, religion versus atheism, and tradition versus reason fight. As far the Sangh Parivar is concerned, the fact that even the liberal Tharoor said that abstract notions of constitutional principle also have to pass the test of societal acceptance, is a concession to what it has achieved in the state. Ramesh Babu is with HT in Kerala. Revati Laul is an independent journalist and film-maker and the author of The Anatomy of Hate, published by Westland/Context in December 2018. She tweets @revatilaul l Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi responded to charges of sexual harassment levelled against him by a former staffer in his office by convening an urgent hearing of the matter in the Supreme Court on Saturday by a three-judge bench headed by him, and spoke for 18 minutes defending himself. A visibly emotional Gogoi said the charges unprecedented in so far as they have been levelled against the top judge of the highest court in the land were an attempt by a bigger force to deactivate the office of the Chief Justice of India because sensitive matters are being heard by the court next week. The court has taken suo motu (a Latin phrase meaning on its own motion) cognisance of the matter, and it will now be heard by the two other judges who heard the issue on Saturday, justices Arun Mishra and Sanjiv Khanna. The order issued on Saturday also advised the media to exercise restraint in its coverage of the case; it was signed only by Mishra and Khanna and not by CJI Gogoi, indicating he had technically recused himself from the case. It wasnt immediately known when the matter will be heard next. There is a bigger force behind this. They want to deactivate the office of the Chief Justice of India because I am hearing sensitive matters next week. Independence of judiciary is under very serious threat, it is pathetic, said Gogoi during the hearing that lasted 23 minutes. He added that he will continue to act without fear and decide whatever cases I have to decide. Nobody can stop me. Opinion was divided on the CJIs reaction. Senior advocate Sanjay Hegde said: Judges speak only through their judgment, when there is an attack on a judge of this nature, there was no other recourse except to answer from the bench itself. The CJI has made his personal position clear by denying all the allegations. Thereafter, he has left it to the institution to take a call and give an institutional response. SN Singh, former dean of the law faculty at Delhi University, added: Every time an allegation of sexual harassment is made against a judge, they say judiciary is in danger. How is the independence of judiciary in danger? The CJI should go on leave and an inquiry must be made in the matter. On Friday, April 19, a former woman staffer associated with the office of the CJI, wrote to 22 Supreme Court judges that there has been sexual harassment and consequent victimization of the woman and her family by the CJI, according to the letter. The letter from the woman refers to incidents that allegedly took place in his home office, where she was posted for some time. It mentions efforts to allegedly target her family, including her husband, a head constable in Delhi Police, who has been suspended, and a brother-in-law who was first appointed to a job in the Supreme Court under the CJIs discretionary quota and then removed a few months later.It adds that she herself was shuffled around various departments and subsequently fired. Hindustan Times has seen her letter but cannot authenticate any of the allegations made in it. CJI Gogoi said in court on Saturday that the former staffer, who made allegations against him, has a criminal background and has two FIRs against her. FIR is short for first information report. The hearing began with the CJI summarising the allegations made against him in the letter (which also has a sworn undertaking), and also published on Saturday morning in four online publications. He said: I received communication from four online publications, Caravan, Leaflet, Scroll and Wire wanting to know of my response on the allegations. They gave me less than 12 hours to respond. A response was sent to these publications by the Secretary General denying the allegations. Rebutting the allegations, the CJI said, I will not stoop low even to deny this allegation. What troubles me is that after 20 years in judiciary I have a bank balance of 6 lakh, 80 thousand and 40 lakh in provident fund. When I was an advocate I had more. No one can catch me on money. They have to look for something else. Even my peon has more money than me. Brushing aside the allegations, he added: This employee was in my home office for a month-and-a-half. The allegation pertains to an incident on October 11 and 12, 2018, when my personal private secretary made a report of inappropriate behaviour by the staff(er) and forwarded it to the registry. Thereafter she was removed from my office. At some point of time, unsolicited phone calls were received from the husband of the lady seeking help from the CJI to put her back into service, which were reported to the Delhi Police. The lady has a criminal background. There are two FIRs against her. One was against her when she entered service under section 324 (Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 506 (criminal intimidation). The other FIR was lodged in Feburary/ March this year for negotiating a deal for employment in the Supreme Court for a person for which she took 50,000 against a claim of 10 lakh. She was arrested in this FIR and was in custody for four days. After her release she has been threatening the complainant in the case and the police have moved an application seeking cancellation of bail of the lady and the hearing in the matter is today in the Patiala House court. Two cases are pending against her husband and her brother-in-law also, observed CJI Gogoi. An application for cancellation of bail of the former staffer says that she was arrested on March 10, sent to judicial custody on March 11 and released on bail on March 12. CJI Gogoi has seven more moths of service left and retires on November 17, 2019. After the hearing, the bench refrained from passing any judicial orders but said, We leave it to the wisdom of the media to show restraint, act responsibly as is expected from them and accordingly decide what should or should not be published as wild and scandalous allegations undermine and irreparably damage the reputation and negate independence of the judiciary. We would, therefore, at this juncture leave it to the media to take off such material which is undesirable. Four-time lawmaker Jawahar Chavda won a cabinet berth after he quit the Congress a month ago to join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat. Within days, nearly 300 Congress members from the states Saurashtra region followed suit. Five-term legislator Kunvarji Bawalia, too, left the Congress in July last year to join the BJP. The BJP is hoping the induction of top Congress leaders would help it regain lost ground in Saurashtra, which has seven out of Gujarats 26 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP swept the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in its strongholds like Gujarat, where it won all 26 seats, to return to power at the Centre. The Congress had given a tough fight to the BJP in 2017 assembly elections and won 77 seats in the 182-member assembly. It was the partys best performance in Gujarat in three decades. The strength of the BJP went below 100 seats for the first time in the state assembly since it came to power in the state in 1995. The BJP managed to win 99 seats. In Saurashtra, the Congress won 32 out of 56 seats in the 2017 polls while the BJP got 23 The 2015 agitation of the Patidar community for quotas in jobs and education under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category and agrarian distress were blamed for the BJPs poor performance in the region in the 2017 elections. The absence of a strong OBC leadership in the BJP, too, was seen as a key reason for the BJPs loss of ground for the first time in the region to the Congress. OBCs account for 44% of the regions population. Chavda, an OBC leader from the Ahir community, is expected to make up for the lack of a strong leader from the community in the BJP and help it revive itself in the region. Chavdas father,the late Congress leader Pethalji, was known for his sway over rural voters. My fathers eyes would have welled up with tears on knowing the position [cabinet berth] they [BJP) have given me. They had 100 MLAs [after a by-poll victory in 2018]. One more would not have made much difference. But this [ministry] has been given for you. Now, we must pay them back, Chavda said in Dungarpur village. He is contesting a by-poll for the Manavadar assembly seat, which he had vacated after quitting the Congress. Manavadar would go to the polls along with 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat in the third phase of ongoing national polls on April 23. The Congress hopes the Nyay scheme, under which it has promised 72,000 annually to the poorest families of India if it returns to power, to be the partys saving grace. We do not know if we will be eligible for 72,000 [Congress President] Rahul Gandhi [has promised]. While farmers in neighbouring talukas have received the first instalment under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Yojana, nothing has come our way thus far, said Chhel Sankaliya, a 50-year-old farmer. He was referring the Centres cash transfer scheme under which 1.2 million farmers will get 6,000 in three instalments a year. Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda brushed aside the impact the desertions may have on the Congress. The BJP stands exposed. The people know that Congress leaders have been coerced and bought. The voters will give them a befitting reply, he said. Ahmedabad-based political analyst Deepak Rajani said the 10% quota for the poor in the unreserved category the Centre implemented this year has ended the Patidar agitation and the BJPs struggle to hold on to its loyal Patidar supporters. On the agriculture front, the [Gujarat] government has waived electricity bills to the tune of over 600 crore to woo back farmers. It is also making efforts to ensure a systematic purchase of agriculture produce with minimum support price and to connect 100 dams of this drought-prone region with Narmada waters, said Rajani. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a preliminary enquiry (PE) to investigate whether a gold smuggler, caught at Delhi airport with almost 4kg of gold by the Customs department, was escorted out safely by the city police, a CBI officer familiar with the matter said. The move is significant because former CBI Director Alok Verma was the chief of Delhi police at that time. This instance involving a smuggler was mentioned by Vermas deputy at CBI, Rakesh Asthana, in his letter to the cabinet secretary last August. It is also an allegation that the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) listed as partially substantiated in a report submitted to the Prime Minister led high-powered committee that selects the CBI director. Interestingly, the PE has been registered against unknown persons and Verma hasnt been named in it, the officer added. However, Verma is very much under the scanner since the allegations were primarily levelled against him and an ACP Raj Kumar of Delhi police, he said. Verma didnt respond to repeated calls and text messages from HT. Kumar, who is now retired, said, I didnt extend any favours to anyone. This is what I had said in my statement to the CVC as well. A PE is registered by the agency to ascertain whether there is merit in the case. If so, the PE becomes an FIR (or complaint). The CBIs move comes three months after Verma was removed as CBI Director by the selection panel in a 2-1 decision on January 10. That came barely two days after he was reinstated in his post by the Supreme Court, which asked the selection committee to look into a report by the CVC on the charges against him and take a call. His reinstatement itself came around two-and-half months after he was divested of his powers as CBI chief by the government on the intervening night of October 23 and 24. That was largely driven by an internecine feud between Verma and Asthana that had curbed the agencys effectiveness and was hurting its reputation. Asthana too was divested of his powers and eventually removed from the agency. He is currently the head of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. Verma was asked to take over as Director General, Fire Services, but refused to, saying he had already reached the age of retirement in the course of his term at CBI. In its report, considered by the selection panel, CVC wrote, the allegation is partially substantiated in as much as [Alok] Verma as CP (Commissioner of Police) Delhi did not take vigilance action against Assistant Commissioner of Police, Raj Kumar, in spite of noticing a grave misconduct. The CVC report recommended to the panel that CBI should investigate Verma in the matter. The officer cited above said that CVC sent a reference to CBI last month following which a PE was filed. A CBI spokesperson declined comment. The CVC investigated Verma on 10 charges of misconduct, corruption and interference on the basis of Asthanas letter. The vigilance body recommended criminal investigations in a few other matters, including influencing the probe against controversial meat exporter, Moin Qureshi, dropping the name of a senior railway official in CBIs IRCTC case, in which RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was named, and induction of tainted officers in CBI. During the course of CVC enquiry, several other complaints were filed against Verma last year. These include allegations of a cover-up in the leakage of CBIs internal emails in the Nirav Modi case and the agency diluting a look out circular (LoC) against businessman, C Sivasankaran (former owner of Aircel), according to the CVC recommendation report to the high powered panel. HT has reviewed a copy of CVC report. Four people accused of impersonating the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and his secretary and seeking information from the acting Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court on elevation of a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Judicial Member, were chargesheeted by the Delhi police earlier this week. According to the charge sheet, the four accusedPramod Kumar, Mrityunjay Pandey and Jai Kumar Nayar from Delhi and S Ashok from Hyderabad entered into a criminal conspiracy to get information on the purported elevation of one V Ajay Kumar, a judicial member of the CAT in the principal bench at New Delhi, to Karnataka High Court and make 5 lakh in return. According to the charge sheet, an accused Pramod Kumar worked with late Union minister Ananth Kumar as his secretary. Kumars wife, however, denied knowing any secretary by this name. In the charge sheet, the polices special cell says the accused planned and called the acting Karnataka Chief Justice on February 8 and 11, this year, and spoke to him pretending to be the Chief Justice of India. The charge sheet says, That accused Pramod Kumar impersonated himself as PS to Chief Justice of India and as Chief Justice of India to collect the information with regard to empanelment of CAT Judicial member. V Ajay Kumar, CAT member, denied having knowledge of the matter and refused to comment. The charge sheet says that the accused used an application, which allows users to mask their identity and use someone elses number to make calls. The group even put an image of CJI Ranjan Gogoi as display picture on WhatsApp, reveals the charge sheet. The matter came to light after one of the Karnataka High Court staff got in touch with the personal secretary of CJI informing him about the call. Delhi Police had registered FIR after receiving a complaint from SC official. While the other three accused people are out on bail, Pramod Kumar on April 16 moved a bail plea through his lawyers, Murari Tiwari and Harshit Batra. A Delhi court Saturday said it will hear on April 24 a police plea to cancel bail of a former Supreme Court employee, who accused Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi of sexual harassment, in a cheating and criminal intimidation case. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Manish Khurana listed the matter for the next date as the accused was not served with a copy of the polices plea. The police sought cancellation of bail granted to the woman on March 12, after the complainant claimed that he was being threatened by the woman and her associates. An FIR for the alleged offences of cheating, criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy was lodged against the woman on March 3, after a complaint was received at Tilak Marg Police Station in New Delhi by Naveen Kumar, a resident of Jhajjar in Haryana. Kumar has alleged that the former apex court employee had defrauded him of 50,000, which he claimed she took as part of a bribe, promising him a job at the court in exchange. Indias foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale will hold talks with top Chinese officials, including foreign minister Wang Yi, next week on key issues such as coordinating the positions of the two sides at international forums and the listing of JeM chief Masood Azhar. Officials who spoke on condition of anonymity described Gokhales two-day visit to Beijing beginning on Sunday as part of regular diplomatic consultations. However, he is visiting days ahead of the second Belt and Road Forum, which India will skip because of concerns over territorial sovereignty related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Gokhale will have a series of meetings on April 22, including with vice foreign minister Kong Xuanyou, and state councillor Wang Yi. Indian officials sought to play down the significance of the timing of the visit, saying it had been scheduled some time back. A man was arrested in Masuri town here for allegedly killing his 66-year-old mother by repeatedly hitting her with a brick for refusing to give him 1 lakh, police said Friday. The incident took place on April 15 when the woman, Ramrati, was sleeping outside a room in a wheat field owned by her, they said. Superintendent of Police (Rural) Neeraj Kumar Jadaun said that on the basis of a tip-off, police arrested the accused, identified as Bhagat singh, from Ikla village in the morning. During interrogation, he confessed to killing his mother. He told police that he was in dire need of 1 lakh to get his house plastered and her mother, despite having a good bank balance, refused to give him the amount. Singh reached the field where his mother was already present to get the wheat crop harvested. He then killed his mother by hitting her thrice with a brick, police said. In the evening, when she did not return home, Singh told his brothers that she has gone missing after which his brothers began a search only to find their mothers body in the field, they said. An FIR was lodged on the basis of a complaint by Bhagats younger brothers. During investigation, Bhagat confessed to killing his mother. He has been sent to jail, SP Jadaun said. Hemant Karkare, the Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who Pragya Singh Thakur claimed died in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks because she had cursed him, led the probe by the Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) into the Malegaon blast case of 2008, in which Thakur is a suspect. Thakur, who is out on bail, has been nominated as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat against the Congresss Digvijaya Singh, and her remarks triggered a furore in Maharashtra. She said had cursed him because of the way Karkare treated her during her incarceration On September 29, 2008, a bomb planted on a motorcycle went off in Malegaon, killing six people and injuring 101. The first breakthrough for Karkares team came within a month, with the restoration of the engine number of the motorcycle used in the blast, which was found to be registered in Thakurs name. Also Read | Cursed ATS chief Hemant Karkare, he died, says Sadhvi Pragya; sparks row On October 24, 2008, the state agency arrested Thakur, Shiv Narayan Gopal Singh Kalsangra and Shyam Bhawarlal Sahu. According to the ATS, one of the accused, Lt. Col. (retd.) Prasad Purohit ,played a key role in formation of Abhinav Bharat with the intention to propagate a separate Hindu Rashtra with its own constitution, and had supplied RDX for the blast. He was arrested on November 5, 2008. The ATS under Karkare arrested a total of 11 people between October and November 2008, claiming the attack had been planned by Hindu rightwing groups to target Malegaons Muslim population. Bharatiya Janata Party, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders, among others, accused the ATS of being on a witch-hunt; some even demanded that ATS officers be subjected to a narco-analysis to establish their motives. The state agency invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the case, which later became a controversy and led to all cases of so-called Hindu terror being transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). On May 13, 2016, the NIA submitted a supplementary charge sheet, stating that a shoddy probe by state authorities had forced them to drop the stringent provisions of the MCOCA. Also Read | Take back my statement, apologise: Sadhvi Pragya on Hemant Karkare remark A special court, on December 27, 2017, ordered dropping charges under the MCOCA. The NIA special court in October last year framed charges against the seven accused Thakur, Ramesh Upadhyay, Sameer Kulkarni, Ajay Rahirkar, Purohit, Sudhakar Dwivedi alias Swami Amritanand and Sudhakar Chaturvedi claiming their prosecution was not maintainable in the absence of evidence. In its supplementary charge sheet, the NIA gave a clean chit to Thakur, which led to questions over the state agencys probe. Also Watch | ATS chief Hemant Karkare died after I cursed him: Sadhvi Pragya sparks row On December 3, 2018, a special court began its trial in the case against the seven booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with the charge of murder. Karkare, along with senior police officials Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar, was killed outside Cama Hospital in south Mumbai while fighting terrorists during the November 26, 2011 attacks. Born in 1954, Karkare hailed from Madhya Pradesh and completed his schooling from Wardha in Maharashtra. He graduated in mechanical engineering from Nagpur in 1975. Karkare joined the IPS in 1982 and served in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) as well as the Indian mission in Vienna, Austria. Opinion | Some questions for BJP He was the superintendent of police in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra in 1991. Chandrapur is an area in which Maoist rebels, known as Naxalites, were active. Karkare also did stints with the Mumbai crime branch and anti-narcotics department. He was posted as the joint commissioner of police (administration) in the Mumbai police, before taking over as the ATS chief. PK Jain,an IPS officer and former additional director general (special operations), remembers Karkare as a hardworking and dedicated officer. I knew Karkare well. As an officer, he was committed to his duty, said Jain. KP Raghuvanshi, former director general of police of Maharashtra who was chief of the ATS before Karkare, said: He was a fine officer. He was extremely focused. Karkare was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, Indias highest peacetime military decoration Restrictions on civilian traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway NH-44 imposed after the Pulwama suicide attack which killed 40 soldiers in February, has been relaxed, the Jammu and Kashmir government said in a statement. On February 14, 40 soldiers of the Central Reserve Police Force were killed when an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into their convoy. On March 30, another attempt to target a convoy failed. Following this, on April 7, the movement of civilian traffic along the highway was restricted to twice a week Wednesday and Sunday. On Saturday, the administration rolled back the restrictions partially, from two days to one, and on a certain stretch, and added that these will further be reviewed after the last phase of polling is over on May 6. An official statement said, The restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on National Highway-44 would now be limited only to Sunday with effect from April 22. There would be no prohibition on civilian traffic on Wednesday. Also read: Jammu and Kashmir high court seeks government reply on highway ban The restrictions, however, would continue between Srinagar and Udhampur on National Highway-44 as earlier. Even on the days of restrictions Sunday and Wednesday between Srinagar and Udhampur and on Sunday between Baramulla and Srinagar, the local administration would continue to facilitate the movement of civilian traffic as has been happening in the last two weeks, it said. Complete review of restrictions on the highway would be done after the last phase of elections on May 6 to examine the need for continuing with them, the statement said, but added,The restrictions will be reviewed on a real-time basis and modifications will be made as necessary in the coming days. The restrictions werent popular with the local population, importantly the security forces werent either keen on continuing with the restrictions, a senior Ministry of Home official who did not want to be named said explaining the reason behind the move. The tourist season begins from May. In addition, the J&K government will move back to Srinagar the summer Capital from May, a second senior MHA official said indicating more relaxation in the coming days. Earlier this week, HT had reported about the government reconsidering the restriction on civilian traffic. Security measures for Anantnag Between 30,000 and 40,000 security forces will be in place for the first phase of the three-phase polling in South Kashmirs Anantnag on April 23. The LS seat,which has been without a representative in Parliament since 2016. The J&K police and the CRPF will guard the hypersensitive polling booths, which are most vulnerable in the region, senior officials said requesting anonymity. Ninety percent of the 900 polling booths in the constituency have been declared hypersensitive. Separate teams headed by senior police officers have been formed to tackle stone pelters. The army will be pressed into night and area domination efforts, the officials said. Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2014 from Anantnag, but she resigned after becoming chief minister of J&K chief minister in 2016 following assembly elections. The security situation in South Kashmir forced the Election Commission to defer a by-election and the seat has remained vacant since. Also read: These are worst days for country, says Mehbooba Mufti on remarks of Sadhvi Pragya against Karkare Inspector General of Police S P Pani and top officials on Saturday held a meeting with officers who will be deployed on the ground on Tuesday. The first and second phase of polls, which remained almost violence-free, has given us confidence but the election in Anantnag will be a big challenge, said a senior police officer. Baramulla and Srinagar in the Kashmir valley voted on April 11 and 18. On the recommendation of the Police, the Election Commission has reduced the duration of polling, which will begin at 7 am and conclude at 4 pm. 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. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was taken prisoner by Pakistan after his MiG 21 aircraft was shot down on February 27, has been transferred out of the Srinagar airbase, a senior Defence Ministry official who did not want to be named said Saturday. Security considerations prompted the transfer, the officer said and added that Wing Commander Abhinandans home base will be another front-line fighter base. Security agencies have indicated that the officer could be a target of the Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)- the group that took responsibility for the February 14 Pulwama suicide attack which killed 40 troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) dead. The Indian Air Force, however, said that transfer to another base is routine. Wing Commander Abhinandan, flying a vintage Russian-made Mig-21 fighter, was part of the package of aircraft that took on the incoming Pakistan Air Force war planes on February 27. A day earlier, IAF fighters had hit a JeM training camp in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He was taken prisoner by Pakistan after his aircraft was shot down over the Line of Control (LoC). Under pressure from India, Wing Commander Abhinandan was released by Pakistan on March 1. The fighter pilot is currently awaiting medical clearance to resume flying a combat aircraft. Indias foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale will hold talks with top Chinese officials, including foreign minister Wang Yi, next week on key issues such as coordinating the positions of the two sides at international forums and the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. Officials who spoke on condition of anonymity described Gokhales two-day visit to Beijing beginning on Sunday as part of regular diplomatic consultations. However, he is visiting days ahead of the second Belt and Road Forum (BRF), which India will skip because of concerns over territorial sovereignty related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Gokhale, who earlier served as the envoy to Beijing, will have a series of meetings on April 22, including with vice foreign minister Kong Xuanyou and state councillor and foreign minister Wang Yi. Indian officials sought to play down the significance of the timing of the visit, saying the trip had been scheduled quite some time back. The foreign secretary visits other countries as part of our regular consultations. He was recently in Washington and Moscow. He will be visiting Berlin after Beijing, said an official who asked not to be identified. In addition to talks aimed at maintaining momentum in bilateral ties in the wake of last years informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at Wuhan, Gokhale is expected to discuss coordinating India and Chinas positions on key global issues at forums such as the G20 Summit to be held in Tokyo in June, people familiar with developments said. Also read | US counters China on Masood Azhar: Will use all resources to blacklist him Xi is expected to meet the Indian Prime Minister on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. The Chinese side is also keenly looking forward to the second informal summit, which will be held in India some time after the general elections. Beijing is currently preparing to host the three-day Belt and Road Forum from April 25, which will be attended by nearly 40 heads of state and government. India and Bhutan are among the countries that will not attend the forum. New Delhi had also boycotted the first edition of the forum in 2017. India has repeatedly expressed concerns about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), largely because of CPEC, which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and the uneven playing field created by China for Xis flagship connectivity project. For Beijing, Indias snub is a diplomatic irritant. Briefing the media on the forum on Friday, foreign minister Wang had said: One of our differences is how to look at the BRI. The Indian side has its concerns. We understand that and that is why we have stated clearly on many occasions that the BRI, including the CPEC, is only an economic initiative and does not target any third country and they have nothing to do with the sovereign and territorial disputes left from history between any two countries. Chinas repeated blocking of efforts to designate Masood Azhar a global terrorist at the UNs Islamic State and al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee too has emerged as an irritant in ties. Gokhale is expected to convey Indias concerns on this issue to Kong. Also read: China asks US to act cautiously after its push to ban Masood Azhar at UN Kong has played an important role in bilateral consultations in recent years, and had visited Pakistan in March in the aftermath of tensions following the Pulwama suicide attack that killed 40 Indian troops. In December, Kong had visited India to review diplomatic ties in the wake of the Wuhan summit. Incidentally, India has sent one of its frontline warships, INS Kolkata, to join the 70th anniversary of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy at Qingdao in east China. Hu Shisheng, a Beijing-based South Asia expert, said there are several issues for the two sides to discuss. I thought of the second BRF summit. Maybe, the Indian side wants to reduce Chinas misconceptions. Although New Delhi is reluctant to send official delegations to the second BRF, the cooperation between the two countries on regional integration and governance can still be pushed forward, said Hu, director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceania Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. Azhar will be discussed too, Hu said. Thats another possibility because the technical block will end by May. Discussions could also include how to coordinate positions during the G20 Summit in Tokyo, he said. Also read | Masood Azhar case moving towards settlement: China After Jet Airways suspended its operations on Wednesday, the number of flights operating from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) came down by around 250-280 flights. The airport, which witnessed an average of 950 flight movements before Wednesday, operated around 700 flights on an average on Thursday and Friday. A senior Airports Authority of India (AAI) official said, The air traffic is as low as 650-700 flight movements in 24 hours. The airport witnessed passenger traffic of 48. 49 million during financial year 2017-18. According to airport officials, the suspension of Jets services has also resulted in overcrowding at domestic terminal (T1), as those who had booked their flights for Jet, are now booking alternate flights on the low-cost carriers like IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir that operate from T1 at Santacruz. With the flight operations coming down, passengers are also forced to shell out around 5,000 -10,000 for other metros. Usually, the tickets are available for 3,500- 5,000. Harish Joshi booked a ticket to Mumbai from Delhi for Wednesday. He said, I am being charged 8,000 for a one-way ticket. We ought to plan our travel in advance or be ready to shell out more. However, with SpiceJet and Indigo announcing additional flights from CSMIA from next week onwards, the air traffic is likely to soar again. While SpiceJet has announced 24 new flights (eight international and 16 domestic), IndiGo will operate around 18 new domestic flights from Mumbai. Ajay Singh, chairman and managing director of SpiceJet said, As we expand and grow, we are giving first preference to those who lost their jobs owing to the closure of Jet Airways. We will also induct a large number of planes in our fleet soon. A tribal minor girl died allegedly after gang rape by members of a marriage party in a village of East Tundi block, around 45 kms from here, on Friday night. Dhanbad superintendent of police (rural), Aman Kumar, said five accused had been apprehended and hunt for the other suspects was on. The police have seized three cars and three bikes of the accused. Some of the accused are minors, the SP said. The deceaseds body has been sent for autopsy at Patliputra Medical College Hospital (PMCH). Police said the incident occurred between 9 pm to 10 pm on Friday. A marriage party had come from Jamtara district to the village close to the girls village. Some members of the marriage party had come to meet their relatives in girls village at night. Their relatives are neighbors of the girl. They lured the girl to nearby deserted place and committed the crime. All the accused were allegedly in drunken state. After crime, the accused marriage party members fled the village. The deceaseds father told media persons that she returned to her home limping and fainted just after narrating her ordeal. They tried to bring her back to senses but failed and before they could take her to hospital she succumbed to her injury. More than five persons were involved in the crime. We will take them to district headquarters for interrogation. Only after that we will be able to say the number of people involved in the crime, said SP Aman Kumar, who reached the village on Saturday morning after receiving information about the crime. East Tundi block development officer (BDO) Suresh Kumar Sinha met the family members of the girl and assured all assistance as per state government norms. About 72 hours after the 39-year-old son of a late politician was believed to have died of a heart attack at his south Delhi residence, the police on Thursday night registered a case of murder against unknown persons. On Friday, the Delhi police said Rohit Shekhar Tiwari, son of three-time former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, Narayan Dutt Tiwari, was murdered. The autopsy report revealed that Shekhar was smothered with a pillow and had bruises on one hand. The probe has now been transferred from the local police to the crime branch. Shekhar, 39, a Defence Colony resident, was declared brought dead at the Max Super Speciality Hospital in Saket April 16 (Tuesday). Family members had told the police that around 4pm, a male servant had found Shekhar unconscious on his bed, after which he was taken to the hospital where he was declared brought dead. Shekhar lived with his wife, mother and his half brother in a three-storey bungalow. Sudhir Gupta, head of the department of forensic medicine at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where the autopsy was conducted, said, The post-mortem examination was conducted by a team of five senior doctors and they all came to the same conclusion that the cause of death was asphyxia (suffocation) due to smothering by a pillow. It was a clear case of sudden unnatural death of the category of homicide. A senior police officer, who is supervising the case, said no outsider had visited the house before Shekhar was taken to the hospital, thereby, ruling out the possibility of an outsiders involvement. Shekhars wife, his half brother and three servants were at home during the day. His mother, Ujjawala Sharma Devi, who was at the hospital, said, My son has died a natural death. But one day, I will tell everyone about the circumstances that led to his death. The officer said, We have started interrogating the servants and all others present at the house. We are looking at the case from all possible angles. We are yet to give clean chit to anyone. It appears that he was murdered in his sleep. Another officer said that prima facie, investigation revealed that Shekhar had returned home Monday night (April 15), after spending four days in Uttarakhand, where he had gone to caste his vote. The CCTV footage shows him entering the house at around 11pm. He is seen holding on to the walls while entering the house as if he was inebriated. It is possible he may have been smothered in his sleep. A forensic team collected samples from the first-floor room where Shekhar was found unconscious and other parts of the house on Friday. Police have collected bedsheets and pillow covers from the house as well. After news of Shekhars murder was reported on television and the online media, many relatives visited the Defence Colony residence. One of the relatives, who identified himself as Raman, said, The family has gone to Haridwar. We knew that Shekhar was a heart patient for the past 10 years, but to be told that this is a case of murder is a shock. Shekhar had fought a legal battle with the late veteran politician to prove that he was ND Tiwaris biological son. In 2014, the paternity test was decided in Shekhars favour, following which the three-time UP CM had publicly accepted Shekhar as his son. The wife of Rohit Shekhar Tiwari the son of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister ND Tiwari who is believed to have been murdered earlier this week, is among five people who were inside the house at the time of the incident and are now under the polices scanner. Shekhar was found dead on Tuesday and the report of an autopsy on Friday said there were signs that he died of asphyxiation, leading police to open a murder investigation. On Saturday, Shekhars wife Apoorva and his half-brother Siddharth were questioned by police, who are working on several angles and strange circumstances to determine what took place at the victims Defence Colony residence on Monday night the approximate time the murder took place according to the autopsy. It is important to question all those who were present in the house because there are many strange facts. The autopsy says Shekhar was murdered around midnight on Monday. He was found unconscious at around 4pm on Tuesday. The air conditioner of the room was switched on all this while. Also, nobody tried to wake him up for 16-17 hours while he lay dead in his room? Maybe not illegal but these circumstances are strange, a police officer aware of the investigations said, asking not to be named. Shekhars mother Ujjwala Devi Sharma, who returned to the capital on Friday night along with Apoorva after the family went to Haridwar for the funeral ceremony, said relations between the couple had been strained, news agency PTI reported. Shekhar and Apoorva married in 2018, Shekhars father-in-law told PTI. My daughter cannot do something like this. When I got to know about his death, I came down here. Police are probing the matter and soon we will know how he died. Shekhars mother also told the news agency that her son was apparently upset over his political career, according to the PTI. Police registered a case of murder on Friday after an autopsy by a team of doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences said the 39-year-old was smothered with a pillow. He was found on Tuesday by a household help and taken to Max Super Specialty Hospital where he was declared dead. Shekhar, an advocate, had fought a legal battle with ND Tiwari to prove that he was the late veteran politicians biological son. In 2014, a paternity test decided the case in Shekhars favour, following which the three-time Uttar Pradesh chief minister publicly accepted him as his son. The case is being investigated by the crime branch of the police. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday took a youth into custody during a series of searches in Hyderabads old city on the suspicion of having links with the operatives of terrorist organisation Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) who were arrested last year. According to a police official familiar with the development, the NIA sleuths on Saturday morning conducted searches in eight houses at Sastripuram and Kings Colony at Mylar Devpalli in the old city around 8 am and took one Tahir into custody from Kings Colony. The NIA sleuths are learnt to have seized some incriminating documents from his residence. After initial questioning, Tahir was taken to the NIA headquarters at Madhapur and is presently being questioned. The searches followed the leads given by two youth - Mohammad Abdullah Basith of Hafeez Baba Nagar and Mohammad Abdul Qadeer of Chandrayangutta, who were arrested in August 2018 on charges of having links with the ISIS. The NIA charged Basith with being a member of an ISIS module in Abu Dhabi. He had allegedly gone to Syria via Pakistan to undergo training with the ISIS. He and his associates were found to have planned an attack in Delhi and another attack on a RSS leader. Last year, the NIA Delhi sleuths had foiled the conspiracy. The police suspected that Basith had provided an AK-47 and some other explosives and cash to four of his associates in Hyderabad. The NIA investigations reportedly traced him on the basis of his social media posts claiming that he had connections with a Pakistan-based woman, who he had married later. She is said to be highly radicalised and maintains contacts with an ISIS handler abroad. A 32-year-old Parsi priest who was arrested three years ago for allegedly robbing money from a Deolali fire temple has been acquitted by a court in Nashik. The accused, Homiyar Sidhwa, who was the head priest at the Zoroastrian Fire Temple in Deolali, was arrested in September 2016, 10 days after the money was reported stolen. Police claimed he was caught outside the agiary, leaving for Mumbai with 1.94 lakh in cash. He was charged under section 381 (theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and remanded in police custody for a week. The magistrate at the Nashik court said the prosecution failed to prove the accused had committed theft and their case that he was stopped outside the agiary with 1.94 lakh in his hand could not be believed. Sidhwa said the money was his personal savings. Considering an FIR was registered in the matter, none of us were allowed to leave the premises. However, my father was suffering from cancer and I had to be with him urgently, which is why I gave an application to the trustees and they said they would inform the police, said Sidhwa. Sidhwa said that after his duty with Deolali agiary was terminated, he tried to find a job and make ends meet while dealing with the death of his father. When HT called up the trustee that had complained against the priest, he said he refused to admit the robbery took place. The court also ordered that the seized amount should be deposited in the government treasury. Sidhwa said he had appealed to get the amount back. Union minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot spoke to Amandeep Shukla about a range of issues, including reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS), the Modi governments record, the Congresss minimum income guarantee scheme, the Balakot air strike, the candidature of Pragya Thakur, and Kashmir. Edited excerpts: Q. The 2019 general elections are underway. Why should people be voting for your party? A. Development, public welfare schemes, the work done to strengthen unity, integrity, and democracy in the country in the past five years. Q. Your ministry brought the 10% quota for economically weaker sections (EWS). Critics say this was done with an eye on elections. A. They may be saying this out of ignorance, or intentionally despite knowing the truth. This was done to help the poorer sections. The demand was there for a long time. Even the Mandal Commission made a mention of this. [Former Prime Minister] Narasimha Rao made an attempt but was unsuccessful. It was Narendra Modi who made this impossible possible. Orders have been issued to implement this by DoPT [Department of Personnel and Training], my department, and also others. Q. But does this not breach the 50% limit for reservation? A. We have added a clause 6 to article 15 and article 16 of the Indian Constitution through an amendment, so the 50 % limit would not apply to it. Even the 50% limit was for reservation for the categories already getting reservation. Earlier, this kind of an order during the Narasimha Rao government was cancelled because there were no such provisions in the Constitution. We have made the required changes and without touching the reservation quota for the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and OBC [other backward classes] sections. So this will continue. Q. Your government claims to done a lot on the social welfare front. You even announced the PM KISAN scheme for farmers. However, the Congress has announced a minimum income guarantee scheme. Is the Congress not taking it one step ahead? A. People will not pay any attention to the Congresss claims. They have been talking of the garibi hatao [remove poverty] promise since 1971. The poor, however, kept suffering. This promise will prove to be similar. Even if we look at the details, it is a flop. They [the Congress] have said if the income is less than R12,000 some support will be given. Suppose you go by minimum wage estimates that a person is earning R300 daily and there are two working members in the family, the income comes to more than R12,000. So what will they give? There may be those whose income is less, say R7,000 or 8,000. They will mislead them by gathering identification and proof papers like it happened in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka or Punjab on the loan waiver announcement. They announced loan waivers but nothing happened. They are saying Ab Nyay Hoga [now there will be justice]. For 60 years, there were Congress or Congress-supported governments, they did not do justice. These are promises made merely to acquire power and the people have sensed this. Q. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has emphasised the NYAY scheme will be the final assault on poverty? A. Mamata Banerjee says he is an innocent child. What he says is childish. He is not serious about these programmes. Somebody has suggested to him that make such a promise to win the elections. So he may have done it. Q. In your home state of Madhya Pradesh, Pragya Thakur has been pitched against former CM Digvijay Singh. However, this move has come under a lot of criticism as she is accused of terror. What do you have to say? A. The people will decide. We hope to win all the seats in Madhya Pradesh. Q. But is her nomination not an indication that Hindutva is the main poll plank for the BJP? A. Our clear agenda is the unity and integrity of our country. Our culture, that democracy is strengthened, and development takes place; that those who speak the language of Pakistan are defeated. And that India, when it completes 100 years of Independence, leads the world. Q. Unlike 2014, formidable alliances, including the SP-BSP-RLD [Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal] in UP, are taking on the BJP this time. How do you assess your chances? A. There is no impact. Even in UP, the BJP will win more seats. The people of the country have experienced the reality and the negative role of all these parties. To protect their own existence, they are trying to forge mismatched alliances. In reality, there is no gathbandhan. Shatrughan Sinha left the BJP to join the Congress, which made him its candidate in Patna. Sinha, however, has made his wife the SP candidate in Lucknow, where he campaigned for her. The Congress candidate is asking why he is not campaigning for him. All of them are just making attempts to save their existence. We will get 300-plus. Q. But the opposition says unlike 2014, there is no wave this time. A. Wherever there are rallies of the prime minister, there is more crowd than 2014. The crowd is participative and more enthusiastic which is proof that there is a bigger wave than 2014. Q. In this election, a lot of leaders from all sides have made very objectionable comments. Is not our discourse turning very negative? A. The model code of conduct is there and the Election Commission should take action as required. Q.The Opposition, including the Congress, has consistently alleged that the government has done little for Dalits and also that it is anti-farmer. A. We have taken a historic decision in the interest of farmers. We have worked for SC, STs and even the poor among the general category. The work is visible on the ground. The first words of the Prime Minister after he took charge was that the government is of the weaker sections and sabka saath, sabka vikas [development for all]. And what he said, he did. Q. Your critics claim that growth that happened has been jobless growth. A. During Modi jis rule, nearly 6-7 crore people have got employment - they have become entrepreneurs. For instance, under the PM Jan Dhan Yojana, 34 crore accounts were opened. And of these 4-5 crore people opened accounts without any balance, and they got the right to indulge in transactions worth R5,000-10,000. Under the Mudra Yojana, over 17 crore people have got loans. Now are these people sitting with the money inside their homes after taking loans? They are working, and some would have employed others also. Of these around 4-5 crore people have taken a loan for the first time. If you take only them, they found employment in addition to those they employed. Will you not take them into consideration. Or will you only count government jobs. Even the vacant position in government have been filled. Q.There has been much debate on the Balakot air strikes. While the government presents it as a strong and decisive step, others have raised questions on the alleged politicisation of the strike. A. In the last five years, the Opposition, especially the Congress, has played a negative role. There was an attempt to create needless misconceptions on every issue. That is why they have lost their base among the people. The Modi government has taken strong and decisive steps in all fields. After Uri and Pulwama incidents, it has sent a message that if someone attacks us, we will eliminate them - not only in our territory but even from where they come. For the first time, terrorists were neutralised in Pakistani territory. It is a historic step, but if Congress or other parties speak the language of Pakistan, it is very unfortunate. The Congress that led the independence movement under Mahatma Gandhi is not the same any longer. They used to chant Vande Mataram and called for strengthening the country. Now they support those who say Pakistan zindabad. [National Conference leader] Omar Abdullah has said there should be a separate prime minister and separate system for Kashmir. Lakhs of people have sacrificed to make it an integral part of the country. I want to ask Rahul Gandhi what he has to say on Abdullahs demand. And why did he from Amethi and go to Wayanad to contest with the support of Muslim League. He should make clear what he wants. Q. But your party has also talked of removing Article 370 and Article 35 A? A. Yes, they should definitely be scrapped as early as possible. In every country the same laws apply to all religions. There should be uniform civil code also. We have mentioned in our manifesto. Q. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was your ally and it also has expressed its opposition on these matters. A. Alliances are formed on the basis of minimum common programme. So we entered an alliance for the sake of the development of Kashmir. Due to the lack of development, separatist tendencies were making inroads. We are a party of patriots and we made an efforts to create a positive environment. When things were not going in the right direction, we walked out of the government. Q. Your government has said it provided graft-free governance. The Congress has, however, levelled allegations of corruption on the Rafale deal. A. No, No and No. Even the Supreme Court has given its decision. Someone filed a writ and they agreed to hear it. They said various thing about it. Now they have received a Supreme Court notice and would learn. There will be action. Q. You are the BJPs incharge of Uttarakhand, where polling was held recently. A. We will win all the five seats with big margins. Bigger margins than 2014. Three men were killed and another injured after an autorickshaw in which they were travelling overturned upon ramming a divider on Mathura Road in south-east Delhi, during the early hours of Friday. According to the police, the auto driver, who was allegedly speeding, lost control of the vehicle while trying to simultaneously clean the windshield while driving. He fled the spot following the incident but was tracked down and arrested. The three men who died were identified as Ram Singh (40), Dev Raj (23) and Ashok (18). Police said all of them were Uttar Pradesh natives and used to live at Nehru Nagar in Lajpat Nagar. They were returning from a catering job at a party in Jaitpur, the police said. The New Friends Colony police said they received a call around 1.15am about a speeding auto crashing into a divider. When a police team reached the spot, an overturned three-wheeler was found. The injured had already been taken to Apollo Hospital in the police control room vehicles. On reaching the hospital, we found that three men who were riding in the auto were dead, while another man, 25-year-old Amar Singh, survived with injuries, a police officer, who is not authorised to speak to the media, said. Singh was seated in the front, with the driver, the police said. Deputy commissioner of police (southeast) Chinmoy Biswal said that Singhs statement has been recorded. He said that the four of them work as caterers on a contract basis. He said they were returning from one such contract in Jaitpur (when the incident took place). Singh alleged that the driver was driving rashly and at a high speed, the DCP said. Singh told the police that despite their repeated warnings, the auto driver did not slow down. He said that soon as they reached a traffic signal on Mathura Road, the driver took out a cloth and started cleaning the windshield. As he was speeding, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a divider. The auto fell and all of them were injured, Biswal said. The officer said that the auto driver was identified as Vijender Kale. He was traced with the help of the vehicle and arrested within hours. He was booked for rash driving and causing death due to negligence, he said, adding that CCTV footage from the accident spot is being checked to see if any other vehicle was involved in the incident. Ashu, sister of Ram Singh who died in the accident, said he is survived by his eight-year-old son and a wife. I got a call around 3am, asking me to visit AIIMS. When we reached there, we found that my brother had died. He was the sole breadwinner of the family. His wife keeps repeatedly fainting and is in a state of shock, she said. Raj and Ashok used to live in Delhi alone and their families are based in Rampur and Sambhal of UP. Ram Singhs brother-in-law, Sonu, who is an acquaintance of Amar Singh, said he got married only four months ago. Doctors said he is out of danger and that his condition is stable, he said. Priyanka Gandhi, the Congress general secretary for Eastern UP, on Saturday, continued her attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and claimed that there had never been a weaker prime minister and a weaker government than the one currently in power. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was campaigning in Wayanad, the parliamentary constituency from where her brother and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is contesting the Lok Sabha elections 2019. A prime minister who is afraid of questions, one who is afraid of criticism, one who cannot tolerate dissent is not a strong prime minister. A government that suppresses its own people, does not allow them to practice freedom of speech and expression, does not allow them to practice freedom of religion is not a strong government, the Congress leader said in an obvious reference to the growing atmosphere of intolerance in the country. The weakest of all is a government that divides the people instead of uniting them, she said. Asserting that the BJP government had betrayed the people, who voted for them, she said, Have you ever seen a picture of PM Modi hugging an unemployed youth? Have you seen him talking to ladies in distress? Have you seen his photo with a debt-ridden farmer? In five years, he has not visited the home of any person in Varanasi, the constituency which voted him to power. He has not spoken to anyone in person or asked about their struggles. Referring to BJP leaders invoking Pakistan in their election speeches recently, Priyanka said that they never speak about India. They do not speak about the hopes and aspirations of the people nor how they intend to fulfil them, she said. The fundamental problem with this kind of politics is that they believe the power to run the country belongs to them. They do not believe that the power is a gift and a privilege that the citizens have given them, Priyanka said. Urging the people of Wayanad to question the policies of the Centre, Priyanka said, Democracy is your weapon. Your vote is your weapon. Nothing that the incumbent government does is a favour to the electorate. It is their duty to work for the people. Emphasising that the Congress party has a record of delivery rather than of empty talk, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the people of Wayanad should vote for the party only if they recognised the benefits of the various policies that the Congress has proposed to implement if they came to power at the Centre. She spoke about Nyay, of creation of jobs, of free healthcare and education for those grappling with poverty. She signed off by reminding the people that it was in their interest to vote for stability at the Centre for a better and brighter future for the children of the nation. Former IPS officer Bharati Ghosh, who once addressed Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the mother of Jangalmahal, was grilled on Friday for about eight hours by state police a day after she filed nomination as the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency. She was questioned by a team of officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal police. Ghosh is facing as many as 11 cases, nine of which were slapped in 2018 and two this year. Some of these charges relate to alleged extortion and illegal exchange of banned currency notes. A team of 16 officers led by special superintendent (CID), Indra Narayan Chakraborty, arrived at the rented accommodation of Ghosh in Kalmijor village and started interrogating her from about 10 am. The questioning ended around 6 pm. There was a short break around 2 pm. Before the CID team left, BJP supporters gathered in front of Ghoshs residence and shouted slogans. They (the officers) said that they would like to come tomorrow again for interrogation. I told them it will not be possible for me to attend since I have campaign plans. But I assured them of all cooperation. I have requested them to come for interrogation after April 22. Meanwhile, I shall also inform the Supreme Court of the development through my lawyer, Ghosh said after the interrogation. Asked about the interrogation, the former cop said, I enjoyed it. I could have enjoyed a bit more had the questions been relevant. Ghosh also said that she had to cancel her campaign in Pingla area on Friday to attend the questioning. Polling will be held in Ghatal on May 12. This is nothing but one more shameless display of the ruling partys use of the state police against political opponents. TMC has lost popular support and therefore they are afraid, said Shishir Bajoria, election committee member of the BJP in Bengal. The BJP found support from the CPI-M in Bengal over the alleged misuse of the state agencies to target the Opposition. We, too, have many things to say against Bharati Ghosh, who shared a daughter-mother relation with the chief minister. We demand the charges against her (Ghosh) be properly probed. But we condemn the timing of the interrogation. It is evidently a plot to use the state machinery against the opponents, said Rabin Deb, central committee member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Once extremely close to Mamata Banerjee, Ghosh (then superintendent of police of West Midnapore district) hailed her as the mother of Jangalmahal (former Maoist-dominated forested areas of Bengal) in 2016. In March this year, Bharati Ghosh returned a medal and a certificate for commendable service that chief minister Mamata Banerjee gave her on August 15, 2014. In 2018, Ghosh spent several months in hiding after the CID slapped cases against her under non-bailable sections. Late last year, she was granted relief by the Supreme Court following which she emerged from hiding and joined the BJP on February 4. She joined the BJP in Delhi the presence of Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and alleged that thugocracy replaced democracy in Bengal. Ghosh resigned from the police service in 2017 after she was transferred to a less insignificant post. Her relations with Mamata soured after local Trinamool leaders alleged that she was in league with BJP leaders in West Midnapore district. Actor-turned-politician Ravi Kishan, who is contesting from Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat on a BJP ticket, promised to set up Bhojpuri film industry in the district if BJP was voted to power again. An MoU with state government has been already been signed to set up Bhojpuri film industry in sprawling 150-acre area with an outlay of 500 crores in the heart of city so that youths can pursue their dreams of earning name and fame in film industry, the actor said during an interaction with reporters at BJPs Beniganj office soon after a meeting with party leaders. He also took part in Hanuman Shobha Yatra. Ravi Kishan, a Brahmin by caste and a native of Jaunpur with roots in Gorakhpurs village Moonkhar, said he would file his nomination after offering prayer at Gorakhnath temple on April 23 and would be possibly accompanied by CM Yogi Adityanath. The actor had on Thursday led a grand road show after offering puja at Gorakhnath temple and sought blessing for massive mandate on the seat, represented earlier for five consecutive terms between 1998 and 2017 by Adityanath. We are going to win 73 plus seats with historical win in the land of Baba Gorakhnath and CM Yogi. I will serve the people of Gorakhpur by keeping the Kharau (wooden slippers) of Yogi Ji, he said. Ravi Kishan would be facing SP candidate Ram Bhuwal Nishad who had replaced sitting MP Praveen Nishad after the latter joined BJP last month. Gorakhpur goes to poll on May 19. The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday blamed the Congress for not having an alliance on 18 Lok Sabha seats of Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh. Senior party leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the Congress wasted time in the name of discussion over alliance against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led ruling coalition in the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress was doing timepass, it had no intention of having an alliance in Haryana, said Sisodia explaining why seat-sharing talks between the Congress, the AAP and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) of Dushyant Chautala. Sisodia said, The sole reason for us to go for an alliance with the Congress was to defeat the Modi-Shah pair in the election and not to fight over which party contests how many seats in these 18 Lok Sabha constituencies. But the Congress backtracked from the last agreed seat-sharing arrangement for Haryana. This came after AAPs announcement on Friday that it had accepted one of Congresss proposals for an alliance formula to share seats in the Lok Sabha elections indicating revival of their on-again, off-again discussions for electoral pact that began more than four months ago. Sisodia said the three parties had agreed for the Congresss proposal for a 7:2:1 seat-sharing arrangement in Haryana. The Congress was to contest seven seats, the JJP two and the AAP one. But after we agreed on this, the Congress retreated from the arrangement again, Sisodia said at a press conference signaling that the tri-lateral alliance talks may be over and the AAP-JJP will field their candidates at all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana. Delhi has seven Lok Sabha seats while Chandigarh has one parliamentary constituency. A diehard follower of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, Tittal has been on a whirlwind tour of the states Agra district over the past few weeks on a unique mission reach out to the Valmikis, a Dalit sub-caste that the BSP wants to bring to its fold. We are eating together. I myself had food at 200 homes of Valmikis. Not only do we shake hands but also hug each other. Soon, we will start solemnising marriages between our families. We have already started sending wedding invites to each other, said Tittal, who heads BSPs district bhaichara (brotherhood) committee in Agra. Dalits comprise 21.2% of Uttar Pradeshs population and their support is crucial to the electoral plans of the BSP, which has forged an alliance with traditional rival Samajwadi Party (SP) to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Indias most populous state. The Dalit vote is important because in as many as 71 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the community constitutes between 15 and 39 percent of the total votes . But Dalits have 65 sub-castes among them Jatavs (the caste Mayawati belongs to) make up 54.2%, followed by Pasis (15.9%) and Valmikis (1.3%). A deep divide exists among the scheduled caste (SC) fold, and a common refrain among the Valmikis is that they are double untouchables facing bias from both upper castes and the more developed Jatav community.The BSPs effort is aimed at assuaging this hurt. We are brothers who got lost in the political melee. One joined the shoe manufacturing units as labourer, the other became safai karmachari (sanitation worker). Politicians only exploited the social divide, Tittal said. Sitting at the Babu Jagjivan Library in the heart of the city, veteran Dalit activist Deoki Nandan Son explained that while Jatavs prospered by following BR Ambedkars teachings in a landmark speech in Agra on March 18, 1956: Shikshit bano, sangharsh karo, sangathit raho (educate, agitate and organise), Valmikis could not. Such is the schism that the SP-BSP alliance, which otherwise is focusing on the backward class and Dalit vote, is not confident of winning Agra, often called the Dalit capital of the state because it is home to roughly one-fifth of scheduled castes in the state. Both Jatavs and Valmikis are urban castes and historically at loggerheads with each other, said Badri Narayan, the author of several books including one on Kanshi Ram, the founder of the BSP. THE POLITICAL DIVIDE As Mayawati rose to power in the mid-1990s, the divide between Jatavs and other Dalit sub-castes deepened as the BSP chief attempted to form social alliances with other communities such as Brahmins (during the 2007 assembly polls) and Muslims (during the 2017 assembly polls). She gave tickets to Brahmins and not us. Why should we support her in the elections when she never invited or involved us? We voted for change in 2014 as we had this hope that our lives will also change for the better. But (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and Yogi (chief minister Yogi Adityanath) did nothing for us, said Raju Karoshia, a resident of Agra who hails from the Valmiki caste. As the Jatavs moved closer to the BSP, the Pasis and Valmikis cosied up to the BJP. There were non-political reasons too. Valmikis revere Maharishi Valmiki, who is believed to have penned the Hindu epic Ramayana. Pasis are followers of mythical saints Parshuram and Uda Devi. In projecting Hindu unity and Hindu gods, the BJP was able to attract these castes and the partys thumping victory in the 2017 aseembly polls, when it won 325 seats in the 400-member assembly, is attributed by experts to the support of smaller SC castes. Activist Bengali Babu, convener of the Jatav Utthan Samiti, explained that the BJP painted Jatavs as the villains who had grabbed all benefits of reservation. Another flashpoint is the annual Bhim Nagri festival celebrated during the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar and is attending by hundreds of thousands of people. The festival began in 1996 as an assertion against upper castes but has seen tensions between SC sub-castes, sometimes over things like having Ambedkars portrait at home (many smaller sub-castes follow Hindu gods instead of keeping Ambedkars photograph). The Valmikis supported the BSP in successive elections but frustrated by neglect, they moved to the BJP in 2014. Even now, they are furious. Their slum areas here have shrunk.Its a social struggle and their political empowerment remain a dream, says Dalit activist Anup Shramik. But the BJP received a jolt last year when protests broke out across the nation, including in UP, over a perceived dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by the Supreme Court. Though the government rolled back the changes by legislation, opposition parties have since used the issue to paint the BJP as anti-Dalit. No one else but Mayawati is responsible for dividing Dalits. Jatavs have never considered other 65 sub-castes as equals, said Nand Kishore, a Valmiki who is also a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). His home is on Devri Road, a 10-km-long stretch that is known locally as a BSP stronghold because several party MLAs and office bearers hail from the area. Many like Kishore have abandoned the BSP, where they resent the so-called hegemony of the Jatav caste. THE UNITY MOVES Realising the need to consolidate her base, Mayawati launched a campaign to unite several Dalit sub-castes through brotherhood committees six months ago a move experts said mirrored the effort of her mentor Kanshi Ram, who spent his life attempting to unite the Bahujan (literally meaning the majority, a combination of all communities except Hindu upper castes). But it may not be easy. The BJP now has a formidable base among smaller SCs and even the Congress has started to make attempts to win back a community that used to be its loyal votebank until the 1990s. Now, Mayawati has been working for months to unite Dalits through their bhaichara samitis. Its too early to comment. The Congress has also jumped into the fray with (party general secretary) Priyanka Gandhi leading the campaign. A small section may support the Congress, said Badri Narayan. Last month, Priyanka Gandhis meeting with Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar in a Meerut hospital grabbed headlines. Mayawati has often called the Bhim Army, which has considerable support in western UP, a B-team of the BJP. Tittal is confident Mayawatis move will pay political dividends but is aware of the stakes involved in the ongoing general elections. We have to win this election, if we dont, we will never rise again. We will divide and disappear. The AAP Friday announced that it had accepted one of Congresss proposals for an alliance formula to share seats in the Lok Sabha elections, reviving their on-again, off-again discussions that began more than four months ago and at one point even triggered a social media spat between its leaders as both sides drove a hard bargain for seats. AAPs Delhi convener Gopal Rai said the party accepted the Congresss offer for a 7:2:1 seat-sharing arrangement in Haryana, where the Congress will take the largest share, leaving two for the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) and one for the AAP. We have communicated we are fine with the proposal. We are awaiting Congress response, Rai said, adding that the party had postponed the date three of its seven Lok Sabha candidates from Delhi file their nominations. Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal have acknowledged that a partnership was vital to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but their parties have been unable to agree on the specifics such as who will contest which and how many seats. Some of the contentious issues have been AAPs insistence that the alliance be expanded to outside of Delhi into regions like Haryana, and the Congresss demand for more seats in Delhi. Fridays announcement comes a day after the AAP named three constituencies from which it could contest elections in Haryana and its ally the JJP went on to name candidates from four of seven constituencies from which it could contest. The AAP and the JJP had officially announced an alliance in Haryana last week, without the Congress. In Delhi, one AAP candidate, Balbeer Singh Jhakhar, has filed nomination from the West Delhi Lok Sabha seat. While three candidates were supposed to file their nominations Saturday, the remaining were supposed to file Monday. Now, all the remaining six candidates will file nomination April 22 [Monday]. We took the decision because we wanted to give some more time to the Congress to take the final call on alliance in Delhi, Rai said. PC Chacko, Congresss Delhi in-charge said, We are yet to receive any fresh communication from AAP over a potential alliance in Delhi. Initially, alliance talks between the two parties in Delhi were stuck over the Congresss insistence on 3:3:1 (one seat left to an independent candidate) and the AAPs plan for 5:2 (with the majority share for itself). For alliance in Delhi, Gandhi had Monday offered a formula of 4:3, with AAP taking the larger share. AAP leaders said they agreed to the numbers but an alliance in Delhi could only happen if the Congress also allied with the AAP in Haryana. So far, the AAP is the only party to have named candidates in all seven seats in Delhi. This means, if they go for an alliance with the Congress, they will have to drop three candidates. Rai, on Friday, refused to name the candidates who are likely to be dropped in case an alliance is forged with the Congress in Delhi. Days ahead of the third phase of the staggered Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attacked the opposition for allegedly questioning the Balakot air strike in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack and prioritising vote-bank politics over national security, triggering sharp reactions from rival parties. Hitting out at the Congress and its allies, Modi said at a rally in Bihars Araria that they were rattled by the trends that have emerged from the first two phases of the general elections. ... The trends of the first two phases of elections have left them rattled. They no more have the temerity to demand proofs of the valiant cross-border operations conducted by our armed forces, he said. Modi further alleged that while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stood for desh bhakti, the Congresss vote bhakti was the reason the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had not retaliated after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. It was known to all that the terrorists had come from Pakistan, which was behind the terror attack in Mumbai. The army had sought permission to retaliate, but the Congress-led government refused to do anything, he said. Addressing another rally in Buniadpur in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal, the prime minister spoke about his governments commitment to passing the Citizenship Bill in Parliament even though some political parties, he said, are trying to mislead people on the issue. Be it the TMC, the Congress or the Left, they have only indulged in politics of dividing people, but we believe in taking everybody along with us, Modi said. He also lashed out at West Bengal chief minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee, and said that speedbreaker didi has lost her sleep after just first two phases of the parliamentary election. He also accused the CM of fooling people in the name of ma, mati and manush (mother, land and people) -- the TMC slogan. Banerjee hit back at PM Modi later in the day, saying that the prime minister is suffering from haratanka a phobia of losing elections and trying to win by dividing voters along communal lines. He (Modi) knows that he will lose the elections and that is why his face has turned pale. He is now suffering from haratanka and everyday is uttering nonsense thinking about losing in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, New Delhi, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha and others, she said at a rally in Bengals Panighata in support of party candidate for Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency, Mohua Moitra. Reacting to BJPs allegations that she hasnt done anything for the state despite being in power, Banerjee said that people will seek answers from her if the claim was true, appealing voters not to cast their ballot for BJP if you want to save the country. On Saturday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi attacked PM Modi and said the country has decided to relieve the chowkidar (watchman) of his duties. While addressing a rally in Supaul, Bihar, Gandhi said: Let him (Modi) try as much as he can, the people of Bihar, the people of the country have made up their minds that they will not allow the chowkidar to have another term in office. The Congress chief reiterated his promises of giving annual assistance of Rs 72,000 to five crore poor households under the partys proposed Nyay (Nyuntam Aay Yojana) scheme. The Modi government has done a lot of anyay (injustice). We will rectify that with our Nyay (or justice), he said. The seven-phase elections end on May 19 and counting of votes will be held on Mar 23. Taking a jibe at former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, BJP leader and former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said that though Gowdas party is contesting only on a few seats in the state, he is nursing ambitions of becoming the Prime Minister of the country, or at least an advisor to the PM. Speaking exclusively to Smita Prakash of ANI, Yeddyurappa said: Deve Gowda is fighting on 7 seats in Karnataka and has ambitions of becoming the Prime Minister or an advisor to the Prime Minister. Gowda had said in a recent interview that unlike BJP veteran LK Advani, he is not going to retire from active politics and that if Congress president Rahul Gandhi becomes the Prime Minister of the country, he will be sitting by his side. Of the 28 parliamentary constituencies in the state, Congress and JD(S) are contesting on 21 and 7 seats, respectively, as per a pre-poll arrangement. Expressing his confidence of BJP gaining a big victory at the polls, Yeddyurappa said: Despite all the divisive tactics by the Congress party, BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections by winning 104 seats. In this election too we are hundred per cent confident that we will not only win Shimoga Lok Sabha seat with a huge margin but also win more than 22 seats in the state. Shimoga has become a high profile constituency in the state as sons of two chief ministers are battling it out. Yeddyurappas son B Y Raghavendra has been campaigning extensively and tells ANI that despite the state machinery being used against the BJP in his constituency, the people are with him. His father is very popular in Shikaripura where they have a modest family home in a congested locality but Raghavendra feels that Modis popularity is his trump card. The JD (S) nominee Madhu Bangarappa, son of former CM is banking on the Ediga community and his late fathers popularity. HD Kumaraswamy has made several emotional appeals to minorities and other communities to break the hold that Yeddyurappa has in central Karnataka. But the ageing Kannada stalwart Yeddyurappa is confident of adding Karnataka to Modis kitty, We are going to win at least 300 seats in the entire country, he added. On the prospects of JD(S)-Congress alliance getting destabilized in Karnataka if BJP wins the Lok Sabha elections, Yeddyurappa said, After results, anything may happen, claiming that over 20 Congress MLAs are not ready to help the Chief Minister, they are not happy with him. He, however, denied that the allegedly estranged MLAs were in touch with him. These MLAs have not spoken to me, they have spoken secretly, he said. He probably means that there is a whisper campaign. Talking about the Veerashaiva-Lingayat issue, Yeddyurappa accused former Congress president Sonia Gandhi of hatching a conspiracy with the local Congress leadership to divide the Lingayat community in the state. Congress leader and Home Minister MB Patil had written to the then AICC chief Sonia Gandhi on Veerashaiva-Lingayat issue which exposes the conspiracy hatched by Congress to prevent BJP from coming to power in Karnataka. What is surprising is that Sonia Gandhi is involved in this conspiracy as the letter written by Patil starts with as suggested by you, that means she herself has guided state Congress leaders on the issue, he said. Being the head of a national party and claiming the legacy of Nehru family, she should not have stooped to such a level because we have high regards for Nehru and his family. Though it is not new for Congress people to involve in such conspiracies, he added. On Kumaraswamys alleged claims that he knew about the Pulwama terrorist attack two years back, Yeddyurappa hit back questioning the CMs silence for so long.If he knew about the attack two years back, he should have informed it to the police or to the President of India so that such a tragic incident and the death of our more than 40 soldiers could have been prevented, he said. Yeddyurappa is dismissive of the Chief Ministers statements on Pulwama and Balakot, telling ANI that HDK seems mentally unsound. Refuting the allegations levelled on him by the Congress in the Yeddyurappa diary row wherein he was alleged to have paid 1800 crore to some top BJP leaders, the former CM said that there was no truth in it. If there is even a small amount of truth in it, I will retire from politics. Officials and experts have checked my handwriting and signature and have come out openly saying that it was not my signature at all. It was not a diary but only 2-3 loose sheets, he said. Continuing his tirade against the JD(S)-Congress government in the state, the senior BJP leader said that it has been a complete failure and that the CM has lost his mental balance. We are seeking votes on Prime Minister Narendra Modis 5-year performance. The existing coalition government has miserably failed in Karnataka and the Chief Minister has lost his mental balance and is speaking irresponsibly, he said. In Mandya district, Sumalatha is giving a very good fight and she may win the election. The Chief Minister was there only for a week, thereafter he lost his mental balance and is speaking nonsense wherever he has gone after that, said Yeddyurappa. The BJP has fielded candidates in all constituencies except in Mandya where it has extended support to independent candidate Sumalatha, wife of late actor-turned-politician Ambareesh. Sensing difficulties for his son Nikhil, who is the coalition candidate, Kumaraswamy had been campaigning in Mandya for the past few days. When asked about his statements on Balakot, Yeddyurappa said that he has been misquoted by some media outlets. I didnt say that Balakot air strike will help us to win 22 seats, I was misquoted by the media. The credit will go to the military, he said. On his first visit to Seemanchal after becoming the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on Saturday played up national security and accused the Congress and Grand Alliance of speaking the language of forces involved in working for disintegration of nation. Modi, who began and ended his speech in Maithili at the election rally held at Forebesganj, said the previous UPA government did not allow the army a free hand in dealing with terrorists. But NDA government has provided full liberty to jawans to deal with the terrorists, he said. Modi was here to seek support for Pradeep Kumar, the lone BJP nominee in entire Seemanchal and Kosi which together have six seats. Pleased by the turnout, Modi said, After the overwhelming response in West Bengal, Araria people have stamped NDAs advantage. The mood of the nation, after two phases of polls, is clear, he said. Chief minister Nitish Kumar, LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi were also present. Referring to the surgical strike and recent air strikes in the aftermath of Pulwama, Modi reminded the people of the 26/11 attack during Congress rule, which he said failed to evoke retaliatory action. Today, we have not only taken revenge but also isolated Pakistan internationally, he said. Describing the opposition alliance as mahamilawati, PM dared them to acknowledge the retaliatory action against Pakistan. India has become much stronger after Pulwama terror attack, he pointed. Taking a dig at the misinformation campaign being spread by the Opposition that the NDA government would revisit reservation once it returns to power for a second term, Modi said, No power can ever snatch reservation provided by Baba Sahab Ambedkar. In fact, my government has strengthened the concept of quota by extending 10% reservation to economically weaker sections of the general category, he said, while highlighting social security and welfare schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Ujjawala, housing for all by 2022 and 6,000 per year assistance scheme for small farmers. The farmer assistance scheme will be extended to all farmers once the NDA returns to power, he promised. Speaking about the Araria-Supaul-Galgalia railway line and boarder road, he said these schemes had either been completed or were on the verge of completion. Opposition leaders are dividing people on caste lines for vote politics. But we are engaged in nation building with our desh bhakti brand of politics, he said. Prime minister was all praise for the Bihar government for its pro-development orientation. Under Nitish Kumars stewardship, the state is making rapid progress, he said and urged the people to ensure the victory of BJP nominee for Araria and JD-U candidates for Supaul and Madhepura with a huge margin. Interestingly, almost at the same time, Congress president Rahul Gandhi was addressing an election rally in the neighbouring Supaul district, urging the people to vote in favour of party nominee Ranjeet Ranjan and Grand Allaince nominees in neighbouring Lok Sabha constituencies. Nitish Kumar showered praise on Modis leadership, saying, India is progressing on all fronts, a fact being acknowledged by world leaders. The presence of people in huge numbers was suggestive that Modi was riding a wave of support and he is going to continue. He also mentioned various development schemes of the state government that were well supported by the Central government. Ram Vilas Paswan also spoke on the occasion. Araria, Supaul and Madhepura are going to poll on April 23. For the third time since the election dates were announced, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav skipped on Saturday Congress president Rahul Gandhis poll rally in Bihar fueling speculation over unease in the grand-alliance (GA). Rahul Gandhi addressed an election rally in Supaul, where he targeted the Narendra Modi government over a range of issues. Rahul Gandhi has addressed three election rallies in Bihar so far and Tejashwi Yadav has skipped them all. The previous ones were held at Gaya and Katihar. Tejashwi Yadavs absence from Rahul Gandhis rallies has left Bihar Congress red-faced and simultaneously left the sparks flying of a possible breach in alliance unity. The NDA leaders raked up Tejashwi Yadavs conspicuous absence from Gandhis rallies issue emphasising that the GA was falling apart. There is no unity in GA. The alliance leaders are avoiding each other and skipping rallies addressed by their top leaders, said Union minister and BJPs Patna Sahibs candidate Ravi Shankar Prasad. That there are a lot of inner contradictions in GA were apparent from the fact that Tejashwi has been skipping Rahul Gandhis meeting, said LJP leader Chirag Paswan. In Supaul, the GA unity has already been in disarray after the local unit of RJD openly opposed the candidature of Congresss sitting MP Ranjeet Ranjan and stayed away from campaigning. Local RJD leaders have gone on record to claim that defeating the Congress candidate would be their only aim in this election. There is a reason for the RJDs apathy in Supaul. Ranjeets husband and sitting MP from Madhepura Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav has filed nomination from Madhepura as an Independent candidate after GA turned down his request to field him as consensus candidate. Veteran parliamentarian Sharad Yadav is RJDs official nominee from the seat and has the backing of all GA partners. With Pappu Yadav in the fray, the RJD is apprehensive that he might spoil Sharad Yadavs victory chances and benefit NDA in the bargain. Hence there is a vehement call for revenge against the powerful parliamentarian couple from the local RJD unit, which seem to have the clandestinely support of RJDs central leadership. RJDs Pipra MLA Yaduvansh Yadav has openly announced to support Independent candidate Dinesh Yadav. In the given context, Tejashwi Yadav and other star campaigners of RJD have so far avoided visiting Supaul to support the Congress nominee. The Congress-RJD feud has jeopardized the chances of GA candidates from both Madhepura and Supaul, said a GA leader. RJD, however, did not attach much importance to Tejashwi Yadavs skipping Gandhis rally. There is no difference in GA nor there is any threat to GA unity, said partys state spokesperson, Mritunjay Tiwary. Even Tejashwi Yadav cited his pre-planned tours as the reason behind skipping the Gandhis rally in Supaul. I will attend other rallies of Rahul Gandhi, he told mediapersons in Patna. The Congress also tried to play down the issue calling it insignificant. Tejashwi Yadav had a pre-planned election meeting in Khagaria, which goes to poll on April 23, to canvass for Vilkasheel Insaaf Party (VIP) candidate Mukesh Sahni, who is a prominent GA leader. I had asked him to stay there but he will be seen in next Rahul Gandhi rallies, said Congress Bihar in-charge Shaktisinh Gohil. Tejashwi Yadav is avoiding to campaign for Ranjeet Ranjan and refraining from advising his disgruntled cadres and leaders to canvass for her is an open secret now. Tejashwi for unknown reasons could not address meetings in Kishanganj and Katihar on April 14 and 15 ahead of the second phase polls, where Congress candidates were contesting. This had a direct bearing on the Congress, said a Supaul Congress leader, preferring anonymity. Supaul and Madhepura go to the polls on April 23 in the third of seven-phased Lok Sabha elections in the state. Senior RJD leaders said that Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi have differences over certain issues. One such issue is candidature of Kanahiya Kumar, who the Congress president wanted to be designated as GA candidate from Begusarai. Tejashwi Yadav, however, opposed it and went on to field his party nominee Tanvir Hassan from the seat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a frontal attack on BSP chief Mayawati and the SP president Akhilesh Yadav saying their alliance is a fake friendship meant only at misleading people of Uttar Pradesh in the time of elections. PM Modi said their alliance will end on the day of counting of votes. You very well know the truth of those who make empty promises and proclaim hollow friendship. One friendship was also seen during the UP polls. The friendship got over with the elections, said PM Modi referring to the Samajwadi Partys alliance with the Congress for the assembly elections in 2017. Akhilesh Yadav and Congress president Rahul Gandhi had claimed that theirs was not an alliance for elections but a friendship for future. However, the alliance did not last long and the two parties parted ways ahead of Lok Sabha bypolls for the seats vacated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya, who were elected to the Lok Sabha in 2014 parliamentary polls. The Samajwadi Party allied with the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal to contest the bypolls. The grand-alliance of the three parties is contesting the Lok Sabha polls together while the Congress, having been overlooked, decided to go alone in Uttar Pradesh for the national elections. On the BSP-SP alliance for the Lok Sabha polls, PM Modi said, Another friendship has been formed. But the date on which it will break up is already fixed. Should I tell you the date when they will move apart? May 23, Thursday. The prime minister sharp attack at the grand-alliance came a day after Mayawati and SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav share dais together for the first time since 1995, when they broke up the SP-BSP coalition that was in power in Uttar Pradesh. Soon after, Mayawati was allegedly attacked by the SP workers while she was camping at a guest house in Lucknow. Maywatis BSP and Mulayam Singhs SP never joined hands till Akhilesh Yadav approached the Dalit leader with the proposal to challenge the BJP together in the Lok Sabha polls. The BSP had failed to win a single seat in the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, when the BJP-led coalition had won 73 of 80 parliamentary seats in the state. Targeting the alliance, PM Modi said, The day election results are announced, Bua and Babua will resume their enmity part two. They will start reminding one another of the guest-house incident and take vow to bring one anothers downfall. Etah, where PM Modi addressed his rally, goes to the polls on April 23 along with nine other Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. Altogether 116 Lok Sabha seats will vote in the third phase of the national polls on April 23. The votes will be counted for all 543 Lok Sabha constituencies on May 23 after polling for seven-phased parliamentary polls gets over on May 19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a fresh attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saying that her model of governance is based on corruption, conspiracy against the poor and appeasement. PM Modi said Banerjee is rattled with the polling in the first two phases of the Lok Sabha elections. The reports of polling in the first two phases (of Lok Sabha elections) in Bengal have put brakes on Speedbreaker Didi (a reference to Banerjee). She has lost her sleep, said PM Modi, who was addressing an election rally in West Bengals Buniadpur. The prime minister said the BJP workers are being attacked in Bengal as the Trinamool Congress is rattled with the kind of support the Modi government has received in the first two phases of polling. One more worker of our party has been killed in PuruliaHar atyachar ka nyay hoga (justice will be done for every atrocity). Strict punishment will be given to those resorting to violence in Bengal. Ab nyay hoga (justice will be served now), he told the crowd gathered to hear his speech in Balurghat Lok Sabha constituency in Bengals South Dinajpur district. PM Modis rally in Bengal came three days ahead of the third phase of the Lok Sabha polls, on April 23. Five parliamentary constituencies, Balurghat, Malda Uttar, Malda Dakshin, Murshidabad and Jangipur will vote in the third phase of the national elections. The BJP has set an ambitious target of winning 23 of 42 Lok Sabha seats in Bengal, where the party had won only two seats five years ago. Top BJP leaders have been campaigning aggressively in Bengal targeting the Banerjee government over a range of issues. PM Modi was scheduled to address a rally in north Bengal before the second phase of polls (April 18) but he could not make it. Chief minister Raghubar Das on Friday hammered the opposition parties for carrying the sole agenda of Modi Hatawo (remove Modi) saying their corrupt leaders know that some of them will go to Hotwar and some to Tihar jails in Ranchi and New Delhi if Modi were voted to power again. Das attack on opposition parties came during his election rallies at Bhawnathpur and Banshidhar Nagar in Palamu parliamentary constituency from where BJPs VD Ram is contesting elections for second consecutive term. The chief minister said, The leaders of grand alliance of opposition parties are uttering a single sentence Modi Hatawo because they are corrupt and they know that some of them will go to Hotwar jail in Ranchi and some to Tihar jail in Delhi if Modi were voted to power again. BJPs VD Ram is up against Rashtriya Janata Dals Ghuran Ram who is a joint candidate of the opposition grand alliance. Ghuram Ram had won Palamu Lok Sabha by-election in 2006 on RJD ticket. Urging the people to be alert and vote for BJP, Das said the opposition parties wanted to bring lantern era in Palamu. Lantern (election symbol of the RJD) has now been replaced by electricity. The double engine governments of the BJP at the centre and the state has brought cheers in Palamu which has been set free from Maoist menace. Last four and half years is marked with unprecedented development in this backward region, Das said. He added that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in early this year had laid foundations of several irrigational projects worth Rs 1059 crore in drought prone Palamu. Within two years, people will start getting water in their fields as well as in their houses, he said. Reminding the people of the numerous schemes brought by the centre and the state governments for poor and downtrodden, the chief minister said that the government was spending Rs 1200 crore granted by 14th finance commission for three specific purposes in villages. The money will be utilized for setting up street lights, overhead water tanks and paver block roads in 32,000 villages across the state. Work will commence soon after declaration of general election results on May 23, Das said. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made a strong pitch for brother and party president Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad, from where he filed nomination for the Lok Sabha seat earlier this month. Describing Rahul Gandhi as an epitome of virtues, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday said, Your future will be safe in his hands. This was the first election rally of Priyanka Gandhi VAdra in Wayanad since Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from this seat. She spoke at length about the her family during her speech at Wayanad and cited assassinations of former prime ministers Indira Gandhi (her grandmother) and Rajiv Gandhi (her father). The ashes of Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated by LTTE suicide bomber during the election campaign for the 1991 Lok Sabha elections, were immersed in a local stream, Papanasini, in Wayanad. Rahul Gandhi had offered special prayers on the banks of Papanasini earlier this week. Also Watch | Rahul Gandhi to contest from Wayanad LS seat apart from Amethi I am here standing as sister. I am here for my brother. For last ten years he is working hard. He has been personally targeted. We have suffered a lot. I was 12 when my grandmother was assassinated, said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra adding, Seven years later my father was killed. Our family of four was deeply affected. She targeted the BJP saying the party made false promises to win the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Five years ago, a government came into power that was voted in with a big majority. In all their wisdom, people of our country placed their faith and hopes in the BJP government. That government, from the moment it came to power, began to betray that faith, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said. The Congress leader said the BJP leaders including PM Modi have launched personal attacks against her family. She, however, asserted that she and Rahul Gandhi dont have hate for anyone. He (Rahul Gandhi) took enough courage to go to other side and hugged the man (PM Modi) behind campaign against his family. My mother was insulted, my fathers martyrdom questioned, she said. The Congress leader made an emotional appeal to the voters of Wayanad while seeking support for Rahul Gandhi. She said, My brother knows epics and puranas. I really doubt whether the so called custodians have such knowledge. He is black belt and a mountaineer. He is a trained pilot and an ace diverI entrust my brother in your hands. Please support him. He will never let you down. I am sure. Support him, he will be with you. Before filing nomination from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, the Congress president had won three parliamentary polls from Amethi seat in Uttar Pradesh. This is the first time that he is contesting from two seats. While Wayanad goes to the polls on April 23 along with other 19 Lok Sabha seats of Kerala, Amethi will vote on May 6. The votes will be counted on May 23. In February, Twinkle Gupta, a baker based in Puducherry, hosted a food walk as part of the Union Territory (UT)s annual heritage festival. Highlights included egg dosa at Rolex, served with not sambar and chutney, but the gravy of meat and fish dishes; mutton samosas and nalli soup at Bai Soup Samosa; biryani, idiyappam and paya at Bilal and ice cream at Dhanalaxmi. At Dhanalaxmi you get only one flavour each day and you never know till the shop opens at 6pm what the flavour of the day is going to be. One day, for example, it was a biscuit-flavoured ice cream, tasting of Parle G biscuits, says Gupta. We avoided bigger restaurants and concentrated mostly on old, popular roadside eateries, serving food that has a distinctive flavour, she adds. What the walk did not include, was a sample of what is commonly known as Pondicherry Cuisine, simply because it is rarely served in restaurants, says Gupta. Fusion Food An erstwhile French colony, the cuisine of Puducherry like much of its architecture bears the imprint of its colonial past.The Portuguese were the first Europeans to come to trade here in the early part of the 16th century. The Dutch and Danes followed in the 17th century. The British too held Pondicherry for some years in between. But for more than a century before becoming a part of India in 1954, Pondicherry was a French colony, and this has been the most enduring influence on its built heritage, its language and food. Even today, the dosas I make at home are more like crepes, with cheese and meat in them instead of masala, says Bitasta Samantaray, one of the organisers of the Pondicherry Heritage Festival. (The festival is organised by two citizen initiatives People For Pondicherrys Heritage and Pondycan and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.) There was also a South-East Asian, especially Vietnamese, influence on the food here. What was then known as Indo-China was also a French colony. And many from Pondicherry who got government jobs were posted there. Some of them came back with Vietnamese wives, says Gupta. And thus chaiyos a kind of Vietnamese spring roll, made from rice flour appeared in restaurants in Pondicherry. What is known as Pondicherry cuisine is the result of a mingling of flavours. These were dishes cooked mainly in Catholic Franco-Indian homes - locals who had converted to Christianity, had travelled abroad and were more open to the French influence, says Lourdes Thirouvanziam-Louis, of Tamil and Vietnamese heritage, who has compiled many of these recipes in her book, Pondicherry Kitchen. Pondicherry cuisine is a variant of Tamil food, refined by French influence. The use of spice is much less, because of the French influence. So you get the flavour, but not the heat of the spice, she explains. Lourdes Thirouvanziam-Louis, author of Pondicherry Kitchen, demonstrates how to make a traditional Pondicherry dish. (Biplov Bhuyan/HT PHOTO) One of the signature spices used in this cuisine is vadavam, says Anita De Canaga, whose mother Pushpa hosts guests at home for pre-booked meals. It is believed vadavam originated in Pondicherry and was picked up by the French. The key ingredients are shallots, mustard seeds, cumin, garlic, turmeric, asafoetida, white dal and sesame oil, Anita says. Other common ingredients in this cuisine, says Louis, are coconut milk and badam. Dishes include prawn mustard curry (kadughu eral curry), aubergine caviar and mutton sambar. And a vindaloo very different from the Goan equivalent - a result of Pondicherrys Portuguese past. Prawn Malay Curry is a dish with a South-East Asian influence.While some restaurants like the one at Le Dupleix hotel have a few Pondicherry fusion dishes on their menu, anyone who has enjoyed a home meal will know,the taste is vastly different. Unfortunately, many of these dishes are now disappearing even from home kitchens. One reason is that the younger generation doesnt have time to cook, says Anita. The other, adds Louis, is that many families who chose to retain French citizenship when Pondicherry became a part of India in 1954 (Pondicherry became a Union Territory in 1962), have migrated abroad. My book is very popular among this diaspora, says Louis, whose daughter is also settled in France. Pushpa De Canaga hosts guests at home for pre-booked meals to give them a taste of authentic Pondicherry cuisine. (Biplov Bhuyan/HT PHOTO) Eating Out The food served at restaurants has also changed. Till the early 80s, there were Vietnamese restaurants in Pondicherry. Authentic French food was also easily available, says Anita. Today, Paris Restaurant is one of only a few still selling chaiyos, along with a mix of European and Indian dishes. Given the number of French tourists and nationals still working here, there are still some French dishes available at a few restaurants crepes, tartines (bread with sweet or savoury toppings) and more at Cafe Des Arts, a selection of French dishes and desserts at The Promenade and Villa Shanti, a few Creole and French ones at the restaurant of the hotel Dune De LOrient. Baker Street is packed with French visitors picking up baguettes and other kinds of breads, or sitting down to enjoy a croissant and coffee. But theres nowhere that I can get a good ratatouille, says Anita. Walking down the streets of Puducherry today, whats more visible are signs for burgers and wood-fired pizzas, common to all Indian towns, as a Western alternative to traditional Indian fare. When I was here in the 90s there were few restaurants serving Continental food. The number is more today, but the food served at these restaurants is a fusion of French and Italian food and burgers, says Frederic Landi, director, French institute of Pondicherry, whose first stint to the UT was in 1988. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter The Opposition parties in Maharashtra, the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party, on Friday slammed Malegaon blast accused and Bharatiya Janata Partys candidate in Bhopal, Pragya Singh Thakur, for her remarks against IPS officer Hemant Karkare, demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Thakur said that she had cursed Hemant Karkare, ex-ATS chief for torturing her during the investigation into the 2008 case, and so he died. Later in the evening, she took back the statement. Sachin Sawant, Congress spokesperson, said, Pragya Singh Thakur is narrating the BJPs script and her statements expose the BJPs ideology. She has insulted Karkare. How can the BJP claim to work against terrorism when it appoints such people? How can they claim they are working for soldiers when martyrs are being insulted? From a terror-case accused to a BJP candidate in five years, the BJP has truly progressed a lot. They dont have the moral right to stay in power. Modi should apologise to the country for her statements, Sawant said. Nawab Malik, NCP spokesperson, said, She is a terrorist and shes now contesting the elections. The BJP asks votes to end terrorism and then gives ticket to Pragya Singh Thakur. Sawant said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray must clarify their stand. We, the Congress and its allies, stand with Karkares family, he said. Both Thackeray and Fadnavis havent commented on the issue. The number of flights plying from Lohegaon airport on a daily basis has increased to 165, with the addition of five daily operational flights by SpiceJet, Indigo and Air Asia on Friday. SpiceJet started two new daily operations flights; Ahmedabad-Pune-Jaipur and Bengaluru-Pune-Ahmedabad, while Indigo commenced a Pune-Bengaluru direct flight, while Air Asia launched a direct flight to Delhi. According to airport officials, the reason for new flight operations being frequently added to the city airport, is the above average passenger occupancy from Pune to all connecting destinations. Ajay Kumar, director,Pune airport, said, We are hoping full passenger occupancy in these flights. With the addition of new SpiceJet flight to Jaipur, there are now a total of three daily flights connecting Pune with Jaipur. The other two flights connecting Pune to Jaipur are run by Indigo and Air Asia. Officials said,The new commencement of flights has no connection with the cancellation of 18 Jet Airways flights from the city. Airlines have to seek the slot availability at least a month prior to beginning operations. Slots that were with the Jet Airways have been allocated to other airlines, the schedule of which is yet to be announced, said officials. Meanwhile,150 staff members of Jet Airways working in the city are yet to receive their pending salaries for the last two months. Television actor Parth Samthaans father died at a hospital in Pune on Friday. According to a report on Spotboye, he was admitted to the hospital on Thursday night. The report adds that Parth, who plays the lead in popular soap opera Kasautii Zindagii Kay, left the shows sets soon after hearing of his fathers condition. However, his father had died by the time he reached the hospital. Also read: Neena Gupta called Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar cheapy and mean kind of people. Heres why The shows shoot was called off on Friday and Parths co-stars from the show are expected to join him in Pune. Erica Fernandez stars opposite Parth as the female lead and the show is produced by Ekta Kapoor. Parth recently shared pictures of his new apartment in Mumbai, which he said was his present to his parents. Gift to my Parents -MY FIRST HOUSE IN MUMBAI This feeling is beyond happiness ! Since the time one travels to a new city to aspire his/her dream .. you are always away from your home .. and while pursuing your dream you want to get your home sweet home asap .. So with gods blessings ...finally m glad that I am able to achieve one of the goals from my wishlist #myownhouse #2801 #hariom Ganpati Bappa Maurya, he had captioned pictures of his new home. Parth plays Anurag Basu on the shows while Erica plays Prerna Sharma. The show is a reboot of early 2000s hit soap of the same name. It also stars Hina Khan as the antagonist, Komolika. Follow @htshowbiz for more At the Shu Le County Education Center, a sprawling three-story complex in Chinas far west region of Xinjiang, the dormitories feature bars on windows and doors that only lock from the outside. Inside are hundreds of minority Muslim Uighurs who have no way of leaving without an official escort, even though Chinese officials who took a group of foreign journalists around the transformation through education camp this week insisted they were there voluntarily. Asked what would happen if a Uighur refused to attend, Shu Les principal Mamat Ali became quiet. If they dont want to come, they will have to go through judicial procedures, Ali said after a pause, adding that many stay for at least seven months. Shu Le is one of an unknown number of re-education camps in Xinjiang, a Muslim-majority region at the heart of President Xi Jinpings Belt-and-Road Initiative to connect Asia with Europe. The U.S. State Department says as many as two million Uighurs are being held in the camps, a number disputed by Chinese officials even though they wont disclose an official figure. This week, I participated in a government-sponsored tour along with four other foreign media organizations through three cities in Xinjiang. The schedule was tightly controlled, with events planned from early morning to 11 p.m., and it included stops in many of the same places I visited on an unguided 10-day trip to the region in November. The trip shows that Beijing is becoming more worried about an international backlash that has intensified of late, raising risks for investors already assessing the impact of a more antagonistic U.S.-China relationship. Muslim-majority countries have begun joining the U.S. and European Union in condemning Chinas practices, with Turkeys foreign ministry in February calling the concentration camps a great embarrassment for humanity. Xis policies to pacify the local population have spawned the biggest challenge to Chinas international reputation since soldiers were sent to put down protests in Tiananmen Square three decades ago. After first denying the existence of the camps, China is now doubling down on the need for them, and beginning to defend them as a vital weapon against terrorism. You can see the Chinese government basically changed its position over time, said Maya Wang, a senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch. They switched from denial to a full-frontal counter offensive. Throughout this visit, Chinese officials said the foreign media had given a false impression of the governments efforts in Xinjiang. Most of the stops were focused on economic development and new education initiatives. The governments message was simple: Xis policies were helping pacify the region and grow the economy. The exercise reflects Xis increased confidence on the world stage, where hes directly challenged Western-style democracy with a centralized model of government that uses advanced technology to reward, punish and ultimately control the behavior of its citizens. He has a lot at stake in making it work: Backing down risks jeopardizing the Communist Partys grip on power. I wasnt able to speak independently with any residents on the trip, or travel around without being followed. But the group was allowed to ask questions of officials, including repeated follow ups that at times angered our hosts. The visit to Urumqi, Kashgar and Hotan stood in stark contrast to the trip I took in November. Back then, minders followed close behind, searches occurred repeatedly and officials demanded I delete photos on my mobile phone. I could only glimpse the heavily secured camps from a distance. This time around, government vehicles freely moved through various checkpoints, and metal detectors in public places were removed. Police officers who crowded city streets were gone. Still, my attempts to walk around unescorted were repeatedly unsuccessful. After seeing the first camp, we were taken for a lamb lunch where women in colorful dresses danced to a song called Happy Xinjiang. An official ran after me as I walked away from the scene. I think you must be lost looking for the toilet, he said. Please let me show you. In Urumqi, we visited a graphic anti-terror exhibition featuring photos of decapitated and dismembered bodies. Later on at the main mosque in Kashgar, where a painting of Xi that earlier hung at the front had been removed, the imam said his father had been killed in a Uighur attack, leading him to hate the terrorists. Its Getting Harder to Report in China, Foreign Journalists Say Chinas crackdown on the region began after a series of Uighur strikes on civilians starting in 2013, including a flaming car attack in Tiananmen Square. The escalation alarmed authorities who had repeatedly attempted to pacify Xinjiang, most recently after 2009 riots in Urumqi killed some 200 people. Most of the dead were ethnic Han, who make up more than 90 percent of Chinas population and the vast majority of the Communist Partys leadership. In Kashgar, I asked one guide if a single cadre in Xinjiang believed in Islam, which would be against rules in the officially atheist Communist Party. We havent discovered one yet, said Wang Quibin, a local party leader in the city. If we did, they would need to be punished severely. Once, he said, he asked a European official how their country controlled terrorism. They said, We take measures to control it as long as human rights are protected. I thought to myself, Then how can you control it? Theres no call to prayer anymore, he added, because everyone has watches. He said young Uighurs who grew beards were challenging local authorities in a similar way to anti-government protesters wearing yellow vests in France. Another mosque in Hotan displayed copies of Xis book, The Governance of China, at the same level as the Koran. Hotels we stayed in featured brochures with Xis face along with his book. In our country there is no way to put religion above the law, said Gu Yingsu, head of the propaganda department in Hotan. Here Voluntarily China has sought to make the Xinjiang re-education camps palatable to the rest of the world. It removed watchtowers and razor wire from the Shu Le facility earlier this year, according to Shawn Zhang, a Chinese law student in Canada who analyzes satellite imagery of the camps in Xinjiang. At a second re-education camp, the Moyu County Vocational Training Center in Hotan, Uighurs wearing ethnic clothes greeted us as we arrived. A staircase featured a large mural of the Great Wall and the words China Dream. We observed a class in which men all painted the same landscape. Others learned practical skills such as Chinese massage techniques, and how to become waiters or nannies. There was even a class on botany. We were allowed to speak to detainees only with minders present. None appeared to be physically harmed. Bloomberg isnt identifying Uighurs in the camps, or using pictures of their faces, because it was unclear whether they were participating willingly in the events. China Takes Diplomats, Media to Xinjiang Re-Education Camps Each time we asked them what crimes they had committed, and each time we received similar answers with the same key phrases. They had been infected by extremist thought and sought to infect others before realizing the error of their ways in the camps. Many included the phrase: I want to say that I am here voluntarily. Even more striking, the same detainees could repeat their answers word for word when asked. I asked our minders why the answers were so similar. Gu, the official from Hotan, kept silent. One of her colleagues said the answers werent memorized. Xu Guixiang, deputy head of Xinjiangs publicity department, said it was only natural they gave the same answers because they were asked about committing crimes. Perhaps its because they are nervous speaking to a foreigner, he said. It is difficult for them to express what they want to say in Chinese. "It was a very good first season and I adapted well. We won the 'scudetto' and the Italian Super Cup, which is certainly not easy to achieve," Ronaldo said. "You can't win all the time. We felt that we could do more ... but only one side can win the Champions League. An Indian has been extradited to the US from Singapore to face charges of his involvement in a multi-million dollar India-based call centre scam that targeted Americans. Hitesh Madhubhai Patel, 42, of Ahmedabad is scheduled to be arraigned Friday before a US magistrate judge in federal court in Houston. The indictment, which was unsealed in October 2016, charged Patel and 60 other individuals and entities with general conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. The US Justice Department said that the massive India-based telephone impersonation fraud and money laundering conspiracy defrauded thousands of US residents out of hundreds of millions of dollars. Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division said Patel operated a call centre that allegedly preyed upon vulnerable US citizens as part of a massive fraud scheme. This extradition once again demonstrates the Departments unwavering commitment to disrupt and dismantle the India-based call centre scam industry and to work with our foreign partners to hold accountable those who perpetrate schemes that defraud our citizens, he said. US Attorney Ryan Patrick of the Southern District of Texas said large complex international cases like these often take years to bring in foreign-based defendants, applauding Americas global partners in helping bring this case closer to a conclusion. The Justice Department said that Singapore authorities apprehended Patel at the request of the US following a provisional arrest warrant in September last year, after he flew from India to Singapore. The Singaporean Minister for Law issued a warrant on March 25, 2019 for Patel to be delivered into custody of the United States. The indictment alleges that Patel operated the HGlobal call center conglomerate and participated in a complex fraudulent scheme involving a network of call centers based in Ahmedabad. Using information obtained from data brokers and other sources, India-based conspirators allegedly called potential victims while impersonating officials from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or US Citizenship and Immigration Services. According to the indictment, the call centre conspirators then threatened victims with arrest, imprisonment, fines or deportation if they did not pay taxes or penalties to the government. When victims agreed to pay, the call centers used a network of US-based conspirators to quickly liquidate and launder the extorted funds through the use of stored value cards or via wire transfers. As alleged in the indictment, the stored value cards were often registered by the scammers using misappropriated personal identifying information of thousands of identity theft victims, and conspirators collected the wire transfers by using fake names and fraudulent identifications. The call centre conspirators also defrauded victims through other schemes, including via offering fake short-term loans or grants. The indictment alleges that the conspirators would then request a good-faith deposit to show the victims ability to pay back the loan or a fee to process the grant. The victims of the alleged scam never received any money after making the requested payment. A total of 24 domestic defendants associated with this transnational criminal scheme have previously been convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment of up to 20 years in the Southern District of Texas, District of Arizona and Northern District of Georgia. The defendants were also ordered to pay millions of dollars in victim restitution and money judgments and to forfeit seized assets. Some defendants were ordered to be deported based on their illegal immigration status, with another defendant having his US citizenship revoked due to a separate conviction for immigration fraud. The remaining India-based defendants have yet to be arraigned in this case. Executive Associate Director Derek Benner of US Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said Patels extradition should serve as a strong deterrent to anyone considering taking part in similar scams and hoped it provides a sense of justice for the victims as well. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) Russell George said since 2013, the IRS impersonation scam has been on a relentless path, claiming more than 15,000 victims who have collectively suffered over USD 75 million in losses. TIGTAs investigations, often conducted with other Federal agencies, have identified 140 scammers, including Patel, who have preyed upon taxpayers. Todays extradition and arraignment are proof that TIGTA and its law enforcement partners will be equally relentless in rooting out individuals who fraudulently identify themselves as IRS employees in order to extort money from taxpayers, George said. Special Agent in Charge David Green of DHS-OIG Houston, Texas Field Office said the owners, managers and employees of overseas call centers who target US residents should know that the US pursuit of justice for victims of their scams does not stop at the waters edge. We will continue to work with our international partners to identify these fraudsters, track them down and hold them accountable for their crimes, Green said. One of the most powerful leaders in the United Arab Emirates has found himself entangled in special counsel Robert Muellers report on US President Donald Trump and Russian interference in Americas 2016 election. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, believed to be the Emirates day-to-day ruler, is the only world leader included in Muellers cast-of-characters index near the end of the 448-page report. His inclusion, stemming from his mysterious role in a 2017 meeting between a Trump associate and a Russian middleman for Vladimir Putin in the Seychelles, stands out from otherwise glancing references to the wider Mideast. But left unsaid or possibly redacted is what motivated the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula, to insert itself as a middleman in contacts between Trumps campaign and Russia. However, the reports release comes as the UAE backs Trumps maximalist policies against Iran and as Emirati officials have been on a blitz of meetings with American officials, showing the importance they still place on their relationship with him even as faces opposition. The Emiratis saw an opportunity for a do-over with the Americans with a new, incoming administration with a president they personally knew, said Ryan Bohl, an analyst with the Austin, Texas-based private intelligence firm Stratfor. They didnt take into account that other institutions, like the military, the State Department, Congress, would all have an opinion too. Emirati government officials did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press about Sheikh Mohammeds inclusion. However, it comes the same week that Sheikh Mohammed, 58, found himself included in Time Magazines 100 Most Influential People list. The ranking shows what has been known regionally for some time: that Sheikh Mohammed wields tremendous influence both home and abroad. Sheikh Mohammeds 71-year-old half-brother, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, remains the Emirates president and ruler and ruler of oil-rich Abu Dhabi but has been rarely seen since suffering a stroke in 2014. Sheikh Mohammed also maintains a tight relationship with neighboring Saudi Arabias own upstart crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. In a country where leaders rule absolutely, the Mueller report provides a brief glimpse into the deal-making and connections of the UAE. It puts Sheikh Mohammed at a luxury hotel in the Indian Ocean Seychelles islands in January 2017, just before Trumps inauguration, with his adviser George Nader. Nader is a Lebanese-American businessman convicted in a Czech Republic court in 2003 of multiple counts of sexually abusing minors, later would cooperate with Muellers investigation. This meeting put Kirill Dmitriev, the head of a Russian sovereign wealth fund close to Putin, face to face with Erik Prince, the founder of the private military firm Blackwater who had ties to Trump officials, according to the report. Dmitriev earlier had asked Nader for access to Trump transition team members, the report said. While initially distrustful of meeting Prince, Nader reportedly made a point to stress that Princes sister, Betsy DeVos, would become Trumps education secretary. Dmitriev told Nader that Putin would be very grateful to Nader and that a meeting would make history, the report said. What happened at the Jan. 11, 2017, meeting that Dmitriev, Nader and Prince attended remains unclear, in part due to a series of redactions in the report. However, in the released material Prince reportedly told Dmitriev to warn Putin not to get Russia involved in Libyas still-ongoing civil war. The Washington Post broke news of the meeting in April 2017. Prince, who reportedly has helped the UAE form its own mercenary forces, later told Congress the meeting was happenstance and that I didnt fly there to meet any Russian guy. Thats directly contradicted by Muellers report, which says Nadler set up the meeting with Prince ahead of time. Its unclear what implications Prince could face over the Mueller report. A request for comment to Princes new firm, Frontier Services Group, was not immediately answered. The rest of the Mideast gets far less attention in Muellers report. Theres mention of a U.N. Security Council vote calling on Israel to stop building settlements in Palestinian territory, a vote which former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn made calls to Russian officials about and later lied to investigators. Saudi Arabia is mentioned only in context of Trump showing staffers on Air Force One a resignation letter from then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions. However, the small UAE plays an oversized role in the report, as it does in Mideast politics due in part to its closeness to America. Some 5,000 American troops are stationed in the country, while Dubais Jebel Ali port remains the U.S. Navys busiest foreign port of call. Whats public from Muellers report does not elaborate on Sheikh Mohammeds role in the Seychelles meeting. However, Sheikh Mohammed also had sought a meeting in the U.S. with Trump transition officials before he entered the White House. But Sheikh Mohammed undoubtedly welcomed Trumps hard-line approach to Iran after President Barack Obamas administration signed onto Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers. And while Sheikh Mohammed hasnt been back to the U.S. for some time, the UAEs foreign minister and its minister of state for foreign affairs both have traveled to Washington in recent days. Trump also spoke by phone to Sheikh Mohammed on Thursday night after earlier vetoing a bill that called for the U.S. to pull its military support from the Saudi and Emirati war in Yemen. For now, the Emiratis know they have a strong ally in the White House, Bohl, the Stratfor analyst, said. What would be much more notable if we see them trying to reach out to potential Democratic successors as a backup plan for Trump. Transcript reveals jury questions during deliberations in Jussie Smollett trial and lively debate among lawyers all outside of public view Jussie Smollett trial: What the public didnt see during jury deliberations We know that the Russian assault did not begin with Trumps campaign. National security officials began warning Barack Obamas administration of the threats in 2014. There were failures by both Democrats and the Republican-controlled Congress. But what Trump did was un-American. After trying to capitalize on the Russian hacks, the new president questioned U.S. intelligence and publicly sided with Putin in denying the Russian leaders role. 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. But here I dont see any of that, Greenwald told Tucker Carlson on Fox. Theyve just put collusion and conspiracy and all those conspiracy theories theyve spent the last three years endorsing, just flushed it down the toilet like they dont exist and seamlessly shifted to obstruction. And then conflating them to claim, essentially, that they were right all along. And that is really the alarming thing. 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 When I saw it, I was filled with gratitude that someone had spelled out all the reasons to shop independently and locally in a very clear and accessible list, she said. Its a conversation we have almost every day at the store with individual customers. To have it so eloquently stated in a way that wasnt hostile was very welcome. Even though it was direct, it didnt feel argumentative in any way. Beyonce blessed the Beyhive with Homecoming -- a documentary exploring the lead-up to her iconic Beychella performance -- this week and it looks like she has more in store for her devoted fan base. Variety reports that Homecoming is part of a three-project deal that Beyonce signed with Netflix. As more streaming services emerge and gear up to compete with Netflix, the streaming giant's tapped into one of the most faithful following in the world: the Beyhive. Sources said that Beyonce signed a three-project deal with Netflix estimated to be worth $60M. The price tag surrounding Homecoming, which Beyonce serves as an executive producer, writer, and director, is around the $20M mark. However, the publication notes that a source at the company disputed the financial terms of Beyonce's deal with Netflix. Apparently, Beyonce's decision to link up with Netflix is to deliver more visuals that will accompany the release of her music. Kevin Winter/Getty Images While Netflix managed to score Beyonce for three projects, HBO was previously in talks with her to secure the rights for Homecoming. With a reported $60M bag, Netflix ended up outbidding HBO. No details surrounding Bey's future releases have emerged yet but Beyonce's reportedly gearing up to bless her fans with another gift next week. According to reports, Queen Bey's TIDAL-exclusive, Lemonade, will finally be available on all streaming services next week on the three-year anniversary of the project. If these charges against Remy Ma move forward, the 38-year-old new mother could be returned to prison. Remy was released from jail back in 2014 after serving six years after being convicted on a number of charges involving an alleged shooting outside of a New York deli. Since that time Remy's been focused on staying out of trouble, creating music, and expanding her family, but this recently reported run-in with Brittney Taylor could get her into serious legal trouble. Remy has yet to comment on the allegations that she punched Taylor in the face, but Taylor has been making the rounds, ready to tell her story. She first shared an image of her black eye on Instagram, captioning the photo by naming Remy as her attacker. Then, yesterday a lawyer posted a photo of himself with Taylor, saying people should stand by victims, and now Taylor has sat down with NY Daily News at her lawyer's office to give details about what allegedly happened between the two Love & Hip Hop New York co-stars. According to Taylor, everything started during Spring Break she was with Remy's step-daughter Dejanae. Taylor claims that she defended Dejanae from a man who was beating her up. What happened with me and Dej in Miami is I saved herI saved her life, and [Remy] got aggressive [when Britteny told her at Irving], she said. There are a few holes in the story, but Taylor says that on Tuesday she ran into Remy at the Irving Plaza during a concert fundraiser hosted by Remy's "All The Way Up" collaborator Fat Joe. When Taylor apparently was describing what happened with Dejanae, Remy reportedly said, She was like, Thats not what I heard, and she punched me in the face. I just dont feel like its okay for people to put their hands on someone thats not being malicious to them, thats being genuine, she added. "Shes supposed to be someone with the status and power that she can use for good or bad, she said. She shouldnt be punching someone punching someone so hard in the face to the point that here we are four days later and my eyes only getting worse. It really hurts. Her lawyer Sanford Rubenstein says, Brittney Taylor is cooperating fully with the NYPD criminal probe. We are calling on any witnesses who saw what happened or have video of what happened to come forward. Remy is reportedly still on parole, which is scheduled to end on August 1. The real question is...what happened during Spring Break where someone was allegedly beating up Remy's step-daughter? Yesterday afternoon, FKA Twig revealed plans for a world tour beginning next month in Los Angeles. After fulfilling her duties in California on May 7th, she'll book it for New York for the last time on North American soil. Then it's off to Berlin, London, Paris, and Barcelona for the European leg before she wraps up her tour schedule in the unlikeliest of locales: Hobart, Tasmania. It's all written in plain English; peep the graphics displayed on her Twitter down below. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images In reality, the New York stop calls for a double-booking, as FKA Twigs will be asked to make consecutive appearances at this year's Red Bull Music Festival, the surviving element from the company's numerous foreclosures. Earlier this month, Red Bull announced that both its academy and radio program would be phased out after 21 years of service. https://twitter.com/_/status/1119302037735464960 The gig in Barcelona was born out of similar circumstances, as a central element to the city's ever-expanding "Primavera Sound" festival. The 2019 lineup will also boast Cardi B, J Balvin, Erykah Badu, Future, Janelle Monae, Nas, Pusha-T, 070 Shake, James Blake, Danny Brown, Kali Uchis, slowthai, Ivy Queen, Mura Masa, Rico Nasty, Gangsta Boo, and Tierra Whack in prominent spots. Oddly enough, FKA Twig has been able to retain much of her appeal, even though she's been relatively inactive (musically) in the last 4 years. The last time FKA Twig fans saw any published material was in 2015 when she released her M3LL155X EP. [Via] Boyz N Da Hood, Baby Boy, 2Fast 2Furious, Poetic Justice, Four Brothers, and Shaft are just a few of the movies that legendary director John Singleton brought to life. His presence in Hollywood has helped launch several acting careers and he has a number of hood classics under his belt. As reported by TMZ, the veteran director has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke. A family member told the media site that Singleton checked himself in earlier this week after experiencing weakness in his leg. A plane flight back from Costa Rica appears to be what triggered the medical ailment. https://www.instagram.com/p/BweY50Un8ev Doctors are currently performing tests and doing rehab for Singleton. Snoop Dogg took to Instagram to ask for prayers for Singleton, who was integral in introducing Black Los Angeles culture to mass media. The director most recently created the hit series Snowfall, and has been spending his time teaching at the USC Film School, instructing a course called Film and Culture. The stroke was considered to be mild, but doctors are still keeping a close eye on the veteran. Among his long list of classics, Singleton also worked on The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, Michael Jackson's music video, "Remember the Time" Empire, and Billions. We wish the legend a speedy recovery. According to a report by The Hollywood Reporter, Johnny Depp stooped to a new low when it came to messing with his ex Amber Heard's career. Heard stated in a declaration to dismiss filings in response to Depp's defamation lawsuit, "Following my highly-publicized separation from Johnny, ... I lost a part for a movie in which I had already been cast." She also wrote in a Washington Post op-ed that she was advised that she may be "blacklisted." "Questions arose as to whether I would be able to keep my role of Mera in the movies Justice League and Aquaman," she stated. Warner Bros. previous chairman Kevin Tsujihara has been asked to testify about any part he had in blacklisting Heard at the studio. Depp allegedly personally lobbied Tsujihara to drop Heard from Aquaman. THR writes that deposition requests do not offer evidence Tsujihara took action to prevent Heard from securing roles in Warner's movies, adding that it would be extremely difficult to push her out from the DC film after she debuted as Mera in Justice League. She already had history in the DCEU, and had Zack Snyder's blessing to continue to play the underwater warrior. Aquaman went into production around April 2016, which was over a month before Heards divorce filing and restraining order against Depp. The scandal surrounding Jussie Smollett is well known to the American public. The Empire actor allegedly staged an attack on himself, and then was arrested for lying to police about it. He was deemed guilty in the court of public opinion, but the prosecution dropped his charges in a strange twist of events. The entire story sounds like an Empire plotline, and now the city of Chicago is suing Smollett for the cost of the investigation. Jojo Smollett, Jussie's brother, wrote a compelling op-ed piece for BET entitled What If Jussie Is Telling The Truth? In the article, JoJo writes, "I have literally seen him violently awakening from night terrors, following the assault. Some of my siblings, as well as Jussies partner and closest friends have seen similar things." JoJo also takes shots at the Chicago PD, writing, "the Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department announced publicly that Jussies motive in staging an attack was so he could make more money from Empire. Fox immediately said that wasnt true but the police chief never withdrew his accusation. The chief also stated as fact that Jussie had sent himself the threatening letter that arrived at the Empire production offices weeks before the attack. The FBI then refuted this claim. Again, the chief did not correct his accusations." JoJo goes into more facts from a personal level in the piece, but his words will do little save his brother now. Whether or not Jussie committed the crime, he has already faced judgment in the eyes of the public. Although things do look grim for Jussie, Taraji P. Henson claims he will return to Empire. Tyler, The Creator's been banned from the U.K. for roughly four years at this point. However, a fan of the OF leader is taking a stance against the ban and urging the U.K. government to allow Tyler into the country. A fan named Sam Roberts launched a petition demanding the U.K.government to reconsider their ban on Tyler, The Creator which was placed in 2015. Tyler was reportedly banned due to some of the graphic lyrics in his early music, specifically on projects such as Bastard and Goblin. The petition argues that Tyler's bars are "clearly intended as adult humor [and] hasn't incited violence," adding that "the artist has shown overwhelming growth since the record's release." The petition's goal is to reach 10K signatures in order for the U.K. government to respond. If 100K people sign, the petition will be up for debate in Parliament. At the time of writing this article, the petition reached over 1800 signatures. After announcing Tyler's ban, the U.K. government issued a statement. "Coming to the UK is a privilege, and we expect those who come here to respect our shared values. The Home Secretary has the power to exclude an individual if she considers that his or her presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good or if their exclusion is justified on public policy grounds." Six months after the fact, Christine Jaschinski was still fighting a $4,223 charge for seven stitches. During the phone call, a billing clerk casually let something slip: Yes, I know its expensive, Jaschinski said she was told, but if you pay up-front it would be less. As it turned out, the difference may have been as much as 20 times. Jaschinski had just fallen into the black hole of medical pricing, where billed charges make little sense and the true cost of treatment remains unknowable to the public and even to doctors who provide it. Hospitals, out-patient centers, medical practices and free-standing emergency rooms spit out a number the initial billed charge which is often many times more than what they expect to collect, say health policy experts. What facilities eventually get paid often bears little resemblance to the original charges, varying wildly from patient to patient and venue to venue for the exact same treatment. Hospitals and other health care facilities acknowledge wide price differences, but say there are too many variables from market forces to ever-changing insurance contracts to make apples-to-apples comparisons of medical charges. You cant have a discussion in binary terms, said Lance Lunsford, the chief marketing/business development officer for the Texas Hospital Association. Ken Ellis / Houston Chronicle Still, the lack of price consistency can trap unsuspecting patients into paying too much if they ever find out. It also hinders efforts to lower the nations health care costs since the system is shrouded in secrecy. We dont have a particularly unified or rational way of finding out what the value of health care is in this country, said Christen Linke Young, a fellow with the USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy, a research partnership between the Brookings Institution and the University of Southern California. Billed charges are effectively just made up. $600 a stitch In Jaschinskis case, The Woodlands woman thought she was so careful in picking a place for the couples medical care. She liked Americas ER because it was near her home, seemed efficient and, best of all, offered both urgent care for routine treatment and emergency room service for more serious care. It also accepted their insurance. When her husband, Wolfgang Faust, sliced his thumb while cutting drywall in November 2016, she double-checked insurance coverage and asked for urgent care because the wound was not serious. The doctor closed the cut with seven stitches, gave Faust a Tetanus shot and told him to come back later to remove the stitches. There were four separate bills from the facility and doctor the initial visit designated an emergency totaling $4,223, which was charged to the couples Cigna plan. The insurer paid about half, leaving them to pick up the rest, she said. On HoustonChronicle.com: Decades of promises fail to halt surprise medical bills After the billing clerks remark about paying upfront, Jaschinski went to the facility and asked the staff. She said she was told if she had paid cash and not used her insurance, the price for urgent care would have started at $200. For emergency treatment, the cash price would have started at around $700. Americas ER said in an email Friday it could not comment on this specific case due to privacy laws, but it does not have a policy of charging insurance companies drastically more than either uninsured patients or patients that opt to pay for the services rendered in cash, by credit or any other means other than their chosen insurance plans. Further, the company said it does not balance bill patients, strives for price transparency, and determines its fees using Fair Health, a national pricing benchmark based on treatment and location. To this day, Jaschinski has no idea what those seven stitches were worth. The prices are just fiction, she said. After fighting for more than a year, she finally paid about $1,500 to settle the bill. Used car model Every hospital or health care facility has its own database of prices, called the chargemaster, for tens of thousands of treatments from Band-aids to surgery These chargemaster prices are sometimes called the sticker price or starting point in negotiations with those footing the bill. Critics say the price is set artificially high to give providers more leverage. When an insurance claim is filed with a health plan, a patient receives an Explanation of Benefits that lists the initial chargemaster price and an estimate of how much the insurer will pay. That insurance payment is the result of a maze of internal and secretive calculations, including the contract and special discounts negotiated with facilities, member demands for specific facilities or doctors, and an insurers share of the local market. Providers have their own set of determinations based on patient and payer mix, profit margins and the likely amount they will get paid and when. Both sides bring their formulas to the table and a payment contract is hammered out. At the end of the day, though, health policy experts say the final price is often less about the true cost of care and more about what an insurance company or other payer is willing to spend and what providers are willing to accept. If a patient is uninsured or out-of-network, they face a bigger chunk -- if not all -- of the initial sticker price. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with negotiation, businesses do it all of the time, said Dr. Arthur Tim Garson, director of the Health Policy Institute, a think tank at the Texas Medical Center, The problem is how much profit is being built-in, in relation to their cost. Health care facilities, including the free-standing emergency room industry in Texas, counter that pricing is, in essence, set by insurers who have more power. The Texas Hospital Association adds that often a patient picks a facility based on a value beyond simply price, relying on location, reputation and referrals from physicians or friends and family. Still, others see a widespread market failure. You cant have a free market for health care when patients dont know the real price, said George A. Nation III, a professor of Law & Business at Lehigh University and lawyer who specializes in health care policy. Value is the price agreed upon between a knowledgeable and willing seller and buyer. Patients are neither knowledgeable or willing. Money talks Nowhere are pricing differences more apparent than when cash enters the mix. Patti Joiner and her 83-year-old mother went to SignatureCare Emergency Center in January 2017 when they both had the flu. Same doctor, same exam, same diagnosis, even the same room. The only difference was the older woman also had a chest x-ray. Since the west Houston facility did not accept Medicare, Joiner paid the quoted price of $300 for her mothers treatment on the spot with a credit card. For her visit, she handed over her Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas card and assumed the exam would be covered. Months later, she got a bill from SignatureCare for $1,220, the amount after insurance because she had not met her deductible. This isnt right, she complained to the facility. My moms bill was only $300. Why am I being charged $1,200? You didnt ask for the cash price, she said she was told. I didnt know to ask for a cash price, she shot back. On HoustonChronicle.com: Cracking the Code: How facility procedure codes can become weapons After repeated phone calls, the facility offered to lower her bill to $800. She countered she said would pay $300, as she had for her mother. She never heard from SignatureCare again. Dr. R. Joe Ybarra, legislative liaison for the SignatureCare in Texas, acknowledged the company sometimes offers sharply discounted cash prices as a courtesy if it seems that is all patients can pay or circumstances warrant. We lost money on her Moms care, he said, adding that more goes into treatment than a patient sees. Joiner scoffs that any facility would lose four times the price of a treatment. What truly galls her, though, is that without her mothers price to compare, I never wouldve known, she said. We consumers are left in the dark. No price anymore Prices for MRI and CT scans have some of the greatest price variances in health care, an online health care pricing tool warned. The most important factor impacting the cost of your care will be which facility you use. No kidding, Mia McCord thought. Try a $60,000 difference. Last fall, the Austin woman had recurrent dizzy spells along with terrible headaches. Her primary doctor found muscle weakness on one side of her body and said she needed an MRI immediately. McCord hurried to a nearby independent imaging center, which her doctor said was part of her insurers network and would cost less. She had two scans of her brain which, much to her relief, showed no sign of stroke. Her husbands Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas state employee plan was billed $5,920, of which the insurer paid nearly all. McCords out-of-pocket cost was about $650. She thought they got off easy. About a month later, though, a Dallas doctor mentioned he could have sent her to a facility where the cash price for the same MRIs was a few hundred dollars.It bugged me a lot, she said. She reasoned that if her insurance overpaid, the cost was getting passed to other plan members through higher premiums as well as to taxpayers, since the state paid for the coverage. She dove into researching the price of MRIs in her area. She signed into Healthcare Bluebook, a subscription online tool that compiles prices for specific treatments based on location, and found that MRI prices ranged from $826 to $4,780. She then logged onto to the Texas Department of Insurances website pricing tool. There, the average billed charge for in-network MRIs in her zip code ranged from $1,807 at a physicians office to $5,751 at an outpatient hospital facility. The big shock came when she looked at out-of-network billed charges, where pricing is less constrained. The same procedure on average had a billed charge of $36,009 at a physicians office and a staggering $63,053 at a free-standing facility, which the state agency defines as an independent imaging center. Its like there is no price, she said, We dont know what health care costs anymore. Stepping up In January the Trump administration revived a little-known provision in the Affordable Care Act that requires hospitals to post their chargemaster prices online. In theory, the move is a step toward greater transparency. In practice, it does little to shed light on true costs or promote competition, health experts say. For one thing, the prices can be difficult to unearth on hospital websites. Even if found, they are usually expressed in abbreviations and medical codes. Unless patients know the specific code for each element of a procedure, the numbers are gibberish. Also, they are sticker prices that typically change after negotiations. While the Texas Hospital Association says it favors price transparency, it finds the Trump measure unhelpful to patients because health care pricing is too complex for easy comparisons. The White House last month also floated the idea of forcing hospitals to disclose confidential prices negotiated with insurers, which providers argue are proprietary and the move could lead to price-fixing. On HoustonChronicle.com: Despite law to force clarity, confusion over free-standing ERs persists In Texas, free-standing emergency rooms are exempt from the federal requirement, but new state laws have been proposed this year to demand more transparency from these facilities in pricing, advertising and insurance status. In one proposed measure, if prices at a free-standing facility are 200 percent more than the average hospital charge for the same treatment, it would be considered unconscionable and violators could be referred to the state attorney general. The Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers said in a statement it supports price transparency and some of its facilities already post prices. Late last year, an independent poll commissioned by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, found that 97 percent of registered voters believe patients should be told before treatment how much they will be charged for tests and procedures, and how much they will have to pay out of pocket. The poll also found that nine out of 10 believe health care providers who price-gouge in emergencies should be criminally prosecuted, and nearly three out of four want a state law to cap the prices doctors, facilities and other medical providers charge. Young, of the USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative, said the ground appears to be shifting as patient anger grows, driving policy makers to intervene and consider tighter price controls on health care. I do believe theres hope, she said. jenny.deam@chron.com For as long as Chicago has had jitneys, public officials have been quicker to praise than decry them. In 1915, Mayor Carter Harrison Jr. invited "private capital to step in and operate 'jitneys' just as soon as it can put the machines on the streets." In 1961, reminded by the press that jitneys were illegal, Mayor Richard J. Daley said, "I also know they are rendering a service." His newly appointed taxi commissioner and future felon Carter echoed the Boss' sentiments, saying, "I feel they are doing a darned good service." The Houston unemployment rate fell to its lowest in nearly two decades as the Houston economy continued to add jobs last month, led by strong rebound in manufacturing employment. The regions jobless rate slid to 3.7 percent in March, down from 4.5 percent in March 2018, the Texas Workforce Commission reported Friday. It was the lowest unemployment rate since the end of 2000. Houston employers added nearly 10,000 jobs over the month, the biggest gain since October. The region has added nearly 70,000 jobs from a year prior. Local manufacturing employment rose by 16,400 jobs from March 2018, a 7 percent increase. Its another sign that manufacturing activity may be picking after several months of slowing activity, in part due to trade disputes that have slapped tariffs on foreign steel, raised costs for many manufacturers and provoked retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, said Patrick Jankowski, an economist and senior vice president for research of the Greater Houston Partnership. Supply chain executives in a survey earlier this month said manufacturing activity increased. But, other indicators, such as the rig count which has been dropping since the beginning of 2019, still could later this year lead to slowing in the sector, which is closely tied to the oil and gas industry, said Jankowski. Whats good to see is with manufacturing, those are blue collar jobs, so its growth in the middle of the economy, he said. Two in a row The oil and gas extraction industry picked up modestly in March, adding about 200 jobs from March 2018. It was the second consecutive year-over-year employment gain for the industry after nearly five years of losses. Jankowski said even the slight increase in employment could indicate that the sector is beginning to recover from an oil bust that cost Houston thousands of energy jobs between 2015 and 2017. It seems we are finally starting to see oil and gas pick up, Jankowski said. I was so happy to see that. I was worried we would never see jobs come back. Its unlikely, however, that Houstons energy employment will return to the levels of the last oil boom, which peaked in 2014 as prices breached $100 a barrel. Since the boom went bust, the industry has focused on increasing productivity and lowering costs, turning to automation and other technologies to produce more oil with fewer workers. The economy: Dallas Fed presidents says current rates appropriate The education and health services sector added 10,500 jobs from a year earlier as a population that is both growing and aging increases demand for medical services. Harris County was recently ranked the third most populous county in the nation, according to Census population estimates. The metro area has added 1 million people between 2010 and 2018. Employment gains in March were broad-based, with most major sectors adding jobs over the year. One of the only ones to lose jobs was retail, which shed nearly 6,000 jobs from March 2019. The retail sector has struggled in Houston and all over the country as online giants such Amazon undercut local prices and brick-and-mortar companies replace jobs with technology, such as self checkout. National expansion The local economy has been buoyed by the recovery of the energy industry and the strong national expansion that has pushed the U.S. unemployment rate, 3.8 percent, near a 50-year low. With record-low unemployment rates all over the country, Houston is no longer positioned to attract workers with the promise of jobs alone, Jankowski said. That will likely require companies to pay more. That would be welcome news for workers. Compensation in Houston has been mostly flat for the last year, according to the U.S. Labor Department, and wages and salaries here have been growing at a slower pace than the nation as a whole since September 2017. Its going to be more difficult to get someone to pack up and move to Houston when they can find jobs in their own backyard, said Jankowski. For companies to expand, theyre going to have to increase benefits to entice workers to their firms. Gig economy: On-demand jobs, online retailers keep wages down even in low unemployment Texas, though, continues to draw workers. The states labor force reached an all-time high of more than 14 million, the Texas Workforce Commission said. The state economy has been strong enough the absorb new workers without an increase in unemployment. Texas employers added nearly 23,000 jobs in March while the states jobless rate held steady at 3.8 percent, just above its all-time low of 3.7 percent. Texas employers 22,600 jobs in March, according to seasonally adjusted data. West Texas cities again recorded record low unemployment rates as the shale boom in the Permian Basin drives demand for labor. Midland's metro area recorded the lowest unemployment rate of any Texas city at 2.1 percent, followed by the Odessa metro area, which recorded a 2.5 percent unemployment rate. erin.douglas@chron.com Twitter.com/erinmdouglas23 PALO ALTO, Calif. (AP) Tesla plans to cut its board of directors from 11 to seven in a move the electric-car maker says will allow the board to act more nimbly and efficiently. Tesla says the four directors who will depart aren't leaving because of any disagreement with the company. The board has come under closer scrutiny since August, when CEO Elon Musk tweeted that he had lined up funding and was considering taking the Palo Alto, California-based company private at $420 per share. That didn't happen, and regulators accused Musk of securities fraud. STAY IN THE KNOW: Get all the news you need to know to start your day Tesla disclosed the upcoming changes to the board in regulatory filings Friday. Brad Buss, a director since 2009, and Linda Johnson Rice, who joined the board in 2017, plan to leave at the annual meeting in June. Two early Tesla investors, Stephen Jurvetson and Antonio Gracias, plan to leave next year if shareholders agree to shorten Gracias' term by a year. "This shakeup of the board has been long overdue," said Stephen Diamond, a corporate-governance expert and associate law professor at Santa Clara University who has urged changes in oversight at the company. "It is a very important step towards greater accountability to Tesla's owners, the public shareholders, because it breaks up the old-boys network around Elon Musk." More for you Musk, SEC get more time to solve spat over Tesla tweets The shareholder meeting is June 11 in Mountain View. Shareholders will vote on other proposals that the company says will improve its corporate governance, including shortening directors' terms from three years to two years, and dropping a supermajority voting requirement. The changes are the latest moves by Tesla in response to criticism that the board has lacked independence from the company's mercurial CEO. HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Musk, SEC get another week to reach deal in contempt case The Securities and Exchange Commission sued Musk last year, accusing him of misleading investors by falsely claiming in a post to his 22 million Twitter followers that he had arranged funding to take Tesla private. The SEC sought to remove Musk as CEO, but the two sides settled with Tesla agreeing to pay $40 million and have Musk step down as chairman for at least three years. In December, Tesla named two independent board members as part of the agreement. Tesla Inc. shares closed Friday at $273.26 after a gain of $2.03. They have fallen 18% this year and 29% from their peak on Aug. 7, when Musk made his going-private tweet. PARIS - The eventual reconstruction of Notre Dame is now a foregone conclusion. Within hours of the fire that destroyed much of the cathedral on Monday, donors pledged more than $1 billion to restore the Parisian icon to its former glory. Even before the smoke had cleared, Luxury goods magnate Francois-Henri Pinault announced his family would donate 100 million euros ($112 million) to the effort. Not to remain on the sideline, his rival Bernard Arnault - the chief executive of LVMH and the richest man in Europe - pledged twice that amount on Tuesday morning. The Bettencourt Meyers family, which controls L'Oreal, quickly matched that pledge. And Patrick Pouyanne, chief of excutive of French oil giant Total, offered another $112 million. Officials are still assessing the extent of the damage, so the cost of Notre Dame's reconstruction remains unknown, but these and the many other donations coming in should pretty well cover it. Houston cardinal responds: Houston's faithful fear for Notre Dame In the meantime, the cascade of cash that materialized overnight to save the cathedral has raised eyebrows in France, still in the throes of a crippling protest over rising social inequality and whose leader is regularly decried as the "president of the rich." "Of course, I find it nice, this solidarity," said Ingrid Levavasseur, a leader of the yellow vest movement that has protested inequality in a series of often violent Saturday demonstrations since mid-November. The stream of donations essentially confirmed the movement's broader social critique, Levavasseur said. "If they can give tens of millions to rebuild Notre-Dame, then they should stop telling us there is no money to help with the social emergency," Philippe Martinez, head of the CGT trade union, said on Wednesday. Photo by Cyril Zannettacci/Agence VU for The Washington Post The cash flow has also furrowed brows abroad, with critics emphasizing that destroyed landmarks in non-Western locales - such as the ancient sites destroyed by the Islamic State in Syria - have hardly inspired such a global groundswell. "In just a few hours today, 650 million euros was donated to rebuild Notre Dame," South Africa-based journalist Simon Allison tweeted. "In six months, just 15 million euros has been pledged to restore Brazil's National Museum. I think this is what they call white privilege." Rio de Janeiro's National Museum was incinerated in a fire in September. BEFORE & AFTER: Iconic Notre Dame burned in massive fire Inside and outside of France, the unease has centered on a perceived disparity between concern for the fate of beautiful monuments and concern for the struggles of real people, which can be more difficult to sell to donors. In February, for instance, the United Nations launched a record call for $4 billion dollars in aid for Yemen, in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. "Almost 10 million are just one step away from famine," Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in his pitch at a donor conference in Geneva. In the hours after his call, roughly $2.6 billion came in - a feat in itself. But still well short of the goal. Notre Dame offers a striking contrast: No one was killed, no one is starving, but philanthropists likely provided the full amount - if not more - instantaneously and unprompted. PRICELESS RELICS SAVED: Firefighters make "human chain" to save Notre Dame artifacts There was initial speculation that billionaire donors were contributing to Notre Dame in order to receive a generous tax break from the state. Typically, the French government allows corporations a 60 percent tax deduction on donations made in the realm of culture. "Billionaires should pay taxes," tweeted economist Julia Cage, "not give when they feel like it, benefiting from enormous tax breaks." Amid mounting criticism, some of the big donors defended their contributions. Both Arnault and Pinault said they were not looking for tax benefits. Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg Arnault told shareholders that his family holding company had already hit its ceiling on tax deductions for charitable donations. "It's an empty controversy," Arnault said. "It's pretty dismaying to see that in France you are criticized even for doing something for the general interest." The Pinault family similarly released a statement saying: "The donation for Notre-Dame de Paris will not be subject to any tax deduction. The Pinault family considers that it is out of the question to burden French taxpayers." Pinault's wife, actress Salma Hayek, praised on Instagram the family's "personal and heart felt participation in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris." "My husband and father in law are two generous french citizens, who sincerely understand the importance of this spiritual, cultural and historical treasure from Paris to the world," Hayek wrote. BREAKING NEWS | ALERTS: Get breaking news sent directly to your inbox Caroline Fourest, a French feminist and writer, said she thinks she understands the collective outpouring over Notre Dame, even though the nation's mourning is different than after major terrorist attacks - at the Charlie Hebdo newspaper and the Bataclan concert hall in 2015, at the Bastille Day celebrations in Nice in 2016 and at a Christmas market in Strasbourg last December. "There are similarities, mostly in the sense that we found a real communion, which was the case in Paris after the attacks," Fourest said. "It's not the same loss or the same anguish, because no one died," she said. "But with Notre Dame, we were afraid of losing a part of the beauty that makes living in Paris so sweet. There's a sadness there." BROOKLYN NXIVM co-founder Keith Raniere is scheduled to stand trial alone next month after the last of his five co-defendants Seagram's liquor fortune heiress Clare Bronfman and Kathy L. Russell, a longtime bookkeeper for NXIVM pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges on Friday. Their guilty pleas leave the secretive man known to his followers as "Vanguard" suddenly facing the prospect of having his staunchest confidantes testify against him in a racketeering case that dismantled his stealthy and, according to prosecutors, inherently criminal and "cult-like" organization. Raniere, 58, has for more than a year maintained his innocence while being held without bond in a federal detention center in Brooklyn cut off from communicating with his former followers, including his co-defendants. The government's case has now been buttressed as Raniere's five female co-defendants all admitted to or were charged with various crimes, including coercing women to perform labor and to have sex with Raniere; holding a young Mexican woman in a room against her will for nearly two years; hacking computers to spy on their enemies or to check the loyalty of other followers; manipulating evidence in a federal court proceeding; forging identity documents; money laundering and visa fraud. For Raniere, the potential fallout of a conviction is more consequential because the indictment includes allegations that he sexually exploited a 15-year-old girl and possessed child pornography naked photographs of that teenage girl. Those accusations carry a potential mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years. Bronfman, who was NXIVM's operations director and one of its largest financial contributors, and Russell, who oversaw their tax and business filings, both pleaded guilty Friday in back-to-back proceedings in front of a U.S. District Court Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis in Brooklyn. Bronfman, 40, whose charged crimes included identity theft, money laundering and visa fraud, pleaded guilty to two counts, conspiracy to conceal and harbor illegal aliens for financial gain and fraudulent use of identification acknowledging that she had given credit card number information of a dead person to Raniere in order to help him avoid taxes. She faces between 21 and 27 months in prison at her sentencing on July 25, and agreed to forfeit $6 million. Looking frail and speaking softly in a slight English accent, Bronfman told Garaufis she had "received a great gift from my grandfather and my father that does not come with the ability to break the law; it comes with great responsibility to uphold the law." "I am truly remorseful," she said. "I endeavored to do good in the world and help people however, I have made mistakes." Russell, 61, had been accused of falsifying identity documents to help smuggle a Mexican woman across the Canadian border, and of facilitating the installation of a "key-logger" device on the computer of a NXIVM accountant to monitor his emails. On Friday, she pleaded to a single count of visa fraud related to a letter she wrote that included bogus data about a NXIVM associate, Loretta Garza. Russell signed a plea agreement that calls for her to spend up to 12 months in prison. She began choking up after the judge asked her if she understood she was waiving her right to trial. "I know what I did was wrong," she said. "I'm very sorry for the trouble I have caused. I have compromised my own principles, and I'm going to have to live with that for the rest of my life." The admissions on Friday by Bronfman and Russell followed guilty pleas over the past month by former television actress Allison Mack, 36; Lauren Salzman, 42; and NXIVM president and co-founder Nancy Salzman, 64. The federal investigation of NXIVM broke open in March 2018 when Raniere and Mack were arrested on federal criminal charges. In July, federal agents in Albany arrested the Salzmans and Russell. Bronfman was taken into custody that same day by federal agents in New York City. The guilty pleas signaled the unraveling of Raniere's control of his close-knit and ultra-secretive organization that he and Nancy Salzman had built over the past 20 years. With the help of millions of dollars from Bronfman and her sister, Sara, who was not accused of wrongdoing, NXIVM and its associated entities lured thousands of followers into "executive success" training programs that prosecutors have cast as no more than a "cult-like" pyramid scheme, according to court filings. The organization also immersed itself in side efforts, including allegedly unsanctioned and disturbing "brain studies" that Raniere has indicated were intended to help find a cure for Tourette syndrome and other medical conditions. A superseding indictment unsealed in March against Raniere and four of his co-defendants Nancy Salzman had pleaded guilty by then had added seven charges, including some leveled at Raniere for his alleged sexual exploitation of the underage girl. Several criminal counts against Raniere were dropped by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, which is part of the Eastern District of New York, because the alleged crimes took place in the Capital Region, which is part of the Northern District of New York. Federal prosecutors in Albany are reviewing the charges, including a sexual exploitation allegation, and have the option to prosecute Raniere in Albany as part of a separate case. Several of the federal criminal charges in the indictment center on a secret club within NXIVM that Raniere founded and had claimed was a private women's organization to help its members improve their lives. Instead, prosecutors said, women were lured into the club, known as "Dominus Obsequious Sororium," which means "Master Over the Slave Women." Many did not know that Raniere was the group's "grand master." Mack had a pivotal role in that club, prosecutors said, and allegedly helped gather "collateral" from the women who joined. If they tried to leave, they were threatened that their collateral sometimes damaging information about family members, or close-up photographs of their genitalia would be released. Some of the women were allegedly branded with a symbol that combined the initials of Raniere and Mack, and coerced to have sex with Raniere. Lauren Salzman also had an integral role in the DOS club, including hosting pre-branding ceremonies at her Halfmoon residence, where the women were blindfolded before being driven to an undisclosed location a nearby townhouse and cauterized by a physician, Dr. Danielle Roberts. Raniere and Mack both were charged with multiple counts of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit forced labor. Mack had allegedly made some of the women pose for nude photographs that she would forward to Raniere. She also delivered some of the women to Raniere for sexual encounters, and at least one alleged victim described the sex as unwanted. NXIVM has been described by experts as a cult. Raniere, in statements posted on NXIVM's website two years ago, characterized the slave-master group as a consenting, private "sorority" and said that he and the corporation had no role in it. Opening statements in Raniere's criminal trial are scheduled to take place May 7 in Brooklyn. He remains in custody at a federal detention facility in Brooklyn without bond. After Bronfman's appearance Friday, Raniere's attorney Marc Agnifilo said outside the courtroom that the defense team was "glad the trial is finally starting." "We feel we have something of an uphill battle, but Keith is focused on his defense," Agnifilo said, adding that Raniere has "no intention of pleading guilty." Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Clare Bronfman and Kathy L. Russell had pleaded guilty to racketeering charges. Also, Bronfman's sentencing date was incorrect. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. A right-wing militia group operating in southern New Mexico has begun stopping groups of migrant families and detaining them at gunpoint before handing them over to Border Patrol agents, raising tension over the tactics of armed vigilantes along the border between the United States and Mexico. Members of the group, which calls itself the United Constitutional Patriots, filmed several of their actions in recent days, including the detention this week of a group of about 200 migrants who had recently crossed the border near Sunland Park, New Mexico, with the intention of seeking asylum. They uploaded videos to social media of exhausted-looking migrant families, blinking in the darkness in the glare of what appeared to be the militias spotlights. Professed militias have long operated along the border with attempts to curb the flow of migrants into the United States. But targeting the recent influx of families, who are legally allowed to request asylum and often quickly surrender to Border Patrol agents, is raising tension with human rights activists in this part of the West. The American Civil Liberties Union denounced the militias actions in a letter Thursday that asked New Mexicos governor and attorney general to investigate the group. The ACLU said the militia had no legal authority under New Mexico or federal law to detain or arrest migrants in the United States. We cannot allow racist and armed vigilantes to kidnap and detain people seeking asylum, two lawyers for the ACLU, Maria Martinez Sanchez and Kirsten Greer Love, said in the letter. In a statement, Hector Balderas, New Mexicos attorney general, said: These individuals should not attempt to exercise authority reserved for law enforcement. Jim Benvie, a spokesman for the United Constitutional Patriots, said in a telephone interview that his group had been camped near El Paso, Texas, for the past two months. Benvie contended that his groups actions were legal, comparing the detention of the migrants to a verbal citizens arrest. Were just here to support the Border Patrol and show the public the reality of the border, said Benvie, 43, who recently came to New Mexico from Minnesota. He said the organization plans to remain on the border until the extended wall proposed by President Donald Trump is built or Congress changes immigration laws to make it harder for migrants to request asylum. Militias have recently stepped up their activities in New Mexico and other states as authorities scramble to respond to a surge in families from Central America, with total apprehensions on the border reaching more than 92,000 in March. Elsewhere on the border, the mayor of Yuma, Arizona, declared an emergency this week as the city sought federal and state assistance to deal with migrant arrivals. Benvie declined to specify how many of its members were in Sunland Park, a city in New Mexico about 9 miles west of El Paso. He said the group included people with military or law enforcement experience. If these people follow our verbal commands, we hold them until Border Patrol comes, Benvie said. Border Patrol has never asked us to stand down. The governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, said in a statement that it was completely unacceptable that migrant families might be menaced or threatened in any way, shape or form when they arrive at our border. It should go without saying that regular citizens have no authority to arrest or detain anyone, she added. The video of this week's episode in the New Mexico desert shows Border Patrol agents arriving on the scene at some point after members of the militia have already come into contact with the migrants. Before the arrival of the federal agents, a woman narrating the video tells a man who appears to be a militia member Don't aim the gun in the direction of the families. The migrants can be seen kneeling on the ground and embracing one another. Benvie said members of the militia gave a verbal order of arrest to the migrants, telling them to wait where they were until Border Patrol agents arrived. Members of his group offered $20 to any of the migrants who could identify the smuggler who helped them cross the border, he said, but none took them up on the offer. Benvie said members of his group were told not to point their weapons at any of the migrants. He added that the group has a new rule in which members are not allowed to go on patrol with military-style rifles, but can still carry handguns. We can't make them stay if they don't want to, he said. Carlos A. Diaz, a spokesman for Customs and Border Protection, the federal agency that includes the Border Patrol, declined to discuss the episode or the United Constitutional Patriots, but said the agency does not endorse private groups or organizations taking enforcement matters into their own hands. The responses to the militias videos on Facebook included an array of antagonistic and racist descriptions of the asylum-seekers. Got to stop being sympathetic because of the kids, said one commentator, Linda Ellen Sweeney. Got to consider them as collateral damage now. We are DONE. Ursela Ojeda, a policy adviser in Washington for the Womens Refugee Commission, an organization seeking to protect the rights of women and children displaced by conflict and crisis, called the actions of the militia highly problematic. These are families, and lots of young children, fleeing dangerous situations, Ojeda said. I have a hard time seeing how someone has a right to point a loaded weapon at these families. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. If special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation makes one thing clear, it's that many of the news reports that President Donald Trump branded as "fake news" were, in fact, very real news indeed. While Mueller's report didn't establish a criminal conspiracy and was "unable" to conclude that obstruction of justice occurred - contrary to hours of speculation among cable-news pundits during Mueller's long investigation - it also largely validated news accounts that Trump dismissed or disparaged. Instead, at least in the Mueller team's analysis, the fake news seems to have flowed not from the media but from the other direction. His report, released Thursday, cites multiple instances in which Trump and White House aides misled or lied to journalists or in public statements as the investigation was unfolding. On the day of Mueller's appointment, in May 2017, for example, White House aides said Trump reacted calmly to the news. In fact, according to Mueller's report, Trump's first reaction was anything but calm. According to notes taken by an aide, Trump responded by saying, "Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm f-----. . . . This is the worst thing that ever happened to me." White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters repeatedly in May 2017 that she personally had heard from "countless members of the FBI" that they were "grateful and thankful" to Trump for firing FBI director James Comey. That never happened, Mueller said. He wrote that Sanders later acknowledged to investigators that her comments were "not founded on anything." Trump also dictated a press statement saying that he had fired Comey based on the recommendations of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. But Mueller found that Trump had already decided to fire Comey before Rosenstein had weighed in. Trump backed down and later publicly acknowledged he intended to fire Comey regardless of Rosenstein's memo after unnamed Justice Department officials "made clear to him" that they would "resist" the bogus justification, Mueller said. Incoming White House aides also lied about press accounts they knew were accurate. Former national security adviser Michael Flynn directed an aide, K.T. McFarland, to call Washington Post columnist David Ignatius during the presidential transition in January 2017 and deny Ignatius' reporting about Flynn's conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. McFarland "knew she was providing false information" when she called Ignatius to dispute Ignatius' surmise that Flynn had discussed removing sanctions on Russia with Kislyak. (Prompted by McFarland's call, The Post updated the column to note that a "Trump official" denied that Flynn discussed sanctions.) Trump and his aides also knocked down an accurate New York Times story in May 2017 reporting that the president had asked Comey for loyalty during a private dinner several months before Comey's firing. Trump even lied about who invited whom to dinner: He told NBC News anchor Lester Holt in an interview that month Comey had asked for it because "he wanted to stay on." Mueller found evidence that the president extended the invitation to Comey on Jan. 27. On the eve of Comey's testimony to Congress that May, Trump sought to raise questions about Comey's credibility, when - as Mueller found - it was Trump's credibility that was questionable. At the time, Trump tweeted, "James Comey better hope there are no 'tapes' of our conversation before he starts leaking to the press!" Comey's contemporaneous accounts of his meeting with Trump and corroboration from his FBI colleagues also show that another New York Times story, branded as "fake news" by the president, was true. The Times reported that Trump had asked Comey to end the investigation of Flynn; Mueller found "substantial evidence" that this was true, despite Trump publicly saying otherwise. Trump also tried to persuade then-White House Counsel Donald McGahn to deny stories in The Washington Post and the Times in early 2018 that Trump had asked McGahn to fire Mueller about seven months earlier. McGahn refused repeatedly to undercut the stories because he knew they were "accurate in reporting on the President's effort to have the Special Counsel removed." Mueller noted that Trump "challenged" his lawyer for taking notes of their conversation. "Why do you take notes?" he asked McGahn, according to the report. "Lawyers don't take notes. I never had a lawyer who took notes." McGahn said he kept notes because he is a "real lawyer" and to establish a record. Trump replied, "I've had a lot of great lawyers, like Roy Cohn. He did not take notes.'' Cohn, who was chief counsel to Sen. Joseph McCarthy, R-Wis., during McCarthy's communist-hunting hearings in the 1950s, was disbarred by a New York court in 1986 because of "dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentation." The Washington Post's Margaret Sullivan contributed to this report. I havent finished reading the Mueller report, which Attorney General William Barr released on Thursday. Like many Americans, Ive had other things on my mind this week. Ive been in Chicago with my grandfather, who has had a long and blessed life; our family is also reflecting, and celebrating, because its Holy Week. And on Monday, like people all around the world, we were horrified by the images from Paris, of the conflagration at the cathedral of Notre Dame. The Russians, clearly, would like to command our attention, but the people we love can elicit it without resorting to attacks on our democracy. Related: Read the Mueller report here My aunt, while studying abroad in Paris as a nursing student, wrote a report on the Frenchmans perspective on her chosen profession. My grandfather once had lunch on the banks of the Seine. Trump, meanwhile, apparently considered the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller the end of his presidency. Im f---ed, said Trump, upon hearing the news that Mueller would lead the Department of Justices investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Im sorry that the president felt that way. The Mueller report is 448 pages long, and the version that the American public has access to is incomplete. A number of passages have been redacted, because some of the information Mueller considered is relevant to other, ongoing investigations. And the Mueller report is inconclusive, in the sense that many Americans had made up their minds about the implications of its findings prior to learning what those findings actually were. On HoustonChronicle.com: Policy adviser Stephen Millers influence with Donald Trump is bad news for Texans According to Trump and his supporters, it exonerates him but represents a damning indictment of the critics who have accused him of being in cahoots with the Kremlin. As I have been saying all along, NO COLLUSION - NO OBSTRUCTION! tweeted Trump shortly after the report was released. The aforementioned critics the haters and angry Democrats, as Trump sometimes refers to them disagree with that. But neither Trump nor his more strident critics are particularly focused on the heart of the matter. Russias attack on our 2016 presidential election exploited, and revealed, festering divisions in our society as well as vulnerabilities in our national security and we have as yet done little to address those divisions or vulnerabilities, because we've too busy yelling at each other on cable news shows and the internet. Mueller, for example, did not try to determine whether the Trump campaign committed collusion. Collusion is not a specific offense or theory of liability found in the United States Code, nor is it a term of art in federal criminal law, he notes in the introduction to Volume One of the report. And although the special counsel did not exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice, he explicitly says that charging him with such an offense would be at odds with his commitment to fairness. It was possible, he explains, that the investigation would unearth evidence that Trump himself had committed crimes during the course of the campaign, or afterward. If so, Trump would not be able to clear his name in the traditional way until after he leaves office. The president of the United States to be clear is not above the law. But a 2000 opinion issued by the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel argues that the indictment of a sitting president would effectively incapacitate the executive branch, thus violating the separation of powers. Thats a controversial conclusion, perhaps. The Special Counsel accepted it, though, and proceeded to act accordingly. The Mueller report notes that Trump will not have any immunity from prosecution after leaving office and that, as president, he is subject to impeachment, should Congressional leaders decide to pursue that option. On HoustonChronicle.com: Republicans should take a deep breath and stop panicking about socialism In light of the circumstances, then, Mueller and his team decided early on to avoid making a traditional prosecutorial judgment about Trumps conduct during the course of the campaign, and since being sworn into office. Fairness concerns counseled against potentially reaching that judgment when no charges can be brought, he writes. Fairness concerns would also counsel Americans on both sides of the aisle to keep the Mueller report in perspective, as we debate the appropriate response to its findings. The report is about an attack on our democracy by a hostile foreign power, Russia, which sought to help Trump but did not have his best interests at heart. Leaders on both sides of the aisle should focus their anger on the actors who committed this mischief rather than each other, or the Americans they represent. erica.grieder@chron.com Ugalde-Pacheco, who is the father of two young children, was diagnosed with cancer while still in the custody of IDOC following his conviction in Will County. On Tuesday a month after he was placed in ICE detention he saw an oncologist, who told him he has six months to live, said his attorney, Amina Najib. HPD Harris County authorities are searching for a young girl who is considered a runaway. Kayla Fields, 12, was last seen Thursday in the 1500 block of Roche Rock Dr. in the Humble area. She was wearing a black jacket, gray shirt, blue jeans and blue shoes. Two suspects broke into a Houston home with a bang in broad daylight April 16th, shortly after 1 p.m. in the 8100 block of Corinth St. The suspects reportedly first rang the front door at around 12:25 p.m, and approximately 20 minutes later busted in the back door, according to a report from HPD. The video from the homeowner's indoor Ring camera shows the two men walking into the home as if they owned the place. One is seen frantically trying to get the visible flat screen TV off the wall. The second suspect can be seen walking to the room next to the living room for a second TV, and emerges awhile later with it, and a pair of red shoes. Both suspects are described as black males between 5'10 and 6 feet and believed to be around 20-25 years of age. The first suspect was last seen wearing a black shirt and black shorts. The second suspect, heavier build, was last seen wearing a red hoodie and grey shorts. Now Playing: The video from the homeowner's indoor camera starts with a loud bang as the men break the door open. Video: Ring.com The case is currently being followed up by the HPD burglary and theft division. Anyone with information can contact crime stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico The number 7,148 had become an obsession in Miguel Leyvas life. It represented everything the 47-year-old Cuban had lost and what he hoped to gain, and it governed his existence for more than five weeks. Along with hundreds of migrants from the Communist island nation, he gathered twice a day outside a Mexican government building on the banks of the Rio Grande, downtown El Paso shimmering in the sun not half a mile away, hoping a bureaucrat would call his number. It designated his turn on a Mexican-run waiting list, indicating how long he had until he could ask U.S. border officials in El Paso for asylum. On his 37th day in Juarez, Leyva prayed it was finally up. President Donald Trump has disrupted daily life here with threats to close the border, snarling traffic and trade, amid a record influx of Central American families seeking asylum. He has denigrated the U.S. asylum system as a con job. And his administration has curtailed access to the protection, even returning Central American asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their U.S. court dates under a policy shift being fought in federal court. But on asylum seekers from Cuba, Trump has sent nary a Tweet, even as Mexican officials say about 2,800 from the island wait in Juarez, making up almost 80 percent of migrants in this border city and straining shelters to capacity. The crush of Cubans there has intensified in the past few months, even as Guatemalan and Honduran families are driving the larger migrant influx across the southern border. Cubans in Juarez say they are spurred by inconsistent federal deterrent policies, which have escalated fears their pathway into the United States will shutter, and by the islands deteriorating economy amid worsening relations with Washington. The Trump administrations announcement Wednesday of harsh new sanctions on Cuba, including limiting remittances and allowing exiles to sue for property seized decades ago, are certain to further roil the economy and hasten the flow of Cubans coming to the United States. But unlike previous years, when Cubans were quickly processed at the border and allowed through, they have found a bottleneck. Starting last summer, the Trump administration slashed the number of asylum seekers allowed in at ports of entry across the border; one day last week in Juarez, officials permitted only five. That has led to mounting gridlock and tension. Were trying to cope, said Enrique Valenzuela, director of Mexicos state population council in Chihuahua, which is coordinating migration issues here. But the longer people wait the more desperate they become. Unique protection ends For decades, Cubans enjoyed a unique protection under a Cold War policy known as wet foot, dry foot that granted them a fast-track U.S. green card once they reached American soil. President Barack Obama ended that privilege in 2017 when he restored diplomatic relations with the island, and the number of Cubans coming to the U.S. southern border fell 60 percent to about 15,400 that year. Now, along with Cubas escalating difficulties, the U.S. has tightened many ways for Cubans to come here. The U.S. embassy in Havana has frozen its processing of most visas after restricting operations 18 months ago following a spate of mysterious illnesses suffered by consular officials. It is doing so instead from its embassy in Guyana, but Cubans, who earn on average $30 a month, must travel there for the process. The number of visas issued has plunged, with the U.S. at risk of violating a 1994 accord to admit 20,000 Cubans seeking to emigrate here a year. A Cuban family reunification program with 20,000 applications pending has also been stalled. Meanwhile, the throng crowding the Texas border is growing. Six months into the fiscal year that began in October, nearly 8,400 Cubans have been deemed inadmissible at U.S. ports of entry a category usually indicating that they were permitted in to seek asylum on track to more than double the number from 2018. More Cubans are now crossing illegally between ports of entry, too. For the first time, Cubans are in the top three nationalities making credible fear claims, the first step in requesting asylum at the border. They made up 14 percent of such claims in December 2018, surpassing Salvadorans to join Guatemalans and Hondurans as the greatest requesters of the protection, according to an analysis of federal data by the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank in Washington. In El Paso, the number of Cubans seeking to enter skyrocketed 870 percent to more than 3,800 in the last six months, compared to 394 for fiscal year 2018. We are full of Cubans, said Juarez Mayor Armando Cabada, warning that his city is struggling to house that population along with hundreds of Central America families. In a few more weeks, we wont have any more space. Passage through Panama Like most Cubans who make it to the United States, Leyva said he has been dreaming of achieving this goal for as long as he can remember. But it was never a possibility because he doesnt have family in the U.S. and couldnt earn enough in Cuba, where he owned a small cell phone company, to afford the travel through Latin America. Many Cubans seeking to come to the U.S. flew first to Guyana, one of the few countries where they dont need a visa, before making the treacherous journey north. But last year Panama began offering Cubans a tourist card for $20, making it far cheaper and less risky to come to the United States. Leyva said he and his son decided to leave his hometown of Gibara, a fishing village on the islands southeast, in December. He said police beat and threatened to imprison him for protesting the Communist Party in the street. The island has also struggled for months with worsening food shortages, a result in part of the deepening crisis in Venezuela, which supplied Cubas energy in exchange for its physicians serving there. Theres no food in the shops, Leyva said. It forces one to kill pigs and wait. A Cuban friend in Miami loaned him $10,000 to fly to Panama and cross through Mexico. Leyva said Cubans are streaming here now, worried that Trumps rage at Central American migrants will imperil their path in the run-up to the 2020 elections. In March, Nicaragua approved a $50 tourist visa for Cubans, making the journey to the U.S. even shorter in a move experts say is sure to heighten the flow. For years Cubans entered the southern border largely at Laredo, their most direct connection. But starting last year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers began permitting only about a handful of asylum seekers through a day at that international bridge in a practice known as metering. Cubans shifted their destination to El Paso, where at least a few dozen were allowed in daily, though in the last week that has plummeted to the single digits. Cubans are very well connected and very united, Leyva said. They talk on Facebook and Whatsapp and everyone was telling us to come to El Paso. New reality for Cubans In Juarez, Leyva found thousands of Cubans scrambling to get on a waiting list to request asylum at the port of entry. In March, the State Population Council for Chihuahua took over the waiting list, replacing a chaotic paper system with spreadsheets and photos confirming asylum seekers identity. But because of metering, most migrants wait almost two months before their turn arises. That lag has crowded shelters and hotels in Juarez, inflaming tensions among migrants, many whom have run out of money by the time they reach the border. The congestion has underlined a new reality: Cubans no longer enjoy the same benefits they once did in the U.S. immigration system. But theyre still better off than their Guatemalan and Honduran cohorts, some of whom are being returned to wait for their asylum hearings in Mexico. Valenzuela, the Mexican migration official, recently addressed Cuban and Central American migrants in a Methodist church where more than 150 slept head-to-toe in the pews. The Cubans were waiting to request asylum, with many saying they were ultimately coming to Houston, an increasingly favored Cuban destination in the past few years. The Central Americans had been returned to Mexico while their U.S. asylum cases progressed. Cubans are in a bit of a different situation than our friends from Central America and its unfortunate, but the only thing you can do is wait, Valenzuela said. This is a situation that depends on politics in the U.S. He advised them not to cross the Rio Grande, warning that it could lead to criminal charges that might make asylum difficult. Before, Cubans, knowing they stood a higher chance if they claimed political persecution, did not cross illegally. But frustrated at the long waits, Valenzuela said more are doing so now. We were born in different places but we all have our dreams, said Valenzuela, attempting to inject some hope into the glum crowd. Wait for now. At least here you have a roof over your head. We have really suffered The morning light had barely begun to stream into room 14 in Hotel Armar, but Leyva was already zipping shut his bag for what he hoped would be the last time on Mexican soil. To cut down on expenses for his unexpected long-term stay in Mexico, he had shared one bed with his son and a family friend while a Cuban couple slept in the other. Their belongings were scattered across the room, including bright blue high heels that 35-year-old Lidia Avalle had brought with her on the months-long journey from Guyana to Brazil, up through Ecuador and the Panamanian jungle, to Central America and across Mexico. We have really suffered, she said from the neighboring bed. She hoped U.S. officials would call her number 7,535 in two weeks and then she planned to go to Jacksonville, Fla., where she knows someone. The psychologist said Cuban police killed her uncle, shot her dad in the leg, and have threatened her since university because of her activism. For 60 years the Castros have cheated us and we cant put up with it anymore, she said. But while the American dream was once a certainty for Cubans arriving at its shores, it now is anything but. More than 200 were returned to the island in 2017 after Obama ended their special status, four times as many as in 2015, according to government data, and their deportations have since surged. So far this fiscal year, nearly 3,700 Cubans have had deportation proceedings filed in U.S. immigration courts, though that pales in comparison with the approximately 21,300 Guatemalans and 15,600 Hondurans facing such measures, according to federal data analyzed by Syracuse Universitys Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. Those Central Americans migrants are coming in far greater numbers, but Cubans also face another significant advantage. If immigration officials release them on a status known as parole, rather than detain them until deciding whether or not to set a bond, they can apply for a green card after a year and a day in the U.S. under the 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act. Thats a key privilege held by no other nationalities, whose migrants can only hope to win a long shot at asylum in immigration court. Still, the Trump administrations chaotic immigration policies have extended to Cubans, said Wilfredo Allen, a Miami immigration attorney. He has represented members of the same family released on different outcomes, depending on whether or where they were detained. In one case, a 19-year-old man was freed on parole, meaning he would be able to adjust his status in a year under the act. But his mother and sister were held in a detention center, then released on their own recognizance, so they are not eligible and must fight for asylum in court. Another Cuban was released on parole but his wife, sent to an immigration detention center in Pennsylvania, was deported. Its crazy, Allen said. He has also seen an uptick in Cubans coming in on tourist visas, then overstaying. The U.S. government has cut how long Cubans can be here on such visas and Allen said more are remaining illegally, then filing for a green card after a year, per the act. Youre going to see more Cubans coming in like that, said Allen, who blamed the Cuban influx on the administration. The crisis of Cubans at the border is created by the current policies of the U.S. Leyva knew that widely different outcomes were a possibility for him, his son, and their friend. Wont go back to Cuba Theres a little bit of luck with this, he said as they walked out of the Juarez hotel. They say it depends a lot on the person who interviews you. Even if he was ordered deported, Leyva said he would not return to Cuba. He pointed at photographs of his wife and grandchildren in his wallet . He hoped to earn enough to pay for their journey eventually. Nerves set in as he reached the Mexican government building. The crowd had gathered for the calling of the numbers and Leyvas group strained to hear. 7,148; 7,149; 7,150, the bureaucrat said, eliciting cheers. Mexican humanitarian officials escorted Leyvas trio and two dozen other Cubans across the international bridge to its midpoint, where U.S. officials now turn back nearly all asylum seekers, telling them to get on the Mexican waiting list. The Cubans passed an outdoor tent structure abutting the bridge on the U.S. side that was crowded with Central American migrants who had crossed the river. Some would be released to make their asylum cases in the U.S., while others would be returned to Juarez to await their proceedings. In the past three weeks, Mexican officials said about 400 such Central American asylum seekers with U.S. immigration cases have been sent back. In three days, Leyva had made it through U.S. processing and was at the El Paso airport, along with the family friend. His son was still detained; Leyva hoped immigration officials would release him soon. Ive achieved my dream, Leyva said. But its still missing my son. lomi.kriel@chron.com ARCOLA Yellow caution tape blocks the entrance to Arcolas aging City Hall a stark reminder of the mold that was discovered there more than a year ago. But Mayor Fred Burton wants to move past that episode. Burton, who was elected last May and has lived in Arcola since 2000, has ambitious goals for the small town in eastern Fort Bend County. One thing Arcola needs, it needs to understand that progress is here, said Burton, 61, during a recent interview. Its coming. Youre not going to be able to fight it. In less than a year since he took office, Burton has hired a new police chief, municipal court judge and city attorney, and has made plans to construct an office complex to house City Hall, the police department and the jail. The police department has been revamped at a cost of more than $175,000, according to the mayor. The changes come as Arcola tries to latch onto the growth surging around it in Fort Bend County. The town of some 2,700 residents sits just 20 minutes down Texas 6 from burgeoning Alvin, with a population about 10 times the size of Arcolas. Less than five miles away is Sienna Plantation, a mammoth master-planned community, which more than 13,000 people call home. Burton wants to bring more commercial development to Arcola, but he said the city needs to invest in a public water system to attract businesses. Arcola currently purchases water from Fort Bend Fresh Water Supply District No. 1 We need the signs in the air saying Hey, stop here, said Burton. We got it here. Not a billboard telling you whats in the horizon, 40 miles down the road. Founded by freed slaves Arcola originally was one of the largest sugar and cotton plantations in Texas, owned by Jonathan Dawson Waters, according to the Online Texas Handbook published by the Texas State Historical Association. After Waters died, the plantation was purchased by a Houstonian, Col. T.W. House. The town was founded by freed slaves and started with a Baptist church, two cotton gins, a sugar mill, two general stores and a school, according to the handbook. Now its population is a diverse mix of African-Americans, whites, Hispanics and other groups. The median income is $52,500, according to census data. As the town has struggled to move forward, its gone through its hardships. In the 1990s, then-Fort Bend County Judge Bob Herbert placed the town under receivership. Arcola was $1.3 million in debt and had $35,000 in cash spread among multiple checking accounts. The tiny town, about 1.9 square miles, was entangled in controversy again last spring. Mold was discovered in City Hall, and city employees complained of rashes, headaches and hair loss. City workers evacuated the building, and now do their jobs in temporary trailers that sit outside City Hall. The police chief was fired and subsequently sued the city, although he later withdrew the legal action. Mayor Etta Anderson, who had led the city since 2008, lost a bid for re-election. The towns reputation was on Michael Ellisons mind when he took over as police chief in August. Arcola not only from my perspective, but in the law enforcement community, was a wannabe police department, said Ellison. It was a joke. Ellison, who worked with the Harris County Sheriffs Office for 31 years and at the Southside Place Police Department, brought his deep knowledge of policing to Arcola. He made swift changes to put the department back into compliance with state standards, installing dashcam videos to patrol cars and providing state-mandated training. He plans to obtain body cameras next for police officers When I came here, my heart hurt for the officers that were here, said Ellison. It was a second chance, last chance police department. Amid the turmoil, Burton took office as mayor. Nearly two decades ago, he moved from Missouri City to Arcola because he wanted to live in a peaceful, rural environment. A neighbor, who knew of Burton as an advocate for the community, knocked on his door when he was watching Gunsmoke and convinced him to run for mayor. Burton said part of his campaign was a pledge to bring more development to the town. Hes frustrated that fast-food restaurants and grocers are doing business just outside the city limits. Kroger is about four miles away. H-E-B, six. Its a turtles pace, said Burton about Arcolas growth. Its moving, but it aint gonna get across the street too quick. Country, country Rosemary Bigby knows Arcola well. The 69-year-old has been living on and off in the town for the past 50 years and remembers when it was just pigs, horses and cows. I mean (it was) country, country, said Bigby. Now a City Council member, Bigby agrees with the mayors desire to attract more commercial development. However, Bigby notes that some Arcola residents like the small town the way it is and want it to stay country. I want it to see it better and thats what me and the mayor are trying to work toward, said Bigby. To have new businesses and people come through Arcola and say, Man, Arcola is really going for it now. Tom Pekar, who first came to Arcola to run an aviation business with his wife in 1996, said Burton is the first leader with a realistic vision for growth. The tough part for Mayor Burton is that change and pain come together sometimes, said Pekar. Hes working to make changes and I think some people might feel a little heartburn or pain from some of those, but I think in the end, hes definitely heading in the right direction. A perpetual issue The lack of a public water system, a longtime problem in Arcola, remains an obstacle. Burton said hes on the phone sometimes two or threes times a day trying to get the water situation figured out. He said the city is working on obtaining grant money for a water system. When Anderson was mayor, she proposed harvesting rainwater as the source of a municipal water system, but the plan never materialized. Fort Bend County Judge KP George said the city is ideally located for economic development, but he notes that it needs a reliable water system to become a more attractive destination for business. He said the city is working with the county to obtain a federal grant. In order for Arcola to continue being an attractive destination for business, the leadership of Arcola understands that they need more access to water - whether it is through increased agreements with cities, water districts, or a self-sustained public water project, wrote George in a statement. Burton said the past city leadership was reluctant to spend money coming out of receivership. You cant run a business without spending money, said Burton. You cant allow the city to go lacking because you are waiting on somebody else to do something for you. You have to spend when you have to spend. Burton said pipe was installed for water and sewer lines years ago, but the lines werent extended to prepare for possible new development. Now, theres land out here, but were struggling to get the sewer and water to them because it wasnt put in the infrastructure, said Burton. They were laying out the infrastructure as needed and not for development. Despite the challenges facing the tiny town, Ellison feels theyre already making small strides. Hes noticed the perception in the law enforcement community has improved. Right now, where we are today, it has really taken notice from a lot of community in Fort Bend County, said Ellison. I think people see the potential that we have as a city, as a municipality and definitely as a law enforcement agency. Burton is determined. I want you to know that Arcola wont be the same when I leave here, said Burton. I got two years to sit behind this table and do the very best that I can. brooke.lewis@chron.com More than $1 million worth of methamphetamine was found in a mans vehicle Friday afternoon after he was pulled over on the South Side, officials said. Jose Elias Trevino Cisneros, 45, was arrested and faces a federal charge of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine, according to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office. Last year, while reminiscing about her idyllic childhood in Mexico, Mary Taylor Newcomb Dolge made it clear that although she left Chamal at 17, her heart stayed behind. Its my home to this day. Its always been my home, she said of the American agricultural colony founded in 1902 south of Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas. For a decade, the settlement grew and prospered. But beginning in 1913, the Mexican Revolution forced most of the Americans to flee and cost several their lives. When the upheaval ended, Taylors family returned, and she was born there in 1924. But Chamal never really recovered. Fewer than a half-dozen elderly Americans remain there today. Taylor, 94, who lived most of her life in San Antonio, died April 8 of congestive heart failure. Known to many as Aunt Mary, she was the center of attention at the annual reunions of Chamal descendants, usually held in San Antonio. One of 10 children, she was born in a barn made of palm logs. And nine decades later, her face still glowed as she recounted childhood memories of tropical birds and flowers, her horse Swanee and mule trips into the mountains with her older brothers. Mary Taylor Newcomb Dolge Born: May 30, 1924, Chamal, Mexico Died: April 8, 2019, San Antonio Survived by: Son Rick Newcomb and daughter-in-law Liz; brother Lindy Taylor and sister-in-law Lillian; sister-in-law Maggie Taylor; grandchildren Beth, Augie, Meghan, Josh and Ashlee; and five great-grandchildren. Services: Services were held Thursday. Burial is set for 1:30 p.m. Monday at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Pavilion 3. See More Collapse At her death, she was believed to be the second oldest Chamaleno. She was the matriarch. She represented the history of the descendants of the colonists that we could relate to, said Bill Ward, 81, whose grandfather was an early settler. She retained her love for Chamal and had the personality to really spark it as well. In 1941, Taylor left Mexico and came to Natalia with an older sister, two brothers and three younger children to attend public school. Among them was nephew Melford Turner, 87, whom she helped care for in the little bitty house they all lived in. Aunt Mary was like a sister to us. She was a beautiful person. But the danged guys was always coming around, and we didnt like her having dates, Turner recalled. While working during World War II at the post exchange at the future Lackland AFB, she met Gerald Richard Newcomb. They were married for 36 years until he died in 1983. In 1987, Taylor married Wayne Dolge. Their 30-year union ended with his death in 2017. For decades, Taylor made regular visits back to Mexico, often with son Rick Newcomb. The most pleasant memories of my childhood are set in Chamal, of summer days with ranch hands on horseback or riding a tractor, he said. The family was very close-knit and dirt-poor, Newcomb said of his mothers upbringing. They were something of a minority in Chamal, and they stuck together. Mother was very close to every one of her brothers. Taylors younger brother Lindy and his wife, Lillian, are the only Taylors who remain in Chamal. Tamaulipas is considered unsafe, and although Mary Taylor still owned a small house there, she hadnt visited in about 15 years. For my mother, it was too dangerous, and then she was too old. It was a sore spot for her, Newcomb said. To Lillian Taylor, 85, Mary Taylor was like a sister. I loved her very much. Shes been a wonderful person all my life, helping everyone, Lillian Taylor said. My daughter Virginia went to the U.S. to live with Mary when she was 10 years old. Mary took care of her until she finished high school. Virginia Taylor Jobi, now 65, still recalls coming to Texas as just a kid, so little, and I had never left home before. She was just like my second mother. Very patient and kind-hearted, said Taylor Jobi, who graduated with Rick Newcomb from Lee High School. If you were to see her, youd fall in love with her because you felt so fine. For her son, Taylors abiding quality was her devotion to those close to her. She loved people. She loved her family more than anything. And she was willing to spend her time, whatever it took, to make sure everyone was doing well, he said. John MacCormack is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | JMacCormack@express-news.net | Twitter: @JohnMacCormack On April 3, 2003, Houston Police Department Officer Charles Clark and Alfredia Jones were murdered by three men during an aggravated robbery. Two men unquestionably participated in the capital murders Dashan Glaspie and Elijah Joubert. The identity of the third suspect has been called into question by some, including the Houston Chronicle. However, HPD steadfastly believes the third suspect, who was previously convicted in 2005 of capital murder, is Alfred Dewayne Brown. Glaspie continues to identify Brown as a participant. Joubert has implicated Brown as well even if his story has shifted through the years. Further, even though Browns former girlfriend has given conflicting statements, her most recent position to investigators is that Brown told her after the trial that he was at the murder scene. Additional witnesses continue to place Brown at the scene of a nearby apartment complex, the Villa Americana, where Glaspie and Joubert both acknowledge the three escaped to after the capital murders. Moreover, HPD believes verifiable phone records show that shortly after the capital murder, Brown made a three-way call from the Villa Americana to his girlfriends apartment then merged the call to his girlfriends workplace in order to claim he was at his girlfriends apartment. To be clear, the case against Brown is not as robust as it was at the time of his 2005 trial. Several witnesses have recanted their testimony and statements, and a few have un-recanted their recantation. A critical review of defense investigator tactics related to the so-called recantations is called for in this matter. Simply put, defense investigators conducted themselves in a manner inconsistent with proper investigative protocols at best, and at worst, they were intentionally unethical. POINT: Commissioner Rodney Ellis: Alfred Dewayne Brown was wrongfully convicted and deserves to be declared 'actually innocent' Tragically, it has also been revealed that the Harris County District Attorneys Office in the Brown case did not turn over evidence to Browns attorneys. Brown was awarded a new trial based on this prosecutorial error. Rather than retry Brown, former Harris County DA Devon Anderson dismissed his case, citing insufficient evidence. Current DA Kim Ogg vowed to take a fresh look at Browns case. She hired outside counsel, John Raley, to conduct a review and analysis of the case to determine if Brown was actually innocent. Their review should concern all residents of Harris County. Raley is a civil attorney with limited experience in criminal law. Raley categorically discredited witnesses who offered evidence Brown was guilty, and failed to meet with others, including those who placed Brown at the Villa Americana apartments before and after the murders. While Raley interviewed law enforcement witnesses and reviewed the statements of other witnesses who provided accounts or testimony at trial, he met with only one civilian witness in person. How can this constitute a thorough review? Ogg and Raley have determined that Brown is actually innocent, entitling him to compensation totaling millions for imprisonment on a wrongful conviction. To meet the legal definition of actual innocence, Ogg and Raley had to find that only an unreasonable juror would find Brown guilty. There was never a hearing or judicial proceeding to determine this. If the case were presented to a Harris County grand jury and even one grand juror thought there was any evidence that Brown was criminally culpable, the definition of actual innocence would not be met. To make this determination in a vacuum violates the spirit of the criminal justice system. Ogg asked a Harris County district court to dismiss Browns case for a second time, clearing the way for compensation from the state comptroller. There is absolutely no legal authority for this motion to be granted. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals decided in Garcia v. Dial that once a court signs an order of dismissal in a criminal case, the case is no longer pending and the judge no longer has jurisdiction to issue orders. Ogg contends that previously two district courts in Texas have granted amended motions after dismissal to declare actual innocence. The facts of those two cases have never been reviewed by a higher court, probably because there was no vocal opposition either to jurisdiction or to the innocence finding. I encourage Harris County residents to thoroughly review all available evidence in this case and ask themselves, Am I unreasonable? If your answer is no, then you will most likely agree with HPD, and the families of Clark and Jones. The quest for justice by the victims families now rests with the court. HPD strongly believes the DAs motion to dismiss Browns case for a second time should be denied. At a minimum, justice demands a full evidentiary hearing before a Harris County grand jury wherein Raleys interpretation of the facts and evidence along with the HPD homicide divisions interpretation can be analyzed and weighed accordingly. Acevedo is chief of the Houston Police Department. One victim, 32, suffered a wound to the left arm and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where his condition was stabilized. The second victim went to the same hospital with a graze wound to the hand, police said. No one was in custody. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. "We're changed," Dawn Anna, whose daughter Lauren Townsend was among the students killed in the school's library, said before a crowd of more than 2,000 gathered in a park near the high school. "We're weaker in some places, but hopefully we're stronger in most of them. Our hearts have giant holes in them. But our hearts are bigger than they were 20 years ago." Imperial Valley News Center White House on the Prime Minister of Japan visit and the President and First Ladys Upcoming Travel to Japan Washington, DC - Statement from the Press Secretary on the Visit of the Prime Minister of Japan and the President and First Ladys Upcoming Travel to Japan: President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will welcome Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mrs. Akie Abe of Japan to the White House from April 26 to 27, 2019. The meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Abe will reaffirm the United StatesJapan alliance as the cornerstone of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe will discuss recent developments regarding the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, including efforts to achieve final, fully verified denuclearization. The two leaders will also explore ways to advance their shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including steps that will strengthen our bilateral trade and investment relationship. The President and First Lady will also travel to Japan from May 25 to 28, 2019, as the countrys first state guests following the enthronement of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito on May 1, 2019. The state visit will deepen the close bonds between the American and Japanese people and will highlight the continued importance of our alliance and partnership. After meeting with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, the President will participate in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Abe. Imperial Valley News Center Four Extradited from Peru for Operating Spanish-Speaking Call Centers Miami, Florida - Four Peruvian residents have been extradited to the United States, where they stand accused of operating a large-scale extortion scheme from 2012 through 2015, the Justice Department and U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced Tuesday. Jesus Gerardo Gutierrez Rojas, 37, Maria de Guadalupe Alexandra Podesta Bengoa, 38, Virgilio Ignacio Polo Davila, 43, and Omar Alfredo Portocarrero Caceres, 39, face federal charges in Miami. Peruvian authorities arrested the four in late 2017, based upon a U.S. indictment. All four remained incarcerated in Peru since the time of their arrest. Peru approved their extradition to the U.S. on Jan. 18, 2019. The Department of Justice will pursue criminals who target and extort U.S. consumers, wherever they are, said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt for the Department of Justices Civil Division. Those who extort U.S. consumers by phone cannot escape justice by placing their calls from abroad. I thank the Republic of Peru for extraditing these individuals to face charges in U.S. courts. Individuals who defraud American consumers will be brought to justice, no matter where they are located, said U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan for the Southern District of Florida. Protecting the elderly and vulnerable members of our community from extortion schemes, such as this one, is a top priority of this Office and the Department of Justice, and I thank the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their unwavering commitment to rid the U.S. mail system of these schemes. This is a reminder to our community to be wary of those individuals who threaten imprisonment, a negative credit score or a change in immigration status; please report those threats immediately. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to aggressively investigate and pursue those who threaten U.S. consumers and extort them of their hard earned money, regardless of what country they operate from, said U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Antonio J. Gomez. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service appreciates the continued partnership with the Department of Justices Consumer Protection Branch in pursuing South American call center operators who victimize consumers through the U.S. mail. Podesta, Polo, and Portocarrero allegedly managed and operated Peruvian call centers that placed calls to Spanish-speaking consumers across the United States while lying and threatening them into paying fraudulent settlements for nonexistent debts. Many of the consumer victims were elderly. Gutierrez was allegedly the general manager of a larger company where he worked in partnership with Podesta, Polo, and Portocarrero to facilitate their extortion scheme. The defendants associates in Miami collected the payments and sometimes shipped packages to victims in the U.S. According to the allegations in the indictment, Podesta, Polo, Portocarrero, and their employees in Peru used Internet-based telephone calls and claimed to be attorneys and government representatives to threaten victims in the United States. The callers falsely claimed that victims failed to pay for or receive a delivery of products. The callers also falsely claimed that victims would be sued and that the companies would obtain large monetary judgements against them. Some victims were also threatened with negative marks on their credit reports, imprisonment, or immigration status. The callers said these threatened consequences could be avoided if the victims immediately paid settlement fees. Many victims made monetary payments based on these baseless threats. A 34-count federal indictment was filed against the defendants in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on Dec. 6, 2016, and was unsealed upon the defendants extradition to the U.S. The defendants are approved to face 12 extortion counts pending against them. An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Phil Toomajian of the Department of Justices Consumer Protection Branch. The Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. The Criminal Divisions Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Southern District of Florida, the Diplomatic Security Service, and the Peruvian National Police provided critical assistance. Imperial Valley News Center Prescription Opioid Strike Force Takedown Results in Charges Against 60 Individuals, Including 53 Medical Professionals Washington, DC - Attorney General William P. Barr and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar II, together with multiple law enforcement partners, Wednesday announced enforcement actions involving 60 charged defendants across 11 federal districts, including 31 doctors, seven pharmacists, eight nurse practitioners, and seven other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in the illegal prescribing and distributing of opioids and other dangerous narcotics and for health care fraud schemes. In addition, HHS announced that since June 2018, it has excluded over 2,000 individuals from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs, which includes more than 650 providers excluded for conduct related to opioid diversion and abuse. Since July 2017, DEA has issued 31 immediate suspension orders, 129 orders to show cause, and received 1,386 surrenders for cause nationwide for violations of the Controlled Substances Act. The opioid epidemic is the deadliest drug crisis in American history, and Appalachia has suffered the consequences more than perhaps any other region, Attorney General William P. Barr said. But the Department of Justice is doing its part to help end this crisis. One of the Department's most promising new initiatives is the Criminal Division's Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force, which began its work in December. Just four months later, this team of federal agents and 14 prosecutors has charged 60 defendants for alleged crimes related to millions of prescription opioids. I am grateful to the Criminal Division, their U.S. Attorney partners, and to the members of the strike force for this outstanding work that holds the promise of saving many lives in Appalachian communities. Reducing the illicit supply of opioids is a crucial element of President Trumps plan to end this public health crisis, said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. It is also vital that Americans struggling with addiction have access to treatment and that patients who need pain treatment do not see their care disrupted, which is why federal and local public health authorities have coordinated to ensure these needs are met in the wake of this enforcement operation. The Trump Administrations law enforcement and public health leaders will continue to work hand in hand to end this crisis that has hit Appalachia hard and steals far too many lives across America every day. Attorney General Barr and Secretary Azar were joined in the announcement by Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr. for the Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman for the Western District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio; U.S. Attorney William J. Powell for the Northern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney Michael B. Stuart for the Southern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey for the Eastern District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the Northern District of Alabama; U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen for the Western District of Virginia; Executive Assistant Director Amy Hess of the FBIs Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch; Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary L. Cantrell of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Assistant Administrator John J. Martin of the DEA Diversion Control Division, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Program Integrity (CPI) Alec Alexander. In addition to the cases announced today, Attorney General Barr and U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced today that the ARPO Strike Force will expand into the Western District of Virginia, making it the tenth ARPO Strike Force district. ARPO is a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S. Attorneys Offices for ten federal districts in six states, as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, HHS Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In addition, the operation includes the participation of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, multiple State Medicaid Fraud Control Units, and other federal and state agencies. The mission of the ARPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute medical professionals and others involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of opioids. The charges announced today involve individuals contributing to the opioid epidemic, with a particular focus on medical professionals involved in the unlawful distribution of opioids and other prescription narcotics, a priority for the Department. According to the CDC, approximately 130 Americans die every day of an opioid overdose. Todays takedown demonstrates the FBIs unwavering commitment to working alongside our Strike Force partners, including the HHS-OIG and DEA, to fight the opioid epidemic and related criminal activity in the Appalachian region, said FBI Executive Assistant Director Hess. We will not stand by and allow the harmful and oftentimes deadly practice of over-prescribing highly addictive drugs to continue unchecked. The FBI will pursue medical personnel who misuse their positions of trust to blatantly disregard others very lives for their own financial gain. The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact in the Appalachian region, said Principal Deputy Inspector General Chiedi. Addressing this public health issue and ensuring beneficiaries have continuity of care requires a collaborative approach with our federal, state, and local partners. Our commitment is resolute. We will continue working together to protect the health and well-being of all Americans and ending this terrible epidemic. Opioid misuse and abuse is an insidious epidemic, created in large part, by the over-prescribing of potent opioids nationwide, and unfortunately, Appalachia is at the center, said DEA Assistant Administrator Martin. Todays announcement sends a clear message that investigations involving diversion of prescription drugs have been, and continue to be, a priority for DEA. CMS CPI is proud to work very closely everyday with our law enforcement partners to stop the exploitation of vulnerable patients and misuse of taxpayer dollars, said Deputy Administrator and Director of Center for Program Integrity Alexander. Nowhere is this collaboration more important than in our fight against the opioid crisis in America. This is one of the Presidents highest priorities and we are proud to be an important part of the largest prescription opioid enforcement effort ever undertaken. We will continue to work tirelessly through investigation, data coordination and administrative action to protect the health and wellbeing of all Americans. The ARPO Strike Force is made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the 10 U.S. Attorneys Offices in the region, including the newly added Western District of Virginia, and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA. The ARPO Strike Force operates out of two hubs based in the Cincinnati, Ohio/Northern Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee, areas, supporting the 10 districts that make up the ARPO Strike Force region. In addition, the APRO Strike Force works closely with other state and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, State Medicaid Fraud Control Units. ********* For the ARPO Strike force locations, in the Southern District of Ohio, six individuals, including two doctors and three registered pharmacists were charged with several counts, including unlawful distribution of controlled substances and conspiracy to obtain controlled substances by fraud. In one case, a doctor who is alleged to have been at one time the highest prescriber of controlled substances in the state, and several pharmacists are charged with operating an alleged pill mill in Dayton, Ohio. According to the indictment, between October 2015 and October 2017 alone, the pharmacy allegedly dispensed over 1.75 million pills. These cases were brought with assistance from the FBI, DEA, and HHS-OIG, as well as the Ohio Attorney General's Office, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation Ohio; the Ohio Board of Pharmacy and the Ohio Medical Board. In the Western District of Kentucky, a doctor was charged with controlled substance and health care fraud counts in connection with providing pre-signed, blank prescriptions to office staff who then used them to prescribe controlled substances when he was out of the office, and for directing staff at the clinic, including individuals not licensed to practice medicine, to perform medical services on patients. In another case, a doctor, a Florida compounding pharmacy and its owner were charged in connection with a scheme that involved the payment of alleged kickbacks in return for writing prescriptions for compounded drugs that included controlled substances, and for fraudulently inflating the costs for prescriptions that were billed for reimbursement by Medicare and TRICARE. These cases were brought with assistance from the FBI, DEA, HHS-OIG, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, as well as the Kentucky State Police, the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department, the Kentucky Office of Inspector General, the Kentucky Department of Insurance, and the Kentucky Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, a total of five people were charged, including three doctors, a dentist and an office assistant who were charged in connection with several health care fraud and/or controlled substance schemes. In one case a doctor operating a clinic that focused on pain management allegedly provided pre-signed, blank prescriptions to office staff who then used them to prescribe controlled substances when he was out of the office. In another case, a solo practitioner who operates a five-clinic family practice focusing on pain management allegedly billed Medicare for urine testing that was not done and for urine testing that was not medically necessary. A dentist was charged for alleged conduct that included writing prescriptions for opioids that had no legitimate medical purpose and that were outside the usual course of professional practice, removing teeth unnecessarily, scheduling unnecessary follow-up appointments, and billing inappropriately for services. In yet another case, a doctor was charged for allegedly prescribing opioids to Facebook friends who would come to his home to pick up prescriptions, and for signing prescriptions for other persons based on messenger requests to his office manager, who then allegedly delivered the signed prescriptions in exchange for cash. These cases were brought with assistance from the FBI, DEA, HHS-OIG, and the Kentucky Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. In the Middle District of Tennessee, federal indictments were unsealed today charging nine Middle Tennessee medical professionals, including four doctors, four nurse practitioners and a pharmacist, with various charges alleging their participation in illegally prescribing and dispensing opioids and other dangerous narcotics and health care fraud schemes. Two cases involve doctors who were previously sanctioned by the Tennessee Medical Board in connection with the overprescribing of opioids, one of whom was sanctioned for providing prescriptions to vulnerable patients, while the other allegedly prescribed opioid pills after serving a Board imposed term of probation. Another case alleges that a doctor prescribed opioids and other controlled substances to at least four individuals. In another case, an advanced practice registered nurse at a pain management clinic allegedly wrote prescriptions for opioids that had no legitimate medical purpose and that were outside the usual course of professional practice. Separately, a pharmacist was charged for allegedly dispensing large amounts of opioids outside the usual scope of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose. Finally, a podiatrist was charged with unlawful distribution of controlled substances. In addition to assistance provided by the FBI, DEA, and HHS-OIG, these cases were brought in connection with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; the 18th Judicial District Drug Task Force; the Sumner County District Attorneys Office; and the District Attorney General for the 22nd Judicial District. In the Eastern District of Tennessee, at total of eight individuals, including five doctors, a nurse practitioner, a physicians assistant, and an office manager were charged in four cases. Four doctors, a nurse practitioner and a physicians assistant were charged with the unlawful distribution of opioids. Two doctors were charged with health care fraud violations. Three of these cases are related to alleged pill mill operations in the Eastern District of Tennessee. In addition to assistance provided by the FBI, DEA, and HHS-OIG, these cases were brought in connection with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. In the Western District of Tennessee, 15 individuals were charged, involving eight doctors and several other medical professionals. In one case, a nurse practitioner who branded himself the Rock Doc, allegedly prescribed powerful and dangerous combinations of opioids and benzodiazepines, sometimes in exchange for sexual favors; over approximately three years, the doctor allegedly prescribed approximately 500,000 hydrocodone pills, 300,000 oxycodone pills, 1,500 fentanyl patches, and more than 600,000 benzodiazepine pills. In another case, a nurse practitioner charged with conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances allegedly prescribed over 500,000 Hydrocodone pills, approximately 300,000 Oxycodone pills, and approximately 300,000 benzodiazepine pills (mostly Alprazolam), along with a myriad of other controlled substances. In another case, a physician charged with controlled substances and health care fraud violations allegedly prescribed approximately 300,000 hydrocodone pills, 200,000 oxycodone pills, 2,500 fentanyl patches, and 180,000 benzodiazepine pills, and prescribed medically unnecessary durable medical equipment that was billed to Medicare. Another doctor charged with controlled substances violations allegedly prescribed approximately 4.2 million opioid pills, sometimes in dangerous combinations with other drugs, such as benzodiazepines, and prescribed opioids to known addicts. In addition to assistance provided by the FBI, DEA, and HHS-OIG, these cases were brought in connection with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the Tennessee Office of Inspector General, and the West Tennessee Drug Task Force (28th District). In the Northern District of Alabama, multiple individuals were charged in five cases, including four doctors. In one case, the owners and operators of a medical clinic and dispensary were charged with the unlawful distribution of controlled substances and health care fraud. In that case, a doctor allegedly prescribed opioids in high dosages, dangerous combinations, and in many cases, after having knowledge that patients failed drug screens and were addicts, preferring cash payments and charging a concierge fee that ranged from approximately $50 per visit or $600 per year. In another case, a doctor allegedly recruited prostitutes and other young women with whom he had sexual relationships to become patients at his clinic, while simultaneously allowing them and their associates to abuse illicit drugs at his house. In yet another case, a doctor allegedly dispensed controlled substances and other prescription drugs directly from the clinic, and prescribed excessive quantities of controlled substances to the same patients several times per month resulting in as many as 15 pills per day for some patients. In that case, the doctor also signed blank prescription forms to be completed by her staff when she was not at the clinic. In addition to assistance provided by the FBI, DEA, HHS-OIG, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, these cases were brought in connection with assistance from the Hoover Police Department, the Huntsville Police Department, the Huntsville Area HIDTA Drug Task Force Strategic Counter Drug Team, the Marshall County Drug Task Force, the Alabama Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Madison County Sheriffs Office. In the Northern District of West Virginia, a case was brought against an orthopedic surgeon who allegedly used fraudulent prescriptions to obtain tablets of acetaminophen-codeine for his own use. To obtain the pills, the surgeon allegedly wrote out prescriptions using his DEA number, and in the names of a relative even though the pills were for his own use, using a drivers license that he had stolen from a colleague to obtain the pills from pharmacy. This case was brought in connection with assistance from the DEA and HHS-OIG. In the Southern District of West Virginia, a doctor was charged with allegedly distributing narcotics, including dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, and amphetamine salt, to a patient who did not have a medical need for the drugs and whom the doctor never examined. This case was brought in connection with assistance from the DEA and HHS-OIG. ********* In addition to the ARPO Strike Force districts, todays enforcement actions include cases brought in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Eastern District of Louisiana. In the Eastern District of Louisiana, a neurologist at an alleged pill mill was charged with conspiracy to dispense controlled substances and conspiracy to commit health care fraud. The defendant allegedly pre-signed prescriptions for controlled substances, including oxycodone, for patients whom he did not personally examine to determine medical necessity for the prescriptions, and pre-signed prescriptions for controlled substances while he was travelling internationally. The defendant allegedly knew that certain of these patients used their Medicare Part D and Medicaid benefits to pay for the medically unnecessary prescriptions. In addition to assistance provided by the FBI, DEA, HHS-OIG, these cases were brought in connection with assistance from the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs Office of Investigations. In the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, a former licensed practical nurse allegedly filled fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone in her name and in the names of others at a local pharmacy in order to obtain the pills for herself and to distribute to others. In addition to assistance provided by the FBI, DEA, HHS-OIG, the Office of Personnel Management, the U.S. Marshalls Service, these cases were brought in connection with assistance from the Caln Township Police. Imperial Valley News Center Department of Justice Releases Reports Focused on Improving Safety and Wellness of the Nations 800,000 Law Enforcement Officers Washington, DC - The Department of Justice released two complementary reports that focus on the mental health and safety of the nations federal, state, local and tribal police officers. The reports, Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act: Report to Congress and Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Programs: Eleven Case Studies, were published by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) as required by the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) of 2017. The LEMHWA passed both chambers unanimously and without amendment and was signed by the President shortly thereafter. These actions show that its purpose and intended effects are uncontroversial among policymakers law enforcement agencies need and deserve support in their ongoing efforts to protect the mental health and well-being of their employees. Congress took the important step in improving the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services that will help our nations more than 800,000 federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. "Serving as a law enforcement officer requires courage, strength, and dedication," Attorney General William P. Barr said. "The demands of this work, day in and day out, can take a toll on the health and well-being of our officers, but the Department of Justice is committed to doing our part to help. I want to thank the men and women of our COPS office for their hard work to support our officers every day, and specifically for these thoughtful and insightful reports, which detail both the challenges facing our officers and some specific ways we can give them the support that they deserve." "A damaging national narrative has emerged in which law enforcement officers whether federal, state, local, or tribal are seen not as protectors of communities but as oppressors," said COPS Office Director Phil Keith. In this environment, where an inherently stressful job is made more so by a constant undercurrent of distrust and negative public opinion, the risks to officer wellness are exacerbated. This report is an important measure and reflection in our ongoing commitment to protect those who protect us. " Under the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act, the COPS Office was required to submit reports to Congress that addressed: (1) Recommendations to Congress on effectiveness of crisis lines for law enforcement officers, efficacy of annual mental health checks for law enforcement officers, expansion of peer mentoring programs, and ensuring privacy considerations for these types of programs; (2) Mental health practices and services in the U.S. Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) that could be adopted by federal, state, local, or tribal law enforcement agencies; and (3) Case studies of programs designed primarily to address officer psychological health and well-being. The first report, Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act: Report to Congress, includes 22 recommendations to Congress ranging from supporting programs to embed mental health professionals in law enforcement agencies to supporting the development of model policies and implementation guidance for law enforcement agencies to make substantial efforts to reduce suicide. The case studies report, Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Programs: Eleven Case Studies, is designed to provide an overview of multiple successful and promising law enforcement mental health and wellness strategies with the joint aims of informing Congress, state and local government officials, and the law enforcement field. The report includes 11 case studies from a diverse group of sites across the United States. The Department of Justice is pleased to respond to the LEMHWA as officer safety, health, and wellness is a longstanding priority of the agency. The reports released today address some of the most pressing issues currently facing our law enforcement community. The COPS Office has a near 25-year history of supporting the efforts of state, local and tribal law enforcement, including the management of the National Blue Alert Network. The agency awards grants to hire community policing officers, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders, and all levels of law enforcement. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to help advance community policing. Imperial Valley News Center Former Manager for International Airline Pleads Guilty to Acting as an Agent of the Chinese Government Brooklyn, New York - Wednesday, in federal court in Brooklyn, Ying Lin pleaded guilty to acting as an agent of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), without notification to the Attorney General, by working at the direction and control of military officers assigned to the Permanent Mission of the Peoples Republic of China to the United Nations. Lin, a former manager with an international air carrier headquartered in the PRC (the Air Carrier), abused her privileges to transport packages from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK Airport) to the PRC aboard Air Carrier flights at the behest of the PRC military officers and in violation of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Richard P. Donoghue for the Eastern District of New York, Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr of the FBIs New York Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced the guilty plea. This case is a stark example of the Chinese government using the employees of Chinese companies doing business here to engage in illegal activity, said Assistant Attorney General Demers. Covertly doing the Chinese militarys bidding on U.S. soil is a crime, and Lin and the Chinese military took advantage of a commercial enterprise to evade legitimate U.S. government oversight. The defendants actions as an agent of the Chinese government helped Chinese military officers to evade U.S. law enforcement scrutiny of packages that they sent from New York to Beijing, stated United States Attorney Donoghue. This case demonstrates how seriously we address counterintelligence threats posed by individuals in the United States who work for foreign governments, such as China. The FBI and our law enforcement partners do all we can every day to protect this country from the threats we can see, and we work even harder to find the threats we cant see, said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. Ms. Lin was secreting packages through some of the country's busiest airports, using her work with the Chinese government to thwart our security measures. We believe this case isnt unique and hope it serves as an example that the Chinese and other foreign governments can't break our laws with impunity. Lins criminal actions exploited the international boundary of the United States as she used her position to smuggle packages onto planes headed to China, said HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Melendez. We are committed to ensuring the integrity of our international airports so they are not used as a front for illicit activities. Lin worked for the Air Carrier from 2002 through the fall of 2015 as a counter agent at JFK Airport and from the fall of 2015 through April 2016 as the station manager at Newark Liberty International Airport. During her employment with the Air Carrier, Lin accepted packages from the PRC military officers, and placed those packages aboard Air Carrier flights to the PRC as unaccompanied luggage or checked in the packages under the names of other passengers flying on those flights. As the PRC military officers did not travel on those flights, Lins actions were contrary to a security program that required that checked baggage be accepted only from ticketed passengers, thereby violating TSA regulations. In addition, Lin encouraged other Air Carrier employees to assist the PRC military officers, instructing those employees that because the Air Carrier was a PRC company, their primary loyalty should be to the PRC. In exchange for her work at the direction and under the control of PRC military officers and other PRC government officials, Lin received benefits from the PRC Mission and PRC Consulate in New York. These benefits included tax-exempt purchases of liquor, cigarettes and electronic devices worth tens of thousands of dollars. These benefits also included free contracting work at the defendants two residences in Queens, New York, by PRC construction workers who were permitted under the terms of their visas to work only on PRC government facilities. When sentenced, Lin faces up to 10 years imprisonment. As part of the guilty plea, Lin agreed to forfeit approximately $25,000 as well as an additional $145,000 in connection with her resolution of the governments forfeiture verdict in United States v. Zhong, No. 16-CR-614 (AMD). Mr. Demers and Mr. Donoghue expressed their appreciation to the Transportation Security Administration for their assistance on the case. The governments case is being handled by the National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas M. Pravda, Alexander A. Solomon, Ian C. Richardson and Sarah M. Evans are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Matthew R. Walczewski of the Department of Justices Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. The forfeiture aspect of the case is being handled by EDNY Assistant United States Attorney Brian Morris of the Offices Civil Division. Imperial Valley News Center Japanese Investment Company Executives Extradited on Charges Relating to $1.5 Billion Ponzi Scheme Las Vegas, Nevada - Japanese authorities have extradited to the United States two former executives of a Las Vegas, Nevada, investment company in connection with their alleged roles in a $1.5 billion Ponzi scheme. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich of the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Aaron C. Rouse of the FBIs Las Vegas Division made the announcement. Junzo Suzuki, 70, and Paul Suzuki, 40, who are father and son and are both Japanese nationals, were each charged in a July 2015 indictment filed in the District of Nevada with eight counts of mail fraud and nine counts of wire fraud. Japanese authorities arrested the Suzukis in January 2019 at the request of the United States, and extradited them to the United States on April 17. The Suzukis will make their initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cam Ferenbach of the District of Nevada. According to the indictment, Junzo Suzuki previously was executive vice president for Asia Pacific of MRI International (MRI), an investment company which was headquartered in Las Vegas and had an office in Japan. Paul Suzuki previously was the companys general manager for Japan operations, based in Tokyo. MRI purportedly specialized in factoring, whereby the company purchased accounts receivable from medical providers at a discount, and then attempted to recover the entire amount, or at least more than the discounted amount, from the debtor. According to allegations in the indictment, from at least 2009 to 2013, the Suzukis and their co-defendant Edwin Fujinaga, 72, of Las Vegas, fraudulently solicited investments from thousands of Japanese residents. When MRI collapsed, it allegedly owed investors over $1.5 billion. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Fujinaga and the Suzukis promised investors a series of interest payments that would accrue over the life of the investment and that would be paid out along with the face value of the investment at the conclusion of the investments duration. The defendants allegedly solicited investments by, among other things, promising investors that their investments would be used only for the purchase of medical accounts receivable (MARS) and by representing that investors funds would be managed and safeguarded by an independent third-party escrow company. The indictment further alleges that MRI operated as a Ponzi scheme, in which the defendants used new investors money to pay prior investors maturing investments. According to the indictment, the defendants also allegedly used investors funds for purposes other than the purchase of MARS, including paying themselves sales commissions, subsidizing gambling habits, funding personal travel by private jet and other personal expenses. In November 2018, after a five-week trial, Fujinaga was found guilty of eight counts of mail fraud, nine counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering in connection with this Ponzi scheme. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 23, 2019. The case was investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys William Johnston and Danny Nguyen of the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez of the District of Nevada. The case was investigated by Assistant Chief Albert Stieglitz of the Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Myhre of the District of Nevada. The indictment contains allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent if and until proven guilty in a court of law. The Criminal Divisions Office of International Affairs provided significant support with the defendants extradition. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Services Agency of Japan and the Japanese Ministry of Justice also provided assistance. Imperial Valley News Center Former Captain of Arkansas Juvenile Detention Center Sentenced to Prison for Conspiracy to Assault Juvenile Detainees Little Rock, Arkansas - Former Captain of the White River Regional Juvenile Detention Center, Peggy Kendrick, 45, was sentenced yesterday to prison for her role in conspiring to assault juvenile inmates, assaulting a 16-year-old juvenile, and obstructing justice by falsifying incident reports about that assault. Kendrick, who served as captain and administrator of the detention center, and was in charge of its daily operations, was sentenced to 84 months in prison and three years of supervised release, announced Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Cody Hiland of the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Special Agent in charge Diane Upchurch of the FBI Little Rock Field Office. This defendant abused her power as Captain and attempted to cover up the assault of young inmates under her care and custody, said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. The Department of Justice will continue to aggressively enforce our nations laws and hold officers who break the law and mistreat inmates accountable. As former Captain of the facility, this defendant was in a position of trust. Her behavior towards these children violated that trust, and the sentence shows these actions will not go unpunished, said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas Cody Hiland. We are morally, constitutionally, and legally obligated to treat juvenile inmates humanely. The sentencing reflects our commitment to investigate the mistreatment of inmates by the people in charge of them, stated Special Agent in Charge Diane Upchurch with the Little Rock FBI Field Office. We appreciate the efforts of our partners at the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division and the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas and the FBI. On April 26, 2017, Kendrick pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to assault juvenile inmates at the White River facility. According to the plea documents, Kendrick assaulted and physically punished juvenile detainees who posed no threat, including by spraying them in the face with pepper spray. In some instances, she then shut the compliant juveniles in their cells after pepper spraying them to let them cook, or continue suffering the effects of the pepper spray, rather than immediately decontaminating them. Kendrick also encouraged other juvenile detention officers to unjustifiably assault juveniles and to falsify their incident reports to cover up the assaults. Kendrick also pleaded guilty to assaulting a 16-year-old girl by pepper spraying her in the face for failing to follow directions. At the time, the girl, who was in the detention center as part of the Families in Need of Service program and had not been charged with any crime, was standing in the back corner of her cell with her arms folded, and not posing a physical threat to anyone or physically resisting in any way. Kendrick covered up the assault by writing an incident report falsely claiming that the girl had clenched her fist and stepped toward Kendrick in an aggressive manner. Kendrick was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge James M. Moody Jr. On March 14, Judge Moody sentenced Dennis Fuller, 41, who served as Kendricks lieutenant, to 36 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy. This case was investigated by the FBIs Little Rock Division. Trial Attorneys Samantha Trepel and Michael J. Songer of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, and Assistant United States Attorneys Julie Peters and Pat Harris of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas prosecuted the case. Imperial Valley News Center Indian National Extradited to United States to Face Charges for Leadership Role in Multimillion Dollar India-Based Call Center Scam Houston, Texas - An Indian national has been extradited to the United States from Singapore to face charges related to his role as an operator of a call center network that targeted U.S victims. The massive India-based telephone impersonation fraud and money laundering conspiracy defrauded thousands of U.S. residents out of hundreds of millions of dollars. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick of the Southern District of Texas, Executive Associate Director Derek N. Benner of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Inspector General J. Russell George of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and Acting Inspector General John Kelly of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) made the announcement today. Hitesh Madhubhai Patel, 42, of Ahmedabad, India, arrived in the United States and is scheduled to be arraigned today before a U.S. magistrate judge in federal court in Houston, Texas. The indictment, which was unsealed in October 2016, charged Patel and 60 other individuals and entities with general conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. The case is assigned to the Honorable David Hittner of the Southern District of Texas. Hitesh Patel operated a call center that allegedly preyed upon vulnerable U.S. citizens as part of a massive fraud scheme, said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. This extradition once again demonstrates the Departments unwavering commitment to disrupt and dismantle the India-based call center scam industry and to work with our foreign partners to hold accountable those who perpetrate schemes that defraud our citizens. I especially would like to thank our Singaporean colleagues for their excellent cooperation with this extradition and their commitment to combatting transnational organized crime. I cannot compliment enough the hard work and effort put into this case by the agents, analysts and attorneys of the many agencies involved, said U.S. Attorney Patrick. Large complex international cases like these often take years to bring in foreign-based defendants. I applaud our global partners in helping bring this case closer to a conclusion. Todays extradition should serve as a strong deterrent to anyone considering taking part in similar scams, and I hope it provides a sense of justice for the victims as well, said HSI Executive Associate Director Benner. HSI will continue to utilize its unique investigative mandate, in conjunction with our local, state and federal partners, to attack and dismantle the criminal enterprises who would seek to manipulate U.S. institutions and taxpayers. Since 2013, the IRS impersonation scam has been on a relentless path, claiming more than 15,000 victims who have collectively suffered over $75 million in losses, said Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George. TIGTAs investigations, often conducted with other Federal agencies, have identified 140 scammers, including Patel, who have preyed upon taxpayers. Todays extradition and arraignment are proof that TIGTA and its law enforcement partners will be equally relentless in rooting out individuals who fraudulently identify themselves as IRS employees in order to extort money from taxpayers. We especially appreciate the cooperation of the Government of Singapore for its role in the extradition. This historic extradition should serve as notice to transnational criminal organizations of the lengths DHS is willing to go to arrest those who would enrich themselves by extorting the most vulnerable in our society, said Special Agent in Charge David Green of DHS-OIG Houston, Texas Field Office. The owners, managers and employees of overseas call centers who target U.S. residents should know that our pursuit of justice for victims of their scams does not stop at the waters edge. We will continue to work with our international partners to identify these fraudsters, track them down and hold them accountable for their crimes. Singapore authorities apprehended Patel at the request of the United States pursuant to a provisional arrest warrant on Sept. 21, 2018, after flying from India to Singapore. The Singaporean Minister for Law issued a warrant on March 25, 2019 for Patel to be delivered into custody of the United States. The indictment alleges that Patel operated the HGlobal call center conglomerate and participated in a complex fraudulent scheme involving a network of call centers based in Ahmedabad, India. Using information obtained from data brokers and other sources, India-based conspirators allegedly called potential victims while impersonating officials from the IRS or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. According to the indictment, the call center conspirators then threatened victims with arrest, imprisonment, fines or deportation if they did not pay taxes or penalties to the government. When victims agreed to pay, the call centers used a network of U.S.-based conspirators to quickly liquidate and launder the extorted funds through the use of stored value cards or via wire transfers. As alleged in the indictment, the stored value cards were often registered by the scammers using misappropriated personal identifying information of thousands of identity theft victims, and conspirators collected the wire transfers by using fake names and fraudulent identifications. According to the indictment, the call center conspirators also defrauded victims through other schemes, including via offering fake short-term loans or grants. The indictment alleges that the conspirators would then request a good-faith deposit to show the victims ability to pay back the loan or a fee to process the grant. The victims of the alleged scam never received any money after making the requested payment. An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. A total of 24 domestic defendants associated with this transnational criminal scheme have previously been convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment of up to 20 years in the Southern District of Texas, District of Arizona and Northern District of Georgia. The defendants were also ordered to pay millions of dollars in victim restitution and money judgments and to forfeit seized assets. Some defendants were ordered to be deported based on their illegal immigration status, with another defendant having his U.S. citizenship revoked due to a separate conviction for immigration fraud. The remaining India-based defendants have yet to be arraigned in this case. HSI, DHS-OIG and TIGTA conducted the investigation. The Department of Justices Office of International Affairs and HSI Singapore provided significant support in securing and coordinating Patels arrest and extradition, working in concert with their counterparts at the Singapore Attorney Generals-Chambers and the Singapore Police Force. Trial Attorneys Michael Sheckels and Mona Sahaf of the Criminal Divisions Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Amanda Wick of the Criminal Divisions Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark McIntyre and Craig Feazel of the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case. Imperial Valley News Center Sacramento Man Sentenced to over 2 Years for Obstruction of Justice and Perjury Sacramento, California - Joseph Woloszyn, 33, of Sacramento, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to two years and three months in prison for obstruction of justice and perjury, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, on June 28, 2017, Woloszyn provided false testimony under oath at a district court evidentiary hearing in the case of United States v. M.W. (2:13cr067-KJM). Woloszyn testified on behalf of the defendant and provided false statements related to his gang tattoos, nickname, phone number, and contacts with the defendant. Prior to his testimony, during a recorded jail call, Woloszyn told the defendant, When they come to me, good luck. Woloszyn further assured the defendant, Im going to stay solid all the way through, regardless. This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron L. Desmond prosecuted the case. Source of Supply for Bakersfield Synthetic Marijuana Traffickers Sentenced to Federal Prison Fresno, California - Haitham Eid Habash, aka Eddie Habash, 55, of Hawthorne, was sentenced Monday to five years and three months in prison for his role in supplying synthetic drugs to wholesale internet drug traffickers, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Habash was also ordered to forfeit over $193,000 in proceeds derived from drug trafficking. According to court documents, in 2015, Habash manufactured smokeable synthetic cannabinoids, commonly known as spice, which contained AB-Chminaca, AB-Pinaca, and XLR11, all of which are Schedule I controlled substances. Habash personally negotiated with and obtained the raw chemicals directly from Chinese suppliers. He would then dilute them with a solvent before mixing them with flavoring to add to dried plant material. Habash sold his drugs under various brand names, including Bizarro and his own special blend, Mr. High. His customers included his co-defendant Majed Bashir Akroush, aka Magic Mike, 51, of Bakersfield, who sold Habashs product over the internet under the business names of Magic Mans Wholesale, Blue Whale Wholesale, and World of Incense. According to the plea agreement, on April 14, 2015, CHP officers intercepted 95 pounds of synthetic cannabinoid products manufactured by Habash in Bakersfield. The case against Akroush is still pending. He is charged with the drug conspiracy and two substantive drug offenses, all of which carry a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Akroush is also charged with conspiring to structure several million dollars obtained from his drug trafficking activity. The structuring charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is the product of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Motor Vehicles, Kern County Probation, Kern County Sheriffs Office, and Bakersfield Police Department. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. The principal mission of OCDETF is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nations drug supply. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar is prosecuting the case. Corona Lawyer Admits Illegal Possession of Unregistered Weapons Los Angeles, California - A California attorney and ex-Rialto police officer pleaded guilty Tuesday to one felony count of illegally possessing multiple unregistered weapons, including a short-barreled rifle, two silencers, and a hand grenade. Sergio Lopez de Tirado, 43, of Corona, pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm and destructive device. United States District Judge Fernando M. Olguin scheduled a September 26 sentencing hearing, where Lopez de Tirado will face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Lopez de Tirado is currently in custody without bond. According to court documents, law enforcement found Lopez de Tirado asleep and apparently intoxicated in the passengers seat of a pickup truck that was parked with its doors wide open and blocking a driveway in Norco. During their search of the truck on December 21, 2018, authorities found a short-barreled 9-millimeter rifle, two silencers, and a hand grenade in a holster under his arm. Other items, such as high-capacity magazines, ammunition, and brass knuckles, were also found in the truck. According to court documents, the firearms in the vehicle including the short-barreled rifle and an AR-type rifle with a silencer were loaded when recovered by authorities. Lopez de Tirado admitted in his plea agreement that he had not registered the rifle, the silencers or the hand grenade with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. This case was investigated by the FBIs Inland Empire Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Substantial assistance was provided by the Riverside County Sheriffs Department, the Rialto Police Department, the Corona Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Reema M. El-Amamy of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section. San Leandro Resident Sentenced To Four Years In Prison For Bank Robbery San Francisco, California - Phillip LeBlanc was sentenced Wednesday to 48 months in prison for committing three bank robberies, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentenced was handed down by the Hon. Maxine M. Chesney, Senior U.S. District Judge. LeBlanc, 36, of San Leandro, Calif., pleaded guilty to the charges on November 28, 2018. In pleading guilty, LeBlanc admitted that on May 26, 2018, he robbed a Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco of more than $7,500. Similarly, on June 22, 2018, LeBlanc stole $1,949 from a Cathay Bank in San Francisco, and on June 23, 2018, he stole $1,517 from a Citibank in Oakland. On July 19, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Leblanc charging him with three counts of bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2113(a). LeBlanc pleaded guilty to all three counts. In addition to the prison term, Judge Chesney ordered LeBlanc to pay restitution in the amount of $11,118 and to serve three years of supervised release that will begin at the end of his prison term. The defendant currently is in federal custody and will begin serving his sentence immediately. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sailaja M. Paidipaty is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Marina Ponomarchuk. The prosecution is the result of investigations by the FBI, the Oakland Police Department, and the San Francisco Police Department. Congress Must Act to End the Crisis on Our Border Washington, DC - I saw firsthand the humanitarian and national security emergency that we face on our southern border last week, while meeting with the men and women of Customs and Border Protection in Nogales, Arizona. As those brave officers told me, we have a real crisis on our hands, and whats driving it is the loopholes in our immigration laws that Congress has refused to close. This crisis is unlike anything weve ever seen before. Nearly 3,000 aliens are stopped trying to cross our southern border each day. This crisis is threatening lives on both sides of the border and to end it, Congress must act to close the loopholes that drug cartels and human traffickers use to entice vulnerable families to make the long and dangerous journey north to our southern border. That begins with changing the federal asylum laws that encourage so many immigrants to try to cross our border illegally. In fiscal year 2018, more than 90,000 aliens claimed to have a credible fear after being stopped at our border a 2,000 percent increase from just a decade before. Nearly 90 percent of them were simply released into our country to wait for a court date. Yet ultimately less than one out of ten illegal immigrants from Central America claiming credible fear receive asylum. This rampant abuse of our immigration system is also being driven by the Flores settlement agreement. Under this court precedent, minors who are apprehended crossing our border generally cannot be kept for more than 20 days in detention centers requiring law enforcement to either separate children from their family members or release the entire family into the United States. As President Trump made clear, the United States does not have a policy of separating children from their families but Flores encourages adults to cross the border with a child in the hope of entering and staying in the United States. And it encourages childless adults including gang members and drug traffickers to use children to pose as families, in order to enter our country illegally and avoid deportation. Finally, current law forces our federal law enforcement agencies to treat every unaccompanied minor from a non-neighboring country who crosses our border illegally for any reason as a victim of human trafficking resulting in thousands from Central America being released into the United States. Each of these loopholes is contributing to the humanitarian and national security crisis at our southern border and each of them requires Congress to act. Congress must return our asylum laws to their original purpose of helping victims of government persecution by raising the standard of proof for credible fear. And it must extend the period of time minors can be detained with their families so that they can remain together throughout the adjudication process. Read the full op-ed here. It's rare that the CEOs of American, Delta, and United Airlines see eye to eye. But this week, they teamed up in an incredible way for one purpose: to ask -- no, beg is more accurate -- for President Trump to take a specific action on their behalf. We'll explore what they're asking for below. But honestly, the way they asked for it is probably more important. Because whomever advised the airlines on how to push Trump's buttons like this has done one of two things: Either they came came up with a truly brilliant strategy, Or else, they were too cute by half, and they've risked creating exactly the kind of backlash the airlines don't want. Here's what the airlines are asking for, the fascinating way they decided to ask--and frankly, the obvious thing that would make it all a lot better for them. Open Skies To summarize the whole issue in one sentence: The U.S. airlines want Trump to crack down on Air Italy, and stop it adding so many nonstop flights between the U.S. and Europe. They're so focused on this because Air Italy is 49 percent owned by Qatar Airways, and they say that in turn means Qatar Airways is violating an agreement with the U.S. government dating back to last year. It gets a bit complex. But Gary Leff at View From the Wing, who has been covering this for years, says it comes down to U.S. airlines not wanting to compete any more than they have to with foreign airlines: US airlines don't want to compete with Air Italy ... don't want to compete with anyone, and there's always a chance to go to the administration and complain about foreigners. Today the CEOs of Delta, United, and American took out a full page ad asking President Trump to do something that would limit choices consumers have and raise prices. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. 'Dear President Trump' In fact, the three airlines wrote a letter to President Trump, and then took out a full page ad in the New York Times and the New York Post to try to get it in front of him, signed by Doug Parker, Edward Bastian, and Oscar Munoz--the CEOs of American, Delta, and United, respectfully. Just read the first few lines to understand why this is so brilliant: President Donald J. Trump The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Trump, Your administration was built on the enduring principle that the U.S. government will stand up for American workers against foreign governments that break their trade agreements with our country. The American people are grateful for that promise. Today, America's airline workers are counting on you to step up on their behalf. You can read the whole letter here (.pdf). Stop hurting 'American workers' Seriously, how on point is this? They're just 70 words into a short letter, and all they've done is flatter President Trump, and sound off a bunch of notes to the tune of "Make America Great Again." It goes on from there, laying out their argument. We should point out that not every U.S. airline is upset about the situation. JetBlue and FedEx separately wrote in favor of it recently. But the letter to Trump hits every chord: It tells him that Qatar Airways is violating an "historic agreement" that the Trump administration negotiated; It asks him to come to the rescue not of the airlines themselves, but to make Qatar Airways "stop hurting American workers;" It says that the situation "represents a grave threat to American jobs and the health of the airline industry;" It ends the whole thing with a coup de force: "We appreciate your resolute leadership in enforcing fair trade principles and ask that you continue to stand up for the more than 1.2 million U.S. workers whose jobs depend on a strong and vibrant passenger airline industry." I don't know if this will work. I'm not sure President Trump even reads the New York Times (also known as an "enemy of the people," in a tweet within 24 hours after the airlines published the letter)? Granted, they published in the New York Post, too. But if you wanted to make sure President Trump saw a message--wouldn't you skip the Times, and just run a whole bunch of ads on Fox News? Last month, McDonald's made a big announcement that surprised a lot of people: It revealed that it would stop lobbying against increases in the minimum wage. In truth, this probably was a lost cause anyway: the $15 minimum wage has broad support, and it will probably become law within the next few years. Besides, there's not much point in pushing for a lower minimum wage when your competitors in the employment market, like Amazon, are voluntarily paying $15 or more. But there might be other ways for McDonald's to recruit and retain good workers that go beyond the hourly salary. At least, that's what McDonald's and other employers hope. Apply with a friend Now, McDonald's has unveiled a series of TV ads that are garnering some acclaim -- and that might be revealing a key strategy. Running in Canada, they're part of a series that the world's largest fast food chain and its ad agency call, "Friends Wanted." The ads feature two young McDonald's employees who are clearly friends from outside work. In one ad they consult each other about a weird order, in another they talk about going to a party, and in a third, they make up goofy nametags and laugh incessantly about them. It's all cuter than I'm making it sound. "One of the key benefits of working at a McDonald's restaurant is the camaraderie among crew members," Antoinette Benoit, CMO of McDonald's Canada told AdWeek. 'The most endearingly Canadian way' McDonald's north of the border also held a virtual hiring fair called "Snapplications" last month. "It's a simple but powerful shift that has the potential to not just double the number of potential applications, but makes the idea of working with friends real," Jordan Hammer, associate creative director for McDonalds' Canada's ad agency, Cossette, said. I know this is a very Canadian strategy. In fact, one commentator called the idea of recruiting friends to work together like this, "the most endearingly Canadian way possible." But it's also a familiar tactic to anyone who's served in the U.S. military, especially in the last decade or so. The Battle Buddy Program The U.S. Army and to a lesser extent the other services have had a program in place for years, on or off, that allows friends and even married couples to enlist together. The Battle Buddy program promises to keep people who enlist together -- well, together -- from basic training through their first duty station, and even combat deployments to places like Afghanistan. "They don't want to leave friends and family," Kellli Brand, a spokeswoman for Army recruiting told USA Today in 2015, when the program was revived after a long hiatus. OF course, there are some big differences between working at McDonald's and joining the military. For one thing, you can't just decide to quit the army if it turns out you don't like it. When it comes to the Boeing 737 Max, Southwest Airlines is in a class by itself. Now it's made a truly stunning announcement about its future with the troubled aircraft. To understand why this is such a big deal, you have to know first that Southwest is by far the biggest 737 Max customer in the United States, with 34 of the planes among its fleet, and plans for many more. Currently, those planes are mostly parked in a "boneyard" in the California desert, waiting for Boeing and the federal government to clear them for safe flight. So, it makes sense that all eyes are on Southwest as Boeing weathers this storm, tries to fix the 737 Max after two fatal crashes, and hopes to restore faith in the plane. Now, Southwest chairman and CEO Gary Kelly has spoken out boldly about the situation--and the 737 Max's future with Southwest. "Hundreds more" Speaking at a chamber of commerce event in Dallas, Kelly said Southwest has no plans to abandon the 737 Max. In fact, he said it will purchase "hundreds" more 737 Max aircraft. "It's a very good airplane, but Boeing has acknowledged that they've got some things they need to address with the software in that airplane," Kelly said, according to the Dallas Business Journal. "It seems like it's a relatively straightforward modification. We're obviously anxious to get the airplane back in service." That's it: all-in on the 737 Max. Or at least close to it. This despite the fact that some Southwest passengers are taking to social media to decry flight cancelations, and out of fear that they were flying on a Southwest 737 Max. (They weren't; it was just a misunderstanding. Southwest just used the same safety briefing card on several 737 variations.) Granted American Airlines has said it's not bailing on the 737 Max, and United Airlines executives speaking on an earnings call this week seemed confident the 737 Max will return to service later this year. But buying hundreds of the aircraft? Southwest is in a class by itself in the United States on that count. And the explanation behind that opens the door to a lot of other things as well. The airline that only flies 737s There are a lot of differences between Southwest Airlines and the other three of the "Big 4" U.S. airlines: a focus on domestic U.S. travel, a single fare class, and the fact that Southwest bundles the price of flight changes and checked bags into the price of a ticket, to name a few. But there's also the fact that unlike American, Delta, and United, Southwest Airlines flies only one type of plane: variations of the Boeing 737. In fact, there's been a lot of speculation that the 737 Max was susceptible to the flaw that may have caused the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia precisely because Boeing was so eager to ensure its new plane could be called a newer version of the 737, as opposed to another plane entirely--for both marketing and pilot training purposes. But that puts an airline like Southwest, which relies 100 percent the Boeing 737 for its entire fleet, in a really tricky position. Do one thing, over and over There's a real debate going on this issue--and I guess it has parallels in almost every other industry. You can choose one thing, do it over and over, and probably become pretty good at it. Or else you can diversify. By flying just one aircraft, Southwest knows that almost any of its pilots can fly any of its planes. Its scheduling and maintenance tasks become a lot easier than for airlines with multiple types of aircraft. But it also means that, ultimately, Southwest's brand and its overall success are tied up with Boeing and the 737 in a way that few other airlines are. Certainly none in the United States. So, if passengers grow to distrust the 737--or even just the 737 Max variation--it's very bad news indeed for Southwest. All in, all in I sincerely hope that Boeing's fix will make the 737 Max as safe as any other airplane. I suspect they'll succeed at that. But will customer faith follow? I'm skeptical--as is President Trump, who tweeted last week that no matter what else happens, Boeing needs to re-brand the aircraft. So, I think the solution will have to be something radical. I suggested recently having Boeing invite its rival Airbus to assess the safety of the 737 Max once it's fixed. I know that's going to be a tough sell within Boeing. So barring that, maybe the top Boeing executives could volunteer to go on a round-the-world trip aboard a randomly selected 737 Max--bringing their families along for good measure. And I hate to say this--but top airline execs would have to go, too. Because I don't think people care how many planes you order, or how many times you assure them that the plane is safe. They have to see with their own eyes, hear with their own ears, and feel it deeply within their hearts. Otherwise, they'll always associate the 737 Max with something else. Absurdly Driven looks at the world of business with a skeptical eye and a firmly rooted tongue in cheek. I know so many business owners who get up at the time of the morning I call night, in order to get to the gym. 4.30 in the morning. Or 5. It strikes me as slightly lunatic to get on a bike or lift a recalcitrant barbell at that time of day. Now I have science to back me up. A bracing new study from the University of California, Irvine has declared a winner in the When Should I Exercise? race. Paolo Sassone-Corsi, PhD, Donald Bren Professor and director of the Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism at UCI's School of Medicine, made the seemingly definitive statement: We discovered that exercising at the correct time of day -- around mid-morning -- results in more oxygen in the cells and a more rejuvenating effect on the body. Mid-Morning. The very time when so many businesspeople are mired in meetings. This is simply cruel. How, though, did the researchers come to their conclusions? Why, they oberserved mice and the effects of exercise on their skeletal muscle metabolism. It seems that mid-morning exercise "resulted in higher utilization of carbohydrates and ketone bodies, as well as the breakdown of fats and amino acids." I still worry. You see, recently I wrote about another fine study about exercise. This, from Charles Stuart University in Australia, suggested that working out in the evening was no worse for your productivity or your sleep than doing it at any other time of day. Indeed, researcher Penny Larsen specifically suggested mornings were the worst time of day to exercise: Power output during the sprint efforts was higher for the afternoon and evening trials compared to the morning trial, indicating that participants were able to perform better during latter parts of the day. Ultimately, you have to find not only what works for your body, but what works for your schedule. Absurdly Driven looks at the world of business with a skeptical eye and a firmly rooted tongue in cheek. There used to be norms of freedom when flying. Can you remember when bags on airlines all flew free? Can you remember when everyone, even in Economy Class, got a free meal? In those charmed days, no one would have thought of charging you to board early. Yet here we are in an era where nothing is free. Which, naturally, leads me to United Airlines. Its president, Scott Kirby, said not so long ago that every seat on the plane should have an additional price, because booking a seat on a plane is like booking a seat for a concert. Indeed, it is, with the small exception that there is no live band that you've been desperate to see. And no actual concert. Kirby did have some second thoughts about that analogy, but no second thoughts about charging for every seat imaginable. How odd, then, that I hear United is having second thoughts about free Economy Class food on more domestic flights -- something it and other airlines have dabbled with several times. The Points Guy's Zach Honig reported that on one flight from Houston to Honolulu, United is testing a free mini-sandwich. Foodies might like to know it's a Balsamic Chicken Sandwich with Arugula Spread and Mozzarella. Regular humans might like to know why United has suddenly lurched into such generosity. An airline spokesman told me: We are testing this on our service from IAH to HNL as one of the ways we can continue to improve the overall customer experience when they choose to travel with United. Goodness. Good customer service so often relies on small gestures that make customers feel just a little better. I can imagine that Economy Class passengers, used to being squeezed and trodden down by the lack of space -- and, sometimes, grace -- while flying, will be mildly astonished to discover a free sandwich placed before them. Some, though, might also wonder whether there's a little bit of a Southwest Airlines effect going on here. Southwest has recently begun flying to Hawaii. Even though Southwest doesn't have a non-stop service yet from Houston to Hawaii, is United trying to see if a small, surprising gesture binds passengers to its Hawaii-bound side? That's the thing about competition. It can encourage airlines to try a little harder to woo. It's not something they're always used to. Mueller, who investigated whether Trump's campaign coordinated with Russia during the 2016 election and whether the president tried to interfere with the inquiry, found no evidence of a conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign and made no verdict on obstruction of justice. Mueller did find, however, that Trump made numerous attempts to interfere with the investigation but was largely foiled by those around him. In yesterday's post, I explained that the Information Age is dead because everyone now has all the information they need (and then some). We can now treat information as a given, i.e. as infrastructure, like the railroads of the Industrial Age. We are now in the Conversation Age where the ability to connect and converse is far more important than the ability to create and disperse more information and data. Companies that wish to thrive will need to transcend their current information-centric strategies. Here's where to start: Management: Re-enclose your open plan offices. The point of having employees at a central location is so they can have more face-to-face conversations, right? Since, contrary to popular belief, open plan offices actually reduce the number of such conversations, create more private areas, which will increase them. Implement employee-only online conversations. Workers, especially younger ones, prefer texting to emailing because it's quicker, more personal, and there's (so far) a lot less spam. Companies should encourage texting (and keep it spam-free) by implementing in-house system like Slack. Replace PowerPoint with paper. Rather than have people sit through presentations (which focus on information) start each meeting by having everyone read a concise, printed backgrounder on the topic to be discussed. Then have a conversation about it, because it's the conversation that's important. (Note: I totally didn't get this idea when it first surfaced, but I'm now a convert and true believer.) Marketing: Disinvest in content marketing. You, your company, and your customers already have more content than everyone really needs. Time to refocus. No more white papers, e-books, presentations, videos, sales pitches, brochures, etc., etc. Start thinking of content as a burden on the customer. Unless you're talking expert-to-expert, anything more than a sentence or two is TMI. Redesign your website so that it starts a conversation rather than merely provides information. Stick the informational stuff deep in the page where that rare visitor who wants it can still find it. For everyone else, try to engage them ASAP in some kind of online interchange. Retool your email marketing so that it's more personalized, contains a minimum of information, but instead invites the customer into a conversation. Send short, personalized emails that don't point the recipient at information but instead ask a yes/no question, thereby inviting them into a conversation. Sales: De-emphasize CRM. True, it's useful to have all the contact data in one place and a way to track the stages of a sales process. Anything beyond that, however, is marginally useful, which is why CRM installations have such a dismal failure rate. CRM is mostly overhead at this point. Minimize it or do without. Have salespeople engage online. Rather than pestering customers, salespeople should be participating in conversations--ideally within conversations that the customers themselves have started. Think of social media as the world's largest meet-and-greet conference, where you're a tentative guest. Make the conversation about them, not you. Expect salespeople to be conversationalists. To be blunt, any salesperson who's dumb enough to give a sales pitch, sales presentation, elevator pitch, or send a customer a brochure or a link "for more information" should be fired. Selling means conversation not information. Great salespeople have always known this, by the way. As a recruiter, I'll be the first to admit that the job search process is crazy. In the past, as long as you had a resume, could fill out an application and regurgitated your technical experience in an interview, you were golden. Nowadays, you have to worry about designing resumes for applicant tracking systems, optimizing your LinkedIn profile with keywords, using Skype and video conferencing tools, and passing behavioral and aptitude assessments. To further complicate things, with advancements in recruitment technology, you're not only competing against candidates in your local market, but also with top talent around the globe. The pressure to perform has never been higher. With all of the added technology and steps to the recruiting cycle, it's easy to get lost in the process. As a result, you put too much of an emphasis on one aspect, and completely neglect the others. Case in point, the significance of your resume vs. your interview performance. Although resume techniques are forever changing, it is still the most crucial step to getting your foot in the door. However, that's where it stops. A resume's job is to get you an interview, and your performance in that interview gets you the job. Unfortunately, many rely too heavily on their resume and don't prepare accordingly for their face-to-face conversations. Performing well in-person has changed. Rather than focusing on your resume and past experiences, interviewers are more concerned with your ability to interact and communicate with others. They are more concerned with your soft skills. Whereas technical abilities are easier to teach, the intangible interpersonal skills are not (traits like creativity, collaboration, self-awareness, adaptability, and communication). That's why many organizations are going to great lengths to uncover them. In LinkedIn's 2019 Global Talent Trends Report, 5,000 talent professionals disclosed five methods they use to discover and asses soft skills. I've highlighted the top three and added my personal recruiting experience to each. 1. Asking behavior questions. The belief behind asking behavioral based questions is that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. To uncover the habits that employers are looking for, interviewers will ask you questions like "Tell me about the last time you had to work with someone who had a different work style than yours," or "Describe a time in which you needed to learn a new skill." These questions seem innocent, but know that employers are analyzing your every word. In my opinion, this is where you should spend the majority of your time preparing for an interview. It offers candidates the opportunity to showcase their soft skills and differentiate themselves through experiences unique to them. 2. Reading body language. The famous 7 percent rule, introduced by Dr. Albert Mehrabian author of Silent Messages, suggests that only 7 percent of every message is conveyed through words. The remaining 93 percent is non-verbal and chalked up to things like posture, body language, facial expressions, and eye-contact. Long story short, if your body language doesn't line up with your message, then you'll come across as insincere, shady, or even manipulative. A good rule of thumb is to act like you're engaged in the conversation. Ask great follow up questions, maintain eye contact, nod your head to indicate that you're listening and don't fidget. 3. Asking situation questions. I like to refer to these as hypothetical questions. In other words, interviewers will throw you into hypothetical situations to evaluate how you navigate and troubleshoot important matters. The questions typically start the same way, "What would you do if..." The goal is to highlight your problem solving capabilities while emphasizing important soft skills like teamwork. Amphibians across the world are experiencing catastrophic population declines from a widening range of interacting pathogens, scientists say. Fungal disease chytridiomycosis is thought to have caused the extinction of 90 amphibian species around the world and the marked decline of at least 491 others over the last 20 years. According to Dr Benjamin Scheele, the lead author of a study into chytridiomycosis, it is the greatest recorded loss of biodiversity attributable to a disease. But now amphibians are also under attack from another pathogen known as the ranavirus, which exists in at least four varieties. In addition scientists have found that there are at least two species of chytridiomycosis, and within these, many different genetic types. RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues Show all 14 1 /14 RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues A goat who got her head stuck between the bars of a metal fence in Norton, Stockton-on-Tees PA RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues A fox cub who got his head stuck in the hole of an abandoned car wheel in Leyton, London PA RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues A muntjac deer trapped upside down between two walls in Bedworth, Warwickshire PA RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues The dog with his head stuck in the TV cabinet PA RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes with a dog after it got his stuck in a TV cabinet in Birkenhead, Merseyside PA RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues A snake on a diswasher in Sheffield, Yorkshire PA RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues A squirrel stuck in a toilet in a house in Southwark, London PA RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues A cat who got wedged inside a tumble dryer air vent at her home in Kidderminster PA RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues A cat after falling onto metal railings in London PA RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues A badger wedged between branches in Harefield, London PA RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues A fox was found wedged in a front car grille more than 12 hours after being hit in an accident PA RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues A cat stuck in a gap between two electric doors at the Premier Inn in Luton PA RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues A tiny handcrafted ladder made to get a hamster out of a pipe in Bridgwater in Somerset PA RSPCAs most unusual animal rescues A hamster who got wedged in the tiny pipe for almost a week PA In response to the demise of worldwide amphibian populations, this week zoological experts will gather in London in a bid to develop an emergency plan to save these creatures. A description of the event on the Zoological Society of Londons website reads: Amphibians continue to experience worldwide declines and remain the most threatened vertebrate class. The Rabbs fringe-limbed tree frog of Panama (Ecnomiohyla rabborum) went extinct after its popultion was devastated by chytridiomycosis (Wikimedia Commons) Nearly 30 years of research has shown that pathogens, in particular chytridiomycete fungi and ranaviruses, are responsible for infectious diseases that cause catastrophic population and host community declines on all continents where amphibians exist. Among the 90 species of amphibians wiped out since chytridiomycosis began taking its toll across the world are the golden toad in Costa Rica (Incilius periglenes), the southern gastric-brooding frog of Australia (Rheobatrachus silus), and Arthurs stubfoot toad (Atelopus arthuri) in Ecuador. Researchers believe that globalisation and the wildlife trade are the main causes behind the spread of this global pandemic. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Humans are moving plants and animals around the world at an increasingly rapid rate, introducing pathogens into new areas, Dr Scheele said. The rise of these fungal diseases are not only damaging to amphibian populations, but are also harmful to the environment. This is because frogs, salamanders and toads play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, for instance by eating mosquitoes that spread disease. Paris was burning, or so it seemed. Images of Notre Dame with flames leaping up its twin towers, its old spire crashing down, molten lead dropping, the night sky lit up and the sonorous bells of Saint Sulpice tolling out the apparent death of an architectural icon raced round the world in seconds via social media, registering our horror and fascination through a billion clicks. Cathedrals, it seems, are made of highly combustible materials. But I expect the conflagration will not just be a matter of a building on fire. Smouldering beneath has been a century-long conflict between church and state in France, which the inevitable blame game will almost certainly reignite. What exactly led to the near catastrophic burning of one of Frances most enduring and popular national monuments? In a report in 2017 on the parlous state of the fabric decay at Notre Dame, one government official was quoted as saying, France has thousands of monuments, suggesting that Pariss cathedral was not the most pressing case for restoration, It will not fall down. Those words will no doubt come back to haunt that unnamed official. They are, in any case, redolent of a sort of laissez-faire attitude towards monuments, and religious monuments in particular. Detectives investigating the murder of Lyra McKee have released CCTV footage of the person suspected of killing her. The footage was made public just hours before two men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested under the Terrorism Act in relation to the journalists death. Ms McKee was shot while reporting on riots in Derry, Northern Ireland on Thursday night. The security footage appears to show her suspected killer, a masked gunman, standing by a barrier in the midst of crowds and burning cars. He can be seen raising his gun and appears to fire the weapon into a crowd. Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Show all 21 1 /21 Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots A burning car in Creggan, Derry after petrol bombs were thrown at police during riots in Northern Ireland PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Armed police at the scene of unrest PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Petrol bombs being thrown at police PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Belfast Journalist Lyra McKee was killed during the riots. Police Service of Northern Ireland said that McKee was allegedly shot while reporting on clashes with dissident republican rioters EPA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots The scene on Fanad Drive the following day PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA We are issuing CCTV from the incident to encourage anyone with information to make contact with us, Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said on Friday. We have already received a large number of calls and information from the public and I would like to thank them for their support and for their willingness to come forward and to try to help us take a killer off the streets. We also know that a range of footage is circulating on social media. however I cannot stress enough how important it is that people who were in the area last night and who recorded video and took photos share what they have with us via our Major Incident Public Portal. People saw the gunman and people saw those who goaded young people out onto the streets, people know who they are, Mr Murphy added. The answers to what happened last night lie within the community. I am asking people to do the right thing for Lyra McKee, for her family and for the city of Derry/Londonderry and help us stop this madness. Ms McKee had been covering unrest in Creggan, an area in Derry, when she was shot. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had been searching for firearms and explosives in the district on Thursday night. Officers then came under attack as more than 50 petrol bombs were thrown at them and two cars were hijacked and set on fire. Ms McKee was standing next to an armoured police vehicle when she was shot. Investigators believe the gunman had been targeting officers and accidentally hit the journalist. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events In separate footage from the scene, filmed on a mobile phone, the suspected gunman can be seen firing twice into the crowd. The clip, shared by a member of the public on social media, shows the shooter leaning around a barrier surrounding the Creggan Day Centre to aim towards police. He fires two shots, three seconds apart, with what appears to be a handgun before screaming is heard. Police officers at the scene took Ms McKee to hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The 29-year-olds death has lead to an outpouring of grief in Northern Ireland, where vigils have been held in her memory. John Boyle, Derrys mayor, said the killing was not done in the name of the people of this city. He said: Those responsible need to understand that. The citizens of Derry, or Londonderry it doesnt matter what you call this city everyone is united with one voice today to speak out. Anyone with information is urged to call the PSNI on 101 and to submit footage or images at to the dedicated Major Incident Public Portal via https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI19O09-PO1 Additional reporting by agencies Two teenagers have been arrested by police in connection with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Northern Ireland. The men, aged 18 and 19, were detained under anti-terrorism legislation and have been taken to a police station in Belfast for questioning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said. The reporter and published author, from Belfast, was shot in the head on the Creggan estate in Derry around 10pm on Thursday night as dissident republicans linked to the New IRA clashed with police. CCTV released by the PSNI captured her final moments, when she stood near a police 4x4 vehicle, in the hope the public could help trace suspects. Shaky mobile phone footage also released by detectives showed a masked gunman lean from behind cover and appear to fire shots towards police and onlookers. Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Show all 21 1 /21 Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots A burning car in Creggan, Derry after petrol bombs were thrown at police during riots in Northern Ireland PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Armed police at the scene of unrest PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Petrol bombs being thrown at police PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Belfast Journalist Lyra McKee was killed during the riots. Police Service of Northern Ireland said that McKee was allegedly shot while reporting on clashes with dissident republican rioters EPA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots The scene on Fanad Drive the following day PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA An outpouring of tributes to the 29-year-old was led by her partner, Sara Canning, who said Ms McKees amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act. Ms Canning said: Victims and LGBTQIA community are left without a tireless advocate and activist and it has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with. This cannot stand, Lyras death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone elses life and her legacy will live on and the life that she has left behind. Lyra McKee, 29, was hailed as a rising star of journalism and avid campaigner on LGBT+ rights and suicide (PSNI/McKee family) Police, who described the shooting as a terrorist incident, believe the violence was orchestrated in response to an earlier search by officers aimed at averting imminent trouble associated with this weeks anniversary of the Easter Rising. Around 50 petrol bombs were thrown in the confrontation and two cars were burned out. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, who leads the inquiry, described the murder as senseless and appalling beyond belief. He said police have already received a large number of calls and information. Masked men throw petrol bombs and missiles at police, shortly before Thursdays shooting in Derry (Niall Carson/PA Wire) Political leaders including Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar joined to condemn the murder. My deepest condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues, Ms May said. She was a journalist who died doing her job with great courage. Mr Varadkar added: We cannot allow those who want to propagate violence, fear and hate to drag us back to the past. Former US president Bill Clinton said he was heartbroken by the murder. He tweeted: The challenges in NI today are real but we cannot let go of the last 21 years of hard-won peace and progress. This tragedy is a reminder of how much everyone has to lose if we do. DUP leader Arlene Foster speaks with Sara Canning (left), the partner of journalist Lyra McKee, at a vigil (PA) A vigil was held in Creggan in Ms McKees memory, organised by local residents who said they felt sad and angry. She had recently moved to Derry to live with love of her life Ms Canning and was also an editor for California-based news site Mediagazer, a trade publication covering the media industry. In 2016, Forbes magazine named her one of their 30 under 30 in media and she was working on a book due to be published next year. Additional reporting by PA The number of child refugees languishing in Calais in the hope of getting to the UK has surged amid warnings that conditions at the border are reaching breaking point. Hundreds of unaccompanied minors are sleeping rough on the northern French coast, with numbers almost doubling in the past three months, according to charities who warn the situation is only getting worse. While figures show a rise from about 150 to 281, aid workers say the true numbers are likely to be higher as many displaced people, including lone minors as young as 12, are being pushed out of visible areas and further into the margins of society due to ramped-up security measures introduced as part of the UK and Frances response to a rise in migrant boat crossings last year. Maddy Allen, field manager at Help Refugees, said: Securitisation measures have really gone up since the attention on the migrant boat crossings in November. Theyve fenced up under the bridges where people used to sleep. Walls have been erected around the petrol station. It looks like a prison. But the rate of people trying to cross hasnt slowed down. They are still here. People are pitching their tents on the side of the motorway. Theyre sleeping in the surrounding area but theyre just further into the margins of society. Theyre deep in the forest, deep in the landfill sites, deep in the sand dunes, just very hidden. Fences have been erected under bridges where asylum seekers used to sleep (Maddy Allen) Meanwhile child protection workers on the ground say that the transfer of lone minors to the UK under the Dubs Amendment designed to grant vulnerable children safe passage to the UK appears to have stopped, prompting rumours that the scheme has been closed. A separate law designed to reunite child refugees with family members in Britain, known as Dublin III, is facing severe delays, which is said to be pushing eligible youngsters to try to cross illegally instead. The Home Office denied that all 480 places available under the Dubs scheme had been filled, but refused to provide up-to-date figures on how many children had been transferred. Ms Allen said the lack of information about legal routes for children meant a growing number were trying to cross the Channel illegally, placing them at risk of exploitation and trafficking. Theres lack of information around Dubs. Theyre not taking new children into the system, but there are supposedly more than 200 spaces still due to be filled. These kids just have no information, and the people advocating for those children dont have adequate information, so they think its going to be quicker to get on a lorry, she said. Home secretary Sajid Javid vowed in January to stop vulnerable migrants making these treacherous crossings and tackle the people smugglers who are putting their lives in danger, announcing a 6m investment in new security equipment for the French coast. His intervention followed a rise in the number of people crossing the Channel illegally in boats at the end of 2018, with more than 220 migrant crossing in the space of a month. But charities say that contrary to Mr Javids pledge, the heightened security and attempts to create a hostile environment have only created a push factor for displaced people in the area to try to reach the UK. One 19-year-old Ethiopian named Kiyar died last month after he climbed into a lorry in a bid to reach relatives in Britain. The situation has reached quite a critical point. Over the decades this situation has gone in cycles, but I believe at the minute the human situation which is never really discussed in the Home Office is at its lowest possible level. (Maddy Allen) Marta Welander, director of Refugee Rights Europe, said: It seems the general approach of the British government is to remove what they believe are so-called pull factors that if they create a hostile environment in the border zone, people will stop coming. These policies seem to be largely misguided. They think they are removing a pull factor. But the violence and heavy-handedness of the police and the lack of communication in France is a push factor, pushing people closer to Britain. The more violent and securitised the area becomes, the more desperate people become to cross." Recommended Home Office challenged over delay in family reunion for child refugees The Dubs Amendment, which was introduced in 2016 to prevent unaccompanied children who have fled their home countries from turning to traffickers in a bid to reach the UK, has come under scrutiny after ministers refused to provide updates on how many children have been approved under the scheme. MPs and campaigners initially hoped the Dubs scheme would resettle around 3,000 children but ministers controversially set a limit of 480, despite councils saying they could find space for far more. Immigration minister Caroline Nokes said in response to a parliamentary question in December 2018 that over 220 Dubs children were already in the UK and that transfers were ongoing but sources told The Independent the spaces had been filled. Marie Charlotte, director of Safe Passage in France, said it was paradoxical for the UK government to commit to reducing the number of people attempting to cross illegally, but at the same time make access to legal transfers very complicated. The Dubs Amendment is really important to prevent young people from taking very dangerous journeys and turning to traffickers, which we are hugely concerned about. Its really important now to think about new routes that are going to work, she said. Lord Alf Dubs, who tabled the Dubs Amendment and was a child refugee himself, said even if the scheme was not officially closed, ministers were effectively closing it by doing nothing. There are kids in northern France and in Greece who are fully eligible to come some of them have even been identified as being eligible but they are still there and at risk. If the government drags its heels it is effectively closing it anyway, which is a very depressing comment on whats going, he said. The 480 was a totally arbitrary figure that the government invented anyway. It has no basis in legislation. Its just a figure that they pulled out of a hat and said that was what local authorities could come up with. Were arguing that local authorities are able to take more. At best theyre dragging their heels and at worst theyve closed the scheme. Its very disappointing. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events A Home Office spokesperson said: The UK has made a significant contribution to protecting vulnerable children, providing protection to over 34,500 children since the start of 2010. We committed to relocating 480 children under the Dubs amendment and are determined to deliver on that. We are clear that anyone crossing the Channel one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world is putting their life at grave risk. The fastest and safest route to protection is to make an asylum claim in the first safe country reached. The Chinese telecoms giant which may supply technology for the UKs new 5G mobile network has received funding from Beijings intelligence and security agencies, the CIA reportedly warned British spy bosses. Huawei received money from China's National Security Commission, the People's Liberation Army and a branch of the countrys state intelligence network, The Times reported. The US is said to have warned fellow members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada earlier this year. The accusations come amid growing concerns that allowing Huawei to provide new telecoms infrastructure could provide China a backdoor for eavesdropping on sensitive phone calls and emails, gaining access to counter-terrorist operations and spying on politicians and business leaders. In December, defence secretary Gavin Williamson said he had very deep concerns about the company which was founded by a former officer in the People's Liberation Army being involved in the upgrade to 5G. Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Show all 20 1 /20 Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An employee enters a train in the Huawei's Ox Horn campus at Songshan Lake in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China A worker cleans a waterway as office buildings are seen at Huawei's new Ox Horn Research and Development campus in Dongguan, near shenzen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An area of Huawei's Ox Horn campus modelled after Cesky Krumlov in Czech Republic Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China The real Cesky Krumlov in Czech Republic Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Employees sleep in their cubicle in the research and development area after lunch at the Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An area of Huawei's Ox Horn campus modelled after Heidelberg in Germany Getty Images Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Employees play basketball on a court within the staff housing complex at the end of the workday at the Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China A replica of the Karl Theodor Bridge in Huawei's Ox Horn campus Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China The real Karl Theodor Bridge in Heidelberg, Germany Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Huawei's Ox Horn campus at Songshan Lake in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Employees ride the bus home at the end of the workday from the company's Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Huawei workers eat their subsidised lunch in one of many large cafeterias at the company's Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Reception staff walk in front of a large screen showcasing different technologies in the foyer of a building used for high profile customer visits at the campus in Shenzen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An employee reads in the staff library on a break at the company's Bantian campus in Shenzhen Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An area of Huawei's new Ox Horn campus modelled after a European City Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Servers are seen inside Huawei's factory campus in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China The conductor waits for a train in the Huawei's Ox Horn campus at Songshan Lake in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China A general view shows the research and development centre at Huawei's Ox Horn campus AFP/Getty Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China Employees works on a mobile phone production line at Huawei's factory campus in Dongguan Reuters Inside Huawei's new campus for workers in China An office building on the Huawei campus in Dongguan AFP/Getty He pointed out that all Chinese companies are required to hand over any information requested by the state. Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the US have all banned Huawei from providing critical infrastructure. But a spokesman for the company refused to engage with the new funding allegations. "Huawei does not comment on unsubstantiated allegations backed up by zero evidence from anonymous sources," they told The Times. The Independent has approached Huawei for comment. The CIA, MI6 and Chinese state security agencies did not respond to Reuters for requests for comment. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events A decision on whether Huawei will be allowed to provide technology for the UK's new network is expected to be made in the next couple of months. Friends and colleagues have paid to tribute to a 29-year-old journalist shot dead in a terrorist incident in Northern Ireland. Lyra McKee was described as a gifted investigative reporter with courage, style and integrity and a kind, gentle, witty and stubborn soul. Born in Belfast, she extensively covered sectarian violence in Northern Ireland and had been published by The Independent, The Atlantic and BuzzFeed News. Her partner Sara Canning said: "Our hopes and dreams and all of her amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act." Lilly Dancyger, a New York-based editor at digital publication Narratively, said McKee was dedicated to covering the lasting trauma and violence of the Troubles. Devastating to hear she was killed tonight by that same violence, she tweeted. Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Show all 21 1 /21 Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots A burning car in Creggan, Derry after petrol bombs were thrown at police during riots in Northern Ireland PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Armed police at the scene of unrest PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Petrol bombs being thrown at police PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Belfast Journalist Lyra McKee was killed during the riots. Police Service of Northern Ireland said that McKee was allegedly shot while reporting on clashes with dissident republican rioters EPA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots The scene on Fanad Drive the following day PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Police have blamed Irish dissident republicans for McKees murder. Ann Travers, whose sister Mary was murdered by the IRA in 1984, described McKee as a kind, gentle, witty and stubborn soul. She added: I have just heard, that my lovely friend Lyra was murdered tonight in Derry. I just cant believe, that this witty, clever human being has been taken ... Feel sick. Journalist Matthew Hughes said he had been devastated by the death of one of his closest friends. She was my mentor. She was a groomswoman at my wedding. I cant imagine life without her, and yet now I must, he tweeted. Lyra McKee was seen as a rising star in investigative journalism (EPA) Seamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), said: We are shocked by killing of a journalist of courage, style and integrity. Sympathy to her partner, family and many friends. NUJ general secretary said McKee was was one of the most promising journalists in Northern Ireland. She added: "A young, vibrant life has been destroyed in a senseless act of violence. "A bright light has been quenched and that plunges all of us in to darkness." McKee was seen as a rising star of investigative journalism. In 2016 she was named in the Forbes 30 Under 30, and last year she signed a two-book deal with Faber and Faber. The first of those books, The Lost Boys, was scheduled to be published next year and would focus on the the indirect ways the violence of war plays out, through its secondary waves of victims, and through the way trauma is passed on to subsequent generations, according to literary agents Janklow and Nesbit. McKee had also written about her struggle growing up gay in Belfast, and had been an editor at news aggregator Mediagazer since 2011. Ms Canning said: "Victims and LGBTQI community are left without a tireless advocate and activist and it has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with. "This cannot stand, Lyra's death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone else's life and her legacy will live on and the life that she has left behind." Gabe Rivera, McKee's colleague at Mediagazer, tweeted: We are shocked and anguished by reports that our brave and wonderful colleague Lyra McKee has been murdered amid violence in Derry. Writer Brooke Magnanti said she was stunned by the news of McKees death. She wrote on Twitter: She struck me as a thoughtful journalist unafraid to challenge her own beliefs. Rare and precious. Friends have set up a crowdfunding page for McKee's family and had raised more than 6,500 within hours. Politicians also paid tribute to McKee and condemned her murder. Prime minister Theresa May said: "The death of Lyra McKee in last night's suspected terrorist incident in Londonderry is shocking and truly senseless. "My deepest condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues. She was a journalist who died doing her job with great courage." Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mayor of Derry John Boyle, who had known McKee since she was 16, said she was "bright, she was warm, she was witty, but most of all she was an outstanding individual, a great friend to so, so many people in this city in the short time that she was with us". He added: "There's an awful lot of anger in this city today. It has to be said again, this was not done in the name of the people of this city. Those responsible need to understand that. I can't put it any stronger than that." Northern Ireland secretary Karen Bradley said she was "deeply shocked and saddened" to hear of the journalist's death. She added: "Those responsible for last night's violence have nothing to offer anyone in Northern Ireland. "Their intolerable actions are rejected by the overwhelming majority of people who want to build a peaceful and more prosperous future for everyone in Northern Ireland." US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is visiting Belfast with a delegation from American congress, extended her condolences after taking part in a minute's silence in Northern Ireland's parliament. She said: "We join you on the sadness of the tragedy that happened last night, we extend our condolences to the family, and your moment of silence at this time, on Good Friday is especially poignant," she said. Lyra McKee's death should help end the use of guns in Derry, one of her closest friends has said. Speaking on Saturday, Ms McKees friend Kathleen Bradley said the journalists legacy would be to drive home the message that weapons are no longer wanted in Northern Ireland. Lyra's legacy I think will be opening all our eyes to what we should have got as a result of the Good Friday Agreement - the ceasefire babies' generation, she said. Police have arrested two teenagers who they believe were involved in fatally shooting the 29-year-old during a disturbance in the citys Creggan estate on Thursday night. The pair, aged 18 and 19, are both being questioned under the Terrorism Act. Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Show all 21 1 /21 Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots A burning car in Creggan, Derry after petrol bombs were thrown at police during riots in Northern Ireland PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Armed police at the scene of unrest PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Petrol bombs being thrown at police PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots Belfast Journalist Lyra McKee was killed during the riots. Police Service of Northern Ireland said that McKee was allegedly shot while reporting on clashes with dissident republican rioters EPA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots The scene on Fanad Drive the following day PA Violence erupts in Northern Ireland as journalist killed during riots PA Ms Bradley added: "Lyra's legacy will be in this town that guns don't solve anything, guns should never be used for anything and her legacy will be that we will keep her name and spirit going amongst us. "A very clear message has been given from not only the people of this town but wider afield to say that this is not okay, this is not acceptable, this is not justifiable. It has to stop, nothing is worth a life. Nothing. Speaking as she stood beside floral tributes at the spot where the Belfast-based freelancer fell, Ms Bradley added: She was just one of the most genuine, sincere, funny and intelligent people that I have come to know throughout my life." Her comments came as people across Derry condemned the violence, led by mayor John Boyle who told reporters the killing was not done in the name of the people of this city. Graffiti sprayed on a wall on the Creggan estate, meanwhile, declared the shooting was "not in our name". And Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, the PSNI officer leading the investigation, added: There is a real sense, after what happened to Lyra, of a sea change and I want people to have confidence to come forward and help us Lyras murder was not just an attack on Lyra, it was an attack on the fabric of this community. Lyras killers have succeeded in only one thing, and that is in uniting the entire community in condemnation. But he added there remained a fear that "a new breed of terrorist" was coming of age in Northern Ireland. In video footage from the scene, filmed on a mobile phone, the suspected gunman can be seen firing twice into the crowd. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The clip, widely shared on social media, shows the shooter leaning around a barrier surrounding the Creggan Day Centre to aim towards police. He fires two shots, three seconds apart, with what appears to be a handgun, before screaming is heard. Additional reporting by PA At the end of the Exodus narrative, at the very end of the book of Numbers after the Israelites have made their way through 40 years in the desert, poised at the edge of the Promised Land we find five sisters making change in a very different way. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah come to Moses after their father, Tzlaphchad, has died. They had no brothers, so their inheritance is to be parceled out to distant male relatives. They ask for their inheritance, using the language of the system they are trying to change. Moses and God confer, and its decided that this case calls for structural transformation: a large-scale rewriting of inheritance laws. On the other side of freedom, after crossing the Red Sea and everything that followed, the Israelites had to figure out how to create a just society and even then, it was a work in progress. Furious grassroots Tories are boycotting the campaign for the European Parliament elections, in the latest blow to Theresa Mays dwindling authority. The Conservative group on Derbyshire county council has taken the extraordinary step of refusing to help with the 23 May poll insisting it should not be happening, because the UK should have left the EU. The backlash over the failure to deliver Brexit comes as the prime minister faces a fresh push to change party rules to enable MPs to force her out of No 10 this summer. The 1922 Committee of backbench MPs will meet on Tuesday to discuss removing the ban on a fresh no-confidence vote within 12 months of the last challenge which currently prevents it from happening before December. Meanwhile, a new poll suggested two-thirds of Conservative councillors were preparing to vote for Nigel Farage's rival Brexit Party at the European elections. The survey of elected grassroots Tories - carried out for the Mail on Sunday - also found three-quarters of those asked wanted Mrs May to resign. Explaining the refusal to campaign, Barry Lewis, the council leader in Derbyshire, said: This was not an easy decision and goes against every natural instinct we have as Conservatives. However, we were promised, following the largest public mandate a UK government has ever received, that we would be out by 29 March. Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Nigel Farage speaks at the launch of his new Brexit Party's campaign for the European elections Reuters Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Brexit Party candidate Annunziata Rees-Mogg, sister of Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, speaks at the launch AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures A supporter waits for Farage to speak AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Supporters wait for Farage to speak AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Farage's socks Reuters Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Farage and prospective candidate Annunziata Rees-Mogg wait at the launch AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Supporters listen as Farage speaks AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Free T-shirts for all attendees AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures Posters on the seats for supporters of the Brexit Party AFP/Getty Farage launches his new Brexit Party: in pictures A safety sign is pictured AFP/Getty The prime minister said we would be out by that date countless times, so did many others in government, and yet here we are racing towards the end of April and facing an increased prospect of participating in a European election in May that should not be happening. More significant for our residents and local businesses is the fact that the uncertainty continues. Mr Lewis also attacked the compromise talks with Labour, adding: Inviting Jeremy Corbyn to the table in an attempt to pass a deal was, in our view, a serious mistake for the prime minister and, consequently, our party. Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party under him, deserve no credibility. The election of 73 UK MEPs is almost certain to go ahead next month, the price the EU demanded for agreeing an extension to the Article 50 process until 31 October. They will leave Brussels if the Commons ratifies the withdrawal agreement, but with Brexiteer anger growing and the talks with Labour on the brink of collapse that looks increasingly unlikely. Tories are beginning to panic over the elections, after the surge in popularity for Nigel Farages new Brexit Party. One poll suggested Mr Farage is on course for a stunning triumph, putting his party on 27 per cent of the vote, well ahead of both Labour (22 per cent) and the Tories (15 per cent). Meanwhile, as the local elections loom, on 2 May, some Conservative activists are avoiding even mentioning the prime minister on the doorstep. Jan French, association chair in the North East Cambridgeshire constituency represented by Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, told The Daily Telegraph: I don't talk about her at all. As far as we are concerned these are local elections and they are nothing to do with national politics. For rangers at the Virunga National Park a day at work can involve endangered gorillas, conservation work in difficult conditions and the occasional selfie. On Thursday a ranger used Facebook to share a photo of what he called another day at the office. He posted an image of himself with two gorillas, which soon spread across social media. The great apes are standing upright and apparently posing for the picture. The 600 anti-poaching team at the Virunga National Park, in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is trained to protect animals, including all of the countrys critically endangered mountain gorillas. The team of rangers is made up of local men and women. The parks website says the rangers risk their lives on a daily basis to safeguard the parks exceptional wildlife. The risk of violence to rangers is so great that officials closed the park gates from May 2018 to February 2019, after the death of a ranger and the kidnapping of two British tourists. Despite the turmoil which surrounds it Virunga is also home to more than half the global population of mountain gorillas. Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Show all 19 1 /19 Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Alligator From Alligator Bay zoo in Beauvoir, France AFP/Getty Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Gorilla AFP/Getty Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Wallaby Albino wallaby in a zoo in mother's pouch Bergamo, Italy AFP/Getty Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Panda Spotted in China's Wolong National Nature Reserve on 26 May 2019 AFP/Getty Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Python From Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Bristol Getty Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Albino squirrel in Louth Stephen Plant Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Tiger AFP/Getty Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Porcupine Albino porcupine from the Kamla Nehru zoo in Ahmedabad, India AFP/Getty Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Albino squirrel in Louth Stephen Plant Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Albino squirrel in Louth Stephen Plant Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Hedgehog An albino hedgehog from a zoo in Sochi, Russia AFP/Getty Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Peacock Not technically an albino, the white peacock in the Nehru Zoo in Hyderabad, India AFP/Getty Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Gorilla AFP/Getty Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Squirrel Albino squirrel in Louth Stephen Plant Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Wallaby Albino wallaby in a zoo in mother's pouch Bergamo, Italy AFP/Getty Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Peacock Not technically an albino, the white peacock in the Nehru Zoo in Hyderabad, India AFP/Getty Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Zebra Albino zebra in Nairobi's national park AFP/Getty Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Tortoise A baby Hermann's Tortoise from the Turtle Valley animal park in Sorede, France AFP/Getty Albino animals: squirrels, gorillas, hedgehogs and more Alligator A baby albino alligator in the Sao Paulo aquarium, Brazil AFP/Getty It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest national park in Africa, according to National Geographic. The ongoing conflict in the DRC has impacted the gorilla population in Virunga but the parks conservation efforts meant there were 880 mountain gorillas in the area in 2015. Some of the park rangers also care round the clock for young orphaned gorillas at the parks Senkwekwe Centre. On Friday, as the photographs of rangers and gorillas spread across social media, staff at the park urged people to make a difference and donate to Virungas conservation efforts. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Additional reporting by agencies Suitcases packed with more than 100m have been found by security services at the home of Sudan's ousted president, it has been reported. Omar al-Bashir is now being investigated over alleged money laundering after the hoard of cash in US dollars, euros and Sundanese pounds was discovered while he was under house arrest. He has since been transferred to capital Khartoum's notorious Kobar high-security prison, Reuters reports. The revelation came as the new ruling military junta led by army lieutenant general Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan announced on Saturday that several senior members of Mr al-Bashirs former ruling party had been arrested. Among them were acting party head Ahmed Haroun, former first vice president Ali Osman Taha and former parliament speaker Ahmed Ibrahim al-Taher. A committee to oversee investigations into government corruption and misuse of public money has also been set up, the new authority said. Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Show all 20 1 /20 Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Protesters rally outside the military headquarters in Khartoum to demand that President Omar al-Bashir step down Reuters Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Alaa Salah leads the protest against President Omar al-Bashir Lana Haroun/Twitter Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Protesters run from tear gas deployed by security forces as they take part in a demonstration to demand the departure of the Sudanese government EPA Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Sudanese protesters rally outside the military headquarters in Khartoum on April 8 Sudan Congress Party Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Sudanese protesters rally outside the military headquarters in Khartoum on April 10 Reuters Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Alaa Salah, a Sudanese woman propelled to internet fame earlier this week after clips went viral of her leading powerful protest chants against President Omar al-Bashir, addresses protesters outside of the military headquarters in Khartoum AFP/Getty Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Sudanese protesters march on the military headquarters in Khartoum on April 8 AFP/Getty Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Reuters Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Sudanese protesters pray as they rally outside the military headquarters in Khartoum AFP/Getty Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Sudanese protesters chant slogans as they march in protest against President Omar al-Bashir Reuters Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Sudanese protesters rally outside the military headquarters in Khartoum on April 8 AFP/Getty Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Sudanese protesters rally outside the military headquarters in Khartoum on April 8 AFP/Getty Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Sudanese protesters climb onto a military vehicle beside soldiers during protests in Khartoum AFP/Getty Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Security forces deploy tear gas to disperse protesters against the Sudanese government Reuters Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Sudanese protesters rally outside the military headquarters in Khartoum on April 8 AFP/Getty Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan A wounded protester rests during a demonstration in front of the military headquarters in Khartoum AFP/Getty Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan A Sudanese protester shows bullet cartridges as protesters gather in Khartoum AFP/Getty Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Protesters march on the military headquarters in Khartoum Sudan Congress Party Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan Sudanese protesters march on the defence ministry in Khartoum to demand that President Omar al-Bashir step down Reuters Military HQ occupied by anti-government protesters in Sudan A Sudanese protester picks up waste during a demonstration in front of the military headquarters in Khartoum AFP/Getty Speaking about the accusations of money laundering against the countrys deposed leader, a judicial source told Reuters: The chief public prosecutor... ordered the [former] president detained and quickly questioned in preparation to put him on trial." He added: "The public prosecution will question the former president in Kobar. The 75-year-old who is wanted by the International Criminal Court over allegations of genocide was thrown out of office by the army nine days ago in a coup which followed months of popular protests against his 30-year rule. The coup followed months of popular protests against his 30-year rule. But the Sudanese Professionals' Association, which has led the street demonstrations, has now also called for the military to allow for a civilian government to take power. The protesters say they will name members of a transitional authority on Sunday although there is no sign the current junta will stand down. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Relatives of Mr al-Bashir, who have acted as his spokespeople since his removal last week, had not responded to requests for comment about the 100m by Saturday evening. He himself had survived several armed rebellions, economic crises, and attempts by the West to turn him into a pariah during his three decade in power before he was toppled last week. Like millions, Greg Crane, a supervisor of a Texas police SWAT team, watched in horror as the massacre at Colorados Columbine High School played out on television. He was sad and angry, but also frustrated. Why should 12 pupils and one member of staff fall prey to two troubled teenagers armed with an arsenal of guns, he fumed. When his wife, an elementary school teacher, came home, he quizzed her about measures schools were trained to follow in an active shooter situation. Lock the classroom doors and wait for the cops, came the answer. Two decades after the massacre at Columbine, as the nation pauses not just to remember the victims in Colorado Cassie Bernall, 17, Steven Curnow, 14, Corey DePooter, 17, Kelly Fleming, 16, Matthew Kechter, 16 Daniel Mauser, 15, Daniel Rohrbough, 15, William Dave Sanders, a 47-year-old teacher, Rachel Scott, 17, Isaiah Shoels, 18, John Tomlin, 16, Lauren Townsend, 18, and 16-year-old Kyle Velasquez but countless others, an active shooter response system designed by Mr Crane, is used in schools in all 50 states. The protocol created by Mr Crane, based on his experience as a SWAT supervisor, has attracted controversy, and is not used universally. But the vast majority of school districts have rules on how to respond when there is an active shooter alert and pupils are regularly drilled. A report by the National Centre for Education Statistics said that in 2015-16, about 95 per cent of state schools ran lockdown drills. The use of such drills increased rapidly in the years immediately after Columbine, even though data shows school shootings themselves have not markedly increased since then. Mass shootings in America Show all 8 1 /8 Mass shootings in America Mass shootings in America Camden shootings 1949 Howard Unruh killed 13 people, including three children, during a 12-minute walk through his neighborhood on September 6, 1949, in Camden, New Jersey, when he was 28 years old. The incident became known as the "Walk of Death". Unruh was found to be criminally insane and died in 2009 after a lengthy illness at the age of 88, following 60 years of confinement. Alamy Mass shootings in America University of Texas tower shooting 1966 Charles Whitman killed 17 people and injured 31 others in Austin, Texas. After stabbing his mother and wife the night before, he headed to the University of Texas, where he opened fire on people in the campus and streets from the observation desk. He was shot dead after a policeman and civilian reached the scene. Austin History Center, Austin Public Library Mass shootings in America Easter Sunday Massacre 1975 James Ruppert killd 11 family members in his mother's house, which included his mother, brother and his wife, as well as their eight children. He used a magnum, two handguns and a rifle. Mass shootings in America Wilkes-Barre shootings 1982 Former prison guard, George Banks, shot dead 13 people in Pennsylvania, including five of his own children. AP Photo/Times Leader Mass shootings in America Wah Mee massacre 1983 Three men, Kwan Fai Mak, Wai-Chiu Ng, and Benjamin Ng, killed 13 people who were in Seattle's Wah Mee gambling club. YouTube/KIRO 7 News Mass shootings in America San Ysidro McDonald's massacre 1984 James Huberty killed 21 people and injured 19 others after he walked in a McDonald's in San Diego. He was shot dead by a sniper after 78 minutes of him entering the restaurant. Alamy Mass shootings in America Palm Sunday massacre 1984 Ten people were shot dead from handguns at close range in a New York home. A baby girl was the only survivor after convicted dealer, Christopher Thomas, shot three women, one teenage girl and six children in their Brooklyn home. Thomas was convicted of manslaughter and cleared of murder. He was released from prison after 32 years. Mass shootings in America Edmond post office shooting 1986 Patrick Sherrill, a postal worker at the Edmond post office in Oklahoma, killed 14 co-workers and injured 6 others, before he shot himself. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Collection The post-Columbine generation of pupils was not the first to have performed such drills; during the Cold War, youngsters practised sitting under their desks in the event of a nuclear strike from the Soviet Union. But they were the first to have drilled into them, that their schools may suddenly be transformed into places of real, life-ending danger, not because of some distant enemy, but because of one of their classmates, armed with a semi-automatic weapon. In the words of an Independent reporter who attended Twin Falls High School in Idaho 15 years ago, during lockdown drills an administrator would typically announce the lockdown or code red over a loudspeaker. Students would then crouch under their desks, hide in closets if big enough, or crouch in the corner that would be least visible to anyone passing by outside, he said. Teachers would lock the door which is what one teacher at Parkland [the Florida neighbourhood where a student allegedly killed 17 pupils and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018] was doing when they were shot and students would then remain silent as administrators walked the halls, essentially acting as stand-ins for a shooter. It was as common as a fire drill. In Mr Cranes system, which goes by the acronym Alice (alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate), teachers and pupils are told not to allow themselves to be sitting victims. It stresses that they have options. If they are shot at, they should zig zag. If a shooter is entering their classroom, they should consider leaping from a window. They should throw things at the gunman, or shout. They should try and get in his for school shooters are almost without exception young men head and distract him. The threat of an active shooter attack is rare but very real. We aim to eradicate the It cant happen to me mentality and change the way people everywhere respond to armed intruders, says the company website. A total of 12 students and 1 teacher were killed by two teenagers, who then took their own lives (AP) Mr Crane, whose system has been adopted by 14,000 school districts nationwide, said: I realised that as a SWAT officer I could train as hard as I liked, and it would never be enough, because if a shooter enters a school, I simply cannot get there fast enough. The only solution was to try and prepare schools to be ready if an active shooter situation arose, he said. Mr Crane believes teachers and students can often do much more to reduce their chances of being killed. Lets train everybody to do something, because the good guys always outnumbers the bad guys, he said. At Virginia Tech [a 2007 mass shooting at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, in Blacksburg, Virginia, where 33 people were killed] he reloaded 17 times. My philosophy is people can always do something. Guns are just a tool and they have weak spots, such as having to be reloaded. So, how can you interfere? Some people believe such training can he harmful, and even counterproductive. Ken Trump, an outspoken critic of the so-called options-based training offered by Mr Crane and others, says there was widespread evidence lockdowns were the most effective way to react to a shooter. He said schools needed to diversify their drill training to carry out tests at difficult times of day such as the lunch hour, rather than always 9.00am but they were still the best response. The standard is what is reasonable and what crosses the line of reasonableness, said Mr Trump, a school safety expert from Ohio. He said self-evacuation of pupils could create a target rich environment for a shooter as well as a crowd to escape in, and that teachers trying to throw things at a shooter, were being asked to leave the safety of a locked classroom. Columbine students launch campaign to publicize images of their deaths if theyre killed by gun violence The Association of School Psychologists and the Association of School Safety Officials have said options-based training can be traumatic for children, and provides guidelines for schools. Meanwhile, The Atlantic has questioned the wisdom of any shooting drills as they are currently used. Studies of whether active-shooter drills actually prevent harm are all but impossible. Case studies are difficult to parse, James Hamblin wrote after the shooting at Parkland. In Parkland, for example, the site of the recent shooting, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, had an active-shooter drill just last month. The suspect had been through such drills, and may have used them to his advantage. Teachers and principals, who watch, horrified as each new school shooting makes news Red Lake, Minnesota in 2005; Virginia Tech; Newtown, Connecticut in 2012; Santa Monica in 2013; Roseburg, Oregon, in 2015 or Parkland in February last year worry they would be be next, the site of incident so grave it becomes known by a single word. Dan Rambler, director of student services and safety in the Akron school district of Ohio, one of those that uses Mr Cranes system, recently told Education Week, he was trying not to scare students, but also to prepare them. Thats the fine balance, said Mr Rambler. Were not trying to panic people. Mr Crane had a blunt response to suggestions that his training upsets children: children were probably upset by being ordered to sit under their desk during Cold War nuclear drills, or by training about the potential danger of strangers. And he said evidence suggested people could be taught to confront danger. He pointed to the example of United Airlines Flight 93, hijacked on 9/11 by al-Qaeda militants and crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers tried to storm the cockpit after learning of what had happened in New York and fearing their flight was also to be used to attack a target. You look at airlines now. If a passenger gets out of line or gets drunk, hes tied to his seat by other passengers. This week in Columbine, relatives of those who were killed, along with survivors, have been sharing their stories, lamenting how events there seemed to herald in a more dangerous era for the nations schoolchildren. Students, meanwhile, were ordered to go on lockdown after police issued an alert after a highly dangerous Florida teenager, infatuated with the 1999 shooting, was seen in the area. The 18-year-old was subsequently found dead. Austin Eubanks, 37, who survived being shot in the schools library 20 years ago, suffered trauma after watching one of his closest friends, Corey DePooter, killed. For a decade afterwards, he was addicted to prescription painkillers. He now travels the country and tells his story about the pain, both collective and individual, that a shooting creates. He told the Associated Press he was frustrated little had been done to address the root causes of such incidents, while active-shooter drills and armed guards had become routine. We are so unwilling to actually make meaningful progress on eradicating the issue, said Mr Eubanks. So were just going to focus on teaching kids to hide better, regardless of the emotional impact that that bears on their life. A US church has been forced to apologise after a part-time associate pastor urged children to spit on, slap, and even cut him with a steak knife. The preacher at Impact City Church in Ohio, named Jaddeus Dempsey, was leading an after-school activity intended to explain the very important topic of crucifixion. Mr Dempsey said the exercise was his idea alone and that no one else knew about his plans. One of the students who took part, aged 12, said: I thought it was very weird and awkward. I took part because I thought it was OK because it was coming from an adult. Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion Show all 11 1 /11 Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion 'Jesus' is a churchgoer from the town Susannah Rigg Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion The church in Animas Trujano Susannah Rigg Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion Gathering round the cross Susannah Rigg Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion Erecting the cross Susannah Rigg Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion Jesus crosses the road Susannah Rigg Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion It's more of a day out for locals than anything else Susannah Rigg Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion Parasols out, because the sun beats hard Susannah Rigg Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion Jesus parades through the town Susannah Rigg Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion It's a family day out for the people of Animas Trujano Susannah Rigg Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion There's a fiesta feel to the procession Susannah Rigg Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion Everyone follows the cross Susannah Rigg The reactions are appropriate, said the lead pastor, Justin Ross, speaking of the harsh response the church had received. Many of you were disgusted, many of you were hurt by this, many of you were very confused. Mr Ross noted the activity was inappropriate, but he also said the intent was honourable. Mr Ross added: [Jesus] chose to allow them to spit on him and beat him and crucify him in order to take the payment of our debt that we call sin. So Jaddeus, in an effort to share that message of love through the gospel and the story of Jesus crucifixion, he shared this illustration and tried to share some of the pain that Jesus took on that day. In his apology, Mr Dempsey said: I am so sorry for misrepresenting the community, the church, the parents, the students and anybody that I hurt, said Dempsey. It was not my intention. My intention was just to show them how much Jesus loves them and I love them. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The local sheriffs office has opened an investigation into the incident, as has the churchs board of directors. The heir to a multibillion dollar fortune has pleaded guilty to charges related to a cult-like group which allegedly forced women to become sex slaves and branded them with the initials of its leader. Clare Bronfman, heir to the Seagram alcohol fortune, admitted to harbouring an undocumented immigrant for unpaid labour and services and committing credit card fraud on behalf of Keith Raniere, the leader of a group called Nxivm. Prosecutors have accused Mr Raniere of running Nxivm as a cult, in which women were allegedly branded with his initials and forced to have sex with him. Ms Bronfman, who is the daughter of late billionaire Edgar Bronfman Sr, has agreed to forfeit $6m (4.62m) from her fortune, which is believed to be worth $200m (154m). Her father was the chairman of Seagram an alcoholic beverages company that became defunct in 2000. The world of Cults: in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 The world of Cults: in pictures The world of Cults: in pictures The Collective - London, UK Aravindan Balakrishnan, known as Comrade Bala within the women-only collective he founded 40 years ago, carried out a brutal campaign of sexual degradation against the women over several decades. In this picture, he stands with some of his cult followers including his daughter. Rex/words by Hardeep Matharu The world of Cults: in pictures The Collective - London, UK Balakrishnan brainwashed the cult into thinking he had God-like powers and that he could read their minds, as a means of subjecting them to years of abuse. Metropolitan Police/words by Hardeep Matharu The world of Cults: in pictures The Collective - London, UK Katy Morgan-Davies, 33, formerly known as Rosie Davies, who was kept as a prisoner by her father Aravindan Balakrishnan. Revealing her real identity, Miss Morgan-Davies said that waiving her anonymity was an important step to retrieve the identity the cult tried to steal from me. During his trial the judge said he had treated his daughter like an experiment. She said: Your treatment of her from her birth to the age of 26 was a catalogue of mental and physical abuse. She was slapped with slippers or a stick from a McDonald's balloon you kept for the purpose. PA/words by Hardeep Matharu The world of Cults: in pictures The Collective - London, UK Evidence picture showing the bedroom of the imprisoned daughter of Aravindan Balakrishnan. She was banned from leaving the house unaccompanied and routinely psychologically and physically abused. As a child, she became so lonely she would talk to the taps in the bathroom, and tried to make friends with the rats and mice that scuttled into the kitchen. After 30 years of being kept as a slave, she managed to escape in 2013 after memorising the number for an anti-slavery charity she saw on the news. Rex/words by Hardeep Matharu The world of Cults: in pictures The Collective - London, UK Boarded up windows in Peckford Place, Brixton, south London. Aravindan Balakrishnan was jailed for 23 years in 2016. To keep his devotees in check, Balakrishnan invented 'Jackie', which he said could kill or trigger earthquakes if anyone went against his will. He claimed that a challenge to his leadership resulted in the 1986 space shuttle disaster and Jackie, an invisible war machine, was responsible for the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour party leader. PA/words by Hardeep Matharu The world of Cults: in pictures The Peoples Temple - Guyana, South America Jim Jones, founder of the Peoples Temple sect in Jonestown, north Guyana, in 1978. Believers of the Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ followed Reverend Jones to Guyana in the Seventies, hoping to create a utopia in the jungle. Jonestown was envisaged as a rainbow family of all ages and races, the preacher had promised them: Divine principles. Total equality. A society where people own all things in common, where there is no rich or poor, where there are no races. AP/words by Adam Lusher The world of Cults: in pictures The Peoples Temple - Guyana, South America Reverend Jones wanted to create a glorious sacrifice, a defiant act of revolutionary suicide that would echo through history. Some disciples willingly colluded, cheering as he exhorted them to kill themselves and their children. But the bodies found with bent needles in their arms testified to the fact that some refused and were forcibly injected. Rex/words by Adam Lusher The world of Cults: in pictures The Peoples Temple - Guyana, South America When they finally counted the bodies after what would become known as the Jonestown massacre of 18 November 1978, the total came to 918, of whom 304 were children. They had been persuaded to drink the Kool-Aid, Flavor Aid, used to mask the bitter taste of cyanide, mixed with a dash of Valium. AP/words by Adam Lusher The world of Cults: in pictures Freemasonry cult - France Maude Julien, now 60, was forced to hold onto an electric fence for without showing feeling as a child. The ritual was considered to be a test of her willpower by her father, who wanted to make her superhuman. She says she was subjected to 18 years of controlling and manipulative behaviour by her father Louis Didier, an alcoholic who belonged to an esoteric lodge of Freemasonry which believed in the occult. He reportedly believed his daughter had been chosen as his protector, so sought to indoctrinate her and make her withstand torment by making her participate in cruel experiments. She says she was locked overnight in a rat-infested cellar to meditate about death. He forced her to drink whiskey before making her walk in a straight line, which she says led to the liver damage she lives with to this day. Didier adopted a 6-year-old girl, who he groomed to become his wife. The three lived in a remote mansion in northern France, which Ms Julien was forbidden to leave for a decade. YouTube/librairie mollat The world of Cults: in pictures Rajneesh movement Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, also known as Osho, and the free-love community which was built up around him in Oregon in the 1980s. Rajneesh, who died in 1990, was a charismatic Indian guru (who relocated to the US after the Indian government frowned upon his activities). His disciples gave huge amounts of cash to their figurehead and lost contact with their families. Netflix Ms Bronfman told the court in Brooklyn, New York, that she had wanted to help people through Nxivm, which branded itself as a self-improvement group, but ended up dishonouring her family. Your honour, I was afforded a great gift by my grandfather and father, she said. With the gift, comes immense privilege and more importantly, tremendous responsibility. It does not come with an ability to break the law. For this, I am truly sorry. Ms Bronfman is believed to have donated tens of millions of dollars to fund Nxivm. She faces more than two years in prison at her sentencing on 25 July. However, her guilty plea means she will not have to go to trial early next month with Mr Raniere. Prosecutors say Mr Raniere ran a secret sect within Nxivm called DOS that operated with levels of women slaves headed by masters. Enslaved women in the group were reportedly ordered to refer to Mr Raniere as Vanguard. He has also been accused of being in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl and of possessing child pornography. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and his lawyers have insisted any relationships between Mr Raniere and his alleged victims were consensual. An accountant for Nxivm, Kathy Russell, also pleaded guilty on Friday to a fraud charge. The guilty pleas come after Allison Mack, an actress known for her role in the Superman spin-off TV series Smallville, pleaded guilty to racketeering and racketeering conspiracy charges related to Nxivm earlier this month. Nxivms former president Nancy Salzman and her daughter Lauren Salzman also pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy last month. Agencies contributed to this report A cancer centre in Houston, Texas, fired three of its scientists over allegations they were stealing research data for China. The president of MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Peter Pisters, told the Houston Chronicle that the federal National Institutes of Health contacted the centre in 2018 with concerns of potential conflicts of interest regarding unreported foreign income by five researchers and faculty members. As stewards of taxpayer dollars invested in biomedical research, we have an obligation to follow up, Mr Pisters said, referring to how the cancer centre received $148m (114m) in National Institute of Health grants last year. The newspaper reported that all three sacked scientists were ethnically Chinese. Two of them resigned ahead of termination proceedings, and the third is challenging the dismissal. Of the other two of the five, officials determined termination was not necessary for one, and the other remains under investigation. It is not clear if any of them face federal charges or deportation. Travel By Numbers: Texas Show all 2 1 /2 Travel By Numbers: Texas Travel By Numbers: Texas 549061.bin AP Travel By Numbers: Texas 549062.bin An FBI spokeswoman in Houston, Christina Garza, said on Saturday that the agency does not confirm or deny the existence of any investigation. The Houston Chronicles report did not say what evidence of intellectual property theft, much less theft for the Chinese government, was uncovered at the facility. Chinese Americans said the crackdown amounted to racial profiling. Scientific research depends on the free flow of ideas, Frank H Wu, president of the New York-based Committee of 100, a group of influential Chinese Americans, told the Chronicle Our national interest is best advanced by welcoming people, not by racial stereotyping based on where a person comes from. Additional reporting by AP A man who sent Donald Trump Jr and his wife Vanessa an envelope filled with white powder has been sentenced to five years' probation. Daniel Frisiello, 25, of Beverly, Massachusetts, admitted to targeting Donald Trumps sons Eric and Donald Jr, in addition to other high-profile individuals from 2015 to 2018 by filling envelopes with a white powder. Prosecutors noted the letter Frisiello sent to Donald Jr said: You are an awful, awful person, I am surprised that your father lets you speak on TV. US authorities have been on alert for mail that contains white powder after a 2001 incident where envelopes laced with anthrax were sent to media outlets and US lawmakers, resulting in five deaths. It was determined that the substance sent by Frisiello was harmless. Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Show all 23 1 /23 Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Joe Biden The former vice president - poised to be a frontrunner - has announced his run. He recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Bernie Sanders The 2016 runner-up has announced that he will be running again in 2020 Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Hillary Clinton The 2016 Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State says she is still considering whether she will run again. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Pete Buttigieg The Indiana mayor and war veteran will be running for president. If elected, he would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Kamala Harris The former California attorney general will be running for president in 2020. Introduced to the national stage during Jeff Sessions testimony, she has endorsed Medicare-for-all and proposed a major tax-credit for the middle class. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts Senator has formally launched her bid for president in 2020. A progressive Democrat, she is a major supporter of regulating Wall Street. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Beto ORourke The former Texas congressman told Oprah Winfrey that he has been thinking about running for presidency, but stopped short of formally announcing his bid to run in 2020. AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam has announced his bid. He intends to run on a progressive platform against the "broken" federal government. He favours gun regulations and was a signatory to a letter from some 400 mayors condemning President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord. Vice News Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has announced that he will be running for the presidency in 2020. If he secures the nomination he said finding a female vice president would be a priority. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Julian Castro The former San Antonio mayor announced his candidacy in January and said that his running has a special meaning for the Latino community in the US. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but is likely to face tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Andrew Yang The entrepreneur has announced his presidential candidacy, and has pledged that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18. AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual advisor has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? John Kerry The former secretary of state has said he is still thinking about whether to run. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Michael Bloomberg The entrepreneur and former New York mayor with a net worth of around $50bn has said he will decide by the end of February whether to seek the presidency. AFP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Howard Schultz Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has not yet ruled out running for president in 2020, despite criticism that his bid could help re-elect Mr Trump by dividing the Democrat vote. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Eric Holder The former attorney general has said he will decide in the next month or so whether to run as a 2020 presidential candidate. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Eric Swalwell The California congressman said he is ready to do this and will decide before April whether to run. MSNBC Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Terry McAuliffe The former Virginia governor, who worked to elect Democratic governors during 2018 midterms, said there was a 50 per cent chance he would run. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Sherrod Brown The Ohio senator is still undecided about whether to run for president in 2020. Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Mitch Landrieu The former New Orleans mayor said he doesnt think he will run for president, but never say never. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Other targets of Frisiello included US Senator Debbie Stabenow and actor Anthony Sabato Jr, as well as police chiefs and prosecutors managing and overseeing cases that Frisiello objected to. He also sent one of the envelopes to a local company that had sacked a relative of his. His lawyers sought five years' probation, stressing the need for leniency as Frisiello has developmental disabilities and autism, which they argued provided context to understand the genesis of his crimes and to gauge the degree of his moral culpability. A former US Marine who was allegedly involved in a raid of the North Korean embassy in Madrid has been arrested, according to sources familiar with the case. Christopher Ahn was arrested on Thursday in connection with the incident, when a group of at least 10 people stormed into the embassy, restrained and physically beat some personnel and held them hostage for hours in February. Spanish investigators have said the group stole computers and hard drives before fleeing to the United States, where they shared the stolen material with the FBI. US federal agents also reportedly raided the apartment of Adrian Hong, the leader of self-styled human right group Cheollima Civil Defence, this week in relation to the investigation. Cheollima Civil Defence, which is seeking to overthrow North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has claimed responsibility for the incident but denied that they used violence. North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary Show all 18 1 /18 North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary Participants wave flowers AFP/Getty North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (R) waves with China's Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Li Zhanshu (L) from a balcony AFP/Getty North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary Airplanes forming the number 70 fly in formation and fire flares AP North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary North Korean performers dance EPA North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary North Korean military officers applaud near portraits of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il AP North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary North Korean tanks roll past AP North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary AP North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary Korean People's Army (KPA) soldiers take part AFP/Getty North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary Korean People's Army (KPA) soldiers march AFP/Getty North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary Participants march during a mass rally on Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang AFP/Getty North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary A girl reacts during a parade AP North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, reacts as he chats with China's third highest ranking official, Li Zhanshu AP North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary People carry flags in front of statues of North Korea founder Kim Il Sung (L) and late leader Kim Jong Il Reuters North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary Performers take part in a concert at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium AFP/Getty North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary North Korean artillery roll past AP North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary Students perform Reuters North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary Soldiers march during a military parade Reuters North Korea military parade celebrating nation's 70th anniversary Participants wave flowers AFP/Getty Mr Ahn is thought to be the first person arrested in relation to the raid. A Spanish judicial source said the stolen material has been returned to the North Korean embassy, two weeks after the FBI sent it to the Spanish court investigating the raid. The incident came just days before the second summit between Donald Trump and Mr Kim, which resulted in a failure to come to agreement about the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. North Koreas foreign ministry denounced the incident as a grave terrorist attack and suggested that the FBI was involved. The US State Department has denied that accusation. Cheollima Civil Defence has said the incident was not an attack and claimed it had been invited into the embassy. We were invited into the embassy, and contrary to reports, no one was gagged or beaten, the group wrote on their website. Out of respect for the host nation of Spain, no weapons were used. All occupants in the embassy were treated with dignity and necessary caution. The group also claimed that the US government was not involved with the incident until after the event. However, a judge for Spains National Court has accused the group of violently beating embassy officials and putting them in shackles and flanges. The judge also said three members of the group took an official into the embassy basement and tried to persuade him to defect from North Korea. Although documents released by the Spanish court said several members, including Mr Hong, had fled to the United States, their whereabouts are unclear. The court is seeking their extradition. Agencies contributed to this report Elizabeth Warren has become the first 2020 election candidate to make a clear call for impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump following the release of special counsel Robert Muellers redacted report. The Massachusetts senator tweeted that it would be damaging to ignore a presidents repeated efforts to obstruct an investigation into his own disloyal behaviour and would allow future presidents to act in the same way. She added: The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty. That means the House should initiate impeachment proceedings against the president of the United States. Mr Mueller, who examined whether Mr Trumps campaign coordinated with Russia during the 2016 election and whether the president tried to interfere with the inquiry, made no clear verdict on obstruction of justice. His report did, however, lay out 11 possible attempts to influence the investigation although he indicated the president was mostly unsuccessful because his aides refused to carry out orders. Mueller investigation: The key figures Show all 12 1 /12 Mueller investigation: The key figures Mueller investigation: The key figures Robert Mueller is the special counsel overseeing the investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election, and potential obstruction of justice by the president. Mr Mueller has a pristine reputation in Washington, where he was previously in charge of the FBI. Throughout his investigation, he and his team have been notoriously tight lipped about what they know and where their investigation has led. REUTERS Mueller investigation: The key figures Former FBI director James Comey was the catalyst that led to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller. Mr Comey was fired by the president after Mr Trump reportedly asked him to drop his own Russia investigation. Mr Trump has long maintained that the investigation is a "witch hunt". AFP/Getty Images Mueller investigation: The key figures Deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein had authority over the special counsel investigation for much of the two years it has been active. Mr Rosenstein found himself with that responsibility after then-attorney general Jeff Sessions recused himself from that oversight. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Attorney general Jeff Sessions's decision to recuse himself from oversight of the special counsel investigation may have cost him his job in the end. Mr Sessions resigned last year, after weathering a contentious relationship with Donald Trump who vocally criticised his attorney general for taking a step back. Mr Sessions recused himself from the oversight citing longstanding Justice Department rules to not be involved in investigations overseeing campaigns that officials were apart of. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Attorney General William Barr is currently responsible for oversight of the special counsel investigation. Mr Barr's office will be the first to receive the Mueller report when it is finished. His office will then determine what portion or version of that report should be delivered to Congress, and also made public. EPA Mueller investigation: The key figures Michal Cohn is the president's former personal lawyer, who has been helping the special counsel investigation as a part of a plea deal over financial crimes, and campaign finance crimes, he has pleaded guilty to. Among those crimes, Cohen admitted to facilitating $130,000 in hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign. Cohen has said he did so at the direction of Mr Trump. Cohen has also admitted that he maintained contacts with Russian officials about a potential Trump real estate project in Moscow for months longer than Mr Trump and others admitted. The talks continued well into 2016 during the campaign, he has said. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Stormy Daniels has alleged that she had an affair with Donald Trump in 2006, soon after Melania Trump gave birth to Baron Trump. The accusation is of particular importance as a result of the $130,000 hush money payment she received to keep quiet about the affair during the 2016 campaign. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Paul Manafort was Donald Trump's former campaign chairman. Manafort was charged alongside Rick Gates for a slew of financial crimes, and was convicted on several counts in a Virginia court. He then pleaded guilty to separate charges filed in a Washington court. Manafort has been sentenced to just 7.5 years in prison for his crimes in spite of recommendations from the special counsel's office for a much harsher sentence. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures George Papadopoulos was one of the first individuals associated with the Trump campaign to be charged by the Mueller probe. He ultimately received a 14 day prison sentence for lying to investigators about contacts he had with Russian officials. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Roger Stone is a well known political fixer and operative, who has made a name for himself for some dirty tactics. He has been charged by the Mueller probe earlier this year, and he has been said to have had prior knowledge that WikiLeaks planned on publishing stolen emails from the Hillary Clinton campaign in 2016. Getty Images Mueller investigation: The key figures Rick Gates was charged alongside former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort for a range of crimes. Gates, who worked alongside Manafort for a pro-Russia Ukrainian political party. The two were charged with conspiracy and financial crimes. Gates pleaded guilty. AP Mueller investigation: The key figures Former national security adviser Michael Flynn was one of the first casualties of the Russia scandal, and was forced out of his position in the White House weeks after Donald Trump took office. Flynn pleaded guilty in 2017 to "willfully" making fraudulent statements about contacts he had with Russian officials including former Russian ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Flynn then lied to Vice President Mike Pence about that contact. REUTERS Other Democrats running in 2020 have been more cautious on impeachment than Ms Warren in their response to the publication. Julian Castro said it would be perfectly reasonable for congress to open up those proceedings. Both Jay Inslee of Washington and Eric Swalwell both of whom have recently launched presidential campaigns said only that the idea should not be taken off the table. Other Democratic candidates, including senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, suggested it was too soon to start impeachment proceedings. We dont have an unredacted version of the report. We dont have the underlying materials that that report was written upon. We havent had yet an opportunity to have hearings where we interview Mueller, said Mr Booker said during a campaign stop in Reno, Nevada. I think thats there definitely a conversation to be had on that subject, but first I want to hear from Bob Mueller and really understand what exactly is the evidence that supports the summary that weve been given, said Ms Harris on impeachment hearings. Pete Buttigieg, the Indiana mayor also running for the White House, suggested it was not the best way to get rid of Mr Trump. He told NBCs Late Night with Seth Meyers: If we really want to send Trumpism into the history books, the best thing we can do is defeat it decisively at the ballot box in 2020. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, while not running in 2020, has signed on to an impeachment resolution from fellow Democrat, Rashida Tlaib. The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Jerrold Nadler, has issued a subpoena for the full Mueller report and expects the Justice Department to comply by 1 May. Attorney general William Barr is to appear before the committee on 2 May, while Mr Nadler has also summoned Mr Mueller to testify by 23 May. The only Republican who had declared he will run against Donald Trump in 2020 said on Friday he was horrified by special counsel Robert Muellers report, but said he could not back impeachment for political reasons. The former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld told ABC News: Its very unlikely that he would ever be convicted in the Senate where you need a two thirds vote. House Democrats vowed Friday to pursue the revelations in the special counsels report on President Donald Trump but drew little Republican support in a nation still deeply polarised over the investigation that has dogged the White House for two years. The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena demanding that the Justice Department hand over an unredacted copy of special counsel Robert Muellers report along with underlying evidence by 1 May and promised major hearings into its findings. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts became the most prominent Democrat to call for impeachment. But most Republican lawmakers remained silent on the report, meaning any effort to force Trump from office faced long odds barring an unexpected change of political circumstances. The months to come may see more fireworks over the report, including a constitutional clash in court over releasing it in full, but privately some Democrats have concluded that the presidents fate will probably be decided at the ballot box next year. 'WITCH HUNT!' Trump cashes in on Mueller report with merchandise range Show all 6 1 /6 'WITCH HUNT!' Trump cashes in on Mueller report with merchandise range 'WITCH HUNT!' Trump cashes in on Mueller report with merchandise range The mug 'WITCH HUNT!' Trump cashes in on Mueller report with merchandise range The tee 'WITCH HUNT!' Trump cashes in on Mueller report with merchandise range The tee 'WITCH HUNT!' Trump cashes in on Mueller report with merchandise range The can cooler 'WITCH HUNT!' Trump cashes in on Mueller report with merchandise range The tee 'WITCH HUNT!' Trump cashes in on Mueller report with merchandise range The can cooler While Trump had initially greeted the report as an exoneration, he spent at least part of the day in Florida stewing about disloyal aides who talked with investigators and sounded more defensive than celebratory. He expressed particular unhappiness over the reports inclusion of granular accounts of his efforts to derail the investigation based on FBI interviews and notes of his own advisers. Statements are made about me by certain people in the Crazy Mueller Report, in itself written by 18 Angry Democrat Trump Haters, which are fabricated & totally untrue, Mr Trump wrote on Twitter. Watch out for people that take so-called notes, when the notes never existed until needed. Because I never agreed to testify, it was not necessary for me to respond to statements made in the Report about me, some of which are total bullshit & only given to make the other person look good (or me to look bad), he went on. This was an Illegally Started Hoax that never should have happened, a ... At that point he stopped and did not finish the thought until eight hours later: ...big, fat waste of time, energy and money. He went on to vow to go after his pursuers, whom he called some very sick and dangerous people who have committed very serious crimes, perhaps even Spying or Treason. The mention of notes appeared to refer to his former White House counsel, Don McGahn, who told investigators that the president pressed him to have Mr Mueller fired and complained when he took notes. Trumps lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, challenged the credibility of Mr McGahns account later Friday. It cant be taken at face value, he said in an interview. It could be the product of an inaccurate recollection or could be the product of something else. But Mr McGahn had no motive to lie, according to Robert Mueller, and he rebutted Mr Giuliani through his own lawyer. Donald Trump says he's 'having a good day' following Mueller report release Its a mystery why Rudy Giuliani feels the need to relitigate incidents the attorney general and deputy attorney general have concluded were not obstruction, said the lawyer, William Burck. But they are accurately described in the report. On the campaign trail, Democratic presidential candidates condemned the presidents conduct and called for action against him. The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty, said Warren, who is seeking the Democratic nomination. That means the House should initiate impeachment proceedings against the president of the United States. In an era of deep polarisation, Muellers 448-page report quickly became yet another case study in the disparate realities of American politics as each camp interpreted it through its own lens and sought to weaponise it against the other side. The presidents defenders insisted he was cleared because even though Mr Mueller confirmed a wide-ranging Russian effort to interfere in the 2016 election on Mr Trumps behalf, the special counsel established no criminal conspiracy with his campaign and opted not to decide whether to accuse the president of obstruction of justice. Trumps critics called it a devastating indictment of a candidate willing to profit from the help of a foreign power and a president who repeatedly sought to disrupt or end the investigation even if he was not charged with violating the law. Few Republicans expressed concern about Mr Muellers findings, with most lawmakers out of town for the spring recess studiously avoiding comment. One of the exceptions was Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, who said he was appalled that the presidents campaign welcomed help from Russia. I am sickened at the extent and pervasiveness of dishonesty and misdirection by individuals in the highest office of the land, including the president, he said in a statement. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Reading the report, he added, is a sobering revelation of how far we have strayed from the aspirations and principles of the founders. Senator Rob Portman said the report documents a number of actions taken by the president or his associates that were inappropriate, but he pointed to the conclusion by Attorney General William Barr and his deputy, Rod Rosenstein, that the evidence did not warrant charging Mr Trump. More typical among Republicans was the reaction of Senator Marco Rubio, who has been working closely with the White House on the crisis in Venezuela. We should ALL be alarmed at how effective Putin was & we should ALL be relieved, not disappointed, that President didnt collaborate with him, he tweeted. The subpoena issued on Friday by Jerrold Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, escalated a fight with Barr over what material Congress is entitled to see from the investigation even as Democrats continued to pummel the attorney general for effectively serving as the presidents defence lawyer. Mr Nadler asked for all evidence obtained by Mr Muellers investigators, including summaries of witness interviews and classified intelligence and indicated that he intended to air it to the public. Even the redacted version of the report outlines serious instances of wrongdoing by President Trump and some of his closest associates, Mr Nadler said in a statement. It now falls to Congress to determine the full scope of that alleged misconduct and to decide what steps we must take going forward. The Justice Department dismissed the subpoena, saying that Barr had made only minimal redactions and offered to allow congressional leaders to view a version with even fewer deletions. In light of this, Congressman Nadlers subpoena is premature and unnecessary, said Kerri Kupec, a department spokeswoman. The department will continue to work with Congress to accommodate its legitimate requests consistent with the law and long-recognised executive branch interests. The idea is not to decide whether to debate articles of impeachment we may get to that point, Mr Nadler said in an interview with WNYC. The idea is to find out exactly what went on, who did what, what institutional safeguards were gotten [sic] around and how, and then decide what to do about it. Mr Nadlers Republican counterpart on the Judiciary Committee, Doug Collins, blasted the subpoena as going wildly overboard and encouraged Mr Nadler to narrow its terms and extend the response time. As written, he said, Mr Nadlers subpoena was demanding millions of records that would be plainly against the law to share because of investigators extensive use of a grand jury. Donald Trump shares a no collusion megamix on Twitter The attorney general offered up a 400-page report that he wasnt bound to provide, Mr Collins said. The attorney general stands ready to testify before our committee and to have the special counsel do the same. Yet Chairman Nadler disregards all of this good-faith transparency without even taking the department up on its offer to review material under the redactions. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California has publicly opposed impeachment unless Democrats can attract bipartisan support in the House and the Senate, where 20 Republicans would be needed to achieve the two-thirds vote required for conviction. Ms Pelosi has scheduled a conference call for all House Democrats on Monday to discuss what she called a grave matter. Speaking to reporters in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where she was meeting with political leaders on Friday morning, Ms Pelosi said she would not, as a matter of principle, criticise the president while out of the country. The New York Times I recently wrote a column on the challenges posed by China both on the South China Sea and globally on the deep seabed. But there is another element to the maritime Great Game China is playing: the Arctic Ocean. This may seem counterintuitive last time I looked at a map, China did not have any Arctic waterfront. But this has not stopped Beijing from an aggressive program of building influence in what the Canadians call the High North. When I was supreme allied commander of Nato, I asked my friend General Walt Natynczyk, then the Canadian militarys chief of staff, whether he was worried about a Russian invasion of the Canadian Arctic. Loss of Antarctic ice has soared by 75 per cent in just 10 years Show all 2 1 /2 Loss of Antarctic ice has soared by 75 per cent in just 10 years Loss of Antarctic ice has soared by 75 per cent in just 10 years 12785.bin David Tipling/Alamy Loss of Antarctic ice has soared by 75 per cent in just 10 years 12792.bin He chuckled and said, Jim, if they tried to invade, my mission would probably turn out to be search and rescue. His point how difficult it is to execute operations up there was well taken. But China, which until recently has no experience in that harsh environment, is learning quickly and expanding its reach and expertise aggressively. China petitioned and in 2013 won a seat as an observer on the influential Arctic Council, composed of nations that have territory in the northern latitudes Canada, Denmark (by virtue of Greenland), Iceland, Norway, Russia and the US plus Sweden and Finland. China has been a vocal member of the group; when I was with Nato and attended several Arctic Council gatherings (including one for all the chiefs of defence with forces there), I was surprised to see the high level of the Chinese delegations attending. The Chinese are also building nuclear-powered icebreakers, something the US has not even contemplated. Recommended Emissions from thawing permafrost may be 12 times higher than thought At more than 30,000 tons, the Chinese ships will outpace any other nations capability with the exception of Russia (which operates the worlds largest fleet of icebreakers, including several huge nuclear-powered models), and will join a fleet of six conventionally powered ships. The US, on the other hand, has only three active Coast Guard icebreakers, two of which are quite small. Icebreakers are key to two crucial elements of what makes the Arctic so strategically vital. The first is the enormous trove of hydrocarbons that will be uncovered as the ice melts. Some estimates approach 2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and nearly 100 billion barrels of oil. Icebreakers open the logistics paths for placement of the necessary oil and gas rigs. Foreign Ministers say cooperation in the Arctic is essential Additionally, the melting Arctic ice will create shipping routes that could be geopolitically central for Chinas One Belt, One Road global development strategy. But the centrepiece of Chinas Arctic ambitions is its increasing military, political and economic alignment with Russia. For several years, the two superpowers have been conducting military exercises both at sea (including in the Baltic Sea, in the heart of European waters) and in Siberia. They see working together as a hedge against the US, and their cooperation will create significant challenges for the Nato nations with Arctic territory. How can the US prepare to face a rising Chinese challenge in the Arctic? First, by working with the Nato allies in improving wide-area surveillance and situational awareness of both Russian and Chinese operations. Second, the Pentagon should build at least a half-dozen icebreakers capable of operating year-round. Third, the US military should exercise more routinely in the region alongside its Canadian partners. And finally, Washington must better integrate government efforts with a focus on the Arctic the Department of Defence and Department of Homeland Security (where the Coast Guard resides) must work together of course, but also the Department of Energy (hydrocarbon development), the EPA (environmental studies) and the State Department (coordinating with allies, partners and friends). With all the rising security tensions across the globe, the last thing we need to be worrying about is true military conflict in the polar regions, north and south. But keeping that peace means working with allies to keep an eye on what China and Russia are up to on the Arctic ice. Washington Post At least seven people were killed during an attack on Afghanistans Ministry of Communications on Saturday. An explosion hit the centre of Kabul as attackers tried to storm the multi-storey building which houses the government department. The blast was from a suicide bomb, which was detonated at the buildings entrance, shortly after midday. Television images showed people fleeing after gunfire and explosions were heard near the 18-storey tower. Four civilians and three police officers were among the dead, a government official said. Protesters demand better security in Kabul Show all 10 1 /10 Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters demand better security in Kabul A woman tries to stop police from firing on protesters during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Afghan security officials use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators as they protest against a suicide bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, 02 June 2017. At least 90 people were killed and more than 350 wounded in a suicide bomb attack near the foreign embassies in Kabul on 31 May. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul A policeman rests during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters shout anti government slogans during a demonstration to protest against the lack of security in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jun 2, 2017. Some 500 people are demonstrating in Kabul for better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed 90 people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Police forces run as protesters throw stones during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters shout anti government slogans during a demonstration to protest against the lack of security in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Jun 2, 2017. Some 500 people are demonstrating in Kabul for better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed 90 people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters throw stones toward security forces during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. ( AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Police forces run as protesters throw stones during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul Protesters throw stones toward security forces during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Protesters demand better security in Kabul A boy walks past protesters during a demonstration in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 2, 2017. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed scores of people. AP Another eight civilians were wounded. I saw three attackers going into the ministry, Ahmad Zaki, a Ministry of Communications employee, said. One of them detonated his explosives and two are fighting security forces. The busy commercial area around the building was sealed off, as security forces battled in a gunfight with at least three attackers, an Interior Ministry spokesperson said. A witness claimed attackers were fighting security forces on the first floor of the ministry headquarters, according to Tolo News. At least two of the gunmen were shot dead. We saw a gunman trying to break open an office door and as we were running out, he was trying to shoot us and he started shouting I will kill everyone here, said Syeda Rashid, an office administrator in the ministry who escaped with several of her colleagues. More than 2,800 government employees were evacuated by security forces during the violence. By early afternoon there was no sound of gunfire but it remained unclear if the attack was over. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events No militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack and the Taliban has released a statement denying responsibility. The attack follows a period of relative calm in Afghanistans capital, which coincided with talks between the US and the Taliban, aimed at opening formal peace negotiations to end more than 17 years of war. A planned meeting between Taliban officials and Afghan politicians and civil society representatives in Qatar was cancelled a day before the attack. It would have marked the first time that Taliban and Kabul government officials sat together to negotiate an end to the war in Afghanistan and a withdrawal of US troops. Additional reporting by agencies Kosovo has brought back 110 of its citizens from Syria on Saturday, including jihadists who had gone to fight in the countrys civil war and 74 children, the government said. After the collapse of Islamic States self-declared caliphate in Syria and Iraq, countries around the world are wrestling with how to handle militants and their families seeking to return. The population of Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, is nominally 90 percent Muslim, but largely secular in outlook. More than 300 Kosovo citizens have travelled to Syria since 2012 and 70 men who fought alongside militant groups were killed. Today in the early hours of the morning an important and sensitive operation was organised, in which the government of Kosovo with the help of the US has returned 110 of its citizens from Syria, Kosovan justice minister Abelard Tahiri said at a press conference. Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Show all 14 1 /14 Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Zikia Ibrahim, 28, with her two-year-old son and 8-month-old daughter, after fleeing the Isis caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Men who fled the last Isis-held area of Syria line up to be questioned by American and Kurdish intelligence officials Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate A young girl pulls her belongings after arriving Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate An SDF fighter hands out bread to women and children after they arrive Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Sita Ghazzar, 70, after fleeing from the last Isis-held territory in Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate A family from Russia who recently fled the last Isis-held area of Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Mr Tahiri did not specify what role the US had played but a plane with a US flag on its tail was seen in the cargo area of Pristina airport as the operation was ongoing. Authorities said among those who were returned were four fighters, 32 women and 74 children, including nine without a parent. The four fighters were immediately arrested. After several hours at the airport, two busloads of women and children were transported under police escort to an army barracks just outside Pristina. Police said 30 Kosovan fighters, 49 women and eight children still remained in the conflict zones. We will not stop before bringing every citizen of the Republic of Kosovo back to their country and anyone that has committed any crime or was part of these terrorist organisations will face the justice, Mr Tahiri said. "As Kosovo, we cannot allow that our citizens be a threat to the West and to our allies." International and local security agencies have previously warned of the risk posed by returning fighters. In 2015, Kosovo adopted a law making fighting in foreign conflicts punishable by up to 15 years in jail. There have been no Islamist attacks on its soil, although more than 100 men have been jailed or indicted on charges of fighting in Syria and Iraq. Some of them were found guilty of planning attacks in Kosovo. The government said a form of radical Islam had been imported to Kosovo by non-governmental organisations from the Middle East after the end of its 1998-99 war of secession from Serbia. Reuters There seems to be only one question hanging over Ukraines presidential election on Sunday: whether Petro Poroshenko can narrow the gap in any significant way so as to avoid complete humiliation. Polls have consistently shown Mr Poroshenko Ukraines president for the last five, often tumultuous years far behind Volodymyr Zelensky, a comic actor whose only previous political experience amounts to playing president in a sitcom. In recent days, the gap has only grown bigger, the latest figures suggesting a 73-27 split. Fridays face-to-face debate at Kievs Olympic Stadium was the incumbents last chance to persuade voters of his message. His task was clear enough: contrast his perceived strength with his opponents weakness and inexperience. The debates were remarkable, fiercely contested, and an example to other former Soviet states of the drama of changeable government. But they only served to highlight a different contrast: Mr Poroshenkos two decades in politics against the blank slate offered by Mr Zelensky. Ukraine is almost certainly now entering a new political era but one that has very little clarity about it. Mr Zelensky, in an attempt to glide to victory, has offered voters a minimalist programme. He has offered most things to everyone: from fighting corruption to rising wages and ending the war in the east. But there has been little detail on policy or personnel to offer a clear picture of Ukraines future. Leonid Kravchuk, Ukraines first ever president, said the countrys embrace of an inexperienced showman represented a verdict on three decades of political failure. Ukraine is tired of its politicians, who for 28 years have been unable to organise life, deliver democracy, wellbeing or peace, he told the Russian paper Komsomolskaya Pravda. The people are tired, and believe its time to turn over a new page. According to Sergii Leshchenko, a reformist MP now touted as a future member of Mr Zelenskys team, Ukraine was voting to give itself space. The country needs to break the status quo and renew itself and the political classes, he told The Independent. Zelensky will find it harder than Poroshenko had it, because there was a real window of opportunity after 2014, with the country still in shock. Its been five years of wasted opportunity, but at least Poroshenko is now on his way out. Mr Leschenko, who says he is aware of the outlines of Mr Zelenskys likely team, says the showman is set to offer positions to people with experience and real democratic clout. But in the rush to flesh out the team, there will also be plenty of room for less traditional appointments, he says. What seems certain is that soon there will be many new, young faces in the corridors of power. Zelensky is surrounded by young people, most of whom are new to high politics he says. Some of them even think Im too old to be involved. (Mr Leschenko is 38 years of age.) The shake-up of Ukraines political elite is likely to provoke resistance from obvious and less obvious sources. Mr Zelensky is well known to all of the countrys oligarchs, his company having performed at many of their birthday parties. The comedians links to the controversial tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky are also well known. It will be a major test of the actor presidents strength of character whether he will be able to stand his ground. I hope and believe he can manoeuvre and keep distance from the oligarchs, says Mr Leshchenko. Hes smart and understands his historical moment. Another source of tension comes from Ukraines civil society and the intelligentsia, who have been reluctant to embrace Mr Zelenskys candidacy. The reasons are varied, and include criticism of his populist programme. But part of it also is a fear of losing political weight, says Nataliya Gumenyuk, the prominent journalist and founder of Hromadske, the countrys first independent public broadcaster. Over the last five years, many activists have been catapulted into positions of new, albeit limited influence, she says. They criticised Poroshenko, didn't particularly like him, but they knew him and thought they could be heard. Zelensky, on the other hand, is totally alien. Civil society activists faced a choice: either go into opposition or to try to build new relations from scratch. Mr Leshchenko said it would be a mistake for civil society to continue to keep their distance. Mr Zelensky needs people ready to fight the oligarch consensus, he says. Zelensky may be a blank slate, but its also a real opportunity for us all. Yellow vest protesters have set fire to dozens of motorbikes and cars in Paris after a protest, partially criticising the governments response to the Notre Dame fire, descended into violence. Clashes broke out when efforts by riot police to stop the protest provoked demonstrators to throw flares and start fires. Some protesters were frustrated that the international support for the damaged cathedral was eclipsing their demands. Millions for Notre-Dame, what about for us, the poor? read a sign worn by a demonstrator. Everything for Notre-Dame, nothing for the miserables, read another, referencing Victor Hugos Les Miserables. Notre Dame fire: Global tributes Show all 5 1 /5 Notre Dame fire: Global tributes Notre Dame fire: Global tributes Fenice theatre, Venice The Fenice theatre in Venice illuminated with the colors of the French flag EPA Notre Dame fire: Global tributes The dome of the Chapel of the Shroud, Turin The dome of the Chapel of the Shroud in Turin illuminated with the colors of the French flag EPA Notre Dame fire: Global tributes One World Trade Centre, New York City One World Trade Centre is lit in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with the people of France REUTERS Notre Dame fire: Global tributes Stari Most bridge, Mostar The Stari Most bridge in the Bosnia and Herzegovina city of Mostar lit in colours of the French flag AFP/Getty Images Notre Dame fire: Global tributes Empire State Building, New York City Empire State Building is lit in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with the people of France REUTERS Frances interior minister said a total of 9,600 people were demonstrating across France, including 6,700 in Paris, in a largely peaceful day of protesting. Many protesters were saddened by the fire at the cathedral, but they were also angry that some 770m had been raised so easily for the monuments reconstruction while their demands remained largely unmet. I think what happened at Notre Dame is a great tragedy but humans should be more important than stones. And if humans had a little bit more money, they too could help finance the reconstruction work at Notre Dame. I find this disgusting, said protester Jose Fraile. Recommended Fund to rebuild Notre Dame cathedral set to reach one billion euros Saturdays protest marked the 23rd straight weekend of yellow vest action against economic inequality and Emmanuel Macrons government, which demonstrators say favours the wealthy over ordinary workers. Several thousand people marched from the Finance Ministry in eastern Paris to demand lower taxes on workers and retirees, and higher taxes on the rich. Mr Macron was scheduled to lay out his responses to the yellow vest movement on Monday night, but his speech was cancelled after the fire broke out. He is expected to rescheduled the speech for next Thursday. The heavy police presence at the protests meant subway stations and roads around Paris were closed on Saturday, frustrating travel plans for tourists visiting the French capital. Additional reporting by agencies A little over two years ago, the northern Iraqi town of Qaraqosh lay in ruins. Its churches, shops, houses and farms were mostly destroyed by Isis during its occupation. Some 50,000 Christian inhabitants of the ancient town fled the terror groups onslaught when it captured swathes of northern Iraq in 2014. Many feared they would never see their homes again. Today, around half of that number have returned. Thousands took to the streets last weekend to commemorate Palm Sunday, and more will come out again for Easter. But the picture for Christians across northern Iraq is less hopeful, with high unemployment, fears over security and a lack of infrastructure stopping many returning. Qaraqosh has been one of the most successful in bringing its residents back, said Faraj Benoit Camurat, president of Fraternity in Iraq, a French organisation that supports Iraqs religious minorities. But overall, its a situation of big contrasts. You have towns which seem almost normal like Qaraqosh, and you have some where things are not so good, he added. Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Show all 10 1 /10 Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis An Iraqi Christian prepares for the first Sunday Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi priests hold the first Sunday mass Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christian soldiers attend the first Sunday mass at the Grand Immaculate Church since it was recaptured from Islamic State in Qaraqosh Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis An Iraqi Christian soldier holds his weapon during the first Sunday mass Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis An Iraqi Christian soldier lights a candle Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi priests hold the first Sunday mass at the Grand Immaculate Church since it was recaptured from Islamic State Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi priests hold the first Sunday mass Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Reuters Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Iraqi Christians celebrate liberation from Isis Reuters Qaraqosh is the largest Christian town in Iraq and can trace its Christian identity back to the fourth century, when Assyrians adopted the new religion and began building monasteries and churches. Today it is majority Syriac Catholic. It was relatively affluent before Isis came along, drawing its wealth from farmlands and trade with the metropolis of Mosul, just 20 miles away. When Isis captured Mosul in 2014, it sent a chilling warning to Christians in nearby towns and villages, announcing that they must convert, pay a special tax or face the sword. The group waged a campaign of violence and murder against other minorities Yazidis and Shia Muslims suffered greatly too. More than 100,000 Christians fled their homes in fear of the Isis advance and many of them are still living in displacement camps in Iraqi Kurdistan. Around 37,000 Christians returned to their homes in the Nineveh plains between 2017 and 2018, according to the Nineveh Reconstruction Committee. But tens of thousands more are still displaced in camps, mostly in Iraqi Kurdistan. In a recent survey of displaced minorities in Iraq by the United Nations International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Christians were most likely to say they do not plan to return home, with only 22 per cent saying they would go back. They were also the most likely to say they planned to settle abroad, at 42 per cent. Compared to those numbers, the 25,000 who have returned to Qaraqosh makes it something of a success story. Because of its size, it reached a critical number of people coming back, which meant services and infrastructure was relaunched, said Mr Camurat. It was also key that the educational system of Qaraqosh continued to work when they were displaced. Schools are back to normal work very quickly, because all the structures were still alive. The Palm Sunday celebrations last weekend were the largest since the towns liberation, and they had an added poignancy for many who have returned. Seeing the huge number of people of my town all walking and singing hymns together in a procession is a solid evidence that we are still here, that Christianity in Iraq is not dead, and never will be, said 24-year-old Fadi Banno. For me, its a great joy to see this happening again after what happened to us because of Isis, he told The Independent. But other towns in the Nineveh plains, which have been home to a Christian community for two millennia, have not been so quick to recover. In Bartella, around 10 miles down the road from Qaraqosh, fewer than a third of 3,800 Christian families have returned home, according to the Associated Press. Many of them now complain of harassment from Shia militias which now control security in the town. There are no jobs here, one resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Independent. A lot of the homes are still destroyed. Iraqs Christian community has faced instability before. There has been a rapid decline in the Christian population in the country over the last two decades, beginning with the onset of the US invasion in 2003. At that time, there were an estimated 1.4 million Christians in the country. Today, fewer than 300,000 are thought to remain. The invasion and occupation of Iraq sparked a wave of Islamist militancy in nearby Mosul that led to many Christians fleeing. Many left the country for the US and Europe as they still doing today. Open Doors, an organisation that tracks persecution of Christians, said: The territorial defeat of Isis reduced the level of persecution across the country. However, threats from extremist groups make it difficult for returning Christians to feel safe and secure from acts of Christian persecution. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The problems affecting Christians are by no means exclusive to the minority. According to the IOM, more than 1.8 million people remain displaced across Iraq five years after the Isis onslaught began. Many live in a state of limbo often working in the informal labour sector, still crowding extended families into small living spaces and relying on funds from family members or government pensions, the IOM said in February. The same report said a lack of economic opportunities and public services were the main factors in keeping them displaced. With a general election potentially on the cards, one of the burning questions of British politics is: are progressives ready to take charge? For the first time in a generation, the UK stands at a political crossroads, with the two major parties separated by a gulf in ideology and values, and Jeremy Corbyns Labour promising a fundamental reordering of politics and the economy. But what would this entail? And how can a radical government stand up to an establishment hostile to any redistribution of wealth and power? We can attempt to answer these questions by looking at history. From UK governments under Clement Attlee to Margaret Thatcher, as well as foreign governments that have tried to bring about radical change, such as Mitterand in France, Allende in Chile and Syriza in Greece, there are several lessons that Corbyn might want to bear in mind. For one, winning the election will be just the beginning of Corbyns challenges. Labour is promising to set up new public banks, impose rent controls and implement a green industrial strategy. In short, he is promising to radically democratise the economy, transferring power and ownership from asset-rich corporations to ordinary citizens. This will certainly court the ire of fossil fuel companies, property developers, landlords, and the City of London, and ire could easily extend beyond political opposition to economic warfare and capital flight. The Thatcher revolution is perhaps the most instructive precedent for how a Corbyn government might respond to this reaction. Particularly fascinating is a little-known document called the Ridley Report essentially the Conservative Partys battle plan for privatisation. Like Corbyn, Thatcher knew that she would need to face down some of the most powerful interests in the British economy in her case, the trade unions if she was to rebuild it in her image. She commissioned detailed plans for how she would wage this war and win from all-out confrontation with the miners to privatisation by stealth (Nicholas Ridleys words) of popular institutions like the NHS. A Corbyn government will need its own hard-headed power analysis to succeed in implementing its programme. Cliffs of Dover lit up in Brexit protest Show all 5 1 /5 Cliffs of Dover lit up in Brexit protest Cliffs of Dover lit up in Brexit protest Campaign group Led By Donkeys projected this statement by Nigel Farage on the Cliffs of Dover on the evening of April 4 @ByDonkeys / Twitter Cliffs of Dover lit up in Brexit protest Campaign group Led By Donkeys projected this statement by former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab on the Cliffs of Dover on the evening of April 4 @ByDonkeys / Twitter Cliffs of Dover lit up in Brexit protest Campaign group Led By Donkeys projected this message to the EU on the Cliffs of Dover on the evening of April 4 @ByDonkeys / Twitter Cliffs of Dover lit up in Brexit protest Campaign group Led By Donkeys projected this message on the Cliffs of Dover on the evening of April 4 @ByDonkeys / Twitter Cliffs of Dover lit up in Brexit protest Campaign group Led By Donkeys projected this message on the Cliffs of Dover on the evening of April 4 @ByDonkeys / Twitter The next challenge for Corbyn will be to follow through on his promises, something his predecessors know only too well. In 1974, newly-appointed secretary of state for industry Tony Benn met with his top civil servant, Anthony Part. Part said casually, as if it were a statement of the obvious: I take it you are not going to implement the manifesto. Benn was taken aback. You must be joking, he replied. And yet Part was ultimately proved right, as Benn became an increasingly isolated and embattled figure in Whitehall. As Benns experience illustrates, a Corbyn government will not only face challenges from without, but also from within: the inertia and conservatism of the British state. As this anonymous civil servant has pointed out, the civil service is simply not designed to facilitate radical change quite the opposite: its key function is to preserve continuity between governments. Many of its top officials are privately educated and have backgrounds in precisely the industries a Corbyn government has promised to take on. More fundamentally, for decades political processes and personnel have been moulded around Thatchers mantra that the market knows best. Policy evidence relies heavily on orthodox economic models the same models which failed to predict the financial crisis and which insist against all empirical evidence that tax cuts for the wealthy will benefit everyone. If a Corbyn government is serious about transforming the country, it will have to begin by transforming the state. In the face of these hostile forces, a Corbyn government will need more than just its own plans and strategies. It will need to be backed by strong social movements, capable of providing a counterweight to the full force of the British establishment, and of holding it to account when it comes under pressure to water down its agenda. John McDonnell has said when we go into government, we all go into government together. He understands that a Corbyn government cannot succeed simply by pulling the levers of Whitehall from the right over to the left, but rather by spreading power outwards to ordinary people. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The people need to be ready to receive this power. Social movements that have been used to remaining on the fringes of British politics must radically step up their game. We need spaces for popular education and discussion such as that provided by The World Transformed, the annual conference parallel to the Labour Party conference, that is fast becoming the most vibrant forum for left politics in the country. We need grassroots groups capable of reaching out into their communities and building power like the tenants unions who have just forced the banning of no-fault evictions. And we need a pipeline of future leaders from diverse backgrounds, led by those who suffer most from our unjust system a new cohort of progressive politicians and activists capable of reshaping British politics for a generation. A few years ago, before Corbyn had been elected, a pro-independence Scottish activist said to me: The thing you need to realise on the English left is that nobody is coming to save you. He was right then and hes right now. The point of the grassroots Labour movement is not to be the foot soldiers that get a Corbyn government elected: its the other way around. The point of electing a Corbyn government is to transfer power to citizens and social movements to genuinely democratise our economy, our politics and our society. Christine Berry is co-author of People Get Ready! Preparing for a Corbyn Government with Joe Guinan On an ordinary day almost exactly one year ago, I scrolled through my Facebook newsfeed and saw multiple posts about Loujain al-Hathloul. This was not unusual: we had both graduated from the University of British Columbia (UBC), in Vancouver, Canada, I had watched in awe since then as she made international headlines for her fearless activism fighting for womens rights in her native Saudi Arabia. But on this particular day, the details of the headlines were profoundly shocking: Loujain faced the death penalty for her activism. Loujain is in prison, but thankfully she does not face the death penalty at this moment that particular headline turned out to be false. But the reality of her ongoing ordeal is still ghastly and could still take a turn for the worse. Since May 2018 she has been tortured, sexually harassed, and threatened with rape and murder behind bars by Saudi authorities in a place she describes in her own words as the palace of terror. Her trial began just last month, where she faces dubious charges ranging from being in touch with human rights organisations to applying for a job at the UN. Saudi media brandish her and her efforts to reverse the countrys driving ban and end the male guardianship system as traitorous to the kingdom. As she along with 10 other detained Saudi womens rights activists await their fourth court session, the absurdity of the charges against her, listed in a six-page document, grows stark. Her arrest in the first place was also absurd: a woman who fought for the betterment of all Saudi women. Over the past year, a few of us have come together as Friends of Loujain, a collective of Vancouver-based women who knew Loujain from our time together at UBC. Weve taken a number of actions to call attention to her imprisonment and demand her release. As those who knew her personally, each passing month while she is detained is a forceful reminder to continue raising awareness about her story. Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Show all 10 1 /10 Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Street protests greeted Mohammed Bin Salman during his visit to Tunisia AFP/Getty Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit A mural depicting Mohammed Bin Salman washing his hands of blood Simon Speakman Cordall Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit A protester holds a banner accusing Mohammed Bin Salman of being a war criminal AP Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Protesters pass down Habib Bourguiba avenue in Tunis Simon Speakman Cordall Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit A Tunisian man holds up a cartoon that depicts Donald Trump assisting Mohammed Bin Salman in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi AP Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit A poster depicting a war ravaged Yemeni child Simon Speakman Cordall Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Protesters hold up saws in reference to the reportedly gruesome manner in which Jamal Khashoggi was disposed of AFP/Getty Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Protesters pass down Habib Bourguiba avenue in Tunis Simon Speakman Cordall Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Protesters chant slogans as they move down Habib Bourguiba avenue in Tunis Reuters Tunisians protest against Saudi Crown Prince's visit Protesters pass down Habib Bourguiba avenue in Tunis Simon Speakman Cordall But despite increasing international attention to her and the other activists plight, their situation remains grave. According to leaked medical reports, the first documented evidence shows that Saudi political prisoners are facing severe physical abuse. Close to 60 prisoners, many of them women, face severe health problems, such as malnutrition, as a result of their imprisonment in the absolute monarchy. At their last hearing, several of these women broke down in tears, testifying that they were subjected to torture and sexual harassment while detained. Saudi authorities, however, continue to deny these allegations, despite surmounting evidence. In the weeks since the trial began, three of the women have been granted temporary release, although they still must attend hearings. While we had hope that this is a positive precedent for Loujains imminent release and the rest of the women still detained a second round of arrests was made on April 4. Saudi Arabia arrested eight people with ties to the detained activists, targeting mainly writers and academic figures. Loujains family has rightly spoken out. "Pressure from all sides to remain silent," her sister Alia al-Hathloul said on Twitter. "We were silent and the worst kinds of torture happened while we were silent. I can shut up but only when Loujain is with us and those who tortured her are put on trial." The Kingdoms shoddy record of human rights abuses was exposed to the world in October 2018 when Saudi journalist Jamal Kashoggi was murdered. Meanwhile, the US-and-UK-led war on Yemen , carried out by its Saudi proxy, one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time, continues unabated. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events This week Loujain was was named as TIME magazine's 100 most influential people of 2019. She has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Her gargantuan, historic efforts to further human rights have made an impact in not just Saudi Arabia but, clearly, also around the world, despite the Saudi governments efforts to sway global opinion. With her fate in the hands of the Crown Prince and his rogue regime, the award may also be the final valve that unlocks her freedom. While nothing is certain about Loujain and her predicament, one thing is: nothing but a full pardon would be justice. The most telling line in Robert Muellers report was its account of how the president reacted when he heard the independent counsel had been appointed to investigate him: Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency. In that private moment, we see Donald Trump without the bluster, behaving surprisingly like a normal politician. For all that he is usually portrayed as a deliberate disrespecter of rules and therefore powerful here he was, vulnerable, upset and self-pitying. This is a familiar theme in memoirs and biographies of political leaders: a tendency to exaggerate threats to their position and to dramatise any setback as the end of their time at the top. Trump realised that an investigation into his collusion with Russian interference in the 2016 election was a threat to him, although in the next breath he seems to have more accurately assessed that it was a constraint rather than a terminal blow: Everyone tells me if you get one of these independent counsels it ruins your presidency. It takes years and years and I wont be able to do anything. Again, this is the sort of thing you would expect a normal president to say. It sounds like Richard Nixon or Bill Clinton, including the next sentence, the wail of the child within: This is the worst thing that ever happened to me. Trump and Farage - a working friendship Show all 7 1 /7 Trump and Farage - a working friendship Trump and Farage - a working friendship Donald Trump and Nigel Farage pose in the golden elevator at Trump Tower on 12 November 2016, four days after Trump was elected president. Farage was the first British politician to meet with Trump after the election LeaveEUOffical/Twitter Trump and Farage - a working friendship Not long after their meeting at Trump Tower, then-president elect Trump tweeted in favour of Nigel Farage being appointed ambassador to the US Trump and Farage - a working friendship Farage appears at a Trump campaign rally in Jackson, Mississipi on 24 August 2016. Farage drew parallels between the recent vote for Brexit in the UK and a vote for Trump in the US, saying "they could take back control of their country, take back control of their borders and get back their pride and self-respect" Getty Images Trump and Farage - a working friendship Trump introduced Farage as "Mr. Brexit" Getty Images Trump and Farage - a working friendship President Trump with Nigel Farage when they met met face-to-face to discuss why the President should back a no-deal Brexit on 3 March 2019 PA Trump and Farage - a working friendship From left to right: Gerry Gunster (US pollster and campaign adviser to Leave.EU), Arron Banks (Leave.EU founder who is being investigated over the funding of the Brexit campaign), Donald Trump (then president-elect), Nigel Farage (then leader of UKIP), Andy Wigmore (communication director of Leave.EU) and Raheem Kassam (then-advisor to Farage and later UK editor of Breitbart news) Trump and Farage - a working friendship Farage and his adviser Raheem Kassam arrive to meet with Trump on November 12 2016 Getty Images In fact, the investigation turned out to be less damaging to him than he feared. It did distract him and his administration from other things, and he still hasnt built that wall, but although he was specifically not exonerated neither was he found guilty. As ever it was the cover-up rather than the original wrongdoing that was most dangerous to him. Mueller found plenty of evidence that Trump had wanted to obstruct justice but none that he had actually done so. In part this was because his report confirmed what Michael Wolff had described in his book Fire and Fury a president frustrated by the refusal of his underlings to do as told. At the time of Wolffs book last year, there was some muttering on the fringes of the paranoid right about evidence of the deep state working against an insurgent who was a threat to its power. But the Mueller report makes it clear that most of the people who refused to carry out Trumps instructions were his own appointees. They recognised when they were being asked to cross an ethical line and refused or, less actively, simply did nothing. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events In the end, however, Mueller failed to find compelling evidence that the president had obstructed justice. Mueller was never likely to do so and, even if he had, the political process of impeachment and conviction would never have resulted in Trumps removal from office. At worst he would, like Clinton, have been impeached by the House of Representatives and acquitted by the Senate. That ought to be the lesson for Trumps opponents: that he needs to be defeated by politics rather than by law. He was beatable in 2016, and the hoo-ha about Russian interference which was mostly trivial has been magnified because Hillary Clinton was such a poor candidate. The Mueller report confirms that Trump is beatable next year. He is not the all-powerful monster of the liberal imagination. He is just another vulnerable politician who had some good lines on TV and social media last time. A charismatic Democrat who could energise the better instincts of middle America should trounce him. Question: I need to buy a new laptop. I want to do the usual stuff. But I am an amateur photographer so I would like one that can handle photography needs such as post-processing. My budget is about 1,500. I was looking at the Dell XPS 15. Do you have any better suggestions? I know very little about computers. - Mary McGee, Wicklow Town Answer: Normally when someone says that they want to do 'the usual stuff' on a laptop, I take that to mean web browsing, Netflix, Facebook, email, online banking and a handful of other everyday activities. And for this, I often recommend something in the 500 to 700 range because a laptop at that level will do all of this just fine and last you three to four years. But you say you want one that will "handle photography needs" like "post-processing". This is one of the few activities (besides gaming or coding) where I would definitely recommend going for something a little more advanced. Otherwise, you might end up with a niggling, frustrating experience. As you might guess, this better specification translates into it being more expensive. Opening and editing photos needs a little more graphics power to work smoothly, especially over time. It also benefits more than most computing activities from a good quality screen. In today's environment that means you'll ideally have a laptop with at least 8GB of Ram memory and a really reliable, mid to high end chip. You will also benefit from a generous storage allowance (at least 256GB, but ideally 512GB or more), although if you're using an online service or an external hard drive to regularly back photos up (as you should), then this isn't as essential as it once was. You've clearly already done some homework. The laptop you mention - Dell's XPS 15 - is one of the best performing laptops on the market and comes with most of what you're looking for. At the time of writing, there's a sale on in Ireland (at Dell.ie) for the XPS 15 with around 200 off most of the variants but this may be over by the time this article is published. At the non-sale price of 1,529, you'll get what I would regard as a very good laptop, well capable of handling photo-editing software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Adding more power to the engine costs about 100 to 150 per item. For example, you can get an extra 8GB of Ram memory for about that price. Or another 256GB of storage memory. Or an upgrade from a (good) Intel Core i5 chip to an (excellent) Intel Core i7 chip. Each one brings a bit more capability. (For a step up in screen quality to 4K, it would be slightly more expensive.) But I'd really only say that someone needs to consider those upgrades - like 16GB of Ram or a Core i7 chip or a 4K HDR display - if they're really devoting a lot of time and effort to photo editing or dabbling in video-editing. In other words, for non-professionals, the cheaper specification attached to the XPS 15 base model should prove absolutely adequate. There are, of course, alternative options. Both Lenovo and HP do good lines in 13-inch, 14-inch and 15-inch laptops with similar specifications. Microsoft's 'Surface' range of laptops are now excellent, too. Apple's MacBook Pro is a perennial heavyweight when it comes to creator-friendly and photography-oriented laptops. But unfortunately, the 15-inch models are way over 2,000. There is a 13-inch base model with good power specifications (although very meagre storage at 128GB) for 1,549, which is in touching distance of your budget. Someone who likes using Macs might pick this model over the Dell. But if you're used to using Windows laptops and PCs, the Dell is probably the better option. Besides, the Dell XPS's 15-inch screen is about 25pc bigger than that MacBook Pro's 13-inch display, giving you a significant advantage when editing finer details. If screen size isn't critical to you, one final option would be the iPad Pro. It's 13-inch variant comes with 256GB of storage and a good keyboard for 1,519. (You can get the same set up but with only 64GB of storage for 1,349, but this is a false economy for someone in your position because you will need a basic amount of storage for photos you're editing on an ongoing basis.) If you think using a touchscreen pen to apply finishing touches would be useful (to Adobe editing programs for instance), Apple's Pencil would cost another 135. As it happens, the iPad Pro is what I personally use to edit 90pc of the photos (and videos) that I shoot, privately and professionally. But I'm used to the touchscreen format and I like it. I also frequently edit them with lighter, quicker software apps than Adobe Photoshop, including Snapseed (free). And I find the iPad Pro's other benefits (great battery, great screen, portability and fast speed) suits me a lot for my other everyday tasks. But if you're comfortable using a Windows based laptop, I would stick with that format. Recommendation: Dell XPS 15 (1,299 from Dell.ie at time of writing, 1,499 regular price) Email your questions to caomahony@independent.ie Tech Two Dyson V11 549.99, DID Electrical Cordless vacuums are extremely handy but have always suffered from short battery lengths and relatively modest suction power. Dysons new V11 improves a lot in both these categories, with around 25 to 30 minutes of use per charge, almost double what the last version delivered. Suction power is significantly better, too. HP Spectre Folio 13 1,799, PC World If you like leather and laptops, HPs Spectre Folio 13 might be for you. While the device is fully loaded with power (Intel i7, 8GB of Ram and 256GB of storage), its the leather folio finish that is its signature effect, allowing it to fold over like a posh photo album. More of an executive machine than a casual home device. Pleaded not guilty: Patrick Quirke (50) at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin during the 14-week murder trial. Photo: Courtpix After 14 weeks of evidence at the Central Criminal Court, the Tipperary 'love-rival' murder trial is finally drawing to a close. In the coming days, a jury of six men and six women will retire to consider their verdict. They will have to decide whether the case put forward by the prosecution proves beyond reasonable doubt farmer Patrick Quirke murdered Bobby Ryan, a well-liked part-time DJ known as 'Mr Moonlight'. Mr Quirke (50), of Breanshamore, Co Tipperary, denies killing Mr Ryan, who disappeared after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry's home on the morning of June 3, 2011. Mr Ryan's body was found by Mr Quirke 22 months later in a run-off tank on Ms Lowry's farm at Fawnagown, Co Tipperary, which the farmer was leasing at the time. The prosecution claims Mr Quirke "staged" the discovery as his lease was about to be terminated. It alleges his motive for the murder was to get Mr Ryan off the scene so he could rekindle an affair with his former lover, Ms Lowry. The affair with Ms Lowry, a sister-in-law of his wife Imelda Quirke, lasted between January 2008 and 2010, following the death of Ms Lowry's husband from cancer. Ms Lowry ended the relationship in the summer of 2010, shortly before meeting Mr Ryan. She told the court her affair with Mr Quirke had been "sordid" and "sleazy" and something she was "ashamed" of. The case has a number of interesting features. No murder weapon was found and the place and time of death is unknown. It is also, as prosecution counsel Michael Bowman SC told jurors, based on circumstantial evidence and "forensically barren". The case, he said, was made up of "strands" of evidence. On their own, each strand would amount to nothing more than suspicion or something uncannily coincidental. But woven together, the strands left no room for doubt that Mr Quirke was guilty of murder, Mr Bowman has argued. However, defence counsel Bernard Condon SC has countered that there is "no hard evidence" against his client and that the jury had to acquit him. The jury, he said, were being asked to draw inferences which did not prove murder. Behind the prosecution case was a "crumbling edifice of almost nothing", he said. Before the jury retires to consider the merits of the opposing arguments, it will first hear what is known as the judge's charge. This will begin on Tuesday and will involve Ms Justice Eileen Creedon laying out the evidence for them. The judge may also advise jurors on issues of law that arise. It is not clear exactly when the charge will be completed, but Ms Justice Creedon has informed jurors it will not take too long. Once the deliberations begin, jurors will have much to consider, as evidenced by the lengthy closing statements of the prosecution and defence. In his address to jurors on April 11 and 12, Mr Bowman discussed the various strands the prosecution case had been built on. These included what Mr Bowman described as efforts by Mr Quirke to "sabotage" Ms Lowry's relationship with Mr Ryan. He reminded jurors of one incident where Mr Quirke is said to have phoned Mr Ryan and told him he was "being played for a fool" by Ms Lowry. According to Mr Bowman, a second attempt at sabotage came when Mr Quirke reported Ms Lowry to Tusla, claiming she was neglecting her children emotionally because of her new relationship. The prosecution counsel also pointed to a letter Mr Quirke wrote to a 'Sunday Independent' agony aunt in 2011 saying he was "heartbroken and angry". Mr Bowman said Mr Quirke was one of only four people who knew of the existence of the tank where the body was dumped and he had had exclusive access to it since 2008. He also reminded the jury of evidence about Google searches for "DNA" and "human body decomposition timeline" on a computer in Mr Quirke's home in the month before the body was discovered. But during Mr Condon's closing speech to the jury earlier this week, he said the prosecution case amounted to nothing more than suspicion. They had been presented with "a forensically barren landscape" and many unanswered questions, he said. Mr Condon said the jury's job was like that of a scientist. They had "a huge decision" to make and needed to approach things with scepticism and test the theories put forward. The defence counsel said the jury could say Mr Quirke's call to Tusla was "badness", but there was evidence to support his client having some concerns for and interest in Ms Lowry's children. Mr Condon urged caution over the 'Dear Patricia' agony aunt letter, saying Mr Quirke accepted in it that the relationship was over. The barrister also told the jury they could not convict Mr Quirke on the basis of internet searches. Mr Condon urged the jury to exercise "fairness" when considering the computer evidence. He asked the jury what weight they could put on the searches. While they may have been "macabre", people do the strangest things on their computers, he said. Mr Condon was critical of much of the evidence given by Ms Lowry. He said a suggestion by her that there was something odd about Mr Quirke being in the farmyard around 9.30am on the morning of the disappearance was "a piece of the most devious, devious poison that has been delivered across the face of the Central Criminal Court for many a year". He also urged the jury not to be "misled" by the suggestion by gardai that Mr Quirke had been getting sex and money "on demand" from Ms Lowry. Mr Condon said they were grown adults who had engaged in a sexual relationship which they both regretted. Tragic: PSNI image of Lyra McKee (circled) within the crowd watching the rioting in Derry before she was shot. Photo: PA Suspect: A still from the footage released by the PSNI showing the suspect (circled) Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder of Lyra McKee. The 29-year-old journalist was shot in the head by suspects who police believe were dissident republicans linked to the New IRA on the Creggan estate in Derry on Thursday night. A PSNI spokesperson said this morning: "Major Investigation Team detectives have arrested two men, aged 18 and 19 under the Terrorism Act, in connection with the murder of Lyra McKee in the Creggan area of Derry on Thursday, 18th April. "They have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite." CCTV released by Police Service Northern Ireland captured her final moments at around 10pm, when she stood among a crowd of other innocent bystanders and raised her phone in the air, apparently to photograph the violence. An outpouring of tributes to the writer was led by her partner, Sara Canning, who said Ms McKee's "amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act". Ms Canning said: "Victims and LGBTQIA community are left without a tireless advocate and activist and it has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with. "This cannot stand, Lyra's death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone else's life and her legacy will live on and the life that she has left behind." Read More Police, who described the shooting as a "terrorist incident", believe the violence was orchestrated in response to an earlier search by officers aimed at averting imminent trouble associated with this week's anniversary of the Easter Rising. Around 50 petrol bombs were thrown in the confrontation and two cars were burned out. Officers believe more than one person was involved in the murder. In the video footage an accomplice beside the gunman appears to crouch and pick something up from the spot where the shots were fired. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, who leads the inquiry, described the murder as "senseless and appalling beyond belief". "People saw the gunman and people saw those who goaded young people out onto the streets, people know who they are," he said. "The answers to what happened last night lie within the community. "I am asking people to do the right thing for Lyra McKee, for her family and for the city of Derry/Londonderry and help us stop this madness." He said police have already received "a large number of calls and information". Read More Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin addressed the suspects directly at a press conference, saying: "This was not done to further any cause, this will have achieved nothing other than to plunge a family into grief." Political leaders including British Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar joined to condemn the murder. "My deepest condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues," Mrs May said. "She was a journalist who died doing her job with great courage." Mr Varadkar added: "We cannot allow those who want to propagate violence, fear and hate to drag us back to the past." Former United States president Bill Clinton tweeted: "Heartbroken by the murder of Lyra McKee and the violence in Derry. "The challenges in NI today are real-but we cannot let go of the last 21 years of hard-won peace and progress. This tragedy is a reminder of how much everyone has to lose if we do." With additional reporting by PA Almost every corner of the country should get its turn to bask in the sun this weekend, according to Met Eireann. By 4pm yesterday, hazy sunshine had the mercury soaring to an unseasonably warm 21C at the Casement weather station in south Co Dublin. The same temperatures were recorded at weather stations at Shannon Airport, Claremorris, Co Mayo, Athenry, Co Galway, and Finner Camp, Co Donegal, yesterday afternoon. And the good news is the same conditions are set to continue today, said Met Eireann forecaster Deirdre Lowe. Leinster will enjoy sunshine today with daytime highs of 21C across much of the province. However, coastal areas will be a bit more breezy, nudging the mercury down to between 16C and 19C, she said. "It all depends on where you live," Ms Lowe told the Irish Independent. It may be a bit too breezy for a day at the beach in areas subject to onshore breezes, she added. But it will still be a warm and pleasant day in most areas, she said. Expand Close Loving the sun: Kenna Synnott (2), from Wicklow, at Brittas Bay. Picture: Kyran O'Brien / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Loving the sun: Kenna Synnott (2), from Wicklow, at Brittas Bay. Picture: Kyran O'Brien Fog and mist were expected to feature overnight last night in many areas, especially in the west and midlands. But it should burn off as the day progresses today leading to a warm, dry and pleasant day in most areas with daytime highs of between 17C and 22C. The only exception is the north-west, which can expect clouds and some drizzle. But temperatures will still be mild, hovering between 15C and 16C. Easter Sunday will remain dry in most areas, with spells of hazy sunshine in the east and midlands and daytime highs of between 15C and 20C. But increasing clouds are set to bring some spotty rain to coastal areas in the west, south-west and north-west by the evening or overnight. The outlook for Easter Monday remains good, although temperatures will dip to the mid to high teens in most areas as winds pick up, Ms Lowe said. However, it will still be unseasonably warm, with highs ranging between 14C and 19C, with the best values expected to be in the east, she said. Morning theft: Gardai at the scene of a double ATM robbery on Main Street, Kells, Co Meath. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Detectives are probing if the leader of the gang involved in the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was involved in the audacious robbery of two ATMs using a digger in Meath. The gang responsible are also suspected of being behind three similar robberies in counties Cavan and Monaghan. Two ATMs were ripped from separate banks on John Street, Kells, Co Meath, before the raiders fled in separate vehicles early yesterday morning. The crime group who carried out the "professional and organised" robbery also placed spikes outside a local Garda station to prevent a quick emergency response. Gardai are following a number of lines of inquiry, including that a mob led by a south Armagh criminal - who is in his late 20s and suspected of involvement in the murder of Det Gda Donohoe - were behind the latest ATM heist. Senior Garda officers say a gang based in south Armagh carried out the three raids in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, and Kingscourt and Ballybay, Co Cavan, recently. Those robberies netted between 200,000 and 250,000 and takings in yesterday's raids are estimated at 200,000. The gang yesterday abandoned a stolen teleporter and trailer at the scene as they made their escape from Kells Main Street. They bring the number of ATM robberies, north and south of the Border, to 16. Around the same time as the Kells robberies, ATM machines in Craigavon, Co Armagh, and Crumlin, Co Antrim, were also hit. The Colour Party marches along OConnell Street during the Saoradh Easter Commemoration in Dublin. Photo: Tony Gavin 20/4/2019 THE political republican group that issued a statement absolving the IRA volunteer who shot Lyra McKee has marched on the streets of Dublin within 48 hours of her murder. Up to 150 men and women in military fatigues, their faces covered by berets and sunglasses, paraded outside the GPO on Saturday. Saoradh, which denies it is a mouthpiece for the New IRA, issued a self-serving statement within 12 hours of Ms McKees murder, blaming it on Crown Forces. The groups chairman and spokesperson, Brian Kenna, hit out at the irresponsible PSNI who went into a nationalist area on Thursday night and provoked a young community. Fine Gael senator Neale Richmond said Saoradh had no place on the streets of the capital. Earlier today, the detective leading the investigation into the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Derry has said it is "very worrying" that a new breed of terrorist is coming through the ranks on the streets of Northern Ireland. Expand Close The Colour Party leads off the Saoradh Easter Commemoration in Dublin. Photo: Tony Gavin 20/4/2019 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Colour Party leads off the Saoradh Easter Commemoration in Dublin. Photo: Tony Gavin 20/4/2019 Lyra, who was 29-years-old, died after being shot during disturbances in the Creggan area of the city on Thursday night. Police have arrested two teenagers who they suspect are members of the dissident republican New IRA and were involved in shooting dead the promising young journalist. Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder of Ms McKee. A PSNI spokesperson said this morning: "Major Investigation Team detectives have arrested two men, aged 18 and 19 under the Terrorism Act, in connection with the murder of Lyra McKee in the Creggan area of Derry on Thursday, 18th April. "They have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite." Some of the eggs that Cork Children's Easter Egg Appeal will give to children Photo: Facebook/Cork Children's Easter Egg Appeal KIND-HEARTED volunteers have collected 3,500 Easter eggs to deliver to children in hospital, homeless organisations and to schools for pupils with special needs. Cork Children's Easter Egg Appeal l is run by Michael and Catherine Middleton, from Cork, who have delivered more than 16,000 of the chocolate treats to delighted children since they set up the non-profit organisation in 20111. Thanks to them every inpatient child in Cork and Dublin will receive an Easter egg this year. Im around to all the hospitals in Cork this weekend, Michael told Independent.ie. Every inpatient child in hospital in Cork this weekend will get an Easter egg and the same in Dublin. Every inpatient in Temple Street and the Ronald McDonald House and Crumlin Hospital in Dublin has received an egg. I go out with staff from Resort Condominiums International and GlaxoSmithKline. One particular place we go is Cope, a special school for special children in Montenotte. We go into a hall where teachers bring out something like 120 children. These children might be in wheelchairs because they have difficulty walking. Some people have difficulty talking. Expand Close The Easter bunny delivers chocolate to hospital Photo: Facebook/Cork Children's Easter Egg Appeal / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Easter bunny delivers chocolate to hospital Photo: Facebook/Cork Children's Easter Egg Appeal I dress as the Easter bunny and we play music for ten minutes waving and shaking hands. Everyone is dressed up and all the children are wheeled up to me and we distribute the eggs. The kids that cant have chocolate get a balloon. Michael and Catherine set up the drive in 2011 after their son received treatment over the Easter period. My son was sick in 2010 and got fantastic care in Cork University Hospital and Crumlin Hospital, Michael said. His operation was very serious because he had a blocked biliary outlet in his liver. The Air Corps was brought in and we went to Kings College. Expand Close Some of the eggs that Cork Children's Easter Egg Appeal will give to children Photo: Facebook/Cork Children's Easter Egg Appeal / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Some of the eggs that Cork Children's Easter Egg Appeal will give to children Photo: Facebook/Cork Children's Easter Egg Appeal What inspired me at that time was it was Easter and there was nobody there giving out Easter eggs to the children. It was a quite gloomy Easter weekend in the hospital. I started in in 2011 and year-in-year-out its grown. Weve done well collecting over 16,000 Easter eggs since 2011. We depend on family friends, and the businesses. Theres an elderly woman down the road and she comes up every year with a load of Easter eggs for me. Its even the smallest amount that makes the difference. The smiles are endless, just to give them one Easter egg is brilliant. Hundreds of environmental activists gathered in front of the Spire in Dublin as part of the Extinction Rebellion protests against climate change. Traffic was diverted away from O'Connell Bridge by gardai as protesters in the capital made their way from the GPO to O'Connell Bridge, where they took part in a sit-down protest. While in London there was some unrest, a Garda spokesperson said there had been no incidents in Dublin and it was "peaceful". On the effect on traffic, they said the Luas was slightly delayed but otherwise there was little disruption. There was a mixture of young and old at the event, all concerned over the impact of climate change on the planet. Sue Breen, of Extinction Rebellion, said that while protesters hoped to see moves from the Government to support its action, she did not expect it in the short term. "Unfortunately, we don't expect it to happen today, but whatever happens today the campaign will continue with great gusto," she said. Ms Breen addressed those who gathered to protest yesterday. "We are here to tell the truth and to ask the Government to tell the truth -and the truth is that this is an emergency," she said. "The truth is there are wild fires burning in the Arctic, the truth is we are destroying 18 million acres of forest per year - that is the equivalent of the size of Panama." Liz Barry, from Donaghmede, Dublin, said she was attending for the sake of her grandchildren. "When we were young you got chips in newspapers and you got your milk bottles - very little plastic. You bought your fruit, your cheese, your vegetables loose. Now everything is pre-packed and it is killing the environment," said the 73-year-old. The Government's 10-year National Maternity Strategy is an impressive 133-page document, promising multiple improvements to current services and a greater focus on patients and their choices. It stipulates, among many other things, that "good communication, compassion and support are very important and will contribute to a positive birth experience". This is the theory. The fact is that funding for new developments in the National Maternity Strategy has been halted this year. And listeners to RTE's Liveline show in recent weeks would be forgiven for concluding that communication, compassion and support - theoretically at the heart of maternity services - are wholly absent. More than 1,000 women have contacted the show to report having been brutalised emotionally by their experiences of hospital maternity services. Most described encounters with a high-handed culture that - they felt - didn't care how they felt. Woman after woman described feelings of isolation and degradation during childbirth. Some women said they felt they were being scolded by the medical staff for "not being able to do it [childbirth] properly". "Say nothing, touch nothing and get out as fast as you can," was one woman's advice. The issue is expected to be raised for debate at the Oireachtas Health Committee and has sent shockwaves through maternity hospitals. Sinn Fein health spokeswoman Louise O'Reilly believes women who use maternity services should be contacted a year after they give birth to give feedback and that this needs to be passed on to staff. "The paternalism thing is really a matter from the top down. The very senior members of the team need to be saying - this is not the way we want women to be treated. "But I don't think this is a matter of lack of empathy. Staff are working in very tough conditions. A midwife might see five or six women a day. If the Government actually resourced its maternity strategy, that would be a help." Leading obstetricians do not accept the characterisation of their services as being devoid of empathy. Rhona Mahony, former Master of the National Maternity Hospital and now director of women and children's care for the Ireland East Healthcare Group, said she was very concerned about the impact of the Liveline shows on staff. "It's just not comprehensive," she says. "While some of it might be deserved, if you paint a universally dismal picture, then that's genuinely at odds with my experience over 25 years. Yes, there have been times when things could have been better. There were times when I could have been better. But across the board we get very good feedback, and we always deliver babies as carefully as we can. "It's very demoralising for young registrars and midwives in particular to be so criticised when they work so very hard for very long hours every day," she says. "I accept the feedback - it's important - but it's certainly not been my experience that all obstetricians are un-empathetic towards patients or cruel in any way." Trauma, neglect, pain and fear Ever since the first call to Liveline, from a woman called Michelle Roche on April 2, the conversation around maternity services has been about trauma, neglect, pain and fear. Michelle told of her three-day stay in hospital over last New Year for her fourth pregnancy, which she said had disappointed and shocked her. Nobody had come in to check on her or anyone else on the ward on either the second or the third night of her stay. She had had a Caesarean section and was in considerable pain. And yet in the days after delivery, she was essentially left to manage herself, plus a newborn infant. The call struck a nerve. Researchers started to take dozens of calls from women who wanted to have their stories heard. The dozens of calls turned into hundreds as the days went by. They ultimately exceeded 1,000 - making this one of the biggest themes the programme has ever handled. Emer (she did not give her surname) told of being admitted for a scheduled induction in 2015 and ultimately being told she needed an emergency Caesarean section. But she had to share theatre with another woman and the atmosphere, she said, was not good. Her insistence that her pain relief had not kicked in and she could feel the incision was ignored, she said. And so she shut up. "I felt the pain throughout. I eventually bit that back and went through the pain." Martina was suffering from high blood pressure and was given an emergency Caesarean section after 37 hours of labour. She too felt intense pain during the surgery and eventually passed out from the pain of being stitched up. "They swept everything under the carpet," she told the programme. "They said you are fine now, go home. I just want to say that a vet would have more compassion for animals in a clinic than what I went through." How representative these experiences were is hard to say. But these are not the first such accusations against medics who treat Irish women. Gabriel's Scally's report on the CervicalCheck scandal went so far as to say consultants' attitudes verged on misogyny. 'Practically perfect' deliveries It is also clear that - while maternal death ates are consistently low in Ireland - some level of delivery complication is normal for Irish births. Each year, there are in excess of 60,000 births in Ireland and a survey published last year in the Irish Medical Journal concluded that fewer than one per cent of those births constituted what the authors termed a "practically perfect" delivery, meaning the baby arrived at full term, had no health issues and the birth needed no major intervention. The HSE concedes that it should not have been the case that women felt they needed to call RTE about their trauma. "When someone is dissatisfied with their clinical care, or the manner in which they were treated, they can make their views known directly to the hospital or through the Your Service Your Say service," it said. "The HSE will always endeavour to address these concerns in a compassionate and professional manner." The HSE says that, since 2016, an additional 18m has been invested in maternity care, and that this has supported the appointment of Directors of Midwifery in each of the 19 maternity units. In 2018, an additional 150 posts were approved for maternity services, including more than 70 midwives, and nine additional obstetricians. Funding is key to fixing problems in maternity services, in the view of Fianna Fail TD Margaret Murphy O'Mahony, who also sits on the Oireachtas Health Committee. "To be fair to the staff, I think most of us are basically kind, but it is hard to be kind under pressure. "I am very saddened to find that so many women had such a hard time when their baby's birth should be one of the happiest moments of their lives. I do think it should be looked into, "The most worrying thing is that these seem to be everyday occurrences - most of these women went home with healthy babies and they still had a terrible experience." Coombe hospital obstetrician Chris Fitzpatrick is spearheading a new initiative aiming at teaching consultants better ways of showing patients empathy at crisis points. Training scheme He is the driving force behind a training scheme run by the Abbey Theatre for the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland to help doctors training as obstetricians and gynaecologists to deal more sensitively with parents experiencing stillbirth and pregnancy loss. Some 60 trainee doctors have been through the first phase of this training. This is not an acting course, per se, Fitzpatrick stresses, it's about using the arts to help doctors "draw out from themselves" a better way of talking to people in crisis. Fitzpatrick objects to the characterisation of maternity services as misogynistic. But he acknowledges that there is a problem with the way women experience maternity services. He and his colleagues were, he says, "deeply upset" to hear the stories women told on Liveline. Funding, he says, is another issue. "This doesn't happen in a vacuum. but despite pressures on funding and all of that - we can't justify a lack of kindness. We can't justify lack of respect. Words can hurt. We need to find the right ones. "We need to look at how we are training our medical students and young doctors. We want to deliver the highest standards of care in every encounter and that's hard. But we have been making efforts to improve and we have made some inroads." Mark Twain once said that if you make your mark in New York, you are a made man. It's a wonderful place to be up, but an awful place to be down; the melting pot of success that spits you out as quickly as it holds you up. "It's merciless," laughs Limerick native Amanda Hilton Sawyer, who, having lived in New York for the last 25 years, made the decision to move back to Ireland 18 months ago. "Don't get me wrong, it's made me who I am today," she confesses. "There is no safety net, you sink or swim and that certainly pushed me to succeed. I evolved with the city but after so many years that stopped and I started to feel the pull to come home." When she arrived in her 20s she was not bristling with confidence, but in her job as a real estate broker in Manhattan she had to quickly find her feet. She recalls the fear of having to make a call to a Wall Street broker to sell him a Manhattan apartment. "I broke out in a cold sweat. Like a lot of New Yorkers, he was blunt and brisk and ready to hang up on me but in New York you learn to speak up or risk being forgotten so I gave it to him straight and he bought that apartment. I never had that fear again," she laughs. It was her love of interiors that drove her to pursue a career in real estate and eventually her interior design business Irish Girl in Brooklyn, which she owns with her sister Siobhan, an eclectic emporium of hard-to-find pieces that riff on vintage, antique and sustainability. Her granny was an avid auction-goer but beyond that she confesses to very little creative spark as a young girl. She was "into" fashion but "not very handy" and definitely relinquished the domesticated goddess role to other members of her family. But there's a certain amount of osmosis when you're selling lofts in SoHo and TriBeCa to creatives and celebrities, she explains. "I was very lucky to be viewing, and absorbing, these incredible spaces every day. Working in real estate makes you become very sharp about how to value things: what makes this space more valuable than the one next door? You're constantly looking for the detail. That skill gave me the discipline with interiors and deciding what makes a good investment piece and whether it's going to hold its value." Hilton Sawyer is convinced that what matters in design is long-term value. Timeless design is the epitome of sustainability and if it means something to you and has been well considered, it will improve the design of a space. It has to stand the test of time and on its own in a room. She is not one to follow trends but prefers to find those pieces that can "carry you through a trend" - much like wearing a little black dress and swapping out jewellery to freshen the look. "The new buzzword is the 'circular economy' - reuse, update, recycle and be sustainable. In New York, when you put a piece of furniture out on the street it's gone the next day," says Hilton Sawyer in her Limerick-New York lilt. "It's the very definition of recycled. The sad thing is our landfills are full and we keep buying and throwing away and this is having a detrimental impact on our world ecologically, aesthetically and financially." The simple truth is when we buy something we're taking on the risk of disposing it, eventually. We can Marie Kondo the hell out of our houses but if we keep buying more 'stuff' the vicious cycle of consuming will continue. "I found a Chanel bag I had bought in New York the other day," admits Hilton Sawyer. "I remember buying it and feeling as though it validated me. I realise now there is no value to it anymore, and probably never was. Nowadays, I can't buy anything without thinking about the person who made it and their circumstances. Sustainability isn't just about material but about the maker behind it as well as its aesthetic going forward." How she designs a space is directly related to the context of the space, the building and what the client wants from the space. Her own house in Brooklyn was the yin to New York's frenetic yang - a clean fresh palette and a haven of tranquility, peppered with interesting one-off pieces often made from natural materials. It remains her favourite project to date. "It's a reaction to the outside world, I guess. You're bombarded with so much stimuli in New York that when I came home I wanted something calm and peaceful and much of the interiors are sourced from local craftspeople and designers living in Brooklyn." Her Limerick home follows the same principal but there are fewer stimuli and so she doesn't feel the need to pare it back so much. "We're restoring an old Victorian house so the bones are old and I like it that way. It can afford to have more layers because the surround isn't as busy." Is she considering any contemporary additions? "No," she says emphatically. "I rarely like something new. The things I like have to have an intrinsic value of their own, I like pieces that have survived a long time. I always ask myself, 'Will I be able to have this in 20 years in my home and still love it?' Is this love affair going to last or is it going to be a one-night stand?" she laughs. Expand Close The dining area in Amanda's former Brooklyn home / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The dining area in Amanda's former Brooklyn home Browsing through her online shop (irishgirlinbrooklyn.com) and it's clear the business is devoted to saving and reusing the old, every item in the inventory having "good reason to be there". There is a yearning for authenticity, for something that has a story to tell and a zeal to acquire, which knows no limits - the satisfaction clearly in the chase. "Sourcing is the best bit," she smiles. "We get very excited about finding pieces." I admire a beautiful 1950s drinks trolley, which, she tells me, was found in a market in Mexico City and shipped home. A set of mid-century Paul McCobb tables sends her into a passionate spiel. The pair, from the 1950s, were made with vitrolite glass, which is scarce nowadays. She was rambling around her husband's hometown in Texas one day and found the tables, complete with original vitrolite glass - a serious coup for a mid-century collector, she tells me. Right now, she is sitting on a couch bought in New York over 15 years ago, the very definition of sustainable. It's a simple, well-made modern design that has stood the test of time. "A person once said to me, 'Buy once, cry once'," she laughs, referring to the hefty price tag on the said couch. She could have bought five cheaper sofas for the same cost but she probably wouldn't be sitting on them today. She has her eye on a Josef Frank 'Flora' cabinet for the day the budget stretches. Good design is not about a person, she offers. You can be a designer who loves the 1850s or the 1980s but how you buy and how to lay a room is what it's about. For many, mixing the old and new proves challenging. On this, she advises to keep it simple. "Be safe out there," she laughs. "Especially in the beginning. It takes practice to train your eye to mixing styles and eras in the right way. Choose one piece at a time and make sure it's a little offbeat. Your eye won't accept too much at once and try to use what you already have." This is just some of the nuggets of advice she'll be offering as one of the inspiration stage speakers at House 2019 - the annual high-end interiors event presented by INM, owners of the Irish Independent - next month. Being privy to interiors events in London and New York, she saw the talent and level to which designers and suppliers go. "In comparison, Irish people can be somewhat reserved, not going all the way to amazing," she says. "But last year I was so impressed with House and what the exhibitors were doing. It was world class." In her Brooklyn home she used as many local makers as possible and feels Irish artisan makers are only now beginning to be valued, and need the support. House gives some of them that platform. One of the biggest pitfalls people make when buying furniture Scale is, according to Hilton Sawyer, one of the biggest pitfalls people make when buying furniture for their homes. She groans at the memory of the enormous dining table she bought on a whim. Since she and her husband both buy into the sustainable ideology, they lived with it for 10 years before passing it on, to her relief. Lighting too can be something that makes or breaks a space. "It's the jewellery of a room," she says. "But is often the after-thought. You can furnish a whole house with Ikea and then add an amazing light fixture and the whole place will come alive." It comes as no surprise to learn that, above anything, she is coveting a piece from brilliant Irish lighting designer Niamh Barry. For all her eclecticism and bold flourishes, she approaches her spaces with a good dose of discipline and integrity. Honesty is a key consideration in everything she does. It's unlikely there are too many high street pieces in her home. "I have a hard time seeing something copied," she answers honestly. "It can be mass-produced but it has to have integrity and be made from the heart." It's one of the reasons she loves being home again. "Everything about America at the moment feels conflicted; it's very divided and it's actually a very scary place to be living right now. There's something really stable and honest about being here." She walks to visit her mother, who lives an hour away, every day. Her sister and nieces live nearby, she potters in the local food market, chatting to neighbours. Sitting in the window of her Georgian office on Thomas Street in Limerick could be like the West Village. "It's how you see it," she muses. "Perception is everything. You can see the same old dreary sky everyday or you can make it beautiful." Expand Close Another design touch by Amanda in her former home / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Another design touch by Amanda in her former home House 2019 runs at Dublin's RDS from May 24-26. Tickets are 12, to book see house-event.ie Amanda's 5 key trends to embrace 1) Natural materials that are sustainable such as rattan, jute and basket-weave in furniture and lighting is a strong trend. 2) The 1970s and 1980s are fast overtaking mid-century as inspiration. 3) Spice tones and colours such as butternut squash are on the rise, which ties in with the 1970s. 4) Natural wood is making a comeback in kitchens and natural stone over manufactured stone. If using a quartz countertop opt for a warm colour as opposed to white. 5) Tiles that have a handmade appearance in warmer tones. Tiled fireplaces are a great source of texture in a room. So you've worked hard, and retirement is on the horizon. Maybe it's several months off, maybe a couple of years. You're not entirely sure how you'll spend the next chapter of your life, but a fantasy holiday to mark the occasion would be the dream. Everyone's ideal trip is going to be different, but the travel experts all agree on one thing: the same destinations and style of trips tend to pop up on retirement bucket list trips every year. Consulting the pros, we've selected five epic voyages to kick start your retirement in style. Start saving now! 1. The expedition cruise Expand Close A glimpse of Ushuaia, Argentina / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A glimpse of Ushuaia, Argentina John Galligan Travel has carved out a niche with mature clients, offering high-end adventures for time-rich travellers. "Our 'Bucket List' programme is designed specifically for people celebrating a big event in their lives, like a significant anniversary or special birthdays, and many of those are retirements," John says. He recommends drawing up a shortlist of places of interest before booking anything, then discussing the pros and cons. Years of experience show that off-the-beaten-track destinations book out fast, and he recommends pricing a trip now, to gauge expected costs, even if you don't plan on travelling for a few years. The trip: Luxury Antarctica Expedition Taking in 11 ports and three countries, this 20-night expedition includes 16 luxurious nights aboard Silversea's Silver Cloud Expedition with a balcony suite, taking in Argentina, Chile and the Falklands before hitting Antarctica. With a night in Buenos Aires and one in Santiago, the ship - which got a much-needed makeover in November 2017 - will take you to some of the most remote and beautiful parts of the world, including three extraordinary Falkland Islands. Icy Elephant Island, Antarctic Sound, Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands all offer up incredible wildlife sightings, including penguins, whales, seals and seabirds. Last port is Ushuaia on the tip of Argentina, before flying to Chile's exciting capital for a final night. Best for: Wildlife fans who don't mind long days at sea. Cost: 11,250pps (equivalent to saving 625 per month over three years, based on two sharing). Flights, balcony cabin, on-board fine dining, beverages, gratuities, guided Zodiac cruises, land and sea tours are all included in the price. Book: (01) 207 6555; jgt.ie. Read More 2. The luxury safari Expand Close Into the wild: A luxe tent room on safari in Tanzania / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Into the wild: A luxe tent room on safari in Tanzania Liane Goldring of Mahlatini Luxury Travel believes safari is the perfect bucket list experience as it offers such a unique and different holiday. "Being on safari allows you to re-connect with nature and yourself on a level most people have never experienced," she says. "It is simply life-affirming, even life-changing!" Liane recommends planning well in advance, as most safari camps and lodges are small and those in the best locations get booked up quickly (you'll need to get your visas and vaccinations sorted too). "Always get help from an expert to help you plan things," she says. "The best safari experts have been to and experienced all the destinations they offer and are best placed to guide you on where and when to travel to make sure you get the most from your journey." The trip: Highlights of Northern Tanzania An 11-night trip taking in the best of Tanzania, including the celebrated Serengeti, you'll fly from Dublin to Kilimanjaro before staying in some of Africa's most famous game reserves. Accommodation is a mix of luxury vintage safari tents (think Out of Africa) and cottages - on a working farm close to the iconic Ngorongoro Crater - and transfers include the romance of light aircraft. The wildlife will thrill you, with each game drive offering a new experience. Your trip ends in the Serengeti, in a luxury, mobile camp that relocates throughout the year to maximise game viewing. Best for: Animal lovers who like their creature comforts. Cost: From 9,610pps (or 534 per month if you save over three years, based on two sharing). All flights, transfers, scheduled safari activities, meals and beverages at all-inclusive properties are included. Book it: (01) 906 1883; mahlatini.com Read More 3. The iconic train journey Expand Close Gold Class on the Golden Eagle Luxury Train / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gold Class on the Golden Eagle Luxury Train Golden Eagle Luxury Trains are experts on epic rail trips, specialising in long-distance journeys to some of the world's most remote and captivating destinations. "Typically two to three weeks in length, they're often very difficult to access independently," explains marketing manager Natasha Baker. "The iconic Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express from Moscow to Vladivostok (or vice versa) is one of our most popular trips," she adds, as it appeals "to time-rich adventurers, looking to explore new destinations in comfort and style. Book far in advance, however, as many departures only happen once or twice a year. "Certain tours can sell out six to nine months in advance, with our highest suite categories often selling out 12-18 months ahead." The trip: Persia and The Silk Road On a 16-day rail journey aboard the elegant Golden Eagle train, you'll traverse Central Asia and Iran, following an ancient trade route while enjoying a cinematic window on this remote part of the world. The adventure begins in cosmopolitan Almaty, where the Golden Eagle train will whisk you westwards across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Highlights include exotic Samarkand, ancient trade hubs and the 'Las Vegas of the Kara Kum.' Passing into Iran, you'll visit Mashhad and the Shahdad Desert, before time in Shiraz and two nights in thrilling Tehran. Best for: Culturally curious lovers of train travel. Cost: From 17,646pps (or 980 savings per month over five years, based on two sharing), including three nights' hotel stays, 12 nights on the Golden Eagle in Silver Class, all meals, drinks, guided off-train excursions, transfers and gratuities. Flights are extra. Book: +44 (161) 928 941; goldeneagleluxurytrains.com Read More 4. The Asian odyssey Expand Close A bronze lion standing guard at Forbidden City, Beijing / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A bronze lion standing guard at Forbidden City, Beijing "The Far East might be better known as a backpacker, island-hopping destination but also holds appeal for retirees," explains Tanya Airey, MD of Sunway - voted Ireland's Favourite Travel Agent in our Reader Travel Awards 2019. "Four- and five-star hotels are much less expensive than in Europe and the US and the service is unbeatable. Reaching a 'certain age' is respected and revered there too!" Tanya advises booking at least 10 months prior to travel dates to get the best deals and options. Check prices and deals now to budget and allow for a 10-15pc change. Sunway operates a payment plan so you can pay your deposit on booking and make regular payments to spread the cost. "You can decide the number of months or weeks you want to spread payments over and budget accordingly," says Tanya. The trip: Five-star China A luxury, 14-night all-inclusive trip to China that showcases the best of this ancient powerhouse. From vibrant Shanghai to a relaxing four-night river cruise along the mighty Yangtze, you'll experience the joys of urban and rural China. China's Panda Conservation Centre, a trip on the bullet train and The Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses are all highlights. Last stop is bustling Beijing, with trips to Tiananmen Square, the magnificent Forbidden City, Summer Palace and the Great Wall of China. Best for: Active retirees with a passion for adventure. Cost: From 3,690pp (or a saving of 205 per month over three years, based on two sharing). Flights, accommodation, meals, sightseeing, transfers, guides and visa fees included. Book: (01) 231-1800; sunway.ie 5. The epic road trip Expand Close Queenstown Airport, New Zealand. Photo: Deposit / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Queenstown Airport, New Zealand. Photo: Deposit A land of alpine peaks, glacial lakes, deserted beaches, vast national parks, sublime forests and cosmopolitan cities, New Zealand is a sight for sore eyes and the ultimate reward for flying halfway around the world. Given the length of the flight, it makes sense to stay for at least two weeks to explore the beauty and diversity of the North and South Islands. The pace of life is relaxed and a carefully planned road trip offers a memorable bucket list journey, surrounded by magnificent scenery. Add in luxury accommodation, and everyone from outdoors enthusiasts and nature fans to wine lovers and keen drivers will treasure the experience. The trip: Ultimate New Zealand self-drive A relaxing 21-night self-drive trip that takes you to many of the country's most celebrated destinations, this holiday could see you traverse the North and South islands, discovering startling scenery and culture en route. Starting in Auckland and ending in Queenstown, the itinerary takes in coastal cities, geothermal landscapes and sparkling lakes, stopping off in luxurious and unique properties along the way. From country estates to stylish lodges, the resort stays along the way are chic, luxurious and laidback. There's plenty of downtime and days off from driving, including an overnight cruise through Doubtful Sound. Highlights include Rotorua's unique geothermal activity, Napier's natural beauty, Wellington's beachside charm and the wineries of Marlborough. Best for: Drivers looking for a structured trip, but with plenty of room to explore by themselves. Cost: 21 nights from 19,289pp (or saving of 1,072 per month over three years, based on two sharing) including international business class flights, 4WD car hire, internal transfers and flights, luxury accommodation, many meals and adventures including a flight over the Kaikoura Peninsula, dolphin cruise at Marlborough Sounds and a Taste Marlborough tour. Book: (01) 664 9930; newzealandsky.ie Top Tips Bucket list holidays are expensive. Start saving in a dedicated account, and shop around to get an idea of itineraries and prices. Book with a licensed and bonded travel agent to make sure your trip is protected. NB: All prices subject to availability. Savings figures based on 2019 prices, which are likely to rise over time. Ireland is a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ travellers. With a gay Taoiseach, as the world's first country to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote, that's the narrative, anyway. But is it the reality? I called Eddie McGuinness, Dublin Pride festival manager and director of The Outing music and matchmaking festival, and Lisa Connell of GCN (Gay Community News), to talk about Ireland as a LGBTQ+ tourism destination. Here's what I learned. 1. We're safe. Relatively. Compared to Brunei, where gay sex is punishable by stoning to death, or places like Dubai and Malaysia, where homosexuality is illegal, Ireland is generally regarded as a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ travellers. "Ireland has a lot to offer," says Eddie. "We're on the cusp of breaking through as a destination." 2. But we have more to do. "We're not home and dry yet," Lisa says. She points to sexual health, family rights, to stubbornly persistent stigmas that still see LGBTQ+ people "being othered" in Irish school yards and society, and to higher rates of mental health issues and addiction in their community. Experiences and attitudes differ across Ireland's urban/rural gap, too. 3. We need to 'visualise'. Ireland is increasingly diverse, but our language and imagery revolves around white, heterosexual couples. "That's grand," as Lisa puts it, "but there are other types." Expand Close Eddie McGuinness at The Outing Music & Matchmaking Festival. Photo by Eamon Ward / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eddie McGuinness at The Outing Music & Matchmaking Festival. Photo by Eamon Ward She and Eddie would like to see more of us challenge the idea of what an Irish person is. Do we make everybody feel represented in marketing posters or wedding brochures? In a travel feature on activities or romantic breaks, say, do I include a photo of LGBTQ+ family or couple? Being more thoughtful about the words and images we use can help "better represent who and what we are, without losing our identity," Eddie says. 4. There's more to gay tourism than Pride. Studies show that LGBTQ+ travellers are high-spending, yet Failte Ireland has no specific research on, and Tourism Ireland is not actively marketing to, the sector (the latter has a task force looking at how to attract LGBTQ+ visitors). Compare destinations like Britain, Amsterdam or Illinois, which pro-actively market themselves as LGBTQ+-friendly. "We are safe and accepting," Eddie says. "But the difference is we don't tell people that we are." 5. We all play a role. I grew up in an Ireland where homosexuality was illegal. I've seen amazing change since then, but I know that as an editor, a dad and a citizen, I carry unconscious biases and need to keep learning. Our tourism sector does too - from frontline staff to marketers and policymakers. "We have the cead mile failte," as Eddie says. "But it's how we get that message across." Read more: Irish neutrality in World War Two was a most extraordinary thing. The first RAF bomber pilot to be shot down and killed in 1939 was Willie Murphy from Cork. His navigator, Larry Slattery, from Thurles, became the longest-serving 'British' POW of the war. The co-pilot of the last RAF bomber to be shot down over Germany, in May 1945, Sgt W Mackay, who was killed, was Irish too. In all, some 250 men from neutral independent Ireland died with RAF Bomber Command, compared with 218 Frenchmen, 136 Czechs and 34 Norwegians, all of whose countries were at war. Nearly 27pc of Irishmen in the British army were made NCOs: a higher percentage than of English soldiers. For every 10,000 Irishmen in the British army, 28 joined the SAS: the overall average was six. At least 11 Irishmen serving with Special Forces were executed by the Nazis. From the liberation of Sicily in 1943 to the defeat of Germany, more than 800 soldiers from neutral Ireland were killed. In 1944 alone, from North and South, some 1,900 Irishmen were killed in action: over five a day. And 16pc of all British military nurses killed in the war were Irish. These are key facts about the Irish involvement in the Allied cause during the war. I could find not one of them in Dark Times, Decent Men. That said, the author has revealed many new stories which will interest the general reader, especially about the largely unexplored Irish-American experience. However, this curiously patchy work makes no apparent mention of the vital statistical analysis done by Yvonne McEwen in Edinburgh University. Thus, the author puts the Irish death toll at 7,500: she has counted nearly 10,000. Nor did the author contact Richard Doherty, who has written several vital books on the Irish and the war. No wonder there are so many spectacular omissions: none of the executed Irish -- Farrell in Norway, Wallace in Bordeaux, and the half-dozen SAS men in Normandy in 1944 -- are mentioned. The legendary Redmond Cunningham is mentioned for his two MCs (Military Crosses) -- but not for his Belgian Croix de Guerre, awarded for his heroism in the bloody aftermath of a V2 strike on Antwerp that killed 126 people and injured him; yet despite his wounds, he remained toiling in the shambles until the last casualty was evacuated. Another southern Irish Catholic hero, William Sheil, a lieutenant in 1940, a one-star general in 1945 with a DSO and bar, is completely overlooked. Lance Corporal Kenneally VC is yet again credited with being Irish, although he was a Birmingham Jew serving under an alias. Yes, there are some interesting personal stories here, but so much is missing. The book has been poorly edited: hence we read on page 185 of "Marshal law", with elsewhere clunky prose abounding. "Then, in 1943 -- due to the fact that the Royal Navy had plenty of men, whereas the British army had a demand for more troops -- Sam volunteered to transfer over to the army in Worchester (sic) (he was one of the many to do so at the time)." We read that Olive Kennington came from Piltown, Co Kilkenny. Ten lines later: "Olive inherited a farm in her native Waterford." I don't know how many times I encountered "sadly, he died": but this was trumped by Eugene Esmonde "dying in an attempt to stop the enemy warships", for which he was given the VC: "but sadly, Eugene's was awarded posthumously". Well, it would be, wouldn't it? (In 1980, the legendary Luftwaffe ace Adolf Galland told me that Esmonde's attempt to sink the German battle-cruisers, the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, was the bravest deed he'd ever seen. A single phone call to this reviewer could have revealed this, and indeed so much more). Vast amounts of vital space are wasted on the author's attempts to describe the broader strategic background, and even more bizarrely, on events long after the war. The most perplexing occurs in the 1980s, when Gerard McDonnell, the IRA son of one war veteran, "began operating in England but was then arrested in Glasgow on June 24, 1985, (only weeks after his mother's funeral, which he also missed)". What a bathetic conflation of geographical imprecision and irrelevant non-sequiturs, crowned with that revoltingly coy euphemism -- "operating" -- to describe the terrorist activities of a member of the organisation that, after all, gave us the Enniskillen Remembrance Sunday massacre. Dark Times, Decent Men needed far more diligent research and editing: the pictures, however, are excellent. People planning to buy a home have every right to feel furious about the activities of cuckoo funds snapping new developments en masse. And the controversy has the potential to become a new scandal to match the mess created by the tracker theft debacle. Having done all the right things, potential new buyers are now finding themselves shut out of the market by cash-rich institutional investors snapping up whole blocks of housing units. These are the young, and not so young, buyers who have been struggling to save a deposit with rents at wallet-sapping levels. Some buyers have had their deposits handed back to them as institutional investors buying in bulk are a more attractive proposition for developers. Those saving for a deposit may have had to move a number of times, as renting is a precarious business in this country. Some will have been forced to move back in with their parents to help them save. Strict Central Bank lending rules are already restricting what they can borrow. Then just when housing supply starts to pick up, they find they are being elbowed out of the market by big funds buying 150 to 200 units at a time, before the builder has even finished constructing them. These lightly taxed big buyers then plan to rent them back to people at sky-high rates. Hardly a situation that suits anyone, apart from those who have put money into the funds. It is a mess, and Fine Gael will reap the wrath of voters in the local elections over it. Having invited big funds in here to help restore our broken housing market, the mega investors are now a major problem. No wonder the United Nations special rapporteur on housing wrote to the Government recently complaining about preferential tax laws for large investors in housing here, and complained about the "financialisation of housing". Cuckoo funds are effectively telling hard-working families trying to buy their own homes: go off and rent somewhere else as I want this nest, and I am getting it at a knock-down price and will pay little tax on it. The funds are snapping up thousands of homes, yet they pay no corporation tax, no income tax and no capital gains tax. Both Tanaiste Simon Coveney and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe found themselves being forced to defend the funds this week. They claim many apartment and housing units would not be built without the cash these funds are bringing to the market. Mr Donohoe said only a small number of housing units are being bought by investor funds. All of this forced Fine Gael to insist it is on the side of homebuyers, something which should be taken as a given for a party like it. Now the Government has been bounced into saying it is considering putting more tax on cuckoo funds as the heat from the housing crisis threatens to burn it up. And so it should. Why should a big fund, which already has an advantage as it is cash-rich and buying in bulk, also enjoy what the UN called "preferential tax laws"? The Government will have to bite the bullet and consider levelling the playing field for first-time buyers. There are any number of tax actions it could take. It could increase the stamp duty on commercial residential block purchases, or apply an increased property levy or registration charges to large block landlords. Alternatively, it could introduce fiscal measures to encourage cuckoo funds, such as real estate investment trusts (Reits), to sell early to individual buyers. One way or the other, the Government needs to act on cuckoo funds. It will find itself shoved out of its "nest" in Government Buildings if it does not. Life comes at us fast. One minute you're a "beacon to the world", the next you're the centre of "absolute madness". The visit of Nancy Pelosi to Derry this week highlighted the remarkable distance this island has travelled in 21 years. The back-slapping romanticised a coming of age that is far from complete. Then came the bang. A moment that buried all the nice words and routine warnings about not taking peace for granted. Lyra McKee, a self-styled 'ceasefire baby', wrote in her first book that her homeland often seemed like a "piece of rock that many on mainland UK seem to forget exists". Today, Northern Ireland is back making international headlines. It is portrayed, not as the story of hope our American visitors came to see, but a testament of terror. In her writings, Ms McKee talked about a phenomenon known as "intergeneration transmission of trauma". This is the idea that while the 'Good Friday generation' saw little of bullets, they live with the wounds left behind. It's understandable that parents may struggle to paint a full picture of what life was like during the Troubles. Even that phrase, 'the Troubles', doesn't do justice to what was decades of violence, imprisonment, fear and the near constant loss of life. But there is a key difference now. Whereas people in the 1970s and 1980s were often powerless to change things, they no longer are. Expand Close Journalist Lyra McKee. Picture: Jess Lowe / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Journalist Lyra McKee. Picture: Jess Lowe The Good Friday Agreement gave two communities power-sharing in Stormont. Read More During her Dail speech, Ms Pelosi enthused about how the accord had heralded the "miracle of a new peace" and also "political stability". And that's where we are vulnerable of accepting things are simply better than before, even if they are not as good as they should be. The idea that Northern Ireland has 'political stability' is simply wrong. The reality is that politicians on both sides of a widening sectarian divide are guilty of creating a dangerous and needless vacuum. Since March 2017, Sinn Fein and the DUP have battled for the airwaves in a blame game over why the assembly can't be re-established. The central role taken by the DUP in Westminster throughout the hostile Brexit debate hasn't helped the situation - but perhaps it's time for them to put the people first. I recently found myself in a debate, bordering on argument, with a friend from Derry over why people in Northern Ireland vote for parties on the extreme ends of republicanism and unionism. As someone who never crossed the Border before the Good Friday Agreement, ultimately I had to accept a version of 'you had to be there to understand'. But what none of us should accept is that Northern Ireland is allowed to drift back toward violence. Abandoned by its politicians for 824 days. A recent Brexit-related study by two Unesco committee chairs warned that young people in Northern Ireland will be "groomed into violent activity" if a hard Border re-emerges. It seems to be happening already. Professors Mark Brennan and Pat Dolan pointed towards a different symptom of people not talking about the true horrors of war. They warned that a "critical part of preventing violent extremism" involves community leaders talking about the past. However, in some areas of the North "those community leaders are the ones who are involved in the radicalisation of the youth, an issue that has to be tackled as a matter of urgency". The main parties, including Sinn Fein and the DUP, yesterday issued a rare joint statement calling for "calm heads" and "rejecting those responsible for this heinous" murder of Lyra McKee. They are right to say "calm heads" are needed - but they are needed in Stormont more than anywhere. On Good Friday, we awoke to the kind of news that was commonplace during the Troubles. We went to bed to reports of rioting in Derry, and breakfast bulletins the next morning carried details about sudden, violent death. A young journalist was the victim, sacrificed to a credo hostile to the Good Friday Agreement - regarded by dissidents as selling out republican ideals. The pattern was depressingly familiar, though we hoped it was consigned to a bin marked 'horrible 20th-century history'. A PSNI sweep for weapons led to disturbances, probably orchestrated: petrol bombs thrown, vehicles hijacked and burned out, attacks on police transport - and gunfire. When guns enter the frame, innocent people tend to die. Lyra McKee was 29 with a bright future ahead of her. Instead, all that promise bled away, her death emphasising the fragility of peace. During rioting in the Creggan area, two masked gunmen ignored the presence of locals, young and old, and fired in flagrant fashion towards the police line. Within seconds, a Belfast woman lay dying. Gunfire was still heard as friends tried to pull her to shelter. We don't know what exactly the gunmen hoped to achieve. It seems unlikely that a bystander's death was the aim. But regardless, their actions were anti-peace, anti-democracy and anti-progress. Derry's sense of anger, frustration and anxiety at this development is shared throughout the country. Just as all of Ireland has benefited from the peace process, so all of Ireland is threatened when it is undermined. Remember Bill Clinton's eulogy at Martin McGuinness's funeral? The former US president said the IRA leader turned peacemaker had expanded the definition of 'us' and shrunk the definition of 'them'. Those reckless men in his home city seeking to undermine Mr McGuinness's work, and the efforts of many other contributors to the peace process, see only 'them' - get in their way and expect to be treated as roadkill. Mr McGuinness had a firm grip on Derry; his death has left a vacuum which dissidents are trying to fill. But they are not representative of the community. They do not have the support of the people. They are dinosaurs and extinction is their inevitable fate. All the same, they can cause turmoil before that happens. Expand Close Journalist Lyra McKee. Picture: Jess Lowe / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Journalist Lyra McKee. Picture: Jess Lowe The Good Friday Agreement has saved a great number of lives in the past two decades. But not Ms McKee's. Hers was a stolen life. Just eight years old when the pact was signed, she should have flourished in the post-Troubles landscape. Indeed, she was blossoming, with a productive career and an encouraging future ahead. Bullets put paid to that. Read More The violence was co-ordinated by the New IRA, formed in 2012 when a number of dissident republican organisations combined forces. It is believed to be the largest dissident grouping and includes Real IRA members. Police appear to have received intelligence regarding activities planned over Easter weekend. Perhaps Easter was the reason why something was afoot - it is a resonant time of year in republican iconography, although it is possible to commemorate the sacrifices of a previous generation without wishing to add to the death count. Maybe the presence of Nancy Pelosi and the US delegation from Congress was a factor, offering the prospect of US publicity. And possibly Brexit played a part. But no one can claim Ms McKee's death as a bolt from the blue. For some time, threat levels have been elevated in the North. Police chiefs have issued blunt warnings - but ears have been blocked because nobody wants to believe the return of violence. The evidence has been plain to see, however. That car bomb in Derry three months ago was New IRA handiwork. The recent acts of terror were proof of febrile conditions stirring in the North, and they continue to ferment. The times are volatile thanks to Brexit. On Thursday night, the PSNI took pre-emptive action and embarked on a large-scale operation, searching houses for weapons, with army technical officers on the scene. Replace PSNI with RUC and that's a sentence which could be from 30 or 40 years ago. But the difference today is the people are not on the side of paramilitaries. Violence has been rejected. Political leaders from across the spectrum are united in condemning the shooting. Significantly, Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O'Neill referred to Ms McKee's death as murder and called it "an attack on our peace process" as she unreservedly denounced it. Echoing her, party leader Mary Lou McDonald asked people with information to go to the police. This can offer no comfort to the partner, relatives and friends of the dead woman, but it does signal a shift compared to the Troubles years when no one would have been advised by Sinn Fein to co-operate with the police. Real progress has been made. On the same day as the shooting, Speaker Pelosi and her Democrat colleague Richard Neal spoke at the Donegal-Derry Border about the dark days of the Troubles - Congressman Neal citing his experience of an army checkpoint. Even then, a few hours before Ms McKee breathed her last, it seemed as if he was describing a scene from a distant era. But the weapon used to shoot the young woman had been sourced already and was primed for use. Perversely, those engaging in violence in Derry have something in common with Jacob Rees-Mogg and other hardline Brexiteers who met Speaker Pelosi in London this week. Both dissidents and Brexiteer ultras are alike in caring nothing for the Good Friday Agreement. They place no value on the peace it has delivered. However, Speaker Pelosi spoke up for the accord, at the London School of Economics, where she described it as "an ideal, it's a value, it's something that's a model to the world, something that we all take pride in" and warned it could not be "bargained away in another agreement". As in Leinster House later, she said any weakening of the Good Friday Agreement would derail the hoped-for US-UK trade agreement. Trade is one thing, but life and death is another matter altogether. Our peace isn't only about prosperity but the right to live in a safe environment. In the most macabre of ways, Lyra McKee's killing marks the 21st anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement - her death should serve as a catalyst to fill the North's political void. Because that cavity allows dissidents to thrive. The utterly senseless murder of Lyra McKee, a young talented journalist who was just doing her job, is another depressing milestone in the history of Northern Ireland. In this divided place where symbolism means a lot to the two sectarian tribes who dominate the stultified political landscape, this horrific outrage is even more poignant as it happened on the eve of Good Friday, a day synonymous with hope and peace. It serves as a reminder that 21 years after that historical watershed, the toxic hatred which drove the Troubles still courses through the bloodstream. Lyra, an immensely talented, award-winning journalist, characterised the vibrant, hopeful generation that grew up in the post-conflict era. Having grown up in Belfast, just off the area once known at the height of the Troubles as the 'Murder Mile', she was drawn in her work to making sense of the dark past for her generation. According to her publishing agents, Lyra was focused in her work on the "indirect ways violence of war plays out, through its secondary waves of victims". How sickening it is to think this young woman has become a victim of that which she sought to elucidate for the betterment of her society. We in the media profession in Ireland have now witnessed a third colleague murdered for doing their jobs. Her name joins those of Veronica Guerin and Martin O'Hagan, who were targeted by organised criminals and terrorists. While the whole world is united in its revulsion at this outrage, a statement issued yesterday by Saoradh, the so-called political wing of those responsible, the New IRA, was not only deeply insulting to every right-thinking human being but illustrative of their twisted minds. The delusional monsters attempted to diminish their culpability for the murder as if it was an accident and tried to lay the blame "squarely at the feet of the British crown forces, who sought to grab headlines and engineered confrontation with the community". Then this classic example of detached reality continued: "During this attack on the community, a Republican volunteer attempted to defend people from the PSNI/RUC. "Tragically a young journalist covering the events, Lyra McKee, was killed accidentally while standing behind armed crown force personnel and armoured vehicles." The words are redolent of the type of statements issued throughout the Troubles by the Provos and UVF following similar needless atrocities. The truth is a gifted, caring human was trampled under the jackboot of a toxic criminal organisation whose soldiers are no more than the detritus produced during 40 years of violent Republicanism. They call themselves the New IRA, an updated version of the Provisional IRA, the IRA, the Continuity IRA, the Real IRA but, whatever titles they give themselves, they are the latest in a long line of criminal psychopaths looking for an excuse to cause mayhem and devastation. Lyra's dead. Lyra's dead. Lyra's dead. That's not true. Lyra isn't dead. I spoke to her on the phone a few hours ago. My brilliant, beautiful friend with the biggest heart and soul of anybody I know is brimming with life. She's not lying on a road in Derry with a bullet in the head. She's just moved there for God's sake. Lyra's not dead, don't be silly. She's addressing an Amnesty International event in a fortnight about journalist Marie Colvin who was killed in Syria. And she's heading to New York after that. She's never been there before. She's so excited. She doesn't have the money to stay in a hotel in Manhattan but she doesn't care. She's renting an Airbnb in Queens and she can't wait. She's going to propose to her girlfriend Sara. She's bought the ring. Lyra's trending on Twitter. There are hundreds of thousands of people talking about her, condemning her killing. There are statements from the British prime minister, the Taoiseach and President Michael D Higgins. There are vigils for her in Belfast, Derry and Dublin. Lyra's not dead because she has a book to finish, 'Lost Boys'. It's about children who disappeared during the Troubles. Children whose stories nobody else has bothered to investigate. But Lyra's doing it because Lyra cares. She's not interested in money or glory or any of the trappings of conventional success. A rarity in the world of journalism, she is totally without ego. It's always about the story - first, middle, and last. Lyra McKee came into my life five years ago. I was meeting Carrie Twomey, wife of ex-IRA prisoner Anthony McIntyre, for coffee and Carrie invited her. I was annoyed. This cynical old hack didn't want anybody else, especially a cub reporter, tagging along. That feeling didn't last long. Lyra and I became the best of friends. Her empathy, wit, curiosity, and compassion just blew me away. When people die, those who know them, and those who don't, always say nice things. In Lyra's case, there is no need to invent or exaggerate anything. We only need tell the truth. Lyra was 29 years old, but she looked 12. She was regularly asked for ID when she went to pubs. She grew up in working-class, nationalist north Belfast. At school, she was the gauche, gay, nerdy kid. She was bullied. That made her instinctively always side with the underdog. She challenged a chain coffee shop for its treatment of a homeless man and took an online punishment beating from thousands of its customers. She loathed the journalist and blogging in-crowd. She found them cliquey, smug and self-important. She chose to chart her own independent course. Lyra had brains to burn. She had signed a two-book deal with Faber but you'd never have guessed it. Her unassuming appearance belied a fierce intellect which she wore so lightly. She was a proud LGBT and social justice campaigner but she had Christian fundamentalist, Orange Order and Tory friends. She related to people, not the labels we put on them. In her journalism, I'd constantly advise her that she was spending far too long on research with interviewees which didn't make sense financially or professionally. She never listened because it was talking to people, creating connections, that made Lyra tick. And those who mourn her come from right across the political spectrum - ex-loyalist and republican paramilitaries, victims, police officers. She didn't discard anyone after a story, a friendship was maintained. The Facebook message at 1.15am on Thursday, when most sensible people were asleep, was typical. "RING ME," Lyra, a fellow night owl, wrote in capital letters. We were on the phone for two hours but it seemed like two minutes. Because Lyra loved the world. And she brought passion and zest to everything. She was also excited about making headway investigating reports that a Northern Ireland journalist had been arrested and questioned about the murder of an RUC man during the Troubles. There was lots happening in her personal life too. She had just moved from Belfast to live with her girlfriend of the past year, Sara Canning. She was planning a Donegal wedding. She told me how much she loved Derry. It was more authentic and raw than Belfast, she enthused. People took to the streets or occupied a building in peaceful protest at an injustice. We argued over the level of support for dissident republicans there. I thought it was significant and growing; she insisted it wasn't. We chewed the fat over the coming council elections. Later that night, I followed the street violence in Derry on social media. I watched a video where a woman screams after dissident republicans open fire, and another where the person hit is lying on the ground. Just after 1am, the BBC's Darragh MacIntyre rang to tell me it was Lyra. She had gone to observe the trouble in preparation for her Amnesty address. I didn't really believe him. I still don't. I never told you that I loved you, Lyra. I'm old school about things like that, but I want to tell you now. The world will be a far, far darker place without you in it. The New IRA is assessed by Garda intelligence and the PSNI as posing the biggest terrorist threat on the island of Ireland since the Provisional IRA. The group, which has around 50 activists and another 200 logistical supporters operating on this side of the Border, has a stronghold in Derry. The New IRA was formed in 2012, following an alliance of former factions of the Real IRA, the Derry-based Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD), and republicans elsewhere who had largely remained unaligned up to then because of the level of infiltration by gardai and the PSNI of the existing dissident groups. The Real IRA had been highly active in the Derry-Donegal region and had formed links with the organisation's section in Dublin when it was led by Alan Ryan. Ryan's murder was followed by a shake-up in the Real IRA in the capital and the reformed group taken under the control of Tallaght-based Kevin Braney before it merged into the New IRA. A murder sentence of life imprisonment, imposed on Braney by the Special Criminal Court in February, dealt a major blow to the New IRA as he had been regarded by anti-terrorist officers as its most important figure on this side of the Border. Most of its terrorist members here are located in the Border counties and in Dublin, with a smaller grouping in Cork. They are mainly involved in providing logistical support for active units involved in terrorist attacks in the North, supplying explosives and arms as well as vehicles and safe houses while also raising funds through robberies and extortion. The New IRA is also assessed to be more advanced technologically in developing explosive devices than any of the other IRA renegade groups and has become more skilled at counter-surveillance as a result of undergoing training in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and, possibly, Poland. Since the start of the year the terror group has been planning to exploit the possibility of a hard Brexit by stepping up its campaign in Northern Ireland, with particular focus on security targets. The group was responsible for the murder of prison officer David Black, who was shot dead as he drove to work at Maghaberry Prison in 2012. It was also blamed for the death of prison officer Adrian Ismay, after a bomb exploded under his van outside his home in Belfast in 2016, and another under-car bomb victim, Constable Ronan Kerr at his home in Omagh in 2011. Some of its members were also linked to the murders of off-duty British soldiers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar as they took delivery of a pizza outside Massereene barracks in Antrim. Last January the terrorists planted a car bomb outside a courthouse in the centre of Derry city. The threat level from the dissidents in Northern Ireland is currently put at severe, which is the second-highest level. FIANNA Fail is in the unenviable position where it has no option but to come up with strong and humane policies to deal with the aftermath of Fine Gael's annihilation of rural Ireland. Failure to do so will be ample evidence it is no different to Fine Gael. Since 2011, Fine Gael with great glee followed the Troika's directions to the letter when it came to imposing austerity on those least able for it. It ignored the Troika's demands for reform of the legal services, as it continues to ignore the increasing rate of fraudulent insurance claims being thrown out by judges. First, we had finance minister Michael Noonan extolling the virtues of overseas "vulture funds" buying up Irish properties; today his successor in finance, Paschal Donohoe, is extolling the tax-minimising "cuckoo funds", pricing Irish people out of the housing market. This is happening as the Republic of Ireland is commemorating the centenary years of gaining independence from the British. I challenge Fianna Fail to provide a strategic housing policy for the nation, along with a health policy that will reduce delays. In regard to housing, there is already a system available to every county council since the 1960s whereby the council develops the sites, the purchaser builds a house to their own design. The State provides the initial funds for purchase and development of the land; whilst housing loans are available from the Department of Local Government via councils. Alas, in Irish politics in the 21st century, the past is forgotten, and highly paid consultants - who, as James Joyce wrote of Queen Victoria in 'Ulysses', "are not worth a roasted fart to Ireland" - have the ears and minds of governments. Micheal Martin should study Machiavelli's 'The Prince' and, in particular, heed the advice to the new prince in his first 100 days of government. Direct action. So Micheal Martin, will you take action, or provide lame excuses for inaction? Declan Foley Berwick, Australia You could always bank on Maurice to word it right PERHAPS a tiny, but significant in its own way, achievement of Maurice O'Connell, the former governor of our Central Bank who passed on recently, ought to be on the public record. It concerns the BCE on our ECB (European Central Bank) euro notes. Maurice once explained its origin as we bantered during our weekly walks in recent decades. As the sole speaker of English as a first language at ECB meetings, he was much relied on to ensure that English versions of ECB statements were worded correctly. Being an outstanding product of Greek and Latin studies - his MA thesis, a copy of which he got me to peruse recently, was about the influence of both languages on the Irish words that were used around the arrival of Christianity in Ireland - he always enjoyed such tasks, including for budget and bank statements. As three-word acronyms for the list of member central banks were being devised for the euro notes, his colleagues automatically favoured CBI for Central Bank of Ireland. Maurice insisted, despite much resistance, on our Irish acronym being BCE, for Banc Ceannais Eireann. The Kerryman also enjoyed the fact that put little Ireland first on the list. Joe Foyle Ranelagh, Dublin Impact of homelessness on today's children is dire WHILE reading Anthony McGeough's letter (Irish Independent, April 19) on the mother and baby homes scandal in which he asserts "that the Church, and the Church alone, was responsible for those atrocities", I wondered who will he blame for the atrocities being perpetrated today on children as described in Laura Lynott's harrowing piece, 'It's like living in a prison' - homeless mum staying in family hub with kids' (Irish Independent, April 19)? Jim O'Sullivan Rathedmond, Sligo Shame over abuse of the past rests with the Church WHAT an excellent letter by Anthony McGeough. In the mid-1980s, I knew several unfortunate young Irish ladies in their early 20s who came to London for abortions who were absolutely terrified of their local priests back home finding out. Terrified, too, of voicing a political opinion different from that foisted on them by the Catholic Church. I found it incredulous this was the reality in Ireland. Since then, the Emerald Island has had a seismic change of Biblical proportions (no pun intended) with the youth, people and future of Ireland forever free of the shackles of a ruthless, backward, soul-destroying doctrine imposed by Godless priests for their own self-serving agenda. Ireland, today, is a leader of religious and political freedom, a nation to be proud of. The shame of abuse of the past with its countless victims - in the name of God - lies squarely, with the Vatican. Dominic Shelmerdine London, UK The economic 'sweet spot' leaves sour taste for many I write regarding the article 'Booming economy sees incomes soar to record levels; wages hit record high in economic 'sweet spot'' (Irish Independent, April 17). This country is not an "economic sweet spot" for many people. For one thing, we still have at least 211,000 human beings who are fully unemployed in this country (neither the Central Statistics Office nor the media seem willing to tell the truth about the real level of unemployment in this country). Why are all these people being ignored by Government and the media? Especially given the current skills shortage? Secondly, there are currently in excess of 10,000 people who are homeless in this country. At least some of them are currently in employment. In addition to these people, there are many other "working poor" who are having serious difficulty paying their rent or mortgage and are in imminent danger of becoming homeless. Thirdly, there are (approximately) 500 people on hospital trolleys, on every single day in this country. There are also many people in desperate need of drugs and/or other medical treatment, which they can't afford and which the current Government is unwilling to provide, either directly or through reimbursement. Where, I ask you, is this fabled "economic sweet spot"? Tim Buckley White Street, Cork City Scourge of Islamophobia is a challenge to us all NOTRE-DAME Cathedral in the heart of Paris is an iconic treasure, a national and historic landmark and a magnet for tourists. The feeling of bereavement and loss among those worshippers who are connected to the spirit of basilicas, cathedrals and churches the world over is also palpable. What is also heart-wrenching is the connection being made between this blaze and the September 11 attacks, and others who rush to blame extremists. Christians were/are integral parts of Islamic societies. And Islam and Muslims cherish Jesus and the Virgin Mary as the greatest messengers to humanity. It is sad that Islamophobia remains a mysterious and enigmatic phenomenon, alive and kicking in today's world, and that it still remains a challenge for all of us. It is a wake-up call for mainstream media outlets, intellectuals, politicians, pundits and think-tanks to pool resources and stop the vilification, marginalisation and apathy towards Muslims before we slip towards social discord, religious and cultural fragmentation. Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob London, UK Census discrimination is a gross insult to adoptees I NOTICED online that the next census will take place in 2021. My experience of the last census was upsetting as an adopted person. There was a question that asked how many children did you give birth to? There was no question that asked how many children did you adopt? Therefore my adoptive mother could not acknowledge my existence. Yet there I was in Dublin filling out the form detailing my life and birth. Having checked online, I see that question has not been altered in any way for the census that will take place in 2021. Some 100,000 adoptees face a level of discrimination that is very hard to stomach in modern Ireland and that has to change. Noelle Brown Adoption Rights Activist, Terenure, Dublin It's put Dublin on the business map, with City of London traders asking themselves "Frankfurt, Dublin or Luxembourg?" as an EU location. (The gilets jaunes burning the Champs-Elysees in Paris rather demoted the French capital.) It's also put Ireland at the centre of European politics, with Michel Barnier whizzing over here five times in the last two years, swearing undying loyalty to Ireland's interest - "Whatever happens, we will stand by Ireland." A hundred years ago, at the Versailles Peace Conference, President Clemenceau - along with the British and Americans - refused Ireland a place at the table. It's given Irish commentators the glorious experience of being smugly superior and loftily patronising about the Brits, and the ghastly fix they've got themselves into, as Taoiseach Varadkar said, when being kind. Until Halloween this year, the Irish political class, such as former Irish ambassador Bobby McDonagh, can enjoyably wag their fingers telling the Brits to "behave themselves" in the councils of Europe. That's a far cry from Punch cartoons' historical taunting of the delinquent and lawless Irish - now Westminster is described as a "shambles" and UK politicians as "hopeless". It's created tens of thousands of additional Irish citizens, as anti-Brexit Brits turn to ancestral research to find an Irish grandparent and thus qualify for an Irish passport. This includes, to my certain knowledge, deep-dyed Ulster Unionists and veteran Orangemen. A move towards all-Ireland understanding surely! Border communities from Crossmaglen to Strabane have joined together to protect their areas from new tariffs and obstacles to trade. It has brought renewed focus on the Good Friday Agreement - and justifiable critical assessment of the non-functioning of the Belfast Assembly. Yet the DUP itself has embraced, as its VBF, the affirmatively Roman Catholic Jacob Rees-Mogg. How very ecumenical! And Arlene Foster chooses another parliamentary Papist to accompany her on Brexity trips to Brussels - Iain Duncan Smith. Jeffrey Donaldson is given a polite round of applause when he speaks at the Fine Gael Ard-Fheis about Ireland perhaps renewing a relationship with the Commonwealth. In fact, Brexit has propelled Ireland to join the French Commonwealth, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, since 12pc of the Irish nation is French-speaking. Felicitations! And Brexit has been prolonged and delayed so repeatedly that we will all, surely, come to understand the French adage about l'impermanence qui dure. It has hugely increased involvement in politics. In Britain, it's reported that more TV viewers took to watching the BBC Parliament Channel than Strictly Come Dancing. Schoolkids have videoed themselves doing satirical imitations of the Commons speaker, John Bercow: "Ayes to the right, Noes to the Left! Unlock!" Brexit has brought an unprecedented number of women into political prominence, from Amber Rudd and Andrea Leadsom to Jess Phillips and Anna Soubry - so many articulate, knowledgeable and confident females, and, refreshingly, with many disparate points of view, coming from left, right, and centre. In Ireland, Brexit has placed the very capable Helen McEntee centre stage. Theresa May has also fulfilled an important feminist goal: a woman's right to fail. She's been disparaged for her inadequate negotiating skills and called, by Ann Widdicombe, "the worst prime minister for 50 years". But that's fine, because it's treating a woman like a normal politician, not some special exception who has to be accorded victim status. It has rendered the European elections, which many of us thought yawnsville, tremendously exciting. The battle for Mark Durkan's favour takes on a new significance. Paradoxically, Brexit has made even Brexiteers more aware of the workings of the EU. Who would have thought that Guy Verhofstadt would be a household name over pints at the Dog and Duck? The prospect of Brexit has created headaches for businesses, but it has also stimulated reviews of working practices. In Britain, concern about staffing has increased wages, especially for poorer and lower-paid people, which is welcome (and should, surely, be applauded by the Left). It has made economists and commentators more aware of the social inequalities which produce Trump voters and working-class Brexiteers. It has certainly worried Irish beef and dairy farmers, but it has also increased awareness of the exceptionally high quality of Irish dairy and beef products (and it would help even more if political leaders would stop pushing fads like veganism). All institutions need regular reform and Brexit has prompted President Michael D Higgins - once a strong Eurosceptic himself - to warn that this is an apt opportunity for the European Union to take a good look at itself, and see where change is needed. Yes, there are always positives! 1. Catch the Dublin based trio Bitch Falcon and Thumper in this Saturday the DisFunction Room at the Uisce Beatha, Clanbrassil St. 2. Lovers of all things vintage should head to St Michael's Hall, Carlingford on Monday when Sister Vintage 2 are hosting a flea market from 12pm to 6pm. 3. Tribute bands rule at The Spirit Store this Easter bank holiday weekend. First up are AC/DC tribute Whole Lotta Voltage on Friday night, Ireland's top Nirvana tribute Negative Creeps play Saturday night. Dundalk Simon Community will be collecting at all local churches in Dundalk on Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9. Anyone wanting to volunteer can contact Yvonne at 042 9339583. Library events The 1918 Centenary Exhibition 'It is resolved that...' is on show at Dundalk library until Saturday April 27. This exhibition was developed by Louth County Archives Service under the Decade of Centenaries Programme Dogs Trust are hosting a Dog Safety workshop aimed at families and young children on properly caring for and staying safe around dogs tomorrow Wednesday April 17 at 3pm. Booking is essential. Watch and learn how to code using Scratch at a demonstration on Thursday April 18 at 2pm. Charity coffee morning A coffee morning in aid of IALV Pilgrimage to Lourdes and the Louth branch of Cerebral Palsy Ireland takes place on Easter Monday from 10.30am to 2.30pm at 27 Suil na Mara, Point Road. Fundraising gig a hit The recent Unreal Memorial #2 gig in aid of SOSAD proved a great success. Local blues musicians, headed by Bobby Robinson, got together for Guitaraoke in Byrnes of Hill Street. The event was supported by Audiocomm, Dundalk and Beat It Music, Blackrock, who provided the PA system and amps for the night, while the musicans donated their time for free. The gig raised 382.60 for SOSAD . On Friday night I headed for McGuinness' Big House in Anne Street where a fundraising table quiz was taking place for Golden Hearts Youth club and a big crowd were there to take part in what turned out to be a rather tricky quiz! Golden Hearts Youth Club run a club in the Dundalk Youth Centre for 2 hours on Wednesday nights for special needs children where they meet friends, make new friends, play games and also go away on day trips round the country. I wasn't too long in the door when I caught up with Tony, Marita and Christopher Duffy from Belfry Avenue who were with Mary Byrne from Avondale Park who were looking forward to the brain teasers and were definitely there to win. Not too far away I got talking to Kate and Brendan Judge from Greenwood Drive with Stephen and Una Gunne from Ravensdale who eventually did admit that they were a packed team and were definitely going to finish in the prizes. After this I headed over for a chat with Kathleen and Ronan Byrne from Hackballscross who were with Deirdre Armstrong from Redbarns Road who were in trouble straight from the start, they couldn't decide on the team name, but were quietly confident they'd do well all the same. They were joined by Conor and Ciaran Byrne who were up for making the best of the night. Making my way to an adjacent table I then got a word with Siofra and Pauric McCrum from Blackrock who were with Julie McKevitt from Carrick Road and Peter McCoy (like the crisps) from Marian Park who were insanely positive they were going to win the quiz. Heading for another area in the pub I then headed for a group who included Bernice Morgan from Avenue Road, Shauna Carter from Manydown Close, Tania Morgan from Avenue Road and Siobhan Reid from Muirhevnamor who didn't want to admit they were a packed team, but the dorsal fins were starting to show! After this I got a word with Sherriff McKenna from Hyde Park who was having a laugh with Anne Babington from Dromiskin, Yvonne Minto from Muirhevnamor, Benny and Donna McDonald from Willow Grove who were in great form and looking forward to a good night. At the table nearby I then met up with Tom and Ona McKevitt from Hoeys Lane who were ready to do battle along with John McSkeane recently home from Washington DC and now hanging his thinking cap in Ballybay and Josie Pepper from Carrick Road who assured me they were ready for a great night. Finally, before the quiz got t under way I caught up with Jack Howell and Darragh Grogan from Dunleer, John Carroll from Philipstown who were busy making sure the night was running smoothly and were being ably assisted by Ailish Carroll and Ellen Butterly both from Phillipstown who were extremely helpful when I was talking to them earlier. The specialist business lender Capitalflow has recently announced a new 60 million fund for SMEs in Louth. The fund will make it much easier for businesses in Louth and the North-East to access funding to improve their businesses. To oversee the new funds, Capitalflow has appointed Ken Rooney CPA as Senior Lending Director in the North East. He previously held the position of Head of Business Banking for the Cavan, Monaghan and Louth region for AIB. In addition to Ken, Capitalflow have hand-picked an experienced and professional team to service their North-East clients. Commenting on the announcement of the 60 million funds, Ken Rooney said; ''this funding will enable us to further assist SMEs in Louth and the North East to grow their businesses and achieve their goals. Since Capitalflow was established in 2015 we have worked very successfully with many businesses in Louth. This funding will allow us to ramp up our activity in the region and rapidly expand our operations.'' Capitalflow's Chief Executive Ronan Horgan said; ''this new fund of 60 million and the appointment of Ken and his professional team are evidence that Capitalflow is serious about making a real impact in Louth and the North East. We have been working with many successful businesses in Louth and we understand the pressures that are on SMEs to grow, develop and maintain their businesses.' Capitalflow attribute their success to reintroducing the traditional banking methods for their clients. According to Ken; ''we reintroduced the traditional, no-nonsense banking methods and brought business lending back to basics with a strong focus on approving loans quickly. Our team of senior professionals meet with our expanding Louth client base on a one-to-one basis.' According to Ken, the key to the firm's success lies in bringing back traditional banking practices to its services; 'The pillar banks have ignored key sectors business in Louth and abandoned the idea of people doing business with people. This has provided us with a golden opportunity and our disruptive business model is to reintroduce traditional lending practices, where the person you meet on day one is the Capitalflow contact that will provide you with finance and build a lifetime relationship.' Capitalflow's bespoke business model is designed around the needs of businesses who require rapid decisions on lending to allow them to seize opportunities and grow their business across Ireland. The company was established by Ronan Horgan in 2015 acquired by London-based private equity firm Pollen Street Capital the following year. It has two Dublin offices in Santry and Baggot St. The company has advanced over 260 million to 1,650 Irish customers with products including leasing, hire purchase, refinancing, invoice discounting and property finance. A retired doctor has lost an appeal against his conviction for abusing two teenage boys in the mid-70s. The 86-year-old man, who cannot be identified by order of the Court of Appeal, had pleaded not guilty to eight charges of indecently assaulting six patients at in the north east of the country, on dates between 1964 and 1991. He was found guilty by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of indecently assaulting two 15-year-old patients. The trial judge directed a not guilty verdict in respect of one complainant and the jury acquitted him on the remaining counts. He was given two consecutive 10 month sentences by Judge Cormac Quinn totalling 20 months imprisonment. The maximum sentence for the offence at the time was two years. The court heard that both victims were aged 15 when the doctor groped them during medical examinations. One victim attended with an ingrowing toenail. He told the trial that the doctor tied him to a bed with rubber bungee restraints and a blanket and then slipped his hand under the blanket and started massaging his testicles He said he knew it was "weird" but he thought "who was I" to speak out because he was "just a young boy" The second victim testified that during two follow-up examinations for undescended testes, the doctor massaged the base of his penis. On the second occasion, the victim forced himself to ejaculate because he was afraid the attack would escalate and wanted it to end. The Court of Appeal upheld his conviction last week. Giving judgment, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said court was satisfied that the trial judge's ruling and directions to the jury were correct, save for one matter. She said the trial judge erred in directing the jury to disregard the evidence of one complainant, in respect of whom there was a direction to acquit. The defence had sought to rely on evidence in respect of this complainant to show "there were mistakes in his evidence, that may have become apparent to the jury". The man's lawyers said this particular complainant's evidence was "instructive" of the difficulties in the case. They said the trial judge effectively told the jury to ignore whatever dangers became apparent in his evidence, when he should have done the opposite. Ms Justice Kennedy said the trial judge erred in this regard but in the context of the case, it "can't be said to be significant". All other grounds of appeal were dismissed. Ms Justice Kennedy, who sat with Mr Justice John Edwards and Mr Justice Michael Peart, said the court would uphold the conviction notwithstanding the error. The appeal was therefore dismissed. Chairman Dan Quill with Rosaleen and Jim Flynn at the Bray Credit Union 55 year anniversary exhibition at Bray Town Hall Bray Credit Union celebrated its 55th anniversary with an exhibition of its history, which took place last week at Bray Town Hall. The exhibition included photos and a time-line of the part the organisation has played in the town since it was founded in the 1960s. Visitors learned about the background the founding of the Credit Union movement in Ireland, with high unemployment, sickness, malnutrition, money lending, hunger, poor clothing, poor housing, and inevitably, emigration of one parent or of the whole family. In the 1950s, the founders recognised the root of the problem as lying in the scarce availability and poor management of money and resolved to identify a system that would allow people to gain more control over their finances - these issues would one day be turned into the principles of the Credit Union Act. In Bray, the first meeting of Bray Credit Union took place in Fatima House in 1964. The founders were a group of dynamic, pioneering and entrepreneurial people, namely: Vincent Nolan (Irish Independent News Worker), WP QUinn (Garda Commissioner), and shop owner Gerry Doyle. Their goals were to improve the community and make life better for everyone. Others joined for the inaugural meeting to establish the CU, putting in a half a crown each. One of those, Jim Kelly, told exhibition organisers 'we all wondered who would take out the first loan!' Jim and Rosaleen Flynn were among the first volunteers. He spoke about how they both took great pride in volunteering and giving their time to the community. All volunteers took an oath of secrecy and they were respected and trusted by the local people. Since that time, the membership has flourished, a premises was secured and remains on the Main Street. The exhibition brought viewers through the entire history of the organisation, right up to the present day, and including all the contributions made to society via scholarships and charitable donations. Bray Sailing Club made a presentation at the last meeting of Bray Municipal District after receiving an award for their training centre. Training centre manager Mark Henderson, commodore Boris Fennema and senior instructor Jack Hannon represented the club at the meeting. They told the members about their recent award, what they do at Bray Sailing Club, and they spoke about the importance of a safe and viable harbour. The club recently received the title 'Training Centre of the Year' at the Irish Sailing Awards. The previous year they won the Eastern Region Training Centre title. 'Over 100 clubs and centres compete for this title each year, and most of them are far better resourced than Bray, with paid staff and far superior facilities so this award is a great credit to the volunteer team in Bray,' said Mark. 'It is also a great achievement for the town, and the subsequent publicity in the sailing, water-sport, and maritime media has very firmly put Bray, its harbour and our beautiful seafront front and foremost in the eyes of the sailing community around the country.' Members heard that the club has been in existence (on and off) since 1896 and most recently was re-established in 1958. They have over 350 members, about a quarter of whom are under 21. Mark said that gender and age are irrelevant to participation in sailing. 'Unlike many years ago, the cost of entry to the sport is low. This is largely due to the availability of local authority and central government grants which enable us to purchase boats for use by new entrants to the sport, thereby increasing achieving the public policy objective of increasing participation in sport,' he said. 'And lastly, access to the sea is free - once you have a boat, or access to a boat, there is no cost to launch and go sailing.' Senior instructor Jack Hannon spoke about the junior training programme which runs from June to August and sees 150 juniors taking to the water each year. There is also weekend sailing for the juniors. 'Our junior training courses run off the Small Boat Sailing Scheme, that was developed by Irish Sailing. This is an internationally recognised qualification that is very highly thought of around the world.' As well as the syllabus, juniors learn self-reliance, team work, safety and confidence. The juniors started the 'Turn the Tide on Plastics' initiative last year. The club provided juniors with a couple of presentations on the negative impacts of plastic and waste on our environment and also completed two beach clean-ups along Bray promenade. Most recently, we were part of the launch of the 'Take 3 For the Sea' campaign along with Cllr Steven Matthews and Bray Tidy Towns, encouraging people to pick up three pieces of plastic on every visit they make to the beach. Jask said that sailing is a sport for all and that members rage in age from seven to 88. They run 'try sailing' events to give the public an experience of what it is like on the water and the next one is taking place on April 26. Bray Sailing Club started a partnership with Lakers in 2017. The programme includes a regular sailing schedule. The club reps said that the municipal pontoon installed by the council has benefited all harbour users and allowed individuals with impaired ability easier access to the water. The club has been awarded a grant from Wicklow LSP for a new floating platform, the members heard. This platform will further aid access to the water for those with mobility issues in a safe way. It will also be shared with other harbour users, such as scouts or fishing clubs should they need it. Mark said that they are facing some challenges. 'To be able to sail we have to be able to get access to the water,' he said. 'This means having not only access to safe launching, boarding, and mooring facilities, such as slipways and ladders, but includes access to slipways, parking for trailers etc. The increased popularity of Bray Harbour as a destination has led to significant traffic congestion during summer weekends. 'In addition, we obviously have a tidal harbour in Bray which places restrictions on the amount of time the harbour is usable each day, but also causes problems in certain weather conditions. 'We very much welcome the work being undertaken by the Bray Harbour Joint Development Committee to improve the harbour and surrounding area.' A Bray man was sprayed with a date rape drug and forced to empty his bank accounts last month when on holiday in the Spanish island of Tenerife. Engineer David Nelson (27), who lives and works in Switzerland, was on a break with friends in March and has shared his 'horrible experience' to help raise awareness about a dangerous drug known as 'Devil's Breath'. He was staying in Adeje and went for drinks in the Playa de Las Americas area on March 23. He got separated from the group and was trying to get a taxi when a woman approached him She tried to seduce him, he said, and when he pushed her away, he was 'sprayed in the face with a substance'. Police later told him it was the date rape drug 'Devil's Breath'. His phone and watch were taken, and cash from his wallet. The woman took him to an ATM and proceeded to take what money she could from his Irish and Swiss accounts. 'This drug turns you into a zombie,' said Mr Nelson. The woman was described as being between 20 and 30 years old with curly hair. Mr Nelson said the police told him that tourists are regularly attacked with the drug scopolamine, more commonly known as Devil's Breath. The substance has been blamed for thousands of crimes in South America and has now become a problem in European countries. The United States's Overseas Security Advisory Council has issued many warnings about the drug, which it says can "disorient the victim and cause prolonged unconsciousness and serious medical problems". The Department of Foreign Affairs said that while it doesn't comment on individual cases, it acknowledged Spanish authorities have warned of date rape drugs being used. 'Don't inadvertently lower your alertness to these risks simply because you are on holiday,' an advisory note on the DFA website reads. Carmel Dempsey with the children ofNewtownmountkennedy Primary School, who were waving their flags to give her a proper send-off Staff and pupils of Newtownmountkennedy Junior School marked the end of an era by holding a special celebration to honour the retirement of Principal Carmel Dempsey. Mrs Dempsey was joined by family members Ciaran, Jennifer, Eoin, John Niamh and Aidan for her farewell. Children attending the school made sure it was a colourful occasion as they waved lots of flags as the departing Principal entered the hall. Pupils also made a presentation to Mrs Dempsey, including a card and a mounted sculpture. Mrs Dempsey graduated as one of the first female teachers from St Patrick's College in Drumcondra. Her teaching career spanned 40 years, 25 of which were as Principal in Newtownmountkennedy. She became Principal of St Brigid's GNS in 1994 to a staff of seven. In 2007, St Brigid's and St Joseph's Boys NS amalgamated successfully under the guiding hand of Mrs Dempsey. It is now a school of 26 teachers, 13 SNAs and over 350 children. The local school is now one of the biggest employers in Newtownmountkennedy, with many past pupils now members of staff as teachers, SNAs, school secretaries and bus escorts. Mrs Dempsey passed on her best wishes to everyone associated with Newtownmountkennedy Primary School and issued a warm welcome to Ms Lennon as the new school principal. A former solicitor at a Wicklow town firm who admitted the theft of hundreds of thousands of euro from client accounts over the course of several years, received a suspended sentence at Wicklow Circuit Court last Wednesday. Michelle Caulfield (39), Drummin, Tinahely, was charged with 34 counts of theft from Augustus Cullen Law, Detective Garda Eoin Martin told the court. She entered pleas of guilty to nine, with the remainder taken into consideration. The total amount in question was 356,331.70. Approximately 200,000 of that was taken by Caulfield for the benefit of herself or members of her family, while the remainder was money moved between accounts within the law firm. The court heard that was still, technically, theft. The thefts occurred between 2006 and 2015 when the misappropriation was eventually discovered. Caulfield qualified fully as a solicitor in 2007. The bulk of the offending occurred between 2012 and 2015 and largely the money was used for her father's business, and debts accrued as the business was floundering. There were 26 different client accounts affected and, since the start of the investigation, all money has been repaid. Judge Terrence O'Sullivan heard that Caulfield had sold her house; that she had sold a car obtained using some of the stolen money; and that family members had re-mortgaged property to come up with money to be repaid. Caulfield was the only one who knew that money had been stolen, the court heard, even though there were a number of beneficiaries in her family. The client accounts belonged to people who were deceased in many cases and, in at least one instance, there was money taken from the account of a minor who was the beneficiary of a court order. Another sum of money was intended for a charitable organisation upon the death of the person. In each case, Caulfield used a cheque requisition form to acquire a cheque from the accounts department. Some of those were exchanged for bank drafts and lodged to her own account. Other cheques were made out to recipients such as her doctor, car dealerships, and bodies to which her father owed money. Some larger sums were transferred at times from one client account to another. The court heard that this was a case of 'robbing Peter to pay Paul'. The discovery of wrongdoing was made when a client presented at the practice as a beneficiary, looking for a sum owed. The account was found to be 15,000 short and payment had been made to an unrelated person. This sparked off an investigation. Accountants for the Law Society provided a detailed analysis and provided a report to the gardai. Caulfield made admissions to gardai and explained many of the transactions. Some examples included 27,000 paid to a car dealership; a hospital bill of 700 for a relative; 25,000 lodged into her father's business account; 36,000 lodged to her own account; 650 spent on furniture; 1,100 paid in cash to a relative; cars for her parents; car insurance for her husband; and other sums. On one occasion in 2014, she was lodging a cheque for over 20,000 to her own account and the bank queried it. She told the firm that a client had looked for payment, that she had paid them out of her own account, and that she was reimbursing herself. She produced bank statements showing the money leaving her account. This was accepted by the firm who paid the money. On examination, it transpired that client had not been paid and the money went from her savings account to her current account. The court heard that if she had not made full and detailed admissions, there would have been a lengthy and technical trial. Caulfield was struck off the solicitors' roll in 2017, by the president of the High Court. The court heard that there had been reporting restrictions at the time, made on compassionate grounds. Barrister Michael O'Higgins said that when his client's wrongdoing was exposed, she took steps to mitigate loss - selling her house and car. He said that the lodgements to her own account were for the benefit of third parties, in particular her father's creditors, mortgage payments and so on. Her father's business was in trouble and he had accrued debts. Mr O'Higgins said that there was a complex mosaic regarding the transactions, and to have a suspect sit down and lead investigators through the evidence was 'worth its weight in gold' in a case like this. Mr O'Higgins said that there are very far reaching consequences for Caulfield. She has lost her standing in the community, he said. She had joined the firm in 2003 after going to Waterford IT for a diploma in law, and UCC for her degree, and subsequently passing five FE1 exams. He said that she did this entirely under her own steam financially. She is now living as a 'virtual recluse', said Mr O'Higgins. She got a job in Dublin in 2017 but when named for possible promotion, and further enquiries were made, she was quietly let go. Mr O'Higgins said that his client had previous good character, had cooperated fully with the investigation, and the chances that she would appear again in court were very slight indeed. 'It's a very sad case with very significant punitive consequences which will stay with the accused for a very long time,' he said. A solicitor who had represented Caulfield from the time she interacted with the Law Society said that the manner in which Caulfield met the investigation was 'extraordinary'. Sean Sexton has been a solicitor for 49 years, specialises in this area. 'To a great extent I'm lost in admiration for her,' he said. 'She has shown extraordinary strength. She made a terrible mistake and she's paid a terrible price,' said Mr Sexton. He said that Caulfield had immediately acknowledged the error of her ways. and had been determined to reimburse the monies. He was concerned about her welfare and referred her to a counselling psychologist, Professor Barbara Hannigan. Professor Hannigan told the court that she found Caulfield to have suffered from PTSD, and the clinical condition 'parentification', meaning inappropriate role reversal. Caulfield was the perceived peacemaker in the family home who had responsibility at a young age way beyond her years, Prof Hannigan diagnosed. Caulfield and her partner (subsequent husband) began to build a house in 2006 and that project was beset with problems, including the theft of glass from the windows, vandalism with hammers, and flooding. In 2011, she became aware of her father's financial difficulties. The court heard that Caulfield's relationship with her husband also deteriorated around that time, and that there was serious upheaval and hostility in the home. The court heard that Caulfield had met him at the age of 15 and she had never had any other partner. The court heard that Caulfield was 'an accustomed people pleaser', and she would do anything to save her marriage, and that she was under pressure from others to provide money. She was weakened and vulnerable, the court was told. Prof Hannigan consulted a colleague to assess her diagnoses and assessments, and they were confirmed. 'She is embarrassed, ashamed and distressed,' said Professor Hannigan. 'This is the biggest wake-up call she, or any person, could have.' Barrister Michael O'Higgins said that while a lot of attention had been paid to the plight of the defendant, there had been a crime committed, and she wished to apologise profusely and unreservedly to her former employers and a whole host of other people who had held her in high regard, for breaching their trust. 'She finds herself experiencing a spectacular fall from grace,' said Mr O'Higgins, who wondered how her life would have been different if other things had been different. He said that she had been of impeccable good character before the offending, and had met the investigation with cooperation. She had a higher degree of stressors in her life than most people, he said. Judge Terrence O'Sullivan said that aggravating factors included the breach of trust of her employers, and those people to whom the money belonged. Mitigating factors included her having no previous history of offending, her obvious remorse, and the fact that she had entered an early plea and cooperated fully. Also mitigating, was the fact that all monies had been repaid. He said that she has lost her career and lost her standing in the community. Judge O'Sullivan said that most of the money was to assist others, particularly her father, rather than to fund a high lifestyle, although she did purchase a car. He remarked that the clear view of Prof Hannigan was that Caulfield had suffered with PTSD and parentification. He said that while not an excuse for criminal behaviour, it provided context and she had a lot of significant problems. Judge O'Sullivan handed Caulfield a one-year sentence, fully suspended. Around the world, societies are taking note of the importance of heritage, culture and many different aspects and attributes of our ways of life - past and present - and the areas we need to focus on to improve the world for everyone living in it. Much of this thought and invoked action manifests itself in the observation of international themes on commonly held days of the year. April is a month that sees many such observances, from World Health Day on April 7 and World Sculpture Day on April 27 to World Book Day on April 23 and World Creativity and Innovation Day on April 21. Another key day in April is today, April 18, which is the International Day of Monuments and Sites. In Ireland there is no shortage of archaeological monuments and sites; indeed, around the country, there are 138,800 records, with over 19,000 of these in County Cork alone. These range from our 4000-year-old stone circles to our 1500-year-old ringforts and from our 17th-century fortified houses, to a range of other sites including Tower Houses, Monasteries, High Crosses and Bridges. Many industrial sites are also included in the record, and Cork County Council has recently announced that this year it will be undertaking a publication on the Industrial Heritage of County Cork, seeking suggestions, recommendations and submissions from the public for inclusion in the book (for more information, you can email conor.nelligan@corkcoco.ie). In recognition of the International Day of Monuments and Sites Spike Island is holding an exhibition and a talk by Enda O'Flaherty on disused school houses. All are welcome to attend the talk, which commences at 2pm, and for more information visit www.spikeislandcork.ie. Hardly a week goes by without there being an international day of some note and consideration, and the Heritage Unit of County Cork has amassed a number of the key days and dates that relate to our world's culture and heritage, available to see online at www.corkcoco.ie/upcoming-events. It is wonderful to know that people around the world are focusing on what is important to us as a collection of worldwide communities, and comforting to know that Irish people form an integral part of many such communities. The Irish Diaspora currently stands at over 70 million people, that being those that live around the world who themselves, their parents, or grandparents, were born in Ireland. The Irish Diaspora in America is considered as being close to 40 million people alone. Ireland's relationship with its diaspora and the diaspora's relationship with Ireland is of great importance, and the Government has recently announced that a new Diaspora Policy is to be brought out in 2020. This new policy will guide Ireland's engagement and relationship with our diaspora: our emigrants, our citizens abroad, those of Irish heritage and those who feel an affinity with Ireland around the world. The Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciaran Cannon TD, has launched a public consultation process to inform the new policy. It is important that as many voices as possible are heard, from partner organisations and community bodies to individual members of the public at home and abroad. All who hold a view on the future of our diaspora policy are encouraged to participate at https://www.dfa.ie/global-irish/consultations. Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney TD; and Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciaran Cannon TD, will host a series of open consultations around Ireland in the next month to discuss Diaspora Policy, and the event in Cork takes place on Monday, May 27, 2019. Registration for the event will open shortly, and visit https://www.dfa.ie/global-irish/consultations for more information. Written submissions are also welcomed on the proposed policy and can be done so by visiting the aforementioned website or by written post to the Irish Abroad Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Iveagh House, 80 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. The Irish at home and around the world are proud of the history and heritage of the Irish nation, and in recent times many have been reflecting on the centenary of the Anglo-Irish War of Independence, which will dominate commemorations over the coming years. Reflecting on the impact of this period on Irish history, a War of Independence Exhibition will open shortly in Michael Collins House, Clonakilty. The exhibition will provide an insight into and overview of the conflict, and with thanks to Cork Public Museum and the collection itself from Michael Collins House, numerous artefacts will be on display relating to prominent War of Independence figures such as Tom Barry, Tom Hales, Leslie Price and, of course, Michael Collins. Featuring documents, audio-visuals and information boards, the story of the war will be brought to life, focusing on its key Irish participants, the role of the Crown Forces and the impact of the War on ordinary civilian life. The exhibition will be officially opened by the Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy, at 3pm on Tuesday, April 30, and all are most welcome to attend this momentous event. Newmarket knitting and crochet group was set up a few years ago to give people a chance to get together and share their passion for various crafts. Spokesperson for the group Rita Guiney said that since it was established, the group has made and donated many items to worthy causes. "This year The Blanket of Hope Cork was our chosen charity, and we were delighted to welcome Ann Goggin, Nora Carr, and Margaret Singleton Kelleher last Friday when we presented them with 23 blankets and two beautiful shawls" Rita told The Corkman. As well as the obvious comfort a blanket provides, these beautiful pieces are infused with hope and support for anyone suffering from cancer. Linda Goggin James of the Cork Cancer Care Centre speaking said: "Our Blankets of Hope are accompanied with information about our wonderful centre, which was founded by Ann Dowley Spillane in 2012. "Ann subsequently established the Blankets of Hope project in 2014 when she asked some volunteers to crochet or knit blankets for those on the journey with cancer," Linda said. "The Blankets originally went to all oncology hospitals in Cork, but as word spread through our leaflets - which are in hospitals, our website and Facebook - we started to hand out blankets from our Centre as well as posting them out nationwide through requests from others who were also on the journey," she explained. Founder Ann Downey Spillane's wish was that everyone on the journey with cancer would find comfort and support at the Cork Cancer Care Centre, where counselling and holistic therapies are provided free of charge to cancer patients and their families or carers. This helps them get through this enormously difficult time in their lives. Ann sadly passed away in October 2017, but her legacy lives on. "Our volunteers knitters - whether they be groups, clubs, ICA guilds, schools, or individuals - knit or crochet blankets for us," Linda said. "We deliver every two weeks to hospitals, and where before we would have handed out six to 10 blankets every month, we now hand out blankets every two weeks, with approximately 50 to 60 blankets between all the oncology units in Cork. "We also give handmade teddies, shawls, and recently baby blankets are being sent to St James' Hospital in Dublin" Linda added. This is now a significant aspect of the Cork Cancer Care Centre, where they offer comfort through blankets and then back that up with services at the Centre. And locally the Newmarket ladies are delighted to welcome new members to their group at the CYMS Hall every Friday between 10.30am and 12 noon. The negotiations of a bond settlement of a housing estate in Kanturk seems very much to be the main obstacle in obtaining a pedestrian crossing at Dun An Oir, an estate which has in excess of 120 houses and hundreds of children. Some residents at Dun an Oir contacted The Corkman recently about the lack of a pedestrian crossing outside the estate, with a stark warning that a child could be killed or seriously injured. The Corkman put a number of queries to the Communications Department at Cork County Council on why there is such a delay in putting a pedestrian crossing in place, along with where are the negotiations at with CCC along with the value of the bond. Since 2013, residents have been trying to secure a pedestrian crossing and planning had been applied for and granted in July 2017. However, in the autumn of 2018, a new developer took over Dun An Oir and in March 2018 a revised 'Site Resolution Plan' was submitted by the developer to a council engineer. A spokesperson at Cork County Council informed The Corkman that a part eight planning process has been commenced with a view to obtaining planning consent and constructing a pedestrian crossing near the entrance to the estate. "This will take priority over any further works within the estate," said its spokesperson, who added that "negotiations with regard to a bond settlement is ongoing, so a value is not yet available." Resident Katie Madarasz was very unimpressed with CCC's response with regards to the bond and said she along with other residents have heard the word "progressing" being bandied around all the time, but yet there is no result. "This is the kind of language used to try and keep us happy but, really, it is just to bluff us off. I am very sceptical until I actually see diggers on site doing work. I feel that this is not a satisfactory answer as just why won't the banks release the bond. "Will it take for a child to be knocked down or killed and then suddenly a button is pressed and the bond is put in place by the bank?" she said. Previously, residents, Katie Madarasz and Adrian Ryder both warned that it is a "ticking time bomb" before a child will be knocked down or killed due to the lack of a pedestrian crossing. "It is important to note that this road outside the estate must be crossed by anyone walking the few hundred metres to Kanturk town as there is no footpath on the estate side. This also means that every school going child has to negotiate this junction on their walk to and from school every day," said Katie. Adrian Ryder has been living in the estate for the past 12 years. He also strongly believes that a pedestrian crossing needs to be put in place as he said there is no safe access to the town on foot. He also said he was "absolutely fearful" for children at Dun an Oir, and other residents, due to the lack of pedestrian crossing. "We are not being dramatic when we say that a serious accident is very likely. There has already been some road traffic accidents at the junction, one of which I believe there is dash-cam footage of. Luckily, no children were in the rear ended vehicles. Residents have also passed on stories of near misses they have had while crossing the road," he said. Pictured at the unveiling of Dairygolds annual financial results for 2018 were: Michael Harte, chief financial officer; John OGorman, chairman and Jim Woulfe, chief executive officer. Photo: Colm Mahady/Fennells Dairygold is open for merger talks with fellow co-ops as the dairy industry braces for the impact of Brexit, with CEO Jim Woulfe saying the company was "always open to change". "We're open constantly to reshaping, reforming if there's betterment for our members," he told the Irish Independent, pointing that Dairygold had come about from the merger of Mitchelstown and Ballyclough co-ops three decades ago. "When we can take out costs, we'll take out costs and we'll collaborate with whoever to take out costs ... we don't have a closed mind," said Mr Woulfe. Chairman John O'Gorman said Dairygold had "never made a secret that we were open to collaboration in whatever shape or form that would take". The company, which last week issued its financial report for 2018, said Brexit uncertainty was overshadowing the market given the fact that around 13% of its revenue comes from the UK. It said that "no level of planning could insulate any EU organisation, trading with or through the UK, against the implications and consequences of a hard or no-deal Brexit". "That is why it is critical, no matter what the final outcome of the negotiations, that there is a sufficient transition period, to fully prepare for the future trading relationship between the EU and UK. Even then, the Dairy Industry will suffer serious consequences in the event significant tariffs applying." Meanwhile, Mr O'Gorman said any merger would have to consider the value of the Dairygold name to the co-op's members, for whom the history of the Cork-based organisation is important. Mr Woulfe said this factor would be a "barrier" in any merger, and added that there were no merger talks ongoing at the moment. The comments were made shortly after the completion of Lakeland Dairies' merger with LacPatrick. Mitchelstown-based Dairygold previously made an attempt to merge with the Arrabawn co-op based in Nenagh, Co Tipperary. Last autumn, the head of IBEC's Dairy Industry Ireland arm, Conor Mulvihill, predicted further mergers were inevitable after the Lakeland-LacPatrick deal. Massive 'super co-ops' tend to be a feature of rival milk-producing nations, whereas here the industry is relatively fragmented. "From the Department of Agriculture to farm organisations, people have been saying that consolidation will happen, but to date it has not," said Mr Mulvihill. "What has occurred here has been organic growth. In Ireland, people operate very locally, and the co-op is a part of this, there is a lot of loyalty at farmer level towards the organisations. In addition, the farmers own the co-ops." Dairygold posted record turnover of 992.9m last year, saying its financial performance was "satisfactory", and that it had paid 15m to suppliers in milk price premiums in order to help them cope with the effects of the extreme weather. The company is looking to diversify and committed 130m last year to help fund whey powder and non-cheddar cheese programmes. It has a joint venture with Norwegian cheese-maker Tine, to supply Irish milk for the production of Jarlsberg cheese. It said the outlook for next year's milk price will likely depend on global demand - which may prove sluggish amid an emerging global slowdown. Cork homeowners have spent over 269 million in total through the Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) since its launch in 2013. That's according to figures released by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) who said the incentive has facilitated homeowners throughout Cork in carrying out 17,724 home improvement projects over the last four years, at an average spend of 15,185 per project. These have provided a huge boost to the local economy and employment in the construction sector, according to the CIF. The Home Renovation Incentive scheme ended on December 31, 2018. Introduced in 2013, the incentive provided homeowners with an income tax credit at 13.5% of qualifying expenditure on home improvement works carried out on a main home or rental property by qualifying contractors. The success of the scheme in Cork and nationally has been evident with the scale of the work undertaken on home improvements and energy upgrades, said the CIF. And while the scheme concluded at the end of 2018, it was successful in encouraging significant private sector investment in the upgrading of private and rental property throughout Ireland. Nationally the HRI incentive has facilitated homeowners in carrying out over 147,000 home improvement projects over the last five years with an average spend of 16,766 per project. Broken down by value, the largest amount of work was carried out completing home extensions (34%), followed by general repair and renovations (25%), window replacement (11%) and kitchen replacement (10%). "At a time of modest growth in the construction industry, the scheme encouraged investment by homeowners in Cork, which was good news for construction companies and contractors in the county," said CIF Communications Director Shane Dempsey. "Nationally the cost to date to the exchequer is 169 million, if the maximum credits claimed by homeowners are availed of. The cost to the exchequer has resulted in investment by homeowners of 2.471 billion across 147,369 separate projects." However, Mr Dempsey said it is estimated that one million homes in Ireland still require upgrading to meet modern energy efficiency targets. "The HRI scheme has proven that measures to incentivise homeowners can work, because there is an increased awareness about energy efficiency and the costs of this on homeowners," he said. Separately, he said the Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme, devised to upgrade homes to the highest energy efficiency levels, has seen only six houses upgraded in Cork in 2017 and 2018. "It is clear that much more needs to be done to promote this deep retrofit scheme to homeowners in Cork and throughout the country," Dempsey added. A mother of four who has volunteered at the Hope Foundation in Kolkata in India for the past two years has already booked her place for her return in 2020. Denise Mulcahy gushed about the work which the Hope Foundation undertakes and said each year on her return she can see the improvements for so many children. However, while work is certainly being done with the 30,000 raised, the picture for so many children, teenagers and adults is still stark. Denise takes 10 students with her and each student must raise 3,000. Denise broke it down and said 250 will help educate and clothe one child for one year and at the Hope Foundation there is a huge emphasis on education. She explained that she became aware of the Hope Foundation as it was set up by a Midleton woman, Maureen Forrest. She went to Kolkata to visit her sister, a nun, and was horrified with the living conditions of children. She started off with one Hope Foundation and today there are 60. "The Hope Foundation works with Kolkata's forgotten children who are victims of abandonment, human trafficking, physical abuse and for whom every day is a struggle," said Denise. She said the foundation helps to provide a "pathway out of poverty" and provides children with ambitions and dreams of a better life and this is done through education. "They provide healthcare, protection, nutrition and education for all children saved by the Hope Foundation living in this so-called City of Joy. It runs protection homes, creches for the slum children, life skills trainings and a night watch for the people living on the dangerous streets of Kolkata," said Denise. As explained by Denise, each Irish student funds their own trip personally and brings with them funds that are vital for the ongoing running of the foundation. Throughout their week they spend their time playing, singing and talking with the "forgotten children of Kolkata". Denise said it is almost difficult to describe the poverty. "If a region has a footpath that is seen as something else as it means the children and people are up off the ground from the rats. Girls are treated so poorly in India and there is still is a dowry system in place." She said the generosity of spirit of children who have nothing is a sight to behold. She explained that when she has given chocolate to children and if another child had already got some, they will approach Denise and say, 'Auntie, I have already had one". Denise has brought students from St Mary's in Mallow and the Patrician Academy to Kolkata. She said they could see the huge work which the Hope Ambulance does at night time as it provides a mobile A&E service to the people who need it most. Those who need further help are brought to hospital and homeless babies and children are brought to one of the Hope Foundation homes where they are given a chance of a new life through counselling and education. "Hope looks after the children until they have a trade or go to college," said Denise. She said the Hope Ambulance driver was homeless as a child and he was given an education by Hope. Throughout the year, Denise fund-raises for Hope by selling chocolate and schools hold Hope Days along with coffee mornings. Mary Coffey Coghlan launching her book Echoes of Dunloe with her nephews Sean and Seamus and niece Siobhan at Kate Kearneys, Gap of Dunloe, Killarney on Saturday The important thing about history is that it is there for future generations to learn from and a new book on Kerry's Gap of Dunloe will most certainly be of huge interest to generations to come. In fact preserving history is one of the reasons that led Mary Coffey Coghlan, a retired teacher from De La Salle College in Macroom, to put together her book 'Echoes of Dunloe' which is an in-depth history of the Gap of Dunloe up until 1960 when the castle was purchased by Hans Liebherr. Mary examines the geology, mythology, history and the important monuments in the Gap of Dunloe. It was a book that took time to finish but is a comprehensive history of one of Kerry's most scenic areas. Mary grew up in the Gap of Dunloe with her parents, Jerome and Joan Coffey and her love of her home place also led to her to compile the book which was officially launched at Kate Kearney's on Saturday night, which is now run by her nephew and godson, Sean Coffey. Mary, who lives in Cork also had another more poignant reason to complete the book which is to raise funds for Marymount Hospice in Cork who took care of her late husband, Liam Coghlan. Mary began the book when she was recovering from a brain aneurysm a number of years ago. In keeping with her father's love of history she began reading much of his history collection and decided to pen her own book. The idea remained in her head and in the last two years she decided to put it into action and complete the book. 'Echoes of Dunloe' was compiled with help from numerous sources including the support of Muckross House; the National Library of Ireland and the National Museums of Northern Ireland as well as images from local woman Nellie Cremin nee Moriarty. The book will be available on Amazon. Local artists Declan Kelly and Els Boghart, along with their colleagues in The Belfast Ensemble were awarded the Drogheda Arts Festival Commission 2019 for their piece. This led to an exciting music and visual arts collaboration entitled "Ten Plagues" that will premiere at the Drogheda Arts Festival next month. Collette Farrell of the Drogheda Arts Festival explains "The Drogheda Arts Festival Commission is awarded to local professional artists to support the development of new work. We held an open call for submissions last summer and spent the autumn reviewing and shortlisting until we finally selected The Belfast Ensemble." Elaine Cronin, Co-Chair of the Drogheda Arts Festival continues "We want the Drogheda Arts Festival to act as a catalyst for the creation of new work. We reintroduced the Arts Festival Commission last year which was awarded to Quintessence Theatre Company for the creation of The Star of Chester's Lane which was a huge success. This year's awardees The Belfast Ensemble bring a new and ambitious musical experience, Ten Plagues, to the Drogheda Arts Festival." Tracing one man's journey through a city in crisis, Ten Plagues charts the great plague of 1665. Part torch song, part Schubert, this ground-breaking piece of music-theatre was written by composer Conor Mitchell and playwright Mark Ravenhill. This award-winning work uses the Great Plague to talk about the AIDS crisis of the 1980's. For the Drogheda Arts Festival Ten Plagues will be adapted to the local region. This collaboration between writers, musicians and artists will link to the great plague entering the island through the port of Drogheda. Artists Els Borghart and Declan Kelly will create an entire new visual experience for the performance. Els and Declan, artists who live and work in Drogheda, are inspired by their world travel and collaboration with other artists. The backdrop of the north east with beaches, forests and urban landscapes inspire their stunningly beautiful and experimental artworks. Drogheda Arts Festival, generously supported by Louth County Council and The Arts Council, will feature two performances of Ten Plagues on Sunday 5th May (5.00pm and 9.00pm) at the Droichead Arts Centre. Tickets are priced at 18.00 and 16.00 and are expected to sell out fast so early booking is recommended. Book at the Droichead Arts Centre, by phone 041 9833946 or on www.DroghedaArtsFestival.ie What Drogheda needs is some good old-fashioned community spirit to get everyone in the mood for another Fleadh festival in August. And it couldn't be easier to get something organised with the announcement of Sunday May 5th as National Street Feast Day This year sees the 10th birthday of one of the most successful community initiatives in Ireland with over 120,000 people celebrating Street Feast last year. An impressive 22 Street Feasts were held across County Louth in 2018 and the organisers are hoping for more success in 2019 with a target of 28 Street Feasts. Hosts in the Drogheda and surrounding areas can sign up for a free Street Feast pack which includes bunting, invitations, posters and a handy guide. "Street Feast is about building community and tackling isolation. "It is a great opportunity for people to get together with their neighbours to share food and enjoy some conversation and camaraderie," says Street Feast co-founder Sam Bishop. "It doesn't matter if you live in an apartment or house, all you need is an outdoor space to bring people together. A total of 1,344 feasts were organised nationwide in 2018 and organisers are aiming to increase this to at least 1500. Street Feast 2019 is taking place as part of the inaugural National Community Weekend hosted by the Department of Rural & Community Development. Organising a Street Feast is free and could not be easier. "Hosts can register for a free Street Feast pack including bunting, invitations, posters and guides. All they have to do is spread the word amongst a few neighbours and get everyone to bring along some food and drink for sharing," says Sam. Great news arrives to Drogheda from London this week, as the London theatre smash 'Come From Away' scooped four much-coveted Olivier awards, including Best New Musical. Regular readers of the Drogheda Independent will recall that one of the stars of the 911-themed show is Bettystown native David Shannon, and he shared his joy at the award with his hometown. "I'm part of something truly special, a show changing people's hearts and minds every day, with an incredible ensemble supported by an incredible team backstage," said David, who has lived in London since the 90s. "I'm so grateful that Graham (McLaren) and Neil (Murray), co-directors of the Abbey Theatre, took the risk to start the moment in my national theatre." 'Come From Away', which tells the story of a small town that took in stranded travellers after the 9/11 attacks, won the Best New Musical award, as well as Best Sound Design, Best Choreography and Outstanding Achievement in Music. The actor who grew up on the East Meath coast as David Greenway, is clearly triumphing in his role as Kevin T, Garth and others, which opened in the West End in London in February after a sold-out run at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin. "Everything I am as an actor is because of what I learned at Drogheda Grammar School and my time in Drogheda and Dundalk Musical societies," adds David. "And of course, I couldn't do this without the continual support of my family and friends." Enniscorthy Red Cross AGM in St Johns Community Hospital Daycare Centre on Wednesday night. Back: Catriona Whelan, Paddy Redmond (secretary) and Paul OMeara. Front: Olive Lett (chairperson), Karen Sullivan (vice chairperson) and Sally Flynn (PRO) Following on from a very busy 2018, the recent annual general meeting of Enniscorthy's Red Cross branch saw the focus of attention switch to the coming year. Expectations are high that this year will also be a busy one for the members who regularly offer their services to various community events and festivals. At the meeting the following officers were elected for the coming year: Chairperson - Olive Lett; Vice-Chairperson - Karen Sullivan; Secretary - Paddy Redmond; Treasurer - Paul O'Meara and PRO - Sally Flynn. Ms Lett welcomed those in attendance to the meeting and she outlined some of the activities that took place throughout the last year. The members were told that ongoing CFR (Cardiac First Responder) courses were going well and proving extremely popular. The organisation provides a number of different courses each year and at the meeting an emphasis was placed on recruitment; new members are always welcome to join and can find out more about the organisation by going along to the training nights each Wednesday in St John's Hospital. The hospital management and staff were thanked at the meeting for the use of the day care centre facilities. The unit officer, Catriona Whelan, expressed gratitude to all of the volunteers who help the organisation throughout the year. The organisation plans to hold a number of different courses over the coming months and details of those will be published in the Enniscorthy Guardian. As part of National Tree Week, the Native Tree Trail was launched by Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Anthony Lavin in Glebe Park Balrothery on Wednesday April 3. The trail is a collaboration between Fingal County Council, Balrothery Tidy Towns and the enthusiastic children from Balrothery National School. Glebe Park is the first park in Fingal to participate in the Tree Council of Ireland initiative of Native Irish Tree Trails. The scheme comprises of the full 16 varieties of native Irish trees and 1 variety of naturalised tree, which is the beech tree chosen as they are the distinctive mature tree line already within the park. Each species of tree carries with it a collection of insects, snails, lichens, birds, fungi and birds to name a few. The Oak and Willow have 450 species of insects that feed only on them. Birch trees support 300, Alder and Hazel have over 100. They are the supporters of a wide variety of wildlife. In addition to the bio-diversity feature there is a strong environmental education aspect to this initiative aimed at the youth population with the involvement of Balrothery National School. Together with their teacher Ms Whyte the 5th class pupils researched each of the 17 species and the result of their studies form the information on the signs on the Tree Trail. Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Anthony Lavin said: 'It is great to see Fingal County Council collaborating with the Balrothery community in this initiative. Planting native trees will have a positive effect on the environment for the future benefit of the children involved her today.' David Storey, Director of Services Fingal County Council continued: 'Fingal County Council were delighted to collaborate on this Native Tree Planting initiative when approached. 'The launch of this tree trail was just one of many events taking place across Fingal's parks to mark National Tree Week, and is evidence of our commitment to providing and maintaining high quality parks and open spaces for the Fingal Community as well as contributing to biodiversity and combating climate change.' Students from Donate Community College, Loreto College Swords and Bremore Educate Together Secondary School Balbriggan were among over 300 young people gathered in Dublin recently for the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Young SVP East Region Youth Day 2019. 'United in Head and Heart 'was the theme of the day in which participants created displays of their work, gave presentations, networked with other young volunteers. During the school year, students involved in the Young SVP programme carry out a range of actions to give back to their communities, including projects and actions on: food poverty, climate justice, homelessness, loneliness and isolation, kindness, equality and mental health. SVP National Youth Development Coordinato, Becca Gallagher said: 'The aim of the Young SVP programme is to provide opportunities for young people to engage in social action in their own communities encouraging personal and social development.' Speaking of their experience of taking part in the Young SVP programme the young people said that it was an experience they would never forget and that they had learned more about issues in their community, how to listen to others, contribute their ideas, how to be organised and how to help others. The United in Head and Heart event was a celebration of the hard work and dedication of Young SVP volunteers in Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare. SVP member Nessan Vaughan told the group "the creativity and effort you have put in this year is overwhelming. You should all be very proud of yourselves for the work you have done to make your communities more just and fair places". Caroline Fahey, SVP Head of Social Justice and Policy, spoke to them about the importance of standing in solidarity and encouraged the attendees to challenge the common myths about poverty. Bobby McCormack from Development Perspectives who was the Dochas, "Global Citizen of the Year" in 2017 . addressed the students on how we can all work together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and Dr Noel Keating, Coordinator of Meditation with Children, spoke about meditation as a universal practice for human flourishing. Liam Casey SVP East Region President thanked the schools, teachers and young people for bringing their enthusiasm, creativity and innovation to the work of SVP. The team at Lindt Chocolate Ireland are once again planning to "Make Easter Sweet for Temple Street". This year, they are spreading the magic of Easter to the Pavilions Shopping Centre Swords as well as Dundrum Town Centre, which has been home to the initiative for the past two years. The Lindt Gold Bunny Personalisation Station is setting up at both locations this year, with something extra special in store for customers! From now to Saturday, April 20 customers at Pavilions Shopping Centre Swords and Dundrum Town Centre will be given the opportunity to personalise their very own Lindt Gold Bunny 200g for just 6, with funds raised going to Temple Street Children's University Hospital. This year, Lindt is offering an extra special exclusive Lindt Gold Bunny. The same delicious premium milk chocolate but with a stylish twist. The red and blue Lindt Gold Bunny 200g with its gold foil, chic flower design and iconic ringing bell is perfect for those looking for an extra special gift this Easter. Also retailing at 6 - the red and blue flower Lindt Gold Bunny 200g is in limited supply with just 500 available - so you better be quick! Speaking at the Launch of the Lindt Make Easter Sweet for Temple Street Campaign 2019 Special Events Manager at Temple Street Children's University Hospital, Angi McNulty said: 'We are so thrilled that our friends in Lindt are partnering with Temple Street Foundation once again this year to get everyone into the Easter spirit while raising vital funds for our amazing little patients. Every single year, Lindt truly go above and beyond for our special hospital - and this year is no exception! Sick children need great care right now - and the funds raised by this special initiative will be put to work where it is needed most in our wards, theatres and Intensive Care Unit. So don't forget to pop into Dundrum Town Centre or Pavillions Swords from 12th to 20th April to pick up your very own delicious personalised Lindt Gold Bunny and help Make Easter Sweet for Temple Street!' The team at Lindt are delighted to be celebrating a 12-year partnership with Temple Street Children's University Hospital and expanding on the annual pop up with a second exciting location. Additional Gardai assigned to the North County will aid the struggle to deter criminality, according to a local TD who has been campaigning on the issue for some time. It has been revealed that seven new gardai are to be added to the roster across the Swords and Malahide Garda Stations by Easter. Greater resources in policing across Fingal are essential to clamp down on a rise in anti-social behaviour, according to Deputy Darrragh O'Brien TD. Fianna Fail TD for Dublin Fingal and Chairperson for the North Dublin Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force, Darragh O'Brien said that the addition of three Gardai in Swords and four in Malahide station this month will aid the ongoing work to deter criminality in the North County. He said: 'Councillor Eoghan O'Brien and I recently met with Chief Superintendent, Mark Curran and Superintendent, Gerry Donnelly to advance our campaign to restore Malahide Garda Station to a 24/7 service and to deliver additional policing resources to Fingal. 'I am pleased that a number of Gardai have been assigned to Swords and Malahide and I welcome the appointment of our new Garda Inspector, Dermot McKenna, who has been assigned to the Malahide, Portmarnock and Kinsealy area.' He added: 'This is particularly positive news as it means that Inspector, Ollie Woods who is responsible for the Swords sub-district can now be relieved of having to divide his time between Swords and Malahide stations.' Deputy O'Brien said: 'I have been advised that a substantial number of additional Gardai are to be stationed in the DMR North Division over the next eight months. 'I have detailed the importance of assigning these additional Gardai across the North Dublin region and especially in towns such Donabate and Portrane where the Garda presence is still inadequate.' Deputy O'Brien will continue to campaign for Malahide Station to be restored to a full 24 hour service. Ahead of this year's annual fundraiser, 65 Roses Day, in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, SPAR retailers recently handed over a whopping 564,547 donation to the charity for monies raised over the term of its two-year official partnership. And, with participating SPAR stores right around Ireland set to support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland's annual Flag Day again this year by selling the iconic Purple Roses in store last Friday, it is certain that SPAR will be making another sizeable contribution to the charity in the coming months. The annual fundraising flag day - which derives its name from the way in which young children often first say the words "cystic fibrosis" - seeks to raise much-needed funds for CF services and the Purple Roses will be on sale for 2 in SPAR stores throughout the country. SPAR will also be offering customers the option to add 65c to all purchases in participating stores from Friday 12th April to Sunday 14th April. As well as supporting the annual flag day, SPAR retailers were also proffering support to Bevin Murphy on her quest to raise awareness for the disease and the 65 Roses campaign. Bevin, who has Cystic Fibrosis, is taking on a challenge of walking or running for 65 minutes in a different county around Ireland each day during the month of April. Each day, Bevin will begin or end her walk/run at a SPAR store and people can follow her journey on SPAR's social media platforms. According to Colin Donnelly, SPAR Sales Director: 'SPAR is proud to support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland's annual Flag Day by selling the iconic purple roses across our estate and we hope that our support will continue to help improve the quality of the lives of those living with cystic fibrosis in Ireland. 'Over the lifetime of our support of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, aside from supporting the annual flag day, we have charity boxes in stores, make regular donations from the sale of our SPAR Own brand products and have been involved in a number of fundraising events to raise as much funds as possible for CFI.' The funds raised by SPAR are used to support independent living for those with cystic fibrosis. This includes providing support for the challenges faced by people with cystic fibrosis as they seek to live independent lives for the first time. They face many challenges in areas such as education, health, housing, employment and family support. Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) is a voluntary organisation that was set up in 1963 to improve treatment and facilities for people with cystic fibrosis in Ireland. CFI seek to provide the best possible quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis by raising funds through fundraising and donations from the public. The Flavours of Fingal County Show is set to be bigger and better than ever this summer as it welcomes a major new sponsor in Tesco. 'Flavours of Fingal is the flagship summer event hosted by Fingal County Council and we are delighted to announce this partnership with Tesco,' said Mayor of Fingal Cllr Anthony Lavin. He continued: 'Taking place on June 29 and 30 at Newbridge House and Farm Donabate, this family friendly festival is synonymous with food, farming and fabulous sunny days. It really is a wonderful celebration of our farming community and all that is good about life in North County Dublin.' Clair O'Donnell, Head of Brand Activations at Tesco Ireland explained, "At Tesco we are deeply committed to supporting our growers and local communities. . Fingal is home to many dedicated and hard-working farming families, many of whom have supplied Tesco for several years. 'We were part of Flavours of Fingal in 2018 and it was a wonderful opportunity to meet with our suppliers in the area and engage with our customers . We're delighted to announce our role as main sponsor for 2019 and look forward to serving up delicious Irish meat and the freshest local ingredients at the Festival in June. 'Flavours of Fingal is a truly superb family-friendly event showcasing Fingal and we are very much looking forward to being part of this fantastic fun-filled summer event." The full line-up for Flavours of Fingal County Show 2019 will be announced in May. Swords dance troupe BSD, a talented group of young dancers from Fingal, thrilled the nation recently when they became overall winners of TV's Ireland's Got Talent, ending months of gruelling rehearsals and achieving their much-deserved moment of fame. BSD, a 39-strong group of dancers aged nine to seventeen, hail from Back Street Dance Studio in Swords, which trains young dancers from all over Fingal. The studio first opened its doors in 2006 after Director Nikki Fitzpatrick, from River Valley, sat down with her parents at the kitchen table and decided to fulfil her life-long dream of running her own dance studio. Despite initially going through some tough times, Nikki's studio grew from just a small hall in a local community centre to a purpose-built 5,000 sq ft studio in Airside Retail Park, teaching a range of dance styles, from toddler to teen. After the shock of Nikki's mum passing away, who had been co-director, the loss affected the entire studio. Choreographers Aimee Fitzpatrick (Nikki's sister) and Niamh Carroll decided that entering Ireland's Got Talent would be the ideal way to bring new focus and drive, and, following in-house auditions, put together a winning crew. With the younger dancers keen to impress their elders, and the older ones taking them under their wing, a winning combination was found that would pave the way to them competing in front of a national audience and ultimately taking home top prize. Here, speaking after the Ireland's Got Talent final, held in the Helix earlier this month, a still euphoric Nikki explains what happened on the big night, and how proud she is of her immensely talented girls: 'It was incredible. I don't even have words to describe it really. I think for us, we're still trying to get over getting the Golden Buzzer, and then to get through to the semi-final and to go on and win the competition. 'We got to the point where we got to the final and said 'we've got to win this now!' 'Aimee and Niamh were both in my first ever class over fifteen years ago, so it's a huge achievement for them. 'They went from being students in my own class to being dancers and competing the same way these BSD kids are, doing shows and then training to be dance teachers and choreographers. 'This is their first big achievement, so I'm absolutely thrilled and I'm delighted for them as much as I am for the kids. 'Everyone thinks it's just the couple of weeks that you see on the show, but the show started back in November for us. That's how long these kids have been training. 'Obviously they were training from September, October for the actual initial auditions, and once we got the Golden Buzzer it was like, okay, we're straight through to the semi-finals now. So they've been working on their semi-final piece since November. 'From Christmas time, they had to start working on a final piece, because we never knew what way our semi-final piece was going to fall, whether it was going to fall a week beforehand or if it was going to fall the night before the final, so the kids had to be prepared. Thankfully we had that week to kind of strip things back and clean things up and make a few changes and stuff.' The atmosphere on the night of the final was simply 'electric', Nikki says, adding that the support the act received, outside of family and friends, was 'absolutely incredible.' There was some negative feeling over the win from some members of the public, she says, but at the end of the day, the public voted, and it was clear who the winners should be. Nikki says that although the first audition, when BSD were given the 'Golden Buzzer', was 'incredible', the semi-final was quite nerve-wrecking. The choreographers had taken a huge risk by changing the style of dance they had originally auditioned with, and with background video segments not reflecting the change, the judges were left confused as to why they hadn't stuck with the original style. Despite the slight glitch, however, Nikki says that 'any dancer' who had a performance background was 'blown away' by the performance, which she says was full of meaning. The theme of the performance was 'individual struggles' and mental health, which, although it may not have been fully appreciated by the judges, went down very well with the audience. Although the group were disappointed that the video had not reflected the night's performance, it still paid off, as the public voted overwhelmingly in their favour. 'Once we got through the semi-final on that Sunday, it was Monday morning, straight back into the studio. The girls sat down, and they literally just stripped everything back, and they pretty much learned an entire new routine in three or four days. 'It was hours on end, and it's not just what they do in the studio, it was rehearsals with the creative directors, being on stage and dress rehearsals. So it's not just what goes on inside our studio, it's everything else that goes on past that. There was other stuff they were doing with schools, shopping centres and all of that, so it's been really hectic.' Back Street Dance Studio, Nikki says, has always been involved in competitions, but after her mum passed away, the school just didn't have the heart to put so much commitment into performances. It was not, she says, just that she and her sister had lost their mum, but that she had lost her business partner, and the entire studio had lost their co-director. The school slowly recouped, regained their confidence, until eventually it led them to competing in the show, BSD's first performance since Nikki's mum passed away. Nikki had been 'incredibly nervous' on the night of the first audition. It was hard, she says, to get things back to normal after something so heartbreaking had happened, but she had faith in the girls, and says that when they performed their first piece, she was 'absolutely floored'. It was just a build up of everything, she says, but the girls 'danced their hearts out.' The girls, Nikki says, got the 'Golden Buzzer' simply because they wanted it so badly. 'The Golden Buzzer was something we never expected. You don't expect it, because you feel like they're saving it for something else. Obviously you're going out there to fight for it, but I think the main thing in the kids' heads was just to get through. 'They just wanted the four yes', and to impress the judges, so when Jason pressed the Golden Buzzer it just blew their minds. It was just to watch their reactions, and to hear them and see the emotion from all the hard work that they'd put in. It was just amazing.' Over the last couple of months, BSD have trained around the clock, seven days a week, in preparation for the semi-final and final, Nikki says. Now, with their hard work having paid off, their success has opened all sorts of opportunities. With a group of the studio's dancers having already performed in LA last October, the future for both the studio and the girls seems full of promise. But there are other, perhaps more important things to dancing, Nikki says, and explains how her eyes have been opened to the influence being a part of Back Street Dance Studio has had on the girls' lives: 'I think for children of that vulnerable age between 13, 14, 15, 16, I think it's such a difficult age. 'There's a lot of pressure on teenagers. Social media can be very beneficial, it can also be very damaging, and it's just trying to give kids somewhere to be able to focus, somewhere to be able to come and be themselves and have some fun. 'We've learned so much about our dancers in the last couple of months by just watching their interviews. We're not prompting them on what to say, they're just saying it, and it's very touching. 'We've been upset ourselves looking at them and thinking oh my God, I didn't realise that we made such an impact on an individual's life, but we did.' Hugely accomplished Gorey actor Garrett Lombard, is set to return to this home stage in the upcoming play, 'Furniture', which is written by former comedian, Sonya Kelly part of the Druid theatre company. The show will run in the Gorey Little Theatre from April 30 to May 1, and it is divided into three parts, each played by a different pairing of actors. Directed by Cathal Cleary, it has already picked up rave reviews from audiences and critics alike during its national tour which began in March. Garrett's acting career began with Gorey Little Theatre when he was seven years of age, starring in the play 'Cinderella'. From there he went on to play an award winning lead role in Brian Friel's Philadelphia, Here I come. A former CBS primary school student, Garrett studied acting at the Samuel Beckett Centre in Trinity College Dublin, and from there he made numerous appearances in television programmes such as Quirk, with Gabriel Byrne, and RTE's production of Pure Mule. Garrett has held leading roles in all of Ireland's major theatres and has gone on tour internationally as well as playing leading. His father, Garry Lombard, is no stranger to the stage, and has been involved in over 100 productions with Gorey Little Theatre, winning All-Ireland awards for plays such as The Browning Version, A Time of Wolves and Tigers and Goodbye Daddy. A spokesperson for Gorey Little Theatre said that it was a 'huge honour to have Druid come alongside one of our own actors, we're extremely excited about it'. She went on to say that Garrett Lombard had never forgotten his roots in Gorey Little Theatre, and that he was very down to earth as he has always been very supportive, often coming back to see plays at the theatre and sitting in the audience. About Garrett as an actor, the spokesperson added that 'since he was a very young child, his talent stood out in anything that he did and with both of his parents Veronica and Gary being super actors, he really seemed to get the best of both of them'. Gorey Little Theatre have followed Garrett's career very closely and often organise bus trips to go see him act. Having him return to Gorey in this capacity, Gorey Little Theatre members described as 'fantastic'. Garrett said that he is 'really looking forward to going back to Gorey' and his role this time is as Michael in 'Furniture'. He said that he loved being part of the community around Gorey Little Theatre when he was younger, as he 'loved the buzz of doing plays there'. Although the furniture is central to every aspect of the plot, Garrett explained that his part revolves around the relationship between Michael and his uncle George, when Michael is tasked with getting George's will in order after diagnosis of a terminal illness. He described the piece as 'heart warming but still quite funny' and explained that George, played by Niall Buggy, and Michael have more of a father and son relationship, with solicitor Michael as the butt of some of old George's jokes. He said that working on this show has been a 'real pleasure' and he looks forward to the Gorey people coming out in their droves to see the show. Garrett's sister Riona is still involved with theatre in Gorey, and his parents he said 'met on the stage, and have been doing drama for 40-50 years'. Describing his family life in Gorey, he said that he and his siblings were always encouraged to get involved. He said that theatre has a great history in Gorey, and he described Gorey people as very 'theatre literate'. Garrett explained that his family are still very involved with the South Leinster Drama Festival, and he is looking forward to staying around theatre in Ireland this summer. In 2018, Garrett had a busy year on tour in the USA, the Edinburgh festival as well as appearing often at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. Going forward in his career he said that he is heavily involved with Irish theatre on a grassroots level, so he gets to read for a lot of new plays and help bring them to life. In 'Furniture,' he said he is in a good place as through three different stories, contained in their own world, a lot of ground is covered. 'The writing is very good and the production standard is through the roof. It ticks all the boxes and the team have been joyous to work with'. Described as 'wickedly insightful' in The Irish Times, and 'whip smart' in The Irish Independent, this fresh comedy is a definite must see. Tickets for 25 can be purchased online through Gorey Little Theatre by visiting www.gr8events.ie/goreytheatre/furniture. Students at St Joseph's primary school celebrated Agri Aware week by welcoming local farmer and county chair of the Irish Farmers' Association, James Kehoe as well as producer in Alan Redmond, of Redmond Butchers for an informative talk on food which was followed by a cooking demonstration. The children learned about where their food comes from, and how it is grown and sold locally and further afield. That learning became a reality when they got to watch the chefs Fabien Riquet and James Cantwell, of The Kitchen, Gorey turn the fresh ingredients into a meal for all to enjoy, with a little help from some of the young volunteers. Students got involved by preparing the vegetables for stock, and they could ask their own questions throughout the demonstration. Agri Aware is the Irish agri-food educational body, a charitable trust, funded by the Irish farming and agri-food industry. Agri Aware week said 'We've had another eventful morning here in St Joseph's Primary, Gorey, for their pasture to plate winning prize'. The team are travelling to primary schools and community groups to provide information about agriculture and food nationwide, to increase children's understanding of agriculture and food origin. This initiative, sponsored by Restaurants Association of Ireland aims to improve the image of farming and food industries as well as promoting rural environment awareness, animal welfare and food safety. They say practice makes perfect, and that is certainly the case for Blackwater singers who joined forces with Soprano Mary Culloty O'Sullivan and Killarney Ladies singing group 'Finding your Voice' to bring a wonderful night of entertainment to Blackwater Tavern. The newly founded Blackwater singing group have been perfecting their talent in recent months, and they brought to this to the fore with their repertoire of songs on Thursday night, which ended with Ireland's Call and a standing ovation. They were supported by the Killarney choir, and the event was directed by Mary Culloty O'Sullivan. Both choirs chose a charity for the event, with Blackwater Women's Group selecting Crumlin Children's Hospital. One of its members, Tess O'Connell, knows first-hand how important the hospital is as her granddaughter, Amy, had life-saving surgery at the hospital. The Killarney choir chose a Go Fund Me Campaign for Tralee boy Noah Switzer Buckley, who has autism. Friends are rallying around the family to help them buy a new home. Local businesses helped support the night with wonderful spot prizes and, in total, 1,800 was raised. 900 will be donated to each beneficiary. Chairperson of Blackwater Women's Group, Mary O'Neill, thanked everyone who came to support the event, and she is calling on more people to join the choir. Singing classes continue on the first three Wednesdays in May and again in September. The future of our country is in safe hands based on the high calibre of students in North Kerry who took to the stage at Listowel Community Centre last Thursday to voice their arguments on alcohol and mental health. Causeway Comprehensive Secondary School and Listowel Presentation Secondary put convincing arguments to North Kerry secondary students in the final of the local debate. The chosen motion for the day was "That Alcohol is a leading contributory factor to the rise in anxiety and mental health issues of young people today." Causeway Comprehensive School proposed the topic and Presentation Secondary School were the opposing team. Both teams showed understanding of their chosen topic and a talent for presenting their strong arguments. It was no easy decision for the judges - including journalist Sinead Kelleher from The Kerryman, Inspector John Kelly from Listowel Garda Station and Liz Dunn from Listowel Writers Week - to choose the winner. Causeway proved to have the overall edge and were crowned the winners of the 2019 debate. The debate was part of a wider event to focus on alcohol as part of Listowel Community Action on Alcohol project (LCAA) - a North Kerry initiative aimed at tackling alcohol issues in the town. Local journalist and former student of St Michael's College in Listowel, Gerard Mulvihill, was the guestd speaker on the day and he shared his life story with students. Later on Thursday the Listowel Alcohol Action group supported the launch of Alcohol Action Ireland's "Silent Voices" Campaign at the Seanchai Centre in Listowel. This included guest speaker, Marion Rackard, daughter of the famous Wexford hurler Nicky Rackard who won two All Ireland medals for Wexford in converation with Dolores Tiernan, Director of Talbot Grove about the impact of parental alcohol misuse on children. Also speaking on the night was Tarbert native, Paddy Creedon, who is open in sharing his experience of his life as a problem drinker and his recovery. Silent Voices aims to promote an understanding of the adverse impacts of parental alcohol misuse on the lives of children, including children who are now adults. Lixnaw is looking back to its proud history as the very centre of power of almost the entire county ahead of a big conference in the heart of the village examining the story of one important clan: The Fitzmaurices. The Fitzmaurices: Lords of Kerry and Lixnaw takes place in the Ceolann Cultural Centre in the North Kerry village on Sunday, April 28, next from 10.30am until 3pm in an entirely free event being hosted by the Lixnaw Heritage and Historical group. Members were delighted to share a little of the Fitzmaurice story with EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan on his recent visit there; bringing the Kilkenny man out to the Old Court - once the seat of the Fitzmaurice gentry - to impart a sense of the gentrified highs of old. It proved a great occasion to highlight the work of the newly-formed Lixnaw Heritage and Historical group, launching into their mission to preserve the Lixnaw past in its wider context with an event that will bring some of the foremost Fitzmaurice experts to Lixnaw; including Listowel's Kay Caball. Kay is currently writing the history of the last Fitzmaurice Earls of Kerry, Lord Barons of Lixnaw: Thomas, the first Earl, William the second Earl and third Earl, Francis Thomas. Historian Rosemary Roughter will also address the conference; drawing on her extraordinary knowledge of the life of Lady Arbella Denny nee Fitzmaurice, who was born in 1707 in the Old Court in Lixnaw and went onto become one of the great philanthropists of 18th Century Dublin; and was also a relative of British Prime Minister William Petty through her maternal side. John Knightly is the other speaker, a historian who completed his doctorate on the Godfreys of Milltown and is a member of the Irish Georgian Society - in Lixnaw to share some of his expertise on the landed gentry, focusing of course on the local notables of old. Mostly, she did not want to tell anyone. Its embarrassing, she said. As she volunteered in the community, she realized she was surrounded by people who had no idea she was in an abusive relationship. But as the violence continued year after year, Laura told her family and more of her friends. Her mother advised her to stay in the relationship, saying it was important for the children to have a father. Her friends were supportive each time she left, but they were frustrated that she would not leave her husband for good. Worst of all, she doubted herself. Friends and family of Grace Cahillane gathered last week to support a cause close to her heart: to raise funds for the Burren Chernobyl Project. The 18-year old organised a coffee morning to raise funds for the project in a bid to help ease the plight of those affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. The Burren Chernobyl project was established in 1993 and supports the Gorodishche Orphanage, which is home to more than 220 children and young adults affected by the many people still enduring the effects of the devastating incident in Belarus. However, they need funds to continue their good work in the region. Home-baked goods were the order of the day, as a large crowed gathered at the Inisfallen Hotel in Killarney to support the project. Grace heard about the project's work through friends, and is herself hoping to travel to Belarus to volunteer. She is currently on a gap year between school and college and wants to help those less fortunate while taking this time out between her studies. The event raised substantial funds thanks to the support from the local community and Grace is most thankful for this generous backing. Donations are still coming in for the cause through other streams. "I am still counting the donations, so we don't have a final figure yet," Grace explained following the event. The Fossa girl is the daughter of Mike and Catriona Cahillane, and she said that the project is a very worthy cause, one that she hopes to hold more fund-raisers for in times ahead. To find out more about or donate to The Burren Chernobyl Project, visit www.burrenchernobyl.ie/. Preparations are well underway for the year's Kingdom County Fair which will see the start of a four year plan to develop the event and turn it into one of the country's premier county fairs. This year's event takes place on May 12 at Ballybeggan Racetrack in Tralee and it promises to be one of the biggest and best county fairs to be seen in Kerry for many years. The official launch of the fair took place at the Meadowlands Hotel in Tralee on Monday night. Speaking at the launch Kingdom County Fair Chairman James Tarrant said he was very excited about what lies ahead for the historic event. "We are really looking forward to this years show," said James. "The Kingdom County Fair is now in its 71st year and we have just initiated plans which will over the next four years to develop the Fair to be one of the leading County Fairs in the country," Mr Tarrant said. "In addition to all our normal activities this year we have new activities and new sponsors amongst them Macra na Feirme, Horse Sport Ireland (HIS) and Captain Brian Cournane of the Glen Beigh Farm in Florida," James told The Kerryman. The Kingdom County Fair is organised by a dedicated committee of volunteers who spend months putting together a jam packed line up that reflects every facet of life in the county. Going on the huge crowds that have attended the fair in recent years its expected that some 4,000 people from all corners of the country will descend on Ballybeggan. To see the full line up log on to www.kingdomcountyfair.com for the complete low down. Seldom has the chamber room at Kerry County Council been witness to such warm scenes as Monday's Civic Reception for the maestro musical couple, Nicky and Anne McAuliffe. The famous north Kerry musicians were honoured for their contribution to traditional music and culture - an influence that, when combined, amounts to 100 years between them playing and teaching music. Surrounded by family and friends, the packed gallery of well-wishers nodded in agreement as warm tributes were paid to the couple from Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council Cllr Norma Foley, and Cllr Michael Gleeson, who initially proposed the Civic Reception for Nicky and Anne. In February, the couple were awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Gradam Ceoil awards live on TG4 from Belfast's Waterfront Hall. But accolades from 'your own' often carry greater weight, and Monday's reception is one of many memorable episodes in a journey that started in Cordal for Nicky, and in Lixnaw for Anne. Both learned their music as children from their parents in the cherished north Kerry tradition. Cathaoirleach Cllr Norma Foley spoke of how, in October 1969, Nicky and Anne fell in love while performing together during a recording of RTE's Ceili House programme. "And so began their mutual love affair with each other and a mutual love affair with music," she said. "Today we honour two individuals who have mined and explored that subterranean treasure trove of music and brought it to a wide and appreciative audience. Nicky and Anne are without doubt two of the finest exponents of traditional Irish music which Kerry has ever produced," she added. Nicky and Anne were also past members of the influential Brosna Ceili Band and won an All-Ireland Ceili Band title at the Fleadh Cheoil in 1972. The McAuliffes were invited to Aras an Uachtarain in 2003 by President Mary McAleese for a reception celebrating local traditional musicians, while they are equally proud of their role in teaching the next generation of traditional musicians. Mo Flam Film Lighting Expect, Ciaran Tanham President Irish Society of Cinematography, Noel Quinn Sound Recordist, Rupert McCarthy - Morrogh, Brian Nolan Senior Instructor ETB Broadcast Production Skills Centre, Claire Cassidy Film Director, Diarmuid Galvin Camera supervisor and The Dawn Workshops, Orla Finucane Script Supervisor with members of the cast and students shooting the pilot episode of "TX" at the ETB Broadcast Production Skills Centre, Tralee. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Tralee got a sprinkling of movie magic this week as Brian Nolan and his team of Broadcast Production trainees begin work with an impressive group of industry professionals to make their first ever 'Mentored Movie' in Kerry's ETB's National Digital Skills Centre in the Monavalley. A new concept for the training centre, the mentored movie brings industry professionals together with Film/TV trainees to collaborate on filming a feature, a comedy series entitled 'TX'. Cheers and Seinfeld writer Andy Cowen was involved in mentoring the writing group and developed the initial storyline. Claire Cassidy (Director) and Eve O'Mahony (Producer) adding finishing touches. The first person to commit to the crew was lighting expert Mo Flam (Black Swan) followed by Andrea O'Connor (Spotlight) Ciaran Tanham (Love/Hate,) and Noel Quinn (The Tudors,) The Centre also runs The Dawn Workshops - Media industry training by and for the industry, supported by the KETB. Named after the movie "The Dawn", Ireland's first talkie feature, shot by Thomas G Cooper in Killarney in 1934 and restored in 2017 by KETB Broadcast Production students. A public house in Listowel in which gardai found customers still present seven minutes after closing-time - on the night of the Revival music festival last August - was fined 200 at district court in the town on Thursday, April 4. O'Connor's Public House - trading as Mike the Pie's - was before Judge David Waters who was informed by gardai they had found 70 people on the premises at 2.40am on a night when closing time had been at 12.30am; with half-an-hour drinking-up time. Solicitor Louis McDonough informed the court that the pub had had an exemption that night however, as the proprietor was a 'driving force' for the music festival Revival that had taken place earlier that day - on August 11 last year. Mr McDonough said the exemption allowed for the serving of alcohol until 2am, with 2.30am the cut off time and that the inspection had been carried out at 2.37am. "Staff were all outside the counter at that time." He said the pub had never come to attention before. "The premises has been in the family for well over a century...the State would agree that it is a very well run premises," Mr McDonough added. Judge Waters imposed a 200 fine. Ballinagare Tavern, trading as The Railway Bar, in Lixnaw was also fined 200 at the court. Gardai said they found 20 people on the premises at 1am on September 10 last year, with closing time that night at 11pm - patrons to be out by 11.30pm. Gardai said the excuse they were given was that a local GAA match had been on that day. Solicitor Pat Enright said the match in question had been an All-Ireland camogie final involving Kerry, and one in which Lixnaw had played a central role being a 'heartland' of hurling, he informed the Judge. Ballinagare Tavern was also fined 200. The winning entrants in this year's Creative Spirit Awards received a special surprise when they learned their work is to feature on South East Radio next month. Now in their fourth year, the Creative Spirit Awards are a joint initiative from the Christian Media Trust and Diocesan Pastoral Council and see children from all over the county undertake projects on a set theme. This year's theme was 'How an I save the Environment?' and tasked schoolchildren with creating short stories, art or prayers based on environmental issues. Held at Clonard Community Centre, the awards night was hosted by members of the Ferns Pastoral Committee and Bishop Denis Brennan was on hand to give plaques and goodie bags to the winners. However, the prizes didn't end there as Maria Colfer, Office of the Diocesan Pastoral Council Co-Ordinator, explains: 'Most of the children did prayers or short stories so we brought them into the Christian Media Trust studio and recorded them reciting their work. These recordings will be going out on SE Radio on May 20 and 27 and June 3 at 8.30 p.m.' And Maria said that the awards continue to grow in popularity as local children learn about topical issues while engaging with religion and spirituality. 'It's one way of getting children to engage with the scriptures, or some aspects of their own religious programme, and it's practical as well because they're learning about their own environment and what they can do, and it ties in with things like the Green Schools Flags too,' she said. Seven members of a Chinese delegation of political and business leaders from the Yingtan municipality in China, visited the Hatch Lab in Gorey on Monday April, 8. The area in China, which is North of Shanghai, has a much larger population than Ireland and is known for its companies in the technology sector. The visitors were invited to the Hatch Lab M11 Business Campus by Wexford County Council, alongside Cllr Malcolm Byrne, to look at possible long term collaborations with European companies and local authorities. The delegation were keen to look at where business can happen, and Cllr Byrne said that the delegation were very impressed by what they saw in Wexford, as well as the model of the Hatch Lab, particularly in terms of how it works in collaboration with local government and business. 'We wanted to make them aware of the opportunities in County Wexford. As China is a huge and expanding market that is opening up, it presents enormous opportunities for Irish companies to collaborate,' said Cllr Byrne afterwards. John O'Connor, Chief Executive Officer of the Hatch Lab said that Wexford cannot just look towards American investment, but also needs to look further east and he added that a partnership like this takes time, 'It's not going to happen over night but it's a very good start and something that we want to try and encourage,' he said. He explained that the areas particularly of Gorey, Enniscorthy and Wexford Town are looking to set up a form of twinning opportunity with the delegation, which will work both ways, as representatives of Wexford County Council will go to Yingtan to visit the facilities also. O'Connor sees this as relationship building, with a goal of having a Chinese company set up its base in Wexford, but also getting investors interested in the start-up businesses already ongoing at the Hatch Lab. The delegation later visited the County Hall in Wexford. Improvement works at the busy Irishtown junction look set to continue into May. Senior Executive Engineer Eilis Furlong told a meeting of New Ross Municipal District that the works include: the upgrading of traffic lights, new energy efficient decorative lights, the underground of cables and the planting of new trees. Ms Furlong said works will continue for two months. 'The ESB are working at the moment there. That work will allow us to take down the cables so we can complete the rest of the street-lights. The railing at the chipper needs to go up and will look the same as the railing on the other side of the road. That will complete three sides (of the junction).' A section of wall has to come down and a railing, with paving to be laid and a stone wall to be erected also in Irishtown and the road has to be resurfaced. 'That is happening while the schools are off,' she said. Cllr Michael Sheehan said a new pavement needs to be laid near the monument. 'There is a business that is after spending a considerable amount of money there and the footpaths are in an appalling condition.' Ms Furlong said the low cost safety scheme tenders are in and the Irishtown footpath is included. 'There is not much play there but there are options we are looking at. We will come up with a best case scenario solution.' Our roads are officially the worst in the country and they're driving one councillor crazy. Speaking at the Wexford County Council meeting, Cllr John Fleming said a national oversight committee has found that Wexford has the worst primary and the fourth worst secondary roads nationally, while the regional roads are also ranked among the nation's worst. 'Shane Ross and the Government have failed as our roads are in the worst condition in Ireland. Is there any way we can look for funding on the back of this?' Cllr Michael Whelan said most other counties are getting more funding for roads under the Local Improvement Scheme, than Wexford. Director of services for Roads Eamonn Hore said the council has been lobbying for funding since the first survey in 1996. 'We have gone back to the department on three occasions. Over the last two years there have been significant increases in funding of over 1m for roads. We have proven that given the money we can bridge that gap.' On Local Improvement Scheme roads' funding, Mr Hore said Wexford has received more than some counties and less than others. 'It's not based on the number of ministers per county then?' Cllr Michael Whelan said. Cllr Robbie Ireton said there are anomalies in how funding is distributed throughout the county. Mr Hore said Local Improvement Scheme funding for lanes is solely based on applications the local authority receives. 'The money for road strengthening and surface dressing is divided equally,' he said. 'Norman soldiers' will storm Bannow Beach once more in a re-enactment of the invasion of 1169 'Norman soldiers' will storm Bannow Beach once more in a re-enactment of the invasion of 1169 What is it about this fair green isle of ours? Why is it so cherished, so yearned for, by our neighbours from across the seas? No sooner have we commemorated one anniversary, paid tribute to those who died fighting for our freedom, when it's time to mark another. However, in this instance, it's a less heroic chapter in Irish history that's being remembered. In May 1169 Norman invaders arrived on Irish shores, onto the beach at Bannow in County Wexford. And they arrived with one thing on their mind, to annex the town of Wexford and to claim it as their own. And, to mark this seismic event, a battle which changed the course of Irish history forever, a series of public events will take place throughout Wexford in the coming months. Beginning with the Bannow 1169 Norman Festival, which takes place in the village on the May Bank Holiday weekend, the year-long programme will see historical talks, demonstrations, concerts, re-enactments, workshops, medieval games and festivals in New Ross, Enniscorthy, Wexford Town and Ferns. Launching the programme, entitled 'The Normans Are Here', Wexford County Council Tourism Officer Billy Byrne said, 'We are honoured to announce a very fitting programme of events to commemorate and the celebrate the 850th anniversary of the arrival of the Normans to Ireland. 'There is set to be something for all ages and tastes on offer in Wexford this year and we look forward to welcoming visitors from across the country and abroad to enjoy these events.' On May 4 and 5, the village of Carrig on Bannow will be overrun with Normans as the battles of yore are recreated and reenacted by fully trained warriors. A Medieval Living History Tented Village with 14 living history tents, 15 living heritage craft displays, and a display of Norman cavalry warfare will be erected and historical lectures with Turtle Bunbury and Emmet Stafford will also take place. In addition, a commemorative ceremony and concerts featuring local and French musicians will mark this most important and consequential event in Irish history. In Enniscorthy, over the June Bank Holiday weekend, the Norman theme continues as soldiers in full attire frequent the town and Norman Enniscorthy Castle during the annual Strawberry Street Rhythm & Roots Festival. Norman food will also be on offer at the All Ireland Farmers Market. Then, during the August bank holiday weekend, the Rockin' Food Festival in Enniscorthy will host the Norman Medieval Fare and a series of Norman themed events for children and adults will be staged at Enniscorthy Castle. In addition, a public lecture series including guest speakers; Dr Conor Kostick, Dr Linda Doran, Dr Denis Shine, Ian Doyle and Dr Michael Potterton; is to be hosted by Wexford Library. Tintern Abbey will also host a public lecture event with archaeologist Coilin O Drisceoil and a series of guided walking tours in New Ross hosted by Baya the storyteller will take place throughout the summer. Later in the year, The Irish National Heritage Park host the Viking Fire Festival on September 28-29. The festival will have two locations for events, the Wexford Quayside and the Irish National Heritage Park with the River Slaney route running between the two. A full festival experience will be on offer and families will be able to pitch up a tent and enjoy an experience akin to life some 850 years ago as the Quayside is transformed into a real-life Viking village as a host of reenactions taking place over the course of the weekend. The weekend will conclude with a flotilla of ships departing the Irish National Heritage Park and arriving onto the Wexford Quayside with a crew of defending forces firing their bows upon the vessels and setting one alight. On October 12 and 13, a reenactment of the trial of Diarmuid MacMurrough will take place in Ferns. The MacMurrough Inquiry will detail the events which led to the Norman invasion. Leading barristers, historians and academics will lend their hand to proceedings. Taking 2019 to a close will be the 'Carrick 850 International Conference' which takes place at the Irish National Heritage Park on October 18 and 19. Further details on all of the events and how to purchase tickets can be found at www.visitwexford.ie/Norman850 As another year masked by the global pandemic comes to an end, our photojournalists remain challenged and, frequently, awed - by the constant state of change. We documented our ever-evolving world in ways few photo staff could as we all worked to regain normalcy amid COVID-19s seemingly unbreakable hold on our communities. We showed the relieved faces of people receiving a coveted vaccine, telling the story of a scientific breakthrough with images of those benefitting from it. We covered new workplace policies, school protocols and policing practices. We traveled half-way across the world to an Olympics where the athletes couldnt hug each other, masked medalists stop atop the podium and no one came to watch. The Chicago Tribune faced its own series of changes, too. We have new owners. New bosses. Endured another move. Gained new talented journalists and lost many others from the newsroom ranks. The one constant has been our dedication to providing photography on a daily basis that is relevant to the communities we cover: The joy of picnicking at the lakefront on a summer afternoon, the pain of children, police officers and neighbors all falling victims to violent crime. Documenting whos in and whos out in the political landscape, escaping to your favorite cultural even or sports competition. We hope this installment of the annual Photos of the Year project reminds us of the moments that shaped our lives and the thoughtful way we portray them. Its also a platform for acknowledging the talent and dedication of Tribune photographers, and all photojournalists, who make change a way of life. The Chicago Tribune staff photographers for 2021: Brian Cassella, Erin Hooley, Terrence Antonio James, Vashon Jordan Jr., John J. Kim, Youngrae Kim, Jose M. Osorio, Antonio Perez, Armando L. Sanchez, Chris Sweda, Abel Uribe, E. Jason Wambsgans, Stacey Wescott and Raquel Zaldivar. Tribune visual editors: Mark Hume, Andrew Johnston, Marianne Mather, Steve Rosenberg and Peter Tsai. - Todd Panagopoulos, Director of Content/Visuals The Presentation Centre in Enniscorthy will provide the venue for an album launch by one of Co Wexford's most popular musicians on Thursday, May 2. Enniscorthy based Mick Comerford will launch his 'Reuben James' album with a little help from his good friend Stephen Murphy. Among the special guests on the night will be Ann Dreelan, Mag Murphy, and Mick's daughter, Eve Comerford, who is a formidable musician in her own right. Speaking to this newspaper about the album Mick said it's a 16-track mix of American styled country songs. Originally from Waterford his first foray into the world of music was as a teenager with rock bands in his native city. However, he moved to Enniscorthy in 1992 and has been a stalwart of the local music scene here ever since. The new album was recorded with local recording studio engineer and musician Ivan Levingstone at the helm and it comes in the wake of Mick's debut release, 'Drops of Brandy', the title track from which was a big hit on local radio. Mick has also written a number of original songs although the new album is packed with well-known standards, albeit interpreted in his own way. The album was produced by another well known Wexford musician, Leslie Dunne, and for anyone with an interest in top quality, uptempo country music and a good night out the launch night should tick all of the boxes. The cost of admission will be 15 and doors will open at 7.30 p.m. with the music due to begin at 8 p.m. The first public screening of rare 70-year-old film showing the 1948 burial in Sligo of the poet WB Yeats's remains marked the launch on Friday of the programme for the 60th Yeats International Summer School. The longest running academic summer school in the world will run from July 25th to August 2nd with a mix of contemporary poetry, world-class lectures, walks, music and theatre. The programme for this year's school was launched by IT Sligo President Dr Brendan McCormack, who is chair of the Summer School committee, at the Yeats Building, Sligo. The Society also screened in public for the first time, rare colour archive footage, shot by musician Jim Barclay, of the reinternment of WB Yeats in September 1948 and donated to the Society by his Jim's nephew, Alan Aston. The film had been in Alan's possession for many years, unidentified and unseen. When Alan had the film transferred to digital format, he realised that the four minutes of colour pictures showed scenes of the ceremony that marked WB Yeats body being returned from France for burial at Drumcliffe. The Nobel poet had asked to be buried there, in the lines written in his famous 1938 poem, Under Ben Bulben: 'Under Bare Ben Bulben's head, in Drumcliffe churchyard, Yeats is laid.' Dr McCormack welcomed the film as an important donation to the Yeats Society in the year that the Society marks the wonderful achievement of its 60th Summer School. He said: "It is an important landmark event, for Sligo and the world, to be able to continue to celebrate WB Yeats as one of the great global poets. "To receive this film is very special this year and will be of great interest to so many people." This year's Summer School will feature a special event Salute to Seamus, to mark the great friendship that existed between Seamus Heaney and the Summer School; this year marks Seamus' 80th birthday. Poets attending include Paul Muldoon, Eilean Ni Chuilleanain and Bernard O'Donghue. Students will also get to enjoy stand-up paddling on Lough Gill.Co-directors of the School are Professor Matt Campbell (University of York) and Dr Lauren Arrington (University of Liverpool). The problem with Leo V's fawning letter to Kylie is that he's supposed to be the poster boy for a new Ireland. It isn't that he pulled rank to meet a popstar versus a sporting icon, as was suggested in the Irish Times in the last week. It's that we're supposed to be shot of the bad old days when it was who you knew, not what, that opened golden circle doors. It's because when Leo landed the top job, the era of a them-and-us political establishment was supposed to have come to an end. The memories of Charlie Haughey in his Charvet shirt telling the public to tighten its belt, or Padraig Flynn on The Late Late Show complaining about having to run three houses on expenses, could finally be consigned to history. Leo's leadership was supposed to herald a line in the sand between the past and present. He represented the generation that knew it was OK to be in a same sex relationship, and that no woman should have to carry a baby that couldn't survive to full-term in Ireland. At least, that was until his four lines to Kylie before she played Dublin last year offered a glimpse of the real man behind the mask, rather than the one Ireland so badly wanted him to be. 'Dear Kylie,' he wrote, 'Just wanted to drop you a short note in advance of the concert in Dublin. I am really looking forward to it. I'm a huge fan! I understand you are staying in the Merrion Hotel, which is just over the street from my office in Government Buildings. If you like, I'd love to welcome you personally. Leo V. Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister)'. From the official masthead at the top to the English translation at the bottom, everything about it smacked of the cute-hoor culture. The office of the Taoiseach isn't Leo V's to get what he wants, or to schmooze celebrities like it's some kind of perk. The office belongs to the people and it's supposed to be used to get what needs doing done. Take - for instance - Arklow, an average Irish town, hit by a series of serious setbacks in recent weeks. It would take Leo less than an hour and a half to get there in the state car that costs around 300,000 a year to run. It's a longer jaunt than a trip across the street, but it would mean a great deal. How creepy on his part, by the way, to let the former Neighbours star know that he knew exactly where she would staying and - in the same line - exactly how big a fish he is. His 'request' to meet had all the subtlety of a corrupt despot in a south American regime, or Tony Soprano maybe. Yes, Leo is entitled to a personal life and to downtime, but he needs to be reminded that his work and private life are separate entities. To add insult to injury, the Freedom of Information request was twice blocked. You don't get to censor the truth just because of who you are either, Leo V. Just a month away from the Local Elections, Sligo's longest serving councillor, Declan Bree, first elected in 1974, gives his views on how Local Government Sligo, in common with every other local authority area has witnessed major changes in the administration and functioning of local government over the past number of decades. The most detrimental and significant change of recent years was the decision by Fine Gael and the Labour Party to abolish an entire tier of councils including Sligo Borough Council in 2014, while other changes including the reduction in the number of elected representatives at county level and the ongoing diminution of the powers of local councils which has created serious difficulties in the local government section. The Irish local government system is now the most constrained, narrow based and weakest system of local government in the European Union. Instead of the devolution of powers to local councils the Fine Gael/Labour government undermined local democracy; abolished the system of local government that was closest to the people - the borough and town councils. This was totally at odds with what was happening in every other European democracy. Today it is recognised that borough and town councils were the most efficient element within the Irish local government system. There were no savings whatsoever when Sligo Borough Council was abolished and what really occurred was a reduction in the level of accountability in the administration of local government in addition to significant cuts in funding in the Borough. All of us want to influence out local environment, how our neighborhoods' are planned and developed, how our services are delivered including matters such as education, housing, health services, transport and traffic matters, policing, the everyday issues that shape the quality of our lives. In most countries, these everyday matters are the concerns and functions of a strong system of local government. However in Ireland decisions relating to these matters are made by unelected officials, bureaucrats or quangos, where there is little or no democratic accountability. Originally our hospitals and health services were run by the local councils. A number of years before I was first elected control of the health services were transferred to Regional Health Boards which at least had councillors as members. This was all lost when the unelected HSE was established. The abolition of domestic rates in 1977 has a profound effect in that it created a significant dependence on funding from central government. From the 1980's onwards councils continued to lose responsibilities and power. While central government established quangos composed of non elected personal, elected councillors consistently lost powers over road plans, waste management plans, health services, housing, refuse collections, waste charges, water services and many planning functions. Even the decisive role which councillors once had over their annual budget and in respect of development plans were greatly diminished. At the same time County Manager's/Chief Executive's and senior officials were given additional powers while unelected quangos like the HSE, National Transport Authority and Irish Water were given the seal of approval. Today on many councils the Chief Executive and officials act as the "local government" and the councillors function as a kind of "opposition" in the council chamber. The significant powers vested in officials has led to an extremely weak local political system. Chief Executives do not have a political mandate to represent the local community while at the same time local elected representatives do not have the responsibilities or structures to optimise a strong local leadership role. This local democratic weakness in turn reinforces the tendency for local communities and politicians alike to turn to central government to deal with issues which should be dealt with locally. Unfortunately the mainstream political parties accept the ongoing diminution of local self government and local democracy. Fianna Fail TD for Sligo-Leitrim Marc MacSharry has said the LEADER funding spend to date is a shocking indictment of this government's record on community and rural issues. Figures revealed to Fianna Fail show that 17m has been spent out of 250m on project expenditure nationwide. Deputy MacSharry commented, "It is shocking that only 17m has been spent on actual project expenditure. This is yet another example of Fine Gael's total ineptitude when it comes to supporting rural social entrepreneurship. Launches and photo calls are no substitute for rolling out financial support that is supposed to be available through LEADER. "I have met with many local groups working to draw down LEADER funding. Leader company staff in Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Roscommon are second to none however, what impediments are preventing these funds getting to the local communities who need them? "Figures released to me show that just 19% of the overall budget has been spent in Sligo, 14% in Roscommon, 19% in Leitrim, and 29% in Donegal. Dedicated staff and the funds are available. There can be no legitimate excuse for the failure in channeling these funds to local groups and initiatives that can benefit all our communities. "If the current delays continue, funds will be unspent and returned despite the hard work being done on the ground," concluded Deputy Mac Sharry. Mayor of Sligo Municipal District, Councillor Rosaleen O Grady welcomed students from Kempten University of Applied Science to Sligo County Hall last week. The students were visiting Sligo as guests of Sligo IT. The Mayor said the visit was another important milestone in the very special friendship between Kempten and Sligo. "Both as Mayor and in my role as Chair of our Council's Town Twinning Committee, I have had the privilege of welcoming many groups to our town and also visiting our good friends in Kempten. "Over the years of our association, the people of Kempten have been both welcome visitors and exceptional hosts, and this has been the foundation of our enduring association.' "Indeed, the first contact between Kempten and Sligo involved a student exchange programme, and the networks and friendships established by that initiative provided the inspiration to develop other projects. "The association was formalised with the signing of a Charter in Kempten in February 1990 and two months later in Sligo. "The Charter expressed our shared ambition that 'personal contacts be strengthened' and focused on the important role to be played by young people in particular in fostering and nurturing this friendship. She said that in the quarter century since then the association has developed at many levels. "While the civic authorities have provided the formal basis for the twinning arrangement, it has been the inspiration and catalyst for many other excellent projects in the realms of education, culture, arts, music and tourism. "One of the highlights of our association is the networking between our local colleges and colleges in Kempten - and IT Sligo and St Angela's College have been active partners in this endeavour. "There is consensus on all sides that there are great benefits from sharing the experiences and methods in our respective colleges. "By any measure we have been enriched by our friendship with the people of Kempten, it is an association I will continue to support and promote,and I regard this particular programme as a model of its kind," she said. It's fallen somewhat under the shadow of the local and European elections which are taking place on the same day, but the public are being urged to read up on what exactly they are voting for in the divorce referendum. Ms Justice Tara Burns, a Sligo native, and Chairperson of the Referendum Commission, visited town last week to inform people about the upcoming referendum, and the details. She told The Sligo Champion: "One of our functions is not only to provide independent, accurate information but also to make people aware that there is a referendum happening and to encourage people to vote. "There's a lot happening on May 24th. You have local elections, European elections and there will be voting in plebiscites on whether to have mayors in Limerick and Cork. "There's this regulation of divorce referendum. It's important that people hear it's on, what it's about. "There has been some media publicity about it but we don't have a huge amount of time to go, our guide is just being published at the minute. "The booklet is going up on the website and that contains the information that we see as important and reflecting what the issues are in terms of what the proposal is, the present legal position, the change of it if it is affected, how the situation will be if it is not affected and a section in relation to FAQs." The Referendum Commission acts as an impartial, unbiased body providing information on a referendum. The Hight Court judge explained exactly what we are voting for. "It's in respect of the constitution provisions that deal with divorce. "That was enacted on foot of the referendum in 1995. Article 41.3.2, in that there are specific conditions that are set out as to when a court can grant a divorce. "One of the conditions is that at the date of the institution of the divorce proceedings, the spouses have lived apart from one another for a period of at least four years out of the last five. "The proposal is to take that out of the constitution entirely. There has been some media reporting that it's inserting a different time period but no it's just to remove it. "The Family Law Divorce Act also sets out the conditions to reflect what's in the constitution, that act also sets out the exact same time period. That will still continue to apply, but the Government has said it proposes to amend that in due course. "The proposal that has been made in terms of a bill being presented, is that the time period will be reduced to two years out of three. "It will then be the Government or the Oireachtas who will decide that, and it will no longer feature in the constitution. That's the first change." Voters will also be voting on 'foreign divorces' in this referendum. "The second one relates to foreign divorces. "Foreign divorces can be recognised within this jurisdiction already. "What the constitution says is that anybody who has a foreign divorce cannot re-marry unless that foreign divorce is recognised within this jurisdiction. "What the Government are proposing is that that clause will be taken out and instead what will be inserted is that the Oireachtas has power to legislate to recognise foreign divorces. "A foreign divorce is a divorce obtained outside the state, people who are living in Ireland, anybody who is living here who wishes to marry here and has a foreign divorce in another jurisdiction, that divorce can be recognised here. "The proposal is simply that the Oireachtas can legislate, the Oireachtas can legislate already in any event but that's the proposed change. "The important thing that people need to know is that while there are two questions being put forward, you must say yes or no to both. "You can't choose yes for one and no for the other, there isn't a provision for that. "It's yes to both and no to both. It's one question. There are two changes and the question will be 'do you approve of both changes' and yes or no." The Heatherview native was nominated to act as Chairperson in February of this year. "Our role is to be completely neutral and completely independent. Whatever it is that the proposal will be. "The Referendum Commission here in Ireland isn't continuous, it is established when a referendum is called. I change, it's a Ex Officio basis, the other members don't change as frequently as the judge will change." Walkers and runners are being urged to put their best foot forward as Arklow Tidy Towns hosts a day of fun events at the Riverwalk on Easter Monday. Tidy Towns volunteers, together with Altura Credit Union, have organised a family-friendly festival of nature on Easter Monday (April 22) to celebrate World Earth Day. Kicking things off will be a 5k fun run at 10 a.m. Beginning at the St Mary's Park bandstand, the run will take place aong the 1.8km riverbank path of the Avoca River and head towards Glenart Woods, in celebration of the recent restoration of the area by Arklow Tidy Towns and to mark the 60th anniversary of the opening of the trail. The Irish Trails accredited route, which is open to walkers and runners of all ages, is mainly off-road with nature themed decorations along the river bank path leading up a moderate incline into Ballyraine and Glenart Wood, going over a pedestrian bridge at M11 and looping at another bridge in Glenart Wood on a mixture of tarmac, gravel and clay paths, before heading back into town to the finish line. Places are limited to 200. Online registration is open now on popupraces.ie and will stay open until 48 hours before the event. Online registration costs 10 for adults (it will be 15 on the day) and 5 for under 16s. Registration will take place from 9 a.m. with the run getting under way at 10 a.m. Later that same afternoon, Arklow Tidy Towns will be hosting a family-friendly 2k walk at 2.30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join in and there is no registration required. A new environmental sign, outlining the 2k nature trail and some of the flora and fauna that can be seen along it, will be unveiled around 3.15 p.m. at the riverwalk, where a tree will also be planted. Arklow Tidy Towns has been busy over the last few months clearing and tidying up the riverwalk area of the town to open it up to locals as a place to come to relax, exercise and take in the beauty of their town. They hope that Monday's run and walk will get the ball rolling in that regard and urge as many people as possible to come along. Arklow should be so lucky, lucky, lucky. The problem with Leo V's fawning letter to Kylie is that he's supposed to be the poster boy for a new Ireland. It isn't that he pulled rank to meet a popstar versus a sporting icon, as was suggested in the Irish Times in the last week. It's that we're supposed to be shot of the bad old days when it was who you knew, not what, that opened golden circle doors. It's because when Leo landed the top job, the era of a them-and-us political establishment was supposed to have come to an end. The memories of Charlie Haughey in his Charvet shirt telling the public to tighten its belt, or Padraig Flynn on The Late Late Show complaining about having to run three houses on expenses, could finally be consigned to history. Leo's leadership was supposed to herald a line in the sand between the past and present. He represented the generation that knew it was OK to be in a same sex relationship, and that no woman should have to carry a baby that couldn't survive to full-term in Ireland. At least, that was until his four lines to Kylie before she played Dublin last year offered a glimpse of the real man behind the mask, rather than the one Ireland so badly wanted him to be. 'Dear Kylie,' he wrote, 'Just wanted to drop you a short note in advance of the concert in Dublin. I am really looking forward to it. I'm a huge fan! I understand you are staying in the Merrion Hotel, which is just over the street from my office in Government Buildings. If you like, I'd love to welcome you personally. Leo V. Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister)'. From the official masthead at the top to the English translation at the bottom, everything about it smacked of the cute-hoor culture. The office of the Taoiseach isn't Leo V's to get what he wants, or to schmooze celebrities like it's some kind of perk. The office belongs to the people and it's supposed to be used to get what needs doing done. Take - for instance - Arklow, an average Irish town, hit by a series of serious setbacks in recent weeks. It would take Leo less than an hour and a half to get there in the state car that costs around 300,000 a year to run. It's a longer jaunt than a trip across the street, but it would mean a great deal. How creepy on his part, by the way, to let the former Neighbours star know that he knew exactly where she would staying and - in the same line - exactly how big a fish he is. His 'request' to meet had all the subtlety of a corrupt despot in a south American regime, or Tony Soprano maybe. Yes, Leo is entitled to a personal life and to downtime, but he needs to be reminded that his work and private life are separate entities. To add insult to injury, the Freedom of Information request was twice blocked. You don't get to censor the truth just because of who you are either, Leo V. The third-graders had spent weeks researching Elgin-area organizations that help people in need through a new program at the Elgin school meant to expand their grasp of the concept of philanthropy. The goal was to force them to think about how who should receive their money and why. West Wicklow Cancer Support took part in the East Coast FM Coffee Morning for the first time on Friday and ended up with a full house in the Coimin Centre, Blessington. The group have only been in existence since 2015 and consist of a five person committee, but have still managed to make quite the impact in a short space of time. Brothers Sean and Conor Price performed for an appreciate audience having gained a large fan base since their appearance on the British X Factor. The band 'The Hideout' also performed, while guests were also treated to a Tai chi Class. Pat Carroll of West Wicklow Cancer Support said: 'We were delighted with the attendance and felt it showed a real sense of community spirit. We have to thank all the businesses who donated everything from prizes to milk, cream and cakes. Claire and Dave of East Coast FM were great as well and were very helpful.' A raffle will also take place over the coming weeks for a Dublin GAA jersey signed by the whole squad and a number '8' jersey signed by Brian Fenton. To purchase a raffle tickets email westwicklow15@gmail.com. A seminar taking place in Wicklow County Campus, Rathnew will help participants to understand and determine the best approach to establishing and increase their online presence and trade online. Local Enterprise Office Wicklow have organised the free event taking place on Wednesday, May 23, from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.. Consumer behaviour is changing and online spending is increasing rapidly. There is a big opportunity for Irish businesses to grow and access a wider market, expand their business and create more jobs. Statistics suggest that only 32 per cent of small companies are engaged in e-commerce sales in Ireland and that 70 per cent of the 850,000 spent online by Irish consumers per hour is going overseas. The 'Trading Online Voucher' scheme, financed by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment aims to encourage small businesses to develop their online presence through a website or digital marketing strategy by availing of a Trading Online Voucher of up to 2,500 or 50 per cent of their eligible expenditure, whichever is the lesser. Businesses looking to apply for the Trading Online Voucher must be trading for a minimum of twelve months to qualify, employ less than 10 employees and be located in County Wicklow. The trainer for the half day event will be Noel Davidson of The Entrepreneurs Academy. He will cover why your business need to be online, how to target customers, making yourself visible in online searches, setting up your website, a live demo in WordPress, social media marketing, information on the Online Trading Voucher and top tips on how to fill in the application form. TV Personality Amanda Byram arrives at the 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Exposition Center on February 5, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) Irish television presenter Amanda Byram poses on the red carpet upon arrival to attend the annual BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 10, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIE Amanda Byram is one of the most famous women on the small screen: we know her as a successful tv presenter who has lived and worked around the world, but shes also a symbol of strength whose unflinching honesty is a rarity in celebrity interviews. In the first of our series, Byram recalls cancelling her 2011 wedding to former rugby player Craig McMullen and the knock-on effects it had on her life, shaping her into the woman she is today. What is it about that moment? I cancelled a wedding, it was the most difficult thing Ive ever done my life, I hurt him and let people down. I was 38 at that point, I didnt have children, I had never married and I had all these emotions whishing through my head," she tells Independent.ie Style. Expand Close Amanda Byram and ex fiance Craig McMullen in 2009 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Amanda Byram and ex fiance Craig McMullen in 2009 At the time when he proposed, when we were together, I was very happy but I think I was really searching for companionship. I was successful in my career and happy in my life I was at a place at 36 where I thought, Its maybe time to meet a guy'. She had ended a long-term relationship before meeting Craig, a former rugby player, and describes their time together as fantastic. In a way, I thought I knew what I wanted but obviously I didnt, she says. After McMullen popped the question, Byram began working straight away on what she described as a picture perfect wedding in the South of France, but she couldnt get rid of a nagging feeling in her gut that he maybe he wasnt The One. I got so caught up in the flowers and dress, the wedding was in the South of France and people were flying in from America, Australia, I had friends from LA coming over. It was going to be a four day affair the most beautiful day, picture perfect event with 45 people, she describes. Something struck me a month and a half before the wedding and its very hard to put into words. I just thought I wasnt sure. Expand Close Amanda Byram / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Amanda Byram Video of the Day "I thought, it doesnt make sense that Im not sure - here is a great guy who is kind, caring, loving, intelligent, he would be a great father and husband, but there was something in my heart. I couldnt put my finger on it. She turned to her parents Betty and Denny for counsel weeks before the big day and they gave her the courage to listen to her heart and gut ultimately for her own happiness. It was because of their unwavering support that she found the strength to call it off one month before. I said it to my mum and dad, and they said, You know what, its a long time if youre in an unhappy marriage. I remember when I was a kid, the first time when I was in college in third year, I was unhappy because I wanted to take a different subject and focus on photography, but they wouldn't let me. I thought that was it: youre born, go to school, get married and die, thats the way of the world. Expand Close Support: Amanda Byram and boyfriend Julian Okines / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Support: Amanda Byram and boyfriend Julian Okines They said, If youre unhappy, walk away'. That was a huge pivot and made me do what I do. I thought, I can do whatever I want, my parents are so supportive, which brings me to this moment. They said, You dont have to do anything, its only money. If anyone complains then theyre not your friends. The following months were tough on her: she and Craig stayed together after the wedding was cancelled, but split by January 2012. It was so impactive on me - it was a really difficult time, I went through a really bad patch, she explains. I cancelled a wedding, it was the most difficult thing Ive ever done my life, I hurt him and let people down. I was 38 at that point, I didnt have children, I had never married and I had all these emotions whishing through my head. Others suggested she should have gone through with it and divorced him later, something she said would have been so much easier and less painful at the time, but it would have been a short-sighted tactic. Now, women approach her from all walks of life, praising her decision. I was quite low for six months after. We stayed together, but I just wasnt happy. It turned me into a completely different person, she says. I became brave, empowered and strong. Sometimes you have to do things to help yourself and not others. When I speak to women about it, they say, oh Christ, if only I listened to my heart on my wedding day. Its something that should be talked about more. I mistakenly thought I wanted something - I was seeking something that everybody else had. I wanted the guy, the nice guy, but I was settling. The following six to eight months were filled with feelings of doubt, which she describes as being quite low. But the positive effects began pouring in when I realised I did the right thing. She grew newfound confidence and turned to self-help, crediting Neuro-linguistic programming with her positive outlook on life. And after three years of being single and learning to love her own company, she was open to the idea of a new relationship. I got to a point where I thought Im ready to meet someone, she said. Expand Close Amanda Byram pictured in Flyefit Gym Georges St launching her Body By Byram Active wear range. Picture: Kyran O'Brien / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Amanda Byram pictured in Flyefit Gym Georges St launching her Body By Byram Active wear range. Picture: Kyran O'Brien I really think I was very lucky that I got the chance in my late 30s early 40s to get to know myself. And you know what? Im not with someone because Im lonely or desperate or feel like its time; Im not settling and if that means being alone, so be it. And thats when I met my husband. Amanda met tv producer Julian Okines in 2014 and they wed in London last year. He says it was love at first sight. In years gone past, I would have been afraid that something would go wrong, I was very cautious about guys - before Id done all that self-help, she explains. If I met a guy who I thought was the one, I would act a certain way around them, but I was so totally relaxed and not needing to impress him, I thought, If you dont like me, Ive got myself. I was going on a trip to Italy with mum to Puglia at this stage, I was single for a solid year, it was three years in total, but one year since I touched a man I said to my mum, I met this cute guy and we really hit it off. Will I ask him to come to Italy with me? Is he going to think Im too full on? And he said it was one of the things made him fall for me: there was no bullshit, he said, you werent wrapped in your own head. Her mother missed out on the Italy trip for Julian, but she gained a son-in-law in the process. That was really it, then our relationship blossomed. I was in a place where I knew if it doesnt work out, so what? Prior to that, I cared so much about what if what if I messed it up, but because of what Id been through, I was so comfortable with myself and my decisions. Its truly why we've lasted the test of time. Amanda has recently launched a line of activewear Body By Byram which is available at Arnotts and Pamela Scott stores nationwide. Catch Amanda in Pamela Scott in the Cork and Tralee stores on Friday, December 8th and in Limerick and Ennis on Saturday, December 9th. Queer Eyes Jonathan Van Ness said his fellow Fab Five member Tan France has taught him things every day as he wished him happy birthday (Christopher Smith/Netflix/PA) Queer Eyes Jonathan Van Ness paid a glowing tribute to his fellow Fab Five member Tan France as he wished him a happy birthday. France, the only British host on Netflixs popular makeover show, celebrated turning 36 on Saturday. To mark the occasion, Van Ness, who is the grooming expert on Queer Eye, posted a series of pictures of the pair together alongside some kind words. He wrote: Happiest happy birthday Tanny-Bannany. You are my voice of reason and wisest of friends. You teach me things everyday & there is no way I couldve known when I met you in that camel colored turtle neck how much you would shape my bb life. Im so so so proud of how youve handled literally everything you do. Van Ness added: Enjoy your gorgeous day in these snowy mountains you are in love yewwww @tanfrance. France, who is from Doncaster, commented: I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! THANK (sic) FOR THOSE KIND, KIND WORDS! France is the fashion expert on Queer Eye, a show which sees the Fab Five help make over the lives of its contestants. Video of the Day He celebrated his birthday with a trip to a cabin in the woods with friends, sharing a picture of himself sipping tea while sat in front of a snowy background. He captioned the post: I moving in, to live the secluded cabin-in-the-woods life. Bye everyone! Queer Eye also stars Antoni Porowski as the food expert, Bobby Berk who is in charge of interior design and Karamo Brown, who is given the loose brief of culture. Queer Eye season three is streaming on Netflix now. Michelle Williams was paid significantly less than her All The Money In The World co-star Mark Wahlberg (Dennis van Tine/PA) Michelle Williams has married indie musician Phil Elverum. The notoriously private actress said 'I do' to fiance Phil in a secret ceremony, ten years after the tragic death of her former partner Heath Ledger. Expand Expand Previous Next Close Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger (Yui Mok/PA) Michelle Williams attends The BAFTA Los Angeles Tea Party at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger (Yui Mok/PA) The couple tied the knot in front of just a handful of friends and family in Adirondacks, Michelle revealed to Vanity Fair in a recent interview. Like Michelle, Phil - who performs under the name Mount Eerie - also lost a partner in tragic circumstances when his late wife Genevieve Castree lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in 2015, just 18 months after the birth of their daughter. Phil and his daughter moved in to Michelle's home in Brooklyn in July this year, and Michelle has called their relationship 'very sacred and very special'. "I never gave up on love," said the star. "I parent to let Matilda feel free to be herself, and I am finally loved by someone who makes me feel free." Expand Close Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps attend the premiere of STX Films' "I Feel Pretty" at Westwood Village Theatre on April 17, 2018 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps attend the premiere of STX Films' "I Feel Pretty" at Westwood Village Theatre on April 17, 2018 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) "I always say to Matilda - your dad loved me before anybody thought I was talented, or pretty, or had nice clothes." The Dawson's Creek star spoke briefly about the painful time following the death of her partner Heath Ledger in January 2008. When youre a single parent, and that element of provider and protection is missing, its scary, she said. Close friend Busy Philipps - who worked on the teen drama with Michelle - said Michelle had a tough time knowing what to reveal to the press and to fans about how she was coping following the overwhelming tragedy. Video of the Day She always had a difficult time with the idea of doing press and what to reveal, said Busy. And then obviously when Heath passed away, and people had this insatiable interest in her and her child and their grief, it was overwhelming and incredibly painful. Amanda Byram is on a personal and professional high these days, but the path to true contentment didn't always run smoothly. The TV presenter has admitted that cancelling her 2011 wedding to former rugby player Craig McMullen was the most difficult moment of her life. "I hurt him and let people down," she said this week to Independent.ie. "I was 38 at that point, I didn't have children, I had never married and I had all these emotions whishing through my head." Expand Close Amanda Byram attends the Pride Of Britain Awards at Grosvenor House, on October 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Amanda Byram attends the Pride Of Britain Awards at Grosvenor House, on October 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images) Read More After McMullen popped the question, Byram began working straight away on what she described as a "picture perfect" wedding in the South of France, but she couldn't get rid of a nagging feeling in her gut that he maybe he wasn't The One. "I got so caught up in the flowers and dress, the wedding was in the South of France and people were flying in from America, Australia, I had friends from LA coming over. It was going to be a four-day affair - the most beautiful day, picture perfect event with 45 people," she describes. "Something struck me a month-and-a-half before the wedding and it's very hard to put into words. I just thought I wasn't sure." Eventually, and after seeking advice from her parents, Byram found the courage to cancel the wedding a month before she was due to walk down the aisle. "(My parents) said, 'You don't have to do anything, it's only money. If anyone complains then they're not your friends'," recalls Amanda. Eventually, she met TV producer Julian Okines in 2014, and admits it was love at first sight. The two wed in London last year. Philosophical For anyone staring down the prospect of calling off a wedding, several factors weigh heavily on the mind. Like Byram, the ignominy of cancelling a bash with family and friends is rarely far from mind. And after months of euphoric planning and visualising a whole melee of emotions are suddenly thrown into the mix: anger, confusion, embarrassment, rejection and shame. And those in the industry agree largely on one thing: the person who called it off should be the one to do much of the spadework around cancelling vendors and suppliers. While most people in the industry will recall the 'sheer devastation' that brides feel when they've called off their fairytale wedding, Seamus Fahy, founder of Voltaire Diamonds often sees things from both the male and female perspective over the diamond counter. "A cancellation rarely happens, but usually, the client is philosophical about the whole thing, saying that it just didn't work out," he says. "Generally we give a full refund if the wedding is cancelled," he adds. "If a guy buys a ring to propose with and she says no, we give a full refund. Many other jewellers will give a credit note after 30 days, but we don't go down that road. Expand Close Bride getting ready on wedding morning | Photo by Heather Miller / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bride getting ready on wedding morning | Photo by Heather Miller Video of the Day "Here's the funny thing, a few of the people who have split up end up coming back into us for a ring again." As to the etiquette around returning a ring after a broken engagement, Fahy adds: 'It's not just etiquette, but the law states that if the engagement breaks, the recipient has to give the ring back. It's his property until you sign on the (wedding) day." The good news is that a number of other suppliers and vendors are flexible when it comes to cancelling their services. Non refundable Says Fiona Gielty of popular Clare venue Dromoland Castle: "We're not a big hotel chain, so we can judge a cancellation on a case-by-case basis. We have a deposit procedure, where couples pay the deposit (around 5,000) and that is non-refundable. After that, if someone has cancelled their wedding due to extenuating circumstances, we speak with them on an individual basis. A lot of our cancellations often happen right before the deposit is paid but if someone had paid a deposit for a date that's in two or three years' time and we can resell that wedding date, a refund is given." Expand Close Photo of bride and groom by Drew Coffman / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Photo of bride and groom by Drew Coffman Owing to the nature of their service, some suppliers have little choice but to be less flexible. The owner of a designer bridal boutique, who did not wish to be named, notes: "Once a bride has ordered the dress, they're committed to paying for it, mainly because we are committed to the designer. Not everything we do is bespoke, but the girls will be doing minor changes for each bride. It happens very infrequently, but our clients sign a contract, so they will have been made aware that they will have to buy the dress." However, the owner adds that it's possible to sell a dress via specialist outlets: "There are plenty of forums that brides sell their dresses on, from One Fab Day to WeddingsOnline." Kathy Sherry of vintage wedding stylists/boutique Dirty Fabulous, adds: "It's a difficult situation that luckily hasn't happened to many of our brides. Our policy would be to offer a credit note or exchange if the wedding dress is on deposit and still in our shop. The credit note can be used for our vintage occasionwear range or accessories. We are open to reviewing each situation as it arises and may offer a partial refund of the deposit only, depending on the length of time the dress has been on deposit. If the wedding dress has been paid in full and taken home by the bride then unfortunately we can't accept a return." Andrew Rudd, owner of Dublin City Centre venue Medley, advises potential wedding clients not to book until they have 'City Hall or the church' locked in. "We have a strict policy laid out in the terms and conditions and whether it's a wedding or corporate party, we wouldn't be able to return a deposit," he says. "Within six weeks of the event, 75pc of the cost will be due, and I would often charge 25pc deposit on booking, and the remaining balance is payable around a week before the event." Joe Duffy, florist at Irish Wedding Packages, also notes that the timing of a wedding cancellation is key: "We're happy to refund a deposit, usually of around 100, within good time, once it's not too close to the wedding." Insurance Duffy observes that while cancellations are few and far between, it's not a change of heart that prompts couples to cancel: "Most of the time the cancellations have happened because of bereavement or family illness. It's not very often they come back and say anything about cold feet." Destination wedding specialist Rosie Meleady often advises that recently engaged couples buy wedding insurance (which can be around 30) so as to insure them from financial challenges. Blue Insurance has a wedding insurance arm. "If you do have to cancel for whatever reason, you're covered for certain eventualities," she explains. "If you're planning a destination wedding, travel insurance can cover things like flights and accommodation." In her 16 years as a planner, Meleady admits that a couple calling off a wedding has only happened a couple of times. The blip is more often than not a temporary one: "I often say to a couple, 'Let me look after things for a while', and I give them a week or two, and then I check back in with the chief bridesmaid," she says. "Once they had a week to get over their issues, they went ahead with the wedding. Usually, it's getting a bit too much for them, but if they leave things with me and take a backseat for a week or two, they usually come bouncing back." Legal issue: The disputed sea home in the Andaman Sea, off Phuket island in Thailand. Photo: Reuters A senior Thai government official yesterday urged a US man and a Thai woman on the run from a possible death sentence for building an off-shore "sea home" to fight the charge in court. The two, Chad Elwartowski and his partner Supranee Thepdet, have been accused of violating Thai sovereignty by raising a small cabin on top of a big, weighted spar in what they say are international waters, 25 nautical km off the west-coast Thai island of Phuket. But Thailand says the structure is in its 320km exclusive economic zone. "I urge them to get a lawyer to fight this case," Supoj Rodruang Na Nongkhai, the deputy provincial governor of Phuket, told Reuters. He said the two were believed to be in hiding in Thailand. They have been charged under a law on the violation of sovereignty, which stipulates punishment of life in prison or death. "Thailand will proceed with everything according to the law. "We are not threatening them," Mr Supoj said. The pair are part of a "seasteading" movement that advocates the building of floating communities in international waters beyond the bounds of any national laws. But the Thai navy raided their home this week and authorities revoked Mr Elwartowski's visa and charged them. Mr Elwartowski and Ms Supranee were not available for comment. A group of entrepreneurs called the Ocean Builders, which funded the construction of the floating home, said that the two had done nothing wrong. The group said in a statement the home was in a so-called contiguous zone of between 20 and 40 nautical km, where very limited Thai regulations applied, and they had no intention of setting up any independent state or "micro nation". "The two of them present neither a danger to Thai sovereignty nor the shipping routes," the group said. An official at the US embassy in Bangkok said it was providing appropriate assistance to Mr Elwartowski, who had engaged a lawyer. In a video posted last month detailing the raising of his prototype floating home, Mr Elwartowski said 20 more similar houses would be up for sale to help forge a community. "I'm looking forward to the good rules that people create as a community, and coming up with smarter systems as opposed to the systems they have already," said Mr Elwartowski. BRITISH MP Diane Abbott has apologised "sincerely" for drinking a mojito on public transport in London. A photograph of the Labour frontbencher sipping a can of the alcoholic beverage while riding on an Overground train was published in The Sun newspaper and on its website. Transport for London (TfL) introduced an alcohol ban on all public transport in the capital in 2008. Ms Abbott said she was "sincerely sorry" for drinking the Marks and Spencer cocktail. She wrote on Twitter: "A photo of me drinking from a can of M&S mojito on the Overground has been circulated. "I'm sincerely sorry for drinking on TFL." Ms Abbott received several supportive messages in reply to her tweet, with one Twitter user writing: "I'm sincerely sorry you feel the need to say sorry Dianne and I hope you really enjoyed the drink it's no one's business but yours." Another said: "Put it in a water bottle next time." People stand next to the wreckage of a bus after an accident in Canico, in the Portuguese Island of Madeira, April 17, 2019. REUTERS/Duarte Sa An air force medical plane carrying the injured survivors of a bus crash that killed 29 German tourists in Madeira landed in Germany on Saturday as authorities on the Portuguese island investigate what caused this week's accident. The Portuguese driver and tour guide were among the 27 people who were injured when the bus veered off a steep road in the coastal town of Canico on Wednesday. A line of ambulances was seen on a road at the Cologne-Bonn airport in western Germany as the medical plane brought home 12 of the survivors. Eleven of the injured Germans have already been discharged from hospital. Another was transferred to Germany on Friday and one will stay in hospital in Funchal, Madeira's capital, a hospital spokesman said. The driver and tour guide will also remain under observation in hospital, the spokesman added. Images taken by Reuters photographers showed some of the injured being carried inside the plane on stretchers before it left Madeira. The company that owned the bus said it was cooperating with authorities investigating the crash, which killed 17 women and 12 men. Many of them were pensioners, German newspaper Bild reported. Autopsies and post-mortem examinations have been concluded, Portugal's Justice Ministry said in a statement and authorities are waiting for data including fingerprints and dental records in order to confirm the victims' identities. What a difference a month makes. Back in February, Boeing was leading the tributes to its 747 airliner - long dubbed the 'Jumbo Jet' - on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. The world's biggest commercial aircraft manufacturer could proudly boast that it had forever changed the course of aviation. But just four weeks later, Boeing was staring catastrophe in the face. An Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed killing all 157 on board - including Clare man Michael Ryan. It was a brand new 737 Max 8 plane and it soon transpired that the same software glitch that had downed another of Boeing's new 737s in Indonesia just months previously, in October, had been responsible for this crash too. The 737 Max was announced in 2011 and was the most successful passenger plane in history when orders are taken into account. Ryanair - the biggest Boeing customer outside of the US - placed an order for 135 of them. The first batch were due to arrive last month. But right now, all 371 737 Max aircraft that were in use have been grounded and Boeing is scrambling to fix the fatal software glitch. In both cases, faulty information from a sensor caused anti-stall automation to kick in when it wasn't needed and push the plane's nose down. Black box recordings showed that pilots had tried to counter the aircraft's actions, but were unable to avoid crashing. "We are making steady progress towards certification," Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said this week, but few doubt the scale of the challenge the manufacturer faces to convince the public that the latest iteration of a plane first introduced in 1967 is safe to fly. President Trump weighed in on the crisis with a tweet: "If I were Boeing, I would fix the Boeing 737 Max, add some additional great features and rebrand the plane with a new name. No product has suffered like this one." Quite what Muilenburg and other airline chiefs thought of Trump's contribution is anyone's guess: in the wake of his tweet, it was pointed out that his short-lived airline, Trump Shuttle, had been an abject failure. Travel industry expert Eoghan Corry says Boeing's plight will have significant repercussions for Ireland. "Boeing's biggest customers in Europe are all Irish," he says. "Ryanair relies on Boeing entirely for its fleet and have a large number of orders placed. And there are significant orders from each of the three big aircraft leasing firms based in Ireland. And this country is a huge player when it comes to aviation leasing - we account for a third of all the planes in the sky." Corry says Boeing faces a "huge, existential challenge" and one largely of its own making. "The 737 is the workhorse of the sky," he says, "particularly in America. But it may have been a victim of its own success. When the Boeing 737 went through its 600, 700 and 800 [iterations], they were all hugely successful. But when it came to updating the 800, they were faced with a quandary - if they made it too complicated, they risked having to add extra terms and conditions to the sale just at a time they were coming under increased pressure from Airbus, and they risked having to say to airlines, 'We need your pilots to go into simulators to retrain' - a really big cost for the airlines." He says Boeing had been under pressure to improve the fuel efficiency of their planes following the success of the rival Airbus 320 Neo. "They had to convince buyers that they were effectively building a better plane, but one that would not require additional training. And nobody, Ryanair included, wants to have to be retraining all their pilots." Gerry Byrne, an aviation-specialist journalist, says the scale of the problem Boeing faces should not be underestimated. "It's been disastrous for Boeing and what makes it even more of a disaster is it's the second time it's happened in just a few years," he says. "The first time was the Boeing 787, the Dreamliner, which went on fire. Nobody was killed then, but two or three aircraft did go on fire." He says the fact that 346 people lost their lives in two separate crashes caused by the same issue has magnified the challenge for Boeing when it comes to restoring confidence among the general public. Screwed up "The 737 Max planes were in the planning for quite some time," he says. "They weren't planned and produced any quicker than earlier 737s. What I would say is that the cosy relationship with the US regulator [Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)] is a major problem. The regulator should be making sure that the aircraft is safe to fly, but delegated this responsibility to Boeing. It basically told Boeing, 'Look, go ahead - you look after this, we trust you'. And they got it wrong. They really screwed up." Byrne says that cosy relationship has been "going on for years" and his 2002 book Flight 427: Anatomy of an Air Disaster looked forensically at "the damage that relationship between Boeing and the FAA was doing". He believes Boeing will fix the software issue and estimates that the planes that have already been sold will be "in the air within two months", but he believes they may have difficulty in convincing those who have placed orders to follow through on them. Ryanair did not respond to queries by the time of going to press, but Corry believes Europe's largest airline will be well-placed to make demands of Boeing. "Nobody really knows what's going on in Michael O'Leary's head," he says, "but having watched him for many years, I think what they'll do is they'll go back to Boeing and they'll say, 'The 737 Max is toxic and our customers won't fly in it, but we've got an order for 135 of them and that's enough for you to keep the production line of the [predecessor] 737 800 going for a couple more years and we'll buy those aircraft off you instead'. And then they'll look for a 25pc discount." Meanwhile, some believe airfares will increase due to the uncertainty around the 737 Max, especially in the US, and some airlines based there have already issued profit warnings. But Goodbody Stockbrokers analyst Mark Simpson believes Ryanair will not suffer any fallout from the 737 Max grounding this year, as it has plenty of aircraft in reserve. "There is no impact this coming year as Ryanair will utilise its reserve capacity over the summer - around 11 planes - and possible delay lease returns," he said last month. "Even if the grounding lasted into the winter, Ryanair then has around 60 planes laid up over the low winter season, so would have plenty of cover." Boeing may have had to combat a lot of negative news this week, but the company remains bullish about its long-term future. On Wednesday, it released new details about its forthcoming wide-body, long-distance aircraft, the 777X. The manufacturer is promising sculpted side walls, a cabin that's four inches wider than its predecessor, pressurisation that alleviates jet lag, and with the bonus of every passenger being able to see out the window. But the firm will be under greater pressure than ever to assure customers that the 777X - which will begin flight testing later this year and is expected to be in production in 2020 - is safe. Paranormal investigator Lorraine Warren, whose decades of ghost-hunting with her late husband Ed inspired horror films like The Conjuring and The Amityville Horror, has died aged 92. During their 61 years of marriage, the couple investigated more than 10,000 cases in the US and abroad, often writing about their experiences. Their son-in-law Tony Spera said that Mrs Warren died in her sleep on Thursday night at her Connecticut home. She was a remarkable, loving, compassionate and giving soul, Mr Spera wrote. Expand Close Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren and Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring (Warner Brothers/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren and Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring (Warner Brothers/PA) The Warrens founded the New England Society for Psychic Research in Monroe, Connecticut, in 1952 to investigate suspected hauntings. Their unusual profession has been credited with sparking popular interest in the paranormal, as well as the television shows and films now dedicated to the subject. When nobody was really even talking about ghosts, they were just two people from Bridgeport, Connecticut, who came together and fell in love and Ed happened to have had a lot of paranormal instances when he was growing up and Lorraine was always the sensitive clairvoyant, said the Horror News Networks Larry Dwyer. The heavens will surely burn a little brighter tonight. We lost a friend and and inspiration. I will miss the stories, the laughter, and the guidance. Rest In Peace, Sweet Lorraine. Tell Ed I said hello. @VeraFarmiga pic.twitter.com/Ewx4CsOU7B patrick wilson (@patrickwilson73) April 19, 2019 He said the couple realised they could use their gifts and Catholic faith to help people who believed they were being tormented by ghosts or demons. Mr Warren died in 2006 and Mr Spera now oversees the New England Society for Psychic Research. My dear friend Lorraine Warren has passed. From a deep feeling of sorrow, a deep feeling of gratitude emerges. I was so blessed to have known her and am honored to portray her. She lived her life in grace and cheerfulness. She wore a helmet of salvation, she dawned her sword... pic.twitter.com/Kn2E6ZO9fL Vera Farmiga (@VeraFarmiga) April 19, 2019 The organisations website said Mrs Warren had decided to retire from active investigations regarding the areas of haunted homes and demonic infestations/possessions but was still a consultant to the organisation at the time of her death. The Warrens work did receive criticism from doubters over the years. The New England Sceptical Society in 1997 said the Warrens copious anecdotal evidence of reports of hauntings vastly outnumbered their low-grade physical evidence. Warren told the Associated Press in a 2013 interview that she understood it was very difficult for people to accept she could see ghosts if they had never seen one themselves. I hope you never will, she said. I really dont. The 2013 film The Conjuring is based on the couples investigation into alleged events at a Rhode Island farmhouse in the 1970s. Mrs Warren visited the set during the filming. She also spent time at her Connecticut home with actress Vera Farmiga, who portrays her in the movie and its sequels. Farmiga expressed her condolences on Twitter Friday, saying she was blessed to have known Mrs Warren and honoured to portray her. Sentence: Lawyers speak with David (left) and Louise (right) Turpin, in court in Riverside, California, last year. Photo: Getty THE children of a California couple sentenced to life in prison for torturing them in a case that has shocked the United States have said they "forgive" their parents as they begged the judge for a more lenient sentence. David and Louise Turpin's 13 children were found malnourished, shackled to beds and living in filth when one daughter, aged 17, escaped and raised the alarm in January. "I love both of my parents so much," said one of the daughters, in a statement read by her brother at a sentencing hearing yesterday. The comments were echoed by some of the other children, with one asking for a lighter sentence because they "believed everything they did was to protect us". The couple, who pleaded guilty to 14 charges including child abuse and torture in February, have been sentenced to life with no chance of parole for the first 25 years. The "house of horrors" case shocked the US after the scale of the abuse was laid bare. When police entered the property in Perris, California, they said it was covered in filth and the stench of human waste was overwhelming. The Turpins' offspring, aged at the time from two to 29, were so severely malnourished they needed urgent treatment for muscle wastage and neurological conditions. At least two girls have been left unable to bear children. The deeply religious couple told the court they believed God had called on them to have so many children. Louise Turpin (50) wept as statements from the children were read out. These spoke of love for their parents, but also what they had suffered. One of the girls pleaded for a lenient sentence, saying her parents believed "God put it into their hearts" to home school the 13 children, but they were unable to cope. Another said: "Life may have been bad, but it made me strong. I fought to become the person that I am. I saw my dad change my mom. They almost changed me, but I realised what was happening... I'm strong and I'm shooting through life like a rocket." Ahead of sentencing, David Turpin (57) told the judge he never intended to harm his children. "My home schooling and discipline had good intentions," he said. Louise added: "I'm sorry for everything I've done to hurt my children. I love my children so much." Judge Bernard Schwartz told the couple they had delayed their children's "emotional, mental and physical development" as he jailed them. The court had previously heard how the children were only allowed to shower once a year and were mainly kept in their rooms except for meals, which had been reduced from three to one per day. Other than an occasional family trip to Las Vegas or to Disneyland, they rarely left the house. They slept during the day and were active for a few hours at night. Investigators found the toddler had not been abused, but all of the children had to be treated in hospital after they were discovered. ( Daily Telegraph, London) 'Mueller built an extensive case that Trump committed obstruction of justice but stopped short of concluding he had committed a crime.' Photo: Reuters/Carlos Barria Congressional Democrats took legal action on Friday to gain access to all of U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's evidence from his inquiry into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, as the probe's findings dented President Donald Trump's poll ratings. The number of Americans who approve of Trump dropped by 3 percentage points to the lowest level of the year following the release of a redacted version of Mueller's report on Thursday, according to a Reuters/Ipsos online opinion poll. Mueller did not establish the Trump campaign coordinated with Russians but did find "multiple acts by the President that were capable of exerting undue influence over law enforcement investigations." While Mueller ultimately decided not to charge Trump with a crime such as obstruction of justice, he also said the investigation did not exonerate the president, either. U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat, issued a subpoena to the Justice Department to hand over the full Mueller report and other relevant evidence by May 1. "My committee needs and is entitled to the full version of the report and the underlying evidence consistent with past practice. The redactions appear to be significant," Nadler said in a statement. The Justice Department called the request "premature and unnecessary," but spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said in a statement the department would work with Congress "to accommodate its legitimate requests consistent with the law and long-recognized executive branch interests." The report provided extensive details on Trump's efforts to thwart Mueller's investigation, giving Democrats plenty of political ammunition against the Republican president but leaving them with no consensus on how to use it. The document has blacked out sections to hide details about secret grand jury information, U.S. intelligence gathering and active criminal cases as well as potentially damaging information about peripheral players who were not charged. Six top congressional Democrats led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rejected U.S. Attorney General William Barr's offer to give them access to a less-redacted version of the report. In a letter to Barr, they repeated their request for the full report but said they were open to "a reasonable accommodation." Read More Democratic leaders have played down talk of impeachment of Trump just 18 months before the 2020 presidential election, even as some prominent members of the party's progressive wing, notably U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, promised to push the idea. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren became the first major contender for the Democratic 2020 presidential nomination to call for the start of impeachment proceedings, saying on Twitter that "the severity of this misconduct" demanded it. Trump, who has repeatedly called the Mueller probe a political witch hunt, lashed out again on Friday. "Statements are made about me by certain people in the Crazy Mueller Report...which are fabricated & totally untrue," Trump wrote on Twitter. He seemed to be referring to former White House counsel Don McGahn who was cited in the report as having annoyed Trump by taking notes of his conversations with the president. "Watch out for people that take so-called 'notes,' when the notes never existed until needed," Trump wrote. "It was not necessary for me to respond to statements made in the 'Report' about me, some of which are total bulls**t & only given to make the other person look good (or me to look bad)." Phone conversations between the president and McGahn in June 2017 were a central part of Mueller's depiction of Trump as trying to derail the Russia inquiry. The report said Trump told McGahn to instruct the Justice Department to fire Mueller. McGahn did not carry out the order. According to the Reuters/Ipsos poll of 1,005 adults conducted Thursday afternoon to Friday morning, 37 percent of people approve of Trumps performance in office - down from 40 percent in a similar poll conducted on April 15, which matches the lowest level of the year. The poll has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of 4 percentage points. Representative Doug Collins, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, said the Democrats' subpoena "is wildly overbroad" and would jeopardize a grand jury's investigations. While most Republicans have stood by Trump, 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, now a U.S. senator from Utah, criticized Trump and those around him as portrayed in the report. Romney, an on-and-off Trump critic, said on Twitter it was "good news" there was insufficient evidence to charge Trump with a crime. "Even so, I am sickened at the extent and pervasiveness of dishonesty and misdirection by individuals in the highest office of the land, including the President," said Romney, who lost the White House race to President Barack Obama in 2012. The Mueller inquiry laid bare what U.S. intelligence agencies have described as a Russian campaign of hacking and propaganda to sow discord in the United States, denigrate 2016 Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and boost Trump. Russia said on Friday that Mueller's report did not contain any evidence that Moscow had meddled. "We, as before, do not accept such allegations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Asked on Friday about Russian interference in 2016, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in Washington that "we will make very clear to them that this is not acceptable behavior." Read More Half a dozen former Trump aides, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, were charged by Mueller's office or convicted of crimes during his 22-month-long investigation. The Mueller inquiry spawned a number of other criminal probes by federal prosecutors in New York and elsewhere. One reason it would be difficult to charge Trump is that the Justice Department has a decades-old policy that a sitting president should not be indicted, although the U.S. Constitution is silent on whether a president can face criminal prosecution in court. Nadler told reporters on Thursday that Mueller probably wrote the report with the intent of providing Congress a road map for future action against the president, but the Democratic congressman said it was too early to talk about impeachment. But the House Oversight Committee's Democratic chairman, Elijah Cummings, said impeachment was not ruled out. "A lot of people keep asking about the question of impeachment ... We may very well come to that very soon, but right now let's make sure we understand what Mueller was doing, understand what Barr was doing, and see the report in an unredacted form and all of the underlying documents, he told MSNBC. 'OH my God. This is the end of my presidency. I'm f***ed," Donald Trump said when he learned about the appointment of a special counsel, we found out after the release of the Mueller report. Considering this, it's incredible how the president and his fellow Republicans managed to turn the narrative around after William Barr's initial statement. Since the release of the redacted report, it will be more difficult for triumphant crows to echo around Congress (not that some Republicans won't try). But because of its nuance - something which we should always have expected from the leak-proof, anti-sensationalist Robert Mueller - it will be equally difficult for Democrats to use this report as fodder for impeachment or sanction. All of this is interesting in itself, but perhaps the most interesting part is that the president and his comms team were apparently confident that they could remove segments from an interview at will, essentially using Fox as a personal propaganda channel. The report details how the president attempted to influence its details and release, at one point stating: "The president's efforts to influence the investigation were mostly unsuccessful, but that is largely because the persons who surrounded the president declined to carry out orders or accede to his requests." It is clear Trump himself saw nothing wrong with throwing his weight around in a way that was self-protective and borderline megalomaniacal. He "engaged in a series of targeted efforts to control the investigation," wrote Mueller. He "attempted to remove the special counsel; he sought to have Attorney General Sessions unrecuse himself and limit the investigation; he sought to prevent public disclosure of information about the June 9, 2016, meeting between Russians and campaign officials; and he used public forums to attack potential witnesses who might offer adverse information and to praise witnesses who declined to co-operate with the government." In other words, he took every available avenue. It seems like these avenues weren't specifically against the law, but they would be against most people's moral expectations of a president. "No obstruction" doesn't seem to fit the bill as an accurate descriptor of what occurred. What's clear is that the president wanted the release of this report delayed as long as possible. He claimed he "didn't recall" meetings, details, names and dates more than 30 times. He removed as many people as possible and failed to remove others (including Mueller himself) who he'd rather have seen gone. The fact that a number of people connected to the executive branch refused to carry out the president's instructions is important and encouraging; however, the report also makes it clear that there was a struggle to maintain real democracy behind the scenes of the Trump presidency, which is deeply worrying. It reads like Donald Trump, his son Donald Jr, his daughter Ivanka and his son-in-law Jared Kushner all showed a flagrant disregard for democratic institutions in the way we sometimes see rich and powerful people show flagrant disregard for established business practice when large organisations undergo a crisis. At the beginning of his presidency, there was a lot of talk about Trump being muzzled by more sensible officials. There is certainly evidence that they tried. There's also evidence that Trump strained against the leash on multiple occasions, and thought little of how this might affect the country as a whole. The report also details how Russia's Internet Research Agency (IRA) used social media to organise rallies and put out pro-Trump content which was retweeted by "multiple US political figures". Facebook estimated up to 126 million people could have been contacted through groups on that platform alone; it's thought Twitter added an extra 1.4 million. This is the most heavily redacted section of Mueller's report, with almost all information about the Russian IRA removed. The IRA pre-dates Trump's campaign and presidency, and its members went on a fact-finding mission to the US in 2014, according to Mueller. In early 2016, "internal IRA documents" showed support for Trump and "an opposition to candidate Clinton". It's difficult to glean exactly why both Bernie Sanders and Trump caught the eye of the Russians, but we can speculate that an anti-establishment candidate may have been to their liking. All of which is to say that Trump probably isn't a mastermind with an evil plot to take over the world. What he most likely is - and has been for a while - is amoral, egotistical, narcissistic, in way over his head. And panicking. ( Independent News Service) Departure: Donald Trump and First Lady Melania walk towards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Photo: Reuters/Al Drago US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has launched an angry and expletive-laden tirade in response to statements about him revealed in the Mueller report into Russian involvement in his election. The angry morning outburst came after the release of the special counsel's findings revealed he had repeatedly attempted to obstruct justice, but that aides had refused to follow his instructions. "Statements are made about me by certain people in the Crazy Mueller Report, in itself written by 18 Angry Democrat Trump Haters, which are fabricated & totally untrue," he said. In what is thought to be the first example of a sitting president swearing in a tweet, he added: "Watch out for people that take so-called "notes" when the notes never existed until needed. Because I never agreed to testify, it was not necessary for me to respond to statements made in the "Report" about me, some of which are total bulls**t & only given to make the other person look good (or me bad)." Mr Trump's tweet included an unfinished sentence and ellipsis at the end, usually suggesting a further post is to follow. But more than an hour passed from the "bulls**t" tweet with no follow-up appearing on his feed. While Mr Trump did not indicate which notes or statements he was objecting to, the Mueller report includes a series of embarrassing claims about the president. Some are said to be taken from contemporaneous notes, including the suggestion he described himself as "f***ed" when the probe began. "Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency. I'm f***ed," he said, according to notes from Jeff Sessions's then-chief of staff Jody Hunt. Mr Trump had initially attempted to present the Mueller report as a complete exoneration. Just before it was announced, he posted another tweet, addressed to his "haters" in which he referenced 'Game Of Thrones' and wrote "Game Over" and "No Collusion. No Obstruction". A further statement from Rudy Giuliani and Mr Trump's lawyers said "the report itself is nothing more than an attempt to rehash old allegations" and insisted that "the results of the investigation are a total victory for the president". Donald Trump Jr, the president's eldest son, was featured prominently in the report for meeting with a Kremlin-connected lawyer at Trump Tower in June 2016. Although the report said "the campaign anticipated receiving derogatory documents and information" from Russians that "could assist Trump's electoral prospects", it said "the government would unlikely be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt" that the participants at that meeting "had general knowledge that their conduct was unlawful". The younger Trump tweeted a series of attacks on Democrats: "Better luck next hoax!" Senior adviser Kellyanne Conway said that because the White House did not interfere with Mr Mueller's work, that "should make people feel good about democracy". "We're accepting apologies today, too," Ms Conway told reporters, adding that Mr Trump talked to his lawyers and was in "a great mood". The president, who normally talks to reporters on his way out of the White House, declined to speak as he left to spend the Easter weekend in Florida. But from Air Force One, he tweeted: "I had the right to end the whole Witch Hunt if I wanted. I could have fired everyone, including Mueller, if I wanted. I chose not to. I had the RIGHT to use Executive Privilege. I didn't!" Appearing relaxed earlier at a military event, Mr Trump said a statue he had been presented as a memento would have a home "at least for six years, in the Oval Office". ( Independent News Service) 'The fake news seems to have flowed not from the media but from the other direction.' Photo: Reuters/Carlos Barria If special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation makes one thing clear, it is that many of the news reports US President Donald Trump branded as "fake news" were, in fact, very real news indeed. While Mr Mueller's report didn't establish a criminal conspiracy and was "unable" to conclude that obstruction of justice occurred - contrary to hours of speculation among cable news pundits during Mr Mueller's long investigation - it also largely validated news accounts which Mr Trump dismissed or disparaged. Instead, at least in the Mueller team's analysis, the fake news seems to have flowed not from the media but from the other direction. His report cites multiple instances in which Mr Trump and White House aides misled or lied to journalists or in public statements as the investigation was unfolding. On the day of Mr Mueller's appointment in May 2017, for example, White House aides said Mr Trump reacted calmly to the news. In fact, according to the report, Mr Trump's first reaction was anything but calm: "This is the worst thing that ever happened to me." White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters repeatedly in May 2017 she personally had heard from "countless members of the FBI" that they were "grateful and thankful" to Mr Trump for firing FBI director James Comey. That never happened, Mr Mueller said. He wrote that Ms Sanders later acknowledged to investigators her comments were "not founded on anything". Mr Trump also dictated a statement saying he had fired Mr Comey based on the recommendation of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. But Mr Mueller found Mr Trump had already decided to fire Mr Comey before Mr Rosenstein had weighed in. Mr Trump backed down and later publicly acknowledged he intended to fire Mr Comey regardless of Mr Rosenstein's memo after unnamed Justice Department officials "made clear to him" that they would "resist" the bogus justification, Mr Mueller said. Incoming White House aides also lied about press accounts they knew were accurate. Former national security adviser Michael Flynn directed an aide, KT McFarland, to call the 'Washington Post' columnist David Ignatius during the presidential transition in January 2017 and deny his reporting about Mr Flynn's conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. Ms McFarland "knew she was providing false information" when she called Mr Ignatius to dispute his surmise that Mr Flynn had discussed removing sanctions on Russia with Mr Kislyak. ( Washington Post) At approximately 7:20 p.m, two male juveniles on a paddleboat became distressed and went into the water, the statement added, reporting that nearby fishermen heard screaming and were able to pull an 11-year-old boy from the water and bring him to shore. A man bangs a drum in front of a fire on the street during a yellow vest demonstration in Paris (Michel Euler/AP) Dozens of motorbikes and cars have been set on fire in eastern Paris as a yellow vest protest descended into violence. Riot police fired tear gas to try and disperse the protesters around the Place de la Republique, but demonstrators responded by starting fires and throwing flares and paving stones. Boarded up shops in the area were attacked by some radical protesters, and police repeatedly charged as they tried to contain the crowd. Expand Close A protester throws a scooter on to a pile of burning motorbikes in eastern Paris (Michel Euler/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A protester throws a scooter on to a pile of burning motorbikes in eastern Paris (Michel Euler/AP) Several thousand people had marched to the square from Frances Finance Ministry. French television showed images of volunteer medics treating a yellow-vested protester lying on the ground, with the smell of tear gas mixed with black smoke choking the air. Witnesses reported seeing at least two journalists injured in the melee. Expand Close The air was thick with black smoke (Michel Euler/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The air was thick with black smoke (Michel Euler/AP) The Paris police headquarters said authorities had detained 126 people by early afternoon. More than 11,000 people were earlier subjected to spot checks while trying to enter the capital for the protests. Multiple protests are being held around Paris and other French cities on Saturday for the 23rd weekend of the yellow vest movement against wealth inequality and President Emmanuel Macrons leadership. Expand Close Riot police had fired tear gas at protesters in a bid to disperse them (Francisco Seco/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Riot police had fired tear gas at protesters in a bid to disperse them (Francisco Seco/AP) Protesters have also voiced frustration that the effort to save fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral is eclipsing the yellow vest movements demands. Many protesters were deeply saddened by the fire at the national monument. But at the same time they are angry at the one billion US dollars (770 million) in Notre Dame donations that poured in from tycoons while their own demands remain largely unmet and they struggle to make ends meet. Expand Close A demonstrator throws a tear gas canister back at police (Michel Euler/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A demonstrator throws a tear gas canister back at police (Michel Euler/AP) Mr Macron had been scheduled to lay out his responses to yellow vest concerns on Monday night but cancelled the speech because the fire broke out. He is now expected to do so next Thursday. Yellow vest critics accuse Mr Macron of trying to exploit the fire for political gain one group marching on Saturday even accused Macon of burning down Notre Dame. Vicky Kaushal, who is currently shooting for his untitled Horror Film in Gujarat has met with an accident. Kaushal was shooting for an action sequence but he broke his cheekbone and had to get 13 stitches. According to reports, Vicky Kaushal was shooting inside a ship for Bhanu Pratap Singhs film and the film also stars Bhumi Pednekar. According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, Vicky was shooting a night sequence that involved him opening a door and running but unfortunately, the door fell on him. A source close to the film was quoted in the Mirror report as saying, Twitter "He was rushed to a local hospital by the crew and flown to Mumbai on Friday morning". Vicky Kaushal gets injured while filming an action sequence... Shooting for director Bhanu Pratap Singh's horror film in #Gujarat... Vicky fractured his cheekbone and got 13 stitches on his cheek. taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) April 20, 2019 The tabloid added that Vicky will return to Mumbai where he will consult a doctor again. Apart from this film, Vicky is still enjoying the success of his last film Uri: The Surgical Strike, that was based on the Indian Armys 2016 surgical strikes in Pakistan following the attacks in Jammu and Kashmirs Uri town. It wasn't just Vicky's most successful film as a lead hero but the film also turned out to be the biggest hits of the year. Vicky Kaushal, who is currently shooting for his untitled Horror Film in Gujarat has met with an accident. Kaushal was shooting for an action sequence but he broke his cheekbone and had to get 13 stitches. Hrishikesh Mukherjees iconic comedy Chupke Chupke, starring Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore and Jaya Bachchan in lead roles is a film that is still remembered by everyone. Be it their performances or the dialogues, the film turned out to be a cult hit. Furthermore, the reports suggested that things are bitter between the two actors. But amidst all these reports, Kriti and Kartik's social media activities hint that all's well. On Thursday, Trump put out a tweet with a GOT-inspired meme after US Attorney General Bill Barr reiterated that there was no collusion between the presidents 2016 election campaign and Russia. He, however, tweeted well before the report was made public. Talking about the film, she said, "I have never won a medal in school. Who would have thought about a biopic being made on me? I am thankful to Meghna Ji for considering my work worthy enough to be converted into a film." 22,000 staff including some 6,000 contractual employees of the now grounded Jet Airways are slowly coming to terms with the reality of the uncertainty that awaits them in the future. Many who have worked with the company for decades, some right from day one are now left without a livelihood and months of unpaid salaries. Neither the company nor the lenders have given any assurance to the troubled staff members on how and when their due salaries will arrive. BCCL Even as the lenders struggle to find a new owner for the airline, a senior pilot has written to the management, accusing them of keeping the employees in the dark over the turn of events. Sudhir Gaur, a 26 year veteran with Jet Airways, in a letter to CEO Vinay Dube has demanded answers to what transpired leading to the suspension of service. BCCL "At this stage, we expect nothing less than the facts of how we got to 'temporarily suspending operations' of this airline which 'us employees' started 26 years back", he wrote, adding that "Ironically, our first B737 arrived in India exactly 26 years ago, April 18, 1993, probably coinciding with the last flight taxing in when we suspended operations on 17th (April) night." Gaur, a senior captain, who has been with Jet Airways since its inception, has further demanded that "We await the facts and timelines of what conspired and who failed us." BCCL Meanwhile, there is some help coming in the way of at least some of the Jet Airways staff as other carriers like Spicejet, which has hired 500 employees and Air India which have shortlisted 150 Jet cabin crew members. Others from non-aviation fields also have come forward to help Jet Airways staff with job offers. An Indian doctor, who was rescued from the Islamic State captivity, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National Security Agency of India and other senior officials for facilitating his release from Libya. ANI Dr Ramamurthy Kosanam, a native of Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district, said he would never forget the help by the Indian authorities to get him free from the captivity of the terrorist group. "They (ISIS) used to force me to get into operation theatres, but I never did any surgery or stitches for them," Kosanam was quoted as saying by ANI. "These ISIS people are well-educated youngsters and they do know about India and its development and how it has developed in education, economy and everything else. They are interested in India. But, I did understand that they wanted to spread the ideology of their nation to other parts of the world, including India," he said. Dr. K Ramamurthy, the Indian doctor who has been freed from ISIS in Libya, shows his wounds. pic.twitter.com/2NkdkJuMHx ANI (@ANI_news) 26 February 2017 Talking about ISIS cruelty he went on to say, "ISIS people forced us to watch videos of what they did to Iraq, Syria, Nigeria and other places. It was a bit difficult to watch them." "In a camp in the city, they requested me to come and work in their hospitals. But since I was 61 then I had back pain and right leg nerve pain. I told them I was an old man and I couldn't stand for more than 15 minutes at a stretch. I told them I am medically trained, not surgically trained. So they pulled me out of the Mahakama jail and put in another. I saw all kinds of attacks there," the doctor said. Talking about the cadres of the terror group, Ramamurthy added that all the members of the outfit were extremely dedicated towards their organisation and were strictly following each and every rule. ANI "The working members of the organisation are mostly youngsters. I saw suicide bombers as young as 10-year-old. There were members beyond the age of 65 too," he said. Kosanam was abducted by ISIS in Libya about 18 months ago. "We have rescued Dr Ramamurthy Kosanam in Libya. Dr. Kosanam has suffered a bullet injury. We are bringing him to India shortly," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, last week. "With this, we have rescued all the six Indians abducted there. I appreciate the good work done by our mission there," Sushma said in a series of tweet messages. Even as the country is yet to recover from the shock of the terror attack in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14, intelligence agencies have warned of another possible attack. The development comes even as there is a heightened security deployment across Jammu and Kashmir, like other parts of the country, due to the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Read more SpiceJet Hires 500 Jet Airways Employees Including 100 Pilots, Planning To Recruit More Jet Airways has shut down and over 16,500 of its employees were rendered jobless. However, at this hour of desperate need, budget carrier SpiceJet said it has already absorbed over 500 employees, including 100 pilots, of the grounded carrier Jet Airways and it is open to inducting more as it adds more aircraft and routes in the times ahead. The Gurugram-based no-frills airline has already announced the induction of 27 more planes -22 Boeing 737s and five turboprop Bombardier Q400s - in the fleet to help overcome to an extent the capacity deficit due to Jet Airways temporarily withdrawing its domestic and international services. Read more A Senior Jet Airways Pilot Has Some Serious Questions For The Management As They Stare At Bleak Future 22,000 staff including some 6,000 contractual employees of the now grounded Jet Airways are slowly coming to terms with the reality of the uncertainty that awaits them in the future. Many who have worked with the company for decades, some right from day one are now left without a livelihood and months of unpaid salaries. Neither the company nor the lenders have given any assurance to the troubled staff members on how and when their due salaries will arrive. Read more 17-Year-Old Girl In Bihar Battles For Life After Acid Attack For Resisting Rape Attempt In a horrific incident, a 17-year-old girl has been left critically injured after she was doused with acid by a group of men for resisting rape. The incident happened in Bhagalpur district on Friday night. According to police four men, led by the main accused, identified as Prince, barged into the house of the victim who lives with her mother. Read more UN Lists Bhopal Gas Tragedy That Killed Over 15,000 People, Among World's 'Major Industrial Accidents The 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy remains one of the darkest episodes in modern Indian history. The disaster which according to government data, killed over 15,000 people was the result of a gas leak in Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal. Read more Quick Thinking CRPF Man Saves Life Of Election Officer By Taking Doctor's Instructions On Phone Presiding Officer (PO) Ahsaan ul Haq, who was deployed at booth number 13 in government girls school, Buchpora had suffered a heart attack while on duty. CRPF constable Surinder Kumar, who was posted at the booth noticed that the officer was unwell and despite giving him first aid, Haq fell unconscious within minutes. Read more The 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy remains one of the darkest episodes in modern Indian history. The disaster which according to government data, killed over 15,000 people was the result of a gas leak in Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal. The incident happened on the intervening night of December 23 when highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from the plant and affected more than 600,000 workers and nearby inhabitants. BCCL It is considered one of the biggest industrial mishaps anywhere in the world. Now the United Nations have officially recognized it as one of the world's "major industrial accidents" of the 20th century. BCCL The report released by the UN labour agency International Labour Organization (ILO) has listed Bhopal gas tragedy among the likes of Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters as well as the Rana Plaza building collapse in Dhaka. The Chernobyl disaster happened in April 1986, when one of four nuclear reactors at the Chernobyl power station in Ukraine exploded, releasing at least 100 times more radiation than the atom bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima and killed 31 people immediately and thousands of people in the aftermath. Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan was hit by a major 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 resulting in equipment failures which caused a series of explosions, fires and radiation releases, causing injuries to plant workers and emergency responders. The Rana Plaza collapse happened in April 2013, when a building, which housed five garment factories, killed at least 1,132 people and injured more than 2,500. AP/ File The report, titled 'The Safety and Health at the Heart of the Future of Work - Building on 100 years of experience' also noted that 2.78 million workers die from occupational accidents and work-related diseases each year. No other community actually does this. Were the biggest community by far that collects all of the leaves, Dublinski said. Our neighbors dont collect it, Lisle doesnt collect it, theres some townships that collect it because they only have eight or nine miles of road. We have 1,500 miles of road. The Ministry of External Affairs has promised to assist Indians in Libya in every way possible. Spokesperson of MEA Raveesh Kumar posted on twitter that given the security situation in Libya, Indians were advised to observe extreme caution. The Indian Embassy in Libya will extend all possible help. Update on Security Situation in Libya Indian citizens are advised to observe extreme caution. Embassy will extend all possible assistance. Embassy Helpline: 00218 924201771 pic.twitter.com/HgMhJGvxyS Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 18, 2019 In a fight to seize the Libyan capital of Tripoli, almost 205 people have been killed and a thousand injured. The conflict began earlier this month when the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Haftar descended on the capital which is controlled by the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA). The clashes have threatened to ignite a civil war on the scale of the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The fighting has also forced the U.N. to indefinitely postpone reconciliation talks planned for mid-April that meant to try and find a way to pull Libya out of the chaos that followed Gadhafi's ouster. #Tripoli toll is now 213 dead and 1009 wounded. WHO medical teams continue assisting surgical staff at local hospitals. Two more ambulances have been damaged. WHO calls on all parties in #Libya to protect civilians, health workers & health facilities: they are #NotATarget. pic.twitter.com/ZVZ1efH0Zo World Health Organization in Libya (@WHOLIBYA) April 18, 2019 The World Health Organization in Libya said that its medical staff will continue assisting surgical staff at local hospitals. Two more ambulances were damaged. WHO called on all parties in Libya to protect civilians, health workers & health facilities. International media reported that Libyas unity government issued an arrest warrant for General Haftar for allegedly ordering deadly air strikes against civilian areas. On Thursday, Mortar bombs crashed down on a suburb of Tripoli. Photo: AFP/Libyan National Army Locals blamed Haftars forces for the shelling, saying the rockets had been fired from the direction of his positions south of the capital. Youssef Salem, a displaced man from al-Suani told Reuters, We say to the United Nations and the Security Council: listen. Listen to the bombing... Rockets are coming down on us. For this reason, please find a solution for us. On the same day, the LNA captured Tamanhint air base in southern Libya, which had been taken earlier by an armed group affiliated with the Tripoli government. The forces were identified as South Protection Forces which had initially seized 15 armored vehicles and ammunition when it took the base but Mohammed al-Fares, a spokesman for Hifter's fighters, later said they were back in control. BBC reported that Prime Minister of GNA of Libya Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj condemned the silence of the international community. He said that the people of Libya were beginning to feel abandoned by the world. A baby born in Texas lacked an organ most people don't think about: skin. At birth, baby Ja'bari's chest, chin and head were fused together, which caused serious breathing problems. But he lacks skin on much of his body, with the exception of his head and parts of his legs. For the mother, Priscilla Maldonado, it was the most devastating moment when the doctors wrapped her baby soon after birth and took him away for further care. Facebook Doctors at the Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, said her son suffers from a rare genetic disorder in which babies are born without skin or sometimes even bone on their scalps. Doctors also say that the baby may be suffering from epidermolysis bullosa (EB). EB is an autoimmune disease that causes the skin to become fragile. According to The Washington Post, she and her husband were advised to take their newborn home, make him comfortable and let him die. But "he's here for a purpose," said Priscilla Maldonado who was not ready to give up on her son yet. Ja'bari was moved to Houston last week after Medicaid reversed a decision and approved the medical transfer. He has already started gaining weight and is doing much better for now. Go Fund Me Maldonado said that her son will require additional surgeries to break down scar tissue and graft skin that is being grown in a lab, reports The Washington Post. His parents both work at Taco Cabana and have set up a GoFundMe page. On the page of her son she wrote: "each day he is fighting to live on this Earth." Meet, 24-year-old Sanjay Dasari, founder of an offbeat environmentally sustainable retail store in Chennai. The store named Sunny Bee works just like a farmer's market, a place where farmers sell their fresh produce directly. Sunny Bee which has 12 outlets across Chennai directly deal with 35,000 farmers across the country, avoids the hassle of middlemen, thus ensuring that they reap maximum benefit. Now, Sunny Bee has adopted another important sustainable practice. Inspired by a Thailand supermarket Sunny bee too has started using banana leaves to wrap veggies. Speaking to The Better India, Sanjay Dasari said that one of the customers tagged Sunny Bee on the Thailand supermarkets initiative and that's when he decided to implement it. The usage of banana leaves to wrap vegetables has many benefits: it's a healthier option to plastic packets that don't let the food breathe, it helps retain moisture in the food and increase its shelf life. Dasari says that their 'no plastic' policy had failed multiple times because customers prefer it for the sake of convenience but this time they have a strong reason to continue this practice. "Our customers started tagging us in examples where a Thailand shop uses banana leaves. While it was a good idea, it was also awesome that it came from them, so the fear of rejection was automatically eliminated," he told The Better India. Apart from this Sunny Bee is also known to take ccstomers on farm visits. Take a look at the customer review below Sanjay Dasari, qualified from Babson College near Boston with a bachelors degree in business administration with a specialisation in entrepreneurship. A father and daughter's bond is precious and in dire situations this love grows stronger. More recently, a 19-year-old girl from Kolkata set an example of the ultimate sacrifice by donating 65% of her liver to her father. Entrepreneur Harsh Goenka shared the inspiring story of Rakhi Dutta on social media saying, Rakhi Dutta, a 19 year donated 65% of her liver to her father who was suffering from a serious liver ailment, without even thinking of the scars, pain or any future threat. A daughters love for her father is always very special." Rakhi Dutta, a 19 year donated 65% of her liver to her father who was suffering from a serious liver ailment, without even thinking of the scars, pain or any future threat. A daughters love for her father is always very special. An answer to all who think daughters are useless.. pic.twitter.com/BMbRaMhM88 Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) 18 April 2019 The post went viral all over the internet and people stared showering praises on the brave girl's gesture. One Twitter user wrote, "Daughters are priceless. I am reminded of this thing every time I come home from office my 1y old is so excited to see me back!" #1 This made me miss my father... Wish he was around. Indeed this act can only be done by a daugther RiA (@RiaRevealed) 19 April 2019 #2 Wishing both Father Daughter a healthy life ..God bless them mahua dey (@mahuadey20) 18 April 2019 #3 Daughters are the best .my teenager is my strength ,she is like the second parent to my autistic son..I really thank God that my first one is a daughter. She brings empathy responsibility loyalty and such love in my house. Here is a shout out to daughters like Rakhi Sangeetha Vilayannur (@sangu78) 18 April 2019 #4 Even I have two daughters. They have been my pillars of support ever since I lost my husband. Sudha Prabhu (@sudhaprabhu7) 20 April 2019 #5 Daughters makes the life of father complete. She stood for her fathers Heath. An unconditional love and commitment. Inspiring. Shrikant Paygavhane (@patilshrikant) 19 April 2019 #6 I am speechless to read this getting emotional to think about the greatness and courage of Rakhi. God bless father and daughter Arvind Agarwal (@arvindagl11) 18 April 2019 Rakhi's gesture triggered the conversation around the importance of a daughter and rightly so. In many parts of India, daughters are still seen as a burden. This story is a fitting example of how daughters are equally brave and supportive. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Indian student Vishwanath Akuthota pleaded guilty to causing more than $58,000 in damage to computers at Albanys College of Saint Rose. He agreed to pay that amount in restitution. (representational image/pixabay.com) Insurance fraud seems like it might be an easy thing to do. Insurance companies are often so huge, one wonders how they might not even notic... A new report confirms that 13 people have lost their lives and 16 others seriously injured following the collapse of a church building in South Africa. According to reports, the accident happened at the Pentecostal Holiness Church in eMpangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, during a service organized in preparation for Easter Sunday. The churchs wall collapsed killing many in the process with 29 people already having been rushed to a hospital. The victims were mostly women who were in the church sleeping. According to some local officials, the tragedy occurred due to heavy rainfall in the on Thursday night. Speaking on the tragedy, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the mayor of Zululand municipality, said; A Nigerian woman has been nabbed by customs officers at the Hong Kong International Airport with half a kilogram of cocaine. She hid the had drug in her body. The suspect, a 37-year-old woman had arrived the country from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia when she was intercepted and searched where foreign objects were found in her body, 215 grams of cocaine packed in condoms and plastic bags were later found in her vagina. Further probing saw her discharging 24 capsules of cocaine weighing a total of 550 grams and said to be worth about HK$522,000 (US$66,900). Like many of those portraying characters in the Via Crucis, the holy tradition is a family affair. Madrizs wife helps him prepare his costume and his son portrayed Jesus in 2014. His daughter, Mar Madriz, is the makeup artist for the characters. She said the family has taken part in Via Crucis at a church in Chicago as well. Popular Nigerian musician Oritsefemi took to Instagram to celebrate two years wedding anniversary with wife Nabila Fash. The Double Wahala crooner asked his fans to celebrate with his family on this joyous occasion. Oritsefemi got married to Nabila in a low key wedding in 2017. Tributes have been pouring in on social media to the late artist Avicii today, marking the one year anniversary of his death. The Swedish DJ, whose real name is Tim Bergling, was found dead in Muscat, Oman on April 20, 2018. This year Macra na Feirme celebrates 75 years of representing, supporting and developing young farmers to help them overcome the challenges they and their communities face. In the face of rock bottom beef prices, Brexit and a feeling of being exploited, our young beef farmers are facing great uncertainty, which emphasises the need for solutions and the development of a pragmatic action plan for the sector. We must work to restore the confidence of those that keep this sector alive. In an extensive countrywide consultation exercise with our members, we have looked at the strengths and the weaknesses of our sector, what can be built on, what must be changed and where the opportunities to make changes are. The strengths in our favour are well discussed, we have a standard of production, traceability and animal welfare that is second to none. We have a marketing body in Bord Bia, who have attained access worldwide to new markets for our produce and we have a grass-fed model which can provide a relatively cheap food source for our animals. What we are not doing with these strengths is maximising the benefit from them. Access to new markets has provided a destination for our product, but it is clearly not returning a benefit to the pocket of the primary producer, and given the extra requirements put in place to gain this access, this must change or our sector will not be viable. On the farm, we need to invest in our soil and grass management and utilise the resource underneath our feet. The weaknesses in our sector are played out on a daily basis, as the unfair trading practices used by those further down the supply chain distort the market and this is then used as a justification for a price which is well behind that of our nearest neighbor. This combined with below-cost selling is creating an atmosphere in which very few beef farms can be considered viable, let alone sustainable. What our meat processors and retailers must realise is that their source of high-quality produce and hence the future of their businesses are inextricably linked to generational renewal in the beef sector. The age profile of the average beef farmer was once a growing concern in the industry, now it must be at the forefront of their thoughts. As less and less young farmers see a future in beef farming, with them goes the future of the sector. Unless young people can be shown that there is a sustainable career one that is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable the future of this sector is in serious doubt. As part of the launch of our report in to the need for continuing professional development recently, it is clear that young farmers are keen to keep themselves abreast of the latest developments both scientifically and technologically. It is this enthusiasm for personal and business development that can address some of the other challenges facing the sector such as climate change. For example, the use of sexed semen or beef bulls in the dairy sector can have a significant impact on the quality of cattle being reared. This combined with the development of producer groups which can guarantee a supply of cattle within a certain spec must be recognised by the processors by the availability of forward selling and supplier contracts to give these farmers certainty over their income. Both of these are advancements that can be led by young farmers and which must be rewarded with the payment of a young farmer premium. Macra na Feirme recently launched our Sustainable Beef Policy, which we believe is a pragmatic but workable roadmap for our sector. However, as farm organisations we must work together to create one message, we cannot pit farmer against farmer as this only helps those already capitalising on our hard work. Whatever will come will be a compromise and be willing to consider all approaches for the betterment of all beef farmers. I call on the Minister to reconvene the Beef Forum, because whatever can or cannot be achieved at the table we will achieve nothing away from it. A major incident that was declared this morning at a leisure centre in Donegal has been stood down by the HSE. The alarm was raised after a number of children fell ill during a swimming lesson at Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny. Emergency services attended the scene, five children were taken to hospital, with more treated at the centre. The centre hasn't commented on the incident. Children hospitalised after incident at Donegal leisure centre Several children were hospitalised after an incident at Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Several ambulances attended the scene where it is believed up to 50 children had taken a reaction to the water. Up to 6 children have been taken to hospital for treatment to a reaction they had to chlorine in the water at the swimming pool at the Aura Leisure centre. Most others have been sent home. #Letterkenny pic.twitter.com/3wHpKd4OtW Greg Hughes (@GregHughes2) April 20, 2019 Doctors and Nurses from Letterkenny University Hospital also attended the scene to assist the emergency services. Of those affected, six children have been sent to hospital for further investigation, according to reports. It is understood their conditions are not life-threatening. No staff were affected and Letterkenny hospital has put its emergency plans in place. In a statement, Aura Leisure Centre said a "minor incident" had occurred this morning and emergency services were alerted "purely as a precautionary measure". A spokeswoman said: "A minor incident occurred at Letterkenny Pool this morning. In line with our safety policy our emergency procedures were put in place immediately, and purely as a precautionary measure the ambulance services were alerted. "We are grateful for their prompt response. We have no further comment to make at this time." Two men are due in court this morning in relation to the discovery of a "substantial" grow house in Co Waterford. The Vietnamese men, aged 32 and 43, were arrested after 1644 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of more than 1.3m were seized. UCD has today announced details of Irelands first academic Digital Policy Programme. The course, which includes Certificate, Diploma and Masters level qualifications, aims to equip policy makers with the skills needed for a digital future. It has been developed in collaboration with lawmakers, non-government organisations (NGOs), industry representatives and with support from Microsoft. The programme is "designed to support those in government with the skills and knowledge necessary to reflect on, develop and implement policies that will protect society and provide a relevant framework in which organisations can operate". Colin Scott, Vice President for Equality Diversity and Inclusion and Dean of Social Sciences at UCD said: It is very important that UCD engages government, industry and NGOs to share knowledge about critically important societal challenges, such as those presented by the digital economy. "This programme builds on existing expertise in the College of Social Sciences and Law, on topics including transparency in electoral processes, trust and expertise, competition law and policy, regulation, data privacy, hate speech amongst others Cathriona Hallahan, Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland, said: Much of todays policies and regulations were developed prior to the digitisation of our world and they now need to evolve to ensure relevance in todays society. Ireland has huge potential to take a leadership position in Europe in demonstrating how laws and policies can be adapted to a modern world. "This programme will facilitate our policy makers to create and adapt our policy environment so that it is one that advances innovation, while dealing with the issues of trust and ethics that arise," she said. UCD says that the appointment of an Assistant Professor in Digital Policy is planned with a recruitment process commencing this week. The first of the Certificate and Diploma class intake will take place in the 2019/2020 academic year. The Master's programme will be available in 2020. The question is whether or not we can be everything to everybody, or whether we have to have a tough conversation on what we want to focus on, he said. A lot of people were standing... including children. Eyewitness Emmet Doyle, recounting what happened in Derry on Thursday night, said he saw the young woman being shot. A masked figure stopped at the bottom of the road and fired shots up towards the Land Rovers. We all turned and ran. I stopped beside the Land Rover nearer the top of the street and a girl beside me dropped to the ground. More people could have been killed tonight, including children, he said on his Facebook page. He had seen 29-year-old journalist Lyra McKee fall, having been struck by at least one bullet fired from the gun of a masked rioter. Ms McKee, while not on duty, was drawn to the violence which had erupted between the PSNI and a group of rioters in the Creggan area. Speaking at a press conference in Derry yesterday, the PSNIs assistant chief constable, Mark Hamilton, said police had mounted a search operation on Thursday evening. We believed that violent dissident republicans were planning attacks in this city and we were looking for munitions and firearms that we believe may be about to be used across the Easter weekend. We were in Creggan carrying out a search operation and a public order situation developed in Fanad Drive. This public order situation saw over 50 petrol bombs thrown at police, two cars hijacked and set on fire, and then unfortunately at 11 oclock a gunman appeared and fired a number of shots towards police. A young woman, Lyra McKee, 29 years old, was wounded, she was taken away from the scene in a police Land Rover to Altnagelvin hospital but unfortunately she has died. Mr Hamilton said he had seen footage of a gunman, crouched and firing down the road, and based on that he believed a handgun had been used. Police did not return fire. Mr Hamilton said it had been a cold and callous act which was reckless and a clearly orchestrated attack on police. Bringing a firearm out and firing it down the street in a residential area, where they knew lots of people were standing about, is a calculated and callous act, he said. He said the New IRA was most likely responsible. That informs our primary line of inquiry, he said. The same dissident republican grouping is also believed to have been responsible for a car bomb which exploded outside the courthouse in Derry in January. The shocking murder of Ms McKee and it is murder is firstly a horrendous tragedy for her partner Sara, her family, loved ones, and friends. I did not know her personally but I knew of her by reputation as one of the leading emerging voices of the post-Troubles generation in the North. But the manner and timing of her murder have a greater and fundamental significance. The killing of an Irish journalist by gun has uncomfortable echoes of other horrendous incidents. The heinous killings of Sunday Independent journalist Veronica Guerin in June 1996 and the 2001 killing of Sunday World reporter Martin OHagan are chilling reminders of the price journalists have paid to do their job. Ms McKees short life was taken at the hands of the so-called Real IRA in the name of the glorious cause of a united Ireland. Coming amid what was believed to be planned and orchestrated violence to coincide with Easter weekend in the Creggan area, it goes to show that the peace process, so widely lauded across the world, is still a fragile one. There are those, more criminal than freedom fighter, who will use the cover of republicanism to justify their scumbag activities. That Ms McKees death came on the day a senior delegation of American politicians visited the city to see the progress made under the 21 years of the Good Friday Agreement further emphasises the fragility. Just hours before Ms McKees death, US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi had stated that we treasure the Good Friday accord as a beacon to the world. In her well-received speech to the Oireachtas, midweek, and paying tribute to the efforts of political leaders, Ms Pelosi said: On that holy day the world saw the dawn of peace in Northern Ireland that few had dared to dream. Ms Pelosi said children born in 1998, when the Belfast Agreement was signed, had grown up in peace. We cannot jeopardise that, she continued. We must not and will not allow that progress to be undermined. Yet, Ms McKees premature death does exactly that. The absence of the Northern Assembly, as weak and flawed as it was, for more than two years has allowed a poisonous vacuum emerge which has led to escalating tensions in the province. For that, both Sinn Fein and particularly the DUP must accept the blame. Sinn Fein can rightly be accused of collapsing the assembly for political reasons but the DUP has been reckless in the extreme in reneging on an agreement last year which would have seen the Stormont administration re-established. I said in January, said Mr Hamilton, that the threat level in Northern Ireland has been severe for a number of years. That remains extant. It is still severe. We have seen attacks here in the city; last July, a shooting attack; [the bombing in] January; and now this, so, unfortunately, the threat is present however, the threat is not dominant. Widespread condemnation of Ms McKees murder came from politicians North and South. The Government condemns in the strongest possible terms the fatal shooting of journalist and writer Lyra McKee in Derry. We are all full of sadness after last nights events. We cannot allow those who want to propagate violence, fear and hate to drag us back to the past, said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. I would like to express my sincere condolences to Lyras family, her partner Sara, and her friends. Our solidarity also goes out to the people of Derry and to the entire journalism community. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald extended her condolences to the family of Ms McKee. She condemned those responsible and called on anyone with information to bring it forward to the PSNI. It was with greater horror and sadness that I learned of the killing of Lyra McKee on the streets of Derry last night. Ms McKee will be remembered as a kind, caring and passionate journalist and advocate, she said. Such condemnations were predictable but run the risk of being meaningless if nothing changes in terms of the political landscape. Are we really going to allow the North drift back into a cycle of hostility, violence and killings after so much progress had been made? It's a bit like saving for your pension. You can see the merits of it, but not the urgency. You know its important that cold wash of terror running through your body tells you so. You feel that wash, the odd time, when you find yourself imagining life at 80, living on a quarter of your current salary and factoring in the cost of nearby nursing homes. Anything to do with the climate feels the same. Change sounds great in theory, or simply in neighbourly talk, but the urgency just isnt there. The children feel it, well leave it to them so our unelected, unpaid officials equipping themselves with evidence so damning that it makes them skip school and take to the streets to shout about it. The space in our brain dedicated to worry is already occupied. We fill it with concerns over housing, the cost of it, the lack of it, or maybe even others lack of it. We pour our frustration about local traffic into that worry space too. As we with the tightrope-like household budget, one thats permanently getting hijacked by things like new sets of tyres, school tours, and unexpected trips to the dentist. The odd time well let foreign issues take up residence in the designated worry space, despairing about a world where families walk thousands of miles for safety and possibly even hope, only to be met by rejection at best and incarceration at worst. This week a speaker in the European Parliament cried as she spoke. The speaker used to have severe depression, something that came on her at age 11, as well as selective mutism. She has cried before while speaking in public, and at the end of her speeches the reaction is always the same standing ovations of not just whooping and hollering, but of high-pitched screeches of approval and appreciation. Her name is Greta Thunberg. Shes 16 and shes the reason your child didnt go to school on March 15, and was out protesting about the climate instead. Greta has been sitting outside her countrys parliament every Friday since August, with the aim of bringing Sweden in line with the 2016 Paris climate agreement, which pledges to limit global warming to well below 2C. Why care about such nominal degrees of change? Greta sticks to the facts, citing last years Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report from the UN. In it, the worlds leading climate scientists warned that there was only 12 years for global warming to be kept to a maximum of 1.5C. After that, even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods and poverty for hundreds of millions of people. Greta Thunberg. In order to meet the target of keeping global warming below 2C, the world needs to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by 50% in that period, which was 12 years at the time of the reports publication, and is now 11. This stark fact came in the same year as two other stark facts. Last year global emissions of carbon dioxide hit a new high and the tracking of temperatures showed that the last five years have been the hottest on record since modern records began. But when we think of the climate, we still think of it in abstract terms. Sure, some of us will endeavour to wash out our plastic yogurt pots so they wont contaminate other things in the green bin. Others will proudly use their Keep Cup in local coffee shops and then there are those who eye-roll at the entire climate conversation. You cant even burn wood anymore, sure weve been burning it for years, or I cant even enjoy a greasy rasher nowadays. So when someone knocks on your door over the coming weeks as you sit down to dinner and asks you for your vote in Mays local and European elections, what will you say? Will you ask them how their party has been voting on climate issues in the European Parliament? A new report this week from Climate Action Network Europe shows how everyones been voting. Lets just say Irish MEPs didnt come out on top or anywhere near it. When the canvassers knock on your door and ask you about your pressing concerns, what will you tell them? will you search your mind looking for pot-hole problems and local traffic congestion hotspots? Or will your apathy run them from the door? Politicians dont elect themselves. It is up to us who sits on our local council, in the Dail, Seanad, and European Parliament. The issues they raise and vote for are issues we bring to them. The issues they vote against are issues we can hold them to account for. Politicians are not working in private companies answerable to only shareholders and boards. Politicians represent and are answerable to us. Half a degree in temperature change might seem as abstract to you right now as melting glaciers and underweight polar bears, but in 11 years time, our view may well change. The climate could be the only thing we read about. It could be as important as Brexit, as talked about as Donald Trumps latest tweet. It could dominate news bulletins and dictate the quality of your day-to-day life. Talking to your neighbour about the damage plastics do the environment is great, but until we elect politicians that will create sustainable policies that hold us and major corporations to environmental account, we are fighting a losing battle. Its time to join the dots and see that the climate is political, that politicians need to be taking immediate and radical action on this, that this is the issue of the day. We have 11 years within which to take action. Eleven years is a short time, its the equivalent period of time since our economic crash in 2008. And that only seems like yesterday. Most are aware that US President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency on the US border with Mexico to prevent migration into the States and garner funds for a border wall, but perhaps what is lesser known is the risk faced by Central Americans when they are deported back. According to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Advocacy Manager for Mexico and Central America, Samuel Almeida, a humanitarian crisis that has affected the Central American region for decades continues to be neglected. "Our patients face many challenges on their route to the US. This population is particularly targeted by criminal organised groups and face kidnappings, sexual violence, and physical and psychological violence. "On top of that, we also hear reports of the poor conditions they are subjected to in the US prior to deportation. Often, they are kept in very cold rooms for weeks, with limited access to medical care, quality food, clothes or blankets. "Additionally, some of them are transferred to federal prisons, where they are kept with convicted felons when their only alleged 'crime' was to cross a border." Mr Almeida says that the current US policies put migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and returnees at great risk and calls for an end to zero-tolerance policies against migrants. Many people leave their countries because they fear for their lives, and simply have no other option. By denying access, or indeed deporting them back to their place of origin, the US administration shows very little regard for the grave dangers they face. "It is similarly dangerous to force asylum seekers to wait in Mexico as their asylum claims are processed in the US, where they are in a particularly vulnerable situation and are often targeted by organised criminal groups." "We hear reports of people witnessing, or being subject to, violence by other inmates in these facilities. Finally, when Hondurans are deported back to their country they are handcuffed throughout the flight. "All of these experiences have a negative impact on their physical and psychological well-being; during an already traumatising process." Patients in Choloma, Mexico. Picture: MSF/ Christina Simons. MSF operates in Tegucigalpa, where work is dedicated to victims of violence, particularly sexual violence, and Choloma, focused on providing sexual and reproductive care. It also provides services in the cities of Reynosa and Matamoros on the Mexican border with the US, and in the cities of Tegucigalpa and Choloma in Honduras. Mr Almeida also says that MSF have drawn attention to US authorities regarding the risk returnees face when they are deported to Reynosa at night time. Reynosa is one of the most dangerous cities in Mexico, and Almeida proposes the US could deport the returnees in the mornings, to avoid subjecting them to such risks. The Eclipse Foundation has proposed the creation of an open-source project called Eclipse Tempest to build tools for developing, testing, and debugging applications for the Kubernetes container orchestration platform. The tools would also help developers migrate existing applications to Docker and Kubernetes. With Tempest, Eclipse wants to provide tools for building Kubernetes applications without regard to IDE or programming language. The initial code contribution is to include plug-ins for the Eclipse Java IDE, the Eclipse Che cloud IDE, and Microsofts Visual Studio Code editor. A tech preview and beta of Tempest are scheduled for Q3 2019. The first release is planned for Q4 2019. Capabilities of the Tempest toolkit are to include the following: Rapid development of an application from a template or sample. Support for launching, updating, testing, and debugging in Docker containers on the desktop and directly on Kubernetes. Help to move an existing application to Docker and Kubernetes. Validation to ensure that applications follow best practices. A common library for consistent testing and deployment of applications across IDEs. In explaining the reasoning behind Tempest, Eclipse notes that applications traditionally have been developed on the desktop, debugged locally, and then built and deployed through an automated devops pipeline. The arrival of Docker allowed the runtime to be packaged and moved between environments, with Kubernetes emerging as a deployment system for large-scale Docker deployments. However, deployment is still usually done on a local environment without taking advantage of these new technologies. Eclipse, meanwhile, has desktop and cloud IDEs but no tools to help develop, debug, or deploy applications on Kubernetes. Nor does it provide any consistency in building cloud-native applications regardless of IDE. Tempest is intended to fill both of these gaps. Tempest is a subproject of the Eclipse Cloud Development project. Introduced April 18, Tempest follows Googles introduction earlier this month of Google Cloud Code, which similarly features plug-ins for IDEs to assist with the development of Kubernetes applications. has likely slipped by your music radar, which can be forgiven, as they are as independent as indie music gets; understated and somewhat niche. However, don't let this potential oversight persist, as Adam Wright of Cahaba Park Church in Birmingham, Alabama continues to release fantastic Scripture songs set to acoustic soundscapes. His self-described goal is to, "set God's Word to music that we would know and treasure God's Word more deeply." This, I am happy to report, he has accomplished, once again utilizing the English Standard Version (ESV) as his translation source text. The newest release titled, With His Wounds We Are Healed (Isaiah 53), focuses on the Scripture passages in Isaiah chapters 52:13-53:12, with the text being divided into five different songs, or movements. Right in time for Easter, as followers of Christ turn their attention to the death, burial, and resurrection; this collection of songs focuses on the suffering of Christ. In fact, they would fit very appropriately as environment setting music for upcoming Good Friday services. This is further supported by five additional instrumentals of the previous songs, so that the music can be used in the background before and after the service, or utilized as part of the service itself. Swells of strings, piano flourishes, plucked mandolin, and finger-picked guitars all serve as support to the heart rending, yet beautiful Scripture from Isaiah 53:1-3 (Movement 2), describing the lack of esteem that our Savior endured on behalf of mankind. Gentle guitar strums and a cello feature in movement three, where we read that He was "pierced for our transgressions" and "he was crushed for our iniquities." Movement four is haunting, as a piano leads, and strong harmonies remind that, "they made his grave with the wicked/and with a rich man in his death/although he had done no violence/and there was no deceit in his mouth." Though The Corner Room may not have the bells and whistles of its fellow brethren in the worship industry, I pray that you not overlook them for its lack of bombast, or advertisement. Doing so would mean missing out on some of the most well done and powerful Scripture songs this reviewer has heard in recent times. Do yourself a favor and allow these to soak deep within your spirit, and may it focus our hearts' affections even stronger on our Savior, both in this season and always. - Review date: 4/15/19, written by Josh Balogh of Jesusfreakhideout.com The Ministry of Civil Affairs of China on Friday released a circular warning the public against unauthorized events that recycle worn clothes in the name of charity. Civil affairs administrations and the public across the country have recently filed reports on such events, where unqualified organizers would collect used items such as clothes from the public, and would then sell them for profit, according to the circular. Public donation events, according to the country's Charity Law, can only be held by registered and qualified social organizations, the circular noted. The unqualified events violated the Charity Law, infringed on the rights of the donors and tainted the image of charity, the social organization management bureau of the ministry said in the circular, asking the public to better identify and report such fraudulent acts in time to civil affairs administrations. Before taking part in charitable donations, people can check on platforms such as "Charity in China" (http://cishan.chinanpo.gov.cn) if the organizers and sponsors of the events have the qualifications for public donations, according to the circular. If they are not qualified and seek profits in the name of charity, people can file reports to public security organs, the bureau added. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2019) - GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. (TSXV: SPOT) ("GoldSpot") is pleased to announce that its team of expert geologists and data scientists has been engaged by Gran Colombia Gold Corp. ("Gran Colombia") to use machine learning to identify new drilling targets at their Segovia Operations located in the Segovia-Remedios mining district of Antioquia in Colombia. With the recent closing of a CDN$20-million private placement, Gran Colombia plans to dramatically accelerate the exploration programs at Segovia and has engaged GoldSpot to minimize exploration risk and increase discovery rates by leveraging machine learning. Goldspot will use its geoscience and machine science expertise to clean, unify and analyse Gran Colombia's Segovia exploration data and produce both 2D and 3D targets for the exploration program. Goldspot will also deliver newly constructed lithological and mineralization models; new geophysical products produced through the reprocessing of the raw data; and new structural interpretations and models. "We are excited to work with Gran Colombia at its Segovia Operations as we aim to address the big data challenge in mining. Segovia has produced over 5 million ounces of gold in the last 150 years and has a library of data just waiting to be tapped," said Denis Laviolette, CEO and President of Goldspot. Mr. Laviolette also commented: "This partnership with Gran Colombia validates our business strategy. Our consulting work with major mining companies generates revenue to cover our G&A, fuel our R&D and demonstrate our leadership in applying machine learning to mineral exploration. This leaves our treasury intact to invest in juniors and acquire royalties in data-rich projects ripe for artificial intelligence, all while giving them access to our 25-person team. We are most unique source of capital in a depressed space, and we look forward to bringing our game-changing solutions to the market as we work with miners and explorers to rejuvenate this sector." Serafino Iacono, Executive Chairman of Gran Colombia commented, "Our exploration work at Segovia to-date has centered on our three core mining operations to build our mineral resource and reserve statement and to support our mine optimization and planning. We have come to a point where we can now focus on the vast exploration potential we see in our Segovia mining title, stepping out from the existing mine operations and exploring the other 24 known veins in the mining title. We are excited to work with Goldspot to leverage their machine learning capabilities to increase our potential for success in expanding our mineral reserves through the accelerated drilling campaign we will be launching this year with the proceeds from our recently completed financing." About Goldspot Discoveries Corp. Goldspot is a technology company that leverages machine learning to reduce capital risk, while working to increase efficiencies and success rates in resource exploration and investment. Goldspot combines proprietary technology with traditional domain expertise, offering a front-to-back service solution to its partners. Goldspot's solutions target big data problems, making full use of historically unutilized data to better comprehend resource property potential. Goldspot has developed a monetization strategy into multiple verticals of the mining and investment industry, including service offerings, staking and royalty acquisition, and the development of its own artificial-intelligence-driven trading platform. For further information please contact: Denis Laviolette, President, CEO and Director GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. Tel: 647-992-9837 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Cautionary Statement on Forward -Looking Information Neither the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, uncertainty over the outcome of any litigious matters, Goldspot's objectives, goals or future plans, statements regarding exploration results and exploration plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in Goldspot's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although Goldspot believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Goldspot disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Nepal's President Bidya Devi Bhandari will visit China on April 24 and attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will be held in Beijing on April 25. Her participation in the BRI Summit is expected to give momentum to development projects under the Nepal Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework and take bilateral relations to new heights. Nepal joined the BRI in 2017, but the two nations are yet to select and implement specific BRI projects. Nepal and China will likely sign the protocol of the Nepal-China Transit Transport Agreement (TTA) during Bhandari's visit. The two countries finalized the TTA wording in Kathmandu in September last year. The TTA protocol is crucial for Nepal as it grants the landlocked country access to four seaports in Shenzhen, Lianyungang, Zhanjiang and Tianjin and three dry ports in Lanzhou, Lhasa and Shigatse. Nepal's access to Chinese ports has ended its sole dependence on India for its transit trade, linking its economy with the world's second-biggest market. President Bhandari's visit will advance the bilateral ties of political trust and economic cooperation. To make the visit more fruitful and results-oriented, experts have suggested that the President's team should consist of finance, energy, and transport ministers. Dr. Upendra Gautam, general secretary of China Study Center Nepal, said, "The bilateral meetings should be arranged in advance with an agenda and a follow-up action plan. The Chinese leadership makes decisions holistically whereas sectoral ministries hold technical negotiations in their respective areas." It is imperative for Nepal to prioritize the development of its energy and transport sectors, enhancing the trans-Himalayan connectivity between the two nations, which requires the construction of cross-border transmission lines, railways, and roads to be completed. During Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli's visit to China in June last year, the two sides agreed to speed up the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation under the BRI. This cooperation will boost various areas, such as ports, roads, railways, aviation, and communications, within the overarching framework of trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network. President Bhandari's April visit offers an opportunity to discuss the much-talked-about Kerung (Gyirong)-Kathmandu railway, which is considered as a game changer in the geo-strategic map of the region. The Nepalese government has prioritized the construction of the railway and claims the Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be finalized within six months. China First Survey and Design Institute conducted its pre-feasibility study in December last year. However, the two nations are yet to decide how the railway that passes through freezing Himalayan zones will be funded. In addition to the huge investment required, geological insight and advanced technology are also essential in completing the ambitious project. Bringing Chinese railway technology into Nepal was on the agenda of all major political parties during the 2017 elections. One factor leading to the sweeping electoral victory of the Oli-led Left Alliance party was its promise to implement the landmark Transit Transport Agreement in the wake of India's unofficial 2015 economic blockade of Nepal. Dr. Gautam said that President Bhandari's visit could be instrumental to a financial package agreement for BRI projects in Nepal. Following the restoration of political stability and formation of a strong government, Nepal is poised to achieve rapid economic growth. The country even has a motto: Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali. This reflects the Nepalese yearning for political stability and economic prosperity. For Nepal, the BRI has become a viable instrument to boost investment, connectivity, and trade. It will effectively connect Nepal with the multi-modal transport networks of China. Nepal will also be connected to the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road with access to the Port of Guangzhou in south China and the Gwadar Port in Pakistan through Tibet. Therefore, Nepal stands to accrue enormous benefits from the BRI, providing Nepal with leverage in the conduct of geopolitical and economic relations with countries in the trans-Himalayan region and beyond. Ritu Raj Subedi is Deputy Executive Editor of The Rising Nepal. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, 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 U.S. and Japanese senior officials met on Friday in Washington, discussing bilateral relations, cross-domain cooperation and the Korean Peninsula denuclearization, among other issues. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan held talks with their Japanese counterparts at the State Department on Friday morning, said the U.S. State Department in a statement released later in the day. They vowed to strengthen the security partnership and enhance cooperation in cross-domain areas including space, cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum, the statement said. The two sides also discussed the U.S. negotiation with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to achieve the Korean Peninsula denuclearization, while the Japanese officials, namely Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya, reiterated Japan's concern about the Japanese nationals allegedly abducted by the DPRK in the 1970s and 1980s. U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton tweeted that he also met with the visiting Japanese officials on Friday morning at the White House. The high-level bilateral meeting occurred a week ahead of the scheduled visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Washington on April 26-27. KLAMATH RIVER, Ore. UPDATE: A "Secret Witness" reward is now up for grabs in the Spencer Hodgson murder case, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office (SCSO). "Up to $7500.00 in 'Secret Witness' funds may be awarded for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) in this case," the Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Tuesday. (Updated 5/7/19 at 1 p.m.) INITIAL REPORT: The hunt for answers in a Siskiyou County murder case continues to intensify now that investigators have recovered additional pieces of evidence, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office (SCSO). On April 8, deputies recovered the body of 31-year-old Spencer Richard Hodgson near the remote northern Siskiyou County community of Klamath River. Hodgson had been staying at a house in the Klamath River area, but had ties to Santa Cruz in the Monterey Bay area. Hodgson's body was found in a ravine near Yreka Walker Road. He had died of "gunshot wounds," and the death was quickly ruled a homicide following an autopsy on April 10. CLICK HERE for more on the initial investigation, after Hodgson's body was found in the Klamath River ravine. At the time, Hodgson's white 2010 Toyota Tundra and his dog Pepper were missing, believed stolen. With the help of a California Highway Patrol helicopter crew, SCSO recovered Hodgson's truck after spotting it during an aerial search several days later. "A dog owned by the victim was also found alive and well and was given to family members," SCSO said in a statement. The discovery of Hodgson's truck represents "a source of potential evidence," SCSO said, and has already led to additional leads. Detectives continue to interview Hodgson's family members and associates, and the agency said that search warrants have been obtained. This case is still under investigation and anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the SCSOs 24-hour Dispatch Center at (530) 841-2900, Sheriff Jon Lopey said. KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. A Bonanza woman has been arrested and charged with Manslaughter for allegedly causing the death of her week-old child, according to a statement from the Klamath County District Attorney's Office. 27-year-old Ashley Grace Irwin came to the attention of the Klamath Department of Human Services (DHS) in April of 2018 when her youngest child, a "sick week-old infant" showed up at Sky Lakes Medical Center for an apparent cardiac arrest. Although medical staff tried to life flight the child to Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, the baby died during treatment. At that point, Klamath DHS took the rest of Irwin's children into protective custody immediately. "The Oregon State Police were alerted and Detective Patrick Irish took this case under his wing with the assistance of Detective Thomas Andreazzi," DA Eve Costello said. The detectives interviewed witnesses and looked into medical documentation to prove the "causative nature" of the baby's death, the DA's Office said. They also found evidence relating to alleged mistreatment of Irwin's other children. "Ms. Ashley Grace Irwin and her significant other, Douglas Dale Johnston, fled the area almost immediately," Costello said. Costello's office issued a secret indictment for Irwin on April 1. Detective Irish tracked Irwin to Baker City, Oregon, and officers took her into custody on April 16 returning her to Klamath County in order to face charges. Meanwhile, Oregon State Police continue to look for Johnston. "As Klamath County District Attorney, I commend Detective Irish's dedication to this matter. His continued efforts along with those of Detective Andreazzi show admirable dedication to bringing justice for these children," Costello said. According to court documents, Irwin was arraigned on Friday and has been charged with Manslaughter in the First Degree and Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree both felonies as well as three counts of Criminal Mistreatment in the Second Degree relating to Irwin's older children. Her bail has been set at $500,000. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) A self-published romance writer charged with killing her chef husband in Portland, Oregon, was seen near her husband's work around the time he was fatally shot there, unsealed court documents said. Despite telling police she was at home the morning of June 2, surveillance video captured Nancy Crampton Brophy driving her minivan in front of the culinary school where Daniel Brophy worked, a probable cause affidavit showed. The documents were unsealed Friday in Multnomah County Circuit Court, revealing new details months after authorities jailed the 68-year-old author of "How To Murder Your Husband" on suspicion of killing her husband. The pair had been married 27 years. The essay Crampton Brophy wrote was published years before Brophy, a 63-year-old popular instructor at the Oregon Culinary Institute, was found gunned down in a kitchen. He had been shot once in the back and once in the chest, court documents said. Investigators determined there were no signs of force or struggle and no signs of robbery. Brophy still had his wallet, cellphone, and car keys with him, documents said. Several days later, documents said Crampton Brophy asked for a letter from detectives stating she was not a suspect so she could give it to their life insurance company, saying her husband's policy was valued at $40,000. Detectives instead investigated, saying in court documents they learned she was the beneficiary on several insurance policies with a value of over $350,000. The court documents also allege she had an article titled "10 ways to cover up a murder" bookmarked on an iTunes account she shared with her spouse. Police arrested Crampton Brophy in September, and a grand jury later indicted her on one count of murder. When she was arrested, Crampton Brophy said, "You must think I murdered my husband," documents said. Investigators said she didn't offer further explanation about where she was on the morning of the murder. She pleaded not guilty in September. An email to her lawyer wasn't immediately answered Friday. MEDFORD, Ore. -- Local companies are coming together to encourage high school students to pursue careers in Southern Oregon. The Soredi Quest is an online scavenger hunt that used clues and questions to lead students to find the answers in a number of local company profiles. The goa of Soredi Quest is to educate local high school students about potential careers they can pursue in Southern Oregon. Soredi Quest took two years to successfully plan and Friday night all that hard work will pay off. The finale event starts at 6 p.m. at North Medford High School. Rob Merriman, Medford's Community Developer Manager, told NewsWatch12 there's a stigma that students need to go someplace else to build a successful career. Through soredi quest, he's hoping to end that stigma. "We'd really like to end that notion with high school students today and say, you can choose to leave or not but there's a lot happening here to be excited about and be aware of," Merriman said. About 1,000 students from Medford and Grants Pass High Schools are participating. Students are competing for scholarships and prizes by submitting one minute videos that show the unique qualities of local companies they were introduced to. At the finale, over $9,000 in scholarships and prizes will be awarded to the teams with the top videos. Soerdi's goal was to make the experience informative, but fun. At the end of the business scavenger hunt, students formed teams to create a video promoting one local business. Marijke, Valorie and Brianna were among several scholarship winners Friday night. The three girls won the "people's choice award" for best video. Marijke said, "Just putting it together was a lot of fun and it was super creative and it was nice having all of our ideas come together to form a really cool video." EUGENE, Ore. -- Protestors gathered in front of South Eugene High School on Friday to speak out against the installation of more 5G cell units in Eugene. Protestors said they're extremely nervous at the number of 5G cell units they see popping up all over the city of Eugene. They said they are mostly scared for children and the future generations "This is really dangerous. This is driving off a cliff," said Victor Odlivak, a member of Families for Safe Meters. "It's deadly. It's dangerous if you're 4 feet, 40 feet or 400 hundred feet. It is deadly." The protesters believe the radiation produced by the towers is an extreme threat to our health, going as far as to claim that 5G is a military-grade weapon The protestors' claims are not backed up by mainstream science. The Federal Communications Commission said cell phone towers are perfectly safe and the radiation levels they emit are thousands of times lower than what would be considered dangerous. KEZI 9 News also spoke with a city official who said the owners of the tower followed all necessary laws. "When a cell company looks to install a small-cell facility, we have sets of guidelines and regulations that they must meet and only after they meet those are they allowed to place the tower," said Brian Richardson with the City of Eugene. Under federal law the city cannot deny a cell-phone tower based on radiation frequency health concerns. The location of all 5G towers can be found on the City of Eugene's website. EUGENE, Ore. -- Now that a redacted version of the Mueller report is in the hands of congress and the public, there's a battle for more information about the Special Counsel's full findings. Congressman Peter DeFazio said he wants more answers. "Congress needs, and I think the American people need, the full, unredacted report," DeFazio said. "Congress also needs the background investigative material." The House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler has issued a subpoena for Robert Mueller's full report, which found no evidence of collusion with the Russians during the 2016 election. On the topic of obstruction of justice, the report lists 11 instances that raised concerns. RELATED: Top judiciary Dem issues subpoena for full Mueller report DeFazio said it's their obligation to investigate further. "If we find impeachable articles, we would be obligated to go forward, but that's not the ideal path as far as I'm concerned. We do not want to have a failed impeachment which it would be because it would not pass the Senate," DeFazio said. The Mueller report is just one of several items on his agenda: "There's a whole lot of other things going on," DeFazio said. As chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, infrastructure is near the top of his list. "I'm trying to work with the Trump White House to do a major reinvestment in our crumbling roads, bridges, highways and decrepit transit systems," DeFazio said. He said the government needs to raise more money to invest in roads, something he's been having to push for on both sides of the aisle. Health care is another priority. He said there's concern over repealing the Affordable Care Act: "We don't need to repeal it. We need to fix it," DeFazio said. DeFazio reiterated there's a long list of issues he wants to fix over the next 18 months: "I've got a big agenda in front of me that will impact the American people." LANE COUNTY, Ore. -- Environmental activist groups and Thurston area residents have voiced their concerns about a timber sale in Springfield, and the company that bought that timber is speaking out. "I do know that we're going to adhere to the plan that the BLM gave us," said Casey Roscoe with Seneca Jones Timber Company. "So, we're harvesting per their instructions." Roscoe said that plan consists of what is called a regeneration harvest of about 100 of the nearly 400 acres that Seneca purchased from the Bureau of Land Management through their winning bid of just over $1 million. RELATED: FOREST LANDS, CLIMATE ACTIVIST GROUPS HOLD PUBLIC LANDS MEETING She said that harvest will be in patches of the area with hundreds of trees untouched in the harvest areas. "That means those trees left behind are specifically left behind to re-seed the area," Roscoe said. "To regenerate." She said because of the Douglas Firs that are in the area, a simple thinning wouldn't have been possible. "So, they're leaving enough space for those trees to be able to thrive, and for those older trees to re-seed the area," Roscoe said. RELATED: ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS SUE BLM TO STOP SPRINGFIELD LOGGING PROJECT This property is adjacent to the Willamalane Thurston Hills Natural Area, and Willamalane's Superintendent Michael Wargo said this harvest will benefit recreation as well. "The plan all along was to continue our trails and the fact that on the BLM property, as soon as this regeneration harvest is complete, that we will be working with them to develop another eight and a half miles of trails," Wargo said. "I think that's pretty awesome for our community and everything that that's going to be able to bring to the region." Thurston Hills resident Kebrhea Cuellar said she and other residents are against this harvest. "Go far away from a community where people are not going to be impacted, wildlife is not going to be impacted, the stability of a very unstable hill, very unstable, is not going to be impacted," Cuellar said. Roscoe said crews will be in the project area improving forest roads relatively soon and their harvest won't start for at least another year. A public meeting on disability and health reform will take place in Kilkenny on Wednesday, April 24 at the Clubhouse Hotel. The night will have an excellent line-up of people from Kilkenny who are involved in campaigns for disability services at a local and national level. Speakers on the night include Carol Cantwell from the Spinraza Now Campaign, Linda Comerford from Still Waiting Ireland, and Judy Kearney from the John Needs Pembro Campaign. They will be joined by People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny, and People Before Profit Local Election Candidate Stephanie Hanlon, who will be speaking about her experience of having a disability and the need for disability representation in politics. I am really looking forward to the meeting on Wednesday," said Ms Hanlon. "Disability and health are key issues that affect everyone, whether it is a relative or their own personal experience. This is a chance to hear the experiences of so many passionate health campaigners in Kilkenny and what they have been fighting tirelessly for. "We shouldnt have to fight this hard for essential healthcare. A key part of my election campaign is on making Kilkenny a leader in disability accessibility and inclusivity, and there are many lessons we can learn from each other moving forward. The event takes place on Wednesday, April 24 in the Clubhouse Hotel and starts at 7.30pm. All are welcome. Call it the green rush. Or the green wave. Either way, the movement toward legalized marijuana use in North America is gaining ground. Novembers midterm elections saw Missouri and Utah join 31 other U.S. states where medical marijuana is legal. Michigan voters made their state one of 10 (plus the District of Columbia) where recreational use isnt a criminal offense. Canada recently became the first industrialized nation to legalize recreational marijuana use nationwide. The prospect of continuing momentum has investors seeing green in more ways than one, but those who have been riding the green wave thus far have had a wild run. In advance of Canadas October 17 legalization, Canadian cannabis stocks soared. Canadian pot firm Tilray was trading in the low to mid $20s for much of August before the share price spiked to an intraday high of $300 in September. The shares have since receded dramatically, trading at $100 in early December. Shares in other major Canadian growers and distributors, such as Canopy Growth and Aurora Cannabis, followed a similar, if less extreme, trajectory: a huge run-up prior to legalization followed by a pullback due to concerns over industry-wide supply shortages. Despite the volatility, some intrepid investors (and some blue-chip companies) are entering the fray. If you are considering cannabis stocks, heres what you need to know. Increased volatility stems in part from the fact that pot stocks are owned mostly by individual investors who are often more likely to react to headlines than are institutional shareholders. Whats the appeal? Analysts at the Arcview Group, a cannabis-focused investment and research firm, estimate worldwide legal cannabis spending will reach $32 billion by the end of 2022, up from an estimated $12.9 billion in 2018. The companies most likely to take advantage of that torrid growth rate are Canadian-licensed marijuana producers, says Vivien Azer, an analyst at investment firm Cowen. Firms such as Aphria, Aurora Cannabis, Canopy Growth, Cronos Group and Tilray have been able to gobble up the majority of supply agreements that allow companies to sell recreational weed in Canada, Azer says, and are likely to be first-movers when it comes to expanding into international markets. Major firms are showing interest. In December, tobacco giant Altria announced plans to pay $1.8 billion for a 45% stake in Cronos Group. In August, beer, wine and liquor producer Constellation Brands invested $4 billion in Canopy Growth, upping its stake in the cannabis firm from 9.9% to 38%. Should I invest in cannabis stocks now? Probably notits still too early. Even the more established players in the cannabis business are going through growing pains. Although nearly all Canadian growers are reporting massive spikes in revenues following legalization, most project little to no earnings in addition to operating losses as they pump money back into expanding their businesses. The supply shortage following legalization is just one of many hurdles these firms face, says Jason Wilson, president of investment firm Budding Equity. Post-prohibition, it remains to be seen which companies will be able to execute on all these different levelsfrom marketing to supply chain to branding, he says. Plus, legal cannabis businesses compete not only with each other, but also with long-established black markets, says Charles Feldmann, an attorney whose practice assists medical marijuana business clients. And black-market distributors dont have to pay lawyers or accountants or banks or taxes, he says. With the industry still in its early stages, trying to pick a winner is like playing the lottery, Feldmann says. If youre considering investing in pot stocks, it has to be with money you have no problem losing. What makes these stocks particularly risky? Even after pulling back, prominent pot stocks are trading at nosebleed levels. A basket of cannabis stocks tracked by analysts at Wells Fargo trades at an average price thats 22 times projected 2019 sales. Remember: There are no earnings to speak of. The average price-to-sales ratio for the S&P 500 is 1.9. Increased volatility stems in part from the fact that pot stocks are owned mostly by individual investors who are often more likely to react to headlines than are institutional shareholders. It seems like a tweet from the right person can send the market careening in one direction or another, says Steve White, CEO of Arizona-based cannabis company Harvest Inc. If I still want to invest in pot stocks, where can I do it? Canadian cannabis firms can list on U.S. exchanges and trade just like any other stock, as long as they dont have business operations in the U.S. Only a few have opted to do so, so far. Youll find a handful of cannabis-based biotech firms, both domestic and internationally based, listed on U.S. exchanges as well. Some Canadian firms that havent listed stateside trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange and may be available to trade via your online broker. The Financial Supervisory Service building in Yeouido, Seoul / Korea Times file South Korean President Moon Jae-in was set to visit Uzbekistan's historic city of Samarkand Saturday, highlighting his country's long friendship with the Central Asian nation that he says dates back to the era of the Silk Road. Moon's trip to the city comes one day after he and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev agreed to upgrade the countries' relationship to a "special strategic partnership" in their bilateral summit here. Seoul and Tashkent established diplomatic ties in 1992. Their relationship was upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2006. Moon says the friendship between the two countries dates back hundreds of years when they were connected by the ancient network of trade routes, the Silk Road. "Uzbekistan's development is South Korea's development. South Korea will gladly share its experience of economic development with Uzbekistan," Moon said in an address to the Uzbek parliament Friday. Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. It is known to have been frequented by merchants from countries in the region, including ancient Korean dynasties. The South Korean president arrived in Uzbekistan Thursday on a four-day state visit. Moon will wrap up his visit to the country on Sunday to head for Kazakhstan, the third and last stop in his three-nation tour that earlier took him to Turkmenistan. (Yonhap) Angola, IN (46703) Today Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 23F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 23F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. 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. The last time the world saw notorious drug trafficker Teresa Mendoza, she had narrowly evaded capture by Spanish police, survived a shootout that resulted in the death of her most loyal associate, publicly testified over the narcotrafficking roots of a prominent Mexican politician, then disappeared into the clutches of the U.S. witness protection program all while pregnant with the child of a onetime lover whose death she had personally ordered. That was in May of 2011. At that time, viewers of television all over the world thought that was the last they would ever see of La Reina del Sur (The Queen of the South), the smash Telemundo soap that turned Mexican actress Kate del Castillo into an international star and which counted among its most prominent fans none other than El Chapo, then the chief of the Sinaloa cartel. Narcos vs. narco novelas: In Latin Americas cartel TV shows, a compelling complexity Theyd always flirted with the idea of doing a second part, says Del Castillo, as she sinks into a comfortable couch on the terrace of her Los Angeles home, glass of wine in hand. It was such a success that, you know, networks get excited. But I never wanted to do a second part. Advertisement I was, like, this is perfect, she adds emphatically. Lets just leave it like it is. Why tamper with that? But eight years after La Reina made history, becoming a global pop cultural phenomenon and helping Telemundo beat the English-language networks in prime time, the queen is back in a major way. In the second season of Telemundos La Reina del Sur, Teresa Mendoza, played by Kate del Castillo, emerges from hiding to hunt down her daughters kidnappers. (Telemundo) ALSO: She met El Chapo. Now, Kate del Castillo is afraid to return to Mexico Forget the internecine machinations of Game of Thrones. The most intriguing power struggle on TV in the coming weeks will be the hotly anticipated second season of La Reina del Sur, which kicks off Monday night on Telemundo. I always wanted to play Teresa again, I just didnt want to force anything, says Del Castillo, who despite a petite frame looks statuesque in a silky cream duster and high-heeled boots, her mini pinscher Lola trotting around at her feet. You know, there is so much expectation. I mean, even right now, I am really nervous to be honest. For the network, the second season of La Reina is a case of stars aligning. Like Del Castillo, many of the shows other principal players had been skeptical about revisiting a program that had been so wildly successful. And Del Castillo had become very protective of a character that had come to define her career and her life. Kate del Castillo returns as a more mature, more maternal La Reina del Sur. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Im broke. Ive been paying lawyers in the United States and Mexico for so many years. Kate del Castillo I was going through a very bad moment with my second marriage, she recalls of shooting the first season. So I would cry with her. And when people on the series would get hurt or died because of her, I would suffer with her. I think thats one of the reasons that I made her so mine. Also on the list of skeptics was Arturo Perez-Reverte, the Spanish novelist who wrote the best-selling book upon which the series is based and who would have to approve any new project. It took three years to convince Arturo Perez-Reverte to do this, says Marcos Santana, president of Telemundo Global Studios, which produced the show in conjunction with Netflix. We also had to reunite writers from the original team. That took a long time. The story picks up eight years after the original concluded an ending that left Teresa Mendoza pregnant and alone in an undisclosed location. The new season finds her living under an assumed identity with her daughter in the Italian countryside. It is in this pastoral setting that her past catches up with her, and her enemies in Mexicos Sinaloa cartel kidnap her child. Mexican tabloids cover the story of the meeting between El Chapo and Sean Penn and Kate del Castillo in 2016. (Pedro Pardo / AFP / Getty Images) ALSO: In the Netflix docu-series The Day I Met El Chapo, Kate del Castillo tells her story To be certain, the second season is no simple reboot. If the premiere episode is evidence of what is to come, Telemundo is kicking it up several notches with a visibly better wardrobe budget, plenty of action and oodles of location shooting. (The production traveled to eight countries, including Italy, Spain, Belize, Colombia and Mexico.) Moreover, Del Castillo, who is fiercely committed to authenticity, did her own stunts including a motorcycle sequence in the first episode that has her chasing the baddies around a Tuscan town at life-threatening speeds. (Not entirely unusual for the actress, who keeps a Ducati Monster at home.) Its a more mature Teresa, says Del Castillo of her character, whose drive now is the maternal urge to rescue her child. Shes now blinded. Shes gonna kill everybody. Kate del Castillo in a scene from the second seasons of La Reina del Sur. (Telemundo) If Teresa Mendoza is now more mature, so is the actress who plays her, notes Santana. What we encountered was another actress of incredible skill, he says. She was so committed. Certainly, the intervening years for Del Castillo have played out like one of the convoluted plots in La Reina del Sur. It began with Del Castillos infamous late-night tweet storm from 2012 that was directed in part to Joaquin El Chapo Guzman Loera tweets that led the capos lawyers to reach out to the actress to arrange a meeting about a movie deal. Like the rest of the viewing planet, Guzman was also hooked on La Reina del Sur. The meeting ultimately went down in 2015 in the company of actor Sean Penn, who wrote about it in a rambling 10,500-word piece for Rolling Stone. Guzman was apprehended shortly after this gathering. Later, it came out that the meeting with the actors had helped the authorities track down and arrest Guzman. El Chapo was quickly extradited to the United States and put on trial. In February, he was convicted for drug trafficking and operating a criminal enterprise, among other charges. This sequence of events turned Del Castillos life upside down. Her text exchanges with El Chapo were leaked to the press, she was investigated for possible money laundering, and the investigation left her unable to return to her native Mexico for almost three years. Not a single charge was filed against Del Castillo, but the experience nonetheless took a toll. Im broke, says the actress with resignation. Ive been paying lawyers in the United States and Mexico for so many years. Last year, she filed a $60 million suit against the Mexican government for damages on the unjustified investigation. The actress believes she became a target of the Mexican government because she made them look ham-handed. It did make them look bad because it was like, Look, here a performer was able to get a meeting [with El Chapo] and you guys supposedly cant find him, she says. While Del Castillo has moved on professionally she just wrapped shooting on Bad Boys for Life with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence she says she will never be able to leave this episode of her life completely behind her. I know its something thats gonna be haunting me forever, she says. But I take responsibility for that. I decided to go down there. It was in my hands and I assume the responsibility. In the meantime, Del Castillo is only looking forward. In addition to the film, she is at work on a one-woman stage show that she is not yet ready to announce. And, of course, there is the second season of La Reina del Sur to look forward to which has reconnected her to a character that has been vital to her career. Teresa Mendoza is wily and headstrong. She is a survivor. She somehow manages to surmount the insurmountable. There are so many things of Teresa that I have in me, says Del Castillo. And I think Teresa has a lot of things that Ive given to her. La Reina del Sur Where: Telemundo When: Premieres Monday at 10 p.m.; airs weeknights at 10 p.m. Rated: TV14 DLV carolina.miranda@latimes.com | Twitter: @cmonstah Oscar-nominated director John Singleton, best known for the film Boyz N the Hood, has been hospitalized in intensive care after suffering a stroke on Wednesday, his family said. In a statement sent to The Times on Saturday, Singletons family said the director is under great medical care. We ask that privacy be given to him and our family at this time and appreciate all of the prayers that have been pouring in from his fans, friends and colleagues, his family added. Singleton, 51, had been traveling and went to a hospital with weakness in his leg Wednesday when he suffered a mild stroke, according to TMZ. Advertisement The family declined to identify the hospital where Singleton was being treated. The director, producer and screenwriter, whose films include 2 Fast 2 Furious and Shaft, grew up in South Central Los Angeles and produced the A&E documentary L.A. Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later. It wasnt just a single three-day event, he told The Times, explaining what prompted him to produce the show. There are still people walking around who are emotionally scarred by that event. He also co-created the FX series Snowfall, about the 1980s crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles. Its third season is scheduled to begin later this year. And hes directed episodes of Empire, Billions and The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story. Singletons condition has sparked an outpouring of support from celebrities on social media. Pray 4 my brother, rapper Snoop Dogg posted on Instagram. Get well, John Singleton! Such a generous spirit, filmmaker Guillermo del Toro tweeted. Get well, John Singleton! Such a generous spirit- pic.twitter.com/fgm7gTjLSG Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) April 20, 2019 Singletons Billions co-creator, Brian Koppelman, posted a very personal tweet. For Dave and me, working with John Singleton is a career highlight. And getting to know him has been even better. Heres to a full and quick recovery. (We have been scheming on a project together. Hes got to get well so we can all get to it!) For Dave and me, working with John Singleton is a career highlight. And getting to know him has been even better. Here's to a full and quick recovery. (We have been scheming on a project together. He's got to get well so we can all get to it!). Brian Koppelman (@briankoppelman) April 20, 2019 Check back for updates on Singletons condition. In the early stages of the current war between the Writers Guild of America and the Assn. of Talent Agents, it was difficult for anyone who was not a writer or talent agent to get terribly worked up. Screenwriters are not coal miners fighting for safety measures, and talent agents arent teachers whod like to earn a decent living for once. This isnt a strike; no one has to worry about late-night hosts ad-libbing through their scraggly beards. But now? Now its gotten completely insane. For those of you who havent been following, the WGA (for which, until recently, my husband worked as a magazine editor) wants the talent agencies to sign a new code of conduct to ensure the agents do their jobs getting their clients the best deals possible and thats it. No using clients as part of an overall package deal or working with affiliated production companies; too often, the WGA contends, these practices result in writers getting shafted. Advertisement The ATA says the agencies will not be signing any such code because the WGA is not the boss of them and writers actually benefit from packaging, which has been going on for years. So the WGA instructed its members to fire their agents, which almost all of them have, and announced it is suing the four major talent agencies. In response, the ATA accused the WGA of trying to throw Hollywood into predetermined chaos and instructed its members to keep a list of any writers trying to get work without using an agent because, according to ATA reps, this is illegal. So just to recap: Writers are unhappy with how major talent agencies have been repping them. When confronted with this, the agents refused to make any changes, so the writers fired them. Now the agencies are saying the writers cannot do this because, according to them, writers are legally bound to be represented by people who they believe are shafting them. Even by Hollywood standards, this is Absolutely Insane. Writers are not indentured servants of talent agencies; they are the people who create the stories we all spend so much time and money watching and obsessing about. Also, and correct me if I am wrong, when you pay someone regularly for their services, that makes you their boss. Yes, there are some superagents in so much demand that it seems like they are the boss, and certainly agents can drop clients, which can be devastating. But, and this is important, agents dont pay their clients; their clients pay them. Which is why the writers were able to fire their agents rather than the other way around. Talent agencies have been changing for years, as private equity firms made deep investments, and demanded steeper profits. This is not to suggest all agents are driven solely by dreams of big money. (Though it is alarming how many people apparently think of their agents as friends. Heres the difference between a friend and an agent an agent gets 10%.) Many agents have made it their business to discover and support writers who otherwise would never get the chance to work in television or get their movie made or meet J.J. Abrams; thats why they get thanked so often at the Emmys and Oscars. Many agents work hard for clients who do not make them money in the hopes that someday they will, and that someday doesnt always come. Many agents also may believe that, without packaging, their clients wouldnt get as much work because studios increasingly want the writer, director, star and caterer on board before they give the green light (OK, maybe not the caterer). Or that having affiliate production companies in no way compromises their clients. But it doesnt matter what they believe because the fact, which has been made very clear, is that those clients are not happy. You can argue that writers are never happy and you would not be wrong, but this is a collective unhappiness specifically with the people writers pay to represent them. You would think that agents would want to to figure out a way to make their clients happy, or as happy as writers get, because that is how this business works. Instead the ATA continues to insist that the things making the writers unhappy are, in fact, good for them and that the writers really werent that unhappy until the WGA persuaded them, for reasons of their own, to throw Hollywood into predetermined chaos. (Honestly, I cannot get over this term.) Yet despite what you may have heard, writers are capable of doing simple math. If they were benefiting from packaging and affiliate production companies, they would not be complaining about it to their union. Likewise, if many writers had not complained to their union, the good folks at the WGA would be taking it easy, planning their showrunner training programs, settling arbitration disputes, handing out copyrights and thanking the good Lord their headquarters are so close to the Farmers Market and the Grove because who doesnt love popping over to the Farmers Market and the Grove now and again? Also someone needs to explain to me exactly what kind of packages those agencies are planning to put together without writers. Hollywood may be changing drastically in many ways, but there remains one fixed point: It is an industry based on storytelling. That storytelling may require the hard work and talent of a wide array of people hence all that packaging and dealmaking but there is no denying that all of it, the whole Tinseltown shebang with every syndication right, international bundle, trademarked plushie, theme park addition and awards show thrown in, starts with a script. I have been interviewing actors for more than 20 years, and whenever I ask what drew them to any given project, the answer is either the script or the character. Not the director or the cinematographer and certainly not the talent agency. This is the baseline truth of Hollywood, the mantra the industry repeats to the world and itself: It all begins with the story. A series or film can, and often does, overcome a bad performance, lazy direction or bland cinematography, but it cannot overcome a bad script. This doesnt mean Writers Rule or that the proposed code of conduct was handed down from the Mount (mere moments before God made a deal with Netflix). But it does mean the agencies, which have made lots of money repping writers, should be taking the concerns of those writers seriously. And if they are worried, as many believe, that caving in any way to the WGA will lead to other unions making similar demands, well, how does such a blatant refusal to take one group of clients concerns seriously look to actors and directors? Maybe a compromise can be found, or maybe the answer is a whole new way of doing business. Maybe the big agencies really cant operate without packaging and producing, in which case they arent really talent agencies any more and writers will need to seek alternative representation. But when a group of very important, or even not so important, clients are so unhappy with how you do business that they have fired you en masse, perhaps there is a better response than: You cant fire us because we are all that stand between you and chaos. With respect, if all that stands between anyone and chaos is a group of talent agents, then we are in way more trouble than we thought. So much trouble that the problems of two little groups dont amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. And I dont need the WGA to remind me that somebody wrote that. mary.mcnamara@latimes.com @marymacTV There was a gloom hanging over Los Angeles on a recent morning, a shroud of gray that made everything feel a little less sharply defined. Which made it the ideal time to discuss the hazy, anxious uncertainties of Under the Silver Lake with its writer-director David Robert Mitchell and star Andrew Garfield. In the film, which is now playing in limited release and arrives on digital and VOD platforms on Tuesday, Garfield plays Sam, a young man in Los Angeles who is just drifting through his own life. No sooner has he met Sarah (Riley Keough), a young woman in his apartment complex, than she has abruptly moved out, sending him on a search that comes to include a series of murdered dogs, a disappeared billionaire, a cult-tinged rock group and a web of overlapping conspiracies. Everything is connected, so nothing is certain. With its exploration of the underside of Los Angeles and the dreamscape notion of Hollywood Mitchell said he was inspired by a feeling of love for the city and also a little bit of contempt Under the Silver Lake falls in line with other oddball detective yarns set in the City of Angels. Advertisement Garfields Sam can be placed alongside such characters as Elliott Goulds Philip Marlowe in The Long Goodbye, Jeff Bridges Jeffrey The Dude Lebowski in The Big Lebowski and Joaquin Phoenixs Larry Doc Sportello in Inherent Vice but it was Robert De Niros role from the very New York Taxi Driver that also provided a key touchstone. I liked it because it felt like this kind of West Coast slacker Travis Bickle, said Garfield, responding to a really unjust, [messed] up world and thinking that he was going to be the one to clean up the streets even though he was totally impotent and powerless. But inside there is that longing. There was that desire to be important, to valued, to be seen and to do something important. As soon as I land in Los Angeles, the collective unconscious of the city changes my perception of myself, changes my perception of reality. actor Andrew Garfield Andrew Garfield and, from left, India Menuez, Grace Van Patten and Sydney Sweeney in a scene from Under the Silver Lake. (A24) Like Bickle, the character of Sam is often far from noble and heroic. He seems thoughtless and self-centered, particularly regarding his treatment of women. At one point he brutally assaults some young boys who vandalized his car. I think Sam for all of his darkness has a good heart and a good soul. And I think he does see how particularly women are treated in Hollywood. I think he wants to remedy that even though he doesnt know how, Garfield said. Even though he kind of perpetuates the same kind of internalized misogyny, inadvertently and unconsciously. He doesnt realize that hes doing it. I loved that [the role] had all that mess. One point of contention surrounding Silver Lake ever since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival nearly a year ago has been whether it is critiquing the consuming, lecherous gaze of Sam and its other Hollywood-adjacent male denizens or perpetuating it. The entire film is built around his perspective, said Mitchell. I dont want to suggest something is less real than something else. I wouldnt want to break it down that way. It does an injustice to the movie to some degree. Ill let people decide that for themselves. But overall the entire movie, its Sams film ... everything is through his eyes, this is the way he is experiencing it, the way he feels about it. From the first frame to the end. If that helps. Mitchell added, The film is poking at some of these questions, these feelings. Its absolutely what the movie is about. He is objectifying women. There may be some feelings of misogyny, and thats a real part of it ... Its not like Sam is just the hero. And I dont mean he is just the villain, either. Its a very layered thing. REVIEW: Andrew Garfield gets lost in the L.A. noir puzzles of Under the Silver Lake Andrew Garfield, left, and Riley Keough in a scene from Under the Silver Lake. (A24) Mitchells previous film, the psycho-sexual horror story It Follows, premiered to significant acclaim in the Cannes Film Festivals Critics Week section in 2014 before going on to become a solid commercial success and cultural conversation piece. When Under the Silver Lake premiered in Cannes prestigious main competition last year as one of only two American titles in a lineup that included the Oscar-nominated BlacKkKlansman, Capernaum, Cold War and Shoplifters response was more divisive. Alternately declared catastrophically boring, callow and indulgent and hypnotic, spiraling and deliriously high, the film immediately joined a tradition of maverick entries from younger American filmmakers, such as Sofia Coppolas Marie Antoinette and Richard Kellys Southland Tales, that seemingly sank in the South of France. Originally scheduled to open last summer, the movies release date subsequently changed multiple times post-Cannes (and the near-simultaneous digital release is a relatively recent development). Though a representative of the films distributor A24 declined to comment on the matter, the company did make a joke in a recent tweet that included the various date changes with a message to Crack the code. My personal preference to be very honest with you I wouldve rather the film came out last summer, said Mitchell with a shrug. But I have to defer to the distributor. They feel like this is the right time to do it. So Im excited that its coming out. As to whether any changes have been made since Cannes, Mitchell said, Absolutely not. This is the movie. With a running time just short of two hours and 20 minutes, Under the Silver Lake takes in many locations in Los Angeles, from the youth enclave of Hillhurst Avenue to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Griffith Observatory, Echo Park Lake, Sunset Junction, the Last Bookstore, Silver Lake Reservoir and the poolside nightclub atop the Standard Hotel downtown. You cant pass up making a film about hidden messages and codes and not build a movie with hidden messages and codes. I wouldnt be doing my job. writer-director David Robert Mitchell Andrew Garfield in a scene from Under the Silver Lake. (A24) Garfield, who resides in London, was born in Los Angeles and lived here until he was 3 years old. He recalled how his father, who ran a shipping and moving company, harbored a secret unfulfilled dream of becoming a screenwriter. I came up with a very romanticized idea of what it would be, and it lived up to that to a large degree, but then it didnt live up to it to as much of a degree, Garfield said of the city. As soon as I land in Los Angeles, the collective unconscious of the city changes my perception of myself, changes my perception of reality. The actor who has been Academy Award-, Golden Globe- and BAFTA-nominated for his film work and won a Tony for his performance in the stage revival of Angels in America sees his work in Under the Silver Lake as distinct. My process on this film as an actor was different to anything else Ive ever done, Garfield said. I felt this kind of unconscious connection to Sam whether I liked it or not ... Ultimately my main job was presence to be on the ride every moment, respond as spontaneously and honestly as possible. And I loved it it was very liberating because of the layer on top of the layer on top of the layer of what is reality and whose perspective are we in and are these things really happening? Who is the dog killer? Am I the dog killer? Does the dog killer exist? Take to take I was making a different choice, and then David would choose the one that he felt had all the right flavors and that was really, really enjoyable. Very liberating and playful and fun. I just had a good time, weirdly, which is odd for me. And yet, for all of its conspiracies inside of conspiracies and secret clubs inside of secret clubs, perhaps the film also includes unnerving connections to the real world. Online fans have even noticed connections to the cryptic ciphers of Californias infamous Zodiac Killer, adding another web of connections to the films matrix of movies, video games, old magazines, new music and more. Just dont ask Mitchell to confirm every theory. That would defeat the purpose. You cant pass up making a film about hidden messages and codes and not build a movie with hidden messages and codes, said Mitchell. I wouldnt be doing my job. SIGN UP for the free Indie Focus movies newsletter Mark.Olsen@latimes.com Follow on Twitter: @IndieFocus The family of Luis Ugalde-Pacheco worried that he would die in immigration custody. Now they fear he will die in a country he barely knows. Ugalde-Pacheco, 28, who was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and given months to live, was deported to Mexico on Friday, according to his attorney. Hed called Chicagos southwest suburbs home since he was about 7 years old when he came to the United States illegally with his father, said Lourdes Cristina Pacheco, his mother. In March, he was placed into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which began deportation proceedings. That was after he completed a two-year prison sentence for felony convictions of intimidation and aggravated battery for threatening and pushing a woman. It was at the end of that prison stint that he was diagnosed with cancer, according to medical records provided by his attorney. Since then, his advocates have fought for him to receive medical treatment for his lymphoma, which they say ICE did not provide. Advertisement But their efforts shifted abruptly this week when they learned that ICE planned to deport him to Mexico, which apparently happened on Friday, though the immigration agency did not confirm that. Thursday, his mother and his girlfriend, Elida Arriaga, had rushed to the Kankakee County Jail, where ICE was holding Ugalde-Pacheco, to drop off a bag of clothing for him. His mother worried about where her son would end up and whether she will see him again shed tears outside the jail. I feel helpless, I feel desperation. What did I do to God? What did I do in life? Why did it have to be my son? Lourdes Cristina Pacheco, whose son, a cancer patient, was deported by ICE this week She said shes been scrambling to find any relative in Mexico who can help her son once he arrives. The family is originally from Temascalcingo in Mexico state, more than 600 miles from the U.S. border. Ugalde-Pacheco hadnt been back to Mexico since the family migrated to the Chicago area about 20 years ago. I feel helpless, I feel desperation, Pacheco said in Spanish. What did I do to God? What did I do in life? Why did it have to be my son? ICE declined to comment about whether Ugalde-Pacheco received medical treatment in custody. The agency pointed to its detention standards, which say immigrants are supposed to receive medical screenings within 12 hours of detention, be given care based on their needs and have access to 24-hour emergency care. In a statement, an ICE representative noted that Ugalde-Pacheco was taken into custody by the agency after serving his prison sentence. Its not uncommon for ICE to deport noncitizens with felony convictions. Clara Long, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, worked on a report published last summer about medical care in immigration detention centers. She believes detained immigrants should receive access to adequate healthcare as a basic human right. The report found that those detained with complex medical conditions experienced delays in getting referrals for medical care from specialists, which typically have to be approved by an official in Washington, D.C., Long said. The study cited the case of Raul Ernesto Morales Ramos, who had been diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer and died while in ICE custody. He was in detention for two years, but he didnt see a doctor until about a month before he died, according to the report. Long cited Ramos case as an example of the kind of disregard that we found in the system for actually responding to these health and safety issues. Lourdes Cristina Pacheco, left, the mother of Luis Ugalde-Pacheco, and Elida Arriaga, his girlfriend, pack clothing and medicine to take to him at the Jerome Combs Detention Center in Kankakee, Ill., on April 18. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune) Ugalde-Pacheco, who is the father of two young children, was diagnosed with cancer while still in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections following his conviction in Will County. On Tuesday a month after he was placed in ICE detention he saw an oncologist, who told him he has six months to live, said his attorney, Amina Najib. She had filed a request seeking Ugalde-Pachecos conditional release due to a serious medical condition, arguing he doesnt pose a threat because of his illness. The request was denied, and Ugalde-Pacheco waived his right to appeal a deportation order, Najib said. He ultimately cant take it anymore, she said. Hes afraid he might end up dying in [detention]. Najib said she thinks Ugalde-Pachecos case is a direct result of President Trumps immigration policies, which give officials little room to exercise discretion when deciding if someone should be allowed to stay in the country. To Najib, Ugalde-Pachecos deportation seems rushed compared with past cases shes handled. She believes the severity of his illness might actually have hastened his deportation. It serves our government if they can get him out of detention as quickly as possible because then hes not a liability anymore. Right now he is, Najib said. Pacheco has kept in touch with her son by phone. She said he told her that he felt like his body was on fire. If I leave, Im going to die on the outside, Pacheco said her son told her. If I stay, Ill die inside. I know the problem with cancer that I have, and they arent doing anything. Ugalde-Pachecos current legal troubles started in May 2017, when he was charged in a domestic violence case involving a female relative. She obtained a protective order against him, and he was later charged with violating the order by sending her a text message, according to court records. He was ordered to complete domestic violence counseling, court records show. Ugalde-Pacheco was taken into ICE custody around that time, but he was released after posting a $4,000 bond, according to his attorneys petition. Ugalde-Pachecos later stint in prison resulted from different domestic violence allegations from March 2018 involving another woman. She, too, sought a protective order, and he was later charged with violating that order, too, by texting her a photo, according to court records. On Aug. 20, 2018, Ugalde-Pacheco pleaded guilty to felony charges of intimidation and aggravated battery, records show. He admitted following the woman to her job, showing her a gun, threatening to shoot her if she called police and pushing her, according to court records. As his deportation loomed, his loved ones worried about whether he will have access to medical treatment in Mexico and whether theyll ever see him again. I think everyone deserves a chance to stay here, Arriaga said, the chance to live. Malagon writes for the Chicago Tribune. The Tribunes Zbigniew Bzdak contributed to this report. Eva Vazquez was at a bus stop on Wilshire Boulevard, on the way to work as a cashier at a discount store near MacArthur Park, when her phone rang. I knew it was probably him, she said. It was Thursday, March 28. The day her son Oswaldo was expecting to find out if hed been accepted to the universities at the top of his wish list. Oswaldo, sometimes called Ozzie by friends and family, had already gotten into several great schools on the strength of straight As, a strong SAT score and his years of mentoring and community service. Advertisement But Vazquez had seen him sink when he missed the cut at Stanford University, and shed been praying he would get better news from other top schools. She knew better than anyone how hard her son had worked, for so many years, in Los Angeles and in Mexico. Mami, Ozzie said when she answered her phone. Guess what. :: I met Ozzie and his mother in their tiny Chinatown apartment. Vazquez sleeps on a futon in the living room. Her sister and 13-year-old daughter share the one bedroom. Ozzie sleeps in a small alcove off the living room, where his desk and the dining table are one and the same. Ozzie is naturally intelligent, his counselor says. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) Ozzie, who was born in the U.S., was 5 and a student at Gabriella Charter School in Los Angeles when his parents decided in 2005 that they couldnt take the anxiety of living illegally in Los Angeles after their visas expired, so the family moved back to a village in the Mexican state of Yucatan. As Vazquez tells it, she and her husband came to the United States on visas in the late 1980s and scratched out a life on the margins. They both worked at a carwash, had three children, but then began to worry that they would be deported and separated from their kids. When they left for Mexico, they took with them a used computer Ozzie had been tinkering with, and he now says that device helped him get through several tough years. I just felt so confused, and I didnt know how to socialize with people, Ozzie said of life in Mexico. As I grew older I was bullied for quite some years. Not just verbally, but also physically. It was one of the worst times of my life. People saw me as not really from Mexico. I was a foreigner, and also just an ignorant kid. When he wasnt working in the restaurant his family ran, the screen on Ozzies computer was his escape hatch. The small desktop was old and slow, he said, but it transported him to other worlds, and he taught himself how to program, code and design his own rudimentary video games. Ozzies older sister returned to Los Angeles after a short time in Mexico to live with their mothers sister, and she ended up graduating from UCLA. Ozzie began thinking he wanted to follow in her footsteps, even though he was torn about leaving his family behind in Mexico. Four years ago, he moved into the Chinatown apartment he now lives in, with his aunt as his host. When he returned, he had forgotten most of the English he learned as a child. His mother told him to read as many books as he could. Heres my boy Steinbeck, Ozzie said as he walked over to the bookshelf to point out some of his favorite authors. :: At Los Angeles Unifieds Los Angeles School of Global Studies, just west of downtown, Ozzie was a top student from the start. Hes naturally intelligent, but he has put in a lot of hard work, said Diane Kantack, Ozzies counselor. Hes an amazing young man and always humble. And Oswaldo is always the first one to volunteer to help someone else out. The school has no Advanced Placement courses, so Ozzie began taking classes at Los Angeles City College three years ago, including computer science, calculus and biology, and he said hes close to having an associate of arts degree. He has also been a volunteer at a nonprofit organization called Peace Over Violence; has spoken to various groups about homelessness, bullying, violence and abuse; and last summer he got into a summer journalism program at Princeton University. I want to start off as a computer programmer, Ozzie said of his career plans, but my ultimate goal with computer science is to conduct research on artificial intelligence and machine learning for humanistic applications. Once I retire, I want to be a teacher at my high school and just give back, and try to make kids be more engaged and have fun. Ozzie got into all the California State University campuses he had applied to. The Stanford rejection was followed by two more from Princeton and MIT. As historically black colleges struggle across U.S., Bennett College fights to stay afloat When news of the college cheating scandal broke, with stories of wealthy parents allegedly paying bribes to inflate their childrens SAT scores and buy their way into top universities, Ozzie and his mother worried that his hard work might not be enough to get him where he wanted to be. But he got into UC San Diego, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Fordham and UC Santa Barbara, and then he got good news from one of his dream schools UCLA. I was overjoyed, Ozzie said. And all of his acceptances came with even more good news. He was offered full-ride scholarships. But before making any decisions, Ozzie wanted to hear back from UC Berkeley and two Ivy League schools Dartmouth and Harvard. And he wanted to do more research into which school would offer the best possible combination of computer science and liberal arts. At 3:30 p.m. on March 28, he went to his counselors office. The moment had arrived to go online and check the latest application results. With Kantack watching and, she says, praying he checked UC Berkeley first. It says congratulations, and I see all this confetti on the screen, and I started screaming, Lets go! said Ozzie, who hugged Kantack. Californias broken charter school law has defied reform. Can Newsom break the gridlock? They were both too nervous to check Harvard and Dartmouth. Ozzie said he paced Kantacks office, thinking back on the difficult time away from his family, on his aunts generosity in hosting him at her apartment, on all the hours of study and community service. He was content with the good news hed already gotten, he thought. His hard work had already paid off. Still, his hand was shaking as he logged on to see the Harvard decision. I tried to move the cursor, I finally hit it, and all I see is congratulations in bold, and I just go nuts. I stand up, I start screaming, and I believe Ive never screamed that loud. Next up, Dartmouth. Same result. Avenatti accused of embezzling nearly $2 million that NBA player paid ex-girlfriend His first call was to his mother, who got legal entry to the U.S. a year ago after years of waiting for the paperwork to come through. Her husband is still waiting for approval. I started screaming at the bus stop, Eva Vazquez said. I wanted to run, but I had to get to work. I was crying on the bus and people were looking at me like, Whats going on with this lady? It would be a couple more weeks before Ozzie decided to go to Harvard, but his mother seemed to know where he was headed the day he called. Vazquez was still crying so hard when she got to work, her boss thought she was distraught. She explained what happened, then took her post at a cash register. The store security guard saw her, still crying, and asked what happened. I said, Do you really want to know? My son got into Harvard. And the customers started clapping. Andrew Mallard got another chance at life after the highest court in Australia tossed out his murder conviction in 2005, ultimately allowing him to go free after more than a decade in prison. That life ended this week in Hollywood, when Mallard was killed by a hit-and-run driver. Police said Mallard, 56, was struck by a driver heading east on Sunset Boulevard as he crossed Formosa Avenue around 1:30 a.m. Thursday. The driver fled, and as of Saturday morning, the Los Angeles Police Department had no suspect or vehicle description in the incident. Australian media identified the victim as the same Andrew Mallard who was convicted and later exonerated in the 1994 slaying of jeweler Pamela Lawrence in a suburb of Perth. He was arrested following an interview with police in which he speculated on how Lawrence might have been killed. He was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Advertisement A subsequent investigation revealed that police and prosecutors had withheld evidence in Mallards trial and his conviction was thrown out. He received more than $3.25 million in compensation from the government and two police officials involved in the case stepped down, according to Australian news reports. Other evidence pointed to a British backpacker named Simon Rochford as having actually killed Lawrence, according to the Australian Associated Press. Rochford committed suicide in jail in 2006 before he could be charged. Its just fortunate that he got to spend 13 years of freedom after so much time wrongfully imprisoned, Western Australia Atty. Gen. John Quigley said of Mallard. When he was freed, Mallard told the Sunday Times that he wanted a wife and children. I need to share my life with someone to make me complete, he said in a 2006 interview. The West Australian reported that Mallard had been in Los Angeles visiting his fiancee when he was killed. As of midday Saturday, no arrests had been made in the hit-and-run crash, according to an LAPD spokeswoman. Police asked that anyone with information on the incident call (213) 473-0234 or (877) 527-3247. Times staff writer Rong-Gong Lin II contributed to this report. emily.alpert@latimes.com Twitter: @AlpertReyes Addressing the Easter Sunday explosions in Sri Lanka, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles offered his condolences to those affected by the violence and said, We pray for the conversion of every heart that is hardened by hatred. We are praying for our brothers and sisters who were killed this Easter morning in Sri Lanka, said the archbishop, who was scheduled to lead a Spanish-language Easter Mass on Sunday afternoon at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral downtown. Only love can conquer evil and violence, so we ask Jesus this morning for the courage to love and we pray for the conversion of every heart that is hardened by hatred. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is our mother and the mother of mercy, console those who are suffering and watch over all of us. And may God grant us peace. More than 200 people were killed in several bomb blasts that targeted at least three churches and several luxury hotels across Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday morning. Hundreds more were wounded in the explosions in the island countrys deadliest day of violence since the end of a long civil war a decade ago. Advertisement At least 27 of those killed at the hotels were foreign nationals, said officials, who had determined that most of the six attacks were suicide bombings. Among the victims were several U.S. citizens, said Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, in a statement, condemning the terrorist attacks. Attacks on innocent people gathering in a place of worship or enjoying a holiday meal are affronts to the universal values and freedoms that we hold dear, and demonstrate yet again the brutal nature of radical terrorists whose sole aim is to threaten peace and security, he said. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blasts. But Sri Lankan authorities said they had arrested seven suspects in the attacks. At Easter Mass at St. Peters Basilica in Rome on Sunday, Pope Francis condemned the grave attacks in the South Asian country. I want to express my loving closeness to the Christian community, targeted while they were gathered in prayer, and all the victims of such cruel violence, Francis said. I entrust to the Lord all those who were tragically killed and pray for the injured and all those who are suffering as a result of this dramatic event. Other religious leaders also condemned the attacks. We stand in solidarity with the Christian worshippers in Sri Lanka and others who were the targets of hatred and intolerance on one of Christianitys most sacred holidays,' said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. We also offer our support to members of the Sri Lankan community living in Southern California. We ask American Muslims in the Greater Los Angeles area to join people around the world in saying, Pray for Sri Lanka.' Meanwhile, Los Angeles police officials on Sunday said the department would step up its presence at places of worship out of caution, noting that the department was also in contact with other local, federal and international law enforcement agencies. Southern California residents are waking up this Easter Sunday morning to news of a violent terrorist attack in Sri Lanka, and while there is no nexus to Los Angeles at this time, the LAPD is monitoring the situation, the statement said. In abundance of caution the department will maintain a visible presence around places of worship today, as well as public spaces where families will be gathering for the holiday. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also tweeted about the attacks: `Our hearts are with the people of Sri Lanka on a day of unimaginable loss, he said. This horror is why the world must always unite against hate and extremism.' carlos.lozano@latimes.com State prosecutors have closed an investigation into the unconstitutional use of informants in Orange Countys jails, ending a key probe into a scandal that rocked the law enforcement community, an attorney involved in a related case said Friday. The revelation came during a hearing in a Fullerton courtroom to argue a motion alleging potential discovery violations related to the informant scandal. Deputy Atty. Gen. Darren Shaffer said the four-year investigation was at an end, with no prosecutions or punishments against deputies, according to Orange County Assistant Public Defender Scott Sanders. Sanders was in court seeking records related to the attorney generals investigation into the informant case. The scandal, which also sparked a federal investigation, was first uncovered by Sanders during the trial of Scott Dekraai, a retired tugboat captain who killed eight people inside a Seal Beach salon in 2011, the countys worst mass shooting. Advertisement Years of evidentiary hearings during the Dekraai trial revealed that Orange County sheriffs deputies had been housing informants near high-profile defendants to obtain confessions and elicit other information, which violated their constitutional right to have an attorney present. The fallout from the scandal led former Orange County Superior Court Judge Thomas Goethals to remove the Orange County district attorneys office from the Dekraai trial and sparked retrials in more than a dozen cases, including several homicides. The scandal also led to the downfall of two of the countys top law enforcement officials: then-Sheriff Sandra Hutchens chose not to run for reelection in the wake of the informant controversy, and the scandal was central to District Attorney Todd Spitzers defeat of longtime top prosecutor Tony Rackauckas last November. The attorney generals office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Local watchdogs and civil liberties advocates have long criticized the sluggish pace of the state inquiry. Former Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris, who launched the investigation in 2015 and is now a presidential candidate, has been criticized about her handling of the case. Current Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra has received similar criticism for not moving the investigation forward. This investigation was a sham from beginning to end, and the result is deputies are more emboldened than ever to ignore the law, Sanders said in a text message Friday evening. The Orange County district attorneys office declined to comment. Carrie Braun, a spokeswoman for the Sheriffs Department, said Friday the department had not been notified that the state inquiry was ending. She declined further comment. The scandal remains under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. The state investigation dragged on so long that newly elected Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes took the unusual step of reopening an internal probe of the case earlier this year. But two of the deputies who were the subject of the investigation quietly retired in March, Braun previously told The Times. A third remains under investigation. Barnes said he shut down a special unit that was responsible for informants years ago. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) The team of Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies cruises the 5 Freeway, stopping motorists on the Grapevine in search of cars carrying drugs. Theyve worked the mountain pass in Southern California since 2012 and boast a large haul: more than a ton of methamphetamine, 2 tons of marijuana, 600 pounds of cocaine, millions of dollars in suspected drug money and more than 1,000 arrests. But behind those impressive numbers are some troubling ones. More than two-thirds of the drivers pulled over by the Domestic Highway Enforcement Team were Latino, according to a Times analysis of Sheriffs Department data. And sheriffs deputies searched the vehicles of more than 3,500 drivers who turned out to have no drugs or other illegal items, the analysis found. The overwhelming majority of those were Latino. Several of the teams big drug busts have been dismissed in federal court as the credibility of some deputies came under fire and judges ruled that deputies violated the rights of motorists by conducting unconstitutional searches. The Times analyzed data from every traffic stop recorded by the team from 2012 through the end of last year more than 9,000 stops in all and reviewed records from hundreds of court cases. Among its findings: Latino drivers accounted for 69% of the deputies stops. Officers from the California Highway Patrol, mainly policing traffic violations on the same section of freeway, pulled over nearly 378,000 motorists during the same period; 40% of them were Latino. Two-thirds of Latinos who were pulled over by the Sheriffs Department team had their vehicles searched, while cars belonging to all other drivers were searched less than half the time. Three-quarters of the teams searches came after deputies asked motorists for consent rather than having evidence of criminal behavior. Several legal scholars said such a high rate of requests for consent is concerning because people typically feel pressured to allow a search or are unaware they can refuse. Though Latinos were much more likely to be searched, deputies found drugs or other illegal items in their vehicles at a rate that was not significantly higher than that of black or white drivers. How a team of L.A. County sheriffs deputies stops Latino drivers at a disproportionate rate The L.A. County Sheriffs Department said that racial profiling plays no role in the deputies work and that they base their stops only on a persons driving and other impartial factors. The [team] has removed tens of millions of dollars worth of illegal narcotics from circulation, including heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl, the department said in a statement responding to The Times analysis. A recent arrest involved the seizure of approximately 10,000 Oxycodone tablets, a small dent in the opioid addiction crisis that has enveloped our nation. A Sheriffs Department spokeswoman declined interview requests to discuss The Times specific findings. The department would not say whether it has conducted its own analysis of the deputies stops. Sheriffs Department officials said the team was launched as a response to a spate of drug overdoses in the Santa Clarita area. Similar units operate around the country as part of a federal program designed to use local and federal law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking. In December, Sheriff Jim McDonnell heaped praise on the team, ticking off its accomplishments in a lengthy statement. The importance of this mission cannot be overstated, the sheriff said. But several legal and law enforcement experts said the departments own records strongly suggest the deputies are violating the civil rights of Latinos by racially profiling, whether intentionally or not. When they say, Were getting all these drugs out of here, they are not taking into account the cost, said David Harris, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh who studies racial profiling by police. They are sacrificing their own legitimacy in the community as a whole and the Latino community in particular. Kimberly Fuentes, research director for the California League of United Latin American Citizens, described The Times findings as extremely disturbing and troubling and said the advocacy organization would demand a meeting with Sheriffs Department officials. These findings risk tarnishing any trust between the Sheriffs Department and the Latino community, Fuentes said. On Thursday, after The Times published its findings, McDonnell released a statement saying he was proud of the teams work but also concerned about any allegation of racial and ethnic profiling. He said he takes very seriously questions about race and police procedures and would work with the countys inspector general to examine any issues of concern. Looking for a defeated expression On a recent morning, Deputy John Leitelt wound his way up the Grapevine. The shift had been uneventful. Leitelt had stopped several vehicles, but he quickly cut the drivers loose after exchanging a few words and seeing nothing suspicious. He had spent an extra few minutes with a Latina motorist he stopped for an expired registration. When Leitelt learned she was traveling to Fresno to visit a friend, he asked where she would be staying. When she said she hadnt yet made a reservation, he would say afterward, he was suspicious. He asked whether he could squeeze a large stuffed toy dog sitting in the passenger seat. She agreed, and Leitelt then asked whether he could look in the trunk. Inside was a small suitcase, and Leitelt decided she was telling the truth. He thanked the woman and let her go. Later, Leitelt explained that he carefully studies a motorists reaction when he asks for permission to search their car. Im looking for a defeated expression, he said. Leitelt, a deputy for 18 years, joined the highway team at its start. He and the teams three other deputies all white men typically work alone in marked SUVs. Their terrain spans the roughly 40 miles of freeway from the border with Kern County to just south of Santa Clarita. L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy John Leitelt patrols a stretch of the 5 Freeway near Castaic. Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times If we search everyone just because as cops we think we have carte blanche and have authority over people, then weve lost our way. L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy John Leitelt Though the deputies are looking for any criminal, nearly all of the arrests are for drug-related crimes. The 5 Freeway, they say, is a pipeline for cartels to move drugs up the West Coast and return to Mexico with cash from drug sales as well as weapons purchased in the U.S. Although The Times review of department data shows that 74% of the drivers he pulls over are Latino, Leitelt said race or ethnicity does not influence whom he chooses to stop. Im not looking for people from Mexico not at all, he said. Im looking for people who are driving a certain way. If we search everyone just because as cops we think we have carte blanche and have authority over people, then weve lost our way. He later declined to comment on The Times analysis of the teams stops. In deciding whom to stop, Leitelt said, he looks for certain behavior, such as drivers traveling at or below the speed limit and then hitting the brakes when they see his cruiser. He also tirelessly kills plates cop jargon for running license plate numbers through a state law enforcement database on his in-car computer. Cars with expired registrations, a man driving alone in a car registered to a woman, or an older car with a recent registration will get closer attention, he said. Once he sees a car he believes is worth checking out, Leitelt needs a valid reason to make a stop. That can include any minor traffic violation, such as speeding or crossing a lane line without signaling. To prolong a stop and continue questioning a driver, Leitelt and other law enforcement officers need reasonable suspicion that a crime is being committed, a legal bar that the U.S. Supreme Court defined as something more than a hunch. They can search a vehicle if the driver gives permission. Otherwise, an officer needs probable cause where the facts and circumstances indicate a crime is being committed. The smell of an illegal drug, a weapon lying on a seat or a police dog outside the car signaling the scent of drugs inside can be enough. As he was on his way back to the station at the end of his shift, Leitelt noticed an old Volkswagen Beetle struggling up a hill in the middle lane. The deputy drove up alongside the car and saw a young Latino-looking man behind the wheel. The deputy dropped back and slid in behind the car. Tapping the California plate into his laptop, he saw the vehicle had new license plates and was recently registered to someone who lived several hours north. Leitelt noticed the windshield was cracked a violation of the states vehicle code and legal justification to stop the car. The man, who said he spoke no English, explained in Spanish he was driving slowly because the cars engine was old and didnt have any heart. He said he worked in California and was making his way to Mexico to visit his young daughters. Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies take a driver to wait in a patrol car so they can search his car. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Deputies Michael Vann, left, and John Leitelt of the department's Domestic Highway Enforcement Team search a vehicle. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Left: Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies take a driver to wait in a patrol car so they can search his car. Right: Deputies Michael Vann, left, and John Leitelt search the man's vehicle. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) The man seemed fidgety and nervous to Leitelt. With traffic zooming by, the deputy instructed him to get out and walked him to the back of the Volkswagen. Leitelt asked in Spanish whether he was carrying methamphetamine. Heroin? Cocaine? Marijuana? A large amount of cash? The man repeatedly said no, and his voice and expression remained unchanged usually a sign, the deputy said later, that someone is being truthful. But Leitelt also thought the man was avoiding eye contact, which he interpreted as an indication of possible deception. Leitelt and another member of the highway team did a quick pat-down of the mans clothes for weapons and then put him in the back of a patrol SUV. Hes super nervous, Leitelt said. Leitelt wondered aloud if the driver feared the deputies would ask him about his immigration status. Nonetheless, he pressed ahead, opening the cars hatch with the mans key and unzipping his suitcase. Inside were neatly folded clothes, including new dresses for young girls, and some greeting cards. Thinking the suitcase could be a prop, Leitelt kept going. Using an assortment of prying tools, he and the other deputy popped off a section of the dashboard in search of a hidden compartment traffickers sometimes build. L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy John Leitelt searches a motorist's suitcase. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Deputy Michael Vann uses a device for measuring density to search for hidden drugs. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Deputy John Leitelt clutches some tools he uses to perform vehicle searches. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Deputy John Leitelt looks down a window gap searching for hidden drugs, after getting consent from the driver for a search. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Clockwise from top left: L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy John Leitelt searches a motorist's suitcase. Deputy Michael Vann uses a device for measuring density to search for hidden drugs. Leitelt looks down a window gap searching for hidden drugs. Leitelt clutches some tools he uses to perform vehicle searches. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) When a density meter dubbed the Buster gave an irregular reading on the passenger-side door, Leitelt knocked, peered down into the window well and swung the door open and shut several times before deciding there were no drugs hidden inside. The stop lasted about 15 minutes. The deputies walked back to the SUV and opened the door. OK, adios, the other deputy told the man, making a shooing gesture with his hand. Without saying a word, the man walked back to his car and drove off. Psychological babble Allegations of racial profiling by police are common, but researchers using data on traffic stops say it is difficult to show definitively that officers selectively target one race or ethnicity. In the case of the Sheriffs Departments highway team, experts said using the population of L.A. County, which is 48% Latino, as a benchmark would be misleading. Ideally, they said, they would want to know the racial breakdown of all drivers on the particular section of the 5 Freeway. But the fact that Latinos made up such a smaller percentage of stops by CHP officers along the same stretch strongly indicates that the Sheriffs Department team was targeting the group, said several racial profiling experts who reviewed The Times findings. No matter how justified the stops are, this is what we call selective enforcement, said Jeffrey Fagan, a Columbia Law School professor who was an expert witness for plaintiffs in a federal civil rights lawsuit against the New York Police Department over its now-defunct stop-and-frisk policy. Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties sheriffs departments have similar highway enforcement teams. In response to public records requests, officials in Orange County said the Sheriffs Department does not collect racial data on traffic stops. The other two agencies refused to release data. The federal Domestic Highway Enforcement program drew criticism in recent years over concerns that teams were using stops to improperly seize cash and other property from motorists. In California and elsewhere, defense attorneys have challenged stops, arguing that the highway teams overstep constitutional lines. In 1999, drug searches by a group of CHP officers during traffic stops led to a lawsuit alleging racial profiling of Latino drivers. To settle the claims, the department banned all officers from asking drivers for consent to search vehicles for several years and retrained them on racial biases. Douglas Wright, executive director of the National Criminal Enforcement Assn., a nonprofit group that provides training to highway teams, described such units as an effective tool for finding drug traffickers. He said they also help deter unsafe driving whether or not they search vehicles and find anything illegal. His organization, he said, teaches officers to avoid any profiling. All races, all genders and all people are capable of committing these crimes smuggling these drugs, guns, humans, he said. Have you been stopped by L.A. County sheriffs deputies on the Grapevine? Get in touch with the reporters at joel.rubin@latimes.com and ben.poston@latimes.com. Asking drivers for permission to search a vehicle is a commonly used method for police to check for contraband when officers lack the type of evidence that would legally justify a search without a warrant. The U.S. Supreme Court has sanctioned such searches, viewing consent as a straightforward green light from drivers or passengers to proceed unless there is evidence of coercion. The Times reviewed data from nearly 4,500 searches conducted by the L.A. County Sheriffs Departments highway team and found that about 75% were based on consent from drivers or passengers. A Sheriffs Department spokeswoman said the agency was confident that the DHE team appropriately uses consent searches as a recognized investigative tool, in compliance with all applicable legal standards. Some legal scholars have raised concerns about police routinely seeking permission to search. Consent searches are based on this fiction that people who say yes are gleefully saying, Yes, officer, I am happy to help, and that anyone who doesnt want to be searched will simply say no, said Hofstra University law professor Alafair S. Burke. But, in reality, the average person hears an officers request as a command. In Rhode Island and New Jersey, police are prohibited from asking for consent to search a car unless they have reasonable suspicion of a crime. Data for all types of searches by the L.A. County team show that deputies found contraband in 20% of vehicles driven by Latinos. For black drivers, contraband was found 18% of the time; for whites, 16%. Those differences were not significant, according to a regression analysis conducted by The Times. The Sheriffs Departments highway team has run into trouble in federal court, but not because of racial profiling allegations. In nearly two dozen cases filed by U.S. prosecutors, no judge has ruled whether the team is selectively targeting Latinos. Instead, the deputies tactics and credibility have come under fire, resulting in 11 cases being dismissed. In one, attorneys for a man caught with 38 pounds of cocaine and 8 pounds of heroin argued that Deputy Adam Halloran illegally prolonged the stop to grill the driver about whether he was carrying drugs. Deputy John Leitelt pulls a piece of a dashboard panel modified to hide drugs in an impounded vehicle. Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times U.S. District Judge Robert H. Whaley agreed and warned that the highway teams practice of frequently seeking consent to search vehicles imposes an enormous burden on the privacy interests of drivers. Most drivers would be anxious to move on and would fear that a denial of permission to search would indicate something to hide. Voluntariness of such consent, if given, does not justify the tactic. In his ruling, Whaley said the teams mission seemed certain to lead to more illegal arrests. A policy of the police to create a department to make traffic stops only to seek consent or probable cause [for a search] is troubling, he wrote. Seven more federal cases were dismissed amid questions over the credibility of one deputy, James Peterson. Defense attorneys questioned the cases against their clients by pointing out that Peterson had been disciplined in the past for misconduct that involved dishonesty and that a federal prosecutor had once raised doubts about Peterson after the deputy changed his account of an arrest. Peterson was reassigned from the highway team last year. Defense attorneys have also challenged claims that deputies can tell whether a motorist is concealing drugs by their responses to simple questions. In an arrest report detailing the seizure of 48 pounds of methamphetamine from a car he stopped, Deputy Michael Vann said the driver handed over his license so quickly it seemed abnormal, as if he wanted to speed up the traffic stop as if he were trying to distance himself from me. The mans rocking slightly back and forth in his seat, Vann wrote, was possibly a way for him to release built up nervous energy. How we reported this story on the L.A. County Sheriff's Department highway enforcement team When the driver, Mario Manjarrez, told Vann he had been visiting family in Los Angeles and pointed toward the city, the deputy saw the gesture as an anchor point movement, which he said criminals use to distract officers. In this case, Vann concluded, Manjarrez had been struggling to recall a made-up story about visiting family and pointed toward the city in an attempt to seem more confident. When the motorist took a step away from the car, the deputy wrote, it was an unconscious attempt at distancing himself from what was inside. And the fact that he switched from saying no to silently shaking his head when asked if he had methamphetamine or cocaine was reason for Vann to suspect he was carrying the two drugs. Manjarrezs lawyer questioned how handing a license over too quickly could be a telltale sign of deception. She noted that Vann claimed in other stops that it was suspicious when drivers were slow and clumsy in handing over their licenses. And she pointed out that although Vann maintained that Manjarrezs finger pointing was a sign of a forgotten cover story, the deputy also had said that in other stops he based his suspicions on people who recited their stories too smoothly. I have doubts about the magical psychological powers of Deputy Vann. U.S. District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez Vann argued that each stop was unique and that he had based his suspicion of Manjarrez on all he said and did. U.S. District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez concluded that Vanns justifications could make any word or movement grounds for suspicion. I have doubts about the magical psychological powers of Deputy Vann, Gutierrez said at a hearing in November. To me, its psychological babble. Prosecutors dismissed the case before the judge issued a ruling on whether Vanns search of the car was illegal, and Manjarrez went free. Another man caught with 10 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in a tire was let go after a different judge ruled that Vann violated the mans constitutional rights when he kept him detained without a valid reason. In a third case, a judge upheld the legality of a drug seizure but found that Vann had violated the drivers Miranda rights. Vann, Peterson and Halloran did not respond to a request for comment made through the Sheriffs Department. The U.S. attorneys office declined to comment. Only a small proportion of the arrests made by the highway team result in federal prosecutions, which generally carry stiffer sentences than state charges. In state court, more than 450 people pulled over by the deputies have been convicted of drug transportation and other crimes, according to a Times analysis of court data. About the same number of people arrested were not charged with a crime. Sheriffs Department officials who oversee the highway team said in interviews they were unaware that any of the deputies arrests had fallen apart in federal court. Sgt. Daniel Peacock, the teams direct supervisor, said the department no longer sends the teams cases to the U.S. attorneys office for review. Times staff writers Ryan Menezes and Ruben Vives contributed to this report. Additional credits: Graphics by Swetha Kannan. Produced by Agnus Dei Farrant and Sean Greene. Video edited by Robert Meeks. Support our journalism Please consider subscribing today to support stories like this one. Get full access to our signature journalism for just 99 cents for the first four weeks. Already a subscriber? Your support makes our work possible. Thank you. joel.rubin@latimes.com Twitter: @joelrubin ben.poston@latimes.com Twitter: @bposton UPDATES: 6:50 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from a statement released by the sheriff. This article was originally published at 3 a.m. Activists more accustomed to speaking at a City Council meeting than in a courtroom recently gathered for a trial thats divided San Juan Capistrano. Bill Griffith and Steve Oedekerk, developers who are former friends and neighbors, are clashing over the construction of Griffiths Plaza Banderas Hotel also known as The Inn at the Mission next to Mission San Juan Capistrano. The rivalry has engulfed city politics for several years. Construction of The Inn at the Mission a 124-room boutique thats to be one of Marriott Internationals custom and branded Autograph Collection hotels began in December. Advertisement The hotel project is nearly 10 years in the making, with developer Griffith buying the land in 2015 after previous hotel plans faltered. Griffith also owns the historic Egan House a couple of blocks away, home to Ellies Table cafe. In 2016, he successfully sued to stop a rival hotel project by Oedekerk, a movie producer, from being developed next door. Now Griffiths on the other side of a lawsuit, and his adversaries are the community group Save Our Mission, some of whom are San Juan Capistrano residents who had advocated for Oedekerks project. In February, Save Our Mission filed a lawsuit to try to stop the construction of the hotel over alleged California Environmental Quality Act violations. After hearing testimony March 25, Orange County Superior Court Judge Glenda Sanders is trying to determine if Save Our Mission has a legal right to sue. Save Our Mission is not affiliated with Mission San Juan Capistrano, which supports the hotel. Griffiths lawyer, Rick Friess, argues the group is a front for Oedekerk and his friend Marc Weintraub, who Behmerwohld enlisted to promote the lawsuit to the San Juan Capistrano community. The resulting courtroom testimony was, in popular TV terms, Law and Order meets Parks and Recreation, as Behmerwohld took the stand for nearly 90 minutes, answering questions about his interest in city politics, his involvement in groups such as the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society and his volunteerism as a school crossing guard. Do you think of yourself as a watchdog for the things that happen in the city? An activist? asked Save Our Missions lawyer, Chuck Krolikowski. A gadfly, Behmerwohld answered. The saga is laced with small-town ties, with Oedekerk and Griffith living across the street from each other, Friess brother a development contractor for Griffith, and Behmerwohld reminding Friess in a deposition last fall: I used to bring Meals on Wheels to your grandmother. A city Man of the Year honoree in 2013, Behmerwohld has been identified in court proceedings as the main person behind Save Our Mission. But he testified that the decision to sue wasnt his, and he said he didnt pay the court filing fee. Ann Ronan a travel agent, Chamber of Commerce board member, Mission volunteer and the citys Woman of the Year in 2017 testified that she wasnt funding the lawsuit either. According to testimony, Ronan joined Save Our Mission during an August gathering at her home, and Behmerwohld didnt tell her when she signed up that a lawsuit already had been filed in the groups name. The group met once at Marie Callenders but has no regular meeting or bylaws. Still, both Behmerwohld and Ronan expressed deep love and concern for San Juan Capistrano and said they genuinely support the lawsuits goal of requiring Griffiths hotel go through further studies. The whole County of Orange built up around that Mission, and I feel passionately that anything built next to such an important asset should go through the proper processes, said Ronan. Griffiths lawyer Friess, however, pointed to murky details about the origins of the group, which Krolikowski formed in 2015 for other litigation related to a previous rendition of the hotel. Krolikowski renamed it in 2016, and Weintraub was for two years its only member. A businessman and San Juan resident, Weintraub said in deposition: Mr. Krolikowski came up with the name Save Our Mission. The judge never heard from Weintraub during the brief trial. Krolikowski said he wasnt a necessary witness. Theres no reason to call many, many people to the witness stand, Krolikowski said. However, Weintraub emerged as a key figure in Friess argument that Save Our Mission was a sham. In cross examination, the attorney showed Behmerwohld a letter Weintruab sent to Marriott hotels in 2017 in which Weintruab questioned Marriotts partnership with Griffith and said the community is talking about forming a group and petition against Marriott. Behmerwohld testified he didnt know of the letter, nor did he know of emails between Oedekerk and Weintruab that show Oedekerk authored it. In one exchange, Oedekerk sends a draft to Weintraub that he said he wrote for the person that thinks Marriott is doing all of this. It begins, Have lived in San Juan Capistrano for INSERT years and any personal blah de blah. Weintraub replied, Looks good. You can remove blah, blah. The letter apparently didnt sway Marriott. Save the Missions lawyer Krolikowski said this week he believes hell prevail. Most of their case is innuendo about whos friends with who, Krolikowski said. I dont know how far theyre going to get with it. Executives met with Griffiths development team in San Juan Capistrano in February for an inaugural operational meeting. Griffith said April 18 that Marriott is working closely with us as we approach our January 2020 opening date and will soon begin promoting San Juan Capistrano throughout their international network. As residents of over 30 years, were very excited to be delivering a luxury boutique experience to our downtown very soon, Griffith said in an email. If it survives the current court challenge. Meghann M. Cuniff is a contributor to TimesOC. Follow her on Twitter at @meghanncuniff, and follow @timesocofficial for more news and features about Orange County. The top food stories from this week at the Los Angeles Times: (Photo illustration by LL for Food Bowl) YOUR GUIDE TO FOOD BOWL Advertisement Food Bowl, our monthlong food festival in May, is almost here. We have some tips for how to strategize and make the most of all the pop-up dinners, classes, tours and parties. (Gaby DAlessandro / For The Times) A LIFE DEFINED BY FOOD Gustavo Arellano reflects on his dying mothers life through the food memories the two share. To honor her, he shares the recipe for her Zacatecas-style capirotada, the classic Mexican bread pudding dessert for Lent. (Evan Sung / For The Times) PASS THE VEGETABLES Food writer Adeena Sussman checks in with some Los Angeles chefs to create a vegetable-driven meal for the Passover Seder. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) PLATES WITH NO BOUNDARIES Restaurant critic Patricia Escarcega finds that Mei Lins Nightshade restaurant in the Arts District is not always perfect, but its always interesting. (Silvia Razgova / For The Times) KIBBEH FOR DAYS Restaurant critic Bill Addison considers Akkad Mediterranean & Iraqi Grill, a casual, an all-day restaurant in a Glendale strip mall serving Iraqi specialties not often found in restaurants locally or nationally. (Colin Price / For The Times) CALIFORNIA SAKE Emily Timberlake discusses sake with Yoshihiro Sako, the sake brewer behind Den Sake Brewery in Oakland. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EVERYONE Food writer Amy Scattergood decided to make a list of her nine favorite birthday cakes in Los Angeles. Thank you, Amy. Food Bowl 2019 is almost here. Our annual month-long food festival is back in May, and tickets are now on sale for the hundreds of events happening across the city. Go to lafoodbowl.com for a calendar, plus links for tickets. The month kicks off with Mesamerica L.A., chef Enrique Olveras food symposium, this year held as part of our opening night. Our five-night outdoor Night Market is back. We hope youll join us for #31daysoffood. Our 101 Restaurants We Love list for 2018 is out. The list incorporates restaurants and trucks from around Los Angeles and Orange County, in alphabetical order (no rankings this time). Plus theres a bonus list of 10 classic restaurants. Check us out on Instagram at @latimesfood. And dont forget the thousands of recipes in our California Cookbook recipe database. Feedback? Wed love to hear from you. Email us at food@latimes.com. jenn.harris@latimes.com Instagram: @Jenn_Harris_ No person in the United States can be put on trial for their life or liberty, or indeed any criminal penalty down to the smallest traffic fine, without access to a lawyer to provide expert assistance. That principle was established by the 6th Amendment in 1789, although the actual right to counsel remained spotty until Clarence Earl Gideons case famously went to the Supreme Court in 1963. The Gideon ruling established that any criminal defendant in any court had a right to an appointed lawyer if they couldnt afford one themselves. But the 6th Amendment covers only criminal cases. Millions of Americans who cant afford lawyers go to civil court every day unassisted and lose their homes, their children, their savings, their independence. Are their hearings fair? Lets not kid ourselves. The essence of the Gideon ruling was that a criminal trial in which the defendant faced prosecutors without a lawyer was inherently unfair. If thats true in criminal cases, how could it not be equally true of landlord-tenant, child support or other civil cases? The Constitution doesnt fill the gap. But bar associations, states and even cities and counties have long contemplated whats known as civil Gideon programs to improve the quality of civil justice by providing lawyers to unrepresented parties. Congress established the Legal Services Corporation in 1974 to boost nonprofit legal aid programs, although funding has gone up and down with changes in political fashion. In California, legislation written in 2009 by Mike Feuer (now Los Angeles city attorney) helps provide lawyers for more than 4 million people each year facing foreclosure, eviction, loss of child custody and similar jeopardy. Millions of Americans who cant afford lawyers go to civil court every day unassisted and lose their homes, their children, their savings, their independence. Advertisement The results include fairer outcomes and more cost-effective justice, because good legal advice can lead parties to reach out-of-court settlements without tying up courtrooms or staff. But the program provides at best a patchwork of representation. Most Californians who cant afford lawyers in civil cases still go to court alone. When they get there, they are often flummoxed, not knowing what to do, where to go, or even how to behave. Judges cant step in and offer advice. So courts have tried to close the legal assistance gap in other ways. California courts spend $30 million on self-help centers and other forms of assistance where unrepresented litigants can get help filling out forms and filing papers. A project called All Rise for Civil Justice is trying to spread the word about possible solutions, including making court processes more user-friendly for the typical unrepresented litigant. The project also promotes online and other technological stopgaps. These are all good steps that warrant funding and expansion, especially if they help people protect their rights without going to court at all. But many people will still have to go to court. For their proceedings to be fair, they ought to have the benefit of a lawyers advice and advocacy. Cities and counties are responding with funding and referrals on particular matters. Both the city and county of Los Angeles, for example, joined with nonprofits to create a fund to pay for legal representation for residents under threat of deportation. Its a valuable resource in a region in which a quarter of the population immigrated from other countries, and at a time of stepped-up immigration enforcement. But the program should lead policymakers to ask: If we are going to provide lawyers for some portion of the population at public expense, are we choosing the neediest or worthiest people? What about domestic violence victims seeking restraining orders? What about tenants facing eviction? Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute A New York program that provides free legal representation to tenants resulted in a sharp drop in wrongful evictions, according to a recent study. Newark, N.J.; Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; Detroit and San Francisco are launching similar programs. Los Angeles, too, is considering a right to counsel for indigent tenants. Some of those jurisdictions extend the right to parties in child dependency and other civil cases. Many others provide a right to counsel in involuntary commitment cases. Of course, civil Gideon is not a constitutional right, for tenants or anyone else. Funding for government-provided attorneys can be diverted when the next recession hits or political trends change. Representation for tenants this year could become representation for, say, domestic violence victims next year. But thats no reason not to move ahead with carefully thought-out programs to provide civil attorneys for as many people in great need as possible. Providing lawyers to more civil litigants should be a priority in order to make the justice system as fair as we expect it to be. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Democrats in Congress want to question special counsel Robert S. Mueller III about his investigation into links between President Trumps campaign and Russia and whether Trump obstructed justice. Given that the report is 448 pages long, one might legitimately question whether summoning Mueller to Capitol Hill is really necessary or whether Democrats are merely seeking an opportunity for partisan grandstanding. But it is necessary. Voluminous and detailed as Muellers report may be, it fails to offer a satisfying justification for one of the special counsels most momentous decisions: his refusal to make a traditional prosecutorial judgment about whether Trump committed the crime of obstruction of justice. Mueller declined to take a position on that question despite the fact that his report details what it calls multiple acts by the president that were capable of exerting undue influence over law enforcement investigations. The paragraph in which Mueller summarizes his non-decision is as clear as mud. The report says that if we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the president clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, however, we are unable to reach that judgment. The evidence we obtained about the presidents actions and intent presents difficult issues that prevent us from conclusively determining that no criminal conduct occurred. Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him. Congress has every right to ask Mueller to explain the ambiguities in his report. Advertisement The report contains additional discussion of how Mueller reached this complicated conclusion. In one passage, it refers to a long-standing opinion by the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel that a sitting president may not be indicted, a controversial legal conclusion Mueller said he accepted. Given that, the report suggests that even accusing a president of a crime would raise fairness issues because he wouldnt have an opportunity to defend himself in a court of law. Also, it could carry consequences that extend beyond the realm of criminal justice. But if its unfair to accuse a president who cannot be indicted of a crime, why is it fair for Mueller to make other judgments about Trumps conduct? In its handling of individual actions by the president, the report is quite judgmental. For example, in discussing Trumps attempt to fire Mueller himself, an idea he later abandoned, the report says: Substantial evidence indicates that the presidents attempts to remove the special counsel were linked to the special counsels oversight of investigations that involved the presidents conduct and, most immediately, to reports that the president was being investigated for potential obstruction of justice. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Congress has every right to ask Mueller to explain the ambiguities in his report. He should be asked about his reaction to the decision of Atty. Gen. William Barr and Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein to decide on their own that the evidence Mueller adduced is not sufficient to establish that the president committed an obstruction-of-justice offense. Barr added that they made that decision without regard to the issue of whether a sitting president could be indicted. If Barr and Rosenstein were able to make a judgment on whether Trump obstructed justice, why couldnt Mueller? Congress has a legitimate interest in questioning Mueller about his report, and it extends beyond a potential impeachment inquiry into Trumps conduct. Congress also has a role in providing oversight of the Justice Department. In his news conference this week preceding the release of the Mueller report, Barr said he had no objection to Mueller personally testifying before Congress. The sooner the special counsel appears as a witness, the better. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook Gov. Gavin Newsom is right that California needs a new way to pay for the damage caused when power lines spark massive wildfires that destroy property and kill people and animals. Fires have ravaged the state over the last two years, and experts say this may be Californias new normal. And although the governor wants to de-prioritize building in high fire-risk areas, a quarter of Californians live in these dangerous zones now. So it was appropriate for him to call on the Legislature earlier this month to figure how to do that before wildfire season kicks into high gear this summer. Newsom stopped short of endorsing a specific a path forward, noting that Gov. Jerry Brown failed last year when he pushed legislators to adopt his prescription. Instead, Newsom offered legislators a report from his wildfire strike force that outlined three options to more fairly allocate wildfire damage costs, while warning that if the state fails to take action, the future is not very bright. Thats because wildfires have become so devastating, costs traditionally assigned to the states utilities are threatening those companies with insolvency. The states largest investor-owned utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, filed for bankruptcy protection in January in the face of some $30 billion in potential fire-related claims from 2017 and 2018. Yet if utilities arent required to cover those losses, insurers could be overwhelmed with claims and driven out of the market. Wildfires have become so devastating that costs traditionally assigned to the states utilities are threatening those companies with insolvency. Advertisement Its fine for the governor to leave it to lawmakers to come up with a specific plan, so long as he doesnt allow them to duck the task. Its not fair to ratepayers, the public, the investor-owned utilities and the Californians who live in high-risk wildfire areas to put this off another year. Any true solution must include a change to the current and unsustainable system in which utilities are required to reimburse damaged property owners if their equipment starts a fire regardless of whether they were negligent. This strict-liability system called inverse condemnation worked out pretty well in the days when fire damage remained fairly consistent and manageable from year to year. The idea was that utilities, which are required to serve all comers, can pass the cost of damages on to a broad base of ratepayers without inflicting too much pain on anyone. But the calculus changed in 2017 when wildfires tore through the state, reducing Santa Rosa neighborhoods to smoking rubble and setting the scene for deadly Montecito mudslides. It was the costliest fire year on record until 2018, when the records were shattered again. Fire damage claims for 2018 may reach $20 billion. Whats more, regulators recently started making it harder for utilities to pass on wildfire costs to ratepayers if they are judged not to have been prudent managers, a subjective determination. Scrapping the inverse condemnation standard is only one of the options for reallocating fire claims in the strike forces report. The other two a bridge financing fund to pay wildfire claims quickly and a wildfire fund that would pool capital from the states investor-owned utilities to pay claims are not bad ideas at all. But theyre workable only as complements to a fault-based standard. Invariably, changing liability rules will be the hot button in any debate about wildfire costs, and legislators will flinch at being seen as bailing out utilities. But no one is suggesting that utilities get a pass if a fire is started by a known safety threat that they failed to fix. Of course they must be held accountable when they are negligent. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Another important recommendation in the report was to reform the Public Utilities Commission, the state agency that regulates investor-owned utilities. Even the regulators themselves say they dont have the resources to inspect utility equipment and force corrections, and instead act only after somethings gone wrong. Furthermore, the PUC has in the past been too cozy with utility executives. This is unacceptable. Proposals are needed to reform both the authority and the composition of the PUC, not just increase its budget or tinker with its operations. While PG&E is going through the bankruptcy process, the other two large investor-owned utilities, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric, have had their credit ratings downgraded because of uncertainty about future wildfires claims. Thats not just bad for utility investors, but also for ratepayers who absorb the utilities higher cost of doing business. Bankruptcies also threaten the states ability to meet its clean energy goals. Will 2019 be another record-breaking year of fires? We certainly hope not, but given the combination of climate-changed weather, the states aridity and the relentless push of humanity into what authorities euphemistically call wildfire urban interface zones, its possible that catastrophic wildfires will become a regular occurrence. We cant wait another year to fix this flawed system. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs report makes one thing clear: Donald Trump is no Richard Nixon. He is worse. And yet Trump seems almost sure to be spared Nixons fate. This will do severe possibly irreparable damage to the vital norms that sustain American democracy. There is still time for Congress and the American people to avert the worst of this damage, but the odds are long and time is short. Despite his famous protestation to the contrary, President Nixon was a crook. He directed the CIA to shut down the FBIs investigation of the Watergate burglary, in which several of his campaign operatives broke into Democratic National Committee headquarters. He also directed subordinates to pay hush money to subjects of that investigation. He then fired the first special prosecutor appointed to investigate these matters, hoping to protect himself and his senior advisors from possible criminal liability and untold political damage. For these attempts to obstruct justice, Nixon paid the ultimate political price. When he terminated special prosecutor Archibald Cox, a ferocious public backlash forced him to appoint a widely respected replacement. That was Leon Jaworski, whose dramatic victory at the U.S. Supreme Court forced the release of secret White House tapes that destroyed the last vestiges of Nixons congressional support. He resigned the presidency days later. Had he failed to do so, impeachment by the House of Representatives and removal by the Senate were all but certain. If Trump escapes unscathed, future presidents will take notice. Advertisement Nothing in Nixons presidency became him like the leaving it. For two generations, his downfall served as a cautionary tale for subsequent presidents who might be tempted to interfere with a federal investigation for personal or political reasons. Firing a special prosecutor, in particular, was almost universally understood to be political suicide. As Watergate showed, the American people simply would not stand for a president who sought to place himself above the law. This broadly shared understanding served as a crucial safeguard against the abuse of presidential power. Then came Trump. After smashing through dozens of other deeply rooted norms of American politics to win the presidency, he treated the post-Watergate consensus with similar contempt. Just weeks after he took the oath of office, as the Mueller report details, Trump asked FBI Director James B. Comey to drop the investigation of national security advisor Michael Flynn. Before making this request, the president cleared the room, strongly suggesting that he knew his actions were improper. Requesting that the FBI drop an investigation of his friends is exactly what Nixon was caught doing on the famous smoking gun tape that sealed his fate. Yet for Trump, this was just the beginning. A few weeks later, in early March 2017, the report shows that Trump lobbied vigorously to prevent Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions from recusing himself from the Russia investigation. When Sessions nevertheless followed the advice of ethics officials and recused himself, Trump exploded in anger and personally pressed Sessions to reverse his decision. Trump wanted an attorney general who would protect him to be in charge of the investigation. In May 2017, the Mueller report shows that Trump removed Comey as head of the FBI and concocted a deliberately false explanation related to Comeys handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. Along with Trumps attendant criticism of the Russia investigation and personally vindictive treatment of Comey, this action had the potential to affect a successor directors conduct of the investigation. The report catalogs significant evidence that the president was worried the investigation would turn up politically and legally damaging information, and that it threatened the legitimacy of his election. The reports most damning evidence of obstruction of justice concerns the special counsels investigation itself. Once Trump learned in June 2017 that he was himself under investigation by Muellers team, his efforts to thwart the investigation reached new heights of audacity. That month, in a series of frantic phone calls, he ordered White House counsel Don McGahn to fire Mueller. The report describes substantial evidence that this was an attempt to obstruct the special counsels investigation; Trump was acting to protect himself from potential criminal liability and political damage. When McGahn refused to carry out the order to fire Mueller, Trump resumed his campaign to get Sessions to take over the investigation and curtail it or resign, so that Trump could appoint someone who would protect him. Much of this information was already in the public domain, but it is no less shocking for that. The evidence available to Muellers investigators, including contemporaneous documents and testimony under oath, provides a far surer foundation than anonymously sourced news stories. The report also contains a wealth of new information. When Trumps order to fire the special counsel was publicly reported in January 2018, Trump demanded that McGahn fabricate a record denying that the President had tried to fire the special counsel. This is witness tampering, plain and simple, of a much more direct and personal kind than any that Nixon engaged in. It also amounts to falsifying evidence, which counts as obstruction of justice even on the narrowest possible reading of the federal statute advanced by Trumps lawyers. Along similar lines, the report describes substantial evidence that Trump privately urged Flynn, Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen to stay strong and promised through his lawyers that they would be taken care of unless they went rogue. Together with the presidents public tweets praising Manafort and Stone for their bravery and baselessly accusing members of Cohens family of crimes, this conduct also amounts to witness tampering, plain and simple. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Lest it be forgotten, all of this took place in the context of one of the most serious law enforcement and counterintelligence investigations in the history of the United States. As the Mueller report explains, The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion on behalf of Donald Trump. The FBI and Mueller set out to discover whether Trumps campaign was complicit, and Trump took extraordinary measures to thwart their efforts. Nixons obstruction of the Watergate investigation looks almost innocent by comparison. And yet Trump seems very likely to escape direct accountability. House Democrats may well opt against pursuing impeachment, for entirely understandable reasons: It might be too wrenching for the country, in the absence of a clear popular consensus supporting Trumps removal. It might not be good politics for 2020, with voters more concerned about bread-and-butter issues. Even if the House votes to impeach, a two-thirds Senate vote to remove Trump from office seems almost inconceivable. But if Trump escapes unscathed, future presidents will take notice. The cautionary tale of Watergate will be superseded by the Trump triumph and its very different lesson: In the hyperpolarized political environment of the early 21st century, the president is a law unto himself. Andrew Coan is a professor of law at the University of Arizona and the author of Prosecuting the President: How Special Prosecutors Hold Presidents Accountable and Protect the Rule of Law. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook What were you thinking? Its a common question asked by our letter writers directly or indirectly, most often in response to an election endorsement by the L.A. Times editorial board. That figures, as endorsements typically make only one recommendation on issues that split readers into two camps where the choice is between yes or no, Candidate A or Candidate B. Letter writers taking the side that wasnt endorsed tend to tell us when they disagree. So it went with the L.A. Times April 13 endorsement of Heather Repenning in the race for an open seat on the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. This time, we heard exclusively from people who expressed deep disappointment that the editorial board did not endorse Jackie Goldberg, the former teacher, L.A. City Council member and state legislator running to serve on the school board once again. Penny Kunitani, a retired LAUSD principal, hears echoes of past endorsements: Advertisement I was shocked and disappointed that the L.A. Times did not endorse Goldberg. This is despite conceding that Goldbergs institutional memory and her talent for digging to the heart of an issue would improve the school boards decision-making process. For whatever reason, The Times is repeating the mistake it made when it endorsed Ref Rodriguez in 2015 and other candidates bought and paid for by billionaire privatizers. Diane Ravitch, an education historian and professor at New York University, expressed confidence that voters will select Goldberg: I was astonished to see that The Times editorial board did not endorse Goldberg for the District 5 seat on the LAUSD school board. As your editorial acknowledged, Goldberg has an unparalleled depth of experience and knowledge about education in the city and state, which her opponent lacks. The voters recognized her fitness, giving her more than 48% of the vote in a crowded field, while the candidate in second place barely received 13%. The voters know that Goldberg will fight for the children of her district, with no debts to billionaires who want to buy another seat on the board. Goldberg is the right choice for the LAUSD board. She brings not just experience and knowledge, but wisdom and independence. Michael Finn, an LAUSD teacher and parent, doesnt mind some division on the school board: I was not surprised to see The Times editorial board stand once again on the wrong side of history in failing to endorse Goldberg. You stated that the board doesnt need more polarization or a stronger vote for one side of the other. I disagree. When the board is run by the likes of Monica Garcia and Nick Melvoin, elected officials who engineered Supt. Austin Beutners closed-door contract, I say bring on the division. In that divided view of education, my loyalties are with the classroom. I am a teacher at John Marshall High in Los Feliz, and I didnt stand in the rain for six days to build consensus with Garcia. Our citys classrooms need leadership, experience, wisdom and courage. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III was supposed to provide clear answers to two questions: Did Donald Trump collude with Russia in his 2016 presidential campaign? And as president did he try to obstruct the investigations that ensued? On collusion, the special counsel found that the Trump campaign welcomed Russias offer to provide dirt on Hillary Clinton, but that its actions didnt meet the definition of a criminal conspiracy. On obstruction of justice, Mueller amassed considerable evidence that Trump tried to hamstring investigators but he chose not to say whether charges were warranted. Advertisement Now its Congress turn. House Democrats have summoned Mueller to appear before several committees, although those hearings may be a month or more away. Here are 10 questions Congress should ask and, drawing on Muellers report, answers he might give. Passages in quotation marks come directly from the report. President Trump says your report was a complete and total exoneration no collusion, no obstruction. Is he right? No. While this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him. If we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the president clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. We are unable to reach that judgment. The report doesnt offer a judgment on collusion either, because thats not a crime. Instead, it examines whether Trump engaged in conspiracy, a charge that requires agreement, tacit or express, between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. The investigation did not find that kind of agreement, so it didnt charge conspiracy. What about the 2016 meeting at Trump Tower involving three top campaign aides, including Donald Trump Jr., and the Russian lawyer who purportedly promised dirt on Clinton? Doesnt that look like collusion? Maybe. The office considered whether to charge Trump campaign officials with crimes in connection with [that] meeting, including conspiracy to violate the law against foreign contributions. But lawyers concluded that prosecution might fail for two reasons. It wasnt clear Trump Jr. knew that accepting that kind of help could break the law. And a prosecutor would have to prove that the promised dirt was worth $2,000 or more. Lets turn to obstruction of justice. Does the evidence add up to a case for obstruction, even though you chose not to make a decision on that? Yes. Our investigation found multiple acts by the president that were capable of exerting undue influence over law enforcement investigations, including the Russian-interference and obstruction investigations. But he didnt succeed. That doesnt mean he didnt try. The presidents efforts to influence the investigation were mostly unsuccessful, but that is largely because the persons who surrounded the president declined to carry out orders or accede to his requests. Any examples? One of the clearest is Trumps June 2017 order to his White House counsel, Donald McGahn, to fire the special counsel. Substantial evidence indicates that Trumps aim was to impede investigations of his conduct. McGahn considered the request improper and refused to carry it out. There also is evidence that the president knew he should not have made those calls to McGahn. Later, when the New York Times revealed the episode, Trump ordered McGahn to deny the newspapers account even though it was true. The president acted for the purpose of influencing McGahns account in order to deflect or prevent further scrutiny. Those are all elements of an obstruction charge. Anything else? Also in 2017, Trump tried to order Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions to limit the investigations mandate to future elections, not the 2016 campaign. The intent of his order was to prevent further investigative scrutiny of the presidents and his campaigns conduct. Again, aides didnt carry it out. What about the decision to fire James B. Comey as director of the FBI in May 2017? Yes, the evidence indicates that Trump believed removing Comey would protect [him] from an investigation into his campaign. But if there was no underlying crime of collusion at least, no conspiracy you could prove can there still be obstruction? Sure. Proof of such a crime is not an element of an obstruction [charge]. The injury to the integrity of the justice system is the same regardless of whether a person committed an underlying wrong. Despite all that evidence and theres more you avoided saying whether obstruction charges were warranted. Why? The Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel has issued an opinion that a prosecutor cannot indict a sitting president while hes in office. The report not only accepts that rule; it endorses its reasoning. A federal criminal accusation against a sitting president would place burdens on the presidents capacity to govern and potentially preempt constitutional processes for addressing presidential misconduct, the report says. Are you saying that if the president committed obstruction of justice, the proper remedy is for Congress to consider impeachment? I never used the word impeachment. I used constitutional processes. But yes, thats what I meant. Last November, nearly six in 10 California voters rejected an initiative that would have expanded rent control across the state. But state lawmakers have come back this year with a collection of bills that would better protect tenants from evictions and large surges in rents. Gov. Gavin Newsom has said hed sign a package of rent stabilization bills if they reach his desk. Getting the measures through the Legislature will be easier said than done, given their history of failing at the ballot box and at the Capitol. On this episode of Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast, we consider why tenant legislation faces a chilly reception in the Legislature and the fate of this years tenant bills prior to a key week of hearings. Our guests are Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Alameda), an author of one of the tenant bills, and Michelle Pariset of Public Advocates, a nonprofit tenant advocacy organization. Advertisement Gimme Shelter, a biweekly podcast that looks at why its so expensive to live in California and what the state can do about it, features Liam Dillon, who covers housing affordability issues for the Los Angeles Times Sacramento bureau, and Matt Levin, data and housing reporter for CALmatters. You can subscribe to Gimme Shelter on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Google Play and Overcast. After ballot failure, theres a new bid to control what California landlords can charge tenants liam.dillon@latimes.com Twitter: @dillonliam More than 100 students at John Burroughs High School spent their lunch hour on Friday calling for lawmakers to put an end to mass shootings in America by enacting comprehensive gun control legislation. Carrying signs with messages that read #NEVERAGAIN, I Will Vote and Enough is Enough students gathered on Memorial Field for a gun control rally organized by Burroughs Students Against Gun Violence Club, which started in the wake of the February 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting in Parkland, Fla. Zachary Hagen-Smith, the clubs president, said his generation has grown up during a period of devastating school shootings from the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn. to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy. We are the ones who have known nothing else, and so its up to us for this problem to be solved, he said. Hagen-Smith added that people across the United States, not only students, will never be free from the threat of gun violence until gun reform happens on a national level where there are universal background checks in our stores and weapons of war off our streets. Joining the students calls for gun control were Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) and state Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) who both addressed the crowd. .@laurafriedman43 now at the podium in Burbank talking about the great power that comes from firearms requiring responsibility and the need for regulation. pic.twitter.com/TfF6FLobpT Andy Nguyen (@Andy_Truc) April 19, 2019 Schiff told the students his generation has so miserably failed at gun control that it was up to them to push for change. Although he said most Americans support universal background checks and other types of gun reforms, Schiff said many politicians are beholden to firearm manufacturers and the money they provide thereby stymieing any change. We have to overcome their opposition, which means we need to hold our elected officials accountable, he said. Are they answering to the leadership of the [National Rifle Assn.] or are they answering to their constituents? Schiff said it has been the work of people like the students at Burroughs that have gradually changed the tide in the gun control debate and have allowed for the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill this past February for universal background checks on all firearms sales in the country. Meanwhile Friedman said tears and prayers after a shooting arent enough to curb gun violence and that action needs to be taken to regulate firearms. What we need are people willing to stand up against the obscenity of gun violence, to recognize that we are not safer when we have more guns in our community, she said. Friedman echoed Schiffs sentiments, saying that the younger generation has the power to make change and is a force that strikes fear into the hearts of complacent and easily malleable and easily frightened politicians in Washington. andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc After months of deliberation and public input, the Burbank Unified school board unanimously voted to change the name of David Starr Jordan Middle School on Thursday. The schools now-former namesake was a proponent of eugenics, a system of controlled breeding aimed at improving the chances of so-called desirable heritable characteristics. From 1910 until 1964, 20,000 people considered less-than-desirable, such as minorities and people with mental disabilities, were forcibly sterilized in California due in part to the philosophy of eugenics. The theory was espoused by the Nazis and before them notable people, such as Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger and U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. Given Jordans eugenics background, several people at the board meeting students, teachers and alumni found that such beliefs are an insult to Burbanks diverse and inclusive spirit. Community members highlighted that when the school was established in the 1940s and named after Jordan, there were 90,000 Caucasians living in Burbank, with only 29 African Americans. They said the citys demographics have since changed and demanded the schools name be renamed to reflect that. Were he alive, David Starr Jordan would have no place in Burbank, and the same should be said about his name, said Joshua Goodman, president of Burbank Democratic Club. No longer should students of color, neuro-atypical students and [those] with differing levels of physical disability be asked to walk through a building that bears the name of a person who opposed their very existence, Goodman added. Others pointed out that Jordan was more than just a proponent of eugenics. He also studied fish biology and served as the founding president of Stanford University, one of the most prominent schools in the country. However, for the majority of people at the meeting, it was apparent that, for them, Jordan epitomized nothing but the worst in humanity. Armond Aghakhanian, the school boards vice president, related the eugenics ideology to that of the Ottoman Turks during the Armenian Genocide, when they killed 1.5 million Armenians, beginning in 1915, due to the fact that they were different. He added, This is not complicated. Its very personal, and it is important to send that message. Board member Steve Ferguson held back tears as he shared why he thought it was crucial to remove the name of a man who was against a world with beautiful differences. As a member of a class who not only was in camps [during Nazi Germany], but as soon as those camps were liberated, [we were] marched into Soviet jails, because there was something wrong with us, I know what its like to be in a campus and to feel like you dont belong, Ferguson said. Why would we want that for anyone? he added. Roberta Reynolds, board president, also got emotional, as she imagined that her Filipino son-in-law and, therefore, her grandson, would have been considered unfit for survival by Jordans standards. Challenging yet important questions were asked during the meeting. Those opposed to the name change said they were unsettled about the ignored aspects of the move, pointing out that memories and the emotional attachment of alumni would be at stake, as well as the financial burden the name change would pose for the school district in a time of proposed budget cuts. Nonetheless, board members and others in favor of the name change pushed back, claiming that it is no longer a funding issue, but that of character, representation and acceptance within Burbank Unified. A possible new name for the school, located at 420 S. Mariposa St., Burbank, will be discussed at a later date. Sahakyan is a contributor to Times Community News. While the goal of medical professionals and patients is to prevent a stroke, the reality is many people do experience the sometimes catastrophic event and Chapmans stroke recovery boot camp is designed to bridge some of the gaps in healthcare for people adapting to the many changes in their lives. For 12 days twice a year, Chapman Universitys department of physical therapy holds a free boot camp offering intensive rehabilitation for patients, helping them relearn how to do daily activities as well as improve balance and mobility. The latest camp ran from June 12 to 23 at the Rinker Health Science Campus in Irvine and included faculty, students, family members and stroke patients. It started six years ago as an annual event. Demand and increased student helpers has allowed the program to grow to twice a year and increase the number of campers who can attend. The program is organized by Chapman physical therapy professors Alison McKenzie and Caryn Ito, and since the start has operated on a tight budget. McKenzie said she always has gone to 99 Cents Only stores for the decor used for a variety of themed days, including Olympic and luau day. Along with rehab for patients and support for caregivers, the camp provides training for Chapman students, with its physical therapy and marriage and family therapy programs. They have been able to grow the program to twice a year by recruiting more students from the two programs and by having the camp added to the physical therapy curriculum at Chapman. McKenzie said the idea for the camps came as a result of her regularly coming in contact with people pre-Affordable Care Act who had suffered a stroke. She said they are often working-age adults who lost their insurance and could no longer get proper treatment. We wanted to meet that need for people who didnt have access to rehab, she said. They would get some at the front end but then they would have limited help when they needed it to continue. She said one of the goals of the camp is to help people get integrated back into the community and collaborate with junior colleges and programs to help people prepare for part-time work. They act as a resource to find other resources. Wilbert Kerr of Laguna Hills has been coming to the camp since its beginning. He said when he first showed up he couldnt walk. He demonstrated when he did start walking how his left foot was bent inward forcing him to walk on its side. He said it still moves inward a little, but he can walk with his foot flat now. This session, he was working on improving movement in his right arm. Kerr, like many of the campers, continues to practice what theyve learned after they go home and many go to the Goodwill Fitness Center in Santa Ana to keep improving. Jim Eklund, of Lake Forest, was at the camp for the first time. He had a stroke five years ago and was looking for more intensive workouts. He had heard of the camp from his friends at the Goodwill gym, where he goes three days a week. I love it, Eklund said, adding extra emphasis on the love. There is individual attention and camaraderie among campers, according to the organizers. Eklund said he liked being around people who knew what he was going through. One of the main benefits is the social interaction, McKenzie said. After a stroke, their world gets very small. Sheri Ledbetter, interim director of Media and Public Relations at Chapman, said a common theme she hears about the program is that friendships are made and campers continue to meet up at the gym and elsewhere. The connection and understanding doesnt stop with the campers. The event allows caregivers time to relax, discuss concerns with each other and theyre now offered mindfulness sessions themselves. Naveen Jonathan, marriage and family therapy program director at Chapman, has been participating in the camps for three years and has offered sessions with campers and caregivers to help with the emotional aspects of living with the life changes. Jonathan and McKenzie said the marriage and family therapy students were added after the two were talking about the whole-body approach to care. They wanted to bring in therapy students to help with the emotional side of life after a stroke for the camper and their caregiver. We focus on how to manage burnout and prevent self-neglect, Jonathan said. We bring caregivers together and they create their own support system. The students also focus on helping campers with anxiety and to alleviate some stress about their physical abilities, which can boost their confidence. McKenzie said her hope is that the program will continue to grow and more people can get the help they may not be getting through their traditional health providers. She said former students have already been a part of implementing similar programs around the world. ALICIA LOPEZ is a contributor to Times Community News. The Newport Beach City Council decided Tuesday night to sharply reduce annual fees related to harbor moorings, ending a years-long debate between city leaders and boaters. The City Council voted 5 to 2 to reduce the cost of offshore moorings from $55.43 per foot of a boat to $35 per foot. The council also voted to reduce the fees for onshore moorings to $17.50 per foot of a boat down from the previous rate of $27.21 per foot. Onshore moorings are typically less expensive because they are intended for smaller vessels, according to city staff. The cost and availability of moorings, which are considered to be a more affordable way for people to take advantage of boating in Newport Beach than marinas, has been a hotly debated topic among boaters for more than five years in Newport Beach. This is akin to a type of slum lord, Councilman Marshall Duffy Duffield said, noting a perceived lack of amenities for mooring holders. You dont go there to reap higher profits and moneys. The product youre looking at is akin to a slum apartment. Were lucky to get $35 a foot. In a controversial vote in 2010, the council decided to nearly triple the cost of mooring fees, which had not been increased since 1996. The move, which infuriated boaters, came three years after an Orange County Grand Jury investigation determined that the city was allegedly mismanaging the mooring process and that the moorings on public tidelands werent readily available to the public under the city system. Among the specific findings, the grand jury said the city hadnt assessed the moorings fair market value since the mid-1990s. At that time, the council voted to peg moorings at 14% of the average Newport marina rent, which raised the fee incrementally over five years from about $20 per foot of a boat to about $55 per foot. That increased the annual mooring cost for a 40-foot boat from about $800 to about $2,200. We ask that the council decides tonight that enough is enough and choose to move forward, said Carter Ford, Newport Mooring Assn. member. Its really bad for everyone as we see it not to get this done tonight. The process of beginning to reduce mooring fees began in February 2015, when the council cut the cost of residential pier fees and also tasked the Harbor Commission with assessing harbor moorings. After several months of public meetings, where topics such as cost, transfer rules and other issues were robustly discussed with officials and mooring holders, the Harbor Commission recommended the council more than halve the citys annual permit fee for offshore moorings from $55.43 per foot of a boat to $25 per foot. Some council members at the time said they would be more comfortable with the offshore mooring rate around $35 per foot. Money collected from mooring fees is placed in the tidelands fund, which pays for capital improvement projects inside the harbor, according to city staff. City leaders have identified bulkhead repairs and sealing, harbor pier and gangway maintenance, dredging projects and sea wall repairs as some of the projects that money in the tidelands fund could begin to cover this year. Harbor Resources Manager Chris Miller estimates that the lower fees will cause a $700,000 annual reduction to the tidelands fund. Councilmen Keith Curry and Ed Selich voted against the fee reduction, pointing to a letter received last week from the State Lands Commission, which has jurisdiction over land held by the state of California, that raised concerns about the appraisal conducted by Netzer and Associates. City staff used the appraisal to base their recommendation to the council. Sheri Pemberton, chief of the external affairs division for the State Lands Commission, wrote in the letter that based on our review the appraisal lacks important supporting discussion and analysis in a number of areas, which may affect the determination of fair market rent. Pemberton went on to ask the city to defer the issue to a later meeting. We are putting ourselves at risk, Curry said. We are at risk of the State Lands Commission coming in and setting fees in a way that I dont think anyone would like. Italian motorcycle maker Ducati recently opened a new dealership in Costa Mesa. The business, at 1601 Newport Blvd., features a showroom, customer lounge and service department. Lavender Salon opens Be(You)tiful in Newport Beach Lavender Salon and Boutique in Newport Beach has expanded with a retail space called Be(You)tiful, which sells beauty products as well as esthetician and makeup services. Be(You)tiful is in the Castaway Commons complex at 1617 Westcliff Drive. Stem cell treatment is topic of Newport meeting Newport Beachs PreciseCare and Celltex will hold a meeting Tuesday for guests to learn more about stem cell treatments. The event will run from noon to 2 p.m. at the Resort at Pelican Hill, 22701 S. Pelican Hill Road, Newport Coast. It will feature Drs. Gaurav Goswami and Stanley Jones. RSVPs are requested by calling (949) 734-9032 or emailing kimberlyc@precisecare.com. Meeting to discuss womens boardroom strategy The National Assn. of Women Business Owners-Orange County will present a luncheon featuring women sharing advice on how to win seats in company boardrooms. Tuesdays event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harborside Restaurant, 200 Main St., Newport Beach. The cost is $50 for association members and $65 for nonmembers. For tickets, visit site.eventmatches.com/WOB. Huntington Beach restaurant SeaSalt closes After three years in business, SeaSalt Woodfire Grill in Huntington Beach has closed and will be replaced with a second location of Social Costa Mesa, SeaSalt owner Alicia Whitney announced on Instagram. The restaurant at 21214 Beach Blvd. had served Santa Maria-style barbecue. Whitneys other concepts in Huntington Beach, including SeaLegs Wine Bar, are remaining open. Socials opening date was not announced. CEO of Costa Mesas Donahue Schriber wins philanthropy award The Orange County chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women named Patrick Donahue, chairman and chief executive of Costa Mesa-based real estate investment company Donahue Schriber, the winner of the eighth annual SPIRE Award for philanthropy. Donahue was nominated for SPIRE short for Superior Performance in Real Estate by the Orange County Community Foundation for his support of Orange County veterans. This is a tremendous honor in recognizing that our philanthropic efforts are about so much more than just raising funds, Donahue said in a statement. We want to demonstrate the power of collaborative, industrywide action and make a tangible impact on veterans in our community. Laguna art college names marketing and communications manager Laguna College of Art + Design in Laguna Beach has named Marc Lyncheski as its new marketing and communications manager. Lyncheski has taught marketing at various campuses and worked in marketing for Dicks Sporting Goods, PetSmart and more. Joining the team at LCAD is particularly exciting for me because it represents a convergence of my professional academic and marketing careers, which until now have been running independently of one another, Lyncheski said in a statement. I am thrilled to be associated with such a reputable organization that is so deeply rooted in the local community and the arts community at large. Subaru dealer to donate to Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley McKenna Subaru in Huntington Beach plans to present a $26,600 check Wednesday to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley as part of Subarus 2018 Share the Love Event. The national annual campaign has donated $140 million during the past 11 years to charities. McKenna Subaru is dedicating the proceeds of its annual drive to the Boys & Girls and Clubs of Huntington Valley for the second year in a row. O.C. Iranian American chamber to present awards The Orange County Iranian American Chamber of Commerce will hold its Business Awards Brunch at 10:30 a.m. April 28 at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa, 900 Newport Center Drive. Rep. Harley Rouda (D-Laguna Beach) will be among the speakers, and cardiologist Naheed Sherie Olsen will receive the Humanitarian Award for her medical missions to Vietnam, according to a news release. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit underprivileged children in Orange County, the release stated. For more information, visit ociacc.com. Laguna event will benefit LGBTQ organizations The Laguna Beach LGBTQ Heritage & Culture Alliance, Laguna Beach Co. and Bank of America will present a symposium featuring Richard Florida, an urban studies theorist and University of Toronto professor, from 8 a.m. to noon April 29. The event at the Montage Laguna Beach resort will provide a platform for community members, local business, civic, legislative, cultural and educational leaders to discuss how inclusion and creativity can foster economic mobility and prosperity for Orange County, according to a news release. Event proceeds will benefit Laguna Beach Pride 365, Club Q Laguna and the Blaze Bernstein Memorial Fund. The event also will feature live music from Orange County School of the Arts students, remarks by Rep. Harley Rouda (D-Laguna Beach) and a panel discussion with Florida and others. Admission is $125 and includes breakfast. For more information, visit lagunabeachlgbtqalliance.org/tickets-sponsorship or email Chris Tebbutt at chris@lagunabeachlgbtqalliance.org. Costa Mesa gets new U-Haul dealer Krahe Gatewood Distributors in Costa Mesa is now a U-Haul neighborhood dealer, according to a news release. The business at 700 W. 16th St. will offer U-Haul rental trucks and moving supplies. Hoag epilepsy program receives top designation The Pickup Family Neurosciences Institutes epilepsy program at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach has received a Level 4 epilepsy center designation, the highest level from the National Assn. of Epilepsy Centers. The institute has the professional expertise and resources necessary to provide the most advanced and comprehensive medical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy, according to a news release. Raise those glasses, beer lovers: Two new microbreweries will soon call Costa Mesa home following a pair of Planning Commission votes Monday night. Salty Bear Brewing Co. plans to move into about 3,200 square feet of space at 2948 Randolph Ave., while Brewing Reserve of California will occupy 3,000 square feet at 2930 College Ave. Both sites are multi-tenant complexes. The locations are the first for both breweries. The Planning Commissions decisions are final unless appealed to the City Council within seven days. Both businesses will brew beer onsite and have designated tasting rooms. A planned pedestrian path would link the Salty Bear property with The Camp commercial center just to the east on Bristol Street. A patio for the microbrewery, along with a common outdoor space with seating, a shade structure and campfire area also are planned. It is a true passion of mine, and Im trying to operate a business that will enable my family to remain in Costa Mesa and also be an active part of the Costa Mesa community, said Salty Bear owner Joe Scagliotti. Though commissioners and members of the public largely spoke in favor of the application, some questions were raised regarding the proposed parking plan for the Randolph site. Under an agreed-to land-use restriction, tenant spaces on the property that are currently vacant would have to remain unfilled until the city approves a comprehensive parking plan for the site. Commissioner Carla Navarro Woods noted that parking was a major concern raised last month when the commission approved a Bootleggers Brewery branch at 696 Randolph Ave. Approving a new business before firming up the parking plan, she said, may be putting the cart before the horse. Why are we not resolving the parking issues before we establish a soon-to-be-very-successful business? she asked. Commission Vice Chairman Byron de Arakal said he views the land-use restriction as a tool that allows development of one piece in a bigger-picture vision for the citys Sobeca district, a 39-acre area around The Camp and The Lab shopping centers on Bristol. I think the brilliant concept is to create a pedestrian linkage from The Camp to this, he said. If you watch, as more projects come forward in this area, youre going to see that linkage continue. Thats whats really exciting to me about whats going on with Sobeca. Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve Salty Bears application. Commissioner Jeffrey Harlan was absent. The commission approved Brewing Reserve of California on a 3-1 vote. Navarro Woods dissented, noting that a Spanish-language Alcoholics Anonymous group meets regularly in a space at 2930 College Ave. Several public speakers raised concerns with where the business will be located, pointing out that its close to residential areas that could be affected by noise from the brewing operation or patrons leaving late at night. Others said theyre worried the microbrewery might worsen parking or traffic flow in the area. Steve Aguilar, one of Brewing Reserves owners, told the commission that he tailored his planned operation to lessen possible effects on the surrounding area. We dont want to start a bar; our idea isnt to have people come drink, get drunk and be disorderly or anything like that, he said. We create craft beer. It is an art to us, and we want to share that with other people. Commission Chairman Stephan Andranian said he understands there are concerns but that he doesnt view this as the same thing as your local dive bar. Thats not what this applicant is trying to do. ... I dont believe thats in the cards, he said. Along with the approvals for Salty Bear, Brewing Reserve and Bootleggers Brewery, three other microbreweries are already open in Costa Mesa Gunwhale Ales and Barley Forge Brewing Co. on Randolph and Karl Strauss Brewing Co. on South Coast Drive. luke.money@latimes.com Twitter @LukeMMoney Newport Beach could become the next member of the Orange County Housing Finance Trust, a joint-powers authority that seeks to provide permanent supportive housing to the homeless. The City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to join the trust, which brings together the county and various city governments to secure and allocate funding for affordable housing projects. The trust emphasizes housing augmented with onsite social and health services. In addition to the county, Laguna Beach, Fullerton and Buena Park have already signed on to the trust. Six additional cities are considering whether to join this month and next. The Assn. of California Cities Orange County developed legislation that led to the plan becoming law this year. The trust is eligible to receive public and private funding. The trust does not require member cities to take a share of housing units or chip in their own funds. But Newports recent contribution to supportive housing has included the Cove, a renovated 12-unit apartment complex that serves formerly homeless veterans and low-income seniors. A partnership between Mercy House, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit, and Community Development Partners, a Newport Beach-based affordable-housing developer, led to the Coves opening. The council meeting starts at 4 p.m. with a study session, followed by the regular session at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 100 Civic Center Drive. A suspect in a Dana Point bank robbery Friday who was found dead at the end of a SWAT standoff following a pursuit to Rancho Santa Margarita may be the Leatherface Bandit linked to three previous heists in Orange County, officials said. The other robberies occurred March 7 at a OneWest Bank in Corona del Mar, March 8 at a Citibank in Costa Mesa and April 9 at an Opus Bank in Yorba Linda, according to the FBI. That individual appears to have worn the same disguise the suspect wore today, said FBI Special Agent Christopher Gicking. Gunman in Hollywood-style mask is sought in bank robberies in Corona del Mar and Costa Mesa Based on the [modus operandi] and description, we believe its very possibly the same individual, said FBI spokeswoman Laure Eimiller. The Orange County Sheriffs Department said on Twitter that it was working with the FBIs Los Angeles field office to identify the suspect. The Leatherface Bandit generally wore a realistic mask depicting an elderly man and brandished a handgun during the crimes, officials said. All but the Yorba Linda heist were described as takeover robberies, in which the man robbed multiple tellers at each bank. In the Dana Point robbery, as well as in the Corona del Mar hold-up, the robber was seen using a bicycle to get away. A man wearing a mask depicting an elderly man and brandishing a handgun was wanted in a series of bank robberies in Orange County. (Courtesy of Newport Beach Police Department) Fridays robbery occurred shortly before 4 p.m. at Pacific Western Bank at 34180 Pacific Coast Highway, Eimiller said. After obtaining an undetermined amount of cash, the robber rode away on a bicycle, officials said. He then stashed the bike in the bed of a pickup and drove off. We had a witness who gave a description of the getaway vehicle, Gicking said. Orange County sheriffs deputies found the truck and pursued it to Rancho Santa Margarita. The driver briefly eluded deputies during the chase but was found a short time later, sheriffs Capt. Jared Dahl said. The pursuit resumed until the truck crashed into a parked car while making a U-turn and came to a stop at about 5 p.m. at Avenida de las Banderas and Avenida Empresa, according to the Sheriffs Department. A SWAT team tried to communicate with the suspect, police said. Authorities announced he was found dead about 45 minutes later. He was believed to have shot himself, Gicking said. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. We are working with @FBILosAngeles and the Bank Robbery Apprehension Team to identify the suspect. There is a possibility he may be related to three other bank robberies in OC. The intersection at Banderas and Empresa remains closed OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSheriff) April 20, 2019 Officials summoned a bomb squad to inspect the truck out of an abundance of caution, Gicking said. Coincidentally, the FBI issued a wanted flier for the Leatherface Bandit via Twitter at about 5 p.m. Friday as the standoff was underway, officials said. Daily Pilot staff contributed to this report. Fans of wooden boats often call crafting their handmade vessels a labor of love. For Walter Hackman, 80, of Bakersfield, having his 55-foot, 40-ton Chinese junk built in a small shipyard in a rural town south of Shanghai set him on a journey to China to rebuild his life. The vessel will be one of 53 on display Saturday at the Balboa Yacht Club for the third annual Wooden Boat Festival. The story of Hackmans wooden boat began in April 1989. He was opening the art gallery he owned in Pasadena when he was met by two Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies who told him his 23-year-old son, Wally, had been slain. Walter Hackman and his daughter Lynn Selich will see the 55-foot wooden Chinese junk they used to own displayed at the Wooden Boat Festival in Newport Beach on Saturday. (Scott Smeltzer / Scott Smeltzer | Daily Pilot) The traumatic news set Hackmans life adrift. He divorced his childrens mother and found himself pondering where he would live and what he would do next. It changed my life totally and completely, he said. Any plans I had got shelved. I was at the crux of change. He decided to revisit a long-abandoned dream to live on a wooden boat along the coast. The decision launched the roughly two-year process of having his Chinese junk custom-built in a remote shipyard on the Yangtze River. The boat, designed in the tradition of a Chinese fishing vessel from 500 years ago, was handbuilt in the early 1990s out of Douglas fir, camphor and teak. Hackman somewhat sarcastically named the boat Mei Wen Ti Mandarin for no problem. The name was born out of his interactions with the Chinese boat builders. Regardless of what he asked during the tumultuous process, they would respond, Mei wen ti. Hackman would inquire whether the builders had issues with assembling parts for modern amenities such as plumbing, power and engines that were not present in Chinese vessels five centuries ago. Though they assured him Mei wen ti, it became a real concern, he said. I almost abandoned the project several times. Eventually, he hired an engineer to help the boat builders interpret plans for the technology. After the boat was built, Hackman faced the challenge of shipping the huge vessel to the United States. When the shipping company demanded about $40,000 more than the originally quoted price to send the vessel, he worried it might sit in China forever. But in 1993, after a lengthy stalemate, the boat arrived at Los Angeles Harbor on a container ship. Mei Wen Tis wood exterior is stained golden brown. A smiling, golden-eyed tiger graces the long bow. Inside, the vessel has a large stateroom, a living room area, a kitchen and a bathroom. Hackman recently published his first novel, No Problem, Mr. Walt, a memoir of the journey to Mei Wen Tis creation, his experiences in China and how the boat guided him into the next chapter of his life. Walter Hackman had a 55-foot, 40-ton wooden boat built in the 1990s in China. The vessel will be on display Saturday at the Wooden Boat Festival in Newport Beach. (Scott Smeltzer / Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot) On Thursday morning, Hackman and his daughter Lynn Selich of Newport Beach sat overlooking the water at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, laughing as they recalled cleaning and refinishing the wood on the junk. Usually boats dont do too much, Hackman said. But in his case, the vessel helped him cope with the loss of his son and build a stronger bond with his daughter. Even when we were just having fun and not working on the boat, it was where we met, Selich said. Wed barbecue and have holidays on it. Theres really nothing like being on a boat, any type of boat. But Mei Wen Ti nearly sank one weekend after the bottom sprung a leak. Later, wood worms in Long Beachs Rainbow Harbor began eating the hull. The dedication and money necessary to care for wooden vessels, which quickly age from the effects of salt water and sunlight, distinguish them from their fiberglass counterparts. By 2000, Hackman had remarried and was ready to sell the boat. Selich, recalling the wonderful times her family had on the boat, decided to buy it. At that time, I just was not with every ounce of my being able to let that boat go, she said. A few years later, after realizing the immense cost of keeping the boat in good condition, Selich sold it to Jim OConnell, who keeps it berthed in Los Angeles Harbor. On Saturday, Selich and Hackman will be reunited with Mei Wen Ti at the Wooden Boat Festival. They plan to watch as it sails into Newport Harbor on Friday afternoon. I just hope there arent any problems getting it here, Selich said. * IF YOU GO What: Wooden Boat Festival When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday Where: Balboa Yacht Club, 1801 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar Cost: Free hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @HannahFryTCN The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a case calling for the removal of a controversial statue in Glendale that honors women who were forced into sexual slavery by Japanese soldiers during World War II. The decision comes three years after a lawsuit was filed against the city asking that the statue be removed. Honoring comfort women, the statue depicts a girl in Korean dress sitting next to an empty chair. As many as 200,000 women from Korea and other countries were reportedly coerced into becoming comfort women. Filed by Michiko Gingery, a Glendale resident, and the Global Alliance for Historical Truth, a nonprofit group that seeks to deny recognition of comfort women as sex slaves, the lawsuit claimed the statue infringed on the federal governments ability to conduct foreign affairs and violated the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution. Join the conversation on Facebook In 2014, a U.S. District Court rejected the suit, ruling that the city didnt break any laws with its placement of the statue and the plaintiffs had no standing. The fact that local residents feel disinclined to visit a local park is simply not the type of injury that can be considered to be in the line of causation for alleged violations of the foreign affairs power and Supremacy Clause, Judge Percy Anderson said at the time. The decision was also upheld in 2016 by an appellate court where it reaffirmed Glendales right to erect the statue. The Supreme Courts rejection effectively ends the case. Glendale City Atty. Michael Garcia praised the high courts decision. We are pleased that the court recognized our City Councils right to make public pronouncements on matters important to our community, Garcia said in a statement, adding that the lawsuit was without merit from the start. andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc Although he regularly greets guests at the Lanai Cat Sanctuary, Keoni Vaughn will never forget one passionate visitor who showed up a couple of years ago. He came to the cat sanctuary from Japan to spend the day with us 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., five hours, only to fly back to Japan the same day, said Vaughn, the shelters executive director. Talk about the ultimate cat lover. He was in heaven. Heaven, of course, means different things to different people, but for cat lovers, it just might be full of purring bundles of fur in black, brown, white, gray or ginger. If thats your bliss, the Lanai Cat Sanctuary, just a few minutes walk along a red-dirt path from the islands airport, is home to 620 cats. Advertisement Most are feral, but about 250 of them welcome the daily dose of tourists who come to cuddle and play with them. Humans who arrive with snacks are particularly welcome. The sound of shaking bags of cat treats starts a feline frenzy. If youve got treats, youre going to get swarmed, Vaughn said. Rachel Staples and her husband, Chris Linck, of Houston visited the sanctuary while honeymooning on Lanai in December. This is our kitty fix with this many cats around, said Staples, a lifelong pet owner. Its like a dream. As employee C.B. Butt tosses treats to a gathering of cats, a ginger tabby seems oblivious to the nearby proffering of food. (Jay Jones) The cats arent the only creatures that benefit. I have people who put a towel on the ground and they take a nap, Vaughn said. Theyre so relaxed. Napping being a favorite feline pastime, cats can often be found sprawled on chairs, tables and purpose-built houses. Despite its large population, the shelter is immaculate. The Lanai Cat Sanctuary, opened in 2009 with 100 critters, is a win-win situation: Not only does it protect the cats, but it also protects the petrels, an endangered species of bird that the cats were killing. In 2006, a huge colony of petrels the uau, the native Hawaiian petrel was discovered, said Kathy Carroll, the sanctuarys founder. There were about a thousand nests, at least, up in the mountains. (Los Angeles Times) The seabirds return to the same nests every year, Vaughn said. They lay one egg, he said. They are ground nesters, so its a perfect opportunity for cats to predate on these birds. To save the birds, wildlife officials prepared to trap and kill the cats. Carroll stepped in, offering to create a makeshift shelter in an empty horse stall. The temporary digs evolved into the current half-acre site surrounded by cat-proof fencing. Vaughn, who is allergic to cats, pointed to the tall grass and shrubbery that provide plenty of cover for the wilder felines. [They] remain in the bushes until we go home, and then they come out, he said. About 11,000 people a year visit the sanctuary. Admission is free. Many tourists make day trips to Lanai just to interact with the cats. Kerstin Schroder and her husband, David Agresti, of Birmingham, Ala., did just that, traveling on the Maui-to-Lanai passenger ferry on a windy day in December. I dont see any cats here that fight, which tells me they are happy, Schroder said. I love it here. They have one cat that has no ears and only one eye. Instead of just euthanizing them, as long as they dont have pain and can still enjoy their lives, they take care of them. I find it very, very encouraging. The shelter is a 1-mile drive (its closer to walk it) from the airport, and a 25-minute drive from the ferry that serves the island from Maui, so shuttle vans meet the boats. Some people come and spend 15-20 minutes. They take a quick tour with us, Vaughn said. Other people have spent five hours. Theres others who are staying on the island and they come every day for a week. Each of the cats is microchipped and has a name, from A (Arnie) to Z (Zippy). All are available for adoption. About 50 cats a year get adopted, mostly by those who live on the mainland. Despite the adoptions, ongoing trapping of feral felines means the sanctuarys population continues to grow. To meet the demand, another large enclosure will be completed this year. In Lanai City, Carroll raises money for the shelter at Mike Carroll Gallery, which is run by her husband. It showcases works by local artists. In her Kitty Corner, Kat, as the locals know her, sells catnip toys, notecards and T-shirts. The sale of one $20 T-shirt provides enough money to vaccinate four cats, she said. Vaughn said it takes $500,000 a year to run the sanctuary. We rely heavily on tourism, he said. We just ask that if you have fun you can leave a generous donation. That day tripper from Japan? He left a healthy donation, Vaughn said. Info: Lanai Cat Sanctuary, 1 Kaupili Road, Lanai City; (808) 215-9066, lanaicatsanctuary.org. Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Admission is free. Animal ops on other islands Need a fix with a four-legged friend during a trip to Hawaii? These animal shelters welcome tourists: Hawaii Island Humane Society lends dogs for field trips Mondays through Saturdays. All the necessities, including leashes, toys and waste bags, are provided. The society has three locations. Info: hihs.org/services/fieldtrips Kauai Humane Society provides opportunities to check out a dog every day except Wednesday. Info: bit.ly/kauaihumane Maui Humane Societys Beach Buddies program pairs pooches with visitors Wednesdays and Fridays. Info: bit.ly/mauibeachbuddies Leilani Farm Sanctuary, on Maui, has rescued bunnies, chickens, cows, donkeys, goats and guinea pigs. One-hour tours cost $30 but are tax-deductible. Volunteer opportunities are available Monday and Wednesday mornings. Info: leilanifarmsanctuary.org Dozens of protesters took to the streets in Bangladeshs capital to demand justice for an 18-year-old woman who died after being set on fire for refusing to drop sexual harassment charges against her Islamic schools principal. Nusrat Jahan Rafi told her family she was lured to the roof of her rural school in the town of Feni on April 6 and asked to withdraw the charges by five people clad in burqas. When she refused, she said her hands were tied and she was doused in kerosene and set alight. Rafi told the story to her brother in an ambulance on the way to the hospital, and he recorded her testimony on his mobile phone. She died four days later with burns covering 80% of her body. The violence has shaken Bangladesh, triggering protests and raising concerns over the plight of women and girls in the conservative Muslim-majority nation of 160 million people where sexual harassment and violence are often unreported, victims are intimidated and the legal process is lengthy. Many avoid reporting to police because of social stigma. Advertisement We want justice. Our girls must grow up safely and with dignity, Alisha Pradhan, a model and actress, told The Associated Press during Fridays demonstration. We protest any forms of violence against women, and authorities must ensure justice. Tens of thousands of people attended Rafis funeral prayers in Feni, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promised Rafis family when they met in Dhaka that those responsible would be punished. At least 17 people, including students, have been arrested in connection with the case, said Banaj Kumar Majumder, the head of the Police Bureau of Investigation. In late March, Rafi filed a complaint with police that the principal of her madrasa, or Islamic school, had called her into his office and touched her inappropriately and repeatedly. Her family agreed to help her to file the complaint, which prompted police to arrest the principal, infuriating him and his supporters. Influential local politicians backed the principal, and ruling party members were also among the arrested. Women in Dhaka at an April 12 demonstration in memory of Nusrat Jahan Rafi. (Sazzad Hossain / AFP/Getty Images) Police said the suspects told them during interrogations that the attack on Rafi was planned and ordered by the principal from prison when his supporters visited him. It was timed for daytime so that it would look like a suicide attempt, Majumder said. Human Rights Watch said in a statement that Rafis family said that they had received death threats before the attack telling them to drop the case. While Rafis case is now being treated with urgency, that wasnt the case until her death. A video taken on March 27 while Rafi reported the assault shows the local police chief registering her complaint but telling her that the incident was not a big deal. The chief was later removed from the police station for negligence in dealing with the case. For Bangladeshi women, it is not easy to file sensitive complaints with police. Victims fear further harassment and bullying. Police often show an unwillingness to investigate such cases and are accused of being influenced by local politics or bribes. But the call for dealing with violence against women, especially related to sexual harassment and assault, is getting louder. The horrifying murder of a brave woman who sought justice shows how badly the Bangladesh government has failed victims of sexual assault, said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch. Nusrat Jahan Rafis death highlights the need for the Bangladesh government to take survivors of sexual assault seriously and ensure that they can safely seek a legal remedy and be protected from retaliation. Pope Francis carried a lit candle up the main aisle of a darkened St. Peters Basilica in a dramatic Saturday Easter vigil ritual. The pontiff, prelates and other faithful also clutching candles appeared as slow-moving points of light in darkness, part of a procession symbolizing Christians belief that Jesus triumphed over death by resurrection following crucifixion. At the chant in Latin for light of Christ, the basilicas lights were suddenly switched on. Francis then reached the central altar to celebrate Easter Vigil Mass. Among those attending the service were eight people who prepared to be baptized by the Pope. The Vatican said these new faithful are from Italy, Albania, Ecuador, Indonesia and Peru. Advertisement On Sunday, Francis will celebrate Easter Mass in St. Peters Square and give a speech from the basilica balcony. Popular UK-based comedian and actress known as Oyinbo Princess, has joined many Nigerian celebs to lend a voice against the unjust and numerous killings of innocent citizens by law officers who have sworn to protect the country. Following the death and burial of 36-year-old Nigerian man, Kolade Johnson who was killed killed after been hit by a police officer's stray bullet during a raid in Lagos, Nigerians have cried out over the insecurities in the country. Joining many people in this cry for help is Claire Edun, a British-born Nollywood actress and Instagram comedian who goes by the name Oyinbo Princess due to her immense love for Nigeria. READ ALSO: Personal letter from the Editor-in-Chief of Legit.ng (former NAIJ.com) She called out to Buhari to do something about the killing as it is getting too late/@oyinboprincess Source: Instagram She recently took to her Instagram page to cry out over the indiscreet and unjust killings of innocent citizens by Nigerian law men who are supposed to protect the country and its citizens. She went on to urge President Buhari t READ ALSO: 15 Fascinating Signs That Show You And Your Partner Are Meant For Each Other PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News App It appears Nigerian celebrities are heavily discontent with the state of affairs of the country and some are now condemning the present administration on social media. Recall Legit.ng earlier shared the remarks of Nollywood star, Omotola Jalade, who criticised the Buhari-Osinbajo administration and stated that the country is hellish under their leadership. HELLO! NAIJ.com (naija.ng) upgrades to Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. Kolade Johnson: My son came home from S/Africa because of issues there - Foster father | Legit TV Source: Legit A China-born entrepreneur, Eric Yuan, who was denied visa by the United States of America government is now a billionaire. Yuan finally made it to the US two years after his visa rejection and has become a major shareholder of video conference services firm Zoom Video Communications Inc. The video communications company have raised $751 million in an initial public offering Wednesday, April 17, Bloomberg reports. It was gathered that Yuan's family stock hit $57 million, based on Zooms IPO price of $36 a share. READ ALSO: Mali prime minister and his entire cabinet resign over rise in violence, killing of herdsmen The billionaire's company's reported net income of $7.6 million on revenue of $331 million for the year is now nine times worth 1 billion. Yuan who started his career at the WebEx communication also worked at Cisco Systems Inc.before he came up with Zoom video communications. He said his dream was to have a smart device which can allow him see and talk to people in just one click. Eric Yuan. Photo credit: Bloomberg Source: Twitter The billionaire said: And every day I thought about that. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that despite the scary and startling statistics of poverty that has been recorded in Nigeria, there are still a handful of people that have managed to make headway and boast of wealth and success. PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigeria's #1 news app Forbes recently released its 2019 list of the worlds billionaires and it is impressive to note that a number of black people also clinched top spots on the list. Even more interesting is the fact that of the eleven blacks that made it into the list; four are from Nigeria. The list featured popular Nigerian business moguls, Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga , Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Folorunso Alakija. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better Do you believe Nigeria is still the giant of Africa? | Legit TV Source: Legit A 37-year-old Nigerian woman has been arrested by customs officers at Hong Kong International Airport and more than half kilogram of cocaine seized from her. The woman who had allegedly hidden the drug in her body, arrived in the city on a flight from Lagos via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The suspect, who was said to have been intercepted by customs officers, claimed to be a businesswoman and was said to be acting suspiciously, shortly after her arrival on Thursday, April 18, South China Morning Post reports. READ ALSO: Suspected mentally unstable lady seen roaming the streets of Lokoja Legit.ng previously reported that foreign objects was confirmed in her body when she was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei for a chek-up. Two hundred and fifteen grams of cocaine contained in condoms and plastic bags was found in her vagina. The drug weighing 550 grams in total, was estimated to be worth HK$522,000 (US$66,900). According to the authorities, the woman may discharge more drugs. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the senior special assistant to the president on foreign affairs and diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the death sentence passed on eight Nigerians in United Arab Emirate (UAE) as unfortunate. Eight Nigerians were sentenced to death in Sharjah, UAE, on Wednesday, April 17, for a string of robberies at money exchanges and cash machines (ATMs) across the emirate in December 2016. Dabiri-Erewa said this in a statement in Abuja on Friday, April 19. The presidential aide who expressed concern over the development, however, said the incident was not an actual description of personalities of the people of Nigeria. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app She said: "It is an unfortunate incident, but it is not an incident that defines who we are as a people. If a few Nigerians have committed a crime for which they are being punished, thousands of Nigerians are doing great in that same country and are being appreciated and celebrated." Which country would you leave Nigeria for? | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng It used to be that when you called for a ride in Easton, two city cab companies run by the same owner would answer. The calls for Easton Taxi and Yellow Cab of Easton have dwindled so much, however, that the hours of silence in between has become too costly for owner Joseph Moussa. Moussas last cab will stop running Saturday -- a day that 10 years ago would have been a busy shift for drivers. I dont want to suffer anymore, Moussa said Friday in the office of 695 Auto Sales & Services, one of his other businesses, which sits a block away from the cab companies office near Seventh and Walnut streets. As Moussa spoke about the trials and tribulations he has faced since taking over the business in 2009, it was not lost on him it was Good Friday. The closure on Saturday would be the start of a new chapter, the Palmer Township man said. The financial autopsy of the business could be seen in the notebooks and accordion folders full of paperwork in the auto sales office, with its multi-colored license plates lined up under the ceiling. Moussa sifted through the papers, showing call log notebooks that would fill up in a matter of a few days with rides. The last page had entries beginning April 5th and wasnt filled yet. Joseph Moussa shows paperwork from the Easton Taxi and Yellow Cab of Easton companies. Moussa planned to stop running the taxis on April 20, 2019. He showed the radio station authorization certificate, for a tower the companies had in Williams Township. It was renewed in 2013 through 2021. When Moussa got that authorization, I never thought we would go out of business, he said. Moussa has owned the cab companies for 12 years, following the untimely death of then-owner Joseph Marzuoli on April 23, 2009. The business used to be on Canal Street, and then moved to a property owned by Moussa at 715 Walnut St. The office is still there, with the PUC license number outside. But the only yellow cabs left are two Fords sitting in a side parking lot with their license plates removed. Moussa said hell probably junk them. The office is storing tires right now, and Moussa said hell rent out the property. Five years ago, Moussa said he had 14 employees and was clearing more than $300,000 with four cars for each cab company, and four extra vehicles for medical rides. Last year, he had to use money from the car dealership and garage business to cover the cab companies costs. He previously charged the cab company $10 for oil changes at the garage, but stopped doing that two years ago. A retired Easton Taxi cab sits in the business' parking lot. Easton Taxi and the Yellow Cab of Easton were scheduled to stop running on April 20, 2019. Drivers would make $400 to $500 on a good night, Moussa said. The remaining driver was barely clearing $100 a shift. Its very, very bad, he said. Moussa had a letter drafted in March, telling the state and others that the cab businesses would be done by June, which is when the car insurance was up. But the businesses were bleeding money, and Moussa decided to move up the closure date to this weekend. I couldnt even wait until then, he said of the June deadline. While Moussa was paying for state licenses and fees, taxi car insurance for each vehicle, criminal background checks for each driver, and property taxes, ride-hailing apps Uber and then Lyft came to the Lehigh Valley. As he talked, Moussa pulled out his smartphone and opens the Uber app, showing a reporter where the drivers were in the city and around Northampton County. He was able to watch the competition drive into the city. Moussa said hes never used any ride-hailing app. When he and his wife went to Florida, they used the local cab company down there, even though they knew it cost more than twice as much as Uber or Lyft. Other hits included Lafayette Colleges free shuttle service, and the city started running a free trolley on the weekends. The office at Seventh and Walnut streets sits near the Northampton County Courthouse and county prison, where people would need a ride at all hours. In 2013, the Easton DUI Center stopped using Easton Taxi. District Attorney John Morganelli ordered the center to cut ties with the company when he learned the firm was co-owned by the countys court administrator, James Onembo. On Friday, Moussa pulled list after list of businesses the cabs he used to have agreements with, pages filled with names and addresses crossed out or with question marks beside them. Little by little the businesses would stop using the taxis, one after another until they were left with just two companies, Moussa said. They lost St. Lukes Hospital this year. Moussa has other businesses. Ill be okay, he said. But he said he felt bad for the people who still used the cabs, mostly older people who would call for a ride and do not know how to use an app. I dont know how theyre going to get places. I feel bad, he said. I want to thank the people who supported us. I appreciate the people who wanted to help us. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A Catasauqua man wanted for aggravated assault, after allegedly beating his girlfriend with a fireplace poker, was taken into custody Friday in Montgomery County. Jason Connelly, 50, was arrested on theft and receiving stolen property charges by Cheltenham Township police in the Philadelphia suburb. He was being held in lieu of $25,000 bail in the Montgomery County prison. He'll be arraigned later in Lehigh County in the assault, which occurred March 31 in Catasauqua, according to borough police. Cheltenham police discovered the felony warrant for Connelly after arresting him for theft, Catasauqua police officer Patrick Best said Saturday morning. Connelly is accused of assaulting Myrelis Leon-Santiago at the couple's home in the 100 block of Railroad Street in Catasauqua, then fleeing in a white 2015 Jeep Patriot. Leon-Santiago suffered serious facial injuries when Connelly allegedly struck her several times with a fireplace poker. He faces two counts of aggravated assault in the incident, in addition to simple assault and harassment. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. There were plenty of times Vincent Caminneci could have given up. He was only 5 years old when his father suffered a fatal heart attack. The loss devastated the youngster and his mother. Then she died when he was 13. He went to live with his older sister. The loss of her mother and the responsibility of raising her brother were too much to bear and she suffered a breakdown, Caminneci said. I could have fallen far. I could have been like My lifes over, said the Easton Area High School sophomore. Instead, he moved from Iowa to Easton, where he went from enrolling as an introverted freshman to becoming the at-large vice president of the Pennsylvania Future Business Leaders of America. Thank you so much to Pennsylvania FBLA for voting for me as one of your next Vice Presidents At-Large! I promise to serve to the best of my ability. I hope to see a very successful year ahead for all 12,800+ members! #pafbla19 @pafbla @FBLA_National @EastonAreaSD pic.twitter.com/ZEQkGsh2Al Vincent G Caminneci (@VGCaminneci) April 10, 2019 Its the state chapter of the largest student business organization in the world. Hes the first Easton Area student to hold statewide office in the FBLA. When he enrolled at the high school he was afraid to introduce himself to anyone. Less than two years later he gave a speech in front of hundreds of FBLA members. Everything he does he does in honor of his parents, said Beverly Klein, one of the Easton Area High School FBLA sponsors. He feels like theyre watching over him and he doesnt want to disappoint them. I get teary just thinking about it. Caminneci described himself as an average student when he lived in Iowa. His mother suffered from depression. He and his mother werent motivated to better themselves, he said. We were living pretty much in poverty. I didnt have a lot of friends. It was kind of a depressing life, he admits. He moved to Pennsylvania to live with his aunt. Then he wound up with another aunt on Eastons South Side where he lives today. He recalls showing up at Easton Area High School not knowing how to talk to anyone. He knew he wanted more for himself and he knew he wanted to honor the memory of his parents. He just needed an outlet. Thats when he stumbled upon a table with FBLA membership information. He quickly took to the club that stresses community service, leadership and competition. He ran for regional president and won. Klein saw a future statesman in the making and encouraged him to seek statewide office. Congratulations to Vincent G. Caminneci of Easton Area High School for being elected and inaugurated as the new PA FBLA Region 28 President! Congrats to Paris Jackson as well for being an efficient campaign manager through the RLC. Let's lead with that Rover style! #PAProud pic.twitter.com/rY0WirwaON Easton Area FBLA (@EAfbla) December 15, 2018 That entails lots of preparation and then campaigning during the state conference April 8-9 in Hershey. He manned a campaign booth for three hours, handing out brochures, stickers, water bottles, mints and Hershey kisses. Then he made his speech in front of 600 people. Klein was stunned at Caminnecis podium presence. It was like watching JFK, she said. The winners were announced before a crowd of 5,500. Caminneci remembers jumping out of his seat when he heard his name. Now hes headed for the national conference this summer in San Antonio. He credits his catchy slogan for the victory: Win with Vin. After he completes college, Caminneci envisions a life of public service. Id like to be a diplomat or foreign service officer and run for public office, maybe mayor of Easton and then climb the ladder, he said. EASTON AREA WINNERS Here are the Easton Area High School winners at the state FBLA conference, April 8-9, 2019, in Hershey. Elected vice president at large: Vincent Caminneci Keystone Leadership Award: Vincent Caminneci National Business Honor Society: Sofia Abbas, Victor Karam First place in computer game simulation and programming. (They qualified for the National Leadership Conference): Samantha Kessler, Brian Correia and Andrew Spaziani Samantha Kessler and Bryan Correia took first place in computer game and simulation programming at the FBLA state conference in Hersey on April 9, 2019. Andrew Spaziani (not pictured) was also on the winning team.Courtesy photo Second place in mobile app development (Qualified for nationals): Anthony Gonella, Matthew Smickle and Beckett Morsch Anthony Gonella (left), Matthew Smickle and Beckett Morsch took second place in mobile app development at the FBLA state conference in Hersey on April 9, 2019.Courtesy photo Third Place in database design and application (Qualified for nationals): Jennifer Phan Jennifer Phan took third place in database design and application at the FBLA state conference in Hersey on April 9, 2019.Courtesy photo Ninth Place Accounting II: Stevens Sanchez Stevens Sanchez came in ninth place for Accounting II at the Pennsylvania FBLA state conference on April 9, 2019.Courtesy photo Easton Area High School won ninth place in fundraising for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and eighth place for Outstanding State Chapter. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. An Oxford Township man was hospitalized Saturday and faces numerous charges after a daylong ordeal that started with an attempted stabbing at a Warren County apartment complex Friday and ended after a more than 40-mile chase on I-80 that spanned two counties, police said. No one other the suspect, 27-year-old Lucciano Pascucci, was injured, though he tried to stab a man and was trying to ram police vehicles head-on during the chase, according to the Washington Township Police Department. The 50-mile chase on I-80 continued into Morris County and then back to Warren County before Pascuccis vehicle was finally disabled by police, according to Lt. James Teter of the Washington Township police, which patrols Oxford. The pursuit began when police were called at 9:37 p.m. Friday because of an alleged attempted stabbing at the Cambridge East apartment complex where Pascucci lives off Pequest Road in Oxford. Our investigation turned up that there was a continued situation during the daytime at the Cambridge East address where he was holding a female at knifepoint, preventing her from leaving, Teter said. Pascucci also tried to stab a man during the incident and later rammed the mans car, deploying the air bags, Teter said. Both the man and woman were known to Pascucci and police described it as a domestic altercation. It was an attempted stabbing, Teter said. There were no injuries. However, the defendant did ram a car with an individual in it that he attempted to assault. Officers responding to the attempted stabbing saw Pascucci as he drove off on Pequest Road, leading to a pursuit onto Route 31 North and Route 46, police said. Police continued the chase through Knowlton Township into Hope Township, then back to Oxford Township and back into Knowlton Township, before Pascucci fled on I-80 East, police said. New Jersey State Poilce attempted to disable Pascuccis vehicle with spike strips, but he eluded them as far east as Exit 37 (Hibernia/Rockaway) in Morris County, according to Washington Township police. Pascucci then crossed the median and headed back west on the highway, police said. Troopers were able to successfully disable Pascucci's vehicle with spike strips around Exit 24, and he crashed in the area of mile-post 19, police said. "His tires were deflated," Teter said. "He was unable to control his vehicle anymore." Washington Township police were on the phone with Pascucci throughout the pursuit, and say he was holding a knife to his throat and had ingested pills of some sort, though police weren't immediately able to say what the medication was. And he was threatening to not only kill us, but suicide-by-cop, Teter said. He attempted to ram several of our vehicles during the pursuit, including State Police vehicles, by going head-on with them. Pascucci was believed to have been taken to Hackettstown Medical Center, Teter said. Court records show Pascucci faces at least a dozen charges including driving while under the influence and eluding police. Additional charges are pending. Were coordinating with the State Police to make sure that everything is handled properly, Teter said. State Police did not immediately respond to an email seeking additional information. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A downpour greeted many waking up Saturday morning in the Lehigh Valley. The National Weather Service recorded 0.55 of an inch of rain in an hour, ending just before 8 a.m., at Lehigh Valley International Airport. That put the total rainfall at 0.85 of an inch, as of about 8 a.m. Saturday, since the first drops fell mid-afternoon on Friday. A flash flood watch remained in effect until 10 a.m. for an area encompassing Lehigh, Northampton and Warren counties, as well as other portions of eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and Delaware and northeastern Maryland. "Showers and some thunderstorms, locally heavy, will move across the area this morning," the watch, updated at 3:55 a.m., states. "Areas of 1 to perhaps 2 inches of rain are possible." The National Weather Service Philadelphia region forecast office at Mount Holly, New Jersey, was weighing whether to extend the flash flood watch, according to senior service hydrologist Ray Kruzdlo. Instead, the watch expired as scheduled. "I would say that the bulk of the heavy rain is coming to an end," he said Saturday morning. "It looks like it's moving north and east out of the area." Flash flooding remained a potential concern because water runoff from a storm doesn't just shut off once the rain stops, Kruzdlo said. Main Street is flooded following heavy rain the morning of Saturday, April 20. 2019, in Palmer Township outside Tatamy, near the Upper Nazareth Township border.Rudy Miller | For lehighvalleylive.com About 11:30 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service released reported rainfall totals as follows across the area: Lehigh County Whitehall 1.51 inches Bethlehem 1.46 inches Bethlehem 1.22 inches Northampton County Nazareth 1.57 inches Bethlehem Township 1.56 inches Portland 1.48 inches Martins Creek 1.42 inches Northampton 1.40 inches Palmer Township 1.10 inches Warren County Blairstown 1.49 inches Several police departments were reporting road closures Saturday, including VanBuren Road in Palmer Township and Sunset Drive in Bethlehem Township. Traffic Alert - Sunset Drive between Clifton Avenue and Starview Lane is closed due to roadway damage from flooding https://t.co/U4sVy89l3R BethlehemTwpPD (@BethlehemTwpPD) April 20, 2019 Once the threat of heavy rain moves away from the Lehigh Valley by mid-day, theres a slight chance of showers continuing into Saturday night. Sunday, Easter, brings another chance of showers with a high temperature near 65 degrees, though new precipitation totals are only forecast as up to a 0.10 of an inch. The chance for showers continues through Wednesday night at LVIA, the weather service says. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. It was interesting to see Fianna Fail TD for Kildare South, Fiona OLoughlin, telling the government that they must stop so called cuckoo funds from squeezing first time buyers out of the housing market this week. Deputy OLoughlin was commenting as it emerged that 3,000 homes were purchased by these funds in 2018. Deputy OLoughlin said these institutional investors are finding the Irish housing market more lucrative than commercial or retail property, undoubtedly drawn to Ireland by the large rents and the favourable tax environment. Reports last week suggest that rents will rise by 17 per cent in the next three years and this is only adding to the appeal for outside investors. She asked how can any young person or family be expected to compete. There are people in Kildare scrimping and saving in order to buy their own home and now they have the added burden of being in competition with huge investors. This is true but the Irish economy has always been run on a mixture of free market and State intervention, like many other western liberal economies. It is more open than most. She said that the Government have allowed this situation to develop on their watch and have done nothing to stop it. She made the point that there is no use building extra properties when those properties are being sucked up by institutional investors. She concluded by saying that with rents set to soar, people will have no hope of saving up for a deposit, arguing reasonably, that rents in Kildare are already too high, even with rent pressure zones in place. It is not sustainable, she concluded. Many will agree with her but Fine Gael members of the Fianna Fail supported current government may laugh at the idea that Fianna Fail was overbearing with State intervention. There are many economic markets, including the housing one, where people cannot afford to buy and others are able to come in and rent to them at great profit. What I say next assumes that our society believes strongly that everyone should have a home in which to live, be they wealthy, on high income, or relatively poor and on low incomes. Ideally, a couple should be able to afford to borrow money to pay for their own home, somewhere. We are told a lot of people can afford to pay a mortgage but cannot get a loan. Why? Some say there is a fear that the country will borrow too much money and then collapse. In the run up to the 2008 collapse, which was as much internationally sourced, as Irish, money was given easily and the construction industry could charge much more than was justified by cost or sustainable in the long run. Irelands real problem, one perhaps shared by others, is that while there is surplus cash in the international system, there is also increasing worry over rising debt. There is plenty of money which is only being loaned out to some. The rich get richer. As homeownership decreases here, the cost of housing will rise as our money goes to outside investors/pensions funds etc. Think about it. If you live to 80 and start your family at 30, you want a home for 50 years and, perhaps, pass it on to you children. With a mortgage you could pay for your home in 30 years. Renting, you will never own and you are at the mercy of the free market, which in theory is supposed to protect you by pushing prices to a level you can afford. As it stand now, more and more money will leave Ireland. We will just get poorer. Plaques dedicated to two local men who died in the first World War were recently unveiled in Milltown. Patrick Fenneral from Barronstown and Thomas Walsh from Sunnyside were recently honoured as part of a Day of Remembrance for the Irish lives lost in the First World War, which lasted from 1914 until 1918. Speaking at the event, historian James Durney, who unveiled the plaque, said Fenneral and Walsh were among the two women and 749 Kildare men who perished during the war. One hundred years on we can examine with pride, the lives and legacies of those in Milltown and the rest of County Kildare and Ireland, who lived and died through the most turbulent period of Irish history, he said. He added that it was important to remember those who had survived the war, including Thomas Walshs brother Patrick. Tragic conflict Mr Durney told the crowd gathered at the Church of St. Brigid, Milltown, that World War 1 was a tragic and unnecessary conflict that tormented the emotional and physical lives of millions of people. There was hardly a house in any town or village in the county which was not affected by the turmoil of the early 20th century he said. Patrick Fenneral served with 8th battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was killed in action at Ypres, Belgium on August 18, 1917 aged 22. Thomas Walsh, who served with the Royal Navy Reserve, died on June 13, 1918 when he fell from a ship while being brought to hospital for appendicitis. He was 20 years old. Descendants Fenneral and Walsh are survived by their descendants, some of whom attended the remembrance ceremony. Michael Walsh, Thomas Walshs grandnephew, along with great grandnieces Laura and Kate Halford took part in the ceremony, placing wreaths on his plaque. The plaques, which were blessed by Fr Willie Byrne, were donated by local man Jim OConnor. There was a large turnout on the day and music on the day was provided by Martin Hickey on the bagpipes. A giant fundraising event is being organised by Dancetones Support Group. This is a group of parents of competitive Kildare dancers who compete both in Ireland and England. They enjoy several styles of dance including ballroom, Latin and hip-hop. This talent show event will also raise funds for The Dining Room in Newbridge. The Dining Room serve hot food on Wednesday and Friday evenings to those in need. They also help families in need by providing bags of food and supplies. The children and adults first got involved with the Dining Room a couple of months ago by collecting dry food, hats, gloves and sleeping bags etc. They dropped them down to the Dining Room crew on a Friday evening. So when the idea of a talent show came up it just felt right to share with those in need, said a spokesperson for Dancetones Support Group. Newbridge Got Talent held auditions took place on Saturday April 6 and 13 in Sarsfields GAA. The group is hoping to have 15 acts in the live final on May 4. Tickets are available from the NGT team on 089/4567751 or from Dancetones studios from Wednesday to Saturday. To date we have had support from local businesses donating raffle prizes to security, but if anyone would like to donate, please give us a call on 089/4567751, said the dance group. We have fantastic judges for the final. And the lovely Kfm host Liam Kett will be our MC on the night. Two local people, living in London are campaigning against the UKs decision to leave the EU. They have been demonstrating regularly outside the British Parliament. Peter Benson is from Dublin Road in Naas, and attended school and works as an accountant in London. Sinead Walsh is from Kill and left two decades ago, and works in financial services in the City of London. They met by accident outside the parliament and discovered they were neighbours. They have been demonstrating, often with Irish flags highlighting the impact that Brexit will have on Ireland. We are campaigning weekly and weve been approached to give interviews to media all around the world who are covering this, including Iranian TV, said Peter, who left Naas 35 years ago on the ferry to Holyhead with brother Sean, whos now in New York. We are deeply concerned at the negative impact it could potentially have on our futures in the UK, our kids futures and resent that we are being held to ransom and our futures are being dictated to by the likes of the DUP who do not even represent the people of Northern Ireland. I have two children 18 and 15 and being able to study abroad through the Erasmus programme is essential and thats in jeopardy with a no deal. He said the young people of Northern Ireland north and south who will be directly impacted are not being listened to nor are the young people in England who are being ignored. Brexit is bad for everybody and it has deeply divided the British nation. Sinead said: The Prime Minister feels her big win is the ending of freedom of movement for once and for all, which she repeats at every given opportunity. She said: I stand at Parliament, wrapped in the Irish flag, to draw attention to the casual and callous jeopardising of the peace process. Sinead added: The implications for the North did not figure in the referendum debate, quite simply as the British government had no interest in and no understanding of the history and complexities of NI. It is still astonishing, however, to realise the government would be more than happy to renege on what is an international peace treaty, in order to preserve its minority government and the unity of the Tory party. Theresa May has compromised her position as an honest broker between the parties in the North as a set out in the Good Friday Agreement by bribing the DUP. Frank Cadam is a founder and producer of the Sliabh an Iarainn Players, takes the part of Percy French with the Leitrim Percy French Society. He has been involved with the performing arts for nearly 50 years. What's your idea of a perfect day, or perfect weekend in Leitrim? For me, a perfect day/weekend in Leitrim is a walk along Garadice Lake with its beautiful shrubs and trees followed by a relaxing bite to eat while admiring the beautiful views that surround Aughawillan. Even in the winter, the Sliabh An Iarainn mountains covered in snow always look spectacular. Who has made the greatest contribution to Leitrim in your lifetime - and why? I believe John O'Mahoney has made the greatest contribution to Leitrim in my lifetime. The people of Leitrim will never forget the historic days of the summer of 1994, culminating in Leitrim playing in an All Ireland semi-final against Dublin in Croke Park, something that will live in the memories of Leitrim people far and wide. What's your first Leitrim memory? As a young boy growing up in North Longford, I remember my neighbour Larry Cunningham singing 'Lovely Leitrim' in 1965, This song introduced me to Co Leitrim and many of its towns. I still get very emotional when I hear a gathering of people sing 'Lovely Leitrim'. What's your favourite part of the county - and why? Leitrim is a beautiful county but if I have to pick one particular place then it has to be Aughawillan. The landscape around Aughawillan is a sight to behold. The sense of community is admirable and I am very proud to be part of that community. What do you think gives Leitrim its unique identity? There are three things , for me, that give Leitrim its unique identity, 1 - The beauty of Leitrim, mountains, lakes, rivers, wildlife. 2 - The people, a good tradition of belonging and pride in the County 3 - The culture and heritage of Leitrim. Do you have a favourite local writer or author? There are many great writers/authors from Leitrim such as John McGahern and Seamus O'Rourke but I have always admired John McDwyer. John's plays have great comical content despite dealing with real human issues. Of course John wrote an aptly named play called 'Lovely Leitrim'. What about a local walk - or view? My favourite walk is around Garadice Lake. The peace and tranquility has to be experienced to be believed. The view across the lake, with the silhouette of the Church of Ireland as a back drop is wonderful. If I could bottle it, I would be a billionaire although no money could buy it! What's the biggest challenge facing the county today? The revitalising of small towns with a willingness by Leitrim County Council to change the planning regulations is a big challenge facing Leitrim. There needs to be a strong focus on encouraging and securing direct investment in the county to create long term employment for young people. If you had the power to change one thing in, or about Leitrim, what would it be? If I could change anything in Leitrim it would have to be the planning regulations. Rural Leitrim is being suffocated by the current planning regulations. I would ensure that potential developers had a more positive customer experience when dealing with the planning authorities. The Percy Party takes place on May 4 and 5 as part of The Big Hello LifeStyle The best Lifestyle shows are right here, from Australia and around the world. Catch up with the experts on home design and interiors, food and cooking, the property market, and get fresh ideas with the savviest of renovators. Whether you need inspiration for cooking up a storm, to refresh a tired room, or tips to sell your property, Foxtel Lifestyle will always something new for you to watch. Enjoy your favourite experts like Andrew Winter and Neale Whitaker, or Shaynna Blaze and Jamie Oliver live or On Demand. Address Oola Occupation Retired, still active in community affairs. Why have you decided to run in the local elections? I want to see the Council take a leadership role in guiding communities on how to access rural regeneration funds to address local issues. Im a big believer in community volunteerism. I have been involved first-hand in many projects that would never have been developed without strong community volunteers. I have been in leadership roles with the Irish Citizens Information Board and Civil Defence Board. I have learned that nothing can be easily achieved without a strong community behind you. The most important part of any village or town is the people. Every community in the county has fantastic people who can achieve great things to transform Limerick with the councils support and leadership. In the recent past, a small group of residents in Pallasgreen campaigned and installed much needed footpaths at a fraction of the estimated costs by using local volunteer labour. A dedicated group of volunteers in Oola developed a new graveyard with minimal funding by giving their time and skills to create something that the local community will have for generations to come. I want to be an advocate within the council to support those groups. Why should people vote for you? I love helping people. I have always been committed to community, both in my career as a community welfare officer with the Mid Western Health Board, and in my personal time served on numerous local community initiatives. People need to know and trust that someone is paying attention to their needs. When I get involved in anything, I leave no stone unturned to deliver what is needed. I dont do big statements to get my name in the paper, I just get the job done. Sometimes the result isnt what you hoped for, but people always need someone fighting on their behalf. I am and always will be available to give advice on social welfare and health entitlements for elderly, disabled, and local community groups. What do you think is lacking in your area and what will you be campaigning for? It is often said that rural Ireland is being forgotten by the Government. It is also true that senior citizens, sick and disabled, and other disadvantaged groups are all too easily forgotten. I want to be their voice to make sure that all parts of society benefit from the revitalisation of Limerick. Every group in our community, young and old, needs to be represented on the council. Services that city residents take for granted are severely lacking in the country areas. In the same way that Limerick City is benefiting from long-term planning, we need the same approach for our rural areas. I want to see more frequent Garda presence, increased support for rural post offices, increased development of playgrounds and resources for our youth and our elderly. PRIORITY projects in two separate villages are to be progressed after councillors agreed a compromise which will see funding allocated to both by the local authority. There were heated exchanges at a meeting of the Adare Rathkeale Municpal District last week after it was proposed that some monies which had been previoulsy allocated for road safety works in Ballingarry would instead be used to progress the Sli na Slainte project in Askeaton. Cllr Stephen Keary was accused of putting lives at risk by not agreeing to the proposal. The former mayor has strongly rejected this saying his only aim was to ensure that works are carried out in Ballingarry. At a special meeting last Friday evening, senior executive engineer Aidan Finn insisted Ballingarry would not lose out as further monies will be allocated for works in the village next month. He said the proposal to use the monies which had been earmarked for the works in Ballingarry was to enable the long-awaited Sli na Slainte projected to be expedited. He said the council had committed to providing around 10% of the required funding and that what he was proposing would ensure the works could start sooner rather than later. He told the meeting that 44,000, secured under the Low Cost Safety Scheme, is to be spent in the coming months on traffic calming and improvement works in Ballingarry. These works will include the erection of driver feedback signs on the main approaches to the village. The footpaths at Rylands where a pedestrian was killed last year are to be raised and at least one new pedestrian crossing is to be constructed in the village. A further 10,000 is to be spent constructing a footpath which will link two housing estates near the Mustard Seed restuarant with the main village. Mr Finn said there has been a number of meetings on the ground and that a lot of issues have been the identified in Ballingarry. He said large-scale works, requiring a lot of time and money, are likely to be required. What I want to do (now) will not count against those works, he said adding he does not believe putting in speed ramps at Rylands would be prudent at this stage. Noting the assurances from Mr Finn that Ballingarry would not lose out, Cllr Adam Teskey formally proposed the plan. It was seconded by Cllr Stephen Keary. Both said it was never their intention to delay any works. A MOTORIST who was caught driving without insurance for a tenth time was sentenced to four months imprisonment. John OBrien, 41, of Ballyspillane, Killarney, County Kerry, pleaded guilty, at Newcastle West Court, to multiple charges relating to an offence which was detected at Kinconlea Lower, Abbeyfeale, on April 10, last. Inspector Andrew Lacey said after the defendant was stopped by Garda Errol Flynn, it was established he was at large in relation to a separate no insurance matter which was detected at Dooradoyle Road, Limerick, on September 20, 2018. He said a bench warrant relating to that offence was executed and that the matter was also before the court. Judge John King was told Mr OBrien an unemployed labourer was disqualified at the time he committed both offences. He has more than 110 previous convictions including eight for driving without insurance. Maria Brosnan BL said her client, who is in receipt of social welfare, had co-operated fully when stopped last week and that he entered an early guilty plea to the most recent offence. While acknowledging Mr OBriens previous convictions, the barrister said his sister is doing her best to keep him on the straight and narrow. Judge King said he was not impressed with the defendant who, he said, was caught driving less than a year after he had been disqualified. He said his previous convictions were an aggravating factor and that a custodial sentence was warranted. He has no regard for the road traffic laws, he said adding that Mr King was on bail at the time he was caught. Despite pleas for leniency, the judge imposed a number of concurrent prison sentences totalling five months. A consecutive four-month sentence was suspended subject to certain conditions. Mr OBrien was also disqualified from driving for five years. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal being lodged. Judge King directed that the defendant not drive any vehicle pending the outcome of any appeal if one is lodged. A YOUNG woman who drove at speeds of up to 150km/h in an attempt to evade gardai is facing the prospect of a prison sentence. Natalie Sheridan, 18, who has an address at Ballywilliam, Rathkeale has pleaded guilty to multiple road traffic charges relating to an incident in the town on March 17. Inspector Andrew Lacey told Newcastle West Court that gardai decided to follow a grey Peugeot car being driven by the defendant after they saw two females hanging out the rear window. Ms Sheridan, who lives in the UK, accelerated at high speed before driving through the centre of the town. Insp Lacey said during the pursuit through Rathkeale, the defendant overtook a number of cars on the wrong side of the road and that two pedestrians had to jump out of the way of the car. The court heard she reached speeds of 150km/h in a 100km/h zone and 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. When the Peugeot car was stopped at Church Street, Rathkeale shortly after 10pm, gardai established that Ms Sheridan was not insured to drive the car and did not have a drivers licence. Solicitor Michael ODonnell said his client has no previous convictions and that events had spiralled from what was a relatively minor matter. He told Judge John King the defendant, who was driving her mothers car on the night, was going to get food with friends when she first encountered gardai at Main Street, Rathkeale. She panicked. It was bizarre and dangerous, he said. The solicitor said his client is embarrassed by her behaviour and has been chastised by her parents. After hearing the facts Judge King said some offences warrant prison sentences even when the offender has a good record. She is lucky she is only dealing with these charges, he said. Urging the judge not to impose a custodial sentence, Mr ODonnell pointed out there had been no accident as a result of his clients driving and that what happened was out of character for her. He said while Ms Sheridan is willing to carry out community service, her primary residence is in the UK which could create practical difficulties. Her options are a custodial sentence or community service, said Judge King who ruled out the possibility of a suspended sentence. Absolutely not, he said indicating he was considering the maximum penalty of 240 hours of community service in lieu of a prison sentence. If she is not going to do community service, she is going to jail. Either way she will be in the jurisdiction for some time, he added. The case was adjourned to next month to allow the Probation Service to complete a community service report. A PIECE of living history was delivered this week as the old Cleeves factory played host to a theatre performance. Its curtains up for Mike Finns much anticipated Bread not Profits play, which takes people right back to that two week period in 1919 when workers took control. It is significant that it is taking place in Cleeves, as it was workers here who were first out of the blocks to take strike action against the military control by the British army. A real live action promenade play, we go deep into the former toffee factory, look in on meetings of the war cabinet of the strike committee, and also learn about the conflicted feelings on both sides of the argument. This reporter was lucky enough to be in attendance at a preview of Bread not Profits whose 10 night run is now sold out and it did not disappoint. Gathering in the courtyard in the early summer evening sunshine under the famous chimney at Cleeves, there was a real sense of anticipation. We were split into three groups, depending on the colour of arm-band we picked up black, white or beige, and this would dictate the direction of our voyage around the old toffee plant. Everybody will see everything, but in a different order, producer Ella Daly assures us. The 120-strong audience (its limited to this for capacity reasons) were all together at the start in the war room, before splitting off. From now on, nothing moves in the city without our say so, was the opening gambit from carpenter John Cronin (Pat Ryan), who led the strike committee. Then, it was onto a recreation of the Cleeves factory decked out with the sugar sacks of the day where we meet heroine Sally McGowan (Georgina Miller), who was battling the obvious sexual prejudice of the day. I dont just want to help out, I want to be organising. What kind of a revolution has women making the tea, she asked. Each scene is book-ended with original songs played by a musical cast including Emma Langford. It was in our third scene where the Limerick Leader made an appearance with our edition this week in April 1919 being read by British soldier Harry Lumley (Kit Thompson). It was printed by permission of the strike committee. There were personal stories throughout the play, with the polarity of the power struggle between the strike committee giving permission for businesses to run, letters to be sent and trades to be operated, juxtaposed with British soldiers carrying out the orders of Her Majestys government. We are taking on an empire without firing a bullet, was how Billy Sheahan (Aidan Crowe), who was plucked from obscurity to join the committee, said. There was a focus on local opposition to the Soviet baker Pat Dalton (Charlie Bonner) fearing the impact it would have on his family business. Throughout the play, John Cronin played a big role and one of his descendants was present to witness it. Gerry Casey is the great grandson of the strike committee leader. It was very surreal really to be in the same room as your great grandfather, reliving what he went through. It was fascinating. The format is fantastic in that you are literally on stage with the actors, you could see the emotion of it all, he said, When youve heard so much about it, its incredible to see it re-enacted in front of you. Miriam Duffy, St Josephs Street said: It was absolutely incredible. This is the Mike Finn touch. Living history was how Parteen man Frank Sheahan described the play, saying: It was literally like being inside what was happening at the time. Id heard about the soviet, but not known anything about it until tonight. The play concluded with the whole cast in the war room reflecting on the impact of the two-week strike. We then marched en-bloc into the Cleeves courtyard alongside the cast as images of the Soviet were projected onto the wall. An epic performance, an epic night. Sadly, tickets are now sold out for all ten performances. The early deployment of dogs in the search for an elderly woman missing in Glenstal Abbey was key to finding her safe and well, a Garda Dog Handler has revealed. The elderly woman, who was reported missing last night, was located at the back of Glenstal Church in Murroe by dogs from the dog unit shortly after 10am this morning. Speaking after the search operation, Garda Dog Handler, Pat Harrington said: The early deployment of the dogs in this scenario is key. Our dogs are able to detect any human scent whilst out in open areas such as the fields surrounding Glenstal Abbey. One of the dogs located the woman's handbag and from there they were able to track her location by her scent. This is a great outcome and highlights the great inter-agency co-operation that exists between An Garda Siochana, SARDA, Mountain Rescue, Coast Guard, Search & Rescue, Irish Community Rapid Response, and local search teams, he added. The woman was found after a multi agency search operation that was carried out yesterday and this morning. According to a Garda Spokesperson, the dog units available from all agencies were deployed at the early stages of this search and as a result, the woman was located safe and well this morning by Irish Search Dog 'Ben'. April 20, or 4/20, may be the unofficial holiday for pot smokers, but its origins are particularly hazy. Today is April 20 or 4/20 for all the marijuana enthusiasts out there. It is the unofficial holiday for people who want to get high all over the world. The day has become so inextricably linked with the herbal leaf that a Google search lists 420 as simply one of the date's holidays and observances (along with UN Chinese Language Day). But how exactly did the association between 420 and marijuana begin? The story told on countless couches around the country is that "420" is police code for a marijuana arrest. But take a clear-eyed look at that explanation, and it goes up in smoke. [25 Odd Facts About Marijuana] Arrest in progress It turns out, the terminology that linked 4/20 with smoking pot took root in Northern California in the early 1970s, said Steve Bloom, the publisher of CelebStoner and the founder of Freedom Leaf magazine. Bloom, however first came upon the connection when he was given a flier at a Grateful Dead concert at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in 1990. The flier recounted the now-famous apocryphal tale that 420 was police code for a marijuana arrest in progress. "The makers of the flier thought it was a good idea to turn that around and smoke on 4/20," Bloom told Live Science. The flier urged its readers to celebrate 4/20 as "the grandmaster of all holidays," when they should meet up with friends to smoke pot together at 4:20 p.m. on 4/20, Bloom said. [5 Pot Facts for 4/20] Bloom wrote about the flier in High Times magazine, and the idea soon took off, he said. Where's Waldo? But the police-origin story was off the mark, as that is not the code used for a marijuana bust. "A few years later a few other people got in touch with High Times claiming they were the rightful owners of 420," Bloom said. It turned out that a group of men who called themselves the Waldos went to high school in San Rafael in California during the 1970s, when the Grateful Dead lived there and the hippie culture reigned supreme. One day they heard a story from a friend about a patch of weed being grown by a U.S. Coast Guard member near the coastal town of Point Reyes. The Coast Guard member was too scared to go harvest it, so the Waldos decided to go on a treasure hunt for the marijuana patch. They decided to meet at a Louis Pasteur statue near campus at 4:20 p.m. to accommodate their school schedules, before heading off in search of the green gold, according to 420Waldos.com, a website set up by the high-school group of friends. The pot search routine went on for weeks and the group agreed to meet every day at "420 Louis" to continue the search. Though it wound up being a wild goose chase, it eventually gave rise to the shortened term "420" to denote smoking marijuana. "We didn't know we were creating history at the time, it was just a private joke we were telling between ourselves," said Dave Reddix, one of the original waldos, who is now an independent filmmaker in San Francisco. The Grateful Dead lived in San Rafael at the same time as the Waldos, and the group sometimes hung out in "deadhead" circles, even lingering backstage after shows. Gradually, their terminology spread through the Grateful Dead community into the wider stoner culture, Bloom said. The Waldos not only spoke with an editor at High Times (not Bloom) and signed statements attesting the truth of their story, but they also provided documents, such as old letters referring to marijuana by its numerical nickname, old high-school newspapers using the term, and even a "420," batik-dyed marijuana flag, according to 420Waldos.com. Though they were initially anonymous, but in the late 1990s, a few of the original group have come forward with their real names. Recently, they even found the U.S. Coast Guard member, who is now homeless, and finally found the location of the original pot, Reddix said. Wider cultural trend But how exactly did the term make its way from a local term to a global holiday? The flier that Bloom and others received at the Oakland Grateful Dead concert may have been the catalyst that launched "420" from local Northern California underground slang to the central day for major marijuana celebrations and protests throughout the world. But the false association between police busts and 420 predates the Grateful Dead concert by at least 15 years, said Steve Capper, one of the Waldos, who is now in the financial services industry in San Francisco. "The first time I heard it, I was going to school in Southern California," somewhere between 1974 to 1975, Capper told Live Science. "I'd fly back and would pass by a high-school kid hitchhiking." After picking them up, he would ask them if they knew what 420 was. "They'd say 'it's a police code for marijuana,'" Capper said. The real turning point, however, was the Oakland concert, Bloom said. "I was not the only person who got the flier, but was the one who was able to spread it out through the magazine," Bloom said. "Over the years, it just kind of picked up steam. That was really what started to build up the 4/20 phenomenon." Exactly who created the flier, and launched 4/20 into a global day of celebration of all things cannabis, however, is still unknown. "The mysterious deadheads behind the flier are the ones who created the holiday," Bloom aid. "It's become the stoner high holiday, and these guys are the people who created it." Originally published on Live Science. At 20 weeks in the womb, humans suddenly sprout tough little casings from the tips of our tiny digits. By the time we're born, our fingers and toes are crowned by fully-formed nails that will be with us for the rest of our lives. Over the ensuing decades, the average person will devote hundreds of hours to carefully clipping, painting and filing these structures. But beyond this dedication to aesthetics, few of us ponder the purpose of our nails. Why do we have them, and why do they grow? Most of us do know that nails are made of a tough, dead substance called keratin, the same material that makes up hair. But nails actually start out as living cells. Behind the cuticles on fingers and toes, just beneath the skin, a structure called the "root" churns out living cells that go on to form the nail. Also known as the matrix, this little pocket of flesh connects to blood vessels, which supply the nail with the nutrients it needs to make new cells. [Do Hair and Nails Keep Growing After a Person Dies?] As keratin cells form at the root, they're slowly pushed forward by newly-formed cells jostling for space behind them. Edged out from beneath the skin and into the open, the older cells flatten and harden to form the tough shield of the nail plate. "Continuous division of matrix cells pushes the nail plate forward over the nail bed at a rate of about 3 millimeters [0.1 inches] per month for fingernails, and 1 millimeter [0.04 inches] per month for toenails," said Amanda Meyer, a lecturer in human anatomy at the University of Western Australia. So, in short, "nails grow because the cells are constantly being produced" just like the majority of cells in our body constantly churn out fresh, new versions of themselves," Meyer told Live Science. While they may be perfect miniature canvases for our nail art and prove useful for the occasional scratch, what's the real reason we evolved these intricate, ceaselessly-growing structures? The answer has everything to do with how our primate ancestors adapted to life in the trees, according to Matthew Borths, a curator at the Division of Fossil Primates at the Duke Lemur Center in North Carolina. The fossil record tells us that primates, or close relatives of primates, first evolved nails on their digits between 58 million and 55 million years ago, when primates were confined to trees. "In general, primates are good at carefully climbing through trees, and it seems like the nail originally popped up as a trait that helped them accomplish that task," Borths said. Compared to other animals, primate digits are quite broad. "Wide fingers and toes give us this larger surface area for grabbing onto branches," Borths said. That, in turn, gave our ancestors a stronger grip that helped them move through the complex arboreal network of tree trunks, branches and twigs that they inhabited. Evolutionarily-speaking, researchers think nails come into this equation because they acted like a kind of scaffold for the broad, fleshy pads of the fingers and toes. That structure maintained the wide shape of the digits and increased the surface area of the pad: When pressed down, the flesh of fingers and toes would have been flattened against the nail. By supporting this enlarged surface area, nails improved our ancestors' grip and enabled them to move more confidently through the trees. [Why Haven't All Primates Evolved into Humans?] Food foraging When it came to foraging for food, our wide fingers and toes would have been especially handy, Borths noted. Researchers have observed that, compared with other tree-dwelling animals, primates are particularly good at foraging for fruit at the very edge of branches, where food is much trickier to reach and grasp. "Having these big, wide fingers and toes [is] a way to really secure your grip on really narrow things," such as thin branches and twigs, where careful maneuvering would be essential, Borths said. Researchers posit that nails also have a protective evolutionary function working like miniature shields that cover the exposed tips of our fingers and toes. Our digits are packed with thousands of nerves, which transform them into highly sensitive tools for detecting the world around us. "If you look at the regions of the brain that primates have committed to the sense of touch from their digits, compared to the amount of space in, say, a cat's brain, primates have lots and lots of space," Borths told Live Science. That points to the importance of these appendages in helping primates to dexterously feel and navigate their way around the world and thus, the crucial importance of nails in protecting and preserving that function by shielding them from harm. When one line of primates our hominin ancestors moved down from the trees, this dexterity, sensitivity and powerful grip came in handy for crafting, manipulating and using tools. In many ways, this adaptation has since formed the foundation for the huge range of tasks our human hands can accomplish today. "Humans are superheroes when it comes to being able to use our hands in a very sophisticated, subtle way," Borths said. Why do they grow? But, if nails are so crucial, why aren't they made of something more permanent like the hardy casing of enamel that protects our teeth? In other words, what's the benefit of having nails that actually grow? Well, think of it this way: If a nail is damaged or destroyed, it won't be a catastrophe for our sensitive digits. "A constantly-replenishing nail benefits us in the fact that trauma or damage to the nail can be 'grown out' and nails can regrow if pulled off," Meyer said. After a little rehabilitation, our important digits will be shielded once more. Another way of appreciating the importance of nail growth is to understand that our bodies have stuck with this adaptation, despite the cost: Growing nails is a resource-intensive process because it slurps up nutrients that could otherwise be diverted to elsewhere in the body. But the fact that we've been growing nails for millennia suggests that the advantages must be worth this considerable cost. "One indicator that growing them [nails] in the first place is conveying some kind of benefit, is that it keeps getting positively selected for," Borths said. "Nails really have been with us for a very long time." So, the next time you have to trim and file your nails, consider it a privilege what you're shaping up is a piece of evolution that links humanity to its humblest beginnings. Originally published on Live Science. Many of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Jewish students have hurried home to celebrate Passover with their families. RPI junior and molecular biology major Sam Altshuler says Passover is such an important holiday, college students who can't make it home to the family's Seder table can feel a bit bereft. "You could say it feels like being stranded away from home at Thanksgiving," said Altshuler, who can't make it home to his parents' Minnesota Seder so he'll have a Seder meal with New York City relatives. "So we'll prepare a Seder meal at (Troy Rabbi Leible Morrison's) kitchen and serve it on campus at the student center. Once I attended a Friendsgiving when I was far from home at Thanksgiving. It was comforting and I think the campus Seder will be, too." The RPI students can be sure they're preparing a meal in a kitchen that was koshered with love. Morrison throws himself into the epic work of koshering Troy's Beth Tephilah Synagogue kitchen with dedication and brio. His assistant snapped a photo of the rabbi calmly sitting in a chair, blowtorching his oven to free it from every speck of pre-Passover grease, any crumb of leavened bread. "Lots of people buy new utensils for Passover and that's fine," said Morrison who prefers the old school path of dropping them one by one into boiling water. "It's labor intensive but it's a labor of love." Morrison pours boiling water over the metal prep table while his assistant continuously pushes a white-hot iron across the surface to keep the water boiling. Passover celebrates the liberation of the children of Israel who were led by Moses out of cruel slavery in Egypt. Friends and family gather together the first two nights of Passover and enjoy Seder meals. They also read the Haggadah which tells the Passover story. Children asking traditional questions such as: "Why do we eat unleavened bread? " Morrison says the answer is the Israelites had to be ready to grab their sparse supplies and flee Egypt. There was no time to wait for leavening to make the bread rise. The flat bread is also a reminder not to be "puffed up with ego," Morrison said. The lovely blue and yellow Seder plate holds other symbolic foods like bitter herbs to signify the harshness of slavery. But the Seder meal can include a variety of dishes such as brisket and roasted vegetables. Altshuler describes his St. Paul family as observant members of a conservative synagogue. But he's met many Jewish students whose families don't celebrate holy days. Some of them don't know the story behind the 3,300-year-old celebration of Passover. As a volunteer, Rabbi Morrison visits fraternity houses before Jewish holidays to explain Sukkot, Purim, Passover and other holy days. "I bring kosher snacks to attract them and sometimes the food draws in some non-Jewish kids, too," Morrison said, laughing happily. "I make games and little quizzes to help them learn. I want it to be educational but fun." He also gathers food for RPI's Passover Survival Kits (crispy unleavened bread or matzah, cream cheese and jams) and RPI's Hillel House, a Jewish fellowship, distributes them. Morrison has invited some non-Jewish guests to his Seder meals this year and his warm, enthusiastic personality makes strangers feel welcome. Two of his sons are following in his path of combining merriment, food and education. They drove a Matzah Mitzvah van across Troy handing out free matzah. The wagon is covered with colorful pictures explaining concepts like the mitzvah. Two men were sentenced to prison this week in a Laredo federal court for their involvement in a human smuggling attempt that resulted in the death of two undocumented immigrants. Melvin L. Barahona-Godoy, 23, and Yoryi Alexis Perez, 29, both of Guatemala, pleaded guilty April 30. U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison sentenced Barahona-Godoy to 57 months of imprisonment while Perez was ordered to serve a 78-month term. Since they are not U.S. citizens, they are expected to face deportation proceedings following completion of their sentences. READ ALSO: Human smuggling suspect busted after leading authorities on chase in Laredo On Oct. 21, 2017, federal authorities encountered nine undocumented immigrants at a residence in Laredo, one of whom was Barahona-Godoy. After conducting multiple interviews, law enforcement determined Barahona-Godoy and Perez guided the group of migrants across the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States the month prior. Perez was subsequently apprehended in 2018. During the smuggling event, two men drowned while attempting to cross the river. Both men were from Ecuador. Barahona-Godoy and Perez have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. attorney Christopher dos Santos prosecuted the case. AL-HOL, Syria - A militant band of women loyal to the Islamic State is terrorizing others who fled the battlefront for this sprawling camp in northeastern Syria, demanding they adhere to the strict codes once enforced by the group and creating a vexing problem for the Kurdish-led forces controlling the site. In the teeming al-Hol displacement camp, the true believers have been threatening those they consider impious, brandishing knives, spitting and throwing stones at them, and even burning down their tents. Intelligence officials say Islamic State loyalists also have formed cells inside the camp to mete out punishment in a more systematic way. The leaders of this movement are women from countries such as Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, which have produced some of the Islamic State's most militant followers in recent years, according to officials from the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, the Kurdish-led troops. While there are scores of instigators, the ranks of those who remain staunchly behind the Islamic State could still number in the thousands, and they are committed to upholding its ideology even as the self-declared caliphate has been brought to an end. "We hope that the [Islamic] state will come back," said Um Aisha, 22, an Iraqi resident of the camp. "We had sharia law there. Here, there is only corruption." Covered from head to toe in black, she said she often admonishes other camp residents for failing to dress conservatively or for neglecting their prayers. In the Islamic State, "they told us what was right and what was wrong. It was better," she said. "Here, people wear whatever they want." As the U.S.-backed Kurdish troops battled in recent weeks to capture the final Islamic State stronghold in the eastern Syrian village of Baghouz, thousands of people fled the fighting. The SDF separated the men, sending them to detention centers. Women and children were transported to the al-Hol displacement camp, which has seen its population explode since early December from 9,000 people to more than 73,000. "What we did is we took Baghouz and we brought it here," said Mahmoud Gadou, a Kurdish official responsible for displaced people in northeast Syria. The Islamic State once held a vast swath of territory across Syria and Iraq, where militants committed horrific atrocities, including mass executions and sexual slavery. The group also lured recruits from around the world, promising them an Islamic utopia where they could openly practice their faith. "When people began to arrive at the camp from Baghouz, the atmosphere changed 180 degrees," said Gadou. Before that, when the camp hosted roughly 10,000 Syrians and Iraqis, "women weren't covering their faces. Now, you can't see a girl older than 8 without a veil," he said. Many of those who adopted more-conservative dress are afraid, officials say, and want to avoid harassment from Islamic State followers. Others have been persuaded by the group's adherents. "Some of these people came from areas that were already conservative, even if they didn't support the Islamic State," said Mohamed Bashir, head of public relations for the camp's Kurdish-led administration. "But now, they are even more extreme. The tensions are high." The militant women have targeted health staff and aid workers, calling them "infidels." In one case cited by an aid official, they threw excrement at a man extracting sewage from a latrine in the camp annex hosting foreigners. Some women also have used the sharp edges of tuna cans to cut into tents and attack others, including those who have expressed regret about joining the caliphate. In a recent incident at the camp's market, a knife-wielding woman threatened a man wearing a shirt with an English-language slogan, Gadou said, and both men and women are often reprimanded by the extremists for behaving inappropriately by violating their harsh interpretation of Islamic law. While Kurdish forces say they have arrested some of the worst offenders, including those who burned tents, officials acknowledge they cannot protect everyone at al-Hol. Some women were too intimidated by the true believers to discuss the tensions at the camp or whether they had been targeted. A German woman, who spoke on the condition she not be named, said she had traveled to the Middle East to live under the Islamic State, in part, because she used to be accosted in Germany for wearing the niqab, a black veil that covers the face. "At the time, it was the right decision for me," she said. "But now, I don't know," she added, her voice trailing off before she decided not to speak further. "I can't talk about this," she said, explaining she did not want to anger the Islamic State loyalists at the camp. Gaylon Su, from the dual-island Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, said she was never a supporter of the Islamic State. She said she traveled to Syria with her husband soon after converting to Islam in 2014. She stays in a segregated section of the camp reserved for thousands of women from outside Syria and Iraq. They treat her harshly. "They hate me," Su, 45, said of the extremists around her. "It's hard here. I don't have any friends. I am an infidel to them." Many have pledged to resurrect the caliphate should they ever be released. "To live in the caliphate, it was such a beautiful thing," said Um Safia, a 27-year-old French woman from the city of Marseille. "We want to live under Islamic law," she said, adding that she prays for the Islamic State's return. Even when she held her dying daughter in her arms in Baghouz, she said, her faith was unshaken. Camp officials worry the squalid encampment, which is facing an escalating humanitarian crisis, could become a breeding ground for further extremism. "We have two kinds of extremists. First, there are the ones who will die before coming to us for help," said Dilovan, a Kurdish intelligence official at the camp who declined to give her full name for security reasons. "The second kind are the ones who have accepted their current reality," she said. "But if they got the opportunity to attack us or break free, they would take it." On a recent day, dozens of foreign women were pressed up against the chain-link fence that cordons them off from the rest of the camp. They shouted at the armed Kurdish guards watching over them. "They treat us like dogs!" yelled one woman, who said she was from Russia. Another woman, who spoke in a North African dialect of Arabic, shoved one of the members of the security forces, even as she cradled an infant. "You have a big gun, but we are not afraid of you!" she shouted. Away from the scuffle, 27-year-old Hanifa, who said she is from Russia's Dagestan region, spotted a woman without a face veil. "I don't like this," she said. "Women should cover their faces." - - - The Washington Post's Kamiran Sadoun contributed to this report. Photo provided Lincoln Land Wind has awarded a $3,000 grant to the Illinois State 4-H Livestock Team to recognize its achievement at the 2018 National Champion 4-H Livestock Judging Competition. We have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete internationally at the Royal Highland Show and the Charleville Shows in Scotland. This grant will go a long way to funding travel expenses, said Jenna Wheeler of Jacksonville, a member of the winning team. MILAN - During the political convention last weekend of the Italian far-right party Fratelli D'Italia (FDI), leader Giorgia Meloni described its platform as "revolutionary." She vowed to "change everything in Europe" and to move "Europe's capital" to Rome. While FDI's campaign for the upcoming European Parliament elections abounds in predictions for the future, the party also seems to have an eye fixed on the country's past - more specifically, its fascist past under Benito Mussolini. Earlier this month, Meloni announced in a Facebook video that Mussolini's great-grandson, Caio Giulio Cesare Mussolini, will run with the party in the May 26 elections. The video was shot in front of Rome's Palazzo della Civilta Italiana, a well-known 1940s example of fascist architecture. There's little doubt that Mussolini was nominated because of - not despite - his relationship to Il Duce, who ruled from 1922 to 1943. Both Meloni and Mussolini avoided explicit references to fascist ideology, but Mussolini repeatedly hinted he views his great-grandfather as an inspiration. In an interview with the newspaper Il Messaggero, Mussolini said that he "will always be proud" of his family name and that he hopes voters will appreciate the "Mussolini brand." In his electoral billboards, he claims to represent Italy's "history", and the billboards use a controversial font popular with neo-fascist groups. His slogan is #scriviMussolini, or #writeMussolini. Officials from FDI either declined to comment or didn't respond to emails seeking comment. A 50-year-old former navy officer, Caio Mussolini is the grandson of Vittorio, the second of Benito Mussolini's five acknowledged children. (Il Duce is rumored to have fathered others outside of marriage.) Like some other descendants of the former Italian dictator, Caio maintained an ambivalent relationship with family history. In a recent interview with Il Corriere della Sera, he claimed that he is "not a fascist," but on April 16 he was scheduled to hold a lecture about fascist doctrine at a Fratelli D'Italia event in Padua. The lecture was canceled after the local news outlet, Il Gazzettino, reported that Caio Mussolini was the "guest of honor" for the after-dinner lecture. Caio Mussolini has other familial ties to right-wing politics, in addition to his infamous great-grandfather. Caio's father, Guido, was an activist for Forza Nuova, an identitarian radical party. His second cousin, Alessandra Mussolini, has served both in the Italian and European parliaments, with different affiliations, ranging from the radical right Alternativa Sociale to Silvio Berlusconi's self-described "center-right" Forza Italia. The Fratelli D'Italia - or Brothers of Italy - party is the political heir of Movimento Sociale, the now defunct neo-fascist party founded by veterans of the Italian Social Republic. Caio Mussolini's nomination comes at a time when Italy's politics are increasingly skewing to the right and Il Duce is no longer demonized as he once was. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini - who also serves as interior minister and made international headlines for his tough line on migrants - recently announced he will not take part in the celebrations of Liberation Day, commemorating the fall of Benito Mussolini's regime, because he views it as a "fascists vs communists game." Salvini has transformed his League from a small party pursuing the autonomy of Northern regions into a nationalistic party that, according to polls, could get 32 percent of the votes. "As the League has moved to the right, Fratelli D'Italia fears Salvini will cannibalize them," says Matteo Cavallaro, a political analyst at Universite Paris 13 who focuses on Italy's far right. "So, choosing a guy named Mussolini is a way to get back the attention of its hardcore base that is mostly composed by fascism nostalgics." Cavallaro explains that those who romanticize the Benito Mussolini era "cannot be too outspoken about it" because Italian law prohibits promotion of the fascist party. But, he adds, they can "wink" at potential supporters about their approval of the former dictator. Latest polls suggest FDI could get around 5 percent of the vote. Similarly threatened by the League's popularity among conservatives, Berlusconi's Forza Italia, polling around 10 percent, is also highlighting the achievements of the former dictator and weighing whether to bring a different Mussolini into their political tent. Last March, Antonio Tajani, the president of the European Parliament and one of the moderate faces of Forza Italia, praised Il Duce in an interview, saying Mussolini "did positive things to create infrastructures for our country." According to Il Giornale, a conservative newspaper owned by the Berlusconi family, Silvio Berlusconi is now considering including Alessandra Mussolini in Forza Italia's electoral lists. Unlike her cousin Caio, who was a relatively obscure figure before his nomination, Alessandra Mussolini is a well-known face in Italy. A niece of actress Sophia Loren on her mother's side, Alessandra has been in politics since the 1990s and is a frequent guest on talk shows, where she often speaks against immigration. In 2014, her family was swept up by scandal when her husband, Mauro Floriani, a police officer, was accused of paying underage high-end prostitutes and then settled the case out of court. The case was widely mocked because Alessandra had been a vocal critic of pedophiles - an inspiration for the 2017 Netflix series "Baby." Recently, Alessandra attacked Jim Carrey on Twitter because he posted a cartoon critical of Il Duce. If Alessandra becomes part of Forza Italia's slate for the European Parliament, this will mean that two of Benito Mussolini's descendants will be candidates in south Italy in the upcoming elections. But it won't necessarily be a happy family affair: Because they'd be aligned with different parties, they will have to run against each other. Riverside, Calif. The eldest son and daughter of a couple who starved and shackled 12 of their children spoke publicly for the first time Friday, alternately condemning and forgiving their parents before a judge sentenced the pair to up to life in prison. Since being freed from their prison-like home more than a year ago, the two adult children of David and Louise Turpin described how they had gained control of their lives and were now enrolled in college and learning simple things, including how to ride a bike, swim and prepare a meal. They are still thin from years of malnutrition. "I cannot describe in words what we went through growing up," said the oldest son, now 27. "Sometimes I still have nightmares of things that have happened, such as my siblings being chained up or getting beaten. But that is the past and this is now. I love my parents and have forgiven them for a lot of the things that they did to us." The hearing put an end to a shocking case that had gone unnoticed until a 17-year-old girl escaped from the home in January 2018 and called 911. The children ages 2 to 29 had been chained to beds, forced to live in squalor, fed only once a day, allowed to shower only once a year and deprived of toys and games. They slept during the day and were active a few hours at night. As her children spoke from a lectern, 50-year-old Louise Turpin sobbed and dabbed her eyes with tissues. "I'm sorry for everything I've done to hurt my children," she said. "I love my children so much." Her husband, who was shaking and could not initially read from a written statement, let his lawyer speak for him until he regained his composure. He did not apologize for the abuse but wished his children well in with their educations and future careers and hoped they would visit him. He then began sobbing. Jack Osborn, a lawyer representing the seven adult Turpin children, said they understand the consequences of their parents' actions and are working hard toward forgiving them. The one who called police was a hero for liberating her siblings, Osborn said. The sentence of life with no chance of parole for 25 years was no surprise. It had been agreed to when the couple pleaded guilty in February to 14 counts each that included torture, cruelty and false imprisonment. The courtroom fell hushed as the oldest daughter, now 30, entered wearing a blue cardigan over a white shirt, her dark hair in a ponytail. Her eyes were already red from crying when she began to speak in the voice of a little girl. "My parents took my whole life from me, but now I'm taking my life back," she said, as her mother's lower lip quivered trying to hold back the tears. Subway employees report armed robbery The Jacksonville Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred at 12:25 p.m. Friday at the Subway restaurant at 948 W. Morton Ave. A person wearing all black clothes, a mask and gloves displayed a handgun and demanded money, according to police. The suspect took an undetermined amount of money that was removed from the register. A witness saw the suspect remove his mask before entering a silver vehicle, according to police. He fled the area westbound on Hoagland Boulevard. Anyone with information should call the Jacksonville Police Department at 217-479-4630 or Crimestoppers at 217-243-7300. Morgan County Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Trevor M. Angle, 21, of 405 Dorset Lane was booked into the Morgan County jail at 10:38 p.m. Thursday on a charge of domestic battery. Calhoun County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS David R. Maier, 55, of Louisiana, Missouri, was booked into the Greene County Jail at 8:50 p.m. Wednesday on a Calhoun County arrest warrant. Greene County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Tracey L. Preston, 46, of Granite City was booked into the Greene County Jail at 2 p.m. Sunday on charges of driving while license is suspended, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration, possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jayden M. Harper, 24, of Jerseyville was booked into the Greene County Jail at 5:22 a.m. Saturday on charges of driving while license is suspended and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Kevin M. Malone, 51, of OFallon was booked into the Greene County Jail at 3:29 a.m. Saturday on charges of improper lane use, having no valid drivers license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving under the influence. Bethany A. Taylor, 29, of White Hall was booked into the Greene County Jail at 12:35 a.m. Saturday on a charge of driving while license is suspended. Timothy R. Adami, 25, of Harrisburg was booked into the Greene County Jail at 7:52 p.m. April 10 on a charge of driving while license is suspended. Greenfield Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Jonah M. Elliott, 22, of Greenfield was booked into the Greene County Jail at 9 a.m. Wednesday on an aggravated domestic battery charge. Roodhouse Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Pamela C. Anslyn, 51, of Roodhouse was booked into the Greene County Jail at 4:17 a.m. Wednesday on a disorderly conduct charge. State police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Sydney A. Day, 18 of Jacksonville was booked into the Greene County Jail at 1:24 p.m. April 11 on charges of unlawful use of a weapon, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Demetrius W. Woods, 39, of Jacksonville was booked into the Greene County Jail at 1 p.m. April 10 on charges of driving while license is suspended, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and possession of methamphetamine. White Hall Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS A 14-year-old Roodhouse boy was released to his parents at 10:15 a.m. Monday after being charged with criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct. David Z.K. Morris, 27, of Jacksonville was booked into the Greene County Jail at 3:58 p.m. April 11 on charges of violating bail and criminal trespass to property. Jada N. Kripner, 18, of White Hall was booked into the Greene County Jail at 11:56 p.m. April 10 on a disorderly conduct charge. David Z.K. Morris, 27, of Jacksonville was booked into the Greene County Jail at 12:30 a.m. April 10 on charges of criminal trespass to land and disorderly conduct. Jersey County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Rodney L. Mefford, 31, of Virginia was booked into the Greene County Jail at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday on a Jersey County arrest warrant accusing him of deceptive practice. Scott County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Lisa R. Sprague, 41, of White Hall was booked into the Greene County Jail at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on charges of driving while license is suspended and obstructing a peace officer. Compiled by David C.L. Bauer, Rosalind Essig and Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree Immigrants who use marijuana or who work in the cannabis industry can be denied citizenship, even if they are doing so in states where it is legal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said Friday. The guidance, issued - coincidentally or not - just before pot advocates' national celebration of their 4/20 holiday, confirms what immigration and marijuana advocates have cautioned is a legal gray area that penalizes would-be citizens because they've broken a federal law. Although recreational marijuana use is legal in 10 states and decriminalized in 14 more, it is still classified as an illegal substance federally. "The policy guidance . . . clarifies that an applicant who is involved in certain marijuana-related activities may lack good moral character if found to have violated federal law, even if such activity has been decriminalized under applicable state laws," the guidance states. Earlier this month, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, a Democrat, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr asking him to clarify and adjust policy that threatens permanent residents' path to citizenship if they have worked in the marijuana industry. Colorado was one of the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana use, in 2012. The expansion of marijuana use beyond prescribed medical purposes has cultivated a thriving retail cannabis industry in the state. In his letter, Hancock wrote: "This week, I met with two legal immigrants - one from Lithuania, another from El Salvador - who have lived here for more than two decades. They have graduated from our schools. They have paid their taxes. They are working to achieve the American dream and complying with the processes in place to become a part of our great society, but were denied naturalization solely because of their cannabis industry employment. "Denver understands the need for federal laws and regulations regarding citizenship and immigration, but we are seeing the heartbreaking effects that those federal laws and regulations are having on our residents. However, under current federal policy, lawful, permanent residents like the Denver residents I have met with are being denied naturalization and may lose their legal status based on their lawful employment in the cannabis industry." The war on drugs has disproportionately hurt communities of color, and this is just another example of that, said Michael Collins, director of national affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance. But Collins views this particular crackdown as more indicative of the Trump administration's views on immigration than drug policy. "Taking a step back, this has nothing to do with cannabis - this has to do with this administration never passing up an opportunity to prosecute immigrant communities," Collins said. "They see cannabis as a ripe opportunity for persecuting these individuals." "The Trump administration has used the war on drugs since the beginning to go after migrant populations," Collins added, pointing to President Donald Trump's rationale that a border wall would keep drugs out of the country and his blaming of migrants for the opioid epidemic. In an emailed statement, USCIS spokeswoman Jessica Collins said the agency is "required to adjudicate cases based on federal law. Individuals who commit federal controlled substance violations face potential immigration consequences under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which applies to all foreign nationals regardless of the state or jurisdiction in which they reside." During the Obama administration, the federal government eased up on enforcing federal laws against marijuana, allowing states to chart their own paths on the issue. In January 2018, Jeff Sessions, while he was attorney general, rescinded that policy, arguing that it was his job to enforce federal laws. Immigration lawyers have worried about how the Trump-era drug policy would affect legal residents seeking citizenship. Kathy Brady, a senior staff lawyer with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, told the Associated Press that she advises people to avoid work in the marijuana industry until the federal law changes. "Even if you have had a green card for 20 years, you had better not work in any aspect of this industry and you better not use marijuana," Brady said. In California, which starting licensing the sale and production of recreational marijuana last year, the state sent a notice in February warning noncitizens that they "may suffer negative immigration consequences" if they work with marijuana. The Trump administration has now confirmed that is true. James W. McCord Jr., a security expert who led a band of burglars into the shambles of the Watergate scandal and was the first to expose the White House crimes and cover-ups that precipitated the downfall of the Nixon administration in 1974, died June 15, 2017, at his home in Douglassville, Pa. He was 93. The death went unreported by news organizations at the time. It was apparently first reported by London-based writer and filmmaker Shane O'Sullivan in his book "Dirty Tricks: Nixon, Watergate, and the CIA," published last year. The news surfaced again March 31 on the website Kennedys and King. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed his death on its online Nationwide Gravesite Locator. The Washington Post said the cause was pancreatic cancer, quoting McCord's death certificate. In the large cast of liars, schemers, money launderers, character assassins and other scoundrels who devised "dirty tricks" to damage President Richard Nixon's political opponents, it was McCord, a retired spy, who broke the silence of a shaky Oval Office conspiracy. It had been held together with hush money, fears of prison and promises of presidential clemency. On June 17, 1972, four expatriate Cubans and McCord, chief of security for the Nixon re-election campaign and a leader of the White House "plumbers" unit assigned to plug information leaks, broke into Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington to fix problematic listening devices they had planted weeks earlier. But a night watchman alerted the police, and they were caught. In January 1973, McCord and the burglars pleaded guilty to burglary, wiretapping and conspiracy. At sentencing, Judge John J. Sirica read a letter from McCord charging that witnesses had committed perjury and implying that the White House had covered up its connection to the break-in and pressured the burglars to plead guilty. In later statements to the judge, McCord implicated senior presidential aides in bribery, threats and promises of clemency to secure silence. For aiding prosecutors, McCord had his sentence cut to less than four months. James Walter McCord Jr. was born in Waurika, Okla., on Jan. 26, 1924. Much about his background is unknown. His CIA work fell under national security restrictions. He is believed to have grown up in Texas, served in the Army Air Forces during World War II and attended George Washington University. By 1948 he was an FBI employee, and in 1951 he joined the CIA. As a CIA operative he apparently played a role in the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961 and developed ties with Cuban exiles. McCord became a senior security official in the CIA. After retiring in 1970, he founded his own security firm, McCord Associates, in Rockville, Md., taught at nearby Montgomery College and was an officer in the Air Force Reserve. He was hired by the Committee to Re-Elect the President in early 1972. McCord and his wife, Sarah Ruth McCord, had three children. Sarah McCord died in 2014. Last year, while reminiscing about her idyllic childhood in Mexico, Mary Taylor Newcomb Dolge made it clear that although she left Chamal at 17, her heart stayed behind. Its my home to this day. Its always been my home, she said of the American agricultural colony founded in 1902 south of Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas. For a decade, the settlement grew and prospered. But beginning in 1913, the Mexican Revolution forced most of the Americans to flee and cost several their lives. When the upheaval ended, Taylors family returned, and she was born there in 1924. But Chamal never really recovered. Fewer than a half-dozen elderly Americans remain there today. Taylor, 94, who lived most of her life in San Antonio, died April 8 of congestive heart failure. Known to many as Aunt Mary, she was the center of attention at the annual reunions of Chamal descendants, usually held in San Antonio. One of 10 children, she was born in a barn made of palm logs. And nine decades later, her face still glowed as she recounted childhood memories of tropical birds and flowers, her horse Swanee and mule trips into the mountains with her older brothers. At her death, she was believed to be the second oldest Chamaleno. Mary Taylor Newcomb Dolge Born: May 30, 1924, Chamal, Mexico Died: April 8, 2019, San Antonio Survived by: Son Rick Newcomb and daughter-in-law Liz; brother Lindy Taylor and sister-in-law Lillian; sister-in-law Maggie Taylor; grandchildren Beth, Augie, Meghan, Josh and Ashlee; and five great-grandchildren. Services: Services were held Thursday. Burial is set for 1:30 p.m. Monday at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Pavilion 3. See More Collapse She was the matriarch. She represented the history of the descendants of the colonists that we could relate to, said Bill Ward, 81, whose grandfather was an early settler. She retained her love for Chamal and had the personality to really spark it as well. In 1941, Taylor left Mexico and came to Natalia with an older sister, two brothers and three younger children to attend public school. Among them was nephew Melford Turner, 87, whom she helped care for in the little bitty house they all lived in. Aunt Mary was like a sister to us. She was a beautiful person. But the danged guys was always coming around, and we didnt like her having dates, Turner recalled. While working during World War II at the post exchange at the future Lackland AFB, she met Gerald Richard Newcomb. They were married for 36 years until he died in 1983. In 1987, Taylor married Wayne Dolge. Their 30-year union ended with his death in 2017. For decades, Taylor made regular visits back to Mexico, often with son Rick Newcomb. The most pleasant memories of my childhood are set in Chamal, of summer days with ranch hands on horseback or riding a tractor, he said. The family was very close-knit and dirt-poor, Newcomb said of his mothers upbringing. They were something of a minority in Chamal, and they stuck together. Mother was very close to every one of her brothers. Taylors younger brother Lindy and his wife, Lillian, are the only Taylors who remain in Chamal. Tamaulipas is considered unsafe, and although Mary Taylor still owned a small house there, she hadnt visited in about 15 years. For my mother, it was too dangerous, and then she was too old. It was a sore spot for her, Newcomb said. To Lillian Taylor, 85, Mary Taylor was like a sister. I loved her very much. Shes been a wonderful person all my life, helping everyone, Lillian Taylor said. My daughter Virginia went to the U.S. to live with Mary when she was 10 years old. Mary took care of her until she finished high school. Virginia Taylor Jobi, now 65, still recalls coming to Texas as just a kid, so little, and I had never left home before. She was just like my second mother. Very patient and kind-hearted, said Taylor Jobi, who graduated with Rick Newcomb from Lee High School. If you were to see her, youd fall in love with her because you felt so fine. For her son, Taylors abiding quality was her devotion to those close to her. She loved people. She loved her family more than anything. And she was willing to spend her time, whatever it took, to make sure everyone was doing well, he said. John MacCormack is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | JMacCormack@express-news.net | Twitter: @JohnMacCormack A 3-year veteran with the San Antonio Police Department is now on administrative leave after police arrested her early Friday morning on a domestic violence charge. Nicolette Muniz was arrested around 3:19 a.m. on suspicion of assault family violence, according to a news release from the police department. A woman accused of injuring a 2-year-old boy told police "she was feeling lazy and had no motivation" to take him to the hospital, according to San Antonio police. Patsy Therese Ramirez, 25, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of injury to a child. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox On Wednesday, police were called to her home to conduct a welfare check on the baby, an investigator wrote in the arrest affidavit. When officers arrived, they saw several bruises and injuries on the child's body, including bruises on his hip, forehead, palm, and arm. Police interviewed Ramirez, who admitted to spanking the child with a leather belt. She also admitted to hitting the child on the back of the head because he urinated on the floor, according to the affidavit. She also told police the bruise on the child's forehead was caused by him falling and hitting his head on the ceramic tile. READ ALSO: Millions watched her kids on YouTube. Off-screen, she was beating and starving them, police say. "(Ramirez) admitted that she didn't take the victim to the doctor because she was feeling lazy and had no motivation to take the victim to receive medical treatment," the affidavit states. The child is now in Child Protective Services custody and was taken to the children's hospital for further medical evaluation, according to the affidavit. Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | fsabawi@mysa.com|@FaresInSA Two months ago, a single mother named Katherine came to the Childrens Defense Fund distraught. Her seven-year-old son had recently come down with a bad infection and a high fever. Like any good mother, Katherine took him to the doctor. But when she got there, she was shocked to learn that her son had been dropped from the Medicaid program without any warning. Suddenly, she was living every parents worst nightmare: her child was sick, and there was nothing she could do about it. Stories like Katherines are all too common in our state. There are at least 350,000 children in Texas who are uninsured but eligible for coverage under either Medicaid or the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP). But instead of trying to get them enrolled, Texas actually purges tens of thousands of children from Medicaid each year. As a result, the children of Texas are facing a public health crisis, while our child uninsured ratealready the worst in the nationrises even higher. When children enroll in CHIP or private insurance, they receive coverage for the next twelve months, and reapply at the end of the year. But in Texas, children on Medicaid receive only six months of uninterrupted coverage. After that, families enrolled in the program can be subject to monthly inspections verifying their income for the rest of the year. These income checks are a bureaucratic nightmare for families. More than once, parents have come to us for help because they were asked to provide proof of employment for companies theyd never even heard of. Others received their letters days after the deadline for responding had passed. Families with hourly jobs whose incomes fluctuate month-to-month and those in rural communities, who work in seasonal industries like agriculture, can be especially hard hit. Recent data from the state shows that an average of 4,100 children a month are losing coverage due to paperwork issues, with fewer than one in ten of the children proven to be actually over the income limit. Instead of working to improve access to health coverage our current policy is creating damaging gaps in care for low-income children. These gaps in coverage mean that without preventative care, regular check-ups, and access to medicine, uninsured children are far more likely to get sick and end up in the emergency room. And since they arent covered, hospitals and communities end up footing the bill. This year, the Texas legislature has a chance to fix this self-inflicted problem, and give some of the poorest children in our state the opportunity to live better, safer, healthier lives. The Childrens Health Coverage Bill (HB 342/SB 637) sponsored by Rep. Philip Cortez and Sen. Judith Zaffirini contains a single provision, guaranteeing all children who qualify for Medicaid twelve months of uninterrupted coverage. Its the simplest possible solution. By passing it, we can help our doctors identify medical conditions and developmental delays early, so their patients have a better shot at surviving and thriving. We can help our educators keep kids in the classroom instead of the emergency room. We can help parents focus on providing for their families, instead of forcing them to untangle piles of red tape. And most importantly, we can give our children a chance to be children: to learn, and play, and live, without worry. Nelson Mandela once said, there can be no keener revelation of a societys soul than the way in which it treats its children. This year, Texans will have a chance to see what our states soul truly looks like. Between Medicaid, CHIP, and private insurance, no child in Texas should have to go without health care. We at the Childrens Defense Fund, along with a broad coalition of other organizations are urging the legislature to stand with the children of Texas, and pass the Childrens Health Coverage Bill. Patrick Bresette is executive director of The Childrens Defense Fund in Texas. 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 Apparently, bullying is the cause of, and the answer to, all of the world's problems. "Little" (2019) is directed by Tina Gordon, who has one other directorial credit to her name, the little-seen 2013 movie "Peeples." Gordon is better known as a writer of such film as "Drum Line" and "What Men Want." She also helped write this screenplay along with "Girl's Trip" scribe Tracy Oliver. It tells the story of Jordan Sanders (Regina Hall), who as a child (Marsai Martin) was a science geek and was relentlessly bullied because of it. After an embarrassing incident at a talent show, Jordan vows to be the bully from that point on. She acts on that vow when she becomes the founder of a successful tech company. She is a terror to everyone around her, especially her assistant April Williams (Issa Rae). When Jordan yells at a girl who is practicing magic tricks, the girl wishes that Jordan would be little again. The next morning, Jordan has been turned back into a kid again. She is then forced to return to school where she must learn humility by being bullied like she was lo those many years ago. "Being me sucks. I want to be someone else." (Image Source) "Little" (2019) could be called a one-sided "Freaky Friday," mixed with a romanceless "13 Going on 30," but we think it'd more appropriately compared to a reverse "Big" with way worse editing. It has elements of all three but seems to borrow most from the latter. Though we don't believe it is an official re-imagining of "Big," it shares many similar plot points, only slightly tweaked, and there's even a character named Gary Marshall, which is the name of "Big" director Penny Marshall's brother. FREAKY, HUH? "That's what happens when you don't eat carbs. You start seeing Satan." (Image Source) With such an excellent cast, we had higher hopes for "Little" (2019). It's not the worst movie of 2019, but it has some glaring problems in its script and several mixed messages that hurt our overall perception of it. At least everyone involved looked like they were having a good time, even if we weren't always thrilled. BigJ liked this film a little less than I did. I really enjoyed this cast, which includes Issa Rea, Regina Hall, and Marsai Martin, all of whom do a pretty good job with that they are given, but without them and their charisma as actors, "Little" (2019) would have been a total dumpster fire. The film resorts to the expected comedy tropes that always happen when any kid in any movie acts like a grown-up, but it's hard to bring the laughs when the adult in question behaves like a petulant child and throws tantrums constantly. It wants to deliver an anti-bullying message, but that message becomes muddled when the script tries to make Jordan a sympathetic victim of bullying when she's initially in middle school and uses that as the excuse for her abhorrent behavior as an adult. If it was bullying that made her a jerk when she was "little," using bullying to make her learn the error of her ways doesn't make much sense. The script also wants to let the audience know it's okay to be yourself no matter what, but the "loser" kids at Jordan's school only gain the confidence to be themselves and get acceptance from the in-crowd when they pretend to be someone they aren't. Every message is mixed and has some sort of caveat that perverts it in some way. It's also annoying that April starts treating Jordan like a child just because she looks like one, even though she knows without a shadow of a doubt that this woman is still her boss. While there are a couple of laughs to be had here and there, most of the jokes are repeated over and over and are hardly changed from scene to scene. There are even numerous cracks that are a little eyebrow-raising and were dated and stale before they were even delivered. The writing is just so contrived and the narrative just so forced that we found it difficult to enjoy the final product. Living with pain is one of the everyday idiosyncrasies that comes with living with arthritis. Its a feeling county Longford mother of three Fiona Mulleady knows only too well after she was diagnosed with the condition four years ago. People might look at you and say Shes too young to have it but people dont really understand unless you are a sufferer, she said, revealing the condition is in her spine, lower back and neck. Its taken a long road to get diagnosed and a lot of money too, but I have taken up running again and I wont let it get the better of me. Fiona was speaking at the end of National Arthritis Week, an event designed to raise awareness both about the condition and the work of various branches across the country. One of those, being its Longford branch, held a tree planting ceremony in The Mall last week alongside an open day which took centre stage at Longford County Library. The event offered locals the chance to learn more about the organisation as well as its future courses and activities. One of our members, Chairperson Mary Henry, is representing Arthritis Ireland in Prague at The Eular Conference this month, explained Loretta Doyle, branch vice chairperson. We are proud to have Mary represent all of us with Arthritis at such a prestigious conference. The Longford Branch of Arthritis Ireland also provide a wide variety of classes. Among them is arthritis aqua on Tuesdays, physiotherapist led seated exercise on Wednesdays and 'nordic pole' walking on Thursdays in the Mall. We also deliver a living well with arthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic conditions course, which is a Standford University programme, to enable people with arthritis and chronic conditions to understand how to manage their lives and condition in a positive and life-enhancing way, added Loretta. For more, you can find the Arthritis Ireland Longford branch on Facebook. 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 An increasing number of local authority housing tenants face being pushed into debt because of unfair and mean spirited rent review hikes. People Before Profit local election candidate Barbara Smyth hit out at Longford County Councils decision to cap increases at 35 on the principal tenant plus 15 for every subsequent occupier where the former is in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension. There had been calls from some quarters for any review to be set at a ceiling of 25 following a wave of public indignation at the proposed changes. A special meeting, held in committee, or without the media being present, signed off on the agreed reforms with the council insisting all income derived from the scheme would be ringfenced for the maintenance and improvement of its housing stock. However, Ms Smyth said the decision did not go far enough, branding the rejection of a previously suggested 25 cap as nothing short of devastating. She said: After over a decade of austerity measures, high unemployment and ever increasing household bills, it is staggering to see a Dublin centric recovery being foisted on Council tenants in Longford, many of whom already struggle to live week to week. The fact that no rent review has taken place for 10 years is not the fault of council tenants, but they are the ones seeing rents, in some cases, double, overnight. You can be assured council tenants income has not doubled overnight. I understand a rent review was needed, however the level of rent increase is both unfair and mean spirited. In outlining the changes, the Council said the scope of its appeal process would be widened to facilitate genuine cases of financial hardship, with the onus being on the tenant to provide evidence of such. It also confirmed a full review would be carried out every 3 years from 2019 onwards. With almost 25% of Longfords population on a boil water notice this Easter bank holiday weekend, Irish Water says it does not know at present when the boil water notice for south Longford will be lifted. Also read: Boil water notice issued for Ballymahon to protect the health of over 8,000 people A statement on the Irish Water website reads: We do not know at present, but Irish Water will continue to liaise and consult with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting the boil water notice as soon as practicable. Also read: Boil water notice in place for Ballymahon, Edgeworthstown and much of south Longford Following advice from the Health Service Executive, Irish Water and Longford County Council issued the boil water notice for the area supplied by the Ballymahon public water supply to protect the health of approximately 8,247 people. Due to a treatment failure at the Abbeyshrule Water Treatment Plant, the drinking water quality entering the Ballymahon PWS has been affected. Also read: Lack of information the main issue for those affected by Ballymahon and south Longford boil water notice The areas affected include Edgeworthstown, Abbeyshrule, Carrickboy, Ardagh, Moydow, Carrickedmond, Legan, Ballymahon, Forgney, Kenagh, Barry, Taghshinny, Colehill and surrounding areas in Co Longford. All consumers affected by this notice must boil their water before drinking. 1. Water must be boiled (rolling boil for 1 minute and then cooled) for: - Drinking - Preparing Drinks made with water - Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating - Brushing of teeth and/or gargling - Making of ice. However, ensure you first discard all existing ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges IMPORTANT: Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap of kitchen or bathroom sinks is not safe to drink. 2: You do not have to boil your water for the following: - Personal hygiene, baths and showers - Flushing of toilets - Watering plants and flowers 3: Caution: - Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink - Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water - Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water - If you have pets and are concerned about the impact of providing mains water while this BWN is in place, you should ask your local vet for advice. 4: Only use Prepared Water (boiled and cooled) for the following situations. - When preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing and preparing salads) - Preparing Infant Formula. Where a Boil Water Notice is in place, you can prepare infant formula from tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute) and cooled beforehand. Bottled water can also be used to make up infant formula. All bottled water, with the exception of natural mineral water, is regulated to the same standard as drinking water. It is best not to use bottled water labelled as Natural Mineral Water as it can have high levels of sodium (salt) and other minerals, although it rarely does. Natural Mineral Water can be used if no other water is available, for as short a time as possible, as it is important to keep babies hydrated. If bottled water is used to make up infant formula it should be boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute), and cooled in the normal way. Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used. 5: Always Take Care: Care should be taken with boiled water to avoid burns and scalds. Accidents can easily happen, especially with children. 6: How long before the boil water notice can be lifted? We do not know at present, but Irish Water will continue to liaise and consult with the Health Service Executive with a view to lifting the Boil Water Notice as soon as practicable. Remember to boil water as advised until further notice. PUBLIC ALERT BOIL WATER NOTICE THE AREAS AFFECTED The killing of a journalist Lyra McKeen in the Derry shows a 'horrendous reckless regard' for human life, according to Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan. Minister Flanagan expressed his condemnation of the killing of journalist last night which she was shot by terrorists during an incident in the city. I am utterly shocked by the killing last night of Lyra McKee. Such a reckless regard for human life is horrendous. "My thoughts are with all the family and friends of Lyra and all those impacted by this dreadful killing. For a 29-year-old to be killed while simply doing their job is beyond words. "We don't say it enough but journalists play a vital role in society, exposing themselves to danger so we can get a true insight into events "The courageous PSNI officers who risk their lives to maintain public safety deserve nothing less than wholehearted support from everyone in the community, concluded the statement. No group has claimed responsibility for the killing but it is suspected that dissident republicans were involved. The killing took place on the eve of the anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. The European Parliament has awarded all participating schools in the European Ambassador School programme (EPAS) with a plaque. The Ambassador schools award ceremony took place at the Grange, Co Meath on Friday, April 12. Among the 17 schools awarded were many schools from across the Midlands-North-West constituency, such as St Mels College, Longford. James Temple-Smithson, Head of the European Parliaments Liaison Office in Ireland, presented successful schools with their Ambassador Schools plaque and students received certificates of participation. Two MEPs attended the ceremony, Mairead McGuinness (Fine Gael) MEP , Vice-President of the European Parliament and Matt Carthy (Sinn Fein) MEP. Mairead McGuinness praised all of the students involved and said developing skills in public speaking as part of the programme will stand them in good stead for their future endeavours. I hope this experience will stay with them and have a lasting impact. she stated. Matt Carthy MEP congratulated all students who participated in the Ambassador programme. He said, We need young people to be informed of and engaged with the politics of the EU. The EU has merits but it also needs radical reform - the only way such reform will be delivered is through active citizens campaigning for it. My hope is that the new EP ambassadors will be those activists who will deliver a better EU that works for everyone. To find out more about the Ambassador School Programme log on to www.europarl.ie/youth The genetic legacy of the Crusaders did not last for long in Lebanon, a study published on Thursday in the American Journal of Human Genetics revealed. The study is based on the DNA extracted from nine skeletons dating back to the 13th century, which were discovered in a burial pit in Sidon, in the south of Lebanon, and analyzed at the Cambridge-based Wellcome Sanger Institute, a British scientific institute specialized in genomics and genetics. This genetic study of these ancient human remains, which are believed to be the bodies of Crusaders, confirms that the warriors travelled from western Europe to the near East, where they mixed and had families with the local population. However, their genetic presence in the region was short-lived, which undermines the myth that descendants of crusaders are alive and well in Lebanon. In 2015, archaeologists from the British Museum had discovered 25 skeletons dating back to the 13th century within a burial pit at the site of the former American College in Sidon. All of the remains found at the site were male and had been violently killed in battle, as evidenced by the blunt force injuries to their skulls and other bones. Their bodies had been placed in the pit and burned. Nearby, an isolated skull was found. The head may have been used as a projectile that was catapulted in to the oppositions camp to spread disease and damage morale, illustrating the brutality of the battles. Other items found in the pit, such as a silver coin, European-style belt buckles, and the results of carbon-14 dating analysis, led the archaeologists to believe that the human remains indeed belonged to Crusaders. In a new study, researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, including Lebanese researcher Marc Haver, were able to produced whole-genome sequences of the ancient skeletons DNA and confirm they in fact belonged to Crusaders. Europeans had led several military campaigns to the region between 1095 and 1291. The team was also able to identify the origins of the skeletons: three were Europeans of Spanish and Sardinian origin; four were from the Near East, probably recruited for the battle; and two others had varied genetic origins, suggesting that they were the descendants of mixed marriages between the Crusaders and the peoples of the Near East. Genomics gives an unprecedented view of the past and shows the Crusaders originated from Western Europe and recruited local people of the near East to join them in battle. The Crusaders and near Easterners lived, fought and died side by side, Dr. Chris Tyler-Smith from the Wellcome Sanger Institute said. Roman genes live on However, the researchers believe that the Crusaders influence in the region was short-lived as European genetic traces are insignificant in people living in Lebanon today. When the researchers sequenced the DNA of people living in Lebanon 2,000 years ago during the Roman period, long before the Crusades, using samples from the Qornet ed Deir site in Jabal Moussa (in the biosphere reserve), they found that todays Lebanese population is genetically similar to the Roman era Lebanese, suggesting that the Crusades had no lasting impact on Lebanese genetics. For his part, Dr Marc Haber from the Wellcome Sanger Institute explained that the mixed generation that descended from the Crusaders married into the local population and the genetic traces of the Crusaders were quickly lost. The bones of the nine skeletons were transferred to Britain-based laboratory of the Wellcome Sanger Institute with the permission of the Lebanese Directorate General of Antiquities in collaboration with the Archaeological Mission of the British Museum, which has been conducting excavations on the Sidon site for 20 years. Small portions of 800 year-old DNA were extracted from the temporal bones in the skulls by DNA extraction experts. The samples of ancient DNA were particularly difficult to extract and sequence as the bodies had been burned and buried in a warm and humid climate, where DNA degrades quickly. Recent advances in DNA extraction and sequencing technology made studying the ancient, damaged DNA possible. Commenting on the discovery, Dr Claude Doumet-Serhal, Director of the Sidon excavation site in Lebanon, said: The uniting of archaeologists and geneticists creates an incredible opportunity to interpret significant events throughout history. This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour on the 19th of April. Spains far-right Vox party has been banned from a televised debate leading up to the general election on Sunday week. The Tuesday debate is the only one scheduled before the election. The anti-immigration party was banned from the debate following a ruling by the electoral commission. Thats not very democratic. The commission argued that Voxs inclusion was not "proportional" because the party currently holds no seats in the national parliament. "Atresmedia maintains that a debate between five candidates is of the greatest journalistic value and most relevance for voters," the Spanish television network said in a statement following the ruling. Spanish MEP Ana Miranda said the ban was important to uphold democratic integrity in Spain. "We need to protect democracy," Miranda said. "This party is calling for xenophobia. So for me, it is fair that they dont participate." Fine, you may not like what the party stands for but it is an officially recognised political party, just like all of the others and is heading into the elections with substantial support across the country. Vox played a key part in the right forming a coalition government in Andalusia and has become the kingmaker for right-wing political parties in Spain. The Partido Popular is in decline, Ciudadanos have lost a bit of direction but Vox is firing on all cylinders. Plus, banning political parties is reverse psychology; it gives them even more publicity. A Massachusetts State Police trooper shot a suspect during a confrontation in Brockton Saturday morning. David Procopio, a spokesman for the state police, said the trooper was involved in a shooting incident on Colonel Bell Drive in Brockton just before 9 a.m. During a confrontation with a man the trooper discharged his weapon, hitting the man in his lower body. The man is expected to survive, Procopio said. Both the man and the trooper were taken to the hospital for evaluation. More information will be released when available and appropriate, Procopio said. The shooting is under investigation by state police detectives, crime scene services, and a specialized state police team of senior investigators that responds to Trooper-involved shootings, Procopio said. Some small animal shelters are raising concerns about proposed new state regulations intended to protect Massachusetts pets. It makes it almost impossible for our privately funded rescue organizations, foster homes and shelters to stay open if they have to abide by all of these regulations, said Lisa Burns, who works with the Westfield Homeless Cat Project, which runs a cat shelter in Westfield. Theyre very stringent. The regulations proposed by the state Department of Agricultural Resources set out new rules for animal rescues, shelters and pet shops relating to the standard of care for animals. The department will hold a public hearing on the regulations April 23 in Boston. In order to ensure the continued health and safety of companion animals in the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is proposing regulations to strengthen animal care, facility maintenance and record keeping requirements for animal rescue organizations and pet shops, said Katie Gronendyke, a spokeswoman for the Department of Agricultural Resources, in a statement. Gronendyke said the department drafted the regulations with input from animal rescue organizations and others, and "looks forward to a robust public comment process to ensure these regulations both protect companion animals and allow rescue organizations to continue to help vulnerable animals find homes. The proposed rules set standards for things like cleanliness, space, physical construction, waste disposal and lighting in areas where animals are kept. Animals must be provided with specific medical care, including vaccinations, clean living quarters, fresh food and drinking water. They rules require a quarantine room for sick animals. They also require an isolation room with a separate entrance where newly acquired cats and dogs must be held for 48 hours after they are brought in from out of state. There are standards for when an animal can be placed for adoption and foster care. The rules would require rescue organizations to ensure that animals brought into Massachusetts are vaccinated and have health certificates. Rescue organizations would have to keep records on all their animals, and animals would have to be seen by a veterinarian prior to adoption. Rescue organizations would have to annually renew their registration with the state. Some of the provisions codify existing practice, while others are new. Some rescue organizations worry that the rules go too far. Burns said for a shelter like the one in Westfield, which can have 100 cats at once and sees between 500 and 1,000 cats a year, there would be no space to isolate every cat that comes in. You would have to redo the whole building, she said. She said other provisions like a requirement to make all surfaces impervious, rules on record-keeping, and restrictions on bringing animals across state lines would all be onerous for rescue operations. Anna Zina, who owns In Honeys Memory cat shelter in Huntington, worried that as a small shelter, which takes in around 20 elderly cats a year, she wont have a voice in developing the regulations. Zina said she understands the concept behind the rules and agrees some of them would help animals. But they would make her work more difficult. For example, she would have to seal wood scratching posts, which she never thought of doing. She would have to call an animal control officer every time she found a cat, so an owner searching for the cat could find it. Zina said she thinks the regulations are really trying to go after the wrong people. She wants the state to focus on holding accountable people who mistreat cats, by hoarding or neglecting them, rather than the shelters. The owner of one small specialized shelter, who asked not to be named because she feared retribution from state regulators, said the proposed regulations could drive her out of business. The shelter brings dogs in from out of state and relies on fundraising to cover its costs. She said the rules would make it impossible to rely on volunteers to transport dogs, instead of professional drivers. The quarantine provisions would also raise costs. A spokesman for the Dakin Humane Society, which operates shelters in Springfield and Leverett and provides services to more than 20,000 animals a year, said Dakin officials will attend the public hearing but will not speak to the media before then. A state spokeswoman for the Humane Society of the United States declined to comment before the group finishes preparing its official comments for state regulators. CHICOPEE A pair of off-duty police officers cleared the occupants from a burning Chicopee home Friday afternoon as fire heavily damaged the structure. Chicopee Police Officer Michael Wilk and his son Tyler Wilk, a member of the Monson police force, were approximately two blocks from the scene when they noticed smoke in the air and investigated. We came around the corner and it was really going, the older Wilk said. Each took a floor and evacuated anyone they found. Wilk said he found a woman and four children on the second floor and ushered them out and across the street. Acting Deputy Fire Chief Edward Marcoux said the back of the three-story building was heavily involved with flames when firefighters arrived. The fire worked its way up the building and into the structure, he said. The third-floor of the building was gutted by flames, while the second floor received fire and water damage. The owner of the house, Anatoly Iankin, stood watching as firefighters battled the blaze. He had received a phone call while he was at work and rushed to the scene to find his family. Iankin said he and his wife had finished renovating the third-floor area and had just started working on the second floor, where the couple and their four children live. I guess I will have to start over now, he said as firefighters smashed out windows and overhauled the interior of the house. Iankin said a couple with an infant lived on the first floor. There were no reported injuries either among the houses occupants or firefighters working at the scene. Marcoux said Chicopee Fire Department investigators were working in the building to determine the cause of the fire. AMHERST Hampshire College President Kenneth Rosenthal said Friday that benefactors have promised $4.7 million in donations so far this year, and that acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns will lead the schools fundraising campaign. The college said Burns, a graduate of the school, has made a significant pledge, but did not immediately disclose the amount of his donation. This month, I announced were launching a major fundraising campaign to raise $20 million this year toward $90-100 million in five years. Ken Burns ... has now agreed to serve as a campaign chair, and has made a significant pledge. We are inspired by his leadership and trust, Rosenthal said. Burns graduated with a bachelors degree from Hampshire in 1975. His thesis project, about the lives of Americans in the rural countryside following the Revolutionary War, was also his first documentary project, a 27-minute film he completed that year. Rosenthals announcement to the Hampshire College community came on the heels of a stark warning from the organization that accredits the school. New England Association of Schools and Colleges on Thursday released a statement saying the college risks losing its accreditation if it is unable to show improvements in its financial forecast by May 30. Hampshire expects enrollment to drop by nearly half, from 1,175 to about 600, when the fall semester begins, and faculty layoffs are expected by months end. I believe in our community, and I believe we can turn this around," Rosenthal said Frida. Our world needs Hampshire to extend its influence for years to come. Already, two alum-led fundraising organizations Campaign for Hampshire College and Hampshire Futures have joined with the College and are working with our advancement staff to ask their donors to deliver their nearly $3 million in pledges to Hampshire. The College has since received more commitments, of $1.7 million, bringing us to a total of close to $4.7 million, he said. Lorraine Warren, whose work with her late husband Ed inspired the Conjuring horror movie franchise, has died. She was 92. The New England Society for Psychic Research announced Friday that Warren died peacefully in her sleep at home (Thursday) night." Her son-in-law, Tony Spera, noted on Facebook, Lorraine touched many lives and was loved by so many. She was a remarkable, loving, compassionate and giving soul. Lorraine and Ed Warrens investigation into the Amityville, New York, murders served as the basis of The Amityville Horror movies and, more recently, The Conjuring series. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson have played the couple in The Conjuring films. The couple investigated reports of supernatural possessions, including at least two reports in Worcester County. Our job is to go in, evaluate whats going on, document it, and then turn it over to church authorities, Lorraine Warren told The Republican in a 1995 interview. Weve been scared many times. You have to have faith in your work, and you have to have a great deal of faith in God because thats your only protection against the forces youre coming up against. The couple, who made their home in Monroe, Conn., examined the reported possession of a farmer in Warren, which ended with the intervention of former Worcester Bishop Timothy J. Harrington in 1985. The Warrens maintain that the possession of farmer Maurice Theriault was frighteningly real, though his sister claimed it was a hoax. (Theriault later shot his wife and took his own life.) In late 1995, they investigated reports of a haunted house outside Worcester. The couple did not charge for their work, and instead earned a living through lectures. The American Cathedral in Paris notes on its website a readiness to offer any hospitality to Notre Dames community and congregation in the aftermath of that beloved historic cathedrals devastating April 15 fire. The top signer of the note is a recently ordained Episcopal bishop who has been until this month rector of St. Johns Church in Newtonville and director of the Amherst College Press. The Right Rev. Mark D.W. Edington, a Harvard Divinity School graduate, was invested as the 26th bishop in charge of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe during ordination and consecration services April 6 at what is officially the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity on Avenue George V, off the Champs-Elysees. The churchs history stretches over two centuries with early ties to American expatriates. It functions both as a parish headed by the Very Rev. Lucinda Laird as well as a seat for the bishop in charge of the U.S. Episcopals churches in Europe. The Right Rev. Douglas Fisher, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, was among the six co-consecrators during the April 6 ceremony led by the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, the 27th Primate and Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. Mark is now the bishop for nine churches and 25 missions spread through six countries in Europe, said Fisher of Edingtons responsibilities. Some of them are small with around 100 members each. Others are quite large. The Cathedral in Paris has over 1,000 members. These churches were all started by American Episcopalians living in Europe but now they have many members from the neighborhoods they serve. The typical congregation is multi-cultural and multi-lingual. A native of Michigan, Edington graduated from Albion College there with a bachelors degree in philosophy and political science. He went on to become an Episcopal minister, earn two graduate degrees and hold posts in academic publishing, senior administrative positions at Harvard, become a media commentator in the area of foreign policy as well as religion, work with nonprofits on development projects in Africa and serve his church in such roles as rector at Saint Dunstans Church in Dover and as Protestant chaplain at Wellesley College. He was ordained in 2001, named an undergraduate chaplain at The Memorial Church at Harvard and remained at Harvard to serve as senior executive officer of the Center for the Study of World Religions and the Harvard Decision Science Laboratory. A graduate of Tufts Universitys Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Edington worked for 10 years early in his career as an analyst at the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis in Cambridge. He has served as founding director of the Amherst College Press since January 2014, and also served as publisher of Lever Press, founded by the college and a consortium of 80 liberal arts colleges. He was elected bishop in charge on the eighth ballot during a Convocation convention last October in Belgium. The other nominees were the Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler, president of CARAVAN, an international peace-building nonprofit; the Rev. Steven D. Paulikas, rector of All Saints Church in the Park Slope area of Brooklyn, N.Y., and the Very Rev. Benjamin Shambaugh, dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Portland, Maine. Edington responded to his election by telling Convocation members he would work with them "from a position of learning and posture of humility. I come to you as a person eager to learn, eager to be a disciple, Edington said. Asked during the interview process about lifestyle habits, Edington said that he and his wife, Judith, a Boston College and Harvard Law School graduate, have sustained community wherever they lived by having people around our table frequently; our dining room table is a cornerstone of the ministry we have built together. When asked why he viewed Edington as a good bishop in charge choice for the Convocation that includes congregations in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, and Austria, Fisher stressed both Edingtons learning, outreach and an ability to model faith and community in a pluralistic society. These churches, they are multi-lingual and multi-cultural. Mark has the skills to work in such a context, Fisher said. Europe has become overwhelming secular. The Church cannot continue business as usual where the presumption was most people go to church and the bishop and church leaders are called to care only for them. Mark has the courage and creativity to reach out beyond church walls and connect to what the Spirit is doing out there. The other co-consecrators included outgoing Bishop in Charge of the Convocation Pierre Whalon; Massachusetts Bishop Alan Gates, Massachusetts Suffragan Bishop Gayle Harris; Connecticut Bishop Ian Douglas and Archbishop Joris Vercammen of Utrecht of the Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands which is in communion with the member churches of the Anglican Communion. The ceremony was reported to have included an additional 35 bishops, 70 priests and 315 lay worshipers. The Very Rev. Andrew B. McGowan, dean, president and McFadden Professor of Pastoral Theology and Anglican Studies at the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University, was preacher. Fisher, who has protested with those seeking immigration and gun control reform, said his question to Edington as part of the service was: Will you be merciful to all, show compassion to the poor and strangers, and defend those who have no helper? It is a question asked at my consecration and a question I ask myself everyday," Fisher said. "Mark responded: I will, for the sake of Christ Jesus. It was a great moment for me to ask that question. McGowan in his sermon told Edington, Christians are pilgrims, not colonists and that Christ in his resurrection told apostles to Go away to make disciples of all nations. That is what inclusion looks like not the invitation into our tiring organizations for their sake, but the recognition that it is God who has already included us all in Christ, who calls us to look out rather than in, and thus sends us. Go away." McGowan said. Springfield police are asking the public for its assistance helping identify this woman and get home. Springfield Police Department spokesman Ryan Walsh said the woman was found in the vicinity of Hillcrest Cemetery on Parker Street mid-afternoon Friday. If anyone recognizes the woman they are asked to contact police at 787-6302. Director Roman Polanski is suing the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for revoking his membership 40 years after he fled the country following his guilty plea to statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl. The Oscar-winning filmmaker is demanding reinstatement to the organization after he was expelled in May 2018 during the rise of the #MeToo movement. The Academy committed a prejudicial abuse of discretion in that the Academy failed to proceed in a manner required by law, the Academys expulsion decision is not supported by the findings, and the Academys findings are not supported by the evidence, Polanskis lawyers said in a nine-page filing in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday. A spokesperson for the Academy told Variety, The procedures taken to expel Mr. Polanski were fair and reasonable. The Academy stands behind its decision as appropriate." Suspension or expulsion from the Academy, which selects the annual Oscar winners, requires two-thirds approval of the 54-member board of governors. In addition to Polanski, the Academy has expelled producer Harvey Weinstein and actor Bill Cosby following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Since January 1978, Polanski, 85, has been a fugitive, having fled the United States prior sentencing. Note: Parts of this post were originally published in April 2018. Information has been updated to include the dates and times of the full moon in April 2019. The full April pink moon" will be glowing in the night sky this week. But first things first: A pink moon doesnt look pink, just like a blue moon doesnt look blue and a blood moon has nothing to do with blood. Those realities, however, dont stop astronomy writers and sky watchers from using these alluring nicknames whenever a full moon is drawing near. We had three consecutive supermoons to start out the year. Now we have a full pink moon on the way, gracing the night sky during the religious celebrations of Passover and Good Friday. Here are a few tidbits about the 2019 pink moon, including when it will officially be full, and how its nickname originated. The full April moon, nicknamed the "pink moon," will be rising in the sky on Friday, April 19, 2019. Sky watchers can also catch a glimpse of the almost-full moon on Thursday night, April 18.Photo illustration | Pixabay When to see the full pink moon The April moon will officially be full at 7:12 a.m. on Friday, April 19, which means it will look nearly full on Thursday night, April 18 (Holy Thursday), and completely full on Friday night, when Christians celebrate Good Friday and Jewish people start their Passover celebration. The moon will start rising in the eastern sky over New York City, Newark and Atlantic City at about 6:50 p.m. on Thursday and about 8 p.m. on Friday. Observers in Philadelphia will be able to see the moon start rising in the eastern sky at 6:54 p.m. on Thursday and 8:05 p.m. on Friday. Check the moonrise time in your region on TimeAndDate.com. The full April "pink moon" will be arriving on Friday, April 19, 2019. What color will it really be?Wichita Eagle | AP Will the moon really look pink? Despite its colorful nickname, the pink moon will look just like any ordinary full moon. That means it will appear to be yellowish or golden-orange when it is near the horizon, and give off a whitish glow when it moves higher into the sky. It will not look pink. Why is it called a pink moon? There are several traditional nicknames for the April full moon, but the pink moon is the most popular one. Thats because pink symbolizes the start of spring, a season when many pink-colored flowers are starting to bloom and spread, as noted by FullMoonPhases.com. The so-called "pink moon" will be rising in the night sky on April 19, 2019. The full April moon also has a bunch of other nicknames.Tony Kurdzuk | Star-Ledger File Photo What are other nicknames for the April full moon? In some cultures, people refer to the April full moon as the egg moon, the fish moon and the sprouting grass moon, according to FullMoonPhases.com and the Old Farmers Almanac. The egg moon nickname apparently refers to the egg-laying season. The fish nickname was reportedly coined by coastal American Indian tribes because schools of shad would swim upstream to spawn around the time of the April full moon. And the sprouting grass moniker refers to the obvious those green blades of grass that start getting longer in the spring. Although the full moon in April is known as the "pink moon," it actually does not look pink. Chris Young | AP When is the next full moon? After this months pink moon, the next full moon of 2019 will appear in the sky on Saturday, May 18. The most popular nickname for the May full moon is the flower moon, but some people refer to it as the corn planting moon, the bright moon or the milk moon, according to The Telegraph in the United Kingdom. Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for parts of Massachusetts in effect until Saturday night. Franklin, Worcester, Hampshire, and Hampden counties are under flood watch until this evening, the weather service said in a forecast. "The most disruptive weather is expected to shift into New England, with the greatest chance for flooding across Maine," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Edwards said in a statement. Areas in southern New England should also expect flooding in low-lying and poor drainage area, according to Accuweather. Driving will be a challenge during the storm with poor visibility and slick roadways at the onset of the rain. Airline travel may also be impacted. The rain is expected to stop early Sunday, according to the Accuweather forecast. by Bernardo Cervellera Long queues of different ethnic groups flock to the Eucharist. The Mass in Coena Domini attended by 5 thousand people. Mass has not been celebrated in Yemen for three years due to a lack of priests. The communion distributed by the priests and 40 extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. Abu Dhabi (AsiaNews) - A few minutes before the prayer of the neighboring mosque, from 5 am this morning there has been a line of faithful waiting to kneel and be silent before the Eucharist placed for adoration after the Mass in Coena Domini yesterday, which recalls Our Lord's Last Supper. Taking advantage of Friday, a day of celebration for the Muslim employers, it is above all Filipino and Sri Lankan women, domestic workers, who are using their free time to come and worship the Lord. Many of them took buses or taxis for a journey of 30-50 km to come and spend an hour or more in silence and prayer. Some are content with a quick genuflection, others prostrate themselves on the steps of the altar and remain silent for minutes, while the line waits patiently. Despite being many, everyone is guaranteed a personal and direct moment before the tabernacle. Yesterday's Mass, presided over by Msgr. Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar of southern Arabia, saw the participation of at least 5 thousand people: Indians, Filipinos, Africans, Koreans, Westerners. Other Masses in Malayalam, French, Arabic, from 5 am to 9 pm, welcomed thousands more. The solemn mass presided by the bishop had to be celebrated outdoors, in the courtyard of the cathedral of St. Joseph, full to capacity. The impression is that we are in an apocalyptic vision, where "a multitude of every race, people and language" prays and sings in unison, with a precision and a care that is difficult to see even in St. Peter's in Rome. Commenting on the Gospel, in which Jesus, "the Master and the Lord", washes the feet of the disciples, Msgr. Hinder remembers what Pope Francis did a few days ago, kissing the feet of the South Sudanese political authorities. "Christianity - he said - is to be a servant of others. No charge and no dirt can be a barrier to love and service ". He then continued the ritual by washing the feet of 12 people from his multi-ethnic parish: an Indian student, a Filipino employee, the wife of a Scotsman, suffering from sclerosis ... At the time of prayer of the faithful, Msgr. Hinder recalled the (few) faithful remaining in Yemen, who had telephoned him a few hours earlier. For three years, since the sisters of Mother Teresa were killed in Aden and the last priest, Fr. Tom Uzunhallil was first kidnapped, then released, there have been no priests in the country swallowed up by the conflict. For three years the faithful have been celebrating the Easter Triduum only with the liturgy of the Word. Then they take the Eucharist, almost by "smuggled" in to them. The communion for 5,000 takes place in an orderly fashion, almost like a dance. The thousands of hosts are contained in metal containers are used which are then emptied to prepare pissidi of special form: they can be stacked one on top of the other and thus kept in the tabernacle. Using traditional ciborium, shaped like a goblet, would make this work impossible. In addition to the priests, 40 extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist are also on hand to help in teh distribution who go to assigned places in the courtyard. In the end, accompanied by songs in Latin and English, the bishop brings the Eucharist to the altar of adoration. A giant crown of thorns surrounds the tabernacle, along with flowers, lights, candles, and drapes. A long and dense queue immediately forms for personal adoration. I recognize an Italian manager, who has worked in the emirates for years; the Indian engineer who has lost his job and is anxiously looking for another; an African who works as a bodyguard and driver of a rich local; a Sri Lankan who works as a maid ... In silence they thank the Lord for what He has done for them. In a society that is stratified and full of injustice, this is the root of their dignity. , 10 . , . , . , . . Death penalty -- that is what a government-sanctioned killing of a person is known as. And the grievous process of taking a person's life is known as execution. This isn't a topic most of us would want to read about on any given day. We're sure you have much better things to do than dwell on this, much like the rest of us. Getty Images Yet, here we are writing about it, and if you're still here, hang on for a little longer because things are about to get interesting now. Recently, we came across a report on world's top executioners and the data literally forced us to pen this piece. For the longest time Saudi Arabia has been the most infamous for its executions that doesn't spare any human life guilty in the eyes of the law in the state. Turns out we were mistaken big time. Not only does Saudi Arabia doesn't conduct most number of executions, but it also doesn't stand at number 2 one the list. Getty Images According to an Amnesty International report, revealed that China is after all the world's top executioner by far! Over thousands of people were put to death last year in the country even when the accurate figures are still not known and remain a state secret. Saudi Arabia on the other hand holds the third spot on the list after Iran, which is second in line with its number of execution lying at over 253 executions in 2018. Saudi Arabia on the other hand conducted 149 executions last year. Statista Who would have thought one of Asia's fastest growing economies is also a leading country in carrying out the most number of executions! FYI, executions in China are mostly enforced for murder and drug trafficking, and are carried out by lethal injection or gun shot. *Jitters* Apple's AirPods have become a cultural phenomenon and has become an icon when it comes to audio gear. It may not be the best earphones on the planet but it's surely the most convenient. AirPods 2, with a wireless charging case, is set to launch in India soon and many of you would want to use them with your Android smartphone. In fact, there is a way to use some of the AirPods features that are available natively if you use the earbuds with an Apple device. AirPods 2 offers some new features and familiar tech which has not been easy to replicate. You can read our full review here if you want to know more. How To Pair AirPods With An Android Phone MensXP Pairing AirPods with an Android smartphone is fairly simple as it works similar to other Bluetooth earphones. At the back of the case of the AirPods, you need to long press the small button to make it discoverable. Once you can see the AirPods in your phone's Bluetooth settings, select and pair with the AirPods. It's easy and does not have any issues while connecting. How Can I Use Airpods 2 Features Akshay Bhalla_MensXP The AirPods have neat features such as double tapping the earbud to skip songs and play/pause music with a single tap. You will be happy to know that this feature works with Android smartphones as well and works just like it does on the iPhone. Check Battery Life & Setup Google Assistant The AirPods 2 natively gives you battery levels when connected with the iPhone when you start using them or via the batteries widget. You can even use Siri without any additional setup on the iPhone. Having said that, making these features work on an Android smartphone is a bit more complicated. You will need to download third-party apps to take advantage of these features on an Android smartphone. Google Play You can download AirBattery via the Google Play Store as it lets you interact with AirPods and see battery levels of each earbud and the charging case. You can alternatively use AssistantTrigger which essentially lets you do the same thing but also lets you set up Google Assistant functionality. You can fire up Google Assistant by double tapping on the earbud thanks to AssistantTrigger. The proceedings of the 12 th Greek-Russian Joint Interministerial Committee (JIC) in Thessaloniki that were jointly chaired by Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Sia Anagnostopoulou and Russian Federation Minister of Transport Yevgeny Ditrikh have been concluded. The Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs thanked the Russian Federation Minister of Transport for their productive and fruitful collaboration and described Russia as a strategic partner, while she highlighted their common view on the need to promote investment partnerships through specific tools. To this end, in the context of the 12 th JIC, an article on the formation of a Working Group that would support these investment partnerships was decided on and included in the Meeting Protocol. The Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs noted: The proceedings went very well. The Protocol of the 12 th JIC, as well as two memoranda of cooperation on shipping and standardisation of rural products were signed. Russia is a strategic partner of ours. After Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras visit in December 2018 and the high-level meetings he had with President Vladimir Putin, this partnership has moved ahead very quickly, and for this reason, the 12th JIC was held so shortly, following the 11th in December. We have set up working groups and I would also like to publicly thank the Minister of Transport, Mr Ditrikh, who demonstrated to the plenary session Russias willingness to expedite the investment and entrepreneurial collaboration between the two countries, as he proposed the formation of a Russian-Greek working group that would facilitate investments, which was included in the Protocol. What we observed, which was also noted by Mr Ditrikh, was that it is not easy to have investments without a working group to support them. I am very glad for his proposal, which was accepted and included in the Meeting Protocol. I would like to point out that Thessaloniki is a very important business hub, which I must stress, was boosted by the Prime Ministers visit in December 2018. I would also like to note that this is also the Year of Greek-Russian Language and Literature, which will be officially inaugurated and celebrated in May, in the context of the Thessaloniki International Book Fair. Finally, I would like to state something that mainly concerns Thessaloniki, but also the rest of Greece. Greek entrepreneurs have been invited to the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, under the aegis of HELEXPO. G. KATROUGALOS: We held yet another National Council on Foreign Policy session. We are trying to shape a culture of compromise, wherever possible, on the major foreign policy and national security issues, without, however, as I have said on numerous occasions, compromise, meaning co-governance. The Government is responsible for governing the country and exercising foreign policy. Today, the decision focused on a national issue. As you are aware, we have upgraded the countrys prestige with repeated initiatives. However, the time has come to think of how we will be able to systematically practice politics, plan and develop strategic objectives in an institutional manner. This is an effort for the National Security Council. It is the second session, for the reason that we want to have the biggest possible convergence of political powers, which, to a great extent, was achieved today at the National Council on Foreign Policy. In the next few days, we will be submitting for discussion our entire institutional proposal on the new concept of national security and on the institutional organisation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and we believe that in this manner, we will complete our multi-level external policy efforts. I also briefed the parties on the current issues, both with regard to Europe and with regard to bilateral relationships. I can say that I was satisfied with the calibre of the discussion and the climate within the National Council. JOURNALIST: Minister, in his statements, Mr Kotzias said that the Government irresponsibly allowed Mr Kammenos to make an interpellation and politically 'cleansed' him for his election campaign which was fraught with insults. What do you have to say about this? G. KATROUGALOS: It is the Governments obligation to be subject to parliamentary scrutiny; an obligation we cannot veer away from. You saw my stance regarding the specific question. Personally, I have no doubt about the moral integrity of Nikos Kotzias. Thank you very much. Pyongyang said on Thursday that it had test-fired a new type of tactical guided weapon on Wednesday and at the same time demanded that United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo no longer be included in bilateral nuclear talks, which remain stalled. Supervised by top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong-un, the test came after Kim and US President Donald Trump failed to reach an agreement during their second meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, in February. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a news briefing on Thursday that the process of a political settlement of the nuclear issue is at a crucial stage, and he called on the parties concerned to meet each other halfway and promote denuclearization on the peninsula. From left, Port of Thunder Bay CEO Tim Heney, MV Hanse Gate Capt. Sergey Kachnov and port authority board director Pat Bushby participate in the top hat ceremony, which recognizes the first ocean vessel, or saltie, of the season to arrive in the citys port. The Hanse Gate will be carrying Canadian wheat to Algeria. BAD AXE -- A Child Development Associate's Class is being offered at the Huron Intermediate School District this spring. Registration deadline is April Monday, and the first class is Thursday. These classes provide individuals interested in obtaining the CDA credential with skills regarding early childhood development. The class will be hosted at the Huron Intermediate School District in Bad Axe. Cost is $450, and Michigan Works may be able to provide financial assistance to those who are eligible. Visit www.huronisd.org (click on the professional development tab) or call 989-269-6406 for more information or to register. HARBOR BEACH The local board of education this week approved offering free lunches for all K-5 students. Superintendent Shawn Bishop reported this is a four-year program, although the school can opt out after one year. The new program will cost the school about $10,000 per year and it will start this coming fall. Also this week, the school board agreed to hire Lindsay Holdwick as full-time office personnel. She had been working at the school on a part-time basis. She was primarily an office assistant, yet she worked with students and had other duties. Holdwick is scheduled to start her new position on July 1. In other business, Bishop informed the board there will be some new changes regarding the NEMCSA Preschool Program. This is a private program that uses one large room in the public school. They have been in existence for about four years. Originally coordinated under former superintendent Lawrence Kroswek, the preschool was charged no rent or fees. Bishop felt this needed to change. This is not our program, but they use this facility, Bishop said. He went on to say the NEMCSA Preschool Program has been run under the NEMCSA umbrella, although they coordinate with other organizations like Head Start & the Great Start Readiness Program. Nonetheless, they receive monies and have funds to pay teachers and pay other bills. In light of these things, he coordinated with the group, and they agreed upon an annual rental fee of $10,000. The fee will include rent, dusting the facility, cleaning floors and some office assistance. A contract will be signed to solidify this agreement. On a temporary basis, the board of education made some meeting schedule changes. The board agreed to move board meetings to 7:30 p.m. until the end of June. This coincides with the end of the 2018-19 school year. The new start time may be extended by the board after the start of the new school year. UNIONVILLE A Tuscola County man drowned Friday. At about 3:27 p.m., troopers from the Michigan State Police, Caro Post were dispatched to a residence on Cottage Drive in Unionville for a reported drowning. Tuscola County Central Dispatch advised they received a transfer call from Huron County Central Dispatch indicating a 63-year-old male had been pulled from the water and was unresponsive. The victim has been identified as Kenneth Woloszyn, from Unionville Cottage Drive is a private residential road located on the eastern shore of the Saginaw Bay in Akron Township, Tuscola County. Troopers responded to the scene and were assisted by rescue personnel from both Akron-Columbia-Wisner Township and McLaren Bay Region EMS ambulance services. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene. During the investigation, troopers learned the man was attempting to repair his boat dock and remove weeds from the water. The man's wife went out to check on him and discovered him floating in the water. The wife was able to get help from a nearby neighbor who attempted to pull the victim from the water but was hindered by high winds and rough water conditions. The victim was also wearing rubber waders that had filled with water, making it difficult to get him out of the water. It is estimated the man may have been in the water for as long as ten minutes. An autopsy will performed to determine a cause of death. Troopers were also assisted on scene by the Unionville police and fire departments, and the Tuscola County Medical Examiner's Office. 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. This article by Jeff Schogol originally appeared on Task & Purpose, a digital news and culture publication dedicated to military and veterans issues. It's been 30 years since an explosion inside the number two gun turret on the USS Iowa killed 47 American sailors, but for Mike Carr, it still feels like yesterday. "I knew all 47 guys inside that turret because as part of the ship's policy we had rotated between all three turrets," Carr, who served as a gunner's mate in the Iowa's aft 16-inch turret, told Task & Purpose. "We all knew each other rather intimately." On April 19, 1989, the day of the blast, the ship was preparing for live-fire training at Vieques, Puerto Rico Naval Training Range. Carr was wearing headphones that allowed him to hear what the crews in the other turrets were saying. "At 10 minutes to 10 a.m., somebody came over the phones and said, 'We're having a problem, Turret 2, center gun,'" Carr recalled. "Then approximately two minutes later, I recognized Senior Chief [Reginald] Ziegler, who was the chief in charge of Turret 2, yell into the phones: 'Fire, fire, fire! Fire in center gun, turret 2. Trying to contain it.'" Then came the blast, which was so strong that it ripped the headphones right off Carr's head. The entire ship shook. Black smoke poured out from the burning No. 2 turret as Carr and other sailors donned their firefighting gear. Then they found two sailors who had been blown from the turret onto the deck. "I held one [sailor] in my hands as he passed," Carr said. "He died in my arms." Carr was eventually able to climb into the wrecked turret. The scene inside was too terrible to describe. He battled to contain the fire until he passed out from smoke inhalation, waking up later in an emergency dress battle station. It took the sailors eight hours to douse the blaze. Luckily, the fire did not set off the powder bags in the other two guns. In the years since the blast, Carr has surmised what might have happened. It's possible that the powder bags began to smoke because they were old, so the gun captain rammed the bags with too much power. "This is just from my experience of three years of working and shooting those guns: Eventually the powder bags ripped and the rammer head or the rammer chain sparked, and that's what set off the first explosion," Carr said. The guns' lubricants were the next to ignite, he said. "The powder door was still open to the center gun -- that armored hatch was still open," Carr said. "That fireball went straight to the bottom of the turret. When we're doing a shot with more than three shells, you would stage powder bags inside the powder flats. So when that flame came down, all those powder bags went off, and that was the third and final detonation." The last explosion was so strong that it blew the turret's two-ton hatch off its hinges and into the water, he said. The deadly blast aboard the Iowa marked the first explosion in a battleship turret since 1943, when 43 sailors aboard the USS Mississippi were killed, the Government Accountability Office later determined. But unlike other explosions, the 16-inch gun in the No. 2 Turret was cold, meaning it hadn't been fired yet. The blame game It wasn't long after the Iowa returned home that the Navy seemed to be looking for someone to blame the disaster on. Those people turned out to be Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Clayton Hartwig, whom the Navy had initially claimed had loaded the gun before it exploded, and his best friend, Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Kendall Truitt. "Interestingly, I was never read my rights, nor did I realize that I was a suspect," Truitt told Task & Purpose. "I just thought they had some really strange questions for what I assumed was an honest attempt at an investigation." Truitt was in the magazine below the No. 2 turret when the gun exploded above him. He braved the flames, smoke, and carnage inside the turret to turn on sprinklers so that bags of gunpowder would not go off, and he secured hatches so that the accumulating water would not sink the ship, he told Penthouse in a January 1990 interview. But when investigators learned that Hartwig had named Truitt the beneficiary of a $100,000 life insurance policy, they claimed that Hartwig -- who died in the blast -- had planted a bomb in the gun. They further claimed Hartwig became suicidal because he and Truitt -- who was married at the time -- had been lovers but Truitt had rebuffed him. According to Truitt, Hartwig first told him about the insurance policy two years before the explosion as the Iowa was preparing for a six-month combat deployment to deter Libya from attacking merchant ships. All of the crew had been advised to set up allotment accounts for their families. While at Navy Federal, bankers told Hartwig that buying an extra life insurance policy would only cost $4 per month. He already had policies that named his parents and another friend as beneficiaries. "He hit me on the shoulder one day, and he's like, 'If I ever die, you're going to be a rich man,'" Truitt recalled. "I was like: OK; I'll bite; why? He said: "It's no big deal. Don't worry about collecting. You're 19, I'm 23, it's going to be a while.' I said, again, this is weird. He said: 'No, it's the same thing my dad did." Hartwig's father had seen combat in the Navy as a gunner's mate, Truitt said. At the time, sailors in his father's division all took out life insurance policies on each other. After the explosion, Truitt mentioned the insurance policy in passing to Hartwig's family. They subsequently wrote lawmakers saying that it was unfair Truitt would receive the money instead of Hartwig's parents. "Thus helping Kendall suddenly become a suspect," Truitt said. "That's sort of what started the whole thing." Another sailor, David Smith, claimed that Navy investigators had coerced him into telling them Hartwig propositioned him and discussed how to use a bomb's timer, the Washington Post reported in September 1989. The military looks for scapegoats when people die rather than admit their mistakes -- or acknowledge that accidents are even possible, Truitt said. In the case of the Iowa, the devastating blast happened toward the tail end of the Cold War, when the Navy felt it needed 600 ships to counter the Soviets. Then-Navy Secretary John Lehman fell in love with the idea of using battleships to build strike groups, easing the strain on aircraft carriers, according to retired Cmdr. Ward Carroll, a naval aviator who was a spokesman for the Naval Safety Center at the time. But it soon became apparent that the World War II-era battleships required too much time, money, and manpower to be overhauled, Carroll said. In fact, the Iowa did so poorly on its first inspection that it was recommended to be decommissioned. The Iowa subsequently went to the shipyard so its power plant could be improved, but its gun systems weren't updated, he said. It was also clear that each 16-inch gun turret required more sailors than the Navy could afford to assign. "It's a classic example of Navy leaders not being willing to speak truth to power and make the hard decisions," Carroll said. "If this story sounds familiar, it's because this is kind of the oldest story ever told around the U.S. Navy." Rather than admitting that the age of the battleship was over, Navy leaders cut corners on training, manpower, and maintenance to get the Iowa back out to sea, he said. "The sad thing is I understand what they were doing and why they were doing it," Truitt told Task & Purpose. "They were trying to build up the Navy. The military eats their own -- it takes a while to realize that." Facts later emerged that undermined the Navy's first investigation into the explosion, Truitt said. For example, Hartwig had not been responsible for loading the gun, as the Navy initially claimed. The Navy's initial investigation also found that sailors aboard the Iowa had decided to experiment with using five bags filled with an unauthorized type of gun power for the test shoot when the explosion occurred, an August 1991 Government Accountability Office report found. Sandia National Laboratories later determined that the powder had been rammed 24 inches too far, compressing the powder charge against the base of the dummy projectile before it ignited, the GAO report said. "Imagine an old timey cap gun, where you remove the caps, and bang them with a hammer," Truitt said. "This is essentially what happened." Although the Navy never officially determined what caused the Iowa explosion, it made a series of changes to how 16-inch guns were operated after independent tests by Sandia National Laboratories showed that powder bags could detonate when accidentally rammed too hard. Those changes included inspecting the Navy's entire inventory of powder bags, discarding any bags packed in a certain way that could lead to an accidental explosion, and making sure the rammer control level on 16-inch guns could not be moved to the high speed position while loading powder bags, according to a 1991 Navy-wide message. More than two years after the deadly explosion, then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Frank Kelso reluctantly apologized to Hartwig's family in October 1991. He offered no apology to Truitt or Smith. "We did not accuse Kendall Truitt of anything in the investigation or the other gent," Kelso said. "I regret the accident occurred, obviously. I'm very sorry it ever occurred. I think it was a terrible, terrific tragedy that we had. I'm sorry for anyone's personal grief or personal anguish over that." "I extend my sincere regrets to the family of Hartwig," he said. "We're sorry Clayton Hartwig was accused of this." 'It smacked of a cover-up' For Carroll, the former Naval Safety Center spokesman, the Iowa explosion and the Navy's first attempt to explain it sounded eerily similar to the USS McCain and Fitzgerald collisions in 2017. "This dynamic is kind of classic with respect to a catastrophe and the [cover your ass mentality] that follows it," said Carroll. Navy leaders hoped that the media would accept the theory that Hartwig was responsible for the blast so they would not have to answer questions about the underlying causes of the disaster, said Carroll, now director of outreach and marketing for the U.S. Naval Institute. "What became obvious in time was this was another classic circumstance of mishandling the initial information and creating these causal factors that proved to be inaccurate -- and a bit sensational, really, with respect to the homosexual love triangle," Carroll told Task & Purpose. "When it's all said and done, it smacked of a cover-up. Certainly, the families of the fallen sailors were not satisfied with the initial report -- and in some ways, those questions have never been fully answered." The explosion meant the end of the line for the Iowa. The ship was decommissioned in October 1990. The other three Iowa-class battleships that had been reactivated were also decommissioned over the next couple years because they were too expensive to operate, their manning needs could not be met, and sailors had to train to operate equipment on them that was not found on other warships, said Ryan Peeks, a naval historian with Naval History and Heritage Command. "While negative publicity from the Iowa turret explosion did not help the case for keeping the battleships in service, the decision to decommission them was simply a case of Navy leadership finding that other classes of warship provided more capability (especially with regard to carrying cruise missiles) for less money," Peeks told Task & Purpose. Coping in the aftermath Truitt is currently unemployed. It's been hard for him to hold down a job since the explosion 30 years ago. He left the Navy, attended college, and worked for different contractors that his uncle hired when he developed properties. Eventually, the media attention surrounding him faded away. But the experience of defending Hartwig from false accusations has left a lasting impression on Truitt that has made it difficult to avoid conflicts. "I've found that I have a heightened sense of right and wrong and I don't suffer fools very well," he said. "I have lost a few jobs based on principles when a normal person might have been able to shrug it off. I don't play politics very well. I'm incredibly direct. It serves me well with managers that appreciate that. It has not served me well in the larger corporations." Truitt had been married for four months at the time of the explosion. He and his wife divorced in 1991. "My wife was supportive for a couple of years, and then had had enough of the press conferences, enough of the drama," he said. "My wife's family was very supportive, but unfortunately, it cost them their business. (They had recently opened a small restaurant in a strip mall that had been growing, "but once they openly supported me in the press, their business quickly failed due to loss of customers," he said.) A few of Truitt's family members could not understand why it was so important for him to clear Hartwig's name. They just wanted all the notoriety to go away, and eventually, they urged him to move on with his life. "I didn't feel like anyone else could defend Clay the way I could, so I felt very alone in my pursuit to clear him and his family name," Truitt said. Every year, former sailors who served aboard the Iowa gather in Norfolk, Virginia, to commemorate the accident's anniversary. "These men still suffer from PTSD because of everything that happened that day and from the fallout of that tragic accident," said John Schultz, a crewman on the Iowa from 1983 to 1987. "The biggest thing we concentrate on every year is our shipmates and their healing." The annual ceremony allows sailors to talk about the pain they are still going through, said Schultz, the emcee at each year's event. Up to 300 former Iowa sailors are expected to attend Friday's ceremony, which has proven to be a catharsis for veterans still trying to cope with past trauma, he said. "A wise man once said: 'Funerals and memorial services are for the living,'" Schultz said. "I see new guys come every year and they sit alone in a chair. I can see the weight that PTSD has put on them. I see that they're alone. I see that they're hurt. They just look devastated. "But yet, one of their shipmates that they served with comes in and they sit down and they start talking. This man, who 30 minutes earlier was just depressed and looked dead to the world is now smiling and laughing and drinking a beer with his friend. That's the way the healing starts." More articles from Task & Purpose: US and Japan do not think that China will find missing Japanese F-35 Green Beret dies in off-duty boating accident Airman arrested for allegedly brandishing a shotgun at a pregnant woman The Marine Corps' Aging Amphibious Vehicle Fleet Will Be Kept Out of the Water Eight Marines and a Navy corpsman died when an AAV sank hundreds of feet into the ocean during exercises on July 30, 2020. Key Yazzie Mesa lies on the east flank of the Monument Valley anticline. The anticline is asymmetrical with the steep slopes on the east and the more gentle slopes on the west. The mesa is capped by Shinarump conglomerate and the best mineralization appears to occur in paleostream channels in the Moenkopi which have been filled with conglomerate and sand of the Shinarump formation. The main channel has a general north-south trend, although in detail the trend varies widely. The channel is readily seen at the outcrop where the Shinarump conglomerate cuts down through the Moenkopi shale and rests directly on DeChelly sandstone. The strongest mineralization appears to be at the base of the channel above the ShinarumpDeChelly contact. At the outcrop, the channel appears to be between 150 and 200 feet in width. Three minor channels can also be observed in the area. They are not as distinct as the main channel since they do not cut entirely through to the DeChelly. The Shinarump in these channels does; however, cut well into the Moenkopi. No trend can be determined as only one exposure of each channel is visible. The main channel ... outcrop on the south end of Yazzie Mesa is directly across the canyon from the north outcrop of the Monument No. 2 mine and is in line with the same general trend. Select Mineral List Type Standard Detailed Strunz Dana Chemical Elements References Sort by Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A) In-text Citation No. Chester, John W. (1951), Geology and Ore Deposits of Yazzie Mesa, Apache County, Arizona with Recommendations for Exploration Drilling, Atomic Energy Commission Report RMO-692. External Links Localities in this Region The medical marijuana industry applauded in late 2018 when Michigans lame-duck legislature dropped minority stakeholders in marijuana businesses from strict state scrutiny. Owners with less than 10 percent of a stake in a company were not supposed to be considered applicants for a business license, under Public Act 582 of 2018. That law never took effect, thanks to a different bill also passed in lame duck -- Public Act 648 of 2018 -- which took precedence. For the past four months in 2019, every owner of a medical marijuana business has undergone a full criminal background investigation -- no matter how much of a stake they owned in the company. The criminal backgrounds of applicants is a significant factor that state regulators and the Medical Marihuana Licensing Board weigh as they consider applications for business licenses. Lawmakers took action this spring to correct that, passing Senate Bill 203 to clarify the definition of applicant. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill into law April 16. It takes effect immediately as Public Act 3 of 2019. Prospective medical marijuana businesses currently being reviewed by regulators will see the benefit of the new law. Any application received by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs as of Jan. 1 will now be reviewed under the definition of applicant defined in the new law. However, most of the applications the Medical Marihuana Licensing Board will consider at its last meeting Thursday, April 25, were received by the department before Jan. 1. The tenure of the licensing board is ending as a result of an executive order from Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The Marijuana Regulatory Agency -- a newly renamed division in the states Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs -- will take over control of issuing business licenses as of May 1. -- Amy Biolchini is the marijuana beat reporter for MLive. Contact her with questions, tips or comments at abiolch1@mlive.com. Read more from MLive about medical marijuana. ANN ARBOR, MI An Ann Arbor councilman serving a year of probation for drunken driving says hes not resigning, despite one of his colleagues arguing he should step down for hiding his arrest. Zachary Ackerman, D-3rd Ward, was sentenced Feb. 20 for driving under the influence in Novi. Police said his blood-alcohol level was measured at more than twice the legal limit after he rear-ended another vehicle Jan. 2. Fortunately, we were in start-stop traffic at low speeds and no one was hurt, Ackerman said at a council meeting this month. Despite no injury, let me be very clear, drunk driving is a serious and dangerous issue. It was completely irresponsible of me to get behind the wheel that day. Ackerman chose not to publicly disclose his arrest until contacted by The Ann Arbor News/MLive about it in March, calling it a private health matter for which he has sought treatment. He has since publicly apologized and said hes been diagnosed with severe alcohol dependency and is in recovery. But some of his City Council colleagues arent letting him off the hook easily and have continued to criticize and question his actions. Some council members say theyre troubled Ackerman hid from them and the public for months the fact that he committed a crime and was going through the criminal justice system in Oakland County, all while he played a lead role in helping choose which residents get to serve on Ann Arbors new police oversight commission. Ackerman served on a four-person nominating committee that put forward 11 names for council consideration in March. Council Member Elizabeth Nelson, D-4th Ward, recently shared her concerns about that in a 1,345-word blog post, accusing Ackerman of concealing serious conflicts of interest. I cannot fathom how stressful it must have been for anyone to function for three months hoping that this huge bomb wouldnt drop, said Nelson, who thinks Ackerman should resign. In her blog post, Nelson argued Ackerman played a special role in the commission appointment process as people with connections to police and the justice system sought spots. Nelson, who was once reported to police for sending fake city notices to her neighbors, falsely stated in her blog post that a prosecutor was among those up for appointment. Meanwhile, in private, CM Ackerman was negotiating with police and prosecutors, pleading guilty to a lesser charge than the crime he actually committed, and accepting a more lenient sentence for that much lesser charge, she wrote. He has chosen not to reveal any of the people involved in helping him achieve this outcome. Nelsons original post did not mention Ackermans criminal case played out in a different community. She has since updated it to note the case took place in Novi and that she was mistaken in her remark about a prosecutor. Rather, it was a public defender who was appointed to the commission. Ackerman offered a public rebuttal to Nelson at a recent council meeting, arguing there was no conspiracy with regard to the police oversight commission appointments. I was arrested in and prosecuted by the city of Novi. It is unlikely that the Novi city attorney is aware of or takes issue with Ann Arbors police oversight commission, he said. As a first offender, my entire experience in court felt fairly transactional. Contrary to how Ackerman interpreted her blog post, Nelson maintains she never meant to imply that anyone from either Ann Arbor or Novi city government put any pressure on Ackerman to influence the commission appointments. Nelson said shes concerned Ackerman concealed a crime, conviction and sentencing while doing council work related to law enforcement. While he wasnt legally required to reveal anything, it would have been the right thing to do, she said, calling it ironic that a young white man seems to have privately enjoyed advantages in our justice system, while publicly acting with authority to theoretically correct that unfair advantage. Ackerman was originally charged under the states super drunk law, but later pleaded to a lesser misdemeanor charge. I considered this a private part of my life because these events were a wakeup call, he said. Ackerman said his drinking became dangerous last November, but it wasnt until Jan. 2 that he realized it. Immediately after my arrest and on my own accord, I sought resources to better understand and address my own issue, he said. The University of Michigan assessed and diagnosed me and ultimately referred me to outpatient treatment at St. Joes. Through the months of January and February, I benefited from the terrific work of mental health professionals and support groups. He called it unfortunate to see the disconnect between Nelsons reaction and how other community members have responded. I have been overwhelmed by the number of phone calls, emails, text messages, and even words on the street from people wishing me well and encouraging me to keep serving, Ackerman said. Some council members have asked whether state law requires the governor to remove Ackerman from office. It states the governor shall remove any elected city official when theres evidence they have been guilty of habitual drunkenness or convicted of being drunk. Council Member Jack Eaton, D-4th Ward, recently sent the city attorney an email to inquire whether that applies. If the governor is to remove every alcoholic legislator in the state, Ackerman said, I hope she will not start with the ones who are honest, the ones in recovery. If any of you at this table sincerely believe my actions are grounds for dismissal, please make that conversation about me, not about addiction or its treatment, he told his colleagues. A health condition is never grounds for being fired. City Attorney Stephen Postema declined to comment on the implications of the state law or Nelsons conflict-of-interest claims. Council Member Ali Ramlawi, D-5th Ward, suggested during this weeks council meeting that Ackerman benefited from socioeconomic privilege in getting a reduced sentence. Ramlawi did not call for Ackermans resignation. I think its up to him, Ramlawi said, adding 3rd Ward voters also can decide whether hes fit for the job. Ackerman was first elected in 2015 while still a University of Michigan student. Hes up for reelection next year. Council Member Kathy Griswold, D-2nd Ward, agreed that Ackermans position on the council is a matter for voters to decide. I believe that Zach is extremely vulnerable right now and I think he should take care of himself and we should all be supportive of him, but I cant condone drunk driving, Griswold said. Council Member Jeff Hayner, D-1st Ward, wore a unicorn pin at a recent council meeting, explaining that it was a tribute to his wifes parents, who were killed by a drunk driver in 2008. She was deprived of her family. My children were deprived of their grandparents, Hayner said. Hayner said he had an inkling something was up when Ackerman started missing meetings, and he thinks the situation should have been fully explained. Crimes committed by public servants should require timely reporting to the public, Hayner said. Council members are now talking about instituting such a policy. None of this is going to do anything to reduce the pain felt by those of us affected by drunk driving, Hayner said. Ackerman said he takes the issue incredibly seriously and he hopes to stay sober for decades to come. Id like to thank the Ann Arbor recovery community for your support and assistance as I continue to come to grips with this. I could not be where I am right now without your help, he said, drawing applause from residents in the crowd at the councils April 1 meeting. To the residents of the 3rd Ward, he said, Its the greatest honor of my life to represent you and Im excited to continue doing so. ANN ARBOR, MI Students dressed their best and danced the night away Thursday, April 18, at Washtenaw Intermediate School Districts 42nd annual prom for students with disabilities. The dance, held at Webers Boutique Hotel and Restaurant in Ann Arbor, drew a record turnout of more than 200 young adults and alumni. Prom is the biggest night of the year and holds a special place in the hearts of our current and former students, said special education supervisor Becky Ralls, in a news release. Its a night out for our students to let loose, have fun and celebrate the end of the school year just like our local high school students. WISDs Young Adult Program serves more than 220 special education students from 18 to 26 years old. The program focuses on skills needed to secure and maintain a job, achieve personal goals, lead healthy and independent lives and volunteer in the community. This post was corrected with updated information from the WISD on the number of special education students served by WISDs Young Adult Program. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Grand Rapids could soon have an ordinance that would make it a criminal misdemeanor to racially profile people of color for participating in their lives. The bias crime reporting prohibition is one of a handful of adjustments that would be made to the city code as part of the proposed human rights ordinance. Other components include expanded protected class definitions, identifying four primary potential areas of discrimination, and an outline of the referral and compliance process. Grand Rapids leaders could vote on the proposal next month, but not before city stakeholders have a chance to weigh in during a public hearing at the 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 commission meeting in the ninth-floor chambers of City Hall, 300 Monroe Ave. NW. We in the community have had various conversations over the last few years about disparities that exist in Grand Rapids, said Jeremy DeRoo, executive director of the non-profit advocacy group LINC Up. The human rights ordinance provides the infrastructure so that all these issues have a backbone supporting and addressing them. It creates a way to address a broad range of problems and to correct them. In recent years, DeRoo said Grand Rapids police have been unnecessarily dispatched to situations due to 911 calls that were perhaps made due to implicit bias or discrimination. He cited a summer 2017 gathering in Mulick Park in which police were called to break up a large gathering of African American community members. Multiple patrol vehicles were sent to the park before it was determined that it was a graduation party. Often times, the Grand Rapids Police Department ends up being caught in the middle of what is a bigger community problem, DeRoo said. They look bad because they approach individuals who are people of color, and it appears the police department is biased when really theyre responding to phone calls made by the community and it appears that a number of those are motivated by people in a discriminatory way. DeRoo also pointed to an Oct. 9 incident in which police received a call from a woman who claimed she witnessed a shooting at her neighbors house. Police investigated the call, and in the process handcuffed a 12-year-old girl at gunpoint, before determining that there were no weapons or shooting victims on scene. Diversity and Inclusion Manager Patti Caudill said the ordinance is a new concept in Michigan. It isnt meant to discourage 911 calls, she said. Rather, its meant to make people check their biases before calling the police. Call the police, but if youre calling because your neighbors are having a barbecue and youre calling because of some implicit bias because theyre people of color, we dont want to see that, she said. Caudill said the police department has given feedback on the proposed ordinance, but not in the form of official written feedback. In July 2018, the Grand Rapids Community Relations Commission started discussing amendments to the civil rights/human rights ordinance, which was adopted by the city commission in 1953. The ordinance has gone through various changes over the last half-century, including protections for LGBTQ residents. The proposed ordinance puts a prohibition on any person denying another individual the enjoyment of civil rights, or for any person to discriminate against an individual in the exercise of civil rights because of actual or perceived color, race, religion or creed, sex, gender, identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genotype, age, marital status, medical condition, disability, height, weight, or source of lawful income. The ordinance is broken into sections, which focus on discrimination in areas like housing practices, employment practices, public accommodation and services, crime reporting, A violation of the ordinance would be punishable by up to a $500 fine per day that the violation occurs. Cases would be prosecuted by the city attorneys office. The proposed changes include: Expanding the definition section to provide for clarity and transparency. The proposed ordinance includes 36 definitions, including the various types of protected classes. DeRoo said the lack of definitions has created legal holes in the current ordinance. Identifying four primary potential areas of discrimination, which are discriminatory practices in housing, employment, contracting, and bias crime reporting. Each area has its own section in the ordinance. Adding a bias crime reporting prohibition and making it a criminal misdemeanor to racially profile people of color for participating in their lives. That is, no person shall make a police report that is based in whole or in part on an individuals membership in a protected class and not on a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity in consideration of all available facts and the totality of the circumstances. Outlining and codifying the referral and complaint procedures for the Grand Rapids Diversity & Inclusion Office in collaboration with the city attorneys office. Complaints must be made within 180 days of the date upon which the complainant knew or should have known of the alleged discriminatory act. Specifically outlining the injunctive relief for violations of the ordinance that were implied previously. That is, the city attorneys office is given the power to commence a civil action to obtain injunctive relief to prevent discrimination prohibited by the city code, or to reverse the effects of the discrimination, or to enforce a mediation agreement. Additionally, the ordinance would expand the Community Relations Commission from nine members to 13. Members are appointed by the mayor to serve a three-year term. A subcommittee of the CRC was charged with reviewing the ordinance, comparing it to best practices from other municipalities, and proposing changes to the city commission. Members researched similar ordinances in Ann Arbor, East Lansing, Lansing, and Madison, Wisconsin, as well as a template from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. During the creation of the ordinance, CRC members sought input from the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, and Disability Advocates of Kent County. The public comment period for the proposed ordinance will be held at the 7 p.m. city commission meeting Tuesday, April 23, on the ninth floor of City Hall. The meeting will be live broadcast on the citys Facebook and YouTube pages. Comments can also be submitted to the city by email at crc@grcity.us. For information about being considered for the CRC or any of the citys boards and commissions, contact Patti Caudill at inclusion@grcity.us. BAY CITY, MI A three-county police chase ended with the pursued driver crashing in downtown Bay City. The chase began in Gladwin County late Friday, April 19, when police attempted to stop a white Chevrolet Impala for speeding. The driver did not pull over and instead sped onwards, taking US-10 into Midland County and then Bay County. Deputies in the two latter counties deployed stop sticks, which punctured the Impalas tires, said Bay County Sheriff Troy R. Cunningham. About 12:20 a.m. Saturday, the Impala crossed Veterans Memorial Bridge in Bay City before crashing into a utility pole on McKinley Street between North Water and Saginaw streets. The driver initially refused to exit the car for police. A brief scuffle then ensued between the man and police, during which police stunned him with Tasers, Cunningham said. Police arrested the man and lodged him in the Bay County Jail. Alcohol and drugs are believed to be factors, Cunningham said. Its unknown if the man had warrants outstanding for his arrest prior to the chase. Yellow Vests protests brought clashes and tear gas back to the streets of Paris, despite politicians calls for unity in the wake of the Notre Dame fire. For protesters, the response to the fire only showed more inequality. Saturdays protests mark the 23rd straight weekend of anti-government demonstrations, but the first since Notre Dame de Paris went up in flames on Monday. Officials were quick to criticize the protesters for returning to the streets so soon after the disaster. The rioters will be back tomorrow, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told reporters on Friday. The rioters have visibly not been moved by what happened at Notre-Dame. For many of the protesters, grief over the destruction of the 800-year-old landmark has made way for anger. With smoke still rising from Notre Dame, a group of French tycoons and businessmen pledged 1 billion to the cathedrals reconstruction, money that the Yellow Vests say could be better spent elsewhere. If they can give dozens of millions to rebuild Notre Dame, they should stop telling us there is no money to respond to the social emergency, trade union leader Philippe Martinez told France 24. Saturdays protests saw a return to scenes familiar since the Yellow Vests first mobilized in November to protest a fuel tax hike. Demonstrators in Paris Bastille district set barricades on fire and smashed vehicles, and police deployed tear gas to keep the crowds at bay. Sporadic incidents of vandalism and looting were reported across the city, and some journalists even reported rioters throwing feces at police. 60,000 police officers were deployed across the country, and in Paris, a security perimeter was set up around Notre Dame. A planned march that would have passed the site was banned by police, and elsewhere, 126 protesters had been arrested by mid afternoon, police sources told Euronews. Beginning as a show of anger against rising fuel costs in November, the Yellow Vests movement quickly evolved into a national demonstration of rage against falling living standards, income inequality, and the perceived elitism and pro-corporation policies of President Emmanuel Macron. Over 23 weeks of unrest, Macron has made several concessions to the protesters demands, but has thus far been unable to quell the rising dissent. After Notre Dame caught fire on Monday, the president postponed a television address to the nation, during which he was expected to unveil a package of tax cuts and other economic reforms, another measure to calm the popular anger in France. Macron's address has been rescheduled to 8pm on Saturday. to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media wont tell you. Beijing has rejected debt trap criticisms of its massive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), calling for skeptics not to impede other countries from participating in the global trade infrastructure project. While 126 countries and 29 international organizations have signed cooperation agreements with China on the initiative, it is open to other players, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters on Friday. All countries have the freedom to participate, but they dont have the right to prevent other countries from taking part, Wang said. We hope that more countries, including the United States, can actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. Also on rt.com All roads lead to China: 17 Arab countries join Beijings new Silk Road The second Belt and Road forum in Beijing is set to run from April 25 to 27, attracting nearly 40 foreign leaders and hundreds of representatives from 150 countries. The list of high-level guests includes Russian President Vladimir Putin, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan among others. Meanwhile, the United States, a staunch critic of the project, has shrugged off the meeting, and its State Department said it will not send a high-level delegation to this years forum. Speaking at a news conference, Chinas top diplomat addressed some of the concerns voiced by BRI opponents, and rejected allegations that the program is forcing states into debt. He stated that the project is a platform for cooperation, but not a geopolitical tool, urging skeptics to base their evaluation of it on facts. The initiative has already received international support, including from the World Bank and the UN, according to Wang. Trade turnover between China and the BRI participants has exceeded $6 trillion, while the project has created 300,000 jobs in the countries. Beijings multi-billion-dollar plan has recently expanded further into Europe, as Switzerland became the latest country preparing to sign a deal under the new Silk Road project. It came shortly after Italy officially joined the initiative, while other EU states, Greece, Luxembourg and Portugal, have their own a memoranda of understanding with China on the BRI. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section Responding to the State Department applauding countries that sided with Washingtons regime-change efforts in Venezuela, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that clapping at least kept the US finger off the trigger. Applauding Maltas decision to deny passage to Russian planes headed for Caracas, newly minted State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus called on all countries to follow Maltas example to stop the Kremlins support for the dictator, namely Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Responding to Ortagus on Twitter, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the US should keep clapping, since that would keep it busy enough not to start any wars. The State Departments understanding of democracy in Venezuela is to back opposition leader Juan Guaido and impose sanctions until he is installed in power. Guaidos attempts to claim the title of interim president since January have failed to impress the police, the military, and the bulk of Venezuelan people. Reminding the US how its attempts to promote democracy around the world usually end, MFA spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Thursday that the unfortunate situation with Maltese airspace was nothing new. Let me remind you that weve been through this before, Zakharova said. When we sent humanitarian aid to Syria, our planes were also denied airspace clearance. Remember what obstacles they put up before Russian flights. The same countries seeking to prevent Russian aid to Syria were trying to effect regime change in Damascus by giving illegitimate support to moderate militants, Zakharova noted. We all remember how [that] ended, she said. Like this story? Share it with a friend! US authorities are warning wannabe vigilantes against taking the law into their own hands after an armed militia group detained over 300 migrants earlier this week at the Mexican border in what they claimed was a citizens arrest. These individuals should not attempt to exercise authority reserved for law enforcement, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas said in response to reports that members of the United Constitutional Patriots militia which claims to be made up of ex-cops and veterans had captured a massive group of illegal immigrants after they entered the US through a fence near the town of Sunland, New Mexico earlier this week. The American Civil Liberties Union wrote a letter to state government denouncing the militia for undermin[ing] the legitimate efforts of our states law enforcement officials to keep New Mexico families safe. We cannot allow racist and armed vigilantes to kidnap and detain people seeking asylum. UCP member Jim Benvie disagrees with this characterization, claiming the members on Monday nights patrol merely gave a verbal order of arrest to the migrants, who sat and kneeled in place until the Border Patrol arrived. We cant make them stay if they dont want to. He told the New York Times that group members were specifically told not to point their guns at any of the migrants. He says the group has to be heavily armed because their mission interferes with the cartels human trafficking operations, and claims militiamen even offered the migrants $20 to rat out the smugglers who helped them across the border but no one took the offer. A video of the mass arrest shows hundreds of migrants sitting and kneeling complacently as the camerawoman marvels at how many children and sick people are coming in right through our backdoor. I dont know what to say about this, other than the fact that its gotta stop, she says. The lengthy clip, which was streamed live over Facebook, shows the Border Patrol arrive and walk the massive group through the desert. The militiamen appear to be on good terms with the Border Patrol officers. US Customs and Border Protection wouldnt comment on the group specifically, but admonished would-be heroes to call 911 instead of taking matters into their own hands if they suspected illegal activity. Interference by civilians in law enforcement matters could have public safety and legal consequences for all parties involved. Despite the official disapproval, the UCP sees its role as a helpful one. Were people that care about our strained Border Patrol, Benvie said. The groups leader, who calls himself Johnny Horton Jr., claims they have detained over 3,500 migrants in the last month alone, while Benvie says the Border Patrol has never told them to stand down. They plan to continue the patrols until President Trump builds his long-anticipated border wall. Like this story? Share it with a friend! Federal agents have detained the head of New Mexicos peoples militia, whose volunteer forces have helped US border patrol agents detain hundreds of illegal immigrants along the US-Mexico border, for illegal possession of arms. Larry Mitchell Hopkins, who runs the United Constitutional Patriots (UCP) was arrested on Saturday on charges of possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, the FBI said. No other information was shared with the public. The 69-year-old is due to appear in US District Court in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Monday. This is a dangerous felon who should not have weapons around children and families, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas stated. Todays arrest by the FBI indicates clearly that the rule of law should be in the hands of trained law enforcement officials, not armed vigilantes. The militia, made up mostly of veterans armed with guns and other tactical gear, had volunteered to help the Border Patrol agents deal with a wave of immigrants in the vicinity of Sunland Park, New Mexico until President Trumps wall is built there. Their tactics, however, triggered a massive backlash as they were seen chasing down suspected illegals and holding them at gunpoint before surrendering them to US authorities. Also on rt.com Citizens arrest or kidnapping? US militias told to stand down after catching 300+ migrants (VIDEOS) This week Hopkins vigilante patriots detained nearly 300 people in the dessert. Footage of what they call citizen's arrests and what critics denounce as simple kidnapping showed a big crowd, including women and children kneeling on the ground waiting for government officers to pick them up. While the group believes their harsh tactics are legal and necessary to stop what President Trump calls an invasion over the US southern border, UCPs methods have not been welcomed by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who noted that regular citizens have no authority to arrest or detain anyone. Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union called them a fascist militia and demanded that authorities investigate the organization. Also on rt.com Like immigrants? Heres an 'unlimited supply: Trump threatens to dump illegals in sanctuary cities Like this story? Share it with a friend! Progressive intellectual Noam Chomsky called the Democratic partys focus on Russiagate a huge gift for President Donald Trump that could hand him the next election. Speaking to Democracy Now!s Amy Goodman last week, Chomsky outlined his long-held view that there was never any Russian collusion worth investigating in the first place. The Democrats are helping him, Chomsky stated. They are. Take the focus on Russiagate. Whats that all about? I mean, it was pretty obvious at the beginning that youre not going to find anything very serious about Russian interference in elections. The Democrats invested everything in this issue, Chomsky continued. Well, turned out there was nothing much there. They gave Trump a huge gift. In fact, they may have handed him the next election. In focusing on the specter of Russian collusion, Chomsky slammed Democrats for being so unwilling to deal with fundamental issues. Indeed, that same message has been seized upon by Republicans and the Trump administration as both parties gear up for next years presidential election. With calls for impeachment rising from some Democrat lawmakers, and with several Democrat-led congressional investigations poised to examine Trump further, White House adviser Kellyanne Conway took a jab at the Russia-obsessed Democrats on Thursday. Holding up a blank sheet of paper, Conway told reporters this is the success of the Democrats in the first 100 days in Congress. Chomsky, for his part, is a frequent critic of Trump, accusing the president of obscuring his pro-corporate policies of tax reform and deregulation with outrageous statements on abortion, gun rights, and other cultural issues to appeal to his base. Work for the rich and the powerful, shaft everybody else, but get their votesthats not an easy trick, he told Goodman. And hes carrying it off. Chomsky, however, has also been a relentless critic of the lefts myopic focus on Russia. If theres going to be collusion, I think we can guess what it is, Chomsky said before the release of Muellers report last month. Maybe he made some deal to have a Trump hotel put up in Moscow. Okay, thats corrupt, but its the kind of corruption that unfortunately is all over the place. to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media wont tell you. One of the top 50 richest Russians, banker Oleg Tinkov, wants to present what he calls a first private icebreaker to the public next year, before the 100 million vessel sets sail to the Antarctic among other destinations. Founder and owner of Tinkoff Bank, worth $2.2 billion, is going to show off the SeaExplorer 77, the newest addition to his pet-project, La Dacha, at the major global yacht show in Monaco as early as 2020, according to Forbes. After the presentation, the superyacht will head to the gems of the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles and Madagascar, Russias scenic Kamchatka peninsula and Alaska, before challenging its reinforced icebreaker hull in Antarctica in late 2021 and the beginning of 2022. The icebreaker cost the billionaire more than 100 million (US$112 million). The banker wants to enjoy it himself for around 20 weeks per year and plans to lease it for the rest for 690,000 per week. The entrepreneur says he was the first to order such a vessel. In fact, it is an expedition yacht, which can break ice up to 40 centimeters thick and maintain autonomy at sea for up to 40 days. The 77-meter vessel, offering luxury accommodation for up to 12 guests in addition to the crew, also features two helicopter hangars, a dive center and decompression chamber, and carries a submersible, two snow scooters and waverunners. Microsoft founder Bill Gates has already showed interest in the luxury sea adventure, and wants to have a three-week long charter, while a Russian businessmen from the Forbes list, whose name Tinkov did not reveal, wants to rent the boat for six months. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section He may be in a London cell but on Saturday Julian Assange appeared to be alongside anti-government protesters in France as the Yellow Vests in Toulouse turned a Joan of Arc statue into a monument to the WikiLeaks founder. A photo of Assange with grey hair and a beard was attached to the head of the statue, turning the publisher and journalist into a horse-mounted medieval knight with a menacing spear in his hands. The weapon itself was decorated with a high-visibility jacket, which has become the symbol of the ongoing protests in France. The choice of the French heroine seems to be quite symbolic too, as she also suffered at the hands of the English, having been burnt alive at the age of 19 for her role in the Hundred Years War. Assange, who had been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, was arrested by British police on April 11 after the Latin American country abruptly ended his asylum. Hes charged with skipping bail in the UK, but there are fears London may agree to extradite the founder of the whistleblowing organisation to the US. The Americans have based their urge to prosecute the publisher on an alleged conspiracy with former US Army soldier Chelsea Manning to crack a password at the time she was passing classified US military documents to WikiLeaks in 2010. Also on rt.com Stupid Brexit should hit UK fast & hard if Assange is handed over to US German MEP Despite the Notre Dame fire and calls for unity from French politicians, the Yellow Vests returned to the streets on Saturday. The disaster only ignited the movements anger as money to rebuild the landmark was found in a wink, while the protesters needs remain neglected. Around 9,600 people protested across France, with 6,700 of them protesting where clashes erupted and almost 200 were arrested. Also on rt.com 1st since Notre Dame fire: Yellow Vests back in action despite unifying disaster & they are angry Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Japan has asked the Pentagon for permission to use its own military airstrip, currently shared with US forces, during the 2020 Olympic Games. An Air Force spokesman said the US is excited to consider the proposal. Tokyo is seeking to increase its passenger capacity during the competition in July and August 2020 by making use of the Yokota Airbase, which currently houses the US Air Force and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force. Transforming the base into a dual-use airstrip would alleviate congestion at Narita and Haneda airports, the two main hubs servicing the capital, the Japanese government believes. Also on rt.com US may demand allies pay 150% for privilege of hosting troops The US, which has never left Japan since World War II, had agreed back in January to allow some civilian aircraft to cross airspace typically reserved for American forces. However, it fears that granting civilian jets permission to land might interfere with American military power projection and has approached the request with caution. Any future commitments of specific US military support to the Olympics and Paralympics will be balanced against operational readiness concerns and Alliance obligations, USFJ spokesman Air Force Col. John Hutcheson told Stars and Stripes on Friday, adding that the US are waiting for detailed Japanese proposals. Japan has other issues with the American military presence apart from being required to ask them for permission to use an airstrip. A controversial proposal to locate a US military base on Okinawa was overwhelmingly rejected by locals, but the government confirmed yesterday that it is still moving ahead with the plan. Also on rt.com Drunken US sailor found naked in Japanese couples home Meanwhile, tensions between US personnel and the civilian population have been on the rise over numerous criminal incidents, including an American marine murdering his Japanese girlfriend earlier this week. Japans defense minister has even had to step in to ask US military leaders to enforce discipline in their ranks. Like this story? Share it with a friend! CNNs political analyst April Ryan reignited her long-running feud with White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders in (French) revolutionary style, calling it time to start lopping the heads off. Things quickly got out of hand. She should be let go, she should be fired, end of story, Ryan opined on Thursday night. When there is a lack of credibility there, you have to start lopping the heads off...she needs to go. Adding a delicious layer of irony, Ryan went on to blame Sanders for threats against journalists. Shes calling us fake, Ryan said. I have to have security because of being called fake and a loser and all sorts of things from that White House. Ryans colorful condemnation came after Special Counsel Robert Muellers report claimed Sanders misled the public on the firing of former FBI Director James Comey, claiming Comey had lost the support of rank-and-file FBI agents. Sanders stood by her claim, despite admitting to Mueller that it was not founded on anything. Was Ryans off with her head a sinister call for violence or a colorful euphemism? Either way, Sanders father, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, stepped in to defend his daughter. Will the White House Correspondents Association revoke April Ryans credentials?, he tweeted. If not, they are gutless tools. Ryan responded, warning the Arkansas Republican that If anything happens to me or mine or anyone connected to me, you and your daughter and this administration will be held accountable! Ryan also warned Huckabee that "My people see you and will do the same for you! The exchange drew popcorn munchers on Twitter, with the Right up in arms. April Ryan literally called for @PressSecs head to be lopped off and is now playing the victim because her dad called for her credentials to be revoked, Republican strategist Caleb Hull tweeted. In what world is this ok? Ryans fans, meanwhile, cheered on their hero. Although combative press conferences are commonplace in President Donald Trumps White House, Ryan has a long history of verbal spats with Sanders and the Trump administration. Most famously, Ryan sparked the #piegate micro-scandal when she first claimed Sanders lied about a pecan pie she tweeted a photo of, then accused Sanders of poisoning a pie for Ryan as revenge. We truly live in the golden age of Washington journalism. Like this story? Share it with a friend! A top North Korean diplomat has slammed US National Security Advisor John Bolton for his nonsense and dim-sighted call for denuclearization amid stalled talks between the two nations following the fruitless summit in Hanoi. In an interview with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Bolton said that Washington could only proceed with further negotiations once there is a real indication that Pyongyang is ready to give up its nuclear program. Boltons words caused outrage in North Korea as the countrys Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui dubbed his remarks as nonsense, adding that they were devoid of discretion and reason, according to countrys state-run KCNA agency. Also on rt.com Replace Pompeo with someone more cautious & mature if you want to talk, N. Korea tells US Boltons stunt also made the Pyongyang diplomat wonder whether the claims stemmed from the incomprehension of the intentions of the top leaders or if the national security adviser was trying to add his own vision to the debate. All things considered, his word has no charm in it and he looks dim-sighted to me. John Bolton is not the first US official to recently come under fire from the North Korean authorities. Another top Foreign Ministry official earlier asked for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to be removed from the nuclear talks. This plea from Pyongyang was in vain, however, as Pompeo later indicated that he was still in charge of the team, adding that the US will continue to press North Korea to abandon all of its weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles related programs and facilities. Also on rt.com Kim Jong-un gives US until end of 2019 to change posture, promises to boost defense Meanwhile, in recent weeks both Kim and Trump came up with fairly positive statements about a possible third bilateral summit. While US President Trump hailed his personal relationship with Kim and made it clear that the door to the next meeting is open, the North Korean leader said he welcomes the talks but urged the US to come to the table with correct posture. The Kim-Trump summit in Hanoi essentially failed last February, despite bearing huge symbolical meaning, as both sides walked away without a deal. Pyongyang later bemoaned senior figures in the Trump team overriding the presidents efforts and complicating the talks with a gangster-likeapproach. Like this story? Share it with a friend! The Mueller report didnt just clear President Donald Trump of colluding with Russia, the New York Times said, it handed Russias Vladimir Putin the ultimate victory. If you thought otherwise, blame secret Soviet mind games. In a New York Times op-ed, former FBI agent-turned CNN analyst Asha Rangappa argues that by conflating the terms collusion and conspiracy, Attorney General William Barr performed a bizarre Soviet trick on the American public, giving Putin his ultimate victory. The trick, Rangappa explains, is called Reflexive Control, a uniquely Russian concept that, put simply, involves drip-feeding an audience carefully-prepared words to make them reach the conclusion you want them to. Thats basically what PR is only this time its Russian and, therefore, bad. See, Rangappa makes the case that even though the Mueller report did not establish that the Trump Campaign coordinated with the Russian government, the real collusion is still spelled out in its pages. She argues that the contacts between the Trump campaign and a rotating cast of Russian businessmen and fixers which Mueller deemed not to constitute a criminal conspiracy are nevertheless collusion, because sneaky Russian intelligence operations are undetectable and not the stuff of which criminal prosecutions are made. Except Mueller is a prosecutor, and his report from the outset interprets collusion as conspiracy, an actual criminal offense. In Muellers 2017 appointment letter, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein authorized Mueller to investigate any links and/or coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia in the runup to the 2016 election, with a view to a criminal prosecution. Collusion has simply become a stand-in word for these links. Also on rt.com Lop her head off! CNNs April Ryan gets revolutionary with Trumps press secretary Sarah Sanders Was CNN practising reflexive control when it dropped non-stop collusion bombshells over the last two years? Was the New York Times using Soviet mind games when it pondered Is this the collusion we were waiting for? And was Hillary Clinton somehow doing the Kremlins bidding when she told USA Today she was convinced that there was collusion between Trump and Russia? That much is unanswered. To fully ram home the point that theres Kremlin malevolence afoot, the New York Times graphics department, clearly out of ideas after a busy two years, slapped a giant hammer and sickle atop the article. Russia has not been a communist state for 27 years, but when your only frame of reference is James Bond movies, itll make the point. Of course, being a former FBI agent, Rangappa also warns that Barrs use of the word spying to describe the FBIs eavesdropping on Trump campaign aide Carter Page is another example of reflexive control. Shed rather we use the cuddly term electronic surveillance based on probable cause. Trump, meanwhile, has vowed to get to the bottom of whether there was probable cause backing up the FBIs spying, sorry, surveillance. By all currently available information, the FISA warrant allowing the FBI to do so was obtained on the back of some shaky evidence; namely the notorious and unverified Steele Dossier, a collection of anti-Trump gossip compiled by a former British spy, sorry, intelligence agent, on behalf of the Clinton campaign. In the meantime, Rangappa wants the average American to stay vigilant to Barrs KGB hypno-waves, finishing with a stark warning: If we dont, Mr. Putin has certainly won. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Dutchman Alistair Overeem defeated Russias Aleksei Oleinik in the battle of the heavyweight veterans in the main event at UFC St. Petersburg. The pair of famed finishers boasted more than 100 career wins between them heading into the bout, but it was Dutchman Overeem who burnished his record by finishing Oleinik with 15 seconds remaining in the first round at Yubileyniy Palace. READ MORE: UFC St. Petersburg: Heavyweight veterans Overeem and Oleinik face off in Russia (RECAP) The hard-hitting Dutchman had bided his time up until that point in what was a fast-paced fight that belied the pairs combined years. Overeem was forced to withstand some big body punches from Oleinik, covering up against the cage and continuing to wear the Russian down with knees to the body and head. And that was how The Demolition Man made the breakthrough heading toward the end of the first frame, catching Oleinik with successive knees to the head before finishing him with big punches and elbows as the Russian lay stricken on the canvas. Marc Goddard stepped in to call off the fight, ending a brief but entertaining denouement to the UFCs second foray into Russia. Oleinik had stepped into the fight to replace countryman Alexander Volkov, and while the 41-year-old went out swinging, the higher-ranked Overeem ultimately secured the 23rd knockout win of his career. After his win, Overeem said he would still be open to fighting the man originally intended to face him on Saturday - Volkov. Elsewhere on the card, rising Russian lightweight star Islam Makhachev picked up a decision win in the co-main event against Armen Tsarukyan, although he was made to work a lot harder than many people expected. It was no surprise that the Mueller team, which did so much to prove a hollow and laughable Russiagate conspiracy, delivered no tangible result, the Russian Embassy in the US said in its own report on the issue. The embassy responded to the much-anticipated report by Robert Mueller and his team just two days after it was made public on Thursday. In a massive 120-page paper, the diplomatic mission debunked key Russiagate claims, including allegations of meddling in the 2016 US election, involvement in the DNC hack attack, and Donald Trumps alleged collusion with Russia. The publication also featured a long list of groundless accusations made by US mainstream media, politicians and experts in relation to the Russiagate conspiracy theories. It notes that the tremendous efforts made by the Mueller team to find any sign of collusion had failed. After three years, more than 8,000 publications in just four main outlets (Washington Post, New York Times, CNN and MSNBC), endless congressional inquiries, 22 months of the work of Robert Mueller that cost taxpayers an estimated $32 million, more than 2,800 subpoenas, 500 witnesses interrogated, and as many search warrants, an obvious conclusion is reached there was no collusion. All this time, Russia pointed to the obvious made-up nature of these insinuations, the report reads. Moscow had fruitlessly asked Washington to provide any hard proof of the allegations, and even offered help to investigate those claims, but the US refused every single time. The embassy said it hopes that the end of the Mueller saga would contribute to further dispelling the smoke and mirrors on this topic. Now, it is time for the US and Russia to heal ties and join efforts to repair the damage to bilateral relations. Also on rt.com Mueller report takes Russian meddling for granted, offers no actual evidence The Mueller report generally obliterated the Russiagate conspiracy theory, but it still claims that Russian interference in the election did happen, and that Russian military intelligence was complicit in hacking the DNC, as well as the private email account of Hillary Clintons campaign chair, John Podesta. to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media wont tell you. UFC St. Petersburg started in explosive style when Russian lightweight Magomed Mustafaev scored a big KO win against Rafael Fiziev in the first fight of the night. Making a return to the octagon after a more than two-year hiatus, Mustafaev showed no signs of rust as he ended proceedings inside the first two minutes of his bout against Fiziev. READ MORE: UFC St. Petersburg: The fights to focus on as the octagon returns to Russia The damage was done with a huge spinning head kick from Mustafaev to send Fiziev to the canvass, before the Russian followed up with punches. The win improved Mustafaevs record to 14 wins and two losses (3-1 UFC) - and handed Kyrgyzstan-born Fiziev his first defeat in his seventh bout. The Russian used the post-fight interview to call out the only man to beat him in the UFC, Kevin Lee. "I broke my arm in the fight against Kevin Lee, so now, no matter what I need to do to get the rematch, I'm coming for him," the Russian vowed. The explosive start set the tone for what followed in the prelims at St. Petersburgs Yubileyniy Palace. In the second fight of the night, Polands Michal Oleksiejczuk needed just 44 seconds to beat Russias Gadzhimurad Antigulov with a huge left uppercut in their light-heavyweight showdown. But there was more joy for home fans when Shamil Abdurakhimov defeated Marcin Tybura in a heavyweight slugfest, finishing the Pole with a barrage of big shots against the cage. Alexander Yakovlev then submitted Brazilian Alex da Silva in the second round of their lightweight bout as the action continued in the UFCs second event on Russian soil. Ukraine court hears last-ditch application to disqualify frontrunner Zelensky hours before election Ukraine court hears last-ditch application to disqualify frontrunner Zelensky hours before election An appeals court in Kiev has begun hearing a lawsuit demanding that the registration of presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelensky be annulled. The second round of the Ukrainian election is to take place on Sunday, with Zelensky having an overwhelming advantage over incumbent president Petro Poroshenko, according to the latest polls. But a lawyer and election observer from the Ukrainian Shareholders Association, Andrii Khilko, has demanded the disqualification of the candidate over alleged violations of the electoral law. Khilko insists that a post on Zelenskys Facebook page about tickets to Fridays stadium debate between the presidential contenders amounted to bribery of the voters. Zelenskys lawyer responded that there were no legal grounds for the lawsuit, while the Central Electoral Commission pointed out that disqualifying Zelensky at this stage would be illegal. A candidate can only be removed from the running with no less than 30 day before a vote, according to the Ukrainian law. Poroshenkos team, for its part, has assured the public that they had nothing to do with Khilkos lawsuit.Source : RT - Daily news Vietnam is again seeking justice for the victims of Agent Orange, inspired by the multimillion-dollar verdicts against Monsanto in California. The biotech firm had supplied the US military with the chemical during the Vietnam War. The Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA) has written a letter to a US court asking that it restart a class-action lawsuit by Agent Orange victims against American chemical firms, including Monsanto, which the Eastern District Court of New York dismissed in 2004, claiming a lack of evidence and asserting that herbicide spraying.. did not constitute a war crime pre-1975. Also on rt.com Monsanto loses appeal on historic Roundup cancer verdict, owes $78mn Citing two recent court rulings in San Francisco, where Monsantos Roundup was found responsible for health damages and the company was ordered to pay millions of dollars in compensation, VAVA asserted that it is time for the company to take responsibility for supplying the US military with Agent Orange during the brutal chemical warfare campaign (1961-1971) against Viet Cong guerilla fighters in which 12 million gallons of herbicide were used. Dioxin, a highly toxic element of Agent Orange, has been linked to major health problems such as birth defects, cancers other deadly diseases. Stressing that Vietnam currently has more than 4.8 million Agent Orange victims, the letter asked for justice for people with hideous deformities. Also on rt.com Vietnam demands Monsanto compensate Agent Orange victims after US cancer ruling precedent Where is the justice for Vietnamese victims who are being destroyed every day by the toxic chemical? the letter asks. Is all the scientific evidence, with people as living proof, and Vietnams environment ravaged by Agent Orange used by the US in a meaningless war from 1961-1971 still not convincing? Monsanto, which was acquired by German giant Bayer AG last June, in the past argued that it was the US military that had set the specifications for making Agent Orange and decided on where and how the herbicide was used. The company also noted that it was just one of many wartime US government contractors who manufactured the toxin. Last month a jury in San Francisco awarded $80 million in punitive damages to Edwin Hardeman after the court found that Roundup, Monsantos infamous glyphosate-based herbicide, was a substantial factor in causing non-Hodgkins lymphoma cancer. In a similar case in August 2018, Dewayne Johnson was awarded $289mn after developing cancer from long-term exposure to Roundup. After months of legal drama, the terminally ill cancer patient agreed to a reduced payout of $78 million. Also on rt.com Bayer must pay another $80mn in Monsanto Roundup cancer trial Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Genealogy site Ancestry.com has apologized and removed an ad featuring a pre-Civil War interracial couple after critics slammed the spot, claiming it whitewashed the widespread sexual exploitation of slave women. We very much appreciate the feedback we have received and apologize for any offense that the ad may have caused, Ancestry.com spokeswoman Gina Spatafore wrote in an email, adding that the spot had been removed from YouTube and was in the process of being pulled from TV stations. The offending commercial shows a lovestruck white man promising his black lady-love that theres a place we can be together, across the border (presumably Canada, since the web address given at the end of the ad is Ancestry.ca, not Ancestry.com). The woodenly-acted scene fades into a marriage certificate dated 1857, six years before slavery was abolished in the US. While the spot reportedly played without incident on Utah TV stations earlier this month, the backlash hit this week, when the clip went viral on social media. Many pointed out that sexual exploitation of black slave women by white men including but not limited to their masters was epidemic in the antebellum South. Others dug deeper, finding more reasons it was offensive. Or suggested alternate scenarios Ancestry could have used. (No, real alternate scenarios) Some suggested ways the company could atone for its misstep. and at least one competitor jumped at the chance to promote their own product. The ad was pulled just hours after the outrage beganand the retraction generated its own backlash. Also on rt.com Georgetown University students vote reparations for slavery into future tuition Like this story? Share it with a friend! Reliance Industries on April 20 said it is not in violation of the US sanctions on Venezuela and had purchased crude originating from the Latin American nation from companies such as Russia's Rosneft in full knowledge of US authorities. In a statement, Reliance said reports suggesting that it was involved in an arrangement that leads to cash payment for oil supplies to Venezuelan national oil company PDVSA via third parties are "false and reckless". "Reliance has purchased Venezuelan crude oil from companies such as (Russia's) Rosneft long before the imposition of the US sanctions, as they do get title to Venezuelan oil in return for reduction in their prior debt. "Since sanctions were imposed, Reliance has made such purchases with the full knowledge and approval of the US Department of State (USDOS), and Reliance has informed USDOS of specific volumes and transactions. Such transactions do not lead to any consequent payment to PDVSA and do not violate US sanctions or policies," it said. Reliance said its price agreement with such sellers is at market price and payments are settled in cash or by product supply bilaterally between it and such sellers. "It is false to suggest that Reliance would be settling such shipments via Rosneft to PDVSA. In these transactions, PDVSA is only the original physical supplier, as the crude oil originates in its export facilities," the statement said. Reliance had last month stated that it had stopped all oil exports to US sanctions-hit Venezuela and will not resume sales until sanctions are lifted. Reliance, whose twin refineries at Jamnagar in Gujarat were major importers of Venezuelan crude oil, has reduced purchases by about a third. The US imposed economic sanctions on Venezuela in late January 2019 with a view to curb the country's crude exports and put pressure on socialist President Nicolas Maduro to step down. Reliance has investments in US shale gas projects and trades fuel in North America. "Our US subsidiary has completely stopped all business with Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PDVSA, and its global parent has not increased crude purchases," the company had said last month. "In addition, since sanctions were imposed and contrary to some news reports, Reliance has halted all supply of diluent to PDVSA and will not resume such sales until sanctions are lifted." US oil sanctions on Venezuela do not ban importing crude oil from the Latin American nation but bar imports from the US of the diluents that must be blended with the extra-heavy oil from Venezuela's Orinoco Belt so it can flow through pipelines. Industry sources said Reliance had a contract to buy some 3 million barrels of crude oil from Venezuela a month, which has been reduced to about 2 million barrels already. Venezuela's state-owned oil company PDVSA has been placed on the US Treasury Department's Specially Designated Nationals list, which generally prohibits American citizens from dealing with named firms or individuals. This has resulted in international banks and shipping companies as well as Reliance ceasing any transactions with the firm. These restrictions came into force on March 29 after an eight week winding down period for contracts that were already in effect. Oil from the Orinoco Belt needs to be diluted with lighter grades to reduce its viscosity so as to allow its flow through pipelines to the coast for export or processing. Disclaimer: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More HDFC Bank registered healthy earnings for January-March quarter, which were in line with Street expectations. Not only its PAT but also net interest income and pre-provision operating profit grew by nearly 23 percent each year-on-year. The stock, an index heavyweight, underperformed its closest peer ICICI Bank. It gained more than 7 percent in last three months and 16 percent in three months while ICICI rallied 9 percent and 28 percent in same period, respectively. Here are 10 key takeaways from its results: Profit After providing Rs 3,069.3 crore for taxation, the bank earned a net profit of Rs 5,885.1 crore in Q4, an increase of 22.6 percent over the quarter ended March 2018. Net Interest Income Net interest income (interest earned less interest expended) for the quarter ended March 2019 grew by 22.8 percent to Rs 13,089.5 crore YoY, driven by average asset growth of 19.8 percent and a core net interest margin for the quarter of 4.4 percent. CNBC-TV18 poll estimates for profit were Rs 5,805.3 crore and net interest income Rs 13,043.3 crore for Q4. Asset Quality Gross non-performing assets were at 1.36 percent of gross advances as on March 2019, against 1.38 percent as on December 2018 and 1.30 percent as on March 2018. Net non-performing assets were at 0.4 percent of net advances as on March 2019. Total provisions (comprising specific provisions, general provisions and floating provisions) were 117 percent of the gross non-performing loans as on March 2019. Provisions Provisions and contingencies for the quarter ended March 2019 were Rs 1,889.2 crore (including specific loan loss provisions Rs 1,431.2 crore) against Rs 1,541.1 crore (including specific loan loss provisions Rs 1,132.5 crore) for the quarter ended March 2018. Credit Growth Total advances as of March 2019 were Rs 819,401 crore, an increase of 24.5 percent over March 2018. Domestic advances grew by 24.6 percent over March 2018. Its domestic retail loans grew by 19 percent and domestic wholesale loans by 31.9 percent. Overseas advances constituted 3 percent of total advances. Deposits Total deposits were at Rs 923,141 crore in March 2019, an increase of 17 percent YoY. CASA deposits grew by 14 percent, with savings account deposits at Rs 2,48,700 crore and current account deposits at Rs 1,42,498 crore. Other Income Other income (non-interest revenue) at Rs 4,871.2 crore was 27.1 percent of the net revenues for the quarter ended March 2019 and grew by 15.2 percent over corresponding quarter ended March 2018. The four components of other income were fees and commissions at Rs 3,692.1 crore, as compared to Rs 3,329.7 crore in corresponding quarter of previous year, foreign exchange and derivatives revenue of Rs 403.3 crore (Rs 416.4 crore in corresponding quarter of previous year), gain on revaluation/ sale of investments of Rs 228.9 crore (a loss of Rs 22 crore in corresponding quarter of previous year) and miscellaneous income, including recoveries and dividend, of Rs 546.9 crore (Rs 504.5 crore). Cost-to-income Ratio The core cost-to-income ratio for the quarter was at 40.1 percent, as against 40.6 percent for the corresponding quarter ended March 2018. Capital Adequacy The bank's total capital adequacy ratio (CAR) as per Basel III guidelines was at 17.1 percent as on March 2019 (14.8 percent as on March 31, 2018) as against a regulatory requirement of 11.025 percent. Tier 1 CAR was at 15.8 percent as of March 2019 compared to 13.2 percent as of March 2018. Common Equity Tier 1 Capital ratio was at 14.9 percent as of March 2019. Dividend The board of directors recommended a dividend of Rs 15 per share for financial year 2018-19 against Rs 13 per share for previous year. Representative image When Harish Banker quit his bank to join another financial services firm, six of his reporting team members also resigned from the company to join him. This was a big blow to the firm which was already facing high rates of attrition. While the human resources team tried to retain the staff members by offering higher pay, none of them relented. Their argument was that Banker was their mentor when they joined the team and they were only repaying the loyalty to the individual. In HR parlance, a phrase that is often repeated is that people leave managers and not companies. While not everyone may agree, it is a fact that a companys brand ambassador for a new joinee is often the manager s/he reports to. How long an individual works for a company, is also a by-product of how their equation is with the manager. You dont need a boss like Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada to leave a job. They could, in fact, be an immense influencer in employee career decisions. So much so that employees quit en masse to follow their reporting manager. Especially if the employee has been hired by this person. To prevent senior managers from poaching employees when they quit jobs, companies have contracts that prevent poaching staff for a fixed period. However, HR lawyers say that it is very difficult for companies to prove it in court that a said employee was poached by a former team member. HR managers see these practices as a violation of non-compete clauses. But unless an employee has signed a contract that prevents them from joining a rival organisation, no legal action can be taken. There is also a grey area if a team manager decides to quit and set up a new venture altogether. Startups are known to begin with one business idea and quickly pivot if the venture is not successful. Here, the non-compete clause, that is usually is valid for 12-18 months, is no longer valid. More than finding a good cultural fit in a new organisation, finding a manager who motivates and strengthens the team is a difficult task. Hence, it comes as no surprise that each employee's longevity in a company is also directly proportional to who their boss is. Election Commission special observer, Ajay V Nayak said the situation in West Bengal is similar to what it was in Bihar around 15 years ago and had lead to the voters' demand for deployment of central forces in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The people of West Bengal have lost faith in the state police and therefore their demand for deployment of central forces at all polling booths has increased, Nayak, who is the former Bihar chief electoral officer, said. The situation in Bihar has improved and less number of central forces are required there now, he told newsmen at the office of the West Bengal chief electoral officer. Nayak, a 1984-batch IAS officer, was recently given the responsibility to oversee the last five phases of polls in West Bengal. "This situation in West Bengal is similar to what it was in Bihar around 15 years ago. During that time in Bihar total deployment of central forces at the booths was required. Now it is required in West Bengal as the people of West Bengal have lost faith in the state police and are seeking deployment of central forces at all the booths," he told newsmen in the office of the chief electoral officer. "I cannot understand that if people in Bihar were able to bring in a change in the atmosphere and situation there then why is this not happening in West Bengal," Nayak said in the presence of West Bengal chief electoral officer Ariz Aftab. He said that in the third phase of polling on April 23, 324 companies of central forces would be deployed to cover more than 92 percent of the polling booths in five Lok Sabha constituencies. Balurghat, Malda North, Malda South, Jangipur and Murshidabad parliamentary constituencies will go to the polls on April 23. In the first phase on April 11 central forces were deployed in 51 percent booths in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar parliamentary constituencies and 194 companies covered 80 percent of the booths in Raiganj, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri in the second pase on April 18. In the first phase there were reports of booth capturing, smashing of EVMs and intimidation. Similar incidents were reported in the second phase from Chopra in Darjeeling constituency and also from Islampur in Raiganj constituency. There were also reports of damage to the vehicle of sitting CPI-M MP Mohammed Salim at Raiganj. Nayak said that no negligence was found after scrutiny of the pollings in the first phase elections and there will be no repoll in the constituencies where voting was held on the day. The special observer, however, did not dismiss chances of repolling in some booths where polling was held in the second phase. The EC has appointed Vivek Dubey as the special police observer for the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal. Meanwhile, the EC has transfered Malda superintendent of police Arnab Ghosh and has brought in commanding officer of the second batallion of state armed police Ajoy Prasad in his place. Sources said that Ghosh, who was reportedly close to the Trinamool Congress administration, was under the EC scanner. The West Bengal unit of BJP had a few days ago urged the EC to remove Ghosh. Citing a complaint filed against Rahul Gandhi, the BJP on April 20 raised questions on the Congress president's citizenship and educational qualification, and asked him to come clean on the matter. The BJP's reaction comes in the wake of the complaint filed with returning officer in Amethi seat against Gandhi's candidature in which allegations and objections have been made about his citizenship and qualification. The returning officer (RO) has fixed Monday as the next date of hearing on the matter. BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao told reporters it was "stunning" that Gandhi's lawyer sought time to reply to the objections. "These are serious allegations. Is Rahul Gandhi an Indian citizen or not? Did he ever become a British citizen? He should come out with the real story," he said. There was no immediate reaction from the Congress. Election Commission sources said the returning officer is the final authority on such a matter, but he cannot check the veracity of whatever is written on an election affidavit. "If someone approaches an RO raising objections, he must hear the affected party. If anyone has any objection to whatever is recorded in an affidavit, the person should approach court. The EC has no role in any objection made to election affidavit," they said. Rao claimed that a British company, in which Gandhi had said in 2004 that he made investment, in its submission to the authorities there stated that Gandhi was a British citizen. Referring to the complaint, the BJP spokesperson said there are "discrepancies and attempts to suppress facts" in Gandhi's affidavits filed during different elections from 2004 to 2014. The Congress chief had said that he did M Phil in development economics from Cambridge University, but later claimed it was in development studies, Rao alleged. The BJP spokesman said inquiries show that one Rahul Vincy and not Rahul Gandhi got the degree in that particular year. "We will like to know if Rahul Gandhi goes by multiple names in different countries," Rao said. He also wondered if the Gandhi scion's qualification was like Congress manifestoes that change every five years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 20 charged the Congress with having placed vote bank politics above national interest while it was in power at the Centre. Addressing an election rally here, Modi also said that the opposition party and its allies were rattled by the trends that have emerged from the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls. "... The trends of the first two phases of elections have left them rattled. They no more have the temerity to demand proofs of the valiant cross-border operations conducted by our armed forces," the prime minister said. He said that "lies" were being spread about his government that its introduction of five per cent quota for the unreserved categories was a step in the direction of doing away with reservations. "Beware of such lies," he said. "The country has witnessed two types of politics of 'vote bhakti' and of 'desh bhakti'. The former was on display after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, when the then government did not go after Pakistan for abetting terror, and chose to derail the investigations in many terror cases by coming up with the theory of Hindu terror. "The latter was demonstrated by us when the Uri terror attack was replied with surgical strikes and Pulwama was followed by air strikes," Modi said. The Election Commission (EC) is going to issue a notice to Malegaon blast accused and BJP candidate from Bhopal Pragya Singh Thakur over her remarks against police officer Hemant Karkare, who was killed in the 26/11 terror attack, an officer said on April 20. Addressing BJP workers in Bhopal on April 18 night, Thakur had claimed that Karkare died during the attacks as she "cursed" him for torturing her. However, after her remarks kicked up a row, she tendered an apology on April 19. "We took suo motu cognisance of the statement and sought a report from the assistant returning officer (ARO) on the matter. We got the report this morning and we are going to issue notices, which are returnable within 24 hours, to the organiser of the programme and the person who made the statement," District Election Officer and Bhopal Collector Sudam Khade told PTI. "We are going to send the ARO report to the EC," he said. Khade said that the organiser of the event had been given permission on certain conditions as the model code of conduct was in force. According to another EC official, as per the conditions set before giving permission to the event, use of objectionable language to defame a particular person had been prohibited. Out on bail, Thakur (48) has been discharged by a court on charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the 2008 case, but is still facing trial under other criminal provisions, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The BJP on Wednesday fielded her from the Bhopal seat, where she is set to have a direct contest with Congress heavyweight and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh. Her statement against Karkare raised a political storm on April 19 with opposition parties attacking the BJP and the Congress demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, the saffron party distanced itself from her comments, saying it was her "personal view" which she might have made "due to years of physical and mental torture". President Amit Shah on April 20 said Narendra Modi should be installed as the Prime Minister once again to secure the country and to give a "befitting" reply to terrorism and Pakistan. Creating a saffron surge, Shah held a massive road show at Bhadravathi in Shimogga, campaigning for party candidate B Y Raghavendra, son of Karnataka BJP President and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. Raghavendra is pitted against former legislator Madhu Bangarappa of JD(S), who is the son of former Chief Minister S Bangarappa. "This election is not only about making Raghavendra Member of Parliament, but to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister," Shah said at the end of road show. "Why should we make Narendra Modi Prime Minister?, to secure the country, to give a befitting reply to terrorism and Pakistan. In order to give a befitting reply to Pakistan, people of Shimogga will have to press the ballot button adjacent to the Lotus symbol and Raghavendra's name," he said. Noting that he too was facing election from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat on April 23, Shah said he had come to campaign for Raghavendra to ensure his victory. Hundreds of enthusiastic BJP workers cheered the BJP chief chanting "Modi, Modi" as the "Rath," a modified vehicle, covered little more than one and half kilometre distance with Raghavendra, among others, accompanying him. Thousands of people had gathered all along the route showering flower petals on Shah as the vehicle wound its way in a delirious atmosphere. The road show that began with party workers greeting Shah with a loud cheer in favor of BJP, lasted about 40 minutes. Ahead of the "rath," BJP supporters sporting saffron caps and holding cutouts, placards and party flags danced to the drum beats, as slogans of 'Modi Modi' rent the air. Raghavendra, who is a sitting MP from Shimogga had defeated Madhu Bangarappa, joint candidate of ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in the by-polls held in November last year. While, Raghavendra is banking on Modi wave along with his father's name and his work as MP, Madhu too is relying on his late father's legacy, support of the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition, andon Ediga community, to which he belongs to. Ediga community has considerable presence in Shimogga. Out of eight assembly segments in Shimogga, BJP had won 7 and Congress only one in Bhadravathi during the 2018 assembly polls. Madhu had lost to his own brother Kumar Bangarappa of BJP during 2018 assembly polls from Soraba constituency. Raghavendra's father and Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Yeddyurappa is the BJP legislator from Shikaripura constituency. There are 12 candidate in the fray in Shimogga that would go to polls on April 23. The Allahabad High Court on April 19 asked a petitioner to approach the central government to raise his grievance about the citizenship of Congress president Rahul Gandhi. The Lucknow bench of the high court directed the competent authority in the central government to consider and decide the matter, if so raised, in accordance with the law expeditiously. A bench of justice D K Arora and justice Manish Mathur passed the order on the petition moved by R K Singh. Passing the order, the bench kept in mind an order it issued on Dec 1, 2015, when it directed the petitioner to approach the central government to raise a similar issue. The court learnt that a representation was filed before the government on Dec 12, 2015, but the matter has not been decided yet. In the latest petition, Singh has alleged that Gandhi has filed income tax return in Britain showing himself to be a citizen of Britain. It was stated that under article 9 of the Constitution and section 9 of the Indian Citizenship Act , Gandhi incurred disqualification from being citizen of India and his citizenship and membership of Lok Sabha should be set aside. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's imposing statue in Gujarat has not been built to "belittle" former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Speaking at an election rally here, Modi said though the Congress says Patel was their leader, no leader of that party has visited the statue so far. "Don't you feel proud when the Statue of Unity and Gujarat's name appear when you search for the world's tallest statue on Google? "I have not built Sardar Patel's statue to belittle Pandit Nehru. Patel's stature is so tall that you don't have to try too hard to make others look smaller," Modi said in his speech, most of which was in Gujarati. The 'Statue of Unity', dedicated to Sardar Patel, was unveiled by Modi on October 31 last year at Sadhu Bet island on Narmada river. The 182-metre tall statue was built at a cost of Rs 2,389 crore. Modi also said his government has managed to contain terrorism to only "two and a half" districts in Jammu and Kashmir and that no bomb blast took place elsewhere in the country in the last five years. Modi said what he learnt in Gujarat helped him during the Doklam standoff with China in 2017. Troops of India and China were locked in the 73-day- long standoff after the Indian side stopped construction of a road in the disputed tri-junction by the Chinese Army. "This is not an election rally for me, but a rally to say thanks to people of Gujarat for the grooming I received here," Modi said. Referring to various incidents of bomb blasts in the country previously, he said, "In the last five years no bomb blast took place in any other part of the country. We managed to contain terrorism to just two and a half districts in Jammu and Kashmir." On Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement of trying to approach India after the Balakot air strike, Modi said the leader "had to make a public plea to us to pick up the phone". Hitting out at the previous Congress-led governments in the country, he said the Sardar Sarovar project should have been completed 40 years ago. In 2014, the Congress came to its lowest tally after Independence and in 2019, it is fighting on the lowest number of Lok Sabha seats but still "dreaming" of becoming the ruling party, he said. Lashing out at TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 20 said "speedbreaker didi" has lost her sleep after the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. Addressing an election rally here in South Dinajpur district, Modi accused the chief minister of fooling people in the name of 'ma, mati and manush' (mother, land and people). "Speedbreaker didi has lost her sleep after the reports that came in post the first and second phase of polling in the state," the prime minister told a well-attended rally. He also flayed Banerjee for allowing people from the "neighbouring country" to campaign for the Trinamool Congress in the state. "It is shameful that people from neighbouring country are campaigning for the TMC. This was done by the party to appease the minority community," Modi said. The prime minister criticised Banerjee for seeking proof of the Balakot air strikes in Pakistan, and asked her to, instead, collect evidence against those behind chit fund scams. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More On the day when Wipro was set to announce its annual and quarterly results on April 16, a blog KrebsonSecurity exposed a cybersecurity breach at the company. On April 19, the same blog, by American journalist Brian Krebs, revealed that other IT majors like Infosys and Cognizant could be targeted by the same intruders. Krebs said that the clues so far suggest the work of a fairly experienced crime group that is focused on perpetrating gift card fraud. While Wipro admitted to the cyberattack and said that that the company is conducting a forensic investigation into the cyberattack, Infosys has denied of any such breach and Cognizant said that there has been no indication of any client data being compromised. Such attacks are anything but new for these companies. Like Wipro said in the results call, a large enterprise like Wipro goes through 4.5 million such alerts and has in place an efficient monitoring system to detect potential threats. Cognizant too said that it is not unusual for a company to be a target of such phishing expeditions. If the Krebs blog is anything to go by, the perpetrators who attacked Wipro have been targeting more companies for some time and are successful in translating the access to cash. Krebs further added that anti-virus companies still are not flagging many malicious internet addresses and domains listed. The latest incidents demonstrate the need for better cybersecurity given that latest technologies, have become even more sophisticated and easier. John Shier, Senior Security Advisor of the UK-based cybersecurity firm Sophos, in a recent interaction with Moneycontrol said, how simple it is to hack into the system with easy access to tools. Companies understand this. Compared to last few years, investments in cybersecurity have increased. In a recent interaction, an analyst said that companies have increased their budgetary allocations by 5-10 percent to cater to the rising need to have advanced monitoring systems in place. In fact earlier cybersecurity used to come under technology. Now many companies have a separate cybersecurity team, the analyst added. However awareness continue to be a challenge. In the Wipro attack, the perpetrators targeted the accounts of a few vulnerable employees . Some employees might not be even aware that they are clicking an email with malicious content as they come under the guise of your supervisor or others known to you, explained a cybersecurity expert. The expert added that employees need to be careful and there is more sensitisation necessary in this regard. The US Justice Department dismissed a subpoena by the House Judiciary Committee for an unredacted copy of the report produced by Special Counsel Robert Mueller as "premature and unnecessary" in a statement on April 19. "Congressman Nadler's subpoena is premature and unnecessary. The Department will continue to work with Congress to accommodate its legitimate requests consistent with the law and long-recognized executive branch interests," DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said in a statement, referring to the committee's chairman, Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat. File image of the Boeing 737 MAX A global team of experts next week will begin reviewing how the Boeing 737 Max's flight control system was approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA says experts from nine international civil aviation authorities have confirmed participation in a technical review promised by the agency. Former National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Chris Hart will lead the group, which also will have experts from the FAA and NASA. They will look at the plane's automated system including the way it interacts with pilots. The group will meet Tuesday and is expected to finish in 90 days. The Boeing jetliner has been grounded around the world since mid-March after two crashes killed 346 people. Investigators are focusing on anti-stall software that pushed the planes' noses down based on erroneous sensor readings. In a statement Friday, the FAA said aviation authorities from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to help with the work, called a Joint Authorities Technical Review. The group will evaluate the automated flight control design and determine whether it complies with regulations. It also will decide if changes need to be made in the FAA's approval process. Chicago-based Boeing is working on a software fix to the planes' anti-stall system, known by its acronym, MCAS. In both an October crash off the coast of Indonesia and a March crash in Ethiopia, a faulty sensor reading triggered MCAS and pushed the plane's nose down, and pilots were unable to recover. Pilots at US airlines complained that they didn't even know about MCAS until after the October crash. They then received computer training that described the system and how to respond when something goes wrong with it. On Wednesday, Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said the company completed its last test flight of updated flight-control software. Muilenburg said test pilots flew 120 flights totaling 203 hours with the new software. The company is expected to conduct a crucial certification flight with an FAA test pilot on board soon, possibly next week. "We are making steady progress toward certification" and returning the Max to service, Muilenburg said as he stood in front of a Max jet at Boeing Field in Seattle. Muilenburg said he went on a test flight that day and saw the updated software "operating as designed across a range of flight conditions." In the US, United Airlines has removed its 14 Max jets from the schedule until early July, while American, with 24, and Southwest, with 34, are not counting on the planes until August. It could take longer before foreign airlines can use their Max jets. Regulators outside the US once relied on the FAA's judgment in such matters but have indicated plans to conduct their own reviews this time. Foreign countries may impose additional requirements, delaying the use of the Max by their carriers. For example, FAA experts concluded in a draft report that while pilots need training on the anti-stall system, they do not need additional time in flight simulators. Canada's transportation minister said this week, however, that he wants simulator training for Max pilots. Air Canada has 24 Max jets. US intelligence has accused Huawei Technologies of being funded by Chinese state security, The Times said on April 20, adding to the list of allegations faced by the Chinese technology company in the West. The CIA accused Huawei of receiving funding from China's National Security Commission, the People's Liberation Army and a third branch of the Chinese state intelligence network, the British newspaper reported, citing a source. Earlier this year, US intelligence shared its claims with other members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group, which includes Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, according to the report. Huawei dismissed the allegations in a statement cited by the newspaper. "Huawei does not comment on unsubstantiated allegations backed up by zero evidence from anonymous sources," a Huawei representative told The Times. The company, the CIA and Chinese state security agencies did not respond immediately to requests for comment. The accusation comes at a time of trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and amid concerns in the United States that Huawei's equipment could be used for espionage. The company has said the concerns are unfounded. Authorities in the United States are probing Huawei for alleged sanctions violations. Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial officer and daughter of its founder, Ren Zhengfei, was arrested in Canada in December at the request of the United States on charges of bank and wire fraud in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran. She denies wrongdoing and her father has previously said the arrest was "politically motivated". Amid such charges, top educational institutions in the West have recently severed ties with Huawei to avoid losing federal funding. Another Chinese technology company, ZTE Corp, has also been at the centre of similar controversies in the United States. US sanctions forced ZTE to stop most business between April and July last year after Commerce Department officials said it broke a pact and was caught illegally shipping US-origin goods to Iran and North Korea. The sanctions were lifted after ZTE paid $1.4 billion in penalties. Reuters reported earlier this week that the United States will push its allies at a meeting in Prague next month to adopt shared security and policy measures that will make it more difficult for Huawei to dominate 5G telecommunications networks. April 20, 2019 The MoA Week In Review - OT 2019-23 Note: Your host is traveling and visiting family. Posting throughout Easter will be light. Last week's posts on Moon of Alabama: April 15 - Notre Dame On Fire - Updated April 16 - CIA Director Used Fake Skripal Incident Photos To Manipulate Trump The piece and issue was picked up by several other blogs and outlets: No children or ducks harmed by novichok, say health officials - Guardian Wiltshire council clarification follows claims Donald Trump was shown images to contrary New York Times Accidentally Unravels UK Government's Official Skripal Narrative - Sputnik The Official Skripal Story is a Dead Duck - Craig Murray Trump in Dumps as Spook Picks Sick KidsnDead Duck Trick Pics - The Blogmire Wie Grobritannien und CIA Donald Trump gegen Russland manipulierten - RT Deutsch Hospitalized children & dead ducks? The official Skripal narrative goes completely quackers - RT English April 18 - First Thoughts On The Mueller Report Release Still reading it. Mueller left out many important issues. The genesis of Russiagate is missing from the report as is any word on the falsehoods in the Steele dossier. The DNC "hack" is taken as fact even though the allegation of Russian involvement is solely based on the word of Crowdstrike, a company with well known anti-Russian bias hired by the DNC. See also: Ten post-Mueller questions that could turn the tables on Russia collusion investigators - The Hill and Interview with George Papadopoulos (audio) - Michael Tracey April 18 - Security Breach At U.S. Embassies In Tunisia And Kuwait Almost Caused A Disaster --- A handy reference to counter the dozens of smears against Julian Assange: Debunking All The Assange Smears - Caitlin Johnstone Syria: The war isn't over. Over the last days Syrian troops were attacked by ISIS remnants in desert and by Al-Qaeda fighters around Idleb. Dozens of soldiers died. There is also a fuel scarcety as U.S. sanctions interrupted oil and fuel supplies from Iran. Two pieces on how the U.S. and its allies nurtured al-Qaeda and ISIS in Syria: A Brief History of the Destruction of Yarmouk Palestinian Refugee Camp in Syria - William Van Wagenen EXCLUSIVE: How CIA & allies helped jihadists in Syria - Interview with Maxime Chaix (Recommended) Maxime Chaix, an expert on clandestine operations, intelligence and US foreign policy, is a journalist and regular contributor to GlobalGeoNews.com. He has written La guerre de lombre en Syrie (The Shadow War in Syria, published in French by Editions Erick Bonnier), a shocker of a book in which he reveals insightful information on the support which several Western intelligence services provided to jihadist militias in Syria, starting with the CIA. His investigation reveals a multi-faceted state scandal and points out the murky game played by the Western powers and their Middle Eastern allies in the Levant. Use as open thread ... Posted by b on April 20, 2019 at 18:30 UTC | Permalink Comments next page Lorain County Community College hosted an Earth Day celebration April 19 in the Spitzer Conference Room, 1005 N. Abbe Road in Elyria, to look at how to best use and preserve the planets resources. The event is built with the community partners we have who came here and were willing to bring their products in today, said Ruby Beil, environmental science professor and sustainable agriculture program director at LCCC. We want to excite a new generation of farmers and show off how wonderful things can be made that are home grown and made from earth-friendly products and methods. Beil said the overall theme of the businesses that showed up, is that they ate all green. They focused on little waste, she said. It shows how we can positively impact the world and make a health community here in Lorain County. Beil said the event also was informative. We had a little presentation which focused on pollination, soil formation and the different nutrients the earth provides, she said. If we take care of the earth, it will help us in return. Beil said the sustainable agriculture program is a great opportunity for students. The college provides an associate of applied science for the program, she said. Its for those who want to make a difference and want to have a fulfilling career. You can make a good living and have the opportunity to take care of your local community. Adrian Mago, 22, of Avon, was one of the students in the Sustainable Agriculture program selling plants at the event. We have different prices based on the size of the plant, Mago said. These plants were all grown in our plant propagation class here at the college. We learn how to grow various different plants and we have sold a good amount so far. Midland and Odessa continue to dominate the Texas and the national economy, fueled by the regions oil and gas activity. The Texas Workforce Commission said Friday unemployment in its Midland metropolitan statistical area, which includes Midland and Martin counties, dipped to 2.1 percent in March from 2.2 percent in February and is below the 2.3 percent posted in March 2018. Midland continues to record the states lowest unemployment, and Odessa reported the second lowest for a second consecutive month. Odessas unemployment rate dropped to 2.5 percent from 2.7 percent in February and from 2.9 percent last March. Total nonfarm jobs rose by 200 to 107,200 from 107,000 in February, a growth rate of 0.2 percet. The leisure and hospitality sector added the most jobs 200 during the month. That was followed by the mining, logging and construction sector, professional and business services sector and education and health services sector, which added 100 jobs each. Trade, transportation and utilities was the only sector to lose jobs from February to March, down 300. Midlands civilian labor force declined by about 300 to 107,250 from 107,549 in February but is well above the March 2018 figure of 102,325, a gain of 4,925. Of the labor force, 105,027 were employed in March, down from 105,139 in February but up by 5,020 from the 100,007 employed last March. The number of unemployed Midlanders dropped to 2,223 from 2,410 and is below the 2,318 unemployed last March. For the 12 months from March 2018 to March 2018, total nonfarm jobs grew by 5,500, up 5.3 percent from the 104,700 reported last March. The regions dominant industrial sector, mining, logging and construction, which includes oil and gas activity, continued to dominate in job creation, adding 2,500 jobs for a growth rate of 7.2 percent. Second was the trade, transportation and utilities sector with 1,200 new jobs for a growth rate of 5.9 percent. Leisure and hospitality added 500 jobs for a growth rate of 5.1 percent. The information sector only added 100 jobs, but that translated to a whopping growth rate of 11.1 percent. Likewise, the manufacturing sector added only 400 jobs but that amounted to a 10.5 percent growth rate. Professional and business services also added 400 jobs for a growth rate of 4.1 percent. Education and health services added 300 jobs for a growth rate of 4.1 percent, followed by the financial activities sector with 200 new jobs for a growth rate of 4.5 percent. The government sector was the only one to post a loss during the year, down 100 jobs. Statewide, the unemployment rate held steady at 3.8 percent in March. The commission said the state added 22,600 seasonally adjusted jobs from February to March, the 107th consecutive month of annual growth for total nonfarm employment. Private sector employers have added 262,300 jobs since March 2018 for an annual employment growth rate of 2.5 percent; that has held above 2 percent since October 2017. The commission also reported the states civilian labor force reached a record high of just over 14 million in March. While Midland reported the lowest unemployment, the highest continued to be in McAllenEdinburg-Mission at 5.7 percent. Midland unemployment January 2019 2.3 percent January 2018 2.4 percent February 2019 2.2 percent February 2018 2.3 percent March 2019 2.1 percent March 2018 2.3 percent Preliminary numbers for March with February numbers in parentheses: Midland 2.1 (2.2) Odessa 2.5 (2.67) Amarillo 2.7 (2.9) Austin-Round Rock 2.7 (3.0) College Station-Bryan 2.7 (3.0) Sherman-Denison 3.0 (3.3) Lubbock 3.1 (3.1) San Angelo 3.1 (3.3) San Antonio-New Braunfels 3.1 (3.4) Abilene 3.2 (3.4) Wichita Falls 3.2 (3.5) Dallas-Plano-Irving 3.3 (3.6) Fort Worth-Arlington 3.3 (3.6) Tyler 3.4 (3.7) Waco 3.4 (3.6) Victoria 3.5 (3.7) Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land 3.7 (4.2) Killeen-Temple 3.8 (4.2) Laredo 3.8 (4.2) Longview 3.8 (4.1) El Paso 3.9 (4.3) Corpus Christi 4.4 (5.0) Texarkana 4.5 (5.3) Beaumont-Port Arthur 5.3 (5.9) Brownsville-Harlingen 5.5 (6.3) McAllen-Edinburg-Mission 5.7 (6.7) OKLAHOMA CITY Science and technology are helping Oklahoma City to sustain the DNA and the spirit of a tree that has symbolized hope in the 24 years since the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history shook the city to its core. As part of an annual remembrance of the bombing, civic leaders and state officials on Friday plan to transplant a tree that was cloned from a scarred American elm that lived through the blast that leveled half of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995. The tree now features prominently at the memorial, overlooking the 168 chairs representing those killed. The intent of the DNA work is that the younger elm will one day replace the nearly 100-year-old "Survivor Tree" after it eventually dies. "While we hope that tree lives forever, trees are like us," said Kari Watkins, executive director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial, which uses a rendering of the tree's canopy in its logo. The surviving tree's eventual replacement was cloned by taking the rootstock of a young tree that sprouted from a "Survivor Tree" seed. Nursery workers then grafted a cutting of the original tree onto the newer plant's roots. The new tree will eventually grow and spread roots in a specially designed area in a future park about a mile (1.6 kilometers) south of the original. Machinery can move a tree with a mass of roots measuring 25 feet (7.6 meters) and haul it away to be replanted, said Mark Bays, a state forester. No one is sure when that might need to happen at the bombing memorial, but technology is only expected to get better. "All living things come and pass. We hope it's an extended period of time before that happens to this one," Bays said, adding that American elms can live to be 150 years old in forests. "But that's, I think, one of the significant things of this. We can now protect and observe the genetics of this actual tree, and its genetics will outlive everybody." Bays was part of a team that helped build a stone, elevated viewing area around the "Survivor Tree," whose leaves reach to the third-story windows of an interactive museum about the bombing. The viewing platform is on piers to allow the surrounding soil to breath. The stones can easily be removed when the new tree needs to be replanted there. For now, the cherished tree looks healthy though still battered on the highest point of the memorial. The elm's bark is almost white in spots, with other deep brown streaks. Knots mark where broken branches were sawed and then sanded smooth. Some of those pieces have been given to the memorial's biggest supporters, including Bill Clinton, who was president when a truck parked near the building and packed with explosives detonated on a Wednesday morning, just as the workday was starting for adults, and children were settling into a daycare. Like many trees that grow in central Oklahoma, where the edge of the eastern forest meets the prairie, this one doesn't grow straight. It leans with Oklahoma's famed wind. Imagery of the "Survivor Tree" is so powerful that many want their own piece: For more than 20 years, the memorial has given away saplings that germinated from its seeds. While not genetic replicas, they are considered "children" of the original tree. That was enough Friday for more than 80 people who stood in line for their own young tree, after the names of all those killed in the bombing were read aloud. Sheridean McMahan, of Jones, a town about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of Oklahoma City, was first in line with her adult son, grandson and great-grandson. The 76-year-old got a tree for her nephew, a sheriff's deputy who now lives in Maine. The self-described "Okie" said she has a "Survivor Tree" offspring planted in her own yard that broke and nearly died over the winter. "It's coming back, and it's something to pass down to someone else," McMahan said. "I guess it's a survivor, too." We want to see action from ... George Zimmerman is looking for love. Unfortunately for him, Tinder will no longer host his search. The popular dating app removed Zimmerman, the neighborhood-watch volunteer who fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, from the platform, the New York Daily News reported. Zimmerman was acquitted of murder in the killing of the unarmed black teenager more than six years ago. A Tinder spokesman in a statement to The Washington Post confirmed that Zimmerman's profile had been removed. "At Tinder, we take our users' safety very seriously and our team has removed this profile from our platform," the spokesman said. "We utilize a network of industry-leading automated and manual moderation and review tools, systems and processes - and spend millions of dollars annually to prevent, monitor and remove bad actors who have violated our Community terms and guidelines." Zimmerman, 35, had registered on Tinder under the name "Carter" and advertised himself as a lover of the outdoors, fishing, camping and hiking. "Carter" also claimed to be a self-employed Liberty University graduate. "I love adventure not into huge crowds. I'm also down for a quiet night with Longhorn take out," Zimmerman wrote in his bio, which was accompanied by photos of him dressed for graduation and with a dog, according to photos posted by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Zimmerman's unlucky love streak predates his recent ban from Tinder. He was also removed from social networking platform Bumble twice in recent months "George Zimmerman was blocked and banned in December 2018 when we first discovered his profile and we have blocked and banned him again after we were informed by our users that he had created a new unverified profile," a Bumble spokesman said in a statement, according to the Orlando Sentinel. According to the Sentinel, his Bumble bio made no mention of killing a young black man or that he was charged with stalking. However, it did note that he was his third grade teacher's favorite student. "Let's get coffee and cake pops I'm looking for a mature and fun woman that's ready to be loved and respected the way she deserves and is able to reciprocate," he wrote. San Antonio police released a statement following a fatal Saturday morning shooting on the far West Side where they were told a woman accidentally shot herself, police say. "All indications point to a suicide in that incident," a SAPD spokesperson said about 4 p.m. In a massive team effort, every car in the Ken Batchelor Cadillac inventory was moved to a University of Texas at San Antonio parking garage Wednesday, and it made for some popular social media content among Roadrunners. As inclement weather, including threats of hail and tornadoes, approached San Antonio on Wednesday, Ken Batchelor Cadillac put their preventative protocol in place. General manager Esther Luna said the luxury car dealership had permission from the university to park more than 100 of its luxury vehicles in the garage to save them from hail damage. "We started moving them as soon as we heard a storm was coming," Luna said. APRIL 2016 STORM: Hundreds of luxury cars damaged at BMW of San Antonio by hail Luna said every employee from valet to general manager helped drive the cars to the campus about 5 miles away. It took a total of five hours to move all the vehicles, and at some points, like during rush hour, the commute took about 40 minutes. The end result was a video captured by graduate student John Wynkoop, who found a garage full of high-end cars after his class finished around 9 p.m. Luna said it was "interesting and fun" to see the caravan of Cadillacs. What isn't fun, she said, is hail damage. The storm of 2016 caused more than $2 billion in damage, according to San Antonio Express-News archives. As students reacted to Wynkoop's video, some said they were confused as to why the nearby dealership was emptied of its cars or why they were caught "in the middle" of a Cadillac parade when driving through campus. RELATED: 8 tips to escape your car in a high water emergency "Someone give the man in charge of this a raise," Wynkoop said in his tweet. Some of the replies included people commending the effort, for "how long something like this takes" and others said "this is the kind of service I expect from dealerships." "A lot of work went into it trust me," Twitter user @Mark_DaShark said. One user said her dad and grandpa were part of the team who helped move the cars and shared pictures of their post-mission faces. "Big props to them," Wynkoop said. Madalyn Mendoza is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | mmendoza@mysa.com | @MaddySkye OPPOSITION MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to accept a face to face meeting, that will set the agenda for dialogue between the two political protagonists. In an exclusive interview with NewZimbabwe Thursday, Chamisa said he still wants a resolution of the political problems associated with the 2018 elections warning there will not be 2023. Mnangagwa must accept a one on one interface with me or there is no dialogue. We need to meet so we can thrash out the modalities of dealing with the crisis engulfing our country. It is the only way we can deal with the legitimacy crisis, the political and economic crisis and set our country on the path to recovery, said Chamisa. There will not be a 2023 without the resolution of the 2018 election dispute. They can close the chapter but we will open it. So we are not looking at 2023 but at 2018. The issue of that election must be resolved. Mnangagwa and Zanu PF, argue they consider the issue of the 2018 election dispute a closed chapter, following the decision by the Constitutional Court to dismiss Chamisas application to overturn the result. Chamisa narrowly lost the presidential election in July last year coming a close second with 44.3 percent of the vote against Mnangagwas 50.8 percent. Mnangagwas win was later revised downwards to 50.67 percent and 50.58 percent after Chamisa approached ConCourt. Chamisa challenged the result of the election arguing the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission had colluded with the ruling Zanu PF party, to rig the poll in Mnangagwas favour. However his petition at the Constitutional Court was thrown out for lack of evidence. The 41-year-old lawyer said Mnangagwa had rebuffed his attempts to meet. We have made numerous efforts to meet Mnangagwa, numerous actions and attempts but zilch in the form or reciprocal action from him, he said. On the other hand Mnangagwa has called Chamisa to a dialogue platform that included all candidates in last years presidential election but the MDC leader refused. Chamisa vowed he would not attend that charade. We are not in the business of attending rallies or tom-and-jerry stuff. Mnangagwa is not Father Christmas, who goes about giving away positions to people. Its not about Chamisa but the people, Chamisa added. We are not going to join a choir of people who agree. We have a dispute with Mnangagwa and we must be allowed to resolve it. The people he is meeting with have no dispute with him. They all agree so we will not be party to such gatherings. The MDC leader, said he respected the countrys Independence Day but chose to celebrate it in a different manner. Chamisa scoffed at question as regards his snubbing of the national celebrations to mark 39 years since the dawn of majority rule. Official? What official proceedings? Mnangagwas attendance to an event does not turn into something official. We have the peoples mandate and when we assume power, Independence Day will be a national event, at which even those in the opposition will give solidarity speeches. It will not be a partisan event, such as we see today. We were not invited either officially or unofficially. We chose to celebrate the sacrifices made by our gallant fighters by going to church and praying for the country. Praying for peace and the resolution of our countrys crisis, Chamisa told newzimbabwe.com. According to Chamisa his diplomatic engagements on the African continent are bearing fruit. Our story is an African story. It is being shared across the continent and we are happy with the manner in which African leaders have embraced out narrative of the situation in Zimbabwe, he said. Chamisa however refused to disclose the names of the leaders he has met citing diplomatic etiquette. NewZimbabwe Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News A WOMAN from Bulawayo has been convicted of kidnapping her distant relatives baby to support her lie to her husband that she had borne him a son. Vionce Ndlovu (26) of Njube suburb has two other children both girls with her husband who does not live with her and was not named in court. She told him she was pregnant about two years ago and would take her relatives baby boy whenever her husband visited and pretended it was hers. When her husband came for a longer visit, she kidnapped another relatives baby boy to cover up her lie. Ndlovu was sentenced to 12 months in prison by Bulawayo Regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza after pleading guilty to a kidnapping charge on Wednesday. You are sentenced to 12 months in prison, six months suspended on condition that you do not commit a similar offence in the next five years and the remaining six months are suspended on condition that you serve 210 hours of community service from April 22, said the magistrate. Passing sentence, Mr Mabeza said: The court has considered that you are a first offender, you pleaded guilty from the start saving time but, however, the offence you committed is not acceptable no matter what motivated you or how long you kept the child. You have troubled the parents of the child and again the court has considered that you have a four-month-old daughter. Agreed facts are that on April 10 this year at around 4PM, Ndlovu went with her younger brother to the complainant, Ms Gaynor Bwanyas house in Iminyela suburb. Ms Bwanya is the mother of the child who was kidnapped. Prosecuting, Ms Tarisai Kamema said Ndlovu told her brother to lure Ms Bwanyas 21-month-old child outside while she distracted her. She instructed her brother to take the child to a house where she would collect him later, said Ms Kamema. Ndlovu remained at the house until Ms Bwanya decided to check on her child. They both looked for the boy but he could not be found. She said Ndlovu pretended not to know where the boy was and insisted on continuing the search and reporting the matter to the police. Chronicle Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News THE Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has predicted a wet Easter in some parts of the country with isolated showers and scattered thunderstorms expected. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the MSD said isolated wet weather is expected in some parts of the country over the weekend, with some areas expected to experience thunderstorms. All Matabeleland Provinces, Bulawayo Metropolitan, Southern areas of Midlands, Masvingo and South of Manicaland Provinces are expected to be mostly sunny and warm with chances of isolated showers, read the statement. All Mashonaland Provinces, Northern districts of Midlands, Harare Metropolitan province as well as north of Manicaland should be cloudy and warm with showers which could be thundery. It will be mild at first, becoming warm by midday. For holiday resorts, thunderstorms were predicted for Kariba and Victoria Falls with minimum temperatures of 24 and 20 degrees Celsius and maximum temperatures of 31 and 30 degrees Celsius respectively. In the southern region of the country, the past two weeks have been characterised by erratic weather with hot and cold temperatures and on and off thunderstorms scattered around Matabeleland. The MSD said the prevailing weather patterns being experienced in the country of hot and cold weather with isolated showers are expected as the country is transitioning into winter. Duty Forecaster Mr Batisayi Haanyadzisi told The Chronicle that the prevailing weather conditions of rains coming and going can be expected over the next few weeks until the beginning of May. This is transitional weather. We had very little rainfall this rain season so as we transition to winter, the atmosphere is still heavy with moisture. So we will have isolated showers and thunderstorms in some areas but mostly with insignificant rainfall of below 20mm, with few areas recording significant rains of over 20mm in 24 hours. The rainy season itself is over, however, the public should know that seasons transition and do not come to a sudden halt as if someone has a switch and can bring in seasons like that. So we may be having these rains for some time. They will be coming and going until the beginning and towards the end of next month. However, nothing can be ruled out with nature as there can be unexpected weather changes, he said. Mr Haanyadzisi warned the public against being exposed when there are violent storms, as they risk injury and death from lightning. Members of the public are advised to take cover as is the norm whenever there are thunderstorms. When the storm is violent, people must stay indoors and avoid sheltering under trees as they are exposing themselves to possible lightning strikes. Some of these prevailing weather conditions that may seem strange to many are a result of the El Nino effect and climate change which is having an impact on weather patterns across the globe. Seasons are changing, gradually temperatures are changing and the normal regular climatic conditions are also changing with time, he said. Chronicle Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) remains a proud custodian of the skies through support from partners in the corporate world, Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Elson Moyo has said. Air Marshal Moyo made the remarks while receiving parachutes donated by TN Holdings in an event held in Harare on Monday. The AFZ, constitutionally mandated to safeguard the countrys airspace, remains indebted to the countrys citizenry and the business community in particular, in order to guarantee a safe and conducive environment through its robust and hard-hitting force, he said. To our benefactor, TN Holdings, it is only through your support as corporate partners that we stand proud before our nation as the custodians of the skies above you. Air Marshal Moyo commended the gesture and said the equipment will go a long way in enhancing the AFZs fighting spirit and safe environment for all. The equipment we are receiving today consists of five complete assembly sport type freefall skydiving parachutes, including five GPSs and five Automatic Activating Devices, he said. The equipment will go a long way in enhancing our fighting spirit and capability, thus further enhancing a safe environment for economic intimacy for corporates. I am reliably informed that branded outfits for our skydivers will also be made available to us soon to complement the equipment before us. This is indeed ample evidence that shows our relations have taken another giant leap forward. We, therefore, assure you that the equipment presented today will be put to good use and looked after jealously. Handing over the equipment, TN Holdings chief executive officer Mr Tawanda Nyambirai said his organisation was proud to be partnering with AFZ and making meaningful contributions to the force. We know the AFZ participates in a number of events where they showcase their skills in skydiving where accurate and safe landing is important, he said. For example, in the case of the just-ended natural disaster, the force played a role in saving citizens. The equipment will also help in training members of the force in skydiving which is essential during such disasters. Herald Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Theresa May lines up new job for life after Brexit Metro.uk New York Moves to Tackle Emissions as it Wrestles with Climate Costs Climate Liability News Would you agree to be weighed before flying to help cut carbon emissions? Lonely Planet Decrying Toxic Alliance of Macron and Polluters, Climate Campaigners Stage One of Frances Largest Ever Acts of Civil Disobedience Common Dreams Two men arrested in connection with murder of Lyra McKee Independent Waste Watch Our Lying Eyes NYRB, Judge Jed Rakoff. John Lithgow Thinks the Clintons Would Have a Hard Time at His New Play New York magazine Jerrie Cobb, one of the most gifted female pilots in history, has died Ars Technica This robot could make pesticides obsolete WTSP (David L) YOURE NOT GETTING ENOUGH SLEEPAND ITS KILLING YOU Wired Housework could keep brain young, research suggests Guardian 2020 India North Korea Viet Nams Economics Miracle Haunts US-DPRK Talks New Eastern Outlook (chuck l) From last month; still germane. China Imperial Collapse Watch Libya Class Warfare YOUTH STRUGGLE WITH AFTER-EFFECTS OF GUN VIOLENCE Who What Why RussiaGate Trump Transition Antidote du Jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. (Natural News) Indulging in nostalgia helps people remember happier times in their lives. According to several studies, reminiscing about the past also offers several benefits for your emotional well-being and overall health. According to a series of studies, which were published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology in 2015, nostalgia gives you insight into your authentic self. Nostalgia also gives individuals a greater sense of meaning in their lives. Krystine Batcho, a professor of psychology at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, explained that individuals who are high in nostalgia are able to cope with difficult situations in healthier ways. If you frequently think about past memories that bring you joy, theres a high chance that you can express your emotions, connect with others, and be more willing to ask for advice or practical help. Batcho, who has been studying nostalgia since 1995, added that people can use their sense of nostalgia to manage stress because they have a unified sense of who they are. Nostalgia and your mental and physical health Nostalgic recollections connect your past and present self, and these reminiscences can help you become a better person. Additionally, nostalgia develops, maintains, or restores a sense of personal identity by helping you make sense of your lifes story. This could explain why the results of a 2018 study, which was published in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease, showed that nostalgia helps enhance the following psychological resources in individuals with dementia: Sense of meaning in life Optimism Positive mood Self-continuity Self-esteem Social connectedness The researchers noted that being nostalgic helps protect your sense of self from anxiety related to aging, death, and other potential threats. Richard Cheston, a co-author of the study, shared that unlike an ordinary memory, nostalgia gives you an extra layer of psychological resilience. Cheston, who is also a clinical psychologist and professor of dementia research at the University of the West of England, added that nostalgic memories are unique since they possess a particular emotional quality. Nostalgia also involves memories that significantly affect how you see yourself. Emotionally charged memories also benefit your physical health. In a 2016 study published in the journal Psychology & Health, researchers told participants to write about a nostalgic event. They then discovered that volunteers who wrote about nostalgic events scored higher on measures of health optimism and health attitudes compared with those who wrote about ordinary events. (Related: Focus on the good memories: Can happiness exercises help enhance the mood of individuals recovering from substance abuse?) Data from the participants Fitbit activity trackers also suggested that those in the nostalgic group improved their physical activity over the next two weeks. Nostalgia and personal relationships A pair of studies which appeared in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy showed that reminiscing on the good times while in a romantic relationship could give a temporary boost to a persons satisfaction with their relationship. Allen Mallory, co-author of the study and a doctoral student in human development and family sciences at the University of Texas at Austin, shared that nostalgia allows people to mentally relive happy memories in a relationship. In turn, the positive feelings and fondness that are usually triggered by these memories promote satisfaction with the relationship. However, Mallory warned that people shouldnt get stuck in past happy memories because they may remind them of whats currently lacking in their relationship. Additionally, nostalgia makes people more empathetic. Thinking of happy memories makes them feel a stronger sense of belonging and affiliation and this makes them more generous when interacting with others. Indulge your nostalgia in a healthy way Exercise caution when reminiscing about happy memories or else, you might get stuck in the past and forget to actively live in the present. Batcho says the best way to use nostalgia is to bring the best of the past forward, update it and use it in a helpful way. Make an effort to end your trip down memory lane so you can still appreciate your blessings in the present. If nostalgia makes you miss old friends, reach out to them using social media. You can also meet them in person if they live nearby. When dealing with stress or disappointment, try to recall a previous achievement to boost your optimism, resolve, and resilience. Use nostalgia to revisit older memories and reflect on these happy times whenever you need inspiration. Sources include: Health.USNews.com PCALaw.com A criminal investigation will not be launched after the remains of twin fetuses were discovered in a treatment plant in downtown San Diego, police said Friday. The San Diego Police Department said the human fetuses, discovered at a facility on Harbor Drive on Thursday, were not at a viable stage of development to warrant a criminal investigation. While no criminal investigation will be launched, police are still searching for the mother, SDPD Lt. Matt Dobbs said in a written release. They are concerned she may have suffered some sort of medical distress while giving birth. "This is obviously a very difficult time and the investigators hope these developments will give the mother the confidence to seek whatever medical or emotional assistance she may need," Dobbs said. The SDPD said the Safe Surrender Baby Law allows for the anonymous surrender of a newborn to any emergency room or fire station across San Diego County. California passed the law 20 years ago to prevent the abandonment of babies that could result in injury or death. Dobbs said it was unclear if the Safe Surrender Program would have prevented the death of the fetuses discovered Thursday. Anyone with information on the case was asked to call SDPDs Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. The grass at Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park was a little greener Saturday as San Francisco celebrates the annual, unofficial holiday for marijuana. Joints, blunts and vape pens were passed around by at least 19,000 attendees at Hippie Hill as they participate in a long tradition of smoking pot at the park on 4/20, but it's only the second year since California legalized recreational marijuana. Joints, blunts and vape pens were passed around by at least 13,000 attendees at Hippie Hill as they participate in a long tradition of smoking pot at the park on 4/20, but its only the second year since California legalized recreational marijuana. Park officials were expecting a large crowd at the adults-only event and worked with law enforcement to set up security around the area. Tamara Barak Aparton, spokeswoman for the city Recreation and Park Department, said celebrations have been "pretty mellow." There have been seven arrests as of 6 p.m., and three were made before the event began for arrest warrants and trespassing, according to Officer Robert Rueca. Here in Silicon Valley, the stories sound all too familiar: a husband and wife starting a company in their cramped kitchen, or two friends setting up shop in a Palo Alto garage, before seeking out millions from wealthy investors. Its why some venture capitalists are now saying cannabis is the new tech. The remaining arrest was theft-related, and there was one medical transport for conditions that are not life-threatening, Aparton said. While consuming weed in public is illegal, city officials make an exception on April 20 and allow residents and visitors to get high out in the open but withint the gated area. But it's BYOW, bring your own weed, because sales of marijuana products aren't allowed during the event. Last year, police said between 10 and 12 people overdosed on fentanyl after purchasing black market marijuana that was laced with the drug. Attendees this year were encouraged to purchase pot legally from licensed dispensaries. Brush fire burns in South San Jose. San Francisco police are providing extra officers throughout the area, both uniformed and plainclothes. Additionally, paramedics will be on hand. Both police and paramedics will be equipped with Narcan, which can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses, officials said. Traffic closures are in place around the park and the event will conclude at 5 p.m. The park will then be closed off for cleaning. How the marijuana-loving world came to mark the occasion is believed traceable to five Northern California men. They are the unofficial grandmasters by virtue of the code they created nearly 50 years ago as students at a suburban San Francisco high school in 1971. State rail safety regulators said Friday they have launched an investigation into recent mishaps with Munis new fleet, focusing on both last weeks coupler system failure and the accident involving an elderly woman who got her fingers stuck in a door and was dragged onto the tracks as the train pulled away. The state Public Utilities Commission charged with certifying public transit systems as safe has already reviewed video of the recent accident in the Embarcadero station on Friday and is expected next week to inspect the coupler system of the new Muni cars. Last week, Muni discovered two separate failures of so-called shear pins, the steel rods that both help couple the trains together and designed to break to offset the shock of collision on linked cars. We are aware and were investigating what occurred and why, said Constance Gordon, spokeswoman for the commission. Were looking at both the door concerns and the coupler pin issue on the new SFMTA cars. The accident involving the door was caught on Munis own video, first obtained by the SF Examiner. It shows an elderly Asian woman approach the train and use her hand to try and open the door. Moments after the woman gets caught, the video shows a station master waving for her to get away from the train. The station master then begins warning others to step away from the train, turning his back on the woman, who had to be hospitalized with serious injuries. The acting transit director for Muni, Julie Kirschbaum, told NBC Bay Area Thursday that she had a deep concern that the operator apparently failed to spot the woman and hold the train until she could be freed. "We take that as a deep concern," she said. The incident is one of two documented cases of people getting fingers caught in Muni doors. The other incident happened in December. Kirschbaum stressed that while the new fleets doors were deemed safe by state regulators, the plan is to retrofit all the trains with additional sensors to make them safer. Currently, most of the new cars have sensors only on the right-hand side while the systems old cars have sensors on the left-hand side of the door. The new cars, made by Siemens, also do not have side-view mirrors, meaning operators must rely only on video cameras to make sure no one is caught in the door. Kirschbaum said the agency also continues to investigate why two shear pins have snapped on the new trains. The pins are described as a fail-safe devices to diffuse the force of accidents when two or more train cars are connected. The discovery of the first failure occurred Thursday afternoon on a two car train on the N-Judah line after it had finished its daily service. The driver reportedly heard a popping noise and the trains computer diagnostics indicated it had detected a problem. That triggered inspections that uncovered a second broken pin on a car that was uncoupled in a Muni yard. All the spare pins have been sent out for metallurgical and chemical analysis, she said, adding that it is still not clear what caused the failures. In the meantime, the new cars are being run only as single car trains on the N-Judah line. The cause of the failures is puzzling, she says. "We do have a system that has a lot of tight turns and difficult terrain," Kirschbaum said, "but the vehicle was designed specifically for our system, so this is something we need to understand better and then we will fix it and proceed." RTHK: Two killed; several injured in Tokyo car accident Two people have died, and several others have been injured in a fatal traffic accident in Tokyo. Local police say the crash happened at around noon on Friday at a busy junction at Ikebukuro. A private car apparently veered out of control and hit a number of pedestrians before smashing into a garbage truck. Japanese media say two people including a mother and her young daughter were killed, while around ten others were hurt. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Soaring rent prices are becoming an all too familiar story in the Bay Area and is now forcing a five-star Michelin rated restaurant in San Francisco to close. The Commonwealth Restaurant has been serving California cuisine in the Mission district for nearly a decade. The landlord of the restaurant now wants to double the rent and add new stipulations to the lease which the chef says he cant afford. "I've been here for 20 years, San Francisco has changed a lot, I just hope some of the values and things it was before could still hold on," Commonwealth chef Jason Fox said. The restaurants current lease is good through September, but after that, the future is uncertain. Fox says he hopes to stay in the community and is looking for another space to rent nearby. Police in San Francisco are searching for a possible kidnapping suspect after a "physical altercation" occurred Friday just before noon. A witness told police officers that the incident at Noe and Clipper Street in Noe Valley looked like a kidnapping, police said. SFPD officers are still investigating at the scene. No other information was immediately available. The woman who admitted to being a secret agent for the Russian government last year is asking to serve no additional prison time when she is sentenced April 26. Maria Butina, the American University graduate student and gun rights activist who was accused by federal prosecutors of working as a covert and unregistered foreign agent for Russia, is asking for a time served sentence after her legal team says she has learned her lesson and served over nine months in three different detention centers. Butina pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign official in December 2018 and was arrested in July after prosecutors said she used her contacts with the National Rifle Association and the National Prayer Breakfast to gather information for Russia. Federal prosecutors also alleged that Butina used her enrollment at American University as a cover for her spying activities. But Butinas lawyer says she has always been willing to cooperate with the government, according to a sentencing memo submitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by her lawyer. Marias cooperation has been full, transparent, and complete. Yet, what makes her case especially noteworthy is that, as a young Russian national who has accepted that deportation will be part of the resolution of her case, Maria has willingly cooperated with the United States despite the geopolitical tension between the two countries, the memo reads. Butinas lawyer also criticized the public shame and embarrassment Butina experienced when prosecutors alleged that she traded sex for access to political figures. Those prosecutors later backtracked that allegation in September. As the court is aware, subsequently withdrawn allegations made by the government in pleadings and open court fueled this negative coverage. And notwithstanding the governments later acknowledgment of its errors and abandonment of certain assertions, that bell cannot be unrung, Butinas lawyer wrote. In the age of the internet, these allegations, which resulted from this prosecution, will follow her wherever she goes. The father of a missing five-year-old boy in Crystal Lake was driven away from his home by undercover police on Saturday afternoon, the latest turn in a saga that has been ever-evolving this week. Around 1 p.m. Saturday, undercover police officers arrived at the home of Andrew Freund, the father of missing five-year-old Andrew Freund Jr., and announced that they had a warrant. The officers were seeking the elder Freunds help in finding his son, and after a short time he got into the back of a police car, without handcuffs, and left the home. Freund Sr. did not respond to reporters questions as he got into the police car. Authorities have been searching for the missing five-year-old since Thursday, covering hundreds of acres of land and water. That search has also been focused on the home where his parents say that the boy was last seen after going to sleep on Wednesday night. Police say that they do not believe that the boy was abducted, and they do not believe that he left the residence on foot, according to preliminary investigations. On Friday, it was revealed that the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services had taken the boys younger brother into custody, and documents were released revealing a troubled history for the suburban family, including allegations of neglect against the missing five-year-old, whom authorities say was born with opiates in his system. As of Saturday afternoon, police have declined to name any suspects in the case, but authorities say that the boys parents have stopped cooperating with the investigation. For now, the community is rallying together, hoping that the young boy is found safe. A vigil is expected at Main Beach in Crystal Lake on Saturday night, where residents are planning to light candles and pray for the safe return of the young boy. I just think everyone is trying to come together, and hopes for the best outcome, Happy Hour Yoga owner Nancy Meyers said. Clients at Meyers yoga studio gathered together Saturday to write notes to the missing child and his family. (We want) to let him know were thinking about him and were worried about him, one of the studios clients said. A 27-year-old Texas man faces multiple charges after a joint law enforcement operation last month resulted in the seizure of 12 guns in southwest suburban Joliet. Allen Estrada, of White Settlement in Texas, is charged with one count of felony gunrunning and six counts of being an armed habitual criminal, according to a statement from Joliet police. Estrada allegedly sold undercover agents four semi-automatic handguns and one semi-automatic rifle in Joliet, police said. Agents allege they bought three semi-automatic rifles and three semi-automatic handguns from Estrada in an earlier occasion, police said. Officers found ammunition and a semi-automatic handgun on Estrada after he was arrested, police said. He is being held at the at the Will County Adult Detention Facility on a $2 million bond. Eight @ 8 on April 20, 2019: Week In Review Estradas arrest was the result of a coordinated effort by the Joliet Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad and agents from the Chicago field division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, police said. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 21. The deaths of three recent patients at the Washington DC VA Medical Center are raising questions about whether the medical center thoroughly checks on its patients after discharge. In each of the deaths, family members reported failures by the VA to follow through on medical issues raised by patients in the days after treatment or consults. Officials at the medical center acknowledge its failures in handling the three cases, but declined to offer details about the cases. Internal VA records obtained by the News4 I-Team and interviews with families of two of the patients reveal how breakdowns occurred. In a February case, a Fairfax County, Virginia, veteran sought to be admitted to the hospital, citing drug withdrawal, panic attacks and acute pain. An internal report on the mans case said the hospital declined to admit the man and scheduled him instead for an outpatient appointment later in the week. The internal report said the man was not a patient of the medical centers suicide prevention team, therefore they didnt follow up on him. The report said the man had not received psychiatric care at the DC VA Medical Center since 2014. According to the report, the mans wife found him dead of a gunshot wound in their home one week later. Police and fire reports said the shooting was a suicide. According to the internal VA report, the mans wife expressed her concern that veteran was not hospitalized on the day of his visit to the medical centers emergency room a week earlier. Through an attorney, the woman declined requests to speak with the I-Team. Medical Center Director Michael Heimall did not discuss the details of the case. That was a veteran who came to us for help, and we failed, he said. We failed that veteran and that family. We have to do better." In a May 2017 case, the I-Team found a patient died of a drug overdose in his car in the medical center parking lot after an appointment at the medical center. According to a police report and interviews with his family, the body of Navy veteran Woodrow Reed went undiscovered in the car for nearly two days after his death. Reeds sister, not medical center employees or police, found the body. I went looking for him, Loretta Funderburk said. I went back to try to see if I could find him. She said she found his car in the farthest parking lot from the main entrance. Funderburk said her family had asked staff to search for her brother when he failed to promptly return home from his appointment. But she said they did not do so thoroughly, so she and a friend went searching. I put my hands on him, Funderburk said. For those two days it had been real hot. He was hard and hot. It was almost like he had regurgitated. Weeks after the death was first reported by the I-Team, a medical center administrator said police would add extra cameras and patrols in the lots to prevent further incidents. VA staffers, who spoke with I-Team under the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak with media, said the medical center learned just weeks ago about the 2016 death of a patient who had undergone a lung biopsy. The staffers and the victims daughter said the man died of blood clots in his lungs after being transported by family to a private hospital in D.C. just hours after undergoing lung biopsy at the DC VA Medical Center. The 73-year-old mans death was unknown to medical center officials until spring 2019, when the private hospitals business office sent a bill to the VA seeking payment. The mans daughter said she and her family never received a follow-up call from the medical center after her fathers 2016 procedure, even though at least one relative was listed as an emergency contact. Heimall, the medical center director, told the I-Team he is familiar with the mans case, but said details cannot be released by the VA. A VA spokesperson said, under medical center policies, patients are supposed to receive a follow-up call after undergoing procedures. If we did something wrong, we have to disclose it to the family, Heimall said in describing each of the three cases. That's one of the strengths of the medical center. (Staffers) do a great job sitting down with patients and families and explaining how we made mistakes. The I-Team asked the medical center to describe the procedures undertaken by staff when a patient enters the emergency room with mental health concerns. In a statement, the medical center said, Veterans who present to the Emergency Department are triaged using the Emergency Severity Index, screened for suicidal ideations, and evaluated by an Emergency Department provider. When there is a clinical indication for a mental health evaluation, a psychiatry consult is obtained. This is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Depending upon the results of the evaluation from the Emergency Department provider and Mental Health provider, a care plan could include admission to medicine, admission to psychiatry or discharge from the Emergency Department with a follow up referral. Reported by Scott MacFarlane, produced by Rick Yarborough, and shot and edited by Steve Jones. For the second straight day, national political figures showed support for striking Stop & Shop workers. Democratic presidential contender Pete Buttigieg joined Stop & Shop employees on the picket line at the Malden, Massachusetts, store at noon on Friday. He was already scheduled to be in New Hampshire campaigning this weekend. "I'm running for president largely because I believe that our freedom depends on understanding how to make sure the changes in our society work for working people. What's happening at Stop & Shop is an example of the exact opposite," Buttigieg told the crowd. He said what's so inspiring about the strike is that workers are saying they are not going to stand for the cuts that make it difficult for them to get by. "This largest private sector strike in three years is sending a message that is going to ripple out far beyond New England," said Buttigieg. "And the message is that companies have to do right by their workers." Fellow Democratic presidential contender Amy Klobuchar also visited with striking workers Friday afternoon in Somerville. She said on Twitter that she stands in solidarity with the Stop & Shop workers. I stand in solidarity with the Stop & Shop workers who are asking for fair wages and compensation. Stopped by the Somerville, Massachusetts picket line today to lend my support @UFCW pic.twitter.com/47sz58uR2K Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) April 19, 2019 Their visits come a day after former Vice President Joe Biden rallied with Stop & Shop workers in Boston. More than 31,000 employees from more than 200 Stop & Shop stores in New England walked off the job on April 11 over stalled negotiations between the company and their union, the United Food and Commercial Workers. Friday marked the strike's ninth day. With Passover having begun and Easter just days away, Stop & Shop reiterated Friday that they are working on getting employees back to work and putting an end to the strike. "There is nothing we want more than having our associates back in the stores, taking care of customers and our communities," the company said. "We have offered fair and responsible contracts and remain in active negotiations to reach new agreements as quickly as possible that keep our associates among the highest paid grocery retail workers in New England, while also providing excellent health care and increased contributions to a defined benefit pension plan." Employees have received support from various politicians in recent days. Biden, who is expected to run for president in 2020, joined workers at a rally in Dorchester on Thursday. "People who bust their neck, people who go out and make a living, people who play by the rules, people who have done everything they were supposed to do, and people are entitled to be treated with respect and decency and fairness," said Biden. Former Vice President Joe Biden was among the big-name politicians who attended a rally Thursday afternoon in Bostons Dorchester neighborhood to support the 31,0000 striking Stop & Shop workers. "This is morally wrong what's going on in this country, and I've had enough of it. I'm sick of it, and so are you," Biden added. "We gotta stand together, and if we do, we will take back this country I mean it." Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, another Democratic presidential hopeful, met with Stop & Shop employees at the Somerville store last week. And fellow Democratic contenders Cory Booker and Kamala Harris have also shown their support for the workers on Twitter. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who also attended Thursday's rally, said he supports the employees and union. "When I heard about this strike and I saw some of the papers going back and forth, and one, the company wanted to take away health insurance that's something we can't stand for," he said. Numerous rabbis in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut have also advised their congregations to refrain from crossing picket lines. "Stop & Shop and the five UFCW local unions are continuing negotiations into the evening," said Stop & Shop officials in a statement Friday night. "We remain focused on reaching fair new agreements that provide market-leading wages, excellent health benefits for eligible associates and increased pension contributions for all our associates." Members of a mosque in Hartford are still reeling after a caller threatened to kill worshipers there last month. The Muhammad Islamic Center of Greater Hartford received the phone call right after the massacre of worshipers at a mosque in New Zealand. On Friday, members of the Hartford Police, the FBI and state, community and religious leaders gathered together at the mosque. The hope is to make worshipers feel more safe. On March 24 around 4:30 a.m., a member of the Muhammad Islamic Center of Greater Hartford picked up a threatening phone call laced with racial slurs. When I saw the report. I got scared really. I get shocked. How in Hartford? Muhammad Mosque. They are friendly they are lovely. They help everyone," said Ibrahim Aldbaan. Aldabaan and his family are refugees from Syria. They find comfort at the Muhammad Islamic Center of Hartford. But they were understandably frightened after learning about the early morning call to the mosque on March 24, laced with racial slurs and threats to burn down their house of worship. Since that day, five families havent returned to the mosque out of fear. It was rough initially. Everyone was shocked," said member Nancy Latif. "Nobody really knows why this happened and hopefully nothing will come of it." State Sen. Saud Anwar (D- East Hartford) led Friday's press conference to try and make community members feel safer, and show that lots of groups stand united with their community. No one in our state should feel threatened to come to their place of worship ever, Anwar said. Its a matter of being an American that we will stand together with you, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said. The mosques prayer leader says the Hartford Police Department has tried to make members feel more comfortable, but hes frustrated with the FBI. I dont see the same type of action being done on behalf of the Muslim community, said Imam Kashmir Abdul-Karim. The FBI says while they cant give out more information, an investigation is underway. Although you may not see it out front, the FBI and state local and federal law enforcement are continuously working together you may not hear about it right away, but its not being ignored. I assure you. Its not being ignored, said FBI Outreach Specialist Charles Grady. Police are aware of who made the call. We take all of this seriously as if its our own place of worship because it could very well be, Grady said. Its a problem and we want resolutions soon, Abdul-Karim said. Hartford Police say they have assigned additional officers on foot patrol in the area, and there have been no other threats to a house of worship in Hartford since that call. While officials say they know who made the call, its unclear if anyone has been arrested. A teenager is in critical condition after a police-involved shooting in Wethersfield that closed the Silas Deane Highway in both directions on Saturday night. According to Sgt. Dwight Washington, two Wethersfield police officers were attempting to make a traffic stop around 6 p.m. in the area of the Silas Deane Highway and Maple Street when there was a collision between the suspects vehicle and one of the cruisers. Troopers said a Wethersfield police officer shot at the driver of a vehicle, later identified as 18-year-old Anthony Jose Vega Cruz, of Wethersfield, as it was veering towards the officer. One of the Wethersfield police officers exited his vehicle at that time the suspects vehicle motioned towards that officer, he said. Thats when the officer fired his gun. Police said Cruz was taken to the hospital. He is currently in critical condition. His passenger, a teenager later identified as 18-year-old Stephanie Santiago, of Hartford, was not injured, police said. She was detained by Wethersfield Police and was released a short time later. No police officers were injured. Late Saturday night, state police said their investigation was underway and they expected the area to be closed for a couple more hours. The Silas Deane Highway was closed from Maple Street to Mill Street, but has since reopened. Residents of Signal View Apartments had a front row seat for the scary evening. Patrick Guzzardi watched out his window as police were trying to stop the fleeing car. A car comes speeding down like the highway here. It swerved and hit a telephone pole. Shots were fired and that same car drove towards the Valero that way, he said. Surrounded by crime tape, two bullet holes are easily seen in the cars windshield. Linda Buczynski was in her car just a couple of blocks from her apartment when she got caught in the chaos, and then I look over to the right and I see an officer get out of his car with a rifle with a scope on it and he comes running by me and I started panicking a little bit I said, oh my God! What should I do? Should I get out of the car? I was fearing for my own life and my own safety. Some neighbors cant believe what they saw going down in Wethersfield. This doesnt happen here. I lived in Wethersfield 25 years. I never seen this. To have it happen right here, said Jill Brooker. U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney says he'll join striking supermarket workers at the picket line if an agreement isn't reached over the weekend. The Connecticut Democrat says he'll visit unionized Stop & Shop employees in Norwich, Connecticut Monday to support them. Stop & Shop says negotiations are continuing Saturday. United Food and Commercial Workers union members at 240 Stop & Shop stores in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut went on strike April 11 to protest what they call cuts to health care and take-home pay in the company's latest contract proposal. Stop & Shop, a division of Dutch company Ahold Delhaize, says it's offering across-the-board raises and "excellent" health care benefits that beat industry standards. Former Vice President Joe Biden spoke at a gathering of employees outside a store in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood Thursday. Fort Worth, Texas' homicide detectives hope a 45-year-old letter will help solve an equally old homicide. The department said Friday detectives discovered the letter after revisiting the case file for the 1974 Carla Walker murder and shared it on social media with the hopes of reaching the author or someone who knows something about the letter. The redacted letter is apparently addressed to Fort Worth Police Detective Lt. Oliver Ball and appears to say "[redacted] kill Carla Walker in Benbrook." The letter also says, "P.S. It is hard to say but it is true." Walker was just 17 years old when she was abducted, held captive and eventually murdered in 1974. NBC 5 profiled the murder in 2017 during a series of cold case reports. Investigators said the abductor snatched the young woman from the passenger seat of her boyfriend's car in a bowling alley parking lot. Her boyfriend told police he was hit over the head and knocked unconscious. When he woke up, he said, Walker was gone. Walker's body was found dumped in a culvert near Benbrook Lake three days later. Police said she was beaten, raped, strangled and tortured alive for two days after her disappearance. Then there was a puzzling discovery. The medical examiner ruled that the killer injected her with morphine. Walker's sister, Cindy Stone, told NBC5 the letter and renewed attention from dedicated new detectives, plus a recent podcast on the case are bringing new hope it may finally be solved. "It's like a void, you go on living but you've got that missing part," Stone said. "For her, I just want it done, I want it closed." Her brother Jim Walker added, "I'll never forget the sadness and grief my mom had... I would always whisper in her ear that we're going to find who did this to Carla." Now the family that still feels deep loss, is hoping a whisper from the past will finally bring long-sought answers. "He's said something to somebody," Walker said of the person who wrote the 1974 letter. "Somebody is going to recognize that type of thought process and writing and that's all we need is a phone call." Fort Worth police said Walker's case remains open and active. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Cold Case Unit at 817-392-4307. NBC 5's Alice Barr contributed to this report. After a fun night on the town with friends, Deon Johnson found himself locked out of his apartment. "It was extremely frustrating," he said. Johnson said he called maintenance and was told because it was after hours, he was told to call a locksmith. He said he googled "Dallas Locksmith" and found a dispatch number. "She said someone would be here in 20 minutes. But that was at 12 a.m. and they didnt get here til about 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning." He said someone from Marshall Locksmith showed up and tried to pump the door using an airbag method, but that didnt work. "So, he went back down to get something else. He came back with a flat head and a crow bar. I was like, 'Is this going to cause any damage?' He said, 'No, its not going to cause any damage at all,'" Johnson explained. But it did cause damage. According to his apartment complex, the door would cost nearly $3,000 to fix. And Johnson was responsible for paying for it. "My apartment was letting me know if I dont pay it, then theyre going to take my rent and apply it to that balance and Ill be evicted and have late fees," he said. Johnson said he reached out to the Marshall Locksmith to file a claim. But he said he was told by a manager that they would refund him the $108 he paid for the service, but would not be paying for the door. So, Johnson called me in to investigate. After doing some digging, I realized weve dealt with this locksmith company before. You may remember our previous story on Avenue Locksmith, which also went by Supreme Locksmith and 24/7 Mobile Locksmith. The owner is Matan Abuhazira. His business was accused of overcharging customers and damaging property. They even caught the attention of the Texas Department of Public Safety, which opened a formal investigation into the business. We've since learned that they changed their name once again to Marshall Locksmith, the business that damaged Johnson's door. "I was going to have to pay the $3,000," he said. "My door is still damaged. If anyone was to come off the street, they can just push my door and use a flathead to get in." I reached out to Marshall Locksmith about Johnson's case, and the company quickly responded. An office manager told me the technician who damaged Johnson's door has been let go for damaging property. She said since the state opened its investigation into their company, theyve really gotten their act together. The manager confirmed that they changed their business name to Marshall Locksmith and have handled consumer complaints swiftly. She told me she wasnt aware of the conversation Johnson had with another manager, but said shed be filing a claim with their insurance right away. But I reached out to Johnson's apartment complex and explained the situation, just in case the locksmith company didnt come through. After I reached out, the complex said Johnson was no longer responsible for fixing the damage. They installed a new door that same week. Johnson said hes happy, but is putting Marshall Locksmith on notice that their old ways will not be tolerated in North Texas. "There are hardworking people out here and this is wrong," he said. If you ever find yourself locked out, here are tips from the Texas Department of Public Safety: Consumers are encouraged to obtain the name of the locksmith and expected charges beforehand. They can check to see if a company or locksmith is licensed by the department here. Consumers may request to see a locksmiths pocket card to verify their credentials. Contact the Better Business Bureau. Record the locksmiths vehicle information and/or take a picture of the vehicle. One man is dead and another injured after a deadly shooting Saturday morning in Dallas' Pleasant Grove neighborhood, police say. The incident happened at 9:10 a.m. Saturday in the 9800 block of Glengreen Drive, according to the Dallas Police Department. Police said witnesses told them three or four men ran from the scene immediately after the shooting and drove away in a tan four-door sedan. Later Saturday, police identified the man who was shot and killed as Brandon Small, 28. The man taken to an area hospital had injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, police said. Sunday, police said Olajuwon Brown was charged with murder after agreeing to a voluntary interview with detectives. Brown, 18, was allegedly seen on surveillance video leaving the shooting location with a pistol, police said. Brown remains in the Dallas County Jail as of this writing. No further information was available. Anyone with information is asked to call Dallas police Det. Grubbs at 214-671-3675 or email david.grubbsjr@dallascityhall.com. A bus driver in northern Italy abducted 51 children and their chaperones Wednesday, threatening them over a 40-minute ordeal before setting the vehicle on fire when he was stopped by a Carabinieri blockade. Officers broke glass windows in the back of the bus and got all the passengers to safety without serious injury before the flames destroyed the vehicle, authorities said. As he was apprehended, the driver said he was protesting migrant deaths in the Mediterranean, Commander Luca De Marchis told Sky TG24. De Marchis told Sky TG24 that the driver, an Italian citizen of Senegalese origin in his 40s, threatened the passengers, telling them that "no one would survive today" as he commandeered the bus carrying two middle-school classes to a nearby gym in Cremona province, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Milan. ANSA quoted one of the students as saying the driver took all their phones and ordered the chaperones to bind the students' hands with cable ties, threatening to spill gas and set the bus ablaze. ANSA said the chaperones only loosely bound several students' hands, not everyone's. One of the middle school students described his terror in an interview with La Repubblica TV, his face obscured due to his age. His name was not given. "We were all very afraid because the driver had emptied the gas canister onto the floor (of the bus.) He tied us up and took all the telephones so we could not call the police," the student said. "One of the telephones, belonging to a classmate, fell to the ground, so I pulled off the handcuffs, hurting myself a bit, and went and picked it up. We called the Carabinieri and the police." Authorities said that an adult called an emergency operator, while one of the students called a parent, and they alerted authorities, who set up roadblocks. The bus was intercepted on the outskirts of Milan by three Carabinieri vehicles, which were able to force it into the guardrail, De Marchis said. "While two officers kept the driver busy he took a lighter and threatened to set fire to the vehicle with a gasoline canister on board the others forced open the back door, breaking two windows," De Marchis said. While the evacuation was still underway, the driver started the blaze. De Marchis credited the officers' "swiftness and courage," for getting out all the children and their teachers "with no tragic consequences." Some of the passengers were treated at a hospital, mostly for cuts and scratches related to the evacuation, he said. The driver was apprehended and was being treated for burns. ANSA identified him as Ousseynou Sy, and said he was being investigated on suspicion of kidnapping, intention to commit a massacre, arson and resisting law enforcement. The prosecutor's office later said they would add terrorism as an aggravating circumstance, since the event caused panic. De Marchis said he had previous convictions, but did not specify their nature. ANSA reported that Sy, who became an Italian citizen in 2004, had been convicted in 2007 and 2011 of drunken driving and sexual molestation of a minor. Sky TG24 said that the driver had worked for the bus company for 15 years without any employment-related issues. "Investigators must clarify how the transport company permitted such a delinquent ... to drive a bus, especially one carrying children," said Riccardo De Corato, a Milan provincial official for security. Video showed firefighters dousing the bus that had been completely gutted by flames, leaving only the charred metal frame. The family of a 5-year old boy who was thrown off a third-floor balcony by a man at the Mall of America last Friday say their son is "showing real signs of recovery," despite remaining in intensive care for over a week, NBC News reported. "We have good news to share with you on this good Friday. Our miracle child is showing real signs of recovery. New test results have been positive, though he remains in intensive care with a long road ahead. Our faith in God and our Savior Jesus remains strong and we are gaining more reason for optimism day by day. We continue our appeal for privacy as we focus on our son, and thank you for respecting our wishes. Just know that we absolutely feel your overwhelming love, prayers and support, for they seem to be working. Thank you so much, from the bottom of our hearts," said attorney Stephen Tillitt, on behalf of the boy's family. According to authorities, suspect Emmanuel Deshawn Aranda, 24, flung the boy over a railing, dropping him nearly 40 feet, after choosing him at random because he was "looking to kill someone" at the mall. He said he had planned to kill an adult standing near the railing, but picked the young victim instead, according to the criminal complaint. The boy, identified as Landon, suffered severe head trauma and several broken bones as a result of the intense fall. A wealthy benefactor of Keith Raniere, the disgraced leader of a self-improvement group in upstate New York convicted of turning women into sex slaves who were branded with his initials, was sentenced to nearly 7 years in prison Wednesday in the federal conspiracy case. Seagrams liquor fortune heir Clare Bronfman will spend 81 months behind bars after her sentencing in Brooklyn federal court. Her lawyers wanted a judge to give her three years' probation instead of prison time, while prosecutors said she deserved at least five years behind bars. Bronfman was also ordered to pay a fine of $500,000 and will pay almost in restitution to victim "Jane Doe 12." U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis gave Clare Bronfman the harsh sentence at a hearing lasting more than three hours and featuring emotional statements from several victims gathered in a courtroom under strict coronavirus safety protocols. The judge repeatedly scolded Clare Bronfman for standing by Raniere and his upstate New York organization, even after the evidence made clear she eventually became aware of his sex-trafficking scheme. With that knowledge, she could have distanced herself from him, the judge said, his bench fitted with a sheet of plexiglass. Instead, she chose to double down on her support of Raniere. Before hearing the sentence, the 41 year-old Bronfman had told the judge in a soft voice that she was thankful for the prayers of her supporters. It doesnt mean I havent made mistakes because I have made mistakes, said Bronfman without mentioning Raniere. Acting U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme said Bronfman "twisted out immigration system to serve a reprehensible agenda, and engaged in flagrant fraud to the detriment of her victims and in the service of a corrupt endeavor." Bronfman, 41, admitted in a guilty plea last year that she harbored someone who was living in the U.S. illegally for unpaid labor and services and that she committed credit card fraud on behalf of Raniere, leader of the group called NXIVM. Between Oct. 2015 and Jan. 2018, prosecutors said Bronfamn recruited individuals into NXIVM-related organizations, including one woman referred to as "Jane Doe 12" from Mexico. The heiress submitted documents that stated she would pay the woman $3,600 a month, but in reality that woman only received $4,000 for more than a year of work, prosecutors said. Bronfman responded to the woman's pleas for a living wage by saying she would have to "earn" her visa by doing additional uncompensated work, according to prosecutors. "While her fate in no way removes the trauma NXIVM's victims will likely continue to suffer, it does highlight the government's efforts to bring to justice all of those involved in a series of illegal acts carried out for the benefit of this organization," said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney. In a letter to the court last month, Bronfman wrote that she never meant to hurt anyone, however I have and for this I am deeply sorry. Still, she said that she couldnt disavow Raniere because NXIVM and Keith greatly changed my life for the better. At trial, prosecutors told jurors the 60-year-old Ranieres organization, NXIVM, operated like a cult whose members called him Vanguard. To honor him, the group formed a secret sorority comprised of brainwashed female slaves who were branded with his initials and forced to have sex with him, the prosecutors said. Bronfmans lawyers argued she deserved leniency because she had no direct involvement in the most disturbing allegations and has a health condition that could put her at greater risk for a coronavirus infection if incarcerated. But in court papers, prosecutors argued she deserved a serious punishment since, There can be little doubt that Raniere would not have been able to commit the crimes with which he was convicted were it not for powerful allies like Bronfman. The defendant had long been affiliated with NXIVM, giving away tens of millions of dollars to bankroll Raniere and his program of intense self-improvement classes. She also paid for lawyers to defend the group against a lawsuit brought by its critics. Barbara Bouchey, a former Raniere girlfriend who worked as a financial planner for Bronfman before quitting the group, described how Bronfman used lawyers to threaten litigation and seek false criminal charges. She claimed the harassment has continued even as the defendant was approaching sentencing. Youve been under house arrest for two years, yet you have never stopped, Bouchey said through tears. Will you never stop? Along with Bronfman, Ranieres teachings won him the devotion of Hollywood actresses like Allison Mack of TVs Smallville. Mack also has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. As part of a plea agreement, Bronfman agreed to forfeit $6 million from a fortune prosecutors have said is worth $200 million. By now, most Democratic presidential candidates have polished their stump speeches. But when they're in South Carolina, they may need to add in a sermon. In a large and diverse primary field, White House hopefuls are angling to develop relationships with black churches. That's because success in South Carolina, home to the nation's first Southern presidential primary, could come down to connecting with politically influential churchgoing African Americans. "Candidates recognize that black churches are the places to be seen and heard," said Bobby Donaldson, a professor of civil rights history at the University of South Carolina. "If you're trying to find a captive and captivating audience, then the black church is the perfect place to get your message across." Some 2020 candidates are already working to build their relationships with this community. Sen. Kamala Harris of California will attend an Easter service on Sunday in Columbia at a church whose pastor is a lawmaker who recently endorsed her campaign. She swung through a fellowship hall in North Charleston earlier this year and visited churches last fall to rally voters ahead of the midterms. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Bernie Sanders of Vermont attended a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event at a historic black church in Columbia, and both have held campaign events in fellowship halls at black churches around the state. In the past week, Sanders held a town hall in a black church in Spartanburg with members of the state's Legislative Black Caucus. Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke have also visited black churches. And in one of her visits to three Charleston-area black congregations in February, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York gave a sermon of sorts, summoning a fiery cadence that spurred shouts of "Amen!" from the crowd of several hundred. "I love the fact that your Bibles are under your seat," she told congregants at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist. "When you go on a plane and they say your life preserver is under your seat OUR life preservers are under our seat!" Gillibrand said she felt she had been well received, but some observers say such moments can be awkward. "It seems very, for lack of a better term, inauthentic," said Jalen Elrod, a black voter and first vice chairman of the Greenville County Democratic Party. "She'd be better served if she came and said, 'Here's what I'm about. Here's what I'm trying to support.'" Still, the visits allow candidates to introduce themselves to voters. They can also potentially elevate their standing with voters if they secure an official endorsement from church leaders. That may be part of Harris' calculus, with her announcement last month of an endorsement from Darrell Jackson. The longtime state senator is also pastor of Bible Way Church of Atlas Road, a Columbia congregation that's seen as among the most influential in the black community. That's where she'll attend Easter services on Sunday. But Antjuan Seawright, a South Carolina political consultant and fifth-generation member of the African Methodist Episcopal church, notes that an endorsement from a pastor is no guarantee of securing his parishioners' support. "Just because the pastor endorses doesn't mean the congregation follows," Seawright said. "The sheep don't always follow the shepherd because people have evolved, and they've become more independent in their thought." While the pathway through the black church is a tricky one to navigate, it's hard to avoid. Jaime Harrison, who chaired the state party in the 2016 presidential cycle and is mulling a challenge to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, said that as candidates get past their introductory visits to South Carolina, voters will be watching their moves carefully. "You expect people to come and visit your church or come to the local NAACP and be the keynote speaker," said Harrison, also associate chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Regardless of their approach, Seawright urged white candidates to strive to make authentic connections and develop policy proposals that back up whatever overtures they're making as they visit the state's parishioners. "People want authenticity, people want genuineness, and they want honesty," Seawright said. North Korea said Thursday that it had test-fired a new type of "tactical guided weapon," its first such test in nearly half a year, and demanded that Washington remove Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from nuclear negotiations. The test, which didn't appear to be of a banned mid- or long-range ballistic missile that could scuttle negotiations, allows North Korea to show its people it is pushing ahead with weapons development while also reassuring domestic military officials worried that diplomacy with Washington signals weakness. Separately, the North Korean Foreign Ministry accused Pompeo of playing down the significance of comments by leader Kim Jong Un, who said last week that Washington has until the end of the year to offer mutually acceptable terms for an agreement to salvage the high-stakes nuclear diplomacy. Both the demand for Pompeo's removal from the talks and the weapon test point to North Korea's displeasure with the deadlocked negotiations. In a statement issued under the name of Kwon Jong Gun, director general of the American Affairs Department at the Foreign Ministry, North Korea accused Pompeo of "talking nonsense" and misrepresenting Kim's comments. During a speech at Texas A&M on Monday, Pompeo said Kim promised to denuclearize during his first summit with President Donald Trump and that U.S. officials were working with the North Koreans to "chart a path forward so we can get there." "He (Kim) said he wanted it done by the end of the year," Pompeo said. "I'd love to see that done sooner." The North Korean statement said Pompeo was "misrepresenting the meaning of our requirement" for the negotiations to be finalized by the year's end, and referred to his "talented skill of fabricating stories." It said Pompeo's continued participation in the negotiations would ensure that the talks become "entangled" and called for a different counterpart who is "more careful and mature in communicating with us." In Washington, the State Department said in a short statement that "We are aware of the report. The United States remains ready to engage North Korea in a constructive negotiation." In a speech at his rubber-stamp parliament last week, Kim said he is open to a third summit with Trump, but only if the United States changes its stance on sanctions enforcement and pressure by the end of the year. Kim observed the unspecified weapon being fired Wednesday by the Academy of Defense Science, the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency said. Kim was reported to have said "the development of the weapon system serves as an event of very weighty significance in increasing the combat power of the People's Army." The Associated Press could not independently verify North Korea's claim, and it wasn't immediately clear what had been tested. A major ballistic missile test would jeopardize the diplomatic talks meant to provide the North with concessions in return for disarmament. A South Korean analyst said that details in the North's media report indicate it could have been a new type of cruise missile. Another possible clue: one of the lower level officials mentioned in the North's report on the test Pak Jong Chon is known as an artillery official. Some in Seoul worry that the North will turn back to actions seen as provocative by outsiders as a way to force Washington to drop its hard-line negotiating stance and grant the North's demand for a removal of crushing international sanctions. A string of increasingly powerful weapons tests in 2017 and Trump's response of "fire and fury" had many fearing war before the North shifted to diplomacy. Russia announced Thursday that Kim will visit later this month for talks at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, but gave no further details. Russian media have been abuzz in recent days with rumors about the rare meeting between the leaders. Putin is to visit China later this month, and some media speculated that he could meet with Kim in Vladivostok, the far eastern port city near the border with North Korea. Trump said last month that he "would be very disappointed if I saw testing." There have been fresh reports of new activity at a North Korean missile research center and long-range rocket site where the North is believed to build missiles targeting the U.S. mainland. North Korean media said Wednesday that Kim guided a flight drill of combat pilots from an air force and anti-aircraft unit tasked with defending the North from an attack. Kim Dong-yub, an analyst from Seoul's Institute for Far Eastern Studies, said North Korea's descriptions of the test show the weapon is possibly a newly developed cruise missile. The North's report said the "tactical guided weapon" successfully tested in a "peculiar mode of guiding flight" and demonstrated the ability to deliver a "powerful warhead." The analyst said the test could also be intended as a message to the North Korean people and military of a commitment to maintaining a strong level of defense even as it continues talks with Washington over nukes. Melissa Hanham, a non-proliferation expert and director of the Datayo Project at the One Earth Future Foundation, said the North Korean weapon could be anything from an anti-tank weapon to a cruise missile. The North said Thursday that Kim Jong Un mounted an observation post to learn about and guide the test-fire of the weapon. This is the first known time Kim has observed the testing of a newly developed weapon system since last November, when North Korean media said he watched the successful test of an unspecified "newly developed ultramodern tactical weapon." Some observers have been expecting North Korea to orchestrate "low-level provocations," like artillery or short-range missile tests, to register its anger over the way nuclear negotiations were going. North Korean officials accompanying Kim at the test included Ri Pyong Chol and Kim Jong Sik, two senior officials from the North's Munitions Industry Department who have been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for their activities related to the country's ballistic missile program. Ri is believed to be a key official involved in North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile development, while Kim Jong Sik has been linked to the country's efforts to build solid-fuel missiles. The Pyongyang-based Munitions Industry Department is sanctioned both by the United States and the U.N. Security Council. "Even if this is not a 'missile' test the way we strictly define it, these people and MID are all sanctioned entities for a reason," Hanham said. The White House said it was aware of the report and had no comment. The Pentagon also said it was aware but had no information to provide at this point. South Korea's presidential office said it has no immediate comment. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it is analyzing the test but did not specifically say what the weapon appeared to be. After the animosity of 2017, last year saw a stunning turn to diplomacy, culminating in the first-ever summit between the U.S. and North Korea in Singapore, and then the Hanoi talks this year. North Korea has suspended nuclear and long-range rocket tests, and the North and South Korean leaders have met three times. But there are growing worries that the progress could be killed by mismatched demands between the U.S. and North Korea over sanctions relief and disarmament. Associated Press writers Hyung-jin Kim, Matthew Lee and Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report. The U.S. government will hold a massive auction later this year to bolster 5G service, the next generation of mobile networks. President Donald Trump showcased the announcement Friday, declaring that the race to stand up these faster, more powerful networks is a competition "America must win." "We cannot allow any other country to outcompete the United States in this powerful industry of the future," Trump said at the White House. "We are leading by so much in so many different industries of that type, and we just can't let that happen." Trump also announced a $20 billion plan to expand broadband access to rural areas currently without it, a decadelong extension of an existing program. 5G will mean faster wireless speeds and has implications for technologies like self-driving cars and augmented reality. Trump said it will transform the way people work, learn, communicate and travel, making farms more productive, manufacturers more competitive and health care better and more accessible. But experts say it's hard to know now how much life will actually change because of the much-hyped network upgrade. It will take years to roll out, and the highest data speeds and capacities may not reach rural areas at all. The rollout started last week in the U.S. and South Korea but will take years. The Federal Communications Commission said Friday that it would hold the largest auction in U.S. history to boost wireless companies' networks. The auction is set for Dec. 10, and will be the agency's third for 5G, said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who joined Trump for the announcement. "We want Americans to be the first to benefit from this new digital revolution," Pai said. The U.S. is jockeying for position with China over 5G. It has effectively banned Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei from most U.S. networks due to concerns that it might enable Chinese government spying, which Huawei denies. The U.S. has pushed its allies to do the same, with mixed results . Huawei is the world's largest maker of such equipment. FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, criticized the agency's approach to 5G Friday. She said the U.S. has not auctioned off "midband" spectrum that is better suited to serve rural areas because of how far it can carry signals, and that the Trump administration's actions on 5G have "set us back." She cited tariffs on telecom equipment that have raised costs and said the administration has been "alienating allies" on the 5G security issue. The FCC also said Friday that it will be renewing an existing $2 billion broadband subsidy program, for 10 years. It will provide about $20.4 billion over a decade to providers, with the goal of connecting up to 4 million rural homes and small businesses to high-speed internet. The agency spent $34.5 billion on rural-broadband network subsidy programs from 2010 to 2017, according to the Government Accountability Office. It's more expensive for telecom companies to serve spread-out rural areas than cities and suburbs, so the government provides grants to encourage them to build internet networks in rural parts of the country. Some 24 million Americans lacked access to high-speed internet as of the end of 2016, by the FCC's count. Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report. The car at the center of a search for a missing 15-year-old girl, believed to be with her mother and a man who are both suspects in the killing of a Carson man, was discovered near a major border crossing in San Diego County Friday. An Amber Alert and emergency alert were sent Thursday in the search for Alora Benitez, who was last seen at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Torrance. She was spotted leaving with her mother and another man in a 2013 4-door BMW sedan, with Nevada license plate "MARIMAR," according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The sedan was discovered Friday afternoon in the area of San Ysidro -- a major border crossing -- but no one was inside, LASD said. #LASD Homicide Investigators are asking for your help identifying & locating the murder suspects. 15 yr old Alora Benitez was last seen with the suspects. https://t.co/3FoBj4U96s https://t.co/JVIURpy322 pic.twitter.com/oIY6IGPnjI LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) April 18, 2019 Homicide investigators were on scene to examine the sedan. Benitez is 5-feet 2-inches tall, weighing 100 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Investigators could not provide a description of the outfit she was last seen in. The girl's mother and the man she was seen leaving with are considered suspects in the slaying of a man who was found dead Tuesday in the front seat of a white Audi. The car, streaked with blood, was found parked in the 400 block of East Carson Plaza Drive, the sheriff's department said. Anyone who spots Benitez should call 9-1-1 immediately. The suspects are considered armed and dangerous. Jeffery Appel, 32, was found dead in a bloodied car in Carson Tuesday. The cause of death has not yet been determined. Anyone with information on where the trio may be is asked to call sheriff's Homicide Detectives Lawler or Blagg at (323) 890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. What to Know Carls Jr. will test a CBD-infused burger at one of its Denver locations on April 20 Professional chefs named CBD- and cannabis-infused food as a top trend this year in a survey The FDA prohibits adding CBD to food and beverages Carls Jr. is adding something special to its signature sauce. The restaurant will test a CBD-infused burger at one of its Denver locations for one day only: April 20, the unofficial holiday for cannabis enthusiasts. The limited-time offer makes Carls Jr. the first national fast food chain to add CBD-infused food to its menu. In another nod to the marijuana holiday, the burger will sell for $4.20. The burger chains Rocky Mountain High: CheeseBurger Delight features two beef patties, pickled jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, waffle fries and about 5 milligrams of hemp-derived CBD extract in the burger chains Santa Fe Sauce. Proponents claim that CBD, a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp and marijuana, can help with anxiety and pain relief, among other ailments, although little scientific research has been done to back up those assertions. There is also a lack of agreement about dosage, particularly when CBD is added to food. Compared to its close cousin marijuana, hemp contains less THC, the psychoactive chemical in cannabis. So Carls Jr.s burger is unlikely to get you high. Most products that contain CBD became legal in December when President Donald Trump signed the farm bill. However, chefs eager to cook with the ingredient have had to operate under the radar because the Food and Drug Administration prohibits adding CBD to food and beverages. The agency will hold its first public hearing next month to decide how it will regulate CBD. In the meantime, local health departments across the country, from Los Angeles to New York City, have been cracking down on restaurants that sell on CBD-infused food and drinks. The choice to debut the burger in the Mile High City is no mistake. Colorado was one of the first U.S. states to legalize recreational marijuana. As a result, cannabis is one of the states fastest growing industries. Last year, the states medical and retail dispensaries sold $1.55 billion of marijuana, according to Colorados marijuana sales report. The limited-time offer not only puts Carls Jr. ahead of the competition but also on par with those in fine dining chasing the craze. Professional chefs named CBD- and cannabis-infused food and beverages as the top food trend for 2019 in a National Restaurant Association survey. Carls Jr. might be willing to take the plunge because unlike McDonalds, Wendys or many of its other rivals, the chain is not publicly traded. Roark Capital Group, the same private equity firm that owns Sonic, Arbys and Buffalo Wild Wings, also owns Carls Jr. This story first appeared on CNBC.com. More from CNBC: Here are some of this week's top stories from the NBC 6 Weekend Digest: What Miami Is Doing About Affordable Housing Crisis The City of Miami is creating a master plan to address its affordable housing crisis, with a goal of creating 12,000 affordable units by 2024. Throughout the month of April, residents in each of Miamis five districts have met with city officials to learn about this plan and discuss how it can be catered to each neighborhoods unique features. The plan comes weeks after a study by Florida International University revealed that Miami was the seventh least affordable metro in the world. Only Hong Kong, Sydney, Los Angeles, London, Toronto and New York City were more expensive. For more information, click here. The City of Miami is creating a master plan to address its affordable housing crisis, with a goal of creating 12,000 affordable units by 2024. MIA Unveils Sensory Room for Kids During Autism Awareness Month Miami International Airport has unveiled a new sensory room aimed at helping kids with special needs have a comfortable travel experience. The multi-purpose room, which opened during Autism Awareness Month, includes a variety of soothing sensory fixtures including wall puzzles, a light projector, an aquatic bubble tub and more. The room is dimly lit and includes cushioned seats and chairs, all to help create a relaxing atmosphere for kids with cognitive or developmental disabilities. For kids with disabilities like autism, traveling can be a stressful and anxiety-producing activity, the airport says. The sensory room aims to provide a sense of calm to kids before they embark on their respective journeys. For more information, click here. Miami International Airport has unveiled a new sensory room aimed at helping kids with special needs have a comfortable travel experience. Hooded Burglar Caught on Camera Stealing From Miami Store A hooded burglar was caught on camera breaking into a neighborhood variety store in Flagami and stealing more than $15,000 in merchandise. The burglary happened early Friday at El Encanto on West Flagler Street. Dayanaris Montelongo, an employee, said the burglar took telephones, memory sticks and about $400 in cash. A hooded bandit was caught on camera burglarizing El Encanto in Flagami. NBC 6s Nathalia Ortiz reports. For more information, click here. Miami Woman Left Child Inside Car While She Went Shopping: Police A Miami woman was arrested after she left her child, who has autism, behind inside her car while she shopped at a Bed, Bath and Beyond, police said. Veronika Lopez, 47, faces a charge of child neglect with no great bodily harm, an arrest report said. Police said Lopez left her 4-year-old daughter in her car seat inside of her vehicle Thursday afternoon at the Dadeland Station Mall. For more information, click here. Egyptian pro-government media, business people and activists urged a "yes" vote Sunday on constitutional changes that would allow President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to stay in power until 2030. Some voters were offered free rides or food parcels to increase turnout in the national referendum. Critics have blasted the constitutional changes as a major step in the return to authoritarian rule, eight years after President Hosni Mubarak was toppled in a popular uprising. El-Sissi led the military overthrow of an elected but divisive Islamist president in 2013 and has since presided over an unprecedented crackdown on dissent. Authorities have arrested thousands of people, including many prominent pro-democracy activists, and rolled back freedoms won in 2011. Sunday marked the second of three days of voting. The referendum is virtually certain to result in a "yes" vote, but the government hopes for strong turnout to lend it legitimacy. Election officials have said results are expected within a week. Yasser Rizq, chairman of the state-owned al-Akhbar daily and an el-Sissi confidant, portrayed the referendum as a show of support for the general-turned-president. "People are taking part to say 'Yes' for el-Sissi to extend his current term until 2024 and allow him to run for another six-year term," Rizq wrote in his Sunday column. Abdel Mohsen Salama, the chairman of the state-owned al-Ahram media organization, urged people to vote as an "urgent necessity." Pro-government business people and lawmakers meanwhile offered incentives to voters. In Cairo's neighborhood of Kit Kat, buses hired by lawmakers transported people free of charge to a polling center. In two polling centers in Cairo, some voters were being handed bags of food staples like oil, rice and sugar after they cast their ballots. The practice is common in Egypt's elections and referendums, both before and since 2011. The National Council for Human Rights, a state-appointed body, also reported people giving food to voters, and said cars with signs advertising political parties could be seen transporting people to voting centers. Trucks with loudspeakers drove around central Cairo Sunday morning, playing patriotic songs and urging people to vote. Opposition voices have largely been shut out amid the rush to hold the referendum. Parliament, packed with el-Sissi supporters, overwhelmingly approved the amendments on Tuesday. The local media is dominated by government supporters. El-Sissi was elected president in 2014 and re-elected last year after all potentially serious challengers were either jailed or pressured to exit the race. "The situation is backsliding," said Ahmed Abd Rabou, a visiting assistant professor at the University of Denver. He said Egypt is replicating a "totalitarian" system "where the president can run forever and can stay in power forever." The U.S. Navy is investigating a report that a female Marine found a camera in a women's bathroom of the USS Arlington, NBC News reported, citing three military officials. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Sixth Fleet confirmed that the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) is probing a "recording device in a head" aboard the Arlington, an amphibious transport dock that is currently in port in Greece. "The command has taken, and will continue to take, all necessary actions to ensure the safety and privacy of the victim," Cdr. Kyle Raines said. "The Navy/Marine Corps team takes all reports of sexual harassment seriously, and are committed to thoroughly investigating these allegations and providing resources and care to victims of sexual harassment." What to Know New Jersey regulators voted to approve $300 million in customer-funded subsidies for the state's nuclear industry. The decision means that all residential utility customers in the state will see their bills go up by about $40 a year under some estimates. In return for the bailout, the state's biggest utilityis expected to keep the three southern New Jersey nuclear plants in operation. New Jersey regulators voted Thursday to approve $300 million in customer-funded subsidies for the state's nuclear industry despite finding the plants are financially viable. The decision means that all residential utility customers in the state will see their bills go up by about $40 a year under some estimates. Large businesses have said their bills could go up by about 50%. In return for the bailout, the state's biggest utility, Public Service Enterprise Group, is expected to keep the three southern New Jersey nuclear plants that supply an estimated two-fifths of the state's electricity supply in operation. The plants provide carbon-free energy and employ up to 2,000 people, the company says. The Board of Public Utilities voted 4-1 to approve the bailout during a meeting packed with supporters and opponents at the statehouse annex. For the first time on Thursday the public learned that the board's staff, which delivered a presentation before the vote, determined that the plants were "viable as they stand now," and "not in need of a subsidy." Public Service Enterprise Group provided the board with the financial documents used to reach those conclusions, but they were kept confidential, as required by law. The findings put board members in the position of supporting a customer-financed electricity tariff that has been vocally opposed by a number of groups, including the AARP -- whose members wore red T-shirts to protest the subsidies -- some environmental organizations and large businesses in the state. "I would characterize the choices we face as genuinely awful," Board Commissioner Bob Gordon said. "In my view the board is being directed to pay ransom and the hostages are the citizens of New Jersey." Gordon also lamented the fact that the law, which was passed by the Democrat-led Legislature and signed by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy a year ago, fixes the subsidy at $300 million and does not provide for varying the amount. Gordon called on lawmakers and the governor to consider finding a way to "mitigate" costs for businesses and residents. Commissioner Upendra Chivukula was the only no vote. He recounted a tale of growing up poor in India and called the bailout a "disgrace" while voting. "I will not let down the poor people of the state of New Jersey," he said. "Today when I look at this thing I think this is highway robbery." Board President Joseph Fiordaliso said despite the financial finding, he thought the panel had a responsibility to consider other factors as well, including the diversity of fuel sources in the state, and the impact on the environment of shuttering plants that emit no carbon. Public Service Enterprise Group plant workers wearing orange T-shirts watched the proceedings in the crowded hearing room. In a statement, the company said that it was "pleased" with the board's decision. "The BPU just saved the people of the State hundreds of millions of dollars in what would have been higher energy costs, thousands of jobs lost and tons of environmentally damaging air emissions," the company said. Opponents of the subsidy decried the board's decision and said bailing out nuclear would mean fewer resources for wind and solar power in the future. "The BPU sold out the ratepayers and renewable energy today by going along with this unnecessary nuclear subsidy. This giveaway is about greed and not need," said New Jersey Sierra Club director Jeff Tittel. Public Service Enterprise Group lobbied heavily on the subsidies and went to lawmakers about two years ago saying that a glut of cheaper natural gas made the nuclear plants less viable and that they'd shutter them without financial help. New Jersey joins New York and Illinois, which enacted similar subsidy programs in 2016. The world reacted with shock and prayers to the massive fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, united in grief and in solidarity with the people of France. As the flames tore through the 12th-century cathedral, Spain's prime minister offered France the help of his country in the recovery. The fire is a "catastrophe for France, for Spain and for Europe," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted Monday, adding that the flames are destroying "850 years of history, architecture, painting and sculpture." French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters near the scene that he will seek international help, including from the "greatest talents" in the world, to rebuild Notre Dame. President Donald Trump, speaking at an appearance in Minnesota, spoke of the "terrible, terrible fire" that devastated "one of the great treasures of the world." "It's a part of our growing up, it's a part of our culture, it's a part of our lives," Trump said of the landmark. The Notre Dame Cathedral, situated on an island in the Seine River in the heart of Paris, is one of the world's most visited tourist destinations, drawing some 13 million people each year. The fire's emotional impact was widely felt. People from all over described in Facebook posts how they cried when they heard about the fire. Nicolas Marang, 47, has lived in Paris for more than 25 years and told NBC News he was running along the Seine River when he saw the smoke, which looked like a "dark smog," coming from the Notre Dame. "Something just collapsed inside me. [It was] one of the worst things I've ever seen," Marang said. Former President Barack Obama posted an old photo of himself, his wife Michelle and their two daughters lighting candles in the cathedral. "Notre Dame is one of the world's great treasures, and we're thinking of the people of France in your time of grief," Obama said on Twitter. Michelle Obama, who was in Paris on Monday on a book tour, said "my heart aches with the people of France." "The majesty of Notre Dame - the history, artistry, and spirituality - took our breath away, lifting us to a higher understanding of who we are and who we can be," she tweeted. She predicted the cathedral would rise again. Japan's government early Tuesday expressed sympathy and said it would consider sending support to the French government. "Its damage is a loss to the world and our hearts ache," said Yoshihide Suga, the chief cabinet secretary. The Vatican said Pope Francis "has seen with shock and sadness the news of the terrible fire." As the flames spread, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, prayed at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan for intercession. "God preserve this splendid house of prayer, and protect those battling the blaze," Dolan said in a statement. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said many works of art and holy objects inside the church had been saved, but the art world was distressed about what might have been lost. Barbara Drake Boehm, senior curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's medieval Cloisters branch in New York, was desolate about damage to the cathedral, which she called "one of the great monuments to the best of civilization." "Civilization is just so fragile," Boehm told a reporter in a trembling voice. "This great hulking monument of stone has been there since 1163. It's come through so many trials." Jeff Ament, bass player for Pearl Jam, remembered spending hours at the cathedral in his first visit, in 1991, with record executive Michael Goldstone. "Thinking about Paris," Ament tweeted, with photos of the cathedral. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tweeted that he's "horrified," calling the cathedral "a unique example of world heritage." In Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church's secretary for inter-Christian relations Hieromonk Stefan called the fire "a tragedy for the entire Christian world and for all who appreciate the cultural significance of this temple," the state news agency RIA-Novosti reported: On Twitter, Trump suggested using planes to drop water on the flames. France's Civil Security agency said that wasn't feasible. "All means are being used, except for water-bombing aircrafts which, if used, could lead to the collapse of the entire structure of the cathedral," the agency tweeted. Associated Press reporters Jocelyn Noveck, Kiley Armstrong, Jim Heintz, Edith M. Lederer and Samuel Petrequin contributed to this report. A man suspected of involvement in a mysterious dissident group's February raid on North Korea's Embassy in Madrid was arrested in Los Angeles by U.S. authorities. Christopher Ahn, a former U.S. Marine, was arrested and charged Friday, according to a person familiar with the matter. The specific charges against Ahn were not immediately clear. The person could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Separately, on Thursday, federal agents raided the apartment of Adrian Hong, a leader of the Free Joseon group, the person said. Hong was not arrested. Free Joseon, also known as the Cheollima Civil Defense group, styles itself as a government-in-exile dedicated to toppling the ruling Kim family dynasty in North Korea. The group said it consists of North Korean defectors living in countries around the world, but that it has not worked with or contacted defectors "living under tight security" in South Korea. Lee Wolosky, a lawyer for the group, said in a statement that he was "dismayed that the U.S. Department of Justice has decided to execute warrants against U.S. persons that derive from criminal complaints filed by the North Korean regime." "The last U.S. citizen who fell into the custody of the Kim regime returned home maimed from torture and did not survive," Wolosky said, referring to college student Otto Warmbier's 2017 death. "We have received no assurances from the U.S. government about the safety and security of the U.S. nationals it is now targeting," he added. A Spanish police investigator in the case told The Associated Press in Madrid on Saturday that Ahn was identified by the Spanish police at a later stage of its investigation into the Feb. 22 raid and that an international arrest warrant was also issued against him. That's in addition to warrants issued for the other suspects named last month in Spanish court documents. The investigator, who spoke under condition of anonymity given the sensitivities of the case, said that because of judicial secrecy, he couldn't confirm how many arrest warrants had been issued by Spanish authorities beyond the two initially confirmed. A Spanish judge said an investigation uncovered evidence that "a criminal organization" shackled and gagged embassy staff before escaping with computers, hard drives and documents. Cheollima said on its website that it was responding to an urgent situation at the embassy and was invited onto the property, and that "no one was gagged or beaten." The group said there were "no other governments involved with or aware of our activity until after the event." The Spanish court report said the intruders urged North Korea's only accredited diplomat in Spain, So Yun Sok, to defect. In March 2017, the group said it had arranged the escape of Kim Han Sol, the son of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who was assassinated at a Malaysian airport earlier that year. The Cheollima website said the group shared "certain information of enormous potential value" from the raid with the FBI, under mutually agreed terms of confidentiality. According to the Spanish court report, Hong flew to the United States on Feb. 23, got in touch with the FBI and offered to share material and videos. The report didn't say what type of information the items contained or whether the FBI accepted the offer. The FBI said its standard practice is to neither confirm nor deny the existence of investigations. From Tinariwen to Bombino and Imarhan, the Tuareg people -- a Berber ethnic group populating Libya, southern Algeria, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso -- have offered a lot to Western audiences in the last few years, introducing Europe and the U.S. to the web-like guitar work of the Tichumaren genre. Mdou Moctar, born in Agadez, Niger, in 1986, is the next torchbearer in line. According to Moctar, with whom I corresponded over email last month, he didn't hear music until he was six years old. "In my youth, I lived with my family, and I went to school. My family was very religious, and music wasnt that common in the area where I lived. I left the village and went to Arlit, in 1992, where I continued my studies. Thats where I first heard music," he said. Mdou Moctar's new album, "Ilana: the Creator" is available here and on all streaming services. In an inevitable cultural exchange, some of Moctar's favorite musicians ended up being freewheeling American guitar heroes, from Eddie Van Halen to Jimi Hendrix. Fortunately, the self-indulgence of Western guitar slinging has never threatened his selfless approach to music. "The importance of the religion in my music is always to be good to people. Islam is a religion that teaches us to be peaceful and always kind to others. This is what I take out of my religion and try to channel in my music," Moctar said. "Im just one voice. But I always want to make people happy, and make them stand together.... My objective is to transmit a message throughout the world, what happens where I live, the suffering of women and children, the need of education and the social problems," he added. For Moctar, he can't help but make his music political, because everything that touches where he lives is political, according to him. Mdou Moctar headlines Casbah on Sunday, April 21. Get tickets here. Rutger Ansley Rosenborg has been with NBC SoundDiego since 2016. Find out more here. To help make sure you stay informed on the most shared and talked about stories in San Diego County, each Saturday we'll revisit five stories from the previous week and capsulize them in this digest with the most recent updates. 1. Police Have Access to Smart Cameras Installed Throughout City The city of San Diego installed 3,000 cameras and sensors on city streets in order to collect data that developers can use for future infrastructure and sustainability projects. On Tuesday, NBC 7's Danny Freeman told us those cameras are now being accessed by police investigators. However, he found one elected official who said wasn't part of the original deal. Elected leaders say letting police access the smart cameras wasn't part of the original agreement. NBC 7's Danny Freeman has more. 2. Former Hospital Worker Accused of Using Stolen Prescription Pads to Get Thousands of Painkillers A San Diego woman, employed at a Southern California health care company, faces multiple federal charges for using stolen prescription pads to pick up thousands of tablets of Percocet at area pharmacies, according to a complaint filed Thursday. AS NBC 7's Rory Devine reported Monday, the former office administratos at Scripps Coastal Medical Center to get close to 20,000 tablets of Percocet worth between $136,000 and $194,000 on the street. NBC 7's Rory Devine tells us how many pills the woman is accused of stealing, and how much they're all worth. 3. Oceanside Mobile Home Park Owners Accused of Denying Sales Some homeowners in Oceanside say they feel trapped because they cannot get approval to sell their mobile home units from the company that owns the land they lease. NBC 7's Joe Little talked with one woman who said homeowners end up selling to the park for pennies and then the park owner rents the property for a much higher amount of money. One mobile homeowner told NBC 7's Joe Little that there needs to be more lawyers willing to stick up for people like her. 4. My Rideshare Driver Held My Luggage for Ransom, San Diego Woman Says Bethann Barry mistakenly left her luggage in the back of the Lyft drivers vehicle when she returned from a flight. She spent the next five days trying to get the driver to return her luggage. She told NBC 7's Steven Luke, I felt like my suitcase was being held for ransom." NBC 7s Steven Luke talks with a Lyft customer who said it took her days to get a forgotten piece of luggage returned after she left it in her drivers car. 5. Surfer Etiquette Squabble Leads to Skull Injury, Felony Conviction We've all heard about stretches of the California coast where it can be dangerous for non-locals or inexperienced surfers to get into the water. One paddle boarder was convicted just this week of felony assault for using his oar in a fight over "right of way" with a local surfer. NBC 7's Dave Summers reports on the legal battle that began at Sunset Cliffs. The paddle boarder accused of attacking a surfer at sunset cliffs was found guilty Thursday. The incident happened back in June. NBC 7's Mark Mullen has more. The San Diego Police Department identified the suspect in a fight that resulted in a punch thrown and shots fired on the streets outside El Camino Bar in Little Italy. SDPD identified Dangelo Jeffrey, 23, as the security guard who fired the shot at the patron early Saturday night. SDPD said the confrontation between the men began inside the bar located at 2400 India St. just before closing time. Police said Jeffrey got into an argument with a couple of patrons and allegedly made a verbal threat, saying something would happen to them. At around 2 a.m., the patron and his friends left the bar. Investigators said Jeffrey followed the patron down India Street, near West Laurel Street, and, there, the pair got into another argument. At that point, the patron allegedly punched the Jeffrey in the face. Police said Jeffrey pulled out a handgun and fired two shots at the patron. One bullet hit him once in the lower abdomen. Jeffrey then left the area and went home. Once he was home, he called authorities and turned himself into the police. NBC 7 confirmed Jeffrey works for Titanium Security. The owner of Titanium Security told NBC 7 they do not arm their security guards and was surprised by Jeffreys reported actions. He did not confirm the future status of Jeffreys employment with the company. SDPD said the shooting victim was taken to a local hospital; he is expected to recover. No one else was hurt in the shooting. Jeffrey posted bail at $50,000 as of Saturday night. One baby, two babies, now a total of 12 babies are expected to be born at a hospital in San Diego, all belonging to nurses who work there. Quite fittingly, the 12 soon-to-be moms work at the Labor and Delivery Unit at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns. Their due dates are just months apart from each other, spanning from next month to October. We love babies so, when we dont see enough babies on our floor, we make our own and we give each other business, said Martyna Feather, who is due next month. The nurses keep track of the babies by maintaining a board with names of the nurses who are expecting. Little by little, that list began hitting a growth spurt and, soon, a second page had to be added. It was one name, then two names, then every week there was a name added, said nurse Maricel Sadiarin, who is due in July. When the nurses realized so many of them were pregnant, they wrote to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" to share their story. They were gifted with 12 tickets to Ellens Mothers Day Show. For the group, it'll be a nice little getaway before those sleepless newborn nights begin at home. Its the 12 of us going and we're excited to carpool up to the show and see what we get and just have a fun day together, said Joelle Price, who is also due next month. Price is due on May 20, and hopes she can make it to the taping of the show with her fellow pregnant nurses. But she said she's prepared for anything. They have paramedics on site just in case there is an emergency, plus we are all labor and delivery nurses so we can deliver each other's babies if we needed to, she added. Last month, news of a baby boom among nurses at a hospital in Portland, Maine, also made headlines. At the Maine Medical Center, nine labor and delivery nurses are pregnant, with due dates between this month and July. Sharp Mary Birch Hospital welcomes nearly 9,000 babies annually. A San Diego nonprofit dedicated to helping firefighters and their families in times of need is on a mission to find a bone marrow match for someone who means a lot to one of their own. Joshua Karty, 31, is a father of three who grew up in San Diego and moved to Idaho in 2008. Today, he is hospitalized in Seattle, in need of a life-saving bone marrow transplant. He is the stepson of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Engineer Dianne Karty. A year ago, Joshua Karty was diagnosed with chronic leukemia. The illness has since progressed into acute myeloid and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He is waiting to find a bone marrow match that could save his life. This past March, Dianne Karty reached out to the San Diego Firemans Relief Association (SDFRA) for support in getting the word out to potential donors in hopes of helping her stepson. Brandt Truver, president of the SDFRA, got on board. On Saturday, Truver, along with several volunteers, hosted a bone marrow donor drive in Point Loma to help Joshua Karty. Were looking for a match for Josh, and to get him the help he needs, Truver told NBC 7. The Kartys have given so much to the City of San Diego. The efforts to help Joshua Karty also include help from FireFighterAid, Local 145 and Be The Match, the worlds largest marrow registry, operated by the National Marrow Donor Program. Meet Joshua Karty. Joshua is the step-son of San Diego Fire Engineer, Dianne Karty. He is in need of a bone marrow transplant to save his life. Please join us on April 20th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM to help find a donor for Joshua! pic.twitter.com/kYl1sxRwem San Diego L145 (@SDLocal145) April 15, 2019 Truver said the SDFRA is looking for people ages 18 to 44 to join the Be the Match registry as donors. Their cells will be compared against Joshua Kartys cells, and could be the match he needs. Truver said the SDFRA found a donor for a fellow firefighter this way several years ago and the group is hoping they can do it again for the Kartys. Saturday was a solid start. Truver said 17 people registered to become donors for Joshua Karty. He said those who want to join the registry but werent able to attend Saturdays drive can register online at Be The Match. They can also follow Joshua Kartys GoFundMe page for updates. Truver said Joshua Kartys days at the hospital right now are filled with ups and downs, but, in his words, Today is a good day. He said the SDFRA considers firefighters extended family and this mission to help the Kartys is just that: family helping family. To learn more about Joshua Kartys battle with leukemia and how to help, click here. GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter is facing backlash for pretending to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, NBC News reports something his Democratic opponent says would have violated the terms of the congressman's parole stemming from federal charges of misusing campaign funds. The California lawmaker posted a video on social media on Thursday claiming to be "15 meters" from the U.S.-Mexico border before walking over to a fence he alleged was the only thing separating migrants seeking asylum from entering the U.S. by foot. Border Patrol officials told The Times of San Diego that the official border is the Colorado River, which is further away from the vehicle barrier Hunter crossed. Ammar Campa-Najjar, a Democrat who unsuccessfully challenged Hunter for his seat last November, slammed Hunter for the video on social media. "This is what happens when youve been stripped from all your committees & have too much time on your hands," he tweeted. Michael Harrison, a spokesman for Hunter, told The Times of San Diego that the accusation of him violating his parole by leaving the U.S. is a "non-issue typical of someone desperate for a headline." With little equipment and often a low profile, some non-permitted sellers walk the streets of San Diego shouting out their menu to passersby. Dina Villa is one of those vendors. Villa agreed to an interview as she and her daughter yelled to passing customers outside of a supermarket in Chula Vista, Tamales, y champurrado! Villa has been selling beef and chicken tamales outside of that supermarket since 2012, risking fees and penalties. I started to do so in order to improve life for my family, she said. As of January, new rules are in effect in San Diego for those who want to sell food or merchandise on the street. The Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, SB 946 signed into California law last year changes the way cities regulate street vending. A city or other local authority cant prohibit street vendors from operating but can require permits for their equipment and food handling. It also prohibits criminal penalties for violations of regulations, instead, violators would face administrative fees. With her husband in Mexico unable to cross the border, Villa provides the main source of income in her household and works to provide for her three children and her elderly blind father. I dont see it as very difficult because when one wants to move ahead, one will find a way to do it, Villa said. I tell my daughter that what holds people back is fear. When youre afraid or afraid to risk something youll never advance. Fear paralyzes you. So many people are afraid to do something and dont move forward, they block themselves. Not me. One day I told myself Im tired of not having money in my pocket, and my children are hungry. Villa passes out business cards to customers and said she has hopes of one day having her own store where she can sell tamales and what she described as American food. Villa said she has been kicked off the property in Chula Vista before, but it didnt deter her from coming back. There was a customer who told on me to the manager who then came and talked to me, she said. The manager said I had to leave or theyd call the police. So, I left, but about two days later I came back. I have to work. It is a similar story among pushcart vendors too. Jesus Daniel Robles is a Mexican immigrant who came to the United States with hopes of making money by selling elote. At just 17 years old, he left school in Mexico to try his fortune selling traditionally prepared corn in Chula Vista. We dont all have the same luck, he said. But here is where the money is. Robles, who has only been selling for two months, said he plans to move to Los Angeles where he said he heard it was easier and more acceptable to be a street vendor. He said he has been asked to leave from some places where he has set up, but it was in a nice manner and said his stay in the United States so far has been a good experience. Robles explained that many have commented on the risks he runs at such a young age but he remains positive about his future. Yeah, everybody tells me that but, nothing's going to happen, he said. I am always very positive. One hundred percent positive in any job that I do. I know that things will turn out okay. It's just a matter of waiting. You must have faith and the doors will open. Robles said when he finds it hard to sell in one spot, he will try his luck in another area in Chula Vista. For a permitted street vendor, the process can be a little more predictable. Photo by: Cristofer Garcia Mario Romero, owner of El Tigre Churros y Platanos, is preparing a fresh batch of churros for his customers. Romero has been selling on this corner of University Avenue and 36 th Street for 12 years. Mario Romero is the owner of El Tigre Churros y Platanos, a small stand that sets up in University Avenue and 36th Street. It seems to be the only visible street stand in the stretch of University Avenue between the 805 freeway and interstate 15, but a popular choice, serving churros, fried bananas and tamales. Romero said that the process of becoming a permitted street vendor required him getting a license from the health department and proving knowledge about food handling and preparing safety. El Tigre Churros y Platanos also had to partner with a local restaurant which essentially allows and will confirm to the city that El Tigre is storing equipment and doing some food preparation there before going out to the streets to sell. Romero said the process is worth it. The idea to start a business was to not be depended on anyone and be my own boss and advance forward faster than working for someone else, he said. This is a family business, made up of my wife and two children. And we work here, the four of us. His stand is one the top spots to visit in San Diego according to some restaurant review sites. A dozen standing customers are waiting in line at any given time talking and interacting with each other, and Romero remembers many of them by name. He described this as common. I have all kinds of customers, Romero said. Its a street business and thats its appeal- eating in the street, feeling free. Thats what people like. Its something that has taken a lot of work to build, he said, pointing out that he has been selling in the same spot on University Avenue and 36th Street for 12 years now. Romero sets up his stand five days a week, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and spends an additional four hours preparing the food before opening. Romero said the experience he delivers to his customers is unique. Its a totally different environment from that of an establishment, he said. For me, the appeal in street food is that the customer has contact with the cook directly. Were talking and conversing about how your work was and thats the attractiveness of the street stand, and that always make people feel more comfortable. It brings them more attention. Photo by Cristofer Garcia This report was a collaboration between NBC 7 and the SDSU School of Journalism and Media Studies. President Donald Trump and his team love to deride unfavorable stories as "fake news," but it's clear from Robert Mueller's report that the special counsel isn't buying it. While there are a few exceptions, Mueller's investigation repeatedly supports news reporting that was done on the Russia probe over the last two years and details several instances where the president and his team sought to mislead the public. "The media looks a lot stronger today than it did before the release of this report," Kyle Pope, editor of the Columbia Journalism Review, said Friday. Trump's supporters believe that Mueller's determination that there was not enough evidence to show that the president or his team worked with the Russians to influence the 2016 election delegitimizes the attention given to the story. Fox News Channel's Laura Ingraham message to the news media: "You owe us an apology." But the news stories were, for the great part, accurate. For instance, Mueller's report shows The New York Times and The Washington Post were correct when they reported in January 2018 that Trump ordered White House counsel Don McGahn to make sure Mueller was fired, and that McGahn decided to resign rather than carry that out. When the Times first reported the story, Trump described it as "fake news, folks, fake news." The Mueller report also showed that Trump directed a series of aides to ask McGahn to publicly deny the story, and ultimately asked himself, too. McGahn refused, saying the story was accurate, the report found. In a July 2017 story, the Times reported that the president personally wrote a statement in which he falsely said that an election year meeting between some Russians and his son, Donald Jr., was about the adoption of Russian children, rather than about obtaining potentially damaging information on Hillary Clinton's campaign. Trump's counsel repeatedly responded that the president had no role in writing the statement, yet months later testified under oath to investigators that Trump had dictated it. Mueller's report also backed up the newspaper's stories, which the administration denied at the time, that Trump demanded loyalty from then-FBI Director James Comey at a private dinner, and that Trump had asked Comey to end an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. "The Mueller report confirmed again and again that stories in The New York Times for the past two years were the opposite of 'fake news,'" said Elisabeth Bumiller, the paper's Washington bureau chief. "They were meticulously reported, carefully sourced and accurate stories that told readers what was really going on at the White House." Washington Post columnist David Ignatius reported before Trump's inauguration that Flynn had talked to Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak about sanctions placed on Russia by the outgoing Obama administration. Mueller said that Trump put out word that he wanted Flynn to kill the story, and that Flynn ordered aide K.T. McFarland to deny it to the Post, "although she knew she was providing false information." Others in the administration, including Vice President Mike Pence, also denied it. Flynn resigned when the truth became evident. Trump repeatedly said during the 2016 campaign that he had no business dealings in Russia when, even as he uttered the words, his company was seeking to build a Trump Towers office building in Moscow. When Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, privately pointed out that the denial was untrue, the future president said "why mention it if it is not a deal?" the report said. Mueller also determined that a statement by White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders that Comey had been unpopular with rank-and-file members of his agency "was not founded on anything." Sanders said on ABC Friday that her statement was "a slip of the tongue." Mueller, however, did shoot down a BuzzFeed News report that Trump had directed Cohen to lie to Congress about the timing of the Moscow project. Mueller said that while it appeared Trump knew Cohen was lying to Congress, "the evidence available to us does not establish that the president directed or aided Cohen's false testimony." BuzzFeed News editor-in-chief Ben Smith said the organization's sources, who were federal law enforcement officials, "interpreted the evidence Cohen presented as meaning that the president 'directed' Cohen to lie. We now know that Mueller did not." Smith said BuzzFeed will continue to pursue the story through Freedom of Information requests and in court. Mueller also contradicted a McClatchy news service story alleging that Cohen had traveled to Prague, in the Czech Republic, in summer 2016 to meet with Russians involved in the effort to influence the election. Mueller's report said that Cohen had not gone to Prague. McClatchy attached an editor's note to its story reporting Mueller's conclusion but adding that his report "is silent on whether the investigators received evidence that Mr. Cohen's phone pinged in an area near Prague, as McClatchy reported." CJR's Pope said so many of the stories surrounding Trump had been made foggy by denials and "fake news" claims over the past two years. He said he was surprised so much of Mueller's report backed up journalists, although it's too soon to tell whether the findings will influence two very divided political camps. "I think it casts the coverage of him in a much different light," he said. President Donald Trump has warned that Central American families are staging an "invasion" at the U.S.-Mexico border. He has threatened to take migrants to Democratic strongholds to punish political opponents. And his administration regularly complains about having to "catch and release" migrants. At the same time, his administration has stopped using one of three family detention centers to hold parents and children and left almost 2,000 beds unused at the other two. It says it does not have the resources to transport migrants to the centers. Immigrant advocates accuse the administration of closing off family detention to further the perception of a crisis. The Karnes County Residential Center in Texas used to hold up to 800 parents and children at a time, who would usually be detained before an initial screening to judge whether they qualified for asylum. But ICE last month started to release families until they were all gone from Karnes. Advocates who work there say ICE is now restricting legal access to the roughly 400 adult women being detained there. The population at the family detention center in nearby Dilley, Texas, was also reduced and remains at roughly a quarter of its 2,400-person capacity. A 96-person facility in Pennsylvania had only 18 immigrants this week. Meanwhile, the numbers of parents and children crossing the U.S.-Mexico border have surged, leading immigration officials to declare the situation a crisis. More than 50,000 parents and children were apprehended by the Border Patrol in March, setting a monthly record. The number of border crossings in one day sometimes exceeds ICE's total family detention space. More than 4,800 people crossed the border in a single day this week. Almost 1,000 were traveling in three large groups, the largest of which was 375 people, Kevin McAleenan, the acting secretary of homeland security, said Wednesday. The Border Patrol has stopped referring many families to ICE and instead releases them directly to nonprofit groups or drops them off at bus stations. In a statement, ICE said the surge left it "overwhelmed" and unable to transport families from the border to the Karnes and Dilley facilities, even if both detention centers had available beds. As of Wednesday, 427 women were in custody at Karnes. "As such, ICE has determined that, at this time, Karnes will better meet operational needs by also serving partially as an adult detention facility," the agency said. Immigrant advocates say they do not believe that ICE cannot transport people to the facilities. They say the government has reduced family detention space for political reasons to show that Democrats' refusal to change laws to allow for longer family detention and more deportations has left officials with no choice but to catch and release. "We believe that this is part of trying to justify a narrative," said Peter Schey, executive director of the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law. "Trump's policies have swung from one extreme to the other. There's no consistency; there's no strategic planning." The legal services group RAICES goes to Karnes daily to consult with detained immigrants about their asylum cases. The group says subtle policy changes at the facility have reduced legal access for detained women seeking asylum. Since Monday, authorities at Karnes have prevented attorneys and volunteers from meeting with many large groups of migrants at once, which prevents them from quickly consulting with more people, according to Andrea Meza, RAICES' director of family detention services. Karnes staff also stopped sending RAICES the names of detainees who put their names on sign-up sheets outside the visitation room, Meza said. Meza said she received conflicting explanations from ICE for the changes, including that there were complaints by staff from the private contractor GEO Group, which operates Karnes. ICE confirmed it had reduced group meetings at Karnes because "more residents are represented by private attorneys." The agency said it provided 12 hours of legal visitation at Karnes every day, more than its detention standards require. If the changes remain in place, fewer people will be able to consult with a lawyer before asylum interviews, Meza said, and it will be harder for the group to follow up with potential asylum seekers. "We don't know what's happening to people after their interviews," she said. British police stationed armed officers outside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London on Friday after tweets from WikiLeaks quoted what it said were high-level sources saying that Julian Assange could be kicked out of the building within "hours to days." The red-brick embassy building with white window frames and balconies was quiet. No embassy official or any British authorities commented on the WikiLeaks founder's status. Asked about the presence of armed officers outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, London's Metropolitan Police force said there had been no change in police procedure. Police said in a statement there is an active warrant for Assange's arrest and that the police are "obliged to execute that warrant should he leave the Embassy." Police withdrew the round-the-clock guard outside the embassy in October 2015 after more than three years in favor of what the service called a "covert" approach. Assange hasn't left the embassy since August 2012, fearing if he steps off Ecuador's diplomatic soil he will be arrested and extradited to the U.S. for publishing thousands of classified military and diplomatic cables through WikiLeaks. Ecuador's foreign ministry issued a statement late Thursday saying it wouldn't comment on what it called "rumors, theories or conjectures." Later, a senior official told The Associated Press that no decision had been taken to expel Assange from the embassy. WikiLeaks argued in a statement Friday that forcing Assange out of the embassy would be illegal and a violation of international law on refugees. A small group of protesters and supporters of WikiLeaks' founder gathered Thursday outside the London embassy. On Friday morning, a van appeared outside the building showing a placard that said "Free Speech" and featured images of Assange and convicted classified document leaker Chelsea Manning. Police moved it on. WikiLeaks on Thursday tweeted: "BREAKING: A high level source within the Ecuadorian state has told @WikiLeaks that Julian Assange will be expelled within "hours to days" using the #INAPapers offshore scandal as a pretext--and that it already has an agreement with the UK for his arrest." Another tweet said it had received a secondary confirmation from another high-level source. But a top official said while Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno was angered by the apparent hacking of his personal communications, he denied WikiLeaks' claim and said no decision had been taken to expel Assange from the Embassy. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to discuss the matter. On Tuesday, Moreno blamed WikiLeaks for recent allegations of offshore corruption that in appeared in local media outlets and the publication of family photos to social media. Moreno accused WikiLeaks of intercepting phone calls and private conversations as well as "photos of my bedroom, what I eat, and how my wife and daughters and friends dance." Moreno provided no evidence, but the speech reflected ongoing tension between Assange and his hosts at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. WikiLeaks in a statement called Moreno's charges "completely bogus," saying it reported on the accusations of corruption against the president only after Ecuador's legislature investigated the issue. Assange's defense team suggested on Twitter that Moreno was trying to use the scandal to pressure the WikiLeaks founder. ___ Gonzalo Solano reported from Quito, Ecuador and Joshua Goodman reported from Bogota, Colombia. Barry Hatton contributed from Lisbon, Portugal. First they cooperated. Then they stonewalled. Their television interviews were scattershot and ridiculed, their client mercurial and unreliable. But President Donald Trump's legal team, through a combination of bluster, legal precedent and shifting tactics, managed to protect their client from a potentially perilous in-person interview during special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. His lawyers are taking a victory lap after a redacted version of Mueller's findings revealed politically damaging conduct by the president but drew no conclusions of criminal behavior. "Our strategy came to be that when we weren't talking, we were losing," Rudy Giuliani, one of Trump's lawyers, told The Associated Press in a recent interview. Given that Mueller could not indict a sitting president, Giuliani said, the team kept its focus on Mueller's "capacity to report, so we had to play in the media as well as legally." The aftershocks from the Mueller report released Thursday will help shape the next two years of Trump's administration. But while the report may cause some Democrats to take a renewed look at impeachment despite long odds of success in Congress, the legal threat to Trump that seemed so dangerous upon Mueller's appointment in May 2017 has waned. At the outset, that appointment led Trump to predict "the end of my presidency." The White House struggled to recruit top Washington attorneys, many of whom were reluctant to work for a temperamental, scandal-prone president who repeatedly claimed he would be his own best legal mind. The initial strategy of the Trump legal team, including White House attorney Ty Cobb and personal defense lawyer John Dowd, was to be as cooperative as possible with Mueller's prosecutors and ensure that investigators got access to the documents they requested and the witnesses they wanted to interview. The Trump lawyers hoped to bring about a quick conclusion to the investigation. Believing he could exonerate himself, Trump initially expressed a willingness to sit for an interview with Mueller's team. A date was set for that to take place at Camp David. But then the president's lawyers moved away from the plan, in part by arguing that the special counsel already had gotten answers to his questions. "It became the most transparent investigation in history," Jay Sekulow, one of the president's personal lawyers, said in an interview. Still, there was internal tumult along the way, including the March 2018 departure of Dowd, a veteran and experienced criminal defense attorney, and the additions of Giuliani and the husband-wife team of Martin and Jane Raskin. Even as the legal team professed cooperation with Mueller's prosecutors, the lawyers expressed impatience, frustration and skepticism in a series of private letters that challenged the credibility of the government's witnesses and the demands to interview the president. In a November 2018 correspondence, one of a series of letters obtained by news outlets, the president's legal team attacked the questions Mueller wanted to ask the president as "burdensome if submitted to a routine witness, let alone presented to the president of the United States, more than two years after the events at issue while he continued to navigate numerous, serious matters of state, national security and domestic emergency." Those private complaints were dwarfed by louder public protests. Trump spent months engaging in daily, sometimes hourly, attacks on Mueller's team, declaring the investigation a "Witch Hunt" and questioning the integrity of the investigators. Giuliani, in many ways more of a television spokesman than conventional lawyer, amplified those attacks. He went so far as to accuse the investigators of misconduct and to portray Mueller, who as a Marine officer had led a rifle platoon in Vietnam, as unpatriotic. The former New York City mayor became a human smoke screen, making accusations and offering theories often meant to distract and obfuscate. He was a punch line on cable news channels, and his interviews were mocked as blunder-filled performances. But there was a method to Giuliani's shtick, at least at times. More than once he let slip revelations that initially were perceived as gaffes but later were recognized as efforts to get out ahead of potentially damaging news stories. Two examples include payments to Stormy Daniels, a porn actress who claimed an affair with Trump, and a letter of intent to build a Trump Tower Moscow. There were missteps, too. The interviews granted by White House staffers filled the pages of the Mueller report with stories of West Wing chaos. At least one interaction caught Mueller's attention as a possible effort to discourage a witness from cooperating against the president. Trump's lawyers communicated regularly with attorneys for other people under scrutiny in the investigation as part of a joint-defense agreement that enabled them to swap information. But the report reveals that after former national security adviser Michael Flynn withdrew from the agreement and began cooperating with the government, an unidentified Trump lawyer left a message with Flynn's attorneys reminding them that the president still had warm feelings for Flynn and asking for a "heads-up" if Flynn knew damaging information about the president. While Giuliani, with an eye toward the members of Congress who might eventually decide the president's fate, focused on the public relations battle, the legal team also worked behind the scenes to argue that Mueller could not use a subpoena to compel Trump to give an in-person interview, which carried potentially grave risks for a president prone to making false statements. "I think they were right to think that it would hurt him to speak to Mueller's team, and as it turns out, they were right to think that he could get away with refusing to speak with Mueller's team," said Stanford law school professor David Alan Sklansky. Mueller's team, which spent about a year negotiating with Trump's lawyers over a potential interview, ultimately agreed to accept written answers on Russia-related questions but never spoke with the president in person. Making the move to block an interview was "defense lawyering 101" because defense lawyers as a matter of course don't like to let clients in legal jeopardy speak to investigators, said Duke law professor Samuel Buell. Mueller never acted to subpoena Trump. The special counsel did not conclude that Trump's campaign colluded with Russians. With an eye on following a Justice Department legal opinion that prohibits indicting a sitting president, Mueller did not rule on whether Trump obstructed justice. Attorney General William Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein declared that Trump did not. "We're very, very happy. I mean, it's a clear victory. I think any lawyer would say when you get a declination, you just won," Giuliani told Fox News after the report came out. Buell said it is hard to know how much credit belonged to Trump's lawyers. "I think that's where the real lawyering in a situation like this goes on, is the client management piece," he said. "Trump doesn't like to be managed, clearly ... but the Mueller report won't tell you what went on with the president's private lawyers and the president." Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report. One of two pedestrians struck by a vehicle Friday night in Chicopee, Massachusetts, has died, police said. Officers responded to a crash at the intersection of Chicopee Street and State Street, Chicopee Police said. Police say a vehicle driven by David Delgado, 48, of Chicopee, struck a male and female pedestrian. Delgado allegedly tried to drive away but was arrested a short time later. Both pedestrians were taken to a local hospital for treatment. The woman died this morning. Her name was not released. Delgado was charged with motor vehicle homicide and driving while intoxicated. People are being asked to avoid the area while police investigate the crash. The MBTA confirmed on Friday that it has launched an investigation after a video posted on social media showed a bus driver blowing through a red light. The incident, which happened at about 6:30 p.m. Thursday, shows the bus drive through the light at the corner of Washington Street and Ukraine Way in Jamaica Plain. "It was quite shocking to see that," said Kyle Vining, who recorded the video with a GoPro camera thats mounted on his bicycle. "I'm thankful that I wasn't in the path of the bus, and Im thankful that it wasn't in my lane." "MBTA managers have identified the bus operator in the video and this matter is being thoroughly investigated," the transit authority said in a statement. "All MBTA bus operators are trained to be fully prepared with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely operate a bus at all times." The MBTA did not release the driver's name. A Middleborough, Mass. officer was placed on leave Saturday after results of an investigation by Massachusetts Environmental Police, according to a statement by Middleborough Police Chief Joseph Perkins. The off-duty officer was allegedly involved in a crash riding an ATV early Saturday morning in Middleborough. The officer and a passenger suffered non-life threatening injuries. Both were transported to a hospital. Perkins said as department protocol, all crashes involving ATVs are turned over to the Massachusetts Environmental Police and the department is fully cooperating with their investigation. Perkins also said the Middleborough Police Department is conducting their own investigation into the matter. Police shot and wounded a man in a Hopedale home last night after he threatened to harm himself and others with a knife, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. Police said two women were also rescued from the Larkin Lane home during the incident. The suspect, identified as Harvey Bennett Hubbard, 61, of 16 Larkin Lane, was shot twice in the abdomen, according to police. He was reportedly n stable condition at the UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester. The women, who had barricaded themselves for safety inside a second-story bedroom, climbed out a window and down a Hopedale Fire Department ladder. They were not injured. Police responded to the home at 8:43 p.m. Friday on a report of an intoxicated man armed with a knife making threats to harm himself. "The officers encountered a visibly distraught Mr. Hubbard who was behaving in a threatening manner and threatened to stab the officers," police said. The Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council Swat Team and Massachusetts State Police K9 arrived on scene to assist. After negotiation attempts broke down, police said they entered the residence and an officer fired two rounds, striking the suspect in the abdomen, according to police. State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorneys Office along with members of State Police Crime Scene Services, State Police Firearms Identification Section, Crime Lab and Hopedale Police processed the scene, interviewed witnesses and collected evidence. The case remains under investigation. Massachusetts State Police are investigating a police-related shooting involving a trooper and a suspect on Colonel Bell Drive in Brockton Saturday morning. The incident was reported shortly before 9 a.m. when the trooper and male suspect identified as Claude W. Brown-Madison, had a confrontation, according to state police. The trooper fired his weapon and Brown-Madison, a Fall River resident, suffered a leg injury, which police said appeared to be non-life threatening. A second statement issued later Saturday morning said the incident occurred outside a residential complex and the suspect lives in the area. "After the trooper shot the suspect and secured him, the trooper rendered first aid to him," police said in the statement. Numerous other troopers and Brockton police also responded to the scene. Brown-Madison was armed during the incident and pointed a firearm at the trooper. The suspects firearm was recovered at the scene of the shooting according state police. "The reason for the initial interaction with the suspect is part of the ongoing investigation," state police said. "The processing of the scene is ongoing." Brown-Madison was taken to Boston Medical Center for treatment under Massachusetts State Police guard. The trooper was also undergoing an evaluation, police said. Brown-Madison is currently charged with armed assault with intent to murder, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, committing firearm violation while having a record that includes at least three prior violent or drug crimes, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm and/or ammunition without an FID card. He will be arraigned when doctors say he is medically able. The trooper was evaluated at Good Samaritan Hospital and released. The trooper is placed on five days of standard administrative leave per State Police policy regarding officer involved shootings. The shooting is under investigation by State Police Detectives, Crime Scene Services, and a specialized MSP team of senior investigators that responds to Trooper-involved shootings. The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office has referred dual parts of the cases to two other district attorneys offices due to a potential appearance of a conflict of interest. The Cape and Islands District Attorneys Office will oversee the investigation of the shooting and will determine whether the use of potential lethal force was justified under law. The Essex County District Attorney Office will prosecute Brown-Madison for todays offenses. This case is still ongoing and more details are to follow. A suspect in a Massachusetts homicide has been found dead in his prison hospital room of an apparent suicide. The Telegram & Gazette reports that Dean Valchuis, of Berlin, was in state custody awaiting trial in connection with the death of 58-year-old Roger Bemis, of Clinton, in February. The Department of Correction says Valchuis was pronounced dead early Thursday at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Correctional Unit in Boston. He was found unresponsive in his bed with a ligature around his neck. Valchius was being treated for injuries he sustained after falling from a tree stand. Police found Valchuis in his backyard with serious injuries after they went to his home to arrest him. The Suffolk district attorney's office is investigating Valchuis' death. Clover Ridge Farm Sanctuary, Inc. in New Milford, has announced it is the recipient of Affordable Automotive Giving Back Program for the month of April. For every oil change this month, the business will donate $5 to the non-profit organization. The Perry Nuclear Power Plant recently completed what could potentially be its final refueling. The plant was back online at 11:59 p.m., April 7, following the biennial shutdown for refueling and maintenance. Its 27-day shutdown was the shortest refueling in the plants 31-year history, breaking the record of 29 days set during its last shutdown in 2017. That new record might stand permanently, however, as the North Perry-based plant is scheduled to close in 2021. A spokesperson for Sitrick & Co., a public relations firm contracted by the plants owner FirstEnergy Solutions, confirmed that as it currently stands, no more refuelings are scheduled for the plant. In the Ohio House, a pair of lawmakers are sponsoring a bill that could keep the nuclear plants online. One of the sponsors is Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord Township, whose district includes the Perry area that would stand to lose about 700 jobs if the nuclear plant shuts down. He told the News-Herald previously that keeping the plant open is a priority. Under Callenders proposed bill, the states two nuclear power plants would be eligible for roughly half of an estimated $300 million in Clean Air Credits distributed annually to electric power generators that produce zero-carbon emission. FirstEnergy Solutions Vice President Government Affairs Dave Griffing told House lawmakers at a subcommittee hearing that time is in short supply. Due to the significant expense associated with refueling a nuclear facility, FirstEnergy Solutions will need to make that decision this summer, Griffing said. Ottawa Countys Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station is scheduled to shutdown in 2020 when it would be scheduled for its next refueling. Griffing spoke for about 50 minutes at the April 17 hearing, first reading a prepared statement before answering questions from subcommittee members. FirstEnergy Solutions filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last March. Earlier this month, the court rejected the companys bankruptcy plan because it would have excused parent company FirstEnergy from future liability for environmental cleanups. We will emerge as a new company, with a new name, Griffing told the subcommittee. Theres been a significant amount of work done in that Chapter 11 process to put together a leadership team that is intent on operating and staying in the Akron area as a headquarters but also operating those generation plants. So, we are looking for solutions and were actively advocating so we continue to operate. Griffing told members the proposed bill House Bill 6 would put them in that position. Rep. Michael OBrien, D-Warren, asked Griffing if the plants were to get new owners, would they be able to receive the same clean energy credits FirstEnergy Solutions would receive. Griffing replied that in his reading of the bill, its owner agnostic. Its based on the attribute of clean air, and so to the extent of whoever ended up operating, whether it be FirstEnergy Solutions or Exelon or some other operator, if they are producing megawatts that do not produce carbon they would be eligible to receive that credit. Under the proposed legislation, the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority will buy Clean Air Credits from certified clean air resources each month. Credits are worth $9.25 per megawatt hour of zero-emissions electricity produced. Residential ratepayers would pay $2.50 a month on their electric bills and commercial customers would pay $20. For industrial customers, it would be a $250 a month charge and for very large users (45 million KWh a year), it would be $2,500 per month. The sponsors say customers would save money on their electric bills by cutting out current mandates to pay for clean energy and efficiency programs. Currently the average residential customer pays $4.39 in mandates, they said. The legislation has received pushback from opponents including environmental groups like the Sierra Club and the Ohio Environmental Council Council, who have called the bill a bailout of the aging, uncompetitive plants. Theyve also criticized the elimination of existing renewable energy mandates. In a fundraising email to challenge the bill, Ohio Environmental Council Vice President of Policy and Energy Trish Demeter called the bill a short term fix for a long term problem. On top of this, the bill theyre pushing would eliminate the clean energy standards that weve been fighting to protect for almost 11 years, Demeter wrote in the email. While the sponsors of the bill claim it would incentivize wind and solar projects, it puts significant limits on what types of wind and solar can qualify for the purported Clean Air Program, meaning it would be less likely Ohio would see the benefits of clean energy investments, like jobs and clean air to breathe. Bill opponents will have their first chance to argue against the bill in front of lawmakers at Energy Generation Subcommittee hearings scheduled April 23 and 24. Its interesting to see the different ways that businesses can grow. Sometimes, when a businesss needs exceed its existing space, growth requires moving from one location to another. In other situations, a successful business decides to continue operating in its current space while launching a second location. Recent News-Herald stories illustrated how both strategies are being carried out to bolster Lake Countys business environment. We support efforts such as these and believe they merit some extra recognition. First, it was encouraging to read that Produce Packaging Inc. has decided to move to Willoughby Hills from Cleveland. Produce Packaging Inc. packages produce for customers such as restaurants, retail chains, food manufacturers and schools. The company, currently located at 7501 Carnegie Ave., has purchased the building at 27853 Chardon Road that was previously occupied by Sams Club. Sams closed that location in 2009. The building has sat vacant for the past 10 years with the exception of a few pop-up shops, such as Halloween costume stores. The sale between property owner J. Scott Scheel and Produce Packaging Inc. was finalized on April 8. The move will mean 300 new jobs in Willoughby Hills initially, and the company is planning to add 40 to 50 more jobs as the business grows. Over the next decade, we can conservatively estimate that Produce Packaging will pay about $1 million in taxes to Willoughby Hills, but the multiplier effect of 300 to 350 good-paying jobs in our community is worth a lot more than that to our local economy, Willoughby Hills City Counciilman John Plecnik said. One thing that impressed us about the successful efforts to attract Produce Packaging Inc. to Willoughby Hills was the spirit of cooperation exhibited by city leaders. Plecnik also expressed gratitude for support provided by JobsOhio; Lake County; and Peter Zahirsky, director of coastal development for the Lake County Ohio Port and Economic Development Authority. In addition, he thanked Scheel for working closely with the mayor and City Council to economically redevelop Willoughby Hills business district. Meanwhile, a Mentor restaurant that recently opened already is planning to launch a second location. The Kitchen, a lunch/brunch restaurant, opened in mid-January on Mentor Avenue in Colonial Plaza next to Orange Theory. Amid the hustle and bustle of launching a new business, work is already under way on the second spot, in a former Subway location on Munson Road in Mentor-on-the-Lake. The goal is to open there in about a month. We feel like if the fires hot, why let it die down? said Maurice Mo Hurst, the chef and an owner of The Kitchen, noting that the first store has been well-received. If you have a good thing going, keep it going. Menu items include bacon maple French toast, red velvet pancakes, and fried chicken and waffles with fresh mascarpone cream and caramel drizzle. There are plenty of egg dishes as well, plus sandwiches and salads, all for less than $10 in most cases. We dont want to beat the customer, we want to treat the customer, Hurst said. Thats why we keep the price point low. There are vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available. Fresh ingredients are purchased from local vendors whenever possible. Hurst is among the family of owners invested in a plan to open five more eateries in the area within the next year. We want to keep the money in the community, Hurst said. We believe if we support the community, the community will support us. Hursts theory about business success isnt anything complicated, but we think that he makes some valid points. Its also clear that when businesses grow, it helps to provide more jobs and tax revenue for local economies. We commend Produce Packaging Inc. and The Kitchen for their plans to expand in different ways. Heres hoping that both businesses can achieve all of their ambitious goals. Image for Representation (File photo: Reuters) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a poll rally in West Bengal's North Dinajpur, said that the state has decided to tell 'speed breaker' didi that stalling progress of people here will cost her. West Bengal's report after two phases of polling has given sleepless nights to 'speed breaker' didi, Modi said, repeating her jibe at Mamata Banerjee. The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, flip-flopping over their proposed alliance for the past month, have again traded blame for the tie-up not materialising for Delhi and Haryana. While Congress PC Chacko said the AAP backtracked on forging an alliance after a final understanding over seat sharing in Delhi was reached, AAP leader Gopal Rai said it was Congress who backed off from the alliance deal after many rounds of discussion. Our aim is to put an end to this Hitler type regime... All these 18 seats are important... We are not being rigid, all that we are saying is we need to contest together in Haryana as well and we have offered the 7-2-1 formula to Congress, Rai said. His statement came after Chacko claimed that an understanding was reached on Froday morning, following which the AAP backtracked. They want an alliance with us in Haryana but we dont want it. Why did they back out of Delhi alliance after they made a decision? So we have decided to field candidates in all 7 seats (in Delhi). If they want a rethink, it is up to them, he said. The 10 best comics of 2021 Despite the dour year in real life, comics had one of the best years yet. Here are Newsarama's picks for the best movies of 2021 (Newser) Notice fewer llamas around? You're onto something. The federal government says America's llama population has declined drastically from roughly 145,000 in 2002 to fewer than 40,000 in 2017, NBC News reports. Seems a market that once included wealthy athletes and high-flying celebs quietly slid off a cliff in recent years. "You used to go to the major sales and shows, and people would come in these Class A motorhomes. These people owned manufacturing plants, their own jet planes, whatever," says longtime Indiana llama farmer Mark Smith. "They were driving the market when llamas were a good investment." But the market was more craze than practical investment, considering llamas don't have many high-profit uses. story continues below They can work as pack animals, provide fiber, guard sheep, or join people on peaceful nature walks, per ABC Australiabut beyond that, what can they do? After llama prices soared through the early 'naughts, selling for up to $220,000, the 2007 financial crash crippled the market; llama farms closed, fewer were bred, and climate change increased parasite risk for llamas as winters got warmer. But now farmers say low population has increased rarity and breathed life into the market, which is fairly affordable again, maxing out around $20,000 per llama. "You'll have some of the wealthiest CEOs in the country participating alongside a blue-collar, minimum wage individual," says Smith, "and in the llama community they are equals." (Read more breeding stories.) (Newser) A Florida teacher who saw and heard two 14-year-olds acting suspiciously found their plans to kill nine people and dispose of the bodies, police say. The girls now each face nine counts of conspiracy to commit murder and three counts of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, according to sheriff's reports. CNN reports that the Avon Park Middle School teacher said the girls seemed hysterical when she saw them searching her classroom for a folder. She found the folder, which allegedly held plans to get guns as well as kill the nine people and dispose of their remains. They were afraid of being arrested, the teacher said, and one said, "I'm just going to tell them it's a prank if they call me or if they find it." The girls were arrested Wednesday. story continues below A parent whose child was a target said the girls, who were taken to a juvenile facility, had made a hit list containing both girls' and boys' names, WFLA reports. Court documents say the girls' plans detailed how they would burn and bury the bodies, per NBC. "Students, adults, we all need to be cognizant that words matter and whether it's in print or something that we say, it matters and we are held accountable for those words," a Highlands County Schools spokesman said. (Read more school violence stories.) (Newser) Adnan Syed's lawyer took a hit Friday but vowed to keep on fighting. C. Justin Brown tweeted that he will petition the US Supreme Court to take up the murder case chronicled in the popular Serial podcast and HBO documentary series, the Baltimore Sun reports. This after the Maryland Court of Appeals rejected his appeal Friday to reconsider its earlier decision to deny Syed a new trial. "My heart goes out to my client, who I believe was wrongfully convicted. We will keep fighting for him," says Brown. "I hope someday we can fix our broken criminal justice system. Today is not that day." Brown argues that Syed was wrongfully convicted of strangling ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee in 1999 because Syed's previous lawyer failed to use an important alibi witness. story continues below The Maryland Court of Special Appeals agreed to a retrial but Maryland's highest court overturned that and reaffirmed its decision Friday, per Newsweek. The seven-judge panel found "that there is not a significant or substantial possibility" of a new verdict if the witness, Asia McClain, were called to trial. Now the HBO filmmakers say witness Jay Wilds, who claims he and Syed buried Lee's body, is offering yet another account of the crime. With all this, Syed sounds despondent: "Just spoke to #AdnanSyedhaven't heard him so down in 3.5 yrs," tweets Amy Berg, director of the HBO doc. "He wanted the new trial more than anyone." The Supreme Court receives more than 7,000 petitions annually and takes up roughly 2% of them. (Read about two big reveals in the HBO doc.) (Newser) "I will not be humiliated," Alan Garcia, a former president of Peru, wrote in what his family says was a suicide note. Garcia shot himself in the head as police arrived at his home to arrest him in a corruption investigation. "I have seen others paraded around in handcuffs," Reuters reports his daughter read Friday at a wake for her father, who added that he would not "suffer such injustices." Garcia had said the investigation was politically motivated. "I leave to my children the dignity of my decisions; to my friends, my pride, and to my enemies, my cadaver as a sign of my contempt for them," his daughter read. Crowds of mourners carried Garcia's coffin through the streets of Lima on the last of three days of national mourning. story continues below The former president's death has increased criticism of Peru's system of pretrial detentions, the Washington Post reports. Garcia, 69, could have been held for three years without being triedor even indicted. "It is increasingly difficult to justify," said a political scientist at University of the Pacific in Lima. Other former presidents have been ordered to pretrial detention, reflecting widespread anger at pervasive corruption, but some have warned the practice could undermine faith in the sweeping investigation. A former justice minister wants to see a "more selective criterion" used when prosecutors request detention. "Half of Peru's prison population has not been convicted," he said. (Read more Alan Garcia stories.) (Newser) An Arizona woman who allegedly broke into a man's home and hounded him with over 159,000 texts doesn't get why she's stuck in jail, USA Today reports. "I just think it's ridiculous," says Jacqueline Ades. "I can't believe that it turned into this. I can't believe that I'm actually in jail over some text messages." Ades was arrested in April 2018 and charged with stalking and criminal trespassing after police say they found her bathing in the man's Paradise Valley house. She had met him on the millionaire dating website Luxy, gone out once, and deluged him with texts including threats to eat his organs and wear his flesh. But in a jailhouse interview, she dismissed the texts as "these weird things." story continues below "Just, like, I was literally playing with my imagination and it turned out that that scared him," she tells the Arizona Republic. In March, two out of three mental-health experts deemed her mentally restorable but unable to stand trial, so the trial was delayed by at least 60 days while psychologists work on her. She was offered a plea deal that would have given her freedom with time served and 10 years' probation, but Ades says she didn't think it was real. She also claims Walt Disney is an Illuminati member who flies a spaceship and abducted her. Now she hopes a trial will lead to her eventual marriage to the man she met online. "They're going to say, 'You're not guilty and on top of it we, like, demand that you two get married,'" she says. (Read more mental health stories.) (Newser) Bleach drinkers, unite: Your savior is here. The Genesis II Church of Health and Healing plans to meet Saturday at a Washington state hotel to promote its "miracle" health cureotherwise known as industrial bleach, the Guardian reports. The group's Facebook invitation seeks $450 per attendee or $800 per couple to learn more about how the chemicals or "sacraments" can "save your life, or the life of a loved one sent home to die." Self-anointed "bishop" Mark Grenon, who's headlining the event, says in a video that the group's "sacramental protocols" can rid the world of nearly all disease including cancer, diabetes, autism, malaria, ebola, dengue fever, and multiple sclerosis. Anyone can buy $15 bottles of sodium chlorite or "sacramental cleansing water" and learn how to mix in citric acid to make chlorine dioxide. story continues below Enter the FDA, which warns that many people have suffered severe dehydration, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea from drinking chlorine dioxide, which the group markets as "Miracle Mineral Supplement" or "MMS." The agency warns of "a significant health risk to consumers" and says there is no known research about effective MMS healing. Yet the "church" has posted a video of a British advocate giving Ugandan villagers the "miracle cure"one of whom, a child, screams after swallowing it. In 2016, ABC News confronted group founder Jim Humble about reports of MMS-related injuries and deaths. "I say it ain't true," said Humble, who admitted to taking a financial cut from MMS seminars. And his medical background? "I didn't study medicine," Humble said. "I'm not a doctor and I'm proud of it." (Read more cult stories.) (Newser) Sol Pais, the Florida 18-year-old who was reportedly obsessed with the Columbine school shooting and caused that school and many others to go on lockout last week when she flew to Colorado and bought a gun, was likely dead before the lockout even occurred, authorities say. Pais flew from Miami to Denver on Monday, bought a pump-action shotgun and two boxes of ammunition near Littleton, then took a rideshare to Mount Evans. A massive manhunt ensued after her parents reported her missing and police warned of apparent threats indicating she could be targeting Columbine as the 20th anniversary of the school shooting approached; she was ultimately found dead Wednesday. But the local undersheriff now says she likely killed herself on the remote mountainside Monday night, and that that was likely her intent all along. story continues below No credit card purchases or cellphone pings indicate the high school senior left Mount Evans once she was dropped off late Monday afternoon. Even if she didn't kill herself that night, police say she was cut off from the outside world with no cell signal in the area and no transportation. "She had no idea what occurred from late Monday afternoon to Tuesday when a search for her began and to Wednesday when her body was found," Clear Creek County Undersheriff Bruce Snelling tells the Denver Post. "The logical likelihood was she was here to end her journey. ... This poor, mentally ill girl needed help and probably never got it." Police followed footprints in deep snow on the mountain and found her body, which appeared to have been dead more than a day, about three-quarters of a mile from a lodge. An FBI agent in the Denver office notes that while agents considered her a credible threat, she had never made a specific threat against a specific school. (More on the "red flags" she raised here.) (Newser) Two teenagers in Northern Ireland are under arrest in connection with the killing of rising young journalist Lyra McKee, reports the BBC. The unidentified suspects in the 29-year-old's death are 18 and 19. A gunman fatally shot McKee during rioting in the city of Londonderry Thursday night in what police are calling a "terrorist act." She had been standing with other civilians near police vehicles, and authorities suspect the shooter was firing at police. Earlier, they released video of the alleged masked gunman. The unrest in Londonderry revolves around the decades-long unrest in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles, and the latest escalation is being linked to tensions over Brexit, reports CNN. story continues below The coming of Brexit raises the possibility that hard borders will once again be put in place between Northern Ireland, which belongs to the UK, and the rest of Ireland, which is in the European Union. The possibility is inflaming tensions among hard-liners who think Northern Ireland belongs to Ireland and who reject the 1998 Good Friday peace accord in which the Irish Republican Army accepted a political solution to the issue, per the AP. A splinter group known as the New IRA is being blamed for Thursday's rioting. "Heartbroken by the murder of Lyra McKee," tweeted Bill Clinton, whose administration helped broker the 1998 agreement. "We cannot let go of the last 21 years of hard-won peace and progress." Vigils were taking place Saturday in honor of McKee, who was an advocate for LGBT issues. (Read more Northern Ireland stories.) (Newser) There's at least one area of agreement among conservative, centrist, and liberal leaders in the United Methodist Church: America's largest mainline Protestant denomination is on a path toward likely breakup over differences on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBT pastors, the AP reports. The differences have simmered for years, and came to a head in February at a conference in St. Louis where delegates voted 438-384 for a proposal called the Traditional Plan, which strengthens bans on LGBT-inclusive practices. A majority of US-based delegates opposed that plan and favored LGBT-friendly options, but they were outvoted by US conservatives teamed with most of the delegates from Methodist strongholds in Africa and the Philippines. story continues below Many believe the vote will prompt an exodus from the church by liberal congregations that are already expressing their dissatisfaction over the move. Some churches have raised rainbow flags in a show of LGBT solidarity. Some pastors have vowed to defy the strict rules and continue to allow gay weddings in Methodist churches. Churches are withholding dues payments to the main office in protest, and the UMC's receipts were down 20% in March, according to financial reports posted online. "It's time for some kind of separation, some kind of amicable divorce," said James Howell, pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, who posted a video assailing the proposal for its "real meanness." (Read more LGBT stories.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region Shanghai: Automakers showcased electric SUVs and sedans with longer range and luxury features at the Shanghai auto show, wooing Chinese buyers as Beijing slashes subsidies that helped to launch the industry. Two of Chinas biggest state-owned automakers unveiled models they said can travel 600 kilometres on one charge, or nearly double the range of global competitors. If that can be achieved, it would raise the standard for an industry trying to compete with gasoline models by defusing range anxiety or fear of being stranded with a dead battery. Chinas communist leaders have spent heavily seeking to make the country a leader in electrics. Theyre now shifting the burden to automakers by imposing sales targets. That requires brands to create consumer-friendly models at a time when they are struggling with a sales slump. Competition will become more fierce, said Ma Fanglie, chairman of BJEV, the electric unit of state-owned BAIC Group. BJEV, one of the biggest electric producers by sales volume, unveiled the EX3 sedan, which it said can travel up to 630 kilometres on one charge. Ma said it is one of five new electric models under a plan to transform and upgrade BJEV into a brand that can compete without subsidies. General Motors, Nissan, Chinas Geely Auto and other brands displayed dozens of electric models, from luxury SUVs to compacts priced under USD 10,000. The auto show, the worlds biggest, opens to the public Saturday following a preview for media. Chinas leaders have been promoting new energy vehicles for 15 years with subsidies for developers and buyers. That, along support including orders to state-owned utilities to blanket China with charging stations, is helping make the technology a mainstream product. After an initial push from the government, now customers are really wanting and demanding EVs, said Nissans director of electric vehicles, Nic Thomas. Electric vehicles are key for government-led development of Chinese global competitors in technologies from robotics to biotech. Those ambitions set off Beijings tariff war with President Donald Trump. Washington, Europe and other trading partners complain Chinese subsidies to technology developers and pressure on foreign companies to share know-how violate its market-opening commitments. China lags Europe, the United States and Japan in battery and other vehicle technology but is developing fast. It has about half of global production capacity for batteries, an electric cars biggest and most expensive component. Last years Chinese sales of pure-electric and hybrid sedans and SUVs soared 60 per cent over 2017 to 1.3 million, or half the global total. At the same time, industry revenue was squeezed by a 4.1 per cent fall in total Chinese auto sales to 23.7 million vehicles. That skid that worsened this year as first-quarter sales fell 13.7 per cent from a year ago. Subsidies end next year. Under the new system, automakers must earn credits for sales of electrics equal to at least 10 per cent of purchases this year and 12 per cent in 2020. Longer-range vehicles can earn double credits. That means some brands can fill their quota if electrics make up as little as 5 per cent of sales. Most automakers still lose money on each electric vehicle. But industry analysts say that as the cost of batteries and other components falls, electrics could become cost-competitive with gasoline models and profitable for their producers within five years. In Shanghai, the GAC electric car unit GAC New Energy unveiled the Aion LX SUV, which it said can travel 600 kilometres on one charge. The units deputy general manager, Xi Zhongmin, said no price or release date have been decided. Most Chinese brands target the domestic market, but Geely has global ambitions. Its electric brand, Geometry, displayed a sedan with an advertised range of up to 500 kilometres on one charge. Geely says the Geometry A, unveiled last week in Singapore, will be marketed worldwide. Geelys parent, Geely Holding, also has a joint venture with Mercedes parent Daimler AG to develop an electric version of the German automakers smart brand. Geely wants to become the choice of customers for electric driving, said Geely Groups CEO, Yang Xueliang. Chinas BYD Auto, the biggest global electric brand by sales volume, displayed three new pure-electric models that were unveiled last month. All promise more than 400 kilometres on one charge. On Monday, GM unveiled Buicks first all-electric model for China. GM says the four-door Velite 6 can travel 301 kilometres on one charge. VW showed off a concept electric SUV, the whimsically named I.D. ROOMZZ, designed to travel 450 kilometres on one charge. Features include seats that rotate 25 degrees to create a lounge-like atmosphere. China is a top market for global automakers, giving them an incentive to go along with Beijings electric ambitions. Also Tuesday, Nissan Motor Co. and its Chinese partner displayed the Sylphy Zero Emission, an all-electric model designed for China. Based on Nissans Leaf, the lower-priced Sylphy went on sale in August. Mercedes Benz displayed its first all-electric model in China, the EQC 400 SUV, with a 400-kilometre range. It is one of 10 electrified models the German automaker says it will release worldwide, with most made in China. Also this week, Mercedes said it will launch a roadside butler service in China offering recharging for drivers who run out of power and other services. We want to take away every reason a customer might say, umm, is it really time go electric? said Hubertus Troska, a Daimler AG board member. New Delhi: Employees of Jet Airways have written to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking their intervention to recover outstanding dues as well as to expedite the process of emergency funds for the airline, which has shuttered its operations temporarily. Cash-starved Jet Airways, which has around 23,000 employees, has delayed payment of salaries to the employees, including pilots. Amid uncertainty over the future course of the carrier, two employees' unions have now written to the President and the Prime Minister. In separate but similarly-worded letters this week, the Society for Welfare of Indian Pilots (SWIP) and Jet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Welfare Association (JAMEWA) have requested help in clearing their outstanding salary dues. "We request you to consider the situation with the urgency it deserves and direct the management of Jet Airways (India) Ltd to expeditiously disburse all outstanding dues to affected employees. "We also urge you to expedite the process of emergency funding, as every minute and every decision is very critical in these testing times," one of the letters said. After months of uncertainty, Jet Airways announced temporary suspension of its operations on April 17 as it failed to receive emergency funds from lenders. The unions highlighted that a section of employees have not been paid their salaries on time for the last seven months and that the distressing situation was also brought to the notice of the Ministry of Labour and Employment in March. "The management of Jet Airways has gone back on its salary arrears payment schedule conveyed by mail dated December 7, 2018. The outstanding amount for pilots and engineers as of now is three months salary (full salaries for the months of January, February and March), and for all other staff is one month's salary," it added. Noting that employees did their best to keep up the highest standards of safety and professionalism in these trying times, the grouping said non-payment of salaries is causing extreme hardships to employees. "... even after all our efforts, we are not seeing any ray of hope and so it is our humble plea to take this matter under your guidance for an immediate action for the revival of the entire system," the letter said. SWIP has around 1,200 members while JAMEWA represents more than 500 employees. "We have also realised that along with our Jet Airways sinking, we are not only 23,000 employees who will be affected directly but a number of people who are running business or are associated with us some way or the other. "Even the shops at the airports are facing a lull. Such a big airline going down will leave a huge vacuum behind. Passengers are already facing the brunt of it," they said. The unions also flagged that air ticket prices are "sky rocketing". A day after the airline suspended operations, hundreds of employees had gathered in the national capital seeking measures to revive the carrier, which has been in operation for nearly 26 years. Domestic lenders have invited bids for selling stake in Jet Airways. On April 18, the lenders said they were "reasonably hopeful" that the bidding process for the airline would end successfully. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : In a shocking case of cruelty, a Muslim undertrial in Delhis Tihar jail was branded with "Om" symbol on his back allegedly by a prison superintendent. 34-year-old Shabbir alias Nabbir, a resident of Seelampur in northeast Delhi, has addressed a complaint to the jail superintendent that the induction stove in their barracks was not working. Enraged with his complaint, the official called him to his office where he was allegedly thrashed. The official along with other jail staff then branded "Om" on his back using a hot metal. Shabbir was also allegedly deprived of food for two days in the name of Navratra fast. The incident came to light after Shabbirs lawyer visited him in the jail. Shabbir narrated his ordeal to the lawyer who later filed an application before the Karkardooma Court in Delhi. Shabbir told Metropolitan Magistrate Richa Parihar that the jail superintendent also threatened to convert him to Hinduism. Taking the charges seriously, the court ordered and inquiry and asked the jail authorities to probe the complaint and submit a report by Monday. "The allegations raised by the accused are of serious nature and require immediate intervention. In view of same, notice is being issued to DGP Prison, Headquarter, Tihar Jail No. 4, New Delhi to get the medical examination of accused Nabbir conducted with immediate effect and also to make enquiry report regarding the burn imprinted 'Om' mark on the person of the accused. Necessary CCTV footage be collected, and statement of other inmates be also taken in this regard," the judge said. The Jail authorities later confirmed that an inquiry committee has been constituted and the prisoner has been shifted to a different prison. "An inquiry committee has been constituted, report will be brought before Court. Action will be taken as per further order. Prisoner shifted from jail no 4 to 1," ANI quoted AIG (Prisons) PRO Raj Kumar as saying. For all the Latest Crime News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A scuffle broke out at Congress leader Hardik Patel's public meeting in Ahmedabad on Saturday. AA video, which was shared by news agency ANI, shows chairs are being tossed around.A However, News Nation can not independently verify the video. It's not clear yet how the scuffle broke out. The incident came a day after Patel was slapped by a man when he was addressing a poll rally in a village in Surendranagar district of Gujarat. An angry Patel blamed the BJP for the incident and said this was an attempt to kill him. #WATCH: Scuffle breaks out at Congress leader Hardik Patel's public meeting in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. More details awaited pic.twitter.com/Eb7iK5WHrQ a ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2019 However, ruling party leaders said they have nothing to do with the incident, which they termed as a staged drama by the Congress to gain sympathy ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The man, identified as Tarun Gajjar, a resident of Kadi town of Mehsana district, suffered injuries after he was thrashed by Congress workers, Patel supporters and others at the rally venue, around 130km from Ahmedabad. Gajjar said he is not associated with any political party and slapped the Patidar quota leader due to personal reasons. As soon as Hardik Patel started his speech at Baldana village under Wadhwan taluka, Gajjar suddenly came on the stage and slapped him. The incident was captured in cameras of news channels covering the event in the district, around 130km from here. Congress candidate for the Surendranagar Lok Sabha seat, Soma Patel, was present on the dais when Patel was slapped. In a video of the incident, Gajjar can be seen being mercilessly thrashed by both women and men, who also tore his cloths, before policemen intervened and took him away. Following the incident, Patel lodged a complaint with the police. "Since Gajjar was brutally thrashed by people, he was referred to a hospital in Limbdi town. It is still unclear why he slapped Hardik. "The Congress leader claimed he does not know Gajjar. We have taken Hardik's written complaint and started our investigation, but not yet filed an FIR," said Jethi, adding the police were yet to question the attacker. Talking to the media from his hospital bed, Gajjar said he has been planning to attack Patel since the last three -and-a-half years due to personal reasons. "I am not associated with any political party. I am angry with Hardik since the last three-and-a-half years because my wife and my child had suffered because of him (during the quota agitation of August 2015). "I was planning to attack him since then," said Gajjar, who is in his mid 30s. Gajjar said he had tried to attack the 25-year-old politician, who joined the Congress last month, in the past too. "I first planned to attack Hardik during his rally in Kalol on April 13, but he did not came there. Then, I had planned to attack him at a rally in Balisana on April 17. "But, I failed at that time. Finally, I got success today. I am not against the Patidar community. I am against Hardik," said Gajjar.A (With PTI inputs) Ahmedabad: Gujarat minister Ganpatsinh Vasava on Saturday likened Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to a puppy who would go to Pakistan or China if they threw bread at it, inviting censure from not just the opposition party but also state chief minister Vijay Rupani. Vasava had earlier taken a swipe at the claim of some Congress supporters that Gandhi was an "incarnation of Lord Shiva", asking the Congress chief to prove the claim by consuming poison. Speaking at a tribal gathering on Saturday in Dediapada in Narmada district, part of Bharuch Lok Sabha constituency, the BJP leader said, "When Rahul Gandhi gets up from the chair, it appears as if a puppy has got up wagging its tail, which would go to Pakistan and China if they threw bread at it." During the address, Vasava likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a lion. Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said Vasava's remarks showed that the BJP has been rejected by the people of Gujarat. "Vasava has done injustice to the tribal community to which he belongs. He should understand using such language will not get him any support as long as he does not give an account of what he did for the tribals," Doshi said. Gujarat Congress in charge Rajiv Satav said, "This is the BJP's style of functioning, but the people of Gujarat have decided that it will stand with the Congress." Chief Minister Rupani too disapproved of Vasava's remarks and urged him to show restraint. "In the election, in the heated environment, one should show restraint. Words should be used with firmness, but one should not use unsavoury personal language," Rupani told reporters in Rajkot. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday raised questions on Congress president Rahul Gandhis citizen and education qualifications after the returning officer postponed the scrutiny of his nomination papers from Uttar Pradeshs Amethi. Addressing a press conference in Delhi, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao alleged that in documents related to a company in the UK, the Congress president has shown to be listed as a British Citizen. "Rahul Gandhi's name has been shown to be listed as a British citizen in documents related to a company in the UK. Was Rahul Gandhi a British citizen?" the BJP spokesperson asked. The BJP leader said that it was quite surprising that the Congress chiefs legal representative didnt have any answers to the allegations raised by other candidates on the details provided in his nomination. I think it's a matter of great surprise that Rahul Gandhi's legal representative doesn't have answers to questions raised by other candidates on details given in his nomination. They have asked time to counter the allegations, Rao said. The attack from the BJP came after the returning officer of Amethi ordered postponement of scrutiny of the Gandhi scions nomination papers to April 22. In a notification, Amethi returning officer Ram Manohar Mishra said that Rahul Gandhis lawyer Rahul Kaushik had asked for more time in denying the allegations, thus, the scrutiny of his nomination papers is postponed till Monday 10:30 am. The Congress president is contesting Lok Sabha elections from two seats - Amethi in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad in Kerala. While Gandhi has been respresenting Amethi in the Lok Sabha since 2004, this is the first time he picked Wayanad as part of the Congress party's bigger south India outreach strategy. New Delhi: With the nomination process set to close on Tuesday, a list of Congress probables for seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi has been sent to party president Rahul Gandhi, according to sources. AICC in-charge PC Chacko had also said on Friday that list of probables, including Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit, was sent to Rahul and party's organisation secretary KC Venugopal. As per sources, Sheila Dikshit may contest the ongoing general elections from Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat. Earlier, it was reported that Dikshit may contest from East Delhi constituency. Further, former Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely is expected to contest from East Delhi seat, Ajay Maken from New Delhi, wrestler Sushil Kumar from West Delhi, Ramesh Kumar from South Delhi and J P Agrawal from North East Delhi. On West Delhi seat, the party was trying to field a prominent Purvanchali celebrity but the plan did not materialise. A former MP from the seat, Mahabal Mishra, is front-runner as party candidate on the seat due to his Purvanchali roots, sources claimed. The development comes amid the alliance talks between the Congress and the AAP reaching a stalemate. AAP said an alliance just in Delhi is not possible after the Congress refused to have a tie-up anywhere else. The AAP insisted on including Haryana in alliance while Congress stuck to 4-3 formula of seat sharing for Delhi alone. Later, the AAP said Congress cannot be given more than two seats in Delhi if Haryana is kept out of the ambit of alliance. The Congress rejected it. Sources in Congress said the party has finalised its seven candidates but some adjustments could be made on 2-3 seats. However, sources say that even though the possibility of formation of an alliance has been completely closed in Haryana, the AAP is still open to alliance in the national capital in 5:2 formula with five seats for the ruling party. New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Saturday said Narendra Modi should be installed as the Prime Minister once again to give a befitting reply to terrorism and Pakistan. Shah was campaigning for party candidate B Y Raghavendra, son of Karnataka BJP President and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. He also held a roadshow at Bhadravathi in Shimogga. This election is not only about making Raghavendra Member of Parliament, but to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister, Shah said at the end of road show. Why should we make Narendra Modi Prime Minister, to secure the country, to give a befitting reply to terrorism and Pakistan. In order to give a befitting reply to Pakistan, people of Shimogga will have to press the ballot button adjacent to the Lotus symbol and Raghavendras name, he said. Noting that he too was facing election from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat on April 23, Shah said he had come to campaign for Raghavendra to ensure his victory. Hundreds of enthusiastic BJP workers cheered the BJP chief chanting Modi, Modi as the Rath, a modified vehicle, covered little more than one and half kilometre distance with Raghavendra, among others, accompanying him. Earlier, Uddhav Thackeray said that Shiv Sena formed alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) because his party wanted a prime minister who can dare to attack Pakistan. Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the saffron party again ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. We wanted a prime minister who could attack Pakistan by entering its home. That is why we formed this alliance. I have formed alliance with the BJP (also) for the welfare of Marathwada and Maharashtra, he added. Thackeray was addressing a campaign rally here for Sena candidate Chandrakant Khaire. The Congress does not want abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution which gives a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Thackeray said, and added that his party wants that every law applicable to rest of India should also apply in Jammu and Kashmir, he said. New Delhi : Former prime minister and Janta Dal-Secular (JD-S) leader Deve Gowda might have pulled himself out of the Oppositions prime minister race after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, but his son and Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kuamraswamy sees a national role for father in the new government. Predicting a coalition government, Kumaraswamy said that his father Deve Gowda has experience to run the administration and he will play a major role as there will be no BJP government after the Lok Sabha elections. "He is (Deve Gowda) a good administrator and experienced. He has experience in his political career. He is better than everybody, according to me. But he's not interested now. He has already projected name of Rahul Gandhi (for PM). He's going to advise Rahul ji for good administration," the Karnataka chief minister told ANI news agency when asked about national role for his father. Praising his father's administration prowesses, Kumaraswamy claimed that during his father's 10-month rule as the prime minister, there were no clashes between India and Pakistan and no bomb attack happened in the country. "When my father (HD Deve Gowda) was PM for 10 months, did any terrorist activity take place in this country? Did any terrorist activity go on at the India-Pakistan border? Entire country was in peace at the time when my father was the PM," he said. Earlier on Friday, Deve Gowda, who served as the 11th Prime Minister of India from 1 June 1996 to 21 April 1997, had said that he was no more interested in the PM post and favoured Congress president Rahul Gandhi for the top job. "I am not bothered about this (being PM again). My concern is (Narendra) Modi will come to Parliament. I have got the guts and conviction to tell it to the face of the PM. I have the courage. If Rahul Gandhi becomes the prime minister, I will sit by his side. It is not necessary to become the prime minister," he had said. Deve Gowda's party JD-S is fighting the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka in alliance with the Congress party. His son HD Kumaraswamy is also running the coalition government with Cognress in the southern state. Buniadpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, saying that speed-breaker didi has lost her sleep after the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. Addressing an election rally in South Dinajpur district, PM Modi accused the chief minister of fooling people in the name of maa, mati and manush (mother, land and people). "Speedbreaker didi has lost her sleep after the reports that came in post the first and second phase of polling in the state," the prime minister told a well-attended rally. He also flayed Banerjee for allowing people from the "neighbouring country" to campaign for the Trinamool Congress in the state. "It is shameful that people from neighbouring country are campaigning for the TMC. This was done by the party to appease the minority community," PM Modi said, referring to Bangladeshi actor Ferdous canvassing for the ruling TMC. "Such a thing has never happened in India, where people from neighbouring country have been campaigning for a political party," he said. The prime minister criticised Banerjee for seeking proof of the Balakot air strikes in Pakistan, and asked her to, instead, collect evidence against those behind chit fund scams. He also said that tough measures will be taken to identify and stop cross border infiltration after the NDA-led government returns to power. PM Modi said after the poll results are declared, "those elements who are trying to stop border fencing will have to face the reality". "After May 23, we would take steps to identify and stop cross border infiltration," he said at Buniadpur, which shares its border with Bangladesh. Besides, the NDA government is committed to grant citizenship status to refugees, he said. "During partition, some people had stayed back in other countries. But, due to their religion and faith, they have been facing persecution in those countries... Where will they go?" PM Modi asked. It is the duty of every Indian and the government to save these people, he said, adding, "It is our commitment to pass the Citizenship Bill in Parliament." Some political parties, the PM said, are trying to mislead people on the issue of citizenship. "Be it the TMC, the Congress or the Left, they have only indulged in politics of dividing people, but we believe in taking everybody along with us," he said. Mocking Banerjee's 'Bengal model', Modi said, "Mamata Didi wants to implement her 'Tolabaji (extortion) Tax' model of development across the country." Meanwhile, hitting back, Banerjee said that PM Modi is suffering from 'haratanka', a phobia of losing elections and is trying to win in the state by dividing the people on communal lines. "He(Modi) knows that he will lose the elections and that is why his face has turned pale. He is now suffering from 'haratanka' and everyday is uttering nonsense thinking about losing in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, New Delhi, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha and others," she said at a rally in Panighata in support of party candidate for Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency Mohua Moitra. "I do not mind if BJP wins in Tripura but that will not give him 543 seats. That is the reason he is roaming around in Bengal hoping to get votes by dividing people along Hindu-Muslim lines," she added. New Delhi: Congress General Secretary (UP East) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is usually flanked by many senior party leaders, had a couple of new campaigners at her rally on Saturday -- her son Raihan and daughter Miraya. Raihan and Miraya accompanied their mother after addressing an election rally at Arrekode town in the district. Priyanka on Saturday addressed four public rallies including one in Wayanad from where her brother Rahul Gandhi is contesting the Lok Sabha election apart from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. Later in the day, she also held a road-show at Arrekode. This was Priyanka's first election campaign outside Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Attacking Narendra Modi, Priyanka Gandhi said there has never been a "weaker government" and "weaker Prime minister" than the incumbent ones, as she sought to highlight the values and virtues of a true leader. Campaigning in Wayanad is contesting besides his stronghold of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, she sought to know whether suppressing the voice of those who criticise the government's policies amounts to nationalism. She also alleged that the BJP government had "betrayed" the faith of people, who voted it to power. Making a strong pitch for her brother, the Congress' general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh East took part in four election rallies in the constituency and met the farmers of Wayanad as thousands of people thronged the meetings. Addressing a massive rally of farmers at Pulpally, she questioned the nationalism of those who refused to listen to thousands of farmers who had "marched barefoot" to Delhi to highlight their problems. She said people deserve a Prime Minister who respects them and does not dismiss his own promises casually. "Sisters and brothers of Wayanad, I have never seen a weaker government, than the government that has been in power for last five years in India. I have never seen a weaker Prime Minister than the Prime Minister of India today. My sisters and brothers, I think you deserve better. I think you deserve a government that speaks for you," Priyanka Gandhi said. Continuing to attack Modi, the congress leader claimed the prime minister, who cannot take out one day to visit even a single house in his constituency in five years, does not respect the people of the country. "A Prime Minister who is afraid of questions, who is afraid to answer people when they ask him what he wants to do for them, who is afraid of criticism, who cannot tolerate dissent is not a strong Prime Minister," she said. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra with her children Miraya and Raihan, after addressing a rally in Areekode. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/fHkj1QsymH a ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2019 She said a government which suppresses its own people, that does not allow freedom of speech, or to practice own religion or culture, is not a strong government. "Weakest of all is the government that divides you instead of uniting. That makes you afraid instead of filling you with courage. That makes you worried of speaking your views in public. That's the weakest form of governance that could possibly exist," she said during a rally at Areekode. She asked the voters of Wayanad to consider democracy and the vote as their weapons. "When you see advertisements by the BJP which use words like you have been 'gifted' by certain policies or that the government is doing certain things as a favour to you, you must question it... Because, nothing a leader does, a politician does or a political party does for your benefit is not a favour but their duty," she said. The government which does not have the "guts" to accept the power of its people, it is a weak government and it must be "taught a lesson", she said. Narrating her experience when she went to Uttar Pradesh, she said she was asked by some women to make a promise, that is to construct a bridge across the river in their village. "I got scared. I did not know how much it will cost, whether the government has sanctioned it or not. So I cannot make this promise. And when I tell you that you must recognise your strength, you must understand, the fear that I felt in my heart, that making a wrong promise I cannot fulfill. It should be a fear that you instill in the hearts of politicians who come before you," Priyanka Gandhi said. She said if a leader was a true nationalist, he does not spread hate, but spreads love and does not divide but unites. Canvassing votes for Rahul Gandhi, she asked the voters to exercise their franchise carefully and use their vote to protect the country, democracy and their rights. Attacking the NDA government, she wanted to know if "attempts" to destroy the constitution and weakening institutions that protect rights of people was nationalism. "They (BJP) attempt to divide you and talk about nationalism... When thousands of farmers marched barefoot from all corners of the country to your doorstep and you send them away without listening to their suffering.. When people raise their voice in protest against you, when they criticise your policies...you jail them, beat them.. Is that nationalism?" she asked. Referring to BJP leaders invoking Pakistan in their election speeches, the congress leader said they never speak of what they were going to do for the people of the country. Earlier at a rally in Manthawady, she said the saffron party, when it came to power, forgot who gave them the power. "Five years ago, a government came to power that was voted with majority. The people of our country, with all their wisdom, rested their faith upon them. But from the moment it came to power, it began to betray the faith of the people,"A Priyanka Gandhi said. She also found time to meet seven-year-old Naadan, a boy who was seen crying in a video which went viral as he was unable to see Rahul Gandhi when he visited the state earlier. She gave him an autographed photo of the Congress chief. Rahul Gandhi had earlier called and talked to Naadan over phone after the video went viral. "She will be visiting the house of CRPF jawan Vasanth Kumar, who was killed in the Pulwama terror attack in February, tomorrow," a senior party source said. Buniadpur: Lashing out at Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said speedbreaker didi has lost her sleep after the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. Addressing an election rally here in South Dinajpur district, Modi accused the chief minister of fooling people in the name of 'ma, mati and manush' (mother, land and people). Speedbreaker didi has lost her sleep after the reports that came in post the first and second phase of polling in the state, the prime minister told a well-attended rally. Expressing anguish over the death of BJP workers in the state, the prime minister said that each and every people as well as party workers of the state will be delivered justice. He alleged that Bengal has become the land of goons where people openly loot under the Trinamool's rule. He assured that crime would be flushed out when the BJP comes to power in the state. He also flayed Banerjee for allowing people from the neighbouring country to campaign for the Trinamool Congress in the state. "It is shameful that people from neighbouring country are campaigning for the TMC. This was done by the party to appease the minority community," Modi said. The prime minister criticised Banerjee for seeking proof of the Balakot air strikes in Pakistan, and asked her to, instead, collect evidence against those behind chit fund scams. New Delhi: Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said that Shiv Sena formed alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) because his party wanted a prime minister who can dare to attack Pakistan. Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the saffron party again ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. We wanted a prime minister who could attack Pakistan by entering its home. That is why we formed this alliance. I have formed alliance with the BJP (also) for the welfare of Marathwada and Maharashtra, he added. Thackeray was addressing a campaign rally here for Sena candidate Chandrakant Khaire. The Congress does not want abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution which gives a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Thackeray said, and added that his party wants that every law applicable to rest of India should also apply in Jammu and Kashmir, he said. Thackeray also came down heavily on former JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar who is contesting on a CPI ticket from Begusarai in Bihar."People like Kanhaiya Kumar preparing to enter Lok Sabha is very sad, he is a separatist," he said. On Friday, Priyanka Chaturvedi joined the Shiv Sena. Earlier, she had tweeted her resignation letter expressing her anguish with the Congress party after it reinstated leaders who misbehaved with her. She was also the convenor of Congress party's media cell. What saddens me is that despite the safety, dignity, empowerment of women being promoted by the party...the same is not reflected in the action of some of the members of the party, she wrote. She also in a tweet said that she was deeply saddened that lumpen goons, who threatened her within the party. Several Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders allegedly misbehaved with Priyanka Chaturvedi during a press conference in Mathura on the issue of Rafale deal. On Chaturvedi's complaint, the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) suspended them for their unruly behaviour. However, after Congress general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindias intervention, their suspension was revoked. New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested Mohammad Gufran in an ISIS (Islamic State)-conspiracy case after conducting searches on two locations in Hyderabad in connection with an Islamic state module case. Gufran is the 13th suspect to be arrested in the case. He is suspected of being a key conspirator in plans to carry out terror attacks in Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh. The raids which began in the morning were still underway, officials told news agency PTI. In August 2018, the NIA had arrested two alleged ISIS sympathisers --Mohammed Abdullah Basith and Mohd Abdul Qhadeer -- from the city as part of its larger probe into Indian youngsters being radicalised to carry out terror strikes on behalf of the banned international outfit. "The fresh raids were being carried out in connection with this module after a supplementary charge sheet was filed against them in February this year and based on fresh inputs," the police added. "NIA teams are conducting searches at two places here in connection with an ISIS module case," a senior police official of the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate said. However, he refused to divulge further details. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Houston: Italian polymath Leonardo da Vincis muse for the iconic Mona Lisa painting may not have suffered from hypothyroidism as suggested by recent studies, scientists say. Michael Yafi, from The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) in the US, noted that the painting doesnt match the countless other depictions of goiters or enlargements of the thyroid gland. The painting of Lisa Gherardini has captivated millions since it was created in the early 1500s, including experts in the medical community. For years, scientists and physicians have studied the discoloration of Gherardinis skin, the thickness of her neck, and her enigmatic smile to hypothesise about her health during the Renaissance time period. The most recent published theory suggests she suffered from severe hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. The researchers cite her yellow skin, the enlarged appearance of her thyroid gland, and lack of eyebrows as symptoms to support his theory. They also noted that her mysterious smile may represent a hint of resulting psychomotor retardation and muscle weakness. I felt a personal responsibility to defend the Mona Lisa and the fascinating lady the painting portrays, said Yafi in a statement. She has inspired thousands of people over the past few centuries. I couldnt have the public thinking she had hypothyroidism, when it seems to me she was euthyroid, meaning her thyroid was normal. So, I decided to give her a fresh 21st-century medical opinion, he said. Yafis research, published in Hormones-International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, xplains that the documentation of thyroid disease is well known in art history, and this painting doesnt match the countless other depictions of goiters. Artists often depicted what they saw in society. Sculptures from the ancient Andean and Egyptian civilisations recorded endemic goiters in areas of environmental iodine deficiency, like the Tuscany region where Gherardini lived, said Yafi. Ancient Greek art represents this symptom as well, as do several poetic works and even Shakespearean literature. If Gherardini had a goiter from iodine deficiency, it would have been severe and more clearly demarcated in the painting like the other historical representations; a talented painter like da Vinci would have had no problem expressing it, he said. Yafi also points out that many of da Vincis paintings depict women without eyebrows, so its not conclusive to attribute that feature to underactive thyroid. He said the yellowing of the skin only develops after a long duration of the disease. Typically, having long-term hypothyroidism would have severely affected fertility, but Gherardini is known to have given birth to five children, including one only months before sitting for the painting, said Yafi. The discoloration could simply be attributed to the age of the artwork, as well as the varnish applied by the artist. Furthermore, the painting was stolen and then hidden away for almost three years, and someone also once vandalized it with acid in an act of sabotage, he said. Making a diagnosis of hypothyroidism on the basis of subtle and vague features in an old painting is, needless to say, risky, Yafi said. Hypothyroid myopathy, or muscle tissue disease, manifests in muscles that are closer to the bodys midline. It is usually severe, which means that it would have prevented Gherardini from posing with a straight back. Moreover, there are plenty of people who have an asymmetric smile, but this does not necessarily mean that they are hypothyroid, he said. New Delhi: Couples can run pillar to post to get the perfect shot for the wedding album, be it hagling from a cliff or getting drenched in the rain. The results however are at times beautiful and sometimes hilarious. Remember the viral video of a photographer hanging himself upside down from a tree with his camera to take a photo of a couple from the top? Now a new video of a wedding photoshoot from Kerala is going viral and it will leave you in splits. The video, which was shared online by Weddplanner Wedding Studio, shows a couple - Tijin and Silpa, getting ready for their photoshoot near the banks of the Pamba river in Kerala. As the photographer gets ready to take the perfect shot with water splashed on couple from both sides and the couple starts posing locking eyes and holding a banana leaf on their head, the canoe looses it balance and the couple falls down from the boat. The hilarious moment was captured on camera by their photographers. Best part, the idea to rock the boat was the studios, and the couple did not even know about it. The studio told a website, "It was a sudden idea from our head, Roy Lawrence, the chief photographer and owner of the studio. Our team planned it just at the time of shoot without letting the couple know." The hilarious moment has the netizens fancy and has received almost 331k views on it. For all the Latest Offbeat News News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Dolphins can use hundreds of different sounds to talk to each other. A rare footage obtained by biologists reveals how dolphins have more than 230 noises for communication. This is an important clue in our understanding of how and why dolphins evolved the capacity for communication. The river dolphin species commonly referred to as "botos" were first discovered in 2014. Scientists have been eager to learn more about the mysterious creatures. Botos are notoriously difficult to track down, but researchers found a fish market in a Brazilian town called Mocajuba where the dolphins visit regularly to be fed by locals. Only 600 to 1,500 are estimated to be in existence in the South American country's Araguaia-Tocantins River system, per a 2014 study published in PLOS One Journal. The research suggests that the botos sounds fall between low-frequency calls by baleen whales for long-distance communication and high-frequency calls from marine dolphins for short distances. We found that they do interact socially and are making more sounds than previously thought, said Laura May Collado, a biologist at the University of Vermont, who worked on the study published in PeerJ. "It's exciting. Marine dolphins like the bottlenose use signature whistles for contact, and here we have a different sound used by river dolphins for the same purpose. There are a lot of obstacles, like flooded forests and vegetation, in their habitat, so this signal could have evolved to avoid echoes from vegetation and improve the communication range of mothers and their calves," Collado said. Collado asserted the work could help researchers gain a clearer understanding of how communication evolved in marine mammals. Similar calls have been reported in pilot whales and killer whales, for example, and the similarities and differences between different species could help tease out which signals evolved first, and why. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: Astronaut Christina Koch is going to have her mission on the International Space Station (ISS) extended to 328 days, which would set a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, the US space agency said. NASA and its ISS partners have set a new schedule and new crew assignments that will include the first flight of NASA astronaut Jessica Meir and an extended stay for NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan. Koch, who arrived at the space station on March 14, and now is scheduled to remain in orbit until February 2020, will eclipse the record of 288 days set by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson in 2016-17. She will be part of three expeditions -- 59, 60 and 61 -- during her current first spaceflight, NASA said in a statement. Christinas extended mission will provide additional data for NASAs Human Research Program and continue to support future missions to the Moon and Mars, said Jennifer Fogarty, chief scientist of the Human Research Program at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston, US. Her mission is planned to be just shy of the longest single spaceflight by a NASA astronaut -- 340 days, set by former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly during his one-year mission in 2015-16. Koch and fellow NASA astronaut Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin will remain aboard the space station and begin Expedition 60. On July 20, Morgan, European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov are scheduled to launch to the space station and join Expedition 60, returning the orbiting laboratorys crew complement to six. The extended missions of Koch and Morgan will help scientists gather additional data about the effects of long-duration human spaceflight beyond those of the normal six-month station expedition, NASA said. Such research is essential to support future deep space exploration missions to the Moon and Mars, according to the US space agency. NASA has gathered vast amounts of data on astronaut health and performance over the past 50 years and has focused recently on extended durations up to one year with the dedicated mission of Scott Kelly and extended mission of Peggy Whitson. These opportunities also have demonstrated that there is a significant degree of variability in human response to spaceflight and it is important to determine the acceptable degree of change for both men and women. Astronauts demonstrate amazing resilience and adaptability in response to long duration spaceflight exposure, said Fogarty. This will enable successful exploration missions with healthy, performance-ready astronauts. NASA is looking to build on what we have learned with additional astronauts in space for more than 250 days," she said. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New York: Clare Bronfman, heiress to the Seagram liquor fortune, pleaded guilty on Friday to her role in a secretive society of women sex slaves. The guilty plea on two countsconspiracy to conceal and harbour illegal aliens for financial gain and fraudulent use of identificationallows Bronfmans to avoid a trial in the case set to open May 7. Keith Raniere, 58, the founder of the purported self-help group Nxivm who has already been charged with sex trafficking and forced labour conspiracy, now stands alone as a defendant in a case. Raniere, who was arrested in Mexico last year, is accused of creating a secret society called DOS, a pyramid scheme of more than a dozen women slaves and masters with himthe sole manat the top. Bronfman now faces up to 25 years in prison but the governments sentencing guidelines would see her incarcerated for up to just 27 months. Her sentencing hearing is set to take place July 25. The 40-year-old philanthropist and former equestrian showjumper is the daughter of Edgar Bronfman, the late Canadian chairman of liquor giant Seagram whose net worth was estimated at USD 2.6 billion. Bronfman was accused of using her wealth to fund Nxivm to the tune of more than USD 100 million. She was a member of the executive board of the group, which shot to notoriety for its initiation rites including the branding of its members with the founders initials. The money is said to have financed court summons against presumed enemies, fake identities to access data and to help Raniere use the credit card of a deceased ex-mistress. Besides Raniere, the five other people accused in the case have now all pleaded guilty. Allison Mack, an actress in the Smallville television series, has pleaded guilty to racketeering and conspiracy for allegedly recruiting women to the purported mentorship group, whom US prosecutors say were forced to have sex with its leader. Television network HBO said Thursday it would produce a documentary series on the case. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Sulaiman, an Indian national, has been living on the terrace of a residential building in Manama. Hailing from Kerala, Sulaiman has been a resident of Bahrain for 10 years. A CPR card is the only form of legal identification he possesses, having lost whereabouts of his passport upon the death of his sponsor who held his passport as Sulaiman was unable to pay the fee to renew his visa. Sulaiman moved to a terrace after the building he used to reside in caught on fire. Sulaiman occupies the footpaths of Manama during the days, hoping for someone to give him work and remuneration. Since he has begun showing signs of aging, those occurrences have become rare, and remains hungry on a lot of days. Sulaiman's son, in Kerala, spoke to 4 pm news and has requested for help to bring his father back home. Please call on +973 36739482 to provide help. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators returned to Algerias streets yesterday to press demands for wholesale democratic change well beyond former president Abdelaziz Bouteflikas resignation, chanting we do what we want, witnesses said. Parliament named an interim president and a July 4 election date was set in a transition endorsed by Algerias powerful military. But Bouteflikas April 2 exit failed to placate many Algerians who want to topple the entire elite that has dominated the country since independence from France in 1962. Protesters gathered anew in city centers around Algeria demanding root-and-branch reforms including political pluralism and crackdowns on corruption and cronyism, witnesses said. Numbers later surged after Friday prayers. There was no official count but Reuters reporters at the scene estimated the number of demonstrators in the hundreds of thousands as on previous Fridays since the extraordinary mass dissent erupted on Feb 22. We will not give up our demands, said Mourad Hamini, standing outside his coffee shop, where thousands of protesters were waving Algerian flags. The crowd later chanted: This is our country and we do what we want! Protesters also called for Abdelkader Bensalah, head of the upper house of parliament, to quit as caretaker president and for Noureddine Bedoui to stand down as interim prime minister. The Embassy of the Kingdom to the Peoples Republic of China celebrated the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Ambassador of the Kingdom in Beijing, Dr. Anwar Yusuf Abdulla Alabdulla delivered a speech during the event in which he affirmed deep-rooted relations between the two countries, which have been constantly developing through the past 30 years. He also affirmed the Kingdoms keenness to bolster these relations at all levels for the common interest of the two countries and peoples. The celebration was also attended by a number of officials, businessmen, and diplomats, including the Vice Chairperson of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference. His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa deputized his advisor Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa to attend a ceremony marking the diplomatic milestone. Chinese Ambassador to Bahrain Mr. An Waer hosted the ceremony at the Diplomat Hotel, in the presence of ministers, senior officials, members of the diplomatic corps and guests. Shaikh Salman hailed steadily-growing bilateral relations which are based on friendship and mutual respect, stressing Bahrains keenness on strengthening co-operation with China to serve shared interests and meet the aspirations of the two friendly countries and peoples. The celebration of 30 years of diplomatic relations reflects deep-rooted relations binding the two friendly countries and peoples, he said, stressed mutual keenness on enhancing joint co-operation to the highest levels. The Chinese ambassador paid tribute to HRH the Premier for his keenness on supporting and developing joint co-operation, thanking HH Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa for gracing the ceremony on behalf of HRH the Premier. He reiterated his countrys keenness on enhancing joint co-operation with the Kingdom of Bahrain, expressing delight at celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries. Indonesia kicked off one of the worlds biggest one-day elections yesterday, pitting president Joko Widodo against ex-general Prabowo Subianto in a race to lead the Muslim-majority nation. More than 190 million Indonesians are set to cast a ballot as polls opened shortly after 7:00 am local time (2200 GMT Tuesday) in restive Papua. The vote is slated to end at 1:00 pm (0600 GMT) in Sumatra at the other end of the volcano-dotted archipelago. Some voters went to their local mosque before casting ballots, as the daily call to prayer sounded across a nation that is nearly 90 percent Muslim. A record 245,000 candidates are running for public office, from the presidency and parliamentary seats to local positions -- the first time all are being held on the same day. Opinion polls show Widodo, 57, is a clear favorite -- but he faces a tough challenge from Subianto, 67, who has leaned on a fiery nationalist ticket and warned he will challenge the results over voter-list irregularities if he loses. Subianto narrowly lost to Widodo in 2014 elections, and unsuccessfully challenged those results. Voters will flock to more than 800,000 polling stations where theyll punch holes in ballots -- to make clear their candidate choice -- and then dip a finger in Muslim-approved halal ink, a measure to prevent double-voting in a graft-riddled country where ballot-buying is rife. ROXBURY A motorcycle passenger was hospitalized with serious injuries Friday night after the driver lost control on a sharp curve, according to Connecticut State Police. The passenger, a 19-year-old Watertown woman, sustained serious injuries. The driver, a 21-year-old Bridgewater man, had non-life-threatening injuries. Both were taken to Danbury Hospital. Nine days before Donald Trump took the oath of office, Erik Prince, the billionaire founder of the private military contractor Blackwater and a Trump ally, met in the Seychelles islands with a Russian financier close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prince later told congressional officials examining Russia's interference in the presidential election that the meeting happened by chance and was not taken at the behest of the incoming administration - testimony that congressional Democrats now think was false. Prince told special counsel Robert Mueller III's investigators a version of the Seychelles meeting that is at odds in several key respects with his sworn testimony to the House Intelligence Committee in November 2017. As lawmakers absorb the Mueller report and plan their next steps, congressional officials said they are considering whether the discrepancies are egregious enough to refer the matter to the Justice Department to pursue possible perjury charges against Prince. The investigators spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss their plans. Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 election provides new details about Prince's trip to the Seychelles, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, which was included in the special counsel's examination of contacts between Trump associates and Kremlin emissaries. Mueller describes Trump's transition to office, a time when he and his advisers were eager to improve relations with Russia and when Putin directed wealthy Russian businessmen to make contacts with Trump's inner circle on the Kremlin's behalf. Prince's meeting in the Seychelles with Kirill Dmitriev, the chief executive of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, drew scrutiny from FBI investigators as part of their inquiry into Russia's election interference, and some U.S. officials saw it as an attempt by the Trump team to set up back-channel communications with Russia. Through a spokesman, Prince declined to comment for this article. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment. Prince spoke to Mueller's team at least twice, in April and May 2018, under a proffer agreement, according to the special counsel's report. That suggests he may have believed he could be charged with crimes. A proffer usually allows a witness to testify to certain facts with the understanding that his statements can't be used against him by the prosecutor questioning him. The proffer would not, however, shield him from legal jeopardy for separate statements to Congress if they were found to be false. Prince told lawmakers that the meeting with Dmitriev happened by chance, after associates from the United Arab Emirates suggested that he meet "an interesting guy from Russia" who was in the Seychelles and worked in the commodity business. But Mueller found that Prince arranged the meeting in advance with George Nader, an adviser to the UAE who did business with Dmitriev. Nader had told Prince that the Russians wanted to forge new alliances with the administration and that Dmitriev had asked him for help, Mueller found. Prince told Congress that he was not acting as a representative for the Trump transition team or the campaign when he met with Dmitriev. That also appears to be false. "According to Nader, Prince had led him to believe that [Trump adviser Stephen] Bannon was aware of Prince's upcoming meeting with Dmitriev, and Prince acknowledged that it was fair for Nader to think that Prince would pass information on to the Transition Team," Mueller wrote. In his interview with Mueller's investigators, Prince said he told Dmitriev he provided policy papers to Bannon. Nader, trying to entice Dmitriev to take the meeting, "assured him that Prince wielded influence with the incoming Administration," Mueller wrote. Nader told Dmitriev, "This guy [Prince] is designated by Steve [Bannon] to meet you!" Mueller reported. "I know him and he is very very well connected and trusted by the New Team." Prince did have access to Trump's inner circle. "After the election, Prince frequently visited transition offices at Trump Tower," mainly to meet with aides including Bannon and occasionally Michael Flynn, the incoming national security adviser. They discussed foreign policy matters and Prince's suggestions for who should get key national security positions, Mueller found. Prince also told Congress that he met only once with Dmitriev. In fact, they met twice, first in Nader's villa at the Four Seasons Resort for about 30 to 45 minutes, Mueller found. Prince didn't disclose that initial meeting to Congress. At the meeting, "Prince described the eight years of the Obama Administration in negative terms, and stated that he was looking forward to a new era of cooperation and conflict resolution," Mueller found, another indication that Prince was acting in a political capacity. There were no plans for the two to meet again at that time. But after Prince returned to his room, he learned that a Russian aircraft carrier was heading to Libya. Prince called Nader and asked to see Dmitriev again, and they met in a restaurant on the resort property. Nader told investigators that Prince had checked in with his associates in the United States and wanted to convey that any Russian action in Libya was "off the table," indicating that it would impede Washington and Moscow's attempts to improve relations. Ultimately, Dmitriev was disappointed with the meetings, having hoped to meet someone with more authority in the new administration who could help outline a new bilateral strategy, Mueller found. Dmitriev also told Nader that Prince's comments about Libya were insulting. Through UAE contacts, Dmitriev separately arranged an introduction in November 2016 to Rick Gerson, a hedge fund manager and friend of Jared Kushner's, Trump's son-in-law. Over the next two months, Dmitriev and Gerson worked on a proposal to improve relations between the United States and Russia, an initiative that Dmitriev implied had Putin's blessing, Mueller found. Gerson gave the proposal to Kushner before the inauguration, and Kushner passed copies to Bannon and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Mueller found. Questions remain about Prince's meeting with Dmitriev in the Seychelles. Significant portions of the report covering the encounter are redacted because they contain grand jury material. (Nader is known to have testified before the grand jury.) Prince also told Mueller's team that he discussed the meeting with Bannon at his home. According to Prince, Bannon seemed uninterested and told him not to follow up with Dmitriev. But Bannon told Mueller's team that he never talked with Prince about any meeting with the Russian financier. "Bannon also stated that had Prince mentioned such a meeting, Bannon would have remembered it, and Bannon would have objected to such a meeting having taken place," Mueller wrote. Mueller had obtained phone company records showing that Bannon and Prince exchanged "dozens of messages" during the relevant time period, including two that Prince sent to Bannon from the Seychelles within hours of meeting Dmitriev. But investigators found that the messages were no longer on the phones of Bannon and Prince. Prince denied deleting text messages from his phone; Bannon said he couldn't explain the absence of any messages. Danbury is once again moving through the budget cycle, and as has been the case for years now there is considerable and passionate dialogue around the proper funding of our school system. Its quite the discussion, considering our city is ranked dead last in per-pupil spending across the state. It is time to get at the roots of this problem. The repeated refrain, agreed upon from all sides, is that our school district is being underfunded by the state of Connecticut. This is an indisputable fact. But there is more to this story than the state failing to assume financial responsibility. In between the budget announcement on April 2nd, the ad-hoc committee meeting on April 9th and the Public Hearing on April 15th, I spent some time examining Danbury budget data from the last couple of decades. And this closer look reveals that the city has been slowly eroding its investment in the schools as well. Looking back at numbers from the 2009-2010 budget cycle, a total of 55.3 percent of the budget was devoted to the Board of Education. In fact, budgets from the years 2001-2002 through 2009-2010 are almost all that level or higher, reaching above 56 percent at certain points. In the last 10 years, this percentage has declined steadily, dipping as low as 50.2 percent in the 2014-2015 budget cycle. This year, it crept up to 52.4 percent, the highest percentage in seven years. If we assume a flat 55 percent of the approved budgets should be going to the Board of Education, which is representative of how the city used to allot funds, the last 10 budgets have resulted in a shortfall of nearly $65 million for the school system. Thats an average of almost $6.5 million each year of existing funds that the city chose to pull away from our schools. It is of great concern that the state is not giving Danbury its fair share of education funding. They are up in Hartford making decisions which impact us without a full understanding of the challenges we face. But here in Danbury, we know that our enrollment has gone up over 1,000 students in the last decade and that there are projections for roughly 700 more students in the next 10 years. Here in Danbury, we know the sizable Alliance Grant which comes from Hartford is the result of being one of the 33 lowest performing districts in the state and our seven schools of distinction (a measure of improvement, not achievement) reflect a strong desire to change that dubious honor. Here in Danbury, we know that our teachers and staff regularly work overtime, spend their own money and make other personal sacrifices to put our kids first. And we also know that despite those Herculean efforts, it simply cannot make up for inadequate funding. So whats hard to process is this: The city knows that the state is shortchanging us on education funds. And yet the city has deliberately diminished its own contributions to the district at the same time, even though everyone here has a seat, front and center, to the growing demands on our school system and the reality that we are lagging behind. At the meeting on April 9th, members of the City Council were repeatedly asked to reconsider the mayors proposed budget and to appropriate more funds toward education. This is a call for the city to prioritize education again and recognize the importance of investing in the next generation of leaders and workers for Danbury. There is an opportunity here to repair some of the damage weve contributed to, and I hope they will take it. Kate Conetta is a member of the Danbury Board of Education. Chuck Lauer presenting A Multi-Site Spaceport Licensing Plan for Launching to Polar Orbit Over Lake Huron and Lake Superior with the Michigan Space Initiative at Space Access 2019. Northern Michigan is uniquely positioned for a polar orbit satellite launch facility: low density population, extensive restricted airspace, interstate highway system accessible, engineering and manufacturing capacity, and most critically, home of MAMAs Michigan Launch Initiative (MLI). Michigan is coordinating with Ontario, Canada on an international multi-site spaceport effort. Multiple aerospace companies, including SpaceX, Blue Origin, ISRO, ESA Vega, Firefly Aerospace and the US Department of Defense, have plans to launch thousands of satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO). From 2007 thru 2018 over 1,200 small satellites were launched. Between 2018 and 2027 more than 7,000 small satellite launches are planned if sufficient launch capacity exists. At full capacity, the MLI launch site will conduct 22-25 launches per year, with command center operating 24/7 for northern tracking operations. The infrastructure investment budget is $50-75 million. Estimated revenue per launch is $15,000,000 or $375,000,000 per year. Preliminary timeline is launch facility site selection Q2 2019; public/private funding secured Q3 2019; permits & environmental impact Q3 2020; ground break facility construction Q2 2021; first launch Q2 2022. The Nellis Range in Michigan is about the same size as the Alpena Complex. Chuck Lauer runs Rocketplane Global which is developing a spaceplane. The Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association has been corralling investors and seeking federal permitting for the proposed spaceport dubbed the Michigan Launch Initiative that would do vertical launches and also handle the takeoff and landing of airplanes that drop rockets that shoot into space. SOURCES Live Coverage of Chuck Lauer presentation at Space Access 2019. Written By Brian Wang, Nextbigfuture.com NEW HAVEN A city resident suffered a non-life-threatening injury in a stabbing Friday afternoon, police officials said. Around 1:22 p.m., New Haven police were dispatched to Grand Avenue between Poplar and Ferry streets for a reported assault. Police found a 37-year-old New Haven man suffering from a non-life-threatening stab puncture to the side of his torso, said a statement from Capt. Anthony Duff. Witnesses told police a group of three other men, the victim and two women were outside fighting among themselves when the victim was stabbed. Police said witnesses told officers they believe the suspect was a resident of the Fair Haven neighborhood. The victim was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital by ambulance. Officers initially detained a man in handcuffs following a brief investigation in front of the U.S. Post Office on Grand Avenue. Duff said he was released without being formally arrested or charged. Witnesses are asked to call police when they see the person responsible for the stabbing. The New Haven Police Department can be reached at 203-946-6316. NEW HAVEN This time, with an investment of more than $300,000 on the line, everyone hopes to get it right. For years, New Havens election process has had late reporting from several wards and complaints about poor signage and tabulators breaking down. But Election Day Registration has boosted the dysfunction exponentially, where one study found it took voters 6.6 hours to complete the process and cast a ballot if they showed up hoping to do this around lunchtime at 1 p.m. The city has already spent $21,284 for an analysis and recommendations by Daniel Penn Associates LLC on how to avoid what transpired Election Day 2018 in the future. It is poised to spend $50,000 more on a three-month study by Gem Consultants LLC, headed by former Democratic Party Chair and Alder Jacqueline James. She beat Daniel Penn Associates LLC for the second study, submitting a plan to use three of its workers from February through November at a cost of $112,000 for another review. James contract calls for a 20-25- hour work week with the first 30 percent of the agreement, $15,000, paid a week after signing. The alders at a recent workshop of the boards Finance Committee heard from Registrar of Voters Shannel Evans, who explained her budget proposal that would increase by an additional $270,848 in fiscal 2020 from the total $1.05 million this year. About half of this would boost the number of people working and trained to carry out the four elections scheduled for fiscal 2019-20. The first will be the Democratic primary on Sept. 10, the general election Nov. 12, the Democratic Town Committee election in March and the presidential primary in April. The other half would add to the money for consultants, if additional servicing for the tabulators was requested. The general consensus from the Daniel Penn Associates review in November and consistently from the Secretary of the States office has been to hire more people on Election Day, particularly for EDR, where only two staff members could enter the system tied directly to the secretary of the states office to check if someone has already voted. The chief moderator, Kevin Arnold, testifying at a public hearing on the Election Day chaos, put more workers on the top of his list of recommendations. This week a task force appointed by Evans to further review protocols on Election Day has had one meet and greet session with its first formal meeting on April 24. Evans had been warned that voter turnout in the 2018 election was expected to be heavy, similar to a presidential election. She continued to bring in about 15 workers for EDR. For fiscal 2019-20, her request for workers doubles to 30. The registrar apologized to the alders at the workshop, which she has done before, for the challenges on Election Day, accepting the blame for the problems. She also told the alders that night that she had sent emails to the secretary of the states office inquiring whether she could have some staff from LHS Associates, which yearly services the 104 tabulators the city uses for elections, on call in her office to fix machines that break down on Election Day. Evans said she also wanted to know whether the company would service the machines, possibly before each of the four elections. She said she had not heard back from the secretary of the states office at the time of the April 8 meeting. She did not return multiple phone calls to her office this week seeking an update on her conversations with the secretary of the states office and other questions, including who the members of the task force are. Gabe Rosenthal, spokesman for the office, said it always returns calls from registrars. As to Evans specific question, he said all the registrars in the state have been told that no outside service personnel can touch a voting machine during an election, but they can give advice on how to unjam a tabulator. Tabulators jammed in several cities, necessitating that ballots be hand-fed. Voters, when waiting to use the machines, got the ballots wet when held against their wet clothing on that rainy day. Joel Bergeron, vice president of LHS Associates, said his staff would not visit New Haven during the election to tend to any problems, but as always, they are available by phone. He said if New Haven wants to amend the $20,800 annual service contract at $200 a machine for additional servicing, they are amenable to that discussion. mary.oleary@hearstmediact.coml 203-641-2577. NEW HAVEN The day was gray but the mood was determined as Stop & Shop union workers kept up the picket line Saturday during the 10th day of the longest strike in the grocery giants history. Were hanging tough, said John Lupoli, union steward for Local 919 of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Lupoli said he had stopped at stores in Hamden, North Haven and Wallingford and found the same mood there, as strikers walked the picket line for the tenth day. Equipped with raincoats and slickers to combat the scattered downpours, workers at the Amity Stop & Shop chatted and hugged, working to keep the mood upbeat as the worry about paying bills increased. The store was virtually empty, though a customer occasionally emerged. Everyone has something they are worried about, Lupoli said, pointing out that health benefits will end at different times for different locals, and people may have a hard time paying for medications they need. Everyone has something on their plates that they are concerned with. There are a vast number of things people are concerned about. Lupoli said that while his children are adults and his wife works full-time, he knows that many Stop & Shop employees have to work two jobs to make ends meet. Some are worried about how they are going to feed their children even with unemployment benefits. Most of America lives paycheck to paycheck, he said. Im ready to go back to work, said longtime Stop & Shop worker Ruth Cherry, who has walked the picket line many times this past week and supported co-workers with encouraging words. Cherry, however, noted Saturday that many workers are just tired. Juliette Sabo, shop steward for Local 919 in Fairfield, said Saturday that the feeling here is amazing. While some might think the picket line gets more difficult as time goes on, that is not the case there, she said, and part-time and full-time workers are supporting each other. I am so proud of all my workers at my store, she said. We are stronger every single day. We are united. Sabo said customers have always come first, and now customers are not shopping because they are supporting the workers. Sabo also said that if a silver lining could be found as the strike wears on, it is that food is being donated to churches and food banks, a process she is helping to facilitate. Food is being (donated) in Bridgeport, in Milford, on the flip side we are feeding hungry people. The union went on strike April 11. Workers walked out over differences in the companys contract offer, with concerns centered on health care premiums, pension benefits and wage increases. Stop & Shop employs more than 31,000 associates throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, including at 92 stores in Connecticut. Quincy, Mass.-based Stop & Shop, a division of Dutch supermarket company Ahold Delhaize, has 415 stores in the Northeast but the strike affects 240 stores in the three states. In its most recent update posted on the Stop & Shop website Friday the company said: Stop & Shop and the five UFCW local unions are continuing negotiations into the evening. We remain focused on reaching fair new agreements that provide market-leading wages, excellent health benefits for eligible associates and increased pension contributions for all of our associates. The update Thursday said: Our primary goal remains to get our associates back to work with a contract that has pay increases for all associates, continued health benefits for eligible associates and increased pension contributions. We remain focused on getting back to fully serving our customers every day. Bert Flickinger, managing director of New York City-based Strategic Resource Group, a leading national retail consultant, has estimated that the walkout is costing the grocery chain $2 million per week and may even cause the company to permanently lose a portion of its market share. The strike drew former Vice President Joe Bidens support Thursday, support from Connecticut politicians, as well as a visit from National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka to the Amity store. But workers said the support that really gives them strength is coming from customers who have brought coffee, doughnuts, snacks and more. One older couple has brought pizzas to workers nearly every day, Lupoli said. The public has been wonderful, he said. However, there has been at least one threat directed at the strikers. Workers said they were aware that someone called the Stop & Shop in Wethersfield and threatened to shoot the strikers with an AK-47. Stop & Shop President Mark McGowan posted a message on the companys website Wednesday, saying he understood the strikers stance. I deeply respect your right to picket, he said. It is part of the civil discourse that is so central to our democracy. However, he said, On several occasions, however, protests have gone far beyond civil and customers and employees have been threatened, intimidated or put in situations that felt dangerous or disrespectful. That and illegal actions are things that we will - and I will - absolutely not stand for. We have a responsibility to make sure that everyone on Stop & Shop property is safe at all times, and we take this commitment very seriously. Please remember that those stopping by Stop & Shop locations are our customers and our neighbors, and we want them to come back as fully engaged shoppers when we are back at full speed. So, certainly make your case, but I hope you will keep this in mind. A Colorado television technician is facing felony charges for allegedly hugging a customer tightly. Karen Loest told KDVR-TV that David Novinski, a subcontractor for Dish Network, gave her a bear hug, pinning her arms and chest painfully, as she was showing him out after he completed his work this month. The 70-year-old former sheriffs deputy said she was afraid. At that point, I didnt know whether I was going to be raped thrown down on the floor, she said. He has me pinned my arms and chest and it hurt. She said she pushed him away and told him to leave and he waited awhile and apologized before leaving. scared me, she said. I didnt sleep for two or three days after that and Im still not sleeping well. He knows where I live. He is charged with trespassing and causing bodily injury to an at-risk adult. His attorney, Mike McCullough, said Novinski often hugs people and gave Loest a three-second hug before leaving. He said Loest didnt say anything about being injured when she called Novinskis boss. McCullough says he will fight the charges. Frankly, one of the strangest cases Ive ever seen, McCullough said. A Hamden police officer and one from Yale University opened fire on a vehicle stopped near Dixwell Avenue and Argyle Street in New Haven around 4:20 a.m. on April 16. Stephanie Washington, a 22-year-old unarmed black woman, was wounded in the shooting. This post is now updated to reflect that this is an evolving case. The latest: Protesters demand Hamden cop in New Haven shooting be fired, investigated The latest: State police: No evidence of a gun in car targeted in police shooting The latest: Watch body-cam video of police-involved shooting in New Haven To date, as state police investigate the shooting, hundreds of protestors have flocked to locations in Hamden and New Haven, holding Black Lives Matter signs and demanding justice and that authorities release body-camera footage of the incident. Video was released April 23. Further, Hamden has started local probe into the shooting and State Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney and state Sen. Gary Winfield, both D-New Haven, called for a thorough investigation of the police shooting. Officer Devin Eaton had a nearly spotless record as a member of the Hamden Police Department when the shooting occurred. The record of Yale Officer Terrance Pollack has not been released. Heres more we know about the shooting and its aftermath: Who was involved, and who was injured? Washingtons boyfriend, 21-year-old Paul Witherspoon, was the driver of the vehicle police targeted. Witherspoon was not injured, but Washington was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Hamden police identified their officer as Devin Eaton, who has been with the department for three years and was previously a New Haven cop for two years. A university statement identified the Yale officer involved as Terrance Pollock, who has been with the department for 16 years. According to a report from WTNH, Pollock was injured by a ricochet bullet from either his own weapon, or from Eatons gun. New Haven Mayor Toni Harp emphasized that no New Haven officers were involved except to investigate the scene. What led to the shooting? According to state police, Hamden police were investigating a report of an armed robbery at the Gas and Go station on Arch Street. Eaton and Pollock identified a vehicle near Argyle Street and Dixwell Avenue in New Haven they believed was involved in the robbery. State police have since then said no gun was found and investigators also have not determined that a robbery took place prior to the traffic stop. Yales statement describeds the lead-up to the shooting slightly differently, mentioning a 911 call about a driver with a gun. Around 4:15 a.m. on the morning of April 16, a Yale police officer patrolling campus in the Science Park area responded to a call to assist a Hamden police officer. The Hamden police officer appears to have been looking for a vehicle based on a 911 call reporting that a person driving the vehicle had a gun, the statement said. Officers stopped the car and subsequently fired at the vehicle, state police said and the video shows. Witherspoon was later released from custody and has not been charged. What does video footage show, and what do police say? In a press conference, Trooper Josue Dolerus said the officers fired after the driver of the vehicle later identified as Witherspoon exited the vehicle in an abrupt manner, failing to comply with instructions to step out of the vehicle peacefully and show his hands. appears to show the driver, Witherspoon, exit the car with his hands up. Youll have to make your own determination about what you saw in that video because we can clearly see one hand we cant see the other, James Rovella, commissioner of the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, said at the news conference Tuesday in which state police released the body camera footage and dispatch calls. In an initial surveillance video published by WTNH, no one is seen exiting the vehicle. Though the drivers side of the car is not fully visible in the video, the Hamden officer appears to bring his car to a stop, get out, cross to the passenger-side of the vehicle and fire his weapon. Dolerus initially also said no firearms were found inside Witherspoons vehicle, though he noted authorities had not yet conducted a thorough search at the time of the press conference. Fox 61 and WTNH released more surveillance footage of the incident. The videos show the Yale officer firing his gun. Activists demanded the release of the body-camera footage of the incident. In a news release on Thursday, Capt. Ronald Smith said the Hamden Police Department cannot release any video and/or audio recording related to the shooting, at the request of States Attorney Patrick Griffin. But the next day, Rovella announced that authorities expect to soon release the body-camera footage and did so Tuesday. Rovella said Tuesday he could not say whether the officers acted appropriately, as it is for the states attorney to determine. But he did say the use of body cameras is inconsistent with the Police Officer Standards and Training standards. What concerns have been raised? Since the shooting, hundreds have come out to protests, criticizing police violence toward people of color. Activists have demanded justice for Washington, asking that relevant footage be released, that the officers involved be fired and that the investigation be transparent. Police violence is a crisis in our state, community organizer Kerry Ellington said at one protest. Rev. Boise Kimber of First Cavalry Baptist Church has expressed outrage about the shooting and has also questioned why a Hamden officer crossed into New Haven without notifying the citys police department. He later said the officers should be fired. We come today to say that were certainly going to be watching this incident, on top of this incident and praying that this family, this young lady, certainly recover a terrible incident, Kimber said at a protest on Thursday. It is sad. It is upsetting; it is hurtful to see that kind of shooting taking place when no one shot at them, no one tried to run, there are no guns in the car I mean, what is this? Another local pastor, Rev. Scott Marks, attended Thursdays protest. He led attendees in a chant of Black Lives Matter. Every day of our lives, were pushing that all lives actually move forward, said Marks, questioning whether Hamden police had followed proper procedure. There needs to be a price paid for breaking those policies, because black lives do matter. How have officials responded? Eaton and Pollock have been placed on leave since the shooting. Hamden Acting Police Chief John Cappiello announced that an internal affairs investigation would be conducted, though he declined to comment on why Eaton crossed city lines. Hamden is also set to enact policy changes in its police department. Religious leaders met Friday with Cappiello and Hamden Mayor Curt Leng to discuss those changes. Rev. Kimber, who attended the meeting, said Hamden has agreed to develop a written policy about notifying New Haven when officers enter that juristiction. While this is already practice for Hamden, Cappiello said having it in writing will provide more clarity for officers about who theyre supposed to notify. Kimber said the Hamden Police Department agreed to hold urban trauma and de-escalation training. Going forward, religious leaders, the mayor and the police chief will also meet regularly, Kimber said. In a statement issued after the meeting, Leng expressed support for department improvements and said he planned to post updates. I am also so very thankful that we have public safety officials in our police and fire services that will not only accept important changes, but embrace them, if they are for the betterment of our community." Yale President Peter Salovey released a letter announcing the university is cooperating with the state investigation. Leng promised to be as transparent as possible when speaking about the investigation. What else should I read to understand this story? Pastor calls for officers in police shooting to be fired; mayor pledges accountability Hamden officer-involved shooting sparks community fury Hamden officer involved in shooting identified Yale president releases statement on officer-involved shooting Officers involved in shooting that injured woman identified Hundreds rally in New Haven to protest police shooting Hamden to enact police department changes after officer-involved shooting New video surfaces of police-involved shooting in New Haven Body cam footage to be released of New Haven police-involved shooting Officer-involved shooting in New Haven (Press Briefing, streamed by WFSB 3) New video shows Hamden officer fired shots first at unarmed couple Exclusive: Driver of car in New Haven officer involved-shooting speaks to News 8 Newly-obtained video of New Haven shooting shows Yale officer firing Yale provides update on shooting Anyone with information about the incident can contact the Connecticut State Police at 860-685-8190. meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com JERSEY CITY People from various sects of the Christian faith spent their Good Friday marching to sites of Jersey City violence, praying for healing, blessings and peace. More than 100 people stopped at 14 locations where people were killed in 2018 during the fifth annual walk that honors victims of violent crimes. The annual event is organized by St. Pauls Episcopal Church on Duncan Avenue and Grace Church Van Vorst on Erie Street. Beginning at Emory Street and Monticello Avenue, the crowd prayed in unison and hammered a nail into a wooden cross covered with newspaper clippings. Holy water was sprinkled on the sidewalk as the crowd sang hymns. Colorful T-shirts with victims names were hung on large crosses carried by people as they went from one stop to the next. When the singing crowd reached the building where 17-year-old Jade Saunders was killed at 76 Brinkerhoff St. in October, Candace Johnson prayed, Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our Maker, for he is the Lord our God. Johnson is the bereavement minister at Jades church, Christ the King Catholic Church on Ocean Avenue, and helped arrange the teens funeral. Its something we dont even stop talking about, Johnson said. Its still very shocking. Johnson added that following Jades murder, the congregation has been more sensitive to its young people. "This struck a chord ... Were now checking more on our young people than done so before, she noted. Good Friday was the perfect opportunity ... to connect the suffering of Jesus 2,000 years ago with the suffering thats happening on our streets today, said the Rev. Tom Murphy, pastor at St. Paul Episcopal Church. Were all united in our care for the community. The wooden cross led the crowd to three stops on Union Street, three on Bramhall Avenue and two on Bergen Avenue. The final stop was at the West District Police Department on Jackson Street, where Murphy thanked police officers for protecting the community. I think its great when you see this (number) of people (who) show up to show their concern for the community, said Jersey City police Capt. Edward Nestor, the commander of the West District. My goal here as the West commander is to build these partnerships within the community so we can help solve the problems together, Nestor said. Aya Elamroussi may be reached at aelamroussi@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @aya_elamroussi. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. Accused of sexually abusing children, a Roman Catholic priest who served a church in Hunterdon County has been permanently removed from priesthood by Pope Francis. The Diocese of Metuchen on Friday -- Good Friday -- announced the laicization of Mark Dolak. He was ordained in 1979 and faced multiple accusations of abuse that were deemed credible, the diocese had announced in February. Dolak had been assigned to six churches in the diocese, including St. Catherine of Siena in Pittstown. Dolak is now returned to the status of layperson. Because of the accusations against him, the Diocese of Metuchen says it removed his ability to serve as priest more than 20 years ago. Metuchen Bishop James F. Checchio said Friday in a statement about Dolak: "Upon receiving the news from the Holy See about the removal from the priesthood of Mark Dolak, my first thought was to pray for the survivors of child sexual abuse, particularly for the survivors of Mark Dolaks abuse. "While his crimes and sins are decades old, as is so much of what we hear about today, they are no less shameful and horrific and their effects sadly remain. "I asked diocesan staff to let his survivors know of this latest step which permanently removed Mark Dolak from the priesthood, a priesthood ordained by God to be a source of healing and strength to His people and not of abuse, manipulation nor harm. "I pray that this action in at least some small way aids his victims in the healing process. Dolak was among 188 clergy across New Jersey who were named in February as having faced credible accusations of sexual abuse of a minor. They included 63 priests and deacons accused in the Archdiocese of Newark, 56 in the Diocese of Camden, 30 in the Diocese of Trenton, 28 in the Diocese of Paterson and 11 in the Diocese of Metuchen. The Diocese of Metuchen reiterated Friday it has taken steps to create safe environments for children to ensure that such patterns of abuse never occur again. Since 2002, the diocese says it has required background checks, child protection training for all who work or volunteer with children and has implemented zero-tolerance policies; no cleric who has had a credible accusation of child sexual abuse is in ministry. Just before the publication of the names of credibly accused clergy, New Jerseys five Catholic dioceses commissioned an Independent Victim Compensation Program, available for survivors who were sexually abused by clergy as minors. Since its founding 38 years ago, the diocese says it has provided $1.5 million of compensation to survivors regardless of whether they fell within the civil statute of limitations or not. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Findlehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Dear Annie: My three siblings and I are in a terrible situation right now over our 88-year-old mother. When she first moved into her seniors residence almost a year ago, one of the papers that we were asked to fill out was a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) form. We didnt think it was a good time to talk to our mom about it because she was going through a lot at the time, and we didnt want to upset her further. We couldnt agree about what to put on the form (it was a two-two tie). Since my brother is named as her power of attorney in case of incapacity, even though our mom wasnt incapacitated, we agreed to let him decide. So, it was indicated on the form to give CPR if necessary (so, no DNR order). Fast-forward to a month ago when we decided to have the residence physician take her on as her patient. I went with her on her assessment visit. The head nurse was present, who knows my mother well. There was some mild cognitive impairment, but my mother was quite lucid and understood his questions. The DNR was discussed with my mother. She told him that she didnt want them to try to bring her back to life if her heart stopped. She signed the DNR form herself. I sent an email to my siblings summarizing the visit, mentioning my mothers decision to have a DNR on her file. I did not see what was coming next. My brother accused me of going behind everyones back to change the order in her file to what I wanted. He said that I should have not allowed for the change to happen, that I should have said to the doctor that we needed to discuss it as a family before changing it. He was furious with the doctor for deciding that our mother was able to make the decision on her own after an hour of meeting her. My brother went to visit my mom the next weekend (he lives out of town) and asked her if she enjoyed her life and wanted to continue living. When she said yes, he decided that was good enough for him, and he changed the form in her file, asking for CPR (indicating in capital letters, My mother wants to live!! on the form). My brothers think that only people whose life has no value (no quality of life, no enjoyment) should have a DNR. They believe that if there is a chance of a reasonable quality of life, no matter how small, it is worth risking the negative consequences of CPR. My sister and I think that signing a DNR order prevents unnecessary suffering at the end of life -- real CPR is not like on TV and would cause physical injuries -- and that current quality of life has nothing to do with it. Now my brothers think that my sister and I dont think my mothers life has value, which is really hurtful. We are so far apart on this issue. It has caused a lot of anger and mistrust. Im not sure how we can come together again as a family. -- Saddened Siblings Dear Siblings: As a family, and for your mothers sake, you should come together on this issue. You said that your mother had mild cognitive impairment when she signed the new document. To ensure that all documents are in her best interest, allow your brother, as her power of attorney, to continue to be the point of contact for your mothers DNR. The most important thing you can do for your moms golden years is to have her children get along. So try to make amends with your brothers. Ask Me Anything: A Year of Advice From Dear Annie is out now! Annie Lanes debut book -- featuring favorite columns on love, friendship, family and etiquette -- is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. Annie Lane grew up in California and headed east to graduate with honors from New York University, where she majored in English literature and specialized in psychology. She earned her Juris Doctor from New York Law School. Since July 2016, Annie has offered common-sense solutions to everyday problems in her column, Dear Annie. Her advice is unusually perceptive. She is firm, funny and sympathetic, echoing the style of her biggest inspiration, Ann Landers. Annie lives outside Manhattan with her husband, two kids and two dogs. When not writing, she devotes her time to play dates and Play-Doh. COPYRIGHT 2019 CREATORS.COM A lucky find on Wednesday by some passing fishermen led to the tight rescue of a grey seal that was trapped between some jetty rocks in Cape May County. The fishermen were walking out on the jetty at Higbee Beach on the bay side of Lower Township when they heard a noise and looked between the rocks to find the seal looking back at them, Marine Mammal Stranding Center Co-Director Sheila Dean said. One of the fisherman, Bob Gerber, called the number for the centers hotline and a volunteer was immediately sent out to begin the 1-hour trek from Brigantine to the Cape May County beach. Our head stranding technician, Jay Pagel, quickly assessed the situation and knew he had to act quickly as the tide was coming in and the seal was now in water, Dean said. Luckily, the seal popped his head up, Jay threw a towel over it, and he picked the seal up by his flippers and dropped him into the net we use for capture. Pagel had to be careful during the rescue attempt as there was not a lot of room for him to pull the seal through, but luckily, he has a lot of experience with rescuing seals, Dean said. They also can deliver a nasty bite so Pagel had to extra quick to avoid getting injured himself, she said. The seal, a 3-month-old male, was brought back to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center so staff there could examine him. He suffered some minor cuts and scrapes and a swollen rear flipper but the centers vets checked him out and Dean said she thinks he will be ready to be released back into the wild in a couple of weeks. The seal is resting comfortably in his own tank, and will be placed into the big pool for exercise in the next few days, she said. When we see his wounds are healed and swelling is down, then its back to the wild for him. Before he is released, the mammal will be tagged with a numbered flipper tag and released into a colony of seals not far from the center. Officials are not sure how long the seal was trapped in the jetty rocks, but Gerber said he was glad he came around when he did and spotted it. He was just happy to be free and i was too, Gerber said. 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. By Ryan J. Greco With todays 20th anniversary of the massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado, many will recognize that event as not only the first widely publicized example of school violence, but one that forever changed law enforcement emergency responses. I clearly remember sitting in my mothers living room watching the horrific events unfold on ABC News. I was a senior criminal justice major at Kean University about to graduate and pursue a career in law enforcement. As the broadcast continued, I realized two things: I was not far removed from these high school kids, and I may soon be one of those officers standing outside that school. Nineteen years later, the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, would again change the way law enforcement works to ensure our children remain safe at school. Over the next several months, I worked closely with Cranford Public Schools Superintendent Scott Rubin to upgrade infrastructure and procedures in our schools. The improvements were the result of a thorough assessment of the safety of our school buildings. We spent countless hours holding public meetings at each of our district schools to seek input from concerned, frightened and understandably frustrated parents about how we were going to ensure the safety of their children. The key personal difference for me was that I was assessing safety and security both as a law enforcement practitioner and as a father of two district students, a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old. As we work to keep schools safe, we as a community, state and a nation wrestle with the idea of placing armed officers in every school, but is that the answer? Marjory Stoneman Douglas had an armed officer in the school that day. As police officers, we must balance protecting our children while ensuring a comfortable, welcoming, non-institutional educational learning environment. So, what do we do? Nobody has the one size fits all solution to this nationwide issue. In Cranford, we worked together to make sure our children feel safe. Since 2014, Cranford Township and the Cranford Board of Education have enjoyed a shared-services agreement. As part of this agreement, law enforcement organizations and public school districts have worked closely together. For example, we have designated multiple points of contact in our agency that have the cellphone numbers for every principal in our district, which allows us instantaneous lines of communication during responses to critical incidents. What we have learned in Cranford is that while fortification, security protocols and target-hardening are invaluable resources to law enforcement and school districts, intelligence-sharing and early warning systems are paramount. Each year, we hold safe-school meetings at every district school alongside school counselors, principals, parent groups and human resources. This affords us the ability to share information that may have normally fallen through the cracks. Our school resource officers/detectives participate in these meetings, at which we discuss each schools climate, harassment, intimidation and bullying statistics, and proactive means of collaboration to address the well-being of the schools community. Our officers train with our teachers and school faculties at every school drill in the district. While law enforcement serves as the subject matter experts in safety and security, our principals and faculty are the eyes and ears in the field that bring forth innovative ideas and solutions to existing problems. Our regular footprint in the schools affords us to have conversations organically with the staff, and the addition of three police substations in the school district enhances these opportunities. Lets never underestimate the importance of listening to our children. We must always afford our children the opportunity to report real or perceived acts of violence that may affect our school communities. In Cranford, the district opted into the STOP IT application to empower our youth to anonymously disclose any issues, including suicidal ideation, planned acts of violence or rumors of risky behavior. The police department complements this effort with digital anonymous tip lines through our NIXLE platform. Twenty years ago, the police and school response to active shooter situations was vastly different from what it is today. Each event brought new variables that we may not have considered before, which has led to the evolution of the modern-day responses to these incidents. There is no one size fits all means to address these events, but undoubtedly, it is a shared responsibility between law enforcement, schools and our communities. Remember if you see something, say something ... to someone. Ryan J. Greco is the Cranford chief of police. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. EDITORS NOTE: Entrepreneurs everywhere are eyeing the billion-dollar legal weed industry, an economic opportunity unrivaled in modern N.J. history. NJ Cannabis Insider features exclusive and premium weekly content geared toward those interested in the marijuana industry. View a sample issue. As New Jerseys lawmakers consider whether to legalize the use of recreational marijuana, its instructive to assess the benefits and be clear-eyed about the potential consequences. By Lewis Nelson As a physician and professor of emergency medicine, I have had a front-row seat to the effects of legalizing marijuana for medical use. Medical cannabis has been touted for a number of years as having benefits for the treatment of a variety of common medical problems. Over time, its healthcare-related uses have proliferated. But the reality is that there remain inadequate data to support the use of cannabis to treat any of the medical conditions it is supposed to help. Its true that medical marijuana presents fewer problems than some of the other medications we use for chronic pain, such as opioids. Were we able to fully replace opioids with cannabis, it is undoubtedly true that death rates would fall. However, the more likely eventuality is that some patients will add cannabis along with the opioids they take for pain. The result would certainly be more not fewer consequences. If theres little proven benefit to a medication, then even a low level of recognized risk is too great. The bar to prove effectiveness over harm has not been exceeded for medical marijuana. This is concerning since recommending it for medical indications adds the imprimatur of medical balance when there is none. Theres a similar imbalance when it comes to legalizing recreational marijuana. The potential cost to unleashing it into society is likely higher than many recognize, and it is not clear if this risk is worth whatever benefit legalization brings. Many argue it will reduce harm, be made safe through regulation, and impart societal benefit through tax collection. The social justice implications are unquestionable but can be addressed through decriminalization, in which it would be legal to possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use but not sell it, rather than full legalization. Undoubtedly, legalization will create new social consequences as marijuana consumption becomes more widespread, a concern particularly for children. This is a societal decision that needs to be made very deliberately. Some argue that cannabis should be legal because it is no more hazardous or even less so than alcohol. But this is a straw man fallacy. We dont see marijuana currently having nearly the societal impact of alcohol because marijuanas illegality deters many from using it. While it is true that death from cannabis overdose is exceedingly rare, we have seen an uptick in adverse effects as medical and adult-use cannabis has expanded, most notably in psychological and psychiatric conditions. Chronic use can cause cannabis use disorder, which has life-altering consequences, impairing cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal functioning. But with legalization, New Jersey residents will begin consuming cannabis at higher rates, in larger amounts, and in higher concentrations. This is a grand public health experiment, and we should be very clear we understand the implications before we let the genie out of the bottle. Lewis Nelson, M.D. is professor of emergency medicine and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, as well as a medical toxicologist and addiction medicine specialist. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Each year, millions of Americans with disabilities and their families rely on public benefits to help provide for income, health care, food and housing assistance. Since eligibility for assistance through Supplemental Security Income, SNAP and Medicaid is based upon a resource test, disabled individuals seeking benefits are typically limited to no more than $2,000 in savings or assets. In recognition of the significant costs associated with living with a disability, the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act provided a mechanism to create a tax-advantaged savings tool for individuals with disabilities and their families. When operated properly, this overlooked savings account may allow families to build a small nest egg without impacting eligibility for public benefits. What is an ABLE account and who is eligible? Designed to be a savings or investment account to supplement public benefits, an ABLE 529 A account can be a powerful strategy for individuals that previously were unable to build supplemental funds outside of a trust for their needs. According to Ira M. Fingles, a partner with the NJ law firm Hinkle, Fingles, Prior, and Fischer, which exclusively represents people with disabilities and their families, Before ABLE accounts were available, a lot of people with disabilities were forced to curtail the amount they worked or saved so that they didnt accumulate more than $2,000, in which case they would lose their SSI benefits, and most likely their Medicaid eligibility, eligibility for services from the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities, and possibly others. An ABLE account is funded with after-tax contributions that can grow tax-free when used for a qualified disability expense. The account owner is also the beneficiary and contributions can be made from any person including the account beneficiary, friends and family. According to www.ablerc.org, the ABLE Act limits eligibility to individuals with significant disabilities with an age of onset of disability before turning 26 years of age. Keep in mind, you could be over the age of 26, but must have had an age of onset before the individuals 26th birthday. Contributions are limited to $15,000 per year and since this is a sister of the 529 plan for education, the total contribution limit is based upon the individual states limit for 529 plans. Individuals can have up to $100,000 in an ABLE account without impacting eligibility for SSI. The first $100,000 does not count toward the $2,000 resource restriction. When ABLE account values grow beyond $100,000, SSI benefits are generally suspended until the account falls back below the $100,000 threshold. While having greater than $100,000 in an ABLE account can jeopardize SSI, this will not impact eligibility for medical assistance through Medicaid. Which plan to select? ABLE accounts are administered by States and you are not necessarily forced to open an account in your state of residency. This means that you can use any state program that accepts out of state residents. There are over 40 ABLE programs nationwide and some states such as Florida only accept in-state residents. Just like selecting the right 529 plan, choosing an ABLE account is based upon an assessment of the investment choices, fees and any state level income tax benefits that may apply. Most state plans use a combination of mutual funds to create portfolios with varying degrees of risk and volatility, providing options for both conservative investors with shorter time horizons and more aggressive investors that have longer time horizons. Fees can vary greatly depending on the plan so be sure to carefully review plan disclosures and prospectuses. ABLE accounts can pair well with Special Needs Trusts One of the most common questions that arises is whether to use an ABLE account or a Special Needs Trust for planning purposes. Fingles notes, ABLE accounts can serve many useful purposes, but they are subject to certain limitations that make it impossible, or at least ill advised, to use them instead of a Special Needs Trust. "ABLE accounts can only receive $15,000 in deposits each year while in most cases, Special Needs Trusts can receive much larger contributions in a year once they are funded. This becomes especially important for parents that wish to leave more substantial assets to their child when they pass away but do not want to jeopardize the childs eligibility for critical services. In this case, a Special Needs Trust may be more appropriate. Fingles adds, It is essential that those who are considering ABLE accounts understand that when the beneficiary of the ABLE account passes away, any remaining funds in the account are typically paid back to the State to reimburse it for the costs of providing services during the beneficiarys life. This isnt true of properly drafted Special Needs Trusts that are part of an appropriate estate plan for the family. While there are pros and cons to both ABLE accounts and Special Needs Trusts, try to avoid viewing these options as mutually exclusive. Instead, families may want to consider pairing an ABLE account with a Special Needs Trust as this is an approach that can work well for many individuals and their families. Additional considerations for Special Needs Trusts It is also critical for families to understand that they must follow through with their special needs plan. For example, once the Special Needs Trust is established, it is important to review and modify the beneficiary designations on life insurance policies and retirement accounts so that any funds intended to benefit the person with disabilities are directed into the Special Needs Trust and are not inherited directly which, in turn, could jeopardize their ability to receive future public benefits. New for 2019 ABLE account owners who work, and do not have an employer-sponsored retirement account, may save up to $12,140 in additional savings from their earnings. Special Needs Planning is a critical process for helping to address the needs of loved ones both today and in the future. Since everyones situation is unique, consider speaking to an attorney and financial adviser that specialize in Special Needs Planning to determine the most appropriate approach for you. All investing involves risk and be sure to consider whether your state offers an ABLE program that offers residents favorable tax benefits. Kurt J. Rossi, MBA, CFP, CRPC, AIF is a Certified Financial Planner, Practitioner and Wealth Advisor. He can be reached for questions at 732-280-7550, kurt.rossi@Independentwm.com,www.bringyourfinancestolife.com or www.Independentwm.com. LPL Financial Member FINRA/SIPC. NJ Transit and PATH may not get a piece of New York Citys congestion pricing pie, said toll experts debating that plan on Friday, because they believe not many Jersey drivers will ditch their cars and get on a crowded train or bus. That is, if drivers get credit for tolls paid at the three Port Authority Hudson River crossings toward a congestion pricing fee to be charged for traffic traveling below 60th Street in Manhattan, starting in 2021. Experts, speaking at Fridays debate before a standing room only crowd at a Regional Plan Associations congestion pricing forum, said they dont believe enough New Jersey commuters will switch from cars and force NJ Transit and PATH to add service. A preliminary plan called for credits given for Holland and Lincoln Tunnel tolls because both end in the congestion pricing zone, below 60th Street in Manhattan. Whether credit will be given for George Washington Bridge tolls has to be decided by a panel that will also rule on other exemptions to the fee and how it will be implemented. The plan could raise $1 billion annually for New York City transit improvements and expansion If proper toll credits are put in place, New Jersey residents stand to benefit from the same reduction in congestion and transit improvements in Manhattan, said Kate Slevin, RPA senior vice president of state programs and advocacy. Prior plans gave toll credits, so if you drive in the (congestion pricing) zone, you only pay once. Slevin said GWB toll credits should be discussed. Without toll credits, Gov. Phil Murphy called congestion pricing a double tax on commuters. He wants a share of congestion pricing revenues to benefit NJ Transit and PATH to help them handle added passengers who could switch to transit once a congestion pricing plan takes effect. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Murphy discussed congestion pricing on Wednesday. Politically, I think that will be difficult to get money from congestion pricing put in to NJ Transit and PATH, Slevin said, adding the bigger discussion should be how to increase investment in both transit systems. Ultimately it could be up to the two governors. It is a state-to-state dialogue. There will be a lot of discussion and I think discussions will happen at the highest levels, said Polly Trottenberg, New York City transportation commissioner. We have a 20-month process. Currently, congestion pricing calls for 80 percent of revenues to be allocated for subway improvements, 10 percent to the Long Island rail Road and 10 percent for Metro North. None of the five panelists, including a New York State Assemblyman, commented about what needs to be done to add NJ Transit and PATH into that formula. During the panel, Trottenberg cautioned about giving too many exemptions to congestion pricing fees, based on what happened in European cities using it. One lesson from London is be careful of exemptions given out, (so as) not to erode revenue for transit, she said. Some legislative swords were rattled earlier this week over sharing revenues and getting toll credits for George Washington Bridge tolls. Two New Jersey congressmen said they plan to introduce legislation that would cut off federal transportation funding for New York, unless officials negotiate with their counterparts in New Jersey about sharing congestion pricing revenue. A bill could be introduced as soon as next week. Among the preparations for congestion pricing, the MTA and the city DOT will conduct studies of trans-Hudson River traffic volume before congestion pricing takes effect in 2021. Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. 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 New Orleans man pleaded guilty Thursday (April 18) in an August 2017 armed robbery at a bank in Hammond, federal court records show. Aaron Rudolph, 26, was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank robbery as part of a plea agreement. He and another man, 46-year-old John Rudolph, were originally charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit bank robbery, bank robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Court documents do not indicate whether the two men are related. The Hammond robbery occurred about 11:15 a.m. Aug. 15, 2017, at First Bank and Trust, 1320 S. Morrison Blvd. According to Aaron Rudolphs plea agreement, he and John Rudolph walked into the bank and each talked with the teller. John Rudolph asked for the location of the restroom and then walked in that direction. Aaron Rudolph asked about opening an account and was told to wait for another bank employee. John Rudolph then returned from the restroom area and approached the teller again, this time placing a gun on the counter and demanding money, court documents state. Aaron Rudolph joined John Rudolph at the counter, and the teller handed over about $10,490, along with dye packs, according to court documents. The men told the teller not to press the alarm button and instructed her to go to the restroom and lock the door, which she did. Witnesses in the banks drive-through saw the two men run from the bank, a pink puff of smoke trailing one of them, court records state. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Surveillance video from a nearby office showed the two men entering a light-colored vehicle parked at the corner of Robin Avenue and Derek Drive. Footage also showed a silver-colored Hyundai in the area of the bank around 11:30 a.m. on the day of the bank robbery. The vehicle was registered to Aaron Rudolphs significant other, K.M., who was in the hospital at the time. The two men picked up K.M. from the hospital and went to a hotel, where they took out the dye-stained money and discussed how to clean it, according to the plea agreement, which was signed by Aaron Rudolph, his public defender Michael Boleware and federal prosecutor Maria M. Carboni. Aaron Rudolph was arrested Sept. 7, 2017. A few days later, FBI agents searched a car that Aaron Rudolph had rented a few days after the Hammond bank robbery. Inside, they found a key fob for K.M.s vehicle and a pair of gray sweatpants that looked like those worn by one of the robbers, court records show. Aaron Rudolph has also pleaded guilty to an Aug. 16, 2017, bank robbery in Long Beach, Mississippi, federal prosecutors said in a news release. In late September 2017, Samuel Scillitani Jr., the federal public defender appointed to represent John Rudolph, requested a competency hearing for his client. In February 2018, a federal judge ordered John Rudolph committed to a federal medical center after an evaluation determined he was incompetent to proceed in court. Aaron Rudolph is scheduled for sentencing July 25 before U.S. District Court Judge Barry Ashe. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, prosecutors said. A booking photo of Aaron Rudolph was not available Friday night. Laura McKnight covers crime and breaking news for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Sophie B. Wright Charter School has the highest number of expulsion recommendations among the 79 schools within the Orleans Parish School Boards oversight, according to the board. The charter school has recommended 78 students for expulsion hearings so far this school year to the OPSBs Student Hearing Office, OPSB spokeswoman Ambria Washington said Thursday afternoon (April 18). The information comes as parents, education advocates and lawmakers question Wrights discipline policies after the school suspended approximately 30 students for their involvement in a senior prank earlier this month. School officials said students used water guns, eggs, vinegar, mustard and water balloons on the Wright campus as part of an April 5 prank. Principal Sharon Clark said water on the first and third floors caused two teachers and a student to slip. Sophie B. Wright school retroactively lifts suspension of students after prank School officials have said the students were warned multiple times beforehand not to participate in the prank. Those students had their senior privileges revoked, including walking for graduation, senior prom, senior picnic and activities on their last day of school. Wright has since rescinded the suspensions, but the revocation of privileges still stands. New Orleans public schools can submit expulsion recommendations to OPSBs Student Hearing Office, but Washington stressed that not all cases are proven guilty or result in student removal. Of Wrights 78 recommendations, Washington said 21 resulted in students being taken out of school. Enrollment data from the Louisiana Department of Education shows Wright enrolls 530 students at 1426 Napoleon Ave. in Uptown New Orleans. Its 78 expulsion recommendations would account for almost 15% of the student has been recommended for expulsion or disciplinary conferences, according to Nuestra Voz (Our Voice), an educational equality advocacy group that has criticized Wrights discipline practices. Instead of obsessing over the harsh punishment of Black children, the school should use this opportunity for child development and restorative practices, Nuestra Voz said in a news release Thursday. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Nuestra Voz stated Wrights disciplinary practices resemble those used in the criminal justice system to perpetuate the school-to-prison pipeline. Mary Moran, Nuestra Voz executive director, has claimed Wright has some of the citys highest rates for expulsion and school-based arrests. Overall, New Orleans has an expulsion rate of less than 1%, according to state data. Washington said Wright has had only one school-based arrest this school year. The OPSB typically runs a data analysis on all school expulsions and arrests on campus at the end of the academic year, she added. Wright school attorney Tracie Washington since last week has stressed senior activities are a privilege. In response to a small protest held outside of Wright on Wednesday, Washington said most parents with children at the school are focusing on their students education, saying this matter has been resolved. Washington also pointed out state data that shows 98% of all Wright students were not suspended last school year. The school system average in New Orleans is 89% and the statewide average is 92%. Wrights discipline practices have attracted the attention of local politicians. New Orleans City Council members Jason Williams and Helena Moreno asked the school to have the students involved in the prank volunteer their time to nonprofits rather than denying them the monumental moment of a graduation ceremony. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrells Office of Youth & Families said in a statement the administration was glad to see Wright rescinded the suspensions. New Orleans Council members address senior prank discipline at Sophie B. Wright school Wilborn P. Nobles III is an education reporter based in New Orleans. He can be reached at wnobles@nola.com or on Twitter at @WilNobles. 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 North Augusta, SC (29841) Today Heavy rain to start, then showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Heavy rain to start, then showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Want climate news in your inbox? Sign up here for Climate Fwd:, our email newsletter. WASHINGTON A federal judge late Friday delivered a significant setback to the Trump administrations policy of promoting coal, ruling that the Interior Department acted illegally when it sought to lift an Obama-era moratorium on coal mining on public lands. The decision, by Judge Brian Morris of the United States District Court of the District of Montana, does not reinstate President Barack Obamas 2016 freeze on new coal mining leases on public lands. That policy was part of an effort by the Obama administration to curtail the burning of coal, a major producer of greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. But the court ruling does say that the 2017 Trump administration policy, enacted by former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, to overturn Mr. Obamas coal mining ban did not include adequate studies of the environmental effects of the mining, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970, or NEPA, one of the nations bedrock environmental laws. Federal Defendants decision not to initiate the NEPA process proves arbitrary and capricious, Judge Morris wrote. Jerrie Cobb was as qualified as any man to be an astronaut. A seasoned pilot, she held world records for speed, altitude and distance. She had undergone rigorous physical and psychological examinations and emerged in the top 2 percent of all those mostly men who were tested. But in 1961, as she seemed on the verge of becoming the nations first female astronaut, the door was slammed shut. Right Stuff, Wrong Sex was the title of a 2005 book about her plight and that of a dozen other women, all pilots, who had also passed the required tests but were barred from the elite astronaut corps. Ms. Cobb, who died on March 18 at her home in Florida at 88, would fight her exclusion for years to come. Thats exactly right. And its why an investigation by a partisan-controlled House or Senate committee would never have sufficed, either for the purposes of establishing the facts or affording the president the vindication he now claims. Would, say, the Nunes Report have convinced anyone who wasnt already planning to vote for Trump that no collusion had taken place? Would a decision by the president to fire Mueller in 2017 as he very nearly did have allayed suspicions, much less put the matter behind us? Only Mueller, with his reputation for probity and credibility among Democrats, could have prevented the collusion narrative from achieving the status of unshakable faith among millions of Americans, akin to the false Bush lied, people died narrative that still dogs the 43rd president. That required the no-stone-left-unturned approach manifest in the long investigation and 448-page report. Anything else would have been dismissed as a whitewash. So why arent conservatives grateful? From the beginning of the investigation, conservatives have been invested in a counter-narrative that is as flawed as the collusion narrative itself. This has various elements, from Trumps repeated attempts to cast doubt on Russian interference, to the belief that the investigation had its genesis in Christopher Steeles salacious dossier, to the equally spurious idea that there can be no obstruction of justice without an underlying crime a point that ought to be obvious to anyone who supported impeaching Bill Clinton for lying under oath about a non-criminal act. Most absurd: The claim, repeated Thursday by Attorney General William Barr, that the White House fully cooperated with the investigation. For more on that, read the part of the report where then-White House counsel Don McGahn opted to quit instead of participating in the firing of Mueller. He called his lawyer, drove to the White House, packed up his office, prepared to submit a resignation letter with his chief of staff, told [Reince] Priebus that the President had asked him to do crazy shit, and informed Priebus and [Steve] Bannon that he was leaving. The earliest interference described in the report was a social media campaign intended to fan social rifts in the United States, carried out by an outfit funded by an oligarch known as Putins chef for the feasts he catered. Called the Internet Research Agency, the unit actually sent agents to the United States to gather information at one point. What the unit called information warfare evolved by 2016 into an operation targeted at favoring Mr. Trump and disparaging Mrs. Clinton. This included posing as American people or grass-roots organizations such as the Tea Party, anti-immigration groups, Black Lives Matter and others to buy political ads or organize political rallies. At the same time, the report said, the cyberwarfare arm of the Russian armys intelligence service opened another front, hacking the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee and releasing reams of damaging materials through the front groups DCLeaks and Guccifer 2.0, and later through WikiLeaks. The releases were carefully timed for impact emails stolen from the Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, for example, were released less than an hour after the Access Hollywood tape damaging to Mr. Trump came out. All this activity, the report said, was accompanied by the well documented efforts to contact the Trump campaign through business connections, offers of assistance to the campaign, invitations for Mr. Trump to meet Mr. Putin and plans for improved American-Russian relations. Both sides saw potential gains, the report said Russia in a Trump presidency, the campaign from the stolen information. The Times documented 140 contacts between Mr. Trump and his associates and Russian nationals and WikiLeaks or their intermediaries. But the Mueller investigation did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities. That is the part Mr. Trump sees as vindication, though the activities of his chaotic campaign team that the report describes are at best naive. It is obviously difficult for this president to acknowledge that he was aided in his election by Russia, and there is no way to gauge with any certainty how much impact the Russian activities actually had on voters. But the real danger that the Mueller report reveals is not of a president who knowingly or unknowingly let a hostile power do dirty tricks on his behalf, but of a president who refuses to see that he has been used to damage American democracy and national security. WASHINGTON President Trumps lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, attacked the credibility of a former White House counsel on Friday, saying his account of how Mr. Trump told him to remove the special counsel was inaccurate. Mr. Giulianis statement was the most extensive pushback by the presidents lawyers against the former counsel, Donald F. McGahn II, who cooperated extensively with the special counsels investigators. The report detailing the findings of the investigation, released on Thursday, also included several damning examples of how Mr. Trump tried to interfere with the investigation, like Mr. McGahns account. It cant be taken at face value, Mr. Giuliani said in an interview. It could be the product of an inaccurate recollection or could be the product of something else. Mr. McGahns lawyer, William A. Burck, pushed back on Mr. Giulianis attack. Its a mystery why Rudy Giuliani feels the need to relitigate incidents the attorney general and deputy attorney general have concluded were not obstruction, Mr. Burck said. But they are accurately described in the report. Attorney General Sessions carrying a resignation letter with him each time he had a meeting at the White House is a vivid reflection of the dysfunctional and unprecedented approach this president has taken towards the Department of Justice and federal law enforcement, said Matthew S. Axelrod, a partner at Linklaters and a former Justice Department official and prosecutor under Mr. Bush and President Barack Obama. Mr. Sessions resisted multiple entreaties to reverse his recusal so he could oversee and curtail the Mueller inquiry; by the time the criminal investigation of him ended in March 2018, he could do little to get back in the presidents graces. Mr. Rosenstein, whose office received briefings every other week on the progress of the investigation, would have glimpsed the gravity of the situation as the special counsel interviewed witnesses. He was also in the unusual position of being a witness himself in the investigation that he oversaw. Critics have said that role should have prompted Mr. Rosenstein to recuse himself from the inquiry, but top ethics lawyers at the Justice Department cleared him to oversee the special counsel, a department spokeswoman said. She added that the special counsels office never asked about or questioned that decision. After Mr. Trump fired Mr. Comey as the director of the F.B.I., setting off a storm of criticism, he asked Mr. Rosenstein to give a news conference and say that the firing had been his idea. Mr. Rosenstein warned the president that the news conference was a bad idea because if the press asked him, he would tell the truth, Mr. Muellers investigators wrote. Mr. Sessions told White House lawyers that Mr. Rosenstein was upset about being used as a pretext for the ouster, and both officials told Donald F. McGahn II, then the White House counsel, that Mr. Trump was spinning a false narrative about Mr. Rosensteins role in the termination. Mr. Rosenstein proved to be deeply rattled during the chaotic days after Mr. Comeys firing. He discussed the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Mr. Trump as president and suggested that he secretly record Mr. Trump in the Oval Office, according to people briefed on the events. Mr. Rosenstein has denied their accounts. While Mr. Trump had initially greeted the report as an exoneration, he spent at least part of the day in Florida stewing about disloyal aides who talked with investigators and sounded more defensive than celebratory. He expressed particular unhappiness over the reports inclusion of granular accounts of his efforts to derail the investigation based on F.B.I. interviews and notes of his own advisers. Statements are made about me by certain people in the Crazy Mueller Report, in itself written by 18 Angry Democrat Trump Haters, which are fabricated & totally untrue, Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter. Watch out for people that take so-called notes, when the notes never existed until needed. Because I never agreed to testify, it was not necessary for me to respond to statements made in the Report about me, some of which are total bullshit & only given to make the other person look good (or me to look bad), he went on. This was an Illegally Started Hoax that never should have happened, a At that point he stopped and did not finish the thought until eight hours later: big, fat waste of time, energy and money. He went on to vow to go after his pursuers, whom he called some very sick and dangerous people who have committed very serious crimes, perhaps even Spying or Treason. The mention of notes appeared to refer to his former White House counsel, Donald F. McGahn II, who told investigators that the president pressed him to have Mr. Mueller fired and complained when he took notes. Mr. Trumps lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, challenged the credibility of Mr. McGahns account later on Friday. It cant be taken at face value, he said in an interview. It could be the product of an inaccurate recollection or could be the product of something else. When Senate Democrats asked Mr. Barr in a budget hearing this month whether Mr. Mueller was indeed leading what Mr. Trump has called a witch hunt, Mr. Barr demurred. If you are somebody whos being falsely accused of something, you would tend to view the investigation as a witch hunt, he said. What Barr did was try to take advantage of knowing that Mueller was playing things square and by the book, said Joyce Vance, a former United States attorney in Alabama. Mueller did things the right way, and there is undoubtedly a cost for that. Ms. Vance said that during the Watergate investigation, younger prosecutors on the team were encouraged to give interviews to help engender the publics faith in the inquiry. Mr. Mueller was strict about his prosecutors not speaking, his lawyers careful not to say anything about the investigation when approached by reporters. Mr. Muellers instincts were a departure from those of Ken Starr, the independent counsel who investigated President Bill Clinton. Mr. Starr gave interviews and speeches while prosecuting the case, once holding an impromptu news conference in his front yard to defend the scope and speed of his investigation and compare himself to Sgt. Joe Friday from the television series Dragnet. Mr. Mueller stayed silent, growing into an almost mythological figure in Washington, as a public hungry for clues about his investigation scrutinized his body language and documented chance sightings. Photographers gathered last week outside a restaurant he frequented during the investigation. His patronage recently revealed, he never showed. The report itself dense in both language and layout reflected Mr. Muellers caution and stood in contrast to Mr. Starrs more conversational and discursive style. The section on episodes of possible obstruction unfolds in devastating chronological detail but avoids commenting on the powerful political context. Lofty prose is not his thing, said Glenn Kirschner, who worked for Mr. Mueller in the homicide unit of the United States attorneys office in Washington. Its going to be almost terse. Federal officials charged a Florida man on Friday with leaving threatening phone messages laced with racist slurs at the offices of Senator Cory Booker and two House members, including Representative Rashida Tlaib. The man, John J. Kless, 49, made three phone calls within 30 minutes, starting at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, according to court records. Mr. Kless, of Tamarac, Fla., about 15 miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale, was charged with interstate transmission of threats, according to court papers. In the first call, to the office of Representative Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat who is running for president, Mr. Kless said that the day you come after our guns would be the day youll be dead, court papers said. About nine minutes later, in a voice mail message to the office of Ms. Tlaib, Democrat of Michigan, he began with, Hey, Taliban. Mr. Kless, referring to Representative Ilhan Omar, the freshman Democrat from Minnesota and one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress, then said, Tell your Taliban friend to stay silent about the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, court records said. The fire that ravaged Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris on Monday left a scarred skyline that one of the French capitals most iconic structures has graced for centuries. Gone is the cathedrals soaring, delicate 300-foot spire, which collapsed in the flames. The cathedrals wooden roof is now blackened and charred. In the aftermath of the fire, a reckoning has begun into the cause of the blaze and how it could have spread so quickly through the historic building. Here is a guide to some of our coverage of the devastating blaze. Planners Underestimated the Risk And what is that life? When Forche confronts him about his rumored ties to the C.I.A., he responds indignantly: Do I work for those sons of bitches? What do you think? Gomez sets up meetings for Forche with Salvadoran military officers who seem to believe she may be connected to the American government and have a message to convey about the bothersome new human rights policy. I didnt understand what was happening, why we were driving all over the country, stopping here and there to talk to people, all kinds of people. I would be introduced as a poet from the United States, or else nothing would be said about who I was, to the point of awkwardness. A visit to a village with no running water or electricity, talking by the light of a cook fire, is followed by one to the elegant home of a coffee farmer, where on the terrace she talks to the lady of the house about her children, away at school in Switzerland or the United States. What You Have Heard Is True is not just an account of a young womans encounter with horrific human suffering and resistance in a foreign country, and her resulting political awakening; even in the hands of a poet who writes prose as beautifully and powerfully as Forche does, that would be a familiar story. The memoir is also a portrait of Gomez, a singular dynamo, and of their complex relationship. Early on, he is the unquestioned mentor. But this is not a Pygmalion story, or one about a student who rebels against her teacher. They are clearly fascinated by each other; there is romantic tension in their banter, some of it charged with a grim humor. Gomez puts Forche in difficult positions, even in danger. When he takes her to meet with a powerful general, she protests: But you used me, and I dont even know for what. He responds: I did not use you, I gave you a rare opportunity. You are now a mysterious person of some importance, and that might save your life. Forche has to learn to negotiate Gomezs occasional paternalism. Yet he is always urging her to be independent too to make your own decisions. She forms friendships with women who say: Please dont tell anyone where I live. Dont tell anyone that you know me. They, too, repeatedly urge Forche to become her own person. These women a nun, a doctor who treats the poor, a woman who entertains death-squad assassins in her living room while Forche and another woman hide upstairs lead her deeper into the countrys harsh realities; it is with her female friends that she has two terrifying near escapes from death squads. Ryan hits his stride once he reaches the late 19th century, however, and by Chapter 2 the book has become an entertaining and insightful chronicle, building on earlier histories by George Chauncey, Sherill Tippins and Charles Kaiser, among others, and enhanced by original research in newspaper archives, unpublished letters and collections of ephemera. Image Ryans central thesis is that the old queer Brooklyn had a distinct economic basis: the waterfront. Early queer life flourished where there were jobs queer people could have, he explains. From the 1840s, when Brooklyns docks began to take on the excess shipping business that Manhattans could no longer handle, until 1966, when the Brooklyn Navy Yard was shut down, the jobs of sailor, artist, sex worker, entertainer and female factory worker, Ryan argues, were abundant enough to support a queer community. Almost all the Brooklynites he writes about had such jobs, located along or near the shore in bourgeois-bohemian Brooklyn Heights, in working-class Coney Island and Red Hook, or on lumpenproletariat Sands Street near the Navy Yard. At the Gaiety Theater on Old Fulton Street, for example, the drag king Ella Wesner sang nightly in the 1880s of being a chap thats dead stuck on women and wine; her relationship with a fellow actress was described by one newspaper as an unnatural attachment and by another as singular. Elizabeth Trondle, arrested in a Brooklyn saloon in 1913 for cross-dressing, had been a sailor she had the tattoos to prove it and a letter she wrote to President Woodrow Wilson asking special permission to wear mens clothes was reprinted nationwide. Loop-the-Loop, documented in a 1917 case study, was a trans sex worker in Coney Island; she had named herself after one of its roller coasters. Want this column in your inbox? Sign up here. Need a break from the Mueller report? Or just want a quick rundown of the top headlines in business and tech, plus the big stories to watch in the week ahead? Catch up here. APRIL 14-20 Whats Up? Public Pinterest Pinterest Inc., the digital pinboard where you can collect pictures of the life you wish you led, is now providing a new type of inspiration with its highly successful initial public offering. It joined another tech company, Zoom Video Communications, in going public on Thursday, and both finished their first day of trading well above their initial valuations. This is heartening news in Silicon Valley, where a number of other corporations are poised for their own I.P.O.s this year. It also eased fears that the lackluster performance of the ride-hailing company Lyft, the first of its cohort to go public, had scared off would-be tech investors. But Pinterest and Zoom may turn the tide. Apple Rolls Over What forced Apple, one of the worlds biggest companies, to throw in the towel on a multiyear legal battle on Tuesday? Perhaps it had no other choice. The back story: Qualcomm, which holds the patent on the tiny chips that make your iPhone work, was charging royalties on nearly every smartphone sold. Apple objected and refused to pay while continuing to use the chips, so Qualcomm sued. Then, a plot twist: Just as the case went to court this week, Qualcomms rival Intel announced its exit from the chip-making business putting Apple in the awkward position of being totally dependent on Qualcomm for its 5G technology. It was a surprising turn of events (and a great one for Qualcomm), but more important: Whats the future of smartphones if Qualcomm has no competitors? [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] A man with an extensive criminal record was arrested on Sunday morning in connection with the gruesome killing of a woman in a Brooklyn public housing development that left another woman seriously injured. An ax covered in blood was recovered from a trash compactor in the housing development, the New York Police Department said, though it was not immediately clear if it was used in the attacks. Jerry Brown, 34, of Brooklyn, was charged with murder, attempted murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. A 21-year-old woman had called for an Uber outside the housing complex, the Bushwick Houses on Flushing Avenue, around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, the police said. The driver saw that she was bleeding heavily from cuts to her head and stomach and called 911. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] Some of the tallest residential buildings in the world soar above Central Park, including 432 Park Avenue, which rises 1,400 feet and features an array of penthouses and apartments for the ultrarich. But 432 Park also has an increasingly common feature in these new towers: swaths of unoccupied space. About a quarter of its 88 floors will have no homes because they are filled with structural and mechanical equipment. The building and nearby towers are able to push high into the sky because of a loophole in the citys labyrinthine zoning laws. Floors reserved for structural and mechanical equipment, no matter how much, do not count against a buildings maximum size under the laws, so developers explicitly use them to make buildings far higher than would otherwise be permitted. The towers benefiting the most from the zoning quirk have all sprouted during the past half-decade: enormous glass and steel buildings with lavish condominiums that sell for millions of dollars. Many line the blocks around Central Park, some of the most expensive and coveted real estate in the city, and have become second homes for Chinese billionaires, European tycoons and out-of-state hedge fund investors. In the years that followed, climate policy became an afterthought, then a partisan issue, then a casualty of the Republican Partys delirious embrace of industry propaganda and self-delusion until now, when it has become a matter of life and death. Claudine Schneider recently told me that she was grateful to the Green New Deal for raising the level of dialogue. She is enthusiastic about the opportunity for the new House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis to hold public hearings, for the education not only of the public but also of members of Congress. The current Republicans, with their lies, denial of science, denial of the truth, do not deserve to be in office, she said. Pragmatism has to be the guiding light. When it comes to climate, the only pragmatic choice for the nations economy and the planet is to act now. Timothy Wirth shares her enthusiasm about the Green New Deal. The turning point in the public conversation, Mr. Wirth believes, came after the midterm election when students from the Sunrise Movement staged a protest in Nancy Pelosis office to demand a Green New Deal. Ms. Ocasio-Cortez joined them, giving a passionate speech in their defense. That was the catalytic moment, Mr. Wirth told me. It changed the emotion. It made you think, Wow, were going to do this. It made you think that this time was different. This time is different. The Green New Deal, and the youth movement that helped produce it, has absorbed a critical lesson from the past 40 years of failed efforts to advance climate policy. Until now, activists and politicians have offered, over and over again, versions of the same argument: The science is clear; we know what we have to do; the longer we wait, the worse it will be for us; its foolish not to act. You can find this argument in a 1979 report sent to President Jimmy Carter by four of the nations pre-eminent earth scientists warning that the disruptions from climate change are sufficiently great to warrant the incorporation of the CO problem into all considerations of energy policy ; in the 1988 congressional hearing when Gus Speth, president of the World Resources Institute, said that responsible leaders have no choice but to treat this threat as a real one, as an urgent threat, as one requiring serious responses, serious policy changes, and changes not in the distant future but in the near term; and in 2006, in An Inconvenient Truth, when Al Gore wrote that unless we take quick action the consequences for our planetary home could become irreversible. Born in Terre Haute, Ind., in 1855 and raised by freethinking French immigrant parents, Debs belonged to no church, and espoused no formal religious convictions. But he was intimately familiar with Scripture, and comfortable speaking in the idiom of Midwestern American Protestantism. The man of Galilee, he told the crowd in Canton, as frowning federal agents on the scene scribbled down his words, the carpenter, the working man who became the revolutionary agitator of his day, soon found himself to be an undesirable citizen in the eyes of the ruling knaves and they had him crucified. Debs devoted just one paragraph of his lengthy Canton address to expressing the Socialist Partys traditional opposition to war: The master class has always declared the wars, he noted, while the subject class has always fought the battles. But that was enough under the Espionage Act to bring his swift indictment and conviction. (The Espionage Act remains on the books a century later.) Few of Debss acquaintances from his early days in Terre Haute could have predicted that he would someday face the grim prospect of spending his last years as a political prisoner. Before he turned 15, eager to contribute to his familys uncertain finances, Debs dropped out of school and went to work in the local railroad yards. But he did not remain a manual laborer long. By the time he was 25, he was editor of the national magazine of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, then an important union of skilled railroad workers. By 30 he had won election as a Democrat to the Indiana Legislature. Given his intelligence and eloquence, his future seemed unbounded. Debss views in those early Indiana days were those of a fairly conservative craft unionist, anchored in a vision of promoting social harmony between labor and capital. But by the early 1890s he had come to feel that craft unionism, which focused exclusively on the organization of skilled workers like the locomotive firemen (almost entirely white, native-born and male) was a dead end for the labor movement. The Constitution calls for an actual Enumeration of each states population every 10 years, and since 1790, Congress has enacted legislation to fulfill that mandate. The decennial count, managed at the United States Census Bureau, aims to fulfill that constitutional requirement. Next week , in what promises to be the highest-profile case of this Supreme Court term, the court will consider whether the Trump administration complied with these dictates when it sought to add to the 2020 census a question about whether the respondent is a United States citizen. At the heart of the dispute lies the question: Who gets to be counted? Federal law protects the privacy of everyone who responds to the census. But thats small comfort for immigrants and their families living in a climate of fear under President Trump. Bureau officials have for decades recognized that communities with significant immigrant populations are likely to be undercounted if there is a citizenship question on the census. The 2020 count is no exception. Three federal judges in New York, California and Maryland have held trials and ruled that Wilbur Ross, the commerce secretary, who oversees the Census bureau, violated the law when he ignored available data and ordered the agency to move ahead with the citizenship question. What about other miracles of the New Testament? Say, the virgin birth? I find the virgin birth a bizarre claim. It has nothing to do with Jesus message. The virgin birth only becomes important if you have a theology in which sexuality is considered sinful. It also promotes this notion that the pure, untouched female body is the best body, and that idea has led to centuries of oppressing women. Prayer is efficacious in the sense of making us feel better, but do you believe it is efficacious in curing cancer? I dont believe in a God who, because of prayer, would decide to cure your mothers cancer but not cure the mother of your nonpraying neighbor. We cant manipulate God like that. What happens when we die? I dont know! There may be something, there may be nothing. My faith is not tied to some divine promise about the afterlife. People who behave well in this life only to achieve an afterlife, thats a faith driven by a selfish motive: Im going to be good so God would reward me with a stick of candy called heaven? For me, living a life of love is driven by the simple fact that love is true. And Im absolutely certain that when we die, there is not a group of designated bad people sent to burn in hell. That does not exist. But hell has a symbolic reality: When we reject love, we create hell, and hell is what we see around us in this world today in so many forms. Ive asked this of other interviewees in this religion series: For someone like myself who is drawn to Jesus teaching but doesnt believe in the virgin birth or the physical resurrection, what am I? Am I a Christian? Well, you sound an awful lot like me, and Im a Christian minister. I often feel like we are in the middle of another reformation in a 500-year cycle. John Calvin and Martin Luther had no idea they were in the middle of a reformation, but they knew that church structures were breaking down, new forms of communication were emerging, new scientific discoveries were being made, new kinds of authorities and states and economic systems arising all like this moment in time. This creates a spiritual crisis and a spiritual flexibility. Christianity is at something of a turning point, but I think that this questioning and this reaching is even bigger than Christianity. It reaches into many religious traditions. This wrestling with climate change, and wrestling with the levels of violence in our world, wrestling with authoritarianism and the intractable character of gender oppression its forcing communities within all religions to say, Something is horribly wrong here. Its a spiritual crisis. Many nonreligious people feel it, too. We need a new way entirely to think about what it means to be a human being and what the purpose of our lives is. For me, this moment feels apocalyptic, as if something new is struggling to be born. LONDON Id been living here for a little more than a year when I finally went on a Jack the Ripper walking tour. My partners mother was in town, and a stroll past the old haunts of the still-unidentified murderer of at least five women in the East End of London in 1888 seemed like the kind of activity that would please a visiting parent with a taste for the macabre. I didnt really start to feel uneasy until we paused outside a pub called the Ten Bells, a place two of Jack the Rippers victims supposedly frequented. Decades ago, our guide informed us, the pub had sought to capitalize on its history by transforming into a Ripper-themed bar, complete with murder-spree-themed memorabilia and special drinks. He said this with a high-minded contempt that I found confusing. Did he really think we were doing something more morally defensible? By the time wed reached the last stop, it was clear that we werent. The juxtaposition of gratuitous gore and tour-guide patter finally became too much when, outside of a narrow alley, our guide passed around a photograph of the Rippers final victim, a woman named Mary Jane Kelly, taken by the police after her death. Her murder is unique, even among the Ripper killings, for its brutality; one by one, we studied her mutilated corpse, and I tried to forget that a few minutes before, the guide had made fun of her because after a brief stint in France, shed supposedly begun giving her name as Marie Jeanette. I remember him batting his eyelashes as he said it, delivering the name in a coquettish falsetto. There have long been efforts to try to change the way we talk about Jack the Ripper and how we treat his victims. Over the years, there have been various efforts at staging alternative Ripper tours, focused on the lives of the women he killed and not on the moments of their deaths. In 2015, there was an eruption of outrage after a museum that had pledged to dedicate itself to the history of women in the East End, formerly one of the poorest parts of the city, opened its doors as a Jack the Ripper museum instead. The publishing industry is full of literary agents searching for the next big thing. Here are some of their perfectly reasonable requests. Heres what Im currently looking for: Neil Gaiman, but a woman, and also not so tall. My taste is eclectic. Give me Toni Morrison meets Tiffany Haddish meets The Boxcar Children. Complete manuscripts only. I want a writer with a sensibility at the intersection of Shel Silverstein and Milo Yiannopoulos who can whip up a mean keto cookbook. Gosh, Id love to see a space epic written by a white cis male who believes that the Star Wars films have become too diverse. Theres a huge market for this. Steve Bannon, Wolffs most voluble source, came across as the smartest character in Fire and Fury. In the Mueller report a similar role is played by the former White House counsel Donald McGahn, who spoke at great length with investigators and ended up portrayed as the most effective of those save-him-from-himself advisers, using masterful inaction to frustrate Trumps desire to sack the special counsel. And just as Trump railed against Bannon after Wolffs book came out, he is now railing against McGahn, though in both cases it was his own decision (to allow Wolff White House access, to waive executive privilege and to allow aides to cooperate with Mueller) that made the revelations possible. More broadly, just as Wolffs unusual access ultimately produced a more dramatic version of a story that had already been told in piecemeal (and perhaps less fancifully) by White House reporters at the major newspapers, in the Mueller report we get a lot of confirmation of stories about White House dysfunction and dangerous presidential impulses that were published in, for instance, The New York Times. But at the same time, the Mueller report also reaches roughly the same conclusion about the Russia-collusion story that Fire and Fury offered. Wolff wrote that while there might have been side deals and freelance operations by campaign hangers-on, the idea of formal collusion and artful conspiracy seemed unlikely to everybody in the White House Bannons comment that the Trump campaign was not organized enough to collude with its own state organizations became everybodys favorite talking point not least because it was true. The disorganization point is key, because it is clear enough from events like the Trump Tower meeting that people around Trump were, shall we say, unencumbered by qualms about collusion. But the report makes the idea of an active, directed conspiracy of the sort popularized by the Steele dossier, various faulty news reports and deep-state experts and the Resistance industry seem as implausible as Wolffs White House sources insisted. Just to read the Mueller reports paragraphs on the change to the G.O.P. convention platform on Ukraine, long a minor locus of Putin-Trump quid pro quo conspiracy theorizing, is sufficient to recognize how much freelancing and chaos dominated the Trump campaign, and how little direction was offered from above. Meanwhile, many of the larger loci of conspiracy, the alleged Michael Cohen Prague trip, the alleged Paul Manafort visit to Julian Assange, the bank server supposedly communicating between Trump Tower and Moscow, simply evanesce under the reports scrutiny. Times Insider explains who we are and what we do, and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together. President Trump has spent the last two years denouncing the fake news media, and yet some of the key moments in Robert S. Mueller IIIs report were uncovered or bolstered through journalists investigative scrutiny. Moreover, in seeking to find out whether the president had obstructed justice, Mr. Mueller and his team looked to the administrations public and private responses to reports in the media. The Mueller report cites work from The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN and other news outlets dozens of times. Some of the stories published over the past two years were important turning points for the investigation. The report also reveals moments when the president and his aides rebutted stories they knew were true. Televised interviews figure prominently in the report as well. The presidents now-famous sit-down with Lester Holt on NBC Nightly News and Rudolph Giulianis discussions of pardons for Paul Manafort on CNN were crucial viewing for the Mueller investigative team. The report reveals a lot we didnt know about how the president and his aides responded to overtures from Russia and how they attempted to thwart investigations. But many of the bombshells in the document were first reported by the press. Below, weve rounded up a selection of stories from The New York Times and The Washington Post that shaped this investigation. Q: I live in a Little Italy rental building. My neighbor has taken in a city pigeon as a pet. I believe she ties down the birds foot with a piece of string attached to a metal rolling grocery cart. Aside from the harm she may cause the bird, couldnt a pigeon endanger the health of other tenants by, say, contaminating the water supply or spreading disease? Is such a pet safe or legal? A: Assuming the lease does not have a clause prohibiting birds, your neighbor can keep a pigeon, as the citys health code does not prohibit pigeons as pets. However, the states Department of Environmental Conservation strongly discourages the public from taking any animal from the wild and keeping it as a pet, and your neighbor would need to obtain a wildlife rehabilitator license from the state if the animal were injured and in need of long-term care. Your neighbors choice for a pet may not be ideal, but its unlikely to put your health at risk. Pigeons are often derided as rats with wings, largely because we mostly see them devouring our food scraps and flocking around dirty sidewalks. But they generally dont harm us. While large amounts of droppings like what you might find in a poorly maintained air shaft or rooftop may pose a moderate health risk, a lone pet pigeon will not endanger you, your neighbors or your water supply. People are way more likely to get sick from dogs, cats or even other people than they are from pigeons, said Elizabeth Young, the founder of Palomacy, a San Francisco pigeon rescue organization. Present your drivers license to be scanned and verified. Have your photograph taken. Pass your belongings through a metal detector. Welcome to your childs school. Twenty years after the Columbine High School shooting, a school visit can feel like going to the airport. See-through backpacks and armed officers are common sights on campus. So are run, hide, fight trainings, full of tips on how to survive an active shooter. Some days might bring lockdown drills that students are not told in advance are rehearsals, not real threats. And in rare cases, the adult teaching algebra or social studies might be armed. Hundreds of millions of public dollars have been spent hardening schools against every parents nightmare: something like the 1999 shooting in which two students killed 12 of their classmates and a teacher at a Colorado high school, and set off an enduring debate on gun violence and the safety of the nations schools. [Read the latest edition of Crossing the Border, a limited-run newsletter about life where the United States and Mexico meet. Sign up here to receive the next issue in your inbox.] ALBUQUERQUE The F.B.I. on Saturday arrested the leader of a right-wing militia that was detaining migrant families at gunpoint near the border in southern New Mexico, as the group faced a torrent of criticism for its tactics. Hector Balderas, New Mexicos attorney general, said federal agents had arrested the leader, Larry Mitchell Hopkins, who had been operating under the alias Johnny Horton Jr. Mr. Balderas said in a statement that Mr. Hopkins was arrested on charges of firearms possession by a felon. This is a dangerous felon who should not have weapons around children and families, Mr. Balderas said. Todays arrest by the F.B.I. indicates clearly that the rule of law should be in the hands of trained law enforcement officials, not armed vigilantes. WASHINGTON President Trump and Republicans in Congress say they are committed to protecting people with pre-existing medical conditions. But patients with cancer, diabetes and H.I.V., for example, would have significantly less protection under Republican proposals than under the Affordable Care Act. The proposals may provide some political cover for Republicans on an issue likely to figure prominently in the 2020 elections. But a close inspection of the Republican bills shows that their protections are undercut by a combination of imprecise language, explicit exceptions and rules of construction that explain how the legislation is to be interpreted. We will always be protecting pre-existing conditions, Mr. Trump said this past week in a visit to Minnesota, echoing a vow he has made at least 20 times in the past six months. Remember that. Thats No. 1. Very, very important. A recent bill, introduced by Senator Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina, and endorsed by 22 other Republican senators, would prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage because of a persons pre-existing conditions. During a face-to-face encounter, she said, prosecutors can refresh a witnesss memory by providing additional details or showing him documents. They can also come to a judgment based on body language. I have not dealt with a witness who has claimed not to remember facts as many times as Trump did, but it is impossible to read a witnesss mind to know whether he is telling the truth, she said. Trumps refusal to participate in an interview, she added, hampered Muellers investigation and contradicts the assertion by Attorney General William P. Barr that the president had cooperated fully. But it may have saved him from a worse outcome. Mr. Mueller began asking Mr. Trump for an interview in December 2017 only to be put off for months. The presidents lawyers opposed the idea, worried that Mr. Trump, who has a documented history of making untrue assertions publicly, would testify falsely and walk into what they deemed a perjury trap. Bowing to the demands of the presidents lawyers, Mr. Mueller agreed to submit written questions, and only about contacts with Russia before Mr. Trump took office, not about potential obstruction of justice once he entered the White House. When the answers came back in November, they were so incomplete or imprecise, the report said, that Mr. Mueller complained to the presidents legal team about the insufficiency of those responses. The answers Mr. Trump provided sounded more like lawyer speak than the blunt-talking presidents usual colorful language. They included phrases like named entities or individuals and tangible support and no meaningful relationship. It may be hard to imagine Mr. Trump saying or writing this: In the course of preparing to respond to your questions, I have become aware that the campaign documents already produced to you reflect the drafting, evolution and sources of information for the speech I expected to give probably on the Monday following my June 7, 2016, comments. But if his memory were hazy in many cases, it was crystal clear in at least one instance. Asked about a specific date that June, Mr. Trump noted that he had prevailed in Republican nomination contests in California, New Jersey, New Mexico, Montana and South Dakota that day. I remember winning those primaries, he wrote. WASHINGTON At 9:34 on the November morning after Donald J. Trump was elected president in 2016, Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russias sovereign wealth fund and an informal envoy for President Vladimir V. Putin, sent a text message to a Lebanese-American friend with ties to the Trump campaign. Mr. Dmitriev wanted to connect quickly with someone in Mr. Trumps inner circle, preferably Donald Trump Jr. or Jared Kushner. By the end of the month, he was in touch with Rick Gerson, a friend of Mr. Kushners who manages a New York hedge fund. The two discussed a potential joint investment venture. But the special counsels report released Thursday suggested that Mr. Dmitrievs real interest lay elsewhere: He had been instructed by Mr. Putin, he told Mr. Gerson, to come up with a plan for reconciliation between the United States and Russia. Mr. Dmitriev and Mr. Gerson worked together on a two-page proposal for how the nations could cooperate on a variety of fronts. That document, the report said, later made its way to Mr. Kushner, Rex W. Tillerson, the incoming secretary of state, and Stephen K. Bannon, Mr. Trumps chief strategist. Nothing came of the idea that the Russian sovereign fund would invest with Mr. Gerson. In Aurora, Mayor Irvin issued a letter criticizing Wayside Cross. Living near Mr. Kokoraleis, he wrote, was a risk the people of Aurora shouldnt have to take. He described the episode as absolutely a betrayal to the city, to our community, to the citizens. Legally, Mr. Kokoraleis can reside anywhere he can afford to, so long as he registers his presence with the authorities. As a convicted murderer, Mr. Kokoraleiss photo and address are listed on the Illinois sex offender registry website. But because he was not convicted of a sex crime, he is not prohibited from living within a certain distance of parks and schools. Though governments are limited in their authority to exclude residents, some have still tried. In California, officials have sought to build small parks so that sex offenders would not be allowed to live in certain neighborhoods. In Oklahoma, people with arrest records are sometimes excluded from public housing. And in South Dakota, police departments have worked with landlords, who have more discretion to reject tenants, to inform them of the criminal records of prospective renters. Mr. Kokoraleis, who completed his sentence and is not on parole, declined an interview request made through Mr. Lukose. In a post-release interview with The Aurora Beacon-News, Mr. Kokoraleis said he was committed to his Christian faith and wanted to improve himself, but he acknowledged that I do get angry at times. I want to just go on with my life and be left alone, he told the newspaper. Mr. Lukose said he sympathized with the mayors concerns, but he felt strongly that offering Mr. Kokoraleis shelter was the right thing to do. He cited Jesus teachings about loving ones neighbor, even when doing so is uncomfortable. And he suggested that having Mr. Kokoraleis in a relatively structured environment at Waysides facility was far preferable to the prospect of him wandering the streets unsupervised. We believe in the power of the gospel in transforming any human being, said Mr. Lukose, who said he had spent time studying the Bible with Mr. Kokoraleis and believed he was sincere in his desire to reform himself. Mr. Lukose added: I never thought that by doing right we would be suffering this. Just over a year ago, Congolese troops found a book written in Arabic on the body of an enemy combatant. The book was from the Islamic States Research and Studies Office, a department of the terrorist groups now-defunct state in Syria and Iraq that issued doctrinal texts buttressing its brutal worldview. The discovery of the book in the spring of 2018 was among a number of clues indicating that the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, was trying to establish a toehold in the lawless jungles of eastern Congo. On Thursday, the Islamic States news agency claimed the groups first attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo, stating that its soldiers had assaulted a military barracks in the area of Beni, killing eight people. The attack took place in a region troubled by violence in a part of the world long outside government control, the kind of terrain that has proved to be fertile ground for ISIS. If the group succeeds in planting its flag here, it would not only expand its reach into a new part of the continent, but it would also do so far outside the grasp of international forces. The first of those goals, civilian rule, is the most immediate. The protesters may have forced out Mr. al-Bashir, but they still have to contend with the junta of generals that quickly declared itself in charge, at least for the time being. The doctors activism and the governments antagonism have deep historical roots. Mr. al-Bashirs regime regarded doctors with suspicion going back to 1989, when an Islamist-backed coup delivered him to power. Some of the earliest organized resistance came from doctors, who organized a strike. The government rounded up those involved: One died in custody from a blow to the head, and another was sentenced to death before an international outcry led to his release. Ever since then, the government, of course, had this opinion that doctors are against the government, the man sentenced to die, Dr. Mamoun Hussein, said in a phone interview. So their treatment of doctors was according to this concept, said Mr. Hussein, now 84. Amid the cronyism and repression of Mr. al-Bashirs government, many Sudanese doctors left the country. According to one estimate, more work abroad than in Sudan. Some doctors who stayed behind aligned with the regime, growing wealthy and leapfrogging over colleagues for top jobs. But deteriorating conditions also fostered discontent and led many others to speak out. One gastroenterologist, Nada Abdalla, 48, spent more than a decade as a doctor in England before returning to Sudan several years ago. They keep telling us its coming tomorrow and the day after, and nothing happens, said Mr. Nolasco, who has been waiting for a work visa for more than a month. We just want to get out of here, but they told us we would be detained if we leave. The disturbances in the Mapastepec migrant camp have added to a growing wariness among residents here and in other towns in Chiapas that have served as waystations for the caravans in recent months. Not all of them are here wanting better opportunities or work, said Dora Luz Garcia Cruz, a food vendor in Mapastepec. We are constantly afraid there is going to be a brawl or clashes with the police. When municipal officials in Huixtla tried to block about 2,000 migrants from entering the town in recent days, some members of the caravan forced themselves past the police cordon anyway and spent the night in the town center. People are just tired of them causing a mess, said Jonathan Soto, 26, a Huixtla resident. But many migrants seemed unfazed by the growing public animosity toward them. Nelson Chirino, a Honduran migrant who was traveling with his 11-year-old son, said he was determined to make it to the United States, even though they had run out of money and were traveling without proper Mexican immigration papers. We cant stop, he said. We must push on and never, ever look back. NEW DELHI The chief justice of Indias Supreme Court has been accused of sexually harassing a female assistant, and a special panel of judges called an emergency meeting on Saturday to address the allegations. In an affidavit cited by several Indian news outlets, the assistant accused Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi of unwanted touching and said her family was singled out for harsh retribution after she rebuffed him. A statement from the court given to Indian news media said that the allegations were completely and absolutely false and scurrilous and are totally denied. On Friday, the woman, who is in her 30s and worked as a junior court assistant, sent her detailed affidavit to more than 20 other Supreme Court judges. In the document, she claimed that in October, Chief Justice Gogoi hugged me around the waist, and touched me all over my body with his arms and by pressing his body against mine, and did not let go. SEOUL, South Korea North Korea dismissed President Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, as dim-sighted on Saturday, after he said the North would have to show more evidence that it was ready to give up nuclear weapons before Mr. Trump would hold another meeting with its leader, Kim Jong-un. It was the latest signal of impatience from North Korea, which has grown increasingly strident since the second summit meeting between Mr. Kim and Mr. Trump, held in Hanoi, Vietnam, in February, ended abruptly without a deal. The breakdown of the meeting was considered a huge embarrassment for Mr. Kim, who had to return home empty-handed, without badly needed relief from sanctions. In an interview with the Bloomberg News agency on Wednesday, Mr. Bolton said a third summit meeting would be possible only after a real indication from North Korea that theyve made the strategic decision to give up nuclear weapons. Speaking to the Norths official Korean Central News Agency, First Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui called Mr. Boltons remark nonsense. PRISTINA, Kosovo The authorities in Kosovo said on Saturday that more than 100 of their citizens, mostly women and children who were relatives of jihadists, had been flown home from Syria under heavy security with the assistance of the United States. Justice Minister Abelard Tahiri told journalists that a planned operation to bring back some of our citizens from Syria ended successfully. Officials said four men suspected of having been fighters with the Islamic State militant group, 32 women and 74 children were among the group. The four suspected fighters were arrested. Nine of the children had lost parents during the fighting in Syria. Other details were not immediately released, officials said, because of the sensitivity of the case. Two buses holding the women and children stood for hours at the Kosovo airport before being transported under police escort to army barracks just outside Pristina, the capital. The group was taken to a center in Vranidoll, north of the city, before being sent to homes in the next 72 hours, officials said. LONDON The police in Northern Ireland said on Saturday that they had arrested two men under the terrorism act in connection with the killing of Lyra McKee, a journalist who was covering a night of violent unrest in Londonderry. The men, ages 18 and 19, were taken to a police station in Belfast, the capital, which handles serious investigations, to be questioned in the killing of Ms. McKee on Thursday in the Creggan area of Londonderry, the Derry City and Strabane District Police said in a statement on Twitter. Londonderry is known to many of its residents, especially those who are Roman Catholic, as Derry. The police said on Friday that they were attributing the killing on Thursday night to the New Irish Republican Army, a militant splinter group. The violence that night came on the 21st anniversary of the Good Friday agreement, the 1998 accord that largely brought an end to decades of conflict in the region between republicans or nationalists, largely Catholic, who believe Northern Ireland should be part of a united Ireland, and unionists, largely Protestant, who want it to remain British. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Ms. McKee, 29, was the first journalist to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2001, when loyalists unionist extremists shot dead Martin OHagan, a reporter investigating paramilitaries and drug gangs for a Dublin-based newspaper. In the search for information about Ms. McKees killing, the police released CCTV footage showing her standing in the crowd in Creggan, a heavily Catholic area of Londonderry, on the night she was killed. The video also shows a masked figure leaning in from behind a street corner. LONDON A British security researcher who was hailed as a hero for helping to stop a global ransomware cyberattack in 2017 has pleaded guilty to charges in the United States of writing malicious software in a separate case. The researcher, Marcus Hutchins, was arrested at the Las Vegas airport in 2017, when he was on his way back to Britain from a conference. As you may be aware, Ive pleaded guilty to two charges related to writing malware in the years prior to my career in security, Mr. Hutchins, known online as MalwareTech, said in a statement on his website on Friday. I regret these actions and accept full responsibility for my mistakes. Mr. Hutchins faces up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each of the charges, according to United States court documents. At the end of a week in which Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris was ravaged by flames, sending waves of anguish rolling across France, Yellow Vest protesters on Saturday marched once again in the capital and in cities around the country, demanding that President Emmanuel Macron address the nations inequality. Though the number of protesters was down steeply in the 23rd weekend of protests compared with the hundreds of thousands from past demonstrations fewer than 10,000 turned out across France, including nearly 7,000 in Paris, according to the police marchers in the center of the city still made their presence felt. Those who vote for other parties and wear a skullcap are cutting themselves off, and the next generation will not be there, he added. Like many in Modiin Illit, he carried only what he called a kosher cellphone, a basic model for only making or receiving calls, not a smartphone with internet access. Those are still scorned by the most strictly observant. For the first time, an ultra-Orthodox woman, Omer Yankelevich, will enter the Knesset on the centrist Blue and White Party roster, led by Benny Gantz, a former military chief. Israel Cohen, a political analyst for the ultra-Orthodox radio station Kol Berama, said that Ms. Yankelevich would have little influence (some Modiin Illit residents had not heard of her) but that the mainstream parties wanted to reflect the diversity of Israeli society, like in a reality show. In the past, the ultra-Orthodox were swing parties, willing to join left-wing or right-wing governments. Their leaders were amenable to peace with the Palestinians and at first were reluctant about settling the West Bank. In recent years, they have stuck with the right. Today there is no diplomatic solution on the table, Mr. Cohen said, and the left has adopted anti-religious positions like the recognition of Reform Judaism and civil unions. You can have a smartphone, a television at home, your kids can go to karate, but at the end of the day what are you? Haredi or not? he said. With all the advancement, in the end people still listened to the rabbis. Name Special Counsels Description No. of Interview Citations Donald F. McGahn II White House counsel (January 2017 - October 2018) 157 Michael D. Cohen Former vice president to the Trump Organization and special counsel to Donald J. Trump who spearheaded an effort to build a Trump-branded property in Moscow. He admitted to lying to Congress about the project. 136 Michael T. Flynn National security adviser (Jan. 20, 2017 - Feb. 13, 2017), director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (July 2012 - Aug. 7, 2014), and Trump campaign advisor. He pleaded guilty to lying to the F.B.I. about communications with Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in December 2016. 87 Hope Hicks White House communications director (August 2017 March 2018) and press secretary for the Trump campaign 73 Reince Priebus White House chief of staff (January 2017 - July 2017); chair of the Republican National Committee (January 2011 - January 2017) 66 Rick Gates Deputy campaign manager for Trump campaign, Trump Inaugural Committee deputy chairman, and longtime employee of Paul Manafort. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and violate U.S. laws, as well as making false statements to the F.B.I. 63 Jeff Sessions Attorney general (February 2017 November 2018); U.S. senator (January 1997 February 2017); head of the Trump campaigns foreign policy advisory team 59 Dimitri Simes President and chief executive officer of the Center for the National Interest 49 K.T. McFarland Deputy White House national security adviser (January 2017 - May 2017) 48 Rob Porter White House staff secretary (January 2017 - February 2018) 44 James B. Comey Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Sept. 4, 2013 - May 9, 2017) 40 George Papadopoulos Foreign policy adviser to the Trump campaign who received information from Joseph Mifsud that Russians had dirt in the form of thousands of Clinton emails. He pleaded guilty to lying to the F.B.I. about his contact with Mifsud. 39 Carter Page Foreign policy adviser to the Trump campaign who advocated pro-Russian views and made July 2016 and December 2016 visits to Moscow. 36 Paul Manafort Trump campaign member (March 2016 August 2016) and chairman and chief strategist (May 2016 August 2016) 35 Stephen K. Bannon White House chief strategist and senior counselor to President Trump (January 2017 August 2017); chief executive of the Trump campaign 33 J.D. Gordon National security adviser to the Trump campaign involved in changes to the Republican Party platform and who communicated with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak at the Republican National Convention 33 Erik D. Prince Businessman and Trump Campaign supporter who met with presidential transition team officials after the election and traveled to the Seychelles to meet with Kirill Dmitriev in January 2017 30 Jared Kushner President Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser to the president 28 Corey Lewandowski Campaign manager for the Trump campaign (January 2015 June 2016) 26 George Nader Adviser to the United Arab Emirates crown prince who arranged a meeting between Kirill Dmitriev and Erik Prince during the transition period 26 Annie Donaldson Chief of staff to White House Counsel Donald McGahn (January 2017 - December 2018) 25 Chris Christie Former governor of New Jersey 24 Stephen Miller Senior adviser to the president 18 Paul Saunders Executive with the Center for the National Interest who worked on outlines and logistics of candidate Trumps April 2016 foreign policy speech 18 Richard Burt Former U.S. ambassador who had done work [for] Alfa-Bank and was a board member of the Center for the National Interest 16 Rick Gerson New York hedge fund manager and associate of Jared Kushner. During the transition period, he worked with Kirill Dmitriev on a proposal for reconciliation between the United States and Russia. 16 Jody Hunt Chief of staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions (February 2017 - October 2017) 16 Andrew G. McCabe Acting director of the F.B.I. (May 2017 August 2017); deputy director of the F.B.I. (February 2016 - January 2018) 16 Uttam Dhillon Attorney in the White House Counsels Office (January 2017 June 2018) 15 Sandra Luff Legislative director for Senator Jeff Sessions; attended a September 2016 meeting between Sessions and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak 15 Petr Aven Chairman of the board of Alfa-Bank who attempted outreach to the presidential transition team in connection with anticipated post-election sanctions 12 John Eisenberg Attorney in the White House Counsels Office and legal counsel for the National Security Council 12 Rob Goldstone Publicist for Emin Agalarov who contacted Donald Trump Jr. to arrange the June 9, 2016, meeting at Trump Tower between Natalia Veselnitskaya and Trump Campaign officials 12 Irakly Kaveladze Vice president at Crocus Group and Aras Agalarovs deputy in the United States. He participated in the June 9, 2016, meeting at Trump Tower between Natalia Veselnitskaya and Trump Campaign officials. 12 Anatoli Samochornov Translator who worked with Natalia Veselnitskaya and attended a June 9, 2016, meeting at Trump Tower between Veselnitskaya and Trump campaign officials 12 Sally Q. Yates Acting attorney general (Jan. 20, 2017 Jan. 30, 2017); deputy attorney general (Jan. 10, 2015 - Jan. 30, 2017) 12 Dana J. Boente Acting attorney general (January 2017 - February 2017); acting deputy attorney general (February 2017 April 2017) 11 Dan Coats Director of National Intelligence 11 Diana Denman Delegate to 2016 Republican National Convention who proposed a platform plank amendment that included armed support for Ukraine 11 Mary McCord Acting assistant attorney general (October 2016 May 2017) 11 Joshua Raffel White House communications adviser (April 2017 - February 2018) 11 James Rybicki F.B.I. chief of staff (May 2015 - February 2018) 10 We are counting on consumers to help us get whole milk back in our schools. Getting whole milk back in our schools cannot be considered a political issue. We must get whole milk back in our schools for our childrens sake. Its important that their bodies and their developing brains have real whole milk. With the majority of dairy farmers back up against the wall because of financial pressures, I feel that consumers will be the deciding factor to help get whole milk back in our schools. Pro-Ag comes in contact with hundreds of consumers every week. As many people know, Pro-Ag has been working for several years to get whole milk back in our schools for our children. Now is the time for both dairy farmers and consumers to line up behind our efforts. The majority of consumers want to see Congress pass HR 832, the bill sponsored by Congressman Glenn GT Thompson (R-PA) that would simply allow whole milk (both flavored and unflavored) to be served in schools. Both consumers and dairy farmers must continue to make many calls to key Congressmen in Washington DC. Last week, we sent out the names of the Congressional delegation from Pennsylvania, and this week we will send out the ones from New York. These names can be found on the Facebook page Progressive Agriculture Organization. There are at least four members of Congress from New York state who have cosponsored HR 832. Lets all get behind these efforts. Pro-Ag can be reached at 570-833-5776. Although Sadhvi Pragya withdrew her statement, it shows her mentality: Ahmed Patel India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Apr 20: The Congress is leaving no stone unturned to corner the BJP over Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur's remark on late ATS chief Hemant Karkare, who was killed in action during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Saturday said making such statements against an officer who sacrificed his life fighting terrorists is not right. Sadhvi Pragya, an accused in the Malegaon blast case and BJP's candidate from Bhopal for Lok Sabha elections, stirred a major controversy with her remarks on Karkare. Pragya said that she had cursed Karkare just a month before his death in the 26/11 Mumbai attack. She boasted that Hemant Karkare died because she had "cursed" him. 'Show respect': Rahul slams Sadhvi Pragya remark on Hemant Karkare "It is a party's right to field any candidate they want for elections, I would not like to comment on that but saying something against an officer who sacrificed himself fighting terrorism is not right. Although she withdrew her statement it shows her mentality," Patel told news agency ANI. Further speaking on Lok Sabha elections 2019, Patel said, "We are not only hopeful but also very confident that BJP will lose. We will get good results in Gujarat too, we will cross double digit. On 23rd May when the election results come, BJP will no longer be in the government." Hemant Karkare died fighting terrorists during the November 26, 2008 attack in Mumbai in which 166 people were killed. Later on Friday, Thakur said that she is "taking back her words", after a massive backlash. In a statement, she said, "I felt that the enemies of the country were being benefited from it, therefore I take back my statement and apologise for it, it was my personal pain." 'Take back my statement': Sadhvi Pragya apologises for Karkare remark As the chief of Maharashtra's anti-terror squad, Hemant Karkare had investigated Sadhvi Pragya in connection with the blasts in Malegaon. Pragya Thakur was arrested by Hemant Karkare with six other accused in connection with Malegaon blast case in which six people were killed and over 100 injured. Azam Khan breaks down, says he is being treated like a terrorist India oi-Vikas SV Lucknow, Apr 20: Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan, who has drawn flak from all quarters for his derogatory remark against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jaya Prada, broke down during a rally at Uttar Pradesh's Rampur said that he is being treated as if he were an "anti-national" and "biggest terrorist in the world". Khan, a SP candidate for Lok Sabha elections from Rampur, said that the government would have shot him in public if it was within their power. In Rampur, Jaya Prada to take on one-time friend Azam Khan The Election Commission (EC) had pn April 16 barred Azam Khan from campaigning for 72 hours over his "khaki underwear" jibe at BJP candidate and former actress Jaya Prada. An FIR was also filed against Khan for his derogatory comment against the actor-turned politician who recently joined the BJP after quitting SP. Last week, Khan was also issued a fresh show cause notice by the EC for allegedly making inflammatory remarks at various places in Uttar Pradesh. "I am being treated as if I am an anti-national or a traitor. They are treating me as if I am the biggest terrorist in this world. Had it been within the limits of their power, the administration would have openly killed me by firing a shot at me," Azam Khan reportedly said while addressing a public rally at Rampur on Friday. "The three-day ban by Election Commission just ahead of the elections implies what they want to do. During the ban I cannot go anywhere, I cannot meet anyone, nor participate in rallies and public addresses," he had further said. After the fresh notice over allegedly making inflammatory remarks, the EC gave Khan 24 hours to respond to the notice saying prima facie he is guilty of violating the provisions of the model code. The EC pointed out that FlRs have been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act against him in the cases. Azam Khan's son gives communal colour to EC's gag order Addressing an election rally on April 14, Azam Khan had said, "I brought her [Jaya Prada] to Rampur. You are a witness that I did not allow anyone to touch her body. It took you 17 years to identify her real face but I got to know in 17 days that she wears khaki underwear." Khan later, however, clarified that he did not make any objectionable remarks against Jaya Prada, asserting that he did not name anyone. Azam Khan also accused the media of misinterpreting his comments. Day not far when UP will be identified as most modern state: PM Modi in Shahjahanpur BSP-SP fake friendship will end on May 23: PM Modi India oi-Deepika S Lucknow, Apr 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the 'farzi' friendship of the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party will fall apart the day Lok Sabha election results are announced. "You all remember the friendship that was struck during the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh which came to an end with the announcement of results and turned into rivalry," he said referring to the understanding in 2017 between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. "The farzi dosti of bua and babua will also end the same way," Modi said at an election rally here, referring to Mayawati and SP president Akhilesh Yadav. EC bars Eros Now from streaming PM Modi web series "The date of this friendship has also been fixed. May 23, Thursday, this 'farzi dosti' will fall apart," he said. "The date of this friendship has also been fixed. May 23, Thursday, this 'farzi dosti' will fall apart," he said. "That day bua and babua will start part 2 of their rivalry," the prime minister said. At the joint rally of the opposition alliance in Mainpuri Friday, Mayawati had said SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav is a real backward unlike Modi, a 'farzi' or 'naqli' backward. The Samajwadi Party allied with the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal to contest the bypolls. The grand-alliance of the three parties is contesting the Lok Sabha polls together while the Congress, having been overlooked, decided to go alone in Uttar Pradesh for the national elections. The prime minister sharp attack at the grand-alliance came a day after Mayawati and SP patron Mulayam Singh Yadav share dais together for the first time since 1995, when they broke up the SP-BSP coalition that was in power in Uttar Pradesh. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, April 20, 2019, 19:07 [IST] Day not far when UP will be identified as most modern state: PM Modi in Shahjahanpur Congress focused more on branding Hindus as terrorists than punishing Pakistan: Modi India oi-Vikas SV Araria, Apr 20: In a scathing attack on the Congress-led UPA government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Satuday alleged that armed forces were ready to avenge the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai, but the Congress government did not permit. Speaking at a rally in Bihar's Araria, Modi said that the Congress and it allies were more focused on branding the Hindus as terrorists than punishing Pakistan. Rahul's candidature in Wayanad sign of appeasement politics: PM Modi "On on side there is vote bank politics and on the other there is nationalism. Remember 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack, what did the Congress led government do? Our brave soldiers had asked for permission to enter Pakistan and avenge," said PM Modi in Araria, Bihar. "The Congress government then refused the army to do anything because they wanted to do politics over vote bank. Everyone knew that the terrorists were Pakistanis, but the Congress and their allies, instead of punishing Pakistan focused more on associating the Hindus with the term terrorism," he added. Addressing his first rally in Maharashtra on April 1, Prime Minister Modi had blamed the Congress party for coining the term 'Hindu Terror'. Sardar statue not aimed at disrespecting Nehru says Modi Pointing out to a recent court judgment, Modi said that Congress' claims on Hindu Terror stand exposed. "They made an attempt to put a blot on 'peace-loving' Hindus with a word like 'Hindu terrorism'. Is there any incident of Hindu terrorism? Even British said Hindus cannot be violent .."Modi said in his speech. Modi also blamed former Union home minister and Congress Leader Sushil Kumar Shinde for using the term Hindu terror. "They insulted the mainstream culture.. will you forgive them?" Modi had asked the crowd. Deve Gowda will play a major role after LS elections: Kumaraswamy India oi-Vikas SV Bengaluru, Apr 20: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not be able to form the government at the Centre after Lok Sabha elections 2019 result, said Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, adding that his father and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda will then play an important role to bring the opposition parties together to form government. In an interview to news agency ANI, Kumaraswamy spoke on a wide range of issues. He criticised the BJP for using the Balakor air strike for election campaigning. Kumaraswamy stated clearly that his father would only play the role of an advisor after the elections, thereby ruling out that Gowda has any prime ministerial ambitions. A day of reckoning for Deve Gowda and sons today "He (H D Deve Gowda) is a good administrator and experienced. He has experience in his political career. He is better than everybody, according to me. But he is not interested now. He has already projected name of Rahul Gandhi (for PM). He is going to advise Rahul ji," the Karnataka Chief Minister told ANI. When asked about the role that the senior Gowda may play after election results, Kumaraswamy said, "Most probably. Because in next election, there will be no BJP govt. We have to form govt with several regional parties together. At that time Deve Gowda may play major role as an advisor to everybody." Prime Minister Modi, during a rally in Bagalkot recently, had mocked the Karnataka Chief Minister for becoming emotional and shedding tears at public gatherings. Reaction the this, Kumaraswamy said, "I am an emotional man, because we have come from the surrounding of poor mass. We always mix with poor masses". When asked about the critisism of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) for blatanly practising dynasty politics, Kumaraswamy said people are "demanding our family members to contest". "They are demanding our family members to contest. This is not a dynastic issue...People want our leadership, they will accept us otherwise they will reject. It is upto the people of Karnataka. In Mandya, Hassan every party worker and leader pressurised Deve Gowda that they wanted this candidate only from our family, because of their pressure we yielded," he added. Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had last week said that several states have developed because of "dynasty politics and regional politics". JD(S) has been accused by many as being a party of Deve Gowda and family. Three generations of Deve Gowda are in active politics. Kumaraswamy bats for dynasty politics While senior Gowda's younger son Kumaraswamy is the chief minister of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government and older son, H D Revanna is in charge of the powerful PWD department in the same ministry, and two grandsons, Nikhil Kumaraswamy and Prajwal Revanna, are making their debut from Mandya and Hassan Lok Sabha constituencies respectively. "Dynasty politics is not an important issue now, country's problems are the main issue. Only because of dynasty politics and regional politics, this country developed in several states.We are not bothered about criticism from BJP," Kumaraswamy told ANI on April 18. Kumaraswamy has defended dynasty politics even in the past. The Gowda family should not be held responsible for fielding family members, as it merely yielded to its workers' demands. He also said that dynasty politics helped regional parties thrive in the country. BSP to fight solo in UP, Uttarakhand, no tie-up with Owaisi's AIMIM, says Mayawati 'Should not be misled': Mayawati reaches out to Brahmins before UP polls Why is Congress high command silent over killing of Dalit man in Rajasthan, asks Mayawati Don't fall prey to 'allurements' of BJP, Congress: Mayawati India pti-PTI Rampur, Apr 20: BSP president Mayawati on Saturday accused the BJP and Congress of "offering allurements" at election time and asked people not to fall prey to them. Addressing a joint SP-BSP rally in favour of Samajwadi Party candidate Azam Khan here , she said "Don't fall for the 'hawa-hawai' BJP manifesto full of allurements," which are just tall claims. "The promises of 'achchey din' by the BJP have proved to be as hollow as the ones given by the earlier Congress governments at the Centre," Mayawati said. "BJP's 'sabka saath, sabka vikas' has been reduced to mere 'jumlebaazi' ...similar alluring promises are being made also by the Congress," she said. Attacking the central government on demonetisation and GST, she said both the steps were carried out in a hurry without any preparation. 'Mulayam not fake OBC like PM Modi': Mayawati 'This has increased poverty and unemployment ...the small and medium traders are most unhappy...the economy has been hit and corruption has also increased," she claimed. Addressing the rally, SP president Akhilesh Yadav claimed that BJP will not be able to get a single seat in the polling held on April 11 and 18 and the third phase voting slated for April 23. "We are confident that BJP will not open its account in the first three phases of polling," Yadav said. "The country is passing through a very sensitive phase... there is not a single section of society which has not been troubled...farmers and youth all are suffering," he alleged. "In a democracy, those who trouble people are taken to task by them when the time comes," Akhilesh said. Attacking the BJP for terming the alliance as 'mahamilavat', he said it is going to bring "mahaparivartan" (big change). "BJP people say that a new country will be made but the mahagathbandhan is saying that the country is going to get a new prime minister...and then only a new country will be made," he stressed. PTI TMC delegation to meet Election Commission in Delhi today; To request for early bypolls in Bengal EC bars Eros Now from streaming PM Modi web series India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Apr 20: The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday barred Eros Now from streaming the webs series based on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The poll panel in a notification said, "It was brought to our notice that a web series "Modi- Journey of a Common Man', having five episodes is available on your platform. You're directed to stop forthwith the online streaming and remove all connected content of the series till further orders." The move comes days after the EC banned the screening of a biopic on the Prime Minister Modi during the current poll period, saying any such film that subserves the purpose of any political entity or individual should not be displayed in the electronic media. Modi biopic: EC finalises decision, SC to take final call The 10-episode web series Modi: Journey of a Common Man, is currently being streamed on Eros Now platforms. Directed by Umesh Shukla of OMG, Oh My God fame, the series features actors Faisal Khan, Ashish Sharma and Mahesh Thakur, who portray Modi at different stages of his life. Gujarat minister calls Rahul puppy, says will fetch roti thrown by Pak, China India oi-Deepika S Ahmedabad, Apr 20: Gujarat Tribal Development minister Ganpat Vasava on Saturday made a bizarre comparison between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Speaking at a tribal gathering on Saturday in Dediapada in Narmada district, part of Bharuch Lok Sabha constituency, the BJP leader said, "When PM Modi stands, it looks like the lion of Gujarat is standing. When Rahul Gandhi stands, it looks like puppy of a dog is there wagging its tail, if Pakistan offers it a 'roti', it'll go there & if China offers it 'roti', it'll go there as well," Ganpat Vasava said. Vasava had earlier taken a swipe at the claim of some Congress supporters that Gandhi was an "incarnation of Lord Shiva", asking the Congress chief to prove the claim by consuming poison. "People from the Congress claim Rahul Gandhi is an avatar of Lord Shiva. Now, since Lord Shiva used to consume poison to save people, I want Congress workers to make their leader drink 500 grams of poison," Vasava said. "If he survives like Lord Shiva after consuming poison, we will all believe he is the true reincarnation of Lord Shiva" Vasava claimed. Chief Minister Rupani too disapproved of Vasava's remarks and urged him to show restraint. "In the election, in the heated environment, one should show restraint. Words should be used with firmness, but one should not use unsavoury personal language," Rupani told reporters in Rajkot. Gujarat will vote in a single phase on April 23. The results for the Lok Sabha elections will be announced on May 23. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, April 20, 2019, 22:19 [IST] Pakistan uses fake Islam is in danger narrative as main theme of its terror indoctrination How Pakistan used almonds to fund terror and back-stab Indias good-will on LoC trade Hizbul, Lashkar had taken over cross LoC trade: MHA India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Apr 20: Terrorists had entirely taken over the LoC trade in Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan, a Home Ministry official said. The likes of the Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Tayiba had been controlling the trade in a bid to push arms, counterfeit currency and narcotic, the official also informed. Citing misuse India on Friday suspended trade along the Line of Control with effect from April 19. The action was taken after it was reported that Pakistan based elements were using the trade route to smuggle weapons, fake currency and narcotics. The Home Ministry said that a stricter regulatory and enforcement mechanism is being worked and the issue of the reopening the trade routes will be revisited once they are implemented. The Union Home Ministry order stated that it has been "decided by the Government of India to suspend the LoC trade at Salamabad and Chakkan-da-Bagh in Jammu and Kashmir". The LoC trade, at present, is conducted through two trade facilitation centres located at Salamabad in Uri of Baramulla district, and Chakkan-da-Bagh in Poonch district. This trade takes place four days a week and is based on barter system and zero-duty. The measure has been taken in the backdrop of the Pulwama terror attack following which India stepped up its military and strategic offensive against Pakistan and also withdrew the most favoured nation (MFN) from its neighbour. Here is why trade along LoC with Pakistan was suspended by India "Meanwhile, a stricter regulatory and enforcement mechanism is being worked out and will be put in place in consultation with various agencies. The issue of reopening of LoC trade will be revisited thereafter," the government said in the statement. The decision has been taken after reports of "cross Line of Control trade routes being misused by Pakistan based elements for funneling illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency etc", a statement by the Home Ministry read. "During ongoing probe of certain cases by NIA, it has been brought out that significant number of trading concerns engaged in LoC trade are operated by persons closely associated with banned terror organisations involved in fueling terrorism/separatism," the statement also read. It was found that cross-border traders had been tapped by terror groups to help raise funds for terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The NIA had found that a food item would be imported from Pakistan at a very low price and then sold at double the amount in India. For instance, Californian almonds would be imported by the trader at Rs 350 a kilogram and then sold at Rs 700 in the Indian market. The profit investigators say would be used to fund terror. There is a select network of traders that the terror groups have tapped into to further their agenda. These traders work under terror groups such as the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, an NIA official informed. The NIA has also found a list of 21 items that are being imported by traders from Pakistan at a very low cost. Out of this the highest profit margin is for the California almond which sells at double the cost in India, the NIA official also informed. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, April 20, 2019, 17:06 [IST] Gen Bipin Rawat, others killed in helicopter crash: IAF's Mi17V5 chopper involved in a few incidents in past Abhinandan Varthaman shifted out of Srinagar, IAF to recommend him for Vir Chakra India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Apr 20: The Indian Air Force has transferred Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman out of the Srinagar airbase where he was posted amid concerns over his security in the Kashmir Valley. "The posting order of the officer has been issued and he would soon be moving out of the Srinagar air base to his new place of posting," an officer told ANI. Orders have been issued for his transfer from Srinagar to another base in the western sector, reports said, terming the transfer as "routine one". It is also learnt that the IAF was going to recommend Varthaman's name for Vir Chakra, the coveted wartime gallantry medal, which is the third highest after the Paramvir Chakra and the Mahavir Chakra. Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani Army on February 27 after his MiG-21 Bison jet was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistani jets during an aerial combat. He downed an F-16 fighter of Pakistan before his plane was hit. The commander, who shot down a Pakistani F-16 jet, was captured and remained in custody across the border for two days. Varthaman was released by Pakistan and came back to India on March 1. The IAF pilot went on leave in mid-March after security agencies completed a nearly two-week debriefing following his return from Pakistan. Sources said a medical board will review his fitness to help the IAF top brass decide whether he can return to fighter cockpit as desired by him. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian military installations the next day. However, the IAF thwarted their plans. The Indian strike on the JeM camp came 12 days after the terror outfit claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers. Digvijaya Singh on BJP MLA's call to break legs of Congressmen: I'll go to his house to recite Ramdhun No word like 'Hindutva' in my dictionary, says Digvijaya Singh India pti-PTI Bhopal, Apr 20: Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh claimed on Saturday that the BJP made the person who used the term "Hindu terror" in official parlance a Union minister. He was apparently referring to R K Singh, a Union home secretary during the UPA regime who later joined the BJP and became a minister. The BJP has often targeted Digvijay Singh for 'tarnishing the Hindu community' by using the term Hindu or saffron terror. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday defended the BJP's decision to field Pragya Singh Thakur, Malegaon blast accused, from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, saying it was a symbolic answer to all those who falsely bracketed the rich Hindu civilisation as "terrorist". Modi was apparently referring to Digvijaya, who is the Congress' candidate from Bhopal. Sadhvi's remark against Karkare: EC issues notice "I think they do not have the knowledge of Hindu civilisation. The person who, as home secretary, issued a statement with the word Hindu terror was given Lok Sabha ticket by the BJP and was made a Union minister," Singh told reporters here. "Will (BJP chief) Amit Shah speak about it?" the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister asked. Amid the political row over the term Hindu terrorism, the Congress had pointed earlier that it was used by Union minister R K Singh when he was a home secretary. Digvijaya also said the word Hindutva did not exist for him. "Why do you use the word Hindutva? The word does not exist in my dictionary," he said. The Congress leader refused to comment on the Election Commission's notice to Thakur over her remark that former Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare died in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack because she had cursed the police officer for torturing her during the blast probe. "Ask the EC. Why are you asking me? I don't want to get into it," the Congress leader said. Asked if he was now in "silent mode", Singh, known for kicking off a controversy with his provocative statements, replied amid laughter, "Have I taken a contract to create news?" Interestingly, Singh, whose outlandish theories about the Mumbai attack and the Batla House encounter have incurred him the wrath of the right wing, has desisted from making any comment on Thakur's comment on Karkare. PTI NYAY will end poverty without new taxes: Manmohan Singh India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Apr 20: Claiming that Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY), proposed by the Congress party in its election manifesto, will restart the country's economic engine, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday expressed confidence that NYAY has the potential to catapult India into the club of 'poverty free' nations in the world. "Congress is committed to fiscal discipline. NYAY scheme will cost between 1.2 - 1.5 per cent of GDP at its peak. Our nearly $3 trillion economy has the fiscal capacity to absorb this expenditure. There will be no need for any new taxes on the middle class to finance NYAY. The economic stimulus that NYAY will provide will further help in fiscal discipline," Singh said in a statement. "NYAY will play an important role in restarting the Indian economy which has come to a grinding halt under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership," he said. NYAY: The Congress slogan for the Lok Sabha elections "NYAY will also help restart our economic engine that has come to a stop today. Money in the hands of the needy will stimulate demand in the economy which can then lead to increased economic activity and job creation, referred to as the Keynesian effect by economists. At a time when private investment and industrial production are low, NYAY can help bring our economy back to life and create new factories and jobs," he added. Singh said that Nyay has been received with tremendous enthusiasm by people and discussed widely across the nation. "Nearly 70 per cent of Indians were poor when India attained Independence in 1947. With sound policies adopted by successive governments over the last seven decades, poverty levels have been brought down from 70 per cent to 20 per cent now. It is time now to renew our pledge to wipe out the last remains of poverty," he said. "By providing direct income support, Nyay will empower our poor with economic freedom and choice. With Nyay, India will usher in an era of a minimum income guarantee and help create a new social contract for a new welfare state." Rahul Gandhi gets EC notice over 'Nyay' banners in Amethi, gives 24 hours to reply "Nyay will also help restart our economic engine that has come to a stop today. Money in the hands of the needy will stimulate demand in the economy which can then lead to increased economic activity and job creation, referred to as the Keynesian effect by economists. At a time when private investment and industrial production are low, Nyay can help bring our economy back to life and create new factories and jobs," he added. Singh referred to the economic reforms when he was the Finance Minister in 1991 and to the rural employment guarantee scheme brought by the UPA government led by him. "Just as we brought in a new paradigm for India's development with the de-licensing regime in 1991 - a rights-based approach to governance including the Right to Work under MGNREGA, I am confident a Congress party-led government in 2019 will implement Nyay successfully and usher in a new model for social justice and prudent economics," he said. "It is my sincere belief that Nyay has the potential to catapult India into the club of 'poverty-free' nations in the world and I hope to be able to live to see our nation achieve this historic milestone," Singh said. The Congress has promised in its manifesto that under NYAY the party will provide an income support of Rs 72,000 annually to around 5 crore families, if it forms the government after winning the 2019 Lok Sabha poll. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, April 20, 2019, 20:48 [IST] Day not far when UP will be identified as most modern state: PM Modi in Shahjahanpur PM Modi's wife left him because 'his face not good': Karnataka minister's atrocious remark India oi-Vikas SV Bengaluru, Apr 20: The atrocious remarks being made by politicians hit a new low today with Karnataka minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wife left him because "is face was not good." This comes days after former BJP MLA from Karnataka Raju Kage saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "fair and handsome" while H D Kumaraswamy would remain a "black buffalo" even if he takes bath 100 times in a day. PM Modi 'fair and handsome', HDK will 'remain a black buffalo': former BJP MLA's shocker "Shivakumar Udasi is a two time BJP MP. He is going around saying 'don't vote look at my face, look at Modi's face and cast your vote'. You must talk about your achievements but instead if you say look at Modi's face and vote, is it possible?" news agency ANI quoted Khan as saying. "He (Modi) had one wife and she left him because his face was not good. Should people vote for this face?" Khan further reportedly said. Karnataka minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan: He (Modi) had one wife and she left him because his face was not good. Should people vote for this face? https://t.co/dbKVkVOJli ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2019 A few days ago, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had said that the media shows only Prime Minister Modi as he gets the "makeup" done before appearing in front of the camera. Karnataka Chief Minister had said that Prime Minister Modi's face glows because he "applies wax and make-up". HDK's weird logic: 'Modi uses make up that's why looks good on camera' Modi wakes up every morning, applies makeup or wax to get a shine on his face and sits in front of cameras. But we take bath once in the morning and wash our face only the next day. Our faces do not look good on cameras. That is why even media shows only Modi," Kumaraswamy had said. During the Gujarat assembly elections in 2017, Alpesh Thakor had attribute Narendra Modi's "fair" complexion to imported mushrooms. Thakore had alleged that Prime Minister Modi disliked Gujarati food and was fond of Taiwanese mushrooms which cost Rs 80,000 per piece. "He was dark like me but he became fair because of imported mushrooms," Thakore had reportedly said. Present generation of dynast has become liability for Congress, says Arun Jaitley India oi-PTI New Delhi, Apr 20: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said the "present generation of dynast" has become a liability for the Congress party and expressed hope that aspirational India would reject caste-based and dynastic parties during the ongoing general elections. Jaitley added that with the socio-economic profile of the country moving up on account of growth, it would be difficult for people to accept dynasties. "If the Congress's dynast has only an ability to deliver 44 seats or 60 seats in Parliament, what then is the incentive for conventional Congressmen to bear humiliation of subjecting themselves to a dynast? Ultimately, in dynastic parties one has to accept political slavery," Jaitley said in a blog titled, 'Will 2019 Witness the Dynasty as a Liability on the Congress Party?' Was Rahul Gandhi a UK citizen? EC postpones Amethi nomination paper scrutiny to April 22 The grand old party is led by Rahul Gandhi, grandson of Indira Gandhi and son of Rajiv Gandhi, and is assisted by his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Jaitley said the two Prime Ministers that BJP gave to the nation - Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi - were by a mile the "tallest politicians of their generation", adding that this could happen only in merit-based parties and not dynastic ones. "A relevant question with this changing socio-economic profile of India is - Are dynasties an asset for a party or are they a liability? Unquestionably, the present generation of dynast has become a liability rather than an asset for the Congress Party," he said. Jaitley further said: "Is history going to witness something wholly unprecedented? Are we going to witness the rejection of caste based and dynastic parties? And will aspirational India make a harsh judgement on electing a merit based leadership? This may well be the case." Referring to other dynastic parties, Jaitley said the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD)has splintered, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) got zero in the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 19 seats in the assembly elections. The Samajwadi Party could only retain seats for its family members in the 2014 elections, while the RJD was down to two seats, he noted. Commenting on the first two phases of polling for the general elections, Jaitley said the momentum was clearly with the BJP and Prime Minister Modi. "In terms of national leadership contest for a Prime Ministerial election, it is almost becoming a one horse race. There is nobody else measuring up to Prime Minister Modi's level of capacity and acceptability," he added. The second phase of the Lok Sabha elections got over on Thursday, covering 95 constituencies in 11 states and union territory Puducherry. As many as 91 constituencies went to polls in the first phase on April 11. The seven-phased general elections would be completed on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, April 20, 2019, 17:55 [IST] Priyanka Chaturvedis decision to quit Congress was not an overnight one India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Apr 20: Priyanka Chaturvedi begins a new innings with the Shiv Sena, after she quit the Congress. Many were quick to remind her of 2015 tweet in which she had said, " how can you wake up one fine morning and change your ideology like you change your clothes. Or was your ideology about just being in power." Priyanka Chaturvedi joins Shiv Sena, says hurt that Cong let her down After joining the Shiv Sena, many called out out with her old tweets. She however said that the decision was taken after much thought. A day before she quit the Congress, she had said that she was upset with the party for taking back workers who had been suspended for misbehaving with her. "Deeply saddened that lumpen goons get prefence in @incindia over those who have given their sweat and blood. Having faced brickbats and abuse across board for the party but yet those who threatened me within the party getting away with not even a rap on their knuckles is unfortunate," she had tweeted. Sources say that the decision was not a sudden one. The re-instating of the Congress workers was a trigger, but that alone did not guide her decision. There were several other reasons, she was upset about. Priyanka Chaturvedi miffed with Congress for reinstating leaders who misbehaved with her One of the main reasons for her discontent was that she was denied a ticket. She was hoping to contest the elections from Mumbai, but the Congress gave a ticket a new comer, Urmila Matondkar. She is also said to have been upset with the decision of the Congress which gave a ticket to Devashish Jarariya from Bhind. It may be recalled that he had quit the BSP to join the Congress in 2018. For him to get a ticket so soon could also be another reason, why Priyanka Chaturvedi may have decided to quit the party. Sadhvi Pragya's remark on Karkare a 'personal opinion', she has apologised for it: Fadnavis India oi-Vikas SV Mumbai, Apr 20: Amid massive outrage over Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur's remark on Hemant Karkare, who was killed in action during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis has said that the slain ATS chief would be revered as a martyr forever. Sadhvi Pragya, an accused in the Malegaon blast case and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s candidate from Bhopal for Lok Sabha elections, stirred a major controversy with her remarks on Karkare. Pragya said that she had cursed Karkare just a month before his death in the 26/11 Mumbai attack. She boasted that Hemant Karkare died because she had "cursed" him. 'Show respect': Rahul slams Sadhvi Pragya remark on Hemant Karkare Hemant Karkare died fighting terrorists during the November 26, 2008 attack in Mumbai in which 166 people were killed. "Late Mr Karkare was a very brave and upright police officer and will be revered as a martyr forever. Sadhvi Pragya's remark is personal opinion and we don't support it," Fadanvis said. "She has also apologised and said that it (the statement) was made out of personal pain. However I feel that such statement should never be made," the Chief Minister said. Later on Friday, Thakur said that she is "taking back her words", after a massive backlash. In a statement, she said, "I felt that the enemies of the country were being benefited from it, therefore I take back my statement and apologise for it, it was my personal pain." 'Take back my statement': Sadhvi Pragya apologises for Karkare remark As the chief of Maharashtra's anti-terror squad, Hemant Karkare had investigated Sadhvi Pragya in connection with the blasts in Malegaon. Pragya Thakur was arrested by Hemant Karkare with six other accused in connection with Malegaon blast case in which six people were killed and over 100 injured. Shiv Sena MP slams UGC for asking varsities to put up banners thanking PM for free vaccination drive Sexual controversies are not new for Congress India oi-Hardeep Singh Bedi New Delhi, April 20: The resignation of Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi has shocked the party, especially in Mumbai where the Lok Sabha polls are scheduled to be held on April 28. Chaturvedi, who was also the convenor of the Congress' media cell, quit the party after some Congress leaders who misbehaved with her in Mathura were reinstated in the party by Jyotiraditya Scindia, Congress in-charge of Western Uttar Pradesh. Priyanka Chaturvedi forced to leave Congress for singing? These Congress leaders reportedly misbehaved with Priyanka during the press conference on Rafale deal in Mathura a few days ago. Even after the press conference, they followed her to her room. Priyanka was furious after the incident and filed a complaint with the top leaders of the party, which suspended Ashok Chakleshwar, Umesh Pandit, Pratap Singh, Abdul Jabbar, Girdhari Lal Pathak, Bhuri Singh Jayas, Pravin Thakur and Yatindra Mukadam. However, they were reinstated in the party by Scindia on April 15 after they gave a written apology. The reasoning of their reinstatement was that the party needed expelled leaders to win the Lok Sabha election in Mathura. In her resignation letter Chaturvedi called out Congress' stance on safety and empowerment of women and said that the values promoted by the party are not reflected in the action of some of its members. While welcoming Priyanka Chaturvedi in Shiv Sena, party Chief Uddhav Thackeray said that the Sena had got a new sister. A woman politician couldn't have expected more who quit her old party to safeguard her dignity and safety. There are many incidents wherein the Congress leaders have been allegedly involved in harassing women sexually. Fairoz Khan, National President of Party's student wing, National Students Union of India (NSUI), had to resign last year in the wake of sexual harassment against him. In 2017, a NSUI office bearer from Chhattisgarh had levelled charges of sexual harassment against Khan following which the Congress formed a panel to probe the allegations. In her complaint to the police, the woman had alleged that Khan used to sexually harass young women for political appointments in the NSUI. In 2006, former Jammu & Kashmir ministers Ghulam Ahmed Mir and Raman Matoo were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the infamous Kashmir sex scandal. Then Mir was a Congress MLA and Matoo, an independent. Priyanka Chaturvedi's decision to quit Congress was not an overnight one The sex ring run by Sabeena had over 40 girls, who were allegedly supplied to security officials, bureaucrats and politicians. Now, Mir is President of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) and Matoo is an office-bearer of the JKPCC. Senior Congress leader late Narayan Dutt Tiwari was involved in a sex scandal which depicted him in bed with three women at his official residence in the Andhra Pradesh Raj Bhavan. Tiwari was also involved in paternity suit a love child filed against him when he was well into his eighties. Priyanka will definitely feel safe as a woman in Shiv Sena as Thackeray has given a message to party workers to treat her like a sister, but as a politician she will have to take extra steps as compared to the family-run Congress to adjust herself in the party where the word from Matoshree, the official residence of Thackeray family, is always final. MHA guidelines on movement of persons in private vehicles during lockdown Jyotiraditya Scindia slams Congress, says Emergency imposed in 1975 was a lockdown on democracy Single emergency number 112: List of states where it is active India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, Apr 20: Twenty states and Union territories have so far joined a pan-India network of single emergency helpline number '112' on which immediate assistance can be sought by anyone in distress, officials said on Friday. The '112' helpline is an integration of police (100), fire (101) and women (1090) helpline numbers and the project is being implemented under the central government's Nirbhaya Fund. The single number for emergency services is similar to '911' in the United States. The 20 states and UTs include Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir and Nagaland, a Home Ministry official said. The Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) envisages a single pan-India emergency number '112', which is an internationally recognised number, to target all types of emergencies. A panic button is already provided on all mobile phones, which on activation will trigger an emergency call to '112'. The Emergency Response Centre (ERCs), being set up by the States and UTs, can receive panic signal via voice call to '112', email requests on state ERSS website or the '112' mobile app, the official said. 112 adopted as India's all-in-one emergency number: What you should know Location based tracking of victim can be done through location based services of all phones or even more accurately through GPS for smart phones. The '112' India app provides for 'shout facility' designed especially for women, for enlisting support of volunteers, who have registered themselves with the state police, for emergency response. To access emergency services, a person can dial '112' on a phone or press the power button of a smart phone three times quickly to send a panic call to the Emergency Response Centre. In case of a normal phone, a long press of the '5' or '9' key will activate the panic call. A total of Rs 321.69 crore has been earmarked for this Emergency Response Support System out of which Rs 278.66 crore has already been released to the States and the UTs from the Nirbhaya Fund, set up following the infamous 2012 Delhi gangrape case, another official said. People can also log onto the ERSS website for the respective state and send an emergency email or SOS alert to state Emergency Response Centre. They can use '112' India mobile app, which is available free on Google Play Store and Apple Store. The Nirbhaya Fund was set up by the central government for projects specifically designed to improve the safety and security of the women. An empowered committee of officers, headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, apprises and recommends projects to be funded under the Nirbhaya Fund, the official said. The empowered committee also reviews and monitors the progress of the schemes/projects. Once the it is recommended by the committee, the ministry/department concerned has to take approval of the competent authority. Terror funding: How grit and determination wound a noose around the Kashmir separatists India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Apr 20: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has tightened the noose around the separatists of Kashmir in connection with the terror funding case. NIA officials say that this was a tough and tricky case as it involved dwelling in the various ways that the separatists and terrorists used to bring funds into the Valley and foment terror. The fact of the matter is that funding terrorists and separatists in Jammu and Kashmir is a major racket and probably one of the toughest cases for any investigating agency to crack, the NIA officer tells OneIndia. Trail For the investigating officers, the trail was probably one of the hardest aspects to crack. The money comes in through various sources. It lands through hawala or a drug deal. At times the money is parked in the real estate and passed on to the terrorist and separatists in instalments. How Indian agencies are hitting anti national Kashmir separatists in a sustained manner We have been able to detect that a considerable amount of money had been pumped in through Nepal which was meant to reach Yasin Malik. However he has his proxies to collect the money and this would require further investigations in order to nail him legally, the NIA official informed. Hawala: 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 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. Barter system being misused: 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 seperatists 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. Noose tightens around separatists as NIA gathers evidence of anti-national acts 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. International 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 Rupees 74,000 into the Valley. 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. The unrest: Intelligence Bureau officials tell OneIndia that the money is being used for various purposes. There is a considerable amount that goes into funding their own lavish lifestyles. Kashmir to Delhi, ED set to attach properties of Separatists worth Rs 9 crore The ISI which orchestrates this entire racket does not mind these persons living in lavish bungalows as long as they keep the fire going. Investigations had found that a considerable amount of the money had been used to fuel the 2010 unrest in J&K too. The NIA says that funding is the biggest concern and this route and channel needs to be broken. These trouble makers do anything for money and Pakistan is not hesitant to pump in as much as is possible to keep the fire in the Valley burning. Was Rahul Gandhi a UK citizen? EC postpones Amethi nomination paper scrutiny to April 22 India oi-Deepika S Amethi, Apr 20: Returning Officer Ram Manohar Mishra postponed the scrutiny of Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers from Amethi to April 22. Rahul Gandhi, who filed the nomination from Amethi, is also contesting the 2019 elections from Kerala's Wayanad seat and has filed the nomination for both. Gandhi has been a member of parliament since 2004 from the Gandhi bastion of Amethi. 'Show respect': Rahul slams Sadhvi Pragya remark on Hemant Karkare "On basis of certificate of incorporation of a company registered in UK, he declared himself a UK citizen. A non-citizen can't contest polls here," said Ravi Prakash, lawyer of Lal. "On what basis has he become a British citizen? And, how did he obtain Indian citizenship now? Unless there is clarity over the matter, we have requested the Returning Officer not to accept Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers," Prakash said. Addressing the issue, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said: "I think it's a matter of great surprise that the objections that have been raised regarding Rahul Gandhi's citizenship haven't been answered." He further said that Gandhi's legal representative did not have answers to questions raised by other candidates on details given in his nomination. Rahul Gandhi should explain whether he wants to fight BJP or Left: Yechury "Rahul Gandhi's name has been shown to be listed as a British citizen in documents related to a company in the UK. Was Rahul Gandhi a British citizen?" Narasimha Rao asked. Amethi, a traditional bastion of the Gandhi family, will go to polls on May 6. Rahul is facing a stiff challenge from Smriti Irani in Amethi. Day not far when UP will be identified as most modern state: PM Modi in Shahjahanpur Centre to launch good governance week from Monday to redress public grievances at village 'When does Modi remember his caste?' India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Jalna, Ap 20: Bahujan Vanchit Aghadi (BVA) leader Prakash Ambedkar slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday for talking about his caste. Ambedkar was speaking at a campaign rally for Sharad Wankhede, Vanchit Aghadi candidate from Jalna, here. Modi biopic: EC finalises decision, SC to take final call Two days ago, at a rally at Akluj in Maharashtra, Modi targeted Rahul Gandhi on his "why are all thieves named Modi" remark, saying the Congress chief, by making the jibe, had maligned the backward community he hails from. Ambedkar said that "Modi remembers his caste only during the election". The Prime Minister should note that backward class students were not receiving their scholarship money under his rule, the Dalit leader said. Ambedkar also hit out at state Congress chief Ashok Chavan. The talks between the state Congress and Ambedkar for a pre-poll alliance had not borne fruit. Speaking at the rally, Ambedkar said if his party came to power, he would institute a fresh inquiry in the Adarsh Housing Society scam, for which Chavan had come under the scanner of investigating agencies. He also alleged that the BJP-led government in Maharashtra was shielding Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar in the alleged irrigation scam. Did Donald Trump ever wish to work like PM Modi? Ambedkar also said that Muslim clerics who issue statements in support of the Congress should not use mosques for such political purposes. He tore into BJP's Bhopal Lok Sabha seat candidate Pragya Singh Thakur over her remarks that then ATS chief Hemant Karkare died in the 26/11 terror attack because she had cursed him for torturing her when she was arrested in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. Lok Sabha elections: BJP's candidate asks supporters to indulge in fake voting Lucknow pti-PTI Badaun (UP), Apr 20: BJP's Badaun candidate Sanghmitra Maurya was caught on camera encouraging her supporters to indulge in 'fake' voting. In a video which has gone viral on social media, Maurya is seen addressing party workers at an election meeting and asking them to cast votes of those not present on the polling day. "Not a single vote should go in vain and if some are absent, then it is common everywhere that fake vote is cast... if you get a chance, do take advantage of it... do not do it, but if you get a chance... try to take the real voters to cast their votes but in case... then something can be done in a hidden manner," she says amidst peals of laughter. [Is it possible to fail fake news industry?] District Magistrate Dinesh Kumar Singh, when contacted, said he was not aware of the matter but would look into the claims. Maurya, daughter of Uttar Pradesh minister Swami Prasad Maurya, had earlier hit the headlines by saying that she would become a goon if anyone tried to bully the people of Badaun. The Badaun Lok Sabha constituency will vote in the third phase of the general election on April 23. PTI Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to reach Lucknow on July 16; Key meetings scheduled in Delhi before visit UP Board Class 10th, 12th Result 2021 Declared: How to check Members of farmers' body detained in Lucknow for trying to burn effigies of PM Modi, Shah Section 144 CrPC invoked in Lucknow in view of Christmas, New Year UP: Official booked for being absent from duty Lucknow pti-PTI Muzaffarnagar, Apr 20: An executive officer of the Muzaffarnagar City Board, who was found to be absent from duty since April 12, was booked by authorities here, an official said on Saturday. District Magistrate Ajay Shanker Pandey said departmental action had been recommended against Amit Kumar. [Man who wanted Christchurch-like attack in India sacked, deported from Dubai] Budhana executive officer Om Giri was transferred to the Muzaffarnagar City Board on Saturday. PTI Lingerie Market growth prospects with challenges, key players - LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, L Brands, Inc., Hanesbrands Inc., Jockey International Inc., Nike Inc., Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation Lingerie www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/1460 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/1460 Lingerie is the inner clothing worn by women comprising one of the most basic needs and providing comfort as well as fashion. The common materials used to manufacture lingerie include cotton, silk, lace, polyester, and nylon among others. Women are increasingly being inclined toward wearing lingerie with precise look and measurements. Therefore, companies are focusing on launching comfortable and aesthetic products. For instance, in 2017, Nike Inc., launched a hyper-adaptive bra to support an athletes needs called the Nike Motion Adapt bra, this bra provides enhanced support and comfort.Download PDF Brochure :The growth of this market is attributed to the growing e-commerce sector, which includes shopping websites. This in turn, is influencing major players to focus on enhancing their business via online stores and sites. For instance, in 2017, Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, entered into an agreement to acquire True&Co., an online lingerie retailer. The online retailer uses a fit quiz to recommend bras and other intimates that will best fit the responding consumer.Global Lingerie Market Outlook:North America exhibited prominent growth in the global lingerie market in 2016. The growth is attributed to the presence of major players in the region and increasing number of initiatives to enhance sales. For instance, in 2018, Hanesbrands Inc., an apparel retailer company, acquired Bras N Things, Australia-based lingerie brand for around US$ 400 million. Bras N Things Pty. Ltd. has over 172 retail stores across New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. Moreover, in 2018, Victorias Secret launched a new line of lingerie in Miami, to expand its brands product portfolio.Europe accounted for a largest share in the global lingerie market in 2016, owing to the increasing number of initiatives by major players to meet the growing demand for lingerie by consumers. For instance, in 2018, European Lingerie Group acquired Avangard, a Russian distributor of medical textiles and lingerie materials. Through the acquisition, the company aims to enhance the sales of fabrics to their lingerie customers in Russia.Asia Pacific is expected to hold the fastest-growing market for lingerie over the forecast period. This is owing to the increasing purchasing power and rising influence of the western culture are the major factors driving growth of the lingerie market in this region. Major players are focusing on expanding their business in this region to obtain higher revenue and strengthen their market presence. For instance, La Senza Corporation, a Canada-based fashion retailer and subsidiary of L Brands Inc., launched its e-store in 2011, to increase their presence mainly in the Australia. Moreover, in 2017, MAS Holdings which, sells products under Amante label, planned to acquire lingerie brands in India and also planned to hold 100 stores in following 3 to 5 years.Key Players:Major players operating in the global lingerie market include LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, L Brands, Inc., Hanesbrands Inc., Jockey International Inc., Nike Inc., Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, Groupe Chantelle, MAS Holdings Limited, GGI Holdings Ltd., and Marks and Spencer Plc.Request For Customization of Research Report :Global Lingerie Market Taxonomy:Global Lingerie market is segmented into:By Product Type:BrasKnickers & PantiesLounge WearShape WearOthersBy Distribution Channel:Online StoresHypermarketSupermarketSpecialty StoresOthersAbout 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 mHealth Market Share, Revenue Analysis By Leading Players Like - Medtronic, Apple Inc., Sanofi, Mobistante, AirStrip Technologies, AliveCor, LifeWatch AG, Koninklijke Philips N.V mHealth Market https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/749 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/749 mHealth stands for mobile health is the sub segment of eHealth that deals with the medicinal practice in favor of public health care, supported by mobile devices. The term mHealth is used to refer the use of mobile communication devices such as mobile phones, electronic tablets, PDAs and also comprises of wearable devices such as a smart watch for data collection and information about health care services. mHealth is applicable in wide areas, ranging from collection of community and clinical health data and delivery of healthcare information to medical personnel to real time monitoring of the patient by provision of direct care. In developed countries the patients and consumers extensively use mobile gadgets to search for healthcare services and access various kinds of healthcare information. Doctors, physicians and even nurses are found making use of mobile devices to access information about a patient from established databases and other resources. The mHealth market comprises of devices such as ECG monitors, blood glucose meters, multi parameter trackers, sleep apnea trackers, etc.Request For Sample Copy of This Research Report:Robust penetration of smartphones in the developed as well as developing countries responsible to boost global mHealth marketAccording to World Health Organization (WHO), 112 member states participated in the module of survey, out of which 83% were reported to possess at least one mHealth initiative in their country. A majority of these member states reported implementation of 4 or more types of mHealth initiatives. As per the mHealthShare factsheet, 62% of smartphone owners in the U.S. have used their phone in 2014 to look up for health condition and information as compared to that of 52% in 2012. The rising interest and extensive use of mobile devices including tablets are widening the scope of global mHealth market.The global mHealth market is segmented on the basis of equipment, service, therapeutics and geography.On the basis of equipment, the global mHealth market is segmented asBlood Glucose MetersBP MonitorsPulse OximetersNeurological MonitoringCardiac MonitorsApnea and Sleep MonitorWearable fitness sensor device and Heart Rate MetersOthersAsia Pacific is expected to show an accelerating global mhealth market mainly due to government initiatives in spreading healthcare awarenessOn the basis of geography, the global mHealth market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. The mHealth market is spurred in the North America attributing to flourishing number of pilot projects and live health in the U.S. and Canada. The increase in number of wellness apps coupled with rising adoption of smartphones as well as increasing reliability on mobile phone apps for day to day routine is expected to accelerate the regional market in the coming forecast years. Further, rise in the rural population in countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia and India are also diligently involved in expansion of global mHealth market. Certain solutions such as bulk messaging to inform disease spread and awareness tips are commonly used in these countries. Use of local language to compose these text messages effectively helps in delivering the information to the rural population. Indian government has launched an official application named National Health Portal, India that is designed in a way to provide access and information about healthcare to a predominantly semi- literate or illiterate population.Factors responsible to boost the mHealth market involves rising awareness among people regarding regular health updatesThe primary factor responsible to drive the global mHealth market is the affordability and integration of wireless technologies which can cause a breakthrough in monitoring and diagnostics, mainly in the developing countries where smartphones are penetrating the market at a great speed. The rapid rise in the incidence of the chronic diseases as well as the advancing technologies in the mobile health apps that delivers information of personal healthcare on the regular basis are also responsible to fuel mHealth market. For instance, the in- build health app in the Apple phones provides insights about the activity, sleep, nutrition, everyday workout and even maintains reproductive health acting a smart assistant for the mobile phone users. Moreover, the mHealth devices such as glucometers and oximeters are applicable in the geriatric population of monitoring blood glucose levels and oxygen levels mainly in the diabetic population. However, lack of accuracy of these devices could restrain the market growth as many people complain about the extreme results displayed by these devices.The key players involved in improvement of the mHealth devices to increase sales in the global mHealth marketThe key players operating the mHealth market are Medtronic Inc., Apple Inc., Sanofi, Mobistante, Inc., AirStrip Technologies, Inc., AliveCor, Inc., LifeWatch AG, Koninklijke Philips N.V, Jawbone, Nike, Inc., Omron Corporation, Johnson and Johnson, Bio Telemetry Inc., Withings, AgaMatrix Inc., iHealth Lab Inc., Qualcomm, AT&T, Cerner Corporation and Cisco Inc. The mobile service provider companies are focusing to deliver uninterrupted healthcare services in the robust penetration of 3G and 4G networks across the world while several other companies manufacturing healthcare related technological devices are focusing towards providing devices with more precision and accuracy to the users by better optimization and improving the sensitivity of these devices.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.Shah1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Stun Gun Market is Growing Exponentially in Order to Gain More Demand by 2026 Stun Gun Market https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/666 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/talk-to-analyst/666 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/666 Stun guns market refers to the business generated by the non-lethal conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) that are primarily utilized for the self-defense and law enforcement agencies. Ability to incapacitate the potential suspect through the delivery of high voltage electric shocks, with the prime motive of disrupting the muscle functions for small amount of time without causing substantial damage is expected to remain the primary growth driver of the industry over the forecast period.For In depth Information Get Sample Copy of this Report @Increasing concerns and requirement of preparedness to counter the proliferating threats to womens safety and irregular upsurge of civil riots are expected to drive the industry growthNumber of criminal and rape incidents, in most economies is among the primary concern of the government agencies. Some of the major economies that include Australia, U.S., New Zealand, Norway and France are among the developed economies that have the highest reported incidents per 100,000 citizens. According to the Nations Master crime and rape rate statistics, these countries had over 15 rapes per 100,000 inhabitants. Moreover, usage of lethal weapons is substantially discouraged for the personal protection and are significantly difficult to afford. Requirement of preparedness in case of threat to personal safety are expected to drive the overall industry growth through the next few years. Moreover, functionality of some of the products that feature usability in adverse weather conditions, when pepper sprays or other self-defense tactics prove inefficient, are expected to propel the adoption rates.Stun Gun Market TaxonomyOn the basis of product types, the global stun gun market is classified into:Compact, Heavy Duty, Stun Gun Flashlight / Taser Flashlight, Stun Baton, Other forms (wands, batons, electrified brass knuckles, "iPhones", or other concealed objects)On the basis of end users, the global stun gun market is classified into:Civilians, Military and Law enforcementIrregular possibilities of civil unrest and requirement to maintain the law and order without critical damage to the civilians will present considerable growth prospectsFrance, Argentina, Myanmar, Mexico, Bangladesh, and India are among the most civil unrest prone regions, owing to substantial number of news headlines associated with the civil riots. Moreover, some riots in these countries past have witnessed requirements of military interventions to ensure the peace. Recurring surfacing of such incidences are expected to be the most prominent stun gun market growth driver over the forecast period. Additionally these find significant applications for probes against convicts who are under the influence of alcohol and drugs, which reduces their sensitivity to pain.Inquire Here Before Purchase of Research Report @Advent of CEWs that can monitor heart rates rhythms with featuring over 99.75% human life safety are gaining significant tractionIn August 2016, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center researchers successfully developed stun guns that was capable of recording the subject individuals heart rhythm and rates and capability to avoid serious injuries and fatalities. Increasing incidences of the serious incidents owing to pre-medical conditions, when using these devices are doing the rounds in media. Moreover, these serious injuries and deaths often included other risk factors, including drug use. These developments will ensure the human life safety and drive the stun gun market.Law enforcement agencies are anticipated to continue the industry dominance through the forecast periodMajor factors driving the segment growth are the increasing adoption of stun guns by special police forces and law enforcement agencies in major countries such as the US, Australia, and Canada. Moreover, increased awareness in the developing and underdeveloped economies about the benefits of these devices will drive the overall product demands through the forecast period.Request For Customization @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 Mobile Resource Management (MRM) Solution Market to Receive Overwhelming Hike in Revenues by 2026 Mobile Resource Management (MRM) Solution Market https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/mobile-resource-management-solution-market-642 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/642 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/talk-to-analyst/642 Mobile Resource Management (MRM) Solution market is rapidly gaining application importance as powerful business productivity tool owing to its ability to integrate wireless connectivity, location technologies, hardware, data interoperability server, and transaction processing onto single platforms. This system and services also known as commercial telematics, finds major applications in asset, workforce and fleet monitoring and tracking systems, is expected to considerable demand growth over the forecast period.For More Information @Transportation and logistics application segment is expected to remain the primary growth driverTransportation and logistics are the prominent application segments owing to requirement of these systems and services to monitor fleet vehicles and assets such as heavy equipment and trailers. Moreover, proliferation of GPS enabled smartphones and tablets have found increased applications for management of mobile workers. According to Coherent Market Insights, the MRM applications in the segment contributes to around 10 million units, in the U.S. alone.Reduction in costs achieved and high rate of return on investments (ROI) is anticipated to be the prominent industry growth driverUtilization of these systems allows end use industry to enable efficient means of managing data, costs and increased accountability. The data received from these systems is stored in standardized database, which is easily accessible on demand. This enables end user to create meaningful reports regarding the performance of the workforce, and plan decisions accordingly. Moreover, reduced paper work related expenses, low overtime labor costs, accurate job evaluation, and high job completion rates enables increased profit margins. These factors are expected to garner increased adoption rates and propel the mobile resource management solution market over the forecast period.High initial cost and reluctance of SMBs towards the mobile resource management solution is expected to present major growth challengeSignificant number of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have reported lack of requirement of these solutions for their operations. Moreover, substantial initial costs of these system deployments is a major concern, even for the large organizations can present potential growth challenge to the industry growth. High upfront costs are primarily associated with the hardware expense and the requirement for backend integration and customization costs.For In depth Information Get Sample Copy of this Report @U.S. held the major industry share, whereas Asia Pacific is expected to witness highest growth during the forecast periodAccording to Coherent Market Insights research, even though U.S. held the major industry share in 2016, the industry penetration was still around 40% in the region. Owing to this factor, even U.S. is expected to witness significant growth potential over the forecast years. Asia Pacific has witnessed significant increase in trade activities over the past few years, primarily owing to outsourcing of production activities in the region. China, Japan, India, South Korea and Indonesia are among the major countries that may offer significant growth opportunities owing to rampant growth of end-use industries. Moreover, requirement to monitor the export of manufactured goods and amenities, will help the industry participants establish strong foothold in the region.Chief industry participants in the mobile resource management solutions market include AppLocation Systems, Inc., AT&T, CalAmp Corporation, Garmin International, Masternaut, PeopleNet Communications Corporation, SkyBitz, Inc., and Spireon, Inc. Industry participants are increasingly making efforts to provide cutting edge solutions to enhance its applications and expand their regional presence in order to strengthen their foothold in the market. For instance, CompassCom announced it plans to introduce its MRM solutions to leverage their investments in ArcGIS. Their solutions are featured with real time monitoring and asset tracking, improved safety, accountability and efficiency for assets and personnel, in June 2017.Mobile Resource Management (MRM) Solution Market TaxonomyOn the basis of technology, the global mobile resource management solution market is classified into: Field force management Field service automation Mobile sales force automationOn the basis of components, the global mobile resource management solution market is classified into: Hardware Connectivity Data Interoperability Server Geographic information system (GIS) Data Decision making, Viewing and Reporting SoftwareOn the basis of end users, the global mobile resource management solution market is classified into: Transportation & Logistics Energy & Utilities Healthcare Construction OthersInquire Here Before Purchase of Research Report @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 One of the most sensational and debated murder cases in modern Oregon history took a stunning turn this week when a federal judge ruled that convicted killer Frank Gable be retried or released from prison. It is not yet clear whether the state will release or retry Gable for the 1989 stabbing death of Michael Francke. Francke was 42 and the director of the Oregon Department of Corrections when he was fatally attacked during a confrontation near his state-issued Pontiac outside of the Dome Building, the agencys headquarters in Salem. On Friday, Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson said shes assigned two prosecutors to reexamine the case, which includes thousands of records, old tape cassettes of police interviews and transcripts from the four-month trial in 1991. Clarkson said shes been in touch with the Oregon Attorney Generals Office but a decision about whether to appeal the ruling or retry Gable has not been made. We are assessing all of our options at this junction and we will make a decision based on our ability to proceed, she said. U.S. Magistrate John Acosta gave the state 90 days to retry or release Gable. Acosta, appointed magistrate in 2008, delivered a searing critique of investigative tactics used during the Francke case and found that key evidence that pointed to another man as the killer was excluded from the trial. Rulings like Acostas are rare in appeals known as habeas corpus cases, said Steve Wax, legal director of the Oregon Innocence Project and the retired federal defender for Oregon. Habeas petitions are filings by inmates asking the court to release them. Gable had also unsuccessfully appealed to the Oregon Court of Appeals and Oregon Supreme Court. Lisa Hay, the federal defender for Oregon, said in a statement Friday that the judges ruling details why no one should have confidence in the 1991 verdict. She pointed to the lack of physical evidence and inconsistent and unreliable witness accounts. Our client has spent nearly 30 years incarcerated for a crime he did not commit, Hay said. Always maintaining his innocence, he has waited a long time for the day he would be exonerated. Legal experts said the 94-page ruling was a thorough and detailed analysis of shortcomings in the case against Gable, a small-time meth dealer and ex-con. Its an old case and he (Acosta) obviously was aware that it is going to be read with care and its going to be read by some people with a jaundiced eye, said Wax. He was exceedingly careful in his analysis in explaining how he reached the result that he reached. Tung Yin, a professor at Lewis & Clark Law School, said he thinks itll be difficult for the state to successfully appeal Acostas ruling because so much of it is based on factual findings the judge had to make. Acosta dwelled at length on the misuse of polygraph examinations of key witnesses, some of whom were subjected to repeated lie-detector tests. Most of the various recantations also share a common theme: the use of similar coercive interrogation tactics and polygraph examinations to secure their incriminating statements, Acosta wrote. He noted that one witness, Cappie Harden, was questioned and polygraphed multiple times. At first, Harden said he wasnt an eyewitness to the murder, but then adopted a false story after threats by police, according to the ruling. Dennis O'Donnell, a now retired deputy superintendent of the Oregon State Police, oversaw the Francke investigation. On Friday, he defended the investigation and the use of polygraph examinations. He said the case involved a cast of characters whose stories changed. We did what I thought were pretty incredible things to get to the truth, he said. Most of the people we were dealing with were on crank. It was a covey of incorrigibles. It took a lot of work and an awful lot of money, he said. Another challenge for the state in retrying Gable: witnesses have died or their memories have faded. Said Yin: Even if you think Gable did it and you think Acosta is wrong in the ruling, if you have these challenges and he has already spent 30 years in prison, at some point do you say thats not quite the same as a life sentence but thats a pretty long time? As extraordinary as Acostas ruling was, it did little to put to rest the conspiracies and speculation that have long haunted Franckes killing. On Friday, Phil Stanford, once a columnist for The Oregonian and later the Portland Tribune, said Gable was a fall guy for law enforcement. Stanford has written extensively about the Francke killing and has long believed that Gable was wrongly convicted. He said authorities early on dismissed a link between Franckes killing and prison corruption, but as is now clear, that was just part of the cover-up. Acostas ruling, however, says nothing that supports the theory that Franckes death is tied to corruption. John Foote, the Clackamas County District Attorney who served as Inspector General of the Oregon Department of Corrections after Franckes killing, said Friday that a team of investigators looked into those allegations but turned up nothing. Yes there were acts of incompetence that we discovered, but we didnt find some grand corruption, said Foote. It just wasnt factually there. Kevin and Pat Francke released a joint statement Friday, saying they are relieved but remain haunted by their brothers murder. In their statement, they accused the state of manipulating the process to convict Gable. They praised the assistant federal defenders who worked on Gables appeal. We are happy in the extreme that the very real probability that Frank Gable will be released and his freedom is within sight, the men said. The state can no longer afford to manufacture a case built on lies and half-truths, and we trust that they will abandon this fruitless endeavor and concede that they convicted an innocent man. They made a mistake. The sooner they do this, the better, and justice will be served. Meanwhile, Gable is 59 and serving time in a Kansas penitentiary. Oregon corrections officials may move inmates to out of state prisons due to the nature of their crimes. Pat Francke said Friday that hes been in touch with Gables family. Frank is as excited as can be, he said. Hes looking forward to being a free man. Staff writer Rob Davis 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. Stumptown Coffee Roasters will sell a CBD-infused version of its cold brew coffee this Saturday, April 20, adding a trendy twist to one of the Portlands most popular drinks. The drinks release date recognizes both the pot-smoking holiday of 4/20 and -- who knew? -- National Cold Brew day. Available for $4.20 at Stumptown cafe all locations in Portland (except the airport), each three ounce bottle of CBD Cold Brew Elixir combines coffee concentrate with 15 milligrams of Oregon-grown CBD, a compound found inside marijuana thought to have therapeutic properties. Only 1,000 bottles were produced for the event. From craft beer to fresh juices, products containing CBD have been sweeping into the marketplace of late. In March, Walgreens became the latest chain to announce plans to sell CBD products in many of its stores. And if you happen to be in Colorado this Saturday, Carls Jr. plans to launch a CBD-infused burger at a Denver location. Congressman Earl Blumenauer will be on hand for a CBD Cold Brew Elixir launch event at 2 p.m., Saturday at Coalition Brewing, 2705 S.E. Ankeny St., part of the brewerys second annual Two Flowers CBD beer festival. -- Michael Russell @tdmrussell An SUV with a mother and her four children inside crashed along the side of a Clark County road Saturday morning, badly injuring two people inside. The mother was driving when the 1992 Toyota Land Cruiser rolled and struck a tree in the 5300 block of Northeast Lockwood Creek Road, which is east of La Center. Emergency responders rushed to the scene at about 9 a.m. The 36-year-old mother, whose name wasnt immediately available, was trapped inside and after an extensive extrication was flown to a Portland hospital by Life Flight helicopter, according to the Clark County Sheriffs Office. She suffered life-threatening injuries. One of her children, age 8, was rushed by ambulance to a Portland hospital in critical condition. The three other children -- ages 2, 10 and 12 -- werent injured and were picked up by another parent, according to the sheriffs office. Investigators were studying the crash scene in an effort to determine what caused the SUV to veer off of the road. -- Aimee Green agreen@oregonian.com o_aimee Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. SALEM Six months ago Oregon Democrats won big at the ballot box, expanding their majorities in both chambers of the Legislature and holding onto the executive branch thanks to Gov. Kate Brown. Emboldened, they entered this years legislative session with an ambitious agenda: a multi-billion dollar business tax increase to pay for school improvements, a long-sought cap-and-trade plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and a slate of other policy priorities including tightening gun laws. But with two months left before lawmakers go home, its not clear Democrats have a cohesive strategy to get it all done. There are so many things in the landing pattern that have dollar signs attached to them, its going to be amazing to watch them land them sequentially, or however they choose to do it, House Republican Leader Rep. Carl Wilson of Grants Pass said on Thursday. House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney are pushing to get the $2 billion tax and school spending plan out of committee and perhaps even to the House for a floor vote by the end of the month. Thats a week before Oregon teachers plan a statewide strike in support of the tax plan, apparently regardless of how much progress lawmakers make. At the same time, legislative leaders are publicly at odds with the governor over how to spend some of the new tax money and how to respond to the states public pension funding crisis. Many Democrats have acknowledged they must somehow address rising pension contribution rates this session, both to rally key lawmakers to support the tax increase and to appease concerns that much of any funding increase for schools would be negated by pension costs. Browns ambitious plan to have taxpayers, the states workers compensation insurance and employees all help drive down employer costs is focused almost entirely on K-12 schools, an approach Kotek opposes. Whatever we end up trying to do, it should pay down the rates for all public services, not just schools, Kotek said on Monday. Everybodys having the same problem. Brown countered on Thursday that schools need special help, in order to protect the $1 billion a year investment that lawmakers are considering. Its really important given the work were doing on revenue that there be a strong effort around stabilizing employer (mandatory pension contribution) rates for K-12 schools, Brown said on Thursday. That has to be part of this package. That strategy might help soften some lawmakers opposition to the tax. I think the governor has finally seen the light and she realizes it makes absolutely no sense at all for our families to be paying the kind of money they will under a $2 billion (per biennium) tax increase if PERS is going to eat up most of that in the coming years, said Wilson, the House Republican leader. Gov. Kate Brown, flanked by House Republican Leader Carl Wilson of Grants Pass on the left and House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson of Portland on the right, in January 2019. There is also reason to believe the political fights going on now could last well beyond the June 30 deadline for the Legislature to adjourn. We assume that there will be either portions of the (tax and school spending) package, or all of the package will get referred to voters, Brown said on Thursday. And under language currently in the bill, if voters kill any portion of the deal, it all would be invalidated. Supporters of the cap-and-trade bill have also said they expect it could face a referendum if lawmakers approve it by June. And members of the business community recently filed two proposed initiatives for the November 2020 ballot aimed at transferring some of the public pension system cost to employees. The prospect of voters ultimately deciding on the $1 billion a year gross receipts tax plan is a major reason Brown says Courtney and Kotek should allocate some of the money to community colleges and universities. The governor outlined the strategy in her November budget proposal and has reiterated it in recent weeks. I think its important to have the Oregon Student Association, the university boards and the community college boards saying Hell yes, we need revenue if there is a referendum on all or part of the bill, Brown said. Kotek, however, told reporters that if community colleges and universities want dedicated tax funding, maybe thats next years conversation. Right now (the legislative committee is) focused on pre-K through 12. Courtney concurred, drawing the line at high school graduation age. That money is for the kids and not the adults, he said in an interview Wednesday. Publicly, its not clear which strategy might resonate more with voters, although more than one poll has reportedly tackled the subject. Sen. Mark Hass, D-Beaverton, speaks in Senate chambers recently during the 2017 Oregon State Legislature.LC- The Oregonian While the governor and legislative leaders spar over strategy, lawmakers from both parties are laboring over the details of the actual legislation, including the one that spells out how the new business tax would work and how schools would be able to spend the proceeds. I just want to move forward and get out of this session with my neck intact, Sen. Mark Hass, D-Beaverton, said in an interview last week. Hass, who worked on similar gross receipts tax legislation that did not pass in 2017, is one of the lawmakers tasked with developing this years plan. The biggest challenge he sees potentially blocking passage of the $2 billion business tax? There are a few members who say theyll vote for it, but they need some (public pension reform) bills passed. Unless tax supporters can get a Republican to vote for the plan, they need all of the 18 Democrats in their caucus to line up behind the plan and Democrat Betsy Johnson of Scappoose is known for sometimes going against her party on key votes. Johnson would only say that she has been involved in PERS discussions that remain ongoing, signaling that public pension dial-backs are a priority for her. Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, pictured on Jan. 14, 2019, is co-chair of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Dave Killen In the House, Democrats only need 36 supporters to achieve the three-fifths supermajority vote necessary to pass the tax increase. They have more than enough, with 38 of the chambers 60 seats after picking up a couple districts in November, and also could potentially win over Republican Rep. Greg Smith of Heppner. Smith appeared to make a case at a hearing Tuesday night for how the tax and spending plan would benefit his district, where he said companies include food processors that export much of their product and small main street businesses. The proposed gross receipts tax would only apply to businesses with at least $1 million a year in Oregon sales. Even then, they would not be taxed on the first $1 million in sales, Smith said. So my food processors would not be paying, my main street business would not be paying but if I understand the policy side of this bill, my schools would be eligible to receive money? Smith said. Correct, answered Sen. Arnie Roblan, a Coos Bay who is co-chair of the Joint Committee on Student Success. In an interview Wednesday, Smith said while I definitely am not committed on this legislation, I want folks to understand what it is and what it is not. So how does Smith sum up the proposed gross receipts tax? When its all said and done, its a sales tax on business. Even if lawmakers manage to pass the business tax and education spending plan well before the end of session, the final weeks could be chaotic as lawmakers fight to pass other high priority bills. Although lawmakers passed part of the governors Medicaid funding plan early in the session, a $254 million shortfall remains in the upcoming two-year budget, The Oregonian/OregonLive has reported. To raise that money, Brown wants the Legislature to increase cigarette taxes, adopt the nations first vaping and e-cigarette tax and tax large employers who pay their employees so little that they qualify for Medicaid. All of those could spur heavy opposition from affected businesses. In addition to cap-and-trade and gun bills, lawmakers are also considering a bill to eliminate most vaccine exemptions that has ignited vocal opposition even as the Pacific Northwest contends with a large outbreak of measles. The governor and some Democrats have also expressed interest in reinstating double health insurance and opt-out incentive payments for state and school employees, which are set to end this year under a 2017 law aimed at cutting costs. There is also pressure for lawmakers to increase spending and accountability for Oregons foster care system, after news reports revealed that child welfare workers have increasingly sent children to out-of-state programs and other institutional settings such as converted juvenile jails. A national advocacy group also filed a federal lawsuit seeking to force the state to make systemic improvements. Courtney said the possibility that Republicans disgruntled at the onslaught of Democratic bills could slow the pace by filibustering or walking out crosses my mind, an eventuality that Wilson said he has not ruled out in the House. Kotek acknowledged Democrats will not be able to pass everything that party members and other interests are pushing for this session. We only have so many supermajority votes in our pocket. Hillary Borrud | hborrud@oregonian.com | 503-294-4034 | @hborrud Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Six environmental groups sent letters to Mayor Ted Wheeler and Portlands city commissioners on Friday, urging them to halt the expansion of a crude oil export terminal in Northwest Portland. Portlanders are opposed to such an expansion, the letter states, and city officials should stand in its way by passing a moratorium, issuing stop work orders and convening hearings. The expansion is being undertaken by Zenith Energy, a Houston-based petroleum terminals company. Zenith bought its Northwest Front Avenue facility in 2017, when it was a mostly mothballed asphalt and diesel transfer station. In 2015, the terminals former owner applied for and received city permits to expand the facility for offloading rail cars. Construction is underway and expected to finish this month. And despite concerns from environmentalists and commissioners, Portland leaders may be limited in their actions against Zenith. Building permits cannot be revoked unless a company is in violation of construction codes, which Zenith has not been found to be. Its unclear if a city policy to ban expansions of fossil fuels infrastructure would apply to Zeniths work since it was permitted before the ban was approved. Since its purchase of the terminal, Zenith has singlehandedly created Oregons crude oil export market, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported this month. Increasing numbers of freight trains hauling crude oil have been arriving at the facility from Canada, and unloading into Zeniths storage tanks that can hold more than 1.5 million barrels of crude oil. The company contracts with Chevron, which owns a Willamette River dock across Front Avenue from Zenith, to pump the crude from storage tanks and onto vessels bound for foreign and domestic refineries. Zeniths business has worried environmentalists. The tar sands oil brought in from Canada is extremely flammable, carries heightened toxic inhalation hazards and can sink if spilled in water causing extra damage to marine habitats. Zenith also misled state environmental regulators last year to avoid conducting a mock cleanup of a major tar sands spill into the Willamette, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported last week. Regulators essentially shrugged when they discovered Zeniths duplicity, the newsroom found. [Read our investigation: Oregon exporter dodged crude oil spill preparedness drill] Company executives have said Zenith never broke any state rules or laws and did not mislead regulators. Recognizing the dangers in transporting millions of gallons of crude oil through the Columbia Gorge, along the Willamette River and through Portland neighborhoods, the environmental groups made several demands of the city: Adopt an immediate moratorium on new fossil fuels infrastructure Issue a stop work order for the Zenith project and reassess safety at the site Hold a public hearing and call Zenith officials to testify about their work Put in place policies that make companies liable for damage caused in the event of a spill or explosion The letters signatories: Mia Reback of Sustainable Energy and Economy Network, Khan Pham of OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon, Bob Sallinger of the Audubon Society of Portland, Nicholas Caleb of the Center for Sustainable Economy, Regna Merritt of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, and 350PDX. Marshall Runkel, chief of staff for Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, emailed Friday that Eudaly supports doing whatever the city government can to do limit/eliminate the amount of fossil fuels that travel through and are stored in our city. Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty issued a statement saying she shares the environmental groups concerns and finds that crude oil transportation has no place in our city. Weve seen how fossil fuel industry activities endanger our communities, especially communities of color and low-income communities, and as a city we need to say thats not acceptable," Hardesty said. Our office is actively working to find solutions within the city and other jurisdictions. Representatives of Wheeler and the other commissioners did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday. -- Gordon R. Friedman GFriedman@Oregonian.com Do you know your credit card numbers by heart? Or at least have them recorded somewhere safe? If you can't locate them, you want to make sure you can put a stop to them before someone else racks up charges on your cards. It's much better to know or record them before they vanish and it's too late. We surveyed 509 Americans in November to learn that nearly 2 in 3 Americans had either lost or had stolen their wallets, purses, pocketbooks or money clips (we'll use 'wallet' from now on to represent these four accessories). Since the law protects people who report missing credit and debit cards quickly, we then asked those who found themselves in this predicament: 21% said they didn't have missing cards, and an additional 8.2% reported recovering the cards, so they had no need to report. Of the remaining 225 victims, 71% say they reported the loss the day of the incident, while 88% reported the loss within two days. That's extremely important as the reporting speed limits your liability. For both credit and debit cards, the cardholder should expect no responsibility for costs if the loss is reported before their card is misused. After that, credit cardholders could be liable for up to $50. For debit cards, your liability is $50 if the loss is reported within two business days, but it's $500 if reported later. If it's been more than 60 days after your statement is sent, your liability is only capped by the amount in your account. You could lose it all! While a small 1.8% waited longer than two days to report their cards missing, 10% never reported their loss of cards at all. "That ten percent number blows me away!" admits IT professional and identity theft victim Greg Scott. "Who are these people who can afford to have all their credit cards at risk for up to their credit limit?" You carry your card numbers around with you day in and day out, but do you really know them? MoneyTips wanted to find out if cardholders knew the basics about their cards. Nearly half the people surveyed didn't know their basic credit card data. If you don't know the issuer, how would you know whom to call to put a stop on your missing card? Only 1 in 4 knew all of their card numbers. "I'm part of that 47 percent," reveals Scott, author of the identity theft book Bullseye Breach. "I don't record my credit card numbers anywhere, but I do keep login info for all the websites in a private place. If anything happens, I can get what I need from the websites to contact the card issuers. I've been reluctant to record the card numbers because that information could get into the wrong hands and cause lots of headaches." John Buzzard, fraud and risk expert for credit union financial technology company CO-OP Financial Services, also cautions against writing down actual card numbers for security's sake. Buzzard says, "It is very important to have all of your contact phone numbers stored in a couple locations so that you can contact your card issuers and financial institutions in a time of need. Multiple copies of the same contact list can be stored in your briefcase, home and even with a trusted family member since they contain phone numbers minus the personally identifiable information." Finally, we wanted to know if people reported their loss to law enforcement. Surprisingly, nearly 2 out of 3 victims surveyed didn't report their loss. 28% figured since they had misplaced their belongings, there was no reason to involve law enforcement. But what if after they innocently lost it, a criminal found it? 25% didn't report it even though they suspected their belongings were stolen! "My anxiety level went up after seeing these numbers," says Scott. "How can anyone be that cavalier about their own property? Even through law enforcement has a reputation for not doing anything about credit card fraud, report these losses to get a case number. This could be critical in an identity theft situation." Age appears to be a factor in reporting, as the older respondents were more likely to report their property taken than younger. "More and more young people are victims of financial crime, scams and online malware," avers Buzzard. "The overarching reluctance to report each issue could stem from the obvious there is less risk to a young consumer because their incomes are not as substantial as older consumers, but the younger ones fail to realize that bad debt and ID theft could have serious consequences to credit scores. "If you are not equipped to manage the process of reporting lost/stolen payment cards or checkbooks to your financial institutions, then it's time to formulate a plan. There are many consumer services out there that perform the notifications on your behalf, but you need to establish this relationship before you need it," counsels Buzzard. For Lost Wallet Protection and Assistance, along with credit monitoring, reports, and scores, plus $1 million identity theft insurance and full-service identity restoration, try a free MoneyTips trial. For more of our exclusive data and insights, visit MoneyTips Missing Wallet Survey Findings. Photo iStockphoto.com/avid_creative Roy and Pat Mason, 3875 E. Shearer Road, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The former Pat Chase married Roy Mason in Midland. They have two children, Michael and Stephanie, both of Midland. They have three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They are both retired. Roy Chase is a veteran of the Vietnam War. They plan a trip to the West Coast to celebrate. St. John's Lutheran Preschool recently held a "Saturday School" to make up for some of the time students missed due to snow days this past winter. Kim Hearth, St. John's preschool director, and Jodi Stemple, one of the classroom aides, came in to host a fun day of learning with lessons focused around the letter T. The children decorated a cardboard taco truck, practiced sequencing by putting together pretend tacos, and then had money lessons as they bought their tacos. The children picked some of their other favorite things to do, including visiting the library for a story and making music. Great Lakes Bay Region disability advocates recently announced they would join forces in Michigan's first-ever campaign to raise public awareness of the state's MiABLE savings program, created to help people with disabilities save for current and future expenses without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits. The statewide "I Will Never Lose" campaign encourages children and adults with disabilities, disabled veterans and their families to consider opening a MiABLE account. The state-operated program allows them and their loved ones to save and invest money while retaining government assistance like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Michigan's plan comes from a bipartisan bill approved by Congress in 2014 -- the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act -- to help relieve the uphill financial burden challenging hundreds of thousands of families and people with disabilities nationally. "People with disabilities are twice as likely to live in poverty compared with their working-age peers, they are less likely to be employed and they also are more likely to be underemployed," said state Rep. Vanessa Guerra, D-Saginaw, at a recent news conference at SVRC Marketplace, where many disabled people are employed in the janitorial and food service industries. The event kicked off the enrollment campaign in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Across Michigan and nationwide, a $2,000 federal asset limit is imposed on people with disabilities who receive government benefits. "Thankfully, MiABLE changes all that," said R. Scott de Varona, MiABLE program director. By opening an account, eligible individuals and their families are free to save up to $15,000 annually in various MiABLE investment options. MiABLE accounts are available to individuals who became disabled before age 26, regardless if the disability is physical, developmental or mental. Approximately 300,000 Michigan residents with disabilities are eligible for MiABLE, including 18,000 in Bay, Saginaw and Midland counties, as well as 10,000 in the Thumb region (Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, Tuscola counties). Yet largely because of a lack of awareness, only 2,400 disabled Michiganders -- less than 1 percent of those who qualify -- are currently enrolled, advocated stated. The goal of the MiABLE "I Will Never Lose" campaign is to reach out to disabled individuals and their families who haven't yet taken advantage of the program. Michigan was among the first handful of states to begin a disability savings program in 2016 and is now one of 40 nationwide offering the accounts. Enrollment in nearby states is far higher than in Michigan, prompting the state's move to launch an awareness campaign. Among future MiABLE account holders is Michela Robb, a 25-year-old Bay City woman with cerebral palsy. Robb and her family learned the hard way about the $2,000 federal asset limit when she graduated from Saginaw Valley State University in 2017. Robb was born 10 weeks premature with many complications; she wasn't expected to live. After 14 major surgeries and a lifetime of physical therapy, she celebrated her college graduation with friends and family. "But because Kela had received so many generous gifts of money, it pushed her savings account just over $2,000 and they garnished her SSI benefits," said Tammie Stimpfel, her mother. Robb, who also attended the news conference, said she's eager to sign up for MiABLE. "MiABLE will give everyone who's enrolled the peace of mind that if something were to happen, they wouldn't be left with only pennies to their name to cover it," said Robb, a writer. Qualified individuals can use MiABLE savings to pay for expenses such as rent, tuition, vehicle purchases, health care, personal needs and long-term care. If you're employed, you may be able to contribute up to an additional $12,140 from your income -- increasing the total yearly contribution limit to $27,140. "MiABLE is another tool to help individuals with disabilities save for vital day-to-day expenses and live full, independent lives," said state Sen. Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth. MiABLE has created a statewide coalition of advocates to share details about the program with their clients. It comprises leaders in government, business, philanthropy and disability rights such as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Autism Alliance of Michigan, The Arc, Michigan Dyslexia Institute and Michigan Rehabilitation Services, among others. In the Great Lakes Bay Region, disability rights groups -- including the United Way chapters of Bay, Saginaw and Midland counties, 2-1-1 Northeast Michigan, Do-All Inc. and Disability Network of Mid-Michigan -- have also joined the enrollment campaign, which will continue throughout 2019. "We know the financial burden faced by many people with disabilities, so we are happy to share information about MiABLE," said Jan Lampman, executive director of The Arc of Midland, which promotes the welfare of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The public is invited to a MiABLE informational session at 11 a.m. May 1 at the Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority's A&W Professional Development & Business Center, 1 Germania Platz, Saginaw. Earnings in MiABLE accounts aren't subject to federal income tax and contributions are tax-deductible. Dollars placed in MiABLE accounts can be added and withdrawn at any time. Anyone can contribute to a MiABLE account -- family, friends and the account holder. "It's important that we continue getting the word out about MiABLE - because being disabled shouldn't mean losing access to a secure financial future," said state Rep. Rodney Wakeman, R-Saginaw Township. For more information or to sign up for a MiABLE account, visit miable.org. For the fifth time, Dow Chemical Employees' Credit Union has been recognized by the Credit Union National Association for ranking as one of the nation's best credit unions in providing direct financial benefits to members. DCECU received CUNA's Benefits of Membership Award, also known as the Member Benefits Top Performance Award. The credit union was honored in the $1-billion-plus asset category. State Rep. Annette Glenn recently concluded her March is Reading Month tour in Midland County, where she read to 33 classrooms throughout the month. Glenn embarked on the tour across the county with the goal of promoting a love of reading to students in the community. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, a computer engineer, public servant and the first African-American to be elected to Michigan's second highest office, will deliver the keynote address for Alma College's 132nd commencement ceremony. About 290 graduation candidates will receive their undergraduate degrees at 2 p.m. Satuday, April 20 in the Hogan Center, Art Smith Arena. EDITOR'S NOTE -- OWI means operating while intoxicated. DWLS means driving while license suspended. (MC) is for Judge Michael D. Carpenter. (L) is for Magistrate Gerald Ladwig. (B) is for Circuit Judge Michael J. Beale. (SC) is for Circuit Judge Stephen P. Carras. Sentences may vary based on previous offenses committed by the defendant. Some sentencings include other fees imposed by the state. Compiled by reporter Mitchell Kukulka. Alma Heidi Marie Clark, 30, larceny over $200, under $1,000 on Oct. 29, 2017, $775 in costs and fines, $100 in restitution to Matthew Spencer, one year in jail with credit for three days, 12 months probation, may not use or possess alcohol, illegal drugs, marijuana or mind-altering substances, subject to random drug/alcohol screening, may not enter bars. (MC) Lake Chad Allan Michalski, 37, retail fraud in the second degree - over $200, under $1,000 and retail fraud in the second degree, second offense on Dec. 20, 2018, $825 in costs and fines, $47.89 in restitution to Walmart. (MC) Merrill Christopher Collin Moe, 30, attempted police officer fleeing in the fourth degree on March 22, 2018, $725 in costs and fines, one year in jail, 12 months probation, may not use or possess alcohol, illegal drugs, marijuana or mind-altering substances, subject to random drug/alcohol screening, may not enter bars. (MC) Midland Aranda Lynn Bushre, 28, Isabella Street, operating while impaired on Dec. 28, 2018, $725 in costs and fines, 93 days in jail with credit for one day, six months probation, may not use or possess alcohol, illegal drugs, marijuana or mind-altering substances, subject to random drug/alcohol screening, may not enter bars. (MC) Jordan Charles Glover, 33, Braley Court, operating while impaired on Jan. 20, 2019, $900 in costs and fines, 93 days in jail with credit for one day, six months probation, may not use or possess alcohol, illegal drugs, marijuana or mind-altering substances, subject to random drug/alcohol screening, may not enter bars, to pay $55 per month starting on or before May 16, 2019. (MC) Patrick Allen LaFontaine, 24, East Jane Drive, larceny by conversion under $200 on June 17, 2017, $775 in costs and fines, $435.21 in restitution to Rent-A-Center, 93 days in jail with credit for three days, 12 months probation, may not use or possess alcohol, illegal drugs, marijuana or mind-altering substances, subject to random drug/alcohol screening, may not enter bars., to pay $91 per month starting on or before May 1, 2019. (MC) Andrew Alexander Matlock IV, 33, Vail Street, domestic violence - aggravated on Nov. 28, 2018, $500 in costs and fines, 60 days in jail with credit for one day. (MC) Alicia Nicole Norton, 31, Saint Andrews Road, retail fraud in the third degree on Feb. 11, 2019, $675 in costs and fines, 93 days in jail with credit for one day, six months probation, may not use or possess alcohol, illegal drugs, marijuana or mind-altering substances, subject to random drug/alcohol screening, may not enter bars, to pay $75 per month starting on May 25, 2019. (MC) Quantae Domineon Porter, 27, Charles Street, disorderly person jostling on Dec. 19, 2018, $425 in costs and fines, 90 days in jail with credit for five days, nine months probation, not to be involved in any assaulting, threatening, intimidating, violent, aggressive, disorderly or abusive behavior toward any person, may not use or possess alcohol, illegal drugs, marijuana or mind-altering substances, subject to random drug/alcohol screening, may not enter bars. (MC) Felicia Marie Smith, 34, Wisconsin Street, breaking and entering a vehicle to steal property less than $200 on Dec. 6, 2018, $575 in costs and fines, 93 days in jail, 12 months probation, may not use or possess alcohol, illegal drugs, marijuana or mind-altering substances, subject to random drug/alcohol screening, may not enter bars, to pay $25 per month starting on or before May 1, 2019. (MC) Morley Curtis Jay Brearley, 28, operating while intoxicated on Feb. 12, 2019, $775 in costs and fines, 93 days in jail with credit for two days, 12 months probation, may not use or possess alcohol, illegal drugs, marijuana or mind-altering substances, subject to random drug/alcohol screening, may not enter bars. (MC) Saginaw Daisy Lashonda Donald, 34, assault and battery, and domestic violence on Feb. 18, 2019, $175 in costs and fines, 30 days in jail with credit for 30 days. (MC) Delta College has joined the list of many other local businesses and community agencies that are investing in downtown Midland. School officials plan to break ground Monday on a $13 million learning center on Ellsworth Street. The three-story building will include science and computer labs, classrooms, special use training rooms, student services and administrative space. The 30,000-square-foot building will be another place on the downtown map, and we can expect more traffic and congestion when it opens for students in the fall of 2020. Other than another concern about the shortage of downtown parking, the development will bring more attention to a downtown that is growing in a state where most downtowns are stable at best and shrinking at worst. We are glad that Delta College officials have made sure that Midland will be on its future map, despite a recent decline in enrollment. Delta's aging facility on Wheeler Road could not have been much of a magnate for students looking to grow their education and obtain skills for a career. A new building will offer students an innovative environment with state-of-the-art technology. It will have a look and feel that draws people who want to better their lives. Once again, we need to thank the local businesses and foundations that have contributed to this move by Delta officials. More than $9 million of the $13 million project was provided from community donors including Dow and the Dow Corning Foundation, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, the Harry and Margaret Towsley Foundation, the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation and Chemical Bank. Dow's involvement is linked to the upcoming launch of the Dow Innovation Teacher Fellowship, a development collaborated by Dow, the University of Michigan and Delta College. This initiative will provide area teachers with an immersive learning environment and education hub to inspire the workforce of tomorrow and create sustainable pathways that will have a positive impact on the environment and society. Delta's new facility in downtown Midland should be a success story for both the college and the city of Midland. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - More than 1,000 producers from Burkina Faso's 45 provinces are expected to attend the 21st edition of the National Farmer's Day (JNP), which will open next Thursday until April 27 in Gaoua, Southwest region, the Ministry of Agriculture announced on Saturday Tripoli, Libya (PANA) The death toll in the armed clashes that broke out two weeks ago near Tripoli, between the troops of the Libyan National Army based in the East and the forces loyal to the government of national accord, has risen to 220 and 1,066 injured, according to the World health Organization (WHO) Kinshasa, DR Congo (PANA) - The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Friday called on the United States of America to lift sanctions it imposed on its leaders, a statement issued here and obtained by PANA said Washington, US (PANA) - The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday approved emergency financial assistance of US$118 Lome, Togo (PANA) The demonstrations last Saturday in Lome by the national Pan-African Party (PNP) in which one person died and several others were arrested, are some of the headlines in Togolese newspapers this week Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Tripoli citizens wearing yellow jackets took to the streets en mass for the second consecutive day Friday to protest against the offensive launched by the Libyan national army led by Marshall Khalifa Haftar against the city, denouncing Frances support to the attackers, according to reports monitored by PANA This week Apple and Qualcomm ended their multi-year legal battle. As you'll note at the bottom of this report Patently Apple covered this issue extensively for the first year. This was supposed to be one of the Biggest IP Trials in History. The press was baffled over the suddenness of the deal being announced to end this battle while both sides were still in court giving their opening statements to the jury. It was a known fact that Apple had held back royalty payments to Qualcomm as Apple launched their lawsuit against Qualcomm, so the settlement including a one-time payment is likely just Apple paying Qualcomm what was due. So that point in their announced deal appears to be of little significance. The agreement to pay royalties to Qualcomm was likely negotiated to be in the press release so that their business model could remain in tact. That's the part of the agreement that some question and feel Apple caved-in on, at least on paper. No one knows the fine print of the deal so it'll remain an open question mark for now. The significance of Qualcomm insisting that the deal mention Apple was to pay them royalties is because the judgement from Judge Koh on the FTC's case is due in the not-too-distant future. In January a Bloomberg report began by stating the following: "Qualcomm Inc. could be the most prolific technology innovator of the mobile era. Or it could be a master of anti-competitive practices, thwarting rivals development while snatching up profits at the expense of its customers margins. Maybe its both. In a non-jury trial thats wrapping up, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has offered plenty of evidence that Qualcomm is an industry bully. Whether the agency has delivered a knockout blow to convince U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh that the company is a monopolist who breaks the law is a tough call: Koh hasnt revealed a clear bent during arguments this month. An adverse ruling for Qualcomm could topple its licensing business model. According to the FTC, Qualcomm leveraged its market dominance to compel them into signing mandatory licensing agreements when purchasing semiconductors -- a business model dubbed "no license, no chips." So for Qualcomm, a deal with Apple is great and the timing better, prior to Judge Koh's ruling but Qualcomm is not out of trouble just yet and so they're still working the press in the hopes of painting Apple as a liar and putting the FTC's case into question. The timing of a new report by the Washington Post ("Post) is no coincidence. It's purposely designed to put a Qualcomm-spin to Apple's motives and character to show how Qualcomm was the victim here, not Apple. The Post states that sealed documents, obtained as part of a trial between the two tech giants have been made public. The exact sections of the documents revealed by the Post uniquely paints Apple as the true villain in this legal battle. Not a single quote or segment of the Post's report provides Apple's position on any matter. How convenient for Qualcomm. The tale that the Washington Post ("Post") has spun is focused on very specific points. Point #1 The Post states that "During the roughly two years Apple was locked in a legal battle with one of its suppliers, Qualcomm, the iPhone maker publicly argued that the chip makers technology was worthless. But according to an internal Apple memo Qualcomm showed during the trial this week between the two tech companies," a different story. "In a March 2015 email that was part of the sealed documents, Apples vice president of hardware, Johny Srouji, wrote of Qualcomm technology, "Engineering wise, they have been the best." Another Apple memo described Qualcomm as having a "unique patent share" and "significant holdings." There's no context, just frozen partial lines to support Qualcomm's position. How convenient. Point #2 According to the Post, "The documents also raise questions about the methods Apple used to inflict pain on Qualcomm and whether Apple really believed its own arguments to lawmakers, regulators, judges and juries when it tried to change not just its long-standing business agreement with Qualcomm but the very laws and practices that have allowed inventors to profit from their work and investments. Apple has argued that Qualcomms patents were no more valuable than those of competitors like Ericsson and Huawei, but Qualcomm argued in court that the documents show otherwise. After the Post crafting that specifically worded cloud of doubt on Apple's motives according to their theory, they then convenienly get a professor to back the doubt that they created. The Post Quotes Adam Mossoff, a law professor at George Mason University and director of the Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property stating: "While its very common for companies who are engaged in legal disputes to play hardball, the disclosure of these documents is very unsettling. "It potentially reveals that Apple was engaging in a bad faith argument both in front of antitrust enforcers as well as the legal courts about the actual value and nature of Qualcomms patented innovation." Interestingly the Post adds that "Qualcomm and Apple declined to comment." It's probably part of the deal for both parties to not comment on the deal. Hence the Washington Post's report surfacing supporting Qualcomm's position is a way to get around a likely gag-like clause. How convenient. Point #3 The Post further wrote: "An Apple document from June 2016, called Qualcomm Royalty Reduction, predates Apple filing suit against Qualcomm in San Diego federal court by more than six months. The purpose was spelled out clearly: "Goal: Reduce Apples net royalty to Qualcomm." Apple said in the document it planned to accomplish this in several ways, including "Hurt Qualcomm financially" and "Put Qualcomms licensing model at risk." This is exactly what Judge Koh is weighing in on and the Washington Post keyed in on this specific quote found in a ton of documents to assist Qualcomm. How convenient. Point #4 In another segment, the Post wrote: "There was more to the story, though. In one internal document cited by Qualcomms lawyers, Apple said it sought to 'create evidence' by scrupulously licensing other less expensive patents to make Qualcomms look expensive. According to the documents, Apple said it would 'selectively filter' a group of patent licenses for 'the most desirable deals,' using the patents as 'evidence as a comparable in disputes with others.' Qualcomm lawyer Evan Chesler alleged the 'others' referred to Qualcomm. The posted added "Apple declined to comment on the documents and allegation." Yes, Apple said no comment on the entire article, but by continually saying Apple declined to comment on specific points is simply a way to apply more spin, imply more quilt. The post quoted Qualcomm's lawyer Chesler arguing to the jury: "So they went out to these other companies and they negotiated very cheap deals within the last couple of years to create the evidence to come in here and tell you that those guys are the good guys because they are getting less for their patents and we are the bad guys." Where is Apple's rebuttal? The case ended and the Washington Post just let that Qualcomm argument sit their in mid-air favoring Qualcomm's position. How convenient. You could read the full pro-Qualcomm Washington Post report here. Below you'll find Patently Apple's coverage of the Apple-Qualcomm legal battle over the first eleven months that we mentioned at the top of this report,. The very first report listed below is titled "The U.S. Fair Trade Commission Sues Qualcomm for Forcing Apple to use its Chips in iDevices." It was the case that kick-started the Apple-Qualcomm war, framed by the FTC's case. This is what it still all boils down to. This is what Judge Koh is still to rule on. It's the very heart of the Apple-Qualcomm war. This is the ruling that really matters. This is the ruling that could ultimately demolish Qualcomm's business model. So while the Apple-Qualcomm case was settled last week, the core issue at hand has not been concluded until Judge Koh rules. The Washington Post's report being anti-Apple and pro-Qualcomm was designed to show the public how Qualcomm isn't the bad guy here and didn't force Apple to use it's chips as Apple alluded to. That it's all been an Apple conspiracy from the get go according to Qualcomm and the Washington Post. The Post crafted their report to produce that exact conclusion. Presenting any credible Apple position was never entertained. It was all pro-Qualcomm which makes their report pure spin. Is that even possible? Of course it is. The Washington Post for the most part had been one sided against President Trump for over two years based on spin that ultimately blew up in their face when Special Counsel Mueller's conclusion was recently made public that there was no Trump-Russia collusion, period. Spin, no matter how long it's supported is still spin. Adolf Hitler understood this form of propaganda as he once stated that "If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed." In the end will the Post's hack job sway Judge Koh in any way? I rather doubt it and in fact it could back fire on them. It could easily be viewed that the Post's report is Qualcomm's way of trying to snow the public and paint Koh into a corner. It's a Snow White fairy tale account of the battle between Apple and Qualcomm to help Qualcomm shareholders sleep at night. Until Judge Koh's ruling is in, Qualcomm shareholders are still not out of the woods just yet. Apple Qualcomm Battle History The battle between Apple and Qualcomm has been raging on since the year began as our list of reports below proves out (2017). Jan 17, 2017: The U.S. Fair Trade Commission Sues Qualcomm for Forcing Apple to use its Chips in iDevices Jan 20, 2017 - Apple Sues Qualcomm for $1 Billion Claiming Unfair Exclusionary Tactics and Charging Excessive Royalties Jan 22, 2017: Apple's Full lawsuit against Qualcomm Comes to Light Revealing Secret Licensing Agreements and more Jan 25, 2017: Apple takes their War against Qualcomm to Beijing China Jan 25, 2017: While Qualcomm is Guilty of Gouging Asian Smartphone OEMs, the Chip Maker Believes that Apple is the Problem March 02, 2017: Apple has launched a new Lawsuit against Qualcomm in the U.K. April 11, 2017: Qualcomm Fires Back at Apple with Counterclaims Lawsuit Claiming Breach of Contract and more April 28, 2017: Qualcomm Lowers Q3 Fiscal 2017 Guidance due to Apple Holding back Royalty Payments May 03, 2017: Qualcomm Plans Retaliation against Apple and ask the International Trade Commission to Stop iPhone Sales May 12, 2017 - The FTC Responds to Qualcomm's Motion to dismiss their case about Monopoly Power, Samsung & Intel File Amicus Briefs May 17, 2017: New Court Filing Details Qualcomm Suing Apple's iPhone Suppliers for withholding Royalty Payments July 06, 2017: Qualcomm Files another Patent Infringement Complaint against Apple with International Trade Commission June 20, 2017: Apple has asked the Court to Stop Qualcomm's Double Dipping 'No License, No Chips' Market Tactic July 19, 2017: Apple joins in new Lawsuit against Qualcomm filed by Suppliers Hon Hai, Pegatron, Wistron and Compal July 21, 2017: Intel Files Statement with ITC claiming Qualcomm is trying to Force them out of the Modem Business with Apple Aug 09, 2017: U.S. International Trade Commission to Investigate Apple's Alleged Unfair Trade Practice within 45 Days Aug 14, 2017: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has Requested Qualcomm provide more info on Dispute with Apple Sept 08, 2017: U.S. Federal Judge Rules that Apple's Multiple Foreign Lawsuits against Qualcomm can Proceed Oct 11, 2017: Taiwan's FTC Hits Qualcomm with a Record $773 Million Fine for Abusing their Monopoly Power Oct 13, 2017: Qualcomm, as Expected, Seeks to Stop iPhone Sales in China with new Patent Infringement Case Filed Nov 02, 2017: Qualcomm Sues Apple for Providing Intel with Qualcomm source code to Assist Intel's Future modems for iDevices Nov 29, 2017: Apple Sues Qualcomm over Two Snapdragon Processors that Infringe on their Intellectual Property Nov 30, 2017: Qualcomm Wastes no Time in Retaliating against Apple with another Patent Infringement Lawsuit filed in California About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or negative behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus. Patna: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Central Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, at a press conference in Patna on Sunday ridiculed Congress President Rahul Gandhi's prophecy that the Congress was poised to take over power from the NDA in the 2019 parliamentary polls and state elections saying his predictions were as unreliable as 'counting stars in the daytime'. "Shri Rahul Gandhi ji has obviously seen the future based on which he is making predictions about national and state elections. However, his predictions so many months ahead of the polls are as unreliable as trying to count stars in the sky during daytime. Ironically, having said that, the Union Minister indulged in the same rhetoric that he accused Gandhi of making prediction about future elections. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP will win the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with a very comfortable margin," Prasad said. The Union Law and IT Minister also took Gandhi to task on his disparaging comment on Prime Minister Modi's recent informal meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China. "By making such comments, Gandhi undermines the dignity of India," he said. As reported, the Congress chief, during the 'Akrosh Rally' in Delhi on Sunday, ripped Modi on a number of issues including economy, corruption, crime against women, frequent foreign trips, and pervasive cronyism within the NDA. "The Congress President should know that it has always been the tradition of the Indian government not to criticize the Prime Minister on foreign policy. By questioning the Prime Minister's motives on his informal China trip, Rahul Gandhi has insulted the entire nation," the BJP leader said adding after losing every election since he took over the reins of the Congress Party, Rahul Gandhi was desperately trying to regain the respect of his party cadre that was now having serious doubts about his abilities. Scharffenberger Cellars opened in 1981 in the heart of Californias Anderson Valley, which is located only miles from the coastal influences of the Pacific Ocean. It benefits from the deep soils and sunshine within that protected valley. It was originally founded by John Scharffenberger, and then went through several evolutions, including having its name changed to Pacific Echo from 1998 until July 2004. But under the new management of Maisons Marques & Domaines, the name and history of the place has been restored. One thing that hasnt changed is its affinity to produce sparkling wine, pushed in that direction by the warm day-time temperatures and cool, foggy evenings. As the website explains, these large diurnal shifts help maintain the natural acidity in the grapes while also pushing the fruit to showcase character and generosity two aspects which make superior sparkling wine. Tex Sawyer was the winemaker from 1989 to 2017, helping to define the Scharffenberger Cellars house style. Following in his footstps is Jeffrey Jindra, who took over in early 2018, bringing extensive experience gathered during his years producing wine both in California and New Zealand. Some of that work took place in the Anderson Valley, so he brought a familiarity and experience with the growing conditions there. Both the non-vintage Brut and non-vintage Brut Rose are distributed through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Boards system. Here is a link to the winerys history and to the Brut Rose Excellence, a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, that it makes. Sparkling wine doesnt need to be a celebratory beverage, and its part of my job to dispel that, Jindl is quoted as saying on the winerys website. "Big occasions are great, but so is the everyday. He was kind enough to answer some questions from PennLive regarding his new role and the winemaking philosophy that has been shaped through this first part of his career. Scharffenberger Cellars is located just outside the tiny town of Philo, 125 miles north of San Francisco near the rugged Mendocino Coast. The tasting room is open daily 11-5, excluding major holidays. There is a $3 tasting fee, which can be applied to bottle purchase. 1, Give me a little background on what originally got you into the business of making wine. I graduated from Sonoma State University with a degree in Wine Business Strategy and a curiosity to learn more about the industry. I always thought it important to understand the full circle of any industry, which is why I set off to do one seasons harvest with the intent of diving back into sales and marketing afterwards. Before I knew it, one year had turned into seven and I realized what I truly loved was working in the cellar. After working for many years with a small winery in Glen Ellen, Sonoma, I decided to continue my wine education and completed UC Davis extension program for Enology and Viticulture. Following that, I worked a few harvest jobs in New Zealand, the first at Whitehaven in 2011 and Kim Crawford in 2012. After those harvest jobs, I accepted a position in the Anderson Valley in 2012 working for Husch as assistant winemaker, where I worked for 6 vintages. Finally, I came to Scharffenberger in January 2018, which gave me the ability to transfer a lot of the knowledge and information I had learned during my time at Husch about the Anderson Valley to my new role. 2, What are a couple main differences between New Zealand and California when it comes to winemaking? There are a couple of differences that come to mind. First is climate. In the Marlborough, region where I worked, temperatures were on average cooler than we have in California during the growing season. I also recall rain during the growing season, which almost never occurs in California. Most of the vineyards had green grass between the vines all the way up till harvest. The California climate is much drier and warmer. The only moisture that we see in the growing season is the morning fog that pulls in off the Mendocino Coast. The only things green are the vines and trees. Another aspect of difference is the level of mechanization in New Zealand vs. California. The Kiwis are very industrious people, due to a small labor pool and historically very few resources. Their industrious efficiency spilled right over into their grape growing and winemaking techniques. The majority of grapes are picked mechanically in large batches. In California the wine industry developed in a different fashion. Historically, California has had a large labor pool along with plenty of resources to develop vineyards and wineries. Thus the approach in California has been more artisan than industrial. But, of course, there are exceptions in both locations. 3, I looked on the website and saw mention of a house style of sparkling there. Define that, and with your arrival and the new ownership, is that house style still the same or off in another direction? Since our inception in 1981, Scharffenberger Cellars has been making sparkling wines by means of methode traditionelle. Every bottle is individually fermented, riddled and disgorged. My predecessors discovered that the wines had to go through malolactic fermentation in order to add creamier texture and flavors, which eventually became staples of the Scharffenberger house style. Soft, round and easy to approach, ideal on its own or paired with a meal. The style remains consistent, but every year Mother Nature throws different curveballs as a winemaker, you have to be able to adjust to those conditions while remembering to stay true to the winerys vision. 4, What are a couple things you like about your first vintage there? It has been fun recalibrating my palate to a new range of acids, sugars, and flavors. The parameters of sparkling wines and still wine are rather different. I enjoyed having contextual examples of those parameters; so much better than reading about them. Also, getting to know the vineyards behind the bottles I have continuously admired was great. I have always felt that great wines are made in the vineyard. Round one was excellent and I am excited to dig deeper in my understanding of the vineyards. The Scharffenberger Cellats' non-vintage Brut and Brut Rose. 5, I read about the climate and topography of the Anderson Valley. What are those soils like and how old are the vines? The soils in Anderson Valley dont differ dramatically in composition; more so, depth of the soil is the biggest variance. The three main types of soil through the region are Pinole loam, Boontling loam, and Bearwallow-Wolfey complex. These soil types are a mix of sandy, gravelly alluvial loam, and plenty of clay. Very little of the valley is actually flat, as you move toward the coast the topography increasingly becomes a series of rolling benches rather than valley floor. In regards to vine age we have a wide range and now are in a good cycle of replanting the original plantings from the early 1980s. On average I would say 18 years old. 6, What in your mind are a couple keys to making outstanding sparkling wine? Getting the right ripeness: Sparkling wine has a narrow window of ripeness and it can be challenging to get fruit off the vine in a timely manner. You need to pay very close attention to the vineyards to make sure you harvest at exactly the right point. Very clean fermentation: Crafting the base wines can be challenging because they are very delicate. You need to have very clean fermentation if not, any imperfections will show. It is important to pay attention to detail and be as meticulous as possible: smelling, tasting, making sure you have everything in its purest form. What you might call complexity in a sauvignon blanc may be considered a flaw in a base wine for sparkling wines. And outstanding rose sparkling wine? Crafting an outstanding sparkling rose requires not only an outstanding base wine, but also crafting a delicate still Pinot Noir that has color with very little tannin. The two are then married through blending trials. I want the sparkling rose to pick up the berry fruit flavors and some of the color of Pinot Noir, without becoming too heavy or tannic. The pale salmon and rose gold hues are definitely alluring, but the best sparkling roses are all about texture and that is what I seek through the red wine addition. 7, In general, it feels like the perception of sparkling wine has evolved to include a less formal setting. Agreed? So sparklings can be less expensive and still be as tasty and versatile? I would agree with this statement. We are learning how to drink sparkling wines on a regular occasion, and also learning to try sparkling wines from different parts of the world. Being a part of the Scharffenberger team in particular is a great opportunity to grow the market for sparkling wines beyond celebrating large occasions and to bring sparkling wine to the dinner table. I like the idea of affordable luxury. 8, And how do you separate your sparklings from the others? Scharffenberger is part of the Louis Roederer family, so there is an inherent attention to quality and tradition that separates Scharffenberger from other California sparkling wines. We still use the traditional method of production, which yields the best results when it comes to making quality sparkling wine. We also work closely with our team at Roedererer Estate, another sparkling wine producer in the Anderson Valley under the Louis Roederer family, to share advice and best practices. 9, Finally, back to the start. How much do you feel like youve evolved as a winemaker since you started and what keeps that business interesting and challenging? Working harvests across different hemispheres, and perhaps more importantly, working with wineries of different sizes and scales, has allowed me to evolve not only as a winemaker but as a leader. Each vintage brings new challenges to my job. We are constantly evolving to keep up with what Mother Nature puts in our laps. This job is infinitely interesting because soon as we figure out what when right and wrong last year, we are faced with a new set of variables with the next vintage. Furthermore, we are currently evaluating our dosage level to see if it should be adjusted. We are also experimenting with new blends and bottling to bring something new to the Scharffenberger lineup. -- Views from a California winery co-owner, winemaker: Dan Panella, Oak Farm Vineyards View from a South African winemaker: Adam Mason View from a New Zealand winemaker: Warren Gibson Views from an iconic California winery proprietor: Peter Mondavi Jr. Views on Merlot from a California winemaker: Chris Carpenter Views from a California winemaker/owner: David Ramey Views from a Napa winery owner: Tom Gamble, Gamble Family Vineyards View from a California winemaker: Kunde Family's Zachary Long Wines Most Inspiring People 2018: Crafting Wine and Legacy in Washington Washington Winemakers Tree Branches Out from Chris Upchurch Mentorship Views from a Napa winemaker: Cakebread Cellars Stephanie Jacobs Wines Most Inspiring People 2019: Striving for Quality and Uniqueness -- Roman Roth, Wolffer Estate Officials with the National Weather Service will be investigating to determine if a tornado caused damage in parts of southcentral Pennsylvania Friday night. Mike Dangelo, meteorologist with National Weather Service in State College, said an official would be inspecting damage in Huntingdon, Franklin, and Fulton counties on Saturday. Thats where the most damage was reported as a result of the storms, Dangelo said. Some of the damage reported includes downed trees and power lines and roofs blown off of some buildings. There was some damage to a couple of houses, he said. It seems kind of sporadic, but there are some areas of more concentrated damage. Storms rolled through the region, prompting a few severe thunderstorm warnings for various areas. A tornado warning from in effect for Franklin County from about 8:27 p.m. until 9 p.m. The warning was issued when a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Wayne Heights. Damage from last nights storm along Lincoln Way West St Thomas Township Franklin County Pennsylvania Posted by Franklin County, Pa Storm Chasers-Weather Imagery on Saturday, April 20, 2019 Photos of Damage in st Thomas Township Franklin county Pennsylvania Posted by Franklin County, Pa Storm Chasers-Weather Imagery on Friday, April 19, 2019 A total of 9 tornados were confirmed across Pennsylvania last weekend thanks to storms that rolled through the state. April 20 has a reputation as a day when bad things happen. Is the reputation deserved? Certainly if you dig deep enough, any date will yield tragedies. April 20 may get singled out more often because it is the Adolph Hitler was born. But that date (and some of the dates in the week leading up to April 20) does seem to claim an unusual number of catastrophic events. Heres a sampling, with an assist from On This Day website: 1889: Little Adolph Hitler is born. 1906: An earthquake on April 18 causes large parts of San Francisco to burn, and two days later, on April 20, firefighters finally stop the spread of flames. An estimated 3,000 people died as a result of the catastrophes, and hundreds of thousands were left homeless. 1914: Colorado National Guard members open fire on a tent colony of striking coal miners and their families in Ludlow, Colo. At least 66 men, women and children are killed in the attack and in the days of rioting that followed. 1918: The Red Baron -- Manfred von Richthofen, shoots down his 79th and 80th victims. He dies the following day. 1920: Tornadoes kill 210 in Alabama and Mississippi 1934: Heinrich Himmler becomes inspector of the Prussian secret state police. 1967: A Globe Air Bristol Britannia turboprop crashes in Cyprus, will 126. 1968: South African Airways Boeing 707 crashes at Windhoek, killing 122. 1974: The continuing violence between the two para-military organizations in Northern Ireland claims its 1,000th victim with the death of petrol station owner James Murphy in County Fermanagh. 1999: Columbine High School students Eric Harris and Dyland Klebold kill 13 people at the school and wound 24 more before killing themselves. Students leave Columbine High School late Tuesday. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)AP 2010: Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig explodes, killing 11 workers and allowing oil to gush into the Gulf of Mexico for almost three months. The Deepwater Horizon drilling unit burns in the Gulf of Mexico on April 21, 2010, the day after BP's Macondo well beneath it blew out. 2012: Plane crashes in Pakistan, killing 127 people If you look at the history of April 19 as well, more tragedies are added to the list: 1989: Gun turret explodes on USS Iowa, killing 47 sailors 1989: A jogger is assaulted and raped in New York City's Central Park. It becomes one of the most widely publicized crimes of the decade. 1993: 76 Branch Davidians die in a fire near Waco, Texas following a 51-day seige by the FBI. 1995: On April 19, a truck bomb at Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building kills 168 people, wounds 500 others. As storms continue to move through the region overnight, most of central Pennsylvania will fall into a flash flood watch. The National Weather service said Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Montour, Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union and York counties are all under the flash flood watch. The NWS said heavy showers and thunderstorms are in the area, and could cause localized flash flooding. Flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas is likely, as well as along some regional streams and creeks. PHILADELPHIA (AP) A Philadelphia native who had been facing the possibility of more prison time after federal officials said he was mistakenly released more than a dozen years ago has been credited with time served. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that a federal judge on Thursday granted a joint motion that the prison sentence of 43-year-old Demetrius Anderson to be deemed satisfied. Prosecutors said factors including the length of time elapsed and Anderson's efforts to rebuild his life led prosecutors to conclude that no purpose would be served by sending him back to prison. Defense attorney Michael Dolan said Anderson was "ecstatic." He had been arrested in Connecticut after officials said an internal audit revealed he had been mistakenly freed early in 2006 and owed another 16 months behind bars. ___ Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer A Middletown man is accused of sending nude photos to two teens, and having repeat sexual contact with one over the course of two years. Michael Kelley, 35, was charged with two counts of felony dissemination of explicit sexual material to a minor and one count each of misdemeanor corruption of minors and indecent assault. Investigators began looking into Kelley on April 14, after Lower Swatara Township police received a report that an 18-year-old woman had sexual contact with him starting when she was 16, according to court documents. The woman told police that the sexual contact began in March of 2017, and continued until she was 18, according to court documents. She said Kelley first sent her a nude photo through text messages that month. That same month was the first time the two had sex in the basement of his home on Bangor Road. The sexual contact continued, and the girl said Kelley would smoke marijuana around her regularly when she was 16 and 17 years old, according to court documents. On April 14, the woman was at the Bangor Road home while Kelley was there, according to court documents. The girl said as she was leaving, Kelley grabbed her by the legs and pulled her down onto his lap. The woman said she told Kelley no, but he pulled down her pants and smacked her bottom, according to court documents. The woman said she was able to get away from him and the house. The woman gave police text messages from Kelley, apologizing for what happened at his home, police said. In the text conversation, she responded to him saying she told him no, but he kept touching her, and he apologized again, police said. The woman also gave police a voicemail where he apologized for smacking her on the bottom, and said it was hard to let her go because she had been his for two and a half years, according to court documents. Police spoke with a second person who said when she was 14 years old, Kelley sent her a nude photo through text message, according to court documents. They did not give the current age of the female. Kelley was arrested on Thursday and placed in Dauphin County Prison on $25,000 bail, according to court dockets. Kelley posted bail through a bond the same day. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 1. The Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) the independent investigation and enforcement bureau of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) on Friday received notice from Sunoco Pipeline LP, a/k/a Energy Transfer Partners (SPLP or Sunoco), of Sunocos intent to restart the Mariner East 1 (ME1) pipeline. Sunoco also will take a series of additional steps to address safety concerns regarding the Mariner East pipelines, according to a press release. Mariner East 1 (ME1) has been out of service since Jan. 20, 2019, as engineers from I&Es Pipeline Safety Division monitored stabilization and remediation efforts undertaken by SPLP following a subsidence event or sinkhole that exposed a small segment of the pipeline along Lisa Drive in West Whiteland Township, Chester County, the release said. The January agreement between I&E and Sunoco related to the voluntary shutdown of ME1 required 72-hour notice of intent to restart that pipeline. Notice was provided to I&E at approximately 3 p.m. Friday. Engineers from I&Es Pipeline Safety Division will be on site at Sunocos offices on Monday to monitor startup procedures. Enhanced safety actions to be undertaken by Sunoco include: I&E and Sunoco have agreed upon a plan to further remediate the Lisa Drive area surrounding ME1. The site remediation plan will contain a going-forward approach based on all data collected to date. The site remediation plan will also consider the impact of the planned or anticipated open trench excavation of the 20-inch Mariner East 2 line, and the plan will be submitted to I&E for review by I&Es consultants. SPLP will commit personnel to walk the Lisa Drive section of ME1 daily, except where inclement weather would put personnel in danger, until the grouting along ME1 is complete. SPLP will further provide I&E with summary reports describing the observations recorded during each visual inspection. Sunoco will perform geophysical tests in the right-of-way area behind Lisa Drive every six months for two years, and report the findings to I&E. SPLP will maintain the existing top-of-pipe elevation survey locations and strain gauges on this section of ME1 and will continuously monitor strain gauge data in its control room that is staffed 24/7, and routinely provide reports to I&E. Per the press release, I&E also noted the following regarding the ongoing safety monitoring of the Mariner East pipelines: April 20, or 420, has become the unofficial marijuana smoking holiday a date that rose to popularity with weed smokers for its connection to 4:20 p.m., a convenient time when pot smoking pioneers once gathered to toke up in the 1970s. Nearly 50 years later, recreational marijuana use has been legalized in 10 states across the United States, as well as Washington D.C. Pennsylvania isnt among them, but maybe it someday could be. Late last year, state Gov. Tom Wolf said it is time for Pennsylvania to take a serious and honest look at recreational marijuana. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman this year embarked on a listening tour, in which he intends to visit all of states 67 counties to gather information from Pennsylvanians, who both support and oppose recreational legalization. According to a poll released last month by Franklin & Marshall College, a majority of Pennsylvania voters, 59 percent, agree that recreational marijuana use should be permitted. A PennLive story about the poll explains the support is a drastic shift since 2006, when only 22 percent of registered voters were in favor of marijuana legalization. The poll showed that support was the strongest among younger voters, with 80 percent of those younger than 35 in favor of legalization. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, with state Rep. Patty Kim, D-Harrisburg, kicks off his statewide listening tour to gauge Pennsylvanians' interest in legalizing marijuana, with a first stop at the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, February 11, 2019. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.comPENNLIVE.COM Even though recreational marijuana use is not yet a reality in Pennsylvania, cities across the state have been taking steps to reduce penalties for pot possession. And many have been doing so for several years at this point. In 2016, Harrisburg officials approved a new law, becoming the third Pennsylvania city to reduce penalties for possession of a small amount of marijuana. The decision, which came after months of public meetings, reduced the penalty for possession a small amount of marijuana to a summary offense, the same as a traffic violation. Small-amount possession offenses now come with fines of $75 to $150. Still, the new law allows for a misdemeanor charge in cases of repeat offenders, PennLive reported. Harrisburg was preceded in decriminalization by Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and since 2016, decriminalization also was implemented in places like State College, Lancaster, and most recently, Steelton. Other communities have been less receptive. Perry Countys Landisburg is among them, according to a March report from the Perry County Times. On March 11, members of the Landisburg Borough Council gave the OK to an ordinance that bans businesses from producing or selling marijuana within the municipality. According to the Perry County Times, the ordinance does not prohibit the use of medical marijuana in the borough. Pennsylvanias medical marijuana program was signed into law in 2016, allowing permits for companies to both grow and distribute marijuana as a medicine in the state, as well as licenses for those with qualifying ailments to use it. File photo of display case at Organic Remedies Dispensary in Cumberland County, Pa. shows some of the forms of medical marijuana. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com HARHAR In 2018, the state pulled in more than $1 million dollars via a 5 percent gross receipts tax on medical marijuana companies, as well as related income tax and licensing fees, according to the Department of Revenue. That was up from $291,000 in 2017, PennLive reported. Even more revenue possibly a half-billion dollars could be generated if marijuana was recreationally legalized and taxed at 35 percent, according to an analysis made public by state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale last year. That analysis claimed that there were about 800,000 regular marijuana users in the state, who each spent an average of $2,100 per year on the drug, according to the Associated Press. Looking to make recreational marijuana a reality in Pennsylvania, bills proposing legalization have been introduced, including recently. In February, state Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Pittsburgh reintroduced a bill that would legalize marijuana use for people 21 and older. Under the plan, tax revenue from marijuana would be used to support affordable housing, after-school programs and student debt forgiveness. A similar plan exists in the state Senate, according to the PhillyVoice, which reported that Sens. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery, and Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia, have cultivated a proposal for recreational legalization that would use related revenue mostly to subsidize public education. The idea of recreational legalization was met with less fanfare earlier this month at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference, an annual gathering of conservatives. There, Colorado-based recreational marijuana opponent Luke Niforatos, talked about the consequences of legalization, including increased use among children. And last year, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre County, referred the push for recreational legalization reckless and irresponsible," calling marijuana a gateway to other more dangerous drugs, according to an article by PA Post. The same story makes note of Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon County, once a medical marijuana proponent, who has since expressed concerns about recreational legalization, specifically what its effect could be on medical marijuana research. "Theres several unanswered questions that I have about it, Folmer said, according to the article. We dont know enough about it. What I want is for Pennsylvania to be a leader in research because well start understanding this plant better. About 20 years ago, Hope Adkins-Durante and her husband moved to the Eastern Lancaster County School District, a largely rural community. It wasnt far from where Adkins-Durante herself went to school. Now, Adkins-Durante is a registered nurse and mother of three children who go to Eastern Lancaster County schools. The past few months, she said, have been a little shocking. The district of about 3,100 students is in the middle of a debate over transgender rights, one that is dividing the community. More than 200 people showed up to the latest school board meeting on Monday night as the board passed a biological sex policy for bathrooms and locker room use. That is the type of policy that the Pennsylvania School Boards Association has said will almost certainly be struck down because it limits transgender students from using facilities aligned with their gender identity. The Eastern Lancaster County policy is set to go into effect May 14. Adkins-Durante opposed the policy. And the public debate over the issue has changed how she sees her community. Im learning that its not as diverse as I thought it was, she said. Its hard now seeing it in a different light, because had I known this, I dont know that I would have raised my family here. Stu Martin, the father of two children in the district, is one of the people who has encouraged the school board to separate bathrooms and locker rooms by biological sex. After the meeting, Martin described the dispute as a clash of civilizations. He thinks some people have the wrong idea about his side. Were not unloving. Were not monsters, Martin said. What we are doing is were trying to protect our children and our childrens children in the way of life that we embrace and believe. The debate in Eastern Lancaster County shows no signs of going away soon, and its one that other districts could confront. Heres what you need to know about the issue, the potential legal risk for the school district and what comes next. How did the Eastern Lancaster debate start? In past years, the school district worked with transgender students and their families to allow the students to use single-user restrooms or have alternative locker room arrangements, Jeff Litts, an attorney for the district, said in January. But he said this year, the family of a transgender student insisted that their child have access to boys restroom and locker room facilities at the high school. Litts said the student is a biological female who identifies as male. Locker rooms werent an issue in the first semester, because the student did not have a physical education class, Litts said. But this semester he did. The district allowed him to use the boys locker room, and Litts said the district took steps to protect the privacy of students, including installing changing stalls. But there was still a public outcry, and more than 250 people attended a school board meeting in January, LNP reported. The school district is considering spending about $1 million to get rid of gendered locker rooms. Instead, the district would have private showers and changing stalls for high school students. What happened on Monday? The board approved a student privacy policy with a biological sex addendum that would prohibit transgender students from using the locker room or bathroom that matches their gender identity. No attorney for the district reviewed the addendum. During the meeting, school board members also eliminated language suggesting the new policy was a recommendation as opposed to a requirement. What are community members saying? There are, broadly speaking, three camps. There are people, such as Adkins-Durante, who say the district should support transgender rights. She said there are multiple transgender students in the district. One of her sons is friends with a transgender student. His gender has never been an issue for us. It wasnt even something I thought about until it seemed like the adults started speaking out a lot more and making it an issue, Adkins-Durante said after the meeting. And as a mom, I just it bothers me because hes such a great kid. Hope Adkins-Durante, a mother of three children in the Eastern Lancaster County School District, speaks during an April 15 school board meeting. In another camp, there are people who raise legal concerns. Rodney Jones, a school board member who voted against the biological sex policy, focused on the potential costs of a lawsuit on Monday evening. And there are people, such as Martin, who dont want transgender students to use the locker room and bathrooms that match their gender identity. In the Bible, it says that God created them male and female, Martin said. Martin said he expects there will be a lawsuit and that hes not concerned about it. What should one be more concerned about the future of their children or the future of their bank account? Martin said. What does the Pennsylvania School Boards Association recommend? The opposite of what Eastern Lancaster County school board members approved. The association recommended that if students are uncomfortable using the same changing and bathroom facilities as transgender students, then those uncomfortable students should have access to single-user or partitioned areas. We urge public school entities to be sensitive to the needs of transgender students, a vulnerable community who need protection and support and to be aware that the legal landscape presently favors the legal positions of transgender students, the association said. What has happened in other court cases? Multiple court cases have gone in favor of transgender students, including two high-profile ones in Pennsylvania. In 2016, the Pine-Richland School District in Allegheny County passed a policy that said students must either use unisex bathrooms or the school bathrooms of their biological sex. Three transgender students sued with the assistance of an organization called Lambda Legal. A federal district court temporarily blocked enforcement of the policy, and the two sides reached a settlement that Lambda Legal says prohibits the district from ever barring transgender students from using the bathroom that matches their gender identity. The district also agreed to pay three transgender plaintiffs who had since graduated $20,000 each, plus $75,000 for attorney costs, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported after obtaining the information through a Right-to-Know request. Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, an attorney with Lambda Legal, represented the plaintiffs in the case. He said the policy that Eastern Lancaster County passed Monday is the same as what Pine-Richland attempted. If they were to look at the case law, there is no wiggle room, Gonzalez-Pagan said. In another Pennsylvania case, the Boyertown Area School District in Berks and Montgomery counties was sued by students over its policy of allowing transgender students to use the bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity. A federal district court and an appeals court ruled in favor of the district, and the wins were seen as victories for transgender rights. In November, the plaintiffs filed a petition, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the ruling. Whats next? The Eastern Lancaster County school board is scheduled to meet again on May 13. The new privacy policy is scheduled to take effect the following day. That means the board will have the opportunity to change the policy or delay it further. The school board president, Glenn Yoder, said he wasnt going to comment about a potential lawsuit. Im hoping that everybody in the community decides to work collaboratively, Yoder said. Jason Landau Goodman is executive director of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress, which advocates for LGBTQ people. He said members of his organization have talked with students and families in the district about a potential lawsuit. He said the district still has a chance to reverse the policy in May. There is a threat of imminent harm to students here who, come next month, will be forced into the bathroom and locker room that are unsafe and completely harmful to them, Landau Goodman said. PARIS Architects and construction workers have now stabilized the damaged structure of Notre Dame cathedral, four days after a fast-spreading fire ravaged the iconic Paris building, and firefighters will leave the site Friday night, a fire brigade spokesman said. "There is no more risk the edifice's walls could fall down," Lt. Col. Gabriel Plus told The Associated Press, adding that firefighters have been able to cool down the walls and debris from the roof inside the cathedral. "It's a miracle that the cathedral is still standing, and that all the relics were saved," he said. Earlier, the cathedral's rector said a "computer glitch" may have been behind the rapidly spreading blaze that devastated the 850-year-old architectural masterpiece. Rector Patrick Chauvet did not elaborate on the exact nature of the glitch. "We may find out what happened in two or three months," he told a meeting of local business leaders. The fire burned through the network of enormous centuries-old oak beams supporting the monument's vaulted stone ceiling, dangerously weakening the building. The surrounding neighborhood was blocked off as stones continued to tumble off the sides of the cathedral after Monday evening's devastating blaze. On Thursday, Paris police investigators said they believe an electrical short-circuit most likely caused the fire. The Parisien newspaper has reported that a computer glitch might have misdirected firefighters responding to the initial fire alarm. The unsourced report said investigators are also looking into whether the fire was linked to temporary elevators being used in a renovation that was underway at the time the cathedral caught fire. Chauvet said there were fire alarms throughout the building, which he described as "well protected." Charlotte Hubert, president of a group of French architects who specialize in historic monuments, told BFM television that experts plan to spread a custom-made peaked tarpaulin across the cathedral's roof, with enough space to also shield workers rebuilding the frame. As Catholics carried out the Way of the Cross ritual near the cathedral to mark Good Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron met with officials from the United Nations' cultural agency, UNESCO. UNESCO representatives have offered their technical expertise to help with the reconstruction. Macron is moving quickly on the fire-ravaged monument's reconstruction, which is being viewed both as a push to make it part of his legacy and a way to move past the divisive yellow vest protests over social inequality in France. Notre Dame's reconstruction is prompting widespread debate across France, with differing views over whether it should involve new technologies and designs. Macron's office has, for example, said the president wants a "contemporary architectural gesture to be considered" for the collapsed 19th-century spire, which wasn't part of the original cathedral. Macron hasn't offered any specifics on his vision for the roof or whether the frame should be wood, metal or concrete, according to his cultural heritage envoy, Stephane Bern. He has named a general, Jean-Louis Georgelin, former chief of staff of the armed forces, to lead the reconstruction effort. Over $1 billion has already poured in from people from all walks of life around the world to restore Notre Dame. With Notre Dame cathedral in background, religious officials carry the cross during the Good Friday procession, Friday, April 19, 2019 in Paris. Top French art conservation officials say the works inside Notre Dame suffered no major damage in the fire that devastated the cathedral, and the pieces have been removed from the building for their protection.(AP Photo/Francois Mori)AP Judith Kagan, a conservation official at France's Culture Ministry, said the artworks inside Notre Dame had suffered no major damage from the fire and the pieces were being removed from the building for their protection. The Notre Dame fire delayed Macron's long-awaited plans to quell anti-government protests that have marred his presidency. The French leader abandoned a planned TV address to the nation on the evening of the fire, heading to the scene instead and declaring: "We will rebuild Notre Dame." According to an opinion poll by BVA institute published Friday the first carried out since the fire Macron has gained three points in popularity in the past month with an approval rating of 32%. That puts him back at the support level of September, before the yellow vest crisis, BVA said. Although all French polls show that Macron's popularity has remain depressed since a tax increase on retirees last year, they suggest his party may be ahead in France's May 26 European Parliament election, with Marine Le Pen's far-right party, the National Rally, close behind. Macron is now expected to detail his new measures next week. Macron earlier was planning to respond to demonstrators' concerns over their loss of purchasing power with tax cuts for lower-income households and measures to boost pensions and help single parents. Despite the destruction of Notre Dame dominating the news in France, a new round of yellow vest protests is planned on Saturday across the country, including in Paris. Interior minister Christophe Castaner said 60,000 police officers will be mobilized and demonstrations near Notre Dame will be banned as he expects some protests to turn violent. In a hopeful development Friday, 180,000 bees being kept in in hives on Notre Dame's lead roofing were discovered alive. "I am so relieved. I saw satellite photos that showed the three hives didn't burn. I thought they had gone with the cathedral," Nicolas Geant, the monument's beekeeper, told the AP. Geant has looked after the bees since 2013, when they were installed as part of a city-wide initiative to boost declining bee numbers. Since the insects have no lungs, Geant said the carbon dioxide in the fire's heavy smoke put the bees into a sedated state instead of killing them. He said when bees sense fire they "gorge themselves on honey" and protect their queen. He said European bees never abandon their hives. ___ Associated Press writers Thomas Adamson and Samuel Petrequin contributed to this report. Michelle Obama charted her own course, prioritizing what she values. AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais Michelle Obamas Becoming can be read in many ways: as a political memoir, as a story of being black and aspiring in America or as a Cinderella story that transports an ambitious black girl from a 900-square-foot apartment to a home with 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms and 28 fireplaces spread out over six floors, and a staff of ushers, florists, housekeepers, butlers and attendants for her every need. As a psychologist who tries to better understand the course of womens growth throughout adulthood, I was surprised to see that it can also be read as an illustration of how women ideally evolve. For decades, psychologists have relied on psychologist Erik Eriksons theoretical model of the stages of life, a model based on how men develop that largely overlooks women. Ive spent 45 years studying womens lives to remedy this gap, most recently publishing Paths to Fulfillment: Womens Search for Meaning and Identity. I followed 26 randomly chosen college-educated women from ages 21 to 58. They came from large cities, small towns and rural areas. Some were the first of their families to go to college, and many struggled with early poverty and abuse. All married at some point in their lives, and just over half of them had children. Most cultivated some kind of profession; others simply worked. In analyzing their lives, I offer a way of thinking about womens life journeys that depicts the stages of adulthood for those who surmount the challenges they encounter. Michelle Robinson Obama, despite living an extraordinary life, exemplifies the optimal path of development I found among my ordinary women. In contrast to Eriksons male life stages, I learned that relationships to others are central for womens development in adulthood. Candid about her inner life, Michelle titles her life chapters Becoming Me, Becoming Us and Becoming More, which map perfectly with the psychological stages of identity, intimacy and care the eras I identified in womens lives. In that sense, Michelle Obama represents Everywoman. Becoming Me the challenge of identity Like the women I followed, Michelle found her fulfillment in ways very different from what she had expected. As a young girl, she had modest aspirations: a family, a dog and a house that had stairs in it two floors for one family. Optimal identity formation involves exploring possibilities, reworking the goals of childhood and forging ones own path. Michelle Robinson set her sights on becoming a successful lawyer, emulating the people she had observed in downtown Chicago, in smart outfits and moving with purpose. Dogged through her adolescence and early adulthood by the question Am I good enough?, becoming a Harvard-degreed corporate lawyer showed her that she was. Her identity crisis came when she recognized she didnt really want the life shed achieved. She felt empty practicing law. Taking a big occupational risk, she found that working in public service or for nonprofit organizations felt like doing something for a larger good. Identity becoming me came from achieving her goals and then taking on what she expressed as the universal challenge of squaring who you are with where you come from and where you want to go. Like Michelle Obama, women in my study often realized, in their 30s, that their initial choices were not what fit them. Generationally, they were among the first to penetrate meaningfully into the work world where opportunities for self-realization were opening. They could become judges or take on management roles. They could leave social work and become teachers for more family-friendly hours. They could, like Michelle, think seriously about what suited them and change course. They could create their own identity. Becoming us intimacy The quest for intimacy, which became central in their 20s, led many women in my study to modify their own occupational goals in light of their partners. Like many of them, Michelle chose her mate after a period of developing friendship rather than initial passion. Once married, she then had the challenge of aligning her goals with his which were far from her dream of recreating the close, warm family shed grown up in. Michelle disdained politics and resented Baracks time away from the family. She refused to uproot her children and move to Washington when he was a senator. Out of love, she supported Baracks presidential run, but didnt think he would win and, in some ways, hoped he wouldnt. Intimacy was leading her on a path she would never have chosen. Many of the women in my study followed similar trajectories although, of course, on a smaller scale. One woman, Betty, had to readjust her goals as a physical therapist when her husband made a fortune in real estate and, in their 30s, wanted to retire and spend their time traveling. Maria, a nurse from a traditional Italian American family, had to become the family breadwinner when her husband was physically disabled. Like Michelle, each had to rework her identity to accommodate the unforeseen circumstances of her spouse. Becoming more care Adulthood is about what psychologists call generativity: investing in projects of care. Once situated in the White House, which she partly regarded as a prison, Michelle sought to focus her energies and use her influence for a larger good. Michelle never internalized the medias representation of her as a celebrity rock star. Instead, her generative need to promote well-being in children through nutrition and exercise were what motivated her - and she used her fame and special status for these ends. She was passionate about being a role model for girls, and she still tried to create a close family. She writes that one of the best things about her husband being president was that their home was above his office and he could be present for dinner most nights helping ensure as normal a family life for their daughters as possible. Becoming more or finding a way to care for others was central in the lives of the most fulfilled woman I have studied. When these women reflect on the meaning of their lives at age 58, teachers describe students who returned to thank them for things they said that changed their lives. A doctor remembers working as a volunteer with AIDS patients. A judge recounts letters she received from claimants who were helped by her decision. A mother spoke of how well her autistic child had done with her efforts to find him support. Those whose lives had the most meaning were those who felt theyd had impact on the lives of others. Culminating in fulfillment Not all of the women I have studied felt fulfilled by age 58. Some were still trying to master the identity task, having drifted through life. Others never found the intimacy that could anchor their care. But those who felt their lives most meaningful at age 58 followed the path that Michelle Obama details. They created themselves, shared this self deeply with another person and found that they could become more by offering themselves to promote others well-being. Of course, this can happen outside the traditional mold of marriage and children many of the most profound and fulfilling connections my women reported came through their work or other relationships. Like Michelle Obama, thriving midlife women create themselves in a network of interconnection with other people. They are contributing in some important way to the lives of others. They dont talk a lot about making money or climbing ladders. Thats not where their ambition is. As one of the women Ive studied put it, You find yourself by giving yourself away. For women, and perhaps for men as well, mature identity, intimacy and care develop in the context of relationship, something that psychology is just beginning to understand. Ruthellen Josselson, Professor of Psychology, Fielding Graduate University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. FILE - In this April 21, 2013 file photo, Maria Butina, leader of a pro-gun organization in Russia, speaks to a crowd during a rally in support of legalizing the possession of handguns in Moscow, Russia. Butina appeared briefly in federal court in Washington on Thursday. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan set Butinas sentencing for April 26. Butina pleaded guilty in December to a conspiracy charge and agreed to cooperate with U.S. investigators. (AP Photo/File) Read more (Bloomberg) Maria Butina, who faces an April 26 sentencing after pleading guilty to being an unregistered Russian agent operating in the U.S., should be released without spending more time in prison, her lawyers told a federal judge. Attorneys for the 30-year-old Russian told U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington on Friday that she has spent more than nine months in detention and cooperated before and after her arrest and guilty plea. She should be sentenced to time served along with an order sending her back home to her family, according to a filing Friday in federal court in Washington. Butina arrived in Washington as an American University student in 2016 and made inroads with Republican Party figures, including Scott Walker, at the time the governor of Wisconsin, and officials at the National Rifle Association. She asked a question of then-candidate Donald Trump at a conference. She has been in federal custody since July when she was indicted for conspiring to establish a back channel between Russians and American politicians. The filing explains her romantic relationship with Paul Erickson, a lawyer whos been involved in several Republican presidential campaigns and has strong ties to the NRA. Butinas motivations werent nefarious, her lawyers wrote in the filing, explaining that her goal was to improve relations between the U.S. and Russia. Butina acknowledged her failed duty to report to the U.S. her association with Aleksander Torshin, a former Russian Central Bank deputy governor and ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin who now is under U.S. government sanctions. Butina pleaded guilty to conspiracy to act as an unregistered foreign agent. Despite Marias well-meant intentions, she has confessed to her crime, according to the filing. Her activities with Torshin triggered a duty to notify the Attorney General. This law exists for a reason: so the Unites States government knows the identities of those who are acting on behalf of foreign governments or officials, whether the actions are legal or not, and Maria failed to provide the requisite notice. For this, she is remorseful. The case is U.S. v. Butina, 18-cr-218, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia (Washington). With assistance from Andrew Harris. 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Anti-government protesters join a Stations of the Cross procession on Good Friday, carrying signs demanding the release of political prisoners in Managua, Nicaragua, Friday, April 19, 2019. Good Friday religious processions in Nicaraguas capital have taken a decidedly political tone as people have seized on a rare opportunity to renew protests against the government of President Daniel Ortega. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga) Read more MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) Good Friday religious processions in Nicaragua's capital took on a political tone as people seized a rare opportunity to renew protests against the government of President Daniel Ortega. As hundreds of faithful walked in a traditional Stations of the Cross procession to the city's cathedral, dozens of protesters shouted for "justice" and carried wooden crosses bearing the names of those who died during the past year of protests. They waved the blue-and-white Nicaraguan flag, which has become a symbol of the opposition. When the protest continued outside the cathedral, riot police moved in to disperse them with deafening sound grenade-type devices and tear gas. Some young protesters threw rocks and sought shelter among the faithful inside the cathedral's gates. Police surrounded the site. Jose Pallais, a member of the opposition Civic Alliance who has participated in a dialogue with the government, said the Vatican's ambassador Waldemar Sommertag was mediating between authorities and the opposition to win the safe passage of the protesters out of the cathedral. Some protesters later left the cathedral, but late in the afternoon police were still outside the site and about 100 protesters remained inside, afraid to come out, Pallais said. Pallais said he had heard of two injuries, including a young woman injured by a tear gas canister. The National Police said in a statement they knew of no injuries and had arrested no one. They said masked protesters armed with rocks, homemade mortars and some with guns infiltrated the procession and then hid on the grounds of the cathedral. On Wednesday, an overwhelming police presence scuttled a scheduled opposition march to mark the anniversary of the protests. Public demonstrations have been effectively banned in Nicaragua since last year. Friday was the anniversary of the first three deaths after the government and armed supporters moved to quash the protests last year. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights says at least 325 people have died in the protests and government crackdown. Protests began in response to social security cuts and expanded to calls for Ortega's ouster. Ortega has maintained that last year's protests were an attempted coup orchestrated by forces outside the country. International observers have found no evidence of a plot to overthrow of the one-time revolutionary who led the ouster of Anastasio Somoza in 1979. This week U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton announced additional sanctions against Nicaragua, European politicians called on the European Union to impose its own and Canada confirmed that it had cut nearly $20 million in direct aid to Ortega's government. James K. Hill, Canada's ambassador to Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Honduras told the AP this week that repression by Nicaraguan authorities had led to the suspension of the financial support. "Canada is concerned by the human rights situation and considers the repressive actions of the government unacceptable," Hill said in a written response to the AP. The government typically uses such direct foreign assistance to support its general budget. Canada suspended the assistance in August, but the government only confirmed it following a news report this week. Hill said the aid carries conditions and wouldn't be renewed until "there is satisfactory evidence of improvement with respect to the state of human rights in Nicaragua, which would be reported by independent sources." Canada continues to provide development assistance in Nicaragua - averaging about $15 million annually - through international and non-governmental organizations. With Notre Dame cathedral in background, religious officials carry the cross during the Good Friday procession, Friday, April 19, 2019 in Paris. Top French art conservation officials say the works inside Notre Dame suffered no major damage in the fire that devastated the cathedral, and the pieces have been removed from the building for their protection. Read more PARIS - A procession of clergy dressed in white carried a simple black cross through the streets of Ile St. Louis on Friday, continuing a Good Friday ritual even while the charred hulk of Notre Dame Cathedral loomed behind them. Thousands of Parisians and visitors gathered for the "stations of the cross" devotion, a symbolic re-enactment of Christ's passion that commemorates the trajectory from his sentencing to his burial in 14 stops. Timi Patea, 21, one of the young seminary students guiding the crowd, said this year's service was especially important "to show that Notre Dame is still standing." The cathedral was visible in the background, across a short foot bridge, on the neighboring Ile de la Cite. Because its nineteenth-century spire and much of its roof were consumed in Monday's fire, its flying buttresses now seem to climb to nowhere. But the main structure, the iconic twin bell towers and the stunning stained-glass rose windows remain intact. And most of the art and artifacts survived. Some media reports had suggested that Friday's procession would include one of the treasured relics saved from the burning cathedral: a crown of thorns said to be the one Jesus wore during his crucifixion. But the Archdiocese of Paris said that, for security reasons, the relic was left in safekeeping at Paris City Hall. Notre Dame will be closed for five to six years, church authorities have said. Crews must assess the damage and stabilize the structure before rebuilding can begin. Investigators still privilege the view that the fire was an accident. French media outlets have cited unnamed police officials saying that an electrical short-circuit is the leading hypothesis. But a judicial official from the office of the Paris prosecutor, the body overseeing the investigation, told The Washington Post that "no hypothesis is excluded at this stage." Paris's Catholic community has been determined to carry on with Holy Week celebrations without the cathedral that marks the heart of the city. Easter Masses that were supposed to take place at Notre Dame have been moved to the nearby Church of Saint Eustache. "A cathedral is a place of passage," said Stephane Lemessin, a French priest who blogs on church-related issues. "One has the desire to look up, to regard the heavens. We will have to find other places to regard the heavens now." Notre Dame Cathedral, of course, is not just a place of worship. It is also a symbol of Paris, the most-visited site in one of the world's most-visited cities and an inspiration for countless artists, writers and poets. "Tourists visit it more than the faithful do," said Frederic Martel, a French journalist. "The collapse of Notre Dame in the literal sense is a sad metaphorfor the collapse of French Catholicism in the figurative sense," said Martel, whose recent book examines the question of closeted homosexuality within the Vatican. "Devastated by scandals, inflamed by polemics, French Catholicism is bankrupt." But some, including Michel Aupetit, the archbishop of Paris, see rebuilding Notre Dame as an opportunity for the Catholic Church to transcend the scandals that have eroded public trust. "The only thing I'm sure of is that God always gets good from evil," Aupetit said in a Friday interview with La Croix, a French Catholic newspaper. "At the foot of the cross, when everything was over, someone was standing: it was Notre Dame," he said, referring to the Virgin Mary, the namesake of the cathedral, who was present for her son's crucifixion. "And on the third day, Christ is risen. From the death of his son, God brought for the good: his resurrection and the salvation of all men." Both France's Catholic roots and its secularism were visible in the shadow of Notre Dame on Friday. Some of those who observed the stations of the cross procession mouthed the words to hymns they knew by heart. But nearby, the "bouquinistes," the booksellers that line the banks of the Seine, were propped in their folding chairs, checking their iPhones and waiting for customers. Because the weather was finally warm, young people were sunbathing on the riverbank. Some gazed up in curiousity as Latin incantations boomed from the loudspeakers. Four days after the fire that brought the city to a shocked standstill, Paris had resumed doing what it does on a spring afternoon. Freeholder Director Tom Pullion (right) and Deputy Director Balvir Singh (left). After 42 years of having little clout, the Democrats have seized control of Burlington Countys governing board and have begun to make their imprint, including taking a stand on the controversial natural gas pipeline through the Pinelands. Read more After more than 40 years of being in the minority, Democrats seized control of Burlington Countys governing body this month, and already have joined the fray over a natural gas pipeline that opponents say threatens the Pinelands, a federally protected million-acre tract in New Jersey. The new majority on the Freeholder Board is calling for Sean Earlen, chairman of the Pinelands Commission, to step down or be ousted, saying he has a conflict of interest and is beholden to the Republican Party. Earlen, who was appointed by the boards previous GOP majority and named chairman by then-Gov. Chris Christie, helped push through the $180 million Southern Reliability Link pipeline, which cuts through the protected area. Last week, Earlen said he would not resign. My term is up at the end of 2020, and I dont believe there is a conflict," said Earlen, who was recently named the head of the countys Republican committee. The 30-mile-long, 30-inch pipeline was approved in September 2017 but is still quite contentious, as shown by the hundreds who go to meetings to protest against it. Work on the project quietly began in Plumsted Township late last month, but multiple lawsuits are pending and more are being filed as the Pinelands Preservation Alliance and Sierra Club challenge the pipeline, saying that it would harm the environmentally sensitive preserve and that an alternate route should be considered. The environmental groups also argue that irregularities and conflicts of interest marred the approval process. New Jersey Natural Gas Co., which is handling the project, is suing, too, saying the freeholders have imposed too many restrictions on installation of the pipeline, which would go from Chesterfield Township, Burlington County, through parts of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and end in Manchester Township, Ocean County. The gas company representatives say the pipeline is needed to enhance service to South Jersey customers and increase reliability. Yes, we are looking at stopping the pipeline," said Tom Pullion, a Democrat newly sworn in as the director of the five-member freeholder board. In November, Democrats captured two seats, giving the party a 4-1 majority and some oversight over the pipeline, including road closures during the project and appointments to the Pinelands Commission. Pullion said the board is considering rescinding the action that the lame-duck GOP-controlled board took in late December to allow two county roads to be closed during the duration of the pipe installation. More than 100 people went to the December meeting to oppose the road closures. Rescinding the authorization to close the roads could be very significant, said Carleton Montgomery, executive director of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. It might make it impossible for them [the gas company] to do it the way they want to do it.... Maybe they would consider a different route less harmful to the Pinelands. The alliance is suing to overturn the vote, saying two of the three Republicans who participated, former Freeholder Director Kate Gibbs and Freeholder Latham Tiver, should have recused themselves because they work for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825. The union has lobbied for the pipeline and the work it would bring, he said. The vote was 3-2, so without their votes, the authorization would have failed. Gibbs said she had no conflict because all we were doing is giving the county engineer another tool in his toolbox to incorporate the road closure in with the permits. She said she favors the pipeline because it is necessary for the Joint Base and for our infrastructure ... but I have no financial gain or benefit from the vote. Tiver could not be reached for comment. The GOP-controlled board also voted in 2017 to reappoint Earlen to another three-year term on the Pinelands Commission, a 15-member body composed of seven members appointed by the governor, seven by the counties that have territory in the Pinelands, and one by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The commissions purpose is protect the federal preserve and the trillions of gallons of water in its aquifer and to limit development. Heres a guy who sat on the commission who doesnt seem to care about the environment and who cares more about business than the residents whose homes are right next to where the pipeline will be, Pullion said. There was an alternate route for that pipeline to go without putting trillions of gallons of clean water at risk. Why wouldnt you do that? Pullion said Earlen also has a conflict of interest because he was named the chairman of the county Republican committee this month. The decisions you make on the commission should serve everyone, and hes the GOP chair, he said. Deputy Freeholder Director Balvir Singh, also a Democrat, said foes of the pipeline have attended several board meetings this month and requested Earlens ouster. Were hearing concerns from the people that as the head of a political party, his decisions wont be as unbiased or as fair when decisions come before him, Singh said. A lot of money flows through the party, and we want to explore those concerns. After the GOPs bruising losses in the county elections and the resignation of former longtime Chairman Bill Layton, Earlen was named to head the party. In November, two incumbent freeholders, the county clerk, and U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur, who represented Burlington and Ocean Counties, were all defeated. Earlen said his new position does not interfere with his serving on the Pinelands Commission. All the appointments on the Pinelands Commission are made by politicians, and on top of that, there are a multitude of mayors, freeholders, and other folks involved in local and state politics who have served in the past. Many of us wear different hats, said Earlen, who is also mayor of Lumberton Township. The commissions job is to enforce the comprehensive management plan and protect the Pinelands. Politics and accusations of conflicts of interest have long plagued the Pinelands Commission. In 2013, Commissioner Edward Lloyd, who was the president of the Eastern Environmental Law Center, was asked to recuse himself on votes involving a second gas pipeline because he said he was told by the Attorney Generals Office that he had a potential conflict of interest. Environmental groups opposed to that pipeline criticized the recusal request, saying Christie was trying to muster enough votes to get the pipeline approved after Lloyd had raised questions about it. That South Jersey Gas Co. pipeline received approvals in 2016 and 2017. It follows a 22-mile route that starts in Cumberland County and ends at a proposed gas-fired electricity-generation plant in Cape May County. After the first vote on the projects approval ended in a tie, Christie appointed Earlen as chairman, in 2016, to replace Mark Lohbauer, a foe of the project. Cumberland County also switched its representative on the commission to a member who favored the project, and a second vote allowed the project to move forward. Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat who has been in office one year, has discretion to name a new chairman at any time. When asked for comment, a spokesperson said in an email: The Governors Office does not comment on appointments that have not yet been made. Gov. Murphy has directed his team to take a hard look at energy infrastructure projects as part of an updated Energy Master Plan, which will set New Jersey on a path to 100 percent clean energy by 2050. Follow-up questions were not answered. Its surprising to me the Democratic governor has left the chairman of the local Republican Party as the chair of the commission," Montgomery said. I dont like to see the Pinelands Commission politicized. Montgomery said one reason could be that Murphys administration has two sets of constituents they like, the people who care about the environment and oppose pipelines, and then they have unions, the operating engineers, who want the work." In recent days, Murphy made his first two nominations to the commission. Both are environmentalists, and they await confirmation by the state Senate. The New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton, where every seat in the Assembly is up for grabs in November. Read more Its the Republicans turn now to see contested primary races when they go to the polls in Burlington County in June. And a few of the contests are turning nasty. For decades, the county GOP stronghold had kept dissension in the ranks to a minimum, save for a few tea party candidates who ran in the primaries several years ago. But then the blue wave hit. Democrats took control of the county Board of Freeholders this year, after Republicans reigned for 40 years, and the GOP suffered a high-profile upset when Congressman Tom MacArthur was defeated in November by newcomer Andy Kim. A few GOP lawmakers who represent the county survived close races while Republican-dominated towns such as Evesham and Moorestown flipped in November, when Democrats assumed the majority in local government. In the aftermath, as Republicans scramble to find their footing, one primary race for two Assembly seats in the 8th District which includes 14 Burlington County towns reveals the partys struggle to keep candidates from defecting and control rifts within the ranks. Newly elected county Republican Committee Chairman Sean Earlen questioned the party loyalty of Assemblyman Joe Howarth, one of two incumbent Republicans in the 8th District, in a Facebook post in February. Howarth, a former county freeholder from Marlton, had stayed quiet a bit too long and fueled suspicion when Sen. Dawn Addiego, his longtime political ally and running mate, announced she was switching parties in January. Earlen withdrew his support for Howarth, saying in a Facebook post in February that he thought Howarth might follow Addiegos lead. Howarth cut off all contact with me and other Republican leaders in an apparent attempt to join Senator Addiego in defecting. After finally speaking with Joe, and weighing his words and his actions against contrary evidence, I consulted with other party leaders and arrived at the indisputable fact that Joe Howarth no longer deserves party support, said Earlen, who is also the mayor of Lumberton Township. Earlen and Howarth did not return numerous requests for comment. This month, Howarth registered to enter the race without a running mate and under a new banner: Burlington County MAGA Republican. The former Evesham Township committeeman adopted a Trump-friendly platform, which mirrors the presidents Make America Great Again" philosophy and around the same time introduced an Assembly bill that would penalize businesses that hire undocumented immigrants and another bill that would require proof of citizenship before an applicant could obtain a state drivers license. Howarth denied on his own Facebook page that he had considered leaving the party and said that when he learned of Addiegos switch, he felt many emotions ... from being numb, shocked, to betrayed, to anger, to abandonment. ... We will still have a relationship like I do with many on the other side of the aisle ... but it will never ever be the same. The county GOP is endorsing incumbent Ryan Peters for Assembly in District 8 and Jean Stanfield, whos been in office 17 years as the county sheriff. Peters is a former county freeholder. Stanfield is making her first bid for state office and will not run for sheriff. Another Republican challenger in the race is R. Jason Huf, an attorney who has offices in New York City and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On a blog on his law firms web page he said that he is known as Mr. Middle East of Lower Manhattan and that he specializes in representing clients who invest and do business in the Middle East and Asia. But Huf, a Lumberton resident, did not team up with Howarth. He is running alone on a platform named Fresh Leadership. Huf did not respond to a request for comment. The Democrats also have a contested primary in the 8th District, but the three candidates who are running are all newcomers. John Johnny" Bravo, of Marlton, is running as A True Democrat for one of two Assembly seats against endorsed Democratic candidates Gina LaPlaca of Lumberton and Mark Natale of Marlton, who are running as Burlington County Regular Democrats. Both are lawyers. Bravo, a retired chemical engineer who worked for the Department of Defense and the Supply Center in Philadelphia, said his experience with contracts and with managing an oil cleanup qualifies him for a seat in the Assembly. He said he participated in a short and sweet interview with the Democratic Committee but was passed over. Democratic Committee Chairman Joe Andl did not respond to several requests for comment. On the municipal level, there is a notable contested Republican primary in Chesterfield, a mostly rural town of 8,000 outside Trenton that is experiencing rapid development and some political upheaval. In a race for two open seats on the Chesterfield Township Committee, the Republicans have endorsed two newcomers, rejecting a bid from Sam Davis, a former Republican township committeeman who lost a tight race for reelection to a second term in November. But in this case, loyalty to the party was not questioned, but rather whether Davis is electable after he blamed his loss on all the Indian people" in the town when he joined in a Facebook conversation earlier this year about whether immigrants who worked in a Bordentown restaurant should be tipped. He lost to Democrat Shreekant Dhopte and said the Indians who supported Dhopte had voted illegally and faced fines of $15,000. Davis, who is a George Washington impersonator at commemorative events, had asked the Burlington County Prosecutors Office to investigate the votes in the community. After Democrats labeled his remarks racist, Davis apologized at a public event a month later at the Crosswicks Friends Meeting. "The way I worded it was not good. ... There is no excuse for my behavior. I did not mean it to come out the way it did, he said. When asked for comment on the upcoming primary, Davis said: I think I will remain quiet. He is running without a platform and running mate. The Republicans are fielding Lido Lee Panfili and Michael Russo under the Burlington County Regular Republican Organization banner. They are members of the planning board. Neither could be reached for comment. On the Democratic ballot, newcomer Suruchi Batra is the sole candidate endorsed by the party under the Burlington County Regular Democrats banner. Rita Romeu, the Democratic mayor, and Agnes Marsala, a newcomer, are also running, separately, and have not named a platform. The primaries are June 4. This story has been updated to correct that Rita Romeu has not been endorsed by the Democratic party in Chesterfield and that Agnes Marsala, a newcomer and Democrat, is also running in the Chesterfield primary. She also is not endorsed by the party. Negotiating a labor contract is typically a private affair, with teams from both sides huddling in a room and exchanging proposals. But all that changed at Temple University on Thursday when the faculty union invited any member who wanted to come in and watch. Twenty-one showed up. It was the first bargaining session for a new contract, and union leaders expect interest to build as talks progress. Open bargaining promotes transparency and accountability and it gives each of our members a chance to show their solidarity for the work that TAUP [Temple Association of University Professionals] is doing to improve salaries, benefits and working conditions for faculty, librarians and academic professionals, the union wrote in announcing the new practice to members last week. Your presence gives the table team increased power at the table as they work toward achieving common goals and individual priorities. Open negotiations are not common in the collective bargaining world, but also not unprecedented. Temple University Hospitals nurses union and several other local nursing and faculty groups have used it in recent years. Proponents say the process can build support and understanding among members and educate workers on managements stance, especially at a time when President Donald Trumps administration has sought to weaken unions. Smart unions are slowly realizing this whole open-negotiations thing may help skeptical workers or skeptical members realize that unions are the force for good in the collective bargaining process, said Jane McAlevey, a national labor scholar and author, who helped the nurses union at Philadelphias Einstein Medical Center when they were using open negotiations. But others with negotiating experience say the process can stall talks because people become unwilling to float new ideas or agree to compromises, with so many people watching. Management rarely favors it. Asked about open negotiations, Temple spokesperson Ray Betzner said: Our focus, as always, is on getting a fair contract that will keep Temples education affordable and accessible to our students. Steve Newman, president of the 2,500-member union, said the administration was concerned, fearing sensitive information could leak, but it is the unions prerogative to bring others in the room. Union leaders, he said, make it clear to member spectators that whats said at the table should not be shared on social media and that no disruption is allowed. "Its not a free-for-all, Newman said. People check in. We spent a half-hour before we go in the room, going over the rules. There are very clear rules about who speaks and who doesnt. Audience members are even instructed not to react to things that are said at the table. They are told to have a poker face, said Jennie Shanker, vice president of the union. They are allowed to engage with the negotiating team during breaks. They can even pass notes up during talks, though none did at the first session, Shanker said. Its kind of like having a focus group, she said. Were going to gain from the knowledge of our members. Groups outside of union members may be brought in at some point, too, Shanker said. There are groups who have said: We want to support you. Let us know when we would show up, she said, declining to name them. How the process will play out at Temple remains to be seen. The next session is set for May 3. The administration and faculty are trying to negotiate an early settlement, with a target of June 30. Wages, benefits, job stability, child care, and tuition benefits are among the issues being discussed, according to the union. The current contract expires Oct. 15. Marsha Weinraub, a psychology professor who has worked at Temple 43 years, was one of the spectators, and she plans to attend as many sessions as she can. This was us watching the sausage being made, and it was fascinating, she said. Both sides were very eager, very friendly, and very cordial. Both sides are working for Temple University. Both sides are eager to get a contract before the summer starts. There is goodwill on both sides. A South Philadelphia teen was arrested Friday in connection with Tuesday's shooting deaths of two 16-year-olds, killings that shook their schools and put that part of the city on edge. Brandon Olivieri, also 16, turned himself in around 6:30 p.m. after a warrant was issued for his arrest, police spokesman Officer Troy Brown said. His surrender came hours after his family's house was peppered with gunfire the previous night. Police believe that Olivieri shot and killed Caleer Miller, a junior at a Mastery Charter school, and Salvatore DiNubile, a junior at St. Joseph's Preparatory School, both 16. They were shot at 12th and Ritner Streets, outside DiNubile's home and about seven blocks south of Olivieri's residence. The arrest capped an apparent simmering feud among South Philadelphia teens. But many details remain unanswered, including why the victims two well-liked boys who attended selective schools in the city and seemed to be thriving were targeted. Police Commissioner Richard Ross said Friday morning that police were working to defuse the dangerous situation brewing in the neighborhood. Earlier Friday, Center City criminal defense lawyer James A. Lammendola said he had been retained by Olivieri's parents, Luis and Marta Yvette, who were "scared out of their minds that their house was shot." He said he also feared for their son's safety: "The first thing I'm going to do when I get him is take him over to the Homicide Unit to talk," Lammendola said. "He's a lot safer with the police than he is on the street." Bullets hit the Olivieri house on the 1600 block of South Juniper Street about 1:30 a.m. Friday. No one was injured. Homicide Capt. John Ryan said that the house was struck 14 times and that 11 cartridge casings were recovered. He said two people were inside at the time. A police source said the teen's father was one of the people who was at home, but he was not hit. Later Friday morning, the tidy, tree-shaded block of Juniper was buzzing as neighbors stood in clusters, chatting and gazing at the house. The front window was covered by a wooden board. A man who answered the door declined to speak with a reporter. A next-door neighbor, clutching her 7-month-old boy, said the gunfire awakened her and her husband about 1:30 a.m. "My husband and I just rolled out of bed and dropped to the floor," said the woman, 34, who said she was fearful about her name being used and requested anonymity. "It was extremely startling and confusing. It was just like rapid fire pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, 14 in a row. We immediately ran and got the baby and just hunkered down in our hallway, because we didn't know if they were going to come back or not." The woman said she had last seen Brandon Olivieri a day or two after Tuesday's shootings, sitting in front of his house with his friends. Neighbor Kathy Natale, 61, said the gunfire had awakened her, too. "I thought it was fireworks," she said. Her son, Blaise, 22, said: "We never had anything like this on this block." "It's a shame to think about, even what happened to the two kids that got murdered," he said. "I hung around that neighborhood my whole life when I was growing up. If there was a fight or a scuffle, it never amounted to anyone pulling [a] gun. You could get a black eye, but that's it. Now you have to worry about that." Another neighbor, Vanessa Veloski, 30, said: "I feel like I can speak for everyone when I say we're all really shaken. We had our block party last weekend. This is a really tight-knit, quiet, safe, close community." DiNubile was shot twice and Miller once about 8:25 p.m. Tuesday on the 2300 block of South 12th Street. DiNubile was found lying on the ground next to the Hot Waves hair salon on the southwest corner of 12th and Ritner. Miller was lying on the ground about 20 yards west of the intersection. Both teens, each shot in the chest, were taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Ryan, the homicide captain, said Friday that the shootings resulted from a dispute between two groups of teens who knew one another. He said police believe that Miller and DiNubile were on opposite sides of the dispute. Investigators believe that one person fired three shots from a .45-caliber handgun. Police still were investigating the origin of the argument. Those who knew the slain students reacted with shock and sadness. Fran Daly, principal of the Mastery Charter School Thomas campus in South Philadelphia, said Miller already had made an impression in the 3 weeks he was enrolled there. "He asked a lot of questions," Daly said. "He was a real quiet kid. He had a good sense of humor, and he told us he was glad to join us. He commented on people being nice to him here, but otherwise, he was a sweet kid who was rather quiet." Ghymin Lane, 16, with whom Miller attended Spanish class, called him a "a quiet person. He always kept to himself. But two days ago, he spoke to me in Spanish, and I helped him with classwork." "It's messed up," Lane added. "I just talked to him, and my last words to him were, 'Be safe.'" A candlelight vigil for Miller who lived on the 1100 block of Dorrance Street in Point Breeze was held Thursday night at Chew Playground, near his home. A separate candlelight vigil for DiNubile was held Wednesday night at 12th and Ritner. A viewing for DiNubile will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Epiphany of Our Lord Church, 1121 Jackson St., followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. He is to be buried at Locustwood Memorial Park in Cherry Hill. A portrait of Salvatore DiNubile, 16, is among the flowers at a memorial in South Philadelphia October 25, 2017. The St. Josephs Prep student was fatally shot in the neighborhood. Caleer Miller, 16, was also killed in the shootings resulting from a dispute between two groups of teens. Read more The father of a St. Joseph's Preparatory School student who was fatally shot in South Philadelphia last fall was arrested Monday night and charged with threatening a friend of his son's accused killer, the latest in a series of contentious incidents resulting from that crime. Police did not identify the person whom Salvatore DiNubile is accused of confronting, but Frank Keel, a DiNubile family friend and spokesman, said the 44-year-old recognized him as a friend of Brandon Olivieri's. Olivieri, 16, is accused of fatally shooting DiNubile's son, a 16-year-old also named Salvatore, and 16-year-old Caleer Miller in October. A police summary of the incident involving the elder DiNubile said he screamed, "I'm going to kill you!" at the person before shoving him into a parked car on the 2500 block of Warnock Street on Feb. 20. It also said DiNubile grabbed the person's mailbox and smashed it into the front door of his family's home, according to police. No one was injured. Keel said DiNubile confronted the male only after he told DiNubile, "Get over it, everybody dies," then spit in his direction, which DiNubile took as a reference to his deceased son. Keel said he did not know the name of the person whom DiNubile is accused of threatening. Keel also declined to offer specifics on what happened during the confrontation, but said: "What father in his right mind wouldn't react in such a way when a punk like this makes that kind of disgraceful remark?" He said friends of Olivieri's had previously posted photos and videos on social media "almost gloating" over DiNubile's death. A series of combative confrontations have resulted from the killing of the younger DiNubile and Miller, a crime that received widespread attention and inspired hundreds of people to mourn their deaths. In the days after the homicide, Olivieri's family home was sprayed with bullets, and in December a key witness at his preliminary hearing turned hostile toward prosecutors and refused to answer their questions. Authorities have described the shooting as a social-media beef among feuding teens that turned deadly when Olivieri pulled out a gun at 12th and Ritner Streets on Oct. 24, 2017. DiNubile was on one side of the dispute, authorities have said, while Miller, Olivieri, and at least one other teen were on the other. At Olivieri's preliminary hearing, prosecutors said that Olivieri had pulled a gun to shoot DiNubile, and that Miller was accidentally shot during a scuffle. Olivieri's attorney has said his client denies the accusations. Keel said the most recent incident involving the elder DiNubile was sparked when he was overseeing contracting work at his South Philadelphia home, which he is trying to sell to move away from the crime scene. It was not immediately clear why DiNubile was not arrested until Monday. Court records show he was charged with terroristic threats, simple assault, and reckless endangerment. He was released on bail after being arraigned, the records said. Staff writer Jason Nark contributed to this article. Settled into a booth at the Golden Dawn Diner in a blue suit, narrow-stripe shirt and tie, Andy Kim is, as he's been for months, instantly recognizable. All those attack ads, the booming voiceovers, the negative portrayals, his face filtered on television into something vaguely sinister, fires raging in the background. But here in this Edgewater Park diner, his 20-something press aide hunched over a laptop, Kim smiles as a woman leans over to whisper in his ear. "I voted for you," she says. It's the long-sought morning-after for Kim, 36, a former national security adviser in the Obama administration who declared victory Wednesday night in his long-shot quest to unseat two-term incumbent Republican Rep. Tom MacArthur, 58, a former insurance executive viewed by many as the most Trump-aligned congressman in New Jersey and an architect of the failed GOP attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The victory has yet to be made official, as thousands of paper ballots remain to be counted in the district that runs a trifecta of Jersey corridors I-295, Route 130, and Route 70 but Kim is taking a spin on the classic Jersey victory lap: hosting reporters one-by-one in a diner booth Thursday. "I'll let you in on a secret," he says, "I have not watched a single negative attack against me." Not many others in the Philadelphia or New York media markets that cover the Third Congressional District's twin halves of Burlington and Ocean Counties could say the same. Kim was relentlessly labeled a "tax cheat," "liar," "not one of us," and, in a mailer that used a vaguely Asian font to label the Korean American graduate of Cherry Hill High School East and Rhodes scholar who played cello in a blues band at the University of Chicago, "real fishy." Occasionally, while Kim was watching a YouTube children's show with his 3-year-old son, an attack ad against him would pop up for an instant. "Like 'Andy Kim,' you know, " he says," lowering his voice to imitate the almost comically exaggerated sinister tone of the ads. "And my kid is like 3, and he just points to the phone, and he's like, 'Da-da.'" The millions of dollars spent in negativity "might have backfired" against MacArthur, Kim said, especially in the final weeks of the campaign, after the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh. "People in that final stretch were just so sick and tired of the negative attacks and the divisive language and the hatred that is just in the rhetoric of our leaders," he said. "The amount of time people talked about civility in politics in the end was extraordinary." The ads certainly raised Kim's visibility in the district, for better or worse at first, perhaps a bit awkwardly as he walked the aisles of his local supermarket in the early months of the campaign and people turned with a look of recognition. His South Korea-born parents, Jae and Chung Kim, fielded distressed calls from their friends about what they'd seen being said on TV about Andy. "I knew the lines of attack that they were coming after me," Kim said. "I didn't need the emotional distractions. My parents certainly were upset. At some point they boycotted TV just to avoid it." In the end, Kim says, he believes he won over the people of his home district with days and months filled with small events in living rooms, where people got to know him. He campaigned for more than a year without a primary opponent. He hired a lean staff of campaign professionals in the early years of their careers his campaign manager, Zack Carroll, is 26 who he says worked with a "no turf, no ego" ethos and a clear mission. "Democracy is something that is between people," he said, "not something that exists down in D.C. My opponent was someone who wasn't out there, wasn't engaging with people. He wasn't holding town halls. Not meeting with the voters. He wasn't able to generate that kind of interest and excitement." The night he and his wife, Kammy Lai, a tax attorney, decided to go ahead with the campaign she was nine months pregnant with their son, August, at the time he said she told him one thing: "The moment it becomes about your ego or your ambition, it's over." "As parents of a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old, to put our family through this, we had to make sure it was something that was not selfish," he said. "We felt we could make an impact at this moment in time. This was a critically important race [in a district] that I happened to be from and live in." In MacArthur, the campaign had in some ways an easy target. He was the only New Jersey congressman to vote for the tax bill. And people near and far were incensed at MacArthur for his role in the attempt to repeal Obamacare. MacArthur had mostly avoided public interactions since a disastrous town hall 17 months ago, in which citizens mostly shouted at him for five hours. "We know a lot of people saw this race as one of the most important and competitive races in the country right in their backyard," he said. "And I know a lot of people saw this not just to change a seat, but to hold the architect of the health-care repeal bill accountable for what he's done." Without MacArthur stepping up to fashion the "MacArthur Amendment" that critics say would have put coverage of people with pre-existing conditions at risk, but which rescued the Republican effort to repeal Obamacare, Kim says, he might not have run at all. He was in the hospital with his wife dealing with complications with her pregnancy when MacArthur popped up on the television screen, talking about his work on the ultimately failed repeal. "It was about the MacArthur Amendment," Kim said. "Had he not done the MacArthur Amendment, we probably would not be speaking right here. I could not believe that my own representative was the person who came up with the idea of gutting pre-existing conditions." Kim spoke on the trail of wanting a new generation of leaders, but one overlooked dynamic in the race was literally generational: Kim is 22 years younger than MacArthur, part of a wave of younger first-time politicians breaking the mold of conventional campaign wisdom of possibility. It's been an adventure, he said, that "pushed me to limits I never thought," tested his marriage, and inspired tens of thousands of volunteers and small donors, who invited him into their homes time and time again. "I've been living well outside of my comfort zone this whole time," he said. "I"m really proud of how my wife and I have been able to handle this, what we've been able to do. We've been able to stay true to the principles that we went into this with. At no point did I feel like I was losing sight of what got me into this race." The morning after he declared victory, boldly, as MacArthur has yet to concede he said he made the call personally, followed by a walk around the block with his wife to take stock of that decision he dropped his sons at day care, and the Kims of Bordentown went to breakfast with Andy's parents at where else? the local diner, Mastoris on Route 130. If voting is the voice of the people, the Philadelphia city commissioners are tasked with ensuring its heard. As the officials who run the citys elections, the three commissioners are themselves elected every four years. Its time again. The people of Philadelphia will pick their elections administrators in May and November, deciding how they want elections run. And with heightened concerns over election security and Gov. Tom Wolf having ordered all counties to upgrade their voting machines, the usually obscure office is in the spotlight. They provide oversight over the election process, which we all want to be trustworthy and to be a system thats got integrity, said David Thornburgh, head of good-government group Committee of Seventy. >>READ MORE: Philly has a record number of Latino candidates, and now their names will be spelled correctly Its a weighty mission; commissioners are responsible for safeguarding smooth, fair elections in which every vote is secure and accurately counted. Their responsibilities include: Ensuring eligible voters can register Choosing and monitoring more than 800 polling places for nearly 1,700 precincts Mailing and counting absentee ballots Selecting and maintaining voting machines Running elections Ensuring the integrity of the vote Counting election results People need to know this is a lot more than just moving paper, said Kevin Greenberg, an election lawyer in Philadelphia. The best way to think about the importance of the commissioners office is to think about what happens when it goes wrong. When it goes wrong, registration problems arise; long lines form on Election Day; machines break down; and some locations are understaffed, hard to access, or even closed. Absentee votes go missing, votes go uncounted, and the whole system is vulnerable to attack or fraud. When they perform well, commissioners can go beyond the essential functions of the office. They can work to increase turnout and civic engagement, to make the electoral system more transparent and accessible, to make data available, and to advocate for electoral reform in Harrisburg and Washington. >>READ MORE: Philly elections officials wont overturn controversial voting-machine decision Electing the elections officials The three commissioners are elected together every four years. The majority party in the city, Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 7-1 ratio can win only two of the seats, leaving the third open to Republicans, a third party, or an independent candidate. Two commissioners are paid $131,000 annually; the chair, $140,000. This year, 13 Democrats are running, including incumbent Lisa Deeley. (The other current Democratic commissioner is retiring.) Republican Al Schmidt is running unopposed for reelection. In some states, elections officials are appointed. At the state level, Pennsylvanias chief elections officer is the secretary of the commonwealth, a position appointed by the governor. Electing the commissioners provides accountability, Schmidt said If we screw up, we pay the price directly and minority-party representation is an additional safeguard. Greenberg, who is not involved in a commissioner campaign this year but has worked on Democratic campaigns and represented Democrats in election-related litigation, agreed: This is a good check on the elections process. But the office has also drawn intense criticism in recent years. Anthony Clark, the retiring commissioner, is known for not showing up to work, which Mayor Jim Kenney described as insulting to city employees. Longtime chair of the Philadelphia Democratic Party Bob Brady called Clark a disgrace. The Committee of Seventy tried and failed to eliminate the office as an elected position. We tried our best to work every angle we could to build the political will to abolish the office, Thornburgh said. Regardless, he said, voters have an opportunity now to decide just what they want when it comes to elections. Beyond the core responsibilities Things fall apart if you are not focused on the core responsibilities of the department, and those are making sure that voters can get registered and people can vote on Election Day, Schmidt said. The commissioners depend on staffs to help with day-to-day workings of the office. Much of the job, Schmidt said, is managing people and setting priorities for the office. Beyond that, its up to commissioners to set their own agendas. Several candidates say theyll focus on increasing turnout through methods such as outreach campaigns. Candidates also support a variety of changes, including early voting, no-excuse absentee voting, and changes to Pennsylvanias tight absentee ballot deadlines. The limitations The commissioners operate on a $10 million annual budget, or about $9.50 for each of the citys nearly 1,050,000 registrants. Then there are the states laws, which in some cases are highly restrictive and specific regarding elections. Want to change the absentee ballot deadlines so more votes get counted instead of thrown out? Youll need to change the Election Code. Want to change absentee rules to stop disenfranchising firefighters and others who work on Election Day? Youll need to change the state Constitution. Electoral reform is often a matter of politics. And in Harrisburg, many lawmakers are wary of changing the system. But this is where the commissioners could have real power, Greenberg and Thornburgh said. In a battleground state of eight million voters, the officials who run elections in the largest city to 1 in 8 of the states voters ought to have some sway. You have to be an active and vocal presence in Harrisburg to make the case as best you can with the leadership of the legislature, the governors office, other advocacy organizations, Thornburgh said. You should be looking to build alliances and put together sort of a caucus. You should be exerting some political leadership. 990 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard April Ryan called Sarah Huckabee Sanders a fake press secretary and later went on to wreck Mike Huckabee on Twitter. Ryan said during an appearance on CNN on Friday evening: The White House is very concerned. I got a call today because as you know, I called her a liar, and the White House tried to explain to me what it was. A lie is a lie is a lie. She calls us fake news. Shes a fake press secretary whos disseminating lies. She embellished at the very least. If she talked to maybe two or three. She embellished saying the word countless. Countless. As opposed to saying a few or none. She lied to the press, who in turn delivered that information to the American public. Its not about us. Its about the American public. From that sacred podium to give that information that is wrongful. People are not going to be able to trust her or even this administration. Its even bigger than Sarah at this point. Its now the president. Its now his minions. Can you trust, and the answer is no. Video: April Ryan also mixed it up with Mike Huckabee on Twitter So liberalsis this okay?Does CNN have the integrity to deal w/ this incitement to murder? CNN's April Ryan Says Sarah Sanders' Head Should Be "Lopped Off" https://t.co/8fdYiOzggf Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) April 19, 2019 Ryan responded: You sir need to sit down. You gave me a veiled threat not long ago. You call yourself a man of God? Boy bye! As your people come for me! My people see you and will do the same for you! https://t.co/M72QQACjqV AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) April 20, 2019 Hey Mike you said I should be gutted like a dear. Do you remember? Dont lie! God is watching and I have tape! https://t.co/M72QQACjqV AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) April 20, 2019 By the way you should be celebrating Good Friday or do you even remember Jesus anymore? He would not come down from the cross just to save himself! He decided to die https://t.co/M72QQACjqV AprilDRyan (@AprilDRyan) April 20, 2019 The Huckabee family should stop messing with April Ryan because she fears nothing and is backing down from no one. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 1.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) said that Congress is building cases for criminal prosecution and the impeachment of Donald Trump. Rep. Lieu, who sits on the House Judiciary Committee, was asked by Joy Reid if Congress is building a case for post-presidential prosecution or impeachment of Trump. Lieu answered, Both. If you read the Mueller report, its clear he did not leave the determination of obstruction of justice to Bill Barr. He left it for Congress. We dont have a record. We have a redacted Mueller report and interesting reporting by MSNBC and interesting things people have said in the press. We need to build a record and gather authenticated documents and interview witnesses under oath. At the end of the day, we will exonerate Donald Trump or we are not. If we dont, then yes. Impeachment is on the table. Video: Congress is building a case for Trump to be criminally prosecuted as soon as he leaves office It is true that Congress does not have the power to prosecute Trump criminally, but Congress can turn over all the evidence that they collect, build the case, and refer Donald Trump to the proper authorities for prosecution, but House Democrats arent settling for an impeachment process that is likely to die in the Republican-controlled Senate. The possibility is growing that Donald Trump will face criminal prosecution as soon as he sets foot outside of the White House as a private citizen. Trump is hanging on to his no collusion delusion because collective brainwashing might be his only hope for avoiding spending the rest of his days behind bars. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 235 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Umberto Bacchi TBILISI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) Two Saudi sisters took to Twitter on Wednesday to plead for international protection and a safe haven, saying their lives would be at risk if they went back to the conservative kingdom. The women, in their 20s, said they had arrived in the former Soviet republic of Georgia and needed help from the international community to find a new country to call home. We are in danger. We need your support to deliver our voice. We want protection. We want a country (that) welcomes us and protects our rights. Please help us, the pair wrote on a shared Twitter account named GeorgiaSisters. The case is the latest to draw attention to Saudi Arabias strict social rules, which force women to obtain the permission of a male guardian if they want to work, marry or travel. Rights groups say the system can trap women and girls as prisoners of abusive families, and the sisters are not the first Saudi women to seek urgent refuge outside their homeland. The sisters, who identified themselves as Maha al-Subaie, 28, and Wafa al-Subaie, 25, posting photos of their passports online, said they were seeking protection from the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR). They initially said they had become stranded in Georgia after the Saudi government suspended their passports and that members of their family had come looking for them, but later retracted this version of events. We are confused, they wrote. We are terrified as (weve) never been before. Been crying all the time not knowing whats next. We do not feel safe, they said in a tweet that was later cancelled. Georgias interior ministry said the sisters had not asked for asylum or any help. Nino Kajaia, a UNHRC spokeswoman in Georgia said the agency could not discuss individual cases due to confidentiality. The Saudi embassy in Tbilisi did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Earlier this year, a Saudi teen who had holed up in a Thai airport hotel to escape her family won asylum in Canada. In 2017, a Saudi woman who had sought asylum in Australia, saying she feared violence from relatives, was stopped on a layover in the Philippines and returned to Riyadh. SECOND-CLASS SAUDIS Separately on Wednesday, a Saudi court postponed a hearing in the trial of several women rights activists who had campaigned for the right to drive and an end to the guardianship system. Shortly after their campaign, the kingdom got rid of the driving ban in a move that won positive headlines worldwide. Yet some of the women who had fought for that very right said they were subjected to torture in detention, be it electric shocks, flogging or sexual assault something authorities deny. Suad Abu-Dayyeh, Middle-East consultant for womens rights group Equality Now, said Saudi women were treated as minors and second-class citizens because of the guardianship system. This creates an oppressive situation, both inside the family environment and within the country as a whole, so it is understandable that many women and girls want to escape, she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. The U.N. and international community need to place greater pressure on the Saudi Arabian government to give women and girls the liberty to freely exercise their civil rights in their own country, and without persecution. The lifting of the driving ban, which for years drew international condemnation, was welcomed by Western allies as proof of a new progressive trend in Saudi Arabia. But it has been accompanied by a crackdown on dissent, and many Saudis fear the reforms could provoke a backlash from religious conservatives once seen as dominant. (Reporting by Umberto Bacchi @UmbertoBacchi, Editing by Lyndsay Griffiths. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, womens and LGBT+ rights, human trafficking, property rights, and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org) 1.5k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Rachel Maddow dug into Muellers roadmap and uncovered how Donald Trump could be criminally charged for obstruction of justice. Maddow said: But this is why Mueller says he did his report this way. If you uncover crimes, but there can be no charges, why bother uncovering the crimes? Right? Well, he says because the immunity that prevents the perp from being charged, that is a fleeting thing. It doesnt last forever. It is not only worth investigating. It is worth laying down what looks like chargeable conduct here and why. As Mueller says it, given those considerations, the facts known to us and the strong public interest in safeguarding the integrity of the criminal justice system we conducted a thorough, factual investigation in order to preserve the evidence when memories were fresh and documentary materials were available. Why are you preserving the evidence? For whom? Heres your road map. Because as Mueller says explicitly when Donald Trump is no longer president, theres no restriction on charging him. And heres how you do it on these charges. By the way, the statute of limitations on obstruction of justice is five years. Five years from the last criminal act that would be could be charged. . The special counsel laid out the obstructive act, the nexus for a criminal proceeding and criminal intent. If President Trump is not reelected, he will be out of office in January 2021. At that point, he will no longer be immune from prosecution. He will still be well within the statute of limitations of everything in this report. Video: Rachel Maddow dug into Muellers roadmap and uncovered how Donald Trump could be criminally charged for obstruction of justice. https://t.co/N6LExiAMeq pic.twitter.com/mc9ddJEkTY Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) April 20, 2019 Voters could get Trump out of the White House and send him to prison in 2020 If the nearly 60% of voters who disapprove of Trump need any additional motivation to get out in vote in 2020, consider that thanks to all of the evidence that Robert Mueller has gathered on Trump obstruction of justice, voters will be able to get a 2 for 1 deal. Next November, voters could not only get rid of the Trump presidency, but they could also get Donald Trump indicted by voting for his Democratic opponent. Lock him up isnt just a chant. Its a reason to go to the polls next November. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 1.5k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) said that Attorney General Barr will never resign so if Congress wants him gone, hell need to be impeached. Rep. Speier said, Barr wont resign. He may need to be impeached. I think he has shown that he is not the attorney for the American people. He is the Roy Cohn for Donald TrumpHe is not here to ensure that justice is done. Hes here to make sure that Donald Trump is protected. When asked by CNNs Erin Burnett if she was in favor of impeaching Barr at this time, Speier said, I would certainly consider it. Hes not going to resign, so thats just a nice way of saying that he should go. The only way he would go is if we were to impeach him. Video: Rep. Speier was right. William Barr isnt going to resign on his own. If the American people want Trumps human shield removed from the Justice Department, they are going to have to pressure Congress to impeach him, because Barr is here for the long haul. The Mueller investigation isnt the only federal legal problem that Donald Trump has. Trump wanted a Roy Cohn, which means that the Southern District of New York better be on high alert. Bob Barrs symphony of corruption is just getting warmed up. If Congress wants to stop him, they must impeach him. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 6.2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Journalist April Ryan has made a factual argument that Sarah Sanders has got to go, and the White House is worried. Ryan said on CNN: The White House is very concerned. I got a call today because as you know, I called her a liar, and the White House tried to explain to me what it was. A lie is a lie is a lie. She calls us fake news. Shes a fake press secretary whos disseminating lies. She embellished at the very least. If she talked to maybe two or three. She embellished saying the word countless. Countless. As opposed to saying a few or none. She lied to the press, who in turn delivered that information to the American public. Its not about us. Its about the American public. From that sacred podium to give this information that is wrongful. People are not going to be able to trust her or even this administration. Its even bigger than Sarah at this point. Its now the president. Its now his minions. Can you trust, and the answer is no. There are big questions today. Video: Ryan said on Thursday, also on CNN, Not only does she not have any credibility left, she lied. She outright lied and the people, the American people, cant trust her. They cant trust whats said from the presidents mouthpiece, spokesperson, from the peoples house. Therefore, she should be let go. She should be fired. End of story. When there is a lack of credibility there, you have to start and start lopping the heads off. Its Fire Me Thursday or Fire Me Good Friday, she needs to go. April Ryans call for Sarah Sanders to go is unprecedented There has not been a time in the modern 24-hour news cycle that a White House correspondent has called for the White House press secretary to be fired. The Mueller report is an earthquake because it is the first time that the intentional efforts to use the communications platform of the presidency to mislead the American people have been documented by a neutral third party. Sarah Sanders does need to be shown the door, but a president who values himself ahead of the country will never fire her. Sanders will only be gone when Trump is given the boot. April Ryans point should be taken to heart. Sanders is doing damage that cant be repaired by replacing the administration. She is eroding public trust, and it is going to take decades, if the nation is lucky, to build that important dynamic back into our society. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 1.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Nathan Layne and Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) Special Counsel Robert Mueller may not have found evidence of a criminal conspiracy between Donald Trumps 2016 campaign and Russia, but his report details extensive contacts between the campaign and Russian operatives who sought to influence the election. Mueller said in his report released on Thursday that he found numerous links and that the Trump campaign expected it would benefit from Russias effort to tilt the ballot in Trumps favor. Ultimately, Mueller determined the various contacts either didnt amount to criminal behavior or would be difficult to prove in court, even if people in Trumps orbit sometimes displayed a willingness to accept Russian help, the report showed. Trump and his allies, who derided the Mueller probe as a political witch hunt, portrayed the report as vindication. No collusion. No obstruction. For all the haters and the radical left Democrats, game over, Trump tweeted on Thursday. The bottom line is the president is exonerated and the campaign is exonerated of collusion, said Michael Caputo, a former adviser to Trumps campaign. Some legal experts and political strategists were more circumspect, saying the report confirmed the Russian government was attempting to help Trump with the election. I think thats a pretty extraordinary finding of historical significance, whether or not theres a crime, said Matthew Jacobs, a former federal prosecutor who is now a San Francisco-based lawyer. Many of the contacts in the report were already known. They included former national security adviser Michael Flynns conversations in late 2016 with Sergei Kislyak, Russia ambassador at the time, and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manaforts interactions with Konstantin Kilimnik, a political consultant who the FBI has determined has ties to Russian intelligence. But the report contained fresh details on the range of official and unofficial dealings Trump campaign advisers and supporters had with Russians before and after the 2016 election. For example, the report says that Manafort, shortly after he joined the campaign in the spring of 2016, directed his deputy to share internal polling data with Kilimnik with the understanding it would be passed on to Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch known to have close ties to the Kremlin. Lawyers for Manafort did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Kilimnik did not reply to an email seeking comment. A Washington-based attorney for Deripsaka said he could not comment. In a statement to Reuters in January, representatives for Deripaska said he has never had any communication with Kilimnik. The report also says that Manafort told Kilimnik in August 2017 about the campaigns efforts to win the battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Trump ended up winning three of those states in the November election. Muellers investigation did not find a connection between Manaforts sharing of polling data and Russias meddling in the U.S. election or that he otherwise coordinated with Russia. Frank Montoya, a former senior FBI official, said he was nonetheless bothered by the interactions between Manafort and Kilimnik, especially their talking about battleground states. As a longtime counterintelligence investigator it makes the hair stand on the back of my neck, Montoya said. The report detailed a meeting in December 2016 between Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner and Sergei Gorkov, the head of a Russian state-owned bank under U.S. sanctions. Gorkov gave Kushner a painting and a bag of soil from the town in Belarus where Kushners family is from, the report says. Muellers team said it could not resolve a conflict in the accounts of Kushner, who said the meeting was diplomatic in nature, and Gorkov, who said it was business related. Kushner has said neither sanctions nor his business activities were discussed at the meeting. Kushners lawyer did not respond to a request for comment on Muellers report. The report also provided new details about a meeting that campaign advisers Donald Trump Jr., the presidents oldest son, Kushner and Manafort held with a Russian lawyer at New Yorks Trump Tower in June 2016. The meeting was set up after the advisers were promised dirt on Hillary Clinton, Trumps Democratic challenger for president. Muellers team considered whether the advisers violated laws barring election contributions from foreigners. But, the report says, they ultimately decided there was not enough evidence to show they wilfully broke the law and they might have had problems proving the information offered on Clinton was really valuable. When news of the Trump Tower meeting broke in July 2017, Trump Jr. issued a statement saying the meeting was set up to discuss adoption policy, not politics, before later admitting he had been expecting intelligence on Clinton. Such interactions have broadly been referred to by Democratic congressional investigators as examples of possible collusion. But because collusion is not a legal term, Muellers team examined the Trump Tower meeting and other contacts through the lens of federal conspiracy law. Mueller said his investigation was unable to establish that such contacts with Russians met the bar of criminality which required that the contacts amounted to an agreement to commit any substantive violation of U.S. laws, including those governing campaign finance and foreign agent registration. Therefore, Mueller said his office did not charge any individual associated with the Trump Campaign with conspiracy to commit a federal offense arising from Russia contacts. (Reporting by Mark Hosenball, Nathan Layne, Sarah N. Lynch, Karen Freifeld and Andy Sullivan in Washington; Editing by Ross Colvin and Paul Thomasch) 2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Following the release of Robert Muellers redacted report, Donald Trump has reportedly become increasingly angry and is lashing out at those around him as he watches the cable news coverage. According to a CNN report published Saturday, the president has grown furious watching the post-Mueller report media coverage and seeing that his no collusion, no obstruction lie has evaporated into thin air. As CNN reported, Instead of the total exoneration Trump had proclaimed earlier, the report portrayed the President as deceitful and paranoid, encouraging his aides to withhold the truth and cross ethical lines in an attempt to thwart a probe into Russias interference in US elections his Achilles heel, according to one forthcoming adviser. More from the report: Now, those close to him say Trump is newly furious at the people most of whom no longer work for him whose extensive interviews with the special counsels office created the epic depiction of an unscrupulous and chaotic White House. And hes seeking assurances from those who remain that his orders are being treated like those of a president, and not like suggestions from an intemperate but misguided supervisor. But Trump grew angry as he watched cable news coverage because, sources familiar with the matter said, a theme was emerging that vexed him: a portrait of a dishonest president who is regularly managed, restrained or ignored by his staff. It was a sharp turn away from his earlier statements, which welcomed the reports findings on collusion and falsely claimed total exoneration. Hours before his Mar-a-Lago dinner, Trump insisted to a crowd on the tarmac in Florida the dark days of Muellers special counsel investigation had ended. The Mueller report shows Trump is unethical, unrespected and unfit to be president The portrait painted by special counsel Robert Mueller isnt just damning, but its completely divorced from the narrative pushed by the White House and attorney general William Barr prior to the reports release. It shows piles of evidence that Trumps campaign did, in fact, collude with Russia in a way that should disturb folks of all parties, even if it didnt rise to the level of a crime. The more the American people read Muellers findings on collusion and conspiracy, the more they will see just how extensively the Trump campaign worked with Russia in 2016. On obstruction, the evidence is also alarming as Trump repeatedly sought to impede the ongoing investigation of him. Time and again, though, those around the president didnt respect him enough to follow his orders. As CNN pointed out on Saturday, his own staff viewed him as an intemperate but misguided supervisor. Trump has spent two years trashing the special counsel investigation and claiming it would find no collusion or obstruction on the part of him or his campaign. After Muellers report, this talking point has been completely destroyed. Its no wonder Trump is throwing a tantrum as he strolls through the buffet line at Mar-a-Lago. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter 6.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Following the release of Robert Muellers redacted report, Donald Trumps approval rating has tumbled to the lowest point this year. According to a Reuters/Ipsos survey released on Friday, just 37 percent of the American people approve of the presidents job performance. The weak showing for Trump is a three-point drop in his approval in just four days and a six-point drop from the same poll taken after attorney general William Barr released his four-page memo last month. As The Hill pointed out on Saturday, this poll is the first to conducted after the American people have had some time to pour over Muellers redacted report. Nearly half the country thinks Trump should resign One particular finding in the survey that jumps out is that 47 percent of the country believes Trump should resign. Worse for Trump: the number who think he should not step down 37 percent dropped nine points since the report came out. So while the American people are still split on the impeachment question 40 percent for vs. 42 percent against, according to the poll a pretty solid plurality thinks Trump should call it quits. Translation: The American people are sick of this exhausting, toxic and corrupt administration. Instead of putting the country through a long and messy impeachment process which the GOP will undermine anyway the country would just prefer it if Trump left on his own accord. William Barrs stunt to protect Trump failed miserably The key takeaway from the polling is that attorney general William Barrs attempt to protect Trump by repeatedly whitewashing the Mueller report has been a failure. Barrs four-page memo in March and pre-release press conference on Thursday were meant to create a false narrative about the report that Trump was somehow clean. No obstruction, no collusion! But the American people know how to read, and the Mueller report showed evidence of both obstruction and collusion some of it rather damning. Just because some of it didnt rise to the level of a crime and Mueller concluded he couldnt charge a sitting president, it doesnt mean the conduct is acceptable or ethical. The Mueller report seems to have confirmed for a lot of Americans that Donald Trump is unfit to be president of the United States. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter By Reason, April 16, 2019 Concordia University in Canada had invited Harvard University Professor Harvey Mansfield to give the spring commencement address for its Liberal Arts College. The college's students study great books and Western thought, and Mansfield teaches these subjects, so one might think he was a good fit. But then the university rescinded its invitation. Principal Mark Russell sent Mansfield a weaselly letter expressing regret that faculty and alumni "were unable to reach consensus as to what we wanted to achieve with this event." Russell lamented that the selection committee "acted in good faith but rather precipitously" when it invited him in the first place. 225 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Americans, at least many of them, for whatever reason, simply do not seem that concerned about the findings unearthed by the twenty-two month investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into the possibility of Russian interference into the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The bottom-line? They just dont perceive all the sturm and drang animating the beltway over Russias now-confirmed meddling and varying degrees of the Trump campaigns collusion as having much to do with the day-to-day challenges they and their families face. Its not what we have come to call a kitchen table issue. Indeed, Tim Ryan, the Democratic Representative from Ohio who has thrown his hat into the ring to run for the Democratic candidate for president, just last Friday morning reported as much from Iowa. Calling into Morning Joe from the campaign trail, Ryan recounted how in the course of a two and a half hour conversation with Iowans, the report was simply not a topic of conversation until one Iowan pointed out the fact that the report had not been asked about. Host Joe Scarborough affirmed Ryans experience, seconding that when hes been out touring the country and meeting people, The people in middle America arent talking about Russia. They arent talking about the Mueller report. Theyre just talking about their jobs; theyre talking about their kids future; theyre talking about the kitchen table issues that you [Tim Ryan] focus so much on. Ryan elaborated that what he hears from voters are their concerns about what their next job will be, how theyll pay their bills. They are concerned, he said, about their childrens health and wellness, about their not being crippled by student debt, and so forth. These issues are indeed kitchen table issues. And it precisely these important kitchen table issues that make what the Mueller report unearths the kitchen table issue of all kitchen table issues. Why? Quite simply because the report details how our 45th president was elected, and that president has been quite influential in making decisionsand appointing decision-makerswho determine the policies that resolve these kitchen table issues for better or worse. And how has this president, aided and abetted in his election to that office by Russia, sought to address these vital kitchen table issues so concerning to Iowans and, really, all Americans? Well, lets just take a quick peek at a few highlights from Trumps 2020 proposed budget to see what his vision has in store for Americans should his wish list become a reality: *The budget proposes extensive cuts to social security, Medicaid, and Medicare, despite Trumps campaign promises that, unlike his many Republican opponents, he would not cut these programs. *The budget, as Ive detailed elsewhere in the pages of PoliticusUsa.com, also wishes for a brutal and deep cut of $7.1 billion in education spending. These cuts would dramatically impact students ability to attend college and actually exacerbate, rather than relieve, the debilitating burden of ever-increasing student debt crippling not just individuals but the economy overall. Consider the following: *The cuts would eliminate Public Service Loan Forgiveness and subsidized student loans, and streamline income-driven repayment programs for student borrowers. *It would cut the funding of the Federal Work-Study program for students by 55%. *It would reduce spending on student loans by $207 billion over 10 years as a result of higher loan payments and the elimination of subsidized loans and Public Student Loan Forgiveness. The budget proposal also called for freezing the maximum Pell Grant award and eliminating the Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, another need-based aid program. When it comes to healthcare, lets not forget that the Trump administration has supported litigation to eliminate the mandate that insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions and, in fact, has attempted to invalidate the Affordable Care Act altogether, with no replacement program in sight. The point here is a simple but vitally important one: who our president is has a lot to do with the policies that address Americans kitchen table issues, and the Mueller report tells us a lot about how our president is being chosen for usand not so much by us. Indeed, one fact that comes out in the Mueller report is that, according to Rick Gates, a colleague of chief campaign advisor Paul Manafort and one who also worked on Trumps campaign, Manaforts main work for Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska was to place politicians friendly to Deripaska and Russia in key political offices around the globe. And lets remember Manafort finagled himself into the role of running Trumps campaign, doing the work for free. And for whose benefit? Certainly, the Mueller report indicates without equivocation that the Russians believed Trump presidency would benefit them. And are we foolish enough to believe Putin and the Russians care about the healthy and secure futures of American workers? Of Americas children? Americans are smarter than that. But to figure all this out, Americans must be sitting at their kitchen tables talking about the Mueller report and our ability to pick our own president, one who will support Americans having access to healthcare, education, good jobs, clean drinking water, and overall viable futures. This is why the Mueller report is the mother of all kitchen table issues. Hungary's central bank gets new Deputy Governor Janos Ader, President of the Republic of Hungary, has on Wednesday appointed Mihaly Patai Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Hungary (MNB). Patais appointment was recommended by Prime Minister Viktor Orban in March, and his nomination was endorsed by Parliaments economic committee on 27 March with 10 in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention.During his committee hearing Patai said the 0.9% base rate would remain sustainable in the coming period, and so will be Hungarys economic growth in the next two to three years, although growth will decelerate both in the European Union and in the world economy.Mihaly Patai is currently the President of the Hungarian Banking Association, a post he gave up when he was nominated to become Deputy Governor of the MNB, and previously he was Chairman-CEO of UniCredit Bank Hungary for 13 years.The six-year mandate of Deputy Governor Ferenc Gerhardt will expire on 21 April. Patai will join Deputy Governors Marton Nagy and Laszlo Windisch. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm late. Low 63F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm late. Low 63F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Oprah Winfrey and Apples media monarchy just nabbed a prince. Winfrey has partnered with Britains Prince Harry to create and executive produce a mental health series launching on Apple in 2020. Winfrey and the Duke of Sussex, who along with other members of the royal family has been working to destigmatize mental health by sharing personal experiences and advocating for those who suffer from mental illness in silence, have been developing the series for several months. It appears to be the project Winfrey first mentioned when Apple trotted her out along with several industry heavyweights at the launch of its new streaming service, Apple TV+ last month. The multipart documentary series "will focus on both mental illness and mental wellness, inspiring viewers to have an honest conversation about the challenges each of us faces, and how to equip ourselves with the tools to not simply survive, but to thrive," said a Wednesday post on Harrys new Instagram account, Sussex Royal. ADVERTISEMENT "I truly believe that good mental health mental fitness is the key to powerful leadership, productive communities and a purpose-driven self," Harry said in the post. "It is a huge responsibility to get this right as we bring you the facts, the science and the awareness of a subject that is so relevant during these times." The 34-year-old prince, who said hes incredibly proud to be working with Winfrey, hopes the series "will be positive, enlightening and inclusive sharing global stories of unparalleled human spirit fighting back from the darkest places, and the opportunity for us to understand ourselves and those around us better." "Delighted to be partnering with you," Winfrey wrote in the comments section. "Hope we shed a lot of Light. And change some lives!" Winfrey and Harrys relationship isnt new. Youll recall, the former daytime-TV queen was one of the many celebrity guests at the princes wedding to "Suits" actress Meghan Markle last year. (The couple is expecting their first child this spring.) In February 2013, I lost my father. To me, my siblings, my mom and many of his friends, he was "larger than life," and the loss is as raw today as it was six years ago. In his lifetime he accomplished almost every goal he set, and won awards pertaining to both his business and his swimming. He was competitive in everything he did, believed in lists, and set goals with the intention of meeting them. When he shared his goals, he said them aloud to people in conversation. Often he was looked at with disbelief as some of these goals were a bit lofty, or crazy some might say. Not only was he a fan of open water swimming, he participated in many across the globe. One of these swims was the Escape from Alcatraz, which he swam with one arm due to a shoulder injury. Although he completed the event, he wanted to push himself a little more and was going to start training to do the swim handcuffed. For 34 years he and my mom owned and operated Herring Art & Frame. He never had a shortage of creative ideas, and the awards he and my mom won over the course of those 34 years were numerous. When he passed away, I immediately felt an entire book could be written about him, the adversities he overcame as a child, his goals, his dreams, and his life in general. After talking with a publisher, the idea of a legacy biography struck me, and I began to write. I have outlines, I have quotes, and I have stories. With a few more interviews and fact checking, "Swimming Against The Tides" will be ready to go to edit. ADVERTISEMENT Have you ever thought of writing a book but set the idea aside thinking it could never be accomplished? Maybe you have an idea for a fictional thriller, a self-help book, or a story of your own lifes experiences. According to a study, 81% of Americans feel they could write a book. In an article written by McVal Osborne are 10 reasons you need to, and should, write a book. 1. It makes you think more clearly.Although starting a book might sound daunting, when you actually pick up the pen and start writing, you will come to realize just what a clarifying effect the writing process can have on your mind. 2. Writing a book channels your creativity.Writing is one of the purest forms of self-expression and creativity. We all learn to write at an early age, yet few of us cultivate the skill of self-expression through writing. 3. It gives you a sense of purpose.Setting a deadline can give you the drive. 4. It forces you to plan ahead.Most of us work, so writing has to be done around already busy lives. 5. It motivates youby having a set of tasks to complete. 6. It creates good habits,which are a positive byproduct of outlining, planning, and writing. 7. It develops new connections, thoughts or ideas that youve never had before. ADVERTISEMENT 8. It makes you more interesting.Not only will it give you something to talk about, it will help you understand the challenges that many people face when it comes to motivation or challenges at work or in their personal lives. 9. It opens more doors.Writing a book will label you a self-starter and someone who can be self-motivated to reach large goals. 10. It drives deeper understanding of yourself,of others, and the world around you. So, although "Swimming Against the Tides" has taken longer to author than I had hoped, it is still in the works, it will be completed, and it will be on shelves soon. By California Globe, April 19, 2019 You may qualify for health insurance through Medi-Cal even if you are not a U.S. citizen or a U.S. national Upon taking office in January, Governor Gavin Newsom announced he was proposing state-funded full scope Medi-Cal healthcare coverage to 138,000 illegal immigrant adults ages 19-26, as reported by California Globe. Gov. Newsom now seeks to expand Medi-Cal, the states low-income health program, to everybody in California under age 26, regardless of immigration status. However, according to an April 17 story from the USC Center for Health Journalism Collaborative titled, Will undocumented immigrants avoid new state health benefits? that has been the rule for at least 27 years. 1994 25 years ago Joe Fitzpatrick of Lourdes High School has been selected as the Elks Student of the Month for January. Grade 9 "A" honor roll student at LeRoy-Ostrander School for the third quarter are Heidi Stevens, Jaci Utz and Melissa Benkstein. 1969 50 years ago A portion of the 16-story, $10 million Sheraton-Rochester Hotel will open this weekend. A total of 125 rooms will be available for occupancy. The Pavilion Coffee House will be located off the main lobby. ADVERTISEMENT Student activism will be discussed at a lecture this weekend at St. Olaf College during an international student conference. Students from 150 colleges and universities are expected to attend. Rochester State Junior College students elected Ronald Bowman as Student Senate president and Art Pulford as Social Committee chairman. They will assume their duties during the 1969-70 year. 1944 75 years ago Richard Hempstead, son of Dr. and Mrs. Bert Hempstead of Rochester, will be one of 615 students who will be honored tomorrow at the 21st annual honors convocation of the University of Michigan. At Hagens Market on Third Street Southwest, large roasting chickens are on sale for 33 cents a pound, new potatoes at 6 cents a pound and asparagus at 18 cents a pound. 1919 100 years ago Mrs. R. D. Mussey and Mrs. David Berkman traveled to Chicago to meet their husbands who are returning from service in France with Base Hospital No. 26. The Easter collection at the Methodist church amounted to $524.785. This is to be applied to the building fund. ADVERTISEMENT A 10-piece orchestra is to furnish the music for the C Company dance at the Armory this evening. The Mueller Report has a hint of Rochester in it. Four pages of the 400-plus-page report on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election deal with Peter Smith, a Republican operative who was found dead in a Rochester motel room in May 2017. Smith died of an apparent suicide by asphyxiation, but his role has both fascinated and mystified reporters and congressional investigators. Rochester investigators found a note allegedly from Smith in the room of the Aspen Suites where Smith died that stated he was in ill health and that his death involved "no foul play whatsoever." The Mueller Report sheds a little light on what is one of the murkier chapters of Trumps presidential campaign, one that runs through Rochester because that is where Smith chose to die. ADVERTISEMENT The special counsels report, a redacted version of which was released Thursday, details Smiths efforts to obtain Hillary Clintons deleted emails in 2016. After Donald Trump, then a GOP presidential candidate, stated in July 2016 that he hoped Russia would "find the 30,000 emails that are missing," Trump asked individuals associated with the campaign to find the deleted Clinton emails, the report states. Michael Flynn, who was briefly Trumps National Security Adviser and later pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, contacted multiple people in an effort to get the emails. They included Smith and Barbara Ledeen. Ledeen was a longtime Senate staffer who had previously sought the Clinton emails. Smith, a political operative who had sought dirt on Bill and Hillary Clinton related to the Troopergate scandal, also tried to locate them. At first, Ledeen and Smith worked together, but weeks after Trumps request to find the Clinton emails, Smith tried to do it himself. The report says Smith created a company, raised tens of thousands of dollars, and recruited security experts and business associates in pursuit of that goal. Smith claimed that he was in contact with hackers with ties to Russia who had access to the emails. "It is clear that the Clintons home-based, unprotected server was hacked by both State-related players, and private mercenaries," Smith wrote in an email from an encrypted account, the report states. "Parties with varying interests are circling to release ahead of the election." ADVERTISEMENT Smith also claimed to be working in coordination with the Trump campaign, "to the extent permitted as an independent expenditure organization." A document circulated by Smith as part of his effort to raise money and recruit people listed Flynn, Trump campaign national co-chairman Sam Clovis, adviser Steve Bannon, and counselor Kellyanne Conway. Smith was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal 10 days before his death. He told the newspaper that he had received batches of emails given to him by hackers. But, unsure of their authenticity, he urged the groups to give them instead to WikiLeaks. During the later stages of the 2016 presidential campaign, WikiLeaks published emails and other internal documents from the Democratic National Committee, as well as Hillary Clintons campaign manager, John Podesta. Smith continued to send out emails about Clintons deleted emails until shortly before the election. No emails from Clintons server were ever released. Smith wrote that there was a "tug-of-war going on within WikiLeaks" over its release. "WikiLeaks has maintained that it will save its best revelations for last, under the theory this allows little time for response prior to the U.S. election Nov. 8," Smith wrote. Though Smith intimated to be in contact with Russian hackers, the report states that investigators never found any evidence that any meetings between Smith and Russian hackers took place. Nor did it find any evidence that Smith ever obtained Clintons deleted emails. After his death in Rochester, Smith left instructions that his wife not be called concerning his death, according to Public Record Media. Smiths son-in-law told police that he did not know how Smith got to Rochester. Smith did not own a car, and none of the family cars were missing, the son-in-law stated. He also said that Smith did have a laptop computer, but that it was missing. Rochester police documents indicated that Smith, in failing health, planned his suicide meticulously, Public Record Media reported. ADVERTISEMENT Smith left a note addressed to the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiners Office, seeking to make sure there was no suspicion surrounding his death. "Sorry to have involved you and appreciate your assistance," he wrote. "No foul play whatsoever all self-inflicted. No party assisted or had knowledge as an accomplice before the fact." "Reason is recent bad turn in health since January 2017," a note attributed to Smith read. "Timing relates to life insurance of $5 million expiring." Among the documents in the Rochester police file was a partial copy of Smiths term life insurance policy. Smith checked into the Aspen Suites motel on May 5, 2017, and was found dead nine days later. A motel employee remembered seeing Smith the day before he was found dead working in the hotels business center using its computer and printer. "When he left, he said to me, Tomorrow is my last day," the hotel employee told police. "I assumed he was referring to checking out." Views about organ donation vary, naturally, by age, religion and race. But generally, most Americans around 95 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approve of the practice. "We like to think people are generally in favor of donation," said Charles Rosen, the director of the William J. von Liebig Center for Transplantation and Clinic Regeneration at Mayo Clinic. But across the board, 69 percent of Minnesotans are registered as donors. That number increases slightly to 72 percent in Olmsted County, where proximity to a large medical center may increase awareness of the need, but drops as low as 52 percent in Winona. "Nobody really wants to be an organ donor because nobody wants to die," Rosen said. And despite efforts by LifeSource and other nonprofits to ramp up registration and tear down misconceptions, many still exist. ADVERTISEMENT What are the barriers? Its easy to register online to donate , and many Americans decide whether or not to check the organ-donor box when applying for their first drivers license. However, something as simple as the license bureau workers phrasing could prompt people not to register. A nephrologist at Mayo Clinic once mentioned to Rosen that at his last license bureau visit, the employee asked, "You dont want to be an organ donor, do you?" That attitude toward donation and the underlying fear that doctors may not try as hard to save organ donors because they know they can harvest organs from them are unfair, Rosen said. However, that attitude is common in the U.S., where only 58 percent of people nationwide are registered as organ donors. Theres no way to know how many people choose not to tick the box because of fears that could be easily allayed. Caren Shank, whose late husband, Steve, received a double-lung transplant in 2016, used to visit drivers ed courses with him to help students make an informed decision about registering. The couple spoke at organ donation fundraisers as well. ADVERTISEMENT "We dispel some of the myths around organ donation and share some statistics," Caren Shank said. Less burden on families If a person dies without registering as an organ donor, medical personnel can still ask their family members if theyd like to donate organs. However, Rosen said, putting that decision in the hands of family members often means families say "no" during their "time of terrible distress and turmoil," then regret it later. In his career outside of Mayo Clinic, Rosen met people who were utterly against organ donation. But many of the families hes spoken to who did not give permission for doctors to try to harvest organs regretted that decision several months down the line, when it was far, far too late to change it. Those were the hardest conversations to have, Rosen said. Jackie and Steve Rasmusson lost their son, Tim, five years ago to an ascending aortic aneurism. The couple was shocked by his sudden death Tim was a young man, and there had been no warning signs. "We come home from the hospital and the phone rings," Jackie remembered. It was a LifeSource employee who needed to know Tims medical history. ADVERTISEMENT Tim was registered as an organ donor, and was eligible to donate his eyes and tissues. LifeSource does not have access to medical files, as a hospital would, and needed to ascertain that Tims organs and tissue were safe to transplant. "We were like, Our son just passed away, do we have to do this now?" Steve said. "Yes, yes they did, because its timely. Theyre not asking those questions to be mean, theyre trying to make sure hes a viable donor." Now the Rasmussons run the Tim Rasmusson Foundation , which raises awareness of the importance of organ donation and the benefits of registering. "One thing that brought peace in those early weeks was learning very quickly that two girls had received his corneas," Jackie said. "One had his birthday." For the patients Rosen, a surgeon, commonly sees patients with liver diseases like cirrhosis or liver cancer. The majority of them know that a liver transplant will be their best chance at a long, active life months or years before they join the transplant list. The odds facing them are steep. "When it looks like things are heading south, we suggest they go through a liver transplant evaluation," Rosen said. The evaluation educates them about the risks and complications associated with transplants, and assesses their health. Transplants are tough on the heart and kidneys, and a dual transplant or regimen to keep those healthy is sometimes necessary. Rosen is explicit about the hardships that come with organ transplants surgery and the dangers therein, long recoveries, and a lifetime on expensive medications to suppress the immune system. Many of those medications come with side effects. However, the patients all of them ill, many dying, many more brittle absolutely want those transplants. "You can kind of understand when theyre being placed on the waiting list, theyre not going to live long," Rosen said. "And the remaining life they have will be pretty miserable." And 20-25 percent of Rosens patients will not get a transplant. The hospital only receives so many donated organs, and the need is great. In his 20 years at Mayo Clinic, Rosen has seen early transplant patients have children, get married, finish careers, retire, and more. "Theyre hopeful they can get their life back," Rosen said. "They just want that chance to go to the operating room." What can be done? Some countries, like Austria, Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Sweden and Turkey, use "presumed consent" to increase their pool of potential donors. Under those laws, all individuals are considered potential organ donors if they die in an accident and were healthy enough to donate, unless they register not to be. The Rasmussons favor that approach, but Rosen said what "seems like a simple solution could also deteriorate trust." Rosen, LifeSource, Shank, and virtually everyone with an avowed interest in increasing rates of organ donation agree that raising awareness of the need for more designated donors is important. However, people can also consider living donation. Some procedures, like kidney transplants, happen with the help of friends or family members who are willing and eligible to donate an organ to their loved one on the transplant list. In fact, kidney transplant results are best when the donor is living. Liver transplants from a living donor require part of the organ to be transplanted into the patient, and have a higher risk of some complications after surgery, Rosen said. But, as not everyone can get organs from deceased donors, some people need to ask family and friends to consider living donation. For many, thats a risk thats well worth taking. "Its not a miracle, its pretty much standard procedure nowadays," Rosen said of organ donation. "Its not a heroic procedure, but it does have many real, tangible results." Olmsted 72% Winona 52% Dodge 72% Goodhue 75% Wabasha 73% Fillmore 68% Mower 59% Freeborn 57% Rice 63% Houston 78% Steele 69% Numbers from LifeSource, current as of March. WINONA A Spicer man was indicted by a Winona County Grand Jury in connection with a burglary and sexual assault that occurred in November. Zane Robert Pederson, 30, was indicted on three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of first-degree burglary. The five criminal sexual conduct charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of release. Pederson appeared Friday morning before Judge Nancy Buytendorp in Winona County District Court on new charges stemming from the grand jury indictments. Unconditional bail was set at $2 million. Pederson had previously been held on $1 million unconditional bail. Perderson allegedly broke into a St. Charles womans home in the early hours of Nov. 18, 2018, wearing a mask. He repeatedly sexually assaulted the woman over the course of five hours, according to court documents. As part of the post-assault treatment of the woman, several swabs were taken containing DNA evidence, including sperm cells, according to court records. Pedersons DNA was reportedly found on one of the womans firearms. His DNA was on file from another pending sex assault investigation in another Minnesota county. ADVERTISEMENT Pederson was previously arraigned on two felony charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two felony charges of first-degree burglary, felony kidnapping, felony false imprisonment and felony threats of violence. The grand jury indictments supersede the previous charges. Winona County Attorney Karin L. Sonneman said Friday afternoon that additional charges have been filed in the case but will be heard at Pedersons next court date on April 24. Thumbs up to Soldiers Field track plan Initial plans to pave the running track at Soldiers Field with asphalt met with resistance from local runners. Rather than push ahead anyway, Rochester city officials wisely held off on their plans and waited for the Save the Track citizens group to offer an alternative. As a result, the track will be paved with a more comfortable running surface, and in turn, the Save the Track group will help fund upkeep of the track. That qualifies as a win-win for everyone involved. Credit goes to city officials who took into consideration input from the community. It preserves a valuable resource in the hart of the city. Now, the hope is we'll see more people make use of the track when all work is completed next summer. ADVERTISEMENT Thumbs down to winter driving It's getting closer, whether we like it or not. This week's dusting of snow is a reminder that with November comes the need to refresh ourselves on safe winter driving practices. First and foremost, of course, is to reduce your speed on icy and snowy roads. Along with that, increase the distance between your vehicle and the one you're following. Accelerate and decelerate gradually. Make sure your windshield wipers are in good working order, and that your windshield washer reservoir is full. All of this is second-nature to most Minnesotans, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded that winter driving is as much an art as it is a science. By the way, don't forget to familiarize yourself with Rochester's new even-odd street parking plan for winter. Thumbs up to Minnesota's ACT scores Minnesota students have maintained their best-in-nation average score on the ACT college entrance exam -- at least among those states where the majority of graduating seniors take the test. Minnesota's graduating seniors achieved an average score of 21.4, a slight improvement from last year's average score of 21.3, according to results released this week. By comparison, the national average is 20.7. ADVERTISEMENT In most states, a majority of students take the SAT college entrance test. In the Upper Midwest, though, the ACT is more popular. Wisconsin's average score was 20.3 and North Dakota's was 19.9 While improvement should always be a goal, Minnesota's schools are obviously doing a good job of preparing graduates for college success. Sheldon D. Churchill, 94, of Grand Meadow, passed away peacefully with family at his side at Mayo Clinic Hospital Saint Marys Campus in Rochester on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, two days after a good game of 500 with his family. Funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 24, at St. Finbarr Catholic Church in Grand Meadow with Father Mareddy Pothireddy officiating. Burial will follow at St. Finbarr Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at Hindt Funeral Home in Grand Meadow with a Rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church. Hindt Funeral Home of Grand Meadow is assisting the family. Sheldon Dale Churchill was born April 29, 1924, in Spring Valley, to Dale and Iva (Dornink) Churchill. On Oct. 9, 1946, he was united in marriage to Laurene Davis and to this union, six children were born. If you knew Sheldon, you knew his famous smile, his love of life, and his laughter. You knew he was always up for any game with his friends, children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren. He was always instigating a lively game of cards, croquet, softball (pitching into his 80s, although he did have a pinch runner), Monopoly, Farkle (he was the Farkle King!), volleyball, etc. Sheldon lived his life fully and was always content in his life. When asked if he ever missed being on a tractor after he had a heart attack in 2017, he thought for a moment, and then said, "No, I just always believed that you have to be happy where you are." That giant smile always showed he truly believed that. Sheldon was a long-time dairy farmer on a farmstead near Dexter, and a long-time member of St. Finbarrs Catholic Church. Later in life, he was named Senior Citizen of the Year Award of Mower County in 2013, for his dedicated volunteer work including Cards with Sheldon at the Grand Meadow Nursing Home. Sheldon is survived by his children, Linda (Ron) Alberts of Rochester, Irene McKenzie of Glencoe, Barb (Mike) Smith of Ankeny, Iowa, Steve (Marie) Churchill of Dexter, Mary (Tom) Bryson of Vancouver, Wash., and Sandy (Tim) Gallagher of Buffalo; sister, Mary Ann Hennessy of La Mesa, Calif.; brother, Jack (Josie) Churchill of Grand Meadow; 26 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Laurene Churchill; brother, Bert Churchill; son-in-law, Darrell; brother-in-law, Don Hennessy; and parents, Iva and Dale Churchill. Special thanks to the staff at the Grand Meadow Health Care Center. Online condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com. CHOCHO SAINA The very name of our island of Guahan is rooted in the word guaha, to have, which conveys the sense of being a gifted or bountiful place. CH Read more By FreeBeacon, April 17, 2019 Middlebury College has canceled a campus speech by conservative Polish Catholic philosopher Ryszard Legutko in response to planned protests by liberal activists. A professor of philosophy at Jagiellonian University and a member of the European Parliament, Legutko was scheduled to speak Wednesday at the Vermont college's Alexander Hamilton Forum, delivering a lecture entitled "The Demon in Democracy: Totalitarian Temptations in Free Societies." A member of the anti-Communist Polish resistance during the Cold War, Legutko warns that western democracy is also susceptible to creep towards totalitarianism. Our occasional correspondent Dave Begley was on hand when Senator Kirsten Gillibrand brought her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination to Iowa on Thursday (thumbnail photo courtesy of Dave). Dave is a Nebraska attorney practicing elder law and estate planning in Omaha. Dave posed an unfriendly question to her from the crowd and escaped to file this report: Kirsten Gillibrand is a type. Shes a fast-talking, big law firm East Coast lawyer of the feminine persuasion. What she lacks in charm she makes up for in ambition. Remind you of anyone? I put the question to her directly: DDB: Senator, some people say that you remind them of Hillary Clinton. KG: Is it the blonde hair? [Laughs.] DDB: Maybe that. Youve won elections in New York. Some of these same people say that you are not very likable. What would you say to those people? [Laughs.] KG: Okay, Ill ask everyone here. Raise your hand if you find me likable tonight. Raise your hands. [Crowd cheers and raises hands.] KG: Unfair question. Let me say something I believe about Hillary Clinton. Shes been a role model for more women and girls globally than any woman in America. Shes somebody that people look up to. [Crowd cheers wildly.] Hillary won the popular vote. [Cheers.] Shes someone Ive always looked up to. We are very different people. We have very different stories. Im an expert on dairy farming. But I really respect her greatly. Im so grateful that she tried so hard to represent this country and try to do whats right. [Wild cheers.] Ive got to give her credit. The Dartmouth alum thought fast and turned the crowd in her favor. Shes trying to step into Crooked Hillarys shoes and inherit her voters. Presenting Hillary Clinton as a role model, Gillibrand left out a few items we have all come to know despite the Dems best efforts to keep them concealed. She commissioned a dossier composed by a former British spy full of false information to boost herself in the 2016 election. Trump nevertheless won. After her unexpected defeat, the sore loser and her allies used it to promote the now discredited collusion narrative. Hillary Clinton is no role model unless you want your daughters to be crooked. In her speech Gillibrand asserted Trump is a coward. She claims she is brave and that she will crush Trump in 2020. Gillibrand is a tough woman, according to Gillibrand. Shes Trumps Kryptonite. On all the issues, she a standard progressive Dem. Massive federal money to local schools is one thing she favors that Obama didnt do. Climate change is our greatest challenge and the United States must lead. We have to defeat China in creating Green jobs. She rolled out the ridiculous analogy that the Green New Deal is like JFKs goal to put a man on the moon. Among other things, the Green Leap Forward would be a colossal waste of our money to solve a problem that doesnt exist. The Chinese, on the other hand, have real air pollution. Let them fix their own problems. Senator Gillibrand announced that she will be touring Iowa this summer in an RV with her husband and two sons. Shes ambitious, but I seriously doubt that shell be going anywhere. Recently I had a conversation with a prominent political scientist from one of our most elite universitiesI wont name either since I havent been able to verify what he told mewho said that last year this particular university graduated only two majors in English literature. Not two graduate studentsjust two majors in the entire undergraduate senior class. (Ill only go so far as to say that this particular university is not a tiny place.) Now, at first glance and given that most English departments have become highly ideologized and politicized swamps, I regard this as very very good news, as it suggests studentseven left-leaning studentsare fleeing these ideological and increasingly mediocre cesspools in droves. While I can name at least a dozen graduate programs that I can recommend to students interested in political science, law, economics, history, philosophy, public policy, environmental science, and even sociology, I cant think of a single graduate English program Id recommend to anyone, with perhaps the exception of the University of Virginia as long as Paul Cantor continues to teach Shakespeare, or Northwestern as long as Gary Saul Morson continues to teach Russian literature. This is backdrop to an update of the story I reported here the other day about how the private University of Tulsa was shrinking or closing down its liberal arts and social science departments and grouping everything under four broad banners, including most ominously Humanities & Social Justice, which pretty much tells you all you need to know about the character of those departments going forward. It turns out that the full story of Tulsa is even worse. Tulsa philosophy professor Jacob Howland offers up the details at City Journal: [A] new administration has turned a once-vibrant academic institution with a $1.1 billion endowment and a national reputation in core liberal arts subjects into a glorified trade school with a social-justice agenda. Our story is worth telling, because we have been hit by a perfect storm of trends currently tearing through the American academy: the confident ignorance of administrators, the infantilization of students, the policing of faculty, the replacement of thinking with ideological jargon, and the corporatization of education. . . Do read the whole story Howland tells. Shocking, but entirely too typical. (The bit about acquiring the Bob Dylan archive is especially indicative of a university leadership that is beyond frivolous, fiddling while Rome burns.) Ive been predicting for some time now that more and more universities would essentially split into two separate universities, with STEM and more practically-useful social sciences like economics (along with business management) becoming a university that understands itself entirely separate from the humanities and politicized/ideological social sciences, which will be allowed to wither and die. Tulsa is now a prime exhibit. Sounds like it deserves to die. Another institution that deserves to die, but sadly wont, is Middlebury College in Vermont. Last week it canceled a planned public lecture by the Polish philosopher Ryszard Legutko, author of the challenging book The Demon in Democracy: Totalitarian Temptations in Free Societies. Middlebury would seem to be a perfect example of a place yielding to a totalitarian temptation. Supposedly it was the threat of violent protests like those that shut down Charles Murrays appearance at Middlebury two years ago that led the administration to cancel Legutkos talk, but a clarifying email shows that the real reason the administration offered is even more cowardly, as reported in the The Middlebury Campus student newspaper: As you are aware, our assessment of the potential safety risks of Wednesdays planned lecture did not reflect concerns about threats from student protesters or students attending the event. Rather, we were concerned about the safety of those participants. Nonetheless, students have reported concerns about potential retaliation by faculty whose position on the event may have differed from their own. We know that many of you have taken the time this week to engage these issues thoughtfully and respectfully in class, and we are grateful for that. However, students have also reported being called out in classes and over e-mail, by both faculty and other students, for the positions they took on the planned speaker. Seriouslythe administration was worried about the safety of the protesters, and secondarily that some faculty would retaliate against students who supported Legutkos appearance. The first reason is sufficient to fire the administration, and the second reason is sufficient to revoke the tenure and dismiss said faculty members. But Middlebury has competition: Trinity College in Connecticut. Helen Lamm reports today at American Greatness: At Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, a student club with the expressed purpose of the preservation, dissemination and extension of the Western moral and philosophical Tradition is currently struggling to achieve official recognition from the college administration. Why? Because for a small group of social terrorists on campus, Winston Churchill is a symbol of white supremacy. Also, because we live in hell. The Churchill Institute is one of a few groups scattered across the American academy that sees Western Civilization under attack, by outsiders and insiders, and has organized itself around its preservation in response. Trinitys Churchill Institute (CI) was founded during the 2015 school year by Gregory Bruce Smith, a professor of political science and philosophy. For the past few years, the club has maintained a relatively low profile, operating for the most part as an off-campus organization. But as the story goes on to explain, when the Churchill Institute applied to be recognized as a formal student organization, the left swung into action against it, and guess what happened next? Of course you dont need to ask: the administration flinched, and the Churchill Institutes status is in limbo at the moment. Funny thing is, Ive been thinking of starting an informal reading group on campus at Berkeley and calling it the Churchill Club. Probably cant call it a club, though, because a club is an obvious tool of violence and oppression rather than a voluntary social body. But I see I probably cant say Churchill either. (Even though the reading list for one of my political science classes includes a heavy dose of Churchill. Shhh. Dont tell anyone.) SCOTT adds: The Middlebury story has an improbably happy ending. We learn from this Wall Street Journal editorial, picking up where Steve leaves off: What happened next was remarkable. One student proposed sneaking Mr. Legutko on campus and proceeding with his lecture in a political science class. Professor Matthew Dickinson said hed allow it if every student in his class approved the idea on a secret ballot. All nine students voted yes. Word got out on social media, and other students trickled in. Mr. Dickinson estimates about 45 students attended. I have never been more proud in my 30 years of teaching than to watch these students engage with the speaker, push back on him, engage with him. It was a marvelous example of how free speech facilitates learning, Mr. Dickinson said. During the days of communist totalitarianism, scholars from the West traveled to Eastern Bloc nations to give underground lectures and seminars, said Keegan Callanan, who directs the Alexander Hamilton Forum and invited the Polish politician. On Wednesday, Mr. Legutko returned the favor. Senior Rachel Kang said she voted to have Mr. Legutko speak because I wanted to redeem the school for what happened with Charles Murray. Owen Austin Marsh, a junior who also voted in favor of the underground lecture, said administrators should know that students generally, me included, were upset that the university silenced the voices of people who wanted to listenand the people who wanted to show up and dissent. We may have to revisit the Middlebury story in a separate post. The Federal High Court in Abuja has given the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Alex Okoh, a final notice until May 13, to show why he should not be committed to prison for his alleged defiance of the July 6, 2012, order of the Supreme Court on the ownership crisis of the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON). In 2004, BPE cancelled, in controversial circumstances, the declaration by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) of a Nigerian-American consortium, BFI Group, as the preferred bidder for ALSCON. In 2006, BPE handed over the ownership of the $3.2 billion plant to UC RUSAL, which was previously disqualified during the bid, by NCP, for violating the bid guidelines. BFIG contested the cancellation at the Federal High Court in Abuja. After over six years of legal battle, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment on July 6, 2012, nullified BPEs decision. The apex court gave an order of specific performance for the enforcement of the subsisting contract between BFIG and BPE over ALSCON sale. Specifically, the Supreme Court ordered BPE to immediately retrieve ALSCON from UC RUSAL and prepare to hand over to BFIG by issuing a mutually agreed share purchase agreement (SPA) approved at the end of negotiations in 2004. More than seven months after the judgment, and the refusal of BPE to enforce its order, BFIG in 2013 filed a petition at the Appeal Court for the enforcement of the Supreme Court order. The application was granted. In 2014, BPE, in defiance of the Supreme Courts order, filed an application at the Court of Appeal against the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja. After a prolonged hearing, the Appeal Court presided by Justice Abdul Aboki on January 11 this year, reaffirmed the sanctity of the Supreme Court ruling and demanded immediate compliance by BPE. The directive was disobeyed. On March 27, BFIG, wrote to BPE DG, Mr Okoh, through its lawyer, Patrick Ikwueto, to serve notice threatening to issue Forms 48 and 49 to activate committal proceedings against him and the BPE. Under the Civil Process Act, Cap. 551, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Judgment Enforcement Rules, Form 48 contains a copy of the court order to be served on the respondent for compliance. Where the respondent fails to comply, Form 49 is issued for committal for contempt. On April 2, BFIG actually commenced the contempt proceedings against Mr Okoh, after serving him the Form 48. Both the DG and BPE ignored the court proceedings. On April 10, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a formal notice to BPE and its DG (Mr Okoh) threatening to commit them to prison for their continued disobedience of the directive of the Appeal Court and the order of the Supreme Court in respect of the ownership crisis in ALSCON. The notice read: TAKE NOTICE that this Honourable Court will be moved on the 13th day of May 2019 at the hour of 9 Oclock in the forenoon or soon thereafter as Counsel may be heard on behalf of the Applicant praying this Honourable Court for: 1. AN ORDER of this Honourable Court for Committal to Prison to be made against: a. Alex Okoh, Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises; b. Bureau of Public Enterprises for disobeying and refusing to fully enforce the judgment/orders made by the Supreme Court in Appeal No. SC 12/2008 BFI Group v, BPE dated 6 July 2012 and the subsequent Enforcement Order contained in the Judgement of the Court of Appeal No. CA/A/637/2014 BPE v. BFI Group Corporation dated 11 January 2019. The court said it was in the interest of justice for it to exercise the powers for committal in order to enforce the full obedience and compliance with the binding orders of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. The grounds for the committal notice included timelines of the contempt charge against Mr Okoh and BPE. Timelines for Contempt Charge In 2013, the court said the suit commenced with an originating summons by BFIG seeking the enforcement of its 2004 binding agreement with BPE on the basis of an order of specific performance by the Supreme Court in its judgment of July 6, 2012. In the judgment, the Supreme Court confirmed the existence of a binding contract between BPE and BFIG for the sale of ALSCON. Consequently, it ruled as follows: (i) An order of specific performance is hereby decreed directing BPE to provide the mutually agreed Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) for execution by the Parties to enable BFIG pay the agreed 10 percent of the accepted bid price of $410 million (about $41million) within 15 working days from the date of the execution of the SPA in accordance with the agreement dated May 20, 2004 and the balance of the bid price shall be paid within 90 calendar days. Also, the Supreme Court ordered BPE to accept the payment of 10 per cent of the bid price from BFIG. It equally issued a perpetual injunction restraining the privatisation agency, privies, management or others from inviting further bids for the sale of ALSCON in violation of its subsisting contract with BFIG. Advertisements In addition, the court restrained BPE from selling, transferring or handing over ALSCON to any person in violation of its contract with BFIG. In 2013, after BPE refused to obey the court order for more than seven months, BFIG petitioned the Federal High Court in Lagos to seek the enforcement of the order. The application was granted. But, in 2014, BPE filed an appeal. On January 11 this year, the appeal court in its judgment set aside the ruling of the Federal High Court in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/901/2013 filed by BPE. The high court had ruled that BFIG had no binding agreement over ALSCON sale. But in setting aside the judgment, the Appeal Court reaffirmed the sanctity of the July 2012 Supreme Court judgment and again ordered its full enforcement by BPE. Regardless, BPE DG also ignored it and went ahead to announce almost a month later on February 2 of ongoing consultations by BPE to resolve critical issues (including gas supply and price) for the reopening of the plant, to enable the core investor, UC RUSAL/Dayson Holdings operate profitably. On January 14, BFIG wrote to BPE to draw its attention to the consequential orders of the appeal court. It got no response from BPE. On January 25, BFIG wrote again to BPE to request for a clean copy of the SPA for execution in compliance with the subsisting judgment/orders of the Supreme Court as reinforced by the Appeal Court. Still, no response came from BPE. On February 4, BPE finally sent a response to BFIG, accompanied by a reproduced 16-page SPA. Counsel to BFIG said the SPA was not accompanied with any of the 17 annexures acknowledged as key parts of the SPA. The Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Alex Okoh The annexures include a financial statement of ALSCON for the year ended December 31, 2004; ALSCON Post-Acquisition Plan; List of Liabilities of ALSCON; List of Facilities of ALSCON; List of land Plots of ALSCON; List of Compensation Scheme of Employees of ALSCON, and List of Employee Benefit of ALSCON. The others include: List of Intellectual Property of ALSCON; List of Material Contracts of ALSCON; List of Banks of ALSCON; List of Government Authorities of ALSCON of ALSCON; Exhibit No. 1: Natural Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement; Exhibit 3: Federal Republic of Nigeria Officials Gazette, and Exhibit 4: Power of Attorney. In the letter, BFIG said Mr Okoh was categorical about BPEs refusal to provide BFIG with the complete SPA containing the annexures, which formed part of the mutually negotiated and agreed SPA in July 2004. On February 27, BFIG said it executed and delivered to BPE for counter-signature the mutually agreed SPA (Exhibit BPE 1) with all annexures as provided by BPE in 2004 and reproduced in 2012 pursuant to Supreme Court judgment on July 6, 2012. On March 4, BFIG counsel, Mr Ikwueto, said BPE executed the SPA, but removed ALL of the annexures, and returned an incomplete document to BFIG. On March 5, he said BFIG again wrote to BPE to demand the execution of the SPA, along with the agreed Annexures in 2004 and reproduced by BPE on October 16, 2012, after the Supreme Court order. No further response came from BPE, whose DG, Mr Okoh, dared BFIG to go ahead with its threat to commence contempt proceedings against him and the privatisation agency. On March 11, Mr Ikwueto said Mr Okoh asked BFIG to comply with the orders of the court by depositing the agreed $41 million. He said the BPE DG said deliberations on the annexures should be deferred till both parties (BPE and BFIG) have complied with and executed the judgments of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. If the Bureau does not receive an executed copy of the mutual agreed Share Purchase Agreement, and payment of the agreed sum of $41 million, representing 10 per cent of the bid price within 15 working days, the Bureau will consider itself as being no longer bound by the agreement, Mr Okoh said. He said BPE would equally consider itself not contractually bound to BFIG if the balance of $369 million is not paid within 90 calendar days of the payment of $41million. In its motion on notice, BFIG urged the court to enforce its order as doing otherwise will allow BPE and Mr Okoh continue in the scheme to unlawfully retain/hand over ALSCON to Dayson/UC RUSAL in patent disregard of the orders of specific performance and injunction decreed by the Supreme Court in July 2012. BPE, Okoh Keep Mum When contacted to get his reaction to the latest order of the court, Mr Okoh did not answer calls to his telephone. He also did not respond to the text messages sent to him. Also, the spokesperson of BPE, Amina Tukur-Othman, did not answer calls to her telephone on Sunday, neither did she respond to the text messages sent to her. President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the appointment of Tanko Muhammad as the acting chief justice of Nigeria by another three months. Mr Buhari sent the recommendation to the National Judicial Council and the supervisory body approved the appointment on Thursday, a spokesperson for the NJC, Soji Oye, said in a statement on Saturday. Mr Muhammad was first appointed in January after the president controversially suspended Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen who was accused of false declaration of asset. Mr Onnoghen was convicted on Thursday by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, and was barred from holding public office for 10 years. He has denied all allegations against him, and has appealed the ruling. The presidents suspension of Mr Onnoghen sparked uproar as the move was deemed unconstitutional. Also, coming just weeks before the February presidential election, it raised suspicions, with the opposition accusing Mr Buhari of moving to appoint a stooge who would ensure judicial support after the polls would have been rigged. Mr Onnoghen notified two weeks ago he was stepping down, but the Presidency has yet to announce whether his exit had been approved by the president. In what appeared to be the first pointer to the Presidencys decision, a statement by presidential aide Garba Shehu on Thursday, following Mr Onnoghens conviction, referred to him as former CJN. President Muhammadu Buhari The statement released on Saturday by the NJC denied an unnamed media report that the council would meet next week to deliberate on the extension of Mr Muhammads term as the acting chief justice of Nigeria. It said the approval had already been given. Contrary to the above, the Council actually met on Thursday 18th April, 2019 and at the 88th Meeting considered and approved the request of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for the extension of the Appointment of Hon. Dr. Justice I. T. Muhammad, CFR, as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria for another three (3) months and Council has since forwarded its approval to the President. It was not immediately clear when the president sent the request. The number of women elected to public offices in Nigeria did not increase after this years election. Instead, there was a decline to any progress made in womens previous outings since the inception of the fourth republic, analyses by PREMIUM TIMES and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) have shown. When will women be allowed more space in government? This quest was more than ever before reinvigorated ahead of the 2019 general elections. With 91 political parties, women appeared to have a better chance. This was evident in the number of women who declared an interest and eventually contested in the party primaries. However, the outcome of the party primaries and eventually, the general elections, was rather a setback, dashing any hope raised. Fact Sheet A recent fact sheet released by the CDD showed that so far, 62 women have been recorded as elected, a meagre 4.17 per cent of elected officials. Should this figure hold, it would represent a decline from the 2015-19 period, where women formed 5.65 per cent of elected officials. A previous data from the centre prior to this years polls showed that women have not reached 10 per cent representation since the inception of democratic rule. How women fared Women form 49.4 per cent of Nigerias population, according to data from the National Bureau of statistics. However, female political representation in the 2019 elections was negligible relative to the approximately half of the population they constitute, with 2,970 women on the electoral ballot, representing only 11.36 per cent of nominated candidates. In the presidential race, some believed women were not really ready to contest. The turn of events, weeks to the polls, seemed to have justified that assertion. Specifically, all six female presidential candidates stepped down even though their names still appeared on the ballot. The withdrawal of Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former minister, who was perceived as the most vibrant female candidate, seemed most unexpected. Apart from the 1999 election which signalled the fourth republic that saw women occupy 15 seats in the National Assembly three in the Senate and 12 in the House of Representatives the number of elected female lawmakers has never been this poor in any other election at the federal level. Statistics In this years election, 235 women, forming 12.34 per cent of candidates, contested for a seat in the Senate of which seven (6.42 per cent) were elected. This remained constant in the 8th Senate, which also accounted for 6.42 per cent of the total number of elected senators. The two dominant political parties, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its main opposition, the PDP, fielded seven and 10 candidates respectively. A female senator from Northern Nigeria, Binta Garba, is among those who lost. The minority leader of the 8th Senate, Abiodun Olujimi, also lost her re-election bid. In the House of Representatives, 533 women contested, with the major parties fielding a total of 31 (15 APC and 16 PDP) candidates. However, only 11 (3.05 per cent) have been elected. The figures from the 8th House have thus been halved, as it had 22 female lawmakers. At the state level, no woman was elected governor. They formed 3.07 per cent of the total candidates. Of the 275 women forming 11.40 per cent of candidates for the Deputy Governorship, four (in Enugu, Kaduna, Ogun and Rivers) were elected. Thus, the number of female deputy governors has declined from six in the 2015-19 to four. While women have consistently held the position of deputy governor in Lagos State, the emergence of Obafemi Hamzat as deputy-governor elect marked a departure from the past. Down from 55 female state lawmakers in the incumbent regime, our preliminary analysis shows that 40 women have been elected into the state assembly. Why women failed Some young female candidates in the election who spoke Monday at a programme organised by the Centre of Legislative Engagement of YIAGA listed lack of funds, poor party structure, and stereotyping as some of the challenges they faced. They urged the incoming 9th National Assembly to work on the gender equality bill. However, reasons for the poor outing for women in the 2019 elections were mostly attributed to the countrys political structure. The two major parties were accused of not allowing women enough space. We failed because there were very few female candidates in the two major parties, explained Abiodun Essiet, who contested in the primary of the APC aimed at nominating its councillorship candidate for Orozo Ward of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). Mrs Essiet, a nurse and gender activist, had hopes of becoming the first woman elected councillor in the ward. But she did not make it out of the primary, which was adjudged to be fraught with irregularities. The most important election is the primaries and only a handful of women scaled through in the major parties so we already knew this was going to happen, she said. Advertisements This newspapers analysis few weeks after the party primaries revealed that women were not given an even playing field, especially by the major parties, which eventually led to the low number of women who emerged as party candidates. Women and young people were either intimidated or threatened to step down or were simply screened out and replaced with their male competitors, Mrs Ezekwesili had said in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES. The former minister said dominant political parties of the (APC/PDP) elite have entrenched a primaries system that inherently makes the emergence of women and young candidates near impossible. Other factors Away from party politics, other factors such as large scale election violence, threats, rigging and vote buying were said to have played against women. I faced a lot of threat up till election day, said Christina Eligwe-Ude, a former consultant at the United Nations who contested the APC primaries for the Orlu, Orsu and Oru East Federal Constituency in Imo State but says she was sidelined. Mrs Eligwe-Ude would later leave the APC to contest under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). For me, the experience was exhausting and depressing because its money politics. We are at the tribunal for the election to be nullified because it was initially declared inconclusive but nine days later, it became conclusive all of a sudden and the PDP candidate was declared (the) winner. Major Parties React While Lanre Issa-Onilu, the national spokesperson of the APC, neither answered repeated calls to his phone nor responded to texts, his counterpart in the PDP did. I think when you look at the format of the election, generally, you will see its not the type women can really do well. Its because of that format that women performed poorly, said Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP spokesperson. The aggression, large scale rigging, abuse of processes, vote buying, violence and other vices. For the PDP, we always make conscious effort to give fair chance to women. Our party has the highest number of women elected in this years election Of the 62 women in the overall elective positions, our preliminary analysis reveals that PDP has the highest number with 33 (53.23 per cent), followed by APC with 23 (37.10 per cent). We key into the affirmation plan that 35 per cent of our women must be elected. We give free forms to women to encourage more participation, the PDP official said. The problem is that the government of the day does not believe in the right of women because you cannot compare what is happening now with the PDP era. INEC has a duty to make sure true winners are declared but the government also has a huge responsibility to create more space for women in government. Not true Meanwhile, Ebere Ifendu, president Women in Politics Forum (WIPF) was quick to counter the comment of the PDP spokesperson on free forms. The free forms they give to women are like Greek gifts because after that, the zoning will never favour women. PDP will always come with what they call zoning and consensus candidate in which women are never part of the discussion. So, whats the point of giving me a free form and I will not still get through the primaries because of other intrigues? We are tired of their Greek gifts, if they want to support women they should give a certain percentage of sits to women. They only have a woman leader in their leadership position who is appointed by them. They will use their own criteria to choose so the person will be forever indebted to them. Ripple Effect PREMIUM TIMES previously reported how womens poor representation undercuts Nigerias democratic journey and the enduring quest for gender equality in Africas most populous nation. This years polls is the sixth since the inception of the fourth republic two decades ago. Of the 84 million registered voters expected to vote in the election, women accounted for almost 40million (47. 14 per cent). While many countries across the globe are making conscious efforts to bridge inequalities between men and women in the political space, Nigeria has kept falling short even when women constitute almost half of the voting population. Way Forward Sound legislation is the best way forward said Mrs Ifeandu, a lawyer. We need to make the 35 per cent affirmative action a law. In Senegal, women first got 30 per cent through legislation before they moved for parity (50:50) which has now made the difference in that country. Without legislation, it will be difficult to achieve anything that is why we need to hold parties to account. They are the only platform that can make it happen for now. Currently, we are championing a course for most of these mushroom parties to be deregistered. If we have only six parties, it will go a long way. The female advocate said since the election is over, the next step is to pressurise the president to give women more appointments. The president in setting up his next cabinet should compensate women by giving them nothing less than 35 per cent positions. During campaigns, he went around talking about affirmative right action. He made open declaration supporting affirmative and we need to hold him to account. This project is the initiative of Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in partnership with Premium Times and supported by the Ford Foundation. EDITORS NOTE: A few paragraphs of this story has been edited to reflect that they had been published in an earlier report by this newspaper. A female expatriate and two others have been killed by suspected kidnappers in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, police said. The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Friday when the attackers stormed the area shooting sporadically. The identities of the victims were not immediately made available by the police, who confirmed the attack. The state police spokesperson, Yakubu Sabo, said three people were also abducted by the attackers. He also said a team of police officers have been deployed to the area. We received an information through DPO Kajuru that at about 2340hrs, some suspected kidnappers armed with dangerous weapons gained entry into a recreational resort called Kajuru Castle in Kajuru Local Government Area shooting sporadically and in the process shot dead two persons including an expatriate lady and took away three others, he said. Patrol Teams led by the DPO rushed to the scene evacuated the victims to St. Gerald Hospital. Investigation later revealed that the victims along with twelve others came from Lagos on tourism after which they organized a party at the Castle located at the Hill Top during which the incident happened, he said. An official at the local government office who asked for anonymity however said three people were killed and five abducted. He said they were trying to establish the nationality of the expatriate. The Commissioner of Police, Ahmad Abdur-Rahman, appealed to members of the public to assist the police with information that would help in the arrest of the perpetrators. In recent months, Kajuru in Kaduna State has been at the centre of an ethnic violence that has claimed dozens of lives. A Circuit Court in Ghana has jailed a Nigerian immigrant, 33-year-old Obinna Mba, for raping a 12-year-old girl in Nungua, a town in the Municipal District in Accra, the countrys state capital, the Ghanaian state-owned Graphic Online reports. According to the newspaper,on Saturday, a judge, Rita Doko, sentenced Mr Mba to seven years imprisonment after he was found guilty on the charge of defilement. The court also ordered the convicts deportation back to his home country after serving his sentence. The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Agnes Boafo, narrated how Mr Mba lured the minor to his shop and had sexual intercourse with her. He also said the victim kept the ordeal to herself because the convict had threatened her to keep mum or she loses her life. The police boss further said it was the victims mother that made the complaints after she discovered what had happened. The victim, mother, and Mba reside in the same vicinity at Nungua in Accra. In August, last year, Mbas sister sent the victim to collect some sacks at her shop so she could pack some plantain leaves into them. On reaching the shop, she met Mba, who lured her into the shop and had sex with her. After the act, Mba warned the victim not to disclose the act to anyone else she would die, Mr Boafo explained. Mba became so close to the victim afterward and her mother became suspicious of their relationship. When the victims mother questioned her over the said relationship, the victim let the cat out of the bag and a report was made to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit, Nungua. The prosecution officer explained that the convict was arrested based on report gotten from medical laboratory tests. The mother was issued with a medical form to seek medical attention for the victim and based on the report, the police arrested Mba. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has felicitated with Christians on the occasion of Easter, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The party, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Lanre Issa-onilu, urged citizens to imbibe the selfless attributes displayed by Jesus Christ. As we merry with friends, family and other loved ones for the festivities, we are implored to also remember the essence of Easter which is recognition of the love, sacrifice and suffering Jesus Christ bore for humanity, the party said. The party also preached that love and tolerance should live above violence, killings, agitations, and other divisive tendencies. In our collective efforts to progress as a nation, we must all rise above our perceived differences which pit brothers and sisters against themselves. Love and tolerance will take us. The party tasked Nigerians to use the occasion of Easter to pray for the safety and wellbeing of the Armed Forces and other security personnel ensuring the safety of citizens. It also used the opportunity to seek the continuous prayers and support of Nigerians for Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration. In a similar message, the Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, urged Christians and all Nigerians, to sustain their abiding faith in God and promote peace, love, unity and virtues that enhance the progress of the country. In his Easter message, Governor Ugwuanyi noted that the observation of 40 days of Lent reinvigorates the spiritual strength of Christians and Gods amazing grace for the salvation of mankind. Gods extraordinary act of love for mankind should be cherished, celebrated and sustained he said. While wishing a happy Easter celebration, the governor reiterated his resolve to continue to serve with the fear of God. Also, the senate president, Bukola Saraki, called on Nigerians to imbibe the value of sacrificing in the interest of the country as demonstrated by Jesus Christ. Mr Saraki, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, congratulated Christians in Nigeria and across the world as they celebrate Easter. He expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their steadfastness and prayers which have had immense impact on the peace, unity and continued survival of the nation. He noted that the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections was a direct testament to the sincere efforts and prayers of all Nigerians. He said the Easter period is a reminder to imbibe the spirit of making sacrifices in the interest of Nigerians, as exemplified by Jesus Christ. I believe that our country will become better if we all commit ourselves to selfless service and making sacrifices, both at the individual and collective level. The prayers and fasting of Nigerians have been the bulwark against all the centrifugal and centripetal forces threatening to pull our nation down. We must not relent but only need to add discipline, obedience to law and more intense patriotism to our attitude. Noting that the country is still confronted by developmental, economic and social challenges, he insisted that all the obstacles are surmountable if all play their roles. The deputy president of the senate, Ike Ekweremadu, similarly urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Easter celebration to pray for the security of the nation and return to the path of reconciliation, peace, and justice. In a statement by his special adviser, Uche Anichukwu, he wished Nigerians a happy Easter. Mr Ekweremadu said prayers should come with the necessary steps to rethink the nations security architecture, especially the policing arrangement. Advertisements In his Easter goodwill message to the Christian faithful, he said: I call on the Christian faithful and indeed, every Nigerian, to pray for divine intervention in the affairs of the nation, particular the frightening insecurity challenges facing various parts of our country. Importantly, we need to move away from the path of disunity, mutual suspicion, discrimination, and injustice to make any progress. Ali Rabiu, a former Vice President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has emerged as the new President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). A statement by Ojonugwa Haruna, the COREN Head of Public Relations, said Mr Rabiu was elected at an extraordinary council meeting of COREN. She said Mr Rabiu took over from Kashim Ali who had served two terms as president of the council between 2013 and 2019. Mrs Haruna said Mr Rabiu, who was born on April 24, 1963 in Lafia, Nassarawa State, attended Bayero University, Kano State for a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Civil Engineering. According to her, a COREN registered engineer, Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, Mr Rabiu is also a member of various engineering associations. The new COREN President has served as member, Presidential Monitoring Team on DFRRI, Rural Water and Sanitation Programme as well as House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on the investigation of flooding of the Goronyo Dam. He has also served as member, Governing Council of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi and Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Kano branch, she said. Mrs Haruna said the new president had over 30 years professional career in engineering and had served at various administrative and managerial levels in the public and private sectors. She said Mrs Rabiu was involved in the design and supervision of several bridges, roads, concrete structures, water supply schemes, small dams as well as flood and erosion control works. (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said President Muhammadu Buharis assent to the new minimum wage is a proof that he matches his words with actions. President Buhari signed the bill which approves N30,000 as the new minimum wage on Thursday. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had been demanding an increase in the minimum wage from N18,000. The NLC initially proposed N63,000 minimum wage. This was reduced after negotiations to N30,000. Amidst this agitation, some governors said paying the N30,000 was not possible and could make states go bankrupt. The governors proposal of N22,500 minimum wage for states was rejected by the NLC. The APC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, commended the president for signing the bill. The assent of the N30,000 minimum wage by the president is indeed another election promise delivered. This is another solid demonstration of a President who matches his words with action. The All Progressives Congress (APC) commends President Muhammadu Buhari on his assent to the new and improved N30,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers. The party said it believes workers deserve the new minimum wage in view of the current economic realities. Commendably, the welfare of workers has remained a top priority of the President Buhari-led APC administration as exhibited in the federal government bailouts to state governments to pay workers salary, housing schemes for civil servants among other welfare packages. The party congratulated stakeholders who worked towards the success of the new wage. We congratulate stakeholders that ensured the achievement of this laudable feat, particularly the National Assembly, state governors, the Amma Pepple-led tripartite committee, labour/trade unions and indeed Nigerian workers. First Lady Aisha Buhari has expressed her plan to establish a private university to be known as Muhammadu Buhari University. She disclosed this on Saturday during a town hall meeting in Yola organised by her in collaboration with concern indigenes of Adamawa. Mrs Buhari, who did not however reveal when or where the university would be sited, explained that the university would be established in collaboration with partners from Sudan and Qatar. Mrs. Buhari who lamented the challenges facing education and various sectors in the state, called for active support of the state indigenes in complementing government efforts. I cannot conclude without suggesting how we can complement the efforts of government in achieving some of its developmental goals. On this note, I would like to advocate for the establishment of Adamawa Development Trust Fund through which prioritized developmental projects can be financed and implemented, she said. Fati Ballah also called for reconciliation and forgiveness among the people of the state and the setting up of a committee to come up with a blueprint for the development of the state. Sadiq Daware, who spoke on agriculture at the meeting, noted that 80 per cent of the state land was arable and suitable for farming. Mr Daware added that with River Benue which passes through the state, the state has the potential for massive irrigation and all year round farming programmes. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other speakers at the meeting include Prof. Shehu Iya of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, who spoke on education; Prof. Auwal Abubakar of Federal Medical Centre, Yola, who spoke on health; and Mrs Helen Mathias who spoke on women and youth. Others are Umar Abubakar who spoke on security; Gen. Buba Marwa on drugs; Sen. Silas Zwingina on Good Governance, and Dr Umar Bindir who spoke on Poverty. The meeting was also attended by politicians, particularly APC, PDP and ADC members in the state. (NAN) The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has carried out a headcount of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the three communities recently attacked by suspected herdsmen in Akwanga, Nasarawa State. Mustafa Maihaja, Director-General of NEMA, stated this on Saturday during the headcount in Akwanga. Mr Maihaja, who was represented by Ladan Ayuba, Director in charge of North-Central, said the agency was in Akwanga to take inventory of the number of people displaced and the level of damage done for the purpose of providing relief materials to victims. We have the mandate of the DG to profile all the IDPs from Mante, Nidan and Numa villages of Andaha in Akwanga LGA, that were recently attacked. We also have the mandate to take inventory of the number of persons killed and the properties destroyed during the attacks in the communities, he said. He noted that the exercise was aimed at bringing succour to affected persons. Similarly, Allu Maga, Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) said the headcount would also assist the state government in distribution of relief materials to victims. Mr Maga said that already, the government had taken care of the burial rites of those killed during the attack. According to him, the government is also footing the bills of those injured during the attack, receiving treatment at various hospitals. Reacting, Anthony Yamusa, District Head of Akwanga, who represented the Chun-Mada, Samson Gamu-Yare, expressed gratitude to the two agencies for the visit. He further advised the people to avoid spreading rumours which were only escalating the situation. Officials of relief and security agencies visited Mante, Nidan and Numa villages attacked by the suspected herdsmen. (NAN) Suspected motorcycle snatchers on Friday allegedly killed a 33-year-old motorcyclist in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa, the police have said. Abdu Jinjiri, the spokesperson, Jigawa Police Command, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Dutse that the incident occurred at about 8.30 a.m. Mr Jinjiri said the deceased, Musa Usaini, a resident of Jigawa Habiba village, was attacked while on his motorcycle by suspected motorcycle snatchers. He explained that the suspects allegedly hit the deceased with a club on his head. He was suspected to have died on the spot. Today (Friday), at about 8.30 a.m., one Ibrahim Isah aged 30 of Jigawa Habiba by Dutse International Airport reported to the police that one Musa Usaini of same address was attacked on his motorcycle. He was hit with a club on the head by unknown hoodlums where he died on the spot and the suspects went away with the said motorcycle, he said. The spokesman added that upon receipt of the information, the police rushed to the scene and took the victim to Rasheed Shekoni Teaching Hospital, Dutse, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. According to him, the remains of the deceased had been handed over to his family for burial. Mr Jinjiri added that the police had commenced investigation into the matter, to arrest the fleeing suspect and recover the motorcycle. (NAN) A team of Nigerian Air Force officers, led by Idi Lubo, an air vice marshal, on Friday arrived Zamfara State to investigate allegations that innocent citizens were recently bombarded through air strikes by NAF personnel in the state. Addressing journalists on arrival at the 307 Quick Response Group headquarters in Gusau, the team leader, Mr Lubo, said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar is highly disturbed over the allegations. As concerned Nigerians and part of those charged with the responsibility of ensuring the peace and safety of Nigerians, we are here to verify the claims made by the traditional rulers of Zamfara. We will meet with all stakeholders in the matter, especially the state government, security chiefs and even the affected community members before filing our report. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team had on arrival in the evening, met with the state director of the State Security Service and the Secretary to the State Government, separately, behind closed doors. NAN also reports that the states council of chiefs had, a fortnight ago, accused the air force under the on-going Operation Sharan Daji of hitting wrong targets and killing innocent citizens instead of bandits. Although the headquarters of the Nigeria Air Force had denied the allegations, the council followed the claim with the list of victims. The state has been under bandits attacks in the last seven years, during which about 5,000 persons are said to have been killed, thousands of animals rustled and property either burnt or destroyed. (NAN) Suspected hoodlums on Saturday killed a 65-year-old Chief Imam of Kwara Village, Kiyawa Local Government Area of Jigawa, the police have confirmed. Abdu Jinjiri, the spokesperson, Jigawa Police Command, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, in Dutse, that the incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. Mr Jinjiri said the deceased cleric, Alsheik Idris Musa, a resident of Kwara, was attacked by hoodlums at his residence after he sold his farmland for N400,000 to one of the construction companies in the state. He explained that the suspects allegedly hit the deceased several times with sticks, which led to his death. The spokesman added that the suspects allegedly took away the N400, 000 belonging to the deceased. According to him, the suspects also beat up the wives and children of the deceased. The deceased was said to have sold his farmland to one of the construction companies in the state at the cost of N400,000, It is suspected that the transaction took place in the presence of the suspected, but unidentified hoodlums who later trailed him to his residence. The village where the incident took place is a remote area. The distance to our station is two hours drive. So the DPO in charge of the area got the information at about 1:30 a.m. and proceeded to the scene immediately, but he got there after 3 a.m. When he got there, the victim was already dead, but he was able to rescue the family members beaten by the hoodlums. They were taken to hospital for medical attention, the spokesman said. Mr Jinjiri said remains of the deceased had been released to his family for burial. He added that the police had commenced investigations into the matter, and efforts were being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects. Suspected motorcycle snatchers had also on Friday, in Dutse, allegedly killed a 33-year-old motorcyclist and made away with his motorcycle. Suspected armed robbers in the early hours of Thursday shot dead one person and injured several others in Garin Maidawa Village, Dutse Local Government Area of the state. (NAN) The immediate past governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose, on Friday urged Nigerians not to give up on the country in the spirit of Easter. Rather, he asked them to keep hope alive on whatever challenges were presently facing the nation. In his Easter message released in Ado-Ekiti by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, the former governor said that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ had given mankind the hope that no situation was beyond the divine power of God. Mr Fayose also urged Nigerians to stand for the truth at all times, adding that only this could exalt a nation. That our Lord Jesus Christ never gave up on his mission for our salvation despite the betrayals, humiliation and persecution is the reason we must never give up on our country, Nigeria By raising His son, Jesus, God Himself has established and secured our hope for a better tomorrow. Therefore, in the spirit of Easter, we must let our hope in Nigeria be as alive as Jesus Christ, Mr Fayose said. (NAN) No fewer than 769 workers employed by the Osun State Government are enmeshed in a certificate scandal. This was contained in a statement signed by the supervisor for the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Adelani Baderinwa, and made available to journalists in Osogbo, the capital of the state on Friday. The statement highlighted that a consultancy firm, Captain Consultants, engaged five years ago by the Osun government to validate the credentials submitted by its workers, has completed its assignment and submitted its report. The report indicted 769 workers at various sectors. Mr Baderinwa made it known that the verification of the workers credentials became important after series of reported forgery of results by some workers allegedly used to secure jobs in the state civil service, emanated. He said all civil servants in 2015 were asked to submit their credentials in their personal files, from which the Captain Consultants firm got access to their results and begun to verify. Some of the workers who were suspected to have forged results were summoned by the firm and asked to present original results or go to their various schools for either attestation or re-confirmation. The firm, on its own approached the schools for confirmation of results of the affected workers for which they were obliged. The verification process uncovered serious certificate infraction on the part of some of the workers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Government. In some cases, as discovered in the verification process, some of the affected workers used another persons result, while some forged their secondary and post-secondary schools results to secure job in the civil service. In the case of some people employed as drivers in the service, it was discovered that they forged the OLevel results they submitted for their appointment, the statement read. Mr Baderinwa also said that the firms report recommended sanctions for 102 drivers and 30 other workers on compassionate grounds. A total of 586 workers were not pardoned while the cases of some 51 workers are still pending. While the exercise was on, some of the workers who were cleared and pardoned were receiving their salary while those that are yet to be pardoned have their salary suspended. A complete list of all the workers involved in the certificate infraction has been pasted at the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Civil Service Commission and Local Government Service Commission. Affected workers should check their names in the aforementioned places, he said. "We've received a lot of feedback from customers who have asked for an exclusive device variant of the BlackBerry KEY2, and we're happy to respond by delivering the BlackBerry KEY2 Red Edition to customers in the U.S.," said Eric Anderson, General Manager for TCL Communication, North America. "In addition to a new color, this limited edition BlackBerry-branded smartphone comes with increased memory, specialized headphones and new styling, all while providing the reliability, productivity and security our customers have come to expect from this brand." Powered by Android, the all-new, beautifully crafted BlackBerry KEY2 Red Edition includes support for popular features like Google Lens and Google Pay, and comes with the recently introduced Google Assistant profile in the Convenience Key. With the Google Assistant profile in the Convenience Key, it's now easier than ever to manage tasks, plan your day, make a phone call, send a message or control your home IoT devices. It also features a dual rear camera and the popular Speed Key, while packing some extra performance with 6GB of memory and 128GB of storage. The limited Red Edition will also launch with a Hub+ software refresh which includes a UX update giving the productivity suite a modern and stylized look. It also features a new Action bar added to the bottom of the Hub+ applications - improving ergonomics by giving users quick access to primary features like search, sort, and compose. BlackBerry KEY2 Red Edition is available now on Amazon and Best Buy for $699, and also includes a special edition set of red BlackBerry-branded earbuds. For more information on the BlackBerry KEY2 Red Edition and the other BlackBerry-branded smartphones from TCL Communication, please visit www.BlackBerryMobile.com. About TCL Communication TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited (TCL Communication) designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of mobile devices and services worldwide through a comprehensive, multi-brand portfolio that includes TCL, Alcatel and BlackBerry branded products. Additionally, TCL Communication is the brand owner, R&D developer and manufacturing partner of Palm branded devices. The company's products are sold in more than 160 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Incorporated in Hong Kong, TCL Communication operates its own manufacturing in China as well as global R&D centers. For more information, please visit www.tclcom.com. TCL is a registered trademark of TCL Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Alcatel is a trademark of Nokia used under license by TCL Communication. Trademarks, including but not limited to BLACKBERRY and EMBLEM Design are the trademarks or registered trademarks of BlackBerry Limited, used under license, and the exclusive rights to such trademarks are expressly reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third-party products or services. Palm is a trademark owned by TCL Communication and under license by Palm Ventures Group through Wide Progress Global. SOURCE TCL Communication Related Links http://www.tclcom.com CINCINNATI, April 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile Agent Now, a leader in leveraging insights from online consumer reviews and comments to drive business action, today released a report titled: "Getting 'Dollar Shave Clubbed': How Natural Brands' Search Dominance Is a Trojan Horse for Mass brands". Mobile Agent Now Every brand knows the cautionary tale of Dollar Shave Club and its impact on the iconic brand of Gillette. Dollar Shave Club was founded in 2011. Four years after their launch, Gillette still had not responded even when Dollar Shave Club had over a million users. While brands across categories are now paying closer attention to smaller players in part as a result of the lessons from this very visible example, the "Getting 'Dollar Shave Clubbed'" study reveals the significant threat posed to mass consumer goods brands in one of the fastest growing segments: Naturals. That threat from these niche 'naturals' brands is emerging in search, which is often under the radar of mass brands. Based on research across 21 consumer goods categories on Amazon, the top 10 non-paid search results of 'natural' (e.g. natural laundry detergent, natural pet food, etc.) reveals compelling insights: Emerging 'natural' brands have just over 90 percent of organic search results vs <10 percent share for mass 'natural' brands; vs <10 percent share for mass 'natural' brands; Emerging 'natural' brands have 3x the number of median reviews over their Mass Natural brand counterparts; Emerging 'natural' brands have a higher average star rating than Mass Natural Brands: 4.18 compared to 3.97. "With 62 percent of consumers going to Amazon first to search on products, and online searches for all things natural increasing, the dominant search position of emerging 'naturals' brands should be a wake-up call for mass brands," said Mark Jeffreys, CEO Mobile Agent Now. "Add on top of that that these emerging brands have more reviews and higher ratings than mass 'natural' brands on the largest eCommerce platform in the U.S. makes the threat even more compelling. Mass brands cannot afford to let these smaller emerging natural brands get a beachhead," added Mr. Jeffreys. The report drills down into each category to identify trends. There are some higher involvement categories for example, those offering products for children where Mass 'natural' brands fair better but still below their 'fair share' of search. There are other categories where mass brands do not even show up. In fact, 43 percent of the categories did not have one mass natural brand appear in the top 10 search results. The results of this study are important for a number of reasons: Consumer interest in 'naturals' is exploding across all categories, providing opportunities for mass brands, but also posing a threat for brands that are not positioned to win in that segment; Mass brands cannot afford to have these emerging 'natural' brands get a beachhead; With an average of 1,082 reviews across these emerging 'natural' brands, mass brands have an opportunity to mine those reviews for insights. Each of these reviews is a gold mine that can help identify competitive vulnerability of these emerging brands and power innovation by providing a roadmap for claims, product differentiation opportunities and marketing innovation. Given limited data on sales rates and consumer feedback, it's often not until emerging competitors start to achieve critical mass until they are noticed and then it can be too late ala Dollar Shave Club. "Getting Dollar Shave Clubbed" reveals the by-category data that enables mass brands in these categories to better compete. To further explore the study, visit Mobile Agent Now's website: https://mobileagentnow.com About Mobile Agent Now Mobile Agent Now exists to help brands drive sales by leveraging reviews. Its proprietary Insights Miner capabilities enable reviews to be extracted from wherever your customers are leaving them, harness that unstructured data for insights and recommend actionable business-building solutions not another dashboard, but custom analytics to solve some of a brand's biggest business challenges. Mobile Agent Now also helps brands engage with those customer reviews either by responding on your behalf or providing brands a One Tap Response Portal where your team can more efficiently respond. Learn more at https://mobileagentnow.com Media Contact Jennifer Adamson Phone: 419-654-2175 Email: [email protected] Related Images getting-dollar-shave-clubbed.png Getting Dollar Shave Clubbed Research Report mobile-agent-now-logo.jpg Mobile Agent Now logo SOURCE Mobile Agent Now Related Links https://mobileagentnow.com SHENZHEN, China, April 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Huawei Global Analyst Summit 2019, Huawei announced its new brand strategy for IP networking and unveiled four new engine series products for the IP network in the intelligence era. These announcements signify Huawei's relentless efforts to build ubiquitous connectivity, release 100 percent AI computing power by using an ultra-broadband lossless network, and help users march rapidly into a fully connected, intelligent world. With the advent of 5G, cloud, and AI, hundreds of billions of production and office terminals will collaborate and unite with each other, 100 percent of enterprise services will migrate to the cloud and, with AI adoption expected to reach an estimated 86 percent by 2025, there will be many potential security issues to be addressed. All these trends are posing greater challenges for digital transformation of enterprises. The network is the basis of enterprises' digital transformation, but needs to overcome some core challenges, such as how to carry and flexibly deploy enterprise services, how to ensure uncompromised experience for migrating these services to the cloud, and how to ensure ICT security. Huawei believes that the future network must be simple and AI-capable, so that it can proactive detect service changes and predict network risks in time. These expectations will drive enterprise ICT infrastructure transformation, helping enterprises reshape business models and continually improve the customer experience for optimal outcomes in the future. Kevin Hu, President of Huawei Data Communication Product Line, said: "Huawei has more than 20 years of expertise in the IP field. We are committed to building differentiated innovative products and continuously applying digital technologies, such as 5G, cloud computing, and AI to IP networks. We believe that the intelligent IP networks built with the four engine series products can continuously empower users with business intelligence." Huawei's four new engine series products for the IP network are AirEngine, CloudEngine, NetEngine, and HiSecEngine. AirEngine: Huawei first Wi-Fi 6 commercial product builds on 5G strengths of Huawei. It has passed the highest performance verification of the Tolly Group, an international authoritative test organization. Huawei 5G smart antenna and intelligent application acceleration technologies increase the Wi-Fi coverage area by 50 percent, shorten the Wi-Fi network latency to 10 milliseconds, and achieve an optimal mobile experience. CloudEngine: Huawei's embedded AI chip and unique AI algorithm enable zero packet loss and the fastest forwarding performance in the industry, successfully leading data center networks into the AI era. Huawei campus switches stand out with the highest forwarding performance, and they build on AI-powered application identification and dynamic network algorithms to build a packet loss-free, high-quality campus network. The distributed AI O&M architecture can reduce fault identification from minutes to seconds, shorten automatic fault location from hours to minutes, and reduce OPEX by 40 percent. NetEngine: Huawei NetEngine intelligent metro routers have the largest capacity in industry, are SRv6 ready, and offer full-lifecycle intelligent automation. With NetEngine, one network can carry B2B, B2C, and B2H services. It provides intelligent connections and application-level SLA assurance for many vertical industry applications, building a solid digital foundation for the 5G era. Huawei next-generation NetEngine AR6000 series SD-WAN routers use a brand-new architecture and are designed with rich hardware acceleration engines and unique Ultra-Fast forwarding algorithms, improving SD-WAN performance to three times the industry average. All these merits make them ideal WAN edge routers with the fastest speeds and optimal experiences. HiSecEngine: Based on core concepts of Huawei's HiSec security solution, this high-performance network security engine accurately identifies unknown threats to ensure always-on core services. It provides an intelligent defense system to protect the fully connected, digital world. At the Summit, China CITIC Bank shared innovative practices on how to build their intelligent data center network with Huawei CloudFabric Solution. China CITIC Bank successfully reinvents their IT and data center network systems, paving the way for fast FinTech innovation and intelligent operations. CloudFabric assists the Bank with one-click disaster recovery switchover and fast completion of the network configuration in minutes. With an AI-based intelligent O&M platform, the solution ensures 99.999 percent service continuity and security of financial transaction systems. Guo Xiaodong, Director of Guarantee Department of Qingdao Campus, Shandong University, introduced the joint innovation project between Huawei and Shandong University on campus network practices. Huawei's all-scenario Wi-Fi is deployed in multiple campuses, such as the central campus of Jinan. The network intelligent analyzer CampusInsight is also used to improve the campus teaching experience. CampusInsight monitors the user experience in real time to ensure zero authentication failure and zero network faults. This technology allowed the 8,000 people at the 2018 graduation ceremony, held at stadium in Shandong University, to simultaneously have wireless access. In the data communication field, Huawei will continue to build more intelligent connections, bringing digital to every person, home, and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. Meanwhile, Huawei will collaborate with more enterprise customers in network innovation design and in-depth service practices. We believe that Huawei IntentDriven Network (IDN) will help more enterprises succeed in digital transformation for the AI and cloud era in the future. SOURCE Huawei Related Links http://www.huawei.com DUBLIN, April 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Norway Animation, VFX & Games Industry: Strategies, Trends & Opportunities" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Animation in Norway goes back to 1913, with Norwegian director Sverre Halvorsen's one-minute short animation, Roald Amundsen on the South Pole. Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) has been introducing animated films and animated TV series for children from the UK, Eastern Europe, Canada, Sweden and Denmark. Since 1990, the Norwegian animation industry has undergone rapid growth. It is now producing quality animation across techniques and formats including children's films to experimental animation. There are several professional studios that produce high-quality animation output. The total value of Norwegian games industry was US$ 328 million in 2018 and is projected to reach US$ 397 million by 2020. Mobile & hand held games is the fastest growing segment, followed by Console games. Key Topics Covered: European Animation Industry DEMAND FOR TV CONTENT Feature Film Industry in Europe MARKETING AND MERCHANDISING Trends in Europe COLLABORATION AMONG EUROPEAN STUDIOS DRIVERS FOR SUCCESS ANIMATION COST STRUCTURES IN EUROPE Animation Movie Budgets in Europe Strategies and Models for Animation financing in Europe ANIMATION FUNDING AGENCIES CENTRALISED ANIMATION FUNDING AGENCIES IN EUROPE Television Series Development in Europe PITCHING TELEVISION SERIES TO BROADCASTERS Copyright Chain in Europe Co-Production Strategies in Europe CONTRACTUAL ISSUES KEY RIGHTS IN CO-PRODUCTION AGREEMENTS CO-PRODUCTIONS AND OUTSOURCING Distribution Strategies in Europe PRODUCER-DISTRIBUTOR CO-FINANCING PATTERNS 3D Market in Europe ADVANTAGES OF 3D DISADVANTAGES OF 3D Industry Constraints and Challenges Market size of European Animation, VFX & Games industry Animation Content demand by TV Channels in Europe European Animation & VFX industry Market Size European Games industry Market Size Animation, VFX & Games industry in Norway Recent Movie Trends in Norway Industry evolution and key Animation Productions KEY ANIMATION PRODUCTION COMPANIES IN NORWAY NORWAY'S FIRST 3D ANIMATED FEATURE FILM Animation Film market in Norway Industry Drivers, Challenges & Opportunities Animation Funding in Norway Value of Animation Industry in Norway Size of Animation Industry in Norway Key statistics about Animation industry in Norway Games Industry in Norway KEY TRENDS IN THE NORWEGIAN VIDEO GAMES INDUSTRY VIDEO GAME BUSINESS MODELS IN NORWAY ONLINE VIDEO GAMING BUSINESS MODELS IN NORWAY Key Opportunities & Strategies for Norwegian Video Games Industry Video Games Market Segments MOBILE VIDEO GAMES SEGMENTS & GENRES Norwegian Video Games Market Size & Opportunity Companies Mentioned Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/s0iyio 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 YORK, Pa., April 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Saf-Gard Safety Shoe Company - a leading supplier of safety toe and slip resistant footwear - is proud to announce that one of their newest locations at 351 Loucks Road, Suite G2, in York, Pennsylvania recently opened for business. This store opening is part of a larger effort to update the look and feel of all Saf-Gard retail locations down the east coast - lead by VP and Co-Owner, Jeff Kubis, and Corporate Director of Marketing, Sheri Fording. "The new look and feel of the Saf-Gard Safety Shoe retail stores is a collective effort from upper management and the marketing team to unify and update the store brand, and also firmly establish the stores in the minds of the consumer as the place to go for safety shoes. We are excited to reveal this new, clean, customer friendly experience to our clients." - Sheri Fording, Corporate Director of Marketing for Saf-Gard and SR Max stated. Saf-Gard/ SR Max makes its own brand of slip resistant footwear called SR Max, in addition, they partner with great brands like HyTest, Wolverine, Timberland PRO, Skechers, Reebok, and Keen, just to name a few. We feature several of these brands in our own exclusive styles with our SR Max MaxTrax outsole, combining a great mix of function and fashion. Saf-Gard will be able to service all industrial manufacturing, government municipalities, restaurant, grocery, healthcare, assisted living, hospitality and many other industries from the York location. The company is confident it will offer the best selection of safety shoes and slip resistant shoes in the area. York's Retail Manager, Steve Eyler, had the following remarks about the opening: "It is an exciting time to be able to bring Saf-Gard's world-class products and 30-plus years of experience in the safety footwear business to York County and the surrounding area. Our products and service, along with the personal attention that we give to each and every customer, will provide this thriving market with a new go-to location for people to come to meet their safety footwear needs." Vice President and Co-owner, Jeff Kubis offered the following closing statement: "Saf-Gard is looking forward to bringing nearly four decades of experience to York. We are excited to provide our customers with a friendly, customer-focused shopping experience where they will be measured and fitted for the best safety shoe brands available." The new store is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, and 9:00 am - 1:00 pm on Saturdays. To learn more about the style selections and brand, please visit www.safgard.com. About Saf-Gard Safety Shoe Company and SR Max: Saf-Gard Safety Shoe Company provides high-quality safety footwear and products to both B2B and B2C customers. Saf-Gard offers corporate programs that can be tailored to any company, large or small. Saf-Gard offers a multi-channel approach to service with websites, shoemobiles (a store on wheels), and retail locations. Saf-Gard proudly carries safety and slip resistant shoes from top brands including Wolverine, HyTest, Timberland PRO, Keen, SR Max (its personal brand) and more! Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/12765755 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Saf-Gard Safety Shoe Company Related Links http://www.safgard.com CHARLESTON, S.C., April 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Vulcan Safety Shoes, a Division of Saf-Gard Safety Shoe Company - a leading supplier of safety toe and slip resistant footwear - is proud to announce their newest Vulcan Boot Camp location 7565 Rivers Ave in North Charleston, SC. This store opening is part of a larger effort to update the look and feel of all Saf-Gard retail locations down the east coast - led by VP and Co-Owner, Jeff Kubis and Corporate Director of Marketing, Sheri Fording. "The new look and feel of the Vulcan Boot Camp stores and Saf-Gard Safety Shoe stores is a collective effort from the upper management team and the marketing team to unify and update the store brand and also firmly establish the stores in the minds of the consumer as the place to go for safety shoes. We are excited to reveal this new, clean, customer friendly experience to our clients." - Sheri Fording Since Saf-Gard's acquisition of Vulcan Safety Shoe Company in January 2018, Saf-Gard has worked to create a unified brand between the two companies. Like Saf-Gard, Vulcan has provided top quality safety footwear to their customers for decades and places a premium on supplying the latest comfort features and safety technologies to ensure that customers have the best footwear for their specific profession. Saf-Gard/Vulcan will be able to service all industrial manufacturing, government municipalities, restaurant, grocery, healthcare, assisted living, hospitality and many other industries from the Charleston location. Saf-Gard makes its own brand of slip resistant footwear called SR Max. In addition, they partner with great brands like HyTest, Wolverine, Timberland PRO, Skechers, Reebok, and Keen, just to name a few. Saf-Gard features several of these brands in their own exclusive styles with their patented SR Max MaxTrax outsole, combining a great mix of function and fashion. Vice President and Co-Owner, Jeff Kubis offered the following closing statement: "Saf-Gard is looking forward to bringing nearly four decades of experience to Charleston. We are excited to provide our customers with a friendly, customer-focused shopping experience where they will be measured and fitted for the best safety shoe brands available." The new Charleston store is open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, and 9:00 am - 1:00 pm on Saturdays. To learn more about the style selections and brand, please visit www.safgard.com. About Saf-Gard/Vulcan Safety Shoe Company: Saf-Gard/Vulcan Safety Shoe Company provides high-quality safety footwear and products to both B2B and B2C customers. Saf-Gard offers corporate programs that can be tailored to any company, large or small. Saf-Gard offers a multi-channel approach to service with websites, shoemobiles (a store on wheels), and retail locations. Saf-Gard proudly carries safety and slip resistant shoes from top brands including Wolverine, HyTest, Timberland PRO, Keen, SR Max (its personal brand) and more! Contact: Sheri Fording 800-221-8843 Photo(s): www.prlog.org/12765751 SOURCE Saf-Gard Safety Shoe Company Related Links https://www.safgard.com BEIJING, April 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- 58.com Inc. (NYSE: WUBA) ("58.com" or the "Company"), China's largest online market place for classifieds, today announced that it filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on April 19, 2018. The annual report can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.58.com as well as the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company will provide a hard copy of its annual report containing the audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request. Requests should be directed to the Investor Relations Department, 58.com Inc., Building 105, 10 Jiuxianqiao North Road Jia, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100015, People's Republic of China. About 58.com Inc. 58.com Inc. (NYSE: WUBA) operates China's largest online market place for classifieds, as measured by monthly unique visitors on both its www.58.com website and mobile applications. The Company's online marketplace enables local business users and consumer users to connect, share information and conduct business. 58.com's broad, in-depth and high quality local information, combined with its easy-to-use website and mobile applications, has made it a trusted marketplace for consumers. 58.com's strong brand recognition, large and growing user base, merchant network and massive database of local information create a powerful network effect. For more information on 58.com, please visit http://www.58.com. For more information, please contact: Investor Relations, 58.com Inc. Ms. Ally Miao Wang Phone: +86-10-5956-5997 Email: [email protected] Christensen In China Mr. Christian Arnell Phone: +86-10-5900-1548 Email: [email protected] In US Ms. Linda Bergkamp Phone: +1-480-614-3004 Email: [email protected] SOURCE 58.com Inc Related Links http://http://www.58.com New Delhi, April 20 : Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, a key accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case which killed six people and injured over 100, has entered the electoral fray on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket from Bhopal in perhaps first such case in which a national party has fielded an accused facing terror charges. Although, charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) have been dropped against her, she is facing trial under stringent sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), an anti-terror law, which is considered successor to TADA and POTA. Currently, Thakur is out on bail granted to her by a Mumbai court in 2017. According to Indian law, any citizen above 25 years of age is eligible to contest polls unless convicted of any crime, punishment for which could be for two years or more. Thakur is not yet convicted in any case. The UAPA, as it stands today, deals with two qualitatively different kinds of criminal acts: "unlawful activity" and "terrorist acts". Terror accused are usually charged under UAPA. If Thakur were to be convicted under UAPA, she would likely face imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and will also be liable to fine. "The Representation of the People Act does not prohibit any person who is under trial and out on bail from fighting elections as long as such a person discloses all the cases against him/her in the affidavit and paper filed during nomination," said Kumar Mihir, Advocate on Record, Supreme Court of India. The criminal jurisprudence in India is based on "presumption of innocence" and till a person is actually convicted, he/she is presumed to be innocent. "Fighting an election is a statutory right given to all citizens of India and any person who is under trial and is yet to be convicted is presumed innocent. He/she cannot be debarred from fighting elections," said Mihir. Following is a summary of cases involving Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur: Malegaon Case September 29, 2008: Explosives planted on an LML Freedom motorcycle go off opposite Shakil Goods Transport Company in Malegaon, Maharashtra. Six people are killed and over 100 injured. Hemant Karkare, then chief of the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS), supervised the investigation. The ATS traced the motorcycle to Surat, and found that it was registered under the name of Thakur, a former Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activist. The ATS arrests Army officer Lt Col Prasad Purohit and retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay. The ATS concludes that Hindutva outfit Abhinav Bharat and a self-proclaimed seer, Sudhakar Dwivedi alias Dayanand Pandey, are also involved. January 20, 2009: A chargesheet is filed followed by a supplementary chargesheet on April 21, 2011 in the special MCOCA court in Mumbai. The ATS names 14 accused, also including Shivnarayan Kalsangra, Shyam Sahu, Sameer Kulkarni Ajay alias Raja Rahirkar, Rakesh Dhawade, Jagdish Mhatre, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Pravin Takalki, Ramchandra Kalsangra and Sandeep Dange. Thakur's involvement Thakur was arrested on October 24, 2008. Her arrest helped investigators to look into the alleged activities of Hindutva extremists. She is chargesheeted in the Malegaon case, where her motorcycle was used. The ATS chargesheet said that Thakur particpated in meetings since 2006 which planned the attack in Malegaon. On April 11, 2006, in Bhopal, Thakur allegedly took charge of finding men to execute the attack. These men were Sunil Joshi, Ramchandra Kalsangra and Sandeep Dange, the chargesheet said. In another chargesheet involving a blast in the cross-border Samjhauta Express, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) alleged that Thakur was known to accused Aseemanand since 2003. But the agency failed to prove the complicity of the two in the blast. March 21, 2019: The NIA special court acquits Aseemanand and three others in the Samjhauta blast case. Links to Other Cases Thakur's name cropped up in the Ajmer Dargah blast case, but she was never charged. April 2017: The NIA files a closure report against Thakur, RSS leader Indresh Kumar, and two others in a special court in Rajasthan, though the Rajasthan ATS said that Thakur and Indresh participated in a meeting on October 31, 2005, along with others. Thakur was also accused of conspiracy in the December 2007 murder of Sunil Joshi. In 2014, the NIA filed a chargesheet against her and others. But, she was acquitted in February 2017. (Sumit Saxena can be contacted at sumit.s@ians.in) Bengaluru, April 20 : Almost half of Bangalore's urban voters didn't vote during the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Thursday, as voter turnout in India's tech hub continued to remain stagnant and the lowest in Karnataka. "Comparison of voting percentage in the city's three Lok Sabha constituencies and its 28 Assembly segments during the parliamentary and Assembly elections shows no change in the apathy of the urban electorate in exercising their democratic rights," a poll official told IANS on Friday. Out of the 28 Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka, fourteen seats in the state's central and southern regions went to the polls on Thursday. The average voter turnout in the city was 53.87 per cent, with Bangalore North registering 54.63 per cent, Bangalore Central 53.53 per cent and Bangalore South 53.47 per cent. "In contrast, Bangalore Rural polled 64.07 per cent, although the rural constituency is 40-50 km from the city centre," admitted the official. Interestingly, in the Assembly elections held on May 12, 2018, the apathy of the urban voters was by and large the same in the city's 28 Assembly seats under 3 parliamentary constituencies. "The average turnout of Bangalore Urban in the Assembly elections was 54.72 per cent, while in Bangalore Rural it was 84.03 per cent," recalled the official. In the 2014 general elections, the average turnout in Bangalore was 55.97 per cent, with Bangalore North registering 56.53 per cent, Bangalore Central 55.64 per cent and Bangalore South 55.75 per cent. "It is unfortunate that about half of Bangalore's electorate of 72.69 lakh don't care to vote in either Lok Saba or Assembly elections despite being registered voters in the city. "We need to find out the reasons for the low turnout in the city despite the best efforts of the poll panel to educate, promote and encourage the voters about exercising their franchise," Congress official K.E. Radhakrishnan told IANS. According to the final electoral list for the 2019 general elections, Bangalore North has the highest number of registered voters in the city and the state -- 28,48,402 -- while Bangalore Central has 22,04,853 voters and Bangalore South 22,15,533 voters. In contrast, Bangalore Rural has 22,15,533 voters. Washington, April 20 : The White House said US President Donald Trump has spoken to Libyan eastern commander General Khalifa Haftar, whose forces are attacking the capital Tripoli. During Monday's call, Trump recognised Gen. Haftar's efforts to combat terrorism and secure Libya's oil and they discussed Libya's future, the BBC reported on Friday. Tripoli is the seat of Libya's UN-backed and internationally recognised government. Trump's call suggests he endorses Gen. Haftar, unlike some of his allies. More than 200 people have been killed since the fighting began three weeks ago. On Thursday, the UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj condemned the "silence" of his international allies amid the assault by Gen. Haftar's forces. Libya has been torn by violence and political instability since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011. The latest crisis started three weeks ago, when Gen. Haftar's eastern forces descended on the capital in what Serraj has described as an attempted coup. Gen. Haftar's troops are advancing from various directions on the outskirts of the city and say they have seized Tripoli's international airport. Trump's and Gen. Haftar "discussed a shared vision for Libya's transition to a stable, democratic political system", the White House said. Washington, April 20 : US Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has urged the House of Representatives to initiate an impeachment process against President Donald Trump for the "severity" of the revelations included in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report. "The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty. That means the House should initiate impeachment proceedings against the President of the US," the Massachusetts Senator said in a series of tweets on Friday. Warren highlighted the revelations of the report, which were released Thursday, including several episodes of Trump to obstruct the investigation into the possible conspiracy with Russia during the 2016 elections, Efe news reported. The Senator said that Mueller's document details Russia's attempts to help get Trump elected as President and he "welcomed that help" and once elected "obstructed the investigation". "To ignore a President's repeated efforts to obstruct an investigation into his own disloyal behaviour would inflict great and lasting damage on this country, and it would suggest that both the current and future Presidents would be free to abuse their power in similar ways," she added in another tweet. Other Democratic candidates, such as former Texas state Congressman Beto O'Rourke, have limited themselves to demanding that Congress sees the unredacted version of Mueller's report and hear from Mueller himself. Mueller explains in his report the development of his investigations into the alleged connection between the Trump team and Russia in the campaign for the 2016 presidential elections and the alleged obstruction of justice by the President. However, Mueller concluded that there was "insufficient evidence to support criminal charges" related to the "numerous contacts between individuals linked to the Russian government" and Trump's campaign, but does not come to a conclusion as to whether Trump obstructed justice. April 20 : Samsung came up with their latest exciting contest. Their post goes out to viewers like this: "Heres your chance to win the amazing #GalaxyS10. Check out how you can participate in the #WirelessPowerShare contest and make the Next Generation Galaxy yours. T&C apply." How can you participate in this Samsung contest? Think about a skill that you are best at! It could be dancing, photography, artwork, paintings, teaching, singing and or probably some rare unknown skill. Share this unique skill of yours with the Samsung team by simply posting a video or a great photo and apply the hashtag #WirelessPowerShare along with your posts. You need to be above 18 years to participate in this contest. All Indian citizens, except those from the state of Tamil Nadu cannot be part of this contest. The trick here is to get the maximum tweets and retweets for your post. That would make you eligible to win the Next Generation Galaxy S10. Remember the name of the contest is #WirelessPowerShare. The contest day will commence from 20th April 2019, 12:00 a.m. IST and would close off by 20th April 2019, 11:59 a.m. The winner will be announced on 20th May 2019. Image Source: https://twitter.com/SamsungMobileIN Where or which platform is the Samsung #WirelessPowerShare contest held on? You can participate and share your posts only on Samsungs official Twitter page and Instagram pages. These are the links for the same: https://twitter.com/SamsungMobileIN https://www.instagram.com/samsungindia/ Winners Announcement and Procedure: Only 2 winners will be selected. The winner will have to send a self attested copy of their PAN card, passport, or ration card, or voter id when the company informs them of the results. The winner will be notified via email. Once the documents have been verified, the authorized team or staff from Samsung will dispatch the prize to the concerned winner. This would be done through courier and would be sent to the address that the winner had submitted to the contest. The winner will be given timely emails about the status of the prize that will be dispatched, POD number, airway bill number and other courier details. Kindly note, that if the winner cannot be reached by any chance, the prize will be forfeited and no claims will be possible later on. For further regulations please visit this page: https://www.facebook.com/notes/samsung/wirelesspowershare-contest-tc/10156192703675267/ Patna, April 20 : In a horror of an incident a teenager in Bihar's Bhagalpur district was bathed with acid after she resisted an attempt to gang rape by a group of four youths, police said on Saturday. The 16-year-old Class 11 student is battling for her life in a hospital. The police have arrested two suspects in the case, Bhagalpur Senior Superintendent of Police Ashish Bharti said. Hyderabad, April 19 : AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday alleged that the BJP is insulting martyrs like police officer Hemant Karkare who died fighting terrorists during the Mumbai 26/11 attack. Reacting strongly to Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur's remark that former Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad chief Hemant Karkare had treated her badly and died because of her "curse", Owaisi, in a tweet, said: "Hemant Karkare died fighting people not very different from yourself. "He didn't die because a terror accused 'felt bad' & 'cursed' him. The man died fighting to protect our rights to vote & elect a government How dare BJP insult our martyrs like this?" Thakur, the prime accused in 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, alleged that Karkare falsely implicated her in the case. Karkare was heading the probe into the blast that killed six people and injured over 100. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had arrested Thakur and others belonging to a Hindu extremist group on October 24, 2008. A little over a month later, Karkare was killed while fighting terrorists who had attacked Mumbai. ates. Whether Lalu has taken permission of the court to distribute the party symbol?" Kumar said. The JD-U leader said that he has urged the CEC to take action in this connection. Lalu had reportedly distributed the RJD symbol to the candidates after the party authorised him to do so. The Rashtriya Janata Dal is contesting on 19 out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state as per the seat sharing formula of the opposition grand alliance. Lalu was convicted in three fodder scam cases in December 2017 and January 2018 and was awarded 14 years imprisonment. He has applied for bail in the Supreme Court. Lalu Prasad, as President of the RJD, is entitled to distribute the party symbol. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi. Earlier, a PIL was filed in the Patna High Court questioning the legitimacy of the distribution of the party symbol by Lalu Prasad who, the PIL stated, could not hold the post after being convicted in corruption cases. Los Angeles, April 20 : The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has responded to a lawsuit from director Roman Polanski that claimed he was unfairly expelled from the organisation behind the Oscars. "The procedures taken to expel Polanski were fair and reasonable. The Academy stands behind its decision as appropriate," a spokesperson said, reports variety.com. The Academy's statement comes after Polanski filed a suit against the non-profit this week, demanding reinstatement after he was ousted last May. The suit, filed in the state of California, said the Academy did not follow proper protocol in dismissing him nearly a year ago. The Academy did so "in accordance with the organisation's Standards of Conduct", they said at the time, adding their leadership expected members to "uphold the Academy's values of respect for human dignity". Polanski's suit said the Academy's expulsion decision "is not supported by findings, and the Academy's findings are not supported by evidence". The Oscar winner wants the decision reversed and is asking the Academy to pay any costs incurred by the suit. Polanski was dismissed along with comedian Bill Cosby at a time when the #MeToo movement encouraged hundred of sexual assault and harassment accusers to come forward with accounts of abuse at the hands of powerful Hollywood men. Months before Polanski and Cosby were dismissed, the Academy moved swiftly to eject Harvey Weinstein from its ranks. Polanski, who was arrested in 1977 for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl, has lived in France for decades in order to avoid imprisonment. Though he continued to make films with top talent, winning an Oscar 2003 for "The Pianist", his past crimes received renewed attention in the post-Weinstein era. San Francisco, April 20 : To channelise user-focus on sharing better and sensible content on its platform, Facebook-owned photo-messaging app Instagram is planning on hiding the 'Like' counts for posts on its app. Spotted by reverse engineer Jane Manchun Wong, the feature, currently in internal testing, would restrict visibility of the number of likes on the post only to the user concerned, TechCrunch reported on Friday. The step could help reduce competition-related hate on the app and encourage creators to post what feels most authentic rather than trying to rack up Likes for everyone to see. "We want your followers to focus on what you share, not how many likes your posts get. Exploring ways to reduce pressure on Instagram is something we're always thinking about," the report quoted an Instagram spokesperson as saying, confirming the prototype feature. According to Wong, the prototype feature still shows a few faces and names of other people who have liked a post, while hiding the numbers. "Hiding 'Like' counts might get users posting more because they'll be less self-conscious," the report said. In March, micro-blogging site Twitter began testing a design that hides re-tweet counts behind an extra tap to similarly discourage inauthentic competition and herd mentality. "If Instagram rolls out the feature, it could put the emphasis back on sharing art and self-expression, not trying to win some popularity contest," the report added. Other test Instagram features spotted by Wong include chat thread stickers for Direct Messages, Augmented Reality (AR) filters for Direct Video Calls, simultaneous co-watching of recommended videos through Direct, karaoke-style lyrics that appear synced to sound-tracks in Stories, emoji reactions to feed posts and a shopping bag for commerce. Buniyadpur : , April 20 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said he had earlier erred in judging Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee as he used to consider her an embodiment of simplicity who wanted to free the people of West Bengal from the rule of the Leftists, but realised his mistake once he got to know of her misdeeds after ascending to the high office. Addressing an election meeting in this town in South Dinajpur district, Modi said the people had reposed a lot of faith in 'Mamata didi', who had hoodwinked the "Ma, Mati and Manush" (mother, soil and people -- Banerjee' pet slogan) of the state. "It is not that you have alone made the mistake. I have also equally erred. When I used to see her on television, and meet her from time to time, I used to think she is the true embodiment of simplicity, hardworking, well-meaning, and genuinely interested in Bengal's development. "I also used to think she wants to free the people from the rule of the Leftists. However, after I became the Prime Minister and saw her activities, my eyes opened," Modi said. The Prime Minister said when a person like him could make such an error of judgement, it was quite natural that the common people also would. "But now, I have understood her true colours, and even the children of Bengal have understood the same," he said. Referring to the Saradha and Rose Valley ponzi scams, and the Narada sting video, Modi said the hard earned money of the poor was looted. "And then, didi made the scamsters MPs and ministers. That's not all, she sat on a dharna (sit-in protest) for the scamsters." In February, Banerjee had held a sit-in at the city hub protesting against the Central Bureau of Investigation's efforts to question Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in connection with the Saradha ponzi scam. "By your blessings, your 'chowkidar' will take account of every paisa looted from the poor people. Now whatever forces these people use, they can't stall justice," he said. The Prime Minister, who was addressing the meeting in support of the BJP's candidate from Balurghat Lok Sabha constituency Sukanta Majumdar, said there was talk in the whole country that "something big" was happening in Bengal. He said the huge attendance at his meeting was an indication of the wave in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "People of West Bengal have taken a decision. Speed-breaker didi will come to know after May 23 (the day of the vote count) the outcome of committing atrocities on the people, looting their money and stalling development." Apparently referring to the protest on Thursday during the second phase of polling by people in an area in Chopra in North Dinajpur district, who had put up a roadblock and refused to cast their vote unless the central forces were deployed at their booth, Modi said "these common people, our sisters, taught a lesson to the TMC goons. Despite the threats (from the miscreants), farmers, workers, traders, mothers and sisters, youths "everybody went to vote". The protesters had finally exercised their franchise after the central forces were called in. Modi said the reports of the first two phases of polling in the state - on April 11 and April 18 involving five of the 42 constituencies in the state - "have put the brakes on our speed- breaker didi's sleep". Lucknow, April 20 : With a long white flowing beard, white robes and a red 'tilak on the forehead, Acharya Pramod Krishnam looks more like a godman and less like a politician, who is set to take on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on May 6 in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls. Congress candidate, Krishnam, seems to be an unlikely challenger to Rajnath Singh from the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat. "Why unlikely? Everyone had high hopes from Rajnath Singh in 2014 but he chose to remain a mute spectator to all that went on. His loyalty was with his government and not his people," the Acharya says as he takes time off in between his campaign. The credentials of the 56-year-old Krishnam are not known to many. In fact, his persona remains wrapped in intrigue. Born on January 4, 1965, in a Brahmin family in Bihar He founded the Shri Kalki Foundation in Sambhal and is also the Peethadhishwar of the Kalki Dham. The Acharya joined the Congress and contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 from Sambhal but lost. He denies that he is 'bound to Hinduism'. "I write bhajans and shairi, too. I attend religious programmes and mushairas with the same time fervour. My religion is peace and anyone who tries to disturb it is my rival," he explains. The Acharya, say his supporters, has been giving lectures on Islam and humanity and his knowledge on these subjects is appreciable. He says that he decided to challenge a top Bharatiya Janata Party leader only because the party failed to keep its promises. "In this election campaign, Prime Minister Modi is not talking about 'Skill India', 'Make in India' or even demonetisation. The party has forgotten Ram. "The Modi government spoke more and acted less on Pakistan. They brought an ordinance on SC/ST (Act) and triple talaq but forgot Ram temple," he says and adds "Jo Ram ka na hua, woh desh ka kya hoga." The Acharya also downplays the fact that his name was included in the list of 'fake godmen', issued by the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad last year. "I do not need the certificate of any organisation. I know what I am doing and will continue to pursue my path," he says. The Akhara Parishad says that he has been ousted from the group because he does not follow the 'sant parampara' (tradition of saints) and has neither left his home and family, which all genuine saints do. Acharya Pramod Krishnam also denied that he is a light weight candidate, pitted against the Union Minister. "Just wait and watch and you will be surprised. I do not have money and power but I have the love of the people," he says confidently. However, Acharya Pramod Kishnam is upset over the fact that Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha has been campaigning for his wife Poonam Sinha who is a Samajwadi candidate in Lucknow. "Shatrughan Sinha is a senior politician and he should understand the norms and dignity of politics. He did not even visit the Congress office -- but visited the SP office -- and has been singing paeans to SP-BSP leaders. I would certainly want the party high command to take note of this," he ends. Latest updates on Howdy Modi Houston Cairo, April 20 : Egyptians on Saturday voted in a three-day referendum on constitutional reforms that could allow incumbent President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to rule until 2030 and give the head of state and the army more power. Voting stations opened at 7 a.m. and are due to close 12 hours later as over 61 million people will cast their ballots, reports Efe news. Early in the morning, al-Sisi voted in Heliopolis, an eastern suburb of the capital, Cairo. In Cairo's district of Zamalek, dozens of people lined up in front of a ballot centre before it had opened to take part in the process that had kicked off for Egyptians living abroad a day earlier. Earlier this week, Egypt's parliament approved the constitutional amendment. The modification of Article 140 extends the duration of the presidential term from four to six years, an alteration that is supposed to enter into force the day following the end of the term of his predecessor - which means al-Sisi will remain in office till 2024 - and allows him to seek a third term. The chamber also approved an amendment to Article 185 so that the head of state can appoint the heads of judicial institutions from among the seven oldest vice-presidents for a term of four years, or until retirement. The constitutional reform that came five years after being approved is moving forward with the support of the overwhelming majority in Parliament. Only the opposition deputies, about 10 per cent of the members of the chamber, have opposed the reform, which they believe goes against the achievements of the revolution that ended the regime of Hosni Mubarak in 2011 and led to the Constitution of 2014. A group of 120 pro-government lawmakers from the 596-seat parliament signed a request on February 3 to push for the constitutional reforms. The request also included a proposal to restore the bicameral system that included the Consultative Council (best known as the Shura Council), which served as the upper house of the Egyptian parliament until it was dissolved by the same 2014 Constitution. The campaign in favour of the amendments had kicked off with large banners on Cairo's streets - including the central iconic square of Tahrir, even before they were passed by parliament. Kabul, April 20 : An explosion and gunfire was heard in the Afghan capital on Saturday as the Ministry of Information headquarters came under attack by gunmen, officials said. The explosion happened at around 11.30 a.m. (local time), Ministry spokesperson Nasrat Rahimi was cited as saying by the BBC. An eyewitness told TOLO News that attackers entered the ministry building and were currently engaged in a gunfight with security forces on the first floor of the building. Others said firing was still being heard from the area. The blast took place in a busy area near one of the city's most popular hotels, as well as the presidential palace, reports said. "We heard a huge blast followed by gun fire outside the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and Serena Hotel and the whole place has now been sealed off," according to a witness, Najib Rustami. The incident caused panic among the people and there was fear of possible casualties, he said, adding that the media and people are not being allowed to enter the site and no one knows what exactly is going on there. No group has yet said it carried out the attack, but it follows the suspension of talks between the government and Taliban insurgents. ROQUEBRUNE CAP MARTIN, April 20, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Guido Pella of Argentina hits a return during the men's singles quarterfinal match against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, Ap Image Source: IANS News ROQUEBRUNE CAP MARTIN, April 20, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return during the men's singles quarterfinal match against Guido Pella of Argentina at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tennis tournament in Roquebrune Cap Martin, France, Ap Image Source: IANS News Roquebrune-cap-martin : , April 20 (IANS) Spain's Rafael Nadal managed to eke out a 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 win against Guido Pella of Argentina to secure a berth in the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters, an event he has won 11 times. Nadal avoided joining the list of favourites who have been upset in the 2019 edition of the clay court tourney, including Dominik Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who lost on Friday to Daniil Medvedev. In a match that lasted nearly two and a half hours, the Spaniard had to extend himself to defeat a solid, energetic Pella who is having the best season of his career, winning the Sao Paulo title and reaching the final at Cordoba, reports Efe news. In their one previous meeting, at last year's French Open, Pella took only four games in a 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 victory for Nadal en route to Rafa's record-extending 11th title at Roland Garros. But Nadal found himself facing a different Pella here on Friday. The world No. 2 struggled to hold serve and trailed 4-1 before rebounding to take a 5-4 lead. Pella, making his first quarterfinal appearance at a Masters 1000 tourney, refused to throw in the towel and managed to hold serve to level the set at 5-5 and went on to grab another service break to take a 6-5 lead. The surge fell short and Nadal was able to force a tie-break that the Spaniard won easily. Undaunted, Pella battled back from 5-1 in the second set to narrow the deficit to 5-3, but the 17-time Grand Slam champion took the next game and sealed the match on Pella's serve after two hours and 21 minutes of play. Next up for Nadal will be Italy's Fabio Fognini, who defeated Borna Coric of Croatia 1-6, 6-3, 6-2. Chandigarh, April 20 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has complained to the Election Commission (EC) against election duties being assigned to politically-affiliated teachers of Punjabi University at Patiala. Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Punjab Assembly, Harpal Singh Cheema, in a complaint to the Punjab Chief Electoral Officer pointed out that the district administration in Patiala, the home district of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, was assigning election duties for the May 19 Lok Sabha elections in the state to some politically influential teachers of Punjabi University. He said these teachers owed allegiance to certain political outfits and were being given election duties where they could influence other voters. Cheema said that as per the university Calendar, teachers at the university were free to participate in activities of or join any political party of their choice and even involve in their political affairs, directly or indirectly. "They could also even contest elections with the permission of the university syndicate," Cheema added, citing the Calendar. He said that some of the university teachers had, in the past, contested elections under the banner of various political outfits and rose to high positions due to political patronage. The LoP claimed that Punjabi University teachers had never been assigned election duty till date even as they were free to support any of the political outfits under the norm. He said this move was detrimental to the principle of free and fair conduct of the elections. "This is a serious matter of grave high-handedness on part of the high and mighty in the system," Cheema said, demanding that such teachers should be immediately relieved of their election duties to meet the ends of justice. Patna, April 20 : In a horror of an incident a teenager in Bihar's Bhagalpur district was attacked with acid after she resisted an attempt of gang rape by a group of four youths, police said on Saturday. The 16-year-old Class 11 student is battling for her life in a hospital. The police have arrested two suspects -- Prince and his brother Saurabh Kumar, Bhagalpur Senior Superintendent of Police Ashish Bharti said. According to Bhagalpur city DSP Sushant Kumar Saroj, a group of armed youths wearing masks entered the victim's house when she along with her mother were cooking dinner late on Friday in their Aliganj home. The four tried to capture her at gun point, but the mother and daughter put up a fiest fight as they resisted. Infuriated the four attacker then poured acid on the daughter. When the victim and her mother cried loudly, the attackers fled. The mother described to the police that her daughter fell on the floor crying incontrolably for help and was rushed to a hospital. Srinagar, April 20 : The family of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik, currently lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail, on Saturday said that he is ill and has been shifted to a hospital. Family members said that when they had gone to meet Malik in Delhi earlier, authorities told them that he was on a hunger strike. Malik was shifted to hospital by authorities after he remained on hunger strike for 12 days, they said. Markets in the Maisuma area here - where Malik hails from - closed spontaneously on Saturday after news about Malik's illness spread. In custody since February, Malik was arrested by the National Investigation Agency on April 9 and brought to Delhi, where a court on April 10 sent him to the agency's custody till April 22 after it sought his custodial interrogation in connection with a case related to alleged funding of separatists and militant groups in Jammu and Kashmir. Wayanad : , April 20 (IANS) Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday hit out at the Narendra Modi government for making false promises to people and ignoring the country's farmers. Campaigning in Wayanad for her brother, Congress President Rahul Gandhi who is also contesting the Kerala seat in addition to his traditional Amethi constituency, she told a gathering that the Modi government has ditched the farmers but the Congress-led UPA government, if it comes to power, will take care of all their needs. "In the five years, Modi has divided the country. He takes care of the rich and the mighty but ignores the needs of the huge farmer community in the country. "The BJP said they will double the income of the farmers and would deposit Rs 15 lakh into the bank account of every person, but for Rahul Gandhi, justice and truth matters," she said in Mananthavady, where she arrived in a helicopter after landing at Kannur airport. She later met the family members of CRPF trooper Vasanth Kumar who was killed in the February 14 Pulwama terror attack. From there, Priyanka Gandhi went to Pulpally where a mammoth gathering was waiting for hours to see her. "The Modi government has dashed the hopes of the farmers and has taken on the people who fought for their rights. The Congress will empower all of you and will never create any difficulty for you all," she said at her public meet there. After winding up her day, she will rest at a resort at Vythiri near here, and will leave Kerala on Sunday. This is Priyanka Gandhi's second visit to Wayanad. On April 4, she accompanied Rahul Gandhi when he filed his nomination papers. Union Minister Smriti Irani, who is contesting against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, was also supposed to reach Wayanad on Saturday to campaign for NDA constituent Bharat Dharma Jana Sena Chairman and Wayanad candidate Tushar Vellapally but her trip was postponed for Sunday. Apart from Vellapally, Rahul Gandhi is also facing P.P. Suneer of the Communist Party of India, who is the candidate of the ruling Left Democratic Front. State CPI-M Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, also campaigned here on Saturday. The state will vote on April 23 to elect its 20 Lok Sabha members. Patna, April 20 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said voters have made up their mind to "change their 'chowkidar' this time" as he has proved he is "not fit for the job". "The chowkidar has exposed himself and people have realised he is not fit for the job," Gandhi said at an election rally in Bihar's Supaul parliamentary constituency. "PM Narendra Modi has been trying hard but the people of the country will not allow him to become PM again," he added. "Now people know the reality and truth of the chowkidar. And the chowkidar is afraid of that truth. Chowkidar has realised that his place will be in jail whenever a probe is conducted in the Rafale case," Rahul said. He appealed to people to support Congress candidate from Supaul seat Ranjeet Ranjan. Rahil Gandhi reiterated that only rich people keep a chowkidar not the poor including farmers, workers and labourers. The Congress president said if his party is voted to power this time, it along with allies would provide annual income of Rs 72,000 to 5 crore poor people and 35 per cent reservation to women in government jobs. He also promised to provide employment to 22 lakh youths annually. "These are not mere promises. After coming to power in MP, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, the Congress has fulfilled its promise of waiving farmers' loans". Chalakudy : , April 20 (IANS) Superstar Mammootty on Saturday joined his fellow actor and CPI-M supported Independent candidate from this parliamentary constituency, Innocent, in Kerala for a roadshow. Innocent is seeking a second term from the seat and taking him on is two time former Congress legislator and present convenor of the UDF Benny Behanan. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader A.N. Radhakrishnan is also in the fray. Mammootty and Innocent are close pals and the former had earlier claimed that it was after he had put in a word, that the CPI-M decided to field Innocent in 2014 when he trounced Congress veteran P.C. Chacko. On Saturday, Mammootty, dressed in typical Kerala dhothi and shirt, accompanied Innocent in an open jeep during the five-minute roadshow in Behanan village in Perambavur. Former CPI-M legislator Saju Paul who was coordinating the campaign said: "Politics is strange. In 2014, present Thrissur Lok Sabha BJP candidate and Rajya Sabha member super star Suresh Gopi campaigned for Innocent. We are leaving nothing to chance as we are determined to ensure that Innocent gets a second term." Kolkata, April 20 : Central forces are being deployed to man more than 92 per cent of the polling stations in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal due on April 23, an official said on Saturday. "Over 92 per cent of the booths will be covered by Central forces for the third phase of elections while state armed police force will be deployed in rest of the booths," said Additional Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Basu. Voters in five constituencies -- Malda North, Malda South, Jangipur, Murshidabad and Balurghat -- will cast their votes in the third phase. On Friday, Ajay V. Nayak, Special Observer appointed by the Election Commission, had said that 90 per cent of all the polling booths would be covered by the Central forces from the third phase onwards. According to Nayak, around 50 per cent booths were manned by the Central forces in the first phase and the number was increased to almost 80 per cent in the second phase. Basu said about 6,993 complaints across districts have been lodged in the commission's portals and more than 70 of them are yet to be disposed of. The poll panel received over 6,759 complaints through its cVigil app and 42 of them are in the phase of processing, he said. About 12.14 lakh litre of liquor and over Rs 28.68 crore of unaccounted cash have been seized till Saturday, he added. Agartala, April 20 : Police will soon serve a notice on the Tripura Pradesh Congress chief for slapping a supporter of the ruling BJP's junior partner IPFT inside a police station, a police officer said on Saturday. "We would serve a notice within two days to Tripura Pradesh Congress President Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barman under section 41 A of Cr Pc to appear before the investigating officer," Khowai District police chief Krishnendu Chakraborty told IANS over phone from Khowai, 85 km north of Agartala. He said: "Under the latest order of the Supreme Court, the police cannot arrest Deb Barman without completion of the investigation. We are looking into the matter as per law." The police officer said the police have lodged an FIR on Friday against Deb Barman for slapping Mintu Debbarma, 30, a supporter of IPFT (Indigenous People's Front of Tripura) inside the Khowai police station on Thursday. Mintu Debbarma was arrested by the police for alleged attack on Thursday on the convoy of Congress leader's sister and party's candidate to the Tripura East Lok Sabha candidate Maharaj Kumari Pragya Deb Burman. Polling in Tripura East tribal reserve constituency is rescheduled by the Election Commission to be held on April 23. Police also arrested three other tribal youths for their alleged involvement in the attack on Congress candidate's convoy in Khowai. Talking to the media on Saturday, state Congress President said that he was ready to go to jail. "If they (police) want to put me in jail, let them to do so. I shall not seek anticipatory bail from the court," he added. Bhopal, April 20 : The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday issued a notice to BJP nominee from Bhopal parliamentary seat Sadhvi Pragya Thakur over her remarks on police officer Hemant Karkare, who was killed in the 26/11 terror attack. Noting that Thakur's remarks violate the Model Code of Conduct, District Election Officer Sudaam Khade served the notice on her and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) district chief Vikas Virani and gave them a day's time to file a reply. The officer also warned of unilateral action in case of non-submission of the reply within the stipulated time. Thakur had claimed that Karkare died during the attacks as she "cursed" him for torturing her. "I had told him you will be finished, and he was killed by terrorists in less than two months," she had said. But on Friday she apologised for her remarks and took back her statement. On the same day, Chief Electoral Officer V.L. Kantharao took cognisance of Thakur's remarks. Chennai, April 20 : The Indian Pilots' Guild (IPG), one of Air India pilots' union, on Saturday urged the national carrier's management to hire just Boeing 777 (B-777) rated co-pilots on short-term contracts instead of hiring Captains who come at a high cost. In a letter to the Director, Operations of Air India, the IPG, referring to information about the airline planning to hire B-777 rated Captains and co-pilots on contract basis, said it will be a brutal waste of money when the company is facing a tough financial situation. "Currently the Boeing 777 fleet has approximately 219 Captains and 110 First Officers. The total numbers are adequate with the fleet average at 70 hours (per month). "We also have approximately 40 Captains on deputation awaiting repatriation from Air India Express and about the same number of First Officers awaiting their turn for command upgrade," they said in the letter. According to the IPG, if Air India plans to procure more B-777 aircraft to fill the vacuum created by the failure of a private airline (Jet Airways), it is understandable to hire co-pilots on short-term basis. "However, to hire type rated Captains on B-777 and increase the wage bill dramatically would be an utter waste of resources which we can ill-afford at this time," the IPG letter notes. Speaking to IANS on the condition of anonymity, an IPG member said: "Ideally Air India should take the aircraft on dry lease (leasing of the aircraft alone and use its personnel for operations) than taking the planes on wet lease (paying a lump-sum towards aircraft and staff salaries)." It is also an opportune moment for Air India to look at hiring of those Captains it had dismissed in 2012, he added. "Though many of them are in private airlines, they would still like to come back to their parent airline," he said. He said the Captains of Jet Airways may be drawing a salary of about Rs 7 lakh per month. According to him, the IPG is not opposed to Air India taking over Jet Airways aircrafts and staff, on a need basis, so that the airlines get back its lucrative routes. New Delhi, April 20 : Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said that Nyay scheme of the Congress will usher in an era of minimum income guarantee in India, end poverty and restart the economic engine which has "come to a stop" under the Narendra Modi government. In a statement, Singh said that implementation of Nyay, which envisages to provide Rs 72,000 per family every year to the poorest 20 per cent of population, would not entail any new tax on the middle class. He said that the Congress is committed to fiscal discipline and Nyay would cost between 1.2 per cent and 1.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at its peak. "Our nearly $3-trillion economy has the fiscal capacity to absorb this expenditure. There will be no need for any new taxes on the middle class to finance Nyay. The economic stimulus that Nyay will provide will further help in fiscal discipline. It has been conceptualised after much thought and consultations with experts," Singh said. He said Nyay is a powerful idea with dual objectives. "On March 25, 2019, Congress President Rahul Gandhi unveiled Nyay -- Nyuntam Aay Yojana -- to wipe out the last remnants of poverty and to restart stalled economic activity in our nation," he said. Singh said that Nyay has been received with tremendous enthusiasm by people and discussed widely across the nation. "Nearly 70 per cent of Indians were poor when India attained Independence in 1947. With sound policies adopted by successive governments over the last seven decades, poverty levels have been brought down from 70 per cent to 20 per cent now. It is time now to renew our pledge to wipe out the last remains of poverty," he said. Singh said Nyay would ensure a basic level of dignity and respect for every Indian family. "By providing direct income support, Nyay will empower our poor with economic freedom and choice. With Nyay, India will usher in an era of a minimum income guarantee and help create a new social contract for a new welfare state." "Nyay will also help restart our economic engine that has come to a stop today. Money in the hands of the needy will stimulate demand in the economy which can then lead to increased economic activity and job creation, referred to as the Keynesian effect by economists. At a time when private investment and industrial production are low, Nyay can help bring our economy back to life and create new factories and jobs," he added. Singh referred to the economic reforms when he was the Finance Minister in 1991 and to the rural employment guarantee scheme brought by the UPA government led by him. "Just as we brought in a new paradigm for India's development with the de-licensing regime in 1991 -- a rights-based approach to governance including the Right to Work under MGNREGA, I am confident a Congress party-led government in 2019 will implement Nyay successfully and usher in a new model for social justice and prudent economics," he said. "It is my sincere belief that Nyay has the potential to catapult India into the club of 'poverty-free' nations in the world and I hope to be able to live to see our nation achieve this historic milestone," Singh said. Kabul, April 20 : Three suicide bombers staged an assault on an 18-storey building housing the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology headquarters in the centre of the Afghan capital on Saturday. Two of the attackers were later killed by the security forces. Hundreds of civilians were rescued from the Afghan Ministry after an explosion followed by the sound of sporadic gunfire had been heard in the complex, said Interior Ministry spokesperson Nasrat Rahimi. Six people were injured in the assault and taken to hospital. No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but it follows the suspension of talks between the Afghan government and Taliban insurgents. The outfit's spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, however, said it was not behind the attack. The Interior Ministry spokesperson had tweeted earlier in the day that three suicide bombers had launched the attack on the Ministry complex and the post office building at 11.40 am, "taking advantage of a holy shrine". The BBC said that the attack happened near the heavily fortified Serena Hotel -- one of the very few hotels in Kabul still used by foreign visitors -- a couple of other ministries and the presidential palace. The area around the building was sealed off as the attackers battled security forces for over six hours. Two of them were later shot and the attack was finally over in the late afternoon, Rahimi said. "Hundreds of civilians have been rescued," he said, adding that police and special forces were combing the area. Local television broadcast video images showing some smoke emerging from somewhere near the Ministry and people climbing out of windows. Saturday's attack came after the government of Qatar cancelled the first-ever peace talks between the Taliban and representatives of the Afghan government in the presence of a US delegation. The meeting was set to be held this weekend but was cancelled after the host, Qatar, rejected a list of 250 participants provided by the Afghan government. New Delhi, April 20 : The NIA on Saturday said that it has arrested a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Amroha in connection with its ongoing investigation into a new Islamic State module named "Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam", which was allegedly planning a terror attack in Delhi and adjoining areas. A National Investigation Agency (NIA) official said that Mohammad Gufran was arrested after his role had surfaced as one of the key conspirators in the terror attack plan. He is 13th accused arrested in the case. The NIA official said that Gufran was inspired by ideology of the proscribed IS and formed a pro-IS module Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam with the help of accused persons arrested earlier to wage war against the Indian government. The official said that investigation revealed that he was instrumental in procurement of arms and ammunition and also explosives to carry out terrorist attacks in Delhi-NCR as well as Uttar Pradesh. The NIA had on December 26 arrested 10 members, including mastermind Mufti Mohammad Suhail, of the IS module from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh after carrying out searches at 17 places. The arrested men were allegedly planning to attack some political personalities, security establishments as well as crowded places in Delhi and the National Capital Region. The NIA also seized 25 kg of explosive material including potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, sulphur, sugar material paste, mobile phone circuits, batteries, 51 pipes, remote control car triggering switch, wireless digital doorbell for remote switch, steel containers, electric wires, knifes, swords, IS-related literature and Rs 7.5 lakh in cash. The NIA later in January arrested two more suspects named Muhammad Absar and Naeem, the alleged arms supplier of the Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam, from Meerut Gufran will be produced before court here on Sunday. New Delhi, April 20 : The woman, who has leveled sexual harassment allegation against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, is undergoing trial in a bribery and criminal conspiracy case, officials said on Saturday. The woman, who earlier worked at the home office of the Chief Justice, is currently on bail and Delhi Police had moved a district court earlier this month, seeking its cancellation, officials said. The police's bail cancellation application was slated to come up in a Delhi court on Saturday, but the accused was not present, so, the hearing was cancelled. She will remain on bail till April 24. The former Junior Court Assistant was accused of bribery and was charged under Sections 420, 506, and 120B of the Indian Penal Code. A complaint was filed by one Naveen Kumar and the police arrested her last month, after an FIR was registered against her on March 3, 2019. The district court remanded her in judicial custody on March 11, but she was released on bail on March 12. In his complaint, Kumar alleged that the woman, while working in the Supreme Court, had agreed to accept money from him for getting him employment as a process server or a class IV employee in the Supreme Court. Kumar allegedly made a payment of Rs 50,000 to the accused as an advance for the employment, but did not hear from her about the details on the job, the complaint says. Kumar met her on the Supreme Court premises and sought details regarding his employment in the top court, according to the complaint. Kumar further alleged that the woman told him not to meet her inside the Supreme Court compound, and that if he does, she would implicate him in a false case. The investigation was handed over to the Crime Branch of Delhi Police. Kumar also wrote an application to the DCP of Crime Branch, claiming he was being threatened by the accused and her associates. Bhopal, April 20 : Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who was the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for 10 years, does not own any vehicle, according to an affidavit submitted on Saturday with his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections. Singh, who filed his papers from Bhopal constituency, has declared Rs 657,990 income for the last financial year, while his wife Amrita Singh's income was Rs 696,925. Besides, his income as head of the Hindu undivided family was to the tune of Rs 627,546. As per the affidavit, he has Rs 32,57,547 in his various bank accounts and a total of Rs 39,32,852 in his wife's accounts. Also, they own shares and debentures of various companies worth Rs 407,838, and given Rs 44,51,000 as loan to some companies. The value of cash, jewellery and other valuables deposited in the banks, together with the loans to companies, stands at Rs 88,87,596 and that of Amrita Singh at Rs 105,85,357. The market value of Singh's inherited properties is Rs 2,95,21,858. Singh has declared in the affidavit that he has no vehicle in his name, while his wife owns a Toyota Corolla Altis. There are eight cases lying sub judice against him in various courts, but he has not been pronounced guilty in any of them. New Delhi, April 20 : Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who had shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 during an air battle over the Line of Control (LoC) on February 27, will not go back to his unit in Srinagar as the officer has been posted out of Jammu and Kashmir to another base. Wing Commander Abhindan was captured by Pakistan after he ejected from his Mig-21 which had taken a hit in the dogfight. He was released on March 1. After undergoing complete medical examination, the IAF decided to reinstate him, but not to his unit. He will join another key base in the western sector, sources said. IAF sources had said that Abhinandan underwent physical and mental torture in custody. Rajkot : , April 20 (IANS) Veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Saturday claimed that the BJP and its allies together would not cross 200 seats in the Lok Sabha, even as his party would spring a surprise by winning 10 to 15 seats in Gujarat. The Bharatiya Janata Party, on its own, would get just about 150 seats, he said. "Even with its allies, the total number will not cross 200 seats." Patel claimed that his party was not only hopeful but was also sure that the BJP would lose the elections. "After the election results are announced on May 23, the BJP will no longer be in the government," he said. On a campaign tour to the Saurashtra region, where his party expects to perform well, he said: "Congress is sure to get four to five seats from Saurashtra, while overall in Gujarat, we will cross double digits." "We will get anywhere from 10 to 15 seats in Gujarat," Patel told reporters in Rajkot, the home town of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Referring to Friday's attack on Hardik Patel during an election rally, the Congress leader said this showed the BJP feared defeat. "The BJP is aware that it is going to lose the elections," he added. All 26 constituencies in the state will go to the polls on April 23 during the third phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections. Asked about malfunctioning of electronic voting machines (EVM), Patel said: "The Central government and Election Commission must be held accountable for so many EVMs malfunctioning during the polling." New Delhi, April 20 : A Delhi court has issued notice to DGP Prisons after an inmate at Tihar Jail was forcibly branded with 'OM' symbol on his back and was also allegedly deprived of food for two days. District court judge Richa Parihar said: "The allegations raised by counsel for the prisoner are of serious nature and require immediate intervention. Notice is being issued to DGP, Prisoner headquarters, Tihar Jail No.4, to get medical examination of the accused and also to make an inquiry report." Nabbir alias Popa, a prisoner, is lodged at Jail No. 4 of Tihar. His counsel Jagmohan informed the court that Nabbir had been subjected to cruelty and inhuman treatment inside the jail by the Jail Superintendent. The court directed the jail authorities to record statements of the other inmates in the vicinity of the complainant, and ordered jail authorities to make necessary arrangements for his safety. The court also ordered removal of Nabbir from the direct or indirect supervision of Jail Superintendent Rajesh Chauhan. Nabbir had reportedly informed one his family members about the incident. His counsel moved the application after meeting him in the jail on April 16. New Delhi, April 20 : Senior executives of grounded Jet Airways met the Union finance minister Arun Jaitley on Friday and requested him to direct the banks to release at least one month's salary. Jet has not paid salaries of a large number of its employees for the last three months, causing huge financial distress to them. The carrier last week suspended its entire operations for want of cash and is unlikely to clear employee dues anytime soon. The airline executives also appealed to expedite the bidding process for the airline's stake sale and ensure transparency in the procedure. Speaking to IANS, National Aviator's Guild Vice President Captain Asim Valiani said the Finance Minister assured them that he would look into all issues raised by the airline employees. "We have not got any firm commitment from the Finance Minister on payment of one month's salary, but he told us that all the issues would be looked into," Valiani said after the meeting with Jaitley. The airline executives accompanied by Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungatiwar also urged the minister to ensure that Jet Airways' slots are protected. Jet CEO Vinay Dube and CFO Amit Agarwal were present in the meeting. "We urged him to protect our slots so that there is something for the new buyers. We also requested that Jet Airways' aircraft do not get de-registered and go elsewhere," Valiani said. "The Finance Minister said he would like to see Jet Airways is revived," the senior pilot said. Jet Airways had on Wednesday night suspended its operations indefinitely. The airline's revival now depends on successful stake sale initiated by the lenders led by SBI. In an official statement, the airline lenders led by SBI has said that they are 'reasonably hopeful' that the stake sale process would succeed and determine fair value of the enterprise. As per industry sources, private equity firms TPG Capital, Indigo Partners and the NIIF and Etihad Airways are in the race to buy a stake in the grounded carrier. Bhopal, April 20 : The Election Commission in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday served a notice on BJP's Lok Sabha candidate Sadhvi Pragya Thakur over her controversial remarks about Hemant Karkare, the senior police officer who was martyred in the terrorist attack in Mumbai on November 26, 2008. The Commission served the notice even after she had withdrawn the remarks and asked why action should not be taken against her for breach of election code. Thakur has been given 24 hours to respond. The District Returning Officer Sudam Khade was asked if the notice could be served despite her withdrawal of the remarks. He said the commission would take a call on receiving her reply. Pragya Thakur had on Thursday bragged that Karkare died during the attacks as she "cursed" him for torturing her. But once the statement caused a furore among the BJP's supporters and adversaries alike, she apologised for the remarks. She said those were personal observations since she was tortured while facing trial for alleged involvement in the bomb blasts in Malegaon. State chief electoral officer V.L. Kanta Rao said, "We took suo moto cognisance of the statement and sought a report from the assistant returning officer (ARO) on the matter. We got the report this morning and we have issued notice. The organisers of the meeting addressed by Thakur were also served the notice, said the commission. Can the commission act against the candidate if she failed to respond to the notice? The commission was apparently unsure, but said that it would be decided once the deadline for the candidate's response passed. One of the officials attached to the Election Commission said the candidates and the organisers are granted permission for meeting certain conditions while the Model Code of Conduct is in force. Use of objectionable language to defame a person was prohibited and the candidate could even face disqualification. The BJP has been facing the supporters' flak for fielding Pragya who has embarrassed the leadership. But the Sadhvi found an unexpected supporter in Prime minister Narendra Modi who was asked why Sadhvi was given the ticket despite charges of violence against her. Modi said if the person responsible for 1984 riots against Sikhs could be made the Prime Minister what was wrong in fielding Sadhvi. Pragya's rival Digvijaya Singh has refused to speak about her comments. He has, however, questioned the BJP leaders of their comments about 'Hindu terrorism'. He said the BJP president owes an answer on how a home secretary to the Union Government who first officially used the term Hindu terror was made a party member and subsequently made a minister. Sadhvi Pragya, meanwhile, took a cue from the PM's remarks and launched an offensive against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath. She said Kamal Nath was involved in the 1984 carnage after Indira Gandhi's death. He should know how she was tortured in custody. Gurugram, April 20 : An alert constable foiled the escape bid of a thief after he jumped off from the first floor of a police station here early on Saturday, police said. The incident took place around 5 a.m. when the accused, identified as Monu Yadav, requested constable Dipak Kumar to take him to the toilet. "As the toilet of the cell in the city police station was choked, Kumar took him to the toilet located on first floor. On the first floor, Yadav pushed the constable aside and jumped off in a bid to escape," police spokesman Subhash Bokan said. However, Kumar responded quickly, jumping after Yadav, chased him and managed to get a hold on him till other police personnel reached the spot and overpowered him, he added. Yadav was nabbed by Gurugram police along with two of his accomplices, Chanchal and Atul, on April 14 on the charge of theft in a garment shop. They were taken to the Shivaji Nagar police station but as it did not have a prison cell, they were lodged in city police station during remand period. Kumar received injuries in both legs and knees and recovering in the hospital. He joined Haryana Police in 2017 and is currently deployed in Shivaji Nagar police station, Bokan added. Shivpuri : , April 21 (IANS) Congress' Guna candidate Jyotiraditya Scindia, who belongs to the erstwhile Gwalior princely dynasty, owns properties worth over Rs 2 billion, including a palace that he got as part of his inheritance. He also owns a 1960-model BMW car, which is also part of his inheritance, according to his affidavit filed along his nomination papers for the Guna-Shivpuri constituency, from where he is the MP. Scindia also said that he has not been convicted in any case or does not face any ongoing case. Scindia's ancestral property includes Jai Vilas, spread over 40 acres, in Gwalior, as well 19-acre land in Maharashtra's Shrigonda and 43 acres in Limban village. Also, there is Rani Mahal, Hiranvan Kothi, Racquet Court, Shantiniketan, Choti Vishranti, Vijay Bhavan, Picnic Spot, and other residential properties. Their total value is assessed at Rs 2,970,048,500. He also owns two properties in Mumbai's Samudra Mahal and their market value is Rs 319,770,000. He declared that he has fixed deposits amounting to Rs 30,187,000 and Rs 33,339,827 in movable assets. In his income tax return for the previous financial year, he declared his annual income at Rs 15,156,720 and his wife Priyadarshni Raje's income at Rs 250,400. In his affidavit, Scindia said that the annual income from his ancestral property is Rs 467,410. He also owns jewellery weighing 2,066 gm valued at Rs 86,853,219. He did his primary schooling from the Doon School, Dehradun, took an Economics degree from Harvard University and did his MBA from Stanford University. Roquebrune-cap-martin : , April 21 (IANS) Italy's Fabio Fognini has pulled off a big upset here, ending Rafa Nadal's bid for a record-extending 12th Monte Carlo title with a straight set win over the Spaniard in the semifinal. The San Remo-born Fognini, ranked number 18 in the world, on Saturday defeated Nadal 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 37 minutes, only his fourth win over the Spanish great in their 15th encounter, Efe news reported. Disturbed by the winds swirling over centre court at Monte-Carlo Country Club, Nadal never looked comfortable. Nadal had survived a scare at the hands of Guido Pella of Argentina, who pushed the Spaniard hard in their quarterfinal clash, but he had no answers against Fognini, who ended the world number 2's run of 18 back-to-back wins at Monte-Carlo, including 25 consecutive sets. Both players had a slow start, with four out of the first five games going against serve as Nadal took a 3-1 lead, only to see Fognini rally back to 4-4 before winning two straight games to take the set. Fognini pushed the pedal to the floor in the second set, racing to a 5-0 lead against a sub-par Nadal and survived a late rally by the Spaniard to prevail 6-2 and advance to his first-ever final in a Masters 1000 tournament. "I played one of my worst matches on clay in 14 years," Nadal said afterward. "It's difficult to find any positives - I deserved to lose." Nadal, 32, was playing his first tournament in a month after taking time off for the sake of his aching knees. "I played a very bad match against a good player. In that situation, you have to lose," he said. "I had a bad feeling, it was a tough day. I'm coming from low moments in terms of injuries, and in terms of the mental side it has not been easy to accept all the things that have been going on during recent weeks," Nadal said. The 31-year-old Fognini will take on Serbia's Dusan Lajovic, another debutant in a Masters 1000 final, who defeated Daniil Medvedev of Russia 7-5, 6-1 in a little more than 90 minutes in Saturday's other semifinal. Hitachi Cable America Inc. (HCA), a leader in the manufacture of high-performance copper and fiber optic communication cables, strives to be at the cutting edge of technology. Hitachi has made this evident through the development and release of its Drybit Category 6A indoor/outdoor plenum-rated cable. Drybit cables are the first category cables designed for wet places and plenum spaces. Following the recent release of its Drybit Category 6 cable, Hitachi wanted to expand the Drybit line to include a Category 6A cable. Drybit Category 6A plenum-rated cable offers the same water and chemical resistance as the Drybit Category 6 cable and has enhanced electrical performance necessary to support 10 Gigabit Ethernet. It is also verified to the Category 6A standard by UL. Drybits unique dry core allows the building owner to safely bridge two distinct cable environments using one single cable. Drybit cables are UL listed CMP. And, since Drybit cables eliminate the need to physically transition from one cable type to another, they also eliminate the space, materials and costs associated with doing so. Drybit Category 6A is available in shielded and unshielded designs. Drybit cable is made in the USA at HCAs Manchester, New Hampshire facility. For more information about Drybit, visit http://www.hca.hitachi-cable.com/products/hca/products/premise/io/drybit-indoor-outdoor-cmp-cable.php About Hitachi Cable America, Manchester Facility: The Manchester facility belongs to the Performance Cable Systems & Materials Division of Hitachi Cable America Inc. Located in Manchester, New Hampshire, the facility manufactures a complete line of high-performance copper and fiber optic cables for the communication industry. Over 4,000 different cable products are manufactured at this facility. Products include category copper communication cables, indoor, indoor/outdoor and outside plant fiber optic cables, industrial Ethernet cables, as well as round and flat electronic cables. To learn more about Hitachi Cable America, Inc. and the Performance Cables Systems & Materials Division, please visit our website at http://www.hca.hitachi-cable.com. Hitachi Cable America, Inc. is a unit of Hitachi Metals, Ltd. Steven Kenney Marketing Manager 900 Holt Avenue Manchester, NH 03109 War in the Pacific National Historical Park quarter WHAT: The United States Mint will launch the America the Beautiful Quarters Program coin honoring War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam on Friday, May 3 at 10 a.m. Chamorro Standard Time (ChST). $10 rolls of War in the Pacific National Historical Park quarters will be available for exchange immediately following the ceremony. WHO: David Ryder, Director, United States Mint Lou Leon Guerrero, Governor, Guam Josh Tenorio, Lieutenant Governor, Guam Barbara Alberti, Superintendent, War in the Pacific National Historical Park WHEN: Friday, May 3, 2019, 10 a.m. ChST WHERE: War in the Pacific National Historical Park Asan Beach Unit Asan, Guam COIN FORUM The United States Mint will host a coin forum the evening before the launch ceremonyThursday, May 2, 2019, 5-6 p.m. ChSTat the War in the Pacific National Historical Park, T. Stell Newman Visitor Center, Marine Corps Drive (outside Navy Base main gate), Sumay, Guam. The coin forum is an opportunity for the public to learn about upcoming United States Mint coin programs and initiatives, and express their views about future coinage. The War in the Pacific National Historical Park quarter is the 48th release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program, a 12-year initiative that honors 56 national parks and other national sites authorized by Public Law 110-456. Each year until 2020, the public will see five new national sites depicted on the reverses (tails sides) of the America the Beautiful Quarters. A final coin will be released in 2021. The United States Mint is issuing these quarters in the order in which the national sites were officially established. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION: War in the Pacific National Historical Park Barbara Alberti, Superintendent (670) 234-7207, ext. 2020 barbara_alberti(at)nps.gov United States Mint Connecting America through Coins In The Darwin Affair (Alongquin, June), Mason imagines a connection between an attempt on Queen Victorias life and Charles Darwins On the Origin of Species. Where did your lead, Insp. Charles Field, come from? The novels of Charles Dickens have been lifelong companions. The Darwin Affair initially came via Inspector Bucket, the private investigator who darts here and there across the landscape of Bleak House. Morally ambiguous, hes the sly, manipulative intelligence who gets peoples cooperation without their knowing it. Hes one of the first-ever fictional detectives, and he came to haunt me in the best way. Wouldnt it be fun, I always thought, to write a novel in which Bucket was the main character? So why isnt Bucket in the book? The story that slowly gathered around him involved actual historical characters. To mix historical figures such as Darwin and Thomas Huxley with a fictional one like Bucket wouldnt work, I felt. But eventually I discovered that Mr. Bucket had a real-life counterpart. Dickens always denied his fictional character was modeled after a very real London police detective, Charles Frederick Field, but its very likely he was. This discovery gave me permission to proceed. I wanted my book to be as historically accurate as possible. I would insert my fiction into the interstices. In your story, Darwins place on the queens honors list triggers murder and mayhem. Was he really considered for a knighthood? On the Origin of Species became an immediate sensation. Less than a month later, Darwins name likely appeared on a provisional list of those to be honored. Was it the prime minister, Palmerston, who suggested it to Victoria? Or was it Prince Albert? I cant say for certain. However, the personas and interests of these two vastly different men allow me to speculate that it was Alberts idea. Palmerston was above all a politician, while Albert was keenly interested in all things scientific. Ten years earlier, Prince Alberts Great Exhibition had displayed the latest advances in technology from all over the world. Albert had faced fierce opposition for it from the establishment. Now a similar scenario was emerging: the possibility of a knighthood for Darwin was coming from the palace, and that was perceived as a threat. It is widely believed that Bishop Samuel Wilberforce intervened to have Darwins name struck from the provisional honors list. Victoria was not only the queen, ran the argument, she was also the head of the Church of England. As such, it wouldnt do to have Darwins theory royally endorsed by her. So: no Sir Charles Darwin. Liza Wielands ninth book, Paris, 7 A.M., will be published by Simon & Schuster in June; in addition to four previous novels, shes written three books of short stories and a volume of poetry. But her interest in Elizabeth Bishop (19111979), whom the novel follows through the 1930s, predates all of her writing. Bishop has been in my consciousness forever, Wieland tells me from her home in coastal North Carolina. Beginning her undergraduate degree at Harvard in 1978, Wieland was disappointed not to be able to take a class with Bishop, whose seven-year teaching stint there ended the year before. At Columbia University for graduate study in English literature, Wieland taught Bishops poetry and discussed the poet in the coda to her doctoral dissertation. I was exploring a sort of indeterminate space in texts by 19th-century writers such as Emily Dickinsona place that is both in the world and not in the world, she says. Some of Bishops poems seem to move through that same space. Theres often a feeling of disorientation and dislocation, of being a stranger in a strange land. Though Wielands admiration for Bishop never swerved, writing about the poet initially felt like a creative detour. Wieland was working on another project when she started a short story, set in 1937 Paris, about Bishop and her friend Louise Crane. I felt compelled by what Id already begunIm actually working on that novel again now, she says. But I kept coming back to Bishop and the poems. I cant say it was easy, because writing is never easy, but, for whatever reasons, that work on Bishop in Paris was much more welcoming to me than the other story was. The material about Bishop and Crane that Wieland drafted appears as one of the middle chapters of Paris, 7 A.M., which focuses primarily on Bishops 1937 stay in France. But the heart of the novel turns on Bishops encountersactual and inventedwith a different woman: Clara Longworth de Chambrun, an American scholar 38 years Bishops senior who lived in Paris after her marriage to a French count. In Paris, Bishop and Crane rented de Chambruns apartment at 58 rue de Vaugirard, near the Jardin du Luxembourg on Pariss Rive Gauche. I became interested in Clara, who was the director of the American Library in Paris, by way of that apartment, Wieland recalls. I kept wondering about the woman who would gather those particular things, including the collection of clocks that Bishop wrote about in her poem Paris, 7 A.M., from which the novels title was eventually taken. In my reading, I discovered that Claras daughter had died at only 19. I seem to have this need to write about mothers or mother figures who have lost their children. Im not sure what thats about. Maybe because its the worst thing I can imagine, writing about such a horrific event feels like an incantation to keep it away. Whatever the cause, its a theme I write about often. De Chambrun, Wieland realized, was in some sense a mirror image of Bishop, whose mother died just as the poet was graduating from Vassar in 1934. The death, which reverberates through the novel, was not the first time Bishop lost her mother: Gertrude Bishop was institutionalized when the poet was only five and never released. I kept returning to that idea of the daughterless mother and the motherless daughter, Wieland says. What would they make of each otherwhat trouble or risk might they pose for each other? I could imagine a longing, on both sides, for something that the other could never fulfill. I wondered, what might Clara require of Elizabeth that Elizabeth would have difficulty giving? Brett C. Millers 1992 book, Elizabeth Bishop: Life and the Memory of It, the first full-length biography of the poet, added another intriguing possibility. Millers note that Bishops journals break off during the period in which she was traveling to Paris serves as the novels epigraph. In the open space created by that silence, as well as the linkage of Bishop and de Chambrun, what became Paris, 7 A.M. gradually found its form. Though the storys factual elements build on extensive study of Bishops letters and papers, among other sources, the novels voice and strategy come from poetry rather than biography. My core question was really where these poems came from, not where Bishop came from, Wieland says. I was more concerned with fitting in the poems than the incidents. In the course of writing the book, Wieland revisited long-familiar poems. To her surprise, she found that her certainty about Bishops work dissolving as she read and reread. Ive been thinking about Bishop and teaching poems, including In the Waiting Room, for years, she says. But I suddenly felt that I didnt really understand the poems as well as I thought I did. She recalls myriad moments thinking, I just dont get this poem. I have to look at it harder. Wielands doubts notwithstanding, Paris, 7 A.M. melds its own distinctive voice with a vivid rendering of Bishops mode of perception, her way of experiencing the world. Lovers of Bishops poetry will notice imagery from Bishops workthe sea like a case of knives from the early poem Wading at Wellfleet, for example, or the inscrutable house, man, and apple trees of the later Sestinathough Wieland wisely makes no attempt to explain such imagery or Bishop herself in any literal way. In addition to doing justice to the consciousness that created the poetry, Wieland traces Bishops creative coming-of-age. Through most of my book, shes still trying to understand what kind of writer she needs to be, she says. Wielands novel evokes the sensory and cultural richness of 1930s France and the artistic inspiration Bishop found there. Juxtaposed with such pleasures is the ominous feeling of threat. The seeds of World War II had already sprouted by the time Bishop arrived in Europe, and the tension between awareness and denial, spoken and unsaid emerges vividly in Wielands story. There was a clear sense that things were getting worse, and a mistrust of certain populations, most obviously Jews, she says. But people didnt really want to talk about those things. Wieland has visited many, though not all, of the novels locations. Im that cliched writer who loves Paris, finds great inspiration there, and is moved to tears every time I go, she says. Unlike both Bishops and de Chambruns experiences of France, Wielands is shaped in part by her closeness to her daughter. Seeing Paris first when she was pregnant, Wieland visited the city again when her daughter, who is now 19, was one, four, and 15. Ive spent a lot of time there in the company of this person I completely adore, which makes Paris even more meaningful and alive for me. Bishop was a famously private person who eschewed the confessional mode popular among poets when she was in her prime and beyond. Wieland handles issues that Bishop hid from the publicincluding her homosexuality and alcoholismcircumspectly, neither flaunting nor avoiding them; its clear, reading the novel, that the author has not just respect but affection for Bishops natural reticence. Before we close, I ask Wieland what it was like to write fiction about someone so little given to public discussion of her life. What would she make of this book? Would she feel violated? Wieland asks rhetorically. She cant answer that, and the only answer I can give inevitably sounds self-serving, even a little egotistical: I hope she would feel that she were in good hands. Suzanne Fox is a writer, speaker, and freelance editor in North Carolina. Deal of the Week: St. Martins Snatches Heather Morriss Next St. Martins chairman Sally Richardson and executive v-p and publisher Jennifer Enderlin snapped up North American and audio rights from Kate Parkin at Bonnier Books in the U.K. for Cilkas Journey, the sophomore effort from New Zealander Heather Morris, whose current bestseller, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, is published by Harper. Like Tattooist, Cilkas Journey is based on a true story. It follows Cilka, one of the central figures in Tattooist, who was only 16 when she was taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1942 and whose beauty both saved her life and condemned her to being the concubine of the camp commandant. Per the publisher, Morris crafts a powerful story of the triumph of the human spirit in the direst of times. FROM THE U.S. Riverhead Pays Six Figures for Sikh Wisdom Riverhead executive editor Jake Morrisey paid six figures to win at auction More of This Please: Self-Care for the Soul from Sikh Wisdom by religion scholar, activist, and educator Simran Jeet Singh. Simran offers what I think is a refreshing approach to confronting the darkness that swirls around usthe anger, ignorance, and outrage that assault us everyday, Morrisey said. Singh is Sikh and was born and raised in Texas. In the book, Morrisey added, he proposes hopeful and very human ways to overcome the toxicity that is seeping into our lives. Tanusri Prasanna at Foundry Literary + Media negotiated the deal for North American rights. NBA AwardWinning Poet Back to TriQuarterly At TriQuarterly Books, an imprint of Northwestern University Press, editor Parneshia Jones celebrates poetry month with the acquisition of poet Nikky Finneys Lovechilds Hot Bed of Occasional Poetry: Poems and Artifacts. The collection is due out in April 2020 and is her first since Head Off & Split won the 2011 National Book Award for Poetry. That book went on to sell more than 25,000 copies, which, for a poetry collection, is pharaonic, the publisher said. The deal for world rights was unagented. Ecco Preempts for a Senator Denise Oswald at Ecco preempted world rights to a memoir by Montana Democratic senator Jon Testercowritten with Aaron Murphy, his former chief of stafffrom Julie Stevenson of Massie & McQuilkin. Respecting the senators wish to keep the amount of the deal confidential, Stevenson confirmed only that it was a significant deal. The only farmer in the U.S. Senate, Tester faced fierce competition in the red state, which President Trump visited four times in order to bolster his opponents campaign in 2018. He is a frequent guest of Rachel Maddow and Lawrence ODonnell on CNBC and Bill Maher on HBO, as well as on Fox News. A fall 2020 publication is planned. Berkley Buys a Royal Story In an exclusive submission, Berkley executive editor Kerry Donovan preempted North American and audio rights to former journalist and British bestselling author Wendy Holdens The Governessa historical novel about Marion Crawford, the royal governess to Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret when they were childrenwhich, Donovan said, will appeal to devotees of Netflix series The Crown as well as fans of Jennifer Robsons The Gown. The author was represented by Deborah Schneider at Gelfman Schneider/ICM on behalf of Jonathan Lloyd of Curtis Brown in London. Publication is set for next summer. Carly Simon Goes to FSG FSGs Colin Dickerman picked up North American and audio rights to Touched by the Sun, Carly Simons book about her long friendship with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, whom she met at a Marthas Vineyard summer party. In the last few years, I found myself doing what Ive done with all the other things in my life that were too big to look at directly and too important to understand fully as they were happening, Simon said. I put it down on paper. Publicly, Jackie was important to all of us, but privately, out of the public eye, I loved her. Bill Clegg, who has an eponymous agency, brokered the deal. Artisan Acquires Cookbooks for Summer and Winter Judy Pray, executive editor at Artisan, paid high five figures for world rights to the next two cookbooks from Marnie Hanel and Jen Stevenson, the team behind The Campout Cookbook and IACP Awardwinner The Picnic (coauthored with Andrea Slonecker). The Beach Party Cookbook will be published in early 2021; The Apres Ski Cookbook will come out in summer 2021. Sharon Bowers at Miller Bowers Griffin repped Hanel, and Stacey Glick of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret repped Stevenson. After a lively auction, Bob Bender at Simon & Schuster prevailed with a mid-six-figures bid to win North American rights to Angus Fletchers Shakespeares Eureka from Kneerim & Williamss Carolyn Savarese, who called Fletcher a modern-day polymath. Fletcher holds dual degrees in neurobiology and English literature and was a science prodigy who, disillusioned with data, sought a career based in humanistic values, which led him to his current position as a professor of story science at Ohio States Project Narrative. According to the publisher, Shakespeares Eureka is an examination of literary masterpieces from antiquity to the present that argues that literary innovation is as significant as scientific innovation, and that reading great literature enhances readers emotional and psychological well-being. Foreign rights for the book will be customized. Fletcher wants to give foreign publishers the opportunity to customize their edition for their country, Savarese explained. There will be a core group of chapters, 15 to 20, that overlap with the American edition, but then publishers in the British and translation markets will get to add, swap, mix, and match selections of chapters beyond the core group to incorporate those they feel will resonate in their particular country. MOVIE DEALS In what Deadline described as spirited bidding, Amazon Studios won at auction rights to Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (beating Paramount and Warner Bros.), due for publication in May from Griffin. The rom-con is a story of the son of a U.S. president who falls in love with Henry, Prince of Wales. Gary Shteyngarts Lake Success was sold to HBO for a limited series, according to Publishers Marketplace. It will star Jake Gyllenhaal, who, along with Riva Marker at Nine Stories, will produce with Endeavor Content. Shteyngart and Tom Spezialy will adapt. INTERNATIONAL DEALS Last week, we reported that Isabel Allende jumped from Atria to Ballantine for the U.S. publication of A Long Petal of the Sea. This week, The Bookseller reports that in the U.K., shes moved from Scribner to Bloomsbury, where Alexis Kirschbaum won the U.K. and Commonwealth rights at auction from Peggy Boulos Smith at Writers House, on behalf of Johanna V. Castillo of Writers House and the Carmen Balcells Literary Agency. According to Publishers Marketplace, in Kazakhstan, Raisa Kader at Teppe & World bought rights to R.J. Palacios Wonder in a deal brokered by Adrienne Santamaria at Trident Media Group on behalf of Alyssa Eisner Henkin. For more childrens and YA book deals, see our latest Rights Report. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Kim Richards is feeling "incredibly blessed" following the birth of her second grandchild. ADVERTISEMENT The 54-year-old took to Instagram Thursday after her daughter Brooke Brinson gave birth to a baby boy. Richards shared a slideshow of photos featuring Brinson with her family. Brinson, 33, is parent to newborn son Hunter and 2-year-old son Hucksley with her husband, Thayer Wiederhorn. "Welcome Hunter Montgomery @brookewiderhorn & @thayerwiederhorn have brought another beautiful baby boy into our life," Richards captioned the post. "I now have two of most amazing, beautiful, perfect grandsons in the whole world." "I am over joyed with gratitude & love!! There is no love like this!! I am so proud, excited, and I feel incredibly blessed," she gushed. "I love you you all so very much #proudmom #proudnana #grandma #love #grateful #blessed." Brinson also announced Hunter's birth in a post on her own account. "Hunter Montgomery, thank you for making our family complete! Our hearts are so full," she captioned a photo of Hucksley holding his younger brother. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Richards' former "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" co-star Joyce Giraud was among those to congratulate the star in the comments of her post. "So gorgeous," Giraud wrote. "congrats love Xoxoxoxo we still have to get together." Richards is parent to Brinson with her late ex-husband, Monty Brinson. She is also parent to 29-year-old daughter Whitney and 28-year-old son Chad with Gregg Davis and 24-year-old daughter Kimberly with John Jackson. Richards starred in the first five seasons of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" and appeared as a guest in Seasons 6, 7 and 9. The series stars her sister Kyle Richards, Lisa Vanderpump, Lisa Rinna, Erika Girardi, Dorit Kemsley, Teddi Mellencamp and Denise Richards. Lionel Richie detailed on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" how his friend Stevie Wonder once pulled off an epic prank by acting like he was going to drive a car. ADVERTISEMENT The "American Idol" judge on a Thursday appearance explained how Wonder -- who is famously blind -- has always had a sense of humor and is a practical joker. The prank involved Wonder inviting Richie into a car in order for him to listen to a new song on a cassette tape when Wonder suddenly took the driver's seat. "He puts the cassette in, he cranks the car up and then he put it in reverse and starts going down the driveway. I said 'Stevie!' he goes 'I got you,'" Richie said. Richie, who is going on tour once again, will be performing alongside Wonder at Hyde Park in London on July 6. "I want to go on first for an obvious reason. When Stevie goes on, he plays until he gets tired," Richie said. Terry College of Business students will be able to attend class in the Business Learning Community starting fall 2019, Greg Trevor said. This construction endeavor cost a total of $140 million, funded by both the state of Georgia and a number of private donors, and covers about 300,000 square feet. The University of Georgia chapter of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity found itself in controversy after a video showing four unidentified members egging on the use of racial slurs went viral on March 22. Four days later, more than 300 students gathered on campus for an open discussion on race. 'By August 2018, it was evident that Jet was heading into serious financial trouble.' 'Why didn't the DGCA stop all advance bookings right there and then?' asks Anjuli Bhargava. Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters The Jet saga raises many questions and the government of the day needs to answer them. Even as the Jet saga reaches its closing chapter, I have a few questions for anyone willing to answer. First, can someone please tell me what is the net worth of Jet's former chairman Naresh Goyal? Even if he is a non-resident Indian, a government with the kind of might this one is displaying can surely find out. A precise number would be nice. There are two possible answers. One, it could be awfully low, like what befits a promoter who has run his business rather unsuccessfully for a majority of the 25 years. I don't know how much that number should be but I'm not the expert here. Let someone else decide. The second possibility -- and one everyone always hints at in hushed tones for some reason -- is that NG -- who started as a sales agent -- has actually got a lot richer over the last 25 years even as his company got steadily poorer. Now, how does one manage this feat? Can someone explain it to me in some detail so I too can launch a business, bleed it silly and get richer myself in the process? How precisely does one get richer as one's main businesses get poorer and poorer? I'm making no accusations here, but of late the record of Indian promoters on stuff like this has been somewhat dodgy. All I am suggesting is that it may be worth investigating. Two, why allow businesses to take advance payments for services not yet delivered in cases where the future of the business looks rather shaky? Let me use the Jet example to illustrate. Typically, airlines take advance bookings for almost one year up front and the money from sales of future air tickets that comes in is used for its operations. That's business as usual. As I understand it, almost 30 per cent of the airline's cash requirements are met through advance bookings. Now Jet too has taken bookings up to a year in advance, Seats have been sold that you and me have paid for on the understanding that we will be taking this flight somewhere in the coming year. So, our money is locked in with the airline. But even as the airline -- and here the regulator has to answer -- looking as shaky as this, no one tells the airline to stop taking advance bookings. By August 2018, in this case, it was evident even to a dummy that Jet was heading into serious financial trouble. Why didn't the DGCA stop all advance bookings right there and then? Why allow the airline to collect Rs 3,500 crore (that's the figure for ticket refunds doing the rounds) when it cannot ensure that the flights it is promising will take off? That means that passengers have shelled out Rs 3,500 crore with no surety of ever seeing their money again. Someone needs to explain why. We are not Jet's privy purse here, even if the government is eager to be. Three, what about the experience of the Jet passengers in Amsterdam who reached the airport to find they are not about to fly anywhere as the aircraft they were hoping to board has been seized by the lessor! This to my mind really took the cake and the icing with it. Anyone who has flown to Europe knows how far these countries keep their airports from their city centre. Everyone knows it's not easy to make your way to the airport with luggage in tow. This is not India -- it can cost a fair bit. Now imagine this. You check out (and probably can't get a room again even if you want one later in the day), get your luggage together, travel by public transport (unless you are an Indian airline owner!) and reach the airport for a flight you booked six months ago. And guess what ? Phew, this is really the stuff nightmares are made of. The other day I reached Delhi airport from Vasant Vihar and found my flight cancelled and no message on my phone informing me that it was cancelled and I went ballistic. So I can only imagine how this poor lot hoping to leave Amsterdam and reach Mumbai felt. I've paid for this flight six months ago and this is what I get. The airline is so broke it certainly can't pay for my hotel stay in Amsterdam or somewhere near the airport. I am stranded in Europe with my luggage: All dressed up and nowhere to go. Not a happy situation at all. So, here are my three rather short suggestions : One, instead of wasting time on trying to sell what appears more and more like a comatose asset (barring some miracle or an Ajay Singh), find out NG's net worth. Two, wake up DGCA. He simply must wake up. Airlines going belly-up is business as usual. We cannot have a regulator that sleeps through it all. Three, let refunds in cases like the Amsterdam-Mumbai case be three times what the passenger paid for his or her ticket. You can't compensate people for the sheer frustration one feels but tripling the refund amount may make other sinking airlines more wary in the future. Take bookings and advances only if you are reasonably sure you can deliver. 'There's nothing in the 2019 campaign air, the chunavi hawa that tells you it's a wave election, for anyone,' argues Shekhar Gupta. Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com You have to get out of Delhi often if you want to understand that there are two ways of looking at India: Inside-out, that is, from Delhi and the heartland at the rest of the country; or outside-in, which is, looking at the heartland from beyond. Essentially, when you look inside-out, it brainwashes you into seeing the picture purely in national party-national leader terms. If you give yourselves the gift of distance and an open mind, you might see the change in this new India. National parties as we knew them are in decline. The concept of the Great Pan-National Leader ended with Indira Gandhi. What about Narendra Damodardas Modi? We will come to that in a bit. This new writing on the great political wall of India was read out to us by two of our strongest state satraps, not even regional leaders. Telangana strongman K Chandrashekar Rao and young Y S Jaganmohan Reddy in next-door Andhra made the same point, each in his own chosen words: There is no such thing as a truly national party in India any more. The ones you describe as national parties, the BJP and Congress, are also regional. They just happen to have a footprint across a few states. The Congress declining as a national party you can understand. But how can the BJP not be called a national party? After all, it won a national majority of its own in 2014. Get out of Delhi and see. Sitting in Delhi, we confuse the Hindi heartland for the nation. The BJP's 2014 majority tally of 282, for example, mostly came from UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand (190). Of the rest, 49 came from the two western states, Maharashtra and Gujarat. This accounts for 239 seats of the 299 in these states, a strike rate of 80 per cent. From the rest of the country, which is the entire south (Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu), east (north eastern states, West Bengal, Odisha) and even including far north, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, the party only won 43 out of the 244, or just 17 per cent. Plot this on the map of India. This isn't the footprint of a pan-national party. It is a 10-state party, which maxes out the seats there and gets a majority. And pan-national leaders? Mr Modi is the only one today with that claim. Everybody knows him. But can he get people to overwhelmingly vote for him in more than these 10 states? Even within these 10 states, in the most important ones, his challenge comes from local parties and leaders. He is now fighting a make-or-break battle in Uttar Pradesh with Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav. Bihar's equivalent of these state leaders is Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar. Both the Congress and BJP have aligned with one, as a junior partner. In Punjab, the BJP is an adjunct of the Akali Dal, in Haryana, both the BJP and Congress are searching for a local ally. Even Mr Modi, with his phenomenal oratory, cannot swing a majority for his party, even hypothetically, by himself in more than seven states today. Hypothetically, because these include Uttar Pradesh. Check out the Congress. If the BJP is a national party of seven-nine states, Congress has just six, albeit many of these smaller: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Punjab and Karnataka. It is extinct in West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, UP and Bihar. That's why the maximum the Congress can aim for, if all the electoral Gods smile on it, is about 150. I know it's unlikely and 100 will be an optimistic target. But it serves our limited purpose of proving that if the BJP is half a national party, the Congress is no longer even a one-third. You want a further reality check? Name a state, any one state, where Rahul Gandhi could swing this Lok Sabha election by himself. The fact is, Indira Gandhi was the last truly national leader who could win in almost all states. Since her passing, barring the unusual election of December 1984, no truly pan-national leader or party has emerged. That space has been taken by charismatic, powerful leaders of states and castes. To call any of them even a regional leader is a misnomer. Vote tallies support this hypothesis. From just about 4 per cent in 1952-1977 now regional/state parties's vote share has risen to 34 per cent (2002-2018). This summer it will go higher. What's even more important, because these parties' vogue is concentrated in a region, they get more bang for the buck, or seats for their vote percentage. Today, with 34 per cent vote, these parties win 34 per cent of the Lok Sabha seats. With each additional per cent, they get 11 more seats whereas the national parties get just seven. I am taking this data from The Verdict by Prannoy Roy and Dorab Sopariwala -- just in case you thought I made it up. In undivided Andhra Pradesh, the Congress vote share was traditionally around 40 per cent. It has fallen to just under three in the new state. The BJP's boasts of a coming boom in West Bengal and Odisha will be tested soon. But, barring Assam and Tripura, it has conquered no new frontiers, despite a Modi with a majority and Amit Anilchandra Shah with his BJP membership of 100 million. India, today, has about 20 leaders so strong within a limited geography or political demography that no national leader, including Mr Modi, can take their voters away. Most of them have acquired administrative and political experience, and networked across regions. They might have different concerns and ideologies, but are united on one point: Abomination of dominant national parties. There is a large, populous and progressing world outside of our Hindi-Dilli dugout that doesn't share the insecurity of our elites in the polling season, of a 'khichdi' taking over if Mr Modi doesn't win. You can spend days in the south and the east without hearing that familiar chatter: But if not Mr Modi, who? For three decades now, as the Congress declined, India has been evolving into a truly federal republic, and the idea of a national election has been replaced by a sum of 30 state elections -- as it should be, with no party dominating even a third of the states, and the BJP plus Congress significant in less than a half. Why does the TINA (There is No Alternative) factor dominate the politics of the heartland, but doesn't impress people beyond these? One important factor is that in none of the states where the Congress and BJP fight for domination a true regional leader has grown. In Bihar and UP, Lalu, Nitish, Mayawati and Akhilesh are formidable leaders, but each has his or her limitations. The BJP either challenges them or compels them to share the turf with it. Of the major states, national parties still dominate Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and, to some extent, Karnataka, since they lack their own leaders. The second reason is, of course, national parties do not like to build strong state leaders. The Congress committed suicide in Andhra Pradesh rather than let the obvious successor for its state satrap grow. It was so furious with his ambition that it didn't even treat him with basic respect after his father's death in a helicopter crash. It has only one state leader of consequence, Captain Amarinder Singh. The BJP today has just none, maybe a half, Yogi Adityanath. The three others -- Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Vasundhara Raje and Raman Singh -- have been consigned to deep-freeze. Indian politics, therefore, is at an interesting juncture with no truly pan-national leader or party and yet a declining insecurity over coalitions beyond the heartland. As 2014 demonstrated, you can still produce a counter-intuitive full-majority government if one party can sweep contiguous states containing upwards of 200 seats. There's nothing in the 2019 campaign air, the chunavi hawa that tells you it's a wave election, for anyone. We can say now with confidence that this election will be fought state-by-state, more like 2004 than 2014. Don't ask me who will lead the next coalition, because I do not know. All I can tell you is, irrespective of who leads the next government, it will be a Cabinet in which Ram Vilas Paswan can also open his mouth. By special arrangement with The Print 'This time, even the professedly secular parties have maintained a conscious distance from being identified with Muslims.' 'This could be interpreted as a success of the BJP campaign of what it has been calling 'minority appeasement', says Mohammad Sajjad. Kindly note that the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Saumya Khandelwal/Reuters Something unusual happened with(in) Aligarh Muslim University this election. Rather than being looked upon by north Indian Muslims for some suggestions towards whom to vote, it found itself under serious attack and threat. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ajay Singh Bisht -- aka Yogi Adityanath -- on April 11 in his election meeting at Atrauli in Aligarh said it was necessary to re-elect BJP MP Satish Gautam from the Lok Sabha seat to ensure reservations for the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes in admissions and jobs at AMU ('Elect BJP Candidate to ensure SC/ST Quota at AMU', Hindustan Times, April 11, 2019). Bisht told the Atrauli meeting that India should not honour Jinnah who divided the country. This was a jibe at the controversy which was raised in May 2018 over the 1938 portrait of Jinnah in the AMU Students Union Hall. The AMU's minority character is sub judice before the Supreme Court's Constitution bench. As of now, the AMU does not have reservations for SCs, STs, OBCs nor does it have any religion-based reservations. Till the judgment comes out, AMU is under no compulsion to comply with the BJP's arm-twisting. But, then, political parties desperate to extract votes over Hindu-Muslim polarisation have no other way but to indulge in all such provocations. High-profile political leaders campaigned in Aligarh, which went to the polls on April 18 (Aman Sharma, Economic Times, April 12, 2019). Besides the provincial and national implications of these contestations, there are some immediate local considerations as well. The Aligarh Lok Sabha seat has a Jat candidate, Ajit Balyan, from the Bahujan Samaj Party in alliance with the Samajwadi Party. It made the BJP even more tempted to raise issues which could help it attract Dalit votes, away from the BSP. A rough estimate of votes by local political workers of different parties tell us that the Aligarh Lok Sabha seat (out of the total voters numbering around 15.5 lakhs) has 21% Muslims, 9% SCs, 5% Yadavs and over 40% Savarnas. The Congress nominee, Vijendra Singh, a Jat and former MP, may cut into Jat and Muslim votes. A greater chunk of non-Yadav OBCs and non-Jatav Dalits may vote for the BJP. In that case the contest between the BSP and the BJP appears to be quite close. This possibly made the BJP a little more desperate to resort to create religious polarisation and majoritarian consolidation. It is this unprecedented majoritarian consolidation which has sort of rendered Muslim electorates almost irrelevant. This election, therefore, witnessed a muted and silenced Muslim. This is where we didn't find the AMU campus being wooed by the political parties, which it used to be in almost every election. The AMU Students Union as well as the AMU Teachers Association did not pass any resolution appealing to Muslims to vote for or against a party -- a rare act of political 'indifference'! What does it signify? Since the 1946 elections, groups of students would go out for election campaigns in various parts of India, specially UP, Punjab and Bihar from where most students came to AMU. Post-Independence, they campaigned in UP and Bihar. They punched, rather much above their weight, to jockey and lobby for their preferred candidates/parties. Not only AMU, the Muslim religio-cultural organisations such as Jamiat-ul-Ulema-e-Hind (JUH, founded in 1919), 'Shahi' Imam Bukhari, Jamaat-e-Islami-e-Hind (JIH, founded in 1941), Imarat-e-Shariah (Patna, founded in 1921) used to be approached by major political parties to issue an appeal for Muslim electoral favours. This 'politics of the pulpit' seems to be dying its death, which in the long run may pave the way for a far more democratised politics. Though its remnants can still be seen in ticket allotment by parties like the RJD-led coalition, which has whimsically foisted certain candidates upon the Muslim electorates, in Motihari, Sheohar, etc). This time, even the professedly secular parties have maintained a conscious distance from being identified with Muslims and their pressing issues of security of life and property, as much as away from their religio-cultural organisations. This could be interpreted as a success of the BJP campaign of what it has been calling 'minority appeasement'. Pertinently, this accusation of appeasement had nothing to do with a preferential treatment of Muslim communities in terms of concrete educational and economic empowerment. It was simply signifying the 'secularists' as pandering to Muslim conservative forces. It was at best a symbolic reaching out, and cooption for, immediate electoral gain and symbolic window-dressing, in terms of some Muslim notables becoming legislators. So much so that even the BJP, in 2004, had to cobble together a 'Vajpayee Himayat Committee', comprising of some Muslim notables, for the purpose of attracting Muslim votes. Such an arrangement dispensed with holding Muslim legislators (and other elite brokers) and their respective parties accountable for and answerable to the real needs of the community. This is how Muslim institutions and individuals stand discredited and delegitimised, and have also been rendered as political pariahs. Politics, like nature, abhors a vacuum. Now the issue is: What kind of forces will really fill this vacuum? The arrogant manner in which the RJD-Congress ignored nominating candidates from the Ajlaf-Arzal segments of Muslims, and also the emergence of many smaller, caste-based outfits in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, entering into one or the other coalition, possibly suggest something about the incipient trends. Disappointed with that, the 'Pasmanda' intellectual activists have already begun to think of launching a small political party of their own. Smaller formations like the AIMIM (in pockets of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and eastern Bihar), Peace Party (parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh), AIUDF (Assam), etc, will emerge in various parts. But this symptom is certainly not Muslim-specific. The emergence of smaller caste-based formations such as the Nishad Party, the Suheldeo Party, Apna Dal, Vikas-Sheel Insan Party, etc, should also be seen in the same context and within the same prism. Since the big national and regional parties are not addressing the concerns and political aspirations of certain groups, such smaller sub-regional forces will align with other formations of similarly disenfranchised groups, and with them, will stake a claim to slices of the political cake. In other words, an era of fission of mega parties and fusion of granular formations/coalitions may emerge. Needless to say, the mega parties have become like oligarchic fiefdoms of specific dominant castes and dynasties. Hitherto disenfranchised groups are increasingly rising up to be acknowledged by, and to bargain with, the dominant forces. This scenario possibly explains the political 'irrelevance' of the AMU and other Muslim religio-cultural bodies which seem to have lost their pan-Indian political appeal. This possibility of diffused and disaggregated Muslim politics would possibly pave the way for a further deepening of democracy. Notwithstanding the big limitations of identity politics, it is this entrenchment of democracy which is sought to be thwarted by the homogenising and hegemonic reactionary forces. The way forward for the subjugated groups of India in general, and for Muslim communities in particular, possibly lies in trumping the homogenising reactionary forces. Will it happen in this election, or will this inevitability have to still wait for some more time? Do the intelligentsia sitting cosily in better-funded universities really foresee the above mentioned possibilities and its implications? Mohammad Sajjad is a Professor at Centre of Advanced Study in History, Aligarh Muslim University. 'Given the past practice in the Pakistan army, this delay is most unusual,' notes Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at the Research and Analysis Wing, India's external intelligence agency. IMAGE: Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the Line of Control, February 22, 2019. Photograph: www.ispr.gov.pk While the promotions of Pakistan's most recently elevated lieutenant generals was announced on April 11, there has been an unseemly delay in announcing their assignments, which is causing unnecessary speculation and reflecting poorly on army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Of the 4 two star generals promoted, Lieutenant General Azhar Abbas (Baloch regiment) has been slotted as director general, joint staff at the joint staff headquarters, which services the office of the chairman joint chiefs of staff, General Zubair Mohd Hayat, while Lieutenant General Nauman Ahmed (Baloch regiment) has been posted as inspector general, communications information technology (IG, C&IT) at the general headquarters. The other two, Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza (Sind regiment) and Lieutenant General Faiz Hamid (Baloch regiment) -- whose elevation was controversial given his involvement in resolving the Tehrik e Labaik agitation last year -- have yet to be given assignments. Given the past practice in the Pakistan army, this delay is most unusual. General Bajwa had plenty of time to plan these postings and should normally have done so promptly. After the promotion board meetings are over, posting of those promoted is very much the chief's prerogative. Other senior generals have no say in this. If some senior officer is close in seniority to the chief, either belonging to the same course or a course or two junior, he could recommend his protege for a particular post, but the chief has the final say. In the instant situation, most lieutenant generals in General Bajwa's team are too junior to enjoy this sort of camaraderie. Even if that were the case, this would have been communicated to the chief a long time ago. Till the other day, only the GoC 31 Corps, Bahawalpur and the adjutant general's posts were vacant. It was expected that the remaining two promoted generals would be accommodated against these posts. However, General Bajwa has just shifted Lieutenant General Syed Mohd Adnan (Punjab regiment), the erstwhile vice chief of general staff at GHQ, as the new Bahawalpur corps commander. He also moved Lieutenant General Humayun Aziz (artillery regiment) as the new corps commander, 5 Corps, Karachi after Lieutenant General Shahid Baig Mirza's retirement. Both these changes have not been reported in the media so far. Another switch over of armoured corps generals was effected some time ago, again quietly, moving Lieutenant General Naeem Ashraf as the new 2 corps commander, Multan with Lieutenant General Abdullah Dogar moving in his place, as chairman, heavy industries, Taxila. These developments come against the backdrop of the first Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf cabinet re-shuffle undertaken by Prime Minister Imran Khan on April 18, where he sacked one of his stellar performers, Finance Minister Asad Umar, just after he returned from ongoing negotiations with the IMF. Asad is the son of the late Lieutent General Omar who had worked in Pakistan intelligence under the Ayub Khan/Yahya Khan regimes. Imran has had to bring in Brigadier Ijaz Shah (retd) as interior minister. Ijaz Shah was former director, intelligence bureau, under General Pervez Musharraf and had sheltered British terrorist Omar Sheikh for 7 days before his surrender to the Lahore police in connection with the Daniel Pearl kidnapping in January 2002. Benazir Bhutto had accused Brigadier Shah in a plot to murder her, just before her assassination in December, 2007. It is not yet clear to what extent the cabinet changes are indicative of Imran beginning to assert himself or whether he is still working as the army's protege. As Pakistan's economic situation continues to deteriorate, analysts in Pakistan are beginning to question how long the army's patience will last as its 'project PTI' runs into peril. Complainant Dhruv Lal alleges discrepancies over citizenship and educational qualifications in Congress president's election affidavit. An independent candidate on Saturday raised objections over Congress president Rahul Gandhi's nomination from Amethi, alleging discrepancies over citizenship and educational qualifications in his election affidavit. Citing the complaint, the Bharatiya Janata Party said in New Delhi asked Gandhi to come clean on the matter. Complainant Dhruv Lal's lawyer Ravi Prakash showed reporters purported copies of a certificate of incorporation of a United Kingdom-registered company in which the Congress leader is stated to be a British national. Amethi's returning officer Ram Manohar Misra told reporters that Rahul Gandhi's counsel had sought time to reply to the objections and has been asked to do so by Monday. Ravi Prakash claimed that the UK Company had existed for five years and would have made some profit, but that has not been disclosed in the affidavit. He told reporters that he has urged the returning officer to look into this aspect. The independent candidate's counsel said he has sought a clarification on Gandhi's citizenship as being a UK citizen would bar him from fighting the Lok Sabha elections. Yogendra Misra, the president of the district Congress unit, said the objections will be countered legally on Monday. Uttar Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer L Venkateshwar Lu said he has sought information on the complaint from the district election authorities. In Delhi, BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said it is 'stunning' that Gandhi's lawyer sought time to reply to the objections. "These are serious allegations. Is Rahul Gandhi an Indian citizen or not? Did he ever become a British citizen? He should come out with the real story," he told reporters. Election Commission sources said the returning officer is the final authority on such a matter, but he cannot check the veracity of what is submitted in an election affidavit. If anyone has an objection to what is recorded in an affidavit, the person should approach the court, they said. The BJP spokesperson claimed that a British company, in which Gandhi had said in 2004 that he made investments, had made a submission that year to the authorities there that he was a British citizen. Referring to the complaint, the BJP spokesperson said there are 'discrepancies and attempts to suppress facts' in Gandhi's affidavits filed during different elections from 2004 to 2014. The Congress chief had said that he did M Phil in development economics from Cambridge University, but later claimed it was in development studies, Rao alleged. The BJP spokesman said inquiries show that one Rahul Vincy and not Rahul Gandhi got the degree that particular year. "We will like to know if Rahul Gandhi goes by multiple names in different countries," Rao said. He also wondered if the Gandhi scion's qualifications were like Congress manifestos that change every five years. ***** Guj minister calls Rahul 'puppy', CM disapproves Gujarat minister Ganpatsinh Vasava on Saturday likened Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to a 'puppy who would go to Pakistan or China if the they threw bread at it', inviting censure from not just the opposition party but also state chief minister Vijay Rupani. Vasava had earlier taken a swipe at the claim of some Congress supporters that Gandhi was an 'incarnation of Lord Shiva', asking the Congress chief to prove the claim by consuming poison. Speaking at a tribal gathering on Saturday in Dediapada in Narmada district, part of Bharuch Lok Sabha constituency, the BJP leader said, "When Rahul Gandhi gets up from the chair, it appears as if a puppy has got up wagging its tail, which would go to Pakistan and China if they threw bread at it." During the address, Vasava likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a lion. Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said Vasava's remarks showed that the BJP has been rejected by the people of Gujarat. "Vasava has done injustice to the tribal community to which he belongs. He should understand using such language will not get him any support as long as he does not give an account of what he did for the tribals," Doshi said. Gujarat Congress in charge Rajiv Satav said, "This is the BJP's style of functioning, but the people of Gujarat have decided that it will stand with the Congress." Chief Minister Rupani too disapproved of Vasava's remarks and urged him to show restraint. "In the election, in the heated environment, one should show restraint. Words should be used with firmness, but one should not use unsavoury personal language," Rupani told reporters in Rajkot. IMAGE: Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale speaks during a media briefing in New Delhi. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale starts his two-day visit to China on Sunday during which he will hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as both countries grapple with a host of issues, including Beijing's continuous attempts to block efforts to list Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Masood Azhar as a 'global terrorist'. Gokhale will be visiting China for regular consultations, the Indian Embassy in Beijing said on Saturday. He is due to meet China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on April 22. His schedule here is being worked out, it said. The visit of Gokhale, previously India's Ambassador to China before he took over as foreign secretary last year, is taking place amid close engagement between India and China following the February 14 Pulawama terror attack carried out by a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist in which 41 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed. Following the suicide attack, the United States, the United Kingdom and France moved a proposal under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based Azhar as a 'global terrorist'. China stalled it for the fourth time by putting a technical hold on the resolution, a move India termed as disappointing. China, while saying that the matter moved towards settlement, firmly opposed the issue to be taken up by the UNSC and instead wanted it to be resolved by the UN's 1267 committee on counter terrorism. Beijing also accused the US of attempting to scuttle the resolution of the issue by taking it to the UNSC. China considers Pakistan as an "all-weather friend" and has given Islamabad billions of dollars in aid to support its ailing economy. Gokhale's visit also coincides with China holding its biggest international event the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) to showcase its trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in which the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a flagship project. India has protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). While India is expected to skip the BRF meeting being held here from April 25-27, informed sources said there was no invitation from China to the leadership of India or at the Ministerial level to attend event. Asked whether India would attend the event Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri told state-run Global Times last month 'above all, connectivity initiatives must be pursued in a manner that respects sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity of nations'. 'No country can participate in an initiative that ignores its core concerns on sovereignty and territorial integrity'. Wang told the media here on Friday that 37 heads of state government and representatives from 150 countries and international organisations had confirmed their participation for the event. Wang also said the differences over the BRI would not come in the way of the development of India-China relations and Beijing is preparing for a Wuhan-style summit meeting this year. Asked if India's opposition to the BRI would undermine the new momentum generated by last year's informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wang said the two leaders had a very successful meeting at Wuhan last year. "Particularly they have established mutual trust between the leadership and they jointly planned for the future of improvement and strengthening of China-India relations. "After the Wuhan summit, we see all areas or progress between the two countries and we have bright prospect for this relationship. We are now preparing for the next summit of our leaders," he said without specifying any time line. He also urged India to reconsider its stand on the BRI economic project, saying it had nothing to do with sovereignty issues. "One of our differences is how to look at the BRI. The Indian side has their concerns. "We understand that and that is why we have stated clearly on many occasions that the BRI including the CPEC is only an economic initiative and it does not target any third country and has nothing to do with the sovereign and territorial disputes left from history between any two countries," he said. IMAGE: Chief Justice of India Justice Ranjan Gogoi offers prayers at the hill temple of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala in Tirupati on Friday. Photograph: PTI Photo Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Saturday said that 'reputation' is the only thing which a judge has and if it will be attacked on baseless allegations of sexual harassment, no 'sane person' will come forward to take up judgeship. "If such things will happen then no judge is going to decide matters. He (judge) will say why should I decide. Then I will come (in the court) and simply adjourn the cases. Why will any sane person want to become a judge? Reputation is the only thing which a judge has," the CJI said. Justice Gogoi was speaking during a specially convened hearing on Saturday in the Supreme Court where he heard the matter along with Justices Arun Mishra and Sanjiv Khanna. The CJI said that after being a judge for around two decades, he had a bank balance of Rs 6.80 lakh. "I have a bank balance of Rs 6.80 lakh. There is Rs 21.80 lakh in my bank account out of which Rs 15 lakh has been given by my daughter for the repair of my house at Guwahati. "I have around Rs 40 lakh in provident fund. These are my total assets," he said. "When I had become a judge, I had much more," he said, adding, "Nobody can catch me on money. People have to find something and they have found this". "If judges have to work under these conditions then, I have always said in my public meetings, that good people will not come forward to take up the job. My peon has got more money than me," he said. The CJI alleged that the woman has a criminal record and two first information reports were lodged against her. When she was employed with the apex court, an FIR was pending against her, Justice Gogoi said. "How can she become a Supreme Court staff when an FIR was pending against her," the CJI said, adding that two criminal cases were also pending against her husband. A third FIR was registered against her following which she was arrested, he said, adding that after getting bail, she threatened the complainant of the third case with dire consequences. He said the woman was in jail for four days because of her criminal record and she was warned by the police a couple of times to maintain good behaviour. "I felt that this should be told from the highest seat of judiciary," he said, adding, "Independence of judiciary is under very, very serious threat. It is pathetic". The CJI said that police has moved a trial court in New Delhi seeking cancellation of the bail granted to the woman and the matter was listed for hearing before a lower court Saturday itself. Attorney General K K Venugopal told the court that earlier also two such instances had come into light, one against a former apex court judge and other against a senior advocate, and in these cases the media was asked not to publish anything. "The CJI's today's statement should get the widest publicity as possible," he said. Venugopal said the law contemplated that name of either the complainant or the respondent should not be published in such cases but the news portals, which have carried out the allegations, have 'brazenly published' it. He also said that being the attorney general, he was being attacked by a lawyer for defending the government in a case. "The lawyer said they were disappointed with the court's order... What was he insinuating?" Venugopal said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that it 'appears to be a sheer blackmail technique' and there was a need to conduct probe against the 'unscrupulous lady'. "In a probe, we can find a similar pattern. News was published within an hour," Mehta said, adding, "Such rubbish has been published". To this, the CJI said, "The responsibility of holding this special sitting is mine being the CJI. I have taken this unusual and extraordinary step because things have gone too far. The judiciary cannot be made a scapegoat." During the hearing, Justice Mishra said that there was concern about independence of judiciary as people have faith in the judicial system of the country. Justice Sanjiv Khanna said that judges have to decide the cases and they cannot be put under such kind of strain. "The employee was dismissed from service following proper procedure. Suddenly they have woken up and levelled such allegations," Justice Khanna said. At the fag end of hearing, the solicitor general told the bench, "Please register an appropriate proceedings in my name." To this, the CJI said, "Leave it to the media to exercise restrain and act responsibly. Whatever further judicial orders are required to be passed, we will see later". During the hearing, the CJI also said that every employee in the apex court is treated fairly and decently. Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: A soldier stops vehicles on Jammu-Srinagar highway earlier this month. Under public pressure, the Jammu and Kashmir governor administration on Saturday partially relaxed the two-day-a-week restrictions on the movement of civilian traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway which were put in place to facilitate movement of security forces' convoys. On April 7, the administration had imposed the restrictions on the national highway (NH-44) connecting Jammu to Srinagar, days after the Pulwama attack that killed 41 Central Reserve Police Force personnel. The restrictions barred civilian traffic from plying on the highway on Wednesdays and Sundays from 4 am to 5 pm till May 31. The move had attracted widespread condemnation, especially in the Valley with some politicians terming the ban as 'Tughlaqi Farmaan' (dictatorial order). "The restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on national highway-44 would now be limited only to Sundays with effect from April 22. There would be no prohibition on civilian traffic on Wednesdays," an official spokesman said in Jammu. However, he said the restrictions would continue between Srinagar and Udhampur on NH-44 as earlier. He said the administration is monitoring the convoy needs of security forces on a real time basis and making all attempts to minimise public inconvenience. "For example, no restrictions were imposed on April 17, although it was a convoy day (Wednesday) as there was no need for movement of security forces' convoys," the spokesman said. "The government has once again reviewed the requirement of security forces, particularly in the light of successful conduct of elections in Baramulla and Jammu (Lok Sabha constituencies) on April 11 and Srinagar and Udhampur on April 18. "As the requirement of security forces is now reducing as they are de-inducted, the government has decided to partially relax the restrictions," he said. The spokesman said the situation would be reviewed periodically and relaxation would be made as the need for restriction reduces. He said the restrictions on civilian movement on the highway were imposed to ensure adequate security to the movement of security forces' convoys while at the same time minimising public inconvenience. "There has been a large movement of security forces on an unprecedented scale after the Pulwama terror attack. These forces were required both for anti-militancy operations and for conducting general elections peacefully. "To facilitate unhindered and secure movement of security forces' convoys, the government had imposed a prohibition on civilian traffic on the highway from Baramulla to Udhampur twice a week -- Sunday and Wednesday -- from 4 am to 5 pm," the spokesman said. He said although this was only for 15 per cent of the total time in a week, the government was also keen to minimise inconvenience to the public. Elaborate arrangements were made by the local administration to facilitate the movement of public during the period of restriction like provision of travel passes for covering various emergencies, including medical emergencies, school buses, students appearing in examinations, government employees on duty, hospital staff on duty, passengers travelling by air, political persons needing to campaign, he said. Besides, over 100 executive magistrates were deployed to ensure smooth movement of security forces' convoys and also facilitate civilian movement, the spokesman said. He said additional arrangements at the local level have been made to facilitate public movement. Even on the days of restrictions -- Sunday and Wednesday between Srinagar and Udhampur and on Sunday between Baramulla and Srinagar, the local administration would continue to facilitate movement of civilian traffic as has been happening in the last two weeks, the spokesman said. Further, he said, the local administration and police would examine the possibility of allowing public transport of the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) to ply during the period of restriction on the highway even on convoy days. A complete review of restrictions on the highway would be done after the last phase of elections on May 6 to examine the need for continuing with them, he said. "The purpose of these restrictions is in the larger interest of security of everyone," the spokesman said. He appealed to the people to extend full cooperation in the smooth regulation of traffic. He said the government is alive to the needs of the people and inconvenience caused to them while being cognisant of the needs of the security forces. "The restrictions strike a balance between the two. The restrictions will be reviewed on a real time basis and modifications will be made as necessary in the coming days," he said. Houstonic River Job Network to meet ORANGE The Houstonic River Job Network will meet at 7 p.m. April 25 at Case Memorial Library, 176 Tyler City Road. Guest speaker will be Cindy Torres, site lead of the Veterans & Allies Group and manager of National Franchise Accounts for Indeed, and the Indeed team, and the topic will be Indeed.com: One Search, All Jobs. Information will include using Indeed for job searches, company information, insider tips and more. For information, email alexy56@hotmail.com. Orange Business and Community Expo set WEST HAVEN The Orange Economic Development Corporation will hold the 17th annual Orange Business and Community Expo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 5 at the University of New Haven, 300 Boston Post Road. The Expo is free and open to the public. All activities are free with the exception of One-on-One Speed Networking, moderated by Rob Thomas of Rob Thomas CT; cost for that event is $15 per person and includes goodie bag, refreshments and raffle entry. Exhibitor space is available at $300 for an 8-foot booth, which includes pipe and drape, covered table and two chairs. All vendors business information is listed in the event program; business marketing materials included in Event Welcome Bags; company name listed in OrangeLife Magazine; an entry into the Vendor/Sponsor appreciation raffle; and exhibitor lanyards. Booths with electricity are available for an additional $100, with limited availability. Registration for a booth is available online at OrangeEDC.com/events_activities. For businesses unable to attend the expo, company marketing materials can be included in the Event Welcome Bags for $75; ads also can be placed in the event program. For information, call the Orange Economic Development Corporation at 203-891-1045 or visit OrangeEDC.com/events_acivities. Scholarships available for musculoskeletal care-related education The Orthopaedic Specialty Group Education Foundation is offering six $2,500 scholarships to New Haven and Fairfield county residents pursuing post-secondary training (four-year or advanced degree) in a musculoskeletal care-related field, according to a release. The scholarships will be applied to tuition and educational expenses, it said. The foundation was established in 2009 to foster humanitarian outreach and education related to musculoskeletal care at home and abroad, the release said. To apply, visit www.osgpc.com and look under OSG Education Foundation for details. Submission deadline is May 17. HARTFORD Flag Day, June 14, is the deadline to submit orders for the next set of walkway pavers to be placed at the Connecticut State Veterans Memorial. The granite memorial is in Hartfords Minuteman Park on Capitol Ave. and Broad St., across from the William A. ONeill State Armory and the Legislative Office Building. The outdoor memorial is openaround the clock, 7 days a week. Each paver costs $200 and can be engraved with the name of a U.S. veteran, with his or her rank, branch of the military, and the specific years of service and conflict, if desired. Towns/cities can also purchase pavers with their town/city name engraved in honor of those who have served or serve within the town/city. All 6 x 12 pavers will be engraved in upper case block letter-style in three lines of 15 characters per line, including spaces. All verbiage will be approved by the Connecticut State Veterans Memorial, Inc. For a 6 x 12 walkway paver order form, visit the memorials website, www.CTHonorsVets.org or call 860-616-3603 and ask for Tammy Marzik. The next order of pavers will be sent for personalized engraving and will be placed in time for 2019s Veterans Day on Nov. 11. Connecticuts first statewide veterans memorial pays tribute to the states past heroes and heroines, honors todays veterans, and demonstrates the appreciation for their service for generations to come. It is a welcoming place for personal reflection, as well as a gathering place where groups can honor Connecticut veterans for their commitment and sacrifices. Hundreds of 6 x 12 granite engraved pavers are important elements of the memorial, offering state residents a meaningful way to honor or memorialize a special veteran, and the funds raised have supported the memorials development. They are placed along walkways that run from the Legislative Office Building to the center of the Memorial plaza, and on to the Broad Street side of the memorial. The Connecticut State Veterans Memorial officially was opened on November 9, 2015 by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. It features a granite colonnade structure consisting of five columns representing each branch of military service as the memorials main focal point. A semi-circular granite Honor wall with Honoring Those Who Served engraving acts as the memorials framing element. The memorial highlights various conflicts with engraved granite markers throughout the plaza. In addition to the paver walkway, there are benches, specialty lighting, and custom landscaping. The Connecticut State Veterans Memorial, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that was established exclusively to raise funds for and build a statewide memorial to honor all Connecticut veterans. A dedicated committee of veterans and volunteers have coordinated this landmark effort and thank the hundreds of Connecticut residents and businesses who have supported this project so far. Visit www.CTHonorsVets.org To obtain a form to order a 6 x 12 engraved walkway paver and get more information about the Memorial, visit www.CTHonorsVets.org or call 860-616-3603. State Police accepting applications MERIDEN The Connecticut State Police is now accepting applications for the position of State Police Trooper Trainee. The Connecticut State Police is interested in qualified candidates, to become part of a proud department with a long history of service to the State of Connecticut. Interested candidates can fill out an application by going to www.jobapscloud.com/CT, and a link will be posted to www.beaconnecticuttrooper.com. Those interested can visit www.beaconnecticuttrooper.com and follow on Instagram: @ctstatepolice_academy or Facebook @CTStatePoliceRecruitment for additional information about the selection process, qualifications and hiring process updates. Parks and Rec holding babysitting classes TORRINGTON Torrington Parks and Recreation Department is holding two Babysitting classes in May. Babysitter Safety 101 will take place on May 4, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. This class is for future babysitters, ages 10-15, and will be held at the Torrington Armory. Instructed by Life Safe Services, this course will enable 10-15 year olds to safely watch over babies and younger children. The Torrington Parks and Recreation Department is holding a Babysitter Safety 102 Class on May 4, 1:30-4:30 p.m. This course is designed for the older sitter, 12 to 16+ years of age that has previously attended an introductory class with a sincere interest in advanced concepts and skills of First Aid including CPR certification. There is a minimum of 10 participants required to run each class and a maximum of 15 will be accepted. The fee for each class is $63. Register in advance at the Parks and Recreation Department located at 153 South Main Street. Call 860-489-2274 for more information. Dog training classes offered Torrington Parks & Recreation is offering dog training classes. Therapy Dog Course will run on Saturdays, June 1-July 13, with no class on June 8, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Coe Memorial Park. From working with children who need help learning to read, to visiting Senior Citizens living in assisted living communitie, sharing the love and affection of your dog improves the lives of others in so many more ways than we can begin to comprehend. Basic Obedience II class is a prerequisite for this course or other training methods and level has been evaluated and considered comparable. This class is $300 per session and is open to dogs 1 year or old. To register, stop by the Parks and Recreation Department or log on at https://torringtonct.myrec.com. For more information, call 860-489-2274. This picture shows the construction site where a North Korean construction worker in Vladivostok Russia committed suicide in 2016. A North Korean worker in Russia has committed suicide at a construction site in Vladivostok last week, driven by excessive pressure to hand over a large cut of his earnings to the regime, RFAs Korean Service has learned. North Korean workers sent abroad are exploited by the regime of Kim Jong Un as sources of foreign cash. For the privilege of working and living abroad they must give a large offering to the North Korean government. An ethnic Korean source in Russia told RFA that the apparent suicide occurred on April 8, when the worker jumped off a tall building his company was building in the city. [The worker] was in his late thirties. He had been dispatched to Russia four years ago by an Office No. 39-affiliated External Construction Guidance Bureau, said the source. Office No. 39 is the colloquial name of Central Committee Bureau 39 of the Workers' Party of Korea, which according to a 2010 New York Times article, is a shadowy party organization which raises hard currency to buy fine liquor, exotic food and luxury cars for cronies of North Koreas [leadership]. Due to the authorities mandates for individual offerings and because high-ranking officials from [the workers] company had continually exploited him, he was unable to save any money despite working diligently for the past four years, the source said. This made him despondent, [causing him to] jump off the 12-storey building on the construction site, the source added. The individual offerings that North Korean workers abroad must make are not insignificantA CNN report from January 2018 cited U.S. diplomats as saying that up to 80% of overseas workers earnings are funneled back to Pyongyang. For the construction worker in Vladivostok, making ends meet, let alone saving any money at all was likely a struggle under these terms. [Construction workers] have to make monthly offerings of 50,000 rubles, which is about $800, the source said. But construction is largely seasonal work, meaning employment is not steady throughout the year. They usually fall behind on their offerings during the winter season because there arent enough projects for them to find [stable] work, the source said, adding, They have to take care of the outstanding balance somehow in the spring, so that means working 14 or 16-hour days. But the source also explained that in addition to their offering to the government, the workers must make offerings on top of that to fund Pyongyangs high-priority tourist construction projects that the government has been touting as the economic revitalization of the country. They have to make extra offerings for things like the Samjiyon, Wonsan-Kalma, and capital construction projects on top of their regular offering. Even after all that they still have to pay for rent, utilities and food, so theres no money left for cigarettes or daily necessities, not even for soap, the source said. Meanwhile, they have to bribe their company president and other high-ranking officials to keep working in Russia. So how can they save money? The worker who killed himself was only able to save about over the four years, the source said. Another source, from Vladivostok, said mounting financial frustration appeared to drive the man to suicide. He wanted to make money, but it wasnt easy. He wanted to return home, but he lost hope because there was nothing left for him after toiling for four years, the source said. People are heartbroken because he was wearing shabby work clothes and ripped shoes. A few days [before the suicide], he called in sick but the president of the company forced him to pay 50 rubles [80 cents] as a penalty for taking the day off. People who knew [the worker] are full of anger, the source said. The source said that suicides by North Korean construction workers has recently become a common occurrence, especially in winter, when they are more likely to fall behind on their offering payments. The excessive burden from the national offering is a problem, but exploitation by the officials of the companies [they work for] is an even bigger problem, the source said. Workers who cant withstand [the stress and pressure] attempt to escape or try to kill themselves, said the source. Russias Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on the suicide when contacted by RFA on Friday, saying that the incident was not within the ministrys jurisdiction. In June 2016, RFAs Korean Service reported on the harsh conditions endured by North Korean workers overseas, saying that on average seven workers were killed per month since January 2015. That report detailed an incident similar to last weeks suicide in which a North Korean construction worker in Vladivostok doused himself with flammable liquids, lit himself on fire, jumped off the side of the building and hung himself. Russian police said that suicide was due to intensive labor and economic difficulties. The export of North Korean labor was banned under a December 2017 UN Security Council unanimous vote to approve sanctions on North Korea aimed at depriving the Kim Jong Un regime of $500 million per year on the wages of an estimated 93,000 North Koreans working overseas. The sanctions, aimed at depriving North Korea of cash to fund its prohibited nuclear weapons and missile programs, called for a freeze on new work permits, and would require host countries to send North Korean workers back by the end of 2019. Many countries in Europe and Africa reportedly complied early. According to CNN, in January 2018 an estimated 50,000 North Koreans were working in Russia many in construction in what the U.S. Department of State called slave-like labor. Russia voted to approve the 2017 U.N. sanctions, but CNN quoted a Moscow-based Asia-Pacific expert as saying that these were approved grudgingly, and only after they were made as toothless as possible. Reported by Jieun Kim for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. KABUL -- At least seven people have been killed after gunmen attacked the Communications Ministry in the center of the Afghan capital , officials say. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack that opened shortly before midday with an explosion at the entrance of the ministry in a busy commercial area of the city, followed up by gunfire. Police chief General Sayed Mohammad Roshandil said a bomber blew himself up outside the ministry, clearing the way for the other attackers to enter the building and the heavily guarded government compound in central Kabul. Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told RFE/RL said four civilians and three soldiers were killed during the attack, which lasted several hours. Eight civilians were wounded, he said. Health officials say the wounded people -- three of them women -- were transferred to hospitals. Rahimi said the security operation ended at the ministry "after all four attackers were shot and killed by Afghan security forces." He said the building was sealed off and all roads near the attack site were blocked by security forces. Police shot and killed four other militants before they could reach their target of the nearby central post office, Rahimi added. The official said some 2,700 government employees and civilians were rescued by security forces after being stuck in several government buildings. President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack, saying in a statement that the enemies of the nation were trying to create terror among the people by targeting civil servants. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on social media his group was not involved in the attack. The explosion was also close to the heavily fortified Serena Hotel, one of the very few hotels still used by foreign visitors, in one of the main commercial areas of the city. The attack comes after peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban in Qatar were canceled. The talks, which had been scheduled for April 19, were considered a significant first step toward finding a negotiated end to the war in Afghanistan and the eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops. It also comes the week after the Taliban announced its annual spring offensive. The militants now control or influence about half the country, and last year was the deadliest yet for civilians. Both Taliban insurgents and the Islamic State group are active in eastern Afghanistan and have previously claimed attacks in Kabul. With reporting by Reuters, AP, Tolo News, and AFP Gunmen attacked the Communications Ministry shortly before midday in the center of the Afghan capital on April 20, officials told RFE/RL. The police said a bomber blew himself up outside the ministry, clearing the way for the other attackers to enter the building and the heavily guarded government compound in central Kabul. People were evacuated from buildings around the scene of the attack that no group immediately claimed responsibility for. Imagine an election campaign run among candidates who aren't politicians. Macedonians can. As an April 21 presidential vote approaches, the race between three candidates, all academics and none career politicians, has been dominated by debate on issues such as integration into Western structures. In a country where previous election campaigns have been marked by violence, dirty tricks, and sharp nationalist rhetoric, Macedonians appear happy to be choosing candidates based on their opinions, not leaked wiretapped recordings, accusations of electoral fraud, or rumors on social media. Those candidates are Stevo Pendarovski, the country's coordinator for NATO accession, who is backed by the ruling Social Democrats; conservative university professor Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, the country's first female candidate; and Blerim Reka, a long-shot candidate and former ambassador to the EU who is backed by two smaller ethnic Albanian parties. All three signed a code for fair and democratic elections before the start of the campaign, signaling a new page in the country's election history. "It's high time that we have the opportunity to choose a person who will be consistent at a time when we are about change in the new era we live in," says Ibrahim Hazimi from the capital, Skopje. Heading Westward On the heels of its historic agreement with Greece to change its name to North Macedonia and end a decades-long dispute that had blocked the Balkan state's path to NATO and the EU, the election is unlikely to see the country change course. North Macedonia signed an accession protocol with NATO in February and the government of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has named EU membership as its main foreign-policy goal. Though the office has limited powers, the president has the final signature on legislation and is the leader of the army. Outgoing President Gjorge Ivanov has kept the name issue alive during the final months of his five-year term by refusing to sign laws that contain the name North Macedonia, including some that are critical to enacting reforms sought by the EU. Pendarovski, a 55-year-old former political-science professor, has strongly supported the so-called Prespa deal signed with Greece last year to change the country's name, while Siljanovska-Davkova has been critical of it, though the opposition has said it will not cancel the accord. "My vote will be guided by the candidate who offers a perspective on the future and who will guide us through the doors now opening," Skopje resident Gligor Stojmenov says. Overcoming Disappointment Opinion polls show that candidate may be Pendarovski, who lost to Ivanov in the last presidential ballot in 2014. A survey conducted by the Rating agency between April 8 and April 14 put him in the lead with 38.3 percent, five percentage points ahead of the 64-year-old Siljanovska-Davkova and almost 36 points in front of Reka. If no candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote, the two candidates with the most ballots will enter a runoff on May 5 where turnout must be at least 40 percent of the 1.8 million-strong electorate for the result to be valid. "A large number of citizens are disappointed in general with politics, and have been exhausted by political battles and electoral processes the past few years," Marko Trosanovski of the Institute for Democracy says. "It will be extremely difficult to get out and motivate those who are undecided and those who are disappointed." Once a part of Yugoslavia, North Macedonia left Belgrade's umbrella when it seceded peacefully in 1991. But it veered close to civil war in 2001 when ethnic Albanians launched an armed insurgency seeking greater autonomy, and subsequent elections have been stormy. Florian Bieber, a professor of Southeast European studies at the University of Graz in Austria, agrees with Trosanovski on the critical importance of turnout, especially given that there are no concurrent local or parliamentary elections being held. "While the level of polarization between government and opposition is high, the candidates are less confrontational," he tells RFE/RL. "With the name dispute resolved, the main polarizing issue over of the past year is also not much of a topic.... The main worry is that turnout will become an issue, considering the required turnout for the election to be valid." Thousands of antigovernment protesters have gathered in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, a day after populist President Aleksandar Vucic held a mass rally in an apparent bid to counter months of demonstrations against him. Protesters marched through downtown Belgrade on April 20, demanding more democracy and media freedom in the Balkan country. The rally ended in front of the Serbian state TV headquarters. Critics say Vucic has overseen a dilution of democratic freedoms and imposed an autocracy on Serbia. Vucic denies the allegations. Anti-Vucic rallies began in December 2018 after leftist opposition leader Borko Stefanovic was brutally beaten up by masked attackers. Vucic later mocked the demonstrations, saying he wouldn't fulfill the demands "even if 5 million of you come out." Since then, government opponents have rallied every Saturday under the slogan "1 Out Of 5 Million." Vucic told supporters at the April 19 rally that political disputes should be solved through elections. He warned that "no one must think" of coming to power through "violence," although the weekly opposition protests have been largely peaceful. Long a nationalist, Vucic has attempted to remake himself as a pro-EU reformer while seeking to maintain good relations with traditional ally Russia. With reporting by AP At least 11 people have been killed and some 30 others injured in a bus crash in southern Kazakhstan, on a route used by Central Asian migrants to travel to Russia, the Kazakh Interior Ministry says. The accident occurred on the Almaty-Tashkent highway in the Kordai district of the southern province of Zhambyl in the early morning of April 20, the ministry said. Authorities say there were Kazakh and Uzbek citizens among the victims. Interim President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said he has sent a telegram to the president of Uzbekistan. Toqaev added that "the situation on our roads is alarming, as I said at a meeting at the Interior Ministry. I instructed the government to take urgent measures." Ambulances, rescue teams, police, and other officials were dispatched to the scene, local media reported. Police have launched an investigation. The route is widely used by Uzbek, Tajik, and other Central Asian migrant workers to travel to and from Russia, where millions of Central Asians are engaged in seasonal jobs in construction sites, factories, and farms. In January 2018, 52 Uzbek citizens were killed when a bus carrying the migrant workers caught fire on a highway in Kazakhstan's northwestern Aqtobe region. Investigators said the cause of the fire was an open flame on a portable gas cooker that was being used for heat inside the vehicle. Survivors of that accident were quoted as saying that the bus didnt have a functioning heater and the passengers were using the device to warm themselves. With reporting by Tengrinews.kz, RFE/RLs Kazakh Service, and dpa Parliamentary officials from Iraqs neighbors, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, expressed support for Baghdads efforts to rebuild following the government's recapture of territory from Islamic State (IS) militants after a bloody four-year battle. A statement issued after a conference in Baghdad on April 20 said that heads of parliaments in the neighboring countries emphasize backing for Iraqs stability, its territorial integrity, and social unity after it achieved its big victory [over IS]. "The stability of Iraq is necessary for the stability of the region," said the statement, which was also signed by attendees from Jordan, Kuwait, Turkey, and Syria. The attendees also rejected "interference" in Baghdads internal affairs, although most have political and economic interests in Iraq. Shi'ite Iran has wielded influence in Iraq since dictator Saddam Hussein's ouster following a 2003 U.S.-led invasion, and it backs powerful Shi'ite militias in the country. Iraq has attempted to balance relations with Iran and the United States, which considers Tehran a supporter of malign activities in the Middle East. Washington, which provides Baghdad with financial and military support, has imposed financial sanctions on Iran, although it has given Baghdad waivers to continue to do business with Tehran. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has attempted to enhance his countrys role as a regional mediator by bringing together archrivals Iran and Sunni-led Saudi Arabia. Abdul Mahdi recently visited the two countries that have long battled for influence in the Middle East. Many of Iraq's leaders, from its Shi'ite majority, have close ties with Iran, the main Shi'ite power in the Middle East. Iraqi government forces, supported by U.S. air power, drove IS fighters from nearly all of the territory that extremists captured in 2014. Shi'ite militias also played a role in driving out the militants. With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, and dpa Kosovo police chief Rashit Qalaj told a news conference in Pristina on April 20 that 32 women and 74 children, including nine who lost their parents in the conflict in Syria, were among the returnees, all of whom are now being held in a detention center for foreigners. Justice Minister Abelard Tahiri said the authorities had worked for months to secure the return of the 110 Kosovo citizens from Syria, adding that the operation was carried out in coordination with the United States. Since 2012, some 400 citizens of Muslim-majority Kosovo have gone to Syria and Iraq to fight on the side of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group. Pakistan has urged Iran to take action against terrorist groups believed to be behind the killing of 14 soldiers earlier this week. "We hope that Iran will take visible action," Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said during an April 20 press conference. Qureshi said 15 gunmen wearing military uniforms ambushed a bus in southwestern Balochistan Province on April 18, killing 14 Pakistani Army personnel. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in a letter to the Iranian government that the assailants came from an alliance of three Baluch terrorist organizations based in Iran. The announcement came a day before Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Iran. Qureshi told reporters that the planned two-day visit, beginning on April 21, was intact and that Khan would take up the matter with Iranian authorities. Qureshi said he spoke to his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, on April 20 to share the initial findings of a Pakistani probe into the killing of security personnel with him. There was no immediate reaction from Tehran. Earlier this year, Iran called on Pakistan to take action against a militant group behind a deadly attack on the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Twenty-seven IRGC members were killed in the February suicide car bombing near the border with Pakistan. The Sunni Muslim extremist group Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack in southeastern Iran. Based on reporting by AP, dpa, and AFP KYIV -- Ukrainians are voting in a second-round presidential election that could seal the political fate of incumbent President Petro Poroshenko. Polls showed Poroshenko's rival, 41-year-old comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy, with a substantial lead as campaigning wound down. A survey released on April 18 by the Reiting research group found that 57.9 percent of voters say they will definitely vote to support Zelenskiy, with 21.7 percent saying they plan to vote for Poroshenko. Zelenskiy, who has run his campaign mostly on social media and has largely avoided substantial policy discussions, has benefited from Ukraine's slumping economy, endemic corruption, and fatigue over Kyiv's five-year-long war against Russia-backed separatists in parts of eastern Ukraine. "I'm not a politician," Zelenskiy said during a sometimes-heated debate between the two candidates at Kyiv's Olimpiyskiy Stadium on April 19. "I'm just an ordinary person who has come to break the system." As he cast his ballot, Zelenskiy said his wife, who accompanied him to the polling station, had put him in a good mood ahead of time by playing a song by American rapper Eminem, although he couldn't remember the song. Zelenskiy told reporters after voting at a polling station in Kyiv that he will hold a press briefing after the results are announced. "Today will be a victory for Ukrainians, a victory for Ukraine...We have united Ukraine," he said. Asked by RFE/RL what would be the first issues he would take on if elected president, he answered, "The war and corruption." For his part, Poroshenko, 53, has tried to play up Zelenskiy's lack of experience, saying he would be unable to stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "You'd be a weak head of state," Poroshenko told his rival at the April 19 debate, "who would be unable to defend himself from Putin's blows. I don't believe [Zelenskiy] dreams of surrendering Ukraine, of dragging Ukraine back into the Russian Empire, but Putin has such a dream." Speaking after casting his ballot, Poroshenko said, "It's important to be guided by reason, not laughs," adding that "it could be funny first, but pain may come later." He emphasized the need to "defend achievements over the past five years," noting the creation of Ukraine's own independent Orthodox Church, which he championed. "For Ukraine, this [election] is a decisive choice," he continued, adding that a vote for Zelenskiy could mean "the return of Ukraine back to the influence of the Russian Empire." Outside the Maritime Academy where Zelenskiy cast his vote, Kateryna Chala, the founder of an IT company who was joined by her three children, told RFE/RL in English that she had voted for Poroshenko. At the same time, Chala admitted that Poroshenko had made mistakes during his presidency, but said he had ultimately put Ukraine on a Westward path she hopes will eventually lead to membership in the EU and NATO. "We have a lot of problems...like the high price for gas, [high] prices in our shops...I understand it's not possible to create a miracle and fix everything in just one day," she said. Zelenskiy won the first round of the election on March 31, picking up 30 percent. Poroshenko polled 16 percent to come in second. Zelenskiy has said he supports Ukraine's eventual membership in NATO but only if it is approved by a referendum. He has insisted that Russia must return the Black Sea region of Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014, and pay reparations. He has called for direct talks with Russia over the conflict in eastern Ukraine. In the past, Moscow has rejected such proposals, claiming the conflict which has claimed more than 13,000 lives -- is an internal matter for Ukraine and urging Kyiv to negotiate with representatives of the Moscow-backed separatist formations. The International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled in November 2016 that the war in eastern Ukraine is "an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation." At a Kyiv campaign rally on April 18, Poroshenko warned the country it would be "very risky to experiment with the post of president and commander in chief" at this time. He asked voters to give him a second five-year term. "I once again ask you to forgive me," Poroshenko said. "What did not work out is what hurts the most." Poroshenko's supporters give him credit for strengthening the depleted military that he inherited from pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled the country in 2014 amid massive protests. He also signed an Association Agreement with the European Union and secured visa-free travel for Ukrainians to the EU. He also pushed successfully for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to recognize the Orthodox Church of Ukraine as independent of the Moscow Patriarchate. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Q: What does Palm Sunday mean? -- P.E. A: A great crowd of people gathered in the city of Jerusalem and welcomed Jesus, proclaiming, Hosanna! They spread palm branches before Him and praised His name, Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord (Luke 19:37-38). In less than a weeks time, many of these same people were shouting, Crucify Him! They were disappointed that Jesus had not done what they thought He would do -- establish His kingdom on earth, overthrowing Rome and its power over the people. Advertisement When Rome was at the height of her glory and power, there appeared a disturbing sect called Christians. After Jesus had been crucified and resurrected, He commanded His disciples to go into the world and proclaim the Good News of the kingdom to come. Until that time, Christians would be persecuted. The Roman high tribunal initiated a drive to stamp out Christianity as a disturber of pagan unity. The Romans had a false notion that a persons conscience could be controlled by law, so they made it illegal to be different. All must bow to Caesar. All must conform to pagan custom. All must behave like true Romans. Times have changed, but human nature hasnt. The world is still trying to put its stamp of conformity on every follower of Jesus Christ. Every possible pressure is being brought to bear upon Christians to make them conform to the standards of the present world. In spite of pressures to conform to the world, may we be people who will hold Gods standard high. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). Let us conform to His standard and reflect His image without compromise. (This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.) (c)2019 BILLY GRAHAM LITERARY TRUST DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. It was by chance that Ezugo Ononye found himself on the Sage Hill School campus in Newport Beach the same weekend as a womens empowerment summit in April last year. After finishing work on a project, he happened upon GEMFest, a celebration of young women that encourages the pursuit of entrepreneurial interests, and noticed how much fun everyone was having there and the positive impact it had on students. He decided to join the Girls Empowerment Movement chapter on campus to try to make a difference for the young women in his community. He eventually turned his attention to his male peers. Advertisement Ezugo, a Sage Hill junior, continues to serve on the Newport Coast private high schools GEM team in web development and as a financial co-manager. But he founded Boys Against Rape Culture in November to take on a larger conversation about rape culture and the male role in it. The term emerged from the feminist movement in the 1970s and is loosely defined as an atmosphere in which societies tend to trivialize or dismiss violence against women or blame them for it. A lot of people dont look to men as allies to the [feminist] cause, Ezugo said. It shouldnt be unusual to have a guy talk about problems that were perpetuating in our society. So, I felt that by starting BARC and working with GEM, I can show there are a lot of male allies to the feminist cause. He said the club is a space for boys to talk about topics that normally would be considered taboo. He knows the conversation can be uncomfortable, but thats necessary, he said. Meetings typically feature experts invited from UC Irvine and elsewhere in the community to speak to groups of about 10 to 15 students about rape culture. Previous topics of the meetings, held every other month, focused on sexual harassment in the workplace and at school, consent and healthy relationships. The Institute for Womens Policy Research reported in late 2018 that up to 80% of women experience workplace sexual harassment. Members of Sage Hill Schools Girls Empowerment Movement (GEM) club work for womens empowerment. Ezugo Ononye, top right, is a member of GEM and founder of Boys Against Rape Culture. (Ezugo Ononye) According to the National Womens Law Center, nearly 1 in 5 undergraduate women experience sexual violence or attempted assaults in college, and about 31% of females age 14 to 18 are victims of sexual violence or assault. Feminist movements such as #MeToo and the Womens March have gained traction in recent years. I think men should be very involved with conversations about rape culture, Ezugo said. I dont think they should overpower women and take away from their stories, but I feel that men should have conversations and talk about these situations and give their view on them. Leslie Frankel, a Sage Hill junior and member of BARC, agreed. It is not only women who should be promoting their fellow women, she wrote in an email. If men help women in their path to womens rights, it is a larger support group that is advocating for action. She said she feels safer on and off campus because of BARC, knowing she has male classmates who support the safety of their female peers. She added that the organization has empowered her to speak on behalf of her friends who might not have the courage to do so themselves. For BARC member Zachary Decker, also a junior at Sage Hill, the club was an entry to a deeper understanding of womens struggles. Since joining, he said, he has come to face and understand the movement and his place in helping the cause. A large part of the problem with the rape culture today is the stigma around bringing it up to talk about, Zachary said. I think it was great of [Ezugo] to take the first step in starting the conversation, and Im sure it will inspire others to do the same. Ezugo said his club and GEM are considering a collaborative event where students could talk about the feminist movement. I feel that men are largely one of the causes of perpetuating rape culture and that the media covers the men that [cause harm], not the men that are helping, Ezugo said. I wanted our Sage Hill community to be highlighted as helping with the #MeToo movement and feminism altogether. lilly.nguyen@latimes.com I was seven months pregnant when a woman in a childrens toy store stopped me while I was browsing a few books. I know what you have, she said very loudly looking at my legs that were bandaged up to my knees in seven layers of gauze and blue medical boots on my feet. You just had a bunionectomy. By this point, I was used to the gaping stares and people randomly telling me how sorry they were or asking what had happened. Even the few children who had inquired about my situation had been more polite than this. My mind raged with the I cant imagine why you would think a pregnant woman would have elective surgery retort. Advertisement Instead, I told her, Actually, I have lymphedema. Confused, she quickly displayed what I like to call the lympha-what face. So I tried to explain. Ive found moments like this are best used for educational purposes. Most people, unless theyve had breast cancer, havent heard of lymphedema. I had no idea until I was diagnosed. I was five months pregnant. Writer Dawn Reiss was diagnosed with lymphedema when she was five months pregnant with her son. (Dawn Reiss) The lymphatic system is an important ghostlike network of protein-rich fluid that helps release toxins in the body. It is essential to ones immune system. It is the cleanup garbage crew of vessels and nodes, like toilet plumbing that helps you flush everything out of the body. The disease wont kill you; it is just extremely painful, and there isnt a cure. Its like having a throbbing migraine in your legs that gets progressively worse as the day continues while fluid drains into your limbs. People can get it anywhere in their body. Our skin is our biggest organ. When things get messed up, it usually is the first to shows signs. My legs were filling up like water balloons full of toxic waste, and my body had no way to release it. A lot of other people are suffering too. An estimated 10 million Americans have lymphedema, according to the Lymphatic Education and Research Network, and Stanford University Medical Center. Thats more than the combined number of people who have multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, ALS, Parkinsons disease and AIDS in the U.S. Congress has a chance to do something about this right now. The Lymphedema Treatment Act, led by Democratic U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston, would require insurance companies to pay for much-needed compression garments. This proposed legislation has been reintroduced in Congress more times than I care to count. It has bipartisan support, but it keeps languishing. I really hope this time will be different. Lymphedema is a disease that is diagnosed through eliminating other potential causes, like a blood clot or heart problems. The initial physician who saw me prescribed diuretics for the swelling in my legs. I later learned that is one of the worst things you can do because it doesnt help with the inflammation and can exacerbate the problem. Unfortunately, as NorthShore Medical Groups Dr. Joseph Feldman told me, the way we treat this disease hasnt changed in 40 years. Its archaic at best. Its wearing expensive compression socks that can cost $70-$250 a pair during the day. Its sleeping in oven mitt-like puffy up-to-my-knees boots at night. Its also using a lymphatic drainage pump that encases my foot, leg and stomach like a mummy covered in brown Velcro straps and pliable fabric. One treatment takes an hour, and Im supposed to do it daily. I lie flat on the bed. I usually get cold and sleepy as the lymph fluid is pumped up through my heart and into working lymph nodes to flush out the toxins. Once finished, I immediately feel alert, refreshed. For me, the pump and night garments make a huge difference, but each device costs $3,000-$5,000, depending on insurance. Im one of the lucky ones. My insurance covered some of the cost, and I was quickly diagnosed in less than a year. Those who are on Medicaid arent so lucky. Many treatments arent covered, which is why federal legislation is so important. Without these essential garments, the disease can progressively get worse and spread, compounding in stages if unmanaged. Many people with lymphedema are breast cancer patients who get this disease secondarily after their lymph nodes are removed during a mastectomy. It happened to actress Kathy Bates, who has said dealing with lymphedema was almost worse than having cancer. About 10 percent of us have primary lymphedema, which is hereditary and associated with more than 40 rare diseases. When I was pregnant, I had to make a difficult decision: immediately enter intensive hospital treatment or wait until after the baby was born. Without any medical studies to guide me, I listened to my gut and decided to be proactive. I was the first pregnant patient of Jennifer Kamieniak, a lymphedema specialist at Illinois Masonic Hospital in Chicago. Each session began with manual lymphatic drainage, a type of light touch massage. She was careful not to rub my belly, but every time she worked, the baby moved. Hes happy, I told her. He seemed calmer after every treatment. After moving the lymph fluid out of my body, she wrapped my legs and feet in layers of foam and gauze to contain the swelling. I always felt better. Unfortunately patients with lymphedema are much more likely to get cellulitis, a skin infection that can kill you. After my son was born, I got cellulitis for the first time in my C-section incision. It spread like wildfire. In less than a day, I had a footlong burning rash in my incision. Even a small shaving cut is now something I have to worry about because Im more prone to infection. Within hours, a bug bite or bee sting can send me to the hospital with cellulitis. Its not something an EpiPen or Benadryl can help. Along with antibiotics, an emergency room doctor realized, Pepcid because its a histamine H2-receptor blocker that decreases inflammation makes a difference even though I dont have acid reflux. A series of severe reactions to bee stings prompted me to do genetic testing at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. They told me I was the first to get tested for lymphedema, which later revealed two genetic mutations of uncertain significance. I now must wait until science catches up to technology. What I have learned on this journey, I already knew as a journalist. I never stopped asking questions, and I switched doctors when I wasnt getting the help I needed. Dawn Reiss is a freelancer. After cancer diagnosis, Oak Park man surprises U. of C. with treasure trove of rare books New texting service aims to get black women in Chicago answers to their pregnancy questions Jay Cutler unclogged Kristin Cavallaris blocked milk duct by sucking. We asked lactation consultants if thats even possible. The Great Synagogue of Warsaw, which was destroyed by German forces during World War II, made a brief reappearance as an apparition of light during commemorations for the Ghetto Uprising of 1943. Light was projected Thursday night onto the modern glass building in the place where the synagogue used to stand. For two hours, a grand building fronted by classical Greek-style columns was returned virtually to a city where most traces of a large prewar Jewish community have vanished. Archival recordings of the synagogues cantor, Gerszon Sirota, revived the sounds of Jewish Warsaw. Sirota died in the ghetto. The light-and-sound show was the work of Polish multimedia artist Gabi von Seltmann, who wants Polish society to remember the large Jewish community that was once an integral part of a multicultural country. The event was organized by Open Republic, a group that fights anti-Semitism. Awaking memory in Poland to me also means to teach empathy, because when there is empathy there is no fear anymore, Von Seltmann said. Advertisement The synagogue re-creation happened for the second year as part of commemorations for the anniversary of the uprising Friday. This year it took place the night before so as not to interfere with the Jewish Sabbath and the holiday of Passover beginning Friday evening. On Friday, sirens wailed in the city, and people placed yellow daffodils at memorial sites in the former ghetto. Von Seltmanns grandfather was a Polish school director killed at Auschwitz along with many other members of the Polish intelligentsia. Her husband, whose last name she has taken, is the grandson of one of the SS officers who inflicted atrocities on occupied Poland. The couple have written and spoken publicly about their own love story, framing it as a story of generational reconciliation. If we dont work on memory we will put it on the shoulders of the next generations. They will have problems. Their children will have problems, Von Seltmann said. The Great Synagogue was opened in 1878 as a place of worship for followers of moderate Reform Judaism, with Polish not Hebrew the language of services. The use of choral and organ music marked another break from Orthodox tradition. It was the largest synagogue in a city where a third of the population was Jewish. The Warsaw Ghetto uprising broke out April 19, 1943, when about 750 young Jewish fighters armed with just pistols and fuel bottles attacked a much larger, heavily armed German force that was liquidating the ghetto, meaning sending its inhabitants to the Treblinka death camp. In their last testaments, the fighters said they knew they were doomed but wanted to die at a time and place of their own choosing. They held out nearly a month, longer than some German-invaded countries did. The Germans razed the Warsaw Ghetto and killed most of the fighters, except for a few dozen who managed to escape through sewage canals to the Aryan side of the city. They blew up the Great Synagogue in a symbolic victory gesture. To this day, the Jewish revolt endures as a powerful symbol of resistance central to Israeli national identity. Its Holy Week, and on the U.S.-Mexico border thats an especially busy time for trade, tourism and shopping. April is also the height of Mexican produce season, and just south of the border in Texas, lines of idling tractor trailers stretched for miles waiting to enter the United States. This year, the traffic jams at the border crossings are especially bad, because the federal government has reassigned 750 staff from their usual duties at ports of entry and inland checkpoints to help deal with large numbers of Central American immigrant families who have been showing up at the border to claim asylum. Through March of this year, a total of 189,584 people traveling in families sought asylum at the southern border a 374% increase compared with the same period last year. Advertisement According to Border Patrol policy, all those migrants must be taken to holding areas to be processed interviewed, fed and screened for medical issues. The agents were reassigned this month after President Trump declared a national emergency. Now communities along the border are starting to feel the consequences. On Thursday, three Texas congressmen held a briefing at the Laredo port the countrys second largest by volume after Los Angeles to call for the return of customs agents. They said they had been contacting Border Patrol officials for weeks, offered suggestions to alleviate delays, and received assurances the agency would address the problem. Customs officers staff 328 ports of entry on the southern border. Many of the crossings include multiple booths and several lanes of traffic. Some cater exclusively to commercial traffic. They are a catalyst for economic development in the Rio Grande Valley, said Rep. Filemon Vela, who represents part of the region. Our communities need immediate relief from the extended wait times at border crossings. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, who also represents the valley, said the Trump administration appeared to be ignoring local feedback. It is inexcusable that the concerns, questions and ideas of local officials, business owners, and citizens have fallen on deaf ears, Gonzalez said. The ports arent the only problem. U.S. Customs and Border Protection runs about 170 inland checkpoints, concentrated in the zone 100 miles north of the border. At the checkpoints, Border Patrol agents with drug- and people-sniffing dogs stop and at times search vehicles, questioning drivers. The Border Patrol has long stressed the significance of checkpoints in catching smugglers of people and narcotics and publicizing major busts and programs like Operation Big Rig, created to target tractor trailer smuggling. Some El Paso area checkpoints are notorious for drug seizures, like Sierra Blanca, dubbed Checkpoint of the Stars by Texas Monthly for busting tour buses of celebrities including Willie Nelson and Snoop Dogg. Last month, Border Patrol officials closed checkpoints in southeastern New Mexico and West Texas, and redirected staff to process migrant families. Vehicles that would have been stopped and inspected now flow north freely. In southern New Mexicos Otero County, commissioners voted to demand that the governor deploy National Guard troops to reopen the checkpoints and declared a state of emergency Thursday. If this demand is not met by the state of New Mexico in one weeks time, the County of Otero will take action itself to provide security and safety and well-being for the people in this county, said Couy Griffin, who leads the county commission. Griffin said county officials might also sue the state for failing to follow its constitutional duties. Gov. Michele Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, refused to reopen the checkpoints. In February, she had pulled remaining National Guard troops, deployed last year by her predecessor, Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. If Otero County officials are unhappy that a federal checkpoint has been un-manned, so to speak, their concerns would have the best chance of being addressed if registered with the federal agency that made the decision to shift that personnel elsewhere, said Tripp Stelnicki, a spokesman for the governors office. Along many parts of the border, checkpoint closures are rare, usually occurring only before storms and other hazardous weather. In Texas Rio Grande Valley the borders busiest smuggling corridor checkpoints close only to allow people to flee during disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan, a former Border Patrol commissioner who took over last week after Kirstjen Nielsens ouster, said this week that processing migrant families remained a crisis. He did not indicate that checkpoints would reopen anytime soon. Its clear that all of our resources are being stretched thin, he said after a visit to Border Patrol migrant holding areas in McAllen, Texas. The system is full, and we are beyond capacity. And so as Easter approaches, cars remain snarled in border traffic, some Mexican shoppers are planning fewer trips north, and workers and students who travel daily between Mexico and the United States worry about arriving on time for their shifts or final exams. When a Minneapolis police officer shot and killed an unarmed woman who approached his squad car after calling 911, it was catastrophic. But was it murder? Prosecutors have given jurors hearing the case against Mohamed Noor multiple options: second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The jury will ultimately decide whether any of the counts fit what happened the night of July 15, 2017, when Noor fatally shot Justine Ruszczyk Damond just minutes after the dual citizen of the U.S. and Australia had phoned in a report of a possible sexual assault behind her home. As Noors trial prepares to enter its third week, defense attorneys not connected to the case see a larger and commonly used strategy to overcharge the case in a way that could make it easy for jurors to convict on the lesser manslaughter count. Juries like to be King Solomon, said Earl Gray, an attorney on the team that successfully defended former Minnesota officer Jeronimo Yanez against a manslaughter charge in the 2016 shooting death of Philando Castile during a traffic stop. They want to split the baby and give each side half. Advertisement Prosecution is like hunting, said another defense attorney, Marsh Halberg, who has been sitting in on some of the key testimony. You throw a lot of pellets up in the air and you dont care which one brings down the bird. Obviously you would always like to get [a conviction on] the highest charge, but you want to leave at the end of the day with some conviction. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman was under intense community pressure and international scrutiny as he decided whether to charge Noor in Damonds death, which had led to a police chiefs resignation. Freeman let slip in an unguarded moment captured on video in December 2017 that he didnt have enough evidence at that point to charge Noor, saying investigators havent done their job. When Freeman finally filed charges in March 2018, he said the evidence clearly fit the legal definitions of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. But Noors legal team and other local defense attorneys said the third-degree murder charge was an overreach. Prosecutors added the second-degree murder charge late last year. The presumptive sentences vary from four years for the manslaughter charge to 12 years for third-degree murder to 25 years for second-degree murder. Neither Halberg nor Gray thinks the jury is likely to convict Noor of third-degree murder, because the state statute requires jurors to find that someone acted with a depraved mind, without regard for human life, a term so ill-defined and potentially confusing that prosecutors rarely use the charge. In Noors case, the prosecutions proposed jury instructions specifically avoid the term, and call it instead an act eminently dangerous to others and performed without regard for human life ... committed in a reckless or wanton manner with the knowledge that someone may be killed and with a heedless disregard of that happening. The defenses proposed instructions do use the term depraved mind. Judge Kathryn Quaintance has yet to rule. Halberg was in court Thursday for testimony from Noors partner, Officer Matthew Harrity, and viewed Harritys body camera video as it was shown to the jury. Besides the heartache of seeing Damond dying on camera, Halberg said he was touched by the humaneness of the two officers. They held her up and lowered her to the ground. Noor is doing chest compressions and they were yelling encouragement to her. The care they showed her really flies in the face of the depraved mind argument, he said. Under Minnesota law, second-degree murder involves intentionally causing the death of another person, without premeditation. Second-degree manslaughter requires a finding that the defendant acted with culpable negligence in taking the chance of causing death or great bodily harm. Halberg said it will be hard overcoming the defense that Noors team has invoked that police can legally shoot if they have a reasonable fear that theyre in danger. Noors attorneys have argued that he heard a loud noise and feared an ambush. But prosecutors say there is no evidence of any threat to justify deadly force. But some of the circumstances Noor was in the passenger seat and fired his gun across Harrity through the drivers-side window in a dark alley may give the jury reasons to find him guilty of manslaughter, Halberg said. Thats the charge that would fit the case, Gray said. A strong storm system barreling through the South on Friday killed an 8-year-old girl in Florida and threatened to bring tornadoes to large parts of the Carolinas and southern Virginia. A tree fell onto a house in Woodville, Fla., south of Tallahassee, killing the girl and injuring a 12-year-old boy, according to the Leon County Sheriffs Office. The office said in a statement that the girl died at a hospital and the boy suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Their names werent immediately released. The same storm system was blamed for the deaths a day earlier of two Mississippi drivers and a woman in Alabama. The threat on Friday shifted farther east, where tornado warnings covered parts of northeast Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. Advertisement The national Storm Prediction Center said 9.7 million people in the Carolinas and Virginia were at a moderate risk of severe weather. Its a region that includes the Charlotte, N.C., metro area. Torrential downpours, large hail and a few tornadoes were among the hazards, the National Weather Service in Raleigh, N.C., warned. Radar readings appeared to show a tornado formed in the western Virginia county of Franklin south of Roanoke, though damage on the ground still must be assessed, said National Weather Service meteorologist Phil Hysell. In South Carolina, authorities urged motorists to avoid part of Interstate 26 the main artery from upstate through Columbia and all the way to Charleston because downed trees had left the roadway scattered with debris. In Georgia, the storm system knocked down trees, caused flooding and cut off power to tens of thousands of residents. A tree came down on an apartment complex in an Atlanta suburb, but only one person reported a minor injury and was treated at the scene, Gwinnett County fire spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In Forsyth County northeast of Atlanta, three firefighters suffered minor injuries when their firetruck overturned during heavy rain and wind, Fire Department Division Chief Jason Shivers told the newspaper. National Weather Service forecasters said they believed the storm system generated multiple tornadoes in southwest and central Mississippi on Thursday, although they wont be sure until the damage is surveyed. Heavy winds also were reported in Louisiana earlier in the day and in central Alabama as the system quickly pushed eastward. Damage from the storm system was reported in at least 24 of Mississippis 82 counties. An heiress pleaded guilty on Friday in a sensational case accusing a cult-like upstate New York group of creating a secret harem of sex slaves for the groups self-anointed spiritual leader. Clare Bronfman admitted in her plea in federal court in Brooklyn that she harbored someone who was living in the U.S. illegally for unpaid labor and services and that she committed credit card fraud on behalf of Keith Raniere, the lead of a group called NXIVM. Bronfman - the 40-year-old daughter of the late billionaire philanthropist and former Seagram chairman Edgar Bronfman Sr. - told the judge that she had wanted to help people through NXIVM but ended up dishonoring her family. Your honor, I was afforded a great gift by my grandfather and father, Bronfman said. With the gift, comes immense privilege and more importantly, tremendous responsibility. It does not come with an ability to break the law. Advertisement She added: For this, I am truly sorry. As part of a plea agreement, Bronfman agreed to forfeit $6 million. She faces up to 27 months in prison at sentencing on July 25. The plea means Bronfman will avoid going to trial early next month with Raniere, whos facing conspiracy charges alleging that his inner circle of loyalists created a secret society of women who were forced to have unwanted sex with him. Prosecutors say some of the women were branded with his initials as part of their initiation. Three other co-defendants, including TV actress Allison Mack, have also pleaded guilty. Mack is best known for her role as a young Supermans close friend on the series Smallville. Bronfman had long been affiliated with NXIVM, giving away tens of million of dollars of her fortune to bankroll Raniere and his program of intense self-improvement classes. She also paid for lawyers to defend the group against a lawsuit brought by its critics. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. President Donald Trump and his team love to deride unfavorable stories as fake news, but its clear from Robert Muellers report that the special counsel isnt buying it. While there are a few exceptions, Muellers investigation repeatedly supports news reporting that was done on the Russia probe over the last two years and details several instances where the president and his team sought to mislead the public. The media looks a lot stronger today than it did before the release of this report, Kyle Pope, editor of the Columbia Journalism Review, said Friday. Trumps supporters believe that Muellers determination that there was not enough evidence to show that the president or his team worked with the Russians to influence the 2016 election delegitimizes the attention given to the story. Advertisement Fox News Channels Laura Ingraham message to the news media: You owe us an apology. But the news stories were, for the great part, accurate. For instance, Muellers report shows The New York Times and The Washington Post were correct when they reported in January 2018 that Trump ordered White House counsel Don McGahn to make sure Mueller was fired, and that McGahn decided to resign rather than carry that out. When the Times first reported the story, Trump described it as fake news, folks, fake news. The Mueller report also showed that Trump directed a series of aides to ask McGahn to publicly deny the story, and ultimately asked himself, too. McGahn refused, saying the story was accurate, the report found. In a July 2017 story, the Times reported that the president personally wrote a statement in which he falsely said that an election year meeting between some Russians and his son, Donald Jr., was about the adoption of Russian children, rather than about obtaining potentially damaging information on Hillary Clintons campaign. Trumps counsel repeatedly responded that the president had no role in writing the statement, yet months later testified under oath to investigators that Trump had dictated it. Muellers report also backed up the newspapers stories, which the administration denied at the time, that Trump demanded loyalty from then-FBI Director James Comey at a private dinner, and that Trump had asked Comey to end an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. The Mueller report confirmed again and again that stories in The New York Times for the past two years were the opposite of fake news, said Elisabeth Bumiller, the papers Washington bureau chief. They were meticulously reported, carefully sourced and accurate stories that told readers what was really going on at the White House. Washington Post columnist David Ignatius reported before Trumps inauguration that Flynn had talked to Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak about sanctions placed on Russia by the outgoing Obama administration. Mueller said that Trump put out word that he wanted Flynn to kill the story, and that Flynn ordered aide K.T. McFarland to deny it to the Post, although she knew she was providing false information. Others in the administration, including Vice President Mike Pence, also denied it. Flynn resigned when the truth became evident. Trump repeatedly said during the 2016 campaign that he had no business dealings in Russia when, even as he uttered the words, his company was seeking to build a Trump Towers office building in Moscow. When Trumps lawyer, Michael Cohen, privately pointed out that the denial was untrue, the future president said why mention it if it is not a deal? the report said. Mueller also determined that a statement by White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders that Comey had been unpopular with rank-and-file members of his agency was not founded on anything. Sanders said on ABC Friday that her statement was a slip of the tongue. Mueller, however, did shoot down a BuzzFeed News report that Trump had directed Cohen to lie to Congress about the timing of the Moscow project. Mueller said that while it appeared Trump knew Cohen was lying to Congress, the evidence available to us does not establish that the president directed or aided Cohens false testimony. BuzzFeed News editor-in-chief Ben Smith said the organizations sources, who were federal law enforcement officials, interpreted the evidence Cohen presented as meaning that the president directed Cohen to lie. We now know that Mueller did not. Smith said BuzzFeed will continue to pursue the story through Freedom of Information requests and in court. Mueller also contradicted a McClatchy news service story alleging that Cohen had traveled to Prague, in the Czech Republic, in summer 2016 to meet with Russians involved in the effort to influence the election. Muellers report said that Cohen had not gone to Prague. McClatchy attached an editors note to its story reporting Muellers conclusion but adding that his report is silent on whether the investigators received evidence that Mr. Cohens phone pinged in an area near Prague, as McClatchy reported. CJRs Pope said so many of the stories surrounding Trump had been made foggy by denials and fake news claims over the past two years. He said he was surprised so much of Muellers report backed up journalists, although its too soon to tell whether the findings will influence two very divided political camps. I think it casts the coverage of him in a much different light, he said. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A prosecutor refused to approve criminal charges Friday against Pittsburghs mayor and six City Council members over the passage of firearms restrictions that gun rights advocates say are blatant and deliberate violations of state law. Seven city residents tried to file private criminal complaints against Democratic Mayor Bill Peduto, who signed the legislation into law this week, and council members who voted to approve the bills. The complaints charge the mayor and council with official oppression and other counts. Pennsylvania law allows citizens to file criminal charges, subject to approval by the district attorney. The office of Democratic Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. refused to accept the residents complaints Friday, saying prosecutors would not weigh criminal charges against the mayor and council until the new gun laws begin to take effect in about two months and someone is cited for violating them. We will consider a private complaint if somebody is aggrieved by the law, Zappalas spokesman, Mike Manko, told the residents Friday. Advertisement Why do I have to be arrested? Why do I have to fall on a sword? Now, I have a criminal record, replied Tony Golembiewski, one of the residents who tried to file charges. The gun restrictions were passed after a mass shooting at Pittsburghs Tree of Life Synagogue that killed 11 worshippers. Gun rights advocates are suing to get the laws overturned, noting Pennsylvania law forbids municipalities from regulating the ownership or possession of firearms and ammunition. Courts have thrown out previous municipal attempts at regulation. The Pittsburgh legislation restricts military-style assault weapons like the AR-15 rifle authorities say was used in the synagogue attack. It also bans most uses of armor-piercing ammunition and high-capacity magazines, and allows the temporary seizure of guns from people who are determined to be a danger to themselves or others. Zappala warned the council in January that it didnt have legal authority to pass gun control legislation and predicted his office would be confronted with residents demanding criminal charges against council members who approved such a law. The council passed a watered-down version of the original bills by a 6-3 vote. In signing them, Peduto said that change only happens when you challenge the status quo. In a statement, the residents said that Peduto and Council knew the illegality of their actions, yet pressed forward with them anyway. Pedutos spokesman declined to comment Friday. The residents may appeal Zappalas decision in court. They said Friday that no decision had been made. Residents accused the district attorney of moving the goal posts on the timing of their complaints, contending he had previously implied that council passage and the mayors signature on the new gun restrictions would be enough to consider their case. We figured that was the proper trigger, said Val Finnell, a gun rights advocate helping the residents with their complaints. Hes actually expecting someone to violate the law. This is a travesty of justice. Not so, said Manko, the district attorneys spokesman. We are not encouraging anyone to sacrifice themselves to authorities, he said. ___ Rubinkam reported from northeastern Pennsylvania. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 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. . , - . , . . , . , 1000 , ... As governments, civilians, and everyone in between look for ways to limit greenhouse emissions, help may be on the way in the form of satellites. A series of satellites launched by various organizations have one purpose-to identify and pinpoint greenhouse emissions. Countries, corporations, and individual facilities can all be tracked by these space-bound spies-some of which are in orbit already. As one example, the Environmental Defense Fund will launch its MethaneSAT in 2021. The satellite will only focus on methane emissions, making it quicker and less expensive to launch, but it will be able to hone in on those emissions with "exacting precision." EDF Senior VP Mark Brownstein said. "Space-based technologies are allowing us for the first time to quickly and cheaply measure greenhouse gases. Often times, both government and industry are not fully aware of the magnitude of the opportunity to cut emissions. With that data, they can take action." GHGSat launched its first satellite in 2016, and is preparing to launch another into service this spring or summer. The company's first satellite observes oil & gas facilities, thermal and hydroelectric power stations, coal mines, landfills, animal feedlots, and natural sources. GHGSat expects "an order-of-magnitude performance improvement" from its soon-to-be-launched satellite. What is a company's major concern? Of course, making money. And how do companies benefit from studies or observations such as these? Well, its rather simple actually. Leaks constitute energy that could otherwise be sold. Therefore, if a company can pinpoint a large loss of energy, they can then repair it, or at least minimize the leakage and in turn make more money. Basic science really. International Energy Agency chief energy modeler Laura Cozzi stated that oil and gas firms can cut 40 to 50 percent of methane emissions with no net cost, the equivalent "of shutting two-thirds of the coal-fired generation in Asia." We've also seen another wave recently-investors putting pressure on companies to reduce their emissions, with some divesting in fossil fuels, and companies making more public decisions related to these concerns. These satellites give them a powerful tool to monitor exactly what's going on, and to react accordingly. If they can identify a methane leak like California's 2015 Aliso Canyon gas leak, which released around 100,000 tons of methane before it was fixed, their potential is clear. Pressure from both sides-public and private-will determine how globally effective these satellites will be. The technology seems strong enough to deliver new, actionable insights, and it's a promising way to fight emissions and hold corporations accountable. And if it's ever paired with carbon pricing, it becomes even more impactful. Adam Shafi is a free man now, after 40 months in jail, six months of house arrest with his family in Fremont, and two attempts by federal prosecutors to imprison him as a terrorist. Prosecutors presented evidence that Shafi had expressed support for a terrorist organization before he was arrested in June 2015, at age 22, after buying a plane ticket from San Francisco to Turkey, allegedly to head from there to the al Qaeda affiliates domain in Syria. But it wasnt enough for a conviction in the face of testimony about the young mans conflicting feelings and disturbed mental state a federal court jury, in fact, deadlocked 8-4 in September in favor of acquittal. And after Shafi avoided a retrial by pleading guilty to bank fraud for cashing a bogus $2,200 check to finance his trip, prosecutors sought a 10-year sentence for his alleged terrorist plans, but the judge said they had failed to prove any such intentions. Shafis case was an example of the difficulties the legal system has experienced, particularly in recent years, with cases of alleged post-9/11 terrorism. While Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the accused architect of the World Trade Center attack, still awaits a military court trial at Guantanamo Bay, prosecutors around the country, with mixed success, have relied on informants and undercover agents to charge numerous defendants, mostly young Muslims, with providing material support to terrorist groups. Theres definitely a different climate in these cases, said attorney Dennis Riordan, who recently won a preliminary ruling to overturn the convictions of a Lodi man who has spent 13 years in prison for supporting terrorists by allegedly training with them in his familys homeland of Pakistan. There will be cases where they have people buying guns or having explosives, and corroboration of intent is crystal clear, Riordan said. But when theyre basing their cases just on statements or actions ... theyve got a problem. I think in the wake of 9/11, that problem would be often overcome by the very fear of what had occurred. But you have people on juries now who have no memory of 9/11. Shafis terrorism prosecution feels like a little bit overreaching, said Rory Little, a law professor at UC Hastings in San Francisco and a former federal prosecutor and Justice Department attorney. The change in climate didnt help another Bay Area man, Amer Sinan Alhaggagi of Oakland. Alhaggagi, 23, pleaded guilty last July to attempting to provide material support to terrorists after telling an undercover FBI agent, posing as an Islamic State sympathizer, that he was planning a series of Bay Area attacks that would kill 10,000 people. His lawyers called him a troll who shouldnt be taken seriously, but U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer sentenced him to more than 15 years in prison in February. Riordans client, Hamid Hayat, was convicted based largely on his videotaped statement to FBI agents in 2005 that he had attended the training camp, after an FBI informant recorded conversations in which he praised fundamentalist Islamic groups. Hayat, who was living in Lodi, said the agents coerced him into the statement after a daylong interrogation, and evidence later emerged that the camp had closed before Hayat supposedly attended it. A federal magistrate ruled in January that Hayats inexperienced trial lawyer had failed to call witnesses who might have cleared him. The Justice Department has asked a federal judge in Sacramento to reject the magistrates ruling and reaffirm Hayats 24-year sentence. The evidence against Shafi was less direct but still substantial, starting with his disappearance during a family trip to Egypt in 2014, when he was 21, followed by a text message that he had gone to protect Muslims. After returning home, he was seen leading his younger brothers in what a judge described as paramilitary-style training exercises. The FBI then began wiretapping his phone calls. In one 2015 call, Shafi praised the al-Nusra Front, an al Qaeda affiliate classified by the U.S. as a terrorist group based in Syria. In another call, he asked, How can I meet Allah when my face has no scars on it? In yet another call, he told a friend that he wanted to kill some, like, fricking people that were, uh, like supporting America. He was arrested at the San Francisco airport weeks later and charged with attempting to provide material support to al-Nusra. Justice Department lawyers said Shafis previous statements and actions showed that his intent was to realize his dream traveling to Syria to fight and defend Muslims, even if that meant dying there as a martyr. Although Shafi never joined a terrorist group, his case has many hallmarks of terrorism cases mobilization, attempted travel, secrecy, and lies, the government lawyers told U.S. District Judge William Orrick III. They said he remains a danger to the community both domestically and abroad. 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. But his lawyers portrayed Shafi as a confused and frightened young man whose actions, including some violent and offensive comments, reflected an intent to harm himself but not others. When he first saw a televised interview with the leader of al-Nusra in June 2015, Shafi felt that he had found a group that was doing things the right way in Syria. But that enamor quickly faded away, his lawyers said in a court filing. A few days later, they said, he told a friend he wanted to go to the desert, and he soon started saying that he would never be happy. A prosecution expert witness said Shafi had shown agreement with al-Nusra and a willingness to follow its orders, but the defense offered its own terrorism expert. Marc Sageman, a forensic psychiatrist and former CIA officer, told jurors he believed the young man only wanted to share the suffering of people he identified with. Namely, the victims in Syria. The jury in Orricks court deliberated for seven days before declaring they were hopelessly deadlocked. The judge then released Shafi to his parents custody, denying the prosecutions request to keep him in jail. And after his guilty plea to bank fraud in January, the judge said prosecutors had failed to prove Shafi had acted out of terrorist motives, and limited his sentence to the 40 months he had already served, plus six months of house arrest that ended this month. Adam has matured a lot, his parents, Sal and Seham Shafi, said in a letter to Orrick urging his release. A second chance for Adam will go a long way and will enable him to engage, succeed, and become a better person. Shafi sent his own letter to the judge apologizing for my disturbing comments and actions leading up to my arrest. Being away from my family allowed me to see the irresponsible, immature, and reckless manner with which I dealt with problems at home and in the world, he wrote. I now see the flaws of my past hopelessness and will now strive to use the life and opportunities given to me to make the world a better place. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko A bus line that dogged San Franciscos Muni for years is about to get a redo that officials hope will fix its abysmal record. Crawling through the Tenderloin at under 5 miles per hour, the 27-Bryant is among the slowest lines in the system. Transit officials say a few small changes could transform the line, which winds from Nob Hill down a warren of busy streets before cutting across SoMa and into the Mission. It carries 6,700 passengers a day and is late more than half the time, stopping at nearly every block in the northern portion of the route. Its a really congested area with a lot of turns and a lot of people double parking, said acting Muni chief Julie Kirschbaum. She and other staff described the bus as a burden for residents who depend on mass transit, in a neighborhood that already suffers from high poverty. This week, San Franciscos main transit board approved a plan to sharpen the route, cutting out a couple turns, expanding bus zones and shaving 15 parking spaces. Muni will also paint crosswalks, extend sidewalk curbs and lengthen traffic signals along the three-mile stretch north of Market Street, which saw 241 injury collisions between 2013 and 2017. No change to the landscape is easy in San Francisco, particularly in an area as diverse as the Tenderloin, where homeless services are wedged against chic hotels. Staff from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency canvassed 500 riders and 80 merchants before creating the plan, and not everyone embraced the final product. Some business owners opposed the removal of parking spaces, while others decried a proposal to move a bus stop from OFarrell Street to Jones Street, right around the corner. People sit and do crack and sell drugs at these bus stops, said Steve Edmondson, a concierge at the Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel near Union Square. He urged the city to shift the 27-Bryant stops closer to downtown, where theyre less likely to attract drug use. Still, many 27-Bryant riders welcome any effort to shorten their commutes. This is the slowest bus in the city and its getting worse, said Robert Boyd. He stood at the bus stop on OFarrell Street on a recent afternoon, clad in a blue zoot suit, two-toned shoes and bejeweled glasses. Three people smoked what appeared to be crack pipes at the nearby bus shelter. Other passengers described the bus as a lifeline, ferrying them to churches, schools, hospitals and senior centers. Mario Eslava, who rides daily from downtown to a homeless shelter on Fifth and Bryant streets, said hes become accustomed to sitting and waiting in traffic. But a faster commute wouldnt hurt. When the reroute begins this fall, the 27-Bryant could be a test case for Munis new social equity strategy. Three years ago the agency picked eight low-income neighborhoods in San Francisco where unreliable transportation becomes a barrier to economic mobility. Staff began devising a transportation plan for each, focusing on solutions that could be put to streets quickly Muni is struggling with a driver shortage, so adding more buses isnt an option, Kirschbaum said. She predicts the slightly streamlined route will create the illusion of a more robust fleet, by cutting down travel times north of Market Street from 45 minutes to 40. 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. As Tenderloin riders wait for relief, Muni is starting to make improvements in other long-neglected parts of the city, such as the Bayview district. Earlier this month the agency ended switchbacks on the T-Third line, a practice of turning trains around long before they reached the end of the line. It hurt riders in the outer neighborhoods of Bayview, Visitacion Valley and Sunnydale, who got marooned on the platform, halfway home. Though the agency is focusing on areas with low-income households and communities of color, Kirschbaum hopes to replicate these upgrades on other lines. Commuters in prosperous neighborhoods also complain about long waits. These issues are familiar to Rachel Hyden, head of the San Francisco Transit Riders Advocacy group. She applauds the 27-Bryant reliability project. Wed like to see these improvements everywhere, Hyden said. Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan Smokers passed cone-shaped joints, cradled glass pipes of all sizes and worked to keep blazing blunts alive amid strong winds on the grassy fields of Golden Gate Park as part of the annual 420 celebration at Hippie Hill. The San Francisco tradition has been an unofficial celebration of all things weed since the 1970s, but this is the second year since California legalized recreational cannabis use for adults in 2018. Thousands packed Robin Williams Meadow, many sprawled out on multicolored serapes and quilts, where friends and strangers shared hits from thick blunts and rapped along to 90s hip-hop blaring from the Wing Stop food truck on the grass. Smoke clouds dissipated just as quickly as bundled-up participants exhaled amid the heavy, cold winds. A staccato round of coughing fits could be heard in the crowd every now and again. People bobbed their heads and some rose to their feet to dance to the DJs eclectic mix of music by Tupac Shakur, Santana, E-40, Rick James and YG. Now Playing: Thousands packed Golden Gate Parks Hippie Hill on Saturday, April 20, 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. for what has become an annual tradition for pot enthusiasts, and the first officially sanctioned event since marijuana became legal in the state in 2018. Brandon Brooks, 25, balanced a joint between his lips while inviting people to pet his 6-foot-long Colombian red-tailed boa, which was wrapped around his neck. Im just here to socialize her and get stoned like everybody else, he said with a laugh, referring to the 6-year-old boa, Baby Girl. Its Baby Girls first time at the hill, but Ive been coming here since I was 13 years old. Sara Crispin, 24, of Hayward carried an instant camera to capture memories of people willing to hold the boa. She said that 420 is a San Francisco tradition that Bay Area locals have to keep up amid the changing demographics of the region. But this is one the benefits of being in a very forward-thinking city and state, she said. Sisters Erica Howard, 29, and Cassandra Zamora, 27, both from Fresno, laid out a serape on one of the few free patches of grass near the DJ stage for the festivities. The pair joined Zamoras husband and another friend on a nearly three-hour drive from Central California to San Francisco to experience the Bay Area tradition. Howard pulled out a clear baggie filled with baked goods that resembled Rice Krispie treats before pulling a cover over her eyes to shield them from the sun peeking through the clouds. Jana Asenbrennerova / Special to The Chronicle I bought some edibles from one of the many vendors located on that sidewalk over there, Howard said, gesturing to a line of men and women with backpacks filled with a variety of homemade baked goods, pre-rolled joints, blunts and cannabis-infused lollipops. Theyre tasty and the only kind of marijuana I consume. Her sister, Zamora, half-jokingly said she should have brought a medical mask so she wouldnt have to inhale the clouds of smoke surrounding her. 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. I just wanted to go for the cultural experience, to see what the hype was about, Zamora said. I havent smoked marijuana since high school, so Im not participating, but I feel a little bit already just by people smoking around me. The ad hoc holiday comes a month after San Franciscos Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance to create a permit allowing people to sell and consume cannabis legally at public events, such as 420 at Hippie Hill, Outside Lands and How Weird Street Faire, among others. The 420 event was not eligible for a temporary cannabis license, largely because of time constraints, said Tom Temprano, an aide to Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. Organizers would have had to acquire a temporary permit 60 days before the event and have a cannabis organizing license issued by the state. The 420 fest will be eligible next year, he said. Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: Lauren.Hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LaurenPorFavor State regulators are investigating an incident in which a Muni train door closed on a womans hand, causing her to tumble onto the tracks. The California Public Utilities Commission confirmed Friday that it is reviewing the mishap, putting pressure on Muni to fix two recent safety issues with its new Siemens railcars. With Muni in the process of upgrading its fleet, the incident is shaking public trust at a crucial moment. For months, the agency has struggled to improve service, stop major breakdowns and get more trains on the street. The woman, whose name has not been released, got caught in one of the rear doors of an N-Judah train she was trying to board at Embarcadero Station at about 2:30 p.m. on April 12. The woman was unable to extricate herself as the train departed from the station, and she ran along with it for several feet before pulling her hand from the door and then falling onto the tracks, said San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency spokesman Paul Rose. She was transported to San Francisco General Hospital in serious condition, said San Francisco Fire Department spokesman Jonathan Baxter. A source within Muni who was not authorized to speak on the record said the new Siemens trains use cameras instead of rearview mirrors, and the placement of the cameras leaves large blind spots that obstruct drivers view of certain doors. Most of the trains have a sensor in each doorway and on the outer flap of each door to detect objects, but only seven of them have an additional sensor in the door jamb. Its important to remind people not to stick their hand in the door right before it closes, Rose said. Not only can you delay the train, but you can also hurt yourself. Regardless, this was a terrible event, and we are doing a full investigation. Its sad because the agency was informed by operators and supervisors many times that the sensitive edges of the doors are not that sensitive, said Roger Marenco, president of the Transport Workers Union. He said hes aware of half a dozen incidents in the past six months in which passengers got caught in doors. Muni plans to have 68 new Siemens trains in service by this summer, and 25 to 35 are currently in service on any given day. Ultimately, the agency is replacing 151 Breda trains. This is obviously really horrific, said Rachel Hyden, head of the San Francisco Transit Riders advocacy group. We understand that Muni is under a lot of pressure from the city and from riders to get these vehicles into service, she added. But this is way too serious to rush a procurement. 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. Rose said the SFMTA, which runs Muni and other transit services throughout the city, is planning to install additional sensors on the rest of its new fleet, which has been dogged by other safety issues. Recently a shear pin broke on one of the couplers connecting two cars together on an N-Judah. Inspectors found a second broken shear pin on another train when they checked the rest of the fleet, Rose said. Out of an abundance of caution, we decided not to couple trains until we have an understanding of the failures, he said. Muni has reduced all the new Siemens trains to one car, and is running them on lines like the J-Church, which uses one-car trains. Rose said that all the Siemens cars passed several safety tests and have been certified by the state Public Utilities Commission. Even though they meet all the technical requirements and regulations, were always working to take advantage of technology development, he said. Were continuing to make improvements to the design. Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan If you missed it ... In a week when Pinterest nailed it, Zoom zoomed and Tiger Woods laid claim to the Iron Throne, this also happened: SoftBank, Toyota and Japanese automaker Denso said they will put $1 billion toward Ubers effort to develop autonomous cars. The deal values the unit at $7.25 billion, the company said. Toyota and Densos investment totals $667 million, while SoftBanks is $333 million. Amazon and Google agreed to end their nearly two-year spat and bring their video streaming apps to each others devices. Back in 2017, Google pulled YouTube from Amazons Fire TV after the shopping giant refused to sell some Google products. Amazon has since started to sell Googles gadgets. Amazon said that YouTube will appear on Amazons Fire TV devices and smart TVs in the coming months, but did not give an exact date. German prosecutors filed aggravated fraud charges against Martin Winterkorn, the former chief executive of Volkswagen who led the company when it deceived regulators about its vehicles diesel exhaust levels. The charges are the first criminal indictment in Germany against an individual in connection with the diesel scandal, which has cost Volkwagen tens of billions of dollars since it first came to light in 2015. The Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic nasal spray version of Narcan, a drug that reverses opioid overdoses. Its naloxone spray from Israels Teva Pharmaceuticals. More Information Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. For more items and links, subscribe to the Tech Chronicle newsletter at www.sfchronicle.com/newsletters. Twitter: @techchronicle Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. For more items and links, subscribe to the Tech Chronicle newsletter at www.sfchronicle.com/newsletters. Twitter: @techchronicle See More Collapse Sears Holdings Corp. sued its former chairman and largest shareholder, Eddie Lampert, alleging the billionaire stripped the company of more than $2 billion in assets. Sears, which also operates Kmart, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October amid years of huge losses and sales drops. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Comedian and actor Steve Martin is teaming up with New Yorker artist Harry Bliss on what theyre calling the ultimate cartoon book, being put out by Celadon Books. T-Mobile entered the mobile banking market with BankMobile, a division of Customers Bank, offering a checking account that consumers can manage on their smartphones. As the cost and risk of California wildfires grow, its getting harder for homeowners to get and keep insurance in fire-prone regions including the Sierra foothills, Tahoe and some parts of the Bay Area. Homeowners rejected by mainstream companies are turning in greater numbers to alternative carriers that provide less coverage, higher prices or both. These alternatives include the California Fair Plan, the insurer of last resort for homeowners and renters, and surplus lines carriers such as Lloyds of London, which are much less regulated than mainstream, or admitted, firms regulated by the California insurance department. Since 2016, both have seen a surge in business, which has accelerated this year in the wake of Novembers devastating Camp Fire. Last year, surplus lines carriers sold 49,370 homeowners policies in California with $122 million in annual premiums, both up nearly 60% from 2016, according to the Surplus Line Association of California. In the first three months of this year, they sold 19,389 policies with $52.6 million in premiums up 93% and 143%, respectively, from the same period last year. The Fair Plan sold 33,898 policies in brush/wildland areas last year, up 25% from 2016. The Fair Plan does not have numbers for this year, but in some counties at very high risk of wildfires, theyre running 300% ahead of last year, said Tammy Schwartz, its vice president for underwriting and operations. She cautioned that its numbers in those rural counties are coming from a very small base. The Fair Plan insures homeowners who cant get mainstream insurance for any reason. Overall, it sold 122,687 policies last year, mostly in urban areas. Three-quarters of its policies are in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The Fair Plan and surplus lines are still a very small part of the California homeowners insurance market; combined, they account for less than 2% of all policies sold. The Fair Plan is not a state agency, its an association of admitted carriers and backed by them. Its policies satisfy the insurance required by mortgage lenders, President Anneliese Jivan said. Its basic policy covers damage from fire, lightning, internal explosion and smoke. Homeowners can purchase additional coverage for windstorm, hail, vandalism and a few other perils. But if they want coverage for liability, theft and water/mold damage, they need to buy an additional wraparound or difference in conditions policy from another company. With insurance department approval, the Fair Plan raised its premiums by 20% on average April 1. However, those with the lowest wildfire risk will get a 10% to 30% rate cut while those with the highest risk scores will get increases up to 69%. Unlike admitted carriers, surplus lines dont have to get their rates approved and are not part of the California Guarantee Insurance Association, which pays claims when a member firm goes under. Merced Property & Casualty Company, a small company that failed after the Camp Fire, was a member of the Guarantee Association. When homeowners cant get coverage from an admitted carrier (they generally must have three rejections), their insurance agent typically turns to a broker who specializes in surplus lines. Tom Carvalho, an underwriting manager with Burns & Wilcox in San Francisco, is one of them. The 2017 and 2018 wildfires caused admitted and non-admitted carriers to reconsider their views on California, he said. Carriers are defining high brush or high risk areas broader and broader. Because surplus carriers dont have to file rate plans, they can be very quick to react. Two years ago, a surplus lines policy was pretty consistently 20% to 75% higher than a Fair Plan paired with a wraparound policy. Now, he said, the market is so in flux it could be four times as expensive, or it might 20%. Weve seen ripples, corrections and over-corrections as everyone is trying to figure it out. Stephanie Cannell, an independent insurance broker in Mill Valley, had a client in Mill Valley who paid $3,700 for $1.1 million worth of dwelling coverage from Lexington, a surplus lines carrier, last year. When Lexington declined to renew the policy, she got a quote from Lloyds of London for $7,157. Im asking if Lexington will reconsider, she said. Based on anecdotal evidence, Carvalho and others say homeowners in the Sierra foothills and Lake Tahoe area are having the most trouble getting and keeping insurance. But its also affecting parts of Napa, Sonoma and Marin counties; Lafayette-Moraga-Orinda or Lamorinda; the Berkeley-Oakland hills and Portola Valley/Woodside on the Peninsula. Regardless of its location, insurers evaluate each home individually based on factors such as prior losses, year built, age of wiring, type and age of the roof, slope, proximity to fire services, road access for fire engines and wildfire risk based on maps and possibly scores from risk-modeling companies such as Verisk, CoreLogic and Risk Management Solutions, said Janet Ruiz of the Insurance Information Institute, a trade group. Verisks risk score, called FireLine, rates individual addresses from zero (lowest) to 30. The three main factors that determine its scores are fuel to feed a fire, topography and access. The one that changes most often is fuel. After a wildfire decimates an area, its risk score can go down because the vegetation is gone. Verisk has not changed its underlying algorithm in response to droughts or climate change, said Stephen Clark, a Verisk vice president. About 100 California homeowners who responded to a 2017 survey by consumer group United Policyholders said they were not renewed in the past three years because of a FireLine score. Clarke, however, said hes heard that some companies are using FireLine to begin writing more insurance in high-risk areas if they can get a premium commensurate with that exposure. Adrianne Peixotto, an agent with Newfront Insurance, has a client in Sonoma on the same street as a fire station who is being dropped because of high brush exposure. A neighbor on the same street, with the same insurance company, was not dropped. I have been told the neighbor's house is more easily accessible, she said. Its hard as an agent to know where to go. We asked around, every insurance company declined this property. They would have to go to Lloyds of London, which was a significant rate increase. Peixotto said shes getting calls on a daily basis from people checking on insurance before they purchase a home. Some have opted not to put in offers. When Michael Downs and his wife, Alison, moved from San Diego to Berkeley last year to be closer to kids and grandkids, they initially didnt give insurance much thought. Theyd had State Farm for their home, autos and liability umbrella since 1977. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes I assumed State Farm would insure me, and wed go our merry way, he said. It wasnt until they were in escrow on a home in the Berkeley hills that he found out State Farm wouldnt insure it. I tried AAA, Farmers Insurance, a few other companies. I started getting the same kind of response: Whats your address? Hold on a sec. Im sorry, because of the recent fires, we wont issue a policy in the area. Try the Fair Plan. Because he had no mortgage, Downs was able to close on the home in December without insurance. He finally got a policy in January from Travelers, an admitted carrier. Hes paying about $2,000 more to insure the Berkeley home, which is the same size as his San Diego home, but better made. Bay Area real estate agents say insurance is no longer an afterthought. When Dana Green, a Compass agent who sells in Lamorinda, gets a new listing, she asks an independent agent to run the address and get quotes from insurance companies, which she includes with a disclosure packet given to prospective buyers. Before this year, she only did this when there might be a problem, but now she does it on every home. Buyers dont have as many choices, but they still can get insurance, she said. The only time it threatened a deal was on a house with a shake roof in a high-fire zone. We were able to get insurance but had to agree to make changes to the roof within a certain amount of time, she said. Joshua Deitch, a Coldwell Banker agent in Mill Valley, said insurance has become more challenging and a concern. However, there always seems to be a solution. Its not just calling your insurance agent anymore. Some of the carriers have hit their maximum limit in (Mill Valley), but other carriers have not and are therefore still underwriting. Its just extra work. Amy Gurowitz, who lives in Oaklands Redwood Heights area, said she got a letter from Liberty Mutual in February saying it would not reissue her policy due to fire risk. We are near where the Oakland hills fire was in 1989, but we are on the other side of the freeway, not in a high-tree area, and on a major road right by a freeway on-ramp, she said. Gurowitz shopped around and got a quote from USAA for roughly the same coverage and price. Strangely, she then got a renewal policy from Liberty Mutual. One person at Liberty said her property was reassessed based on new data, another said the renewal was sent in error but would be honored. Gurowitz decided to go with USAA. Many of the states largest admitted carriers, including Liberty Mutual and Travelers, have said via email or in published statements that they are trimming their exposure to wildfire risk in California, but downplayed the number of policyholders affected. After careful review of our exposure in Northern California, we are non-renewing only a very small percentage of insurance policies with the highest risk, a spokesman for CSAA Insurance Group said in an email. At Farmers Insurance, We have begun an initiative to reduce our wildfire exposure in the state, a spokesman said in an email. Customers who experienced a loss in the recent Camp, Woolsey and Hill fires will not be impacted by this initiative. Thats because state law prevents insurers from dropping customers who suffered a total loss caused by a declared disaster for a certain period of time. For losses suffered before 2019, they must offer to renew customers at least once. For losses in 2019 and thereafter, they must offer to renew them at least twice or for 24 months, whichever is greater. Also starting this year, a new law prevents insurers from non-renewing any residential policy in a ZIP code within or adjacent to the fire perimeter, for one year after a disaster is declared. That will temporarily protect people who live in or near disaster areas but suffered a partial or no loss. Kathleen Pender is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: kpender@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kathpender A San Leandro high school student robbed a blind woman of her cell phone in the citys downtown but was captured after alert bystanders and police chased him down, officials said Friday. Jujuan Despanie, 18, was booked in Santa Rita Jail and charged Friday with felony counts of robbery and abuse against a dependent adult along with a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest. I have seen many cruel acts committed against different people, but this one is especially disturbing, San Leandro police Lt. Isaac Benabou said in a statement. People in our community with disabilities are sometimes defenseless and should never be seen as a target for criminals due to their vulnerability. The alleged mugging happened as the 38-year-old victim, who was not named, was walking from the BART station down Davis Street on her way to a meeting around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. As she neared Clarke Street, using the white cane to scan her surroundings, she felt someone attempting to grab her iPhone out of her hand, police said. The woman tried to fight back by holding onto her phone, but during the struggle, police said, she lost her balance and fell over. Her assailant then ripped the phone out of her hand prompting her to scream for help, officials said. Witness heard the womans screams and jumped into action. One person on a bike called 911 and followed the suspect has he ran into a nearby neighborhood, police said. Another witness on a nearby balcony watched the robbery and called police, officials said. Officers rushed to the scene and found Despanie hiding between two cars several blocks from the scene of the attack, police said. The suspect, officials said, tried to run and resist arrest while being detained. Police said Despanie had the victims cell phone on him when he was arrested. 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. Meanwhile, an AC Transit bus driver stopped and helped the victim and drove her back to the BART station where she got help from the station attendant. The victim could not identify the suspect because she is blind, but both witnesses positively identified Despanie as the robber, police said. Efforts to reach Despanies attorney were not immediately successful. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky San Francisco Chronicle South San Francisco police are searching for a man suspected of robbing a convenient store Friday and assaulting a store clerk as he fled the scene, authorities said. A man believed to be in his late teens or early twenties is suspected of robbing the store in the 1000 block of Airport Boulevard at about 11:50 a.m. Friday, according to police. James McCord Jr., a security expert who led a band of burglars into the shambles of the Watergate scandal and was the first to expose the White House crimes and cover-ups that precipitated the downfall of the Nixon administration in 1974, died June 15, 2017, at his home in Douglassville, Pa. He was 93. The death went unreported by local and national news organizations at the time. It was apparently first reported by London-based writer and filmmaker Shane OSullivan in his book Dirty Tricks: Nixon, Watergate, and the CIA, published last year. The news of the death surfaced again March 31 on the website Kennedys and King. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed his death on its online Nationwide Gravesite Locator. (McCord was buried in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pa.) The Washington Post said the cause was pancreatic cancer, quoting McCords death certificate, which the newspaper said it had obtained from the Berks County Register of Wills office in Reading, Pa. In the large cast of liars, schemers, money launderers, character assassins and other scoundrels who devised dirty tricks to damage President Richard Nixons political opponents, it was McCord, a retired spy with a shadowy past, who broke the silence of a shaky Oval Office conspiracy. It had been held together with hush money, fears of prison and, if all else failed, promises of presidential clemency. On June 17, 1972, four expatriate Cubans and McCord, chief of security for the Nixon re-election campaign and a leader of the White House plumbers unit assigned to plug information leaks, broke into Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington to fix problematic listening devices that they had planted weeks earlier. But a night watchman alerted the police, and they were caught, odd burglars in business suits carrying cameras and walkie-talkies. E. Howard Hunt, a former CIA agent, and G. Gordon Liddy, the re-election committees general counsel, who ran the break-in from a nearby hotel room, fled but were soon arrested. McCord revealed at an arraignment that he had once worked for the CIA, and the unraveling began. For months, even as Nixon was re-elected, White House aides tried to fend off reports suggesting ties between the presidents men and the burglars. But in January 1973, McCord and the burglars pleaded guilty, and Hunt and Liddy were convicted in a federal trial, all seven on charges of burglary, wiretapping and conspiracy. At sentencing later, Judge John J. Sirica read a letter from McCord charging that witnesses had committed perjury and implying that the White House had covered up its connection to the break-in and pressured the burglars to plead guilty and remain silent. In later statements to the judge, McCord implicated senior presidential aides in bribery, threats and promises of clemency to secure silence. Saying his family feared for his life if he told the truth, he indicated his reluctance to go to the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Justice Department and his desire to tell his story to the court, Sirica, the senior jurist of U.S. District Court in Washington, wrote in an opinion article for the New York Times in 1979. The trickle of information he provided soon became a flood no plumber could stop. Disclosures by investigators and conspirators of a White House taping system that had recorded incriminating conversations between the president and his aides led to the brink of impeachment and Nixons resignation on Aug. 9, 1974. Dozens of conspirators went to prison, but Nixon was pardoned by his successor, President Gerald Ford, and died in 1994. For aiding prosecutors, McCord had his one- to five-year sentence cut to less than four months. I have no regrets in telling the truth, he said on entering prison camp at Allenwood, Pa., in 1975. I think in the long run its been extremely beneficial to the country to have become aware of what occurred. James Walter McCord Jr. was born in Waurika, Okla., on Jan. 26, 1924. Much about his background and early life is unknown. His CIA work fell under national security restrictions, he often provided false or no information about himself, and his records were full of gaps and contradictions. He is believed to have grown up in Texas, served in the Army Air Forces during World War II and attended George Washington University. By 1948 he was an FBI employee, and in 1951 he joined the CIA. As a CIA operative he apparently played a role in the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961 and developed ties with Cuban exiles, including those who joined the plumbers unit. A sturdy, balding man with hollow cheeks and a military bearing, McCord became a senior security official in the CIA and worked in planning for national emergencies. After retiring in 1970, he founded his own security firm, McCord Associates, in Rockville, Md., taught at nearby Montgomery College and was an officer in the Air Force Reserve. He was hired by the Committee to Re-Elect the President in early 1972. McCord and his wife, Sarah Ruth McCord, had three children: a son, Michael, and two daughters, Carol Anne and Nancy. Sarah McCord died in 2014. Complete information about his survivors was not available. After his conviction, McCord electrified the 1973 Senate Watergate hearings with testimony on the scope of the conspiracy. But he respectfully declined to give information about his own history. Leaving prison, he returned to Rockville, changed his firms name to Security International and later established a solar energy company in Fort Collins, Colo. Like many Watergate figures, he wrote a memoir, A Piece of Tape the Watergate Story: Fact and Fiction (1974). The title referred to tape he used to keep door locks open during the Watergate break-in to facilitate a retreat. But it was a night watchmans discovery of the tape that led to the burglars arrest. Robert D. McFadden is a New York Times writer. The biggest takeaway is that people need to be aware of this risk, Baker said. For those patients who received high-dose radiation, they need to be especially vigilant about following all the standard cancer prevention and screening recommendations. And younger patients, especially women, should talk to their doctor about starting screening for some cancers, such as breast, at an earlier age than recommended for the general population. Bone marrow transplants are lifesaving treatments for patients with blood cancers and other diseases. During these procedures, patients first undergo chemotherapy and/or radiation to destroy their diseased bone marrow. A donors healthy, blood-forming stem cells are then given directly into the patients bloodstream. The retrospective study looked at data from nearly 5,000 patients who underwent a bone marrow transplant between 1969 and 2014. It was the first study to look at outcomes in the era of so-called mini-transplants. Pioneered at Fred Hutch, these treatments use low-dose radiation and chemotherapy to suppress the immune system rather than destroy it. The investigators were pleased to find that these low-dose regimens lowered the risk of subsequent cancer in transplant patients, Baker said. But he cautioned that one size doesnt fit all when it comes to these preparative, or conditioning, regimens. Despite the associated risks, high-dose TBI may still be the most effective treatment for certain patients. The researchers identified breast, oral cavity and skin cancers as the most common subsequent malignancies. In addition to high-dose TBI, age is another significant risk factor in developing a new cancer. Patients who were younger than 20 at the time of transplant were more than twice as likely to develop cancer than those who were older than 50 at transplant, the researchers found. Baker hopes that the study helps drive research into less-toxic treatments for patients who need a blood stem cell transplant or other forms of stem cell transplantation. The ultimate goal for us in the transplant world is to find effective, non-radiation-based conditioning regimens, especially for children, he said. The National Cancer Institute and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute funded this study, which was published in the journal Blood. BROOKLYN NXIVM co-founder Keith Raniere is scheduled to stand trial alone next month after the last of his five co-defendants Seagram's liquor fortune heiress Clare Bronfman and Kathy L. Russell, a longtime bookkeeper for NXIVM pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges on Friday. Their guilty pleas leave the secretive man known to his followers as "Vanguard" suddenly facing the prospect of having his staunchest confidantes testify against him in a racketeering case that dismantled his stealthy and, according to prosecutors, inherently criminal and "cult-like" organization. Raniere, 58, has for more than a year maintained his innocence while being held without bond in a federal detention center in Brooklyn cut off from communicating with his former followers, including his co-defendants. The government's case has now been buttressed as Raniere's five female co-defendants all admitted to or were charged with various crimes, including coercing women to perform labor and to have sex with Raniere; holding a young Mexican woman in a room against her will for nearly two years; hacking computers to spy on their enemies or to check the loyalty of other followers; manipulating evidence in a federal court proceeding; forging identity documents; money laundering and visa fraud. For Raniere, the potential fallout of a conviction is more consequential because the indictment includes allegations that he sexually exploited a 15-year-old girl and possessed child pornography naked photographs of that teenage girl. Those accusations carry a potential mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years. Bronfman, who was NXIVM's operations director and one of its largest financial contributors, and Russell, who oversaw their tax and business filings, both pleaded guilty Friday in back-to-back proceedings in front of a U.S. District Court Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis in Brooklyn. Bronfman, 40, whose charged crimes included identity theft, money laundering and visa fraud, pleaded guilty to two counts, conspiracy to conceal and harbor illegal aliens for financial gain and fraudulent use of identification acknowledging that she had given credit card number information of a dead person to Raniere in order to help him avoid taxes. She faces between 21 and 27 months in prison at her sentencing on July 25, and agreed to forfeit $6 million. Looking frail and speaking softly in a slight English accent, Bronfman told Garaufis she had "received a great gift from my grandfather and my father that does not come with the ability to break the law; it comes with great responsibility to uphold the law." "I am truly remorseful," she said. "I endeavored to do good in the world and help people however, I have made mistakes." Russell, 61, had been accused of falsifying identity documents to help smuggle a Mexican woman across the Canadian border, and of facilitating the installation of a "key-logger" device on the computer of a NXIVM accountant to monitor his emails. On Friday, she pleaded to a single count of visa fraud related to a letter she wrote that included bogus data about a NXIVM associate, Loretta Garza. Russell signed a plea agreement that calls for her to spend up to 12 months in prison. She began choking up after the judge asked her if she understood she was waiving her right to trial. "I know what I did was wrong," she said. "I'm very sorry for the trouble I have caused. I have compromised my own principles, and I'm going to have to live with that for the rest of my life." The admissions on Friday by Bronfman and Russell followed guilty pleas over the past month by former television actress Allison Mack, 36; Lauren Salzman, 42; and NXIVM president and co-founder Nancy Salzman, 64. The federal investigation of NXIVM broke open in March 2018 when Raniere and Mack were arrested on federal criminal charges. In July, federal agents in Albany arrested the Salzmans and Russell. Bronfman was taken into custody that same day by federal agents in New York City. The guilty pleas signaled the unraveling of Raniere's control of his close-knit and ultra-secretive organization that he and Nancy Salzman had built over the past 20 years. With the help of millions of dollars from Bronfman and her sister, Sara, who was not accused of wrongdoing, NXIVM and its associated entities lured thousands of followers into "executive success" training programs that prosecutors have cast as no more than a "cult-like" pyramid scheme, according to court filings. The organization also immersed itself in side efforts, including allegedly unsanctioned and disturbing "brain studies" that Raniere has indicated were intended to help find a cure for Tourette syndrome and other medical conditions. A superseding indictment unsealed in March against Raniere and four of his co-defendants Nancy Salzman had pleaded guilty by then had added seven charges, including some leveled at Raniere for his alleged sexual exploitation of the underage girl. Several criminal counts against Raniere were dropped by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, which is part of the Eastern District of New York, because the alleged crimes took place in the Capital Region, which is part of the Northern District of New York. Federal prosecutors in Albany are reviewing the charges, including a sexual exploitation allegation, and have the option to prosecute Raniere in Albany as part of a separate case. 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. Several of the federal criminal charges in the indictment center on a secret club within NXIVM that Raniere founded and had claimed was a private women's organization to help its members improve their lives. Instead, prosecutors said, women were lured into the club, known as "Dominus Obsequious Sororium," which means "Master Over the Slave Women." Many did not know that Raniere was the group's "grand master." Mack had a pivotal role in that club, prosecutors said, and allegedly helped gather "collateral" from the women who joined. If they tried to leave, they were threatened that their collateral sometimes damaging information about family members, or close-up photographs of their genitalia would be released. Some of the women were allegedly branded with a symbol that combined the initials of Raniere and Mack, and coerced to have sex with Raniere. Lauren Salzman also had an integral role in the DOS club, including hosting pre-branding ceremonies at her Halfmoon residence, where the women were blindfolded before being driven to an undisclosed location a nearby townhouse and cauterized by a physician, Dr. Danielle Roberts. Raniere and Mack both were charged with multiple counts of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit forced labor. Mack had allegedly made some of the women pose for nude photographs that she would forward to Raniere. She also delivered some of the women to Raniere for sexual encounters, and at least one alleged victim described the sex as unwanted. NXIVM has been described by experts as a cult. Raniere, in statements posted on NXIVM's website two years ago, characterized the slave-master group as a consenting, private "sorority" and said that he and the corporation had no role in it. Opening statements in Raniere's criminal trial are scheduled to take place May 7 in Brooklyn. He remains in custody at a federal detention facility in Brooklyn without bond. After Bronfman's appearance Friday, Raniere's attorney Marc Agnifilo said outside the courtroom that the defense team was "glad the trial is finally starting." "We feel we have something of an uphill battle, but Keith is focused on his defense," Agnifilo said, adding that Raniere has "no intention of pleading guilty." Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Clare Bronfman and Kathy L. Russell had pleaded guilty to racketeering charges. Also, Bronfman's sentencing date was incorrect. Restaurantfuhrer : Das gibt es im Cafe Uppercrust in der Bonner Sudstadt President Trump has never made any secret of his desire to have an attorney general whose first loyalty was to him. Regrettably for the nation and the honest administration of justice, Trump unquestionably now has one in William Barr. The attorney general has lost all credibility with his disgraceful handling of the rollout of the Mueller report into Russian interference into the 2016 election. Barr left the American people for more than a month with a seriously skewed characterization of the principal conclusions from Special Counsel Robert Muellers findings from the two-year investigation. His four-page summary of those conclusions amounted to nothing much to see here, folks. While he was correct that the Mueller team could not make a case that anyone in Trumps campaign broke the law by conspiring with Russians, the Barr summary was downright deceptive in its portrayal of the special counsels findings on possible obstruction of justice by the president. Barrs summary suggested that difficult questions of law and fact left it difficult for Mueller to determine whether Trump had obstructed the probe. Barr and his deputy took it upon themselves to conclude that the evidence developed by the special counsel is not sufficient to establish obstruction. Americans who have now read the Muellers teams own words in the 448-page report discovered that Barrs account was highly misleading. In fact, Muellers hesitation was not based on an inability to decide; it was guided in part by a Department of Justice policy that a sitting president could not be indicted. Given that, Mueller suggested it would be unfair to accuse Trump of a crime when the president could not have a chance to defend himself in a speedy and public trial with the constitutional protections. Barr also suggested that Trump could not have obstructed justice into an investigation of a crime he did not commit. Muellers report clearly stated otherwise. The injury to the integrity of the justice system is the same regardless of whether a person committed an underlying wrong, it stated. Muellers investigation detailed multiple acts by the president that were capable of exerting undue influence over law enforcement investigations. Rather than punting the obstruction decision to Barr, Mueller very clearly noted that a decision on what to do with the substantial evidence of wrongdoing he collected should be made by Congress, which has the power of impeachment. Barr never bothered to correct Trumps exhortation of complete and total exoneration. Barr might as well have been on a Trump spokesman, rather than the nations chief law enforcement officer, at a bizarre Thursday news conference (before the reports release) in which he offered a sympathetic explanation for Trumps repeated efforts to stymie the investigation. Barr chalked it up to Trumps anger and frustration. Justice has been frustrated. Americans are justifiably angry. Barr has proved himself unfit for the high office he holds. 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. Californias critical housing shortage and the poverty and misery that come with it are at last beginning to get the attention they deserve. But in the list of causes that get the blame the California Environmental Quality Act, NIMBYism; redundant state and local regulations and in the proffered remedies, one culprit is often overlooked: the powerful impact of Proposition 13. In effect, the initiative passed in 1978, skewed the tax structure to protect current homeowners and made it increasingly tough and as we now know, often impossible for prospective home buyers to buy a home. Because it limited tax increases on any home or business to 2 percent a year until it changed ownership, Prop. 13 made commercial developments much more attractive to local leaders. Many commercial properties auto malls, for example generate sales taxes; none requires the new schools, parks and other public services that homes do. And in de-linking property taxes from current property values, Prop. 13 also reduced owners incentive to put under-used land and other property to its highest and best uses. At the same time, local governments imposed hefty fees on residential development to pay for the schools and infrastructure they required. The way California fails to tax land under Prop. 13, said Lenny Goldberg, the former head of the California Tax Reform Association, leads to the worst possible outcomes low density sprawl, inflated land costs, and underutilized commercial strips in areas with tremendous potential for more beneficial development. The data shows the lowest taxes are being collected on parcels marginally used for parking lots, car dealers, gas stations, strip malls, warehouses, etc. Californias land-use patterns over the past 40 years are notorious for the combination of sprawling development and low-density housing. Notwithstanding the string of homeless encampments in Californias vacant spaces and under its freeway interchanges, the long delay in confronting the housing crisis or even debating it isnt surprising. In the long list of proposals now being offered in Sacramento, almost any remedy will hit deeply held values and entrenched interests. Probably the most common of those cherished values are neighborhood integrity and local control. And almost every bill now pending in the Legislature would curb the power of local governments to restrict or delay affordable housing development. Among the scores of housing bills: Senate Bill 330, by Sen. Nancy Skinner of Berkeley, which would impose a 10-year moratorium on downzoning lowering the number of units that can be built on a parcel in cities and counties with high housing costs; prohibit housing moratoriums or caps on new housing construction; and suspend the collection of housing fees on affordable housing development. Senate Bill 50, by Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco, which would ban the imposition of parking requirements and raise height limits to facilitate construction of apartments and condos near public transit stops and job centers. Assembly Bill 1279, by Assemblyman Richard Bloom of Santa Monica, which would identify places with low housing density where developers could more easily build condos and apartments for low and middle-income families, and charge fees on expensive projects to subsidize affordable housing. In the meantime, Gov. Gavin Newsom, who wants to have 3.5 million new homes built by 2025, is suing the city of Huntington Beach for violating state housing laws enacted during the Brown administration and has warned other cities that there will be more suits. But, even if many of the pending bills were to pass and the state continues to subsidize affordable housing, unless the tax system is changed, the critical housing shortage is likely to persist. And ironically the disincentives to new housing generated by Prop.13 could get worse if the initiative to roll back Prop. 13 and make businesses pay more while keeping the protections intact for homeowners passes in 2020. An otherwise worthy measure, the so-called split (tax) roll would tax only commercial property at current value, and not by the price when it was bought, as Proposition 13 now does. That will create new pressure on owners of underutilized high valuation commercial property to develop or sell that land. And it could generate as much as $10 billion a year in additional tax revenue for schools and local governments. But it may also put the incentive for local officials to favor commercial development on steroids. What would happen, wrote Joel Fox, the former head of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, in a piece for CALMatters, when local governments choose between green-lighting a commercial venture that would bring in gobs of new revenue for government as opposed to approving a housing project? Theres double irony here: Fox, a longtime defender of Proposition 13, here implicitly concedes the stifling effect that it has long had on housing development. But the housing argument could also be a weapon for a no vote on the split roll initiative next year. Conversely, it could also be, as Goldberg, argues, that the measure will bring much more property to better uses, housing included. Either way, the housing crisis may become a major element in the debate. Peter Schrag, the former editorial page editor of the Sacramento Bee, is the author of the recently published The World of Aufbau: Hitlers Refugees in America. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at SFChronicle.com/letters. Finding out about ones family history through DNA testing has been on the rise. While learning about your roots can be an exciting and rewarding experience, for some it may reveal traumatic stories. Genealogy company Ancestry learned this the hard way after releasing a commercial that depicted an interracial romantic relationship during the Civil War era. Set in the South, the ad shows a white man and black woman deciding to run away together to the North. The ad ends with a voice-over saying, Uncover the lost chapters of your family history with Ancestry. To say that the commercial is ahistorical and whitewashes over race relations is an understatement. The ad tries to romanticize interracial relationships while ignoring the horrific realities of slavery and power dynamics between white slave owners and black slaves. Many African Americans that were descendants of slavery have European ancestry due to rape and sexual exploitation. While Ancestry has since apologized and announced it will pull the ad, it raises the question of how the ad was green-lighted in the first place. Spencer Whitney, assistant editor 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. In the aftermath of Robert Muellers report, impeachment is turning into a major problem for Democrats. They cant agree on whether to pursue it. The special counsels 448-page breakdown of Russian interference in the 2016 election offered detailed findings into how President Trump tried to sidetrack the investigation. Some of the Democratic Partys most progressive members are sprinting down the path Mueller outlined, calling for impeachment proceedings after months of Democratic leaders telling them to keep quiet for fear of distracting from the partys focus on kitchen table issues such as health care. High-profile first-year Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and the liberal online hub MoveOn are calling for the House Judiciary Committee to convene impeachment hearings. Los Angeles Rep. Maxine Waters said it would be complacency in the face of the erosion of our democracy if Congress did not impeach Trump. Muellers report is clear in pointing to Congress responsibility in investigating obstruction of justice by the president, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, adding that she was mindful of the political reality that it would be up to the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans, to convict. Many know I take no pleasure in discussions of impeachment. I didnt campaign on it, & rarely discuss it unprompted, Ocasio-Cortez wrote. We all prefer working on our priorities: pushing Medicare for All, tackling student loans, & a Green New Deal. But the report squarely puts this on our doorstep. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco and other party leaders have urged Democrats not to obsess about Trump and to make the case for their own ideas. Underlying the advice is a fear that impeachment would boomerang on the Democrats into public sympathy for Trump, much like what happened when Republicans impeached Bill Clinton two decades ago. Clinton became more popular and his polls improved even as the impeachment went on because of what people saw as the Republicans overreach, said Corey Cook, professor of political science and dean of the School of Public Service at Boise State University Mueller left a road map for how to run the 2020 election by focusing on Trumps veracity and temperament, Cook said. Theres plenty of fodder there, but do Democrats really want to blow it in an impeachment effort? Pelosi has not diverted from her contention last month that Trump is just not worth impeachment. But she will lead a meeting Monday with House Democrats to discuss this grave matter that the report presents. Although Pelosi has been silent on impeachment since Muellers report came out Thursday, its clear that leaderships message hasnt changed. Her top deputy in the House, Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, said that going forward on impeachment is not worthwhile at this point, because there is an election in 18 months and the American people will make a judgment. Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell, chosen to deliver the Democrats weekly radio address, said Friday that Congress oversight responsibilities matter. But she added, Our agenda to lower prescription drug prices, to create 16 million good-paying jobs through a real infrastructure plan and to make sure that our government is working is what Americans expect from this Congress. President Barack Obamas former Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer told The Chronicle that taking impeachment off the table before Mueller testifies before Congress looks like and is calculated political cowardice. Pfeiffer conceded that a Republican Senate would probably never convict. Still, he said, the Democrats should ask all the questions, do all the oversight, and then see where they are. Keep all the options on the table for now. Democrats can pursue kitchen table issues and try to force Trump from office at the same time, said David Sievers, campaign director at MoveOn. Its not an either-or question, Sievers said. Pursuing an impeachment inquiry doesnt mean we cant fight Donald Trumps efforts to build a wall. We can do both. Caught in the middle are the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. Dismissing impeachment risks alienating some of the partys most engaged progressives. Talking about it means focusing on Trump, not themselves. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was one of few major candidates to call immediately for impeachment, saying Trumps actions would inflict a great and lasting damage on this country. Former Obama administration official Julian Castro said it would be perfectly reasonable for the House to consider impeachment. Others tried to buy time by calling for Congress to hear from Mueller before deciding what to do. Theres definitely a conversation to be had on impeachment, California Sen. Kamala Harris told MSNBC. But first I want to hear from Bob Mueller and what evidence supports the summary we were given. Her fellow 2020 candidate Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar wouldnt go that far, noting that as a senator, she would have to vote in an impeachment trial. I have been really careful about talking about what we would do if impeachment came before us, she said. Pete Buttigieg tried to have it both ways. The mayor of South Bend, Ind., said Friday, Ill leave that to Congress. ... You can see lots of evidence that this president deserves to be impeached, but since Im not in Congress, Im working on replacing him the old-fashioned way. One new-fashioned way of dealing with Trump could be a House censure a public slap on the wrist which Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee is proposing as a middle ground. It would at least put a historical note to the fact that this mans conduct in regard to his obstruction of justice is something that should be noted with an official resolution, Cohen told MSNBC on Friday. MoveOns Sievers said censure is necessary, but not sufficient. Censure does not go far enough. It doesnt have any teeth to it. We need to make sure that Donald Trump isnt above the law. Billionaire San Francisco activist Tom Steyer has no ambivalence about impeachment. Hes planning to hold an impeachment town hall his 47th such gathering on Tuesday in Pleasanton. Its hardly a coincidence thats in the congressional district of Rep. Eric Swalwell, a House Judiciary Committee member and Democratic candidate for president. What this (Mueller) report did was say precisely what weve been saying for the last year, said Steyer, whose NeedtoImpeach.org petition has gathered more than 7.8 million signatures. It is up to Congress to hold (Trump) accountable. Put (the hearings) on TV. Show us on TV what happened. Let the American people decide. Swalwell said the report describes a campaign that welcomed Russias interference in our democracy and a president who went to great lengths to obstruct a lawful investigation. Impeachment is the ultimate remedy for a president who abuses power. The report didnt move us farther from that remedy, it moved us closer. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer and John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com, Twitter: @joegarofoli @jfwildermuth. Watch San Francisco Bay Area residents celebrate the cannabis holiday 4/20 on top of San Francisco's Hippie Hill. Nearly 14,000 people have descended on that location for a Bay Area pot party. [Editor's note, April 23, 2019: Rebecca Parker Mankey has since been found safe and is no longer considered a missing person. Read more here.] Rebecca Parker Mankey, the woman who confronted a 74-year-old man who was wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat inside of a Palo Alto Starbucks, has been reported as missing by authorities. According to the Lake County Sheriff's Office, Mankey did not return to her Palo Alto home after a trip to Lake County, and is believed to be in Aberdeen, Washington. The Aberdeen Police Department is assisting the Lake County Sheriff's Office in attempting to locate Mankey, whose cell phone information activity placed her near Aberdeen around 9:00 a.m. on Friday. RELATED: San Jose gas station employee fired after racist tirade against Spanish speaker Melissa Demyan, a friend of Mankey's, wrote on Facebook Friday that it has been over 24 hours since anyone has heard from her. "My friend Parker is missing," she wrote. "It's been over 24 hours since anyone has seen or heard from her. I last saw her when she was leaving Lake County to head home yesterday.... Parker if you're reading this: we love you so so much and we just want to know you're safe. Please let us know you're okay!" Mankey received national media attention when she berated a man inside of a Palo Alto Starbucks for wearing a MAGA hat, and wrote in Facebook post that she "called the entire Starbucks to order and yelled at him." "He will never forget me and will think seriously about wearing that hat in my town ever again," she wrote. "If you see him in this hat, please confront him. You do not want to be the person who didn't speak up as we slipped into fascism." She ended up losing her job at a nearby music store because of the incident, and has since received a number of threats online. ALSO: MAGA hat-wearing suspect accused of sword stabbing pleads not guilty Mankey was also a co-chair of the Bayshore Progressive Democrats, a self-described group of "Berniecrats for the political revolution in the region around Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale." After the incident, the group wrote on Facebook that Mankey had resigned, and her family was receiving death threats and "other threats of injury and harm." "As a result of publicity surrounding her actions, today she and her family members were doxxed (had personal contact revealed to encourage threats and harassment) on right-wing social media and internet channels," they wrote. "She and her family have received multiple death threats and other threats of injury and harm, and is losing her employment." The group also wrote that Mankey's actions "did not follow these principles and do not reflect our organization's political philosophy and approach." Mankey is driving a 2010 black Honda Accord with license plate 8INB004. Anyone with information on her whereabouts in encouraged to call (707) 263-2690. Eric Ting is an SFGATE staff writer. Email him at eric.ting@sfgate.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. LITTLETON, Colo. Community members in suburban Denver marked the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting Saturday with a remembrance ceremony that celebrated the schools survival and by volunteering at shelters, doing neighborhood cleanup projects and laying flowers and cards at a memorial to the 13 people killed. Were changed, Dawn Anna, whose daughter Lauren Townsend was among the students killed in the schools library, said before a crowd of more than 2,000 gathered in a park near the high school. Were weaker in some places, but hopefully were stronger in most of them. Our hearts have giant holes in them. But our hearts are bigger than they were 20 years ago. The events ended a three days of somber gatherings honoring the victims and lending support to their families, survivors of the April 20, 1999, attack and the schools students and staff. The decades since have brought similar violence at schools in America, and some survivors and victims families have found themselves acting as a support system for those affected by other tragedies. Forgiveness is achievable, said Patrick Ireland, a student who became known as the boy in the window when cameras captured him dangling from a second-story window before falling during the 1999 school shooting. He relearned to walk and talk with months of physical and cognitive therapy. Our innocence was stolen, Ireland said. How can that ever be repaid? But forgiveness is a process. It takes time. It takes practice, repetition, translating that rhythm into moving. The afternoon ceremony at times had the feel of a reunion. Former students introduced classmates to their husbands or wives and the crowd jumped to their feet when a retired teacher led a call-and-response cheer of the schools mantra. We are, Ivory Moore yelled, his voice straining. Columbine! the crowd replied, some pumping their fists in the air. There were tears too, particularly as photos of the victims at various ages flashed across a projector screen during a video that featured current Columbine students pledging to honor them with community service each year on April 20. At the ceremonys end, Frank DeAngelis, the schools principal at the time of the shooting, read the 13 names aloud in a wavering voice. A bell rang 13 times, and white doves soared into the cloudy sky for each individual. Starting in the morning, a steady stream of visitors stopped at a memorial that sits on a hill overlooking the school. The site includes an oval outer wall of stone with plaques featuring quotes from officials and Columbine students and teachers, and an inner ring with plaques for each person killed. Visitors left cards, bouquets and seed packets for columbines, the Colorado state flower, around the memorial plaques. Kathleen Foody is an Associated Press writer. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. By now, most Democratic presidential candidates have polished their stump speeches. But when theyre in South Carolina, they may need to add in a sermon. In a large and diverse primary field, White House hopefuls are angling to develop relationships with black churches. Thats because success in South Carolina, home to the nations first Southern presidential primary, could come down to connecting with politically influential churchgoing African Americans. Candidates recognize that black churches are the places to be seen and heard, said Bobby Donaldson, a professor of civil rights history at the University of South Carolina. If youre trying to find a captive and captivating audience, then the black church is the perfect place to get your message across. Some 2020 candidates are already working to build their relationships with this community. Sen. Kamala Harris of California will attend an Easter service Sunday in Columbia at a church whose pastor is a lawmaker who recently endorsed her campaign. She swung through a fellowship hall in North Charleston earlier this year and visited churches last fall to rally voters ahead of the midterms. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Bernie Sanders of Vermont attended a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event at a historic black church in Columbia, and both have held campaign events in fellowship halls at black churches around the state. In the past week, Sanders held a town hall in a black church in Spartanburg with members of the states Legislative Black Caucus. Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and former Texas congressman Beto ORourke also have visited black churches. And in one of her visits to three Charleston-area black congregations in February, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York gave a sermon of sorts, summoning a fiery cadence that spurred shouts of Amen! from the crowd of several hundred. I love the fact that your Bibles are under your seat, she told congregants at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist. When you go on a plane and they say your life preserver is under your seat our life preservers are under our seat! Gillibrand said she felt she had been well received, but some observers say such moments can be awkward. It seems very, for lack of a better term, inauthentic, said Jalen Elrod, a black voter and first vice chairman of the Greenville County Democratic Party. Shed be better served if she came and said, Heres what Im about. Heres what Im trying to support. Still, the visits allow candidates to introduce themselves to voters. They can also potentially elevate their standing with voters if they secure an official endorsement from church leaders. That may be part of Harris calculus, with her announcement last month of an endorsement from Darrell Jackson. The longtime state senator is also pastor of Bible Way Church of Atlas Road, a Columbia congregation thats seen as among the most influential in the black community. Thats where shell attend Easter services Sunday. But Antjuan Seawright, a South Carolina political consultant and fifth-generation member of the African Methodist Episcopal church, notes that an endorsement from a pastor is no guarantee of securing his parishioners support. Just because the pastor endorses doesnt mean the congregation follows, Seawright said. The sheep dont always follow the shepherd because people have evolved, and theyve become more independent in their thought. While the pathway through the black church is a tricky one to navigate, its hard to avoid. Jaime Harrison, who chaired the state party in the 2016 presidential cycle and is mulling a challenge to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, said that as candidates get past their introductory visits to South Carolina, voters will be watching their moves carefully. Seawright urged candidates to strive to make authentic connections and develop policy proposals that back up whatever overtures theyre making as they visit the states parishioners. People want authenticity, people want genuineness, and they want honesty, Seawright said. Meg Kinnard is an Associated Press writer. WASHINGTON Don McGahn was barely on speaking terms with President Trump by the time he left the White House last fall. But Special Counsel Robert Muellers report reveals the president may owe his former top lawyer a debt of gratitude. McGahn, who sat with Mueller for about 30 hours of interviews, emerged as a central character in Muellers painstaking investigation into whether Trump obstructed justice and impeded the years-long Russia investigation. In one striking scene, Mueller recounts how Trump called McGahn twice at home and directed him to set Muellers firing in motion. McGahn recoiled and threatened to resign instead. Mueller concluded that McGahn and others effectively halted Trumps efforts to influence the investigation, prompting some White House officials and outside observers to call him an unsung hero in the effort to protect the president. John Marston, a former Washington, D.C., assistant U.S. attorney, said McGahn appeared to help Trump both in real time with his actions and then as well as being forthcoming. McGahns relationship with the president was turbulent. A prominent Washington attorney, he joined Trumps campaign as counsel in 2015 and followed him to the White House, but the two men never developed a close rapport. His departure last fall came as little surprise. Still, it was McGahn who Trump turned to on June 17, 2017, when he wanted to oust Mueller. According to the special counsel report, McGahn responded to the presidents request by calling his personal lawyer and his chief of staff, driving to the White House, packing up his belongings and preparing to submit his letter of resignation. He told then-White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus that the president had asked him to do crazy s. Mueller said McGahn feared Trump was setting in motion a series of events akin to the Saturday Night Massacre, the Nixonian effort to rein in the Watergate investigation. William Alden McDaniel, a lawyer who represented targets and witnesses in the Ken Starr investigation, as well as high-ranking officials in the Iran-Contra scandal, said McGahn appeared to be one of the few people in the administration to stand up to the president and that takes a certain amount of principle. Muellers report shows there were a handful of other aides who rebuffed orders and suggestions from the president, helping save him from the consequences. Former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski resisted an effort by Trump to persuade Attorney General Jeff Sessions to un-recuse himself from the investigation and to limit the scope of Muellers probe. Priebus and McGahn repeatedly resisted Trump efforts to force out Sessions so that Trump could replace him and install a new person to oversee Muellers work. McGahn, 50, also tried in other ways to keep the president in line, advising him that he should not communicate directly with the Department of Justice to avoid the perception or reality of political interference in law enforcement and reminding him that their conversations were not protected by attorney-client privilege. Trump responded by questioning McGahns tendency to take notes and draft memoranda outlining his advice to the president for the historical record. Why do you take notes? Lawyers dont take notes. I never had a lawyer who took notes, Trump said, according to Muellers report. The special counsel said McGahn responded that he keeps notes because he is a real lawyer and explained that notes create a record and are not a bad thing. Exchanges like those appear to have led Mueller to conclude that McGahn was a credible witness with no motive to lie or exaggerate given the position he held in the White House. In an interview Friday with the New York Times, Rudy Giuliani attacked McGahns credibility, saying his account of how Trump told him to remove the special counsel was inaccurate. Giulianis statement was the most extensive reaction by the presidents lawyers against McGahn. It cant be taken at face value, Giuliani said in the interview. It could be the product of an inaccurate recollection or could be the product of something else. McGahns lawyer, William Burck, criticized Giulianis attack. Its a mystery why Rudy Giuliani feels the need to relitigate incidents the attorney general and deputy attorney general have concluded were not obstruction, Burck said. But they are accurately described in the report. McGahn did not respond to a request for comment, and nearly a dozen friends and former colleagues mostly spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid upsetting him, describing him as a private person. They largely characterized McGahns time in the White House as unhappy and defined by his frequent clashes with the president. Don is an experienced lawyer whos dealt with difficult clients in the past, said Jason Torchinsky, an election law attorney who has known McGahn for 20 years. The White House declined comment. In a campaign and White House staffed largely by novices and bootlickers, McGahn was a rare establishment figure. He served as commissioner and chairman of the Federal Election Commission and had deep roots with the Republican Party, including spending a decade as general counsel of the National Republican Congressional Committee. At the White House, he earned praise from conservatives for helping confirm a series of conservative judges, including, in his final act, shepherding Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaughs confirmation. He was also instrumental in fulfilling long-held conservative priorities, including leading the White Houses systematic effort to cut government regulations and weaken the power of administrative law judges. The New York Times contributed to this report. Zeke Miller and Jill Colvin are Associated Press writers. WASHINGTON The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena Friday demanding that the Justice Department hand over an unredacted version of Robert Muellers report and the evidence underlying it by May 1, and pledged major hearings on its findings. The subpoena escalates a fight with Attorney General William Barr over what material Congress is entitled to see from the special counsels nearly two-year investigation. The chairman, Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, asked for all evidence obtained by Muellers investigators, including summaries of witness interviews and classified intelligence and indicated he intended to air it to the public. Even the redacted version of the report outlines serious instances of wrongdoing by President Trump and some of his closest associates, Nadler said in a statement. It now falls to Congress to determine the full scope of that alleged misconduct and to decide what steps we must take going forward. The subpoena was sent as House Democrats, who have the power to initiate impeachment proceedings if they so choose, debate how to proceed with the new evidence Mueller handed over Thursday. Democratic-led committees have already initiated their own investigations of Russian election influence, as well as obstruction of justice and abuse of power, which can incorporate the findings in the shorter term. There also were new calls in the wake of the report from the partys left flank including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the closely watched New York freshman to go further and open a formal impeachment inquiry. Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco has publicly opposed impeachment unless Democrats can attract bipartisan support in the House and in the Republican-controlled Senate. That prospect appeared to be slim as Republican lawmakers embraced Barrs conclusion that, despite the evidence collected, the president did not commit a crime. By Friday afternoon, though, at least one Senate Republican critical of Trump, Mitt Romney of Utah, offered a blistering assessment, calling the report a sobering revelation of how far we have strayed from the aspirations and principles of the founders. Still, he said, the business of government can move on. Pelosi, for her part, has scheduled a conference call for all House Democrats on Monday to discuss the implications of what she called a grave matter. Lawmakers are scattered around the country on a two-week spring recess, and many are expected to observe the Passover and Easter holidays. Speaking to reporters in Belfast, where she was meeting with political leaders Friday, Pelosi said she would not, as a matter of principle, criticize the president while out of the country. But she signaled that Congress would not sit by. We believe that Article I, the legislative branch, has the responsibility of oversight of our democracy, and we will exercise that, she said. Nadlers May 1 deadline falls a day before Barr is scheduled to testify publicly before the Judiciary Committee in what is expected to be an explosive session where Democrats plan to excoriate his handling of the report and Republicans will urge their colleagues to accept that there was no criminality and move on. In addition to Barrs testimony and an outstanding invitation for Mueller, Nadler said Friday that he would hold additional hearings to get to the bottom of this and educate the country as to what went on. Nadlers Republican counterpart on the committee, Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, blasted the subpoena as wildly overbroad on Friday and encouraged Nadler to narrow its terms and extend the response time. As written, he said, Nadler was demanding millions of records that would be plainly against the law to share because of investigators extensive use of a grand jury. The attorney general offered up a 400-page report that he wasnt bound to provide, Collins said. The attorney general stands ready to testify before our committee and to have the special counsel do the same. Yet Chairman Nadler disregards all of this good faith transparency without even taking the department up on its offer to review material under the redactions. Barr released to Congress and the public a redacted copy of the 448-page report Thursday. Though the redactions were less extensive than some Democrats feared, the Justice Department had blacked out sections of the report that it said contained classified material, secretive grand jury testimony or information that would affect investigations still under way. Nadlers requests put him at odds with his Senate counterpart, Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., leader of the Judiciary Committee. Graham has spoken supportively of Barr, said he accepts his conclusions and pledged to scrutinize the investigators who targeted Trump and his campaign. Like most other Senate Republicans, though, Graham has not commented on the details of Muellers report, which paints a damning portrait of Trumps efforts to thwart the special counsel investigation. Nicholas Fandos is a New York Times writer. WASHINGTON President Trump lashed out Friday at current and former aides who cooperated with special counsel Robert Muellers investigation, insisting the deeply unflattering picture they painted of him and the White House was total bullshit. In a series of angry tweets from rainy Palm Beach, Fla., Trump laced into those who, under oath, had shared with Mueller their accounts of how Trump tried numerous times to squash or influence the investigation and portrayed the White House as infected by a culture of lies, deceit and deception. Statements are made about me by certain people in the Crazy Mueller Report, in itself written by 18 Angry Democrat Trump Haters, which are fabricated & totally untrue, Trump wrote, adding that some were total bullshit & only given to make the other person look good (or me to look bad). The attacks were a dramatic departure from the upbeat public face the White House had put on the report 24 hours earlier, when Trump celebrated the reports findings as full exoneration and his counselor Kellyanne Conway called it the best day for Trumps team since his election. While the president, according to people close to him, did feel vindicated by the report, he also felt betrayed by those who had painted him in an unflattering light even though they were speaking under oath and had been directed by the White House to cooperate fully with Muellers team. While Mueller found no criminal evidence that Trump or his campaign aides colluded in Russian election meddling and did not recommend obstruction charges against the president, the 448-page report released Thursday nonetheless paints a damaging picture of the president, describing numerous cases where he discouraged witnesses from cooperating with prosecutors and prodded aides to mislead the public on his behalf to hamper the Russia probe he feared would cripple his presidency. The accounts prompted Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, who has sometimes clashed with Trump, to release a statement saying he was sickened at the extent and pervasiveness of dishonesty and misdirection by individuals in the highest office of the land, including the President. The report concluded that one reason Trump managed to stay out of trouble was that his efforts to influence the investigation were mostly unsuccessful ... largely because the persons who surrounded the President declined to carry out orders or accede to his requests. That didnt spare those who defied Trumps wishes from his wrath. Trump appeared to be especially angry with former White House counsel Don McGahn, who sat with Mueller for about 30 hours of interviews, and is referenced numerous times in the report. In one particularly vivid passage, Mueller recounts how Trump called McGahn twice at home and directed him to set in motion Muellers firing. McGahn recoiled, packed up his office and threatened to resign, fearing the move would trigger a potential crisis akin to the Saturday Night Massacre of firings during the Watergate era. In another section, Mueller details how Trump questioned McGahns note-taking, telling the White House counsel that, Lawyers dont take notes and that hed never had a lawyer who took notes. Watch out for people that take so-called notes, when the notes never existed until needed, Trump said in one of his tweets Friday. Others whose contemporaneous notes were referenced in the report include former staff secretary Rob Porter and Reince Priebus, Trumps first chief of staff. Jill Colvin is an Associated Press writer. Two people were rescued Thursday from a sinking boat off the coast of unincorporated San Mateo County, U.S. Coast Guard officials said Friday. The owner of the boat contacted the Coast Guard at about 5:30 p.m. and said his 57-foot Chris-Craft, Never Say Never, was taking on water off the coast of Ano Nuevo State Park. Coast Guard officials sent a helicopter and lifeboat to the Chris-Craft's location. Because of dense fog the helicopter crew had trouble locating the distressed boaters. Using VHF channel 16 radio direction-finding equipment the crew was able to locate the pair and hoist them onto the helicopter. The crew started toward the Watsonville Municipal Airport, but due to low fuel they landed in the parking lot of the Skyview Flea Market in Santa Cruz. Both boaters were taken to Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz. One reported having chest pain. "This is a harsh reminder of the dangerous conditions we see this time of year near the coastlines," Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Mike Dubinsky said in a statement. "The sunshine can be very inviting, but the water is still very cold and the marine layer can surround you within minutes, making it very difficult to navigate back to shore," he said. Coast Guard officials said the best way for mariners in distress to communicate with the Coast Guard is via a VHF radio or an emergency position-indicating radio beacon. 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. 3 1 of 3 Manfred Schmid/Getty Images Show More Show Less 2 of 3 STEVE DUNLEAVY /Getty Images Show More Show Less 3 of 3 ALAMEDA (BCN) Three athletes from Alameda-based outdoor gear company The North Face are presumed dead after being caught in an avalanche in Canada's Banff National Park on Tuesday, Parks Canada officials confirmed Friday. David Lama, Jess Roskelley and Hansjorg Auer were reported missing Wednesday after failing to return from Howse Peak on the Icefields Parkway. Officials responded to the area and found signs of multiple avalanches and debris containing climbing equipment. "David, Jess, and Hansjorg are valued and loved members of The North Face family and we are doing everything we can to support their families friends and community during this difficult time," The North Face said in a statement. Though the three men were highly experienced, professional mountain athletes, parks officials said the east face of the peak is remote and "an exceptionally difficult objective." Among the trio, Roskelley was the youngest American to summit Mount Everest in 2003 when he was 20 years old. The three men were considered some of the most elite mountaineers in the world. Officials are not currently conducting a search because of dangerous avalanche conditions and strong winds, according to Parks Canada spokeswoman Amy Krause. Personnel are on site monitoring weather and avalanche risk, and recovery efforts will begin as soon as conditions are deemed safe. "We acknowledge the significant impact that this incident has had on the family, friends and loved ones of those involved, as well as the local and international climbing community," Krause said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with their families, friends and all those who have been affected by this tragic circumstance." Jacom Stephens/Getty Images MILPITAS (BCN) A 70-year-old woman accused of strangling her 3-year-old grandson in Milpitas Monday made her first appearance in Santa Clara County Superior Court Friday. Foos Hashi did not enter a plea, and has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, assault on a child 8 years or younger resulting in death and child endangerment. She is being represented by the Public Defender's office and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted, according to Deputy District Attorney Luis Ramos. Family members packed the court for her appearance Friday but declined to comment on the case. Officers responded to a house in the 700 block of Luz Del Sol Loop at 4:44 p.m. Monday and found 3-year-old Ayub Hassan unresponsive, purple and pale. He was taken to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and died about an hour later. Hassan's aunt had been caring for the boy while his mother was living in Minnesota, according to court documents, and the boy had been ill and taking medicine for the last week. His aunt left him alone with Hashi on Monday while she picked up her five children from school in San Jose. When she returned, she asked her 14-year-old son to check on the boy. He immediately told Hassan's aunt that something was wrong with him, court documents said. The aunt found the boy unresponsive and called 911. Hassan, Hashi and a four-year-old girl were the only people at the home when the boy was killed, according to prosecutors. During an interview with police Wednesday, the 4-year-old girl demonstrated to detectives that Hashi allegedly grabbed Hassan by the neck, shook him and threw him to the ground. Medical personnel at the hospital found scratches on Hassan's neck that appeared suspicious and the county medical examiner's autopsy later confirmed he had died of manual strangulation. The county Department of Family and Children's Services took the 4-year-old girl and her four siblings into protective custody. It is unclear whether the family had been reunited as of Friday. Hashi was arrested Wednesday evening in San Jose in connection with the slaying. "The unthinkable has happened to a family in our community," Ramos said outside the courthouse Friday. "There's nothing that we can do to bring him back, but we're gonna do everything that we can to make sure that the person responsible is held accountable." Hashi is a Milpitas resident and the boy's paternal grandmother, according to police. She is currently being held in Santa Clara County Jail without bail and her next court date is set for May 8. MENLO PARK (BCN) Environmental activists will hold a protest on Earth Day in Menlo Park in order to save a cluster of redwood trees in the city's downtown area from being cut down. Menlo Park city officials are considering cutting down seven large, 40-year-old redwood trees that are located on city property near 1000 El Camino Real. Officials believe the redwoods to be the cause of structural damage to a nearby parking garage. Activists dispute this claim. "The property owner says the trees need to be removed so that they can make repairs, but the trees are not the cause of the damage to the building," activist Judy Rocchio said. "The problem is an inherent structural design flaw in the owner's original plan. There are solutions that would not require the removal of these majestic redwoods." As part of the Earth Day action on Saturday, the activists will hold a peaceful protest, carrying placards and banners to raise awareness. International protest organization the Raging Grannies will join the activists in protesting the trees' removal. Ruth Robertson of the Raging Grannies said the campaign aims to "preserve the environmental quality of Menlo Park." The activists are also encouraging residents to attend a Menlo Park City Council meeting on May 7, where the fate of the trees will be decided. 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) Four elementary schools in the Mission District and Potrero Hill will receive 100 new bicycles Saturday during the San Francisco Rotary Club's eleventh annual bike build. Over 40 volunteers began uncrating and assembling the bikes at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning at Bryant Elementary School, 1641 25th St. The shiny new wheels will be donated to third-, fourth- and fifth-graders at Bryant, Leonard Flynn, Marshall and Daniel Webster elementary schools. "We are very grateful to the Rotary Club of San Francisco for providing our students with bicycles, which offer them a fun mode of transportation as well as a healthy form of exercise," Desirae Feria, San Francisco Unified School District supervisor of physical education, said in a news release. Many elementary schoolers in the city have been learning how to ride bikes as a partnership between SFUSD and the city's Municipal Transportation Agency. Students will be gifted bikes, helmets and locks at 11 a.m. and police officers will teach them how to ride the bikes safely on a special test course. 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. Saturday is the first day of National Park Week, during which entry is free to the parks, according to the National Park Service. In the Bay Area, Muir Woods in Mill Valley is popular park that's part of the national park system and entry to it will be free. Muir Woods is located at 1 Muir Woods Road. Parking and shuttle reservations are required to visit. Go to https://gomuirwoods.com to make reservations. A 60-year-old man died Friday afternoon in a head-on collision in Martinez, police said. Officers responded at 2:38 p.m. following a report of the collision at Alhambra Avenue and Alhambra Valley Road. Police said the 60-year-old man was found unresponsive behind the wheel and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek with injuries not considered life-threatening. Police said neither alcohol nor drugs appear to have played a role in the collision. A toddler was in critical condition Friday night following a fall from a fire escape in Oakland earlier in the day, police said. Someone called dispatchers at about 4:30 p.m. to say that a child in the 1400 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way was not breathing. Police and firefighters responded, and the toddler was given medical treatment before being taken to a hospital. Police said they are investigating the fall. Two gray whales found dead in the last two weeks in San Francisco Bay died after being hit by ships, scientists with The Marina Mammal Center confirmed Friday. The scientists also believe a third gray whale, found dead near Richmond on April 13, may have also been the victim of a ship strike. During a necropsy completed on Thursday, the scientists found that the whale had suffered deep propeller wounds that had severed its tail. Otherwise, the whale was in excellent condition and displayed no signs of malnutrition. "We're incredibly concerned to discover the death of three gray whales due to ship strikes in two weeks," the center's Chief Research Pathologist Dr. Padraig Duignan said in a statement. "Investigating each death is critical so that decisionmakers can advise on shipping speeds in area where whales are known to travel." Increased numbers of gray whales have been spotted in the Bay as the whales continue their northerly migration this spring, mammal center officials said. On Friday, a 70-year-old woman accused of strangling her 3-year-old grandson in Milpitas on Monday made her first appearance in Santa Clara County, Superior Court Friday. Foos Hashi did not enter a plea, and has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, assault on a child 8 years or younger resulting in death and child endangerment. She is being represented by the Public Defender's office and faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted, according to Deputy District Attorney Luis Ramos. Family members packed the court for her appearance Friday but declined to comment on the case. Officers responded to a house in the 700 block of Luz Del Sol Loop at 4:44 p.m. Monday and found 3-year-old Ayub Hassan unresponsive, purple and pale. He was taken to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and died about an hour later. Hassan's aunt had been caring for the boy while his mother was living in Minnesota, according to court documents, and the boy had been ill and taking medicine for the last week. His aunt left him alone with Hashi on Monday while she picked up her five children from school in San Jose. When she returned, she asked her 14-year-old son to check on the boy. A woman who was seen on video being dragged by a San Francisco Municipal Railway light-rail vehicle last week spent several days in the hospital, but has since been discharged, a spokesman with Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital said Friday. The incident occurred on April 12 at Embarcadero station as the woman was attempting to catch an N-Judah train, Muni spokesman Paul Rose said. In the video, released Friday, the woman can be seen putting her hand through the vehicle's doors; it appears to get stuck. A Muni employee can be seen motioning for her to get her hands out, but it appears she can't. When the vehicle starts moving, the woman gets dragged and falls on the tracks. SFGH spokesman Brent Andrew couldn't elaborate on the woman's condition but said she's already been discharged from the hospital. An elderly man is missing from Sonoma County Friday night and sheriff's officials are asking for help finding him. Marcelo Dominquez-Salgado, 77, was reported missing from Camp Meeker at about 6 p.m. He walked away from his home at about 3 p.m. and was last seen by a nearby resident walking east on Market Street toward Bohemian Highway. Dominquez-Salgado suffers from a medical condition and is considered to be at-risk. He is 4 feet 8 inches tall, 100 pounds, and was last seen wearing a blue/green striped T-shirt, brown jacket, blue jeans and maroon or red boots. 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 LEANDRO (BCN) A high school student who allegedly robbed a 38-year-old blind woman in Downtown San Leandro was charged Friday with robbery and abuse against a dependant adult, according to police. The woman was walking from San Leandro BART to an address on Haas Avenue at about 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday when her white guidance cane came into contact with a person. Before she could react, police said 18-year-old Jujuan Despanie began stealing her iPhone out of her hand. She tried to fight back by resisting and holding on to her phone, but she lost her balance and fell to the ground. The suspect kept pulling on her phone until it slipped out the victim's grip, police said. Witnesses responded to the area of Davis and Clarke streets and called 911, and a bicyclist followed the suspect as he ran into the neighborhood. Another witness saw the robbery from a balcony and assisted police in their investigation. They ultimately located and arrested Despanie, who was hiding between two parked cars a few blocks away. He initially tried to run away from officers and discard evidence of the crime, according to police, who said he's currently a high school student. An Alameda-Contra Costa Transit bus driver passing Davis Street helped the woman onto his bus and took her back to San Leandro BART station. She was then able to get help from a BART station attendant, police said. "People in our community with disabilities are sometimes defenseless and should never be seen as a target for criminals due to their vulnerability," Lt. Isaac Benabou said in a news release. "Rather than to prey on those who cannot protect themselves, we have a moral responsibility as human beings to help one another when in need." Despanie was charged with two felony offenses in Alameda County court and remains in custody at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. 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. The event was organized by China-Europe Association for Technical and Economic Cooperation (CEATEC) , Silk Passage Business Consultancy co. LTD and EverGrow Oy with the intention of furthering mutual understandings of European and Chinese business culture and encouraging Finnish companies to set up shop in China. LAST WEEK SAW business leaders, public figures, and investors gather at startup hub Maria 01 for the first-ever Europe-China Economic and Trade Forum, an event aimed at strengthening economic and trade links between the two countries and between China and the EU. Also in attendance were representative Ms. Chen Hui the Director of China-Europe Association for Technical and Economic Cooperation (CEATEC) Shanghai office, who expressed hopes that Finland could be an ideal gateway for Chinese companies looking to break into the European market. Companies represented at the packed event included Nordea Bank, Elisa, Kesko, and Planmeca, as well as over 100 Finnish SMEs. As China moves from being a primarily manufacturing economy to a high-tech, consumer-based one, officials have expressed a desire to import European expertise and products into the country, as part of the governments wider strategy of opening up the economy to the international market. As such, experts were on hand to discuss issues ranging from Intellectual Property law, a prevalent concern among Western businesspeople, and accessing capital and investment within China. Understanding the vastly different business cultures in China and Europe was also at the top of the agenda. As Dragan Cigola, Chief International Affairs at CEATAC pointed out; business culture is the biggest challenge when it comes to strengthening trade ties. The EU and China are the two biggest markets on Earth, yet they have very little understanding of how one another conducts business. Things used to be designed in Europe and produced in China, but that dynamic is reversing. We want European companies to take advantage of the huge capital and investment opportunities in China, but we need to reduce cultural barriers first. For Finnish and European entrepreneurs wary of doing business in China, experts were on hand to address concerns. Ms. Chen Hui, the Director of CEATECs Shanghai Office, discussed how China was simplifying areas such as tax, IP laws, customs clearances, and foreign ownership in order to turn China from the biggest importer to the biggest exporter. Its not just about expectations. Its about the concrete steps already being taken to bring down barriers and to promote trade between Europe and China. Our goal is to publicize this and let people know that China is open for business. Its not just about big companies. We want small and medium-sized businesses to benefit from this. In Finland, for instance, you excel in medical technology and niche, high-tech production parts. This is the kind of stuff wed like to attract to China with this forum. It was clear that there is a high level of interest in China about what Finland produces and how China can replicate its success. The local government of Dongguan, in Guangdong Province, specifically requested that the Chinese delegation persuade Finnish producers to set up shop in their city. Finlands education system, happiness rankings, forestry technology, and lifestyle products were all highlighted as areas of keen interest to Chinese importers. As Joshua Wu, General Manager of Silk Passage Business Consultancy co. Ltd explained; There is a human-focused, healthy lifestyle and culture here in Finland that has a huge appeal among Chinese consumers. The education system and the results it produces is something that will become immensely popular in China over the next few years. As Jun Yao, CEO of EverGrow OY pointed out: Our company helps Finnish companies to grow in China. The best way to grow in China is to have the right local partner, whom you can trust. We are aiming to pre-select those partners and bring them closer to Finnish companies. Linda Liukas, author and illustrator of Hello Ruby and Sanna Lukander, the CEO of Fun Academy, were also in attendance to share their business story in China. In addition to the talks, there were performances from a number of high-profile Chinese and Finnish artists. A number of strategic partnerships between Chinese and Finnish businesses were also signed on the day. For those who were unable to attend the forum, there will be another one taking place in Shanghai on 17-18 May 2019, which promises to be bigger than the last. If you are interested in taking your business to China, You can find more information at evergrow.fi. Adam Oliver Smith - HT (@HelsinkiTimes) Image Credit: Evergrow Oy In route news, Delta kicks off a new California route next week and plans some international changes in the fall; United plans new service to South Africa; JetBlue's newest route will be the longest in its system; American and United extend 737 MAX groundings; Frontier adds new domestic routes; Sun Country will expand its schedule this fall; Cathay plans to increase U.S. frequencies; and India's Jet Airways stops flying. Delta's newest California route is slated to begin on April 22 when it inaugurates service between Ontario and its Atlanta hub. The eastbound leg is not a redeye it departs Ontario at 10:55 a.m. but the second daily flight that Delta plans to add on the route June 9 will be, departing ONT at 10:45 p.m. Delta already flies from Ontario to its Salt Lake City hub. Meanwhile, Delta's latest schedule update shows some changes coming to its international routes this fall. On September 1, Delta will cancel its current daily service between Los Angeles and Amsterdam. On October 27, the airline was due to reduce its LAX-Paris CDG schedule from seven flights a week to three, but now it plans to maintain daily service through the winter. Also on October 27, Delta will pull the Airbus A350-900s off its LAX-Tokyo Haneda and LAX-Shanghai routes, replacing them with 777-200LRs. On the same date, it will deploy A350-900s between Atlanta-Tokyo Narita and Minneapolis/St. Paul-Seoul Incheon, replacing 777-200LRs . In case you missed our story earlier this week, United has announced plans to launch a new route to Africa later this year. Subject to government approvals, the airline wants to use a 787-9 to fly non-stop from its Newark hub to Cape Town, South Africa a route that currently has no non-stop flights. The airline has asked for permission to fly the route three days a week. The 16-hour flight would be one of the longest in United's network. JetBlue said this week it will use one of its new Airbus A321neos (new engine option) to start flying what will be the longest route (about 6.5 hours) in its system later this year when it begins non-stop service between New York JFK and Guayaquil, Ecuador. The airline plans to operate daily flights in the market beginning December 5, providing the only non-stop service between the two cities. JetBlue started flying to Ecuador in 2016 with service from Ft. Lauderdale to Quito; two months ago, it added Ft. Lauderdale-Guayaquil flights. Last week, we reported that Southwest Airlines had extended the cancellation of 737 MAX flights from its schedule through August 5, and American Airlines had done the same through June 5. But now American has updated that plan and said it will keep its 23 MAX aircraft out of its schedule through August 19 a decision that affects 115 flights a day, or about 1.5 percent of American's total summer schedule. "We are highly confident that the MAX will be recertified prior to this time," American CEO Doug Parker said. "But by extending our cancellations through the summer, we can plan more reliably for the peak travel season and provide confidence to our customers and team members when it comes to their travel plans." Shortly thereafter, United which has 14 of the aircraft said it would eliminate 737 MAX flights through early July, a month longer than previously planned. Frontier Airlines has set a June 17 start for new seasonal service between Denver and Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, which serves the Bentonville/Fayetteville area and is the closest commercial airport for Walmart's headquarters. It will be the 100th destination served by Frontier from Denver. The airline plans to fly the route three days a week. Frontier also plans to begin new service on July 2 from Denver to Tyler, Texas three days a week, and on July 10 from Las Vegas to Charlotte, N.C. seven days a week. Don't miss a shred of important travel news! Sign up for our FREE bi-weekly email alerts Minnesota-based low-cost carrier Sun Country Airlines plans to add some new domestic routes in September and October. On September 5, Sun Country will start flying from Las Vegas to Providence five times a week; to San Antonio four times a week; and to St. Louis, Mo. and Redmond, Oregon, twice a week. On September 6, Sun Country will add three weekly flights between New Orleans and Providence, followed on October 3 by twice-weekly San Diego-Portland service. Cathay Pacific's latest schedule revision indicates that it will add a fifth weekly flight to its new Seattle-Hong Kong route and to its Washington Dulles-Hong Kong route effective October 27. In other international news, India's Jet Airways which last week said it was temporarily suspending its international routes has now decided to suspend all service. Jet Airways has code-share partnerships on routes from Europe to India with Delta and its partners Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic. The airline had been desperately seeking a new source of capital in recent days but couldn't find one. Jet reportedly hasn't paid its pilots in four months, and its operating fleet kept shrinking as the bills piled up from 119 aircraft last December to just seven in recent days. 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. LONDON Police in Northern Ireland arrested two teenagers Saturday in connection with the fatal shooting of a journalist during rioting in the city of Londonderry. The men, aged 18 and 19, were detained under anti-terrorism legislation and taken to Belfast for questioning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said. The men have not been identified or charged. Police had said earlier there was one gunman who pulled the trigger who had been backed by an organization and that they are searching for more suspects. Lyra McKee, 29, a rising star of investigative journalism, was shot and killed, probably by a stray bullet aimed at police, during rioting Thursday night. Police said the New IRA dissident group was most likely responsible and called it a terrorist act. The use of a firearm apparently aimed at police marks a dangerous escalation in sporadic violence that continues to plague Northern Ireland 21 years after the Good Friday peace agreement was signed. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said earlier that a gunman fired a number of shots at police during the unrest. Police released video footage Friday night showing the man suspected of firing the shots that killed McKee. The footage shows the police facing a barrage of gasoline bombs before the shots were fired by someone wearing a balaclava to obscure his face. Police appealed for help from the community, stating that people knew the shooter and should help police identify him. The rioting started after police moved into the Creggan housing complex to search for weapons. The killing was condemned by all the major political parties as well as the prime ministers of Britain and Ireland. Some politicians believe uncertainty over Brexit and the possible reintroduction of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are stoking tensions in the region. The victim was mourned by friends, those who had read her work, and by the wider community. She rose to prominence in 2014 with a moving blog post Letter to my 14 year old self describing the struggle of growing up gay in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. Gregory Katz and Naomi Koppel are Associated Press writers. BENI, Congo Militia members have attacked an Ebola treatment center hours after another attack killed a staffer with the World Health Organization, a Congolese official said Saturday. Butembo citys deputy mayor, Patrick Kambale Tsiko, said the attackers armed with machetes tried to burn down the center in Katwa district overnight. Military and police guarding the center killed one militia member and detained five others, he said. LAST WEEK SAW business leaders, public figures, and investors gather at startup hub Maria 01 for the first-ever Europe-China Economic and Trade Forum, an event aimed at strengthening economic and trade links between the two countries and between China and the EU. The event was organized by China-Europe Association for Technical and Economic Cooperation (CEATEC), Silk Passage Business Consultancy co. LTD and EverGrow Oy with the intention of furthering mutual understandings of European and Chinese business culture and encouraging Finnish companies to set up shop in China. BEIRUT Syrian government forces came under separate attacks from Islamic State militants and al Qaeda-linked insurgents in different parts of the country that killed nearly 50 soldiers and allied fighters, activists and a war monitoring group said Saturday. In one attack, Islamic State militants ambushed Syrian government forces in the desert of central Homs province Thursday night, setting off two days of clashes that killed 27 soldiers, including four officers, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. ISLAMABAD A group of militants crossed the border from neighboring Iran last week and carried out a deadly attack against Pakistan armed forces in southwestern Baluchistan province, killing 14, the Foreign Ministry said Saturday. The ministry said in a letter to the Iranian government that the assailants were from a newly formed Baluch separatist group, Raji Aajoi Sangar, and that they were based in Irans adjacent Baluchistan province. It urged Iran to act against the attackers who had fled back across the border. Groups operating within Pakistans and Irans Baluchistan provinces, which share a long border, seek independence from both countries. The announcement came a day before Prime Minister Imran Khan is to visit to Iran. Despite lodging a protest with Tehran over the attack, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the planned two-day visit, beginning Sunday, is intact and that Khan will take up the matter of Thursdays killings with Iranian authorities. Qureshi said he spoke to his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, on Saturday to share initial findings of a Pakistani probe into the killing of security personnel. He said he demanded action against those responsible. He said Pakistan already had shared actionable intelligence with Tehran about the hideouts and training facilities of the Baluch separatists who carried out the attack and that an Iranian response was awaited. Though militants along the border region often target Iranian guards, it is the first time in recent years that Pakistan publicly accused Iran of inaction against Baluch groups responsible for the killing of Pakistani security forces. Munir Ahmed is an Associated Press writer. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- People jumped on Staten Island Railway tracks in two separate incidents during the Friday morning and Thursday evening rush hours, according to an MTA source. A domestic dispute led to a situation where two people jumped on and off the Staten Island Railway tracks in Huguenot during the Friday morning rush hour, according to the source. Authorities received a report of a domestic dispute on the eastbound platform at the Huguenot station on Friday morning. A male allegedly threw a females belongings onto the tracks, and she jumped down to retrieve her items, the source said. The male then jumped down to assist the female and they both climbed onto the westbound platform, the source said. Emergency radio communications indicated that the incident at Huguenot was called around 7:30 a.m. The man and woman boarded a westbound train headed toward St. George. The train was met by MTA Police at the New Dorp station and the couple was questioned, the source said. Emergency radio transmissions indicated that the MTA Police responded to New Dorp around 7:45 a.m. During the Thursday evening rush hour, there was an separate altercation involving three individuals on the eastbound platform. One male jumped onto the tracks, and was pursued by the other two males. They left the MTA property, according to the source. Regarding Thursdays incident, a spokeswoman for the NYPD said on Thursday night that initial police communications indicated a male was stabbed while in the vicinity of Richmond Valley Road and Weiner Street. The victim is not expected to die from the injuries, the police spokesman said. An FDNY spokesman confirmed on Thursday that EMS responded to the scene at approximately 5:51 p.m., but did not have any information regarding a hospital transport. Train service was modified at the Richmond Valley station on Thursday evening due to the police investigation, according to the MTA website. The NYPD was unable to provide an update about Thursdays incident at Richmond Valley. All of the major global news outlets have offered their own analysis of the shock results, with opinions ranging from incredulity to dismay to optimism. Some outlets focused on what the results signify about the future of EU elections and the entrenchment of far-right populists on the political scene. INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE OF FINLAND this week was dominated by the results of the national election , which saw the ruling conservative coalition lose its majority, whilst the far-right Finns Party crept up to second place. Meanwhile, others expressed surprise and concern at the message of climate hysteria peddled by populist parties, as well as what the election might mean for Finlands future in the EU. Political pundits have also concluded that the election is indicative of the slow death of so-called centrist politics that were seeing across western democracies, with major gains being made by parties on opposite ends of the political spectrum. Finlands election is a sign of things to come for the EU Deutsche Welle At first glance, it would seem social democrats who are struggling across Europe should be pleased that one of their parties has finally won an election. The Social Democratic Party of Finland (SPD) will indeed be the strongest party in the country's new parliament, but with just under 18 percent of the vote, they will only get 40 of the 200 seats. That means they are far from having a majority. They will probably lead a coalition government, however, and a Social Democrat could become Finland's next prime minister. A closer look shows that the far-right Finns Party is only 0.2 percentage points behind the SPD, and it has 39 seats in parliament. So there is no reason to rejoice, especially not for the more liberal, established governing parties that voters have chastened in spite of economic success. After its split and a renewed radicalization two years ago, the Finns Party has climbed back from poor opinion poll ratings. The Finns Party's new party leader, Jussi Halla-aho, a philosopher who has previously been convicted and fined for inciting ethnic hatred and blasphemy, rallied around the issue of immigration during the campaign. In order to win votes, Halla-aho used the same strategy many right-wing populist parties resort to: disproportionately inflating and generalizing the actual problems criminal asylum-seekers pose. Suddenly, all immigrants became potential sexual criminals, the people of Finland were threatened by an "invasion" of Muslims. The actual figures do not back up those claims, but it was nonetheless easy to tout the mantra: "Finland first." Six weeks ahead of the European Parliament elections, the results of the Finnish parliamentary vote point to a trend throughout the EU more moderate governing parties are failing, opposition parties are gaining ground and far-right populists are winning at an above-average rate. People are obviously dissatisfied with their governments; they want change even if their feelings of insecurity are not always supported by facts. In Germany and France, too, right-wing populists will probably do well in the European Parliament elections, while the establishment parties will lose out. Italy's governing right-wing populist Lega party is on the verge of a huge increase in support. Right-wing populists already rule in Poland, Hungary and Austria, and they remain strong in opinion polls ahead of the European Parliament elections. Original article appeared in Deutsche Welle on 15/04/19 an can be found here. The rights new rallying cry in Finland: Climate Hysteria The New York Times When they really wanted to rile up conservative voters this spring, the politicians from Finlands nationalist party made a beeline for the rawest subject in this years general election. No, not immigration. Climate. As Finlands other parties competed with each other to offer ambitious climate goals ahead of Sundays general election, the Finns Party has seized on climate as a new front in the culture wars, warning its conservative, working-class supporters that they are being betrayed by urban elites. Aggressive environmental measures will take the sausage from the mouths of laborers, warned a Finns Party politician, Matti Putkonen, in a recent televised debate. And, more important, from dogs and cats, whose food, he said, would increase in price by 20 to 40 percent. What are you going to say to the little girl or boy who cries when Mom and Dad say that they cant afford it any longer? he said. And take the lovable pet to be put down? How long do you think, he asked, will it take for dogs, that is, Musti and Mirri, to learn how to switch to pulled oats? The anti-climate language, coupled with the partys longstanding anti-immigrant line, has paid off. The Finns Party, which polled at just 8.1 percent last November, has risen in recent weeks to be the second most-popular party among prospective voters, with 16.3 percent support. According to Taloustutkimus, a market research firm, much of the surge has come from voters who did not take part in previous elections. Finlands general election has broken a well-established pattern in northern Europe, where one political cycle after another has been powerfully defined by the issue of immigration. In December, the Finnish authorities announced a series of cases involving accusations of sexual abuse and rape of girls by male asylum seekers and refugees, but it still did not become a central election issue. Instead, much of the debate has been dominated by climate, with nearly every major party proposing its own plan to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees. The proposals have been wide-ranging and, in some cases, aggressive, like an eco-tax on meat and airfare and restrictions on logging. But this pivot did not marginalize the Finns Party, whose leaders discovered they could mobilize their electorate by casting climate policy as an elite agenda that would hurt ordinary people. Some analysts, watching the Finns Partys rise, have suggested that emphasizing climate has actually helped the right wing. Original article appeared in The New York Times on 12/04/19 and can be found here. Finland is the latest nation to show centrists the door The Hill Finland held general parliamentary elections on Sunday, and preliminary results confirmed a victory for socialist parties, greens and populists, while the ruling conservative coalition lost its majority. Prime Minister Juha Sipila from the Centre Party had to admit massive defeat, even if he can claim some credit for lifting the Finnish economy from an unusually long recession after the financial crisis. Sipila quoted Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission and former Luxembourg prime minister, saying: "We all know what to do, we just don't know how to get re-elected after we've done it." Despite a clear improvement in economic outlook and a surge in jobs, the ruling coalition failed to finish a key reform in health care and was hurt by a public uproar on dismal care at private elderly care homes. These failures and the austere fiscal policy run by the government raised a backlash from the left. The clear, final-hour winner of this election was the Finns Party, a populist party whose program has a strong focus on nationalism and economic conservatism. They became the second-largest party by being able to rally people who fear immigration, dislike the idea of making tiny Finland a front-runner in climate-change mitigation and distrust in traditional parties. Like in Sweden, populism is rising despite strong economic performance and good employment. The Finns Party was split into two wings two years ago, and the more-moderate Blue Reform participated in the government coalition. Government formation will probably take a lot of time. None of the parties gained more than one-fifth of the seats, which means that a majority requires several parties. This is not necessarily a big problem because Finnish government has traditionally been a coalition of many parties. Original article appeared in The Hill on 17/04/19 and can be found here. Finlands second biggest party wants an orderly Euro-exit mechanism Bloomberg The euro area needs to create an orderly mechanism to allow members to leave the monetary union without having to quit the European Union, according to Finlands nationalist Finns Party. As things stand now, the rules contain no mechanism for a controlled exit from the common currency without leaving the European Union, party leader Jussi Halla-aho told reporters in Helsinki on Thursday. We want such a mechanism created to ensure future crises, like the disaster in Greece, cause less damage. The Finnish election on Sunday ended up being the countrys tightest in six decades and left the Finns Party trailing the victors, the Social Democrats, by just one seat. The result comes after the party, whose leader Halla-aho is a convicted Islamophobe, embraced an ultra-nationalist agenda that railed against immigration. The permanence and eternal existence of the euro area is not sacred for us, Halla-aho said. The cost of doing whatever it takes to save the euro during the debt crisis has been extremely high for Greece, Finland and everyone else, he said. Halla-aho said any steps to get Finland out of the euro should be gradual. He spoke as Finnish lawmakers prepare for government formation talks after Sundays tight result. Antti Rinne, the leader of the Social Democrats, has said he expects consensus to be reached by May 27, after European Parliament elections. Original article appeared in Bloomberg on 18/04/19 and can be found here. Adam Oliver Smith HT (@HelsinkiTimes) Image Credit: Lehtikuva A $6 million pledge to the San Mateo County Historical Association has accelerated a project to build a three-story structure expected to showcase the associations collection of 29 horse-drawn carriages. Mitch Postel, president of the San Mateo County Historical Association, said the pledge on behalf of Tad Taube will help make the exhibit planned for a lot at the rear of the San Mateo County History Museum in Redwood City a reality. Close 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! China will maintain policy support for the economy, which still faces "downward pressure" and difficulties after better than expected first-quarter growth, the Communist Party's top decision-making body said on Friday. The statement from the politburo came two days after China reported had steady 6.4 per cent annual growth in January-March, defying expectations for a further slowdown, as industrial production jumped sharply and consumer demand showed signs of improvement. China reported had steady 6.4 per cent annual growth in January-March. Credit:AP "While fully affirming the achievements, we should clearly see that there are still many difficulties and problems in economic operations," the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing a politburo meeting chaired by President Xi Jinping. "The external economic environment is generally tightening and the domestic economy is under downward pressure." Former Reserve Bank governor Bernie Fraser says Labor is sensible to propose the use of international carbon credits to meet its emissions reduction goals and described as crazy government claims that the measure would cost Australian businesses $25 billion. Mr Fraser, a former Treasury chief and advisor to both Labor and Coalition governments on climate policy, expressed frustration with the Morrison governments absurd assertions about climate action, including a stupid argument that sought to downplay Australias responsibility to act because it produces only a fraction of global emissions. Labor leader Bill Shorten has come under sustained attack this week over the potential cost of his partys 45 per cent emissions reduction target. Former Reserve Bank Governor Bernie Fraser says the Coalition's claims about the costs of Labor's climate policies are "crazy". Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Labor has argued its policy will have the same economic impact as the Coalitions 26 per cent emissions reduction goal, because it would allow businesses to buy international carbon credits to meet their obligations. Overseas credits represent emissions cuts made overseas and can be cheaper or less onerous for businesses than taking domestic action. The government has defended an $80 million water buyback and rejected suggestions of wrongdoing after the purchase came under scrutiny for its high dollar value and a cabinet minister's historical relationship with the vendor. Labor says questions need to be answered about the transaction, in which the government paid a company called Eastern Australia Agriculture for water entitlements at properties in south-east Queensland, as part of efforts to secure adequate environmental flows for a catchment in the Murray-Darling Basin. The government has defended an $80 million water buyback approved in 2017. Credit:Kate Geraghty Concerns have been raised about the record-setting payment for the water and Energy Minister Angus Taylor's previous roles as a director and consultant for the company. Mr Taylor has denied ongoing association with the company and any financial benefit from the transaction. Seizing on the heightened scrutiny, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has renewed Labor's call for a federal anti-corruption body, saying the government has "a lot more questions to answer". When exercise physiologist and diabetes educator Drew Harrisberg adopted his rescue dog Dennis two years ago, he never anticipated the thousands of dollars he would soon spend on vet bills. But after dealing with Dennis' chronic gut-issues, which include vomiting and diarrhoea, and numerous overnight stays at the vet, Harrisberg decided to educate himself about processed pet food and investigate the effects it was having on his Staffordshire bull terrier, or staffy. "I rescued Dennis when he was seven years old so I have no idea what he was eating or why he had these problems but I feel responsible for his health and hope we can reverse the damage by putting him on a real food diet, he said. Sydney-based exercise physiologist Drew Harrisberg with his dog Dennis, who suffers from chronic gut issues. Credit:James Brickwood Harrisberg, 30, is about to embark on a quest to cure his dog's poor health by switching him from processed pet food to a 60-day diet of raw meat and bones. He will be guided by three animal experts, and his progress will be filmed for a Netflix documentary called Bone To Pick. Up to 1000 people have joined an anti-Adani rally in Sydney's west as part of a convoy travelling north to protest against the proposed Queensland coalmine. Anti-Adani protesters turned out to support the convoy at Parramatta Park as it makes its way to the Queensland coalmine. Credit:AAP The convoy, spearheaded by veteran conservationist Bob Brown, includes electric vehicles and 180 cars which stopped in Parramatta in Sydney's west on Saturday as part of its two-week campaign up Australia's east coast. The Parramatta rally was attended by up to 1000 people ahead of the convoy's journey north to Coffs Harbour. Mr Brown said the campaign had received a huge amount of support since it departed Tasmania on Wednesday. Illustration: Matt Golding Credit: Your writer described Ali France as having lost a leg "after a car accident", which is an inadequate abbreviation ("Dutton apologises for remarks on rival", April 17). We have also been given a fuller and more informative story. A few years ago, France was seriously injured in the car park of a suburban centre in Brisbane when, in order to protect her four-year-old son, she bravely put herself in the way of car that was carelessly backing too fast out it its parking place and straight at her as she was packing groceries. As a result, and because of the courageous way in which she has subsequently coped with her disability, she is, rightly, a local heroine. When her full story is told, the baseness of Peter Dutton's sneers becomes even more obvious. John Carmody, Roseville Fitz doesn't fit While "most people haven't heard of it", Graham Gilmores Australian whites, a combination of four sheep breeds, are said to be the sheep equivalent of wagyu beef. The "very fine textured and very soft" sheep meat, which has a similar intramuscular fat content and fat melting point as wagyu beef, is catering to the trend of consumers "who enjoy top-end products" and eat "smaller portions of higher quality meat", Mr Gilmore said. Graham Gilmore and his Australian white stud Rugur. Credit:Christopher Pearce The sheep, which don't need to be shorn and can thrive in hot and cold climates, can fetch between $2000 and $38,000 per head. The Australian white sheep, and their embryos, can be found "all around the world", including the US and Mexico, but China is the biggest market for the unique meat, he said. Constable Hayden Edwards was a long way from his country home when he was stabbed with a 45-centimetre hunting knife in an unprovoked attack on a busy platform at Sydney's Central Station on Friday night. In the line of duty and with his back turned, Constable Edwards, 30, was allegedly attacked by a 53-year-old man with a knife as he was speaking to witnesses of an unrelated disturbance at the inner-city station. Constable Hayden Edwards is recovering in hospital after he was stabbed at Central Station. Credit:NSW Police The dramatic scene unfolded about 6.45pm on Friday, shortly after Constable Edwards and a fellow officer from the Police Transport Command were called to respond to an assault on Central's platform one. "We allege that while they were talking to witnesses in that matter, a 53-year-old male approached our constable from behind ... with some vigour ... and slashed across his back [using] a hunting knife," police Assistant Commissioner Karen Webb said on Saturday. The Victorian Police Profession Standards Command is investigating an incident in which a man was critically injured trying to escape a licence check in Melbourne's West. Officers pulled over the man's car around 7.15pm Friday, along Ballarat road in Deer Park, in what police say was a routine intercept. When the officers tried to check the man's licence he allegedly jumped out of his car and tried to run away, but was struck by another car as he fled across Ballarat Road. He was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries. He is believed to be in his late 20s. The driver of the other car was not injured and police say they stopped to help immediately. Texas: It should have been one of the happiest moments of Priscilla Maldonados life, but, instead, the 25-year-old mother was terrified. It was New Years Day, and she had just delivered her newborn son, Jabari. She said she heard her sons soft cries - and then the hospital room fell silent. No one told her she had a healthy baby boy. No one told her how much he weighed or how long he was. No one brought him to meet his mother and place him on her chest. Instead, she said, doctors and nurses wrapped him up and rushed him out of the room. I was worried. I was confused, she recalled in a phone interview. New York: Julian Assange fuelled conspiracy theories by falsely suggesting that a murdered Democratic party employee leaked damaging information about Hillary Clinton's campaign to WikiLeaks rather than Russian hackers, according to special counsel Robert Mueller's report. A veteran Democratic Party consultant said Mueller's report proved once and for all that Assange is "a monster, not a journalist" and that this should not be forgotten following his recent arrest in London. In July 2016 WikiLeaks published approximately 20,000 emails that had been stolen from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and later released a massive cache of emails that had been sent or received by Clinton's campaign manager John Podesta. Mueller's redacted report, released on Thursday local time, shows that Assange repeatedly suggested that Seth Rich, a 27-year old DNC employee who was murdered in Washington D.C in 2016, was the source of the leaks. Washington: US Senator Elizabeth Warren has became the first 2020 Democratic presidential candidate to make a full-throated call for President Donald Trump to be impeached following the release of special counsel Robert Mueller's redacted report. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren. Credit:AP Congressional Democrats demanded more detail on the conclusions of the probe while former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney expressed revulsion for the Trump White House's behaviour during the election. In a series of tweets on Friday, Warren said it would be damaging to "ignore a President's repeated efforts to obstruct an investigation into his own disloyal behaviour" and would give license to future presidents to act in the same way. "The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty. All About Mobi-Domains! Posted by Publisher Telecommunication When the Internet first came out it was restricted to a wired connection to a computer. Eventually technology improved, creating wireless Internet. At that point the Internet could be accessible through desktops, laptops and mobile devices without wiring. This means that the Internet was now portable. And as more mobile devices are getting created, consumers are exploring how to increase this portability. In fact, wireless Internet has gotten so popular with mobile devices, domain name companies have created a new extension. It\-\-s called mobi-Domain. The mobi-Domain is the extension of choice for websites that are being formatted for cell phones, pdas and other mobile devices.? As far as registering a mobi-Domain domain name, one would go through the same type of procedure that is associated with traditional domain names. This involves first choosing a mobi-Domain domain name and seeing if it is available. If it is not available, the domain name company will offer suggestions on what a person can use. Either way, the customer will be given another chance to select another mobi-Domain domain name. Once they get one that is not taken, they can proceed to purchase it. The contract will last one to two years, depending on what they agreed upon with the domain name company. When the contract is up, a person will have to renew their mobi-Domain domain name if they want to continue to keep it. So, why would a webmaster decide to invest in a domain name that is restricted to mobile devices? Well, it\-\-s mainly because they get an opportunity to center in on a market that is relatively new. Since most webmasters or companies are trying to take advantage of the .coms or the .nets, the mobi-Domain has become somewhat forgotten. This means that it is prime for search engine keywords that would normally not be available for traditional domain names. It can also allow a webmaster a branding opportunity for their company. However, since a mobi-Domain domain name means a webmaster is creating a website specially designed for a mobile phone, it cannot have the types of frills that it could have if it was being promoted on a computer. Good mobile websites need to be mostly textual with very limited number of pics, (if any). Granted, plain text is not fancy, but it doesn\-\-t require much loading time. Mobile phone sites should also not be very large nor should they be created with frames or other more complicated layouts. A webmaster may also want to consider trying to divert the mobile website visitor to a regular website. One way this can be done is by advertising the domain name that is associated with a traditional website. But it must be made clear that the site will only display appropriately on regular computers. Another option is trying to capture the person\-\-s email address by offering them something free, such as an e-book or low-cost merchandise. When they sign up to the email subscription, their first newsletter could advertise the traditional website a webmaster wants promoted. By doing either of these options, webmasters can still take advantage of pay-per-clicks or affiliate programs, revenue generators which may not be promoted on mobi-Domain websites due to viewing limitations with banner or text ads. Hans-Peter Oswald http://www.domainregistry.de/mobi-domain.html (English) http://www.domainregistry.de/mobi-domains.html (German) Abdruck und Veroeffentlichung honorarfrei! Der Text kann veraendert werden. Secura GmbH ist ein von ICANN akkreditierter Registrar fur Top Level Domains. Secura kann generische Domains registrieren, also z.B..com, .net etc. und daruber hinaus fast alle aktiven Lander-Domains registrieren. 2018 landete Secura beim Industriepreis unter den Besten. Secura gewann 2016 den \Ai Intellectual Property Award 2016\ als \Best International Domain Registration Firm Germany\. Beim \Innovationspreis-IT der Initiative Mittelstand 2016\ wurde Secura als Innovator qualifiziert und wurde beim \Innovationspreis-IT der Initiative Mittelstand 2016\ im Bereich e-commerce auch als einer der Besten ausgezeichnet. Beim Innovationspreis-IT der Initiative Mittelstand 2012 und beim Industriepreis 2012 landete Secura GmbH unter den Besten. Beim HOSTING & SERVICE PROVIDER AWARD 2012 verfehlte Secura nur knapp die Gewinner-Nominierung. Seit 2013 ist Secura auch bei den Neuen Top Level Domains sehr aktiv. Secura meldet Marken fur die Sunrise Period als Official Agent des Trade Mark Clearinghouse an. ICANN-Registrar Secura GmbH Frohnhofweg 18 D-50858 Koeln Germany Phone: +49 221 2571213 Fax: +49 221 9252272 secura@domainregistry.de http://www.domainregistry.de http://www.com-domains.com DENVER You've seen the first close-up of a black hole. Now, get ready to see the faint wisps of matter surrounding the object. The international team responsible for the first-ever image of a black hole's shadow already has plans to take a better, more detailed image. And that image could reveal new details about the matter and magnetic fields wrapped around the supermassive, distant object at the center of galaxy Messier 87 (M87). More-detailed images, along with movies of the black hole that are already in the works, could help explain how black holes gobble up matter from the rings of hot gas swirling around them (called accretion disks) and how the objects produce bright jets of superfast matter on the scale of galaxies. That's according to researchers from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) team who spoke to a crowd of physicists here at the American Physical Society's April meeting. [9 Ideas About Black Holes That Will Blow Your Mind] To image the M87 black hole in more detail, the researchers need to alter their approach, said Shep Doeleman, the Harvard University astronomer who lead the EHT team. Specifically, the scientists need to increase the frequency of the radio waves they're studying and add new radio telescopes to the EHT network. Both projects are already underway, he said, and should sharpen the already remarkably sharp image. (The existing image really is remarkably sharp when you consider that the supermassive object in question is so far away that, as viewed from Earth, it looks no bigger than an orange on the surface of the moon.) In particular, the team hopes to image curling wisps of duller matter that simulations suggest should surround that bright ring already pictured, said Avery Broderick, an astrophysicist at the University of Waterloo in Canada who works on interpreting data from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). The shapes of those wisps should tell physicists whether a long-held theory of how matter gets knocked from a black hole's accretion disk into its throat is correct. "One of the stories that we tell our graduate students is that the 'magneto-rotational instability' drives accretion," or the process in which black holes suck in nearby gas, Broderick said. Physicists believe, he explained to Live Science after the talk, that as turbulence shakes the hot material of the accretion disk, its shaking particles magnetically tug on each other across vast distances. That magnetic tugging causes some of the whirling matter to slow down and fall out of orbit past the event horizon and into the black hole; this material forms the wisps that the researchers hope to study. "But that's largely a story born of ignorance and failed imagination," Broderick told the crowd at his talk, "because we don't know what else would do it, and we've tried" to find alternative explanations. A more detailed image could confirm or reject that theory, he said. "What those wisps would do is they would give you a way to directly test that, because you're looking at [the direct result of magnetic turbulence]," he said. Careful imaging of the wisps, combined with an effort to image the black hole in motion, would help physicists understand, in unprecedented detail, how black holes eat and grow, Broderick said. At the same time, better images of the fainter material around the black hole might reveal structures that would help the team explain those jets of matter, Doeleman told Live Science. The researchers hope to capture images of matter twisting away from the accretion disk and forward, almost in the direction of Earth, following the actual path of M87's bright jet. "We've opened a window, and we're not done looking through it," he said. "Stay tuned." Originally published on Live Science. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's due date approaches, with the couple reportedly planning to break with (recent) royal tradition and opt for a home birth. Though the Royal Family has some pretty eccentric royal birth traditions which still stand today, the process will be a far more private affair than the births royal women of old were subjected to. Here's how royal births used to happen. Thank god for modern medicine. Midwives had to swear not to use the afterbirth for witchcraft Getty Images According to The Tudor Society, royal midwives had to be highly experienced (no surprises there), but before the birth they also had to take an oath that they would not steal away the umbilical cord or placenta afterwards. The Royal Family weren't concerned this would be a gory souvenir, but feared instead that the remains would be used in witchcraft. Labour rooms were designed to be womb-like Getty Images In the Medieval and Tudor periods, when noblewomen and royals gave birth they were ushered into a private room which men werent allowed to enter. According The Tudor Society, the rooms were designed to recreate the womb and were warm, dark and quiet. A single window would have been left open but otherwise as much light as possible would have been blocked, with many hanging tapestries over the window. According to The Loop, the room would sometimes have a lower, false ceiling. In other periods, an embarrassingly large audience would witness the birth King Louis XVI with Marie Antoinette and their children / Granger/Shutterstock In the past the birth of a new Royal Family member could have major political ramifications, with a new heir dictating the course of the countrys future. With this in mind, in certain periods royal births would be a very public spectacle. According to The Raven Report, French Queen Marie Antoinette had to give birth in front of 200 courtiers: "The exact moment of a royal birth was so important, the obstetrician yelled out 'The Queen is going to give birth!' at which point hundreds of courtiers poured into the darkened room. The rush of people promised to be so extreme, the king had ordered the enormous tapestries around her bed be secured with cords, so they wouldnt accidentally be pulled down by the frenzied crowd. The scene was so overpowering and chaotic, it is said Marie Antoinette fainted from the heat while onlookers continued to scramble up the furniture to get a better look at what was happening." Marie Antoinette / Universal History Archive/UIG/Shutterstock The Loop features a report by a witness who wrote about the birth of Marie Antoinettes first child, "The etiquette allowing all persons indiscriminately to enter at the moment of the delivery of a queen was observed with such exaggeration that when the obstetrician said aloud, The Queen is going to give birth!, the persons who poured into the chamber were so numerous that the rush nearly killed the Queen." REX/Shutterstock Antoinette isnt the only royal to suffer the same treatment, as Mary of Modena (the wife of King James II) was reportedly subjected to the same treatment in 1688. More recently, the British home secretary was also expected to be present at the birth of a child - a tradition scrapped by Queen Elizabeth II when she gave birth to Prince Charles. It was believed the mother's imagination could influence the gender (and even humanity) of the baby Getty Images During the Renaissance period, a woman was often surrounded by images of children before and after her wedding in the hope that it would encourage her to dream a son into being. As the V&A website explains, a womans imagination was thought to be instrumental in determining such characteristics as the sex and the looks of the unborn child. Accordingly, women were surrounded with beautiful images of children, and especially with images of baby boys - especially of Christ and Madonna. The Loop also notes that any hanging tapestries were not supposed to have pictures of animals on them, just in case they encouraged nightmarish visions which could lead to a deformed child. The V&A cites a warning by Martin Luther, who once told the story of a woman who gave birth to a mouse after one surprised her during her pregnancy. The V&A adds, As a result, the doctors and the writers of bestiaries (encyclopaedias of animals, both real and fictional) warned women not to look at or think of beasts at certain times. Royal mothers were given a gloopy alcoholic oatmeal drink to help them survive the birth Getty Images During the Regency period in England many women opted to drink something called 'caudle.' According to author Diane Morris, caudle was a warm drink made by mixing a thin gruel of oatmeal with wine or ale, spices, and sugar. Dr Edmund Chapman, a physician of the time, shared advice for women following childbirth, writing, The woman is to drink freely of white-wine caudle and chicken-broth; the latter of which is more necessary after a great loss of blood. If she continues to have an immoderate discharge, her caudle is to be made with red-wine, instead of a white. The mother needed to be 'cleansed' before going back to her royal work Getty Images According to The History Collection, new mothers in 15th and 16th Century England were viewed as unclean after giving birth. In the case of the royals, queens and princesses were expected to undergo a cleansing which saw them lie in bed separated from their newborn child for a few weeks. The duration of time depended on the gender of the child, so at least two weeks for the birth of a girl, double this for a boy. Once she was deemed well enough, she would then be blessed by a priest. Queen Victoria of England was one of many royals to undergo the ritual, and according to The History Collection she was also blessed and purified by a priest after the births of all four of her children. In Hawaii, births took place in a location charged with mana Design Pics Inc/Shutterstock In Hawaii, the alii (Hawaiian royalty) gave birth at a religious location called the Kukaniloko Birthing Stones, a spot where the life force of the land was strong and birthing mothers could see the landscape for miles. Women would rest against a stone called the Kukaniloko to give birth, surrounded by rows of rocks which represented Oahu chiefs. The birth would be witnessed by a number of tribal chiefs who would then tell their communities about the birth. According to Ozy, women were expected to hold up their thighs in accordance with a set of rules called the Liloe kapu. According to a study by the University of Michigan, the legend went, if any one came in confident trust and lay properly upon the supports, the child would be born with honour. It would be called a chief divine; a burning fire F our men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was found dead at a property in Dagenham. Police were called to reports of a non-responsive man at an address in Hedgeman's Road at 10.41am on Saturday. Officers attended and found a man believed to be in his 30s dead at the scene. No further details have been released on those arrested. A statement from Scotland Yard said: "They have been taken to east London Police stations where they remain at this time." Anyone with information who has not spoken with police is asked to dial 101 quoting CAD2547/2APR. A man in his 20s was stabbed in London's Hyde Park on Saturday afternoon. Police were called to the scene at around 4.40pm on Saturday. The man was taken to hospital and his condition was initially being treated as potentially life-threatening. However, it has since been deemed they are not life-threatening, though further details are unclear. A statement from Scotland Yard said: "Police were called at around 1640hrs on Saturday, 20 April, to a fight in the western part of Hyde Park, W1. "Officers attended along with LAS and found a man suffering a suspected stab injury. "Detectives from the Central West Command Unit are investigating." There have been no arrests at this stage. Enquiries are still underway and the Met could not state whether the incident was connected to the 420 gathering in the park. Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to call police via 101 quoting reference 5053/apr20. T he detective leading the hunt for journalist Lyra McKees killers has said a new breed of terrorist is emerging through the ranks in Northern Ireland. Police have arrested two teenagers who they suspect are members of the dissident republican New IRA and were involved in shooting dead the promising young journalist in Londonderry. Police Service of Northern Ireland detective superintendent Jason Murphy said terrorists were lurking in the shadows. "What we are seeing is a new breed of terrorist coming through the ranks and that for me is a very worrying situation." He said there had been a sea change in community attitudes and that was demonstrated in the revulsion expressed by many at Thursday evening's killing. Police officers inspect the scene where the 29-year-old journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead, in Londonderry, Northern Ireland / REUTERS A gunman aiming to kill police shot Ms McKee in the head after he fired indiscriminately during disturbances in the Creggan estate. Lyra McKee had recently moved to Derry to live with her partner / AP DS Murphy was giving an update on the case to reporters on Saturday afternoon. The arrested men, aged 18 and 19, were detained under anti-terrorism legislation and have been taken to a police station in Belfast for questioning. An outpouring of tributes to the journalist was led by her partner, Sara Canning, who said Ms McKee's "amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act". Detectives hunting the gunman have released footage of the shooting in the hope the community can help trace her killers. Londonderry resident discusses the killing of Lyra McKee The published author, from Belfast, was shot in the head by suspects who police believe were dissident republicans linked to the New IRA, as they clashed with police on the Creggan estate in Londonderry. Mobile phone footage released by police on Friday appears to show the masked shooter fire a handgun towards police and onlookers including Ms McKee. Journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead in Northern Ireland / Getty Images The published author's partner Ms Canning said it was a senseless murder. "Our hopes and dreams and all of her amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act," she said. Ms Canning said it has left so many friends without their confidante. Police investigating murder of Lyra McKee release CCTV footage of gunman "Victims and LGBTQI community are left without a tireless advocate and activist and it has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with," she added. "This cannot stand, Lyra's death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone else's life and her legacy will live on and the life that she has left behind." In CCTV footage also released by Police Service Northern Ireland, Ms McKee can be seen standing with a crowd of people beside a police vehicle moments before she was shot. She raised her mobile phone into the air, apparently to take a photo of the confrontations. A third clip shows the masked shooter head-on as he steps from behind a wall then points a handgun towards police and bystanders. People hold candles during a vigil at Belfast City Hall in memory of murdered journalist Lyra McKee / PA Detectives released the footage, which also appears to show an accomplice picking up something from the ground where the gunman was stood, to encourage anyone with information to make contact. Police have blamed the anti-peace process New IRA for the killing after handgun shots aimed at their officers were fired indiscriminately in the Creggan estate. Detectives believe the violence was orchestrated in response to an earlier search by officers aimed at averting imminent trouble associated with this week's anniversary of the Easter Rising. They said more than one person was involved in the murder. People signing a book of condolence after a vigil at Belfast City Hall in memory of murdered journalist Lyra McKee / PA They have already received a large number of calls and information from the public and have a special portal where video and pictures can be uploaded. Prime Minister Theresa May said the killing was "shocking and senseless". The New IRA is an amalgam of a series of armed groups opposed to the peace process. It claimed responsibility for a number of parcel bombs sent to London and Glasgow recently. The threat posed to police in Northern Ireland is high. It is understood Ms McKee had recently moved to Londonderry to live with "love of her life" Sara. She was an editor for California-based news site Mediagazer, a trade publication covering the media industry. In 2016, Forbes Magazine named her one of their 30 under 30 in media. She had been working on a new book which had been due to be published in 2020. Michelle Stanistreet, National Union of Journalists (NUJ) general secretary, said Ms McKee was one of the most promising journalists in Northern Ireland. She said: "A young, vibrant life has been destroyed in a senseless act of violence. "A bright light has been quenched and that plunges all of us into darkness." Causes close to her heart included helping homeless people, preventing suicide and supporting LGBT rights in the most restrictive regime in the UK. Catholic priest Father Joseph Gormley comforted Ms McKee's family in hospital and accused the killers of forcing their viewpoint on others using the barrel of a gun. He asked: "Have you no sense of humanity or dignity about yourself?" Deputy chief constable Stephen Martin criticised those behind earlier violent scenes during which more than 50 petrol bombs were thrown and two cars burned in the Creggan. "Regretfully, people such as I described earlier who are completely out of step, goaded and orchestrated young people to engage in disorder," he said. "The police didn't react to that disorder. We didn't respond with any use of force, we absorbed it. "We were there to do search activity. We did not want in any way to make the situation worse." He defended the decision to launch an operation earlier on Thursday aimed at thwarting dissident plans for "imminent" violence. In the past, trouble has coincided with dissident republican commemoration of the battle for Irish independence every Easter. Anti-peace process sentiment in Northern Ireland's second city has been demonstrated in recent attempts to bomb the courthouse and the calling off of a community youth event after police were invited. Mr Martin condemned those whose sole purpose in life was to try to attack his officers and destroy the peace. "Today is Good Friday and it's a cruel twist in our history that 21 years ago the majority of people in Northern Ireland signed up to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement yet here we are today mourning the loss of a talented young woman, a young journalist who was also a daughter, a sister and a partner. "This is a dark day." Assistant chief constable Mark Hamilton said it was a calculated and callous act to bring a firearm into a residential area. "Bullets stop somewhere, and on this occasion they stopped fatally." T wo men have been arrested under the Terrorism Act in connection with the murder of journalist Lyra McKee. Ms McKee, 29, was hit by a bullet and killed during rioting in the Creggan area of Londonderry on Thursday. The men, aged 18 and 19, were detained under anti-terrorism legislation and have been taken to a police station in Belfast for questioning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said. An outpouring of tributes to the 29-year-old was led by her partner, Sara Canning, who said Ms McKee's "amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act". Detectives hunting the gunman have released footage of the shooting in the hope the community can help trace her killers. Londonderry resident discusses the killing of Lyra McKee The published author, from Belfast, was shot in the head by suspects who police believe were dissident republicans linked to the New IRA, as they clashed with police on the Creggan estate in Londonderry. Mobile phone footage released by police on Friday appears to show the masked shooter fire a handgun towards police and onlookers including Ms McKee. Journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead in Northern Ireland / Getty Images The published author's partner Ms Canning said it was a senseless murder. "Our hopes and dreams and all of her amazing potential was snuffed out by this single barbaric act," she said. Ms Canning said it has left so many friends without their confidante. Police investigating murder of Lyra McKee release CCTV footage of gunman "Victims and LGBTQI community are left without a tireless advocate and activist and it has left me without the love of my life, the woman I was planning to grow old with," she added. "This cannot stand, Lyra's death must not be in vain because her life was a shining light in everyone else's life and her legacy will live on and the life that she has left behind." Police officers inspect the scene where the 29-year-old journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead, in Londonderry, Northern Ireland / REUTERS In CCTV footage also released by Police Service Northern Ireland, Ms McKee can be seen standing with a crowd of people beside a police vehicle moments before she was shot. She raised her mobile phone into the air, apparently to take a photo of the confrontations. A third clip shows the masked shooter head-on as he steps from behind a wall then points a handgun towards police and bystanders. People hold candles during a vigil at Belfast City Hall in memory of murdered journalist Lyra McKee / PA Detectives released the footage, which also appears to show an accomplice picking up something from the ground where the gunman was stood, to encourage anyone with information to make contact. Police have blamed the anti-peace process New IRA for the killing after handgun shots aimed at their officers were fired indiscriminately in the Creggan estate. Detectives believe the violence was orchestrated in response to an earlier search by officers aimed at averting imminent trouble associated with this week's anniversary of the Easter Rising. They said more than one person was involved in the murder. People signing a book of condolence after a vigil at Belfast City Hall in memory of murdered journalist Lyra McKee / PA They have already received a large number of calls and information from the public and have a special portal where video and pictures can be uploaded. Prime Minister Theresa May said the killing was "shocking and senseless". The New IRA is an amalgam of a series of armed groups opposed to the peace process. It claimed responsibility for a number of parcel bombs sent to London and Glasgow recently. The threat posed to police in Northern Ireland is high. It is understood Ms McKee had recently moved to Londonderry to live with "love of her life" Sara. She was an editor for California-based news site Mediagazer, a trade publication covering the media industry. In 2016, Forbes Magazine named her one of their 30 under 30 in media. She had been working on a new book which had been due to be published in 2020. Michelle Stanistreet, National Union of Journalists (NUJ) general secretary, said Ms McKee was one of the most promising journalists in Northern Ireland. She said: "A young, vibrant life has been destroyed in a senseless act of violence. "A bright light has been quenched and that plunges all of us into darkness." Causes close to her heart included helping homeless people, preventing suicide and supporting LGBT rights in the most restrictive regime in the UK. Catholic priest Father Joseph Gormley comforted Ms McKee's family in hospital and accused the killers of forcing their viewpoint on others using the barrel of a gun. He asked: "Have you no sense of humanity or dignity about yourself?" Deputy chief constable Stephen Martin criticised those behind earlier violent scenes during which more than 50 petrol bombs were thrown and two cars burned in the Creggan. "Regretfully, people such as I described earlier who are completely out of step, goaded and orchestrated young people to engage in disorder," he said. "The police didn't react to that disorder. We didn't respond with any use of force, we absorbed it. "We were there to do search activity. We did not want in any way to make the situation worse." He defended the decision to launch an operation earlier on Thursday aimed at thwarting dissident plans for "imminent" violence. In the past, trouble has coincided with dissident republican commemoration of the battle for Irish independence every Easter. Anti-peace process sentiment in Northern Ireland's second city has been demonstrated in recent attempts to bomb the courthouse and the calling off of a community youth event after police were invited. Mr Martin condemned those whose sole purpose in life was to try to attack his officers and destroy the peace. "Today is Good Friday and it's a cruel twist in our history that 21 years ago the majority of people in Northern Ireland signed up to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement yet here we are today mourning the loss of a talented young woman, a young journalist who was also a daughter, a sister and a partner. "This is a dark day." Assistant chief constable Mark Hamilton said it was a calculated and callous act to bring a firearm into a residential area. "Bullets stop somewhere, and on this occasion they stopped fatally." L ondons marijuana lovers will descend on Hyde Park today for one of the worlds biggest celebrations of cannabis on 420 day. Thousands of people are expected to gather in the central London park to smoke weed and to call on the Government to legalise the Class B drug. The rally takes place every year on April 20. Todays event puts even further demand on the Met Police which has officers on duty at climate protests across London organised by the Extinction Rebellion group. The origin of 420 is subject to numerous urban myths and theories. 420 Day 2018 1 /26 420 Day 2018 Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard A man poses with a sign reading: 'Medical cannabis for medical needs" Evening Standard Police patrolled around Hyde Park for 420 Day. Evening Standard Police patrolled around Hyde Park for 420 Day. Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard Revellers enjoy the sun at 420 Day in Hyde Park. Evening Standard It has been suggested that the number 420 came from the penal code the Californian police used to categorise cannabis cases. In 1971, students at a Californian high school allegedly organised a meeting at 4.20pm to find a plot of land to plant a cannabis plant. Rallies and celebrations of weed were taking place across the world today, stretching as far as New Zealand and America. P olice in London are under strain over cell space after more than 680 arrests were made during a week of climate change protests by Extinction Rebellion. In a week of disruption in the capital, climate change protesters have glued themselves to trains, blocked major roads and bridges and protested at Heathrow Airport. Extinction Rebellion (XR) has pledged to continue causing disruption until its demands, including the Government declaring a climate change emergency, are met. Scotland Yard has condemned the ongoing disruption and has now warned that arrests made during the week are putting police resources under strain. Police officers in Oxford Circus / Getty Images "Since Monday, we have made over 680 arrests and of course that places a logistical problem on, and not just, the police service for cell space but also the wider criminal justice system," the force said. "One thing that is unusual about this demonstration is the willingness of those participating to be arrested and also their lack of resistance to the arrests." In a further warning to demonstrators, who remain camped on Waterloo Bridge, it adds: "We continue to liaise with the protesters - if you want to protest go to Marble Arch. "There are conditions imposed on the other locations and you will be arrested." Officers in Oxford Circus on Thursday / AP The warning comes after police towed away the group's pink boat from Oxford Circus on Friday evening after it had blockaded the busy junction for five days. The mast was dismantled behind a police cordon and the boat was towed away to a nearby location as the climate change protesters chanted, "we have more boats". Hours earlier Dame Emma Thompson, the Oscar-winning British actress, arrived in Oxford Circus and gave a speech to crowds from the boat. She said: "We are here in this little island of sanity and it makes me so happy to be able to join you all and to add my voice to the young people here who have inspired a whole new movement." Dame Emma Thompson rallies activists from a pink boat / AFP/Getty Images Speaking after to reporters, Dame Emma added: "If you can't have fun whilst saving the planet, what's the point? "Protest should always have a sense of joy in it because what we are protesting about is saving this extraordinary home of ours and also celebrating the passion and inspiring energy of this young generation." Earlier, on Friday morning, about 20 activists, most of them under 17, had staged a brief demonstration on roads near Heathrow Airport. Standing close to a tunnel which leads to terminals two and three, they unfurled a black banner with the message: "Are we the last generation?" P olice are determined to remove Extinction Rebellion activists from sites across London after arresting more than 750 protesters, according to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick. Ms Dick said she has "never known" a single operation see so many people arrested and vowed: "We will carry on." The Police chief was speaking as arrests swelled due to police taking people from sites such as Parliament Square, Waterloo Bridge and Oxford Circus. They demanded those remaining go to Marble Arch or cease their actions and footage has shown people being carried or dragged away from sites where they have been barred from protesting. As well as high number of arrests, some 28 people have been charged with offences linked to the demonstration and Scotland Yard said more may face the same consequences. Extinction Rebellion protest 2019 - In pictures 1 /120 Extinction Rebellion protest 2019 - In pictures A climate change protester in a hammock hanging from the trees at Parliament Square, London PA Protesters march toward Parliament in London AP A cardboard cutout of David Attenborough is held up as protesters march toward parliament with Nelson's Column in the background AP Extinction Rebellion protesters at their final destination of Parliament Square in Westminster after marching from their camp at Marble Arch PA Protesters at the Extinction Rebellion (XR) camp in Marble Arc PA Police watch Extinction Rebellion protesters at their final destination of Parliament Square in Westminster after marching from their camp at Marble Arch PA Extinction Rebellion protesters reach their final destination of Parliament Square in WestminsteR PA A climate change protester in a hammock hanging from the trees at Parliament Square, London Jeremy Selwyn Police officers arrest and carry away a climate change activist from a demonstration blocking Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images olice officers gather for an operation at the climate change camp where activists are blocking Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images Police surround the Extinction Rebellion demonstration PA A climate change activist is detained during the Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Reuters A police officer removes a haystack during the Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Reuters Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati Protesters from the Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus EPA Extinction Rebellion demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge PA Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Jeremy Selwyn Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Jeremy Selwyn Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station in east London as part of the ongoing climate change protests in the capital PA Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn Two men and two women from the Extinction Rebellion group have glued themselves to a fence outside Jeremy Corbyn's house PA Police officers detain a climate change activist at Waterloo Bridge Reuters Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station BBC A climate activist after he glued himself to a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA Police detain a protester as climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest, at Canary Wharf DLR station Reuters Protesters blockade of Waterloo Bridge on the third day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion grou Alex Lentati Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn Police talk to climate activists who climbed on top of a Dockland Light Railway train and glued theimselves to the carriage at Canary Wharf station in east London PA A climate protester is removed from the top of the DLR train AFP/Getty Images Climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA Officers carry an activist as they remove demonstrators from their blockade of Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images A member of the public passes a graffiti left by protesters from the Extinction Rebellion campaign group EPA Police officers remove protesters from a blockade on Waterloo Bridg Getty Images Police officers remove protesters from a blockade on Waterloo Bridge during the second day of a coordinated protest by the Extinction Rebellion group Getty Images Police officers detain a climate change activist REUTERS Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group, in London AFP/Getty Images Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA Commuters cycle past a pink boat placed in the road at Oxford Circus by activists, on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch, London, as more than 100 people have been arrested as police deal with ongoing climate change protests PA Activists sit in the road amongst trees as they continue to block traffic from Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images Activists sit with thier tents in the road after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images Demonstrators chain and glue themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge in London during a Extinction Rebellion protest PA Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images An activist brushes his teeth after waking up near Marble Arch AFP/Getty Images Pedestrians walk to work over Waterloo Bridge during climate change protest EPA Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA Activists take part in yoga in the road after after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch, PA Activists sit with their tents in the road after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images Demonstrators chain and glue themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge in London during a Extinction Rebellion protest PA Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA Pedestrians walk over Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest continues in Marble Arch PA Activists lay in their tents in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA An activist sits in a sleeping back after waking up near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest continues in Marble Arch PA Activists block the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA Activists pour drinks near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images Activists' tents stand in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images Activists prepare drinks from a tent in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images Police patrol during the second day of Extinction Rebellion protest at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn Police patrol during the second day of Extinction Rebellion protest at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn An activist sprays graffiti on to the porch covering the entrance to the Shell Centre AFP/Getty Images Protesters unfurl a poster accusing shell of 'ecoside' AFP/Getty Images Climate protesters also scaled the building and daubed slogans above a glass awning AFP/Getty Images A woman glued her hands to the door of the building Reuters Environmental protesters from the Extinction Rebellion arrive to stage a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images Environment activists from Extinction Rebellion block Oxford Circus with a sailing boat to highlight the threat of global warming on the planet and ecosystem Rex Features Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest at Marble Arch PA Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters Environmental protesters from the Extinction Rebellion group arrive with a tree to stage a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images A demonstrator uses a makeshift skateboard ramp on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters Extinction Rebellion protesters stop traffic in Oxford Circus Rex Features Environment activists from Extinction Rebellion block Oxford Circus to highlight the threat of global warming on the planet and ecosystem Rex Features Extinction Rebellion protesters stop traffic in Oxford Circus Rex Features Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge surrounded by trees Reuters Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest at Marble Arch PA Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn Police stroll through the makeshift camp Jeremy Selwyn Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest i Reuters Climate change activists set up a miniature garden on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protes Reuters Climate change activists set up a miniature garden on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protes Reuters Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA The Extinction Rebellion protesters have set up camp in Hyde Park PA The group plan to disrupt London's infrastructure in a climate protest PA Thousands of people are due to descend on the capital to take part Jeremy Selwyn They have set up a large camp in Hyde Park Jeremy Selwyn A crowd of protesters gathers in Hyde Park, London PA A protester sits in a hammock at the campsite Jeremy Selwyn The protest could last days or even weeks Jeremy Selwyn They have pledged to block five central locations including Parliament Square in a non-violent act of resistance PA Protesters will converge on Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, as well as near Parliament, peacefully blocking traffic PA A protester sits by an activity timetable in Hyde Park PA Ms Dick said: "We have shown that we are strong, we are determined. "I have never - I've been a police officer for 36 years - I have never known an operation, a single operation, in which over 700 people have been arrested. "It shows we are determined and we will carry on." Cressida Dick said she had never seen so many arrests in one operation / PA Met officers appeared to have claimed a victory at Oxford Circus, as the junction reopened to traffic on Saturday afternoon after days of disruption while it has been occupied by eco warriors. Meanwhile, dozens of officers carried out arrests on Waterloo Bridge and slowly removed campaigners who had attached themselves to a truck acting as a stage. Extinction Rebellion protestor dragged along the ground by police in London While removing people the Met also removed items such as trees which had been placed on the bridges. As it enacts a mass scale plan to clear areas, the Metropolitan Police has "requested mutual aid" from other forces. Met Police prepare to move in on Waterloo Bridge / PA The Commissioner said she was grateful for the help from "hundreds" of officers drafted in from "several" forces which included the neighbouring City of London. Amid reports from demonstrators that some people had been taken outside of the capital, Ms Dick added that custody suites in London were "certainly very busy" but not yet full. Climate change activists continue to block Waterloo Bridge / AFP/Getty Images Asked whether he Met would reflect upon the past week, she said: "We will pause in the Met and have a good think about whether there is anything we could do differently, what we've learned from this, how we adapt our tactics. "We will also be talking to the Government and to our colleagues in the criminal justice system to see whether there are changes that should be made in the legal framework to make it easier for us to deal with people who are not violent, but are refusing to move when it is unlawful for them to stay there protesting any longer. "That is the dilemma and if our powers are insufficient, if we don't have sufficient deterrents in the criminal justice system, then I will certainly be asking for changes. But I don't think now is the time to go into the detail of that, we obviously need to think about it." Large groups of officers attended sites / AFP/Getty Images However, despite the arrests and firm words from the police, protesters appear set to carry on their actions. Previously, they have vowed to attempt to occupy sites until their key "demands" are met by the Government. These are: To tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency. To act now with means to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net by 2025. To create a citizens assembly on climate change and ecological justice which would lead Government action. As plans continue, the group has spoken of a "Sunday Feast" gathering at Marble Arch, while Greta Thunberg, the teenage founder of the school strikes against climate change, is also expected to address the protesters on Easter Sunday. She told The Guardian she would like to join the protests if they are still going when she arrives. Greta Thunberg is set to address the protesters / AFP/Getty Images She said: "I would love to participate in their protests while in London if there is time and if they are still protesting. "I think it's one of the most important and hopeful movements of our time. Civil disobedience is necessary to create attention to the ongoing climate and ecological crisis." L arge crowds met in Londons Hyde Park on Saturday to attend the annual 420 gathering. April 20 sees users of the plant in its varying forms gather to celebrate its consumption and advocate decriminalisation of the drug. In Hyde Park, hundreds of people could be seen basking in the sun while some were smoking the substance in public. While listening to music and enjoying the festival atmosphere were clear motivators, many attendees wanted to advocate an open discourse around cannabis use. Its an opportunity to talk to people who are interested in cannabis, said Barny de Hoedt, the editor of a magazine about cannabis culture called Quarter Leaf. It gives a chance to connect with people. Large crowds gathered in the park / Jacob Jarvis He spoke of their being medicinal uses of cannabis and his desire to see its use legalised. Others spoke of the other uses of the cannabis plant, such as the product hemp, which can then be used to create other items. Adam Ohman, a hemp producer, described how that could be used to produce sustainable clothing and household items. He spoke of the positive uses of the item. In regards to cannabis, he called for decriminalisation with some form of regulation. I want to see more of an acceptance, he said in regards to its use, stating his opinion that recreational users should not have their lives ruined for doing so. Others spoke of the friendly atmosphere in the park and seemed mostly determined to enjoy the day in the sun. Jonathan, who declined to give his last name, said: I usually come here most years. It brings people out, all walks and ages and backgrounds coming together. Most of the time its pretty chill. Another attendee, Will Yoxall, told the Standard: Its been really good, really friendly. Police had put up signs stating the use of cannabis was illegal in the park and patrolled the area. The grounds were set to be cleared of those involved in 420 at 5pm. It has been suggested that the number 420 came from the penal code the Californian police used to categorise cannabis cases. Students at a Californian high school allegedly organised a meeting at 4.20pm to find a plot of land to plant a cannabis plant in 1971. Rallies and celebrations of weed were taking place across the world on Saturday, stretching as far as New Zealand and America. Cannabis users can go to jail if caught. T his is the moment two climate change protesters were dragged along the street by police in Oxford Circus. Footage taken on Friday shows two protesters being dragged along the tarmac amid efforts by police to clear the busy junction in central London, which has now been blocked for six days. One police officer can be seen in the footage dragging a blonde protester down the street at such a speed that he lost his balance and fell on the concrete beside her. Another officer then helps move the woman behind the police cordon as a male protester in a red shirt can be seen being dragged by his arm and belt. Scotland Yard said protesters were told to leave Oxford Circus and go to Marble Arch, but some "decided not to go and obstructed officers in the course of their duties". "The response by officers has been proportionate in order to facilitate their removal," a spokesman said. Police officers in Oxford Circus / Extinction Rebellion But the actions of police were slammed as excessive by an Extinction Rebellion spokesman, who called the footage a "barbaric display of police brutality". The group added: "We have always been, are and will always be non-violent. This aggression from the police against our peaceful Rebels in London is inexcusable. Do they not know that we are rebelling for their families and loved ones also." The footage comes as protesters continue to demonstrate for a sixth day across the capital. In a week of disruption, climate change protesters have glued themselves to a train, blocked major roads and bridges and protested at Heathrow Airport. Extinction Rebellion at Canary Wharf Station - In pictures 1 /20 Extinction Rebellion at Canary Wharf Station - In pictures Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station in east London as part of the ongoing climate change protests in the capita PA Police remove a woman from the roof of a DLR train at Canary wharf AFP/Getty Images Police remove climate change protestors who had glued themselves to the roof of a DLR train at Canary wharf station AFP/Getty Images The protesters were removed from the train roof at Canary Wharf Reuters Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station BBC This protester also went limp to try and make his removal more difficult AFP/Getty Images Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA A climate protester is removed from the top of the DLR train AFP/Getty Images Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station in east London as part of the ongoing climate change protests in the capital PA Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA Climate change protestors stand atop a DLR train at Canary wharf station on the third day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images Climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest, at Canary Wharf DLR station AFP/Getty Images Climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest, at Canary Wharf DLR station AFP/Getty Images Climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest, at Canary Wharf DLR station Reuters Police detain a climate change activist demonstrating during the Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters Extinction Rebellion has pledged to continue causing disruption until its demands, including the Government declaring a climate change emergency, are met. Scotland Yard has now said more than 715 people have been arrested in connection with the climate change protests and 28 people have been charged. The force condemned the ongoing disruption and warned that the arrests made during the week are putting police resources, including cell space, under strain. T he sister of Tory Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg who is standing as a Brexit Party candidate has said her brother understands she feels it is "for the sake of our country". Around 700 people attended a pro-Brexit rally on Saturday afternoon led by Nigel Farage and Annunziata Rees-Mogg, who hit out at Britain's "broken" political system. Confirming she will stand for Nigel Farage's new party in the East Midlands region in the European elections on May 23, Ms Rees-Mogg slammed the Conservative Party as being "confused" with "no leadership" under Theresa May. Ms Rees-Mogg, who twice stood unsuccessfully for election to Westminster as a Tory, was asked if she had spoken to her brother about her decision to stand for the Brexit Party. She replied: "Of course I have. My family is incredibly important to me and Jacob and I get on extremely well. Annunziata Rees-Mogg and Nigel Farage speak at Brexit Party rally "He understands that I feel this is the only way to get everyone's voices heard - to get us out of Europe for the good of our democracy, for the sake of our country." Nigel Farage and Annunziata Rees-Mogg at a Brexit Party rally / PA Speaking before the event, Ms Rees-Mogg, who lives in Lincolnshire, said: "I will be standing in the East Midlands, where I live with my family, and fighting to represent the people of the East Midlands - all of the counties - in order to ensure the Brexit they voted for is actually delivered. "I think our politics is broken. It's been very clear that we have got a Remainer parliament trying very ineffectually to represent the Leave vote. We need Leave representatives to fight the corner of our democracy." Asked why Labour and Tory Brexiteers should switch their allegiance to the newly-formed party, she replied: "When it comes to Labour, Lord Adonis has said it better than I could - if you supported Brexit, don't vote Labour. "For the Conservatives, they are in such a confused place. There is no leadership from the top. Theresa May has succumbed to the Remainer will of some of her party and ignored the rest of her party. "If you want your voice to be heard, vote for the Brexit Party." Ms Rees-Mogg said it had yet to be confirmed where she would be ranked on the Brexit Party's list of candidates in the East Midlands. "Obviously I hope to be reasonably high up and I hope we get as many votes as possible so that there as many representatives in order to make sure we're heard." Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit Party / Getty Images During a speech at the rally, party leader Nigel Farage drew laughter as he said he had spent two decades in the European Parliament and had "enjoyed it more than they have". Telling party supporters he is not a career politician, Mr Farage said: "I genuinely thought after 498 MPs voted for Article 50 that we would leave the European Union on March the 29th. "I genuinely thought that I had played my part in turning around history and the future of our country. I was perfectly happy to cease involvement in frontline politics." Nigel Farage speaking at a Brexit Party rally / PA Mr Farage added: "I am not, after 25 years of fighting and campaigning for our country to be free and independent, I am not prepared to stand aside - I am not prepared to be rolled over by our career politicians." He also said that it was clear that Parliament did not represent the will of the people. A majority of Tories want Theresa May to quit as party leader while a huge chunk of Conservative councillors could support the Brexit party in EU elections, according to new surveys. A survey of elected grassroots Conservatives found three quarters of Mrs May's councillors wanted her to resign while 43 per cent are urging her to quit immediately. Just more than half said they would vote Tory at the European election, the Survation poll for the Mail On Sunday found. Some 40 per cent said they would vote for Mr Farage's Brexit Party if Mrs May remained leader. Nigel Farage speaking at a Brexit Party rally / PA Another poll, by the ConservativeHome site, found nearly eight of 10 Conservatives want her gone. Its survey of 1,132 party members on its panel found 79 per cent wanted Mrs May to quit and trigger a leadership contest. The Prime Minister has previously said she will not lead the Tories into the next election, due in 2022. She has also promised to bring her departure forward if her Brexit deal gets through Parliament. TODO: define component type apester Former Tory MP Paul Goodman, the website's editor, said: "It's like Groundhog Day for the Prime Minister - but in which each one is worse than that before. "Last month, a record total of seven out of 10 of our panel members wanted a new Party leader. This month we have a new record of nearly eight out of 10." He said this shift appeared to be in part due to the postponement of Brexit and talks with opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn. However, Mr Goodman said his team suspects "the biggest factor is the European Parliamentary elections that are due to take place." Theresa May is currently away from Downing Street for the Easter recess / PA Less than one in five, 19 per cent, of those surveyed wanted Mrs May to stay on as leader. These damning new results come as the Tory group on a county council said they will not take part in the European elections and will not support party colleagues hoping to become MEPs. The group at Derbyshire County Council have said they will take "no part" in the May poll. They said they believe the elections "should not be happening". Barry Lewis, who has led the Derbyshire authority since May 2017, said he had informed party chairman Brandon Lewis of the boycott of the European elections. This, he said, had received overwhelming support from his colleagues. He said: "This was not an easy decision to take and goes against every natural instinct we have as Conservatives to support our hardworking MEPs and candidates." "However, we were promised, following the largest public mandate a UK Government has ever received, that we would be out by March 29. "The Prime Minister said we would be out by that date countless times, so did many others in Government, and yet here we are racing towards the end of April and facing an increased prospect of participating in a European Election in May that should not be happening." D ozens of motorbikes and cars have been set on fire in eastern Paris as a yellow vest protest descended into violence. Riot police fired tear gas to try and disperse the protesters around the Place de la Republique, but demonstrators responded by starting fires and throwing flares. Several thousand people had marched to the square from France's Finance Ministry. French television showed images of volunteer medics treating a protester lying on the ground, with the smell of tear gas mixed with black smoke choking the air. Protesters from the Yellow Vest movement clash with French riot police / EPA Multiple protests are being held around Paris and other French cities on Saturday for the 23rd weekend of the yellow vest movement against wealth inequality and President Emmanuel Macron's leadership. Protesters have also voiced frustration that the effort to save fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral is eclipsing the yellow vest movement's demands. Yellow vest demonstrators wave flags / Getty Images Many protesters were deeply saddened by the fire at the national monument but are angry at the one billion euros in Notre Dame donations that poured in from tycoons while their own demands remain largely unmet and they struggle to make ends meet. Mr Macron had been scheduled to lay out his responses to yellow vest concerns on Monday night but cancelled the speech because the fire broke out. He is now expected to do so next Thursday. Yellow vest critics accuse Mr Macron of trying to exploit the fire for political gain - one group marching on Saturday even accused Mr Macon of "burning down Notre Dame". Protesters shout slogans during an anti-government demonstration / AFP/Getty Images The Paris police headquarters said authorities had detained 126 people by early afternoon. P ope Francis urged people not to "bury hope" in this year's Easter Saturday vigil. He carried a lit candle up the main aisle of a darkened St Peter's Basilica during the poignant service. This was done as part of a procession symbolising Christians' belief that Jesus triumphed over death by resurrection following crucifixion. At the chant in Latin for "light of Christ", the basilica's lights were suddenly switched on and Pope Francis then reached the central altar to celebrate Easter vigil mass. The Pope carried a candle through the service / EPA During the service, he encouraged people to resist cynicism or pursuing the "glitter of wealth". He also said to avoid seeking life's meaning in "things that pass away". "Do not bury hope," Pope Francis said. The Pope will address crowds again on Sunday / EPA He noted that when things go badly "we lose heart and come to believe that death is stronger than life". After this, he warned: "We become cynical, negative and despondent. "Sin seduces; it promises things easy and quick, prosperity and success, but leaves behind only solitude and death. "Sin is looking for life among the dead, for the meaning of life in things that pass away. "Why not prefer Jesus, the true light, to the glitter of wealth, career, pride and pleasure?" Among those attending the service were eight people being baptised by the Pope. These were from Italy, Albania, Ecuador, Indonesia and Peru, according to the Vatican. On Sunday, Francis will celebrate Easter Mass in St Peter's Square. A zoo keeper in Kansas has been rushed to hospital after a tiger attacked her. The incident involved a female worker at the Topeka Zoo and was witnessed by some visiting the facility. The tiger that attacked the keeper, a seven-year-old male named Sanjiv, did so after she entered his outdoor habitat at around 9.15am. The zoo was closed for 45 minutes after the attack. Its six tigers, including Sanjiv and his four cubs, were kept in their pen after the incident. All the tigers except Sanjiv were later allowed back to the outdoor exhibit area, though zoo officials did not plan any repercussions for Sanjiv. "There was some sort of error that occurred here," zoo director Brendan Wiley said, adding that the incident was under investigation. "Some of our staff witnessed some things that you hope you go through a career without witnessing. He added: "Sanjiv this morning did exactly what a tiger would when something comes into his territory." Viking Pilsner Malt via MoreBeer More Info From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability: 1.7-2.2 L Viking Pilsner Malt is made from 2-row spring barley. Steeping and germination conditions are chosen to promote even germination and homogenous modification. The final air-on temperature in kilning is typically 80-85 C. Pilsner malt flavor is usually described as malty, slightly nutty and sweet. Great malt for all malt beers but there is enough activity and character for base malt use in many brewing applications. For all kind of whiskies. The color of pilsner malt is low. In 2016 Viking Malt and Danish Malting Group joined forces to better serve their customers. Now the new Viking Malt is the leading malting company in Northern Europe and supply raw materials and services to the global brewing, distilling and food industries. 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That figures to just 67 cents per lb or the equivalent of $33.37 per 50 lb sack and free shipping is still free to addresses in the contiguous 48 US States. Whammo! Note: I typically get questions/concerns when I post this workaround, please read Although bags of grain do not ship under MoreBeers free shipping program this is a loophole of sorts. I chose the largest size that DOES ship for free. If you use this technique you will receive 22 x 10 lb bags of grain, not a single 50 lb sack. Viking Pilsner Malt choose 10 lb, unmilled offering bulk grain deal! Check sale or product page for current availability & pricing Hands on Review: Vittles Vault Stackable Storage Bins for Homebrew Grain Storage! tag:b3s25 New 'Dumbo' Left This Mom With Dry Eyes Dumbo is cute, but the movie 'Dumbo' wasn't all that great, our mother/daughter reviewers say. Welcome back to the first "Mom Review" in a few years! My sidekick Noelle is now a teenager at 13 but she is still willing to share her thoughts on the movies, plays and other family-friendly events we experience to give our Berkshires.com readers a different take on the local cultural scene. First, I'll share my thoughts, and then Noelle will share hers. When I first heard that Disney was making a live-action version of "Dumbo," I was pretty skeptical. After all, the main characters in this movie are animals, so unless Disney was going to venture into the territory of creepy "talking" real-life creatures, how were they going to pull this one off? They didn't. First the good news: Disney WAS able to create a story that didn't require creepy talking real-life animals, thank goodness. Instead, they used very cool special effects to create Dumbo and his mother, and the results of that were pretty spectacular. Dumbo, with his awkward-but-somehow-adorable ears and soulful eyes was as lifelike as possible - and he didn't have to say a word. Neither did his mother, though she had many fewer scenes, nor did the mouse, which appeared only briefly. Now the bad news: The story was just terrible. Besides the elephant family, the film centers on a family of three: a grieving war hero dad and his two children - who didn't (or maybe couldn't?) breathe much life into the story. There was way too much going on with them: war hero dad returns with one arm to find a wife dead from the flu, no job and a pre-teen daughter he can't relate to because she wants to be scientist and not a circus performer. Had the screenwriters followed any ONE of those storylines, the film could have gone in a more interesting direction. The other actors were lackluster at best, with the possible exception of Danny DeVito, who was as entertaining as always. It pains me to say this, because I've loved Michael Keaton since he was Batman so many years ago, but he was uneven as well. I know it's a Tim Burton-directed piece, but Keaton's character's evil side seemed forced, particularly since it appeared Burton was poking fun at Disney himself and his Disney World. Wanting to kill Mrs. Jumbo just so Dumbo wasn't "distracted" from his flying shows didn't seem deliciously diabolical; it just seemed confusing and mean. But the worst part for me? I just wasn't touched. To be honest, I can't watch the original "Dumbo" without crying when mama and her baby are separated. And - full disclosure - I cry at most other Disney movies, too. When Simba tries to wake up his dead father? When Rapunzel and her parents are reunited? In "Toy Story 3" when Andy leaves his toys with Bonnie? Total waterworks. I even sniffled before "Dumbo" during the trailer for "Toy Story 4" when it flashes back to that scene in "Toy Story 3." How sappy am I? In this remake of "Dumbo," thought, it was dry eyes all around. All I could think about was why Mrs. Jumbo's trunk seemed way too long suddenly in an effort to make it wrap around Dumbo. This "Dumbo" just isn't touching. Maybe it's because watching the exploitation of circus animals isn't heartwarming at all in 2019. Maybe that's not something we want to pass on to today's children - who, by the way, probably won't enjoy this movie very much anyway. The young girl during our showing who was running around during the movie certainly didn't. It's not a cartoon, it's not a musical (though kudos to Disney for working some of the original songs into this film, even in an instrumental fashion so that those of us who remembered the original music recognized it). It's just not FUN. There's a reason it's PG; kids under 8 or so probably will be bored or confused much of time, except when Dumbo is flying, which they will probably think is cool. And they might be scared at the end, which is pretty fiery. Older kids might start to question the whole circus animal morality issue - which Disney ignores in this remake all the way up until the end when Dumbo and his mother are set free in their native India to live out their lives with their wild brethren and the original circus becomes animal-free. (Sorry, spoiler alert.) Disney has an ambitious slate of releases this year, with the live-action "Aladdin" up next, followed by "Toy Story 4" and then "Frozen 2" this fall. I hope I like those better than "Dumbo." I'm optimistic those will be better. I'll bring the Kleenex. Noelle says: I didn't really like "Dumbo" either, but I think my mom was a little harsh in her review. I really liked the animation; it seemed pretty real. I agreed that it wasn't very emotional, but I don't cry at movies like my mom does. I just saw "Five Feet Apart" and my friends were all crying but I wasn't. (That was a better movie than "Dumbo," in case you were wondering.) I did like Danny DeVito because he was funny; I don't know him from any other movies but I've seen him in memes on Instagram. I thought the end was very fast-paced, where everything happened very quickly. I didn't think it was scary but I think little kids might be scared by all the fire. Rebecca Dravis is community editor at iBerkshires.com. 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According to a Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) release, the three foreign minister referred to the results of the recent NATO ministerial meeting, which took place in Washington in the period 3 - 4 April 2019, and which reconfirmed the allied solidarity and the sustainability of the transatlantic relation."Analysing the complex security challenges that Romania, Poland and Turkey are confronted with, the three ministers reconfirmed the need for some constant efforts to efficiently respond to all challenges, regardless of their origin area, and for putting into practice the measure package regarding the Black Sea," the release reads.Minister Melescanu informed about the demarches of the Romanian authorities aimed at the efficient management of the security developments in the eastern neighbourhood and the Black Sea region, mainly focused on the national contribution to consolidating NATO's deterrence and defence posture, as well as strengthening the alliance's role in projecting stability and the development of cooperation in the security area with the partner states. In this context, together with the counterparts of Poland and Turkey, he approached aspects regarding their participation in the projects hosted by Romania, including in the Multinational Brigade of Craiova, the release also mentions.At the same time, Melescanu evoked the support Romania grants to the eastern partners (Georgia, R. Moldova and Ukraine), as well as to those in the Western Balkans, and showed that Romania has the goal to support these states advance in their relation with NATO and the EU, according to their own objectives and interests, as well as in continuing their internal reform processes.MAE points out that the three ministers discussed NATO's enlargement, in which context the Romanian official reiterated the need to continue the allied policy of open doors, which contributes to the consolidation of stability and prosperity in the Euro-Atlantic space, as well as to the increase in NATO's contribution to keeping international peace and stability.In respect to the exercise of the EU Council Presidency, Melescanu highlighted Romania's goals and the results achieved so far, with a focus on the European initiatives in the security and defence area. He mentioned that these initiatives must be complementary with NATO's activities and lead to deepening the cooperation between NATO and the EU in as many common interest areas as possible.The Romanian Foreign Minister also referred to improving military mobility, consolidating the resilience of the partner states and combating the hybrid threats, as priorities in this respect and he underscored the importance of the transatlantic tie to the European and international security.The ministers also discussed the security challenges in the southern vicinity of the Alliance, including aspects referring to the new forms of terrorist manifestation. The Romanian official reconfirmed Romania's contribution to NATO's missions and operations, as well as to the Anti-ISIS/Daesh Global Coalition."The meeting in Ankara strengthened, through the consistency of the discussions, the added value of this format for the support of the allied unity, as well as for continuing the process of NATO adaptation, including on the eastern flank," the release also reads.In the context of the presence in Ankara, Minister Melescanu presented Romania's vision regarding the implementation of the EU's Global Strategy and the development of the EU-Turkey relations, within the debate on the topic "Advancing European Union Global Strategy Implementation: what role for EU-Turkey cooperation."The event was organised by Romania's Embassy in Ankara, in partnership with the Turkish Foreign Ministry and the Delegation of the European Union in Turkey.The activity facilitated a better awareness of Romania's mandate at the EU Council Presidency, in the area of foreign action and European and regional cooperation in the security and defence area, MAE points out. People's Movement Party (PMP) honorary chairman Traian Basescu urged on Saturday the members and supporters of PMP to support him in the elections to the European Parliament, asking their help not to lose the last political battle. "I haven't lost any political battle, please help me not to lose the last one," Basescu said in the end of the meeting at Romexpo, where he presented the programme of his party for the European elections. He maintains that the elections of 26 May are the most important for the European Parliament, "because the EU itself is in a crisis situation," and "the European citizens don't see what the EU perspective is in relation to so much unfulfillment and so much lack of solutions." "The solution for EU's survival is only one: speeding up the integration processes. (...) The idea of EU is still popular among the EU citizens, that is why the idea of EU must be capitalised on and the integration processes must be sped up. There are nine more states, we aren't the only ones who didn't adopt the euro, they aren't in a hurry to reach Schengen. (...) Beyond of a compulsory process of speeding up the integration of member states, the creation of perspective is also required. From our point of view, the perspective is that of reaching the United States of Europe. Why? Because the world is undergoing a globalisation process. Alone, no EU country can deal with the globalisation process, neither Germany, nor France, nor Romania, nor another," Basescu explained. He mentioned that although Romania has in its accession to the EU treaty the obligation to move to the Eurozone and meet the requirements to be a Schengen member "it hasn't met the requirements for Schengen (...) and we keep postponing the deadline for adopting the euro currency." The PMP lists for the elections to the European Parliament include Traian Basescu, Eugen Tomac, Ioana Constantin, Marius Pascan, Simona Vladica, Robert Turcescu, Teodora Desaga, Petru Movila, Catalina Bozianu, Catalin Bulf. AGERPRES Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said on Saturday in Iasi that, although she militates for unity, she will never be able to reach a consensus with those who are against Romania. She referred to the leaders of the opposition parties, whom she said she would like to "reward" for "the defamation" of Romania in the European Union. I have been a MEP for nine years. The most beautiful thing that happened to me during those years was an excellence award for promoting Romania in the EU. Now, as prime minister, I have all openness to award those with the PNL, USR, PLUS minus, for the defamation of Romania in the EU, because those people have never missed a chance to speak badly about their country," Dancila said. The PM voiced her dissatisfaction with the fact that the opposition asked the European Parliament to sanction Romania, mentioning that the Romanian citizens will have to pay for these actions. Viorica Dancila is participating on Saturday in Iasi alongside PSD Chairman Liviu Drangea and several ministers of her Cabinet in the extraordinary conference of the PSD Iasi county organisation. AGERPRES O Canada! The True North Strong and Free Not A close and mutually advantageous relationship is one thing, but Canadas de facto loss of independence is another. Not only does the US control Canadas diplomacy, military, and intelligence but also her financial system. Canadian visitors to Washington sometimes wonder why their embassy stands at the foot of Capitol Hill. The answer? To be close to where Canadas laws are made. A main showcase of Ottawas craven servility to Washington is Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus complicity in the US-led regime change operation being conducted against Venezuela. Not content with ruining his own country with multiculturalism, polysexualism, and the like, Lil Justin has acted in lockstep with Big Brother to the south in slapping sanctions on Venezuelan officials and serving as a US agent of influence, especially with other countries in the western hemisphere: A Canadian Press report published at the end of January revealed that Canadian diplomats worked systematically over several months with their Latin American counterparts in Caracas to prepare the current regime-change operation, pressing [Venezuelan President Nicolas] Maduros right-wing opponents to set aside their differences and mount a joint challenge to the government. The turning point, said the Canadian Press [Global News], came Jan. 4, when the Lima Group rejected the legitimacy of Maduros May 2018 election victory and his looming January 10 inauguration, while recognizing the legitimately elected National Assembly. The report cited an unnamed Canadian official as saying the opposition were really looking for international support of some kind, to be able to hold onto a reason as to why they should unite, and push somebody like Juan Guaido. One day prior to Maduros inauguration, [Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia] Freeland spoke to Guaido, the newly-elected National Assembly speaker, by telephone to urge him to challenge the elected Venezuelan president. But thats not all. Canada is out front and center in the Five Eyes intelligence agencies war on Chinas Huawei with direct prompting from US legislators and intelligence. As explained by Col. Larry Wilkerson, former chief of staff to Gen. Colin Powell, its not that Huawei violated any law when circumventing US sanctions but it is the US that is acting illegally by unilaterally imposing sanctions that were never agreed to internationally. But thats OK when it comes to Washingtons claims of jurisdiction over every human being on the planet, Justin and Chrystia are happy to oblige! Also, lets not forget Chrystias role in keeping the pot boiling in Ukraine. It would of course be cynical (and probably racist) to attribute anything relating to Ukraine to her own interesting family background To be fair, the lickspittle attitude of Canadian officials towards their masters south of the 49th parallel is hardly unique in the world. Also to be fair, its natural and would be generally beneficial for Canada to have a positive relationship with a powerful, kindred neighbor rather than a negative one. Think of Austrias ties to Germany, or the Trans-Tasman relationship of Australia and New Zealand, or the links that still exist between Russia and Ukraine despite efforts by the west to set them against each other (as, for example, Spain and Portugal were at loggerheads for several centuries, when the latter was a loyal ally of Spains foe, Great Britain, to such an extent that Portugal was sometimes shown on maps and globes in the same pink as British possessions; a similar situation existed between Argentina and British ally Chile). A close and mutually advantageous relationship is one thing, but Canadas de facto loss of independence is another. Not only does the US control Canadas diplomacy, military, and intelligence but also her financial system (with, among other levers, the notorious FATCA law, which places Canadian institutions under the supervision of the IRS, with Canadas revenue service acting, care of the Canadian taxpayer, as a cats paw for not only the IRS but the NSA and other snooping agencies). As explained by one Canadian nationalist (yes, they do exist!), the redoubtable David Orchard, trade is also a critical issue: Canada , after almost three decades of free trade with the U.S., has more than $1.2 trillion in federal and provincial debt, large deficits at every level, no national child or dental care, high university tuition, miserly old age pensions, years of massive budget cuts, and giveaway prices for its exports of oil, gas, timber and minerals. For 150 years, great Canadian leaders have warned that without an economic border with the United States, we would soon no longer have a political border. We once owned the worlds largest farm machinery maker, Massey Harris, headquartered in Toronto; built the worlds largest and most respected marketer of wheat and barley, the Canadian Wheat Board, based in Winnipeg; created a great transcontinental railway system, beginning in Montreal, which tied our country together; and saw Vancouvers shipyards produce the beautiful Fast Cat ferry. Instead of spending hundreds of billions on foreign-made machinery, electronics, automobiles, ships, fighter jets and passenger aircraft (even payroll systems for federal employees!), we can build our own, both for the domestic and export market. We once designed and built the worlds most advanced jet interceptor, the Avro Arrow , so we know it can be done. [Emphasis added] With Canadas resources and ingenuity, it could create a prosperous, domestically controlled economy that would give Canadians multiple benefits, security and pride of ownership. All that is required is some of the will that drove our ancestors to create an alternate power in North America. As George-Etienne Cartier, the great Quebecois Father of Confederation, put it, Now everything depends on our patriotism. [ Note : Orchard is the author of the must-read book The Fight for Canada: Four Centuries of Resistance to American Expansionism. To begin at the beginning, in the late 1680s, as part of English-French rivalry in North America, Massachusetts Puritans sought to root out the nest of popish deviltry known as Quebec. Following their disastrous 1690 defeat, they decided to fight Satan closer to home by hanging witches. The rest, as they say, is history ] Scratch a Canadian patriot and youll hear about the Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow. As a watershed moment in Canadas downward slide into subservience, the cancellation of what by all accounts was a magnificent aircraft and a snapshot of what Canadas international competitiveness (including in advanced aerospace) could have looked like had it been able to develop independently might have been the point of being sucked into the American vortex. As noted by one response to my suggestion that Ottawas stance on Venezuela amounted to Canadas annexation by the US: Canadian hereunfortunately, the above is true (not literally of course, but in practice). It goes back even before the time of Diefenbaker, who canceled our Avro Arrow program on demand from the US thus destroying our aerospace industry and causing brain drain to the US/Europe. To this day, the decision of then-Prime Minister John Diefenbaker to kill the Arrow project (and put 14,528 Avro employees, as well as nearly 15,000 other employees in the Avro supply chain of outside suppliers, out of work) on what came to be known as Black Friday, February 20, 1959, remains controversial and shrouded in mystery. A mix of budgetary, political, technological, and personality factors has been cited, none of them conclusive. Pressure from the US side, including unwillingness of Washington to purchase a Canadian aircraft when the US could pressure them to buy American planes and missiles, no doubt played a key role: Instead of the CF-105, the RCAF invested in a variety of Century Series fighters from the United States. These included the F-104 Starfighter (46 percent of which were lost in Canadian service), and (more controversial, given the cancellation of the Arrow) the CF-101 Voodoo. The Voodoo served as an interceptor, but at a level of performance generally below that expected of the Arrow. While we may never know reliably why Diefenbaker cancelled the Arrow or how Canada or Canadian industry might have followed a different path, theres no question of the superior capabilities of the Arrow. As it happens, one of the few pilots who had a chance to test the Arrow in an impromptu friendly dogfight is now-retired USAF fighter pilot Col. George Jatras, later US Air Attache in Moscow (also, this analysts father). As he related in 2017: Ive received a number of messages in the last couple days about this bird, including some that say it may be revived. I dont know how The Arrow would compare to todays aircraft, but I had a first-hand lesson on how it faired against the F-102. In 1959, I was stationed at Suffolk County AFB on Long Island with the 2nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron. We had an informal exchange program with a Canadian fighter squadron stationed near Montreal. From time to time, two or four aircraft from one of the squadrons would fly to the others base on a weekend cross country. On one such exchange, I was #3 in a four ship formation led by [former Tuskegee airman] Ernie Craigwell (I dont recall who the other pilots were). As we entered Canadian airspace, cruising at about 40,000 ft., we spotted a contrail well above our altitude (probably at 50,000ft.) and closing very fast. As the other aircraft appeared to be passing by, we could clearly see the delta shaped wing and knew it was the Avro Arrow that the Canadian pilots had told us about. Then, instead of just passing by, he rolled in on us! Ernie called for a break and we split into elements. When we talked about the encounter afterwards we all agreed that our first thought was, This guy is in for a surprise; he doesnt know that hes taking on the F-102. Well, we were the ones in for a surprise. Even with two elements covering each other, not one of us could get on his tail. His power and maneuverability were awesome. After he had played with us for a few minutes, like a cat with four mice, he zoomed back up to about 50K and went on his way. What an aircraft! What a shame that it never went into production. What is perhaps most curious about the Arrows demise is that everything was ordered brutally destroyed; plans, tools, parts, and the completed planes themselves were to be cut up, destroyed, scrapped and everything made to disappear. Why? Well, security of course! Dont engage in conspiracy theories The Canadian national anthem finishes with a pledge: O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. It should be noted that understandably resentful Loyalists fleeing the US following the American Revolution were a major contribution to the growth of Canadas English-speaking population. American troops back when we were the plucky underdog fighting the mighty British Empire invaded Canada in 1775 and during the War of 1812 but were defeated. Relations got testy during the American Civil War as well, and even afterwards the US was wary of a proposed united Kingdom of Canada, hence the choice of the name Dominion in 1967. If todays Canadians think we-all down here dont know whom theyve mostly had in mind to stand on guard against all this time, theyd better think again. Maybe its past time for Canadians to get serious again about their independence eh? The rapidly modernizing Chinese military and increasingly aggressive Chinese demands to settle old border disputes have forced India to take a realistic look at its defense spending and the current state of its armed forces. For the first time in its history, the modern state of India faces a very real military threat. Thats because China considers colonial-era border agreements illegal and wants 90,000 square kilometers back. India has refused, especially since compliance would mean losing much of the state of Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India and some bits elsewhere in the area. There is one glaring problem with this Indian situation. The more Indians examine the state of their military, especially compared to what China is doing with its military, there is growing alarm. China not only spends more than three times as much as India each year on defense but gets better value for what it spends. China spends much more on modernization (and has the equipment to show for it) while the Chinese procurement bureaucracy is far less corrupt and inept. Both nations have problems with corruption but China has made a more determined effort to curb the corrupt practices in the military. India is only starting to uncover hidden corrupt practices that generations of politicians and bureaucrats have deliberately ignored (and profited from). But with the growing Chinese threat, there have been more investigations and honest audits of the Indian military. Some details have been painfully obvious for a long time but not publicized. For example, Indian army weapons are primarily Cold War vintage and even back then the Indian military did not have world class stuff. Equipment and capabilities in support services, particularly logistics and intelligence, are woefully inadequate. Stockpiles of ammo for wartime use are often so old that the munitions are unusable and often dangerous to handle. Over half the Indian defense budget goes for personnel and many military personnel are holding jobs that are more political patronage than militarily useful. At the same time, India has a chronic officer shortage that it cannot seem to find a solution. Although being a military officer was always considered prestigious, not enough people wanted to make a career of it. As a result, overall officer shortages of more than ten percent have been common and shortages in some areas are two or three times that. The problem began in the late 1940s after India achieved independence from Britain. To lower the risk of military takeovers (coups) the military received lower pay and benefits than the rest of the civil service and never received enough money to keep all equipment and weapons up-to-date. This worked, as India has never had a coup. Indian history is full of military takeovers and next door in Pakistan (the all-Moslem part of British India that elected to be a separate country) there has been a coup every decade or so. In Pakistan, the military, especially the officers, were better paid than their Indian counterparts. Pakistan also gave the military a larger percentage of GDP than in India. Faced with all that, and the fact that the much larger Indian armed forces have regularly defeated their Pakistani counterparts, India has never felt sufficiently pressured to raise military pay that much. India has six times the population of Pakistan and an even larger GDP. India spends nearly five times as much on defense as Pakistan. But that no longer matters because China is now the primary threat and suddenly India is the underdog. To make matters worse the founders of modern India, to further reduce the possibility of military coups, established better-paid para-military forces to act as an armed counterbalance to the military. Thus while the Indian military has 1.3 million personnel the paramilitary forces come to about the same number. While not as glamorous as the military, some of the paramilitary forces see more action and have quite a lot of prestige because of that. But it's not just officers that are hard for the Indians to recruit and keep. Technical specialists are in short supply, which is a growing problem as the military, especially the army, adds more high tech gear. This is because the army must compete with the civilian economy for highly trained or educated personnel. Another aspect of this is that the Indian military maintains high standards for officers and rightly refuses to compromise. The military has tried to eliminate the officer shortages by more aggressively recruiting young NCOs for officer candidate school. But that doesn't always work, because too many of the NCOs cannot pass the entrance exam. The source of that problem is the corruption in the Indian primary school system. Teaching jobs in many parts of the country are considered political patronage. These teaching assignments are handed out to political activists, often with the understanding that they are no-show jobs. So, despite a lot of money being put into primary education over the last half century, the illiteracy rate is still 39 percent. The Chinese rate is 9.1 percent. The Indian military has long been an all-volunteer force and had no trouble filling the ranks. Then in the 1990s India dismantled controls on business and privatized many government-owned companies. There was less socialism and more free market and the economy boomed. But there were not enough qualified technical and management people to fill all the new skilled jobs. India has been looking at how other nations solve these problems. They have noted American Department of Defense success (since the 1960s) in outsourcing a lot of support jobs. This is almost a necessity with some high tech specialties, where even civilian firms face shortages. Another American technique, cash bonuses for jobs with shortages, is more difficult for India, which much less money to spend on defense. India also has some unique cultural problems. While the caste system is, in theory, outlawed and not fully functional, it is still there. Which caste you belong to not only influences who you can marry, but, to a lesser extent, where you can work. And when the word gets around that the "wrong kind of people" are becoming army officers, many (a large minority) potential officers suddenly show no interest in a military career. Coupled with the high illiteracy rate, small number of college grads, and huge competition from the booming economy, it's a wonder the shortfall isnt a lot higher. That may be due to patriotism. India is at war, with troops (both military and paramilitary) getting killed and injured in Kashmir, the northeastern tribal areas, and fighting Maoist rebels in eastern India. The casualty rate is actually quite low, but just serving in a combat zone is hard on the nerves, and not attractive to many educated young Indians. Overall, bright young Indian men are competing to get into business and technical schools, while the military academy cannot fill vacancies. On the other hand, Indian officers are getting invaluable combat experience, much more than their Chinese peers. Some Indian military leaders want officer conscription, via mandatory officer training and service for university graduates. But the majority of citizens and politicians oppose this. China has a system similar to the American ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps), where the costs of college are picked up by the government for those who study military subjects in college, and then serve as officers for a few years after they graduate. China also has more military academies than India, and is also having a hard time getting young men to attend them. China still gets a lot of officers via NCOs taking officer training. This provides good military leaders, but ones lacking the technical skills that are increasingly important. Thus for India, there is no obvious or available solution to the officer, and other shortages, at least not yet. Meanwhile, China becomes stronger relative to India. HOHENFELS, BY, GERMANY 04.10.2019 - German soldiers prepare an EMT Luna X-2000 unmanned aerial vehicle for launch during exercise Allied Spirit X at Hohenfels, Germany, April 10, 2019. Exercise Allied Spirit X includes approximately 5,600 participants from 15 nations, March 30-April 17, 2019, at the 7th Army Training Command's Hohenfels Training Area in Southeastern Germany. Allied Spirit is a U.S. Army Europe-directed, 7th Army Training Command-conducted multinational exercise series designed to develop and enhance NATO and key partner interoperability and readiness across specified warfighting functions. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Enrique Moya) 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: On 18 April 1942, airmen of the US Army Air Forces, led by Lt. Col. James H. (Jimmy) Doolittle, carried the Battle of the Pacific to the heart of the Japanese empire with a surprising and daring raid on military targets at Tokyo, Yokohama, Yokosuka, Nagoya, and Kobe. This heroic attack against these major cities was the result of coordination between the Army Air Forces and the US Navy, which carried the sixteen North American B-25 medium bombers aboard the carrier USS Hornet to within take-off distance of the Japanese Islands. Here, a pair of alert escorts follow the USS Hornet to protect her lethal cargo of B-25 bombers. The aircraft carrier Hornet had 16 AAF B-25s on deck, ready for the Tokyo Raid. (U.S. Air Force photo) 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: PGE; PGEZF; 5D32 Source: Maurice Jackson for Streetwise Reports (4/20/19) Michael Rowley, CEO of Group Ten Metals, sits down with Maurice Jackson of Proven and Probable to provide an update on the company's exploration efforts. Maurice Jackson: Joining us today is Michael Rowley, president and CEO of Group Ten Metals Inc. (PGE:TSX.V; PGEZF:OTC), which is known for platinum, palladium, nickel, copper and cobalt in the Stillwater district in Montana. In our last interview we discussed the results you released in the second of a series of news releases with high-grade and bulk tonnage targets in the Chrome Mountain and East Boulder areas of the 25-kilometer Stillwater West project. Since then, Group Ten Metals has released news from the flagship Stillwater project, and also announced results and updates from its Yukon and Ontario projects. Mr. Rowley, for someone new to the story, who is Group Ten Metals and what are your targets and focus? Michael Rowley: Group Ten has been acquiring and consolidating quality projects in known mining jurisdictions since 2012, so we were able to acquire and build world-class assets in three top-tier mining districtsin Montana, in Ontario, and in the Yukonon terms that reflect the market's discount at the time. Since the acquisition of our flagship Stillwater West project in 2017 we have been increasingly focused on monetizing our other assets in order to focus on Stillwater, which we see as having the potential to rapidly advance as a world-class PGE-Ni-Cu-Co project. As a result we are positioned with 100% ownership on large and highly prospective land positions in known mining districts at a time when the markets are turning positive and the appetite for acquisitions is returning. So that really is the pointwe are receiving increased interest on our non-core assets in the Yukon and Ontario at a time when deals for these assets will help drive our efforts in Montana at Stillwater. For the benefit of our readers I'll give a short summary of the Yukon and Ontario projects before we focus on our flagship Stillwater project and the most recent news there. In the Yukon we have the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu project, which is geologically similar to the Stillwater project, being a layered magmatic system. The Kluane belt is well known for PGE-Ni-Cu deposits and the most advanced is the Wellgreen Deposit now being advanced by Nickel Creek Platinum. That one is 6 billion ounces of PGE+Au and 4 billion pounds of Ni-Cu, with significant Co as well. We have the strike extension of that deposit on our ground, plus known showings and a similar geological setting across our 255 square kilometer land position in the Kluane belt. The project is at an earlier stage than Stillwater, but is highly prospective and is attracting interest from the industry. In Ontario we have the Black Lake-Drayton gold project, which adjoins and shares geology with First Mining's Goldlund project and Treasury Metals' Goliath project. Both are high-grade gold resources that share geology with our project, however our ground has seen much less exploration since 2000 for various reasons. Our most recent news reports a small till sampling program that, for the time, demonstrated the gold potential of the large middle area of the project where pervasive ground cover has limited past exploration interest. This is compelling because over 10 million ounces of gold has been discovered using this till sampling method in the area, and the hits we are getting correspond to geophysical anomalies. We also announced completion of the final earn-in at Black LakeDrayton and that, together with the success of the recent till sampling program, has brought increased interest from industry, which we are now following up on. Maurice Jackson: Thank you for the overview of your other assets. Mr. Rowley, on to the main event, the Stillwater West project in Montana. Please provide a summary of that project, and the thesis you are attempting to prove. Michael Rowley: We have a fantastic asset in the Stillwater West project, and we are excited about the targets and potential we see there. As you know, Group Ten is alongside the Stillwater Mines in the iconic Stillwater Igneous Complex. The district is well known as the highest grade major PGE district in the world, and the largest by far in the Western hemisphere. Sibanye bought the Stillwater mines for $2.2 billion in 2017, around the time we were making our acquisition there. Our ground was historically owned by Stillwater, and has been mined for a number of commodities including high-grade nickel and copper, as well as PGEs and chrome. We are the first to systematically consolidate the land package, database and team to target Platreef-style platinum-palladium-nickel-copper deposits. These are 100+ Moz PGE deposits with significant values of other metals, in particular nickel and copper, but also rhodium, cobalt and chrome, found in the northern limb of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. The Bushveld and Stillwater complexes are both large igneous complexes, and there are many known parallels between the two. Developments in the 1990s and 2000s led to the discovery and development of the Platreef mines in South Africa, but that progression was essentially interrupted at Stillwater. Based on everything we've seen, we see the potential to discover massive PGE-Ni-Cu deposits of this type at Stillwater. That thesis took a big step forward late last year when Ivanhoe's Dr. David Broughton, a key member of the discovery team at Ivanhoe's 112 Moz Flatreef PGE-Ni-Cu project, joined our team and confirmed that potential. We acquired the project in 2017 and have now begun a series of news releases to reveal what we have found to date, and lay out our plans for 2019. Maurice Jackson: Mr. Rowley, in our previous interviews you alluded to a possibility of mine closures in South Africa as a potential catalyst for Group Ten Metals. We may have some interesting developments coming from SA. What can you share with us? As reminder for our audience 78% of Pt comes from South Africa, they are not earning their cost of capital, and there are number of geopolitical concerns there as well. Michael Rowley: There are basically two types of platinum mines in South Africa: narrow, high-grade reef-type mines and the bulk tonnage mines on the Platreef in the north. Many of the high-grade producers have been sub-economic for years and have been underfunded as a result. This is partly because narrow, high-grade mining is always more expensive per tonne that bulk mining, and also because these mines are getting deep and hot and unsafe as well. As a result, analysts are predicting the closure of a number of South African high-grade platinum producers in the coming year or two, and that is expected to be a significant driver of platinum price as a result of decreased supply. By contrast, the Platreef district is known for its thick mineralized intervals that are very amenable to bulk mining. Anglo American operates the Mogalakwena mine in the Platreef district and it is currently producing platinum at less than $400/oz from four pits, along with palladium, nickel, copper and other metals. Ivanhoe's adjoining Platreef Mine is now in development and will have similar economics. We have had a lot of interest from the industry in finding the equivalent "Platreef in Montana," and to date we have every indication that it is there at Stillwater. Maurice Jackson: Michael, let's move from South Africa and go to your flagship project the Stillwater West, which is located in Montana, to discuss the latest press release regarding the Camp Zone Target Area. Michael Rowley: The Camp Zone target area is the fifth of 14 kilometer-scale target areas across the 25-km Stillwater West project. Eight of those 14 are "Platreef-type" targets. Like past news releases detailing the west side of the project, we have high-grade PGE "Reef-type" targets in the north of the claim block, higher up in the layered stratigraphy, and bulk tonnage "Platreef-style" targets in the lower portion and basal zones of the complex. The Camp Zone target area has a lot of historical drilling by AMAX in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which successfully targeted nickel and copper sulphides in the basal zone, and resulted in the delineation of a continuous zone of nickel-copper sulphide mineralization in the Basal Series ranging from 15 to 110 meters in thickness over approximately 1.5 kilometers strike with average grades of 0.42% nickel and 0.23% copper. We also have platinum and palladium assays that were completed as composites over select intervals only. These demonstrate thick intervals of PGE enrichment, running up to 1.4 g/t palladium plus platinum. Maurice Jackson: Mr. Rowley, overall how would you grade the results thus far from the first five target areas? Michael Rowley: The first five "Platreef-style" target areas have demonstrated that the conductive highs we are seeing are in fact nickel and copper sulphides in both rock samples and drill core, and that they are generally enriched in PGEs, cobalt and chrome and other commodities. This is essential insight to have. The results at Camp Zone in particular position it as one of the three most advanced target areas at Stillwater West. We have an enormous land position and a large number of compelling targets across 25 kilometers of strike, so using that historical data to vector in on areas that can be advanced rapidly to resource delineation stage is essential. The known mineralized zone at Camp Zone, like the Hybrid Unit mineralized zone announced in February, provides us exactly thata starting point to build upon. Both are substantial mineralized zones, drilled with shallow holes without geophysics or optimization, and open for expansion in terms of both grade and size. AMAX's work at Camp Zone also included valuable basic metallurgical results which show that standard 1970s-era flotation techniques can be used for effective nickel and copper sulphide recovery, along with a significant PGE component. Maurice Jackson: Can you comment on the price moves we have been seeing in palladium and platinum, we are in unprecedented territory. Michael Rowley: Palladium has indeed been on a tear due and is nearly doubling platinum in price. The price, of course, is driven by supply and demand, and the supply of physical palladium has been dwindling for years now while consumption of both palladium and platinum, driven mostly by the automobile sector for use in catalytic convertors, has been rising steadily. In addition, palladium was less affected by the switch away from diesel vehicles as palladium is generally used more in gas applications while platinum can be used in both diesel and gas engines. We've talked about gold and silver ratios in the past and how they historically stay within a certain range. The same is true of palladium and platinum, and at some point auto manufacturers will switch back to platinum and the prices will shift. Add to that the expected closure of platinum mines in South Africa and you have a very bullish case for platinum! At Stillwater we have both platinum and palladium, and also rhodium, plus also the technology metals nickel, copper and cobalt. Maurice Jackson: Sir, before we close what is the next unanswered question for Group Ten Metals, when should we expect results, and what determines success? Michael Rowley: Next up in our series of news releases is the Iron Mountain target area, which is the most advanced area on the project, so we are looking forward to making that release and discussing those results. In addition we are finalizing our targets and exploration plans for 2019 across the project, and will be releasing those in the coming weeks as well. The project is at an exciting point where the only unknowns are the good unknowns. We have brought together a remarkable land position, database and team, and our exploration programs in next two or three years will show what we actually have in terms of size and grade. It's early days; we have a $10 million market cap, a great team, and our neighbour was bought for $2.2 billion. I think it will be a banner year. Maurice Jackson: Finally, what did I forget to ask? Michael Rowley: Funding and exploration plans are usually on people's minds, so let's touch on that. In terms of funding, we raised $1.2 million late last year and have about $2.7 million of in-the-money warrants that we can call any time to top that up. We also had some very good meetings at recent trade shows in Vancouver and Toronto. Those conversations are on-going with an eye to driving our best year yet at Stillwater West, and we look forward to making further announcements as the weeks progress. Maurice Jackson: For someone listening that wants to get more information on Group Ten Metals the website address is www.grouptenmetals.com. And as a reminder Group Ten Metals trades on the TSX-V: PGE and on the OTCQB: PGEZF. For direct inquiries please contact Chris Ackerman at 604-357-4790 ext. 1 and he may also be reached at [email protected]. As reminder Group Ten Metals is a sponsor and we are proud shareholders for the virtues conveyed in to today's interview. And last but not least please visit our website provenandprobable.com, where we deliver Mining Insights & Bullion Sales, in form of physical delivery, offshore depositories, and private blockchain distributed ledger technology. You may reach me at [email protected] Michael Rowley of Group Ten Metals, thank you for joining us today on Proven and Probable. Maurice Jackson is the founder of Proven and Probable, a site that aims to enrich its subscribers through education in precious metals and junior mining companies that will enrich the world. [NLINSERT] Disclosure: 1) Maurice Jackson: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: Group Ten Metals. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. My company has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: Group Ten Metals is a sponsor of Proven and Probable. Proven and Probable disclosures are listed below. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. 3) Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The author is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. The author was not paid by Streetwise Reports for this article. Streetwise Reports was not paid by the author to publish or syndicate this article. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports requires contributing authors to disclose any shareholdings in, or economic relationships with, companies that they write about. Streetwise Reports relies upon the authors to accurately provide this information and Streetwise Reports has no means of verifying its accuracy. 4) This 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. 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You should not make any decision, financial, investments, trading or otherwise, based on any of the information presented on this forum without undertaking independent due diligence and consultation with a professional broker or competent financial advisor. You understand that you are using any and all Information available on or through this forum at your own risk. Images provided by the author. The Tauranga Model and Marine Engineering Club, also known as Memorial Park Railway celebrates its 40th anniversary with some extra special events this year. On Saturday, May 4, the club will be hosting a night run around the tracks at Memorial Park. Leaving from Palmerville Station, twilight trains will come and go, circling around between the trees, through the tunnels and across the viaduct. Smiling volunteers wearing bright yellow hi-viz vests will be conductors, drivers, ticket sellers and safety maintainers. The whole ride takes more than six minutes. Maybe nine minutes depending on who is driving. Its a milestone year for the club, and the idea of riding the track at twilight will give everyone who comes down a totally different experience from what they would enjoy on weekends. Train passengers will need to be prepared for the cold and rug up well, and are encouraged to bring along glow-sticks or fluoro accessories. Weather permitting, the club usually runs every Sunday from 10am to 4pm in summer, and 10am to 3pm in winter. Updates on the day are posted to Facebook. There are usually 6-12 volunteers helping run it. Club members start at around 14-years-old as juniors. Once they get to 17 years, and are suitably trained, they can drive the public. Its building up job and life skills, says Bruce Harvey, a club committee member, and theyre very responsible. Our juniors are very knowledgeable and have certainly done their homework. Theyre our replacements. On a wet day they might get up to 250 people, and close up early if its raining, and on fine days upwards of 1000 people is not unusual. A Sunday in mid-April was so busy, there was a constant 35 metre queue over three hours as people lined up to go for a ride. In 2016 the club won Supreme Winner in the Trustpower Community Awards. Its easy to see why. We have carried around 850 thousand passengers since the club first started, says club president Russell Prout. The 750,000th passenger travelled on one of the trains, a very attractive Phantom Steam Locomotive built by club member Bruce McKerras, about two and a half years ago, and Russell thinks theyre about three years away from one million passengers. The first weekend of July will see the start of the official 40th celebrations. On July 6 and 7, the club will host more special runs with a night run again on the Saturday night. This will be an open weekend with an invitation to all other clubs around the country. The Tauranga Model and Marine Engineering Club Open Weekend is in November. This is another opportunity to see club members trains, traction engines and numerous static displays, as well as some of the amazing creations by other club members. For the first night run in May, its an opportunity to pay only $2 and wind back to those childhood memories of riding the miniature railway. Under two year olds ride for free. Yeah, yeah, we know that. Bev Dickson has just been reminded of some desperately dark times in her daughters 30-year struggle with ME, myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome. Wretched times that took daughter Kaye, right to the brink. Bev doesnt really want to go back there. The head goes down. You have to understand that 30 years ago we went to a doctor who hinted Kaye had Tapanui Flu, says Bev. Colloquially called Tapanui flu after a cluster of people in the Otago town suffered debilitating fatigue in the 1988s, it wasnt recognised as a genuine medical condition. The doctor hinted, but wouldnt acknowledge she had it, says Bev. He wouldnt diagnose it. He was frightened to. And it caused confusion, frustration and fear for both mother and daughter. It got very close, admits Kaye. And I am certain that had it not been for my parents, I would not be here today. She had been considering a way out. Bev nods. She knew about it. You just wish the ME would go away. The horrible monster she calls it. But at the same time we have always been here for Kaye. Bevs role changed forever in 1989. The mother to a bubbly, carefree spirit suddenly became a carer when Kaye got glandular fever often viruses are precursors to chronic fatigue syndrome. I just remember being in bed for a very long time and being very tired, says Kaye. A procession of doctors, alternative health professionals, counsellors and psychiatrists couldnt tell a Mum why her delightful, promising 14-year-old was suddenly dysfunctional, why she couldnt break out of the foetal position in front of TV, or climb out of bed and get on with life. It made me so sad. I would see a kid on a bike and I would wish that was my Kaye on that bike. I just needed to be in bed, explains Kaye. I didnt need to put one foot in front of the other. Shes revealing the very intimate detail of a three-decade wrestle with the horrible monster to promote understanding. Its ME/CFS Awareness Day next month. Like any illness theres a continuum of severity with chronic fatigue syndrome or ME - some patients are bedbound, others are able to function day-to-day. But research shows it impacts peoples lives as severely as Parkinsons and multiple sclerosis. Theres the frustration. You see people getting on with their lives, growing a career, getting married and having children, and overseas travel, says Kaye. And theres the isolation. I lost a lot of friends. They couldnt understand what was wrong and why I wasnt getting better. Can you come out and do this and do that. But I was too ill and they lost interest. Mother Bev also talks of frustration. We wonder whats going to emerge from her bedroom in the morning, whats Kay going to be like, and if she is good, for how long will she be good? Theres also suspicion. If people cant see a bandage or you dont look sick, then you cant be sick, says Kaye. They will never see the sick Kaye Dickson, because if she is sick she is at home, under the duvet, out of sight. She is at home and hiding. And with 30 years experience of ME, she is pretty good at faking looking good, faking looking well. I can turn on a smile and sell myself. But you can only do that for so long before you crumble. Was she faking it when The Weekend Sun arrived this week? She presented as elegant, effervescent, articulate and laughing along. But the day before I spent six hours in bed tired, headachy and muscle pain. Or perhaps she was energy banking. Depending on how much energy you think you might need for an event or activity, you have rest-ups or sleeps the day before. Energy banking. And she measures her days in spoonfuls. Kaye might wake feeling like she has 12 spoons in the tank. Then she will use two spoons of energy for a shower and allocate the rest for various activities. MER controls all day and every day and the profound fatigue is not relieved by rest. Chronic fatigue syndrome hasnt destroyed Kaye Dicksons life but it has severely compromised it. Its made a career difficult and relationships difficult. Kayes now 44 and still living at home with her parents. I can get so sick I cant look after myself. I need them. Them Bev and husband Avon have learned and adapted. One day at a time, says Bev. So far its been 30 years, one day at a time. Yes, you have to do that. And so much of their lives have centered around Kaye they cant turn on the vacuum cleaner because Kayes asleep, no painting or motor mower because shes sensitive to the fumes, and no plans for tomorrow until it is known how Kayes feeling. So we would say its not just Kaye that has the syndrome, the whole family has got it, everyone is impacted, says Bev. And its always there, its always controlling us. She studied part-time; information technology and a legal executive certificate. But a relapse meant time off two years time off. Thats how the insidious ME can be, how it can eat into a life. Eventually she volunteered at an op shop and there was nannying. Thats another regret that caused some grieving. Children were not on the agenda for me. So you grieve. At the beginning there is a major grief mountain. Later you return to the issue and touch that grief again, but its not quite as bad. One thing seriously tests Bev and thats when she is explaining the syndrome to people. Rather than bamboozle people with detail, I simply tell them Kaye gets tired. They always say they get tired too. Well, yeah right! Because if normal people get tired, they sleep and are re-charged. They are not tired for 30 years. While Kaye continues to deal with the wiles of the horrible monster ME - the loss of sleep and concentration, the night sweats, and the hair loss, the mental and physical stress, Bev has some advice to other ME mums. Follow your motherly instincts. There have been many occasions on which I have been given advice. But deep inside I knew it wasnt right. International ME/CFS Awareness Day falls on Sunday, May 12. Its about promoting a greater understanding. Dr Corin Storkey is one of New Zealands leading health experts on CFS with more than eight years clinical research experience and his own personal experience with the syndrome. He will be talking about preventing, managing and overcoming CFS at St Enochs Church lounge in 16th Avenue, Tauranga on Saturday May 4 between 10.30am and 12.30pm. And one day when Kaye Dickson has finally tamed the horrible monster she dreams of being independent and earning a paycheck. She believes its a realistic dream. Bay of Plenty We are looking for STMS' for permanent full-time roles. To be chosen as one of the successful candidates, you will have... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz Every Saturday morning at 8am runners, joggers, walkers, families, friends, kids and their dogs get together in Tauranga for a simple yet special event that provides a sense of community, health and well-being. Its called Tauranga Parkrun and on April 27 its the first birthday celebrations. The birthday celebrations will feature a free sausage sizzle by Parkrun national sponsor NZ Home Loans, free foot checks and giveaways from local sponsor Foot Mechanics, birthday cake and lots of fun. Event co-director Sally Cooke says its a great chance for those interested to come along and see what its all about. Parkrun is purely and simply a community event that plants a smile on peoples faces and encourages health and well-being, says Sally. Every Saturday morning at 8am we have people of all ages and fitness levels who join us to run, jog or walk 5km. They bring their kids, their friends, their dogs. Its free, its simple and theres no formality, just fun. Participants can track their times on the parkrun website and challenge themselves for a new personal best each week. Such is the popularity of the initiative parkrun now boasts over three million members worldwide. Every Saturday at our briefing we have parkrun tourists from countries across the world who have joined us, says Sally. Its amazing. Join the Tauranga Parkrun fun on Saturday mornings at Kopurererua Valley, just past the Historic Village, 17th Ave West. For more information visit: www.parkrun.co.nz/tauranga SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A 47-year-old Syracuse man was arrested for stealing $1,425 in gift cards from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundations offices, according to a Friday news release from New York State police. Edward J. Blair Jr., 47, of Syracuse, was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny. Blair is a former cleaning staff member for the building complex at the JDRF, police said. Blair was issued an appearance ticket and was scheduled to appear in court on April 18, police said. . LITTLE FALLS, N.Y. -- It took over four hours to track down a burglar who fled into a swampy patch of woods Friday afternoon in Herkimer County, troopers said. The New York State Police have accused Dayvon A. Hall, 24, of Little Falls, with trying to break into a home and attacking a man who tried to stop him from fleeing. He was arrested after an extensive search involving a drone, a K-9, troopers and officers with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, troopers said. Hall attempted to break into a residence on Shells Bush Road in the town of Little Falls shortly before 3:30 p.m., troopers said. When Hall tried to flee, a neighbor confronted Hall and tried to prevent him from leaving, troopers said. Hall threw the neighbor into a door, fracturing one of the mans bones, troopers said. When state police arrived, Hall had fled into a wooded area behind the home, troopers said. Troopers formed a perimeter and started to search for Hall. He was arrested without incident after a 4 1/2-hour-long search. Hall was charged with attempted first-degree burglary and second-degree assault, both felonies; possession of burglar tools, a misdemeanor; and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation. He remains in the Herkimer County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash or a $100,000 bail bond. In context: AMD was first to market with a 1 GHz processor back in March 2000. Intel beat them to 2 GHz not long after in August 2001 and they also got to 3 GHz first in November 2002. After nine long years AMD hit back with a 4 GHz capable FX-6200 and it took them two more years to cobble together the 5 GHz FX-9590 in 2013. In the six years since things havent sped up much from a clock rate point of view. The rate of progress is slowing, and in the not-too-distant future well need something new. That something new could be chip-scale photonic computing the integration of light-based hardware to improve performance. A team of scientists sponsored by the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, a Japanese telecom, have made a titanic breakthrough with photonic technology. For the first time, photonics has performance and specs competitive with electronic hardware. The photonics you might see in the next decade will use light to transfer information and electronics to process it. For example, an electrical signal will reach an Electric to Optic (E-O) device, converting it into light. That light is transferred then hits an Optic to Electric (O-E) device that converts the light into a current, which can be processed or sent to the next E-O device. The main challenges scientists have faced are the power requirements, which can exceed a thousand times the requirements of electronic processing, and speed, because each time the light is absorbed it must go into a capacitor. That capacitor must fill up and discharge fully to pass the signal on, but up until now, its been very challenging to build a capacitor small enough for that to happen quickly. The research team made leaps and bounds and finally matched silicon hardware in terms of performance and power requirements. They were able to build an Electro-Optic Modulator (E-O) that runs at 40 Gbps that uses just 42 attojoules per bit, meaning it consumes over an order of magnitude less power than the best of the previous experiments. It outperforms them, too, with about half the capacitance at less than a femtofarad. They then constructed a photoreceiver (O-E) based on the same technologies, and that was able to run at 10 Gbps using two orders of magnitude less power than other optical systems at just 1.6 femtojoules per bit. Its also the first to not require an amplifier (which saves power) and have a low capacitance at just a few femtofarads. Combining the two, they demonstrated the worlds first O-E-O transistor. It can function as an all-optical switch, a wavelength converter, and a repeater. The incredible versatility makes it the first device that provides benefits over electronic hardware at chip-scale. The researchers suggest it could be used for inter-core communication and to sustain cache coherency. The scientists were able to make this breakthrough by developing a new type of photonic crystal (a term meaning a synthetic insulating material that controls light), and its a piece of silicon with a bunch of holes drilled in it. The holes are arranged such that if the light goes through them it interferes with itself causing it to cancel out. If a line of holes is blocked, then the light goes follows the path and is funneled into light-absorbing material that converts it into a current. The same system also works in reverse. Its hard to understate just how exciting this breakthrough is. Up until now, the only role photonics has played in the data center is long-range communication, targeting distances from 500m to 10km. Recent announcements like Intels 400G have shrunk that distance to room-scale, with board-scale known to be in the works. But bringing photonics down to chip-scale makes the technology consumer accessible and has the potential to rewrite the rulebook when it comes to performance. After all, light is faster than electronics. While photonic technology is only just matching electronic hardware, it's in its infancy and will improve rapidly. That being said, it could be a decade before chip-scale photonic technology gets into the hands of the public, but it will be an exciting day when it does. Femtofarad optoelectronic integration demonstrating energy-saving signal conversion and nonlinear functions, Nature: Photonics (April 2019) Amazon has announced that it's launching a new free tier of Amazon Music for Alexa customers in the United States. It's powered by ads, but as the retailers puts it, users will get to access "top Amazon Music playlists and thousands of stations at no cost." Amazon Music Free Of Charge In a blog post, Amazon says that all Alexa users can now access Amazon Music for free, even those who don't have an Amazon Prime or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. The company explains that customers can listen to stations based on a song, artist, era, or genre through the virtual assistant. They can also play songs via the service's top global playlists, among which are Country Heat, Pop Culture, and Fuego Latin. For instance, users can ask Alexa to "play the playlist Hot Singles," "play the Imagine Dragons station," "play 90s music," or "play classic rock." Considering the tier is free, it's not surprising that the selection is limited. The same goes for Amazon Prime members too, where the limit is set to 2 million songs. Only Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers get to access the service's more than 50 million collection. Not Unexpected Just recently, Amazon was rumored to roll out a free ad-supported version of Amazon Music to compete with the likes of Spotify, and from the look of things, that's exactly what's happening now. This move seems to be in a bid to make Alexa-enabled devices such as the Echo smart speakers even more appealing. Back in January, Amazon revealed that it has sold more than 100 million Alexa-powered devices, and a free tier of Amazon Music could boost those numbers further. On the audio front, the retailer appears to be gearing up to get a better position in the scene. As evidence to that, it's reportedly working on a pair of wireless earbuds with Alexa built in. It's said to be designed in direct competition with Apple's AirPods. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Environmental Protection Agency is tightening its regulation on the manufacture and import of asbestos, almost completely banning its use in the United States. The federal agency announced on Wednesday that its Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) aims to limit the access of industrial companies to asbestos by requiring them to seek EPA approval first before they could locally manufacture or import the dangerous substance from outside the country. Many safety advocates doubted the proposed rule's ability to curb the continued use of asbestos. However, the EPA said the SNUR is its best shot at regulating the material, especially since the agency does not have authority to outright ban its use. The SNUR also addresses loopholes in the EPA's prior restrictions on asbestos use, which have been in place for several decades. "We had a very dangerous loophole that we had not addressed," said Alexandra Dunn, EPA assistant administrator on chemical regulation. "We're essentially closing the door on these products. We are making sure they cannot come into the marketplace without action from the EPA." The EPA's Near Complete Ban Of Asbestos Use When the SNUR was first proposed last summer, it was criticized for its provisions on allowing asbestos makers and importers to apply for an EPA permit. Safety advocates also raised concerns that the proposal construed the prohibited uses of the material. The agency had received "extensive" feedback from several groups regarding the SNUR, and it had decided to expand its scope. The proposal now includes all uses of asbestos, even those that are not currently taking place. American Chemistry Council, an industry trade association consisting of chemical companies, has expressed its support of the EPA's SNUR, claiming that the proposal will help the agency better regulate asbestos use. Requests for ban exceptions will have to go through rigorous safety review, regulation, and restrictions, according to the ACC. Meanwhile, former EPA official Gary Timm welcomed the agency's final rule, calling it as a positive move by the agency under the Trump administration. He said the EPA should now work toward declaring a complete ban on asbestos use. Despite the SNUR announcement, some advocacy groups were still not convinced that the EPA has done enough to address the issue. Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, a nonprofit group that looks after the rights of mesothelioma victims, said the agency's proposal was "deeply disappointing". It is now urging the U.S. Congress to step in and declare a complete ban on the dangerous material. Dunn pointed out that the EPA is already looking into current uses of asbestos, which could lead to additional restrictions on the substance. She said several laws and regulations are already in place pertaining the processing and clean-up of structures built using asbestos. Dangers Of Using Asbestos Asbestos is a mineral fiber that naturally occurs in soil and rock, according to the EPA. Construction companies have used its fiber strength and heat resistance to produce insulation and fire retardants for buildings. The material is commonly found in paper products, roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, and fire-resistant cement. It is also used as part of heat-resistant fabrics and friction products, including car brakes, clutches, and transmission parts. Exposure to asbestos in the air can result in a number of health risk, particularly to lung disease. The longer people are exposed to the substance, the more likely they are to develop serious illnesses. Three of the most common diseases associated with asbestos are: Lung cancer Mesothelioma Asbestosis Asbestosis is a serious progressive, non-cancer lung disease, where it can often take 10 to 40 years before the illness manifests in patients. Its symptoms include shortness of breath, dry cough, weight loss due to a loss of appetite, and chest tightness or pain. The illness can also result in a condition known as clubbing, where the fingertips and toes appear rounder and wider than normal. Patients diagnosed with asbestosis can worsen their health condition if they engage in smoking. This could cause them to develop lung cancer. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Samsung has already unveiled the Galaxy S10 lineup and the Galaxy Fold, its flagships so far in 2019. There's still one more left in the pipeline for this year: the next-generation Galaxy Note, which is presumably the Galaxy Note 10, if history is anything to go by. For the uninitiated, the Galaxy Note is normally equipped with the best the company has to offer, including a built-in stylus called the S Pen, a huge screen to work with, and high-end specs. It's typically the most expensive smartphone among Samsung's selection, but in terms of pricing, the case could be different this time around because of its $1,980 foldable phone, though. The South Korean brand usually launches the Galaxy S line during the early part of a year and follows it up with the release of the Galaxy Note series later on. Now the Galaxy Note 10 isn't exactly official just yet, but as expected, it's already the subject of a ton of rumors. Galaxy Note 10 Won't Have Buttons Back in March, a report from South Korea-based website said that the device won't come with any physical buttons at all. Instead, it's going to have capacitive keys on the sides, and it's said to use Force Touch technology of the Chinese company NDT. Thanks to that, it should be capable of recognizing various commands depending on how hard a user squeezes its sides, such as turning up the volume or powering up the phone. The functionality is likely to be similar to the HTC U11's Edge Sense feature. Also, the resulting design could be reminiscent of the Meizu Zero. This isn't a stretch to believe either, considering that the Galaxy Note 10 will likely boast an under-display fingerprint reader, just like the Galaxy S10. Aside from the Galaxy Note 10, Samsung is reportedly going to go with the "keyless" look for its Galaxy A series as well. Galaxy Note 10 Will Come In 4 Models According to a report, the smartphone will come in two sizes: a 6.28 incher and a 6.75 incher. A leak also claims that the latter will be tagged with a "Pro" branding, as opposed to the "Plus" label Samsung tends to use on its larger-screen variants. On top of those, it's said to have LTE and 5G versions as well, making for four potential Galaxy Note 10 models down the line. This isn't surprising to see. The Galaxy S10 rolled out in four versions, after all, from the standard Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10E to the Galaxy S10 Plus and Galaxy S10 5G. Galaxy Note 10 Could Have 4 Rear Cameras Samsung-dedicated website SamMobile says the smartphone could sport four cameras on the back. Just like the other rumors, this isn't far-fetched since the Galaxy S10 5G does have four cameras too, not to mention that the Galaxy Note 10 would have more space to accommodate a quad-camera setup. This goes without saying, but it's recommended to take all these rumors with a grain of salt. None of them are official until Samsung says anything. Of course, there's no concrete release date either, but based on past unveiling dates, the smartphone maker could take the wraps off the Galaxy Note 10 sometime in August. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. When developers find themselves on the receiving end of gamers' ire, their games are flooded with hundreds of negative reviews. This phenomenon is known as "review-bombing," and as a rare event, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Unity on Steam is getting a surge of positive reviews, which is more or less a "reverse review-bombing." For those who don't know, the French gaming company has pledged to donate 500,000 (or roughly $562,325) for the restoration and reconstruction of the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris that recently caught on fire and suffered major damages. On top of that, it's also giving away copies of Assassin's Creed Unity on Uplay. At that, the deluge of positive ratings was just the natural outcome. Assassin's Creed Unity Now 'Very Positive' In the reviews section for Assassin's Creed Unity, the majority now consists of positive reviews, most of which commend Ubisoft's efforts. "Thanks Ubisoft & Assassin's Creed Unity for giving us an opportunity to appreciate what Notre Dame used to be. God bless France," a user wrote. "Great game with many flaws but Ubisoft's support for Notre Dame is amazing. Such an excellent move by a french company," another said. "I wasn't that big of a fan of the story line in this game, but the scale of Paris and the detail therin [sic] as well as the detail to the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral is unmatched," a user said. As a result, the average review score of Assassin's Creed Unity has begun going from "Mixed" to "Very Positive" in just a few days' time. Assassin's Creed Unity: Free To Play Details Ubisoft is giving gamers free access to download Assassin's Creed Unity for the PC until April 25. The company describes this as "the chance to experience the majesty and beauty of Notre-Dame the best way we know how." In addition, Ubisoft hopes that this move would encourage more people to help and donate for the restoration of the cathedral. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Physicists from the University of Zurich have created a device that could cool down a hot object without requiring the consumption of energy. Theoretically, the team claimed that the surprisingly simple device can turn boiling water into ice without the use of an external power supply. Moreover, the researchers said the process that enables cooling without energy consumption does not contradict the fundamental laws of physics. From Hot To Room Temperature The second law of thermodynamics states that heat can move from a warmer object to a cooler object, not the other way around. For example, a teapot full of boiling water placed on a kitchen table will gradually cool down, but it will not be any colder than the temperature of the kitchen table. However, in their experiment, the researchers were able to cool down a piece of copper, which was heated to 100 degrees Celsius, to below room temperature. They did not use any external power to achieve this. Instead, the team employed an element more typically seen in motel room minibars: the Peltier element. Peltier elements have components that are able to transform electrical currents into differences in temperature, creating a heat current that flows from hot to cold and vice versa. They were able to create a thermal oscillating circuit that makes heat temporarily flow from a colder object to a warmer object, further dropping the temperature of the colder object. The team reported that the process cooled down the nine-gram piece of copper that was heated to a hundred degrees Celsius to 2 degrees Celsius below the room temperature. Mass Cooling Without The Use Of An External Power While the experiment demonstrated only a 2-degree Celsius difference compared to the ambient temperature, the researchers believe that the process could allow cooling to up to -47 degrees Celsius. This can be achieved with a perfect Peltier element, which has not been invented yet. "With this very simple technology, large amounts of hot solid, liquid or gaseous materials could be cooled to well below room temperature without any energy consumption," said Professor Andreas Schilling from the University of Zurich. The researchers admitted that large-scale application is still not possible since the ideal Peltier element does not exist. Instead, the team believes that their study is a proof-of-principle that challenges the traditional understanding of how heat flows. The researchers described their experiment in a paper published by Science Advances. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Planetary scientists at NASA found evidence that Mercury has a solid metal inner core that is similar in size to that of Earth's. A team from the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland observed the rotation of the solar system's innermost planet and used the data from previous mission to study the interior of Mercury. They believe that the latest discovery can lead to a better understanding of how the solar system formed and how the rocky planets within evolved over time. Mercury's solid inner core was described in the American Geophysical Union's journal Geophysical Research Letters. What Lies Underneath The Surface Of Mercury There has been two spacecraft that has visited and explored Mercury so far: the Mariner 10, which flew by the planet in the 70s and the Mercury Surface, Space Environment, GEochemistry, and Ranging or MESSENGER, which entered the planet's orbit in 2011. A third spacecraft, BepiColombo, was launched in 2018 and is expected to enter the orbit of Mercury in 2025. MESSENGER spacecraft plunged into the surface of Mercury in 2015. However, before the end of its mission, it was able to gather crucial data about the spin and gravity of the planet that researchers used to study the interior of Mercury. Scientists have been using observations of a planet's spin to determine its inner structure. In 2007, radar observations from Earth detected small shifts in the rotation of Mercury, which suggested that the smallest planet in the solar system has a liquid-molten metal outer core. To probe whether Mercury has a solid inner core, the researchers analyzed MESSENGER's data of the planet's gravity. "Gravity is a powerful tool to look at the deep interior of a planet because it depends on the planet's density structure," explained Sander Goossens, a researcher at Goddard. The researchers entered the MESSENGER data into a computer program that allowed them to figure out the inner composition of Mercury to match the way it rotates. They found that for the planet to spin the way it does, which is much slower than Earth it must have a large solid inner core. The researchers estimated that Mercury's solid innercore is about 1,260 miles wide. It makes up about half of the Mercury's entire core, which is 2,440 miles wide. For comparison, Earth's solid inner core is about 1,500 miles wide and takes up about a third of the planet's entire core. Evolution Of Rocky Planets The researchers explained that studying Mercury could aid scientists predict what the future of Earth would look like. "Mercury's interior is still active, due to the molten core that powers the planet's weak magnetic field, relative to Earth's," said Antonio Genova, an assistant professor at the Sapienza University in Rome who led the study. "Mercury's interior has cooled more rapidly than our planet's. Mercury may help us predict how Earth's magnetic field will change as the core cools." 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Etah, Apr 20 (UNI) Predicting that the date on which the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party (SP-BSP) bonhomie will end had been decided, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Saturday that Uttar Pradesh will teach a lesson to those trying to divide the society in the elections. Addressing a rally at the Ramlila ground in Etah, Modi said that the date on which the SP-BSP friendship will break has been decided, adding that the date was May 23. Modi said that considering the large crowd that has gathered, it seemed like the results of the election had been decided. People sitting in Delhi say that there is no wave. The mood of the public cannot be identified while sitting in air conditioned rooms. Following the voting of the first and the second phases, the faces of the people who abused me have turned pale. This election is between two kinds of peoplethose who divide the country on the basis of religion and caste due to selfish interests and those who dream about the development of the country, the PM said. Modi said, The SP-BSP have different flags but their intentions are the same. Governments changed but the work of looting traders and farmers continued all the same. The torture of the Dalits has been witnessed by everyone in the tenure of babua (Akhilesh Yadav) and bua (Mayawati). Launching a scathing attack at the Samajwadi Party, the PM said, During the SP tenure, the law and order situation was talked about a lot. Female school children had to face a lot of problems while going to school in the SP regime. Modi said that the people in Uttar Pradesh could never prefer those who made one's enemy one's friends, rather they were standing in support of a strong government which was increasing the pride of the country. People are well aware of the history of those making hollow promises and hollow friendships. The PM said, Today the whole world is witnessing the strength of the nation. The world is respecting India. This government has prioritised national security. Terrorist spots were destroyed by the Army after entering Pakistan. The SP-BSP will not be able to free the country of terrorism and eradicating it. Even together, they will not be able to face it. Not only Modi will do this work, your each and every vote will do it. The PM further said that the countrys security and to save it from people indulging in corruption and middlemen was their nationalism. Modi said that the SP-BSP did the mahamilawat of self-interest, adding that they had undermined the wisdom of the voters. He further said, In the garb of working towards the interest of the poor people, the SP-BSP increased their bank balance. I will give you an example of how they work. We kept asking for the names of the poor people for whom houses had to be constructed during the SP regime. But they kept looking after their bungalows. We kept writing letters persistently from Delhi asking for the list but they were busy in making their houses fancy. The PM said that it was because of the people of Uttar Pradesh who voted for the Yogi Adityanath government that the pace of getting houses constructed had now picked up. Over one-and-half crore 'Pradhan Mantri Awas' equipped with electricity, toilets, gas connection were constructed for the poor people and those who did not get a house till now, will get one now. When in 2022, 75 years of Independence will be marked, every poor man will have a house of their own. We are working with this goal. Modi said that one hand the Modi government will be formed and on the other, the SP-BSP friendship will break. No one will waste votes on people doing fake friendship. Enlisting his achievements, he said that the maximum profit of the Kisan scheme had been to UP. The money of the first and the second installment of the Kisan Nidhi Yojana had reached the farmers of this state. The benefits of the Ayushman Yojana are reaching the poor people. This security has been given to every poor individual by this chowkidar. By James Howard Kunstler April 19, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - After two years of gaslighting the public while it blew smoke up Americas ass, the Jacobin news media enjoyed its final feeding frenzy with the release of the 400-page Mueller report. They expected 1000 pounds of raw filet mignon, but it turned out to be tofu fried in olestra. The ensuing fugue of hyperventilating hysteria was also duly expected and William Barr stoically endured their hebephrenic peevings at the release ceremony a press conference which itself offended the media. The threats and raving continued all the livelong day and far into the peeper-filled night with CNNs Chris Cuomo blustering Its time to rumble, and the lugubrious hack David Gergen muttering soulfully, This was not fake news, and The Times Maggie Haberman fuming that the White House had played the Nazi anthem Edelweiss very fake news, it turned out, since the tune was written for Rodgers and Hammersteins 1959 Broadway show, The Sound of Music (and sung by the anti-Nazi hero Baron von Trapp). Meanwhile Rachel Maddow had the balls to confab in prime time with disgraced former FBI mandarin Andy McCabe, officially identified as a liar by his own colleagues at the agency. What a circus of perfidious freakery! Understand that the Mueller Report itself was the mendacious conclusion to a deceitful investigation, the purpose of which was to conceal the criminal conduct of US government officials meddling in the 2016 election, in collusion with the Hillary Clinton campaign, to derail Mr. Trumps campaign, and then disable him when he managed to win the election. Mr. Mueller was theoretically trying to save the FBIs reputation, but he may have only succeeded in injuring it more gravely. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter The whole wicked business began as a (failed) entrapment scheme using shadowy US Intel assests Stefan Halper and Joseph Mifsud to con small fish Papadopoulos and Carter Page into incriminating themselves (they declined to be conned) and moved on to ploys like the much-touted Trump Tower meeting to ensnare Trump Junior and then to several efforts (also failed) to flip Paul Manafort, and Michael Cohen the final product of which was an epic failure to find one instance of real chargeable criminal collusion between anyone connected to Mr. Trump and Russia. By the way, the Mueller Report failed to mention that the two Russians present in that August 2016 Trump Tower meeting, lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya and lobbyist Rinat Akhmetshin, were on the payroll of Hillary Clintons oppo research contractor Fusion GPS, and met with that companys principal, Glenn Simpson, both before and after the meeting just one example among many of the Mueller Teams shifty tactics, but a move that speaks volumes about Mr. Muellers actual intent, which was to keep his prosecutorial circus going as long as possible to interfere with Mr. Trump carrying out his own duties. The Special Prosecutors main bit of mischief, of course, was his refusal to reach a conclusion on the obstruction of justice charge. What the media refuses to accept and make clear is that a prosecutors failure to reach a conclusion is exactly the same thing as an inability to make a case, and it was a breach of Mr. Muellers duty to dishonestly present that failure as anything but that in his report and possibly an act of criminal prosecutorial misconduct. Like any tantrum, the medias frenzy will run out of steam (and credibility) and now they will be whipped like dogs for betraying their public trust. There is a counter-narrative to the Resistance narrative, and it is a true crime story. That suppressed story is finally going to roll out in the implacable workings of actual (not fake) justice and it is going to crush a lot of people who concocted this epic political hoax, including some members of the press who knowingly and dishonestly abetted it. Many criminal referrals have already been made on the likes of James Comey, Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, and Bruce Ohr, and a big net has been cast to pull in the figures who have been hiding in the thickets lo these two-and-a-half-years of smoke and gaslight: Loretta Lynch, Sally Yates, William Brennan, James Clapper, Nellie Ohr, Samantha Power, Bill Priestap, Jim Rybicki, James Baker, Mike Kortan, John Carlin, Mary McCord, Josh Campbell and more. Some of these are going to jail and some have already flipped. The fetchings should reach the Obama White House. Mr. Mueller himself, even in his majestic granitic silence, will be liable for failing to inform his boss, the Attorney General, that the predicate document for his witch hunt was known to be a fraud back in 2016, and was used anyway to spy on a presidential candidate. Let congress put on a carnival of its own now. It will be greeted like a TV commercial for a hemorrhoid remedy while the real national psychodrama plays out in grand juries and courtrooms, demonstrating what a grievous injury was done to this republic by its own vested authorities. James Howard Kunstler is the author of many books including (non-fiction) The Geography of Nowhere, The City in Mind: Notes on the Urban Condition, Home from Nowhere, The Long Emergency, and Too Much Magic: Wishful Thinking, Technology and the Fate of the Nation. His novels include World Made By Hand, The Witch of Hebron, Maggie Darling A Modern Romance, The Halloween Ball, an Embarrassment of Riches, and many others. He has published three novellas with Water Street Press: Manhattan Gothic, A Christmas Orphan, and The Flight of Mehetabel. This article was originally published by " Kunster " - Ed Note: The graphic embedded in this article did not appear in the original item. 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 MAYOR LATOYA CANTRELLS HANDLING, OR RATHER HER MISHANDLING, of the traffic camera flap proves that in politics, its not enough to be right on a controversial issue. Its equally important to look right as well. In Cantrells case, she clearly did the right thing by reducing the margin of error that for years cut drivers some slack if they exceeded the 20-mph speed limit in school zones. Previously, drivers could go 25 or even 26 mph without getting ticketed around schoolkids. Earlier this year, Cantrells administration tightened that margin, which, again, was the right thing to do if one is concerned for the safety of children. Problem is, Herroner didnt bother telling the public that the ticket-issuing threshold had changed. Many drivers found that out the hard way: thousands of them got ticketed for driving at speeds that they thought were within official tolerances. Clancy DuBos: Cantrell owed New Orleans advanced notice ahead of Cuba trip, traffic camera changes The sun may have shone down on Mayor LaToya Cantrell during her trade mission to Cuba April 2-7, but the skies opened up literally and figur Those tickets were expensive, and the bottom line (pun intended) was a windfall to city coffers. That, after Cantrell as a candidate for mayor promised to remove all traffic cameras, saying they unfairly burdened working-class drivers. She later walked back that promise, keeping the cameras in school zones. That, too, was the right thing to do, only that time she told everyone in advance. Now it appears Cantrell has done the right thing for the wrong reason. Had she told the public beforehand that she was tightening the margin of error in school zones, many drivers no doubt would have slowed down thereby achieving the mayors stated goal of increasing safety, but without swelling the citys purse. Cantrell swears its all about safety, but we have only her word on that. Turns out a study commissioned by City Hall on the subject of tighter margins in school zones concludes the obvious: they will generate more speeding tickets and a lot more money. Duh. Lets be clear: No one has the right to speed through a school zone. The posted limit is 20 mph, and drivers should obey that limit. The safety benefits of this rule are obvious. On this point, Cantrell is right to enforce the rule as strictly as the law will allow. Commentary: Traffic cams make streets safer, so why does Cantrell want to remove them? New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has enough on her plate with ongoing Sewerage & Water Board issues, the height of hurricane season, crim However, its equally clear that New Orleans drivers had long become accustomed to pushing their luck around traffic cameras with City Halls full blessing. In fact, in areas outside of school zones, traffic cameras didnt generate tickets unless drivers exceeded the posted limits by at least 10 mph. In the few areas where traffic cameras still police speeders outside school zones, the margins are tighter there as well. Cantrell recently doubled down on her decision, saying in an administration-produced video that she made the change for the sake of safety. She conveniently avoided the matter of not giving the public advance notice, which, along with the revenue windfall, only reinforces the perception that it was all about the money. Meanwhile, the City Councils Budget Committee scheduled a meeting for 10 a.m. Monday, April 22, to seek answers from the administration as to why the public wasnt warned in advance about the tighter enforcement. Commentary: Cantrell lack of candidness about cameras breeds bad faith New Orleanians have a right to feel flummoxed by Mayor LaToya Cantrells administration and its shifting if not shifty approach to traffic In this dust-up, at least somebody at City Hall knows how to look right. When Erika Salmon enrolled in university to study arts and IT, she fulfilled her parents' wishes. This, they thought, was her best chance to find employment. But the 21-year-old from Croydon Park challenged that perception when, after two years, she dropped out to take up a TAFE course in cybersecurity. She's never looked back. Erika Salmon left university for 'more practical' studies at TAFE. Credit:Steven Siewart Ms Salmon's parents are delighted with how happy she is studying IT network security and data infrastructure engineering at TAFE NSW and her employment prospects are strong. "With uni, it was a lot more theoretical with little practical application, whereas TAFE is a good balance between theory and practical," she said. "It gives you the skills you need for the workplace, instead of just textbooks. University deans are warning of a major shortage of teachers in the next four years, with a fall in students beginning teaching degrees coming at the same time as a projected boom in school enrolments. However, teachers' unions and academics have disputed this and say low university entry standards have created an oversupply of teachers in most areas, prompting calls for teaching degree ATARs to be raised. 'The profession is in crisis in terms of its status', says Tania Aspland, president of the Australian Council of Deans of Education. The lack of consensus on the supply of teachers is partly due to limited data available in key areas such as the number of teaching graduates that enter classrooms and teacher retention rates. Tania Aspland, president of the Australian Council of Deans of Education, said the council expects a "huge shortage of teachers in three or four years", when the effects of a significant fall in students commencing degrees between 2017 and 2018 will begin to be seen. To do so would be somewhere between madness and carnage and would probably result in there being no Fenians left alive to save. John Devoy, organiser of the Catalpa rescue. Credit:Public domain No, Fennell has a much better idea. They need finesse, not force. To start, they must have their own ship, under their own control, ready to be positioned so that the escaped Fenians can make a dash for it when the time is right. And clearly that ship must have a legitimate reason to be in or around Fremantle, so it will need to have a cargo, or a purpose one that will not arouse suspicion. Perhaps, Fennell suggests, it could be an American vessel loaded with grain or some other cargo and later pick up the prisoners. From there, a way must be found to get the Fenians on board stealth is paramount, Fennell cautions and then you must quickly get away. You need to have been in Fremantle to understand the power of the Establishment, he tells Devoy in earnest. The height of the walls, the number of men and guns there to keep them secure. The men will have to be stolen from under the guards noses. Devoy listens carefully. Fennell makes a great deal of sense. But he is not sure that a simple cargo ship will work. Perhaps they could take a leaf out of John Boyle OReillys tale of escape, with the whole operation overseen by a strong whaling man? Happily, when Devoy journeys to see OReilly in Boston, the now fast-rising journalist and poet agrees heartily from the first. He not only knows it can be done that way, he would be surprised if it can be done in any other way. It is such a remote part of the world, there is little cause for vessels other than whalers to visit, and any other stated purpose would immediately arouse suspicion and, quite likely, surveillance. For Devoy, it is food for thought. But irrespective of whether they buy or lease such a vessel and hire a crew, it will be an expensive exercise. Where are we going to get the tens of thousands of dollars needed? 27 May 1872, House of Commons, London, let them eat slop Sir George Samuel Jenkinson, the conservative High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, has the floor. Is the report in the Times today, he asks Prime Minister William Gladstone, that it is the intention of the government to grant an amnesty to the remaining Fenian convicts on the occasion of the approaching visit of the Duke of Edinburgh [to Australia], correct? Prime Minister William Gladstone. No, the Prime Minister replies with conviction. He is now firmly of the view that the more vociferous conservatives are right, and leniency to those Fenians who remain in prison will not solve the Irish Question. For the foreseeable future, those Fenian soldiers rotting in Fremantle will remain there. As far as William Gladstone is concerned, the British government will be handing out no further amnesties. It is the beginning of a long series of meetings for John Devoy and the leading patriots in the Clan-na-Gael. The Clan-na-Gael is the phoenix that is rising from the ashes of the irreparably fractured Fenian Brotherhood, with most of its adherents hailing from Dublin, Cork and Limerick. A more secretive movement than the Fenian Brotherhood, they have grand plans for the liberation of Ireland, but keep those ambitions hidden under the guise of being a mere social organisation of Irishmen. Their passion for doing something to free the Fremantle Fenians is growing. It is now a matter of stoking broad enthusiasm for the idea, and finding some general agreement as to how best to proceed. But it proves very frustrating. As the months pass and the frozen winter of 1872 meets the hopeful spring of 73 and there is neither enthusiasm nor general agreement its as OReilly had warned from the outset, the Clan-na-Gael is a troubled organisation, with little capacity to agree it is Sunday, let alone unite to do something on a particular date on the other side of the world. Courtesy of Irish-born priest Father Patrick McCabe, the Fenians at Fremantle Prison smuggle out letters asking to be rescued, some of which are sent to the Fenians in Ireland. The sapphire-eyed James Wilson takes the rare liberty available to him to send a letter directly to Devoy. James Wilson, who was imprisoned at Fremantle. Credit:The New York Public Library Digital Collections Fremantle Western Australia 4 September 1873 To Mr John Devoy Dear Friend, I sit down to write to you with the liveliest feelings of satisfaction. I was delited [sic] to find that Martin Hogan had opened up a communication with you. It was the thing of all others that we most wanted, for we are under the impression that you would have devised some scheme to get us out of this if you had have known the real position of affairs with regard to us; now there is not the least thing in the world to stop us getting away from this place if it is managed properly, the whole amount of the population of this country is only twenty-four thousand. There are some ports where whalers are in the habit of calling and several other towns in the interior of the country. You perceive at a glance that the number of inhabitants in any of these places are not very great. The great portion of the people are in and about the capital, Perth, and the chief seaport, Fremantle, where there is situated the convict establishment. There is a guard of Pensioners at Fremantle and also Perth. There are about three hundred strong all told. This forms the whole disposable force of the colony; with a few police. So you see that it would not be much risk for any vessel, whaler or otherwise, to run in on some pretence or other. And if we had the means of purchasing horses [we] could make through the bush to the coast where the vessel might be and so clear out ... I must tell you that we are much altered in appearance, that from young men we have become old ones ... Yours, etc., J. Wilson Anxiously waiting for a reply as the days, weeks and months drag on by, Wilson is at least given permission by the warders to visit and look after his old friend Patrick Keating, who is now ailing so badly he has been put in lodgings in Fremantle so that his illness does not disrupt prison routine. Only a short time into the new year of 1874, Patrick Keating slips into eternal sleep. Wilson cries bitter tears for his friend. How much longer can all of them go on in this hell? Why has no one come to their rescue? There are now just eight Fenian convicts left in Fremantle Prison. How much longer must they all rot here? July 1874, Baltimore, Clan-na-Gael convention, Erin go Bragh! Order. Order! You have the floor, John Devoy For 30 minutes, in his low, passionate voice, Devoy gives the 61 delegates gathered in the room a summation of the situation in Fremantle, where brave servants of the Irish Republican Brotherhood lie in chains, only for the fact that free Irish patriots like themselves have done nothing to save them. John Boyle O'Reilly. And that, friends, is not right. We must save them. We must mount a rescue mission to pluck them from those furthest reaches of the British penal system, and restore them to freedom. I have in mind a plan to rescue them. Something between a low rumbling and a muttered grumbling rises from the room. A rescue mission? To the other side of the world? How? With whom? Though he cannot go into specifics for reasons of security, and for the fact that for the moment he only has the broadest of plans Devoy at least talks of the conditions in Western Australia and how, one way or another, those who they send to facilitate the escape will obviously be needing access to a ship to get themselves and the released prisoners away. How they will get them out of the prison in the first place has not been worked out yet. Whatever we do, it will take money. Will you go back to your own people, in your own branches, and ask them to provide that money? If we, as a movement, cannot help organise something like this, what are we here for? There is silence in the room as he finishes. No one moves. No one speaks. Knowing that he has them, Devoy decides to finish them, and takes from his pocket a letter written by Fenian Martin Hogan, a prisoner at the Establishment, and reads it from the top, inevitably giving special emphasis to these words: But, my dear friend, he intones with enormous gravity, it is not my hard fate I deplore, for I willingly bear it for the cause of dear old Ireland, but I must feel sad at the thought of being forgotten, and neglected by those more fortunate companions in enterprise who have succeeded in eluding the grasp of the oppressor " Devoy sits down. Still no one breathes. No one moves. No one speaks. And now one delegate stands up, and starts to clap. And now another. And another! Within seconds it is only Devoy who stays seated as the delegates stand, stomp their feet, and cheer, crying out, Erin go Bragh! Ireland forever! Devoy has his answer. Yes, the Clan-na-Gael will do its best to raise the money that Devoy needs. "The Fenian Rescue by the Catalpa 1876" by Henry McLaughlin, which is displayed in the Celtic Club, Perth. Credit:Fred Rea In short order, all across America, wherever the Irish congregate, the fund-raising for the Rescue Fund, as it is known, starts. The money trickles forth, in dribs and drabs, but it is not enough. Devoy needs something to further galvanise support, and miraculously, it arrives in an unlikely looking package. For it is another letter, in a notably scungy envelope. Fremantle, Western Australia. 15 June 1874 Dear Friend, ... Now, dear, Friend, remember this is a voice from the tomb. For is not this a living tomb? In the tomb it is only a mans body is good for the worms but in this living tomb the canker worm of care enters the very soul. Think that we have been nearly nine years in this living tomb since our first arrest and that it is impossible for mind or body to withstand the continual strain that is upon them. One or the other must give way. It is to aid us in this sad strait that I now, in the name of my comrades and myself, ask you to aid us in the manner pointed out. We think that you can do it if you will ... If there were any other way of getting out of this difficulty; I would not apply to you, but our faith in you is unbounded. We think that if you forsake us then we are friendless indeed. There are now in prison in the colony, 7 life sentenced men ... The names of the 7 men who are actually in prison out here are as follows: Martin Hogan, Thomas Hassett, Robert Cranston, James Kiely, Thomas Darragh, Michael Harrington, and James Wilson. We never forget that we are still Soldiers of Liberty. With respect to all friends, believe me to be, Ever fraternally yours, James Wilson A few evenings later, Devoy rises before his branch members gathered in a large room at a New York hotel and reads Wilsons letter to everyone present, pausing before and after the words: We think if you forsake us, then we are friendless indeed. The effect is electric, as this voice from the tomb speaks directly to these Irishmen in New York, making each one realise how lucky he is to be there, and what his duty is. Finally finishing, Devoy puts the letter down, and shouts: These men are our brothers! Adele gave birth to her son, Angelo, in 2012. "Adele and her partner have separated," the emailed statement said. "They are committed to raising their son together lovingly. As always they ask for privacy. There will be no further comment." Adele and her husband Simon Konecki have separated. Credit:AP The pop singer's representatives Benny Tarantini and Carl Fysh confirmed the news in a statement on Friday, local time. New York: Adele and her husband Simon Konecki have separated. The Grammy-winning British superstar has been private about her relationship, but confirmed she married Konecki when she won album of the year at the 2017 Grammys. In her acceptance speech, she said: "Grammys, I appreciate it. The Academy, I love you. My manager, my husband and my son - you're the only reason I do it." Konecki co-founded Life Water, an eco-friendly brand of bottled water in the UK. Funds from the company assists the charity that Konecki runs, Drop4Drop, which provides clean water to countries in need. A representative for Konecki could not be reached. Three years ago, you could barely turn on a digital device without seeing blogger Constance Halls name somewhere. Whether people loved her or hated her and it was usually more of the latter they were always talking about her. The bohemian-leaning mum-of-five from Margaret River, Western Australia, went viral in 2016, with thousands of people applauding her Facebook post about romance-devoid "parent sex". Just as quickly as she gained an army of faithful mostly-female followers (her "queens"), Hall's controversial honesty attracted a deluge of hate. With controversy comes fame, but what followed endless headlines, magazine covers, books Like a Queen and Still a Queen was surprising, even for Hall, who calls the national interest in her "so weird". But in the years since, things have quietened for Hall, even with a surprising turn on Network 10's Dancing With the Stars this year. She's no longer generating headlines with every sentence she writes, nor is she on the receiving end of the vitriol that reached a peak in 2017, when she announced her split from husband Bill Mahon, and a subsequent new relationship with Denim Cooke. Church restoration projects have emerged as the largest single recipients of community grants from the NSW government's Office of Environment & Heritage (OEH), eclipsing funds for environment and Aboriginal heritage. Over the past four years, the government directed almost $1.7 million for church repairs, including $50,000 "for restoration of the Horbury Hunt Hall at Newcastle Grammar, according to analysis of OEH's annual reports. By comparison, community grants for the environment collected just over $1.33 million and almost $1 million for Aboriginal heritage. Koalas were among the wildlife to receive OEH grants - but the share of grant funds going to the environment has declined in recent years. Credit:University of Sydney The tallies, though, mask a shift in the proportion of grants. In 2014-15, for instance, church grants and other heritage grants were roughly on a par with the combined community support for environment and Aboriginal work, the annual report shows. My question didn't get through on Q&A, so I'll ask it here. I refer to the appearance of the Queensland LNP senator James McGrath and how truly shocked he was that donations from the Adani coal-mining mob might affect LNP policies. "I want to address that," the good Senator thundered. "I'm outraged, I'm actually outraged about that. It is actually offensive for any politician on this panel or anywhere to say that the Liberal National Party or people who support the Liberal National Party are taking policy positions based on donations. That is actually offensive and it is wrong." Outraged over Adani suggestions: James McGrath. Credit:Max Mason-Hubers So here's the question, Senator. What's in it for Adani to make the donation, then? If it won't affect LNP policy one way or another, why would a corporation give any money at all? I am genuinely interested in your answer. The same goes for corporations giving money to the ALP, the Greens and all the rest. Last week, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia made a donation of $15,000 to One Nation, of all parties! Why, do you think? Because they support One Nation policies, or because they hope for One Nation support on legislation concerning matters important to the Pharmacy Guild? But you think Adani is different, and you are outraged at the suggestion? Please. Great transformations Home Search ICH Venezuela Still on the Brink? By Peter Koenig April 19, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - The silence is almost deafening. Is it the quiet before the storm? Or is the US giving up on Venezuela? I dont think so. Its more like a regrouping after a first defeat, well, its a multiple defeat, if we start counting since the failed coup attempt against Hugo Chavez on 11 April 2002. However, Washington is not giving up. The first blows come flying. Pompeo to Maduro open your borders for humanitarian aid, or else. which implies the usual, all options are on the table humanitarian military intervention is an option. Washington April 10, 2019, high level US and South American (members of the infamous and nefarious Lima Group, naturally) politicians and military held a secret meeting about the strategic next steps to subdue Venezuela, how to regime-change the Maduro Government, by military options, as reported by investigative journalist Max Blumenthal. The meeting was dubbed Assessing the Use of Military Force in Venezuela. It was hosted by the DC-based neoliberal thinktank the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Venezuelas ambassador to the UN, Samuel Moncada, denounces Trumps preparations for war to the entire UN community. The UN Community is increasingly taking note of the atrocities and lawlessness of the one rogue UN member that has the arrogance of thinking and acting as if it were above the law, above every law, even the laws made by its own lawmakers, the United States of America. In the context of the failed coup attempt on Venezuela, a group of about 60 UN members formed, including Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran and many more, representing about half of the world population, in support of Venezuela and especially in support of the UN Charter. The group requests and will enhance actions for UN members to respect the UN principles, the laws and rules upon which the United Nations were created almost 75 years ago. This is a new twist within the UN body. On 11 April, US Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, met in Washington with 16 ministers of finance and representatives of 20 countries ( Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Portugal, Peru, Spain, and the UK) to enhance the support of some 50 countries of the self-declared president Juan Guaido, and how to support Venezuela, once the Maduro Government is gone. Hilarious, if it wasnt so serious. It is as if these, otherwise smart people, were falling into the trap of Joseph Goebbels, Hitlers Propaganda Minister if a lie is repeated enough, it becomes the truth. Indeed, there is no other country in recent history that emulates Hitler and his approaches to world dominance by manipulation as well as Washington. And indeed, it is not quite clear, who was teaching whom. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter Venezuelas Vice-president, Delcy Rodriguez, denounces the preparation of a military intervention in Venezuela by the US, Colombia and Brazil. She warns the world from a humanitarian disaster if the global community, allows the United States and its minions to interfere in Venezuela. Mexicos new President, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO), also vehemently rejects any interference in Venezuela and offers his Governments services to mediate a dialogue between the Maduro Government and the opposition, a dialogue to which President Maduro has invited the opposition already many times. To no avail. Mostly because the orders from Washington are clear, no dialogue no compromise, the Maduro Government must be go. We will inject the necessary capital into the inefficient oil industry, and our petrol corporations are eager to revive Venezuelas hydrocarbon industry and make it profitable again. These are the bold and honest words of John Bolton, US National security Adviser. Lets see where all this hoopla may lead. If it sounds like wishful thinking, it is wishful thinking. Even though the true media hero, Julian Assange is for totally illegal reasons behind bars in the UK. And this because laws are made in Washington as Washington sees fit, as Trump signs papers, shows them on TV and they becomes law and laws of the US are applied throughout the US vassalic world, and especially by its poodle puppets in London. Never mind this minor detail of human derailment. More importantly, it seems that Mr. Assanges spirit and that of his creation of truth telling, Wikileaks, is increasingly reflected by politicians and journalists who, though somehow coopted into the system, feel discomfort with this very system and decide to leak so-called classified information into the non-mainstream truth-telling media. A classical case may be the secret RoundTable that took place in Washington on 10 April to discuss the fate of Venezuela. The news about it was first published by the Grayzone portal on 13 April. Mr. Blumenthal has obtained the information along with a check-in list of the high-flying participants to this private round-table. When confronted and asked for interviews on the event, most members on the list were surprised, even stunned, and refused to talk. Somebody from inside must have leaked the information about the clandestine meeting. On a totally different issue, but equally important for the concept and philosophy of leaking information to the outside world, is the recent disclosure leak by someone in the French military that sophisticated French weaponry was used by Saudi Arabia to attack and kill defenseless Yemenis. And this, although the French and especially Roi Macron himself, has always denied that the French were participating offensively in this also illegal US-UK-NATO proxy war. The French narrative was and is that Frances weapons were only defensive. Sounds as stupid as calling the US War Ministry, the Ministry of Defense. Are we entering a Leak-zone (no pun intended) an epoch of leaking, of divulging secret and classified information? Have we had enough impunity? Its time to stop it. What is this classified and secret information anyway? In a so-called Democracy why are the elected government officials privileged to hold on to secret information, unknown to the public who lives under the illusion that they elected them, and more importantly, or even worse the public, who pays for them. Cant you see, dear People, what aberration of democracy we have moved into? Please, just open your eyes and see all these contradictions, contradictions for us, but they serve the chosen- and you believe elected-by-you elite, lining their pockets and increasing their power. Now the public must know the truth. This new Leak-Culture may take hold. If so, its high time, but never too late. It would be another sign towards the empire heaving on its last breath, or as Andre Vltchek so adroitly puts it, when he describes the ultimate crime of the lawless London gang, the police manhandling a sick and defenseless Julian Assange, By dragging him from the embassy into a police van, it [the empire] has admitted that it already has begun sewing its own funeral gown. Back to Venezuela. Has Washington given up? Most likely not. Although their first coup attempt has failed. The Venezuelan military did not defect. Despite Trumps warning, even threats, they stood and still stand behind Nicolas Maduro . The humanitarian aid trucks at the border in Cucuta did not cross into Venezuela. In fact, they were burned by the very opposition, hoping to make believe that Maduros troops put them on fire. No. They were indeed the opposition forces and their allies in Colombia. Ironically, the mayor of Cucuta, after the humanitarian aid stayed stuck at the border, asked Colombian President Duque, whether he, the mayor, might distribute the aid among the poor people of Cucuta, because this aid was more needed in Cucuta than in Venezuela. Second, Juan Guaido was never able to mobilize the crowds as Washington expected. Guaido, a US lackey in the first place, lacks any charisma. He does not appeal even to the majority of Venezuelas opposition. So, he is a dead horse. Bad choice by Washington. Third, a direct military intervention seems unlikely at least at this point as Russia quietly but with considerable force has made known her presence in the country. And so does China. Though China may not have sent military personnel, Chinas position was and is: Dont mess with Venezuela. China and Russia have both huge investments in Venezuelas hydrocarbon industry. In the meantime, Bolton and Pompeo have already accused, in addition to Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua as spreading socialism in the region. Thats their crime. Its now in the open its not just the oil, its also ideology. They are going to be sanctioned. In Cuba invoking again the 1996 HelmsBurton Act, under which foreign companies are prohibited from doing business in Cuba, lest they are prevented from doing business in the US. In addition, the amount of money Cuban Americans may send home is again limited, after Obama lifted the restrictions. And exile Cubans mostly applying to those in Florida may now sue Cuba in US courts for confiscated and nationalized land after the revolution. And that after 60 years. I wonder, what US courts have to meddle in Cuba. This latest US arrogance stinks to heaven. Will the world smell it? Is Washington at the end of the rope with Venezuela? Will see. Not voluntarily; thats for sure. But if leakers keep leaking, its a sign that even insiders have had it. Peter Koenig is an economist and geopolitical analyst. He is also a water resources and environmental specialist. He worked for over 30 years with the World Bank and the World Health Organization around the world in the fields of environment and water. He lectures at universities in the US, Europe and South America. He is the author of Implosion An Economic Thriller about War, Environmental Destruction and Corporate Greed fiction based on facts and on 30 years of World Bank experience around the globe. He is also a co-author of The World Order and Revolution! Essays from the Resistance. The original source of this article is Information Clearing House 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. 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. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has hit out at the Coalition for a case of "fake news" being spread on social media, saying his opponents should be ashamed for mounting a scare campaign about a tax on inheritances. The opposition has demanded Facebook remove material being shared on its platform that incorrectly claims Labor and the Greens have signed a secret agreement to introduce a 40 per cent "death tax". Opposition Leader Bill Shorten speaking in Melbourne on Saturday. Credit:AAP The content, which has been shared in posts and messages, links to a media release on Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's website that argues an inheritance tax under Labor is "not out of the question" because the idea has previously been favoured by opposition frontbencher and economist Andrew Leigh and the union movement. While the Liberal Party has denied being behind the Facebook content, Prime Minister Scott Morrison publicly speculated on Saturday that there was a secret Labor-Greens deal and whether "death taxes" were involved. BILL! BILL! BILL! The crowd is chanting as a beaming Bill and Chloe Shorten work their way through a sea of supporters dressed in red. The Labor leader is addressing volunteers in the marginal Sydney seat of Reid, which is held by retiring Liberal member Craig Laundy and at risk of falling at the May 18 federal election. Labor leader Bill Shorten at the first major rally of the federal election campaign. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The Labor faithful have gathered for this faux-campaign launch are a diverse mix of supporters, dressed in red shirts and clutching campaign signs, who are strategically placed behind the leader to provide a lively backdrop for what this spectacle is really all about: the perfect television shot. Taking inspiration from the rallies that are a mainstay of the United States presidential campaigns, both major political parties are increasingly using these highly controlled environments to frame their leader as a person of the people, for the people. The rally, with the leader at the centre, positions a prime ministerial hopeful as a significant figure and helps send a message of leadership. Healthcare and the cost of living are the two biggest worries for voters ahead of next months federal election. But concern about the state of the environment has been rising more quickly than any other issue since Australians last went to the polls, a survey shows. Voters rate healthcare the nation's biggest challenge a month before the federal election Credit:Peter Braig The Ipsos Issues Monitor, which asks a representative sample of Australians to select the three top issues facing the nation, found 23 per cent rated the environment among their biggest worries this month compared with 14 per cent in July 2016, the time of the last federal election. Ipsos social researcher Daniel Evans said community concern about the environment had been on a gradual upward trajectory for several years but the pace of the increase has picked up markedly in recent months. Fashion loves a stationery metaphor. There's "Crayola dressing", a term used for the block colours favoured by the likes of the Queen, or "Stabilo dressing", when one dresses like a neon highlighter pen. Glenn Close shows you can look great in metallics at any age. Credit:AP This season, "Easter egg chic" is the metaphor de jour because the coloured metallics that are going to be big right through to summer make you look, well, like a freshly minted Red Tulip bunny. This season's metallic foils are shaping as a replacement to last winter's velvets, although if you invested there, don't throw them away just yet. As proven by Marc Jacobs and Char Defrancesco at their wedding this month, a good velvet tuxedo jacket is always good. Since it's Easter, what better time to discuss the "egg dressing" trend, and how it can be worn by women of all ages and levels of fashion daring-do. They reviewed a long-running survey conducted by the European Union which asked more than one million people across 35 countries over the past decade to rank their life satisfaction. This allowed the researchers to look in detail at the happiness levels of adults who were married, divorced, widowed and single, and those who had children or stepchildren as well as childless households. The surveys also collected financial information including whether respondents had trouble paying their bills. The baseline result was similar to many other studies: overall, children did not raise the life satisfaction of parents. But Blanchflower and Clark identified one crucial factor that seems to make all the difference to the happiness of parents: financial pressure. The negative effect of children comes from their effect on financial difficulties, says their paper Children, Unhappiness, and Family Finances: Evidence from One Million Europeans published by Americas National Bureau of Economic Research. When the stress of struggling to pay bills was removed from the equation, having children was shown to make people happier in the vast majority of cases. Loading The economists concluded that children are associated with greater parental satisfaction in favourable financial circumstances. In other words, kids increase the happiness of parents as long as the extra costs involved with having children doesnt make it hard to make ends meet. Children are expensive, making it difficult for some parents to pay the bills, says Blanchflower, who is an economics professor at Dartmouth College in the US. Our findings illustrate how you can flip the notion that children make parents unhappy. Once you control for a households financial circumstances, including any difficulties that they may have, the negative impact of children on life satisfaction disappears and becomes positive. Even so, not all children and family types are the same. Younger children seem to make mums and dads happier than teenagers. The study found kids under the age of 10 brought more satisfaction to their parents than those between the ages of 10 and 14. The age of parents is a factor the happiest people with children were under 45 years. Marital status also seems to matter a lot in determining whether children increase happiness or lower it. Single parents were, on average, less happy than coupled parents regardless of whether they were divorced, separated or widowed. Also, happiness was greater among parents with kids from a current relationship - having stepchildren was systematically associated with lower life satisfaction. While the study by Blanchflower and Clark drew on European surveys, it is likely the findings would be similar in other advanced economics like Australia and the US. Loading Raising children here is expensive and a range of surveys show cost of living pressure is an acute concern for young parents, especially those with mortgages in Sydney and Melbourne. There is a clear message for governments from Blanchflower and Clarks study. Assisting parents that are under financial pressure to increase their incomes would deliver a major boost to the wellbeing of the whole community. One obvious policy response, says Blanchflower, is to ensure childcare is more accessible and affordable. Improved leave provisions for mothers and fathers after the birth of a child would also bolster the economic security of families with children. The study draws attention to the relatively low wellbeing levels of lone parents. Loading This is another reason for governments to reconsider the successive cuts to assistance for low-income single parent families. The World Happiness Report, released this month, showed Finland, Denmark and Norway to be the three happiest nations (Australia was ranked the 11th happiest down one place compared with last year). It is no coincidence that those three Scandinavian nations provide substantial support for working parents and are renowned for their high-quality, accessible childcare systems. Flying over Syria was a sobering experience. I held my breath for about 40 minutes as I watched the little plane on the screen in front of me slowly make its way right over the middle of Damascus and Homs. Homs has been one of the Syrian war's most contested cities: it's been reduced to rubble; its population trapped and starved. I think of it as somewhere very close to hell. I exhaled as the plane crossed the imaginary line that separates Syria from Lebanon. At the foot of the mountain range below me, in the nutrient-rich but freezing-in-winter Bekaa Valley, almost a million people wait, hoping their children don't freeze to death before they can go home. "They wait because all they want to do is go home and reclaim their lives. Because they had lives, just like we do. They had homes and jobs and cars and families and friends and plans." Credit:Facebook/Meshel Laurie In this valley, children have died with nightmarish regularity in the past eight years, and still their parents wait. They wait because all they want to do is go home and reclaim their lives. Because they had lives, just like we do. They had homes and jobs and cars and families and friends and plans. At some point, they'd like to get back to them, to pick up the threads and do all those normal things again. See their children grow up and get married. Just like the rest of us. They don't want to use this "opportunity" to move to Australia. Not a single refugee I've met, from countries ranging from South Sudan to Lebanon, has ever expressed that wish to me. Every one has spoken only of the desire to return home. Is there life after death? In this increasingly materialistic age in which many believe only in what they can measure, it is a question we tend to defer, but the older we get the more we are inclined to wonder about it. The great philosopher Socrates, four centuries before Christ, pondered this issue. At the trial that condemned him to die by drinking hemlock, he argued that death was either annihilation a welcome eternal sleep or transmigration to an afterlife populated by the great figures of the past, among whom it would be delightful to pass. The good man, Socrates says, has nothing to fear either in this life or the next. He famously concludes: Well, now it is time we were going, I to die and you to live; but which of us has the happier prospect is unknown to anyone but God. Christians certainly should not fear death. I may fear the process of dying, possibly painful and drawn out, but the eventual outcome, according to the promises of God, is one in which all tears are wiped away, in which all impediments to joy have been removed. I didn't do anything special to get Beatrix into Mr C's class. Making petty demands of overworked principals and teaching staff is not my special strength. Beatrix was not troubled by such concerns, and took her pitch directly to the source. Every school has its own Mr C. That one gold-flecked teacher who compels otherwise easygoing parents to front up to the principal's office, armed with a slightly embroidered sob story that inevitably concludes with some variation on the sentiment, "This is a critical year for Arlo and he needs a teacher who's really onto it." 'For the ex-pupils of Mr C, moving up a grade and starting all over with a new teacher has been a sobering experience.' Credit:Stocksy You see, last year, my youngest daughter landed the Taj Mahal of teachers, the Faberge egg of educators, a passionate pedagogue with a face to inspire a million maternal crushes. I swear the sun moved with him as he walked. I'll call him Mr C. "Are the children hearing this Barry White music, too?" I used to wonder as my daughter's prep teacher emerged from the classroom each morning, gently shepherding his cohort of apple-cheeked charges inside for another day of reading, writing and worshipping. She had met Mr C twice, during the transition-to-prep program. "Hello, Beatrix," he greeted her on the afternoon of their third meeting. "I love you," she barked in reply, a crude if highly effective means of stating her case. Mr C was left in no doubt that to deny Beatrix entry to his class would be as good as driving a stake through her velvety young heart. Mission accomplished. That febrile adoration of her teacher has made for a bumpy transition into year 1. Of course it has; Mr C was Jesus Christ in a duffel coat. That febrile adoration of her teacher has made for a bumpy transition into year 1. Of course it has; Mr C was Jesus Christ in a duffel coat. How many teachers do you know who enrolled their pet in a therapy-dog course so it could help anxious preppies? Watching Mr C teach was like watching a really good episode of Play School, hosted by John Waters: "Oh, so that's how you make a rocket out of a toilet roll!" "Oh, so that's how you sing a song and play the ukulele without looking twee!" "Oh, so that's how you talk to kids about what to do when they find a syringe in the playground without making it sound scary while also emphasising that it actually is very scary." Mr C never raised his voice or used harsh words, even when confronted with behaviour that would have the Dalai Lama throwing down his sashes. He could banish the tears of a furiously sobbing five-year-old by simply holding their hand. He somehow managed to tell the children funny stories that, even when retold through the psychedelic yet laborious filter of a five-year-old, were actually still funny. (A possum attached itself to one of his chickens and they raced around the yard together! His dog ate a three-kilo bag of food while he was out and when he came home he thought she was about to have puppies!) "I would make Indianised versions of things for them to try," she recalls. "I'd do vegetarian paella, pasta, maybe paneer burger or falafel, all spiced up with an Indian twist so they would find it more flavourful." As the in-laws became more adventurous, the burger concept rose to the top Payal found herself mashing up Indian and American food all the time. Burger Shurger, open a year, is the happy result. While you're sticking your face into Burger Shurger's awesome Mighty Butter Chicken Burger, say a silent thank you to owner Payal Bisht's in-laws. It's in large part due to them that this fun Indian fusion burger and craft beer joint got off the ground. Payal and her husband moved from New Delhi to Melbourne in 2008 to study their Masters in IT. When the in-laws came to visit from India they weren't too keen on the local cuisine. "Don't try to feed us burgers or sushi or pasta," they pleaded. But Payal, a keen cook and multicultural eater, couldn't help herself. The shopfront restaurant is bright and friendly, somewhere between saloon and diner, with neon signage playing off a stylised mural of Indian gods sitting down to burgers vegetarian, one presumes. The menu is an array of "sometimes" food: burgers, loaded fries, roti rolls and bao, with plenty for vegans and vegetarians. The Mighty Butter Chicken burger. Credit:Eddie Jim Payal lived in New Delhi, home of butter chicken, and she's rightly proud of her sauce, which is creamy and spicy but not cloying; the sweetness comes from cashews, not sugar. The sauce is smoked to round out the flavour. So far, so traditional but then comes the fusion and fun. The sauce is reduced so it sits nicely on the buttermilk-marinated, crumbed and fried chicken Maryland, which is sandwiched between charcoal buns with house-made chutneys. If you want the sauce and not the whole burger situation, you can also have vegetarian loaded fries with chickenless butter chicken sauce. Other Indian cuisines are honoured on the menu. The chilli crab burger riffs on the Indian-Chinese food of the east with a characteristic soy-spiked Manchurian sauce lavished on soft-shelled crab. The Gobi 65 is a reworking of Chicken 65, a famous hotel dish from Chennai in south India, supposedly invented in 1965. Instead of the classic chicken 65, which is fried and smothered in a red chilli sauce, Burger Shurger takes the idea and wrangles it into a blended sauce of sriracha, curry leaves, ginger and garlic, then tumbles it with fried cauliflower (gobi). In a town full of great cauliflower, this dish rockets onto the must-try list. Vegetarian burgers include the vada pav, a traditional curried potato dish that's served on a soft roll in India but turned into a burger here, and the pav bhaji, a Mumbai-style vegetable curry that's turned into a burger-friendly patty and slathered with tamarind sauce. Even desserts get the spicy mash-up treatment, with a creme brulee jazzed up with chai spices. The 1957 novel Theyre a Weird Mob chronicles an outsiders view of Australian culture, particularly the obsession with home ownership as a signifier of financial success and security. Kingswood Country, The Castle and Kath & Kim also reflect how prominently the great Australian dream features in our psyche. Home ownership rates for young people aged 25-34 have declined in recent years from 60 per cent to 48 per cent across all home purchases. Credit:Rob Homer However, declining home affordability is changing this concept, with a significant proportion of younger Australians preferring the freedom and flexibility of life without a home loan. Labor has been keen to point out that home ownership rates for young people aged 25-34 have declined in recent years from 60 per cent to 48 per cent across all home purchases, with first-home buyers making up just one in seven buyers. By Renee Parsons April 19, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Fresh off what the MSM is celebrating as a surprise victory for a Bernie Town Hall on Fox News, lurking in the background is his inexplicable support over the years for basing the highly controversial F35 at the Burlington International Airport. We now know, thanks to a conscientious citizen who bothered to read the fine print, that those F35s will be nuclear-capable and of immense explosive power. In September, as the fall colors begin to change in Vermont, City of Burlington residents may not be in the streets waving American flags as eighteen F35 Lightening II radar-evading stealth fighter jets land at the Burlington Airport. As part of a Pentagon plan to deploy 2,500 jets nationwide, the F35s will join the 158th Fighter Wing, a unit of the Vermont Air National Guard, affectionately known as the Green Mountain Boys as its aging F-16 jets are replaced. Not just known for its foliage, cheese and maple syrup, Vermont is also host to an active aerospace industry which already supplies 2,000 jobs. The jets bay door and GAU-22 gun system will both be produced in Vermont. With the Air Force spending $84 million per jet from Lockheed Martin, the DOD will spend $100 Million for infrastructure improvement and a new training center at Burlington where they will share one runway with commercial air traffic. Basing more than a dozen F35s in Burlington will bring a totally new generation of aircraft to Vermont as new high tech jets, not yet fully mature with all of its kinks and safety issues worked out, normally experience more accidents and incidents in a shake down and the F35 has had more than its share. The F35 was commissioned by the Pentagon in 1995 at a cost of $1.5 Trillion, becoming the most expensive weapon system in US history as well as providing significant technical challenges including a catastrophic engine failure with total damage estimated at $50 million, a life threatening ejection seat malfunction and a crash in South Carolina due to a faulty fuel tube. The new controversial bomber jet fighter planes will be located in a dense area surrounded by public schools, a college and residential neighborhoods. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter While the seven year debate over the F35 has been an intense round of public hearings and debates and public meetings, at least one lawsuit, and three of the most affected communities all formally opposing the F35 and even a successful anti F35 voter referendum which was adopted by the public, the states elected political leadership chose to ignore the outcome. But it wasnt until retired Air Force Col. Rosanne Greco was reading through a 68,000 heavily redacted Air Force document related to the lawsuit that she discovered vague references about the F35 carrying nuclear bombs. Researching further, Greco who has thirty years of intelligence experience with the highest security clearances, is a specialized expert in nuclear weapons and arms control and a member of the US START delegation, confirmed the stunning news that the F35 was designed from the outset and had always been intended to carry a nuclear payload as it was to become an integral part of the US nuclear strategy. Throughout all the furor, the Air Force never informed Vermont residents that the F35 was designed as a dual-capable plane; that is, able to deliver either a conventional weapon or a nuclear weapon or that its new guided nuclear bomb, the B61-12 was being specially designed to fit into the F35s bay. As if that belated information were not reason enough for the entire State of Vermont to be explosively irate at being lied to by the Pentagon, the states elected political leadership has yet to feel the full wrath of a citizenry that has only just begun to realize the consequences of being consistently lied to by its favorite sons. During the entire seven year campaign, both Senators Bernie Sanders and Patrick Leahy refused to meet with citizens who opposed the F35. In a short, pithy joint statement in 2016, the states entire Congressional delegation echoed their support for the F35 being based in Vermont. And the B61 is one hell of a bomb its range can be adjusted from .03 kilotons up to 50 kilotons. The bomb that killed 150,000 people in Hiroshima was a 15 kiloton bomb. Greco makes the point that the Green Mountain Boys could now directly initiate on their own ala Dr. Strangelove or participate in a nuclear war as ordered by the President. In addition, Vermont now becomes a central target in any potential conflagration since it is the delivery system that is the target. With no aircraft to carry them, bombs per se are not the target. The Burlington International Airport will now become Ground Zero. When Grecos revelations regarding the jets nuclear capability became public, Sanders and Leahy were unwavering in their denials and refutations which have been in direct contradiction with Air Force and DOD statements in the public record. Consequently the United States will maintain and enhance as necessary, the capability to forward-deploy nuclear bombersaround the world. We are committed to upgrading the DCA with the nuclear-capable F35 aircraft. Department of Defense, 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, Chapter VII, Current and Future US Nuclear Capabilities, page 54 Further, the MIC boasts of a nuclear loaded F35 for its ..combination of accuracy and low-yield make the B61-12 the most usable nuclear bomb in Americas arsenal. This makes using nuclear weapons thinkable for the first time since the 1940s as if that is a good thing! Further military assessments suggest Yet the most dangerous nuclear bomb in Americans arsenal may be the new B61-12. And that What makes the B61-12 bomb the most dangerous nuclear weapon in Americans arsenal is it usability. State political leaders have been so supportive that former Governor Peter Shumlin traveled to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida came away declaring that Listening has been a real eye opener. It is surprising how quiet the F35 is. Noise abatement is a major issue since the F35 is four times louder than the F16s being replaced and required the destruction of 200 homes identified as being within the zone that exceeded acceptable decibel level. How nearby public school students or at the nearby college will be expected to learn and concentrate in an environment unfit for residential habitation remains to be seen. During a 2016 campaign debate in which F35 supporters cited the local Air Guards efforts after the 911 attack, Burlington Mayor Milo Weinberger, another politically elite F35 supporter responded that They flew over an area already devastated by a terrorist action. I dont believe they stopped a single thing from happening. Without meaning to, his comments raise a valid question about why the Pentagon funds local Air National Guard unit other than as a glorified jobs program. In justifying his support in 2016, Sanders said it was not the plane but the jobs and economic advantage of the F35 that he supports. In the real world, if the plane is built and if the choice is if that goes to Vermont South Carolina or Florida. What is your choice as a United States Senator? he asked. And thats what the Vermont National Guard wants, and that means hundreds of jobs in my city. Thats it. Sanders claim that the project will add 1,100 new jobs to the Airport is fraudulent, according to Greco who says that with departure of the F16s, there will be a one for one swap with the previous F16 employees being trained on the F35s. The question is when did Bernie and the doddering Sen. Leahy, who apparently was the prime mover and shaker to bring the F35 to Vermont, discover that the F35 would be nuclear capable? Greco says that public records shows that after Vermont was initially explored and dismissed by the Air Force as being an unsuitable location with South Carolina being the preferred location, Leahy personally intervened to bring the F35 to Vermont. It is inconceivable that the Air Force would keep that level of pertinent information secret from two US Senators who had become its reliably pro- F35 allies while they opposed and deceived the best interests of their own constituents . Renee Parsons has been a member of the ACLUs Florida State Board of Directors and president of the ACLU Treasure Coast Chapter. She has been an elected public official in Colorado, an environmental lobbyist for Friends of the Earth and staff member of the US House of Representatives in Washington DC. She can be found on Twitter @reneedove31 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 head of the Anglican Church in Sydney has used his Easter message to celebrate the anniversary of a significant world event but says, for Christians, the Resurrection of Jesus was a far more important note in history. The Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, used his Easter address to mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landings. Dr Glenn Davies spoke of the moon landings and the importance of the Resurrection. "US president Richard Nixon described it as the greatest week in the history since creation," Archbishop Davies said. However, for millions of Christians around the world, the events of this week are far more important he argues. "The great preacher Billy Graham quickly corrected him, saying that far greater was the week of the death and Resurrection of Jesus." A Queensland dingo advocacy group has warned culling the native dogs is not the answer after one dragged a toddler by the neck from a campervan in the third attack this year. The 14-month-old boy underwent surgery on Friday afternoon after being flown to the Queensland Children's Hospital with a fractured skull and multiple head and scalp puncture wounds. Dingoes in Eurong on Fraser Island have no fear of people like others in Queensland because they are raised among them. The boy's family from Brisbane were camping on the island's south-west on Thursday night when a dingo entered their campervan and dragged him into the bush. "The child's parents were woken by their son's cries, which were becoming more distant," paramedic Ben du Toit said. The Christchurch terrorist attack has prompted an unprecedented surge in online activity by white supremacists as well as a call by a group with Islamic State links for attacks on Australians travelling in Indonesia, according to ongoing analysis by an American intelligence firm. According to Rita Katz, the director of the SITE Intelligence Group, the wave of online support that the Christchurch attack continues to attract is unlike the response to any other right-wing attack. Attacks always spark reactions from different extremist communities, but when it comes to the far right, there was never anything like the response to the Christchurch attack, she told The Sun-Herald. A girl carries flowers to a memorial wall following the mosque shootings in Christchurch, which left 50 dead and 39 wounded. Credit:AP His target, deadly execution, and his live streaming of the event fuelled these communities unprecedented response. The reactions were like nothing weve ever seen thus far from the far-right across the globe, she said. I am rapidly losing confidence in GJKs ability to reliably and professionally perform the works it has been contracted for, reads another email from 2014. A September 2014 email details a host of dirty areas, litter and "spit marks" on corridor walls. In early 2015 the department issued three $500 fines to GJK for breaching its contractual obligations which included removing hard rubbish, shopping trolleys and graffiti, and scrubbing common areas. GJK's contracts contain dozens of pages of specific directions for each cleaning and maintenance task required in common areas, including that removal of urine, excrement, blood and syringes should occur daily. One note from 2013 states: The brown organic matter on the wall of the public toilet has been present [for] at least [six days]. Although the email exchanges indicate cleaning improved at times, threats of financial penalties from the department continue through 2015. Whilst the cleaning services at this block are generally of good quality, if your operator does not start cleaning the vertical tiling in the common areas there will be repercussions, one email reads. Despite the slew of complaints about GJK's negligence, the company won tenders to clean public housing across Melbourne's west, north and south. Those contracts were worth almost $82 million over two years. The most recent contracts show the cleaning budget just for Park Towers the largest public housing tower in Victoria, with 310 apartments is $14,000 a month. Read a sample of the emails here In a 2017 email the head of Park Towers Housing Tenant Management association John Lowndes complained about GJK's cleaning and threatened to take the company to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to sever the contract. Photos from FOI email exchanges show the filthy inside of a lift inside Park Towers in August 2016. Credit:Department of Health and Human Services Mr Lowndes, who has lived in Park Towers for 13 years, said GJK's cleaners had never done the job properly. He acknowledged they had a hard time because the towers were in a dilapidated state, but said it was not acceptable they regularly failed to perform their duties. He said he had seen everything from human and dog faeces in stairwells to used condoms left for days in common areas. We have a lot of families here now with young children, and they just shouldnt have to put up with the filth, he said. Its absolutely outrageous they keep getting contracts. One resident, Albertina Martins, has lived at Park Towers since 1983. She said she often found herself cleaning some areas of the building soon after the cleaners left. "They don't clean properly," she said. Last year GJK's multimillion-dollar contracts were extended without public notice. The government's own purchasing guidelines dictate that contracts worth more than $100,000 be disclosed on the Victorian Tenders website within 60 days of a contract being let. GJK's contract renewal is still missing from the public register 10 months after it was extended. In response to questions from The Age the government said: "The department works closely with contractors to manage performance as part of a continuous improvement process". Garbage in stairwells that were required to be cleaned regularly under GJK's contract. Credit:Department of Health and Human Services The department said its failure to disclose GJK's contract extension was "an administrative error" that would "be rectified as soon as possible". Former Victorian premier Steve Bracks and George Stamas in 2007. GJK's contract was extended last year because its performance for the initial period of the current contract was deemed satisfactory, the department said. George Stamas, a director, secretary and majority owner of GJK - which also has cleaning contracts with Victoria Police and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning returned an initial phone call following questions from The Age but did not comment. The awarding of the three large cleaning contracts to GJK drew controversy in 2007, after The Age revealed close links between the then major projects minister Theo Theophanous and Mr Stamas, who was then a Labor Party donor. Albertina Martins, John Lowndes and Felicia Benga are residents of South Melbourne's Park Towers. Mr Lowndes said the two women often cleaned their hallways and their level's laundry rooms - something GJK is contracted to do. Credit:Darrian Traynor According to Victoria's tender register, the contract was worth almost $50 million between 2007 and 2015. During a sitting of Parliament, then-Liberal leader Ted Ballieu produced an enlarged photograph of Premier Steve Bracks with his arm around the shoulder of Mr Stamas. The reports led to an investigation by the Victorian Ombudsman which saw then housing minister Candy Broad admit that Mr Stamas had personally lobbied her over a cleaning contract he wanted Labor to extend. Loading While he did not find clear evidence of political interference, Ombudsman George Brouwer raised issues with the Office of Housing awarding GJK cleaning contracts for all three districts of Melbourne when other companies were bidding for work. Former Liberal upper house MP Margaret Fitzherbert, who lost her seat at last November's state election, went to VCAT to force the department to release documents under FOI, and said public housing tenants were being "ripped off". DHHS received many complaints about cleaning at Park Towers, and they criticised GJK and issued it with financial penalties when cleaning wasnt done," she said. "Yet they gave GJK more cleaning contracts, worth tens of millions of dollars why? She said the Ombudsman should review the tendering process and the department's management of the contracts. Ceiling damage and mould at Park Towers in April 2019. Credit:Park Towers Tenant Management The Age asked Housing Minister Richard Wynne if he believed public housing residents were getting value for money from GJK Cleaning Services. Bali: Balis beaches are one of the main reasons tourism took off for the Indonesian island in the 1970s and 80s, drawing surfers and holidays makers from around the world. Oli, a fisherman from Kedonganan fishing village on his fishing boat. Credit:Amilia Rosa But stretches of those beaches, from Nusa Dua, Kuta to Canggu, are now often covered in rubbish drawing the sort of headlines that no tourism mecca would want and leaving beachgoers to sunbathe and swim next to rubbish. The rubbish washes up from the island itself and from other places like the neighbouring Indonesian island of Java. The plastic rubbish not only pollutes the environment, its a ghastly sight for tourists. And while the effect of the rubbish for tourists might be simply that they stay in their resorts, there is also a big cost for local fishermen. Northern Irish police have released CCTV showing a masked attacker firing the shots that killed young journalist Lyra McKee: a murder that has shocked Ireland and the UK. It has added to fears that this islands 21 year-old, hard-won peace is under serious threat, with converging pressures from Brexit, polarised and paralysed politics, and revived anger from the Bloody Sunday killings. Police forensic officers at the scene in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Credit:PA McKee, 29, had written passionately and insightfully on the grief, resentment and pain that still lies under the surface in Northern Ireland. It ended up killing her. Washington: US intelligence has accused Huawei Technologies of being funded by Chinese state security, according to the Times of London, adding to the list of allegations faced by the Chinese technology company in the West. An array of 5G masts installed on a rooftop overlooking St. Paul's Cathedral by EE the wireless network provider, owned by BT Group Plc, during trials in the City of London. Credit:Bloomberg The CIA accused Huawei of receiving funding from China's National Security Commission, the People's Liberation Army and a third branch of the Chinese state intelligence network, the British newspaper reported, citing a source. Earlier this year, US intelligence shared its claims with other members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group, which includes Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, according to the report. Huawei dismissed the allegations in a statement cited by the newspaper. April 19, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - One of the striking things about the official Skripal story is the way its more wildly improbable aspects have been released to the mainstream media over a long period, so as to manage their impact. So, for example, police acknowledgement that the perfume bottle Charlie Rowley found was sealed and could not have been the container used on the Skripals is comparatively recent, and it took nine months for us to learn that, by a truly wonderful coincidence, the first person to find the Skripals ill on the bench was the Chief Nurse of the British Army. I covered these points in full in my article on the ten points I do not believe in the official story an article which nobody has sought to refute, other than to yell conspiracy theory, as though that was an argument. But today we learn from the Guardian (quoting the New York Times) that Donald Trump was only convinced to back the UK government line after being shown photos of dead ducks and hospitalised children by CIA director Gina Haspel. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter The problem is that, there were no hospitalised children. No children have been reported as becoming ill following their duck feeding with the Skripals. We have heard from one of the parents that they were shown by the police extremely clear CCTV footage of the duck feeding, which has never been made public. Surely if the child had been hospitalised, the parent would have been mentioned it? Dr Stephen Davies of Salisbury Hospitals letter of 16 March 2018 to the Times has been explained away as poorly written or edited, in relation to the cause of the Skripals illness. But be that as it may, one thing the doctors letter does without any shadow of a doubt, is rule out the possibility of hospitalised children. There were no hospitalised children. We also know that the duck feeding was the time that Boshirov and Petrov were physically closest to the Skripals. But this is the first time there has ever been any mention of any harm to the ducks. Dead ducks would have been noticed by the public. Possibly the Guardian and New York Times are inventing utter drivel, as in the Manafort meeting Assange story. That would in itself be worrying. The other possibility is that the security services produced fake photographs of hospitalised children and slaughtered some ducks, in order to convince Donald Trump. If the latter explanation is true, then the entire Skripal saga looks more and more staged. Libya - U.S. Reveals Support For Hafter's Side By Moon Of Alabama April 19, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - The Libyan National Army (LNA) troops of General Hafter attack the militias which support the UN recognized government in Tripoli from the south. The LNA still lacks forces for a larger break through. Several objects at the front changed hands several times. There are bloody skirmishes but no big fights. Those are still to come. Map by South Front - bigger Some people doubt that Hafter can be successful: Analysts believe that Haftar over-estimates the strength of his LNA. They say the controversial field marshal, who backs an administration rival to the GNA based in eastern Libya, was counting on a quick collapse of Tripoli militias. But pro-GNA reinforcements from around Tripoli rushed to assist in driving back his forces. It was never clear if Hafter really hoped that a lightning attack on Tripoli would achieve a fast victory, or if his sudden move was intended to rally support from outside. He is now certainly getting such support and that will be to his decisive advantage in the longer play. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter As we described it: Hafter has open support from France, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Russia. The Trump administration is not interested to step into the mess. Hafter is an old CIA asset and if he takes control there is a good chance that the U.S. will have influence over him. As long as Libyan oil flows and keeps the global oil price down Trump will be happy. Russia is trying to stay in the background to not give the anti-Russian forces in Washington an excuse to intervene. The Muslim Brothers, supported by Turkey and Qatar, are still in play in Misrata but have otherwise lost their influence on the ground. Since then the Wall Street Journal reported that Saudi Arabia pledged tens of millions of dollars to support Hafter's move on Tripoli. During the last week Hafter visited President Sisi of Egypt. Europe is disunited over the issue. Italy wants to keep its influence in its former colony Libya and its historical position in the Libyan oil industry. It is also concerned about a new wave of refugees. It supports the government in Tripoli. France is supporting Hafter with an eye on taking over some oil business. It is also concerned about Islamist activities in former French colonies west and south of Libya. With Italy and France in a clinch, the European Union only issued a weak statement that called for a stop of fighting without naming any side. Concern over the militias which support the Tripoli government increased too. They not as harmless as many seem to have thought: A week after an aspiring strongman launched a surprise attack on the Libyan capital, an assortment of criminal gangs and extremists are rushing into the fight against him, raising new questions for the United States and other Western powers that have condemned his attack. ... But an increasingly unsavory cast has joined the coalition against him, including a group closely tied to a militia sanctioned as a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations; an extremist warlord sanctioned for undermining Libyas stability; and other militia leaders sanctioned for migrant trafficking. That mix so alarms Western powers that some may deem General Hifter the lesser evil. Yesterday the U.S., which had said little when Hafter launched his assault on Tripoli, came out of the closet: The United States and Russia both said Thursday they could not support a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in Libya at this time, diplomats said, as mortar bombs crashed down on a suburb of the Libyan capital, Tripoli. Russia objects to the British-drafted resolution blaming eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar for the latest flare-up in violence when his Libyan National Army (LNA) advanced to the outskirts of Tripoli earlier this month, diplomats said. The United States gave no reason for its position on the draft resolution ... Today we learn that Trump spoke with Hafter several days ago: President Donald Trump spoke on Monday with a Libyan strongman whose forces are advancing on the nations capital, the White House said, in a move that may undermine support for the countrys internationally recognized government. ... Trump discussed ongoing counterterrorism efforts and the need to achieve peace and stability in Libya with Haftar, White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley said in a statement. Gidley called Haftar by the title field marshal. The president recognized Field Marshal Haftars significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libyas oil resources, and the two discussed a shared vision for Libyas transition to a stable, democratic political system, Gidley said. The key point for Trump is the oil price. His administration put sanctions on sales of Iranian and Venezuelan oil. Since the beginning of the year crude oil prices rallied from the low $50 per barrel to over $70 per barrel. Trump plans to reduce waivers he gave to some of the countries that continue to buy Iranian oil. That would further decrease Iran's output. Any additional disruption of Libya's oil production would increase the oil price and harm the U.S. economy. It would thereby make Trump's plan for total sanctions on Iranian oil impossible. Hafter controls most of Libya's oil supplies. With open backing from the U.S., Russia and France, support from the military in Egypt, and with enough Saudi cash to finance his army, he surely has all the needed support to sustain a longer fight. His next move will likely be against the small air force the Misrata gangs assembled. The U.S. might give him a helping hand in that. Hafter could then close down the airspace for flights from Turkey and Qatar. That would cut into the resupply Misrata and Tripoli need for a longer fight. Those who say that "there is no military solution" to the situation in Libya will likely be proven wrong. Hafter has all he needs to win the fight. This article was originally published by " Moon Of Alabama " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== US and Russia refuse to support UN call for Libya truce: Diplomats White House says Trump spoke to Libyan commander (CIA Asset) Haftar on Monday Trump recognises Haftar's 'significant role in terror fight': Anger in Libya's Tripoli after US president speaks with the renegade commander leading an offensive to seize the city. 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. A miracle saved her: Artist falls 23 feet onto concrete floor, heres how she survived The content is not available due to expiration. After Being Childless for 18 Years, Woman Gives Birth to Quintuplets After being childless for 18 years, a 42-year-old Nigerian woman gave birth to five children on April 17 at Kogi. Uchenna Okeigbo gave birth to three boys and two girls at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Lokoja, Kogi on Wednesday, reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). It is not easy to have five children at once, Okeigbo told to NAN. Quintuplets for woman after 18 years of marriage https://t.co/ZRUHgc5vpn pic.twitter.com/YvSVYTjDRz apnewsng (@apnewsnaija) April 20, 2019 The babies were conceived through in-vitro fertilization. After going through all their investigations, I saw that they would need to be assisted, that spontaneous pregnancy medically speaking might not be achievable, and I advised them to be assisted, said Dr. Grace Ogoke, a consultant, obstetrician, and gynecologist at FMC. The babies were delivered through a cesarean section. There were three boys and two girls, weighing 2 pounds 14 ounces, 3 pounds 5 ounces, 3 pounds 12 ounces, 3 pounds 15 ounces, and 4 pounds 3 ounces, respectively. Ogoke said that the baby with the least weight is under observation in an incubator because it weighed less than three pounds. Okeigbo thanked her husband, James Okeigbo for standing by her side. I thank my wife for retaining her respect for me for this 18 years of childlessness without quarreling with me. I am also grateful to her family for standing by us, Okeigbo said, The Sun reported. James Okeigbo, who is an employee of a private establishment, described it as the happiest moment of their lives and sought help from the government and the public to take care of his five babies. Ogoke said this is the first time she delivered quintuplets. I feel very happy and I give glory to God for seeing us through because it was like all of us were pregnant during the pregnancy, she said. In another case, a 25-year-old Iraqi woman gave birth naturally to six girls and a boy in February this year. According to the Daily Mail, the unnamed woman gave birth in the Diyali Province of eastern Iraq, which is the first septuplet case in the Middle Eastern country. The local health department issued a statement about the birth, saying the mother and seven infants are perfectly healthy. The 25-year-old gave birth to six baby girls and one boy Posted by UNILAD on Friday, February 15, 2019 The father, Youssef Fadl, said he and his wife werent planning to expand their family, and now they have 10 children, the Mail reported. Photos posted online show the small babies next to one another in the hospital. Other photos show the newborns lying together after birth. Last year, a Lebanese woman gave birth to sextuplets, including three girls and three boys. They all survived, the Mirror noted. More Cases Meanwhile, in 1997, septuplets were born in Iowa to Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey. They were the worlds first surviving septuplets. It will definitely be different and weird, but I feel that it will be good for us to get out of our comfort zone and meet new people, Kelsey, one of the siblings said after graduating high school several years ago, NBC News reported. I honestly think it will be good for all of us to be on our separate ways, Kenny, another sibling, said at the time. Briefs: The worlds first surviving septuplets, the McCaughey siblings are heading to college #ChildrensDay pic.twitter.com/fO3dg7Fa5J BusinessDay (@BusinessDayNg) May 27, 2016 I am not worried about not seeing everyone that much. We have been around each other the past 18 years. I am ready to be on my way, and I think everyone else is, too. Brandon, another one, said at the time hes going to the U.S. Army. It will be a little different being without all my siblings, he told the news outlet. But it wont be bad since Ill have contact with them. I think I will have a good experience being on my own, with my new military family. I have been taught to work for the things I want, and to not expect others to do anything for me. That helps with military life because I will need to do everything on my own, with no help at all from others. 20 Years Later, All Grown Up You Wont Recognize The McCaughey Septuplets | 94.9 THE BULL https://t.co/Hn2k7Vm7hs pic.twitter.com/Qcuv7b3JOL 94.9 THE BULL (@949TheBull) September 19, 2017 The New York Times reported in 1997 that mother Bobbi ingested a fertility drug after she and her husband had problems in conceiving children. The pregnancy has captured worldwide attention as both a symbol of the ultimate scientific miracle and a cautionary example of the unwanted consequences of fertility treatments, the Times reported at the time. Epoch Times reporter Jack Phillips contributed to this report. A man is detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), agents in Los Angeles, Calif. on Oct. 14, 2015 (John Moore/Getty Images) Armed Militia Is Holding Illegals From Mexico for Border Patrol A militia group calling itself the United Constitutional Patriots is detaining illegals as they cross the New Mexico border. The armed group stops the illegal migrants and holds them until U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guards can intervene. They reportedly arrested about 200 illegal aliens this week and documented their efforts on YouTube, according to The New York Times. The militia and groups like it have previously indicated their intention of apprehending illegal migrants. The CBP has issued instructions in the past to residents to ensure the militias are not a recognized state or federal authority. The southern border has been the scene of a massive influx of illegal border crossings in the past few months, with the CBP indicating that the situation has reached a breaking point. Texas has been particularly hard hit, and just this week, Nevada declared a state emergency. New Mexicos Otero County declared a state of emergency Wednesday and asked the governor to use the National Guard to re-open CBP checkpoints. The checkpoints had been closed temporarily after agents were relocated to assist migrant processing to prevent drugs and illegal immigrants from crossing the border, but that apparently hasnt stopped the influx of illegals who enter the state at non-designated crossings. the Alamogordo Daily News reported. This week in Arizona, four illegals walked right past a group of visiting congressmen who were on scene to assess the extent of the border crisis. The American Civil Liberties Union has condemned the militias actions in a letter Thursday to the governor of New Mexico, saying racist and armed vigilantes have no authority to kidnap and detain would-be refugees. According to the Times, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas has issued a statement warning, These individuals should not attempt to exercise authority reserved for law enforcement. According to Fox News, Carlos A. Diaz, a spokesman for CBP, reiterated Balderass concerns and said Border Patrol does not endorse private groups or organizations taking enforcement matters into their own hands. By David Krayden | Ottawa Bureau Chief Follow David on Twitter Baby on Life Support After Ingesting Sleeping Pills A 1-year-old baby girl went into convulsions after swallowing 15-20 sleeping pills and is currently on life-support at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. On April 15, the girls 36-year-old mother was reading a book when she noticed her daughter eating the pills, reported the New York Post. Shortly after, the baby went into convulsions and 911 was called. When the police arrived, they rushed the girl to the hospital in their police car. They wanted to get the child to the hospital as soon as they could, a source told the Post. The parents, who are Brazilian residents, were staying at the Times Square Night Hotel. Police are still investigating the incident and as of April 17, said the girl is still in serious condition. 1-3 Year-Olds Most Prone to Injury by Medicine A report released in March 2019 by Safe Kids Worldwide (SKW), a non-profit focused on helping families and communities keep kids safe from injuries, said nearly 52,000 children under the age of six were treated in emergency rooms for medicine poisoning in 2017 across the United States. That is about one child every 10 minutes. The report, Medicine Safety: A Key Part of Child-Proofing Your Home, found that 84 percent of children admitted were between one and three years old. Children grow and develop rapidly in the first few years of life; research suggests that between 15 and 30 months, they are especially at risk, since their mobility increases so much during that period. Long-Term Vs Short-Term Storage The report also highlighted that although parents tend to put medicine in hard-to-reach places for long-term storage, they also keep them in easy-to-access places such as backpacks, purses, diaper bags, and cars. I think about my wifes purse, a father said in a focus group discussion. A lot of times its on the floor and it probably has some Tylenol in there. I wouldnt have thought of that. The report notes that differences in behavior arise because parents do not think of purses, cars, diaper bags, and backpacks as places of storage. The authors suggest that parents should take into account all places a child can get into, even locations that are unconventional. Different Medicine, Different Rules Parents also tend to treat prescription medicine differently from over-the-counter medicine, and dont treat vitamins and supplements as medicine at all. Yet all of them have the potential to cause harm if taken in large enough amounts or taken by the wrong person, the report pointed out. For some medicines, one pill is enough to kill. Parents are often surprised to hear that things like vitamins, eye drops, nasal sprays, and diaper cream are poisonous and pose a risk to children, says the report. Its easy to look at your beautiful, newborn baby and think that hes not going anywhere anytime soon; believing you still have plenty of time to child-proof your home, Torine Creppy, president of SKW, said in a press release. But weve learned from our research that parents are all too often surprised by how quickly their babies grow and change, he said. He advises parents to develop life-saving habits like safe medicine storage well before their babies are mobile. 3 Tips to Make Your Home Medicine-Safe for Kids 1. Keep medicine out of sight and out of reach of children, even medicine you take daily or more often that you may have sitting on your counter or nightstand. Bags and briefcases should also be put on high shelves or hung on hooks. 2. Be sure to include medicine safety on your child-proofing checklist. Re-check the list as your child grows up, as he/she can surprise you at any age. 3. Save the Poison Help number in your phone and keep it visible around your home: 1-800-222-1222 Last week, Qualcomm and Apple surprised everyone by announcing that they have settled their dispute, with Apple signing a six-year multi-patent licensing agreement. This move surprised many since before the trial started, Apple had made it clear that it had no intention to settle its dispute with Qualcomm. However, it looks like Apple realized it was not going to win the case irrespective of the strong words it publicly used against Qualcomm. In the trial between the two companies, Qualcomm showed internal memo of Apple employees which described the San Diego chip companys patent share as unique and its products as the best. The court documents reveal that Apple has been paying Qualcomm about $7.50 for every device it sold featuring the latters chip. Qualcomms engineering prowess was also praised by Apple, with its patent portfolio being considered as the strongest for wireless standards. An internal memo from an accountant in 2009 said Qualcomm is widely considered the owner of the strongest patent portfolio for essential and relevant patents for wireless standards, according to a document revealed in court. In a March 2015 email that was part of the sealed documents, Apples vice president of hardware, Johny Srouji, wrote of Qualcomm technology, Engineering wise, they have been the best. Whats shocking is that Apple seemingly planned to sue Qualcomm as far back as in 2014. However, the company waited until the end of 2016 when Qualcomm paid Apple billions of dollars as a part of their agreement to make its move. The document Qualcomm Royalty Reduction clearly mentioned that Apples goal was to reduce its net royalty to Qualcomm and achieve this by using methods that would hurt Qualcomm financially and even put its licensing model at risk. During the trial, Apples lawyer Cordell had shown Apples patent licensing agreements with Huawei and Ericsson and highlighted how they cost the company a fraction of its licensing deal with Qualcomm. However, Apple was being pure evil here by showing only a selected list of patents with the best deal it had received on them. It had actually gone out and signed these cheap deals over the last couple of years just to make Qualcomm look bad. In one internal document cited by Qualcomms lawyers, Apple said it sought to create evidence by scrupulously licensing other less expensive patents to make Qualcomms look expensive. According to the documents, Apple said it would selectively filter a group of patent licenses for the most desirable deals, using the patents as evidence as a comparable in disputes with others. Qualcomm lawyer Evan Chesler alleged the others referred to Qualcomm. Apple declined to comment on the documents and allegation. The Washington Post report paints a very negative picture of Apple and shows that Qualcomm might just have been the good guy here. Apple seemed to be playing a double-game here by saying something else in front of the public and media and secretly hatching plans to harm Qualcomm. [Via Washington Post A man from Bosnia suspected of being an ISIS fighter is searched by members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) after leaving the IS group's last holdout of Baghouz, in Syria's northern Deir Ezzor province on March 1, 2019. (Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images) Bosnia Brings Back, Detains ISIS Fighter From Syria SARAJEVOA Bosnian national suspected of fighting for ISIS in Syria has been transferred to Bosnia and put in detention, Bosnias prosecutors office said on Saturday, April 20. After the collapse of the ISIS self-declared caliphate in Syria and Iraq, countries around the world are wrestling with how to handle militants and their families seeking to return. I.C, 24, is suspected for criminal acts of organizing a terrorist group, illegal formation and of joining foreign paramilitary or para-police formations, and terrorism, the prosecutors office said in a statement. Bosnias state court has tried and convicted 46 people who have returned from Syria or Iraq in the past few years. A Bosnian national suspected of fighting for #IslamicState in #Syria has been transferred to #Bosnia and put in detention, Bosnias prosecutors office said on Saturday. https://t.co/WwtPI5weC8 The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) April 20, 2019 Local media identified the man as Ibro Cufurovic from the northwestern town of Velika Kladusa who, along with Armin Curt, 22, from Sarajevo, had been detained by the Kurdish militia more than a year ago. The prosecution outlined the assistance of the United States in bringing the man back. The United States is the ally of the Kurdish militia operating in the northern Syria. According to Bosnian intelligence, 241 adults and 80 children left Bosnia or the Bosnian diaspora in 2012-2016 for Syria and Iraq, where 150 more children were born. About 100 adults, including 49 women, remained there while at least 88 have been killed or died. Several women with children, including the Cufurovics wife, have pleaded with the Bosnian authorities to be allowed to return home but there is still no clear policy in place on how to deal with them because their children do not hold Bosnian citizenship. Also on Saturday, another Balkan state, Kosovo, brought back 110 of its citizens from Syria including fighters and 74 children. By Daria Sito-Sucic Gregory Green, 53, was arrested on April 17, 2019 in Montana for deliberate homicide in the case of missing woman Laura Johnson, who was last seen on Sept. 13, 2018. (Billings Police Department) Boyfriend Arrested After Security Footage Shows Him Carrying What Appears to be a Body Out of Home The boyfriend of a missing woman has been charged with homicide after security footage showed him carrying what appeared to be a body out of a house in Montana. Laura Johnson was last seen alive on Sept. 13, 2018. She was reported missing on Sept. 24, 2018 by family members who said they hadnt heard from her for several weeks. Boyfriend Gregory Green, 53, was arrested in Nevada on April 17 on a charge of deliberate homicide, the Billings Police Department said in a press release. Johnsons mother told the department that Johnson had moved to Billings approximately two months prior to be with her boyfriend, Green, according to an affidavit (pdf) filed in court supporting the charge. She said Johnson had gotten a job at a Papa Johns location there. A police officer checked with the location and found out that Johnson last worked on Sept. 13 and hadnt shown up or called in for her next shift. The officer then went to Johnsons house, observing that both her name and Greens name were on the mailbox door. No one answered. 18-70646: UPDATE; Arrest was made in the disappearance of Laura Johnson. Please see attached copy of BPD Press Release. LT Wooley pic.twitter.com/09lhpACNJ8 BillingsPD (@BillingsPD) April 18, 2019 A few weeks later, another officer met with Green at his workplace, where Green claimed that Johnson had left him around Sept. 13 or Sept. 14 and left the house. He did not have any other information about her and claimed not to know how to locate her, the officer wrote. Officers soon learned that Johnson was a recovering drug addict and regularly attended meetings at a recovery clinic in Billings. A staff member said that Johnson was last seen there on Sept. 13 and that shed been there every day for the three weeks prior. In another interview with Green, the defendant told the officers that he came home from working and found that Johnson was gone and had taken two suitcases with her. He said it was normal behavior and that shed probably returned to Oregon to be with her family. On Oct. 3, officers searched Johnson and Greens residence with Greens permission. Green also allowed a detective to search his phone, on which he had two texts sent by him to Johnson on Sept. 15. One read, You left again i see where to now. The other read, I hope your happy with your new guy, maybe you both will do harion [sic] together DOPERS. The next day, detectives learned that a neighbor had home surveillance and that one of the cameras may have recorded events at the defendants residence around the time of Johnsons disappearance. A detective and Johnsons son met with the homeowner and viewed footage from a camera pointed in the direction of Johnson and Greens residence. Police arrested a Henderson man on a charge of deliberate homicidehttps://t.co/BpNX8zBz8T Las Vegas RJ (@reviewjournal) April 19, 2019 The detectives noted several interesting events from the recordings, the affidavit states. On Sept. 14, at 5:48 p.m. Green was carrying a very heavy object, cradle-style, out of his garage. This object which was covered in a red colored blanket was consistent with the size and shape of a body. The footage showed Green putting the heavy object into the passenger side of his truck, into the rear seat. About 40 minutes later, he started a small fire toward the rear of the pickup on the driveway but it wasnt clear what he was burning. About 10 minutes later, he placed a shovel into the bed of the pickup. He left the house about 20 minutes later and didnt return for nearly three-and-a-half hours. On Oct. 5, Green went to a police station and gave a formal recorded statement in which he said when he returned home from work a Buick, which he had been allowing Johnson to use, was in the driveway and the keys were on the counter. He said that Johnson took off without the car and only took the two red suitcases. When detectives informed him of the footage, he responded, I aint gonna say anything else. During a second search of the residence later that day, a detective found that there was a section of new carpet in the back bedroom. The next day, a search of Greens truck uncovered a piece of mail addressed to Johnson and dated Oct. 3. Green took off on Oct. 6 and arrived in Henderson, Nevada after driving through the night. A detective found three small visible reddish-brown stains in Greens truck on Oct. 9. On Oct. 11, a neighbor, Taylor Harlson, said that hed overheard Johnson and Green fighting one evening while he was outside his house, figuring the fight happened sometime between Sept. 10 and Sept. 15. Other footage subsequently obtained by detectives in Yellowstone County showed Green driving through the area, with detectives determining that he drove to a rural area south of Laurel. A review of the security footage from the neighbor showed that Johnson never walked away from or left the residence in Billings from Sept. 13 through Sept. 25 after she had entered the house on Sept. 13. On Nov. 28, 2018, forensic testing of the suspected blood taken from the truck was tagged as likely being Johnson. Ben Smith, editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed, hands out free copies of a BuzzFeed newspaper outside the Union Square subway station in New York City on March 6, 2019. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Buzzfeed Admits It Got Another Article Wrong After Release of Mueller Report Buzzfeed has admitted it got a second article wrong after the release of Special Counsel Robert Muellers report. Similar to the first article it got wrong, neither editor-in-chief Ben Smith nor the reporters on the story apologized for publishing false information. The openly anti-President Donald Trump website published an article touted as hurtful to Trump on Jan. 17, claiming that Trump directed his attorney Michael Cohen to lie to Congress about the Moscow tower project. Reporters Jason Leopold and Anthony Cormier cited two anonymous sources for the article and stood by the claim even when Muellers office took the unusual step of saying information in the article was wrong. Buzzfeed was forced to append a lengthy editors note to another article, published on June 6, 2018. Also written by Cormier and Leopold, with a third byline from Emma Loop, the article claimed that Ivanka Trump, daughter of the president, was in contact with a Russian who offered a Trump-Putin meeting. Like a number of stories that sought to present collusion between the Trump campaign and Russians, the story relied on anonymous sources who were not named or even described in any detail past saying they had knowledge of the matter. The story claimed that Ivanka Trump was in contact with a man named Dmitry Klokov, a former Olympic weightlifter. The contacts reveal that even as her father was campaigning to become president of the United States, Ivanka Trump connected Michael Cohen with a Russian who offered to arrange a meeting with one of the U.S.s adversariesin order to help close a business deal that could have made the Trump family millions, the three reporters claimed. The leftist media organization was forced to admit that the Mueller report demolished the storys main thrust after the report was released with light redactions on April 18. Special counsel Robert Muellers report from his investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election revealed new information about this article. The report said that the Russian who told Michael Cohen he could put Donald Trump in touch with Vladimir Putin during negotiations over Trump Tower Moscow was not the former Olympic weightlifter Dmitry Klokov, as Cohen believed him to be throughout their communications, but a former government official with the same name, the editors note stated. Photos of the weightlifter Dmitry Klokov have been removed from this story, and references to the weightlifter have been removed from the subhead, but the main text of the story has not been edited since its initial publication. It wasnt clear why Buzzfeed issued neither a retraction nor an apology to Klokov or Trump. In the article, Buzzfeed said it had spoken to the weightlifter, who told the outlet that he didnt send any emails to Cohen. I dont understand why you ask me about this, he wrote in a text. Im weightlifter, not a political. When told that he had sent at least two emails to Cohen and had had a phone conversation with him at Ivanka Trumps request, Klokov stopped responding, the reporters wrote in a line that, according to the Mueller report, was fake news. Muellers team wrote in the report that Ivanka Trump received an email from Lana Erchova who said she was emailing on behalf of her husband at the time, Dmitry Klokov, to offer Klokovs assistance for the Trump campaign. Klokov at the time was a director for PJSC Federal Grid Company of Unified Energy System, a large Russian electricity transmission company. Trump forwarded the email to Cohen and he searched for Klokov online, concluding incorrectly that Klokov was a former Olympic weightlifter. Cohen spoke to Klokov the official at least once on the phone and several times over email; the Russian claimed he was a trusted person who could connect Cohen to an unidentified intermediary who could facilitate a meeting with a person Erchova later claimed was Russian President Vladimir Putin. Cohen was interested but said any meetings would need to be part of an official visit with the Trump organization getting a formal invitation preceding any trip. The connection didnt amount to anything and Cohen said he didnt pursue the proposed meeting or tell anyone in the Trump Organization or the campaign of the offer. Mueller noted in a footnote that during his interviews with the special counsels team, Cohen still appeared to believe that the Klokov he spoke with was that Olympian. The investigation, however, established that the email address used to communicate with Cohen belongs to a different Dmitry Klokov. Chinese Authorities Sack an Entire Environmental Protection Bureau for Corruption Misdeeds Local authorities in Suining City, Sichuan Province recently punished ten cadres at the citys Environmental Protection Bureau for graft and corruption, collecting from them 6.32 million yuan ($945,000) which they embezzled. According to an April 17 report from state-run Chinese media The Cover, the local anti-corruption watchdog of Suining City received numerous reports from local companies since the end of 2012, accusing cadres at the citys Environmental Protection Bureau of corruption. The watchdog commission thus initiated an investigation in December 2017, and found out that all the high- and mid-level cadres in the bureau were involved in corruption. Since Chinese leader Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, he has launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign to rid the Chinese Communist Party of misbehaving officials, who were often also members of a political opposition that challenged Xis authority. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the Partys internal watchdog, has investigated and purged thousands upon thousands of officials, from the lowest level to the most powerful in the Partys senior leadership. According to The Cover report, these cadres only picked the plum jobs, and ignored duties they considered to be profitless to themselves. When assessing whether local companies complied with environmental protection regulations, they accepted bribes from company officials in exchange for giving them favorable inspection results. They would then merely go through the motions when performing the environmental inspection. The officials also forced companies to hire the contractors they designated for themas they would receive kickbacks. If there is a need for construction, expansion, renovation, or an IT upgrade, the officials would benefit from such arrangements. When purchasing equipment or starting a construction project, the officials only choose contractors who would be willing to give them significant rebates, which they would pocket. Altogether, 32 cadres and employees at the bureau were found to be involved in corruption. Among them, 15 people will be subjected to further legal investigation, six are to be prosecuted, and five have been expelled from the Chinese Communist Party. Huang Hao, director of the research institute within the Suining Environmental Protection Bureau, started his own company for making environmental assessments. He transferred clients from the bureau to his company, making a profit of 660,000 yuan ($98,681). He also colluded with other bureau employees to falsify staffing documents; after he gave an inflated number for manpower on a 5-year environmental protection project proposed by the city government, he was able to pocket 70,000 yuan ($10,466) from the project funding. Zhang Kai, director of the Chinese Communist Party committee in charge of the Monitoring Center within the bureau since 2009, colluded with others to fabricate their testimony and forged evidence many times during the investigation. During his tenure from 2009 to 2017, Zhang ordered his subordinates to generate fake invoices and embezzled 850,000 yuan ($127,089) from the monitoring center. Wang Jie, office director at the Monitoring Center, accepted bribes in the form of money and gifts totaling 600,000 yuan ($89,710). He also fudged the accounting in order to get reimbursement money for expenditures that were never made. Chief engineer Fu Xiaobin is also a member of the Party committee at the bureau. During his tenure between 2012 and 2018, Fu was in charge of making many environmental assessments and became more and more greedy. By late 2018, he had collected bribes amounting to 315,000 yuan ($47,100) from the companies and organizations that relied on his positive inspections to continue their business operations. These companies presented him with New Year gifts almost every year, with a total monetary value of roughly 208,000 yuan ($31,100). He tried to resist the investigation and colluded with director Huang Hao to give false testimony. These three cadres and the chief engineer were all expelled from the Chinese Communist Party and dismissed from their posts. They will be prosecuted shortly. Tang Hongjun, deputy director at the Monitoring Center, was also found to have accepted bribes in the form of money and gifts, totaling 13,000 yuan ($1,944). The anti-corruption watchdog decided to allow Tang to remain within the Party, but would monitor his behavior to make a final determination on his fate. This photo taken on December 18, 2018 shows university students preparing for the upcoming National Entrance Examination for Postgraduate (NEEP) at a library of Shenyang Agricultural University in Shenyang in China's northeastern Liaoning province. (STR/AFP/Getty Images) Chinese College Graduate Borrows 7,000 Yuan from Loan Sharks, Debt Balloons to 3 Million A young man surnamed Yin who just graduated from a university in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, borrowed 7,000 yuan ($1,047) in 2017 to repay his credit card debt. Unbeknownst to him, he had fallen victim to local loan sharks. Within a year, his debt had ballooned to 3 million yuan ($448,550). College studentsoften struggling to find a job post-graduation amid the countrys growing unemploymentare a common target. In recent years, there have been several cases of college students committing suicide after theyre unable to pay off such predatory student or internet loans. This February, a 21 year-old woman jumped off a tall building and died. His father, while sorting through her possessions, found out that she had borrowed several thousand yuan through internet lenders, which after three years of a repayment plan, had grown to a debt of 170,000 yuan ($25,418). According to an April 13 report by Qianjiang Evening News, Yin, a native of Hangzhou, was 23 years old in 2017. He wished to pay off his credit card balance of roughly 3,000 yuan ($449). Yin discovered that a friend surnamed Chen on Wechata popular Chinese social media platformdescribed himself as a loan agent working for a loan company. Yin expressed his wish to borrow 4,000 yuan ($598) from the friends company. Chen took him to an office building. After Yin filled out a form to provide personal and family information, Chen told him that the minimum amount to borrow was 10,000 yuan ($1,495). Yin agreed. Unexpectedly, Chen wrote on the promissory note that Yin borrowed 20,000 yuan ($2,990), using the excuse that this was standard industry rules. Yin decided to accept it, as he was anxious to borrow money. Chen subsequently specified more requirements: for each 10,000 yuan ($1,495) to a borrower, there is a processing fee of 2,675 yuan ($400); the repayment schedule is to pay 875 yuan ($131) of principal, plus interest every week for 20 weeks; prepayment is not allowed. Yin felt the conditions were too much and wanted to give up. But Chen threatened Yin, saying that he would take Yin to court because Yin just signed the note to borrow 20,000 yuan ($2,990). Yin did not know what to do. Ultimately, he proceeded with the borrowing. On April 16, 2017, after paying the processing fee, Yin got 7325 yuan ($1,095) in cash from Chen. In the seventh week, Yin no longer had the money to continue the repayment. The Qianjiang Evening News did not provide further details about why Yin was in financial distress. Yin went to Chen, who claimed that there would be a 30 percent charge for defaulting on the loan, and recommended that he instead secure funding through another lending company called Timely Rain. Yin borrowed 30,000 yuan ($4,486) from Timely Rain this time, with a monthly interest of 1,600 yuan ($239). His note was 80,000 yuan ($1,196)the principal plus the accumulated interest. When he obtained the 30,000 yuan ($4,486) from the new company, he gave 15,000 yuan ($2,243) to Chen to pay off the previous debt. Once again, in September 2017, Yin was about to default on his new loan. The Timely Rain lenders recommended he try to borrow from Crown Capital. Yin took their advice. One day, he was forcibly taken to an office building by a group of men. They claimed to be Crown Capital managers and pressed him to repay the money he owed. After a four-hour ordeal, Yin was finally allowed to leave after he managed to pay 20,000 yuan ($2,990) in owed interest. In May 2018, Yin was devastated. His elder brother tried to help as a guarantor for his debt, but constant phone calls from the lenders demanding repayment severely interfered with his daily life. The brother had to quit his job as a result. Yins debt had now snowballed to 3 million yuan ($448,550) . Yins family decided to report the case to the police at the end of May. Police found out that the lending companies Yin encountered were predatory lenders and that they were associated with a local mafiathough media reports were unclear whether the lenders were all linked to the same mafia group. Police found that Crown Capital was not an officially registered business. In addition, Crown Capital and other companies like it often resorted to violent tactics and intimidating threats to demand repayment from borrowers, police said. At the time, at least 47 borrowers had fallen prey to these loan sharks. During the interrogation, an employee at one of the loan shark companies told police that he begins work every day at 11 a.m. The base salary is 3,000 yuan ($449). He earns a 400-yuan ($59.8) commission from each loan. He said he easily earns over 10,000 yuan ($1,495) each month. Dozens Hurt in Collapse of Deck During Wedding Celebration LANGLEY, B.C.Police say dozens of people were injured, some critically, when the second story deck of a home in Langley, B.C., collapsed Friday evening, April 19, during a wedding celebration. RCMP Cpl. Craig Van Herk said 911 calls started flooding in around 5:45 p.m. local time reporting multiple injuries at a home on 268th Street. Van Herk said police, the B.C. Ambulance Service and local firefighters all responded to the scene where they found 35 to 40 injured people ranging in age from children to the elderly. Bodies everywhere: Dozens injured after deck collapse at Langley wedding party https://t.co/yAEZ9FDn0g pic.twitter.com/nfWeZLmA9H Montreal Gazette (@mtlgazette) April 20, 2019 He said one person was transported by air ambulance to a hospital in critical condition, while possibly two others, also critical, were taken to hospital in road ambulances. Van Herk added that nearly 20 people had suffered serious injuries, while 12 to 15 others were treated in hospital for minor injuries. Many people hurt during deck collapse at a wedding in Langley Several people are hurt following the collapse of a deck at a wedding in LangleyMORE: https://www.citynews1130.com/2019/04/19/many-people-hurt-during-deck-collapse-at-a-wedding-in-langley/ Posted by Breakfast Television & CityNews Vancouver on Friday, April 19, 2019 Van Herk said there were more than 100 people at the party, however, it wasnt immediately known how many were on the deck when it fell. He noted that it was a fairly dynamic, complex situation as first responders arrived to find so many injured people. He said investigators would return Saturday to try to determine the cause of the collapse. Watch Video: Selfless Bride Makes Sure Hospitalized Grandma Doesnt Miss Wedding Day What would you do if youd spent months or years planning your wedding day, only for one of your very favorite people to fall ill days before? Well, this bride wasnt about to let her hospitalized grandmother miss out. On the morning of her wedding day she and her wedding party get all dressed up in their dresses and suits and drive straight to the hospital. Its not every day you see a bride rushing through the halls of the hospital, but thats exactly what she does. When she reaches her grandmothers room, she walks straight to where she is sat in a chair surrounded by blankets and tubes, kisses her, and her grandmothers eyes light up. Oh my god! she says. Oh, sweetheart! You look so beautiful! The bride is swiftly joined by her maid-of-honor, mother and father. Youre going to be there in spirit all day, the mother of the bride says as the bride shows her grandmother her red shoes and garter. She gifts her grandmother a beautiful white corsage and tells her to wear it all day. Her grandmother must swipe away tears as they get ready to pose for photos. Oh, Im so thrilled! she says, as someone warns her not to make them cry. No you wait till later! she laughs. After photos, the bride promises that shell return the next day, presumably to see her before she leaves for her honeymoon. Well be back tomorrow Brian and I will be back tomorrow. How many brides would think to go out of their way to go into a hospital in their white dress on their wedding day? Watch the video to see exactly how her grandmother reacts! Video Credit: JukinVideo Epoch Video contributed to this report. A sign at the Mall of America, the largest mall in the United States, in a 2006 file photo. (Tim Gans/AFP/Getty Images) Family of Boy Thrown Off Balcony at Mall of America Says Hes Showing Real Signs of Recovery The family of the 5-year-old boy who witnesses said was hurled from a third-story balcony at the Mall of America said that hes recovering, calling him our miracle child. In a statement issued on Good Friday, the family of Landen Hoffmann said: We have good news to share with you all on this Good Friday! Our miracle child Landen is showing real signs or recovery. New test results have been positive, though he remains in intensive care with a long road ahead. Our faith in God, and our Savior Jesus, is strong and we are gaining more reason for optimism day by day. We continue our request for privacy as we focus on Landen and thank you for respecting our wishes, the family added. Just know that we all feel your overwhelming love, prayers, and supportHe is answering our prayers and they ARE working. Please continue to pray for Landen and his family, every single prayer is important. Thank you so much from all of us and have a blessed Easter weekend. Fundraiser for David Hoffmann by Noah Hanneman : Help For Landen Mall Of America Attack Victim https://t.co/qQQicqWCIN Howie Carr (@HowieCarrShow) April 16, 2019 The statement was issued after family friend Noah Hanneman, who launched a GoFundMe for the family, said that the boys recovery was expected to be ongoing for a long time. Condition is again similar to previous days, another peaceful night of sleepsmall steps towards the healing process. Each new day is a good day. Landens recovery is expected to be ongoing for a long time, while its hard to estimate costs, this will change everything for their family and require much of their time and focus, Hanneman wrote. The fundraiser breached the $900,000 mark on Friday after Hanneman raised the goal to $1 million. The money would only be available to the family of the boy, Hanneman stressed. Police officials said that Landen was thrown off the balcony on April 12 by Emmanuel Deshawn Aranda, 24. Landens mother told officers that Aranda approached her, her friend, her friends child, and Landen, and she asked if they were in his way. Without uttering a word, he picked up the boy and dropped him over the edge. Officers estimated that the boy fell approximately 39 feet before smashing onto the floor. He suffered multiple fractured bones in his arms and legs in addition to massive head trauma. Aranda was arrested at a nearby light rail train station. He told police officers that hed gone to the mall, the largest in America, looking for someone to kill. He planned to kill an adult but ended up choosing the boy instead. He didnt explain why he changed his mind. According to Arandas uncle, the suspect has a long history of mental problems. Aranda appeared in court on April 16 on charges of attempted premeditated murder. Hennepin County District Judge Jeannice Reding asked Aranda to identify himself and he spoke in a clear voice as he spelled out his first, middle, and last names and listed his addressthe site of a Minneapolis shelter, reported the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Aranda watched as the judge discussed scheduling in the case with prosecutors and defense attorneys. When asked if he had any questions, Aranda replied, Not at all. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 14. He is being held on $2 million bail. Five hearts have been found in an alley dumpster behind the 100 block of East Benton Place in Chicago, Ill., on April 19, 2019. (Screenshot/Google Maps) Five Hearts Found in Downtown Chicago Are Not Human, Say Authorities Five organs found on the streets of Chicago do not belong to humans, Illinois authorities said on April 19. The Cook County Medical Examiners Office has confirmed five hearts recovered the same day at 9:30 a.m. local time from a downtown dumpster did not come from humans. UPDATE: Officials confirm that five hearts found in an alley in downtown Chicago are not human. https://t.co/hi49bVd7XY pic.twitter.com/swMaW6pKXn FOX 32 News (@fox32news) April 19, 2019 Chicago Police Department said a maintenance person called 911 to report the chilling discovery in an alley behind a building near the Chicago Theater, on the 100 block of East Benton Place within the Loop neighborhood. DEVELOPING: Police say five human hearts were possibly found Friday in an alley in Chicago. An investigation is ongoing. https://t.co/pFCnRxZFrf 23 WIFR (@23WIFR) April 19, 2019 UPDATE: Police sources say that five human hearts may have been found behind a Loop building https://t.co/hvigIpuKrJ pic.twitter.com/NXCJCseqzL NBC Chicago (@nbcchicago) April 19, 2019 CBS Chicago reported officials from the medical examiners office placed the five items into a larger bag. A police spokesperson initially told ABC 7 WLS and the Chicago Sun-Times the organs might have come from humans but later that same day the medical examiners office ruled out the source of the organs being human or even primate. Update: Medical examiner says hearts found in Chicago alley are not human https://t.co/oNnFO00wRQ Eyewitness News WTVO/WQRF (@MyStateline) April 19, 2019 This in the heart of Chicago. Officials: Five animal hearts found in Loop alley Chicago Tribune https://t.co/OyStEFjfoc Avatans Kumar (@avatans) April 20, 2019 The medical examiners office arrived on the scene and the hearts were examined and found to be non-human, a spokesperson said. The medical examiners office only examines human tissue and no further testing will be conducted on the hearts, the spokesperson added. They are real hearts, the spokesperson told the Chicago Tribune. Its an animal. Five hearts that were found in an alley near the Chicago Theater in the Loop belonged to animals, officials said. https://t.co/QV9ZK3Jlm9 Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) April 19, 2019 Update: Medical examiner says hearts found in Chicago alley are not human https://t.co/oNnFO00wRQ Eyewitness News WTVO/WQRF (@MyStateline) April 19, 2019 It is still unclear exactly what animal the organs originally came from but that did not stop concerned citizens from speculating. Chicago, dont worry! The five hearts found in an alley were determined to be pig hearts and not human hearts. No further questions!!! Stephanie Weber (@steph_eloise) April 20, 2019 Police detectives are continuing to investigate where the organs came from. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 24, 2019. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Florida Man Arrested for Threatening to Kill Democrats Over Rep. Omars 9/11 Comments A Florida man was arrested for allegedly threatening to kill Democrat officials over recent comments by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) about the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. John Kless, 49, of Tamarac, was arrested on April 19 and charged with making threatening communications, the Department of Justice said in a statement. According to allegations in the complaint, on April 16, 2019, Kless made multiple threatening communications to the Congressional offices of members from California, Michigan, and New Jersey, it said. After Omar referred to the terror attacks as some people did something, Kless called Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), the other Muslim Congresswoman, and left a voicemail, according to the complaint. Kless said, It was your Taliban, [expletive], who [expletive] opened up her [expletive] towel head mouth about some people did it,' according to a criminal complaint obtained by CBS. Kless also allegedly used racial slurs and sexually explicit language and said Tlaib should tell her Taliban friend to shut up. A Palestinian-American, Tlaib is a vocal critic of Israel. Several of her backers have posted pro-terror content. Kless then allegedly called Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who is running for president, and said that were going to have a war in this country [expletive] and youre going to the [expletive] who pay while again using racial slurs. Seemingly referencing Bookers comments in defense of Omars 9/11 remarks, Kless than told the Senator to shut up about 9/11 and [unintelligible] and tell that [expletive] towel head to shut up. Klass also allegedly made a call to Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), telling the presidential contender, The day you come after our guns [expletive] is the day youll be dead. Swalwell has received heavy criticism for suggesting that hed like to take away the approximately 15 million assault rifles owned across America and that hed put people who refused to give up their guns in jail. So basically @RepSwalwell wants a war. Because thats what you would get. Youre outta your [expletive] mind if you think Ill give up my rights and give the gov all the power, conservative commentator Joe Biggs told Swalwell on Twitter. Swalwell responded: It would be a short war, my friend. The government has nukes. Too many of them. But theyre legit. And it would be a short war my friend. The government has nukes. Too many of them. But theyre legit. Im sure if we talked we could find common ground to protect our families and communities. Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) November 16, 2018 Swalwell later said the idea of nuking gun owners was sarcastic. Replying to a reporter on April 19 who shared news of Klesss alleged threat, Swalwell wrote on Twitter: Thank you to the [Capitol Police] and Florida law enforcement for protecting my staff and constituents. Tlaib attended an event on Friday after Kless was arrested and said that she wasnt scared. I actually feel safer here with my people than anywhere else, Tlaib said, reported WDIV. For so much hate rhetoric, and you know, people ensuing violence because of my faith or the issues I stand for, it just makes me want to work harder. Kless faces up to five years in prison. He made his first court appearance on Friday after his arrest. Klesss wife told CBS Miami that agents raided the familys home to arrest her husband. I have had enough. I had probably 12 men with ARs and lasers. They broke my sons bed, they took my property. I have had enough, she said. A neighbor told the broadcaster that Kless was always courteous to her. They seem very nice, the gentleman hes always been very courteous, polite, always saying hello, the neighbor said. The wife is very sweet. I wouldnt even expect him to use all the racial slurs. He seemed very courteous to me, she added. It shows that you cant articulate yourself without doing these things and now hes getting in trouble. Former Obama Campaign Manager Says Trump Would Beat Sanders in 2020 Jim Messina, a former campaign manager for Barack Obama, thinks Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wouldnt be able to beat President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Messina said in an interview with ABCs Powerhouse Politics podcast this week that he thinks the Democratic socialist Sanders would struggle with winning swing voters compared to Trump when it comes to addressing economic issues. Bernie Sanders is unlikely to going to be able to stand up to the constant barrage that is Donald Trump on economic issues, Messina said. He also predicted that Sanders would be one of the final two or three candidates, adding that other prominent presidential hopeful Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., former Rep. Beto ORourke, and former Vice President Joe Biden are also people to keep an eye on. Biden is expected to announce his 2020 bid on April 24. Messina also went on to say Sanders would struggle at exciting the Democratic base to attract new voters and grab swing votersa combo he said helped former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama win the candidacy. And to win an election against Donald Trump you have to do both. Were going to look for a nominee to do both and today we would say in the general election context Bernie Sanders wouldnt be that candidate, he said. Messinas remarks follow President Trumps prediction that either Sanders and Biden would be the Democratic nominee. I believe it will be Crazy Bernie Sanders vs. Sleepy Joe Biden as the two finalists to run against maybe the best Economy in the history of our Country (and MANY other great things)! I look forward to facing whoever it may be. May God Rest Their Soul! Trump wrote on Twitter on April 16. I believe it will be Crazy Bernie Sanders vs. Sleepy Joe Biden as the two finalists to run against maybe the best Economy in the history of our Country (and MANY other great things)! I look forward to facing whoever it may be. May God Rest Their Soul! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2019 Sanders recently topped the list of contenders for the Democratic Party nomination in the 2020 presidential election in a new poll conducted by Emerson College between April 4 and 11. Former Vice President Joe Biden, who had led every one of the 35 early polls to date, fell to second place for the first time, trailing Sanders by five percentage points. Biden still leads the Democratic field by almost 10 points in an average of polling data aggregated by Real Clear Politics. Biden has seen his support drop. In February, he led Sanders 27 percent to 17 percent, and in March, the two were tied at 26 percent. Now, Sanders has a five-point lead, Spencer Kimball, director of Emerson Polling, said in a statement. The Emerson poll showed Biden performing best in a head-to-head contest with President Donald Trump, with 53 percent of the respondents picking Biden and 47 percent favoring Trump. Sanders popularity is indicative of the shift to the hard-left within the Democratic Party. For example, Sanderss socialist Medicare for All bill had no co-sponsors in Congress six years ago but the bill is now supported by one-third of Senate Democrats and two-thirds of House Democrats. If implemented, Medicare for All would hand the federal government a monopoly over the health care industry and cost U.S. taxpayers an estimated $32 trillion during the first 10 years. In comparison, the total projected spending by the federal government over the next decade is $60 trillion. In response to this shift, the Trump campaign is focused on exposing a dramatic shift toward socialism among the Democratic candidates while spotlighting the successes of the presidents administration. We thought that debate ended in the 1980s. We thought it ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union, but here we are today with Democrats wanting to take us the way of Venezuela, Kayleigh McEnany, press secretary for the Trump 2020 campaign, told The Epoch Times earlier this month. So were all very keenly focused on socialismevery single one of us in the campaign. The Epoch Times Reporter Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report. Journalist Brings Awareness of Chinese Regimes Interference With Shen Yun Shows in Denmark COPENHAGENAn investigative journalist highlighted the severity of the Chinese regimes interference into Denmark when he recently spoke about his probe into alleged Beijing pressure to prevent Shen Yun Performing Arts from performing in the small European nation. Thomas Foght, an investigative journalist with Radio24syv, started investigating into the pressure the traditional Chinese dance and music company was facing after developing an interest in Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence on Denmark and Danish authorities. At the time, he was also investigating into how Beijing was putting pressure on officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding issues relating to the inquiry of Danish authorities treatment of Tibetan activists during two separate Chinese official visits in 2012 and 2013. I was curious to see whether there were some other cases of pressuring and I was curious to see how the Danish authorities reacted to it, Foght said. I think there are some interesting clashes between Denmark and China. I mean Denmark is a democracy. We pay a lot of attention to our fundamental rights and then we have to work together [with a country] whos a dictatorship and do not have freedom of speech, or freedom of religion, and these fundamental rights. So how does Denmark pay attention to those rights when they have to cooperate with China, who doesnt have the same perspective on life and on rights, and democracy? he added. Shen Yun seeks to revive 5,000 years of Chinese culture through the performing arts, according to the companys website. Its performances include pieces that portray contemporary China, including the ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) and spirituality in the culturetopics which are considered taboo by the atheist regime. Since 2007, the New York-based company has sought to perform at the Royal Danish Theater in Copenhagen but have been repeatedly rejected on the grounds that the companys artistic level did not meet the theaters demands. These rejections were made in spite of Shen Yun selling out shows annually at renowned theaters around the world, including the Lincoln Center in New York and at the London Coliseum. In 2017, local organizers of Shen Yun wrote a letter to Danish authorities, appealing for the company to be allowed to perform at the Royal Danish Theater, but did not have any success. Through Foghts investigation, published in a 2018 article, he uncovered evidence to show that the CCP had placed pressure on the theater to not lease its venue to Shen Yun. It showed for the first time that the Chinese Embassy and delegation was actually pressuring the theater in not letting them book these facilities, Foght said during his speech at the Danish Parliament on April 4. According to emails obtained by Foght, when Denmarks Ministry of Culture requested a comment from the Royal Danish Theater, one of its employees revealed to another staff member that he or she had met with the Chinese Embassy in August. They [embassy] ended the meeting by asking if we had a dialogue with Shen Yun, and requested that we shouldnt allow them to rent our facilities, the email stated. Since 2007 until 2017, the only reason why the theater was rejecting Shen Yun was because of the artistic level, but I think this gave a new dimension to the story because now we could suddenly prove that there was a pressure from China towards the theater, Foght said. Theater director Morten Hesseldahl and culture minister Mette Bock subsequently denied the accusation and said they were not aware of any pressure from the Chinese Embassy. Foght said this case puts light on why it was so difficult for Shen Yun to have access to the Royal Theater over ten years. I think the politicians were quite shocked and surprised when they saw this. Many people said it was completely inappropriate that the Chinese Embassy was trying to influence the theater in this decision, he added. Benny Brix, a local Shen Yun Performing Arts organizer in Denmark, said the Royal Danish Theater was not the only theater in Denmark that had faced such pressure. In 2016, China tried to stop a performance in Aarhus. So its continually this kind of interference. It was not just 2007, it was during all the years, Brix said, adding that the Aarhus Concert Hall resisted the pressure and the performances went ahead successfully. CCP Faces Backlash Foghts article received attention from prominent figures in Denmark, who condemned the Chinese regime for what they perceive as its interference in Danish affairs. At the time, Soren Espersen, chair of the foreign policy committee in the Danish parliament, told Danish newspaper Berlingske in an interview that the Chinese Embassys actions were chauvinistic. Why would they get to decide who gets to be on our stage, who gets to perform? he said. Similarly, Liberal Party politician Michael Aastrup Jensen told U.S.-based Chinese language broadcaster, New Tang Dynasty Television (NTD) that the Danish government should investigate such interference. We should actually try to preserve the Danish way of life and Danish political system, which is we have no censorship, that we are okay with every position, that everyone has the freedom of speech, he said. Similar Pressure in Spain Like Denmark, the CCP has also allegedly placed pressure on other theaters and government officials to prevent Shen Yun from performing. This year in Spain, just weeks before the scheduled performances, the Royal Theater in Madrid canceled the shows due to technical difficulties. But an undercover investigation revealed that the CCP had a role in the cancelation. The U.S. branch of the World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (WOIPFG), a non-profit organization that investigates human-rights abuses perpetrated against Falun Gong adherents, said it decided to conduct an investigation into the cancellation after seeing media reports about possible Chinese Embassy interference to pressure the theater into canceling the show. As part of its undercover investigation, on Jan. 22, WOIPFG made a phone call to the Chinese Embassy, posing as a high-level Chinese government official. The person who took the call identified himself as the Chinese Ambassador to Spain, Lu Fan, according to a press release issued by WOIPFG. The organization released an audio recording of the phone call on its website on Jan. 28. The investigation confirmed that the cancellation of the theaters contract with the Shen Yun organizers was entirely the result of the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) interferences, WOIPFG said in its statement. Lu Fan personally put pressure on the theater to cancel the contract with Shen Yun Performing Arts. By using the CCPs control of the large Chinese market as an enticement, Lu Fan and the theaters director jointly planned to cancel the Shen Yun performances under the pretext of technical difficulties. With additional reporting by The Epoch Times reporters Wendy Huang and Annie Wu. Kids and TechnologyAre They Safe to Put Together or Is Radiation Harmful to Them? The content is not available due to expiration. Civilians displaced by heavy fighting between Iraqi security forces and ISIS terrorists wait outside a Doctors Without Borders tent in Makhmour, Iraq, on March 28, 2019. (Alice Martins/Photo via AP) Kosovo Brings Back Fighters, Families of Jihadists From Syria PRISTINAKosovo brought back 110 of its citizens from Syria on Saturday, April 20, including jihadists who had gone to fight in the countrys civil war and 74 children, the government said. After the collapse of the ISIS self-declared caliphate in Syria and Iraq, countries around the world are wrestling with how to handle the terrorists and their families seeking to return. Officials in Kosovo say 110 citizens have been returned to the country from Syria, including four alleged fighters with the extremist group Islamic State (IS). https://t.co/5lnxAmRk1M pic.twitter.com/PPnkhDz2Y3 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (@RFERL) April 20, 2019 The population of Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, is nominally 90 percent Muslim, but largely secular in outlook. More than 300 Kosovo citizens have traveled to Syria since 2012 and 70 men who fought alongside the terrorist groups were killed. Today in the early hours of the morning an important and sensitive operation was organized in which the government of Kosovo with the help of the United States of America has returned 110 of its citizens from Syria, Kosovan Justice Minister Abelard Tahiri said at a press conference. Tahiri did not specify what role the United States had played but a plane with a U.S. flag on its tail was seen in the cargo area of Pristina airport as the operation was ongoing. Authorities said among those who were returned were four ISIS terrorists, 32 women, and 74 children, including nine without a parent. The four terrorists were immediately arrested and the state prosecutor said indictments against them will soon follow. After several hours at the airport, two busloads of women and children were transported under police escort to an army barracks just outside Pristina. Police said 30 Kosovan ISIS terrorists, 49 women, and 8 children still remain in the conflict zones. We will not stop before bringing every citizen of the Republic of Kosovo back to their country and anyone that has committed any crime or was part of these terrorist organizations will face the justice, Tahiri said. As Kosovo, we cannot allow that our citizens be a threat to the West and to our allies. International and local security agencies have previously warned of the risk posed by returning the terrorists. In 2015, Kosovo adopted a law making fighting in foreign conflicts punishable by up to 15 years in jail. The United States commended Kosovo for the return of its citizens and called other countries to do the same. With this repatriation, Kosovo has set an important example for all members of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and the international community to follow. We applaud their compassion in accepting the return of this large number of civilians, the U.S. Embassy in Pristina said in a statement. There have been no ISIS attacks on Kosovan soil, although more than 100 men have been jailed or indicted on charges of fighting in Syria and Iraq. Some of them were found guilty of planning attacks in Kosovo. Prosecutors said they were investigating 156 other suspects. The government has said a form of radical extremism had been imported to Kosovo by non-governmental organizations from the Middle East after the end of its 1998-99 war of secession from Serbia. By Fatos Bytyci Last of the Worlds Critically Endangered Gorillas Pose for Selfies With Anti Poaching Rangers Mountain gorillas at the Virunga National Park, a site gravely impacted by war and armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have bonded so well with their anti-poaching rangers that they are posing for selfies together. Virunga National Park is one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it has been gravely impacted by instability and violence in the country for the last two decades. The park is protected by a dedicated team of about 600 rangers. These local men and women go through intensive training, risking their lives on a daily basis to safeguard the parks exceptional wildlife, including the last of the worlds critically endangered mountain gorillas, says the parks website. Protecting wildlife is not an easy job in eastern Congo and more than 180 rangers were killed in clashes with local terrorists and smugglers in the last 20 years, according to The Guardian. For security reasons, the park closed its gates to visitors until the end of the year. But the rangers of the Elite AntiPoaching Units are continuing to work with the Gorillas. The rangers shared a selfie with Gorillas on their Facebook page on April 18. The park was founded by Belgian colonial authorities in 1925 and covers more than 8,000 square miles, providing habitat for more than a thousand gorillas. It faces many security threats, including illegal charcoal production, smuggling, and poaching, as well as a local terrorist group called the Mai Mai, reported the Guardian. In May last year, the Mai Mai attacked a vehicle carrying tourists and killed a ranger, wounded the driver, and abducted two British tourists. Six rangers were killed in an ambush in April last year and the park has become one of the most dangerous conservation projects in the world. Last year, the heroic rangers shared another selfie with Gorillas titled Family Portrait. About 5 million people have died in the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rangers have a long road ahead of them in protecting the wildlife of the region. The safety of our visitors will always be our highest priority It is abundantly clear that the Virunga is deeply affected by insecurity and that this will be the case for some time. For Virunga to be safely visited, much more robust measures are necessary than in the past, said Emmanuel de Merode, the Belgian aristocrat who is the director of the park, according to The Guardian. WORDS TO LIVE BY- SAGESSE INTEMPORELLEFrom a Virunga National Park ranger, translated from the French:"When one is Posted by The Elite AntiPoaching Units And Combat Trackers. on Thursday, May 17, 2018 Heres a view of the beautiful Virunga. Jonathon Minard went missing on April 13, 2019, in Carroll County, Ohio. He was found dead 6 days later. (Carroll County Sheriff's Office) Missing Teen Jonathon Minard Found Dead, Buried on a Farm A missing 14-year-old Ohio boy was found dead on April 19, buried in a shallow grave on a farm. Jonathon Minard went missing on April 13 while visiting a farm in New Harrisburg where he helped milk cows at a farm owned by the father of a 29-year-old friend. That friend was named by Carroll County Sheriff Dale Williams prior to the discovery of the body as a person of interest but the man has not been arrested. Williams told reporters in a press conference on Friday that the discovery of the body is the first step in the investigation and that officials will evaluate all the evidence and decide on criminal charges based on the evidence, reported Fox 8. Williams declined to answer when asked if the friend remains a person of interest and said no additional information would be made available, saying officials will not compromise the investigation. Im not gonna comment on anything to jeopardize this investigation. The Carroll County sheriff staying tight-lipped about the death of 14-year-old Jonathon Minard, whose body was found in a shallow grave on a farm. pic.twitter.com/mS3hv2MbiM matt demczyk (@mdemczyk) April 19, 2019 Area residents said they were heartbroken at hearing the news of the body being found. We were hoping he ran away or something; thats what we were hoping for but that wasnt the case, Carroll County resident Bill Burrier told Fox 8. Just the nicest little kid, and hed sit there and fish with me. I dont see how anybody could do that to a 14-year-old. Its just devastating, a small boy like that, you know, heart-wrenching for his family, Im sure for his parent and anybody that knew him, added Carrollton resident Mary Johnson. Shanta Teeters of Carroll County said that shed always remember Jonathon as a fun-loving kid who was often out and about in her aunts neighborhood. I cant imagine what his mom is going through, Teeters told WOIO. He was always walking around Delroy, just out in the summertime and stuff. Just like an everyday kid would be. Teeters said her uncle was part of the search party that was looking for the boy. All the volunteers are upset about the body being discovered, she added. Everybodys in shock, I think everybody is saddened, we feel for the family and we just want to see the person who did it pay for it, added county resident Terry Cheuvron. EMOTIONAL VIDEO: In an exclusive interview with @wkyc, the aunt of Jonathan Minard, the missing Carroll County 14-year-old, pleads for the safe return of her nephew who has not been seen since Saturday. pic.twitter.com/vglg1lLxft Jordan Miller (@J_MillerTV) April 16, 2019 Background Officials said previously that Jonathon helped with milking at the farm near New Harrisburg on April 12 and went home after 3 p.m. He returned to the farm after 1:30 p.m. the next day. According to people on the farm, the boy complained about a toothache and said that he was going to call his mother to pick him up and take him home. That was the last time he was seen. His mom never received that call, Williams, the sheriff, told WKYC. Search parties scoured a perimeter area around New Harrisburg with special attention paid to the area around Baxters Ridge Church in Harrison Township. The body was eventually found in Washington Township about 7 miles from where he was last seen. The boys body was taken to the medical examiners office in Cuyahoga County for an autopsy. Mother of Missing Boy No Longer Talking to Police as Authorities Execute Search Warrant The mother of a missing 5-year-old Illinois boy is no longer talking to police after her lawyer said police may consider her a suspect in the investigation. Andrew Freund Jr., known as A.J., was reported missing on April 18. The lawyer for his mother, Joann Cunningham, said that she was cooperating with the police until he got the impression that she was being treated as a suspect. Ms. Cunningham cooperated with the police extensively yesterday, until, at some point, we got the impression that she may be considered a suspect, Cunninghams attorney George Kililis told reporters outside the familys Crystal Lake home, reported NBC Chicago. I dont know if she is [considered a suspect] or not and I dont know how serious that consideration is or not. Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has long history with family of missing Crystal Lake 5-year-old, agency confirms, as police raid the boys home https://t.co/uZvZ2Jsb5w pic.twitter.com/xQHtIiSqXb Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) April 20, 2019 Kililis, who said that hes not representing A.J.s father Andrew Freund Sr., said that the familys house was in pretty rough shape after being searched. Ms. Cunningham doesnt know what happened to A.J. and had nothing to do with the disappearance of A.J., he added. Ms. Cunningham is worried sick, shes devastated and we are asking for a little bit of privacy and understanding and compassion from you guys and the community. And we are asking for the communitys help in trying to find A.J. The announcement came after Crystal Lake police entered the house with a warrant on Friday and took boxes and other materials out, reported the Northwest Herald. In a press release, police said Friday morning that officers dont think A.J. was abducted and are focusing on the residence in the investigation. The canine teams only picked up Andrews scent within the residence indicating that Andrew had not walked away on foot, the department stated. Mother of missing Crystal Lake boy no longer talking to police, her attorney says https://t.co/kkJGiru0oD pic.twitter.com/P5rO7dNvBy NBC Chicago (@nbcchicago) April 19, 2019 The focus on the residence came after a search covered approximately 373 acres by foot and approximately 497 acres by aerial drones. Sonar teams also utilized cameras to search along Crystal Lake. In reviewing all investigative information thus far, there is no indication that would lead police to believe that an abduction had taken place. At this point, the police department has no reason to believe there is a threat to the community. Information obtained currently has police focusing on the residence, the department stated. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, meanwhile, took custody of A.J.s younger brother. The department has had contact with the family since A.J. was born in 2013 with opiates in his system, department spokesperson Jassen Strokosch told the Herald. Since then there have been neglect allegations against the mother. At one point, A.J. was taken by the department before he turned 1 but was later returned to the family. HAVE YOU SEEN HIM? The FBI is searching for a 5-year-old boy who has been missing from Crystal Lake since Wednesday. Please share! https://t.co/K9no5WvhdI FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) April 20, 2019 Police would not confirm or deny if the missing boys parents are considered suspects in the case, reported ABC 7. Freund Sr., the boys father, was approached by detectives when he left the house for the first time Friday; the officers asked the father to come with them and he said, I need to get a phone. Then Im gonna come back, according to the broadcaster. He later spoke briefly with reporters. Were just extremely worried. If anybody knows anything about where Andrew Jr. is please, please, contact the Crystal Lake Police Department. Lets get him home. A.J., please come home, Freund added before he walked away from cameras. We love you very much. Youre not in any trouble, were just worried to death. Please, please come home. Mueller Report Drives a 250 Percent Increase in Trump Campaign Fundraising: Report President Trumps campaign has raised more than $1 million since the public release of the redacted Mueller report, according to campaign COO Michael Glassner. The release of the full Mueller report directly led to the campaign raising more than $1 million, Glassner told the New York Post. Relative to our recent daily average, the Mueller news drove a 250 percent increase in fundraising from grassroots donors. Sorry Trump Haters. The biggest Waste of Money Witch Hunt in history is finally over. The attacks and lies will keep coming heading into 2020. Thats why we need to fight back BIGGER and STRONGER than ever before, Trump campaign sent out a text message with a goal of raising $1 million in 24 hours. The campaign announced in another text message on Friday afternoon, April 19, that they had hit its goal, the Washington Examiner reported. Trumps 2020 presidential campaign raised more than $30 million in the first quarter of 2019, far outpacing the haul of every Democratic contender during the same period, The Epoch Times reported. The president ended the quarter with more than $40 million in the campaign account. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) led the Democratic field in campaign donations, raising $18.2 million and $12 million respectively during the first quarter. In the report released on April 18, special counsel Robert Mueller had concluded that there was no collusion between Trump or his campaign and Russian actors who sought to influence the 2016 presidential election. Attorney General William Barr said that he and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had concluded that theres no obstruction of justice, The Epoch Times reported. After carefully reviewing the facts and legal theories outlined in the report, and in consultation with the Office of Legal Counsel and other Department lawyers, the deputy attorney general and I concluded that the evidence developed by the special counsel is not sufficient to establish that the president committed an obstruction-of-justice offense, he announced in a press conference before releasing the Mueller report to Congress committee and the public. Trump Lashes out at Mueller Report Hours after the Mueller report was released, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, issued a subpoena to the Department of Justice demanding a full version of the Mueller report and the underlying evidence by May 1. The House Judiciary Committee Democrats approved the subpoenas through party-line votes on April 3, The Epoch Times reported. I am open to working with the Department to reach a reasonable accommodation for access to these materials. My Committee needs and is entitled to the full version of the report and the underlying evidence consistent with past practice, Nadler said in a statement. This morning, @HouseJudiciary has issued a subpoena to the Department of Justice for the full the Mueller report and the underlying materials. DOJ is required to comply with that subpoena by May 1. pic.twitter.com/nzu9O5CC36 (((Rep. Nadler))) (@RepJerryNadler) April 19, 2019 Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) went one step further to call on the House to begin impeachment, but others in the Democratic party seemed wary of such a push. We cannot be an America that says it is OK for a president of the United States to try and block an investigation into a foreign attack on our country or an investigation into that presidents own misbehaviorso I have called on the House to initiate impeachment proceedings, she said. To ignore a Presidents repeated efforts to obstruct an investigation into his own disloyal behavior would inflict great and lasting damage on this country, and it would suggest that both the current and future Presidents would be free to abuse their power in similar ways. Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 19, 2019 As some Democrats called for drastic action, Trump lashed out at the Mueller report in a string of Twitter posts on Saturday morning. Despite the fact that the Mueller Report should not have been authorized in the first place & was written as nastily as possible by 13 (18) Angry Democrats who were true Trump Haters, including highly conflicted Bob Mueller himself, the end result is No Collusion, No Obstruction! he tweeted. The Fake News Media is doing everything possible to stir up and anger the pols and as many people as possible seldom mentioning the fact that the Mueller Report had as its principle conclusion the fact that there was NO COLLUSION WITH RUSSIA. The Russia Hoax is dead! he continued. Roger Gemoules, a police officer with the Cahokia Police Department was praised for driving a man caught behind the wheel without a license to a job interview, in Illinois on April 17, 2019. (Francella Jackson/Facebook) Police Officer Drives Man He Pulled Over to Job Interview A police officer in Illinois noticed that a car had expired license plates and pulled it over on April 17. The officer, Roger Gemoules of Cahokia, then learned that the driver did not have a valid drivers license or insurance. The driver told Gemoules that he had a job interview and didnt have any way of getting there so he decided to risk driving illegally, according to Francella Jackson, who works for Cahokia Mayor Curtis McCall Jr. Instead of issuing him a ticket, Officer Gemoules took him to his interview AND HE GOT THE JOB! she wrote on Facebook. On behalf of Mayor Curtis McCall Jr., I would like to thank Officer Gemoules for showing compassion and being a great example of how community-oriented policing actually works. I'm still amazingly surprised how a simple Facebook post about these two extremely shy guys, ( Ka'Shawn Baldwin and Posted by Francella Jackson on Friday, April 19, 2019 Jackson said in an update that Gemoules helped a man named KaShawn Baldwin. Im still amazingly surprised how a simple Facebook post about these two extremely shy guys went viral within just a few hours. The story has gone worldwide, including Italy, Rome, Norway, Poland, UK, and China so far. Its refreshing for me to know that compassion and empathy still go a long way in this world and people love it, she wrote. Baldwin told CNN that he had borrowed the vehicle and was driving on a suspended drivers license. I thought it was over, Baldwin said. The main thing that was running through my mind [was] Im fixin to miss the job interview and get the car towed that wasnt even mine. Woke up this morning with my face on the news.( this was my expression) Posted by Ka'Shawn on Friday, April 19, 2019 Gemoules said that Baldwin was respectful when he was pulled over. He was very respectful when I pulled him over and you could just tellI could feel that he really was wanting to get to this job interview, Gemoules said. Baldwin said that he was a little late to the interview but he made it. I was grateful, I was thankful. Made it to the interview, I got a job, he said, noting that he will take the bus to work. Baldwin told KMOV that the job was at FedEx. Gemoules shared a picture of himself and Baldwin shaking hands on his Facebook page, saying: I appreciate all of the kind words people have said, posted, texted, or called me to say. I enjoy what I do and never expected all of this. There are many police officers that do great things everyday. This one just happened to go viral. All the glory to GOD and hope this young man keeps this positive momentum going for him and his family, he added. Favorite thing anyone said to me all day was when I picked up my son and he said, Dad we need to stay out of public. I asked him why and he said he did not want to get caught up in a traffic jam with reporters.' Cahokia police officer Roger Gemoules pulled a vehicle over yesterday that had expired plates. The occupant of the car Posted by Francella Jackson on Thursday, April 18, 2019 Reactions A number of people reacted to the story, many praising the officer for his decision. That story needed to go viral! Its what we are seriously lacking as a nation. Compassion! Thank you for helping to restore hope! wrote one Facebook user. Its awesome that great stories go viral as quickly as nonsense Francella thanks for posting its refreshing to display good officers because after all there are still good-hearted people out here and that includes officers, added another. What an outstanding officer!!! This is so awesome!! Brought tears to my eyes, added another. Awesome job this could have turned into a horrible situation. Thank you officer for displaying safe actions, added another. Wow. Francella thanks for sharing that. My feelings about that department from personal experience with my family, has not been good at all. But this surely made me feel better. Most officers anywhere else would have slapped on cuffs and locked this young man up. Kudos to the officer for his compassion, added another. Gianni Gilmore, 6 months, was declared brain dead at New York University Langone Hospital in New York on April 20, 2018. (Shatwaun Gilmore/Facebook) Police Suspect Ex-Convict of Homicide After He Allegedly Shook His Baby to Death Authorities suspect a former convict of fatally injuring a baby in New York, on April 17, 2018. New York Police Department charged Shatwaun Gilmore, 24, on April 19, 2019 for violently shaking his son Gianni, aged 6 months. The rapid movement allegedly caused the infant to lose consciousness at home near the intersection of Gates and Marcy avenues in Bedford-Stuyvesant, about 2 miles southeast of Brooklyn Navy Yard. Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn infants death ruled a homicide, father charged The death of a 6-month-old boy allegedly violently shaken by his ex-con father last year was declared a homicide.https://t.co/sWvtueeMdn New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) April 19, 2019 Gilmore, who at the time was on parole for a 2013 attempted robbery conviction, only called 911 after Giannis grandmother, Jacqueline Saintangle, noticed the baby was not moving. Worried family members tried to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the baby but Gianni continued to show the symptoms of shaken baby syndrome. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), these symptoms include drowsiness, irritability, coma, seizures, dilated pupils, decreased appetite, vomiting, bad posture, breathing difficulties, and cardiac arrest. Babies have very weak neck muscles that cannot fully support their proportionately large heads, AANS said on its website. Severe shaking causes the babys head to move violently back and forth, resulting in serious and sometimes fatal brain injury. After suffering severe trauma to his head, Gianni was eventually declared brain dead at New York University Langone Hospital three days later at 3 p.m on April 20, 2018. A spokesperson for the city Medical Examiners office told New York Daily News Gianni died of abusive head trauma. Brooklyn baby dead after being found unconscious Friday; dad may have accidentally rolled on top of him, sources say https://t.co/IaQ2i9C7Lc NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) May 5, 2018 NYPD officers arrested Gilmore, who said he was not responsible and accused the mother Sara Julien, 22, of killing Gianni. The father was initially charged with assault and child endangerment but the allegations were dropped. NYPD is expected to make new charges as the case is now being treated as a homicide investigation, a knowledgeable source told the NY Daily News. 2018 death of 6-month-old in Bed-Stuy ruled a homicidehttps://t.co/8iHI2gwoMF News12BK (@News12BK) April 20, 2019 1 year later, baby's death ruled a homicide. Posted by News 12 Brooklyn on Friday, April 19, 2019 Not-for-profit organization United We Stand Against Child Abuse (UWSACA) said on social media the father indicated on April 19 he was planning to go into hiding if Gianni died. [He] also threatened to commit suicide rather than face a lengthy prison sentence, according to Giannis mother, UWSACA said in a Facebook post dated April 22. Brooklyn, New York ~ A 6 month old baby boy who was hospitalized after being violently shaken sadly died Friday Posted by United We Stand Against Child Abuse on Sunday, April 22, 2018 Two concerned citizens left heated comments on social media about the news. Perfect! He should kill himself for what he did to his son, Melisa Kerr wrote. Evil coward. Thank you you [are as] dum[b] as hell, Maserati Been Tatted wrote. Others were very sad to hear about Giannis death. Evil, how can someone do this, Grace Dominique Powell wrote. Beautiful baby boy, Sandi Medina wrote. Daniel Frisiello, of Beverly, Mass., in this booking photo released on March 1, 2018. (Beverly Police Department via AP, File) Probation for Man Who Sent Powder to Trumps Sons, Others BOSTONA Massachusetts man who sent threatening letters with white powder to President Donald Trumps sons, Antonio Sabato Jr., Sen. Debbie Stabenow, and a law professor was sentenced on April 19 in federal court to five years of probation. The judge declined to send Daniel Frisiello to prison, as prosecutors had sought, because of concerns the 25-year-old man from Beverly, who is developmentally disabled, would not respond well to incarceration. But he stressed the sentence wasnt lenient. Daniel Frisiello was taken into custody by FBI Bostons Joint Terrorism Task Force this morning without incident. He was arrested for mailing threatening letters containing suspicious white powder. Learn more: https://t.co/4JwfLc0r9e FBI Boston (@FBIBoston) March 1, 2018 Do not underestimate how serious I am treating your crimes, Judge Nathaniel Gorton said to Frisiello as the dozens of his family members, friends, and supporters who had packed the court proceeding hugged, cried, and sighed in relief. Frisiello was also ordered to serve his first year of probation in home confinement and has been banned for the full five years from accessing the internet or sending mail without prior approval. Frisiello also wont be allowed to have a computer, tablet, or other devices with access to the internet. Frisiello, who pleaded guilty in October to sending the threatening letters, thanked Groton in brief remarks in court for not sending him to prison. The past year, he said, has been hell for his family. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Garland, who had sought a 3-year prison sentence, argued that Frisiello had carefully considered the letter writing campaign, which included 13 letters over three years. He researched the best addresses and took steps to avoid detection, like dropping them off at different mailboxes, Garland said. This was not an impulsive thing, he said. At every step, there was a chance for deliberation. Imposing only probation, Garland said, was akin to sending Frisiello back to the life he had before his arrest, which was largely spent at home on the internet. Frisiello and family declined to comment after the hearing, but William Flick, his lawyer, argued in court that prison would be physically and mentally harmful to Frisiello, who he said has significant developmental issues from brain damage at birth, autism, and anxiety disorder. There was a collective gasp in the courtroom when Judge Gorton, known for handing down tough sentences, chose not to imprison Daniel Frisiello, who wrote threatening letters with white powder to many, including the sons of @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/k0Xi29HtHI via @BostonGlobe Maria Cramer (@GlobeMCramer) April 19, 2019 Flick also argued probation is appropriately severe for a person with Frisiellos condition because it takes away what few opportunities he has to interact with society, such as going to work or spending time with family and friends outside the house. Acknowledging the nearly 90 letters of support written to the judge on Frisiellos behalf, Flick said it was tragic no one in his clients extensive support network had noticed the signs that his penchant for writing letters to celebrities and other notable people had gone from a seemingly harmless obsession to something far darker. He clearly felt like he wasnt being heard, and so he became threatening, Flick said. Prosecutors say Frisiello sent a letter to Donald Trump Jr. that was opened in February by his now-estranged wife, Vanessa, at their New York City home. She called 911 and was briefly hospitalized after she reported she was coughing and felt nauseous. BREAKING: Daniel Frisiello, just charged by DOJ w/sending hoax white powder letter to @DonaldJTrumpJrs family is a Massachusetts Democratic activist who donated to Act Blue in the same cycle they donated to MAs @SenWarren. See FEC info below. pic.twitter.com/ff8NbY0OzK John Cardillo (@johncardillo) March 1, 2018 He also sent a white powder letter to Eric Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign that said his father must drop out of the race or the next letter wouldnt be fake. The substance in all of the letters turned out not to be hazardous. Other letter recipients included Stabenow, the Democratic U.S. senator from Michigan; Michele Dauber, a Stanford University law professor who promoted an effort to recall California judge Aaron Persky; and Sabato, a former underwear model and soap opera actor who is running for Congress in California as a Republican and spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention. Hoaxes involving white powder have been common since anonymous letters laced with anthrax spores were sent to media companies and congressional offices days after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, killing five people and infecting 17 others. By Philip Marcelo RTHK: You have to deal with me, Pompeo tells Pyongyang US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday he's still in charge of negotiating with North Korea despite the regime's demands to exclude him, as he voiced guarded hope with Japan on securing a deal. Pompeo led four-way talks in Washington of the US and Japanese foreign affairs and defence chiefs, the latest in a flurry of major meetings scheduled between the close allies. Amid a standstill with North Korea, Pompeo brushed aside a statement this week in which Pyongyang called the top US diplomat "reckless" and immature and demanded that he be removed from future negotiations. Pompeo is believed to have encouraged Trump, who has admitted to having a soft spot for Kim Jong Un, to hold firm with North Korea's young authoritarian leader during a summit in February in Hanoi that ended in deadlock. "Nothing's changed. We're continuing to work to negotiate. I'm still in charge of the team," Pompeo told a joint news conference, while adding that Trump is "obviously in charge of the overall effort." Pompeo, who traveled four times last year to Pyongyang as he eased once soaring tensions, said he was still hopeful for an agreement that would solidify Kim's promises to give up the nuclear arsenal which his dynasty has built over decades. "I'm convinced we still have a real opportunity to achieve that outcome and our diplomatic team will continue to remain in the lead," Pompeo said. Trump has repeatedly voiced admiration for Kim and last month blocked the imposition of tough new US sanctions on North Korea, saying he wanted to preserve the relationship despite Pompeo's vow to keep up maximum pressure. Japan, which closely aligns its foreign policy with the United States, has publicly backed Trump but is seen as deeply cautious. Conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe built his political career campaigning for tough action on North Korea over its abductions of Japanese civilians in the 1970s and 1980s to train the regime's spies. Foreign Minister Taro Kono nonetheless reiterated after the talks in Washington that Abe was willing to meet Kim "if there is a chance." "Japan is ready to normalize its relationship with North Korea when these missile, nuclear and abduction issues are taken care of," Kono said. Abe will visit Washington next week to meet Trump, with whom he has built a friendly rapport. Trump and his wife Melania will then head to Japan next month as the first state guests after Naruhito is enthroned as Japan's emperor. Japan will also hold a summit of the Group of 20 major economies in Osaka in June, although Trump has not yet confirmed his attendance. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 20) Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Saturday said developing the Philippines nuclear arsenal is not the way to enforce the victory it has over China in an international tribunal. Develop our own nuclear weapons to enforce the tribunal ruling? Very unlikely for several reasons, Lorenzana said in a statement sent to reporters. This is in response to Senate bet Juan Ponce Enriles proposal to develop the countrys nuclear weaponry in order to assert the Permanent Court of Arbitrations ruling on the West Philippine Sea dispute in July 2016. The award recognises the Philippines sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. READ: Want to stand up to China? Develop nuclear weapons, Enrile says We appreciate Sen. Enriles patriotic duty to suggest how to protect what is legally ours but developing a nuclear weapon is not the way to proceed, Lorenzana added. The Philippines defense chief said the country is not technically and technologically capable to create nuclear weaponry. He added that the Philippines is a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Lorenzana added the Constitution states the the Philippines denounces war as an instrument of national policy. (A) nuclear weapon is not a defensive weapon but an offensive one, he explained. The Philippines is also a signatory to the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. Enriles remarks come amid sightings of Chinese vessels in Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island in the Spratly Island group from January to March this year. Manila has filed diplomatic protests against the presence of these vessels. A man places a sandbag next to the foundation of a house in the town of Hudson, Que. west of Montreal, on April 19, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes) Quebec Calls for Military Assistance as Province Braces for Heavy Flooding MONTREALThe Quebec government called for federal assistance Fridayincluding Canadian Forces soldiers on the groundas the province braces for heavy spring flooding over the weekend. The risk level hasnt changed in recent days, but authorities now expect the brunt of flooding will begin on Sunday and last longer than expected, Quebec Public Security Minister Genevieve Guilbault told a news conference in Quebec City shortly after the request for help was accepted by Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale. While the situation could change depending on the weather, Guilbault elected to ask for assistance as citizens scrambled to protect their homes while heavy rain warnings were in effect for much of southern Quebec. Water levels are already high and are expected to rise sharply with warm temperatures, snowmelt runoff and the heavy rainfall in the forecast until Saturday. My only priority is the safety of citizens, Guilbault said. I will spare no effort over the next few days to ensure the safety of citizens. Officials in several communities are worried the flooding could be even worse than the record flooding of 2017 that forced thousands from their homes. Guilbault said Canadian Forces brass were discussing with provincial officials where to deploy military resources. She added shed spoken directly with Brig.-Gen. Jennie Carignan and added the duration of their stay will depend largely on the situation on the ground. Across Quebec, municipalities have been preparing sandbags and reinforcing homes as the rain is expected to intensify in the coming hours. Today is an important day, were predicting well reach the water levels reached in 2017 in the next 24 hours and even exceed it, said Ginette Bellemare, the acting mayor of Trois-Rivieres, Que., about halfway between Montreal and Quebec City. For our citizens, its a race against time. They must mobilize and protect their property. Guilbault said the province will also allow storesusually closed on Easter Sundayto remain open this weekend so residents can stock up on supplies. Thomas Blanchet, a spokesman for the provinces public safety department, said residents should be ready for a sharp spike in water levels that could come quickly, and he implored them to follow the instructions of local officials. Blanchet said while there are no official evacuation orders in the province, some municipalities have issued preventative orders, such as Rigaud and Pointe-Fortune in southwestern Quebec. Rigaud officials reported they expect a rapid rise in water flows on Saturday. The latest data confirms that water levels as high as those observed at the height of the May 2017 flood could be reached, depending on the amount of rain received, by next Monday, the town said in a release. In Laval, just north of Montreal, officials said some 1,500 homes and businesses were under flood watch. In Montreal, Mayor Valerie Plante toured various parts of the city under flood watch. Plante said the boroughs were well prepared, having learned lessons from record floods two years ago. Were putting all our energy, but in the end Mother Nature decides, Plante said. In Saint-Raymond, about 60 kilometres northwest of the provincial capital, 24 seniors in three residences have been moved to higher ground as the Ste-Anne River levels continue to rise. Earlier this week, the Chaudiere River burst its banks and flooded a large part of downtown Beauceville, about 90 kilometres south of Quebec City. Officials there called it the worst flooding since 1971, with 230 homes and businesses flooded. At least 28 people remained unable to return home on Friday. With the forecast that we have, we will have heavy rainfall over the corridor from Outaouais to the Lower St. Lawrence, Blanchet said. Those regions have a high risk of flood right now with the precipitation thats announced and the warm temperatures that will increase the snowmelt. Mark Ambrose enjoyed watching Shen Yun at The Lowry Salford on April 19, 2019. (NTD Television) SALFORD, United KingdomThe precision, beauty, and elegance of Shen Yuns performers left a deep impression on businessman Mark Ambrose, who watched Shen Yun at The Lowry Salford on April 19. Being semi-retired from the media and communications industry, he has seen a lot of performances, but nothing quite like Shen Yun. Its an incredible, moving performance, he said. I havent seen anything like it before ever and probably never will. At the heart of a Shen Yun performance is classical Chinese dance, a deeply expressive art-form passed down over 5,000 years of Chinas rich history. Shen Yuns dancers work not only on perfecting their physical movementswhich include dramatic leaps, flips, and spinsbut also the inner feeling required to portray the values and characters in stories from Chinese history, myth, and legend right up to the present day. Ambrose was touched by the way the dancers moved together in harmony, and by the different stories brought alive on stage. Just amazing synchronicity and very moving, powerful themes, Ambrose said. It summons up many emotions, because there are so many different themes covered. He enjoyed his journey through Chinas history and said that Shen Yun inspired him to learn more about traditional Chinese culture. It was absolutely amazing, beautiful, uplifting, and moving, and joyous, and elegant, and stylish how many words can you use to describe it? Ambrose said. The dance, together with Shen Yuns live orchestra that blends Eastern and Western instruments, made it a night Ambrose will always remember. He left the performance moved and happy, happy to have seen such a wonderful performance. With reporting by NTD Television and Kat Piper The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. Sudanese protesters shout slogans during a protest outside the army headquarters in the capital Khartoum on April 19, 2019. (Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images) Sudanese Protestors Demand Transition to Civilian Rule NAIROBI, KenyaSudanese protestors stepped up their demands for military to hand over power to civilians, announcing plans to name an interim ruling council on April 21 to help speed up the transition. After months of protests in the capital Khartoum, Sudanese protestors attained one of their goals to oust President Hassan Omar al-Bashir on April 11, when he was forced out of power in a military coup, ending his 30-year tenure. The protests, which started on Dec. 19, 2018, in Atbara, a city located northeast of Khartoum, were sparked by the rising cost of living and fuel and food shortages, and were met with violence, leading to deaths and injuries. Protests have continued after al-Bashirs ouster however as demonstrators continue to call for a transition of power from the ruling military council to elected civilian rulers. The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), a body of professionals that organized the protests, has said they will unveil a civilian ruling body on April 21. We are demanding that this civilian council, which has got representatives of the army, replace the military council, Ahmed al-Rabia, a SPA leader, told AFP. The United States also is calling for the military to step aside and allow civilians to rule the country. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Makila James has gone to the region to encourage the countrys smooth transition to civilian rule. State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said that the United States will calibrate our policies based on our assessment of events, adding that talks on delisting Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism remain suspended. She added, however, that the United States is encouraged by the decision to release political prisoners and cancel the curfew in Khartoum. The Sudanese military has maintained that there will be a transition to civilian rule within a two-year period; protestors are opposed to this, saying that wasnt what they protested for. I dont think this is what the protesters want they want to elect a new president, says John Gatluak, a resident of Sudan. David Kikaya, an international relations expert, says the protests are led by young educated Sudanese, and the protestors have stayed away from violence. Al-Bashir in Prison Al-Bashir was taken to prison on April 18. According to his relatives, he has been sent to Kobar prison where he is said to have been sending political prisoners when he was the leader. After his fall from power, he was initially confined to the presidential residence. The Ugandan Foreign Affairs Minister Okello Oryem has said that his country would be willing to offer al-Bashir political asylum. Uganda would not be apologetic at all for considering an application by Bashir, Okello told Reuters in Kampala. This decision could be against Ugandas international obligations, since Uganda is a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC), and al-Bashir is wanted by the court on charges related to atrocities in the Darfur region. According to an Amnesty International report, the former Sudanese leader is one of the longest-running fugitives of the ICC, with two arrest warrants for him having been issued on March 4, 2009, and another on July 12, 2010. He stands accused of criminal responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide following the killing, maiming, and torture of hundreds of thousands of people in the Sudanese region of Darfur, the report said. The Sudanese military so far has said that it wouldnt hand over al-Bashir to the ICC. Attorney General William Barr speaks during a press conference on the release of the redacted version of the Mueller Report at the Department of Justice on April 18, 2019. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) The Mueller Report Is Released Amid Loud Fake News Media Grumbling Commentary April 18 was a busy day in Washington. Attorney General William Barr held an intensely anticipated press conference on the release of the Mueller special counsels report to both Congress and the American public. Then, just a short time later, the Department of Justice made that final report available on its website. Because of Barrs summary letter, released on March 24, there were really no surprises at his press conference. In his letter to Congress, Barr had summed up the major findings of Robert Mueller and his team: after an intensive and exhaustive 22-month-long investigationwhich included interviews with 500 witnesses, the serving of 500 search warrants and 2,800 subpoenas, as well as the reviewing of millions of documentsno sufficient evidence was found to sustain a criminal charge on either collusion or obstruction. Mueller had ended his investigation without charging a single U.S. citizen with colluding with Russia or any other country. In fact, not a single American ended up being charged with engaging in any criminal activity whatsoever involving the 2016 election. The truth finally emerged: Donald Trump won the presidency over Hillary Clinton fair and square, despite relentless efforts by Democrats and also the DNC Media to push a massive propaganda fraud on the country. That was the day the Trump-Russia collusion delusion should have died at last with a whimper. Instead, for the past three weeks, many who are frantic to prop up this dying narrative have furiously spun fantasies, in which Barr is supposedly lying about what Muellers report actually stated. Instead of owning up to having fallen for a massive hoax, the mainstream media immediately doubled down. The Mueller final reports legal theory, upon which the obstruction investigation of the president was based, was so bizarre that Barr had to emphasize that under current law no criminal charge could have been brought based upon it, and how surprised he was that Mueller had punted the decision on making an obstruction chargebased on this most novel theoryto him and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appeared at the podium with Barr at the press conference. Barr also pointed out that prosecutors dont just hold investigations and then throw their results into the public sphere without making their own determination; they are supposed to make their own decisions based on what they found, and not dodge that responsibility. In his understated way, Barr made it clear just how surprised he was that Mueller kicked the decision upstairs to him. Barr Embarrasses Angry Reporters When Barr took questions after reading his statement, angry reporters tried to put him on the defensive by arguing that he was acting as if he were the presidents personal lawyer. One of the medias favorite talking points over the past three weeks has been that Mueller totally would have indicted Trump but for the Office of Legal Counsels [OLC] ruling in 2000during the George H.W. Bush administrationthat a sitting president cant be indicted. One reporter raised this issue by cleverly trying to frame her question in such a way as to lead Barr into admitting that Mueller would have lodged a criminal charge of obstruction against Trump if not for that OLC ruling. Far from giving the reporter the answer she wanted, Barr stressed that when he and Rosenstein met with Mueller to discuss his punting the obstruction decision upstairs to them, Mueller assured them both several times that even if the OLC hadnt made such a finding, he still wouldnt have made an obstruction charge against the president. Mueller told Barr he simply couldnt reach a conclusion on his own as to whether or not to make a criminal charge, and the OLC ruling wasnt a factor. This clearly wasnt what the reporters in attendance wanted to hear. Reporters also asked Barr loaded questions that implied that since Mueller couldnt make up his mind about whether to charge the president with obstruction, the matter should now be handed over to the Democratic-controlled House to review all the evidence and continue the prosecution itself. Barr had to remind the press that the special counsel may release his report to Congress, but the special counsel works for and reports to the attorney general of the United States. And even if it worked in the manner the reporters were implying, that Mueller could turn over his obstruction investigation of Trump to Congress so that they could continue it, Congress can only make referrals for prosecution, and theyd ending making those referrals to you guessed it! Attorney General William Barr. The next loaded question Barr was asked implied he was somehow hiding or preventing Mueller from testifying publicly to Congress. The Fake News narrative behind that question is that Barr is lying about things Mueller told him personally, so he is keeping Mueller from speaking publicly and muzzling him so the truth cant come out. Barr quickly shot that down by stating he has no problem whatsoever with the special counsel coming and talking to House Democrats and their committee. Increasingly frustrated reporters then turned to ask Barr why he talked about the presidents state of mind: his frustration at being investigated by the special counsel. One reporter challenged Barr by saying his statements were overly generous to the president. When Barr said he didnt grasp what this claim was being based on, the reporter brought up his use of the word unprecedented to describe Trump having his presidency investigated by a special counsel for 22 months. In a completely deadpan manner, Barr asked the reporter if she could think of a precedent to a presidential campaign being investigated for two years for colluding with a foreign power. When the reporter quickly had to admit there was no precedent, Barr said Unprecedented is an accurate description then, isnt it? and moved on. When Barr was asked why Mueller and none of the members of the special counsels team were there for the press conference, Barr answered that he called the conference to discuss the public release of the final report that Mueller gave to him. Barr directly implied that nothing whatsoever is stopping Mueller himself from calling any press conference he wants to hold and talking to reporters himselfif thats what he wants to do. Barr clearly had little patience for anyone implying that he is somehow muzzling Mueller and preventing him from talking. Barr also had little patience for the final question, which implied he was doing something dishonest. Is it an impropriety for you to come out and sort of, what appears to be sort of spinning the report before the public gets a chance to read it? No, Barr answered, and ended the press conference as Rosenstein cracked a huge smile. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) is now demanding that Mueller testify before the panel no later than May 23. Democrats and the DNC Media have now been reduced to literally hoping Mueller will directly contradict what both Barr and the unredacted parts of his report clearly state. I wish them all the luck in the world with this strategy. Brian Cates is a writer based in South Texas and author of Nobody Asked For My Opinion But Here It Is Anyway! He can be reached on Twitter at @drawandstrike. What Was Obamas Role in the Trump Investigations? Commentary Now that special counsel Robert Muellers report has been published, we have a definite answer to the question of whether President Donald Trump colluded with Russia. There are many questions that remain, however, about the origins of the investigation into Trump. For example, why did the FBI investigate a presidential candidate, using false information paid for by the opposing political campaign? And why was the British government spying on members of the Trump campaign and passing this information onas unofficial intelligenceto the CIA director at the time, John Brennan, who then used it to push then-FBI Director James Comey to open the investigation of Trump? But perhaps the most significant, yet largely unexplored, question is this: What was President Barack Obamas involvement in the investigations? We know that several senior members of Obamas Cabinet either played an active role in the investigations, spied on the Trump campaign, or received the false information that he colluded with Russia. Secretary of State John Kerry, for example, had been made aware of the false information contained in the so-called Steele dossier. We know as much from an op-ed published by former Obama State Department official Jonathan Winer, who said he had received the information from Christopher Steele and had passed it on to high-ranking official Victoria Nuland, who felt that the secretary of state needed to be made aware of this material. Obama himself also had been given a summary of the Steele dossier, which was attached to an intelligence report by Brennan, Comey, and then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper in January 2017. Its possible that Obama might have received information contained in the Steele dossier from Brennan as early as August 2016. Obamas national security adviser, Susan Rice, along with his ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, had made hundreds of unmasking requests for the identities of members of the Trump campaign in intelligence reports. Power would later claim that someone else in the Obama administration had made the requests in her name. Then, there was an Oval Office meeting between Obama, Rice, Comey, and then-Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates on Jan. 5, 2017. The meeting was recounted by Rice in an unusual email she addressed to herself, sent 15 days after the meeting, on Jan. 20, 2017, the day of Trumps inauguration. The email was marked top secret, but parts of it have since been declassified. In the email, Rice wrote: The President stressed that he is not asking about, initiating or instructing anything from a law enforcement perspective. He reiterated that our law enforcement team needs to proceed as it normally would by the book. This raises the question of why Obama felt it was necessary to say those things, and why Rice felt it was necessary to recollect these statements to herself in an email on the day she was leaving the White House. Rices email also states that Obama told the officials to be mindful to ascertain if there is any reason that we cannot share information fully as it relates to Russia with the incoming Trump administration. Does this mean that potentially vital national security information was withheld from the Trump transition team over the false Russia-collusion allegations? Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who was then chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) felt compelled to question Rice in a Feb. 8, 2018, letter about the email, asking heramong other thingsDid President Obama ask about, initiate, or instruct anything from any other perspective relating to the FBIs investigation? Rices lawyer would respond to the letter later that month, saying she sent herself the email upon the advice of the White House Counsels Office. These are serious questions that deserve to be investigated. For over two years, the American public has been sold a fake narrative that Trump colluded with Russia to manipulate the 2016 presidential election in his favor. Getting to the bottom of how these investigations were started, what the exact actions were by officials entrusted with powerincluding the former presidentand whether any of them were politically motivated is key to restoring public trust in our institutions. NORWALK Mike McAvey came to Norwalk searching. McAvey, 29, had been raised Catholic but felt unfulfilled with the subdued nature of the Masses. He fell away from his faith as an adult. But by the time he moved from Virginia to Norwalk, in 2016, he felt a spiritual pull back religion, in part inspired by new churches with locations popping up nationwide, and internationally, such as Hillsong and Elevation, where Christian rock replaced solemn hymns, congregations were younger and more diverse than at most traditional places of worship, and pastors put on a rousing show stressing spirituality and community. I had seen those churches kind of from afar and I wanted to be a part of that. But I didnt live in an area where there was one of those, McAvey said, of his former home. In Norwalk, he Googled several churches before stumbling upon Broad River Church. In October of that year, he attended his first gathering a term the church feels is more participative and immediately felt at home. It just suited me, McAvey said. Kevin (Pastor Kevin Mullins) was super chill and it seemed like it was fun. So I went that first Sunday and I dont think Ive missed two weeks since. Mullins and his wife, Jacinta, have been lead pastors of the non-denominational Broad River Church since 2011, though it was then called the Church of the Good Shepherd, a Lutheran church with a congregation of just 13 people. Theyve since set out to modernize the church and, especially in the past 18 months, have overseen a large-scale face-lift. Gone are the pews in the small sanctuary in the churchs New Canaan Avenue space. In their place are rows are chairs, which can be moved depending on the number of people in attendance or the type of worship event. On the stage which is backed by a gray stone wall bedecked with a large cross illuminated in blue neon light are a drum kit, a piano, keyboard and several microphone stand, where the full band performs worship music. Its not too much of a rock n roll show. But we do have lights, Mullins said. Under the leadership of the Mullins and his wife, Broad River has also begun to provide Spanish translation of all gatherings, in an effort to draw a more diverse crowd that better represents Norwalks demographics. And, crucially, despite declining church-going populations, especially among millennials, and many churches being forced to make existential decisions, Broad River has roughly doubled in size over the last six months and has grown exponentially in the years since the Mullins took over. A second Sunday gathering was recently added and last week, between the two services, Mullins estimated just shy of 200 attendees. Its been a gradual climb out of near obscurity for Mullins and his congregation, and one that started at the beginning of his tenure at the church. From the beginning, I talked to the existing congregation about making changes. I was aware that denominational churches all over the country were going out of business, said Mullins, who moved to Connecticut with his family from Tennessee in 2007. I thought, at some point we have to say, Whats going to change? Its a little bit rigid to say, This is the way we do things. We really want to flip the switch and say, How do we minister to people in Norwalk in 2019? In terms of ideology, Mullins said the churchs teaching is based around the Apostles Creed, with four major hopes for each member of the congregation: that they come to know God, that they find freedom, that they discover purpose and that they make a difference. We believe the happiest people are as humans is when theyre connected in service to others. We want to demonstrate love, Mullins said. Broad River is not the only church in town experimenting with new ways to attract a crowd or expanding their services, even as other churches falter. Hillsong, the Australia-based mega church with a list of celebrity congregants that includes Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, began renting out the Wall Street Theater on Sundays for services and attracts a mostly young, highly diverse crowd from Fairfield County and beyond. And the Roman Catholic St. Mathew Church will soon celebrate the ground breaking of its brand new, state-of-the-art recreation center. But even as Broad River continues to grow in 2020, theres a plan to rent out space for services in South Norwalk Mullins hopes to maintain the same community-oriented feel. According to Sara Garcia, who came with her husband and children to the church three years ago and is now an elder and a member of the church council, gatherings still feel like a family affair. One of the things I really love is that, although we are a growing church, still when you walk in and out you feel a family environment. Everybodys really friendly, everybodys very welcoming and warm, Garcia said. According to Mullins, on a typical Sunday, congregants lingering after the 9 a.m. service are often met with hugs by those arriving for the 10:30 a.m. service in the lobby area, where couches and tables give the room a cafe feel. At Broad River, lingering is encouraged. Our world tends more and more toward isolationism. This is a place where people can counteract that, Mullins said. This space is about people being together. justin.papp@scni.com; @justinjpapp1; 203-842-2586 Zia Masood Kiani & Co Jobs for Managers Latest Zia Masood Kiani & Co Management Posts Peshawar 2021 Zia Masood Kiani & Co Peshawar, Pakistan are seeks candidates for the posts of Program Manager, Coordinator, School Safety Manager, Training Coordinator, Monitoring Officer, Evaluation Officer, Information Management Officer,Administrative Officer, Logistic Officer, District Coordinator, field Officer, Field Engineer, Security Guard. How to Apply on Zia Masood Kiani & Co Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. The Citizens Utility Board will host a question-and-answer session April 25 about utility bills, clean energy options and how to avoid rip-offs. In its 35th year, the organization is a nonprofit utility watchdog created by the state legislature. The organization is part of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, working to promote pro-consumer, clean-energy legislation in Illinois. EDWARDSVILLE New United States Census Bureau estimates released Thursday show population in Madison County has declined in the past year in line with a statewide trend. The 2018 estimate, 264,461, is also 1,010 fewer, or -0.38 percent, than the 2017 census estimate. The county lost 4,821 residents, or -1.82 percent, since the 2010 Census. Of 102 Illinois counties, 86 showed decreases of varying degrees and this year also marked the first time that every metropolitan area in the state recorded declines. Madison Countys drop may surprise some people, who would point to Edwardsvilles recent growth as a sign of more people not less. However, some of that growth, such as the new, off-campus college living areas, may be populated by some people who are not full-time county residents and other developments. While a declining population is not positive news, this is not a surprise. According to a Chicago Tribune article from December 2018, Illinois has lost residents for five consecutive years, and as a result, relinquished its position as the countrys fifth-largest state, said Desiree Bennyhoff, president and CEO of the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce. When residents and businesses leave, they take their checkbooks with them, she said. The impact is a diminishing tax base, a decrease in employers and job creators and fewer people to purchase goods and services from our remaining businesses. Bennyhoff said the state has outstanding institutions, including SIUE in our region but data from the Illinois Board of Higher Education shows that high school students are increasingly choosing out-of-state post-secondary education. The U.S. Department of Educations enrollment data demonstrated that in 2016, Illinois experienced the second greatest net loss of residents to colleges in other states. Whats most alarming is that they are not going far, she adds, in fact, in 2016, the most popular destinations were in Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, and Ohio. While insulating itself from these demographic shifts is a challenge for Madison County [as it is for any county in the state], my hope is that we can unite as a region with a goal of becoming the most competitive county in Illinois, she said. She cites Illinois assets, particularly in the realm of strong rail/road/river access, as plentiful. A key ingredient for which we consistently advocate is an environment that is inviting and welcomes private-sector job creators, she said. She said Illinois is home to an educated workforce, prosperous businesses and people who really love this state. Its time we all come together and demand from our state the excellence that we as Madison County residents expect and deserve. With that will come reinvestment and growth. I am interested in what the 2020 U.S. Census will reveal, Bennyhoff said. A top concern is the prediction that Illinois will lose up to two Congressional seats as a result, which means a decrease in national representation for Illinois residents. Whether we lose that representation because people dont respond to the census or because residents have moved out of the state, its a loss regardless. Neighboring Illinois counties faired mostly the same in relation to Madison County since 2010, with one exception, Monroe County (34,335), registered a gain of 1,378 people. Other neighboring county estimates: Bond (16,630) and Jersey (21,847) each shed 1,138 people; Calhoun (4,802) dropped 287; Clinton (37,639) lost 123; Macoupin (45,313) lost 2,452 people; while St. Clair (261,059) lost the most people at 8,997. These figures dont detail where people went, only population changes. On the Missouri side, census estimates show St. Louis City (302,838) lost the most residents since the previous census, with 16,456. Other estimates include St. Louis County (996,945), which shed 2,009 people, Jefferson County (224,347) gained 5,614 people while St. Charles County (399,182) gained 38,697 new residents. Nationally, the population continues to move southward and westward, according to a U.S. Census Bureau article published Thursday, especially to low-tax destinations such as Florida and Texas. One interesting trend we are seeing this year is that metro areas not among the most populous are ranked in the top 10 for population growth, said Sandra Johnson, a demographer in the Census Bureaus Population Division. Though no new metro areas moved into the top 10 largest areas, Phoenix, Seattle, Austin, and Orlando all experienced numeric increases in population since 2010, rivaling growth in areas with much larger populations. This trend is consistent with the overall growth we are seeing in the south and the west. Reach reporter Charles Bolinger at (618) 656-4700, ext. 31 The rural City of Marengo is located in western McHenry County, about 60 miles northwest of Chicago. It occupies about five square miles and is home to 7,496 residents, according to 2017 U.S. Census estimates. Marengo also is home to three separate school districts Marengo Community High School District 154, which supports one school; Marengo-Union Elementary School District 165, which supports three schools; and Riley School District 18, which also supports a single school. Thats three school districts serving five schools in a rural community with fewer than 10,000 residents. Thats also three superintendents earning taxpayer-funded, six-figure salaries as well as three administrative support staffs costing hundreds of thousands more. Marengo is the poster child for why school consolidation is a must in Illinois. A new report from the Metropolitan Planning Council shows that Illinois public school districts spend twice the national average $544 per student in Illinois compared to $226 nationally on administration expenses. Those costs largely are composed of the salaries and benefits of district superintendents and other administrative support staff. According to MPCs analysis, Illinois school districts spent more than $1.1 billion on general administration costs in Fiscal Year 2016. No other state in the country topped the billion dollar mark. The state of California serves more than three times the number of students in Illinois, yet spends 33 percent less on school administrative costs. Please keep in mind thats California a state not known for its frugality. The largest driver of this outrageous cost is the number of school districts in Illinois. There are 852 public school districts in the state, the highest total in the country. Of them, one in four supports a single school and more than 40 percent serve only one or two schools. The higher the number of school districts, the larger the administrative bloat. And, of course, schools districts largely are funded through property taxes. That administrative bloat is one of the fundamental reasons why Illinois homeowners are required to pay the second-highest property taxes in the United States. School district consolidation is a must for Illinois. Illinois lawmakers have attempted to prompt school districts to consolidate over the years with varying degrees of success mostly very little. This session, state Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, filed House Bill 3053, which passed unanimously last month in the House, 109-0. The measure would create the School District Efficiency Commission, which would be charged with recommending which school districts should be consolidated into unit districts based on an optimal amount of enrollment in each. Voters in each of the designated school districts recommended for consolidation could then vote on whether to move forward with the recommendations. The goal is to reduce the number of school districts by at least 25 percent. HB 3053 is the most significant effort Springfield has ever taken towards more efficient administration in education and ensuring the money taxpayers spend on schools makes it to classrooms first,Adam Schuster, director of budget and tax research for the Illinois Policy Institute, said. Illinois has had study commissions in the past and the experts have weighed in; nearly everyone understands that school district consolidation is the right thing to do. This bill takes the issue beyond more studies and discussions. If HB3053 is enacted, voters will finally be empowered to take real action to reduce bureaucratic waste in their schools. Lawmakers are in the first of a two-week spring break. They return to Springfield April 30. Passing HB3053 out of the Senate and then sending it to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his signature should be a top priority for a state that needs to begin chipping away at myriad unnecessary costs taxpayers are expected to fund. Dan McCaleb is editor of Illinois News Network and the digital hub ILNews.org. He welcomes your comments. Contact Dan at dmccaleb@ilnews.org. Among all the details revealed in the Mueller report about Russia's efforts to help Donald Trump get elected and a White House consumed by the president's fight to squelch the investigation there's an inescapable conclusion from a fair reading of the 440-page report: Over the past two years, major news organizations mostly got it right in their reporting about what the probe was uncovering and the president's efforts to choke it off, and the White House attacks on that reporting were largely false. This notion surely won't sit well with people who have decided to affix their loyalty to Trump no matter what. Even people who aren't Trump fans may think this is purely self-serving. But I cannot let this moment pass without speaking up for truth-telling, which is what the ethical practice of journalism is all about. And as the nation's eyes are fixed on a report that effectively weighed the credibility of the White House against the media, the facts showed that journalists did their job uncovering and reporting the truth despite flagrant and cynical attempts by Trump and his band of backers to discredit bad news even though it was true. For example: Mueller's report notes that in June 2017, Trump ordered White House counsel Don McGahn to fire Mueller; McGahn didn't do it, one of many times, Mueller found, that staffers protected the president from potentially criminal activity by not carrying out his orders. But when The New York Times reported the incident, Trump called it "fake news, folks." No, sir, it was true. Fakery is found elsewhere: The Washington Post Fact Checker column has tallied more than 9,000 false or misleading claims by Trump since he took office. This year he is averaging nearly 22 suspect statements daily. Even many of Trump's avid backers concede that you can't take what he says at face value, but they say it's just the way he talks. So what? On Capitol Hill, Republican legislators shake their heads and go along, because they're getting some of the policy changes they want. Truth is taking a beating in politics these days. Everybody knows it, but a lot of people don't care. More Information Rex Smith is editor of the Times Union. Contact him at rsmith@timesunion.com. See More Collapse It's not just the Mitch McConnells of the world, though, who turn a blind eye to truth's infirmity. On the campaign trail, Democratic contenders for Trump's job have noted that voters are more concerned about issues closer to their immediate lives, like health care, jobs, guns, climate change and college debt. No argument there; those are issues the next president must confront. But shrugging off dishonesty as a characteristic of our leaders isn't harmless. We can't as a culture become casual about truth as a value. Simon Blackburn, a Cambridge University philosophy professor whose book "On Truth" was published last year, notes that society has generally suffered a loss of authority there is now no agreed-upon way of getting at the truth. Lying, he says, is particularly pervasive in the political sphere. "The problem is that in politics, people get very attached to hope," Blackburn said in a Vox interview last year. "They hope for a vision which may or may not be realistic, and may or may not be grounded in truth and facts." We're all comforted by information that reinforces what we believe to be true, and the new media ecosystem now enables us to be siloed in a bubble of affirmation Fox and Brietbart on the right, MSNBC and HuffPost on the left. Psychologists tend to be sympathetic to this human tendency: We often believe lies because the consequences of the truth seem too painful to bear. It's self-protection, not immorality, that impels us to look the other way when truth challenges our champions' deceptions. But I'm hard-pressed to be so charitable to the commentators who claim the Mueller report "exonerated" Trump when it precisely did no such thing, nor can I countenance a narrative that claims the media owe Trump an apology because, after all, he wasn't charged with a crime. In fact, the Mueller report underscores the fact that the president and his aides have repeatedly distorted facts in an effort to diminish trust in the institutions that would hold him to account: the electoral system, law enforcement, the U.S. intelligence community, Congress and, of course, the news media. This may help preserve the Trump presidency, perhaps even until 2025, but the long term damage to America could be incalculable. Democracy depends upon a shared understanding of information, which citizens can trust as the basis for negotiation and progress. If we don't share evidence-based truth, the foundation of democracy is shaken. That's why the Mueller report is so important, and why its findings ought to disturb us all. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Salvatore Simarmata (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, April 20, 2019 09:42 973 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8733e5d0d 3 Opinion #2019GeneralElections,#2019PresidentialElection,2019-presidential-election,Joko-Widodo,Prabowo-Subianto Free All reputable quick-count results show that the incumbent presidential candidate Joko Jokowi Widodo gained the upper hand over his rival Prabowo Subianto with a vote share of 55 percent and 45 percent, respectively. Compared to 2014, the official vote share is nearly the same at 53.15 percent for Jokowi and 46.85 percent for Prabowo . For Jokowi, the insignificant developments of votes for him suggest little impact from five years of his term, which has provided free access for so many public goods, including education and a relatively stable economy. The result, though from quick counts, has been very much driven by personality rather than ideology or policy positions between the candidates. Unfortunately, it does not do service for our future democracy. If Jokowi had run against a new face with a good personality, experience and attractive image, the vote share might have been different. Regarding this point, Prabowo failed to take a lesson from his old ally, former president Megawati Soekarnoputri. True, vote choice is influenced by so many factors, including sociological and psychological dimensions. However, these factors have not set the two candidates significantly apart from each other at the poll. Surveys such as that from last March by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) show Jokowi and Prabowo actually share voters more or less of the same social economic background. Economic conditions have not been much better, even though most people surveyed have said they are satisfied with the work of the incumbent. Thus, there are still some other issues in the economy that have not been addressed. Further, party affiliations have severely faded compared to earlier elections, as surveys have shown. It is now the personality of the candidate that contributes more to the votes. The CSIS survey found the most significant character of presidential candidates in the minds of voters was that they were perceived as simple/close to the people/generous with 30 percent (CSIS, March). Until March, the approval rating of Jokowi was 71 percent and the perception of citizens in regard to economic conditions was better than last year and deemed in good condition for the whole term in office, according to a survey by Indikator in March. People see more candidates as an individual person rather than as a partys representatives who put forward ideologically distinctive policies. Political ideology is not something that is inherently different among our political parties. In contrast, they are converging, except for Pancasila versus Islamic distinctions, as scholars have noted. Similarly, the presidential debates failed to divulge striking differences and serious proposals for problem solving from both camps about the selected themes for the debates. The only visible differences were personal attributes such as social status, family, professional background, communication style and relations with others, including the press. In particular, although Prabowo had shown a quite significant change in his communication style during this second race, he still showed similarities to his 2014 style, such as rebuking journalists, which is not a good move for personal branding. He also displayed too much emotion; which is good for persuasion and communication clarity, but too much emotion suggests one is not in control. There are three critical consequences of this personalization of politics on our democracy. First, personalization of the election has given way for massive smear campaigning. Smear campaigning is directed toward individual backgrounds such as religion, family, values and characters, which often lead not only to mudslinging but hate speech If we had more of a policy-based presidential election, attacks would have been mostly directed at the policy proposals from each candidate. Only then attacking becomes fruitful for electoral discourse. Second, sooner or later political parties will get lazier. Parties would not really take it seriously and invest a lot in drafting policy proposals. They would certainly not invest in speeding up regeneration, resorting to the easier selection of potential leaders from outside of the party. This tendency will again focus more attention on personality rather than policy that the party claims it will implement if it wins the race. The election becomes less competitive because the battle rests on the less debatable personalities rather than policies. Third, the result is that politics becomes more of a private matter rather than a public affair. The way political cooperation and competition occur become heavily influenced by personal likes and dislikes among political elites and supporters that could cause perennial identity-based polarization. As researcher Mauro Calise argues, the affinity to rely on personal rather than collective and impersonal attributes such as policy and public goods is a sign of stunted social cohesion and increased volatility. Jokowis win reflects an entrenched staple of the personalization of politics in Indonesia, which could lead to a declining democracy. It is time to shift the gear toward policy-based elections by selecting presidential candidates or other executive election candidacies of more or less the same personal traits, experience and leadership. Then, the race will rest on policy. In 2024, we should see this shift, where parties nominate policy-oriented candidates. __________________ The writer is a PhD student at the Australian National University, Canberra. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Afifan Ghalib Haryawan (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, April 20, 2019 The maldistribution of health workers is a chronic problem in Indonesia. Many public health centers lack doctors while the incentive system to attract health workers to remote areas is still lacking. When presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto expressed concern for physicians who are paid less than parking officers, his audience went wild. Is the opinion valid? We were reminded of this disturbing question during the commemoration of World Health Day on April 7. Parking officers in the capital are paid according to the regional minimum wage, which is Rp 3.6 million (US$254.33) but this will reportedly increase to Rp 3.9 million this year. 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 Loh Keng Fatt (The Straits Times/Asia News Network) Sat, April 20, 2019 07:37 974 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8733e1fca 2 Lifestyle scandal,Hong-Kong,taxi,Celebrities Free Did the taxi driver break any law in selling a 16-minute video of Andy Hui's hanky-panky with Jacqueline Wong to newspaper Apple Daily? And is it acceptable when advertisers tap the Hong Kong scandal to promote their brands or messages? These issues have pushed to the front now that the initial storm over the misbehavior of the two celebrities has lost some thunder. Hui, 51, who is married to Cantopop superstar Sammi Cheng, 46, and TVB actress Wong, 30, have apologised for bringing pain and shame to their families and fans. Cheng has posted that she is willing to forgive Hui and move forward to protect their marriage. Amid the salacious details, the leaked video is now prompting Hong Kongers to think that their own privacy is at risk too. They are calling on the authorities to regulate the use of digital cameras in taxis. Currently, drivers are issued only with guidelines. Read also: Second South Korean star quits as K-pop sex scandal spreads Some folk suggest that the footage should be encrypted and accessed only by the authorities to settle disputes between the driver and passenger. Former Hong Kong chief executive Leung Chun Ying has slammed Apple Daily too, saying it is "openly offering money for photos and videos. Is this the function of the media?" The debate has even spilled over to nearby Macau which has warned taxi drivers not to illegally install recording equipment. Meanwhile, Hong Kong entities trying to milk the scandal for their own ends has drawn scorn. For instance, Mercedes-Benz captioned a photo of its S-class car, saying: "Tired of hiding in the shade? Why not cruise under the clear blue sky while it brings you to your destination in style?" The Independent Commission Against Corruption posted: "Don't think you can cheat by keeping things secret. Digital footprints and cameras are everywhere." Topics : This article appeared on The Straits Times newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marco Sibaja (Agence France-Presse) San Jose, Costa Rica Sat, April 20, 2019 22:34 973 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8733f3b49 2 Environment Costa-Rica,environment,environmental-issues,cars,pollution Free Eric Orlich and his wife Gioconda Rojas own two electric vehicles, which they charge at home in the garage thanks to solar panels on their roof. That could soon become the norm in Costa Rica, where the government launched a decarbonization plan in February to rid the country of fossil fuels by 2050. "It's totally realistic and necessary," said Orlich, a father of two who lives in a mountainous zone east of the capital San Jose. A businessman in the solar panel sector and president of the Association of Electric Mobility -- which promotes electric-powered transport -- what excites him the most about the government's plan is the focus on public transport. The aim is to have 70 percent of public transport powered by electricity in 2035 -- and the whole fleet by 2050. That is an achievable goal according to diplomat Cristiana Figueres, who in 2015 participated in talks to secure the Paris climate accord on limiting global warming. "The government prudently set the 2050 date because that's what the Paris Agreement demands but I'm confident we'll manage it before then," Figueres told AFP. "Once we've implemented the process of electrifying transport and relaunched a more efficient agriculture and livestock sector, we shall see an exponential effect on technological change" that will accelerate decarbonization, she added. Read also: Elusive molecule, first in Universe, detected in space - 'Car no longer king' - Leftist President Carlos Alvarado's plan is set to extend beyond public transport to incorporate industry, agriculture and livestock, as well as a reforestation program aimed at increasing woodland from 50 to 60 percent of the country. Further elements include modernizing waste management and a green tax reform to replace the loss of fuel tax revenues. "This is a change in our social dynamic and our economy," first lady Claudia Dobles, an architect responsible for the urban regeneration program, told AFP. "By 2050 our urban and rural landscape is going to look very different, with nicer towns... where the car will no longer be king." With regard to transport, there are two key components: an electric train serving the San Jose metropolitan area -- the most densely populated in the country -- and modernization of the bus network. The aim is for people to be able to easily access the bus or train by foot or bicycle and connect to the entire public transport system -- ending the reign of the car, largely responsible for the capital's pollution and congestion problems. - No congestion solution - The plan has its critics, though, such as analyst Juan Carlos Hidalgo, from the Washington-based Cato Institute, who says it fails to consider the costs. He said the plan doesn't take into account the "principle of cost-benefit" but only the "zero emissions goal." "It's a goal without economic foundations," he told AFP. For his part, bicycle use activist David Gomez says the plan lacks ambition when it comes to non-motorized transport and won't solve San Jose's traffic problems. "We need incentives so people feel motivated to leave the car behind and use a bicycle, which is a more powerful decarbonization measure than changing a fuel car for an electric one," he said. And Dobles admits the plan won't alleviate congestion. "The challenges of mobility and displacement will remain. It's not because we'll have better technology and more intelligent systems that we'll stop having mobility problems," she said. Figueres says all countries need to decarbonize their economies in the face of climate change, but in that regard, Costa Rica does at least has an advantage. Amongst wind, hydro, solar and geothermal energy, the tiny Central American country of five million people is already only 1.5 percent off achieving total self-sufficiency in renewable energy. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dyaning Pangestika (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, April 20, 2019 15:04 973 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8733edf47 1 World election,Indonesia,general-elections,Australia,foreign-affairs Free Australia is looking forward to strengthening its relationship with Indonesia in light of the latter's success in holding the presidential and legislative elections, the Australian foreign minister stated on Saturday. Through her Twitter account @MarisePayne, she congratulated Indonesia for running the presidential and legislative elections. Congratulations to Indonesia on the historic running of its presidential and legislative elections. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our Australia - Indonesia comprehensive strategic partnership, Marise tweeted on her account on Saturday. The tweet was translated into Indonesian by Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Gary Quinlan on the same day. https://twitter.com/MarisePayne/status/1119432219167080448?s=20 The Indonesian general election, which this year was held on April 17, is the world's biggest one-day election. Over 190 million Indonesians were estimated to have cast their votes at over 800,000 polling stations across the country. Early vote count results indicate that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is likely to win the election. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Markus Makur (The Jakarta Post) East Manggarai Sat, April 20, 2019 19:05 973 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8733f2556 1 National Good-Friday,easter Free A priest called on people to restore peace during a Good Friday service in front of thousands of Catholics in East Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara, two days after the country held legislative and presidential elections. Reverend Eduardus Tanis, who led the White Thursday and Good Friday services in the Santo Arnoldus-Josef Waelengga Parish Church, said peace should be restored following the general election. "The general election was held on Wednesday. Let's now focus on the White Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday celebrations. Let's go back to restoring peace amid the differences in our choices for executive leaders and representatives of the legislative bodies," he said. Thousands participated in the Good Friday ritual of kissing the Christian cross in the church. "Let's rely on the God, whom we believe in, and maintain our peace in the name of love," the priest told the participants of the service. "My husband and I have exercised our rights as citizens by casting ballots to choose the leaders of Indonesia for the next five years. Now, as part of the Catholic community, we are participating in the Easter celebrations," parish member Maria Daflora Echo, told The Jakarta Post on Friday. (ars) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Badung, Bali Sat, April 20, 2019 15:30 973 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8733efd6d 1 National Bali-Airport,domestic-flight-check-in,Air-Asia,Lion-Air,Ngurah-Rai-International-Airport,NgurahRaiAirport Free Several check-in counters for domestic flights at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Badung, Bali, have been temporarily moved to the international terminal after fire broke out in the domestic terminal on Friday afternoon. Passengers flying with Air Asia and Lion Air have been directed to Island E at the international departure terminal for check-in since Saturday. The head of the airports communication and legal section, Arie Ahsanurrohim, said that counters 23 to 62 in the domestic terminal would be closed for the next 72 hours. It is predicted that all check-in counters would be reopened in the domestic terminal on April 22. Boarding gates 1 to 6 in the domestic terminal would operate as normal. All International check-ins for Air Asia will be relocated from Island E to Island A at the international departure terminal, Arie added. Domestic flight check-ins for Garuda Indonesia, Sriwijaya Air, Nam Air and Citilink remain in the domestic terminal at counters 1 to 22. Fridays fire had disrupted at least 19 flights before it was extinguished after 30 minutes by at least three Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) units and three pumper trucks of the Badung Fire Agency. No casualties were reported. The fire started at 4:50 p.m. local time and was extinguished at about 5:20 p.m. The terminal was evacuated and all passengers remained safe. There were four Lion Air, five Garuda Indonesia, two NAM Air, two Batik Air, one Wings Air, one Air Asia, three Citilink and one Sriwijaya Air flights disrupted. Some flights did depart on Friday night. The fire did not affect the airport runaway. While the police are still investigating the cause of the fire, it is expected that all activities and check-in counter arrangements would get back to normal by April 23. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefanno Reinard Sulaiman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, April 20 2019 Incumbent President Joko Jokowi Widodo, who early vote counts show will retain the presidency, has alot of work ahead of him in the energy sector, according to energy watchdogs. Local energy think-tank Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) executive director Fabby Tumiwa said the energy sector needed to be improved. He needs to focus on improving infrastructure quality, services and increasing investment, Fabby told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. 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 Syofiardi Bachyul and Dyaning Pangestika (The Jakarta Post) Padang/Jakarta Sat, April 20 2019 Night reader: A local poll administrator (KPPS) uses a smartphone to check ballots during the vote count on Wednesday at Lolu Utara, Palu, Central Sulawesi. The vote count ended past midnight.(Antara/Basri Marzuki) Many local poll administrators (KPPS) worked through the night counting votes for the presidential and legislative elections on April 17. Khalid Syaifullah, the chief of a KPPS in Kuranji district in Padang, West Sumatra, told The Jakarta Post that neither he nor his team had slept in the last 29 hours as they had to finish counting votes and complete an election report. 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, April 20, 2019 19:23 973 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8733f2691 4 City #2019GeneralElections,#2019PresidentialElection,2019-elections,2019-election-vote-counting,polling-stations,KPU,jakarta,KPU-Jakarta Free One polling officer has died from fatigue while a number of others reportedly became ill during the 2019 election, from the preparations to after polling day on April 17, an official has said. There are many polling officers who got ill and one died a day before election day from exhaustion, the commissioner of the Jakarta office of the General Elections Commission (KPU Jakarta), Nurdin, said on Saturday as reported by kompas.com. He said the deceased officer had been working at a polling station in West Jakarta. The office received reports from polling stations on the conditions of their officers. There are officers who got sick in each municipality and were admitted to hospitals. There was more than one person in each area, he said, adding that he did not know the exact number of officers who have fallen ill. Nurdin said most of the cases were caused by fatigue. He said the workload during these elections, in which the presidential and legislative polling was conducted concurrently, was heavier and took more energy and time than previous elections. In the 2019 simultaneous elections, voters cast ballots to choose candidates for president and members of the House of Representatives (DPR), Regional Representative Council (DPD) and regional legislative councils (DPRD). The extra workload more or less impacted the minds and strength of the officers. Besides that, the budgets for them were also the same as in the previous elections, although the work load was a lot more, Nurdin added. (das) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Asip Hasani (The Jakarta Post) Blitar, East Java Sat, April 20 2019 The Trenggalek Police in East Java have arrested a fellow officer for his alleged complicity in the theft of sonokeling (rosewood) logs on a state-owned road in Tulungagung regency. Police general crimes unit head Comr. Adj. Sumi Andra said the officer, identified only as Chief Brig. S., was declared a suspect after legal procedures were followed. We have established S. as a suspect. This has been an upsetting turn of events since S. is a member of the force, Sumi said on Monday. 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 Toby Sterling (Reuters) Amsterdam, The Netherlands Sat, April 20, 2019 11:43 973 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8733eb641 2 News tulips,Netherlands,tourism,spring Free As spring flower fields around the Netherlands burst into bloom, painting the countryside with dazzling swathes of red, white, and blue, a modern-day tulip bubble may be forming: tourists. More than a million foreign sightseers are expected to visit this country of 17 million people on Easter weekend, a record, the Dutch Tourism Bureau said on Thursday. Director Jos Vranken said he expects them to spend 300 million euros -- a boon for the national economy. Many are attracted to the country's museums and other cultural offerings, but in April, the flower fields and Keukenhof flower show in The Hague top many "must see" lists. While flower lovers and the photographs they share on social media are free advertising for the country's tourism, cut flower and bulb industries, it isn't all a bed of roses. "That has a downside," Vranken said. "Farmers are having increasing damage to their fields from tourists taking photos." Foreign and Dutch tourists alike have learned to use "Flower Radar" websites to identify where fields are in bloom, especially in the main bulb-growing centre known as the "Bollenstreek" along the coast between Haarlem and Leiden. DO NOT TIPTOE THROUGH THE TULIPS Signs and barricades -- now printed in Chinese and English -- saying "Enjoy the Flowers, Respect Our Pride" have gone up at the edge of many fields. They illustrate the concept that taking photos at the edge of a field is okay, but actually walking among the flowers to take pictures ruins them. Meanwhile, farmers in less-promoted areas of the country sense an opportunity. In Creil, northwest of Amsterdam, one enterprising group has set up a "Tulip Experience" complete with designated selfie area, hundreds of tulip varieties on display, helicopter tours, food and drinks, and bouncy castles for kids. Topics : tulips Netherlands tourism spring Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, April 21, 2019 06:28 973 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8733f61a4 4 News DMZ,demilitarized-zone,South-Korea,North-Korea,Korea,hiking,hiking-trails Free South Korea has approved a budget to build hiking trails in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea. The project is a follow up to an inter-Korean agreement made in September 2018 with the objective to turn the DMZ into a zone of peace, Lonely Planet reported. The buffer zone separating the two Koreas is 250 kilometers long and 4 km wide. Three hiking trails will be built in Paju, Cheorwon and Goseong in the western, central and eastern part of the DMZ, respectively. By the end of April, outdoor enthusiasts can expect to hit the trails in Goseong. Read also: Green trail of Ansan embracing Seoulites seeking quick getaway The area has separated North and South Korea since 1953, and the two countries technically remain in conflict. Since the DMZ is one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world, safety measures will be implemented. Hikers will be required to wear bulletproof vests and helmets, and they will be accompanied by military personnel. Visitors wishing to explore the DMZ hiking trails will need to enter a draw available on the South Korean Ministry of Interior and Safety and the Korea Tourism Organizations websites. (sop/wng) 2 hours ago Ransomware persists even as high-profile attacks have slowed WASHINGTON (AP) In the months since President Joe Biden warned Russia's Vladimir Putin that he needed to crack down on ransomware gangs in his country, there hasnt been a massive attack like the one last May that resulted in gasoline shortages. Read Article For me as a mother of three, I dreamed of the day when my children would become parents themselves. My first grandbaby was born a month ago and the new, healthy addition to my family is such a blessing and I am so very thankful. I didnt realize that my worry as a mom would now double as a grandmom. Right now, my biggest worry is who is going to take care of my grandbaby when his parents are working. Thats because Michigans child care system is a mess. Ive seen it first hand, both as a parent and as an advocate for affordable safe care for our children. Nearly half of our states children live in child care deserts. Working parents all over the state including my son and daughter-in-law are struggling more than ever to pay for it. The cost of paying for one childs care can exceed the cost of a years rent. Because of this, my daughter-in-law is looking for part-time work that will allow her to take a shift opposite of my son, to cut down on their childcare expenses. The families that feel the brunt of Michigans child care crisis are families struggling the most to get by. Fewer than 10 percent of Michigan families who qualify for assistance with child care costs actually receive it. And the state still has one of the lowest income eligibility limits in the country now at $27,729 for a family of three. Last year, Michigan received $63 million to address the child care needs of children up to age three and make child care more affordable for low-income families. State officials want to use all the funding to expand universal pre-K. While I always applaud efforts to get more children enrolled in preschool, we need to also address the child care accessibility and affordability crisis. Its not an either-or situation. Its both child care and pre-K. More than 65 percent of parents in the state work and we do not have enough available child care spaces for every family seeking care. Detroit needs more than 20,000 child care slots to address the needs of families with children too young for pre-K. Accessing and affording child care isnt just a problem for low-and-middle income families. My best friend who has two masters degrees had to step away from her career as a Community Planner for a year because she couldnt afford the cost of care for more than one child. My friends story is not rare given that child care for two children costs on average nearly $18,000. In fact, I know of other moms who have turned down promotions at work or who are working part-time so they can be home with their children. How can we expect Michigan families to thrive if they cant find affordable, safe child care providers? Its a struggle I remember all too well. As a young mom, I received child care assistance with my first child. But because the states income limit to qualify for help is so low, I didnt qualify with my second child. My husband and I made $50 too much. We had to scrounge together an extra $100 per pay period to pay for part-time child care. I still remember leaving work every day at lunchtime to take my middle child from one care provider to another because we couldnt afford full-day care. Its shameful that my Michigan child care story is still relevant 15 years later, but we can fix it. It takes all of us, parents and early childhood educators, to call our state representatives and ask them to increase the family income limit for child care assistance; increase how much the state pays providers for low-income children in their care; and increase the hourly pay for early childhood educators. With these changes, we can provide Michigans next generation with a strong foundation for their future. My grandson is counting on me. Tameka Ramsey of Lake Orion is a mom, new grandmother, and a grassroots leader with Mothering Justice in Ferndale. In Big Joke saga, border patrol boss gets last laugh BANGKOK: The chief of the border patrol police has been named head of immigration police, replacing Pol Lt Gen Surachate Big Joke Hakparn, a high-profile leader who was transferred to an inactive position in early April. immigrationpolicepolitics By Bangkok Post Saturday 20 April 2019, 10:20AM Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang, commissioner of the Border Patrol Police Bureau, was transferred to lead the Immigration Bureau (IB) at a meeting of the Police Board presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday (Apr 19). Photo: Bangkok Post Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang, commissioner of the Border Patrol Police Bureau, was transferred to lead the Immigration Bureau (IB) at a meeting of the Police Board presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday (Apr 19). Gen Prawit declined to elaborate on the sudden removal of Maj Gen Surachate, who is believed to have close ties with him. No panel will be set up to investigate Pol Lt Gen Surachate. The case is closed, he said. Police chief Gen Chakthip Chaijinda said Gen Sompong would replace Gen Surachate while Pol Lt Gen Wichit Paksa, commander of the Commissioner-Generals Office and police officer attached to the National Security Council, will replace Gen Sompong as the border patrol police commissioner. The reshuffle, which involves 55 positions ranging from major general to general, will take effect after it is published in the Royal Gazette. Gen Chakthip on April 5 transferred Gen Surachate from the Immigration Bureau to the central operation centre at the National Police Office and removed him from all task forces. Four days later, the cabinet approved his transfer to the Prime Minister's Office as a civilian. On the same day, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha used his special powers under Section 44 of the interim charter to add him to the list of civil servants suspended pending an investigation for irregularities. Gen Surachate shot to fame after he was assigned several high-profile cases. He regularly held briefings on arrests involving at least 2-3 cases a day, ranging from street racing to the illegal entry of foreigners. He was chief of the tourist police before leading the immigration police. Read original story here. Navy in motion to remove Phuket seastead PHUKET: The Royal Thai Navy today (Apr 20) conducted another inspection of the controversial seastead south of Phuket that is to be removed as soon as practically possible without delay. By The Phuket News Saturday 20 April 2019, 04:54PM The inspection today follows Royal Thai Navy spokesman Vice Admiral Karn Dee-ubon issuing a statement yesterday (Apr 19) to present the Navys version of events in the seastead saga. Photo: Royal Thai Navy The Royal Thai Navy conducted another inspection of the controversial seastead today, with plans to remove it as soon as possible. Screengrab: Royal Thai Navy The Royal Thai Navy conducted another inspection of the controversial seastead today, with plans to remove it as soon as possible. Screengrab: Royal Thai Navy The Royal Thai Navy conducted another inspection of the controversial seastead today, with plans to remove it as soon as possible. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The inspection, conducted with reporters on board, showed no residents on the platform at the time of the visit. The Phuket News reporter on board was told that the Navy had already made one attempt to remove the structure, but had to abandon that effort for reasons not explained. The Phuket News was also told today that officials will meet tomorrow to finalise the plan to have the structure dismantled and removed from the site, with another attempt possible as early as Monday. The inspection today follows Royal Thai Navy spokesman Vice Admiral Karn Dee-ubon issuing a statement yesterday (Apr 19) to present the Navys version of events in the seastead saga that has resulted in Phuket and Thailand suffering from headlines in international media like US man may face death penalty for living on floating home in Andaman Sea or Bitcoin couple may face death penalty in Thailand over seasteading effortand similar. The Navy started its statement by saying that American national Chad Andrew Elwartowsky, 46, and his Thai partner announced via YouTube their success in establishing an autonomous region in the middle of the sea near Phuket. On behalf of Ocean Builders project the couple organised construction and installation of a floating house outside of Thai territorial sea, the statement said. According to the statement, the seasteading platform was constructed by Phuket Premier Boatyard Co Ltd and successfully installed at 7 29.37 N, 98 34.91 E, which is about 14.8 nautical miles southeast of Racha islands and within the Thailands contiguous zone (and thus within Thailands exclusive economic zone as well). Unlike many previous media reports, the Navys statement makes it clear that the seastead is not within Thai territorial waters, but still within the zone over which the Kingdom of Thailand has special rights regarding exploration of resources, construction of structures and so on. According to the Navys timeline of events which doesnt fully coincide with previous reports first actions were taken on April 12, when an aircraft was sent to locate the aforementioned seasteading platform. On April 13 another inspection was conducted, this time by navy patrol ship Tor 991. Officials checked the platform but found no residents on it. Later the same day the Navy and Phuket officials held a press conference for media and started checks of Phuket businesses which may have built the seastead, the statement says. Then, on April 15, the Navy filed a criminal charge with local police against Mr Elwartowski for alleged breach of Section 119 of the Criminal Code, which concerns any acts that cause the country or parts of it to fall under the sovereignty of a foreign state or deterioration of the states independence. Of note, previously it was reported that charges were filed on April 12 and not against Mr Elwartowski alone, but also against his Thai partner Supranee Nadia Thepdet. The latter is not even named in the statement. Only twice does the statement mention Mr Elwartowski and his wife (). The Navy states that by April 17 Immigration Police revoked Mr Elwartowskis permission to stay in Thailand and his name was added to the immigration blacklist. Meanwhile, Wichit Police continued collecting evidence on the case while provincial official were coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get the US Embassy involved. Phuket Premier Boatyard named as the builder of the seastead was inspected and found operating without a necessary factory license. The shipyard was ordered to stop operations immediately, the statement said. The Phuket office of the Marine Department issued a warning for all boats to exercise caution in the area where the seastead is located and to not interfere with it in any way as it is considered to be evidence in a criminal case. The statement said that the object should have had removed by the owner within 30 days in accordance with the Navigation in Thai Waters Act (1913), but as it had not been removed by the owner, the Phuket Marine Office and the Royal Thai Navy will take it ashore on their own. Then the object will be seized as evidence, the statement added. The platform should be removed from its current location and taken ashore next Monday (April 22), said a reporter of The Phuket News present at the announcement. The official statement did not mention when exactly the 30-day deadline expired. It was also not clarified whether the owner (be it Mr Elwartowski or Ocean Builders) ever received an order to do so. Yet, the statement stressed that since learning about the alleged breach of law the Navy had followed all legal procedures, notified relevant authorities and followed the laws. The Navy did not send troops to follow or threaten Mr Elwartowski as he and his partner told foreign media, the statement said. The statement also warned against any people attempting to exploit loopholes in the law to proceed without requesting permission from the authorities of Thailand in any way in order to build a permanent settlement in the sea by claiming it is outside the sovereignty of the state. Doing so could have enormous effects on the stability of Thailand and will affect the economy, society and the interests of the nation, the statement read. If no corrective action is taken such problems may be broadened and become difficult to resolve, it noted. In order to protect the independence, sovereignty and national security of the sea that no one can violate, the Navy therefore has coordinated with various agencies that are responsible for enforcing laws to continue to solve this problem according to the relevant laws, the statement added. Patong police, taxi drivers meet to discuss service, behaviour PHUKET: Patong Police and officials from relevant government offices held their first meeting with taxi drivers to talk about drivers behaviour and find ways to improve service quality in order to make tourists more impressed. tourismtransportpatongpoliceSafety By Waranya Prompinpiras Saturday 20 April 2019, 11:50AM We want public transport drivers in Patong area to be good and welcoming hosts for tourists, Col Anotai said following the meeting. Photo: Patong Police We want public transport drivers in Patong area to be good and welcoming hosts for tourists, Col Anotai said following the meeting. Photo: Patong Police We want public transport drivers in Patong area to be good and welcoming hosts for tourists, Col Anotai said following the meeting. Photo: Patong Police We want public transport drivers in Patong area to be good and welcoming hosts for tourists, Col Anotai said following the meeting. Photo: Patong Police We want public transport drivers in Patong area to be good and welcoming hosts for tourists, Col Anotai said following the meeting. Photo: Patong Police Chaired by Patong Police Chief Col Anotai Jindamanee, the meeting was held yesterday (April 19) at Patong Police Station. Present for the meeting were officials from various government offices as well as representatives of taxi, tuk-tuk and motorcycle taxi drivers. Local scion and head of Patong Development Foundation Preechavude Prab Keesin was among the attendees as well. Talking to The Phuket News today (April 20), Col Anotai explained that the aim of the meeting was that was to discuss service issues with the drivers and let them share their opinions in turn. Another meeting has already been scheduled to take place at Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa on May 8. We decided to hold this meeting to gather opinions from motorcycle taxi drivers, regular taxi drivers and tuk-tuk drivers. We did this as we want public transport drivers in Patong area to be good and welcoming hosts for tourists and provide them great service, Col Anotai said. We would like to improve our service to make tourists more impressed. Also we want all drivers to have good manners, refrain from creating problems or having any disputes again, he added. According to Col Anotai's plan, the second meeting should end up with organisation of a special committee to manage public transport issues and solve problems. The committee should include representatives from Patong Police, Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO), Patong Municipality, Royal Thai Army, Patong Development Foundation and taxi drivers. The meeting at Patong Police Station follows the announcement of an attitude adjustment session for taxi drivers earlier this month. The announcement was made after two tourists were viciously beaten by a group of drivers in the tourism town on March 28, though PLTO Chief Banyat Kantha assured The Phuket News that the training had already been planned before the violent attack. We set up this training for public transport drivers before this incident. Their behaviour needed to be improved anyway, Mr Banyat said. Lt Col Santi Sakuntanark, Commander of the Royal Thai Armys 25th Military Circle confirmed that the military would also take part in the training. This training is the PLTOs job to do, but they dont have many officers so we are happy to support them in doing their job, Col Santi said. Regarding the usual behaviour of Phukets public transport drivers, he agreed with Mr Banyat. The behaviour needs to be improved for better service, Col Santi said. Our main purpose is to protect our tourism. We will cover the issues of law enforcement, public transport drivers licenses, parking spaces, being service-oriented when serving tourists and not extorting them, and so on, he explained. We do this to protect the tourism industry of the nation, he repeated (read more here). Residents, hotels blamed for Nai Yang canal pollution PHUKET: Sirinath National Park Chief Vitoon Dechpramualpol responded to online complaints over polluted, stinky canal running through Nai Yang area and threatening to empty into the sea. environmentmarinepollution By Waranya Prompinpiras Saturday 20 April 2019, 10:09AM Photos posted on Facebook show wastewater in the canal running through Sirinath National Park. Photo: Seang Prachachon Kon Phuket Talking to The Phuket News, Mr Vitoon admitted that online complaints over the condition of Nai Yang canal have substance, but claimed that he has no authority to do anything about it as the source of pollution is outside Sirinath National Park. Photos of putrid Nai Yang canal were posted on Seang Prachachon Kon Phuket Facebook Page this Friday (April 19). The pictures showed black water in the canal while comments added that it also smells unpleasant according to local residents. Concerns we also expressed about the possibility of black water reaching the sea when rains come and water level in the canal rises. The canal in the pictures is the one in Sirinath National Park and it has the wastewater problem described in the online complaint, Mr Vitoon admitted. I am aware of the problem and already reported it to the Regional Environment Department Region 15 office and the Phuket office of the Environment Department. I asked them to come, conduct checks and find a solution, he added. Mr Vitoon believes that the sources of pollution are houses and hotels located outside Sirinath National Park where he has no authority to take actions. I can't solve the problem myself. That's why I need officials from the Regional Environment Department Region 15 office and the Phuket office of the Environment Department to come and discuss it, Mr Vitoon said. For Subscribers 2021 could be busiest-ever year for Watertown Regional Airport Todd Syhre told board members the airport's new terminal building is progressing well. Most exterior work is done, and drywall is being installed. The Morning Rumble Listener Tim got hit by 3 cars on the motorway after pulling over to help someone Roger Waters joined his ex-bandmate, Nick Mason onstage to perform a classic Pink Floyd track, 'Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun' in New York City. The rare surprise show took place at Beacon Theatre where Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets are on their first North American tour. You can watch the performance below. You can also see Waters playing on the gong at one point during the set before returning to take a bow alongside the band at the end of the show. The Tarragon Theatre production of Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story is a homecoming for Hannah Moscovitch. I feel weirded out, not premiering in Toronto. Its this feeling of wanting your mom to see something and I guess Toronto is my mom? Moscovitch told the Star just before rehearsals started for Old Stock. If it hasnt happened in Toronto, has it really happened? The concert/play hybrid premiered in Halifax in 2016 and has travelled a lot since then: New York, Sydney, Victoria, Montreal, Edinburgh, the Netherlands the list goes on. Were in the midst of a 30-city tour, said director Christian Barry, who cocreated the show with Moscovitch and musician Ben Caplan. Upcoming stops will take them to Ottawa, Vancouver, Winnipeg, China, London and more, and likely back to Europe and Australia. Frankly, when all of us set out on this journey around three years ago we didnt know we were signing up for the next three years of our lives to be performing back to back to back to back, said Barry, who is married to Moscovitch. But before the journey continues, Toronto finally gets to see this show that the New York Times called a neo-klezmer musical thats didactic and anarchic, tragic and comic, earning six Drama Desk nominations in 2018. Tarragon Theatre, which has premiered almost all of Moscovitchs works, from her 2007 breakout East of Berlin to 2015s Infinity, will host the Old Stock team for the Toronto premiere, including Caplan, musicians Graham Scott and Jamie Kronick, and Dani Oore and Mary Fay Coady, who alternate between acting and music. It officially opens Wednesday night. I have such a long relationship to Tarragon; to me, it does feel like home, Moscovitch said. Maybe because of who I am and what I am, when I think of home I think of feeling safe. And Tarragon makes me feel safe. Though unexpected by the shows three creators, Old Stocks intense global tour and, now, the idea of coming home to Toronto adds complex layers to the shows subject matter: The story of Moscovitchs great-grandparents, Chaim and Chaya Moscovitch. They immigrated to Canada in 1908, fleeing the dangers of the Jewish pogroms in Romania, which she discovered accidentally while visiting Halifaxs Pier 21 museum with her then newborn son, Elijah, and a visiting aunt. Its so stupidly unemotional when you say it, but it made for this giant internal epiphany, she said. They pull out the papers and say, This is the date he arrived and at this time, and this is the name of the boat. And Im standing there with my son, in this spot. There was a line between life and death and they crossed it here. And from this date comes my grandfather, my father, me and my son. My brain felt like it got rearranged in that moment. At the same time, Barry had begun experimenting on a collaboration with klezmer bandleader Caplan. The devastating photos of dead Syrian boy Alan Kurdi had recently surfaced and Stephen Harpers comment about old stock Canadians during a federal election debate was in the air, too. Caplan and Barry were motivated to work on a show that tapped into the conversation around the Syrian refugee crisis. Obviously, we were trying to be sensitive and not appropriate a story that wasnt our own. And it was in that kind of moment of not being exactly sure what this musical collaboration was going to be about when Hannah came home from Pier 21 and told me the story of what she had uncovered, Barry said. Caplans ancestry, too, connects to similar areas of Romania, with family members who immigrated to Canada to escape Jewish persecution, settling in Ontario. For Ben and for Hannah, as Jews in Canada, theyve lived their lives as white citizens in the country of Canada and they were probably included in Stephen Harpers definition of old stock Canadians, Barry said. Which pointed out the very absurdity of the phrase by saying, OK, well at what point did they become old stock Canadians? There was a period of anti-Semitism into which Chaya and Chaim arrived in Canada. The things that were being said, even in the newspapers at the time, were shocking but not totally dissimilar to the Islamophobia of the current moment. In some ways, if I am supposed to be included in this lucky club, its at the expense of denying my more complex identity, Caplan added. And I think saying that because I am a third-generation white guy that Im just an old stock Canadian is this colonial move to deny the more complex sub-identity that exists within me. Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story is meant to put a human face on the refugee experience, Barry said. Instead of focusing on the specifics of the Jewish programs in Romania, the show is singing songs and telling stories that evoke joy and sorrow and pain and humour to expose the underpinnings, the human underpinnings, of the issue. But that doesnt mean Caplan lets the audience off the hook. The show is set in 1908, but it isnt about 1908. We walk out onstage and we say, Hello, Toronto! We acknowledge the place that were in and we take time, in the show, to speak to the audience and make them feel a little bit uncomfortable, to pose questions and make them put their own consciences on the line, he said. Were trying to avoid the possibility that they would walk out of the theatre and go, That was a lovely presentation, and then go back to their lives. Or, as Barry put it, Caplans wanderer character grabs the audience by the lapels and pulls them a little deeper into the story and hes not afraid to use a few well-placed, playful profanities if thats whats required to get the audiences attention. Immersed in a story about how crossing borders can mean life or death, the creators acknowledge that the amount of travelling theyve done with Old Stock puts mobility and immigration in a new light. Our level of privilege is apparent to us in the ease with which we are able to cross borders. There have been a few staggered, very minor, inconveniences and those have only highlighted the relative ease with which we are able to cross international boundaries, Caplan said. And I think we have a responsibility as artists and as people of privilege to take advantage of that to push peoples buttons and to make them think. To Moscovitch, Old Stock coming home to Toronto has a resonance with this autobiographical story that shes eager to experience. In a way, its a love letter to Canada, so when I show it to Canadians its like Im showing us our story. The 2b theatre company production of Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story is at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace, 30 Bridgman Ave., until May 26. See tarragontheatre.com for information. Update - Nov. 24, 2020: Orjon Leska was found not guilty on the charge of sexual assault in April 2018. Toronto police say they have charged an Uber driver in connection with two separate sexual-assault investigations Saturday morning. Police responded to a call on Sept. 6, 2018, at approximately 1:15 a.m. for a sexual assault incident in the Dundas St. E and Sackville St. area. It is alleged that a 24-year-old woman entered a Black Infiniti SUV which she believed was her Uber ride, police write in a news release. Once she was inside the car, the male driver did not allow her to exit and instead drove to a secluded area. Police say the man then sexually assaulted her and continued to drive around before finally allowing the victim to exit the SUV. She then called the police. Earlier this month, on April 8, officers began a sexual-assault investigation after an incident at 1 p.m. that afternoon in the Royal York Rd. and Evans Ave. area. It is alleged that a 21-year-old woman entered a black SUV and was not allowed to exit. She was driven to the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant in Mississauga, where she tried to get assistance from a bystander, police said. The male driver then drove to a secluded side street where he sexually assaulted her, police said. The woman was dropped off later in the morning and contacted police, they said. Police have arrested 36-year-old Taneem Aziz, from Mississauga. He is charged with two counts of sexual assault, forcible confinement and extortion and is scheduled to appear in court May 23. A spokesperson for Uber said the company has been informed about this incident and described the allegation as horrible, adding that no one should go through something like this. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and will continue to provide any information to them that would be helpful for their investigation. As soon as we learned of this, we removed this individuals access to the app, the spokesperson said. Police say they believe there may be other victims; anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7474 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477). Aziz is not the first local Uber driver charged with sexual assault in recent years. In 2018, Toronto police charged Vaughan resident Senol Komec, 38 at the time, with four counts of sexual assault and four counts of forcible confinement. In 2017, Fahmy Saggaf, then 41, from Toronto was charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl after she got into an Uber vehicle at the downtown bus terminal at Bay St. and Edward St. Also, Uber driver Orjon Leska, then 38, was charged with sexual assault shortly after an incident in Toronto early on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. Correction - April 22, 2019: This article was edited from a previous version that misspelled the name of the SUV. Sherina Harris is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @sherinaharris Marjan Asadullah is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @marjanasadullah Read more about: BENI, CONGOAttackers stormed a hospital at the epicentre of Congos Ebola outbreak and killed a dear colleague, the head of the World Health Organization said Friday as he condemned the latest violence against health workers trying to contain the virus. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a Twitter post that others were injured in the attack Friday in Butembo, a city in eastern Congo. We are outraged, he said. The worlds response to the second-deadliest Ebola outbreak in history has been hampered by a series of deadly attacks on health centres in Butembo and elsewhere that have disrupted medical care and vaccination efforts, leading to a rise in new Ebola cases in the sprawling African nation. Butembos deputy mayor, Patrick Kambale Tsiko, identified the slain WHO staffer as a doctor from Cameroon and blamed a militia group for the attack. He said the militiamen erroneously believed that foreigners had brought the disease with them to Congo. According to witnesses at the scene, these militiamen wanted all the expatriates to go home because according to them, Ebola does not exist in Butembo, Tsiko said. They said they will continue if these expatriates do not return as soon as possible. Police were pursuing the attackers, Tsiko said. Congos health ministry confirmed the assault on the Catholic University of Graben hospital. One aid group, the International Rescue Committee, said the hospital held only non-Ebola patients and many of them fled during the attack. Dozens of rebel groups are active in eastern Congo. There also has been some community resistance to Ebola containment efforts in a traumatized, wary region that had never faced an outbreak of the virus before. Ebola can spread quickly and can be fatal in up to 90% of cases. The hemorrhagic fever is most often spread by close contact with the bodily fluids of people exhibiting symptoms or with objects such as sheets that have been contaminated. Health Minister Dr. Oly Ilunga said in a tweet that local and international health workers are courageously combating the virus, sometimes at the cost of their lives. The attack came three days after President Felix Tshisekedi visited the Ebola outbreak zone, pledging more military and police protection for health workers and asking residents for their co-operation. The president hoped to see the outbreak contained in less than three months, although some health experts estimate it could take much longer. Robert Kitchen, senior vice-president for emergencies with the International Rescue Committee, predicted it could take at least another year to contain the Ebola outbreak without a significant change in community engagement and understanding. He said such attacks on health workers are increasingly common. This month could see the highest rate of Ebola transmission yet, Kitchen said, adding the trajectory of this outbreak is alarming. Since the Ebola outbreak in Congo was declared in August, there have been more than 1,300 confirmed and probable cases, including 843 deaths, the health ministry said Thursday. More than 102,000 people have received an experimental but effective Ebola vaccine. LONDONA British security researcher who was hailed as a hero for helping to stop a global ransomware cyberattack in 2017 has pleaded guilty to charges in the United States of writing malicious software in a separate case. The researcher, Marcus Hutchins, was arrested at the Las Vegas airport in 2017, as he was on his way back to Britain from a conference. As you may be aware, Ive pleaded guilty to two charges related to writing malware in the years prior to my career in security, said Hutchins, known online as MalwareTech, in a statement on his website Friday. I regret these actions and accept full responsibility for my mistakes. Hutchins faces up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each of the charges, according to U.S. court documents. In February, a U.S. judge refused an application from Hutchins to suppress a statement he made at the Las Vegas Airport after his arrest, when he said he had been intoxicated, the BBC reported. In 2017, a federal grand jury in the United States returned a six-count indictment against Hutchins. The indictment said Hutchins, then 23, and an unidentified accomplice conspired to create and sell malware intended to steal login information and other financial data from online banking sites. A version of the program, known as Kronos banking Trojan and created by Hutchins, was sold by the accomplice for $2,000 in June 2015, the indictment said. But the document did not include details of how widely the malware was used. The government has said it will move to dismiss the remaining charges in exchange for Hutchins guilty plea. The global cyberattack that Hutchins helped stop disrupted Britains National Health Service and hundreds of other organizations worldwide, spreading to more than 70 countries. It used a variant of WannaCry, a piece of malicious software that locks victims out of their systems and demands ransoms. Hutchins was credited with disabling it. In a blog post at the time, he explained that he had noticed the malicious software trying to contact a particular internet address, discovered the address was unregistered and bought it, which turned out to trigger a kill switch in the software. Researchers at Symantec, a security company, attributed the attack at the time to a team of hackers known as the Lazarus Group, which U.S. intelligence experts say is most likely linked to North Korea. The attack used computer vulnerabilities revealed in documents leaked from the U.S. National Security Agency. Having grown up, Ive since been using the same skills that I misused several years ago for constructive purposes, Hutchins said in his statement Friday about his work as a security researcher. I will continue to devote my time to keeping people safe from malware attacks, he added. AURORA, ILL.The most widely feared person in Aurora lives in a brick building on New York Street. He attends chapel eight times a week, passes his days sorting clothes in a thrift shop warehouse, and never leaves the property of the Christian ministry that houses him. He is Thomas Kokoraleis: a convicted murderer, a member of the notorious Ripper Crew and, as of last month, a free man. But even after serving more than three decades in prison, Kokoraleis remains a pariah. The mayor of Aurora, the second-largest city in Illinois, noted his arrival with a statement calling for him to leave. Protesters have marched outside his new home in Auroras downtown. An online petition demanded that Kokoraleis move elsewhere. There was mass concern in our community, the mayor, Richard C. Irvin, said in an interview. People felt insecure they felt like their safety was in jeopardy. And people were scared. In some ways, Kokoraleis story is a familiar tale: a newly released prisoner encountering a wary public. But what has happened in Aurora, where residents are still reeling from a mass shooting at a local factory in February, is an extreme example of a city nervous and divided. The arrival of Kokoraleis has raised questions about what authority, if any, local governments have to choose who lives in their midst. It has shown the complications of releasing prisoners at a time when there is a bipartisan push to reduce the countrys inmate population. And it has prompted an uncomfortable question: If not Aurora, and if not prison, where exactly is Kokoraleis to live? How can I arrive at a solution, said James Lukose, the executive director of the Christian non-profit group that is housing Kokoraleis, where Thomas is protected, the mayors office is appeased and the community is at peace? I wish I knew exactly what I was going to do. Lukoses organization, Wayside Cross Ministries, has for more than 90 years been a fixture in Aurora, a far western suburb of Chicago. Its facility near the edge of Auroras downtown within a couple of blocks of shops, a park, homes and the commuter train station houses people with drug and alcohol addictions, as well as recently released prisoners, including sex offenders and killers. Never, Lukose said, has any resident prompted such a backlash. But Kokoraleis, now 58, 300 pounds and mostly bald, is not just any resident. In 1982, he took part in the murder of Lorry Borowski, 21, in the Chicago suburb of Elmhurst. He was convicted solely in Borowskis murder, but Kokoraleis was accused by law enforcement authorities of being part of a sadistic, four-man gang known as the Ripper Crew that was linked to the deaths of as many as 17 women and one man in the Chicago area in the early 1980s, according to The Chicago Tribune. A brother of Kokoraleis, also a member of the gang, was executed for his role in the crimes. The other two men in the Ripper Crew are likely to die in Illinois prisons. But Kokoraleis, sentenced to 70 years in prison, was eligible for early release in about half that time under an old law that cut a prisoners sentence by one day for each day of good behaviour. Late last month, he walked out of prison. In the weeks leading up to his release, a friend of Kokoraleis family had been in touch with Wayside Cross, wondering if there might be a place for him at the rehabilitation centre. At first, the answer was no. But then the family friend tried again just after his release, and two beds had opened up. Kokoraleis arrived there late on March 29. As news of his arrival spread local news outlets had written about his release and the uncertainty over where he would live the response was immediate. Some in Aurora said they feared for their safety. Others said they resented that they were not given warning. The release of Kokoraleis, and his decision to return to the Chicago area, has been especially devastating for the family and friends of Borowski, who worked at a real estate office and was fond of wearing butterfly-themed jewelry. The family is raising money with the goal of opening a butterfly park in her honour. In Aurora, Irvin issued a letter criticizing Wayside Cross. Living near Kokoraleis, he wrote, was a risk the people of Aurora shouldnt have to take. He described the episode as absolutely a betrayal to the city, to our community, to the citizens. Legally, Kokoraleis can reside anywhere he can afford to, so long as he registers his presence with the authorities. As a convicted murderer, Kokoraleis photo and address are listed on the Illinois sex offender registry website. But because he was not convicted of a sex crime, he is not prohibited from living within a certain distance of parks and schools. Though governments are limited in their authority to exclude residents, some have still tried. In California, officials have sought to build small parks so that sex offenders would not be allowed to live in certain neighbourhoods. In Oklahoma, people with arrest records are sometimes excluded from public housing. And in South Dakota, police departments have worked with landlords, who have more discretion to reject tenants, to inform them of the criminal records of prospective renters. Kokoraleis, who completed his sentence and is not on parole, declined an interview request made through Lukose. In a post-release interview with The Aurora Beacon-News, Kokoraleis said he was committed to his Christian faith and wanted to improve himself, but he acknowledged that I do get angry at times. I want to just go on with my life and be left alone, he told the newspaper. Lukose said he sympathized with the mayors concerns, but he felt strongly that offering Kokoraleis shelter was the right thing to do. He cited Jesus teachings about loving ones neighbour, even when doing so is uncomfortable. And he suggested that having Kokoraleis in a relatively structured environment at Waysides facility was far preferable to the prospect of him wandering the streets unsupervised. We believe in the power of the Gospel in transforming any human being, said Lukose, who said he had spent time studying the Bible with Kokoraleis and believed he was sincere in his desire to reform himself. Lukose added: I never thought that by doing right we would be suffering this. Rita Moy, who lives a couple of miles away from Wayside Cross, was not reassured. She said she had read about Kokoraleis and it sent chills down my spine. Now, she tries to walk her dog before sunset and makes a point to be extra careful when she is downtown. I dont want to become a statistic, Moy said. Matt Harrington, a former Aurora City Council candidate, organized a protest outside Wayside Cross that about 35 people attended. He vowed to arrange another protest if Kokoraleis was not moved. I believe that hes going to do it again, Harrington said. Its just not if its just a matter of when. A federal study suggests that people convicted of murder are less likely to reoffend than those convicted of some other crimes, but Aurora is far from the first place where residents or governments have rallied against a new neighbour with a violent past. Going back decades, residents in places like New York, Nevada and Rhode Island have protested new neighbours with criminal records. But Kokoraleis arrived in Aurora at a uniquely difficult time. Just six weeks earlier, on Feb. 15, a gunman killed five people and wounded six others, including five police officers, at a factory in the city. Several people said the mass killing eroded a sense of safety, and that the arrival of Kokoraleis exacerbated that feeling. Were still trying to work on healing, Irvin said. The Rev. Julian E. Spencer, who leads Main Baptist Church in Aurora and has worked with Wayside over the years, said he understood those concerns, and to some extent he shared them. The last few months have been hard on the city, Spencer said, and the idea of a convicted murderer living nearby was jarring. But he questioned where Kokoraleis would go if turned away from Aurora. During a recent Sunday service, he encouraged members of his congregation to look beyond their fears. If its him today, Spencer said, who will be it tomorrow? Who will it be next month? Who will it be next year that we feel OK to exclude? Twenty years ago Saturday, two gunmen claimed the lives of 13 victims and marked the beginning of an era in which America has repeatedly been forced to reckon with the threat of school shootings. Since the Columbine High School massacre, more than 226,000 students at 233 schools have been impacted by school shootings, according to a Washington Post analysis. On April 20, 1999, two Columbine seniors, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, carried out a planned attack at their high school using a combination of firearms and homemade explosives. They shot and killed 13 people twelve students and a teacher before turning their weapons on themselves. A memorial was designated in 2007 to honour the victims: students Cassie Bernal, Steven Curnow, Corey DePooter, Kelly Fleming, Matthew Kechter, Daniel Mauser, Daniel Rohrbough, Rachel Scott, Isaiah Shoels, John Tomlin, Lauren Townsend and Kyle Velasquez, and teacher Dave Sanders. The outdoor space, which sits in a park adjacent to Columbine High School, welcomes visitors to reflect on the communitys loss. This past week, three days of commemorative events were planned in their honour, culminating with Saturdays memorial ceremony in Littleton, Colorado, a Denver suburb. The events continued despite a threat against the school that arose earlier this week: On Tuesday, the community faced danger once again after an 18-year-old woman travelled from Florida to Colorado and purchased a pump-action shotgun at a shop near Columbine High School. The woman, Sol Pais, had left a trail of disturbing messages online. A manhunt ensued and the Jefferson County Public Schools ordered a lockout, keeping students inside for safety. As the manhunt stretched into a second day, classes were cancelled. Pais was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident heightened already tight security measures around the weeks events. Read more: 20 years after school attack, Columbine remembers 13 lost Columbine focuses on healing as questions loom after manhunt FBI looks for woman infatuated with Columbine shooting Bailey Rosiere was just a second-grader when the Columbine came under siege; she was one of hundreds who attended a vigil on Friday night at the Columbine Memorial. Despite two decades of distance from the event, she told a local ABC station that the memory would never leave her: It makes it not just an empty or upsetting or sad feeling; its more of a deep impact, she said. Because you cant ever forget no matter how young you were. Also in the crowd was Sarah Boyd, who came to lay flowers with her husband as she has done every year. It can happen anywhere. No one is immune, unfortunately, Boyd told the Denver Post. She had graduated from Columbine in 1996 and was nearby when the attack began. I hope someday that people can look back and say these are the things that were made better because of such a terrible day. NEW DELHI - A former employee of Indias Supreme Court has accused the countrys chief justice of sexual harassment, an accusation that was vehemently denied by the judge, the nations largest news agency reported Saturday. The 35-year-old woman filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court on Friday alleging two instances of misconduct in October last year shortly after Ranjan Gogoi took over as Indias most senior judge, the Press Trust of India news agency said. Gogoi convened an urgent court session with the other two justices on Saturday and said the charges were part of a conspiracy by some bigger force, according to PTI. He denied the accusation, calling it an attempt to destabilize the judiciary. I do not think I should stoop too low even to deny these allegations. But that comes after 20 years of selfless service as a judge, PTI quoted Gogoi as saying. The former staffer had worked at Gogois office at his official residence in New Delhi. The Supreme Courts secretary general, Sanjeev Sudhakar Kalgaonkar, said the allegations made by the woman had no basis. Court and government officials were unavailable for comment on Saturday. Last year, Indian actresses and writers flooded social media with allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Indias junior external affairs minister resigned last year amid accusations by 20 women of sexual harassment during his previous career as one of the countrys most prominent news editors. India has framed laws for womens safety, but critics say they have done little to change the status quo. PARISThe architect who oversaw the design of the fire safety system at Notre Dame acknowledged that officials had misjudged how quickly a flame would ignite and spread through the cathedral, resulting in a much more devastating blaze than they had anticipated. The system was based on the assumption that the ancient oak timbers in the cathedrals attic would burn slowly, leaving ample time to fight a fire, said Benjamin Mouton, the architect who oversaw the fire protections. Unlike at sensitive sites in the United States, the fire alarms in Notre Dame did not notify fire dispatchers right away. Instead, a guard at the cathedral first had to climb a steep set of stairs to the attic a trip Mouton said would take a fit person six minutes. Only after a blaze was discovered could the fire department be notified and deployed. That means even a flawless response had a built-in delay of about 20 minutes from the moment the alarm sounded until firefighters could arrive and climb to the attic with hundreds of pounds of hoses and equipment to begin battling a fire. Those delays turned out to be devastating. I was stunned by the speed with which the oak in Notre Dame burned, Mouton said. Oak that old cant burn like a match. Its absolutely incomprehensible. Read more: Holy Week continues, and Paris life resumes, without Notre Dame Catastrophic fire engulfs Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris I was at Notre Dame just minutes before it burned Fire experts said two of the top officials on the project, Mouton and a former firefighter, Lt. Col. Regis Prunet, appeared to have miscalculated what was needed to protect such an unusual building. Mouton was the architect in charge of Notre Dame between 2000 and 2013, and in that position he oversaw a revamp of fire safety. The designers were determined not to alter the attic with protective measures like sprinklers or fire walls. Instead, they said, the team had banked on prevention and detection. Two guards were on-site to monitor the roof structure, day and night. The cathedral was covered in smoke and heat sensors. Three times a day someone went up to check that the system was working. But the approach appears to have been flawed, beginning with the response to the first alarm at 6:20 p.m. The guard, seeing no fire, gave the all-clear and came down. By the time the second alarm sounded at 6:43 p.m. and a guard climbed the stairs again, the fire was already a conflagration. The call finally went to the fire brigade at 6:51 p.m. Read more about: POZAREVAC, Serbia - Several dozen supporters attended the funeral Saturday of Mirjana Markovic, the widow of late Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic who was dubbed the Lady Macbeth of the Balkans because of the huge influence she had on her husband. Markovics ashes were placed in her husbands grave in the backyard of the family house in the central Serbian town of Pozarevac. Milosevic was buried there in 2006 after he died in the middle of his trial on genocide charges at a U.N. war crimes tribunal. The couples son, Marko, and daughter, Marija, did not attend the burial. Those who did included a former president of neighbouring Montenegro, members of Milosevics Socialist Party and others. Markovic, 76, died last week in Russia, where she had been granted asylum. Serbias former first lady had fled to Russia in 2003 after Milosevic was ousted from power in a popular revolt and handed over to the war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands. Slobo and Miro, you havent lost honour and Serbia must remember that, Milovan Bojic, a former minister during Milosevics era, said at the funeral Saturday. Milosevic was a great Serbian leader, a Serbian martyr, and the judgment of history will clear the name of Mirjana Markovic. Milosevic is widely considered to be the politician most responsible for the bloody breakup of the former Yugoslavia that resulted in the deaths of at least 120,000 people in wars in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo during the early 1990s. The wars devastated the Balkans, forcing millions to flee their homes. Markovic was sought for questioning in the killings of Milosevics political opponents during his autocratic rule but Russia refused to extradite her to Serbia. While working as sociology professor at Belgrade University, Markovic served as leader of a neo-Communist party during her husbands presidency in the 1990s, a coalition partner with a major influence on Milosevic. Often wearing a trademark plastic flower in her hair, Markovic was known for diaries she published in local newspapers that were widely read because they often predicted future political moves by her husband. Although she was never formally charged, Markovic was widely suspected of playing a role in the 1999 assassination of prominent Belgrade newspaper editor Slavko Curuvija, who was gunned down during the NATO bombing of Serbia. Markovic had publicly accused him of supporting the Western military alliances attacks. A Serbian court recently convicted four former state security members of slaying Curuvija but the court did not reveal who ordered his killing. Markovic was also suspected in the 2000 disappearance of Milosevics former mentor, Ivan Stambolic, whose body was found in an unmarked pit in northern Serbia in 2003. ___ Jovana Gec contributed from Belgrade. BAGHDAD - A summit organized by Iraq brought together regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran on Saturday as part of a broader effort by Iraqi leaders to fashion the countrys image as a friend among neighbours. Scarred by more than three decades of war, Iraq is recasting itself as a mediator among neighbours who are often at odds over weighty issues, including the civil war in Syria and U.S. sanctions against Iran. The summit, hosted by Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi, brought together top lawmakers of Iraqs six neighbours: Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, and Kuwait. Today, Iraq is building a promising strategic partnership with all neighbouring countries without any reservations or favouring any party, said Halbousi. The regional meeting Saturday follows months of high-profile diplomacy that has involved Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi and President Barham Salih to engage with the neighbours. Abdul-Mahdi made visits in quick succession to Iran and Saudi Arabia earlier this year, emphasizing that Iraq would not favour one or the other in the rivalry between them. Instead, Iraq is looking to expand trade with both as it looks to rebuild itself, 16 years after the 2003 U.S. invasion plunged the country into civil war. The country is seeking billions of dollars in aid and investment - particularly in energy and electricity - for reconstruction. Iraq is also spearheading a regional initiative to bring Syria back into the Arab League, with President Bashar Assad surviving a 2011 uprising against his rule. And while Iraq remains a close ally of the U.S. in the Middle East, Iraqi leaders have made clear they will not be constrained by U.S. policy objectives to isolate Iran and Syria. Iraq is coming back to the neighbourhood, President Barham Salih told The Associated Press in a nearly hour-long interview last month. SANAA, Yemen - Yemeni officials say heavy fighting in Yemens southern Dhale province between pro-government forces and Shiite rebels has killed more than 85 people. The officials say the Houthi rebels recaptured the district of Damt and the surrounding area from forces allied with the internationally recognized government after more than a week of fighting. They say dozens have been wounded. Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war pitting the Iran-backed Houthis against the government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, backed by a Saudi-led coalition since March 2015. The war has devastated impoverished Yemen, turning the Arab nation into the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. The officials spoke Saturday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media. LITTLETON, Colo. - Community members in suburban Denver marked the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting Saturday with a remembrance ceremony that celebrated the schools survival and by volunteering at shelters, doing neighbourhood cleanup projects and laying flowers and cards at a memorial to the 13 people killed. Were changed, Dawn Anna, whose daughter Lauren Townsend was among the students killed in the schools library, said before a crowd of more than 2,000 gathered in a park near the high school. Were weaker in some places, but hopefully were stronger in most of them. Our hearts have giant holes in them. But our hearts are bigger than they were 20 years ago. The events ended a three-day slate of sombre gatherings honouring the victims and lending support to their families, survivors of the April 20, 1999, attack and the schools students and staff. The decades since have brought similar violence at schools in America, and some survivors and victims families have found themselves acting as a support system for those affected by other tragedies. Speakers on Saturday portrayed healing and recovery as the result of daily work not a destination to be arrived at in a set amount of days, weeks or years. Forgiveness, though, is achievable, said Patrick Ireland, a student who became known as the boy in the window when cameras captured him dangling from a second-story window before falling during the 1999 school shooting. He re-learned to walk and talk with months of physical and cognitive therapy. Our innocence was stolen, Ireland said. How can that ever be repaid? But forgiveness is a process. It takes time. It takes practice, repetition, translating that rhythm into moving. The afternoon ceremony at times had the feel of a reunion. Former students introduced classmates to their husbands or wives and the crowd jumped to their feet when a retired teacher led a call-and-response cheer of the schools mantra. We are Ivory Moore yelled, his voice straining. Columbine! the crowd replied, some pumping their fists in the air. There were tears too, particularly as photos of the victims at various ages flashed across a projector screen during a video that featured current Columbine students pledging to honour them with community service each year on April 20. At the ceremonys end, Frank DeAngelis, the schools principal at the time of the shooting, read the 13 names aloud in a wavering voice. A bell rang 13 times, and white doves soared into the cloudy sky for each individual. Starting in the morning, a steady stream of visitors stopped at a memorial that sits on a hill overlooking the school. The site includes an oval outer wall of stone with plaques featuring quotes from officials and Columbine students and teachers, and an inner ring with plaques for each person killed. People walked silently through, occasionally stopping to hug a friend or wipe away tears. Sharon and David Hampton brought white roses to place at the memorial, which opened to the public in 2007. They have lived in the area for more than 30 years and watched three sons graduate from Columbine. None were enrolled at the time of the massacre. Sharon Hampton was a preschool teacher at a nearby elementary school. On Saturday, she wore a black T-shirt reading Be kind, a message she wants people to remember on the Columbine anniversary. Take time, she said, as tears came to her eyes. We all face challenges. Try to understand. We can lean into that each day and help one another. Other visitors left cards, bouquets and seed packets for columbines, the Colorado state flower, around the memorial plaques. Sheriffs deputies patrolled the area on foot and by bike on a warm day as Little League games went on at nearby fields. Also Saturday, Columbine students, staff and others took part in community service projects, including cleaning up neighbourhoods, volunteering at homeless shelters and doing spring cleaning at the homes of senior citizens. The days surrounding the anniversary remain emotionally fraught for survivors of the attack, including hundreds who escaped the building without physical wounds. Some describe their response to the month as an April fog, dominated by their memories of the sunny Tuesday two decades ago that shocked the world. This week brought a new burden as federal authorities led a manhunt for a Florida teen infatuated with the shooting. On Tuesday, authorities published her name and photo after learning she was obsessed with Columbine and had travelled to Colorado and bought a gun. They said she had not made specific threats, but dozens of schools, including Columbine, locked their doors. More than 400,000 kids stayed home Wednesday when schools shut down across the metro area. The 18-year-old was found dead of an apparent suicide that morning in the foothills west of Denver, about 40 miles (64 kilometres) from Columbine. Long-planned events marking the anniversary continued as scheduled, beginning with a Thursday evening church service and a community vigil Friday night at the memorial. Security remained heightened at Denver-area schools through the week. WASHINGTON - A man suspected of involvement in a mysterious dissident groups February raid on North Koreas Embassy in Madrid was arrested in Los Angeles by U.S. authorities. Christopher Ahn, a former U.S. Marine, was arrested and charged Friday, according to a person familiar with the matter. The specific charges against Ahn were not immediately clear. The person could not discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Separately, on Thursday, federal agents raided the apartment of Adrian Hong, a leader of the Free Joseon group, the person said. Hong was not arrested. Free Joseon, also known as the Cheollima Civil Defence group, styles itself as a government-in-exile dedicated to toppling the ruling Kim family dynasty in North Korea. The group said it consists of North Korean defectors living in countries around the world, but that it has not worked with or contacted defectors living under tight security in South Korea. Lee Wolosky, a lawyer for the group, said in a statement that he was dismayed that the U.S. Department of Justice has decided to execute warrants against U.S. persons that derive from criminal complaints filed by the North Korean regime. The last U.S. citizen who fell into the custody of the Kim regime returned home maimed from torture and did not survive, Wolosky said, referring to college student Otto Warmbiers 2017 death. We have received no assurances from the U.S. government about the safety and security of the U.S. nationals it is now targeting, he added. A Spanish police investigator in the case told The Associated Press in Madrid on Saturday that Ahn was identified by the Spanish police at a later stage of its investigation into the Feb. 22 raid and that an international arrest warrant was also issued against him. Thats in addition to warrants issued for the other suspects named last month in Spanish court documents. The investigator, who spoke under condition of anonymity given the sensitivities of the case, said that because of judicial secrecy, he couldnt confirm how many arrest warrants had been issued by Spanish authorities beyond the two initially confirmed. A Spanish judge said an investigation uncovered evidence that a criminal organization shackled and gagged embassy staff before escaping with computers, hard drives and documents. Cheollima said on its website that it was responding to an urgent situation at the embassy and was invited onto the property, and that no one was gagged or beaten. The group said there were no other governments involved with or aware of our activity until after the event. The Spanish court report said the intruders urged North Koreas only accredited diplomat in Spain, So Yun Sok, to defect. In March 2017, the group said it had arranged the escape of Kim Han Sol, the son of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who was assassinated at a Malaysian airport earlier that year. The Cheollima website said the group shared certain information of enormous potential value from the raid with the FBI, under mutually agreed terms of confidentiality. According to the Spanish court report, Hong flew to the United States on Feb. 23, got in touch with the FBI and offered to share material and videos. The report didnt say what type of information the items contained or whether the FBI accepted the offer. The FBI said its standard practice is to neither confirm nor deny the existence of investigations. WASHINGTONAt 9:34 on the November morning after Donald Trump was elected president in 2016, Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russias sovereign wealth fund and an informal envoy for President Vladimir Putin of Russia, sent a text message to a Lebanese-American friend with ties to the Trump campaign. Dmitriev wanted to connect quickly with someone in Trumps inner circle, preferably Donald Trump Jr. or Jared Kushner. By the end of the month, he was in touch with Rick Gerson, a friend of Kushner who manages a New York hedge fund. The two discussed a potential joint investment venture. But the special counsels report released Thursday suggested that Dmitrievs real interest lay elsewhere: He had been instructed by Putin, he told Gerson, to come up with a plan for reconciliation between the United States and Russia. Dmitriev and Gerson worked together on a two-page proposal for how the nations could co-operate on a variety of fronts. That document, the report said, later made its way to Kushner, incoming Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Steve Bannon, Trumps chief strategist. Nothing came of the idea that the Russian sovereign fund would invest with Gerson. The outreach by Dmitriev, according to the special counsels report, was part of a broad, makeshift effort by the Kremlin to establish ties to Trump that began early in the campaign and shifted into high gear after Trumps victory. Those efforts were channelled largely through people in the business world in both countries. Especially after the election, they led to a conflation of diplomatic and financial interests that was a stark departure from the carefully calibrated contacts typically managed by an incoming administration in the United States. Trumps on-the-fly campaign, lack of preparation for victory and disorganized transition created a vacuum that, as Russia sought out avenues of access and influence, was quickly filled by a number of people from outside established foreign policy circles, many of whom appeared eager to portray themselves as access brokers or to generate business opportunities. The special counsel, Robert Mueller, did not find a criminal conspiracy by Trump or his campaign to influence the outcome of the election. But his report made clear how vigorously Putin sought to find points of contact and influence with Trumps team and how many people on the American side were willing to participate to one degree or another in discussions that touched on topics as varied as Trumps desire to build a Moscow hotel to U.S. policy toward Ukraine. It is not clear that the Russians had much, if any, success in influencing U.S. policy through the back channels they established, although Trumps comments often strike foreign policy experts as remarkably sympathetic to Putin. But the would-be influence peddlers in the United States and in Russia generally proceeded without much regard for the growing recognition that Moscow had just interfered in multiple ways with the U.S. election and that any contacts outside established channels especially those that mixed business and diplomacy carried substantial political risks. Angela Stent, a Georgetown University professor who recently wrote a book on Putins reign, said Trumps willingness to tolerate informal interlocutors in the foreign policy field was unlike any administration I have ever seen but not unlike Putins own style. The Trump White House, she said, is comfortable with all these informal ways of doing business, including giving a heightened role to family members and friends who are not required to disclose potential conflicts of interest or abide by government ethics rules. Thats how the Russians like to operate, she said. According to the Mueller report, Putin wasted no time enlisting Russian oligarchs to carry the Kremlins message after Trumps election. He convened an all-hands meeting of the countrys top oligarchs in December to discuss the risk of the United States imposing further sanctions in retaliation for Moscows interference in the election. One of those oligarchs, Petr Aven, who leads Alfa-Bank, Russias largest commercial bank, also met privately with Putin shortly after Trumps election. He told the special counsel that the Russian president expected him to build inroads with the incoming administration, then repeatedly queried him on his progress in the coming months. On the U.S. side, a varied cast of characters was fielding overtures and proposals from Russians or pro-Russian Ukrainians during the campaign and transition, including: Gerson; George Nader, the Lebanese-American with Trump campaign connections; Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign chairman; Michael Cohen, the presidents longtime fixer and lawyer; and Erik Prince, the Blackwater founder and brother of Betsy DeVos, Trumps pick for education secretary. Asked about his interactions with the executive at the Russian sovereign wealth fund, a spokesman for Gerson said in a statement that he engaged in no business with the fund and merely presented personal ideas on humanitarian issues. Only rarely did anyone throw up a red flag, according to the report. In May 2016, after a campaign official reported that Alexander Torshin, an officer of a Russian state-owned bank, wanted to discuss an invitation from Putin to meet with Trump, Kushner, a top adviser to Trump, responded: Pass on this. A lot of people come claiming to carry messages. He added: Be careful. But Kushner did not always heed his own advice. In mid-December 2016, he agreed to a one-on-one meeting with a Russian official he had been told had a direct line to Putin: Sergey Gorkov, head of the state-owned bank Vnesheconombank, which was under U.S. sanctions for Russias annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. A U.S. investment banker with many contacts in Russia, Robert Foresman, said Gorkov told him before the meeting that Putin had approved his trip and that he would report back to Putin afterward, the special counsels report states. Kushner told prosecutors that he did not prepare for the encounter. No one on the transition team even bothered to search Google for Gorkovs name. Prosecutors were unable to resolve what was discussed. Gorkov publicly suggested it was business, while Kushner said it was diplomatic issues. At the time, Kushners family business was hunting for investors so it could hold onto its flagship property, a Manhattan office building. As the special counsels report noted in recounting the meeting between Kushner and Gorkov, there had been public reporting both about efforts to secure lending on the property and possible conflicts of interest for Kushner arising out of his companys borrowing from foreign lenders. The template of Russia trying to advance its policy goals through the business interests of people in Trumps orbit was set in mid-2015, almost as soon as Trump announced his candidacy. One of the earliest examples was the Russian response to Cohens pursuit of a Trump Tower in Moscow, a hotel construction project that Trump had chased for decades. Cohen and another Trump associate, Felix Sater, were communicating with various Russians or their intermediaries about issues such as site plans, the need for a Russian developer and financing. But the answers often concerned whether Trump was willing to meet with Putin. The possibility that Trump would travel to Russia for that purpose lingered until he clinched the Republican nomination in mid-2016. Trumps revolving cast of aides and advisers included several who had contacts with Russians or were being aggressively wooed by them, like Carter Page and George Papadopoulos. One of the better-connected was Manafort, who spent five months as a top strategist and chairman for the Trump campaign. He had worked for Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire close to the Kremlin; had spent the past decade carrying out the political agenda of Ukrainian oligarchs aligned with Moscow; and was in regular contact with Konstantin Kilimnik, a Russian associate whom prosecutors have linked to Russian intelligence. For months during the campaign, Manafort was feeding internal polling data to Kilimnik, expecting it to be transferred to Deripaska and the Ukrainian oligarchs, the report states. In 2016 and early 2017, Manafort and Kilimnik also repeatedly discussed a proposal that would effectively have put part of eastern Ukraine under Russias control. Despite many months of outreach before the election, the initial interactions between Trumps team and the Kremlin were almost comical. Hope Hicks, Trumps campaign secretary, received a 3 a.m. phone call on election night from a foreigner she could not understand, followed by an email the next morning conveying Putins congratulations. She forwarded it to Kushner, writing: Dont want to get duped but dont want to blow off Putin! But Putin quickly dispatched his big players, like Dmitriev, CEO of Russias sovereign wealth fund. On Nov. 9, 2016, Dmitriev contacted Nader, an adviser to the royal court of United Arab Emirates whom he knew through joint Russian and Emirati investment projects and who professed to have Trump campaign contacts. Dmitriev suggested he could meet Kushner at a coming World Chess Federation tournament in New York. He later said Putin himself would be extremely grateful if Nader could introduce Dmitriev to either Kushner or Donald Trump Jr. Instead, Nader connected the Russian official to Gerson, Kushners hedge-fund friend, and to Prince, DeVos brother, who had no formal role in the transition. On Jan. 11, 2017, Dmitriev and Prince met at Naders villa at the Four Seasons Resort in the Seychelles. Prince told the Russian official that he provided policy papers to Bannon, a top Trump adviser, and that he would brief Bannon on their meeting. But Princes style seemed strikingly ad hoc. Returning to his room after professing his hopes for a new era of co-operation, Prince learned that a Russian aircraft carrier had sailed to Libya. At a hastily organized second meeting, he told Dmitriev that Russian involvement in Libya was off the table. He told prosecutors that he conveyed that message based on his experience as a former naval officer, the report said. Dmitriev found the trip disappointing, the report said. He told Nader he wanted to talk to someone with more authority in the Trump administration about a strategic road map for Russia and the United States. Prosecutors tried in vain to verify what Prince and Bannon told them they had discussed about the offshore encounter with Dmitriev. But although carrier records showed that they had texted each other dozens of times before March 2017, the report stated, their phones contained no messages. Read more about: RAPID CITY, S.D. - South Dakota wants to purchase part of an abandoned mine site at the Black Hills National Forest where the Environmental Protection Agency has been conducting a cleanup for nearly two decades. The Rapid City Journal reports that the state commissioner of school and public lands, Ryan Brunner, recently met with the national forests advisory board about the former Gilt Edge Mine near Lead. Brunner says the state already owns most of the land within the cleanup boundaries of the mine site, but there are still some parcels that are part of the national forest or privately owned. He says South Dakota is interested in consolidating its ownership of the land because federal law says the site will be the states responsibility after the EPA cleanup is complete. Brunner says the land sale would require congressional legislation. ___ Information from: Rapid City Journal, http://www.rapidcityjournal.com HOUSTON - A prominent cancer centre in Houston has ousted three of five scientists whom federal authorities identified as being involved in Chinese efforts to steal American research. Peter Pisters, the president of MD Anderson Cancer Center, told the Houston Chronicle that the National Institutes of Health wrote to the cancer centre last year detailing conflicts of interest and unreported foreign income by five faculty members, and gave it 30 days to respond. As stewards of taxpayer dollars invested in biomedical research, we have an obligation to follow up, Pisters said. MD Anderson received $148 million in NIH grants last year. The centre provided internal documents to the Chronicle regarding the cases but the names of the scientists were redacted. The newspaper said all three are ethnically Chinese. Two of them resigned ahead of termination proceedings and the third is challenging the dismissal. Officials determined termination was not warranted for one of the remaining two and are still investigating the other. Its not clear if any of them face federal charges or deportation. An FBI spokeswoman in Houston, Christina Garza, said Saturday that the agency does not confirm or deny the existence of any investigation. Pisters said MD Andersons reputation as the worlds No. 1 cancer centre made it an obvious target, but the newspaper report doesnt say what evidence of intellectual property theft was uncovered at the facility. The dismissals come amid heightened concern in Washington, D.C., that foreign governments including China have been using students and visiting scholars to pilfer intellectual property from confidential grant applications. At a gathering in Houston last summer, FBI officials warned Texas academic and medical institutions of the threat, particularly from insiders, and called on them to notify the agency of any suspicious behaviour. A 2017 FBI report found that intellectual-property theft by China costs the U.S. as much as $600 billion annually. FBI Director Christopher Wray has called China the broadest, most significant threat to the nation and that its espionage is active in all 50 states. This is part of a much larger issue the country is facing, Pisters told the Chronicle. Trying to balance an open collaborative environment and at the same time protect proprietary information and commercial interests. Some Chinese Americans say the crackdown amounts to racial profiling and that it hinders groundbreaking research. Scientific research depends on the free flow of ideas, Frank H. Wu, president of the New York-based Committee of 100, a group of influential Chinese Americans, told the newspaper. Our national interest is best advanced by welcoming people, not by racial stereotyping based on where a person comes from. LITTLETON, Colo. - The Latest on events commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting (all times local): 6 p.m. A ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting has ended with the names of 12 students and a teacher killed being read aloud, accompanied by the release of white doves. More than 2,000 people attended the event in a park near the suburban Denver high school on Saturday afternoon. Frank DeAngelis, who was the schools principal during the 1999 shooting, said he begins every morning by reciting the victims names. He thanked their families for supporting him and the school in the decades since their loved ones were killed by two teenage gunmen. Saturdays ceremony ended a three-day slate of sombre gatherings honouring the victims and lending support to survivors, the school and victims families. ___ 5 p.m. Those affected by the Columbine shooting are speaking openly and emotionally about their struggles and advances since 12 students and a teacher were killed 20 years ago. Patrick Ireland became known as the boy in the window when cameras caught him dangling from a second-story window before falling during the 1999 school shooting. He was partially paralyzed and had to re-learn how to walk and speak. During a remembrance ceremony on the 20th anniversary of the school attack Saturday, he said that no one who was in the school or the surrounding community was unscathed. He said those affected need to persevere to help positively impact other peoples lives. Dawn Annas daughter Lauren Townsend was killed. She said the only secret to surviving such a loss is that there is no secret and that healing takes work. But she said those who lost loved ones have also become stronger in some ways and have tried to help others and feel for other families suffering because of other shootings. ____ 3:30 p.m. People are gathered in suburban Denver for a remembrance ceremony honouring the victims of those killed in the Columbine High School shootings 20 years ago. Saturdays ceremony near the school ends a three-day slate of sombre gatherings honouring the victims and lending support to survivors, the school and victims families. Speakers stressed the strength and change that came out of the tragedy. To symbolize that, artist Makoto Fujimura presented a 17th century Japanese tea bowl that was broken but then mended with gold, making it better and more beautiful. Pastor James Hoxworth urged anyone who was still struggling because of the shooting to reach out for help. ____ 1:05 p.m. A steady stream of people are visiting a memorial to the 13 people killed at Columbine High School 20 years ago ahead of a remembrance ceremony in suburban Denver. Visitors left dozens of single flowers along with cards and seed packets for columbines, the Colorado state flower, on the inner circle of the memorial Saturday. Sheriffs deputies patrolled the area on foot and by bike on a warm day as little league games went on at nearby fields. Saturdays events in the suburban area surrounding Columbine end a three-day slate of sombre ceremonies honouring the victims and lending support to survivors, the school and victims families. This week brought a new burden as federal authorities led a manhunt for a Florida teen infatuated with the shooting. She was discovered dead in an apparent suicide Wednesday in the foothills west of Denver. ____ 10:30 p.m. A Colorado community is marking the 20th anniversary of the attack on Columbine High School that killed 13 people and injured 24 others with community service projects and a remembrance ceremony. Saturdays events end several days of memorial events in the suburban community surrounding Columbine, remembering those killed and lending support to their families, survivors of the attack and the schools students and staff. The days surrounding the anniversary remain emotionally fraught for survivors of the attack, including those without physical wounds. This week brought a new burden as federal authorities led a manhunt for a Florida teen infatuated with the shooting. The young woman flew to Denver on Monday and purchased a shotgun. She was discovered dead in an apparent suicide Wednesday in the foothills west of Denver. HARTFORD, Conn. - A trial has been postponed for a Canadian man accused of abducting his toddler son in 1987 and disappearing for 31 years before being arrested in Connecticut. The Hartford Courant reports Allan Mann Jr.s trial was supposed to start in late April in federal court, but his federal public defender, Ross Thomas, recently asked for a delay until late May to negotiate a plea deal. Thomas says the government proposed a deal in February. Mann was indicted on charges he made false statements about his identity in obtaining housing aid and Medicaid services. He was charged with abduction in Toronto, where authorities say he kidnapped his 21-month-old son, Jermaine, during a court-ordered visit. Mann was arrested in Vernon, Connecticut last year. Jermaine Mann was reunited with his mother after believing she died years ago. TOPEKA, Kan. - City officials say a tiger mauled a zookeeper at the Topeka Zoo in northeastern Kansas. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the incident happened around 9:30 a.m. Saturday, when a Sumatran tiger named Sanjiv tackled the worker in an enclosed outdoor space. Topeka Zoo director Brendan Wiley says the zookeeper suffered lacerations and puncture wounds to her head, neck and back. Wiley says she was awake and alert when she was taken by ambulance to a hospital and was in stable condition Saturday afternoon. The zookeepers name has not been released. Wiley says the tiger will not be euthanized. The zoo was open at the time of the attack and was witnessed by some people. It reopened about 45 minutes after the attack. Officials are investigating what led up to the attack. Sanjiv came to the Topeka Zoo in August 2017 from a zoo in Akron, Ohio. ___ Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, http://www.cjonline.com NEW YORKAndy Byford, former CEO of the TTC who left Toronto to rescue New York Citys foundering subway, has had growing tensions with Gov. Andrew Cuomo over management of the system, and several of his colleagues said they feared he might quit. The two men did not speak between January and April, even as Byford was seeking to move forward on a sweeping $40 billion (U.S.) plan to overhaul the subway in the next decade. If Byford were to step down, it would be a major blow to efforts to improve the system, which has been plagued by antiquated equipment, cost overruns and rising complaints from riders about chronic mismanagement. In recent years, New Yorks subways have had one of the worst on-time rates of any major rapid transit system in the world. Byford and Cuomo have disagreed over the plan to fix the L train, new technology to upgrade subway signals, the high cost of Byfords Fast Forward overhaul plan and Cuomos regular criticism of the authority. Byfords colleagues said he was troubled that he did not have the support that he believes he needs from Cuomo to carry out ambitious plans for the system. Cuomo, a Democrat, in turn has felt that Byford has been reluctant to embrace new technology and needed to understand the governors role as the elected official most responsible for the performance of the subways. Contacted this week, Byford and Dani Lever, spokeswoman for the governor, sought to downplay tensions, and said Byford had no plans to resign. But, Lever said, the leadership team must deliver real results in real time, referring to Byford. Read more: Former TTC chief Andy Byford slams Bombardier, halts NYC deliveries over train issues City staff thought the Scarborough extension could cost $900 million more than the public pricetag but didnt tell council before it voted Opinion | Edward Keenan: Subway upload is a bad idea proposed by fools and thats not the worst part Several people who have spoken with Byford, including colleagues at the transit agency, said they were deeply worried he would leave. Richard Ravitch, former chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority who is credited with turning around the system in the 1980s, said he had dinner with Byford in February and was struck by how unhappy he was. Im afraid hes going to quit, Ravitch said of Byford. Andrew Albert, a longtime MTA board member, said he tried to assure Byford that he had the support of subway riders, who are rooting for him to succeed. Im very concerned I dont think that he would be fired, Albert said. Im worried that he would quit. Byford appeared to be frustrated with interference in his daily duties from Cuomo and his aides, Albert said. He wants to be able to get on and do the job he was hired to do, Albert said. Asked whether he was frustrated, Byford said any job has its frustrations. I know what needs to be done here, he said. I need to be allowed to get on with what needs to be done, and Im very happy to be held accountable for that. Asked when he had last spoken with Cuomo, Byford said: Sometime in January. Byford later said by email that he had not seriously considered quitting. I love New York, I love this job, I believe in this system, I believe in this agency, and Im here for the very long haul, he wrote, before adding: The governor and I are partners in this fight and I want to stay in this job until it is done. Lever, the spokeswoman for Cuomo, said he had not lost faith in Byford or tried to sideline him. The two men had not spoken since January, she said, because Cuomo had been focused on the state budget and congestion pricing, a plan to toll cars entering the heart of Manhattan to raise money for the subway. We do not understand your fixation with personal drama, Lever said in response to questions from The New York Times, noting that Cuomo primarily spoke with the authoritys chairman, Patrick Foye. Byford is president of New York City Transit, an arm of the authority that runs the subway and buses. Cuomo, who controls the authority, interviewed Byford and helped hire him for the job. Only a year ago, the pair were photographed on the subway tracks together showcasing a new magnetic wand that removes steel dust from the tracks. Byford, who is British, had received accolades for leading the Toronto transit system, where he won an award for transit system of the year from the American Public Transportation Association. He has also worked on both London and Sydneys transit networks. Some of Byfords colleagues said his rock star status with profiles in The New Yorker and on 60 Minutes may have irked Cuomo. They compared the dynamic to former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his police commissioner, Bill Bratton men who fought for the limelight. Bratton resigned in 1996 shortly after being on the cover of Time magazine. The subway has improved under Byford, though some riders say it is still unreliable. The on-time rate has increased to 78% from 65% the highest rate in years. Byford said he wanted to keep pushing the rate higher past 80% or 90%. But Lever said the $40 billion price tag for Byfords overhaul plan was an incredible sum to come by. She also said Cuomo expected more progress from the transit authority after he secured new funding through congestion pricing. One of the biggest rifts between the two men occurred over the repairs to the L train tunnel between Brooklyn and Manhattan, which was damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The transit authority had originally planned to shut down service in the tunnel to do the renovations. But in January, Cuomo called off the L train shutdown and announced a different repair plan that would keep the service in the tunnel running by allowing for work at night and on weekends. Days later, Byford said he wanted to hire an independent team to assess the safety of the new plan and that he would not be steamrolled into rushing his review. The MTA board eventually hired a consultant to monitor the work, and Byford has said he supports the new plan. But Byford was suddenly unavailable for interviews with reporters and did not appear at hearings with state lawmakers to lobby for congestion pricing, which will allow the state to raise $15 billion for the transit system. Maybe the governor didnt realize how independent he was going to be, said Ravitch, former chairman of the authority. Cuomo is known as a demanding boss. During a visit to the Second Avenue subway in 2016, he grew angry about a faulty escalator. He walked around shouting, Who is working on the escalator? until the person appeared. Byford is not the first transit leader to tangle with Cuomo. The authoritys former chairman, Thomas Prendergast, a respected subway veteran, stepped down in 2017 after also growing frustrated with Cuomos management, according to several colleagues. Prendergast said Friday that his retirement was not related to the governor, but several colleagues said it was a factor. Byford and Cuomo have disagreed over other issues. The governor has pressed Byford to focus on a new technology, known as ultra-wideband radio, for signal repairs. Byford prefers a proven approach, known as communications-based train control a technology Cuomo has mocked as archaic, though it is being used in cities like London. Byford has said he needs $19 billion over the next five years for his Fast Forward plan. Cuomo has said the authority was asking for too much money for its next capital plan. Even the recent subway improvements have been a point of conflict. Cuomo credits his Subway Action Plan, which is spending about $800 million on subway upgrades. Transit advocates say Byfords Save Safe Seconds plan to streamline train operations, increase speed limits and fix faulty signals has been equally important. Foye, who was recently named chairman by Cuomo, said he supported Byford. I think hes even more of a rock star than I thought when he came here, Foye said. Still, Veronica Vanterpool, an MTA board member, said she was also worried that Byford would resign. Im fearful that now that we have someone who has worked so tirelessly to restore public confidence, she said, that if he leaves, it would be a significant setback for the agency. VATICAN CITYPilgrims and tourists flocked to the Colosseum for the Way of the Cross procession to join Pope Francis for a Good Friday night ritual in Rome. The procession commemorates the suffering of Jesus. This year, meditations read aloud during the ceremony reflected on the modern-day plight of migrants whose traffickers force them to endure prostitution and other humiliations. As part of heightened security, buses and other traffic were rerouted away from the ancient Roman arena for the evocative, torch-carrying procession, which draws thousands of the faithful annually. Composing the meditations for the Way of the Cross, or Via Crucis, event was an Italian missionary nun, Eugenia Bonetti, who has worked for a quarter-century rescuing migrants and other women forced into prostitution on Italys streets by human traffickers and other exploiters. Francis has frequently championed the welfare of migrants and denounced human traffickers. In an early evening prayer service, in St. Peters Basilica, Francis listened in silence to a homily by the papal preacher. Readings focused on the torture and suffering Jesus endured before being executed upon a wooden cross. Wearing bright-red robes, to symbolize the blood shed by Jesus, Francis was helped by aides to kneel in quiet reflection, with his head bowed and hands folded. He also took his turn kissing a crucifix held up in the centre aisle of the cavernous basilica then pressed his forehead for a moment against the wooden statue depicting Jesus. In another moment, he prostrated himself on the basilica floor in a sign of humility. Solemn Holy Week ceremonies lead to the joyous celebrations of Easter Sunday, when Christians mark their belief of Jesus resurrection from the dead. In Jerusalem, thousands of Christian pilgrims and clergy members marched through the Old Citys ancient stone alleys Friday, retracing Jesus path to crucifixion. The faithful carried wooden crosses high on their shoulders and sang hymns to mark one of Christianitys most solemn and sacred days. The confluence of Good Friday and the Jewish holiday of Passover this year led to flocks of tourists and a festive atmosphere in the holy city. Jewish residents were rushing to complete their preparations for the ritual Seder dinner as the first night of Passover approached. In Jerusalems Mahane Yehuda outdoor market, a tumult of shoppers swarmed the stalls, filling their bags with ingredients for the holiday feast. Many observant Jews cleaned their homes of chametz, or leavened wheat, traditionally forbidden during the eight days of Passover to commemorate the Jewish peoples flight from slavery in Egypt, which didnt allow time for dough to rise into bread. The Chabad-Lubavitch movement, one of the worlds largest Jewish religious organizations, has arranged Passover Seders in more than 100 countries for Jews who seek them, even in some far-flung corners of the globe, such as the Congo and rural Australia. At sundown, Jews gather around dinner tables to tell the Passover story that celebrates their deliverance from slavery in Old Testament times. Ford Nation: Yours to Discover, Collenette, April 14 Penny Collenette says that the recently tabled Ontario budget makes no mention of refugees and immigrants when, in fact, the budget calls for a reduction in the provision of free legal aid to those seeking help with their refugee applications. Presumably, the government has chosen to do this as a polite way of inviting the federal government to stop dumping its ethical obligations onto the provinces without proper compensation. Patrick Cowan, North York Read more about: VANCOUVERAt 35, Sharmarke Dubow has sworn more than his share of solemn oaths. Six months ago, he vowed to serve the city and citizens of Victoria as a councillor. Just the previous year, on Canada Day 2018, the strikingly tall but soft-spoken community leader pledged his allegiance to Canada and the Queen at a citizenship ceremony. Dubow was elected last Oct. 20 in civic elections that saw a swath of rookie councillors enter politics across British Columbia. For me, it has been a huge curve of learning, he said on the Good Friday holiday. Also, you definitely dont get weekends or holidays (off), that comes with the job. Even when Im walking down the street, everyone wants to talk. But I do really love that. His path from Somalia to Victoria City Hall is certainly unorthodox. But despite much fanfare about his past, Dubow hopes people will see him as more than a refugee. My story is quite long, the business information technology graduate from Cape Breton University said. But Im more than a former asylum-seeker and refugee. I believe I have so much other wealth to offer my city. Its on those achievements, hes certain, that 10,590 voters checked the box next to his name in the ballot booth last fall. And, he said Friday, he intends to fight for them for the next three-and-a-half years. Dubows biography traces his story from war-ravaged Somalia to refugee camps in Egypt to the bloody streets of that countrys Arab Spring to the sleepy City of Victoria where 85 per cent of the population identify as Caucasian, and one in 20 were born in the U. K. but it has been missing a big piece of his life story. In the seven years since he arrived in Canada in 2012, Dubow has become a prominent community organizer and leader as a youth facilitator, affordable housing activist, and front-line immigrant and refugee worker. Soon after moving to Victoria that year, his first job was as a youth and family worker for the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society. He later got hired by the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, connecting volunteers with the thousands of Syrian refugees arriving under the federal governments ambitious resettlement program that began in 2015. But as one of thousands of tenants in a province thats seen housing prices skyrocket Victorias no exception Dubow was drawn to two key passions. First, the plight of people like him, who are being pushed out of the city by out-of-reach rents. And second, what he sees as a crisis of belonging and inclusion, which he says has beset North Americas cities, isolating people from each other, fuelling social divisions and political polarization that he believes is only worsening. Social isolation is huge in our community, he said, especially for our seniors, our youth, and our ethnocultural communities. Can we bring them together? Can the city create partnerships? Can we bring people together? I think that is what planning is about and where I can offer some experience. Its something he has spent years combating through his non-profit work with youth and newcomers from all over the world, and through direct activism. Dubow recounted the time he had to deal with paperwork at the offices of what was then known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada. But the only office in the city had been shuttered as part of sweeping cuts under the Conservative administration of then-prime minister Stephen Harper. Its thanks to him, actually, that I began my activism in Canada, he quipped. He knew he was not alone, so he decided to attend local protests against cuts to federal immigration service offices, as well as what he described as Ottawas cruel and arbitrary axing of the only health benefits available to asylum-seekers, many of them arriving with extensive health and dental needs. He later joined the steering committee of a tenant-rights activist group in Victoria and has supported anti-racism efforts. Dubow worries about the dark turn Canadian politics have taken lately, mirroring those south of the border as the extreme populist right wing grows and radicalizes. Canada has not been immune, and he worries people are complacent in imagining we are. My concern is how political parties are painting each other as the bad guys, he said. And also the increasing divisions, fighting and lack of collaboration. He blames Canadas first-past-the-post electoral system, which worsens the trend toward polarization and, by encouraging that system, he feels we could be fanning the flames of intolerance. Of course, Victoria city council has not been without its controversies. City halls early-morning removal of a statue of Canadas inaugural prime minister, John A. Macdonald, last year at the request of a committee of First Nations and some council colleagues ignited a firestorm that reached national proportions and sparked rage against what opponents and pundits deemed out-of-control political correctness. He supported the decision to store the controversial monument until another location and context is decided. Dubow said his time as a displaced person and refugee has led him to sympathize deeply with Indigenous peoples. At the end of the day, we make informed decisions. Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions, he said. We still need to hear every different opinion, thats required as an elected official. But your personal opinions can never encourage violating the rights of others. Those opinions are not anyones right. Reflecting on his first six months in elected office, his proudest moments are two successful motions by council: one to found a land bank to use city land to develop affordable housing, and another to establish a municipal housing authority. I pulled up my sleeves and got to work for the people of Victoria with council, Dubow said, echoing his vows last fall, and I hope the people of Victoria actually see our achievements. Read more about: Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 20) Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Teddyboy Locsin Jr. on Saturday said the Philippines should keep an eye on Sabah, as some jerks are proposing that the country should compromise its historical claims on it. Locsin in a tweet this Black Saturday responded to a Twitter user, saying the West Philippine Sea is not Philippine territory but part of the countrys exclusive economic zone. Save your prayers, we're doing all that can be donefor now. And later on with firmer commitment from abroad more, the governments top diplomat said on addressing the West Philippine Sea dispute. Also keep your eye on Sabah. Some jerks are proposing we compromise our historical claim to it with diplomatic moves of implicit surrender, he added. Sabah has been recognised by the Malaysian government as part of its territory since becoming part of the federation in 1963. The Philippines, however, claims that Sabah was once ruled by the Sultanate of Sulu, which signed a January 22, 1878 lease agreement with the now defunct private firm British North Borneo Company over a part of Sabah. In March, the Palace asserted the countrys claims over Sabah, in response to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamads reported remarks that the Philippines has no claims. Thats the position of Malaysia, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. Mahathir made an official visit to the Philippines last month. The Twitter exchange between Locsin and another user was about the harvest of giant clams by Chinese fishermen in Scarborough Shoal, which the Philippines asserts as part of its jurisdiction. He claimed the idiot opposition equated the Philippine territory to clams and other eatables. ALTON With the ongoing risk and fears of mass shootings, the Madison County Sheriffs Department and the Godfrey Fire Protection District partnered together Friday afternoon for active shooter training at Alton High School. The school was closed because of spring break. Justin Rottmann of the Southern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission said the main purpose of the training is showing the different departments how they can work together to create a warm zone where fire and medical personnel can assist victims with police escort and security. During the drill officers entered the scene to determine the threat, identifying victims and secure the scene for fire and EMS. To help keep the situation more realistic to the first responders, high school students played the victims. Our goal is to teach the fire, police and EMS to all respond together to an active killer environment together, Rottmann said. If there are victims down they can die within minutes. If we can get the fire and EMS in there quicker to move or treat the victims, were going to save lives. Rottmann said the ability for the different departments to work together and utilize their individual skills can result in a better outcome from a possibly deadly scene. Law enforcement has become really good at going to stop the threat, whatever that threat looks like, Rottmann said. Historical, theres been a delay in getting fire and EMS into buildings because they need a safe scene. Realistically it could take hours to make the scene completely safe. We dont always have that time. To make it more efficient we can partner-up the police, fire and EMS, he added. With protective gear and with law enforcement we can make them rescue task force team. They go in as a rescue task force and they security built-in with the police. Then the fire and ems can go into the scene and start saving lives. The 1999 shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado that left 13 dead led to a major change in tactics for what became known as active shooter situations, with an emphasis on aggressively going after the shooter to limit casualties, rather than securing the perimeter to negotiate or bring in a tactical team. Rottmann said the response to the program has been overwhelmingly positive among the different departments because of the increasing need. Over the course of the last year, SILEC has done approximately a dozen training exercises and plans to do more due to the interest in the different departments. For a long period of time there has been a mindset that this is a police issue, Rottmann said. Thats not the case. This is a shared effort to get this objective done and that objective is to stop the threat and get treatment to those that need it as quickly as possible. Rottmann noted the risks members of the fire department already take when entering a structure fire. We risk a little to save a little, we risk a lot to save a lot, he said. Were risking more to make an impact and save those lives. ALTON The Boys and Girls Club of Alton held their second Annual Tennies and Ties Dinner Thursday night at Lewis and Clark Community College, celebrating the move to their new building while thanking the community for helping make the transition possible. Al Womack Jr., executive director of the Boys and Girls Club, said the last year has been big for the organization, moving into the location of the former Alton School Districts Motivational Achievement Center on Washington Avenue. This building would have sat vacant, Womack said. But the school district, the school board and community members were able to recognize our vision. We all serve the same kids. Its all about our kids. The contributions received from individuals and companies throughout the area made the move possible, Womack said. We definitely wouldnt be in the position were in right now, or be able to provide all that we do for the kids if it wasnt for the all the community support we receive, he said. Were incredibly fortunate. Womack added that the organization likes to bring the club to the dinner, providing the kids an opportunity to give some personal thank yous and have fun with the donors that help the club run smoothly. Were in the business of working with kids, he said. Getting the kids out there with the community, allowing them to see the impact theyre making on the children is great. Its a win-win for everyone, the kids and the donors. During the dinner, the Boys and Girls Club also raised funds to offset the cost of annual fees for the kids and to install new playground equipment at the facility. Just a few moments before the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris caught fire, causing devastating destruction, a tourist captured a joyful moment on camera outside the iconic landmark. Brooke Windsor, 23, from Michigan, snapped a sweet photo of what seemed to be a father and his little girl playing. She turned to Twitter for help to find the pair so they could enjoy the happy keepsake. "Twitter if you have any magic, help him find this," Windsor wrote in a post that was shared nearly 224,000 times. REBUILDING NOTRE DAME: Billionaires raced to pledge money to rebuild Notre Dame. Then came the backlash She explained in her Twitter comments that after taking the picture, she thought about asking to send it to the person she presumed was the dad but she said that she wasn't certain what the relationship was between the duo. It was "simply the dynamic I observed from them while debating on interrupting this moment" that led her to believe it was a father and daughter, she said. "If it were me, I'd want the memory. Hoping he feels the same way," Windsor added, regarding her decision to tweet the picture. Roughly an hour after she captured the blissful moment, she told the BBC she "watched in shock and heartbreak with the rest of Paris" as the beloved cathedral, built in the 12th and 13 centuries, burned. Twitter users suggested the photo encapsulates life how one moment, everything can be so serene, and the next, chaos can strike. Others say that like the Cathedral itself, the photo also offers a beacon of hope. PLEDGE FOR NOTRE DAME: 'Assassin's Creed' makers pledge $565,000 to rebuild Notre Dame, make Paris-set video game free. In a happy update, the pair in the photo has been found. Updating her original thread Thursday, Windsor wrote that the man, who she called the "father," was able to be found and was thankful for the search: She also mentioned that the father did reach out to her on Twitter, so the viral hunt was certainly a success. Not even a week has passed since the fire, and already several French tycoons announced donations, including CEO of LVMH, Bernard Arnault, who said he'd be donating at least 200 million euros toward restoration efforts. French President Emmanuel Macron assured the country he was committed to rebuilding as well. He said in a statement to Reuters: "Notre Dame is burning, and I know the sadness, and this tremor felt by so many fellow French people. But tonight, Id like to speak of hope, too. Lets be proud, because we built this cathedral more than 800 years ago, weve built it and, throughout the centuries, let it grow and improved it. So I solemnly say tonight: We will rebuild it together." NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. The United States is experiencing its second-highest number of measles cases in nearly two decades. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the diagnosed cases have climbed to 465. At least 20 states have reported cases of the highly contagious virus. New York City officials have ordered mandatory measles vaccinations to halt an outbreak. The outbreaks are linked to people who traveled from countries such as Israel, Ukraine and the Philippines, where large measles outbreaks are occurring. The disease is spreading in U.S. communities that have relatively high numbers of people who have not been vaccinated against measles. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about measles, which can cause serious complications among all age groups, especially young children, adults with weakened immune systems, and the very elderly. Do I need another dose of the measles vaccine? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends children get two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age. For adults, if you were born before 1957, the CDC says it is unlikely you need more MMR shots. That's because most people born before then caught measles and thus have natural immunity. If you have no written documentation anywhere that you have had an MMR shot, talk with your doctor. People born between 1957 and 1989 generally only had one MMR dose. One dose is about 93 percent effective at preventing measles, but anyone in that age group can still get a second dose, says Russell Faust, medical director for Michigan's Oakland County health department. The county, part of metropolitan Detroit, has an ongoing measles outbreak with 39 cases reported. Two doses are about 97 percent effective. Even if you had two doses (or can't remember), it's okay to get a third dose, he says. "There's no downside to getting an MMR, especially during an outbreak," says Faust. How dangerous is measles for adults? Adults who have weakened or impaired immune systems caused by diseases, cancers or medications, or those who may have altered immunity such as the very elderly, are at higher risk for severe complications from measles, including pneumonia. They are also at higher risk for adverse reactions to the vaccine, and they should talk with their doctor. Faust says protection with a protein injection called immune serum globulin may be more appropriate. How long does it take for the body to develop immunity after getting an MMR shot? It takes seven to 21 days for the body to mount the maximum immune response, and can be as long as one to two months, Faust says. How does measles spread? Measles is one of the most contagious diseases on Earth. It is a respiratory infection caused by a virus. The virus lives in the nose and throat of an infected person. It can spread by direct contact with infectious droplets or through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses or mouths, they can become infected. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90 percent of the people close to that person or who walk through the same area and are not immune also may become infected. Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before through four days after the appearance of a rash. That's why many health officials in places experiencing outbreaks, such as New York's Rockland County and New York City and Washington state, have declared public health emergencies. Rockland County executives tried to ban unvaccinated minors from public places, including churches, schools and shopping centers. New York City just announced mandatory vaccinations in affected Zip codes. Can antibiotics treat measles? No. Antibiotics are used for infections caused by bacteria. Measles is caused by a virus. There is no specific treatment for measles. Health-care professionals try to prevent the disease by administering the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine to children. Nonimmunized people, including infants, may be given the measles vaccination within 72 hours of exposure to the virus to provide protection against the disease. Pregnant women, infants and people with weakened immune systems who are exposed to the virus may receive a protein injection called immune serum globulin within six days of exposure to prevent measles or reduce the symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. How dangerous is measles? Measles can be deadly, especially for babies and young children. Some people may have severe complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain), which can lead to hospitalization and death. Measles may cause pregnant woman to give birth prematurely or have a low-birth-weight baby. According to the CDC: As many as one out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children. About one child out of every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis, which can lead to convulsions and can leave the child deaf or with intellectual disabilities. For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die from it. Recent findings from researchers in California indicate a rare neurological complication that kills children years after they have been infected by the measles virus is more common than previously thought. The neurological disorder can lie dormant for years, and then is 100 percent fatal. There is no cure. For babies who get measles before being vaccinated, the rate is one in 609. How effective is the measles vaccine? The MMR vaccine is very effective. One dose is about 93 percent effective at preventing measles. Two doses are about 97 percent effective. The CDC recommends children get two MMR doses, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. What about pregnant women? If you are pregnant, clinicians say to wait to get the MMR shot until after the baby is born. It is safe for women who are breast-feeding to get a measles shot, according to Wendy Sue Swanson, a Seattle pediatrician. Why are infants at risk of measles? If a baby's mother has had her MMR shots or had a measles infection in her life, she passed antibodies to her baby during fetal development. Those antibodies provide protection for young infants and typically are thought to protect infants for up to six months or more, but researchers don't really know the length of protection. Immunity wanes for these babies as they age and the mom's antibodies fail to persist. Does the measles vaccine cause autism? No, there is no link between autism and the MMR vaccine. This has been carefully examined by many doctors and scientists from around the world in large and thorough studies. Scientists are studying what does make a child more likely to have autism, such as genes or an older father. How did the idea that the MMR vaccine causes autism originate? The debunked claim that there is a relationship between vaccines and autism largely stems from the late 1990s. At the time, autism diagnoses had been increasing, and doctors did not know why. In 1998, British researcher Andrew Wakefield published a fraudulent paper, which was subsequently retracted, linking autism to the MMR vaccine. Evidence emerged that Wakefield had been paid by attorneys for parents who were suing MMR manufacturers and that Wakefield's data were fraudulent. The Lancet retracted his study in February 2010. That year, Wakefield was found guilty of professional misconduct by Britain's General Medical Council, and his license was revoked. How are vaccines tested for safety? Vaccines are among the most thoroughly tested medical products available in the United States. Before a vaccine can be considered for approval by the Food and Drug Administration, the manufacturer must show it is safe and effective through clinical trials. This scientific process can take over a decade and cost millions of dollars. The FDA then examines these studies and determines whether a vaccine is safe, effective and ready to be licensed for use. The FDA licenses only those vaccines that have data showing their benefits outweigh the potential risks. If there is any question about the data, or any holes in the data, the FDA will request further studies before approving the vaccine. Vaccinate Your Family, the nation's largest nonprofit dedicated to advocating for vaccinations, provides a good explanation of the four systems in the United States that work together to help scientists monitor the safety of vaccines and identify any rare side effects that may not have been found in clinical trials. For example, some side effects may happen only in 1 in 100,000 or 1 in 500,000 people. Vaccine trials may not include certain populations, such as pregnant women or people with specific medical conditions who might have different types of side effects or who might have a higher risk of side effects than the volunteers who got the vaccine during clinical trials. One system, known as the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS, relies on individuals to report vaccine reactions. Anyone can report a reaction or injury, including health-care providers, patients and patients' representatives, such as caregivers or attorneys. The system is co-managed by the FDA and the CDC. The purpose of VAERS is to see whether unexpected or unusual patterns emerge, potentially indicating a vaccine safety issue that needs to be researched further. Another system, called the Vaccine Safety Datalink, is a collaboration between the CDC's Immunization Safety Office and eight large health-care organizations across the country. It conducts studies based on questions or concerns raised from the medical literature and reports to VAERS. In addition, when new vaccines are recommended or if changes are made in how a vaccine is recommended, the VSD will monitor the safety of these vaccines. The system has information on the kind of vaccine given to each patient, the date of vaccination and other vaccinations given on the same day. It also uses information on medical illnesses that have been diagnosed at doctors' offices, urgent-care visits, emergency department visits and hospital stays. A third system, called the Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment Project, or CISA, is a national network of vaccine safety experts from the Immunization Safety Office, seven medical research centers and other partners. It also addresses vaccine safety issues and conducts clinical research. A fourth system, called the Post-Licensure Rapid Immunization Safety Monitoring, or PRISM, is a partnership between the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research and leading health insurance companies. It actively monitors and analyzes data from a representative subset of the general population. Are religions opposed to vaccines? No. Scholars believe no major religious group advocates against vaccinations on the basis of official doctrine, and experts say the majority support vaccinations. Large majorities of Americans from all major religious groups say healthy children should be required to receive vaccinations to attend school, according to the Pew Research Center. However, some individuals from various faith traditions believe vaccinating goes against their religious beliefs. EDWARDSVILLE Some area law enforcement agencies will receive a significant amount of cash after a Las Vegas man pleaded guilty of money laundering and agreed to forfeit more that $727,000 he was carrying on Interstate 70 in Madison County. A prosecutor said Kenneth L. Ottrix, 60, pleaded guilty Thursday and was sentenced to 24 months probation. Prosecutors allowed the sentence in exchange for the plea and the agreement to forfeit the money. Law enforcement authorities will divide the cash under a state law that allows them to obtain the proceeds of criminal activity. Ottrix was charged after a Ford Flex he was driving April 4 was stopped for alleged improper passing on the left. State police reported that, after the traffic stop, Ottrix appeared nervous. A report said his travel itinerary and prior criminal history prompted an open-air sniff by a K9 officer. The sniff indicated narcotics, but no narcotics were found in the vehicle. A state trooper searched the vehicle and found the money in several clear, vacuum sealed packages inside a hidden compartment in the spare tire well. Ottrix declined to speak to police. He was held without bail until his plea Police outlined the arrest is a suit aimed at taking possession of the money under a state law that allows authorities to obtain assets believed used in illegal activities. A court document claims Ottrix did not have a legitimate source of income for that amount of money and that he has no visible means of support. State law provides that 65% shall be distributed to the metropolitan police agencies, including Illinois State Police, for conducting the traffic stop and search. The law states 12.5% shall be distributed to the Madison County States Attorneys Office. Another 10% will be retained by the Department of State Police for expenses related to the administration and sale of seized and forfeited property. Another 12.5% shall be distributed to the Office of the States Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor. Since no drugs were found in the case, the money does not necessarily have to be used in drug enforcement, a prosecutor said. According to a December 2012 report, Ottrix was arrested in Bend, Oregon, accused of poses-sing 3,000 Oxycodone pills found hidden in his trunk after his Cadillac was stopped by state troopers for speeding. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 44F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 23F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. WOOD RIVER A Wood River man has been indicted on a federal weapons charge for allegedly stealing 135 firearms and parts from a licensed federal firearms dealer in Wood River. The charges alleged Bradley N. Boswell, 30, of the 700 block of Wood River Avenue, Wood River, stole military style weapons and parts from Benbow City Sports, operated by Madison County attorney Thomas G. Maag. Boswell made an initial appearance Thursday in federal court after Wood River police and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and firearms conducted a pre-dawn raid in the 700 block of Rice Street, Wood River, an address that neighbors had been complaining of. Officers from the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System also participated. Two people were arrested at the Rice Street address, but Boswell was arrested at a location away from the Rice Street address, according to a Wood River police news release. Maag reported Feb. 27 that a building he owns in the first block of Ferguson Avenue was burglarized. Maag submitted a list of the stolen items, including three machine guns, including a British submachine gun, a grenade launcher, nine 5.56 mm rifles, several weapon parts, known as receivers, nine shotguns, pistols, revolvers and other items. The indictment also charged Boswell with possessing the same firearms after being convicted of a felony, according to Steven D. Weinhoeft, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. After Maag reported the burglary, Wood River police and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms obtained a video that showed a person entering the building in the first block of West Ferguson Avenue at 1:30 a.m. Feb. 8. A confidential informant also told police that he or she observed possibly stolen firearms at a home in the 200 block of Picker Avenue. The information about the firearms was in an affidavit asking the court to grant a search warrant for the home in the 200 block of Picker Avenue, where police found hypodermic syringes, a spent shell casing, ammunition, prescription bottles, and a riffle. The informant told officers that Boswell asked the informant if the informant knew how to make parts for firearms. The informant responded that he or she did not. Officers also received reports of other Wood River residents with drug records in possession of firearms. One of them told police that Boswell had come to a residence, carrying a large bag of firearms that matched the description of the items taken in the burglary. In the early morning raid Thursday, officers also arrested Deborah J. Knight, 53, the tenant of the home in the 700 block of Rice Street, on a charge of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $50,000. Heather D. Ontis, 43, of the 1300 block of Fieldon Hollow Road, Fielson, was arrested on a Jersey County warrant for possession of stolen property. Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said the case is still under investigation. He said the raid indicates the police will not tolerate drug activity in the city. EDWARDSVILLE An interdisciplinary effort, spearheaded by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students, and supported by the School of Engineering and numerous community donors, proved successful on a Michigan racetrack April 5-7. The SIUE School of Engineering student chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) placed among the best in the nation at the Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Competition. Aptly named The Spirit of Edwardsville, SIUEs HPV ranked 11th overall among 50 teams, including a seventh-place finish in the womens drag race tournament, and a ninth-place finish in the mens category. The competition considers standards of safety, durability, speed and design. Judges analyze a 26-page design paper and presentation, a safety evaluation, a mens and womens drag race tournament, and a two-and-a-half-hour endurance race. Our team spent many late nights and hundreds of hours in the School of Engineerings Fowler Student Design Center working on this project, explained Godfrey native Jonathan Cheatham, ASME student chapter president and senior mechanical engineering major. The highlights of the national competition were the moments where we were faced with difficult challenges and persevered. Wed get stuck because something wasnt working right, and a member would say, Wait, I can fix that. I know what to do. Thats mechanical engineering for you! SIUEs ASME chapter includes approximately 20 active members, eight of whom traveled to Michigan to compete. They included Cheatham, fellow mechanical engineering students Jeffery Clubb, Anthony Kindle, Nathaniel Kolesa, Joel Eberhart, Genevieve Bourgeois, and Holly Liebel, and industrial engineering major Tiana Sherman. Business and fine arts students also contributed to the teams success. This was definitely an interdisciplinary endeavor, Cheatham noted. I loved watching our bike fly down the track and hold its own against our competition, some of whom spent thousands of dollars more on their vehicles. In order to combat high material and production costs, the SIUE team sought support from the Edwardsville community. Their outreach proved successful, with multiple local companies offering donations and material discounts to make possible The Spirit of Edwardsville. We named our bike The Spirit of Edwardsville for multiple reasons, Cheatham said. First and foremost, to show our appreciation for the support we received from SIUE and the Edwardsville community. We also wanted a name that evoked the determination and tenacity of the many people who worked tirelessly to make this project a reality. We cut costs where we could, getting great deals on materials and teaching ourselves to weld instead of outsourcing the work, he explained. But in the end, this was going to cost more than our team could afford alone. Generous donors helped us reach our financial goals, including the School of Engineering, Sgt. Peppers Cafe, Deweys Pizza and others that wish to remain anonymous. Companies like The Cyclery, Composite Envisions, Wicks Aircraft and OnlineMetals.com helped us with discounts on materials. Cheatham emphasizes the value of being involved in a student organization like the ASME. I encourage younger engineers to participate in one of the Schools excellent organizations, even if theyre not skilled in the subject matter, he said. There is much to learn about engineering that cant be crammed into a four-year curriculum. My team and I learned volumes about materials, manufacturing, system engineering, project management and leadership during this process. SANTA MARIA VISITACION, Guatemala - In a mountain village where every week people leave for the United States, the school broadcasts its message in its name: el Centro Quedate - the Stay Here Center. It's a low-slung white building in which teenagers gain skills that ostensibly will help them find jobs here, instead of the United States. They learn to cut hair and to fix computers. They sharpen their English so they can work in call centers or as tour guides. They get lectures on the dangers of migrating. A poster shows stick figures drowning in rivers, falling off trains and being held at gunpoint. What the students don't know is that they're subjects in a quiet experiment to deter migration. The Stay Here Center is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Guatemalan government in an attempt to stem the flow of migrants from Guatemala, now the biggest source of people attempting to migrate to the United States. About one in 100 Guatemalans has reached the U.S. border in the last year alone. The United States spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year on programs such as the Stay Here Center, aimed at improving the lives of would-be migrants in their own communities so they don't leave home in the first place. It's the softer side of migration enforcement: rehabilitation programs for prisoners in El Salvador, business training for young Hondurans, funding for the corn and bean farmers of Guatemala. President Donald Trump said last month he would cancel aid to those three countries - to punish them, he said, for not doing enough to stop migration. Development experts and diplomats called the move self-defeating: Cutting programs aimed at curbing migration would only increase the flow of migrants. The funds have not yet been eliminated, and it's possible that Congress might be able to preserve them. But for now, the Stay Here Center has entered the crush of U.S. politics, at the heart of a question plaguing Washington: How do you reduce the number of people attempting to reach the U.S. border? It's unclear whether this four-year-old school is helping. The school doesn't maintain reliable metrics on its success at keeping students from migrating, and neither does USAID. Analysts have questioned whether any development program can effectively change migration patterns. Teachers here say students at the Stay Here Center leave all the time, abruptly setting off for the United States. "The odds are stacked against us," said Silvia Quintana, who teaches English at the school. "Sometimes the kids just disappear." Still, the school serves as a tiny flicker of hope in Santa Maria Visitacion, where for decades migration was taken as a granted, the only way out of grinding poverty. Now teenagers have at least the impression of a choice. Maybe they could open a barber shop. Maybe they could repair computers or work with tourists. Sometimes it works. The students want to stay in Guatemala, if they can. In this village, like many in Central America, migration is a last resort. The Stay Here Center has in some cases tweaked the calculus of the teenagers of Santa Maria Visitacion, as they weigh the biggest decision they will ever make. "Right now, I'm between the two things," said Moises Ventura, 19. "Can I make money cutting hair here? "If not, I'm gone." - - - Santa Maria Visitacion claims a population of 3,000, but many of those residents haven't lived here for years. It lies high in the Sierra Madre range of Guatemala, atop a road that zigs and zags up from Lake Atitlan, one of Guatemala's premier tourist attractions. It's a few square blocks, one restaurant, one taxi driver, one church. And it's full of signs of migration. Stores advertise ways to receive remittances. The local human smuggler tools around in a shiny pickup truck. A four-story house, white, with marble floors, a towering incongruity here, belongs to two undocumented immigrants working construction jobs in Miami. The conversations happen everywhere - in the town hall, in schools, on the ancient American school buses that carry Guatemalans from one village to the next. Who just left for America? Who was deported? How much is the smuggler charging these days? It's a town where migration is part of the fabric of daily life - a journey most everyone has tried or at least considered. The Stay Here Center is a block and a half from the central plaza. "We know everyone wants to leave this place," said Marcos Ixtamer, the school's director. "That's why we're here." Ixtamer, 40, stands in the school's entranceway. It's Monday morning, and the week's first classes have just begun. In one classroom, five boys are studying computer repair. Their instructor teaches them to enunciate the words "World Wide Web." A few blocks away, 17 teenagers are learning to cut hair. Ixtamer, like most of the staff at the Stay Here Center, is certain that the school's goals are correct. Illegal migration is a bad idea for these kids, he says. It's dangerous. It's expensive. Smugglers are now charging as much as $12,000 per person for the journey from Santa Maria Visitacion to the U.S. border. And what's so great about doing backbreaking work in the States, anyway? He's sure of his argument. But he's not sure it will make a difference. The minimum wage in Guatemala is about $12 per day. In Santa Maria Visitacion, many people earn far less. The sun rises over Lake Atitlan, a popular destination for tourists. A lancha, or boat taxi, takes tourists and locals across the lake. The problem isn't just wages - it's the lack of jobs. So many people have left the village that the vendors at the weekly market now sell their vegetables, T-shirts and cheap electronics mostly to each other. "The fact is, there's nothing to do here," Ixtamer said. - - - The idea of teaching vocational skills to keep would-be migrants from leaving is hardly unique to the Stay Here Center. Across the world, developed countries invest in programs aimed at addressing the root causes of migration. Spain opens a cashew processing plant in Mali. Italy funds vocational training centers in Ethiopia. Belgium tries to improve farming practices in Senegal. Michael Clemens, a fellow at the Center for Global Development, says the approach "gets it backward." "Migration is a fundamental part of a country's development process." In much of the developing world, money sent home by family and friends abroad provides a crucial economic foundation. In Guatemala, these remittances account for more than 11 percent of GDP. Migration can also ease tight labor markets when demographic booms create surges of young people competing for limited numbers of jobs. "The fact is that migration provides a remarkably good return on investment," Clemens said. The face of Guatemala's migrant surge is youthful. Roughly 136,000 Guatemalans were apprehended at the U.S. border or turned themselves in from October through March, according to Customs and Border Patrol. That included 94,000 people arriving in families and 16,800 unaccompanied minors. The Stay Here Center serves young people mostly ages 12 to 19. Unlike many public schools in Guatemala, it's free. As a result, the center is the only school that some of its poorest students attend. The school focuses on teenagers at risk of migrating. Teachers talk to parents and community leaders to find out which children are planning trips. Those who have relatives already in the United States are considered particularly likely candidates. "These are small towns," Ixtamer said. "It's not hard for us to find kids who are getting ready to leave or who are thinking about it." He tries to imagine how Santa Maria Visitacion would look with a new generation of barbers or computer shops or tour guides to lead visitors around the lake. Could the village - one of several much like it around Atitlan - support those jobs? He knows most of the kids don't have enough money for scissors or their own laptops. Late Monday morning, a student named Elmer walks by Ixtamer's office. "He was deported a few months ago," Ixtamer said. "Every day he says, 'I'm going to go back, I'm going to try again.' "We try to convince him to please stay here, to give this class a chance." Ixtamer sighed. "I don't know how much longer we can keep him." Quintana, the English teacher, is familiar with that fight. She says roughly 10 percent of the thousand or so children she has taught have migrated. "I don't blame myself," she said. "I know what we're up against." - - - Timoteo Perez climbs into the hills around Santa Maria Visitacion each week in search of more teenagers who are planning to migrate. Perez is the Stay Here Center's social worker. He has taught himself four indigenous languages because many families in the region's isolated communities don't speak enough Spanish to understand his pitch. On a recent Tuesday, he walked along a highway in a tiny village called Patzij, a smattering of small homes connected by a narrow dirt path. Subsistence farming is pretty much the only job here. Perez carried a handwritten list of names to track down. He passed a hulking three-story home with a terrace. "Those houses were built by people in the United States," he said. "The only way you can afford something like that is by sending money from America." From the highway, he made a left turn and walked up a dirt path toward the house of Pascuala Marroquin and her 12-year-old daughter Milvia. Perez pulled out a photocopy of the Stay Here Center's recruitment survey. Marroquin sat on the floor. Perez asked about the girl. "She hasn't tried to go to the United States, but she wants to, right?" he asked. Marroquin cast her glance downward. "Yes," she said. "Her father is in the U.S." "She knows where her dad is?" "We've heard he's in Los Angeles." Perez took notes. He knew that a child with a father in the United States is more likely to try to migrate at some point. "We're here to help you," Perez said. "We're going to teach her to cut hair." "She says she going to go," Marroquin said. "I tell her no." Perez thanked her and left. Milvia's hair-cutting classes would begin later that week - if she showed up. The next family lived on a different hill, in a smaller house. Elena spoke no Spanish, only Quiche, a Mayan language. One of her sons was already in the United States. Perez was trying to persuade her to send another son, Isaias, to the Stay Here Center. He repeated the questions he had asked Marroquin. Elena said Isaias was thinking about heading north. "His brother is pushing him," she said. Did Elena think the Stay Here Center would help keep Isaias here? She started to cry. "My son wants to stay here, but the situation is forcing him to leave," she said. "He wants to learn to cut hair, but to do that he's going to need materials. We don't have the resources to buy them." Perez completed his form and walked back down the hill. He took a bus back to Santa Maria Visitacion. "This is not an easy job," he said. - - - Quintana estimates that 1 in 10 of her former students have migrated. It's difficult to know whether this represents failure, or success. The Center for Global Development estimates that roughly 8 percent of all 17-year-olds in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras migrated to the United States between 2011 and 2016. The Stay Here Center in Santa Maria Visitacion is a tiny part of the U.S. government's development package in Central America. It has received just over $20,000 per year in U.S. funds over the last two years, distributed by the International Organization for Migration. USAID says it does not keep track of the center's results - the federal agency relies on the International Organization for Migration for oversight. IOM says it has not tracked the school's impact on local migration trends. The U.S. Government Accountability Office reported last year that there were "multiple external factors that may influence an individual's decision to migrate again, some of which cannot be addressed through reintegration assistance programs. For example, the desire to reunify with family may affect an individual's decision, as well as the country's economic conditions and levels of violence and insecurity." Much of the U.S. funding aimed at deterring migration focuses on longer-term problems in the region. In El Salvador, for example, USAID says its programs have contributed to a reduction in the homicide rate, which has in turn led to decreased migration. But in Guatemala, where USAID says a program called Increased Incomes in High Migration Areas has helped create tens of thousands of agricultural jobs, migration has surged. Development experts say it's notoriously difficult to reduce migration by increasing economic opportunity. First, investments don't always lead to immediate jobs. Second, if the project does lead to better jobs, workers often use their new earnings to pay a smuggler to take them to the United States. At the Stay Here Center, the students are aware that the skills they're acquiring will be particularly useful if they migrate. "I always ask them why they want to learn English and what use do they have for it," Quintana said. "They say if I go to the United States, I would like to communicate." At a recent class, Quintana asked, "Is there anyone here who would like to go to the States?" Every hand went up. "But who wants to go in a truck so that they deport you?" she asked. "If that's the only option, then that's fine," Abdiel Dionisio said. Quintana shook her head and laughed. She didn't know at the time that Dionisio was the mayor's son. - - - Moises Ventura was trying his best to learn how to cut hair. His teacher had told him he was good at it, that he can make money doing it here. He's 19. He wants to believe her. He has cousins in the United States, and he knows how much they're making on construction jobs - more than $10 per hour, an impossible sum. But he knew it was getting harder and more expensive to cross into the United States. That's why, when Ixtamer confronted his father at the local market, he agreed to attend the Stay Here Center. Halfway into the course, he converted a tiny room in his family's home into a makeshift barber shop. He charges 12 quetzales - about $1.50 - per haircut. He gets about four or five clients a week. "I want to try to make this work," he said. He's giving himself a trial run. If the barber shop doesn't work, he knows where to find the smuggler. His father, Alberto, shares his ambivalence. "We look at other neighbors who have arrived in the United States, and within a month, you can see the difference. You see the houses they're building," he said. "So, yes, there are times when I want to give my son the opportunity to leave." Moises is weighing the same calculus that graduates of the center have considered for years. Sometimes the decision is made for them. Quintana remembers the 14-year-old boy who suddenly stopped showing up at her class. She went to the boy's home to ask what happened. It turned out his father, the family breadwinner, had died. The mother's solution was to send her son to the United States to make money in his absence. "The father died on a Wednesday," Quintana said. "The boy left for the U.S. on a Friday." Quintana understands. She herself was once undocumented in the United States, cleaning houses in Los Angeles. She eventually married a man who was a U.S. citizen and gained permanent residence herself. She chose to return to Guatemala. But she remembers the luster that migration once held for her - the way it seemed the only option. She thinks about her own experience when her students disappear. But she also has plenty of counterexamples - the boy who is now a tour guide on Lake Atitlan, the girl she sees selling handmade skirts in town, the boy who managed to secure a scholarship to attend a university in Guatemala City. Quintana has come to the same conclusion as many development experts: Programs such as the Stay Here Center can work on some of the few people they serve. They can influence their calculations in indiscernible but perhaps decisive ways. But they are a small attempt to fix a large problem. With the Stay Here Center's funding stream now under threat, Quintana watches students like Ventura enter the school, knowing that they might not finish the semester. Officials at IOM say that without U.S. funds, the school will likely have to downsize or possibly even close. If the school were to shutter, it's impossible to know how much more likely they would be to migrate - or whether migration would be good or bad for them. Those are not her judgments to make. "If I can convince some of them - not all of them but some of them - I'll feel happy," she said. WADE HUSING, Chariho, Wrestling, Junior; Husing, finished unbeaten in the South County Invitational and placed first at 120 pounds. Three of Husings wins were pins. Chariho finished second as a team. DANTE WILK, Westerly, Boys Basketball, Senior; Wilk, scored 23 points and had eight assists as Westerly opened the season with a victory over longtime rival Chariho. Wilk also contributed five rebounds. Vote View Results Fake text: Scammers tempt people with bogus refunds Young adults who are unfamiliar with the tax system are prime targets for fraudsters tempting them with bogus refunds via text message, warn HMRC officials. A springtime blitz of refund scams coincides with the kick-off to the new tax year on 6 April, with a quarter of a million reports of suspicious approaches - nearly 2,500 a day - received at this time last year. Criminals deluge taxpayers with emails and texts that pretend to be from HMRC during the same period that tax offices are working on legitimate rebates or demands for extra payments. A typical rip-off involves a text like the one above, which encourages people to provide their bank details to get a payment of a few hundred pounds. Fake Government websites then harvest private information and use it to steal money from unwitting victims, according to HMRC. Last year, it targeted some 6,000 phishing websites to get them shut down. If you are unsure of whether an approach is genuine or a scam, the crucial thing to know is that HMRC never asks taxpayers to provide their bank details by text or email. Fake email: HMRC released this example to warn people not to fall for them What happens in reality if you have paid too much tax is HMRC will either automatically credit your bank account if it knows about one, or if not send you a cheque. If you have not paid enough tax, HMRC will tell you much you owe and how to pay securely. See the tips below for what to do if you think you have been targeted in a scam, or want to know if any contact is legitimate. If you think you have already fallen victim, contact your bank immediately. Recently, fraudsters have also launched a wave of robot or personal calls threatening dire legal consequences if people don't pay large tax bills immediately. This is Money has reported on cases of people paying thousands of pounds to scammers, who are making aggressive calls trying to scare people about imminent raids on their property, hefty financial penalties and prison sentences. Sometimes they have cloned HMRC's real phone number (usually 0300 200 3300) to dupe people into thinking they are actually dealing with the tax authorities. Nowadays, it is relatively easy to spoof numbers to make it appear you are calling from the Government or a company. In one case, a widow was menaced by a caller demanding 8,000 out of the blue. This is Money was approached by her sister, who was anxious her late brother-in-law might have owed money to the taxman. Luckily, her sister had stood her ground and refused to hand over any money without seeing proof of a tax debt. We contacted HMRC on their behalf to find a secure contact they could talk to, and also got a tax expert to explain what to do if you are contacted by someone claiming to be from HMRC, and are unsure whether the approach is legitimate or a scam. She gave details about how HMRC operates when it is genuinely owed money and pursuing a debt. HMRC's tips to guard against scams The taxman offers the following advice: * Recognise the signs - genuine organisations like banks and HMRC will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, password or bank details. * HMRC will never advise you of a refund in an e-mail or SMS message. * Stay safe - dont give out private information, reply to text messages, download attachments or click on links in emails you werent expecting. * Take action - forward suspicious emails and details of suspicious calls claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and texts to 60599, if you have suffered financial loss contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use their online fraud reporting tool. * Check GOV.UK for information on how to avoid and report scams and recognise genuine HMRC contact. * If you think you have received an HMRC related phishing/bogus email or text message, you can check it against the examples shown in this guide. Angela MacDonald, head of customer services at HMRC, said: 'We are determined to protect honest people from these fraudsters who will stop at nothing to make their phishing scams appear legitimate. 'HMRC is currently shutting down hundreds of phishing sites a month. If you receive one of these emails or texts, dont respond and report it to HMRC so that more online criminals are stopped in their tracks. The head of Action Fraud, Pauline Smith, said: 'These criminals will contact victims in many ways including spoofed calls, voicemails and text messages. People should spot the signs of fraud and be wary of emails with attachments which might contain viruses designed to obtain personal or financial information.' Katy Worobec of Take Five, the national campaign that advises on protection against financial fraud, said: 'The offer of a tax rebate might sound tempting, but dont let the criminals hoodwink you into giving away your details or your cash. 'If youre worried that you might have given away any of your information, then contact your bank straight away.' Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. W.H. writes: I switched from Spark Energy to Extra Energy, but since November last year I have been persistently phoned by debt collector Opos Ltd, claiming I owe Spark 172. It has also written, threatening to trash my credit rating. Luckily, I still have my final bill from Spark, clearly showing I was in credit. Each time Opos calls, I explain this and it says it will look into it. But how can Opos just say that I owe money without any evidence? Our reader has been persistently phoned by debt collector Opos You gave me your final statement from Spark. It could not be clearer. It says: 'We're sorry to see you go.' And it adds: 'You are 258 in credit.' But you also gave me one of the letters from debt collectors Opos. And this could not be any clearer either. It demands 172 and warns you: 'Failure to repay this account in line with your agreement has had a negative impact on your credit rating and will continue to do so until this matter is resolved.' If you want to improve your credit rating, then pay up, Opos says. Opos, which is based in Dumbarton, near Glasgow, is run by Margo Kidd-Fallan and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, which lists her as a director of the company. But Companies House has no record of her as a director. I asked her to explain this and to let me have a copy of whatever contract or records justified the demands her company issued. She replied that the FCA was 'more comfortable' with naming her as a director even though she is not simply because she is a major shareholder in Opos. I must admit I had no idea that the FCA had the power to name people as company directors, when Companies House says the opposite. More importantly, while I was waiting for Opos to explain its threats and demands, Spark Energy itself told me you did not owe a penny. It explained: 'Due to a historic billing system issue, an anomaly occurred on Mr H's account to show it was in arrears when no balance was due.' So where did this leave the debt collectors? And what about the threat from Opos that your credit rating had already taken a bashing? Well, it left the debt collectors red-faced. They did not have a shred of evidence that you owed Spark anything. Opos told me: 'It is not possible to manually check every single account we are passed to collect.' Amazingly, Opos went on to deny that it had ever placed any adverse entry on your credit file. Opos blamed Spark for giving it the false impression that you had been listed as a bad debtor. In other words, Opos had no evidence that you were ever in debt and its threat to your credit rating was equally false. I wonder how many people would have paid up rather than challenge the debt collectors. There is one final sting in the tail to all this. Spark told me it would send you a written apology and 100 by way of apology. The letter arrived at the end of March, saying a cheque was enclosed. But there was no cheque. Why is it that utility companies are so bad at getting bills right in the first place, then manage to make a mess of their apology? Spark said it would send the 100 by bank transfer, but this would take 14 days. Good heavens. Is Spark short of a hundred quid? The missing money landed in your account just days ago. I hope Spark and its debt collector Opos have learnt from all this. I am not counting on it. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. Artificial intelligence has been hailed as a key driver of the technological revolution taking mundane tasks out of the hands of humans. Daring investors who back firms creating this 'intelligence' or putting it to use in business or both are likely to be the biggest financial winners. Chris Ford and Tim Day, evangelists of this futuristic technology, are managers of the Smith & Williamson Artificial Intelligence fund. They aim to achieve healthy capital growth for investors by choosing the 35 companies that do it best. Artificial intelligence: The fund invests in some established names and plenty of unknowns There are some established names, as well as plenty of unknowns. Ford says: 'We look at each stock on its merit.' Ocado is one. It is not just a successful online grocer but also sells its sought-after 'smart platform' technology to rival supermarkets. This year it has signed three high profile deals (with Marks & Spencer in the UK, Target in the US and Coles in Australia) to sell its system to retailers keen to brush up their online offerings without working from scratch. Ford says: 'What is special is that Ocado's system can be configured to what another retailer wants, so they can differentiate themselves. 'Fulfilling robotic orders efficiently depends on the intelligence of systems. The use of artificial intelligence at Ocado is deep and broad. And the software it uses comes from its own developers.' The 166million fund has grown 43 per cent since its launch two years ago A less familiar holding is Australian firm Appen, which specialises in neural network simulation. This is where machine 'brains' are taught tasks so they can power applications such as a chat bots, or can do facial, speech and fingerprint recognition. Ford says: 'The applications require a lot of data and Appen provides much of it to meet the rapidly expanding needs of platforms such as Google and Amazon.' Ford also likes the company's employment model, where it taps in to the general public for its expertise as and when required. The shares have made a strong contribution to the performance of the fund so far. Bought at A$9 (5) in June 2017, when the fund was launched they have since shot up to A$23 (13). Darius McDermott of investment analyst FundCalibre is a fan of the sector and fund. He says: 'The growth in artificial intelligence and the number of areas it touches could be exponential in coming years.' McDermott likes the fact the managers practise what they preach by using artificial intelligence as part of their own investment process. He says: 'Software helps find companies whose business models are aligned to benefit from this growing theme. It analyses thousands of financial statements for keywords and phrases. The companies are then tested to ensure turnover and profit are driven by incorporating artificial intelligence into their business models.' Ford and Day do not expect to lose their jobs to robots just yet. They still value face to face visits to companies to check out their human management credentials. The 166million fund has grown 43 per cent since its launch two years ago and in the past 12 months has returned 22 per cent, against just 5 per cent for the FTSE All-Share Index. It is still early days and tech firms have a habit of blowing up in investors' faces. McDermott nonetheless calls the fund good value with a charge of just 0.55 per cent a year. He says: 'It suits an adventurous investor as a satellite not a core investment.' As it invests in growth firms unlikely to pay dividends it is not for income-seekers. On charge: Ceres Power's cells can be used in electric car charging points Easter is supposed to be a time of optimism but many businesses are suffering from Brexitisis a condition caused by prolonged exposure to the hapless wrangling between Westminster and the EU. One notable exception to this corporate angst is Ceres Power, a fast-growing fuel cell firm based in West Sussex. Ceres boss Phil Caldwellboss Phil Caldwell is not waiting for Government Ministers to reach trade deals with other countries. He is already working with some of the biggest companies in China, Japan and the US, as well as Bosch in Germany. The shares are 1.75 and should rise in value as the business develops and gains news customers. Caldwell is extremely ambitious too. Today, Ceres is valued on the stock market at 265million but Caldwell is determined to take that valuation to more than 1billion over the next few years. Caldwell's belief in his company's potential is not just a pipe-dream. Fuel cells have been around for years but they have struggled to become accepted because many use expensive materials, such as platinum, and they need hydrogen to function. Ceres Power fuel cells are different because they are made from ordinary steel and they can use hydrogen or natural gas to generate electricity and heat. That makes them more cost-effective and practical than conventional fuel cells but equally good at doing the job. And that job is increasingly important. Normally, fuel such as oil, gas or coal is burned to produce energy and that energy is distributed from power stations via the grid. Fuel cells do not involve combustion, so they avoid greenhouse gas emissions and they generate power on site, so they can be up to twice as efficient as the grid. As governments become increasingly exercised about climate change and pollution, fuel cells are increasingly in demand. Ceres' particular brand of fuel cell was invented by the late Professor Brian Steele, a pioneer in the field, working at Imperial College in London. The group's technology has improved steadily over the years and today its SteelCell is recognised as one of the most advanced fuel cell systems in the world. When Caldwell became chief executive in 2013, Ceres was focused on the domestic market, trying to design, make and sell products for the home. The approach was laborious, time-consuming and gobbled up cash so Caldwell switched strategy. He focused on the commercial market and looked to develop partnerships with other businesses or license the Ceres technology to them. This has worked wonders. Bosch is using Ceres technology to develop fuel cells that can be used in local power stations, factories, data centres and charge points for electric vehicles. Last year too, Caldwell signed an agreement with Weichai Power, one of the largest bus and truck companies in China. The firm intends to put Ceres SteelCells into hybrid electric buses so they can travel up to 375 miles without needing to recharge, compared to around 120 miles on batteries alone. German company Bosch is using Ceres technology to develop fuel cells that can be used in local power stations, factories, data centres and charge points for electric vehicles A prototype is being launched later this year and the technology should be rolled out across Weichai's fleet next year and beyond. Further ahead, Weichai and others are likely to use Ceres cells in trucks and lorries too. Politicians around the world are determined to phase out combustion-engine vehicles and fuel cells are ideally suited to long distance travel. Both Bosch and Weichai have made serious financial commitments to Ceres, providing tens of millions of pounds to the business through a combination of share purchases, licensing deals and joint ventures. Caldwell has also signed agreements with carmakers Nissan and Honda and Cummins, an American engine manufacturer with operations around the world and a stock market valuation of $26billion (20billion). New deals are expected to emerge this year, further endorsement of Ceres' world-beating technology. In 2016, Ceres delivered revenues of 1.7million. By last year, the figure had increased to 6.3million and for the 12 months to June, brokers expect a more than doubling of revenues to 14million, rising to 23million by 2021. The company is loss-making at the moment, as it invests in research, development and people. Employee numbers have doubled to 200 in recent years, including scores of engineers and scientists with PhDs. Caldwell is also building a state-of-the-art factory in Surrey to show customers how they can create Ceres SteelCells, once they have signed licensing agreements with the company. Midas verdict: Fuel cells are likely to play a growing role in energy production and Ceres is at the forefront of the industry. An impressive UK technology business exporting its know-how around the world, the company should continue to thrive. At 1.75, the shares are a buy. Chocolate isn't just for Easter. It is a treat devoured in most households every week and the manufacture of cocoa and confectionery is worth 1.1billion to the UK economy making it a tempting choice for investors too. Laith Khalaf, senior analyst for investment company Hargreaves Lansdown, says: 'If you want to invest in chocolate manufacturers, you really need to look outside the UK to the likes of Swiss group Nestle and Canadian giant Mondelez, though both have products other than chocolate in their range. 'For a smaller domestic player, investors might consider Hotel Chocolat.' The company previously issued 'chocolate bonds', paying investors' returns in the form of sweet treats rather than interest. Sweet: The manufacture of cocoa and confectionery is worth 1.1billion to the UK economy But since spring 2016 it has also traded shares on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) London's junior stock exchange. Mondelez is the owner of much loved brand Cadbury. Research by The Share Centre shows that anyone who invested 100 a month in either of these companies' shares at the start of this year would have had enough money to buy a basket-load of chocolate eggs by this weekend. With the former, a 300 investment would have generated a share price growth of 80.68 enough to purchase two Hotel Chocolat extra thick eggs, an Easter goodie bag and still have 8.68 left over. The 23 per cent share price rise for Mondelez, which also owns confectionary brands Milka, Oreo and Toblerone, would be enough for investors to buy 177 Cadbury Creme Eggs. Thomas Rosser, investment research analyst at The Share Centre, says: 'Shares of Hotel Chocolat trade at 3.53, which when compared to their earnings appear relatively expensive, but this is often expected from fast growing companies. 'The more established company Mondelez's shares trade at 38.62 which is fairly priced against its earnings over a five year period.' Despite strong returns in the first quarter of 2019, as ever with investing this does not indicate how performance will pan out in future. And any knock to consumer spending patterns or wages has the potential to hit stock prices. Rosser adds: 'Share prices can fall as well as rise. Moreover, rising commodity costs can influence running costs and put pressure on margins, potentially leading to higher end prices for the consumer.' Other shares that represent an international love of cocoa-based sweet treats are US-based Hershey Company and Swiss manufacturer Barry Callebaut. The latter is involved in all stages of chocolate production, from sourcing cocoa to finished products. It is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. People will consume through thick and thin with profits rolling in Lee Wild, head of equity strategy at Interactive Investor says: 'Investing in food producers, whether they make chocolate or not, is often a sensible move. 'Making things that people will consume through thick and thin keeps profits rolling in, and there are some reliable UK blue-chip companies that fit the bill.' Unilever is one example, which Wild says 'doesn't just make teabags and household cleaners'. The company is behind Magnum ice cream, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry's chocolate ice creams. 'The latest first-quarter results have gone down well and this food giant is a core portfolio holding,' says Wild. Meanwhile Mr Kipling owner Premier Foods licences Cadbury to produce Creme Egg cupcakes and Mini Egg cakes. Dan Coatsworth, stock market analyst at AJ Bell, says: 'Investors looking to take advantage of a potential uplift in sales around Easter should also note that Premier Foods is burdened with large amounts of debt.' Fans of British chocolate brand Thorntons cannot buy shares, as it was bought by private company Ferrero International the maker of Ferrero Rocher and Nutella four years ago. But AIM-listed Finsbury Food Group has a licensing arrangement with Thorntons to make chocolate treats. Wild adds: 'The shares had a rotten start to 2019, but are up over 30 per cent in April after the boss's wife bought 100,000 shares in the company.' Meanwhile Europe Nestle shares have risen 17 per cent this year, owing to investors and consumers' enjoyment of KitKats, Milkybars, Aero and Quality Street. Another option to consider is the ingredients produced that complement Easter chocolate treats many of which are produced by 132-year-old AIM-listed Camellia. Peter Sleep, of Seven Investment Management, says: 'Camellia grows the citrus fruit that goes into your Chocolate Orange and many of the other fun things that might make your Easter healthier such as almonds, pistachios, blueberries, pineapples and macadamia nuts.' The company grows tea in Asia and Africa as well as grapes for wine in South Africa. Thorntons was bought by private company Ferrero International Sleep adds: 'Those who are too health conscious for chocolate will be pleased to know that Camellia also produces your Easter Sunday breakfast avocado.' If you are more interested in spreading risk by investing in funds rather than individual company stocks, one to consider is Lindsell Train UK Equity Fund. Both Unilever and Mondelez are in its top ten holdings. It is a favoured fund appearing on Hargreaves Lansdown Wealth 50 list of best funds in each sector and Interactive Investor's Super 60 list of rated funds. At the other end of the scale, purists have the option of investing in the raw ingredients of a chocolate Easter egg commodities like cocoa and sugar. The ETFS Cocoa is an exchange-traded fund which are funds that issue shares and often track an index. This one tracks the performance of the Bloomberg Cocoa Subindex, moving up and down in line with the price of cocoa. Khalaf, of Hargreaves Lansdown, says: 'Cocoa ETFs are complex products and they're for experienced, sophisticated investors with a high-risk appetite only.' He adds: 'While the allure of chocolate is plain for all to see, savers should make sure they do their homework when selecting how to gain exposure. No one wants their investments to melt away like a chocolate teapot.' One of the City's most controversial characters, who has twice been convicted of being a heroin dealer, has made an extraordinary return to the Square Mile, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Multi-millionaire tycoon Frank Timis is pushing for a coup at the top of a bitcoin company listed on the London Stock Exchange four years after his last London-listed mining company went bust. Timis was revealed as the largest shareholder in Argo Blockchain after the firm was told by a mystery investor to kick out the top two executives. Through his First Investments vehicle, the entrepreneur owns 14 per cent of troubled Argo. Other investors include heavyweight City institutions Janus Henderson and Jupiter Asset Management. Conviction investor: Frank Timis has been revealed to be the biggest shareholder in Argo Blockchain Timis's exact motive is unclear, but he appears to want Argo to move away from cryptocurrencies given their slump in value. Bitcoin was worth nearly $20,000 at the end of 2017, but a drop to about $5,000 since then has contributed to an 80 per cent fall in Argo's share price. Argo's stock market collapse has prompted speculation that Timis might use it as a way of listing his own company in London. With his chequered past, Timis is among the City's most infamous characters. Born in Romania in 1963, he moved to Perth in Australia and was twice convicted for possession of heroin with intent to supply in the early 1990s. When Regal Petroleum, which he founded, floated on London's junior market in 2002, the company was forced to reveal Timis's Australian convictions. He was also convicted of possessing marijuana in 1982. In 2007 Toronto's stock exchange deemed Timis 'unsuitable' to be a director of a listed company for failing to disclose past convictions. Bitcoin was worth nearly $20,000 at the end of 2017, but a drop to about $5,000 since then has contributed to an 80 per cent fall in Argo's share price Regal was among the best-performing stocks on the Alternative Investment Market, worth more than 500million until the Greek oil well that had boosted the share price turned out to be a dud, despite a series of previously positive announcements on its prospects. That led to a collapse in the share price and a 600,000 fine in 2009 by the London Stock Exchange for misleading investors the largest ever imposed by the exchange. Timis later launched African Minerals on AIM, which grew to the largest company on the junior market, worth 2billion. However, the collapse in iron ore prices and the ebola outbreak hit the firm hard, and it went into administration in 2015. Timis, who has a penthouse in Knightsbridge, a chateau in Transylvania and a house in Perth, claims to have personally lost $252million (194million) from African Minerals' demise. He is now a non-executive director and the largest shareholder of International Petroleum, a little-known oil and gas explorer listed in Australia, where he is embroiled in a whistleblowing scandal. The Court of Appeal in London ruled in October that he had advised the chairman to sack the chief executive after he blew the whistle on allegations of corruption at the firm's operations in Niger. In an unusual move, the judge confirmed that Timis and the chairman themselves, not the company, were liable for the chief executive's 2million compensation claim. His emergence as a disgruntled investor in Argo marks his return to business in London after four years. Argo joined the exchange in August last year to much fanfare as it became the first cryptocurrency business to float in London, raising 25million. But the share price fall of the past eight months has left the firm worth just 10million. This has spurred Timis into action. He is trying to oust Jonathan Bixby and Mike Edwards from the board. Together, they are the second largest shareholders in Argo, owning 13 per cent. It sets the scene for a showdown in London on May 16, when a crunch vote will decide whether Timis is successful. Frank Timis has a penthouse in Knightsbridge and a chateau in Transylvania Argo said in a statement: 'Mr Timis has made clear he does not believe the strategy being pursued by the board will result in a satisfactory return to shareholders. 'However, he has made no substantive alternative proposals for the running of the company and has not nominated any alternative director at the time of writing.' In defence of its dismal share price performance, Argo told investors it was conscious of the fall in the price of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin in the past 16 months. This has hammered its plan to cash in on cryptocurrency mining the laborious process of auditing past transactions, with the reward of being able to mint new currency. Argo racked up a loss of 4.1million last year on turnover of just 760,000. It had 15 million of cash in the bank at the end of March more than its current market value which raises the prospect of Timis launching a bid to use the company as a cash shell for a return to the London stock market. Timis could not be reached for comment. Power couple: The IMF's Christine Lagarde with David Attenborough At its annual meeting next month, BP will bow to pressure from City shareholders to explain clearly how it plans to combat climate change. It is a moment that matters to every saver and pensioner in Britain. The oil giant and its arch-rival Royal Dutch Shell between them pay out around 20pc of all FTSE 100 dividends, so we all rely on their performance. But if companies like these fail to play a part in moving to a low-carbon economy, they risk contributing to an environmental and financial catastrophe. If the war to save the planet is going to be won, then the victory is more likely to be achieved by pin-striped executives in boardrooms than by a bunch of yogic hippies. It's an inconvenient truth as far as the eco-zealots in London at the protests orchestrated by Extinction Rebellion are concerned. The corporate world is neither oblivious nor uncaring, but is abundantly aware of climate risks. This is not for bleeding heart reasons, or for the sake of conforming to a new social orthodoxy, but because it makes financial sense. The Bank of England this week told lenders and insurers they risk huge losses, which could include loans to companies in dirty industries that go out of business and are unable to repay their debts. A sudden drop in asset values due to climate change could lead to trillion-pound losses. Some banks, including RBS and HSBC, are no longer financing 'extreme' fossil fuels such as tar sands and they are likely to be screening assiduously for climate risks in future. Sir David Attenborough's appearance at the International Monetary Fund in Washington this month, where he was interviewed by managing director Christine Lagarde, is another gauge of how seriously economists and financiers are taking the issue. The nonagenarian broadcaster, whose series 'Our Planet' is showing on Netflix, painted a bleak picture of the economic, social and human costs if we fail to act on climate change and hurtle towards a 'spendthrift suicide'. Shifting to a more sustainable model will be an enormous undertaking for businesses and governments. "The corporate world is neither oblivious nor uncaring, but is abundantly aware of climate risks. This is not for bleeding heart reasons, but because it makes financial sense" Lagarde said 4trillion has been spent globally since 2015 on fossil fuel subsidies to industry, much of it in the developing world. Removing those subsidies could cause job losses and hardship in the short term, even if the long-term benefits are clear. Individual countries often are reluctant to cut subsidies or to impose carbon taxes if rival nations refuse to do the same, for fear of damaging their ability to compete. 'The natural world is so delicate at the moment it needs all the protection it can get,' Attenborough said. 'Sometimes that will mean governments will have to take decisions that are painful and cost money.' The reason companies are responding to climate change fears comes down to cash - the fear of losing it - and the fact big City shareholders are telling them to clean up their act. Legal & General, one of the UK's biggest investors with 1trillion under management, has been assessing more than 80 of the world's largest businesses on their responses to climate change. It has banned eight from a fund for those seeking to invest in environmentally conscious shares, including China Construction Bank, the world's largest backer of coal mining, and Russian oil giant Rosneft. There is a positive side: the need to come up with greener energy solutions also creates opportunities for business. The UK is reducing the amount of carbon it produces relative to the size of our economy faster than any other country in the G20, and has generated 430,000 jobs in low-carbon businesses. Indeed, innovations are likely to do more to help combat climate change, than any number of wellmeaning people supergluing themselves to railings. It may not fit the narrative of the protesters, but those industrialists, investors and financiers so heartily despised by your average eco-warrior are actually doing their share to save the planet. The following companies are subsidiares of Global Payments: ACTIVE Network - Communities and Sports, Active Network (HK) Limited, Active Network IPICO (CA) Inc., Active Network IPICO (US) Inc., Active Network IPICO Holdings (US) LLC, Active Network IPICO Holdings (US) LLC, Active Network IPICO Innovation Inc., Active Networks LLC, AdvancedMD, Athlaction Intermediate LLC, Athlaction Topco LLC, AuctionPay, Comercia Global Payments Entidad de Pago S.L., DEBITEK INC, Digital Dining LLC, Dinerware LLC, DolEx Europe S.L., Educational Computer Systems Inc., Ematters Australia Pty Ltd., Equifax Credit Services LLC, Ezi Holdings Pty. Ltd., Ezi Management Pty Ltd., Ezidebit, Ezidebit (NZ) Limited, Ezidebit HK Ltd., Ezidebit Pty Ltd., GP Finance LLC, GPC Financial Corporation, GPS Holding Limited Partnership, GPUK LLP, Global Payment Holding Company, Global Payment Systems Asia-Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd., Global Payment Systems LLC, Global Payment Systems of Canada Ltd., Global Payments - Caixa Acquisition Corporation S.a.r.l., Global Payments - Realex Payments Holding Limited, Global Payments - Servicos de Pagamentos S.A., Global Payments Acquisition Corp. 1 B.V., Global Payments Acquisition Corp. 2 B.V., Global Payments Acquisition Corp. 3 B.V., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 2 LLC, Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 2 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 3 LLC, Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 3 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 4 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 6 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 7 LLC, Global Payments Acquisition Corporation 7 S.a.r.l., Global Payments Acquisition Corporation HK Holding Limited, Global Payments Acquisition PS 1 C.V., Global Payments Acquisition PS 2 C.V., Global Payments Acquisition PS 3 C. V., Global Payments Acquisition PS1-Global Payments Direct S.e.n.c., Global Payments Asia-Pacific (Hong Kong Holding) Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific (Hong Kong) Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific (India) Private Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific (Shanghai) Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific (Singapore Holding) Ltd., Global Payments Asia-Pacific Lanka (Private) Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Macau Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Maldives Private Limited, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Philippines Incorporated, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Processing Company Limited, Global Payments Australia Pty 1 Ltd., Global Payments Australia Pty 2 Ltd., Global Payments Canada GP, Global Payments Canada Inc., Global Payments Card Processing Malaysia Sdn. Bhd, Global Payments Check Recovery Services Inc., Global Payments Check Services Inc., Global Payments Direct Inc., Global Payments Europe d.o.o. Sarajevo, Global Payments Europe s.r.o., Global Payments Gaming Canada Inc., Global Payments Gaming International Inc., Global Payments Gaming Services Inc., Global Payments Integrated, Global Payments Limited, Global Payments Process Centre Inc., Global Payments South America Brasil-Servicos de Pagamentos S.A., Global Payments UK 2 Ltd., Global Payments UK Ltd., Global Payments s.r.o., Greater Giving Inc., Heartland Acquisition LLC, Heartland Payment Solutions Inc., Heartland Payment Systems, Heartland Payment Systems LLC, Heartland Payroll Solutions Inc., IPICO South Africa (Pty) Ltd., JumpForward LLC, Maximum Solutions LLC, Merchant Services U.S.A. Inc., Modular Data Inc., NDC Holdings (UK) Ltd., NDPS Holdings Inc., PCAmerica LLC, Pay and Shop Limited, PayPros LLC, Payment Processing, Payroll 1 Inc., Realex Payments, SICOM Systems, Sabrir Invest S.L., Sentral Education, Spolecnost pro informacni database a.s., Storman Holdings Pty Ltd., Storman Software Inc., Storman Software Limited, Storman Software Ltd., Storman Software Pty Ltd., TeamPages Inc., The Active Network (Asia) Pte. Ltd, The Active Network (Aus-NZ) Pty. Ltd., The Active Network (EU) Ltd., The Active Network Ltd., The Active Network Ltd. (Chengdu), The Active Network Ltd. (Xian), Total System Services, TouchNet Information Systems Inc., UCS Terminal Joint Stock Company, United Card Service Joint Stock Company, VEPF III AIV VI-C Corp., VEPF IV AIV VII-C Corp., VFF I AIV IV-C Corp., Web Active Corporation Pty Ltd., Xenial, Xpient LLC, eWAY, eWay Europe Limited, eWay Payments Asia Pte Ltd., eWay Payments Inc., eWay Payments New Zealand Limited, eWay Payments North America Inc., and eWay Payments Pty Ltd.. PHOENIXVILLE The Mayors Task Force to restore rail service to downtown Philadelphia via the Manayunk/Norristown line will hold a public town hall meeting on Monday. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and is open to the public but has limited space at Phoenixvilles Columbia Station. That building, located at 4 Bridge St. in downtown Phoenixville, served as the communitys rail station for almost 150 years. For those who cannot attend, a virtual town hall will also be available via the web. To RSVP to attend the presentation in person visit http://www.steelcityrail.com/, a link for the virtual meeting will also be available on the same website as the event draws closer. Phoenixville developer Manny DeMutis who has provided seed funding for the group to get an operational plan, said the plan is now in its third iteration. We secured input from Norfolk Southern and revised the plan and submitted to SEPTA. SEPTA provided guidance and commented on the plan. Subsequently, we then revised a third time and are now taking the plan public for comment in a public informational setting to increase the number of potential users in the project. This is about as grassroots as you can get. DeMutis said. The town hall will touch on aspects of the program including the economic impact, the environmental benefits, cultural impact and operational issues. The in person and virtual town hall will allow for real time input of concerns, questions or comments which would be appropriate for improving the plan. These are new concepts that the group is bringing forward in a public administrative setting, said Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler. Through the Transit Revitalization Investment District Act, we have adapted the funding mechanism to solve our problem, giving us, as a community, the ability to prioritize our transportation needswe need a train, he said in a press release. The group has already made presentations to Phoenixville Borough Council, Schuylkill Township, Phoenixville School District and will present to the Chester County Commissioners on the April 24. It is mystifying why Democrats are so up in arms about President Trumps declaration that he is considering releasing illegal immigrants into so-called sanctuary cities. After all, Trumps plan simply follows the Democrats own policy prescriptions for dealing with illegal immigrants. First, Democrats support releasing illegal immigrants into U.S. communities. Just a few months ago, during the negotiations to end the government shutdown, Democrats sought to limit the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention beds available for interior enforcement to about 16,500 per day, and to reduce the overall number of available beds to less than 36,000. In January, ICE was holding 48,088 illegal immigrants. When Homeland Security officials warned this could force the release of thousands illegal immigrants, Democrats openly declared it was their goal to do precisely that. Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., who chairs the House Appropriations subcommittee on homeland security, said the goal of capping the beds was to force the Trump administration to prioritize deportation for criminals and people who pose real security threats, not law-abiding immigrants. Many other leading Democrats including presidential candidates Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., have gone further, proposing to abolish ICE altogether. In 2013, when she was House minority leader, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., now the House speaker called for an end to deportations for illegal immigrants who have not committed felonies, declaring Our view of the law is that if somebody is here without sufficient documentation, that is not reason for deportation. Some Democrats, including California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and presidential candidate and former San Antonio mayor Julian Castro, have gone so far as to propose decriminalizing illegal border crossings entirely. The truth is, immigrants seeking refuge in our country shouldnt be a criminal-justice issue, Castro said. So, Democrats have been pretty clear they want illegal immigrants released and allowed to live in the United States. Where should they live? Well, it was Democrats who created sanctuary cities as sanctuaries for illegal immigrants. If they want illegal immigrants released, why would they oppose having President Trump release them into the very sanctuaries they created for that express purpose? If anything, the Democratic leaders of those sanctuary cities are working overtime to turn them into magnets for illegal immigrants. Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed in his 2019 inaugural address to make the entire state of California a sanctuary to all who seek it, and on his first day in office, he proposed making illegal immigrants eligible for Medi-Cal, the states version of Medicaid, until age 26. Some sanctuary cities are even allowing illegal immigrants to vote in local elections. In 2016, San Francisco passed Proposition N, which allows illegal immigrants to vote in school board elections. And in 2017, College Park, Md., became the largest U.S. city to allow illegal immigrants to vote in municipal elections. Sorry, Democrats, you dont get to have it both ways. You cant on one hand try to force Trump to release illegal immigrants, create sanctuaries for them and arrange local laws to encourage illegal immigrants to come to those sanctuaries, and then simultaneously be outraged that Trump wants to do exactly what you have said should be done with those who cross our borders illegally. Whether Trump can legally follow through on his proposal to send illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities is in question. But there is nothing morally wrong with what he has proposed. There is certainly no harm being done to the illegal immigrants. Far from it, they would be sent to welcoming communities where they would receive free health care, protection from deportation and possibly even the right to vote. And then the Americans who voted to turn their cities into magnets for illegal immigrants could bear the costs of supporting them. If anything, it is conservatives who should be up in arms over the idea of releasing illegal immigrants into sanctuary cities. Once they are in sanctuary cities, then it will be harder to find and deport the ones committing violent crimes. Just ask the family of Kate Steinle. Trumps plan likely wont ever come to fruition, but the president is effectively calling out Democrats for their hypocrisy. There was a time when many Democrats believed, as Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a 2009 speech, that Illegal immigration is wrong, plain and simple. No longer. If Democrats wont help the president secure the border, then theres nothing outrageous about making them live with the consequences of the policies they advocate. Follow Marc A. Thiessen on Twitter, @marcthiessen. (c) 2019, The Washington Post Writers Group A famous proverb says blood is thicker than water, but the upcoming Korean film "Inseparable Bros" shows that there is water that is thicker than blood somewhere around us. The movie is a sentimental comedy-drama based on a true story about two disabled men Se-ha and Dong-goo. The movie begins with scenes of the two characters meeting each other and pictures of how these two became family. Se-ha is smart and clever but paralyzed and isn't able to walk or move after an injury to his spinal cord. He has to sit in a wheelchair every day and must be spoon-fed and bathed by others. He lost his mother at the age of 16 and was taken to an institution for disabled children in Seoul. There, he meets Dong-goo who has severe intellectual disabilities. Dong-goo is taller and stronger but has the mental age of a five-year-old. Over 20 years, the two become bosom buddies and perfect partners. Fierce-tempered Se-ha opens his mind to Dong-goo and wins his heart. Se-ha works as the brain for Dong-goo, helping him buy things, while Dong-goo waits on Se-ha hand and foot. Their sibling-like relationship is threatened after Dong-goo's mother suddenly appears and demands Se-ha "release" her son. Years ago, she left her son at a swimming pool. She says the most important thing is that she is the mother and Dong-goo is the son. She believes that blood ties with her son are naturally much more powerful than the 20-year-long bond between Se-ha and Dong-goo. But here, their connection is proven to be thicker than the mother-son blood ties. The movie reveals that Se-ha and Dong-goo feel like they are complete humans when they help each other enjoy everyday life together. While living with his mother, Dong-goo realizes that everything he does is connected to Se-ha. He habitually gives spoons full of rice to his sister-in-law, and wakes up at midnight to check and prevent Se-ha from suffocating while sleeping. "Family is bound together by blood, but we can become a family if we love and help each other," director Yook Sang-hyo said of his fifth feature film. "This is the main idea of my movie." This message is clear from beginning to end. It follows the "brothers" daily routine with a humorous point of view, without focusing on stories of their miserable and disabled life. The outstanding acting of the two leads Shin Ha-kyun and Lee Kwang-soo blends well with the mixture of humor and expressions of disability. In particular, Shin has to convey Se-ha's feeling and intentions only through his words and facial expressions. His torso and the lower part of his body remain motionless. On the other hand, Dong-goo speaks far less than him but makes large and ludicrous gestures like a five-year-old boy. At this point, the movie seems to successfully squeeze humorous relief out of the thin plot and not-so-wacky episodes, but audiences may easily lose interest due to the predictable ending. It has to survive a tough competition with Marvel's latest "Avengers: Endgame," which has already surpassed 1 million presold tickets a week before its scheduled premiere next week. "Inseparable Bros" will hit local screens May 1. (Yonhap) So long, yoga pants. American women are buying more jeans -- skinny jeans, "mom jeans," and especially discounted jeans -- as retailers stock new cuts, colors and styles. In all, shoppers bought 364 million pairs of women's jeans last year, a 5% increase from the year before, according to newly-released data from market research firm NPD Group, which analyzed jeans sales between February 2018 and February 2019. "Consumers are finally starting to show interest in jeans again," said Marshal Cohen, an adviser for NPD. "The fact that we're seeing more relaxed fits, more comfortable styles, is what's getting people to say, 'OK, I have a reason to buy jeans again.'" After four straight years of decline, the U.S. denim market grew 2.2% to $16.7 billion last year, according to Euromonitor. FASHION ICONS: The most fashionable woman the year you were born Today's shoppers, he said, are looking for utilitarian and practical styles, like high-rise, straight-leg "mom jeans," in place of tightly fitting, low-rise cuts that have dominated the market for so long. Jeans are becoming more comfortable, too, as companies use elastic and materials with stretch to win over legging-loving shoppers. "There's a lot more variety than there used to be," said Sucharita Kodali, a retail analyst for Forrester. "Today's denim is more comfortable and versatile than what we've traditionally seen." When they do buy jeans, shoppers are increasingly looking for a deal on denim. More than half of the jeans bought last year had been marked down, according to NPD. Sales of jeans at off-price retailers like Nordstrom Rack and TJ Maxx rose 30% last year, accounting for much of the growth in the market. "It's that mid-level market that's winning over the consumer," Cohen said. "We're not seeing $300-plus denim selling the way it used to." Designer denim, which has fallen out of favor in recent years, continues to take a back seat to more moderately priced options. Specialty stores including American Eagle Outfitters, H&M and TopShop -- where prices typically range from about $20 to $60 -- continued to sell about one-third of all women's jeans. American Eagle alone sold more than $1 billion worth of jeans in 2018, making it the country's top brand for women's jeans, according to company executives, who credited the sales growth to new styles, silhouettes and fabrics. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "Our jeans business has strengthened dramatically over the past few years," Chad Kessler, the company's global brand president, said in an earnings call with analysts last month. "We continue to see a ton of opportunity for further growth." Meanwhile, revenue at iconic jeans company Levi Strauss & Co. rose 14% to $5.6 billion in 2018, driven in part by the sale of women's skinny jeans and high-rise cuts. The company recently brought back its engineered jeans, a cult favorite from the 1990s, and introduced its "highest rise yet," called Ribcage Jeans, which sell for $98. The majority of women's jeans -- 80% of them -- continue to be purchased in stores, according to NPD. But online denim purchases -- which grew 32% last year -- are quickly gaining ground and becoming an increasingly valuable market for retailers. Shoppers who bought jeans online were more likely to spend more and buy more frequently than their in-store counterparts, NPD found. We "are really excited about the strong consumer response thus far," Chip Bergh, the company's chief executive, said in an earnings call last week. "The denim consumer has changed," Cohen said. "We are starting to cycle back into jeans." New Yorkers broadly support the state's plastic bag ban that will take effect a year from now, but uncertainty remains about who the law will affect, and how. The ban prohibits retailers that collect sales tax, including supermarkets and small businesses, from handing out disposable plastic bags. The ban exempts bags used for restaurant takeout, plastic garment bags, trash bags, and plastics used to wrap meat, poultry or fish, prescription drugs and newspapers. Environmental advocates, retail food industry lobbyists and lawmakers were left largely unsatisfied by the final law, which includes a provision that gives counties the option to opt-in to a five-cent fee for paper bags. In counties and cities that enact the paper bag fee, individuals who receive public assistance benefits, like SNAP or WIC, would be exempt from the fee. Environmentalists were pushing for the law to include a mandated rather than optional fee on paper bags, which "have been found to have a greater carbon footprint than single-use plastic bags," according to a study by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that was published in January of 2018. The study also found that the average U.S. family uses around 1,500 single-use plastic bags every year, and Americans annually use 100 billion plastic bags 50 million of which end up as litter nationwide. "There's a huge benefit to banning plastic bags, it's a tremendous solid waste issue," said Liz Moran, environmental policy director for the New York Public Interest Research Group. "With that said, there are negative environmental consequences with paper bag use. They're highly energy consumptive, and they do require a lot of water to produce. A lot of energy goes into the process of making paper products. "We did address an important environmental issue, but we run risks of increasing negative environmental consequences," she said. Other states, like California and Hawaii, and places like Suffolk County, have enacted similar bag ban laws that include a fee for paper bags. Without the fee, advocates argue that shoppers will simply shift to paper bags and the environmental benefits of the ban will be reduced. Some, like Democratic Assembly member Patricia Fahy, and Saratoga County Supervisor Tara Gaston, have said the New York law's exemptions are overly broad, and are seeking to loop restaurant take-out bags into the ban, as well. Others questioned the necessity of the ban altogether, and suggested the policy needed more discussion and research before going into law. "On its face, to institute another regressive tax, another expense on people trying to make ends meet by taxing their bag, just doesn't seem like a good solution," said Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett, who is also a member of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. Barrett, a Republican, along with Gaston, a Democrat, expressed reservations about the law, and said Saratoga County will likely opt out of the five-cent fee for paper bag use. Proceeds from the five-cent fee would be split with 40 percent going to municipalities and 60 percent to the state Environmental Protection Fund, but both supervisors had questions about what exactly the money in that fund would be used for, and whether it would benefit Saratoga County. "I understand that many people are concerned with the use and disposal of plastic bags, but paper bags are hardly a perfect solution, nor are reusable bags," Barrett said, pointing to studies that have shown reusable bags, if not properly washed, may play a role in cross-contamination of foods and the spread of bacteria. "The whole issue deserves a great deal of additional discussion on whether it's actually environmentally friendly to ditch plastic bags," he said. Those studies showing your tote bag is teeming with bacteria have been disputed, however, and advocates point to the success other places that have implemented similar sorts of bag bans have experienced. A recent report found that Suffolk County's single-use bag law, which imposed a five-cent fee on paper and plastic bags and went into effect in January of 2018, led to an 81 percent reduction of plastic bag use in the county last year when compared to 2017. Suffolk County's law also led to a nearly 79 percent reduction in paper bag use, according to Newsday. Steve McLaughlin, the Rensselaer County executive, said he's made no final decision on whether or not he supports opting in to the paper bag fee, but said he is "very heavily leaning toward not opting in." Schenectady County spokesman Joe McQueen said no proposals and "no real discussions" by any of the county's legislators have happened regarding whether to opt in to the fee or not. Albany County Legislator Paul Burgdorf, who represents parts of Latham and Loudonville, said he doesn't support opting in, and questioned needing the ban in the first place. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. He also echoed concerns Barrett and Gaston had about the fee disproportionately affecting lower-income residents. "What's going to happen is that many people, especially poor people, especially inner city people, are not going to be carrying biodegradable cloth bags or reusable bags, and they are going to bear the brunt of this tax," Burgdorf, a Republican, said. "And that's what it is: a tax and a fee on consumers." Andrew Joyce, chair of the Albany County Legislature, said "we need to do what we can do to maximize the environmental benefits of the ban," but said he hasn't yet formed an opinion on whether or not to opt in to the paper bag fee. "We haven't had a real, thorough conversation about it among our members," Joyce said. "I want to get a pulse of what they're thinking."" Other studies have shown shoppers would have to use a single reusable bag over 130 times for it to have less of an environmental impact than single-use plastic bags, but the reusable bags are already popular with shoppers in the Capital Region, and a Siena Research Institute poll published last week showed around two-thirds of New Yorkers think it's good the plastic bag ban made it into the state budget. One Whole Foods shopper, Ioana Blidaru, said she supports Albany County opting in to the five-cent fee because shoppers wouldn't otherwise be "pushed to change if they don't have to," she said. "I think it's just going to encourage people to bring their own bags, because even if it's five cents, people are just not going to want to pay that," Blidaru said. "I think we can all bring our own bag and it's really not that big of a hassle." After shopping at a Hannford store on Wolf Road, Dan Degener joined others who have lamented the ban of plastic bags, which many people often use to line trash cans at home or clean up pet droppings. Eric Blom, a spokesman for Hannaford Supermarkets, said the store chain has "found that plastic bag bans alone move most people to paper rather than to reusables, so we are very supportive of efforts to increase the use of reusable bags." "As we think about shopping bags as a company, we also are concerned about the impact of paper shopping bags," the company said in a statement. "We believe that reusable bags are the right choice." Robert Tefft, of Colonie, walked out of a ShopRite on a recent afternoon with a shopping cart full of groceries, but only a handful of those items were bagged in a single plastic grocery bag. "That'd be 20 bags...It's $85 worth of groceries, and I've got one little plastic bag " Tefft said. "Everyone should (use tote bags). I've been using them for years." Moran, the environmental advocate, said the lifestyle change the ban would impose has become exaggerated, and said NYPIRG will be working with lawmakers to push for counties to opt-in to the paper bag fee. "The (bag ban) impact seems to be so overblown. Everywhere this has been done, people have adjusted well," Moran said. "At the end of the day, we have to change our culture, we have to change how we function as a society to benefit this planet and benefit our health. This is just one simple way to do this." *An earlier version of this article contained a quote from Hannaford spokesman Eric Blom that included an error. Monroe, Conn. World-wide paranormal investigator and author Lorraine Warren, whose decades of ghost-hunting cases with her late husband inspired such frightening films as "The Conjuring" series and "The Amityville Horror," died. She was 92. Warren's son-in-law Tony Spera and grandson Chris McKinnell posted Friday on Facebook that Warren died in her sleep Thursday night at her Connecticut home. Warren's attorney, Gary Barkin, confirmed his client's death via email to The Associated Press. "She was a remarkable, loving, compassionate and giving soul," Spera wrote. The Warrens founded the New England Society for Psychic Research in Monroe, Connecticut, in 1952 to investigate suspected hauntings. The group also posted of her passing on Facebook. During their 61 years of marriage, Lorraine and Ed Warren investigated more than 10,000 cases in the U.S. and abroad, often writing about their experiences. Ed Warren died in 2006 and Spera now oversees the New England Society for Psychic Research. Lorraine Warren was still a consultant to the organization at the time of her death. For some reason in our culture especially in Silicon Valley when someone is rich and successful, we collectively ask, "How do they do it?" Instead of the obvious contributing factors (wealth, talent, privilege, friends in high places, etc.), we fixate on the eccentricities: morning routines, juice cleanses, and pilates habits. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, Sen. Kamala Harris and Microsoft founder Bill Gates have all gotten the "habits of successful people" treatment. These days, it's Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey who's getting all the attention. Dorsey's schedule has long been the subject of public fascination; the fact that he routinely tweets about it certainly stokes the ongoing interest. But earlier this month, an hour-long podcast interview turned Dorsey's daily routine into a national conversation. Appearing on fitness enthusiast Ben Greenfield's podcast, Dorsey described how he walks more than 5 miles to work, meditates daily, enjoys a sauna and ice bath routine, and restricts eating to a mere 2.5-hour window every day (except weekends when he sometimes fasts for 72 hours straight). In short, it's extreme. And before I go any further I want to make something clear. A lot of what Dorsey described isn't realistic and much of it is not healthy. Washington Post columnist Monica Hesse pointed out that when women act like this, it's considered an eating disorder when it's a tech bro, it's glorified. If you find yourself struggling with disordered eating, or otherwise unhealthy behavior involving food, see the National Eating Disorder Association's website for resources. I subjected myself to this insanity for 24 hours, but you definitely don't have to. So here we go, a day in the life of Jack Dorsey. 6:15 a.m. Exactly what time Dorsey wakes up isn't clear to me. Sometimes he says 5 a.m., sometimes he says 6:15. I (obviously) go with the latter option to give myself as much sweet sleep as possible. Meditation plays a big role in Dorsey's life, so I start my day as he does, in meditative silence. He says he meditates for two hours a day, but I start small, with 30 minutes of guided meditation using a phone app. I sit up in bed to avoid falling back asleep, but as a soothing British man tells me to inhale and exhale deeply I start to sink lower and lower into my warm bed. 6:45 a.m. Yup, I fell back asleep. But my boyfriend's alarm wakes me up and it's time to get ready for my big day as a waif-like tech CEO. Just kidding I'll be doing my normal job, so I have to make some attempt at looking presentable. If only I could go into the office with messy hair and a hoodie. Now I'm running late. Damn patriarchy. 7:30 a.m. Here's where things start to get weird (stalkery?). I hop in an Uber to Jack Dorsey's house in Sea Cliff. As we drive up Fell Street through Hayes Valley, the inanity of what I'm doing strikes me. Soon, I'll be doing the journey in reverse, on foot. See, Jack Dorsey says he walks 5.2 miles to work every day wearing jeans, a t-shirt and running sandals except Tuesday and Thursday, when he works from home. Lucky me, it's Wednesday. 8:18 a.m. Jack says now that I'm at his house, I feel like we're on a first name basis the walk takes an hour and 15 minutes at his brisk pace. If I can be like Jack, I should arrive at the Twitter building at 9:30 a.m., fashionably late but perfectly acceptable for a sandals-wearing executive. 8:22 a.m. I see what appears to be a stray white Bichon Frise dog roaming the manicured sidewalks of Sea Cliff. Must not stop! Must not be deterred! Must be like Jack. Good luck, floofy boy. 8:36 a.m. Jack says he uses his walking time to listen to podcasts and reflect. I'm listening to a podcast about California's housing shortage and reflecting on how I'll never be able to afford one of the beautiful homes I'm passing by. I'm not like Jack. 9:19 a.m. I'm at Fillmore already? At first I think the street sign is a hunger-induced mirage, but it's not. I'm making great time and turn to start heading south through Lower Pac Heights. 9:55 a.m. I'm here! That wasn't so bad. The journey took me an hour and 35 minutes and it was pretty much all downhill. Not nearly as bad as I'd thought it'd be. I head straight to Blue Bottle on the Twitter building's ground floor, as Dorsey is known to do, and order an iced coffee. I pay with Square, of course. I cherish every sip as I know it'll be my only sustenance until dinnertime. 10:30 a.m. I arrive at my office very late (sorry, boss!) and head straight into a meeting. Oh boy, am I caffeinated. I start working on a story that's less ridiculous than this one. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. 11:53 a.m. My coworker offers me some cheese crackers she's snacking on. I explain that since Jack Dorsey only eats between the hours of 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., I have to decline. I am not known to turn down snacks. I'm officially making my coworkers uncomfortable. 12:14 p.m. I'm a little light-headed and jittery. My paper straw looks like it's composting into my iced coffee. Considering I haven't consumed anything but water and coffee, I'm not as hungry as I thought I'd be. In a twisted way, I'm kind of proud of myself for not caving into the urge to eat. I'm acutely aware of how disordered and unhealthy this kind of thinking is. Yikes. 4 p.m. Despite the fact that Dorsey has claimed to work 18 hours a day, 6 days per week, I'm not feeling up to an 18-hour workday. Quite the opposite actually. I have to leave early to finish all the things I'm supposed to do in a day in the life as Jack. Sorry again, boss. 4:55 p.m. Apparently, Jack Dorsey is a believer in the 7-Minute Workout, a short but high intensity workout made popular by a New York Times article. It's basically a bunch of bodyweight movements (jumping jacks, crunches, push-ups) that you do back-to-back with little rest. Dorsey says he does one to three rounds of the routine daily. It's not that hard much easier than the SFPD workout I suffered through a year ago though I do break a sweat. At this point in the day, I'm fully happy to underachieve and I just do one round. 5:07 p.m. It's time for a sauna. There's only one problem: I, unlike Jack Dorsey, do not have a custom near infrared sauna nor a custom ice bath installed in my home. I improvise. Instead of going back and forth between a sauna and custom ice bath, as Jack says he does, I simulate the experience by cranking the temperature of my shower way up for 15 minutes, then all the way down for 3 minutes. I'm supposed to do this three times in a row, but after about 22 minutes I can't bear to waste any more water. I'm over it. 5:40 p.m. Finally, I get to eat. No, I'm not going to make it to the prescribed 6:30 p.m. dinner time but I have somewhere to be at 6:30 so now is my only shot. Dorsey says his meals usually consist of protein and vegetables. I have leftover spaghetti squash and turkey meatballs that fit that bill, and I can't reheat the plate fast enough. Dorsey says restricting his eating to only two and a half hours per day has given him a new appreciation for food and it tastes better when he does eat. He's not wrong; these meatballs I thought were far too dry two nights ago do taste a lot better, which of course they do I'm starving. I inhale my first portion and go back for seconds. This is the best part of my day. I'm glad it's over. Final thoughts: I'll keep it to under 280 characters as a final tribute to Jack. This daily routine isn't what makes Jack Dorsey successful. Few parts of it are worth emulating. Walking is good, but so is eating when you're hungry. I won't be doing this again. Because I like myself. Albany County District Attorney ALBANY A career criminal who punched and kicked a man inside a Quail Street convenience store -- and helped steal his wallet after he fell unconscious was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison on Friday. Mahteek Terry, 32, received the 15-to-life term from Albany County Judge William Carter, who deemed Terry a persistent violent felon based on past convictions, which enhanced his sentence, county prosecutors said. Four people were arrested Friday for allegedly breaking into a home in the town of Canaan and assaulting a victim, State Police said. Zilla M. Kelly, 21, of New Lebanon; Elizabeth M. Jennings, 19, of Stuyvesant; Tomas N. Simpson, 22, of Chatham and Jaquan A. Hamilton, 24, of East Greenbush, were charged with first-degree burglary, a felony, and sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail, police said. SARATOGA SPRINGS An unprecedented amount of money has been raised for three Board of Education candidates who are pressing to rearm the grounds monitors who patrol the city school district's eight campuses. Saratoga Parents for Safer Schools has raised $33,129 from 213 donors to elect Ed Cubanski, Dean Kolligan and Shaun Wiggins, all of whom are advancing the idea of hardening the school by bringing back the 30-year practice of concealed carry weapons for grounds monitors at Saratoga Springs City Schools. If they win in the May 21 race, they will hold their board seats for three years. "We are honored to have such widespread support throughout our community," said the group's founder Kara Rosettie. "It goes to show the importance of the school security issue in Saratoga Springs. The community wants the active and retired police officers working security in our schools to have the tools to protect our children during an active assailant situation." Rosettie said that 99 percent of the donations came from residents of the district who spent an average of $155. According to the New York State School Boards Association, the Parents for Safer Schools candidates will be able to spend 22 times more than the average state school board candidate who averages $500 in expenses. This contrasts with what the majority, or 61 percent, of candidates spend, which NYSSBA said, is zero. Candidate John Brueggeman, who disputes the argument that guns make schools safer, has also raised more than the average state school board candidate. He brought in nearly $4,800 and has spent about half on mailings, lawn signs and posters. He's frustrated by dominance of the gun debate and focuses his campaign on "substantive issues." Two other candidates, Heather Reynolds and Natalya Lakhtakia, whose views on guns align with Brueggemann, have much less to spend. Incumbent Reynolds is one of five school board members who voted to disarm the monitors last October in order to comply with state (New York State Safe Act) and federal (Safe and Gun Free School Act) law, which required a board vote on whether the monitors should be allowed to carry concealed weapons. Reynolds, a main target for Parents for Safer Schools, says she is not focused on fundraising. "I have made a few purchases of cards and signs, but my total expenses will be well below the $500 reporting threshold," Reynolds said. "I'm running on my record, my independence (because I haven't taken money from anyone), and my experience. We will see how that stacks up when running against candidates who have $30,000 to spend." Lakhtakia said that also she plans to spend little. She will send out postcards and run some Facebook ads. She also has door hangers and business cards that a friend designed for her, that was an in-kind donation that she estimates totaled $50. "My efforts are focused on meeting with community members through canvassing and meet-and-greets that are completely free to attend," Lakhtakia said. "I am running to be a trustee of our schools. My goal is to be accessible and to be a good listener to our community members. I have spoken to teachers, staff, students, parents and people who don't have a direct connection with the schools." She said she is also reaching out to the school social worker to donate any money she does collect so that it can be spent helping the student homeless population, which she says totals about 150 children. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Another candidate, Connie Woytowich, said she has not raised any cash and is not actively seeking donations. Woytowich also that she does not want any political-party affiliated endorsements and is running on issues that are important to her as an educator. While she chose to drop the endorsement of Parents for Safer Schools after it posted a Facebook message criticizing Reynolds, she posted a video on her Facebook page that noted she still supports arming the district's grounds monitors. Parents for Safer Schools replaced Woytowich with Wiggins, who now benefits from the cash raised, which thus far has been spent on yard signs and robocalls. The group would not specify what plans it has for future marketing, but said it would use traditional and non-traditional methods. No matter how much is raised, School Boards Association spokesman David Albert said that all candidates "must file a sworn statement with the district clerk disclosing their campaign expenses." The disclosures are, by state law, to be filed on three occasions, he said: 30 days before the election, within five days before the election and within 20 days after the election. He also said that if a candidate raises more than $500, that candidate must report it to the state commissioner of education. This debate over guns, which resulted in the call for candidates who support the armed monitors, may be moot. A bill that has passed in the state Senate and Assembly, and will go next to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, would limit guns at campuses to school resource officers (the school district has two), law enforcement officers (one of the monitors was an active-duty Saratoga Springs police officer), a peace officer (such as a correction officer) or security guard with an issued armed guard registration card. As state legislators recently successfully grappled with several contentious criminal justice reform measures in the state budget, we as the state's former chief judge, a district attorney from the state's capital county, and former commissioner of its largest probation department lend our support to efforts to reform our state's parole system that are more quietly making their way through the Legislature. The United States' version of parole was invented in New York state in the 1800s to reward people who played by the rules in prison with early release and assistance re-acclimating to their home communities. But parole in New York and around the country has become a recidivism trap, too often returning people to prison not for new offenses, but for violating a technical rule of supervision. It is long past time for our state's parole system to be overhauled. The numbers are daunting. In 2016, more than 6,300 people on parole were reincarcerated, not for a new offense, but for a technical violation like using drugs or missing appointments. New York returns the second highest number of people to prison for technical violations in the country, behind only Illinois. Of people on parole whom New York sent back to prison in 2016, 65 percent were reincarcerated for technical parole violations. Nearly a third of all people admitted to New York's prisons each year are sent there for technical parole violations. This affects county jails as well, where people accused of a parole violation are held, without bail, until a hearing about that violation. Ironically, while jail populations around the state decreased by 9.6 percent last year, people held in county jails awaiting their parole violation hearings increased by 7.7 percent in New York City and 11.2 percent in counties outside the city. In Albany and Schenectady Counties, the number of people held in jail for state technical violations increased by a whopping 37.5 percent and 26.3 percent, respectively. What's worse is that the state once reimbursed counties for holding their parole violators. But since the last recession, cash-strapped counties must foot that growing bill themselves. There are approximately 35,000 people on parole in New York. At almost any time, they can see their efforts to successfully rejoin the workforce and reunite with their families disrupted by reincarceration for a technical violation. This not only harms individuals and families without commensurate public safety gains, but also drives up the population in state prisons and local jails, wasting taxpayer money. What can be done to reduce the unnecessary incarceration of people for crimeless parole violations and incentivize their efforts at rehabilitation? First, we should reduce parole supervision by 30 days for every 30 days someone has not committed a violation, incentivizing them to earn their way off parole instead of just marking time. After Missouri adopted earned-time credits for people on probation and parole, supervision terms dropped by 14 months, the supervised population fell 18 percent, average caseloads decreased 16 percent, and reoffending rates did not change. We should also reduce the ability of parole officials to revoke people for non-criminal, technical violations and cap the amount of prison time a person can receive when their parole is revoked, allowing people to return to work and family after being held accountable. When Louisiana capped revocation terms, recidivism dropped by 22 percent and the state saved $17 million a year in correctional costs. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Finally, New York should use the savings from common sense approaches like these to fund the kinds of services and supports like housing, vocational training, and drug treatment that will help people make it when they return home from prison. The good news is that New York's parole dilemma is increasingly drawing attention. Last year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo stated, "New York jails and prisons should not be filled with people who may have violated the conditions of their parole, but present no danger to our communities." In this legislative session, Sen. Brian Benjamin, D-Manhattan, and Assemblymember Walter Mosley, D-Brooklyn, introduced the Less is More Act to reduce incarceration for crimeless parole violations and incentivize good behavior. Less is More has drawn support from a uniquely wide-ranging coalition: District attorneys in Albany, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Tompkins counties; Albany and Tompkins county sheriffs; the New York State Association of Counties; leading New York probation and parole officials; and dozens of criminal justice reform organizations throughout the state. Less is More would not only reduce the number of people being unnecessarily incarcerated for technical violations, but it would free up funds that the state could use for much-needed programs for people struggling to successfully return home from prison. This session, the Legislature should seize this opportunity to give New Yorkers a parole system that is fair, effective and consistent with our values. Jonathan Lippman is a former chief judge of New York state and chair of the Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform. David Soares is the Albany County district attorney. Vincent Schiraldi is co-director of the Columbia University Justice Lab and former commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, vowing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, state media said Friday, ahead of their planned summit later this month. Kim will visit Russia in late April for his first-ever talks with Putin following the breakdown of his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in February in Hanoi. Kim's letter is a reply to Putin's message sent on April 12 to congratulate him on his reelection to lead the top state organ at a recent parliamentary meeting. The North's leader said it is in the interest of both countries to develop their traditional relationship, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. "I have a willingness to closely cooperate with you in a bid to develop friendly relations between the North and Russia consistently and constructively in accordance with demand in a new era and to safeguard world peace and security," Kim said in the letter sent on Thursday. Speculation is growing that the two leaders will hold their first summit in Russia's Far East city of Vladivostok next week when Putin travels to the Far East on his way to China for an international forum. The Kim-Putin summit, if realized, would come as the North's leader is seeking to secure diplomatic leverage following the breakdown of the Hanoi summit. The talks between Kim and Trump fell through due to their differences on the scope of denuclearization and sanctions relief. Kim and Putin are expected to discuss the development of bilateral ties, the issue of denuclearization and regional cooperation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Russia's Tass news agency. Peskov told reporters that "Russia will be ready to do everything to promote the process of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula to the best of its abilities," it said. He added that the venue and exact date for the Kim-Putin summit have yet to be released due to security concerns. (Yonhap) [April 19, 2019] AT&T 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 AT&T, Inc. - T Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until May 31, 2019 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against AT&T (News - Alert), Inc. (NYSE: T), if they purchased the Company's 1) securities between October 22, 2016 and October 24, 2018, inclusive (the "Class Period") and/or 2) shares issued in connection with its June 2018 acquisition of Time Warner. This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. What You May Do If you purchased AT&T securities as detailed above 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/nyse-t/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by May 31, 2019. About the Lawsuit AT&T and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On October 24, 2018, following AT&T's June 2018 acquisition of Time Warner, the Company disclosed its 3Q2018 results for the first full quarter post-Acquisition that included significant decreases in traditional DirecTV (News - Alert) and DirecTV Now subscribers, despite its prior statements touting the expected subscriber growth potential. On this news, the price of AT&T's shares fell nearly 12%. The case is Gross v. AT&T Inc. et al, 19-cv-2892. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include 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/20190419005146/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus come with generously-sized displays that provide you with more room to work or play. But those 6.1- and 6.4-inch screens also help you multitask better, and fortunately the S10s OneUI software comes equipped with a very intuitive split-screen mode for running two apps simultaneously. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Heres how to get Multi-Window Mode up and running on your new Samsung phone: 1. Tap the Recent Apps key in the navigation bar. You can do this on the home screen or when already inside an app. 2. On the Recent Apps screen, tap the icon of the first app you want to open in multi-window mode. This app will occupy the top space. 3. A contextual menu will appear underneath that apps icon. Tap Open in split screen view. 4. After selecting the first app, an empty space will appear on the bottom half of the display where youll be able to select a second app.Tap the preview of the app youd like to occupy this space. 5. To make one of the app windows larger, drag the divider up or down. 6. If youd like to change the app shown in the second space, return to the home screen and tap another apps icon to open it instead. 7. When youre finished, drag the divider all the way down to the navigation bar. Youll return to a full-screen view of the first app you were using. Alternatively, you could also press the close X icon in the top app after returning to the home screen in the bottom space. More Galaxy S10 Tips (Image credit: CIA) The Times reported today that the Central Intelligence Agency has evidence that Huawei is at least partly funded by Chinas National Security Commission, the Peoples Liberation Army, and a yet-to-be-identified third member of the Chinese government's intelligence apparatus. Huawei denied the report, but this is just the latest in a long series of accusations regarding the company's ties with Chinese intelligence agencies. Those accusations led the U.S. government to prevent federal agencies from purchasing equipment from Huawei and ZTE in August 2018. Reports indicated that the companies might also be banned from civilian networks, too, but so far nothing has come of those claims. That doesn't mean the U.S. has lightened up on Huawei--the company's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, has been charged with evading sanctions on Iran. The U.S. government isn't alone in its wariness of Huawei, either, as countries throughout Europe, as well as Australia and New Zealand, have at least considered banning the company's equipment from their wireless networks. MIT announced earlier this month that it would stop working with Huawei as part of a broader effort to limit the university's association with China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and other countries facing international scrutiny. Now it seems the U.S. government is urging other countries to adopt standards that would prevent Huawei (and presumably ZTE) from becoming a central part of 5G wireless networks. Reuters reported as such on April 15, and The Times reported that the CIA shared its intelligence linking Huawei with China's intelligence apparatus with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom as part of the Five Eyes alliance. Huawei's response to these obstacles has varied. In the U.S., for example, it's contesting the ban on its equipment by saying it violates its Constitutional rights. The Chinese government has intervened on its behalf in Canada. Meanwhile, these problems led Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei to warn "mediocre employees" in January that they could be laid off because the company needs to "conduct some organisational streamlining." A company representative told The Times that "Huawei does not comment on unsubstantiated allegations backed up by zero evidence from anonymous sources." But as countries around the world question the safety of using Huawei equipment in their wireless networks, the company might not have a choice but to respond. Zhengfei thought things were getting serious in January; let's see how he feels by December. The midsize Hyundai Sonata has been around since 1985, and the latest eighth generation is definitely the most exciting of the bunch. However, it looks like Hyundai will add even more heat to the four-door with a new N Line edition next year, as revealed during the 2020 Sonatas debut at the New York Auto Show. More poke from the South Korean brands four-door is most welcome LISTEN 04:03 A Sonata We Want To Hear Hit play on the above-featured video to watch the live stream of Hyundais press conference at the 2019 New York Auto Show, which includes the debut of the new eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata. First impressions are quite positive. The new Sonata certainly looks much improved compared to the outgoing model, with streamlined styling and four-door coupe proportions that are lower and wider than before. Were also digging those new headlight housings, which come with accented daytime running lights that run high into the hood line, while the wide taillight lines in the rear add extra visual width to the package. As a complement to the new styling, the 2020 Sonata also comes with a revised third-gen architecture under the skin. Engine options include a turbo 1.6-liter producing 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, as well as an upgraded turbo 2.5-liter making 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. 2020 Hyundai Sonata drivetrain specifications ype GDI DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder Turbo-GDI DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder Materials Aluminum block and head Aluminum block and head Bore & stroke (mm) 88.5 x 101.5 75.6 X 89 Compression ratio 13.0 : 1 10.5 : 1 Displacement 2.5 liters / 2,497 1.6 liters / 1,598 cc Horsepower 191 @ 6100 rpm (est.) 180 @ 5500 rpm (est.) Torque (lb-ft.) 181 @ 4000 rpm(est.) 195 @ 1500-4500 rpm (est.) Transmission 8-speed Automatic 8-speed Automatic Good stuff all around, but towards the end of the conference, Hyundai teased us with some rather exciting news - the development of a new Sonata N Line. For those of you who may be unaware, the N Line is Hyundais warmer vehicle designation, offering a bit more performance than the standard model, but not the full-fat performance tune you get with vehicles like the Veloster N. Autoblog spoke with Hyundai spokesperson Jim Trainer about the upcoming Sonata N Line, and apparently, output will get a boost to at least 275 horsepower. 2019 Hyundai i30 N For reference, the i30 N makes 271 horsepower thanks to a turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder, while the Veloster N produces 275 horsepower from its 2.0-liter four when equipped with the optional Performance package. As for the oily bits in the Sonata N Line, we could see a tuned iteration of the sedans latest 2.5-liter recently introduced with the 2020 model year. The same turbo 2.0-liter in the i30 N and Veloster N could also make a reappearance under the hood of the go-faster midsize four-door. The rest of the drivetrain should include front-wheel drive as standard, but rumor has it Hyundai is considering the addition of all-wheel drive to the options list. Wed also love to see a manual transmission added to the mix, but an eight-speed automatic is more likely. As for the rest of the spec, were thinking bigger wheels, a few extra styling bits, a louder exhaust, and a sporty steering wheel, as well as a sharper suspension tune to boot. Why It Matters All told, were definitely happy to hear about a possible hot-to-trot Sonata. Over the last decade or so, Hyundai has been very busy revamping its brand image, going from associations with rentals and fleets, to a genuinely desirable product line. Adding a sporty midsize sedan to the lineup is sure to catalyze that evolution even further. After all, the old Sonata wasnt necessarily the most exciting thing ever. While reliable and packed with value, it didnt have much of a spark for us speed lovers. Packing in 275 ponies under the hood could very well change that. Hyundai is also gearing up to release a hybrid powertrain for the Sonata, which should arrive in the spring of 2020. The Sonata N Line is expected to arrive shortly thereafter. Adding the option for more power and more efficiency is a surefire way to infuse the Sonata lineup with even more desirability. Paired with that tasty new exterior design, plus Hyundais reputation for reliability and value, and things are definitely looking up. Further Reading The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Debuts With a Look That Proves Its Stepped Into the Premium Segment The All-New 2020 Hyundai Sonata Has a Striking Face and Upmarket Interior Read our full review on the 2019 Hyundai Veloster N. Read our full review on the 2018 Hyundai i30 N. The compact crossover segment shows no signs of slowing down, and Mercedes is adding to the momentum with the promise of two new models, one of which is powered by gasoline, the other of which is all-electric. Dubbed the GLB and EQB respectively, the fresh nameplates are set to arrive very, very soon, as confirmed by Board of Management member Britta Seeger at the 2019 New York Auto Show. How To Stand Out In A Bloated Segment? During Mercedes press conference at the 2019 New York Auto Show, the brand teased the imminent arrival of two new compact crossovers. The first is called the GLB, and amazingly, it follows hot on the heels of a concept that just debuted this week at Auto Shanghai. Merc says the production-ready GLB will arrive as early as this summer. If that seems like one helluva turn around time, its because it is. However, Merc is making it possible by carrying over loads of shared parts from across its various compact model lines, as evidenced by the near-production-ready Concept GLB. Details include an impressive three rows for passengers, which is a lot of seating for a crossover with a 111-inch wheelbase and overall length of 184 inches. However, it makes sense when you consider the GLB will provide the bones for the up-and-coming EQB, which will go head-to-head with the three-row Tesla Model Y compact crossover (more on the EQB later). Moving on, the GLB will slot in between the GLA and GLC SUV, and fit up to seven passengers thanks to variable interior configurations that either maximize passenger space or cargo room. When it arrives in production form, the Mercedes-Benz GLB will take on competitors like the VW Tiguan. As for the GLB Concept, the compact made its debut in Shanghai with black undercladding, big chunky tires, auxiliary LED lighting, and a roof-mounted roof box, all of which give it a rough-and-ready off-roader vibe. However, we doubt any of that good stuff will make it to the production phase. That said, the GLB Concepts powertrain will arrive in dealers unaltered, as it takes directly from Mercs current compact model line. Making the go is a turbocharged 2.0-liter producing 224 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission takes up the cog swaps, while a 4Matic all-wheel-drive system puts it all to the ground. A plug-in hybrid powertrain option is also possible for the future. Out With The Old, In With The Electric Merc also hinted at the arrival of the EQB all-electric compact crossover in 2021. Framed as a battery-powered version of the GLB, the EQB is built on the same MFA2 platform but will come with a select number of unique styling bits and small aero improvements to maximize average miles-per-charge. Power will be sourced from a 60-kWh battery pack, which is rumored to provide upwards of 310 miles of range between plug-ins. The EQB will slot under the Mercedes-Benz EQC, a bigger all-electric SUV launched last year at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. Accelerating Mercedes Future Mercedes eagerness to release these two new models isnt very surprising. The compact crossover segment is still red hot, and with most of the parts needed to build the GLB already found in Mercs current lineup, development should be a breeze. That also applies to the EQB, especially with Mercedes intent on bolstering its electrified offerings in a big way over the next decade. Are you excited for the GLB or EQB? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments section below. Further Reading The 2019 Mercedes GLB Concept Is A New Boxy Compact SUV Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB. Read our full review on the 2019 Mercedes-Benz EQC. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will not step down from his role in the negotiations with North Korea, despite calls from Pyonyang for him to step aside and let someone "more mature" take over. "Nothing's changed. We're continuing to work to negotiate. I'm still in charge of the team," Pompeo said in Washington, at a press conference with visiting Japanese ministers. Pompeo also insisted he was not misrepresenting the North Korean side and that Kim Jong Un, the leader of the reclusive Asian state, had promised to denuclearize. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said his country was "ready to normalize the relationship with North Korea when this missile, nuclear, and abduction issues are taken care of," in remarks said through a translator. In addition to the increasing hostility towards Pompeo personally, North Korea this week tested a "new type of tactical guided weapon," its state news agency reported, the country's first known weapons test since February's failed US-North Korea summit in Hanoi. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 20) The country's second Secretary General to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), former Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rodolfo Severino, Jr. died on Friday, April 19 after a lingering illness. He was 82. In a statement Saturday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Severino's demise "with deep sorrow." "He served in various positions at the Office of the Undersecretary for Policy and the Office of Asia and Pacific Affairs, ending his foreign service career as Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy from 1992 to 1997," the DFA said. In a separate statement, the Department of National Defense (DND) said it is grateful for Severino's contributions to the diplomatic interests of the Philippines. "The Department of National Defense joins the nation in mourning the passing of former Ambassador, ASEAN Secretary-General, and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rodolfo Severino, Jr. The Philippine defense establishment takes cognizance of and will always be grateful for his contributions and accomplishments in the promotion of the diplomatic interests of our country in the international community," the DND said. The well-respected career diplomat joined the Philippine foreign service in 1965. Severino served as undersecretary to former Foreign Secretary Roberto Romulo who, upon learning of his deputy's passing, said, Rod was my mentor. My worth as a diplomat, if any, IS because of him." He proposed the raising of funds for a professorial chair on international diplomacy at Severino's alma mater, Ateneo de Manila University. "Students of today deserve to learn of Rod's commitment to country," he pointed out. Severino was Ambassador to Malaysia from 1989 to 1992. Prior to this appointment, he held diplomatic posts in Washington D.C. and Beijing. After retiring in 1997, Severino became ASEAN secretary general, a post he held from 1998 to 2002. He was the second Filipino to hold the post, after Narciso Reyes who served between 1980 and 1982. Journalist Howie Severino, the late diplomat's son, paid tribute to his father on social media. He outlined the elder Severino's accomplishments as a diplomat, journalist and educator. Howie also said in his post that his father is survived by "his youngest child Rhoda, his wife, Rowena Weng Romero Severino, two sons Horacio (Howie) and Rodolfo III (Kokoy) and adopted daughter Gina with the late Caridad Gorospe Severino, daughter-in-law Ipat Luna, and grandchildren Alon Severino and JJ, Angel, Anna, Anton and Elyza David." The wake will be at The Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig, from 5 pm of April 21st to 5 pm of April 24th. President Moon Jae-in's appointment of two new Constitutional Court justices on Friday is expected to bring some changes to the ideological spectrum of the top court's future rulings, legal experts and watchers said. The addition of Lee Mi-sun and Moon Hyung-bae to the nine-member bench of the Constitutional Court increased the number of its non-conservative justices to seven, one more than the magic number needed to achieve a two-thirds majority. The court requires at least six out of nine justices to decide on the constitutionality of cases brought before it. Besides its primary role of reviewing constitutionality, the top court also has crucial administrative law functions, such as ruling on competence disputes between governmental entities, giving final decisions on impeachments and making judgments on the dissolution of political parties. The top court has steadily strengthened its progressive orientation since Moon's inauguration two years ago. Now only two justices, appointed during the previous presidency of Park Geun-hye, are considered conservatives. Two other conservative justices who retired on Thursday after six-year terms were replaced by Lee Mi-sun and Moon Hyung-bae, who are regarded as middle-of-the-road and liberal, respectively. With seven of nine justices now considered non-conservatives, the direction of the top court's future constitutionality rulings is expected to change considerably, according to the legal experts and watchers. As seen in its recent ruling against the anti-abortion law, the top court is expected to tilt to progressive stances on hotly debated social issues, such as punishment against homosexuals and abolition of the death penalty, they speculated. For instance, the court ruled that Clause 92 of the Military Criminal Act outlawing homosexuals in the military is constitutional in a 5-to-4 ruling in 2016. But a constitutional petition on the same issue was filed in February 2017, and the case has since been pending at the top court. Likewise, the court ruled that the death penalty conforms to the Constitution in a 5-to-4 ruling in 2010 but was recently asked to review the issue again. In addition, a number of politically controversial issues, including the deployment of advanced anti-missile defense systems, increases to the minimum wage and the taxation of religious people, could be sent to the Constitutional Court. With such fears in mind, the main opposition Liberty Korea Party warned in a spokesperson's statement Friday that the appointments of the two new justices, both of whom it categorized as liberal, will pave the way for the Moon administration's "liberal dictatorship." But many constitutional scholars cautioned against any hasty move to determine the future path of Constitutional Court rulings by the political leanings of its justices. They note that the court made constitutionality rulings on the death penalty and the punishment of military homosexuals during the administration of former liberal President Roh Moo-hyun. Moreover, the court's mostly conservative justices ruled in favor of the presidential impeachment of Park Geun-hye in 2017. "The anti-abortion law, for instance, is considered as a matter of value, not a political issue. Any attempt to interpret the Constitutional Court's recent ruling on the anti-abortion law by the political leanings of its justices is not desirable," a professor at Yonsei University said. Another law professor in Seoul called for lengthening the tenure of constitutional justices to nine years to ensure that the court remains free from political influence. (Yonhap) editorial@tribune.com Bengaluru, April 19 Asian rice exporting hubs saw tepid activity this week, with prices for the staple from top exporter India dipping on lower demand, while Bangladesh mulled a review of its ban on exports of the grain. Indias 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted around $377-$380 per tonne, down from last weeks $387-$390. Demand from African buyers was weak as they have ample inventories, said Nitin Gupta, vice-president, rice business at Olam India. Aggressive selling of old inventories by China at lower prices has also weighing on prices, he added. The countrys rice exports for April-February dropped 9.4% from a year earlier to 10.57 million tonnes, as leading buyer Bangladesh trimmed its purchases due to a bumper local harvest, a government body said. On Thursday, Bangladeshs commerce minister said a long-standing ban on rice exports will be discussed after strong pleas from traders to lift the restriction. If we have surplus, we can allow rice exports, Tipu Munshi told reporters after a meeting with the rice traders association. Bangladesh, traditionally the worlds fourth biggest rice producer, banned overseas shipments of some common rice varieties in May 2008 following a spike in domestic prices. It banned all rice exports a year later. In 2017, the country was forced to massively increase imports to shore up domestic reserves after floods wrought havoc on local crops and pushed domestic rice prices to record highs, but domestic stocks have since greatly improved. In Thailand, the worlds second-largest exporter, the benchmark 5% broken rice prices eased slightly to $393-$411 a tonne, free on board Bangkok, from $405-$410 last week. Overseas buyers have turned to rice from India and Vietnam because their prices have been more competitive compared to ours, a trader said. However, concerns over domestic supply in the country have kept prices steady recently, traders said. The harvest of the last crop was completed last month and there is no new supply except unsold rice from the mills, this meant prices remain stable with a tendency to rise even though there is no demand, a Bangkok-based rice trader said. Reuters Exports decline 9.4% in April-February editorial@tribune.com Mumbai, April 19 The grounding of Jet Airways has left the tourism industry a worried lot as it has led to an average 25% spike in airfares across the sectors leading to massive hotel cancellations, say industry experts. Some key sectors like Mumbai-Hyderabad, Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Mumbai have seen the fares flying by 62%, 52% and 49%, while the Bengaluru-Delhi sector has had the lowest impact with a 10% surge shortly before and soon after the grounding of Jet, show Cleatrip.com data. Financially struggling for months, Jet Airways decided to call it quits from Wednesday night, leaving 22,000 jobs at stake and inconveniencing lakhs of passengers both domestic as well as international as Jet was the single largest airline out of and into the country. The impact of grounding of Jet is not only restricted to the airlines as tourism has taken a beating due to the surge in airfares during the peak season. The impact is unlikely to fade away anytime soon, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) president Sunil Kumar said. PTI Travel plans go haywire According to industry experts, the grounding of Jet Airways has led to an average 25% spike in airfares across the sectors, leading to massive hotel cancellations Some key sectors such as Mumbai-Hyderabad, Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Mumbai have seen the fares flying by 62%, 52% and 49%, respectively "The impact of grounding of Jet Airways is not only restricted to the airlines sector as tourism has taken a severe beating due to the massive surge in airfares during the peak demand season" Sunil Kumar, President, Travel agents association of India editorial@tribune.com New Delhi, April 19 Lenders are exploring ways to utilise about 15 planes owned by Jet Airways and also discussing with authorities on protecting the valuable assets, including airport slots, of the now-shuttered airline, banking sources said. As they wait for completion of the bidding process for stake sale, the domestic lenders, led by SBI, are looking at options to raise funds from available assets of the carrier, which has served the Indian skies for nearly 26 years. Left with no cash to continue flying, the once-mighty Jet Airways on Wednesday suspended operations temporarily a decision that has also left more than 20,000 employees as well as various other stakeholders in the lurch. The sources said the lenders are actively considering proposals, including from Air India, for utilising the planes owned by Jet Airways. The use of these idle planes would ensure that they remain in good condition as well as earn revenue, they added. Jet Airways owns 16 aircraft, including 10 wide-bodied Boeing 777-300 ERs and rest of the planes were on lease. The full-service carrier had more than 120 planes in its fleet last year. Earlier this week, Air India chairman and managing director Ashwani Lohani wrote to SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar saying that the airline is looking at leasing five of Jet Airways Boeing 777s and operate them on London, Dubai and Singapore routes. As concerns mount over the future course of Jet Airways, the sources said lenders have been proactive and cannot be blamed for the current situation at the airlines. They (lenders) have been actively engaging with the company for almost nine months ever since the airlines started incurring cash losses and have been urging the management to come forward with a definite plan for resolution. Unfortunately, the management and the promoter delayed in taking a decision leading to the present situation. The lenders continued to support the airline during this period, one of the sources said. The decision of founder-promoter Naresh Goyal to step down came as late as March 25 and he signed a binding agreement to facilitate stake sale only in the second week of April. By then, the airlines operations had been severely affected, the source added. The source also said banks have now put in place a transparent bidding process for a new investor to take over the airline and the outcome would be known by May 10. According to the sources, lenders have also reached out to relevant authorities to protect valuable assets for the airline, such as airport slots, as it would improve the chances of a better revival. The best revival prospect would be to have a new investor who brings in sufficient cash and also has a definite plan going forward, they added. It is also learnt that while the promoter has stepped down and entered into a binding agreement, there has been no change in complexion of the Board of the airline due to technical reasons. The conversion of debt into equity was conceived as a way to allow a new investor to come in. Also, while the lenders have nominated AK Purwar and Kapil Kaul to the Board of Jet Airways consequent upon stepping down of the promoters, this is yet to take effect on account of some technical reasons, another source said. PTI Air India boss meets SBI chief over leasing of Jet planes Mumbai: Air India chairman Ashwani Lohani held preliminary talks with his SBI counterpart Rajnish Kumar on Friday on the national carriers interest in leasing five Boeing 777s from the now-grounded Jet Airways, sources close to the development said. As per these sources, the Air Indian chairman will now take the proposal to the airlines Board for approval for leasing of these aircraft. PTI SpiceJet hires 500 Jet Airways staff, including 100 pilots Mumbai: Budget carrier SpiceJet today said it has already absorbed over 500 employees, including 100 pilots, of the grounded carrier Jet Airways and it is open to induct more as it adds more aircraft and routes in the times ahead. SpiceJet chairman and managing director Ajay Singh in a statement Friday said that his carrier is giving first preference to Jet Airways staff in recruitment. PTI Proposals under study ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Kaveesha Kohli Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 19 The PGI authorities today said they had acted swiftly in response to the allegations of sexual harassment made by a researcher against Dr Vikas Gautam, a professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology. The PGI authorities also maintained that the National Commission for Women (NCW) had written to the Director of institute, Prof Jagat Ram, asking for his intervention in handing over the report of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) on the matter to the researcher. All documents were immediately handed over to the woman after the NCW letter. Prof Jagat Ram said no notice had been given to the PGI by the NCW. This is in no way a notice to the PGI or the Director of the PGI. From the letter, it is clear that commission is looking forward to the personal intervention of the Director in the matter, Prof Jagat Ram told The Tribune. The case dates back to May 2018, when the researcher wrote to Prof Savita Kumari, who heads the ICC, claiming that she was molested by Professor Gautam in his office. The ICC began investigating the case and also sent a copy of the letter to the Director. The ICC submitted its report to the Director in October 2018. However, it is only the governing body and not the Director who is empowered to undertake disciplinary action against faculty members. The governing body has 14 members and is headed by the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda. As per the regulations framed under the PGI Act, any disciplinary action against the faculty members can only be taken by the governing body of the institute, which is the appointing authority as well as the disciplinary authority for the faculty, said Prof Jagat Ram. The governing body, which met in November 2018, ordered the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against Professor Gautam in a time-bound manner. In compliance with the orders of the governing body, a chargesheet was issued to the faculty member concerned on January 30, 2019, and he was asked to reply within a week, said Prof Jagat Ram. Professor Gautam, instead approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which deals with disputes with respect to recruitment and conditions of service of government-appointed persons. On April 4, CAT directed the PGI not to proceed with the chargesheet until the next hearing, which is slated for April 23. Professor Gautams counsel submitted before CAT that the ICC had not recorded a definite finding that he was guilty of sexual harassment as the ICC had used the word might in its findings. Professor Gautam refused to comment on the matter. Images of Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral ablaze made the front pages of newspapers around the world. Many expressed a deep sense of loss. Is it possible, however, that Notre Dame lost nothing of her real beauty? Yonhap By Amanda Price News that the renowned Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral was being destroyed by fire made headlines around the world. Formal and informal messages of condolence flooded in from Russia, the U.S., Israel, Turkey, Asia-Pacific nations, South Korea, China, Japan, Lebanon, Egypt, the United Nations and, of course, every European country. Regret and sympathy were expressed by Roman Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and non-religious leaders. A Turkish newspaper, The Daily Sabah, published the headline, "International sorrow as 850 years of history go up in flames in Paris' Notre Dame." Though the destruction had been limited, something terrible had occurred. Something that transcended religion, culture and ethnicity. But I wondered if we have not all underestimated the enduring power of the great cathedral. Could she, and the history that she embodies, be erased so swiftly and so easily? This was not the first attempt on her life, nor was it the most violent. In the dark days of the French Revolution, the Great Lady had seen horrors that, even today, history struggles to describe. Outside the French embassy in Seoul, Korean and French citizens come together in solidarity and support. Koreans and the French share a common bond in that both nations have experienced cultural oppression. Notre-Dame de Paris, once despised by French revolutionaries, is a French cultural treasure today. Yonhap Perceived as a symbol of the affluent aristocracy and immensely powerful Roman Catholic Church, French revolutionaries would turn the Great Lady into a Wicker Man and use her to purge the city of all remnants of a past they wished to replace. Mobs of angry French citizens, whipped into a frenzy, ransacked the Gothic cathedral and smashed whatever could not be stolen. Spurred on by men with their own political agendas, citizens spat and fouled the Lady's main atrium, declaring she was no longer a church. The Great Lady would pay for the crimes of religious tyrants who exercised inordinate power over every sector of society. Despite vows of poverty and humility, the French Roman Catholic Church ranked second in power and wealth only to the monarchy. Owning immense swaths of land, clerics exacted heavy tithes from the people, though the church flourished, paying no taxes at all. Notre-Dame de Paris paid for the crimes of the affluent monarchy and a power-hungry clergy. But she would also pay for the crimes of revolutionaries who wanted to write a new history in the blood of their own people. Unsplash ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Mohali, April 19 The Sohana police station head, Inspector Daljeet Singh, who has been placed under suspension for failing to act promptly in a rape complaint, was booked under Section 166 A (public servant disobeying law with intent to cause injury to any person) of the IPC at the same police station here today. Inspector Daljeet Singh was placed under suspension a couple of days ago as he allegedly failed to act on a complaint of the victim, who was allegedly raped in a car on a deserted road near Sambhalki village on April 16. Moreover, he did not inform senior officials after the matter was reported at the police station, said a Punjab Police official. A departmental inquiry has been initiated against the cop. Daljeet Singh was a sarpanch before he joined the Punjab Police on compassionate grounds in 2000 after his father, who was a DSP, was killed by terrorists. He was allegedly facing a criminal case, which he did not reveal to the authorities at the time of his recruitment. He was reportedly facing another departmental inquiry on a complaint of his colleague. Daljeet Singh claimed that there was no lapse on his part in the case. TNS editorial@tribune.com Gurbaxpuri Tarn Taran, April 19 The Khalra police have booked five persons of the area for their involvement in cross-border drug smuggling. Besides, they have also been blamed for the drowning of a youth, Navjot Singh Joti (26), of Dal village, 45 km from here. Navjot drowned in the defence drain on April 16. The police said the accused were identified as Angrej Singh, Major Singh, alias Khatri, Joga Singh, Dilbag Singh of Dal village and Gopi, alias Mirza, of Sursing village. Deceaseds father Sakattar Singh stated to the police that Angrej, Major Joga and Dilbag took away Navjot Singh Joti on the pretext of attending some marriage function on April 16. On April 12, Gopi had contacted Pakistan-based drug smugglers, who had planned to throw heroin to the Indian side on April 16. The peddlars went to the pre-planned site through the defence drain and took my son, who didnt know swimming. All of them swam through the drain barring Navjot, who drowned, the complainant said. Sub-Inspector Amarjit Kumar, SHO, Khalra police station, said the accused were absconding and raids were being conducted at their possible hideouts. Sections 304, 34 of the IPC, and 21, 29, 61, 85 of the NDPS Act have been slapped. April 16 episode Afroz Alam Afroz Alam Academic, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad A sweeping majority in Uttar Pradesh (UP) may, indeed, sweep the party to power at the Centre and also set the electoral trend in other north Indian states. Over the last two decades, the state has witnessed a continuous realignment of the social groups, leading to radical power circulations among the four mainstream parties: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP). In UP, the ebb and flow of party competition in parliamentary elections is remarkable because of its cyclical character. For instance, the SP and BSP performed absolutely well in the 2004 and 2009 election, the Congress made a comeback in the 2009 election while the BJP replaced all with 72 seats in the 2014 elections in UP. Interestingly, the 2019 election in the state has become competitive due to the changing contours of pre-electoral alliances between mainstream parties and with constituency-specific minor parties. Are minor parties holding the balance of power in 2019? Yes. It can be seen in the recently concluded alliances of these parties. A good number of minor parties have consolidated their social base over the years. They will influence the nature of party competitions and alter the winning possibility of many candidates of mainstream parties in multiple constituencies of UP. Nationally, with the increase of 329 per cent growth (2001 as base year), the number of minor political parties reached 2,301 in March, 2019. It means that the growth rate of political parties just got more than tripled in a span of 19 years. It is despite the delisting of 255 minor parties in 2016 by the Election Commission. Surprisingly, UP alone hosts 26 per cent of these parties at the national level while providing headquarters to almost 600 minor parties. What explains this sudden rise of minor political parties? The rise of these political parties could be attributed to several factors, apart from fragmentation, factionalism, regionalism and personal egoism within mainstream parties, coupled with the strong desire to form new parties to seek a share in the power structure of India. First, the collapse of the Congress system with its consensus model; second, the impact of the Mandal Report and the consequent rise of low caste-based parties; and third is the rise of Hindutva politics to counter Mandal mobilisations. It is true that the mainstream parties dominate the political landscape of the state. Yet, there is also evidence that voters are deserting these parties in increasing numbers to consider the options of minor parties popular in certain constituencies. It can be seen in their increased number of assembly and parliamentary seats, vote shares, along with higher propensity of these parties to spoil the winning possibility of the candidates belonging to mainstream parties in many constituencies. For instance, these parties in the 2017 Assembly elections, 2014 Lok Sabha elections and 2012 Assembly elections secured 15 seats, two seats and 17 seats along with 6 per cent, 1 per cent and 14 per cent of the total votes polled, respectively. More particularly, in 2012, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Qaumi Ekta Dal (QED), Peace Party (PEC), Apna Dal (AD), Ittehad-E-Millat Council (IEMC), Jan Kranti Party (JaKP), PMSP, and Mahan Dal (MD), Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) emerged as parties of relevance. In the 2017 Assembly election, the RLD, Apna Dal (S), Nishad Party, SBSP did well and won one seat, nine seats, one seat, and four seats with total vote share of 1.78 per cent, 0.98 per cent, 0.62 per cent and 0.70 per cent, respectively. However, the performance of the AD and SBSP was commendable in their respective constituencies due to their alliance with the BJP as they got 39.21 per cent and 34.14 per cent votes in the seats contested by them. Interestingly, in 2017, there were 32 minor parties that secured votes between 5,000 and 50,000. There were six minor parties that secured above 50,000 votes, and six minor parties secured above 1,00,000 votes. What is important is to note that the cumulative impact of these parties have spoiled the winning chances of mainstream parties in 56, seven and 231 constituencies in the 2017 Assembly election, 2014 Lok Sabha elections and 2012 Assembly elections, respectively. In 2019, the hallmark of the parliamentary election in UP is the cut-throat bipolar competition between the newly formed charismatic alliance of the SP-BSP-RLD and the flamboyant BJP. But the electoral fates of both the parties are seized in multiple constituencies where they are facing a close fight. Given the scenario, minor parties with a strong social base in certain constituencies have become suddenly relevant for both the contender parties. The 2012, 2014, 2017 election results will be seen as evidence that 20 minor parties have carved their own space in UP with whom the mainstream parties are into either stitch pre-electoral alliance or seek their endorsement. It is certainly significant because of three reasons: decisive votes of these parties in highly competitive constituencies, transferability of their votes in other constituencies, and their cadre and campaign support for the mainstream parties. For instance, the BJP's alliance with the Nishad Party and Apna Dal (S) will give advantage to the party in securing Nishad votes dominant in five parliamentary constituencies, and Kurmis vote in four parliamentary constituencies. Similarly, the alliance of the BSP-SP with the RLD, Janvadi Party-Socialist, and Rashtriya Samanta Dal will help the coalition in appropriating Jat vote decisively in eight parliamentary constituencies, Chauhan vote in two constituencies and Kushwaha vote, respectively. Similarly, the Congress will be able to improve its vote share in many constituencies due to its alliance with the Mahan Dal and Jan Adhikar Party having base in Kushwaha, Maurya, Shakya and Saini decisively present in four constituencies, and Apna Dal (Krishna Patel) with base in Kurmi voters in two constituencies. Equally important will be the role played by the alliance of the Peace Party having a decisive presence in Pasmanda Muslims in five constituencies with the newly formed Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party having base in certain Yadav community with influence in 1 constituencies. Importantly, there are other minor parties that are having a dominant base in a few constituencies like the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, Ittehad-E-Millait Council, Gondvana Gantantra Party, Lok Dal (LD), and Rashtriya Ulama Council. If not appeased by the mainstream parties, these parties will effectively spoil the wining chances of their candidates. Why do people choose to vote for minor parties despite knowing its futility? The answer lies in the frustration of certain groups with the mainstream parties and their candidates. In UP, only the candidates of mainstream parties have a reasonable chance at victory. But the so-called minor parties are not so minor. They are effectively bargaining by involving themselves in creative manipulation to put a competitive pressure on the dominant political parties. Minor parties are no longer the fringe elements in UP but a player in deciding the electoral outcome in 2019. Gurmeet Kanwal Gurmeet Kanwal Former Director, Centre for Land Warfare Studies, New Delhi THE creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was among the major recommendations of the Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by then Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani that analysed the report of the Kargil Review Committee. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by then Prime Minister Vajpayee accepted the recommendation of the GoM to appoint a CDS but held its implementation in abeyance. Till today, successive governments have not been able to appoint a CDS. Three reasons are generally cited for this incomprehensible omission. Firstly, political consensus on the establishment of the post of CDS was lacking. Secondly, the civilian bureaucracy has never been in favour of the concept of CDS. And, thirdly, there has been some opposition even within certain sections of the armed forces to the idea. The previous Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar, had said in 2016 that he would 'soon' recommend the creation of the post of CDS which he considered "a must" to the CCS. He had also said that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was engaged in working out a mechanism for the post. Over three years later, there has been no further development on appointing a CDS and constituting integrated theatre commands. It is well known that the operational plans of the armed forces lack synergy. In 1962, the Indian Air Force (IAF) was not given any role to play during the war with China when it could have made a huge contribution to the war effort. In 1965, the Indian Navy (IN) was not even informed about the plans to launch a three-pronged attack across the international boundary (IB) into Pakistan. It is repeated ad nauseum that the 1971 war was a well-coordinated tri-Service effort that led to a grand victory. The rather limited coordination that was actually achieved during the war with Pakistan in 1971 was mainly due to the personalities of the chiefs in position of authority and not due to any institutionalised arrangements. During the 1971 war, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw was able to carry his naval and air force colleagues with him due to the personal rapport that he had established with them. Yet, there were several glitches in the planning and conduct of the land and air campaigns and it cannot be stated that India fought a coordinated "air-land" war. The Indian intervention in Sri Lanka was undoubtedly a disaster from the joint planning point of view. The Kargil conflict of 1999 is the only real example of a coordinated tri-Service effort. Even here there were initial hiccups and it took the IAF several weeks to begin bombing the Pakistani intruders' sangars (ad hoc bunkers) on the Indian side of the LoC after the army had made such a request. India's prevailing security environment is marked by regional instability with a nuclear overhang. More than ever before, it is now necessary for the national security decision-makers to be given "single-point military advice" that takes into account the operational strengths and weaknesses and the inter-dependence of each of the armed forces on the other to meet complex emerging challenges in a nuclear environment. Such advice can come only from a CDS. Besides giving such advice to the CCS, the CDS will streamline the operational readiness and employment of India's nuclear forces. While India's nuclear doctrine and policy are guided by the National Security Council and the CCS, their execution is entrusted to the Services and here a joint approach is mandatory. The Strategic Forces Command (SFC), constituted for the planning, raising and equipping and the command and control of India's nuclear weapons, will function directly under the CDS even while functional control over the nuclear warheads and the delivery systems comprising the "triad" remains with the civilian political leadership. The CDS will also have several other responsibilities. Aerospace, information warfare, cyber-security and issues like the management of the electro-magnetic spectrum, including frequency management, electro-magnetic compatibility (EMC), electro-magnetic interference (EMI), electronic emission policy (EEP) and the offensive employment of non-communications devices such as radars for electronic warfare, will all be legitimately the domain of the CDS and HQ IDS.As and when tri-Service Space, Cyber and Special Forces Commands are raised to meet emerging challenges in these fields and to better manage all available resources, they will function directly under the CDS. A tri-Service Logistics and Maintenance command has also been long overdue. On the non-operational side, training institutions such as the National Defence College, the College of Defence Management and the National Defence Academy and organisations like the Armed Forces Medical Services, Canteen Stores Department and a host of others will be placed under the direct command of the CDS for better synergy in their functioning and optimum exploitation of their potential. The present Chiefs of Staff will still have a major role to play when there is a CDS. The three Chiefs will oversee the development and acquisition of weapons and equipment for their service, plan recruitment, guide and coordinate training at specialised training establishments and control administrative matters such as the annual budget, pay and allowances, maintenance support and medical services etc. All other major democracies have opted for the CDS system. Most countries with large armed forces, including China, have established theatre commands. India cannot ignore these concepts any further except at great operational risk. These are ideas whose time has come. International experience shows that such reform has to be imposed from the top down and can never work if the government keeps waiting for it to come about from the bottom up. laxmi@tribune.com JET Airways is down, and probably out. Indeed, the darling of advocates of liberalisation, which only last year celebrated its 25th anniversary, has been brought down to the ground due to the weight of a billion-dollar debt and unwillingness of the lenders to advance more money. The harried passengers, besides the suddenly jobless staff, are naturally demanding intervention of the government to keep the airline afloat. The bankers are now displaying reluctance to advance any more money to an airline that owes them Rs 8,500 crore. There is yet no credible explanation regarding how the debt was allowed to pile up to this unviable level in the first place. Why was corrective action not taken in time? The warning signs were there for all to see as once the poster child of liberalisation and the country's biggest airline by market value struggled. This is the second time cash crunch has brought air operations to a halt. Kingfisher Airlines suffered the ignominy in 2012. The crash-landing of two major airlines in what is considered the fastest-growing aviation market in the world points to systemic flaws. Air India, too, flies because of the government lifeline, and out of all the airlines operating, only IndiGo has shown profits. While the government may like to maintain a hands-off approach, especially during the election season, it needs to step in and try to stabilise the sector. The double-digit growth rate of air passengers only underlines the increasing demand and need for air travel. The government and the lenders, who are led by the State Bank of India, have a duty towards the public to explain how things went so wrong. Even now, the logic of not advancing money that would have allowed the flight operations to continue is not clear. As a consequence, the valuation of the company has been significantly impacted. Even as belated financial scrutiny would shape Jet's future, airlines need to fly, and be viable business entities, so that passengers can fly in friendly skies again. laxmi@tribune.com SINCE January, the intermittent spells of rains in the region have been welcomed by the farmer as he proudly saw his crop ripen and thrive in the prolonged cool period. The favourable weather conditions even led agriculture experts to predict that Punjab would have the highest-ever wheat production this year. Notwithstanding a fall in the area under cultivation of this staple grain due to diversification in agriculture, it was expected to touch 180 lakh metric tonnes with a yield of 52 quintals per hectare, up from the previous high of 50.09 quintals per hectare, achieved in the rabi season of 2018. And just then, unpredictable as the weather is, the unusual onset of rains and storm in the last couple of days put a shadow on the bumper crop production forecast. The wet and gusty windy pattern of the last few days of April caused extensive damage to the crop and vegetables in different parts of the state. The weather disturbances in April, numbering 10 to 11, were more than double the average of such disturbances and they naturally worried the cultivator. The farmer apprehended that a rise in the moisture content in the foodgrain may not meet the approval of the procurement agencies. But, thankfully, he need not push the panic button yet, for the turn in weather is not likely to impact him much: it will just delay the harvest. The grain is likely to warm up and dry down in the nick of time as the weather is expected to moderate soon, say experts. In a further relief to the farmer, the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, has ordered a "special girdawari" for an assessment of the standing wheat crop flattened in the fields in the past few days. The farmers who have suffered a blow by the rains will be awarded compensation for the damage. With the lowering humidity easing the disturbing punctuation now, there is yet hope to achieve the estimated targets. As the tillers watch for sunny and clear skies so that they can reap the harvest of their hard work, let's wish them a fruitful season, one that yields good returns to them. editorial@tribune.com Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, April 19 The Election Commission (EC) today reprimanded state BJP president Satpal Singh Satti by imposing a 48-hour campaign bar on him from tomorrow. He has violated the model code of conduct by making derogatory remarks against Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Exercising its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution of India, the EC has barred Satti (55) from taking part in any kind of election campaign like public meetings, rallies, roadshows, interviews or public utterances for 48 hours, beginning 10 am tomorrow. The commission took action against Satti for his derogatory and abusive remarks made against Rahul Gandhi at an election rally in Nalagarh, Solan, on April 13. The Congress had filed a complaint before the EC, seeking action against Satti, who had dismissed the charges in his reply. He became the state president in February 2012 and is known to be firebrand, straightforward and aggressive leader who does not mince words. After the ban dictate from the EC, Satti did not campaign and virtually remained incommunicado. He is learnt to have got a dressing down from the senior BJP and RSS leadership for courting controversy ever since his utterances went viral on the social media and came in for severe criticism from one and all. Since then he has confined himself to his home district of Una. Incidentally, Satti was also issued a second notice on April 17 for violating the model code of conduct for using derogatory language against both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi at an election meeting at Bhanjal in Una on April 14. Today, he filed his reply to the second notice, dismissing the Congress allegations. As such, Satti could face another ban in case the EC finds him guilty of violating the model code of conduct in the second pending complaint. A video of Satti allegedly using abusive language against Rahul Gandhi at a public meeting in Ramshehar in Nalagarh had gone viral. On the Congress complaint, the EC had directed Chief Electoral Officer Devesh Kumar to issue a notice to him and also register an FIR against him. The second notice pertains to alleged derogatory remarks against both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi at an election meeting at Bhanjal under Ghanari tehsil in Una district on April 14, 2019. He was issued a notice on April 17 and today he filed his reply. Satti is at the receiving end as trouble is brewing for him for making alleged objectionable remarks against the Radha Soami sect and the Congress yesterday submitted a memorandum to the EC through the CEO, Himachal Pradesh, for taking action against him for hurting the sentiments of the sect. May face another ban Satpal Singh Satti was also issued a second notice on April 17 for using derogatory language against both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi at an election meeting at Bhanjal in Una on April 14. He filed his reply to the second notice, dismissing the Congress allegations. Satti could face another ban in case the EC finds him guilty of violating the model code of conduct in the second pending complaint. What Election Commission said editorial@tribune.com Ravinder Sood Palampur, April 19 Residents of Laharu village in the Sulaha constituency, 25 km from here, have put up hoardings in their village urging political parties not to come to their village asking for votes. Protesting against the failure of the state government to construct a road in their village, the villagers have announced to boycott the elections. The villagers had blocked the motorcade of Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar and Kangra BJP candidate Kishan Kapoor last week when they visited the area for election campaign. They also submitted a memorandum to the SDM, Dheera, conveying their decision to boycott the polls. They have put up a hoarding Road nahi to vote nahi. Addressing mediapersons, the villagers said even after more than 70 years of Independence they were without road. They said they had met leaders of both the Congress and the BJP, but to no avail. They said earlier Congress leader Jagjivan Pal, who was MLA from Sulaha, had promised to fulfil their demand, but nothing had been done so far. Sulaha is represented by senior BJP leader Parmar who promised to construct a road to the village during the Assembly elections, but he too failed to solve the issue, Vipan Singh, a villager, said. Memo submitted to SDM editorial@tribune.com Sumit Hakhoo Tribune News Service Jammu, April 19 Although the Kathua-Udhampur-Doda parliamentary constituency witnessed a huge turnout of 70.2 per cent in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, over 4,000 militancy-displaced people from erstwhile Doda district were yet again denied their democratic right. Putting up at the Talwara camp in Reasi district, which was set up by the administration in the late 1990s, hundreds of families from mountainous areas of Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah were left out of the poll process. Most of the people had migrated from remote hamlets between 1996 and 2004 after terrorists carried out a series of killings of minorities. The displaced people have been unable to exercise their democratic right in any of the previous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state as they live outside their constituency. They live in squalid camps housing both Hindus and Muslims and have been demanding special polling stations for them on the pattern of migrant Kashmiri Pandits. The Election Commission of India says each vote counts and no one should be left behind but more than 4,000 militancy-displaced people have continuously been deprived of their democratic right to exercise their franchise in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, said Prof Bhim Singh, chairman, J&K National Panthers Party. Bhim Singh is also the executive chairman of the State Legal Aid Committee, which fought a case in the Supreme Court seeking benefits for Jammu migrants on a par with displaced persons of the Valley. Migrants claim that ahead of the election, they were promised that either a polling station would be established for them at the camp or they will be provided transport to visit their native villages to cast their vote. They said a few days ago, they were told that no such facility was possible. Most of the people had to leave their villages due to the threat from terrorists. The ECI should have helped us. We cannot go back to our native villages as terrorist activity has again picked up and the administration and the J&K Chief Electoral Officer know it, said Balwan Singh, chairman, Migrant Action Committee, Talwara. No official from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer or the district administration was available for comment. Migrants couldnt vote editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Srinagar, April 19 The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday sought response from the government over the accusations that orders related to the exemption of certain people from restrictions were not implemented on the ground by the Army and the CRPF while imposing the bi-weekly highway ban. A division bench, headed by Justice Ali Mohammed Magrey, was hearing a bunch of public interest litigations (PILs) seeking the withdrawal of the two-day ban order along the 270 km Baramulla-Srinagar-Udhampur highway imposed by the government. While the government counsel told the court that everything on ground was alright during the bi-weekly ban, the petitioners submitted before the bench that even ambulances were not allowed on the highway during the ban. A cancer patient died as an ambulance was not allowed to ply by the CRPF, they submitted. Even an SDM was thrashed. The government lawyer said the thrashing of the Sub-Divisonal Magistrate did not take place along the highway. He said the public interest litigations had been filed by political parties for gaining mileage. The court later sought response of the respondents on the directions issued by the Divisional Commissioner about the implementation of the highway ban. In those orders by the Divisional Commissioner, certain people were exempted from the restrictions. The matter is listed again for Wednesday. The respondents were also asked to file the compliance of the para 13 of the previous order which states that the commuters who are common people may not face any difficulty in their movement for earning their livelihood. The biweekly closure of the national highway, according to the government, is aimed at facilitating the movement of security forces for the Lok Sabha election duty and it came into force from April 7. It will remain effective till May 31. The ban order had evoked strong resentment among many people. Even ambulances not allowed to move Jemulpo in the early 1900s. Chinese shops can be seen on the right. The Japanese-owned Daibuts Hotel is on the left. By Robert Neff In the late 1880s, the Chinese community in Jemulpo (modern Incheon) was fairly large and well developed. A very active Chinese consulate presided over and protected the hundreds of Chinese merchants some permanent but many itinerant several shopkeepers, two factories (Loong Hing & Co. manufactured furniture and Shing Fung made bricks), at least one Chinese inn and Harry's Hotel (later Steward's Hotel), which catered to Western residents and visitors. There was even a Chinese cemetery (Uijangji) to serve as the final resting place for those who could not be sent back to their homeland. And, of course, there was crime. In Seoul, in the early 1880s, there were several alleged instances of Chinese soldiers befriending and molesting young Korean girls. A couple of girls encountered a group of soldiers "who enticed them to a lonely spot, and ill-used them so grossly" that one of them soon died of her injuries. Shortly after that incident, three girls washing near a stream were lured into a deep dale by Chinese soldiers who "very grossly insulted them [and] robbed them of their jewelry." Sometimes the soldiers protected (or at least perceived to protect) the criminals. In the summer of 1887, it was reported that there was a group of Chinese men living in Jemulpo who, having no "legitimate employment," managed to eke out a living by gambling and selling opium. Even more alarming, it was alleged that the men purchased Korean women and established their own brothels. Even though the Korean authorities were aware of these crimes, they were afraid to intervene out of fear of angering the Chinese authorities. Giving credence to this fear were the events surrounding the ginseng riots the previous year. Chinese merchants, with the tacit approval of their consul, smuggled ginseng from the port aboard Chinese warships. When the Imperial Korean Customs Service attempted to apprehend the smugglers and confiscate the goods, a mob of Chinese merchants ransacked the customs office and seriously injured a couple of the officers. The most serious offenses were murder. In November 1886, Shao Wai, a 41-year-old Chinese servant, brutally stabbed to death a young female Japanese servant who had rejected his advances. They were both employees of J. F. Schoeniche the Jemulpo Commissioner of the Imperial Korean Customs Service. Shao Wai was quickly apprehended and taken to Seoul to stand trial before the Yuan Shikai, the Chinese Resident Minister to Korea. Yuan was known for his swift and fatal judgments not hesitating to have offenders beaten or decapitated in front of the Chinese legation in Seoul as a warning to other would-be offenders. But at his trial, Shao Wai claimed to have no knowledge of the crime. He alleged that if he had committed the crime it was due to an epileptic fit that deprived him of the ability to control himself. Dr. Horace Allen, an American who served as the physician to the Customs Service, conceded that it was possible Shao Wai had gone temporarily insane and that his lunacy was not permanent. This may have been a clever ploy. According to a correspondent in Jemulpo, "owing to the peculiarity of Chinese law, the criminal must confess his guilt in open court before he can be punished." By claiming not to remember the crime he could not confess his guilt. This technicality seems to have saved his life at least for a short time. On February 26, 1887, Shao Wai was hustled aboard a Chinese gunboat and transferred back to China, where he was once again placed on trial and, probably, executed. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Jammu, April 19 The Centres decision to suspend cross-LoC trade in J&K will directly hit over 600 registered businessmen in the state. Besides, trading of 21 commodities like mangoes, red chillis, herbs and dry fruits will get affected after its indefinite suspension from Friday. There are 609 registered traders for two trade facilitation centres (TFCs) located at Salamabad, Uri, in Kashmirs Baramulla district and Chakan da Bagh of Poonch district. Of them, 229 traders are registered for Salamabad and 380 for Chakan da Bagh. The trade, which is based on barter system and zero-duty basis, worth about Rs 7,000 crore, is being conducted between the two sides since 2008. All 609 registered businessmen will be directly affected with the indefinite suspension of trade. The government has framed no policy while no meeting of traders from the two sides has taken place since March 2016, which has led to the present situation. Had the government initiated some policy measures, the situation could have been avoided, said Pawan Anand, president, Cross-LoC Traders Union, Chakan da Bagh. Sources, however, claimed there were around 280 active traders of the 609 registered ones, who were actually involved in conducting the business. The 21 items listed for the cross-LoC trade include bananas, embroidery items, tamarind, red chilli and cumin for exports while imports mainly include almonds, dry dates, dry fruits, herbs, mangoes and pistachio. On Thursday, India, while toughening its stand, indefinitely suspended cross-LoC trade following reports that it was being misused by elements across the border to smuggle weapons, narcotics and fake currency. The Home Ministry said a stricter regulatory and enforcement mechanism was being worked out and would be put in place in consultation with various agencies before the resumption of trade. In December 2016, the National Investigating Agency had raided two TFCs and reportedly seized records pertaining to cross-LoC trade after finding many objectionable points. Rs 7,000-cr industry amansharma@tribunemail.com Etah (UP), April 20 After BSP president Mayawati termed the prime minister a fake backward class member, Narendra Modi Saturday said the farzi friendship between the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party will fall apart the day election results are announced. You all remember the friendship that was struck during the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh that came to an end with the announcement of the results and turned into rivalry, he said referring to the understanding in 2017 between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party. The farzi dosti of bua and babua will also end the same way, Modi said at an election rally here, referring to Mayawati and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. The date of this friendship has also been fixed. May 23, Thursday, this farzi dosti (fake friendship) will fall apart, he said. That day bua and babua will start part 2 of their rivalry, the prime minister said. At the joint rally of the opposition alliance in Mainpuri on Friday, Mayawati had called SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav a real backward unlike Modi, a farzi or naqli backward. Attacking the opposition alliance in Uttar Pradesh, Modi said those thinking of their selfish gains can never think about the welfare of the deprived sections of society. By doing politics in the name of the poor they have only increased their own bank balances, he claimed. Only the flags of the SP and the BSP are different, their intentions are the same, he said, and referred to the period when an SP or a BSP government was in power in Uttar Pradesh. The governments used to change, and the goondas and the gangs of encroachers also changed, he alleged. At the time of the bua it was corruption, and during the time of babua atrocities were committed on Dalits, he said. During the SP government it was difficult for sisters and daughters to go to school, and this has been seen by the entire country, he claimed. It must have been a really difficult decision for Mayawati to ask for votes for such people, he said. Mayawati had said on Friday despite the state guest house episode, she took the difficult decision in the interest of the people and partys movement. In 1995, SP workers had allegedly attacked Mayawati when she was staying at the Lucknow guest house, leading to over two decades of bitterness between her and Mulayam Singh Yadav. The two leaders Friday shared the dais, signalling to their supporters that they were no longer rivals. Modi said the SP and the BSP wrongly believed their vote banks can be transferred as per their convenience. It has been proved in the first two phases of polling that their game is over, he claimed. They thought they are the thekedars (middlemen) of voters but the people have foiled their plan. He said those who do politics by dividing people over caste and creed forget that when it comes to development and national security, UP gives a befitting reply in such cases. All the mahamilavati people will be sent home, he said. The prime minister said when Akhilesh Yadav was chief minister he did not send to the Delhi the list of intended beneficiaries under the Centres housing scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna. Taking a swipe at Yadav over reports last year that his official residence in Lucknow had expensive bathroom fittings, Modi said he must have been beautifying his own bungalow then. Modi said patriotism for the BJP is ensuring the countrys security and saving it from middlemen. The SP, the BSP and the Rashtriya Lok Dal have forged an alliance to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in UP. Etah is among the constituencies that go to the polls in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday. PTI editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Hyderabad, April 19 The data theft probe being conducted by the special investigation team (SIT) of the Telangana Police after the recovery of a hard disk from IT Grids (India) has now found record about 2 crore Aadhaar accounts belonging to residents of Punjab. This is in addition to the Aadhaar data theft of about 7.82 crore residents of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, thus taking the size of alleged data theft to 9.8 crore accounts. The motive behind storing such a large data from Punjab by the company is yet to be ascertained. It is expected to become clear after companys CEO Dakavaram Ashok is questioned. Punjab has a population of around 2.8 crore, out of which Aadhaar details of over 2 crore persons have been found with IT Grids. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has, however, refuted reports about the breach of its data servers. On Wednesday, the UIDAI claimed its servers were safe and secure. However, the police said this happed to be the first case in which the theft of data had been scientifically proven. Mere possession and storage of Aadhaar numbers of people, though it maybe an offence under the Aadhar Act under some circumstances, does not put the Aadhaar holders under any harm in any manner whatsoever. For accessing any Adhaar-based service, biometrics or one-time password (OTP) is also needed, the UIDAI said. The UIDAI has, meanwhile, filed a complaint on the basis of the FIR lodged by the SIT to investigate the purpose for which such a large data of Aadhaar card holders was stored by the IT Grid (India). The company claims it is involved in analysis of data to assess cadre strength and stay connected with the root level, conduct election analysis based on demographics and geographic inputs, do election analysis and planning for political leaders, suggest communication strategy to reach out to the voters. As the company is involved in planning of election strategies, the presence of such a large voter data with it has raised serious concerns. The SIT has seized 60 hard disks, pen drives, memory cards etc. out of which 40 hard disks have been examined so far. vinaymishra188@gmail.com Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 19 Time is running out for the long negotiated alliance between Aam Aadmi Party and Congress with the leaders of two parties still engaged in talks and suspense around the pact intact. The last date of filing of nominations for elections to seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi is April 23. The process of filing of nominations for Delhi has begun and two AAP nominees from the city state Dilip Pandey (North East Delhi) and Balbir Singh Jakhar (West Delhi) have already filed their papers. Meanwhile, AAP and Congress leaders are still talking to see if they can salvage a deal. AAP remains insistent on an alliance in Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh and has communicated to Congress that if a three-state deal for 18 Lok Sabha seats does not come through, they would want five out of seven Lok Sabha segments in Delhi for themselves. The hitherto negotiated Delhi deal involves four LS seats for AAP and three for Congress, something Congress chief Rahul Gandhi publicly committed recently. AICC general secretary incharge of Haryana Ghulam Nabi Azad and AAP leader Sanjay Singh are, meanwhile, learnt to have held another meeting today to find ways of extending the Delhi alliance to Haryana. The AAP is said to have agreed to back Congress nominee Pawan Bansal in Chandigarh. Officially, the Congress today denied being in talks with the AAP on Haryana with party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala saying: We have already said Congress is not talking to AAP about Haryana and Punjab and talks are restricted to Delhi. Asked if the Congress and AAP talks have yielded any outcome in Delhi, Surjewala said: As and when there is a comprehensive outcome we will let you know. The Tribune has learnt that Azad and Sanjay Singh are looking at possibilities of reaching an understanding in Haryana seats with AAP interested in Karnal for itself and Sonepat and Hisar or Kurukshetra for the JJP. Haryana Congress rank and file is divided on allying with AAP with some leaders opining that the Congress would accommodate AAP at its cost. But Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is said to have given a go ahead to state leaders to see if they can work with the AAP in this LS election. The Congress is yet to declare four seats in Haryana. These include Karnal, Sonepat, Kurukshetra and Hisar. Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda told The Tribune: We do not need any alliance in Haryana but our position is clear. If an alliance is struck in national interest, we will go by it. AAP and Congress leaders understand they have to wind up alliance talks soon considering four days are left for filing of Delhi nominations. Elections in Delhi and Haryana are in the sixth phase on May 12 and in Chandigarh in the last phase on May 19. Nagars nomination under review monicakchauhan@gmail.com New Delhi, April 20 The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday said an alliance just in Delhi is not possible after the Congress refused to have a tie-up anywhere else with it. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that giving three seats to the Congress in the national capital would mean "giving three seats to the BJP", when asked his opinion on the 4:3 seat sharing formula proposed by the Congress. He said the Congress first proposed 6:3:1 seat sharing formula to the AAP in Haryana where six seats would be for Congress, three for Janayak Janata Party and one seat for AAP. "Our decision to form an alliance with the Congress was to stop the Modi-Shah duo," he said. Senior party leader Sanjay Singh said they have agreed to all the seat sharing arrangements that the Congress proposed but even then the grand old party backtracked. After discussions with our alliance partner in Haryana JJP we agreed to it but the Congress refused and said they can't give more than two seats to the JJP and proposed 7:2:1 formula," said Singh, who was negotiating with the Congress. JJP chief Dushyant Chautala even agreed to that but then the Congress backtracked again on Friday night, saying there is no possibility of formation of any alliance anywhere except Delhi, he said. However, sources say that even though the possibility of formation of an alliance has been completely closed in Haryana, the AAP is still open to alliance in the national capital in 5:2 formula with five seats for the ruling party. PTI pardeepdhull@gmail.com New Delhi, April 20 The Bar Council of India Saturday condemned the false and cooked-up sexual harassment allegations against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and said the entire Bar was standing with the CJI, and against this attempt to malign the institution. These are all false and cooked-up allegations and we condemn these kinds of acts. These kind of allegations and actions should not be encouraged. This is an attempt to malign the institution. Entire bar is standing in solidarity with the Chief Justice of India, Manan Kumar Mishra, BCI chairperson, told PTI. He said an emergency meeting of the top bar body would be convened on Sunday and a resolution be passed in this regard. We will pass the resolution and then try to meet the CJI to make him aware of the (BCIs) decision, Mishra said. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president and senior advocate Rakesh Khanna, who was present during the extraordinary hearing in the matter on Saturday, however, refused to comment. We are not part of the case...There is no lis (litigation) before the court. I am not giving any interview (on the controversy). Thank you, he said. However, former SCBA president and senior advocate Vikas Singh said the proper course would be to have an in-house inquiry by some senior Supreme Court judges to authoritatively find out the truth this way or that way in a time-bound manner. If it is a false allegation then this definitely is a threat to independence of judiciary, but if it is true then it is also very serious, he said. There should be an in-house inquiry by some senior Supreme Court judges to find out authoritatively this way or that way in a time-bound manner, Singh told PTI. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Bar Association also condemned the allegations on the CJI and said it was an attempt to target top Indian judiciary and the entire bar stood in support of the CJI. We condemn this attempt of targeting Indian judiciary. There is an urgent need to find a better way of dealing with these kind of accusations. Such baseless allegations are enough to ruin the reputation of a judge...this way anyone can make any accusations against anyone, the NGT Bar Associations office-bearer Gaurav Kumar Bansal said. The Supreme Court in the hearing Saturday said independence of judiciary was under very serious threat and unscrupulous allegations of sexual harassment have been levelled against CJI Gogoi as some bigger force wanted to deactivate the office of the CJI. A three-judge Bench headed by Justice Gogoi was constituted to hold the unprecedented proceedings in the wake of circulation of an affidavit of a former woman apex court employee levelling allegations against the CJI. The affidavit was sent to 22 SC judges. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Beijing, April 19 China has said it is ready to hold a Wuhan-style summit with India this year to improve ties, notwithstanding the differences over the trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative in which the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project. Addressing a media conference here today ahead of the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) being held on April 25-27 to showcase Chinas trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi urged India to shed its opposition to the $60 billion CPEC, saying it no way undermined the basic position on the Kashmir dispute. Asked if Indias opposition to the BRI would undermine the new momentum generated by last years informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wang said the two leaders had a very successful meeting at Wuhan city. Particularly they have established mutual trust between the leadership and they jointly planned for the future of improvement and strengthening of China-India relations. After the Wuhan summit, we see progress between the two countries and we have bright prospect for this relationship. We are now preparing for the next summit of our leaders, he said without specifying any time line. After the Wuhan summit hosted by China, the second summit will be held by India. President Xi plans to visit India for the 2nd informal summit after the General Election is over. Pakistan and Nepal are among the countries whose leaders will take part in its 2nd BRF meeting. Sources said there was no official invitation from China to the Indian leadership or at the ministerial level for the meeting. The CPEC, which has been officially designated as a flagship project of the BRI, has become a stumbling block for India to take part in it as the controversial project is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). We have stated clearly on many occasions that the BRI, including the CPEC, is only an economic initiative and it does not target any third country, he said. PTI 2 Indian ships to attend PLA event Two Indian Navy ships INS Kolkata and INS Shakti will participate in a maritime parade off Qingdao in China next week to mark the 70th anniversary of founding of the Chinese Navy monicakchauhan@gmail.com Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 19 The Congress suffered a major mid-election embarrassment today with the AICC media cell convener and national spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi quitting all party posts and joining BJP's Maharashtra ally, the Shiv Sena, in Mumbai. Known for her fiery anti-BJP interventions, Chaturvedi resigned from the Congress accusing it of failing to practise the values of women's empowerment and dignity that it preached. "The time that I now spend in the Congress will be at the cost of my self-respect and dignity," Chaturvedi said in her resignation to Congress president Rahul Gandhi days after the party reinstated a bunch of UP leaders who had allegedly misbehaved with Chaturvedi when she was in Mathura to hold a party conference. How would you feel if someone sexually harasses you at home and when you complain to your mother she tells you to keep silent and says the issue can be handled later? said Chaturvedi as she joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of party chief Uddhav Thackrey. I have a natural connect with the Shiv Sena being a Maharashtrian, she said as she made the switch days after attacking minister Smriti Irani who is challenging Gandhi in the Amethi LS seat. Chaturvedi dismissed any links between denial of Lok Sabha ticket to her by the Congress and the resignation and said she had worked in the Congress for 10 years without expectations of rewards but could not suffer indignity as a woman. what saddens me is that though safety, dignity and empowerment of women has been your call for to action, the same is not reflected in the action of some members of the party. A serious incident of misbehaviour against me by certain party members while I was on official duty has been ignored under the guise of all hands needed for elections. This indignity to me has been the final factor to convince me to move on and focus on other things outside INC, Chaturvedi said to Gandhi, adding that she felt her services were no longer valued. Congress media head Randeep Surjewala, however, downplayed the development saying we feel pain whenever someone leaves us but we wish everyone well because everyone has the right to career progression. Chaturvedis exit comes close on the heels of the resignation of Gujarat MLA Alpesh Thakor and another senior Congress leader from Kerala, Tom Vadakkan. rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, April 20 A Delhi court on Saturday said it would hear on April 24 a police plea to cancel bail of a former Supreme Court employee, who accused Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi of sexual harassment, in a cheating and criminal intimidation case. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Manish Khurana listed the matter for the next date as the accused was not served with a copy of the polices plea. The police sought cancellation of bail granted to the woman on March 12, after the complainant claimed that he was being threatened by the woman and her associates. An FIR for the alleged offences of cheating, criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy was lodged against the woman on March 3, after a complaint by Naveen Kumar, a resident of Jhajjar in Haryana, was received at Tilak Marg Police Station here. Kumar had alleged that the former apex court employee had defrauded him of Rs 50,000 which, he claimed, she took as part of a bribe, promising him a job at the court. PTI uttara@tribuneindia.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 21 The Election Commission issued a notice to Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Saturday for his controversial remarks made last week at a rally in Bihars Katihar. He has been given until Sunday to respond and warned that should he fail to reply, the commission would act without further reference to him . Sidhu, a Congress leader, said while campaigning for veteran Congress leader and former union minister Tariq Anwar that Muslims should vote en bloc to defeat PM Modi. Read EC's notice to Sidhu here "Do not consider yourself as being in a minority. You constitute the majority here. You are about 64 per cent. Do not fall into the trap laid down by people like Owaisi (president of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen). They have been propped up by the BJP," Sidhu had said on Monday at a rally held at Barasol, in Balrampur assembly segment falling under the Katihar Lok Sabha seat in Bihar. The outcry that followed led to a criminal case being registered against him. If his reply is found unsatisfactory, Sidhu will join a list of leaders who have been taken to task this election season for their controversial speeches. Leaders like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath, Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati, Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Maneka Gandhi, and another BJP leader, Himachal Pradeshs Satpal Satti, have already faced ECs reproach and temporary bans on their campaigning. Controversial BJP leader Pragya Thakur, the partys candidate from Bhopal, has been issued notice for her recent remarks. Model Code of Conduct has been in force since the commission announced election schedule on March 10. The code forbids the use of religion and caste for propaganda. Section 123 (3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, bars promotion of, or attempt to promote, feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion, race, caste, community, or language, by a candidate or his agent or any other person. By Yang Un-chul Yang Un-chul Since the historical summits between the two Koreas and the U.S. and North Korea, the international community's interest mainly focuses on the denuclearization of North Korea and its consequences. However, North Korea has continued to strengthen its traditional military capabilities with nuclear development over the past 20 years. It is believed that North Korea has pursued changes in military structure and strategy based on its own circumstances due to its poor economic reality. Evidently, North Korea has shown clear signs of strengthening asymmetric power in terms of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear and chemical weapons, missiles and conventional forces, such as the special force and submarines, since the 1990s. Recently, it was revealed that North Korea's asymmetric power buildup has been developing into new aspects such as cyber warfare, electronic warfare and unmanned aerial vehicles. In this situation, denuclearization of North Korea, which the world is paying attention to, has not found a solution. Fundamentally, the national interests of North Korea and the U.S. are different from the way they are solved. The United States is pleased with the role of the international community in the ongoing economic sanctions, but North Korea has identified the sanctions as the biggest barrier to denuclearization. The cover of the book "North Korea Conundrum" Regardless of denuclearization, it is anticipated that pressure by the international community will continue over issues such as the violation of human rights, cyber terror, and so on. That puts substantial pressure on North Korea. In the diplomatic perspective, it is hard to expect North Korea's relations with China to be restored as a full alliance. North Korea may have doubts about the authenticity of China's active participation in economic sanctions against it, but it believes China does not give North Korea enough support. Pyongyang is always concerned about China's growing influence over the country. Under such circumstances, North Korea must enter a normal state through continuous reforms. North Korea's true leap forward will come when it joins the international economic organization, and eventually North Korea will be transformed into a normal state. North Korea's conventional weapons, stagnant economy, cyber terrorism and accession to international organizations are difficult problems to solve in the short term. If these difficulties are not resolved, even if North Korea's denuclearization is achieved, it will be difficult for North Korea to change into a normal nation. North Korea's internal situation seems hard to fathom when the nuclear issue is an international issue. North Korea's official economy intends to increase the mobilization of internal resources. And its foreign currency earning business has reached its limit due to the economic sanctions. For that, Kim Jong-un is driving North Koreans to desperation to obedience. However, the economic performance is less than expected. On the other hand, the private market has grown rapidly. As history bears witness, a market evolves against all odds. The pressure from the bottom of society to provide reform measures continues to increase as the capacity of the North Korean regime decreases. With the slow paradigm shift of North Korean people and the elites, the foundation to implement a market economy will certainly spread economic rent to the people. At the same time, Kim is providing economic rent to his followers as he progresses North Korean economic reforms, such as reforming the corporate law, allowing market activities and localization by substituting imports. However, if economic freedoms such as individual property ownership and free international trade are not allowed, the economic reforms in North Korea will have a negative effect. Consequently, diminishing economic rent and privileges will eventually provoke power struggles among Kim's core supporting groups to obtain more rent. Then, North Korea's political and military power will weaken in the long run. This will be the key parameter that determines Kim Jong-un's power stability in the near future. The table of contents for "North Korea Conundrum." pardeepdhull@gmail.com Beijing, April 20 Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale starts his two-day visit to China on Sunday during which he will hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as both countries grapple with a host of issues, including Beijings continuous attempts to block efforts to list Jaish-e-Mohammeds chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. Gokhale will be visiting China for regular consultations, the Indian Embassy here said on Saturday. He is due to meet Chinas State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on April 22. His schedule here is being worked out, it said. The visit of Gokhale, previously Indias Ambassador to China before he took over as Foreign Secretary last year, is taking place amid close engagement between India and China following the February 14 Pulawama terror attack carried out by a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. Following the suicide attack, the US, the UK and France moved a proposal under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to designate Pakistan-based Azhar as a global terrorist. China stalled it for the fourth time by putting a technical hold on the resolution, a move India termed as disappointing. China, while saying that the matter moved towards settlement, firmly opposed the issue to be taken up by the UNSC and instead wanted it to be resolved by the UNs 1267 committee on counter terrorism. Beijing also accused the US of attempting to scuttle the resolution of the issue by taking it to the UNSC. China considers Pakistan as an all-weather friend and has given Islamabad billions of dollars in aid to support its ailing economy. Gokhales visit also coincides with China holding its biggest international event the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) to showcase its trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in which the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project. India has protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). While India is expected to skip the BRF meeting being held here from April 25-27, informed sources said there was no invitation from China to the leadership of India or at the Ministerial level to attend event. Asked whether India would attend the event Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri told state-run Global Times last month above all, connectivity initiatives must be pursued in a manner that respects sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity of nations. No country can participate in an initiative that ignores its core concerns on sovereignty and territorial integrity. Wang told the media here on Friday that 37 heads of state government and representatives from 150 countries and international organisations had confirmed their participation for the event. Wang also said the differences over the BRI would not come in the way of the development of India-China relations and Beijing is preparing for a Wuhan-style summit meeting this year. Asked if Indias opposition to the BRI would undermine the new momentum generated by last years informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wang said the two leaders had a very successful meeting at Wuhan last year. Particularly they have established mutual trust between the leadership and they jointly planned for the future of improvement and strengthening of China-India relations. After the Wuhan summit, we see all areas or progress between the two countries and we have bright prospect for this relationship. We are now preparing for the next summit of our leaders, he said without specifying any time line. He also urged India to reconsider its stand on the BRI economic project, saying it had nothing to do with sovereignty issues. One of our differences is how to look at the BRI. The Indian side has their concerns. We understand that and that is why we have stated clearly on many occasions that the BRI, including the CPEC is only an economic initiative, and it does not target any third country and has nothing to do with the sovereign and territorial disputes left from history between any two countries, he said. PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Mumbai, April 20 Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba on Saturday said he was satisfied with the forces fleet and said more aircraft and submarines would be inducted in the days to come. The admiral was speaking at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders here during the the launch of guided missile destroyer Imphal. I am very much satisfied with the fleet we currently have. Whatever ships or aircraft we have, I am satisfied with. We have a long-term perspective plan and were going to induct more and more submarines, aircraft in coming days as part of that plan, Admiral Lanba said. He said, over the years, due to visionary leadership, the Navy had become a builder from a buyer and was slated to excel in coming years. In the early 60s, the Indian Navy took a conscious decision to be a builder navy and not a buyer navy. A small team of 15 officers was set up. In the meantime, the Navy and the nation invested money in shipyards to build complex warships and submarines, he said. Now we have self sufficient and reliant teams of experts to make aircraft carriers to advanced submarines, he said. We are so self-reliant that SAIL is manufacturing the entire steel required to build submarines and warships. Even weapons and sensors are now being made in India. Indigenous content in P15 Bravo is more than 75 per cent, he said. Lanba said indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant was undergoing outfitting in Cochin Shipyard and its harbour acceptance were on trial stage. Its harbour acceptance are in progress and sea acceptance trial will commence in the later half of this year. It will be delivered to the Indian Navy by 2021, he said. When asked about the delivery of previously launched Visakhapatnam (2015) and Mormugao warships (2016) and which are being fitted with equipment in Mazagon Dock, Lanba said the delivery time line of these warships will start in April 2021 and go on till 2024. He admitted there has been delay in the delivery of these warships launched under the Project P-15 Bravo. As far as project (P-15B) is concerned, there has been a delay in the first two ships but Mazagon Dock is going to catch up and the project will be completed as per scheduled time line of 2024, he said. Admiral Lanba also told the gathering that the Navy was looking forward to the delivery of the second Scorpene submarine and it will be commissioned withing one month of delivery. Explaining the reason behind naming the guided missile destroyer Imphal, Lanba said it was so named as the battle of Imphal and Kohima would complete 75 years this year. PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com New Delhi, April 20 Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who became the face of the tense military confrontation between India and Pakistan, has been shifted out of Srinagar and posted to a frontline air base in the western sector, official sources said on Saturday. It is also learnt that the IAF was going to recommend Varthamans name for Vir Chakra, the coveted wartime gallantry medal, which is the third highest after the Paramvir Chakra and the Mahavir Chakra. Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan on February 27 during an aerial combat with Indian Air Force, had returned to his squadron in Srinagar last month though he was on a four-week sick leave. Orders have been issued for his transfer from Srinagar to another base in the western sector, sources said, terming the transfer as routine one. The IAF pilot went on leave in mid-March after security agencies completed a nearly two-week debriefing following his return from Pakistan. Sources said a medical board will review his fitness to help the IAF top brass decide whether he can return to fighter cockpit as desired by him. Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani Army on February 27 after his MiG-21 Bison jet was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistani jets during aerial combat. Before his jet was hit, he downed an F-16 fighter of Pakistan. Varthaman was released on the night of March 1 by Pakistan. After he was captured, Varthaman showed courage and grace in handling the most difficult circumstances for which he was praised by politicians, strategic affairs experts, ex-servicemen, celebrities and people in general. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammeds biggest training camp near Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian military installations the next day. However, the IAF thwarted their plans. The Indian strike on the JeM camp came 12 days after the terror outfit claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, April 20 Describing the allegations of sexual harassment against him as unbelievable, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi convened an extraordinary hearing at the Supreme Court on Saturday and said a larger conspiracy was behind it and he would not stoop too low even to deny these allegations. In the hurriedly called hearing after the allegations cropped up, the apex court left it to the wisdom of media to show restraint and act responsibly so that independence of judiciary is not affected. Read: Court to hear on April 24 police plea to cancel bail of SC ex-staffer in cheating case Bar bodies condemn cooked-up allegations against CJI The apex court, which held the hearing for around 30 minutes, said independence of judiciary was under very serious threat and unscrupulous allegations of sexual harassment had been levelled against the Chief Justice of India as some bigger force wanted to deactivate the office of the CJI. The unusual and extraordinary hearing on a Saturday was held after stories were published on some news portals on the allegations made by an ex-employee of the apex court against the CJI. The court, which said the judiciary cannot be made a scapegoat, said the media should not publish the womans complaint without verifying its truth. The CJI said this issue had cropped up when a bench headed by him is scheduled to hear many, many sensitive cases next week and this was also the month of the general election in the country. Besides the CJI, the bench also comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Sanjiv Khanna, hinted towards a bigger force behind the controversy which had the potential to shake the faith of public in the judicial system. Though the CJI was heading the bench, he left it to Justice Mishra to take a call on passing a judicial order. Dictating the order, Justice Mishra said, Having considered the matter, we refrain from passing any judicial order at this moment, leaving it to the wisdom of the media to show restraint, act responsibly as is expected from them and accordingly decide what should or should not be published, as wild and scandalous allegations undermine and irreparably damage reputation and negate independence of judiciary. We would, therefore, at this juncture leave it to the media to take off such material which is undesirable, the order said. The CJI said unbelievable allegations had been levelled against him and I do not think I should stoop too low even to deny these allegations. But that comes after 20 years of selfless service as a judge. Nobody can catch me on money. People have to find something and they have found this, the CJI said, while making it clear that he had a bank balance of Rs 6.8 lakh apart from around Rs 40 lakh in provident fund after being in service for around two decades. There has to be a bigger, bigger force behind this. There are two offices--one of the Prime Minister and one of the CJI. They (people behind this controversy) want to deactivate the office of the CJI, Justice Gogoi said, adding, This is the reward a CJI gets after 20 years of service. Anguished over the allegations, the CJI warned that the judiciary of this country is under very serious threat. We will not allow this to happen. I will sit in this chair and discharge my judicial functions without any fear. I will decide the cases in the seven months (of his remaining tenure as the CJI). I will do that, he said. Justice Gogoi, who assumed the office of the CJI on October 3, 2018, will retire on November 17. Before being elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on April 23, 2012, Justice Gogoi was the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court from February 12, 2011. Prior to his appointment as a permanent judge of the Gauhati High Court on February 28, 2001, he practised mainly in that high court. As a judge, he was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on September 9, 2010. A three-judge special bench headed by Justice Gogoi was constituted after a sworn affidavit by the woman, copies of which were sent to the residences of 22 apex court judges, became public on Saturday. The apex court registry in a notice earlier in the day said a three-bench headed by the CJI was being set up to deal with a matter of great public importance touching upon the independence of judiciary. The former employee has described two incidents of alleged molestation by Gogoi in her affidavit, both of which allegedly took place in October 2018, days after he was appointed the CJI, and her subsequent persecution. According to reports, the woman alleged that she was removed from service after she rebuffed his advances. She claimed that her husband and brother-in-law, both of whom were head constables, were suspended for a 2012 criminal case that had been mutually resolved. She was later made to prostrate before Justice Gogois wife and rub her nose at her feet in the CJIs residence, she alleged, adding that her disabled brother-in-law was removed from service at the Supreme Court. The woman also alleged that she was detained at a police station along with her husband and other relatives and they were subjected to physical and verbal abuse in a case of cheating against her. Confirming that a letter by the woman has been received by several sitting judges, Supreme Court Secretary General Sanjeev Sudhakar Kalgaonkar said all the allegations made by the woman concerned were mala fide and had no basis. No doubt, it is a mala fide allegation, he said. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Bengaluru, April 20 BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday said Narendra Modi should be installed as Prime Minister once again to secure the country and to give a befitting reply to terrorism and Pakistan. Creating a saffron surge, Shah held a roadshow at Bhadravathi in Shimogga, campaigning for party candidate BY Raghavendra, son of Karnataka BJP president BS Yeddyurappa. Raghavendra is pitted against former legislator Madhu Bangarappa of the JD(S), who is the son of former chief minister S Bangarappa. This election is not only about making Raghavendra MP, but to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister, Shah said at the end of the roadshow. Why should we make Narendra Modi Prime Minister? To secure the country and to give a befitting reply to terrorism and Pakistan. In order to give a befitting reply to Pakistan, people of Shimogga will have to press the ballot button adjacent to the lotus symbol and Raghavendras name, he said. Noting that he too was facing election from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat on April 23, Shah said he had come to campaign for Raghavendra to ensure his victory. Hundreds of enthusiastic BJP workers cheered the BJP chief chanting Modi, Modi as the rath, a modified vehicle, covered a little more than one-and-a-half kilometre distance with Raghavendra, among others, accompanying him. Thousands of people had gathered all along the route showering flower petals on Shah as the vehicle wound its way in a delirious atmosphere. The roadshow that began with party workers greeting Shah with a loud cheer in favour of the BJP, lasted about 40 minutes. Ahead of the rath, BJP supporters sporting saffron caps and holding cutouts, placards and party flags danced to the drumbeats, as slogans of Modi, Modi rent the air. Raghavendra, who is a sitting MP from Shimogga had defeated Madhu Bangarappa, joint candidate of ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in the bypolls held in November last year. While Raghavendra is banking on the Modi wave along with his fathers name and his work as MP, Madhu too is relying on his late fathers legacy, support of the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition, and on Ediga community, to which he belongs. Ediga community has considerable presence in Shimogga. Out of eight assembly segments in Shimogga, the BJP had won seven and the Congress only one in Bhadravathi during the 2018 assembly polls. Madhu had lost to his own brother Kumar Bangarappa of the BJP during the 2018 assembly polls from Soraba constituency. Raghavendras father and Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Yeddyurappa is the BJP legislator from Shikaripura constituency. There are 12 candidates in the fray in Shimogga that would go to polls on April 23. PTI pardeepdhull@gmail.com Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, April 20 Out on bail in a money-laundering case in which he is accused of causing losses to the tune of nearly Rs 900 crore to exchequer, veteran politician Chhagan Bhujbal is seeking to reassert himself in his old stronghold of Nashik. Battling ill-health brought about by age and a two-year long stint in jail, Bhujbal (72) has hit the campaign trail for his nephew Sameer, who is in the fray as a candidate of the Nationalist Congress Party. Sameer had been in jail along with his uncle for allegedly taking kickbacks during the latters tenure as Minister for Public Works when several major projects like the Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi were allegedly awarded to dubious contractors. The elder Bhujbal is now playing the role of a farmers champion addressing rallies of cultivators across Western Maharashtra. At rally after rally, Bhujbal, who has been an effective speaker since his days as a street-fighter in Bal Thackerays Shiv Sena, accuses the Narendra Modi government of betraying the farmers. Nashik being the main supplier of fruits and vegetables to cities like Mumbai, Thane and Pune, apart from Nashik city itself, the foremost concern of voters is the proposed Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway which is planned through vast stretches of fertile farmland. With farmers refusing permission for officials to even survey their land, the government has had to scale down plans to construct townships on either side of the proposed Expressway. Land acquisition has slowed down because of the elections, but farmers here are apprehensive about the process being restarted should the BJP-Shiv Sena combine do well in the Lok Sabha elections. And Chhagan Bhujbal is playing on their insecurities. The Shiv Sena has betrayed the farmers by allying with the BJP. Uddhav Thackeray had called the BJP government a bunch of thieves and even called the loan-waiver scheme a big scam. Now, he has tied up with the BJP, Bhujbal said at a rally. Among those who are veering towards the Bhujbals include onion farmers who have been forced to sell their produce at Lasalgaon and Pimpalgaon for a pittance despite the state and central governments promising a Minimum Support Price for their crop. The Shiv Sena has fielded sitting MP Hemant Godse from this seat. Bhujbal can, however, draw comfort from the fact that no sitting MP has managed to get re-elected since 1952 from the Nashik Lok Sabha seat. Only in 1971 did Bhanudas Kavade of the Congress party get re-elected. Sameer himself had won the Lok Sabha seat in 2009 before his uncle unsuccessfully entered the fray in 2014. In this round, Sameer can expect rebel BJP leader Manikrao Kokate to cut into his rivals votes. On the other hand, Pawan Pawar of Prakash Ambedkars Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) can eat into some of his vote-share. Belonging to the Mali community, the Bhujbals had for long headed a patronage network of cultivators in Nashik. Apart from a swanky Knowledge City, the Bhujbals control a string of educational institutions and companies under the Armstrong banner. Bhujbal himself has indicated that he would be contesting the forthcoming Assembly elections from his old seat at Yeola, while his son Pankaj is sitting MLA from Nandgaon. Both these seats fall in the neighbouring Dindori Lok Sabha constituency. editorial@tribune.com Bajipura (Gujarat), April 19 Congress president Rahul Gandhi today said his partys Nyay scheme would help in revival of the economy and create jobs in the country, which has been badly affected by demonetisation and GST decisions of the Narendra Modi government. Addressing a rally here, Gandhi repeated his chowkidar chor hai (the watchman is thief) jibe to target Modi and alleged he has given Rs30,000 crore to businessman Anil Ambani in the Rafale deal. We have promised to give Rs72,000 crore (a year) to poor people under the Nyay scheme which will change the economic condition of the poor, he said. Gandhi said the scheme, Nyuntam Aay Yojana (Nyay) a key feature of the Congress manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls was devised after consultations within the party. I had called all economists of the Congress and asked them what is the amount that we can give to the poor. They came up with the figure of Rs72,000, he said, adding that Modi had made a false promise of giving Rs15 lakh, but the Congress would definitely give Rs3.60 lakh (estimated cost of Nyay). He attacked the Modi government over its 2016 note-ban exercise. One fine day, Modi announced that notes of Rs1,000 and Rs500 have been scrapped as they do not help me create more black money. So I will introduce a new note of Rs2,000 as through it we can make more black money, Gandhi said, mocking the demonetisation move. Then they introduced Gabbar Singh Tax. Both the steps were big blows to our economy, he said, criticising the BJP-led government over its implementation of the GST. PTI Modi to be removed editorial@tribune.com Jupinderjit Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 19 The state fears loss of wheat yield up to 2 per cent due to the heavy rains across the state and hailstorm at some places on April 16 and 17. Though the final report on the loss is under-preparation, government sources revealed that as per preliminary reports made by the field officers, including those of the Agriculture Department, the loss was not as heavy as it looked due to the inclement weather. Farmers and officers are hoping that increase in temperature will help in the recovery of the grain and the loss may not be more than 2 per cent. Field reports said the rains had delayed the harvesting of wheat almost all over the state and procurement of the crop would be affected. In Bathinda and Mansa, some damage to the wheat crop has been reported, but is not widespread. Senior farm economist, PAU, GS Romana said the rainfall may delay harvesting of wheat crop by about a week. He said the rain didnt cause much damage in the area primarily because the farmers had gone for early varieties of wheat and they had stopped irrigating their fields by the time it rained. He said there might have been lodging of wheat crop at isolated places in the region. However, in Muktsar, there were reports of flattening of crop in a few villages, while breach in some canals was reported in Abohar. Gurvir Singh, a farmer from Bilga village in Jalandhar, said he had sown wheat crop in 35 acres and the rain had flattened the crop in majority of the area. Patiala Deputy Commissioner said the procurement had resumed in the grain markets but the harvesting had been affected due to the rains. Farmers allege that they have suffered losses up to 20 per cent of the crop but the report prepared by the district administration says not much damage has been reported. Jagseer Singh, a farmer on the Patiala- Nabha road, said he had suffered about 20 per cent loss. Shawkay Ahmad Parrey, ADC, said, Our officials have conducted girdawari and submitted reports. No major loss to crop has been reported, he said. In Sangrur, Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori said not much loss took place. I have received preliminary reports from all SDMs of the district, but no loss has come to light. The exact information about loss would become clear from girdwari reports, said DC Thori. Farmer unions claim heavy losses and have sought immediate compensation. The Punjab government must immediately release financial compensation to farmers who have suffered huge losses, said Rajpal Singh, a BKU (Ugraha) leader from Mangwal village. In Amritsar, farmers from various parts of the district complained of flattening of the wheat crop. Nishan Singh, a farmer from Chabba village claimed, The untimely rains have caused humid conditions due to which pest attack has been noticed on wheat crop. The spray required to control the pest is an additional burden of Rs 1,000-1,500. Kuljit Singh of Mannawala village said farmers were not hopeful of compensation. Last time when hailstorm was witnessed on ready to harvest basmati crop, the district administration had ordered girdawari to pacify farmers. But actually it was never conducted even as we continued asking for it, he said. (Inputs by Perneet Singh in Bathinda, Aakanksha N Bhardwaj in Jalandhar, Ravneet Singh in Patiala, Parvesh Sharma in Sangrur and Manmeet Singh Gill in Amritsar) monicakchauhan@gmail.com Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 20 Punjab Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Saturday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a press conference at AICC headquarters in Delhi, he hit out at the Prime Minister asking him if he was the business development manager for Adanis and Ambanis? Is this PMs nationalism. All published sector companies are in losses and all private firms are making profits. PM Modi is the first PM to feature in the advertisement of Jio of Reliance." "Under NDA the wealth of Indias top nine richest people equals that of 50 per cent poor. We are 103 in 119 nations on hunger index. Our global debt has increased. Is this nationalism? I dare PM to come and debate me on these basic issues, Sidhu said attacking the PM for alleged role in Rafale jet deal corruption. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 19 Objections were raised to the joining of SAD former MLA Chaudhary Mohan Lal by Congress ex-MLA Tarlochan Singh Soondh and other leaders in the presence of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. The Chief Minister was at the state Congress headquarters to convene a meeting of the party MLAs and district presidents of the Hoshiarpur parliamentary segment. Partys nominee Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal was also present at the meeting. Lal along with former BSP leaders Gurlal Singh Saila and Rajinder Singh Thekedar were made to join by Nawanshahr party incharge Satvir Singh Phalichikki, attracting objections from Dalit leaders of the Doaba region. It was pointed out that Lals father Chaudhary Swarna Ram was a senior BJP leader and such joining impacted the morale of senior Dalit leaders from the Doaba region, who were feeling neglected in the distribution of tickets. Before the joining, senior party leader Lal Singh intervened to allay the resentment of party leaders. Similar problem had surfaced during the recent meeting for the Anandpur Sahib constituency where partys Ropar district president Barinder Dhillon had objected to the interference of Anandpur Sahib MLA and Speaker Rana KP Singh in his Assembly segment. Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's biggest carmaker by sales, said Friday it has appointed a former Nissan Motor executive as global chief operating officer to revive sales in the Americas. Jose Munoz, who formerly served as chief performance officer at Nissan, will join Hyundai on May 1 to boost sales in the North American and Latin American markets, the company said in a statement. The 54-year-old native of Spain is expected to improve lackluster sales, particularly in the United States, and enhance profitability based on his expertise and know-how in global automobile business operations, it said. His decades of automotive and technology experience make him well suited for the post as Hyundai moves to evolve into a smart mobility solutions provider, the statement said. "My capabilities around delivering steady profitable growth, managing the entire supply chain, and working together with our dealer partners to find win-win solutions match up well with the opportunity here. I am eager to bring best global practices from the automobile and technology industries to my new role at Hyundai," Munoz said in the statement. Munoz has also been named president and CEO of both Hyundai Motor North America and Hyundai Motor America. He will report to Hyundai's top leadership in Seoul and he will be based in Fountain Valley, California, the statement said. His appointment to multiple key posts is the latest instance of Hyundai Motor Group's recruiting of foreigners with proven track records at global carmakers such as Audi, BMW and Volkswagen. The group began its drive to place foreign talent in key decision-making positions by recruiting ex-BMW designer Peter Schreyer to Kia in 2006 with an aim to improve the quality of its vehicles in terms of design and performance. Dozens of foreigners have since joined the Korean auto group. They include former Bentley chief designer Luc Donckerwolke in charge of vehicle designs at Hyundai and Kia, Thomas Schemera, who led the BMW M performance car division, and former BMW performance car developer Albert Biermann, who is responsible for the development of top-of-the-line vehicles at the group. Among them, Biermann stands out for being the first foreigner to be named the head of the carmakers' crucial R&D unit. In March, Hyundai's board also appointed Biermann as a board member. In the past three years, Hyundai and Kia have suffered a sales decline in the U.S., the most important automobile market, having failed to launch competitive SUV models early enough. Their sales in the U.S. fell to 1,267,619 units in 2018, down from 1,275,223 in 2017 and 1,422,603 in 2016, the companies' sales data showed. In all, Hyundai and Kia have set a conservative sales target of 7.6 million units in global markets this year. They sold 7.39 million units last year, down 2 percent from a year earlier. (Yonhap) editorial@tribune.com Jupinderjit Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 19 BJP leader Sadhvi Pragayas statement against 26/11 attack martyr police officer Hemant Karkare has piqued both serving and retired police officers who condemned her remark. While the IPS Association (Central) took to Twitter to condemn Sadhvi, Julio Ribeiro, former Punjab DGP, told The Tribune that he was aghast at her statement. He said Sadhvi didnt know what she was talking about. How do you expect people like her to respect police officers and martyrs. Such statements are highly damaging for the force. I dont understand why Karkare would be making a false case against Sadhvi as she alleged. Parkash Singh, former Haryana DGP, who has led the movement for police reforms, said he was angry at the remarks made by Sadhvi against Karkare. He told The Tribune, It is a condemnable statement. Policemen already do not get recognition for their service and hard work in hazardous conditions. But it is highly irresponsible to trivialise their contribution by claiming that Karkare died due to her spiritual powers. I am apprehensive that power has already gone to her head after getting the BJP ticket and wonder what will happen if she comes to power. Former Punjab DGP SS Virk of Maharashtra cadre and a close friend of Hemant Karkare has in his reaction said, Sadhvi seems to have forgotten that Karkare, too, was a Hindu, but he lived and sacrificed his life as an Indian. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh lashed out at the BJPs Bhopal candidate for insulting a decorated dead police officer and accused the hardliner of dragging the current nationalism discourse in the country to a new low. In a hard-hitting reaction to Sadhvis comment that it was her curse that led to Maharashtra Police officer Karkare being killed while fighting the Mumbai terror attack of November 2008, the Chief Minister said: That woman cannot be sane. No person in their sane mind can think or talk like that, and that too about a police officer who sacrificed his life for the nation. Sadhvi Pragya has not just insulted a police officer but has shown disrespect to every man in uniform, said Capt Amarinder, adding that Sadhvis remark had exposed the true colours of the BJP, which had been claiming the nationalist agenda as its key poll plank and projecting itself as the only protector of our nationhood. Is she sane? Sadhvi Pragya has dragged patriotism to a new low by attacking decorated dead IPS officer #HemantKarkare who sacrificed himself to fight terrorism & heres an official @BJP4India candidate insulting his memory! Its an insult to our men in uniform & to every Indian Capt Amarinder Singh, CM It is a condemnable statement. Policemen already do not get recognition for their service and hard work in hazardous conditions. But it is irresponsible to trivialise their contribution by claiming that Karkare died due to her spiritual powers. Parkash Singh, former DGP, Haryana Sadhvi seems to have forgotten that Karkare, too, was a Hindu, but he lived and sacrificed his life as an Indian. SS Virk, former DGP, Punjab editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Moga, April 19 The Sub-Divisional Magistrate-cum-Assistant Returning Officer Gurwinder Singh Johal today issued a show-cause notice to Congress candidate Mohammad Sadiq for organising 17 election rallies without permission of the Election Commission in the Moga Assembly segment on Friday. The administration has also sought details of the expenditure on these rallies. Sadiq has been asked to give a reply within 24 hours of the issuance of the notice, otherwise legal action would be initiated against him as per the election rules. Meanwhile, the administration has started calculating the expenses on these rallies from the available videos and photographs. In almost all the rallies tents were erected and plastic chairs and sound systems were hired from the local sources. Residents also honoured Mohammad Sadiq, local MLA Dr Harjot Kamal and other Congress leaders with siropas and garlands and also weighed the party candidate against ladoos. At some places, Sadiq also accepted donations in envelopes. In all these rallies, tea and snacks were served to the voters/gathering in plastic cups and plates. The Congress banners were also erected at the rally sites. The cavalcade of the Congress leaders included eight to 10 vehicles. The SDM, Gurwinder Johal, said the expenditure would be calculated in accordance to the rates fixed by the Election Commission. It would be added to the expenditure of the Congress. However, the expenditure would not be added to the personal expenses of the candidate because he was yet to file the nomination papers. On Saturday, Sadiq carried out many election rallies in the Nihalsinghwala Assembly segment of the district, but the Congress had got prior permission to hold these rallies, confirmed Mandeep Kaur the SDM of Nihalsinghwala. monicakchauhan@gmail.com Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 20 Punjab minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Saturday ruled out contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Bathinda saying he or his wife could contest only from a seat where they can do justice. We can only contest from a segment where we can do justice. My wife had applied for a ticket from Chandigarh, which the party denied her. We have no regrets. But we could have fought from Chandigarh or Amritsar, which is our home. If someone tells us to go and fight from Bathinda that we cant do because we cant do justice to that seat, Sidhu told The Tribune today. Asked if he or his wife were still open to fighting from Punjab, Sidhu said: Chandigarh has already been given to Pawan Bansal and Amritsar to a sitting MP. We will do what the party says but we can fight only from a segment to which we can do justice, he reiterated. Sidhu also said: No politics should be played on the ongoing Kartarpur corridor talks that would give 12 crore people an opportunity to visit the Kartarpur Gurdwara in Pakistan. Why should anyone play politics in this matter, Sidhu said to a Tribune query on what he thought of the stalemate in talks due to the presence of pro-Khalistan elements on the Pakistan side concerned with the corridor. It takes two to clap. Fifty per cent work on Pakistan side is complete and we have also acquired land. This is a matter of faith of 12 crore people. Why should anyone play politics here, said Sidhu indicating that both sides should advance the talks notwithstanding current concerns. Bathinda is the current LS segment of union minister Harsimrat Badal, but the Akali Dal is yet to announce their candidate from here this time. Congress leaders are keeping their fingers crossed and feel Prakash Singh Badal may also be fielded from Bathinda by Akali Dal for 2019 polls. Congress wanted a stalwart to contest Bathinda, but Sidhu has declined. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Morinda, April 19 A 50-year-old woman died under mysterious circumstances following a raid by a police party on her home to nab her son, who is absconding in a criminal case, here today. Relatives of the deceased, identified as Kulwant Kaur of nearby Marauli village, alleged that the policemen and a few people accompanying them roughed her up during the raid, which led to her death. Maha Singh, husband of the deceased, said his two sons were booked by the police last year for an alleged scuffle in the village. His one son, Naib Singh, was yet to be arrested and today a police party along with some other people conducted a raid on his home, he said. He alleged that the policemen manhandled his wife which resulted in her death. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sukhjit Singh Virk, who visited the spot, said the statement of Maha Singh was recorded and an inquiry was initiated into his allegations. singhking99@yahoo.com Navnee Likhi Synonyms is a distinctive film of cinematic craft directed by Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid. The film tells the tale of Yoav, a young Israeli soldier who flees to Paris hoping to get rid of his past. He tries to immerse himself into French lifestyle. Yoav (Tom Mercier) has an obsessive way of carrying a French dictionary with him. The film shows the way society shapes people and how tough it is to shake off ones own past. For Yoav, Paris is a liberal, tolerant city, unlike the militaristic Israel he belonged to. Yoav wants to experience the fantasy of living a Parisian life while he is fighting his own demons. His national identity, however, keeps stalking him. The opening scene of the film brings a visual calmness. Yoav is shown striding through the rainy streets of Paris. He heads towards an old building located on the banks of Seine. He takes out a key and opens the door to a large cold apartment, where there is no couch, bed, no furniture of any kind. As Yoav comes out naked after taking a shower, he hears some rustle from the next room. He finds all his personal belongings stolen. He anxiously moves around and slips on the floor. He calls on his neighbours but nobody responds. Returning to his apartment, freezing in winter chill, Yoav passes out in his bathtub. Next morning, he is rescued by a sophisticated bourgeois couple who live downstairs Emile (Quentin Dolmaire), an aspiring writer, and his girlfriend Caroline (Louise Chevillotte), a sensual, chic musician. They feed him and give him clothes, including a coat which he wears throughout the film. They listen to Yoavs bizarre stories and also notice his special turn of French phrases. Yoav is a volatile mess of unspent youth, who wants to escape his mind conditioned for war to freedom. He refuses to speak Hebrew to Israelites he meets in Paris and doesnt reveal the reason that made him flee to Paris. He is a mystery to Emile and Caroline. As Emile and Yoav walk through the city, Yoav recites alternate adjectives describing his country, Nasty, crude, abominable, ignorant and mean-spirited. His aggressive tone shows his abhorrence for his country. Emile tells them that no country can be all those things at once and says to Yoav, Choose one. Yoav walks head down with his hands in his pocket. Emile asks him to look up. But Yoav refuses to acknowledge his surroundings and says to Emile, Beauty of the city bribes strangers to keep them away from heart of the city where there is neither beauty nor grandeur, nor women. This is something he has yet to discover, and that too on his own terms. More scenes follow in the film showing Yoav trying to shed his Israeliness. His father unexpectedly shows up to meet him but Yoav asks him to go away. He has a perfect vision of the city of Paris in his mind but the more he confronts it, the more he finds it difficult to accept. While attending a citizenship class, he is asked, along with other foreigners, to sing the French national anthem Marseillaise, Yoav gets worked up. He realises how complex the lyrics of the song are. Soon he goes for a photoshoot and is not treated well there. His character walks a tightrope between indignity and instability. Caught between two cultures, Yoav begins to act in an erratic way. He rents a shabby apartment and lives on two euros a day, refusing help from Emile. Yoav gets a job at the Israeli Embassy. He is at odds with few of his hot-headed colleagues. Much of Yoavs anger is conveyed through his physical presence, which never transcends into violence. He speaks Hebrew through gritted teeth. His colleague, an Israeli intelligence agent, Yaron, is the opposite of Yoav. Yaron is of the view that Europe practices anti-Semitism, and Paris is one country which supports it. Whereas Yoav wants to be French, Yaron antagonistically confronts strangers while travelling in a metro. He hums Israeli national anthem in the faces of these strangers. This juxtaposition of French and Israeli sensibilities creates tension in Yoavs mind. In his office, he slams his body against a locked door, signifying his inability to escape his heritage. Caroline is attracted to Yoav. He listens to her. Emile, too, likes him. Yoav tells Emile about his childhood obsession with legendary Trojan figure of Hector and his grandfathers murky past. He shares his stories as Israeli soldier. Intercut is the scene with flashbacks of his life as a soldier, where he is shown shooting a dummy with his machine gun on rhythm of a French song, and the time when he was awarded a silver medal at a song contest. Cinematography by Shai Goldman is edgy as well as observational. It points out the conflict in the mind of Yoav the French national he wants to become and shed the psychological damage affects his mind. He considers himself an outsider. The story of the film is partly based on director Nadavs life who as a young man moved from Israel to Paris. Tom Mercier in his debut performance as Yoav is hypnotic. He effortlessly tackles Yoavs level of physicality and literally immerses into scenes with high level energy. The film is replete with bold scenes. Synonyms translates Yoavs character into portrait of a man who has come this far, only to be judged by people about the background he comes from. singhking99@yahoo.com Hugh & Colleen Gantzer In Upper Egypts Aswan, the Nile is a surprisingly clean, blue, flow out of the bustling, impatient present of Egypt into its incredible past. The deck of our cruise ship vibrated softly to the throb of the engines as we swung into the stream to begin our journey into belief. Aswan blurred and vanished behind us and eons fled and slowly, like the beckoning radiance of an age that had been, a legend began to emerge. On our first step on land, we trod back 15 centuries. The brilliantly illuminated, temple of Kom-Ombo was originally created as a twin shrine. It had, at one time, been damaged by the Nile and restored a thousand years later. One side was dedicated to Horus the Elder, the other to the primitive crocodile god, Sobek. Massive, horizontal blocks of stone were pinioned by wooden inserts; vertical blocks were stabilised by stone protrusions fitting snugly into holes in the blocks above. Like our own Nalanda, it had been a great centre of healing. Carvings showed surgical instruments and a woman being delivered of a child as she sat on a birth stool. Another bas relief depicted Horus anointing a Pharaoh from a perfume bottle. It was shaped like one we had bought in Cairos great, covered, Khan el Khaleli market. Time reversed again and we were back on board to dine, sleep. At breakfast, our Japanese fellow passengers were intense, disciplined and very polite. When we disembarked to visit what is, reputedly, the best preserved ancient temple in Egypt, Edfu. This is also a fairly recent temple, by our standards a guide told his group of Australians, only 2,300 years old. It was built by Ptolemy III in 327 BC. Two towering, flat-topped, blocks stood on either side of the entrance. Beautifully sculpted falcons, the protecters of the god Horus, guarded him and there were striking two-dimensional carvings on the walls. Vandals have tried to disfigure some of these bas reliefs but from the solar disc and cows horns on the female figure, and the plumed crown on the male, we identified them as Hathor and her husband Horus. Effortlessly we were absorbing some of the great heritage of Egypt. We returned to our ship and, as it sailed out of Edfu, we relaxed on the sun deck. Two senior women from Bengaluru were playing a traditional game that must have been the precursor of draughts. A Canadian remarked to no one in particular, Thats a new board game to me. We enlightened him, Its probably older than Edfu. Weve seen its board carved on the flagstones of a 2,500-year-old shrine in India. He smiled and remarked Is that right? which is a variation of the American exclamation Well, whaddya know! We closed our eyes in the shade of the awning of the sun deck. The ship purred under us, as soothing as a lullaby. We slept effortlessly, dreamlessly, through the long afternoon and woke just in time to freshen up and join our table for dinner. It was our last night together and we reminisced like old friends, exchanged addresses and promised to keep in touch. We all agreed that it had been a wonderfully unwinding trip, even though our cameras sulked at the belly dancers gyrations. Perhaps, after being exposed to so much of the heritage of Egypt, they didnt feel that she was quite in the same league. Sometimes, digital cameras have minds of their own! We disembarked, rather reluctantly and for the last time, at Luxor. Even in its present ruined form, the great temple dwarfs visitors with its enormous statues of Pharaoh Ramses II and its soaring columns topped by papyrus-bud capitals. For many centuries, it had been covered by a mound of sand and a mosque built atop the dune. The mosque was left intact when the old temple was excavated. There were also interesting, though faded, Christian paintings on the walls from the time the ruins were taken over by the Copts, Egypts small, Christian minority claiming descent from the original, pre-Arab, Pharaonic people. Progress never obliterates the past; it only makes it more relevant. singhking99@yahoo.com Rana Siddiqui Zaman Eighty artworks, all of them by western artists and all of them around one theme Sikhs. Titled Sikhs An Occidental Romance, the exhibition had been mounted by The Hubris Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that exhibits western art, free of charge to India. It showcases artworks from renowned western artists such as Alfred De Dreux (France), Emily Eden (UK), Rudolf Swoboda (Austria), Edwin Lord Weeks (America), Prince Alexis Soltykoff (Russia), August Schoefft (Budapest), William Carpenter (UK) and others, for the first time in India. The works were shown at New Delhis All India Fine Arts and Craft Society (AIFACS). The museum archival replicas of paintings from the 19th and 20th century included a portrait of battle-hardened Ranjit Singh in reverential tranquility by Emily Eden, Edwin Lord Weeks iconic painting of the Golden Temple and Rudolf Swobodas portrait of a Sikh commissioned by Queen Victoria. There were works by August Schoefft, Maharaja Sher Singhs court painter, who painted a credulous Akali ensnared by the thugs of central India; Russian prince Alexis Soltykoffs Ladies of Pleasure, a rendition of the grandeur of Lahore during the Sikh Empire; and a work by Charles Harding, son of Viscount Harding, the Governor General of India. He painted the infamous Gulab Singh of Kashmir, accused of betraying the Sikh Empire. The collection included French artist Alfred De Dreuxs portrait of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, commissioned by an Italian General and presented to the king of France. In addition, it had German painter and lithographer Franz Winter Halters portrait of the charming prince Duleep Singh, which was painted under Queen Victorias Commission, and more. The exhibition also displayed works of art depicting the Anglo-Sikh wars, Viscount Hardinge, the cities of Amritsar and Lahore, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Princess Bamba Collection. Bamba, Duleep Singhs eldest daughter, inherited a good collection of articles and paintings. Before she died in 1957, she sold off her collection to Pakistan. It is now housed in Lahore Fort. Gautam Shrivastava, the collector of these artworks and founder of Hubris, has been collecting works of art from Europe and USA for over 20 years. He says that while looking for art works on Sikhs, he noted three things. One, we found it very peculiar that this very small community got immense attention in the early half of the 19th and 20th century across the globe. Two, we wondered why have westerners been so interested in painting them; and three, most of the works on Sikhs are in their admiration. You can understand one country or one incident, but these countries were spread far and wide and included British, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, Hungary, Austria, Europe, America, et al. The works too were either the artists own initiative or were commissioned by kings, queens or museums to bring out their grandeur, bravery, royalty, family life, spirituality, humility and humanitarianism. One of the earliest artists to come to India was Emily Eden in 1838. She was the sister of the Governor General of Auckland. She painted Sikhs, wrote a book on them and exhibited the works back home, drawing tremendous interest in the people. Schoefft came to India during Ranjit Singhs empire. He painted the Sikhs exhaustively and showed his work in Vienna in 1850. Similarly, French prince Alexis Soltykoff came to India in 1847-48. He too published a much-admired book on the Sikhs. An interesting work, Srivastava pointed, has been that of Maharaja Sher Singh done by a Hungarian artist. Sher Singh was a brave man, handsome and kind hearted. The painter has painted all his characteristics beautifully. Sher Singh is wearing a Kohinoor in one hand and a ruby in the other. He was hailed as a brave soldier with immensely good looks and a wide chest, he says. Sher Singh was hacked in public by a few treacherous persons. Bringing all these replicas was not an easy task, said Srivastava, especially in the absence of any government support. We took four and a half years to bring a replica of Maharaja Ranjit Singh from Pakistan as he was in Lahore during his last days. I got it only three months back. Dont ask me how. Srivastava says these are the best possible replicas ever produced with machines from Japan, canvas from Germany and inks from Europe, etc. He says he wants every Punjabi to see the show and says he is ready to give this collection to anyone willing to exhibit them for the public. uttara@tribuneindia.com KABUL, April 20 Gunmen attacked the communications ministry in the centre of Kabul on Saturday, interrupting months of relative calm in the Afghan capital and underlining security threats that have continued despite efforts to open peace talks with the Taliban. Saturday's attack began shortly before midday with an explosion at the entrance to the multi-storey building housing the ministry in a busy commercial area of the city, followed up by gunfire which could be heard over a mile away. "I saw three attackers going into the ministry. One of them detonated his explosives and two are fighting security forces," Ahmad Zaki, an employee of the ministry said outside as the fighting went on. The area around the building was sealed off by police as at least three attackers battled security forces, Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said. Officials said the ministry building was evacuated but some of the attackers were holed up in a post office next door. By early afternoon, Rahimi said at least two of the attackers had been killed and gunfire could no longer be heard. However, there was no confirmation that the attack was over. The explosion, which security officials said appeared to have been caused by a suicide bomber, was also close to the heavily fortified Serena Hotel, one of the very few Kabul hotels still used by foreign visitors. Health ministry spokesman Wahid Mayar said six wounded had been brought to Kabul hospitals and one security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to the media, said at least three people had been killed. But there was no final word on casualties and no claim of responsibility for the operation, which marked a return to the kind of complex urban attack that have been familiar features of the Afghan conflict over recent years. The Taliban issued a statement denying they were behind the attack, the latest in a series of militant attacks that have killed hundreds of people in Kabul over recent years. Many such operations have been claimed by the local affiliate of the radical Islamic State group. Prior to Saturday's attack, Kabul had been relatively calm as US officials have held a series of meetings with representatives from the Taliban to try to agree the basis for a peace settlement and an end to more than 17 years of war. While heavy fighting has carried on across Afghanistan and Taliban militants have announced their now customary spring offensive, it had been months since the last major attack on civilian targets in the capital. The attack, just days after a planned meeting between Taliban officials and Afghan politicians and civil society representatives in Qatar was cancelled, underlined the hurdles facing efforts to reach a peace settlement. Officials have said they hope to hold a meeting soon but no date has been set. Reuters vinaymishra188@gmail.com Clearwater, Florida/Las Vegas, April 19 After months as volunteer activists demanding that President Donald Trump be impeached, Eileen and Michael OBrien sat on their couch on Thursday, cracked open a laptop and began to read the 448-page special counsel report that liberals have dreamed would make impeachment a reality. Hmm, seems like theres a lot of gray area here, said Eileen OBrien (65), of Clearwater, Florida, reading aloud a line about the findings falling short of a criminal case. Legally wrong and morally wrong are two different things. The release of the long-anticipated report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller on his inquiry into Russias role in the 2016 election landed in a stridently divided America: one side convinced Trump acted improperly, the other adamant that the investigation was a politically driven farce. Mueller built an extensive case that Trump committed obstruction of justice but stopped short of concluding he had committed a crime, though he did not exonerate the president. For those like the OBriens who have been pining for impeachment, the report renewed a resolve to oust the president. For those who want to see the president reelected, there was a sense of vindication. The White House is going to put out their own version of things, which is basically fish wrapper, said Michael OBrien, formerly a service technician who now works on houses. His wife, who a day earlier delivered a can of impeaches peaches to a lawmaker, looked up with a quizzical expression. Its worthless, he explained. You can use it to wrap fish. One battle in a war Lee Mueller and his wife, Michele Mueller, no relation to Robert Mueller, also paused their Thursday to read through the special counsels report. They printed out the table of contents for both volumes along with the executive summaries.I view the Mueller report as being one battle in a war against the United States of Americas founding principles and against Donald Trump, Michele Mueller, ( 61), said in a suburb of Las Vegas. After Attorney General William Barr released his four-page summary of the Mueller report late last month, Americans were dug in on their views. Nearly half of all Americans still believe Trump worked with Russia to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, despite the reports saying no collusion had occurred, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted shortly after the Barr summary was released. Among those familiar with Barrs summary, only 9 per cent said it had changed their thinking about Trumps ties to Russia, the poll found. Ahead of Thursdays release of the Mueller report, Trump ramped up his insistence that he was the victim, not the perpetrator, of crimes. James Stratton (65), of Clearwater, Florida, caught snippets of the news about the report from conservative commentators Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. He looked up Barrs news conference, held Thursday morning before the report was released online, on YouTube. Nobody on our side is going to change, the Republican president of the local Tampa Bay Trump Club said in a phone interview, adding that liberals will grow tired of hearing predictions about Trumps downfall that never materialise. Agencies pardeepdhull@gmail.com Beirut, April 20 Attacks by Islamic State group fighters deep in the Syrian Desert killed 27 Damascus troops and allied fighters over the past 48 hours, a monitoring group said on Saturday. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead included four senior Syrian army officer. The Amaq propaganda arm of IS, which lost the last vestige of its caliphate to Kurdish-led forces in eastern Syria last month but retains desert and mountain hideouts in both Syria and Iraq, said its fighters carried out the operation. AFP Opinion / Guest Commentary / Our Readers Write: Editors Note: While La Jolla Light knows the name and address of this writer, weve agreed to withhold the information to protect her safety and privacy. She wishes her story told as a caution to others, particularly other senior citizens and wrote the following: A week ago, I was scammed for $3,000. Ive spent this week trying to work out how it was possible to happen to me. I describe myself as being assertive and confident, and I am not a follower. I am a busy person and work part-time as a docent for the San Diego Museum of Art. I have definite views and Im a happy grandmother, age 76. It all started as I was getting out of my car in La Jolla and I answered a phone call from a 760 area code. The male caller knew my name and asked me if Id been to Texas because an abandoned car registered in my name was found on the side of the highway with blood splatters and thousands of pounds of drugs inside. I had been in Texas four months earlier to visit my grandson, who is a student at the University of Texas. The caller said I was in trouble and going to be arrested for drug-trafficking and money-laundering. He said there were two ways to deal with it privately with his help, or, if I didnt work with him it would be a public news splashed over all the newspapers, etc. I remember saying, Is this a fraud? I also believe now that I had no chance, I was caught. He told me to cancel by phone call, the lunch appointment I told him I was going to in 15 minutes by saying: I cant tell you why Im canceling lunch, but I will call you later, and then to hang up and not to talk to anyone after that and to stay on the phone at all times with him. This complete control and power over me lasted 2 1/2 hours. At the time, I didnt question a thing. He told me what to do and I did it! He asked me for my Social Security number. I gave him the last four digits, but he said the full one (and I gave it yes I gave it!) He asked if I had a bank account and how much was in it. He asked me if I knew where Nordstrom or Sephora was, and told me to drive to UTC (20 minutes away) and to keep the phone on at all times. He kept checking in on me park the car keep the phone on in my pocket talk to no-one take my debit card to a machine where I could buy gift cards and buy six cards worth $500 each . go down to the garage and scratch the cards and read him the number on the card and the uncovered codes go to an ATM, put my debit card in. Then he explained how I could find out how much I had in my savings. He asked if I had the banks mobile app on my phone so I could transfer the money. (I didnt, luckily.) He then told me to go back to my car and drive to the bank (another 20 minutes), to keep the phone on in my pocket and ask the teller to withdraw $10,000 in cash. I was to say nothing while in the bank, but to go outside the bank to inform him of what was happening. This is when I got lucky and some power back, I think the bank became my sanctuary! The young lady behind the counter looked startled and went back to call the manager. I saw him come forward, and I motioned that I was not allowed to talk and I began writing on the deposit slips on the counter, scribbling madly, explaining what I was doing and why I was not talking, etc. I got a note back from the bank manager that read keep him talking, the police are coming. That seemed to help break the control chain a bit, when I felt I could talk on the phone inside the bank, not as the caller had insisted I talk only outside the bank. From then on, I spoke to him from inside the bank telling the man on the phone that it was a very unusual inquiry and the bank was finding it difficult to come up with the cash. I also said this was all becoming too much for me and I had nothing to hide, so let the Texas police arrest me. He then told me to ask the bank to just transfer the money to my current account instead. Which I did ask, and the bank didnt do, of course, but the man heard me say it. When I saw three, wonderful, uniformed police officers arrive into the bank, I was thrilled. One took the phone from me and I became myself from then on. The whole thing lasted for more than 2 hours, and now I have the police case number as they investigate. Can a person be hypnotized without knowing it? I read that covert hypnosis (or conversational hypnosis) is one of the most common methods of taking control over another persons mind. But while you hypnotize someone, youre not taking control over them, but you control their thoughts. You make them believe something that you tell them to be their own thought. My belief now is that the only way I could have averted this scam, is by not having picked up the anonymous call. I share this story so that others may be aware of the dangers in the world today. Whats on YOUR mind? Letters published in La Jolla Light express views from readers in regard to community issues. To share your thoughts in this public forum, e-mail them with your name and city of residence to editor@lajollalight.com or mail them to La Jolla Light Editor, 565 Pearl St., Suite 300, La Jolla, CA 92037. Letters reflect the writers opinions and not necessarily those of the newspaper staff or publisher. monicakchauhan@gmail.com Beirut, April 20 Islamic State group jihadists have killed 35 pro-Damascus fighters in Syria, in what a monitoring group described on Saturday as their deadliest operation since the fall of the "caliphate". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four senior Syrian army officers were among the troops and allied militiamen killed in the desert east of Homs province over the past 48 hours. The Amaq propaganda arm of IS, which lost the last vestige of its "caliphate" to Kurdish-led forces last month but retains desert and mountain hideouts in both Syria and Iraq, said its fighters carried out the operation. Another eight soldiers and militiamen, including two officers, were killed in a separate attack in neighbouring Deir Ezzor province on Thursday night, the Observatory said. The attack targeted a desert village south of the city of Mayadeen, upstream from the stretch of the Euphrates Valley where IS made a desperate last stand for its "caliphate", the Britain-based war monitor said. Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman described it as the "biggest attack and the highest death toll among regime forces since the caliphate was declared defeated". Six IS fighters were killed in the clashes, the Observatory said. Amaq said that IS had launched its assault on Thursday evening after government forces tried to track down its fighters. The vast Syrian desert, known in Arabic as the Badia, stretches all the way from the capital Damascus and the cities of Homs and Hama to its north to the Euphrates Valley near the Iraq border, where the "caliphate" was defeated in the village of Baghouz last month. Commanders of the US-led coalition, which provided air and artillery support for the Kurdish-led operation, have warned repeatedly that the jihadists' loss of their last piece of territory did not mean their elimination as a fighting force. Analysts have said that continuing search and destroy operations by the multiple alliances lined up against the jihadists would be necessary to prevent them mounting a comeback from their desert hideouts. AFP vinaymishra188@gmail.com Bamako, April 19 Malis Prime Minister resigned along with his entire government on Thursday following criticism over their handling of an upsurge in violence in the heart of the country and a massacre last month that left 160 persons dead. A statement from President Ibrahim Boubacar Keitas office said he had accepted Soumeylou Boubeye Maigas resignation, along with those of his ministers, two weeks after mass protests erupted over the rising tide of violence. Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties had submitted a motion of no confidence against the government on Wednesday, blaming Maiga and his administration for failing to clamp down on the unrest. A Prime Minister will be named very soon and a new government will be put in place after consultations with all political forces from both ruling and opposition sides, the statement from Keitas office said. The president had on Tuesday said in a televised address that he had heard the anger, without explicitly naming the Prime Minister. The government had come under mounting pressure over its handling of violence in the restive Mopti region and especially a massacre on March 23 in which 160 persons were killed in Ogossagou village near the border with Burkina Faso. Members of the Dogon ethnic group a hunting and farming community with a long history of tension with the nomadic Fulani people over access to land were accused of being behind the mass killing. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Bamako on April 5 to protest against the upsurge of violence, accusing the government of not doing enough to stop it. The protest was called by Muslim religious leaders, organisations representing the Fulani herding community, opposition parties and civil society groups. Since then, militants have shifted from the north towards the more densely populated centre of the country, where they have sharpened ancient rivalries and ethnic conflicts that date back years. Jihadist attacks have also spread to Burkina Faso, Chad and Niger, forcing many to leave their homes. AFP Struggling to restore stability Mali has been struggling to restore stability since Islamist extremists linked to Al-Qaida took control of the countrys vast desert north in early 2012. While the jihadists were largely driven out in a French-led military operation that began in January 2013, huge areas are still in the grip of lawlessness, despite a 2015 peace agreement with some armed groups that sought to definitively stamp out the Islamist threat vinaymishra188@gmail.com Doha, April 19 Hopes for a breakthrough in a push to end Afghanistans gruelling conflict suffered a major setback on Friday after a key summit between the Taliban and Afghan officials was indefinitely postponed. The so-called intra-Afghan dialogue, due to take place in Doha this weekend, fell apart at the last minute in a row over the large number of delegates Kabul wanted to send. The collapse comes at a critical time and amid continued bloodshed. The Taliban now control or influence about half of Afghanistan and 3,804 civilians were killed there last year, according to a UN tally. Washington, which is leading an effort to end the war, signalled its disappointment and urged both sides to return to the table, though organisers provided no hint about when the conference might be rescheduled. Sultan Barakat, who heads the group that was to host the event, said in a statement the postponement was necessary to build further consensus as to who should participate. Clearly the moment is not yet right, added Barakat, the director of the Centre for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies. President Ashraf Ghanis administration had on Tuesday announced a list of 250 persons from all walks of Afghan life, including government figures, who it wanted to send to Doha. But the Taliban poured scorn on the lengthy list, saying it was not normal and that they had no plans to meet with so many people. The conference is not an invitation to some wedding or other party at a hotel in Kabul, the Taliban said this week. Though the insurgents insisted they would only talk to Ghani officials in a personal capacity, any contact between the two parties in Doha would have been hugely significant, especially at a time when Afghanistan is being ripped by fresh violence after the Taliban announced their annual spring offensive. Ghani officials blamed the Qatari government for the summits derailment. In a statement, the presidential palace said Qatar had rejected the long list of delegates and suggested a shorter one which was not acceptable. Analyst Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Centre in Washington said the breakdown illustrated the tough path ahead for peace. The conference mess and its dysfunction amplifies just how much of a long, hard slog a reconciliation process will be, he said. AFP All need to sit: Hamid Karzai Afghanistans former president says hes saddened by the cancellation of wide-encompassing talks with the Taliban, stressing that peace wont be possible in his homeland, ravaged by more than 17 years of war, until Afghans from all walks of life sit together and negotiate. Hamid Karzai spoke to the media a day after the Qatari hosts announced that a scheduled gathering of Afghan-to-Afghan talks was postponed indefinitely after a fall out over who should attend. vinaymishra188@gmail.com Khartoum, Apr il 19 Protest leaders on Friday announced plans to unveil a civilian body to take over from Sudans ruling military council as crowds of demonstrators kept up the pressure outside the army headquarters and Washington said it would send an envoy to encourage the transition. The military council, which took power after ousting Sudans longtime leader Omar al-Bashir on April 11, has so far resisted calls from protesters to quickly make way for a civilian administration. The Sudanese Professionals Association, which has been spearheading the protests, said in a statement that the civilian council members would be named at a news conference on Sunday outside the army complex to which foreign diplomats were also invited. We are demanding that this civilian council, which will have representatives of the army, replace the military council, Ahmed al-Rabia, a leader of the umbrella group of unions for doctors, engineers and teachers, told the media. Four months after anti-regime protests started, access roads were packed on Friday with crowds flocking to huge square outside the army headquarters. Activists mobilised demonstrators through social media to keep up the pressure for replacing the military council, now led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Power to civilians, power to civilians, protesters chanted through Thursday night. I wont leave until Burhan transfers power to a civilian government, said Wali Aldeen, who has camped outside the complex since the day Bashir was ousted. Activists have called for large crowds to gather after weekly Muslim prayers, as on previous Fridays. Protests first broke out on December 19 in response to the tripling of bread prices, swiftly turning into nationwide rallies against Bashirs three-decade rule. After his ouster, protesters demonstrated against General Awad Ibn Ouf who took over as the first head of the military council, insisting he was a tool of the old regime. Ibn Ouf stepped down in less than 24 hours and was replaced by Burhan, who so far has appeased protesters by lifting a night-time curfew and vowing to uproot Bashirs circle. AFP TRINIDAD and Tobago has a new acting Commissioner of Police (CoP), following Parliaments approval yesterday of the appointment of Deputy CoP McDonald Jacob to the position. The House of Representatives went to a vote following several minutes of deliberation after the debate on Governments motion to Approve the nomination of Mr McDonald Jacob to act in the Office of the Commissioner of Police. There is a new outrage in town which, so far, has gone unreported and until now without protest. I received a letter from my insurance company, in essence, penalising me for getting old. I was informed that because they did not cater for people living this long, they were losing money. Opinion / Guest Commentary / Our Readers Write: Heres the latest news addressing the commercial jet noise associated with the FAAs NextGen Metroplex system, the impact studies commissioned by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (SDCRAA) and the recently proposed $3 billion airport expansion. Flight Path & Procedures Study: Consultants Recommendations SDCRAAs consultant reported the results of its noise modeling to the Technical and Citizen Advisory Committees (TAC and CAC) on March 28. Over the last year, several proposals were advanced to reduce noise in La Jolla and surrounding communities caused by the Metroplex NextGen navigation system. NextGen concentrated departure and arrival paths over and adjacent to La Jolla, creating superhighways in the skies, where noise used to be disbursed. La Jolla was adversely and markedly affected, particularly in areas facing southwest, including The Muirlands, Bird Rock , Lower and Upper Hermosa, The Barber Tract, The Village, La Jolla Shores, parts of Mount Soledad and the entire north side of La Jolla. Four proposed solutions were noise modeled to assess whether proposed flight path and procedure changes would reduce noise in La Jolla, if so by how much, and whether the reduced noise would be inappropriately shifted to other communities. The consultant recommended advancing three of the proposals to the Airport Noise Advisory Committee (ANAC) for consideration and possible advancement to the San Diego Regional Airport Authority and the FAA. The first and second proposals are similar; addressing night time departures between 10 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., requiring departures to turn west to a new Bird Rock waypoint either 1.5 nautical miles or .5 nautical miles from the shoreline. These proposals would create a standard departure path, which would largely eliminate the FAA authorized right turn departures flying directly over La Jolla. Routing departures to a new Bird Rock waypoint by turning .5 nautical miles from the shoreline produces the best result, reducing noise by between 1.0-1.9 decibels (db) across the widest swath of La Jolla. The 1.5 nautical miles turn point achieves the same decibel decrease, but over a smaller area. Neither proposal would adversely affect Mission Beach, which would experience no discernible change in decibel levels. Moreover, the almost 2db noise decrease would be much more than what the FAA said was the .7db noise increase in La Jolla caused by NextGen Metroplex. La Jolla would swing from a .7db increase to almost a 2db decrease an almost 3db improvement. The relief map under the .5 nauttical miles solution would look like this (see map): where the light green dots represent a 1.0db to 1.9db noise reduction, the dark green dots represent a 2.0 to 2.9db reductions, and the white dots represent a 0db to .9db reduction. A third proposal would alleviate day and nighttime commercial jet arrival noise over La Jolla, by up to 4.9db, by shifting the arrival path north over the I805/SR52 interchange. However, it would come at the cost of Kearney Mesa, which would receive a comparable increase in noise. The consultant recommended against advancing this proposal because the FAA will evaluate and reject proposals that simply shift noise from one community to another. While this prejudices La Jolla since NextGen originally shifted the noise to La Jolla in November 2017 when NextGen was implemented, the FAA is vested with near complete discretion to reject a proposed change on this basis. While this is unfair since La Jolla had no say before the noise was shifted here in November 2017, the reality is that the FAA will not consider that inequity, a legal challenge advancing that issue would likely fail, and therefore, the Airport Authority will likely accept the consultants recommendation not to advance this proposal. Finally, the fourth proposal mostly affects Point Loma by extending the JETTI waypoint 2 nautical miles west and would have a 1.0-1.9db reduction impact on a very small sliver of coastal Point Loma. This proposal will advance for further study, but its impact is much smaller and would be balanced against increased fuel consumption and efficiency. The Part 150 Study Proceeds In parallel with the Flight Paths & Procedures Study, the Part 150 Study is now beginning, which will consider any proposals implemented off the end of the runway, impacting the 65 CNEL noise contour around the airport. At least one proposal that could help La Jolla will be considered: implementing a departure procedure requiring 10 degrees of separation rather than 15 degrees off the end of the runway. A new FAA navigation procedure called ELSO, used for safety and efficiency purposes, could keep departing planes further from La Jolla on takeoff, and further improve the noise reduction goals. A noise exposure map will be constructed in the Part 150 process to assess the impact on Ocean Beach and other areas immediately around the airport. Another related issue in the Part 150 Study will be the current 290 degree heading requirement for nighttime noise abatement, primarily in Point Loma. Discussion has occurred regarding expanding that departure heading to a range between 275 degrees to 295 degrees, which could adversely affect both Point Loma and La Jolla. Timing for the Part 150 process is likely to take around two years before recommendations are made to the Airport Authority, let alone advanced to the FAA. Airport Expansion Plans As widely reported, the Airport Authority and the FAA are proposing a $3 billion expansion of the airport, adding 11 new gates, and markedly increasing passenger and flight operation capacity. Projections are for 21 percent increase in passenger traffic, increasing to 28 million passengers by 2025 compared to 22 million passengers in 2017. Those increases can only be achieved by a combination of more flights and/or larger planes. The Airport Authority says that a revised Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be released later this summer, taking into account the Grand Central Public Transit Hub and traffic issues associated with the expansion, but so far, the Airport Authority has said very little about the proposed expansions noise increase to the surrounding communities. When the capacity forecasts are released with the EIR, an evaluation will have to be made to assess the noise impacts, and if the revised EIR fails to adequately address the issue, challenges may ensue. Everyone is supportive of smart growth and the economic advantages of bringing more people and flights to San Diego, but those must be balanced against appropriate quality of life and health standards for our communities. Curiously, the Airport Authority suggested that there will be no change in noise caused by the airport expansion because the increased passenger traffic could be achieved without the expansion. If that is the case, why is it necessary to spend $3 billion to build 11 new additional gates? Questions abound over the Airport Authoritys logic to justify an expansion project and it makes little sense that adding more gates and more flights will not add more noise. While the noise intensity from each plane may be the same, the frequency of that noise will increase on the order of 21 percent. ANAC will begin addressing this issue at its next meeting, 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 at the Holiday Inn at 4875 North Harbor Drive. Please come to listen and speak up during the community comment session. This will be a very important meeting. Next Steps The issues will be taken up 4-6 p.m. April 17 at the ANAC meeting, and then at 10 a.m. April 18 at the next TAC meeting and 2 p.m. for the next CAC meeting. Please plan to attend at least one, and in particular the ANAC meeting where public comment is encouraged. Additional next steps include 1) community input through the TAC and CAC about whether to advance the flight path and procedure proposals before the Part 150 process is completed; 2) presentation of the proposals to ANAC for consideration; 3) an ANAC vote on what to recommend to the Airport Authority Board; 4) an Airport Authority Board staff recommendation on the ANAC recommendations, and then 5) Airport Authority recommendations to the FAA. Observations First, patience is required nothing will happen quickly. The FAA is taking at least two years to start considering proposals, which means a probable time line of 3 to 5 years before any solution is accepted and implemented. Second, the notion that the proposed $3 billion airport expansion will not lead to more flights and more noise is questionable and could be seen as a biased assertion by the Airport Authority Board and the FAA to mover the project through without adequate consideration for the affected communities. Third, the number of households filing even a single complaint every month in La Jolla matters. Be proactive by using the Air Noise button (airnoise.io), ANACs web-based complaint system (webtrak.emsbk.com/san) or the Airport Authoritys telephone complaint line at (619) 400-2799 to file at least one complaint per month, when appropriate. Anthony Stiegler represents Quiet Skies La Jolla: quietskieslajolla.org A famous traditional medicine man Daktari Nyuki on April 15 shocked residents of Bukembe market when the mysterious bees attacked two thieves who had stolen a Toyota Fielder and hidden it in a popular hotel. The two youthful thieves were fished out of their hide out has they were waiting for darkness to drive to Uganda where there is a ready market after stealing it from the owner in Turbo market in Uasin Gishu county. The owner a renown farmer Joseph Koskei had parked his vehicle and went about his business before he realized that it was missing. "I reported the matter at the nearest police station but still sought for Daktari Nyuki's services after reading about him on TUKO.co.ke," said Koskei. Daktari swung into action and sent his bees on a mission which helped recover the vehicle in Bukembe. The thieves were later arrested. Daktari Nyuki also helped a Murang'a resident to win a case in court where another man had snatched his wife of 13 years and a mother of four children. This rich man was my best friend, little did i know that he was secretly dating my wife, when love blossomed they eventually married each other, i was forced to seek court redress to get back my wife," said Ken Kamau. After visiting Daktari Nyuki who gave him some medicines from Zanzibar, he applied and eventually won the case, finally his wife is back, they are happily settled. Daktari also helped Phylis Mwajuma in Taita Taveta County to be employed as a ward admin after years of suffering. "I sought for Daktari Nyuki's services after I had tarmacked for long, he helped me, am now a ward admin, thanks Daktari, continue helping more hopeless Kenyans," said Mwajuma. She had graduated from the university in 2003 but had hustled for long without success but her luck landed through Daktari Nyuki.. She states that after consulting Daktari Nyuki she was given medicine that when I applied I was immediately called by my potential bosses that I had passed the interview. Other problems being handled include; The witch doctor is also an expert in solving medical issues like, diabetes, stomach problems, infertility in both men and women, fighting evil spirits, influencing promotion at work and also promoting love and unity in families. Are you troubled, please make a date with the herbalist and he will give you immediate solutions to all your wants. Found Where? Daktari is found in Webuye town in Bungoma County. Contact Call: 0781 777 666 (Sponsored) Source: Tuko.co.ke He can ride competitively, he can paint, plus he can sing and play the guitar. That's former When I left Syria, I was pregnant with Yousef. I come from a very conservative family. Back home I was only allowed to go out of the house by myself if there was the ambulance, if I was sick or delivering a baby. My husband works in the Gulf, so I was mainly just by myself, in the house with the children. But then the conflict came. Everything changed and we had to change with it. I was the first from my community to leave. My main motivation for coming to Jordan was because my eldest daughter needed medical treatment. A monthly injection that we could no longer get in Syria as imports from Germany stopped due to the conflict. At first I went to Zaatari camp. It was unheard of that a women would go outside of the village by herself, let alone to another country but I forced myself because I was scared for my daughter. The camp at that time was very different to how it is now, there were so many people arriving every day, it was chaos. I didnt want my children to live in that environment so we found this apartment. I liked it because it had the same feel as my village back in Syria. It felt like home. Straight away we registered with UNHCR. They helped us to get hold of the injection that my daughter needed. It costs 168 dinar for the injection every month. I dont know what we would have done if we couldnt have got hold of it. After a year and a half though, we were no longer eligible to get the injection for free. My husband transfers 300 dinar a month but with the injection and the rent costing another 150 dinar a month, there was no money left. My children needed food, things for their school, I had no choice by to start looking for a job. I went to a local organisation and told them I could volunteer. I volunteered for them for three years without a salary. But it was good for me, I looked after the distribution of basic household items so my family benefited from this a little and I got the experience I needed to then get another job. I had never worked before. In the area where I come from, women didnt work. When I got a job volunteering as a community worker, I was so worried that my family would find out that I was working. When I received my first salary, I went to the phone shop immediately to buy the exact same type of tablet that I was using for work. I loaded the new tablet up with games and gave it to my son so that if someone saw me with the work tablet, they would just think it was the tablet of my son and they wouldnt find out that I was working. I wanted, needed to fight for my job for one reason: The 260 JD salary. This is what kept my family alive during this difficult time. But after a year and a month, my mother in law found out. One day my entire team was at my apartment for a meeting. My supervisor, colleagues, everyone and my mother-in-law walks in. And when she asked who they were, my son shouts that I work with them. It was difficult to explain to my family after that what was going on. But slowly they understood. They realized the importance about that extra 260 dinar for my daughters health. Now, after seven years in Jordan, I have worked for many community organisations here. I facilitate activities for the refugee community, especially for women, to help them feel more confident, to break down barriers. I broke all the rules that women were supposed to adhere to in my community. I led the change and now women, my family and friends, are even asking me to help them find work to support their family. But I want to do more. Our traditions have been forced to change since we became refugees. Weve had to adapt. Not only with women working but also in terms of early marriage. I was engaged at 15. I got married at 17 and that was considered late. But now my daughters aged 14, 12 and 10 tell me they dont want to be like me. They see me working and they tell me if I had a better education then I would be able to get a better position. They see the value of education, of not dropping out to get married. They love going to school and have big dreams. In just one generation things have changed dramatically. Im so pleased about this. Its too late for me but its not too late for them. Jordan is now our home. I hope maybe one day my husband will come and join us here. With everything that has happened in Syria, it would be hard to go back. I feel like I have progressed so much with my life here, returning would feel too much like a step backwards. Before we had to choose between education and a family. Now I hope my daughters can have both. UNHCR and its partner, the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD) run some 25 Community Support Centers throughout Jordan. These centers, where members of the local refugee community like Ola have a chance to meet and perform different activities with Jordanian volunteers, help fostering an environment of peaceful coexistence and social cohesion. *Names changed at individual request Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Kyiv court issues another ruling in favor of PrivatBank's ex-owner Kolomoisky The decision has not become effective yet. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter The U.S. supports a peaceful, strong, democratic, prosperous, secure, Ukraine. United States Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker says the United States will continue to support Ukraine. "In advance of Sunday's election I wanted to reiterate that the U.S. is here for the long haul and we're here to support a peaceful, strong, democratic, prosperous, secure, Ukraine that sees its borders and territories, including Crimea, fully restored," he wrote on Twitter on April 19, 2019. In advance of Sundays election I wanted to reiterate that the U.S. is here for the long haul and were here to support a peaceful, strong, democratic, prosperous, secure, Ukraine that sees its borders and territories, including Crimea, fully restored. pic.twitter.com/nVw28XyLyL Kurt Volker (@SpecRepUkraine) 19 2019 . Earlier, Volker said the United States wishes Ukraine success in holding the second round of presidential elections in Ukraine, but does not support any of the candidates. Ukrainian authorities have been pushing for the correct spelling of the capital city by air carriers and airport operators across the world. Brussels Airport has turned down the long-obsolete spelling of the capital of Ukraine that was derived from Russian, switching to a correct spelling, that is, "Kyiv." "Good news from the Kingdom of Belgium. Belgian airports joined the campaign #CorrectUA and now you can see landing aircrafts from Kyiv and not from Kiev anymore," the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Belgium wrote on Facebook. UNIAN memo. When Ukraine was as part of the USSR, the name of its capital in the English-language media was delivered in a manner that corresponded to the Russian pronunciation, that is, Kiev. The Ukrainian authorities now insist that the name of the city be spelled the Ukrainian way, that is, Kyiv. On October 2, 2018, the Foreign Ministry, together with StratCom Ukraine Center for Strategic Communications, launched the "#CorrectUA" campaign, within which the team turn to foreign media to correct the spelling of Kiev (#KyivNotKiev). No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops. Russia-led forces mounted 10 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, in the past 24 hours. Read alsoEnemy shells Ukrainian positions in Donbas twice today "No Ukrainian Army casualties were reported in the past day. According to intelligence reports, three invaders were killed and another one was wounded," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in an update on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on April 20, 2019. During the period under review, Russian occupation forces opened fire from 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms to attack the Ukrainian positions near the town of Avdiyivka, and the villages of Pavlopil, Vodiane, Pyshchevyk, Lebedynske, Verkhniotoretske, Opytne, Novoselivka Druha, Zolote-4, and Mayorsk. "Since Saturday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near Avdiyivka and Pavlopil, using 120mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types and small arms. There have been no casualties among the Ukrainian military. Data on enemy losses are being verified," the report said. The armed formations in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions frequently deny the SMM access to areas adjacent to Ukraine's border outside control of the Government. Russian-led forces in Donbas continue to grossly violate the Minsk agreements, deploying heavy weapons in the security zone. "At permanent storage sites in a non-government-controlled area of Donetsk region, on April 12, the SMM noted that 23 tanks (14 T-72 and nine T-64), nine mortars (2B14 Podnos, 82mm) and 15 anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) were missing," Ukrainian members of the Joint Control and Coordination Center (JCCC) said with reference to the OSCE SMM's report, the JFO HQ wrote on Facebook on April 20. Read alsoOSCE again spots clusters of heavy weapons in Russia-occupied areas of Donbas "On April 13, an SMM mini-UAV spotted two tanks (T-72) in a residential area of Sosnivske (78km south of Donetsk)," reads the report. "On April 15, the SMM saw seven MLRS (BM-21 Grad, 122mm), seven self-propelled howitzers (2S1) and 10 towed howitzers (five 2A65 Msta-B, 152mm and five D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm) at the former Luhansk international airport about 10km south of Luhansk city," the OSCE SMM said in a report. It is also reported, on April 15, the SMM saw seven tanks (T-72) and six surface-to-air missile systems (9K35) at the former Luhansk international airport and four tanks (T-72) near Svobodne (73km south of Donetsk), in a zone within which deployment of heavy armament and military equipment is proscribed according to Point 5 of the Memorandum of 19 September 2014. The armed formations in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions frequently deny the SMM access to areas adjacent to Ukraine's border outside control of the Government. The situation in the area of the Joint Forces Operation remains under control of Ukrainian troops. Russia's hybrid military forces mounted seven attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas on April 20. Read alsoRussian-led forces in Donbas deploy heavy weapons in security zone "No Ukrainian soldiers were killed or wounded from 00:00 to 18:00 Kyiv time," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in an update on Facebook. The enemy opened fire from 120mm and 82mm mortars, weapons installed on infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms at the Ukrainian positions near the town of Avdiyivka, and the villages of Pavlopil, Opytne, Pisky, and Hnutove. The situation in the area of the Joint Forces Operation remains under control of Ukrainian troops. Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. The Belgian government has launched a six-month online campaign to tell potential asylum seekers about the hurdles they might face if they want to live in the country BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th April, 2019) The Belgian government has launched a six-month online campaign to tell potential asylum seekers about the hurdles they might face if they want to live in the country. A new website, Facts About Belgium, is available in four languages. It addresses people considering whether to move, those on their way and the ones who want to return. The website has short articles on whether life is easy in Belgium ("Life in Belgium is not so easy"), the risks of contacting smugglers and legal options for those who want to claim asylum or return. It also has an article for migrants who want to pass through Belgium to the United Kingdom. The Belgian foreign affairs office said that the campaign was meant to "counter the rumors and false information often disseminated on social networks, to allow people wishing to leave their country of origin to consider it with a good understanding of what it means and the risks implied." Minister for Social Affairs and Health Maggie De Block reportedly said that "it is better to prevent than cure by telling migrants clearly that the chances of getting asylum are low and Belgium is not the land of plenty." IMMIGRATION TROUBLES IN BELGIUM A migration dispute split the government coalition in December last year. The New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) objected to the UN Global Compact on Migration and left the alliance, forcing Prime Minister Charles Michel to form a minority government. Health Minister De Block took on the duties of secretary of state for asylum and migration, Theo Francken from N-VA. "I put the stress on the expulsion of criminal illegals. It was one of my priorities when I arrived at the department. An average of 1,564 criminals were deported each year between 2015 and 2018," Francken told Sputnik. The former secretary of state added that he had stressed the importance of repatriation of those who had had their applications refused. "It is the weak side of the European migration policy, in all countries. Barely two in 10 people who don't have the right to stay actually leave Belgium. It is less than the European average and we need to work on that, because the result is an army of illegal immigrants who live in secrecy, do black work and are susceptible to all forms of abuse," Francken said. Francken introduced a daily cap of 50 for how many asylum applications the immigration officials could handle. The limit was suspended after Francken's departure. According to De Block, the cap not only put women and children in danger because they had to sleep in the streets for days, but also created difficulties for the asylum services, increasing case backlog. "Dealing with migrant cases is like pushing a stone up a mountain, and seeing it rolling down again every time," Nicola Tournay, the head of communications at People's Party, told Sputnik. According to Tournay, the legislation in Belgium is too lenient on undocumented migrants, while family reunions bring still more people to the country and put too heavy a burden on Belgian taxpayers. "Theo Francken had started to turn the situation around, but we don't trust Maggie De Block, the present minister. Her sudden firm positions have everything to do with demagogy, just before the general, regional and European elections in May. The Belgian citizens want a stop to immigration, but people like the prime minister don't care. They pursue their ideal of open borders," Tournay said. Along with other European countries, Belgium has faced a large influx of migrants in the last several years. Migrant crisis has put relevant agencies under stress. According to Fedasil, the Federal agency for the reception of asylum seekers, Belgium has about 60 reception centers for migrants, which covers about two-thirds of the entire reception network. The rest of the places are provided by citizens, nonprofits or local authorities. Meanwhile, Belgium will face both domestic and European elections in May, and the issue of migration may play an important role in both. A public representation of Crimea will be set up in Brussels, the head of a working group on international legal issues in the permanent mission of Crimea under the president of Russia, Alexander Molokhov, told Sputnik on Saturday. YALTA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th April, 2019) A public representation of Crimea will be set up in Brussels, the head of a working group on international legal issues in the permanent mission of Crimea under the president of Russia, Alexander Molokhov, told Sputnik on Saturday. "Creation of a non-profit non-governmental public organization, 'Taurida international association,' with its headquarters in Brussels is currently being finalized. The association aims to become a reliable instrument in the fight against embargo of the Crimean Peninsula at the international level," Molokhov said on the sidelines of the Yalta International Economic Forum (YIEF) in Crimea. Molokhov added that in the long run the association could become the European representation of the peninsula and could legally protect Crimean interests in the European Union after its inclusion in an official list of lobbying institutions. The 2019 Yalta International Economic Forum is being held from Thursday through Saturday, with over 4,500 people from some 100 countries participating in the event. The faithful of St Theresa's Cathedral in Livingstone, Zambia, re-enact the Passion of Christ with a procession through the city, on Good Friday. The Catholic faithful in Livingstone, the tourist capital of Zambia, on Good Friday, observed the day with a prayerful and Biblical re-enactment of the Way of the Cross by a procession through the towns Central Business District. English Africa Service Vatican City. Hundreds of Christians in Livingstone town, Zambia, have marked Good Friday with a procession and reenactment of the Passion of Jesus Christ led by the young people of St. Theresas Cathedral. A time to reflect on the suffering and the cross in our lives Livingstone Dioceses Vicar General and Cathedral Dean, Fr. Clifford Mulasikwanda told the faithful to embrace the Cross of Jesus in their daily lives. He told them that the reflections of the Way of the Cross presented by the Cathedrals young people were an invitation for them to carry the various crosses of their lives. Good Friday is worth observing because it is about the good news of our Lord who died for our Salvation. We are gathered here because of our faith in the Crucified Jesus. We too are therefore called upon, to carry our own cross in our daily lives, said Fr. Mulasikwanda. On the Cross, Jesus demonstrated unconditional love Martha Muzumara, a former civil servant and congregant at St. Theresas Cathedral spoke of Jesus Christs unconditional love. Good Friday to us as Africans, or should I say to all humanity, should be taken as our Valentine Day celebration because that is when Jesus showed his total love by dying on the Cross for us, she said. Livingstone Dioceses solidarity with the victims of Cyclone idai The people of Livingstone Diocese, have during this years Holy Week, been asked to demonstrate solidarity with those most hit by the effects of climate change in Southern Africa. A collection is being taken to this effect. On 15 March, last month, Tropical Cyclone Idai made landfall and tore through several towns and villages of the Southern African countries of Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe ripping rooftops, demolishing buildings and, in some cases, submerging whole cities and villages. Ninety per cent of Mozambiques city of Beira was destroyed. The full extent of this Southern African humanitarian crisis is just now beginning to be fully understood. With rains still falling in some areas, the water is not draining away, and this has already led to a severe Cholera outbreak in Mozambique. Prayer and solidarity are connected Reflecting on the solidarity fund being collected in Livingstone, Martha Muzumara said the two are connected. As Christians, we have to give whatever we can. Sometimes this giving can take the form of service or sharing of our time or even volunteer for something. If we pray without giving, then the prayers are meaningless. So (the fund we are making for the victims of Cyclone Idai) has a connection with our prayer life because our brothers and sisters are suffering. They did not choose to suffer in that way. Here at St. Theresas Cathedral we have been urged to give something -no matter how little it may be, said Mzumara. Pope Francis celebrates the Mass of the Lords Supper on Holy Thursday in a prison near Rome, washing the feet of 12 inmates. By Devin Watkins This is the fifth time that Pope Francis has chosen to celebrate the Mass in Coena Domini at a prison. Travelling to the south of Rome on Holy Thursday afternoon, the Pope celebrated this years Mass of the Lords Supper in the prison of Velletri. The District House of Velletri is a medium-security facility that houses 577 inmates, 60% of whom are foreigners. Gesture of a slave In his off-the-cuff homily, Pope Francis thanked the inmates for their warm welcome and said he had received a beautiful letter from several of them. The Pope reflected briefly on the gesture of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, which priests around the world repeat on Holy Thursday. He said Jesus carries out an act of service, which was usually done by slaves. He, the Lord who contained in himself all power, carries out the gesture of a slave, he said. Jesus, he said, then told his disciples to do the same for each other in service. Be brothers in service: not in ambition but in service, the Pope said. Each of us, said Pope Francis, needs to be at the service of our neighbor. Washing of the feet After the homily, Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 prisoners who hail from 4 nations. Nine are Italian, and 1 each from Brazil, Ivory Coast, and Morocco. In previous years, the Pope celebrated the Mass of the Lords Supper at the Casal del Marmo, Rebibbia, Paliano, and Regina Coeli prisons. The Way of the Cross on Good Friday near the Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris, France. (AFP or licensors) The ad interim director of the Holy See Press Office, Alessandro Gisotti, said that French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian was received in the Vatican on April 20 by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Le Drian has invited Pope Francis to visit Paris. The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on Saturday received in the Vatican French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, the Holy See Press Office has said. Alessandro Gisotti, the ad interim director of the Holy See Press Office, told journalists that the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher was also present at the meeting. Among issues discussed during the meeting were the reconstruction of the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Paris devastated by the terrible fire last Monday. Speaking on behalf of the French President, Emmanuel Macron, Le Drian renewed the invitation to Pope Francis to visit Paris. Gisotti said the invitation was welcomed with attention and consideration". Following the April 14 blaze that destroyed the wooden roof and the spire of the 850-year old Notre Dame Cathedral, Pope Francis expressed his closeness to the people of France and pledged his prayers for all striving to cope with the tragic situation. Sitting around a campfire with a high-quality, cold craft beer can in one hand can be considered one of the great simple pleasures of living in Colorado. But not everybody enjoys beer, and glass bottled cocktail ingredients dont really work on a backpacking trip. Thats where Slalom Fox jumps in. Crafted and canned in Longmont using fresh juices and premium liquors, this small company wants to fill a niche that has been left empty by overly sweet, malt-liquor based canned cocktails that are currently on the market. Slalom Foxs co-founder, Katie Burns, created the cocktails with her husband, John, after leaving many a liquor store feeling disappointed. Searching for a convenient cocktail that wasnt loaded with artificial flavorings, Burns came up empty-handed every time. The Longmont mother of five began using her experience in natural foods and her and Johns homemade syrup recipes to create portable cocktails that contained spirits, real juices and herbal extracts. The brightly colored cans can be found throughout the state at spirit retailers, and are sold in 4-packs that range from $15.99 to $19.99. Currently both Wyatts Wet Goods and Hazels Beverage World are selling Slalom Foxs Vodka Collins and their Bourbon Revival. The Vodka Collins is a twist on the original, with a hint of thyme that lends a subtle depth. The Bourbon Revival contains bourbon, lemon and black currant, making it both sweet and tart, similar to a whiskey sour, noted Katie. The company has two other cocktails waiting in the wings for an early summer release: the Gin Fizz and the Colorado Mule. Greg Lipinski Slalom Foxs colorful cans contain fresh ingredients for portable cocktail hour. Our Colorado Mule and Gin Spritz will be available in May, John said. The Colorado Mule is similar to a Moscow Mule but made with whiskey instead of vodka. The Gin Spritz is a gin and grapefruit juice cocktail. While the company is currently focusing on the Colorado market, the owners hope that Slalom Fox cocktails will be available nationwide in the future. Until that time comes, theyre working hard and enjoying the new things that Slalom Fox has brought to their lives. It has been exciting launching a new category of products, said John. While ready-to-drink cocktails did exist, the concept of a canned cocktail using real juices and real spirits is relatively new. Retail stores have been very receptive! After 30 years, Bangladeshi Christians will be celebrating Easter as a holiday this year. By Robin Gomes In Bangladesh, where Sunday is not a holiday, Easter will be celebrated as a holiday for the first time in 30 years. This was largely the effort of Gloria Jharna Sarker, the first Catholic woman parliamentarian chosen in the last elections who fought to have the rights of the Christian community recognized at the national level, reports AsiaNews. On Easter Sunday, April 21, all schools in the country will remain closed. Welcoming the good news, local Christians say it is a positive sign of good relations between religions. A Dhaka merchant explained to AsiaNews that since independence gained in 1971, Sunday was a holiday, including Easter Sunday. However, Sunday ceased to be a holiday since the mid-1980s, when former president Hussain Muhammad Ershad introduced the Islamic tradition making Friday the weekly holiday. In this way, the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ was excluded from the nationally recognized festivities . The merchant pointed out that after the Sunday holiday was suppressed, the bishops did not do much to oppose it, unlike some ecumenical movements that sometimes gave rise to protest demonstrations, organizing sit-ins and symbolic events. However, the Easter holiday this year happened to be mere luck. The merchant explained that an opportunity presented itself this year with the election of the deputy, who "was able to intelligently exploit a quibble of bureaucracy". Islamic moveable festivals are established each year by a commission led by the Minister for Religious Affairs based on the movement of the moon. At the beginning of the year, the Islamic festival of "Shab-e-Barat" (night for forgiveness) was set for April 21, which is Easter. After a re-calculation of the various lunar movements, the day was moved to April 22, Easter Monday. At that point, April 21 was declared a holiday anyway. It is not known whether this will happen in the years to come but this year Christians have welcomed it with joy. (Source: AsiaNews) Easterseals Nevada (ESN), an innovative healthcare and human services non-profit, will hold its inaugural Childrens Fashion Show and Luncheon fundraiser on Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m. More than 40 children who receive services from ESN will be walking the runway at Fashion Show Mall in apparel provided by Dillards for the culmination of the non-profits Close the Gap fundraising campaign. Local TV personality Monica Jackson will emcee the event, which will be held at the Great Hall and Runway at Fashion Show Mall. The event will honor Dr. Lois Tarkanian, who will be on-site as a special guest speaker. We are proud to provide speech therapy services to over 500 children throughout the State, said Christine Zack, President and CEO of Easterseals Nevada. Sadly, reimbursement rates in Nevada for speech therapy, whether from commercial insurance or government-funded healthcare programs such as Medicaid, are significantly lower than the cost of providing this critical service. At ESN, we view speech therapy as preventive healthcare that decreases overall lifetime healthcare costs. We are dedicated to ensuring all children have access to speech therapy services and we intend to continue to avoid the practice of balance billing. The goal of the Childrens Fashion Show is to raise money to Close the Gap between the cost of providing speech therapy services and the reimbursement for the services, safeguarding our ability to continue providing critical healthcare services while continuously reinvesting in our programs and employees. ESN provides healthcare and human services to children and their families across all socio-economic classes and regardless of an individuals inability to pay. Due to the significant gap between the cost of providing services and the reimbursement rates for pediatric healthcare services in Nevada, this event serves as a major fundraiser for the organization as a way to Close the Gap. Oak & Ivy, American craft whiskey cocktail bar located in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas Container Park, will host the April edition of its exclusive spirit forward tasting event sponsored by Woodford Reserve. On Wednesday, April 24th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., whiskey whizs and liquor newbies alike are invited to Oak & Ivys elevated spirit tasting event. The April edition of Tasting on the Terrace will host Nick Polydoroff from Brown Forman who will guide guests through an enlightening, entertaining and refreshing tour through one of the worlds most intimidating spirits. Each ticket will include two Woodford Reserve specialty cocktails like the Kentucky Mule made of Woodford Reserve, lime juice, Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas Bitters and Oaks signature house made Ginger Beer, and the Madam Laveau with Woodford Reserve Double Oak, Strega, Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth and Orange Bitters. Tuck into light bites from Downtown Terrace including the Crab Rangoon Flatbread with Crab, Cream Cheese, Sweet Chili Sauce and Crispy Wontons, and Margarita Flatbread with Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil. Each Woodford Reserve whiskey flight will include specially selected offerings of the following: Woodford Reserve Woodford Rye Woodford Double Oak Woodford Masters Photo shows real estate projects surrounding Sealinks Villa Mui Ne in Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province.-VNS Photo Thai Ha Kien A Corporation, a real-estate developer with over 25 years of operation, is developing Le Meridien Cam Ranh Bay Resort and Spa. The company told Viet Nam News that its project would be completed by the end of this year. With an area of 46,800sq.m, it will have 220 rooms and be developed on Bai Dai (Dai Beach) with a total development value of US$450 million. Novaland Group, a giant company being famous for housing projects in HCM City, has launched many hospitality projects in tourism areas, heating up the market. For more than a year, the company has been selecting many places to develop tourism projects. For instance, a project in Can Tho, called Azerai Can Tho, has been put into operation, while many other projects are under construction like Novahills Mui Ne Resort and Villas. Others are going to be built in the coming time, such as NovaWorld complex in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province and Phan Thiet City in Binh Thuan Province. With the launch of a series of tourism property projects, Novaland has surprised the market as the group used to develop housing projects in HCM City. Novaland said the company is currently targeting hospitality projects in its new development period and that more hospitality projects would be developed in tourism areas. Another developer, Phu Long Real Estate Company, recently announced that it would develop a new hospitality site in Khanh Hoa Province, starting next month. Covering an area of 29ha, the project will be located on Bai Dai (Dai Beach) with villas as the main product. Following this project, Phu Long said it would develop a 100ha-hospitality project on Phu Quoc Island in the southern province of Kien Giang in the third quarter of this year. These will be the first two projects that Phu Long has developed in the tourism sector. Previously, the company focused on housing projects, including condos, villas and houses. Cenland Group is also charting its own way to join the property sector. Speaking with Viet Nam News, a representative of Cenland Group said that it had become the sole distributor of Crystal Holidays Cam Ranh Riviera project, which will be developed by Crystal Bay. The project, which is about a 20-minute drive from Cam Ranh International Airport, contains 544 condotels in a 25-storey building developed on an area of over 99,000sq.m. The project will be officially marketed next month. Speaking about the trend of investing in hospitality projects outside HCM City, the HCM City Real Estate Association said the citys real-estate developers faced difficulties due to a slowdown in administrative procedures. Nguyen Van Dat, chairman of Phat Dat Real Estate Joint-Stock company, agreed with the associations assessment, saying that his company is targeting tourism property projects in Quang Nam Province. Dat was quoted in Vietnam Investment Review as saying developers are shifting their investments to a new segment because real estate faced challenges in HCM City. An expert who wanted to remain anonymous said that tourism project development was an opportunity for real-estate developers to thrive in a challenging time. However, developers said tourism property projects was just a temporary strategy during the current difficult period. Housing projects will remain the main business, they said. Novaland, Phat Dat and other companies said they would continue to develop housing as their main segment and would return to do so at a later date. One of the rose windows below the damaged roof of Notre-Dame. (Photo: AFP/Amaury Blin) Officials from the culture ministry were allowed into the 850-year-old landmark to begin retrieving the artworks after fire service officials declared the scorched structure safe enough to go inside. The Notre-Dame cathedral was engulfed in flames in central Paris on April 15. (Photo: AFP/Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt) Firefighters and engineering experts have been working on the fragile landmark since a devastating blaze on Monday night, erecting scaffolding and other wooden supports to stop any of the stonework collapsing. "The paintings inside the cathedral have been saved from the flames and can now be taken down and transported to safe areas," France's Culture Minister Franck Riester told reporters at the scene on Friday. "All of the paintings will be removed today," Riester added, saying that he was feeling "very positive" given how most of the priceless canvasses, many of them dating from the 17th or 18th century, had been saved. As firefighters inspected the top of the fragile southern facade, art experts began carrying out paintings from the cathedral in protective white film and loading them into trucks. The artworks were taken to the Louvre museum, a centre of restoration, where experts will repair relatively minor damage caused by smoke or water before storing the paintings until they can be returned. LEAD POLLUTION? But as the latest phase of salvage work took place, a French charity warned about the possible health impact from the fire. The Robin des Bois (Robin Hood) organisation said that around 300 tonnes of lead from the roof and steeple had melted in Monday night's fire, which according to officials had reached 800 degrees Celsius (1,470F) at its peak. "The cathedral has been reduced to the state of toxic waste," the association said in a statement, calling on French authorities to detoxify the tonnes of rubble, ash and waste water produced by firefighters. Details of fire damage at Notre Dame Cathedral, with photos. (AFP/Thomas SAINT-CRICQ) "Before launching a competition for the design of a new steeple, we should launch a competition to decontaminate what at the moment, alas, can be considered an industrial wasteland," it added. After fears about air-borne lead pollution on Monday night, monitoring service Airparif told AFP it did not monitor lead levels in real-time but it has sent its filters to be analysed in a laboratory. There was no immediate reaction from French authorities to the claims by Robin des Bois, which are of most concern to people living and working on the Ile de la Cite island where Notre-Dame stands. Lead pollution can cause neurological defects for humans, especially children, as well as nervous system and kidney problems. ART SAVED Thanks to a human chain formed by firefighters and church officials on Monday night, the vast majority of the most sacred artifacts and valuable items inside the cathedral were saved. These include the Holy Crown of Thorns, which Catholics believe was worn by Jesus Christ at his crucifixion, and a tunic thought to have belonged to 13th-century French crusader king, Louis IX, who was made a saint. Even a copper statue of a rooster containing relics that sat atop the now-destroyed Notre-Dame spire was found among the ashes, dented but intact. The paintings being brought out on Friday included several of the great "Mays" paintings, which were commissioned between 1630 and 1707 by the Corporation of the Parisian goldsmiths. The giant canvasses, as big as three metres by four (10 feet by 13), depict events from the life of the Virgin Mary and were offered to the cathedral every May 1 as a sign of devotion. As the work went on inside Notre-Dame, crowds of Parisians and tourists continued to swarm to the scene, sitting on the banks of the river Seine to observe the cathedral walls, blackened in places, which now stand without a roof. President Emmanuel Macron welcomed a delegation of officials from the UN's cultural agency UNESCO on Friday to discuss offers of aid from other countries to help restore the beloved emblem of France. He was accompanied by army general Jean-Louis Georgelin who will oversee the process and has likened his new job to a "combat mission." Macron has set a five-year deadline to rebuild the architectural marvel, which took around 200 years to build originally from when construction work started in the 12th century. Police in Northern Ireland have arrested two men in connection with the fatal shooting of a journalist. The unidentified 18-year-old and 19-year-old men were arrested in Londonderry Saturday under anti-terrorism laws. They have not been charged, but were taken to Belfast for questioning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said. Police say they believe that at least one of the gunmen may be connected with the New IRA, a republican paramilitary group that opposes the shift towards non-violent tactics to form a united Ireland. Journalist Lyra McKee, who was 29, was shot in the head late Thursday during rioting in the Creggan district of Londonderry. McKee had posted photos on social media of the riots with text that read: "Derry tonight, Absolute Madness." The Multi-National Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission has deployed troops after suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked a northern Cameroonian village late Thursday night, killing at least 13 people and leaving hundreds homeless. Cameroon officials have been asking residents to collaborate with the military, fearing more attacks when Ramadan starts in early May. The task force has troops from Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger. Tchakarmari village, on Cameroon's northern border with Nigeria, is deserted, with torched houses and animal carcasses bearing witness to the attack. Resident Abba Malloum says the village of more than 400 people was reduced to ashes by Boko Haram fighters who came from neighboring Nigeria late Thursday night. Malloum says over a hundred Boko Haram fighters attacked the village, shooting indiscriminately and setting fire to all the houses houses. He says at least 13 people were shot to death or otherwise slaughtered, plus many wounded and about 100 men, women and children abducted. Their maize, beans, groundnuts and sheep burned as hundreds of their cattle were taken away. Bachair Hachimi, Tchakarmari's traditional ruler, says the village had experienced relative peace for a year, following several attacks by the terror group. Residents who had fled had begun to come back. says even though dozens were killed in a series of suicide bombings, residents were determined to collaborate with the military in fighting Boko Haram. But the fresh attack has scared almost everyone. Hachimi says because of the attack, people who had started returning home after the military pushed back Boko Haram fighters and installed a base of the Multi-National Joint Task Force have again fled to the towns of Mora, Meme, Mokolo and Maroua. He says most of his people have lost everything they struggled to gather when peace returned to their village. Midjiyawa Bakary, governor of Cameroon's Far North Region, has called for vigilance. He says after a crisis meeting of the Multinational Joint Task Force, troops have been deployed to secure the area and bring back the abducted people. The task force has been instructed to organize regular patrols and systematic searches of people, vehicles and homes and suspected villages and towns. This week, Cameroon authorities said they had detained 30 Nigerians who crossed the border Saturday on suspicion of links to Boko Haram Islamist militants. Governor Bakary warned that Boko Haram was looking for opportunities to infiltrate when many people travel across the border for religious or national holidays. He called for extra caution around such times, including international Labor Day on May 1, the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on May 5, and National Day on May 20. Bakary says the militants may strike as people gather around mosques and markets. More than 1,500 Cameroonians have been killed in attacks by Boko Haram since the insurgency began nine years ago. Many Christians observed one of the most important times of their religious year with a vigil Saturday night before Sunday's celebration of Easter, when the faithful believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead. On the night of Holy Saturday, Pope Francis celebrates an Easter vigil at Saint Peter's Basilica, ahead of Easter Sunday Mass in the square. At the end of Mass, the pope will give his traditional blessing to the city and to the world. Elsewhere, many worshippers participate in sunrise services to greet the first light of Easter Sunday. The day is marked by religious services, family dinners, treats for children and, in some cases, new clothes to celebrate the coming of spring. On Friday, many Christian pilgrims participated in a ritual known as the Stations of the Cross. In Jerusalem, thousands of worshippers marched through the ancient, narrow cobblestone alleyways of the Old City, retracing what they believe is the route Jesus Christ took to his crucifixion. Carrying crosses Some of the faithful observed Good Friday by carrying large, wooden crosses on their shoulders. Others sang hymns and read Scriptures during the traditional procession, retracing the purported path of Jesus to the 14 Stations of the Cross. The route leads to Calvary, or Golgotha, also referred to as the Place of the Skull, where the Bible says Jesus died. Pilgrims came to Israel from all over the world to celebrate one of Christianity's most sacred days, including Frank Caldwell from the U.S. state of Minnesota. "I think it's always a feeling of walking in the footsteps of Jesus, and it's a very religious feeling and very good feeling to be here," he said. The procession culminated at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where many Christians believe Jesus was buried before his resurrection, which is observed Easter Sunday. Israeli police and soldiers armed with assault rifles guarded the route, but the atmosphere was calm. Good Friday coincided with the biblical Jewish holiday of Passover this year, and Israelis also flocked to Jerusalem to celebrate. Among them was Eddie Stern, who said "Passover is ... an understanding of perhaps why Israel exists and the history of the Jewish people coming to Israel." Adding to the religious and cultural mix were Palestinian Muslims who attended Friday prayers at the Mosque of al-Aqsa, the third-holiest place in Islam. Nun's meditations Pope Francis marked Good Friday with the same ritual in Rome, leading thousands of Christians in the Stations of the Cross. This year, the pope asked an 80-year-old nun, Sister Eugenia Bonetti, who has devoted her life to rescuing victims of sex trafficking, to write the meditations for the 14 stops along the way. Francis has called forcing women into prostitution "a crime against humanity" and has urged Catholics "to open their eyes" to victims. The aim of Sister Bonetti's meditations was to show the way in which Christ still suffers today. Sister Bonetti's meditations also included reminders of other sufferers, whom she dubbed "today's newly crucified" the homeless, the jobless, the hopeless, and the immigrants who are forced to live in poverty or danger on the margins of society. She said the faithful should remember "all those who even now are enduring crucifixion as victims of our narrowmindedness, our institutions and our laws, our blindness and selfishness, but especially our indifference and hardness of heart." A doctor fighting an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo was killed in an attack on an eastern hospital, according to the World Health Organization. Several gunmen from a local militia attacked the hospital in the city of Butembo, one of the epicenters of the Ebola outbreak, killing Richard Mouzoko, an epidemiologist from Cameroon. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on Twitter, "We are outraged by the attack. Health workers are #NotATarget." A Congolese health ministry staffer and a driver were injured in the attack, according to a separate statement by the U.N. secretary-general's special representative in Congo. Butembo's deputy mayor, Patrick Kambale Tsiko, said the attackers were targeting foreigners because they incorrectly believed the foreigners had brought the Ebola virus to Congo. He said police were searching for the attackers. The violence is the latest in a series of attacks on Ebola treatment centers by militiamen and those distrustful of the international response to the outbreak. Dozens of rebel groups are active in eastern Congo. Earlier this week, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi pledged more military and police protection for health workers fighting Ebola and asked residents for their cooperation. The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo's North Kivu and Ituri provinces began in August. Congo's health ministry says the outbreak has killed 843 people and infected hundreds more. The epidemic is the second deadliest on record, after the Ebola outbreak that struck West Africa in 2014-16, which killed more than 11,000 people. Good Friday religious processions in Nicaraguas capital took on a political tone as people seized an opportunity to renew protests against the government of President Daniel Ortega. As hundreds of faithful walked in a traditional Stations of the Cross procession to the citys cathedral, dozens of protesters shouted for justice and carried wooden crosses bearing the names of those who died during the past year of protests. They waved the blue-and-white Nicaraguan flag, which has become a symbol of the opposition. When the protest continued outside the cathedral, riot police moved in to disperse them with deafening sound grenade-type devices and tear gas. Some young protesters threw rocks and sought shelter among the faithful inside the cathedrals gates. Police surrounded the site. Vatican mediating Jose Pallais, a member of the opposition Civic Alliance who has participated in a dialogue with the government, said the Vatican's ambassador Waldemar Sommertag was mediating between authorities and the opposition to win the safe passage of the protesters out of the cathedral. Late Friday night, all safely left the site. Some protesters later left the cathedral, but late in the afternoon police were still outside the site and about 100 protesters remained inside, afraid to come out, Pallais said. Pallais said he had heard of two injuries, including a young woman injured by a tear gas canister. The National Police said in a statement they knew of no injuries and had arrested no one. They said masked protesters armed with rocks, homemade mortars and some with guns infiltrated the procession and then hid on the grounds of the cathedral. Police thwart earlier protests On Wednesday, an overwhelming police presence scuttled a scheduled opposition march to mark the anniversary of the protests. Public demonstrations have been effectively banned in Nicaragua since last year. Friday was the anniversary of the first three deaths after the government and armed supporters moved to quash the protests last year. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights says at least 325 people have died in the protests and government crackdown. Protests began in response to social security cuts and expanded to calls for Ortegas ouster. Ortega has maintained that last years protests were an attempted coup orchestrated by forces outside the country. International observers have found no evidence of a plot to overthrow of the one-time revolutionary who led the ouster of Anastasio Somoza in 1979. More US sanctions This week U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton announced additional sanctions against Nicaragua, European politicians called on the European Union to impose its own and Canada confirmed that it had cut nearly $20 million in direct aid to Ortegas government. James K. Hill, Canadas ambassador to Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Honduras told the AP this week that repression by Nicaraguan authorities had led to the suspension of the financial support. Canada is concerned by the human rights situation and considers the repressive actions of the government unacceptable, Hill said in a written response to the AP. The government typically uses such direct foreign assistance to support its general budget. Canada suspended the assistance in August, but the government only confirmed it following a news report this week. Hill said the aid carries conditions and wouldnt be renewed until there is satisfactory evidence of improvement with respect to the state of human rights in Nicaragua, which would be reported by independent sources. Canada continues to provide development assistance in Nicaragua averaging about $15 million annually through international and non-governmental organizations. Jihadists have killed almost 50 Syrian regime fighters in 48 hours, a monitor said Saturday, in some of the deadliest attacks on pro-Damascus forces in recent weeks. Kurdish-led forces in March announced the defeat of the Islamic State group's "caliphate" in eastern Syria, but the jihadists have retained hideouts there and in other parts of the country as well as the ability to carry out deadly assaults. Since Thursday, IS jihadists have killed 35 pro-Damascus fighters in regime-held parts of central and eastern Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman described those attacks as producing "the highest death toll among regime forces since the caliphate was declared defeated" in the eastern village of Baghouz last month. Meanwhile, regime fighters also came under attack on another front of Syria's grinding eight-year war, the Britain-based monitor added. On Saturday, jihadists linked to Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate attacked loyalist checkpoints and positions on the western edges of the northern city of Aleppo, killing 13 more pro-Assad fighters, it said. It was the latest death tally in a civil war that has killed more than 370,000 people since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. President Bashar al-Assad has managed to claw back around 60 percent of the country with Russian military backing since 2015, but several regions remain beyond its control. IS assaults These include a large swathe of northeastern Syria held by Kurdish-led forces who have been fighting IS with the support of a US-led coalition, as well as the jihadist-held region of Idlib west of Aleppo city. Regime forces in theory control the vast desert that stretches from the capital Damascus to the Iraqi border, but IS is still present there. Attacks by the jihadists have killed 27 troops and allied militiamen, including four senior Syrian army officers, in the desert east of Homs province since Thursday, the Observatory said. The propaganda arm of IS said its fighters carried out the operation. The Observatory also said IS fighters killed another eight soldiers and militiamen, including two officers, in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor on Thursday night. That attack targeted a desert village south of the city of Mayadeen on the Euphrates River, upstream from the village of Baghouz where IS made a desperate last stand in March. IS swept across a large swathe of Syria and Iraq in 2014, declaring a cross-border "caliphate" in areas it controlled. At the height of its rule, the extremist group imposed its brutal ideology on millions in territory roughly the size of the United Kingdom. But after various military operations in both countries, IS lost the last shred of its proto-state on the eastern banks of the Euphrates last month. The US-led coalition has however warned repeatedly that the jihadists' loss of their last piece of territory does not mean their elimination as a fighting force. Earlier this month, IS claimed responsibility for a twin attack on April 9 in the northern city of Raqa held by Kurdish-led forces, which the Observatory said killed 13 people, mostly civilians. Aleppo attack In the north of Syria, regime forces face another jihadist group. Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, control the northwestern region of Idlib, which remains beyond regime control. Idlib is supposed to be protected from a massive regime military offensive by a deal inked in September by government ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey. But the accord has unwound as HTS took full control of the region in January, and the area has come under increasing bombardment. The Observatory said Saturday's attack by the HTS-linked Abu Bakr Al-Sadeeq Army on the western edges of Aleppo city came after regime bombardment overnight hit eastern and southeastern parts of the Idlib region. A planned buffer zone around the region was never fully implemented as jihadists refused to withdraw from it. On Friday, Assad insisted the main aim of the Idlib deal was to "eliminate terrorists", after they failed to pull out from the planned demilitarized cordon. He urged progress on removing "obstacles" to the stalled deal ahead of talks to be attended by Russia, fellow ally Iran, and Turkey next week in Kazakhstan. Endless rounds of U.N.-backed peace talks have failed to end Syria's war, and the parallel track backed by Moscow, Tehran and Ankara has gained momentum. A federal judge Friday ruled that the Trump administration failed to consider potential damage to the environment from its decision to resume coal sales from U.S. lands, but the court stopped short of halting future sales. U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Montana said Interior Department officials had wrongly avoided an environmental review of their action by describing it as a mere policy shift. In so doing, officials ignored the environmental effects of selling huge volumes of coal from public lands, the judge said. The ruling marks another in a string of judicial setbacks for President Donald Trumps attempts to boost North American energy production. A previous order from Morris blocked the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that would transport crude from Canadas oil sands. Other courts have issued rulings against the administrations plans for oil and gas leasing and coal mining. 40% US coal from federal lands More than 40% of U.S. coal is mined from federal lands, primarily in Western states. Companies have mined about 4 billion tons of coal from federal reserves in the past decade, contributing $10 billion to federal and state coffers through royalties and other payments. The Obama administration imposed a moratorium on most federal coal sales in 2016. The move followed concerns that low royalty rates paid by mining companies were shortchanging taxpayers and that burning the fuel was making climate change worse. Trump lifted the moratorium in March 2017 as part of his efforts to revitalize the slumping coal industry. The moratorium provided protections on public lands for more than 14 months, Morris said in Fridays 34-page order. He added that lifting the moratorium was a major federal action sufficient to trigger requirements for a detailed analysis of its environmental impacts. Consider the consequences Morris ordered government attorneys to enter negotiations with states, tribal officials and environmental groups in order to determine the next steps in the case. The court held clearly that the Trump administration needs to rationally consider the consequences of its decision. Those include dire impacts to clean water, public health and our climate, said Earthjustice attorney Jenny Harbine, who represents environmental groups and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, which had sued to stop the lease sales. The attorneys general of California, New Mexico, New York and Washington, all Democrats, also had sued over the resumption of the federal coal lease program. They said it should not have been revived without studying whats best for the environment and for taxpayers. Representatives of the Interior Department did not immediately respond to emailed and telephone requests for comment. Utah coal leases In February, Interior officials had announced a sale of coal leases on public lands in Utah by issuing a statement headlined The War on Coal is Over. They said the sale would not have been possible if the administration had not overturned the moratorium. The departments Bureau of Land Management administers about 300 coal leases in 10 states. Most of that coal, 85%, comes from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana. Other states with significant federal coal reserves include Colorado and New Mexico. Production and combustion of coal from federal lands accounted for about 11% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2014. The U.N. childrens fund says at least 1.6 million children in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe need help right away to recover from the affects of Cyclone Idai, which battered their countries more than one month ago. Cyclone Idai, the deadliest storm to hit southern Africa in more than two decades, killed at least 1,000 people, and destroyed crops, livelihoods and hundreds of thousands of homes. The U.N. childrens fund says the emergency phase of its response in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe is winding down. But the road to recovery will remain very long, especially for children, who are the most vulnerable. It says children lack essential services, including healthcare, nutrition, water and sanitation, protection and education. It says the situation is particularly dire for some one million children in Mozambique where the storm hit with particular ferocity. UNICEF spokesman Christophe Boulierac says conditions in that country are ripe for an explosion of disease, noting more than 5,000 cases of cholera have already been reported. We also have a concern with malaria, with more than 7,500 cases confirmed. And UNICEF is distributing 500,000 mosquito nets. I also understand that in the coming weeks, campaigns are planned around measles vaccination, deworming and vitamin A boosters, he said. Boulierac says UNICEF also is supporting the establishment of several health clinics in resettlement areas. The agency reports nearly one-half-million children in Malawi need humanitarian assistance to recover from the impact of Cyclone Idai. It says many children are living in crowded evacuation centers. It adds it is providing water trucks, toilets, medicine and mobile clinics in those centers; creating child-friendly spaces and providing children with education and recreation kits. In Zimbabwe, 130,000 children are at risk. UNICEF says it is furnishing vital health and nutrition supplies, other essential relief and psycho-social support to vulnerable children in child-friendly spaces. UNICEF is appealing for $122 million to support its humanitarian operations in the three storm-affected countries. Light to moderate turnout was reported on day one of a three-day constitutional referendum in which voters were expected to approve lengthening the president's term in office and strengthening his powers over the judiciary and the government bureaucracy. Officials have promised to announce the results by April 27 and said if the constitutional amendments were approved, they would be implemented swiftly. The amendments would deepen presidential powers and the military's presence in local communities. The presidential term would be increased from four to six years, and incumbent President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi would be allowed to run for a third term in 2024. Many of the amendments pertain to the government's structure, creating new positions and increasing the number of presidential appointees. The Egyptian military, which already wields tremendous economic and political power in Egypt, would also increase its role in criminal justice. A smiling Sissi cast his ballot in the capital's Heliopolis district. Prime Minister Mustapha Madbouli told journalists at a central Cairo polling station that voters should turn out to voice their opinions. He said he was casting his ballot as an Egyptian citizen and urged everyone else to do so as well, to show a positive spirit in what he called an important matter. Sixty-two million Egyptians are registered to vote out of an estimated population of 100 million. Heavy security was reported at polling stations throughout Cairo. A large number of people could be seen at several polling stations in the center of the city, while turnout appeared light in outlying parts of the capital and Giza. Gamal Noureddin Zaki, governor of Assiut province, told journalists that things were going smoothly on the first day of the referendum and he expected a fairly good turnout after all the ballots were tabulated at the end of day three. He said he expected about half of all eligible voters in Assiut to cast ballots, and he stressed that there had been no complaints about problems with voting so far. However, organized opposition to the referendum was almost nonexistent, with many leading public figures, businesses and media houses firmly in league with the current government. Abdel Aziz al-Husseini, the deputy head of the opposition Tayyar al-Karama Party, told al-Hurra TV that he was not happy with the referendum because it was difficult to express opposition to the proposed constitutional changes. He said opponents of the changes were able to express their opinions only on social media and at press conferences, and that there was no possibility of putting up posters or engaging citizens at coffee shops and universities. Ahmed al-Khamis, a member of the Institute of Administrative Studies, told al-Hurra that the most important issue in the referendum was to maintain stability in the country. He said it was important to show the world that Egyptians are determined to protect their country in an unstable part of the world. Egyptian opposition TV stations based in Turkey and Qatar which support the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group denounced the referendum, calling it "null and void." A government opponent, Ahmed Tantawi, said in a video on social media that the referendum "casts a pall on the spirit of the constitution and the [2011] revolution which gave birth to it." Voting took place amid an unprecedented crackdown on dissidents and a rollback of freedoms that were won during the pro-democracy uprising in 2011. Human Rights Watch says over 15,000 civilians, including children, have been targeted for military prosecution over the past three years. New Delhi : The Supreme Court held an extraordinary hearing on Saturday after a former employee of the apex court accused Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi of sexual harassment and persecution. A three-judge bench headed by Justice Gogoi was constituted after a sworn affidavit by the woman copies of which were sent to the residences of 22 apex court judges became public on Saturday. During the hearing in CJI's court No 1, an unfazed Justice Gogoi said the allegations are unbelievable. "This is unbelievable. I don't think I should stoop low even to deny these allegation," he said, adding, "There has to be bigger force behind this, they want to deactivate the office of CJI." The apex court registry in a notice earlier in the day said a three-bench headed by the CJI was being set up to deal with a "matter of great public importance touching upon the independence of judiciary". The bench also comprised justices Arun Mishra and Sanjiv Khanna The former employee has described two incidents of alleged molestation by Gogoi in her affidavit, both of which allegedly took place in October 2018, only days after he was appointed as the CJI. Confirming that a letter by the woman has been received by several sitting judges.Supreme Court Secretary General Sanjeev Sudhakar Kalgaonkar said all the allegations made by the woman concerned are malafide and have no basis. "No doubt, it is a malafide allegation," he said. Stating that it was leaving it to the wisdom of media to act responsibly on allegations of sexual harassment against the CJI, the court said the independence of judiciary is under "very, very severe" threat. "After 20 years of selfless service as judge, I have bank balance of Rs 6.80 lakh," he said. "Nobody can catch me on money, people have to find something and they have found this: This is the reward CJI gets after 20 years of service," Justice Gogoi. PTI Explosions and anti-aircraft fire could be heard in parts of the Libyan capital Tripoli late Saturday, witnesses said. A Reuters reporter and other residents said they saw a drone or aircraft opening fire, but no more details were immediately available. Clashes had broken out earlier in Tripoli's suburbs. The fighting followed the revelation Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone earlier in the week to Khalifa Haftar, the leader of the militant group known as the Libyan National Army, and commended him on what he said was Haftar's "significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources." The Trump administration did not say why it waited several days to announce the call. Haftar's LNA forces refuse to recognize the U.N.-supported Tripoli government. They started a campaign April 3 to seize control of the capital. The United Nations has been calling for a cease-fire. The World Health Organization says more than 200 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded since the violence erupted. Geographically, the LNA has its power in the eastern part of Libya and the Tripoli government controls the west. The violence deepens the chaos that has gripped the North African country since dictator Moammar Gadhafi was toppled in 2011. The attacks threaten to disrupt oil production, trigger migration across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, and enable jihadists to exploit the chaos. One of the lead U.S. prosecutors at the Nuremberg Trials after World War II, Benjamin B. Ferencz came to America from Transylvania as an infant in 1920. I was a poor immigrant boy, he said recently at an event hosted by the embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington. Ferencz won a scholarship to attend Harvard Law School and graduated in 1943. He then joined the U.S. Army and fought in every campaign in Europe under General George Patton, before assuming the duty of gathering Nazi war crime evidence for the U.S. military. I was a liberator to many concentration camps, it was my job to get in there fast before the records were destroyed, Ferencz told an audience at the U.S. Library of Congress where he received the Anne Frank Award from the Dutch embassy, designed to honor human dignity and the spirit of tolerance. In his acceptance speech, Ferencz expounded on the notion that there is no justice without accountability. He recalled the heroism of one inmate at a concentration camp who, in the role of the camps scribe, at least 50 times he had taken his (own) life into his hands to hide records of names of Nazi perpetrators, knowing, or believing that there would be a day of reckoning and accountability. WATCH: Ben Ferencz: 'Until We Have a Happier World for Everyone' In an interview with VOA after the award ceremony in the halls of the Library of Congress, Ferencz said there needs to be an understanding that the aim of accountability could take a long time to achieve. Recalling the critical leadership role the United States played in the World War II, including the postwar trials of Nazis at Nuremberg, in which Ferencz participated as a prosecutor, he said I hope one day America will wake up and see the necessity for continuing our leadership toward a more humane and peaceful world. A barrister by training who reveres the institution and rule of law, Ferencz nonetheless expressed his faith in public discourse. The final court is the court of public opinion, he said in the interview. Afghanistan and Pakistan have jointly inaugurated a 200-bed, state-of-the-art hospital in Kabul, one of three major health care facilities being built and funded by Islamabad as its contribution to reconstruction efforts in the war-ravaged neighboring country. Named after the founder of Pakistan, the Muhammad Ali Jinnah Hospital took 12 years to finish at a cost of more than $24 million. Officials in both countries cited deteriorating Afghan security, continued mutual political acrimony and institutional as well as bureaucratic inefficiencies for the delay in the completion of the second-largest hospital in Afghanistan. Vice President Mohammad Sarwar Danish, Afghan Health Minister Ferozuddin Feroz, and a visiting senior-level Pakistani delegation headed by Cabinet Minister Ali Muhammad Khan attended the inaugural ceremony Saturday where Pakistan officially handed over the multispecialty facility to the Kabul government. "It opens a new chapter in the friendship of the two countries. This is the second-largest hospital [in Afghanistan] built with your support that will serve the needy," Feroz told the gathering. He added that a second Pakistan-funded, 100-bed hospital costing $19 million and a major kidney center were near completion and would be inaugurated soon in the eastern Afghan cities of Logar and Jalalabad, respectively. Polio fight The Afghan minister also emphasized the need for the two countries to enhance cooperation in fighting the wild polio virus. The United Nations says Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries in the world where the disease is still crippling children. Visiting Minister Khan noted in his speech that Pakistan has pledged an overall $1 billion in development assistance to Kabul "in pursuance of Pakistan's policy objective of deepening and broadening people-to-people connections between the two countries." He said the newly built hospital would "contribute immensely" to improving the Afghan health sector, noting the completion of three hospitals and 14 mobile medical units would conclude Pakistan's assistance to Afghanistan in the health sector. Pakistani officials say they are also working to enhance capacity and manpower at their diplomatic missions and major border crossings with Afghanistan to speed up issuing visas and make it faster to enter the country to help Afghans seeking medical treatment in Pakistani hospitals. Bilateral relations remain fragile and tense over Afghan allegations that Islamabad covertly supports and shelters leaders of the Taliban insurgency, while Pakistan officials allege anti-state militants are using volatile border areas in the neighboring country to plot terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. U.S.-Taliban talks Pakistan takes credit for arranging an ongoing direct dialogue between the Taliban and the United States to help end the 18-year-old war in Afghanistan. The months-long U.S.-Taliban talks are the first serious engagement between the two adversaries, raising expectations it could lead to an intra-Afghan peace dialogue to end years of hostilities. But Afghans remain skeptical about Islamabad's intentions and insist the neighboring country is trying to help the Taliban regain power in Kabul to continue its alleged meddling in Afghanistan's internal affairs. Pakistan, which still hosts about 3 million Afghan refugees, rejects the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated. The two countries share a 2,600-kilometer border, and tens of thousands of people move daily in both directions. Islamabad says a robust fence being built on the traditionally porous Afghan border is expected to be completed by end of this year and that it would help deter illegal cross-border movements and address mutual security concerns. Pakistan alleged Saturday that anti-state militants operating out of terrorist camps inside Iran are behind this weeks slaying of 14 security personnel in a remote southwestern Pakistani region, and Islamabad has formally shared credible evidence with Tehran so action can be taken against the perpetrators. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi revealed the details at news conference in the Pakistani capital, saying Prime Minister Imran Khan will further discuss the issue with Iranian leaders during his first official visit to the neighboring country that begins Sunday. The deadly attack happened Thursday in the Gwadar border district, where officials say a group of up to 20 assailants disguised as Pakistani paramilitary forces stopped several passenger buses on the coastal highway, and then went through identification cards of all the passengers before abducting and spraying 14 of them with bullets. Qureshi said the slain men included 10 navy personnel, three air force officers and a coast guard official. He noted that assailants linked to a newly-formed alliance of three ethnic Baluch terrorist organizations carried out the dastardly act before returning to their training and logistical camps on the Iranian side of the border. After collecting and verifying actionable evidence through our internal investigations, we have shared it with authorities in Iran. We have also identified location of these camps and expect that our brotherly neighbor Iran will take action against these organizations, the Pakistani foreign minister said. The militant coalition Bras (meaning brothers in local language) took responsibility for the highway violence. It also has plotted attacks against Pakistani security forces, as well as government installations in violence-hit Baluchistan province, where Gwadar is located. The natural-resource rich Pakistani region also borders Afghanistan. Qureshi said he telephoned Iranian Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif earlier in the day and received solid assurances from Zarif that Tehran is ready to fully cooperate with Islamabad to bring the militants to justice. The Pakistani foreign minister said the two sides agreed to bolster security along their common border of more than 900-kilometers to stop terrorist infiltration in either direction. He explained that in addition to deploying additional forces and helicopter surveillance, Pakistan already has begun fencing the most vulnerable portions of the border with Iran. For its part, Tehran routinely alleges that Jaish-e-Adl, a dissident Sunni militant organization of Iranian Baluch, uses hideouts on Pakistani soil to orchestrate terrorist violence in its border region known as Sistan-Baluchistan. Qureshi said Saturday that Pakistani security forces, acting on Iranian request, recently rescued and sent back home nine of the 12 Iranian border guards who had been abducted and brought to the Pakistani side of the border. Jaish-e-Adl took responsibly for the hostage taking. Iran alleges the terrorist organization receives support from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, charges both countries reject. Foreign minister Qureshi also called on Afghan authorities to act against Baluch fugitives, saying Pakistan has concrete evidence the militants also are using the neighboring countrys soil to plot cross-border terrorism. Kabul did not offer any immediate reaction to the charges but it previously has denied such allegations made by Islamabad. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo dismissed a statement from a senior North Korean foreign ministry official saying they no longer want him involved if talks with the U.S. resume. Pompeo said he is still in charge of the U.S. negotiating team and that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has promised to denuclearize "half a dozen times." The exchange comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with Kim Jong Un. VOA's Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports from the State Department. The U.N. refugee agency calls a new training project in Cox's Bazar a potential "game changer" for local Bangladeshi and Rohingya refugee women who are learning potentially money-making skills. The UNHCR has teamed up for the project with a local nongovernmental organization, the Ayesha Abed Foundation. The program, which began in February and is now being scaled up, aims to provide income opportunities to hundreds of impoverished women by teaching them skills in craft production. The U.N. refugee agency says the goal is to train 500 women by the end of the year. Half that number will be Rohingya refugee women and the other half will be women chosen from among the Bangladesh communities hosting them. The UNHCR reports the women will receive a small stipend during the training period. If the project is successful, it says, it hopes to expand it to include hundreds more women. The camps in Cox's Bazar hold more than 750,000 Rohingya refugees, most of whom fled to Bangladesh to escape violence and persecution in Myanmar in August 2017. UNHCR spokeswoman Liz Throssell agrees the number of women enrolled in the training project represents only a tiny fraction of the vast refugee population. But she told VOA the worth of the project should not be based on numbers alone. "Small numbers? Yes. But you have to start somewhere," she said. "It is providing income sources to these women. It is providing training, and as we have underscored, we are hoping that this will be expanded. So, it is offering income sources both for the local community and for the refugees." Throssell said the local and refugee women are being taught different skills. She said local Bangladeshi women are learning silk screening, block printing and tailoring techniques. The refugee women in the camps, she said, are being taught to produce a variety of hand-sewn embroidery pieces. She noted that most of the Rohingya refugee women in the program are widows or single-mother households aged between 18 and 40. None, she said, have had any previous sewing experience. The items produced by the women will be sold in one of Bangladesh's best known retail outlets. The U.S. launched on Saturday a $183 million cleanup at a former Vietnam storage site for Agent Orange, a toxic defoliant used in the nations' bitter war, which years later is still blamed for severe birth defects, cancers and disabilities. Located outside Ho Chi Minh City, Bien Hoa air base the latest site scheduled for rehabilitation after Danang air base's cleanup last year was one of the main storage grounds for Agent Orange and was only hastily cleared by soldiers near the war's end more than four decades ago. U.S. forces sprayed 80 million liters (21 million gallons) of Agent Orange over South Vietnam between 1962 and 1971 in a desperate bid to flush out Viet Cong communist guerrillas by depriving them of tree cover and food. The spillover from the clearing operation is believed to have seeped beyond the base and into groundwater and rivers, and is linked to severe mental and physical disabilities across generations of Vietnamese from enlarged heads to deformed limbs. Largest 'hot spot' left At Bien Hoa, more than 500,000 cubic meters of dioxin had contaminated the soil and sediment, making it the "largest remaining hot spot" in Vietnam, said a statement from the U.S. Agency for International Development, which kicked off a 10-year remediation effort Saturday. The dioxin amounts in Bien Hoa are four times more than the volume cleaned up at Danang airport, a six-year, $110 million effort that was completed in November. "The fact that two former foes are now partnering on such a complex task is nothing short of historic," said the U.S. ambassador to Vietnam, Daniel Kritenbrink, at Saturday morning's launch, which was attended by Vietnamese military officials and U.S. senators. Hanoi says up to 3 million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange, and that 1 million suffer grave health repercussions today including at least 150,000 children with birth defects. An attempt by Vietnamese victims to obtain compensation from the United States has met with little success. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2009 declined to take up the case, while neither the U.S. government nor the manufacturers of the chemical have ever admitted liability. While U.S. officials have never admitted direct links between Agent Orange and birth defects, USAID on Saturday also issued a "memorandum of intent" to work with government agencies to improve the lives of people with disabilities in seven Vietnamese provinces. Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Friday became the first 2020 Democratic presidential candidate to make a full-throated call for the House of Representatives to begin impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump after the release of special counsel Robert Mueller's redacted report. Mueller, who investigated whether Trump's campaign coordinated with Russia during the 2016 election and whether the president tried to interfere with the inquiry, found no evidence of a conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign and offered no verdict on obstruction of justice. Mueller did find, however, that Trump made numerous attempts to interfere with the investigation but was largely foiled by those around him. In a series of tweets, Warren said it would be damaging to ``ignore a president's repeated efforts to obstruct an investigation into his own disloyal behavior'' and would give license to future presidents to act in the same way. 'Constitutional duty' ``The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty. That means the House should initiate impeachment proceedings against the president of the United States,'' Warren, a senator from Massachusetts, tweeted. Other 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, while supportive of the idea of impeachment, were more circumspect in their responses. Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro said Friday on CNN that it would be ``perfectly reasonable for Congress to open up those proceedings.'' Both Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington and Rep. Eric Swalwell of California said the question of impeachment should not be taken off the table. Other Democratic candidates, including Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California, indicated it was too soon to initiate impeachment proceedings. ``We don't have an unredacted version of the report. We don't have the underlying materials that that report was written upon. We haven't had yet an opportunity to have hearings where we interview Mueller,'' Booker said during a campaign stop in Reno, Nevada. Harris was asked Thursday night on MSNBC to comment on House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's remarks that impeachment hearings against Trump would not be ``worthwhile'' because the 2020 election is coming up and voters can decide if they want to keep Trump in office. ``I think that's there definitely a conversation to be had on that subject,'' Harris said, referring to impeachment, ``but first I want to hear from Bob Mueller and really understand what exactly is the evidence that supports the summary that we've been given.'' Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., said the best recourse for Trump's actions as president would be to vote him out. ``If we really want to send Trumpism into the history books, the best thing we can do is defeat it decisively at the ballot box in 2020,'' Buttigieg said on NBC's Late Night with Seth Meyers. Small donkeys, often called burros in Arizona, may look cute, but they are a big problem for locals both people and animals. Not native to Arizona, feral burros are causing real damage to the habitat, trampling vegetation, fouling water sources and competing with native wildlife for limited forage. Daria Dieguts traveled to the small town of Oatman to learn more. Columbine High School is holding a memorial Saturday at a nearby park to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the mass shooting at the school that left 13 people dead. The school, which is outside Denver, Colorado, has also organized a day of community service projects for current students on Saturday, the culmination of three days of commemorative events to remember the tragedy, which at the time was the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. The memorials began on Thursday night with a religious service, followed by a community vigil on Friday. Former Columbine Principal Frank DeAngelis told survivors and families of the victims gathered at Waterstone Community Church on Thursday, The most lasting tribute we can make to the 13 we remember tonight is to make the world a better place than what it was when they departed. Columbine survivor Patrick Ireland said, Our innocence was stolen. How can that ever be repaid? Twenty years ago, on April 20, 1999, two heavily-armed students at Columbine went on a shooting rampage, killing 12 classmates and a teacher, and wounding more than 20 others, before turning their guns on themselves. The mass shooting has earned a dangerous mythology, evidenced this week by a manhunt for a teenage woman allegedly obsessed with the 1999 shooting. The teenager traveled from her home in Florida to Colorado and immediately bought the same kind of weapon used by one of the Columbine shooters, prompting dozens of area schools to close. Authorities found the womans body on Wednesday in the mountains outside Denver, after she took her own life. Columbine was the first major school shooting in the United States and it shocked the nation. Nearly a dozen mass shootings have taken place at schools or universities since Columbine, including one at Virginia Tech in 2007 that left 32 people dead, and another at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 that killed 26 people, most of them children. Columbine remained the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history until the attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018 that left 17 dead. On Thursday, Zimbabwe marked the anniversary of its 1980 independence from Britain. The anniversary coincides with efforts to heal the wounds brought on by state-sanctioned massacres in the 1980s. Some 20,000 people were massacred during the presidency of Robert Mugabe, human rights organizations say. One of the most affected areas is Tsholotsho, a rural district about 600 kilometers southwest of the capital, Harare. There, people are opening up about reburial efforts and requesting compensation from the government. Local resident Melwa Ngwenya says a recent decision by President Emmerson Mnangagwas administration to allow victims in shallow or mass graves to be reburied is not cause for celebration on this Independence Day. Ngwenya says his son was beaten to death during the massacres when Mnangagwa was state security minister. The killings were known as Gukurahundi. According to Ngwenya, the army assaulted his son, Sibangani, who died along with eight others in February 1983. They were buried in a shallow grave about five kilometers from the family home. I dont usually come to this place, Ngwenya said, standing at Sibanganis grave site. For the pain and sorrow to go, I have to be given something to console me. A two-bedroom house will console my spirit that, yes, my son died. Gukurahundi debate Under Mugabes rule, people were persecuted for discussing the massacres, and reburial of the victims was prohibited. On the eve of Independence Day, his successor, Mnangagwa, said that citizens were now free to talk about Gukurahundi. The question of Gukurahundi personally, I dont see anything wrong [with] debating it in newspapers, on television, the president said on state TV. Actually, its critical that we have that debate. Some of the issues couldve been resolved a long time back. ... Gukurahundi has nothing to do with other people. It is an internal matter which has happened among us Zimbabweans, which we must discuss among ourselves. But Ngwenya, still grieving for his son, is skeptical. He is not sincere, the 80-year-old said of the president. He is blindfolding us. He is trying to silence us because we want compensation. I want to have a place to mourn my son, he said, saying it should be a permanent structure, something to stay in. Calling for compensation, Ngwenya added, If he {Mnangagwa] cares about our cries and if the government cares about us and has sympathy, it must build me at least a two-bedroom house. Only half of the issue The rights organization Ibhetshu Likazulu has been vocal in calling for addressing the Gukurahundi issue. The group's secretary, Mbuso Fuzwayo, says Mnangagwa has to deal with more than just allowing people to discuss the massacres and reburials openly. It is not those who are in mass or shallow graves who are going to be buried. Everyone will have peace when he knows where his father, daughter, son is lying, Fuzwayo said. Mnangagwa doesnt talk about women who were raped. He is talking about half of what happened. Gukurahundi is complex. Now it remains to be seen if the government has the will and funds to accommodate the peoples demands on Gukurahundi. ATAC had predicted opening of Spagna metro station in time for Easter in Rome. The three central metro stations on Rome's Metro A line - Repubblica, Barberini and Spagna - will remain closed for Easter, despite recent reports to the contrary. The three stations, all closed due to malfunctioning escalators, are now not expected to open until some time after 1 May, following this year's so-called "super ponte" holiday period from Easter to Labour Day, with Festa della Liberazione in between. In recent days the city's public transport company ATAC had predicted Spagna would be open in time for the holiday, but this was denied by Italy's transport ministry which said it was still waiting on documentation from ATAC, according to Italian news agency ANSA. The decision to shut Spagna on 23 March was taken because its escalators are of the same type as Barberini station whose escalator system collapsed on 21 March, while Repubblica station has been closed since 23 October when dozens of people were injured after the escalator accelerated suddenly. ATAC has organised substitute shuttle buses in the central areas affected however many traders in the centre say the closures have resulted in a 50 per cent loss of revenue. Currently commuters travelling from Termini must pass through three closed metro stations before being able to get out at Flaminio. To wit: The Russians tried to steal the election. Some members of his campaign were happy to help. The president wanted to protect Michael Flynn. The president wanted to kill the special counsel investigation. The president materially and significantly tampered with witnesses to that investigation. The president lied and told others to lie. Still, there he is, bouncing around the cafeteria during lunch at Anacostia High, greeting every friend, teacher and acquaintance he encounters with a grin and an embrace. His feet cant help but leave the ground when he runs into one of his closest friends a group the friends call NGB, which stands for Never Going Back. He says when someone is down, he wants to be the one to help pull them back up. Measles is a viral infection that is easily spread to unvaccinated people through coughing, sneezing and secretions from the mouth, according to state health officials. The virus may remain in the air for up to two hours, officials said. Residents are urged to ensure their families have been vaccinated for measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Butina, 30, the first Russian national convicted of seeking to influence American policy in the run-up to the 2016 election as an undeclared agent of a foreign government, cooperated after pleading guilty in December, and prosecutors said their recommendation made Friday night had already accounted for a six-month reduction for cooperation under a plea deal. D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham said an officer riding a bicycle was flagged down by a person who had heard gunshots inside the home. He said police found the teenager with multiple wounds. Nevertheless, she denied that she possessed any authority or was, in fact, the power behind the Serbian strongmans throne. Still, enigmatic as always, she once remarked that men have been saying and doing what they like for centuries, and look where that has got us. Breon Austin of the Park View neighborhood was shot shortly after 4 p.m. in the 700 block of Princeton Place, D.C. police said. An officer riding a bicycle was flagged down by a person who had heard the gunshots in the home, and the teen was inside with multiple gunshot wounds, police said. A few other people were also inside. Its okay if you walk around [but] when you bring your dog and desecrate our sacred lands, it would be the same thing as if you were to pee on the White House lawn, Edgerton said. Not only are you taking our homes, but you are also changing our rules, so that we cannot be free to do what weve been doing since 1867. The purpose of this institution was to give people who did not have an opportunity before an opportunity. When people come onto campus and disrespect that ideology, of course students are going to be angry. Making cascarones is not a task born of whims. It requires planning. You have to crack the eggs so that only a quarter-size piece is taken off the top. The shells then have to be emptied, rinsed and left to dry. Only then are they decorated, filled with confetti (or glitter by people who dont care whether others curse at them) and sealed with a small, circular piece of tissue paper. Kawasaki, which is building Metros latest generation of rail cars, the 7000-series, is in the final phase of delivering the 748 cars it is constructing under that contract. It is building them in Nebraska. It is not expected to compete for the 8000-series because it is so busy with the New York MTA contract, according to Metro officials. (CNN) In the small village of Gaibao, locals are filming short videos of their unspoiled and idyllic countryside on the Kwai streaming app. One clip shows four young women laughing as they grab fat fish out of the rice fields with their hands. In another they don traditional outfits and stand next to an ox plowing a paddy field. "Do you all have a farm such as this?" the caption asks. Their short videos are a small part of a massive nationwide attempt to lift all of China's 1.4 billion people out of poverty by 2020 a goal which President Xi Jinping set in a speech in 2015. The Chinese government defines poverty as earning less than $416 (2,800 yuan) a year or around $1.10 a day a lower benchmark than the World Bank poverty line of $1.90 a day, or just under $700 a year. Beijing has dispatched about 775,000 party officials to drive the anti-poverty campaign. Many are going door-to-door to work out what the government can do to help. Those who fail in their missions to alleviate poverty could face career oblivion, according to state media. The idea to stream videos of the village came from Gaibao's chief poverty alleviation official, Wu Yusheng, and has helped the town, in the province of Guizhou, sell its organic produce online. Residents also receive virtual gifts from fans via the app, which they can exchange for cash. Wu, who arrived in the village in 2018, said he had already achieved his goal but it is unclear whether Xi will do the same. At worst, some experts fear the ruling Communist Party might just announce poverty has been eradicated, regardless of the reality, to avoid embarrassing Xi. "Local leaders are taking it extremely seriously, almost in a panicky way. Part of the problem is that they don't know really what to do, so they're kind of grasping at different solutions," said John Donaldson, a poverty expert and associate professor at Singapore Management University. "They're throwing everything at it." The campaign against poverty The dream of eradicating widespread poverty in China didn't begin with Xi. It dates back to the Communist Party's rise to power in 1949. "The reason for the existence of the Chinese Communist Party in the beginning is because of injustice and poverty among farmers," Donaldson said. Chairman Mao Zedong's economic experiments, however, actually set the country back, according to Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the University of London. "In 1949, Shanghai was still a richer city than Hong Kong. In 1949, any coastal province was richer and more developed than Taiwan. In 1979, Hong Kong and Taiwan were way, way ahead," Tsang said. Mao's disastrous Great Leap Forward, beginning in 1958, was ostensibly an attempt to transform a mainly agrarian society through industrialization and collectivization. Instead, it helped create a famine that cost tens of millions of lives and aggravated poverty across the country. Things began to change after Mao's death. In 1978, then-paramount leader Deng Xiaoping began liberalizing China's economy and one of his first reforms was to let struggling farmers sell excess produce to make a profit. China's efforts to combat poverty since then have been staggering. In 1990, there were more than 750 million people living in poverty across the nation, according to the World Bank -- over 60% of the population. Almost 30 years later in 2019, Beijing says that number has dropped to just 16.6 million. One of the Community Party's main claims to power in recent years has been that it has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty. Perhaps for that reason, Xi still isn't satisfied. Despite the growing wealth of China's major cities such as Shanghai or Beijing, parts of rural China live without electricity, fresh water and adequate food or clothing. In his 2015 speech, Xi said he was inspired to make poverty a priority by his experience working in the countryside in the 1960s when his father, a prominent party official, fell from favor during Mao's Cultural Revolution. "I toiled with the villagers at the time, with the aim to make life a bit better, but it was harder than reaching the sky in that year," he said. Roads, internet and jobs The government's plan is broadly divided into two strategies big national policies and small local interventions. At a national level, the policies revolve around infrastructure spending. Xi's administration is pouring billions of dollars into the problem, $19 billion in 2019 alone, which has been spent on a variety of projects and initiatives across the country. More than 200,000 kilometers (124,274 miles) of roads were built or renovated in 2018 and 94% of poor villages were connected to the internet, according to government figures. Dozens of state-owned enterprises have joined the campaign and poured more than $4 billion (30 billion yuan) into poverty relief programs as of early 2019, according to state media. Some of these big-ticket projects have sparked controversy. A number of provincial governments have been accused of trying to simply move millions of poor people to newly built urban accommodation to raise them out of poverty. Some older rural citizens have refused to go, while others have moved but then returned to their old homes. Maggie Lau, a professor at Hong Kong's Lingnan University, said such schemes aren't always pragmatic. "If they move to a higher-cost area, how can they afford those new living costs?" she asks. But to a large degree, the anti-poverty campaign is small-scale and has been left in the hands of local officials. "Every local official on a township level (one above a village) goes down to every poor household and tries to find out what's going on and why people are poor and how to apply resources to that," Donaldson said, describing his observations in Chinese villages. The solutions proposed vary wildly but often focus on encouraging villagers to lift themselves out of poverty by developing local industries, engaging in e-commerce and boosting rural tourism. While Donaldson said the effort expended was "amazing," problems emerged with government officials spending too much time just knocking on doors talking about poverty rather than tackling local problems. "The danger is that it will be a confused mess," he said. There has also been a lack of patience with poor villagers who fail to get with the program. In a report in February, Wu Weihua, a vice chairman of the national legislature, complained that some people just don't want to "get rich(http://www.npc.gov.cn/npc/xinwen/2019-02/26/content_2072766.htm)." "Some poor people even have the mindset of, 'You don't help, I don't move'," the report said. Corruption and pollution Failure is not tolerated and the government is watching where its money is being spent. In March 2018, a provincial governor was kicked out of the Communist Party, partly for his failure to address poverty in his jurisdiction. In October that year, inspections were carried out in provinces across central and western China to check that officials were following orders on poverty alleviation. The flood of government and company funds allocated to deal with the issue has also revived the ever-present threat of corruption. More than 170,000 individuals were disciplined in 2018 alone for misappropriation of poverty alleviation funds, according to the party's anti-graft agency Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. There have also been signs that the government's laser-like focus on poverty is impeding another of its main goals -- environmental conservation. A 2015 research paper found evidence that work by the government to eradicate poverty by boosting the economy was lowering air and water quality in affected regions. Heavily polluting industries were encouraged to set up shop, bringing jobs and prosperity at the expense of the environment. Or natural resources were exploited for financial gain. "Economic growth, poverty alleviation and ecological degradation do not appear to have de-coupled as required for long-term sustainable use of the environment, especially with regards to food security and access to clean water," the joint British and Chinese study said. Some critics also note that the government has focused mainly on poverty in the countryside rather than in cities, ignoring less severe but still-pressing urban hardship. 'Absolutely confident' Wu, the Guizhou village poverty alleviation chief, said he was "absolutely confident" the 2020 goal could be met. "The government is doing everything to achieve that. And on the micro level, the targeting of poverty population is really precise. It's not a problem if the entire society is making an effort," he said. But experts and international observers say China's poverty goals achieve the bare minimum -- more work will be needed in the cities and the countryside to ensure everyone enjoys a high quality of life. Qin Gao, director of Columbia University's China Center for Social Policy, said in a 2018 report that broader government support for healthcare and employment would be more useful than initiatives on an individual basis or e-commerce measures. "Only a combination of effective development measures and social policies and services can help China eradicate persisting rural poverty in the long run," she said. But Donaldson said that even if the target is met in 2020, he didn't believe the government would just abandon poverty as an issue. "Any kind of responsible government would be focused on how you help improve the living standards of people who may not be poor but are still struggling," he said. "I expect that to be on the agenda of the party forever." This story was first published on CNN.com, "Xi Jinping is determined to end all poverty in China by 2020. Can he do it?" The instructor was recounting the story of a teenage patient who had been given an incorrect diagnosis by a doctor in training a breach of hospital protocol that had caused an uproar. The lecture, aimed at new staff members, emphasized the importance of working within the chain of command. The girls actual diagnosis was largely beside the point except to Ho. It just takes a computer and some free time to participate in the project, which is led by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Researchers estimate that without the help of the public, theyd miss out on nearly 30 percent of the sea lions. It may take years to determine just what is happening with the Steller sea lion population but the answers that do arise will be thanks to public involvement in the project. They were arrested in January 2018 after one of their children a 17-year-old girl escaped from the familys home by climbing out a window, then called 911. Three of the siblings were chained to their beds when police arrived at the familys house in Perris. Ex-N.C. governor says man beat his car with tree limb: A man attacked former governor Pat McCrory's car with a tree limb in Charlotte, McCrory said Thursday on his WBT radio show. McCrory said he stopped his car Wednesday to let a man walk through a crosswalk. "He turned toward me, and he starting cussing and yelling at me," McCrory said on the show. "And I think he banged on the hood of my car. And I said, 'This is interesting.' " McCrory said he realized the man had a big stick in his hand. "A huge stick a limb. A huge limb that's taller than he is and he is a big man." Trump - They Were All Lying A dear friend the other day accused me of defending Trump. I dont, and never have, but it made me think that if she says it, probably others say and think the same; Ive written a lot about him. So let me explain once again. Though I think perhaps this has reached a youre either with us or against us level. What I noticed, and have written a lot about, during and since the 2016 US presidential campaign, is that the media, both in the US and abroad, started making up accusations against Trump from scratch. This included the collusion with Russia accusation that led to the Mueller probe. There was never any proof of the accusation, which is why the conclusion of the probe was No Collusion. I started writing this yesterday while awaiting the presentation of the Mueller report, but it wouldnt have mattered one way or the other: the accusation was clear, and so was the conclusion. Even if some proof were found though other means going forward, it would still make no difference: US media published over half a million articles on the topic, and not one of them was based on any proof. If that proof had existed, Mueller would have found and used it. And sure, Trump may not be a straight shooter, there may be all kinds of illegal activity going on in his organization, but that doesnt justify using the collusion accusation for a 2-year long probe. If Trump is guilty of criminal acts, he should be investigated for that, not for some made-up narrative. Its dangerous. Axios report[ed] that since May 2017, exactly 533,074 web articles have been published about Russia and Trump-Mueller, which in turn have generated 245 million interactions including likes, comments and shares on Twitter and Facebook. From January 20, 2017 (Inauguration Day) through March 21, 2019 (the last night before special counsel Robert Mueller sent his report to the attorney general), the ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts produced a combined 2,284 minutes of collusion coverage, most of it (1,909 minutes) following Muellers appointment on May 17, 2017, MRC reports What the Mueller report says is that 500,000 articles about collusion, and 245 million social media interactions in their wake, were written without any proof whatsoever (or Mueller would have used that proof). That doesnt mean they may not have been true, or that they cant be found to be true in the future, it means there was no proof when they were published. They Were All Lying. The same goes for the Steele dossier. It holds zero proof of collusion between Trumps team and Russia. Or Mueller would have used that proof. New York Times, Washington Post, Guardian, CNN: they all had zero proof when they published, not a thing. Or Mueller would have used that proof. Rachel Maddows near nightly collusion rants: no proof. Or Mueller would have used that proof. That there is no proof also means there has never been any proof. Why that is important, and how important it is, is something were very clearly seeing in the case concerning Julian Assange. That, too, is based on made-up stories. I suggested a few days ago in the Automatic Earth comment section that the advent of the internet, and social media in particular, has greatly facilitated the power of repetition: say something often enough and few people will be able to resist the idea that it must be true. Or at least some of it. If you look at the amount of time people spend in their Facebook, the power of repetition becomes obvious. 245 million social media interactions. On top of half a million articles. How were people supposed to believe, in the face of such a barrage, that there never was any collusion? Or that Assange is squeaky clean, both in person and in his alleged involvement in the collusion? There is only one way to counter all this: for people like me to keep pointing it out, and to hope that at least a few people pick it up. That has nothing to do with defending Trump. It has to do with defending my own sanity and that of my readers. Of course it would have been easier, and undoubtedly more profitable, to go with the flow and load on more suspicions, allegations and accusations. All those media made a mint doing it, and the Automatic Earth might have too. But that is not why we are here. The Democrats, and the media sympathetic to them, now have seamlessly shifted their attention from Collusion to Obstruction. Which leads to a bit of both interesting and humorous logic: No Collusion? No Obstruction. The Mueller probe would never have happened if it had been clear there was no collusion. But everyone and their pet hamster were saying there was. And there was the Steele dossier, heavily promoted by John McCain and John Brennan. Neither of whom had any proof of collusion. The obstruction the anti-Trumpers are now aiming their arrows at consists of Trump allegedly wanting to fire Mueller and/or stopping an investigation that should never have been instigated into a collusion that never existed and was based on a smear campaign. And now they want to impeach him for that? For attempting to stop the country wasting its resources and halt an investigation into nothing at all? Know what I hope? That theyll call on Mueller to testify in a joint session of Senate and Congress and that Rand Paul gets to ask him to address this tweet of his: Rand Paul: BREAKING: A high-level source tells me it was Brennan who insisted that the unverified and fake Steele dossier be included in the Intelligence Report Brennan should be asked to testify under oath in Congress ASAP. And why Mueller refused to go talk to Assange, who offered actual evidence that no Russians were involved. Or how about these stonkers: Undoubtedly there is collusion, Adam Schiff said. We will continue to investigate the counterintelligence issues. That is, is the president or people around him compromised? It doesnt appear that was any part of Muellers report. Preet Bharara: Its clear that Bob Mueller found substantial evidence of obstruction. Therell never be such a joint session, the Democrats want to play a home game in Congress. So there will have to be a separate session in the Senate. No doubt that will happen. Trump was right about one thing (well, two): 1) A special Counsel fcuks up a presidency, and 2) this should never happen to another president again. Not that I have any faith in Capitol Hill, mind you. Because they will agree, and they will agree on one thing only, as Philip Giraldi stipulates once more: Rumors of War Washington Is Looking for a Fight [..] even given all of the horrific decisions being made in the White House, there is one organization that is far crazier and possibly even more dangerous. That is the United States Congress, which is, not surprisingly, a legislative body that is viewed positively by only 18 per cent of the American people. A current bill originally entitled the Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act (DASKA) of 2019, is numbered S-1189. It has been introduced in the Senate which will require the Secretary of State to determine whether the Russian Federation should be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism and whether Russian-sponsored armed entities in Ukraine should be designated as foreign terrorist organizations. And that brings us back to Robert Muellers investigation into hot air, which, while it entirely eviscerates even the notion of collusion, still contains accusations against Julian Assange and the Russians. Why does he leave those in, when there was no collusion? Its dead simple. Because unlike accusations against Trump, he doesnt have to prove them. Which is why I will not stop saying, as I first did some 10 weeks ago, that Robert Mueller Is A Coward And A Liar. Again, this has nothing to do with defending Trump, its about defending and maintaining my own sanity and yours, and the rule of law. As I said back then about Mueller refusing to talk to Assange, and James Comey in 2017 making sure the DOJ didnt either : Every single American should be alarmed by this perversion of justice. Nothing to do with what you think of Trump, or of Assange. The very principles of the system are being perverted, including, but certainly not limited to, its deepest core, that of every individuals right to defend themselves. Just so Robert Mueller can continue his already failed investigation into collusion that has shown no such thing, and which wouldnt have been started 20 months ago if we knew then what we know now. Get off your Trump collusion hobby-horse, that quest has already died regardless, and start defending the legal system and the Constitution. Because if you dont, whats to keep the next Robert Mueller from going after you, or someone you like or love? Its in everyones interest to demand that these proceedings like all legal proceedings- are conducted according to the law, but in Muellers hands, they are not. And that should be a much bigger worry than whether or not you like or dislike a former game-show host. Ive said this before as well: Ill always defend Julian Assange, but I wont defend Donald Trump. Is that clear now? By Raul Ilargi Meijer Website: http://theautomaticearth.com (provides unique analysis of economics, finance, politics and social dynamics in the context of Complexity Theory) 2019 Copyright Raul I Meijer - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. Raul Ilargi Meijer Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Doctor slain in attack at Congo Ebola hospital: Attackers stormed a hospital at the epicenter of Congo's Ebola outbreak and killed "a dear colleague," the head of the World Health Organization said as he condemned the latest violence against workers trying to contain the virus. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted that others were wounded in the Friday attack in the eastern city of Butembo. Airstrikes and explosions hit Libyan capital: Several airstrikes and explosions shook the Libyan capital, Tripoli, overnight Saturday, residents said, in an escalation of a two-week offensive by eastern forces on the city held by the internationally recognized government. A Reuters reporter and several residents said that they saw an aircraft circling for more than 10 minutes over the capital late Saturday and that it made a humming sound before opening fire on various areas. An aircraft was heard again after midnight, circling for more than 10 minutes before a heavy explosion shook the ground. Residents counted several missile strikes, one of which apparently hit a military camp of forces loyal to Tripoli in the Sabaa district in the south of the capital, scene of the heaviest fighting between the rival forces. Authorities closed Tripoli's only functioning airport, cutting air links to a city of an estimated 2.5 million. No doubt the House shares responsibility for the procedural problems on the final night, but that doesnt explain or excuse why, if this bill was so important to Mr. Zirkin, he waited until the very last minute to try to get it approved. The House took early action, but the legislation sat for weeks in Mr. Zirkins committee, curiously delayed. Annapolis insiders say the best way to kill a bill without having to accept responsibility is to wait until the last moment. This is not the first time Mr. Zirkin has been called to account for slow-walking legislation; most notorious were the shenanigans surrounding repeal of Marylands law granting parental rights to rapists. Then theres an issue the Traced Act wouldnt solve: the telemarketers and others using real numbers who also cause consumers a headache. Some of these are clear violations of the Do Not Call Registry. Others come from debt collectors, political parties and others who are exempt from those rules but who still are not supposed to dial Americans en masse without their express consent. Many of these pests get away with it because of an outdated definition of an auto-dialer. A court ruled that the Obama-era FCCs attempt to beef up the standard was overbroad; the current FCC has sought comment on the question, but advocates worry the loopholes will become only larger. Congress has an opportunity to step in here, too, with a definition such as the one Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) offers in a House bill. What ought to worry his opponents even more: The man is lucky. All the schemers, crackpots and opportunists drifting through Trumps ragtag campaign the Michael Cohens, the Roger Stones, the Steve Bannons, the Jerome Corsis, the Paul Manaforts try as they might, could not mire him in a prosecutable felony. Even Trump appears to have figured that this team of jamokes would be his doom. How else to explain his reported initial reaction to the Mueller appointment as special counsel: Im . . . well, you know. This cannot be true. As the leader of a multinational corporation with factories spread across China, he must know of the atrocity unfolding in Xinjiang. His comment is abhorrent, and just as disturbing is the possibility that his remarks reflect ambivalence by SAIC Volkswagen about the treatment of the Uighurs and others. Has this joint venture, formed in 1984, soon after Chinas reform era began, been looking the other way as China extinguishes the customs and mind-set of a whole population? China has vigorously attempted to cover up the concentration camps in Xinjiang in the past few months. Eyewitnesses and experts report that, in addition to the camps, Xinjiang has been turned into a laboratory for using surveillance to closely monitor the population so as to quickly smother any signs of dissent. A large company such as SAIC Volkswagen must not remain indifferent to the concentration camps, and certainly a chief executive from Germany should not pretend they dont exist. Lets sidestep how it got started. Instead of tracking down instigators, how about giving thought to those who are keeping it going? Culprits can be found at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, from the White House to Capitol Hill. A principal contributor to public unseemliness, however, is the one who should be bringing the country together: the president of the United States, Donald Trump. Medications such as suboxone and methadone allow people with an opioid-use disorder (addiction) to replace high-risk opioid use with safer, medication-assisted therapy or treatment, while naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids and can be administered either orally or via a monthly injection known as Vivitrol. Naloxone (or the brand name Narcan), which is better-known, provides a lifesaving response in the case of an overdose, reversing the opioids effects and saving countless lives. These approaches, however, are too frequently criticized by the abstinence community and some segments of the general public for not being a permanent solution or simply replacing one addiction with another. The April 14 editorial Cause for applause, not an apology criticized the Fairfax County Public Schools regret over the display of student artwork depicting a caricature of a Jewish man holding a money bag. Given that the students stated intent was to cast stereotypes in an ironic light, the editorial opined that an explanation of the pictures context should have been sufficient to smooth anybodys ruffled feelings. This dismissive approach failed to account for the gut-wrenching impact of such crude anti-Semitic images on members of the Jewish community. Nor am I arguing that you must like your enemy. Speaking of Jesus, King said in his sermon: Its significant that he does not say, Like your enemy. Like is a sentimental something, an affectionate something. There are a lot of people that I find it difficult to like. You can act out of love by which I mean to will the good of another without feeling warm affection. My Harvard colleague Danielle Allen, a political theorist, has persuasively argued to me that this is more or less what Aristotle meant when he exhorted people to exhibit politike philia political friendship. Because the United States 18th-century founders were rational, empirical, inquisitive pursuers of evidence-based improvement, they placed in the Constitutions second section after the preamble a requirement for a census. And the 14th Amendment stipulates the required actual enumeration, every 10 years, of the whole number of people residing in the country. From 1820 (when Congress wanted foreigners not naturalized to be counted) through 1950, the census almost always included a citizenship question, and in 2018 Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross decided that the 2020 short-form questionnaire, the one that goes to every household, should include one. Ross has testified that he was responding solely to a Justice Department request for the question to provide data helpful to enforcement of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965. I was disturbed to read in the April 19 news article Findings and insights from the report the statement that [Robert S. Mueller IIIs team] noted that an agreement requires two parties taking actions informed by or responsive to the others actions or interests. That leaves the impression that the two parties, the Trump campaign and Russia, did not take actions informed by or responsive to each other when in fact the report goes on to detail the exact opposite. On its face, the Mueller report revealed damning details of Trumps attempts to interfere in a federal investigation and his campaigns multiple contacts with Russian officials, some of whom sought to help him in the 2016 election. But rather than the end of my presidency an outcome Trump had predicted upon Muellers appointment the political impact of the reports release is uncertain, and it is unlikely to trigger his impeachment. For instance: President Andrew Johnson, who was the first president to be impeached, was charged with firing one of his Cabinet members in defiance of a law that said he needed the Senates permission. He was also charged with, in essence, insulting Congress. One article of impeachment accused Johnson of scandalous harangues about legislators, made with a loud voice. Sanders might end up winning crowded contests with 35 percent of the vote or less, explained then-adviser Mark Longabaugh, one of several to make presentations. Once the dust settled, Sanders would have to offer his hand to Democratic leaders hed clashed with and consolidate the party behind him. The senator, in typical fashion, listened intently with a poker face in the private meeting, according to three attendees who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity. He said nothing, keeping whatever thoughts he had on the matter to himself. If we truly care about this if were going to offer up our thoughts and prayers again, for God knows how many times, with a truly clean conscience then we have to do something about the easy accessibility of weapons of war on our streets to people who have no business wielding them, he said in a written statement after three people were killed at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. The Interior Ministry said four civilians and three members of the security forces were dead, along with four attackers. At least a dozen people were reported injured. The minister of telecommunications gave a higher count for the civilian deaths, saying at least five ministry employees had been killed. The militant women have targeted health staff and aid workers, calling them infidels. In one case cited by an aid official, they threw excrement at a man extracting sewage from a latrine in the camp annex hosting foreigners. Some women also have used the sharp edges of tuna cans to cut into tents and attack others, including those who have expressed regret about joining the caliphate. Prince spoke to Muellers team at least twice, in April and May 2018, under a proffer agreement, according to the special counsels report. That suggests he may have believed he could be charged with crimes. A proffer usually allows a witness to testify to certain facts with the understanding that his statements cant be used against him by the prosecutor questioning him. I do think its a component of the special counsels thinking that if he had gone that direction, he was well aware of the fact that the Department of Justices view would be and the attorney generals decision would be to overrule it, and that is not a desirable place for the country to be, Ray said. Im sure the attorney general didnt appreciate the fact that he was put in the position of having to resolve the matter either, but given those two choices, I think it was better to have left it unresolved and have the attorney general take it from there. Trumps call with Hifter pretty much undermines seven or eight years of U.S. policy, including during Trumps first two years, said Ben Fishman, who served as director for Libya at the National Security Council during the Obama administration. Our policy was to support a U.N.-backed peace process. By describing Hifter as a counterterrorism partner and someone who would protect the oil fields, Fishman said, it sure sounds to me that [Trump] is playing favorites. Arguably no country outside Brazil has been affected as badly as Peru. Four of the countrys previous presidents, including Garcia, have been implicated. The freeze on Odebrechts extensive operations here, meanwhile, is thought to have slashed GDP growth by as much as 1.5 percent. When this failed, Jack and Jill felt that as everyone in the community knew their story they should move to the other side of Victoria so their daughter, Jane, could have a fresh start without people knowing her disadvantaged background. Sometime in 2017 - after a child abuse awareness team visited the small country school - two grade five and six girls came forward to say they had heard a much younger girl say something about "Dad" that would indicate she may be the victim of repeated sexual assault in her own home. This girl was identified as our daughter although no one is really sure of the exact details, surname unknown, grade not sure and there are three other children at the school who share the same Christian name. Nevertheless, police decide to run with it and so starts our experience as alleged offenders. After all, it was an Aboriginal girl in foster care with ex-police parents. What risk-averse police wouldnt run with it? says Jack. Loading There are hundreds of shameful cases where children in care have been abused and left in danger when there was ample evidence they were at risk. Catholic cops covered up for predatory priests and no one seemed to check up what was happening in care facilities. When one kid jumped the wall and went to the local station to report he had been raped, the sergeant cuffed him over the ear, called him a liar and sent him back. And so when an allegation like this is made, it needs to be thoroughly - but fairly - investigated. One day nearly two years ago, the principal at Janes* private school rang Jill to inform her that police had contacted him to say they were investigating a complaint of serious sexual assault against a student and while they could not clearly identify the alleged victim, believed it could be her daughter. Nine days later - a ridiculously long time if the child was in the care of a paedophile - they contacted the Hills. Any chance of conciliation was quickly replaced by confrontation in that one phone call. The police officer dealing with the complaint demanded the Hills bring their little girl in for a formal Visual and Audio Recording of Evidence (VARE). The parents knew that was not the usual first step and Jill asked, and was refused, details of the alleged crime. According to Jill, the officer referred to her daughter by the wrong name and was vague about how they had concluded that Jane was the person in question. Although a more informal initial process (known as a disclosure interview) is the usual model the investigator pushed the VARE process, even threatening to hit the Hills with a protection order which would have resulted in them losing Jane. The Hills suggested police come to their home and interview Jane in familiar and less intimidating surroundings. Police contacted the school to find personal details, including the names of Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) case workers - details that could have been provided by the parents, who had already indicated they would co-operate fully. Eventually police said they would interview Jane in the family home and DHHS had been notified and could have chosen to be present during the interview. The police did interview Jane, while the parents remained outside the house. After the interview police told the parents there had been a complaint that a child had been heard making a disclosure of a sexual nature at a school function but after talking to Jane they now knew it wasnt her. Loading Case closed, you would think - but then DHHS workers rolled up late and insisted on questioning Jane again, exacerbating [her] distress. They advised that no further action would be taken by their office as [Jane] clearly did not make the disclosure. One of the case workers said as they were about to leave the property: "Thank you for your time guys and, yeah, we wont be around again. Surely that was the end. Think again. More than a month later child protection workers turned up at the school, Jane was dragged from class, her parents were not informed and she was interviewed by strangers for 40 minutes (the third such interview), this time leaving her in tears. She was asked leading questions on an allegation that had already been dismissed weeks earlier, says Jack. We once believed we could give a child in need a safe and loving home. We now feel we are constantly defending ourselves. "We are an ordinary family. We are law-abiding. We truly believed foster care was something we should do. The school issued a half-baked apology and after much urging, the child protection authorities conducted a review. Eventually the Hills received the following, signed by the operations manager of child protection: An internal review of the investigation carried out in respect to [Jane] found that usual process was not followed. "I apologise for the length of time taken to conclude this investigation and the decision not to seek your prior consent to interview [Jane] at school. I am sorry for any distress caused to you and your family as a result of this. "This matter is the subject of a practice review to better understand why our processes broke down and how the actions of individual staff may have contributed to this. In another letter they were told: I am writing to advise you that following the completion of a child protective investigation into concerns that had been expressed in relation to the care of [Jane], Child Protection will not continue to be involved with your family. "I recognise that the process of Child Protection involvement can be difficult and regret any distress that this may have caused. A woman has come forward claiming that a ring which she lost about 30 years ago is among 900 pieces of jewellery recently recovered by WA Police. Police have been flooded with calls and emails from the public since they seized about 900 items of suspected stolen jewellery in the heart of the city several weeks ago. Police have allegedly seized around 900 items of stolen jewellery from a Perth jeweller. Credit:ninevms Approximately 100 people have contacted police so far about the jewellery haul. Incredibly, one woman has come forward claiming that a ring which she lost in Kalgoorlie three decades ago is among the 900 pieces of jewellery recovered. Loading Vasse Felix Tom Cullity - $180 The first winery in the now world-famous wine region was Vasse Felix, whose owner Tom Cullity chose cabernet and malbec among his first plantings in 1967 based on extensive research by Dr John Gladstones. Dr Gladstones' government-commissioned research paper found the region's Mediterranean-style climate similar to famed Bordeaux and ideal for growing cabernet. Three years ago, Vasse replaced its now defunct Heytsebury range with a pricier, more premium cabernet - the Tom Cullity. Winemaker Virginia Willcock said at a recent tasting vineyard sub-plots from the estate's original plantings were given Gran-Cru type care and status. She said she believed similar releases of new flagship wines at fellow pioneers Cullen and Voyager in recent years had come at the right time for the region, with the world now awake to the gloriously elegant and bright cabernet grown there. Vasse Felix owner Paul Holmes a Court said the impact of Margaret River cabernet on the rest of Australia's wine regions and those around the world could not be understated. "Margaret River is one of the great wine regions of the world, and no doubt the very best in the world in terms of value for cabernet," he said. "The Tom Cullity is the very best cabernet we can produce ... we now have a bottle of wine that encompasses the very best of what we do at the winery, that we can take around the world and say, 'hey, this is as premium as Margaret River cabernet gets, what do you think?'" Voyager Estate MJW - $180 Previously called the Tom Price, Voyager changed the name of its new pinnacle red to MJW, after estate founder Michael John Wright. It was championed recently by daughter and winery owner Alex Burt at their 40th anniversary celebrations. The wine comes from a selection of the very best barrels from two vineyard blocks that formed part of the estate's original 1978 plantings and blended with a small component of estate-grown petit verdot for aromatic complexity. It is a masterclass in the great purity of fruit, texture, complexity and fine structure found in the very best plots of cabernet in the region. Cullen The Vanya - $500 The honour of WA's most expensive wine belongs to Cullen, who named their ultra-premium cabernet The Vanya ($500) after long-time winemaker and winery director Vanya Cullen. While the price sets a new benchmark for WA wine, it is more than reasonable on a global scale. Vanya Cullen with pre-eminent wine reviewer James Halliday, one of Margaret River's biggest fans. Credit:Fabian Haegele The wine is produced only in vintages where Vanya is satisfied with the fruit quality, and it is widely regarded by critics here and abroad as the very best example of WA cabernet. The first release of the Vanya in 2012 came with much fanfare but there was no vintage in 2013 or 2014, while the 2016 is about to arrive. With Cullen intent on the biodynamic and carbon neutral route, the wine reflects all of this and more; wild yeasts, no acid or malolactic culture and no fining, while the fruit is harvested on a full moon from the estate's most esteemed old-age vines. Fermentation is in 300-litre amphora vessels, which Ms Cullen believed added elegance to the tannin structure, while production is less than 1700 bottles. Cloudburst Cabernet - $350 The move by Margaret River's regional pioneers to create an icon wine well above $100 - most wines in Margaret River rarely fetch three figures - might also have been spurred by the arrival in Margaret River of laid back American Will Berliner. Berliner purchased a minuscule plot of land across the road from Cullen in 2004 with the intention of growing avocados, before he realised what he had. Will Berliner from Cloudburst has shaken up winemaking among the elite in Margaret River since his arrival. So he instead planted chardonnay, cabernet and malbec and sold them for upwards of $300, gaining cult status and raised eyebrows from many established surrounding wineries along the way. Berliner adopted biodynamic principles once he decided to stomp headfirst into winemaking, using cabernet cuttings from Cullen and Moss Wood that were closely planted to bring out the "inherent flavour of the land". His minimal intervention philosophy even determined the use of local Wandoo timber rather than the recommended arsenic-treated pine posts for trellising. While nearby winery Woodlands helped Will with the winemaking early on, the American has taken sole responsibility for the past three vintages while still cultivating his vineyard entirely by hand, including hand weeding and mulching. There's a lot of love and a lot of care and the result can be tasted in the pure cleanliness and ethereal complexity of the wines. "My aim from the start was to make the most exceptional wine possible. It was never about scale, nor about money, and so Cloudburst is driven by very different considerations than my neighbors," Berliner said. These new icon cabernets by Margaret River's pioneering wineries may be viewed by some as a response to Berliner beating them to it, but their releases are in line with the appreciation wine lovers around the world now have of the region, which produces more than 20 per cent of Australia's premium wine from only four per cent of its plantings. "By making these iconic cabernets, we are effectively building Margaret River into one of the great wine regions in the world ... effectively positioning us as one of the great wineries of the world," Vasse's Holmes a Court says. "The wines are befitting for a region that has surprised all and sundry with its capacity to continually gift winemakers with fruit that turns into some of the best cabernet in the world. In the past, this was known (quietly) as a death watch. Should a leader blunder so badly that his (or, once, her) partys campaign enters a fatal spiral, or, heaven forbid, one of them actually expired, youd want to be there to report it. But theres not much more point to what's become of this ritualised circus. Leaders and their campaign staffers - and particularly this time, Morrison and his people, because they are on the back foot - have become so risk-averse that journalists regularly find themselves on buses and planes without having a clue about the destination. When they actually arrive somewhere, the mushroom treatment continues. A press release is thrust into their hands and they have a few minutes to ask questions of the PM before the caravan moves on. Shortens campaign - so far - has been a bit more relaxed, largely because his travelling guardians figure Labor is leading by sufficient margin to allow a little rope. Shortens travelling comet of journalists get press releases the night before announcements are to be made, and reporters are even informed ahead of time where they are going. Loading They probably shouldnt get too comfortable. Once Easter and Anzac Day are over and these early days of the campaign and the phony arguments about billions squandered or saved or cut - all in the abstract future - are behind us, the Opposition Leader can expect scrutiny of his agenda to sharpen considerably, and campaign paranoia to heighten. Increasing control and secrecy have, of course, been the way of things through a series of leaders going all the way back to John Howard, and were elevated to an art form by Kevin Rudd in 2007. Having travelled on the planes and buses of campaigning leaders for 35 years, I have witnessed the inexorable development of media manipulation. I shudder to think how much all those excursions cost my various employers. All those planes, all those buses, all those hotel rooms and minibars. This time, Im staying away until the last week of the campaign. Prime Minister Scott Morrison gets on the media bus after visiting the Premium Fresh carrot farm near Forth, Tasmania. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer I no longer see the point, and as it happens, neither does The Age or The Sydney Morning Herald. Journalists from our papers travelled for the first few days, but they left the bus on Thursday. We will report the campaign in other, more worthwhile ways until the last, frantic week. My colleagues will weigh the policies and issues, and some of them will travel independently to the marginal seats that will decide the outcome of the election. And me? Im setting off alone on my motorbike to gauge the mood in far-flung rural electorates. Perhaps, of course, I am overplaying the part of a jaded old journo. The first time I got on the bus - which is to say, the first federal election campaign I physically followed - seemed tremendously exciting. The bus was a plane: a not very big BAC-111 jet operated by the RAAFs VIP wing. Opposition Leader Bob Hawke sat up the front with his minders and maybe 12 journalists piled in the back. As the only reporter on board from a regional newspaper (Albury's Border Morning Mail), I was awed by legends of the craft all around. Glory be, Michelle Grattan sat right opposite my seat. Bob Hawke in the VIP section of the BAC-111. Credit:David John Barton Days passed in a blur of whistle stops: Hobart, Cairns, Brisbane. From time to time, Hawke brought his cigar down the back of the plane to chew the fat with the journos. We landed here and there across the country and we raced for the few pay phones in the terminal to file what we had learned. Buses picked us up and conveyed us to rallies and country shows and meeting halls, just as they did for those following the doomed PM Malcolm Fraser. It was 1983, long before mobile phones, ages before the internet. Reporters covering election campaigns needed to rock around the nation with political leaders: it was the only way they could see and record what was going on, and their reports were the only way voters could be properly informed. The leaders knew it, and far from handing out the mushroom treatment, confided their thoughts to the media off the record. Only the most senior political correspondents got the gig. Except for me, of course. I was indulged because no regional paper had ever been so bold as to ask to go along for the ride. Loading In the evenings, the scribes retired to hotel rooms, tapped out their reports and dictated them by telephone to copytakers for the next mornings papers. TV crews by then had already headed to the nearest transmitting facility to send pictures for the evening news. Radio reporters, who had typically spent the day updating their broadcasts every hour, prepared material for the dawn. For most of us, there was still time for a long dinner at a worthy eating establishment. And so readers, listeners and viewers got their daily dose of informed election campaign news, commentary and analysis. These years later, within the all-encompassing internet age, when everyone is connected and savvy and campaign managers are paranoid, all the travelling and the street walks and the brief stops for press conferences and smile-fests with local candidates are nearing redundancy. Vatican City: Pope Francis used a Good Friday ceremony to decry "all the crosses" of suffering in the world, including those borne by migrants who find doors closed due to "political calculations" and children who are harmed in their "innocence and purity," in a reference to paedophile clergy. From a canopied platform on the Palatine Hill, Francis watched the traditional torch-lit, nighttime procession at Rome's Colosseum that solemnly recalled the crucifixion of Jesus. Along with thousands of pilgrims, tourists and Romans, he listened to reflections that were composed by an elderly Italian nun, who for 25 years has gone out to the city's streets to bring comfort and hope to migrant women who were trafficked into prostitution. Francis prayed to Jesus to help "us to see in your cross all the crosses of the world." The pope cited persons starved for food and for love, and those "abandoned even by their own children or parents. The Palace Theatre in Stamford is hosting its 4th Silent Headphone Party Saturday, June 22. The doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the party kicks off at 8 when the headphones go on and DJ Shortkutz, DJ Camz, DJ Jesse Koo take the stage, battling for attendees attention at the 21-and-older event that features an open bar and free food. Heres how it works: partygoers receive a pair of special wireless headphones with adjustable volume and they can choose between the three DJs with a flip of a switch. Each headset has a color LED showing which channel is being listened to. The DJs be spinning while the partygoers sing, drink and dance until 11 p.m. Click here for tickets ($45 before June 1, $55 after) and more information. What to bring: Valid ID and a credit or debit card for the check-in process. If the headphones are not returned, there will be a $100 charge to the card after the event. The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St. Saturday, June 22, 8 p.m. 203-325-4466. A Connecticut financial adviser has been charged with manslaughter while on vacation in the Caribbean. Gavin Scott Hapgood, 44, of Darien, was arrested and charged with manslaughter Wednesday, according to the Royal Anguilla Police Force. Hapgood is a UBS financial adviser. Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory, is located in the eastern Caribbean. There is a small main island and several offshore islets. Hapgood appeared before the magistrate court Wednesday, police said. Bail was denied, police said, and he was remanded to prison and expected back in court on Aug. 22. However, a statement from Police Commissioner Paul Morrison on Friday night said the court ended up granting bail. Thomas Astaphan, Hapgoods local attorney, told the court that his client would return to Anguilla to clear his name, according to the Anguillian, a local newspaper. The newspaper reported Hapgood had been on vacation with his family in Anguilla staying at a hotel in the West End of the island. According to RAPF, police responded to the West End area of Anguilla at about 4 p.m. April 13 for an incident that resulted in the death of one resident of Anguilla. The victim identified by Anguilla police as Mr. Mitchell was said to be an employee working at the hotel where Hapgood and his family were staying. The outlet said a death certificate showed the man died from prone restraint, positional asphyxia and blunt force trauma to the head, neck and torso. A statement from the Anguilla government identified him as Kenny Mitchell. The Anguillian reported Mitchell was 27. A representative for UBS told the New York Post they were aware of the events and were following the situation closely, adding that it would not be appropriate to provide any comment in relation to an active criminal proceeding. Tensions were high following the incident, which was initially referred to by RAPF police as a homicide investigation. We are not shrouding the case in mystery, we are bound by rules and so are others on what can be said, a Friday night statement from Police Commissioner Paul Morrison said. We have charged a man in connection with the death of Mr. Mitchell. The court granted bail and we now prepare for the court process and eventual trial. Morrison said it is in everybodys interest that the authorities seek justice for victims of crime and that those accused of crimes are dealt with fairly. The RAPF public media relations officer provided a statement on Facebook on Friday morning about the scores of comments on its page about the charge and what happened. Comments varied in support for the victim and the accused. The Royal Anguilla Police Force acknowledges the fact that people want information in respect of the recent arrest and charging of a U.S. tourist, however, like all investigations these are not conducted on social media, the statement said. The comments being made on the RAPF Facebook have no foundation in fact and are likely to incite racial hatred and can prejudice a jury, especially since they will be chosen from among the community of Anguilla. WASHINGTON Special counsel Robert Muellers report, even with its redactions, provides Congress with a potential road map to President Donald Trumps impeachment, but Connecticut lawmakers have joined other congressional Democrats wary of pursuing that path. Even Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a leading critic of the presidents conduct, stopped short of calling for impeachment after Muellers 448-page report was released Thursday. In a news conference in Hartford, Blumenthal said it was premature to discuss whether the House of Representatives should begin impeachment proceedings against the president. I really want to review this report in order to see what remedies should be pursued, he said. Blumenthal said he wanted the chance to question Mueller at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing and wants to see an unredacted copy of Muellers report. Fellow Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy also said more information is needed before Congress takes the next step. More for you Mueller report provides new details on Manafort, Hicks The Trump administration is deciding what Congress can and cannot see, which is deeply concerning, Murphy said. Congress must see a full, unredacted Mueller report, and we must hear Mueller testify before we even discuss how Congress should proceed. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4, has been more direct about why Congress is not likely to rush to impeachment. Himes said Congress has a Constitutional duty to act as a check on the president But he says the stark political reality is that even if the president were impeached by the Democratically controlled U.S. House, two-thirds of the Senate would have to vote to convict, and thats unlikely to happen because the chamber is in GOP hands. There is absolutely no question in how that ends and that ends with the Senate not convicting, Himes said on CNN Thursday. I dont think there is a crime that this president could commit that would cause the Republican party to turn on him. Himes also said an impeachment trial in the Senate would last a year or more, derailing important congressional work on infrastructure, health care and other issues. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other congressional Democratic leaders are also aware that an unsuccessful attempt to impeach Trump could hurt them at the polls in 2020, just as the failed Republican attempt to impeach former President Bill Clinton cost that party in the next election. But there are Democrats, mostly in the partys progressive wing, who are beating the impeachment drum, especially now that Mueller indicated in his report that Congress could pursue obstruction charges against Trump. The conclusion that Congress may apply the obstruction laws to the presidents corrupt exercise of the powers of office accords with our constitutional system of checks and balances and the principle that no person is above the law, the special counsels report said. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is among the latest lawmakers to say they will sign an impeachment resolution introduced by Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich. As of now the resolution has only one co-sponsor, Rep. Al Green, D-Texas. In a series of tweets, Ocasio-Cortez said while she understands the political reality of the Senate and election considerations, I cannot see a reason for us to abdicate from our constitutionally mandated responsibility to investigate. Many know I take no pleasure in discussions of impeachment. I didnt campaign on it, [and] rarely discuss it unprompted, Ocasio-Cortez continued. We all prefer working on our priorities: pushing Medicare for all, tackling student loans, [and] a Green New Deal. But the report squarely puts this on our doorstep. Fellow freshmen Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5, disagrees. Regardless of the results of the Mueller report, President Trump and his administration give the American people evidence on a daily basis that we need a change of leadership, Hayes said in a statement. However, I believe that change should come through an election rather than impeachment. Like other Connecticut lawmakers, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, said it is better to wait and gather more information before rushing toward impeaching the president. No one is above the law, and Congress will not shy away from its responsibilities in upholding the rule of law, DeLauro said. But she also said Congress has formally requested the full Mueller report and its underlying evidence, as well as public testimony from Attorney General William Barr and Mueller. As we await that crucial information, we will not allow the presidents unethical behavior to deter our legislative efforts to lower Americans health care costs and ensure they have good-paying jobs that they can support themselves and their families on, DeLauro said. While Connecticut Democrats are not eager to press for Trumps impeachment, that could change if new information is uncovered in a series of congressional investigations or in the 14 criminal cases the Mueller team referred to other offices. And New Yorks attorney general has opened several investigations into Trumps conduct, including allegations that Trump exaggerated his wealth to obtain loans and whether donors to the presidents 2016 campaign benefits after making contributions or whether foreign nationals made illegal donations. New facts, obviously, historically, have influenced the congressional temperament, Himes said, referring to former President Richard Nixon, who initially seemed safe from impeachment after the Watergate scandal, but was forced to resign as new details of his conduct were uncovered and a conviction by the Senate was imminent. The release of the Mueller report Thursday prompted calls from Democrats for an unredacted report. Leaders of key congressional committees have been offered by Barr access to one that is not as redacted as the one released Thursday, but on Friday Pelosi and other Democratic congressional leaders rejected that plan, saying the proposal would only allow twelve Members of Congress to view a less-redacted version of the report in person and would not permit them to discuss it with other Members of Congress who all have top security clearances. In their letter to Barr, the lawmakers wrote while the current proposal is not workable, we are open to discussing a reasonable accommodation with the Department that would protect law enforcement sensitive information while allowing Congress to fulfill its constitutional duties. Connecticut Democrats have also demanded that Barr and Mueller appear before Congress to be questioned. The release of the report has given fresh impetus to a series of congressional investigations into the Trump administration. Himes, for instance, said the report could help him and fellow members of the House Intelligence Committee, who are also investigating the Kremlins involvement in U.S. elections, determine if Russia has compromising information on Trump or his aides. MONROE 1974 had been weird enough already. Americans were reeling from the energy crisis, Watergate and the resignation of their president. Then word leaked out of an exploding crucifix, flying furniture and a talking cat in a small home on Bridgeports Lindley Street. People wanted answers. In stepped Ed and Lorraine Warren, of Monroe. And the paranormal world changed forever. More for you Real Annabelle story shared by Lorraine Warren at Milfords... On Good Friday, it was announced that Lorraine Warren left this world Thursday night at age 92 perhaps joining her husband, who died in 2006 in a place more interesting to them. After all Ed, was a self-taught demonologist and Lorraine a self-professed clairvoyant and spiritual medium. On Thursday night, Nick Grossmann of Ghost Storm was leading a ghost hunting tour at the Twisted Vine restaurant in downtown Derby. I was with Lorraines niece, (Julie Zaffis-Marron) at about 9:30 p.m., when her phone completely died, Grossman said. That often happens when a spiritual presence is passing by. No one elses phone died. But when Zaffis-Marron got home, her phone turned on with 50 percent power, Grossmann said. I really believe the two incidents are connected, he said. Lorraine was clairvoyant. In 1952, the Warrens found their calling and created the New England Society of Psychic Research. Twenty-two years later, according to Ray Bendici in Damned Connecticut.com, Lindley Street in Bridgeport became the epicenter for one of the most documented hauntings in Connecticut History. Scary times The public already had an appetite for such things. The Exorcist released in 1973 was still terrifying movie audiences. And Lindley Street? Thousands began making pilgrimages to the site. Some carried religious artifacts while others brought cameras and binoculars hoping to catch a glimpse of the supernatural. Lindley Street put paranormal investigations on the map, said Rose Porto, lead investigator of Connecticut Spirit Investigations and Researchers, in Hamden. If it wasnt for the Warrens, I wouldnt be doing what I am now. Porto is investigating possible hauntings at a house in Milford and another in Hamden. On Feb . 23 she said, she confirmed that a friendly spirit called Ben who had taken up space inside Ramen-Ya, a Japanese restaurant in Berlin. While Porto said she never called Warren for advice just knowing she was still around was sort of a comfort, especially because she was local, Porto said. And if there was a paranormal issue or problem, who better to ask? Its a tremendous loss to the whole paranormal field. Grossmann said that because of the Warrens, paranormal and ghost-hunting shows now populate TV. To the Warrens, Lindley Street reeked of demonic possession, or at least a poltergeist. Even police and firefighters who entered the home reported unbelievable happenings. The homes address was 966 Lindley Street turn the first number over and you have 666. The Warrens called for an exorcism. Then police interviewed the 10-year-old native girl from Canada the family had adopted. She admitted to everything, police officials said. And by Christmas everything calmed down. But the Warrens went on, branching into books and movies. Screen legacy In 1974 they were called to home in Harrisville, R.I., where they claimed the angry spirit of Bathsheba Thayer was targeting the family. This became the story line behind The Conjuring , a currently popular movie series. The next year the Warrens were in Amityville, on New Yorks Long Island, investigating the home where Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered six members of his family. That turned into the Amityville Horror movie franchise. In 1986, there was the former funeral home in Southington rented by the Snedeker family, which the Warrens claimed was haunted by spirits of the dead allegedly abused by morticians. This made it to the screens as A Haunting in Connecticut. And there was the White Lady of Easton, who supposedly haunts the towns Union Cemetery and perhaps the Stepney Cemetery in Monroe, which is where Ed Warren is buried. But Joe Nickell, a former private detective and senior research fellow for the Committee of Skeptical Inquiry, doesnt buy any of the Warrens claims. Im the only full-time professional paranormal investigator who has never met a ghost, demon or poltergeist, even when Im supposedly just inches away, he said Friday. Things came to a head during a debate with the Warrens in 1992 over the Southington funeral home haunting, which was the subject of their being together on a taping of the Sally Jessy Raphael talk show. Harsh words were exchanged. Ive investigated haunted houses for some 20 years and Ive never met a house that I thought was haunted, Nickell said afterwards. I think the Warrens have not met a house that they didnt think was haunted. With both Warrens gone, Tony Spera, their son-in-law, now heads the New England Society of Psychic Research. The family requests that you respect their privacy at this time, the societys website read on Friday. Lorraine touched many lives and was loved by so many. She was a remarkable, loving, compassionate and giving soul. Hearst Connecticut Media file photo WESTPORT Formal charges are pending against a man who injured two officers during a struggle Friday morning, town police said. Around 10:30 a.m., Westport police officers responded to multiple calls for a man in his underwear walking on Post Road East without shoes. One of the callers reported the male had defecated on the sidewalk by Winslow Park, according to Lt. Jillian Cabana. The Family First in Education after school program toured the Masterpieces from the Museum of Cartoon Art and participated in animation workshops at the Bruce Museum on Saturday, April 6. Family Firsts visit to cartooning at the Bruce was presented to more that 30 participants and co-sponsored by The Bruce Museum, Family First in Education, The Comic Tree, and The National Cartoonists Society (NCS) Connecticut. To commemorate the event Brian Walker, a former director of the Museum of Cartoon Art and exhibit guest curator, spoke about the importance of showcasing comic artwork, according to a news release. Cartoons are communication. If you draw a cartoon, show it to your family, have it published in a newspaper or make it into a greeting card, Walker said. The most important thing is to share it. Thats what cartooning is all about. After Walkers opening remarks, Diana Rafferty of The Bruce toured each group through an exhibit of more than 100 original works that celebrate the history of comics and animation. The Family First students also participated in two cartooning workshops by The Comic Tree: one in English, and another with Spanish translation by Paula Picco. Cartoonist and educator Phil Lohmeyer led The Comic Tree workshops covering facial expressions and cutout animation. The visit, said Lohmeyer, is a once in a lifetime opportunity for all of us to view so many comic masterpieces. Its amazing to be able to study these originals, learn from them, then create cartoons here at The Bruce. Both Lohmeyer and Walker hail from Greenwich, an area known for this unique art form. There were always a lot of cartoonists around Fairfield County," says Walker. Probably over 100 cartoonists lived around here. The 30 young cartoonists visiting created dozens of lime and lemon-based characters during The Comic Tree Workshop. Says Lohmeyer, Fruits are easy to animate, because they dont have arms or legs. Students can learn an expression, sketch a few moods on the lemon shapes, then swap them while taking photos. Its fun to watch expressions change as an animation! Students were able to take home their creations in tote bags provided by NCS Connecticut, along with crayons, cartooning books, and t-shirts. Family Firsts Visit to Cartooning at the Bruce was made possible by several event volunteers, including cartoonists Neal Walker and Brian Walker of Beetle Bailey and Hi and Lois, Carolina Ahumada, Michele Czarnecki, and Paula Picco of Family First in Education, Rick Stromoski of NCS Connecticut, Phil Lohmeyer of The Comic Tree, and Diana Rafferty, Scott Smith, Kathleen Holko and Corinne Flax of The Bruce Museum. Flax, Manager of School and Community Partnerships at the Bruce, said, Many thanks to everyone who came together to make such a special day happen it truly takes a village! I hope that this will be the beginning of many visits to come and other collaborations between Family First and the Bruce Museum. Made possible by a grant from the Per and Astrid Heidenreich Family Foundation, Family First in Education is a collaborative between Family Centers and the YMCA of Greenwich. Focusing on structured after school programming and parent involvement, the program aims to address the key contributors of the achievement gap. For more information regarding how you can support Family Firsts mission to provide art education, email art instructor and event coordinator Phil Lohmeyer at phil@thecomictree.com. The Last Verse: Tales of love, life and loss from a veteran troubadour Summer is almost here and although we understand that when it's hot and sunny, it's hard to sit in a dark theatre, there are a few shows on which are very likely to intensify your summer's enjoyment. Here's just a few of them. Amelie Audrey Brisson in Amelie Pamela Raith It's bright, breezy and filled with joy. What could be more summery than the musical adaptation of the hit French film, with a cast that includes Audrey Brisson and Danny Mac? After its opening at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury, the show heads out on a UK tour until October, so there's plenty of time to catch the heart-lifting tale of love. Watermill Theatre until 18 May, then touring Alex Mugnaioni as Captain Corelli and Elizabeth Mary Williams as Psipsina in Captain Corelli's Mandolin Marc Brenner Captain Corelli's Mandolin Louis de Berniere's 1994 novel was infused with hot Greek weather and intense love affairs. The new stage adaptation is out on tour now, and we can confirm there are genuine mandolins involved. This one is bound to get you right into the long hot summer mood. Touring and then at the Harold Pinter Theatre, London from 4 July Samantha Pauly Evita Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's classic portrait of the Argentinian legend returns to the stage this year. And quite apart from the fiery tale of Eva Peron, the heat will also come from the fact that the show is running summer at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Get a picnic before, we recommend it. Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, 2 August to 21 September The cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream Perou Midsummer Night's Dream What could be more summery than Shakespeare's classic, A Midsummer Night's Dream? There's plenty of productions to choose from this year, but we'd recommend booking for the Bridge Theatre's upcoming (starring Gwendoline Christie and Oliver Chris), as well as Sean Holmes' interpretation at Shakespeare's Globe. Midsummer, Bridge Theatre from 3 June, Midsumer, Shakespeare's Globe from 28 June Jason Donovan Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat That coat of many colours is back! This huge-scale revival arrives in London for the summer, starring Jason Donovan and Sheridan Smith alongside newbie Jac Yarrow as Joseph. With Laurence Connor as director (he helmed School of Rock, Les Mis and many more) it's looking like it'll be this summer's blockbuster hit. London Palladium, from 27 June to 8 September Oklahoma! Oklahoma! There seems to be renewed interest in this musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein, with a reimagined version now playing in New York. There's little that's been released about this revival, but Chichester has been known to stage excellent versions of classics, and what's summer without a cowboy or two? Chichester Festival Theatre, 15 July to 7 September Clive Owen Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage Night of the Iguana Tennessee Williams' plays are filled with long sultry summers and unhappy people. This one is set in Mexico and follows the Rev Shannon who is recovering from a nervous breakdown and is trying to re-establish his life as a tour guide. It stars Clive Owen, Lia Williams and Anna Gunn and with that cast is bound to be sizzling. Noel Coward Theatre, 6 July to 28 September Sujaya Dasgupta, Waleed Akhtar and Shala Nyx A Thousand Splendid Suns It's true, this show's title definitely qualified it for a place on this list. But it's also true that this new adaptation of Khaled Hosseini's hit novel about three generations of Afghan women is looking like tantalising stuff. Roxana Silbert directs and Ursula Rani Sarma adapts and the cast looks great, so best watch out in case this one comes to a theatre near you. Birmingham Rep, from 2 to 18 May and then touring On your Feet Fancy a bit of summer conga infused with Cuban rhythm this summer? Gloria and Emilio Estefan have your back. The jukebox musical, featuring classic tracks such as "Rhythm is Gonna Get You", "Conga" and "Get On Your Feet", should be the ideal ingredient to make the next few months perfect. Leicester Curve, 3 to 8 June, then London Coliseum from 14 June to 31 August and then touring Raj Ghatak, Mina Anwar and Tom Espiner Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage The Life of Pi There will be water and sun aplenty in this stage adaptation of Yann Martel's brilliant book about a boy sharing a small boat with a tiger (and quite a lot of other animals) in the Pacific Ocean. Who knows how puppet masters extraordinaire Tim Hatley and Finn Caldwell will manage to translate all that to the stage, but if anyone can do it, they can. Sheffield Theatres from 28 June to 20 July The Agreement for the demolition of the Condominium Buildings and the Construction of the new Ministry of Finance Complex was signed by the Minister of Finance, Gaetan Pikoune, and Representative of the CCECC in Port Vila. NEW YORK - There's at least one area of agreement among conservative, centrist and liberal leaders in the United Methodist Church: America's largest mainline Protestant denomination is on a path toward likely breakup over differences on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBT pastors. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 20/4/2019 (973 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A gay pride rainbow flag flies along with the U.S. flag in front of the Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, Kan., on Friday, April 19, 2019. There's at least one area of agreement among conservative, centrist and liberal leaders in the United Methodist Church: America's largest mainline Protestant denomination is on a path toward likely breakup over differences on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBT pastors. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) NEW YORK - There's at least one area of agreement among conservative, centrist and liberal leaders in the United Methodist Church: America's largest mainline Protestant denomination is on a path toward likely breakup over differences on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBT pastors. The differences have simmered for years, and came to a head in February at a conference in St. Louis where delegates voted 438-384 for a proposal called the Traditional Plan, which strengthens bans on LGBT-inclusive practices. A majority of U.S.-based delegates opposed that plan and favoured LGBT-friendly options, but they were outvoted by U.S. conservatives teamed with most of the delegates from Methodist strongholds in Africa and the Philippines. Many believe the vote will prompt an exodus from the church by liberal congregations that are already expressing their dissatisfaction over the move. Some churches have raised rainbow flags in a show of LGBT solidarity. Some pastors have vowed to defy the strict rules and continue to allow gay weddings in Methodist churches. Churches are withholding dues payments to the main office in protest, and the UMC's receipts were down 20 per cent in March, according to financial reports posted online. "It's time for some kind of separation, some kind of amicable divorce," said James Howell, pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, who posted a video assailing the proposal for its "real meanness." The UMC's nine-member Judicial Council convenes a four-day meeting in Evanston, Illinois, on Tuesday to consider legal challenges to the Traditional Plan. If the plan is upheld, it would take effect for U.S. churches on Jan. 1. If parts of it are struck down, that would likely trigger new debate at the UMC's next general conference in May 2020. The UMC's largest church the 22,000-member Church of the Resurrection with four locations in the Kansas City area is among those applying financial pressure. Its lead pastor, Adam Hamilton, says his church is temporarily withholding half of the $2.5 million that it normally would have paid to the UMC's head office at this stage of the year. "We'll ultimately pay it," Hamilton said. "But we want to show that this is the impact if our churches leave." Hamilton is among the opponents of the Traditional Plan leading an initiative dubbed UMC-Next that seeks the best path forward for those who share their views. Clergy and activists in the alliance have met in Texas and Georgia, and a bigger meeting is planned for May 20-22 at Hamilton's megachurch. Hamilton, in a telephone interview, said two main options are under consideration. Under one scenario, many centrists and liberals would leave en masse to form a new denomination a potentially complex endeavour given likely disputes over the dissolution process. Under the other option, opponents of the Traditional Plan would stay in the UMC and resist from within, insisting on LGBT-inclusive policies and eventually convincing the conservatives that they should be the faction that leaves under what's envisioned as a financially smooth "gracious exit." "There's a sense that some conservatives have been wanting to leave for a long time," Hamilton said. "They're tired of fighting about it." Formed in a merger in 1968, the United Methodist Church claims about 12.6 million members worldwide, including nearly 7 million in the United States. While other mainline Protestant denominations have embraced gay-friendly practices, the UMC still bans them, though acts of defiance by pro-LGBT clergy have multiplied. Many have performed same-sex weddings; others have come out as gay or lesbian from the pulpit. Enforcement of the bans has been inconsistent; the Traditional Plan aspires to beef up discipline against those engaged in defiance. Traditional Plan supporter Mark Tooley, who heads a conservative Christian think-tank , predicts that the UMC will split into three denominations one for centrists, another oriented toward liberal activists and a third representing the global alliance of U.S. conservatives and their allies overseas. "It's a question of how long it takes for that to unfold and of who and how many go into each denomination," Tooley said. "A lot of churches will be irreparably harmed as they divide." Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Scott Jones, bishop of the UMC's Houston-based Texas conference, says churchgoers in his region are divided in their views, but a majority supports the Traditional Plan's concepts. "I have urged all of us to love each other, listen to each other and respect each other, even if we disagree," said Jones, who holds out hope that the UMC's disparate factions can preserve some form of unity. Ann Craig of Newburgh, New York a lesbian activist who has advocated for greater LGBT inclusion in the UMC thinks a breakup can be avoided, though she's unsure what lies ahead. "We expect something new to happen, but what that change should be or will be has not jelled yet," she said. "I don't think we're going to break up it's so cumbersome to figure out a way to divorce." The crisis is being followed closely at Methodist-affiliated theology schools based at universities with LGBT-inclusive policies. There are 13 UMC-connected theology schools around the country. "There's a lot of turmoil and distress," said Mary Elizabeth Moore, dean of Boston University School of Theology. "We're trying to find a future that will be less destructive than where we are now." MONTREAL - Quebec's deputy premier and public safety minister is urging those affected by flooding to exercise extreme caution and vigilance as rising water levels continue to wreak havoc on the province after claiming a life. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/4/2019 (974 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A Beauceville rescue boat sits on the parking of a strip mall by the flooded main road, Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Beauceville Que. The Chaudiere River flooded and forced the evacuation of 230 buildings and 36 people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot MONTREAL - Quebec's deputy premier and public safety minister is urging those affected by flooding to exercise extreme caution and vigilance as rising water levels continue to wreak havoc on the province after claiming a life. "Do not take unnecessary risks, please," Genevieve Guilbault said at the Ti-Oui Snack Bar in Saint-Raymond on Saturday. The Canadian Armed Forces dispatched reconnaissance teams to five districts to support flood efforts, she said: Outaouais; Montreal, Laurentians and Lanaudiere; Monteregie and Estrie; Quebec City; and Chaudiere-Appallaches. A Defence Department spokeswoman said Saturday that "troops haven't yet been deployed, so to speak." As of Saturday afternoon, turgid rivers had caused 72 flooded residences, 92 isolated residences and more than 200 evacuees across the province, according to Urgence Quebec. Guilbault also offered her condolences to the family of Louise Seguin Lortie, who died early Saturday morning after driving her car into a massive sinkhole caused by flooding in the Outaouais region, according to police. The accident left the 72-year-old's sedan upside down in a swollen stream after rising river levels swept away part of the road in the overnight, police said. Sgt. Martin Fournel of the MRC des Collines police said a pair of witnesses parked near the washout tried unsuccessfully to warn the driver as she approached. "That lady, who was driving by herself on that road, fell into a sinkhole basically because of the flooding. There was a culvert that was not there anymore, so the road was cut in half and she was not able to brake and avoid the accident," Fournel told The Canadian Press. A man places a sandbag next to the foundation of a house in the town of Hudson, Que. west of Montreal, Friday, April 19, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes The woman was taken to hospital but pronounced dead shortly after, he said. The accident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. in the Municipality of Pontiac, about 30 kilometres northwest of Ottawa. Pontiac, which sits along the Ottawa River, is one of at least three municipalities in the Outaouais region to declare states of emergency, along with Saint-Andre-Avellin and Val-des-Monts. The cities of Gatineau and Trois-Rivieres are also under a state of emergency. The worst flooding Saturday appeared to surge through the Beauce region south of Quebec City, where 68 homes were flooded and 127 people evacuated as of 3 p.m., according to an Urgence Quebec bulletin. Six major floods have been identified by the agency, threatening thousands of residents: the Chaudiere River in Saint-Georges; Saint-Joseph, Scott and Vallee-Jonction in Beauce; and Deux-Montagnes Lake at Rigaud and Quesnel Bay. In Beauceville, about 90 kilometres south of Quebec City, officials have asked the Canadian Armed Forces for assistance, with military vehicles slated to help with evacuations ordered by the municipality. Earlier this week, the Chaudiere River burst its banks and flooded a large part of downtown. Officials called it the worst flooding since 1971, with 230 homes and businesses flooded. In Saint-Raymond, about 60 kilometres northwest of the provincial capital, 24 seniors in three residences have been moved to higher ground as the Ste-Anne River continues to rise. A local dam gave way Saturday, said Mayor Daniel Dion, prompting concerns about flooding. "The problem today is that there is a lot of ice. If they clog our channels the water will have no space to circulate and that's where it overflows," he said. Dion said he expects the high-water mark to come Sunday evening. Rigaud, west of the Island of Montreal, saw at least 68 evacuations, as residents feared a repeat of 2017, when record flooding forced thousands from their homes. William Bradley, whose house in Rigaud sits on a street that hugs the Ottawa River, said he filled several hundred city-supplied sandbags this week. He's stacked them four-high around doors and windows, wrapping the makeshift barriers in polyethylene. "It's still coming up, coming up," said Bradley, 72. He said flooding two years ago caused about $100,000 in damage to the ceramics equipment he stores at home for his small business. 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. "We'll stay as long as we have gas for the generator. We've got a boat my daughter bought a boat and a motor for us in 2017," he told The Canadian Press. "By the way, never buy a boat during a flood season. It gets pricey." More than 45 millimetres of rain fell on the Montreal area between Thursday and Saturday, according to Environment Canada. Rainfall warnings have been lifted, but water levels were already high and are expected to rise sharply over the weekend with warm temperatures and snowmelt runoff. Guilbault has said the province will allow stores usually closed on Easter Sunday to remain open this weekend so residents can stock up on supplies. The City of Laval, just north of Montreal, said in a statement it had distributed sandbags to 900 homes and knocked on 550 doors to make sure people were safe as more than 1,500 homes and business remained under flood watch. Quebec City and the Gaspe Peninsula can expect up to 30 millimetres of rainfall this weekend, said Environment Canada meteorologist Andre Cantin. "That will help the snow to melt again, and we do not expect the river will be able to go down for at least 48 hours," he said Saturday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 20/4/2019 (973 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Theres green investing. And now theres blue investing in the hue of the United Nations. For investors seeking to put their money to work for them and for the common good, they now have another option, one thats sponsored by the United Nations. Among a fast-growing array of sustainable investment options that include mutual funds and the low-fee exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the UN-affiliated Sustainable Development Goals Equity ETF or SDGA, for short launched late last year courtesy of Impact Shares. And it marks a novel new way for investors seeking greener investment options. The fund company is itself rather notable as a non-profit helping other non-profits raise money while also creating investment opportunities that align with social, economic and environmental outcomes, like fighting climate change and reducing poverty. As a company, Impact Shares is relatively new, founded in 2013. And it has partnered in the recent past with non-profits like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the YWCA to create ETFs which are basically low-cost mutual funds traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Impacts most recent offering, the SDGA, involves teaming up with the Rockefeller Foundation and most notably the UNs Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). This agency is the UNs funding arm tasked with helping implement the sustainable development goals (SDGs) set out by the UNs General Assembly. Aimed to be achieved by 2030, the 17 SDGs are largely targeted at reducing climate change, though others will help promote rights for women as well as economic growth for all, particularly in developing countries. "These goals require money, and at the moment with the amount of money committed by governments, including the Canadian government, were never going to reach them," says Francesco Ambrogetti, in charge of innovative finance and partnership development at UNCDF. "We have to go from billions to trillions of dollars, and to do that we have is to turn to financial markets." One strategy the organization has been developing is encouraging private investment in entrepreneurs and companies based in what the agency refers to as least-developed countries the 47 poorest countries in the world, such as Afghanistan, Liberia, Cambodia and Senegal. Many growing businesses in these regions are challenged to access the funding businesses in Canada can easily access through traditional lenders. "While capital can be available maybe sitting in the World Bank, or a commercial bank its not going where its supposed to go." Ambrogetti adds many companies cannot access funding from their local banks, which dont have enough money to lend to these burgeoning businesses. And theyre too small to access loans from lenders in the developed world. So one of the agencys roles is providing what it calls "last-mile financing" that gives these fledgling businesses loans to grow large enough to qualify larger loans from lenders like the World Bank. The UNCDF has also partnered with financial firms Morningstar and Sustainalytics (both providers of investment data) to create an index tracking the performance of companies with policies aligned with the UNs SDGs, as well as growing revenues in the least-developed countries. Essentially an index of the worlds largest, most sustainable multinational companies, it serves as a benchmark for other large firms, Ambrogetti adds. "And this helps us work with those other multinationals who are not on the index to become more sustainable." In creating the index, the UNCDF seeks to help more money flow toward companies supporting sustainable development and, in turn, move the ball further toward the 2030 goal line. Then comes the partnership with Impact Shares to create the ETF. Ambrogetti says this fund vehicle allows investors to buy the basket of these large companies doing good, listed on the index. But it also has one key difference from a typical mutual fund or ETF. As Ambrogetti explains, some of the fees generated from investment in the fund go to the UNCDF for last-mile financing. "Perhaps thats the most important that a portion of the management fee goes toward financing in these poorest countries," he says about the ETF that passively tracks the performance of the underlying sustainable index. The new ETF is indeed an interesting proposition for green investors, says Tim Nash, an economist and founder of a Toronto-based financial planning business helping investors with sustainable investment strategies. "What I like about it is it allows investors to automate their giving and support of those organizations, because its built into that management expense ratio, so automatically a portion of fees are donated to the non-profit organization," says Nash, who owns Good Investing and blogs about socially responsible investment at the sustainableeconomist.com. Another plus of the ETF is that it adds the options investors are seeking to have their money do good for them and the world, too. But Nash also sees a drawback with the new investment though relatively minor. "The strict economist and financial planner in me is just a little bit grumpy that its not a more tax-optimal way for me to support non-profit organizations." In other words, a very small portion of your money in the investment, perhaps 20 basis points (0.2 per cent), may go toward supporting last-mile financing. But unlike typical donations to a non-profit like the UN, you do not qualify for a tax credit. Still the SDGA ETF from Impact Shares is worth a closer look, says one of Canadas foremost socially responsible investment advisers, Patti Dolan with MissionWealthAdvisors, Raymond James, in Calgary. She commends the investment, givens its aim: promoting the sustainable development goals. And investing in large-cap companies focused on implementing SDGs is a solid long-term investment strategy. 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 advantage of investing in companies that align themselves to these goals is they will stay ahead of the trends," says the discretionary money manager, who works with clients seeking socially responsible portfolios. As countries implement measures to reduce carbon pollution carbon taxes, for example those companies focused on implementing sustainable development will have an advantage over competitors forced to react to regulation. That said, the UN-affiliated ETF likely wouldnt be her first choice. By comparison, for example, iShares MSCI Global Impact ETF invests in similar companies but it tracks a benchmark measuring companies by the effect their goods and services have on sustainable development as opposed to corporate policies, she says. Nash agrees, adding the iShares offering provides much more direct exposure to green sectors. Still, he notes the Impact Shares ETF is a good broad-based option for investors seeking to buy a basket of large multinational companies over more traditional funds of multinationals that are not measured according to efforts toward sustainable development. "In that respect, it is a good doing-less-evil option." The food news of late has been all about protein, and plant-based protein in particular. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 20/4/2019 (973 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion The food news of late has been all about protein, and plant-based protein in particular. The messaging in some of the fast-food television commercials is pretty clear: if youre young and hip, youre going to love these alternatives that look and taste just like meat. Nearly all of the fast-food processors are now rushing to fill what is soon to become a $1-billion business producing plant-based burgers and sausages that consumers cant distinguish from the real thing. There is now even a debate, with lawsuits pending, over whether industry will be allowed to call these plant-based products "meat." Canadas iconic meat processor Maple Leaf foods has just announced plans to spend US$310 million building the largest plant in North America to produce plant-based burgers and bratwurst. Interestingly, its not building that plant in Canada. Its chosen Shelbyville, Ind., for that investment, adding to two plants already in operation in Massachusetts and Seattle, Wash. A Prairie-wide plant-based protein initiative was one of the winners in the federal governments supercluster competition last year, drawing $153 million in taxpayer funds to support that sectors growth. Its against this backdrop that the Manitoba government has launched discussions on a new protein strategy to position this province for the future. To its credit, the province is committing to support the continued evolution of both plant- and animal-based proteins. In all the hype about the emerging opportunities, it would be easy to forget that in 2017, livestock farm-cash receipts in Manitoba were $2.2 billion, while processing accounted for $1.8 billion and an estimated 4,500 jobs. Economics aside, livestock can be an important recycler of non-renewable nutrients such as phosphorus. The government discussion paper posted online sets some lofty goals for the sector by 2025, including attracting $1 billion in new plant-protein processing to the province that creates an estimated 850 jobs. In livestock processing, the province wants to draw $500 million in new primary production and processing investment, creating 700 direct and indirect jobs. This would mean increasing animal-protein production and processing by 35 per cent over 2017 levels. But it is also aiming for a 15 per cent reduction in carbon intensity per kilogram of animal protein produced, a 15 per cent increase in the productivity of agricultural Crown lands and privately owned grasslands. As well, it wants to increase public trust in protein production and processing, although the discussion paper notes the metrics for measuring that have not yet been determined. The trouble with public trust is that it is a moving and highly emotional target. Industry practices that are considered acceptable for one generation can be rendered unmarketable by the next; some practices, such as genetically modified organisms, have never gained the publics trust no matter how much science-based assurance the industry offers. Its noteworthy, however, that the provinces discussion paper acknowledges public trust will be key to the sustainability of any growth strategy. All in all, the province is wise to be hedging its bets with complementary rather than competitive strategies for protein sources. 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 African swine fever (ASF)outbreak in China is one example why. The latest estimates by international observers, including Rabobank, say the largest pork producer in the world is poised to lose up to 200 million pigs, about 30 per cent of its hog herd. The Chinese consume half of the pork produced in the world. Rabobank says the ASF hit could result in a deficit of 10 million tonnes in Chinas protein supply, too large to be immediately replaced by other sources of animal protein. China announced back in 2016 it wanted to reduce its populations consumption of meat by 50 per cent to improve public health and to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. But its doubtful it planned to do it so dramatically, practically overnight. Its going to have to fill that gap somehow, either by importing more meat or by hastening a transition to alternative proteins, something many in the burgeoning middle class would see as a step backwards. Either way, places like Manitoba that can produce far more than their populations will ever consume could be of assistance. Laura Rance is editorial director for Glacier FarmMedia. She can be reached at lrance@farmmedia.com. Ask Amanda Wilson about her mother, former Brokenhead Ojibway Nation chief Tina Leveque, and you might get a story that begins with an assertive answer: Above average. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 20/4/2019 (973 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Ask Amanda Wilson about her mother, former Brokenhead Ojibway Nation chief Tina Leveque, and you might get a story that begins with an assertive answer: "Above average." Christine (Tina) Beatrice Leveque was born Aug. 19, 1952, to parents from Brokenhead, 60 kilometres north of Winnipeg. She died Oct. 31, 2018, after an eight-year run on dialysis due to complications from diabetes. Tina Kent left the First Nation for school in Selkirk, and later returned to raise a family. In 1994, she married Norman Leveque. She raised a family of seven children, and by the time the youngest ones hit their teens, she was answering two very different callings: she entered politics and started studying to become a Pentecostal pastor. Which is where Wilsons "above-average" story fits into the timeline. In 1996, Leveque was elected as councillor for Brokenhead; Wilson was a teenager. "I was doing something I wasnt supposed to... I wasnt the best-behaved child out of all her seven. And as we were driving, she was talking about this study. She had said the average person affects at least 10,000 people over their life span," Wilson said. "She talked about all the different choices we make (in life) and she said, My girl, that is the average person. Now, you need to decide how youre going to affect those people. If youre going to affect them in a positive or negative way, because thats a lot of people. "Are you going to be above average? Or are you going to be below?" Leveque would go on with her political career, and was twice elected chief. Under her watch in 2004, Brokenhead and its partners opened the South Beach Casino. Smack in the middle of her political career, Leveque pivoted to embrace her second calling, and was ordained in 2002 as a pastor. Manitoba has since elected and re-elected female chiefs but, in those days, Leveque was only the second woman elected to the position from Brokenhead. Her son, Christopher Kent, and his sister described their mother as a devout Christian not an easy path in an era where the religion is linked to colonialism, residential schools and a more than a century of harsh assimilation policies. "It was a really tough decision for her because it went against all her Christian beliefs, to bring in a gambling facility to the community. But she could see the benefits that would come in from it. And the people had voted for it," Kent recalled. Tina Leveque (far right) was one of the grandmothers honoured in 2006 at the annual Keeping the Fires Burning ceremony. (Wayne Glowacki / Free Press files) Thats not to say Leveque didnt have detractors. When her faith came up as an issue, as it inevitably did, shed deflect it. "She would get everybody off the rabbit trail, as she would say: We are not here to discuss Tina Leveques faith," Wilson said. Of the three Indigenous-run casinos in Manitoba, South Beach is the only one that has consistently turned a profit. (Its owned by seven First Nations: Brokenhead, Black River, Hollow Water, Bloodvein, Pauingassi, Little Grand Rapids, and Poplar River.) The casino and its paired hotel was a major commercial development. It brought traffic, attracted capital and paved the way for other more businesses to open and thrive at the First Nations townsite in Scanterbury. "I dont think we would have built Wavers (gas station) without the additional traffic flow," Kent said. Meanwhile, Leveque was trying to keep to the straight and narrow with the casino development. During those years, Leveques family recalled she spent a lot of time consulting well-known elder Lawrence (Happy) Smith, a band councillor from 1967-79. "Happy was not a chief. And he was not one of those self-proclaimed elders. He was very honest and very kind... my mother used to go to him and get advice," Wilson said. It was a circle that would retrace itself when Smiths daughter made a run for the office Leveque once held. "Leaders who inspire their people are few and far between," Brokenhead Chief Deborah Smith said in an email. "I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to be raised by one and to have served one (in various local government capacities)." Smith said Leveque was her mentor, just as her father had been to Leveque. "Before Tinas passing, I, too, would seek her counsel and will forever be grateful for the advice and prayers she would offer me. Being a leader is not easy, and her prayers and her encouragement will always be remembered." When Leveque died suddenly last year doctors had just diagnosed her with bone marrow cancer two weeks earlier her family paid tribute to her in the Free Press. "She led the community for four years and under her leadership she ensured transparency and accountability. She took pride in her work adhering to he principles of good governance," her obituary reads. Her best friend, Brenda Sinclair, said from her home in Brokenhead that Leveques passing was a blow for the tiny congregation (Scanterbury House of Prayer), the community and herself. "Ive known her all my life... It was very hard when we lost her. I know she had a impact on the community and on other First Nations," said Sinclair, voice breaking. "She was an awesome role model." alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca The death of a man who was found injured near railway tracks in the North End early Thursday has been ruled a homicide, Winnipeg police say. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/4/2019 (974 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The death of a man who was found injured near railway tracks in the North End early Thursday has been ruled a homicide, Winnipeg police say. Joselito Fernandez, 53, of Winnipeg, is the 13th reported homicide in the city in 2019. Police were called to an area just south of Selkirk Avenue, east of Tommy Prince Street, shortly after 3 a.m. Thursday. Fernandez, who had been shot, was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead. Police cant say much about the incident at this time, but are asking for the publics help in finding out what happened to Fernandez, Const. Jay Murray said Friday at a news conference. "He was found near the train tracks. These are the train tracks that run through McPhillips and Selkirk, the 1000 block of Selkirk, so its primarily a very commercial area, but theres residences just north of there," Murray said. "I cant understate how important it is just a plea to the public. "If youre a business owner or an employee of one of those businesses and you have access to video surveillance, please contact our investigators." Murray said Fernandez was not known to police. He could not say what Fernandez was doing in the area and could not disclose if the victim had been shot more than once. 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. "Guaranteed he has a family and friends out there, and those family and friends are grieving what is an unnecessary death," Murray said. It was the second homicide in Winnipeg this week. Yazan Al Horani, 20, was stabbed to death Monday night at Ramallah Cafe restaurant and hookah lounge on Pembina Highway. Mahfuthmm Assi, 20, is charged with second-degree murder and the attempted murder of another male who remains in hospital in stable condition. Fernandezs death is at least the sixth shooting death among the 13 homicides. "A number of the homicides have involved shootings this year, and thats extremely concerning to the Winnipeg Police Service," Murray said, noting the WPS has taken a number of steps to combat gun crime, including changing the street crime unit into the guns and gangs unit. "Last year, we seized I dont have the number in front of me but anecdotally, we seized a number of firearms wed never seen before." Anyone in the area with surveillance equipment or who may have heard or seen something unusual or with any other information connected to Fernandez is asked to call investigators at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477). ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca An employee was attacked and a River Heights restaurant targeted for the fourth time in five months by a hate crime involving anti-Semitic graffiti and property damage Thursday night. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/4/2019 (974 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. An employee was attacked and a River Heights restaurant targeted for the fourth time in five months by a hate crime involving anti-Semitic graffiti and property damage Thursday night. The BerMax Caffe and Bistro at 1800 Corydon Ave. was closed Friday the start of Passover, a traditional Jewish celebration and blocked off by police tape after what community members are calling one of the worst local acts of anti-Semitism in recent history. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The BerMax Caffe and Bistro at 1800 Corydon Ave. was targeted for the fourth time in five months by a hate crime involving anti-Semitic graffiti and property damage Thursday, the night before Passover. Winnipeg Police Service officers and other emergency personnel arrived at the restaurant around 10:45 p.m., just after closing, and found the injured woman inside. The eatery was severely vandalized, including broken furniture and spray-painted, hate-related graffiti. The woman was taken to hospital in stable condition, treated and released. Const. Rob Carver called the incident "very troubling," and said the WPS major crimes unit and hate crime co-ordinator are investigating all aspects of the incident, which includes robbery. "In all the years Ive been doing this job, Ive actually never seen an incident quite like this," said Carver, a WPS officer of 26 years, referring to the level of property damage combined with the attack on the woman. "Any time there is an incident of hate-related crime, it is incredibly disturbing. These communities feel hugely threatened. Not only historically, over the last year in other areas of the world, in other countries, were seeing hate crimes that have become very violent." Police would not disclose what was taken or how the woman came to be attacked if she walked in on the crime in progress or if she was attacked and the theft took place afterward. Carver told reporters the restaurant has been the target of similar crimes four times in five months. In January, the cafes front window was sprayed with graffiti, and again on Feb. 1, with the building and fence targeted. Late last year, a rock was thrown at the front window, BerMax owner Maxim Berent told the Free Press in a Feb. 3 article. "This has escalated in nature and severity and this is the most serious by far," said Ron East, a Jewish community activist and founder of the Stop Israel Hate group, which stands against anti-Semitism. "Its the worst because of the level of destruction and the attack of the employee and the spraying of the hate-filled graffiti and all of this on the eve of one of our most important holidays." Several police cars and at least 10 officers were at the scene Friday morning, which extended to other businesses in the strip mall. Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd, a minister at nearby Westworth United Church, and her partner, Nancy Pinnell, were dismayed to find out the severity of the incident when they went to the BerMax for lunch after the Good Friday service. "We heard something happened last night; we didnt know what, so we stopped by to have lunch and show our support and stand against hate and violence," Shepherd said, noting she added prayers to her service for the BerMax owners, employees and their families. "We will do what we can to support them. Ill be sending a congregation email to everybody related to our church, saying this has happened again, and we encourage everyone to support this place with their prayers and their patronage." Ran Ukashi, national director of the League for Human Rights for Bnai Brith Canada, said his organization "unequivocally condemns these despicable acts of vandalism and violence and we trust the police will find the perpetrator or perpetrators of this incident and (were) hopeful for consequences for their actions." "What people can do is express support to the victims of anti-Semitism or racial discrimination of any kind, because people often feel isolated and alone and that they cant turn to anyone. But when they get an outpouring of support from the community, it helps reduce that," Ukashi said. East said he knows BerMax owner Berent, who could not be reached for comment Friday, and he believes the business will reopen. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "If previous incidents are any indication, these are tough, strong people who believe in their mission and their right to co-exist in a world thats peaceful," East said. "I dont think these are the type of people that will back down. "If anything, this will reaffirm their determination and it will reaffirm our communitys determination not to back down, and to stand up and say we have a right to be here, like everybody else." Carver said the most recent WPS statistics from 2017 show there were 18 hate-related crimes in Winnipeg, with 15 including graffiti and three involving threats. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 204-986-6219 or call CrimeStoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477). ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca Ukraines presidential election campaign is in its final stretch before the final run-off between the two top candidates this Sunday. The current president, Petro Poroshenko, is way down in the latest opinion polls against the unexpected front-runner, professional comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 20/4/2019 (973 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Ukraines presidential election campaign is in its final stretch before the final run-off between the two top candidates this Sunday. The current president, Petro Poroshenko, is way down in the latest opinion polls against the unexpected front-runner, professional comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Poroshenko only received 15 per cent of the votes against Zelenskiys 30 per cent, who topped the first round three weeks ago. Since no candidate received 50 per cent plus one vote, the run-off is required. Regardless of who wins on Sunday, Ukrainians can be proud of the election campaign, which was declared by the international election observation missions as free and fair after the first round. Ukrainians have clear choices, while most post-Soviet states dont have free and fair elections, except for the Baltic States. As the Polish-based Centre for Eastern Studies recently pointed out, "The runoff with Poroshenko will not be the battle between pro-Russian and pro-western politicians, which had been traditional for Ukraine until 2014; it will be a competition between a politician and a post-politician." Its important to note that openly pro-Russian politicians, such as Yuriy Boyko and Oleksandr Vilkul, were eliminated in the first round of the election. More surprisingly, one of the most famous Ukrainian politicians, former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, also lost in the first round. The International Republican Institute, which monitors reforms and elections around the globe, indicated in its January report that 39 per cent of Ukrainian voters are concerned about the military conflict in the Donbas, in eastern Ukraine, and this issue would influence their candidate selection, followed by corruption at 16 per cent; the economy at 11 per cent; and communal housing payments, utilities and tariffs at 10 per cent. The current president is running his campaign on the slogan, "Army. Language. Faith." This is clearly not what the voters are looking for in this election. Zelenskiys true success in this election is still unknown, since he only announced his intention to run on New Years Eve. His platform lacks details, which worries many observers. However, Zelenskiys success is partly because Ukrainians are dissatisfied with how the current president and political elites have handled the countrys reforms over the years. Zelenskiys lack of election platform details could also be a part of his election strategy, which is playing in his favour the image of the young, new face in politics may be welcomed by the majority of voters. Moreover, Zelenskiy is running a tight and sharp media campaign that appeals to a broader audience by not diving into any traditionally divisive issues for Ukrainian society. While there is no doubt Poroshenko has contributed to the modernization of the Ukrainian Armed Forces following the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia and the Russia-backed war in eastern Ukraine, there is no end in sight for the war in Donbas, where Russia can only be forced to withdraw its support for the so-called separatists by a strong and united international community. 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. There are multiple corruption scandals among the ruling elites, including a recent corruption scandal in the supply chain of the armed forces, which is especially disappointing in a time of war. There is a lack of progress in the judicial reforms, which recently resulted in the decision by the Supreme Court of Ukraine to cancel comprehensive anti-corruption legislation, making all the ongoing cases against corrupt officials hard to pursue. The presidents party in Rada, Ukraines parliament, "Block of Petro Poroshenko," should share the blame for the presidents collapse in the polls. While Rada remains a powerful institution that limits the powers of the office of the president following the Revolution of Dignity of 2014, the president could have worked harder with his own party to introduce tough legislation to fight corruption, reform government institutions and boost economic development to improve the lives of citizens. No matter who wins on Sunday, Ukrainian voters may demand quick answers focusing on ending the war in the east, fighting corruption in meaningful ways and dealing with escalating utility payments. Ukrainians should be proud, regardless of the outcome, since they have a say in who is in charge of running the country. The parliamentary election in Ukraine is scheduled for this fall, so Ukrainians will once again have to decide who will represent them in the parliament. Between the president and the parliament, there should be no excuses for politicians not to work together to improve the lives of their citizens. Denys Volkov holds a masters degree in public administration. He lived and studied in Ukraine and Britain before moving to Winnipeg. On the eve of what is easily the riskiest decision of his political career, Premier Brian Pallister has decided to quietly but profoundly gut the senior ranks of his political staff. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/4/2019 (974 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion On the eve of what is easily the riskiest decision of his political career, Premier Brian Pallister has decided to quietly but profoundly gut the senior ranks of his political staff. With talk of a snap election hanging in the air, the renovation began in early April, when Philip Houde, the Manitoba premiers chief of staff for nearly three years, was suddenly moved from Pallisters right hand to head up the newly created Economic Development Office. The government issued a news release April 5 when Houde was reassigned, but left out the fact his departure had triggered a series of collateral staffing changes. Attempts to get interviews with many of the people involved were ignored. Instead, late Thursday, the government sent the Free Press a one-paragraph statement confirming some of the changes. According to that statement, Jonathan Scarth, a longtime Tory political staffer who had been serving as the principal secretary to the premier, would be "assuming additional duties." What the statement neglected to say was that Scarth is now also the de facto chief of staff. Scarth, a capable adviser who learned his craft at the feet of former premier Gary Filmon, is a good choice for chief of staff. However, party sources confirm he will not be relinquishing his other duties and will be maintaining a new office in the legislative building and his existing principal secretary office, farther east on Broadway. Party sources confirmed Scarth will be supported, to some extent, by Elliot Sims, director of legislative affairs. However, Sims does not have a lot of experience as a high-level adviser, and Scarth will effectively be trying to do two jobs while working out of two offices on the precipice of what appears to be an increasingly certain spring election. Meanwhile, Deb Young, former assistant vice-president of communications at Investors Group and most recently an instructor at Red River College, is the new director of communications. A former communicator in the Filmon government nearly two decades ago, Young becomes the third such director in Pallisters three years in power. Finally, for the first time in the current mandate, Pallister is bringing in someone to focus solely on stakeholder relations. Sources confirm Michael Kowalson, a business consultant and entrepreneur who owns a series of Subway restaurant franchises, will assume the role of director of stakeholder relations a key role in most provincial governments. For the past three years, stakeholder relations was a secondary duty attached to a variety of senior staff, with mixed results. This is a government that does not do a good job of building relationships with outside individuals and organizations. Even patronage appointees by the Pallister government have complained about having no connection with the premier or his office. Kowalson, who has run in the past for Winnipeg city council, is expected to be a major upgrade in this critically important function of the premiers office. The timing of these staffing changes could not be more precarious. At a recent Manitoba Chambers of Commerce breakfast forum, Pallister continued to fan the flames of speculation about a spring vote. Provincial fixed-date legislation has pegged Oct. 6, 2020, for the next election, but Pallister has suggested on frequent occasions this law is only a guideline. Political staff come and go for most governments, but rarely has any first minister made so many high-level changes so close to a possible election. In Manitoba, the most recent example was in 2015, when NDP premier Greg Selinger fired all of his longtime advisers and hired loyal neophytes following the resignation of five dissident cabinet ministers. (We know how that worked out.) Dan Lett | Not for Attribution A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world that is sent every Tuesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. This magnitude of change is an odd strategy for a political leader who has already suffered from a shortage of experienced political advisers. (Scarth and Young have both been away from the front lines of government for some time.) Of course, the mitigating factor here may be that Pallister has demonstrated he requires very little input from the people around him on major decisions. In his three years in government, Pallister has frequently boasted about shrinking both the size of cabinet and the number of political staffers. There has been little hardship for the premier from this strategy, in large part because he is notorious for neither seeking nor heeding outside advice on major decisions, such as whether to gamble his stranglehold on Manitoba politics with a snap election. Despite recent poll results showing the Tories are bleeding support in Winnipeg, Pallister still stands as the favourite to win the next election, whenever it is held. However, history has shown voters can react adversely to snap election calls, particularly in provinces where fixed-date election laws have been passed. First ministers should always surround themselves with capable and experienced people who can help them read the political tea leaves and make the right decisions. It remains to be seen whether Pallister has the right voices at the table. dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca Stantec Inc. provides professional consulting services in the area of infrastructure and facilities in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company provides consulting services in engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics. It also offers water, transportation, and public works; transportation planning and traffic engineering; and resource assessment, mine development, reclamation, hydrology, and geotechnical and infrastructure engineering services, as well as urban planning, traffic assessments and optimization, environmental impact assessments, and public consultation services. In addition, the company provides structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and hydraulics engineering services. It serves urban regeneration, infrastructure, education, public and private sector, tourism and leisure, and waste and water sectors, as well as office and commercial, residential, and retail and town centers. The company was formerly known as Stanley Technology Group Inc. and changed its name to Stantec Inc. in October 1998. Stantec Inc. was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada. Read More Two Harbors Investment pays an annual dividend of $0.68 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 11.66%. TWO has a dividend yield higher than 75% of all dividend-paying stocks, making it a leading dividend payer. Two Harbors Investment has been increasing its dividend for 2 consecutive year(s), indicating that it does not yet have a strong track record of dividend growth. The dividend payout ratio of Two Harbors Investment is 61.26%. This payout ratio is at a healthy, sustainable level, below 75%. Based on EPS estimates, Two Harbors Investment will have a dividend payout ratio of 83.95% in the coming year. This indicates that Two Harbors Investment may not be able to sustain their current dividend. View Two Harbors Investment's dividend history. Invesco BulletShares 2020 High Yield Corporate Bond ETF's stock was trading at $23.27 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, BSJK stock has increased by 0.4% and is now trading at $23.36. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Aurora Cannabis Inc. produces and distributes medical cannabis products worldwide. It is vertically integrated and horizontally diversified across various segments of the cannabis value chain, including facility engineering and design, cannabis breeding, genetics research, production, derivatives, high value-add product development, home cultivation, wholesale, and retail distribution. The company produces various strains of dried cannabis, cannabis oil and capsules, and topical kits for medical patients. It also sells vaporizers; consumable vaporizer accessories, including valves, screens, etc.; and herb mills for using CanniMed herbal cannabis products, as well as grinders and vaporizer lockable containers. In addition, the company engages in the development of medical cannabis products at various stages of development, including oral, topical, edible, and inhalable products; and operation of CanvasRX, a network of cannabis counseling and outreach centers. Further, it provides patient counselling services; design and construction services; and cannabis analytical product testing services. The company's brand portfolio includes Aurora, Aurora Drift, San Rafael '71, Daily Special, AltaVie, MedReleaf, CanniMed, Whistler, Woodstock, and ROAR Sports. Aurora Cannabis Inc. is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada. Read More Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates through three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance and Wealth. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings accounts, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, credit cards, and other financial services to personal and small business customers. The Commercial Banking segment provides lending, transactional banking, working capital management, risk management, and debt capital market services to small and medium-sized entities, corporates, and financial institutions. The Insurance and Wealth segment offers life, home, and car insurance products; and pension, investment, and wealth management products and services. It also provides digital and mobile banking, and telephone services, as well as advisory services for savings, investments, and planning for retirement. The company offers its products and services under the Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Scottish Widows, MBNA, Schroders Personal Wealth, Black Horse, Lex Autolease, Birmingham Midshires, LDC, IWeb, and Agricultural Mortgage Corporation brands. Lloyds Banking Group plc was founded in 1695 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More iShares China Large-Cap ETF's stock was trading at $38.80 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, FXI shares have decreased by 6.3% and is now trading at $36.34. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. engages in the management of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. It operates through the following segments: Asset Management, Real Estate, Renewable Power, Infrastructure, Private Equity, Residential Development, and Corporate Activities. The Asset Management segment includes the management of its listed partnerships, private funds and public securities. The Real Estate segment is comprised of the ownership, operation and development of core office, core retail, LP investments and other properties. The Renewable Power segment encompasses the ownership, operation and development of hydroelectric, wind, solar, storage and other power generating facilities. The Infrastructure segment consists of the ownership, operation and development of utilities, transport, energy, data infrastructure and sustainable resource assets. The Private Equity segment refers to the broad range of industries, and is mostly focused on business services, infrastructure services and industrials. The Residential Development segment represents homebuilding, condominium development and land development. The Corporate Activiti Read More Fielmann Aktiengesellschaft engages in the investment in and operation of optical and hearing aid businesses. The company manufactures and sells visual aids and other optical products, including glasses, frames, lenses, sunglasses, contact lenses and accessories, and various merchandise, as well as hearing aids and accessories. As of December 31, 2020, it operated 870 stores, including 605 in Germany, 43 in Switzerland, 38 Austria, 3 in Luxembourg, 33 in Italy, 25 in Poland, 80 in Spain, 28 in Slovenia, and 15 in the rest of Europe. The company also 79 smaller locations in Eastern Europe. Fielmann Aktiengesellschaft also offers its products through online stores. The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. Fielmann Aktiengesellschaft is a subsidiary of Korva SE. Read More Fitbit, Inc., a technology company, provides health solutions in the United States and internationally. The company offers a line of devices, including Fitbit Charge 3, Fitbit Inspire, Fitbit Inspire HR, and Fitbit Ace 2 activity trackers; Fitbit Ionic and Fitbit Versa family of smartwatches, as well as Fitbit Flyer wireless headphones and the Fitbit Aria family of connected scales; and accessories, such as bands and frames for its devices. It also offers Fitbit online dashboard and mobile apps that sync automatically with and display real-time data from its wearable devices; and Fitbit Care, a connected health platform for health plans, employers, and health systems. In addition, the company provides Fitbit Premium, a paid subscription service that uses the data of users to deliver actionable guidance and coaching to help users achieve their health and fitness goals, as well as includes Fitbit Coach that offers exercise programs through personal trainer and yoga apps. It sells its products through consumer electronics and specialty, e-commerce, mass merchant, department store, club, and sporting goods and outdoors retailers; wireless carriers; distributors; and Fitbit.com, an online store, as well as directly to consumers. Fitbit, Inc. has a collaboration with The Scripps Research Institute and Stanford Medicine to study the role of wearables to detect, track, and contain infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.; and partnership with Solera Health to reduce risk of type 2 diabetes. The company was formerly known as Healthy Metrics Research, Inc. and changed its name to Fitbit, Inc. in October 2007. Fitbit, Inc. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. 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 The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. is an insurance and financial services company. The company provides life insurance, group and employee benefits, automobile and homeowners insurance and business insurance, as well as investment products, annuities, mutual funds, and college savings plans. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Lines, Personal Lines, Property & Casualty Other Operations, Group Benefits and Hartford Funds. The Commercial Lines segment provides workers compensation, property, automobile, liability and umbrella coverage under several different products, primarily throughout the U.S., within its standard commercial lines, which consists of The Hartford's small commercial and middle market lines of business. The Personal Lines segment includes automobile, homeowners and home-based business coverage to individuals across the U.S. The Property & Casualty Other Operations segment includes certain property and casualty operations, currently managed by the company, that have discontinued writing new business and substantially all of the company's asbestos and environmental exposures. The Group Benefits segment offers group life, accident and disabi Read More Christopher & Banks Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer of private-brand women's apparel and accessories in the United States. The company designs and sells women's apparel and accessories to customers ranging in age from 40 and older. Its stores offer women's apparel consisting of casual clothing, everyday basics, wear-to-work, leisure/active wear, and sleepwear in missy, petite, and women sizes, as well as jewelry and accessories. As of December 4, 2018, the company operated 461 stores, including 314 MPW stores, 80 Outlet stores, 35 Christopher & Banks stores, and 32 stores in its women's plus size clothing division CJ Banks in 45 states. It also operates christopherandbanks.com, an e-commerce Website for its Christopher & Banks and CJ Banks brands. The company was formerly known as Braun's Fashions Corporation and changed its name to Christopher & Banks Corporation in July 2000. Christopher & Banks Corporation was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of InterContinental Hotels Group: 2250 Blake Street Hotel LLC, 24th Street Operator Sub LLC, 36th Street IHG Sub LLC, 426 Main Ave LLC, 46 Nevins Street Associates LLC, Allegro Management LLC, Alpha Kimball Hotel LLC, American Commonwealth Assurance Co. Ltd., Asia Pacific Holdings Limited, BHMC Canada Inc., BHR Holdings B.V., BHR Luxembourg SARL, BHR Pacific Holdings Inc., BHTC Canada Inc., BOC Barclay Sub LLC, Barclay Operating Corp., Bristol Oakbrook Tenant Company, Cafe Biarritz, Cambridge Lodging LLC, Capital Lodging LLC, Compania Inter-Continental De Hoteles El Salvador SA, Crowne Plaza Amsterdam (Management) B.V., Crowne Plaza LLC, Cumberland Akers Hotel LLC, Dunwoody Operations Inc., EVEN Real Estate Holding LLC, Edinburgh IC Limited, General Innkeeping Acceptance Corporation, Guangzhou SC Hotels Services Ltd., H.I. (Ireland) Limited, H.I. Soaltee Management Company Ltd, HC International Holdings Inc., HH France Holdings SAS, HH Hotels (EMEA) B.V., HH Hotels (Romania) SRL, HI Sugarloaf LLC, HIM (Aruba) NV, Hale International Ltd., Hoft Properties LLC, Holiday Hospitality Franchising LLC, Holiday Inn Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Holiday Inns (China) Ltd, Holiday Inns (Chongqing) Inc., Holiday Inns (Courtalin) Holdings SAS, Holiday Inns (Courtalin) SAS, Holiday Inns (England) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Germany) LLC, Holiday Inns (Guangzhou) Inc., Holiday Inns (Jamaica) Inc., Holiday Inns (Malaysia) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Middle East) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Philippines) Inc., Holiday Inns (Saudi Arabia) Inc., Holiday Inns (South East Asia) Inc., Holiday Inns (Thailand) Ltd., Holiday Inns (UK) Inc., Holiday Inns Crowne Plaza (Hong Kong) Inc., Holiday Inns Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, Holiday Inns Inc., Holiday Inns Investment (Nepal) Ltd., Holiday Inns of America (UK) Ltd., Holiday Inns of Belgium N.V., Holiday Pacific Equity Corporation, Holiday Pacific LLC, Holiday Pacific Partners LP, Hotel Inter-Continental London Limited, Hotel InterContinental London (Holdings) Limited, Hoteles Y Turismo HIH SRL, IC Hotelbetriebsfuhrungs GmbH, IC Hotels Management (Portugal) Unipessoal Lda, IC International Hotels Limited Liability Company, IHC (Thailand) Limited, IHC Buckhead LLC, IHC Edinburgh (Holdings), IHC Hopkins (Holdings) Corp., IHC Hotel Limited, IHC Inter-Continental (Holdings) Corp., IHC London (Holdings), IHC M-H (Holdings) Corp., IHC May Fair (Holdings) Limited, IHC May Fair Hotel Limited, IHC Overseas (U.K.) Limited, IHC UK (Holdings) Limited, IHC United States (Holdings) Corp., IHC Willard (Holdings) Corp., IHG (Australasia) Limited, IHG (Marseille) SAS, IHG (Thailand) Limited, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan LLC, IHG ANA Hotels Holdings Co. Ltd., IHG Bangkok Ltd, IHG Brasil Administracao de Hoteis e Servicos Ltda, IHG Commission Services SRL, IHG Community Development LLC, IHG Cyprus Limited, IHG ECS (Barbados) SRL, IHG Franchising Brasil Ltda, IHG Franchising DR Corporation, IHG Franchising LLC, IHG Hotels (New Zealand) Limited, IHG Hotels Limited, IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Limited, IHG Hotels Nigeria Limited, IHG Hotels South Africa (Pty) Ltd, IHG International Partnership, IHG Istanbul Otel Yonetim Limited Sirketi, IHG Japan (Management) LLC, IHG Japan (Osaka) LLC, IHG Management (Maryland) LLC, IHG Management (Netherlands) B.V., IHG Management MD Barclay Sub LLC, IHG Management SL d.o.o, IHG Management d.o.o. Beograd, IHG Orchard Street Member LLC, IHG PS Nominees Limited, IHG Systems Pty Ltd, IHG Szalloda Budapest Szolgaltato Kft., IHG de Argentina SA, IND East Village SD Holdings LLC, Inter-Continental D.C. Operating Corp., Inter-Continental Florida Investment Corp., Inter-Continental Florida Partner Corp., Inter-Continental Hospitality Corporation, Inter-Continental Hoteleira Limitada, Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Operating Corp., Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Owning Corp., Inter-Continental Hotels (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation, Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation de Venezuela C.A., Inter-Continental Hotels of San Francisco Inc., Inter-Continental IOHC (Mauritius) Limited, Inter-Continental Management (Australia) Pty Limited, InterContinental (Branston) 1 Limited, InterContinental (PB) 1, InterContinental (PB) 2, InterContinental (PB) 3 Limited, InterContinental Berlin Service Company GmbH, InterContinental Brasil Administracao de Hoteis Ltda, InterContinental Gestion Hotelera S.L., InterContinental Hotel Berlin GmbH, InterContinental Hotel Dusseldorf GmbH (Germany), InterContinental Hotels (Puerto Rico) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd, InterContinental Hotels Group (Australia) Pty Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (Canada) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (Espana) SA, InterContinental Hotels Group (Greater China) Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (India) Pvt. Ltd, InterContinental Hotels Group (Japan) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (New Zealand) Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (Shanghai) Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group Customer Services Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group Healthcare Trustee Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group Operating Corp., InterContinental Hotels Group Resources Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group Services Company, InterContinental Hotels Group do Brasil Limitada, InterContinental Hotels Italia S.r.L., InterContinental Hotels Limited, InterContinental Hotels Management GmbH, InterContinental Hotels Nevada Corporation, InterContinental Management AM LLC, InterContinental Management Bulgaria EOOD, InterContinental Management France SAS, InterContinental Management Poland sp. z.o.o, InterContinental Overseas Holding Corporation, Intercontinental Hotels Corporation Limited, KG Benefits LLC, KG Gift Card Inc., KG Liability LLC, KG Technology LLC, KHP Washington Operator LLC, KHRG 11th Avenue Hotel LLC, KHRG 851 LLC, KHRG Aertson LLC, KHRG Alexandria LLC, KHRG Alexis LLC, KHRG Allegro LLC, KHRG Argyle LLC, KHRG Austin Beverage Company LLC, KHRG Baltimore LLC, KHRG Born LLC, KHRG Boston Hotel LLC, KHRG Canary LLC, KHRG Cayman Employer Ltd., KHRG Cayman LLC, KHRG DC 1731 LLC, KHRG DC 2505 LLC, KHRG Donovan LLC, KHRG Employer LLC, KHRG Goleta LLC, KHRG Gray LLC, KHRG Gray U2 LLC, KHRG Hillcrest LLC, KHRG Huntington Beach LLC, KHRG King Street LLC, KHRG La Peer LLC, KHRG Miami Beach LLC, KHRG Muse LLC, KHRG NPC LLC, KHRG Onyx LLC, KHRG Palladian LLC, KHRG Palomar Phoenix LLC, KHRG Philly Monaco LLC, KHRG Pittsburgh LLC, KHRG Reynolds LLC, KHRG Riverplace LLC, KHRG SFD LLC, KHRG Sacramento LLC, KHRG Savannah LLC, KHRG Schofield LLC, KHRG Sedona LLC, KHRG State Street LLC, KHRG Sutter LLC, KHRG Sutter Union LLC, KHRG Taconic LLC, KHRG Tariff LLC, KHRG Texas Hospitality LLC, KHRG Texas Operations LLC, KHRG Tryon LLC, KHRG VZ Austin LLC, KHRG Vero Beach LLC, KHRG Vintage Park LLC, KHRG WPB LLC, KHRG Wabash LLC, KHRG Westwood LLC, KHRG Wilshire LLC, KHRG Zamora LLC, Kimpton Hollywood Licenses LLC, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, Kimpton Phoenix Licenses Holdings LLC, Kimpton Sedona Licenses LLC, Louisiana Acquisitions Corp., MH Lodging LLC, Mercer Fairview Holdings LLC, PML Services LLC, PT SC Hotels & Resorts Indonesia, Pollstrong Limited, Powell Pine Inc., Priscilla Holiday of Texas Inc., RM Lodging LLC, Regent Hotels and Resorts, Resort Services International (Cayo Largo) L.P., SBS Maryland Beverage Company LLC, SC Cellars Limited, SC Hotels International Services Inc., SC Leisure Group Limited, SC NAS 2 Limited, SC Quest Limited, SC Reservations (Philippines) Inc., SCH Insurance Company, SCIH Branston 3, SF MH Acquisition LLC, SPHC Group Pty Ltd., SPHC Management Ltd., Semiramis for training of Hotel Personnel and Hotel Management SAE, Six Continents Corporate Services, Six Continents Holdings Limited, Six Continents Hotels Inc., Six Continents Hotels International Limited, Six Continents Hotels de Colombia SA, Six Continents International Holdings B.V., Six Continents Investments Limited, Six Continents Limited, Six Continents Overseas Holdings Limited, Six Continents Restaurants Limited, SixCo North America Inc., Solamar Lodging LLC, Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation (BVI) Ltd., Southern Pacific Hotels Properties Limited, Universal de Hoteles SA, White Shield Insurance Company Limited, and World Trade Centre Montreal Hotel Corporation. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF's stock was trading at $56.05 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EFA shares have increased by 36.8% and is now trading at $76.65. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Medtronic Plc is a medical technology company, which engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of device-based medical therapies and services. It operates through the following segments: Cardiac and Vascular Group; Minimally Invasive Technologies Group; Restorative Therapies Group; and Diabetes Group. The Cardiac and Vascular Group segment consists of products for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cardiac rhythm disorders and cardiovascular disease. The Minimally Invasive Technologies Group segment focuses on respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, renal system, lungs, pelvic region, kidneys, and obesity diseases. The Restorative Therapies Group segment comprises of neurostimulation therapies and drug delivery systems for the treatment of chronic pain, as well as areas of the spine and brain, along with pelvic health and conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. The Diabetes Group segment offers insulin pumps, coninuous glucose monitoring systems, and insulin pump consumables. The company was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Cummins: Anvl, Apollo FC Holdings Ltd., Atlantis Acquisitionco Canada Corporation, Atlantis Holdco UK Limited, Brammo, CIFC Worldwide Partner C.V., CMI Africa Holdings BV, CMI CGT Holdings LLC, CMI Canada Financing Ltd., CMI Canada LP, CMI Foreign Holdings B.V., CMI Global Equity Holdings B.V., CMI Global Equity Holdings C.V., CMI Global Holdings B.V., CMI Global Partner 2 C.V., CMI Global Partners B.V., CMI Group Holdings B.V., CMI Group Holdings Cooperatief U.A., CMI International Finance Partner 1 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 2 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 3 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 4 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 5 LLC, CMI Mexico LLC, CMI Netherlands Holdings B.V., CMI PGI Holdings LLC, CMI PGI International Holdings LLC, CMI Turkish Holdings B.V., CMI UK Finance LP, CMI UK Financing LP, Cherry Island Renewable Energy LLC, Consolidated Diesel Company, Consolidated Diesel Inc., Consolidated Diesel of North Carolina Inc., Cummins (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Cummins (Xiangyang) Machining Co. Ltd., Cummins Africa Middle East (Pty) Ltd., Cummins Afrique de l'Ouest, Cummins Americas Inc., Cummins Angola Lda., Cummins Argentina-Servicios Mineros S.A., Cummins Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Cummins Aust Technologies Pty. Ltd., Cummins BLR LLC, Cummins Battery Systems North America LLC, Cummins Belgium N.V., Cummins Botswana (Pty.) Ltd., Cummins Brasil Ltda., Cummins Burkina Faso SARL, Cummins CDC Holding Inc., Cummins CV Member LLC, Cummins Canada ULC, Cummins Caribbean LLC, Cummins Center of Excellence Singapore Pte. Ltd., Cummins Centroamerica Holding S.de R.L., Cummins Child Development Center Inc., Cummins Colombia S.A.S., Cummins Comercializadora S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Corporation, Cummins Cote d'Ivoire SARL, Cummins Czech Republic s.r.o., Cummins Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Diesel International Ltd., Cummins Distribution Holdco Inc., Cummins EMEA Holdings Limited, Cummins East Asia Research & Development Co. Ltd., Cummins Eastern Marine Inc., Cummins Electrified Power Europe Ltd., Cummins Electrified Power NA Inc., Cummins Emission Solutions (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Emission Solutions Inc., Cummins Empresas Filantropicas, Cummins Energetica Ltda., Cummins Engine (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine (Shanghai) Trading & Services Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine Holding Company Inc., Cummins Engine IP Inc., Cummins Engine Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Cummins Engine Venture Corporation, Cummins Enterprise LLC, Cummins Filtration (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Filtration GmbH, Cummins Filtration IP Inc., Cummins Filtration Inc., Cummins Filtration International Corp., Cummins Filtration Ltd., Cummins Filtration SARL, Cummins Filtration Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Filtros Ltda., Cummins Franchise Holdco LLC, Cummins Fuel Systems (Wuhan) Co. Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies Americas Inc., Cummins Generator Technologies Germany GmbH, Cummins Generator Technologies India Private Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies Italy SRL, Cummins Generator Technologies Limited, Cummins Generator Technologies Romania S.A., Cummins Generator Technologies Singapore Pte Ltd., Cummins Ghana Limited, Cummins Ghana Mining Limited, Cummins Global Financing LP, Cummins Global Technologies LLP, Cummins Grupo Comercial Y. de Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Grupo Industrial S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Holland B.V., Cummins Hong Kong Ltd., Cummins India Ltd., Cummins Intellectual Property Inc., Cummins International Finance LLC, Cummins International Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Cummins International Holdings LLC, Cummins Italia S.P.A., Cummins Japan Ltd., Cummins Korea Co. Ltd., Cummins LLC Member Inc., Cummins Ltd., Cummins Maroc SARL, Cummins Middle East FZE, Cummins Mining Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Mobility Services Inc., Cummins Mongolia Investment LLC, Cummins Mozambique Ltda., Cummins NV, Cummins Namibia Engine Sales and Service PTY LTD, Cummins Natural Gas Engines Inc., Cummins New Zealand Limited, Cummins Nigeria Ltd., Cummins Norte de Colombia S.A.S., Cummins North Africa Regional Office SARL, Cummins Norway AS, Cummins PGI Holdings Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (S) Pte. Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (U.K.) Limited, Cummins Power Generation Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Power Generation Inc., Cummins Power Generation Limited, Cummins PowerGen IP Inc., Cummins Research and Technology India Private Ltd., Cummins Romania Srl, Cummins S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Sales and Service Korea Co. Ltd., Cummins Sales and Service Philippines Inc., Cummins Sales and Service Private Limited, Cummins Sales and Service Sdn. Bhd., Cummins Sales and Service Singapore Pte. Ltd., Cummins Sinai ve Otomotiv Urunleri Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Cummins South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Cummins South Pacific Pty. Limited, Cummins Southern Plains LLC, Cummins Spain S.L., Cummins Sweden AB, Cummins Technologies India, Cummins Trade Receivables LLC, Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited, Cummins Turkey Motor Guc Sistemleri Sats Servis Limited Sirketi, Cummins U.K. Holdings Ltd., Cummins U.K. Pension Plan Trustee Ltd., Cummins UK Global Holdings Ltd., Cummins UK Holdings LLC, Cummins Vendas e Servicos de Motores e Geradores Ltda., Cummins Venture Corporation, Cummins West Africa Limited, Cummins West Balkans d.o.o. Nova Pasova, Cummins XBorder Operations (Pty) Ltd, Cummins Zambia Ltd., Cummins Zimbabwe Pvt. Ltd., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Costa Rica S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica El Salvador S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Guatemala Ltda., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Honduras S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins S.A., Distribuidora Cummins Sucursal Paraguay SRL, Distribuidora Cummins de Panama S. de R.L., Dynamo Insurance Company Inc., Efficient Drivetrains, Efficient Drivetrains (Beijing) New Power Technology Co. Ltd., Efficient Drivetrains (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Hilite International, Hydrogenics, Hydrogenics Corporation, Hydrogenics Europe N.V., Hydrogenics GmbH, Hydrogenics Holding GmbH, Hydrogenics USA Inc., Markon Engineering Company Ltd., Nelson Burgess Ltd., Nelson Industries, Newage Engineers GmbH, Newage Ltd. (U.K.), Newage Machine Tools Ltd., OOO Cummins, Petbow Limited, Power Group International (Overseas Holdings) B.V., Power Group International (Overseas Holdings) Ltd., Power Group International Ltd., Quickstart Energy Projects SpA, Shanghai Cummins Trade Co. Ltd., TOO Cummins, Taiwan Cummins Sales & Services Co. Ltd., Worldwide Partner CV Member LLC, Wuxi Cummins Turbo Technologies Co. Ltd., Wuxi New Energy Automotive Technologies Co. Ltd., and ZED Connect Inc.. The following companies are subsidiares of Occidental Petroleum: 1PointFive Inc., 1PointFive P1 LLC, APC Aviation Inc., APC International Holdings LLC, APC Midstream Holdings LLC, APC Venezuela Srl, ARCO Long Beach, Altura Energy, Amarok Gathering LLC, Anadarko 20-25 Company, Anadarko 20-36 Company, Anadarko 20-47 Company, Anadarko 20-48 Company, Anadarko 20-49 Company, Anadarko Algeria Block 403 c/e Company, Anadarko Algeria Block 406B Company, Anadarko Algeria Company LLC, Anadarko Algeria Oil & Gas Company, Anadarko Brazil Investment I LLC, Anadarko Brazil Investment II LLC, Anadarko Canada E&P Limited, Anadarko China Holdings 2 Company, Anadarko Colombia Company, Anadarko Consolidated Holdings LLC, Anadarko Cote d'Ivoire Block 103 Company, Anadarko Cote d'Ivoire Company, Anadarko DBMOS Operator LLC, Anadarko Development Company, Anadarko Development Holding Limited, Anadarko E&P Onshore LLC, Anadarko Egypt Holdings Company, Anadarko Energy Holding Limited, Anadarko Energy Services Company, Anadarko Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Natural Ltda., Anadarko Finance Company, Anadarko Gabon Company, Anadarko Ghana Mahogany-1 Company, Anadarko Global Energy S.a.r.l, Anadarko Global Funding 1 Company, Anadarko Global Funding II Ltd., Anadarko Guyana Company, Anadarko Holding Company, Anadarko International Development S.a.r.l, Anadarko International Energy Company, Anadarko International O&G Company, Anadarko International Trading Corporation, Anadarko Jordan Company, Anadarko Kenya Company, Anadarko LMM S.a.r.l, Anadarko Land Corp., Anadarko Mexico B.V., Anadarko Mexico S.a.r.l, Anadarko Midkiff/Chaney Dell BR Corp., Anadarko Midkiff/Chaney Dell LLC, Anadarko Natural Gas Company LLC, Anadarko New Zealand Company, Anadarko OGC Company, Anadarko Offshore Holding Company LLC, Anadarko Offshore Well Containment Company LLC, Anadarko Oil & Gas 5 LLC, Anadarko Peru B.V., Anadarko Petroleum, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Anadarko Realty LLC, Anadarko Rockies LLC, Anadarko Royalty Holdings Company, Anadarko UK Corporate Limited, Anadarko US Offshore LLC, Anadarko USH1 Corporation, Anadarko Venezuela Company, Anadarko Venezuela LLC, Anadarko Venezuela Srl, Anadarko WCTP Company, Anadarko West Texas BR Corp., Anadarko West Texas LLC, Anadarko Worldwide Holdings C.V., Atlantic Rim Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Aventine LLC, Baseball Merger Sub 2 Inc., Bear Branch Exploration LLC, Big Island Trona Company, Bitter Creek Coal Company, Bravo Pipeline Company, Cain Chemical, Cain Chemical Inc., Carbon Finance Labs LLC, Concord Petroleum Corporation, Conn Creek Shale Company, D.S. Ventures LLC, DMM Financial LLC, Deerwood Exploration LLC, Downtown Plaza II, Elk Hills Field, FLAG Development LLC, FP Westport Commodities Limited, FP Westport GmbH, FP Westport LLC, FP Westport Limited, FP Westport Services LLC, FP Westport Trading LLC, Fosters Mill Exploration LLC, Glenn Springs Holdings Inc., Globrep Representaciones S.A., Grand Bassa Tankers Inc., Grupo OxyChem de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Headwater II LLC, Houndstooth Resources LLC, INDSPEC Chemical B.V., INDSPEC Chemical Corporation, INDSPEC Chemical Corporation, INDSPEC Chemical Export Sales LLC, INDSPEC Holding Corporation, Ingleside Cogeneration GP LLC, Ingleside Cogeneration Limited Partnership, Interore Trading Ltd., Joslyn Partnership, KERR-McGEE TT E&P LTD., KM BM-C-Seven Ltd., KM International Insurance Ltd., Kerr-McGee Corporation, Kerr-McGee Natural Gas Company Inc., Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Onshore LP, Kerr-McGee Shared Services Company LLC, Kerr-McGee Stored Power Corporation, Kerr-McGee U.K. Energy Corporation, Kerr-McGee Worldwide Corporation, Kerr-McGee do Brasil Ltda., Kerr-McGee of Canada Northwest Ltd., Laguna Petroleum Corp., Laguna Petroleum LLC, Liwa Oil & Gas Ltd., MC2 Technologies LLC, Mariana Properties Inc., Marico Exploration Inc., Miller Springs Remediation Management Inc., Moncrief Minerals Partnership L.P., NGL Ventures LLC, Natural Gas Odorizing Inc., New OPL LLC, OEVC Energy LLC, OEVC Midstream Projects LLC, OIH LLC, OLCV CE Holdings ULC, OLCV CE US Holdings Inc., OLCV Net Power LLC, OLCV Services LLC, OOG Partner LLC, OOOI Chem Holdings LLC, OOOI Chem Sub LLC, OOOI Chemical International LLC, OOOI Chile Holder LLC, OOOI Ecuador Management LLC, OOOI Oil and Gas Sub LLC, OOOI South America Management LLC, OPM GP Inc., OPM Holdco LLC, OTCF LLC, OTH LLC, OXY CV Pipeline LLC, OXY Campus LLC, OXY Inc., OXY LPG LLC, OXY Libya E&P Area 103 BR4 B.V., OXY Libya E&P Area 35 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P Concession 103 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P EPSA 102 B.V., OXY Libya E&P EPSA 1981 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P EPSA 1985 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P NC 143 144 145 150 B.V., OXY Libya Exploration SPC, OXY Libya LLC, OXY Little Knife LLC, OXY Mexico Holdings I LLC, OXY Mexico Holdings II LLC, OXY Middle East Holdings Ltd., OXY Oil Partners Inc., OXY PBLP Manager LLC, OXY Support Services LLC, OXY Tulsa Inc., OXY USA Inc., OXY USA WTP LP, OXY VPP Investments LLC, OXY West LLC, OXY of Saudi Arabia Ltd., OXYCHEM (CANADA) INC., OXYMAR, Oakwood Exploration LLC, Occidental (Bermuda) Ltd., Occidental (East Shabwa) LLC, Occidental Advance Sale Finance Inc., Occidental Al Hosn LLC, Occidental Angola Holdings Ltd., Occidental CIS Services Inc., Occidental Canada Holdings Ltd., Occidental Chemical Asia Limited, Occidental Chemical Belgium B.V.B.A., Occidental Chemical Chile Limitada, Occidental Chemical Corporation, Occidental Chemical Export Sales LLC, Occidental Chemical Far East Limited, Occidental Chemical Holding Corporation, Occidental Chemical International LLC, Occidental Chemical Investment (Canada) 1 Inc., Occidental Chemical Receivables LLC, Occidental Chemical de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Occidental Chile Investments LLC, Occidental Chile Minority Holder LLC, Occidental Colombia (Series G) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series J) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series K) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series L) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series M) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series N) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series O) Ltd., Occidental Crude Sales Inc. (Canada), Occidental Crude Sales Inc. (International), Occidental Dolphin Holdings Ltd., Occidental Energy Marketing Inc., Occidental Energy Ventures LLC, Occidental Exploradora del Peru Ltd., Occidental Exploration and Production Company, Occidental Hafar LLC, Occidental International (Libya) Inc., Occidental International Corporation, Occidental International Exploration and Production Company, Occidental International Holdings Ltd., Occidental International Oil and Gas Ltd., Occidental International Services Inc., Occidental Joslyn GP 2 Co., Occidental LNG (Malaysia) Ltd., Occidental Latin America Holdings LLC, Occidental Libya Oil & Gas B.V., Occidental MENA Manager Ltd., Occidental Middle East Development Company, Occidental Midland Basin LLC, Occidental Mukhaizna LLC, Occidental Oil Asia Pte. Ltd., Occidental Oil Shale Inc., Occidental Oil and Gas (Oman) Ltd., Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation, Occidental Oil and Gas International Inc., Occidental Oil and Gas International LLC, Occidental Oil and Gas Pakistan LLC, Occidental Oil and Gas of Peru LLC, Occidental Oman (Block 27) Holdings Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 51 Holding Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 51 LLC, Occidental Oman Block 65 Holding Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 65 LLC, Occidental Oman Block 72 Holding Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 72 LLC, Occidental Oman Gas Company LLC, Occidental Oman Gas Holdings Ltd., Occidental Oman North Holdings Ltd., Occidental Oriente Exploration and Production Ltd., Occidental Overseas Holdings B.V., Occidental PVC LLC, Occidental Peninsula II Inc., Occidental Peninsula LLC, Occidental Permian Ltd., Occidental Permian Manager LLC, Occidental Permian Services Inc., Occidental Peruana Inc., Occidental Petrolera del Peru (Block 101) Inc., Occidental Petrolera del Peru (Block 103) Inc., Occidental Petroleum (Pakistan) Inc., Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Occidental Petroleum Corporation Political Action Committee, Occidental Petroleum de Venezuela S.A., Occidental Petroleum of Nigeria, Occidental Petroleum of Oman Ltd., Occidental Petroleum of Qatar Ltd., Occidental Power Marketing L.P., Occidental Power Services Inc., Occidental Qatar Energy Company LLC, Occidental Red Sea Development LLC, Occidental Research Corporation, Occidental Resource Recovery Systems Inc., Occidental Resources Company, Occidental Shah Gas Holdings Ltd., Occidental South America Finance LLC, Occidental Specialty Marketing Inc., Occidental Tower Corporation, Occidental Transportation Holding Corporation, Occidental West Texas Overthrust Inc., Occidental Yemen Ltd., Occidental Yemen Sabatain Inc., Occidental del Ecuador Inc., Occidental of Abu Dhabi (Bab) Ltd., Occidental of Abu Dhabi (Shah) Ltd., Occidental of Abu Dhabi Holdings Ltd., Occidental of Abu Dhabi LLC, Occidental of Abu Dhabi Ltd., Occidental of Bahrain Ltd., Occidental of Bangladesh Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Chipiron) Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Cosecha) Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Medina) Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Putumayo) Ltd., Occidental of Colombia (Teca) Ltd., Occidental of Colombia PUT-36 LLC, Occidental of Dubai Inc., Occidental of Iraq Holdings Ltd., Occidental of Iraq LLC, Occidental of Oman Inc., Occidental of Russia Ltd., Occidental of South Africa (Offshore) Inc., Occidental of Yemen (Block 75) LLC, Oceanic Marine Transport Ltd., Opcal Insurance Inc., Oryx Crude Trading & Transportation Inc., Oxy BridgeTex Limited Partnership, Oxy C & I Bulk Sales LLC, Oxy Canada Sales Inc., Oxy Carbon Solutions LLC, Oxy Carbon Storage LLC, Oxy Climate Ventures Inc., Oxy Cogeneration Holding Company LLC, Oxy Colombia Holdings LLC, Oxy Colombia TopCo Ltd., Oxy Delaware Basin LLC, Oxy Delaware Basin Plant LLC, Oxy Dolphin E&P LLC, Oxy Dolphin Pipeline LLC, Oxy Energy Canada Inc., Oxy Energy Services LLC, Oxy Expatriate Services Inc., Oxy FFT Holdings Inc., Oxy Holding Company (Pipeline) Inc., Oxy International Ventures Ltd., Oxy LPG Terminal LLC, Oxy Levelland Pipeline Company LLC, Oxy Levelland Terminal Company LLC, Oxy Low Carbon Ventures LLC, Oxy Midstream Strategic Development LLC, Oxy Oleoducto SOP LLC, Oxy Overseas Services Ltd., Oxy Permian Gathering LLC, Oxy Permian Plaza LLC, Oxy Petroleum de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Oxy Renewable Energy LLC, Oxy Salt Creek Pipeline LLC, Oxy TL LLC, Oxy Taft Hub LLC, Oxy Technology Ventures Inc., Oxy Transport I Company LLC, Oxy Vinyls Canada Co., Oxy Vinyls Export Sales LLC, Oxy Vinyls LP, Oxy Westwood Corporation, Oxy Y-1 Company, OxyChem Ingleside Ethylene Holdings Inc., OxyChem do Brasil Ltda., OxyChile Investments LLC, Oxychem Shipping Ltd., Permian Basin JV Tax Matters Member LLC, Permian Basin Limited Partnership, Permian VPP Holder LP, Permian VPP Manager LLC, Phibro, Placid Oil LLC, Ramlat Oxy Ltd., Rio de Viento Inc., Rodeo Midland Basin LLC, San Patricio Pipeline LLC, Scanports Shipping LLC, SequestCo LLC, Stetson Exploration LLC, Sun Offshore Gathering Company, Swiflite Aircraft Corporation, Transok Properties LLC, Troy Potter Inc., Turavent Oil GmbH [in liquidation], Tuscaloosa Holdings Inc., UP Petroleo III Ltd., Upland Industries Corporation, Venezuela US SRL, Vintage Gas Inc., Vintage Petroleum, Vintage Petroleum Argentina Ltd., Vintage Petroleum Boliviana Ltd., Vintage Petroleum International Finance B.V., Vintage Petroleum International Holdings LLC, Vintage Petroleum International LLC, Vintage Petroleum International Ventures Inc., Vintage Petroleum Italy Inc., Vintage Petroleum South America Holdings Inc., Vintage Petroleum South America LLC, Vintage Petroleum Turkey Inc., WGR Asset Holding Company LLC, WGR Canada Inc., Wardner Ranch Inc., Western Gas Resources Inc., Western Gas Resources-Westana Inc., Western Midstream Holdings LLC, Woodlands International Insurance Ltd., and YT Ranch LLC. Quintana Energy Services Inc. provides oilfield services to onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production companies operating in conventional and unconventional plays in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Directional Drilling, Pressure Pumping, Pressure Control, and Wireline. The Directional Drilling segment provides directional, horizontal, under balanced, and measurement-while-drilling services, as well as rental tools and support services. The Pressure Pumping segment provides hydraulic fracturing stimulation services, cementing, and acidizing services for the completion, production, and maintenance of oil and gas wells. As of December 31, 2018, this segment had a pressure pumping fleet of 267,500 hydraulic horsepower. The Pressure Control segment offers coiled tubing, rig-assisted snubbing, fluid pumping, nitrogen, well control, and other pressure control related services to support completion and workover operations. This segment had a fleet of 24 coiled tubing, 36 rig-assisted snubbing, and 24 nitrogen pumping units. The Wireline segment offers pump-down services for setting plugs between hydraulic fracturing stages, as well as the deployment of perforation equipment in connection with plug-and-perf operations. This segment also provides cased-hole production logging, injection profiling, stimulation performance evaluation, and water break-through identification services; and industrial logging services for cavern, storage, and injection wells. It owned 41 wireline units. Quintana Energy Services Inc. was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Read More Schlumberger NV engages in the provision of technology for reservoir characterization, drilling, production and processing to the oil and gas industry. It operates through the following business segments: Digital and Integration; Reservoir Performance; Well Construction; and Production Systems. The Digital and Integration segment combines the company's software and seismic businesses with its integrated offering of asset performance solutions. The Reservoir Performance segment consists of reservoir-centric technologies and services that are critical to optimizing reservoir productivity and performance. The Well Construction segment includes the full portfolio of products and services to optimize well placement and performance, maximize drilling efficiency, and improve wellbore assurance. The Production Systems segment develops technologies and provides expertise that enhances production and recovery from subsurface reservoirs to the surface, into pipelines, and to refineries. The company was founded by Conrad Schlumberger and Marcel Schlumberger in 1926 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. Read More Cincinnati Bell, Inc. is engaged in providing entertainment, data and voice communications services over wire line and wireless networks. It operates through Entertainment and Communications and Information Technology Services and Hardware segments. The Entertainment and Communications segment offers products and services such as high-speed internet, data transport local voice, long distance, and video services. The Information Technology Services and Hardware segment involves in managing IT solutions, including managed telephony, network and infrastructure services, equipment sales, and professional IT staffing services. The company was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, OH. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of MetLife: 1001 PROPERTIES LLC, 10700 WILSHIRE LLC, 1201 TAB MANAGER LLC, 150 NORTH RIVERSIDE PE MEMBER LLC, 1925 WJC OWNER LLC, 23RD STREET INVESTMENTS INC., 500 GRANT STREET ASSOCIATES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 500 GRANT STREET GP LLC, 60 11TH STREET LLC, 6104 HOLLYWOOD LLC, AFP GENESIS ADMINISTRADORA DE FONDOS Y FIDECOMISOS S.A., AFP PROVIDA S.A., AGENVITA S.R.L., ALICO EUROPEAN HOLDINGS LIMITED, ALICO HELLAS SINGLE MEMBER LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, ALICO OPERATIONS LLC, ALICO PROPERTIES INC., AMMETLIFE INSURANCE BERHAD, AMMETLIFE TAKAFUL BERHAD, American Life Insurance Company, BEST MARKET S.A., BIDV METLIFE LIFE INSURANCE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, BLOCK VISION HOLDINGS CORPORATION, BLOCK VISION OF TEXAS INC., BORDERLAND INVESTMENTS LIMITED, BOULEVARD RESIDENTIAL LLC, BUFORD LOGISTICS CENTER LLC, CC HOLDCO MANAGER LLC, CHESTNUT FLATS WIND LLC, CLOSED JOINT-STOCK COMPANY MASTER D, COMPANIA INVERSORA METLIFE S.A., CORPORATE REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC, COVA LIFE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, DAVIS VISION INC., DAVISVISION IPA INC., DELAWARE AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, DES MOINES CREEK BUSINESS PARK PHASE II LLC, ECONOMY FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, ECONOMY PREFERRED INSURANCE COMPANY, ECONOMY PREMIER ASSURANCE COMPANY, EURO CL INVESTMENTS LLC, EXCELENCIA OPERATIVA Y TECNOLOGICA S.A de C.V., FEDERAL FLOOD CERTIFICATION LLC, FORTISSIMO CO. LTD, FUNDACION METLIFE MEXICO A.C., GLOBAL PROPERTIES INC., General American Life Insurance Company, Grand Bank N.A., HASKELL EAST VILLAGE LLC, HIGH STREET SEVENTH AND OSBORN APARTMENTS LLC, HOUSING FUND MANAGER LLC, INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL AND ADVISORY SERVICES LIMITED, INVERSIONES METLIFE HOLDCO DOS LIMITADA, INVERSIONES METLIFE HOLDCO TRES LIMITADA, JOINT-STOCK COMPANY METLIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, LHC HOLDINGS, LHCW HOLDINGS, LHCW HOTEL HOLDING, LHCW HOTEL HOLDING LLC, LHCW HOTEL OPERATING COMPANY, LONG ISLAND SOLAR FARM LLC, LUMENLAB MALAYSIA SDN. BHD., Logan Circle Partners, MARKETPLACE RESIDENCES LLC, MAXIS GBN S.A.S., MC PORTFOLIO JV MEMBER LLC, MCJV LLC, MCMIF HOLDCO I LLC, MCMIF HOLDCO II LLC, MCP - WELLINGTON LLC, MCP 100 CONGRESS MEMBER LLC, MCP 1500 MICHAEL LLC, MCP 1900 MCKINNEY LLC, MCP 2 AMES LLC, MCP 2 AMES ONE LLC, MCP 2 AMES OWNER LLC, MCP 2 AMES TWO LLC, MCP 220 YORK LLC, MCP 22745 & 22755 RELOCATION DRIVE LLC, MCP 249 INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS PARK MEMBER LLC, MCP 3040 POST OAK LLC, MCP 350 ROHLWING LLC, MCP 4600 SOUTH SYRACUSE LLC, MCP 550 WEST WASHINGTON LLC, MCP 60 11TH STREET MEMBER LLC, MCP 7 RIVERWAY LLC, MCP 9020 MURPHY ROAD LLC, MCP 93 RED RIVER MEMBER LLC, MCP ALLEY 24 EAST LLC, MCP ASHTON SOUTH END LLC, MCP BLOCK 23 MEMBER LLC, MCP BRADFORD LLC, MCP BUFORD LOGISTICS CENTER 2 MEMBER LLC, MCP BUFORD LOGISTICS CENTER BLDG B LLC, MCP BURNSIDE MEMBER LLC, MCP CENTER AVENUE INDUSTRIAL MEMBER LLC, MCP CLAWITER INNOVATION MEMBER LLC, MCP COMMON DESK TRS LLC, MCP DENVER PAVILIONS MEMBER LLC, MCP DILLON LLC, MCP DILLON RESIDENTIAL LLC, MCP ENV CHICAGO LLC, MCP FIFE ENTERPRISE CENTER LLC, MCP FRISCO OFFICE LLC, MCP GRAPEVINE LLC, MCP HIGHLAND PARK LENDER LLC, MCP HUB I LLC, MCP HUB I PROPERTY LLC, MCP LODGE AT LAKECREST LLC, MCP MA PROPERTY REIT LLC, MCP MAGNOLIA PARK MEMBER LLC, MCP MAIN STREET VILLAGE LLC, MCP MOUNTAIN TECHNOLOGY CENTER MEMBER TRS LLC, MCP NORTHYARDS HOLDCO LLC, MCP NORTHYARDS MASTER LESSEE LLC, MCP NORTHYARDS OWNER LLC, MCP ONE WESTSIDE LLC, MCP ONYX LLC, MCP PARAGON POINT LLC, MCP PLAZA AT LEGACY LLC, MCP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC, MCP SEATTLE GATEWAY INDUSTRIAL I LLC, MCP SEATTLE GATEWAY INDUSTRIAL II LLC, MCP SEVENTH AND OSBORNE MF MEMBER LLC, MCP SEVENTH AND OSBORNE RETAIL MEMBER LLC, MCP SHAKOPEE LLC, MCP SLEEPY HOLLOW MEMBER LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL ANAHEIM LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL BERNARDO LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL CANYON LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL CONCOURSE LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL FULLERTON LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL KELLWO00OD LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL LAX LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL LOKER LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL REDONDO LLC, MCP SOCAL INDUSTRIAL SPRINGDALE LLC, MCP STATELINE LLC, MCP THE PALMS AT DORAL LLC, MCP TRIMBLE CAMPUS LLC, MCP UNION ROW LLC, MCP VALLEY FORGE LLC, MCP VALLEY FORGE ONE LLC, MCP VALLEY FORGE OWNER LLC, MCP VALLEY FORGE TWO LLC, MCP VANCE JACKSON LLC, MCP VINEYARD AVENUE MEMBER LLC, MCP VOA HOLDINGS LLC, MCP VOA I & III LLC, MCP VOA II LLC, MCP WATERFORD ATRIUM LLC, MCP WEST BROAD MARKETPLACE LLC, MCP ENGLISH VILLAGE LLC, MCPF ACQUISITION LLC, MCPF FOXBOROUGH LLC, MCPF NEEDHAM LLC, MCPP OWNERS LLC, MCRE BLOCK 40 LP, MEC HEALTH CARE INC., MET 1065 HOTEL LLC, MET CANADA SOLAR ULC, METLIFE 1007 STEWART LLC, METLIFE 1201 TAB MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 425 MKT MANAGER LLC, METLIFE 425 MKT MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 555 12TH MEMBER LLC, METLIFE 8280 MEMBER LLC, METLIFE ACOMA OWNER LLC, METLIFE ADMINISTRADORA DE FUNDOS MULTIPATROCINADOS LTDA., METLIFE ALTERNATIVES GP LLC, METLIFE ASHTON AUSTIN OWNER LLC, METLIFE ASIA HOLDING COMPANY PTE. LTD., METLIFE ASIA LIMITED, METLIFE ASIA SERVICES SDN. BHD, METLIFE ASSET MANAGEMENT CORP., METLIFE ASSIGNMENT COMPANY INC., METLIFE AUTO & HOME INSURANCE AGENCY INC., METLIFE BL FEEDER, METLIFE BL FEEDER LP, METLIFE BORO STATION MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CABO HILTON MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CAMINO RAMON MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CAPITAL CREDIT L.P., METLIFE CAPITAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST IV, METLIFE CB W/A LLC, METLIFE CC MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CHILE ADMINISTRADORA DE MUTUOS HIPOTECARIOS S.A., METLIFE CHILE INVERSIONES LIMITADA, METLIFE CHILE SEGUROS DE VIDA S.A., METLIFE CHILE SEGUROS GENERALES S.A., METLIFE CHINO MEMBER LLC, METLIFE COLOMBIA SEGUROS de VIDA S.A., METLIFE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE INCOME FUND GP LLC, METLIFE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE INCOME FUND LP, METLIFE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR LLC, METLIFE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE REIT LLC, METLIFE CONSQUARE MEMBER LLC, METLIFE CONSUMER SERVICES INC., METLIFE CORE PROPERTY FUND GP LLC, METLIFE CORE PROPERTY FUND LP, METLIFE CORE PROPERTY HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE CORE PROPERTY REIT LLC, METLIFE CORE PROPERTY TRS. LLC, METLIFE CREDIT CORP., METLIFE DIGITAL VENTURES INC., METLIFE EMEKLILIK VE HAYAT A.S., METLIFE EMERGING MARKET DEBT BLEND FUND, METLIFE EU HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED, METLIFE EUROPE INSURANCE d.a.c., METLIFE EUROPE SERVICES LIMITED, METLIFE EUROPE d.a.c., METLIFE EUROPEAN HOLDINGS LLC., METLIFE FINANCIAL SERVICES CO. LTD, METLIFE FM HOTEL MEMBER LLC, METLIFE FUNDING INC., METLIFE GENERAL INSURANCE LIMITED, METLIFE GLOBAL BENEFITS LTD., METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDING COMPANY I GMBH, METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDING COMPANY II GMBH, METLIFE GLOBAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION S.A. De C.V., METLIFE GLOBAL INC., METLIFE GLOBAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER PRIVATE LIMITED, METLIFE GROUP INC., METLIFE HCMJV 1 GP LLC, METLIFE HCMJV 1 LP LLC, METLIFE HEALTH PLANS INC., METLIFE HOLDINGS INC., METLIFE HOME LOANS LLC, METLIFE INNOVATION CENTRE LIMITED, METLIFE INNOVATION CENTRE PTE. LTD., METLIFE INSURANCE AND INVESTMENT TRUST, METLIFE INSURANCE BROKERAGE INC., METLIFE INSURANCE K.K., METLIFE INSURANCE LIMITED, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL HF PARTNERS LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED LLC, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND I LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND II LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND III LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND IV LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND V LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND VI LP, METLIFE INTERNATIONAL PE FUND VII LP, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC, METLIFE INVESTMENTS ASIA LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENTS LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENTS PTY LIMITED, METLIFE INVESTMENTS SECURITIES LLC, METLIFE INVESTORS DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, METLIFE INVESTORS GROUP LLC, METLIFE IRELAND TREASURY D.A.C., METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY FUND GP LLC, METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY FUND LP, METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY OWNERS, METLIFE JAPAN US EQUITY OWNERS LLC, METLIFE LATIN AMERICA ASESORIAS E INVERSIONES LIMITADA, METLIFE LEGAL PLANS INC., METLIFE LEGAL PLANS OF FLORIDA INC., METLIFE LHH MEMBER LLC, METLIFE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, METLIFE LIFE INSURANCE S.A., METLIFE LOAN ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC, METLIFE MAS S.A. DE C.V., METLIFE MEMBER SOLAIRE LLC, METLIFE MEXICO HOLDINGS S. DE R.L. DE C.V., METLIFE MEXICO S.A., METLIFE MEXICO SERVICIOS S.A. DE C.V., METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT FUND LP, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT GP LLC, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT PARALLEL FUND LP, METLIFE MIDDLE MARKET PRIVATE DEBT PARALLEL GP LLC, METLIFE MULTI-FAMILY PARTNERS III LLC, METLIFE MUTUAL FUND COMPANY, METLIFE OBS MEMBER LLC, METLIFE OFC MEMBER LLC, METLIFE ONTARIO STREET MEMBR LLC, METLIFE PARK TOWER MEMBER LLC, METLIFE PENSION TRUSTEES LIMITED, METLIFE PENSIONES MEXICO S.A., METLIFE PET INSURANCE SOLUTIONS LLC, METLIFE PLANOS ODONTOLOGICOS LTDA., METLIFE POWSZECHNE TOWARTZYSTWO EMERYTALNE S.A., METLIFE PRIVATE EQUITY HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE PROPERTIES VENTURES LLC, METLIFE RC SF MEMBER LLC, METLIFE REAL ESTATE LENDING LLC, METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF BERMUDA LTD., METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF CHARLESTON, METLIFE REINSURANCE COMPANY OF VERMONT, METLIFE RETIREMENT SERVICES LLC, METLIFE SAENGMYOUNG INSURANCE COMPANY LTD., METLIFE SECURITIZATION DEPOSITOR LLC, METLIFE SEGUROS S.A., METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING FINCO LLC, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING FUND LP, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING GP LLC, METLIFE SENIOR DIRECT LENDING HOLDINGS LP, METLIFE SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS LLC, METLIFE SERVICES CYPRUS LIMITED, METLIFE SERVICES EAST PRIVATE LIMITED, METLIFE SERVICES EEIG, METLIFE SERVICES EOOD, METLIFE SERVICES SOCIEDAD LIMITADA, METLIFE SERVICES SP Z.O.O, METLIFE SERVICIOS S.A., METLIFE SLOVAKIA S.R.O. V LIKVIDACII, METLIFE SOLUTIONS PTE. LTD., METLIFE SOLUTIONS S.A.S., METLIFE SP HOLDINGS LLC, METLIFE SYNDICATED BANK LOAN FUND SCSP, METLIFE SYNDICATED BANK LOAN LUX GP S.A.R.L., METLIFE THR INVESTOR LLC, METLIFE TOWARZYSTWO FUNDUSZY INWESTYCYJNYCH S.A., METLIFE TOWARZYSTWO UBEZPIECZEN NA ZYCIE I REASEKURACJI S.A., METLIFE TOWER RESOURCES GROUP INC., METLIFE TREAT TOWERS MEMBER LLC, METLIFE WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS LLC, METROPOLITAN CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN DIRECT PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN GLOBAL MANAGEMENT LLC., METROPOLITAN GROUP PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN LIFE SEGUROS E PREVIDENCIA PRIVADA S.A., METROPOLITAN LIFE SOCIETATE de ADMINISTRARE a UNUI FOND de PENSII ADMINISTRAT PRIVAT S.A., METROPOLITAN LLOYDS INC., METROPOLITAN LLOYDS INSURANCE COMPANY OF TEXAS, METROPOLITAN PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN TOWER LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, METROPOLITAN TOWER REALTY COMPANY INC., MEX DF PROPERTIES LLC, MFA FINANCING VEHICLE CTR1 LLC, MIDTOWN HEIGHTS LLC, MIM CLAL GENERAL PARTNER LLC, MIM EMD GP LLC, MIM I LLC, MIM METWEST INTERNATIONAL MANAGER LLC, MIM ML-AI VENTURE 5 MANAGER LLC, MIM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC, MIM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OF GEORGIA 1 LLC, MIM THIRD ARMY INDUSTRIAL MANAGER LLC, MISSOURI REINSURANCE INC., ML - URS PORT CHESTER SC MANAGER LLC, ML 300 THIRD MEMBER LLC, ML ARMATURE MEMBER LLC, ML BELLEVUE MANAGER LLC, ML BELLEVUE MEMBER LLC, ML BRIDGESIDE APARTMENTS LLC, ML CAPACITACION COMERCIAL S.A. DE C.V., ML CERRITOS TC MEMBER LLC, ML CLAL MEMBER LLC, ML DOLPHIN GP LLC, ML DOLPHIN MEZZ LLC, ML MATSON MILLS MEMBER LLC, ML MILILANI MEMBER LLC, ML ONE BEDMINSTER LLC, ML PORT CHESTER SC MEMBER LLC, ML SENTINEL SQUARE MEMBER LLC, ML SLOANS LAKE MEMEBR LLC, ML SOUTHLANDS MEMBER LLC, ML SOUTHMORE LLC, ML SWAN GP LLC, ML SWAN MEZZ LLC, ML TERRACES LLC, ML THIRD ARMY INDUSTRIAL MEMBER LLC, ML VENTURE 1 MANAGER S. DE R. L. DE C.V., ML VENTURE 1 SERVICER LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 1 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 2 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 3 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 4 LLC, ML-AI METLIFE MEMBER 5 LLC, MLIA MANAGER I LLC, MLIA PARK TOWER MANAGER LLC, MLIA SBAF COLONY MANAGER LLC, MLIA SBAF MANAGER LLC, MLIC ASSET HOLDINGS II LLC, MLIC ASSET HOLDINGS LLC, MLIC CB HOLDINGS LLC, MLJ US FEEDER LLC, MM GLOBAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER S.A. DE C.V., MMP CEDAR STREET OWNER LLC, MMP CEDAR STREET REIT LLC, MMP HOLDINGS III LLC, MMP OLIVIAN OWNER LLC, MMP OLIVIAN REIT LLC, MMP OWNERS III LLC, MMP OWNERS LLC, MMP SOUTH PARK OWNER LLC, MMP SOUTH PARK REIT LLC, MREF 425 MKT LLC, MSV IRVINE PROPERTY LLC, MTC FUND I LLC, MTC FUND II LLC, MTC FUND III LLC, MTL LEASING LLC, MTU HOTEL OWNER LLC, NATILOPORTEM HOLDINGS LLC, NEWBURY INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, OCONEE GOLF COMPANY LLC, OCONEE HOTEL COMPANY LLC, OCONEE LAND COMPANY LLC, OCONEE LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LLC, OCONEE MARINA COMPANY LLC, OMI MLIC INVESTMENTS LIMITED, PACIFIC LOGISTICS INDUSTRIAL SOUTH LLC, PARK TOWER JV MEMBER LLC, PARK TOWER REIT INC., PJSC METLIFE, PLAZA DRIVE PROPERTIES LLC, PNB METLIFE INDIA INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, PREFCO FOURTEEN LLC, PREFCO XIV HOLDINGS LLC, PROVIDA INTERNACIONAL S.A., SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES INC., SAFEGUARD HEALTH PLANS INC., SAFEHEALTH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, SEVENTH AND OSBORN MF VENTURE LLC, SINO-US UNITED METLIFE INSURANCE CO. LTD., SOUTHCREEK INDUSTRIAL HOLDINGS LLC, ST. JAMES FLEET INVESTMENTS TWO LIMITED, SUPERIOR PROCUREMENT INC, SUPERIOR VISION BENEFIT MANAGEMENT INC., SUPERIOR VISION HOLDINGS INC., SUPERIOR VISION INSURANCE INC., SUPERIOR VISION INSURANCE PLAN OF WISCONSIN INC., SUPERIOR VISION OF NEW JERSEY INC., SUPERIOR VISION SERVICES INC., Safeguard Health Enterprises, Security First Group Inc., THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH AVENUE MEZZANINE LLC, THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH RETAIL HOLDING LLC, THE BUILDING AT 575 FIFTH RETAIL OWNER, THE DIRECT CALL CENTRE PTY LIMITED, TRANSMOUNTAIN LAND & LIVESTOCK COMPANY, UVC INDEPENDENT PRACTICE ASSOCIATION INC., VERSANT HEALTH CONSOLIDATIONS CORP., VERSANT HEALTH HOLDCO INC., VERSANT HEALTH LAB LLC, VIRIDIAN MIRACLE MILE LLC, VISION 21 MANAGED EYE CARE OF TAMPA BAY, VISION 21 PHYSICIAN PRACTICE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, VISION TWENTY-ONE MANAGED EYE CARE IPA INC., Versant Health, WDV ACQUISITION CORP., WFP 1000 HOLDING COMPANY GP LLC, WHITE OAK ROYALTY COMPANY, and WHITE TRACT II LLC. The following companies are subsidiares of Stryker: ActiViews, Aimago SA, Alcott Indemnity Company, Arrinex Inc, Arrinex Inc., Ascent Healthcare Solutions, Berchtold, Berchtold + Fritz GmbH, Berchtold Consulting GmbH, Berchtold Corporation, Berchtold GmbH & Co. KG, Berchtold Holding Switzerland GmbH, CHG Hospital Beds, Cactus LLC, Cardan Robotics, Changzhou Orthomed Medical Instrument Company Limited, Concentric Medical, Concentric Medical Inc., Entellus Medical, Entellus Medical Europe Ltd, Entellus Medical Inc., GYS Tech LLC, Gaymar Industries, Gongping (Shanghai) Medical Devices Trading Co. Ltd., Groupe Bertec, HeartSine Technologies LLC, HeartSine Technologies Limited, Howmedica International S. de R.L., Howmedica Osteonics Corp., Hygia Health Services, Hygia Healthcare Services Inc., HyperBranch, HyperBranch Technology Inc., ITAPCo Limited, Image Guided Technologies, Imorphics Limited, Infinity MSD Corp., Infinity MSE Corp., Infinity MSF Corp., Infomedix Communications, Instratek, InstruMedics L.L.C, Invuity Inc., Ivy Sports Medicine, Ivy Sports Medicine LLC, Jiangsu Chuangyi Medical Instrument Company Limited, Jolife AB, K2M Germany GmbH, K2M Group, K2M Group Holdings Inc., K2M Holdings Inc., K2M Iberia Medcomtech S.L.U., K2M Inc., K2M Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, K2M Spine Solutions (Schweiz) GmbH, K2M UK Limited, Loon Intermediateco LLC, MAKO Surgical, MAKO Surgical Corp, Memometal Technologies, Mobius Imaging, Mobius Imaging LLC, Muka Metal, Muka Metal Ticaret ve Sanayi Anaonim Sirketi, NV Stryker SA, Nettrick Limited, Novadaq Corp, Novadaq Hong Kong Ltd, Novadaq Technologies, Novadaq Technologies ULC, OOO "Stryker", Orneo Ozel Saglk Hizmetleri Medikal Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, OrthoSpace, OrthoSpace Ltd., OrthoSpace US Inc., Orthomed (Hong Kong) Medical Instrument Company Limited, Orthovita, Orthovita Inc., OtisMed, P.C. Sweden Holding AB, Patient Safety Technologies, Patton Surgical, Pficonprod Pty. Ltd., Physio-Control, Physio-Control (Shanghai) Sales Co. Ltd., Physio-Control Brazil Vendas Ltda., Physio-Control Czech Sales s.r.o., Physio-Control Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Physio-Control Holdings Inc, Physio-Control Hungary Sales Kft, Physio-Control Inc., Physio-Control India Sales Pvt. Ltd, Physio-Control Investments LLC, Physio-Control Lebanon Sales Offshore s.a.l., Physio-Control Manufacturing Inc., Physio-Control Operations Netherlands B.V., Physio-Control Sales Limited Liability Company, Physio-Control Singapore Pte. Ltd., Physio-Control South Africa Sales Pty. Ltd., Physio-Control UK Sales Ltd., Pivot Medical, PlasmaSol, Porex Technologies, SSI Divestiture Inc., SYK Costa Rica Services Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada, SafeAir AG, SafeWire, Sage Products, Sage Products Coperatief U.A., Sage Products Holdings II LLC, Sage Products Holdings III LLC, Sage Products LLC, Scopis GmbH, Sightline Technologies, Small Bone Innovations, SpineCore, Spirox Inc., Stanmore Implants Worldwide, Stanmore Implants Worldwide Limited, Stanmore Inc., Stryker (Barbados) Foreign Sales Corporation, Stryker (Beijing) Healthcare Products Co. Ltd., Stryker (Shanghai) Healthcare Products Co. Ltd., Stryker (Suzhou) Medical Technology Co Ltd, Stryker (Thailand) Limited, Stryker AB, Stryker Acquisitions BV, Stryker Asia Holdings CV, Stryker Australia LLC, Stryker Australia Pty. Ltd., Stryker Austria GmbH, Stryker B.V., Stryker Berchtold BV, Stryker Beteiligungs GmbH, Stryker Canada GP ULC, Stryker Canada Holding Company, Stryker Canada Manufacturing ULC, Stryker Canada ULC, Stryker Canadian Management ULC, Stryker Canadian Sales Holding Company ULC, Stryker Capital BV, Stryker China Limited, Stryker Colombia SAS, Stryker Communications Inc., Stryker Corporation (Chile) y Compania Limitada, Stryker Corporation (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Stryker Customs Brokers LLC, Stryker Czech Republic s.r.o., Stryker Delaware Inc., Stryker EMEA Supply Chain Services BV, Stryker Employment Company LLC, Stryker European Coordination Center BV, Stryker European Holdings Cooperatief U.A, Stryker European Holdings I LLC, Stryker European Holdings II LLC, Stryker European Holdings LLC, Stryker European Holdings V LLC, Stryker European Operations B.V., Stryker European Operations Holdings I BV, Stryker European Operations Holdings II BV, Stryker European Operations Holdings III BV, Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC, Stryker European Operations Limited, Stryker European Technologies C.V., Stryker Far East Inc., Stryker Foreign Acquisitions Inc., Stryker France Holding SNC, Stryker France MM Holdings SAS, Stryker France SAS, Stryker Funding B.V., Stryker GI Services CV, Stryker Global Technology Center Private Limited, Stryker GmbH, Stryker GmbH & Co. KG, Stryker Grundstucks GmbH & Co KG, Stryker Grundstucks Verwaltungs GmbH, Stryker Holdings BV, Stryker IFSC Designated Activity Company, Stryker Iberia SL Unipersonal, Stryker India Private Limited, Stryker International Acquisitions BV, Stryker International Holdings BV, Stryker Investment Holdings B.V., Stryker Ireland Holding Unlimited Company, Stryker Ireland Limited, Stryker Italia S.r.l. S.U., Stryker Japan Holdings BV, Stryker Japan K.K., Stryker Korea Ltd., Stryker Lebanon (Offshore) S.A.L., Stryker Leibinger GmbH & Co. KG, Stryker Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Stryker Luxembourg Sarl, Stryker Manufacturing S. de R.L. de C.V., Stryker Mauritius Holding Ltd., Stryker Medical London LP, Stryker Medtech K.K., Stryker Medtech Limited, Stryker Mexico Holdings B.V., Stryker Mexico SA de CV, Stryker NV Operations Limited, Stryker Nederland BV, Stryker New Zealand Limited, Stryker Osteonics AG, Stryker Pacific Limited, Stryker Performance Solutions LLC, Stryker Polska Sp.z.o.o., Stryker Portugal - Produtos Medicos Unipessoal Lda., Stryker Professional Latin America S. de R.L. de C.V., Stryker Puerto Rico Limited, Stryker Romania SRL, Stryker Sage Inc., Stryker Sales Corporation, Stryker Servicios Administrativos S.de R.L. de C.V., Stryker Singapore Private Limited, Stryker South Africa (Proprietary) Limited, Stryker Spine SAS, Stryker Spine Sarl, Stryker Sustainability Solutions Inc., Stryker Tibbi Cihazlan Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Stryker Trauma GmbH, Stryker Turkish Holdings BV, Stryker UK Ltd, Stryker Verwaltungs GmbH, Stryker Vietnam Company Limited, Stryker do Brasil Ltda, Surpass Medical, Synergetics, TG SP Holdings Corp, TSO3 Corp, TSO3 Inc, Trauson, Trauson (China) Medical Instrument Company Limited, Trauson (Hong Kong) Company Limited, Trauson Holdings (BVI) Company Limited, Trauson Holdings (Hong Kong) Company Limited, Trauson Holdings Company Limited, VEXIM SA, Vexim, Waterloo Bedding Co., Wright Medical Group, ZipLine Medical Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ZipLine Medical Hong Kong Limited, ZipLine Medical Inc., and eTrauma.com. Education Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu. Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu. Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events: International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu. EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu. Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets June Homecoming: Participant $18 per person; Sustainer $25 per person; Benefactor $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events: SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available for information call 610-275-1960 Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above) SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. computers are available during those hours. Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863. Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376. Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com. The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes: Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020. CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313. The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events: Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30. Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301. For Kids & Families The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443. Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950. Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required. The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950. Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus. Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage. Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun. Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train. Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world! Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class. Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org. Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583. Community Events at the Ambler Y: -YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register. Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org. Health Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot. The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information. Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245. Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net. Spring Aquatic Programs UDHS Pool: -Summer is just around the corner Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required. Shallow Water Aerobics Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR. Adult Swim Instructions Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR -Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21. -Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m. -Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons. -Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates. Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994. SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com. Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org. Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs: FITNESS CLASSES Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month. Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly. SUPPORT GROUPS Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000. Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30 7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047. New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30 4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931. Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325. Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes. Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com. Librarytalk Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744 www.upperdublinlibrary.org APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS: Storytimes: Please register in the library. o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m. o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m. o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6. APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS: North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS: NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org. One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register contact info above. Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744. o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register. Meetings: Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m. Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m. Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org. For children and teens at Blue Bell: * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m. * May 14 Despicable Me * June 11 Alpha and Omega * Special Events * April watch for date of spring/Easter events * April 14 at 4:30 p.m. Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children. * April 14 at 7 p.m. Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided. * April 16 at 1 p.m. Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King. * April 16 at 1:30 p.m. Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes? * April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button. * April 30 through May 3 Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults. * May sign up for Science in the Summer * June sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children * June sign up for Summer Reading, all ages For adults at Blue Bell: * Daytime Book Discussion Group fourth Tuesday, Jan April at 1:30 p.m. * April 26 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Night-time Book Discussion Group third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. o April 19 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked? *Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs * Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class. * Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class. * Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m. * Giant Book Sale, April 29 May 3 o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults! o Held during library hours. o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m. o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join. * Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series o May 11 at 1 p.m. Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society * Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room. * Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read. * Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome. * Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome. *Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older. * Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours * Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours * Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday! Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library. * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * For adults: * Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn. * Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net * Special Events: * April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. * April 19 at 7 p.m. Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m. * April 21 at 7 p.m. Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades. *May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. *May 10 Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *May 12 at 1:30p.m. Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. *May 17 Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. Meetings and Lectures The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833. The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313. Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200. The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/. LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings. Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org. Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org) -Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them. The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter. For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps. Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin. Special Events The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County. The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065. Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members. Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex. The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com. The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348. The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org. Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163. The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu. The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com. The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net. Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages. 13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries. Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family. The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. JPRN Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike. Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately. Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways. Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table. Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374 Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall: -Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store. Music and Theater The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html. Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free. The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org Religious News The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276. Reunions St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net. Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572. Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779. Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411. Support New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149. PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931. The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296. Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656. Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group every other Wednesday, 7 8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information. CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7 8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich, Tallgrass Energy, LP, through its subsidiaries, provides crude oil transportation services to customers in Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, and the surrounding regions of the United States. The company operates through three segments: Natural Gas Transportation; Crude Oil Transportation; and Gathering, Processing & Terminalling. It also provides natural gas transportation and storage services for customers in the Rocky Mountain, Midwest, and Appalachian regions; natural gas and crude oil gathering and processing services for customers in Wyoming; and natural gas liquids (NGLs) transportation services in Northeast Colorado and Wyoming. In addition, the company offers water business services, including freshwater transportation, and produced water gathering and disposal in Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, and North Dakota; crude oil storage and terminalling services in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Kansas; and marketing services for NGLs and crude oil. The company was formerly known as Tallgrass Energy GP, LP and changed its name to Tallgrass Energy, LP in June 2018. Tallgrass Energy, LP was founded in 2013 and is based in Leawood, Kansas. Read More Exelon Corp. operates as a utility services holding company, which engages in the energy generation, power marketing, and energy delivery business. It operates through the following segments: Mid Atlantic, Midwest, New York, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and other Power Regions. The Mid-Atlantic segment represents operations in the eastern half of PJM, which includes New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, the District of Columbia and parts of Pennsylvania and North Carolina. The Midwest segment operates in the western half of PJM, which includes portions of Illinois, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee, and the United States footprint of MISO, excluding MISO's Southern Region, which covers all or most of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, the remaining parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio not covered by PJM, and parts of Montana, Missouri and Kentucky. The New York (NY) segment provides operations within ISONY, which covers the state of New York in its entirety. The ERCOT segment includes operations within Electric Reliability Council of Texas, covering most of the state of Texas. Read More 4 Wall Street research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Metro Bank in the last twelve months. There are currently 1 sell rating and 3 hold ratings for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street research analysts is that investors should "hold" Metro Bank stock. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in MBNKF, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares. View analyst ratings for Metro Bank or view top-rated stocks. Little Falls, N.Y. - State Police released more information on Saturday regarding the four hour manhunt on Friday in Little Falls that led to the capture of a man alleged to have robbed a home and assaulted a neighbor who came over and confronted him. Police say 24-year-old Dayvon Hall of Brinkerhoff Avenue in Little Falls is charged with burglary, assault, possession of burglary tools and unlawful possession of marijuana. Troopers responded to the report of a burglary in progress at a residence at 1232 Shells Bush Road in the town of Little Falls around 4:00 Friday afternoon. Investigators say a male suspect had been confronted leaving that residence by a neighbor, who attempted to keep the male from fleeing the scene. Police say the suspect physically threw the neighbor into the door of the residence causing him to suffer a compound fracture of his arm. He was taken to Bassett Hospital to be treated. Police say after the confrontation, the suspect then fled the scene into a swampy wooded area behind the residence. Police say following an extensive 4 hour search utilizing State Police K9's and a drone, the suspect was taken into custody without incident. Hall was arraigned in the town of Little Falls Court and remanded to the Herkimer County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond. State Police were assisted at the scene by several members from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Police. We also spoke to some residents in that area on Saturday who say it was a stressful 4 hours on Friday for everyone. Kathleen Canastar, who lives near the home that was allegedly burglarized, says she was thankful for the huge police effort to capture the suspect, "They did a great job. We were so glad because we were able to sleep last night, and I was afraid we wouldnt." Investigators say Dayvon Hall was also wanted for a charge out of the state of Maryland and he may be extradited back here to face charges. Albany, N.Y. - Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum Cable, has reached a tentative deal with New York State that will allow the company to remain in New York. Today's proposed deal comes less than a year after the state ordered Charter Communications to leave New York because of not meeting certain obligations, including expanding broadband access to more rural areas. According to New York State Department of Public Service Chief Executive Officer John Rhodes, under the agreement, Charter Communications would expand its network to provide high-speed broadband service to 145,000 residences and businesses, specifically in Upstate New York, by September 30, 2021. Also, Charter Communications will pay $12 million to expand broadband service to additional unserved and underserved premises in the state. There will be a 60-day public comment period and the agreement remains subject to review and final action by the New York State Public Service Commission. Congressman Anthony Brindisi of Utica released a statement to News Channel 2 Friday night regarding the proposed deal. He said, "News of a new deal between the state and Charter doesn't exactly deliver a sigh of relief. People across our area are sick and tired of the hiking bills, lackluster service and broken promises. I plan to review every word of this proposal and continue to watch this company like a hawk at the federal level. They are not going to skate for failing to live up to their promises. I was elected, in part, to hold them accountableand that's exactly what I will continue to do." DELPHI, Ind. (WLFI) It's now been more than two years since Libby German and Abby Williams were killed on the Monon high trail. and two years ago this month, investigators released pictures of the suspect along with an audio clip taken on Libby German's phone. This Monday Indiana State Police may provide new information to the public. An ISP news release cites that they are "moving in a new direction." The public is welcome to attend and are encouraged to attend by ISP Sgt. Kim Riley. Riley wasn't able to tell News 18 a whole lot, but he did provide some information the public needs to know. He said first of all no arrests or warrants have been issued and the public needs to come out to hear what they have to say. The information provided on Monday will help the public better understand what is going on in the case. The briefing will be given at the canal center in Delphi. That's 1030 North Washington Street. Doors open at 11:30 in the morning and ISP Superintendent Doug Carter will make the announcement at noon. News 18 will have live coverage of the event and it will be live streamed on our app. A couple of community members in Delphi said like everyone else they are hoping for a significant break in the case. But, they said they know how hard law enforcement has been working to find any details. "Obviously everybody hopes they are able to find who did it, they've had it solved and we can have some kind of resolution to this, but I don't think that is going to happen quite yet but obviously that would be great news," said Grant Bradshaw. "I think there will be some more details and more information that the community can look out for." "I think you'll have a great response even from people that really don't know much about it but they live in the community," said Doretta Bradshaw. "They are going to go because it just hangs over the community." Tune into News 18's special report on April 22nd at noon. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) The Smoking Irishman will be the twelfth restaurant Robert Turner has opened or helped open in just 14 years. He said this one is the real deal for him. Turner is ready to take the restaurant business in Lafayette to the next level. With three floors for seating, space for private parties and a rooftop patio, there's plenty of room to dream in the building on 4th and Main streets. "Somebody on a banjo, harmonica, acoustic guitar, so, we'll do live music here," explained Turner. And it doesn't stop there. "This is one of a kind," said Turner, as he showed News 18 another patio on the ground level. But Turner's favorite part is what's going on in the back. "Once we get it totally built out maybe call it like "Old Smokey" have a little name on there so everybody can see it," said Turner. And if they don't see the smokehouse, they'll definitely smell it. "All he neighbors around me, everybody is talking about how it's like perfume," said Turner. He isn't sure about his heritage but he said he's always been Irish at heart. "Throughout my life, I've drank enough Guinness and I've definitely drank enough Jameson that there is Irish running through my blood," said Turner. He loves a full plate of Irish food. "I'm going to talk about the BBQ meatloaf, that is my favorite dish," said Turner. "It's so good!" said News 18's Kayla Sullivan after she tried a bite. "I appreciate it," responded Turner. "That's why it's going to be our signature dish." But at the end of the day, Turner said it's not just the food or location that makes the restaurant. "It's about good staff and good people," said Turner. The Smoking Irishman is going to open up for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays starting in May. For more, like the restaurant's Facebook page. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) St. Boniface Catholic Church re-created the crucifixion of Christ for the 15th year on Good Friday. It's coordinated by the church's Hispanic Youth Group and although the performance may have been in Spanish, the message was universal. It's a story they say you have to see to believe. It's very visual but I think it needs to be visual and it's very hard to watch but I think it needs to be that in order for it to touch you the way that it's supposed to touch you, said Coordinator Sandra Valle. St. Boniface took the community on a journey to the day Jesus Christ was crucified. Valle said coordinating an event like this goes beyond just rehearsal. It takes months of preparation but I believe it takes community more than anything, said Valle. It takes people coming together and wanting to walk this walk with all of us together. They set out more than 300 chairs and every seat was full with crowds of people also standing. The performance was in Spanish but that didn't stop non-speakers from taking something away. Since we don't speak it you can almost kind of, you can imagine what they're saying and it makes it a little bit more interesting, said attendee Andrew Ortner. Attendee Charlotte Ayala added, Going to a Catholic school and kind of knowing the stations all ready and going through it. We kind of know what's happening already and it's really cool to see the community come together. The cast members range in age and this year's attendees reflected that. Even at this young age, you know, they're very attentive and I think they really try to understand some of whats happened, said parent Mari Delreal. I bring my kids to see how Jesus died on the cross and it's a good experience for me and for all my family, said parent Rudith Amaro Silva. The play was held on 9th and North Street and the cast had more than 30 members. Rev. Jeffrey C. Thomas was recently installed as pastor at St. James Baptist Church in Woonsocket. The son and the grandson of preachers, Thomas long believed his calling was outside the church, and had a long career in education. But later in life, he felt the call to spiritual leadership, and has now pastored three congregations Greene Community Church in Coventry, Epworth Church in Pawtucket, and St. James. SOUTHINGTON Tom OHare, a firefighter at Engine Company Number 2, looked at the hydrangeas being offered at the organizations yearly Easter flower sale. I look at them and I think about my mom today, OHare said. She used to love hydrangeas. Florence OHare died in 2009. On Easter, thoughts of loved ones here and gone are never far away. People go out and buy flowers as a way of remembering and acknowledging. The Plantsville engine company sells Easter flowers as a fundraiser to support its high school scholarship program and equipment they might need for company training exercises throughout the year. Manning the flower booth is not a bad assignment, OHare said, even with the rain. Everybody is kind of smiling, he said. Business at the station had been steady all morning. Its been surprisingly, considering the weather, good, he said. Hopefully we sell out before the day is over. If not, we will be here tomorrow morning. Southington resident Nick Frega walked up to the front of the station to pick up flowers for his mom Marianne. His dad Peter asked OHare about the hydrangeas. OHare knew quite a bit about his moms favorite flower. Those, depending on the acidity of the soil, will change their color. They will grow into some good sized bushes, OHare said. The Fregas didn't end up getting a hydrangea, but OHares sale pitch otherwise worked. They walked away with daffodils, begonia, and an Easter lily. Nick Frega has friends who are associated with the fire department, so there was no question where he and his father were going to pick up their Easter flowers this year. We wanted to support the firehouse. We know they are good people who do good work, Frega said. While the Fregas chatted with OHare, Patrick Myers, his nine-year-old daughter Riley, and six-year-old son Caleb got a tour of the firehouse. Caleb was particularly enthusiastic about the tour because, as OHare pointed out, who doesnt like fire engines? We are going to Vermont. Family members live there and we wanted to have flowers to give them, Riley said. The Myers got their first real Christmas tree from the firefighters this past year. It only made sense for them to come back for their Easter flowers. The fire department is now part of Riley and Calebs holiday tradition. Patrick Myers made sure that Riley and Caleb thanked the firefighters for their tour before they headed off to their grandmothers horse farm. Thanks for supporting us, OHare said. Well see you here for your Christmas tree. newsroom@record-journal.com 203-235-1661 International Japan-US 2+2 welcomes growing ties with India New York, Apr 20 (IANS) | Publish Date: 4/20/2019 12:37:29 PM IST The US-Japan 2+2 ministerial meeting has welcomed the growing ties between their countries and India in the Indo-Pacific region that is of vital strategic interest to them. The defence and diplomatic cabinet officials of the two countries expressed satisfaction on Friday with the trilateral meeting with India and noted significance of joint military exercises, the State Department said in a statement. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan met on Friday with Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya for their high-level strategic meeting focused on building a free and open Indo-Pacific. "The Ministers also noted with satisfaction the first Japan-US-India trilateral summit meeting in 2018 and highlighted significant joint exercises, such as Malabar 2018 and Cope India 2018", the statement said. "Building upon these various trilateral efforts, the Ministers welcomed the regularization of quadrilateral engagement among Japan, the Us, Australia, and India". In the Asia region, where China is building up its presence and is involved in aggressive maritime disputes with several countries, the US and Japan "Ministers called for full respect for freedoms of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea, and reiterated the importance of activities that support those principles", the statement said. Prime Ministers Narendra Modi of India and Shinzo Abe of Japan and US President Donald Trump held their trilateral summit on the sidelines of the meeting of the G20, a grouping of 19 countries and the European Union, in Buenos Aires last November. Modi dubbed it as the Japan, America and India or "JAI" summit based on the initials of the three countries while noting that it meant victory in Hindi. The navies of the three countries held the Malabar 2018 naval exercises off the coast of ths US territory of Guam last June. US and the Indian Air Force participated in the Cope 2018 exercises conducted from the Kalaikunda Air Force base in West Bengal. The India-US-Japan-Australia quadrilateral held a meeting of their of foreign office officials in Manila last November to discuss issues of common interest in the Indo-Pacific region. The right-wing populist United Conservative Party (UCP) led by former federal cabinet minister Jason Kenney swept to power in Tuesdays provincial election in Alberta, securing 63 out of the legislatures 87 seats. This result was principally the outcome of popular opposition to the right-wing record of the provinces one-term New Democratic Party (NDP) government, and the recent, big business-promoted unification of Albertas right-wing parties, the Progressive Conservatives and Wildrose, under the UCP banner. The coming to power of the UCP will be used to push not just Alberta, but Canadian establishment politics as a whole still further right. At the same time, the triumph of the Alberta First UCP will intensify regional tensions within the Canadian ruling class and its federal state. While posturing as a fighter for the little guy ravaged by the crisis wracking the provinces energy sector, Kenney pledged to slash taxes and regulations for big business and impose a four-year government spending freeze. Appeals to Alberta and western regionalism and to anti-Quebec chauvinism were also central to the UCP campaign. The corporate media has been quick to claim that the UCP was swept to power by a groundswell of support for its reactionary agenda. This is a lie aimed at delegitimizing the resistance that will soon emerge within the working class to the governments austerity measures. Despite overwhelmingly favourable media coverage and the quasi-unanimous support of the provinces corporate elite, Kenney only won a modest gain in votes as compared with the combined total taken by the Progressive Conservatives and Wildrose parties in 2015. In that election, which brought an end to 44 years of Progressive Conservative rule, the PCs took 27.8 percent of the vote, while Wildrose secured 24.2 percent, for an overall total of 52 percent. This time around, Kenneys UCP received the backing of 55 percent of voters. In overall terms, this equated to an increase of a little more than 100,000 votes. The UCPs large parliamentary majority is attributable to the 8 percentage-point drop in support for the trade union-backed NDP. The NDPs share of the vote fell from 40.6 percent in 2015 to 32.1 percent. Five cabinet ministers lost their seats, as the partys representation in the legislature dropped by more than half from 54 to 24 seats. The NDP secured a surprise victory in 2015 by posing as the defender of working people against Albertas multi-billion dollar oil industry, and by capitalizing on widespread hostility towards the corrupt, pro-corporate Tory government. In the 2015 campaign, NDP leader Rachel Notley pledged to increase taxes on the oil companies, invest more in social services, and enforce tougher environmental standards on the provinces tar sands oil producers. These promises all proved to be worthless. As Premier, Notley and her NDP maintained the so-called Alberta advantage of ultra-low taxes for the corporations and super rich; imposed capitalist austerity, including public sector wage freezes and cuts to education and healthcare; and stoked its own form of Alberta regionalism. This reached a high-point when Notley threatened to temporarily block oil shipments to British Columbia in protest of the BC NDP governments subsequently abandoned pledge to oppose the expansion of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline, which will significantly increase the amount of untreated bitumen sent from Alberta to the BC coast. As a result of these right-wing, anti-worker policies, the way was left open for Kenney and the UCP to pose as friends of ordinary, hard-working Albertans who are suffering, or so the story goes, due to the NDPs climate change policies, refusal to stand up to the Trudeau Liberals, and its restrictions on the creative potential of big business. The NDPs defeat had long been predicted in the polls, with Kenneys UCP enjoying a double digit lead for months. In his victory speech Tuesday night, Kenney made clear he would lead a hard-right government committed to attacking the working class, defending corporate interests, and whipping up Alberta First regionalism. In line with Ontarios right-wing populist Premier Doug Ford, who has cut billions from public spending during his first year in power, Kenney declared Alberta open for business. There is a deep frustration in this province, a sense that we have contributed massively to the rest of Canada, but that everywhere we turn we are being blocked in and pinned down, claimed Kenney. Today we begin to fight back. The UCPs victory is not a simple return to traditional Conservative rule in Alberta, as media outlets like the Toronto Star have suggested. Following Fords election victory last June and the coming to power of the Coalition Avenir Quebec in Quebec in October, the UCPs victory marks a further turn to the right in Canadian bourgeois politics. The partys ties to far-right and outright fascistic forces are well-documented, including the close ties of leading UCP members to the far-right, pro-Trump news outlet Rebel Media. Representatives of the white supremacist Soldiers of Odin have also appeared at several UCP events in recent months. Additionally, UCP members were prominent participants in the far-right protests held in several Alberta towns and cities late last year under the banner of the Yellow Vests Canada, which demanded the federal Liberal government reject the UN Refugee Pact, deport refugees, and strengthen Canadas borders. On a whole range of issues, from taxation policy and social spending to tailoring immigration even more closely to the needs of big business, Kenney will be at one with Ford and Quebec Premier Francois Legault in pressing for the intensification of the class war assault on the working class. The defeat of Notleys NDP, which aligned itself closely with the Trudeau government, including in the push for oil pipelines, will further weaken the federal Liberals ahead of this falls federal elections. Heeding big business demands for a more aggressive assertion of Canadian imperialist interests on the world stage and against the working class at home, the Trudeau government has lurched further right over the past six months, illegalizing the postal workers strike, further reducing corporate taxes, assisting the US regime-change drive in Venezuela, and attacking the rights of refugees. Kenneys Alberta First tirade on election night underscored that his government will champion the demands of Alberta big business for policy changes at the expense of rival sections of the ruling class, thereby intensifying the regional tensions within Canadian capitalist politics which have been exacerbated in recent decades by the globalization of production. Kenneys attacks on other provinces, particularly Quebec, reflect long-standing frustrations among Albertas oil barons over federal-provincial fiscal arrangements, energy and other policies. Albertas energy corporations are angered at Ottawas failure to ram through the construction of new pipelines to tidal water, under conditions in which the shale oil and gas boom in the United States has undermined Albertas main oil market and turned the US into a direct competitor. The attacks on other provinces are bound up with the UCPs right-wing drive to decimate what little remains of federal social spending and welfare programs and privatize healthcare and other public services. This finds expression in the partys hostility towards equalization, the system under which Ottawa provides funds to provinces with a per capita income lower than the national average. Due to the multi-billion dollar profits of Albertas energy sector, which have overwhelmingly benefited the provinces super-rich and corporate elite, Alberta has for decades been a net loser from equalization to Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. Kenney has demagogically pledged to hold a referendum on equalization, which he will use to agitate for radical changes to the constitutionally-mandated program, if not its abolition. The goal of any renegotiation would be to gut any national standards for public services like healthcare and pave the way for their wholesale privatization. Along similar lines, the UCPs election platform calls for the conversion of federal social and healthcare transfers into tax points, which would enable Alberta and other provinces to escape federal limits on healthcare privatization and rapidly undermine the ability of poorer provinces to maintain existing levels of public health insurance coverage. Kenney is also virulently opposed to the federal Liberals Environmental Assessment Bill (C-69), which includes certain very limited environmental provisions as concessions to secure support from First Nations leaders for resource development projects. Instead, the UCP wants to give the oil corporations a free hand to press ahead with pipeline and resource exploration projects, regardless of the environmental and social costs. In the aftermath of the March 10 crash of a Boeing 737 Max 8 jet operated by Ethiopian Airlines, which killed 157 people, data recovered from the aircraft indicated that the MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) software system was primarily responsible for the pilots loss of control of the plane. This system is also implicated in the October, 2018 Lion Air disaster involving the same type of aircraft, which crashed just after takeoff from Jakarta, killing 189 men, women and children. The circumstances of the two crashes are nearly identical: faulty readings from a malfunctioning angle-of-attack sensor on the Boeing planes fed false data to MCAS, indicating that the plane was about to stall. In turn, MCAS forced the nose of the planes down and continued to do so even after the flight crew of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 followed the safety procedures set forth by Boeing for just such an emergency. These findings point in the direction of a fundamental flaw in the design of the aircraft itself, strongly suggesting that the now-grounded 737 Max fleet should have never been certified in the first place. That the plane was put into service, evidently on an expedited basis, speaks to the close relationship between Boeing and US aviation regulatory agencies. No Boeing executives or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials have been criminally charged to date for actions that led to the deaths of hundreds of people. As part of our coverage of the two crashes and the events that led up to them, the World Socialist Web Site recently interviewed Rytis Beresnevicius, a full-time reporter for the well known aviation site AviationCV. He has closely followed both Boeing 737 Max 8 crashes and the engineering, executive and regulatory decisions that led to these disasters. * * * Bryan Dyne: Why was MCAS necessary? Why design an airplane system with only a single point of failure? Rytis Beresnevicius: All of the aircraft are equipped with anti-stall features, but they inform the pilots about the danger of a stallthats the main purpose of the stick shaker. It is still used today to vibrate the control wheel if an aircraft is about to enter a stall. There are also stick pushers, but they are mostly used on aircraft that have a T-shaped tailfor example, a Bombardier Dash-8 Q400. Most modern jet engine aircraft replaced pushers with computer-based security systems. However, the automatic inputs from the aircraft systems are fairly new. The first automatic safety measures, called envelope protection, were installed by Airbus in the A320. But these are fairly limited measures, as their main purpose is to prevent a pilot from exceeding the capabilities of an aircraft, meaning it prevents any excessive movement of the control wheel that would put the aircraft at risk of crashing. But an automatic safety system not working properly and even causing two accidents, as MCAS did, is very rare and unique to Boeings system. MCAS is a different story from the Airbus feature. Fundamentally, the design of the 737 Max aircraft forced Boeing to come up with the system. The Boeing 737 airframe is over 50 years old, and when you keep updating it with new engines or aerodynamic features (such as winglets), you have to make some design changes. Boeing has definitely put too many changes on the same 737 frame. The new engines, which are much larger and placed much more forward on the Max variant, made the 737s nose pitch up too much. If the nose pitches up, you are in danger of stalling. So to prevent that from happening, Boeing installed MCAS. But the problem is that MCAS made changes to the angle of attack by reading data from only one sensor, instead of comparing the data from two sensors, even though the Boeing 737 Max has two sensors, one on each side of the aircraft. So if MCAS is reading the data from a faulty AoA sensor, it will make adjustments to the aircrafts pitch even if there is no risk of stalling. Why did Boeing make it like that? Pure negligence and greed. There is simply no other answer. Boeing will update the software so that it reads data from both sensors and compares the data before making any changes. BD: My understanding is that planes have multiple safety features. Do any of those have a single point of failure (like MCAS)? How many rely on data from a single source vs. data from multiple sources? RB: While planes can have single points of failure on their systems, there is always an electronic backup system to protect the aircraft from disaster. Aircraft that are equipped with fly-by-wire controls have various flight control modes. For example, on the Airbus A320 (and all Airbus models), there is normal law and then, in case of an emergency, alternate law. Under normal law, the aircrafts computers protect the aircraft from making any abnormal movement. However, as soon as any failure happens, the systems enter alternate law and lift some of the protections so as to allow the pilots to make the required adjustments in order not to crash. Boeing also has a normal mode and a secondary mode that works in pretty much the same manner as Airbus controls. If everything is okay, the flight operates under normal mode. If a system failure happens, pilots are allowed to make adjustments so that the aircraft returns to normal flight conditions or can be landed safely. However, Boeing fitted these systems only on their newest aircraft designs, namely, the 777, 787 and 747-8 variant (not the 737 Max). This again comes back to the fact that Boeing and the airlines both wanted to save money. Boeing did not make any radical changes in the 737 Maxs flight systems, only very minimal changes that wouldnt impact the way that the aircraft is controlled compared to the NG variant. So, as a result, pilots would not have to get a proper type rating, which would cost a lot of money for the airlines. To answer your question whether they rely on single or multiple sourcesusually, they do rely on multiple sensors. There are always at least two sensors that feed information into the cockpit. If one fails, pilots have the option to rely on the captains readings, or the first officers instrument panel. I truly do not understand what the reason was behind the decision to program MCAS so that it would rely only on a single AoA sensor. BD: Why werent pilots trained to respond to a problem with MCAS? How long do pilots typically train before they are allowed to fly a new plane? RB: Interestingly enough, Boeing thought that pilots did not need to know about MCAS because the circumstances were very rare under which MCAS would activate. Boeing was thinking that nobody would ever even trigger it, let alone crash because of the system. When pilots achieve their commercial pilot license or airline transport pilot license (ATPL is used in the US), they also have to get a type rating to be able to fly an aircraft. Getting a type rating takes anywhere from eight months to a year or a year and a half. It all depends on the program. BD: Is it common for aircraft features to be absent from flight manuals? In the past, if features did not appear in manuals, what were the consequences for pilots, passengers, airlines, companies and regulatory agencies? RB: No, the situation with the Boeing 737 Max is a unique one. But it sort of reminds of the de Havilland Comet, when the first version of the aircraft was constantly updated to keep it flying, according to its pilots. Eventually, fatal crashes began to happen because of a design flaw in the fuselage. It would start to crack after a certain amount of pressurization cycles. And when it started to crack, it would explode mid-air. Subsequently, the Comet was grounded for four years. It never recovered commercially. Of course, the difference between the two is that de Havillands engineers did not know about the fuselage cracks at first, while Boeing knew about the pitch-up movements caused by the engine mounting. Thats why they installed MCAS. BD: What was their immense rush to get the planes on the market? RB: Airbus forced Boeings hand very firmly. Airbus struggled to get into the US market, as naturally the domestic aircraft manufacturer would be preferred by airlines. But American Airlines did the unthinkable and ordered Airbus aircraft, namely the A320ceo and A320neo. At first, Boeing wanted to design a completely new jet and retire the 737 airframe. However, when the news broke that American Airlines, which operated Boeings exclusively, was now buying Airbus aircraft, Boeing had to react more quickly. The new jet wouldve taken too much time. Boeing did not want to lose market share to its biggest rival, Airbus. So, it came out with the Boeing 737 Max, a re-engined version of the 737. Essentially, Boeing was scared that it would lose money. BD: Were corners cut in the production, training, approval or bringing to market of this plane? RB: Corners were definitely cut in the approval and training process. Boeing pressured the FAA to let it handle more of the certification process. FAAs upper management also pressured their own safety engineers to let Boeing do more and more of certification. The training was shocking as well. It involved just an hour-long theoretical lecture about the small changes. But that was the main selling point of the 737 Max. Boeing knew that it had to undercut Airbus somehow to prevent the A320 from taking over a huge portion of the short- and medium-haul market. And by advertising that the flight controls were virtually the same as on the NG, the previous variant of the 737, Boeing could tell the airlines that pilots would need only a theoretical lecture to fly the Max. So together with the fuel and maintenance cost reduction, training would also cost a lot less and airlines could save a lot of money when operating the Max, especially if they already were flying the Boeing 737 NG variant. Boeing also cut a small corner with the production, especially the fact that MCAS reads data from only one AoA sensor. BD: When the Lion Air crash took place, it was presented as a serious problem for Boeing. Why was nothing serious done in the aftermath? RB: While it was presented as a serious problem, Boeing instantly came up with a solutionissue a bulletin to Boeing 737 Max operators on how to disable MCAS if it ever interferes with the flight. Boeing also came out and said it would be presenting a long-term solution, which would be a new software update, which is now set to come at the end of April. As far as everyone was concerned, they thought the band aid solution of providing a bulletin would hold until the software update came. Also, the kicker with the Lion Air crash is that a lot of people thought that MCAS was not the main factor in the crash. Early reports indicated that Lion Airs maintenance was also part of the problem, as on a previous flight the same Boeing 737 Max 8 encountered flight control issues. Namely, the captains instruments were unreliable: airspeed and altitude readings disagreed with the readings of the first officers instruments. The problems were noted in the maintenance log and engineers fixed the issue. However, as soon as the aircraft departed for the fatal flight from Jakarta, two issues arose: the angle of attack sensors showed a difference of 20 degrees and the aircrafts instruments again showed different airspeed and altitude readings. But as Indonesian investigators later revealed in their preliminary accident report, MCAS was constantly forcing the aircrafts nose down and the flight crew was searching through the flight manual for instructions on how to disable MCAS. However, as we know, this information did not exist at the time. This report was released on March 21, 2019, 11 days after the Ethiopian Airlines crash and subsequently all Boeing 737 Maxs were grounded. So, essentially nobody realized that MCAS was such a huge issue, with Lion Airs dodgy maintenance blamed as well. BD: How strong is the case for criminal negligence charges against Boeing and the regulators who allowed this plane to fly? RB: The case is strong against both of them, but Boeing will definitely receive most of the charges and compensation claims. First, Boeing will have to repay the victims families. Insurance claims will be huge. In addition, Norwegian Air is already asking for compensation because its 737 Maxes cannot fly. I think more airlines will do the same. And a lot of airlines (including Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines) are already discussing openly that they will cancel their 737 Max orders, which will result in reduced profits for Boeing. As for the FAA, it does not have enough funds and human resources to do its job. At least that is what it says. But the fact that it caved to Boeings pressure could point to the fact that corruption might be another charge as well. Following the announcement Monday by the American Museum of Natural History of its decision to cancel an event in which the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce was to present Jair Bolsonaro with its Person of the Year award, a second prominent venue in New York City, Cipriani Hall, has followed suit. While no details have yet emerged regarding the Cipriani Hall decision, it has certainly stemmed from the strong repudiation of the fascistic Brazilian president generated by the Museum of Natural History staff, which organized protests against the ceremony, with threats of resignation and the organization of an all-out boycott of the museum if it proceeded with the plans. In its statement announcing the event would be hosted somewhere else, the museum said the decision was taken in mutual agreement with the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce. It remained silent, however, on the unrest among the staff as well as about its own prior knowledge about the nature of the event. When protests started, officials first described the event, which was to take place in the museums Hall of Ocean Life, as an external, private one, and later said it was scheduled before a specific honoree was secured. Both allegations were met with skepticism by the protesting staff, one of whom told the Gothamist: It would be hard for me to imagine that theyre not just covering it up now. The reaction of scientists and students at the Richard Gilder Graduate School, which is affiliated to the museum, was expressed in an open letter of protest that classified honoring Bolsonaro as against the museums goals and values. It urged: One of the ways that we can protect the future for Brazilian Indigenous populations, scientists, citizens and bioconservation efforts is in the refusing access to our collective institutional home to the fascist president who would see these peoples and efforts actively harmed and destroyed. Such reactions are fully justified and extremely significant, demonstrating once again the growing social opposition to the rise of the far right, as well as to capitalist irrationality in relation to climate change, expressed in this years powerful worldwide demonstrations against the inaction of bourgeois governments in the face of the social catastrophe it implies. The government of Jair Bolsonaro represents the most finished form of such irrationality, having named as its foreign minister the far-right Christian chauvinist Ernesto Araujo, who is not only a climate change denier, but attacks climate science as a Marxist conspiracy. Meanwhile, the government has proposed cutting Brazils science budget in half. In barely 100 days, the Bolsonaro government has already allowed the use of dozens of pesticides, including 12 considered highly toxic, suspended 600 million reais (US$150 million) in environmental recovery projects, named agribusiness lobbyists and moguls to environmental agencies, including the National Forest Service, and both purged and censored two of the countrys main environmental agencies Ibama and ICMBio, whose remaining staff, after dozens of resignations, is prohibited from talking to the press unless it receives the environmental ministers authorization. Bolsonaro has also personally intervened in the oversight operations of Ibama, the agency tasked with fighting illegal activities in protected areas and the trafficking of protected animal and plant species, ordering the suspension of the standard practice of destroying machinery used in illegal timber extraction. Since his election campaign, he has made environmental workers one of the main targets at his rallies, branding them as corrupt and treacherous, serving foreign interests in curbing illegal activities in Brazilian forests and indigenous lands. Such attacks have already resulted in an increase in ambushes mounted against them by mercenaries in service of agribusiness moguls. In the coming months, the government has pledged to propose to Congress the authorization of both mining and agribusiness activities on indigenous landsincluding by foreign companiesand a new system of self declaration for environmental licenses, which the new Ibama chief, Eduardo Bim, declared would be in line with Bolsonaros belief that you should trust the citizen. Designed to speed up investments, the self declaration would be an online form in which the applicant for an environmental license, including companies, would pledge to fulfill environmental requirements and be allowed to begin work, being subjected to inspection only laterif everand possibly after irreparable damage has been done. While protests have been called in the capital of Brasilia for next week in reaction to this rampage, Bolsonaro has asked his intelligence chief, Gen. Augusto Heleno, to call out the national guard to block them. Such attacks, transparently profit-driven, pose serious questions. Both in the US and Brazil, as well as internationally, sections of the bourgeois political establishment have been posing as opponents of the crude fascistic language of Bolsonaro, Trump, and other far-right world leaders, being nonetheless responsible for their rise. It is clear by now that the Museum of Natural Historys billionaire trustees, who include the climate change denier and financier of the extreme right, Rebekah Mercer, have bowed to the protests only to stifle mounting social opposition. Meanwhile, bourgeois politicians are working day and night to isolate the growing protests against government inaction over climate change from any broader opposition to capitalism. This is the goal of toothless initiatives such as the Green New Deal in the US and the Paris Agreements, promoted by the supposed opponents of Bolsonaro, including New York Citys Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio. While they publicly distance themselves from Bolsonarosand Trumpsfascistic diatribes, the sold-out US$ 30,000 tickets for the canceled gala at the museum expose the real attitude of the ruling class toward these forces, with their promises of even more obscene profits and wealth. Before feigning opposition to Bolsonaro in New York, this same corporate elite was warmly welcoming, at the Wilson Center in Washington, DC, Bolsonaros coup-mongering vice president, Gen. Hamilton Mourao. The invitation to his lecture stated: The first 100 days of the Bolsonaro administration have been marked by political paralysis, in large part due to the successive crises generated by the Presidents own inner circle, if not by himself. Amidst the political noise, Vice President Hamilton Mourao has emerged as a voice of reason and moderation, capable of providing direction in domestic and foreign affairs alike. Mouraos reasonability is supposed to allow for a seamless pursuit of profit by curbing Bolsonaros fascistic rants that expose the ruling elite for what it is. Days before, the right-wing generals reputation as the adult in the room earned him a standing ovation at MITs Brazil Conference. This is a transparent cover-up operation, since in 2016 this same meeting of the wealthy effectively kickstarted Bolsonaros far-right campaign by inviting as its main speaker his mentor, the Steve Bannon collaborator and far-right ideologue Olavo de Carvalho. In the same fashion, the global ruling elite rolled out the red carpet for Bolsonaro in Davos in January, and Chilean officials remained silent about his apologies for the crimes of the fascist dictator Augusto Pinochet before his visit to that country to consolidate the new pro-imperialist PROSUL block. For their part, officials in the increasingly fascistic Israeli government stood silent when, visiting the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, Bolsonaro elevated historical revisionism to the height of state policy by declaring Nazism a left-wing ideology. Barely two weeks after visiting Israel, Bolsonaro told a conference of Evangelical leaders in Brazilinvariably portrayed as the best friends of Israel by Netanyahus far-right cliquethat the crimes of the Holocaust could be pardoned. To fight global warming, it is necessary to take these events with utmost seriousness, and relentlessly denounce the feigned opposition of the likes of the Democrats in the US or the Workers Party (PT) in Brazil. Above all, it is necessary to turn to the working class, the only international force capable of coordinating the herculean tasks facing humanity. It also requires a determined break with all of the nominal leftincluding the Green parties the world overwhose hostility to the working class has allowed the emergence of far-right figures who demagogically promise that slashing environmental regulations, bringing back coal mining and allowing more disastrous oil drilling will bring economic relief. And in Brazil, they seek to pit workers against the oppressed indigenous populations. Armed right-wing militias have been systematically detaining asylum-seekers at gunpoint along the US-Mexico border in operations that are apparently coordinated with the federal Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agency. The role of one particular group in detaining immigrants, the United Constitutional Patriots (UCP), came to light this week after the group uploaded several videos on social media, showing its members masked, dressed in camouflage, heavily armed and walking with dogs as they patrolled the border and corralled several hundred asylum seekers in Sunland Park, New Mexico, just outside El Paso, Texas. While the border region has seen vigilante patrols by armed militias in the past, this latest development marks an even more dangerous turn, with the Trump administration appearing to give full rein to these fascist elements. Heavily armed vigilantes on the US-Mexico border (Source: United Constitutional Patriots Facebook page) Trump has actively encouraged the growth of vigilante groups by whipping up a xenophobic hysteria over the border, deploying thousands of active duty soldiers to border states and declaring a national emergency in order to use Pentagon funds to build a border wall, in violation of the US Constitution. He has repeatedly echoed fascist rhetoric, referring to migrants seeking asylum in the US as gang members and invaders, while publicly musing about the use of machine guns to deter border crossers. During a visit to the US-Mexico border earlier this month, the president reportedly told the director of the CBP to bar asylum seekers from entering the US, a violation of international and US law, and promised that he would pardon him if he encountered any legal issues. In a video posted this week on social media by UCP, several hundred exhausted migrants are shown being forced to kneel and huddle together in the dark, blinking in a dazed manner at spotlights being shone on their faces by armed militia members. Children can be heard coughing. The narrator of the video, Jim Benvie, declares, There is no border patrol here. This is us. Six minutes into the footage, Border Patrol agents appear. Mother and child captured by right-wing militia group (Source: United Constitutional Patriots Facebook page) Another video posted by Benvie shows him approaching a group of four adults and three children, falsely identifying himself as Border Patrol before calling another militia member to join him. The second man, wearing camouflage pants, orders the group to get to the ground. The men later appear to contact the Border Patrol, with a voice saying, Hello, Ive got seven over here. In a telephone interview with the New York Times, Benvie insisted that the actions of his group were legal and that their detention of migrants was akin to a verbal citizens arrest. While he acknowledged that members of the militia were armed, he claimed they did not carry military-style rifles while on patrol and were instructed not to point their guns at the migrants. However. the videos posted by the group show a least one militia member dressed in military-style fatigues, and multiple members armed with semi-automatic rifles. Chillingly, Benvie told the Times, If these people follow our verbal commands, we hold them until Border Patrol comes. Border Patrol has never asked us to stand down. The UCP has set up camp in an area outside El Paso, laying in wait for migrants crossing the border. In response to the revelations and a statement by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) denouncing the militias actions as illegal, state authorities have tried to distance themselves from the group. The Democratic governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, declared that it was completely unacceptable that migrant families might be menaced or threatened in any way, shape or form when they arrive at our border[and that it] should go without saying that regular citizens have no authority to arrest or detain anyone. Hector Balderas, New Mexicos attorney general, issued a statement saying, These individuals should not attempt to exercise authority reserved for law enforcement. As for CBP, while its spokesperson Carlos Diaz repeated the official line in a written statement that the agency does not endorse private groups or organizations taking enforcement matters into their own hands, he very noticeably avoided talking about the specific militia, or the appearance of federal border patrol agents in the video. Benvie told the Times that the UCP plans to remain on the border until the extended wall proposed by President Trump is built or Congress changes immigration laws to make it harder for migrants to request asylum. The UCPs founder, Larry Mitchell Hopkins, who goes by the pseudonym Johnny Horton Jr., sent his militia, which includes disabled veterans, to the southern border late last year in response to racist rumors stoked by President Trump about the caravan of Central American migrants traveling through Mexico to seek asylum in the US. Hopkins boasts of being in regular contact with Trump since he met the future president and his then wife Ivana when he was performing as a musician in Las Vegas. He claims that the president asked him for intelligence on the northern border with Canada because that is where all of the Muslims are coming in. He told the Southern Poverty Law Center last year that his group was getting information from very high agencies in the federal government. [I]m 69 years old and i am going to the border when i know the enemy is close to the border, i am going to fight and i may give my life but at least i will be there and stand by my oath, Hopkins declared in a Facebook post in October. He claims that his group has detained more then 3,500 migrants in the last month alone. Other militia groups that have descended on the southern border in recent years with military-style weaponry and armored vehicles include American Border Patrol, Veterans on Patrol, Arizona Border Recon and the Utah Gun Exchange. Heavily armed, members of these far-right groups have resorted to violence against migrants and residents of the US alike. Before his death by suicide in 2012, the co-founder of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps (MCDC), J.T. Ready, an avowed neo-Nazi, was being investigated by the FBI over the suspected murders of migrants in the Arizona desert. Three members of the Minutemen American Defense militia, a split-off from the MCDC, were convicted in 2011 for the 2009 murders of Raul Flores Jr. and his nine-year-old daughter Brisenia. Shawna Forde, Jason Bush and Albert Gaxiola raided the Flores home in Arivaca, Arizona, hoping to steal drugs and money in order to fund their militia operations. The proliferation of neo-fascist terror groups on the border takes place in a definite political context. A large majority of the American population is opposed to Trumps vicious persecution of immigrants and his moves toward authoritarian rule. Tens of millions of Americans support a policy of open borders and oppose the criminalization of undocumented immigrants. However, the Democratic Party is virtually silent on Trumps moves to transform the US-Mexico border into a militarized network of detention camps and eviscerate the right to asylum. Instead, leading Democrats are increasingly echoing Trumps talk about a crisis at the border and adapting themselves to his far-right immigration policy. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders recently made a point at a campaign event in Iowa of declaring his opposition to open borders and warning that such a policy would open the floodgates to impoverished foreigners, echoing Trumps efforts to pit US workers against their class brothers and sisters around the world. Mass arrests of climate change protesters continued in London yesterday, after the Conservative governments Home Secretary Sajid Javid demanded police use the full force of the law. More than 682 protesters have been arrested since Monday. No one should be allowed to break the law without consequence, Javid tweeted Thursday morning. He called on police to take a firm stance against any protesters who are stepping outside the boundaries of the law and significantly disrupting the lives of others. Javids statement followed well over 100 additional arrests in the centre of London Wednesday, after Scotland Yard demanded protesters be cleared from Parliament Square. Social media footage showed hundreds of police marching in formation from Millbank, with protesters later dragged away. Javid issued his threats despite the peaceful tactics of protesters who have occupied public spaces including Parliament Square, Piccadilly Circus, Waterloo Bridge, Oxford Circus and Marble Arch. While hundreds have been arrested, just 10 people have so far been charged with any offence. After widely publicised protests in London yesterday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that 106 arrests were made. At Oxford Circus, actress Emma Thompson addressed demonstrators from a pink wooden boat in the middle of the road. We are here in this little island of sanity and it makes me so happy to be able to join you all and to add my voice to the young people here who have inspired a whole new movement, she said. Rings of police surrounded the boat before moving in to make arrests. On Thursday evening, London Metropolitan Police issued a statement confirming more than 1,000 police had been mobilised and restating that under Section 14 orders, protests at Waterloo Bridge, Oxford Circus and Parliament Square were illegal. The statement followed a meeting between Javid and Met Chief Cressida Dick. The Met responded to demands by Javid and others for tougher police action by explaining they were operating within legal constraints and with resources stretched to breaking point: We have been asked why we are not using tactics such as containmentphysically and forcibly stopping the protesters from moving around. The simple answer is we have no legal basis to do so. These are peaceful protesters; while disruptive their actions are not violent towards police, themselves or other members of the public. The media responded with demands for stepped-up repression, as urged by Javid. On Thursday, Sky News presenter Adam Boulton attacked protesters for fascistic disruption in a clear attempt to redefine and criminalise the right to protest. Boulton was articulating the stance of large sections of the media and political establishment. On Wednesday night, the Daily Mail carried a comment written by former Labour Home Secretary, now Sir David Blunkett. He railed, Why hasnt the full force of the law been used against these eco-anarchists who fill me with contempt? As Home Secretary between 2001 and 2004 I had to deal with the anti-globalisation protests and the Reclaim the Streets movement. I had to make decisions as to how far you allow these protests to go. Blunkett accurately described Labours draconian and anti-democratic response at the time: What I learned was that you had to be tough. The full force of the law needs to be used against those who have been warned and yet who persist with their anti-social protests. On Thursday night, the Met warned that protests planned the following day at Heathrow Airport would be met with firm action We have requested mutual aid from other police forces to support our operation. The next morning dozens of police lined the streets around Heathrow Airport and surrounded a small group of protesters from Extinction Rebellion Youth. The 10 teenagers occupied a traffic island and did not impede entry to the airport. They held a banner that read, Are we the last generation? Samar Faraj, 14, told reporters, In 30 years time, I dont want to be looking back on this and regretting not doing everything I could do to help prevent the disasters were facing. Her fellow-protester Nathan Hunter, 15, said, Im protesting today because I dont want to wake up in 15 years and regret that I didnt do more to stop the climate crisis. I dont want to live in a future defined by an unstable climate; A world where future generations may not be able to live happy, healthy livesor even have lives at all. This weeks protests were organised by Extinction Rebellion (XR), attracting support from students and disparate sections of the middle-class, including retirees and professionals. An XR protest outside oil giant Shells corporate headquarters was joined by leading environmental lawyer Farhana Yamin, who helped draft the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015. Yamin superglued herself to the footpath outside Shell, telling reporters, the legal process is pretty broken right now. And were having to break law rather than make law, because of the inaction of 30 years now of these companies. A press release issued by XR explained that their members had deliberately caused more than 6,000 of damage to Shell property to ensure their case is heard by a Crown Court jury (rather than a magistrate), where they hope to publicise their concerns over the activities of Shell. XRs protest actions, including blocking roads and light rail networks, are based on appeals to the capitalist state. XR is calling on the government to declare a climate emergency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025, and create a Citizens Assembly on ecological justice. XR explains such an assembly would comprise randomly selected members of the public who would supposedly work together on a non-partisan basis to solve the climate emergency. While most climate change protesters arrested this week were released under investigation and without charge, the Met confirmed Thursday that they would be brought back to be formally interviewed and charged as appropriate in due course. The statements by Sajid Javid, Blunkett and the vitriolic media attacks are a foretaste of how the state will respond to any movement in the working class. The arguments being deployed to justify police repressionincluding disruption and inconvenience to the publicwill be used tomorrow to demand mass arrests and repression against striking railway workers, bus drivers, pilots and cabin crew, or NHS staff. Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan duly joined the Metropolitan Police in using the protests to push for more police funding: The Mets ability to police protests without impacting on core policing prioritiessuch as tackling knife crimehas been made significantly harder by the huge cuts to government police funding. On Wednesday, in a set of twin events presided over by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton, the administration of US President Donald Trump announced its reversal of a policy shared by Democratic and Republican administrations alike for nearly a quarter of a century by imposing a set of draconian economic sanctions against Cuba. In addition to reversing a number of Obama-era measures loosening economic restrictions against Cuba, the administration is ending the regular waivers of Title III of the anti-Cuban Helms-Burton Act, which provides penalties even for non-US citizens and companies conducting business on the island. Title III, which has been continuously waived every six months by US presidents since the law was signed by Bill Clinton, authorizes US nationals to sue persons or companies for damages in US courts if they are found to be trafficking in property confiscated by the Cuban government following the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro. The statements of the two US officials, and Boltons in particular, delivered to the Bay of Pigs Veterans Association near Miami, made clear that Washingtons ongoing actions against Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua are part of an effort to re-impose the absolute dominance of US imperialism in the Western hemisphere. It is also part of the anti-socialist campaign launched by Trump and the Republican Party in an attempt to whip up support among the far right in advance of the 2020 elections. Pompeo told a State Department press conference that the full provisions of Title III would take effect May 2. Those sued could have assets in the US seized in recompense or have US travel visas denied or revoked. Justifying the new measures in relation to Cubas support for Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chavez, Pompeo said, Cubas behavior in the Western Hemisphere undermines security and stability of countries throughout the region, which directly threatens United States national security interests. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Kimberly Breier said at the press conference that 6,000 Title III claims have already been certified, with a potential for up to 200,000. The 6,000 claims already certified have a stated value of $8 billion. Notably, Title III claims have to be for confiscated property worth over $50,000, and the law mandates a $6,700 filing fee, shattering any pretense that this measure would benefit any but the wealthiest individuals and corporations. Among the highest claims certified so far are those of Exxon Mobil, Coca-Cola and Office Depot. Should they prevail in US courts, they would reap their rewards through the seizing of the US assets of foreign companies, mostly European and Canadian, operating in Cuba, exacerbating already sharp global trade tensions. Pompeo said, Those doing business in Cuba should fully investigate whether they are connected to property stolen in service of a failed communist experiment. Following the announcement, representatives of Canada and the EU, among Cubas biggest trade partners, issued a joint statement, saying, The decision by the United States to renege on its longstanding commitment to waive Title III of the Helms-Burton (LIBERTAD) Act is regrettable, and will have an important impact on legitimate EU and Canadian economic operators in Cuba. The EU and Canada consider the extraterritorial application of unilateral Cuba-related measures contrary to international law. They also stated they would be challenging the US action through the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute resolution framework. The Mexican Foreign Ministry also issued a statement, noting, As it has done historically, Mexico rejects the application of unilateral trade laws with extraterritorial character, since they violate the norms of international law. Other measures announced include a reduction in the amount of remittances Cuban residents of the US are able to send to their families on the island to $1,000 every three months. Under Obama, restrictions on remittances had been lifted entirely, and while average remittances are around $200 per month, the restrictions will have serious repercussions for numerous families as well as small businesses, which have relied on such remittances essentially as a form of foreign investment. Pompeo also said that the US would be shutting down travel to Cuba for anything but family visits, eliminating several categories of travel that had been authorized by the Obama administration, which would now require authorization from the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). This is expected to have an effect on American tourism to the island, and will reduce family visits by Cubans and Cuban-Americans as airlines eliminate flights and raise fares in response to decreasing demand. Another measure will ban so-called U-Turn transactions through which the Cuban government indirectly accesses the US financial system by making transactions in third-party countries. Additionally, five Cuban entities will be added to the list that prohibits direct financial transactions with US companies. The only one named so far is Aerogaviota, an airline founded by the Cuban military. The net effect of all these restrictions will be to further squeeze the Cuban economy, which is already facing shortages of energy and other imports resulting from slow growth, as well as falling deliveries of subsidized fuel from Venezuela. The hope, especially in regard to Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, is to discourage companies from doing business in Cuba or encourage them to exit. The strategy is, essentially, to starve the island into submission. The political character of the actions of the Trump administration were made especially clear by Boltons appearance at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, near Miami, where he spoke to a group of ultra-right Cuban exiles celebrating the 58th Anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion, an abortive CIA-led effort to overthrow the Castro government using an army of right-wing Cuban exiles. He ludicrously compared the counterrevolutionary band, which surrendered en masse to the Cuban military after a day of fighting, to the brave men of Bunker Hill, Belleau Wood and Normandy. Referring to Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua as the troika of tyranny, Boltons speech was loaded with blood curdling anti-socialist rhetoric reminiscent of the height of the Cold War. Saying that the twilight hour of socialism has arrived in our hemisphere, Bolton said it was time to reverse the consequences of disastrous Obama-era policies and finally end the glamorization of socialism and communism. Bolton also stated, Today, we proudly proclaim for all to hear: the Monroe Doctrine is alive and well, referring to the historic US policy of claiming unfettered dominance over the Americas. Perhaps most provocatively, he appealed to the ultra-right elements in attendance to be prepared for a confrontation with the growing socialist sentiments in the US itself, saying, We will need your help in the days ahead. We must all reject the forces of communism and socialism in this hemisphereand in this country. The second meeting of the Socialist Equality Party (SGP) took place on April 16 in Frankfurt-Main as part of its campaign for the European election. The SGP is participating in the European election in order to build sections of the Fourth International across the continent. Two days earlier, leading representatives of the Fourth International addressed the partys first election meeting in Berlin. In Frankfurt, SGP Chairman Ulrich Rippert highlighted the importance of the International Committee of the Fourth International and its perspective of a United Socialist States of Europe. The meeting was attended by many SGP supporters, readers of the WSWS, and workers from the city and surrounding region. In her introduction, SGP candidate Marianne Arens emphasized that the arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in London was a turning point in history. The ruling elites are no longer prepared to defend basic democratic rights. Assange did not commit a crime, she said. Hes been educating people about the gruesome war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq. ... He was a source of inspiration for Edward Snowden, without whom we would not know the full extent of the mass spying operation of the general public. All the mud and filth, together with the charges laid against Assange, are fictitious. They are aimed at sullying his reputation and persuading the public to accept his rendition to the US. The attack on Assange, together with the campaign against the brave whistleblower Chelsea Manning, was an attack on us all. At the time of Assanges arrest, the sections of the ICFI immediately issued a call for protests around the world, and the SGP had also put the struggle to free Julian Assange at the heart of its European election campaign. The ruling class is proceeding mercilessly huge social and political forces are at work. Those who want to defeat them must rely on a force that is even stronger. That is why we are turning to the international working class. We are well aware that the conditions for a mass social uprising are developing rapidly. The situation for the working class today, more than 10 years after the financial crisis of 2008, was vividly described by SGP candidate Saravan Ratnamaheson. He declared: The burden of the banking crisis was shifted entirely onto the shoulders of the working population. The result has been an enormous increase in poverty and social inequality. Saravan Ratnamaheson Ratnamaheson pointed to the rapid growth of low-paid labor and agency work in virtually every branch of industry. German industry is heavily dependent on exports and has now been hit hard today by the EU crisis, Brexit and global trade wars: In the auto industry, virtually every major corporationfrom VW, Opel, Ford, to auto suppliers such as Boschhave announced mass redundancies. Corporations are using the turn to electric mobility as an excuse to conduct unprecedented attacks on auto workers rights and working conditions. The main reason for the current global job massacre was the power exercised by the financial markets and hedge funds. They have ordered this global attack on the working class to increase their dividends and profits, Ratnamaheson said. The SGP candidate drew a balance sheet of the activities of the trade unions in the past few decades: They are not only riddled with corruption, above all their nationalist perspective and the fact that they subordinate every issue to the interests of the profit system have turned them into right-wing servants of the corporations. Ratnamaheson described the lessons of the strike wave in the low-wage factories of Matamoros. Mexico. He explained the need for workers to set up action committees that operate independently of the unions. The workers response must be an international socialist perspective! he stressed. He informed the audience about the historic workers assembly in Detroit on December 9, 2018. More than 80 auto workers decided to set up independent action committees and recognised the World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Party as their political leadership. This is a significant step for the international working class, Ratnamaheson said. It is increasingly clear that the working class is turning towards our movement in the rapidly growing class struggle and regards it as its political and programmatic leadership. The next speaker was Ulrich Rippert, SGP chairman, European election candidate and a member of the international WSWS editorial board. He spoke about the significance of the Trotskyist world movement: We are building a party in the working class of Europe to overthrow capitalism, enable the working class to take power and establish the United Socialist States of Europe. Ulrich Rippert speaking to the meeting We draw from the confidence that comes from history, in particular, the experience of the past 30 years which has confirmed that the ICFI is the only force in the world which bases itself on a correct historical analysis. Thirty years ago, we saw the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the GDR and German reunification, Rippert said. Two years later followed the dissolution of the Soviet Union. He recalled that all of the main parties and mainstream media portrayed this development as the failure of socialism, the triumph of capitalism or the end of history (Fukuyama). At that time, the ICFI took a completely different view. Rippert quoted from an election manifesto of the Bund Sozialistischer Arbeiter, a predecessor of the SGP, drawn up for the 1989 European elections. The policy of the Stalinist bureaucracy has plunged the countries of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, into a devastating economic crisis, the 30-year-old text read. The cause of this crisis is the isolation of the Soviet economy from the world economy. These countries were threatened with the reintroduction of capitalism and the exploitation of the Soviet and Eastern European working class on a capitalist basis. Rippert then pointed out the current deplorable situation of workers in Eastern Europe and stated: We clearly predicted the restoration of capitalism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe with all the resulting catastrophic social consequences. The globalisation of production has stripped away the ground from beneath all national programs. The result has been a powerful resurgence of all contradictions of capitalism. There can be no doubt, Rippert said, that our assessment, which we outlined decades ago and tirelessly defended, has proved to be correct. Rippert then addressed the question: What constitutes the strength of a party? It is crucial, the speaker said, that a party can correctly assess great historical changes and provide a progressive perspective. We did that and that demonstrates the political strength of our party. Rippert then contrasted the position of the ICFI with the propaganda pumped out by the ruling class and its parties. Instead of democracy, peace and freedom, the last 30 years have led to an extreme enrichment of an elite and an equally extreme impoverishment of the working class. This is demonstrated above all in Europe, by the plundering of Greece, Rippert declared. The rivalries and conflicts that turned Europe into the main battlefield of two world wars are being resurrected today under the pressure of the global crisis of capitalism, he continued, and described the far-advanced preparations for war on the part of the imperialist powers. This went hand in hand with moves towards dictatorship and police states, together with the promotion of right-wing extremist and fascist parties, he said. Rippert warned against the return of fascism in Germany, which, unlike in the 1930s, was not a mass movement, but draws its strength from the support it receives from the ruling elites and the state apparatus. The far-right Alternative for Germany now sits in the German parliament. It has deep roots in the state apparatus and enjoys support above all from layers in the police, the military and the intelligence services. The experience of war and fascism left deep scars in Germany and left behind a firm conviction that there should never be another war and no repeat of fascism. This sentiment was deeply rooted in the minds of millions, Rippert said. The class struggle had returned. The future will not be decided in the German chancellery, nor in the EU Commission in Brussels, Rippert affirmed, and certainly not in the European parliament. The future depended on those who build the Fourth International and prepared the working class for its future role. The speeches were followed by a lively discussion. An IYSSE member spoke on the situation of youth in Europe and said: The continent is being rocked by growing social inequality and horrendous levels of youth unemployment. He pointed out that many youth are among the thousands of people who reject the EU, and also end up drowning in the Mediterranean. The EU had struck up disastrous deals with African dictators to prevent people fleeing to Europe. An Italian worker from Frankfurt asked how the social revolution would take place in practice. He was worried that workers, as they have done in Italy, would choose Salvini and the Lega Nord. He was told in reply that Salvini had by not been elected by a large majority of the Italian working class. This government could only come to power because previous governments had implemented catastrophic social policies, Marianne Arens said. This is the responsibility of the Stalinist CPI and all its successor parties, from the PDS to Rifondazione to the Democrats of Matteo Renzi. Their pro-capitalist stance created the confusion and frustration from which the Five Star Movement could profit. Five Star in turn levered Lega Nord and Salvini into the saddle and provided the necessary parliamentary majority for the latters fascist policies. In Italy, the working class was also determined to stand firm against fascism, as was demonstrated by the recent demonstration of 200,000 against racism in Milan. However, the situation is fraught with great dangers, which is why it was so important to establish a section of the Fourth International in Italy. The revolution is an objective process, Ulrich Rippert concluded. It is emerging as an elemental uprising, as the only progressive alternative to the problems thrown up by capitalism. The ruling class stands with its back to the wall and is increasingly resorting to war and fascism. The class struggle is undergoing a new upswing worldwide, but, These struggles need a new political leadership. That is why the ICFI is building the World Socialist Web Site as the authentic voice of Marxism. Rippert closed the meeting with an appeal: Study the history of this party and actively participate in its construction! Literally within hours of the April 11 arrest of Julian Assange, a scurrilous and craven attack on the WikiLeaks founder was featured by the erstwhile liberal mediathe Melbourne Age, Sydney Morning Herald and other Nine Media outlets. The opinion column was penned by a journalist who was once incarcerated himself on trumped-up charges. Peter Greste declared: To be clear, Julian Assange is not a journalist, and WikiLeaks is not a news organisation. By that pronouncement, Greste aligned himself directly behind the Trump administrations bogus conspiracy charges and the refusal of the Australian political establishment to intervene to secure the freedom of Assange, an Australian citizen. To the disgust of those whose protests helped free Greste in 2015 from his 400-day imprisonment by the US-backed military junta, headed by ex-general Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, he is now trading on the reputation he acquired as a victim of attacks on press freedom to support Washingtons efforts to railroad Assange to prison. Greste wrote the column in his capacity as a founding director and spokesman for the Alliance for Journalists Freedom and UNESCO chair in journalism and communication at the University of Queensland. In it, he set out, in unvarnished form, the agenda behind all the corporate media attacks on Assange. Greste declared: Journalism demands more than simply acquiring confidential information and releasing it unfiltered onto the internet for punters to sort through. It comes with responsibility. To effectively fulfil the role of journalism in a democracy, there is an obligation to seek out what is genuinely in the public interest [italics added]. But who determines the public interest? It is absolutely in the publics interest to know the truth about the hundreds of cases of war crimes, corporate abuses and mass surveillance revealed by WikiLeaks and the courageous whistleblowers who give it incriminating documents. As the World Socialist Web Site has recorded, Assange and WikiLeaks have, since 2006, established an extraordinary record of genuine investigative journalism, unparalleled in contemporary history. Thanks to WikiLeaks, millions of documents exposing political conspiracies and corporate crimes around the world have been made available to the public. If not for WikiLeaks, this information would have remained suppressed. WikiLeaks states on its website: Our goal is to bring important news and information to the public. We provide an innovative, secure and anonymous way for sources to leak information to our journalists (our electronic drop box). One of our most important activities is to publish original source material alongside our news stories so readers and historians alike can see evidence of the truth. In effect, Greste is insisting that the corporate- and government-controlled media, notorious for working in collaboration with the intelligence agencies, must continue to determine what is in the public interest and censor the news accordingly. These are the same discredited organisations that for decades have retailed lies such as weapons of mass destruction, to justify the invasions conducted by the US and its allies. Over the past decade, millions of people have turned to social media for information, precisely because they no longer trust the corporate outlets. According to Greste: The digital revolution has confused the definitions of what journalism is and its role in a democracy. He wrote: We at the Alliance for Journalists Freedom are committed to restoring public trust in journalism, which can only ever happen if its practitioners work with responsibility and respect. Responsibility and respect for whom? For the public, and its right to know, or for the corporate elite, the spy agencies and their political servants? By Grestes definition, no one is a legitimate journalist unless they respect the existing powers-that-be. Greste acknowledged that in 2010, WikiLeaks published a huge trove of incriminating military and US State Department documents, including the infamous collateral murder video filmed from the gunsights of two US Apache helicopters as they opened fire on a group of men in Baghdad, including two Reuters journalists, killing them all. But Greste condemned Assange for actually making this information available to millions of people around the world. Instead of sorting through the hundreds of thousands of files to seek out the most important or relevant and protect the innocent, he dumped them all onto his website, free for anybody to go through, regardless of their contents or the impact they might have had. That is precisely what governments, intelligence agencies and corporate media fear: the public having unfiltered, uncensored, access to secret files that disclose such crimes. The impact, as demonstrated by WikiLeaks record, can inform popular discontent and even lead to mass uprisings, as occurred in Tunisia in 2011, when workers and youth toppled a dictatorship that had been in power for decades. Greste repeated the unsubstantiated claims of the US intelligence apparatus that WikiLeaks had exposed the names of Afghans who had been giving information on the Taliban to US forces. In reality, no evidence has been presented proving that anyone, apart from war criminals and corrupt politicians, has been harmed by the information published by WikiLeaks. Greste is supporting a definite agenda. It is that of corporate giants such as Google and Facebook, as the World Socialist Web Site has warned over the past 18 months. They are working with governments to censor the internet and, in particular, suppress independent, progressive or left-wing platforms that provide oppositional information and analysis. Grestes recently-established Alliance for Journalists Freedom is backed by Google, one of its founding partners, which has a representative on its advisory board. The Alliance website is promoting Mark Zuckerbergs recent announcement that Facebook intends to launch a new news service to strengthen high quality, trustworthy journalism. Greste and the organisation he represents are functioning as mouthpieces for the interests of governments, intelligence agencies, the corporate media and the on-line conglomerates. That is why they are so hostile to the publication of any material that threatens the capitalist order and the predatory interests of US imperialism and its British and Australian partners. Authorised by James Cogan for the Socialist Equality Party, Suite 906, 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000. Six months after Hurricane Michael made landfall on the Gulf coast of Florida as a category four storm, the region is still in shambles and many of the remaining residents are homeless and desperate. Michael was the fourth strongest hurricane ever to impact the continental US. In terms of sustained wind speed, it was the most powerful to hit the US since Hurricane Andrew devastated south Florida in 1992. Fifty-seven US deaths have been attributed to the storm, with an additional 17 deaths in Central America. Overall, some $25.1 billion in damages were inflicted by the hurricane. Mexico City, Panama City and surrounding communities were destroyed, with some areas seeing all houses, businesses and other structures leveled by the storms winds. The impact was aggravated by its rapid intensification. First identified by meteorologists as a tropical depression on October 7, it grew into a major hurricane within two days, making landfall on October 10. The speed with which it developed made evacuation impossible for most residents, many of whom lacked the means to flee the storm in the first place. Congress has yet to pass a disaster relief funding bill to address the long-term impact of Hurricane Michael, so residents affected have had to rely upon the meager assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with charitable donations, which have totaled approximately $35 million so far. This compares unfavorably to the $64.3 million donated in the wake of Hurricane Florence, which impacted the Carolinas a month earlier, and the $97 million donated after Hurricane Irma, which hit Florida a year earlier but did less overall damage. A recent report in the Washington Post described the living conditions the remaining residents have faced and the lack of effective aid from the state or federal government. Tent cities have cropped up throughout the area, as residents who remain compete with the influx of construction workers for rental properties, whose prices have risen significantly since recovery began. Some have remained in their storm-damaged homes, having no other alternative. One family discussed in the Post article opened its five-acre property for homeless families to set up tents. It also took one family, including a six-month-old infant, into its home. The Post reports that FEMA has spent only $1.1 billion thus far on recovery efforts related to Michael, with most of that sum in the form of Small Business Administration loans. Only $141 million has been directly disbursed to 31,000 individual households. FEMA also recently evicted most of the 283 families who had been granted trailers by the agency as temporary living quarters. In spite of efforts by state officials to extend the assistance, only 17 families qualified for a 60-day extension, leaving approximately 800 people without housing last week. Many area residents quoted in the article said they believed their geographic isolation, in a relatively sparsely populated area, had contributed to an apathetic response on the part of both the government and charitable organizations. There is some truth to this. In recent years, the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, fed by a warming climate, have increased. Hurricane Michael was the seventh hurricane of 2018, and it was sandwiched in between Hurricane Florence a month earlier and the California wildfires the following month. Had Hurricane Michael turned east and made landfall in Tampa Bay instead of the Florida Panhandle, it would have had the potential of becoming the most destructive storm in US history. At least 2,000 people would have died, according to a study conducted eight years ago by the Florida Regional Planning Council. The council analyzed the impact a category five hurricane would have on the Tampa area. In addition to the casualties, a storm of that magnitude would destroy at least half a million homes and 10,000 businesses, and a potential 26-foot storm surge would flood both Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg, collectively home to over three million people. The study had one major flaw, however. It estimated a five-day window between initial formation and landfall. It assumed that this time period would allow for the evacuation of a large number of residents. For Hurricane Michael, however, this window was shortened to 73 hours. This demonstrates the dilemma facing those in areas affected by tropical storms. They know from past experience that they cannot rely upon the government for effective assistance in the event of a hurricane, neither for evacuation in advance or recovery in the aftermath. And they now face storms whose destructive potential grows unpredictably from season to season, fueled by a rapidly warming climate, itself the result of the irrational management of the worlds resources under capitalism. US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Gina Haspel was delivering a recruiting pitch to students at Auburn University in Alabama on Thursday where she was called out by an audience member for her participation in torture and other crimes. Towards the beginning of her speech, Hapsel began recalling the thrill of being sworn in as a CIA operative when the crowd member shouted if Haspel remembered the thrill of the CIA black sites you tortured people in and the evidence you destroyed? Gina Haspell heckled by a student at Auburn University The heckling continued. Tell these young children, tell them who you tortured. You know their namestheyre still in Guantanamo Bay, he shouted. Youre a decrepit human being, he yelled before being removed by security. The only people you should be talking to is a prison guard in a jail cell. Haspel silently glanced at her speech notes at the podium and stated Ill continue after the man was removed. Later into the speech, once Haspel was joined onstage by Lt. Gen. Roger Burgess, former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, efforts were made to direct attention away from Haspels bloody record. Burgess claimed that Haspel did not need to respond to the comments and added that he was responsible for helping set up the intelligence collection unit at Guantanamo Bay in 2002. Burgess declared, We did the best we could with the guidance that we were given, with the resources we were given, to protect the United States of America. However, members of the audience were not persuaded. Another individual asked when the audience could expect to hear Haspels response to the allegations. Burgess told the person to wait their turn or be excused from the event as well. Haspel was the head of a CIA black site in Thailand known as Cats Eye, where two men were waterboarded and subjected to sleep deprivation, confinement in small boxes, being repeatedly slammed into a wall, hooding and shackling, and other forms of physical and psychological torture. The torture left both severely damaged, psychologically and physically. In addition to overseeing the torture operations in Thailand, Haspel played a key role in the destroying videotapes made of the torture sessions, which was ordered by Jose Rodriguez, the director of the National Clandestine Service in 2005. Haspel joined the CIA in 1985 and has held multiple positions in the agency including chief of station in several world capitals, senior manager of the Counterterrorism Center and, under the Obama administration, acting deputy director of the National Clandestine Service (NCS). Haspels nomination as the head of Murder Inc. by the Trump administration in 2018 was championed as a historical milestone by Trump because she would be the first woman to run the organization. Her confirmation was secured with the necessary votes from the Democratic Party. Much of Haspels rise in the CIA was due to her complicity in, and approval of, torture and other criminal actions. The only people you should be talking to is a prison guard in a jail cell. Indeed. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) held a strong meeting at the University of Melbourne on Thursday to defend imprisoned journalist Julian Assange. Evrim Yazgin and Tessa Pietsch addressing the Melbourne meeting Thirty students attended and unanimously voted for a resolution that stated: This meeting of the University of Melbourne IYSSE condemns the arrest of WikiLeaks publisher and journalist Julian Assange. We demand the Australian government cease its collaboration with the US vendetta against Assange and act to defend the democratic rights of the Australian citizen, ensuring him safe passage home if he wishes to return. We resolve to do everything possible to assist developing the international fight for the immediate and unconditional release of Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning! Vote on the resolution defending Assange Before the meeting, members of the IYSSE and Socialist Equality Party developed an extensive campaign on the campus, where Assange studied before he launched WikiLeaks. Assanges April 11 arrest in London shocked and angered wide layers of students and young people. Campaigners organised speak-outs and distributed hundreds of leaflets, including the World Socialist Web Site statement Free Julian Assange! Campaign team members explained to students that the university meeting was one of a series of events organised around the world by the IYSSE and Socialist Equality Parties, and followed demonstrations held in Sydney and Melbourne within 24 hours of Assanges arrest (see: SEP (Australia) rallies demand freedom for Julian Assange). The campaign met with a powerful response. Assange is a really rare instance of someone risking everything for the truth and standing up against the powers-that-be, Beatriz, a design student originally from Brazil, told IYSSE members. Beatriz (left) Whats happening now reveals how much governments are trying to silence WikiLeaks, because it has something to say I personally dont believe that the [sexual assault] accusations are true. I think they were used to try and take him away from any protectionto get him to Sweden and then extradited to the US. So I dont really take any of that into consideration in terms of his character. I think that what he is doing is way too important to be clouded by any rumours about his personality. James, a first year Bachelor of Arts student, said: Whats happening to Assange is absolutely outrageous. The claims against him have no merit and its clearly a ploy. The report at Thursdays campus meeting was delivered by IYSSE club president Evrim Yazgin. He explained: Manning and Assange are being held because they have exposed crimes carried out in illegal wars that were started by the US based on lies. Yazgin continued: In Australia, successive governments, whether they be Labor or Liberal, have lined up behind the US attacks on Assange. Their attitude is summed up by the former prime minister of a Greens-backed Labor government, Julia Gillard, who branded WikiLeaks a criminal organisation. The day after the federal election was announced, it seems the same script is being followed by the major parties to wash their hands of Assange. Yazgin placed the campaign against the WikiLeaks publisher in the context of an escalating world crisis of capitalism. The situation today mirrors the 1930s, which saw the rise of Nazism in Germany, the effects of the Great Depression, and the outbreak of World War II, he said. The US is pushing back against its demise as the global superpower, by unveiling economic sanctions and trade war policies not seen in 80 years, and preparing new wars against Iran, Russia, and China. Under these conditions, the ruling elites around the world are turning to censorship and the promotion of the far right to suppress anti-war and left-wing voices in the working class and youth. Julian Assange is a class war prisoner. During the lively discussion after the report, students said they were disappointed and disillusioned by the mainstream media. Questions were raised about the differences between the IYSSE and the pseudo-left student organisations. Club members emphasised that the abandonment of Assange by groups like Socialist Alliance and Socialist Alternative and their electoral front, the Victorian Socialists, was not accidental. Rather, it represented a class position, reflecting their upper-middle class politics. Students also asked what was next planned to take forward the defence of Assange and Manning. Meeting chairperson and University of Melbourne IYSSE secretary Tessa Pietsch explained that the Socialist Equality Party was standing candidates in the federal election. In Victoria, she and Jason Wardle, IYSSE president at Victoria University, are standing in the Senate, while Peter Byrne is the SEPs candidate in the lower house seat of Calwell. I encourage you all to support our election campaign, Pietsch said. Read our election statement, attend campaign meetings, and donate to our election fund. We are the only party contesting the election that has made a central issue the demand for the immediate and unconditional freedom of Julian Assange. Our campaign will advance the fight for his defence. Part of the meeting involved IYSSE Annual General Meeting procedures, including the election of the club executive. According to the regulations of the universitys student union, all clubs must have at least 20 student members in attendance at an annual meeting in order to re-affiliate and be eligible to hold events and use university facilities. The IYSSE has done this every year since 2016, when we were first affiliated on the campus, following a two-and-a-half-year fight against the student unions anti-democratic blocking of multiple IYSSE affiliation applications. After the meeting in defence of Assange, several students remained to continue political discussion, sign up as IYSSE members, and purchase literature from Mehring Books. Authorised by James Cogan for the Socialist Equality Party, Suite 906, 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000. Within the short span of six weeks, four people have died while in custody in jails in San Diego, Californias second most populous county. The deaths of Joseph Castiglione, 56, Michael Wilson, 32, Derek King, 45, and Ivan Ortiz, 26, are evidence of the brutality of the prison system not just in one city, but throughout the US. On February 7, Joseph Castiglione was shackled by authorities at the Vista Detention facility when he began behaving erratically. Castigliones wrists and ankles were bound, and officers placed him face down on a gurney. After some time, a deputy noticed that Castiglione had stopped breathing and was was turning blue. An autopsy concluded that a bag of meth had burst open in his stomach. Michael Wilson suffered heart failure in San Diegos Central Jail on Valentines Day. After being imprisoned for allegedly breaking his bail terms, Wilson called his mother from jail to tell her he was having trouble breathing and had been denied his prescribed heart medication. Wilsons mother called repeatedly during his 10 days in jail to ask that her son be relocated to the facilitys medical unit, but the authorities kept Wilson in the jails general population. Wilsons sister told the British Guardian newspaper that he was born with a congenital heart defect and had recently had a defibrillator placed in his chest. The local news outlets later reported that Wilson died of natural causes. Derek King passed away February 16 as a result of colon cancer that had spread to other parts of his body. King had recently been returned to jail from a state psychiatric hospital after being found incompetent to stand trial. Ivan Ortiz, who suffered from severe mental illness, was kept in the jails psychiatric observation unit for the last two months. His mother called the jail repeatedly to urge that her son not be left alone, but Ivan was still placed in a single cell, where he was able to commit suicide on March 18. San Diego has the second-highest death rate of jailed inmates in the state, with 135 dead over the last decade, according to public records. The majority of the 135 who died suffered from serious mental illness, and many died due to a lack of medical care or by suicide. A 2018 report by Disability Rights California found that more inmates killed themselves in San Diegos jail system than in LA county jails, despite LAs inmate population being three times the size of San Diegos. The report found that in San Diegos jails there was an over-incarceration of people with mental health-related disabilities, but the authorities failed to provide adequate mental health treatment and lacked adequate suicide prevention practices. According to the website of Disability Rights California, 383,000 people with mental illness are currently in jails and prisons in the US. The spate of deaths reflects larger problems of social inequality, mental illness, homelessness and mass incarceration. The nonprofit organization Volunteers of America noted that more than 10 percent of those coming in and out of prisons and jails are reported to have been homeless in the months before their incarceration, and for those with mental illness, the rates are about 20 percent. San Diego has the fourth largest homeless population in the nation, behind Seattle, Los Angeles and New York City, cities with some of the highest living costs in the US. According to the Census Bureaus Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) for 2017, Californias real poverty rate is 19 percent, the highest in the country. The SPM takes into account cost-of-living, including taxes, housing and medical costs, and is considered a more accurate reflection of poverty than the standard survey. California hosts the largest prison population in the US, with 241,000 people currently held in its prisons. The US confines the largest prison population in the world, totaling more than the combined prison population of the rest of the world. The barbaric conditions faced by inmates in California are by no means unique to the state, as demonstrated by the wave of 15 suicides within 15 months in Alabamas prisons. A federal Department of Justice report on the suicides revealed pleas for help scrawled in blood on the walls from prisoners held in solitary confinement. It also documented a high incidence of rapes, murders, beatings, stabbings, mutilations and arson. According to a report, Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie, published last month by the Prison Policy Initiative: The American criminal justice system holds almost 2.3 million people in 1,719 state prisons, 109 federal prisons, 1,772 juvenile correctional facilities, 3,163 local jails, and 80 Indian Country jails as well as in military prisons, immigration detention facilities, civil commitment centers, state psychiatric hospitals and prisons in the US territories. The newly inaugurated Democratic governor of California, Gavin Newsom, campaigned on a platform of ending the outrage that is private prisons in the state of California. This campaign pledge, which received a great deal of popular support, was little more than a sop to the prison guard union, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, which spent $1 million on television commercials promoting Newsom for governor and Tony Thurmond for superintendent of public instruction. A San Diego sheriffs spokeswoman wrote to the Guardian that she had no comment on the deaths of Wilson, Ortiz, Castiglione and King, stating that our jail system provides excellent medical screening and care. The calls in the French media and ruling elite for national unity after a horrific fire devastated Notre Dame cathedral on Monday in Paris deserve nothing but contempt. Their goals are obvious. They aim to strangle all critical reflection on the causes and lessons of this shocking event, which has exposed the utter irresponsibility of the state machine; and to stabilize President Emmanuel Macrons government, which is rocked by the upsurge of the class struggle, with yellow vest protests and mass protests against the Algerian military regime. The cause of the devastation of Notre Dame cathedral is the lack of serious fire security in renovation work, rooted in austerity and the relentless self-enrichment of the financial aristocracy. The French state refused to foot the 100 million bill for the renovation, leaving church officials to beg for money internationally. The plan that was ultimately adopted ignored basic fire security measures, including the need to hire sufficient fire security staff. After a fire alarm, under this plan, it would take staff up to 20 minutes to reach and inspect the area. The gaping holes in this planadopted amid Macrons austerity policy that funnels hundreds of billions of euros to the army, tax cuts for the rich, and bank bailoutshad disastrous consequences. Despite two fire alarms on Monday, Notre Dame staff could not locate the fire until much of the roof was ablaze and the spire was collapsing. After this disaster the major media and parties are calling for a political truce and a halt to all criticism. Macrons Republic on the March (LRM) and the neo-fascist National Rally (RN) suspended their European campaigns. On Twitter, Jean-Luc Melenchon of Unsubmissive France (LFI) wrote, 24 hours off from politics would be welcome. Nathalie Loiseau, the head of LRMs European list, wrote that the LRM list naturally is joining in this moment of national unity. We are suspending our campaign until further announcements are made. Europe1 radio enthused, Deep emotion took over all the state officials who went to visit the flaming cathedral. The president, prime minister ... all went to see for themselves. In one hour, a holy union was formed. There were no discordant notes in the call for national unity, except maybe Jean-Luc Melenchon because he asked Emmanuel Macron to be quiet for a few days. By raising the holy unionhistorically, the name for the bourgeoisies union with the social democrats to wage the First World War and oppose the rising international communist movement emerging from the October 1917 Russian revolutionEurope1 perhaps said more than it intended. The current official campaign for French national unity is an almost chemically pure example of the reactionary role of nationalism, which by denying the significance of the international class struggle subordinates the workers to the military-austerity diktat of the ruling class. While the major parties led the call to silence criticism of official policy in the name of national unity, they left it to the Medef business federation to specify what national unity means. On Wednesday, Medef President Geoffroy Roux de Bezieux went on BFM-TV to deliver a full-throated defense of the tax cuts for the rich and exorbitantly wealthy that led to this disaster. Hailing an incredible enthusiasm in the nation for rebuilding Notre Dame, he denounced pathetic debates on tax cuts, saying: If you tax people too much in France, they will go elsewhere. We need rich taxpayers who pay their taxes in France. Roux de Bezieux then hailed the billionaire Arnault and Pinault families, who refused to fund the renovation but are now giving a few hundred million euros to towards the multi-billion-euro project of rebuilding the cathedral. He said, If the state paid 100 percent, who would pay? Its you and me, everyone, the taxpayers. So I think its great that there are people who agree to pay out of pocket to help. Its a real moment of national unity. The fate of Notre Dame cathedral and the Medefs ignorant lust for money are a warning to workers not only in France but around the world. The only way forward for workers is to expropriate the irresponsible and parasitic ruling class that dominates official public life. Class struggle, rejecting nationalist appeals for unity with the super-rich and fought through to its conclusion, is the only way to resolve the urgent problems created by the destructive operations of the financial aristocracy. In this, it is critical to unmask and oppose petty-bourgeois forces, linked to the union bureaucracies and academia, who try to serve up nationalism in a left guise, while denying the significance of Marxism and of the class struggle. In France, this role is played currently by Melenchon, who after coming under criticism for asking Macron to be quiet after the burning, posted a piece titled Our shared cathedral on his blog. In it, he argued for effecting the national unification of France by a reactionary reconciliation of religion with atheism via support for Notre Dame. Atheists or believers, Notre Dame is our common cathedral, Melenchon began, adding: There are those for whom Gods work was at hand in constructing this building. And others, those who know the emptiness of a meaningless Universe and the absurdity of the human condition, see in it above all the crowning glory of the spirit and labor of hundreds of thousands of women and men. Melenchons claim that atheism leads to the view that life is meaningless and absurd is an attack on Marxism. The history of all hitherto existing society, the irreconcilable atheists Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote in the Communist Manifesto, is the history of class struggle. Marx and Engels did not view life as absurd. That position finds favor only among petty-bourgeois populists steeped in existentialism and postmodernism who have, as Melenchon did in his 2014 book The Era of the People, written off the class struggle and socialist revolution as dead relics of a past era. Marx and Engels on the other hand armed the working class with Marxismthat is, an imperishable, scientific guide to action for the revolutionary prosecution of the class struggle. Melenchon continued by attacking the role of the mathematical and physical sciences on the European mind, where he claims they create a terrible dilemma. Here it is: there is revealed truth, that comes from the exterior, affirmed by custom or religion and that imposes itself with the reassuring appearance of self-evidence. Then there is the truth one discovers with ones own brain, based on ones own investigations and calculations, to which science approaches a bit more each day. Melenchons pretense that the great divide in French society is between atheists and believers is just as false as the view that the role of science is to come ever closer to supporting Melenchons opinions. One recent poll found that only 4.5 percent of French people attend mass at least once a month. The great divide is classthe line separating the overwhelming majority of workers forced to sell their ability to labor to an employer, and the parasites of the financial aristocracy. Having begun with the ambition to unify religion and atheism, Melenchon closes his piece with a mystical invocation of the immortality of Notre Dame cathedral, of which some piece will always remain that a human being will want to build up towards heaven. While such rhetoric appeals immensely to the pundits and executives of Frances corporate media, it does nothing to improve the lives of the working population or to protect major monuments from the depredations of capitalism. As the class struggle in Europe, North Africa and around the world mobilizes growing numbers of workers, the first task is to distrust all the initiatives of such petty-bourgeois proponents of national unity with the financial aristocracy. The release of the report by special counsel Robert Mueller on allegations of Russian interference in the US election and alleged collusion with the Trump administration has reignited the ferocious factional warfare within the American ruling class. An editorial published Friday evening by the New York Times very clearly reveals, after two years, what this conflict was all about. As the World Socialist Web Site has repeatedly insisted, dominant factions of the military-intelligence apparatus, whose demands have been channeled by the Democratic Party and the media, will not accept any retreat from an intensification of the conflict with Russia. The editorial board statement is published under the headline, The Mueller Report and the Danger Facing American Democracy, with the subhead, A perceived victory for Russian interference poses a serious risk for the United States. It begins, The report of the special counsel Robert Mueller leaves considerable space for partisan warfare over the role of President Trump and his political campaign in Russias interference in the 2016 election. But one conclusion is categorical: The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion. This statement is a backhanded acknowledgement that the Mueller report fails to substantiate many of the wild claims, promoted by the media including the Times, of collusion or direct coordination between the 2016 Trump campaign and the Russian government. However, what the Times is more concerned with is the underlyingand no less unfoundedclaim, that Russia has attacked American democracy and that an aggressive response is necessary. Russias interference in the campaign was the core issue that Mr. Mueller was appointed to investigate, the Times writes, and if he stopped short of accusing the Trump campaign of overtly cooperating with the Russiansthe report mercifully rejects speaking of collusion, a term that has no meaning in American lawhe was unequivocal on Russias culpability: First, the Office determined that Russias two principal interference operations in the 2016 US presidential electionthe social media campaign and the hacking-and-dumping operationsviolated US criminal law. In the key passage, the Times complains that Trump has failed to take this supposed interference in American politics seriously. Culpable or not, the editors write, he must be made to understand that a foreign power that interferes in American elections is, in fact, trying to distort American foreign policy and national security. Distort foreign policy By this is meant the CIA-backed imperialist operations in Syria and the campaign against Russia itself. In addition to the conflicts over foreign policy, the anti-Russia campaign has been aimed at criminalizing domestic opposition and justifying an unprecedented attack on free speech, including the censorship of the internet, utilizing Google, Facebook, and other social media companies, under the absurd pretext that the online operations of Russia are responsible for social conflict within the United States. Regurgitating the unsubstantiated assertions of the intelligence agencies, which the Mueller report also accepts, the Times denounces a social media campaign [by Russia] intended to fan rifts in the United States. Significantly, this same assertion was accepted by Trumps attorney general, William Barr, who proclaimed upon releasing the report Thursday that it proved that Russia had engaged in a systematic campaign to sow social discord among American voters. As if the growing wave of social unrest in the United States, propelled by unprecedented levels of social inequality, is the product of the nefarious intervention of Vladimir Putin! This is simply the resurrection of hysterical McCarthyite red-baiting, with capitalist Russia assuming the place of the Soviet Union. A particularly noxious expression of the attack on democratic rights is the agreement, across all factions of the US ruling elite, to target WikiLeaks. The Mueller report was issued only days after British police seized WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and the US government revealed that it was seeking his extradition, to face indefinite detention or worse. The Times editorial repeats the allegationagain, never substantiated, but asserted by the Mueller reportthat the Russian government was involved in hacking the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee and releasing reams of damaging materials through the front groups DCLeaks and Guccifer 2.0, and later through WikiLeaks. The real danger that the Mueller report reveals, the Times repeats, is not of a president who knowingly or unknowingly let a hostile power do dirty tricks on his behalf, but of a president who refuses to see that he has been used to damage American democracy and national security. It adds, A perceived victory for Russian interference poses a serious danger to the United States. Already, several American agencies are working, in partnership with the tech industry, to prevent election interference going forward. That is, Google and Facebook have already instituted far-reaching measures to censor the internet. But the Kremlin is not the only hostile government mucking around in Americas cyberspaceChina and North Korea are two others honing their cyber-arsenals, and they, too, could be tempted to manipulate partisan strife for their ends. That is, further measures are needed. Here we have combined the twin and interrelated aims of all factions of the ruling classto intensify war, not only against Russia, but also against China, and suppress social opposition. The Times ends with an olive branch to Trump and the Republicans. The two parties may not agree on Mr. Trumps culpability, the editors write, but they have already found a measure of common ground with the sanctions they have imposed on Russia over its interference in the campaign. Now they could justify the considerable time and expense of the special counsel investigation, and at the same time demonstrate that the fissure in American politics is not terminal, by jointly making clear to Russia and other hostile forces that the democratic process, in the United States and its allies, is strictly off limits to foreign clandestine manipulation, and that anyone who tries will pay a heavy price. Thus we have it, as they say, straight from the horses mouth. The opposition of the Democrats and their affiliated media outlets to the Trump administration was never about its right-wing and fascistic policies, its illegal and unconstitutional agenda, or its authoritarian methods of rule, but over concerns that he has undermined what are considered key geostrategic interests of American imperialism. As far as the ruling class is concernedand here we speak of both the Democrats and the Trump administrationthe heavy price is to be borne not only by the foreign policy rivals of the American ruling class abroad, but also by the working class at home. After five hours of deliberations, on Thursday April 10, representatives of 27 peasant communities, whose lands are used to transport copper concentrate from the Las Bambas mine reached an agreement with the government to end a 66-day road blockade that interrupted the export of the mineral to China. The government represented by the prime minister Salvador del Solar plus four other ministers and a representative of the Chinese transnational MMG Ltd., owner of Las Bambas, agreed to all terms presented by the president of Fuerabambathe peasant community that maintained a road blockade. The deal will allow the resumption of the daily passage of 250 heavy load trucks transporting the copper concentrate to the seaport of Matarani in the department of Arequipa, a 500-kilometer trip. It was emphasized, though, that the measure was temporary, pending the success of negotiations. In exchange, the government agreed to withdraw its police from the area and lift a state of emergency declared last October after violent confrontations between the peasant community membersin Spanish known as comunerosand the police. The governments giving in to the comuneros demands expresses how desperate it is to ensuring the uninterrupted export of what amounts to 400,000 tons of copper concentrate to China. It saw the continuation of the Las Bambas conflict as casting Peru as unstable and unsafe for foreign capital to invest in mining. Peru is the second largest exporter of the metal worldwide. However, the Fuerabamba comuneros president, Gregorio Rojas, warned that the underlying problem was not fully solved. Fuerabamba is asking to be paid for the use of the road that crosses its communal lands and those of 38 other peasant communities, with whom they share the road from Las Bambas to the Hacienda Yavi Yavi. The conflict occurred when last year the central government unilaterally reclassified the road owned by the local communities from communal to national, so that the owners of the Las Bambas mine wouldnt have to pay for its use. In 2014, MMG Ltd, the Melbourne-based unit of Chinese state-owned Minmetals Corp, bought Las Bambas from the Swiss mining company Glencore for US$ 7 billion, with a total estimated investment of US$ 10 billion. Las Bambas, an open-pit mine, is expected to become the sixth largest copper mine in the world, producing 400,000 tons per year, responsible for 2 percent of the global market. At the time, an important agreement reached by the comuneros and Glencore was to build an underground pipeline through which the copper would be transported instead of using the dirt road that would end up ruining the communally owned land. When Las Bambas was purchased by MMG Limited, this proposal was rejected and the decision made to use the road that leads to Yavi Yavi, crossing the land of 39 communities, with the new owner promising to pave the road. Faced with the breach of what was agreed to by MMG, the community members, gathered in an assembly, decided on February 4 to block the road demanding its asphalting and that it be paid for its use, because they were not consulted as required by the ILO conventions. For the comuneros, the road is still communal and their property. In the first 50 daysuntil mid-Marchthe road blockade had no impact on production at the mine and its concentrator plant, with the mineral being kept in storage located on the mines own land. The Chinese company MMG reacted by threatening to execute force majeure and lay off 8,000 employeesincluding 2,500 workers operating the mine and the concentrate plant. The conflict was thereby radicalized, and a clash on April 4 left seven civilians and five policemen injured. The news of a possible paralysis of the Las Bambas operations went global. Bloomberg warned of the impact it could have on the price of copper worldwide, which, due to its shortage, has already increased 7 percent this year. Just as MMG was about to run out of storage capacity after more than 50 days of the blockade, late in March the central government ordered the arrest of the president of Fuerabamba, Gregorio Rojas, his two legal advisers, the Chavez Sotelo brothers, and one more leader, accused them of trying to extort MMG in exchange for lifting the road blockade. Outraged by the arrest of its leaders, Fuerabamba immediately won the support of the other 38 communities located in the departments of Apurimac and Cusco, which decided to go on indefinite strike, and also the support of the governors of the departments of Apurimac and Cusco. In solidarity, comuneros in Arequipa occupied the transoceanic highway for three hours. Angry over not being taken seriously, when a helicopter carrying three ministers was departing from Fuerabamba after failed negotiations, comuneros stoned it. With the conflict threatening to expand, encompassing the entire regions of the Southern Andes in which several multibillion dollar transnationals operate, the central government finally decided to pay attention to Las Bambas. The indigenous communities of Quechua and Aymara origin were brutally exploited, humiliated and ignored, first by colonial Lima and then by the descendants of Spaniards born in South America who retained ownership of the large haciendas. These landowners had total control over their lands, including the local priests, mayors and the police. The centralized bourgeois state in Lima had virtually no jurisdiction over the haciendas, especially over those located in the remote Andes where the Quechua and Aymara communities live. To this day, the comuneros continue to practice their ancestral customs of life, with many communities not speaking Spanish. Transnational mining companies contribute 40 percent of Perus export revenues, with these companies operating in the departments with the highest poverty. The poorest is Cajamarca with its large gold mines, followed by six departments, including Apurimac, with a poverty rate between 33 and 36 percent. In remote regions, poverty is even greater. This is the case of Fuerabamba, where it reaches 84 percent. Because the mine was located just below the old town of Fuerabamba, MMG offered to build a modern town 25 kilometers away, known as Nueva Fuerabamba. The business daily Gestion reported on the deterioration in the standard of living of the community members of Nueva Fuerabamba: Three years after moving, many of the residents still struggle to adapt to the suburban environment. ... [although some received up to 400,000 soles or US $ 125,000 to relocate, a figure not confirmed by the mine] ... they miss the life of growing potatoes and raising cattle. Many have squandered what they received. Idleness and isolation have blunted the spirits of [the] community ... Gestion continues, Their new two and three story drywall houses seem weak and cold compared to their old roofed adobe huts of straw that were heated with wood stoves ... The newspaper adds that Most jobs ... are for maintenance of the town because many lack the skills to work in a modern mine. Therefore, the residents demand ... more jobs and title deeds of their homes not yet delivered. Now they have to pay for basic needs such as water, food and fuel that they used to take from the land. Alcoholism is increasing, it added. During a 12-month period, four residents committed suicide by taking agricultural chemicals. An independent study indicates that prior to the relocation ... the old village of Fuerabamba suffered from high rates of domestic violence, alcoholism, illiteracy, poverty and lack of access to basic public services. While the general manager of MMG, Troy Hey, and the bourgeois state qualify the transfer of the comuneros as a positive change, Camilo Leon, specialist in mining resettlements, said that for subsistence peasants it is usually very difficult to leave their traditions and getting used to the very urban, very organized environment of the planned cities... In Peru there are six transnational corporations that have relocated indigenous peoples. And this month, Leon said, a US$2 billion copper project, Michiquillay, would be tendered, which would also involve relocating another community. This is the first part of a two-part article. Behind the quiet rule-making activities of US Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, the Trump administration is dealing hammer-blows against the edifice of public higher education. A series of policy and budgetary decisions are being proposed which will have catastrophic implications for students and educators. They include opening the regulatory door for a frenzy of privatization while exacting budget cuts from programs to aid students. The budget request for 2020, released in March, demanded a $7.1 billion reduction in the Education Department, a restatement of prior year Trump administration budget proposals which aim to dismantle the department itself. As for the state of higher education, overall state funding of public two- and four-year colleges has already fallen a staggering $9 billion below 2008 levels, forcing tuition costs and student loan debtnow over $1.5 trillionto balloon. Public university tuition has doubled in the last two decades, tripled in the last three. They escalate the years-long assault by Democratic and Republican policymakers. The proposed changes include: Eliminating the public service loan forgiveness program which cancels loans after 10 years for public servants, such as teachers in low-income school districts. The program, now projected to cost $24 billion over the next 10 years, has been part of the national student loan system in some form since the 1950s. Terminating the Obama-era gainful employment regulation which amounted to a modest fig-leaf applied to the Wild West of for-profit career schools. The original rule would punish programs whose graduates had student debts higher than a certain percentage of their incomes. As many lawsuits have proven, the for-profit industry was rife with programs that lured students in, saddled them with massive debts and then trained them for jobs at subsistence pay. Tearing down the separation of church and state. DeVos announced in March that the Department of Education (ED) will no longer enforce the prohibition against giving federal education dollars to faith-based entities. She described as unconstitutional the education policy which prevents the subcontracting to religious organizations of tutoring, mentoring and other special services. This follows her attack last year on state Blaine Amendments which prohibit federal funding of religious and parochial schools. The ED has, under DeVos, deliberately dragged its feet on tens of thousands of applications for loan forgiveness under the current law which provides loan relief for students who have been defrauded by their college. The administration is seeking to dramatically restrict or jettison this borrowers defense remedy. This is a major issue, as it has become all too common to learn that a career school has shut down, with no notice, stranding students without a credential and often any transferrable credits. A staggering 450,000 students have been so victimized in the past few years. In 2016 alone, 448 for-profit colleges shut, with on average 175 more closures in 2017 and 2018. Many of the colleges were chain schools with many campuses: ITT (130 campuses), Education Corporation of America (70), Corinthian Colleges (28), the Dream Center Education Holdings (41), and Vatterott College (15). While Trump personally paid out $25 million to defrauded students as a result of multiple lawsuits over the raft of illegal business practices of his Trump University, Obamas tight involvement with the for-profit industry is less well known. Obama watered down his original regulations on gainful employment at their insistence. Most damning of all, prior to leaving office, Obama refused to issue an executive order canceling the debt of tens of thousands of students whose fraud-related applications his department had already processed. The financial interests of high-level Democrats in the for-profit college industry includes many, especially the Clintons. Bill Clinton earned $16.5 million working for the for-profit Laureate Education and Hillary was paid $225,000 by Academic Partnerships, a for-profit online subcontractor, for one of her infamous money-grubbing speeches. Among her election campaign bundlers were former lobbyists for the University of Phoenix. The substantive higher education rule-changes currently being debated will further undermine learning standards, limit students access to teachers and degrade access to culture and knowledge. DeVos has previously referred to her direction as a major shift which will de-prioritize four-year college degrees. To be continued Over 140 students and workers attended the lecture The Threat of Fascism and How to Fight It given at New York Universitys Manhattan campus by Christoph Vandreier. The meeting was also addressed by David North, chairman of the editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site and national chairman of the Socialist Equality Party in the US. The lecture at New York University (NYU) was the final meeting in Vandreiers speaking tour addressing the themes of his book Why Are They Back? Historical Falsification, Political Conspiracy and the Return of Fascism in Germany, which was recently translated into English. The book details the rise of the fascistic Alternative for Germany (AfD), how the AfD has been facilitated by academia, the media and the mainstream capitalist parties in Germany, and the struggle of the SGP and its youth organization, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), against the rise of the far right. The meeting at New York University Prior to speaking at NYU, Vandreier had previously spoken at well-attended meetings at Wayne State University in Detroit, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Berkeley and San Diego in California, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The New York meeting was attended by students from NYU, Borough of Manhattan Community College, Rutgers University and workers from Verizon, adjunct professors, teachers, and various freelance workers. In his NYU report, Vandreier began by pointing out that the shift to the right within the political establishment and the attack on basic democratic rights is a global phenomenon, including the Trump administration in the US, Bolsonaro in Brazil, and the latest fascist mass murder in Christchurch, New Zealand. Christoph Vandreier addressing the meeting He further detailed the attempt to rehabilitate the Nazis in Germany, noting, Deputies in Parliament are now praising the soldiers in World War II. Those are people that carried out some of the most brutal atrocities in human history. Unlike in the 1930s, these far-right figures are not a mass movement, but a hated minority. The shift to the right comes not from below but from above. After detailing a series of recent attacks on immigrants and preparations for Germanys remilitarization, he added, An important part of preparing these attacks include rewriting history to whitewash the crimes of the Nazis. Vandreier further elaborated that in comparison to the 1980s, when a large section of professors came out against Ernst Noltes attempt to relativize the crimes of the Nazis, the SGP and IYSSE came under attack for criticizing rightwing extremist professor Jorg Baberowski, chairman of the Department of East European Studies at Berlins Humboldt University. North continued on the themes of Vandreiers lecture, pointing to the recent arrest of Assange. He played a clip from Collateral Murder, the infamous video showing a US army helicopter gunship killing 18 people, including two Reuters journalists. He compared the serious journalistic efforts carried out by Assange to the response to his arrest of various bourgeois publications and late-night talk shows, who openly mock Assanges persecution and arrest. David North speaking at the meeting North stressed, Assanges arrest and persecution has been met with no public outcry. In comparison to the 1960s, which was no golden age, history professors could be counted on to comment on current events and place them within their broader historical content. He further elaborated the rightwing shift within academia, which is reflected in the focus on identity, and cowardly silence by academics on the attack on democratic rights. He further stressed that he recently contacted a number of professors who attended a recent seminar-conference with Baberowski on Dictatorships in Transition, where the rightwing professor was awarded $300,000 for a research project on Dictatorships in Transition. North stated that he had sent a letter to Princeton Professor Deborah Kaple and to a number of professors including here at NYU and other areas where I would be speaking. I have not received a single reply. After the report, audience members posed questions about a program to fight fascism, the role of historical revisionism, and how to share this information with a broader audience. Mohammad, an economics student at NYU, said about the meeting, It was very informative. The speakers really reminded people of who Assange was as a figure. There is a huge connection between historical issues and what is happening today. What attracts me to socialism is the fact that capitalism tramples over peoples rights and the overall struggle against imperialism. Niles, an alumnus from NYU said: "It was a very good meeting; the historical context was important. I agree that the fight against fascism needs to be based on a knowledge of this history. I came because I've always been concerned with the rights of the working class and wanted to learn more about the political situation so that I can share this with others." Joslyn, a teacher, said, It was very helpful to understand especially the historical context. It is shocking that Princeton supports the research of Baberowski, which is essentially trying to justify dictatorship. The complacence of the academic community is perhaps not surprising, but still disturbing. Chris, an accountant, had heard about the meeting from a friend. He said that what appealed to him about the meeting was, in particular, that the "strains of thought underlying the rise of fascism were identified. The question of historical revisionism really resonated with me. I also really liked the emphasis on the support from the ruling elites [for these forces]. Johnnie, a freelance IT worker, said, One thing that drew me to the meeting is that fascism means violence and division in the population. The Democrats have not been able to fight it because they are trapped in the maze of identity politics. We now see mass murders are happening in other countries, and it is not just an American phenomenon. We see the same issues spreading throughout the western world and are coming up everywhere. Danny, a music composition student at NYU, said he was drawn to the meeting because of todays political climate. After hearing the lectures he stated, The entire ruling class, no matter how left they seem, will always side with fascism. Esa, a film and television student at NYU, said about the presentation, I learned a lot about fascism and where it started. Educating ourselves about where it came from is important to understand how to beat it. You cant beat it if you dont really know it. On Thursday a World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter campaign team spoke to workers at the Fiat Chrysler Warren Stamping plant, just outside of Detroit, about the arrest and imprisonment of Wikileaks journalist Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning. Assange and Manning have been persecuted by the US and other governments since they released evidence of US war crimes to a global audience in 2010. Last week, Assange was arrested and imprisoned in London, the latest maneuver in a plan to rendition him to the United States to face possible espionage charges carrying a potential death penalty. WSWS campaign team members distributed copies of the Autoworker Newsletter containing a statement by the Steering Committee of the Coalition of Rank-and-File Committees calling on all workers to fight for the defense of Assange and Manning. As workers came on and off their shifts many recognized Julian Assanges face on the teams signboard and shouted their support. Among those who knew of Assange, hero was the expression they used most often to describe him. Hiram Hiram, a veteran worker, said, They need to leave him alone. Lets face the facts; these governments are doing dirt, and they need to be exposed. I saw the video [of Assanges arrest]. Terrible! What they are doing to one, they will do to us all. Therefore, were all in this together. That is how I see it. A number of workers told the WSWS that they had not heard about the case. Dachanea, a young worker with five years at Chrysler, was shocked to learn about the imprisonment and abuse of Assange and Manning, both of whom have been held in solitary confinement under conditions that the UN has called tantamount to torture. Im speechless about what theyre going through. I think its powerful that they are speaking out. But the world is going to help them, because the world is against the government as well. Dachanea They dont want us to know what theyre really doing. Everybody has the right to talk. To take it away shows that youve got something to hide. We all need to speak up and do something. The more the better. They cant stop us all. Workers saw the connection between the attack on democratic rights and the attempt to silence and intimidate them in the workplace. Many were eager to tell about the terrible conditions that they face. Under a series of sellout contracts forced through with the connivance of the United Auto Workers, young workers have been stripped of most rights. Hundreds of temporary part-time workers at the plant work for substandard pay, without regular shifts, benefits or contract rights, but still must pay dues to the UAW. WSWS campaign team members reminded workers that in 2015 the UAW slandered the Autoworker Newsletter as fake news because it reported truthfully the details of the sellout agreement that the union was trying to force through. One worker said, They took away our pensions, so we dont get to retire like people used to. We make half the wages that the older workers make. And the union doesnt fight for us, either." The more work we do, the more money they make, but they treat us like we dont do anything for them. In the ongoing federal corruption investigation into UAW finances, union officials, including former vice president for Fiat Chrysler Norwood Jewell, have pleaded guilty to taking millions of dollars in bribes from management to sign sweetheart contracts stripping workers of fundamental rights and benefits. One veteran worker stopped to make a donation to the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter, expressing her solidarity with Asssange and Manning. Expressing her utter disgust with the UAW she remarked, I would rather work at Walmart than have to face the crap that I go through every day at this plant. Hiram said that he felt that the fight to defend Assange and Manning required a struggle against the entire political setup in the United States. As far as Democrat and Republican, I believe they all sleep in the same bed together. And behind the scenes there are people with huge money, money we cant even image, who are really calling the shots. Working people need to support Assange. Theyre aiming at us. And the goal is to keep us divided. Hiram said he would like to give the following message to Assange and Manning: Dont give up! Because we mustwe MUST!expose corruption, in the government, the corporations, and in the unions. Leonard (right) Leonard, a veteran worker with over 20 years at the nearby Warren Truck, plant said that the defense of Assange was bound up with the defense of the basic democratic rights of working people. The government wants to keep us in the dark. If we know the truth than we will ask questions and they dont want that. Workers have to watch what we say on Facebook because we are told we cant defame the company, no matter how bad the conditions are. We have to defend freedom of speech; thats why Im against the jailing of Assange. Another worker at the Warren Stamping plant added, Assange is a hero. Its the government who are criminals. War makes money. The five-star generals got up in Congress and said that the government wasnt spying on the American people. Why arent they being charged? Like its Liberal Party predecessors, the state Labor government in Western Australia has contemptuously denied damning evidence of water contamination in largely indigenous rural towns and communities. In office since 2017, Labor has continued to dismiss the findings of 10 years of research by the Western Desert Kidney Health Project (WDKHP), showing a potential correlation between poor water quality and elevated levels of kidney disease and type-2 diabetes. These diseases are one of the reasons that Aboriginal people nationally have life expectancies of up to 20 years less than the non-Aboriginal population. Indigenous people suffer type-2 diabetes at four times the non-Aboriginal rate and have the fourth highest rates of diabetes in the world. Dr Christine Jeffries-Stokes, a paediatrician based in the city of Kalgoorlie, probed further into the origin of these problems. The project conducted investigations in five rural towns and five remote Aboriginal communities of Western Desert language groups. It found that the biggest health risk factor was not ethnicity, but environment, leading to an investigation of contaminated water supplies. The research found no difference between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children for the risk factors for kidney disease and diabetes, and the differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal adults were much less than expected. For example, the WDKHP found one or more renal markersindicators of potential problems with kidney functionsin 58.5 percent of Aboriginal women, 33 percent of non-Aboriginal women, 27.8 percent of Aboriginal men and 22.4 percent of non-Aboriginal men. All the levels were well above the overall figure of Australian adults of 18 percent. The 2018 paper Unsafe drinking water quality in remote Western Australian Aboriginal communities noted CKDu (Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown causes) is a multi-factored health problem and one suspected causal factor is contaminated drinking water Most of these communities rely on raw groundwater to supply their domestic needs, and it is very likely that the people are unwittingly ingesting high levels of nitrates and uranium, probably including uranyl nitrates. Jeffries-Stokes addressed a Safe Water Summit at the University of Queensland last November, alongside her sister-in-law Annette Stokes, an Aboriginal woman. Jeffries-Stokes said the non-Aboriginal residents, such as nurses, teachers and police officers were changing their risk from an urban risk to an Aboriginal risk in a very short time. The WDKHP team had searched for some kind of universal exposure. So we started to look at the water. We were shocked. Jeffries-Stokes recently told the World Socialist Web Site: Wed always thought that there were differences based on ethnicity, but in fact our research suggested that ethnicity wasnt the most significant factor, but that it seems to be more about where you lived. After looking at all the possible relevant factors, including poor access to decent food, we found that the water is contaminated all across the region, particularly with nitrates, and the fact there is nitrates suggests that the water is not being properly filtered. Nitrates are enough to contribute to higher rates of disease such as type-2 diabetes and kidney disease, but also cancer and possibly thyroid disease, birth defects, learning problems and mood problems. The presence of uranium added to the dangers of kidney disease. When these concerns have been raised with successive state governments, both Liberal and Labor, officials declared their confidence in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG), which set the permitted level of nitrates at 50 mg per litre for infants up the three months old and 100 mg per litre for adults and older children. However, 11 communities have exemptions from the 50mg/L requirement. The Western Australian (WA) Health Department said that where nitrate levels exceeded 50mg/L, community health staff must provide bottled water for the preparation of babies bottles. Jeffries Stokes said that in more than 25 years experience as a paediatrician in the region she had never heard of the practice of providing bottled water. I have never even been notified that there is a problem with the water and that I should even be recommending bottled water to my patients with bottle-fed babies. Questions were raised in the WA parliament concerning uranyl nitrates in water in remote communities in November 2017 and again in June 2018. In 2017, Alanna Clohesy, Labors parliamentary secretary representing the health minister, stated: There is no health issue posed by uranyl nitrate to community members. Both the Department of Communities and the Water Corporation continually monitor drinking water supplies to their respective communities to ensure that drinking water is safe to consume. In 2018, Clohesy said: It is not necessary to include uranyl nitrate in the ADWG, as the maximum recommended levels prescribed by the ADWG for uranium and nitrate provide sufficient protection and take account of their interaction. Yet the 2018 WDKHP paper noted that in all the communities examined as case studies, uranium and nitrate levels greatly exceed officially recommended levels. Thus, uranium and nitrate levels above health guideline values in drinking water supplies may be additional causal factors in the occurrence of CKD in remote Western Australian Aboriginal communities. At the Safe Water Summit, Jeffries-Stokes pointed out in relation to uranium: In the last two years, three remote Aboriginal communities in WA have exceeded the safe limit of 0.017 mg/L about half the time, while Tjuntjuntjara in the Goldfields failed 18 out of 22 tests. Some of these results were up to double the safe level. Jeffries-Stokes added that the WDKHP also tested childrens urine for exposure to another heavy metal, arsenic. At Mount Margaret community, the 12 children aged 6 to 11 years all tested positive. The doctor was scornful about the role of governments, both Liberal and Labor. We are scientists, and we need a rational approach to this, and to produce evidence, but it is a personal and political issue as well. Our governments in Western Australia believe it is not a problem and are not going to do anything about it Their response is actually we should just close the Aboriginal communities There are problems with the water, not just in our area with nitrates and uranium and other contaminants, but there are also places where there has been mining activity such as Borroloola and the MacArthur mine [in the Northern Territory] which has contaminated a lot of the bore water. Access to clean drinking water is a basic social right. The Labor governments response underlines its indifference to the wellbeing and health of remote community inhabitants, even though modern technology means water purification processes are readily available. CHEYENNE The Wyoming Legislature will take another crack at the idea of tolling Interstate 80 as a way to help fund improvements and maintenance along the more than 400 miles of road. The Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Interim Committee has made studying tolling I-80 its second highest priority during this interim session. As part of that work, the committee will look at updating studies conducted in 2008 and 2009 by the Wyoming Department of Transportation. Transportation committee co-chairman Sen. Michael Von Flatern, R-Gillette, has been a major proponent of the idea of tolling I-80. He said by placing a toll on out-of-state drivers, it could help not only fund the interstate's maintenance but also make needs safety improvements. Ive always thought it was a great idea right from 2008, Von Flatern said. The fact is that 80 percent of the traffic from I-80 neither originates nor stops in this state. So if we were just taxing them, we could do a lot for safety improvements to I-80, which it needs badly. One of the big safety improvements discussed in the previous studies was expanding I-80 to three lanes and making the new lane for passenger vehicles only. Von Flatern said expansion, along with things like adding snow fencing and smoothing out existing curves on more dangerous sections of the road, would help keep I-80 open during more of the winter. If we had a third lane and restrict it to non-trucks, the cars would have a way of moving forward and getting around trucks, Von Flatern said. A third lane would also allow traffic to pass a snow plow with an extra lane of space, which would help with a drivers visibility, he said. Part of the mission over this interim is letting WYDOT update the previous studies to see what the costs and benefits could be, and if any of the assumptions made in the studies should be changed. The 2009 WYDOT study estimated a third-lane project across I-80 would cost about $3.5 billion in 2009 dollars. But that study said the price tag would most likely be around $6 billion between 2015 to 2025, when it was estimated the construction would have begun. The study also estimated Wyoming could take in about $490 million annually from the tolls. The study estimated the most effective tolls in 2025 dollars would be $198 for trucks and $19.78 for passenger vehicles. The money raised from tolls would allow the state to spend the $260 million or so it gets from the federal government through the Highway Trust Fund on the other U.S. highways in Wyoming, Von Flatern said. Currently, Wyoming is spending about $100 million just to fill the potholes on I-80. The studies from WYDOT also talked about a consequence of tolling I-80 the diversion of traffic in order to avoid paying tolls. The study estimated around 40 percent of the out-of-state traffic using the interstate would find alternative routes. By the time the entire project was finished being built, the study estimated Wyoming would lose $6.3 million in gas taxes and vehicle fees, which would result in about $1.6 million cut from the money currently going to cities and counties. Sales tax would take a hit of about $5.2 million, and an estimated 1,700 jobs would be lost, mostly along the I-80 corridor. The project would create about 4,100 construction-related jobs during the project. Traffic diversions are a major concern to gas stations along I-80 that depend on out-of-state traffic for their bottom line. Mark Larson, executive vice president of the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, said members of his group would be hardest hit by the loss of business as cars took different routes to get to their destination. Our perspective is that the gas tax is the most direct user-pay system that is out there right now, Larson said. We have genuine concerns about what (tolling) would do to the side road traffic. Larson said instead of considering tolling, Wyoming should push the federal government to increase the federal gas tax. That tax hasnt been increased since 1993, when gas was averaging about $1.11 a gallon. He would also be open to an increase in the state gas tax, as long as it didn't make Wyoming uncompetitive with what is being charged in the surrounding states. Von Flatern said he believed some traffic would be diverted by the tolls, but didnt think it would be as much as the previous studies have estimated. He wanted any new study to see if the original assumptions would hold up or if they wouldn't be as significant as first estimated. He also said he didn't think trucks would divert to Interstate 70 in Colorado, which has a lower average speed than I-80, or I-90 to avoid a toll that was less than $200. When the cost of fuel and time is taken into account, it would be more economical for truckers to pay the fee than spend more money to avoid paying it. Sheila Foertsch, managing director of the Wyoming Trucking Association, said the decision to avoid tolls would come down to more than just the bottom line. Many trucking companies would refuse to pay it on the grounds they think its an unfair penalty against a company that is already helping fund the states transportation budget. Even if the toll is inexpensive, they would prefer to not use the toll. They feel they have already paid for that highway, Foertsch said. Even if trucks are not registered in Wyoming or buy diesel in the state, Foertsch said there are two programs that exist now that share those revenues across state lines. So if a truck fueled up in Nebraska but drove 200 miles across Wyoming, Nebraskas state government would send Wyoming money for the miles traveled on its roads. While there isn't a new plan for her and her organization to judge, Foertsch said historically theyve been against tolling existing roads, including I-80. We have supported, in the past, fuel tax increases. Fuel tax administration is every inexpensive. And there's a cost to do tolling, even if you're relying on it electronically, she said. Previous studies have shown a 35 percent administration fee on every dollar from tolling. Von Flatern said he knows the political will might not be there in the Legislature for tolling. But he wants the state to study the issue over the next year and have something to consider during the 2021 session. If predictions hold true and Wyomings population decreases, there will be less and less money for WYDOT to fund even the basic maintenance. And that will mean more and more pressure on the states general fund to help WYDOT even keep up with basic maintenance. When that finally comes, and there potholes in front of everyones home, then well think about (tolling). Which will be 2030, and it will be 2035 before we enact it, Von Flatern said. We're wanting to get a little bit more proactive in this case, and trying to say WYDOT is keeping the roads as is, and not improving them at all. We need to fund WYDOT in a manner that doesn't have them coming back to the general fund with their hat in hand, asking for more money. And this is one way we can do it. Award winning chef Goldstein is of Russian-Jewish origin, he grew up in NYC, won two Michelin stars in Hong Kong, and now resides in Thailand as an expat restaurateur. 'Comfort by Harlan' was created around his 38 years of global travel, his experience as an expat 'super chef', and his subsequent enhancement of classic international recipes. Goldstein comes across as a highly accomplished, curiously ingenious, yet casual character - as does his present restaurant. There he serves up 'food for friends', matching modern foodies tastes for familiarity with creativity over fancy-schmancy. Cooking is an art, being a chef is stressful however it's rewarding to express yourself. The food here is the same as I love to cook for family and friends, it's perfect for sharing, he says. Harlan presents a fixed menu of comfort food plus daily specials, the titles of which most folks will recognise. However all dishes come with a twist, making a statement about his creativity whist being reassuringly familiar in nature - it's a clever combination that works well. Take his vegetarian lasagne for example, Harlan serves it cold, as an appetiser, with a chunky yet melt-in-the-mouth tomato-herb sauce on the side. The hand-made al dente pasta is filled with roasted Mediterranean veg, and it's topped with caviar to really stimulate your appetite. That dish pretty much sums-up Harlan's food these days, authentic with a well-conceived difference, suitably indulgent, and so exciting to order and gratifying to devour. The price tag is modest considering the quality ingredients involved, and keeping in mind it's cooked up by a celebrity chef in an uplifting environment - all designed to deliver total sensory pleasure. Click here for a full review of his food. Now at the ripe age of 58 he still cooks with much energy and charisma every evening, in full view of the whole eatery. With four local chefs as his helpers he performs in a fairly confined yet clearly sufficient kitchen that opens onto the restaurant. Add to his showmanship a well-stocked bar - including one of the best gin selections in town, with around 60 types - plus a pumping soundtrack, mixed with friendly service, in a cosy environment, and you get a good idea about the 'Harlan Goldstein Experience' he conjures up - still you really have to be there to feel the magic in the air. Harlan manages to balance his bold professional persona with his highly-trained chef skills. He readily admits to being a bit brash, and even arrogant about his talents, yet you know such self-accusations are actually endearingly self-effacing. The original artwork on the walls also displays as much, and reflects his distinct sense of humour - particularly in the bathrooms. We went on a Wednesday and witnessed him making a restaurant full of new friends, whilst also making the required hard work in the kitchen look artful and almost effortless - apart from the understandable sweat on his brow. Harlan's story began in the kitchen of his uncle's New York City restaurant around four decades ago. Who'd have thought then that he'd end up in Pattaya presenting a menu encompassing Spanish, Italian, Mexican and Japanese comfort food favorites, with a few Thai inspired dishes thrown in for good measure. "The key concept here is to make you feel relaxed and welcome," says Harlan. In our experience he's succeeding, and we felt suitably comfortable to ask him a few personal questions about his passion for cooking. 1. Who was the best chef in your family? There wasn't a great chef in our family, and that's what inspired me to go and get into the creative world of cooking. 2. What is your fondest food memory? Definitely Hebrew national hot dogs with golden mustard. 3. What was the first recipe you mastered? I learned how to make sauces in the French technique at a young age. 4. What is your favourite food to eat? I enjoy all types of food especially Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese. 5. How often do you 'play with food' to create new dishes? You always need to innovate, be creative and think what matches together to bring out the best flavors. 6. Which chef do you admire most and why? Jean Banchet was one of my best mentors, he passed on at 72 years old, the restaurant was called la Francais in Chicago. 7. When did you start cooking? I started washing dishes at 14 years old, and at that age I then took a training placement in a Florida kitchen. Soon after I shipped off for a formal apprenticeship at the prestigious Montreaux Palace Hotel in Switzerland. There I quickly mastered the French language whilst working alongside a brigade of 80 French-speaking chefs. Next I returned to several prestigious roles back in the United States. Then at 28 years old I was appointed executive chef at Shangri-La's China World Hotel in Beijing. Thus began my culinary journey in Asia, which also included a fruitful two years in Bangkok to study Thai cuisine, followed by my move to Hong Kong... The rest is history - click here for more details. 8. What was your funniest kitchen moment? I fell into the biggest pot of soup, and almost did serious damage at the Diplomat Hotel Hollywood Florida. 9. What was the luckiest cooking moment in your life so far? Hong Kong brought me a lot of luck, fame, fortune, and headaches. 10. How do you like to relax after a night in the kitchen? I love playing with my four dogs, and chilling out listen to music. 11. What makes you different from other chefs in Thailand? Maybe one thing is that I only sleep around 5 hours per night...I'm so full of passion for cooking, there is a fire inside me burning to express my love for entertaining guests. 12. What surprised you most when you arrived in Pattaya? There were plenty of weird people around town, so I felt right at home! Visit Harlan online at Comfort by Harlan 378/531 Moo 12, Kasetsin Soi 2, Cosy Beach, Pattaya City, Chon Buri 20260, Thailand. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 4pm 11pm. Reservations: +66 (0)80 937 3583. Kaylee Tyner, 17, doesnt have any direct experience with gun violence. But as a current senior at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, she feels its lingering shadow over her town every day. Ive seen firsthand how it doesnt go away how it continues to affect your community even two decades later, she tells PEOPLE. The 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre is today April 20. On this same day in 1999, two teen gunmen, Dylan Klebold, 17, and Eric Harris, 18, opened fire at their high school a little after 11 a.m. Twelve students and one teacher were killed. The two gunmen also died by suicide. To help commemorate the massacre and raise awareness about the ongoing gun violence epidemic, Tyner conceived a campaign called #MyLastShot, along with fellow students from Columbine High School, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and other schools victimized by shootings. The campaign asks people to agree to allow graphic images of their dead bodies to be released to the public in the event that they die in a mass shooting. By pledging to share your photo, and presenting the world with the harsh reality of gun violence, you have an opportunity to create change through opening up a new dialogue on this issue, the MyLastShot website reads. Image of the sticker from #MyLastShot | SASs Photography Students can print out or order a sticker from the site to affix to their license, ID, or phone, which reads: In the event that I die from gun violence please publicize the photo of my death. Tyner and co. have been working on the campaign which launched late last month for about a year. She says she was inspired by Emmett Tills mother, Mamie Elizabeth Till-Mobley, who in 1955, insisted that her murdered African-American sons casket remain open after he was mutilated and tortured by two white men in Mississippi. Magazines like Jet published graphic, disturbing photos of 14-year-old Tills body to force people to confront the racist violence that victimized Till. I think everybody needed to know what happened to Emmett Till, his mother said, according to PBS. Story continues RELATED: Mother of Columbine Shooter Breaks Her Silence About Sons Deadly Attack The graphic images of [Tills] open casket helped to spark the civil rights movement, Tyner says. The more I thought about that, and how we [usually] only see the victims faces we never really see the horrific aspects of gun violence is when I started to think of the idea for the project. Kaylee Tyner | David Zalubowski/AP/REX/Shutterstock 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. Though #MyLastShot is still gaining steam, Tyner says it is attracting attention from notable legislators like Colorado State Rep. Tom Sullivan, whose son was killed in the Aurora shooting. He has shown a lot of support for the project, Tyner says. He actually keeps pictures of his son and how he died on his phone to show people. Tyner says she shipped about 4,000 stickers to students and gun violence prevention groups prior to the campaigns March 27 launch. Weve been having more people print them out from our website and order them as well, she says, emphasizing that the campaign is for everyone, regardless of background or political affiliation. Im just hoping that the project will continue to grow and expand. Aware of the fact that publicizing images of people killed by gun violence may be hard to accept for some, Tyner insists the aim of #MyLastShot is for the greater good. Jarring peoples sensibilities is precisely the point, she says. Its supposed to make you think. Its supposed to make you uncomfortable, she explains. If youre uncomfortable with the thought of these images being released, then you also need to be uncomfortable with the fact that gun violence is as much of an issue as it is in our country. The body of 14-year-old Jonathon E. Minard, who had been missing since April 13, has been found. Carroll County Sheriff Dale Williams announced that Jonathans body had been found buried in a shallow grave on Friday. At 10:15am on this day April 19, 2019, the body of missing juvenile Jonathon E. Minard was recovered from a farm in Washington Township in Carroll County where he was buried in a shallow grave, he said in a statement, adding that a full autopsy will be performed by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner. Authorities are expecting the results of the autopsy to take several weeks to be released. Sheriff Williams went on to share that while the investigation into the case continues, no further information will be released at this time. The Carroll County Sheriffs Office will continue to gather evidence until the investigation is complete. We ask that the public and media respect the Minard familys space and privacy at this time, the statement continued. RELATED: Ohio Boy, 14, Vanished from Farm Days Ago and Ex-Con, 29, Is Person of Interest Minard disappeared while helping a 29-year-old man on a farm in New Harrisburg, Ohio, Fox8, the Free Press Standard, and the Canton Repository previously reported. At the time, it was widely reported that the man who has not been publicly named is the person of interest. However, during Fridays press conference, Sheriff Williams declined to comment on the matter, according to NBC News. Police confirmed during the press conference that no arrests or charges have been made as of Friday, the outlet reported. RELATED VIDEO: Timmothy Pitzens Devastated Dad Speaks Out After Missing Child Hoax: My Son Is Still Out There Sheriff Dale Williams previously told local station WKYC that since the investigation began, he has had trouble sleeping. Were talking about a 14 year old, this kid didnt hurt anybody, he isnt a boy who gets into a lot of trouble, Williams said. Its something that really works on you. Story continues Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Minards aunt Jo Hepner also gave an emotional interview to WKYC and pleaded for her nephews safe return. If you seriously know where hes at and what has happened to him, please tell us. Were begging you, I mean, this is our last hope, Hepner said. Just help us please find him. Thats all Im asking, tell us where he is. Arshad Khan By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Though Jet Airways, after a 26-year run, has shut shop temporarily, airline analysts believe there is still hope that it would resume operations after lenders bring in an investor. But they also believe that the task ahead for the new-management in reviving the operations would be enormous. Industry experts feel it would be an uphill task. Jet was the market leader. Till last year, it had a handsome market share. Going by the present scenario, it would be very difficult for it to regain its past glory, former Air India director Jitendra Bhargava told TNIE. He said that when Jet would resume operations, it would face a dearth of staff as currently, the employees are looking for ways to quit. On Jet losing its slots at airports and deregistration of its grounded planes, analysts said that the former is unlikely to be a big headache for the airline. Authorities have ensured Jet that it would have the first right on the slots after the initial re-deployment of slots for three months to other airlines. However, this means that if a bidder were to take over within the next few weeks, it would not be able to re-access these slots for the next three months. Government officials have said that after Jets suspension of operations, 440 slots are vacant at Delhi and Mumbai airports, which will be allocated to other airlines temporarily. Mark Martin, CEO, Martin Consulting, says it will take at least 12-24 months for Jet to get back their operation network in order. As of now, the most important part will be to get an investor on board who see value in Jet Airways. We are talking of Rs 14,000-15,000 crore investment. There is servicing of loans, payment to contractors, lessors, employees and more. Only someone who is foolish or passionate about aviation will invest that much, Martin said. ALSO READ | Rival airlines spread wings to buffer Jet Airways fall Bhargava said it will be an uphill task for Jet to rebuild confidence among passengers. It will be highly unlikely they would be flying international with Jet in the initial days. There would be domestic bookings because its a growing market, but they would have to get the goodwill back, Bhargava said. Pitching in SpiceJet, which plans to induct over 30 planes in the next few days, said the company has provided jobs to more than 100 pilots, 200 cabin crew and 200 technical and airport staff. The question mark may throw you at first: Wait, so are you asking us if we pledge fealty to the Prince of Darkness, or . But as filmmaker Penny Lanes documentary on the Satanic Temple makes clear early on, the innate sense of inquiry in the title is indeed there for a reason. When were introduced to the fringe religious group, members are making cheery phone calls to a Tallahasee newsroom (The Satanic Temple S as in Sam ) and typing away on laptops in a brightly colored living room. Someone in a grim-reaper robe shuffles awkwardly up a stair case. People are making signs. Unopened Halloween costumes are strewn about. Their spokesperson is practicing a magic trick that hell end their public convening with; hes wearing a nice suit and some makeshift horns. No ones being sacrificed. It all seems very quaint, and rather chintzy. When we see their press conference the next day at the Florida State Capital to a few scattered reporters, the group thanks Governor Rick Scott the staunchly Christian politician, after all, has been stumping to allow prayers in public schools. So naturally, this means a boom in religious diversity, per TST co-founder Lucien Greaves, and thus kids will also be allowed to praise the devil during morning announcements, right? And that can only help further the Temples cause. Because if youre going to allow one faith to do it, you really have to allow all of them to participate, correct? Yes, theres a jaunty, goofy marching-band score playing underneath as the devil worshippers slowly dispel and disperse, which along with the groups evil banality, suggests that the movie is setting them up for grand mockery. Look at these ridiculous suburbanites and their hellish cosplay! But its also letting the group make their point. Theyre exposing a hypocrisy. Story continues Related stories 'Apollo 11' Review: Immersive Doc on Moon Landing Is a Masterpiece 10 Best Movies of Sundance 2019 Soon, a pattern begins to emerge as we follow them from one Situationist spectacle to another: staging a pink mass over the grave of the mother of Westboro Baptist Church minister/noted homophobe Fred Phelps, which posthumously converts her to lesbianism (for good measure, Greaves places his testicles on her tombstone); hosting a black mass in Boston, which is eventually relocated from Harvard Square to a Chinese restaurant; dressing up like adult babies as a counter a protest in front of an abortion clinic; they help form a Satanist after-school club. They play the media like an accordion, making folks like Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson squirm. They help out homeless shelters by donating socks and tampons (Menstruate with the devil). Their recruitment starts to grow, as misfits everywhere realize that these folks are far more accepting of difference and the freedom to be you and me than regular society. Questions arise: Why should Christian privilege be so dominant? What happened to the separation of church and state? And can you be a major advocate for free speech and basic human rights while still kneeling before Lucifer? By the time you get to the groups piece de resistance a 10-foot stature of Baphomet, a demon with a goats head and Iggy Pops torso, that will reside near the Ten Commandments monument in Little Rock, Arkansas the point of their performance art and Lanes documentary are pretty clear. The sincerity of their love in the Dark Lord may be debatable in some cases, but their determination to make folks reconcile with the falsehood that the faith game should be an all-or-nothing endeavor isnt. And while the movie also offers a much-needed context of the Satanic panic of the 80s and 90s backwards messages and heavy metal and Dungeons & Dragons, oh my! as well as vintage afternoon-TV handwringing and glimpses of organizational in-fighting, its these scenes of folks engaging in real political showdowns by any ridiculous means necessary that give the movie its sense of currency. Hail Satan? starts as a portrait of a group considered by many to be evil incarnate. It ends with you wondering why their Seven Basic Tenets involving justice, compassion, science and looking out for one another should be considered evil at all and not the law of the land. See an exclusive clip from the documentary below. Sign up for Rolling Stones Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Sony Pictures is renaming one of the theaters on its lot in order to honor the memory of the late director John Singleton, the studio announced Friday.Sony said that the Backstage Theater located on its lot in Culver City, California, will now be referred to as the John Singleton Theater.The director of Boyz N the Hood, which Columbia Pictures released in 1991 and was nominated for two Oscars, died on April 28 at the age of 51 after suffering a stroke.Also Read: John Singleton on Why He Never Wanted to 'Do Violence Just for the Sake of Violence' in His Films (Exclusive Video)As the first African American filmmaker to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Director, John broke a major barrier in our industry and inspired a generation, Tom Rothman, Chairman of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group said in a statement. His vision and skill enriched the world with great film and television content and he leaves a tremendous legacy, especially here at Columbia Pictures. We are honored to memorialize him in this way and look forward to dedicating the new theater with his friends and family later this summer.We are so pleased that Sony Pictures will be honoring our father in this way, Singletons children Justice and Maasai Singleton said in a statement. It is such a fitting tribute given the special place that Columbia Pictures was for him at the beginning of his career. The studio system was incredibly supportive of him in his work, which is something he deeply appreciated. This is especially touching for us. As children we were often brought to the lot while our father worked. Those days were fun and educational, and laid the groundwork for our own careers today.Singleton was also the director of the 2000 remake of Shaft, Higher Learning, 2 Fast 2 Furious, among others. He was the first ever African American and the youngest person to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Director, which he earned for his debut on Boyz N the Hood. Singletons stark and intimate portrait of life on the streets in the Crenshaw neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles helped make movie stars out of Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Morris Chestnut, Ice Cube and Angela Bassett. The story also netted Singleton an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.Also Read: Tom Holland's Video Game Adaptation 'Uncharted' Scores 2020 Release DateFormerly the Backstage Theater, the newly renamed John Singleton Theater is the Sonys primary employee and public screening theater on the Culver City lot. The 102-seat theater one of the studios largest is in the heart of the lot and is used by filmmakers to screen their work in post-production and is the main theater used for employee screenings and special public and VIP screenings.With 5.1 sound and a Christie CP4220 4K projector, the theater is can screen in all playback formats including Digital Cinema Packages, Real-D 3D, 35 mm and 70 mm film, visual FX (DPX) files and Avid Media files, among others.Read original story Sony to Rename Backstage Theater to Honor John Singleton At TheWrap Writer-director John Singleton has been hospitalized and is in an intensive care unit after suffering a stroke on Wednesday, his family said in a statement Saturday. On Wednesday, April 17th our beloved son/father, John Singleton, suffered a stroke while at the hospital, the statement read. John is currently in the ICU and under great medical care. We ask that privacy be given to him and our family at this time and appreciate all of the prayers that have been pouring in from his fans, friends and colleagues. The two-time Oscar nominee for Boyz n the Hood suffered a mild stroke after checking into a hospital this week after feeling ill following a trip to Costa Rica, a family member told TMZ. Also Read: John Singleton Told Tupac to Quit Rapping (And 5 More of His Amazing Hollywood Stories) Singleton, 51, who became the first African American and the youngest person to receive an Oscar nomination for directing for his 1991 debut Boyz n the Hood, most recently worked as co-creator and director on the FX series Snowfall. Following his breakout Boyz n the Hood, Singleton went on to direct such films as Poetic Justice (1993) with Tupac Shakur and Janet Jackson, the 2000 Shaft reboot starring Samuel L. Jackson, 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) and the 2005 crime thriller Four Brothers starring Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, Andre Benjamin and Garrett Hedlund. Also Read: Every Black Director Nominated for an Oscar, From John Singleton to Spike Lee (Photos) More recently, the USC Film School alum has worked in television, directing episodes of series such as Empire, American Crime Story and Billions. He co-created the FX series Snowfall, which follows the rise of the crack cocaine epidemic in 1980s Los Angeles. The show, which premiered in 2017, is due to launch its third season this fall. News of his health condition sparked an outpouring from well-wishers on social media. Prayers up Yall. I just woke up & heard director John Singleton had a stroke, music star P.M. Dawn tweeted. We still need you Sir, please fight it & bounce back. Story continues Snoop Dogg added via Instagram, Pray 4 my brother. Watch below Singleton talk about Michael Jackson and more with TheWrap Executive Editor Tim Molloy at TheGrill 2017. Read original story John Singleton in ICU After Suffering a Stroke At TheWrap When you speak to Kevin Brownlow, you have a direct link to some of the greatest silent film directors who ever lived. The British film historian, now 80, interviewed and befriended many early film veterans when he was just in his twenties. He then spearheaded early efforts to preserve and restore silent films at a time when silent film was often derided. To say Brownlow has some stories about those early directors would be an understatement. King Vidor would say to me, Every time I saw a Cecil B. DeMille picture, it made me want to quit the business, Brownlow said during a phone interview with IndieWire from his home in London a sentiment about the Ten Commandments filmmaker Brownlow disagrees with. In the 1960s, he also encountered Josef von Sternberg (He was very, very difficult), Allan Dwan, and Abel Gance, whose 1927 epic Napoleon Brownlow spent over 12 years restoring before debuting a reconstituted print of the four-hour film at the 1979 Telluride Film Festival. Gance, then 89 years old, was in attendance. Premiering to a rhapsodic response, the restored Napoleon helped popularize the importance of film preservation like no other project to that point. Related stories Robert Osborne Was One of a Kind: Leonard Maltin Remembers His Old Friend Robert Osborne, Beloved TCM Host, Dies at 84 Now its Brownlows turn in the spotlight. He was just honored with the Robert Osborne Award at the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival in Los Angeles. (Brownlow had previously received an Academy Honorary Award for his work in film preservation in 2010.) In presenting him with the honor, AMPAS president John Bailey said, Mr. Brownlow has inspired generations of film students and filmmakers. But Brownlow isnt content to just be honored for his own past work he wants the work to continue, freely offering up advice about how future milestones in film preservation might be achieved. And where lost silent masterpieces might yet be found. Story continues I remember a Cuban refugee meeting me in London and saying all the films youre looking for are in the Cuban archive, Brownlow said, referring to Havanas Cinemateca de Cuba, which is in possession of some 80,000 reels of historic films, including early American silent films. So I spoke to a high ranking member [of the Cinemateca] on the telephone, and just to try and test the waters, I asked him if he had a print of the lost Erich von Stroheim film The Devils Pass Key. And he simply said, Ive seen it. The Devils Pass Key, a 1920 silent drama mounted by Universal Pictures under its Jewel label, is still considered lost, and its rediscovery would help illuminate more about von Stroheims career. You can see that really ones work consists often of running around from archive to archive just checking on the things that they know theyve got, Brownlow said. But some archives may not even know what they have or had. The holy grail of silent film preservation might be a complete eight-hour print of von Stroheims Greed, which MGM slashed to a releasable 140 minutes in 1924. Brownlow said that von Stroheims son Josef, who died in 2002, told him that the entire eight-hour version sat as 42 film reels collecting dust for decades afterward in the MGM archive but under its original title, McTeague, which it shared with the Frank Norris novel that inspired it. Brownlow suspects it was simply discarded around the time MGM auctioned off much of its memorabilia in a firesale auction in 1970. The wartime generation really hated silent film, Brownlow said. I discovered the reason for this was when sound came in, in order to make sure that people didnt want to return to silents again, film producers used to take very primitive silent pictures and put funny sound effects in, and honky tonk music, and crude, hilarious commentary and show them as one-reel comedies. Of course, those looked ridiculous, and people must have said to themselves, Was that what I fell in love with? As the Greed situation shows, one of the biggest perils in terms of tracking down silent films is that many silents had multiple titles including many American films released in other countries with titles thought to be more appealing to local audiences. Brownlows advice to the next generation of film preservationists: Look through historic foreign fan magazines and find out what the foreign release title was of American films that are thought lost, then look for films with those titles. Brownlow was born in Crowborough, Sussex, in the south of England in 1938. He began to fall in love with film by the age of 11, befriended Abel Gance while in his teens, and started work on his own feature film (with Andrew Mollo) when he was just 17. It Happened Here, an alternate history film imagining if Britain had been invaded by the Nazis, was made on a shoestring but picked up by United Artists, which cut some controversial scenes depicting British Fascist collaborators, who were portrayed by actual Neo-Nazis. We were so smug in Britain about how we thought we would have reacted to invasion, Brownlow said. As unconcerned about ruffling feathers as he was with It Happened Here, so he remains today. I was so ashamed of the directors guild for removing D.W. Griffith from the name of their honor [in 1999], Brownlow said. After all, they were all courtesy of D.W. Griffith. If he hadnt made pictures like The Birth of a Nation and Intolerance, Wall Street wouldnt have thought the early film industry was even worth financing at all. To judge a work of art by the way the artist lived and thought is cockeyed. To Brownlow, history needs to be faced head-on not improved, just preserved even when its hard to look at. Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Authorities refocus search of missing 5-year-old boy on family home near Chicago originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The search for a 5-year-old boy from Illinois who went missing on Wednesday continued into the weekend as police re-focused the investigation on the boy's family home. Andrew AJ Freund, a blond boy who is approximately 3 feet, 5 inches tall, was last seen wearing a blue Mario sweatshirt and black sweatpants in his home at around 9 p.m. his bedtime on Wednesday, according to Crystal Lake Police Department detectives. PHOTO: This undated photo provided by the Crystal Lake, Ill., Police Department shows Andrew 'AJ' Freund. (Crystal Lake Police Department via AP) (MORE: Missing Crystal Lake boy Andrew 'AJ' Freund: Boy, 5, did not leave home on foot, police say) "In reviewing all investigative information thus far, there is no indication that would lead police to believe that an abduction had taken place," A Crystal Lake Police Department statement said. "At this point, the police department has no reason to believe there is a threat to the community." The FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are also investigating Freund's disappearance. Jassen Strokosch, spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, confirmed to ABC News that the agency has been in contact with Freund's family since AJ was born in 2013. He added that AJs younger brother has been placed in a different home. (MORE: Man pleads not guilty in missing child hoax) PHOTO: Police remove items from the home of missing 5-year-old boy Andrew 'AJ' Freu in Crystal Lake, Ill. on Thursday, April 18, 2019. (Paul Valade/Daily Herald via AP) In front of media gathered outside the family home on Friday, Andrew Freund, AJ's father, said, "AJ, please come home. You're not in any trouble, we're just worried to death." Separately, Freund's mother, Joanne Cunningham, sobbed in front of reporters during a press conference outside the family home on Friday afternoon but did not speak. In her hand, she held a plastic Goodwill bag that contained pictures of her children. PHOTO: JoAnn Cunningham, mother of missing 5-year-old child Andrew 'AJ' Freund, stands with her attorney George Killis outside the Freund home on Friday, April 19, 2019 in Crystal Lake, Ill. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune via AP) George C. Kililis, her defense lawyer, spoke during the press conference, saying, "Ms. Cunningham doesn't know what happened to AJ and has nothing to do with the disappearance of AJ. Ms. Cunningham is worried sick, she's devastated." Story continues (MORE: Suspect charged with impersonating missing Ohio boy ordered to remain in jail) He added that he does not know AJ's father, Andrew Freund and is only representing Cunningham. "Ms. Cunningham cooperated with the police extensively yesterday, Kililis said. Until at some point, we got the impression that she may be considered a suspect. I dont know if she is or not and I dont know how serious that consideration is. As an attorney, once I realized that, I advised Ms. Cunningham to remain silent from that point on." Kililis did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ABC News early Saturday. By Thursday, an exhaustive search, including 15 police departments and four drones, covered hundreds of acres of public areas and yielded nothing. A sonar search of Crystal Lake also turned up nothing. Police canine teams "only picked up Andrews 'scent' within his home, "indicating that Andrew had not walked away on foot," the Crystal Lake Police Department statement said. Many House Democrats wary of trying to impeach Trump after Mueller report originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Democrats renewed consideration of impeaching President Donald Trump after the release of special counsel Robert Muellers report, with leading progressives and some presidential candidates calling for swift action -- as Democratic leaders cautioned restraint. (MORE: Mueller report highlights: Read the top moments from the 448-page report) In interviews with ABC News, a half dozen House Democrats remained wary of immediately launching impeachment proceedings against Trump, even as they highlighted the reports unflattering depiction of the Trump White House and the presidents actions. Moving forward on impeachment, they argued, could alienate voters and help Trump ahead of the 2020 election, jeopardizing the partys chances of retaking the White House and Congress by overshadowing Democrats messaging on healthcare and kitchen-table issues. Congress has a responsibility for oversight, Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, told ABC News. But weve also got a job to deliver for the people. PHOTO: President Donald Trump attends an event at the White House, April 18, 2019. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) But some of the partys rising stars and presidential candidates said Muellers findings called for a quick response. This isn't about politics," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, the first presidential candidate to voice support for impeachment proceedings, said on MSNBC Friday. "This isn't even specifically about Donald Trump himself. It is about what a president of the United States should be able to do and what the role of Congress is in saying, no, a president does not get to come in and stop an investigation about a foreign power that attacked this country. The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty. That means the House should initiate impeachment proceedings against the President of the United States. Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 19, 2019 In an interview with CNN on Friday, former Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro said it would be perfectly reasonable for Congress to begin impeachment proceedings. Story continues The rest of the Democratic presidential hopefuls remained uncommitted to pursuing impeachment, with some suggesting that it may be best at this point to leave it to voters at the ballot box in 2020. Mueller determined that the Trump campaign did not conspire or coordinate with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election, but stopped short of clearing the president of obstruction of justice --- outlining 11 instances of possible obstruction and suggesting it would be up to Congress to make that judgment. Mueller wrote that "[w]ith respect to whether the President can be found to have obstructed justice by exercising his powers under Article II of the Constitution, we concluded that Congress has the authority to prohibit a President's corrupt use of his authority in order to protect the integrity of the administration of justice. PHOTO: In this file photo taken on March 25, 2019, U.S. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler walks to his office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images, FILE) Democratic leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, are wary of rushing to action, but have not definitively ruled out impeachment. Seizing on Mueller's own words, they have said Congress must first review the un-redacted report and hear testimony from Attorney General William Barr and the special counsel about the reports findings. As the Speaker has said repeatedly, one step at a time, Ashley Etienne, Pelosis communications director, told ABC News in response to Warrens comments. "Were focused on getting the full un-redacted version of the report and its underlying documents as well as hearing from Mueller. The report raises more questions and concerns that we believe the American people deserve answers to." Nadler has issued a subpoena to the Justice Department for the full report and requested Muellers testimony. Barr is scheduled to testify before the House and Senate in early May. Once I hear the testimony from Mueller, then Ill be able to make a decision, Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-New York, told ABC News. Pelosi has scheduled a Monday conference call with the House Democratic caucus now scattered around the world during a two-week congressional recess - to discuss the report and the Houses next steps. Many Democrats bluntly acknowledged the political reality surrounding impeaching the president: As Nadler and Pelosi have argued, the effort would fizzle without Republican buy-in. In the Senate, 20 Republicans would have to join with all Democrats to convict Trump, who remains exceedingly popular among Republican voters and lawmakers. If, for instance, you end up in like in previous situations where the House does one thing and the Senate does something else then the president could proclaim his innocence even more than hes doing now, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, a member of the House Intelligence and Oversight Committees, told ABC News. After the release of the report, the majority of Republicans claimed vindication, celebrating the fact that Mueller did not bring charges against the president and found no evidence on coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia. Feels good to be right, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, told ABC News. Rep. Tom Reed, R-New York, a moderate who frequently votes with Democrats, said Muellers conclusions should be celebrated. Now it is time for our country to heal because all politics all the time is tearing our country apart and hurting real people, he said. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, appeared to be one of the only Republicans to express some concern with Muellers findings, but did not suggest any course of action in Congress. I have now read the redacted Mueller report and offer my personal reaction: pic.twitter.com/ACnExskqXJ Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) April 19, 2019 Privately, some undecided House Democrats said the presidents actions outlined in the Mueller report constituted impeachable offenses, but worried about the political costs of a failed impeachment push. For now, only the partys most progressive voices, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, joined activists and a handful of Democrats in support of impeachment proceedings without additional committee actions in the House. Muellers report is clear in pointing to Congress responsibility in investigating obstruction of justice by the President. It is our job as outlined in Article 1, Sec 2, Clause 5 of the US Constitution. As such, Ill be signing onto @RashidaTlaibs impeachment resolution. https://t.co/CgPZJiULOL Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) April 18, 2019 People in my view are genuinely conflicted about the need to hold the president accountable and some sense of how we bring this country together, and how we move on from this chapter in this countrys history, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-California, told ABC News. ABCs Luke Barr contributed to this report. Missing Ohio teen found dead, buried in shallow grave on farm, police say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The body of a missing boy from rural Ohio was found buried in a shallow grave on a farm Friday morning, bringing a sad end to a desperate search for the 14-year-old who disappeared on April 13. Jonathon Minard was found dead, buried in the grave on a farm in Washington Township just after 10 a.m., according to the Carroll County Sheriff's Office. The body was found not far from where the boy went missing a week earlier in Carrollton, Ohio. (MORE: Dozens of volunteers search for 14-year-old missing since Saturday) An autopsy will be performed by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner, with results not expected for a few weeks. Authorities announced on Wednesday, two days before the discovery of the body, that they were questioning a person of interest in the case and said they were refusing to take a polygraph test. Carroll County Sheriff Dale Williams would not answer Friday whether the person was still in custody or still considered a person of interest. PHOTO: Jonathon Minard is seen in this undated photo. (Carroll County Sheriff's Office) No one has been arrested in the teen's death and the investigation is ongoing, the sheriff's office said. "Jonathons discovery is just the first step in gathering evidence to answer many unanswered questions that we have that have led us to this moment," Carroll County Prosecuting Attorney Steve Barnett told Cleveland ABC affiliate WEWS. "Investigations like this take time, and this case is no exception." (MORE: Delphi murders investigation heading in 'new direction') Minard had been doing work on a farm in New Harrisburg, Ohio, on Friday before being taken to a family friend's home in Carrollton. He spent the night there, authorities said, before he complained of a toothache, was left alone at the residence and had disappeared when the family friend returned. The boy wasn't reported missing until April 14, the sheriff said. Story continues Family and friends spent Tuesday combing the area, a rural region about an hour south of Akron, for signs of the missing boy, but nothing turned up. PHOTO: Carroll County, Ohio, Sheriff Dale Williams provided an update on the discovery of the body of missing teen Jonathon Minard in a shallow grave on Friday, April 19, 2019. (WEWS) "I have met with the family and as you might imagine this is an unimaginable grief -- epic levels that can't be put into words," Mandal Haas, the Carroll County coroner, said at a Friday press conference. Even prior to the discovery of the teen's body, Minard's aunt, Jo Hepner, said his parents were "devastated." (MORE: Turpin children speak out as parents are sentenced in torture case: 'I'm taking my life back') "His mom is ready to have a breakdown, his dad is too and they feel helpless because they can't do anything," Hepner told WEWS. Authorities would provide few details at a press conference Friday, preferring to wait until after the investigation was complete. "The Carroll County Sheriffs Office will continue to gather evidence until the investigation is complete," it said in a statement. "We ask that the public and media respect the Minard familys space and privacy at this time." ABC News' Morgan Winsor contributed to this report. Many spas around North America are taking the art of relaxation to a whole new level with the addition of cannabis to their range of offerings. From massages, to facials, to aromatic oils and creams, wellness centers are embracing the healing powers of hemp. Best of all, these treatments use only cannabidiol (AKA CBD), the non-psychoactive cannabinoid extract from the hemp plant, so you dont have to worry about getting high or a case of the munchies to indulge. Here are spas presently offering an alternative way to unwind. Ste. Anne Spa 1. Ste. Anne Spa, Ontario, Canada: One of the few spas featuring cannabis treatments in Canada also happens to be one of the countrys most acclaimed properties. The new cannabis-infused Canna Massage offers guests herbal rejuvenation using essential oils infused with CBD, which has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory qualities. As part of the massage, guests receive a full-size bottle of Ste. Annes Rest Aromatherapy Oil, to ensure they can recapture that oh-so-relaxed feeling at home. The spa also has a new line of CBD-infused, organic balms, lotions, and oils that likewise deliver soothing, stress-relieving benefits. After your treatment, if youre still feeling in need of a little extra de-stressing, Ste. Annes has its own stables where guests can enjoy a relaxing horse ride. (Photo via Ste. Annes Spa) The Kahala Hotel & Resort 2. The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Honolulu, HI: Sure, its hard to believe that one could ever need help to chill out while in Hawaii, but all that beach-hopping can be so taxing, no? Up your unwinding ability with Kahala Hotels new Hemp Recovery Remedy. This 90-minute long, incredibly restorative experience features hemp-infused products from MARYS nutritionals. This signature treatment is designed to restore vigor to muscles and joints, and also incorporates stretching, as well as pressure points, and body massage. Dont miss the Kahalas natural ocean-water lagoon with the hotels own resident dolphins. (Photo via The Kahala Hotel & Resort) Story continues Solage Calistoga 3. Solage Calistoga, Calistoga, CA: Move over merlot, CBD is the new talk of the town. Right in the heart of Napa Valley North Americas premier wine region is where youll find this five-star spa. The Spa at Solage is already well-known for its signature Mudslide treatment and now its added CBD to the mix. Guests can request that a rejuvenating 30-minute arm and face mask with Healthy Lotus CBD oil be added to any spa service. Or really indulge and add CBD oil to the Mellow Me Out package, which includes a complete body exfoliation, shea butter massage, foot rejuvenation, and a scalp and hair renewal. Top the experience off with the spas CBD-infused cocktail. (Photo via Solage Calistoga) Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa 4. Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa, in Lexington, KY: Surrounded by picture-perfect horse farms, distilleries, and race tracks, youll get an authentic Kentucky CBD experience at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa. Guests can enhance any spa service with locally-harvested bluegrass hemp oil, which supports pain recovery and intense muscle relaxation. Athletes, overworked moms, and travel-tired globetrotters will love how CBD oil intensifies popular treatments like the Integrated Therapy Massage, which features a well-honed blend of deep-tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and stretching to ease stiff muscles. Throw in some warm compresses and Yoga Balm (with seven different healing oils) and your mood and energy levels are sure to be elevated. (Photo via Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa ) Terranea Resort 5. Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA: The award-winning spa at Terranea just introduced a CBD Massage to its repertoire of unique healing treatments. Thanks to the use of cannabidiol, the massage is said to alleviate anxiety, and decrease pain and inflammation, while super-charging the immune system and promoting restorative sleep. What makes the Spa at Terranea especially unique is its fusion of wellness and circadian rhythms. Guests treatments are aligned with natures natural circadian rhythms and are adjusted depending on what hour of day you visit. Perhaps the most calming element of the 50,000 square foot indoor/outdoor spa is its incredible ocean views that you can take full advantage of from one of the facilitys private hot tubs. (Photo via Terranea Resort) Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort 6. Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Key West, FL: If your bliss could use a boost, a trip to the spa at Casa Marina is certain to do the trick. They recently partnered with Da Crema Botanical, a company that specializes in hemp healing products, to offer the medicinal relaxation powers of cannabidiol to their guests. Spa-goers can add CBD oil to any massage or reflexology treatment to chillax at a cellular level. Of course, having any kind of massage outdoors in one of Casa Marinas beachside private cabanas with the sounds of the sea in the background is a sure-fire way to rev-up anyones relaxation. (Photos via Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort) The Ritz-Carlton 7. The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, CA: Is LAs legendary terrible traffic giving you headaches and a stiff back? Then you may want to step into the Ritz. The Ritz-Carlton Spa offers guests three choices of CBD treatments that are intended to encourage hydration and decrease moisture loss and inflammation. For the CBD Healing Massage, guests have the option of starting their therapy with a drop of a CBD tincture under the tongue to promote a sense of well-being. The tincture is followed by a full-body massage incorporating up to five hemp-based products. The CBD Pedicure features the choice of two cannabidiol-infused bath bomb soaks and the CBD Facial helps ease skin inflammation. (Photo via The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles) Park Hyatt Beaver Creek 8. Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, Beaver Creek, CO: The quaint town of Beaver Creek offers much to soothe the soul and now theres an option to soothe the body as well. The resorts 30,000 square foot Allegria Spa (complete with fitness center, slope-side pool, and hot tubs) features a 50- or 80-minute CBD-infused Massage. The treatment is a delightfully slow yet firm, deeply moisturizing massage using cell-communicating CBD to relax your body and mind. If youre in Beaver Creek to ski, be sure to complement the massage with the resorts Colorado Wild Rose Cure, which uses warm rose compresses to relax the nervous system and an oh-so-lovely lavender bath of essential oils. (Photo via Park Hyatt Beaver Creek) RELATED: The 35 Best Spas in the World for a Pamper-Worthy Getaway Comedian and rapper Lil Dicky released a new star-studded music video at midnight ET on Friday, April 19, as part of an effort to draw attention to climate change ahead of Earth Day on April 22. The animated video, which clocks in at around seven minutes long, features several of Lil Dickys famous friends, including Justin Bieber (as a baboon), Ariana Grande (as a zebra), Shawn Mendes (as a rhino), Leonardo DiCaprio (as a cartoon version of himself), and literally dozens of others. The video begins with a news report covering the extreme heat and wildfires that have ravaged California in recent months. As the camera zooms out from the TV, we see trucks leaving trails of exhaust on streets littered with trash. Nearby, some kids knock over a garbage can, spilling even more waste onto the sidewalk. Thats when Lil Dicky walks up. He and the kids exchange some (literal) trash talk, and then he leaves, telling them to pick up the garbage. One of the kids stays behind and begins to clean up the mess, at which point he finds a mysterious book with a picture of Earth on its cover. When he opens it, a live bird flies out and then an entire world springs up between the pages. As an animated Lil Dicky rides a giant bird through the air, were swept into the stunning, lush scenery, where we meet a baboon singing with Justin Biebers voice. Hi! Im a baboon, he tells us. Im like a man, just less advanced and my anus is huge. (Yes, you read that right.) From there, we see several other animals and living things, each with the voice of a major celeb. Theres Grande as a zebra, Halsey as a lion cub, Zac Brown as a cow, Brendon Urie as a pig, Hailee Steinfeld as a mushroom, Wiz Khalifa as a skunk, Snoop Dogg as a weed plant, and Kevin Hart as Kanye West. We love the earth, it is our planet, the song continues. We love the earth, it is our home. Story continues If you listen closely, youll also hear Adam Levine (as a vulture), Shawn Mendes (as a rhino), Charlie Puth (as a giraffe), Sia (as a kangaroo), Miley Cyrus (as an elephant), Lil Jon (as a clam), Rita Ora (as a wolf), Miguel (as a squirrel), Katy Perry (as a pony), Lil Yachty (as HPV), Ed Sheeran (as a koala), Meghan Trainor (singing We love you, India), Joel Embiid (We love you, Africa), Tory Lanez (We love you, China), the Backstreet Boys (singing the credits), and John Legend, Bad Bunny, PSY, and Kris Wu (singing the refrain). While the video is quirky and includes some NSFW language, the message is serious, as Lil Dicky explains near the end. Come on, everybody, I know were not all the same, but were living on the same earth, he says. I mean, theres so many people out there who dont think global warmings a real thing, you know? We gotta save this planet! Were being stupid. He then introduces an animated version of DiCaprio, who stands on the bow of the Titanic with the earth in his hands. Guys, everybody look into whatever the fk Leonardo DiCaprio is always pushing, Lil Dicky continues. Cause I feel like that guy knows more about the earth and how were fkin it up than anybody. Like if aliens did come, we should definitely send Leo as our guy, our rep. Thank you to @lildickytweets and all the artists that came together to make this happen. Net profits from the song, video, and merchandise will go to many @dicapriofdn partners on the frontlines of implementing solutions to climate change. #WeLoveTheEarth https://t.co/3u8cyA6NPq pic.twitter.com/cpMeTB4Ziq Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) April 19, 2019 After the video was released, DiCaprio tweeted about the good it will hopefully do. Net profits from the song, video, and merchandise will go to many @dicapriofdn partners on the frontlines of implementing solutions to climate change, he wrote. #WeLoveTheEarth RELATED: 10 Sustainable Products to Celebrate Earth Day (Photo via Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images) You Might Also Like Ramy Youssef knows the world is ready for him. The Egyptian-American comedian is checking all the boxes with his debut series, Ramy, now available on Hulu: creator, writer, director, producer, and star. The semi-autobiographical comedy follows the son of Egyptian immigrant parents navigating life as a practicing millennial Muslim. With a fresh perspective on modern dating from a twentysomething coming into their own, think of Ramy as along the lines of Aziz Ansaris Master of None or Issa Raes Insecure. The struggle and story here is pretty timeless, Youssef, 28, says of his series. But these are the conversations that weve been avoiding having for a really long time. Topics Ramy touches upon covers everything from giving up porn for Ramadan to being asked if hes a terrorist as if that were a casual question. If someones going to commit to sit down and watch a show, I should be able to provide them with something that's hard to get at in real life," he says. "The goal is for this to be used as a reference point for some of those emotions that are hard to get to without something like this. Youssef opens up to Glamour about the challenges of dating today, how his family inspired the show, and more, below. Dude, WhereOs My Country Hasan Amin/Hulu How do you draw the line between the real Ramy and the Ramy on screen? Ramy Youssef: Ramys point of view is very autobiographical. The things that the character goes through and his thoughts are all things that I have experienced. Im drawing from real emotions. But the show lives in this alternate plane of what my life might have been like with slightly different circumstances, which felt like a more interesting place to write from. It also made things a lot easier, because my family can watch the show and theyre not like, Thats us. Ive been doing standup for a while now, so I have a creative outlet and a more communicative family than Ramy does in the show. Did you ever consider having your on-screen character go by a name other than Ramy? Story continues RY: Those lines can totally be blurred, but I kind of had to use my name with the level of sensitivity of the things Im talking about. When we talk about Muslims, thats a very big thing because there are so many different experiences. This is a very specific look at an Arab, Muslim family in North Jersey. But if you talk about Muslims in America, many are black. It would have been really hard to call the show something else, because once you start trying to put it under a big umbrella it becomes super inaccurate very quickly. It became clear that this was going to have to be called Ramy because were basing it solely off of my comedy and my point of view. Thats where it lives. Your comedy and series hit upon themes that can be polarizing at times. Did anybody ever suggest that you should play it safe? RY: I think the only people who might have suggested that would have been my parents, and thats why I waited to show them any footage from Ramy until two days ago. I love them and care about what they think, but I didnt want their input because it would have affected the way that I made the show. They raised me, and thats the executive producer feedback that they can give. [Laughs] I also didnt want to put them through stress. We touch on a lot of things that are going to be hot buttons for people to jump on, but I dont like to point the finger in my comedy at anyone other than myself, and I hope that nuance will be seen. As a millennial and a first-generation American, Ramy has a different outlook on life than his parents. Understandably, millennials are an easy target, but do you think there are any areas in which we should cut them some slack? RY: I think millennials can get a bit of slack on still living at home. There used to be this stigma of, "Oh, youre still living at your parents house?" But now its like, "Of course you are. Why wouldnt you be?" There are real economic things to consider. But that being said, avocado toast is insane. Its very expensive. A large part of Ramys experience involves dating and his parents desire to for him to marry a Muslim woman. Have your parents ever tried to set you up before? RY: No, they havent. My parents have been very cool about knowing what Im trying to prioritize and giving me my space, so it hasnt come up. My dad came here from Egypt and started working, so he didnt get married until he was in his early 30s, which was a bit older for our culture. So I think my parents are like, "Oh, he still has time." The pressure in the show is much different than in my real life. Ne Me Quitte Pas Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu That pressure would be a lot to contend with. RY: I will say that the pressure [to be in a relationship] from Ramys friends in the show, though, is real. Its this circle of practicing Muslim guys who are like, "Bro, you got to get married," while every other group of guys is like, "Bro, dont get married. Look at my life. Fucking live while you can." Thats the trope. Im the outlier with all my dudes who are practicing Muslims. Everyones married, has a kid on the way, and barely scratching the surface of 30. Thats super real. How do you feel about the way we date today? RY: I think were overwhelmed by the illusion of choice. There are all these apps and this idea that theres someone better out there. It sounds kind of corny, but I dont think you really find someone until you understand what you want. For a while Ive known that there are just certain things I want to achieve before I bring in that energy. I havent really had a long-lasting relationship because Ive known that its just not my time yet. But I feel that once you switch the gear and genuinely set your life up for what you want, you get what you want. Its very internal. So are you focused on work rather than dating right now? RY: Yeah, I think theres a balance that can come, but I always think about wanting to reach a level of creative understanding with myself and my work. Then it will make more sense to add people to this equation. And would you do so via dating apps? RY: Sure, why not? I dont think its a bad way to meet people. You can actually get a little bit of a glimpse of somethingit might not be much, but you can understand how good someone is at marketing. Between Ramy and your upcoming HBO standup special, youre quite a busy guy. How do you unwind? RY: It sounds crazy, but I find myself unwinding when I do standup. Theres something about the grind of production, so when Im able to go on stage its really fun. I always view it as an opportunity to talk with people while I still get to be louder than them, which is my favorite thing. But also, praying five times a day, which I dont always do, helps me on set and in the writers room. Its really grounding and a good way to mark time and get organized. So no reality TV binges for you? RY: I actually watched the pilot of Keeping Up with the Kardashians about four months ago, when I was in a funk. I was like, "Let me finally see what the fuck everyone is talking about." I did think it was pretty brilliant. It was very well done, and I understand why everyone is in. My acceptance of that pilot is a lot for me to admit. Caitlin Brody is an editor and writer based in New York. Anuradha Shukla By Express News Service NEW DELHI: A day after Indian government suspended the cross LoC trade with Pakistan, small businesses rue temporary disruption of daily trade; however, the move will have no major impact on larger businesses. On Thursday, the government suspended all cross-border trade between the two countries. The Ministry of Home Affairs said that the action was taken as the government has been receiving reports of cross-LoC trade routes being misused by Pakistan-based elements for smuggling illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency. The development came almost two months after India withdrew the Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan and increased tariff on imports from its western neighbour, following the terror attack in Pulwama. The major trade included local goods such as groceries, spices, fruits and small artefacts. The figure is not very big but many small traders depend on it. So they are bound to be impacted. But that is how businesses are in the valley. However there is no major impact on large businesses, said Najeeb Gul, a trader from Kashmir. Gul added that the traders were already cautious post Pulwama, which had brought close scrutiny of traded goods from both sides. Pakistans exports to India stood at $488.5 million (around Rs 3,482.3 crore) in 2017-18 out of a total India-Pakistan trade of $2.41 billion, which was just 0.3 per cent of Indias overall merchandise trade in that year. Pakistan exports to India include fresh fruits, cement, petroleum products, bulk mineral ores and finished leather. India mainly exports raw cotton, cotton yarn, chemicals, plastics, manmade yarn and dyes to Pakistan. According to Professor Biswajit Dhar of Jawaharlal Nehru University, while the announcement has political significance, huge trade takes place via indirect routes such as Dubai and gulf markets, which will continue despite the ban. Pakistan mainly exports to India through Dubai and Singapore. So, to effectively have some impact, we need to target that too, Dhar said. The trigger Post Pulwama, the ED and IT department had clamped up on terror funding via illegal drug peddling and fake notes. They claim to have seized drugs, foreign currencies and unaccounted cash, which was being used to fund terror activities in Kashmir, leading to the suspension of cross-LoC trade. A penguin named Steve brought the cool to New York City at yesterdays special screening for the aptly titled film Penguin. Hosted by Disneynature and the Cinema Society, the morning screening was a family affair. Guests Sofia Coppola, Edie Falco, and Liev Schreiber, many with kiddies in tow, made the migration to the AMC theater in Lincoln Square Sunday morning. The flightless bird inspired the theme, right down to the tuxedo treats. Disneynature ambassador Dr. Jane Goodall arrived arm in arm with a plush, pint-sized penguin of her own, and Ed Helms, who narrated the film (The Office, The Hangover trilogy), was all smiles. The film follows Steve, an Adelie penguin, on a mission to build a nest during the Antarctic spring, which was not an easy thing to document. (It took three years to film in the negative-40-degree temps and 150-mile-per-hour winds.) Despite the cold, the Adelie penguins, described by director Alastair Fothergill as having feisty attitudes like New York City taxi drivers, brought the on-screen action to an otherwise chill event. Photo credit: Starbucks From Delish Starbucks and Nestle have teamed up to create Starbucks by Nespresso, a line of coffee capsules you'll be able to make in your machine at home. Yes, my friends, that means every day can be an Espresso Happy Hour day should you so wish. The Starbucks Newsroom explains the line of capsules will include four different flavors: Starbucks Espresso Roast, Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast, Starbucks Single-Origin Colombia Coffee, and Starbucks Pike Place Roast. Food & Wine reports the pods are the result of a year-ish long collaboration between the coffee giants, a relatively fast period of time considering the enormity of the project. All of the capsules will be available for purchase on Amazon.com, Walmart.com and Jet.com come early May (though, by all means, go ahead and order some Starbucks K-cups now to hold you over). They are also all made with "100 percent high-quality arabica coffee," though their notes range dramatically throughout the line. The Starbucks Espresso Roast leads the line-it's the same sweet and straightforward Starbucks espresso flavor you've come to know and love whereas the Blonde Espresso variety is a bit sweeter and lends itself nicely to all sorts of milk combinations. The Single-Origin is a bolder and nuttier drink and the Pike Place Roast and smoother and has more chocolate flavors, Starbucks explains. It's also important to note all of these capsules are aluminum-based and will be recyclable through the same program Nespresso encourages its customers to use. Also important is the price point: A 10-pack of the pods will go for $9.99, which is comparable to most other Nespresso lines. ('You Might Also Like',) Tripoli (AFP) - Forces loyal to Libya's unity government announced Saturday a counter-attack against military strongman Khalifa Haftar's fighters, as clashes south of the capital Tripoli intensified. "We have launched a new phase of attack. Orders were given early this morning to advance and gain ground," said Mustafa al-Mejii, a spokesman for the Government of National Accord's (GNA's) forces. Haftar launched an offensive on April 4 against the UN-recognised GNA, which is based in Tripoli, resulting in repeated fierce clashes on the southern edges of the capital. Sustained rocket and shellfire could be heard in several districts of Tripoli on Saturday, after several days of less intense fighting and stalemate on the ground. Haftar backs a rival administration to the GNA based in eastern Libya that refuses to recognise the authority of the Tripoli government. The GNA counter-attack came a day after the White House said US President Donald Trump spoke on the phone with Haftar, to discuss "a shared vision for Libya's transition to a stable, democratic political system". The White House statement said Trump recognised Haftar's "significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources", during the conversation on Monday. Ahmad Al-Mesmari, a spokesman for Haftar's self styled Libyan National Army (LNA), said late Saturday: "We have won the political battle and we have convinced the world that the armed forces are fighting terrorism." He also acknowledged that "very violent" fighting had taken place on multiple fronts on Saturday. The GNA "has received reinforcements from Al-Qaeda terrorists, Islamic State and foreign mercenaries", according to Mesmari. - Air strikes - But he did not acknowledge the LNA's loss of ground -- in particular Ain Zara, in the southern suburbs of Tripoli. An AFP team on the ground confirmed pro-GNA forces had advanced in Ain Zara, where the frontline was shifted a few kilometres south. Story continues The Tripoli Protection Force -- a coalition of pro-GNA militias, including fighters from the city of Misrata -- also advanced to Wadi Rabie, another southern suburb, an officer on the ground told AFP. The advance followed a "heavy artillery (attack) and medium-calibre fire early in the morning", he said, but did not want to be named. He said eight of his fighters had been wounded. Seven air strikes were carried out against military positions held by the LNA, according to the GNA's military spokesman Colonel Mohamad Gnounou. Gnounou said strikes took place south of Gharian, 100 kilometres (60 miles) southwest of the capital, and against an airbase at Al-Wotya, 50 kilometres further southwest. Welcoming the gains by his forces on the ground, GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj called in a statement for humanitarian law to be respected. The LNA, for its part, said its fighters were "taking control of several new positions on the frontlines in Tripoli". "Our forces are progressing as the GNA militias retreat on all fronts," the LNA said on its Facebook page. LNA "reinforcements have arrived at the frontlines -- military brigades, army battalions - to (win) the battle as soon as possible", it added. - International divide deepens - Haftar's offensive has sharpened fault lines in policy towards Libya among world powers. On Thursday, Russia and the United States opposed a British bid backed by France and Germany at the UN Security Council to demand a ceasefire in the North African country. Observers see Trump's subsequently acknowledged contact with the strongman, at the expense of Sarraj, as evidence of US support that explains Haftar's determination to pursue his offensive against Tripoli. Hundreds of "yellow vest" protesters on Friday demonstrated in Tripoli against Haftar, and also accused France of backing his forces. Wearing the trademark yellow vests of French anti-government demonstrators, they were among thousands of Libyans who flooded a central Tripoli square to rally in support of the GNA. The French embassy in Libya on Friday tweeted -- in Arabic -- that Paris was "opposed to the attack" on Tripoli and urged all parties to abide by a ceasefire and engage in peace negotiations. At least 220 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded since the violence erupted, according to the World Health Organization, while the International Organization for Migration says over 25,000 people have been displaced. Libya has been mired in chaos since the NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. Alongside the rivalry between the GNA and the LNA, myriad militias have vied for control of key cities, while jihadist activity has also periodically flared. By Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Attorney General William Barr could have buried Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report deep in the recesses of the U.S. Justice Department and simply told the public that President Donald Trump would not face criminal prosecution. "These reports are not supposed to be made public," Barr said at a news conference on Thursday morning before releasing the 448-page report with some information blacked out. Barr was following through on a promise he had made months earlier to make as much of Mueller's findings public as possible. But that opened him up to widespread criticism from Democrats and some legal experts, who questioned his decision not to charge Trump with obstruction of justice, and accused him of acting like the president's personal defense lawyer. Mueller's report outlined 10 episodes in which Trump tried to get the special counsel fired, limit the scope of his investigation, or otherwise interfere with the probe. Mueller stopped short of concluding that Trump had committed a crime, but did not exonerate him of wrongdoing either, leaving Barr or Congress the option to take action against the Republican president. Some experts said Barr should have brought charges. "To me, they laid out a chargeable obstruction case," said Shanlon Wu, a former federal prosecutor who represented Rick Gates, the former Trump deputy campaign chairman who has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and making false statements and is cooperating with the investigation. Barr's news conference, held shortly before the report's release, provided more fodder for his critics. He praised the White House's cooperation with the investigation and said Trump's public and private efforts to interfere with the probe could have been fueled by a "sincere belief" that the investigation was "propelled by his political opponents and fueled by illegal leaks." At several points, Barr echoed Trump's mantra that Mueller had found "no collusion" with Russia. To some, it was a disappointing performance from a man who had been praised for upholding the Justice Department's independence during a previous stint as attorney general from 1991 to 1993. "He's really shown himself to be principally focused on defending the president," said Robert Litt, a former federal prosecutor who had supported Barr's nomination for the job. The top two Democrats in Congress, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, accused Barr of deliberately distorting Mueller's findings. A Justice Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Barr did not mislead the public because the White House cooperated with the probe despite Trump's numerous statements criticizing it. The official also said Mueller had the choice to either recommend charges against Trump or not, and he had decided against it. Representative Eric Swalwell, one of more than 15 Democrats running for president, called on Barr to resign. Justice Department officials declined to respond to the resignation demand. Rudy Giuliani, Trump's personal lawyer, defended the attorney general. "I think Barr is a straight lawyer. He's an honest man," he told Reuters. EASY ON THE REDACTIONS Democrats had worried that Barr might use too heavy a hand when redacting portions of the report that dealt with sensitive material, such as active investigations, confidential legal proceedings and matters of national security. In the end, only 6 percent of the report was blacked out, according to ProPublica, the nonprofit investigative journalism organization. "The redactions seemed to me to be reasonable," said Jack Sharman, a lawyer who worked on the impeachment of Democratic President Bill Clinton during the 1990s. "I was a little surprised." Starting next week, 12 top lawmakers and their staffers will be able to see a more complete version in a secure reading room. Still, Barr is sure to face pointed questions when he testifies before Congress in May. Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he had no reason to believe Barr's redactions were not made "justifiably and in good faith" but he also criticized him for protecting Trump. "He has over the past few weeks used his office to perform what I consider to be inappropriate PR services for the Trump White House," he said on Friday. To some in Trump's camp, the criticism directed at Barr is a sign of a job well done. "Attorney General Barr knew every step of the way that people are going to unload on him today," said Michael Caputo, a former Trump campaign adviser. "He had a role to play and he played it." (Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Additional reporting by Karen Freifeld, Sarah N. Lynch, Nathan Layne and David Morgan; Editing by Leslie Adler and Grant McCool) By Dan Whitcomb LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A Southern California couple was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison on Friday after the pair pleaded guilty to charges stemming from grim, headline-making accusations they beat, starved and shackled their 13 children in the family's home, prosecutors said. David Turpin, 57, and his wife Louise Turpin, 50, had agreed to be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison as part of an agreement with Riverside County prosecutors that saw them plead guilty in February to torture, child abuse and false imprisonment charges. The couple cried during the sentencing hearing, where they listened to statements from their children and delivered statements of their own, according to video footage from ABC News. "I'm sorry for everything I've done to hurt my children. I love my children so much," Louise Turpin said. "Their happiness is very important to me." As part of the plea deal, which called for additional charges against both spouses to be dropped, the Turpins will spend the rest of their lives in prison unless granted parole after a mininum of 25 years behind bars, the Riverside County District Attorney said on Twitter. The sentencing marks the culmination of a criminal case that has convulsed the community of Perris, California, some 70 miles (113 km) east of Los Angeles, since an emaciated 17-year-old girl climbed out of a window of the family's home and called 911. Deputies who raided the residence found the girls 12 brothers and sisters, ranging in age from 2 to 29, trapped inside the darkened, foul-smelling house, some of them chained to beds. The siblings, found to be suffering from malnourishment, muscle wasting, stunted growth and other signs of severe abuse, were taken into protective custody, and the parents were arrested. Prosecutors said the victims had been denied proper nutrition, basic hygiene and medical care and were harshly punished for perceived infractions such as wasting water by washing their hands above the wrist. The couple also were accused of taunting their children with pies and other food that they were forbidden to eat. "My parents took my whole life from me, but now I'm taking my life back," said one of the Turpins' daughters, who was not named in court, on Friday. David Turpins parents, James and Betty Turpin of West Virginia, have said their son and daughter-in-law were a deeply religious couple who home-schooled their children and required them to memorize Bible scripture. The children, whose ages now range from 3 to 30, are in the care of child and adult protection agencies. (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Gabriella Borter in New York; Editing by Tom Brown and Chizu Nomiyama) A former White House official believes that President Donald Trumps art of the deal is akin to shooting ourselves in the foot when it comes to the U.S. economy As the U.S.-China trade negotiations drag on without a firm end date, the Trump administration's gotten themselves into a bit of a fix where the options don't look terribly good, Chicago Council on Global Affairs senior fellow Phil Levy told Yahoo Finances On The Move (video above). This all has to do with their desire to keep their options open to strike at the Chinese whenever they want, or whenever they think the Chinese have done something wrong. Levy, who was formerly a senior economist for trade on former President George W. Bushs Council of Economic Advisers, said that the administrations strategy in trying to solve the various issues America has with China which range bilateral trade deficits to unfair trade practices had already been talked about by at least two administrations. But what we weren't doing was necessarily shooting ourselves in the foot and saying, hey, look, we've taken action, stressed Levy. I think that's the problem with this. US President Donald Trump speaks to the press aboard Air Force One in flight as he travels from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, to Bedminster, New Jersey, June 29, 2018. (Photo credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) World Trade Organization is about to fall apart Levys main criticism was that the Trump administration was undermining the World Trade Organization (WTO), which he believed is likely to induce more chaos, while offering no alternatives. The Trump administration is circumventing the WTO [which is] this sort of established system where you'd have impartial judgments, said Levy. This new system thats emerging moves around all of that, and it gives up some of the protections that offered. The WTO is a multilateral organization was set up in 1995 in Geneva, Switzerland, succeeding the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) established in the wake of the Second World War. It has a total of 164 member countries which account for 98% of world trade. 22 countries negotiating membership. China joined the WTO in 2001 after 15 years of talks. Story continues The organization offers a forum and various mechanisms for trade disputes, and aims to lower trade barriers through negotiations among member governments, as well as to prevent them from spilling over into political or military conflict. But the Trump administration has been opposed to the WTO, blocking key appointments, and even threatening to pull out of the organization amid complaints that the WTO gives preferential treatment towards Beijing. Levy said that the administrations pushback could lead to the WTO judicial system is about to fall apart, probably by about the end of the year. In this Dec. 1, 2018, photo, President Donald Trump meets with China's President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting at the G20 Summit, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) Nonsensical concerns And while Levy wasnt opposed to a deal if and when that happens it was the game that he opposed. There are serious problems with theft of intellectual property, with cyber attacks, and we have some real concerns about state owned enterprises and subsidies that the Chinese give, Levy said. But the problem is that those legitimate serious concerns are getting mixed in with some nonsensical concerns like bilateral trade deficits and is diluting our message. And at the same time, the U.S. is attacking its other trade partners, alienating them instead of engaging them in these common concerns. He added that the Trump administration's been very slow to ... offer remedies [and] to be precise about what they'd want. How do you want to fix this? Instead, it's sort of asphyxiating it. Aarthi is a writer for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @aarthiswami. Read more: Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. By Caroline Pailliez and Luke Baker REIMS, France/PARIS (Reuters) - President Emmanuel Macron might have hoped he was striking a note for modernity and openness in announcing an international competition to design a new spire for Notre-Dame cathedral, but he may have opened a can of worms instead. There was already debate about whether his goal of rebuilding the church by 2024, when Paris hosts the Olympic Games, was overly ambitious, but now he's unsettled those who would prefer to return the national symbol to just how it was. "Since the spire wasn't part of the original cathedral," the Elysee Palace said in a statement late on Wednesday, "the President of the Republic hopes there will be some reflection and a contemporary architectural gesture might be envisaged." Computer-generated pictures online included ideas for a soaring glass needle to replace the 91-metre (300 foot) spire, which was added to the cathedral in the mid-1800s, replacing a Medieval one that was removed in 1786. But that appears to be too much for many French, especially those with a traditional or Catholic bent. In an online survey conducted by conservative newspaper Le Figaro, more than 70 percent of the 35,000 people who responded said they opposed any contemporary style design. Francois-Xavier Bellamy, a 33-year-old philosopher who will head the right-of-center Les Republicains party list in next month's European Parliament elections, said Macron's government lacked humility in suggesting a modernist rethink. "We are the inheritors of patrimony, it doesn't belong to us, and it's important therefore that we hand it on in the way that we received it," he told Reuters. "There are rules in France about protecting national heritage. The President of the Republic is not above the law. It's not up to him to decide to build a modern spire." PLUS CA CHANGE... While Bellamy is a conservative Catholic and might be expected to campaign for returning the 850-year-old Gothic masterpiece to exactly how it was before the fire, his views are shared by some architectural historians. Patrick Demouy, an emeritus professor of medieval history who specializes in the Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral, said it would be difficult to imagine something starkly different to the 19th century spire, even if its architect, Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, was himself quite inventive with his design. "Personally, I'm in favor of restoring it to how it was because that's the spire that has imposed itself on the collective memory," he told Reuters. "It would be hard to perceive (a contemporary spire) because we wouldn't really recognize it any longer as being Notre-Dame." Macron's culture minister, Franck Riester, said it was important the nation debated the issue and generated ideas. There is likely to be months if not years of discussion before a design -- contemporary or otherwise -- is fixed upon. "The masterpiece that Viollet-le-Duc left us is exceptional, but we must not dogmatically insist that we recreate an identical cathedral," he told BFM TV. "We must let the debate take place, see what ideas are presented, and then decide." Paris has a track-record of being experimental with its architecture, whether via buildings such as the Pompidou Center, or the glass pyramid at the heart of the Louvre, which blends modernism with classical lines. Other constructions, such as the 210-metre Montparnasse tower or the vast empty square of the Arche de la Defense, have come in for more criticism, even if they have fans, too. For Jean-Michel Leniaud, an art historian at the National Institute of Art History, Notre-Dame is special because it is both a work of art and among the nation's greatest monuments, a source of unity for citizens in times of strife. "The restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris shouldn't be the opportunity for creative architects to show off their inventive spark," he told Reuters. "We should go back to the original, the spire of Viollet-le-Duc," he said. "The best way, the most consensual way to overcome this terrible disaster is to return it to the original state." (Additional reporting by Richard Lough and Michaela Cabrera in Paris; Writing by Luke Baker; Editing by Toby Chopra) By Letitia Stein and Tim Reid CLEARWATER, Florida/LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - After months as volunteer activists demanding that U.S. President Donald Trump be impeached, Eileen and Michael O'Brien sat on their couch on Thursday, cracked open a laptop and began to read the 448-page special counsel report that liberals have dreamed would make impeachment a reality. "Hmm, seems like there's a lot of gray area here," said Eileen OBrien, 65, of Clearwater, Florida, reading aloud a line about the findings falling short of a criminal case. "Legally wrong and morally wrong are two different things." The release of the long-anticipated report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller on his inquiry into Russia's role in the 2016 election landed in a stridently divided America: one side convinced Trump acted improperly, the other adamant that the investigation was a politically driven farce. Mueller built an extensive case that Trump committed obstruction of justice but stopped short of concluding he had committed a crime, though he did not exonerate the president. For those like the O'Briens who have been pining for impeachment, the report renewed resolve to oust the president. For those who want to see the president reelected, there was a sense of vindication. The White House is going to put out their own version of things, which is basically fish wrapper, said Michael OBrien, formerly a service technician who now works on houses. His wife, who a day earlier delivered a can of "impeaches" peaches to a lawmaker, looked up with a quizzical expression. "Its worthless," he explained. "You can use it to wrap fish." "ONE BATTLE IN A WAR" Lee Mueller and his wife, Michele Mueller, no relation to Robert Mueller, also paused their Thursday to read through the special counsel's report. They printed out the table of contents for both volumes along with the executive summaries. "I view the Mueller report as being one battle in a war against the United States of America's founding principles and against Donald Trump," Michele Mueller, 61, said in a suburb of Las Vegas. After Attorney General William Barr released his four-page summary of the Mueller report late last month, Americans were dug in on their views. So far, the full report does not appear to have convinced many to change their opinions about the presidents conduct. A Reuters/Ipsos public opinion poll conducted Thursday afternoon to Friday morning found among those respondents of who said they were familiar with the Mueller report, 70 percent said the report had not changed their view of Trump or Russias involvement in the U.S. presidential race. Only 15 percent said they had learned something that changed their view of Trump or the Russia investigation, and a majority of those respondents said they were now more likely to believe that Trump or someone close to him broke the law. Trump's approval ratings, however, dipped 3 percentage points after the release of the report, the poll found. Ahead of Thursday's release of the Mueller report, Trump ramped up his insistence that he was the victim, not the perpetrator, of crimes. James Stratton, 65, of Clearwater, Florida, caught snippets of the news about the report from conservative commentators Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. He looked up Barrs news conference, held Thursday morning before the report was released online, on YouTube. Nobody on our side is going to change, the Republican president of the local Tampa Bay Trump Club said in a phone interview, adding that liberals will grow tired of hearing predictions about Trumps downfall that never materialize. We stay focused on the issues. How do we stop socialism? How do we protect our borders? "IT WILL ONLY AFFIRM" For the most invested, though, Mueller's report offered hope for further investigation, but by Democrats in Congress this time. Tom Steyer, a billionaire activist who has spent millions of his own dollars directing pressure at Congress to impeach Trump, said while he thinks the contents of the report implicate the president, he acknowledges the findings alone are unlikely to convince Americans to change their minds. "I think the only way to get voters to notice is to directly publicize, televised hearings," Steyer said. "We're all for public hearings so the American people can see and can react themselves." In Florida, Margo Hammond, 69, who considers herself an independent voter, gleaned highlights by toggling through the coverage of MSNBC, CNN and Fox News. She was unimpressed with Barr. It's kind of an insult to the American people that we cant decide for ourselves, she said while in an art class. She planned to read as much as she could of the report. I think it will only affirm what I originally thought, she said. Then she repeated something she had heard earlier from a news commentator: There was a whole lot of cheating going on. (For a 'Link to Mueller report' click https://graphics.reuters.com/USA-TRUMP-RUSSIA/010091HX27V/report.pdf) (For a graphic on 'A closer look at Mueller report redactions' click https://tmsnrt.rs/2VSx7HZ) (Reporting by Letitia Stein in Clearwater, Florida and Tim Reid in Las Vegas; Writing by Ginger Gibson; Editing by Leslie Adler and Marguerita Choy) Washington (AFP) - The US Federal Aviation Administration is planning what it calls a comprehensive multi-nation review of the control systems of the Boeing 737 Max airliner to include experts from nine civil aviation authorities. The review is to begin April 29 and is expected to take 90 days, the FAA announced Friday. The review will "evaluate aspects of the 737 Max automated flight-control system, including its design and pilots' interaction with the system, to determine its compliance with all applicable regulations and to identify future enhancements that might be needed," the agency said. That system is suspected to have played a role in the October 29, 2018 crash of a Lion Air flight near Jakarta, killing 189, and in the March 10, 2019 crash of an Ethiopian Airlines plane near Addis Ababa, killing 157. Both crashes occurred shortly after takeoff. Boeing Max planes -- the aerospace firm's all-time best-seller -- have been grounded worldwide since then, while engineers and investigators seek the exact causes of the crashes. The new review will be chaired by Chris Hart, a former head of the US National Transportation Safety Board, and will include experts from the FAA and NASA. In addition, civil aviation authorities from these countries will take part: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. In both the Indonesian and Ethiopian crashes, Boeing's new anti-stall system known as MCAS has been called into question. It reportedly lowered the crafts' noses repeatedly despite pilots' efforts to wrest back control. On Tuesday, Boeing carried out an engineering test flight of a Max plane with an updated MCAS system, considered a key step on the path to re-certifying the plane for flight. Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg, who was on board one recent test flight, vowed to make the 737 Max "one of the safest airplanes ever to fly." Santa Cruz (Portugal) (AFP) - A group of 15 Germans who were injured in a deadly Madeira bus crash were flown home on Saturday aboard a medically-equipped German military plane, Germany's air force said. Their tourist bus crashed on the Portuguese holiday island on Wednesday, killing 29 passengers, all of them German. One injured German had already been flown home on Friday and another, a woman too badly hurt to fly, was being kept in intensive care in Portugal. The aircraft landed in Cologne in western Germany, the German air force said in a tweet, adding that the injured passengers were to receive "supplementary care". Investigators are still trying to determine why the vehicle crashed off the road before ending up mangled on a hillside near the town of Canico. Portuguese public TV RTP reported Friday that the bus's accelerator was thought to have been stuck and that the driver might have tried to stop the vehicle by hitting a wall. Advancing another theory, a German holidaymaker in his 60s who escaped with a broken rib told Portuguese television: "I think the brakes were gone, I cannot imagine another reason" for the crash. His wife said some passengers were thrown through the windows when the bus began to roll over. More than one million tourists visit the Atlantic island group off the coast of Morocco each year, attracted by its subtropical climate and rugged volcanic terrain. By Express News Service BENGALURU: A trip to Spain sounds like the thing bucket lists are made of. But while planning the logistics of your dream trip may take weeks, the wait to try authentic Spanish cuisine doesnt have to be that long. Just head to Raj Pavilion at ITC Windsor for their new exclusive menu. Think Spain, and most people might think Barcelona. But junior sous chef Soni Kumari Rana wanted to do something different and chose to focus on Valencian cuisine, dishes that rely heavily on seafood and meat. If youre a vegetarian, dont worry. The chefs ensure that you will be well looked after and provide vegetarian alternatives to most dishes. We begin with the Farmers Salad: A dish that looks like its come straight out of an episode of MasterChef Australia. With a mixture of greens, cucumbers, carrots, almonds and olives that delicately curves one side of the plate, the salad is as much a feast for your eyes as your tongue. Thin, translucent, pieces of cheddar cheese dot the dish, and we have fun exploring its nutty texture with the different elements of the salad. Next up, is a tomato soup, which is poured over a fried basil. It tastes surprisingly tangy and were told that the tomatoes were roasted, which is what gave the soup a wonderful smokey aftertaste. The fried basil also proves to be a better accompaniment than croutons. Valencia, were told by Rana, is the birthplace of paella, a dish that is best enjoyed in its seafood varient. The vegetarian version, however, doesnt disappoint, and the glutinous rice is a welcome change from the kind we consume here. Paella is supposed to be comfort food for the Spanish, but surprisingly, its the Empanada that we find befitting for this title. The baked pastry with vegetable stuffing made us go mmmh from the first bite, literally. Its served with a mint chutney and a garlic aioli, and the latter clearly won our hearts. And stomachs. The empanadas are also served with thin potato wafers, which are made in-house and dusted with cheese powder. The entire dish is comfort food that will leave you confused as you try to decide what to savour first. For dessert, were served an authentic sweet treat called horchata and fartons. The former is a milk preparation that is thickened with glutinous rice (similar to kheer) while the latter is similar to a light biscuit dusted with powdered sugar. Have them separately or enjoy them together, either way, the dessert hits all the right notes. And the best part? Its exciting enough for someone looking to try something new. And familiar enough (the horchata is similar, in appearance and preparation, to kheer) for someone who wants to avoid the same. Its a win-win! The menu is available till April 20; dinner only. The buffet is priced at `1, 995+ taxes. Beirut (AFP) - Jihadists have killed more than 60 Syrian regime fighters in 48 hours, a monitor said Saturday, in some of the deadliest attacks on pro-Damascus forces in recent weeks. Kurdish-led forces in March announced the defeat of the Islamic State group's "caliphate" in eastern Syria, but the jihadists have retained hideouts there and in other parts of the country as well as the ability to carry out deadly assaults. Since Thursday, IS jihadists have killed 35 pro-Damascus fighters in regime-held parts of central and eastern Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said it was "the highest death toll among regime forces since the caliphate was declared defeated" in the eastern village of Baghouz last month. Regime fighters also came under attack on another front of Syria's grinding eight-year war, the Britain-based monitor added. On Saturday, jihadists linked to Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate attacked loyalists outside the northwestern region of Idlib, killing 26 pro-Assad fighters, it said. It was the latest death tally in a civil war that has killed more than 370,000 people since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. President Bashar al-Assad has managed to claw back around 60 percent of the country with Russian military backing since 2015, but several regions remain beyond the regime's control. - IS assaults - These include a large swathe of northeastern Syria held by Kurdish-led forces who have been fighting IS with the support of a US-led coalition, as well as the region of Idlib held by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate. Regime forces in theory control the vast desert that stretches from the capital Damascus to the Iraqi border, but IS is still present there. Since Thursday they have killed 27 troops and allied militiamen, including four Syrian army officers, in the desert east of Homs province, the Observatory said. Story continues IS claimed the attacks. The Observatory also said IS fighters killed another eight soldiers and militiamen in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor on Thursday night. That attack targeted a desert village south of the city of Mayadeen on the Euphrates River, upstream from Baghouz. IS swept across a large swathe of Syria and Iraq in 2014, declaring a cross-border "caliphate" in territory that was once roughly the size of the United Kingdom. But after various military operations in both countries, IS lost the last shred of its proto-state on the eastern banks of the Euphrates last month. The US-led coalition has however repeatedly warned that the battle against the jihadists is not over. - Aleppo attack - In the northwestern Idlib region, Assad's forces face Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate. Idlib was to be protected from a massive regime military offensive by a deal inked in September by government ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey. But the accord has unwound as HTS took full control of the region in January, and the area has come under increasing bombardment. A planned buffer zone around the region was never fully implemented as jihadists refused to withdraw from it. Saturday's attack by an HTS affiliate on the western edges of Aleppo city killed 21 loyalists while an ambush by HTS-linked jihadists took the lives of five more pro-regime fighters in the northeast of Latakia province. On Friday, Assad urged progress on removing "obstacles" to the stalled Idlib deal ahead of talks to be attended by Russia, fellow ally Iran, and Turkey next week in Kazakhstan. And on Saturday, he met Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov in Damascus for talks, including on ways to overcome obstacles resulting from international sanctions imposed on Syria, the presidency said. PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) Kosovo authorities announced Saturday they have brought back from Syria 110 Kosovar citizens, mostly women and children, with the assistance of the United States. Justice Minister Abelard Tahiri, top policeman Rashit Qalaj and a health official told journalists early Saturday that "a planned operation to bring back some of our citizens from Syria ended successfully," bringing back four alleged fighters with the Islamic State group, 32 women and 74 children, without giving more details "due to the sensitivity of the case." Nine children had lost parents during the fighting in Syria. The group has been taken to a center in Vranidoll, 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the capital Pristina, to be taken care of before being sent to homes in the next 72 hours. Three children were seen playing football inside the shelter, well-protected by a special police force surrounding its perimeter. The four suspected fighters were arrested. Tahiri said a task force was created in October in close cooperation with the United States. "Our message is clear: The Kosovo government will strongly continue to prevent and fight violent extremism and terrorism," he said. The U.S. Embassy in Pristina commended Kosovo's move for setting "an important example" and applauded its "compassion in accepting the return of this large number of civilians." "The United States remains grateful to the Syrian Democratic Forces for their support in the repatriation and for continuing to humanely detain hundreds more ISIS fighters from dozens of countries," it added. The minister considered the women and children to be "innocent victims," adding that the authorities had plans to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society. More than 400 Kosovars initially joined extremist groups in Syria and Iraq, but none has left in the past three years, according to Kosovo authorities. Qalaj said that 30 Kosovo citizens are still actively supporting the groups there, and there are also 49 women and eight children. Story continues "We shall not allow our citizens to turn into a threat to the Western world and will take all to ensure that those accountable face the law," Tahiri said, adding that "there is no amnesty for any person, be it a woman or a man, who has committed an extremist or terror act." ___ Semini reported from Tirana, Albania. ___ Follow Llazar Semini on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lsemini Beirut (AFP) - Islamic State group jihadists have killed 35 pro-Damascus fighters in Syria, in what a monitoring group described Saturday as their deadliest operation since the fall of the "caliphate". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four senior Syrian army officers were among the troops and allied militiamen killed in the desert east of Homs province over the past 48 hours. The Amaq propaganda arm of IS, which lost the last vestige of its "caliphate" to Kurdish-led forces last month but retains desert and mountain hideouts in both Syria and Iraq, said its fighters carried out the operation. Another eight soldiers and militiamen, including two officers, were killed in a separate attack in neighbouring Deir Ezzor province on Thursday night, the Observatory said. The attack targeted a desert village south of the city of Mayadeen, upstream from the stretch of the Euphrates Valley where IS made a desperate last stand for its "caliphate", the Britain-based war monitor said. Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman described it as the "biggest attack and the highest death toll among regime forces since the caliphate was declared defeated". Six IS fighters were killed in the clashes, the Observatory said. Amaq said that IS had launched its assault on Thursday evening after government forces tried to track down its fighters. The vast Syrian desert, known in Arabic as the Badia, stretches all the way from the capital Damascus and the cities of Homs and Hama to its north to the Euphrates Valley near the Iraq border, where the "caliphate" was defeated in the village of Baghouz last month. Commanders of the US-led coalition, which provided air and artillery support for the Kurdish-led operation, have warned repeatedly that the jihadists' loss of their last piece of territory did not mean their elimination as a fighting force. Analysts have said that continuing search and destroy operations by the multiple alliances lined up against the jihadists would be necessary to prevent them mounting a comeback from their desert hideouts. LITTLETON, Colo. (AP) The Latest on the investigation of a woman believed to have posed a threat to schools in Colorado (all times local): 9:40 p.m. Columbine High School is moving ahead with ceremonies marking the 20th anniversary of an attack that killed 13 people, and the community is awaiting more details on what led a teenager allegedly obsessed with the 1999 shooting to buy a shotgun and kill herself in the snowy foothills nearby. A religious service Thursday night kicked off three days of commemorative events leading to a day of community service projects and a ceremony Saturday at a park near the school. An already tense time at the school was exacerbated after 18-year-old Sol Pais traveled to Denver from Miami on Monday and immediately bought a pump-action shotgun. Her body was found Wednesday, about 24 hours after Columbine and other schools locked their doors in response to fears that she intended to carry out her own attack. ___ 9:20 a.m. Colorado schools that were shuttered just ahead of the 20th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting have reopened, a day after authorities found the body of a young Florida woman who was obsessed with the shooting. Many schools imposed increased security measures when they reopened on Thursday. The FBI said the body of Sol Pais was discovered Wednesday in mountains outside Denver with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Columbine and dozens of other schools were closed Wednesday because of fears that Pais posed a threat. About 500,000 students in the area that includes metropolitan Denver and Colorado Springs were affected. Authorities say Pais never threatened a specific school but made troubling remarks to others about her "infatuation" with the 1999 shootings. The FBI also says Pais purchased a shotgun immediately after arriving in Colorado on Monday. The school closures affected about 500,000 students. Events planned to mark the anniversary of the 1999 Columbine attack will go on as scheduled throughout the week, including a ceremony near the school on Saturday. Story continues ___ 11:10 p.m. Authorities want to ensure that a Florida teenager who was obsessed with the Columbine school shooting was acting alone as dozens of Denver-area schools plan to reopen following a region-wide hunt for the young woman. The FBI said the body of Sol Pais was discovered in the mountains outside Denver with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Wednesday, about 24 hours after Columbine and other schools locked their doors in response to fears that she intended to carry out her own attack. Authorities say Pais never threatened a specific school but made troubling remarks to others about her "infatuation" with the 1999 shootings. The FBI also says Pais purchased a shotgun immediately after arriving in Colorado on Monday. The anniversary of the Columbine attack is Saturday. Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the communications ministry in central Kabul on Saturday, officials said, in a deadly, hours-long assault that destroyed weeks of relative calm in the capital. The Taliban said it had "nothing to do" with the attack, which left some 2,000 people stranded in the tall office building for hours at the start of the Afghan work week. No other group claimed immediate responsibility, but the Afghan branch of the Islamic State group has previously carried out multiple deadly attacks in the capital. "As a result of today's explosion/attack in Kabul city, two people have been martyred (killed) and 6 others are wounded," the health ministry spokesman wrote in a tweet, adding 3 of the injured were women. In a statement, the interior ministry said four civilians and three soldiers had been killed, though unverified social media posts suggested the final toll could be higher. AFP journalists heard one big blast around 11:40 am (0710 GMT), followed by sporadic gunfire for hours afterwards. "The information that we have is four attackers have placed themselves near the communication ministry and are engaged in gun battles with the Afghan security forces," Amanduddin Shariati, a security official in Kabul told AFP. By about 5:00 pm (1230 GMT), the interior ministry declared the assault over. "Operations finished. All suicide bombers killed & more than 2000 civilians staff rescued," the ministry said on Twitter. Panicked workers inside the 18-storey building, believed to be Kabul's tallest, moved up to the top floor as gunmen and Afghan security officials battled lower down. One woman said she had been in a group of about 30 people on the 10th floor when the assault started, then was told to move up to the 18th floor as gunfire increased. They were all eventually rescued by commandos. "Women were screaming and children of the kindergarten were the first to be evacuated," the woman, who did not want to be named, told AFP. Story continues Afghan authorities gave conflicting reports during the incident. The information ministry initially said three suicide bombers had attacked a post office building at the ministry. General Sayed Mohammad Roshan Dil, the Kabul police chief, said four attackers had been wearing police uniforms and had targeted a shrine near the ministry. Footage on local television showed a small plume at the building, and people climbing out windows on a lower level. The presidential palace said in a statement "the enemies of Afghanistan have conducted a terrorist attack". "Once again they have created fear and have killed or wounded a number of innocent countrymen," the statement read. - Spring offensive - The communication ministry is located in downtown Kabul, about two kilometres (1.25 miles) from the green zone, a heavily fortified compound for foreign embassies. The area is the city's main commercial zone and is home to a large hotel. Aside from a grenade attack on a military vehicle last week and persistent crime, the capital has in recent weeks enjoyed a period of relative calm. Last year however saw a string of attacks including one where a massive bomb concealed in an ambulance killed more than 100 people. The attack comes a week after the Taliban announced their annual spring offensive and amid ongoing fighting across Afghanistan. It illustrates the sprawling nature of Afghanistan's conflict, and the obstacles to peace even if a deal is reached with the Taliban. This week in the Qatari capital Doha, a summit planned between the Taliban and officials from across Afghanistan was scrapped at the last minute due to bickering over who should attend the conference. The collapse comes at a critical time and amid continued bloodshed in Afghanistan, where the Taliban now control or influence about half of Afghanistan and 3,804 civilians were killed there last year, according to a UN tally. Taliban officials are separately negotiating with the United States, which wants to forge a peace deal with the militants. The special counsels report on Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential elections is an epic at 448 pages, including exhibits. It will take time to digest and analyze the document. Still, a few things have been clarified since the reports publication this morning. For starters, attorney general William Barr wasnt entirely forthright in his defense of Donald Trump at a press conference this morning. He said that the president did not collude with the Russians, and that he cooperated with special counsel Robert Muellers investigation, not obstructed it. But Trump appears to have been quite active in his efforts to thwart the special counsels work. Trump repeatedly directed advisors to apply pressure on the Department of Justice, the FBI, and other intelligence agencies, and White House counsel, according to Muellers report. The president also lied, most notably by editing a statement for his son Donald Trump Jr. about meeting with a Russian lawyer who allegedly had information helpful to the Trump campaign. We also now know which specific events and issues Mueller investigated ahead of reaching the conclusion that the president didnt obstruct justice. The report refers to Trumps discussions with his advisors and with the DOJ, as well as work his personal attorneys did to influence witnesses involved in the investigation, like his once national security advisor Michael Flynn and his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen. And lastly, Trump may not be charged with obstruction of justice, but the Mueller report doesnt paint a pretty picture of the president and barely clears his name. Indeed, its quite damning. This is how the Mueller Report categorized and outlined the factual findings about obstruction, which have been paraphrased here: Trumps two faces Story continues During the 2016 presidential campaign, questions arose about the Russian governments apparent support for Trump after WikiLeaks released politically damaging Democratic party emails hacked by Russian agents. Trump publicly expressed skepticism that Russia was responsible, yet privately sought information about future releases. He also denied having any business in Russia, despite pursuing a licensing deal for a skyscraper called Trump Tower Moscow as late as June of 2016. After the election, he told advisors he was concerned that reports of Russias election interference might lead the public to question the legitimacy of his election. Asserting presidential influence During a meeting with vice president Mike Pence in January 2017, incoming national security advisor Michael Flynn denied having talked to Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak about Russias response to US sanctions for its election interference. After the president discovered Flynns lie, he invited FBI director James Corney to a private dinner, where he sought his loyalty. On February 14, Trump met with Comey alone again, asking that he drop any investigation of Flynn and saying, He is a good guy. Trump wanted Sessions to protect him In February 2017, attorney general Jeff Sessions was considering whether he had to recuse himself from campaign-related investigations because of his role in the Trump election campaign. Trump instructed White House counsel Don McGahn to stop Sessions from recusing himself and was angry when Sessions did it anyway, telling advisors that he should have an AG whod protect him. He urged Sessions to unrecuse himself. The president soon contacted US intelligence agency leaders to ask them to publicly dispel the suggestion that he was connected to the Russian election-interference effort. He also contacted Comey, asking that he lift the cloud of the Russia investigation by publicly stating that the president wasnt being investigated personally. The president fires the FBI director In May 2017, FBI director James Comey testified in a congressional hearing, but declined to answer questions about whether the president was personally under investigation. Trump then decided to fire Comey, claiming the termination was based on his mishandling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. Yet Trump told Russian officials that he had faced great pressure because of Russia, which had been taken off by Comeys firing, He subsequently admitted in a television interview that hed planned to fire Comey because this thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story. Undermining Mueller A special counsel was appointed in May 2017. Trump predicted to advisors that it would be the end of his presidency. The president told aides that the special counsel had conflicts of interest that barred him from serving, though these had already been considered by the Department of Justice and dismissed as meritless. On June 14, 2017, the media reported that the president was now being investigated for obstructing justice. Trump reacted with a series of tweets criticizing the DOJ and the investigation. Three days later, the president called White House counsel Don McGahn, directing him to call the DOJ about Muellers conflicts of interest, but McGahn declined, deciding that he would resign rather than trigger what he regarded as a potential Saturday Night Massacre. Attempts to control the investigation The president in May met with Corey Lewandowski, an advisor outside the government, directing him to tell Sessions to publicly announce that, notwithstanding his recusal from the Russia investigation, the investigation was very unfair to the president, who had done nothing wrong. The president followed up with Lewandowski later, and the private advisor told Trump that the message would be delivered. Soon after, Trump criticized Sessions in an interview with the New York Times, and issued a series of tweets making it clear that Sessions job was in jeopardy. Lewandowski asked senior White House official Rick Dearborn to deliver Trumps message to Sessions, but Dearborn did not follow through. The president as editor In the summer of 2017, Trump learned that reporters were asking questions about a 2016 meeting between senior campaign officials, including his son, Donald Trump Jr., and a Russian lawyer allegedly offering damaging information about Hillary Clinton. Trump directed aides not to publicly disclose the emails setting up the meeting. Before the emails became public, Trump edited a statement for Trump Jr. by deleting a line that acknowledged that the meeting was with an individual who [Trump Jr.] was told might have information helpful to the campaign. He instead said they met to discuss adoptions of Russian children. When reporters questioned whether Trump was involved in writing his sons statement, his personal lawyer repeatedly denied he played any such role. Trump keeps on pushing Sessions In early summer 2017, Trump called Sessions, again urging him to reverse his recusal from the Russia investigation. Sessions declined. In October, Trump met with Sessions privately to ask him to investigate Hillary Clinton. Two months later, in another meeting, Trump suggested again that Sessions unrecuse himself and supervise the Russia investigation, saying he would be a hero. Trump told Sessions, Im not going to do anything or direct you to do anything. I just want to be treated fairly. Sessions again declined. Trying to falsify the record In early 2018, the press reported that Trump directed McGahn to have Mueller removed, and that McGahn had threatened to resign rather than carry out the order. Trump reacted by directing White House officials to tell McGahn to dispute the story and create a false record. McGahn said the media reports were accurate. Trump then met with McGahn and pressured him to deny the reports, which McGahn perceived as the president testing his mettle. Trump attorneys on the case After Flynn began cooperating with the government investigation, Trumps personal counsel called Flynns attorneys, asking for a heads-up if Flynn learned of information that implicates the president. When Flynns lawyer said the client could not share information, Trumps attorney said hed let the president know of Flynns hostility. Then, when his former campaign manager Paul Manafort was being tried, Trump publicly praised Manafort and declined to rule out a pardon. After Manafort was convicted, Trump said he was a brave man for refusing to break. From praise to castigation Trump praised Cohen when he falsely minimized the presidents involvement in the Trump Tower Moscow project but castigated him when he became a cooperating witness in the Mueller investigation. From September 2015 to June 2016, Cohen had pursued the Trump Tower Moscow project on behalf of the Trump Organization and briefed candidate Trump on it numerous times. In 2017, Cohen lied to Congress about the project. While preparing for his congressional testimony, Cohen had extensive discussions with Trumps counsel, who reportedly told him to stay on message and not contradict the president. After the FBI searched Cohens home and office in April 2018, Trump publicly asserted that Cohen would not flip. He contacted him directly to tell him to stay strong. Cohen also discussed pardons with the presidents personal counsel. But after Cohen began cooperating with the government in the summer of 2018, Trump publicly called him a rat, and suggested that his family members had committed crimes. Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the worlds most important and interesting news. More stories from Quartz: By Doina Chiacu and David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Congressional Democrats on Friday took legal action to get hold of all of U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's evidence from his inquiry into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, as the probe's findings hit President Donald Trump's poll ratings. The number of Americans who approve of Trump dropped by 3 percentage points to the lowest level of the year following the release of a redacted version of Mueller's report on Thursday, according to a Reuters/Ipsos online opinion poll. Mueller did not establish that the Trump campaign coordinated with Russians but did find multiple acts by the President that were capable of exerting undue influence over law enforcement investigations. While Mueller ultimately decided not to charge Trump with a crime such as obstruction of justice, he also said that the investigation did not exonerate the president, either. U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat, issued a subpoena to the Justice Department to hand over the full Mueller report and other relevant evidence by May 1. "My committee needs and is entitled to the full version of the report and the underlying evidence consistent with past practice. The redactions appear to be significant. We have so far seen none of the actual evidence that the Special Counsel developed to make this case," Nadler said in a statement. The report provided extensive details on Trump's efforts to thwart Mueller's investigation, giving Democrats plenty of political ammunition against the Republican president but no consensus on how to use it. The document has blacked out sections to hide details about secret grand jury information, U.S. intelligence gathering and active criminal cases as well as potentially damaging information about peripheral players who were not charged. Democratic leaders played down talk of impeachment of Trump just 18 months before the 2020 presidential election, even as some prominent members of the party's progressive wing, notably U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, promised to push the idea. 'CRAZY MUELLER REPORT' Trump, who has repeatedly called the Mueller probe a political witch hunt, lashed out again on Friday. "Statements are made about me by certain people in the Crazy Mueller Report...which are fabricated & totally untrue," Trump wrote on Twitter. He seemed to be referring to former White House counsel Don McGahn who was cited in the report as having annoyed Trump by taking notes of his conversations with the president. "Watch out for people that take so-called notes, when the notes never existed until needed." Trump wrote, "it was not necessary for me to respond to statements made in the Report about me, some of which are total bullshit & only given to make the other person look good (or me to look bad)." Phone conversations between the president and McGahn in June 2017 were a central part of Mueller's depiction of Trump as trying to derail the Russia inquiry. The report said Trump told McGahn to instruct the Justice Department to fire Mueller. McGahn did not carry out the order. In analyzing whether Trump obstructed justice, Mueller revealed details about how the president tried to fire him and limit his investigation, kept details of a June 2016 meeting between senior campaign officials and a Russian under wraps, and possibly dangled a pardon to a former adviser. According to the Reuters/Ipsos poll of 1,005 adults conducted Thursday afternoon to Friday morning, 37 percent of people approve of Trumps performance in office - down from 40 percent in a similar poll conducted on April 15 and matches the lowest level of the year. The poll has a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of 4 percentage points. Representative Doug Collins, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, said the Democrats' subpoena "is wildly overbroad" and would jeopardize a grand jury's investigations. The Mueller inquiry laid bare what U.S. intelligence agencies have described as a Russian campaign of hacking and propaganda to sow discord in the United States, denigrate 2016 Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and boost Trump. Russia said on Friday that Mueller's report did not contain any evidence that Moscow had meddled. "We, as before, do not accept such allegations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Asked on Friday about Russian interference in 2016, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in Washington that "we will make very clear to them that this is not acceptable behavior." Trump has tried to cultivate good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and came under heavy criticism in Washington last year for saying after meeting Putin that he accepted his denial of election meddling, over the conclusions of U.S. intelligence agencies. Half a dozen former Trump aides, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, were charged by Mueller's office or convicted of crimes during his 22-month-long investigation. The Mueller inquiry spawned a number of other criminal probes by federal prosecutors in New York and elsewhere. OBSTRUCTION One reason it would be difficult to charge Trump is that the Justice Department has a decades-old policy that a sitting president should not be indicted, although the U.S. Constitution is silent on whether a president can face criminal prosecution in court. A paragraph in the report is at the heart of whether Mueller, a former FBI director, intended Congress to pursue further action against Trump. "The conclusion that Congress may apply the obstruction laws to the President's corrupt exercise of the powers of office accords with our constitutional system of checks and balances and the principle that no person is above the law," Mueller wrote. Republican Collins said Democrats had misconstrued that section of the report to suit their anti-Trump agenda. "There seems to be some confusion...This isnt a matter of legal interpretation; its reading comprehension," Collins wrote on Twitter. "The report doesnt say Congress should investigate obstruction now. It says Congress can make laws about obstruction under Article I powers," Collins said. Nadler told reporters on Thursday that Mueller probably wrote the report with the intent of providing Congress a road map for future action against the president, but the Democratic congressman said it was too early to talk about impeachment. House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer on Thursday advised against an immediate attempt to impeach Trump. "Very frankly, there is an election in 18 months and the American people will make a judgment," Hoyer told CNN. But the House Oversight Committee's Democratic chairman, Elijah Cummings, said impeachment was not ruled out. "A lot of people keep asking about the question of impeachment ... We may very well come to that very soon, but right now let's make sure we understand what Mueller was doing, understand what Barr was doing, and see the report in an unredacted form and all of the underlying documents, he told MSNBC. Short of attempting impeachment, Democratic lawmakers can use the details of Mueller's report to fuel other inquiries already underway by congressional committees. Only two U.S. presidents have been impeached: Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in 1998 and Andrew Johnson in 1868 after firing his secretary of war in the tumultuous aftermath of the American Civil War. Both were acquitted by the Senate and stayed in office. In 1974, a House committee approved articles of impeachment against President Richard Nixon over the Watergate scandal but he resigned before the full House voted on impeachment. (For a graphic on 'Link to Mueller report' click https://graphics.reuters.com/USA-TRUMP-RUSSIA/010091HX27V/report.pdf) (For a graphic on 'A closer look at Mueller report redactions' click https://tmsnrt.rs/2VSx7HZ) (Reporting by David Morgan and Doina Chiacu; Additional reporting by Karen Freifeld, Nathan Layne, Sarah N. Lynch and Andy Sullivan; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Grant McCool) Democrats and their media partners owe Bill Barr an apology. He wont get one, it goes without saying. Just to recap, the attorney general was accused of misrepresenting Muellers report; of providing a false summary of the report; of plotting to use grand-jury law and other secrecy provisions as a pretext to redact most of the report; and of calling an extraordinary press conference in order to exculpate the president by projecting a fraudulent version of the report. These accusations were slanderously false. Barr made Muellers bottom-line findings available on a Sunday, March 24, less than two full days after receiving the report from Mueller late on a Friday. Now that the 448-page tome is public, it is easy to see that it could not possibly have been redacted, in keeping with federal law, without a weeks-long review process. If Barr had issued nothing while that painstaking process went on, hed have been vilified for a cover-up. Instead, he quickly and accurately reported Muellers findings . . . and was of course vilified for purportedly lying about what the report said notwithstanding that Mueller, no wallflower, was cooperating in the redaction process and would obviously not have abided a fictional account of his work. Barrs brief account could not have been a false summary because he never undertook to summarize the report. He simply communicated Muellers bottom line yes, Russia meddled; no, Trump was not complicit in a criminal conspiracy; and hand-wringing on obstruction, leaving it to Barr to make the final call. Barr maintained that it would violate federal law if he provided grand-jury material to Congress, so he would have to withhold it. Democrats went ballistic . . . but within days, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that grand-jury materials must be kept secret unless they fall under an exception prescribed in Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e) which does not have an exception for disclosure to Congress. Instead of bloviating, Democrats could simply have proposed an amendment to Rule 6(e) that would have permitted the disclosure, but that would have been an implicit concession that Barr was right. They need Barr to be perceived as not just wrong but corrupt. Thats the strategy. Story continues The attorney general insisted that redactions for grand-jury and other legitimate purposes would be kept to a bare minimum, that he would be as transparent as possible while still honoring the law, protecting vital defense secrets, and respecting the privacy of people who came up only peripherally in the investigation. Yet Democrats bellowed that it was Watergate! all over again, and Barr was Rosemary Woods. Then we got the report. The redactions, as promised, are minimal. The basis for each is explained. In context, the black-outs are apparently sensible and unobjectionable. Yet Barr went an extra mile, making a less redacted version (with only grand-jury material excised) available to bipartisan leaders of several congressional committees. As youd expect, to keep up the scandal pretense, House Democrats are nevertheless pressing ahead with their subpoena for the full report . . . as America yawns. And cover-up? While it is pretty obvious that intelligence about Russia (unrelated to Trump) was blocked out, no effort was made to scrub from the report behavior by the president that is dishonest, conniving, and in the view of Special Counsel Mueller on the cusp of criminal obstruction. Remember now, the president said he would leave disclosure issues to the attorney general. The regulations call for a confidential report from the special counsel to the AG. There was no requirement that the AG publicize the report. The withholding of the report could have been justified legally under Justice Department rules against public comment on the evidence against uncharged persons, and by the classified nature of the overarching counterintelligence investigation of Russias interference in the election. The report, however, was released. Moreover, the most unsavory evidence of presidential misconduct came from the presidents own White House counsel meaning it could have been withheld not just from Congress and the public but also from Mueller on executive-privilege and attorneyclient-privilege grounds. Remember the Clinton emails investigation recall how Mrs. Clinton inserted lawyers in her every activity, and then the Obama Justice Department dutifully tied the FBIs hands on the rationale that basic investigative steps would have risked transgressing attorneyclient privilege? By contrast, the Trump White House and Barr did not assert privilege claims; as a result, testimony damaging to the president was freely given to the prosecutor and congressional Democrats. Finally, there is the press conference, which Democrats limned as an artifice to defraud. In reality, the Justice Department customarily calls press conferences and issues press releases at the drop of a hat. Here, there was actual need for it. The release of the report, despite the absence of charges and the lack of a legal disclosure requirement, was extraordinary. The redactions and the process of making them had to be explained. The report was so lengthy and suffused with legal esoterica that it was entirely appropriate to summarize it for the public something the Justice Department often does for charging instruments that are less than a 20th of the size of Muellers magnum opus. Most important, Mueller did not resolve one of the main questions he was appointed to answer: Whether the president should be charged with obstruction. That meant Barr had to resolve it, which by itself was a good enough reason for a press conference. Democrats claim Barrs determination on obstruction was the equivalent of acting as Trumps defense lawyer. But the only way for any prosecutor to assess the question of whether a suspect had corrupt intent is to catalogue the evidence that cuts against it since, if corrupt intent cannot be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, there can be no criminal case. Barr did not claim that Trump had conducted himself admirably; he said that proving corrupt intent would have been difficult, if not impossible, thanks to (a) the presidents extensive cooperation with the investigation (making White House witnesses available, disclosing over a million documents, asserting no claim of privilege) and (b) the non-corrupt thinking that fueled the presidents frustration (i.e., his belief that his presidency was being destroyed by a bogus collusion allegation). That Democrats do not like this outcome does not make it wrong. Under no legal compulsion to do so, Attorney General Barr has provided Congress with the full, at times gory details drawn from Muellers aggressive investigation. Though it cleared the president of the vacant collusion allegation that Democrats peddled for two years, the report could be grist for a House impeachment push on the issue of obstruction. Some cover-up. More from National Review A senior North Korean official slammed US National Security Advisor John Bolton on Saturday, accusing him of making "stupid" comments on stalled denuclearisation talks and warning "nothing good" would come of them. Bolton is the second, top ranking US politician to be criticised by Pyongyang in recent days, after it labelled Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as "reckless" Thursday, demanding his removal from talks over the North's banned nuclear programme. Those comments came hours after the isolated state claimed to have tested a new kind of weapon. Pyongyang and Washington have been at loggerheads since the collapse of a summit between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump earlier this year. In an interview with Bloomberg published Wednesday, Bolton urged Pyongyang to give a "real indication" it is willing give up nuclear weapons. In comments cited by North Korea's official KCNA news service, Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said Bolton's remarks may have showed a "lack of understanding about the intentions of the two leaders". But, "they all sound uncharming and stupid to me", she said. "Nothing good would come to you if such insensitive remarks persist." In the Bloomberg interview, Bolton said that for a third Trump-Kim summit to take place, "a real indication from North Korea that they've made the strategic decision to give up nuclear weapons", would be needed. He said US Trump was "fully prepared" for his next summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, adding the Trump administration was ready for "the big deal". Paris (AFP) - French police said they arrested more than 100 "yellow vest" demonstrators in Paris on Saturday as clashes broke out with protestors taking to the streets for a 23rd week of anti-government marches. AFP journalists reported scuffles between police and protesters in the afternoon, after hours of calm, as police used anti-riot grenades and tear gas to disperse marchers in the centre of the French capital. Some protesters threw bottles and other objects at police and set fire to vehicles, safety barriers and bins. Police headquarters reported 126 arrests and 11,000 checks on individual protesters. Paris seemed to bear the brunt of the protests but demonstrations also took place in other French cities, including Bordeaux and Toulouse. "We want to live with dignity," said retired fisherman Joel Blayon at a protest just north of Paris. Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron signed into law legislation giving security forces greater powers at demonstrations but which opponents say violate civil liberties. One measure banned protesters from covering their faces, but France's Constitutional Council, its highest constitutional authority, refused to give the green light to one of the most contentious parts of the legislation. It would also have given the authorities the power to ban from demonstrations any individual "posing a particularly serious threat to public order". The "yellow vest" movement is demanding changes to the government's social and fiscal policies. Interior ministry figures put the number of demonstrators nationwide at 9,600 at 2 pm (1200 GMT), including 6,700 in the capital. Protest organisers have repeatedly said the official figures are underestimated. By Online Desk S Muthiah, the distinguished chronicler of the history of Madras, died in a city hospital on Saturday at the age of 89. He was the author of almost 20 books on the city and its residents beginning with Madras Discovered (later retitled Madras Rediscovered) which was first published in 1981 and ran into seven editions. Born in 1930 in Pallathur in the erstwhile Madras Presidency, Muthiah worked with the Times of Ceylon in Colombo for 17 years before joining TTK Maps in Chennai where he helped prepare maps and guide books on South India. Following his retirement, he founded a fortnightly tabloid called Madras Musings. Muthiah was also instrumental in kicking off the annual Madras Day celebrations to commemorate the founding of the settlement of Fort St. George on August 22, 1639. He is survived by two daughters, Ranjani and Parvathy. His wife Valliammai had died in 2013. The sky is not the Limit The modern world will remember Russia not as a superpower, which first organized a manned space flight but as a country that rejected Elon Musks proposal. 58 years ago, only world superpowers could construct a rocket of incredible complexity, conduct multistage tests and view the Moon not only from a telescope. It is not known for certain how much was spent both before Yuri Gagarins catchphrase Lets Go! and after his final I am burning, farewell, comrades!. The question then was not money, but to do great things and be the First. Countries fought precisely to end up being the Master of the space. The most important thing was whose flag will be set earlier on the Moon surface. A little later, passion for the sky went to people: anyone could buy a piece of the moon or name the planet step to the beloved one. Of course, all these deals remained at the level of an innocent game with scammers, while the government was still responsible for the main space launches. But times have changed, and it happened frighteningly dramatically. Somehow, suddenly, the largest world powers began to seriously give way to progressive and brilliantly equipped corporations. Ordinary companies who have enough money, talented specialists and perseverance in order to make ships easier to construct, launches cheaper, and development faster. From the heroine country, Russia has become a cosmic outcast. When Roscosmos decided to cut off the oxygen to the plans of Elon Musk, voicing too much sum for the realization of the only one mission with the plants delivery to Mars. Too much even for him, the billionaire! As a result, he has founded SpaceX and successfully launched Crew Dragon. At the same time, the Ural plant of Roscosmos has been already without orders for half a year. Perhaps this whole situation opened the eyes to business: guys, the sky has no doors, so, why not to start flying to the other planets on a commercial basis just because we can do it? Story continues Space as marketing Now the international media are full of headlines that SpaceX, a private company, conducted a successful test launch of the Falcon Heavy rocket. This spaceship is capable of delivering up to 64 tons of cargo into Earth orbit, and this is quite a lot. For comparison, Delta-4, the closest analog by Boeing, is able to carry only 28.7 tons. So, Falcon beats competitors to all respects. E.g., its launch will cost only $90 mln, while the Boeing rocket will detach from the launchpad only with $400 mln investments. It turns out that now it is not enough just to develop a spacecraft: must also ensure that it is going ahead of the competitors. Otherwise, all the perennial works will go down the drain. Moreover, in this case, one may forget about the support of journalists and top Twitter users. Either your company is number one, or you should start over. That is the new law of the Universe. In fairness, lets note that SpaceX is not the only company that encroaches on the patrimony of Boeing. Another competitor is Amazon with its New Glenn. Frankly speaking, ordinary citizens did not expect such extraordinary news from Amazon, and this played into the hands of the marketing. According to the company representatives in the media, the spacecraft, putting into orbit up to 45 tons of cargo, will be launched in 2020. Again, see: Amazon is still developing its rocket, whereas SpaceX has already presented it to the market. Believe that after a year, what now seems incredible may turn out to be outdated. However, it is worth to look deeper: the matter is not in space anymore. Imagine that both Alphabet and Facebook have their own secret projects! Yes, Facebook yes, the social network. Formally, behind each such project, there is a recognizable brand and loud (through all the morning newspapers pages) large-scale plans of the Mars colonization. All this is nothing but attempts to gain a foothold in the minds of people with the statement: Our company is number one, we even fly into space. Thereby, the demand for the main product promoted is spurred. The same goal is pursued by all the AI developers and the electro cars constructors. The impact of each successful launch by SpaceX can be traced via Tesla Motor stock quotes. For example, in the footsteps of a rocket fire test on January 25, they rose vertically by 15%, to $320. Is it not a good investment tool? It should be noted that all Elon Musks projects have a secret ingredient: himself. When some heavy clouds are gathering around Teslas reputation, and investors are wondering about the companys viability, Musk tweets about his new business, or an unprecedented electric car launching, or successful space operation. All this detracts Internet users attention and has a positive effect on the rate of stocks. Brilliant strategy, isnt it! By the way, the Steve Jobs method also works out with Musk: impressive presentations of prototypes and emotional communication with potential buyers do their job during speeches. As a result, people are ready to wait for the product for years, how is it still happening (by inertia) with the iPhone fans. Personal brand as a driver of quotes However, its hard to let the media-dust in the investors eyes for a long time. Just a few years ago, they did not demand real achievements from Tesla and were content with the current state of affairs, perceiving plans for mass electric cars production as a beautiful picture in the future. That times, the markets were focused on prospects, and the main driving force was the very statements and tweets by Musk. So, the future has already arrived, and it is time to answer for the words. Investors have remembered about this, and Elon Musk became a negative factor for Tesla: it always happens when business is not built around a product but around a personal brand of its CEO. As a result, he was in the bind of his own unsuccessful statements, the subsequent case of the SEC and the frequent negative comments of former employees of his factories. It would seem that not the most significant corporate news turned for a self-centred Tesla a strong decline since last December. During the last 6 months, stocks have lost more than a quarter of their value. This is quite curious since usual Tesla Motors stocks go right up against the market: they grow at the peak of the general fear on stock exchanges and fall amid the recovery of global index quotes. Now its becoming clearer that Musks projects are much more likely to be mega successful. But will Solar system be interesting to him if Tesla goes bankrupt? After all, SpaceXs business is more difficult to sell on the market by entering an IPO but he is definitely enjoying the role of master of the sky, observing the wow-effect and positive social response that he is seeking. Space and people: reaching out the stars It is possible that the news about the colonization of Mars is so often exaggerated in press specifically for our brains powdering. The urgent Earth problems do not disappear: moreover, the sums that go to the rockets would not hurt to solve pressing issues we face day-to-day. The Soviet Union at one time lost its base for growth, being distracted by space wars. It is possible that this time, instead of environmentally friendly and economical cars, as well as the development of the infrastructure of Google or Amazon, all business and marketing forces will be aimed at convincing people to buy shares of development companies. Well, if this is indeed the case, it can be a great investment idea. In any case, the shares #Amazon, Tesla Motors and Boeing definitely worth to consider. If we talk about a more practical issue, then Musk, with his eye of cost optimization, will most likely be the person who makes space flights available to almost everyone. It is possible that ordinary people, who are dissatisfied with the work of the government and cannot find their place in life, may well sell their real estate on Earth in order to fly to Mars with the first colonies of settlement in the nearest future. Musk tweeted that the cost of such a flight would be from $100K to $500K. Moreover, the return ticket is promised to be free. For those who want (and can) to return. No doubt, all that will open the doors to crowds of fraudsters. It is possible that they will call themselves official representatives of space organizations and offer you to sell your house for a ticket to space ride. Guess what will happen next. Whenever it starts, dont give in. Therefore, it can be said that from ordinary citizens space is still as far as before. This article was written by FxPro This article was originally posted on FX Empire More From FXEMPIRE: DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) Syria and Iran said Tuesday the United States is waging "economic terrorism" against countries that have different opinions and should pursue its aims through diplomacy instead. Syrian state news agency SANA quoted President Bashar Assad as saying the Trump administration's decision to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization was an "irresponsible move." Assad spoke at a meeting with Iran's visiting Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who said the U.S. move was "stupid." Syria is in the grip of a severe fuel crisis aggravated by sanctions on the Assad government and Iran, its close ally. Tehran has given the Syrian government billions of dollars in aid and sent Iran-backed fighters to battle alongside its forces assistance that, along with Russian air power, has helped turn the tide in Assad's favor. SANA quoted Assad as saying that the U.S. designation of the Revolutionary Guard "is a continuation of the wrong policies adopted by the United States and could be considered as one of the factors of instability in the region." Zarif said the Trump administration's designation of the Revolutionary Guard and recognition of Israel's sovereignty on Jerusalem and Syria's Israeli-occupied Golan Heights are related and show the "failure of Washington's policies," according to SANA. Zarif was scheduled to meet with Syria's prime minister and foreign minister before heading to neighboring Turkey. Russia, Iran and Turkey, who back rival groups in Syria's conflict, have been sponsoring talks in Kazakhstan to try to end the crisis that has killed some 400,000 people. Zarif resigned in February after being kept in the dark about a surprise visit by Assad to Tehran, but Iran's President Hassan Rouhani rejected his resignation and he remained in his post. Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump's strategist warned him not to fire FBI director James Comey. His advisors told him to stop tweeting about the Russia investigation. And his lawyers encouraged him to cooperate. Trump ignored them all, and could still claim vindication Thursday after the Mueller report cleared him of collusion charges. He beat back the investigation that threatened his presidency with constant attacks on investigators and the media, a canny narrative that denied obvious facts, nonstop trolling of opponents on Twitter, and a crafty legal stall. It was hugely risky, but it appears to have paid off -- notwithstanding further investigations Congressional Democrats have promised into Trump's alleged abuse of his authority. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report Thursday ruled that Trump's campaign did not criminally conspire with Russians to skew the 2016 election, and drew no conclusion on allegations of obstruction. That allowed Trump's hand-picked Attorney General Bill Barr to declare the president fully cleared. "As I have been saying all along, NO COLLUSION - NO OBSTRUCTION!" Trump tweeted in a fist-pump of victory. - 'Witch hunt' - Trump began his campaign well before Mueller arrived, denying during 2016 that Russia was interfering in the election, even though US spy chiefs said they were. He could have just accepted it, but the claim marred his election victory. So he called it "fake news" and said the intelligence community was out to undermine him. He made things worse in May 2017 when, angered by the ongoing probe into Russian meddling, he fired Comey. The result was Mueller's appointment to lead the Russia investigation, expanding it to include obstruction of justice. Cursing, Trump said that day, "This is the end of my presidency," according to Mueller's report. But the next day, he switched gears into offense, launching a grinding public relations war guided mostly by his own instincts. Story continues "This is the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history!" he tweeted. It was pure Trump style -- weaving a narrative that struck a chord with his supporters and riled his opponents. The Russia allegations were a hoax, he alleged, Democrats were trying to avenge Hillary Clinton's election defeat, and Comey and Mueller were corrupt. With Fox News, influential with the political right, echoing his claims, voters who formed Trump's electoral base bought the story of a "witch hunt." - Legal team turmoil - Trump often proved his own enemy. His staff struggled to block his orders to remove Mueller, which could have resulted in impeachment. His constant attacks on Mueller's investigators, the Justice Department, and potential witnesses against him bolstered the allegations of obstruction. And his legal team was in constant turmoil, wrestling with a client who didn't follow advice or tell them the truth. Early members of the team wanted to cooperate with Mueller, seeing that as the president's best option. But for Trump, it was not about law, but image, and the best approach was guerilla warfare fought through the media and Twitter. With Mueller's investigators closing in on the White House in early 2018, Trump churned his team, recruiting attorneys who would fight back. He hired Rudy Giuliani, a fellow New Yorker who like Trump saw the challenge as a street fight. Giuliani fed reporters tidbits behind the scenes and went on television with tactical denials and counterattacks that may have had little real substance but supported Trump's claim that he was under political assault. By mid-2018 Trump appeared to have scored a major victory: seeing his ability to hold onto his conservative base, Republicans rallied behind him ahead of the November elections. - 'Perjury trap' - Crucial to Trump's success, too, was avoiding being interviewed by the investigators. "I'm looking forward to it, actually," he declared in January 2018. Behind the scenes his team stalled, first demanding written questions, then arguing over which questions they would answer. Giuliani accused Mueller of setting up a "perjury trap," saying his client, known for liberally delivering falsehoods and sometimes spilling truths he should withhold, was being set up. Meanwhile, the White House pressured Mueller to wrap up the investigation, saying he was spending too much money on the ever-spiraling probe. Finally Mueller's team agreed to take written answers, which arrived only in late November. The answers were "inadequate," the Mueller report said: Trump replied more than 30 times that he could not recall something, and elsewhere gave incomplete or imprecise responses. But when Mueller's team sought to follow-up in person, Trump refused. By that time, Mueller's team realized it was too late in the investigation to launch into a constitutional fight with the White House. They opted to go with what they had. - The Barr factor - Trump's final coup was to replace attorney general Jeff Sessions with Bill Barr. Trump wasn't acquainted with the Washington corporate lawyer, but he learned that Barr was a critic of Mueller who had a constitutional argument against Trump being charged with obstruction. Trump's dismissal of Jeff Sessions in November opened the door for Barr to become attorney general, someone who would be able to find a legal way to protect Trump from charges. Barr did the job: after seeing Mueller's conclusions, he declared that the evidence on obstruction did not amount to enough to charge the president, and that was that. Trump had won. C Shivakumar By Express News Service CHENNAI: Attempts to smuggle wildlife and foreign currency through Chennai Airport increased in the last financial year. According to information available with Express, the Customs department seized Rs 8.93 crore worth foreign currencies and booked 100 cases in 2018-19 financial year. This is 48.8 per cent more when compared to Rs 6 crore worth of foreign currencies seized and a total of 76 cases booked in 2017-18. Interestingly, among the wildlife smuggling detected was the seizure of 14kg shark fins worth Rs 8 lakh on January 21. In February this year, the Customs department seized a leopard cub. Also, a horned pit viper was seized on March 25. It is learnt that besides gold and foreign currencies, customs officials have seized goods worth Rs 4.16 crore which were being attempted to be smuggled out through the airport. Interestingly, besides seizures in the airport, the Customs department in the State has been successful in preventing smuggling of wildlife species in the sea. The notable being the seizure of 660kg of dried wildlife species like dried sea horse, dried pipefishes, sea cucumbers, shark fins, pangolin scales and mobula ray gills worth Rs 7 crore. Sources said that wildlife species are usually smuggled to destinations like China and other South East Asian countries where they command a stiff price. Pangolin is an endangered and most-poached species, the scales of which are used in preparing traditional Chinese medicine. Recalling another major seizure, a customs official said the department also foiled bid to smuggle red sanders worth Rs 9.57 crore and arrested one person. Last year, Shir Katzenell made a drastic life change, leaving a prestigious job in the Israeli army to pursue a childhood dream: becoming a mermaid. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Ever since getting hooked on Disney's "The Little Mermaid" as a kid, Katzenell confided, she has longed to turn into one. While her friends moved on, Katzenell's enchantment with mermaids endured. She fantasized about swimming underwater alongside fish in a 10-pound tail and sequined bikini. Then she actually gave it a try. Ligal Shternhell, a member of the Israeli Mermaid Community, poses for a portrait as she wears a mermaid tail, Kibbutz Ein Carmel As it turns out, she's not the only one. Together with a friend and fellow mermaid-fan, Michelle Koretsky, she started an unlikely social scene: a group of aspiring mermaids in Israel, which has grown on Facebook to nearly 1,000 members. It's the Israeli pocket of a worldwide community that she claims is gaining prominence. Gal Amnony, Ramat Gan "It was a crazy revelation," said Katzenell. "I realized I was part of something big." Ommer Globerman, Ashkelon Now, as a 34-year-old "full-time mermaid," she sells brightly-colored tails, some with dizzying $800 price tags, and teaches people the skill of swimming in them. The tail-clad group convenes regularly to romp in public pools across the country and participate in demonstrations to raise awareness about ocean preservation. Yuval Avrami, Jerusalem "Some come because they're just interested or feel a special connection to the water. Others because they really dream of becoming mermaids," Katzenell said. "They've often been embarrassed, told they were weird or crazy. But here they can find people who understand them." Limor Kahlon, right, and her daughter Yam, Netanya On a recent night at a Tel Aviv pool, dozens of mermaid enthusiasts slipped on their shimmering skin. Huddled on deck, they chatted about the latest developments in mermaid culture, including "The Little Mermaid" remake release date, silicone tail costs and relevant book recommendations. They glided through the water and splashed around, their glittery tails slapping against the surface. Adi Kazav, left, and Lied Adi Hagbi, Netanya One of the clan's few mer-men, Yuval Avrami, marveled at how his fabric fin flitted in the water, describing it as a "dream come true." He said he learned about the trend through transgender friends and became fascinated by "the transition from one species to another, the ability to inhabit a new, magical identity." Inbar Ben Yakar, Kiryat Yam Another member, an aerobics instructor named Udi Frige, said he had been swimming in the sea with his legs pressed together for decades, imitating mermaid choreography from the hit movie "Splash." Frige, 39, compared confessing his mermaid obsession to coming out in the LGBT community. "It's my thing, it's unique, it's who I am," he said. "It requires lots of difficult explanation, especially if people don't know me." Vered Klein, Ramat Gan For others, it's just a source of innocent joy. "When I'm flying through the water with my tail, I forget all my worries," said Koretsky, the community co-leader. "For that second, I'm a child again. I'm free." At St. Catherine's Monastery at the foot of Egypt's Mount Sinai, the silence in the library is broken only by low electrical humming, as an early manuscript is bathed in green light. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter A team from Greece are photographing thousands of fragile manuscripts, including some of the earliest copies of the Christian gospels, using a complex process that includes taking images in red, green and blue light and merging them with computer software to create a single high-quality color picture. Librarian Father Justin of Sinai turns pages of a manuscript in the library of St Catherine's Monastery There is a tangible sense of urgency to the mission. Although the monastery has survived centuries of warfare, it lies in a region where Islamist militants have destroyed countless cultural artifacts and documents in Syria and Iraq. Egypt's Christian churches have also been targeted by an Islamist insurgency in the rugged and thinly populated northern Sinai. An ancient Mosaic of the Transfiguration 'The Holy Monastery of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai' - which is part of the Eastern Orthodox church - lies in the safer southern half of the Sinai Peninsula. But in 2017, Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on a nearby Egyptian police checkpoint, in which one officer was killed. A monk adjusts a candle inside St Catherines Monastery "The upheaval of our times requires a rapid completion of this project," Archbishop Damianos of Sinai, Faran and Raitho, and Abbot of St. Catherine's Monastery, told Reuters by email. The aim is to create the first digital archive of all 4,500 manuscripts in the library, starting with around 1,100 in the Syriac and Arabic languages, which are particularly rare. Librarian Father Justin of Sinai walks inside the library of St Catherine's Monastery in South Sinai The task could take more than a decade, using digital cameras and computer arrays alongside sophisticated cradles designed to support the more fragile manuscripts. A man photographs ancient manuscript as part of a digitization process in St Catherine's Monastery The project began last year and is being undertaken by the non-profit research organization Early Manuscripts Electronic Library (EMEL), in collaboration with the monastery and the Library of the University of California, Los Angeles. UCLA Library said it will start publishing the manuscripts online, in full color, from the fall of 2019. Gold letters can be seen in an ancient manuscript from the library "This library is an archive of the history of Christianity and its neighbors in the Mediterranean world, and therefore is of interest to communities all over the world who find their history here," Michael Phelps, Director of the Early Manuscripts Electronic Library, told Reuters. A monk walks inside the basilica of St Catherine's Monastery Where Moses trod The monastery lies at the foot of Mount Sinai, by tradition the site where Moses received the Ten Commandments. UNESCO has listed the area as a World Heritage site, citing its sacred status in Christianity, Islam and Judaism. It says St. Catherine's was founded in the 6th century and is the oldest Christian monastery still in use for its original function. St Catherine's The most famous manuscript in the library is the 4th century 'Codex Sinaiticus' - a Greek manuscript of the Bible which contains the oldest surviving complete New Testament. Its pages are divided between several institutions. Another is the Codex Syriacus, an ancient copy of the Gospels in Syriac. Other manuscripts cover science, medicine and the Greek classics. A diptych icon The digitization of the first stage alone, the Syriac-Arabic manuscripts, will take around three years and cost a projected $2.75 million, said Phelps. "Throughout the centuries, monks have lived here in prayer, in dedication to spiritual goals, a witness to God's revelation to mankind... in that sense especially, the Sinai Monastery is an ark, a spiritual ark in the wilderness," said Father Justin of Sinai, the monastery's librarian. Librarian, Father Justin of Sinai The project will provide a more complete record than partial microfilming carried out decades ago by the U.S Library of Congress, and also by the National Library of Israel. The two institutions are making their records available to the new digitization effort, the project organizers said. At first glance, it seems that Eran Uzan plays his music with his eyes closed, like any other DJ. He feels the audience, hears their response to his music, but ultimately, he is different. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Uzan can't see his audience - he is blind from birth. When it comes to music, his blindness is no disability; in a way it is even an advantage. Eran in DJ mode (Photo: Haim Horenstein) The 30-year-old resident of Ofakim in southern Israel is one of a few blind DJs in Israel. He is very popular among soldiers, performs in private events and along with his mother has an alternative radio station - Radio Sahar - that is on the air around the clock. "My sister and I were born blind," says Uzan. "I never felt different from other children. I attended a regular class with fellow pupils who had no physical disabilities. From what I recall from my childhood, I was a professional cassette demolisher from birth. I tore up the cassettes and put them back in the cassette recorder. I just couldn't stand the sound of the cassette recorder. "Then little by little I understood how a cassette works and I started making my own music. I made remixes by recording from one cassette to the next, copying song verses and pasting them onto other songs. One recorder for playing music and the other for recording the lyrics. Later I went to events and for hours I listened to DJs and learned from them, and that is how I became addicted to this profession." When he was in 10th grade, Eran's father bought him his first song mixer he immediately understood that this was his destiny in life. "I began learning to play the piano at age seven," says Eran and begins to move his microphone to his DJ position. "But I was always more interested in modern music I heard on the radio than with classical music. When in high school I got the mixer that I play on today it was clear to me that this was my future. Since then, I have played in many places. I was the prelude for (rapper) Subliminal's band, and when they came to Ofakim I played with other famous musicians. When high school was over, I dove even deeper into being a DJ and decided to open my own radio station." Racing forward Along with the successful musical story, the true story here is the relationship between Mazal, a mother, and her two children Eran and Sahar both born blind. "Since childhood we knew that Eran's blindness wouldn't prevent him from being an innovator in any field he chooses," his mother Mazal says. "He is a normal child who learned in a normal classroom in elementary school in Ofakim and at high school. The principal at the school Eran attended insisted he attend a normal class and in the end, he became an honor roll student. We both studied for our B.A. degree at Sapir College him and me. Since childhood he always had ambitions and in elementary school, he showed exceptional capabilities, a wonderful child who was always above average." When do you remember the love story between Eran and the radio beginning? "Eran first went on the air on high school radio in 10th grade for a radio course he took in school," says Mazal. "After finishing his studies, he opened his own studio and decided that this is the way he will provide for himself. Eran worked for a local radio station in the center of the country until we decided it was time for something we could call our own, so we opened Radio Sahar," she says. "Eran is the editor, producer, technician - a one-man show, just him and his mother. This radio station is for us to hear the otherwise silent voices of people with disabilities. There is still not enough awareness of their everyday struggles - they want to be heard, but there is no one to listen." Eran with his mother Mazal at their studio (Photo: Haim Horenstein) Is that what you speak about when on the air? "Not only about that. We speak a bit about politics, world news, but mainly we play music that Eran composed on his own. Our radio station is different from others because it comes with the special insight Eran brings with him." For a long time Eran had difficulties making his way in music. "I was told to be careful not to get electrocuted by the cables because 'you cannot see where to connect them,` and all kinds of different excuses," he says. "I was never told that it was because I cannot see, but that was their excuse." Do you think that that our society discriminates against people with disabilities? "Our society not only discriminates but is also hypocritical." Where did you encounter this behavior? "Sometimes I was invited to events and ended up being only a prop on the stage. These are things that I will never agree to do and that is the difference between our radio station and the society outside - here we treat everyone equally." After all you went through what is your input on life? "Go with your heart and if you need to rebel then do it, you cannot be afraid about anything and only believe in yourself." With its mountains and desert, beach resorts and Berber villages, Morocco is a feast for travelers of all kinds, including those who want to explore the kingdom's deep Jewish roots. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The presence of Jews in Morocco stretches back more than 2,000 years. Before the founding of Israel in 1948, estimates put their number as high as about 275,000, which was considered the largest Jewish community in the Muslim world, said Roy Mittelman, director of the Jewish studies program at The City College of New York. A menorah at Lazama Synagogue in Marrakech Today, after vast waves of departures over the years, only about 2,000 Jews remain in Casablanca and about 500 elsewhere in Morocco, but the Jewish presence is still alive in a variety of sights. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism in suburban Casablanca, for instance, is the only museum on Judaism in the Arab world. Jews of Moroccan descent, in Israel and around the globe, return to the North African kingdom often and some maintain second homes in familial regions. Jewish heritage tours to Morocco are abundant and easy to track down. Most cities have a mellah, which is an old Jewish quarter, along with Jewish cemeteries and synagogues. Mittelman, who has spent 40 years absorbing the history, culture and religious practices of Jews in Morocco, leads groups of students on tours of Jewish sights as part of an advanced seminar. He said there's plenty to read ahead of a visit. Cooking pots adorned with menorahs at an outdoor stall in Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou in southern Morocco He recommends Shlomo Dessen's "The Mellah Society: Jewish Community Life in Sherifian Morocco" for more on pre-colonial Morocco, based on the writings of 18th- and 19th-century Judeo-Moroccan sages. To learn more about the spiritual history of the Jewish quarter in Marrakech, he recommends the travelogue of Bulgarian Jewish writer Elias Canetti, "The Voices of Marrakesh: A Record of a Visit." Mittelman has honed his travel itineraries over the years. Here are some of his favorites and other sights: Casablance The last Moroccan Jewish day school, Neve Shalom, is in Casablanca, which is the economic and business center of the kingdom. Ask for Principal Jacky Sebbag. Watch the children playing outside in the yard, enjoy them singing Jewish songs and learn more about the school's Hebrew classes and Bible studies, Mittelman said. Temple Beth-El in Casablanca Visit the Tahiti Beach Club, once a local Jewish hangout. Among Mittelman's walking tours of Jewish residential areas in Casablanca are stops at the Beth El and Eim Habanim synagogues. There's also a newer synagogue, David Ha-Melech, in the tony, beachside Corniche quarter not far from the beach club. Casablanca has a traditional kosher bakery and kosher restaurants, as do other cities. The city is a good place to start for a grounding in Jewish heritage and history. Marrakech Just over 100 Jews remain in Marrakech, including a handful who live in the old Jewish quarter, Mittelman said, but the mellah is bustling. Among the synagogues that remain is the tiny blue-and-white Lazama, along a narrow street. Ask a local how to find it. Visitors may enter for a small fee. There's an inviting riad-style courtyard with a fruit tree and a few chairs for weary travelers. The original synagogue dated to 1492 but it was later rebuilt. The synagogue's Torah scrolls were written on gazelle parchment, according to the synagogue's Muslim guide. Visitors can have a look at Lazama's mikveh, the traditional Jewish ritual bath down some winding stone steps. Torah scrolls in the ark of Em Habonim Synagogue of Casablanca The mellah isn't the only place for synagogues. Head to the city's newer section of Gueliz, with a heavy European influence, for shabbat services at Temple Beth El Synagogue. Any taxi driver should know how to get there. Two hours south of Marrakech is a little town called Anouim, where the mysterious rabbi and healer Wazana once lived. For another day trip out of Marrakech visit the Jewish heritage sites at Essaouira, once a thriving Jewish center and a former Portuguese fishing town. It was also a stop for 1960s and '70s rock stars who made pilgrimages to Marrakech. The town, dating to the 1700s, has a synagogue, cemetery and mellah, with plaques indicating buildings where ancient, long-gone synagogues once stood. A particular highlight for Mittelman is the Tomb of the Sainted Rabbi, Haim ben Diwan, just over an hour south of Marrakech. Jews still gather at the spot in the high Atlas Mountains in the village of Tagadirt n'Bour near Anrhaz for a traditional "hiloula" celebration of his life. Mittelman leads groups up a hill for a picnic near the tomb. "It's our little pilgrimage spot. You see mountains all around you and you hear wind going through the mountains. Sensually it's an incredible experience," he said. Fes The city had a large Jewish community in the 17th century and has a well-known Orthodox synagogue, Ibn Danan. Once crumbling, it was refurbished in the 1990s with help from the World Monuments Fund and American Express. King Mohammad VI has committed to reviving Jewish sites around Morocco. The mellah here is a maze within walls. You WILL get lost and that's half the fun. It was the first mellah in Morocco, dating to around 1438. Platters adorned with a menorah and Jewish stars in an outdoor stall near Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou In addition to a Jewish cemetery, where a couple of eminent medieval rabbis are buried, there's a site in Fes that is considered sacred among women, the Tomb of Solika. With a last name that varies, Solika -- as one retelling goes -- was a Jewish woman of great beauty who was beheaded in 1834 for refusing to convert to Islam. Maimonides, one of the most prolific and influential Torah scholars in the Middle Ages, lived in Fes from 1159 to 1165. His stone home, with weathered engraving marking the location, is worth a stop. Walk a few steps and you're bound to find somebody willing to guide you in Fes and elsewhere, but one who knows "Jewish Morocco" is harder to come by, Mittelman said. Do some research beforehand to find just the right drivers and guides if you're traveling independently. Off the beaten path If you favor this style of traveling, Mittelman said you should have no trouble in small towns and villages tracking Jewish influences and history. "Find yourself the first 80-year-old and say, 'Do you remember Jews here?' Chances are they'll say, 'Yeah and here are their names and that crumbling house over there is where they used to live.'" The IDF says it has identified a failed attempt to fire a rocket from Gaza into Israel. According to the military, the rocket landed in Palestinian territory. By Express News Service CHENNAI: Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai Hope Medical Project of Hyundai Motor, Chung Mong-Koo Foundation and Yonsei University Health System, celebrated the successful completion of six years of cooperation in patient care and faculty exchange programme, on Friday. In the last six years, 1,007 poor patients were treated at Sri Ramachandra Hospital for various ailments and life-threatening diseases in several departments, including paediatric oncology, cardiac surgery, ENT, general surgery, orthopaedics and plastic surgery, a release added. The patients were from all over India, including the northeast and from neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and South Africa. This year, the foundation has pledged $75,000, the release added. The cost of each patient was subsidised by about RS 25,000 with the Sri Ramachandra Hospital providing additional support. Under the faculty exchange programme, five senior faculty members from SRIHER and seven from Yonsei University, visited each others departments and exchanged latest practices, the release added. Bessemer high school students cross a bridge behind Neuschwanstein Castle during their recent spring break trip to Europe. Students include, from left: Jaakob Fyle, Lane Kortemeier, Aydan MacLeod, Isaac Ormes, Connor Fingeroos and Tad Rowe. BESSEMER - Seventeen Bessemer high school students recently spent their spring break touring Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. The entourage also included two recent graduates, eight parents, an aunt and a grandparent, according to trip leader and German and math teacher Tracy Rowe. She said the 10-day trip had been in the planning stages for 17 months. Students experienced first-hand the history and culture of central Europe, said Rowe, adding the tour company did a good job of incorporating history lessons along the way. "Students remember so much more through experience than by reading about it. Prior to every stop, our tour director, Frank, would provide information about the area we were visiting relating to its past and current rulers, culture, economics and fun facts," said Rowe. "Much of the information related to World War II tied into what the current U.S. history students were studying at school. Students also increased their understanding of various architectural styles." The main stops on the tour included Rothenburg, Germany, with its old wall and criminal museum; Munich, Germany, and its old town hall; the concentration camp Dachau; Neuschwanstein Castle; Innsbruck, Austria, with a visit to the Swarovski crystal store; Venice, Italy, with a glass blowing demonstration, a gondola ride, and visits to Doge's palace and St. Mark's Basilica; and lunch in Como, Italy. In Lucerne, Switzerland, there were visits to the Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument - a tribute to the Swiss Guard, a cogwheel train trip up to Mount Rigi, a boat tour on Lake Lucerne and a visit to a Jesuit church. There was also a drive through the Black Forest and the Alps, and a visit to Heidelberg, Germany and its castle. Rowe said she was glad many of the students used their German language skills to order food or to pay for souvenirs and how many students said they felt more comfortable in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, than Italy, since they could read the signs and menus. To Rowe, the ability to understand the local language reinforces the importance of learning a foreign language while in school. The group also enjoyed warmer weather in Europe, than back home. Most days the high temperature was between 50 and 65 degrees. Junior Eliza Stone had a great time. "I loved walking down the side streets and seeing the tiny shops and restaurants. It was a nice break from the center squares and a glimpse of the originality of the cities. I also enjoyed looking at the old architecture and buildings," said Stone. Freshman Teddy Wittla-Sprague said, "I really enjoyed the scenery in Switzerland, the food was amazing in Italy and Germany and I loved hearing about the history of the places we visited." By JAN TUCKER [email protected] ONTONAGON Volunteers will span Ontonagon county from May 4 to May 18 in the annual Ontonagon County Cancer Association Fund Drive. The Ontonagon Association, which is independent and not associated with any state or national entity, was formed to provide financial assistance to Ontonagon County cancer patients. Cancer patients are eligible to receive financial help with travel to cancer appointments and any other cancer bills not covered by insurance. It also helps provide cancer mammograms and prostate blood tests rotating every other year. Another fu... By Express News Service NEW DELHI: A day after India suspended LoC trade with Pakistan, government officials have said that California almonds are being used in cross-LoC trade for funding terrorism and separatists in Jammu and Kashmir. The almonds produced in California in the United States have been regularly finding their way through LoC trade involving a large transport network. According to the modus operandi, Pakistani traders with terror link under-invoice products such as California almonds. After receiving the consignment, traders in India sell these almonds at the prevailing market price, making extra money by under-invoicing, a security official said. The extra money generated is handed over to terrorists, separatists and anti-national elements in the Valley to fuel anti-India activities, the official said. Security agencies have noticed that some traders involved in cross-LoC trade have links with banned terrorist outfits, especially Hizbul Mujahideen. Accor-ding to officials, some Indians who have crossed over to Pakistan and joined militant organisations have opened trading firms across the border. Many Pakistan-based trading firms, which are directly under the control of militant organisations, are trading with firms operated by their relatives in India. The cross-LoC trade is also being used to sneak in drugs such as cocaine, brown sugar and heroin into the Valley. A senior official said that recently, 66.5 kg heroin was seized from a Valley-based consignee and it was found that the drugs came through the cross-LoC trade. Arms and ammunition are also smuggled into the Valley using the trade. Numerous seizures have been made of pistols, grenades, spares and ammunition, said another official. Businessman Zahoo Ahmed Watali, who is currently in jail in terror funding cases, was the president of LoC traders association and he was allegedly found funnelling money to terrorists. News Chicago, Illinois - Following objections raised by the United States and others, the parties in a class action matter involving Lenny & Larrys cookies filed an amended proposed settlement that would direct additional value toward consumer plaintiffs, the Department of Justice today announced. Congress passed the Class Action Fairness Act to stop questionable settlements that benefit lawyers instead of injured consumers, said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio. As part of our efforts to protect consumers, the Department of Justice will continue to object to settlements that are not fair, reasonable, and adequate. The Class Action Fairness Act is designed to help ensure that class action settlements do not unreasonably benefit attorneys or third parties at the expense of the consumers involved, said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justices Civil Division. The Department of Justice will continue to take action when we see unsuitable class action settlements. Plaintiffs in the case, Cowen et al. v. Lenny & Larrys, Inc., alleged that labels for the defendants The Complete Cookie product included inaccurate nutritional information. Under the original proposed settlement reached between the parties and filed in October 2018, individual class members would have received pro rata shares of a $350,000 cash fund or up to $30 in free cookies. The defendant also agreed to distribute free cookies worth about $3 million to the general public through giveaways at certain health food stores. Based on the purported total value of the settlement, class counsel sought $1.1 million in attorneys fees, which the defendant agreed not to oppose. In a Statement of Interest filed Feb. 15, 2019, the United States argued that the court should reject the settlement because it directed most of its value toward non-class members and attorneys fees rather than to consumer plaintiffs. The parties thereafter filed an amended proposed settlement on April 2, 2019. Under the amended settlement, individual class members would receive shares of a $889,000 cash fund, or up to $35 in free cookies. Class counsel now seek approximately $410,000 in attorneys fees. The case is pending in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, which must approve any final settlement. The Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 provides the Attorney General and state officials an opportunity to review federal class action settlements before district courts grant final approval. The United States recently filed an amicus brief in another class action case pending before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, Chapman et al. v. Tristar Products, Inc. The government argued that the Chapman settlement unfairly awarded millions of dollars to attorneys but provided consumers with little more than nearly worthless coupons. News Washington, DC ~ Thursday, April 18, 2019: Attorney General William P. Barr Delivers Remarks on the Release of the Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election. Good Morning. Thank you all for being here today. On March 22, 2019, Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded his investigation of matters related to Russian attempts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election and submitted his confidential report to me pursuant to Department of Justice regulations. As I said during my Senate confirmation hearing and since, I am committed to ensuring the greatest possible degree of transparency concerning the Special Counsels investigation, consistent with the law. At 11:00 this morning, I will transmit copies of a public version of the Special Counsels report to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. The Department of Justice will also make the report available to the American public by posting it on the Departments website after it has been delivered to Congress. I would like to offer a few comments today on the report. But before I do that, I want to thank Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein for joining me here today and for his assistance and counsel throughout this process. Rod has served the Department of Justice for many years with dedication and distinction, and it has been a great privilege and pleasure to work with him since my confirmation. He had well-deserved plans to step back from public service that I interrupted by asking him to help in my transition. Rod has been an invaluable partner, and I am grateful that he was willing to help me and has been able to see the Special Counsels investigation to its conclusion. Thank you, Rod. I would also like to thank Special Counsel Mueller for his service and the thoroughness of his investigation, particularly his work exposing the nature of Russias attempts to interfere in our electoral process. As you know, one of the primary purposes of the Special Counsels investigation was to determine whether members of the presidential campaign of Donald J. Trump, or any individuals associated with that campaign, conspired or coordinated with the Russian government to interfere in the 2016 election. Volume I of the Special Counsels report describes the results of that investigation. As you will see, the Special Counsels report states that his investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities. I am sure that all Americans share my concerns about the efforts of the Russian government to interfere in our presidential election. As the Special Counsels report makes clear, the Russian government sought to interfere in our election. But thanks to the Special Counsels thorough investigation, we now know that the Russian operatives who perpetrated these schemes did not have the cooperation of President Trump or the Trump campaign or the knowing assistance of any other Americans for that matter. That is something that all Americans can and should be grateful to have confirmed. The Special Counsels report outlines two main efforts by the Russian government to influence the 2016 election: First, the report details efforts by the Internet Research Agency, a Russian company with close ties to the Russian government, to sow social discord among American voters through disinformation and social media operations. Following a thorough investigation of this disinformation campaign, the Special Counsel brought charges in federal court against several Russian nationals and entities for their respective roles in this scheme. Those charges remain pending, and the individual defendants remain at large. But the Special Counsel found no evidence that any Americans including anyone associated with the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government or the IRA in carrying out this illegal scheme. Indeed, as the report states, [t]he investigation did not identify evidence that any U.S. persons knowingly or intentionally coordinated with the IRAs interference operation. Put another way, the Special Counsel found no collusion by any Americans in the IRAs illegal activity. Second, the report details efforts by Russian military officials associated with the GRU to hack into computers and steal documents and emails from individuals affiliated with the Democratic Party and the presidential campaign of Hillary Rodham Clinton for the purpose of eventually publicizing those emails. Obtaining such unauthorized access into computers is a federal crime. Following a thorough investigation of these hacking operations, the Special Counsel brought charges in federal court against several Russian military officers for their respective roles in these illegal hacking activities. Those charges are still pending and the defendants remain at large. But again, the Special Counsels report did not find any evidence that members of the Trump campaign or anyone associated with the campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its hacking operations. In other words, there was no evidence of Trump campaign collusion with the Russian governments hacking. The Special Counsels investigation also examined Russian efforts to publish stolen emails and documents on the internet. The Special Counsel found that, after the GRU disseminated some of the stolen materials through its own controlled entities, DCLeaks and Guccifer 2.0, the GRU transferred some of the stolen materials to Wikileaks for publication. Wikileaks then made a series of document dumps. The Special Counsel also investigated whether any member or affiliate of the Trump campaign encouraged or otherwise played a role in these dissemination efforts. Under applicable law, publication of these types of materials would not be criminal unless the publisher also participated in the underlying hacking conspiracy. Here too, the Special Counsels report did not find that any person associated with the Trump campaign illegally participated in the dissemination of the materials. Finally, the Special Counsel investigated a number of links or contacts between Trump Campaign officials and individuals connected with the Russian government during the 2016 presidential campaign. After reviewing those contacts, the Special Counsel did not find any conspiracy to violate U.S. law involving Russia-linked persons and any persons associated with the Trump campaign. So that is the bottom line. After nearly two years of investigation, thousands of subpoenas, and hundreds of warrants and witness interviews, the Special Counsel confirmed that the Russian government sponsored efforts to illegally interfere with the 2016 presidential election but did not find that the Trump campaign or other Americans colluded in those schemes. After finding no underlying collusion with Russia, the Special Counsels report goes on to consider whether certain actions of the President could amount to obstruction of the Special Counsels investigation. As I addressed in my March 24th letter, the Special Counsel did not make a traditional prosecutorial judgment regarding this allegation. Instead, the report recounts ten episodes involving the President and discusses potential legal theories for connecting these actions to elements of an obstruction offense. After carefully reviewing the facts and legal theories outlined in the report, and in consultation with the Office of Legal Counsel and other Department lawyers, the Deputy Attorney General and I concluded that the evidence developed by the Special Counsel is not sufficient to establish that the President committed an obstruction-of-justice offense. Although the Deputy Attorney General and I disagreed with some of the Special Counsels legal theories and felt that some of the episodes examined did not amount to obstruction as a matter of law, we did not rely solely on that in making our decision. Instead, we accepted the Special Counsels legal framework for purposes of our analysis and evaluated the evidence as presented by the Special Counsel in reaching our conclusion. In assessing the Presidents actions discussed in the report, it is important to bear in mind the context. President Trump faced an unprecedented situation. As he entered into office, and sought to perform his responsibilities as President, federal agents and prosecutors were scrutinizing his conduct before and after taking office, and the conduct of some of his associates. At the same time, there was relentless speculation in the news media about the Presidents personal culpability. Yet, as he said from the beginning, there was in fact no collusion. And as the Special Counsels report acknowledges, there is substantial evidence to show that the President was frustrated and angered by a sincere belief that the investigation was undermining his presidency, propelled by his political opponents, and fueled by illegal leaks. Nonetheless, the White House fully cooperated with the Special Counsels investigation, providing unfettered access to campaign and White House documents, directing senior aides to testify freely, and asserting no privilege claims. And at the same time, the President took no act that in fact deprived the Special Counsel of the documents and witnesses necessary to complete his investigation. Apart from whether the acts were obstructive, this evidence of non-corrupt motives weighs heavily against any allegation that the President had a corrupt intent to obstruct the investigation. Now, before I take questions, I want to address a few aspects of the process for producing the public report that I am releasing today. As I said several times, the report contains limited redactions relating to four categories of information. To ensure as much transparency as possible, these redactions have been clearly labelled and color-coded so that readers can tell which redactions correspond to which categories. As you will see, most of the redactions were compelled by the need to prevent harm to ongoing matters and to comply with court orders prohibiting the public disclosure of information bearing upon ongoing investigations and criminal cases, such as the IRA case and the Roger Stone case. These redactions were applied by Department of Justice attorneys working closely together with attorneys from the Special Counsels Office, as well as with the intelligence community, and prosecutors who are handling ongoing cases. The redactions are their work product. Consistent with long-standing Executive Branch practice, the decision whether to assert Executive privilege over any portion of the report rested with the President of the United States. Because the White House voluntarily cooperated with the Special Counsels investigation, significant portions of the report contain material over which the President could have asserted privilege. And he would have been well within his rights to do so. Following my March 29th letter, the Office of the White House Counsel requested the opportunity to review the redacted version of the report in order to advise the President on the potential invocation of privilege, which is consistent with long-standing practice. Following that review, the President confirmed that, in the interests of transparency and full disclosure to the American people, he would not assert privilege over the Special Counsels report. Accordingly, the public report I am releasing today contains redactions only for the four categories that I previously outlined, and no material has been redacted based on executive privilege. In addition, earlier this week, the Presidents personal counsel requested and were given the opportunity to read a final version of the redacted report before it was publicly released. That request was consistent with the practice followed under the Ethics in Government Act, which permitted individuals named in a report prepared by an Independent Counsel the opportunity to read the report before publication. The Presidents personal lawyers were not permitted to make, and did not request, any redactions. In addition to making the redacted report public, we are also committed to working with Congress to accommodate their legitimate oversight interests with respect to the Special Counsels investigation. We have been consulting with Chairman Graham and Chairman Nadler throughout this process, and we will continue to do so. Given the limited nature of the redactions, I believe that the publicly released report will allow every American to understand the results of the Special Counsels investigation. Nevertheless, in an effort to accommodate congressional requests, we will make available to a bipartisan group of leaders from several Congressional committees a version of the report with all redactions removed except those relating to grand-jury information. Thus, these members of Congress will be able to see all of the redacted material for themselves with the limited exception of that which, by law, cannot be shared. I believe that this accommodation, together with my upcoming testimony before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, will satisfy any need Congress has for information regarding the Special Counsels investigation. Once again, I would like to thank you all for being here today. I now have a few minutes for questions. News Detroit, Michigan - Amor M. Ftouhi, 51, of Quebec, Canada, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Leitman to life in prison for committing an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries and two other offenses in conjunction with his attack on a Bishop Airport police officer on June 21, 2017. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider for the Eastern District of Michigan and Special Agent in Charge Timothy R. Slater of the FBIs Detroit Field Office made the announcement. Ftouhi came to the United States to kill American police officers, and then brutally attacked an airport police officer in Flint, said Assistant Attorney General Demers. The National Security Division is committed to doing all that it can to protect our women and men in uniform from terrorist violence on our soil, and this sentence is a gratifying reflection of the seriousness of the defendants conduct. I want to thank the prosecutors and law enforcement partners who made this result possible. The evidence at trial demonstrated that Ftouhi had a mission to kill as many American law enforcement as possible in an act of violent jihad, stated U.S. Attorney Schneider. The sentence today reflects his extreme dangerousness and the need to prevent him from further acts of violence in the future. Todays sentence is the result of the hard work of those who investigated and prosecuted the case, including our foreign partners in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The FBI's highest priority remains preventing and combating terrorism here in the U.S. and around the world, said Special Agent in Charge Slater. Today's sentencing marks the end of an almost-two year effort - on behalf of the FBI, our partner agencies on the FBI Detroit Joint Terrorism Task Force, and our foreign partners in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police - to hold Mr. Ftouhi accountable for his attempt to kill a police officer in an act of terror. I would like to thank all of our state, federal and international partners for their essential contributions to this case and to acknowledge again the heroic actions of the civilians and law enforcement officers who were present on the day of the attack and likely saved the officers life." Ftouhi was convicted by a federal jury on Nov. 13, 2018. According to evidence presented at trial, Ftouhi entered the United States from Canada on a professed mission for the purpose of killing American police officers in the United States. Before entering the United States on June 16, 2017, while in Canada, Ftouhi conducted online research of American gun laws and for gun shows in Michigan. Ftouhi subsequently traveled to Michigan where he was unsuccessful in repeated attempts to purchase a gun and purchased a knife instead. On June 20, 2017, Ftouhi approached the victim, who is a lieutenant with the Flint Bishop Airport police and was in full uniform, and stabbed the police officer in the neck twice with a knife. Ftouhi referenced killings in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and yelled Allahu Akbar. After his arrest, Ftouhi told law enforcement that he was a soldier of Allah, subscribed to the ideology of Al Qaeda and Usama bin Laden and that his plan had been to kill the victim, steal his gun and kill other police officers in the airport. The police officer sustained life-threatening injuries, but survived the attack. The investigation was conducted by the Detroit Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is led by the FBI with the assistance of the FBI Flint Resident Agency, the Michigan State Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Additional assistance was provided by the Flint Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Genesee County Sheriffs Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jules DePorre, Cathleen M. Corken, and Craig Wininger of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Michigan with the assistance of the Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division of the Department of Justice. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Monday, Kelsey Dale Benally, 27, of Kayenta, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 63 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Benally had previously pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Benally was also sentenced to five months in prison for violating a term of supervised release imposed for a prior criminal conviction in 2017. These sentences were ordered to run consecutively. On October 31, 2015, Benally stabbed the victim multiple times with a knife, causing the victim to sustain serious bodily injuries. After seriously injuring the victim, Benally also stole a truck the victim had been driving. Officers from the Navajo Nation Police Department apprehended Benally shortly after the assault. The assault happened on the Navajo Indian Reservation. Both Benally and the victim are members of the Navajo Nation. The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Department of Law Enforcement. The prosecution was handled by Christina J. Reid-Moore, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Monday, Shane Tyreke Mann, 21, of Tonalea, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 33 months imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Mann had previously pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. On May 15, 2018, Mann assaulted a family member, including by kicking the victim in the face and back. As a result, the victim suffered serious injuries that required hospitalization. The assault occurred on the Navajo Nation. Both Mann and the victim are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation. The investigation in this case was conducted by the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Samuels, District of Arizona, Phoenix. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Monday, Ryan Pearson, 32, of Payson, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Pearson had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Pearson admitted to using a firearm, along with co-defendant Armando Pablo Ochoa, to rob the Mazatal Casino, in Payson, Arizona, on the Tonto Apache Indian Reservation. Ochoa and Pearson entered the casino armed with handguns and demanded employees open a vault. When they did not receive immediate compliance, Ochoa and Pearson each fired a round from their weapons. Both Ochoa and Pearson were employees of the casino at the time. The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Anthony W. Church, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix. Latest News Montgomery, Alabama - The Department of Justice announced today that a former Tallassee Police investigator, Brandon Smirnoff, 27, pleaded guilty to assaulting a handcuffed, 24-year-old man. According to the guilty plea, Smirnoff, who was on duty as an investigator with the Tallassee Police Department, used his patrol car to pursue the victim, J.M., who was on a four-wheeler. After the pursuit, J.M. stepped off his four-wheeler, laid face down on the ground, and allowed several Tallassee police officers to handcuff him. While J.M. was handcuffed and compliant, Smirnoff lifted him into the air and then slammed him to the ground. Smirnoff then repeated the assault. Moments later, before Smirnoff placed the victim into his patrol car, Smirnoff slammed the victims head into the side of the vehicle. For each assault, the victim was handcuffed, compliant, and did not pose a threat. Police officers who willfully use excessive force not only violate the Constitution, they erode public trust in law enforcement, said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division. The Civil Rights Division is committed to protecting victims of these abuses and upholding the Constitution and laws that protect us all. It is especially important in a climate of distrust between law enforcement and the public, that officers act ethically and within the bounds of the law, said U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin for the Middle District of Alabama. This police officers brutal behavior was unacceptable and criminal. He violated this young mans constitutional rights and the trust placed in law enforcement officers to faithfully, ethically, and morally enforce the law. You can be sure that anytime an officer steps over the line and into criminal behavior, as this one did, my office will hold that individual accountable. FBI Special Agent in Charge James E. Jewell stated, "the FBI supports our state and local law enforcement partners but will not tolerate the intentional abuse of a citizen. The position of police officer should convey compassion as well as trust and we intend to hold that line." Smirnoff faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. This case is being investigated by the FBIs Montgomery Division. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Simpson of the Middle District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Michael J. Songer of the Civil Rights Division. Latest News Phoenix, Arizona - Monday, Corey Slinkey, 42 of Fort Defiance, Arizona, was sentenced by District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 46 months imprisonment. Slinkey had previously pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. In August 2017, Slinkey intentionally struck and wounded the victim of the assault with a tent pole. The victim was pregnant at the time. Both Slinkey and the victim are members of the Navajo Nation. Navajo Nation Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigations conducted the investigation. The prosecution was handled by Kiyoko Patterson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix. Ramananda Sengupta By Express News Service NEW DELHI: China on Friday made another appeal to India to shed its opposition to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), even as it made it clear that New Delhis boycott of the second BRI Forum in Beijing from April 25-27, would not impact the growing relations between the two nations. New Delhi had stayed away from the first forum in 2017 saying it violated the countrys sovereignty since the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key segment of the project, passes through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). There are also growing concerns that the project is being used by Beijing to promote its economic and political ambitions and creating debt traps for host nations. India has its basic position on these disputes. Our cooperation will not undermine any partys position on those issues, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a press conference in Beijing on Friday. China maintains that the Kashmir dispute is a historical legacy which should be resolved between India and Pakistan. Wang however said Indias boycott would not undermine the momentum generated by the informal summit in Wuhan between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in April last year. After the Wuhan summit, we see all areas or progress between the two countries and we have bright prospect for this relationship. We are now preparing for the next summit of our leaders, he said. Guest list Russia, Pakistan, ASEAN heads of state, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, several African and Central Asian countries attending 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. - A man of God, Prophet Dr. Kofi Oduro, has described Ghana as a country that lacks seriousness - According to him, the country has deserted the core principles that the founding fathers built the nation on - He also indicated that some Gospel musicians no longer use lyrics based on the Bible Prophet Dr. Kofi Oduro, the head pastor of the Alabaster International Ministries, has argued that Ghana is not a serious country. According to him, Ghana has moved away from the core principles that the forebears of the nation bequeathed. In an interview on TV3s New Day, he argued, we have stayed away from principles like astuteness, all the things our founding fathers stood for we have drifted away it. READ ALSO: Ghanaians mercilessly blast Mahama as he wishes all well during Easter Prophet Oduro added that Ghanaians have become selfish and self-centred and it is sad that lyrics from some Gospel musicians are not from the Bible. Per a report by 3news.com, he also observed the church today has lost its direction because the truth has been concealed, pointing out that the truth is an important factor for nation building. I dont think the church is focused; possibly we have lost our voice because the truth should be the spearhead of nation building, he noted. He urged prophets to assist politicians to move in the right direction concerning nation development. READ ALSO: Heartbreaking photos and video of Kumasi central market on fire pops up on the internet Brainstorming: 6*8=? / Spell 'Your Name'| #Yencomgh Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish on YEN.com.gh? Please contact us on Facebook or Instagram now! Source: Yen New Delhi: Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal, who was last seen in the blockbuster 'Uri: The Surgical Strike' suffered a massive injury on the sets of a film. The actor was shooting an action sequence for Bhanu Pratap Singh's horror film in Gujarat when the mishap took place. As per a report in Mid-Day, the stunt backfired and the actor fractured his cheekbone and had to get 13 stitches on his cheek. A source told Mid-Day that the door fell on Vicky and he was badly injured. The actor was then rushed to a local hospital by the crew and was flown to Mumbai on Friday. Further updates about the actor's health are awaited. We hope that Vicky recovers soon. Talking about the film, it also features Bhumi Pednekar in the lead role. Vicky and Bhumi will also be seen sharing screen space in Karan Johar's ambitious project 'Takht'. The film also has Kareena Kapoor Khan, Anil Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh. It it slated to release next year. New Delhi: A sex racket was busted and four persons were arrested in a joint operation conducted by the Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) and police in outer Delhi's Aman Vihar, the women's panel said on Friday. The DCW received a call on women's helpline 181 about a prostitution racket being run from a house in his neighbourhood in Aman Vihar, it said. A DCW team reached the area on Thursday early morning and interacted with the residents who confirmed that a sex racket was being run from the house during daytime. The team noticed four women entering the house around 10.30 am. Thereafter, one of them left the house after 15 minutes. Soon, men on bikes and scooters started coming to the house. They were seen placing calls before being allowed to enter the premises. Bamboo 'chiks' covered the house in such a way that it was difficult to see what activity was going on inside, they said. The DCW team informed the police and thereafter entered the premises with the police in the afternoon. The team found six-seven men and three women in the house, they added. On realising that they were caught red-handed, the owner of the house, identified as Gautam, opened a back door to allow four of them to escape. They were, however, caught by the residents surrounding the house, the women's panel said. The DCW team took all persons to Aman Vihar police station where the women stated that they were adults and were engaging in prostitution on their own will. They said they received Rs 250 per client and each woman "had to sleep with at least seven clients" during the day. While one woman informed that she was an orphan, another stated that she was victim of physical abuse by her drug-addict husband and had chosen this way to support her family. The third girl refused to say anything, they said. A senior police official said three women and a man, who was owner of the house, were arrested. "We received information from the DCW on Thursday and raided the premises. Three women and a man, the owner of the house, were arrested. Further investigation is underway, " the police officer said. MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a clarification on media reports suggesting a 'five-day week' in commercial banks based on its instructions. The RBI issued a statement on Saturday in which it termed the media reports on a 'five-day week' in commercial banks as ''factually incorrect.'' The apex bank of the country said that it has issued no such orders or instructions. ''It has been reported in certain sections of the media that commercial banks would have a five-day week in terms of the RBI instructions. It is clarified that this information is not factually correct,'' Yogesh Dayal, Chief General Manager (RBI), said in a statement. ''The RBI has not issued any such directions,'' Dayal added. It may be recalled that bankers have been demanding a 5-day week for a very long time, especially since the same has been introduced in central government offices and also adopted by RBI for its own offices. However, the government has so far rejected this demand, arguing that it will put unnecessary pressure on the general public who might want to do banking transactions or withdraw money on Saturday also. It was earlier reported that the Indian Banking Association (IIBA) has recommended a 5-day week plan to the Finance Ministry but nothing concrete has come on it till date. On its part, the RBI had also earlier shelved a plan for additional bank holidays on alternate Saturdays. The apex bank regulator feels that the infrastructure for keeping key deposit related functions need to be strengthened further before the banks can enjoy a five-day week. BEIJING: India`s Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale will be on a two-day China visit from Sunday to meet Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi where he is likely to discuss the issue of blacklisting Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar. He will be visiting Beijing for regular consultation and is scheduled to meet Wang on Monday, an official at the Indian Embassy said here. Gokhale`s visit comes at a time when Beijing is facing mounting international pressure to declare Azhar, wanted in India for grisly terror attacks, an international terrorist at a UN 1267 sanctions committee. The top Indian diplomat is visiting China the same week when Beijing holds the second edition of the Belt and Road forum, which New Delhi is highly likely to skip over the issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The issues of China shielding Azhar and India opposing Beijing`s ambitious connectivity project have caused frictions between the two Asian powers that already deal with a festering border dispute. China`s repeated blocking of all the resolutions by India, the US, Britain and France seeking a ban on Azhar has frustrated New Delhi, which calls itself a victim of terrorism emanating from Pakistan. China is Pakistan`s closest ally. Last month, China placed its fourth technical hold on the US-sponsored resolution to ban Azhar whose outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for a deadly terror attack in Jammu Kashmir that killed 40 Indian troopers in February. Beijing`s move has tested Sino-Indian ties that had been on an upswing after the icebreaking meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year. Beijing, however, last week said the issue of declaring Azhar an international terrorist was heading for "settlement" and warned the US not to push its own resolution at the UN Security Council. China`s latest technical hold on the resolution at the UN 1267 committee prompted the US to go directly to the UN Security Council and move and circulate a new resolution at the agency. This has angered Beijing which says the US bypassing the 1267 panel will complicate matters when "positive progress" on the issue has already been made. Washington`s move has put Beijing in a bind as it might have to explain its stance at the UN Security Council if it vetoes the resolution. At the UN 1267 committee, a member can do so without explaining. Gokhale will likely raise the matter with Wang, who is also China`s top diplomat. Besides, it is also to be seen if India`s opposition to the Belt and Road forum will figure in the talks. India is likely to skip for the second straight year China`s Belt and Road forum, a mega event that Beijing claims will be attended by the heads of 37 countries and over 100 international organisations. The Belt and Road is a trillion-dollar project that aims to connect Asia, Africa and Europe through a network of highways, sea lanes and ports. India opposes its key artery, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as it cuts through the disputed part of Kashmir held by Islamabad. In 2017, India had boycotted the launch of the forum over the same issue. In a press conference on Friday, Wang Yi appealed to India again to shed its inhibition on the CPEC, saying the project has nothing to do with the issue of Kashmir. He said India joining the Belt and Road project will be a good choice for it. In a significant milestone, Indian Navy on Saturday launched the INS 'Imphal', the third ship of Project 15B, a Guided Missile Destroyer. The Project 15B marks the class of guided missile destroyers that are being built for the Navy by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL). The launch of 'Imphal' is a golden turning point in the annals of the indigenous warship design and construction programme of India. With a launch weight of 3037 T, the vessel made its first contact with water at 12.20 pm. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest, Admiral Sunil Lanba commended the synergic partnership of MDL, Indian Navy, DRDO, OFB, BEL, other public sector enterprises and the private industry in ensuring that force levels are made available to meet Indias National strategic maritime objectives. He also congratulated all agencies associated with the milestone. The launch of 3rd ship of Project 15B, a Guided Missile Destroyer, marks yet another significant milestone in the annals of the indigenous warship design and construction programme of India. With a launch weight of 3037 T, the vessel made its 1st contact with water at 1220pm pic.twitter.com/FtgtyuKaGk SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 20, 2019 The 'Imphal' was launched by Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and Reena Lanba President of Navy Wives Welfare Association (NWWA) in Mumbai, Maharashtra. "@makeinindia Yard 12706 (Imphal) launched by Adm Sunil Lanba CNS & Mrs Reena Lanba President Navy Wives Welfare Association (NWWA) at a glittering ceremony held at M/s Mazagon Docks Ltd Mumbai this afternoon @Cmdmdl @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia @PMOIndia @DefProdnIndia," tweeted the spokesperson of Indian Navy. "The launch of 3rd ship of Project 15B, a Guided Missile Destroyer, marks yet another significant milestone in the annals of the indigenous warship design and construction programme of India. With a launch weight of 3037 T, the vessel made its 1st contact with water at 1220pm," read another tweet. @makeinindia Yard 12706 (Imphal) launched by Adm Sunil Lanba CNS & Mrs Reena Lanba President Navy Wives Welfare Association (NWWA) at a glittering ceremony held at M/s Mazagon Docks Ltd Mumbai this afternoon @Cmdmdl @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia @PMOIndia @DefProdnIndia pic.twitter.com/4VYESt07A3 SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 20, 2019 The contract for the construction of four Project 15B destroyers was signed in 2011. The first ship was named INS Visakhapatnam and the second was named INS Mormugao. Project 15B ships feature cutting edge advanced technology and are comparable to the best ships of similar class anywhere in the world. These ships have been designed indigenously by the Indian Navys Directorate of Naval Design, New Delhi. Each ship spans 163 metres in length and 17.4 metres at beam and displaces 7,300 tonnes. These ships will be propelled by four gas turbines to achieve speed in excess of 30 knots. The P15B destroyers incorporate new design concepts for improved survivability, sea keeping, stealth and manoeuvrability. Enhanced stealth features have been achieved through shaping of hull and use of radar transparent deck fittings which make these ships difficult to detect. P15B ships will be equipped to carry and operate two multiple role helicopters. Video clip of launch of 'Imphal' pic.twitter.com/HlTvDlsNJa SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 20, 2019 These ships are packed with an array of state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including multi-functional surveillance radars and vertically launched missile system for long distance engagement of shore, sea-based and air targets. With significant indigenous content, these ships are a true hallmark of self-reliance attained by our country in warship design and shipbuilding, and a shining example of the Make in India philosophy. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Twenty per cent of Hyderabad plunged into darkness in the early hours of Friday after heavy downpour and gales left power supply disrupted. Official figures note that in the twin cities, out of the demand of 1850 MW of electricity, 350 MW was disturbed due to one hour of heavy rain. The worst affected areas included Banjara hills, Mehdipatnam, Saidabad, Himayat Nagar, Saroornagar where tree uprooting instances disrupted supply. Citizens complained about citys inability to handle the slightest of rainfall. The Himachal Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (HPBOSE) may not announce the HP Board Class 12 results 2019 on Saturday. However, earlier the HPBOSE results were scheduled to be announced on April 20. The results are likely to be announced next week. The examination was held from March 6 to March 29. When the results are declared, the students can check their results on the official website hpbose.org. Here's how to check the HPBOSE Class 12 exam RESULTS 2019: 1. First, visit the official website: hpbose.org or examresults.net 2. Now, go to the results section and look for Class 12 results 2019 tab 3. Again, click on the results roll number and enter other required details 4. The Results will be displayed on screen Candidates can also view their exam results via SMS: Type HP12ROLLNUMBER and send it to 56263 The candidates are suggested to take a print out of their result and keep the same for further reference. The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education, Dharamshala came into existence in 1969 with its head-quarter at Shimla later shifted to Dharamshala in January 1983. The Board started with a staff of 34 officials which has subsequently increased to 643. The Education Board prescribes syllabus, courses of instructions and text books for school education in Himachal Pradesh besides conducting examinations based on courses listed. At present, the Board conducts examination for the following classes and courses: 10th, 10+2, J.B.T and T.T.C. As many as 5 Lakh candidates annually appear in the examination conducted by the Board. Presently more than 8000 schools are affiliated with the Board. The Board has set up 1846 Examination centres throughout the state. Board also publishes textbooks for class 1st to 12th. Apart from a Liaison Office at Shimla, the Board has also established 26 Book Distribution & Guidance/Information Centres in the state to cater to the needs of students. A Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist was killed after a brief firing with security forces on Friday near Sopore in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. The exchange of fire took place after Army's 32 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) patrol party was passing through the Watergam area. A senior police officer said the terrorist, who was hiding, fired upon the patrol party when they were passing through the area and the exchange of fire started. He also added that in the firing a terrorist was killed. As per the sources, a pistol and three grenades were recovered from the terrorist. However, the identity of the terrorist is yet to be ascertained. A search was conducted in the area throughout the night. HYDERABAD: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested a youth from Hyderabad for his alleged links with Islamic State (IS). Police sources told IANS that the youth was arrested after the NIA raided eight places in the old city of Hyderabad The NIA also conducted search at one place in Maharashtra's Wardha. Sources said that the arrested youth was taken to regional office of NIA in Madhapur for interrogation. The NIA conducted the raids after receiving inputs about the alleged links of the youth with the IS module and based on the interrogation of two IS suspects arrested by the NIA last year. In February, a supplementary chargesheet was filed by the NIA against Abdullah Basith and Mohammed Abdul Qhadeer before a court in New Delhi. In its chargesheet, the NIA said that Basith, a resident of Chandrayangutta in Hyderabad, was in touch with the banned terror outfit and was making efforts to propagate the ideology of IS in India. The chargesheet also mentioned that Basith got in touch with some IS workers and his associates in order further the IS' cause. According to NIA, Basith was actively involved in identifying, motivating, and radicalizing Muslim youths to join the IS and wreak havoc in India. The NIA's chargesheet also said that Abdul Qhadeer, who lives in Hyderabad's Chandrayanagutta, was influenced by Basith becuase he also wanted to propagate IS' ideology in India. The chargesheet added that Qhadeer later held several meetings with other individuals who were propagating IS ideology. "The recovery of explosive substances from his possession establishes his intention to fabricate an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)," the agency had said in February. The NIA on Saturday morning conducted four raids in Maharashtra and Telangana in connection with the Abu Dhabi ISIS module. In Maharashtra, the raid was conducted in Wardha district after learning that the second wife of Abdul Basith--charge-sheeted in Abu Dhabi ISIS module case--is highly radicalised and in touch with ISIS handlers abroad. The suspected woman has been detained and is being questioned. In Telangana, two other teams of NIA is also conducting searches in Hyderabad at 3 locations. The NIA had on February 7, filed a charge sheet against two accused--Mohammad Abdullah Basith and Mohammad Abdul Qhadeer--in connection with its probe in the Abu Dhabi ISIS module case. Both the accused are in jail. Basith, a resident of Chandrayangutta in Hyderabad, was continuously making efforts to propagate the ideology of the ISIS in India, for which he had entered into a conspiracy with the handlers of the global terror group and his associates. "He and his associates were involved in identifying, motivating, radicalising gullible Muslim youngsters to join hands with him in the conspiracy," an NIA spokesperson had told news agency PTI. Qhadeer, also a resident of the same area in Hyderabad, came under the influence of Basith because of their common intention to propagate the ISIS ideology in India, for which he had actively started meeting the other gang members. "The recovery of explosive substances from his possession establishes his intention to fabricate an improvised explosive device (IED)," the spokesperson had added. The NIA had registered a case to probe this module in 2016. NEW DELHI: Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by the Pakistan forces after an aerial dogfight in February and was returned to India two days later, has been shifted out of the Srinagar airbase amid concerns over his security in Kashmir Valley. According to news agency ANI, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has now posted the brave officer to an important airbase in the Western sector. Indian Air Force transfers Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman out of the Srinagar airbase amid concerns over his security in Kashmir valley. Officer posted to an important airbase in the Western sector. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/RWnlPfR4jV ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2019 Varthaman, who became a national icon soon after his release from the Pakistan custody, had returned to his squadron in Srinagar in March. He was captured by the Pakistani Army on February 27 after his MiG-21 Bison jet was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistani jets during a brief aerial combat. He had downed an F-16 fighter of Pakistan before his plane was hit. He had landed across the LoC in Pakistan occupied Kashmir after his plane caught fire. Owing to intense international pressure, Varthaman was released on the night of March 1 by Pakistan. After he was captured, Varthaman showed courage and grace in handling the most difficult circumstances for which he was later appreciated by the country's political leadership and the people in general. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad's biggest training camp near Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian military installations in J&K the next day. However, the IAF thwarted their plans. The airstrikes by the IAF on the JeM camp came 12 days after the terror outfit claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing at least 40 troopers in Pulwama. BENGALURU: Bringing out the big guns against Narendra Modi, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy Saturday accused the Prime Minister of using India-Pakistan situation for personal advantage in electoral speeches. He (Modi) can speak but misusing his office is wrong. Several PMs ruled this country, several times India-Pakistan war took place. Nobody took advantage about that issue for personal benefit, Kumaraswamy told news agency ANI asked about Narendra Modi referring to Balakot airstrike in electoral speeches. Balakot airstrike...he (Modi) is misleading the people that he went to Pakistan border and he only dropped the bomb, he said, adding, There were no clashes between India-Pakistan, even inside the country there was no bomb attack, nothing happened. Speaking on his father and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo HD Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy says, When my father was PM for 10 months in 1995, did any terrorist activity take place in this country? Did any terrorist activity go on at the India-Pakistan border? Entire country was in peace at the time when my father was the PM. He's a good administrator and experienced. He has experience in his political career. He's better than everybody, according to me. But he's not interested now. He already projected name of Rahul Gandhi (for PM). He's going to advise Rahul ji for good administrator. Gowda recently stated that he's not interested in being the PM but if Rahul Gandhi becomes PM, I will sit by his side.'' When asked if there's a possibility of a national-level role for Gowda after 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he added, Most probably. Because in next election, there will be no BJP govt. We've to form govt with several regional parties together. At that time Deve Gowda may play major role as an advisor to everybody. On the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in the state, the CM said, Now people are actually getting confident Kumaraswamy has done good thing by joining hands with Congress to form this govt. He is looking forward to the development of Karnataka state. That is the feeling of people now. New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday said an alliance just in Delhi is not possible after the Congress refused to have a tie-up anywhere else. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that giving three seats to the Congress in the national capital would mean "giving three seats to the BJP", when asked his opinion on the 4:3 seat sharing formula proposed by the Congress. He said the Congress first proposed 6:3:1 seat sharing formula to the AAP in Haryana where six seats would be for Congress, three for Janayak Janata Party and one seat for AAP. "Our decision to form an alliance with the Congress was to stop the Modi-Shah duo," he said. "The Congress has zero presence in Delhi even then they want nearly half of the seats. With that logic, the Congress should form an alliance in Punjab and Haryana too. We have 20 MLAs and 4 MPs in Punjab then why can't an alliance be formed with us," Sisodia asked. Senior party leader Sanjay Singh said they have agreed to all seat sharing arrangements that the Congress proposed, but even then the grand old party backtracked. "After discussions with our alliance partner in Haryana, the JJP, we agreed to it, but the Congress refused and said they can't give more than two seats to the JJP and proposed 7:2:1 formula," said Singh, who was negotiating with the Congress. JJP chief Dushyant Chautala even agreed to that but then the Congress backtracked again on Friday night, saying there is no possibility of formation of any alliance anywhere except Delhi, he said. Singh said the JJP had proposed 4:4:2 with four seats for Congress, four for JJP and two seats for AAP but it was outrightly rejected by the Congress. However, sources say that even though the possibility of formation of an alliance has been completely closed in Haryana, the AAP is still open to alliance in the national capital in 5:2 formula, with five seats for the ruling party. Senior party leader Gopal Rai had said Friday that in a last ditch effort to form an alliance with the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party postponed the nomination of its candidates. On Saturday, AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi, Chandini Chowk candidate Pankaj Gupta and North West candidate Gugan Singh were to file their nominations. "But to give a last chance to the Congress to come on the table for holding talks over the alliance, we are postponing these candidates' nominations from Saturday to Monday," Rai had said on Friday. On Monday, these candidates would file their nominations along with South Delhi candidate Raghav Chadha, North East Delhi candidate Dilip Pandey and New Delhi candidate Brijesh Goyal, he added. On Thursday, after holding a roadshow, the party's West Delhi candidate Balbir Singh Jakhar filed his nomination papers. Uncertainty prevails over the tie-up in Delhi, with the AAP seeking an alliance in Haryana, Delhi and Chandigarh. The Congress, however, offered to tie up only in the national capital. On Thursday, the AAP-JJP alliance announced that there is no possibility of a tie-up in Haryana as the JJP said that it could never join hands with the grand old party. Returning Officer Ram Manohar Mishra postponed the scrutiny of Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers from Amethi to April 22. The scrutiny was postponed was after independent candidate Dhruv Lal raised objections on Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers on three accounts. On basis of certificate of incorporation of a company registered in UK, he declared himself a UK citizen. A non-citizen can't contest polls here, said Ravi Prakash, lawyer of Lal. "On what basis has he become a British citizen? And, how did he obtain Indian citizenship now? Unless there is clarity over the matter, we have requested the Returning Officer not to accept Rahul Gandhi`s nomination papers," Prakash said. There are no details on assets and profits of the company mentioned in the affidavit. There are a number of mistakes in his educational qualification certificates. The original educational certificates should be presented so that his (Rahul Gandhi) claim can be established, he added. Prakash also points out that Rahul used the name 'Raul Vinci' in his college and there are no certificates available in the name of Rahul Gandhi." "Is Rahul Gandhi and Raul Vinci the same person? If it is not the case then we demand that he gives his original educational certificates, so that these can be verified," said Prakash. Amethi, a traditional bastion of the Gandhi family, will go to polls on May 6. Rahul is facing a stiff challenge from Smriti Irani in Amethi. PUNE: With electioneering at its peak, the political parties and their top leadership is doing everything possible to woo voters and ensure the success of their party or the formation they are part of. Such an attempt was possibly made by the BJP when its national president Amit Sah met popular Bollywood actor Sunny Deol in Maharashtra's Pune on Friday evening. According to ANI, the BJP president met Sunny Deol at Pune Airport lounge on Friday evening. The meeting lasted for 5 minutes, it said. It is not clear whether it was a casual meeting between the two or Shah met Deol seeking his support for the party. Nonetheless, the meeting triggered intense speculations that the BJP might be eying Deol. Sunny Deol, who is known for films like 'Ghayal' and 'Border' and has been a popular Bollywood action hero, is the son of veteran actor Dharmendra. A picture of the Amit Shah meeting Sunny Deol was first shared on the social media by BJP leader Tarun Rathi on Twitter. Delighted to meet BJP national President, Shri @AmitShah and Actor & my dear friend @iamsunnydeol in Pune. Had a great discussion on 2019 Lok Sabha elections. #BharatMangeModiDobara, Rathi tweeted on his Twitter handle. Delighted to meet BJP National President, Shri @AmitShah and Actor & my dear friend @iamsunnydeol in Pune. Had a great discussion on 2019 Lok Sabha elections. #BharatMangeModiDobara pic.twitter.com/FDXeZTgl5Q Chowkidar Tarun Rathi (@TarunRathi9898) April 19, 2019 The picture soon went viral triggering speculations that party may field Sunny Deol as its candidate from some BJP stronghold in Punjab for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Sunny's step-mother and yesteryear's actress Hema Malini is the incumbent BJP Member of Parliament from Mathura Lok Sabha constituency and is contesting the parliamentary elections from here this time too. However, there is no official confirmation whether the party is mulling to project Sunny Deol as its candidate for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Sunny Deol eventually entering politics as a BJP candidate will not come as a surprise as many popular Bollywood stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, Raj Babbar and many others have earlier entered politics. NEW DELHI: Mounting its attack on Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the BJP on Saturday raised questions over alleged discrepancies in Rahul's election affidavit over his citizenship and educational qualification. Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson G.V.L. Narsimha Rao said that the country is stunned to know that the Congress president and his unable to explain some details of Gandhi`s nomination papers sought by returning officer of Amethi Lok Sabha constituency. It may be recalled that Rahul is a sitting MP from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh and he had filed his nomination from this seat few days ago. "Today the whole nation is stunned that Rahul Gandhi and his lawyer Rahul Kaushik were unable to explain some details of Gandhi`s nomination papers sought by Amethi`s returning officer," said Rao. The BJP spokesperson stressed that the questions being raised by candidates fighting against Rahul from Amethi are very serious and neither Rahul not his lawyer have answers to these objections. Rao made the remarks soon after an independent candidate, Dhruv Lal, filed a petition at a court in Amethi seeking clarification on educational qualification and citizenship of the Congress chief. It is to be noted that the returning officer has asked Rahul's lawyer to give the answers and clarifications by April 22. "Certainly we will want Congress to answer those questions in Delhi today. And we also want Rahul Gandhi to answer today," he said. Rao said that Rahul must reveal before the nation the name of the company in which he has invested his money, referring to the company mentioned in the election affidavit of the Congress chief, IANS reported. According to Rao, Rahul has invested in a company named Backops Limited. He added that the company is registered in London and Rahul was once the Director of this company. "The official documents submitted by this company to the British authorities are in the form of a memorandum of associations and annual returns period ending August 21, 2005. So documents submitted to the British authorities in 2005 clearly showed that he was a citizen of UK. And if he was a citizen of UK, then he would have automatically lost Indian Citizenship because Citizenship Act 1955 clearly states that any citizen of India acquiring citizenship of any other country automatically forfeits citizenship of India," he said. In a direct attack on Rahul Gandhi, Rao, who is also BJP MP from Rajya Sabha, said that the nation would like to to know from Rahul Gandhi whether he was a British citizen in 2005 or earlier or later. And if this is the case then how can he call himself an Indian citizen. Accusing the Congress MP of trying to suppress facts, Rao raised questions over Rahul's qualifications and said, "In the 2004 election affidavit, there were only two educational qualifications given. A senior Secondary School certificate in 1989 and another, an M. Phil degree, which he supposedly got from Trinity College in Cambridge University in Development Economics in 1995. There was no reference to any other educational qualification in between." "In 2009 and 2014 affidavits, again there are discrepancies. In 2009 he introduced another qualification, Bachelor of Arts from Rollins College in Florida in 1994. And M. Phil in Development Economics from Trinity College. This development Economics in his next election affidavit in 2014 becomes M.Phil in Development Studies," added Rao. Shibu BS By Express News Service KOCHI: Ernakulam has been widely regarded as a UDF stronghold in the light of the Congress-led alliances string of successes in the past Lok Sabha elections. However, this time around, with the CPM fielding P Rajeev - the partys former district chief and Rajya Sabha MP - the electoral contest in the prestigious constituency which is home to Keralas business capital Kochi will indeed go down to the wire. As the campaign enters the final few hours, the two candidates - UDFs Hibi Eden being the other major contender in the fray - are going neck and neck in a bid to derive the maximum mileage, with the NDAs Alphons Kannanthanam also pulling out all the stops. ) LDF candidate P Rajeev greeting voters who come out of Kaloor Juma Masjid after Friday prayers While talking to Express in between his busy campaigning on Friday, Rajeev said he is confident of winning the seat. Rajeev, as a Rajya Sabha MP, played a key role in implementing various key projects in the city, including the Kochi Metro. I am getting a good response from the voters. There is an anti-incumbency wave against Modi and the people know the LDF has a prominent role to play in the formation of an alternative Government in the Centre, said Rajeev. Rajeev, who has a proven record as an eminent parliamentarian also, has a close association with the cultural realm of Kochi. Rajeev, who met writer N S Madhavan on Friday evening, said almost all the artists, writers and cultural leaders whom he met during his campaign believe only the Left Front can seriously intervene in such issues. That belief is one of my key confidence boosters, added Rajeev. Hibi who was in Kalliyot in Periya, Kasargod, in connection with the house warming of the house built for Kripesh, the slain Youth Congress worker, returned to Kochi on Friday evening. The candidate expressed confidence of winning and said the development activities he carried out as MLA of Ernakulam will give him an advantage over his opponents. I have tried to reach the maximum places and directly request votes. In all the areas, I have got a positive response and people not only appreciated my works as the sitting MLA of Ernakulam, but also promised me they will cast their votes in favour of the UDF, said Hibi. Hibi said the people have a belief only the Congress can take the initiative to form a secular government at the Centre. Unlike Assembly elections, the people will cast their votes with a national outlook. We can understand if we assess the voting pattern in the past elections. Most of the people want to end the NDA rule in the Centre, said Hibi. While both the LDF and the UDF claim the anti-incumbency wave will favour them, Kannanthanam said the Kochi voters are looking for a change and they would elect in favour of the BJP this time. The voters are very smart. They will look at your performance and track record. We are looking beyond the traditional vote base here. Modi has come up and made a drastic change in the national stage. The people really want those good things to happen in Kerala too. They need a Minister from Kochi. I am at present a member of the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan. If I get elected from Kochi, obviously there will be bigger priorities for Kochi and Kerala, he said. BHOPAL: Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia fled his nomination papers from the Guna Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. Ahead of filing his nomination papers, Scindia held a roadshow from Guna to Shivpuri in an especially designed hi-tech chariot carrying all top MP Congress leaders. Scindia, who is Congress's general secretary, was accompanied by party workers and other top leaders of the party. Jyotiraditya Scindia, who was the deputy leader of the party in the outgoing 16th Lok Sabha, also has an important role in Uttar Pradesh, where he is the general secretary in-charge of the western part of the state. While talking to reporters after filing his nomination, Scindia expressed confidence that his party will win maximum seats in Madhya Pradesh in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. He also claimed that the BJP will be decimated here as it was rejected by the people in the last assembly electons in the state. Terming the much-publicised Bhopal Lok Sabha contest between colleague Digvijaya Singh and BJP's Pragya Singh Thakur, Scindia said it is a fight between two ideologies. He was responding to a query on Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, earlier claiming that her fight with Singh, a strident critic of the Sangh Parivar, was a "dharm yudh". "The contest between our senior leader Digvijaya Singh and BJP candidate Pragya Singh Thakur for Bhopal Lok Sabha seat is a fight between two ideologies. It is not a dharm yudh. It is a fight between two ideologies in which the truth and the Congress will triumph," Scindia said. "This is a fight between a handful of people in suit- boot (well to do) and the public," the Guna MP said. He refused to comment further on Thakur or the charges she was facing in the Malegaon blast case, citing that the matter was sub judice. Chennai: Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader T T V Dhinakaran was Friday unanimously elected its general secretary, even as a decision was taken to have it registered as a political party. The move comes just a day after Lok Sabha and by-elections to 18 assembly seats concluded in Tamil Nadu and days after the Supreme Court had chastised the group led by former AIADMK leaders Dhinakaran and V K Sasikala for not registering AMMK as a political party. At a meeting held at the AMMK headquarters here, it was decided that Sasikala, currently general secretary, would be elevated as president after her four-year imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case ends. "The deputy general secretary Dhinakaran has been unanimously elected as AMMK's general secretary. Also, as informed to the Supreme Court by our advocate, a decision to take steps to register AMMK as a political party was also taken today," AMMK spokesperson C R Saraswati told PTI. "The post of president would be allotted to our leader V K Sasikala soon after she is released," she added. When asked if the move would weaken Dhinakaran and Sasikala in the legal fight claiming themselves as 'true heir' of AIADMK, Saraswati said, "Not at all." "EC has given the symbol to them (faction led by TN Chief Minister K Palaniswami) and we went to court. Though the judgment is not in our favour, our leader 'chinnamma' (Sasikala) has all the right to file a review petition," she said. Expressing confidence that Sasikala would continue fighting the legal battle staking claim in the AIADMK and its symbol, AMMK leader Thanga Tamilselvan said 'Chinamma' was already a general secretary of the AIADMK and she would deal with the case by continuing to stay in that position. Responding to the developments, AIADMK leader and Fisheries minister D Jayakumar said according to EC rules any party can be registered and can receive recognition only if it secures 6 per cent votes. "AMMK would only secure one or two per cent votes and it would continue to remain just as a group," he claimed. Dhinakaran had floated Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) after he and Sasikala were expelled from the Palaniswami-led AIADMK. On February 28, the Delhi high court had dismissed the pleas of Dhinakaran and Sasikala challenging the EC order granting the 'AIADMK' name and the 'two leaves' symbol to the faction led by Tamil Nadu chief minister, saying the figures showed the Palaniswami-led group "enjoyed a clear majority". The symbol issue has been lingering since April 2017 and the verdict came as a shot in the arm for the Palanisami-led AIADMK ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Dhinakaran and Sasikala challenged the EC order in the Supreme Court following which it agreed to hear it on the limited aspect of allowing use of 'pressure cooker' as a common symbol. The apex court, on March 26, dashed the hopes of the Dhinakaran-led faction for getting the 'pressure cooker' symbol exclusively for Lok Sabha and assembly by-elections, but asked the Election Commission to allot a common free symbol to it. The bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna asked senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Dhinakaran, as how it can allot common symbol of 'pressure cooker' to the group, which is not recognised or registered by the election commission. The bench said the fact of the matter is that the two-leaves symbol issue is now over and the Dhinakaran-led group has not applied to the election commission for registration as a political party. The symbol issue has been lingering since April 2017 in the aftermath of the announcement of the bypoll to Radha Krishnan Nagar constituency in Tamil Nadu following the death of AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa in December 2016. Earlier, rival factions led by Sasikala and Panneerselvam had staked claim over the symbol. Palaniswami was then in the Sasikala camp. Later, a large number of legislators led by Palaniswami revolted against Sasikala. Sasikala, late Jayalalithaa's close aide, has been lodged at the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru since February 2017, when the Supreme Court upheld her conviction by a special court in a disproportionate assets case and sentenced her to four years imprisonment. The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday directed Eros Now to stop the online streaming of its web series 'Modi-Journey of a common man'. The five-episode web series is available on Eros Now's aap and in its order the EC has also asked the platform to remove all connected content of the series till further orders. "It was brought to our notice that a web series 'Modi-Journey of a Common Man', having 5 episodes is available on your platform. You're directed to stop forthwith the online streaming & remove all connected content of the series till further orders," the poll panel said in its order. Election Commission to Eros Now: It was brought to our notice that a web series "Modi-Journey of a Common Man, having 5 episodes is available on your platform. You're directed to stop forthwith the online streaming & remove all connected content of the series till further orders pic.twitter.com/ofs0neJMc3 ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2019 On Monday, the Delhi CEO had written to the EC saying that the web series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi which went online in April is being streamed by Eros Now without permission from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC). The Delhi CEO highlighted the matter few days after the EC had passed an order banning the screening of a biopic on the prime minister till the ongoing Lok Sabha poll gets over. The EC had then said in its order that any such film that subserves purpose of any political entity or individual should not be displayed in the electronic media. A letter was also written by district election officer (East) K Mahesh to the Delhi CEO asking whether the MCMC had approved the web series. "The MCMC of the East Delhi constituency had received a complaint on April 11 through a grievance redressal portal," the official said. Sources said that since the online streaming of this web series was not a Delhi specific matter, the CEO office has urged the EC to look into this matter. Directed by Umesh Shukla of OMG: Oh My God fame, the web series features actors Faisal Khan, Ashish Sharma and Mahesh Thakur, who has played the role of PM Modi at different stages of his life. In a fresh trouble for BJP leader Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, the District Election Officer and Collector in Bhopal on Saturday issued a notice to her under model code of conduct seeking an explanation from for her comment on Late Mumbai ATS chief Hemant Karkare. Sadhvi Pragya, who is also BJP's candidate from Bhopal, has been asked to submit her response within a day. Bhopal: A notice has been issued to Pragya Singh Thakur by District Election Officer and Collector under model code of conduct seeking an explanation from her for her comment on Late Hemant Karkare within a day. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/cqnjQwRIRN ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2019 Sadhvi Pragya sparked a huge political row on Thursday by claiming that Karkare died during Mumbai attacks because she had "cursed" him for torturing her. Pragya had made the controversial remarks while addressing BJP workers in Bhopal. The growing criticism, however, forced Sadhvi Pragya to tender an apology on Friday. "We took suo motu cognisance of the statement and sought a report from the assistant returning officer (ARO) on the matter. We got the report this morning and we are going to issue notices, which are returnable within 24 hours, to the organiser of the programme and the person who made the statement," District Election Officer and Bhopal Collector Sudam Khade told PTI. The 48-year-old Sadhvi Pragya is currently on bail and she has been discharged by a court on charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. Sadhvi Pragya is still facing trial under other criminal provisions, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, in Malegaon case. The BJP on Wednesday announced that Sadhvi Pragya will be the party's candidate from Bhopal seat against Congress stalwart and Digvijay Singh. Sadhvi Pragya's statement did not go down well with opposition with the Congress demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP, however, tried to douse the fire by issuing a press statement that the statement made by Sadhvi Pragya was was her "personal view" and the party consider Karkare as a 'martyr''. The BJP's press statement also said that it was quite possible that Sadhvi Pragya had made the statement "due to years of physical and mental torture". Meanwhile, in an interview to a TV channel on Friday PM Modi had said that the BJP's decision to give ticket to Sadhvi Pragya from Bhopal was a symbolic answer to all those who tried to brand Hindus as "terrorist". He added that this was done by the Congress and the party will have to pay a big price for doing this. The PM had also accused the Congress of working with a certain "modus operandi" to create false narratives on incidents such as Samjhauta Express blast and death of judge BH Loya. "Samjhauta Express verdict came. What came out? Without any evidence, a rich civilization as old as 5000 years, which gave the message of `the whole world is one`? You called such a civilization terrorist? To give a reply to all such people, this (fielding of Thakur) is a symbol and this symbol will cost Congress dearly," said the prime minister. The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday transferred Malda district Superintendent of Police (SP) Arnab Ghosh three days ahead of the third phase of polls to be held in the district. The EC took the action after the BJP leaders met the poll panel accusing SP Ghosh of working at the behest of the TMC government. Ajoy Prasad has been appointed as the new SP of the district. Cases of violence were reported were from some parts of West Bengal during the second phase of voting on Thursday. The BJP had claimed that voters were not allowed by the TMC supporters to exercise their franchise freely. The party had also demanded a repoll in 40 polling booths in the Darjeeling parliamentary constituency where voting was held on Thursday. BJP's candidate from Darjeeling Raju Bista had written a letter to the Returning Officer demanding the repolling in 40 polling booths. Thirty-nine of these booths were under the Chopra assembly segment, and one under Phansidewa. Meanwhile, several BJP candidates across the state have been allegedly attacked and assaulted by TMC supporters. Sources said that BJP's candidate from the Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency Samik Bhattacharya was attacked by TMC supporters on Friday and his office was also ransacked. Chandi Charan Rai, the general secretary, BJP Kolkata North Suburban District was also beaten up by miscreants, who allegedly belonged to TMC. During the second phase of polling, the car of CPI(M) candidate Md Salim was also attacked allegedly by TMC goons. Md Salim, who is sitting MP, was targeted when he went to a polling booth at Islampur in Uttar Dinajpur. TMC, however, has repeatedly maintained that its supporters were not involved in the attacks on BJP or CPM candidates and has termed it a ploy by the opposition to defame the party. NEW DELHI: In yet another setback to the Congress party, its former Member of Parliament from Kollam S Krishna Kumar on Saturday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Kumar was inducted in the saffron party fold in the presence of the BJP leaders in the national capital. Delhi: S Krishna Kumar, former Congress MP from Kollam (Kerala), joins Bharatiya Janata Party pic.twitter.com/v5374QVaKb ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2019 Welcoming Kumar in the party, senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said that his induction will further strengthen the saffron party. When asked why he decided to quit the Congress party and join the BJP, Kumar said, "I worked in Rajiv Gandhi and Narasimha Rao governments as Minister of State and Minister of State independent charge. I decided to devote the rest of my life as a soldier of Narendra Modi. I believe people of India should give a mandate to PM Modi for the next 10 years. I am opposed to the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and now her son.'' He continued to attack Congress by saying, ''Narasimha Rao's remains were not even allowed at the AICC office. He was disrespected. Sonia has no idea of Indian heritage and culture." On his decision to join BJP, Kumar said, ''My motive for rest of my life is to strengthen hands of PM Modi. He should be given a mandate not only for 5 years but for another 10 years so that he can modernise the nation and take it to the forefront.'' Kumar is the member of the 16th Lok Sabha from Kerala's Kollam. NEW DELHI: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday broke his silence on Congress' poll promise of NYAY (Nyuntam Aay Yojana), stressing that no new taxes will be required to implement this scheme successfully in the ground. The Congress has promised in its manifesto that under NYAY the party will provide an income support of Rs 72,000 annually to around 5 crore families, if it forms the government after winning the 2019 Lok Sabha poll. "Congress is committed to fiscal discipline. NYAY scheme will cost between 1.2 - 1.5 per cent of GDP at its peak. Our nearly $3 trillion economy has the fiscal capacity to absorb this expenditure. There will be no need for any new taxes on the middle class to finance NYAY. The economic stimulus that NYAY will provide will further help in fiscal discipline," Singh said in a statement. Singh, who is a noted economist, added that NYAY will play an important role in restarting the Indian economy which has come to a grinding halt under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "NYAY will also help restart our economic engine that has come to a stop today. Money in the hands of the needy will stimulate demand in the economy which can then lead to increased economic activity and job creation, referred to as the Keynesian effect by economists. At a time when private investment and industrial production are low, NYAY can help bring our economy back to life and create new factories and jobs," he said. Talking about NYAY, the former premier said that around 70% Indians were living below poverty line when India got independence in 1947 but the policies of the Congress government over the last seven decades had helped in bringing down this number to only 20%. "Nearly 70 per cent of Indians were poor when India attained Independence from the British in 1947. With sound policies adopted by successive governments over the last seven decades, poverty levels have been brought down from 70 to 20 per cent now. It is time now to renew our pledge to wipe out the last remains of poverty." Singh expressed confidence that NYAY provide a basic level of dignity and respect to every family in the country. He added that the scheme will provide an opportunity to the poor to live a better life. Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, who is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha election candidate from Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh, has defended her comments during a rally which led to the Election Commission of India banning her for 48 hours from campaigning. Speaking to Zee News, Maneka Gandhi called the entire controversy unnecessary. I said whatever was in my heart. I respect the minorities. My statement was presented in the wrong way. I never make provocative speeches. My statement was not provocative. I have worked for the minorities in Pilibhit and I carried forward the same message at Sultanpur. This controversy was unnecessary. I had asked the minorities to support us in this election, else my heart will break. As per the Election Commission, my statement is not right but I said what I felt from heart, said the BJP veteran. Maneka was banned from campaigning for 48 hours after her video asking Muslims to vote for her as they will need her once the Lok Sabha election is over surfaced online. "We are not Mahatma Gandhi's children that we keep giving and not get anything in return," she said in Sultanpur's Muslim-dominated Turabkhani area. A sitting MP from Pilibhit, BJP has fielded Maneka from Sultanpur in this election where she faces Sanjay Sinh of Congress and Chandra Bhadra Singh of BSP. Speaking on the BSP candidate, Maneka says, There is no challenge here. But the candidate elected by BSP has a criminal record, which people don't like. The decent residents here do not want to vote for a criminal. When asked if the BSP candidates' criminal background can help her, Maneka quipped, Maybe. Speaking on Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, Maneka said, Priyanka Gandhi is not a challenge. The question is not about the person, but the party. Battles can't be fought by just a general, soldiers are needed. Parties members are like dal (pulses) while the leader is the chonkha (top seasoning). Where will seasoning go without the lentils? Congress has no lentils. Priyanka is not contesting the poll from Varanasi, she's just here for the media. Priyanka can't compete with Narendra Modi, she added. When asked if she'll campaign against Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, Maneka said, I don't visit Amethi in favour or against anyone. The 62-year-old admitted the SP-BSP combine is a challenge, but added that the coalition is not working on the ground. This is still a coalition with visibility on the top. Caste factor is an issue in every election. If the (SP-BSP) coalition equation reaches the ground, it is a challenge. And if it's not at the grassroots levels, then it's not a challenge. On Mayawati and Mulayam coming together at an election rally, she said, Friendship is always a good thing, why will we be enemies. Ending their 24-year rivalry, BSP supremo Mayawati shared the stage with Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav at Mainpuri in UP on Friday. Maneka also added that she had no opinion on the Ram Mandir issue in Ayodhya. In Sultanpur, Ram temple is not an issue. Here the issue is renaming Sultanpur to Kushbhawanpur, after Lord Ram's son Kush, she added. Development will be the main issue in Sultanpur fixing the sugar mill. However, a new issued has cropped up the issue of being thankful. Modi ji has worked in the last five years, said the Union Cabinet Minister for Women and Child Development. Ahmedabad: A day after he was slapped onstage by a man during a public event in Gujarat, a scuffle broke out at the public meeting which was being addressed by the newly-inducted Congress leader, Hardik Patel in Ahmedabad on Saturday. According to news agency ANI, the scuffled broke out when Patel was about to address the public meeting here this afternoon. It is still unclear as to what caused the scuffle in Hardik Patel's public meeting. A video shared by ANI showed Hardik Patel appealing to his supporters and the gathering to cam down as the protesters started breaking chairs and shouting slogans. #WATCH: Scuffle breaks out at Congress leader Hardik Patel's public meeting in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. More details awaited pic.twitter.com/Eb7iK5WHrQ ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2019 The incident came a day after Patel was slapped onstage by a man while he was addressing a poll rally at a village in Surendranagar district of Gujarat. A ruckus took place on the stage as all present on dais tried to pull the man away from Patel. Patel later filed a complaint with the police after he was slapped. The incident was captured on cameras and was widely shared online. The attack on Hardik Patel took place as he began to deliver his speech at Baldana village under Wadhwan taluka. Congress candidate for the Surendranagar Lok Sabha seat, Soma Patel, was present on the dais when Hardik Patel was assaulted. The man was overpowered by party workers, thrashed and taken away from the venue. He was later handed over to the police. Soon after the incident, Hardik Patel accused the BJP of trying to attack him and kill him. NEW DELHI: Amid growing criticism from Congress leaders for campaigning for his wife and Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Poonam Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha on Saturday tried to defend himself, saying that he supported his wife because it is his duty as a husband. "Yesterday was a big and special day for my family as my better half, the graceful and radiant #PoonamSinha embarked on a new chapter of her life. I stood by her as a dutiful husband amidst remarks of me crossing party lines to campaign for my wife. But my stance was very loud and clear," Sinha tweeted. The Congress candidate from Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency added that people have expressed mixed reactions over his action with some even accusing him of behaving like a star but I have committed no mistake and I am ready to serve the people of Lucknow. "I learnt that there was a mixed bag of reactions among people to my action. Some said I was behaving in my authoritative style as a star, others said that I did no wrong... as I said I will serve the people of Lucknow," he said in another tweet. Expressing his gratitude to the Gandhi family, Sinha said that he would like to thank the Gandhi family and Congress party for giving him the ticket to contest from Patna Sahib. "Expressed my thanks to the Gandhi family and Congress party for giving me the opportunity to fight this battle," he noted. It is to be noted that Samajwadi Party has fielded Poonam Sinha against Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh from Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency. The Congress has given ticket to Pramod Krishnam from this seat, ANI reported. Pramod Krishnam has also criticised Sinha for campaigning for his wife and has reminded him to work for the Congress and not SP. "Shatrughan Sinha has come here and fulfilled his duty as a husband, but I would like to tell him that he should now campaign for his party and fulfil his political dharma," Krishnam said. While campaigning for Poonam on Friday, Shatrughan Sinha had praised BSP-SP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh "I have never seen such a powerful and huge gathering. This has been possible only through the blessings of Mulayam Singh Yadav, co-operation of BSP`s Mayawati and hard work of RLD`s Ajit Singh," he had said. Sinha joined Congress few days ago after he was denied ticket from Patna Sahib in Bihar by the BJP. He will be contesting against Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad. In 2014, Sinha had won from Patna Sahib on BJP's ticket. Steena Das By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With just a few days remaining for the election, farmers in the district voiced their needs regarding their expectation from the Central Government. Though agriculture is not a large contributor to the economy of the district, farmers in the outskirts including Vellayani, Neyyattinkara and Chenkal cultivate banana, paddy and several other vegetables. P Sasi, a farmer from Amaravila, said, "We receive a meagre amount, Rs 5.40 per plantain from the Central Government when our crops are destroyed." According to farmers, the cyclone Ockhi had affected the plantain crops in the district and they received the compensation only after a year. This has resulted in huge debt among the plantain farmers. "I was unable to pay the lease amount owing to null profit last year. Therefore I had to take a loan to pay the lease amount. The money I received for the loss was inadequate and I was unable to pay back the loan," said Sasi. Currently, he has a total of Rs five lakh loan in his name, wife's and in his mother's name in the State Bank of India and corporative banks. The farmers complain about the negligence of the government in taking immediate measures after the crop destruction. "As we have less number of farmers in the district, our issues are not given priority," opined Rajan K, a paddy farmer. The cost of fertilisers has increased over the past five years. "Earlier, phosphate fertiliser cost C340. It has now increased to C1160," said Rajan, a farmer in Neyyattinkara. Vegetable farmers are plagued with reduced subsidy amount. "For one acre of vegetable cultivation, we receive a total of C6000 as subsidy which is deficient," complained Giridharan S, a farmer in Chenkal. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Kummanam Rajasekharan (NDA candidate) Kummanam Rajasekharan gives importance to small-scale farmers. According to him, the large-scale farmers do receive a lot of benefits from the government. With the help of the Government of India, he would like to bring integrated farming for the middle-class farmers. Rajasekharan wants to promote sustainable development in the agriculture sector. According to him, only 30 per cent of the vegetables are produced in the state. To support small-scale farmers he intends to take measures to produce more vegetables in the district. The candidate would like to integrate the tourism sector with agriculture by connecting the farmers directly to the hotels. Shashi Tharoor (UDF candidate) Tharoor feels two areas that are of immediate concern even in this district which has only a small agrarian economy, are improving access to formal credit, boosting the income levels of farming households and improving the net area under irrigation. "There's a need to comprehensively assess the number of farming households that have still not received compensation for damages faced during the floods and I'll work with them on a case by case basis and highlight individual cases before the government so compensation is transferred without any further delayed," he said. C Divakaran (LDF candidate) C Divakaran promises to introduce an industrial unit for the rubber farmers in Parassala and Neyyattinkara. He said initiatives will be taken to provide better vegetable marketing platform to the farmers. Regarding pending loans, Divakaran says, "I shall talk to the banks to negotiate interest of the loans to the farmers. I will try to provide zero-interest loans to the farmers by getting grants for the interest of the Central Government." With the increased exports of tuber products from the state, he would like to bring extensive research in the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute. Buniadpur: Lashing out at TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said, "speed breaker didi" has lost her sleep after the first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. Addressing an election rally here in South Dinajpur district, Modi accused the chief minister of fooling people in the name of 'ma, mati and manush' (mother, land and people). "Speedbreaker didi has lost her sleep after the reports that came in post the first and second phase of polling in the state," the prime minister told a well-attended rally. He also flayed Banerjee for allowing people from the "neighbouring country" to campaign for the Trinamool Congress in the state. "It is shameful that people from the neighbouring country are campaigning for the TMC. This was done by the party to appease the minority community," PM Modi said. The prime minister criticised Banerjee for seeking proof of the Balakot airstrikes in Pakistan and asked her to, instead, collect evidence against those behind chit fund scams. New Delhi: Popular television and film actress Surveen Chawla has welcomed a baby girl in her home with husband Akshay Thakker. The proud mom took to Instagram and shared a cutesy first pic of the infant. The post shows two tiny feet and we can't stop gushing over the innocence and purity it depicts. Check out the pic shared by Surveen here: The actress captioned the pic as We now have her tiny feet to fill the tiny shoes! Blessed by her wonderful arrival in our little family! Welcoming our daughter Eva @akshaythakker The actress flaunted her baby bump on social media and kept her fans updated about the pregnancy. Here is extending our heartiest congratulations to the lovely couple! For the unversed, Surveen tied the knot with businessman beau Akshay Thakker at the picturesque Italy in 2015. The actress had made the marriage public in 2017, surprising all her fans. After starting her career with television show 'Kahin To Hoga', the actress worked in Hindi films as well. She was seen in 'Hate Story 2', 'Ugly', 'Parched' etc. Islamabad [Pakistan]: A Chinese man was found dead in a stormwater drain in Islamabad, said Pakistan police on Friday. The man, who has been identified as Li Jinqiang, had arrived in Pakistan on April 13 and had gone out to buy medicine. Since then he had been missing. The cause of his death is yet to be known. The body has been sent for postmortem. Attack on Chinese nationals living in Pakistan gone up in lately. Last year, the Embassy of China in Islamabad had warned Chinese citizens and Chinese organisations in Pakistan to be on alert for possible terror attacks on them. According to an estimate, there are nearly 400,000 Chinese people living in Pakistan, with a large number of professionals involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). BELFAST: Two men have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of journalist Lyra McKee during a riot in Londonderry, the Police Service of Northern Ireland announced on Saturday. "Major Investigation Team detectives have arrested two men, aged 18 and 19 under the Terrorism Act, in connection with the murder," the Police Service of Northern Ireland said in a statement. KHARTOUM: Sudan`s public prosecutor has begun investigating ousted President Omar al-Bashir on charges of money laundering and possession of large sums of foreign currency without legal grounds, a judicial source said on Saturday. The source said that military intelligence had searched Bashir`s home and found suitcases loaded with more than $351,000 and six million euros, as well as five million Sudanese pounds. "The chief public prosecutor... ordered the (former) president detained and quickly questioned in preparation to put him on trial," a judicial source told Reuters. "The public prosecution will question the former president in Kobar prison," the source added. Bashir has not been questioned yet, said the source. Two of his brothers were also detained on allegations of corruption, the source said. Relatives could not be immediately reached on Saturday for comment about the investigation. Bashir, who is also being sought by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over allegations of genocide in the country`s western Darfur region, was ousted on April 11 by the military following months of protests against his rule and had been held at a presidential residence. Bashir`s family said this week that the former president had been moved to the high-security Kobar prison in Khartoum. Hassan Bashir, a professor of political science at the University of Neelain, said the measures against Bashir are intended as a message to other figures associated with his rule that they are not above the law. "The trial is a step that the military council wants to take to satisfy the protesters by presenting al-Bashir for trial," he said. Bashir survived several armed rebellions, economic crises, and attempts by the West to turn him into a pariah during his 30-year rule before he was toppled in a military coup. At a sit-in outside Sudan`s Ministry of Defence that began on April 6, protesters stood besides posters of Bashir that called on the ICC to put him on trial. The Sudanese Professionals` Association, leading the protests, has called for holding Bashir and members of his administration to account, a purge of corruption and cronyism and easing an economic crisis that worsened during Bashir`s last years in power. On Wednesday, Sudan`s transitional military council ordered the central bank to review financial transfers since April 1 and to seize "suspect" funds, according to state news agency SUNA. The council also ordered the "suspension of the transfer of ownership of any shares until further notice and for any large or suspect transfers of shares or companies to be reported" to authorities. BEIRUT/MOSCOW: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met senior officials from his strongest ally Russia in Damascus on Friday and Saturday to discuss upcoming peace talks and trade between the two countries, state media in Syria reported. Russia has helped Assad`s forces to take back most of the country but the eight-year-long war continues. Swathes of the northeast and northwest are out of his control, while sanctions and a fuel shortage are constricting the economy. Moscow has pushed for a political process involving talks on a new constitution and elections as a way to end the conflict, but Assad has played down the possibility that the Turkey-backed opposition or foreign countries might participate. Russia`s Foreign Ministry said late on Friday that Assad had met Moscow`s Syria envoy Alexander Lavrentiev, Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin and several Russian Defence Ministry officials. However, while it said they had discussed the formation of a constitutional committee, which Syria`s opposition last year agreed to join under U.N. auspices after a Russian-hosted peace conference, Syrian state media did not mention it. Syria`s official SANA news agency said meetings had focused on the next round of talks in Kazakhstan involving Syria, its allies Russia and Iran, and the rebels` backer Turkey. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in Syria`s war and about half the pre-conflict population of 22 million has been displaced. Russia launched a military intervention to support Assad in 2015, turning the tide of the fighting in his favour. On Saturday, SANA said Assad had met Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov to discuss trade and economic cooperation, "particularly in the fields of energy, industry and increasing trade". It said Assad and Borisov discussed mechanisms to overcome obstacles including those "resulting from the sanctions which countries against the Syrian people imposed on Syria". The United States and European Union imposed tough sanctions on Syria early in the conflict over what they described as atrocities carried out by the government, which it denies. This week, Syrian state media reported that a fuel shortage which has resulted in rationing and long queues at petrol stations came in the context of difficulty in importing fuel and the halting of a credit line from Iran. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem said in a statement on Saturday carried by SANA that "Syria is always coordinating with Iran". ANKARA: Turkey has arrested two suspects who confessed to spying on Arab nationals for the United Arab Emirates, and is investigating whether the arrival in Turkey of one of them was related to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a senior Turkish official said on Friday. One of the two men arrived in Turkey in October 2018, days after Khashoggi was murdered inside Saudi Arabia`s consulate in Istanbul, the official said, adding the other had arrived later to help his colleague with the workload. "We are investigating whether the primary individual`s arrival in Turkey was related to the Jamal Khashoggi murder," said the official, adding the person had been monitored for six months before the arrests in Istanbul on Monday. "It is possible that there was an attempt to collect information about Arabs, including political dissidents, living in Turkey." A Turkish court ruled on Friday evening to keep the two suspects in custody on international, political and military espionage charges, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported. State broadcaster TRT Haber published photos of the two suspects in custody, standing in front of the Turkish flag. They also released photographs, apparently taken previously and covertly, of the two men walking down a street together. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed in the consulate on Oct. 2 by a team of Saudi operatives, provoking an international outcry. The CIA and some Western countries believe the Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia`s de facto ruler, ordered the killing, which Saudi officials deny. The Saudi public prosecutor has indicted 11 unidentified suspects, including five who could face the death penalty on charges of ordering and committing the crime. A representative of the UAE`s foreign ministry could not immediately be reached for comment at the weekend. A spokesman for Turkey`s interior ministry declined to comment. An Istanbul police spokesman confirmed it was involved in the operation. As part of the counter-intelligence investigation, Turkish officials seized an encrypted computer located in a hidden compartment at what the official told Reuters was the spy ring`s base in Istanbul. The official, who requested anonymity, said statements by the detained men suggested their intelligence operation targeted political exiles and students. "We have extensive evidence of the individuals` covert activities on Turkish soil," the official said, calling it an "airtight" case. "They also confessed to have been employed by the UAE`s intelligence services." The suspected spies said they had recruited informants and paid them for information, the official added. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has urged the United States to put its weight behind the investigation into the killing of Khashoggi and not to set the matter aside because of its ties with Riyadh. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: uneasy calm prevails at the Interim Government Complex at Velagapudi with speculation rife about the possibility of the Election Commission cracking the whip on officials, who attended the review meetings chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in the past couple of days, allegedly in violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Reports suggest that the EC has sought an explanation from Chief Secretary L V Subramanyam on the erring officials. However, sources told TNIE that no intimation from the EC has been received by the CS. Nonetheless, it is learnt that communication to this effect could be on its way.If some official flouted EC guidelines, then an explanation is due from such a person. Individuals who sought the advice of the CS on the need to attend the review meetings have been advised not to attend them, a highly-placed source told TNIE. It may be recalled that the CM held a couple of review meetings -- on the progress of Polavaram project, drinking water supply and CRDA activities -- in the past two days even as the MCC was in force. At the CEO Gopal Krishna Dwivedis office, though there was not much activity on Friday, officials lamented that the ongoing tussle between the EC and the Chief Minister had become a major headache contrary to their expectation that elections in one phase would lessen their burden. The CEO is awaiting with his fingers crossed for the response of the EC to the report submitted by him on Naidus visit to his office on the eve of polling day on April 11. The CEO has already submitted his report along with the video recording and transcript of conversation that Naidu had with him in which the latter made adverse remarks against the election body. Dwivedi was not available for his comment in spite of repeated attempts made by TNIE to reach him. In a related development, the EC reportedly took action against six Returning Officers from the State based on the report submitted by the CEO. The Election Commission has asked officials to frame charges (register case) against the ROs of Nuzvid Assembly constituency in Krishna district and Sullurpet and Kovur in Nellore district for dereliction of duty. As per its instructions, State officials have registered a case against RO and Assistant RO of Atmakur and placed them under suspension. Repatriation of official under EC scanner The EC is reported to have sought a report on repatriation of State Kapu Welfare and Development Corporation MD K Sivasankara Rao to his parent body - Planning department - on April 15. It is learnt that the repatriation of Rao (a State cadre official) who is Joint Director in the Planning department, without ECs knowledge violated the model code. Naidu woos Telugu voters Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Friday was joined by AP CM N Chandrababu Naidu at a rally in Raichur to woo Telugu-speaking voters who have settled in the bordering districts and form a formidable chunk in the seven Assembly segments. By Associated Press CONNECTICUT(US): Worldwide paranormal investigator and author Lorraine Warren, whose decades of ghost-hunting cases with her late husband inspired such frightening films as "The Conjuring" series and "The Amityville Horror," died. She was 92. Warren's son-in-law Tony Spera and grandson Chris McKinnell posted Friday on Facebook that Warren died in her sleep Thursday night at her Connecticut home. Phone messages and emails were left with several of Warren's family members. Warren's attorney, Gary Barkin, confirmed his client's death via email to The Associated Press. "She was a remarkable, loving, compassionate and giving soul," Spera wrote. The Warrens founded the New England Society for Psychic Research in Monroe, Connecticut, in 1952 to investigate suspected hauntings. The group also posted of her passing on Facebook. During their 61 years of marriage, Lorraine and Ed Warren investigated more than 10,000 cases in the U.S. and abroad, often writing about their experiences. Their unusual profession has been credited with sparking popular interest in the paranormal, as well as the television shows and films now dedicated to the subject. "When nobody was really even talking about ghosts, they were just two people from Bridgeport, Connecticut, who came together and fell in love and Ed happened to have had a lot of paranormal instances when he was growing up and Lorraine was always the sensitive clairvoyant," said Larry Dwyer, a staff writer at the Horror News Network, a website that covers the horror film industry. He said the couple realized they could use their "gifts" and Catholic faith to help people who believed they were being tormented by ghosts or demons. Ed Warren died in 2006 and Spera now oversees the New England Society for Psychic Research. The organization's website said Lorraine Warren had "decided to retire from active investigations regarding the areas of haunted homes and demonic infestations/possessions" but was still a consultant to the organization at the time of her death. The Warrens' work did receive criticism from doubters over the years. The New England Skeptical Society in 1997 said the Warrens' "copious anecdotal evidence" of reports of hauntings vastly outnumbered their "low-grade physical evidence." Warren told The AP in a 2013 interview that she understood it was very difficult for people to accept she could see ghosts if they had never seen one themselves. "I hope you never will," she said. "I really don't." My dear friend Lorraine Warren has passed. From a deep feeling of sorrow, a deep feeling of gratitude emerges. I was so blessed to have known her and am honored to portray her. She lived her life in grace and cheerfulness. She wore a helmet of salvation, she dawned her sword... pic.twitter.com/Kn2E6ZO9fL Vera Farmiga (@VeraFarmiga) 19 April 2019 The 2013 film "The Conjuring" is based on the couple's investigation into alleged events at a Rhode Island farmhouse in the 1970s. Lorraine Warren visited the set during the filming. She also spent time at her Connecticut home with actress Vera Farmiga, who portrays Warren in the movie and its sequels. Farmiga expressed her condolences on Twitter on Friday. By Express News Service Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor have collaborated on a song dedicated to the CRPF soldiers who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack. Titled Tu Desh Mera, the tribute song has been created in association with the para-military forces. Other Bollywood actors are also rumoured to feature in the track. On February 14, 2019, a convoy transporting security personnel from Jammu to Srinagar was attacked by a car carrying explosives. Forty CRPF jawans were killed in what was declared the deadliest terror attack on Indian forces in the region. The incident resulted in rapid military escalations between India and Pakistan, culminating in the Balakot airstrikes conducted by the Indian Air Force (AIF) on February 26. In the aftermath of the Pulwama attack, numerous celebrities from the Indian film industry had expressed their solidarity with the armed forces, leading to a blanket ban on Pakistani artists in the Indian film and music industries. Several production houses had also registered film titles related to the Pulwama and Balakot attacks, as well as on the life of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan recently worked together in Thugs of Hindostan. Big B and Ranbir Kapoor will be seen sharing screen space in Brahmastra. By Online Desk NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court held an extraordinary hearing on Saturday after a former employee of the apex court accused Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi of sexual harassment and persecution. A three-judge bench headed by Justice Gogoi was constituted after a sworn affidavit by the woman -- copies of which were sent to the residences of 22 apex court judges -- became public on Saturday. ALSO READ: Independence of judiciary under threat, says CJI Ranjan Gogoi as sexual harassment charge emerges The 35-year-old woman had served as a junior court assistant in Justice Gogois court for two years until October 2018. The alleged incident of harassment took place on October 11 at Justice Gogoi's residence office last year. The woman and her family were allegedly victimised after she rebuffed his advances. Not only was she dismissed from service but her husband and a brother-in-law were suspended from the Delhi police. Another brother-in-law who worked as a junior court attendant was also dismissed. The woman was later arrested in what she claims is a fabricated case of bribery before being released on bail. Former lady employee of the #SupremeCourt of India had made grave allegations against Honble CJI #RanjanGogoi . SupremeCourt special bench which is going to hear the matter after its publication in the media . pic.twitter.com/PCSZbdJ5xN Pradeep Rai (@pradeepraiindia) April 20, 2019 Confirming that a letter by the woman has been received by several sitting judges. Supreme Court Secretary General Sanjeev Sudhakar Kalgaonkar said all the allegations made by the woman concerned are malafide and have no basis."No doubt, it is a malafide allegation," he said. By PTI NEW DELHI: Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who became the face of the tense military confrontation between India and Pakistan, has been shifted out of Srinagar and posted to a frontline air base in the western sector, official sources said Saturday. It is also learnt that the IAF was going to recommend Varthaman's name for Vir Chakra, the coveted wartime gallantry medal, which is the third highest after the Paramvir Chakra and the Mahavir Chakra. Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan on February 27 during aerial combat with Indian Air Force, had returned to his squadron in Srinagar last month though he was on a four-week sick leave. Orders have been issued for his transfer from Srinagar to another base in the western sector, sources said, terming the transfer as "routine one". ALSO READ | Wing Commander Abhinandan likely to return to fighter cockpit The IAF pilot went on leave in mid-March after security agencies completed a nearly two-week debriefing following his return from Pakistan. Sources said a medical board will review his fitness to help the IAF top brass decide whether he can return to fighter cockpit as desired by him. Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani Army on February 27 after his MiG-21 Bison jet was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistani jets during aerial combat. Before his jet was hit, he downed an F-16 fighter of Pakistan. Varthaman was released on the night of March 1 by Pakistan. After he was captured, Varthaman showed courage and grace in handling the most difficult circumstances for which he was praised by politicians, strategic affairs experts, ex-servicemen, celebrities and people in general. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian military installations the next day. However, the IAF thwarted their plans. The Indian strike on the JeM camp came 12 days after the terror outfit claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers. By Online Desk NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court held an extraordinary hearing on Saturday after a former employee of the apex court accused Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi of sexual harassment and persecution. A three-judge bench headed by Justice Gogoi was constituted after a sworn affidavit by the woman copies of which were sent to the residences of 22 apex court judges became public on Saturday. During the hearing in CJI's court No 1, an unfazed Justice Gogoi said the allegations are unbelievable. "This is unbelievable. I don't think I should stoop low even to deny these allegation," he said, adding, "There has to be bigger force behind this, they want to deactivate the office of CJI." ALSO READ: CJI Ranjan Gogoi sexual harassment charge: Here's what the alleged victim wrote in her letter The apex court registry in a notice earlier in the day said a three-bench headed by the CJI was being set up to deal with a "matter of great public importance touching upon the independence of judiciary". The bench also comprised justices Arun Mishra and Sanjiv Khanna The former employee has described two incidents of alleged molestation by Gogoi in her affidavit, both of which allegedly took place in October 2018, only days after he was appointed as the CJI. The woman also said that she and three other members of her family were dismissed or suspended from their jobs following the alleged harassment. Confirming that a letter by the woman has been received by several sitting judges. Supreme Court Secretary General Sanjeev Sudhakar Kalgaonkar said all the allegations made by the woman concerned are malafide and have no basis. Former lady employee of the #SupremeCourt of India had made grave allegations against Honble CJI #RanjanGogoi . SupremeCourt special bench which is going to hear the matter after its publication in the media . pic.twitter.com/PCSZbdJ5xN Pradeep Rai (@pradeepraiindia) April 20, 2019 "No doubt, it is a malafide allegation," CJI Gogoi said. Stating that it was leaving it to the wisdom of media to act responsibly on allegations of sexual harassment against the CJI, the court said the independence of judiciary is under "very, very severe" threat. "After 20 years of selfless service as judge, I have bank balance of Rs 6.80 lakh," he said. "Nobody can catch me on money, people have to find something and they have found this: This is the reward CJI gets after 20 years of service," Justice Gogoi. He made it clear that he will preside over the CJI court and discharge his judicial functions without any fear. "I have taken this unusual and extraordinary step of sitting in court today because things have gone too far," the CJI said, adding, judiciary can't be made a scapegoat. (With PTI inputs) By PTI NEW DELHI: Senior advocate Indira Jaising on Saturday questioned why Attorney General K K Venugopal appeared in the Supreme Court during the hearing on the sexual harassment allegation against the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. Jaising, the founder of The Leaflet that was among the four portals which reported the allegation against the CJI prompting the extraordinary hearing, suggested that Justice Gogoi should withdraw from hearing any matter related to the government. In a series of tweets, Jaising, who was additional solicitor general during the UPA-II regime, asked since the "government has so vociferously defended the Chief Justice of India, should he not recuse from hearing any cases relating to the government?" "What have the allegations of sexual harassment by a dismissed woman employee of the SC got to do with the Government of India ? Why should the Attorney General for India appear is such a case?" she tweeted. ALSO READ | Should CJI be sitting in the bench to hear case against him? She said, "It is not for us to say whether the allegations against the Chief Justice of India are true or false, a competent court will decide, but everyone is entitled to due process." The senior lawyer tagged the story carried by newsportal The Leaflet with her tweets. During the extraordinary hearing Saturday in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said there was a "common thread" in the communications sent to him by four news portals that carried stories on allegation of sexual harassment against him, and suggested a "bigger force" could be behind the controversy to "deactivate" the office of the CJI. One of the news portals, he referred was The Leaflet. The news portal has been founded by Jaising and senior advocate Anand Grover under the aegis of their NGO "An Imprint of Lawyers Collective", according to its website. The CJI, who was part of a hurriedly convened special bench also comprising justices Arun Mishra and Sanjiv Khanna, said the four news portals -- Scroll, The Leaflet, Caravan and the Wire -- have carried the stories on the allegations. "There is a common thread in the communications, and the questions I was asked to answer are common," he said, adding, "they (news portals) gave less than five hours notice to the CJI to respond". By PTI SRINAGAR: JKLF chief Yasin Malik's family on Saturday alleged that he was "very ill" after he went on a hunger strike to protest against his "illegal" detention by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). A Delhi court had on April 10 sent Malik to NIA custody till April 22 in connection with a terror funding case. Addressing a press conference here, Yasin Malik's family said they were not allowed to meet the separatist leader and that he has been in a hospital for the past four days. "We had gone to Jammu to meet him (Malik), but when we reached there in the evening, we heard that he has been taken to Delhi. So we returned without meeting him. Since then, we are only in touch with his lawyer. The lawyer, Raja Tufail, was also not allowed to meet Malik," they alleged. The family said Tufail had to get court permission to meet the JKLF leader on Saturday. "It was then that they (NIA officials) were forced to tell him (lawyer) that Malik was very ill as he (Malik) had been on a hunger strike since April 10 and was admitted to a hospital on April 16. The jail authorities had not informed us about his health condition," they said. In a statement, a Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) spokesman said the "illegally detained JKLF chairman is in a serious condition" in Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Delhi. "After getting court permission, his (Malik) lawyer was contacted by NIA officials this morning and asked to come to the said hospital where the lawyer found that Malik was on a hunger strike. The JKLF chairman started his hunger strike against the callous approach of NIA, a day after he was shifted to New Delhi and handed over to the agency," the spokesman said. He also warned the Centre of "serious consequences" if anything untoward happened to Malik. "The JKLF will hold a two-day hunger strike in Islamabad on April 25 and 26, and stage a five-day dharna starting from April 28 outside the Indian Embassy in London," the spokesman said. Meanwhile, moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said he was "deeply" disturbed by the news about Malik's health. Written by: Diana West Now at The Epoch Times Hesitant about working my way through the Mueller report, I found myself gratified to hear Rep. Devin Nuness assessment of the thing. According to Nunes, there is only one item of relevance in the entire 450-page document. While it is an item of significance, it confirms something many have long suspected. Nunes explained that on page 11 there is a veiled disclosure to the effect that the scope memo, the directive Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein gave Special Counsel Robert Mueller in August 2017, included the Steele dossier, the Clinton dirt, the Clinton-paid-for dirt as part of the memo for the special counsel that directed the special counsel what to do. Nunes elaborated on the implications: The Mueller report ignored a wide range of abuses committed during the FBIs investigation of the Trump campaign. And now, with the revelation that the Special Counsel was authorized at the outset to investigate Carter Page for allegedly colluding with Russians to hack the election, its clear that false allegations from the Steele dossier played a major role not only in the FISA warrant application on Page, but in the appointment of the Special Counsel as well. (Emphasis added.) As numb as we are to the machinations of the anti-Trump conspiracy, this is a crowning outrage. It means the Mueller report is more than a prosecutors brief, written, as Frank Miehle put it, by Democrats for Democrats. It means it is also more than a political salvo to reshape the anti-Trump battlefield, as discussed here, by surrendering the Russian collusion narrative (Mueller likely knew for at least 18 months it was a fake) while falling back to the phony Russian hacking story as the Deep States vital line of defense against exposure of its role in a criminal conspiracy to overturn an election. Given this confirmation that the Steele dossier was used as evidence not only to authorize spying on the Trump campaign and presidency, but also as evidence to further investigate the Trump campaign and presidency by the Special Counsel, the resulting Mueller report is really the Son of the Steele Dossier. Think about it. So long as anyone pretends the Mueller report is anything but an extension of the Steele dossier disinformation campaign to overturn the 2016 election and destroy the presidency of Donald Trump, the hoaxing continues. Yes, the report says there was no collusion, but we already knew that. We didnt need Mueller & Co. to tell us that. This helps explain why it was so unsettling, to say the least, to hear Attorney General Barr commend Special Counsel Mueller in his remarks on the Special Counsel reports release: I would also like to thank Special Counsel Mueller for his service and the thoroughness of his investigation, particularly his work exposing the nature of Russias attempts to interfere in our electoral process. An investigation predicated on a hoax (the Steele dossier) is nothing to be commended by any principled law enforcement officerand certainly not for its thoroughness, not when the Special Counsel ignored, as Rep. Nunes pointed out, a wide range of abuses committed during the FBIs investigation of the Trump campaign. The dirty little secret is this: Had the Special Counsel investigated these same FBI abuses, he would have exposed the Steele dossier hoax at its core, and thus pulled the plug on the anti-Trump conspiracy operating inside the Washington Swamp. This, however, is the last thing a Deep State denizen like Robert Mueller would ever do; indeed, it is more likely that he did all in his power to ensure that such an investigation never comes to fruition. Of all people, surely Attorney General Barr understands this, even as he pretends the Mueller investigation proceeded legitimately. Note, too, that Barr especially congratulated Mueller for his work exposing the nature of Russias attempts to interfere in our electoral process. This is troubling. Not for the first time, Barr has aligned himself with Mueller to perpetuate the unproven allegation that the Russians hacked the DNC server and conveyed emails revealing that the DNC colluded with Hillary Clinton against Bernie Sanders to Wikileaksa foundational myth of the Trump Russia disinformation campaign. (For all of his vaunted thoroughness, Mueller did not even interview Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange, although that didnt stop Mueller from making grievous accusations against Assange.) The basic fact to hold onto is that this unproven allegation of Russian hacking depends on the say-so of a partisan actora DNC contractor named Crowdstrike (co-founded by Shawn Henry, a protege of Robert Mueller). Incredible but true: The DNC claimed that its server was cyber-attacked by a hostile foreign power, but the FBI never confirmed it. Crowdstrikes analysis, meanwhile, has been called into serious question by research conducted by VIPS, a group of retired intelligence professionals led by two former technical directors of the NSA. VIPS analysis points to a leak of the emails from within the DNC organization, not an external hack from a foreign intelligence service. It would seem, then, that a stream of disinformation continues to course through the Democratic Party into our government, polluting our nations life and times with the Steele dossier, the Crowdstrike analysis, and, now, the Mueller report. Does our government ever become clean again? Not until we recognize how dirty it has become. By IANS LUCKNOW: Sanghmitra Maurya, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Uttar Pradesh's Badaun Lok Sabha seat, has landed in controversy by asking her supporters to resort to fake voting if the actual voters were unable to cast their ballots. In a video that has gone viral on the social media, Maurya is seen addressing her supporters and saying: "If there is a chance to cast fake vote, you can do so. This happens sometimes. If a voter is not available, you can cast his vote. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE "If someone resorts to 'goondaism' during the election, you should not be afraid because I am a bigger goon and will guard your self-respect." Maurya is the daughter of UP Minister Swami Prasad Maurya. She is pitted against Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav. Badaun goes to the polls in the third phase on April 23. Richa Sharma By Express News Service AHMEDABAD/SURAT: Vivek Bodar (25), a worker at a diamond polishing unit in Surat, remarked casually that even a donkey can win on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket from Surat, as people here vote only in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and not the candidate. Bodar and his group of friends, who were eating snacks at a roadside stall on a breezy evening, said that PM Modi is a clear favourite with voters in cities. It was not a remark in isolation. PM Modis fan following in Gujarats urban areas is intact. Take the case of Raunak Panchal (30), an autorickshaw driver in Vadodara who excitedly pulled out his smartphone and showed a video he received on popular messaging application WhatsApp. The video shows Modi receiving Russias highest civilian honour, a feat which had eluded his predecessors in the countrys top post.This, he said, was one of the many reasons why he enlisted his support for the BJP.All 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat are going to polls on April 23. While they agreed that unemployment rate is high, they emphasised that this general election is also about the development work of the Modi government and a tough stance taken on national security. Look at the national highways, Metro projects and other infrastructure projects. There has been so much development in the country, Bodar said. The urban voters in the state are spread across seven constituencies East and West Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Jamnagar, Gandhinagar and Rajkot. BJP has been traditionally strong in urban areas of Gujarat. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE While people in the age group of 18-40 spoke in favour of demonetisation and GST implementation, older people were largely critical of the government. Unemployment Loss of jobs and growing unemployment under the BJP rule is a cause of concern among voters but it is not enough to make them choose Congress. ALSO READ: Are techies obsessed with Narendra Modi? Find out! During demonetisation, several labourers lost their jobs initially but now it is back to normal, Rajeshbhai Danji, 34, a tailor in Vadodara, said. Development and pollution People across Gujarat voiced concern over rising pollution in various cities and lack of potable water in the state.Pollution has risen on a massive scale. Not a single political party has volunteered to address this issue yet. Hence, Ill vote NOTA (none of the above) this time, Azim Denani, an IIT aspirant, said. Polluted drinking water is also an issue but it wont influence voters choice. Women safety For the majority of women in the state, safety remains a big issue. There is no fear, unlike other states where women face security issues, said Madhuben Patel from Ahmedabad West constituency. National security Modis brand of muscular nationalism, as was demonstrated by the surgical strikes post-Uri attack and the airstrikes in Pakistans Balakot after the Pulwama bombing, found takers among urban voters.I watched videos of Pakistani news channels on YouTube where it was said that the (Balakot) airstrikes did damage terrorist camps, Yash Gami, 25, an employee in Surats textile market, said. By PTI BENGALURU: BJP President Amit Shah Saturday said Narendra Modi should be installed as the Prime Minister once again to secure the country and to give a "befitting" reply to terrorism and Pakistan. Creating a saffron surge, Shah held a massive road show at Bhadravathi in Shimogga, campaigning for party candidate B Y Raghavendra, son of Karnataka BJP President and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. Raghavendra is pitted against former legislator Madhu Bangarappa of JD(S), who is the son of former Chief Minister S Bangarappa. "This election is not only about making Raghavendra Member of Parliament, but to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister," Shah said at the end of road show. "Why should we make Narendra Modi Prime Minister?, to secure the country, to give a befitting reply to terrorism and Pakistan. In order to give a befitting reply to Pakistan, people of Shimogga will have to press the ballot button adjacent to the Lotus symbol and Raghavendra's name," he said. Noting that he too was facing election from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat on April 23, Shah said he had come to campaign for Raghavendra to ensure his victory. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Hundreds of enthusiastic BJP workers cheered the BJP chief chanting "Modi, Modi" as the "Rath," a modified vehicle, covered little more than one and half kilometre distance with Raghavendra, among others, accompanying him. Thousands of people had gathered all along the route showering flower petals on Shah as the vehicle wound its way in a delirious atmosphere. The road show that began with party workers greeting Shah with a loud cheer in favor of BJP, lasted about 40 minutes. Ahead of the "rath," BJP supporters sporting saffron caps and holding cutouts, placards and party flags danced to the drum beats, as slogans of 'Modi Modi' rent the air. ALSO READ: In fight between new and old, Amit Shah in lead in Gandhinagar Raghavendra, who is a sitting MP from Shimogga had defeated Madhu Bangarappa, joint candidate of ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in the by-polls held in November last year. While, Raghavendra is banking on Modi wave along with his father's name and his work as MP, Madhu too is relying on his late father's legacy, support of the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition, andon Ediga community, to which he belongs to. Ediga community has considerable presence in Shimogga. Out of eight assembly segments in Shimogga, BJP had won 7 and Congress only one in Bhadravathi during the 2018 assembly polls. Madhu had lost to his own brother Kumar Bangarappa of BJP during 2018 assembly polls from Soraba constituency. Raghavendra's father and Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Yeddyurappa is the BJP legislator from Shikaripura constituency. There are 12 candidate in the fray in Shimogga that would go to polls on April 23. By PTI PANAJI: Congress Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Gowda said the sexual harassment allegations levelled against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi needs to be investigated from the perspective of both the sides. It is imperative that justice is done to all parties concerned, appropriate procedures are followed and investigation conducted into the CJI's concern that there is some bigger force involved, he told reporters here. A former Supreme Court staffer has alleged that she was removed from service after she rebuffed Gogoi's "sexual advances". ALSO READ | Indira Jaising questions AG's appearance in hearing on CJI's sexual harassment allegations The chief justice convened an extraordinary hearing at the Supreme Court Saturday during which he asserted that the charges by a former apex court staffer were "unbelievable" and part of a conspiracy by some "bigger force" to "deactivate" the CJI's office. Gowda said this is a very serious development and the issue of sexual harassment is of very serious concern. There is a need to better understand what exactly has happened, he said. It should be ensured that justice is done to the complainant who claims her family has been harassed, the Congress leader said. At the same, the CJI's statement should be considered with seriousness as he has said that the issue has cropped up when a bench headed by him is set to hear important cases, Gowda added. Manish Anand By Express News Service RAMPUR: Two things about Rampur, the erstwhile princely state of UP, are well known. The local greyhound, a combination of the Tazi breed and the English Greyhound and the ultra long Chakkus (knives), an inseparable part of any Bollywood thriller of the 1980-90s. While the Rampur greyhounds were trained to even kill lions in packs, the knives were a criminals delight. Both hurt. As with its history, politics in Rampur constituency as it prepares to vote in the Lok Sabha polls revolves around hurt. BJP candidate and former big screen star Jaya Prada Nahata, an ex- protege of Samajwadi Party candidate Azam Khan, has claimed hurt at the hands of Khan and has appealed for restoration of her honour as revenge. Khan, who fell foul with the Election Commission for use of unparliamentary language recently and copped a campaign ban for an indirect comment, allegedly against his rival, also speaks of hurt over his protege going the saffron way and questions her political philosophy, which changed radically. On paper, Khan is a clear winner in Rampur Parliamentary constituency, with half of the electorate hailing from the minority community. On the ground, however, problems in social amalgamation of the vote base of SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) threaten to undermine the alliances chance in the face of sharp polarization of communities. Khans presence in the electoral fray itself is seen as reason enough for sharp polarization among the locals who argue that the scale is even in the contest between the firebrand Muslim face of the SP and the BJP nominee. Naseer Khan, 40, a transporter glued to his smartphone said, Amar Singhs (Independent Rajya Sabha MP) audio message has flooded people in Rampur constituency. He claims to be in an ICU in a hospital from where hes appealing to the electorate to support Jaya Prada. Rampur boasts of a strong network of transporters, with distilleries, too, abounding in the constituency. Demand for trucks is low even as distilleries here cater to the demands of Indian made foreign liquor across Uttar Pradesh. Business has been down for a while, said Khan, adding that the absence of local Congress veteran and ex-royal Noor Bano from the electoral fray would help SP win the seat hands down.Khans support staff on the truck, Vinod Kumar Yadav, however, disagrees. Yadavs in my village Chakarpur, with 500 voters, would be voting BJP. He did not divulge his reason for snapping off from the political affiliation of his caste with SP. A little further, Sita Ram Yadav shed light on the current social churning. Elephant (BSP symbol) has now mounted a cycle (SP symbol), which is punctured. Here, poll is all about Hindus and Muslims. The minority community as a block is rooting for Azam Khan, forcing a counter polarization among Hindu castes, Yadav said. Apparently, reading the writing on the wall, Jaya Prada is paying obeisance at each temple in Rampur. Shes seeking support in her fight for restoration of her honour in the backdrop of alleged loose talk by Azam about her. The Congress has fielded former MLA Sanjay Kapoor to set up a triangular contest. Kapoor is popular among the youth and is expected to cut into BJPs support base. Khan had narrowly lost to BJPs Nepal Singh in 2014, with Congress Noor Bano splitting the Muslim vote base. This time, the Muslim community has been seemingly galvanized for Khan. Even as the Hindu-Muslim political divide appears sharp, the constituency boasts of contrasting social amity, demonstrating the all-round will to live with each others differences. The proof is in the form of Bhamraua Shiv temple ban in front of a 100 per cent Muslim village. City traders have undertaken a project for rejuvenation of the temple at an estimated cost of `100 crore. After the Babri mosque was demolished, Muslims from other villages had surrounded this temple. However, Muslims of this village defended the shrine. They set up shops during Shravan (a ritual between July and August) when devotees offer Ganga water to Shivalinga, Bilesh Kumar Sharma, the priest, said. By PTI KOLKATA: The Election Commission special observer, Ajay V Nayak Saturday said the situation in West Bengal is similar to what it was in Bihar around 10 to 15 years ago and had lead to the voters' demand for deployment of central forces in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The ruling Trinamool Congress demanded his immediate removal, claiming that Nayak has allegiance to the RSS and the BJP and is acting as per their orders. The people of West Bengal have lost faith in the state police and therefore their demand for deployment of central forces at all polling booths has increased, Nayak, who is the former Bihar chief electoral officer, said. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE The situation in Bihar has improved and less number of central forces are required there now, he told newsmen at the office of the West Bengal chief electoral officer here. Nayak, a 1984-batch IAS officer, was recently given the responsibility to oversee the last five phases of polls in West Bengal. "This situation in West Bengal is similar to what it was in Bihar around 10 to 15 years ago. During that time in Bihar total deployment of central forces at the booths was required. Now it is required in West Bengal as the people of West Bengal have lost faith in the state police and are seeking deployment of central forces at all the booths," he told reporters. "I cannot understand that if people in Bihar were able to bring in a change in the atmosphere and situation there, then why this is not happening in West Bengal," Nayak said in the presence of state Chief Electoral Officer Ariz Aftab. ALSO READ | Communal politics takes centrestage in West Bengal as TMC, BJP fight for supremacy He said that in the third phase of polling on April 23, 324 companies of central forces would be deployed to cover more than 92 per cent of the polling booths in five Lok Sabha constituencies. Balurghat, Malda North, Malda South, Jangipur and Murshidabad parliamentary constituencies will go to the polls on April 23. Nayak, however, sounded hopeful that the state may require less central force by next Parliamentary elections. "In terms of election management, things are improving in West Bengal. So I am sure by the time of next Parliamentary elections it will not require this kind of central force deployment. I am sure about that," Nayak said. In the first phase on April 11, central forces were deployed in 51 per cent of the booths in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar seats and 194 companies covered 80 per cent of the booths in Raiganj, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri in the second phase on April 18. In the first phase there were reports of booth capturing, smashing of EVMs and intimidation. Similar incidents were reported in the second phase from Chopra in Darjeeling constituency and also from Islampur in Raiganj constituency. There were also reports of damage to the vehicle of sitting CPI-M MP Mohammed Salim at Raiganj. Nayak said no negligence was found after scrutiny of the pollings in the first phase and there will be no repoll in the constituencies where voting was held on the day. The special observer, however, did not dismiss chances of repolling in some booths where polling was held in the second phase. TMC secretary general Subrata Bakshi wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora demanding immediate removal of Nayak to ensure free and fair polls in the state. "The Election Commission after two phases of polling had said, barring a few incidents the polling was peaceful. Nayak's comments are highly misplaced. He is acting in a partisan manner with pre-conceived notions to destabilise elections in the state and create a fear psychosis among voters," Bakshi said in the letter. Nayak has political and organisational allegiance to the RSS and is connected to BJP leaders. His statements clearly indicate that he has acted as per instructions of his political bosses, he said. "It is therefore requested to immediately recall him or cancel his appointment as special observer in the state of West Bengal to ensure free and fair elections," Bakshi said. The EC has appointed Vivek Dubey as the special police observer for the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal. Meanwhile, the EC has transfered Malda district Superintendent of Police Arnab Ghosh and has brought in the commanding officer of the second battalion of state armed police Ajoy Prasad in his place. Sources said Ghosh, who was reportedly close to the Trinamool Congress administration, was under the EC scanner. The state BJP had urged the EC to remove Ghosh a few days ago. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: PM Narendra Modi tore into SP-BSP alliance for alleged political opportunism of BSP chief Mayawati and the SP president Akhilesh Yadav in Etah on Saturday. Modi called their alliance a fake friendship meant only to mislead people of Uttar Pradesh in the times of elections. He claimed their alliance would survive till the day of the counting of votes only. Addressing a public rally in support of Rajveer Singh, son of former CM Kalyan Singh and party candidate from Etah, the Lodh-dominated constituency, PM accused the alliance leaders of dividing the state into caste lines for their sheer political interests. Drawing a parallel between the SP-BSP alliance and the one SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had cobbled up with Congress chief Rahul Gandhi ahead of 2017 UP assembly elections, PM Modi predicted the same fate for the present mahagathbandhan. ALSO READ | SP-BSP leaders to hold joint rally in Rampur in support of Azam Khan You very well aware of the truth of those who make empty promises and proclaim hollow friendship. One friendship was also seen during the UP polls. The friendship got over with defeat in 2017 elections and the friends have now turned foes, said PM Modi. Akhilesh Yadav and Congress president Rahul Gandhi had claimed that theirs was not an alliance for elections but a friendship for future. However, the alliance did not last long and the two parties parted ways ahead of UP by-polls for Gorakhpur and Phulpur vacated by UP CM Yogi Adityanath and deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya after assuming charge in 2017. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Claiming that 2019 was an election to decide the course of 21st century, PM Modi claimed that country was facing the worst kind of opportunism for vested political gains. Taking a jibe at the alliance, PM Modi said: Now another friendship has come up for political survival. But the date of this alliance is also fixed. It will see its end after May 23, Thursday, the result day of ensuing polls. The moment Modi government will come back, this alliance of Bua and Babua will vanish, claimed the PM addressing a huge cheering crowd. A day after alliances mega joint rally in Manipuri in support of SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, PMs Saturday narrative was focussed mainly on SP and BSP. Taking the context of Mayawatis Friday statement that after guest house episode, it was a difficult decision for her to have a pact with SP, the PM said he would like to know from Behenji how difficult it was to sail with those who had always oppressed the Dalits. I can understand Mayawatiji, how difficult it would have been for you to seek votes for those who indulged in grabbling lands of Dalits blatantly all this long, said the PM. He added that it was difficult for the people of UP to forget the corruption of Mayawatis regime and oppression of Akhilesh Yadavs rule. By Online Desk Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who is back in his squadron in Srinagar, is most likely to return to a fighter cockpit any time soon following the final clearance by the Bengaluru-based Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM). The 35-year-old IAF officer is all set to undergo a series of tests in the coming weeks, two IAF officials said on the condition of anonymity, according to a Hindustan Times report. Wing Commander Varthaman created history in military aviation by shooting down a Pakistani F-16 during a dogfight with the Pakistan Air Force on February 27, moments before his MiG-21 Bison was hit by an enemy missile forcing him to eject. Experts have hailed it as the first ever kill of an F-16 by a MiG-21 Bison, fighter jets of two different generations. He could be recommended for a Vir Chakra, Indias third-highest war-time gallantry award, the report said. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan and returned to India two days later on March 2, has gone back to his squadron in Srinagar though he is on a four-week sick leave. The IAF pilot went on leave around 12 days ago after security agencies completed a nearly two-week debriefing after his return from Pakistan. Varthaman's colleagues in the squadron said he preferred to stay with them in Srinagar than going to his family home in Chennai while on leave. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: The battle Amethi got more interesting in Saturday when the BJP attacked Congress over discrepancies in Rahul Gandhi's affidavits produced at the time of nomination. While the controversy around the educational degree of BJP candidate Smriti Irani was still raging with Congress threatening to move court against the discrepancies in her affidavit, the Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has also embroiled in a row over contradictions in his academic records and also alleged shares in a UK firm in 2004. In the same context, four local youths, including an independent candidate fighting Lok Sabha polls from Amethi, have made a plea challenging Rahul Gandhis citizenship records as well. They have claimed that the Congress chief was a UK citizen as per his papers submitted during nomination. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE While the BJPs central leadership lost no time and demanded the Congress chief to come clear on the said objections, Amethi DM, also the Returning Officer (RO), ordered the postponement of scrutiny of Congress president Rahul Gandhi nomination papers to April 22. In fact, the objections have been raised Afzal Waris, Suresh Chand, Suresh Kumar Shukla and Dhruv Lal, who is contesting as independent from Amethi. Complainant Dhruv Lal's lawyer Ravi Prakash flashed purported copies of a certificate of incorporation of a UK-registered company in which the Congress leader is stated to be a British national to the media. Ravi Prakash claimed that UK citizenship would bar Rahul Gandhi from fighting the Lok Sabha elections. While Uttar Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer L Venkateshwar Lu said he had sought information on the complaint from the district election authorities, the RO has asked Rahul Kaushik, the Congress chiefs counsel, to give his reply to the objections till Monday 10.30 am. However, Yogendra Misra, the president of the district Congress unit of Amethi, said the objections would be countered legally on Monday. Valson Thampu By Easter: first, what it is not. Its not a religious event. If anything, it cautions us against religion. The spotlight of Easter is on the human condition. Death and its aftermaths are not parochial issues. They are impenetrable mysteries. Jesus mission was to free human beings from enslavement to priest-craft. He was killed because he exposed the blasphemy latent in religion and denounced priestly hypocrisy. Priests need religion; especially priest-centric religion. Human beings need godliness and its attendant sense of fellow humanity. The death of Jesus, like his birth, is wholly free from religious tones. The priest appears in this story as a murderous defender of vested interests. He is a flint-hearted conspirator against God for the sake of Goda prototype of all zealous defenders of gods. Jesus is not only a discreet individual, but also a symbol of the glorious potential of humankind: in his words, the light hidden in every person. Human beings are capable, he said, of doing not only what he did, but greater things. That happens naturally, if what hinders the expression of the inner light is removed. So long as the inner light remains hidden, darkness reigns supreme. Dont have to tilt against windmills of darkness; let the light shine, and see darkness flee, as in the Easter event. For human beings, the ultimate terror is death. The resurrection of Jesus Christ affirms that the light of life can break even out of the darkness of death. The universal relevance of this assertion is obvious. Every human being goes through a phase in which darkness seems to have taken a fateful stranglehold. The proof? Well, why would so many commit suicide; a majority of them in the prime of their lives? Suicide is no casual joke. It seems the option when the last ray of hope dies. One has to be already within a sepulchre of hopelessness before one calls it quits. But suicides are comparatively rare, because there is hope in spite of thunder. Dantes notice in Divine Comedy at the entrance of hell is, Abandon hope, all ye who enter here. Easter is a contrary notice at the entrance of a tomb. The message of Easter is: Theres hope, yet. You think youre finished? Despair not. Take heart. Get up, and walk out of this dark night of the soul. The door is open. No religion can, as religion, render such hope real and credible. God alone has authority over life and death. God has no religion. Religion and priests arise in the wake of the departure of gods. The Easter event is precipitated by a collusion between religion and politics. The political authority of Rome and the religious hierarchy of Judaism became one in hatching the judicial murder of the innocent. The bare outlines of this monumental miscarriage of justice are in chiaroscuro: tried, found innocent, killed. When religion plays harlot to politics, human beings lose even bottom-line inhibitions and perpetrate atrocities, as Voltaire said, with chilling cheerfulness. The paradox of the Easter event is that it celebrates life through death. The primary reality is life, not death. The hues of death are borrowed from the brows of life. The less meaningful and dignified the life we lead, the more terrifying and hopeless the death we die. Life, lived well and to the full, takes away the sting of death. It is the vacuity of ones life-before-death that sharpens the terrifying emptiness of life-after-death. Death, as Maurice Maeterlinck insisted, has no terror of its own. The gloom of the final moments of life spreads to death, shrouding it with scary sombreness. It makes little sense to prepare oneself to face death, apart from embracing life with zest and determination. Whether Jesus, the individual, rose from the dead or not is immaterial to the wider humanity. Even for Christians, it isnt a substitute for the discipline of living in a spiritually vibrant and fruitful way. What is universally significant is the affirmation that he who lives his life as Jesus livedwhich is a feasible option for everyone who cares towill not be snuffed out by death forever. We are the light. A lamp may flicker out, not light. Lamps are of different makes; light scorns labels and categories. Hence it is that the Easter event, though situated within a spiritual tradition, is not the exclusive preserve of a religion. Christians discredit themselves by their inability to understand what Jesus accomplished on the Cross and after. It was the least of Jesus concern to ticket individuals to heaven. He was singularly focused on life-before-death. The priority, then, is that human beings recognise their true potential and attain the fullness thereof. In this the other is at least as necessary as God himself. The greatest thing in the world is a wholesomely developed human being. It is pathetic, therefore, to live in indifference to what one can well be. The goal common to the spiritual and philosophical traditions of the world until the dawn of modernity is: Know thyself! The last priority for priest-ridden religiosity is this spiritual enlightenment. The Easter event unveils the murder of the prophetic by the priests. Jesus was the Prophet par excellence. It is the High Priest who masterminds his murder. A cloudburst of priestly depravity hits Jesus and kills him. What resurrects is not merely the body of a human being, but the irreducible goodness of life for which light is the universal symbol. That is why Easter is awash in light. There is an undying core of light in us. Death is only a temporal infection. It will pass. Easter is an affirmation of life and a re-appropriation of the mysterious goodness of this world that God loves and renews through the historical existence of humankind. Valson Thampu Former principal of St Stephens College, New Delhi Email: vthampu@gmail.com RTHK: Trump praises advancing Libyan warlord The White House revealed on Friday that President Donald Trump reached out personally to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, as a push at the United Nations to broker a ceasefire hit trouble. Observers see Trump's words of praise for the strongman, at the expense of internationally-recognized leader Fayez al-Sarraj, as evidence of US support that explains Haftar's determination to pursue his offensive to seize Tripoli. Trump and Haftar spoke on Monday "to discuss ongoing counterterrorism efforts and the need to achieve peace and stability in Libya," according to the White House. A statement said that Trump "recognized Field Marshal Haftar's significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources," adding that "the two discussed a shared vision for Libya's transition to a stable, democratic political system." The White House did not say why it delayed disclosing the phone call. Haftar, seen by his allies Egypt and the United Arab Emirates as a bulwark against Islamists, has declared he wants to seize the capital, now controlled by a UN-recognized government and an array of militias. The military commander backs a rival administration based in eastern Libya that is refusing to recognize the Tripoli government's authority. On Thursday, Russia and the United States opposed a British bid backed by France and Germany at the UN Security Council to demand a ceasefire in Libya. Russia insisted on having no criticism of Haftar in the proposed resolution, while the United States said it wanted more time to consider the situation. Diplomats say the signaling from Washington goes a long way toward explaining Haftar's aggressive strategy in the face of strong condemnation by the European powers and the UN. "Haftar believes he has to fight until the end," said one diplomat at the UN speaking on the condition of anonymity. Despite some military setbacks, Haftar maintains that he "can prevail," according to several others. News of Trump's phone call "clarifies" the US position, noted another diplomat, after Britain fought in vain for five days to try to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire and unconditional humanitarian access to the combat zones. In terms of international backing, Haftar enjoys the support of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and -- now, clearly -- the United States. Sarraj, whose control over his country remains extremely tenuous, is backed by Qatar and Turkey. Haftar would not have unleashed his offensive without a green light from his backers, and getting him to back down from the "impasse" will depend on their will, the diplomats said. Whatever the outcome of the British resolution, the evolution of the diplomatic game around Libya has undercut the UN's authority. The launch of the offensive coincided with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's visit to Libya to push for a national reconciliation conference. That conference was hastily canceled by the UN's representative to Libya Ghassan Salame, who just this week described Haftar's military operation as a "coup d'etat." Both his credibility and that of the UN are on the line if Haftar wins power. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Arockiaraj Johnbosco By Express News Service SHIVAMOGGA: Once known as the powerhouse of Karnataka, Shimoga has alternated between spurts of development and years of decay. While the once powerful district, part of the Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency, is now seeing a slowdown in industrial growth, development of civic amenities has remained steady. And in Shimoga, Modi is not the only person people attribute development to. BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa is hailed by many as the person responsible for scenic lakes and developed roads in many parts of the constituency. In Shikaripura taluk, Yeddyurappas hometown, people enjoy taking a brisk walk around the Huccharayanakere lake in the mornings. He has transformed the face of this sleepy town. Within a short period of four months, his son Raghavendra managed to get a train for Shimoga and another survey between Shimoga and Ranebennur is under way, said Basavaraj, a businessman from Shikaripura. Raghavendra became the parliamentarian for the constituency in November last year, when bypolls were held for Shimoga. Apart from local goodwill, voters in the constituency also display a nationalistic sentiment that could well work in Raghavendras favour. It is easy to find discussions on demonetisation, GST and other topics of national interest in the remotest villages of the district as well. The nation comes first. Demonetisation has only hurt the rich and affluent. India actually benefited by the attack on black money, says Krishnamurthy, a petty shop owner at Malalagadde village, between Soraba and Sagara taluks. It is this wave of pride in Yeddyurappa that the son of former Chief Minister Bangarappa, Madhu, is up against. In Soraba, the home turf of Bangarappa, auto driver Santhosh quips, There is a certain attachment among local people towards the Bangarappa family. But the Modi wave will sweep the seat. Yet, there is a feeling that sibling rivalry between Soraba MLA Kumar Bangarappa, now in the BJP, and Madhu would ruin the latters prospects. At Soraba and other places, talk is rife that Madhu, after significantly reducing the winning margin of BJP candidate Raghavendra in last years bypoll, did not remain in the locality. He went dormant after the defeat. What one should look at is that he reduced the winning margin to only around 50,000 votes. This used to be more than 3 lakh in the past, said JD(S) worker Chandrappa, at Shikaripura. Caste equations are also at work in this contest, as Raghavendra hails from the Lingayat community, while Madhu is an Idiga, both dominant. For Madhu Bangarappa, the Congress-JD(S) coalition is his biggest source of strength. Even in last years bypolls, the local Congress unit worked for him and this year, he has the support of master-strategist DK Shivakumar. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and senior Congress leaders will also campaign for him in the next three days. In 13 days of campaigning during the bypolls, I got so many votes. This time, I am confident of winning, he said. It will not be smooth sailing for the winner, however, as there is a darker side to the rosy picture in the district. Irrigation is yet to reach areas like Soraba, Sagara, Shikaripura, though they are located close to major dams. The fate of Shimogas villages also rests on the solution to major issues like Bagar Hukum lands as well as the K Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats. If this report is implemented, 492 villages will have to be vacated, a decision not many politicians are willing to take. Industries are also in a state of ruin. The premises of the Mysore Paper Mills (MPM), which used to employ more than 5,000 people in its heyday, now lies almost empty. We have machinery, raw material and workers, but there is no political will. There is no one to help us in spite of our repeated appeals, an official said. The plight of Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISL), started by Sir M Visvesvaraya himself, is no better. The company, now part of the Steel Authority of India Limited, is struggling to stay afloat, from employing nearly 15,000 people at one time. By Express News Service HUBBALLI: Continuing his tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday said the former had undermined the PMs office with his repeated lies on several issues. Campaigning for Congress candidate Vinay Kulkarni here on Friday, Kumaraswamy challenged Modi to list out the schemes implemented by the Centre for the welfare of farmers, Dalits, minorities and youths. Modi didnt even have the courtesy to listen to the woes of Tamil Nadu farmers who were agitating in Delhi. The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana was implemented at the fag end of his tenure ... but majority of farmers have not received its benefit, he said. An elderly woman blesses Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy at a campaign rally in Hubballi on Friday | D Hemanth Instead of listing out his achievements of the last five years, the PM is saying what he will do in the next five years, the CM ridiculed. The Centres contribution to the state from PMKSNY is just Rs 2,098 crore... but the state has spent Rs 2,000 crore on giving financial assistance to milk producers, Kumaraswamy claimed. Later at a press conference, the CM said the Centre has turned bankrupt as it no money to disburse MGNREGA wages. Hitting out at Modi for calling the state government a majboor (helpless) government, Kumaraswamy said, Can the head of the majboot (strong) sarkar explain what he did for the poor, farmers, Dalits, women and minorities in the last five years? Criticising Modi for his statement questioning whether the coalitions vote bank was in Bagalkot or Balakot (Pakistan), Kumaraswamy said, I dont need lessons on patriotism from Modi. We dont know anything about the air strike. I read only media reports. The PM is behaving as if he carried out the air strike. When Deve Gowda was the PM, the Valley was peaceful Kumaraswamy lashed out at BJP leader Jagadish Shettar for his alleged remark that Deve Gowda wanted to bring his wife into politics. Terming it weird and something which pained him, the CM said, My mother has always stayed away from politics. If she wanted to become a Rajya Sabha member, she wouldve become in the 1990s itself. Kumaraswamy's chaiwalah jibe taking a dig at PM Modi For claiming that he has delivered a corruption-free government, the CM asked, From where did the money come to lure coalition MLAs? Was it the money collected by Modi by selling tea?. The CM charged that the BJP did not let the coalition government function smoothly. By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: Urging people to vote for BJP and oust the BJD Government to ensure speedy development of the State, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday announced that all farmers will be provided interest free loan of Rs 1 lakh for five years if the saffron party comes to power in Odisha. Addressed several election meetings in Keonjhar, Cuttack and Puri Parliamentary constituencies, which are going to polls in the second phase on April 23, Rajnath promised that Karanjia will be linked with railway line and the closed sugar factory will be reopened if BJP is voted to power in the State. The Union Minister claimed that poverty has been reduced in the country during the last five years and the number of poor has come down to five crore from 12.5 crore. When BJP came to power in 2014, Indias position in terms of economy was ninth. Now within four and a half years, Indias place is sixth in the world. We will be among the top three by 2030, he claimed. Rajnath said Prime Minister Narendra Modi deserves credit for the air strikes inside Pakistan just as Indira Gandhi was honoured for the success in 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. He hit out at the Congress for seeking evidence of the outcome of Balakot air strikes by the Indian Air Force and said the BJP-led Government has been able to effectively isolate Pakistan for sheltering terror elements. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE He recounted that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had praised Indira Gandhi for the success in 1971 Bangladesh war and said the party would not hesitate to fully cooperate with her. Now, what is wrong in praising Modiji if he gave a fitting reply to Pakistan after the Pulwama terror attack? he asked. Rajnath also criticised the Opposition for seeking to know the number of terrorists killed in the air strikes. How can the jawans count the number when the target is a huge gathering of terrorists? Jawans do not count bodies, it is the work of vultures, he said. Strongly criticising the then Congress Government for not taking action against Pakistan-based terrorists after the Mumbai terror attack in 2008, Rajnath said Modi, on the other hand, acted promptly and launched an attack on terrorist camps at Balakot in Pakistan within 13 days of the Pulwama attack. This is the difference between BJP and the Congress, he added. By PTI NEW YORK: A former manager of an international airline has pleaded guilty to acting as an agent of the Chinese government, a role under which she placed packages on flights from New York to Beijing at the direction of military officers assigned to China's mission to the UN. Ying Lin abused her privileges to transport packages from John F Kennedy International Airport to China aboard Air Carrier flights at the behest of the Chinese military officers and in violation of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations. She pleaded guilty to acting as an agent of China, without notification to the Attorney General, by working at the direction and control of military officers assigned to the Permanent Mission of China to the UN. Lin, the former manager of China-headquartered Air Carrier, faces up to 10 years' imprisonment. As part of the guilty plea, Lin agreed to forfeit approximately USD 25,000 as well as an additional USD 145,000 in connection with her resolution of the government's forfeiture verdict in a federal case. "This case is a stark example of the Chinese government using the employees of Chinese companies doing business here to engage in illegal activity," Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers said. "Covertly doing the Chinese military's bidding on US soil is a crime, and Lin and the Chinese military took advantage of a commercial enterprise to evade legitimate US government oversight," Demers said. US Attorney Richard Donoghue for the Eastern District of New York said Lin's actions as an agent of the Chinese government helped Chinese military officers to evade US law enforcement scrutiny of packages that they sent from New York to Beijing. FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney said "Lin was secreting packages through some of the country's busiest airports, using her work with the Chinese government to thwart our security measures. "We believe this case isn't unique and hope it serves as an example that the Chinese and other foreign governments can't break our laws with impunity". Lin worked for the Air Carrier from 2002 to 2015 as a counter agent at JFK Airport and from 2015 through April 2016 as the station manager at Newark Liberty International Airport. During her employment with the Air Carrier, Lin accepted packages from Chinese military officers, and placed those packages aboard Air Carrier flights to China as unaccompanied luggage or checked in the packages under the names of other passengers flying on those flights. As the Chinese military officers did not travel on those flights, Lin's actions were contrary to a security programme that required that checked baggage be accepted only from ticketed passengers, thereby violating TSA regulations. In addition, Lin encouraged other Air Carrier employees to assist the Chinese military officers, instructing those employees that because the Air Carrier was a Chinese company, their primary loyalty should be to China. In exchange for her work at the direction and under the control of Chinese military officers and other Chinese government officials, Lin received benefits from the Chinese mission and Chinese consulate in New York. These benefits included tax-exempt purchases of liquor, cigarettes and electronic devices worth tens of thousands of dollars. These benefits also included free contracting work at the defendant's two residences in Queens, New York, by Chinese construction workers who were permitted under the terms of their visas to work only on Chinese government facilities. By AFP KABUL: Afghan authorities declared on Saturday the end of an hours-long, multi-pronged assault by suicide bombers and gunmen at the communications ministry in Kabul. Attack on central post office: Operations finished. All suicide bombers killed & more than 2000 civilians staff rescued. Details soon... Ministry of Interior (@moiafghanistan) 20 April 2019 The attack had started about six hours earlier at a postal facility by the ministry, officials said, in a busy area in downtown Kabul. Suicide bombers and gunmen had launched an attack near a government ministry in central Kabul earlier on Saturday, officials said, destroying weeks of relative calm in the capital. The attack occurred a day after planned talks between the Taliban and Afghan representatives were cancelled. No one claimed immediate responsibility for the assault, which left people stranded in the tall building. Six people were injured, according to a health ministry spokesman. Initial reports were confused, with officials from different agencies saying three or four attackers were involved. It was not clear how many were suicide bombers and how many were gunmen involved in a follow-up assault. AFP journalists heard one big blast at around 11:40 am (0710 GMT), followed by sporadic gunfire for more than an hour afterwards. "The information that we have is four attackers have placed themselves near the communication ministry and are engaged in gun battles with the Afghan security forces," Amanduddin Shariati, a security official in Kabul had told AFP. On Twitter, the Ministry of Information said three suicide bombers had attacked a post office building at the communications ministry. General Sayed Mohammad Roshan Dil, the Kabul police chief, said four attackers had been wearing police uniforms and had targeted a shrine near the ministry. One of the attackers was killed, he told Tolo. Local television footage showed a small plume of smoke near the ministry, and people climbing out windows on a lower level. An #explosion and #gunfire was heard in the #Afghan capital on April 20 as the Ministry of Information headquarter came under attack by gunmen, officials said.#Afghanistan Photo: IANS pic.twitter.com/DQjUUzadr2 IANS Tweets (@ians_india) April 20, 2019 On Facebook, a man named Syed Jaillani Jallan said he was trapped inside the ministry. "Please pray for us as the enemy has reached very close to us. Suicide attack on communication ministry," he wrote. AFP could not immediately verify the comment. The communication ministry is located in downtown Kabul, about two kilometres from the green zone, a heavily fortified foreign compound. It is the city's main commercial area and is home to a large hotel. The ministry itself is an 18-storey building, thought to be the tallest in Kabul. The explosion came a week after the Taliban announced their annual spring offensive and amid ongoing fighting across Afghanistan. The Afghan branch of the Islamic State group has also previously carried out multiple deadly attacks in Kabul. Aside from a grenade attack on a military vehicle last week, the capital has in recent weeks enjoyed a period of relative calm, after a horrific year last year that saw a string of attacks including a massive bomb that was concealed in an ambulance and killed more than 100 people. This week in the Qatari capital Doha, a summit planned between the Taliban and officials from across Afghanistan was scrapped at the last minute due to bickering over who should attend the conference. The collapse comes at a critical time and amid continued bloodshed in Afghanistan, where the Taliban now control or influence about half of Afghanistan and 3,804 civilians were killed there last year, according to a UN tally. Taliban officials are separately negotiating with the United States, which wants to forge a peace deal with the militants. By PTI BEIJING: Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale starts his two-day visit to China on Sunday during which he will hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as both countries grapple with a host of issues, including Beijing's continuous attempts to block efforts to list Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist". Gokhale will be visiting China for regular consultations, the Indian Embassy here said on Saturday. He is due to meet China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on April 22. His schedule here is being worked out, it said. The visit of Gokhale, previously India's Ambassador to China before he took over as Foreign Secretary last year, is taking place amid close engagement between India and China following the February 14 Pulawama terror attack carried out by a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. Following the suicide attack, the US, the UK and France moved a proposal under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to designate Azhar as a "global terrorist". China stalled it for the fourth time by putting a technical hold on the resolution, a move India termed as disappointing. China, while saying that the matter moved towards settlement, firmly opposed the issue to be taken up by the UNSC and instead wanted it to be resolved by the UN's 1267 committee on counter-terrorism. Beijing also accused the US of attempting to scuttle the resolution of the issue by taking it to the UNSC. China considers Pakistan as an "all-weather friend" and has given Islamabad billions of dollars in aid to support its ailing economy. Gokhale's visit also coincides with China holding its biggest international event the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) to showcase its trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in which the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project. India has protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). While India is expected to skip the BRF meeting being held here from April 25-27, informed sources said there was no invitation from China to the leadership of India or at the Ministerial level to attend the event. Asked whether India would attend the event Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri told state-run Global Times last month "above all, connectivity initiatives must be pursued in a manner that respects the sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity of nations. No country can participate in an initiative that ignores its core concerns on sovereignty and territorial integrity". Wang told the media here on Friday that 37 heads of state government and representatives from 150 countries and international organisations had confirmed their participation for the event. Wang also said the differences over the BRI would not come in the way of the development of India-China relations and Beijing is preparing for a Wuhan-style summit meeting this year. Asked if India's opposition to the BRI would undermine the new momentum generated by last year's informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wang said the two leaders had a very successful meeting at Wuhan last year. "Particularly they have established mutual trust between the leadership and they jointly planned for the future of improvement and strengthening of China-India relations. After the Wuhan summit, we see all areas or progress between the two countries and we have a bright prospect for this relationship. We are now preparing for the next summit of our leaders," he said without specifying any timeline. He also urged India to reconsider its stand on the BRI economic project, saying it had nothing to do with sovereignty issues. "One of our differences is how to look at the BRI. The Indian side has their concerns. We understand that and that is why we have stated clearly on many occasions that the BRI including the CPEC is only an economic initiative and it does not target any third country and has nothing to do with the sovereign and territorial disputes left from history between any two countries," he said. By AFP WASHINGTON: Singapore has extradited an Indian national to the United States to face charges in a call centre fraud that scammed millions of dollars from victims in the United States, the Justice Department announced Friday. Hitesh Madhubhai Patel, 42, of Ahmedabad, India, was scheduled to be arraigned Friday in a Houston, Texas federal court for his role in a case that was first announced in 2016, charging 60 people with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. Patel ran the HGlobal call centre, one of five India-based operations which allegedly worked together in an operation which targeted mostly South Asians living in the United States. Callers pretending to be US tax or immigration officials threatened them with arrest and deportation if they did not remit money to the government. The victims were then directed to people working with the call centres in the United States to collect the "fines" through prepaid debit cards or wire transfers, and the money was quickly laundered out of the country. "This extradition once again demonstrates the Department's unwavering commitment to disrupt and dismantle the India-based call centre scam industry and to work with our foreign partners to hold accountable those who perpetrate schemes that defraud our citizens," said Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski in a statement. Justice officials said that in the past six years more than 15,000 people have been cheated of over $75 million in scams in which callers pose as agents of the Internal Revenue Service, the federal tax agency. So far, in the Indian call centre case, 24 domestic US defendants have been convicted and sentenced to up to 20 years in prison, the Justice Department said. "The remaining India-based defendants have yet to be arraigned in this case," they said. By ANI PYONGYANG: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Friday wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin vowing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, ahead of the upcoming summit between the two leaders. "It is fully compatible with the common interests of our two peoples in order to continue to strengthen and develop the goodwill relationship that has been established by senior leaders and has long historical roots," the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) cited the letter as saying. "I have a willingness to cooperate closely with you to maintain the peace and security of the Korean peninsula and the world while continuing to constructively develop friendly relations in accordance with the demands of the new era," it read. "I would like to take this opportunity to make greater achievement in your responsible business to build a strong and strong Russia, and to have well-being and prosperity for the friendly people of Russia," it added. The Kremlin, in a brief statement on Thursday, said that the North Korean leader will visit Russia "in the second half of April" on an invitation extended by the Russian President, however, no additional details of the meeting have been disclosed. The first-ever Kim-Putin summit comes after the breakdown of Kim's meeting with United States President Donald Trump in Hanoi in February. The summit had ended abruptly as the two parties failed to reach an agreement over denuclearisation. Speculations hint that the two leaders will hold their first summit in Russia's Far East city of Vladivostok next week when Putin travels to the Far East on his way to China for an international forum, Yonhap agency reported. Kim and Putin are expected to discuss the development of bilateral ties, issues related to denuclearisation and regional cooperation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Russia's TASS news agency. Peskov added that "Russia will be ready to do everything to promote the process of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula to the best of its abilities." He also said that the venue and exact date for the Kim-Putin summit have yet to be released due to security concerns. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 39F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Occasional rain. Low around 35F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. The Government will not accept a sunset clause for its proposed extradition law amendment, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said today. Mrs Lam was responding to reporters' questions on a proposal by some lawmakers to include such a clause in the amendment to handle the Taiwan homicide case only. She reiterated there are two purposes of amending the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance. The Government not only wants to resolve the Taiwan case, but also improve the existing arrangements for the return or the surrender of fugitive offenders, Mrs Lam said. She added that opponents of the proposed law amendment who say it should not include the Mainland are biased. Regarding the Bills Committee on Fugitive Offenders & Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill meeting held on Wednesday, Mrs Lam said the Government was disappointed it had taken two hours to hold the meeting without a chairman even being appointed. She also expressed hope that the next committee meeting on April 30 can run smoothly. PM Phuc congratulated leaders of OANA members on the success of the EBM meeting hosted by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA). He highly valued the theme of the meeting For a professional and innovative journalism, and topics discussed in the framework of the event, saying that these are typical contents in the current context of the complicated development of information in the world. OANA President Aslan Aslanov, who is also Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC), thanked the Vietnamese Government and authorized agencies for their support for the organisation of the meeting, saying that the event offers a good chance and serve as a venue for representatives of the regional news agencies to exchange information and promote cooperation. Briefing PM Phuc on the meeting, the official said participants focused their discussion on how to deal the spread of fake news and highlighted the importance of streamline journalism in the current context. The AZERTAC has had many cooperation activities with the VNA in recent years, he said, adding that the meeting is a good opportunity for the two sides to make their ties stronger, more effective and practical. Sharing Aslanovs opinion, PM Phuc said press agencies, especially news agencies, play an important role in contributing to promoting social development, enhancing solidarity and friendship among nations, and promoting peace in the world. Press agencies need to modernise their operation and information production in the digital era, he stressed. Agreeing with the view of Aslanov and the meeting on the need to deal with the current rampant fake news, PM Phuc said that there should be official information from news agencies to give accurate information direction to the public. News agencies must provide accurate and fast information to the local, regional and global press systems, and create effective tools to verify and correct the false information, he stressed. In its development strategy, Vietnam always facilitates the operation of the press agencies and journalists, and encourages press agencies to expand application of digital technology achievements in their operation, the PM said. He affirmed that the VNA has made many efforts in renovating its operation, expanding international cooperation to bring accurate information in Vietnamese and foreign languages to friends worldwide. The leader took the occasion to commend the VNA on its achievements in expanding new types of information, as well as the news agencys hosting of the 44th OANA EBM meeting, saying that the event helps connect regional and international journalists, contributing to promoting cooperation among regional countries. He expressed his belief that with the presence of prestigious regional news agencies in Hanoi, the image of a friendly, peace-loving, hospitable and beautiful Vietnam will be promoted to the international community. Speaking at the farewell party for participants to the 44th OANA EBM on the same days evening, VNA Director General Nguyen Duc Loi thanked OANA President Aslanov, Vice Presidents and Secretariat, and member agencies for their support to and companionship with the VNA during the organisation of the event. He affirmed that since its founding in 1961, the OANA has always striven to achieve the goal of Asia-Pacific news agencies creating a mainstream and globally pervasive flow of information. The official expressed his hope that OANA members will continue to cooperate and innovate so that the flow of information from news agencies continues to contribute to the regions strong development in the coming years, and strengthen OANAs development in the digital era./. Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) security manager for Chiadzwa Mine, Mr Benjamin Chinyanga has resigned just a day before the commencement of his disciplinary hearing. The resignation follows a spate of security breaches at the mine. Mr Chinyanga who is understood to have been on suspension since March 20 this year, is said to have tendered his letter on the of 16 April 2019. Contacted for comment by Great Dyke New24, ZCDC spokesperson Mr Sugar Chagonda could neither deny nor confirm the resignation of Mr Chinyanga saying the company is set to curb all diamond leakages in line with their zero tolerance to corruption. The state diamond miner will leave no stone unturned when it comes to curbing all forms of leakages and pilferage of the precious stones in line with our zero tolerance to corruption policy and our quest to become a world class diamond producer, he said. The state-owned company in January fired 80 of its employees, many of them suspected of involvement in diamond ore looting at Chiadzwa. Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community. Submit here Chairman Thai Thanh Quy presents souvenir picture to Mr. Hiroshige Takano. (Photo: baonghean.vn) He made the statement during his working meeting with a delegation of businesses coming from Kochi prefecture led by Hiroshige Takano, President of Board of Directors of the Kochi-Marutaka Bride Construction Company, on April 18 According to Chairman Quy, Nghe An province has 83 valid FDI projects with the registered capital of over USD2.1 billion. Regarding the cooperation between Nghe An province and Japan, he said that the province had set up relationship with Gifu prefecture in agriculture, tourism, education and training, investment, cultural exchanges and sports. In FDI cooperation, Nghe An province is carrying out 7 Japan-invested projects with USD72.56 million in limestone, food and textile and garment. Additionally, So far Japan has funded VND6.2 trillion in 44 ODA projects. In 2018, Nghe An exported USD22 million to Japan in textile and garment, stone, handicraft, agricultural and fishery products. Each year, there is an increase in the number of Nghe An provinces students to Japan, while some 3,000-4,000 laborers are currently working in Japan. During the meeting, Mr. Horishige Takano and the delegation members expressed their hope to work with Nghe An province in building the infrastructure and equipping the building of seaports; and setting up cooperation and investment in the province in agriculture, industry, construction and education. Noting that Nghe An province is calling investment from Japanese investors in clean agriculture, medicine and processing of agricultural products, Mr. Quy said he hoped Kochi prefectures businesses would invest and transfer technologies in clean agricultural production. He added that Nghe An province also cared for investment in hi-tech industry, support industry, trade, education and training, as well as cultural exchanges./. The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. Community Perspective Send Community Perspective submissions by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Submissions must be 500 to 750 words. Columns are welcome on a wide range of issues and should be well-written and well-researched with attribution of sources. Include a full name, email address, daytime telephone number and headshot photograph suitable for publication (email jpg or tiff files at 150 dpi.) You may also schedule a photo to be taken at the News-Miner office. The News-Miner reserves the right to edit submissions or to reject those of poor quality or taste without consulting the writer. Letters to the editor Send letters to the editor by mail (P.O. Box 70710, Fairbanks AK 99707), by fax (907-452-7917) or via email (letters@newsminer.com). Writers are limited to one letter every two weeks (14 days.) All letters must contain no more than 350 words and include a full name (no abbreviation), daytime and evening phone numbers and physical address. (If no phone, then provide a mailing address or email address.) The Daily News-Miner reserves the right to edit or reject letters without consulting the writer. Suspected hoodlums on Saturday, allegedly killed a 65-year-old Chief Imam of Kwara Village, Kiyawa Local Government Area of Jigawa, the... Suspected hoodlums on Saturday, allegedly killed a 65-year-old Chief Imam of Kwara Village, Kiyawa Local Government Area of Jigawa, the Police have confirmed. SP Abdu Jinjiri, the Spokesman, Jigawa Police Command, told our correspondent on Saturday, in Dutse, that the incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. Jinjiri said the deceased cleric, Alsheik Idris Musa, a resident of Kwara, was attacked by hoodlums at his residence after he sold his farmland for N400,000 to one of the construction companies in the state. He explained that the suspects allegedly hit the deceased several times with sticks, which led to his death. The spokesman added that the suspects allegedly took away the sum of N400,000 belonging to the deceased. According to him, the suspects also beat up the wives and children of the deceased. The deceased was said to have sold his farmland to one of the construction companies in the state at the cost of N400,000. It is suspected that the transaction took place in the presence of the suspected, but unidentified hoodlums who later trailed him to his residence. The village where the incident took place is a remote area. The distance to our station is two hours drive. So the DPO in charge of the area got the information at about 1:30 a.m. and proceeded to the scene immediately, but he got thereafter 3 a.m. When he got there, the victim was already dead, but he was able to rescue the family members beaten by the hoodlums. They were taken to hospital for medical attention, the spokesman said. Jinjiri said remains of the deceased had been released to his family for burial. He added that the police had commenced investigations into the matter and efforts were being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects. (NAN) Hosted by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) during April 18th-20th, the meeting is under the theme For a professional and innovative journalism and has attracted a large number of journalists from major news agencies worldwide. The VNA has deployed dozens of reporters and technicians to the event to cover the latest news regarding the meeting. Deputy General Director of the Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) Keo Chandara hailed the VNAs thorough preparations for the meeting, saying that he is impressed by Hanois development and the friendliness of local to foreign visitors. He wished that Hanoi and Vietnam would continue to thrive in the future. Executive Director of the Emirates News Agency Mohamed Alrayssi said he is especially impressed by the beauty and warm hospitality of Hanoi. He wished for further cooperation opportunities with the VNA and other news agencies to popularise the capital city and other destinations in Vietnam. OANA Secretary General Vugar Seidov said that on his way from the airport to downtown Hanoi, he saw the citys breakthrough development. He described Vietnam as a rapidly-growing country, in which the VNA plays an important role. Founded in Bangkok, Thailand on December 22nd (UNESCO), the OANA is comprised of 44 member news agencies from 35 regional countries, providing two-thirds of news coverage globally. Everyday, member news agencies publish nearly 200 news, photos, and videos on the OANA website. The OANA holds a triennial General Assembly to elect an executive board with 13 member news agencies. The VNA is currently a member of the board for the 2016-2019 tenure, while Azerbaijan State News Agency (Azertac) serves as OANA Chair./. The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 23 presidential election, Peter Obi, has urged N... The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 23 presidential election, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to use the period of Easter to reflect on the situation in the country and pray specially for the survival of democracy. Obi said, in an Easter message he made available on Saturday, that the nations democracy more than ever before since 1999 is under heavy stress that needed all hands to be on deck for its survival. He said that the nations economy is under pressure and requires the commitment and sincerity of purpose from critical stakeholders to survive. The former Anambra governor charged the nations leaders to stand up for the truth and and justice to save the country from deteriorating, pointing out that no nation develops in an unjust environment. This country has been undergoing a prolonged period of misfortune that this period of Easter provides huge opportunity for Christians to return to God in supplications for lasting solutions to our myriads of challenges. He noted that at this critical stage in the nations journey to development, only standing on the side of truth on the state of the nation and nothing else can set Nigerians free from economic bondage. Indicators are apparent that the country is under siege and Nigerians should use this solemn period of Easter to pray for God to intervene and raise good leaders for the country. Obi then charged Christians to see the Easter festivity which also marks the end of the 40 days special fasting and prayers as an ample period for positive attitude to one another. He admonished Nigerian leaders to absorb the lessons of Easter and allow them influence their conduct, especially as it concerns the less privileged in the society. Muhammad Sanusi II, emir of Kano state, says political elites have manipulated restructuring for their selfish interest. Sanusi sp... Muhammad Sanusi II, emir of Kano state, says political elites have manipulated restructuring for their selfish interest. Sanusi spoke at the 9th triennial national conference of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria in Abuja, on Friday. The call for the restructuring had generated a series of debate under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, with politicians disagreeing on whether the country should be restructured or not. The emir, who was represented by Bashir Umar of the Ado Bayero University, Kano, said elites blind thirst for power has resulted in tribal and religious clashes,even though they are reducing in most part of the nation, but one type of crisis will reduce then another one will spring up. He lamented how elite who benefitted from the system in the past have turned restructuring into a fault line that is being manipulated and exploited. It is not as if we are pro- or anti-restructuring, but rather the restructuring has been turned into a fault line that is been manipulated and exploited by the elites, he said. We have elite in the society that have received the best of care from the resources of the society. People of my age and those before me attended public schools from primary to university. Unfortunately, the elites that benefited from the system in the past have left public institutions to become vandalised, dilapidated and substituted it with a private education system that is affordable only to a very few. The health system has also been vandalised and now people have to go on medical tourism in India, Egypt, and Europe. The unfortunate thing is sometimes before you get the air ambulance the will of Allah will take place. Sanusi said elite that got power after the military created a political class that instituted thuggery, election malpractices, corruption and destroyed the judiciary, civil service and security agencies. These are all the result of the work of the political class and the unfortunate thing is that it is made to become something that is perpetual, he said. This has to be changed and our duty as Muslims is to learn from the ideals of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to save the society from eminent danger that is facing it. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) speaks during a press briefing for the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2019. The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held from April 25 to 27 in Beijing, Wang Yi announced Friday. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) to be held from April 25 to 27 in Beijing, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced Friday. Leaders including heads of state and government from 37 countries will attend the forum's roundtable summit, Wang told a press briefing. Wang said 12 thematic forums and a CEO conference would be held on April 25, the opening ceremony and a high-level meeting on April 26, and the leaders' roundtable on April 27. Xi will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech. He will also chair the leaders' roundtable and brief media from home and abroad about the outcomes after the roundtable, Wang said, adding that Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan will also hold a welcoming banquet for the leaders and representatives. According to Wang, the 37 countries are Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The secretary-general of the United Nations and the managing director of the International Monetary Fund will attend the forum, Wang said, adding that senior representatives of France, Germany, Britain, Spain, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the European Union will also participate. Noting that the BRF is the top-level platform for international cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Wang said the conference next week would be of landmark significance. The theme of the second BRF is "Belt and Road Cooperation, Shaping a Brighter Shared Future." Wang said the main purpose is to promote the high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation, which is the common aspiration of countries participating in the initiative. Speaking highly of the fruitful results yielded since the initiative was launched in 2013, Wang said the second BRF was greatly welcomed worldwide with some 5,000 participants from more than 150 countries and 90 international organizations having confirmed their attendance, covering areas from five continents and different walks of life such as government, civil society, business and academia. According to Wang, this year's forum will have 12 thematic forums, twice of that during the first forum in 2017, and the CEO conference will be held for the first time. A joint communique will be released after the leaders' roundtable and other consensus reached during the forum will be issued in a report. The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi in 2013, aims at enhancing all-around connectivity through infrastructure construction, exploring new driving force for the world economic growth, and building a new platform for world economic cooperation, according to Wang. Stressing that Xi and leaders from other countries blueprinted the initiative in 2017, Wang said the progress in the past two years shows that the initiative conforms to the trend of the times featuring peace, development, cooperation and win-win and accords with the common aspiration of openness and joint development of all countries. "As the host country, we will maintain close communication and coordination with all parties to prepare for the forum with openness, inclusiveness and transparency, upholding the principle of consultation and cooperation for shared benefits," Wang said. He said the forum would voice the firm support for multilateralism and an open world economy, enrich the principles of cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative, build a network of partnership, and establish more mechanisms for high-quality development. Bilateral, trilateral and multilateral cooperation has been reinforcing each other under the initiative, laying a solid foundation for a closer and more wide-ranging partnership, he said. Wang said China will showcase the outcomes and introduce the measures of its reform and opening-up to the world, adding that this will allow China to share the dividends of its economic growth, promote the Belt and Road Initiative, and bring more opportunities to the development of all countries as well as the building of the Belt and Road. "I believe that the forum will inject stronger impetus into the world economy, open even broader horizon for the development of the countries, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, " said Wang. 3 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] A tiger and her baby are seen at the Hengdaohezi Siberian tiger park in Hailin City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 18, 2019. There are more than 400 Siberian tigers living in the park and twenty cubs have been born here since the end of February this year. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) HARBIN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 20 cubs have been born so far this year at the world's largest Siberian tiger breeding center in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The China Hengdaohezi Feline Breeding Center is expected to welcome around 100 cubs by the end of this year, according to the center. Most of the cubs were born from March to June, said Qiu Hongkun, a senior official with the center. "To ensure the survival rate, the cubs of first-time moms have to be fed egg yolks and milk by staff," Qiu said. The cubs live indoors at around 18 degrees Celsius and are only allowed to enjoy the sun outside when they are at least two months old, she added. China has intensified protection efforts for the tigers in recent years, which has led to rising numbers of the big cat. The country established the breeding center in 1986. There are more than 1,000 Siberian tigers at the center, compared with only eight in 1986. Siberian tigers, otherwise known as Amur or Manchurian tigers, mainly live in eastern Russia, northeast China and the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. 20 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Photo taken on April 11, 2019 shows the scenery of the Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing, capital of China. China's National Cultural Heritage Administration has vowed to strengthen the protection of the Great Wall, which is more than 21,000 km long. The Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of many interconnected walls, some dating back 2,000 years. (Xinhua/Wang Jianhua) BEIJING, April 17 (Xinhua) -- China's National Cultural Heritage Administration has vowed to strengthen the protection of the Great Wall, which is more than 21,000 km long. The protection and restoration work should ensure that the Great Wall relics remain where they originally existed and maintain their original look, said Song Xinchao, deputy head of the administration, at a press event on the Great Wall protection and restoration Tuesday. Noting the importance of both routine maintenance and urgent repair of endangered sites on the Great Wall, Song said his administration would urge local authorities to check and find sites in need of repair and improve protection work. "Some key sites suitable for visits can be opened to the public on a moderate scale," Song said. The Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of many interconnected walls, some dating back 2,000 years. There are currently more than 43,000 sites on the Great Wall, including wall sections, trench sections and fortresses, scattered in 15 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, including Beijing, Hebei and Gansu. At the Tuesday event, reporters from a number of media outlets were invited to visit the Jiankou Great Wall, which is under repair until the end of June, in the northern Huairou District of Beijing. With a total length of 7,952 meters, the Jiankou Great Wall was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) on steep mountains and is left with incomplete walls and ruins after erosion and wars over the past hundreds of years. According to Shu Xiaofeng, director of the Beijing Cultural Heritage Administration, the repair will only renovate walls that are likely to fall or endanger people passing by, while the appearance of other safe walls will not be changed. "We always follow the principle and idea of minimum intervention, insisting on solving problems harming the Great Wall's safety, especially the stability of its structure, by minimum human intervention," Shu said. The existing relics of the Great Wall are results of human activity and natural factors over the past thousands of years, said Song Xinchao, who stressed preventing improper interventions and putting an end to "rebuilding the Great Wall." In January, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the National Cultural Heritage Administration jointly released a comprehensive conservation plan to establish a long-term mechanism for the conservation and utilization of the Great Wall. 17 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Editor's note:The 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held in Beijing in late April. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, has attracted cheers and jeers at the same time. A total of 126 countries and 29 international organizations have signed up for the sprawling transcontinental connectivity project, despite a tireless chorus of opposing voices and a cacophony of claims about its intention and operations. CGTN is attempting to cut through the noise in a new short video series titled "Hype or Hope?" Here is the first of our five episodes to help you separate BRI facts from fiction. Hannah Ryder is CEO of Development Reimagined, an international development consultancy based in Beijing, and former head of policy and partnerships for the United Nations Development Program in China. When I was growing up, my parents warned me about two things: Boys and debt. I grew up strongly aware that I was to avoid both, and to approach them with a lot of skepticism. My husband, on the other hand, was told the opposite: Search hard for a great partner, and if you're investing in your home and future, stretch and raise as much debt as you can possibly manage. Now, happily married for 11 years, still working hard, having paid off our student loans, but paying off our mortgage every month still, I guess we found a healthy and happy balance to both partnerships and debt. But what is a healthy and happy balance to partnerships and debt for the government of an entire country like Kenya, where I was born? Should countries be cautious or should they be proactive, and stretch themselves? Well, here is the challenge. Africa needs a great deal of new infrastructure from trains to power stations. But African governments are not large or rich enough to pay for this by themselves they need external help as loans from either the private sector or other international partners to secure at least 63 billion U.S. dollars per year, according to an estimate by the African Development Bank. The continent will also face additional costs due to climate change of 20-30 billion U.S. dollars per year. Asian and Pacific countries also need more debt, their "infrastructure gap" is estimated at around 250 billion U.S. dollars per year. Just like my family, in order to grow, they have to take on more debt. As an economist, I should know this. It's been shown in many studies that the more that countries spend on infrastructure, the more their economies grow. The Chinese-built Maputo Bridge in Maputo, Mozambique, May 10, 2018. /Xinhua Photo As a result, it's not the amount of debt that matters; it's the type of debt that matters. In particular, is the debt going into projects that will be productive in the future? That's why the Kenyan president, in a recent interview with CNN said, "What would worry me is if the debt was going into paying salaries, or electricity bills, and so on. But what we have used our debt for is to close the infrastructure gap." The good news is there is no shortage of productive infrastructure projects for China or others to invest in. In African countries, where over 600 million people don't have access to energy, renewable energy projects will enable young people to read and do their homework with light, enable factories to run better, without creating air pollution and climate change effects. In Asia, green inner and inter-city transport is a great investment enabling more people to move around to seek jobs. In Latin America and the Caribbean, investment in tourism and transport will also deliver decent returns. Are these productive investments being prioritized by China and others? Not necessarily, for three reasons. A lack of transparency can be the first reason. Governments should be conducting more due diligence of companies and companies themselves be more open. For instance, some companies including from China are still used for projects despite being on World Bank blacklists for corrupt practices. These blacklists may have shortcomings, but there are also opportunities for better performing companies to be chosen. The second reason is "tying." This is a policy used by many countries including America, Japan and China of requiring that loans or aid they give to other countries should go to a project that is built by their own companies. This type of securing "win-win" can be helpful to ensuring projects get done quickly and even avoid corruption. But tying can also create massive conflicts of interest, shifting the focus away from the poor people that the finance is meant to help. However, many countries including the U.S. and Japan are reluctant to stop tying. That said, through its most recent Foreign Investment Law, China has made a landmark move by opening up domestic government procurement to foreign firms. Hopefully this principle will also be applied to projects supported by China abroad and thereby "untie" them. The third and final reason why the most productive projects may not be picked is the lack of leadership. Governments need to work much harder to prioritize the most sustainable and green projects that their citizens need and in a manner they want including using local companies, local materials and local labor. As the final touches are being put on the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, my hope is that the discussion about debt in poor countries will be less about debt from China or the amount, but more about better debt from everyone. Indeed, China's offer of 100 billion U.S. dollars a year is less than 10 percent of the total infrastructure gap for poor countries around the world. Poor countries will still have to look beyond China. With the BRI, and new global funds like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, America's new infrastructure fund called BUILD, and a new infrastructure facility for the Pacific from Australia, there is a great opportunity ahead for everyone. Let's not be as cautious as my parents told me to be. The world will not be able to meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goals unless poor countries get more cheap loans. But like the loans that my husband and I took out to fund our future, let's work hard to make sure the debt is productive as quickly as possible. Editing &design: Zhao Yuanzhen and Wang Xinyan Videographer: Sheng Jie Animation: Li Xingguang and Zhou Kai Video editors: Chen Hangyu, Zhang Qingxiao and Sheng Jie Producer: Bi Jianlu Supervisor: Mei Yan [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] According to the International Trade Centre, in 2018, Vietnam was the 11th biggest tuna supplier of China, accounting for a meagre market share with 3%. Particularly, frozen tuna fillets from Vietnam and the ASEAN member countries are exempted from tax in the Chinese market. The advantage allowed Vietnam to become the leading provider of frozen tuna fillets to the market with over 65% of the market share in 2018. The VASEP predicted that Vietnams export of the product to China will continue to rise in 2019. In the first two months of this year, Vietnams exports to China accounted for 94% of the countrys total tuna export value. The association revealed that this year, Vietnam will provide new fresh and frozen tuna products to China. According to Nguyen Thi Thu Sac, Vice Chairwoman of VASEP, tuna exports are forecast to top US$1 billion this year, US$350 million higher than last year. Fox commentator Laura Ingraham mocked Nipsey Hussle, the LA rapper who was recently murdered, in a segment on her show The Ingraham Angle. Naturally, the disparaging segment immediately drew scrutiny online and from the rapper's friends and collaborators. Justin Bieber isn't typically one to weigh in on politics, but he apparently felt Ingraham's words were beyond the pale. Fox commentators aren't big fans of rap in general, but they really can't stand when rappers criticize Donald Trump. Ingraham began the segment, according to CNN, by sarcastically referring to the late Hussle as "this dear artist" and played a portion of his and YG's 2016 "FDT," which includes the eponymous lyric, "Fuck Donald Trump." "OK, that's a very creative refrain," Ingraham said. "The chorus that goes on and on, is that related to lowest unemployment ever, basically, for African Americans?" In response, Bieber posted a scathing message on Instagram, calling for the TV host to be fired. Meek Mill, Ty Dolla Sign, Machine Gun Kelly, Blake Kelly and others cheered him on in the comments, although some of his conservative fans were not pleased. "You speak of God and Jesus yet you pull this?" one wrote, while another commented, "I'm sad for anyone's death. Rest in peace Nipsey. I'm also sad for this country and the amount of disrespect for our president." Bieber was among the many artists and celebrities to pay tribute Hussle after his death. The chief and people of Akyem Eshiem, a farming community in the Asene Manso Akroso District of the Eastern Region are calling on government and district authorities to provide them with some amenities. Nana Kwadwo Koba III, chief of Eshiem made the appeal said, community needs a police station, a market, Senior High School and a permanent dumping site. He said, the request for the police post is to help ensure security and protection in the area and ward off criminal from the community. According to residents, there has been an increase in crime with rampant break-in and unlawful entry into homes and stealing of dried cocoa beans by unknown people creating fear and panic among the people. The chief indicated that, the only police post in the area is situated at Akroso which is far from the area. Nana Kwadwo Koba made the appeal at a social auditing forum organized by the District Directorate of the National Commission of Civic Education (NCCE) to promote community ownership of development projects and policies at the district. The forum, which brought together duty-bearers, identifiable groups, traditional authorities, youth groups amongst others, was also to increase awareness of the citizenry on the operations of the Assembly as well as empower them to demand accountability from duty-bearers. It followed the successful conduct of a district wide sensitization activities on the Accountability, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (ARAP), sponsored by the European Union, to deepen the knowledge of the citizenry on corruption and accountability. Social auditing is about integrating all groups of citizens in the decision-making process with particular attention to the vulnerable and the marginalized groups in the society. Meanwhile, the NCCE in the district has also sensitized a number of identifiable groups including traditional authorities, women groups and faith-based organizations among others from the various communities as part of the second phase of ARAP. In an address, the Birim Central Municipal NCCE Director who doubles as the Acting Director for Asene Manso Akroso District, Ms Rejoyce Biscoff noted that, good governance involves making decisions and implementing the decisions in a manner that is participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, effective, efficient and guided by the rule of law. Ms Biscoff said, such civic engagement between the citizens and public officials help to deepen the countrys local government system, saying participatory democracy occurred when people are involved in the decision-making process. The Birim Central Municipal Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) Mr Cephas Atido said, corruption over the years has manifested itself in various forms, such as embezzlement of funds, misuse of official time, favouritism and nepotism among others in various institutions in the country. He said, the effects of corruption was so rife in the country and indicated that the response against corruption needed the collective efforts of all. Mr Atido added that, every Ghanaian must know that it is a national and constitutional duty to expose corrupt practices by reporting individuals and institutions that are alleged to be engaged in such practices to the relevant law enforcement authorities. The Assembly Member for the area, Mr Ebenezer Arkorh applauded the NCCE for their social auditing programme to be extended to other communities . 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 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. The United Nations has reiterated its commitment to assisting Ghana in her efforts to abolish political vigilantism. Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), said the UN would remain at Ghanas disposal to facilitate national conversations as a means to responding to the issue devoid of partisanship. He said the UN remained committed to lending its support to the ongoing national efforts, led by the National Peace Council, to address political vigilantism and expressed the hope that all parties would participate in reaching a consensual agreement to comprehensively address the phenomenon. Dr Chambas made the remarks in a presentation at the Council on Foreign Relations Ghanas second distinguished guest series public lecture in Accra. He spoke on the topic: An Agenda for Building Partnerships for Peace in West Africa and the Sahel: Challenges and Opportunities. Dr Chambas noted that political vigilantism, as demonstrated during the parliamentary by-election in Ayawaso West Wuogon, earlier this year, illustrated two main issues with regard to peace. The first was the importance of the political economy of peace, which was not sustainable within a broader context of economic polarisation and inequity. The second major issue was the need for partnerships in addressing the phenomenon, which was multidimensional in both cause and effect. Dr Chambas said one in five Ghanaians lived in poverty; more than a quarter of Ghanaian children (28 per cent) live in poverty and that one in eight Ghanaians live in extreme poverty. He said this run counter to the collective vision as a country and the commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other development objectives. He said the net result was an available cadre of Ghanaians, who had become economically disenfranchised and vulnerable to political manipulation. Dr Chambas said the seeming resilience of the political vigilantism means that it was beyond the reach of the political parties, and indeed the Government alone. He called for national efforts involving multiple partnerships of the Government, political parties, security agencies, the judiciary, the media, communities, civil society, traditional and religious leaders and national and sub-national institutions to find solution to the menace. In the current environment, the nation should consider triggering the entire instruments within the national peace architecture to address the challenges of political vigilantism in Ghana, beyond legalistic approaches, he said. I should commend the initiative of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, of former President John Dramani Mahama and their political parties, to work collaboratively to bring to an end the phenomena of vigilantism before it turns into a monster that can no longer be controlled..to destroy the reputation of Ghana, he added. 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 Our thanks, our congratulations!! I bring you greetings from the people of the Dagbon State. A few months ago, one would not have fathomed that our great Kingdom, Dagbon would have been blessed with a King by now. Today, we are celebrating the efforts of your Majesty, for the extraordinary sacrifices you made that ensured that our landmark royal funerals were performed with my subsequent enskinment as the 42nd Yaa Naa of Dagbon. At my inauguration, I indicated my solemn pledge to your royal delegation, and the entire world that I shall commit the rest of my active life, be it long or short, to unite Dagbon and work towards everlasting peace, progress and prosperity for the people. A Dagbon, united in peace with itself and its neighbours blossoming in happiness and progress, is my ultimate goal and desire for my kingdom. Your Royal Majesty, let me re-echo that my night, spent at the sacred Katini duu on January 18, in a deep soliloquy with my fathers and grandfathers indicated that my ancestors are craving for unity and prosperity for the people. I felt the onerous burden to rule Dagbon along this dream. As an octogenarian, I am pre-occupied with laying the building blocks that will deepen the relative peace you have sown in Dagbon. And I am in no doubt about your readiness to provide us with your invaluable support and wise counsel, as I walk every step in this direction. Asante Kotoko! Nwuan Kotoko. Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, the chiefs and people of Asante, indeed the people of Ghana are joyfully celebrating the 20th anniversary of your ascent to the throne of the ancient Kingdom of Asante. I, Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II, the chiefs and people of Dagbon bear witness to your sagacious reign of the Asante Kingdom. For barely five years into the commencement of your reign, the Government of Ghana entrusted you and your brothers Nayiri of Mamprugu, Naa Abudulai Bohugu and Yagbun Wura Jakpa Sulemana of Gonja the search for peace for Dagbon. Under your able chairmanship, Dagbon is now a united and peaceful place for our two royal families, Abudu and Andani. The Asante royal family and the people of Asante should feel proud that their King, because of his wisdom, steadfastness, tact and diplomacy, was made the chairman of the mediation committee to restore peace to Dagbon. You successfully accomplished the mission to the admiration of the people of Dagbon and Ghana. Your Royal Majesty, it is not an easy thing to be a ruler of the Great Asante Kingdom for even a year. You have ably ruled the kingdom for 20 good years! You have done so with the love and admiration of your sub-chiefs and people. Your Majesty, I believe and trust that the traditional wisdom and courage of your predecessors and your own sagacity, tact, diplomacy, eloquence patience and kindness will continue to help you rule your people with their admiration. What a great and wonderful reign!!! Otumfuo, Nana Osei Tutu II, many happy returns on your 20th year of peaceful rule of a great kingdom. Allah bless you. Your brother, (Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II) 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 Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, has proposed a five-point agenda for building peace partnership, which includes Concentric circles and National ownership. Others are Inclusion, Institutions and Framework of rule of law and human rights. With regard to Concentric circles of partnerships, Dr Chambas said partnerships were best built along communities, states, regional and global basis. On National ownership, he said while global and regional norms and actors were helpful, partnerships for peace should be driven by national priorities, dynamics and contexts to make it sustainable. Mr Chambas, also the Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), was speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations Ghanas second public lecture in Accra. It was on the topic: An Agenda for Building Partnerships for Peace in West Africa and the Sahel: Challenges and Opportunities. He said the agenda proposed herein for building peace partnerships were not prescriptive dictates. In the final analysis, partnerships were context-specific emanating from, and dependent on several variables; stating that rather, the proposed agenda for peace represented key principles that enhanced the prospects, viability and sustainability of building partnerships for peace. He said national mechanisms were key, such as a national peace architecture and that national ownership extended beyond the role of the state and the government, and includes all major elements of the social contract. Touching on Inclusion, he said it should include and involve all the communities and stakeholders, not only ethnic but gender and the most vulnerable. Mr Chambas said such partnerships must be underpinned by the principles of inclusion and meaningful participation of all stakeholders including women and the youth, civil society and other peace actors. Concerning Institutions, Dr Chambas said partnerships for peace should contribute to the enhancement of institutions at various concentric circles of engagement such as community, national, regional and global. On Framework of rule of law and human rights he noted that partnerships for peace were best placed within the framework of rule of law and human rights. He said while conflict prevention was normatively attractive, it did not possess the shock-and-awe of peacekeeping and, therefore, did not readily attract the requisite financial support. He said that ultimately forestalled attempts to generate a national or regional response to threats to peace and security. He noted that in addition, partnerships were often predicated on unequal power relationships; adding that consequently, the interests of the stronger and bigger partner could prevail at the expense of the other. Dr Chambas said building partnerships for peace within the context of disparity in resources, power and interests, might further complicate existing or generate new conflicts. To be sure, not all partnerships are benevolent. We must be mindful of the conflicting nature of some partnerships as well as their medium and long-term implications, he stated. He said the Region was witnessing the increased use of militia groups by national and international actors, with mixed results at best, especially within the context of the fight against terrorism. 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 I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Major General Francis Vib-Sanziri, Head of Mission & Force Commander of UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights. The last time I met him was on my visit to the Ghanaian troops in Lebanon last year. Little did I know when I said goodbye that it would be the last time I would see him alive. Maj.Gen.Vib-Sanziri's leadership, dedication and positive attitude to work and life will be sorely missed. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May his soul rest in perfect peace. 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 The Reverend Dr Cyril Fayose, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, has urged Christians to exemplify the big sacrifice Jesus Christ made to bring mankind closer to God. He said as the world marked Easter, an important event on the Christian Calendar, the faithful should be real apostles who would mainstream peace, hard work, humility, forgiveness and sacrifice in their daily lives. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Good Friday, Rev Fayose reminded Christians of the essence of Easter, which is about healing wounds and forgiving one another. Suffice it to say that Christians, therefore, need not bear grudges against one another but show mercy and love always. Rev. Fayose said since Easter is a Christian season celebrated with lots of travelling activities, drivers should also take their time and drive safely and avoid alcohol while driving. The drivers shouldnt be in a hurry just to make money...it is about taking people to their destination safely to celebrate the occasion. We want each and every one of us alive, Rev Fayose said. He appealed to the Government to fix all the bad roads to prevent accidents. He acknowledged that most of the times accidents occurred due to human error and faulty vehicles but the terrible roads also contribute to the menace. Most of Ghanas major trunk roads needed to be converted into dual carriageways to ease traffic and save lives, Rev. Fayose said. He said the bad portions of the Accra-Kumasi-Tamale highway, the Aflao through Accra to Half Assini, and the Accra-Ho-Hohoe road, also known as the Eastern Corridor roads, must be repaired to ensure safety. Source: Graphic.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video If you ever thought prisons were only for thieves, armed robbers and other hardened criminals like drug traffickers, then you need to rethink. This is because the prison population in Ghana today is reportedly becoming more diversified than ever before and thieves, armed robbers are getting other inmates to dwell within cells. Married couples are reportedly increasingly being jailed in Ghana today than ever before. The Nsawam Medium Security Prisons Chaplain, Chief Superintendent of Prisons, Martin Padi, made the disclosure on Saturday when this portal visited the prisons with the Potters Temple, Israel, International Central Gospel Church (ICGC). He says the rate at which married couples are being jailed at the Nsawam prisons, for instance, was alarming. According to him, married men and women were increasingly being jailed for committing crimes against their spouses. He says most offenses could likely not have been committed if couples were forgiven to each other. He stated couples were harming each other on grounds of cheating and for simple reasons that they should be forgiving one each other. The Chaplain noted that married couples in Ghana were increasingly becoming less forgiven and only tend to regret their actions when they find themselves in prison cells. He has therefore called churches and religious leaders to preach more about forgiveness to married couples in Ghana. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Hong Kong: Bureau heads to join LegCo visit Three senior officials will visit Shanghai and Hangzhou from April 21 to 24 with legislators. Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Patrick Nip, Secretary for Innovation & Technology Nicholas Yang and Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury James Lau will join the Legislative Council joint-Panels duty visit to the two major cities of the Yangtze River Delta Region. Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan will also attend. They will tour the latest developments of Shanghai and Hangzhou in areas such as innovation and technology, economy and finance, culture and conservation, education and tourism and learn about the integrated development of the region. They will also meet provincial and municipal officials as well as Hong Kong people living, working and studying there. After the visit, Mr Nip and Mr Yang will depart for Beijing to attend the 2nd Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation, while Mr Lau will return to Hong Kong. This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Speaking at the event, Dr. Nguyen Kim Son, President of the VNU, Hanoi and Head of the Tran Nhan Tong Institute, said that the project has historical significance and meaning, with important values, contributing to the implementation of major goals and orientations for the construction and development of Vietnamese culture and people, meeting the requirements of national sustainable development and international integration in the era of the new industrial revolution. In such stature, the task of translating and promoting the quintessence of Oriental Classics, VNU has assigned Tran Nhan Tong Institute, a highly academic research facility and a member unit under the university to implement the project. The project will be implemented over 10 years and is divided into two phases from March 2019 to February 2024 and from March 2024 to February 2029. The project's expected product is a series of printed and digital books on the quintessence of Oriental Classics, including 150 Buddhist books, nine Confucian books, two Taoist books, and previous works by Vietnamese Zen masters. Speaking at the seminar, Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam welcomed the cooperation and participation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, research organisations, scientists and businesses in joining to deploy the project. The deputy PM affirmed that the Party and State always determine that science and education are top national policies and an important driving force for socio-economic development and national defense. Therefore, all national resources should be given to science and technology development. Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam (fifth from right) joins a group photo with members of the Project Management Board and Editorial Council at the launch. (Photo: VGP) Vietnam has developed a lot of science and technology programmes and projects with a number on a national scale. In the past five years, the nation launched five projects of great significance, including the National History Book, the National Geographic Book, the Vietnamese Encyclopaedia, the Digital Vietnamese Knowledge System and the translation and promoting values of Oriental Classics. The participation in these projects demonstrates the wisdom and responsibility of every person for the nations history, as well as for the present and future of future generations, Dam affirmed. As the leading centre for training and scientific research in the country, the VNU has hosted two science and technology projects assigned by the government, while it also actively contributes to the remaining three projects. These projects are expected to contribute to realising the goal of building a Vietnamese culture that meets the innovation requirements. Dam also said that, in the aforementioned five projects, there are three projects funded by the State budget and the remaining two projects (Oriental Classics and Digital Vietnamese Knowledge System) do not use the State budget. The Government wishes that it would be a joint project of every Vietnamese person and people who love Vietnam at home and abroad, Dam said, urging everyone to join hands to complete the projects and turn them into a common heritage of the Vietnamese people. Former Deputy Minister of Information under former President Mahamas administration, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has described the first gentleman of the land as 'cruel'. According to him, then candidate Akufo-Addo felt good to talk evil about President John Mahama when he was campaigning to win power, but feels uncomfortable when the same thing is being repeated whiles he is in power now. President Akufo-Addo is a vindictive leader who always thinks about himself and members of his party only, neglecting all others who dont fall within the stated category, he stated. Discussing Ofosu-Ampofo and Kweku Boahens trial in court over an alleged leaked tape, Felix Kwakye Ofosu insisted he sees nothing wrong with the leaked tape that should call for court proceedings. NPP should show us the exact words in the said tape which has never been used in this country before, especially in their days of opposition that needs a court action. For me I believe the tape does not call for any court action, he insisted. However, in an interview with Adom FMs 'Mpensenpensenmu' newspaper panel discussion segment, the NDC Communicator lamented that members of the NPP and the government in power have intentionally brought up this court case against the party Chairman to disrupt the partys campaign programme. This is a cheap strategy by the governing party to frustrate our party activities towards the 2020 elections and also silence vibrant members to favour their party, but it will not work, he said. Source: Elizabeth Semiheva Bedi/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to launch a new agricultural initiative dubbed: Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD). The launching ceremony is scheduled to take place on April 23, 2019, at the Nursing and Midwifery Training College Park, Dunkwa On Offin, Central Region under the theme Export Diversification as a Tool for Development. PERD, DGN Online understands, is a purpose-driven initiative under the auspices of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD). It seeks to develop rural economies through the planting and exportation of six tree crops including cashew, coffee, coconut, mango and oil palm. Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, told DGN Online recently that the PERD initiative is to complement the Planting For Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme which has reportedly contributed significantly to addressing food security in Ghana. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Kweku Baako Jnr has described as a blunder comments made by Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo. The senior Minister courted controversy when he tried explaining why Aisha Huang, popularly known as 'Galamsey Queen', a Chinese national known for her exploits in illegal mining was deported. Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo who was speaking at a recent town hall meeting in the U.S. justified the decision to truncate the prosecution of Aisha Huang, saying "So, when there are these kinds of arrangements, there are other things behind the scenes. Putting that lady (Aisha) in jail in Ghana is not going to solve your economic problems The explanation was after a participant at the meeting sought to find out why 'Galamsey Queen' was only deported after she was arrested by authorities. Speaking to this during a panel discussion on Joy Newsfile programme, Saturday, Kweku Baako said the explanation given by Mr Osafo Maafo was unwarranted and asked him to apologize and retract. According to him, it is a fact that the deportation of the Galamsey Queen will not solve the country's economic problem but saying it like that creates a credibility problem for the ruling government. such an inappropriate communication, it was a gaffe he said adding: "if he wanted to deal with the question he was asked, he should have given the legal response and left it there. It is true that jailing one person will not resolve Ghanas economic problem but jailing her would enhance that culture of deterrence that we seek to grow...thats why he ought not to have brought in all these...Its difficult to defend him on this course and perhaps he may have to do the honourable thing; an open apology and retraction, it may help him" Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Osibisa was the first African band to notch up a whole series of best-selling singles and albums in the pop charts with its infectious fusion of styles referred to worldwide as criss-cross rhythms that explode with happiness. The band was formed in the United Kingdom in 1969 by three Ghanaian musicians (Teddy Osei, Sol Amarfio and Mac Tontoh), together with three colleagues from the Caribbean (Wendel Richardson, Spartacus R and Robert Bailey) and one from Nigeria (Loughty Lasisi Amao). They probably did not envisage that their vibrant fusion of African rhythms with Jazz, Blues, Rock, Funk, Calypso and Soul would engulf the world. But it did, establishing them in the process as one of the greatest popular music bands ever seen on earth. Scratch Studios at East Legon in Accra, in collaboration with the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), has lined up a series of events as part of activities to mark Osibisas 50th anniversary. The activities are: Launch of Osibisa Foundation, as well as a lecture and workshop on July 2; [email protected] Concert at +233 Jazz Bar & Grill, North Ridge in Accra on August 3 and [email protected] celebration at the National Theatre, Accra on November 23. Over the years, Osibisa has released several classic albums such as Osibisa, Woyaya ,Heads, Superfly, Happy Children, Osibirock, Welcome Home, Ojah Awake and Osee Yee. According to Mr Kofi Amoakohene of Scratch Studios, there would be activities around the world between August and November this year to celebrate Osibisas 50th anniversary and it would be a shame for Ghana to remain silent on such a monumental achievement. Scratch Studios has worked closely with Osibisa, especially with leader Teddy Osei, over the years and we greatly value the bands worth in the history of popular music. Thats why we have taken the initiative, along with MUSIGA, to remind everyone in Ghana and beyond that Osibisa is an institution worth celebrating, Mr Amoakohene said. Apart from the three original Ghanaian members, the band had at various times included several other Ghanaian players and offered them the opportunity too to travel the world and demonstrate Ghanaian creativity. These other musicians include Kiki Gyan, Kari Bannerman, Emmanuel Rentzos, Kofi Ayivor, Bessa Simons, Kwame Yeboah, Paul Bilson, Frank Tontoh, Darko Potato, Victor Mensah, Joe Osei, Robert Fordjour and Herman Asafo-Agyei. No wonder Osibisa is described in international circles sometimes as a Ghanaian band. What Osibisa was known for everywhere had its roots from Ghana as the band retained the Highlife influence and portrayed the country positively on its world tours, said Paa Kwesi Holdbrook-Smith of Scratch Studios. Its worth celebrating the band on its 50th anniversary because it made Ghana proud by taking progressive African music to every corner of the globe. 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 News brief The accident happened at Landing Zone 1, where a Falcon Heavy booster landed after the rocket's successful flight on 11 April. SpaceX was using the site to prepare for a crucial in-flight abort test, required to demonstrate the spacecraft can safely propel astronauts away from a failing Falcon 9 rocket. It was unclear which Crew Dragon was involved in the accident, but SpaceX officials previously said the abort test would use the vehicle that successfully made an uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station in March. The company issued the following statement to media: Themed A colourful harmony, the opening ceremony featured the participation of the village patriarchs, leaders, artisans and people from ethnic minorities in the Village. Artists, artisans and villagers gave numerous performances of traditional art forms and musical instruments, creating a harmony imbued with the traditional cultural identities of ethnic minority groups. E De artisans from Dak Lak province reproduced the Central Highland Gong Festival which was recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity. The organising board also arranged an area to display traditional instruments of ethnic minority groups and introduced visitors to the process of making them. Various traditional rituals and festivals of ethnic minorities, including a new rice festival, a ceremony to pay tribute to gods and rituals to pray for good weather and bumper crops, are being reproduced on the occasion. Notably, visitors will have a chance to enjoy specialties and traditional food, as well as join attractive activities, such as tea picking, fabric weaving, handicraft weaving, wine making and Vietnamese traditional medicine processing. The organisation of annual activities to celebrate the Vietnam Ethnic Group Cultural Day (April 14) has significantly contributed to educating patriotism among the people as well as raising public awareness of preserving and promoting the cultural traditions of ethnic minority groups. The event also strengthens national great unity, enhances the promotion of cultural heritages and attracts more domestic and international visitors to the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism. A traditional ritual to pray for peace (Photo: VNA) A prominent alumnus of Henry Ford College continues to give back to the school in the form of scholarships and hiring graduates to work at his Dearborn-based company. Matthew J. OBryan, president/CEO of KLA Laboratories, Inc.. recently presented two Henry Ford College Cisco Networking students with $250 scholarships from the KLA Endowment Scholarship Fund. OBryan, a 1988 HFC alumnus, presented the scholarships to Zainab Mroue, of Dearborn, and Kyle Harper, of Brownstown Township. The short ceremony had some VIPs in attendance, including Michael Nealon, HFC vice president of academic affairs; A. Reginald Best, HFC vice president of institutional advancement; HFC Cisco lead instructor Todd Browning; and Kelly Schoen, KLA marketing coordinator. Both students will continue their educations at HFC, using the scholarship money to offset tuition costs. Mroue is a senior at Fordson High School in Dearborn who is dual enrolled at HFC. She will graduate this June from Fordson and with her Computer Networking Academy CCNA certificate of achievement from HFC in May. This fall, she will continue her education at HFC. Im really excited about it, she said. Its the first scholarship Ive ever received. I came into this program with little knowledge of information technology in general. Now I feel prepared to start in the real world as a network administrator. Of course, I still have a lot more to learn. Harper, an alumnus of Woodhaven High School and a six-year veteran of the Michigan National Guard, will complete his Computer Networking Academy certificate of achievement from HFC in May. Harper plans to continue taking classes in the Cisco program. This career path is expanding and offers plenty of opportunities, Harper said. The scholarship criteria are as follows: *The student must be pursuing a certificate of achievement of the Computer Networking Academy or an associate degree in applied science in computer information systems. *The student must submit a one-page essay describing their career goals. *The student must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0, successfully completed CNT 110, CNT 120, and must be enrolled in CNT 210. In partnership with California-based Cisco Systems, HFC is designated as a Cisco Networking Academy and offers preparation programs for CCENT (Cisco certified entry networking technician), CCNA (Cisco certified network associate), CCNA-Security and CCNP (Cisco certified network professional). Cisco certifications are consistently rated among the most highly valued certifications within the IT industry by both employers and IT professionals. According to a release from the college, Cisco training can lead to well-paying positions, including network support specialists, network control technicians, hardware/telecom field support technicians, LAN/WAN technicians, network systems technicians, etc. Considerable demand for these positions has been predicted by the Information Technology Association of America, the American Electronics Association and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to Browning, students who complete the program begin entry-level jobs at a salary around $40,000 per year. More than 40 alumni are employed at KLA, a family-owned integrator of communications/information technology, OBryan said. KLA has partnerships with Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Comerica Park, Ford Field, Little Caesars Arena, Nationwide Arena, Michigan State University, The University of Michigan, Ohio State University, JP Morgan Chase and others. KLA has provided audio systems for every president from John F. Kennedy to Donald Trump when in Detroit, as well as for Pope John Paul II during his historic 1987 visit to Detroit. KLAs equipment has been used at the Super Bowl in 1982 and 2006, as well as the World Series in 1968, 1984, 2006 and 2012. It also has been used in several movies filmed in Michigan, including 2016s Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Its an honor to present these HFC students with the KLA Laboratories, Inc. Technology Scholarship, OBryan said. Im grateful to be able to support the growth of students pursuing an education in the information technology field. As an alumnus, I am proud to give back to this college. Browning thanked OBryan for his generosity and support. Mr. OBryan has been very supportive of HFC and the students in this program, Browning said. I cannot thank him enough for all of his generous contributions. For more information about HFCs Cisco Networking Academy Program, contact Browning at 313-845-6365 or browning@hfcc.edu. 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 Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Guests at the event included Tran Quoc Vuong, Politburo member and standing member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committees Secretariat; Tong Thi Phong, Politburo member and Standing Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly; and Hoang Binh Quan, member of the Party Central Committee and head of the Party Central Committees Commission for External Relations. Addressing the event, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Thongsavanh Phomvihane reviewed the accomplishments made by the Lao people in the past year. He stressed that those achievements are made possible with the cooperation and the valuable and heartfelt support of the Vietnamese Party, State and people. In reply, NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong said the Vietnamese Party, State and people always treasure the special ties with Laos, which has been fostered with efforts and sacrifice and many generations of leaders, armed forces and people of both countries. She affirmed that Vietnam will continue to join hands with Laos to preserve and develop the traditional solidarity and special friendship between the two countries, while promoting the bilateral comprehensive cooperation to a new high, thus meeting the aspiration and trust of their people and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in the region and the world. The Bunpimay, one of the biggest traditional festivals of Laos, takes place from April 14 to 16 every year. During the festival, people splash water on each other to wish for luck in the new year. This article originally appeared in RECOIL Issue 41 LONG SHOT WITH A LITTLE GUN Little is a relative term. In relation to centerfire, rifle-caliber guns, the Nosler Custom Handgun makes it possible to take a long shot with a little gun. Designed for handgun hunting, the NCH is in a class of its own, as a rifle-caliber, bolt-action pistol. Two decades ago, Remington retired its version of a similar hunting handgun, the XP-100. So, the NCH is currently the only hunting handgun platform of its kind thats available direct from a manufacturer. At first glance, the NCH is confusing. Its even more perplexing when you have one in hand, because you immediately realize its nothing like a pistol and vaguely resembles a rifle. But it serves a niche market of hunters who like to be challenged by medium to long-range shots with a rifle-caliber pistol. To understand why the NCH is even a thing, I talked to one of the most-experienced handgun hunters in the world, Mark Hampton, and then put it to the test in the field. Having used a multitude of weapons for hunting, the NCH proved to be the most difficult for me to master. Once I figured out how to problem-solve this abstract pistol, hitting targets became easy and fun. Handgun Rundown Based around Noslers Model 48 short action, the NCH is a single-shot pistol, fed from a solid-bottom receiver. It looks like a rifle with the stock cut off, but theres much more to the engineering than that. The Nosler NCH is a product of a well-thought-out, high-quality, well-designed handgun, says Hampton. Nosler didnt cut any corners; they tried to get it right the first time, and I think they did. Past the action, the NCH was developed from the ground up. The bedded action and free-floated barrel rest in a 6061-T6 bar stock aluminum stock. A cross-bolt safety prevents the trigger from being pulled when on safe, but is effortless to disengage with your trigger finger right before taking the shot, as long as you arent wrong-handed. A reversible safety may be offered in the future. The custom part of the NCH comes in the form of different Cerakote colors, barrel lengths, muzzle brake, fluted or non-fluted barrels, and six calibers to choose from. Taking a note from the AR platform, the NCH pistol grip can be swapped out for any standard AR pistol grip. This is great because pistol grip preference is as personal as your choice of boxers or briefs. The NCH comes from the factory with a Hogue OverMolded rubber grip with generous finger groves. Most rifles have noticeable recoil. Imagine that same amount of recoil, but without the additional contact point of the buttstock in your shoulder. Chambered in a rifle caliber, the NCH undoubtedly has recoil that has to go somewhere. Nosler engineers were wise to thread the barrel, allowing for a muzzle brake or silencer. Using a muzzle brake will mitigate some of the recoil, but it will be offensively loud. On my loaner NCH, I used a silencer. But, Why? Why would anyone want to hunt with a handgun? For the same reason some hunters choose a bow instead of a rifle; getting close to your prey is a rush and a challenge. Using a handgun to hunt is a middle ground between using a rifle or bow. The type of handgun you use determines how close you need to get to make the shot. For the NCH, the limitations are related to the caliber selected and your proficiency level. In addition to hunting, there are dedicated competitions for long-range handguns. Silhouette pistol shooting is a game where old people shoot from contorted positions at metal targets shaped like animals. Targets vary in size and are usually placed out to 500 yards. Its these types of competitions that spawned unique freestyle shooting positions with names like the creedmoor or dead frog. Another type of competitive shooting for handguns like the NCH is the Annual MOA Long Range Cold Turkey Handgun Match in Sundance, Wyoming. Target distances start at 500 yards, advance to 750 yards, and finally end at 1,000 yards. This intriguing match proves how capable long-range pistols can be in skilled hands. The Real Test I was given the opportunity to go on an antelope hunt with the Nosler crew. My loaner NCH was chambered in 22 Nosler, and came with a case of 55-grain Nosler E-Tip. To put it into perspective, the caliber is roughly 12-percent more powerful than a 223; the muzzle velocity listed on the box was 3,300 fps. A fixed four-power Leupold FX-II came mounted on the NCH. Eye relief on the scope is 18 inches, which I couldnt achieve without using a Picatinny cantilever riser. Some handgun hunters prefer to use a riflescope instead of a handgun scope so they can use more magnification. They knowingly put up with scope shadow and pull the trigger when the scope has an even amount of shadow all the way around. That fact shocked me because scope shadow affects the point of impact of your bullet, but if you have no choice but to have shadow, the best option is for it to be a perfect donut hole. With the simple duplex reticle in the Leupold scope and the ammo being used, a 200-yard zero maximized the lethality of the handgun out to 300 yards without having to come completely off the target. At 100 yards, the hold was a little low, 200 was dead on, and at 300 yards, the hold was at the top of an 8-inch plate. My first shots were humbling. Getting into a stable position, with minimal wobble, was extremely difficult. I did my research, and most handgun hunters either use a bipod and bag combo or shoot from a hunting tripod or sticks. I mimicked all the positions I found, minus the human-pretzel ones. Shooting prone was fairly stable, but knowing prone shots in hunting are rare, I was determined to shoot from an elevated position. After trying multiple hunting tripods and shooting sticks and still not gaining enough confidence to consistently hit an 8-inch plate at 300 yards, frustration took over but my experience in precision long-range matches saved me. Borderline angry, but pleasantly challenged by this new gun, I locked it into the most stable elevated shooting device I know of a Really Right Stuff tripod with the Vyce clamp. After putting the NCH on the RRS tripod, hitting that 8-inch plate became childs play. Some people say that putting the handgun on a tripod isnt sportsman-like, but when an animals life is at the receiving end, Ill always choose whats most ethical. An ethical shot is one thatll take the animals life as quickly and painlessly as possible. The stability of the RRS tripod was the most ethical option. The Kill Getting within 300 yards of a herd of antelope proved to be difficult. In Utah, there were areas of rolling hills that would suddenly open up to flat land. Antelope are observant, and it wasnt until the final day that we got close enough. We spotted a small group of antelope, with one buck that was 210 yards away. They didnt see us, so I quickly deployed the tripod and set up for the shot. A single shot dropped the buck in his tracks; he didnt take another step. The Nosler E-Tip projectile went shoulder-to-shoulder, clipping both lungs, and was recovered inside the hide. Success. Lessons Learned I didnt expect the NCH to be such a challenge to shoot. After learning how to shoot it, I understand why theres a dedicated demographic of hunters who enjoy using a handgun. If I hadnt already been proficient in both pistol shooting and long-range rifle shooting, I wouldve been at a loss of how to use this weapon. After the hunt, I discussed the difficulty of long-range handgun hunting with Hampton. I asked him what advice hed give to a new shooter who wants to start handgun hunting. I would strongly recommend getting a 22 rimfire pistol and put a handgun scope on it, said Hampton. Getting used to a handgun scope takes a lot of practice. Putting a handgun scope on a 22 rimfire saves money while giving a lot of trigger time. Its also good to practice in difficult shooting positions you might encounter in the field. This wont be my last handgun hunt, but next time Ill opt for a larger caliber and a variable power scope. Having the ability to reach out farther is always a good option. The NCH is an impressive handgun that performed exactly as advertised; using it for hunting makes for a memorable and unique experience. Visit https://www.nosler.com/ Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent congratulatory messages to Indonesian President Joko Widodo. The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh extended congratulations to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. In their messages, the leaders of Vietnam congratulated Indonesia on the elections that took place smoothly and peacefully, which are the basis for the country to continue developing stably and prosperously and promoting its stature in the region and the world. They voiced their belief that the Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership will develop unceasingly for the sake of the two peoples and for peace, stability and prosperity of the ASEAN Community. Security arrests 11 Saudi-paid collaborators in Jawf [20/April/2019] JAWF, April 20 (Saba) The security forces arrested on Saturday 11 Saudi-paid collaborators in Jawf province, a security official told Saba. The men accused of mobilizing people to fight along with coalition. According to the official, the arrested were taken into a security custody to complete the investigations. The Saudi-led coalition has been waging a military operation against the Yemeni army and people since March 26, 2015, in flagrant violations of Yemen's sovereignty and the international conventions. Ali Ahasn saba The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday issued a notice to Punjab Minister and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for violating Model Code of Conduct during an election rally in Bihar's Katihar when he urged Muslims to not split their votes. In its order, the Commission cited comments of Sidhu making use of religion while appealing voters to support Congress candidate from Katihar Tariq Anwar on April 15. It said the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar has forwarded it a video clip showing Sidhu asking voters from the "minority community" to prevent any split of their votes. He also asked them to do mass voting for the Congress so as to throw Prime Minister Narendra Modi out of power. The Commission also cited registration of an FIR against Sidhu for his statements at Barsoi Police Station of Katihar district. A ceremony was also held at the press conference to celebrate the launch of the Summits official website. (Photo/People's Daily Online) China will hold a high-level international aluminum summit from April 28 to 29 in Binzhou, east Chinas Shandong province, a city known for aluminum. The announcement came during a press conference held in the host city on April 18. The Global High-end Aluminum Summit 2019 will focus on new vitality and smart manufacturing in the aluminum industry, according to the press conference. Yu Xiangdong, the mayor of Binzhou, east Chinas Shandong province, gives an introduction at the press conference on April 18, 2019. (Photo/People's Daily Online) Yu Xiangdong, the mayor of Binzhou, introduced the citys economic and social development, aluminum industry, and also the global high-end aluminum base construction, saying that Binzhou will spare no effort in building a global high-end aluminum base. Zhao Qingping, executive deputy mayor of Binzhou, east Chinas Shandong province, briefs the Global High-end Aluminum Summit. (Photo/People's Daily Online) Holding the aluminum summit is the first step for the construction of the base, Yu noted, adding that Binzhou, as a pioneer in developing aluminum in Shandong province, should present its industrial advantages via this summit, and invite professionals and capitals to build the global high-end base together. Wang Xiaojuan, head of the Publicity Department of Binzhou Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, chairs the press conference on April 18, 2019. (Photo/People's Daily Online) The Summit will be co-hosted by the Binzhou municipal government and Binzhou Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, and organized by Shandong Aluminum Industry Association with support from the International Aluminum Institute and China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, it was revealed during the press conference. Zhang Bo, President of Weiqiao Pioneering Group and head of Shandong Aluminum Industry Association, introduces the company and the aluminum industry on April 18, 2019. (Photo/People's Daily Online) Maharashtra, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2019 -- The Education Technology and Smart Classroom Market research report we have published is an accurate statement for any company to rely on to kickstart industry Education Technology and Smart Classroom business. Education Technology and Smart Classroom market provide a detailed analysis of the industry for the estimation period of 2019 2025. Education Technology and Smart Classroom Market by Reports Monitor report include market size, growth rate, market share, application, future trends. The market research of Education Technology and Smart Classroom is precise but encloses all points in brief which are essential and relevant for a customer of Education Technology and Smart Classroom industry. The research study, titled "Education Technology and Smart Classroom Market Research Report 2019," evaluates the historical performance and the current status of this market for a detailed understanding, emphasizing especially on the dynamics of the demand and supply of Education Technology and Smart Classroom Market in 2018. The Education Technology and Smart Classroom report offer detailed profiles of the key players to bring out a clear view of the competitive landscape of the Education Technology and Smart Classroom Outlook. It also comprehends market new product analysis, financial overview, strategies and marketing trends. Get a PDF Sample Copy, With 30 Mins Free consultation! Click Here https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request_sample/290842 The following manufacturers are assessed in this report in terms of sales, revenue, and market share for each company: Blackboard, Educomp Solutions, Adobe, Scholastic, Cisco, Smart Technologies, NIIT, Saba Software The report consists of a detailed analysis of substantial returns that has been expected to be gathered at the end of the forecasted period of time. The report also underlines the evaluation of materials and markets, technological advancements, unpredictable industry structure, and capacities of the Education Technology and Smart Classroom market. Types of Education Technology and Smart Classroom covered are: Hardware Technology Applications of Education Technology and Smart Classroom covered are: Kindergarten Secondary And Higher Education College Others To Check Discount, Click Here https://www.reportsmonitor.com/check_discount/290842 Regional Analysis For Education Technology and Smart Classroom Market North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico) Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, and Italy) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia) South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc.) The Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa) The analyzed data on the Education Technology and Smart Classroom market help you put up a brand within the industry while competing with the giants. This report provides insights into a dynamic competitive environment. It also offers a progressive viewpoint on different factors driving or restricting the market growth. Table of Contents: Study Coverage: It includes key manufacturers covered, key market segments, the scope of products offered in the global Education Technology and Smart Classroom market, years considered, and study objectives. Additionally, it touches the segmentation study provided in the report on the basis of the type of product and application. Executive Summary: It gives a summary of key studies, market growth rate, competitive landscape, market drivers, trends, and issues, and macroscopic indicators. Production by Region: Here, the report provides information related to import and export, production, revenue, and key players of all regional markets studied. Profile of Manufacturers: Each player profiled in this section is studied on the basis of SWOT analysis, their products, production, value, capacity, and other vital factors. The objectives of the report are: To analyze and forecast the market size of Education Technology and Smart Classroom Industry in the global market. To study the global key players, SWOT analysis, value and global market share for leading players. To determine, explain and forecast the market by type, end use, and region. To analyze the market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks of global key regions. To find out significant trends and factors driving or restraining the market growth. To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments. To critically analyze each submarket in terms of individual growth trend and their contribution to the market. To understand competitive developments such as agreements, expansions, new product launches, and possessions in the market. To strategically outline the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies. Access Full Report Description, TOC, Figure, Chart, etc. @ https://www.reportsmonitor.com/report/290842/Education-Technology-and-Smart-Classroom-Market The growth of this market globally is subjected to various factors, including consumer ace Education Technology and Smart Classroom of a lot of Education Technology and Smart Classroom products, inorganic company growth models, price volatility of raw materials, product innovation along with economic prospects in both producer and consumer countries. Conclusively, This report will provide you a clear view of each and every fact of the market without a need to refer to any other research report or a data source. Our report will provide you with all the facts about the past, present, and future of the concerned Market. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2019 -- Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Market report includes (6 Year Forecast 2019-2025) includes Overview, classification, industry value, price, cost and gross profit. It also offers in-intensity insight of the Artificial Intelligence in Medicine industry masking all vital parameters along with, Drivers, Market Trends, Market Dynamics, Opportunities, Competitive Landscape, Price and Gross Margin, Artificial Intelligence in Medicine market Share via Region, New Challenge Feasibility Evaluation, Analysis and Guidelines on New mission Investment. Artificial intelligence (AI), sometimes called machine intelligence, is intelligence demonstrated by machines, in contrast to the natural intelligence displayed by humans and other animals. Get Free PDF For More Technical Insights @ https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=2081253 Artificial intelligence has revolutionized patient care and enabled the emergence of better healthcare facilities. Managing medical records and other data pertaining to the patients is being delegated to AI systems, which leads to efficient use of resources and reduction of monotony in the jobs. Patient Care and Management is Expected to Have the Highest Share Owing to Growing Awareness among the Applications. In 2018, the global Artificial Intelligence in Medicine market size was xx million US$ and it is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during 2019-2025. This report focuses on the global Artificial Intelligence in Medicine status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. The study objectives are to present the Artificial Intelligence in Medicine development in United States, Europe and China. The key players covered in this study - IBM - Atomwise - Zebra Medical Vision - Cyrcadia Health - AiCure - Modernizing Medicine - Berg Health - Esko Bionics - Medasense Biometrics - Hindsait Market segment by Type, the product can be split into - On-premise - Cloud-based Market segment by Application, split into - Patient Care - Research and Drug Invention - Disease Diagnosis and Identification - Others Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers - United States - Europe - China - Japan - Southeast Asia - India - Central & South America Place an Enquiry to Our Industry Expert @ https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=2081253 The study objectives are: To analyze global Artificial Intelligence in Medicine status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. To present the Artificial Intelligence in Medicine development in United States, Europe and China. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their development plan and strategies. To define, describe and forecast the market by product type, market and key regions. About ResearchMoz ResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price. For More Information Kindly Contact: ResearchMoz Global Pvt. Ltd. Mr. Nachiket State Tower, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States Email: sales@researchmoz.us Website @ http://www.researchmoz.us/ Follow us on LinkedIn @ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Follow us on Blogger @ http://summaryofmarketresearchreports.blogspot.in/ New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2019 -- Modern day automobiles widely use starters and alternators. These are generally used in diesel and gasoline engines. The rising investments on R&D by key players in the market coupled with acquisitions and mergers is expected to make the global automotive starter and alternator market flourish in near future. The manufacturers of automotive starters and alternators are expanding their businesses to emerging economies like China, India, Russia, etc. as these countries are focused on development of automotive sectors in order to serve the rising demand across the globe. Electric starters are expected to dominate the segment during the forecast period. The different types of electric starters used in automotive sector are gear reduction, inertia starter, folo-thru drive and moveable pole shoe. Based on alternator type, the claw pole alternators are projected to witness significant growth in near future. Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2575 Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: Drivers One of the major factors driving the growth of the global automotive starter and alternator market is increase in production of vehicles across the globe. According to OICA, the total vehicle production increased by around 1% in 2015. Moreover, increasing adoption of electric vehicles due to environment concerns such as rising air pollution, is further expected to escalate the demand for automotive starter and alternator market during the forecast period. Additionally, increasing preference for light weight and fuel efficient vehicles is further projected to escalate the demand for automotive starters and alternators in near future. Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: Restraints The increasing production of hybrid vehicles is anticipated to hamper the growth of the global automotive starter and alternator market. The hybrid vehicles use one or more motors which ignite with the help of internal combustion engine. Due to this reason, these vehicles have eliminated the use of automotive starters and alternators which, in turn, is expected to restrict their demand in near future. Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: Segmentation The global automotive starter and alternator market can be segmented on the basis of starter type, alternator type and vehicle type. On the basis of starter type, the market can be segmented into electric, hydraulic and pneumatic. On the basis of alternators, the market can be further segmented into claw pole alternator and cylindrical alternator. On the basis of vehicles, the global starter and alternator market can be further segmented into light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles and passenger cars. Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: Region wise Outlook Based on regions, Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the automotive starter and alternator market over the forecast period. Asia Pacific, led by emerging economies like China and India, is projected to be the dominant region during the forecast period due to the presence of continuously increasing automobile manufacturing companies in this region. North America, led by U.S. is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The increasing demand for starters and alternators in North America, owing to rising production of vehicles, coupled with continuous investment in this market is expected to fuel the demand for automotive starters and alternators in near future. The automotive starter and alternator market in Middle East & Africa and Latin America is anticipated to witness steady growth due to sluggish demand in this region. However, increasing demand for vehicles is expected to create lucrative growth opportunities for automotive starters and alternators in near future. Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2575 Automotive Starter and Alternator Market: Market Participants Some of the market participants identified in the global automotive starter and alternator market are mentioned below: Valeo SA Denso Corporation Robert Bosch GmbH Ningbo zhongwang auto fittings Co.,LTD Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation ASIMCO Technologies Ltd Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. BBB Industries Unipoint Electric MFG Co., Ltd. Remy International, Inc. Lucas Electrical Limited Mitsuba Corporation Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2019 -- HTF MI released a new market study on Global (United States, European Union and China) Baby Food Snacks 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 (United States, European Union and China) Baby Food Snacks Forecast till 2025*. Some are the key players taken under coverage for this study are Danone Dumex, Hain Celestial Group, Kraft Heinz, Fonterra, Hero Group, Hipp, Perrigo Nutritionals, Nestle, Bubs, Ella's Kitchen, Healthy Sprouts Foods, Sweet Pea Baby Food Company, Tastybrand, Stonyfield Farm, Plum Organic, Little Dish & Peter Rabbit Organics. Click to get Global (United States, European Union and China) Baby Food Snacks Market Research Sample PDF Copy Here @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1777548-global-united-states-european-union-and-china-baby-food-snacks-market 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 "Danone Dumex, Hain Celestial Group, Kraft Heinz, Fonterra, Hero Group, Hipp, Perrigo Nutritionals, Nestle, Bubs, Ella's Kitchen, Healthy Sprouts Foods, Sweet Pea Baby Food Company, Tastybrand, Stonyfield Farm, Plum Organic, Little Dish & Peter Rabbit Organics" ** 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: United States, China, European Union & Rest of World (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) ** 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/1777548-global-united-states-european-union-and-china-baby-food-snacks-market To comprehend Global (United States, European Union and China) Baby Food Snacks market dynamics in the world mainly, the worldwide Global (, European Union and China) Baby Food Snacks 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 (United States, European Union and China) Baby Food Snacks Product Types In-Depth: , Whole-grain Packaged Cereals, Yogurts, Fruit Purees, Cookies & Others Global (United States, European Union and China) Baby Food Snacks Major Applications/End users: Home, Nursery use & Others Geographical Analysis: United States, China, European Union & Rest of World (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) 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 Danone Dumex, Hain Celestial Group, Kraft Heinz, Fonterra, Hero Group, Hipp, Perrigo Nutritionals, Nestle, Bubs, Ella's Kitchen, Healthy Sprouts Foods, Sweet Pea Baby Food Company, Tastybrand, Stonyfield Farm, Plum Organic, Little Dish & Peter Rabbit Organics 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 (United States, European Union and China) Baby Food Snacks Report 2018 @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1777548 In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Global (United States, European Union and China) Baby Food Snacks are as follows: History Year: 2013-2017 Base Year: 2017 Estimated Year: 2018 Forecast Year 2018 to 2025 Key Stakeholders/Global Reports: Global (, European Union and China) Baby Food Snacks Manufacturers Global (, European Union and China) Baby Food Snacks Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers Global (, European Union and China) Baby Food Snacks Subcomponent Manufacturers Industry Association Downstream Vendors Browse for Full Report at @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1777548-global-united-states-european-union-and-china-baby-food-snacks-market 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. About HTF Market Report HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the "Accurate Forecast" in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their "Goals & Objectives". San Francisco, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/19/2019 -- Controlled Release Fertilizers Market: Introduction Specialty fertilizers continue to gain fast traction as flexible solutions with various essential primary and secondary nutrients, or micronutrients, ensuring optimum crop quality and yield. Distinct from commodity fertilizer products, specialty fertilizers command higher premium to distributors and producers alike, and range from products containing micronutrients with controlled release, to crop-specific, convolute multi-nutrient solubles. Controlled release fertilizers market is currently at its infancy, however demand and production continue to gain a marked uptick, according to a new study. Get Brochure of the Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=4839 Controlled Release Fertilizers Market: Notable Developments Recent developments in the controlled release fertilizers market have been listed below Bio-on has recently developed a revolutionary technology, called U-Coat, for controlled release fertilizers. The technology is based on a 100% biodegradable and natural PHAs bioplastics, and enable more effective dose and efficient fertilizer consumption. Stamicarbon has developed a state-of-the-art technology to offer farmers with a broader range of controlled release fertilizers that are fine-tuned to certain crop requirements. Controlled release fertilizer Design of Stamicarbon, featuring PurActive Technology and developed in cooperation with the Pursell Agri-tech, delivers a one-stop solution to farmers. Key players operating in the controlled release fertilizers market include Greenfeed Agro Sdn Bhd, Israel Chemicals, Yara International, Central Glass Co., Ltd., Agrium, Inc., Scotts Miracle-Gro, ATS Group, AgroBridge, and Kingenta Ecological Engineering Group Co., Ltd. Request TOC for Facts & Numbers @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=4839 Controlled Release Fertilizers Market Dynamics Potential of Nanotechnology in Controlled Release Fertilizer Developments Nanotechnology permeation continues to increase in the agriculture sector, particularly to ebb the use of pesticides and fertilizers, thereby improving yields of crops via optimal nutrient management. Nanotechnology holds significant potential in the development of controlled release fertilizers, and prevents release of substances that have negative environmental impacts. Nanomaterials comprise unique nutrient release attributes for an extended time period, and suit well for the formulation of controlled release fertilizers that conform to nutrient requirements of plants and crops. Additionally, controlled release fertilizers using nanotechnology offer the ability to be prepared physically by coating the traditional fertilizer granules with materials that curtail their rate of degradation. Greater efficiency of nutrient uptake and retention of freshness are other key attributes of nanomaterials-based controlled release fertilizers that drive their demand. High Traction of Soil Microbial Resources in Improving Efficiency of Controlled Release Fertilizers Agricultural microbial technology via integration of microbiome interactions and beneficial plant microbe present a promising and sustainable solution for improving the crop productivity. The food security issue prevalent worldwide has fostered innovation, development, and deployment of technologies, which lead to increased agricultural production, meanwhile ensuring the sustainable intensification. Controlled release fertilizers have gained a paramount palpability as smart fertilizers that are increasingly efficacious in securing crop productivity. Use of soil microbial resources in the formulation of controlled release fertilizers has been deemed to significantly improve production, while contributing to the sustainable agro-systems. As securing sustainable higher productivity and yield relies on exploiting the existing multidisciplinary progresses for the design & development of novel crop-microorganisms biosystems featuring complementary and synergistic interactions. This will augur well for the development and sales of controlled release fertilizers in the near future. Browse more for Detailed Information @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/controlled-release-fertilizers-market Demand Underpinned by Reduced Nitrogen Losses Associated with Controlled Release Fertilizers Significant losses have been witnessed in the applications of conventional fertilizers, with nitrogen being one of the key components. Apart from economic losses, applied nitrogen gets released into the atmosphere via volatilization or soil, leaching into groundwater. The latter has been associated with significant environmental impacts. The advent of controlled release fertilizers has resulted in the delivery of an efficient solutions to offset the aforementioned losses, as they curtail, control, and stabilize rate of nitrogen converted or released to plants. This aids in improving efficiency of nutrient application while reducing the negative impacts on the environment. Controlled Release Fertilizers Market: Regional Analysis China is expected to remain the most lucrative market for the controlled release fertilizers, driven by rapid economic growth and focus on improving the fertilizer efficiency. Additionally, focus of the government and key players in the country on increasing the crop yield and reducing the environment impact of fertilizers, has made China one of the leading controlled release fertilizers markets. The US also remains a lucrative region for growth of the controlled release fertilizers market, with non-agricultural applications accounting for greater consumption. Growth of controlled release fertilizers market in the US is also driven by the rise in agricultural commodity, coupled with increasing demand for agricultural crops. About TMR Research TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in today's supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients' conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends. New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/19/2019 -- The latest report Electronic Design Automation discusses everything a business owner needs to know about the Electronic Design Automation market for the forecast period, 2019 to 2026. The document offers an insight into what the target customer's needs and wants. Industry experts have extracted data from various sources on size, share, growth rate, production volume, production capacity, import and export status, distribution channels and more and have analysed it thoroughly. By properly assessing the competitors and their offerings the study aims at empowering business owners to step ahead. Major Players in Electronic Design Automation market are: - Mentor graphics - Ansys - Zuken - Cadence Design - Agnisys - MunEDA - Synopsis - Keysight Technologies - Aldec Request FREE sample report in PDF format available @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/sample-enquiry-form/13075 Major Regions that plays a vital role in Electronic Design Automation market are: - North America - Europe - China - Japan - Middle East & Africa - India - South America - Others Understanding the market size Researcher's visibility engagement approach when evaluating data such as key driving forces, threats, challenges, opportunities empowers product owners to meet their strategic goals through accelerated returns. The intelligent market survey that blends in both new and old study techniques brings to light more information pertaining to various product types, applications, end-use and important industry definition. The research on the Electronic Design Automation market further validates other prime factors including investment feasibility, production capability, product pricing, production volume, demand and supply, import and export status to help business evangelists make the multi-dimensional marketing strategy more robust. Comprehensive data on the current and future business environment is showcased through self-explanatory infographics, charts, and tables and can be integrated with any business presentation. 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Buy Complete Report on Electronic Design Automation (customization available) @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/checkout-form/13075 The study objectives of this report are: - To analyze and study the global Electronic Design Automation capacity, production, value, consumption, status (2013-2019) and forecast (2019-2026); - Focuses on the key Electronic Design Automation manufacturers, to study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in future. - Focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis. - To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region. - To analyze the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks. - To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth. - To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments. - To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the market - To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market - To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies. Key elements from table of content: Part 1 Market Overview 1.1 Market Definition 1.2 Market Development 1.3 By Type 1.4 By Application 1.5 By Region Part 2 Global Market Status and Future Forecast 2.1 Global Market by Region 2.2 Global Market by Company 2.3 Global Market by Type 2.4 Global Market by Application 2.5 Global Market by Forecast Continued Browse the report description @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/industry-overview/electronic-design-automation-market About MarketExpertz Planning to invest in market intelligence products or offerings on the web? Then marketexpertz has just the thing for you - reports from over 500 prominent publishers and updates on our collection daily to empower companies and individuals catch-up with the vital insights on industries operating across different geography, trends, share, size and growth rate. There's more to what we offer to our customers. With marketexpertz you have the choice to tap into the specialized services without any additional charges. Contact Us: John Watson Head of Business Development Market Expertz | Web: www.marketexpertz.com Direct Line: +1-800-819-3052 E-mail: sales@marketexpertz.com News: www.marketexpertz.com/market-news New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2019 -- Elevators and Escalators are the two unavoidable parts of everyday life of humans. Multifarious malls and skyscrapers make elevators and escalators the must-haves in every building. Busy time schedules and increased number of ageing population necessitate the facility of escalators and elevators in residential apartments across the globe. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the ageing population (above 65 years) held 8.5% share of the total population worldwide during the year 2015 and is projected to increase its share to 12.0% by 2030. Moreover, factors like rapid urbanization, changing demographics and increasing constructional activities around the world is expected to drive the growth of the global elevators and escalators market rapidly. Safety is considered as the prominent factor in selection of elevators and escalators service providers. Elevator systems consist of hydraulic elevators, geared elevators, non-geared elevators and machine room less elevators (MRLs). Nowadays, MRLS are preferred over conventional geared elevators as they are technologically advanced, save space and consume less energy. Based on services, new installation service dominates the global elevators and escalators market due to increasing demand from the developing countries like China. However, maintenance and repair service is projected to grow at a significant rate over the forecast period. The manufacturers are focusing on improving the efficiency of the elevators and escalators coupled with the focus on neat and clean environment. Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2417 Elevators and Escalators Market: Drivers One of the major factors driving the growth of the elevators and escalators market is the increasing demand from the end use sectors like residential, commercial, hospitals, etc. Additionally, increasing focus of government towards high rise infrastructures coupled with increasing need of rapid transit are expected to fuel the growth of global elevators and escalators market. Moreover, continuous investment for the improvement of infrastructure at public places like railway station, airports, shopping malls, etc. is further expected to upsurge the demand for elevators and escalators during the forecast period. Tourism is another sector which encourages the demand for elevators and escalators in places of importance for the ease and convenience of the tourists visiting the respective countries. Elevators and Escalators Market: Restraints A key factor affecting the growth of the elevators and escalators market negatively is its high initial cost of installation. Moreover, lack of skilled labour for the after sales maintenance is expected to hamper the growth of elevators and escalators market. Furthermore, escalation in consumption of energy and power by elevators and escalators is anticipated to retard the growth of the market during the forecast period. Elevators and Escalators Market: Segmentation The global elevators and escalators market can be viewed as two separate niches too, namely elevators market and escalators market. Elevators, on the basis of its capacity are segmented into 450 kg 1150 kg, 1150 kg 1500 kg and 1500 kg 2000 kg. On the other hand, escalators are further segmented into moving walkway and moving stairs escalators. Global elevators and escalators market can be segmented on the basis of carriage type, application and region. On the basis of carriage type, the elevators and escalators market is segmented into passenger and freight. On the basis of application, the market is segmented into commercial, residential, hotels, transportation, parking and hospital. On the basis of regions, the global elevators and escalators market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Elevators and Escalators Market: Region-wise Outlook Based on regions, Asia Pacific led by China and India, holds about 65% share in total ageing population of the world and is expected to be the most prominent revenue generation region in the global elevators and escalators market. Europe followed by North America is expected to witness positive growth during the forecast period. Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2417 Elevators and Escalators Market: Players Some of the examples of the players identified in the global elevators and escalators market are as follows: Otis Elevator Company Kone Corporation Schindler Group Thyssenkrupp AG Fujitec Hitachi, Ltd. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Toshiba Elevators and Building Systems Corporation Hyundai Elevator Co., Ltd. SJEC Corporation Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2019 -- Ceramic pigments are inorganic substances that contain chromophore ions, and impart color to inorganic solids such as ceramic wares and glass. They mostly contain oxides, silicates, aluminates, and metal borates in their formulation. Ceramic pigments form a heterogeneous mixture with inorganic solids or bodies and are capable of dispersing themselves at elevated temperature without any chemical reaction and dissolution. These pigments possess high thermal stability, thus often employed as coloring agents in various end-use industries. They also possess high coloring strength, refractoriness, and good optical characteristics. Ceramic pigments provide chemical resistance to ceramic glazes and bodies. They are also utilized as a coating for various substrates such as plastics, ceramics, paper, inks, and glass. They are employed in the decorative paints & coating industry to provide suitable fluxes for in-, on-, and under-glaze applications. Ceramic pigments are available in the following colors in the market: chrome green, cobalt blue, iron red, vanadium-zircon stains, and zinc paint. Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ceramic-pigments-market.html In terms of color, the global ceramic pigments market can be segmented into idiochromatic compounds, allochromatic compounds, and composite compounds. Idiochromatic compounds are self-colored compounds due to their composition. For instance, green uvarovite is a major idiochromatic compound found in the formulation of ceramic pigments. Allochromatic compounds are other-colored compounds due to the presence of trace impurities and defects in their chemical structure. For instance, zircon is ideally employed in the crystalline form of ceramic pigments formulation. Composite compounds are generally composed of chemioadsorbed pigments and transparent pigments. Rise in research and development activities in the field of glazing technologies and coloring mechanism is estimated to fuel the ceramic pigments market during the forecast period. In terms of product type, the ceramic pigments market can be segmented into simple compound type, spinal type, and solid solution oxide type. Demand for ceramic pigments in the spinal type product segment is projected to increase significantly due to the rise in demand for 3D printing. Rising consumer interest toward digital decoration and ink-jet printing with eye-catching optical effects is driving the ceramic pigments market. Furthermore, enhanced lifestyle and consumer expenditure on quality products are propelling the expansion of the market. However, a share of the major raw materials used during the manufacture of ceramic pigments are petrochemical-based such as naphthalene, benzene, toluene, etc., which are likely to hinder the market due to fluctuation in crude oil prices. Maintaining thermal stability for varied application, particle size, and chemical compatibility are some challenges faced by the manufacturers. Technology advancements in glazing and decoration are projected to prompt manufacturers to innovate with new structures and color for various upcoming applications such as ink-jet printing, soluble salts, etc. This is anticipated to definitely create substantial opportunity for manufacturers of ceramic pigments during the forecast period. Demographically, the global ceramic pigments market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. In terms of the consumption, Asia Pacific is a leading region due to the rise in population and urbanization. Additionally, the rise in disposable income coupled with consumer interest toward 3D printing are estimated to offer lucrative opportunities for manufacturers in the region. The U.S. in North America dominated the market due to high standards of living and the increase in demand for printing inks. However, stringent regulations imposed by EPA and REACH are projected to hinder the market in the region during the forecast period. Middle East & Africa and Latin America are emerging markets and the regions are likely to witness moderate growth during the forecast period. Increasing investment in construction materials such as pigments, additives, in countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Russia, Iran, and Brazil is expected to fuel the market in the next few years. The economic revival in Europe coupled with investment in the housing sector is anticipated to influence the market positively. Request to view Sample Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=31655 Key players operating in the global ceramics pigments market are Foshan Chanxin Ceramic Pigment, Zibo Fuxing Ceramic Pigment & Glaze, Foshan Kinwin Ceramic Pigment, Six Star Ceramic Colours, and Jingjiehui New Ceramic Materials. Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/19/2019 -- Global Industrial Computed Tomography Market: Segmentation The chapters of segmentation allow the readers to understand the aspects of the market such as its products, available technologies, and applications of the same. These chapters are written in a manner to describe their development over the years and the course they are likely to take in the coming years. The research report also provides insightful information about the emerging trends that are likely to define progress of these segments in the coming years. Request a Sample of this report at: https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/919448/global-industrial-computed-tomography-industry-research-report-growth-trends-and-competitive-analysis- Global Industrial Computed Tomography Market: Regional Segmentation For a deeper understanding, the research report includes geographical segmentation of the global Industrial Computed Tomography market. It provides an evaluation of the volatility of the political scenarios and amends likely to be made to the regulatory structures. This assessment gives an accurate analysis of the regional-wise growth of the global Industrial Computed Tomography 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) Global Industrial Computed Tomography Market: Research Methodology The research methodologies used by the analysts play an integral role in the way the publication has been collated. Analysts have used primary and secondary research methodologies to create a comprehensive analysis. For an accurate and precise analysis of the global Industrial Computed Tomography market, analysts have bottom-up and top-down approaches. Global Industrial Computed Tomography Market: Competitive Rivalry The research report includes an analysis of the competitive landscape present in the global Industrial Computed Tomography market. It includes an assessment of the existing and upcoming trends that players can invest in. Furthermore, it also includes an evaluation of the financial outlooks of the players and explains the nature of the competition. Key Players Mentioned in the Global Industrial Computed Tomography Market Research Report: GE Measurement & Control Yxlon International ZEISS Nikon Metrology North Star Imaging Chongqing Zhence Omron Werth Messtechnik GmbH Aolong Group Shimadzu RX Solutions 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 Industrial Computed Tomography market Chapter 2: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the global Industrial Computed Tomography market 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 Industrial Computed Tomography market 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 Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) speaks during a press briefing for the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2019. The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held from April 25 to 27 in Beijing, Wang Yi announced Friday. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) to be held from April 25 to 27 in Beijing, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced Friday. Leaders including heads of state and government from 37 countries will attend the forum's roundtable summit, Wang told a press briefing. Wang said 12 thematic forums and a CEO conference would be held on April 25, the opening ceremony and a high-level meeting on April 26, and the leaders' roundtable on April 27. Xi will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech. He will also chair the leaders' roundtable and brief media from home and abroad about the outcomes after the roundtable, Wang said, adding that Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan will also hold a welcoming banquet for the leaders and representatives. According to Wang, the 37 countries are Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brunei, Cambodia, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The secretary-general of the United Nations and the managing director of the International Monetary Fund will attend the forum, Wang said, adding that senior representatives of France, Germany, Britain, Spain, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the European Union will also participate. Noting that the BRF is the top-level platform for international cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Wang said the conference next week would be of landmark significance. The theme of the second BRF is "Belt and Road Cooperation, Shaping a Brighter Shared Future." Wang said the main purpose is to promote the high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation, which is the common aspiration of countries participating in the initiative. Speaking highly of the fruitful results yielded since the initiative was launched in 2013, Wang said the second BRF was greatly welcomed worldwide with some 5,000 participants from more than 150 countries and 90 international organizations having confirmed their attendance, covering areas from five continents and different walks of life such as government, civil society, business and academia. According to Wang, this year's forum will have 12 thematic forums, twice of that during the first forum in 2017, and the CEO conference will be held for the first time. A joint communique will be released after the leaders' roundtable and other consensus reached during the forum will be issued in a report. The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi in 2013, aims at enhancing all-around connectivity through infrastructure construction, exploring new driving force for the world economic growth, and building a new platform for world economic cooperation, according to Wang. Stressing that Xi and leaders from other countries blueprinted the initiative in 2017, Wang said the progress in the past two years shows that the initiative conforms to the trend of the times featuring peace, development, cooperation and win-win and accords with the common aspiration of openness and joint development of all countries. "As the host country, we will maintain close communication and coordination with all parties to prepare for the forum with openness, inclusiveness and transparency, upholding the principle of consultation and cooperation for shared benefits," Wang said. He said the forum would voice the firm support for multilateralism and an open world economy, enrich the principles of cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative, build a network of partnership, and establish more mechanisms for high-quality development. Bilateral, trilateral and multilateral cooperation has been reinforcing each other under the initiative, laying a solid foundation for a closer and more wide-ranging partnership, he said. Wang said China will showcase the outcomes and introduce the measures of its reform and opening-up to the world, adding that this will allow China to share the dividends of its economic growth, promote the Belt and Road Initiative, and bring more opportunities to the development of all countries as well as the building of the Belt and Road. "I believe that the forum will inject stronger impetus into the world economy, open even broader horizon for the development of the countries, and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, " said Wang. Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2019 -- Hyaluronic acid-based biomaterials, is a carbohydrate, more specifically a mucopolysaccharide occurring naturally throughout the human body. It is found in the highest concentrations in fluids in the eyes and joints. It has been used in a wide range of orthopedic injections, ophthalmic solutions, viscoelastic injections for ophthalmic surgery, cosmetic fillers, surgical anti-adhesion products, skin care products and food supplements. The Hyaluronic Acid-based Biomaterials market has been increased in accordance with the economy development and the higher life level of the people. Meanwhile, the safety awareness is an important factor of the increase of the industry. With the fierce competition of the market, the manufacturers should make better sure that their product with high performance and quality, with the good services level. Following the market trends, access to greater competitive advantage, concerning more on their R&D and services to get a bigger market share. There are a wide variety of companies that produce Hyaluronic Acid-based Biomaterials, and each brand has their own unique pros and cons. While it can be a bit laborious reading up on all of them, having so many options is a good thing because it most likely means that there is a product out there that fits our exact wants and needs. The global Hyaluronic Acid-based Biomaterials market was 190 million US$ in 2018 and is expected to 240 million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of 3.0% between 2019 and 2025. Access PDF version of this report: https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/1091566/global-hyaluronic-acid-based-biomaterials-market This report studies the Hyaluronic Acid-based Biomaterials market size (value and volume) by players, regions, product types and end industries, history data 2014-2018 and forecast data 2019-2025; This report also studies the global market competition landscape, market drivers and trends, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis. Geographically, this report is segmented into several key regions, with sales, revenue, market share and growth Rate of Hyaluronic Acid-based Biomaterials in these regions, from 2014 to 2025, covering North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey etc.) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam) South America (Brazil etc.) Middle East and Africa (Egypt and GCC Countries) The various contributors involved in the value chain of the product include manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, intermediaries, and customers. The key manufacturers in this market include Kewpie CPN Shiseido Novozymes Bloomage BioTechnology Shandong Galaxy Bio-Tech China Eastar FocusChem Biotech Shandong Topscience Biotech QuFu GuangLong Biochem Weifang Lide Bioengineering Jiangsu Haihua Biotech Qufu Liyang Biochem Industrial Tongxiang Hengji biotechnology By the product type, the market is primarily split into Cosmetic Grade Food Grade Pharmaceutical Grade By the end users/application, this report covers the following segments Medical Hygiene Plastic Surgery Health Products Cosmetic Get this report now at USD 3,350:https://www.qyresearch.com/settlement/pre/e6bb31c1e0933b4ecd6d431ab0330d00,0,1,Global%20Hyaluronic%20Acid-based%20Biomaterials%20Market%20Report,%20History%20and%20Forecast%202014-2025,%20Breakdown%20Data%20by%20Manufacturers,%20Key%20Regions,%20Types%20and%20Application About QYResearch QYResearch always pursuits high product quality with the belief that quality is the soul of business. Through years of effort and supports from huge number of customer supports, QYResearch consulting group has accumulated creative design methods on many high-quality markets investigation and research team with rich experience. Today, QYResearch has become the brand of quality assurance in consulting industry. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2019 -- Adhesive resins incorporate several applications and objects as an adhesive layer to enhance the durability and optimize the integrity of the structure. It joins the surface of diverse materials, efficiently distributing the stress at the junction. The application of adhesive resin forms a strong bond very quickly to aid the adhesion process. Application of high performance adhesive resin improves the cohesive strength. Adhesive resins available in emulsion form offer the advantage of elasticity and resistance to moisture. In addition to the long term adhesiveness, application of resins provide toughness and resistance to aging, temperature, and chemicals. Adhesive resin is available in several forms: solvent-based, water-based, and hot melt. The major components used in adhesive resin include: vinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate, and polymerized acrylic resin emulsion. Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/adhesive-resin-market.html Adhesive resin finds extensive application in numerous industries such as: packaging, oil and gas, plastic, construction, automotive, and transportation. Adhesive resin is most widely used in the packaging of food and beverages, consumer goods, sea foods and meat, tubes, and bottles. In the oil and gas industry, it is used to create linkage between pipelines and coating of pipes. In the plastic industry, the application of adhesive resin is recommended to act as a binding agent in order to enhance the tensile strength of plastic. In the automotive industry, adhesive resin is applied in automotive body parts such as door modules and front-end modules. In the building and construction industry, adhesive resins are applied as contact adhesives, flooring adhesives, and sealants. Due to the efficient sealing feature, adhesive resins find potential use in the transportation industry in manufacturing of abrasive and aerospace components. The broad commercial application of adhesive resins in several industries builds a rapidly growing global market. The market for adhesive resins has exhibited an enormous rise in the last few years and a similar positive trend is anticipated to be witnessed during the forecast period. The market of adhesive resin is currently dominated by the Asia Pacific region. The huge growth of end-user industries such as automotive, construction, packaging, and consumer goods in developing countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and India is propelling the demand of adhesive resins. In the next few years, the advancement of emerging technologies and rising demand of adhesive resin is estimated to fuel the market growth in the developing region of Asia Pacific. North America and Europe also possess a large share of the global market. Improved economy observed in these developed countries is a key factor for the market growth. The rising trend is predicted to continue during the forecast period. A prospective market for adhesive resin is expected to build up in the MEA region. Growing economy of this region is predicted to develop an emerging market of adhesive resins in the next few years. Increasing awareness of ecofriendly materials is likely to drive the demand for bio-based adhesive which will enable the end-user industries to minimize their environmental concern. Specially-engineered adhesive resins are being developed for the assembly of aircraft and automotive bodies. Epoxy resin holds a large share of the global adhesive resin market currently due to improved functionalities such as corrosion protection, mechanical strength etc. Increased demand from end-user industries is influencing the higher growth rate of adhesive resin in the global market. Request to view Sample Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=18527 The major players that manufacture adhesive resin are companies such as: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, LD Davis Industries, Inc., Exxon Mobil Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company, Mitsui Chemicals America, Inc., Resinall Corporation, Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, and Ashland Inc. etc. Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/19/2019 -- Every business and industrial facility contains electrical wires to distribute power for lighting, computers, electronic devices, and for multiple other purposes. These electrical wires are wrapped in various types of insulations which offer basic protection against the risk of fire and shock. Therefore, the demand for industrial insulation testers is increasing to detect the insulation failures and to keep the system operating as designed. Various industries are adopting industrial insulation testers to protect and extend the life of electrical systems and motors. Also, the growing demand for advanced industrial insulation testers for multifunction applications is creating potential growth opportunities for industrial insulation testers market. The report covers exhaustive analysis on: Industrial Insulation Testers Market Segments Industrial Insulation Testers Market Dynamics Industrial Insulation Testers Market Size Supply & Demand Current Trends/Issues/Challenges in Industrial Insulation Testers Market Competition & Companies Involved in Industrial Insulation Testers Market Technology Industrial Insulation Testers Market Value Chain Industrial Insulation Testers Market Drivers and Restraints Get Sample Copy of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-8425 Industrial Insulation Testers Market: Dynamics The high installation of heavy electrical equipment or machinery in various industries such as oil & gas, power generation, automotive, and petrochemical is the key factor driving the growth of Industrial Insulation Testers market. Also, the rapid advancements and growth in electrical and electronics industry are also fuelling the growth of Industrial Insulation Testers market. In addition, the growing usage of industrial insulation testers for mandatory periodic safety tests in industries is boosting the growth of industrial insulation testers market. Apart from these, the increasing focus on preventive maintenance in industries and growing adoption of rugged electrical products are some of the factors which are driving the growth of industrial insulation testers market. Also, the growing number of electrification projects in various emerging economies is generating the rapid demand for industrial insulation testers. The availability of alternatives to industrial insulation testers and less adoption of advanced industrial insulation testers in various small and medium sized industries are the major factors which hamper the growth of industrial insulation testers market. Industrial Insulation Testers Market: Segmentation Segmentation of Industrial Insulation Testers Market on the Basis of Product Type: Analog Rugged Digital Segmentation of Industrial Insulation Testers Market on the Basis of Operation Type: Handheld Portable Fixed Segmentation of Industrial Insulation Testers Market on the Basis of Industry: Oil & Gas Energy & Power Petrochemical Telecommunication Automotive Consumer Electronics Food & Beverages Others Industrial Insulation Testers Market: Competition Landscape Key Players Prominent players in the global industrial insulation testers market are Yokogawa Corporation, Meco Instruments Pvt. Ltd., Hioki Corporation, Kyoritsu Electrical Instruments, Megger, FLIR Systems, Amprobe, TES Electrical Electronic Corp., Fluke Corporation, Metrel, and B&K Precision Corporation. Request to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-8425 Industrial Insulation Testers Market: Regional Overview On the basis of geography, Asia Pacific is projected to capture the significant market share in terms of value in industrial insulation testers market owing to the increasing electrification and related projects in various countries of the region such as India, Japan, and China. Also, the growing urbanization and growing regulations regarding preventive maintenance in various industries are expected to have a positive impact on the growth of industrial insulation testers market in the Asia Pacific. Moreover, North America and Europe are also expected to capture substantial market share in global industrial insulation testers market due to the rising adoption of advanced industrial insulation testers and high installations of heavy electrical equipment or machinery in various industrial sectors of the regions. Moreover, the presence of key industrial insulation testers providers in the U.S. is also supporting the significant growth of industrial insulation testers market in North America. Furthermore, the industrial insulation testers markets in Latin America and Middle East & Africa are expected to witness high growth rates owing to the rapid industrialization in various countries such as GCC Countries, Brazil, and Mexico and high adoption of industrial insulation testers in several oil & gas industries in the regions. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2019 -- HTF Market Intelligence released a new research report of 80 pages on title 'Global Insurance Technology Market Size study, by Component (Tools, Services), by End user (Insurance Companies, Third Party Administration and Brokers, Aggregators) and by Regional Forecasts 2018-2025' with detailed analysis, forecast and strategies. The study covers key regions that includes North America, U.S., Canada, Europe, UK, Germany, Asia Pacific, China, India, Japan, Latin America, Brazil, Mexico, Rest of the World and important players such as IBM, Microsoft, Accenture, Oracle, By Miles, Yolo, Zego, Insurance Technology Services, Patriot Technology Solutions., Techinsurance, Seibels, DXC Technology, Marias Technology, MSG Life, Hubio, Ventiv, Majesco-et-al and so on. Request a sample report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1397594-global-insurance-technology-market-size-study-by-component Summary Global Insurance Technology Market to reach USD XX billion by 2025. Global Insurance Technology Market valued approximately USD XX Billion in 2017 is anticipated to grow with a healthy growth rate of more than XX% over the forecast period 2018-2025. The insurance industry continues to face challenges, given the pervasive nature of insurance fraud and the inability to account for unforeseen costs, forcing them to spend further capital on reinsurance policies. As the pressure on insurance companies to reduce costs and acquire new customers increases, there is a shift in focus towards data, analytics, and customer acquisition and retention tools and comes Insurance technology in Trend. This growth is attributed to the growing adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) products, rise in the shift of insurers' focus from product-based strategies to customer-centric strategies, and increased awareness among insurers to digitalize channels The regional analysis of Global Insurance Technology Market is considered for the key regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and Rest of the World. As per regional Analysis North America is expected to account for the largest market size and dominate the digital insurance platform market from 2018 to 2025. This region has a high concentration of large insurance companies, which largely contribute to the digital insurance platform market. However, the Asia Pacific (APAC) region is expected to provide opportunities for digital insurance platform services providers. These growth opportunities can be attributed to the increasing commercial investments by several companies in the APAC region. The objective of the study is to define market sizes of different segments & countries in recent years and to forecast the values to the coming eight years. The report is designed to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the industry within each of the regions and countries involved in the study. Furthermore, the report also caters the detailed information about the crucial aspects such as driving factors & challenges which will define the future growth of the market. Additionally, the report shall also incorporate available opportunities in micro markets for stakeholders to invest along with the detailed analysis of competitive landscape and product offerings of key players. The detailed segments and sub-segment of the market are explained below: By Component: Tools Services By End User: Insurance Companies Third Party Administration and Brokers Aggregators By Regions: North America o U.S. o Canada Europe o UK o Germany Asia Pacific o China o India o Japan Latin America o Brazil o Mexico Rest of the World Furthermore, years considered for the study are as follows: Historical year 2015, 2016 Base year 2017 Forecast period 2018 to 2025 The industry is seeming to be fairly competitive. Some of the leading market players include IBM, Microsoft, Accenture, Oracle, By Miles, Yolo, Zego, Insurance Technology Services, Patriot Technology Solutions., Techinsurance, Seibels, DXC Technology, Marias Technology, MSG Life, Hubio, Ventiv, Majesco-et-al and so on. Acquisitions and effective mergers are some of the strategies adopted by the key manufacturers. New product launches and continuous technological innovations are the key strategies adopted by the major players. Target Audience of the Global Insurance Technology Market in Market Study: Key Consulting Companies & Advisors Large, medium-sized, and small enterprises Venture capitalists Value-Added Resellers (VARs) Third-party knowledge providers Investment bankers Investors Companies Mentioned in the Report IBM Microsoft. Accenture Oracle By Miles. Yolo Zego Insurance Technology Services Patriot Technology Solutions. Techinsurance Seibels DXC Technology Marias Technology MSG Life Hubio Ventiv Majesco-et-al Make an enquiry before buying this Report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/1397594-global-insurance-technology-market-size-study-by-component TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1. Executive Summary 1.1. Market Snapshot 1.2. Key Trends 1.3. Global & Segmental Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2015-2025 (USD Billion) 1.3.1. Global Insurance Technology Market, by Region, 2015-2025 (USD Billion) 1.3.2. Global Insurance Technology Market, by Component, 2015-2025 (USD Billion) 1.3.3. Global Insurance Technology Market, by End-User, 2015-2025 (USD Billion) 1.4. Estimation Methodology Chapter 2. Global Insurance Technology Market Definition and Scope 2.1. Research Objective 2.2. Market Definition & Scope 2.2.1. Industry Evolution 2.2.2. Scope of the Study 2.3. Years Considered for the Study 2.4. Currency Conversion Rates 2.5. Report Limitation Chapter 3. Global Insurance Technology Market Dynamics 3.1. See Saw Analysis 3.1.1. Market Drivers 3.1.2. Market Challenges 3.1.3. Market Opportunities Chapter 4. Global Insurance Technology Market Industry Analysis 4.1. Porter's 5 Force Model 4.1.1. Bargaining Power of Buyers 4.1.2. Bargaining Power of Suppliers 4.1.3. Threat of New Entrants 4.1.4. Threat of Substitutes 4.1.5. Competitive Rivalry 4.1.6. Futuristic Approach to Porter's 5 Force Model 4.2. PEST Analysis 4.2.1. Political Scenario 4.2.2. Economic Scenario 4.2.3. Social Scenario 4.2.4. Technological Scenario 4.3. Value Chain Analysis 4.3.1. Supplier 4.3.2. Manufacturers/Service Provider 4.3.3. Distributors 4.3.4. End-Users 4.4. Key Buying Criteria 4.5. Regulatory Framework 4.6. Cost Structure Analysis 4.6.1. Raw Material Cost Analysis 4.6.2. Manufacturing Cost Analysis 4.6.3. Labour Cost Analysis 4.7. Investment Vs Adoption Scenario 4.8. Analyst Recommendation & Conclusion View Detailed Table of Content @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1397594-global-insurance-technology-market-size-study-by-component Buy this report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1397594 Thanks for reading this article, you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia. About HTF Market Report HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the "Accurate Forecast" in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their "Goals & Objectives". Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/19/2019 -- Malaysia Medical Tourism Market: Snapshot The medical tourism market in Malaysia is forecast to grow at a robust pace between 2016 and 2024. Persistent government activities synergizing the medical tourism industry and lower cost of medical services compared to their counterparts in developed nations are boosting the medical tourism market in Malaysia. Over the course of the forecast period from 2016 to 2024, the market is poised to exhibit an impressive 30.05% CAGR. At this pace, its valuation is expected to increase from US$424.96 mn in 2016 to US$3.5 bn before 2024 ends. View Report- https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/malaysia-medical-tourism-market.html Accelerated pace of gains is on cards due to the increasing influx of medical tourists from MENA and neighboring countries. Besides this, the market will gain from various macro-economic factors such as tax exemptions by government on revenue generated from foreign patients and excellent transport and recuperation facilities. While the regional players will continue exhibiting promising growth, the established players might emerge as major gainers rendering the vendor landscape of Malaysia medical tourism market consolidated. Other factors such as low language barrier and the presence of sophisticated healthcare infrastructure will continue fuelling opportunities in the medical tourism market of Malaysia. Medical Travelers from Indonesia Highest in Number Country-wise, the influx of medical tourists from the neighboring country Indonesia is recorded at the highest. In addition, the nation welcomes an increasing number of medical travelers from India, China, Nepal, Iran, Libya, Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. The healthcare industry in Malaysia has been identified as one of the 12 national key economic areas hence, the nation's government keep no stone unturned to attract an increasing number of foreign patients every year. For instance, it offers lucrative incentives and tax exemptions on revenue generated from medical travelers. Besides this, the government of Malaysia has developed the Malaysia healthcare travel council (MHTC) within its healthcare ministry to support foreign patients and their families visiting Malaysia in every way possible. Request A Sample- https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=20159 In order to woo patients from the Middle-east the country maintains favorable stance on the Halal medical tourism. Hence several hospitals in the nation offer halal medical services to patients from the Middle East country. Under these services, the hospitals provide a full range of Muslim friendly services to their patients. Medical tourism assistance centers are also set up in places to help patients and their families traveling from the Middle East or other nations with Islam dominance. Demand for Dental Treatment Recorded the Highest Among the segments based on procedure type, the Malaysia medial tourism market was dominated by dental treatment in 2016. The aesthetics/cosmetic surgery segment trailed closely emerging as the second-leading market segment in the same year. According to TMR, approximately 36.6% of the medical tourists visiting Malaysia opt for dental treatment. Factors such as the low cost of services compared to those offered in the U.S. and favorable government activities are expected to aid growth witnessed in the aforementioned categories. Besides this, the market is forecast to witness rising demand for orthopedic treatment, cosmetic surgeries, and regular health screening. These segments, coupled with the field of dental treatment, occupied over 70% of the overall medical tourism market in Malaysia. Request Brochure- https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=20159 Some of the key enterprises operating in the Malaysia medical tourism market are Pantai Holdings Berhad, KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Dentalpro Group, Prince Court Medical Centre, Island Hospital, IJN Health Institute, Mahkota Medical Centre, Sunway Medical Centre, LohGuanLye Specialists Centre, and Tropicana Medical Centre. Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/19/2019 -- The report on the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market is comprehensively prepared with main focus on the competitive landscape, geographical growth, segmentation, and market dynamics, including drivers, restraints, and opportunities. It sheds light on key production, revenue, and consumption trends so that players could improve their sales and growth in the Global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics Market. It offers a detailed analysis of the competition and leading companies of the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market. Here, it concentrates on the recent developments, sales, market value, production, gross margin, and other important factors of the business of top players operating in the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market. With deep quantitative and qualitative analysis, the report provides encyclopedic and accurate research study on important aspects of the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market. It brings to light key factors affecting the growth of different segments and regions in the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market. It also offers SWOT, Porter's Five Forces, and PESTLE analysis to thoroughly examine the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market. It gives a detailed study on manufacturing cost, upstream and downstream buyers, distributors, marketing strategy, and marketing channel development trends of the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market. Furthermore, it provides strategic bits of advice and recommendations for players to ensure success in the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market. Get PDF template of this report: https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/1091282/global-mrna-cancer-vaccines-and-therapeutics-market mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics Market Leading Players Moderna Therapeutics CureVac Translate Bio BioNTech Sangamo Therapeutics Argos Therapeutics In-Cell-Art eTheRNA Ethris Tiba Biotechnology Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers North America Europe China Rest of Asia Pacific Central & South America Middle East & Africa Market segment by Type, the product can be split into Adeno Carcinomas Mucinous Carcinomas Adenosquamous Carcinomas Market segment by Application, the market can be split into Infectious Disease Cancer Regions and Countries - 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) Key Questions Answered - What is the size and CAGR of the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market? - Which are the leading segments of the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market? - What are the key driving factors of the most profitable regional market? - What is the nature of competition in the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market? - How will the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market advance in the coming years? - What are the main strategies adopted in the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market? Get Full Report at @ https://www.qyresearch.com/settlement/pre/278d63bdc18417e613b0c3b88c46cc33,0,1,Global%20mRNA%20Cancer%20Vaccines%20and%20Therapeutics%20Market%20Report,%20History%20and%20Forecast%202014-2025,%20Breakdown%20Data%20by%20Companies,%20Key%20Regions,%20Types%20and%20Application Table of Contents Market Overview: This is the first section of the report that includes an overview of the scope of products offered in the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market, segments by product and application, and market size. Market Competition by Player: Here, the report shows how the competition in the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market is growing or decreasing based on deep analysis of market concentrate rate, competitive situations and trends, expansions, merger and acquisition deals, and other subjects. It also shows how different companies are progressing in the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market in terms of revenue, production, sales, and market share. Company Profiles and Sales Data: This part of the report is very important as it gives statistical as well as other types of analysis of leading manufacturers in the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market. It assesses each and every player studied in the report on the basis of the main business, gross margin, revenue, sales, price, competitors, manufacturing base, product specification, product application, and product category. Market by Product: This section carefully analyzes all product segments of the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market. Market by Application: Here, various application segments of the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market are taken into account for the research study. Market Forecast: It starts with revenue forecast and then continues with sales, sales growth rate, and revenue growth rate forecasts of the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market. The forecasts are also provided taking into consideration product, application, and regional segments of the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market. Upstream Raw Materials: This section includes industrial chain analysis, manufacturing cost structure analysis, and key raw materials analysis of the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market. Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors: Here, the research study digs deep into behavior and other factors of downstream customers, distributors, development trends of marketing channels, and marketing channels such as indirect marketing and direct marketing. Research Findings and Conclusion: This section is solely dedicated to the conclusion and findings of the research study on the global mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Therapeutics market. About QYResearch QYResearch always pursuits high product quality with the belief that quality is the soul of business. Through years of effort and supports from the huge number of customer supports, QYResearch consulting group has accumulated creative design methods on many high-quality markets investigation and research team with rich experience. Today, QYResearch has become a brand of quality assurance in the consulting industry. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/19/2019 -- Global Municipal Water Treatment Market Size, Status and Forecast 2019-2025 is latest research study released by HTF MI evaluating the market, highlighting opportunities, risk side analysis, and leveraged with strategic and tactical decision-making support. The study provides information on market trends and development, drivers, capacities, technologies, and on the changing capital structure of the Global Municipal Water Treatment Market. Some of the key players profiled in the study are GE Water, Pall Corporation, Aquatech, MWH Global, WesTech Engineering & RWL Water Group. This report focuses on the global Municipal Water Treatment status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. The study objectives are to present the Municipal Water Treatment development in United States, Europe and China. Municipal Water Treatment Market Overview: If you are involved in the Municipal Water Treatment industry or intend to be, then this study will provide you comprehensive outlook. It's vital you keep your market knowledge up to date segmented by Residential, Commercial & Industrial, , Municipal Drinking Water Treatment & Municipal Wastewater Treatment and major players. If you have a different set of players/manufacturers according to geography or needs regional or country segmented reports we can provide customization according to your requirement. Enquire for customization in Report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/1774568-global-municipal-water-treatment-market-3 Municipal Water Treatment Market: Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2023 Research study is to define market sizes of various segments & countries in previous years and to forecast the values to the next 5-8 years. The report is designed to comprise each qualitative and quantitative elements of the industry facts including: market share, market size (value and volume 2012-17, and forecast to 2023) with admire to each of the areas and countries concerned inside the examination. Furthermore, the report additionally caters the detailed statistics about the vital elements which includes drivers & restraining factors which will define the future growth of the market. Furthermore, the years considered for the study are as follows: Historical year 2013-2017 Base year 2018 Forecast period** 2018 to 2023 [** unless otherwise stated] Moreover, it will also include the opportunities available in micro markets for stakeholders to invest, detailed analysis of competitive landscape and product services of key players. The designated segments and sub-section of the market are explained below: The Study is segmented by following Product Type: , Municipal Drinking Water Treatment & Municipal Wastewater Treatment Major applications/end-users industry are as follows: Residential, Commercial & Industrial Some of the key Manufacturers Involved in the Market are GE Water, Pall Corporation, Aquatech, MWH Global, WesTech Engineering & RWL Water Group You can get free access to samples from the report here: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1774568-global-municipal-water-treatment-market-3 For each region, market size and end users are analyzed as well as segment markets by types, applications and companies. If opting for the Global version of Municipal Water Treatment Market analysis is provided for major regions as follows: - North America (USA, Canada and Mexico) - Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy) - Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) - South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.) - Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) Buy this research report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1774568 Key Answers Captured in Study are Which geography would have better demand for product/services? What are the strategies adopted by big players in the regional market? Which country would see the steep rise in CAGR & year-on-year (Y-O-Y) growth? What is the current & expected market size in next five years? What is the market feasibility for long term investment? What opportunity the country would offer for existing and new players in the Municipal Water Treatment market? What is risk involved for suppliers in the geography? What factors would drive the demand for the product/service in near future? What is the impact analysis of various factors in the Global Municipal Water Treatment market growth? What are the recent trends in the regional market and how successful they are? Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1774568-global-municipal-water-treatment-market-3 There are 15 Chapters to display the Global Municipal Water Treatment market. Chapter 1, About Executive Summary to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Global Municipal Water Treatment market, Applications [Residential, Commercial & Industrial], Market Segment by Regions United States, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India & Central & South America; Chapter 2, objective of the study. Chapter 3, to display Research methodology and techniques. Chapter 4 and 5, to show the Overall Market Analysis, segmentation analysis, characteristics; Chapter 6 and 7, to show the Market size, share and forecast; Five forces analysis (bargaining Power of buyers/suppliers), Threats to new entrants and market condition; Chapter 8 and 9, to show analysis by regional segmentation[United States, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India & Central & South America ], comparison, leading countries and opportunities; Regional Marketing Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis Chapter 10, focus on identifying the key industry influencer's, overview of decision framework accumulated through Industry experts and strategic decision makers; Chapter 11 and 12, Market Trend Analysis, Drivers, Challenges by consumer behaviour, Marketing Channels and demand & supply. Chapter 13 and 14, describe about the vendor landscape (classification and Market Positioning) Chapter 15, deals with Global Municipal Water Treatment Market sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source. Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia or Oceania [Australia and New Zealand]. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/19/2019 -- Introduction: Organic pineapple is a tropical fruit and the organic nature implies that it is free from synthetic additives such as pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and dyes. Organic pineapples are not processed under industrial solvents, irradiation, or genetic engineering. Its content should is generally 95% or more certified organic. The remaining 5% can only be foods or processed with additives from an approved list. Request to view Sample Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=39569 Organic pineapples land under agriculture usage is relatively less and constitute about 0.5-0.75% of total agriculture land. The land use and the total output might be considered low when compared to other sub-tropical fruits where the percentage represents a larger share of total organic produce. Despite the low production volume the demand for organic pineapple has certainly increased. Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, Brazil and Mexico have increased its total organic land for pineapple production and these countries are among the highest organic pineapple supplier globally. In the Asia Pacific region most of the production of pineapples is consumed locally but a large proportion in the organic segment is exported to Europe, Middle East and North America. Countries such as Philippines, India, Thailand, China and Indonesia are among the top consumers and suppliers of organic pineapples. However some counties in the same region have some relatively higher growth rates in terms of volume of production, these include Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. The U.S., Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Japan, Italy and the U.K. are among the largest importer of organic pineapples, with the U.S. being the largest consumer of organic pineapples. Organic Pineapples Market Segmentation Organic pineapples are segmented on the basis of application, and region. Organic pineapples are import ingredients in in various food items such as beverages including juices and squashes, powdered drinks and juice concentrates, it is also used in multiple preparations of jams, bakery, and dairy among others. The fresh consumption of organic pineapples is relatively large, however the demand for the products processed have been noted to be surging. Based on its application, the market is segmented as fresh and processed. The processed organic pineapples are further sub segmented as beverages, breakfast cereals, jams and sauces, bakery and confectionary, ice-cream and yoghurt and others. Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/organic-pineapples-market.html The market is segmented based on regions as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Middle East and Africa and Japan. Organic Pineapples market Global Market Trends and Market Drivers: Exotic fruits from the subtropical regions are in high demand throughout Europe and North American regions. Mangoes, bananas, passion fruits, avocado, and pineapples are some of the most traded products from the subtropics. Additionally the demand for organic type in specific has been considered as of high importance and the growing regions have focused on increasing the total organic outputs by increasing the total land for organic agriculture just to fulfill the rising global demand for organic fruits. Organic beverages made from organic pineapples have surged in demand. The demand increase is mainly attributed to the overall increase in demand for fruits and vegetables or organic nature. The utilization of organic fresh produce in processing has also increased given the lifestyle changes in various developing countries. A work oriented lifestyle, getting minimum time for personal self has now become a trend. This Fast pace life brings into consideration the very little time consumers have to take a healthy meal. For this reason the consumers are showing interest in processed forms of food which are quick to dispense. It has now become one of the important necessities in this fast pace lifestyle. Diced organic pineapples, pineapple pulp and juice and instant dehydrate powder form of organic pineapples are showing an ever increasing demand. A considerable shift towards consumption of healthy food and the role of internet in providing relevant and quick access to health information is set to drive the global organic fruits including organic pineapples. Organic Pineapples Market Key Players: Growth in organic product demand, mainly in the fruits and vegetables categories have created a rise in demand for different processed products made from these fruits and vegetables. A great potential for market is observed as the major producers of finished goods demand for a large supply of organic fruits including organic pineapples. Some of the key players participating the global organic pineapple market include; Dole Food Company, Inc., Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Chiquita Brands International Sarl, Golden Exotics Limited among others. Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/19/2019 -- Increasing adoption of phototherapy as a safer option for treatment of skin disorders has propelled the sales of phototherapy lamps across the globe. According to a recent research report by Future Market Insights, the global phototherapy lamps market is anticipated to expand robustly at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period. The report projects that by the end of 2026, more than US$ 4.1 Bn worth of phototherapy lamps will be sold across the globe. Regional insights from the report reveal that North America will dominate the global phototherapy lamps market in terms of revenues throughout the forecast period. The healthcare marketplace in the US and Canada has shown considerable rise in adoption of phototherapy as a safer treatment option for skin disorders. Consumer lifestyles in North America will continue to propel the incidence of common skin diseases, which will be mostly treated by the use of phototherapy lamps. In addition, robust infrastructure for adoption of phototherapy lamps has also supported the dominance of North America in the global market. The report reveals that in 2017, phototherapy lamps sold in the US and Canada will bring in nearly US$ 700 Mn in revenues. Request to View a Sample Copy of This Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5834 LED-based phototherapy lamps to register highest sales The study reveals that LED-based phototherapy lamps are the top-selling products in the global market. Low risk of burns, cost-effective production, and easy installation will continue to drive the demand for LED-based phototherapy lamps in the foreseeable future. By the end of 2026, nearly US$ 1.6 Bn worth of revenues procured in the global phototherapy lamps market will be accounted by the LED segment. The study also reveals that the demand for UV-based phototherapy lamps will be impressive, while halogen lamps will lose traction towards the end of the forecast period. Skin care clinics to emerge as the largest end-user of phototherapy lamps The report further reveals that hospitals will initially witness high traction in terms of end-users, but skin care clinics are projected to record the highest revenue share in the global market. By the end of 2026, phototherapy lamps used in skin care clinics is expected to bring in more than US$ 1.6 Bn revenues. Growing effectiveness of phototherapy in psoriasis treatment to drive the sales of phototherapy lamps On the basis of their applications, phototherapy lamps will be predominantly used in the treatment of psoriasis. In 2017, phototherapy lamps sold for treatment of psoriasis across the globe are expected to bring in over half a billion dollars. Over the forecast period, the applications of phototherapy lamps in treatment of neonatal jaundice are likely to register fastest CAGR of 8.1%. Request to Browse Report Customization @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-5834 Leading manufacturers of phototherapy lamps have been profiled in the report. Koninklijke Philips N.V., General Electric Company, Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Bistos Co. Ltd., TSE SPOL. S. R. O., The Daavlin Company, Fanem Ltda., Herbert Waldmann GmbH & Co. KG, Natus Medical Incorporated, and Schulze & Bohm GmbH are expected to actively partake in the expansion of the global phototherapy lamps market through 2026. Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2019 -- Polyimide foam is a foam originally designed for NASA by Inspec Foams Inc. under the brand name Solimide. Its primary purposes are as an insulator (such as for rocket fuels) and acoustic damper. Polyimide foam is defined as a foam that is ideal and effective for sound, heat, and cold insulation. Its properties include light weight and resistance to fire. Moreover, it can be formed into diverse shapes. Currently, the industry has high technical barriers and policy barriers. The product is mainly used in sensitive military or aerospace applications, and manufacturers in the US and Europe rarely export to China or Russia. In particular, it seems that the Chinese market has great potential. Due to policy restrictions, the driving force of the Chinese market is limited. In the past few years, many research institutions or companies in China have invested in researching this product. However, the current commercialization process seems to be very slow. In the foreseeable future, Asia Pacific will be the world's largest aircraft consumer market. As China researches and develops its own large aircraft program, China will increasingly need polyimide foam. Once Chinese companies have made breakthroughs, the price of global polyimide foam may drop significantly. The global Polyimide Foam market was 540 million US$ in 2018 and is expected to 660 million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of 2.6% between 2019 and 2025. This report studies the Polyimide Foam market size (value and volume) by players, regions, product types and end industries, history data 2014-2018 and forecast data 2019-2025; This report also studies the global market competition landscape, market drivers and trends, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis. Get PDF Version of this Report at https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/1091238/global-polyimide-foam-market Geographically, this report is segmented into several key regions, with sales, revenue, market share and growth Rate of Polyimide Foam in these regions, from 2014 to 2025, covering North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey etc.) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam) South America (Brazil etc.) Middle East and Africa (Egypt and GCC Countries) The various contributors involved in the value chain of the product include manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, intermediaries, and customers. The key manufacturers in this market include Boyd Corporation DuPont Polymer Technologies Soundown Trelleborg I.S.T Suzuko Kangda By the product type, the market is primarily split into Flexible Polyimide Foam Rigid Polyimide Foam By the end users/application, this report covers the following segments Aircraft and Aerospace Marine and Submarine Commercial and Industrial Market Benefits of Purchasing QY Research Report Analyst Support: Get you query resolved from our expert analysts before and after purchasing the report Customer's Satisfaction: Our expert team will assist with all your research needs and customize the report Inimitable Expertise: Analysts will provide deep insights about the reports Assured Quality: We focus on the quality and accuracy of the report Get Full Report Now At https://www.qyresearch.com/settlement/pre/e4307e8db0cffab6f050c6ee18b62308,0,1,Global%20Polyimide%20Foam%20Market%20Report,%20History%20and%20Forecast%202014-2025,%20Breakdown%20Data%20by%20Manufacturers,%20Key%20Regions,%20Types%20and%20Application About QYResearch QYResearch always pursuits high product quality with the belief that quality is the soul of business. Through years of effort and supports from huge number of customer supports, QYResearch consulting group has accumulated creative design methods on many high-quality markets investigation and research team with rich experience. Today, QYResearch has become the brand of quality assurance in consulting industry. The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Friday held a meeting to discuss the current economic situation, poverty alleviation work in 2018, and a regulation on CPC publicity work. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting. China's economy maintained stable operation in the first quarter, with better-than-expected growth rate setting a good start for the year, according to a statement released after the meeting. However, the economy is faced with many issues and difficulties, as tensions in the external environment tend to rise while downward pressure on the domestic economy remains, the statement said. The issues are partly due to cyclical factors, but to a larger degree they have deeper structural and institutional roots, and must be tackled with unwavering efforts and sustained patience, the statement said. The meeting stressed the need to consolidate general economic and social stability through new progress in reform and opening-up as well as structural adjustment. The supply-side structural reform should be pushed to stabilize demand, while efforts on structural deleveraging should be maintained, so that major risks are prevented and tackled in the process of pursuing high-quality development, the statement said, adding that efforts should be made to win the "three tough battles" against major risks, poverty and pollution. Macro policies should be based on the promotion of high-quality development, and pay more attention to improving the quality of growth and stimulating the vitality of the market, it said. Bolder and more effective measures must be taken to implement the proactive fiscal policy, while prudent monetary policy should be kept "neither too tight nor too loose," the statement said. Efforts should be made to push high-quality development in the manufacturing sector to shore up growth, while measures should be taken to support the development of the private companies as well as the small and medium-sized enterprises and ease their financing strain, it said. The country should stick to the principle that "housing is for living in, not speculation," and implement the long-term mechanism on housing regulation. China must promote the healthy development of the capital market through key institutional innovations, and implement the registration-based IPO system on the new science and technology innovation board, the statement said. The country should push high-level opening-up to promote deeper reforms, expand market access for foreign investors and make sure they receive national treatment. Efforts should be made to keep employment stable for key groups while vocational training should be enhanced. Attention should be given to production safety, the meeting said, calling for effective prevention measures. The meeting noted that the three-year battle against poverty made a good start in 2018. Winning the battle against poverty is the landmark indicator for building a "moderately prosperous society in all respects", the statement said. China still faces a daunting task of fighting poverty over the next two years, as those left are the poorest of the poor. Strict assessment should be continued, and the results should be put to good use. The country will fight "formalism and bureaucracy" to ensure that poverty alleviation is pragmatic and results true. As for the counties that have just shaken off poverty, local governments should lift the remaining impoverished population out of poverty, and work hard to prevent people from falling into poverty again. The meeting also reviewed a regulation on publicity work of the CPC. In face of new situations, tasks and requirements, the Party needs better legal and institutional arrangements for publicity work, the statement said, explaining the purpose of drafting the regulation on publicity work. The primary political task of the publicity and ideological work in the new era is to study, promote and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the statement said. Party committees of all levels were told to pay more attention to publicity work and enhance the leadership over the enforcement of the regulation. Publicity departments were asked to thoroughly carry out the regulation. Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2019 -- Polyurea coating is that derived from the reaction product of an isocyanate component and a resin blend componet. It has a composition which is a combination of the above-mentioned two coating systems. The isocyanate component can be the same as for the "pure" polyurea systems. The resin blend is a blend of amineterminated and hydroxyl-terminated polymer resins and/or chain extenders. The resin blend may also contain additives, or non-primary components. To bring the reactivity of the hydroxyl-containing resins to the same level of reactivity as the amine-terminated resins, the addition of one or more catalysts is necessary. Europe, USA and China are the mainly consumption regions due to the larger demand in building & construction and transportation industry. In 2015, USA occupied 27.91% of the global consumption volume, while China takes market share of 15.92%. Leading consumption regions in Europe are Germany, France, UK, and Italy. The Polyurea Coatings industry has high technical barrier. The products are diversified, making it hard for customers to choose from one and another. Consequently, post sales technical services are crucial to downstream customers. To Polyurea Coatings manufacturers, the core of brand building is in quality control and technological innovation. The global Polyurea Coatings market was 680 million US$ in 2018 and is expected to 790 million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of 1.9% between 2019 and 2025. This report studies the Polyurea Coatings market size (value and volume) by players, regions, product types and end industries, history data 2014-2018 and forecast data 2019-2025; This report also studies the global market competition landscape, market drivers and trends, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis. Get PDF Version of this Report at https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/1090642/global-polyurea-coatings-market Geographically, this report is segmented into several key regions, with sales, revenue, market share and growth Rate of Polyurea Coatings in these regions, from 2014 to 2025, covering North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey etc.) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam) South America (Brazil etc.) Middle East and Africa (Egypt and GCC Countries) The various contributors involved in the value chain of the product include manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, intermediaries, and customers. The key manufacturers in this market include SPI Versaflex PPG Industries Polycoat Products Krypton Chemical Supe Sherwin-Williams Kukdo Chemicals Wasser Corporation Armorthane By the product type, the market is primarily split into Pure Polyurea Coating Hybrid Polyurea Coating By the end users/application, this report covers the following segments Building & Construction Transportation Industrial Benefits of Purchasing QY Research Report Analyst Support: Get you query resolved from our expert analysts before and after purchasing the report Customer's Satisfaction: Our expert team will assist with all your research needs and customize the report Inimitable Expertise: Analysts will provide deep insights about the reports Assured Quality: We focus on the quality and accuracy of the report Get Full Report Now At https://www.qyresearch.com/settlement/pre/3ba9dcd57dcccceffdba7378583bc89c,0,1,Global%20Polyurea%20Coatings%20Market%20Report,%20History%20and%20Forecast%202014-2025,%20Breakdown%20Data%20by%20Manufacturers,%20Key%20Regions,%20Types%20and%20Application About QYResearch QYResearch always pursuits high product quality with the belief that quality is the soul of business. Through years of effort and supports from huge number of customer supports, QYResearch consulting group has accumulated creative design methods on many high-quality markets investigation and research team with rich experience. Today, QYResearch has become the brand of quality assurance in consulting industry. San Francisco, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/19/2019 -- Global Remote Terminal Units Market: Snapshot As increasing number of power grids are being installed and upgraded across several developing nations of the world, the demand for remote terminal units is slated to fire up rapidly on a global basis. Furthermore, the growing cross-border connections alongside rising grid monitoring activities and data analysis are other factors accelerating the growth of the global remote terminal units market. Get Brochure of the Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=230 New products are being launched by several major companies. For example, in May 2017, ABB introduced its CMS-700 energy monitor and control unit in order to provide easy access while collecting data and analyzing it. Featuring an advanced open-core sensor, the new system helps in the management and optimization of energy efficiency. Similarly, an upgraded version of its dynamic lift optimization (DLO) software by Emerson incorporates an advanced remote terminal unit. The solution has been designed to reduce footprint as well as weight, when compared with a conventional system. The emerging markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia, China, India, Nigeria, Brazil, Singapore, and Argentina are hubs of opportunities for the progress of the global remote terminal units market. The growing popularity of automation across a number of industries has enabled greater deployment of this multipurpose device. Because the most important components of remote terminal units are storage, processor and memory, it is quite similar to a computer. As a result, remote terminal units are being increasing used as an intelligent or master controller of other devices, enhancing the process of automation. Over the oncoming years, the international demand for remote terminal units is therefore expected to multiply. Remote Terminal Units Market: General Outline A remote terminal unit is a microprocessor-based device, connected to process equipments, transmitters or sensors, for the purpose of remote telemetry and control. RTUs with the aid of appropriate sensors, monitor the status of the process via digital and analogue inputs. They provide control outputs to switch plant such as circuit breakers and tap changers. In the oil and gas industry, during the drilling process, RTUs are used to transmit drilling mechanics, and rock formation information up-hole, in real time. These services are known as logging while drilling and measurement while drilling, Schlumberger's Pulse Technology is a perfect example of this. During the process of drilling, tools use this methodology to send information acquired thousands of feet below the ground. The pressure wave is then translated into a useful information after DSP (Digital Signal Processing) and noise filters, and is later used for drilling optimization, formation evaluation, and geosteering. Get TOC for Detailed Facts and Numbers @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=230 Remote Terminal Units Market: Comprehensive Overview The advent of improved technology for process monitoring and data transmission has dominated the market drivers for remote terminal units. With improved SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) regulations by various governments across the globe, and increased threat of data security, organizations are now looking at the latest technologies for remote terminal units. Developing markets and new drilling areas also contribute to the growth of the RTU market for oil and gas sectors. Despite the growth factors, the industry does face a few challenges. In the European and North American region, RTU system has been established since the 1970s, and there remains no scope for new installations, in other words, markets of these regions have reached a saturation point. Also, significant financial investment is required to lay down a network across regions and to establish RTUs at inaccessible locations. However, with new fields being discovered in the Asia Pacific region, there is a scope for growth. Remote Terminal Units Market: Segment Overview Based on the mode of application, the RTU industry is classified into: RTUs for Oil and Gas Wells and RTUs for Compressor, Pump or Valve Stations. A further classification can be made on the basis of the industry such as power, oil exploration or pipeline management. Also, based on the connectivity, RTUs may use telephone hard lines or wireless transmission systems. Geographically, the remote terminal units market is currently concentrated in the Asia Pacific region due to initiation of major oil exploration projects as well as power grid expansion in India, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In the Rest of the World, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America is also witnessing a similar trend. Whereas, the European and North American regions are expected to see a significant decline in the demand of RTUs, as the market already has a well-established SCADA network. Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/remote-terminal-units-market Remote Terminal Units Market: Key Market Players Some of the major companies involved in the manufacture and integration of remote terminal units are: TopRank Corporation Sdn. Bhd., ABB Ltd., Schneider Electric SE, Siemens AG, General Electric Company, and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Highlights of the report: A detailed analysis of key segments of the market Recent developments in the market's competitive landscape Detailed analysis of market segments up to second or third level of segmentation Historical, current, and projected future valuation of the market in terms of revenue and/or volume Key business strategies adopted by influential market vendors Outline of the regulatory framework surrounding and governing numerous aspects of the market Growth opportunities in emerging and established markets Recommendations to market players to stay ahead of the competition Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/19/2019 -- Global Smart Home Theaters Market Insights, Forecast to 2025 is latest research study released by HTF MI evaluating the market, highlighting opportunities, risk side analysis, and leveraged with strategic and tactical decision-making support. The study provides information on market trends and development, drivers, capacities, technologies, and on the changing capital structure of the Global Smart Home Theaters Market. Some of the key players profiled in the study are Samsung, Vizio, Yamaha, Sony, LG, Philips, Panasonic, Sharp, Bose, Polk Audio, Harman, JVC, Sonos, Canton, Xiaomi, Edifier & Denon. This report presents the worldwide Smart Home Theaters market size (value, production and consumption), splits the breakdown (data status 2014-2019 and forecast to 2025), by manufacturers, region, type and application. This study also analyzes the market status, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis. Smart Home Theaters Market Overview: If you are involved in the Smart Home Theaters industry or intend to be, then this study will provide you comprehensive outlook. It's vital you keep your market knowledge up to date segmented by Commercial & Home Appliance, , HTIB(Home Theater in a Box) & Component Systems and major players. If you have a different set of players/manufacturers according to geography or needs regional or country segmented reports we can provide customization according to your requirement. Enquire for customization in Report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/1373705-global-smart-home-theaters-market-4 Smart Home Theaters Market: Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2023 Research study is to define market sizes of various segments & countries in previous years and to forecast the values to the next 5-8 years. The report is designed to comprise each qualitative and quantitative elements of the industry facts including: market share, market size (value and volume 2012-17, and forecast to 2023) with admire to each of the areas and countries concerned inside the examination. Furthermore, the report additionally caters the detailed statistics about the vital elements which includes drivers & restraining factors which will define the future growth of the market. Furthermore, the years considered for the study are as follows: Historical year 2013-2017 Base year 2018 Forecast period** 2018 to 2023 [** unless otherwise stated] Moreover, it will also include the opportunities available in micro markets for stakeholders to invest, detailed analysis of competitive landscape and product services of key players. The designated segments and sub-section of the market are explained below: The Study is segmented by following Product Type: , HTIB(Home Theater in a Box) & Component Systems Major applications/end-users industry are as follows: Commercial & Home Appliance Some of the key Manufacturers Involved in the Market are Samsung, Vizio, Yamaha, Sony, LG, Philips, Panasonic, Sharp, Bose, Polk Audio, Harman, JVC, Sonos, Canton, Xiaomi, Edifier & Denon You can get free access to samples from the report here: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1373705-global-smart-home-theaters-market-4 For each region, market size and end users are analyzed as well as segment markets by types, applications and companies. If opting for the Global version of Smart Home Theaters Market analysis is provided for major regions as follows: - North America (USA, Canada and Mexico) - Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy) - Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) - South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.) - Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) Buy this research report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1373705 Key Answers Captured in Study are Which geography would have better demand for product/services? What are the strategies adopted by big players in the regional market? Which country would see the steep rise in CAGR & year-on-year (Y-O-Y) growth? What is the current & expected market size in next five years? What is the market feasibility for long term investment? What opportunity the country would offer for existing and new players in the Smart Home Theaters market? What is risk involved for suppliers in the geography? What factors would drive the demand for the product/service in near future? What is the impact analysis of various factors in the Global Smart Home Theaters market growth? What are the recent trends in the regional market and how successful they are? Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1373705-global-smart-home-theaters-market-4 There are 15 Chapters to display the Global Smart Home Theaters market. Chapter 1, About Executive Summary to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Global Smart Home Theaters market, Applications [Commercial & Home Appliance], Market Segment by Regions United States, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea & Other Regions; Chapter 2, objective of the study. Chapter 3, to display Research methodology and techniques. Chapter 4 and 5, to show the Overall Market Analysis, segmentation analysis, characteristics; Chapter 6 and 7, to show the Market size, share and forecast; Five forces analysis (bargaining Power of buyers/suppliers), Threats to new entrants and market condition; Chapter 8 and 9, to show analysis by regional segmentation[United States, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea & Other Regions ], comparison, leading countries and opportunities; Regional Marketing Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis Chapter 10, focus on identifying the key industry influencer's, overview of decision framework accumulated through Industry experts and strategic decision makers; Chapter 11 and 12, Market Trend Analysis, Drivers, Challenges by consumer behaviour, Marketing Channels and demand & supply. Chapter 13 and 14, describe about the vendor landscape (classification and Market Positioning) Chapter 15, deals with Global Smart Home Theaters Market sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source. Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia or Oceania [Australia and New Zealand]. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2019 -- HTF MI released a new market study on Global (United States, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System Market with 100+ market data Tables, Pie Chat, Graphs & Figures spread through Pages and easy to understand in depth analysis. "Global (United States, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System Market by Type (, Parabolic Trough Type, Power Tower Type, Dish Type & Fresnel Type), by End-Users/Application (Industrial Use & Commercial Use), Industry Size, Organizations, and Region - Forecast and outlook to 2025". 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, focused opinions, details, and industry certified market data. The research study provides estimates for Global (United States, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System Forecast till 2025*. Some of the key players profiled are Abengoa Solar, Sener, Acciona, BrightSource, Iberdrola, Samca, SolarReserve, ESOLAR, NextEra Energy, Alcoa, Flagsol(TSK), SCHOTT, Rayspower & ROYAL TECH CSP etc. Get Access to sample pages @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1778170-global-united-states-european-union-and-china-solar-thermal-power-system-market The Global (United States, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System market report more focuses on top industry leaders and explores all essentials facets competitive landscape. It explains potent business strategies and approaches, consumption propensity, regulatory policies, recent moves taken by competitors, as well as potential investment opportunities and market threats also. The report emphasis crucial financial details of major manufacturers including year-wise sale, revenue growth, CAGR, production cost analysis, and value chain structure. In 2017, the Global (United States, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System market size was USD XX and is forecast to reach Million YY USD in 2025, growing at a CAGR of xx%. The objectives of this study is to define, market segment having opportunity, and to project the size of the Global (, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System market based on company, product type, application and key regions. Besides, the report also covers segment data, including: type segment, industry segment etc. cover different segment market size. Also cover different industries clients' information, which is very important for the Major Players. If you need more information, please contact HTF MI at sales@htfmarketreport.com. **The market is valued based on weighted average selling price (WASP) and includes any applicable taxes on manufacturers. All currency conversions used in the creation of this report have been calculated using constant annual average 2018 currency rates. Competition Analysis Global (United States, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System Market - Vendor Landscape: The analysts authoring the publication explain the nature and future changes in the competitive scenario of the worldwide companies that are profiled in the publication guide, some of key players that includes in the study are Abengoa Solar, Sener, Acciona, BrightSource, Iberdrola, Samca, SolarReserve, ESOLAR, NextEra Energy, Alcoa, Flagsol(TSK), SCHOTT, Rayspower & ROYAL TECH CSP The Study is segmented by following Product Type , Parabolic Trough Type, Power Tower Type, Dish Type & Fresnel Type Major applications/end-users industry are as follows Industrial Use & Commercial Use Enquire for customization in Report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/1778170-global-united-states-european-union-and-china-solar-thermal-power-system-market Region Segmentation: United States, China, European Union & Rest of World (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) ** Customized Report with detailed 2-level country level break-up can also be provided. North America (United States, Canada) South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America) Asia (China, Japan, India, Korea, RoA) Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Rest of Europe) Others (Middle East, Africa) In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Global (United States, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System are as follows: - History Year: 2013-2017 - Base Year: 2017 - Estimated Year: 2018 - Forecast Year 2018 to 2025 Buy full research report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1778170 Key Stakeholders/Global Reports: - Global (, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System Manufacturers - Global (, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers - Global (, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System Sub-component Manufacturers - Industry Association - Downstream Vendors Following would be the Chapters to display the Global (United States, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System market. Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Global (, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System, Applications of Global (, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System, Market Segment by Regions; Chapter 2, to analyze the Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure; Chapter 3, to display the Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Global (, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System, Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis; Chapter 4, to show the Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment); Chapter 5 and 6, to show the Regional Market Analysis that includes North America, United States, Canada, Mexico, Asia-Pacific, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Europe, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, Rest of Europe, Central & South America, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Middle East & Africa, Saudi Arabia, Turkey & Rest of Middle East & Africa, Global (, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System Segment Market Analysis (by Type); Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Global (, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Global (, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System; Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [, Parabolic Trough Type, Power Tower Type, Dish Type & Fresnel Type], Market Trend by Application [Industrial Use & Commercial Use]; Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis; Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Global (United States, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System; Chapter 12,13, 14 and 15, to describe Global (, European Union and China) Solar Thermal Power System sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source. Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1778170-global-united-states-european-union-and-china-solar-thermal-power-system-market Thanks for reading this article, you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia. Also, If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/19/2019 -- The global ultrasound conductivity gels market is expected to witness a rapid development with the increasing expenditure on health and government support. The government is taking initiatives and implementing various schemes in order to minimize both maternal and infant mortality rates all over the world. Apart from this, the factors boosting the extension of ultrasound procedures are the flourishing economies and high population bloom which will further surge the ultrasound conductivity gels demand in the market globally. To site an example of government initiative is the Central Scheme known as Janani Suraksha Yojana launched by the government of India for the women in rural areas to take advantage of professional medical care during and after their prenatal period. It also provides delivery assistance in both primary health care centers as well as hospitals rather than homes. There are different variations in the market for ultrasound conductivity on the basis of end user and product types. With respect to end user type, the global ultrasound conductivity gels market is categorized into ambulatory surgical centers, diagnostic centers, clinics and hospitals. The necessity for ultrasound conductivity gels is more in clinics as compared to hospitals and diagnostic centers as well as surgical centers. This is because the number of patients coming for these procedures and the number of procedures is both high in clinics rather than the other end user types. In the years to come, it is anticipated that the urge for the ultrasound gels is likely to rise higher with the growing prevalence of diagnostic centers and clinics. Get Sample Report of the Research Study at: https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/6966 On the basis of product type, the market for ultrasound conductivity gels is segmented into non sterile gels and sterile gels. Non-sterile ultrasound gels are more in demand due to the cost efficiency and bulk availability. The report presented here is a complete evaluation of the global ultrasound conductivity gels market with large focus on market dynamics that also includes the market drivers, restraints, and trends and opportunities. It also offers geographical and other segmentation studies of the market. Global Ultrasound Conductivity Gels Market: Trends and Opportunities Owing to the technological advancements, there has been increase in use of diagnostic ultrasound procedures. This has further improved the aptitude of physicians as well as the quality of images in ultrasound in order to engage them for diagnosing medical conditions. Advancement in technology have also caused development of the ultrasound devices as they are now less and more portable. Due to the better portability of the new ultrasound devices, it is easier for the recipients to undergo ultrasound exams in SNF or skilled nursing facilities, thus, adding to the growth in need for ultrasound gels and procedures. Global Ultrasound Conductivity Gels Market: Regional Analysis The global ultrasound conductivity gels market is classified into the regions of Middle East and Africa, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Among these, the market in North America is seen to be having larger shares and thus, leading the global market. However, Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific are likely to be in the growing stage with increasing population and adoption of advanced technology in their developing nations of Australia, New Zealand and India as well as South Africa. Request for TOC of the report here: https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/toc/6966 Global Ultrasound Conductivity Gels Market: Companies Mentioned Major companies in the ultrasound conductivity gels market are Pharmaceutical Innovation Inc., National Therapy Products Inc., Eco-Med Diagnostic Imaging, DJO Global, Inc, and Roscoe Medical. MRR.BIZ has been compiled in-depth market research data in the report after exhaustive primary and secondary research. Our team of able, experienced in-house analysts has collated the information through personal interviews and study of industry databases, journals, and reputable paid sources. The report provides the following information: - Tailwinds and headwinds molding the market's trajectory - Market segments based on products, technology, and applications - Prospects of each segment - Overall current and possible future size of the market - Growth pace of the market - Competitive landscape and key players' strategies The main aim of the report is to: - Enable key stakeholder's in the market bet right on it - Understand the opportunities and pitfalls awaiting them - Assess the overall growth scope in the near term - Strategize effectively with respect to production and distribution MRR.BIZ is a leading provider of strategic market research. 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Contact Us State Tower 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 United States Toll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-Canada) Tel: +1-518-621-2074 Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Researchers from Ireland universities developed a MXene-based ink for an inkjet printer that has the potential to print energy storage components. The team from Drexel University and Trinity College published their recent findings in Nature Communications. MXenes belong to the largest ceramic-based families of two-dimensional (2D) materials. These carbide and nitride molecular sheets have good conductivity that allow them be the next-energy energy storage applications. Conductive inks is predicted to exponentially grow rapidly and these are currently used in circuit boards in portable electronics, radiofrequency identification tags used in highway toll transponders, acts as embedded radio antennas in car windows, and to help in defrosting. Despite its presence for nearly a decade, there is a need to make conductive inks more conductive for easier application to various surfaces. "Yury Gogotsi, Ph.D., Distinguished University and Bach professor in Drexel's College of Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, who studies the applications of new materials in technology, suggests that the ink created in Drexel's Nanomaterials Institute is a significant advancement on both of these fronts," according to Nano Magazine. "So far only limited success has been achieved with conductive inks in both fine-resolution printing and high charge storage devices," Gogotsi said. "But our findings show that all-MXene printed micro-supercapacitors, made with an advanced inkjet printer, are an order of magnitude greater than existing energy storage devices made from other conductive inks." Researches are finding new methods in producing inks from more conductive materials. The problem involves on how to integrate these seamlessly into the manufacturing processes. Some of these materials include gallium, graphene, and nanoparticle silver. "Most of these inks can't be used in a one-step process, according to Babak Anasori, Ph.D., a research assistant professor in Drexel's department of Materials Science and Engineering and co-author of the MXene ink research," according to Phys. "For most other nano inks, an additive is required to hold the particles together and allow for high-quality printing. Because of this, after printing, an additional step is required-usually a thermal or chemical treatment-to remove that additive," Anasori said. "For MXene printing, we only use MXene in water or MXene in an organic solution to make the ink. This means it can dry without any additional steps." One of the advantages is that the concentration of the solvent and MXene in the ink can be adjusted for compatibility to different kinds of commercial printers. "If we really want to take advantage of any technology at a large scale and have it ready for public use, it has to become very simple and done in one step," Anasori said. "An inkjet printer can be found in just about every house, so we knew if we could make the proper ink, it would be feasible that anyone could make future electronics and devices." The team composed of researchers from Drexel and Trinity College subjected the MXene ink in different printouts such as a micro-supercapacitor and a simple circuit on different substrates like paper, plastic, and glass. The results showed that the thickness in printing lines is consistent. In addition, they found that the capacity of the ink to allow electric current to pass through is correlated with the thickness. It was further emphasized in Nano Magazine that "the printouts maintained their superior electric conductivity, which is the highest among all carbon-based conductive inks, including carbon nanotubes and graphene." Press Release April 21, 2019 Nancy: Banning PWDs with service dogs in malls, PUVs should be unlawful Banning persons with disability (PWDs) with guide animals in malls, public transport systems and other public or private establishments should be considered an act of discrimination and therefore unlawful in the country. An act of discrimination is punishable under the existing law, RA 7277, otherwise known as the "Magna Carta for Disabled Persons." Sen. Nancy Binay initiated the filing of Senate Bill No. 1674 after learning that a shopping mall barred the entry a PWD accompanied by a certified assistance dog a few years ago. Binay took note of the said report as the mall management even requested the police to bodily drag the PWD, a foreigner, who protested the mall policy. The management argued that there was still a risk to the safety of other mall patrons even if the foreigner's guide dog was not known to belong to vicious or aggressive breed. "The mall incident is not isolated. It has come to our attention that different establishments, public or private, have treated PWDs with guide animals differently," Binay said. In the wake of the said incident, the senator deemed it necessary to amend the law to accommodate PWDs needing special assistance of guide animals. Sen. Leila de Lima has signified her intention to be made co-author of the measure Under the measure, Binay said PWDs should not only be allowed access in public and private buildings and establishments and such other places mentioned in Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 (Accessibility Law) but also be permitted to be accompanied by their guide animals. Binay also sought to amend Section 27 of RA 7277, allowing PWDs and guide animals access to public transport facilities. An unreasonable denial of access to guide animals of PWDs to public transport facilities shall be considered as an act of discrimination, she said. Denying a person with disability access or use of public accommodations on the ground that he is accompanied by a guide animal shall also constitute as an act of discrimination, the senator added. The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, since its enactment in 1999, has undergone several changes to continue safeguarding the rights and interests of PWDs and address problems encountered in its implementation. At least 48 Palestinians were wounded on Friday during clashes with Israeli soldiers in eastern Gaza Strip, close to the border with Israel, medics said. Ashraf al-Qedra, the Health Ministry spokesman in Gaza, said in a press statement that among the casualties were five paramedics and four local photojournalists, adding that dozens were treated in the field after inhaling tear gas. The clashes on Friday were part of the weekly anti-Israel protests, better known as the Great March of Return, which started at the end of March last year. The Highest Commission of the March of Return had earlier called on the Gaza Strip population to join the weekly activity in support of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and held posters of Palestinian prisoners. They threw stones at the soldiers, who fired live gunshots, rubber bullets and tear gas canisters. Health officials in Gaza said that since the marches and rallies had started, the Israeli army has killed 272 Palestinians and injured 16,700 others. The rallies, protests and marches, which started in late March last year, urge Israel to end 12 years of tight blockade that had been imposed on the coastal enclave which has been ruled by Hamas movement since 2007. Although, Egypt, the United Nations and Qatar are mediating a calm understanding between Israel and Hamas-led factions, the Commission said that the protests will go on every week until the Israeli blockade is lifted. Earlier Friday, Israeli army tanks stationed on the border struck with tank shells a military post that belongs to Islamic Hamas militants. No injuries were reported, according to local media reports in Gaza. There has been no immediate comment from Israeli army on the shelling, however, Israeli media reported that an Israeli army force patrolling near the fence of the border was subjected to gunfire that came from the Gaza side. The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee on Friday issued a subpoena for the full Mueller report, as it seeks to uncover more damning evidence against U.S. President Donald Trump. "I have issued a subpoena to the Department of Justice for the full version of the Mueller report and the underlying evidence," Democratic Congressman Jerrold Nadler said in a statement, while setting May 1 as the deadline. The move came one day after the U.S. Department of Justice released a redacted version of the report which was met with skepticism from the Democrats. "I cannot accept any proposal which leaves most of Congress in the dark, as they grapple with their duties of legislation, oversight and constitutional accountability," Nadler said. Doug Collins, a Republican member of the panel, criticized Nadler for issuing the subpoena, saying that the request was unreasonable. "Today's subpoena is wildly overly broad. It commands the department to provide Congress with millions of records that would be plainly against the law to share because the vast majority of these documents came as a result of nearly 2,800 subpoenas from a grand jury that is still ongoing," Collins said. The redacted Mueller report, 448 pages in length, was the result of a 22-month-long investigation into whether the Trump campaign had colluded with Russia during the 2016 presidential election, and if Trump, after his inauguration, obstructed efforts to probe the alleged collusion. While the report was definitive in stating that there had been no collusion, it offered a murkier conclusion in regard to the obstruction allegations, listing and analyzing 10 episodes involving Trump but stopped short of suggesting a formal charge. The Trump administration hailed the report as a major victory and Trump repeatedly touted on social media that he had been "completely exonerated," while his critics called for a further probe to be launched. "There are three basic issues we have raised," Ravi Prakash, who is Lal's lawyer, told ANI on Saturday. One of the issues he has raised is on the 'basis of a certificate of incorporation of a company registered in the UK wherein he has declared himself a UK citizen', Prakash alleged. He said that under the Representation of People Act, a non-Indian citizen is barred from contesting elections in the country. "On what basis has he become a British citizen? And, how did he obtain Indian citizenship now? Unless there is clarity over the matter, we have requested the Returning Officer not to accept Rahul Gandhi's nomination papers," Prakash said. The lawyer alleged that there are no details mentioned in Rahul's election affidavit about the assets and properties of the UK company for the period between 2003 to 2009. While alleging that there are a lot of issues in Rahul's educational qualifications, Prakash said: "His education qualifications dont match in the documents. He has used the name 'Raul Vinci' in his college and there are no certificates available in the name of Rahul Gandhi." He added, "So, we are asking is Rahul Gandhi and Raul Vinci the same person? If it is not the case then we demand that he gives his original educational certificates, so that these can be verified." Amethi, a traditional bastion of the Gandhi family, will go to polls on May 6. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. Russian President Vladimir Putin and top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong Un will discuss bilateral relations, denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and regional cooperation, the Kremlin said Friday. "The baggage for discussion is very extensive. Here we must still remember first of all that we are talking about negotiations of the heads of neighboring states with an extensive joint border," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "There is no doubt that Russia will be ready to do everything to promote the process of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula to the best of its abilities," he added. On Thursday, the Kremlin said that Kim will meet Putin before the end of April. It will be the first official meeting between Kim and Putin. Peskov said that the non-disclosure of information about the place and exact date of the meeting between the two leaders is related to security concerns. But he said that the meeting will take place in Russia. Speculation has grown that the meeting could take place in the Russian Far East city of Vladivostok. When asked if Russia and the United States contacted each other on the problems of the Korean Peninsula, Peskov said a "certain exchange of views is underway," but it was impossible to talk about some kind of close coordination on this issue. Kim has met U.S. President Donald Trump twice. They ended the latest summit in Vietnam's Hanoi on Feb. 28 without an agreement. Costa Rica bets on ending fossil fuel use by 2050 San Jose, April 20 (AFP) Apr 20, 2019 Eric Orlich and his wife Gioconda Rojas own two electric vehicles, which they charge at home in the garage thanks to solar panels on their roof. That could soon become the norm in Costa Rica, where the government launched a decarbonization plan in February to rid the country of fossil fuels by 2050. "It's totally realistic and necessary," said Orlich, a father of two who lives in a mountainous zone east of the capital San Jose. A businessman in the solar panel sector and president of the Association of Electric Mobility -- which promotes electric-powered transport -- what excites him the most about the government's plan is the focus on public transport. The aim is to have 70 percent of public transport powered by electricity in 2035 -- and the whole fleet by 2050. That is an achievable goal according to diplomat Cristiana Figueres, who in 2015 participated in talks to secure the Paris climate accord on limiting global warming. "The government prudently set the 2050 date because that's what the Paris Agreement demands but I'm confident we'll manage it before then," Figueres told AFP. "Once we've implemented the process of electrifying transport and relaunched a more efficient agriculture and livestock sector, we shall see an exponential effect on technological change" that will accelerate decarbonization, she added. - 'Car no longer king' - Leftist President Carlos Alvarado's plan is set to extend beyond public transport to incorporate industry, agriculture and livestock, as well as a reforestation program aimed at increasing woodland from 50 to 60 percent of the country. Further elements include modernizing waste management and a green tax reform to replace the loss of fuel tax revenues. "This is a change in our social dynamic and our economy," first lady Claudia Dobles, an architect responsible for the urban regeneration program, told AFP. "By 2050 our urban and rural landscape is going to look very different, with nicer towns... where the car will no longer be king." With regard to transport, there are two key components: an electric train serving the San Jose metropolitan area -- the most densely populated in the country -- and modernization of the bus network. The aim is for people to be able to easily access the bus or train by foot or bicycle and connect to the entire public transport system -- ending the reign of the car, largely responsible for the capital's pollution and congestion problems. - No congestion solution - The plan has its critics, though, such as analyst Juan Carlos Hidalgo, from the Washington-based Cato Institute, who says it fails to consider the costs. He said the plan doesn't take into account the "principle of cost-benefit" but only the "zero emissions goal." "It's a goal without economic foundations," he told AFP. For his part, bicycle use activist David Gomez says the plan lacks ambition when it comes to non-motorized transport and won't solve San Jose's traffic problems. "We need incentives so people feel motivated to leave the car behind and use a bicycle, which is a more powerful decarbonization measure than changing a fuel car for an electric one," he said. And Dobles admits the plan won't alleviate congestion. "The challenges of mobility and displacement will remain. It's not because we'll have better technology and more intelligent systems that we'll stop having mobility problems," she said. Figueres says all countries need to decarbonize their economies in the face of climate change, but in that regard, Costa Rica does at least has an advantage. Amongst wind, hydro, solar and geothermal energy, the tiny Central American country of five million people is already only 1.5 percent off achieving total self-sufficiency in renewable energy. mas/bc/ska Top regional officials in Iraq for symbolic summit Baghdad, April 20 (AFP) Apr 20, 2019 Top officials from Iraq's six neighbours gathered in its capital Saturday for a symbolic summit showcasing Baghdad's aspirations as a regional mediator, but which otherwise produced no tangible outcome. The one-day roundtable brought together countries fiercely at odds across the region. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Kuwait sent the heads of their legislative bodies, while Iran dispatched a senior parliamentary official. Hosted by Iraq's youngest-ever speaker of parliament, 38-year-old Mohammed al-Halbusi, the meeting lasted just shy of three hours. The countries pledged to support stability, reconstruction and development in Iraq, which has been ravaged by several decades of conflict including a three-year battle against the Islamic State group. "The stability of Iraq is necessary for the stability of the region," read the concluding statement. Participating nations also rejected "interference" in Iraq's internal affairs, although most have deep political and economic interests in the country. Attendees did not announce any diplomatic breakthroughs, despite the summit's symbolic success in bringing together rival countries around a single table. Baghdad has sought to market itself as a neutral meeting place for the Middle East's competing forces. Iraqi premier Adel Abdel Mahdi recently visited both Riyadh and Tehran. Saudi Arabia and Iran severed diplomatic ties with one another in 2016 and are locked in proxy wars across the region. Turkey and Iran have backed opposing sides in Syria's conflict, which since 2011 has isolated Damascus diplomatically. As part of its new regional role, Baghdad has sought to restore Syria's membership of the Arab League. RTHK: North Korea chides Bolton for 'stupid' comments A senior North Korean official slammed US National Security Advisor John Bolton on Saturday, accusing him of making "stupid" comments on stalled denuclearisation talks and warning "nothing good" would come of them. Bolton is the second, top ranking US politician to be criticised by Pyongyang in recent days, after it labelled Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as "reckless" on Thursday, demanding his removal from talks over the North's banned nuclear programme. Those comments came hours after the isolated state claimed to have tested a new kind of weapon. Pyongyang and Washington have been at loggerheads since the collapse of a summit between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump earlier this year. In an interview with Bloomberg published on Wednesday, Bolton urged Pyongyang to give a "real indication" it is willing to give up nuclear weapons. In comments cited by North Korea's official KCNA news service, Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui said Bolton's remarks may have showed a "lack of understanding about the intentions of the two leaders". But, "they all sound uncharming and stupid to me", she said. "Nothing good would come to you if such insensitive remarks persist." In the Bloomberg interview, Bolton said that for a third Trump-Kim summit to take place, "a real indication from North Korea that they've made the strategic decision to give up nuclear weapons", would be needed. He said US Trump was "fully prepared" for his next summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, adding the Trump administration was ready for "the big deal". (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Liaison offices for port customs clearance were established in northern China's Tianjin Municipality and Mongolia's capital Ulan Bator, according to an ongoing trade fair in Tianjin. The offices aim to promote economic and trade cooperation between Tianjin and Mongolia, and were established Thursday. The two sides also signed projects totaling 80 million yuan (11.93 million U.S. dollars) at China Tianjin International Fair for Investment and Trade, according to China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC). The offices will help expand bilateral trade between Tianjin and Mongolia and promote the development of China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, said T. Duuren, CEO of Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Chu Bin, president of Tianjin Port (Group) Co. Ltd., said that about 90 percent of goods from Mongolia by rail are transported via Tianjin port, and rail transport between Tianjin and Mongolia has been growing rapidly in recent years. In 2018, the trade volume between Tianjin and Mongolia reached 1.45 billion yuan, up 6 percent year on year. The bilateral trade volume also saw a 28 percent increase to 200 million yuan in the first two months of this year, according to the MOC. China Tianjin International Fair for Investment and Trade opened in Tianjin on Thursday and will last until April 22, focusing on opening-up, cooperation and high-quality development. The bilateral cooperation between China and Kenya has grown stronger in the recent past, unleashing mutual benefits across economic and social spheres, a Chinese envoy has said. Li Xuhang, the outgoing minister counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, said at his farewell reception on Thursday night that the last two years had witnessed significant milestones in bilateral ties between Nairobi and Beijing. "The 27 months has witnessed tangible achievements on China-Kenya cooperation," said Li, adding that the China-funded Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway that was launched on May 31, 2017 has come to symbolize fruitful cooperation between the two countries. According to Li, about 2.7 million passengers and 4 million tonnes of cargo have already been ferried between Mombasa and Nairobi since the launch of SGR trains. He said that Kenyan President Kenyatta's scheduled visit to China next week to attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation is expected to inject vitality into bilateral relations between Nairobi and Beijing. He said that over 400 Chinese firms have established a presence in Kenya thanks to favorable policy environment while the number of Chinese tourists who visited Kenya increased from 56,000 in 2016 to some 81,000 in 2018. "The leapfrogging development of bilateral relations over the past two years is the result of joint efforts of Chinese and Kenyan people from all walks of life," said Li. Back to protests after the Avurudu holidays View(s): As street protests subsided over the past 10 days owing to the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season, Sri Lankas business community braced this week for a return to the now, routine but extremely uncomfortable street demonstrations by university undergraduates and other protestors in the city of Colombo. While one business chamber issued a statement this week raising alarm bells over the increasing street protests that have a huge impact on the economy, another chamber said protestors should also recognise the rights of freedom for other road users. While we respect the rights of people to protest in a democracy there is also the issue of other peoples rights and freedom of movement which are affected by these protests, said Dhara Wijayatilake, CEO /Secretary General, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC). The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) in a statement this week said that while it respects the right of people to have legitimate reasons, in some instances, for street protests, the regular street protests of university undergraduates, is unacceptable behaviour, because as prospective future employment seekers, it reflects their attitudes, leaving a question mark on their competency level of meeting job demands. Former President National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, Sujeewa Samaraweera, while noting that the larger majority of undergraduates are not involved in public protests, said students are supposed to be an educated lot and we look at them as taking over the country and society at some point. He said this has a direct impact on the economy, traffic congestion, inconveniencing the public who have an unfettered right to move freely without hindrance, foreign investment and tourism. This also reflects badly on the administration of a country and its advanced education structures, and shows a lack of discipline in the country, he added. Most of those whom the Business Times spoke to for comments on this issue, agreed that a special area like Londons Hyde Park Corner should be designated for public protests so that it doesnt inconvenience people. CCCs Wijayatilake noted that there is a huge economic impact when vehicles are stranded and people cant get to their meetings or do other work on time. If this continues and movement in Colombo becomes unpredictable it could become a factor in foreign investment and tourism, she said. Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne from the Economics Faculty of the University of Colombo, said that while there are no calculations on economic costs of increasing protests, the underlying reasons of poor economic performance of the country, could be the reason for this crisis. It also shows the failure of the system and the gross negligence of the issue. On the one hand, the focus of the students is on a certificate regardless of its relevance; even the governments have carried out a precedence by providing public sector jobs to all graduates irrespective of what they have learned, encouraging the students to study anything. On the other hand, the private sector is too tiny and economic performance is too slow so that there are no job opportunities opening up. Beside all that, I think we are used to cross the boundary line thinking that in a democracy we are free to act in any way as we think right a failure of our political culture, he noted. The NCE said that the authorities should adopt new approaches to develop a proper mindset of students beginning from school-going age, to prepare them to be worthy future employment seekers, with adequate knowledge of subjects, which impact on the economic development of the country, over and above the knowledge they acquire under standard educational streams. This is particularly relevant to students whose education falls outside STEM Subjects, (Science, Technology, English and Mathematics), and who are less prepared for productive employment. It is also felt that the agitation of undergraduates may be partly due to the tensions arising out of their uncertain future after completion of university education, it said. ComBank first in Sri Lanka to offer global Wi-Fi to World Mastercard holders View(s): Commercial Bank of Ceylon has become the first bank in Sri Lanka to offer access to over one million Boingo Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide at no additional charge to holders of World Mastercard credit cards issued by the bank. This global benefit allows eligible persons to enjoy Wi-Fi in locations such as hotels, retail outlets, cafes and restaurants, airports and even on-board flights operated by select airlines, the bank said in a media release. Eligible Commercial Bank World Mastercard cardholders can use the Boingo service for up to four devices, including any combination of smartphones, tablets and laptops. To redeem the Wi-Fi benefit, eligible cardholders should visit mastercard.boingo.com/combank to get started. Commenting on the launch of this benefit to cardholders in Sri Lanka, Commercial Banks Deputy General Manager Marketing, Hasrath Munasinghe said: Staying connected while travelling overseas is often expensive. Data roaming is a hassle and free public Wi-Fi can be slow. With Boingo, our World Mastercard holders no longer need to worry about connectivity. This is another example of our continuing efforts to ensure that our customers enjoy the same benefits as their counterparts in other countries. R.B. Santosh Kumar, Country Manager Sri Lanka and Maldives, Mastercard, noted: At Mastercard we constantly seek to offer our cardholders benefits and privileges that are in line with their ever-changing lifestyles. Understanding the need to stay connected at all times in todays fast paced world, we are delighted to offer Commercial Banks Mastercard holders travelling abroad for work and leisure a convenient and cost effective solution to their Wi-Fi needs. Boingo is one of the worlds leading Wi-Fi and cellular operators and a nine-time winner of Best Wi-Fi Service in the Global Traveler GT Tested reader survey awards. For a simplified connected experience, the Boingo Wi-Finder app makes it easy to find and connect to available hotspots. Boingo also offers Passpoint, a next generation hotspot technology that delivers a seamless and secure connected experience. Industry concerns over SLPA tariffs View(s): The Export Development Board (EDB) has taken the rare step of publicly criticising another state agency, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) over the upward revision of its tariffs. In a media statement, the EDB said: The upward tariff revision by the SLPA has become a controversial matter raising many concerns of exporters/importers during tough times where Sri Lanka is trying to find their position back in the world map as a competitive exporter. However, the SLPA seems adamant to go-ahead with this implementation disregarding the concerns raised by the industry. Though the players who are engaged in the international trade continuously insisted that, rates remain unchanged, it is unfortunate that the authorities are still trying to act in favour of the upward revision. A tariff revision was imposed effective from January 1, 2019 without any prior notice given to industry. This caused confusion, inconvenience, disruption of business and losses to the trade. Eventually when the matter was raised, it was agreed upon to take necessary action in order to revoke the Cabinet decision. This resulted in the former tariff (prior to January 2019) was re-implemented effective on February 7. The industry argued that the additional tariff amounts charged have not yet been refunded to the traders by the authorities. While incurring loss of the tariff charged during this period, now the industry has to get ready for the next upward tariff revision. The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) to be kicked off soon in Beijing is attracting worldwide attention. The promotion of high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will be a focus of the forum that is themed on Belt and Road Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future. To ensure that the BRI achieves a deeper and more practical level of effects, progresses steadily, and has far-reaching outcomes, each party concerned should further build consensus, align development strategies and set priorities for cooperation, for which the second BRF will serve as the best platform. The transition toward high-quality development of the BRI will inject a stronger guiding power into the changing situation of the world. The world is facing a trend of anti-globalization, while the Belt and Road construction is a proof to the skeptics that globalization can proceed among countries in an organized and orderly manner, said Jacques Godfrain, president of Charles de Gaulle Foundation from France. His point echoes with the international societys new understanding on the role of the BRI in the modern era. To achieve high-quality development of the BRI, China will continue upholding the principle of openness, inclusiveness and transparency, listen to constructive suggestions from all parties, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all. Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia, remarked that the BRI is promoting world stability by connecting different countries, cultures, and peoples spiritually and materialistically. The transition toward high-quality development of the BRI will open up new space for Belt and Road construction. Chinese President Xi Jinpings trip to Europe this March drew attention from the world. During his visits, China and Italy signed a MoU on the Belt and Road cooperation, and Monaco also expressed its willingness to participate in the Belt and Road cooperation. China and France signed agreements on the third round of the BRI-related demonstration projects in third-party markets and kicked off a third-party market fund. During a meeting in Paris, leaders from China, France, Germany and the European Union conducted constructive discussion. German Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested that the EU speed up the bilateral investment negotiations with China and make active exploration in joining the BRI. French President Emmanuel Macron noted that the EU could align its development strategy with the BRI in an innovative way and jointly promote Eurasian connectivity. More and more global enterprises will grow their business along the Belt and Road. It reflects their confidence in the BRIs transition toward high-quality development. General Electric is expecting to enjoy double-digit growth in revenues along the Belt and Road in coming years, and financial giant Citigroup Inc. is now providing all-round services for the enterprises investing in the Belt and Road countries. According to a report recently released by Germany Trade & Invest, German companies could, in the short term, participate in the third-party market cooperation in implementing BRI projects as contractors, suppliers and partners, and in the long run, the BRI means a huge opportunity for them as it will create larger markets. The transition toward high-quality development of the BRI will bring more tangible benefits to the development of the countries. People from the BRI countries are expected to see more livelihood projects, and green projects will also become a focus of the Belt and Road cooperation. China will continue aligning development strategies with each country, build a batch of key cooperation projects, implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and attach more importance on livelihood improvement and environmental protection while deepening cooperation. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People Republic of China. To hold the second BRF at such an important time will attract huge attention from the international society. The Belt and Road construction indicates that China is an open major country that is actively building a new pattern of all-round opening-up. This spring, the world once again witnessed Chinas efficiency of and commitment to reform and opening up. The second session of the 13th National Peoples Congress held this March passed the Foreign Investment Law, and the making of relevant regulations has started. The country has also implemented a system of pre-establishment national treatment plus a negative list. It promised that the negative list will only be shortened rather than being expanded. Moreover, full opening of market access for foreign investors in the banking, securities and insurance industries is being expedited. As China will only open its door wider to the world, the world will only see a broader space in the Belt and Road cooperation and the alignment with Chinese market. The Belt and Road construction indicates that China is an open major country that is committed to perfecting the global governance system. The current global governance system is parochial, fragmented and exclusive, in lack of representativeness, inclusiveness and equity. The Chinese solutions represented by the BRI aim to uphold the global free trade system and the open world economy, contributing to the building of a more balanced and sustainable governance system. Dominique de Villepin, former French President, believes that the BRI has pulled together the broken world, and brought new opportunities for development and common stability to all countries. The Belt and Road construction indicates that China is an open major country that is willing to join hands with each country to build a community of shared future for mankind. The BRI inherits the traditional spirit of the Chinese nation to build a harmonious world. With an aim to achieve win-win results and common development, it also shares development outcomes with the world. It is an inheritance of the Silk Road spirit, and also a practical reflection of the aspiration to build a community of shared future for mankind (Guo Jiping is a well-known pen name used for Peoples Daily editorials meant to outline Chinas stance and viewpoints on major international issues.) Right to vote View(s): A news item that caught my interest this week was about the Indonesian parliamentary and presidential elections which were, interestingly, held on the same day on April 17 and maybe an exercise that Sri Lanka should consider to cut costs and time. A news item that caught my interest this week was about the Indonesian parliamentary and presidential elections which were, interestingly, held on the same day on April 17 and maybe an exercise that Sri Lanka should consider to cut costs and time. The report in a local newspaper said 117 Indonesian citizens based in Sri Lanka had cast their ballot at an Overseas Voting Booth located at the Indonesian Embassy in Colombo on April 13, while another 718 Indonesians (also in Sri Lanka) were eligible to cast postal votes. The embassy was quoted as saying that it ensured that the vote took place in the embassy premises in an honest, fair, independent and confidential manner. This drew my attention because of a conversation, a few weeks ago among Kussi Amma Sera and her amba yaluwo (mango friends) Serapina and Mabel Rasthiyadu discussing Sri Lankan migrant workers and the right to vote. Apey pita rata lamai-ta chandaye paavichchi-karanna avasthavak dunnoth, eka vishaala vasiyak (It would be a great benefit to our migrant workers if they are allowed to vote at a Sri Lankan election while being overseas), Kussi Amma Sera had said. Both her friends had nodded their heads in agreement. Their discussion came in the context of increasing media attention, in recent times, of an onna-menna (coming-very-soon) election; whether it is provincial, presidential or parliamentary, remains a secret within the countrys ruling political hierarchy. Indonesia and the Philippines are two countries in Asia with sizable numbers of their nationals working overseas particularly in West Asia which allow voting rights for these workers in the embassies and/or by post. Sri Lanka has been treading this path for more than 15 years without any success, with migrant workers associations and interest groups urging the authorities to develop a scheme where Sri Lankans overseas can exercise their franchise. At one point, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka approved such a proposal but the follow-through by state agencies (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Employment) has been slow and ineffective. The need to revive this debate becomes increasingly urgent these days as speculation of an election between now and November 2019 is gathering momentum. And, in this context, the right to vote for more than 1.5 million Sri Lankans overseas (largely in West Asia), would place enormous power in their hands to decide on their representatives in the legislature, as president or provincial councils and in that way, the fate of the nation. While it may take several months to instal such a scheme and may not be possible before the next poll, the authorities could run a pilot project to test the waters during an election. In the mood to discuss this with one of my mango friends, I call Koththamalli Fernando, the Kokatath Thailaya (oil for any ailment) expert who seems to have a remedy for any issue. Machan, I am writing about providing voting rights for overseas Sri Lankan migrant workers since elections may be announced any time now. Do you think that this will ever see the light of day after being suggested many years ago? I asked. Well... this has been in the works for many years but I dont see this happening in time for the provincial, presidential or parliamentary elections because our leaders are preoccupied with feathering their own nests and not concerned about the rights of others, he responded. But why cant they even run a pilot project may be in one country to test its efficiency and effectiveness, I ventured a guess. That might be a good idea, but again it rests in the hands of our leaders or those who govern this country, he said, adding: Maybe they should try out the electronic voting system which prevails in some countries. Thats a great idea, I said, winding up the conversation with a thanks. Sri Lankas giant neighbour, India, in fact resorts to electronic voting as evidenced at the ongoing parliamentary polls using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) instead of ballot papers. So far, 25 countries have used or done pilot projects to elect governments using EVMs and in Asia this includes the Philippines. Electronic voting reduces ballot tampering, election fraud and other irregularities while reducing costs and also the number of officials for counting purposes. A Parliamentary Committee was appointed in April 2016 to formulate ways to allow the overseas Sri Lankans to vote but that committee is yet to submit its report which is very unlikely in the not-too-distant-future. Another source of worry to migrant worker interest groups is that the power of migrant workers on the political apparatus and government is waning due to reduced remittances from them. While they are still a force to be reckoned with bringing in the highest amount of foreign exchange to the country, knocking on the doors to equal or higher prominence is tourism and, in later years, the IT industry. For the record, workers remittances in December 2018 declined by 13 per cent, year-on-year, to US$584 million. However on an annual basis, the decline was just 2.1 per cent to $7 billion in 2018 from $7.2 billion in 2017. Remittances in January 2019 totalled $545 million, a notable reduction of 25.2 per cent from $729 million in the same month in 2018. Of the average 200,000 Sri Lankans who go abroad annually for work, the percentage of women (as domestic workers) has dropped and around 34 per cent in 2017 compared to over 50 per cent many years ago. As stated earlier, it is not too late to launch a pilot project in one country maybe using EVMs to test the waters before providing these rights to all Sri Lankan workers abroad. Voting rights and a means of voting will help migrant workers to get more attention from their representatives in parliament, provincial councils and the presidency, instead of only being a source of attention as per their remittances and their impact on the economy. A 1.5 million vote base is a powerful tool that can make or break governments and its a fundamental right for these migrant workers to be able to exercise their franchise. Missing my steaming, hot cup of morning tea with Kussi Amma Sera away in the village for the extended Avuduru vacation? Well, yesbut undoubtedly voting rights for migrant workers is far more important. Yet another Committee to solve power crisis! By Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya View(s): View(s): Isnt it hilarious? We have another cabinet sub-committee to solve the power crisis. The Cabinet press briefing of April 9, 2019 says so. Actually, the crisis was created by a similar sub-committee. That committee was called the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM). That committee has now been abolished; at least in theory. So now, the cabinet has another committee. Tragically, the same person, namely the Prime Minister, presides over all these committees. Look at the widely-known record of power plant cancellations and manipulations by the committees, presided over by the Prime Minister: March 31, 2002: Prime Minister cancelled Norochcholai power plant, and then ordered as much as 300 Megawatt of diesel power plants that sent electricity costs spiralling upward. As a result, throughout the last decade, Sri Lanka became the only country in the world (except tiny islands) to produce 65 per cent of electricity from oil. The same Prime Minister chased the Japanese Ambassador away, stating Japans funds and technology are not required: (A subsequent government allowed CEB to build the power plant, but with Chinese technology bought at a Japanese price, and the rest is history). Mid-2003:The Prime Minister cancelled the Upper Kotmale 150 Megawatt hydropower plant, the day before the ceremony to lay the foundation stone was arranged by the then Minister of Power, who was his Deputy. Days later, he ordered more diesel power plants: (A subsequent government allowed CEB to build the Upper Kotmale power plant, too, now operational). Mid-2015: The Cabinet sub-committee chaired by the Prime Minister objected to and later cancelled two power plants in Trincomalee, each 500 Megawatt. Cancelled them on May 15, 2016, a Sunday. One power plant was to go for competitive bidding one day later, on Monday May 16, 2016; ordered more diesel power plants, with a label LNG power plant. Sri Lanka has no LNG. Indian PM Narendra Modi, whose Government entity NTPC was in partnership with CEB for one Trincomalee power plant so cancelled, laughed all the way to Delhi, when our Prime Ministers committee asked him to convert the Sampur power plant to gas. Power plants cannot be converted from coal to gas; ask any power generation engineer if you do not know. Mid-2016 to date: For four years, the same committee sits entertaining proposals for gas (LNG) terminals (note the emphasis on the plural, terminals), whereas Sri Lanka needs only one LNG terminal. The law says competitive bidding is a must, but the Committee undermines the procurement policies. No terminal in sight as yet, with the President and Prime Minister each bringing their own favourite companys proposals and counter proposals for the LNG terminal. So for four years, Sri Lanka has enjoyed a battle of the gas terminals or a terminal fight, between the two highest politicians of the country. Mid-2016, Committee within a committee: A Committee headed by an economist was appointed, to rubber stamp the committee decision to kill the two Trincomalee power plants. The power plants which were to be ready in 2020 and 2022 would have just missed the crisis but the present crisis would have been short-lived. Power system stability and lowest fuel bills Sri Lanka had in 2015 would have been restored by 2020. In the disgusting political culture, the two highest politicians of the land could have taken credit to say, We solved the power crisis and offered a price reduction on the eve of 2020 elections. As we have said repeatedly in these columns and elsewhere, the country is persistently short of solid, baseload generating capacity. Absence of wind, solar, biomass, or similar power plants is not the reason for this shortage; neither would they be the solution. They can supplement, but they cannot substitute the crying need for solid baseload, lower cost electricity generating capacity. Sri Lanka has hundreds of qualified engineers; however politicians, businessmen pushing wind, solar, biomass, gas and coal, and the man on the street do not know (and need not know) how to build and manage a power system, whereas engineers have been taught and trained for that, using public money, of course. The new and hilarious committee headed by the Prime Minister will not bring any solution to the problem. The Prime Ministers committees, in fact, are the problem; they cannot be the solution to the problem created by committees, with the President agreeing and frequently bringing in counter proposals from his favoured contractors. What do we do now? Not a single large power plant has entered the construction stage since 2012, since CEB began work on generator number 3 at Norochcholai, the countrys only coal-fired power plant. It is now five years since Norochcholai was completed, and none of the new larger power plants in the long-term plan has reached anywhere near the foundation stage. Do not say, why Uma Oya, why Boradlands, how about that wind and this solar; they are all supplements but not the medicine to cure the disease. If the Government wants to listen to the professional point of view, here is the solution, step by step. If the Government wants to speak to politicians on how they get power generation projects done, speak to PM Modi, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chief Minister E.K. Palaniswami of Tamil Nadu, to learn how they lead from the front (not run away), to build gas terminals, and power plants run on coal, gas, nuclear, wind and solar. Step 1: Appoint a task force with full powers (no politicians, no committees or anyone linked to various committees), to build 1000 Megawatt in Trincomalee, expandable to 2000 MW. Target date to produce electricity: 500 Megawatt in 2023, 500 Megawatt in 2024 (sorry they cannot be built before the upcoming elections, but if solid decisions are taken now, they would be good selling points for 2025 elections). Step 2: Appoint a task force with full powers (no politicians or anyone linked to any of the committees), to build one LNG terminal (friends of politicians number 1 and 2 in the government please keep away; there will be competitive bidding for the gas terminal and join that). Target date to get gas into the country: 2022. Have all the planned gas-fired power plants (existing and new) ready to run by 2022 on gas. Establish a Gas Authority and a Gas Industry Act, to ensure respectable investors come in; not the dubious contractors presently hovering around various politicians. Step 3: Get more wind and solar power plants into the grid, on the basis of competitive bidding, fix limits to what can be absorbed into the grid (remember: a solid power generating system, not a shaky one as we have, is required to absorb more small hydro, wind, solar and biomass, to cope with shaky resources like wind and sunshine) Step 4: With steps 1, 2 and 3 firmly in place and in progress, be truthful, and tell the people, what options are then available to run until 2022; either accept power cuts up to 8 hours or accept higher electricity prices to pump diesel to the politicians hearts content. Do not fool the people by saying electricity prices will not be increased by the government. People do understand that the government has messed-up the electricity sector. They would not mind a price increase to pump diesel to power plants, provided the correct decisions for the long term, in the correct sequence, are implemented. Otherwise, perish. Committees cannot build power plants or gas terminals, or even decide on them, which are extremely delicate technical matters. They are decided by experts on power plant, gas industry and marine/ports, and built by institutions or companies. Not by a Cabinet sub-committee on this and that. However, steps taken now are precisely in the reverse order. No committees were appointed at all to decide on emergency diesel power plants that produce electricity at Rs. 31 per unit or more, and to fool the public that the crisis has gone away. Emergency diesel gets instant Cabinet approval! If you do not believe me, read the Cabinet decisions on April 9 http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.lk/cab/, where a 100 MW emergency power plant got instant approval (cost: Rs. 31 per unit). At the same meeting, decisions on cheaper power plants (cost: Rs.8 to 14 per unit) were deferred for two weeks and possibly forever, and a Committee chaired by the Prime Minister was appointed!!! That guarantees that there will be no decision at all. That is the governments way to ensure CEB or the private sector would not be allowed to build cheaper power plants of any sorts! Committees and more committees! And the agony of this nation continues . (The writer is an energy specialist and a regular commentator on these issues. He can be reached at tilak@rmaenergy.lk). A Khan who cant see truth View(s): No, it is not that the ineffectual London Mayor Sadiq Khan does not know. Nor is it that the politically wounded Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn is unaware that Sri Lankas Sinhala and Tamil communities resident in the UK and elsewhere celebrate the same New Year each April. But the fact that Labour grandees persist in wishing only the Tamil community for a new year that is celebrated by both the Sinhala majority and the Tamil minority is clear proof that Labours claim to be non-racist is but a facade that is gradually been pulled apart to display the real face of Labour. The current quarrels in the party over the practice of racism, particularly anti-Semitism, is likely to be investigated by independent bodies which could well expose further Labours partiality to some ethnic groups while denigrating and targeting others as has been coming to light. London Mayor Sadiq Khan greeted only the Tamil community at New Year earlier this month, as though others who celebrated the same event did not deserve Khans weighty wishes. This pompous politician seemed to think that his words of wisdom should not be wasted on others who also live and work in London and celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. He quoted two words in Tamil as did Corbyn in a show of spurious bon homie that might mislead many Tamils but not the educated and professional classes quite accustomed to the false and deceptive ways of political mediocrities like some of our own. Labour is no longer the respected party it used to be. More and more it is earning the reputation of a racist party. Mayor Khans partiality for the Tamil community without a word of greeting to the Sinhala residents in the UK is further proof the party is without a steady hand on the tiller. It is bad enough that Labour is becoming shaky but its annual benediction to the Tamil community in the last decade or more shows that its racist face is increasingly beginning to show. Certainly if the mayor wants to wish the Tamil community, which has made worthwhile contributions to British society, that is his prerogative. But surely it does not cost his official coffer a brass farthing, as the old saying goes, to wish the Sinhala community at the same time. If Khan cant make this simple gesture or stubbornly refuses to do so then it is time that he was taught some elementary lessons in civilised behaviour. For when he sent out greetings he was doing so as the mayor, not as some stray individual. Quite rightly Sri Lankas High Commissioner in the UK, Manisha Gunasekera, reportedly wrote to Mayor Khan pointing to the error of his ways, if one might put it so. That communication to Khan was said to have been followed with a letter to Labour Party leader Corbyn who gushingly repeated the mayors words with two words in Tamil. British Foreign Office Minister Mark Field who oversees Sri Lanka was far more civilised and balanced in extending his greetings to Sinhala and Tamil communities everywhere and wishing them not only a prosperous and joyous year ahead but also a peaceful one. Minister Field said it was time to bring together communities and celebrate our common values. While Minister Field was advocating the coming together of Sri Lankas communities, Corbyn and Khan were encouraging divisiveness by addressing only the Tamil community. This is said to be one issue that High Commissioner Gunasekera underlined in her communications to the two Labourites. Had their messages been addressed to both communities celebrating New Year instead of only the Tamil community, the message would have conveyed the sense of unity and co-existence which the Sinhala and Tamil New Year represents. Labours exclusive message, however, adds to the partys current contretemps where it has been branded racist. In fact, Labour could face a formal human rights probe after the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) raised concerns the party may have unlawfully discriminated against people because of their ethnicity and religious beliefs. In a statement last month, the watchdog said it was considering using its enforcement powers. Why the Labour Party keeps wishing only the Tamil community seems obvious. It is a cheap political ploy played out each year to keep the Tamils beholden to Labour politicians for taking up their case in parliament and other fora. This is a simple example of Labour politicians playing to the Tamil community for ephemeral electoral advantage. This annual homage to the Tamils for the wonderful contribution they make to London is the kind of hyperbolic rubbish that politicians with nothing worthwhile to say resort to. Those who have followed the parliamentary debates initiated by Labour MPs might well remember the kind of hogwash that flows through those debates. It is not uncommon to hear Labours vociferous women MPs utter earth- shattering allegations against Sri Lanka. But they cannot produce incontrovertible evidence to buttress these accusations except say these tales were conveyed by their constituents. I dare say some of them could be true and some others embellished. One can remember Labour MPs climbing pro-LTTE platforms in Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square and elsewhere and bursting the eardrums of passers-by with their turgid rhetoric. Listening to the Corbyns and Khans of this world, one is tempted to rewrite Macbeths words and say: They are tales told by some idiots, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. During my time at the High Commission, one was often confronted with issues connected with the All Party Parliament Group for Tamils (APPG-T) and other organisations that indulged in highly biased, one-sided and inflammatory remarks often in support of the LTTE, which had been declared a foreign terrorist organisation under a year 2000 British law. To let them pass unanswered or to respond meekly to these deliberate untruths and dangerous concoctions would have been to allow shameless mendacity to rule over truth and carefully distilled misinformation. What has happened in more recent years is that the cussed racism they practise behind a set of illusory principles such as a declared faith in multiculturalism, anti-racism and human rights, is often punctured by actions that have been and are challenged by groups within the party itself. They see Corbyns trade union Lefties pushing him to take increasingly extreme positions and so would like to see Corbyn deposited in the dustbin and Labour return to the principles it once upheld and fought for in the political battlefield. The on-going trouble in the Labour Party over the anti-Semitism displayed by some party figures and Corbyns inclination to bury his head in the partys sand and ignore the goings-on that have discredited Labour is causing serious concerns within it. The fact that the Labour Party set about establishing the All Party Parliament Group for Tamils when almost all other groups developed close relations with countries rather than racial groups is more evidence of Labours growing racist inclinations and its desire to put down others using parliamentary privileges. For instance, there is the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sri Lanka, which was originally established by Lord Naseby. That the Labour Party moved to set up a parliamentary group to support the Tamil community is evidence of its partiality for a particular community and its political motivation. It is not surprising the Labour Partys racist proclivities have come under official scrutiny. The Jewish community in the UK like in some other western countries is a powerful political, economic and financial lobby. Right now Labour is not only facing internal dissension but seeing some of its MPs delinking themselves from a party that has lost its moorings. All the more reason then why Labour is clinging to racial groups that would provide electoral support as a quid pro quo for pressing the Tamil cause in parliament and other political platforms. In doing so and engaging in trumpet- blowing is to sow discord among communities as Mayor Khan is trying to do when what Britain needs today great social cohesion and a sense of togetherness. This is dangerous politics since we know Labours divisive practices. Space does not permit a more detailed look at Labours racist bent not only in the last few years but from the latter half of the 1960s when Labours Jim Callaghan introduced racist legislation to stop Asians from Africa particularly Kenya and Uganda settling in the UK, though many of them had British documents to prove their residential credentials. British cabinet papers released under the 30-year rule showed Labours duplicity. Labour under fire over Passover tweet Labour has deleted a Passover message on social media after it came under fire for featuring a loaf of bread. The message read: As Jewish people prepare for Passover, were wishing everyone in the Jewish community chag sameach #Passover. Leavened bread is not eaten during the Jewish holiday, and the inclusion of the image in an official tweet by Jeremy Corbyns party alongside a Star of David and a goblet led to a barrage of criticism.One Twitter user responded: Astonishing (but sadly unsurprising) basic religious illiteracy from @UKLabour. The tweet has since been deleted. Another said: Is this a joke? You know we dont eat bread during Pesach. And one wrote: Got to laugh. @ukLabour trying to inclusive to Jews celebrating #Passover. The one thing observant Jews specifically avoid at passover is bread. - Evening Standard, London Awaits Certificate of Loss of Nationality Will civil suits against him delay its release? Major political parties prepare for May Day Retired Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Defence Secretary, handed in documents to the United States Embassy in Colombo on Wednesday to relinquish his United States citizenship. That included the surrender of his US passport and signing an oath of renunciation. Unlike other aspects of the relinquishment, it is accepted by the US government that the loss of citizenship occurs when the US citizen meets the Consular Officer at the Embassy by prior appointment. This is only for immigration purposes or is travel related. However, The Certificate of Loss of Nationality, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has sought will take time. Hereafter, he would have to utilise his Sri Lanka passport to travel overseas and will require a valid visa to enter the US. He had his first interview at the US Embassy on March 6, just before flying to Los Angeles to attend the wedding of a friend. This interview was a requirement in terms of US laws for a Consular Officer to ensure that the renouncing of a citizenship is not being carried out by an applicant under duress. Upon his arrival in Colombo last Friday, he declared publicly that his visit was mainly to consult his lawyers. Pictures and videos of his taking part in musical events in Los Angeles with friends circulated widely in Colombo. US Justice Department move His US passport, which has now ceased to be valid, documentary proof of citizenship in Sri Lanka, an Expatriation Information Statement and Tax payments details among others, handed over to the US Embassy will now go to the Department of State in Washington D.C. There, the different state agencies including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Justice Department will examine his case and provide their own reports. It is only thereafter that the Certificate of Loss of Nationality is issued with a final endorsement by the Secretary of State. Usually, this process is said to take two months in cases where there are no issues or other causes for delays. This is where the crunch comes. There are two civil lawsuits against Gotabaya Rajapaksa pending in the US courts. They were both filed barely two weeks ago. Such court action has been initiated when he was still a US citizen. One is by Ahimsa Wickremetunge, daughter of slain editor (of the now defunct Sunday Leader) Lasantha Wickremetunge. She has accused Gotabaya Rajapaksa of complicity in the murder of her father in 2009. Another is a lawsuit by Roy Samathanam, now a Canadian national. He was arrested in Colombo in January 2007 and has alleged he had been detained and tortured for three years without access to lawyers at the behest of the former Defence Secretary. These cases are pending. An important question that arises is whether the Justice Department would give clearance for a US citizen to renounce his or her citizenship when there are serious accusations in a court of law? Or, would they see these as frivolous complaints with ulterior motives to frustrate someone with agendas in mind. Would, therefore, the US Department of Justice seek a delay until the legal process is over for the issue of the Certificate of Loss of Nationality? This is important in the light of Gotabaya Rajapaksas candidature for the presidential elections now due in six months. That is if President Sirisena does not declare it on an earlier date. In high political quarters, there has been some speculation that President Sirisena would make an announcement in the coming days on these elections. He flew together with his wife Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari to Tirupathi for a pilgrimage last Monday. From there, he returned to the South Indian city of Bengaluru and flew to Singapore on a private visit with his family. He is due in Colombo today. Last afternoon, President Sirisena and his family were entertained to lunch by Bernard Sack, Managing Director of Oriental Connection Pte. Ltd. at his Singapore residence. He has business interests in Sri Lanka. May Day show of strength There is, however, no confirmation about the proposed statement. This notwithstanding, Sirisena is under pressure from some of his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) loyalists and members of his own family to contest the presidential election. In the light of zero prospects of contesting jointly with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) led Joint Opposition, he would be left with no choice but to go it alone. This is one of the main reasons why he is asking his party loyalists to muster as large a crowd as possible for th SLFPs May Day rally at the Miriswatte Grounds in Gampaha in ten days. The message is to underscore the partys strength and thus the power it wields. In todays politics, mustering crowds and garnering votes do not dovetail each other. The crowd puller is not party loyalty but the culture of a thousand rupees (or more) together with a bottle of arrack and a pack of lunch. A corollary for it is money and a hat collection from businessman is under way to offer the package to participants. It also includes free transport. A few businessmen have already coughed out large sums not for reasons of charity but for favours in return. Gotabaya Rajapaksas Wednesday visit to the US Embassy in Colombo ended weeks of speculation and even rumours over renunciation of his US citizenship. The Sunday Times also came into focus, first for saying he handed in his documents on March 6 and later reporting that it was done so in Washington D.C. Both were based on disclosures by highly placed sources though they cannot be identified. It can still be said that they believed, or were made to believe, what they revealed. As has always been the practice of this newspaper, errors are rectified when they are known in keeping with the commitment to truth and credibility. In a brief statement he made to the crowds upon his arrival in Colombo, as revealed in these columns last week, Gotabaya Rajapaksa made a significant revelation he had NOT handed in his papers yet for the renunciation. He said he had gone to the US mostly to consult his lawyers over the renunciation of his US citizenship. He said he did this successfully and would move towards this soon a clear indication that the civil law suits have been filed in the US courts ahead of his handing in documents to end his US citizenship. Rajapaksa said it was unfortunate court action was being initiated ahead of a presidential election and emphasised that it was civil action. He made no reference to receiving the process (summons) directly but said he received them through Sri Lankas Consul General in Los Angeles. A power centre within the government claimed that a US citizen cannot hand in his or her papers for renunciation of citizenship other than outside the United States. In narrow circumstances, which are very restricted, they could formally renounce US nationality through the Department of Homeland Security within that country. It, however, does not apply to cases like that of the former Defence Secretary. This is enabled by the US Immigration and Nationality Act (Section 349 (a) 7). So much for the boasts and chest thumping by sad sacks hiding behind other names and a few jaunty bunnies. Their slip in the undercover operation like last week was showing again. After his Wednesday hand over of the US passport and other documents, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, at least technically, has lost his American citizenship. Notwithstanding the civil suits against him, can he hand in his nominations, when called, for the next presidential election? As is clear, pro-Opposition legal experts argue there would be no impediment. Others, however, contend he would have to adduce proof that his request for renunciation has been formally accepted by the US government. Until then, they claim, he remains a US citizen for all purposes and argue that is the US law. Either way, there is no provision under local election laws for an election official at the nominations to reject papers of an applicant on the grounds that he or she holds foreign nationality. The National Elections Commission Chairman, Mahinda Deshapriya, was away in Indonesia. He went there for that countrys elections held on Wednesday. What the EC checks A senior official, who did not wish to be identified, said At the time of handing over the nominations there are few things which are checked. One is if the candidate is from a recognised political party and whether the Secretary of that party has signed the nomination papers. If there are any other disputed issues regarding nominations, they should be challenged in courts and resolved there. Even if it is a dispute about holding dual citizenship the matter has to be taken up in courts. For any candidate holding dual citizenship, that would be like walking on a razor or a highly risky proposition. After handing in nominations, if someone were to challenge it in courts, the party that nominated him or her would have to be without a candidate thus placing the party at a severe disadvantage. A case in point was that of actress turned politician, Geetha Kumarasinghe who was elected at the August 2015 parliamentary elections from the Galle District. At that time, she held Swiss and Sri Lankan citizenships. Earlier this month, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court held unanimously that she was disqualified to be elected as MP since she had dual citizenship. The SC was in effect upholding a Court of Appeal judgment of May 3 last year that she was disqualified in the first such case involving dual citizenship. The ruling was on the grounds that it was a violation of provisions in the 19th Amendment. The Court of Appeal directed the Attorney General to take necessary steps to formulate a mechanism to recover expenses caused to the State by Geeta Kumarasinghe while she functioned as a Parliamentarian, sit and vote in Parliament in accordance with the Parliamentary Election Act. Among proof that was adduced that she was a Swiss citizen was an affidavit from the Commissioner General of Immigration and Emigration who produced details including the citizenship registration number. This makes clear that the Commissioner General becomes privy officially when a Sri Lankan is conferred a second citizenship or when it is relinquished. Kumarasinghe appealed to the Supreme Court, and lost her seat in Parliament. An important requirement for those relinquishing their US citizenship is the payment of certain taxes besides a relinquishing fee of US$ 2,350 or around Rs 409,581.50. It had to be paid at the time of the interview by a Consular Officer in the Embassy. This is considered one of the highest renunciation fees in the world. In 2010 the amount stood at US$ 450. An Exit Tax is also payable thereafter when the applicant has net assets worth US$ 2 million or more. All property is subject to gift tax and all property where one holds a use right is included for purposes of the net worth test. Most importantly, the renunciation cannot be cancelled or set aside. Renouncing citizenship does not free one from US tax obligations either. This new development, no doubt, delays the formal announcement of a presidential candidate by the SLPP and its Opposition allies for this years presidential election. Though Gotabaya Rajapaksa has handed in his passport and renunciation documents, he will not receive the Certificate of Loss of Nationality from the US government until the process is completed. Both, for the SLPP and its Joint Opposition allies, this has set a poser. How long would they have to wait to resolve two important political measures? One is for the SLPP de facto leader Mahinda Rajapaksa to formally announce the presidential candidate. The other is also to formally inform President Maithripala Sirisena that the SLPP has decided on such a candidate. Every passing week is causing them concern. Nevertheless, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has already launched his political campaign. Eliya, the group of professionals he heads, held a meeting in Dehiwela yesterday to support him. After the national New Year, the SLPP and its opposition partners will meet for the first time tomorrow. Other than sharing kavun and kiribath, they are due to focus on final arrangements for their May Day rally at Campbell Park. The focus is on drawing large crowds to outnumber their rivals the SLFP at Gampaha and the UNP at the Town Hall grounds. That Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been lined up for the candidature by the SLPP and its Opposition allies is no secret. Yet, they have to wait until Gotabaya Rajapaksa receives his Certificate of Loss of Nationality. This is why Mahinda Rajapaksa has repeatedly declared that their choice will be a winning candidate without mentioning names. Any mention of Gotabaya Rajapaksa would amount to nominating a US national though he now holds only a Sri Lanka passport. SLPP leaders and their allies are due to meet in the coming weeks to assess the current situation and examine whether an alternative plan B would become necessary. This is if there are fears that there would be long delays and is also prompted by the necessity that a decision would have to be made well ahead of the launch of a campaign. The presidential tussle in the UNP It seems that the SLPP and its allies are not the only ones to be afflicted with who is the presidential candidate? crisis syndrome. In equal measure, if not more, the contestant from the other major grouping is slowly but surely being hit with the same issue. That is the United National Party (UNP) led United National Front (UNF). The tussle is now spilling over to the public domain. Groups are at work to promote a candidate other than Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The cynosure of some sections of the party is Minister Sajith Premadasa, deputy leader of the UNP. Once a staunch UNPer and now a confidant of President Maithripala Sirisena, Krishantha Prasad Cooray is spearheading a move within the party to back deputy leader Sajith Premadasa as the presidential candidate. He is being backed by at least one minister and some MPs, whilst a sizeable number are in favour of Premier Wickremesinghe. The Premier returned to Colombo from a holiday in Nuwara Eliya and discussed the issue with his confidants. Those backing Wickremesinghe complained to him that Cooray, Chairman of Lake House and Chairman of Hilton, has been acting as interlocutor between President Sirisena and Premadasa and voiced fears it could cause a serious rift in the party. He has been approaching party MPs, they complained. Both President Sirisena and Minister Premadasa have been praising each other almost every week. Wickremesinghe has already dropped Cooray from the Working Committee. I know what has been going on. I will take appropriate action, Wickremesinghe told a group of confidants including three ministers. The discussion ended there. Formally, the UNP is yet to decide on its presidential candidate though Wickremesinghe has made clear he remains the front runner. The decision will be made by the Working Committee and UNP parliamentarians, former UNP Chairman and Minister Malik Samarawickrema told the Sunday Times. One of the closest associates of Premier Wickremesinghe, he said that what we need in the party is unity. It is only then that we can move forward as a strong party. He added that there was still more time to think about a candidate. The on-going developments prompted Minister and House Leader Lakshman Kiriella to insist that Wickremesinghe should be the UNPs presidential candidate. At a National New Year function in Kandy on Friday, he told reporters: We select a candidate by convening the Working Committee and our parliamentarians. Therefore, we expect that he will contest. However, Minister Mangala Samaraweera told an event in Matara yesterday that the UNP will field a candidate who would gain the highest number of votes after Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. This UNP Candidate is emerging after 24 years. He did no name the Presidential candidate. Sajith-Karu battle While the UNPers await the naming of their presidential candidate, two senior ministers are publicly sparring with each other. Though they have not pointedly identified each other, it was obvious. Premier Wickremesinghe had, one party source said, spoken to Minister Ravi Karunanayake to refrain from making public attacks on deputy leader Sajith Premadasa. Some UNPers even believe Karunanayake would have received the endorsement of the UNP leadership to criticise Premadasa in the light of his alleged tie-up with President Sirisena. However, the UNP leaders have strongly denied this. They said Premier Wickremesinghe was now awaiting the return to Colombo of Premadasa, now in Hambantota, to speak with him. Addressing a news conference in Batticaloa last Monday, Minister Karunanayake said that the UNP had only one leader. He is Ranil Wickremesinghe. He will never be changed. We know some people are engaging in underhand activities and expressing opinions by selling the names of their parents, he said. Karunanayake declared, The party cant move forward by selling names of the parents of some people. The party can move forward only by engaging in politics with a policy. People who cannot even win their own electorate are trying to show they can win. The time that we kept quiet is over. We will openly say the party should correct the mistake of keeping quiet. We are not going on this journey to bloat up one or two characters, I would like to straight forwardly tell this. We are keeping mum not because we are weak. We are trying to create unity within the party. If they are trying to go off track, we are ready to answer that too. Karunanayakes assertions that Premadasa was using the names of his parents to promote himself are clearly uncharitable. Premadasa has undoubtedly built for himself a political base in the deep south and commands a substantial following. Those are clearly the votes for the UNP. Of course, in terms of promotion, Premadasa has found a clever way. As Housing and Construction Minister, he has been in the footsteps of his late father President Ranasinghe Premadasa. Periodically he opens housing projects for 25 to 100 families and chooses them. Why is the tirade by Minister Karunanayake against Premadasa? Is it his newly developed affinity to President Sirisena? Does he believe that he (Sirisena) would, as a last option back Premadasa on some understanding? Though who will play which role is not clear, there are UNPers who believe so. Last Tuesday, Premadasa hit back at Minister Karunanayake. The occasion was the opening of the Udagammana housing scheme comprising 75 houses. What he said reflects the view of the UNP deputy leader and the thinking of his backers in the UNP. He declared: Najaja wasalo hothi, Najajja hothi Brahmano. Kamano wasalohothi Kammano hothibrahmano. Lord Buddaha has preached that a person does not become a Brahmana (noble) or a Wasalaya (an outcast) from birth. Only with actions of a person that someone can determine whether a person is a noble or an outcast. All the Sri Lankans must follow Lord Buddhas preaching, must try to be a clean with a character of a Brahmana in this New Year. People are making different statements at different places; the people of the country who have heard those statements are waiting for replies. I would like to tell the people that we should not come to conclusions by listening to statements of others. We should come to conclusions by observing the actions of people. Lord Buddha has also preached that people can be judged on whether they are nobles or outcasts through their actions. A person who broke a bank is really a Wasalaya , the one who build the bank is really a Brahamana. The one who engages in development is a Brahamana while the other who works against development is a really a Wasalaya. The one who steals funds, money, takes bribes and commissions from people can be identified from his actions as a Wasalaya (outcast). Meanwhile the person who works for the betterment of the people is truly a Brahmana. People who are engaging in undignified activities which are done by the outcasts (Wasala Kriya) saying that helping the people by giving concessions is a bad activity. Those people are talking about their parents and make themselves look like big shots, However, Lord Buddha preached that no one should come to conclusions thinking about ones birth and nationality. People are expecting light but receiving darkness. Then the people of the country would decide whether that person is Bhramana or a Wasalaya. You can never be a Bhramana by robbing banks, never can you call yourself noble by taking Commissions, never can you involve yourself or your wife to take bribes. Those actions cant be considered as actions of a Brahmana. We dont care about the persons father, mother or about his grandparents, Is the person who gives darkness to the people a Wasalaya or a Brahmana? UNP chairman Kabir Hashim told the Sunday Times, The tussle between Sajith Premadasa and Ravi Karunanayake is not a major issue; time to time arguments can spark among MPs and Ministers. That can normally happen. There is no major issue within the party. They are engaging in arguments but they are in control. Yet the party unity is remaining strong. The party believes such issues must be solved at the level of the ministers concerned. The party will not get involved solving the issue because there is no issue. It is indeed laughable that a former General Secretary and now Chairman of the UNP should choose to play down a major rift that has drawn attention of the party leader himself. Such remarks in the past have contributed to the lowering of public esteem for the UNP. His own party leader has already raised issue. Contradictory reactions from different UNPers, including their leaders, are much more than in the case of other political parties. The National New Year season is now behind. The upcoming May Day will see political parties displaying their strength and flexing their political muscle a precursor to the presidential election that will follow. The suspense among them is growing. There is only 24 more weeks to go. Palm Sundays church attack ruins nations aluth avurudu calm View(s): Whilst thousands of Lankan Christians of all denominations celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ this Easter Sunday morn, one worrying bell tolls in the nations mind whether Palm Sundays attack on a Methodist church in Anuradhapura by a Sinhale mob was the first sighting of the first vulture in the sky boding ill to darken the nations landscape with the prospect of Sinhala chauvinism and religious hatred being resurrected in the year of a presidential election. For it takes only one small match to set alight a wild forest fire. On Palm Sunday, which coincided with the Sinhala and Hindu New Year, a group of Methodists had arranged a prayer meeting at their church centre at Kumbichchikulama in the Anuradhapura District. During the nonagathe, the inauspicious period where people are advised to engage themselves in religious observations and do naught else, a gang had gathered at the Methodist centre, shouting filth and threatening those trapped inside. When the Methodist Bishop Asiri Perera arrived at the scene and alighted from his car, he was surrounded by the mob. He wished them a happy new year but this was returned with a hail of filth. In a video published on his facebook, the Bishop describes his ordeal: When I approached our centre, my vehicle was surrounded by a gang of young people numbering 20 to 25, and as I disembarked from my vehicle I greeted them for the New Year. But their response was murderous threats as well as demanding that I leave the place with my Methodist worshippers. I tried to negotiate with them and talk to them nicely, but the response I got was threats and demands, and they also blocked my way from entering the premises of the Methodist Church. They surrounded me and told me to leave or suffer the consequences of refusal. I tried to talk my way out of the situation, and somehow managed to get inside the church where I joined the faithful gathered in prayer. There were 12 inside. We conducted our prayers. The group threw stones and firecrackers at the prayer centre. They eventually locked its entrance, effectively imprisoning us inside. At the end of the prayer, the faithful realised that we had been locked inside, that we were in a hostage situation, prisoners inside our church. And so we called the police. The mob had tried to destroy the gate by tying firecrackers on it. It was a traumatic time. After about half an hour the police arrived and freed us. The attackers were still there but the police took no action. And this had not been the first time. Two weeks ago, on March 31, the church had been attacked as well. When the attack on March 31 occurred, it had the backing of a local politician, Bishop Perera said, adding that no Buddhist monk was involved in either attack. It is good that no Buddhist monk has been involved. And, though reports claim that a second tier SLPP politician had led the rabble rousing, thankfully it has still not entered the big league stage. And that is precisely why, especially in view of what the nation experienced between 2012 and 2014 with the Bodu Bala Sena conducting a campaign of terror against the Muslims and other religions, it is vital to nip this incident in the bud and not let the vultures of nationalist hate and religious bigotry raise the two spectres again. So what is the President and the Government doing about it? So far the Minister of Law and Order President Sirisena has not issued any statement condemning the attack and outlining the orders he has given to the police. Perhaps it is because shortly after his return from Japan on New Years day he took flight to India on a pilgrimage and it has not given him sufficient time to attend to the pressing affairs of state during this avurudu season when people are more busy playing raban, making kavun and going on holidays. Hopefully when he returns he will immediately attend to this and instruct the Inspector General of Police to take stern action. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who was holidaying in Nuwara Eliya, returned to Colombo on Wednesday and on Thursday held a meeting with the Methodist Bishop and other church leaders and the IGP. As a result, six individuals had been issued notices to appear in court on May 5 over their alleged involvement in the attack. Before racial and religious fires get out of hand, it is vital to douse it immediately. Or else the human toll it will cause will be unimaginable and tragic to a nation still trying to emerge from the wounds of a thirty year terrorist war and a brief, albeit damaging, era of bigotry. In the name of peace, I kiss thy feet: Popes humble plea to S. Sudan leaders The Pope last week invited South Sudans warring leaders to spend with him a two-day spiritual retreat at the Vatican in a bid to bring peace to that embattled country. His guests were President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Vice Presidents-designate Riek Machar and Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior. At the end of the two-day spiritual retreat, he addressed them last Thursday and said: To you three, who have signed a peace agreement. I ask you as a brother, remain in peace. Then in a dramatic video clip released by the Vatican, he broke with papal protocol and proceeded to get down on his knees and began to kiss the shoes of his guests. And what was the most moving, the most touching? The Pope, a man of over 82 years going on all fours and kissing the shoes of the South Sudan President. Then rising with great difficulty, helped by his aides and stumbling across to the next South Sudanese leader and again going down on all fours and kissing his shoes. And then, repeating the process, on all fours kissing the shoes of the next South Sudanese leader. Then rising with difficulty going before a South Sudanese woman and going down on all fours again, kissing her shoes. It was one the most poignant moving scenes the world watched on television last week of the man revered by millions showing his humbleness at his best, the servant of God begging and kissing the feet of the South Sudanese leadership in the name of peace, in the name of humanity. And what was the most shocking? All these three men and the woman standing still and calmly accepting the Popes symbolic gesture as if it were the norm. None moved a muscle to stop the pope as he went down before them to say, Your Holiness, you dont have to do this, for I promise that I will strive my utmost to dawn peace in my land. It was almost, perhaps used as they must be for their minions back home to bootlick to gain perks and privileges, they expected nothing less from his Holiness who was only doing so, in all his divine humbleness to bring peace to the South Sudanese people. Minister Navin: Tea estate was sub leased to Serendipity Co: No, it was a joint venture Top legal firm Sudath Perera Associates, acting on behalf of their client Serendipity Company Ltd. has sent a letter with regard to the article published in the Sunday Punch column on March 31 under the headline Were Geoff and Arjun given 450 acre tea estate for 8000 bucks a month? At the outset the letter from the law firm representing Serendipity Plantation (Private) Ltd. states: We wish to inform that the aforementioned article contains incorrect factual statements relating to Serendipity. Thus, Serendipity wishes to clarify the factual position with regard to the Mahacoodagala Tea Estate. Clarify? Exactly. That was the sole aim and a purpose of the said article. To seek clarification. And whilst one party involved in the transaction which was not a party to the original lease agreement must be thanked for presenting their side of the story, the answer must come from the Ministry of Plantains, the landlord, holding the demised land in trust on behalf of the nation. It is they who must give credible answer. Not from private parties subjectively involved in the subject matter in which Serendipity Plantations (Private) Ltd and chaired by Geoffrey Aloysius has a vested interest. As the Sunday Punch article of March 31 said in its opening paragraph, In the wake of Perpetual Treasuries Chairman Geoff Aloysiuss dramatic arrest by the CID on Monday morning over the bond scam affair, an alarming claim has resurfaced to shock the conscience of a nation. The claim was first published in a JVP leaning weekly newspaper in 2017 but none of the mainstream media took it up. It alleges that seven months after the mega billion bank robbery took place and one month after the August General election in 2015, the UNP held Ministry of Plantations had given a 450 acre government owned tea estate to Geoffrey Aloysius and his son Arjun to enjoy its spoils for thirty years till 2045 for mere 8000 bucks a month on lease: and then went on to list the claims raised in 2017 and concluded the article by stating that the Sunday Punch, too, sought clarifications on the claims raised. The concluding para stated: Perhaps the Plantation Ministry may wish to clarify the matter and clear the air over this otherwise seemingly shady deal and set the record straight in the public interest. Secondly, the legal letter also states that Maturata Plantations Ltd, owned by Geoff Aloysiuss father, had not sub leased the land to Serendipity Plantations co-owned by his son Geoff. Instead it states that it was a joint venture. The question then arises whether a tenant can at a subsequent date during tenureship enter into a joint venture with another legal entity, no matter the personal nexus, without the prior approval of the landlord. That might well depend on the original lease agreement of which the general public havent the foggiest. It was to clarify all this that the Sunday Punch raised the claims and requested the Plantation Minister to shed light on the matter in the best declared traditions of Yahapalana promise to exercise transparency in all matters as a positive sign of good governance. The Ministers reply, in answer to a question raised in Parliament two weeks ago on the matter during the Plantation Ministry budget debate was to simply state, The issue about the tea estate given to Aloysius has been raised several times. Geoffrey Aloysius father formed the Mathurata Plantation Company in 1991. In 2016, the Mahathudugala estate was suffering losses upto Rs 24 million. The Mathurata Plantation Company and the Serendib Company did a business of carbonic tea. Geoffrey Aloysius at this point had joined as a partner of the Serendib Company. The Mahathudugala estate has 252 Ha. Only one of the bungalows of the estate had been leased out for the use of the manager. The rest of the estate was under the plantation company. The agreement was under the plantation company and th eJEDB. All the government dealings were between the JEDB and Mathurata Plantations. Therefore this is a sub-lease. Mathurata has given a sub-lease to Serandib. Therefore, the government is not involved. During my period the sub lease system has been scrapped. The Serendipity has agreed to pay the lease money to the Mahathudugala estate. Therefore, this is a private transaction between two companies and the government is not involved it. Odd isnt it that while Minister told Parliament that Maturata has given a sub lease to Serendipity and goes on to state that Serendipity has agreed to pay the lease money to the Mahathudugala estate, Serendipity Plantations Co in its letter sent through its lawyers insists that Serendipity confirms it has no lease or sublease involved on the estate? In the light of these contradictory positions adopted by both parties to the issue, with the Minister talking of a sub lease and Serendipity Company denying its existence and instead talking of a joint venture, more reason is it not that the Plantation Minister issues a clear statement as to the real status of people owned land? His answer in Parliament during the budget debate when he concluded saying this is a private transaction between two companies and the government is not involved in it, is clearly not enough. No wrong doing by any party is alleged. But isnt it always better for the Government to come clean, clear the air, over an affair involving a man remanded three weeks ago over the infamous billion bucks Central Bank bond scam? And enlighten the public as to the true state of affairs? The Temple of God By Don Manu Where does the temple of God exist But in our hearts and in our midst Where does His spirit dwell enshrined But in the purest souls refined No monuments of ornate gold Can serve as altars to God behold But in the poorest, purest breast Does reside in he whos blest To kill, to steal, to fornicate To lie and to intoxicate To bear within the slightest hate Is to damn and lay the soul to waste Where naught but brutish passions reign Gods exiled from the souls domain The minds turmoiled in perpetual pain Where only Satan dost remain No bliss for him who does deny God His temple and Heaven its light No peace for him who dares defy The divine law of moral might A heart which greed and sin disown Knows no sorrow but joy untold; A heart thats host to God alone Has made Heaven its fixed abode The Palm Sunday attack and a governments duty View(s): The attack by stone-wielding and fire-cracker throwing ruffians, reportedly led by a provincial politician of the newly minted Rajapaksa-led Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP), holding the President of the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka and twelve terrified worshippers hostage in a prayer centre in Anuradhapura on Palm Sunday is no isolated, mundane incident, as much as we may like to believe it to be so. Motives behind the attack An assault of this nature would have been contemptible at any point. But the fact that it took place on Palm Sunday is peculiarly significant. This is a contemplatively holy week for Christians combining sombre introspection on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday with the triumphal rejoicing of Easter Sunday. Coincidentally it was also a week heralding the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, a time of celebration for all Sri Lankans. By launching an attack during this week, it was an unmistakable signal that impunity prevails. On all accounts, the motives behind this attack were not religious but rather, commercial and most likely linked to a corrupt provincial councillor who had maintained that the land on which the prayer centre had been built, was required for development activities. Typically the ruffians showed not only contempt for Christian rituals but also supreme disregard of Sinhalese Buddhist customs. The attack was during the punya kalaya or the period strictly marked for religious activities prior to the dawning of the New Year. Quite clearly, the attackers knew in advance that the law would not be worked against them. And equally clearly, the goons were so emboldened as to issue death threats to an established Church with long-rooted historical and social ties in Sri Lanka. What gave them this courage? Who promised them protection from these acts? Objectively assessed, the attack was completely out of proportion to the activities in issue. What if the head of the Methodist Church and his worshippers had been stoned directly or indeed, if the centre had been set fire to? Grave failings of the police The Palm Sunday attack had been preceded by threats and abuse leveled against the victims, most forcefully two weeks before. Were the police deaf and blind to all of this? The Church is on record in saying that complaints are not even written down in police stations. Even in the most violent assault on Palm Sunday itself, the police took an interminably long time to respond and when they freed the trapped worshippers after frantic appeals, the attackers were still in the vicinity. Yet they were not even questioned. Moreover, in a move that would be ludicrous if it was not so gravely troubling, the alleged perpetrators had been left untouched but the victims were warned by the police to refrain from encouraginge others to come to the prayer centre. The fact that the Church had to seek the intervention of the Prime Minister speaks to a state of law enforcement that is as thoroughly pitiable as it is politicised. Indeed, if its head had not been caught up in the incident, probably this too would have been brushed away in the same manner as other similar attacks in the past. And what is the point of having an Inspector General of Police (IGP) if a political command has to be given for him to act? In fact, why is the incumbent continuing in his post despite numerous derelictions of duty? An appointment made by the much touted Constitutional Council nonetheless, this only vividly illustrates the gross inability of that mechanism to ensure that those who command respect and act independently are appointed to high posts. The Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act No 5 of 2002) specifies a particular parliamentary procedure that must be followed. Section 3 includes, among the grounds for removal, gross neglect of duty and gross partiality in office which has been in issue in respect of the incumbents conduct at least half a dozen times in the past. But enacted law is not used or is used selectively. Discrimination in use of the law Section 3 (1) of Sri Lankas International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act was utilised recently by the police to arrest a novelist who had critically written on practices of sexual abuse in Buddhist temples. This provision bans the propagation of war or advocating national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. In interpreting that provision in the parent Covenant, the United Nations Human Rights Committee has taken considerable pains to ensure that the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression or the right to criticise is not violated. In a most profound irony however, the police employed this Act, modeled on an international Covenant which is a pillar of the international human rights regime, quite to the contrary purpose for which it was intended. Quite apart from the procedural errors in the way that the novelist was arrested, the question remains as to how a short story can incite discrimination, hostility or violence? In that case, Sri Lankan literary genius Martin Wickremesinghes far more controversial Bhava Tharanaya may also be deemed as capable of exciting a prosecution under that provision, as laughable as that may seem. But there is absolutely no doubt that stoning a prayer centre would fall within the classical definition of the terms incitement to violence in the ICCPR Act. Nonetheless, the police move with lightning speed in one case but not the other. Even the ordinary provisions of the Penal Code were disregarded. This attack did not take place under Rajapakasa rule. Yet, the attackers behaved as if it was. And therein hangs a particularly tawdry tale. In truth, this country and its people are caught between two evils; yahapalanaya lethargy and SLPP communalism. The SLPP, (its pohottuwa or lotus bud symbol becoming more and more a cruel misnomer), needs to conduct an internal inquiry into the Bishops accusation that a named provincial councillor had commanded the attack. Its de jure Chairman, a former Professor of Law, may be advised to look into his own copious writings on what the Rule of Law means. Inviting a roaring religious conflagaration That said, the responsibility of the Government stands above all. There will be thugs, ruffians and villains in any society. But when the police discriminate, that is where the Rule of Law falters. Responsible senior police officers must be put on inquiry for their inaction. Though some persons were arrested in regard to earlier attacks on the Methodist prayer centre, the named provincial councillor and his goons are not among them. The Prime Ministerial order to provide protection for Good Friday and Easter Sunday is a sop thrown to the agitated. Pray is the Government prepared to give security on each and every day for this or for any other place of religious worship that comes under attack? Immediate identification of the culprits and prosecution in courts is imperative. Absent stern deterrents against such lawlessness, this unfortunate country will surely catapult from crippling decades of racial riots to a roaring religious conflagaration that will send it back (metaphorically) to the stone age. Indian Elections: Lessons (cont.) View(s): Last week we wrote on the Indian elections now underway and lessons for Sri Lanka on how its Elections Commission (EC) is monitoring the polls to ensure a level playing field and free and fair election as far as is possible. Already Indias President has cancelled elections to a seat in Tamil Nadu on an EC report that a candidate got caught red-handed using cash to influence voters. As this is the nonagathey (no activity) period in Sri Lankan politics, and with this being election year as well, it is worth further studying the unfolding developments in neighbouring India, the worlds largest representative democracy as its Supreme Court (SC) now moves in to nudge the EC to be more pro-active. This week, Indias SC summoned the EC and questioned it on its performance. This was after a private citizen petitioned the countrys highest court saying the EC was not performing its national duty. One of the key Indian laws relating to elections is the Representation of People Act that bars persons convicted of serious criminal offences from contesting elections. Candidates must declare their criminal antecedents when filing nomination papers and the EC can debar them. In September last year, the SC extended this to not only convictions, but also to candidates and parties having to publicise pending criminal cases, and that political parties must put these up on their party websites for the public to access. Legislation on this is, however, still pending. Another major initiative in India is the move to have political donations declared to the EC in sealed envelopes. In return, the political party for which it is meant is given Election Bonds. We have often said that the biggest bribe-takers in the country are the political parties, and the biggest bribe-givers are the businessmen who make good whatever party is in office. The Indian EC head this week announced that so far 2,600 crores (Sri Lanka Rupees more than 5 billion) have been seized by the Indian Police from political parties with the source unknown. Given the diminishing calibre of candidates whom political parties in Sri Lanka put forward for elections many with criminal records and the amount of undeclared monies that rain down during elections, these are the issues the NEC must advocate. In the United States, the law requires candidates for Federal office to file quarterly fundraising reports at the Federal EC. The reports are public. All US courts provide online search and access to cases. There can be instances of political opponents being indicted on criminal charges merely to disqualify them, or throw mud at them. Governments especially have employed this against opponents. Still, the people will make up its mind on the credibility of such charges. Pushed by the people, the Indian EC this week banned a chief minister and leader of a party from campaigning for 72 and 48 hours respectively for using hate speech. The Indian SC is breathing down the neck of the EC to do its job impartially. Civil society in general, and the Sri Lankan SC and NEC can take a leaf from India and add pressure to ensure there are some standards maintained in electioneering in Sri Lankan politics. Not to lose a good thing One must be cheered by praise being showered on Sri Lanka by observers in regard to progress in our Right to Information (RTI) journey. A recent reflection by two eminent Bangladeshi writers asks; What Bangladesh can learn from Sri Lankas RTI experience. It answers that question by saying that in Sri Lanka, there is a perceptible willingness on the part of both the Government and the Information Commission to make the system work. It also points out encouragingly, that the Sri Lankan RTI Commission has, in almost all the decisions, dissected the facts of the cases most painstakingly and interpreted and applied the laws to them most professionally, as would be done by highest courts of law. Presently in India, the Supreme Court has excited citizens by ruling, in regard to the infamous Rafale fighter jet deal with France, that the Government cannot withhold documents on the basis of national security. As one Justice said; the RTI Act manifests a legal revolution in the crusade against corruption and violation of human rights. The Indian judiciary is also deliberating whether correspondence relevant to promotions of judges can be disclosed following complaints by affected judges that the relevant criteria are vague and non-transparent. Sri Lankas RTI regime will soon confront these same issues. Easily one of the most creditable yahapalanaya accomplishments, the use of RTI has been eclectic and remarkable, ranging from farmers getting details of their land ownership to trade unions like the Pilots Guild of Sri Lanka exposing corruption at SriLankan Airlines. Recently, the Cabinet of Ministers declared that it would adhere to the direction of the RTI Commission to release the report of a Cabinet-appointed committee on irregularities in the construction of the Akuregoda Defence Headquarters. This followed the Attorney General and the Ministry of Defence accepting that national security is not an obstacle to the release. Details of payments made to a controversial architect were also made public. Yet other developments raise concern. An Audit Act has been enacted with new offices being placed outside RTI. Now a Counter-Terror Act with references to confidential information is before Parliament leading to public agitation. Reportedly also, murmurs are afloat that the Cabinet plans to go ahead with an old proposal to amend, and water down, the RTI Act. Sri Lanka has few things to be proud of, especially in recent times. One of them is the RTI Act, internationally ranked among the best in the world, and now being praised for its impact on the ordinary citizen, in practice. It may be revisited for the purpose of improving the administrative process but its substantive provisions should not be diluted directly or indirectly in any way whatsoever if this Government has even a particle of commonsense, it is not to lose this one thing that stands to its credit. CTSU postpones April 22 Strike to May 8, 9 View(s): Unions representing Teachers and Principals have postponed their token Strike planned for April 22, but instead, launch a Sick Note campaign on May 8 and 9, if authorities continued to ignore their demands, the Ceylon Teachers Services Union (CTSU) stated. CTSU Secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe said the Unions decided to postpone their Trade Union (TU) action planned for April 22- the 1st day of the new school term, as it would interfere with exam paper marking, as well as a series of student assessments scheduled for that week. Nevertheless, he warned they will launch a sick note campaign on May 8 and 9 if authorities continue to ignore their longstanding demand to increase increments of Teachers and Principals. This issue has been dragging since 1994. We have tried repeatedly to work out a solution with the authorities, but have not received a response. By May 8, it will be 40 days since we engaged in our last TU action over this matter. We have informed the Government in writing that, if it continues to turn a blind eye to us by then, we will launch the Sick Note campaign, but may even extend that to a continuous strike later, Mr Jayasinghe warned. The CTSU Secretary claimed that 42 TUs representing Teachers and Principals are prepared to join the Strike. He said that Teachers in the rank of Class 1 are due for an increment of Rs 31,000, Class 2 Grade I an increment of Rs 23,000, Class 2 Grade II an increment of Rs 14,000, and Class 3 Grade 1 an increment of Rs 10,000. Mr Jayasinghe charged that the Government, while acknowledging Teachers are entitled to the increments, keeps delaying granting them, citing various excuses. When we stage a Srike, the Education Ministry issues news releases claiming that so many students were inconvenienced by the Teachers Strike. But, it is they who must accept responsibility for that, as they keep ignoring our demands, he insisted. - Damith Wickramasekara Move over Optimus: Spike Prime is here By Mahesh De Andrado View(s): View(s): Regardless of age, Lego will always have a special place in my heart. I remember playing with my uncles old Lego kit and creating spacecrafts and fancy cars on a day to day basis. Since then, obviously, a lot has changed for Lego. With Lego Technic, you could create more advanced models that had complex technical functions then came Lego Mindstorm. This offered a software and hardware platform to develop programmable robots. The latest to the Lego line is the Lego Spike Prime. What exactly is Lego Spike Prime? Aimed at younger, middle school-aged children, the Spike Prime robotics kit provides and introduction to robotics, engineering, and coding. Think of it as a simpler approach to the Lego Mindstorm kit mentioned above. The Spike Prime kit, targeted toward children from grades 6-8 contains over 500 Technic pieces. The kit is also programmed using a Lego-made app built off the Scratch language. A number of new bricks are included in the new Spike Prime kit as well. These include a 33 frame used to make building easier, a base plate, easily mountable wheels along with wire clips to make your project look all neat and tidy. What do you get with a Lego Spike Prime kit? The Spike Prime kit consists of three motors, three sensors and the Smart Hub The hub is the central brick that contains six ports, a speaker, 55 light matrix, a 6-axis gyroscope, Bluetooth, and a rechargeable battery. Making sure you can keep track of all the little pieces, the packaging of the Spike Prime kit also acts as a storage box. Rather than asking students to create robots from their imagination with no guidance, the Lego Spike Prime kit rather gets students to solve specific problems. If youre a new to Spike Prime, you can start by working via their included Spike Prime Units. These are lessons that are around 45 minutes in duration. The lessons teach critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In addition, Lego is also offering lesson plans for teachers to get started in the classroom. Once students have gotten sufficient knowledge in building with Lego Spike Prime, they can move on to more advanced projects such as the Invention Squad unit. This unit is all about designing, testing, and evaluating prototypes. Spike Prime Is not just about the hardware The app used to program Spike Prime is the Lego Education Spike App. Coding using the program is based on a drag-and-drop coding environment, which is easy for students to understand and do. The app itself runs on Google Chrome, Windows 10, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. It should be noted that Lego is using its own implementation of Scratch for Spike Prime. How much is the Spike Prime? This is where things get unappealing. The Lego Spike Prime kit starts off at $329.95. Convert that to local currency and thats approximately LKR 58,000 for a box of building blocks. If youve been around stores in Sri Lanka, you would have noticed that Lego products are not exactly wallet-friendly. But since these are aimed at students, schools could actually invest in these building blocks and perhaps even combine existing Lego kits to create some truly remarkable designs. After all, the beauty of Lego was that regardless of what year it was manufactured and what kit it came from, it would be backwards and forwards compatible. In addition, considering that robotics plays and will continue to play an important role in the development of IT across the world, this can be the perfect place to start. Although expensive at first, the benefits of this would be much greater in the long run. The author is senior tech writer for ReadMe a leading tech news provider A place to realise parenthood dream A walk-through the state-of-the art Fertility Centre at Hemas Hospital, Wattala By Kumudini Hettiarachchi View(s): View(s): Walking in through a broad corridor or stepping in straight off the elevator, it is a different world that one enters..a world of warm pink, with a tiny pair of baby shoes portrayed on the wall giving a pointer to what it is. It is the state-of-the-art Fertility Centre on the first floor of the Hemas Hospital in Wattala, away from the hustle and bustle of other consultation areas. Every little detail has been considered to make this Fertility Centre not only comfortable and cozy but also to provide sophisticated support for all those couples who are craving to find fulfilment of the most basic of needs..parenthood and the joy of holding a bouncy baby in their arms! It is this month (April) that the Fertility Centre gets down to serious work such as In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), with all the facilities in place. It had its soft opening in February, having begun with Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and sperm-freezing. The donor programmes for both sperm and egg (ova) are in the pipeline, MediScene learns. We will offer Fertility Evaluation to couples or individuals who wish to get themselves screened to find out their fertility status, says Clinical Embryologist Dr. Thilina S. Palihawadana. For those who seek fertility treatment, a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach will be the core of our service, reiterates Dr. Palihawadana, citing the example of a woman who is unable to conceive due to endometriosis, polyps or fibroids protruding into the uterus (womb). We will then provide minimal access procedures such as laparoscopy or hysteroscopy. Laparoscopy is keyhole surgery using small cuts in the abdomen, as opposed to a large abdominal incision and is a common procedure to diagnose and remove mild to moderate endometriosis. Hysteroscopy, in which a thin lighted tube is inserted through the vagina, is used to examine the cervix and the interior of the uterus and comes in handy for polyps and fibroids, it is understood. Another service provided by the Fertility Centre for males, meanwhile, will be Computer-Aided Semen Analysis (CASA). A walk-through the Fertility Centre, guided by Dr. Palihawadana and the Director General Manager of Hemas Hospital, Wattala, Dr. Lasantha Karunasekera, reveals all a comfortable waiting room; a dedicated, fully-equipped theatre; an IVF laboratory attached to the theatre; a mastabatorium with TV and a comfortable couch; an andrology laboratory; cryobank with freezing facilities; and a micro-manipulator for ICSI and embryo-biopsy facilities. Pointing out the thought given to detail, Dr. Palihawadana says that while the IVF laboratory which is the heart of the Fertility Centre and the theatre have walls of bio-clad, an inert material not harmful or toxic and easy to clean, special floors and ceilings, there is a lot of stainless steel as well. The theatre is equipped with an anaesthetic machine and an ultrasound scanner. The air-flow is properly designed to maintain the quality of air while the incubators are high-end and the IVF lab size has been kept to a bare minimum. Once the eggs are extracted from the potential mother, there is no walking around, carrying them. They will be passed immediately through a channel heated to that of a humans body temperature, with the bed-to-IVF-chamber distance being very short, he says. The heat in the theatre and the IVF lab is also maintained at the body temperature of humans to make sure that the eggs are unharmed. This is because the quality of the environment influences the success rate of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), says Dr. Palihawadana, pointing out that the air-handling unit which would regulate the environment is half the size of the IVF lab. The Fertility Centre is designed in such a way to stringently prevent the air-flow moving from an unclean environment to the clean environment within it, he stresses. The air-handling unit is fully-automated and connected to the automated Building Maintenance System which would send out alarms if the carbon dioxide (CO2) levels rise, says Dr. Karunasekera. MediScene also sees simple measures such as a linen-duct straight from the theatre so that handling of dirty linen is minimal and an IVF closet with different bar-codes. There is no need to touch door handles as the doors operate on sensors, opening and shutting silently. Dr. Palihawadana points out that all services are under one roof investigations, administration of drugs, scanning and consultations its a one-stop centre and the couples do not have to undergo any embarrassment in trying to get their medical requirements from elsewhere. Absolute confidentiality is also assured. There is a dedicated staff a coordinator, nurses, other assistants and technical staff with each member assigned a specific role and all sensitized about their duties and the needs of the patients. The model is that everybody will also know what the other persons duty is and be aware of the patients needs. Referring to the technical staff, Dr. Palihawadana says that even though Sri Lanka has been offering fertility services for about 20 years, a major lack is training for technical staff such as those doing seminal fluid analysis. This is another lacuna that the Fertility Centre hopes to fill by launching research and training facilities, MediScene understands. Dr. Karunasekera focuses on the vision of the Hemas Group of Hospitals to provide affordable healthcare, enriching the lives of people. It is in pursuit of this that we looked outside Colombo city and set up the Hemas Hospital in Wattala in 2008 followed by the Hemas Hospital in Thalawathugoda in 2013. Initially, Hemas Hospital Wattala provided primary and secondary care with Physicians, Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, Surgeons and Paediatricians, along with a few other specialties and Outpatient Department (OPD) services for all specialties. When we evaluated our services later, we found that there were gaps and people were going to Colombo seeking surgical facilities, says Dr. Karunasekera, pointing out that it was then that they added more such as gastroenterology, orthopaedics, cosmetics, urology, neurology, ear-nose-throat (ENT). We also enhanced the model of the hospital. Earlier there were only visiting consultants but now there are 24/7 services at this 130-bed hospital with a mix of permanent and visiting consultants. He says: We were the first private hospital chain to secure international accreditation in 2011 and also get re-accredited in 2015. Our core values are built on the three pillars of clinical excellence, customer experience and innovation. We provide all services that the city hospitals do except cardiology interventions. We do have diagnostic cardiology CT, he says, adding that another area they focused heavily on is maternity and child care, which is on par with the city. With the obstetric practice being large at the hospital, they realized that 1 in 5 couples in the general population had some issue in conceiving. Then they decided to go down the pathway of introducing ART on the firm foundation that they would give of their best to the patients, ethically and in a transparent manner. There would be no short-cuts. A well-built Fertility Centre on par with international standards, with advice from experts in Australia who will continue to guide them, he says. Conceding that regulations in the field of fertility need to be established, Dr. Palihawadana underscored that they will have self-regulation and set standards. If we do it right, others will follow. We will be transparent, giving both the success and failure rates. Full transparency is our motto and then the public can make an informed decision. Going by western standards, the Fertility Centre will strive to provide a holistic approach, he says. This holistic approach will include the care of a multi-disciplinary team not only the services of an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Embryologist, but also a Physician, Surgeon, Psychologist along with nutrition therapy and the legal aspects. The fine-tuning is being done now at the Fertility Centre, while already they have embarked on 250 IUI procedures. Quality assurance and key performance indicators are in place, assures Dr. Palihawadana. Treating infertility The Assisted Reproductive Technology that is used to treat infertility includes: Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) this involves placing sperm inside a womans uterus to facilitate fertilization, with the aim of increasing the number of sperm that reaches the fallopian tubes, which will, in turn, increase the chance of fertilization. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) gametes (eggs and sperm) are collected from each partner. Thereafter, in this laboratory procedure, a single sperm is picked up with a fine glass needle and injected directly into each egg by experienced embryologists using specialist equipment to aid fertilization. Very few sperm are required and the ability of the sperm to penetrate the egg is not important as this has been assisted by the ICSI technique. In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) this is the process of fertilization by extracting eggs and retrieving a sperm sample and then manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish. Thereafter, the embryo(s) is transferred to the uterus. Sperm freezing this is freezing and storage or cryopreservation of a mans sperm. These stored or banked sperm can be frozen indefinitely until needed for assisted reproductive procedures such as IVF, IUI or sperm donation. Sometimes men would freeze their sperm if undergoing medical treatment that may interfere with their fertility, including a vasectomy (surgical procedure for male sterilization) and chemotherapy or radiation for cancer. n Egg freezing also known as mature oocyte cryopreservation, this is used to safeguard a womans ability to get pregnant at a future date. Eggs harvested from the womans ovaries are frozen unfertilized and stored. Later, a frozen egg can be thawed, combined with sperm in a lab and implanted in the womans uterus through IVF. Green development has been put on prior agenda when China implements the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a grand vision aiming to build economic prosperity. The importance it laid on green philosophy also gains more supporters for the proposal. The proposal raised by Chinese President Xi Jinping to establish a big data service platform on ecological and environmental protection and an international coalition for green development on the Belt and Road at the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) two years ago has well illustrated such point. The coalition envisions to build an international cooperation network that is open, inclusive and voluntary, encourage green development in Belt and Road construction, further build international consensus, and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Belt and Road countries, remarked Chinas Ecology and Environment Minister Li Ganjie. The railway linking Kenyas largest port city Mombasa to capital Nairobi, built by Chinese company with Chinese standard, is a witness of green construction. A total of 14 structures were built along the line to help the migrating wildlife to cross the railway safely. At the end of last year, CNN travel listed riding the new Nairobi-Mombassa train as the fifth among the 20 best things to do in Kenya. Over 100 institutions have joined the international coalition for green development on the Belt and Road, including more than 60 governments, international organizations, international non-governmental organizations and transnational enterprises. Vice president of the Environmental Defense Fund Zhang Jiangyu noted that the coalition gathers global consensus and wisdom, and strives for common development through coordinating the interests of each party. Countries of the world are all seeking for new solutions to environmental issues, and the coalition helps its members join hands and implement sustainable development strategies, Zhang added. The establishment of platforms for policy dialogue and communication, environment knowledge and information, as well as exchange and transfer of green technologies was a focus of the coalition over the past two years. A biennial Belt and Road policy dialogue on green development and relevant thematic activities are offering opportunities for the coalition members to share experiences and seek cooperation. Zhou Guomei, deputy director-general of the Foreign Economic Cooperation Office of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, noted that the targeted subjects of the coalition are key environmental issues of international importance. She said that the coalition will establish partnerships based on these subjects, and take the partnerships as a carrier to launch cooperation projects. Brace for an onslaught of dengue virus 3 for which Sri Lanka has no immunity By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Severe disease in the form of DHF likely, warns expert Dr. LakKumar Fernando View(s): View(s): Predicting that this year Sri Lanka may face an epidemic of dengue due to the Serotype 3 hitting the people, an expert urges everyone to take maximum precautions to avoid the bite. All indications are that with rains lashing the country and mushrooming construction sites being the ideal breeding grounds for the dengue mosquito, there will be a predominance of DENV3 (Dengue Virus 3), Consultant Paediatrician, Dr. LakKumar Fernando, told the Sunday Times, giving an early warning so that the country can brace for it. Getting down to the dangerous trends that may emerge this year, Dr. Fernando who facilitated the setting up of the Centre for Clinical Management of Dengue Fever and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever in Negombo, says that every time a person gets a dengue infection, that person gets lifelong immunity to that strain or serotype. This is while gaining limited cross-immunity to the other strains for about six months to one year. Explaining that there are four dengue virus strains or serotypes (DENV1, DENV2, DENV3 and DENV4), he cites the example of Patient A coming down with DENV1. This patient would never get DENV1 again (having lifelong immunity). Patient A would also not get the other three (DENV2, DENV3 and DENV4) for a while but that would be short-lived, only for a period of about six months to one year. Occasionally, this shorter immunity against the other strains may last for about two years. However, here comes the terrible sting in the bite of the tiny dengue mosquito the moment that short immunity wears off, if Patient A gets those strains, DENV2, DENV 3 or DENV 4, the virulence of that attack increases in leaps and bounds, the Sunday Times understands. This second attack of dengue is very likely to manifest in Patient A as Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF), warns Dr. Fernando. Thereafter, he looks at the dengue-Sri Lanka inextricable link in the last few years. A major dengue epidemic gripped the country in 2017 and studies carried out to check out the prevalent serotypes found that 90% or more of the patients had been affected by DENV2. So superimposing the trend of the virus, Dr. Fernando explains that now people have gained lifelong immunity to DENV2. They would also have had a shorter immunity to the other three serotypes, which is now wearing off. Remember, even though some people come down with dengue with symptoms, there are numerous others who remain asymptomatic. These are people who have been bitten by the mosquito and have the dengue virus in their systems but do not produce or show symptoms, he points out, quoting an immunity study carried out by the Negombo Dengue Centre and himself along with Senior Consultant Paediatrician Prof. Harendra de Silva and Senior Prof. Nissanka De Silva and Dilakshini Dayananda of the Zoology Department of the Sri Jayewardenepura University. The study conducted at the end of 2017 and early 2018, looked at household contacts of dengue patients. We tested their blood for antigens as well as for antibodies to detect whether they had the virus in them even though they had not shown the symptoms. We found that clinical signs and serological evidence of infection (antigens and antibodies) were negative, says Dr. Fernando. The study team had extracted some blood from these participants and fed them to a virgin colony of mosquitoes grown in the laboratory and not exposed to the dengue virus earlier. Testing these mosquitoes after a week which is the dengue incubation period in mosquitoes the team had found that several of these virgin mosquitoes had become carriers of the dengue infection. This reveals that in the larger community, uninfected mosquitoes which take a bite of blood from asymptomatic people would end up becoming dengue-virus carriers, says Dr. Fernando, showing the extent of the spread of dengue in the country. An evidence-based prediction With the intermittent rains, the spectre of dengue rises and is set to reach epidemic proportions, as the people will be prone to DENV3, is the warning from experts. It is not scare-mongering and these experts are speaking with evidence in hand, having studied the serotypes and severity of 100 cases. The study had been conducted by Dr. LakKumar Fernando of the Negombo Dengue Centre and Consultant Virologist Dr. Janaki Abeynayake of the Medical Research Institute (MRI). Of the 100 patients 36 patients had DENV3 or Serotype 3 33 patients had DENV2 or Serotype 2 8 patients had DENV1 or Serotype 1 4 patients had both DENV1 and DENV3 1 patient had DENV1 and DENV2 1 patient had DENV 2 and DENV 3 17 patients detections could not be made as blood had been taken too late, after five days of the infection being in the body Having suffered an attack by DENV2 in 2017, the chances of Sri Lanka facing an epidemic now due to DENV3 are very high, reiterates Dr. Fernando. Avoid the bite to prevent falling victim to dengue Try as much as possible to prevent getting bitten by the dengue mosquito, is Dr. LakKumar Fernandos plea to men, women and children. This is the most guaranteed way to remain free of dengue, until we find an effective vaccine, he says. Simple actions that Dr. Fernando suggests are: Wearing protective clothing, such as long-sleeved tops and trousers. Using a mosquito repellent. Being aware of the biting times of the dengue mosquito 6 to 9 in the morning and 3 to 7 in the evening. Did Wattala UC sell prime land for a song? By Sandun Jayawardana Probe launched after opposition councillors alleged that Hendala junction property was sold for Rs. 1.3 million a perch whereas market rate was Rs. 5 million View(s): View(s): A preliminary investigation has found that there were serious acts of wrongdoing in the sale of a 79 perch prime plot of land belonging to the Wattala-Mabole Urban Council (UC). The Sunday Times learns that the land on the Colombo-Negombo Road had been sold for Rs 1.3 million a perch, although usually the market price is about Rs five million a perch. Western Province Governor Azath Salley told the Sunday Times that after the conclusion of the preliminary inquiry, his officials were conducting investigations to identify those responsible. Confirming that the recent transfer of the UC Secretary was linked to the ongoing investigation, the Governor said it appeared that the UC had acted in violation of the law. Several opposition council members have strongly protested the sale of the land situated at the Hendala junction, just a stones throw away from the UC. They claim the land had been illegally sold at a fraction of its actual value. Complaints have been lodged with a variety of Government agencies, including the Presidential Investigation Unit, the Western Province Governors office, the Bribery Commission, the Fraud Investigation Bureau and the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID). Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) UC member Nimalsiri Koralage alleged the tender process had been manipulated to sell the land at Rs 1.3 million a perch, much below the actual market price of Rs. 5 million a perch.Mr. Koralage charged that the Chairman of the United National Party (UNP)-controlled UC, ruling party councillors, council officials and even some opposition members were complicit in the fraud. The land had been leased out to a private company by the council for 30 years in 2000 when the current UC Chairman was also holding the same post. Mr. Koralage said the land was sold while12 years were still left of the lease period. He claimed that the winning bidder was a close relative of the owner of the company, to which the land had been leased. Therefore, the whole process was a move to sell the land to the same people. Opposition councilors claim even the original lease agreement signed in 2000 was suspect as it gave the land on lease for a payment of Rs. 1.5 million, after which the company only had to pay Rs. 1000 a year to the UC. Even 19 years ago, a Rs.1000 a year lease for a 79 perch plot of land in such a prime location was absolutely criminal, the UC member noted. Moreover, the land had then been sold without first cancelling the lease agreement between the UC and the private company as required by law, he alleged. The proposal to sell the land was put to UC members by the chairman during a special council session on May 21, 2018. According to the minutes, the opposition councillors said, the chairman had told the members that the company, to which the land had been leased for 30 years, had sent a letter expressing interest in buying the land. The proposal had called for a valuation of the land to be done and after approval was obtained from the Western Province Chief Minister, to sell the land to the company and to utilise the money from the sale to construct a new shopping complex at Hendala and carry out other projects. Several councillors had opposed the proposal, pointing out that the land was to be reverted to the UC after 12 more years. When the chairman asked for the councils stand on the proposal, a Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) councillor asked for a vote. Twelve UC members voted for the motion while only four opposed it, according to the minutes. Though a decision was made to sell the land to the company, tenders were subsequently published after the Western Province Chief Ministers office informed that due tender process should be followed when selling the land, the opposition councillors revealed. Accordingly, on February 14, this year, the UC published a tender notice in a national newspaper inviting bidders to bid for the land. The notice had stated that tender application forms would be issued to the public from February 15 to February 28 from 9.00am to 3.00pm. Bids were to be accepted till 3.00pm on March 1, with bids to be opened at 3.30pm on the same day. The councillors who opposed the sale, however, claimed that the tender notices had been placed without council approval, and that many interested bidders who came to the UC to collect tender forms were turned away by the chairman who had told them that the tender had been cancelled as the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development had stepped in to finance the project to build the shopping complex. This, the opposition councillors claim, was a lie and the bids were opened on March 1. Only three bids had been submitted and the tender had been awarded to the bidder who quoted the highest price of Rs 1.3 million a perch. It is alleged that all three bids were submitted by relatives or associates of the owner of the company holding the lease. Opposition councillors also expressed doubts about the authenticity of the land valuation report and questioned whether it had been prepared by the Valuation Department, because it had only valued a perch at just over Rs. 1.12 million; an astonishingly low amount considering the prime location of the land. Either they duped officials from the Valuation Department and showed them a different land, or else the report is fake, Mr Koralage said. JVP Councillor Abdul Raheem told the Sunday Times that the council minutes of February 08, 2019 had been tampered with to state that a discussion had taken place on the sale of the land and that approval had been given to call for tenders. I sent a letter to the council secretary pointing out that I was present at this meeting and no such discussion took place, he insisted. This was another attempt to make a fraudulent transaction appear legitimate, he alleged. Wattala-Mabole UC Chairman Mark Gunasekara, however, insisted that the land sale was 100 percent legal, adding he had the necessary documents to prove it. I have been Mayor of Wattala-Mabole UC for 22 years. These accusations are being levelled by political opponents who wish to sling mud at me. I am prepared to face any inquiry and prove my innocence. Mr Gunasekara said the council took a decision to sell the land in order to finance the building of a new market complex at Hendala junction as the existing complex was crumbling, with even the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) warning the UC not to house shops there. The chairman also disputed the claim that the land had been sold to the same company, to which it had been leased. He added that the company had agreed to cancel the lease agreement prior to the sale. It was then sold to the highest bidder following a legal tender process, he said. The tender was advertised in newspapers, after the valuation report was submitted to the Chief Ministers office to obtain its approval, Mr Gunasekara said. Mr Raheem, though, noted that the council must approve a proposal to publish tender notices while the valuation report on the land and any document related to the cancellation of the lease agreement with the company should also be tabled at the council. None of this happened and we have records of council meetings to prove it, he said.. Though authorities claim an inquiry is being held, the JVP councillor remained sceptical. It is true that the secretary was transferred, but if a proper inquiry is being held, they should be interviewing us and recording our statements. We are yet to hear from any investigators, he said. Lankan Prof. elected Fellow of the Royal Society of London for pioneering work in Nanotechnology View(s): An eminent Sri Lankan professor, who has done pioneering work in Nanotechnology research, Hemantha Kumar Wickramasinghe has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge. He joins an august company among whom have been Isaac Newton, Christopher Wren, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking. His formal induction into the Royal Society will be on July 12 in London. Current Fellows of the Royal Society include Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Francis Crick and Tim Berners-Lee. In a release from the University of California, Irvine (UCI), Prof. Wickramasinghe states, I am thrilled and humbled to have been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, the oldest Science academy in the world, which has elected to its fellowship, most of the scientific giants of all time. It is rewarding to see organisations with global stature, putting the spotlight on the work I have done in my career, especially here at UCI. Prof. Wickramasinghe holds joint appointments in UCIs Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering Ddepartments, and is the UCI Distinguished Professor and Nicolaos G. & Sue Curtis Alexopoulos Presidential Chair in Electrical Engineering andComputer Science, and also the Henry Samueli Endowed Chair in Engineering. Prof. Wickramasinghe received a PhD. from the University of London in Electrical Engineering in 1974, having earned his BSc. there in 1970. Following a post-Doctoral appointment at Stanford University, he joined the Faculty in the Electrical Engineering Department at University College London in 1978. In 1984, he joined IBM and worked there for many years. Latterly managing Nanoscience and Technology research at IBMs Almaden Research Center in San Jose, California. The release from UCI, written by Brian Bell, states: With more than 100 patents to his name, Wickramasinghe is a pioneer in Nanotechnology research and innovation. He led the development of such technologies as the Vibrating-mode Atomic Force microscope, Magnetic Force microscope, Electrostatic Force microscope, Kelvin Probe Force microscope, Scanning Thermal microscope and Apertureless Near-field Optical microscope. Most of these Scanning Probe microscopes are now standard instruments for Nanoscale characterization. Met Dept. warns against severe lightning and thundershowers View(s): The Meteorology (Met) Department (Dept) issued a special Weather Advisory against severe lightning and heavy rainfall following inter-monsoonal rains amidst reports of five deaths. Met Dept Director Anusha Warnasooriya said there is a high possibility of afternoon thundershowers islandwide. Adding that severe lightning will continue for the rest of the month she advised the public to take precautions against lightning related accidents. Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said five lightning related deaths were reported in the first three weeks of April. The lightning strikes had occurred in Giribewa and Polpithigama in the North Western Province, Chavakachcheri, Uduwill and Puthukuderippu in the Northern Province, Karandeniya and Yakkalamulla in the Southern Province, and Mahara and Gampaha in the Western Province. DMC Deputy Director Pradeep Koddipli said the public should seek assistance from the local DMC authorities in case of emergencies. Methodist Bishop requests PM to ensure religious freedom By Asiri Fernando View(s): View(s): Six people, who were part of a mob that pelted stones and obstructed a prayer service at a religious centre run by the Methodist Church at Kundichchaankulama in Anuradapura, have been charged with unlawful entry, obstruction and unlawful assembly. The six were produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrates court on April 16 and granted bail. They have been given notice to appear in court on May 21. The Police Chief has tasked a Special Investigations Unit (SIU) team to look in to the matter, according to the Rev. Asiri Perera, who is the president and Bishop of the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka. We are happy with the police action, the police were there on good Friday and ensure no harm was done to the centre during prayer services, he said. The bishop said the police inquired if they had any objections to the granting of bail and the church responded that it had no objections.The police action came after a meeting the bishop had with Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Police Chief Pujith Jayasundera. At this meeting, Bishop Perera raised the matter of police inaction. On Good Friday, Methodist Church members and civil society activists held an hour-long Silent Vigil outside the Kollupitiya Methodist Church on Galle Road to highlight the need for the freedom of religion. The silent protest was titled Stand for Freedom. On April 14, Palm Sunday, a mob of about 25 youths had attacked the Aadara Sevana centre while a prayer service was going on. The mob had yelled death threats, pelted stones and thrown firecrackers at the gates of the centre. They had later locked in the congregation of about 17 and prevented them from leaving until the Police finally intervened twohours later. On Sunday March 31 also, a mob had pelted stones and hurled abuse, insisting that people from other areas should not be allowed to take part in religious activities at the centre.The centre has been running for the past 16 years. We provide training for differently-abled and hearing-impaired children, Bishop Perera said. According to him, Anuradhapura Municipal Councillor Nalin Siriwardene was present on March 31 when the mob first attacked the prayer centre. He came to the Police station and claimed to speak for the group that was being detained. That is all I know. The police will have to find out more through their investigations, he said. The National Christian Council, of which the Methodist Church is a member, will meet in the coming days to make representations to the President and the Prime Minister on police inaction in similar incidents and the importance of maintaining freedom of religious worship, Rev. Perera said. PM warns Minister Ravi: No more power cuts By Sandun Jayawardena View(s): View(s): Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe warned Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake that his Ministry and Ceylon Electricity Board officials will be held personally responsible if there were more power outages. His strong warning letter came as threats of renewed power cuts loomed large due to supply generated falling far short of expectations. Premier Wickremesinghe has told Minister Karunanayake that the ministerial committee dealing with the power situation has decided to recommend procuring required emergency capacity at the least cost. The warning comes amid reports that long-term power supplies were to be bought at higher costs, as revealed in the Sunday Times last week. Premier Wickremesinghes letter said: Please note that your Ministry, the Ceylon Electricity Board and senior officials of these institutions will be personally held responsible for not having any more power outages. During the height of the crisis in March and early April, peak hour electricity demand, fuelled by extreme heat and humidity, increased to unprecedented levels. Peak-hour demand during the night reached 2,600 Megawatts (MW) with even daytime demand going up to between 1,600 and 1,700MW, the CEB said. Demand reduced considerably during the April holiday season, with peak hour night time demand going down to around 2,000MW. At the time of the crisis, the countrys national grid was facing a deficit of some 300MW. The CEB has since been able to reconnect 60MW of power to the national grid from its barge mounted power plant at Colombo Port. A further 71MW has already been bought from two Independent Power Producers (IPPs) Asia Power in Sapugaskanda and ACE Power in Matara. The CEB also hopes that 100MW of emergency power provided by three foreign companies will be fully connected to the national grid by the end of this month. Accordingly, Britain-based Aggreko International Projects Ltd, the United Arab Emirates-based Altaaqa Alternative Solutions Global FZE and V Power Holdings Ltd. of Hong Kong will be supplying power to the national grid for six months. Power and Energy Ministry Director Sulakshana Jayawardena told the Sunday Times agreements had been signed for the supply of 66MW out of the 100MW for this emergency power purchase. We have already signed agreements with V Power and Altaaqa. The agreement with Aggreko, too, is to be signed soon, he said. Their generators were on route to Sri Lanka and would become fully operational by the end of this month, he added. Mr Jayawardana acknowledged that providing uninterrupted power was still a formidable challenge to the CEB. Demand is likely to rise again from tomorrow, but we are experiencing some fairly heavy rains in the catchment areas now. That has allowed us to generate a little more hydropower. Given that the barge power plant, IPPs and emergency power are now either connected to the national grid or being connected, we hope we can handle the situation, though we continue to urge the consumers to use electricity sparingly. While there were no scheduled or unscheduled power cuts during the holiday season, numerous power breakdowns, mostly due to bad weather, left a large number of areas without power for extended periods. Meanwhile, a senior CEB engineer, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, said the purchased emergency power should be connected to the grid without delay to ensure that rising demand could be met. He claimed there was the possibility of some power cuts if the demand proved too strong and adequate resources were not in place to meet it. We are not talking about four hour power cuts like what happened earlier, but there is certainly a possibility of power cuts lasting a lesser duration, he added. Senior Jaffna journalist Dayabaran in hospital following accident By Chris Kamalendran View(s): View(s): Senior journalist and Jaffna Press Club Convener Rathnam Dayabaran (48) was knocked down on Friday morning by a motorcyclist on the Jaffna-Point Padro Road near Udupidi Junction. He was on his way to his office in Jaffan town, when he was knocked down from behind by another motorcycle. Mr. Dayabaran who lost consciousness was rushed to hospital by bystanders, as the unknown offender failed to stop or render assistance. Mr. Dayabaran was first taken to Achchuveli hospital and later transferred to Jaffana Teaching Hospital, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. He was later moved to the Accident Care Unit, where he is said to be recovering. Northern Province Governor Suren Raghvan visited Mr. Dayabaran in hospital and instructed the police to inquire into the matter as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Jaffna Deputy Inspector of Police Roshan Fernando told the Sunday Times, We will have an impartial inquiry into the the matter without any delay. Police are also seeking the assistance of the general public in the area to identify the motorcyclist and asked for any CCTV footage of the accident to be made available to the investigators. Mr. Dayabaran is an outspoken Journalist who has been working for many international media organisations. Ancient manuscripts from around the country under one roof By Oshani Alwis View(s): View(s): Ancient palm leaf manuscripts neatly tied up, treated with citronella oil, a natural insect repellent and laid on cotton cloth are stored in a wooden cupboard. Carrying the secrets of Sri Lankas indigenous medicine which had been passed from generation to generation, this valuable collection is safely housed in the Lanka Room of the library of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The Palm-leaf Manuscript Preservation and Conservation Project, an initiative of the library committee of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura under the patronage of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sampath Amaratunge invites the general public to donate palm- leaf manuscripts they have in their possession to the university library, to be preserved and maintained as an academic collection. Dr. Nayana Wijayasundara, Librarian, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, one of the pioneers of the project explains that the history of Sri Lankan palm-leaf manuscripts dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries where dried strips of palm leaf were used to record the teachings of Lord Buddha, indigenous medicines and remedies for human and animal illnesses along with Sri Lankan exorcism rituals. The university library has a collection of 20 palm-leaf manuscripts, which had been in the university library since its inception in 1959, mostly comprising indigenous medicine and remedies, and a few on Buddhism. We are receiving positive feedback from all around the country, from Anuradhapura, Diyathalawa, Kurunegala and Kandy. People want to donate the manuscripts as they know that once they are given to a university they will be well preserved and they will be open to the whole of the country, says Dr.Nayana. The University of Sri Jayewardenepura having nearly 14,000 undergraduates has a proud history dating back to 1873 when Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera established the Vidyodaya Pirivena when Buddhism was at a low ebb under British colonial rule. As a leading national university we have a national responsibility towards restoring our ancient wisdom, introducing it to the younger generations and hence take our heritage to the world, said Vice Chancellor Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, whose vision it was to initiate the project. The collection carries the names of the owner and the donor of the manuscripts attached to the copies. Its as a gesture of appreciation, and anyone would know to which family the manuscript belonged and that it was treasured for hundreds of years within the family, says Dr. Nayana. The library is looking to digitize the manuscripts in the near future, for easy reference. It took nearly six months for us to complete the conservation of the 20 manuscripts. At the moment we have received around 200 palm-leaf manuscripts under the project,Menaka Nishanthi, Assistant Librarian, in charge of the Preservation and Conservation Unit notes. Nilmini Neththasinghe, Museum Curator, Department of History and Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura provided her expertise in preserving the palm-leaf manuscripts having worked for 13 years in the Department of National Museum as Head of the Conservation Division and Conservation Office. In conserving palm- leaf manuscripts, unique techniques are followed for each part of the document two wooden hard covers (Kamba), the code (Huya), Washer like part which secures the code (Sakiya),and palm leaves (Path Iru). Kamba were restored with Neem wood (Kohomba), a natural insect repellent, and old codes were replaced with cotton codes, explains Nilmini. Palm leaves have a certain flexibility but exposed to climatic changes, the leaves become dry and prone to breakage. The application of Dummala Thel makes the leaf flexible again. If the letters are faded, ash of the Gaduba tree mixed with resin oil is applied with cloth so that the black ash would stick onto the letter carvings. To patch up the holes in palm leaves Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is used as an adhesive to make a paste with Japanese acid free tissues. Conservation takes time and attention. For me its like a meditation, Nilmini says with much enthusiasm. If you like to donate The Palm-leaf Manuscript Preservation and Conservation Project is an ongoing project. Manuscripts can be donated to the Library, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda. For more details contact Dr. Nayana Wijayasundara on 0112804194 or email librarian@sjp.ac.lk. Symbolism of Easter By Therese Motha View(s): View(s): Christ said, Except a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abideth alone; but if it dies, it bringeth forth much fruit and in these simple words, summed up the fact that life depends on death and resurrection. The story of Easter in all its glory has been told and re-told countless times during the past 2000 years, starting with the chronicles of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. Along the way, these tales have been adorned with a wealth of folklore and legend, thus weaving myth and symbol into the narration of Christs Resurrection. Down the ages, these symbols have come into sharp focus, and serve to pinpoint the significance of the Easter season for all of us. Christ was crucified on Passover Day. This important feast in the Jewish calendar was observed in thanksgiving for the deliverance of the Israelites, the night before they fled from Egypt. In the Hebrew tradition, food shared together has always been in itself a pledge of friendship and loyalty. The traditional table is laid with symbolic foods, and the stirring story of the Exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt is read, so that the Jewish people re-live their ancestors dramatic flight from Egyptian bondage. Pride of place on the table goes to the Matzo or unleavened bread called the bread of affliction, because the Israelites had left in such haste that their women had no time to leaven the bread. Then comes the roasted lamb to commemorate the sacrifice made by the Israelites in Egypt before leaving for the Promised Land, a roasted egg to symbolise mourning for the destroyed Temple, Moror, or bitter herbs dipped in vinegar, as a reminder of the bitterness of Israels slavery in Egypt. Charoseth made of chopped almonds, grated apple, figs, dates, wine, sugar and cinnamon is to symbolize the mortar with which the Jews were forced to lay bricks for Pharaoh, and which was the colour of common brick, and salt water, symbolizing the Red Sea that parted miraculously to let the Israelites escape. Innumerable legends and folk beliefs are associated with the Lenten season and Eastertide. Many of the ancient liturgical customs of the early Church are being adapted to give greater symbolic meaning to traditional forms of service. In the Old World, little or no work was done on Good Friday. Household chores such as weaving and laundry were taboo. It was believed to be a good day to graft fruit trees. No self respecting blacksmith would drive a nail because of the use to which hammer and nails were put on Good Friday. Iron, so tradition goes, should not be driven into the ground for the same reason. The Egg was a symbol of the creation of the world. The Phoenix represented the Risen Christ. It was chosen for the belief that it died and came to life again. On Easter Eve, people gather in a darkened church to remind them of Christ in the tomb, as they witness the making of light when new fire is kindled. Once the flame is made, the Paschal Candle is lit, followed by the lighting of other candles in the church. These candles, symbols of Christ as the maker of light, provide an aura of glory that makes a profound impression on the faithful, as they wait through the night, watching for the dawn. Tracing the Pharaoh of Exodus through history By Dr. Leonard Pinto View(s): View(s): Christian Easter is a syncretic development of the Jewish Passover (Pesach in Hebrew). It celebrates the liberation of Israelites from the slavery of pharaohs in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land as given in the book of Exodus of the Bible. After the ten plagues that Moses brought down on Egypt by the power of God, the Pharaoh let the Hebrews (Israelites) depart from Egypt. For Christians, Jesus symbolises the lamb that was slain during a Jewish Passover. Christians believe that human suffering has meaning in the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus, as they recognize their human limitations before God as they strive forward, and in the hope of their resurrection following that of Jesus. For Christians, Easter celebrates the liberation from the darkness of death in evil and sin to light in new life in righteousness and sanctity. This human aspiration of liberation is deep in human nature, as it manifests itself as an urge in our subconscious. It is manifested as the passing from ignorance to enlightenment, attaining unity of Atman with Brahman and from darkness of death to light in Christ with new life. The latter is symbolised in the Christian paschal candle lit at the Easter liturgy. The readings at the Easter liturgy also reflect the Passover from death to life in the resurrection of Jesus and in the crossing of the Red Sea from the bondage of Pharaoh. However, Exodus does not name the Pharaoh and Egyptian records do not depict any Exodus in their hieroglyphics. Since critics question the Exodus, it is necessary to search Hebrew and Egyptian sources and archaeology, to cross-check the historicity of Exodus. According to the Cecil B. DeMilles film The Ten Commandments(1956), the Pharaoh is Rameses II (1279-1213 BC) of 19th dynasty and Exodus occurred circa 1270 BC. Scripture scholars of the 19th century considered Ramesses II as the Pharaoh of Exodus, because Ex.1:11 states, and they built for Pharaoh store-cities, Pithom and Rameses and Ex. 12:37 states, And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about 600,000 men on footand Num. 33:3 states, They set out from Rameses in the first month, on the 15 day of the first monthThe error in associating Ramesses II as the Pharaoh of Exodus becomes evident in Gen. 47:11, as it states, Joseph lived in the land of Rameses a land named after Ramesses, when Ramesses was born about 500 years after Joseph. The reason for this is that the author of Exodus got the place correct (former Avaris) but gave the renamed city as Rameses City. Ramesses II built many cities and gave new names, including his own name. According to K.A. Kitchens dating, Thutmoses III (1464-1431 BC) of the 18th dynasty was the Pharaoh of Exodus, and the exodus occurred in 1446. However, according to the dating of W. Shea, Amenhotep II (1450-1425), the son of Thutmoses III was the Pharaoh of Exodus in 1446. Biblical sources There are two biblical events with reliable dates, from which the year of Exodus can be determined. They are (1) the construction of Solomons Temple (Jerusalem Temple) and the (2) fall of Jericho. King Solomon began his reign in 970 BC and built the temple in the 4th year of his reign, 480 after the Exodus (1 Kings 6:1). That works out to be 1446 BC (i.e. (970-4) + 480 =1446). Visitors to Jericho would see the extent of archaeological excavations at the Wall of Jericho. Archaeologists have dated the pottery from Jericho to be 1406 BC. The Bible refers to the 40 year period from the departure from Egypt to entering Jericho by Joshua, (Ex. 16:35; Num.32:13; Deut. 29:5), which also accounts to year 1446 BC (i.e. 1406 + 40 = 1446). Egyptian sources Egyptian chronology was related to the heliacal rising of Sothis (Dog Star). Depending on whether the sighting of Sothis was from Memphis, Thebes (Luxor) or Elephantine in the records, the ruling Pharaoh at the sighting can be determined. A rising of Sothis was recorded in year 9 of Amenhotep I in the Papyrus Ebers from Thebes. This leads to the conclusion that Amenhotep I was the Pharaoh in 1525 BC. Hebrews in Egypt and Pharaoh of Exodus Jacob (renamed Israel) and his 12 sons (ancestors of Tribes of Israel) lived in Israel. Joseph was the penultimate son, and his brothers were jealous of his dream interpreting skills. While in the fields, they sold him as a slave to a caravan heading for Egypt. While in an Egyptian prison Joseph interpreted the Pharaohs dreams, and he was made a viceroy, circa 1886 BC and entrusted the task of preparing for the upcoming famine. When the famine hit Israel, Josephs brothers came to Egypt, and Joseph got his father and brothers to settle in Egypt (Gen. ch. 37-50). Hyksos kings took over the northern Egypt in 1657 BC and ruled for 100 years. Pharaoh Ahmoses defeated the Hyksos king Khamudi at Goshen in 1557 BC. He was followed by Amenhotep I (1532-1511 BC), who ordered the killing of male children born to Hebrew parents, and Thutmoses I (1511-1498 BC) continued that policy. Moses was born to Hebrew parents, but his mother placed him in a basket and left him on the edge of Nile where Hatshepsut, the daughter of Pharaoh Thutmoses I and Queen Almoses came to bathe. She saw the baby and adopted him as her son. Hatshepsut married her step-brother Thutmoses II (1498-1485 BC), and he too continued to oppress the Hebrews (Ex.2:11). When Moses was 40, he saw a Hebrew being tortured by an Egyptian, whom he killed and escaped to Median in Saudi Arabia. Thutmoses II had a son, Thutmoses III by another queen, Islet. When Thutmoses II died, Hatshepsut began to co-rule Egypt with her infant step-son Thutmoses III for 21 years. Hatshepsut was the only female pharaoh, and she wore an artificial beard. When Hatshepsut died in 1465 BC at the age of 77, Thutmoses III became the ruler and continued to oppress the Hebrews. Moses returned to Egypt from Median and demanded that the Hebrews be freed and allowed to return to their homeland. At first, the Pharaoh refused to let them go, but when the 10th plague killed the 1st born in Egypt, includingthe Pharaohs son, he let the Hebrews go. Hence, Thutmoses III is considered the Pharaoh of Exodus, and Exodus occurred in 1446 BC. After the Exodus, he ruled for another 15 years till 1431 BC. As Moses was leaving Egypt, the Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his army to recapture the Hebrews. The sea parted to let the Hebrews cross but when Pharaohs army pursued them, the waters closed and drowned them. The 17 military campaigns of Thutmoses III that occurred one per year abruptly ended after 1446 BC, after his army was drowned in the Red Sea. Perhaps his previous military campaigns over Canaann, as given in his Victor Stele, helped Joshua to conquer that country easily, as it may have been weakened by Egyptian wars. When Hatshepsut died, Thutmoses III defaced the figures of Hatshepsut for bringing Moses into the family and another male figure (possibly Moses or Senmut) in the Temple of Hatshepsut, as clearly visible today. Thutmoses III (1485-1431 BC) was followed by his second son, Amenhotep II (1431 1406 BC) as the 1st born was killed in the 10th plague. Two other interesting pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty are Akhenaten (1358-1341 BC) and his son Tutankhamun (1341-1331 BC).Amarna Tablet dating back to the 14th century BC from the city of Akhenaten states, The land of the King is lost to the Habiru, and now indeed a city of the territory of Jerusalem, a reference to the conquest of Canaan by Joshua. Joshua died in 1336 BC, two years after Akhenaten came into power. Akhenaten believed in the God of Hebrews, as he saw the timid nation of Hebrew slaves changing to conquerors, because of their trust in one God. He then introduced monotheism to Egypt, though believing in Ra the sun god. In his Moses and Monotheism published by Sigmund Freud in 1939, Freud erroneously says that Moses copied monotheism from Egypt, when in reality Akhenaten copied monotheism from Moses. Freud had considered the Pharaoh of Exodus to be Rameses II and got the dates wrong. Multiple-lines of evidence from the Bible, archaeology and Egyptian history indicate that Thutmoses III was the Pharaoh of Exodus, and Exodus could have occurred in 1446 BC. The tomb of Thutmoses III is in the Valley of Kings and his mummy is in the Cairo Museum. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the most promising trade, business and people-to-people connectivity program, said a Pakistani expert, who also pledged his countrys more active engagement in the Belt and Road construction. The Belt and Road construction will change the face of humanity to more beauty and happiness, added Dostain Khan Jamaldini, former chairman of Gwadar Port Authority. The deep-sea port situated in southwest Pakistan is a major and pilot project under BRI framework. Jamaldini told the Peoples Daily that it is a very challenging and difficult task to develop Gwadar Port, Gwadar Free Zone and the city itself. Year 2015, when in the month of April, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan, we signed memorandum of understanding (MoUs) and project agreements, said the former chairman, adding that in subsequent years major things started happening. Constructors from both countries brought significant changes to the port by upgrading its facilities and starting the first container liner connecting the port with other ports. It also witnessed increasingly more business centers, visiting delegations and smooth construction of industrial plants in free zone. Pakistan and China have now set the stage for construction of the Future City of the World: Gwadar. he said. We are planning to develop Gwadar as a Smart Port City with smart people and smart systems. The rapid growth of the port has increased confidence of not only local and Chinese investors, but also from other countries, said Jamaldini, who is pleased at more countries interests in investing in the port. Visiting China dozens of times, Jamaldini is impressed by the rapid growth of Chinas comprehensive national strength as well as its development in culture, science and technology. From this emerges the Chinese innovation, which has not only revolutionised Chinese society but its soft and hard product creation is bringing efficiency and effectiveness. This Chinese innovation has made China highly competitive. the official noted. Pakistan learns a lot from Chinese efforts, Jamaldini pointed out, citing its policies in poverty alleviation, environment protection, and industrial development. In the eyes of the former chairman, Gwadar Port can borrow successful experience from the development process of Chinas coastal cities. Describing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a major and pilot project of BRI and a long-term development program for Pakistan, he pointed out that after completion of road and rail linkages, energy projects and other infrastructure programs, construction of special economic zones will be given more weight to facilitate industrial cooperation. #WEAREFROMHERE: Getting to know Slave Island and its people By Sashini Rodrigo View(s): View(s): Slave Island is changing. The old buildings have disappeared, paving the way for new apartment complexes, office spaces and roadways. It was under these circumstances that artist Firi Rahman began collecting stories of the neighbourhood which he grew up in, from oral testimonies, to mapping the alleys and taking photos of disappearing landmarks. The idea was to change the negative perception of it as a dangerous place and also give back to the community. In June last year he began working on his project #WEAREFROMHERE an interactive community based art project that captures life stories of the ordinary citizens of Colombo. Its main aim is to acknowledge the existence and the valuable services that the community of Slave Island provides to the city. As part of World Heritage Day, Firi has been invited to talk about the project and the living heritage of Slave Island by the British Council, and the challenges and importance of preserving the heritage of the area. People think the alleys in the vicinity are dangerous. If you look at Google, you dont see these alleys on the map. But these are very active parts of the city, he explains, as we watch the world go by from his home in Slave Island. The idea was to do murals of the locals in the alleys, but Firi also wanted to make it more interactive as well. It wasnt really about beautifying the city. There was also a message behind it. As an artist, Firi saw a lack of long term art projects that support a social cause and communities in Sri Lanka. First, it was important to understand the community. As such, he started having relaxed chats with the locals, listening to their anecdotes and stories, and began to map out the changes to the landscape. He began without a proper budget or any sponsors, using his own money. He bought the paint and started off with one other person. Soon, the artwork became a tool that engaged the neighbours to share their stories. Im not interested in what has already been written about the place, Im interested in what the neighbourhood knows about their own place. Their roots, their histories and the stories behind it, he explains. Back when Firi was a schoolboy, he recalls the stigma that surrounded Slave Island. If you say Kompannavidiya, people really put you down. The discrimination is still rife. But, as he points out, most of the people from the area are professionals he has got to know several musicians, artists, actors, sportsmen from the vicinity. Instead of having posters of politicians and celebrating them, why dont we have permanent murals of our own people? he asks. When he first got the idea, Firi didnt know what to do with it. At the time, the Jaffna University sent him one of their students for a placement. He told him the idea, and they brainstormed and began to collaborate. The student came up with the title #WEAREFROMHERE The project started off as an art walk simply for educational purposes. But #WEAREFROMHERE created a curiosity about the neighbourhood. Firi would invite several students to drop by to study it, from AOD graduates to art students from Berlin. Before, this was called a drug dealers place but now people coming to study it, he tells us with pride. Soon, Firi was approached by tourist companies wanting to organize tours along the streets. These offers were politely declined, because this was not the ultimate goal. Im very sensitive about it. I dont want it to be like slum tourism. The community has to get something out of it, he says. Today, the walks feature an organized system that includes an interactive card pack that encourages engagement, as well as a hand-drawn map and a token to try the street food. Local vendors have also been included in the walks, as a way to give back to the community. The project continues to grow, with many new branches like getting more community members involved and collaborations with other artists on the horizon. Income from the walk will go towards generating new projects, such as helping to sponsor the local people with a wishlist, and take donations for educational walks for students. So were getting their stories, and were also giving back to them, he tells us. At the end of the day Firi is simply creating an archive, because without it there is nothing to show the future generations what Slave Island used to look like. There were many things that we didnt think was important, but now theyre gone and were worried because we didnt even bother taking a picture of it. Firis talk is at the British Council Library on Friday, April 26 at 7p.m.. For more information and to reserve your seat, visit www.britishcouncil.lk or call 0117 521 521. For a sneak peek into the project, visit the #WEAREFROMHERE Instagram and Facebook pages @wearefromhereproject The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a crucial initiative that would entirely change the development outlook, and is of vital significance for regional and even global development, said a Pakistani scholar during a recent interview with Peoples Daily. Iqbal Munir, director of the Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (IBGE) under the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan, noted that the construction of BRI will also contribute to regional peace and stability. The initiative is based mainly on joint development and common prosperity, and focuses on building infrastructure to boost economic growth of the region to create a win-win situation for China along with the participants in the project, the director remarked. Munir has been visiting China frequently over the last few years, and was amazed every time he went there. China has made great achievements and progress in every field of life during the past decades, he told Peoples Daily, citing the organized traffic system, highly developed infrastructure, and impressive agricultural technology. The scholar said that his university established cooperation with Chinas Yunnan Agriculture University and Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (BAAFS) since 2015. He and his fellow researchers are now trying to introduce Chinas hybrid wheat technology to Pakistan. With outstanding performance in both production and resistance, the lines introduced from China will be of great importance in increasing agriculture productivity of Pakistan, where wheat is a main grain crop, the scholar underlined. Chinese experts are glad to collaborate and share the knowledge and experience they gained in their respective fields of specialization, and have been involved in training the scientists in Pakistan on the latest technologies, Munir said. Pakistan is an agriculture country, and the government is focusing on poverty eradication and uplifting the middle class through encouraging low-income support programs, according to the scholar. Development in agriculture means primary source of income and employment in rural areas and would ultimately help in poverty eradication. Munir added. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as a flagship project of the BRI, is creating huge opportunity for Pakistans economic and social development. The corridor enables Pakistan to introduce advanced agricultural technologies from China, learn from Chinas experiences of mechanized planting, and improve its own rural financial system. Munir pointed out that the Belt and Road cooperation is revitalizing the influence of the ancient Silk Road, and will have a tremendous economic impact on the countries on its roadmap. The changes that happened to Pakistan in the past five years are the best proof, he added. The Belt and Road as well as CPEC not only further build amiable bonds between two countries, but also vastly benefit Pakistan with many opportunities in developmental sector including economic elevation, job opportunities, training of skilled labour, splendid infrastructure etc, Munir said, expressing his hope for the two countries to further enhance cooperation in each field including agriculture, and further people-to-people exchanges. Second BRF to further Belt and Road construction with concerted efforts The eagerly-awaited second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation(BRF) will kick off in Beijing later this month. The forum, the most important diplomatic event in China this year, is also a grand global gathering that attracts worldwide attention. At least 40 foreign leaders, as well as thousands of representatives from more than 100 countries and international organizations will attend the event themed Belt and Road Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future. The second BRF is expected to mark a major milestone from which the massive Belt and Road construction will start gaining more high-quality development. The first BRF, which was held in Beijing on May 14, 2017, achieved fruitful results, and impressed global participants as a ground-breaking and high-level event. It clearly pointed out direction for future Belt and Road cooperation, chartered a roadmap for the Belt and Road construction, approved a batch of key projects and depicted a bright future for the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his keynote speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the first BRF that the Belt and Road Initiative is a great undertaking which requires dedicated efforts. His remarks inspired the participants. Since then, the BRI has been more embraced by the world. More and more countries are seeing the outcomes of win-win cooperation under the Belt and Road cooperation, the high consistency between the BRI and their own development strategies, as well as the positive progress made by the initiative in exploring new growth driver and development space. To date, more than 120 countries and nearly 30 international organizations have signed cooperative agreements with China on the joint construction of the Belt and Road, and half of the agreements were inked in the recent two years. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked that the BRI has immense potential when addressing the opening of the first BRF. Running through Asia, Europe and Africa, it is far-reaching in geography and ambition, the UN chief noted. Now, such vision is gradually turning into reality. Since the first BRF, the Belt and Road construction has been advancing toward high-quality development. The first BRF put together a list of major deliverables which includes 76 items comprising more than 270 concrete results in five key areas namely policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds. Nearly all of such deliverables have been implemented, injecting dynamism to the joint construction of the BRI. At the first BRF, a series of measures were announced by China to support the BRI, such as to increase capital for the Silk Road Fund, to build a network of free trade areas and to launch the Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan. Some of measures have been materialized, while some are in steady progress. Furthermore, China signed Guiding Principles on Financing the Development of the Belt and Road with 28 countries jointly initiated the International Coalition for Green Development on Belt and Road with the United Nations Environment Programme, and proposed vision and actions on energy cooperation, as well as a vision for maritime cooperation at the event. All these proposals have solidified the foundation for the Belt and Road cooperation. Given the uprising unilateralism and protectionism, and the lowered expectations for the world economic growth, the international society is looking forward to strengthening the Belt and Road cooperation. The world direly needs a remedy in order to sustain the global economy which can only be done through economic and cultural interconnectivity. BRI aims to be a torch bearer to bring the financial benefits to the globe, said Sabah Aslam, Executive Director of Islamabad Institute of Conflict Resolution (IICR), Pakistan. It was a common aspiration of all parties attending the first BRF to institutionalize the forum so as to provide a platform and opportunities for more countries to join the Belt and Road construction. The second BRF is expected to gather more foreign leaders and deputies, and hold more side events, which indicates the wide support for the BRI and broad appreciation for cooperation and opportunity it creates. The second BRF will further expand and deepen international collaborations and partnerships, said an editorial of Cambodias Khmer Times, expressing the anticipation of the upcoming forum of the countries along the Belt and Road. Constructing the BRI is a project of the century. All parties should uphold the Silk Road spirit and make concerted efforts based on the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. To jointly build the Belt and Road into a road for peace, prosperity, opening up, green development, innovation and a road that brings together different civilizations, is to create a bright future for mankind. (Zhong Sheng, a homonym in Chinese for voice of China, is a pen name often used by Peoples Daily to express its views on foreign policy.) A People's Liberation Army Navy band welcomes the Singapore Navy frigate RSS Stalwart, which on Friday became the first foreign warship to reach Qingdao, Shandong province, ahead of events next week honoring the 70th birthday of the PLA Navy. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Navy will send 32 warships and 39 aircraft to take part in a joint sea parade in waters near Qingdao. Nearly 20 ships from about 10 countries will participate in the sea parade on Tuesday, Vice-Admiral Qiu Yanpeng said. A Singapore Navy frigate arrived on Friday in Qingdao, Shandong province, becoming the first foreign warship to arrive ahead of a grand event to honor the 70th birthday of the People's Liberation Army Navy. The PLA Navy will hold multinational naval activities in Qingdao and nearby waters from Monday to Thursday to celebrate its founding anniversary. They will include a joint sea parade, high-level symposiums, public tours of ships, military music performances and other cultural exchanges. A press center opened on Wednesday in Qingdao for the upcoming multinational naval activity. 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 Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High 6C. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low -6C. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. The recent Mercedes-Benz oil leak scandal in Xian, capital of northwestern Chinas Shaanxi province, has settled down after the 4S dealership Xian Lizhixing Auto agreed to provide a replacement car and refund the 15,000-yuan financial service fee. Mercedes-Benz apologized to Wang Qian, the new car owner, for her unpleasant experience, and suspended sales operations at the dealership pending an official investigation. It seems that the incident is approaching a happy ending with the buyer's rights respected, the dealership investigated and hidden rules disclosed. However, the settlement deal didnt bring Chinese customers confidence in protecting their legal rights and interests. The unhappy customer reportedly raised eight requests to the investigation team, including an investigation into the car's history, qualifications of pre-delivery inspection technicians, and independent inspection of the vehicle. However, the settlement agreement included no response to the above requests. Hearing the solution to the recent dispute, many Mercedes car owners went to the Xian Lizhixing Auto dealership to have their financial service fees refunded, but all requests were denied. It's not the first time that Mercedes-Benz has found itself at the center of a scandal. In Zhengzhou, central Chinas Henan province, a customer bought a Mercedes-Benz from a local dealership, but it malfunctioned within 24 hours of purchase. However, on her return, the dealership wouldn't replace the defective car. Proper solutions to such cases will not only safeguard the market order, but will also protect interests on all sides. Beyond the settlement deal between the car seller and customer, an investigation is required to find out who is legally responsible and whether there was any misconduct in this case. In 1990, BMW was sued by Gore, a purchaser of a new car which had been painted to cover minor damage which occurred during shipping. It was later revealed that around 1,000 vehicles were sold in the US under similar circumstances. Gore won $2 million in punitive damages, and the case, which has been listed a classic example by the US Supreme Court, slammed car dealers and manufacturers and protected customers. Local authorities in Xian have launched a thorough investigation involving all car dealerships in the city, to crack down on illegal conduct and unfair competition that violate the rights and interests of the customer. Leading procurement experts from across the region will be in Bahrain for a major event to be held this week which will explore new technologies and digital transformation in this sector. The regions most influential gathering of procurement leaders, Procurement Middle East 2019, will tackle digital transformation, outsourcing and other major industry themes when it opens in Bahrain on April 23. The three-day event is supported by the Bahrain Tender Board and held under the patronage of Engineer Bassim Bin Yacob Al Hamer, Bahrains Minister of Housing and Chairman of the Tender Board, who will present the opening keynote speech. Held at the Downtown Rotana in Manama, the conference will draw professionals and experts from across the region to discuss the latest industry trends. Through a series of keynote addresses, panel discussions, roundtable debates and workshops, participants will address the importance of forging partnerships, driving change, and enhancing operational models and digital capabilities. The third annual conferences theme will explore innovative approaches to the technical advancement and digital transformation of procurement. Over 20 high-profile speakers are slated to speak at the event, with participants looking forward to a workshop on VAT and its impact on the industry, and an exhibition showcasing procurement chain and automation solutions. Given the right tools and technologies, procurement departments within organizations can be transformed from cost centers into partners in growth, remarked Dr Mohamed Bahzad, Secretary General of the Bahrain Tender Board said. We encourage companies to leverage the power of state-of-the art procurement processes and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, to streamline their businesses,and maximize the value of data gathering for their organizations, partners and customers, he noted. In line with our mandate to help realizethe Economic Vision 2030 goalofcreating a more competitive and sustainable economy, we are confident that the digital transformation of procurement will play a vital role in spurring business activity and strengthening the Bahraini economy as a whole," he stated. "As a partner in this vision, the Tender Board is keen to make the most oftheenormous wealth of information we have gathered, in improving the decision-making and productivity of government tender issuers, protecting public funds and the rights of suppliers, and supporting the wider economy," he added. This years conference also marks the launch of the Procurement Middle East Industry Recognition Awards, which celebrate achievements in the procurement sector in the region, said the organisers. The categories are Procurement Risk Management, Procurement Team, Most Innovative Technology, Procurement Consultancy and Weve Got the Talent, which recognizes organizations that actively nurture and retain procurement talent,, they added.-TradeArabia News Service Saudi Arabias largest mining company, Maaden, is set to make its first international acquisition move with the purchase of a leading fertilizer distribution company in Africa. The publicly-listed Saudi Arabian Mining Company will acquire an 85% stake in the Mauritius-based Meridian Group in an all cash deal that will provide one of the Middle Easts largest phosphate producers with 3,000 staff and a network of operations across southern Africa, from Malawi to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia. HSBC acted as Maadens financial advisor on the deal, and Baker McKenzie was the Saudi companys legal advisor for this pioneering acquisition. This acquisition marks a very important step in Maadens strategy to build global distribution channels for our fertilizer products, remarked Darren Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Maaden. As we continue to build one of the largest producers and exporters of phosphate fertilizers in the world, ensuring an efficient route to key growth markets is critical to our success, he stated. Phosphate is used to produce fertilizer that is essential in replacing the phosphorous mineral that is removed from soil when agricultural plants are harvested. Agriculture forms a significant portion of the economies of all African countries. As a sector, it can therefore contribute towards major continental priorities, such as eradicating poverty and hunger, said the statement from Maaden. The agri industry can also boost intra-Africa trade and investments, rapid industrialization and economic diversification, sustainable resource and environmental management, and create jobs, human security and shared prosperity, it added. The southeast African market, like most of the African continent of one billion people, is witnessing increased demand for phosphate fertilizers that industry analysts expect to continue growing by 5% annually over the next decade, fueled by population growth and increasing education in the use of fertilizers. Maaden is acquiring unparalleled access to complementary distribution, blending and product development capabilities in this fast-growth region, said Hassan Al Ali, Senior Vice President for Phosphate at Maaden. This transaction will provide us with logistics advantages in Southeast Africa, and greater knowledge of on-the-ground customer requirements, both of which will be instrumental in better serving our customers, he added. The deal is expected to be completed by September for an undisclosed fee, according to parties linked to the deal. The Saudi global mining giant will secure the remaining 15% of Meridians equity over 4 years on agreed terms linked to the performance of the African company, which distributes approximately half-a-million tons of fertilizer through its network of granulation and blending plants, warehousing complexes and port facilities.-TradeArabia News Service The inaugural Business Development Forum and Expo (BDFEX) for the Downstream Oil & Gas and Petrochemicals industry being held in Manama will attract successful business development and investment hub in the downstream hydrocarbon industry from Saudi Arabia. The two-day expo will see these firms unveil their best products and services on April 24 and 25 at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel Manama, kingdom of Bahrain. International and regional corporations, SMEs, investors and entrepreneurs are expected to take part in the expo in order to explore new business opportunities, according to the event organisers. It would result in increasing local content of manufacturing and services in the hydrocarbon downstream industry, creating new sustainable jobs, and attracting investments, it added. Furthermore, corporations participating in the Expo will offer the latest solutions and services in the hydrocarbon industry, highlighting opportunities to explore in the region and raise the use of modern technologies in the oil & gas and petrochemical industry. The two-day event is being jointly organised by PROACT International Consultancy, Kingdom of Bahrain and United Gulf Industrial Consortia for Investment Management and Consultation, Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Member of the Organizing Committee Musaed Al Qarni, explained that corporations participating in BDFEX Forum and Expo will get the opportunity to find new partners, find new technologies, expand their network of suppliers and buyers, and promote their local programmes. At the same time, investors will be understanding investment outlook in the region and meeting industrial entrepreneurs and growth SMEs, said the organisers. However, industrial entrepreneurs will get the opportunity to direct meeting with investors and gauging business interest in their ventures by corporations, they stated. Al Qarni has invited all industrial groups in the oil and gas and petrochemical sector to take part in the BDFEX forum and Expo to get closer towards finding new business partners, investors, technology providers, new suppliers and new market access. At the same time, they will be able to create a network that would help them build their own business in the future and share their best practices and success in the business, he stated. The forum aims to attract international and regional corporations, SMEs, investors and entrepreneurs to explore new business opportunities. It would result in increasing local content of manufacturing and services in the hydrocarbon downstream industry, creating new sustainable jobs, and attracting investments, he added.-TradeArabia News Service PM Modi recipient of 10 top international honours and awards 17 Dec 2021 | 8:49 PM New Delhi, Dec 17 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received 10 top international honours and awards, including from Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Palestine, Russia, the US, UAE, the Maldives and today from Bhutan. see more.. Bhutan's confers highest civilian honour on PM Modi, 'deeply touched', he says 17 Dec 2021 | 8:48 PM New Delhi/Thimphu, Dec 17 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Friday conferred Bhutans highest civilian honour, The Order of the Druk Gyalpo Class I. see more.. Sirsa condemns use of cigarette wrappers for prasad distribution at Kartarpur Gurdwara 17 Dec 2021 | 8:29 PM New Delhi, Dec 17 (UNI) BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday strongly condemned the use of cigarette wrappers to distribute Kadah Prashad at Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, and termed it as 'sacrilege,' which had hurt the sentiments of Sikh community worldwide. see more.. India, France hold third annual defence dialogue 17 Dec 2021 | 8:13 PM New Delhi, Dec 17 (UNI) India and France on Friday held the third Annual Defence Dialogue, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Minister for Armed Forces Florence Parly discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional, defence and defence industrial cooperation issues. see more.. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (C), Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu (R) and Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz attend a press conference in Ankara, Turkey, on April 19, 2019. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a press conference with his Romanian and Polish counterparts on Friday that Turkey understands NATO's concerns over its procurement of the Russian S-400 air defense missiles. (Xinhua/Mustafa Kaya) Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday that Turkey understands NATO's concerns over its procurement of the Russian S-400 air defense missiles. "We are aware of NATO's concerns. It is not right to say that Turkey is not considering them," Cavusoglu said at a press conference with his Romanian and Polish counterparts in Ankara, adding that Turkey needs air defense systems urgently. His remarks came after the U.S. government claimed that Turkey's adoption of Russian missiles could cause security risk on F-35 jets and NATO defense system, and threatened to suspend the sale of F-35 jets to Turkey unless it scraps the S-400 deal. Cavusoglu said that Turkey offered the United States to form a working group to determine whether the S-400 missiles pose a threat to the F-35 fighter jets. "There are S-400s in Syria and F-35 jets have flown over them repeatedly. If those claims are true, the missile systems would have already gathered enough information about the aircraft," Cavusoglu said. Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated that Turkey's procurement of the Russian S-400 air defense systems is a national security deal, criticizing the United States for halting the F-35 deliveries. When the reminder popped up on my computer that it had been 6 years that I start blogging about wine I couldnt believe how fast time has gone. As Ive mentioned in the past I started a wine blog to encourage myself to read, research and learn as much as I can due to my love and passion for Italy and wine, especially Italian wine. I will never claim myself as an expert as Im far from it, but this is my own personal journey and Im very thankful to my readers for joining me along for the ride. In trying to think about what wine I wanted to feature for such a special occasion its hard to just pick one bottle. There are wines that I brought back from my travels from Italy over the years that Im aging in my basement . The question is what am I waiting for. Life is too short, but for special bottles I do like to take a moment to sit and savor the sips and with 2 little munchkins running around my house thats not always the easiest to do. I decided to enjoy a 2008 Secretum Brunello di Montalcino DOCG that I must have brought back from Italy some years ago. Im not sure why I had picked this particular bottle and if my memory serves me correct I was in a wine shop in Montalcino and chose this bottle to take home and try. Unfortunately, after countless efforts online I couldnt dig up any information about the winery, which is what I love to tell most of to my readers. So why did I pick this particular wine? Well, I fight with the question of what is my favorite Italian grape and its impossible to pick just one. I always seem to lean towards sangiovese in its many styles whether its chianti classico , vino nobile di montepulciano , brunello di montalcino or from southern Tuscany in the Bolgheri wine region where its blended with international grapes. There are also great sangiovese wines from Emilia Romagna known as Sangiovese di Romagna that you dont see too much of, but are definitely something to try. The 2008 Secretum Brunello di Montalcino DOCG was deep garnet in color with a hint of orange on the rim (typically comes with age). On the nose were beautiful ripe cherries, almost with a hint of cherry chapstick to it with some notes of licorice at the end. Classic sangiovese cherry notes on the palate with nice acidity and moderate to firm tannins. The wine needed a little time to open up as initially the tannins overpowered the fruit. A good lengthy finish with notes of vanilla at the end. Overall an enjoyable brunello with a smile on my face as I look back at how far Ive come with a long road ahead. Please drop me notes or leave comments as I love to hear from my readers and it doesnt happen all too often. I love all sorts of feedback and comments and for those that participated in my survey earlier this year I greatly appreciate the feedback so I can bring you more of what youd like to read. Don't miss an Italian wine blog ~ Subscribe Amnesty International has called for a letter campaign to pressure the Chinese government to release respected human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng who has been forcibly disappeared for nearly two years. In an urgent action alert, Amnesty International (AI) called upon the public to write letters to the Minister of Public Security, Zhao Kezhi, to call for Gaos freedom. No information about [Gaos] whereabouts are known since he was taken away from his home in Yulin City, Shaanxi, northwest China, on 13 August 2017, said the alert. Gao Zhisheng previously shared his experience of repeated torture in detention as a result of his work, raising fears that he is at high risk of torture and other ill-treatment or even death, it said. The alert gave an example of a letter that people could use in writing to Zhao. It included details of how the Christian lawyer was forcibly disappeared and how communist officials have denied information of Gaos current situation to his family and lawyers. AIs alert pointed out how Gao endured torture and other depravations during past imprisonment. A former prisoner of conscience, Gao Zhisheng previously shared his experience of previous enforced disappearance and repeated torture in detention as a result of his work, raising fears that Gao Zhisheng is at high risk of torture and other ill-treatment or even death, said the example letter that AI released. Like many rights lawyers in China, Gao has long earned the ire of the communist authorities for providing legal assistance to Chinas most vulnerable, including house Christians, petitioners, victims of state corruption, and Falun Gong practitioners. As part of that, Gao exposed sexual torture by prison guards against people of faith, with certain concerns for Falun Gong practitioners. Watch this episode of China Uncensored made a month after Gao disappeared on this occasion. AIs letter called on Zhao to: Immediately and unconditionally release Gao Zhisheng if he has been detained solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression. And pending his release, immediately disclose the whereabouts of Gao Zhisheng, and ensure that he is not subjected to torture or other ill-treatment; and he has regular, unrestricted access to his family, lawyers of his choice, and medical care on request or as necessary. Gao Zhishengs wife and children Gaos wife Geng He told Radio Free Asia (RFA) that she still doesnt know where he is. Since Gao Zhisheng was forcibly disappeared, the authorities have never informed his family where he is being held, neither have they provided an official document notifying them of his detention, or anything like it, let alone allowed his family to visit him, said Geng, who now lives in the U.S. with the couples two children. The local police station just keeps passing the buck, she said. One minute they are saying Gao Zhisheng is being held in Yulin; the next they say hes being held in Jia county, or in Beijing. Meanwhile, officials have been treating both Gao and Gengs relatives as guilty by association, she said. They have demanded that my family report to their local police station on a weekly basis and sign a report, she said. On one occasion, one of my relatives saw the content of the report they had to sign, and it referred to me and my children as fugitives. Watch Gao and Gengs daughter Grace at the Oslo Freedom Forum tell the story of her fathers arrest in 2009 and the subsequent separation of her family. In her interview with RFA, Geng said that while Gaos actual birthday is on April 20, she typically celebrates it on the same day as their daughters birthday, April 17. This year, the theme of his birthday is wanting him to come home, she said. Geng and their children fled China in 2009 after an earlier episode of Gao being disappeared by the state. The first time Gao was forcible disappeared was in 2006. Gao had his lawyers license revoked and his law firm was shut down by the state in 2005. AI said that this was a direct result of his open letters to the government calling on them to stop religious persecution, including the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Before he was targeted by the state, Gao was named one of Chinas top 10 lawyers in 2001. See what author and former Canadian politician David Kilgour has to say about Gao: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 20, 2019 | 09:54 AM | PADUCAH A Paducah attorney and former US Congressman has been suspended from practicing law for 60 days for lying under oath.According to Kentucky Supreme Court documents, Carroll Hubbard, who is 81 years old, was representing a client in October 2017 in a a McCracken Family Court case, but the opposing attorney, Alisha Bobo, sought to disqualify him. In a subsequent hearing, Bobo accused Hubbard of sending her a letter that called Bobo and her wife "pitifull (sic) fat, ugly lesbians." After initially denying under oath that he wrote and mailed the letter, then told the judge he "can't remember the magic words." When the judge asked if he wanted to plead the 5th Amendment (so he would not incriminate himself), Hubbard said yes.Hubbard reported himself to the Kentucky Bar Association and issued an public apology in February 2018, saying he used "incredibly insensitive and disparaging language" in his anonymous letter to the Bobos. Last April, the Bar Association's Inquiry Commission charged Hubbard with five counts of misconduct for his actions in court.The Supreme Court ruled Friday that Hubbard cannot practice law for 60 days, and he must write letters of apology to the Bobos and to Judge Deanna Wise Henschel.Hubbard has been practicing law since 1962, and served in the US House of Representatives from 1975 to 1993. After becoming involved in the House banking scandal, Hubbard lost the 1992 election, then plead guilty to violations of campaign finance laws and served three years in prison.In 2001, a unanimous decision by the Kentucky Bar Association board of governors against reinstating Hubbard's law license was overruled by the state Supreme Court, based on his "good moral character."Hubbard has a law office on Kentucky Avenue in Paducah. On the Net: Hong Kong: Sunset clause unacceptable The Government will not accept a sunset clause for its proposed extradition law amendment, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said today. Mrs Lam was responding to reporters' questions on a proposal by some lawmakers to include such a clause in the amendment to handle the Taiwan homicide case only. She reiterated there are two purposes of amending the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance. The Government not only wants to resolve the Taiwan case, but also improve the existing arrangements for the return or the surrender of fugitive offenders, Mrs Lam said. She added that opponents of the proposed law amendment who say it should not include the Mainland are biased. Regarding the Bills Committee on Fugitive Offenders & Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill meeting held on Wednesday, Mrs Lam said the Government was disappointed it had taken two hours to hold the meeting without a chairman even being appointed. She also expressed hope that the next committee meeting on April 30 can run smoothly. This story has been published on: 2019-04-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Polling stations across Egypt opened their doors on Saturday for the first of three days of voting in a referendum on a series of constitutional amendments. There are currently 10,878 central polling stations and 13,919 polling stations across the country available for the vote, which closes on Monday night. More than 61 million Egyptians are eligible to vote in the referendum. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi cast his vote at Martyr Mostafa Yousry Emira school in Heliopolis. Sisi Voting National Elections Authority spokesman Judge Mahmoud El-Sharif said on Saturday afternoon that the authority had sent more judges and administrative assistants to several polling stations due to the huge turnout. The authority sent more judges and administrative assistants to several polling stations in Cairo, South Sinai and Suez, El-Sharif told Sada El-Balad TV station. According to state-owned agency MENA news agency, mass rallies were held in support of the proposed constitutional amendments in Cairo, Menoufia, Kafr El-Sheikh, Gharbia, North Sinai and Aswan governorates. Egypt's parliamentary speaker Ali Abdel-Aal told reporters on Saturday that all the suggestions and opinions on the new constitutional amendments, whether for or against, were heard for 30 days. Abdel-Aal added that the turnout at the polling stations reflected how keen citizens were to practice their political rights, as well as their belief in the recent political and economic reform achievements. Votingg Around 20,000 judges will supervise the voting process at ballot boxes, and 55 local civil society groups, five foreign non-government organisations and three national councils will monitor the vote, the head of the authority Judge Lasheen Ibrahim told Al-Ahram daily previously. Egyptians who live in governorates outside of their local election constituencies can vote at special polling station reserved for out-of-governorate voters, according to the National Elections Authority. Voters abroad began voting at 140 Egyptian consulate and embassy in 124 countries on Friday; polls abroad will close on Sunday evening.. Egyptians are voting on the proposed amendments to the 2014 charter, which were overwhelmingly approved by the parliament on Tuesday ,with 531 out of 596 members in favour, 22 against and one abstention. On the presidency, the amendments include changing the length of presidential terms to six instead of four years. They also extend the second term of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, which is set to end in 2022, by two years, and allow him to run for the office for another term in 2024. El-Sisi was first elected president in 2014 and was re-elected last year in a landslide victory wherein he secured 97 percent of the vote. Vote counting in the referendum is scheduled to start at the end of the last voting day, on Monday. Egyptians Vote The package of amendments will pass if they secure an absolute majority of valid votes, without requiring a quorum, per the constitution, Lasheen explained. Those who back the changes say they are important for the stability of a country, and to allow the president more time to carry out his economic development plans. Critics say the changes will lead to increased presidential powers. The Egyptian authorities had heightened security across the country ahead of the vote. The interior ministry said it is adopting an extensive plan to "maintain security and order and deal with any attempt to "disturb peace and security." Those who will abstain from voting will be subject to existing laws that criminalise voting abstention, Lasheen said. On Thursday, Egypts Religious Endowments Minister Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa called on Egyptians to go to the polls, saying participation is a national duty. The election authority has issued a number of regulations governing media coverage of the vote, including forbidding journalists from asking voters which way they are voting on the package of amendments. Lasheen said the regulations are not meant to impose restrictions but rather to guarantee a regular and smooth process. A special committee has been tasked with identifying violations. Egyptians Vote Egyptians who live in governorates outside of their local election constituencies can still vote at special polling station reserved for out-of-governorate voters, according to Lasheen. The election authority has set up special polling stations in industrial zones, in the under-construction New Administrative Capital Egypt east of Cairo, and at sites of other national megaprojects, to allow construction workers to vote. New polling stations have also been set at Cairo International Airport and at major railway stations to draw more voters, and arrangements made at stations to accomodate citizens with special needs. Egyptians living abroad began voting at diplomatic missions around the world on Friday. They have until Sunday to cast their votes. The amendments being voted on this weekend also give the president new powers to appoint members of the judiciary, and would create a second chamber of parliament, the Senate, with one-third of its members to be appointed by the president. The amendments also assign the armed forces of the country the role of "safeguarding the constitution and democracy and the fundamental makeup of the country and its civil nature, the gains of the people and the rights and freedoms of individuals. They reintroduce the post of vice president, allowing the head of state to appoint one or more vice presidents, and allocate at least a quarter of the seats in parliament to women. The current constitution was approved in a 2014 referendum. It was a correction to an Islamist-backed controversial charter drafted under then Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, nearly two years after his predecessor Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in a popular uprising. More than 680,000 Egyptian expatriates were eligible to vote in the 2014 referendum. Search Keywords: Short link: By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 18, 2019 | 06:22 PM | PADUCAH Stories have been passed down for decades about the Negro Motorist Green Book, and the recent Oscar award-winning movie, "Green Book," was inspired by it. Now the history behind the book is also being shared through quilts. The community is invited to West Kentucky Community and Technical College for a free exhibition opening of "Quilts of the Green Book" in its Clemens Fine Arts Center Gallery April 25 at 6 pm.The Green Book quilts, made famous by African-American quilters, tell stories in the form of fiber art of the Negro Motorist Green Book, an annual listing of lodging, diners, gas stations and other businesses that met the needs of African-American roadtrippers from 1936 to 1966, during the era of Jim Crow segregation laws. Created in 1936 by Harlem-based postman Victor H. Green, the Green Book, which is the inspiration for the exhibition, served the public until after the passage of the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s that ended legal segregation."The Green Book was a directory of safe places where African Americans were welcomed to stay as they traveled from place to place across the country," said Chevene Duncan-Herring, WKCTC's Diversity and Inclusion director. "One of those safe places was Paducah's Hotel Metropolitan that hosted many African-American travelers including famous musicians such as Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, B.B. King, Ike and Tina Turner and others," she said. "We are thrilled to partner with the Hotel Metropolitan to host the 'Quilts of the Green Book' exhibition during Paducah's 2019 Spring Quilt Week."African-American history researcher and quilter, Dr. Nancy Dawson, will be the evening's guest speaker. Her comments will begin at 6 pm in the Clemens Gallery with refreshments to follow in the college's Student Center, located just outside the gallery.The "Quilts of the Green Book" exhibition will be on display in the Clemens Gallery until April 30, 2019. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am - 4 pm.For more information, contact Chevene Duncan-Herring at chevene.duncan-herring@kctcs.edu. By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 19, 2019 | 03:47 PM | MAYFIELD A man that escaped police custody early Friday morning was captured Friday afternoon. According to the Mayfield Police Department, 26-year-old Dustin McReynolds, of Mayfield, was being transported to the Graves County Jail early Friday morning. During the transport, McReynolds kicked out the rear door window of the cruiser, and fled on foot near Megan Drive, still in handcuffs. At approximately 3:00 pm on Friday, a tip came into the Mayfield Police Department that McReynolds had been seen in front of a home on High Street. Officers arrived, and surrounded the home. The homeowners gave police permission to search the home. McReynolds was found hiding in the basement, and was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Graves County Jail. McReynolds was charged with escape, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking under $500, possession of drug paraphernalia and trafficking in methamphetamine. Please understand that womenofchina.cn,a non-profit, information-communication website, cannot reach every writer before using articles and images. For copyright issues, please contact us by emailing: website@womenofchina.cn. The articles published and opinions expressed on this website represent the opinions of writers and are not necessarily shared by womenofchina.cn. The award ceremony of a Chinese essay competition for Mongolian high school students was held here on Friday. The competition was organized by the state-owned news agency Montsame to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Mongolia. "The 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and China coincides with the 90th anniversary of our agency's weekly Mongolian News in Chinese. So we co-organized the essay writing competition with the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia and the Chinese Cultural Center in Ulan Bator," said Badamdorj Ganchimeg, director-general of Montsame, at the award ceremony. Mongolian News in Chinese is the only newspaper published in Chinese in the country. Ganchimeg noted that the essay writing competition aims to promote Mongolian students' Chinese writing skills and discover their views on Mongolia-China friendship. "I am confident that the essay writing competition will encourage Mongolian students to learn the Chinese language deeply and increase their knowledge about China," said Li Wei, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia. The first edition of the annual essay writing competition, under the theme of "Mongolia-China Friendship through My Eyes," had attracted around 50 students across the country. Top six participants of the competition were awarded certificates and cash prizes respectively. (Source: Xinhua) United Nations staff on Friday marked the Chinese Language Day with an aim to promote Chinese language and culture inside the premises of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa. The Chinese Language Day event, which was organized by the UN-ECA in collaboration with the Chinese Mission to the African Union (AU), featured presentations on Chinese culture, exhibition, Kung Fu performance, traditional Chinese musical instrument performance and Chinese tea ceremony, among other activities. Established by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2010, the Chinese Language Day is marked on April 20, aiming at celebrating multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six of the UN's official working languages throughout the organization's structure and activities. Carlos Hadaad, Director of Division of Administration at the ECA, said during the event that the Chinese Language Day commemoration signifies the promotion of multilingualism of Chinese language as well as various aspects of Chinese culture. Hadaad also noted that the commemoration of the Chinese language day under the UN platform is a demonstration of the strong appreciation for the Chinese language, as well as China's role in promoting multilingualism. "Multilingualism is not only an essential factor in harmonizing communication among people, but it's also regarded by the United Nations General Assembly as the core value of the organization," he said, adding "By promoting tolerance, multilingualism ensures that we can all participate effectively in the organization's work." The six UN languages include Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. April 20 was chosen as the Chinese Language Day to pay tribute to Cangjie, a mythical figure claimed to have invented Chinese characters. According to the Confucius Institute at the Addis Ababa University, the Chinese Language Day celebration events could be seen as an important platform in creating awareness of the Chinese language in particular and Chinese culture in general to the rest of the world. Liu Yuxi, Head of the Chinese Mission to the AU, also said that commemoration of the Chinese language in partnership with the UN "has become an important platform for cultural exchanges between China and other countries of the world." "China enjoys an ancient civilization whose history goes back thousands of years. The Chinese language, both in speaking and in writing, are deeply rooted in China's traditional culture. It is now becoming more and more popular with the development of the Chinese civilization," Liu said. "As carriers of the Chinese culture, the Chinese language has made a positive contribution to the development and progress of the world's civilizations, and is exhibiting new life under new circumstances," the ambassador added. (Source: Xinhua) Glyndwr University unveils latest social learning space for students and staff This article is old - Published: Saturday, Apr 20th, 2019 A redesigned social learning space has been officially opened at Wrexham Glyndwr Universitys annual open meeting. The Gallery, an attractive learning space where students and staff can study, socialise, and relax, is the latest upgrade to campus facilities at the university to be unveiled as part of the 60 million Campus 2025 estates renewal strategy. Based above the universitys main reception on the Plas Coch Campus, the new facilities have modernised the existing space to provide an attractive learning environment equipped with state-of-the-art technology while also conserving a number of historic features. The space formerly the Oriel Sycharth Gallery will also feature a rolling programme of artwork, with the first pieces to go on display taken from a series of paintings produced during the PhD research of Glyndwr student Megan Jones, who worked alongside people with dementia to produce a series of paintings. The latest refurbishment is part of a wider programme of redevelopment which will be taking place on the Universitys B corridor this year, with funding towards the work coming from a 750,000 grant from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW.) It was officially opened by Glyndwrs Vice-Chancellor Professor Maria Hinfelaar and Chair of Governors, Maxine Penlington OBE, at this mornings Board of Governors annual open meeting. Ms Penlington said: As part of our contribution to the wider community, the University has developed a Civic Engagement Strategy, which drives our ambition to be a constructive partner in transforming prospects for people and communities in the region. Working closely with partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, and through both teaching and research, we are actively engaged in a number of projects in areas such as public service leadership development, mental health, social prescribing and volunteering. I have been deeply impressed by the difference a small university can make when it is truly engaged with and embedded in the community it serves. And Professor Hinfelaar added: Its my great pleasure as the Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham Glyndwr University to host this years annual open meeting and to officially open the doors to our brand new facility, The Gallery, our collaborative and social learning space. In fact I have a sense of deja-vu: last years Annual Open Meeting marked the launch of our first new-style social learning space for students, The Study, down on A-corridor. It has proved exceptionally popular with students, staff and visitors alike so that made us hungry for more. Following the successful opening of the Study, the Scale-Up innovative classroom facility on B-corridor at the start of this academic year, and of course our acquisition of high quality student accommodation at Wrexham Student Village, today we mark the completion of yet another investment. Professor Hinfelaar continued: We are already eating substantially into our 60m capital masterplan, Campus 2025. That is as it should be; glossy banners and visual impressions created by architects have to be translated into reality. We will, of course, be doing more than going from room to room, making incremental improvements. There are much bigger plans for a learning gateway at the heart of the campus, a new engineering research building and a complete transformation of the public space, car parking and landscaping around the campus. To help fund these developments, we are also proposing to dispose of some sites which we do not require and which can then be repurposed, in line with plans and aspirations for the town and wider region. Our plans therefore tick a number of boxes: they will transform the university and the student experience, they will create a much improved landmark building coming into Wrexham, and they will free up some unused sites for different development. A strong university and a strong town that is what Wrexham needs. (Click for large) North Wales cancer specialists explore new ways of delivering follow-up care to patients This article is old - Published: Saturday, Apr 20th, 2019 Clinicians from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have been on a fact-finding mission to Northern Ireland to discover more about an award-winning project to improve cancer services. The group, including surgeons, radiologists and clinical nurse specialists, travelled to Belfast to hear about Transforming Cancer Follow-Up a programme funded by Macmillan Cancer Support to redesign the way patients are followed up after treatment. The programme, which has been rolled out across Northern Irelands five Health and Social Care Trusts, challenges the traditional one size fits all approach based around routine hospital follow-up. Instead, patients receive tailored follow-up care, which may mean they no longer need to attend hospital appointments. The trip was organised by colleagues on BCUHBs Transforming Cancer Services Together programme, which has been set up to improve cancer services in North Wales and which is also funded by Macmillan. Andy Owen, Macmillan Project Manager (Breast) on the programme, said: More people are surviving cancer than ever before, but without a complete transformation of the way people are supported after their treatment ends, there is no way patients will get the aftercare they so desperately need, whether thats practical help at home, financial advice, or even emotional support. This is about helping people make the transition from patient with cancer to person getting on with life getting their health and wellbeing back on track, while still having the reassurance of a point of access back into the system if required. The Transforming Cancer Follow Up approach, which won both a Macmillan Team Excellence Award and a UK Nursing Standard Award, means every patient is given their own individual care plan post-treatment. As part of a Recovery Package, patients are educated on what to do and who to contact should a problem occur and are also invited to a health and wellbeing event for additional support. Liz Henderson, former Programme Lead on Transforming Cancer Follow-Up, said: Partnership working between Macmillan and the Health and Social Care Board, a cohesive programme team and engaged clinical leaders were essential elements in bringing about transformation. While the change process was challenging at the time, the innovative approach has now become embedded in business-as-usual. In addition to reducing pressure on the system, this more holistic approach takes account of the changing needs of people living with cancer and empowers them towards greater self-management. Heather Montverde, Head of Services for Macmillan in Northern Ireland, added: We were delighted to welcome Andy and the team to share the benefit of our experiences. As the cancer landscape changes and demand for services continues to grow, its increasingly important to review how we deliver care and where improvements can be made. Richard Pugh, Head of Services for Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales, added: True cancer care is not just about adding years to life. It is about helping people to live the fullest life they can in the years they have been given. The Transforming Cancer Follow-Up programme recognises that the impact of cancer can reach into every corner of a persons life, and create a wide range of financial, practical and emotional needs that go far wider than what happens in hospital. BCUHBs Transforming Cancer Services Together programme, which launched in February, has been set up to improve services in North Wales and is looking specifically at breast, lung, colorectal and urological cancers. There are a large number of redesign programmes underway by Macmillan and its partners but this is the first in Wales to look at a patients entire journey; from referral by a GP, to treatment in hospital, to living with and beyond cancer. The programme will be shaped by the ideas and input of clinicians, partners and most importantly, people affected by cancer. More information about the programme and how to get involved can be found here. (Click for large) Police appeal for help in locating a Flintshire man last seen at Maelor Hospital This article is old - Published: Saturday, Apr 20th, 2019 North Wales Police have launched an appeal for help locating a man from Greenfield in Flintshire who was last seen at Maelor Hospital in the early hours of this morning, Saturday April 20. A police update on social media states: Observations please for Barry Wayne Thorley 11051986 from Greenfield, Flintshire. Last seen in Wrexham Maelor Hospital in the early hours 20/04/2019. Described as 511 , grey hooded top, grey joggers. If you have seen Barry or know where he may be police ask you contact them on 101 stating reference number X053297. (Click for large) Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-13 04:28:37|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Prime Minister of Montenegro Dusko Markovic in Dubrovnik, Croatia, April 12, 2019. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) DUBROVNIK, Croatia, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday that China is willing to enhance cooperation with Montenegro in economy, trade, investment, clean energy as well as transport infrastructure. Li made the remarks during his meeting with Montenegro's Prime Minister Dusko Markovic on the sidelines of the eighth leaders' meeting between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) held at the southern Croatian coastal city of Dubrovnik. The Chinese premier noted that China and Montenegro have maintained a traditional friendship and deep political mutual trust. He encouraged businesses of the two countries to conduct negotiations based on market-oriented principles. China hopes to achieve steady and positive progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation and join Montenegro in gaining further development of bilateral friendship and cooperation, said the premier. Markovic said Montenegro and China share a friendly relationship, and bilateral relations have maintained good momentum for development. Montenegro hopes to step up alignment and cooperation with China in areas including transport infrastructure, industries and green energy, Markovic said. Markovic also said that Montenegro has actively participated in China-CEEC practical cooperation, and expects to further bilateral relations to benefit the peoples of the two countries. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-19 02:42:30|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) is launching a new global campaign to emphasize the power and safety of vaccines among parents and wider social media users, the fund said Thursday. The campaign will run alongside World Immunization Week from April 24-30 to spread the message that communities, including parents, can protect everyone through vaccines. This year, UNICEF is partnering with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, and Gavi to further promote #VaccinesWork on social media. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will contribute 1 U.S. dollar to UNICEF for every like or share of social media posts using the hashtag #VaccinesWork in April, up to 1 million dollars, said UNICEF. "We want the awareness that #VaccinesWork to go viral," said Robin Nandy, UNICEF's chief of immunization. "Vaccines are safe, and they save lives. This campaign is an opportunity to show the world that social media can be a powerful force for change and provide parents with trustworthy information on vaccines." Vaccines, which save up to 3 million lives every year, are one of the most cost-effective health tool ever invented: every U.S. dollar spent on childhood immunization returns up to 44 dollars in benefits, said UNICEF. Despite the benefits of vaccines, an estimated 1.5 million children died of vaccine-preventable diseases in 2017. While this is often due to lack of access to vaccines, in some countries families are delaying or refusing to vaccinate their children because of complacency or skepticism about vaccines, said UNICEF. This has resulted in several outbreaks, including an alarming surge in measles, especially in higher-income countries. Uncertainty about vaccines on digital and social media platforms is one of the factors driving this trend, it said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-19 20:46:56|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Singapore-operated Gleneagles JPMC Sdn Bhd has agreed to fund two health-related projects of the Brunei government. According to a statement on the Ministry of Healths website, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday, saying that Gleneagles JPMC Sdn Bhd will provide 120,000 Brunei dollars (88,554 U.S. dollars) for the countrys Workplace and Health (WAH!) Programme and the Happy Environment and Lifestyle (HEAL) Programme. (This) is one of biggest collaborations of a public private partnership (PPP) ever held between the two signatories, said the ministry. Gleneagles JPMC is a joint venture between Bruneis government and Parkway Pantai Limited, a regional private healthcare group based in Singapore. The latter handles the operations of Gleneagles JPMC, which provides healthcare services to cardiac patients. The WAH! Programme looks to encourage workplaces to provide supportive environment and actions for employees to be more active, eat healthy, be smoke-free and have good mental wellbeing. Its aim is to develop and strengthen workplace healthy lifestyle programmes or workplace health promotion programmes in all government ministries by the year 2021, said the Ministry of Health. The HEAL Programme, meanwhile, will provide support for physical activity interventions in the community settings through building, strengthening and maintaining social networks that create opportunities for physical activities. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-19 22:28:13|Editor: zh Video Player Close GUANGZHOU, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A total of 198 flights were canceled as of 5 p.m. Friday at the Baiyun International Airport in south China's Guangzhou city after torrential rain hit the city. A further 70 outbound flights at the airport have been delayed and 23 incoming planes landed at other airports. A rain storm hit most parts of the Pearl River Delta area, including Guangzhou, and eastern Guangdong province on Friday, according to the provincial meteorological observatory. The observatory said that rainstorms are still likely to occur in the next three days, warning the Pearl River Delta region against another round of torrential rain on Saturday. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-19 23:54:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close JAKARTA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- One of terminals of the airport I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali resort Island of Indonesia caught fire on Friday, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded, a transport ministry senior official said. The fire started at 16:50 p.m. local time and no casualty report has so far been reached, spokesman of the transport ministry Hengki Angkasawan told Xinhua via phone. The fire had caused 19 flight delays and cancellations, he said. The fire at the terminal serving for domestic departures and arrivals was extinguished at 17:20 p.m. local time and the operation of the airport resumed, said Hengki. All passengers have been evacuated, he said. I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport serves mostly foreign and domestic holiday makers. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 02:04:45|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close HANOI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The 44th Meeting of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) Executive Board officially took place here on Friday, centering discussions on topics including fake news and fact-checking. Addressing the meeting's opening ceremony, Vietnamese deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said that in recent years, in the wake of numerous forms of communications based on modern technologies as well as fast and wide dissemination of fake news, the OANA serves as not only a channel to provide information to news organizations and partners, but also a fact checker to help bolster the trust of the public in traditional press. According to him, pursuing a more professional and innovative approach to journalism will lend news organizations the strength to captivate audience and bolster the public's confidence, especially when fake news are doing damage to the image of the press. In his speech at the meeting, OANA President Aslan Aslanov, who is also chairman of the board of AZERTAC (state news agency of Azerbaijan), said that as online media and social networks are expanding and a dangerous trend such as fake news is growing, "we must make continuous efforts in order to address these challenges and maintain the accuracy, objectivity and impartiality of news." He called for OANA members to immediately apply innovations, continue to modernize their organizations and create more flexible news exchange mechanisms. Themed "For Professional and Innovative Journalism," the meeting was attended by about 40 delegates from China's Xinhua News Agency, Russia's ITAR-TASS, Japan's Kyodo, South Korea's Yonhap, among others. A photo exhibition of 11 news agencies, including Xinhua, was held on the sidelines of the meeting. At the meeting's closing ceremony, the Executive Board announced the OANA Award for Excellence in News Agency Quality. Xinhua News Agency and Vietnam News Agency shared the first prize. Founded in 1961 in Bangkok, the OANA, which groups 44 news agencies from 35 countries, aims to increase and facilitate a free flow of news and information and also to promote the availability of news information to people of the world. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 02:39:51|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Xie Fuzhan (C), president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), delivers a speech at a seminar in Rome, Italy on April 18, 2019. A seminar was held here Thursday, where Chinese and Italian scholars gathered to discuss Sino-Italian and Sino-European relations as well as globalization. (Xinhua/Cheng Tingting) ROME, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A seminar was held here Thursday, where Chinese and Italian scholars gathered to discuss Sino-Italian and Sino-European relations as well as globalization. "The signing of a memorandum of understanding on jointly advancing the Belt and Road construction between China and Italy will further tap bilateral cooperation potential," said Xie Fuzhan, president of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), in a speech delivered at the seminar. Xie said China will participate in the renovation and expansion of Italy's Genoa and Trieste ports, and in the future the two ports are expected to be the new Belt and Road hubs in the Mediterranean region, which will give full play to Italy's regional and economic strengths in Belt and Road construction. Xie believed that by enhancing communication and exploring consensus, the European Union's Strategy on Connecting Europe and Asia and the Belt and Road Initiative can boost Asia-Europe cooperation with mutual benefits and win-win outcomes, and better tackle global challenges. When it comes to the future of globalization, Agostino Giovagnoli, Executive Board member of Italy's Luigi Sturzo Institute (ILS), said: "We cannot talk about contemporary Italy -- as for any country in the world -- without talking about the globalization process in which China is playing an increasing role." Great importance has also been attached to the cultural globalization. A common vision is indispensable to the development of stable bilateral relations and mutually-beneficial cooperation, according to Giovagnoli. "A common vision means a whole of knowledge, opinions, and perspectives based on an agreement not limited to extemporaneous interests and goals. It requires an in-depth intercultural dialogue." "This is the reason why -- among the five (cooperation) priorities of the Belt & Road Initiative -- there is the goal of boosting people-to-people relations. This means developing a robust intercultural dialogue... it must involve as many people as possible," said Giovagnoli. The seminar was jointly organized by CASS, ILS and Italy's Center for the Study of Contemporary China. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 03:45:08|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump spoke over phone with Libyan army commander Khalifa Haftar on Monday, discussing "ongoing counterterrorism efforts," said the White House on Friday. The two also discussed the need to achieve peace and stability in Libya and the war-torn country's "transition to a stable, democratic political system," according to a White House statement. The White House did not explain why it released the statement days after the phone call took place. The east-based army, led by Haftar, has been leading a military campaign since early April to take over Libya's capital city of Tripoli where the UN-backed government is based. A total of 213 people have been killed and 1,009 others injured in the fighting between the Libyan government and the east-based army in and around Tripoli so far, the World Health Organization said Friday. Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition amid insecurity and chaos ever since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 04:20:21|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close WASHINGTON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday the United States will continue to work to negotiate with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to achieve the Korean Peninsula denuclearization. Pompeo's remarks came after Pyongyang test-fired a new tactical guided weapon earlier this week. "I'm convinced we still have a real opportunity to achieve that outcome (the denuclearization), and our diplomatic team will continue to remain in the lead," said the top U.S. diplomat at a joint press conference in the State Department with visiting senior Japanese officials. Pompeo swept aside Pyongyang's demand about replacing him by someone "more careful and mature" to deal with the talks. "Nothing's changed. We're continuing to work to negotiate. I'm still in charge of the team," he said. The DPRK's state media Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday that Kim Jong Un, top leader of the DPRK, supervised the test-firing of a new tactical guided weapon on Wednesday. Pentagon spokesperson Charles Summers Jr. confirmed on Thursday that the tactical-level weapons test posed no threat to the United States and regional allies. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 04:20:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Unknown gunmen opened fire during an ambush and killed a Yemeni security officer in the southwestern province of Taiz on Friday, a government official told Xinhua. The government source who asked to remain anonymous said that a group of unknown gunmen ambushed a security patrol in Wadi Madam area in the southeastern part of Taiz province, 256 km south of the country's capital Sanaa. He said that the armed attack resulted in the killing of a senior security officer named as Mahmoud Humaidi, and the injury of other security personnel in the area. The source added that the patrol was returning from a security mission when the attack occurred, indicating that the gunmen managed to flee the area. Extremist elements linked to the Islamic State group or the Yemen-based al-Qaida branch are active in the center of Taiz, which is controlled by the government forces. Government forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition have been locked in constant clashes with the Houthi rebels in the north, east and west sides of Taiz province since April 2015. Yemen has been locked into a civil war since late 2014, when Shiite Houthi rebels overran much of the country and seized all northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa. The civil war has killed more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, displaced 3 million others, and pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 05:00:35|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Friday that experts from nine civil aviation authorities had confirmed their participation in a panel to review the Boeing 737 Max flight control system. The panel participants include those from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and other international aviation authorities from Australia, Brazil, Canada, EU, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, according to FAA. FAA said the team is scheduled to have the first meeting on April 29 and its work is expected to take 90 days. The team will evaluate aspects of the 737 MAX automated flight control system, including its design and pilots' interaction with the system, to determine "its compliance with all applicable regulations and to identify future enhancements that might be needed." Boeing has been under intense scrutiny of the public and federal regulators amid mounting concern about the safety of its 737 MAX aircraft, which was involved in a crash of Indonesian Lion Air Flight 610 (JT610) last October and a crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (ET302) in mid-March this year. The two crashes killed a total of 346 people. Investigators have zeroed in on the flight control system as a possible factor behind the two deadly tragedies. The CAAC ordered China's airlines to suspend commercial operations of all Boeing 737-8 airplanes after the ET302 crash. Boeing 737-8 is a type of 737 MAX aircraft. A CAAC official said this week that evaluation of the airworthiness of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplanes must be completed and their flight safety guaranteed before resuming operation. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 05:40:44|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (2nd R), Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan (1st R), Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono (2nd L) and Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya (1st L) participate in a joint press conference at the State Department in Washington D.C., the United States, on April 19, 2019. U.S. and Japanese senior officials met on Friday in Washington, discussing bilateral relations, cross-domain cooperation and the Korean Peninsula denuclearization, among other issues. (Xinhua/Ting Shen) WASHINGTON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. and Japanese senior officials met on Friday in Washington, discussing bilateral relations, cross-domain cooperation and the Korean Peninsula denuclearization, among other issues. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan held talks with their Japanese counterparts at the State Department on Friday morning, said the U.S. State Department in a statement released later in the day. They vowed to strengthen the security partnership and enhance cooperation in cross-domain areas including space, cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum, the statement said. The two sides also discussed the U.S. negotiation with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to achieve the Korean Peninsula denuclearization, while the Japanese officials, namely Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya, reiterated Japan's concern about the Japanese nationals allegedly abducted by the DPRK in the 1970s and 1980s. U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton tweeted that he also met with the visiting Japanese officials on Friday morning at the White House. The high-level bilateral meeting occurred a week ahead of the scheduled visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Washington on April 26-27. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 06:10:51|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close CHICAGO, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The trial of Brendt Christensen, the accused kidnapper and killer of visiting Chinese scholar Zhang Yingying in 2017, will be streamed from the courthouse in Peoria to a viewing room at the Urbana courthouse in the U.S. state of Illinois, local media have reported. CBS Chicago said Thursday that Christensen's trial will begin on June 3 in Peoria. A federal judge last year agreed to move the trial from Urbana, where the case happened, to Peoria, citing courthouse space and docket management issues. People outside of the Peoria area will still be able to watch the trial because the judge has decided to allow the trial to be streamed to a viewing room in Urbana, according to CBS Chicago. Zhang's family is planning to go to Illinois from China for the trial, according to their attorney, Steve Beckett, though they have not decided whether they will stay in Peoria, where the trial was moved to, or Urbana, where they developed strong ties with the community, according to The News-Gazette. Zhang, 26, went missing on June 9, 2017, after getting into a black Saturn Astra about five blocks from where she got off a bus on her way to an apartment complex to sign a lease. Christensen was arrested on June 30, 2017, after being caught on tape pointing out people he described as "ideal victims" during a vigil in Zhang's honor. On July 5, U.S. Magistrate Judge Eric I. Long ordered that Christensen remain detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 07:21:18|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close WASHINGTON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke over phone with British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Thursday on issues related to Libya and Yemen, said the U.S. State Department on Friday. Pompeo talked with Hunt on key global priorities, including resolving the conflicts in Libya and Yemen, said Morgan Ortagus, the newly appointed spokeswoman for the State Department. On Libya, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue diplomatic efforts to achieve a freeze on the ground and a return to the political process, Ortagus said. Pompeo and Hunt, referring to the Yemen situation, agreed that all parties must make good on the commitments they made in Sweden to allow the political process to move forward, the spokeswoman added. The two also vowed to strengthen bilateral ties in the face of global challenges. The east-based army, led by Khalifa Haftar, has been leading a military campaign since early April to take over Libya's Tripoli where the UN-backed government is based. A total of 213 people have been killed and 1,009 others injured in the fighting between the Libyan government and the east-based army in and around Tripoli so far, the World Health Organization said Friday. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi rebels overtook the capital Sanaa and ousted the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Houthis since 2015. Last December, parties to the conflict accepted a plan for the redeployment of forces under a ceasefire deal that offered the best hope in years of moving toward an end of the war. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 09:36:50|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The following are highlights of China's key news on archaeology from the past week: -- China confirms oldest tomb with squatting owner A 13,500-year-old tomb with a headless woman "squatting" inside was confirmed as the oldest Chinese tomb where the owner was laid to rest in a certain posture. The tomb is part of the Qingtang ruins in the city of Yingde, southern China's Guangdong Province. From within the tomb, archaeologists have unearthed remains of a female aged between 13 and 18 years old with her head missing for unknown reasons. It is the oldest tomb found in China with a squatting owner or an owner whose body was deliberately placed in a specific position, said Liu Suoqiang, who heads the Qingtang ruins excavation project. -- 17,000-year-old pottery fragments found in southern China Chinese archaeologists have found pottery fragments dating back about 17,000 years in southern China's Guangdong Province. The paleolithic pottery fragments discovered in the Qingtang ruins in the city of Yingde provide more proof that southern China might be the first region where pottery was ever produced. More than 10,000 pieces have been unearthed in the ruins since 2016 including fossils of human bones, stoneware and pottery. -- China improves Great Wall protection China's National Cultural Heritage Administration has vowed to strengthen the protection of the Great Wall, which is more than 21,000 km long. The protection and restoration work should ensure that the Great Wall relics remain where they originally existed and maintain their original look. The Great Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of many interconnected walls, some dating back 2,000 years. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 09:56:53|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The following are highlights of China's key local business news from the past week. -- CHANG'AN SALES Chongqing Chang'an Automobile Co. Ltd., a leading Chinese automobile manufacturer and listed arm of Chang'an Automobile Group, forecast a loss of 1.7 billion yuan to 2.5 billion yuan (253.5 million to 372.8 million U.S. dollars) for the first quarter of 2019. In a filing to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Chang'an said it reversed to the loss from a net profit of 1.39 billion yuan in the first three months in 2018 and attributed the loss to poor sales. -- QIHOO 360 REVENUE Chinese leading internet security company Qihoo 360 reported its total revenues reached 13.13 billion yuan (about 1.95 billion U.S. dollars) in 2018, up 7.28 percent year on year. Internet advertisement and services, value-added internet services and intelligent hardware were major revenue contributors, which reached 10.66 billion yuan, 1.18 billion yuan and 1.02 billion yuan respectively. -- GREYBIRD VENTURES INVESTMENT American venture capital firm GreyBird Ventures signed an agreement with Chinese med-tech company JF Healthcare, pledging an investment of 5 million U.S. dollars to help the company develop intelligent technologies for better diagnosis at the community level. It is GreyBird Ventures's first investment project in the Asia-Pacific region. -- VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCTION Volkswagen plans to produce 11.6 million electric cars in China by 2028. The company will cooperate with joint ventures including FAW-Volkswagen and SAIC Volkswagen to accomplish the goal. Volkswagen plans to make 22 million electric cars around the world by 2028. -- IFLYTEK NET PROFIT China's major artificial intelligence (AI) company iFlytek registered a net profit increase of 24.71 percent in 2018. The company's net profit reached 542 million yuan (80.8 million U.S. dollars) last year. The company's total revenue rose 45.41 percent year on year to 7.92 billion yuan. Growing business in educational, judicial and healthcare services that the company provided was one of the major contributors to the increase. -- LUCKIN'S FINANCING Chinese start-up Luckin Coffee has completed its Series B+ round of financing worth 150 million U.S. dollars. The funding, among which 125 million U.S. dollars are invested by BlackRock, which came four months after the coffee chain picked up 200 million U.S. dollars in investment, lifts the company's valuation to about 2.9 billion U.S. dollars. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 10:01:56|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close GENEVA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) may help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) tackle infrastructure obstacles they encounter in global trade, the head of the International Trade Center (ITC) has said. "The small and medium enterprises face two kinds of obstacles to participating in international trade," which are big infrastructure obstacles and softer infrastructure ones, said Arancha Gonzalez recently in an interview with Xinhua. The BRI tries to address big infrastructure issues, she said, suggesting that the BRI would be also focused on softer connectivity issues. "That's what helps them (SMEs) connect to the big trade highways," she said. She expects the BRI to be transparent, inclusive and sustainable. "Transparency that gives everybody the sense that they can be part of this initiative," she said. She also stressed the importance of inclusion, to make the BRI "for 99 percent of businesses, for the small and medium enterprises that are the backbones of any of our economies." The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) will be held on April 25-27 in Beijing, with a theme titled "Belt and Road Cooperation, Shaping a Brighter Shared Future." "I would expect that this second version (of the BRF) would be about targets, roadmaps, objectives, for which the involvement of the private sector is essential and for which having CEOs seated around the table would be important," said Gonzalez. The Geneva-based ITC is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations. It assists SMEs in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets. File Photo taken on Aug. 13, 2014 shows an Indian Naval ship (INS) Kolkata berths at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, India. (Xinhua) NEW DELHI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- India's indigenous stealth destroyer INS Kolkata and fleet tanker INS Shakti will participate in the international fleet review in Qingdao, China, as part of the celebrations of the 70th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, official sources in the Indian Navy said Friday. The two ships are scheduled to arrive in Qingdao on April 21, and will participate in the maritime parade on April 23. The harbor stay of the Indian navy ships will be marked by interaction between personnel of participating navies, courtesy calls to various dignitaries of PLA navy and government officials, professional exchanges and various sporting events. Ships will be open for visits by PLA navy personnel and local populace, said an official statement issued by the Indian navy. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 10:32:06|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Marine scientists here said Friday that ship strikes were the likely cause of recent deaths of gray whales found in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Marine Mammal Center, a North California-based private, non-profit U.S. organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating sick or injured marine mammals, confirmed that a gray whale found dead on a beach in Pacifica, California earlier this week died "from blunt force trauma that can be attributed to a ship strike." This is the second gray whale that scientists confirmed was killed by a ship strike this month. A necropsy completed Thursday on another gray whale carcass that surfaced last week in Richmond, California suggested the marine mammal died from a ship strike, and it might be the mother of the calf that died from the same cause last week. Increased numbers of gray whales have been sighted in the area as the population migrates north this spring, the center said. Investigating each death is critical for decision-makers to advise on shipping speeds in areas where whales are known to travel, said Padraig Duignan, chief research pathologist at the Marine Mammal Center. Blunt-force trauma from ship strikes, malnutrition and entanglements are the most common causes of death in whales, according to the center's scientists. Duignan said seven gray whales have been found killed in the San Francisco Bay Area since this year. Gray whales are one of the most frequently sighted whales in California, and they pass by California in December and January during their southern migration, and again in April and May on their northern journey between Baja California, the northernmost state of Mexico, and Alaska, the northwestern U.S. state, according to the center. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 10:32:09|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close MOSCOW, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Russian oil giant Rosneft said Friday it intended to ask law enforcers to ban Reuters in Russia over its report suggesting that Rosneft had helped Venezuela to bypass U.S. sanctions. "This structure is systematically engaged in creating and disseminating biased disinformation, legalizing rumors in the interests of its customers and inventing pretexts for damaging the Russian economy, Russian companies and the Russian state," Rosneft said in a statement. On Thursday, Reuters published a report, quoting sources and documents it obtained, in which it said that "Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA has started passing invoices from its oil sales to Rosneft." "The Russian energy giant pays PDVSA immediately at a discount to the sale price -- avoiding the usual 30-to-90 day timeframe for completing oil transactions -- and collects the full amount later from the buyer," Reuters reported. Since January, after Washington imposed tough restrictions on PDVSA, the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been in talks with Moscow about ways to circumvent a ban on clients paying PDVSA in dollars, Reuters said. Rosneft itself has been under U.S. sanctions since 2014, but it continues to operate successfully, although former U.S. partners of Rosneft were forced by Washington to curtail cooperation with it. Russia has repeatedly said the U.S. sanctions are illegal. Venezuela has been plunged into a political crisis since Jan. 23 when opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the country's interim president and was recognized by the United States and some other countries. Washington has stepped up pressure on Maduro by backing Guaido and piling financial and economic sanctions against Venezuela and its state-owned oil company. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 11:12:26|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close CARACAS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro vowed to defeat the "new imperialists who seek to rob our sacred treasure, freedom" as the country marked the 209th anniversary of the start of its independence from Spanish rule on Friday. On April 19, 1810, Venezuelans deposed the governor and captain general, Vicente Emparan, as well as other high-ranking Spaniards, sending them into exile. A year later, in 1811, Venezuela celebrated the signing of the Act of Independence. "In 1810, we took the first steps toward independence, by refusing to recognize the authority of the Spanish imperialist on our land," Maduro wrote on his Twitter account. "With that same rebellion, today we confront new imperialists who seek to rob our sacred treasure, freedom. We will defeat them!" Maduro said. Maduro's remarks came as the United States has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Venezuelan government in support of the opposition leader Juan Guaido who declared himself interim president on Jan. 23. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 11:57:39|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close LIMA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A Peruvian judge ordered 36 months of preventive prison for ex-President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski on Friday as authorities investigate his alleged involvement in a corruption case. Peru's judicial authority said via its Twitter account that Kuczynski, who is currently on a 10-day detention since April 10, "is being investigated for money laundering ... being a part of a criminal organization." Last week, Kuczynski was arrested during an ongoing investigation into Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht and its alleged bribery of government officials. Congressman Gilbert Violeta recently said Kuczynski had been hospitalized due to a cardiac issue that resulted from the preliminary detention order. Kuczynski has been under investigation since 2017, following revelations that Odebrecht paid him when he was minister of economy and finance under former President Alejandro Toledo, for his services as a consultant. Toledo, in office during 2001-2006, is charged with having received 20 million U.S. dollars in bribes from Odebrecht in exchange for the contract to build the Interoceanic Highway linking Peru and Brazil. Peru is seeking the extradition of Toledo from the United States. Kuczynski resigned from the presidency in March 2018, following the release of a video showing his allies trying to buy votes from opposition lawmakers ahead of a second impeachment vote over the corruption scandal. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 12:52:56|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close HAVANA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Exactly one year ago, millions around the world watched as former Cuban President Raul Castro raised the hand of new leader Miguel Diaz-Canel, a moment that sealed the historic generational transition in the island nation. Twelve months after his election by the country's National Assembly, Diaz-Canel has set a new style of government amid a complex economic situation due to tougher U.S. sanctions, financial restrictions and the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, the Caribbean nation's ally. It has been usual to see him inspect state institutions, and appear at regular government meetings on key sectors of Cuba's economy. Many compare his style to late leader, Fidel Castro, who worked endless hours and had constant interaction with the people. "He's a very active president who travels all over the country, goes to remote areas with his ministers and talks about what's really happening in Cuba whether on national television or with the people. What he's doing now wasn't done before," Sergio Rodriguez, a Havana state worker, told Xinhua. Of a calm and confident demeanor, an elegant presence, sharp looks and a reserved personality, Diaz-Canel has been constantly busy working on domestic issues and developing an intense foreign policy agenda. He has met with several world leaders in Cuba and abroad, intensifying cooperation with countries like Venezuela, China, Russia, Vietnam and Spain, while ties with the United States have seriously deteriorated. "There's a tense relation with the United States which has applied new measures to harden the economic blockade and trade with our country," said Luis Alberto Ruiz, a Cuban senior citizen. Increasing economic efficiency has been his priority in a tense scenario where oil shipments from Venezuela have substantially decreased and exports haven't reached their projected volumes. "Diaz-Canel's main challenge is to straighten out the economy for Cubans to have better salaries and reduce financial problems," Yariel Lugo, a Cuban private worker, told Xinhua. However, the nation's cash crunch has led to an annual debt of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars, according to official figures, which will likely affect Cuba's economic performance this year and the projected gross domestic product growth of 1.5 percent. At last week's National Assembly session, Economy Minister Alejandro Gil said the country is still heavily dependent on imports of food and oil which are expected to reach about 5 billion dollars in 2019. Shortages of certain goods like eggs, chicken, powdered milk, meat, flour and cooking oil have reminded Cubans of the "Special Period" in the 1990s following the collapse of the former Soviet Union. "This harsh moment demands we set clearly defined priorities in order not to return to the worst moments of the special period," said Diaz-Canel last week at a special parliament session. Cubans are confident that the new and younger leader can set the economy straight and move forward despite troubles. Diaz-Canel faces several challenges ahead in economic matters: the urgent need for a salary reform, ending the double currency system, and a law on small and medium-size private companies, among others. One of his most successful policies has been to substantially increase Internet access in the nation with widespread mobile broadband service. He is also the first Cuban leader to open an account on Twitter and other social networks and has pushed forward e-government and commerce to establish direct contact with the people. "He's had a positive communication strategy ... I think it's good that he opened a Twitter account as people can have direct interaction with him," Saily Moreno, a 19-year-old journalism student, said. In the coming years, said Diaz-Canel at the parliament session, his administration will focus on improving the economy and national defense due to Washington's constant threats against the Cuban revolution. Key areas like tourism, biotechnology, medical services abroad, renewable energies, food production and infrastructure will have a major role in the government's efforts to achieve better results in the future. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 13:28:08|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close QINGDAO, April 20 (Xinhua) -- A naval parade commemorating the 70th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy will be held in Qingdao and nearby sea areas and airspace on April 23, a senior navy officer said Saturday. China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, and latest nuclear submarines, destroyers and fighter jets will join the parade, Qiu Yanpeng, deputy commander of the PLA Navy, told a press conference. "Some vessels will make their debut for the first time," Qiu said. Altogether 32 Chinese vessels and 39 warplanes will take part in the event, according to Qiu. The vessels will sail in six groups, namely, those of submarines, destroyers, frigates, landing ships, auxiliary ships, and aircraft carrier. The planes will fly in 10 echelons, showcasing aircraft for early warning, reconnaissance, anti-submarine patrol, as well as bombers, fighters, carrier-based fighters, and carrier-based helicopters, Qiu said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 13:38:12|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close QINGDAO, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy has been active in providing security products for the international community since its founding, a senior naval officer said Saturday. Qiu Yanpeng, deputy commander of the navy, made the remarks at a press conference for the upcoming multinational naval events in celebration of the navy's 70th founding anniversary. The navy has paid over 100 visits to 94 countries and 138 ports, and has held more than 60 joint military drills with foreign navies over the 70 years, according to Qiu. Since 2008, the navy has sent 32 escort fleets, 103 vessels, 69 helicopters and more than 27,000 officers and soldiers to escort over 6,600 vessels, more than a half of which were foreign merchant ships, he added. Since 2010, the naval hospital ship Peace Ark has traveled to 43 countries and regions and provided free medical services to over 230,000 people, Qiu said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 14:13:24|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close WASHINGTON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A severe storm that swept through Southern United States has killed four people in the states of Mississippi and Alabama, authorities said Friday. A 63-year-old man died at the hospital after a tree trunk rolled onto him on Thursday, Lincoln County Coroner Clay McMorris told local media in Mississippi. Two other people in the state lost their lives while driving. In Pell City, Alabama, a 42-year-old woman died after a tree fell on her mobile home. The storm on Thursday battered multiple states, including Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, with Mississippi sustaining the most severe damage. More than 100,000 people are reportedly left without power. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 14:38:36|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Friday stressed efforts to strengthen studies of the May Fourth Movement and spirit, and motivate young people to make unremitting contributions to national rejuvenation. Xi made the remarks at a group study session of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau as the 100th anniversary of the movement draws near. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 14:58:43|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close QINGDAO, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has been active in providing security products for the international community since its founding, a senior naval officer said Saturday. Qiu Yanpeng, deputy commander of the navy, made the remarks at a press conference for the upcoming multinational naval events in celebration of the navy's 70th founding anniversary. The PLA Navy is always a force of peace, and will never pose a threat to any other country, he said. The navy has paid over 100 visits to 94 countries and 138 ports, and has held more than 60 joint military drills with foreign navies over the 70 years, according to Qiu. Since 2008, the navy has sent 32 escort fleets, 103 vessels, 69 helicopters and more than 27,000 officers and soldiers to escort over 6,600 vessels, more than a half of which were foreign merchant ships, he continued. Since 2010, the naval hospital ship Peace Ark has traveled to 43 countries and regions and provided free medical services to over 230,000 people, Qiu said. In 2015, a Chinese naval vessel evacuated 621 Chinese citizens and over 270 people of other nationalities from war-torn Yemen, he added. The Chinese Navy will continue to work hard to promote world peace, facilitate global development and safeguard the international order, while making new greater contributions to global and regional peace and stability, as well as the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Qiu said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 16:34:56|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close A Kashmiri villager holds a torch made of pinewood during a torch light festival (locally called Frov) outside a shrine in Aishmuqam village of Anantnag district, about 70 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir on April 19, 2019. Kashmiri villagers celebrated torch light festival ahead of the new agricultural season, when they begin ploughing their fields after winter. (Xinhua/Javed Dar) Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 16:39:46|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will be an efficient way to address the imbalance in global infrastructure development, according to U.S. engineering firm AECOM. Under the BRI, financing platforms including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Fund have emerged, which will help narrow the development gap, said Ian Chung, chief executive of AECOM for Greater China. "The BRI is an opportunity for all. It is open, inclusive, and will bring economic development to the next level," Chung told Xinhua. According to Chung, countries and regions of different development phases can all benefit from the BRI, especially in infrastructure. For developing economies, such as some in Africa, the BRI will significantly improve local infrastructure connectivity and boost economic growth, Chung said. For fast-growing economies such as some in Southeast Asia, Chinese firms could share their experience in high efficiency and green construction via the BRI to meet the rising demand for sustainable infrastructure, he said. As for many other developed countries, the demand for infrastructure still abounds, as many existing facilities are becoming aged, he added. The BRI has opened plenty of opportunities for AECOM, as the company has been partnering with Chinese firms on many overseas projects, offering consulting services on design, local regulations, environmental and safety standards. "Chinese firms excel in construction and financing, while we share a competitive edge in project design, knowledge of local regulations, procedures as well as culture. It's a win-win for all of us," Chung said. Seeing business opportunities from the BRI, the company set up a new department in its Beijing office three years ago to work with Chinese firms on BRI projects. The firm just opened its new offices in Chengdu and Changsha, following the set-up of its China headquarters in Shanghai last year, another sign that shows the company's confidence in China's development, Chung said. "I am very optimistic that we will have more value-added cooperation with Chinese firms under the BRI," Chung said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 16:49:53|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close ASTANA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The 11 people killed in a bus accident in Kazakhstan on early Saturday morning are citizens of Uzbekistan, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has said. "There was a major traffic accident on the Kordai highway. 11 people, Uzbek citizens, were killed and many were injured. My condolences to their families," Tokayev tweeted. Earlier in the day, the Kazakh Interior Ministry said that a bus accident has killed 11 people and injured 29 others. The accident took place in the Kordai district in the southern Zhambyl region when a car collided with a truck on the highway and a following passenger bus made a rollover in order to avoid a collision with the vehicles, according to the ministry. A pre-trial investigation was launched under the criminal code, while investigators from the Interior Ministry and the police office are working to establish the circumstances of the accident. The Head of the Arab League (AL) mission to follow up the constitutional amendments referendum Haifa Abu Ghazaleh lauded the voting process of this important event as well as the vital role played by the National Election Authority in supervising the referendum. This remark came during Abu Ghazaleh's inspection of a number of polling stations in Cairo's district of Zamalek in order to follow up the voting process. In statements on Saturday, Abu Ghazaleh said that the voting process began smoothly in the polling stations despite the delay in some places, adding that the voters asserted that the referendum's logistics were available. The voters highlighted also the key role played by the army and police personnel in securing the voting process, she added Search Keywords: Short link: Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 16:54:57|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close DAMASCUS, April 20 (Xinhua) -- At least 35 government forces have been killed over the past 48 hours as a result of intense Islamic State (IS) attack in eastern Syria, a war monitor reported on Saturday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the IS militants have launched intense attacks on Syrian government's forces in the desert region in eastern Syria since April 14. The most intense attack has been taking place over the past 48 hours when IS militants besieged two government forces' battalions near the town of Sukhneh in the eastern countryside of Homs province. Following the loss of its key areas, the IS militants are still present in a desert region estimated at 4,000 sq km in the desert region in eastern Syria, according to the observatory. The IS militants lost their last stronghold in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour province earlier this year to the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. With their latest offensives, the IS militants are trying to prove that they are capable of fomenting chaos and launch offensives in addition to the bombings that have taken place recently in a number of Syrian areas. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 17:30:26|Editor: zh Video Player Close By Bai Xu, Zhou Zihan, Pan Xiangyue ADELAIDE, Australia, April 20 (Xinhua) -- If he could travel back in time, Yuan Shichao would go back to 2011 to thank himself for his "crazy" decision. At that time, he was applying for the wine business major in the University of Adelaide in South Australia. Not accepted, he went directly to knock at the dean's door. "I struggled to use all the English words I knew about wine," the 30-year-old man recalled. "The dean was, I think, more surprised than persuaded, but he agreed to let me have a try," he said. It was the start of Yuan's story of wine. Now he is marketing officer with Nova Vita, a wine group in Adelaide hills of South Australia. In the past years, he saw a boost of wine trade between China and Australia. According to Wine Australia, Australian wine producers exported 2.82 billion Australian dollars' worth of product to the world (about 2 billion U.S. dollars) last year, of which 40 percent was sold to China, an increase of 18 percent from the previous year. NO LONGER LUXURY Wine, which appeared more on the screen than on dinner tables in China's ordinary families three decades ago, was once seen as an icon of petty bourgeois. After China's reform and opening up, people's living standard is improved and the population of middle class is on the rise. With the increase of international exchanges, wine became an ordinary drink with everyday dishes in many families. Yuan visited his father's friend in 2010 in Adelaide. "I was attracted by the vineyard," he said. After graduation, he found a job in Nova Vita, when the wine company was about the march into Chinese market. "In Australia the demand of wine was not as high as the supply. Therefore more than half of the products would be exported. As a Chinese, I joined the company at the right time," he said. Nova Vita was founded in 1999. Now the company boasts more than 66 hectares of vineyard, and could produce two million bottles of wine. "In the recent years our sales growth rate was about 80 percent," Yuan said. "During my first visit, most of the inquiries are about entry-level wine, what I call everyday drinking wine about 3 Australian dollars a bottle," Mark Kozned, managing director of Nova Vita, said. "Now most of the inquiries about wine are mid-level, something you can have at home with dinner or with good friends, or for premium wine which people tend to use for gift-giving especially around Mid-Autumn festival or the Chinese New Year," Kozned said. CHINESE BOND GROWING Kozned has visited China for more than 25 times since 2012, with the most recent visit the China International Import Expo (CIIE) last year. "CIIE last year was a fantastic event. It was well put on both by the Chinese government and the organizer," he told Xinhua. "I was impressed that the Chinese business people from around China that visited really wanted to do some business," he added. "Our achievement from the CIIE was that we gained three to four potential clients, and during the event we actually signed contracts. We discussed with three other parties post CIIE to send the wine in the next three to four months," he said. Since participation of the CIIE, Nova Vita has received orders for more than a dozen containers of wines to China. According to the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, China is the world's third largest market for imported wine behind the United States and Germany. The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement further reduced the tariff of Australian wine to China to zero. "It made Australian wine in Chinese market more and more competitive. We are closing on France as the No.1 wine supplier in volume into the Chinese market," Kozned said. Australia has also attached great importance to Chinese market. Last year, Wine Australia promoted Australian wine in China, with more than 100 companies involved. Australia wine reached not only metropolis like Beijing and Shanghai, but also smaller cities. Currently, Nova Vita has two branches in China, in east China's Zhejiang Province and southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Yuan, whose hometown is in Zhejiang, spends several months each year in China doing business. "More Chinese people joined in Australian wine companies," Yuan said. "I graduated in 2013, when I was the only one of more than 10 Chinese students to land a full-time job. Now that the Chinese students majoring in wine business haven't graduated yet, but most of them have received job offers," he said. MORE THAN JUST A JOB The bond between China and Australia wine is so close that Chinese people are not satisfied with just becoming employees in wine companies. Guo Song arrived in Australia in 2007. Two years later, he bought the Jarressa Estate with friends. In retrospect, he said that in the past three years, sales of wine in Chinese market grows at a rate of about 50 percent. In 2018, Jarressa sold more than 10 million bottles, of which 96 percent were sold to China. He also said that China is also affecting the wine industry in Australia. "Chinese people prefer red wine to the white, and the preference affected grape planting here," he said. With China's development and further opening up, Guo saw the wine industry as very promising. Whereas Kozned believed that the wine like an important bridge between China and Australia. He has decided to attend the second CIIE this year. "We will spend more time in preparation, and put on better presentation," he said. "The second time, you will always do things better," he added. Australia is to have the federal election in May. However, Kozned said that no matter who wins, and however the international trade environment changes, the wine trade between China and Australia will continue to boom. "We are like two brothers, China and Australia," he said. Chinese Ambassador to Russia Li Hui MOSCOW, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has facilitated the alignment of development strategies between China and Russia and raised bilateral relations to a higher level, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Li Hui said. He made the remark in an interview with Xinhua on Friday ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's trip to China for the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) slated for April 25-27 in Beijing. Putin's participation in the first and second forums demonstrates that the China-Russia ties are special, Li said. The ambassador recalled that in May 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin signed a joint declaration on cooperation in linking the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), drawing a new blueprint at a strategic level for the development of bilateral relations. The BRI, proposed in 2013, aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. The initiative comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Established in 2015, the EAEU is a grouping of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia, seeking to optimize the flow of goods and services among its members. The BRI has significantly expanded the room for China-Russia cooperation. Under the framework of the BRI-EAEU alignment, China and Russia, with complementary economic advantages, have further tapped their potential and embarked on practical cooperation in various areas, according to the envoy. China-Russia trade exceeded 100 billion U.S. dollars last year, setting a new record in history, Li noted. Bilateral cooperation in energy, aeronautics and astronautics and infrastructure has been consolidated, Li said, adding that cooperation in the high-tech field, agricultural product trade, e-commerce and finance has become new growth points, and bilateral trade structure has seen continuous optimization. He also noted that landmark practical cooperation projects, namely the China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline, China-Russia Tongjiang Railway Bridge and a cross-border highway bridge, will be completed this year. Li said the BRI has helped the two countries facilitate people-to-people exchanges and strengthen public opinions for a stronger bilateral relationship. In recent years, bilateral cultural exchanges have kept moving forward, and the two countries have held such state-level activities as the Year of Tourism, the China-Russia Youth Friendly Exchange Year, the China-Russia Media Exchange Year, and the year of China-Russia local cooperation and exchange, which have greatly promoted mutual understanding between the two peoples. In 2018, Chinese tourists made 1.8 million trips to Russia while Russian travelers made nearly 2 million trips to China, said Li, adding that the two countries have become major sources of tourists and travel destinations for each other. Currently, China and Russia both face the task of promoting economic development, improving people's livelihood, and realizing national rejuvenation, and enjoy enormous common interests, said Li, adding that the two countries need to grasp the historic opportunity, and take the joint construction of the Belt and Road as a chance to constantly expand two-way direct investment, step up economic and trade cooperation, and achieve sustainable economic growth. From forging their diplomatic ties to establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, the China-Russia relationship has seen 70 years of remarkable development, said Li, adding that the two sides have continuously deepened their ties, and found a right way to get along with each other through thick and thin. Strong political mutual trust is the most important feature of China-Russia ties and the basis of bilateral relations, Li said. He called on the two sides to abide by the spirit of the China-Russia treaty of good-neighborliness, uphold the traditional friendship, deepen mutual trust, support each other on issues concerning core interests, and lift China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination to a new level. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 19:06:07|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close MANILA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- A truck carrying more than 20 passengers on their way to a traditional event plunged into a ravine in the mountainous northern Philippine Kalinga province on Saturday, killing at least seven people and injuring 15 others. The police said the crash happened at 10:00 a.m. local time when an Isuzu Elf truck stalled on a steep slope, rolled backwards, and fell into a five-meter-deep ravine in a village called Malin-awa in Tabuk City in Kalinga province. Doctors said four passengers were dead on arrival at a local hospital while three others died during the treatment, police said. Police said the victims, all residents of New Tanglag village, also in Tabuk City, were headed to another village to visit a sick elder when the fatal accident happened. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 19:16:17|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close DAMASCUS, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday discussed with the visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov the cooperation between both countries including the energy sector, according to the state news agency SANA. The two sides discussed in the capital Damascus the cooperation between both countries on different levels as well as the agreements signed in the sectors of energy, industry, and trade, the report said. The Russian side demonstrated the phases of implementing the agreements and the obstacles facing them. Both sides discussed the obstacles facing the implementation of the agreements as a result of the Western sanctions imposed on Syria in order to expand the field of cooperation to include new sectors. Borisov also expressed his country's resolve to continue to support Syria until fully restoring security and stability. The Russian official's visit to Syria comes at a time the Syrian government is having a hard time securing fuel in the country as a result of the tightened U.S. sanctions on Syria. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 19:26:27|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close SHENZHEN, April 20 (Xinhua) -- One child died and one person was trapped after a ground collapse in the city of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province Saturday. The collapse took place at about 2 p.m. in an industrial park in the city's Nanshan district. A makeshift house was buried and two were reportedly trapped. As of 4:40 p.m., one child was found but confirmed dead. Firefighters are still searching for the other person. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 20:42:00|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close ANKARA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's Defense Ministry said on Saturday that four Turkish soldiers were killed and six others were injured on Friday in operation against Kurdistan militants near the border with Iraq. A military base was attacked on Friday night in Cukurca district in Turkey's southeastern province of Hakkari, Demiroren News Agency reported. The Turkish military responded immediately with a "large-scale" and intense strike. "The terrorists came under heavy fire from Turkish air operations and fire support," the ministry said in a statement. The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015 after a brief reconciliation period. The Turkish military has been carrying out anti-terror operations against PKK in northern Iraq since July 2015 with main focus on Qandil region, where the group's main base is located. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 20:52:06|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close NEW DELHI, April 20 (Xinhua) -- A wild elephant has killed five people, including three in a family, in eastern Indian state of Odisha, officials said Saturday. The deaths took place in two villages in Angul district, about 127 km north of Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. "Five persons were trampled to death by a lone tusker in two adjacent villages -- Sandha and Santhapada here during intervening night of Thursday and Friday," a police official in Angul said. "Of the five deceased, three belonged to one family." According to police, the deceased were sleeping on verandah of their houses when the elephant attacked them. Wildlife officials in Odisha said shortage of fodder in the forests forced elephants to venture inside villages and human habitations. Local media reports quoting Wildlife Society of Odisha (WSO), an environmental pressure group, said last year over 90 persons were killed in elephant attacks, in the state. "It took more than 12 hours for forest officials to tranquilize the rouge elephant," police official said. "No sooner the elephant was spotted at Kholua on the banks of the Bramahani river, veterinarians from Bhubaneswar's Nandankanan Zoological Park fire-shot tranquilizing darts." According to officials, the elephant was later de-tusked. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 21:07:09|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close LUSAKA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- A police officer on Saturday shot dead one person and injured three others in a shooting spree in Lusaka, the country's capital, the police said. The incident happened in the early hours of Saturday when the police officer went to a college to look for a student who he suspected was going out with his girlfriend, according to police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo. She said the police officer went on a shooting spree when people tried to control him after he wounded the student using a military knife. The police have since launched a manhunt for the officer who is on the run. Yellow Vest protestors demonstrated on Champs Elysees avenue. Clashes erupted with police. Several shops and restaurants have been vandalized or set on fire in Paris on March 16, 2019. "Yellow Vests" stage 23rd protest on April 20, amid fears of violence. (Xinhua/Alexandre Karmen) PARIS, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The "Yellow Vest" movement which symbolizes social rebellion against French President Emmanuel Macron continued for the 23rd demonstration in a row on Saturday, promising to draw bigger numbers. Five months since last November when people from all the ages and backgrounds took to French streets driven by anger over a perceived squeeze on household income, their anger seemed cemented. "With favorable weather and following disappointing announcements of the head of state, there will be a lot of people," said Benjamin Cauchy, one of the "Yellow Vest" representatives. The spontaneous action had drew 287,710 people at its highest. Since then, it has been losing steam after Macron offered concessions worth 10 billion euros (11.24 billion U.S. dollars) to improve purchasing power and launched a series of public debates that he promised will lead to concrete measures. Despite signs of weakening, some of "Yellow Vest" protesters had sought to maintain pressure on the French government to ensure their claims of better fiscal policy and improved public services should be transformed into deeds. The 23rd protest, called as an "ultimatum 2" to the French president, came days after a fire ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral. Demonstrators expressed frustration that their request to improve the daily life of the needy has not received anything like the outpouring of millions of euros to help build the landmark church. "Millions for Notre Dame, what for the poor?" or "Victor Hugo thanks you for Notre Dame, think about the miserable", read out banners in Paris rally. "I'm sorry, and with all due respect to our heritage, but I am just taken aback by these astronomic amounts," Ingrid Levavasseur, one of the movement's founding leader said in a video posted on her Facebook account. "After five months on the streets, this is totally at odds with what we have seen," she said. Pledged donations from French billionaires and companies for the restoration of fire-ravaged centuries-old cathedral are approaching 1 billion euros, shortly after Macron announced, in a televised speech, a fundraising campaign to reconstruct the building. As previous demonstrations, authorities banned rallies at the Champs Elysees Avenue and the Arc de Triomphe monument, flashpoint of clashes with the police and vandalism in recent protests. In Paris, which had been chosen as the focus of the 23th weekend of protest, the debut was relatively calm when people marched peacefully waving tricolor flags and chanted anti-Macron slogans, like previous actions. However, sporadic clashes broke out in the French capital. Some individuals torched rubbish bins and motorcycles and pelted police with projectiles that responded by firing tear gas. On Friday, French Interior Minister Chritophe Castaner feared a repeat of violent protest on March 16 following a potential return of rioters who had the in intention to wreak havoc in Paris, Toulouse, Montpellier and Bordeaux. Some 60,000 police officers were mobilized across French cities and more than 11,000 checks have been conducted by the afternoon. Paris prefecture said 126 protesters were arrested, of which 56 were placed under police custody. When Egypt's parliamentary majority the Support Egypt coalition submitted proposed amendments to the country's 2014 constitution on 3 February, it came as no surprise for many that one of the objectives of these amendments was to reinstate the post of vice president. Abdel-Hadi Al-Qasabi, head of the Support Egypt coalition, told parliament's Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee during the final debate on 14 April that "as the amendments in general aim to reinforce Egypt's internal and political stability, the restoration of the post of vice president comes to serve this objective." The amendments, which were approved by parliament on 16 April and are being put to the vote in a public referendum this week, include three articles on the post of vice president. Article 150 states that the president of the republic shall be authorised to name one or more than one vice president, underline his/her roles, exempt them from their post, and accept their resignation. The constitution's articles 141, 144, 145, 148 and 173 will deal with this issue. According to Al-Qasabi, when the 50-member constituent assembly met in 2013 to draft the existing constitution, it agreed that Egypt should adopt a mixed presidential-parliamentary system. "As a result, the assembly refused to keep the post of vice president in place and opted instead that if a temporary obstacle makes the elected president unable to perform his duties, he will be replaced by the prime minister," said Al-Qasabi, "but now we think that the restoration of the post of vice president has become a necessity and at the same time will by no means form a violation of the existing mixed presidential-parliamentary system." A final 54-page report prepared by parliament's Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee on the amendments said "when the issue of the post of vice president came up for debate during the national dialogue hearing sessions on the amendments between 20 and 28 March, many MPs and political activists said the post of vice president is suitable only for a country with one hundred percent presidential system and so the restoration of this post should be rejected." "They also argued that the post of vice president will be redundant because those who will assume this post will be just shadows for the president, and that the lack of this post will not cause any kind of legislative void as the president can be replaced by the prime minister," said the report. However, according to the report, all the above arguments were rejected by the committee. "The restoration of the post of the vice president does not go in violation of the mixed system, because under this system the president holds many and real powers and that these entail challenging tasks, and so the restoration of the post of vice president will be a very logical step, because this vice president will be highly helpful in enabling the president to perform these tasks," the report said. After Egypt became a republic in January 1953 and Gamal Abdel-Nasser was elected president in 1956, the post of vice president came into being. But it has also become a problem for most presidents since then. Nasser used to change vice presidents every now and then, but in December 1969, or almost one year before he died, he decided to select one vice president, Anwar El-Sadat. Unlike Nasser, Sadat chose Hussein El-Shafie, a member of 1952 revolution's command council, when he came to office in October 1970. In April 1975, however, Sadat decided to choose Hosni Mubarak, the former commander of the army's air force, as vice president. Unlike his two predecessors, Mubarak declined to appoint a vice president throughout his rule. "Maybe because Mubarak himself was a vice president and so he knew that the duties of a vice president are so insignificant, he decided not to name a vice president," said Samir Ghattas, an independent MP and a political analyst, adding that "the only significance in this post is that in the past a vice president could be a president if the latter died, and we all know that this was the case with Sadat and Mubarak." But it was the uprising in January 2011 that at last forced Mubarak to name a vice president Omar Suleiman, the chief of Egypt's general intelligence service. The 2012 constitution, drafted by a constituent assembly dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood, rejected the post of vice president. "The same was true about the current 2014 constitution which it aimed to just strike a balance between the president on one side, and parliament and the cabinet on the other," Ghattas told the Committee. Ahmed Helmi El-Sherif, deputy head of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, told Ahram Online that "the main job of the vice president will be to help the president of the republic." "First of all," argued El-Sherif, "many proposed that as the post of vice president will be reinstated, it should be obligatory rather than optional - for the president to name a one once the amendments go into effect." "But the committee rejected this argument and we decided that it should be optional for the president to name a vice president or not," said El-Sherif, adding that "as the main job of the vice president is to help the president, we decided to leave the matter optional for the president who will see by himself whether this measure will help him his job and serve the public interest." El-Sherif revealed that "a big number of participants in the national dialogue also wanted that the president be allowed to name one vice president only." "We also rejected this argument, insisting that this measure should be also left to the president to decide," said El-Sherif, adding that "the president is the only one who can decide if a vice president should be named, and whether there should be one or more than one vice president." The report said "some political activists said the president and vice president should be elected on one ticket, just like the case in the United States." El-Sherif, however, said "this proposal was also rejected by the committee because the election of a vice president represents a part of the 100 percent presidential systems." As a result, the report indicated, an appointed vice president will be politically responsible to the president only. "An appointed vice president will not be required to receive a prior approval from parliament or face a vote of confidence from MPs, not to mention that the president will not be obliged to seek parliament's prior approval if he decide to dismiss or change vice presidents," said the report, indicating that "the vice president can face trial on grand treason charges and in line with Article 173 of the constitution." The report said the amended Article of 160 (last paragraph) states that if a caretaker president takes office, he shall not be entitled to amend the constitution, dissolve parliament (the House of Representatives) or Senate, or dismiss the government. The caretaker president will also not be allowed to run for president. Explaining on the above, the report said the vice president cannot become a president if the latter dies or resigns. "Just in case of temporary absence, it is the president who will decide who can replace him, and if he has more than one vice president it will be also up to him to choose the one who will replace him," said the report. In this respect, the amended Article 160 (first paragraph) states that "if a temporary obstacle makes the elected president unable to perform his duties, he will be replaced by a vice president or prime minister if there is no a vice president." The report indicates that "there is a difference between a temporary and permanent obstacle." "The president can't be replaced by the vice president if he dies or resigns from office as these are permanent obstacles, but in cases of temporary obstacles, such as getting sick, the president can decide that a vice president can replace him," said the report. For the above reasons, said MP Ghattas, appointed vice presidents will be "just presidential aides." "It is the president who will appoint them, specify their duties, force them to resign or dismiss them from their posts, and above all, they will not be able to become president if their boss dies," said Ghattas, adding that "and for these reasons, the opposition in parliament thinks that the post of vice president will be just redundant and superfluous." "Under the amendments, the post of the vice president will not have any significance," said Ghattas. By contrast, however, El-Sherif argues that the restoration of the post of vice president could be important in the future. "Because at some point we could have a political figure who can gain experience in exercising presidential duties and so he can run and become a future president, this will sure serve the objective of reinforcing internal and political stability," argued El-Sherif. Agreeing with Al-Sherif, Abdel-Moneim El-Oleimi, a veteran member of parliament's Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, told Ahram Online "see what happened with Hosni Mubarak." "When president Sadat chose him as vice president in 1975, Mubarak was just a purely military figure. " "He was able in his early years [as president] to regain stability after a long period of troubles under Sadat, and it was only because he refused to appoint a vice president throughout his rule and opt to prepare his son in his last years in power to inherit from him that the people decided to revolt against him," said El-Oleimi. The report indicates that an appointed vice president will be required to take the presidential oath in accordance with Articles 144, and as for the conditions of his selection he will be governed by Articles 144, 145 and 148, and 173 of the constitution. "He will be sworn in before the president, and as for his salary and financial rewards, he will be governed by the same rules regulating the post of the president in this respect and in accordance with Article 145," said the report. Search Keywords: Short link: Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 22:27:43|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close DUBLIN, April 20 (Xinhua) -- China has become the 6th largest goods trade partner of Ireland, according to the latest statistics released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) of Ireland. The CSO data showed that the total value of the goods traded between China and Ireland in the first two months of this year amounted to 1.96 billion euros (2.2 billion U.S. dollars), ranking the 6th only after the United States, Britain, Belgium, Germany and France. The United States continued to be the largest goods trade partner of Ireland with the total value of the goods traded between the countries during the above-mentioned period stood at over 9.5 billion euros. China is now the 7th largest market for the Irish exports and the 5th largest market for the Irish imports in terms of trade value, revealed the CSO figures. During the January-February period of 2019, Ireland exported 1.153 billion euros worth of goods to China while its imports from the latter were valued at 807 million euros, with a trade surplus of 346 million euros. In the year to February, China's trade with Ireland accounted for 4.97 percent of the total value of the goods traded by Ireland with other countries, which represented an increase of 0.94 percentage point compared with the same period last year. Ireland imported and exported a total of 39.4 billion euros worth of goods in the first two months of this year, said the CSO. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 22:32:45|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MOGADISHU, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The United States military said Saturday its special forces on Friday conducted an airstrike against al-Shabab terrorists in southern Somalia, killing two militants. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) which oversees American troops on the African continent said in a statement that the latest strike was conducted in cooperation with Somali government near Jamaame, Lower Juba Region. AFRICOM said no civilians were injured or killed in the airstrike. The statement said al-Shabab group now has been pushed back up the Lower Juba River Valley. "Our Somali security partners have built combat outposts and have created more stability in the valley," William West, AFRICOM deputy director of operations said in the statement, adding that the Somalia government has increased its governance in the region which is vital to create durable and long-term stability. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 22:32:47|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the first plenary meeting of the 10th session of the 13th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, capital of China, April 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature started its bimonthly session Saturday to review multiple draft laws and revisions to laws. Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), presided over the first plenary meeting of the session Saturday morning. A total of 171 members of the NPC Standing Committee attended the meeting. Among the bills presented to the legislautre, the draft revisions to the Judges Law and the Procurators Law were for their third readings. The Constitution and Law Committee of the NPC suggested the drafts be submitted to a vote for adoption at the session. A draft amendment to the Securities Law was submitted for a third reading. The latest revisions to the law include rules on the newly-devised science and technology innovation board, which will pilot a registration-based initial public offering (IPO) system. Also on the lawmakers' table are the draft sections of property and personality rights of the civil code. It is the second reading of these two sections. By the end of 2019, the various sections -- after going through legislative review -- will be compiled with the General Provisions of the Civil Law into a civil code. Lawmakers on Saturday also began reviewing the second drafts of two pharmaceutical-related bills -- the draft revisions to the Drug Administration Law and the draft vaccine administration law. The new drafts regulate online selling of drugs, increase penalties for illegal activities, encourage vaccine research and innovation, and set up a compensation system for vaccine adverse events, among others. Justice Minister Fu Zhenghua briefed lawmakers on a package of revisions to eight laws submitted to the legislature for review. The legislative move -- including an amendment to the Construction Law -- is aimed at creating a rule-of-law, international and convenient business environment, and facilitating the enforcement of the Foreign Investment Law. Lawmakers also heard a report on ratifying a treaty between China and Barbados on criminal judicial assistance, and another one between China and Azerbaijan on the transfer of sentenced persons. Other personnel issues were heard or reviewed at Saturday's meeting. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 22:37:49|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close JUBA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Saturday warned that a delay in the formation of the new unity government could jeopardize the search for peace and stability in the world's youngest nation. In a televised speech, Kiir urged his longtime rival and opposition leader Riek Machar to return to the country in a bid to expedite the process of forming the revitalized coalition government as stipulated in the September 2018 peace deal. "The whole agreement hinged on the formation of the unity government and any delays to this would be an act of bad faith in the eyes of our people. It would create a sense of weariness and uncertainty about the viability of the peace agreement and this is the last thing our country needs," said Kiir. He said that South Sudan is ready for a new spirit and the dawn of a new sense of national unity and there was no better way to express this than to establish a government that brings all parties together. Kiir said there is no honor in pursuing personal ambitions that go contrary to the popular demands of the citizens, adding that the warring parties should continue dialogue and make compromises that are acceptable to all. South Sudan descended into civil war in late 2013, and the conflict has created one of the fastest growing refugee crises in the world. The United Nations estimates that four million South Sudanese have been displaced internally and externally. In September 2018, South Sudan's warring parties signed a final peace deal in Ethiopia after negotiations brokered by the Sudanese government and mandated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 22:52:59|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SANAA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi-led coalition launched an airstrike on Saturday on a cave in Yemen's capital Sanaa, which was used by Houthi rebels to store military drones, Saudi-run Al Arabiya TV reported. The coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said the targeted cave located in Nahdain camp near the presidential palace, south of Sanaa. "It is a legal military target," al-Maliki was quoted as saying by Al Arabiya. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Houthi rebels, meanwhile, said two airstrikes hit Nahdain mountain at dawn. This is the latest coalition airstrike on alleged Yemeni rebel military drone store. Earlier in April, the coalition said it destroyed a Houthi drones manufacturing plant and a store containing launch pads north of Sanaa. Saudi Arabia-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to support Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after Houthi rebels forced him into exile and seized much of the country's north, including Sanaa. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 22:58:03|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TASHKENT, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Three Uzbekistan citizens were killed and 13 others injured in a bus accident in Kazakhstan early Saturday morning, Uzbek Emergency Ministry has said. Out of the 11 injured, three were in serious condition, the ministry said in a statement, adding that the bus was carrying 49 passengers on a highway. Earlier statements by the Kazakh authorities said the accident had killed 11 people and injured 29 others. The accident occurred in the early morning of Saturday in the Kordai district in the southern Zhambyl region when a car collided with a truck on a highway while the passenger bus took evasive action which resulted in the bus flipping over, according to the Kazakh Interior Ministry. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 23:03:05|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JAKARTA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- An evaluation would be conducted on Wednesday's elections process following deaths of dozens of police and attendants who had served in several polling booths in Indonesia, head of Indonesia General Elections Commission (KPU) Arief Budiman said here on Saturday. The victims allegedly died due to extreme exhaustion after the vote counting process. "Yes, we will evaluate it. Their jobs were really hard, have many responsibilities in their tasks. Exhaustion most likely happened to them while they carried out their duties," Arief said. So far 12 and four polling booth attendants respectively in West Java and South Sulawesi provinces have died due to their prolonging duties in the polling booths, local reports said. Adding the number of deaths of those handling the elections, Indonesia Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said on Friday that 10 police have died from sickness, exhaustion and mishaps related to their tasks to guard the polling booths or delivering the elections necessities to remote areas. West Java Provincial KPU Chairman Rifqi Almubarok said the elections took too much time in counting the votes and filling the official documents in the polling booths. Polling booth attendants were obliged to finish vote counting both on presidential and legislative elections later in the night after the ballot casting on Wednesday morning. "Based on our monitoring all of those duties were averagely settled on 5.00 a.m. the next day. In some cases it was even finished on 12.00 p.m. the next day. There were no pauses in all of those jobs. Exhaustion were inevitable," he said on Saturday. Indonesia saw an unprecedented elections this year as voters were obliged to directly vote for president and vice president pairings as well as members of central and regional parliaments at the same time. The 2019 elections in Indonesia was exceptionally unique as it was conducted within 8 hours nationwide with listed eligible voters of over 192 million. Two million of them did the voting in 130 cities overseas earlier before the nationwide schedule. The KPU provided over 809,500 polling booths in 524 cities and regencies for the voters to cast their votes. Some 24.8 trillion rupiah (about 1.7 billion U.S. Dollars) was allocated to finance the political event. The 2019 elections registered highest participation rate at around 82 percent, the highest level in the nation's history. According to quick counts, unofficial results of elections organized by polling agencies, President Joko Widodo won 54.5 percent votes while his rival Prabowo Subianto earned 45.5 percent votes. The KPU is scheduled to officially announce winner of the election after it settled the manual vote counting on May 22. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-20 23:08:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BAGHDAD, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Council of Representatives (parliament) held on Saturday a conference for councils of representatives from neighboring countries in Baghdad to discuss security and economic issues. The one-day conference included Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria. Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi said in his opening speech that "the Iraqi people have suffered a great deal from the bitterness of wars." "Now, Iraq is regaining its position among other countries in the region. We thank all of our partners and friends who have stood with us in the difficult circumstances," Halbousi told the conference. Halbousi confirmed that the geographic, social and religious factors are linking Iraq and its neighbors, and Iraq is keen to boost its ties with neighboring countries in a way that keeps balanced relations. Later in the day, the conference issued its closing statement, in which the participants confirmed "the support of Iraq's stability and preservation of its territorial integrity and unity of social fabric." It also considered that Iraq's stability is important for the region, emphasizing the "importance of supporting the reconstruction and development in Iraq." The closing statement asserted that Iraq's victory over the Islamic State is "a common ground for all the peoples of the region to start a new page of cooperation." The participants "emphasized the importance of supporting moderation and combating extremism in all forms," the statement said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-21 02:14:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close NEW YORK, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Most U.S. equities reported muted weekly performances, but Qualcomm stock was an exception. Shares of the U.S. mobile chipmaker notched a 4-day winning streak in the trading week shortened by Good Friday, bringing week-to-date gains to 40.28 percent, triggered by the continued optimism on Apple-Qualcomm deal. Apple and Qualcomm announced Tuesday that they have reached a settlement agreement, which will end litigation between the two tech giants over patent and royalty disputes. The settlement includes an unspecified payment from Apple to Qualcomm. The two companies also have reached a six-year license agreement, effective as of April 1, 2019, including a two-year option to extend, and a multi-year chipset supply agreement. Qualcomm shares skyrocketed 23.21 percent shortly after the news, its biggest one-day gain in nearly two decades. The stock continued to jump 12.25 percent on Wednesday, before climbing another 1.02 percent on Thursday. Over the past two years, Apple and Qualcomm have sued one another in courts, each asking for billions in damages. According to media reports, Apple previously accused Qualcomm of engaging in illegal patent licensing practices, and was seeking up to 27 billion dollars in damages. Qualcomm, for its part, argued Apple and its business partners had stopped paying royalties and was seeking up to 15 billion dollars in damages. Analysts had previously said that the dispute between Qualcomm and Apple could slow down Apple's plans to support next-generation 5G networks. Qualcomm is one of the top suppliers of chips that can connect to 5G networks. The agreement opens up the possibility that Apple could release a 5G iPhone sooner than expected with Qualcomm's modems, analysts said. New iPhone models released in 2018 used Intel modem chips instead of Qualcomm's technology. On Tuesday, Intel announced its decision to withdraw from 5G smartphone modem business following the Apple-Qualcomm settlement. Wall Street analysts believed the settlement would help Qualcomm strengthen its position in 5G network and expand revenue accordingly. A number of brokerages upgraded their ratings of Qualcomm stock and raised their price targets. JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee upgraded Qualcomm to "overweight" from "neutral" with a price target of 88 dollars as 5G technology leadership will be appealing to investors, especially in the absence of litigation overhang. Stifel's Kevin Cassidy set a 100-dollar price target based on his confidence in Qualcomm as the "clear leader" in 5G modem technology. Closing the week at 79.89 U.S. dollars per share, Qualcomm has exceeded 96 billion dollars in market cap, increasing about 27 billion dollars after the settlement was announced. The company is scheduled to report its latest quarterly earnings on May 1 and more details of Apple-Qualcomm deal might become available in the earnings call on the same day, according to Qualcomm. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-21 02:49:30|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close LONDON, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Two teenage men were arrested under the Terrorism Act related to journalist Lyra McKee's killing, Police Service of Northern Ireland announced Saturday. Speaking to media in Londonderry on Saturday afternoon, Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said they arrested this morning two teenagers, aged 18 and 19, under the Terrorism Act and conducted a number of searches as part of the ongoing investigation into Lyra's murder. "Shortly before 11 pm on Thursday night, 29 year old Lyra was murdered by terrorists. I believe that the people responsible are members of the new IRA," Murphy said. Murphy said terrorists were "lurking in the shadows". He warned: "What we are seeing is a new breed of terrorist coming through the ranks and that for me is a very worrying situation." He said Lyra was killed by shots that were fired indiscriminately in Fanad Drive. "The brutal nature of the attack has sent shockwaves around the world. The shots were fired in a residential area at a time when there were large numbers of local people on the street including children. The gunman showed no thought for who may have been killed or injured when he fired these shots." One eye-witness described how a masked gunman came round a corner and fired shots indiscriminately towards police vehicles. "There were a number of houses with families - they had all spilled out on the street to see what was happening. There were young people, there were children on the street, there were teenagers milling about and a gunman just fired indiscriminately up the street," the witness told the BBC. Police were bombarded with at least 50 petrol bombs, while a number of vehicles were ambushed and set on fire in what has been some of the worst violence seen in Northern Ireland for some time. The Irish border area was a flashpoint during the decades of conflict that cost over 3,600 lives after the 1960s. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) waged a campaign for the reunification of the island, leading to 30 years of what is known as "the Troubles." It laid down its guns in favor of pursuing a political solution in 1998. Thursday's violence broke out after police were carrying out a search operation looking for firearms that may have been used over the Easter weekend, which marks the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, a time when dissidents are traditionally active. Murphy described Lyra's death as senseless and appalling beyond belief. "It represents the tragic loss of promise and the loss of potential, however it should not be the loss of hope. We know that the people of Creggan do not support what happened and they stand with us today in outrage and disgust at the mayhem that took place on their streets," he said. He said there had been a sea change in community attitudes which was demonstrated in "unprecedented support" for police investigating the killing. "Lyra's murder was not just an attack on Lyra - it was an attack on the fabric of the community. Lyra's killers have succeeded only in uniting the entire community in condemnation," Murphy said, urging witnesses who had yet to come forward to not be deterred by intimidation. British Prime Minister Theresa May said in her twitter Friday that the death of McKee is "shocking and truly senseless." She expresses deepest condolences to McKee's family, friends and colleagues and said "she was a journalist who died doing her job with great courage." Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley visited Londonderry on Saturday and signed a book of condolence. She wrote: "A tragic loss, such promise, such energy, so much potential. We can only imagine what you would have achieved." In Dublin, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said: "Our solidarity also goes out to the people of Derry and to the entire journalism community.We cannot allow those who want to propagate violence, fear and hate to drag us back to the past." The non-governmental forum of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) launched on Saturday the 64th Session of the Committee, which will be held in Sharm El-Sheikh from 24 April to 14 May. The discussions will include the issues of migration, asylum, displacement, women, children and groups in need of care, as well as the implementation of the standards contained in the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. The forum will be held in partnership with the African Commission, the African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, the National Council for Human Rights in Morocco and the Arab Organization for Human Rights. The forum was opened by Ambassador Youssef Zadeh, representative of the Egyptian foreign minister, Dr. Maitra Sweata Maiga, chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, Dr. Mabasa Fall, Professor Hanna Forster of the African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies and Alaa Shalaby, president of the Arab Organization for Human Rights. The opening speeches emphasised the importance of the role of civil society in enriching and strengthening the African human rights system, and a number of key issues related to public mobility and democratisation, including in Algeria and Sudan, and the suffering of people in turbulent areas, including Libya. Search Keywords: Short link: Damaged vehicles by an overnight shelling are seen in Abu Salim district in Tripoli,Libya on April 17, 2019. (Reuters photo) TRIPOLI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A total of 220 people have been killed and 1,066 others injured in the fighting between the UN-backed Libyan government and the east-based army in and around the capital Tripoli, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Saturday. "Tripoli toll is now 220 dead and 1,066 wounded. Among the killed civilians in Libya are health workers, women, and children," WHO tweeted. A day earlier, WHO demanded all parties in Libya "protect civilians, health workers and health facilities." The east-based army, led by Khalifa Haftar, has been leading a military campaign since early April to take over Tripoli from the UN-backed government. The fighting has forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes, but many others remain trapped in conflict areas. Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition amid insecurity and chaos ever since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-21 04:19:49|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close CHICAGO, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agricultural futures closed lower in the Good Friday trading week which ended April 18, with soybeans falling over 1 percent, as there is lack of fresh market news about the trade talks between the United States and China. The most active contract for May soybeans were down 14.75 cents weekly, or 1.65 percent, to 8.805 dollars per bushel. May wheat dropped 20.25 cents, or 4.36 percent, to 4.4425 dollars per bushel. July corn went down 2.25 cent, or 0.61 percent, to 3.6725 dollars per bushel. Limited market news, slow exports and bearish fund traders all weighed on CBOT soybean market through the week. Spot soybean prices slipped to a 5-month low ahead of the holiday weekend but managed a slightly higher close at the end of Thursday's trade. Traders are awaiting for firmer indications that the United States and China were making progress on the trade talks. The sides have met several times in the past few months to attempt to hammer out a trade deal between the world's two largest economies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Thursday reported net export sales of U.S. soybeans in the week ending April 11 at 382,100 tonnes, toward the low end of a range of trade expectations. USDA also said it expected to release its first U.S. soybean planting progress figure for 2019 in next week's crop progress report. CBOT corn futures ended the week a bit lower on favorable South American growing conditions and another week without concrete evidence on Chinese demand in the near term. Corn prices were also under ample U.S. and global grain supplies, while potential U.S. Midwest planting delays and the fact that commodity funds already hold a huge net short position limits the decline. Wheat futures were hovering near a one-month low struck earlier this week, as a broadly favorable harvest outlook in the northern hemisphere weighed on prices. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-21 04:50:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BUENOS AIRES, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Boca Juniors manager Gustavo Alfaro said he would give Carlos Tevez until the last minute to prove his fitness for the team's Copa Libertadores away clash with Deportes Tolima on Wednesday. Tevez was initially expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks after spraining his left knee while training during the week. However Boca are hopeful that the former Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus forward could return for the match in Ibague, Colombia. "We're taking it day by day to see how it evolves," Alfaro told reporters. "Until they (medical staff) tell me that he can't get on the plane, he is available. I hope that he can recover quickly and be ready for what we have coming." Tevez has scored just twice in 17 appearances across all competitions for Boca this year, having mainly been used as a substitute. In January, the former Argentina international said that he would likely retire at the end of 2019, bringing an end to a career that has spanned almost two decades. Zanni de la Survivor Romania, declaratii neasteptate despre Ana Porgras. Poti sa razi cat vrei tu pe tema asta Intrebat in repetate randuri de catre fanii de pe contul de socializare, ce fel de relatie mai are cu Ana Porgras, Zanni a surprins pe toata lumea [citeste mai departe] MAE: Melescanu in Ankara, in Romania - Turkey - Poland trilateral meeting Regional and international security and the contribution to meeting NATO's goals were the topics Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu and his counterparts approached within the round of trilateral consultations of the foreign affairs ministers of Romania, Poland and Turkey, carried out over 18 -19 April in Ankara. According to a Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) release, the three foreign minister referred to the results of the recent NATO ministerial meeting, which took place in Washington in the period 3 - 4 April 2019, and which reconfirmed the allied solidarity and the sustainability Citeste articolul mai departe pe stiripesurse.ro Sursa articol: stiripesurse.ro Stiri pe aceeasi tema - Joe si Jill Biden vor petrece primul lor Craciun la Casa Alba, care a fost deja decorata de sarbatori. Tema din acest an a fost denumita cadouri din inima, iar prin ornamentele alese sunt omagiati angajatii americani aflati in linia intai a luptei cu pandemia de coronavirus, potrivit posturilor americane - The Strategic Communication Group (GCS) informed on Monday morning that in the last 24 hours, 9,187 cases of SARS-CoV-2 positive people were registered and 301 deaths were reported, out of which two previous ones. "According to the existing data on October 25, 2021, at 10:00, within 24 hours, 9,187 - Romania's President Klaus Iohannis attended a videoconference meeting on Monday with European Council President Charles Michel, his Lithuanian counterpart and the prime ministers of Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia in preparation of the European Council meeting scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Brussels. - The list of the ministers proposed for the Cabinet of Prime Minister-designate Dacian Ciolos and the governing program were submitted to Parliament on Monday. According to regulations, the Standing Bureaus are to meet in order to set the date of the joint meeting of Parliament, within 15 days - The Save Romania Union - Freedom, Unity, and Solidarity Party Alliance (USR PLUS) returns to the name of USR, but also to the old logo on an exclusively blue background, according to a decision adopted in the Sunday meeting of the party's Congress, held online. The information was confirmed - Presedintele turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a spus ca tara sa intentioneaza sa cumpere un al doilea lot de sisteme de rachete defensive rusesti S-400, o miscare ce ar putea adanci falia dintre Ankara si Washington, aliati NATO, si ar putea atrage noi sanctiuni din partea SUA, scrie Reuters. - Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu participated on Thursday in the informal ministerial meeting on the International Criminal Court (ICC), traditionally organised by Liechtenstein, on the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) announces, - The Strategic Communication Group (GCS) announced on Wednesday that 1,163 intensive care beds for COVID-19 patients are available nationwide, at this point, 1,037 of which are currently occupied. "On Wednesday, according to the data available in the alerte.ms application, there were 1,163 ICU beds Stiri pe aceeasi tema - In perioada 15-28 noiembrie, studentii farmacisti din Craiova desfasoara, alaturi de asociatii studentesti din alte orase din tara, campania InfoDiabet. Evenimentul succede Zilei Mondiale a Diabetului si isi propune informarea corecta si concreta asupra problemelor generate de diabet. Pe 18 noiembrie - In comemorarea Sfantului Martin, episcop de Tours, joi, 11 noiembrie 2021, Monseniorul Petru Sescu va fi hirotonit episcop, prin impunerea mainilor PS Iosif Paulet, episcop de Iasi, in cadrul unei Sfinte Liturghii solemne celebrate in Catedrala Sfanta Fecioara Maria, Regina din Iasi, la ora 10.30. - Alti sapte angajati SMURD IGSU din Republica Moldova impreuna cu 20 de medici si asistenti medicali din cadrul Ministerului Sanatatii au fost delegati pentru a continua misiunea umanitara in Romania. Acestia vor ajunge la Iasi si vor inlocui colegii care pe parcursul a doua saptamani au acordat suport - The anti-communist revolution in Hungary, with 65 years since its outbreak being marked this month and which had reverberations in Romania as well, will be commemorated in Sfantu Gheorghe on Saturday by the Association of Political Prisoners from Covasna County. Participants in the event, which will - Potrivit zf.ro, la sfarsitul lunii iunie 2021, au fost identificate 860 de initiative smart city aflate in stadiul de proiect, in curs de implementare sau deja finalizate, in 124 de orase mari, medii si mici din tara. Topul celor mai - President of the National Liberal Party's Vaslui branch and former Health Minister Nelu Tataru took to Facebook today to say that Romania's pandemic situation is serious and that what happens now resembles a war - life against death. "There is no more time for disbelief!," was Nelu Tataru's - Prime Minister Florin Citu considers that, during this period, political leaders should "totally dissociate" themselves from those who conduct anti-vaccination campaigns and considers that the protest that took place on Saturday was a "cynical one" ". "We also looked at yesterday's protest, - President Klaus Iohannis will receive, on Saturday, in Germany, the International Charlemagne Prize of the City of Aachen - for European unification. According to a release of the Presidential Administration, the board of directors of the Charlemagne Prize decided to confer to President Klaus The convict entered the illegal armed terrorist groups in the temporary occupied Debaltseve in 2014 Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) Open source The militant of the Donetsk Peoples Republic by a nickname Cat got 10 years of the suspended sentence. The press service of the Security Service of Ukraine reports this. According to the report, the resident of Kherson moved to the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk and entered the illegal armed terrorist groups in the temporary occupied Debaltseve in summer, 2014. Afterward, he was appointed a commander of the battalion of the so-called Armed Forces of the Donetsk Peoples Republic. As a member of the terrorist group, he was responsible for the selection and training of specialized personnel and organization of control over the militants on duty at the checkpoints. He also organized the passing through the checkpoints to seized administrative buildings and territories. Terrorists awarded the man with the special medal For the military services for the active participation in combat operations against ATO forces, the report said. The Kostiantynivskyi city court of Donetsk region found the militant guilty of committing a crime under part 1 of article 258-3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The period of serving the punishment starts from the day of detention and sentence. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the OSCE special monitoring mission crashed near the contact line in the Donetsk region. This is stated in the OSCE report on its website. According to the report, the SMM team launched long-range UAVs to fly over government-controlled and uncontrolled districts of the Donetsk region at 20:45 on Thursday, April 18. At 1:26 on Friday, April 19, flying over the area near the Ugledar settlement, UAV lost the signal of both GPS-modules due to radio interference (as a result of jamming). The radio interference continued until 2:35, when the mission team lost control of the UAV, trying to send the device to the ground flight control station near Stepanivka, the report says. According to the SMM, the UAV crashed at 2:36 west of Horlivka. It is too early to draw conclusions about the causes of the incident. The area where the UAV allegedly crashed is located near the collision line and is considered to be significantly mined, and therefore the SMMs access to this area is extremely limited - told the organization representatives, noting that the mission is taking urgent measures to determine the location of the UAV. Earlier the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk began the monitoring surveillance flight on the East of Ukraine. Ukrainian military portal reports this. According to the report, the flight of the drone on the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine was launched today, on March 1, at 9:00 AM. The drone belongs to the United States Air Force and is located on the airbase in Italy, on the Sigonella Island. RQ-4 Global Hawk is the strategic surveillance aircraft, which was first used on the United States Air Force airbase in California on February 29, 1998. The first drone was passed to the US army and started to fulfill military missions in 2006. President of the National Council for Women (NCW) Maya Morsy called on all Egyptian women Saturday to participate in an ongoing referendum on proposed constitutional amendments. Morsy gave remarks after casting her ballot at a polling station in Dokki district in Giza. Earlier today, Morsy opened an operations room at the council's complaints office to receive any relevant complaints or inquiries during the referendum, which is scheduled to last until April 22. The referendum covers 12 articles in the current constitution as well as a new one on the inception of a Senate, a second chamber for the parliament. Search Keywords: Short link: Miroslav Lajcak stressed that the duty of the parties in Minsk is to guarantee a safe and secure environment for citizens in a combat zone in the east of Ukraine. Open source The OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak regretted that the Trilateral Contact Group and its Security Working Group on April 18 failed to agree on a new commitment to cease fire on the occasion of the upcoming Easter celebrations. This is stated on the OSCE website. Every day, people in eastern Ukraine experience difficulties. It is the duty of the parties to guarantee a safe and secure environment, and this is a key condition for any positive development, including the improvement of a difficult humanitarian situation, said Lajcak. Alarmed by the violations of the ceasefire, the head of the OSCE focused on the urgent need not only to renew the truce, but also to agree on a sustainable and irreversible ceasefire. Lajcak calls on the parties to continue negotiations in order to fulfill the ceasefire commitment and support it. We recall, on April 18, the representative of Ukraine in the TCG, Iryna Gerashchenko, reported that in Minsk at the negotiations of the Tripartite Contact Group they had failed to reach an agreement on the "Easter ceasefire". Over 2,000 regular Russian soldiers stay on the territory of occupied Donbas as BBC News Ukraine reported citing Serhiy Nayev, the Commander of the Joint Forces Operation. According to our information, the Russians occupy the leadership positions of the republican bodies of state government, bodies of the military administration of the operative and tactical level, command positions of particular detachments. Besides, the regular Russian military officers are the military advisors, instructors, commanders of the detachments of the military and operative provision. Their number estimated as over 2,000 people, Nayev said. According to him, the tendency for the decrease of the presence of the regular Russian military men in Donbas is observed; however, the Russian officers and general make the core of the command staff from battalion up to army corps. Serhiy Nayev emphasized that the Russian military men consider the trips to the east of Ukraine as an obligatory stage for their promotion. Over the past day pro-Russian militants violated the ceasefire ten times using weapons of prohibited calibers. This is reported by the JFO headquarters. In the Luhansk sector, the militants fired at the Ukrainian positions twice. From mortars of 120 mm caliber enemy attacked Ukraines positions in the area of Pavlopil and Vodyane; from 82 mm mortars - near Pishevik; from anti-tank grenade launchers and small arms - near Lebedynske; from automatic grenade launchers and small arms - in the area of Verkhnyotoretske; from large-caliber machine guns - near Avdiivka, Opytne and Novoselivka-2. In the Donetsk sector militants used 82 mm mortars firing at positions near Zolote 4; and hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers and small arms to attack our defenders near Mayorske. No casualties among the Ukrainian military reported as a result of enemy shelling; among the occupiers, three militants were killed and another one was wounded. Since the beginning of the current day, the militants have violated the ceasefire 4 times. Earlier the LNR militant was detained by the Ukrainian servicemen in the Luhansk region. This is reported by the National police of the region. From March to June 2015, the detainee was a scout for invaders and lived in the city of Rovenky, Luhansk region. On April 19, a 46-year-old LNR fighter was detained at the Petropavlivka checkpoint by the fighters of the Luhansk-1 battalion checking documents of the bus passengers. The man was transferred to Security Service employees. Kurt Volker, the special representative of the U.S. State Department to Ukraine, said that the United States will continue to support our country. This is stated in his message on Twitter. In advance of Sundays election I wanted to reiterate that the U.S. is here for the long haul and were here to support a peaceful, strong, democratic, prosperous, secure, Ukraine that sees its borders and territories, including Crimea, fully restored, he wrote. Earlier Volker declared that the forceful return of Crimea is a completely excluded option. He also completely ruled out direct negotiations with the militants of Donbas. He also mentioned that the United States in its support of Ukraine amid war remains open for new arms transfers to Kyiv. "Ukraine has indicated an interest in acquiring more of (the American anti-tank weapons, - ed.) that is possible. We also need to be looking at things like air defense and coastal defense. Anti-sniper systems (Barrett M82s) is something that U.S. has already provided. It is reasonable and necessary for Ukraine to have a modern capability to defend itself and prevent further aggression against its territory, Kurt Volker said. He also stressed that NATO remains totally supportive of Ukraines war effort and considers Ukraines full membership in the organization possible. But that doesnt mean that is imminent. And that is because a country needs to meet all the standards for NATO democracy, civil control of the military, reform, anti-corruption, contribution to common security, reform in the military establishment, in the defense sector generally, so theres a lot to do. In some ways, its up to how quickly Ukraine can progress on all of these issues. It is also up to NATO making by consensus as to when they feel appropriate time would be to actually extend a formal invitation. I cant predict when that would happen what is important is that NATO has declared willingness in principle and that Ukraine keep progressing in meeting those standards along the way, and when the time is right, it will be possible to do, Volker noted. Open source There are still concerns that Britain may leave the European Union without an agreement. This was announced on Saturday by the head of the executive branch of the European bloc, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, in an interview with the FUNKE Mediengruppe, reports Reuters. No one knows how Brexit will end. This creates a lot of uncertainty. There is still a fear that there will be a tough Brexit, without any contractual mechanisms for Britains withdrawal from the EU, Juncker said. He noted that despite the lack of clarity as to when, how, or even whether Brexit will occur, the UK should use the time until October 31 wisely. He also focused on the fact that the EU cannot endlessly postpone the withdrawal of Britain from the EU. The assistance of the head of the State Border Service of Ukraine reported this Oleg Slobodyan, the Spokesperson of Ukraines Border Guard Service Ukrinform 107 citizens of the Russian Federation have not been allowed to enter Ukraine before the second round of presidential elections since the beginning of the strengthened border guard regime over a week. Oleg Slobodyan, the assistance of the head of the State Border Service of Ukraine, stated this, as UNN reports. According to Slobodyan, 326 foreigners have not been allowed to Ukraine since April 15. Earlier, Five journalists who planned to cover the presidential elections in Ukraine in their publications were not allowed to enter Ukraine in March. Since the beginning of March, there are several non-admissions. These are three citizens of the Russian Federation who did not confirm their accreditation and, accordingly, we prohibited them crossing the border. They simply were not allowed through the checkpoint, but without prohibiting entry to Ukraine. The border guards did not allow almost 700 citizens of Russia to enter Ukraine since the beginning of 2019. The border guards continue to check the citizens entering Ukraine in an enhanced regime after the end of martial law. A Russian internationally wanted has been detained in Ukraine. The press service of the State Border Service of Ukraine reports this. Ukrainian border guards noticed a Russian citizen during a check of documents in Boryspil airport, who was wanted by Interpol. The man tried to get on a plane to Tel Aviv, the report said. Border guards reported to the Ministry of Interior Affairs of Ukraine, and the detainee was transferred to the National Police department. Earlier, LNR militant was detained by the Ukrainian servicemen in the Luhansk region. This is reported by the National police of the region. From March to June 2015, the detainee was a scout for invaders and lived in the city of Rovenky, Luhansk region. On April 19, a 46-year-old LNR fighter was detained at the Petropavlivka checkpoint by the fighters of the Luhansk-1 battalion checking documents of the bus passengers. The law enforcers concluded that after reviewing many video and photos from witnesses of the fire Fire at Notre-Dame de Paris, April 16, 2019 Yevhen Nyschuk Facebook Paris police investigators have figured the spot of the start of the fire that ripped through Notre Dame Cathedral. CNN reports this referring to the police. After police reviewed a bunch of amateur video and photos from witnesses, investigators concluded that the fire started at the center of the cathedral's roof towards the base of the spiral. According to the report, there is a possibility that the fire alarm system sensors did not work properly. Besides, the law enforcers are focusing on potential problems with elevators set for builders. Earlier, According to one version of the forensics, the reason Notre-Dame de Paris began to burn were troubles with the electricity, in particular, short circuit. The officers of the security service informed the police that the center of the fire was located at the bottom of Notre-Dame de Paris spire at the side of the Seine. According to the security guards, when the fire alarm went off, they came to the elevator, the fire was strong then and they could not do anything. The spire and the roof of the Notre Dame cathedral fell in a fire. The press service of the President of France reported that Macron canceled the planned speech in the Elysee Palace in order to come to the cathedral. The law enforcers order all the people to leave the streets near the cathedral and to go to safe places. The coordinated meeting of the National Police with other officials before the political debates of presidential candidates Zelensky and Poroshenko, April 9, 2019 Olga Atamanova Facebook The police registered 97 claims and messages concerning violations of the electoral process during the campaign silence on April 20. Speaker of the National Police Yaroslav Trakalo stated this, broadcasted by 112.Ukraine. 97 claims and messages concerning the electoral process were registered as of 2:30 PM. Generally, those violations are illegal agitation and vote-buying attempts. One criminal proceeding has been launched, five administrative materials and 74 more applications are under the review, Trakalo said. The speaker of the National police explained how the law enforcers should act when they receive a call about violations. The officer on duty, on the basis of the received information, sends the police squad to the spot. The officers carry out the corresponding check. If such information is confirmed, it is recorded, and then the investigative-operational group is sent to the place to decide qualification the offense. In case of this is an administrative offense, the police make the relevant administrative materials and send them to the court, and if it is the criminal offense - the investigators enter the relevant information into the Unified register of pre-trial investigations of Ukraine, Trakalo added. Four Turkish soldiers were killed on Friday in clashes with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) near the border with Iraq, Turkey's Defence Ministry said on Saturday. Demiroren News Agency said a military base had been attacked in the mountainous Cukurca district of Turkey's southeastern province of Hakkari, prompting the Turkish military to respond with a "large-scale" military operation. "As part of ongoing operations in the Turkey-Iraq border, two soldiers were killed in clashes with terrorists despite all efforts to save them," the ministry said, adding a total of four soldiers were killed and six wounded. "Terrorists are under intense fire with the air operation and fire support vehicles in the region," it said. The PKK, which has waged an insurgency for autonomy in Turkey's largely Kurdish southeast since 1984, is deemed a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. Search Keywords: Short link: An evening-length show comprised of three dance solos exploring themes of monster-hood with performances by Emmaly Wiederholt, Lorien House and Patricia Chen. An evening-length show comprised of three dance-theater solos exploring themes of monster-hood Performances by Emmaly Wiederholt, Lorien House and Patricia Chen Emmaly Wiederholts Pick Me (Apart) is a multi-media dance-theater solo examining that pesky little phenomenon where you really, really want something and yet your inner monster sabotages your goal. Lorien House's A Short History of Unfortunate Animals excerpted from a longer work to be presented in the Capital Fringe Festival in Washington D.C. this coming summer follows the Extinct, the Endangered, the Feral, and the Domestic, human and non, as they present four monstrous little dances. Patricia Chens Vers Toi is a reaction to the disappearance of a loved one and the different lingeringly (but friendly) monstrous presences that follow. Resulting from a process of long-distance transmission, improvisation and re-transcription in collaboration with American choreographer Gina Buntz, this solo delineates a gestural story of time and space, displacement and memory, perception and dreams. 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!) Runs through 05/18/2019. Named after the wounded Fisher King of Arthurian Legend, A Prairie Fisher King espouses the notion of home as both a site of idealization and a locus for wounding. Drawing from memory, a narrative is woven in the form of photographs and text of the rural Iowa countryside where my family has lived for generations. A Prairie Fisher King is an ongoing body of work reflecting on the nature of familial hardship and generational connection through the lens of place. An undertone of violence embodies the emotional distress accumulated with age as well as a looming threat posed upon the landscape. Initially conceived as a bittersweet love letter to home, A Prairie Fisher King considers the various myths we construct in order to survive in the face of inevitable change. Through the accumulation of intimately described detail a search for reconciliation becomes palpable. I assume the role of reluctant hero and return to seek the damaged king, to seal old wounds and to salve the land. __________________________________________ Chelsea Darter received her MFA at Columbia College Chicago in 2018 and her BFA from The University of Iowa in 2013. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and featured online by Light Leaked, Aint-Bad, and Fraction Magazine. Her personal work explores themes of place attachment, class, familial connection and local mythologies. She lives and works in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Finance Ministry auctioned on Thursday treasury bills at a total value of EGP 18.5 billion. In an online statement, the ministry said it sold 182-day T-bills worth EGP 9 billion with an average yield of 17.264 percent. The yield ranged from 16.999% to 17.28%. It noted that it sold 357-day T-bills valued at EGP 9.5 billion with an average yield of 17.025 percent. The yield ranged from 17% to 17.041%. Search Keywords: Short link: